Timeline of my Nightmare

Michelle Mayer

PO Box 40254

Brooklyn NY 11204

(518) xxx-xxxx

Fax: (347) 438-3237

chellemayer@peacefulshades.com

Summary

Actions via CCDSS drove me into poverty and unsafe housing.  Currently I am facing criminal charges in Peekskill for a dog leash ticket and disorderly conduct with a phantom charge of fight/violent behavior for taping the landlords son May 31, 2014 stating I had to pay if I wanted hot water after not having it for 5 months; 6 male officers dragged me away not permitting me to state what occurred or play tape.  It was a HUD unit, I was evicted June 3, 2014, after being refused recertification even though I fully qualified; due to complaints of lack of hot water for most of 3 years, manner of entry by landlord, refusal of postal mail and sanitation issues below the unit that would fail an honest inspection. Notices for tickets were set to different contact infor than provided. I received them via mail forwarding August 27, 2014, 20 days after appearance date with an added charge of fight/violent behavior.  Court appointed lawyer, Arthur Schneider, refused to hear my view of events explaining that was a separate matter he was not representing and the assigned charges even once or have matters returned to calendar when we spoke Aug 30.  Video and audio contradicts the violation information I received September 29, 2014 and I’m told there are other May 31 allegations that I have to surrender to officers who left me bruised due to  non-appearance August 7 to be told charges. I have faxed dozens of letters to attempt to resolve the matter and cant, I’m terrified I will be stuck in a hole and not permitted to regain self-sufficiency. PLEASE help me help myself,

Summary of CCDSS and Peekskill timeline to follow.

 Columbia County

December1997 – left abusive husband, John Schmidt

January 1998 – Judge Paul Czajka appointed Ken Esrick Esq. he told me I had to drop assault charges or he would lose his job and my kids and I would become a burden of the county.  I refused, the tables turned,  I was charged with endangering my children by allowing him to hurt me in front of them, they were taken and in 'care', given to John then he surrendered his rights and gave them back to the county. 

I fought nine years, they were held based on my alleged extreme mental illness though 9 mandated psych evaluations recommended reunification.  Its documented that this occurs.

http://draconianpolicies.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-poverty-is-poverty-is-created-with_27.html (William Moon Report Excerpt)

My children and I were given 2 hours a month maximum together supervised at CCDSS

'Child support' was charged via CCDSS and pursued under the deadbeat dad law which included passport and drivers license retention, bank account seizure, 65% garnishment of gross income which increased by $200-300 monthly in interest.  I managed for 10 years, in 2009 when I didn't have gas or electric for 8 weeks I was forced to go on assistance, still the interest mounted. 

Another psych evaluation was mandated.  Dr. Richard Higgins of Columbia County Mental Health reported I have severe PTSD and can not work in a traditional workplace due to difficulties with authority and stress reactions.

CCDSS stated I had to go on SSI, I wanted to pursue self-sufficiency via my art skills.

That is how I landed in low income housing.

June 2014 $73,000 was paid to CCDSS by Warren Cooke, it was credited though I am refused a receipt. 100% of $73,000 went to CCDSS for ‘care’ reimbursement and interest, ZERO dollars went to my kids who are all over18 now, we are rebuilding relationships and August is the first time in 15 years I can have un seized bank accounts and I find myself engulfed in the Peekskill nightmare still unable to earn or effectively and am afraid for my safety.  

I am again facing homelessness, I need to be allowed to be un-harassed and pursue income.

My ex-husband, John Schmidt surrendered his parental rights and was pursued for zero ‘child support’

Timeline of Peekskill Events

December 6, 2012; Employees of building owner, Bruno Gonzalez, entered apartment without my knowledge or consent releasing 2 small dogs, leaving them out in 27 degree weather until my return 6 hours later, they were waiting on the porch.  Days later I discovered it was to check a leak.

December 7- January 2013- complained of 12-6-14 entry and dog release at least 12 times to ACO Bowman, Fran Brunelle and A Overby, was told it was a landlord tenant issue.

January 2013;  ACO Bowman issued dog at large ticket; 3 days later stated it was dropped and I was told to keep dogs tagged with my number so I am the contact person if they are loose, I agreed

January 23, 2014 - approached by ACO Bowman and told ticket was not dropped and may be a warrant, I explained and could not get mail because mailman gave tenant mail to BnD deli, rarely make it to tenants, written complaints were filed with Peekskill Post Master; I received no notices.  ACO Bowman said go with him, pay $75 and it would be settled.  At the station I was cuffed and told I needed to pay $250 to leave[i]

April – June  - power tool construction from 11pm to 4am in BnD deli directly below my unit adding  to conditions violating NYS tenant law and HUD guidelines; police were called, nothing was done

May 31, 2014 - Taped Randy Gonzalez, landlords son, stating I had to pay rent if I wanted hot water (monies denied by Fran Brunelle of HUD when he refused recertification of Section 8 rental benefits because I complained too much about lack of hot water, manner of entry, mail issues and income retention  - youtube audio of discussion with Fran Brunelle recorded July 18, 2014 confirms this), Randy called PPD, 6 male officers arrived who did not permit me to play tape and I was dragged away and bruised; video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCcxi-hH9vE   Disorderly conduct ticket was issued ‘because I yelled when taken’ and a $500 bail for dog leash ticket.  When I explained the address was not valid I was told he could not change the address, only the judge could, stay in jail to talk to him next week or leave it, I left it.  I was also told the next time I was there bail would be denied and I’d have to stay there indefinitely.

June 3, 2014 - eviction for non payment pending recertification of Section 8 rental assistance via Fran Brunelle, I had been denied needed forms- documentation provided showed claimed  monies were allocated to Mr. Gonzalez, provided by Susan MacNammee , Hudson HUD (received first copy  of order in December, 2014 from Clerk Cardinale) [ii]

June 5, 2014 - appearance for dog at large ticket and disorderly conduct; assigned Arthur Schneider who refused to discuss the case stating my side was a matter not before the court., He further stated the matter had nothing to do with hot water and walked away – I sill am unaware of accusations and did not see/read May 31, 2014 violation information or deposition generated by Peekskill Police Department until September 29, 2014 when sent by Arthur Schneider.

June 17-2014 - Due to actions of Peekskill Post Office and Bruno Gonzalez I could not receive postal mail; I supplied fax, email and cell number and asked for adjournment via fax misremembering 7-17-14 return date as 6-17-14; reminder notices were sent to different contact information than provided.

June 25-2014 - again denied postal mail by agent of Peekskill Post Office stating no more will go in my box, I believed it was returned to sender, audio here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elDYkptCpB4 [iii]

June 30-2014 - after 5-6 months of no hot water I called outside plumber.  With a switch flip I instantly had hot water, it had been redirected into BnD Deli, below units

July 7-2014 - 72 hour notice to vacate taped to door of 916 Main Street from Peekskill Police Department. Locks disabled

July 12-17, 2014 - Stayed in Tarrytown,

July 17, 2014 - scheduled hearing I was unaware of and missed; notices were not sent to fax or email provided June 17, 2014 but instead  to address I was told by agents of Peekskill Post Office were invalid.

July 18-2014 - Fran Brunelle again refused recertification denied copies of letters allegedly sent [iv], audio here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVWpluiSnhQ I hung up and fell shortly after; multiple facial fractures

July 20 2014 – W. Cooke signed a lease in Brooklyn and offered me the apartment

July 30, 2014 – After 5-6 months of no hot water, I called an outside plumber

August 13, 2014 -Acquired new PO Box and forwarded mail from defunct Peekskill addresses; 916 Main Street Apt B, mail was not deleiver to mailboxes, insteasd delivered to ‘deli’ downstair and rarely reached tenants, Box 2564 cwas closed in October 2013 by Peekskill Postoffic and Box 2483 I was repeatedly denied access to and was told no more mail would be put in my box until I filled out forms again (see youtube aufio June 25, 2014) Forms required current lease so use of mailbox was denied.

August 27, 2014 - Received correspondence from Peekskill Court and Mr. Arthur Schneider (court appointed lawyer) re July 17 and August 7 appearance dates addressed to defunct PO boxes 2564 and 2483

August 29, 2014 - contacted court and Mr. Schneider via phone and fax

August 30, 2014 - Spoke with Mr. Arthur Schneider via phone.  He refused to discuss charges insisting I need to surrender for arrest due to non-appearance due to mis-sent notices.  Refused to clarify added charge of fight/violent behavior.[v]  Discussion available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_jak2p936Q

September 24, 2014 - Letter from Cardinale stating documentation cannot be reviewed due to warrant for not appearance August 7, 2014

Sept 29, 2014 - received violation information and deposition from Mr. Schneider (first seeing/reading – charge )

October 1, 2014 - Letter from Mr. Schneider (appointed lawyer) stating should not contact him to discuss matters unless I am surrendering for arrest[vi]

October 2, 2014 - provided video, audio, documents to ADA Molea refuting statements and validity of issuing ticket

October 27, 2014 - Chief Clerk Cardinale filed bail jumping charge for missed August 7, 2014 appearance; I still do not know what I am accused of.  Several requests for documents and specific allegation have been denied with the explanation in writing form Arthur Schneider that I must be in custody to discuss charges and details.

December_18, 2014 – Copy of Judge Reginald Johnson’s eviction order dated June 3, 2014 via Clerk Cardinale; first time seeing/reading the order.  Have valid appeal but received 6 months after decision and was engulfed in the May 31, 2014 complaint filed by Randy Gonzalez, landlords son.

January 201 – June 2015 – faxed numerous letters to receive documentation, attempt to address dog leash ticket, and provided video and audio that contradicts the deposition and violation information, the only documents received from Mr. Schneider.  (available upon request)

May 12, 2014 – Sent in postal money order for $75, amount stated by ACO Bowman January 23, 2014.  It was declined stating the fine has not been decided yet.  All attempts to pay this fine have been rejected.

June 4, 2015 - filed FOIA request with Chief Eric Johansen PPD, and former lawyer Arthur Schneider to receive allegations and supporting documentation because letters requesting this information did not work

June 11, 2015 – Instead of faxing I called Mr. Schneider, Clerk Richey and Mayor Catalina to ask what I am being accused of.  Was told I must surrender for arrest to gain that information.  The information regarding the charges I am aware of are contradicted by audio and video submitted, I am fully unaware of what I am being charged with in relation to disorderly conduct ticket.

Contacts

HUD/Section 8

840 Main Street

Peekskill NY 10566

914-734-4216

Commisioner Kary Jablonka

25 Railroad Avenue

Hudson New York 12534

(888) 208-4485

Fax: (518) 822-9303

Mayor Frank Catalina Esq.

1013 Brown Street

Peekskill, NY 10566

(914) 736-0087

Fax (914) 736-0083

Bruno Gonzalez

916 Main Street

Peekskill NY 10566

Anthony J. Molea Esq – ADA

111 Dr Martin Luther King Blvd

White Plains, NY 10601

Peekskill City Court

2 Nelson Avenue

Peekskill NY 10566

(914) 831-6480

Fax (914) 736-1889

Peekskill Police Department

2 Nelson Avenue

Peekskill NY 10566

(914) 737-8000

Arthur Schneider Esq.

PO Box 319

Shenorock, New York 10587

(914) 248-8315

Fax (914) 248-5992

---