Official Had Secret Interest in Project he OK'd: Rockland DA

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced the arrest of Shmuel Tress, also known as Samuel Tress, of 221 Kearsing Parkway, Monsey, New York on charges relating to financial conflict of interest.

Tress, 71, is charged with:

• One count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class “E” Felony
• One count of Official Misconduct, a class “A” Misdemeanor

“We thoroughly investigated all allegations regarding the defendant in this case, and the evidence supported criminal charges,” Zugibe said in his announcement.

According to the DA, in May 2015, Tress was serving as a member of the Town of Ramapo Zoning Board of Appeals.

According to the charges, he held a significant financial interest in 142 Blauvelt, LLC, the owner of 142 Blauvelt Road, Monsey, New York.

On May 4, 2015, during a Zoning Board of Appeals session, Tress allegedly cast the deciding vote with respect to the granting of eight zoning variances for the property.

According to the charges, Tress failed to disclose to his financial interest in it.

Zugibe alleged that on May 14, 2015, Tress filed a Disclosure Affirmation with the town officials asserting that he had not and would not engage in any activity that would provide a personal or pecuniary gain to himself in relation to his duties as a member of the Town of Ramapo Zoning Board of Appeals -- and did so with intent to defraud the town.

“Working proactively with our partners, we are rooting out corruption at all levels, and bringing those who abuse their positions of power to justice," Zugibe said.

The investigation was conducted by the Public Corruption Task Force which is comprised of the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Executive Assistant District Attorney Richard K. Moran will prosecute the case.

Tress currently serves as a Councilman in the Town of Ramapo. He is scheduled to return to Village of Airmont Justice Court on April 7.

He faces up to four years in state prison if convicted. It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and that defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.