Tress Resigns from Ramapo Town Board as Part of Plea Bargain

NEW CITY, NY — Samuel "Shmuel" Tress pleaded guilty Thursday in Airmont Justice Court to Official Misconduct and resigned his position as Town Councilman for Ramapo, according to a press release from the Rockland County District Attorney's Office.

His resignation was a condition of his plea agreement with the DA for the misdemeanor charge. He also received a $500 fine and must give a sample of his DNA.

Tress gave a formal statement to the court and admitted that in May of 2015, as a member of the Ramapo Zoning Board, he voted in favor of giving 8 zoning variances to property in which he had a financial interest.

He also admitted that he did not disclose this conflict of interest to any other members of the Board.

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

Tress, of 221 Kearsing Parkway, Monsey, New York was originally indicted on:

• 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

He held a significant financial interest in 142 Blauvelt, LLC, the owner of 142 Blauvelt Road in Monsey. On May 4, 2015, during a Zoning Board of Appeals session, Tress cast the deciding vote with respect to the granting of eight zoning variances for the property.

PHOTO: Shmuel Tress/ Rockland District Attorney's Office