All Over Albany

Feds: "insufficient evidence" of a federal crime related to state anti-corruption panel, former Watervliet police officer sentenced to prison, teacher accused of taking toys

Feds' investigation of Moreland Commission
A statement Monday from Preet Bharara's office about the federal investigation into Andrew Cuomo shutting down the Moreland Commission anti-corruption panel: "After a thorough investigation of interference with the operation of the Moreland Commission and its premature closing, this Office has concluded that, absent any additional proof that may develop, there is insufficient evidence to prove a federal crime." Andrew Cuomo's attorney: "We were always confident there was no illegality here, and we appreciate the U.S. attorney clarifying this for the public record." Not mentioned in the Bharara office statement: anything about the Buffalo Billion. [US DOJ] [NYT] [TU]

High school graduation rates
The state Education Department released high school graduation rates for the class that graduated in 2015, and statewide the rate was up almost two percentage points to 78.1 percent. Here's an easy-scan breakdown of rates for Capital Region districts. One bit from the Schenectady school district -- which, along with Albany, again had one of the lowest rates in the region: superintendent Larry Spring said that of the roughly 100 students in the graduating cohort who had been in the district since kindergarten, 97 percent graduated on time. [NYSED] [AOA] [Daily Gazette]

Robberies, assaults along New Scotland Ave
More details in the two separate robberies/assault along New Scotland Ave in Albany Saturday: Police allege the man arrested in the case -- Jose L. Marlett -- abducted the second woman near New Scotland Elementary, tied her up with a telephone cord in his apartment, and sexually assaulted her. After Marlett left the apartment, the woman was able to break free and News10 reports she ran naked down New Scotland Ave where she was able to get help at a restaurant on the corner of New Scotland and Ontario. Neighbors tell TWCN they had noticed Marlett acting strangely. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]

Former Watervliet police offer heading to prison
Former Watervliet police officer Nicholas Pontore -- accused of being involved with the Young Gunnerz gang, and buying drugs while on duty in his police car -- pleaded guilty in Rensselaer County Court to a drug charge and was sentenced to two years in prison. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [TU]

Watervliet homicide
Among the alleged details in the death of Brandon T. Sherwin in Watervliet: Michael Fox is accused of shooting Sherwin in the chest with a shotgun and then stabbing him repeatedly, according to documents filed in court. There's still no word on what motivated the incident. [News10] [TU]

Death of Troy man in LA
The Los Angeles police chief says criminal charges should be filed against the LAPD officer accused of fatally shooting a man from Troy last May. [TU]

How to pay for all that stuff
An aide to Andrew Cuomo says the price tag for all the big infrastructure projects he's floated lately is $100 billion -- so... where does the money come from? [Politico NY]

Daily fantasy
A state appeals court has ruled that FanDuel and Draft Kings can continue to operate in New York State while the state attorney general tries to shut them down on the grounds they're illegal gambling. [NYT]

SUNY tuition
SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher says she'd like authorization to continue the system's recent series "rational tuition" increases each year ($300 each year). [TU]

Tax breaks in Troy
New Troy mayor Patrick Madden on tax breaks for developers in the city: "My gut tells me that incentives that we created five years ago maybe don't need to be as deep anymore." [Biz Review]

Schenectady smart city
Gary McCarthy has formed a commission to pursue "smart city" projects in Schenectady. The commission is headed up by former GE Global Research head Mark Little. [Daily Gazette] [Biz Review]

Guilderland teacher accused of taking toys
A Guilderland school district teacher is accused of taking a box of toys that had been collected by students for charity. [WNYT]

"The words 'I am sorry' can never be enough for you and for me as well."
A man now living in Rotterdam after serving 26 years in prison for killing a man in Brooklyn has written a book about his experience in prison -- and his attempts to apologize. [TU+]

Stuff going on today

Hoops
The UAlbany men's baskeball team takes on New Hampshire at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes are 13-4 over all and 2-0 in the America East. Tuesday 7 pm - $12 and up

Stories
The Front Parlor storytelling series is back at The Ale House in Troy. This month's theme is "Defiance." Tuesday 7:30 pm