Case 1: 19- mc- ?00283 DLC Document 2 Filed 06/11/19 Page 1 of 4 - 3963 3 GEOFFREY S. BERMAN United States Attorney for JU.GE COTE the Southern District of New York By: MARTIN s. BELL f? f3? Assistant United States Attorney One St. Andrew?s Plaza r-Emr 32.4} a a; . New York, New York 10007 a IL Tel. (212) 637-2463 :J?U-fwj; - 11331}de UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT .. c: SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK .U U: 33 Part I i . STIPULATION AND IN RE: ONE ROLEX SUBMARINER WATCH 1 19 Misc. WHEREAS, the United States Attorney?s Of?ce for the Southern District of New York has determined the following facts: (1) On or about June 24, 2016, Robert Astorino, then serving as the Westchester County Executive, provided one Rolex Submariner watch (the ?Subject Property?) to special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in response to a subpoena served upon him earlier that day, along with a receipt and invoice (the ?Paperw01k?). (2) According to the Paperwork, Astorino purchased the Subject Property for $1,800 from a speci?c jewelry store (?Store-1?) on or about October 16, 2013, and the store?s records stated that the watch was ?used.? (3) An individual named Iona Reclmitz was debriefed extensively by the FBI Case Document 2 Filed 06/11/19 Page 2 of 4 beginning in or around March 2015, and testi?ed at three criminal proceedings in the cases of United States V. Norman Seabrook and Murray Hubeifeld, 16 Cr. 467 (AKH) and United States V. Jeremy Reichberg Michael Harrington, and James Grant, 16 Cr. 468 (GHW) as a cooperating witness for the Government. Reclmitz told the FBI the following in sum and substance, and testi?ed under oath accordingly: a. Rechnitz and two other persons, including an individual named Jeremy Reichberg, met Astorino in 2013 and discussed donating money to his upcoming re-election campaign. During that conversation, Rechnitz and Reichberg expressed interest in being appointed Westchester County Chaplains, a credential they wanted to use to obtain a parking placard that would allow them to park in locations at will. Neither Rechnitz nor Reichberg lived in Westchester County, nor did they have business interests in Westchester. Rechnitz was not a member of the clergy, nor, to his knowledge, was Reichberg. b. Rechnitz and Reichberg were subsequently named Westchester County Chaplains. At around the same time, Rechnitz made substantial cash donations to Astorino?s re- election campaign. c. Several months later, Astorino asked Rechnitz, who had connections in Manhattan?s Diamond District, for help in purchasing a new luxury watch. Rechnitz arranged for a representative of Store?1 to meet him and Astorino at Rechnitz?s of?ce. The Store-1 employee sold the watch to Rechnitz and Astorino, with Astorino paying a modest sum and Rechnitz paying the remainder of the cost. (4) Publicly available campaign ?nance data shows that Rechnitz?s company wrote a $10,000 check to Astorino?s re-election campaign on or about June 13, 2013, and another $5,000 check to Astorino?s re-election campaign on or about June 24, 2013. (S) A review of documents from the Westchester County Executive?s Of?ce shows that Rechnitz ?lled out a personnel form to become a Westchester County Police Chaplain 2 Case Document 2 Filed 06/11/19 Page 3 of 4 on or about June 10, 2013, and that on or about June 25, 2013, the Sherriff of Westchester County appointed Rechnitz and Reichberg Westchester County Police Chaplains, effective June 10, 2013. (6) Based on information provided by the Westchester County Executive?s Of?ce, the position of police chaplain is not permanent, and must be periodically renewed. (7) Bank records indicate that Rechnitz wrote Store-1 a check for $5,790.00 on or about October 17, 2013, with the subject line, As noted above, the day before, Astorino had obtained the Subject Property at Store~1 and paid $1,800. WHEREAS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation currently has possession of the Subject Property; I WHEREAS, the USAO takes the position that the Subject Property is forfeitable pursuant to Title 18, Section 981 and Title 28, Section 2461 of the United States Code; WHEREAS, Robert Astorino disputes certain of the above facts as determined by the USAO, and denies that he engaged in any unlawful conduct, but wishes to resolve this matter without further litigation by relinquishing any claim to the Subject Property; WHEREAS, Robert Astorino consents to the seizure and forfeiture of the Subject Property by the United States; IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED, by and between the undersigned parties, as follows: 1. Robert Astorino consents to the permanent seizure of the Subject Property by the USAO so that it may be conveyed to the United States. 2. Robert Astorino warrants that he is the sole possessor of the Subject Case Document 2 Filed 06/11/19 Page 4 of 4 6. This Cou1t shall retain jurisdiction to amend this order as necessary and/or resolve disputes related to this order. Agreed and consented to: GEOFFREY S. BERMAN United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York By: Martin S. Bell I Assistant United States Attorney One St. Andrew?s Plaza New York, New York 10007 Tel. (212) 637-2463 ROBERT ASTORINO ROBERT By: Wet/I'm WILLIAM P. RINGTON Attorney for ob ert Astorino S0 Ordered: MW United Statef District Judge Date Southern District of New York