Utica businessman, attorney indicted

[clevfan]

Utica businessman, attorney indicted

Thu, Jun 17, 2004

ROB BOOTH
Observer-Dispatch
UTICA -- A Barneveld attorney and Utica businessman were indicted by an Oneida County Grand Jury in connection with satellite television piracy, court records say.

Jeffery Daniels Jr., 38, whose family operates Daniele's at Valley View restaurant off Memorial Parkway, was indicted on four charges while lawyer Kenneth Ray, 72, faces two charges, records stated.

Authorities raided the suspects' homes Feb. 2 as part of a 15-month investigation into sports gambling and satellite television piracy. Ray was not part of the gambling ring investigation, officials said.

During the raid at Ray's Barneveld home, state police investigators found a card that illegally gave him access to DirecTV satellite programs, according to court documents.

The card, when placed in a satellite box, acts as a key and unlocks channels available through DirecTV.

Shortly after the raids, Ray stepped down as special counsel for the Utica Board of Education.

He was representing the district in its response to a state Commission of Investigation probe into an $8.8 million construction project.

The county District Attorney's Office has said that Daniels -- of Sherman Drive, Utica -- is accused of leading the scheme to make the pirated cards as well as the bookmaking operation.

While the city owns the building in which the Daniels family operates their restaurant, Utica Mayor Tim Julian previously said the charges against Daniels most likely wouldn't affect the lease because other family members are listed on it.

The Utica Corporation Counsel's office lists Daniels' mother, Theresa, as the owner through Caterall LLC on Mohawk Street in Utica.

Julian could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

According to the indictment, both men face felony charges of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and criminal possession of computer related material. Daniels also faces charges of second-degree forgery and computer tampering.

Both of them were released on their own recognizance in February following their arraignments.