Kudos to State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, for recscinding an honor given to Sharon Toney-Finch, who has been caught in a lie about homeless veterans being removed from a Newburgh hotel to make room for migrants from New York City.
That story, blasted across the front pages of the New York Post and on Fox News, is FALSE! Toney-Finch concocted the story, offered to pay homeless men to lie about it, and put migrant families and the hotel staff at the Crossroads Hotel at risk after death threats were made.
State Senator Rob Rolison from Poughkeepsie, named Toney-Finch as his nominee for a Woman of Distinction before the scandal, and Senate leader Stewart-Cousins rescinded the honor days after the story was proven false.
“In light of these distressing revelations, it is necessary that we remove the nomination and ensure that the accomplishments of the other deserving recipients are not overshadowed,” Stewart-Cousins said. “it is imperative that we maintain the integrity of this prestigious accolade.”
Several media reports have spoken to homeless men in Newburgh who were offered $200 to lie about their veterans status, and that they were removed from the hotel for migrants. Hotel staff have also stated that they never had homeless veterans at their hotel.
Sharon Toney-Finch is the director of the non-profit Yerik Israel Toney Foundation (YIT), and is a veteran.
NY Attorney General Letitcia James’ office is now investigating YIT after Assemblyman Brian Maher called for an inquiry. Maher has worked with YIT in the past, and called the Fake News claims made by Toney-Finch, “devastating and disheartening.”
“The YIT Foundation purports to protect and support veterans, but the dishonest claims and fabrication of the facts by YIT does enormous harm to our homeless veterans by creating mistrust,” Maher said, referring to the foundation by its shortened name. “I am calling for an immediate investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s office and the Orange County District Attorney into the YIT Foundation based on the new information that came to light today.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also called for an investigation. “Instead of stepping up, we’re seeing hateful language and outright lies,” Tweeted Adams.
