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ALBANY – In one of his final actions before resigning as governor in disgrace, Andrew Cuomo commuted the sentence of David Gilbert, 76, one of the participants in the 1981 Brink’s armored car robbery in Rockland County that left three dead – Brink’s security guard Peter Paige and Nyack Police Sgt. Edward O’Grady and Officer Waverly Brown.
Cuomo justified his action by saying Gilbert served 40 years of a 75-year-to-life sentence and while in prison, “made significant contributions to AIDS education and prevention programs” and also worked as a student tutor.
He will be referred to the parole board for potential release.
State Senator Michael Lawler (R, Pearl River) called Cuomo’s action “a disgusting betrayal to the people of Rockland County, the families of Peter Paige, Edward O’Grady and Waverly Brown, and law enforcement officers everywhere.”
Lawler said this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Brink’s robbery “and rather than stand with the brave men and women in law enforcement, Andrew Cuomo has once again stabbed them in the back.”
The former governor also commuted the sentence of Robert Ehrenberg, 62, who was convicted of two counts of murder, and one count each of robbery and burglary. He has served 28 ½ years of a 50-year-to-life sentence. While in prison, Cuomo said he earned an associates degree from SUNY Sullivan and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College and worked as a tutor through the Hudson Link College Program.
NEWS STORY PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com