Opinion
604 KA 16-02041
04-28-2017
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, RESPONDENT, v. PAUL J. BLARR, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. (APPEAL NO. 1.)
EVAN LUMLEY, BUFFALO, FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. JOHN J. FLYNN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, BUFFALO (JULIE BENDER FISKE OF COUNSEL), FOR RESPONDENT.
PRESENT: WHALEN, P.J., SMITH, CENTRA, PERADOTTO, AND SCUDDER, JJ.
EVAN LUMLEY, BUFFALO, FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
JOHN J. FLYNN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, BUFFALO (JULIE BENDER FISKE OF COUNSEL), FOR RESPONDENT.
Appeal from a judgment of the Erie County Court (Michael F. Pietruszka, J.), rendered January 14, 2015. The judgment convicted defendant, upon his plea of guilty, of scheme to defraud in the first degree and grand larceny in the third degree (10 counts).
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.
Memorandum: In appeal No. 1, defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of one count of scheme to defraud in the first degree (Penal Law § 190.65 [1] [a]) and 10 counts of grand larceny in the third degree (§ 155.35 [1]). In appeal No. 2, defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of two counts of scheme to defraud in the first degree (§ 190.65 [1] [a]), and one count each of grand larceny in the third degree (§ 155.35 [1]) and grand larceny in the fourth degree (§ 155.30 [1]). With respect to both appeals, the record establishes that defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to appeal (see People v Anderson, 144 AD3d 1614, 1614, lv denied 28 NY3d 1181; People v Carney, 129 AD3d 1511, 1511, lv denied 27 NY3d 994). The valid waivers of the right to appeal with respect to both the conviction and sentence encompass defendant's challenges to the severity of the sentences (see People v Lopez, 6 NY3d 248, 255-256; People v Hidalgo, 91 NY2d 733, 737; cf. People v Maracle, 19 NY3d 925, 928).
Defendant contends that he was denied effective assistance of counsel with respect to both appeals. To the extent that defendant's contention survives his guilty pleas and waivers of the right to appeal (see People v Collins, 129 AD3d 1676, 1676-1677, lv denied 26 NY3d 1038), it is without merit. We conclude on the record before us that defendant was afforded meaningful representation (see People v Davis, 99 AD3d 1228, 1229, lv denied 20 NY3d 1010; see generally People v Ford, 86 NY2d 397, 404).
Entered: April 28, 2017
Frances E. Cafarell
Clerk of the Court