Monday, November 7, 2016

STATE SENATOR JESSE HAMILTON TO JOIN THE IDC


STATEMENT FROM THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE

We welcome Senator Jesse Hamilton aboard the Independent Democratic Conference as our seventh member and look forward to achieving even more results for the people of New York with his support. Six years ago, our conference grew out of a mission to make positive change in this state and today its continued growth is a validation of its success. The IDC propelled policies like paid family leave, the $15 minimum wage and the toughest gun laws in the nation. We are proud to deliver for the people of New York and know that Senator Hamilton will help us continue that vision.

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JESSE HAMILTON

The Independent Democratic Conference delivers for New Yorkers: the best paid family leave program in the nation, a $15 minimum wage, and the toughest gun laws in the country. They get results. That’s why I’ve decided to join my fellow Democrats and become the newest member of the IDC. This conference will continue to innovate, delivering to the people who matter most, my community and our fellow New Yorkers. Standing with them, I will be a prominent voice on affordable housing, quality education, safe streets and criminal justice reform. I look forward to serving with the Independent Democrats and achieving more victories for all New Yorkers.

Bronx Democratic Party to Host Election Night Results Watch Party




Democratic State and Local Officials to Join Supporters and Volunteers as Presidential Election Results are Announced
  On Tuesday night November 8th starting at 8 PM Bronx Democratic State and local legislators will host a watch party at the Bronx Democratic Party Headquarters located at 1640 Eastchester Road to view the election results as they come in. There will be food and soft drinks served as supporters and volunteers gather to wrap up what has become a historic campaign.

Election Night Results Watch Party
Bronx Democratic County Headquarters  
1640 Eastchester Road at the corner of Blondell Avenue 
Starting at 8 PM.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND POLICE COMMISSIONER O’NEILL DISCUSS ELECTION DAY SECURITY PREPARATIONS


  Police Commissioner James O’Neill: Tomorrow, Election Day in New York City, brings with it a very unique set of challenges. For the first time in modern memory, both major party candidates for president will monitor the results here in New York and hold election night parties in Midtown Manhattan. So, in addition to securing the over 1,000 polling sites around the five boroughs all day, we also have two large venues, the Jacob Javits Center and the New York Hilton Hotel to safeguard as well.

The NYPD has a great working relationship with the United States Secret Service. It used to be Bob Sica, now it is Dave Beach and Dave is going to speak. And together, we have been planning how to best protect these sites and the people inside, while minimizing the impact on New Yorkers and the vehicular and pedestrian traffic outside. There are many ways we will be keeping you safe. There will be much the public will see and much the public will not see. In a few moments, Carlos Gomez, our Chief of Department, will provide an overview of some of the resources that will be deployed and will update you on what to expect in terms of street closures.

I’d like to have our Counterterrorism Chief Jim Waters speak to that aspect of our planning. Tomorrow, I want everyone to remember, of course, that public safety is a shared responsibility. If anyone sees something tomorrow that doesn’t look right or doesn’t feel right, let one of our officers know about it. There will be no shortage of uniformed cops around to tell – or call 9-1-1. Remember, that is what we are here for. We are here to keep people safe. 

I’ll finish up with this, planning for security events like this is a big part of what we do. You recall that just one year ago we faced perhaps the largest security challenge the NYPD and this City ever had to deal with when Pope Francis visited New York City during the United Nations General Assembly while President Obama and 90 percent of the world’s leaders were here at the same time. So this is nothing new to us. So this kind of preparation is nothing new also for the men and women of this great police department.

  Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you very much. Thank you, Commissioner. I want to start by saying that the men and women of the NYPD are doing an extraordinary job as we prepare for this unprecedented day tomorrow. And evidence of that is already clear from the way that the marathon was handled yesterday – an extraordinary example of what the NYPD and all the City agencies are able to do together. The marathon came off very safely and without a hitch, so I commend you Commissioner and all the men and women that you lead.

I also want to say it is a tough time for our police officers. They are feeling deeply the loss on Friday of Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo. And I have talked to a number of officers in the last few days and offered my condolences to them. And one thing is clear – is that people are feeling this deeply. And they honor their fallen comrade and the heroic act that he took to save the lives of so many others. I’d like to ask for a moment of silence for Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo.

The resolve of the NYPD and of everyone who works for the City of New York is quite clear in this moment. We told you a few days ago that we expected that there would be a level of vigilance starting on Sunday, continuing through today, and into tomorrow that would lead to extraordinary presence of NYPD officers at key sites around the city, and obviously an extraordinary effort on Election Day itself. Everyone is focused; everyone is resolved in carrying out that mission. And we know that the eyes of the world will be on New York City. We have an obligation, not only to the people of this city, but to this country to make sure that tomorrow, all through the day, and particularly tomorrow night, goes smoothly and goes well. So we have extraordinary resources in place to do that and we’ll be working very closely with our federal partners.

I want to be clear at the outset – New York City will never be intimidated – never by threats of terror, nor by anyone who wants to do anything to disrupt our electoral process. We’re focused on the big stage tomorrow night, but we’re also focused on our poll sites all over the city during the day. We will not allow any form of voter intimidation. NYPD is ready to step in if we see any evidence of that occurring.

Now, I want to thank, in addition to Commissioner O’Neill, I want to thank our First Deputy Commissioner Ben Tucker; our Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism, John Miller – all of the NYPD leadership present. I particularly want to thank the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office for the Secret Service, David Beach, for your partnership and your work together as we prepare for this extraordinary day. And my colleagues in elective office –Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and State Senator Brad Hoylman – thank you for your support.

Let me note that tomorrow it takes on a very special significance. It has been a tough election year. We all know this. It’s been in many ways a challenging and painful year. It’s strained our democracy, but tomorrow is the day when we get to make it right when the democratic process comes alive and the people choose. It is our sacred obligation to protect that process; to make sure that democracy unfolds as it is meant to be. The NYPD not only has all of its traditional extraordinary resources, but as you know over the last year or two, we have added tremendous anti-terrorism capacity, particularly the 500-plus member Critical Response Command, the Strategic Response Group as well playing a crucial role. We have beefed up our ability to handle multiple sites simultaneously. And I agree with the Commissioner’s analysis. Last year, with the Pope, and 170 world leaders in town at the – all at the same time plus the president of the United States – that showed the range and the ability of the NYPD. And you’re going to see it again today and tomorrow. We’ve also deepened over the last few years the partnership with the federal agencies, and that has allowed for a much more seamless flow of information and much greater partnership. You saw that in the aftermath of the Chelsea bombing. So, a lot is changing to help us cover more ground and keep people safer.

And again, we have an obligation to protect the voting process, so you will see, of course, NYPD officers at every poll site around the city. And if we see any evidence of voter intimidation, we have the ability to reinforce those sites quickly and make sure that any pattern of intimidation is snuffed out immediately.

Bottom-line for all New Yorkers is – expect to see a lot of NYPD presence today and tomorrow. Know that you are safe and well-protected. You will see the presence at key locations around the City. You’ll see it in the subways; you’ll see it around the locations where the election celebrations will be happening. But we all depend on the people of this city. The phrase – if you see something, say something – is a very specific idea; it’s not just words; it means we’re all responsible; it means we all have to help the NYPD. So, I remind people to keep those words in mind over these next few days.

We are a society that honors democracy, that honors freedom, that honors inclusivity. We’re a society that believes that people of all backgrounds can actually work together. We’re going to prove it over the next 24 hours here in New York City.

Monday, November 14, 2016 - Croton FMC Meeting Agenda


Agenda

Croton Facility Monitoring Committee Meeting (CFMC)

Monday, November 14, 2016 – 6:30 PM

DEP Office – 3660 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 10467 - (718) 231-8470

I - Welcome, Call Meeting to Order -
     Dan Padernacht, Chair CFMC

II - Consider, Adopt November 14 CFMC Agenda 
       CFMC Representatives

III - Consider, Adopt Minutes from September 29, 2016 Meeting
        CFMC Representatives

IV - Select CFMC Chair for 2017 
        CFMC Representatives

V - Jerome Park Reservoir – DEP Plans for Open Access Weekend November 19/20
       Eric Landau, DEP

VI - Croton Costs Report and Construction Update 
        Bernard Daly, DEP

VII - Old Business 
         CFMC Representatives, and Public

VIII - New Business 
          CFMC Representatives, and Public

IX - Select Date for Next Meeting and Adjourn.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

United States Attorneys Available To Receive Election Complaints


  PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and ROBERT L. CAPERS, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today that special telephone numbers have been set up to receive complaints of possible violations of federal election laws relating to the upcoming general elections in New York City and other counties in their districts. 
The United States Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers on Tuesday, November 8, 2016:
(646) 369-4739                       (Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester counties)    
(718) 254-6323                       (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk counties)
In addition, complaints of possible violations of federal election laws may be made directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (212) 384-1000.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur.  The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.  For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law.  Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
The United States Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on election day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:
IN NEW YORK CITY
City Board of Elections
Main Office                           (866) 868-3692
TTY #: 212-487-5496
Bronx                                      (718) 299-9017
Brooklyn                                 (718) 797-8800
Manhattan                               (212) 886-2100
Queens                                    (718) 730-6730
Staten Island                           (718) 876-0079
IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY
County Boards of Elections
Dutchess                                 (845) 486-2473
Nassau                                     (516) 571- 8683
Orange                                    (845) 360-6500
Putnam                                    (845) 808-1300
Rockland                                 (845) 638-5172
Suffolk                                    (631) 852-4500
Sullivan                                   (845) 807-0400
Westchester                             (914) 995-5700
Assistant United States Attorney DAVID J. KENNEDY is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Southern District of New York.
Assistant United States Attorney CATHERINE MIRABILE is responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud for the Eastern District of New York.

Indictment Of Seven Individuals And Six Arrests In The United States And Mexico On International Sex Trafficking Charges


   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Sarah R. Saldaña, Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division, and Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced the unsealing of a 21-count superseding indictment (the “Indictment”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York charging seven defendants with sex trafficking offenses.  The Indictment, which was returned under seal on September 15, 2016, alleges that the defendants are members of an international sex trafficking organization that exploited and trafficked adult and minor women in Mexico and in the United States from at least 2000 to 2016.  Members of the defendants’ sex trafficking organization, which operated largely as a family business, used false promises, physical and sexual violence, and threats to force and coerce adult and minor women to work in prostitution for the organization’s profit in both Mexico and the United States. 
Six of the defendants charged were taken into custody on October 26 and 27, 2016.  As part of a coordinated bilateral law enforcement action, two defendants, RAUL ROMERO-GRANADOS, a/k/a “Chicarcas,” a/k/a “El Negro,” and ISAAC LOMELI-RIVERA, a/k/a “Giro,” were arrested in the United States, and four defendants, EFRAIN GRANADOS-CORONA, a/k/a “Chavito,” a/k/a “Cepillo,” ALAN ROMERO-GRANADOS, a/k/a “El Flaco,” PEDRO ROJAS-ROMERO, and EMILIO ROJAS-ROMERO, were arrested in Mexico.  The defendants arrested in Mexico were taken into custody by Mexican authorities pursuant to Provisional Arrest Warrants submitted by the United States in August 2016.  The defendants arrested in the United States were presented on October 27, 2016, in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox.  One defendant, JUAN ROMERO-GRANADOS, a/k/a “Chegoya,” a/k/a “El Guero,” remains a fugitive.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr.  
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “The Indictment outlines alleged conduct of these defendants that is brutal and predatory.  The defendants allegedly raped, beat, tortured, and enslaved their victims, often minors who were coercively separated from their families.  The combined efforts of American and Mexican law enforcement that made these charges possible reflect our joint commitment to protect victims of these most predatory crimes that treat human beings as chattel.”
ICE Director Sarah R. Saldaña said:  “The sexual exploitation of human beings is one of the vilest crimes committed against humanity.  This operation reflects our commitment to bring to justice traffickers who have no regard for human life.  Each arrest is a testament to the outstanding bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States.  We are sending a clear message to human traffickers that law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border have them in their sights.”
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta said:  “Through vigorous enforcement efforts and collaborative international partnerships, the Justice Department works tirelessly to bring traffickers to justice and protect victims held in modern-day slavery.  Human traffickers degrade the humanity of the vulnerable victims they target.  I commend our Mexican counterparts for their dedication to fighting the heinous crime of human trafficking and their critical assistance in this case.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “Human trafficking is nothing less than a modern form of slavery and no one should be forced to live in a world of fear and involuntary servitude. HSI will remain steadfast in its commitment to working with its law enforcement partners to dismantle the international criminal organizations involved in human trafficking.”
As alleged in the Indictment unsealed on October 27, 2016, in Manhattan federal court:[1] 
EFRAIN GRANADOS-CORONA, a/k/a “Chavito,” a/k/a “Cepillo,” RAUL ROMERO-GRANADOS, a/k/a “Chicarcas,” a/k/a “El Negro,” ISAAC LOMELI-RIVERA, a/k/a “Giro,” JUAN ROMERO-GRANADOS, a/k/a “Chegoya,” a/k/a “El Guero,” ALAN ROMERO-GRANADOS, a/k/a “El Flaco,” PEDRO ROJAS-ROMERO, and EMILIO ROJAS-ROMERO, the defendants, are members of an international sex trafficking organization (the “STO”).  Many of the members of the STO are related by blood, marriage and community.  For example:  EFRAIN GRANADOS-CORONA is the uncle of RAUL ROMERO-GRANADOS, ISAAC LOMELI-RIVERA (through LOMELI-RIVERA’s relationship with EFRAIN GRANADOS-CORONA’s niece), JUAN ROMERO-GRANADOS, and ALAN ROMERO-GRANADOS; PEDRO ROJAS-ROMERO and EMILIO ROJAS-ROMERO are brothers; JUAN ROMERO-GRANADOS and ALAN ROMERO-GRANADOS are also brothers; and ISAAC LOMELI-RIVERA is RAUL ROMERO-GRANADOS’s brother-in-law.
Between at least in or about 2000 and the present, members of the STO (the “Traffickers”) have used false romantic promises, physical and sexual violence, threats of the same, lies, and coercion to force and coerce adult and minor women (the “Victims”) to work in prostitution in both Mexico and the United States.
In most cases, a Trafficker entices a Victim – frequently a minor – in Mexico.  The Trafficker then uses multiple means to isolate the Victim from her family.  In some cases, the Trafficker uses romantic promises to induce the Victim to leave her family and live with him.  In other cases, the Trafficker rapes the Victim, making it difficult for her to return to her family due to the associated stigma of the rape.  Once a Victim is separated from her family, the Trafficker frequently monitors her communications, keeps her locked in an apartment, leaves her without food, and engages in physical or sexual violence against the Victim.  Traffickers often tell Victims that the Traffickers owe a significant debt and that the Victim must work in prostitution to assist in repaying the debt.  Traffickers typically begin forcing the Victims to work in prostitution in Mexico, frequently in a neighborhood of Mexico City known as “La Merced.”   Victims are often required to see at least 20 to 40 customers per day.  Traffickers monitor the number of clients a Victim sees by surveilling the Victim, communicating with brothel workers, and by counting the number of condoms provided to a Victim.  Traffickers typically require the Victims to turn over all of the prostitution proceeds to the Traffickers. 
After a Victim has worked in prostitution in Mexico for some time, Traffickers typically arrange for the Victim to be smuggled into the United States.  Members of the STO assist one another in making smuggling arrangements.  In many cases, multiple Traffickers and multiple Victims are smuggled into the United States together.  In other cases, one Trafficker may remain in Mexico while arranging for a Victim to be smuggled together with another Trafficker and other Victims.
Once in the United States, the members of the STO generally maintain their Victims at one of several shared apartments in New York City.  Victims living in the same apartment are frequently forbidden to communicate with one another.  Once in the United States, Traffickers continue to use physical and sexual violence, threats of the same, lies, and coercion to force the Victims to work in prostitution. 
In most cases, the Trafficker or another member of the STO provides a Victim with contact information with which to find work.  The Victims typically work weeklong shifts either in a brothel, or in a “delivery service.”  In a delivery service, the Victim is delivered to a customer’s home by a “driver.”  These brothels and delivery services are located both within New York, and in surrounding states, including, but not limited to Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Generally, each customer pays $30-35 for 15 minutes of sex.  Of that, half of the money typically goes to the driver (in the case of a delivery service) or to the brothel.  The other $15 goes to the Victim, who is then typically forced to give all of the proceeds to the Trafficker.  When a Trafficker is unavailable, a Victim may also give the proceeds to another member of the STO.
The Traffickers then frequently send, or have their Victims send, some of the prostitution proceeds to Traffickers’ family members and associates in Mexico by wire transfer.  Such transfers provide financial assistance to the Traffickers’ families and provide financial support to the Traffickers themselves if they return to Mexico.               
Since 2009, the Department of Justice and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have collaborated with Mexican law enforcement counterparts in a Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement Initiative aimed at strengthening high-impact prosecutions under both U.S. and Mexican law.  The initiative is aimed at dismantling human trafficking networks operating across the United States-Mexico border, bringing human traffickers to justice, reuniting victims with their children, and restoring the rights and dignity of human trafficking victims held under the trafficking networks’ control.  These efforts have resulted in successful prosecutions in both Mexico and the United States, including U.S. federal prosecutions of over 50 defendants in multiple cases in New York, Georgia, Florida, and Texas since 2009, and numerous Mexican federal and state prosecutions of associated sex traffickers.  In announcing the unsealed charges, Attorney General Lynch commended U.S. and Mexican law enforcement partners for their shared and continued commitment to coordinated bilateral anti-trafficking efforts.
Attorney General Lynch and U.S. Attorney Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI, the work of the Mexican government and Mexican law enforcement in executing the arrests and preparing for the extradition of the defendants to the United States, and the assistance provided by the New York City Police Department, the State Department, the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.  The Justice Department also acknowledged the non-governmental victim service providers and advocates for their dedicated efforts to restore and improve the lives of survivors of trafficking and their families in connection with this case and others.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The prosecution is being handled by the Violent and Organized Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy J. Greenberg, Jane Kim, and Rebecca G. Mermelstein are in charge of the prosecution.
United States v. Efrain Granados-Corona, a/k/a “Chavito,” a/k/a “Cepillo,” et al.,

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Election Day Hotline To Ensure Access For Voters During The General Election


Attorney General’s Hotline Troubleshoots A Range Of Election Day Issues
    Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office has created a Hotline to help troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues and barriers encountered by voters at the polls for the General Election on November 8.  The Attorney General urges voters experiencing problems or issues at the polls to call the office’s hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.NY.gov at any time on Tuesday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
“My office is committed to ensuring that all eligible voters are able to cast an effective ballot on Election Day,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “If voters encounter any barriers to voting or improprieties at the ballot box, call my office immediately.
All registered New Yorkers are eligible to vote in the upcoming General Election, regardless of party affiliation.  Voters can check their registration status here.  Every poll site in the state will be open from 6 AM until 9 PM.  If you reside outside New York City and you are trying to find your poll site click here.  If you are registered in New York City and you are trying to find your poll site, click here.  Finally, if you want to contact your local Board of Elections directly, you can find contact information here
The Attorney General’s Office has operated the Hotline since November 2012.  During previous efforts the office fielded hundreds of complaints from voters across the state and worked with local election officials and others to promptly address issues encountered by voters at the polls. The Election Day Hotline is part of Attorney General Schneiderman's ongoing statewide initiative to ensure that voters do not encounter language barriers on Election Day.
During the April 19th Presidential Primary, the Attorney General’s office received over 1,000 complaints about irregularities at the polls. In response, the office is examining voting practices across the state. These efforts are active and ongoing.  In the interim, the Attorney General’s Office has issued a letter to the State Board of Elections, emphasizing the importance of providing voters with provisional or affidavit ballots when they arrive at the right poll site, but cannot find their name in the poll book. If a voter is at his or her correct polling place, but is experiencing issues obtaining an affidavit ballot on November 8, they should contact the Attorney General’s Office. 
In addition, the Attorney General's Office will focus on barriers impacting voters with disabilities, voter intimidation reports, and other issues faced by minority voters. Registered voters have the right to accessible elections. This means that voters with disabilities or language access issues have the right to request assistance from any person of their choice.  In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or any other person.
The Attorney General’s Election Day Hotline is being led by Assistant Attorneys General Ajay Saini, Diane Lucas and Sania Khan of the Civil Rights Bureau, led by Bureau Chief Lourdes Rosado. The Social Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Alvin Bragg.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Pharma Cannis Opens at 405 Hunts Point Avenue to Dispense Medical Cannabis



  The location of Pharma Cannis is 405 Hunts Point Avenue which Councilman Rafael Salamanca said was a 'strip club' closed while he was the District Manager of Community Board 2. The original location for this medical marijuana dispensary was several blocks away on what Councilman Salamanca said was 'a street in a dark area'. He and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo fought to have the location changed from 'a street in a dark area' to the present location on Hunts Point Avenue. 
   According to state law a medical cannabis (marijuana) site must not be within 1,000 feet of a school or church which is similar to the 200 foot rule when applying for a liquor license. As you will see in the photos below, there are several steps in the process before one receives the medical cannabis (marijuana), and there are many restrictions on just who is eligible for treatment of what condition. The cost is around one-hundred dollars per thirty day supply, which currently is not covered by any medical insurance. There are different types of the product available. a liquid form, a vapor form, and capsule form of the medication. Which form is dispensed will depend on the doctors prescribed treatment. The cannabis is stored in a vault, and a patient must register with the New York State Department of Health for a New York State Registry Card. 
  There are only certain certified doctors who can prescribe medical cannabis (marijuana), and the pharmacy does not have a list of the doctors. You must be refereed by a primary care physician only right now. After a tour of the dispensary there was an outside announcement of the rules, and speeches by a few people. Then there was an official ribbon cutting ceremony. This id the fourth dispensary location for Illinois based Pharma Care in New York State, and first in the Metro New York area. The Hunts Point Pharma Cannis dispensary phone number is 718-842-2001, or www.pharmacannis.com on the web for more information. 


Above - The front check in desk, and then you go into the waiting room until called by a pharmacy advisor.
Below - After waiting a few minutes, you are called into the advisory area where the advisor asks you a few questions about your health, and how the medical cannabis is helping you. 




Above - Assemblyman Marcos Crespo answers a question as to how this program was set up in the state legislature, as he awaits his tour of the dispensary. That is local Councilman Rafael Salamanca on Crespo's right.
Below - Councilman Salamanca speaks on the importance of this facility to the community, and how Community Board 2 members helped get the location. 




Above - It was time to cut the ribbon to officially open the dispensary.
Below - The ribbon is cut, and the dispensary is open for business. There are six full time employees at the Hunts Point Avenue site.




Accident - Corner Bronx River Ave. and Bruckner Blvd.



  You can see the ambulance above on the corner of Bruckner Blvd (East) and Bronx River Ave. The accident was between a van and an electric bike. The rider of the bike was taken away in the ambulance a few minutes later. There were no answers by the fire department, or the 44th Pct. officers who arrived before the ambulance left. 


Above - What appears to be the point of impact on the van.
Below - The electric bike which lies on the sidewalk by the corner of Bruckner Blvd. and Bronx River Ave.




The rider of the bike is taken by the EMS workers and firefighters on a gurney to the waiting ambulance. There were no answers as to the condition of the bile rider or where he was being taken.


Bronx Chamber of Commerce 2016 Holiday Party & Toy Drive - Wed. Dec. 14th, 6 - 10 PM


Bronx Attorney Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Preparing Fraudulent Tax Returns For Clients


   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Caroline D. Ciraolo, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division of the Department of Justice, announced that WILLIAM DOONAN, an attorney who operated a tax preparation business in the Bronx, New York, pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to charges related to his participation in filing fraudulent tax returns, falsely claiming more than $6 million in deductions.  DOONAN pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck. 
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “William Doonan used his law degree and tax preparation business to fleece the IRS out of millions of dollars in fraudulent tax deductions.  As he admitted today, Doonan claimed numerous false deductions for thousands of clients, defrauding the IRS and unlawfully depriving the public of tax revenue.”
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo said:  “William Doonan used his law practice to prepare thousands of false tax returns each year with phony deductions, costing the U.S. treasury more than $1.5 million.  His conviction sends a clear message – we will fully prosecute crooked tax preparers – whether they be lawyers and tax professionals or temporary storefront operators.”
According to the allegations contained in the Information filed in Manhattan federal court and statements made during the plea proceeding:
Since at least 2009, DOONAN has been in the business of preparing federal tax returns for clients in exchange for fees.  DOONAN, a New York licensed attorney since 1982, carried out his tax preparation business in the Bronx using the firm name “William Doonan, Esq.”  DOONAN prepared and filed more than 3,000 federal tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) each year and regularly prepared and filed client returns that were false and fraudulent.  For example, on some of his clients’ returns, DOONAN added false medical and dental expenses, state and local taxes, home mortgage interest, gifts to charity, job expenses, and certain miscellaneous deductions.  DOONAN also attached Schedules C to his clients’ returns that reported “consulting” businesses that the relevant clients did not own, operate, or materially participate in, and business losses that the relevant clients did not incur.  Between tax years 2009 through tax year 2012, DOONAN included in excess of $6 million in these fabricated and inflated items on his clients’ federal tax returns.
DOONAN, 69, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, and one count of obstructing and impeding the due administration of internal revenue laws.  Each charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.  As part of his plea, DOONAN agreed that he caused a tax loss of between $1.5 and $3.5 million, and has agreed to pay $65,820 in restitution to the IRS. 
DOONAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick on February 10, 2017, at 11:00 a.m.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Bharara and Ms. Ciraolo praised the outstanding efforts of the IRS-CI in the investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Jorge Almonte (of the Tax Division) is in charge of the prosecution.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Arrest Of Clinic Operator For Allegedly Defrauding Medicaid By Offering Sham Substance Abuse Treatment


Natalia Dochim Allegedly Induced Patients Into Bogus Substance Abuse Treatment, Then Pocketed Millions Of Dollars 
Schneiderman:  It Is Despicable To Use The Medicaid Program To Take Advantage Of Those Suffering From Addiction
   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arrest of Natalia Dochim, 39, of Nyack, New York and charges against her two companies, Miromedical P.C. (“Miromedical”) and Ferrara Medical Care, P.C. (“Ferrara”). In papers filed in New York City Criminal and New York State Supreme Courts, Bronx County, prosecutors allege that Dochim, Miromedical, and Ferrara, submitted claims for reimbursement for substance abuse treatment services to Medicaid and to MetroPlus, a state-funded managed care organization (“MCO”), when they were not certified to provide such services and for medical services allegedly rendered to Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (“MFCU”) undercover investigators that never occurred.  Dochim was arrested yesterday on charges of Grand Larceny in the First, Second and Fourth Degrees; Health Care Fraud in the Second Degree; and Money Laundering in the Second Degree. If convicted on all charges, Dochim faces up to 25 years in prison. In addition to today’s arrests, the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit filed an asset forfeiture and False Claims Act lawsuit against Dochim, Miromedical, Ferrara and others, freezing the defendants’ assets and seeking over $7.7 million dollars in damages plus penalties. MFCU also executed search warrants today at Dochim’s businesses located at 903 Sheridan Avenue in the Bronx and at 2364 and 2738 Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Manhattan.
“It is despicable to use the Medicaid program to take advantage of those suffering from addiction,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “New York is suffering through a serious opioid epidemic, and sham substance abuse services only deepen this crisis. Those who attempt to line their own pockets on the backs of those in need will be caught.”
“To prey on the most vulnerable New Yorkers for personal gain is appalling”, said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks.  “We will continue our longstanding partnership with the office of the State Attorney General to identify suspicious activity that can lead to fraud and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice as quickly as possible.”
Prosecutors allege that Dochim, aided by co-conspirators in her employ, lured Medicaid patients to Miromedical and Ferrara by paying kickbacks and offering prescriptions of Suboxone, a narcotic drug used to treat opioid addiction.  Once recruited, patients at Miromedical and Ferrara, prosecutors allege, encountered a façade of a substance abuse treatment program. Medically appropriate and necessary medical histories were not always obtained, physicals were not taken, initial counseling did not occur, and there was a complete lack of appropriate follow-up and monitoring. Subsequently, all patients were treated the same: mandated to enroll in one particular MCO (MetroPlus), sent to a purported “detox” program, and prescribed Suboxone at the maximum dosage in lieu of legitimate substance abuse treatment.  If actually provided, prosecutors allege, the so-called “detox” treatment that patients were required to obtain was, according to the claims submitted by Miromedical and Ferrara, merely vitamin injections, which is not an approved treatment for opioid addiction. 
Thereafter, prosecutors charge, Dochim, through Miromedical and Ferrara, submitted claims to MCOs and to Medicaid that bore little to no resemblance to the medical services actually rendered. Prosecutors allege services such as spirometry, a pulmonary function test, and allergy testing, were routinely billed but never provided.  Patient “recruiters” working inside Miromedical and Ferrara, it is alleged, also openly offered to buy back patient’s Suboxone prescriptions for cash.
Relying on the accuracy of substance abuse treatment claims submitted by Dochim, prosecutors allege that Medicaid managed care insurance paid over $1.7 million, and that Medicaid directly paid over $190,000, to Dochim, Miromedical and Ferrara, funds which they were not entitled and which Dochim is alleged to have then laundered through various shell companies.
Grand Larceny in the First Degree is a Class B felony with a maximum sentence of incarceration of twenty-five years.  Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Health Care Fraud in the Second Degree, and Money Laundering in the Second Degree are each Class C felonies with a maximum period of incarceration of fifteen years.  Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree is a Class E felony with a maximum period of incarceration of four years. Dochim was arraigned yesterday where bail was set at $250,000 cash over $100,000 bond.
The Attorney General would like to thank the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”), notably the work of HRA’s Medicaid Provider Investigations and Audit Unit, and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services for their partnership and valuable assistance throughout the investigation. In addition, the Attorney General thanks the United States Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General and the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General Dennis Rosen, MFCU’s partners in combatting fraud against the Medicaid program. The Attorney General also thanks Medicaid managed care plans MetroPlus and Healthfirst for their cooperation in this investigation.
The investigation was led by Senior Investigator Albert Maiorano and Investigators David Ryan and Julie Clancy with the assistance of Supervising Investigators Dominick DiGennaro and Michael Casado under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigator Kenneth Morgan. Audit support was provided by Principal Auditor-Investigator Patricia Iemma and Auditor-Investigator Coleman Williams under the supervision of MFCU NYC Chief Auditor Thomasina Smith.
The criminal case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorneys General Erin Kelsh and David Arias with the assistance of MFCU NYC Regional Director Christopher M. Shaw. Thomas O’Hanlon is MFCU’s Chief of Criminal Investigations-Downstate. The civil case is being handled by Special Assistant Attorneys General David Abrams, Gerri Gold and Elizabeth Silverman with the assistance of MFCU Civil Enforcement Chief Carolyn Ellis. MFCU is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney.   
The charges filed in this case are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

A.G. Schneiderman Obtains $1.6 Million Settlement With Queens Company That Targeted Hispanic Homeowners In Fraudulent Mortgage Rescue Scheme


A.G. Investigation Found Company Charged Illegal Upfront Fees, Urged Vulnerable Homeowners To Stop Making Mortgage Payments, Misrepresented Likelihood of Obtaining Loan Modification; Many Consumers Ultimately Forced Into Foreclosure Or Lost Their Homes As A Result Of Fraudulent Scheme   
In Addition To Consumer Restitution, A.G. Bans Company And Its Principal From Providing Any Mortgage Assistance Relief Service Or Debt Relief Product Or Service For Three Years 
    Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a $1.6 million settlement with Queens-based American Hope Group, Inc. and its principal, Mauricio Villamarin Martinez (collectively “American Hope Group”), following an investigation into a fraudulent mortgage rescue scheme that preyed upon financially vulnerable Hispanic homeowners who were desperate to save their homes from foreclosure. The AG’s investigation found that American Hope Group collected millions of dollars in monthly fees from consumers, yet routinely failed to deliver on its promises to provide substantial relief from unaffordable mortgage payments through loan modifications and other forms of foreclosure prevention. The settlement, a Consent Order, concludes the AG’s investigation into American Hope Group’s mortgage rescue scheme. 
“My office will aggressively investigate companies that scam New Yorkers out of their hard earned money by seeking to exploit financially distressed homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “I’m pleased that this settlement will bring some relief to the hardworking New Yorkers who were cheated out of thousands of dollars, and in some cases even lost their homes, due to American Hope Group’s predatory schemes.”       
American Hope Group generated millions of dollars by inducing homeowners to pay an illegal upfront fee of $2850, followed by a recurring monthly fee of typically $695, by misrepresenting the likelihood of obtaining a loan modification, principal reduction, lower interest rate, or other foreclosure relief if homeowners utilized American Hope Group’s loan modification and audit services.  American Hope Group misrepresented that it was a leading organization in mortgage restructuring and that it had obtained millions of dollars in mortgage modifications.  Through its advertisements in Spanish-language newspapers, direct mail solicitations, and website, American Hope Group vigorously promoted the use of forensic and securitization audits as a means to identify errors in mortgage loan documents, defend against foreclosure, and win concessions from mortgage servicers. Although American Hope Group charged consumers thousands of dollars for these audits, the audits typically had very little value at all. 
American Hope Group also directed homeowners to avoid interactions with their mortgage servicers and, in some cases, directed homeowners to stop making their mortgage payments, thereby placing consumers in greater danger of foreclosure. Furthermore, the company’s advertisements lacked critical disclosures required by law that are designed to protect consumers, such as informing the consumer that American Hope Group is not associated with the government, that their services are not approved by the government or the consumer’s lender, and that the consumer’s lender may not agree to modify the consumer’s mortgage loan even if the consumer uses American Hope Group’s services.  American Hope Group also failed to disclose that the consumer could stop doing business with the company at any time and did not have to pay anything to the company if he rejects the offer of mortgage assistance obtained from the mortgage servicer.  Many consumers found themselves in a worse position vis-à-vis their mortgages than they would have been had they not turned to American Hope Group for help, often having to negotiate with mortgage servicers on their own, being forced into foreclosure, and even losing their homes. 
In addition to requiring American Hope Group to pay $1.6 million for consumer restitution, penalties, fees, and costs, the Consent Order prohibits American Hope Group from:
  • advertising or providing any mortgage assistance relief service or debt relief product or service for three years;
  • collecting advance fees for providing mortgage assistance relief services;
  • misrepresenting  the likelihood of obtaining a modification for a consumer or the likely terms of any such modification;
  • misrepresenting that forensic or securitization audits will help consumers obtain a loan modification or prevent foreclosure and refraining from advertising and conducting forensic and securitization audits;
  • telling consumers that they cannot or should not contact or communicate with their mortgage servicer.
The Attorney General’s Consent Order also prohibits American Hope Group from attempting to collect, collecting, selling, assigning, or otherwise transferring any right to collect payment from consumers who purchased its services prior to October 2015.  The Consent also requires American Hope Group to make required disclosures such as that mortgage assistance relief services may be obtained free of charge from approved non-profit housing counselors and that consumers need not pay for such services until they accept a modification.  If American Hope Group or its principal fails to comply with the terms of the Consent Order, they must pay $10 million.
“NYLAG applauds Attorney General Schneiderman for putting a stop to the deceitful operations of American Hope Group and for his tireless work in protecting New York’s most vulnerable homeowners,” said Beth Goldman, President and Attorney-in-Charge of the New York Legal Assistance Group. “NYLAG has worked with a number of families targeted by American Hope Group because of their limited English proficiency. While these cases are still pending, we have been able to help our clients receive loan modifications and other available assistance that is helping them to remain in their homes. The settlement reached today is a victory for all homeowners harmed by American Hope Group and will ensure that they cannot scam another victim. It sends a clear message to similar organizations that homeowner fraud will not be tolerated. Organizations that promise to save homes and deliver only debt and eventual foreclosure have no place in New York.”
“I applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for his efforts to curb the abuses associated with loan mod scammers targeting New York’s vulnerable, distressed homeowners, who are still in the midst of a foreclosure crisis that disproportionately impacts New York’s communities of color, and who can ill-afford to waste their time and money on the kind of useless, boiler-plate ‘audits’ peddled by the American Hope Group,” said Jacob Inwald, Director of Foreclosure Prevention at Legal Services NYC. “So many of the clients we represent have been victimized by unscrupulous scammers and associated ‘law firms’ who provide no meaningful assistance to homeowners before they reach us, so we hope that the Attorney General’s office will continue to vigorously pursue these bad actors.”
“Mortgage rescue scammers target vulnerable homeowners by luring them with false promises and false hope, taking thousands of dollars from struggling families who ultimately receive no legitimate help to save their homes from foreclosure,” said Nicole Arrindell, Senior Staff Attorney at MFY Legal Services. “Today’s announcement by Attorney General Schneiderman should send a clear warning that this type of illegal conduct will not be tolerated. We hope that this settlement will not only help these consumers recover their losses, but also will serve as a deterrent against future scams.”
If you believe you were a victim of American Hope Group, or if you believe you were a victim of another mortgage rescue scam, please file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office. Complaint forms are available here. You may also call the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-771-7755.
Free help to homeowners is available through the Home Owner Protection Program (HOPP), which uses funds from the National Mortgage Settlement to fund legal services and housing counseling across New York to provide foreclosure prevention services. Consumers can call 1-855-HOME-456 for help. Attorney General Schneiderman’s program funds roughly 90 organizations across the state, and HOPP has served a combined total of 60,000 families since its launch in October of 2012.
This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney Generals Melissa O’Neill, Elena González, and Stephanie Sheehan, Deputy Bureau Chief Laura J. Levine, and Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia, all of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Economic Justice Manisha M. Sheth.