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In solidarity,
The Bronx Democratic County Committee
1640 Eastchester Rd.
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Saturday, July 23, 2016
Bronx Democratic County Committee - Upcoming Events
“Abrazo Dominicano in New York”
Last night's the “Abrazo Dominicano in New York” was missing something and that was State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who has hosted every Abrazo in recent memory. Senator Diaz Sr. had a back operation recently which was more complicated than expected. The good senator is in good health, was out in the morning, but could not attend his own Abrazo due to stiffness in his back. Senator Diaz Sr. was the highlight of past Abrazo's, but last night's “Abrazo Dominicano in New York” went on without him as not to disappoint the hundreds of people who attended. Assemblyman Victor Pichardo stood in for Senator Diaz, and while Victor did a reasonably good job, he was no Ruben Diaz Sr. It is the character of Senator Diaz that makes the event so successful, and part of the reason people attend is to see Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Below are some photos of the event, but as I said before there was something really big missing, and that was State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.
Above - The five co-hosts (L - R) Assemblyman Michael Blake, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Assemblyman Marco Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and City Councilman Rafael Salamanca.
Below - Congressman Jose Serrano joins the 'Fab Five' for a photo.
Above - 36th State Senate candidate Jamaal Bailey joins Assembly members Blake, Pichardo, and Sepulveda for a photo.
Below - Always a favorite of the crowd Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. enters with his wife Hilda who is in the red dress.
Above - Revda Samaris Gross gives the Invocation.
Below - Yolanda Cruz sings the American National Anthem.
Above - Carlos Salecedo Sings the National Anthem of the Republic Dominicana.
Below - Miguel Angel provides some musical entertainment.
Current State Senator Adriano Espaillat, and soon to be the congressman from the 15th district gets in a little fun at Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo who supported one of his opponents in the congressional race.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
A.G. Schneiderman Announces Agreements With Two Companies For Deceptive Sales Practices That Resulted In Hidden Charges To Consumers Ordering Products Marketed On TV
Schneiderman: Consumers Have A Right To Understand The True Terms Of An Offer Before They Are Charged
As part of a wider investigation into deceptive advertising and sales practices allegedly used by the direct marketing industry, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced settlements with Tristar Products, Inc. (“Tristar”), a firm headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey, and Product Trend, LLC (“Product Trend”), headquartered in Williston, Vermont. The agreements require the direct marketers to make significant reforms to their advertising, ordering processes and customer service practices. The marketers sell their products directly to consumers, typically through television and online advertising. Tristar’s products include Genie Bra; blenders and juicers, as well as a variety of exercise equipment, such as the Ab Coaster and Cardio Twister. Product Trend’s products include Total Pillow, Wonderhanger and Furniture Fix.
The agreements also require each marketer to make a monetary payment to the New York Attorney General’s Office for restitution, penalties, costs and fees, with Tristar paying $700,000 and Product Trend paying $175,000.
“These agreements insure that consumers will not be hit with charges they did not authorize and will not be frustrated with long hold times or unresponsive customer service when they seek assistance,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “The settlements also bring much needed reforms to two major players in the direct marketing industry and insure that consumers will have a clear understanding of the charges before they place an order.”
The Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds Bureau launched a probe into the industry after receiving complaints from consumers, including hundreds forwarded by the Better Business Bureau.
According to the Attorney General’s investigation, both marketers ran misleading infomercials on television that often featured attractively priced “Buy One, Get One” offers, which required consumers to purchase a double order of the advertised product. However, the ads did not adequately disclose that consumers would be charged two separate processing and handling fees or the amount of those fees, which significantly increased the cost of the offer. When consumers placed orders by phone or online, they were subjected to a confusing, automated ordering process that typically included numerous “upsell” offers for additional products. Consumers were also not given the opportunity to review and edit their orders before they were processed. As a result, in some cases, consumers who responded to the marketers’ advertisements were charged significantly more than they expected and received products that they did not intend to order.
One Product Trend customer responded to a “Buy One, Get One” ad for Total Pillow, advertised for $19.99, plus shipping and handling, but was charged $91.73 after placing an order online. A Tristar customer who responded to a $19.99 “Buy 3, get 3” Genie Bra advertisement ended up being charged $101.83. Although she subsequently returned the bras, Tristar refused to refund the $27.00 charged for shipping and handling.
The Attorney General’s investigation also revealed that consumers who sought warranty service from Tristar for products that malfunctioned or to obtain authorization to return products often faced long telephone hold times and otherwise had difficulty obtaining relief or assistance.
The settlements require the marketers to:
- Clearly and conspicuously disclose all material terms of an advertised offer.
- Clearly and conspicuously disclose the amount of any processing and handling fee for the second item in a “Buy One, Get One” offer.
- Provide consumers with an opportunity to confirm the details and the total price of any order before it is processed. For orders placed online, this includes presenting the consumers with a checkout or shopping cart page that the consumer can edit.
- Disclose the amount of any processing and handling fees during the ordering process before the consumer is asked to confirm the order details.
- Label all hyperlinks to clearly convey the consequence of clicking the link.
- Email consumers who place orders by phone an order summary with any processing, handling or other charges.
- Ensure that the marketers’ customer service lines are adequately staffed so that consumers are not subjected to long hold times.
In March 2015, the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission reached a similar settlement with Allstar Marketing Group, LLC located in Hawthorne, New York.
Consumers who believe they may be entitled to a refund should notify the Attorney General’s office. Consumers can file a complaint online or obtain a complaint form at www.ag.ny.gov. Consumers can also call the Attorney General’s consumer helpline at 1-800-771-7755.
Former Federal Employee Labor Union President Sentenced In White Plains Federal Court For Stealing Union Funds
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WILLIAM DAVIS, the former president of the Federation of Government Employees (“AFGE”) Local 1119 (the “Union”), was sentenced today to 15 months in prison in connection with embezzling approximately $150,000 of the Union’s funds. DAVIS pled guilty on April 6, 2016, and was sentenced today in White Plains federal court by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas.
According to the allegations in the Indictment:
The AFGE is a national labor union that represents approximately 670,000 workers employed by the federal government across all agencies and departments. The Union is a local union chapter of AFGE that represents approximately 300 employees of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Montrose (the “Hospital”), and maintains offices on the Hospital’s campus in Montrose, New York. At all times relevant to the Indictment, the Union maintained a checking account (the “Union Bank Account”) for Union funds, including members’ dues payments.
From at least January 2008 through in or about October 2012, DAVIS served as the elected president of the Union. As the president, it was DAVIS’s duty to preside over the Union’s meetings and conduct the day-to-day affairs of the Union. During that time period, DAVIS used a debit card for the Union Bank Account (the “Union Debit Card”) issued to a deceased former Union officer to make hundreds of charges and cash withdrawals for non-Union expenses and without the authorization of the Union. For example, DAVIS used the Union Debit Card at stores and online retailers including Apple, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Radio Shack, purchasing items for his personal benefit including electronics, music downloads, video games, cellphones, men’s clothing, gasoline, and cigarettes. DAVIS purchased money orders using the Union Debit Card that totaled at least $30,000 from the United States Post Office in Montrose, New York. On several occasions, DAVIS paid for rent for his residence using the money orders he purchased with the Union Debit Card. DAVIS also used the Union Debit Card to make over 900 cash withdrawals from ATM machines in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, in the process incurring thousands of dollars of ATM fees and fees for insufficient funds. Between January 2008 and June 2012, the unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals that DAVIS made with the Union Debit Card totaled in excess of $120,000.
In order to conceal his misuse and theft of Union funds, DAVIS also made false statements and omissions in annual Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards reports for the fiscal years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, reporting a total of only $7,000 in allowances and disbursements to himself as president.
In addition to the prison sentence, DAVIS, 56, of Wappingers Falls, New York, was sentenced to two years of supervised release. The Court further ordered that Davis pay $150,000 in restitution.
Mr. Bharara thanked and praised the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General for their work in this investigation.
State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Victor Pichardo To Host Their Third Annual Senior Health Fair
In order to celebrate the countless contributions that seniors continue to make to our communities, especially in our borough, State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assembly member Victor Pichardo have partnered with a number of city agencies and local health institutions to host their third annual Senior Health Fair at Monroe College on Friday, July 22nd from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
This event, which is part of Senator Rivera's Bronx CAN Health Initiative, will give attendees access to health information, tips on preventative measures and an array of health screenings, ranging from blood pressure to glucose testing.
Throughout the celebration, attendees will also be able to enjoy complimentary food, participate in raffles and a lesson in Zumba dancing.
Third Annual Senior Health Fair
State Senator Gustavo Rivera
Assemblymember Victor Pichardo
Assemblymember Victor Pichardo
Friday, July 22, 2016
12:00pm - 2:00pm
King Hall Auditorium at Monroe College
2501 Jerome Avenue
Bronx, NY 10468
King Hall Auditorium at Monroe College
2501 Jerome Avenue
Bronx, NY 10468
LOCAL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE $2 MILLION FOR NEW VAN CORTLANDT VILLAGE LIBRARY
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Jeff Klein, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz and City Council Member Andrew Cohen have announced $2 million in new funding allocations to relocate the Van Cortlandt branch library to a new, larger home.
Each elected official has secured $500,000 in capital funding for the project as part of their FY2017 budget allocations. The new library will replace the existing branch, located at 3874 Sedgwick Avenue, with a state-of-the-art facility at a long-dormant residential building.The New York Public Library is close to finalizing a deal to move the branch to 3882 Cannon Place.
“I am proud to have partnered with the New York Public Library and my colleagues in government to help bring a brand-new Van Cortlandt branch library to the residents of the Northwest Bronx. The library is one of the most important public institutions we have, and this new location will allow for residents of all ages to enjoy an up-to-date, expanded branch library,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
"Libraries are sanctuaries of knowledge and imagination where the public can come to enjoy quiet time with a book in their neighborhood. The Van Cortlandt branch serves its residents well, but we're long overdue for an upgraded facility. I'm proud that I secured $500,000, along with the additional funding contributed by my colleagues, to make the idea of a new library jump off the page and into reality. More than twice the size of the standing library, the new Van Cortlandt branch will begin a new chapter for community engagement and activities and I hope everyone in the area takes advantage of it," said State Senator Jeff Klein.
“The value of New York’s Public libraries cannot be overstated, which is why I am thrilled I was able to secure $500k in Capital money to create a new home for the Van Cortlandt Library at 3882 Cannon Place. Libraries offer critical services such as internet access, job and technology training, English language classes, and countless other programs that enrich the lives of the communities they serve, while offering children a place to continue their educations outside of the classroom. I am proud to work with Borough President Diaz, Senator Klein, and Council Member Cohen to secure this money so that the Van Cortlandt Library can have a new and permanent home to continue to provide free education and opportunity to the residents of the Van Cortlandt community,” said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz.
“I am thrilled to be teaming up with my colleagues so we can provide the best possible library for my constituents in Van Cortlandt Village. A new, state-of-the-art space will be a tremendous resource allowing for expanded programs that serve the entire community. I look forward to cutting the ribbon when the new branch is complete,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.
“The community relies on the programs and services offered by the Van Cortlandt Library, and we look forward to providing a bigger, better branch for that important work in the near future," said New York Public Library President Tony Marx. "We are so thankful to Borough President Diaz, State Senator Klein, Assembly Member Dinowitz and City Council Member Andrew Cohen for contributing key funding to this important project and allowing us to better serve the public.”
The existing Van Cortlandt branch has been at its original location since 1968. It is one room and approximately 2,715 square feet. Having just one room makes adult, teen, or children’s programming very difficult particularly given that program attendance in general has been up by 49 percent in recent years.
The proposed new location, at 3882 Cannon Place, is located only three blocks away from the existing branch and was originally built for supportive housing. It is 5,847 square feet, more than double the size of the current branch. In addition, the available outdoor space at the proposed new location could be a great opportunity to keep children and young readers engaged with outdoor programming, especially over the summer months.
The project is the newest way that The New York Public Library is investing in The Bronx. There is currently about $117 million earmarked for 53 capital projects for libraries in the borough, including much-needed renovations of the Hunt’s Point and Melrose branches.
Upcoming Cultural Events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center
On Thurs. Aug. 4th, enjoy the lively rhythms of the Igor Sherbakov Duo at 1:00 PM. Igor and Eva will perform a variety of music including Broadway, American and international selections for listening and dancing. Lunch of breaded sole fillet or chicken salad served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served.Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700 for advance meal reservations.
On Wed. Aug. 10th, film historian Pierre Montiel will present on the life achievements of Hollywood legend Claudette Colbert at 1:00 PM. Lunch of tilapia Francaise or egg salad will be served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served.Non-senior Meal Fee:$5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00. Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700for advance meal reservations.
JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center will be open on Sun. Aug. 21st. Lunch of Shake & Bake Chicken or vegetarian liver will be served at 1:00 PMfollowed by authentic South American music by the Chameleon music ensemble at 2:00 PM. Chameleon performs Brazilian choros , Venezuelan meringues, Argentinian tangos, Colombian cumbias and more. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $3.00 and Senior Event Donation: $2.00 Refreshments will be served. Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $3.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700for advance meal reservations.
On Fri. Aug. 26th, Gary Lovett, cabaret singer, will present “Las Vegas Show Time” at 1:00 PM. Lunch of baked oregano chicken or gefilte fish loaf served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served. Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700 for advance meal reservations.
Vicki Rubin, pianist/singer, will present popular American and international music for listening and dancing on Wed. Aug. 31st at 1:00 PM.Lunch of Tilapia Francaise or Veggie Burger served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served. Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700 for advance reservations.
JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center
3880 Sedgwick Ave., First Floor
Bronx, NY 10463
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictment Of Bronx Medical Clinic Owner In Alleged $5 Million Medicaid Fraud
Joseph Wright Allegedly Duped Innocent New Yorkers Into Receiving Unnecessary Medical Treatment By Luring Them To His Clinic With False Promises Of Affordable Housing
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the indictment and arraignment of Joseph Wright, 52, of Middletown NY, for his role in an alleged $5 million Medicaid fraud. Prosecutors allege that Wright, as owner of a purportedly not-for-profit organization called Assistance By Improv II, Inc. (ABI), located at 953 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, lured thousands of low-income New Yorkers to ABI with the promise of affordable housing, arranged to have them subjected to unnecessary medical tests and then filed false claims for reimbursement with the New York Medicaid program. Wright was indicted on felony charges of Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree.
“The defendant in this case allegedly took advantage of the hopes and needs of vulnerable New Yorkers to line his own pockets with millions of dollars in taxpayer funds,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This elaborate scheme resulted in an alleged theft of over $5 million of Medicaid funds that should have been used to help medical patients in need.”
Prosecutors allege Wright unlawfully owns and operates ABI as a medical mill that masquerades as a charitable housing organization. ABI claims in newspapers, on television, and on city bus advertisements to be dedicated to providing affordable housing for developmental disabled New Yorkers. Prosecutors allege Wright ignored ABI’s professed charitable mission and duped potential clients, most of whom were Medicaid recipients, into surrendering their personal health care information and undergoing purported medical screening to qualify for housing.
Prosecutors allege potential clients were directed to see various doctors and counselors at ABI, and were often subjected to unnecessary purported medical tests and procedures. Thereafter, staff at ABI, under the direction of Wright, and at the behest of various doctors and counselors employed by ABI, submitted false claims for reimbursement to Medicaid for services allegedly rendered to the Medicaid recipients who provided Wright, his staff and ABI with their client identification numbers.
Wright, prosecutors allege, used the doctors’ and patients’ Medicaid identification numbers to submit a staggering volume of claims for services purportedly rendered to Medicaid recipients. In an eight-month span, over 125,000 claims for medical services allegedly rendered to Medicaid recipients were submitted in the names of eight Medicaid providers actually employed by Wright and ABI. The value of these claims totaled in excess of $10 million dollars, for which Medicaid reimbursed these eight doctors over $5 million dollars, and they in turn paid Wright millions of dollars.
Prosecutors allege that an overwhelming number of these claims were for treatment in connection with a primary diagnosis of “counseling and advice on contraception” or “other contraceptive/sex counseling” and bore no resemblance to the purported examinations to which the recipients were subjected, even if they had been proper. Often these claims were completely fictitious and factually impossible. According to claims records maintained by the Medicaid program, prosecutors allege, these doctors purportedly treated hundreds of patients a day and each patient received the same medical diagnosis. Many of the doctors’ claims were for services outside their field of specialty and for claimed medical diagnosis and treatments the doctor often was unqualified to give. Furthermore, given the number of claims filed each day by each doctor, the doctors could not have physically rendered the treatment they claimed to have provided.
To date, the Attorney General’s investigation has uncovered no evidence that any of ABI’s patients ever received any housing despite being subjected to unnecessary medical examinations, medical tests, and multiple visits to ABI.
Wright, at the time of his arrest on June 20, 2016 by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), was charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Health Care Fraud in the First Degree and Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree. Grand Larceny in the First Degree and Health Care Fraud in the First Degree are both class B felonies with a maximum term of incarceration of 8 1/3 to 25 years in State prison. Bail was set at the time of Wright’s arrest in the amount of $500,000 bond or cash with an examination of surety and today, following Wright’s arraignment and oral argument, continued by the Hon. George Villegas in the same amount. The defendant pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned until November 22, 2016. The investigation is ongoing.
The Attorney General’s Office thanks the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (“OMIG”), Computer Services Corporation, the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”) and the New York Office of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations for their valuable contributions to this investigation.
The case was investigated by Special Investigators Denitor Guerra and Thomas Dowd with assistance from Supervising Investigator Dominick DiGennaro and Deputy Chief Investigator Kenneth Morgan. Dominick Zarrella is the Chief Investigator of the Office of the Attorney General. OMIG Investigator Nigill Johnson also assisted in the investigation. The audit investigation was conducted by MFCU Auditor Investigator Lisandra Defex with assistance from Principal Auditor Investigator Emmanuel Archer and Regional Chief Auditor Thomasina Smith. Also assisting in the investigation were Stephanie Paton and Margaret Tsui of OMIG and Leslie Dykeman from Computer Services Corporation.
The case is being prosecuted by MFCU Special Assistant Attorneys General Alyssa A. Preston and Mark P. Cannon with the assistance of New York City Regional Director Christopher M. Shaw. Thomas O’Hanlon is the MFCU Downstate Chief-Criminal Investigations. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul Mahoney. The Criminal Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.
The charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.