Consultant Pleads Guilty to Providing Bribes to Public Officials to Benefit Clients

 

A consultant pleaded guilty in federal court today to offering and providing bribes to public officials in an effort to benefit his clients.

ROBERTO CALDERO, 69, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.  The conviction is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger set sentencing for Dec. 15, 2022.

The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Ashley T. Johnson, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  The Chicago Public Schools Office of Inspector General participated in the investigation.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Kramer.

Caldero admitted in a plea agreement that in 2016 he offered and arranged for bribes to be provided to a City of Chicago alderman and a Chicago Public Schools employee in exchange for them taking official actions to benefit Caldero’s clients, who were seeking a custodial services contract at CPS, an honorary street name designation in Chicago, and the renaming of a parcel of property believed to be a Chicago Park District park.  The benefits Caldero offered the CPS employee included the prospect of future employment, champagne, discounted event space for a family event, and admission to an annual benefit for a museum.  To influence the alderman, Caldero arranged for campaign contributions to be made to political organizations affiliated with the alderman or his ward.  Unbeknownst to Caldero, the alderman was cooperating with the FBI.

Release of Body Camera Footage from a Police-Involved Firearm Discharge that Occurred on May 10 2022 in the confines of the 42nd Precinct. September 2, 2022

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 10th, 2022 in the confines of the 42rd Precinct..

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here

Release of Body Camera Footage from a Police-Involved Firearm Discharge that Occurred on March 3 2022 in the confines of the 63rd Precinct. September 2, 2022

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 3rd, 2022 in the confines of the 63rd Precinct..

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here

SCHUMER SECURES $63.7 MILLION FOR BINGHAMTON VIA HIGHLY COMPETITIVE EDA REGIONAL CHALLENGE TO MAKE THE SOUTHERN TIER AND FINGER LAKES AMERICA’S NEXT MAJOR BATTERY RESEARCH & MANUFACTURING HUB; AFTER HIS PERSONAL ADVOCACY, SCHUMER DELIVERS MAJOR FED FUNDING WITH POTENTIAL FOR THOUSANDS OF GOOD-PAYING JOBS & POWERING THE FUTURE OF AMERICA’S BATTERY INDUSTRY

 

Schumer Fought Non-Stop For Over A Year, Calling Commerce Secretary Multiple Times For Binghamton University’s New Energy NY Proposal To Transform The Southern Tier Economy With Federally-Backed, Cutting-Edge Battery Research And Manufacturing

Senator Says This Investment Is Breathing New Life Into Region’s Industrial and Innovation Legacy With An Upstate Coalition Of Binghamton University, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY BEST, And More Leading The Way

Schumer: The Southern Tier & Finger Lakes Will Power The Future Of Battery Research & Manufacturing For America

 Following his direct advocacy that secured Binghamton’s spot as a finalist in the American Rescue Plan’s EDA Regional Challenge, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced today that Binghamton University has been awarded $63.7 million for their New Energy New York proposal to make the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes a national hub for battery research and manufacturing.

Schumer said the proposal includes the establishment of a national center for battery technology and manufacturing, the Battery-NY Center, providing the foundation the funding needed to advance cutting-edge research, attract innovative companies, secure the battery supply chain, and strengthen American manufacturing. Schumer said this investment will elevate Binghamton, the Southern Tier, and Finger Lakes as an emerging global battery hub, which can create thousands of good-paying jobs and fundamentally transform Upstate New York’s economy. 

“I am proud to deliver this once-in-a-generation investment for Binghamton, the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, and all of Upstate New York. New Energy New York  will make the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes America’s home for battery innovation and production, bring manufacturing back from overseas, and train thousands of workers for good-paying jobs in an industry that will define this century. Broome County was once the global home to innovation, as the birthplace of IBM, flight simulation and virtual reality, and this project will breathe new life into that legacy, showing the world what I have long known: that Binghamton and Upstate New York workers can lead the effort to bring manufacturing back to America, and take us into the future,” said Senator Schumer. “We just made the largest ever federal investment in clean energy and batteries in the Inflation Reduction Act, electric vehicles are booming, and now Binghamton can seize this opportunity to grow the beating heart of this emerging battery industry right here in Upstate New York. I am proud to have worked hand-in-hand with Professor Whittingham, President Stenger, and the other coalition partners to deliver the federal funding to make this revolutionary project a reality.”

“Thanks to Senator Schumer Broome County will be the future home of innovation for America’s battery industry. Senator Schumer never stopped fighting for the potential we both know Broome County and the Southern Tier has, and today he delivered big to make that happen,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Under the leadership of Binghamton University and Dr. Whittingham the New Energy New York project will make sure the next-generation battery research, design, and manufacturing is led by Broome County workers. The future will be built here in Broome County.”

The New Energy New York coalition is one of 21 winners – each a regional coalition of partnering entities – that will receive awards between $25 and $65 million, making Binghamton’s one of the largest. For over a year, Schumer personally advocated to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo for the selection of the Southern Tier as a finalist for this opportunity, and then personally visited the Southern Tier to double down on his advocacy after successfully securing Binghamton as one of 60 Phase 1 finalists nationally to compete for this final Phase 2 award. The senator explained that the $1 billion EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge Program, created by the American Rescue Plan, which he authored, received 529 Phase 1 applications from across the nation.

Schumer said batteries are integral to everyday life, helping to power mobile phones, laptops, smart watches, and electric vehicles, but unfortunately, much of the manufacturing of this critical technology has been offshored, leaving the country vulnerable to supply chain disruptions that can raise costs for working families and jeopardize U.S. jobs and national security. Schumer just shepherded the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment towards fighting climate change in history, to passage earlier this month, which includes targeted incentives to help bolster clean battery manufacturing in the U.S. making projects like Binghamton’s even more critical and priming the region to further benefit from federal investment to expand manufacturing opportunities and create jobs. This is on top of the investments already made in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which included $6 billion in federal incentives to expand capabilities of U.S.-based battery research and development, bolster domestic battery production, and shore up the American supply chain for batteries and energy storage technology that is often reliant on foreign sources. Imperium 3 New York (iM3NY), a lithium-ion cell manufacturer, recently commenced commercial production in Endicott, NY and as North America’s only pure home-grown battery gigafactory, is well-positioned to take advantage of federal investment. 

Specifically, Binghamton’s proposal will establish a battery technology and manufacturing center, the Battery-NY Center, in the Southern Tier, hosted by Binghamton University, with a focus on bringing the manufacturing of batteries back to America and supporting the economic resurgence of an underdeveloped area of the region. This investment will help scale up capacity for new battery products and manufacturing companies, and will also support workforce training programs to connect workers with new jobs in this growing industry. According to Binghamton University, the proposal is projected to support and create thousands of new good-paying jobs in the next 10 years, with the potential to support or sustain thousands of additional indirect jobs within related supply chains. The Southern Tier is home to hundreds of manufacturers, many of which have significant interests or are well positioned to participate in the battery supply chain, including iM3NY. In addition, the proposal will build on regional programs to help spur entrepreneurship, climate justice, and workforce training through partnerships with institutions of higher education and community organizations. The 13-member project coalition includes Binghamton University, NY-BEST, SUNY Broome, SUNY Corning Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and NYSTAR, among other key organizations such as IncubatorWorks, Clean Fight New York, and county and state government entities.

In the past month, Schumer has passed some of the largest federal investments in decades to boost manufacturing in America, from his CHIPS And Science Act to the previously mentioned historic Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in history in clean energy manufacturing and fighting climate change, making today’s announcement for Binghamton all the more timely to position the region for major new manufacturing opportunities.

Attorney General James’ Statement on Passing of Assistant Attorney General Sandy Mindell

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued the following statement on the passing of Assistant Attorney General Stephen ‘Sandy’ Mindell, who served in the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for more than 60 years:  

“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a long-time public servant and dear friend: Sandy Mindell. Sandy helped build our Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau and drafted the nation’s first ever ‘lemon law.’ He was a friend and mentor to many throughout his time in our office, and he will be dearly missed. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife Margrecia, his son James who followed in his beloved father’s footsteps and serves as Senior Investigative Counsel in our Syracuse Regional Office, and the rest of their family. While Sandy has passed on, we will always find inspiration in the wise words he offered about what it takes to serve New Yorkers: ‘there has to be a fire burning in your belly which an antacid isn’t going to help.’ May his memory be a blessing and inspiration to us all.” 

Sandy Mindell’s obituary is available by visiting: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/nytimes/name/stephen-mindell-obituary?id=36396043.  

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli - Happy Labor Day, Supporting Workers and Their Rights

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Happy Labor Day, Supporting Workers and Their Rights

 As we enjoy this long Labor Day weekend, I'd like to recognize the hardworking men and women who are the backbones of our communities. Thank you to the workers who serve, protect, build, educate, heal and strengthen New York. As State Comptroller, I will continue to do all I can to support workers and protect their rights. 

My office has closely studied issues impacting the workforce. Earlier this year, I issued reports on the gender wage gap in NYS and women’s engagement with the labor force in NYC during the pandemic. I encouraged the State to study these issues in more depth, and I'm pleased to see the NYS Department of Labor (DOL) is looking at how COVID-19 affected women in the workplace and pay inequality. This is a positive step, and I encourage DOL to do similar work for other groups that my reports have shown face employment challenges, including people with disabilities, youth, workers without a college education and immigrants.

My office has also identified shortcomings in the State’s workforce development programs, the need for more job training and resources for the growing green economy, and inadequate safety protections for workers at NYC construction sites. Also, I will continue my engagement with companies to urge them to address workplace safety and other issues. On this Labor Day and every day, we must support the hardworking New Yorkers who are keeping our State strong. 

Queens Man Convicted Of Money Laundering And Bank Fraud

 

Djonibek Rahmankulov Laundered Millions of Dollars of Proceeds from Fraudulently Obtained COVID SBA Loans, Medicare and Medicaid Fraud, and Computer Hacking

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict against DJONIBEK RAHMANKULOV on counts of money laundering conspiracy, bank fraud, and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.  RAHMANKULOV is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Djonibek Rahmankulov exploited the United States financial system to launder millions of dollars of proceeds of fraud.  He lied repeatedly to banks in furtherance of his illegal money laundering enterprise.  Yesterday, a jury found Rahmankulov guilty of his crimes, and he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.”

According to the superseding indictment and the evidence at trial:

Between 2017 and September 2020, RAHMANKULOV operated a network of shell companies that were used to launder millions of dollars of criminal proceeds from multiple types of criminal activity.  RAHMANKULOV worked with computer hackers who fraudulently gained control of the bank accounts of victims located throughout the United States and executed millions of dollars in fraudulent wire transfers into bank accounts opened by RAHMANKULOV and his co-conspirators.  RAHMANKULOV received wire transfers into bank accounts he created and bank accounts he instructed others to create and laundered these proceeds through multiple additional bank accounts to prevent the victims and the banks from recovering the stolen funds.

In addition, RAHMANKULOV worked with a network of pharmacies engaged in Medicare and Medicaid fraud.  These pharmacies submitted millions of dollars of fraudulent billing for HIV medications that they did not dispense or obtained illegally, including by repurchasing medications from HIV patients who were Medicaid recipients.  RAHMANKULOV created companies to receive these criminal proceeds from the pharmacies and laundered them through a variety of means, including by using them to fund an unlicensed money transmitting business that illegally moved money to and from multiple countries, including Iran.

In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, RAHMANKULOV filed fraudulent applications for COVID relief loans from the Small Business Administration for multiple companies he controlled. He laundered the proceeds of loans and grants through these companies.  RAHMANKULOV also made a number of materially false statements to financial institutions in connection with his money laundering schemes, both when opening bank accounts and when executing financial transactions with those bank accounts.

RAHMANKULOV, 34, of Queens, New York, was convicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years; one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years; and one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Money Laundering Investigation Squad.

Governor Hochul Announces Suspension of Construction-Related Lane Closures for Labor Day

 

Construction-Related Lane Closures Limited to Ease Travel During Holiday Weekend

Construction Suspension Protects the Safety of Roadside Workers, Keeps Them off the Road During Weekend of Increased Traffic

Motorists Urged to Slow Down and Move Over for Roadside Emergency and Maintenance Vehicles

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended from 6 a.m. on Friday, September 2, to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, to ease travel throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend.

"Labor Day weekend marks the end of the summer season, and many New Yorkers will be traveling across the state," Governor Hochul said. "We are suspending construction on state roads to ensure the safety of our motorists and help ensure everyone reaches their destination safely. We all need to do our part and be alert when driving, obey the speed limit, and move over for emergency service vehicles as needed."

Suspension of roadside construction during a weekend of increased traffic also helps protect the safety of highway workers, including those in organized labor, during a holiday that honors the ideals of the labor movement.

Motorists should be aware that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. The construction suspension aligns with New York State's Drivers First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.

Motorists should follow the state's Move Over Law, which requires motorists to slow down and safely move over for law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks and construction or maintenance vehicles that are stopped along roads across the state.

Text stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops, service areas and parking areas along state highways support the state's effort to reduce distracted driving. All text stops will remain open, providing locations where drivers can safely and conveniently use their phones and other mobile devices for calling, texting, navigating and accessing mobile apps. Texting while driving is especially dangerous, as it requires motorists to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel and mind off driving.

The Thruway Authority reminds motorists that ten service areas are closed and under construction as part of the $450 million private investment and modernization project. Fuel services remain open at all locations. To ensure continuity of services to Thruway customers during construction, no two consecutive service areas in the same direction of travel will be closed for renovations at the same time. Motorists can view the service areas and plan their stops on the Thruway Authority's website and on the free mobile app.

Follow the Thruway Authority on Twitter @NYSThruway and on Facebook at New York State Thruway Authority.

Travelers can check NYSDOT's 511NY before traveling by calling 5-1-1, visiting the 511 website, or downloading the free 511NY mobile app on iTunes or Google Play. The free service allows users to check road conditions, view 2219 traffic cameras and link to air and transit information. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction.

Follow New York State DOT on Twitter @NYSDOT and on Facebook at New York State Department of Transportation.

DMV and GTSC remind motorists that New York State Police and local law enforcement are increasing patrols to target impaired driving through September 5 as part of the statewide STOP-DWI "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. The campaign is designed to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes.

The Department of Motor Vehicles urges drivers to use the Have a Plan app to help find a safe way home from a celebration where they may be drinking. The free app from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation allows users to designate a driver, call a cab or ride share, and to review the consequences of impaired driving. Users can even use the app to report a drunk or drugged driver. The app is available for Apple, Android and Windows smart phones.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Returns to Theaters Tomorrow for a 40th Anniversary Celebration

 

Sun, Sep 4  

Regal New Roc City 18 Plus Imax    4 PM , 7 PM.

33 Le Count Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801

Mon, Sep 5      7 PM.

Thur, Sep 8      7 PM.

                 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

 Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

Updated COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer Approved; Available Next Week

16 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved updated COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older and from Pfizer for people ages 12 years and older.    

"With new boosters available next week, New Yorkers will soon be able to better protect themselves from the latest variants," Governor Hochul said. "It is vital that we take advantage of the latest tools and resources at our disposal in order to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy. As we prepare for potential fall surges, I encourage New Yorkers to stay up to date on vaccines and remain vigilant." 

These boosters - designed to target Omicron subvariants and provide even more protection against COVID-19 - should be available at local health care providers sometime next week. 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:   

• Cases Per 100k - 19.25
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 19.96
• Test Results Reported - 55,728
• Total Positive - 3,762
• Percent Positive - 6.87%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.78%**   
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,235 (-74)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 334
• Patients in ICU - 235 (-19)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 85 (0)
• Total Discharges - 337,716 (+391)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 16
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 57,674

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.      

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.      

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 73,697

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.   

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **: 

Borough	Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022	Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022	Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022
Bronx	6.74%	6.60%	6.39%
Kings	3.21%	3.15%	3.01%
New York	4.85%	4.84%	4.62%
Queens	6.70%	6.86%	6.90%
Richmond	5.67%	5.81%	5.71%