Colombian National Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For Conspiring To Import Tons Of Cocaine Into The United States

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ÁLVARO FREDY CÓRDOBA RUÍZ was sentenced to 14 years in prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.  CÓRDOBA RUÍZ pled guilty on January 2, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who imposed the sentence. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This sentence demonstrates this Office’s commitment to prosecuting drug traffickers like Córdoba Ruíz, who seek to import tons of cocaine into the United States.  Those who seek to flood our streets with narcotics will face serious consequences, especially when they partner with violent drug trafficking organizations like the FARC.  I commend the efforts of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors of this Office who work tirelessly to investigate and disrupt these complex drug importation networks.  Their work has a profound impact on countless lives in our communities.” 

According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings:[1]

CÓRDOBA RUÍZ conspired with his co-defendants and other individuals associated with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (“FARC”) — a violent organization based in Colombia that was dedicated to the overthrow of the Colombian government and responsible for the production and distribution of the majority of the cocaine that eventually reached the United States — to source and distribute tons of cocaine destined for the United States.  CÓRDOBA RUÍZ negotiated with individuals he believed to be narcotics traffickers from a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (the “Mexican DTO”) seeking to establish a cocaine supply line from Venezuela to the United States.  These individuals, however, were actually confidential sources working at the direction of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”).

In recorded communications during the investigation, CÓRDOBA RUÍZ agreed to assist the planned cocaine venture through his political and logistics connections in Colombia.  With respect to the former, CÓRDOBA RUÍZ connected confidential sources purporting to be members of the Mexican DTO with a Colombian politician, conveying that, in exchange for financial and political support, the politician would help to facilitate a cocaine partnership between the defendant, his co-conspirators, and the confidential sources purportedly functioning as the Mexican DTO.  CÓRDOBA RUÍZ also connected the confidential sources with individuals who offered to provide large quantities of cocaine and security for the promised cocaine loads.  In December 2021, to prove their bona fides and establish the quality of their supply, CÓRDOBA RUÍZ sold the confidential sources a five-kilogram sample of cocaine containing a high level of purity — lab tests demonstrate the cocaine was between 86.6% to 89.1% pure — from a FARC-associated farm outside of Medellín.  CÓRDOBA RUÍZ was arrested in Colombia in February 2022, while negotiating a much larger partnership with the Mexican DTO, which contemplated the shipment of approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine per week.

In addition to the prison term, CÓRDOBA RUÍZ, 65, of Medellín, Colombia, was sentenced to four years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit and Bogotá Country Office, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (“OCDETF”) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley, Kaylan E. Lasky, and Kevin T. Sullivan are in charge of the prosecution.

[1] Communications, conversations, and statements discussed and quoted herein are described in substance and in part, and many of these conversations occurred in Spanish.

D.A. Bragg Announces Return Of 30 Antiquities Seized From Subhash Kapoor And Nancy Wiener

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr, announced the return of 27 antiquities to the people of Cambodia and 3 antiquities to the people of Indonesia. The pieces, collectively valued at nearly $3 million, were recovered pursuant to multiple ongoing investigations into trafficking networks targeting Southeast Asian antiquities, including those of alleged trafficker SUBHASH KAPOOR and convicted trafficker NANCY WIENER.

The pieces were returned during two recent repatriation ceremonies. The first, in honor of the return to Cambodia, was attended by Michael Alfonso, Deputy Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York and H.E. Ambassador Keo Chhea of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to the United States. The second, in honor of the return to Indonesia, was attended by Thomas Acocella, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York and Consul General Winanto Adi of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York.

“We are continuing to investigate the wide-ranging trafficking networks that continue to target Southeast Asian antiquities. While we have made significant progress and have dismantled several prominent networks, there is clearly still much more work to do. These repatriation ceremonies show our continued commitment to protecting cultural heritage and returning stolen antiquities back home,” said District Attorney Bragg.

“Today’s ceremony isn’t just about returning lost treasures; it’s a renewal of commitment between nations to safeguard the soul of our shared heritage. This commitment, built on robust cooperation, is what makes today significant. Cambodia and the United States are setting a global standard for protecting and repatriating cultural heritage. Through this united effort, we ensure the preservation of our collective past for future generations,” said Ambassador Keo Chhea.

“My sincerest appreciation towards New York District Attorney’s office and all related parties for their tireless effort to recover the antiquities. Not only it reflects the closeness of Indonesia and the United States, the repatriation of the antiquities also serves precious gift for the celebration of 75th anniversary of diplomatic relation between Indonesia and the US.” said Consul General Adi.

“In the past week, HSI New York has proudly reunited the People of Cambodia and Indonesia with 30 artifacts that represent each country’s uniquely robust cultural heritage. For years, these pieces were in the hands of people who saw nothing beyond the profit and status of their illicit possession. HSI New York’s Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities Group has worked tirelessly with international partners to take these small steps in seeking justice against some of the world’s most prolific traffickers. I thank the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Governments of Cambodia and Indonesia for standing side by side with us in doing so,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo.

Among the pieces returned include:

• The Bronze Shiva Triad, which was smuggled out of Cambodia in the early 2000’s at the direction of Nancy WIENER. Beginning in the early 1990’s, WIENER dealt and trafficked in Southeast Asian antiquities, which she sold through her gallery in New York County. After the Triad arrived in Manhattan, WIENER and a convicted co-conspirator arranged for the piece to be restored and offered it for sale at her gallery in 2007. After failing to find a purchaser, WIENER donated the piece to the Denver Art Museum in December 2007, where it remained until it was recovered by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit in June 2023. In 2016, the District Attorney’s Office arrested WIENER, and she was ultimately convicted and sentenced in 2021. 
• The Stone Relief, returned to Indonesia, stands out as a rare example of material culture from the Majapahit Empire (1293-1527), one of the most powerful and influential empires in Southeast Asia’s history. It was particularly well-known for its terracottas, making this Stone Relief a wonderfully rare example of Majapahit art. The relief depicts two seated royal figures, a lady and a man, surrounded by stylized foliage and holding round objects in their hands, which may be the Maja fruit for which the empire was named. The Stone Relief was recovered from a KAPOOR-owned storage unit.

Pictured: “Stone Relief”

For over a decade, the District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit, along with law enforcement partners at Homeland Security Investigations, have investigated KAPOOR and his co-conspirators for the alleged illegal looting, exportation, and sale of artifacts from numerous countries in South and Southeast Asia, including Nepal. As alleged, KAPOOR and his co-defendants generally smuggled looted antiquities into Manhattan and sold the pieces through KAPOOR’S Madison Avenue-based gallery, Art of the Past. From 2011 to 2023 the D.A.’s Office and HSI recovered more than 2,500 items allegedly trafficked by KAPOOR and his network. The total value of the pieces recovered exceeds $143 million.

The D.A.’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for KAPOOR in 2012.[1] In November 2019, KAPOOR and seven of his co-defendants were indicted for their conspiracy to traffic stolen antiquities. KAPOOR’s extradition from India is pending. Five of his co-defendants have already been convicted. This includes two of his indicted co-defendants as well as three other traffickers who had been charged separately.

During District Attorney Bragg’s tenure, the ATU has recovered almost 1,200 antiquities stolen from more than 25 countries and valued at over $250 million. Since its creation, the ATU has recovered almost 4,900 antiquities valued at over $450 million and has returned more than 4,500 of them so far to more than 25 countries.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos, Chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit and Senior Trial Counsel, supervised the investigations, which were conducted by Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Studley; Supervising Investigative Analyst Apsara Iyer, Investigative Analysts Hilary Chassé and Charlotte Looram; District Attorney Investigator John Paul Labbat; and Special Agents Brenton Easter, Megan Buckley, and Robert Fromkin of Homeland Security Investigations. The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Denver Art Museum for their assistance and cooperation with our investigation.

[1] Any charges referenced herein that have not already resulted in convictions are merely allegations, and any individuals not convicted are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

Attorney General James and Acting Tax Commissioner Hiller Announce Arrest of Colonie Car Dealership Owner for Failing to Pay Over $160,000 in Taxes

 

Guy Kennedy Nicolas and His Business, G&A Auto Care Inc., Allegedly Failed to Report Over $2 Million in Sales and Pay Over $160,000 in Sales Tax Owed to New York State

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Amanda Hiller today announced the arrest of Guy Kennedy Nicolas of Colonie, New York on six felony charges for allegedly failing to report over $2 million in taxable sales and pay over $160,000 in sales tax. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Nicolas failed to file annual sales tax returns for his car dealership business, G&A Auto Care Inc., for all but two years from 2013 to 2023. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.

“New Yorkers should be able to trust that the local businesses in their communities follow the rules and pay their fair share of taxes,” said Attorney General James. “Failing to pay taxes is not only illegal, it cheats New Yorkers across the state out of quality public services they rely on. My office will continue to hold those who attempt to defraud the tax system accountable. I thank all of our partners who supported this investigation.”

“I commend Attorney General James and her team for their diligence and professionalism in handling this case,” said Acting Tax Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “Prosecutions such as these are essential to ensure that honest retailers aren’t undercut by those who evade tax laws.”   

“I applaud the Office of the Attorney General for the diligent work on this investigation,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “We were happy to assist because it is so important to make sure that regulated auto dealers are following the law and paying their required taxes like everyone else.”

A joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) and New York State Police (NYSP), with assistance from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles revealed that Nicolas, the owner of G&A Auto Care Inc., was the sole person responsible for sales tax at his business. Nicolas was required to report all taxable sales, including sales of cars, from his dealership and file sales tax returns on at least a yearly basis. 

However, from at least 2013 through 2023, G&A Auto Care, Inc. and Nicolas allegedly failed to file all but two annual sales tax returns. According to an audit conducted by OAG, between June 2013 and March 2023, Nicolas underreported total sales by over $2 million and failed to remit over $160,000 in sales tax due.

Today, G&A Auto Care, Inc. was arraigned in Albany County Court before the Honorable William T. Little. Nicolas was previously arraigned on April 11, 2024. The indictment charges both Nicolas and G&A Auto Care, Inc. with six felonies: 

• One count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.
• One count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.
• Four counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony.

Nicolas was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear back in court on May 10, 2024. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 5 to 15 years in prison.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Attorney General James thanks the New York State Department of Taxation Finance, New York State Police Financial Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Unit, and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for their invaluable assistance on this case. 

Doctor Convicted for $5.4M Medicare Fraud Scheme

 

A federal jury convicted a New Jersey doctor for causing the submission of over $5.4 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for orthotic braces ordered through a telemarketing scheme.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Adarsh Gupta, M.D., 51, of Sewell, signed thousands of prescriptions for orthotic braces for over 2,900 Medicare beneficiaries whom he was connected with by telemarketers who convinced the beneficiaries to accept unnecessary braces. After briefly speaking to the beneficiaries over the telephone, Gupta prescribed orthotic braces for them. For instance, Gupta prescribed a back brace, shoulder brace, wrist brace, and knee brace for an undercover agent after speaking with the agent for just over a minute on the telephone. In another instance, Gupta prescribed a knee brace for a Medicare beneficiary whose legs had previously been amputated. The evidence presented at trial showed that Gupta could not possibly have diagnosed the beneficiaries or determined that the braces were medically necessary during his brief telephonic encounters with them. Nonetheless, Gupta signed prescriptions for braces that falsely represented that the braces were medically necessary and that he diagnosed the beneficiaries, had a care plan for them, and recommended that they receive certain additional treatment. Gupta’s false prescriptions were used by brace supply companies to bill Medicare more than $5.4 million.

The jury convicted Gupta of three counts of health care fraud and two counts of false statements relating to health care matters. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8, 2024 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each of the health care fraud counts and five years in prison on each of the false statements relating to health care matters counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson and Sarah E. Edwards of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Lyons for the District of New Jersey. Trial Attorney Steven Michaels of the Special Matters Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section assisted with filter matters.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Second Defendant Pleads Guilty To Hacking Fantasy Sports And Betting Website

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the guilty plea of KAMERIN STOKES, a/k/a “TheMFNPlug,” in connection with a scheme to hack user accounts at a fantasy sports and betting website (the “Betting Website”) and sell access to those accounts in order to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from them.  STOKES pled guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusion before U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “With this guilty plea, this Office has successfully prosecuted a second member of a scheme to hack fantasy sports and betting accounts and sell access to them online.  Kamerin Stokes and his co-defendants greedily lined their own pockets by profiting off of harmful hacks that drained victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars and erode the public’s trust in online platforms.  Hackers and cybercriminals who sell stolen information online should be warned that this Office is watching and will continue to protect internet-users from malicious actors.” 

According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court

On or about November 18, 2022, several individuals launched a “credential stuffing attack” on the Betting Website.  During a credential stuffing attack, a cyber threat actor collects stolen credentials, or username and password pairs, obtained from other large-scale data breaches of other companies, which can be purchased on the darkweb.  The threat actor then systematically attempts to use those stolen credentials to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the same user with other companies and providers in order to compromise accounts where the user has maintained the same password.  Here, in connection with the attack on the Betting Website, there was a series of attempts to log into the Betting Website accounts using a large list of stolen credentials.

Those individuals successfully accessed approximately 60,000 accounts at the Betting Website (the “Victim Accounts”) through the credential stuffing attack.  In some instances, the individuals who unlawfully accessed the Victim Accounts were able to add a new payment method on the account, deposit $5 into that account through the new payment method to verify that method, and then withdraw all the existing funds in the Victim Account through the new payment method (i.e., to a newly added financial account belonging to the hacker), thus stealing the funds in the Victim Account. 

Access to the Victim Accounts were sold on various websites that traffic in stolen accounts, which are frequently referred to as “Shops.”  STOKES controlled his own Shop, used the alias, “TheMFNPlug,” and purchased Victim Accounts in bulk.  STOKES obtained Victim Accounts from the Betting Website with a total listed account value of over $125,000 and then offered access to those accounts for sale on his Shop.

STOKES, 21, of Memphis, Tennessee, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  STOKES is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Buchwald on August 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Governor Hochul Celebrates Back to Basics Initiative to Improve Reading Proficiency in New York State

As a Part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget, the Governor Signed Legislation to Ensure Evidence-Based Reading Instruction is Used in the Classroom to Improve Reading Proficiency

Part of Governor Hochul’s Record Budget Investments in Education; Provides Nearly $36 Billion in School Aid, Including $24.9 Billion in Foundation Aid

Budget Also Invests $10 Million to Train 20,000 Teachers in Instructional Best Practices and Expands SUNY and CUNY’s Microcredentialing Programs for Teachers Focused on the Science of Reading

Governor Hochul Announced Members of the Administration to Visit Elementary Schools Across the State and Read to Classes to Highlight the Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated her ‘Back to Basics’ legislation signed into law as a part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget. The Governor highlighted this crucial initiative at the Albany School of Humanities today where she visited a first grade class using instructional best practices grounded in the Science of Reading. Governor Hochul’s ‘Back to Basics’ plan ensures every New York classroom uses this type of evidence-based instruction to improve reading proficiency rates in New York State. This is part of Governor Hochul’s record investments in education through the FY 2025 Enacted Budget, which increases school aid by $1.3 billion to nearly $36 billion, including $24.9 billion in Foundation Aid.

“Reading is one of the most fundamental skills students need to learn, but currently our kids are not meeting basic reading proficiency levels,” Governor Hochul said. “With this Budget, we're throwing out debunked reading instruction practices and getting back to basics, using phonics, reading comprehension and other effective techniques to set our kids up for success.”

The ability to read by third grade is an important indicator of a student’s future success. Students who do not achieve proficiency by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school, with dropout rates even more pronounced for students of color and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, failure to ensure reading proficiency at an early age has a cascading effect, potentially derailing a student’s academic trajectory, impacting future earning potential, health, and wellbeing. Recognizing the urgent need to improve reading proficiency and ensure student success, more than 30 states have transitioned to a ‘Back to Basics’ approach.

Governor Hochul’s 'Back to Basics' reading plan ensures every school district utilizes instructional best practices grounded in the science of reading to improve reading proficiency among New York's children. The State Education Department (SED) will provide instructional best practices to school districts in the teaching of reading to students in prekindergarten through grade three by January 1, 2025. School districts will be required to annually review their curriculum and instructional practices for alignment with those issued by SED, and verify by September 2025.

The Budget also includes $10 million to train 20,000 teachers in these instructional best practices through NYSUT's Education and Learning Trust. Additionally, the Budget expands the State University of New York and the City University of New York’s microcredentialing programs for teachers focused on the science of reading to ensure current and future teachers seeking advanced education are best prepared.

 

As a part of Governor Hochul’s celebration of the ‘Back to Basics’ plan, members of her Administration will read to classes throughout the state and highlight the importance of using evidence-based best practices in the classroom.

DEC Announces 2024 Training Academies for New Classes of Environmental Conservation Police Officer and Forest Ranger Recruits

 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced upcoming academies for the newest classes of Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs). The six-month training academies will prepare 58 of DEC's newest recruits for careers protecting New York's natural resources in the Divisions of Forest Protection and Law Enforcement.

“With new academies on the horizon, DEC is continuing to grow the ranks of New York’s elite force of individuals committed to protecting our environment and public safety,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “DEC’s newest ECOs and Rangers will receive rigorous training to prepare them to meet the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow as they continue to uphold the rich and storied conservation legacies of both divisions.”

ECOs, originally called Game Protectors, were first appointed for service in 1880. The first Forest Rangers, originally known as Fire Wardens, were put into service in 1885 when the New York State Legislature established the Forest Preserve of New York State.

The Forest Ranger training starts May 19 at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) campus in the hamlet of Wanakena. The ECO training begins June 2 at the Pulaski Academy, which has served as the home for these trainings for the last several academies.

ECO job duties are centered on the 71 chapters of New York State Environmental Conservation Law and range from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and emissions violations. In 2023, ECOs and Investigators across the state responded to nearly 31,000 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests.

DEC Division of Law Enforcement Director Karen Przyklek said, “In many ways ECOs are the guardians of our environment, enforcing New York’s stringent environmental conservation laws protecting our air, water, fish, and wildlife. I am eager to welcome our next class of recruits and challenge them to put in the hard work and dedication required to become a member of our elite group of Officers who work diligently, around the clock, to safeguard our natural resources and hold polluters accountable.”

Forest Ranger duties focus on the public's use of DEC-administered State lands and easements and can span from patrolling State properties to conducting search-and-rescue operations to fighting wildland fires. In 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests.

DEC Division of Forest Protection Director John Solan said, "Forest Rangers are among the most prepared wilderness professionals in the country, patrolling more than five million acres of land. They respond to rescue calls at all hours of the day or night and stand at the ready to extinguish wildland fires wherever they’re burning. Forest Rangers do all of this, plus law enforcement, all while protecting New York’s natural resources."

ECOs and Forest Rangers are full-fledged New York State Police Officers, often called upon to support critical police deployments. Forest Rangers and ECOs were among the first responders on the scene to help in the aftermath of Sept. 11, assisted in the response to Superstorm Sandy, helped in the 2015 search for two escaped felons from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, supported New York's statewide response to COVID-19 at testing and vaccination sites, and have traveled to battle wildfires in western states and Canada. Upon graduation, recruits will be assigned patrol areas and join the ranks of hundreds of ECOs and Forest Rangers currently serving across the state.

The recruits in this newest class will be selected from an eligible list of qualifications and passing scores generated from the most recent Civil Service exam, which became active in December 2022. To view job qualifications for ECOs, visit the Environmental Conservation Police Officer job description webpage; for Forest Rangers, visit the Forest Ranger job description webpage. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Join Us: LGBTQ+ Hiring + Career Fair

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: Recap of our April 24th Street Vending Legislation Policy Briefing and April 25th Members Only Meeting NYC Mayor's Resource Fair at Lehman College Member Highlight: Opening of the Chase Grand Concourse Community Banking Center Mark your calendar for our upcoming Bronx Chamber events

BXCC SIGNATURE EVENT: KELLEHER MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Tee off with the Bronx Chamber at the Joseph P. Kelleher Memorial Golf Tournament June 18, 2024 Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point 500 Hutchinson River Parkway Bronx, NY 10465 Join the Chamber for a day of networking and friendly competition as we honor Mark Stagg of Stagg Group Development! CLICK HERE for more information about the Tournament and to register. Sponsorship Opportunities are going fast - contact Dolores@bronxchamber.org to secure your package. Sincere thanks to our sponsors to date (list in formation): DJ Ambulette Services, Monroe College, BronxCare Health System, Lettire Construction, Simone Development Companies, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Orange Bank & Trust Company, and A&A Maintenance Enterprise.

REPLAY: PROPOSED CHANGES TO NYC STREET VENDING

This past Wednesday April 24th, the Bronx Chamber held a policy briefing on Zoom to share crucial updates about proposed changes to street vendor legislation, how these could impact storefront businesses, and a call to action. If you missed it, click here for the replay and learn how to get involved

CHAMBER IN THE COMMUNITY

The Bronx Chamber was out in full force this week at several Member and Partner events: President Lisa Sorin spoke at the NYC Mayor's Resource Fair at Lehman College (top right) Celebrating the opening of the Chase Grand Concourse Community Center with Yesenia Quinones and Jamie Dimon (left) Meeting with the 45th Precinct and District 13 Council Member Kristy Marmorato re: safety concerns at the Bruckner Blvd. Home Depot (bottom right) ......................................................................................................................................................................... We would also like to congratulate Bronx Chamber Board Member Barbara Selesky of the Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy who was awarded the Beacon of Hope award today, April 26 at the 47th Precinct Community Council annual breakfast! 

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 16 Resource Fair at Yankee Stadium 12:00 - 3:00pm A FREE Event for Small Businesses and Job Seekers During the event, job seekers will have access to: Free Professional Headshots One-on-One Resume Assistance Employers Seeking New Hires Small businesses that participate in this event will also have access to City agencies on-site, providing resources and assistance. Participation is free, but advance registration is required

Reserve Your Spot

... WAIT, THERE'S MORE! SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR UPCOMING BRONX CHAMBER EVENTS Open to Bronx Chamber Members and Non-Members Small Business Month Sunset Networking at Pasquale's Rigoletto on May 30 at 6:00pm Scotch & Cigars at The Havana Room on June 6 at 6:00pm Bronx Chamber Young Professionals Committee Karaoke Night at the Bronx Beer Hall on June 13 at 6:00pm Your next great deal or business relationship could be right around the corner - view our full calendar of Bronx Chamber events to register today, and keep an eye on our email blasts and social media for updates!

Full Calendar + Registration

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

With support from the Verizon Digital Inclusion program, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is offering a series of webinars aimed at helping small businesses maximize the potential of digital tools and literacy for business growth. Upcoming Dates and Times are as follows: Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 11:00 am to 12:00 pm *All Events Are Virtual* For more information or to register for the next event on May 15th, Click Here

WEBSITE UPDATES: CITY & STATE LEGISLATION

If you haven't already: Check out the latest Bronx Chamber website updates for city and state legislation policy news impacting your business, plus events, resources and much more. To visit our website, Click Here

FUNDING, CAREER DEVELOPMENT & OTHER RESOURCES

NYC Funds Finder NYC's Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Next Street announced the launch of a new platform connecting small businesses with trusted resources they need to open, grow, and maintain their business. The user-friendly platform –NYC Funds Finder is where small businesses can review funding options, including loans and grants, and request free 1-on-1 financing assistance from the SBS team.  NYC Funds Finder is a partnership between SBS and Next Street and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Next Street Scale, the platform that powers NYC Funds Finder, was created to address the hurdles that small businesses, especially those run by women and minorities, face in accessing the resources required to grow their business and build wealth.  For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!