Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on May 12, 2024 in the confines of the 67th Precinct

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 12th, 2024 in the confines of the 67th 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

Attorney General James Announces 180 Guns Turned in at Amsterdam Gun Buyback

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that 180 firearms were turned in at a community gun buyback event in Amsterdam hosted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Amsterdam Police Department. This event was part of Attorney General James’ ongoing effort to combat gun violence and keep New Yorkers safe. In addition to the guns turned in at the Amsterdam event, Attorney General James secured an additional 82 firearms from a community gun buyback event in Saranac Lake, bringing the total number of guns secured today to 262. To date, Attorney General James has removed more than 7,662 guns from New York communities since taking office in 2019.

“Every gun taken off our streets and out of our homes is a potential tragedy averted,” said Attorney General James. “Gun buyback events empower members of local communities and nearby regions to turn in their firearms and be part of the solution against gun violence. Through strong partnerships with local law enforcement, my office has been able to run successful gun buyback programs throughout New York state, and has helped local communities remove more than 7,662 firearms. I thank the City of Amsterdam’s Police Department, and all of our partners in today’s gun buyback event, for their commitment to helping safeguard New Yorkers.”

Today’s buyback event in Amsterdam resulted in 180 guns being turned in, including 17 assault weapons, 100 handguns, and 47 long guns. Following today’s gun buyback events held in Amsterdam and Saranac Lake, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 7,650 guns out of New York communities.

“Thank you to the New York State Attorney General and our local law enforcement partners for spearheading the recent gun buyback program in Amsterdam,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith. “This initiative not only promotes community safety but also fosters a collaborative spirit in our fight against gun violence. Together, we are making our neighborhoods safer for all.”

“The Gloversville Police Department is proud to be part of the effort to reduce gun violence in our communities,” said Gloversville Police Chief Michael F. Garavelli. “We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of illegal firearms taken off our streets in the past five years by our officers. Even small cities and rural communities are not immune from illegal firearms, privately made firearms or “ghost” guns as they are commonly referred to, and the senseless violence that comes with them. This is the first time that this area has had any type of gun buyback program, but we hope it is successful and not the last.”

“This gun buyback event was only possible because of the strong partnership between local law enforcement and the Office of the Attorney General,” said Amsterdam Police Lieutenant Joseph E. Spencer. “The work that goes into organizing and executing a gun buyback event is all worth it when we see dozens of dangerous weapons being turned in by members of the community, and we are all safer as a result. I applaud Attorney General James for making gun buyback events like this a priority for her office and team.”

Ahead of Climate Week, Governor Hochul Announces Additional $5.4 Million in Urban and Community Forestry Grant Awards to 17 Projects Across the State

 

Inflation Reduction Act-Funded Projects Plant Trees and Increase Community Forest Resiliency in Disadvantaged Communities

Planting Projects Will Contribute to Governor’s ‘25 Million Trees by 2033’ Goal

Governor Kathy Hochul announced an additional $5.4 million in grant awards for Urban and Community Forestry Grants funded through the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The funding expands on $7.1 million awarded on July 25, increasing expected project outcomes and reach, and bringing the total amount awarded to $12.5 million. The awards support Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State initiative to plant 25 million trees by 2033, recent commitments through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, and other New York State investments to expand tree canopy and cultivate greener, healthier communities.

“Investing in community green space is a significant step towards revitalizing our cities and towns, and ensuring a sustainable, resilient future for all New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments will help to provide cleaner air and water to every corner of our state, and move us closer to achieving our climate goals.”

Funded projects represent a collaborative effort between local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and community groups to create more equitable and resilient urban forests in the face of increased storms and extreme heat driven by climate change. Projects are focused in disadvantaged communities and include initiatives to engage with the public in tree planting and stewardship efforts, and increase tree canopy in public open space and along roadways. The efforts align with Governor Hochul’s broader conservation and environmental agenda, including enhancing existing open spaces and land preservation goals, supporting the state’s ambitious climate goals, and advancing environmental justice statewide.

The grants are administered through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Urban and Community Forestry program, which works to increase public awareness of the importance of trees and helps communities create healthy forests while enriching quality of life for residents.

Funding for this grant is made available through the state allocation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service through the IRA. The USDA Forest Service is allocating this funding to support projects in disadvantaged communities to increase and maintain a healthy urban canopy and equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide. The Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program authorizes funding for a broad range of activities, such as urban wood utilization, urban food forests, extreme heat mitigation and workforce development.

New York State is celebrating the 16th annual Climate Week from September 22-29, 2024. The projects included in this announcement support New York’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, make communities more resilient, drive action to tackle climate change and advance environmental justice, ensure affordability as part of the clean energy transition, and create new jobs and opportunities for future generations.

The 17 awarded projects receiving additional funding are listed below by region:

Capital Region

Albany County

• City of Albany Department of General Services: $456,705 additional, for a total of $876,965; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Greene County

• Village of Athens: $237,335 additional, for a total of $577,968; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Rensselaer County

• City of Troy: $64,800 additional, for a total of $382,400; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Central New York

Onondaga County

• City of Syracuse: $414,858 additional, for a total of $910,141; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Finger Lakes

Genesee County

• City of Batavia: $306,218 additional, for a total of $758,950; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities

Monroe County

• City of Rochester: $399,250 additional, for a total of $598,875; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Mid-Hudson Valley

Ulster County

• City of Kingston: $240,824 additional, for a total of $732,375; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Westchester

• City of New Rochelle: $6,600 additional, for a total of $41,600; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities

New York City

The Bronx

• Woodlawn Conservancy Inc.: $727,962 additional, for a total of $1,201,354; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
• Natural Areas Conservancy Inc.: $467,510 additional, for a total of $862,168; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities

Brooklyn

• Big Initiatives Incorporated: $843,709 additional, for a total of $1,251,166; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation – Stewardship of Street Trees
• The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation: $415,000 additional, for a total of $915,000; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Manhattan

• The Green-Wood Cemetery: $100,000 additional, for a total of $598,035; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation
• Randall’s Island Park Alliance Inc.: $353,520 additional, for a total of $851,262; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

North Country

Clinton County

• Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District: $231,325 additional, for a total of $460,947; Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities

Jefferson County

• City of Watertown: $150,000 additional, for a total of $550,000; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

Western New York

Chautauqua County

• City of Dunkirk: $35,867 additional, for a total of $158,313; Community Forest Management Plan Implementation

To further progress New York’s climate goals, Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State address established a goal of planting 25 million trees statewide by 2033 — a $47 million effort supported by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the FY25 Enacted Budget. The goal will invigorate the state’s tree planting efforts through multi-year annual grants to municipalities to plant trees in support of resilient reforestation and urban forests, modernize DEC’s Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery and engage the next generation of environmental stewards.

Affordable Housing Lottery Launches for 3178 Villa Avenue in Bedford Park, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 3178 Villa Avenue, a six-story residential building in Bedford Park, The Bronx. Designed by Rise Architecture and developed by Yoel Mandel under the 3178 Villa BSD LLC, the structure yields 22 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 21 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $104,640 to $161,590.

Residences come equipped with energy-efficient appliances, split-unit heating and air conditioning, intercoms, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Amenities include an elevator and a shared laundry room. Tenants are responsible for electricity including stove, heat, and hot water.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are 21 studios with a monthly rent of $3,052 for incomes ranging from $104,640 to $161,590.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than November 21, 2024.

Attorney General James Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Stop Gun Trafficking into Caribbean Countries

 

AG James Leads 12 AGs to Support the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act to Help Stop Gun Trafficking and Reduce Gun Violence

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 12 attorneys general calling on Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking from the United States to Caribbean countries. In their letter, the attorneys general write that gun trafficking from the United States has contributed to gun violence in Caribbean countries, where many New Yorkers and Americans have families. The coalition outlines a number of measures Congress can take to help reduce gun trafficking into the Caribbean, including ensuring inspectors at ports have enough resources to make inspections and passing the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act. The CATCH Act would provide state and federal governments with more information about gun trafficking into the Caribbean and determine which anti-gun trafficking methods are working to reduce gun violence.

“American-made guns are flowing into Caribbean nations and communities and fueling violence, chaos, and senseless tragedies throughout the region,” said Attorney General James. “This issue hits especially close to home, as many New Yorkers have family in Caribbean nations who are enduring dangerous conditions, partially because of easy access to dangerous weapons from our country. We have a responsibility to address this crisis, and that is why I am calling on Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking into Caribbean countries. When we tackle the gun violence crisis from every angle, we protect everyone.”

In their letter, Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general write that the number of guns smuggled into the Caribbean from the United States has surged in recent years and contributes significantly to gun violence in those countries. For instance, a 2023 United Nations report indicated that the United States has been a “principal source of firearms and munitions in Haiti.” Additionally, the Jamaican Security Ministry estimates that at least 200 guns are trafficked from the United States into the country each month. The attorneys general write that addressing the outbound flow of guns from the United States is “a service to our constituents,” many of whom have ties to family and loved ones in the Caribbean.

Attorney General James and the coalition of attorneys general are calling on Congress to pass the CATCH Act, which would give both state and federal governments much-needed information about gun trafficking into Caribbean countries and anti-trafficking measures. In addition, the attorneys general are asking Congress to take additional steps to stop gun trafficking into those countries, including by:

• Ensuring that inspectors at American ports are given sufficient resources to inspect shipments being sent from the United States to countries in the Caribbean; 
• Ensuring that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has sufficient funding to inspect federal firearms licensees that are responsible for a disproportionate number of firearms that are traced after having been used in crimes in countries in the Caribbean; and
• Requesting briefings from the United States Postal Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice about their ongoing efforts to interdict shipments of guns from the United States to countries in the Caribbean, with a focus on what additional resources and legal tools they need to accomplish this important task.

Joining Attorney General James in sending this letter are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General James has removed more than 7,400 firearms from New York streets and communities through buyback events and takedowns of illegal gun trafficking rings. In May 2024, Attorney General James took more than 200 guns off the streets in Kingston and Watervliet. Attorney General James has also been a national leader in protecting New Yorkers from gun violence. In August 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of commonsense state and federal laws that regulate the sale of guns to keep communities safe. In April 2024, Attorney General James took down gun traffickers for selling ghost guns and other firearms in Central New York. In March 2024, Attorney General James secured a $7.8 million judgment against gun retailer Indie Guns for illegally selling ghost gun components in New York. In February 2024, Attorney General James announced the takedowns of a gun trafficking network that sold ghost guns and assault-style rifles and a narcotics trafficking network in Dutchess County.

Notorious Mexican Cartel Leader Convicted for International Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

 

A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States, and using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive devices, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2007 and 2017, Oseguera-Gonzalez, 34, led an international drug trafficking organization responsible for importing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Oseguera-Gonzalez was the second in command of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which is based in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. The CJNG is one of the most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico. Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used firearms, destructive devices, murder, and kidnapping to control the drug trafficking organization. Oseguera-Gonzalez also ordered his subordinates to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter so that he could escape capture by Mexican law enforcement.

“El Menchito led the Jalisco Cartel’s efforts to use murder, kidnapping, and torture to build the Cartel into a self-described ‘empire’ by manufacturing fentanyl and flooding the United States with massive quantities of lethal drugs. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “El Menchito now joins the growing list of high-ranking Cartel leaders that the Justice Department has convicted in an American courtroom. We are grateful to our Mexican law enforcement partners for their extensive cooperation and sacrifice in holding accountable leaders of the Jalisco Cartel.”

“Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez pioneered the manufacturing of fentanyl in Mexico to help build his father’s Jalisco Cartel into one of the world’s most powerful drug syndicates. His crimes caused horrific violence and death in the United States, Mexico, and around the globe,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This guilty verdict demonstrates that our prosecutors and agents, working with our Mexican law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue justice against the leaders of the drug trafficking organizations who destroy lives and poison our communities.”

“As second-in-command of CJNG, Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez used extreme violence to traffic massive amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His conviction underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling organizations that manufacture and distribute deadly drugs into our communities. This verdict also sends a powerful message to the cartel leadership: we will work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to find you and bring you to justice. We are especially grateful to the Mexican authorities for their substantial assistance in this case.”

“This guilty verdict sends a clear message that the DEA will stop at nothing to investigate and dismantle criminal drug networks that threaten the safety and health of the American people,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “As one of the highest-ranking members of the Jalisco Cartel, Oseguera-Gonzalez was responsible for pushing vast quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States while engaging in violence, kidnapping, and bribery to build and protect the Jalisco Cartel. I commend the men and women of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division for their outstanding work on this case.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2012 to 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez oversaw the manufacture of more than three million pounds of methamphetamine in one area of Mexico. In April 2015, Oseguera-Gonzalez personally directed the distribution of over 55,000 pounds of cocaine. According to trial testimony, in October 2013, Oseguera-Gonzalez made plans to “do it big” with counterfeit oxycontin pills—just before the fentanyl epidemic began in the United States. According to witness testimony, the defendant said in 2015 that he was “building an empire with . . . fentanyl.” Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested by Mexican authorities on local charges in June 2015. He remained detained in Mexico until his extradition to the United States in February 2020. While in prison in Mexico, Oseguera-Gonzalez continued to control the CJNG, negotiating drug transactions and approving the purchase of firearms and destructive devices, including .50 caliber firearms and 40 mm grenades.

Oseguera-Gonzalez personally used extreme violence to grow and control the cartel. For example, when five men owed Oseguera-Gonzalez money for drugs in the United States, Oseguera-Gonzalez violently killed all five men. On another occasion, the defendant shot one of his drivers in the head a close range. In an intercepted message, Oseguera-Gonzalez also described having 13 people tied up—one of whom he decided to release only after the man agreed to make fentanyl pills for Oseguera-Gonzalez.

Oseguera-Gonzalez also amassed an arsenal of weapons. His hitmen, which he called the Special Forces of the High Command, used the weapons to protect him and help him escape capture by Mexican authorities. For example, on May 1, 2015, the defendant’s hitmen—acting on Oseguera-Gonzalez’s personal orders—shot down a Mexican armed forces helicopter while 18 soldiers and police were on board. At least nine people on board the helicopter died as a result of Oseguera-Gonzalez’s order. Oseguera-Gonzalez’s men used an Iranian-made rocket-propelled grenade and a .50 caliber belt-fed firearm to shoot down the helicopter. Both weapons were painted with “CJNG” and a pixel camouflage pattern unique to Oseguera-Gonzalez’s hitmen.

Less than two months after escaping capture, Oseguera-Gonzalez was arrested in Jalisco, Mexico. When he was surrounded by soldiers and police, he brandished an assault weapon and grenade launcher, demanding to be released because he was a member of the CJNG. The weapon Oseguera-Gonzalez used to threaten police bore the same pixel camouflage pattern and was emblazoned with CJNG and Oseguera-Gonzalez’s nicknames: Menchito, 02, and Jr.

Oseguera-Gonzalez faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life plus 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The DEA Los Angeles Field Division investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in obtaining important evidence for the trial. The Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations provided significant assistance. The Justice Department thanks Mexican authorities for their assistance in securing the extradition of Oseguera-Gonzalez and in securing evidence and testimony presented in court.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING HIS STEPDAUGHTER FOR YEARS, STARTING AT 6 YEARS OLD

 

Defendant Also Forced Stepson, 10, to Watch Pornography

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison on Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child and other charges for sexually abusing his stepdaughter, as well as child endangerment for forcing his stepson to watch pornography. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant preyed upon these children for years, ruining their childhood. The young girl compellingly testified about his unconscionable acts and he will now spend years in prison, as we continue to assist the children.” 

The defendant, Edison Delacruz, 40, of Shakespeare Avenue, was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison on Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, first-degree Criminal Sexual Act, Attempted Rape in the first-degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child on September 18, 2024 by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Tara Collins. He was found guilty by a jury of those charges on August 29, 2024.

According to trial testimony, between July 1, 2014, and August 28, 2020, the defendant sexually abused his stepdaughter when she was between six and 12 years old and forced his stepson to watch pornography with him while he masturbated in the boy’s presence, when the child was between 10 and 12 years old.

District Attorney Clark thanked Trial Preparation Assistant Elaina Clarke of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau for her assistance with the case. District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Calvin Reyes of the Bronx Child Abuse Squad and Detective Mark Buono of the 44th Precinct Squad for their work on this case. 

Governor Hochul Announces Applications for $50 Million Restore New York Program Will Launch on Monday, September 23

 

Program Designed To Combat Municipal Blight and Spark New Investments; Will Prioritize Projects Addressing Damage From July 15-16 Storms

Letters of Intent Due by Wednesday, October 23 – More Information Will Be Available Here

Webinar for Potential Applicants Scheduled for Wednesday, September 25

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that applications for the $50 million Round 9 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative grant program will launch on Monday, September 23. The funding, which was included as part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, supports municipalities’ efforts to demolish, rehabilitate, and restore blighted structures and transform them into vibrant residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. The program is administered by Empire State Development (ESD) and, in this round, priority will be given to projects designed to address recovery efforts related to tornado and storm damage that occurred on July 15-16, 2024.

“We are revitalizing communities across New York State through the Restore New York Communities Initiative – giving towns and cities the chance to build a future that is safer, more affordable, and more livable,” Governor Hochul said. “With Upstate municipalities still working to recover from major damage caused by July’s extreme weather, we’re prioritizing those projects and looking to other transformational opportunities that will better the lives of residents and businesses everywhere.”

The goal of Restore New York is to help municipalities attract residents and businesses by redeveloping residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. Each project should align with the strategic plan of the community's Regional Economic Development Council and projects should be either architecturally consistent with nearby properties or the municipality's local revitalization or urban development plan. Communities interested in applying are encouraged to register for ESD’s instructional webinar, scheduled for Wednesday, September 25. An intent to apply form must be received by ESD by Wednesday, October 23. The program application and guidelines will be available Monday.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Restore New York is a pillar of Governor Hochul’s community revitalization efforts and promotes projects that address urban decay to promote vibrant neighborhoods and new and dynamic housing. The funding awarded to municipalities through this program is vital to generating new investments that welcome visitors and new residents and support regional economic growth.”

Restore New York grants can be used for vacant, abandoned, condemned, or surplus buildings and these properties can be demolished, deconstructed, rehabilitated, or reconstructed. Emphasis will be placed on projects in economically distressed communities, projects that leverage other state or federal redevelopment funds, and the project's feasibility and readiness. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns, and villages within New York State based on the following criteria:

• Cities with populations over 100,000 may apply for up to $2 million for one project. However, cities with populations exceeding one million residents and counties therein must apply for projects in a distressed area of the city.
• Cities and villages with populations between 40,000 and 99,999 may apply for one project up to $1.5 million.
• All other municipalities may apply for one project, up to $1 million.
• The amount for which a county is eligible to apply is based upon the municipality within which the project is located.

ESD may award a limited number of Special Project designations. Municipalities and counties with populations of one million or less residents per the latest census may apply for an additional $3.5 million for either a second project, or as part of a larger project in addition to the program's funding limits. Special Projects are those where the property causes severe economic injury to the community, leaving a highly visible and blighted property or properties in the central business district of a highly or moderately-distressed community, which creates a depressing effect on the overall economic development potential of the community.

In July, Governor Hochul announced more than $64.1 million in Restore New York grants was awarded to support 43 projects across nine regions of the state. Round 8 included a $10 million Special Project designation to support the demolition of Albany's Central Warehouse. These projects complement Governor Hochul’s economic development vision by making strategic investments in communities across the state which revitalize the economy and create more opportunities for New Yorkers. The FY25 Enacted Budget also includes $100 million for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and $100 million for NY Forward. These programs help local municipalities promote quality of life, foster socio-economic development, and create more walkable, livable, and safer neighborhoods in every corner of the state.

Statement on Concerning Transition of School-Based Health Centers to Managed Care

 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement.

"I am deeply concerned about the Executive’s decision to transition the School-Based Health Center (SBHC) program to Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) despite the Legislature's unanimous approval of S7840 (Rivera) / A8862 (Paulin), which would have kept the program in Medicaid Fee-For-Service (FFS) permanently.

"The Executive argues this shift will improve care coordination, but the existing SBHC program already requires coordination with other providers. If there are gaps, they can be addressed without dismantling the current funding structure that effectively supports this program. Moreover, transitioning to managed care will likely inflate the overall cost of the program due to additional administrative fees, forcing taxpayers to bear the burden or, worse, eroding the quality of care provided to students across our state.

"I am urging the Hochul administration to come to the table to find a path forward that doesn’t jeopardize access to healthcare at schools for New York’s most vulnerable children."

DEC to Host 'Fish and Wildlife Day' at Norton Basin Natural Resource Area on Sept. 28

 

Participants Sought to Celebrate New York’s Public Lands by Volunteering in Stewardship and Educational Events Statewide

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 2 is seeking volunteers for the first-ever 'Fish and Wildlife Day' event at Norton Basin Natural Resource Area, Queens, on Saturday, Sept. 28. Fish and Wildlife Day will offer service projects and educational workshops across the state, celebrating New York’s diverse wildlife and habitat and encouraging public involvement in fish and wildlife conservation. Hosted in partnership with Parks & Trails New York and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the event is part of the Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days Campaign to encourage year-round stewardship and highlights the State’s outdoor recreation assets through a series of themed stewardship days. Participant registration is currently open. 

 

What:  Fish and Wildlife Day 

When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Where: Norton Basin Natural Resource Area (entrance at the end of Healey Ave) 

Cost: FREE, appropriate for ages 13 and up 

Project/Educational Event: Beach cleanup and coastal birding. Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for the birding portion of the event, and gloves and trash grabbers will be provided for the cleanup. 

What to bring: Water, sun protection, clothing you don't mind getting dirty, and close-toed shoes. 

 

This event is rain or shine.

 

Volunteers should sign up ahead of time at Parks & Trails New York. Volunteers should also dress for the weather and wear proper footwear/work boots, and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellant and a bagged lunch and/or snacks and water are recommended.  

Queens Couple Sentenced in Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Fraud Case

 

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced the sentencing of a Queens, NY couple who stole more than $380,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits after an investigation revealed the couple used the identities of at least 20 innocent New Yorkers to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

 

William Taylor, 33, who previously pled guilty on January 4, 2024, to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft, was sentenced today by the Honorable Mae A. D’Agostino to a term of imprisonment of 36 months with 2 years of post-release supervision. The defendant was also ordered to pay $315,723 in restitution.

 

Patricia Clarke, 27, who previously pled guilty on January 4, 2024, to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud, was sentenced today by the Honorable Mae A. D’Agostino to a term of imprisonment of 12 months and one day with 2 years of post-release supervision. The defendant was also ordered to pay $66,092 in restitution.

 

A joint investigation by Office of the Welfare Inspector General, the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service discovered that Taylor and Clarke unlawfully obtained and subsequently used the identities of at least 20 New Yorkers to file fraudulent pandemic unemployment insurance claims with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). These fraudulent claims resulted Taylor and Clarke receiving $381,815 in NYSDOL pandemic unemployment insurance benefits to which they were not entitled. During the investigation, both Taylor and Clarke admitted their scheme to law enforcement.

 

“The abuse of government resources designed to help vulnerable New Yorkers during the COVID-19 Pandemic is unconscionable," said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. "Thank you to my team, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and our partners across law enforcement for their work in ensuring that anyone who uses stolen identities in an attempt to defraud critical safety nets such as this will be held accountable."

 

Inspector General Lang expressed her appreciation to the OIG team responsible for handling this investigation, including Managing Investigator for Welfare Fraud Jason Fazio, Senior Investigative Auditor Katherine Rizzo, Investigative Auditor Kirsten Carroll, Investigative Counsel Alexis Osborne, Investigative Counsel Brandon Riddle, and Investigative Counsel Mark Jordan, under the supervision of Chief of Investigations for the Upstate Region Sherry Amarel and Deputy Inspector General for the Upstate Region Jim Davis.

 

Inspector General Lang also extended her thanks to the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Postal Inspection Service for their work on this investigation, and United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York Carla B. Freedman and her office for prosecuting this matter.