Acting U.S. Attorney Announces Murder And Terrorism Charges Against IRGC Officer

 

Mohammad Reza Nouri, a Captain in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Allegedly Orchestrated the November 7, 2022, Murder of Stephen Troell, a U.S. Citizen Living in Iraq, in Retaliation for the January 2020 Death of Qasem Soleimani

Edward Y. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States; Christopher A. Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and David Sundberg, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, announced the unsealing of murder and terrorism charges against MOHAMMAD REZA NOURI, a/k/a “Muhammad Rida Husayn ‘Ali Asghar Nuri,” a/k/a “Abu Abbas,” an Iranian national and officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”), in connection with NOURI’s alleged role in orchestrating the November 7, 2022 murder of American Stephen Troell in Baghdad, Iraq.  The charges are contained in a Complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court.  NOURI was arrested in Iraq in March 2023. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said: “As alleged, Mohammad Reza Nouri, a Captain in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, orchestrated the murder of American Steven Troell in Iraq.  Nouri is alleged to have gathered intelligence on Troell’s daily routine and whereabouts, procured weapons and vehicles, and provided safe harbor to the operatives who carried out the sinister plot to brutally attack Troell in front of his wife.  As alleged, the Iranian regime is actively targeting U.S. citizens, such as Troell, living in countries around the world for kidnapping and execution both to repress and silence dissidents critical of the regime and to take vengeance for the death of Qasem Soleimani.  This Office will not stand by when an American is attacked and murdered in cold blood, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to bring Nouri to justice.” 

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “The Department of Justice will not tolerate terrorists and authoritarian regimes targeting and murdering Americans anywhere in the world.  We allege that Mohammad Reza Nouri, an officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, orchestrated the murder of Stephen Troell, an American citizen living in Iraq, carrying out the Iranian Regime’s efforts to take vengeance for the death of Qasim Soleimani.  Stephen should still be alive, and the Justice Department will work relentlessly to ensure accountability for his murder.”

FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said: “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains determined to target U.S. citizens, and orchestrated a cold-blooded plot to brutally murder Stephen Troell, a Tennessee native working at an English language institute in Iraq.  According to the allegations, Mohammad Reza Nouri, an IRGC captain, played a key role in planning the attack in which Troell was ambushed as he drove home from work with his wife. This announcement makes clear that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate the IRGC’s ruthless attacks on Americans, here in the U.S. or overseas, and will hold accountable any who seek to harm our citizens.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg said: “As alleged in the complaint, Nouri facilitated Troell's murder. He allegedly gathered information and coordinated with a co-conspirator to procure supplies that operatives relied on during their attack on Troell.  The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring IRGC operatives, including Nouri's co-conspirator, to justice for harming Americans.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint charging the defendant:[1] 

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (“Iran”) is actively targeting nationals of the United States and its allies living in countries around the world for kidnapping and/or execution both to repress and silence dissidents critical of the Iranian regime and to take vengeance for the January 2020 death of then-Commander of the IRGC-Qods Force (“IRGC-QF”), Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.  The IRGC is an Iranian military and counterintelligence agency under the authority of Iran’s Supreme Leader, comprised of components including an external operations force, the IRGC-QF, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State since April 15, 2019.  The IRGC has publicly stated its desire to avenge the death of Soleimani, and, among its activities, the IRGC plots and conducts attack operations outside Iran targeting U.S. citizens residing in the United States and abroad.  In November 2022, the Iranian regime struck in Iraq: a group of operatives working on behalf of the IRGC brutally murdered Stephen Troell, a 45-year-old American living in Baghdad, where he worked at an English language institute, as Troell was driving home with his wife after work.

NOURI is an IRGC Captain who works for the IRGC in Iraq and is involved in the IRGC’s external attack plotting against U.S. citizens and others.  NOURI played a key role in the IRGC’s targeting and ultimate murder of Troell, whom NOURI appears to have believed was working as an American or Israeli intelligence officer.  NOURI, on behalf of the IRGC, collected critical, highly personal information about Troell to facilitate stalking, attacking, and ultimately killing Troell. NOURI, with the assistance of co-conspirators, developed a source with access to details of Troell’s life and daily routine.  With this information, NOURI created intelligence documents for his IRGC associates and a group of operatives recruited to execute the attack, which included Troell’s date of birth, coordinates of his residence, occupation, work schedule, telephone number, wife’s name, and children’s names, among other information.  In the weeks leading up to the murder, NOURI coordinated with one of his co-conspirators (“CC-1”) in the plot targeting Troell to procure some of the means for attacking Troell, including firearms as well as a vehicle for use in the lethal attack on Troell.  On the evening of November 7, 2022, the group of recruited operatives carried out the attack. Troell was driving home from work with his wife when heavily armed gunmen in two cars forced the Troells to stop shortly before they reached their residence, blocked any possible escape route, approached Troell on the driver’s side, and, using an assault weapon, shot and killed Troell as his wife witnessed the attack in the passenger seat. 

On the day of the murder, NOURI coordinated with CC-1 shortly before and immediately after the attack.  NOURI and CC-1 spoke repeatedly in the hours leading up to the attack.  Less than a half hour after the attack, NOURI sent CC-1 encrypted messages inquiring about the wellbeing of the operatives tasked with carrying out the hit on Troell, asking, “The guys are fine?” and “They are doing well?” to which CC-1 responded, “One is injured.”  As the night went on, CC-1 continued to update NOURI, noting that “two so far” of the operatives on the hit squad — whom NOURI referred to as “our guys” — had gathered safely since the murder, that “the rest are on the way,” and that the injury sustained by one of their confederates was “slight.”  In the course of these encrypted messages, NOURI and CC-1 celebrated the events of the day and their success.  That night, after the murder, NOURI left Iraq for Iran.  Shortly before departing Baghdad, NOURI visited a religious site associated with mourning for Soleimani’s death.

Following the murder, approximately nine of the operatives on the hit squad also left Iraq and entered Iran, where they joined NOURI.  In Iran, NOURI arranged housing for the operatives, providing them safe harbor in the aftermath of the murder.  NOURI and another IRGC official addressed the operatives during their stay in Iran, offered their blessings to the hit squad, and told them that Troell was purportedly a spy on behalf of America and Israel, that Troell threatened Islam by attracting Iraqi youths to the Jewish religion and spreading it in Iraq, and that Troell therefore deserved to be murdered.

In March 2023, Iraqi authorities arrested NOURI, and he was subsequently convicted by an Iraqi court for his role in Troell’s murder.  NOURI remains in custody in Iraq.

NOURI, 36, of Iran, has been charged with: (i) conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (ii) providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (iii) conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (iv) providing material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (v) conspiring to take hostages, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (vi) conspiring to murder U.S. nationals outside the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (vii) murdering a U.S. national outside the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; and (viii) causing death through the use of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be imposed by a judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Washington Field Office, Counterterrorism Division.  Mr. Kim also thanked Iraqi authorities for providing invaluable support, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section; the Department’s Office of International Affairs; the Department’s Office of the Justice Attaché in Iraq; the FBI Legal Attaché office in Iraq; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for their assistance.

This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig, Matthew J.C. Hellman, and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorneys Joshua Champagne and Timothy J. Reardon III of the Counterterrorism Section.

The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General James Secures Nearly $4.4 Million from Gift Card Company for Helping H&M Illegally Keep Millions in Unused Gift Card Funds

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James secured nearly $4.4 million from a gift card company, Card Compliant LLC (Card Compliant), for knowingly helping popular fashion retailer H&M keep millions of dollars in New Yorkers’ unused gift card funds, in violation of New York law. For years, H&M withheld New Yorkers’ unused balances on their gift cards that should have been available to claim through the state’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. H&M used an agreement with Card Compliant to make it appear that Card Compliant, as an out-of-state company, was handling H&M’s gift card business and therefore was not required to transfer the unredeemed balances to the state. In reality, H&M continued to manage its own gift card business and was required by law to turn over unused balances. In May 2022, Attorney General James secured more than $36 million from H&M that it had wrongly withheld. As a result of the settlement announced today with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Card Compliant will pay nearly $4.4 million to the state.

“Consumers should know that when they buy gift cards, the money on the card belongs to them,” said Attorney General James. “For years, Card Compliant and H&M knowingly disregarded the law and lied to the state and consumers, lining their own pockets with gift card funds that belonged to New Yorkers. My office will continue to protect New Yorkers’ wallets and go after any company that attempts to cheat them.”

H&M sells gift cards for use in its retail and online stores. Every year, some portion of H&M’s gift cards go unused by consumers, resulting in an unredeemed balance on the cards — money that H&M has received, but consumers have not redeemed for merchandise. Under New York law, after five years of inactivity, gift card issuers are required to turn over unused balances on gift cards to New York’s Abandoned Property Fund.

The OAG opened an investigation into H&M in 2016, after a whistleblower filed a lawsuit under the New York False Claims Act, and found that H&M knew it was required to transfer millions of dollars in unredeemed gift card balances to the Abandoned Property Fund but did not do so. 

In order to avoid relinquishing these funds, H&M entered into an agreement with Card Compliant which was intended to make it look like Card Compliant, not H&M, issued and administered its gift cards. Card Compliant operates its business out of Leawood, Kansas, and therefore was not required to transfer unredeemed balances to New York’s Office of Unclaimed Funds.

In 2011, the New York Comptroller’s Office contacted H&M about the contract between H&M and Card Compliant. Card Compliant advised H&M to only share some of the contract terms with the Comptroller’s Office and not to disclose the fee provisions that would have revealed that H&M kept the unredeemed gift card balances. Card Compliant also prepared a letter for the Comptroller’s Officer falsely claiming that the company had paid out tens of millions of dollars in connection with H&M gift card redemptions. In reality, Card Compliant had not done this, and lacked the resources to honor H&M’s millions of dollars of outstanding gift cards. Card Compliant made misleading statements to the Comptroller’s Office to falsely imply that Card Compliant, not H&M, performed the gift-card issuance and marketing services and retained the unredeemed gift card balances.

This agreement resolves allegations that Card Compliant provided false statements to the Comptroller’s office and advised H&M to make false statements to avoid turning over the unused balances on gift cards to the state. As part of the agreement, Card Compliant will pay $4.37 million to New York state, of which more than $1 million will be paid to the whistleblower.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FATALLY SHOOTING A MAN AND FOR WOUNDING OF A BYSTANDER WHO LATER DIED

 

Defendant Also Sentenced for Vicious Stabbing of Inmate at Rikers Island

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree Manslaughter and first-degree Assault for a fatal shooting in 2021, and Attempted Murder of an inmate while at Rikers Island. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant started a chain of events that caused two deaths. He and his accomplice chased their target down and killed him in an intersection, firing a hail of bullets at close range. Police officers pursued the suspects, and in the gunfire, an innocent passerby was wounded and later succumbed to his injuries. The defendant then stabbed an inmate in jail. He will spend many years in prison for his reprehensible acts of violence.” 

The defendant, Hassan Maxwell, 26, of East 171st , was sentenced on December 19, 2024 to 25 years in prison for first-degree Manslaughter, five years for first-degree Assault and five years for Attempted Murder second-degree by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood. The sentences are to run concurrently. Maxwell pleaded guilty to those charges on November 12, 2024. 

According to the investigation, on April 3, 2021, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Maxwell and a co-defendant, both armed with handguns, chased Gabriel Casso, 22, who was unarmed, into the intersection of East 166th Street and Findlay Avenue in the Morrisania section. They both fired multiple shots, striking Casso several times, killing him. Three NYPD Officers from the 44th Precinct conducting a traffic stop nearby observed the accomplice standing over the victim firing toward the victim’s head.

These officers then engaged Maxwell and the accomplice by firing their service weapons at them. During this time, other individuals shot toward the gunmen, who then fled down East 166th Street toward College Avenue, with guns drawn. Abdou Jallow, 67, who was walking in the vicinity, preparing to attend evening prayers at a local mosque, was struck by a bullet in his left arm, causing him to bleed profusely and sustain a serious physical injury. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he died on January 9, 2022, of his injuries.

On June 6, 2024, while incarcerated at Rikers Island, Maxwell and another inmate approached inmate Christopher Gonzalez and without provocation, Maxwell stabbed him with a sharp object and the other inmate punched him. A Correction Officer stopped the attack. Gonzalez was treated for puncture wounds to his arm, back and upper torso at a local hospital.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Kevin Ruggeri from the Force Investigations Division for his assistance in the investigation.

Medicare Advantage Provider Independent Health to Pay Up To $98M to Settle False Claims Act Suit

  

Independent Health Association and its affiliate, Independent Health Corporation (collectively, Independent Health) have agreed to pay up to $98 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of invalid diagnosis codes to Medicare for Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees to increase payments that Independent Health received from Medicare. Independent Health is headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

Under Medicare Advantage, also known as the Medicare Part C program, Medicare beneficiaries have the option of enrolling in managed care insurance plans called Medicare Advantage Plans (MA Plans). MA Plans are paid a per-person amount to provide Medicare-covered benefits to beneficiaries who enroll in one of their plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which oversees the Medicare program, adjusts the payments to MA Plans based on demographic information and the diagnoses of each plan beneficiary. The adjustments are commonly referred to as “risk scores.” In general, a beneficiary with diagnoses more expensive to treat will have a higher risk score, and CMS will make a larger risk-adjusted payment to the MA Plan for that beneficiary.

Independent Health operates MA plans for beneficiaries living in western New York. As alleged by the United States, Independent Health created a wholly owned subsidiary, DxID LLC, to retrospectively search medical records and query physicians for information that would support additional diagnoses that could be used to generate higher risk scores, and DxID provided these services to Independent Health and other MA Plans. The United States filed a complaint alleging that, from 2011 through at least 2017, Independent Health, with the assistance of DxID and its founder and chief executive, Betsy Gaffney, knowingly submitted diagnoses to CMS that were not supported by the beneficiaries’ medical records in order to inflate Medicare’s payments to Independent Health.

“The government expects those who participate in Medicare Advantage to provide accurate information to ensure that proper payments are made for the care received by enrolled beneficiaries,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “Today’s result sends a clear message to the Medicare Advantage community that the United States will take appropriate action against those who knowingly submit inflated claims for reimbursement.”

“To protect the integrity of Medicare and other federal health care programs, my office is committed to ensuring that each and every dollar meant for Medicare beneficiaries is spent appropriately and in accordance with the law,” said U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross for the Western District of New York. “As this settlement makes clear, we will diligently pursue those who defraud government programs.”

“Medicare Advantage Plans that attempt to game federal programs for profit must be held accountable through rigorous oversight and enforcement,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out fraud, waste and abuse in federal health care programs.”

Under the terms of the settlement, Independent Health will make guaranteed payments of $34,500,000 and contingent payments of up to $63,500,000 on behalf it itself and DxID, which ceased operations in 2021. The settlement is based on Independent Health’s ability to pay. Gaffney will separately pay $2,000,000.

In connection with the settlement, Independent Health entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement  (CIA) with HHS-OIG. The CIA requires, among other things, that Independent Health hire an Independent Review Organization to annually review a sample of Independent Health’s Medicare Advantage patients’ medical records and associated internal controls to help ensure appropriate risk adjustment payments.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Teresa Ross, a former employee of Group Health Cooperative, now Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington (Kaiser). Under the qui tam provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The Act permits the government to intervene in such lawsuits as it has done in this case. Ms. Ross will receive at least $8,212,500 of the settlement announced today. Ms. Ross also alleged that Kaiser employed DxID to identify additional diagnoses to be submitted to Medicare for risk adjustment, and the United States previously settled those claims with Kaiser.

The United States’ intervention in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to HHS, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

Attorneys Samson Asiyanbi and David Wiseman of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coriell and investigator Peggy McFarland for the Western District of New York handled the matter, with assistance from the HHS-OIG Buffalo Regional Office.

The case is captioned United States ex rel. Ross v. Independent Health Association et al., No. 12-CV-0299(S) (WDNY).

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

NYS Private Sector Employment Up 11,900 in November 2024

 

Statewide Unemployment Rate Unchanged For Fourth Consecutive Month

According to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 11,900, or 0.1%, to 8,409,100 in November 2024. The number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.1% in November 2024 as well.

     New York State's private sector jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 123,000, or 1.5%, over the year in November 2024, which was greater than the 1.3% increase in the number of private sector jobs in the U.S.

     New York State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 4.4% in November 2024. At the same time, New York State's labor force (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 5,100. The statewide labor force participation rate held constant at 61.2% in November 2024.

     The number of private sector jobs in New York State is based on a payroll survey of New York businesses conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Monthly payroll employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision as more complete data become available the following month. The BLS calculates New York State’s unemployment rate based partly upon the results of the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) of approximately 3,100 households in the State.

    The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for October 2024 was revised up by 12,900, from -10,900 to +2,000. At the same time, the change in total private employment was revised up by 6,000, from -800 to +5,200. Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.

Note: Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are valuable in year-to-year comparisons of the same month – for example, November 2023 versus November 2024.

Statewide Unemployment

November 2024 – Seasonally Adjusted

• The statewide unemployment rate held constant at 4.4% in November 2024.
• New York City’s unemployment rate held constant at 5.4%.
• In the rest of the state, the unemployment rate held constant at 3.6% in November 2024.
• The number of unemployed New Yorkers increased over the month by 400 from 425,700 in October to 426,100 in November 2024.

NYS Unemployment Rate Unchanged Over the Month

Labor Force Statistics, November 2023, October 2024 – November 2024

Labor Force Decreased, Number of Unemployed Increased in November

Total Labor Force & Number of Unemployed, January 2009 – November 2024

Unemployment Rate Unchanged in NYS, Increased in US Unemployment Rate, NYS & US, January 2009 – November 2024 Unemployment Rate Unchanged in NYC and Balance of State Unemployment Rate, NYC & BOS, January 2009 – November 2024 Substate and Industry Employment  November 2024 – Not Seasonally Adjusted New York State Gained Private Sector Jobs Over the Year Over-the-Year Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, November 2023 – November 2024 Note: The sum of sub-state area job estimates will usually differ from the New York State total. This is because the State total is calculated separately from the sub-state areas and is estimated based on an independent sample. Private Education and Health Services Jobs Increased by 5.4% Over the Year Over-the-Year Change in Jobs by Major Industry Sector, November 2023 – November 2024 *Government includes public education and public health services. Note: The responsibility for the production of monthly estimates of state and metro area nonfarm employment by industry moved from the NYS Department of Labor’s Division of Research and Statistics to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), starting with the March 2011 estimates. More detailed information on the change is available on the BLS web site. Many economic data series have a seasonal pattern, which means they tend to occur at the same time each year (e.g., retail jobs usually increase in December). Seasonal adjustment is the process of removing seasonal effects from a data series. This is done to simplify the data so that they may be more easily interpreted and help to reveal true underlying trends. Seasonal adjustment permits comparisons of data from one month to data from any other month. In New York State, payroll jobs data by industry come from a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data are preliminary and subject to revision. Jobs data by industry do not include agricultural workers, the self-employed, unpaid family workers, or domestic workers in private households. Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s unemployment rate is based partly upon the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York each month.  Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release. State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Advantage of Regression Model Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities). Benchmarking of Estimates Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.” Changes in Methodology Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates. In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others. Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem. Jobs Data Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, has a sample size of 18,000 establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available. The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

Happy Holidays to all! Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and/or Kwanzaa, Senator Rivera and his team wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Last Friday, December 13, Governor Hochul vetoed Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon's Local Input for Community Healthcare Act (S.8843A/A.1633). This bill passed both the State Senate and State Assembly with strong bipartisan support for the first time ever in the past legislative session. 

The now vetoed bill would have addressed existing gaps in the state’s review of proposed hospital and critical unit closures, requiring adequate advance notice to local officials and the public, a community forum held 150 days in advance of the proposed closure date to allow public comment on the hospital’s closure plan, a final closure plan that addresses concerns raised at the community forum, and public disclosure of all submitted plans by the Department of Health.

Senator Rivera said in a statement: "I’m bitterly disappointed by Governor Hochul's decision to veto our bill, the Local Input for Community Healthcare (LICH) Act. Healthcare facilities all across the State are closing without any real input from the communities they serve, leaving already vulnerable communities without essential care. It is now imperative that the State Department of Health follows the Governor’s directive and make the necessary changes to ensure that transparency and public engagement are at the core of the hospital closure process, and we will not stop there."

This week, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Senator Rivera's bill (S7114-A), that requires insurance companies to cover epinephrine auto-injectors and caps the annual cost of EpiPens at $100.

Senator Rivera said in a statement that: "It is unacceptable that so many people are forced to risk not having the device during a life-threatening emergency due to prohibitive costs.... I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing such an important bill into law, and it is my hope that we can continue to pass similar measures that will make health care more accessible to all New Yorkers."

Last week, Governor Hochul vetoed the bill (S.7840/A.8862) sponsored by Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Amy Paulin, which would allow school-based health centers (SBHCs) to remain outside Medicaid managed care.

Senator Rivera said in a statement that: "I am incredibly disappointed by the Governor's decision to veto our bill...For decades, SBCHs have been an incredibly important component of our healthcare system providing essential primary care...I urge Governor Hochul to reconsider this shortsighted transition, work with the Legislature and save SBHCs from a grim future."

Senator Rivera stopped by the 48th Precinct Christmas Toy Giveaway at the St. Barnabas Health and Wellness Center. During the event, Senator Rivera greeted families, handed out toys, and wished his neighbors a happy holiday.

Senator Rivera was invited by the retiree chapter of the UFT to give a presentation on the New York Health Act (NYHA) during a healthcare panel discussion the group organized this week. 

The Senator discussed and answered questions about the benefits of the NYHA, which aims to establish a single-payer, universal healthcare system in our state. This bill would guarantee healthcare for every New Yorker, including long-term care coverage, which is vital for many seniors and retirees in our community.

FDNY: WINTER HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS

Winter holidays are a time to celebrate with loved ones, but also a prime time for fires to occur. More than one-third of home fires occur during the months of December, January and February. It's important to celebrate safely. Here are some safety tips to make sure you and your loved can be #FDNYSmart this holiday season:

 

Shop Smart When Purchasing Gifts

•   Beware of purchasing devices with dangerous, uncertified lithium-ion batteries. Un-certified lithium-ion batteries are illegal in New York City.
•   Only buy certified lithium-ion batteries and devices, that are stamped with UL symbol. Certified lithium-ion batteries have been tested to meet national safety standards.
•   Not all products sold online are certified. Carefully read the product listing, website and operating manual. 

Christmas Trees

•   When picking a tree, shake it to check for dryness. If too many dry needles fall, choose a fresher tree.
•   Cut trees 2 inches from the base of the trunk before placing the tree to help keep it fresher longer.
•   Keep the tree at least three feet away from any heat source.
•   Add water to the tree stand and water the tree daily.
•   Dispose of the tree immediately after Christmas or when it becomes dry. Dried trees pose an increased fire hazard.

Decorations and Lighting

•   Choose decorations that are flame resistant, flame retardant, or created with noncombustible materials.
•   Do not overload electrical outlets, extension chords and power strips.
•   Turn off all lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
•   Use lights and electrical decorations that are stamped with UL symbol.
•   Inspect new and used lights before using them. Replace strings of lights that have worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
•   Read instructions to learn the number of light strands you can safely connect.
•   Use clips, not nails, to hang lights, so the cords do not get damaged.

Candles

•   Use sturdy candle holders, with flame-protective non-combustible (glass or metal) shades or globes.
•   Place candles at least four feet away from curtains, draperies, blinds, kitchen cabinets and bedding.
•   Place candles out of reach of small children and pets.
•   Extinguish candles when they burn within two inches of the holder.
•   Never leave burning candles unattended.
•   Securing hair and clothing, such as sleeves or aprons, from the flame when handling candles.
•   Keeping candles, matches and lighters, including lit memorial containers and Chanukah menorahs, out of reach of children

Cooking

•   Don't leave food cooking unattended; Stand by Your Pan!
•   Keep the area around the stove clear of anything that could burn (paper towels, papers, potholders, etc.)
•  Cook with indicated temperature settings, refrain from using higher temperature settings.
•   In the event of a pot or pan fire, turn off the heat and cover it with a lid. Do not use water! It could cause splashing and spread the fire.

SIGN UP FOR CONGESTION RELIEF ZONE TOLLING WEBINARS

Starting January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 St—will be charged a toll. The program will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund better public transit.

 

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars in December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling. Webinars will explain why New York needs congestion pricing, how the Congestion Relief Zone works, what the toll rates are, who is entitled to discounts and exemptions, and other things people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will feature a brief presentation, followed by Q&A.

 

Learn more about the sessions and register to attend here.

 

For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info.