Department of State Employee Charged for Conspiracy to Gather, Transmit, or Lose National Defense Information

 

Michael Charles Schena, 42, of Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested on criminal charges related to his alleged participation in a criminal conspiracy to gather, transmit, or lose national defense information.

According to court documents, Schena is employed by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) working out of DOS Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Schena held a top secret security clearance and had access to information up to the secret level within his DOS workspace. Beginning in or about April 2022, Schena allegedly communicated with people he met online through various communication platforms and provided them with information they were not authorized to receive. In return, Schena received payments. On Feb. 27, Schena allegedly used a cellphone to take images of multiple documents, which were displayed on the monitor of his classified computer and marked as “SECRET.” Schena then allegedly left work and returned to his home in Alexandria, where the cellphone was seized.        

Schena is charged with conspiracy to gather, transmit, or lose national defense information and faces a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the FBI Richmond Field Office, the Department of Justice’s Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Office of Counterintelligence.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Ben’Ary and Gavin R. Tisdale for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Wave Hill Weekly Events (Mar 27 – Apr 3) | Hidden Creatures & Highlights Walk

A sweetness fills the air with the hope of budding and flowers that long to bloom. It’s a time to press pause on life and admire the way nature around us buzzes with anticipation for sunnier and warmer days. Until then, take a walk in our thriving conservatory that acts as a haven for plants from all across the world! 

 

 

Nature: 

 

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk  

Sun, Mar 30, 1:00PM – 2:00PM  

Free with admission to the grounds  

Registration not required.     

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Discuss topics of the upcoming season with the expertise of the Guide--come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Public Garden Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults. 

 

 

Family:  

 

Family Art Project: Hidden Creatures 

Sat, Mar 29, 10:00AM – 1:00PM 

Sun, Mar 30, 10:00AM – 1:00PM  

Free with admission to the grounds  

Registration not required 

Create your own camouflaged creature! We’ll discover how animals use patterns and colors to hide and protect themselves while crafting critters of our own. Using socks, we’ll make a puppet or stuffed animal that blends into its surroundings just like in the wild.      

   

 

HOURS STARTING MARCH 15: 10AM–5:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday  

Shuttle Service Free from Subway and Metro-North, Saturday–Sunday

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.   

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA IN ALBANY

16 BILLS PASSED THE FOURTH HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING OF 2025

This week, Senator Rivera held the fourth Health Committee meeting of the year, where 16 bills were passed, including:

• S.1224: School Based Health Centers (SBHCs), which serve more than 250,000 children in our State, are at risk of closing due to the Executive’s inexplicable decision to change their reimbursement model from fee-for-service to Medicaid Managed Care. Senator Rivera's bill will permit school-based health centers (SBHC) to remain out of Medicaid Managed Care.

• S.4801: In 2019, Andrew Cuomo irresponsibly cut New York City's Article 6 reimbursement rate from 36% to 20%, taking away nearly $62 million from the city. This money funded public health programs that addressed issues such as health insurance access, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, or child and maternal health. This bill will restore Article 6 funding to our City.

Check out here Senator Rivera's post on Instagram for more details.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS THE NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CALLING TO DELAY CDPAP TRANSITION

This week, Senator Rivera joined the New York Association of Independent Living (NYAIL) and other advocates to demand that the Executive extends the CDPAP transition timeline, whose current deadline is set for April 1st.

Senator Rivera has an alternative to the current proposal, his CDPAP Accountability Act, that will help us improve the system, establishing a process for licensure for Fiscal Intermediaries and stricter requirements for accreditation allowing the Executive to weed out bad actors.

“We are saying to the Governor, you must act now, this is not a hypothetical, in 26 days many of the folks sitting behind me, who require assistance to be able to live their lives might not have that service available to them. So we have to act and we have to act now. No longer a hypothetical. The panic button has been touched, Governor, change the deadline,” said Senator Rivera.

This week, Senator Rivera was invited to speak at the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS) Advocacy Day. Senator Rivera recognizes the incredible work that community health centers do every single day as they provide key primary care services to some of our state's most medically underserved communities.

That's why he is the sponsor of two bills to make Community Health Centers financially more stable:

• S.3359: Ensures telehealth reimbursement parity for federally qualified health centers and safety net facilities. This bill passed the health committee last month.

• S.4589: Ensures that the Department of Health evaluates and implements updated payment rates to sufficiently account for increases in operation costs and the new, expanded model of health an social care that is the hallmark of Community Health Centers while ensuring that they will not face cuts during this rate adjustment.

Thank you to Rose Duhan, President and CEO of CHCANYS, for the invitation!

On Tuesday, the New York State Public Employees Federation visited Senator Rivera in Albany. The Senator was pleased to listen to their concerns, discuss ongoing initiatives, and collaborate on finding effective solutions!

This week, Senator Rivera received a beautiful poster from Trillium Health New York after speaking fervently in support of our State's transgender community. "Thank you for representing our brothers and sisters. I'm just an echo for the cause. Your resilience truly inspires me, " said Senator Rivera.

SENATOR RIVERA PARTICIPATES IN THE MODEL SENATE TRAINING SESSION AT JOHN JAY COLLEGE

Last week, Senator Rivera delivered a lecture on 'Passing a Bill in the NYS Senate' to students at John Jay College, as part of the SOMOS El Futuro Model Senate Training Sessions. The Senator shared his extensive expertise in politics and policy to teach these students about the legislative process. Additionally, Senator Rivera discussed this year's Model Senate bill with them, a version of the NYS Assembly bill A3850: 'Housing is a Human Right Act.' Thank you to CUNY for the invitation!

SENATOR RIVERA TESTIFIES AT THE COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITIES AND ADDICTION

Last week, Senator Rivera provided a testimony to the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities & Addiction, in the hearing of the New York City Council.

 

The Senator discussed about City Council bill 0868 that would prohibit the distribution of hypodermic syringes and needles within 450 feet of schools and playgrounds, will only aggravate the opioid. During his remarks, Senator Rivera expressed how this bill would cause more harm than good. By limiting access to clean syringes, this bill would drive individuals who use drugs to share or reuse needles, increasing disease transmission rates. 

Syringe service programs (SSPS), are evidence-based public health strategies that save lives, reduce the spread of infectious diseases, and connect people who use drugs with essential healthcare. By not allowing mobile SSP's from operating within 450 feet of schools, daycares, and playgrounds in our City, it would make it nearly impossible for them to operate effectively.

 

“The Bronx, like many other boroughs, has a dense urban landscape where schools and playgrounds are often situated close to residential buildings, parks, and community centers, has one of the highest overdose rates in the city, and limiting the reach of harm reduction services will only worsen the crisis. If the goal is to reduce syringe litter and enhance community safety, the solution should be to fund providers, increase outreach, and expand existing harm reduction efforts,” said Senator Rivera.

Last Thursday, Senator Rivera attended a meet and greet of the Association of Riverdale Cooperatives and Condominiums (ARC) at the Riverdale Y. The Senator shared the initiatives he is working on for the communities in his district and discussed the issues that affect co-op and condo owners.

Thank you to Julia Engel, Seryl Ritter, and all the other members of the Board of Directors for inviting the Senator to this meet and greet!

REMINDER: SENATOR RIVERA'S

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PALM CARDS

Senator Rivera's team has created a Know Your Rights palm card (available in English and Spanish). Watch Senator Rivera's message here.

Remember, If your organization, or school would like to receive these cards, please fill out the form here and a staff member from our team will follow up to confirm your request.

If you are an individual constituent, call our office at 718-933-2034 or visit us at 2432 Grand Concourse, Suite 506, Monday through Thursday, from 10 am to 5 pm.

SUNDAY 03/09: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME STARTS!

SATURDAY 04/19: JOIN THE ANNUAL SPRING EGG HUNT AT WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL RECREATION CENTER

NYC HEALTH DEPARTMENT: MOBILE FOOD VENDING GREEN CART PERMITS FOR THE BRONX

The NYC Health Department is now offering mobile food vending Green Cart permits for the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. These permits allow vendors to sell fresh fruits and vegetables, including prepackaged sliced and cut produce, bottled drinking water, and plain nuts.

To apply for a Green Cart permit, vendors must:

✔ Hold a valid Mobile Food Vending License

✔ Submit the Green Cart Waiting List Application Form to join the waiting list (applications accepted on a rolling basis)

Interested vendors can complete the waiting list application at nyc.gov/greencarts

The NYC Health Department will announce when Green Cart permits become available for Queens and Manhattan.

For more details, visit nyc.gov/greencarts

Due to track replacement, no 4 service between 161 St-Yankee Stadium and Woodlawn from March 1st to March 23rd, Sat 3:30 AM to Sun 10:00 PM. Number 4 trains will run between Brooklyn and 161 St-Yankee Stadium, the last stop.

Free shuttle buses run between Bedford Park Blvd D and Woodlawn, stopping at Mosholu Pkwy and Bedford Park Blvd-Lehman College.

Travel alternatives:

1. For service between 161 St-Yankee Stadium and Bedford Park Blvd-Lehman College, use nearby D stations along Grand Concourse instead.
2. For Mosholu Pkwy and Woodlawn, take a shuttle bus.

Transfer stations:

1. 161 St-Yankee Stadium 4 D
2. Bedford Park Blvd D| SHUTTLE BUS 

This service change affects one or more ADA accessible stations and these travel alternatives may not be fully accessible. Please contact 511 to plan your trip.

NYC HEALTH BRONX ACTION CENTER: NEW CLASSES AND RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

In collaboration with St. Barnabas Teaching Kitchen, NY Health Bronx Action Center are offering free cooking workshops from March to June!

The Prenatal & Gestational Diabetes Cooking Workshops are classes where participants can learn about pregnancy, healthy eating, and gestational diabetes. Eligible participants are pregnant people. Classes are held in English with Spanish interpretation. To register, visit the Prenatal Nutrition Series Eventbrite webpage 

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The Diabetes & Affordable Eating Cooking Workshops are classes where participants can learn about diabetes, healthy eating, and culinary nutrition. Eligible participants are people with diabetes, at risk of developing diabetes, or caring for people with diabetes. Classes are held in English with Spanish interpretation. To register, please visit the Diabetes & Affordable Eating Eventbrite Webpage

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C Care Calls is a FREE telephone program for people with type 2 diabetes. Eligible participants are adults (21 yrs. old or older) with no plans to move out of NYC in the next 9 months. Program is available in English or Spanish.

For more information, contact at 347-752-0653 or aortiz7@health.nyc.gov

DEC Announces 2024 Bear Harvest Estimates

 

Healthy Bear Population Continues to Provide Great Hunting Opportunities in New York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that hunters in New York harvested an estimated 1,685 bears during the 2024 hunting seasons. The 2024 bear harvest was 24 percent higher than 2023 and approximately 13 percent higher than the five- and 10-year averages.

“New York’s healthy bear population continues to provide excellent hunting opportunities,” said DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Jacqueline Lendrum. “Data collected and voluntarily submitted by hunters, taxidermists, and meat processors through the Black Bear Management Cooperator Program allows DEC to monitor trends to ensure the bear population remains robust and hunting traditions continue for the long term.” 

Hunters harvested an estimated 657 bears in the Northern Zone and an estimated 1,028 bears in the Southern Zone. Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) within the Catskills and western Adirondacks continued to produce the highest bear harvest densities. In WMUs 3C, 3K, 3M, 4P, 4R, 4W, 4Z, 6C, 6H, and 8Y hunters harvested more than 10 bears per 100 square miles, with hunters taking more than 14 bears per 100 square miles in WMUs 3C and 6C.

Long-term trends in bear harvest density suggest that bear populations have stabilized in both the Northern and Southern Zones following population expansions that contributed to peak bear harvest densities throughout the early 2000s. Widespread drought conditions likely contributed to the elevated bear harvest during the 2024 seasons. During periods of drought, natural food sources for bears can become scarce and bears may travel farther in search of food or congregate around available food sources. This can increase the likelihood that hunters will encounter bears.

Notable Numbers

• 14.4: the number of bears harvested per 100 square miles in WMU 6C, which had the highest bear harvest density of any WMU.
• 564 pounds: the heaviest dressed-weight bear reported to DEC in 2024. The male bear was harvested in the town of Wilton, Saratoga County, WMU 5J.
• 46: the number of cooperating taxidermists and meat processors that assisted with the collection of biological data from harvested bears in 2024.
• 677: the number of harvested bears from which DEC received pre-molar teeth to determine the bear’s age in 2024.
• 21: the age of the oldest bear harvested in 2023 (the most recent year for which age data are available). The bear was harvested in the town Webb, Herkimer County, WMU 5H.

Black bear harvest data are gathered from two main sources: harvest reports required of all successful bear hunters and the physical examination of bears by DEC staff, cooperating taxidermists, and meat processors. Harvest estimates are made by cross-referencing these two data sources and determining the rate at which hunters report their bear harvests in each zone. In fall 2025, DEC will send a commemorative 2024 Black Bear Management Coordinator Patch and a letter confirming each bear’s age to all hunters who reported their bear harvest and submitted a tooth for age analysis.

DEC’s 2024 Bear Harvest Summary report provides tables, figures, and maps detailing the bear harvest around the state. Past harvest summaries are also available on DEC’s website. DEC’s Black Bear Management Plan provides information on how DEC determines black bear population objectives throughout the state.