VCJC News & Notes 3/8/24

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

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Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463

MAYOR ADAMS ADDS TO CITY HALL COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

 

Ryan Birchmeier to Serve as Communications Director 

Erika Tannor to Serve as First Deputy Communications Director

Charles Lutvak to Serve as First Deputy Press Secretary

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of and elevation of key members of the City Hall communications team halfway through his first term. On the communications team, Ryan Birchmeier will serve as communications director, Erika Tannor will join the administration as first deputy communications director, and Noah Levine has been promoted to a deputy communications director. On the press team, Charles Kretchmer Lutvak has been promoted to first deputy press secretary, and Amaris Cockfield and Kayla Mamelak have each been promoted to deputy press secretary and communications advisor. On the research team, Sam Rosenblum and Margaret Turner will serve as deputy directors of research and analytics. Colby Rogers has also been promoted to special assistant in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Communications. Mayor Adams will be making additional appointments to City Hall’s communications team in the coming weeks.

“Our press and communications teams are some of the hardest-working people in city government,” said Mayor Adams. “By elevating and bringing new voices to City Hall, we are making our administration even stronger, finding new ways to communicate information about services and the state of our city, and ultimately delivering a better product for New Yorkers.”

“Jobs are up, crime is down, and every day, we are delivering for working-class New Yorkers, but no New Yorker would know that if it wasn’t for the extraordinary public servants who dedicate countless hours to communicating that message to the people of New York,” said Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy. “The greatest city in the world is also home to some of the most talented and experienced communicators in the country, and, with these appointments, we are not only promoting the talent we have working for the city but bringing in new voices to help us communicate even more effectively to all New Yorkers. Our mission is clear: protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make this city more livable — and this is the team who will help communicate that message every day.”

“In just over two years, Mayor Adams has driven New York City’s economic recovery and helped it reach a new jobs record, delivered a significant reduction in crime, and found new ways to improve the lives of working-class New Yorkers — all while managing a once-in-a-generation humanitarian crisis,” said Communications Director Ryan Birchmeier. “I am proud to continue serving alongside the dedicated members of this administration to further this work, and to help our city reach more New Yorkers in more meaningful ways.”

Biographies and details about additional appointments are included below:

Communications Team

About Ryan Birchmeier Ryan Birchmeier has led housing- and economic development-related communications for the Mayor’s Office since August 2023. He previously served as deputy commissioner for public information at the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) — a new, consolidated technology agency created by Mayor Adams at the beginning of his administration. At OTI, Birchmeier oversaw the communications and intergovernmental affairs teams, crafted external affairs strategies for the rollout of the city’s artificial intelligence policy and digital government services, and led communications for citywide cybersecurity incident response. Prior to joining the Adams administration, Birchmeier was a senior vice president and partner at New York City-based strategic communications firm Thunder11, where he led global public affairs campaigns for technology, economic development, and public health organizations. Birchmeier previously worked as an assistant vice president at the New York City Economic Development Corporation and in several communications roles across the Philadelphia city government. He graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a B.A. in English. Birchmeier will report to Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy.

About Erika Tannor

Erika Tannor will join the administration from Tusk Strategies, where she served as senior vice president and led nationwide, issue-based campaigns with a focus on coalition building, grassroots engagement, and media relations. While serving as communications and policy director to former New York City Councilmember Rafael Espinal, Tannor successfully built public and press momentum that guided significant legislation to passage. She was particularly instrumental in achieving the historic repeal of New York City’s notorious cabaret law and the creation of the first-ever Office of Nightlife, amongst other cornerstone accomplishments. Tannor also worked for then-New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, at the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, and on several city and statewide electoral campaigns. She has been recognized by City & State on their “40 under 40” and “10 in their 20s” lists and was a founding board member of the 5BORO Institute, a non-profit think tank focused on advancing policy solutions for the city. A native New Yorker hailing from Queens, Tannor graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in politics and earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford.

Tannor will report to Communications Director Ryan Birchmeier.

About Noah Levine

Noah Levine will serve as a deputy communications director. He joined the Adams administration in 2022 as chief of staff to the communications director. He previously served as deputy press secretary for Everytown for Gun Safety, where he focused on gun safety litigation and legislative strategy. Levine’s time at Everytown culminated with the passage of the first major federal gun safety legislation in decades. He received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Levine will report to Communications Director Ryan Birchmeier.

Press Team

About Charles Lutvak

Charles Kretchmer Lutvak has been promoted to first deputy press secretary. Lutvak joined City Hall as deputy press secretary in 2022 after serving in the same role on Scott Stringer’s campaign for mayor in 2021. He previously worked at Risa Heller Communications. Lutvak received a B.A. in Political Science and Music from Carleton College and is a lifelong New Yorker.

Lutvak will report to Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy until a new press secretary is named.

About Amaris Cockfield

Amaris Cockfield will take on new responsibilities as a communications advisor in addition to her current role as deputy press secretary. At City Hall, Cockfield has led mayoral press events, served as an on-record spokesperson, and handled media inquiries for the Adams administration. Cockfield previously worked at Mercury Public Affairs and served as a director of communications in the New York State Assembly. She attended the University at Albany – SUNY for her B.A. in Communications.

Cockfield will report to First Deputy Press Secretary Charles Lutvak.

About Kayla Mamelak

Kayla Mamelak will take on new responsibilities as a communications advisor in addition to her current role as deputy press secretary. She joined the Adams administration in the summer of 2022, serving as a spokesperson and helping to build out media strategies for press conferences and other administration announcements. Prior to her role at City Hall, Mamelak was a reporter for FOX5 New York. She received a B.S. from Boston University.

Mamelak will report to First Deputy Press Secretary Charles Lutvak.

Research Team

About Samuel Rosenblum

Samuel Rosenblum will serve as a deputy director of research. He joined the Adams administration in May 2022 as a research analyst in the Office of Research and Media Analysis. Before serving in the Adams administration, Rosenblum worked at G/O Media. A native New Yorker, Rosenblum graduated from the University of Michigan with a double major in International Studies and History.

Rosenblum will report to First Deputy Press Secretary Charles Lutvak.

About Margaret Turner

Margaret Turner will serve as a deputy director of research. She joined the Adams administration in October 2022 as a research analyst in the Office of Research and Media Analysis. Before joining the administration, Turner worked as a communications associate and assistant to the CEO at Haddad Media in Washington, D.C. Turner earned her B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from Tulane University.

Turner will report to First Deputy Press Secretary Charles Lutvak.

Deputy Mayor’s Team

About Colby Rogers

Colby Rogers has been promoted to special assistant in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Communications. Rogers joined City Hall in May 2023 as a press assistant. Previously, he worked as deputy political director for U.S. Representative Mike Levin’s 2022 re-election campaign. Rogers graduated from the University of Chicago with a double major in Public Policy and History.

Rogers will report to Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy.

D.A. Bragg Announces Indictments In Two Separate February Assaults On MTA Employees

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the indictments of RASHON EAGLE, 43, and ABDELLAHI MOHAMMED, 25, for two separate February 2024 attacks on MTA employees. EAGLE is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in The Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. MOHAMMED is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the Third Degree. 

“Every day, MTA workers ensure that our public transportation operates smoothly, helping millions of New Yorkers arrive safely to their destinations. As alleged, Rashon Eagle and Abdellahi Mohammed assaulted two of these workers, who were just doing their jobs, in addition to a Good Samaritan,” said District Attorney Bragg. “MTA workers and passengers should not have to fear for their safety when on our buses and subways, and those who jeopardize their safety will be held accountable.” 

Indictment of Rashon Eagle 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, at approximately 12:06 p.m. on February 10, 2024, in Lower Manhattan, EAGLE was riding the M15 bus and became irate when the bus was stuck in traffic, yelling profanities at the bus driver. When the bus made its final stop at the South Ferry Whitehall terminal, all of the passengers exited the bus except for EAGLE, who continued yelling. He punched the partition where the bus driver was seated, and threatened to stab the bus driver if he didn’t get out of his seat. 

Fearful of being stabbed, the bus driver got out of his seat. EAGLE continued yelling and became physically aggressive, swinging at the driver in an attempt to punch him. The bus driver was able to block the punch and tackle EAGLE. They wrestled on the floor of the bus, where EAGLE repeatedly scratched the driver’s face, eyes, and hands, causing them to bleed. 

EAGLE then reached into his back waistband and removed a pocketknife, which he opened to stab the driver. The bus driver was able to wrestle the knife out of the defendant’s hands. NYPD ferry terminal officers responded immediately, arrested the defendant, and recovered the knife.

The bus driver was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries, which include blurred vision to his left eye that has not yet healed and for which he needs to seek additional medical treatment. 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, at approximately 5:50 a.m. on February 14, 2024, at the southbound platform of the Wall Street 4/5 subway line, MOHAMMED punched an MTA worker in the face after she approached him lying under a bench. The unprovoked assault fractured her eye socket in addition to swelling and bruising to her eye. 

MOHAMMED also punched a Good Samaritan that came to the aid of the MTA worker, fracturing and sustaining a laceration to his nose. Both victims were treated at New York Downtown Hospital. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, specifically officers Steven Salas of Transit Division District 2 and Geronimo Tyrell of the 1st Precinct. 

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court                                                    

U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Arrested and Charged with Conspiracy to Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information, Export Control Violations and Bribery

 

Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, was arrested at Fort Campbell following an indictment by a federal grand jury charging him with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official.

“Mr. Schultz, a member of the U.S. Army, stands accused of conspiring to obtain and provide national defense information to an individual overseas. As part of the conspiracy, the defendant provided sensitive government information to his coconspirator in exchange for thousands of dollars, placing personal profit above the security of the American people,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s arrest shows that such a betrayal does not pay — the Department of Justice is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who would break their oath to protect our nation’s secrets.”

“Protecting national defense information is absolutely critical to our country’s safety and security,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “The unauthorized sale of such information violates our national security laws, compromises our safety, and cannot be tolerated. Today’s indictment should serve as a reminder of the Justice Department’s vigilance in protecting the United States against any threat to national security, foreign or domestic.”

“The American people rely on our military personnel and clearance holders to serve and protect U.S. interests,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI's National Security Branch. “The conduct alleged in today's indictment represents a grave betrayal of the oath sworn to defend our country. Instead of safeguarding national defense information, the defendant conspired with a foreign national to sell it, potentially endangering our national security.”

“This arrest underscores the unwavering commitment of the Army Counterintelligence Command, our partners at the Department of Justice, and the broader intelligence community in safeguarding our Nation’s secrets,” said Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of the Army Counterintelligence Command. “We cannot tolerate any betrayal of trust, and we remain vigilant in our mission to protect national defense information crucial to our security. We encourage all members of the Army team, past or present, to remain vigilant and report any potential suspicious activity."

The indictment alleges that from June 2022 until the time of his arrest today, Schultz conspired with an individual, identified as Conspirator A, to disclose documents, writings, plans, maps, notes, and photographs relating to national defense as well as information relating to national defense which Schultz had reason to believe could be used to injure the United States or used to the advantage of a foreign nation. Conspirator A recruited Schultz, who possessed a Top Secret security clearance, and frequently tasked him to gather documents and sensitive U.S. military information. Specifically, Conspirator A tasked Schultz with gathering information related to a variety of U.S. military weapons systems, including classified information, and information related to the United States’ potential plans in the event that Taiwan came under military attack. Some of the information that Schultz provided to Conspirator A included documents related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), information on hypersonic equipment, studies on the future development of U.S. military forces, studies on major countries such as the People’s Republic of China, and summaries of military drills and operations. In exchange for the documents and information, Conspirator A made at least 14 payments to Schultz that totaled approximately $42,000. Throughout the entirety of the conspiracy, Conspirator A represented to Schultz that he lived in Hong Kong and worked for a geopolitical consulting firm based overseas.

During the course of the conspiracy, Schultz also sent Conspirator A three documents that violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). The three documents included an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for the HH-60W helicopter, an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for the F22-A fighter aircraft, and an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Adam Barry and Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

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

Two Men Charged For Causing The Death Of A Seven-Year-Old Boy And A 48-Year-Old Woman In Hudson River Boat Capsizing

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Rear Admiral John Mauger, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, announced the arrests of RICHARD CRUZ and JAIME PINILLA GOMEZ for causing the death of a seven-year-old boy and a 48-year-old woman after the vessel CRUZ and GOMEZ were operating in the Hudson River capsized.  The two passengers drowned after being trapped underneath the vessel.  CRUZ and GOMEZ were arrested in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Federal regulations and safety protocols exist to ensure that captains and operators of commercial vessels keep passengers safe.  The defendants allegedly flouted those regulations, recklessly disregarded safety protocols, operated the vessel at an unsafe speed in hazardous conditions, and overloaded the vessel with too many passengers onboard.  And the result was tragic — a young boy and a woman were trapped under the vessel and drowned after the vessel capsized.” 

Rear Admiral John Mauger said: “This case demonstrates the deadly consequences of illegal passenger operations.  Our thoughts are with the families of the victims today.  Through this complaint, the Coast Guard and our partners from the U.S. Attorney’s Office affirm our steadfast commitment to preventing similar tragedies by investigating and holding violators accountable.  We urge the public to assist in this detection and deterrence by notifying the Coast Guard of vessel owner and operators suspected of engaging in illegal passenger operations at the following email address:  CGIS TIPS at https://www.p3tips.com/878.

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

On or about July 12, 2022, at approximately 2:40 p.m., the motor vessel Stimulus Money capsized in the Hudson River resulting in the death of two passengers — a seven-year-old boy (“Victim-1”) and a 48-year-old woman (“Victim-2”).  At the time of the capsizing, RICHARD CRUZ was the owner and captain of the vessel and JAIME PINILLA GOMEZ was the pilot of the vessel.  CRUZ had purchased the vessel approximately three months before the capsizing.  CRUZ and GOMEZ conducted boat “tours” for paying customers onboard the vessel on multiple occasions in the months leading up to the capsizing, although they did not have the required United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) credentials and certifications to do so.

CRUZ’s and GOMEZ’s negligent actions and omissions caused the capsizing and the deaths of Victim-1 and Victim-2.  At the time of the capsizing, among other things: (i) CRUZ and GOMEZ operated Stimulus Money with 13 people on board, exceeding the vessel’s maximum allowable capacity; (ii) CRUZ and GOMEZ operated Stimulus Money at a high rate of speed during a Small Craft Advisory in high winds and heavy seas; (iii) neither CRUZ nor GOMEZ had obtained a required USCG certification to operate the vessel with paying customers on board; (iv) CRUZ and GOMEZ operated Stimulus Money without a valid USCG Certificate of Inspection, which is required for a vessel to operate with paying customers on board; (v) GOMEZ, an insufficiently experienced mariner, piloted Stimulus Money in a dangerous manner, including by rapidly accelerating one engine of the vessel immediately before the capsizing, which contributed to the overturning of the vessel; and (vi) GOMEZ, at the time of the capsizing, failed to properly wear a safety device that should be worn around the pilot’s wrist or life vest, which contributed to the vessel’s engine continuing to operate even after GOMEZ shifted from the helm console (at which the vessel was operated).

All 13 people on board Stimulus Money were thrown overboard during the capsizing.  Shortly after the capsizing, boats from the New York City Police Department’s (“NYPD”) Harbor Unit and the New York City Fire Department’s (“FDNY”) Dive Rescue Team, and ferries operating nearby, arrived at the scene of the capsizing to render emergency assistance.  10 passengers and GOMEZ were recovered conscious and in varying medical conditions.  They were subsequently transferred to hospitals in Manhattan and survived the capsizing.  Approximately 25 minutes after the capsizing, members of the FDNY Dive Rescue Team recovered Victim-1 and Victim-2 from the Hudson River.  They were trapped underneath the capsized vessel and found unconscious.  Emergency medical personnel subsequently pronounced Victim-1 and Victim-2 deceased.  The cause of death was drowning.  Photos of the capsized boat are below:

Please report any illegal passenger charters to the USCG at https://www.p3tips.com/878

CRUZ, 32, and GOMEZ, 25, both of Elizabeth, New Jersey, are each charged with one count of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the USCG Investigative Service and the Special Agents and NYPD Detectives assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey W. Coyle is in charge of the prosecution.

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

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