British Citizen Extradited From Morocco For Defrauding Investors Of More Than $36 Million

Renwick Haddow misappropriated investor funds and made false and misleading representations to investors in Bitcoin Store, Inc., Bar Works Inc., and related entities he controlled

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that RENWICK HADDOW has been extradited to the United States from Morocco and is expected to appear in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York today.  HADDOW was charged by Complaint in June 2017 for engaging in schemes to defraud victims by making material misrepresentations and misappropriating investment funds in companies created by HADDOW called Bitcoin Store Inc. (“Bitcoin Store”) and Bar Works Inc. (“Bar Works”), as well as related entities HADDOW controlled.  In July 2017, HADDOW was arrested in Morocco on the basis of a provisional arrest warrant for participating in these schemes.

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1]:

RENWICK HADDOW is a citizen of the United Kingdom. From November 2014 through June 2017, HADDOW solicited investments in start-up companies he created and controlled, including Bitcoin Store — a purported online platform for purchasing, selling, and storing the digital currency known as “Bitcoin”—and Bar Works, which purports to be a company that adapts former restaurants, bar premises, and other locations into co-working spaces.  When doing so, HADDOW made material misrepresentations about, among other things, the management, operations, and historical performance of those companies.

For example, HADDOW concealed his interest in Bitcoin Store and fabricated the purported “experienced team of leading investment professionals” working at the company.  In connection with Bar Works, HADDOW adopted the alias “Jonathan Black” to further hide his role in the schemes.  HADDOW claimed that “Jonathan Black” had an extensive background in finance and had a role in setting up “Car Share,” a car-sharing app.

HADDOW solicited investments through agent brokers and through his control of InCrowd Equity Inc. (“InCrowd”), which represented itself as a type of crowdfunding portal through which investors could purchase shares of start-ups supposedly vetted by InCrowd.  HADDOW did so without disclosing to investors that he had an ownership interest in both InCrowd, on the one hand, and Bitcoin Store and Bar Works, on the other.  HADDOW also misappropriated without permission funds purportedly invested in Bitcoin Store and Bar Works for his own use and the use of others.

RENWICK HADDOW, 49, has been charged with two counts of wire fraud — one relating to the Bitcoin Store scheme and the other relating to the Bar Works scheme.  Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the FBI and thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has brought civil actions against the defendant, for its assistance.  Mr. Berman also thanked Moroccan Ministry of Justice, the General Directorate of National Security of Morocco, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, the United States Marshals Service, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and noted that the investigation is continuing.  

[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.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Distribution Of More Than $500 Million To Victims Of Madoff Ponzi Scheme

Payments Are the Second Distribution in a Series of Payments That Together Will Constitute the Largest Payment of Forfeited Funds in the History of the Department of Justice’s Victim Compensation Program

  Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that the Madoff Victim Fund established by the Department of Justice began its second distribution of $504.2 million in funds forfeited to the United States Government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (“BLMIS”) fraud scheme.  These funds will be sent to more than 21,000 victims worldwide, the second of two payments totaling nearly $1.3 billion that the Madoff Victim Fund will return to victims.  More than $4 billion in assets have been recovered as compensation for losses suffered by the collapse of BLMIS, following the largest fraud in history.  Another $5 billion in assets recovered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office are being separately paid to Madoff victims through the BLMIS Customer Fund administered by the Securities Investor Protection Act Trustee.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Bernie Madoff committed history’s largest Ponzi scheme.  This Office prosecuted Madoff himself, and others who helped perpetrate his fraud, and continues to vigorously pursue money recoveries for his victims.  Today’s payment of more than $500 million is this Office’s second installment in a series of distributions that represent our ongoing commitment to find relief for victims of Madoff’s heinous crimes.”

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said: “In one of the most notorious and unconscionable financial crimes in history, Bernie Madoff robbed tens of thousands of individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations and others, all the while funding a lavish personal lifestyle.  Through the use of asset forfeiture, the Department of Justice has recovered over $4 billion of Mr. Madoff’s fraud, and we continue to work to compensate those he defrauded.  Last June, the Department approved more than 39,000 petitions for compensation.  Today, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Department returns more than a half-billion dollars to nearly 22,000 law-abiding people and organizations. We cannot undo the damage that Bernie Madoff has done, but today’s distribution will provide significant relief to many of the victims of one of the worst frauds of all time.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “While today’s distribution of funds is indeed historical in scope, we understand no amount of money could ever restore the damage done by Madoff as a result of his selfish behavior and unforgivable financial crimes. To all of his many victims and their families, we realize this gesture may not provide the consolation necessary to remove the pain and suffering you have been brought to bear, but we are hopeful it provides some sense of relief, and we remain committed to achieve justice for all victims of inexcusable financial crimes.”

Since the early 1970s, BERNARD L. MADOFF (“MADOFF”) used his position as Chairman of BLMIS, the investment advisory business he founded, to steal billions from his clients.  On March 12, 2009, MADOFF pled guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family, and select members of his inner circle.  On June 29, 2009, United States District Judge Denny Chin sentenced MADOFF to 150 years in prison for running the largest fraudulent scheme in history.  Judge Chin ordered MADOFF to forfeit $170,799,000,000 as part of MADOFF’s sentence. 

The Madoff Victim Fund is funded through recoveries by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in various criminal and civil forfeiture actions, and is overseen by Richard Breeden, the former Chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, in his capacity as Special Master appointed by the Department of Justice to assist in connection with the victim remission proceedings.  

Of the approximately $4.05 billion that will be made available to victims through the Madoff Victim Fund, approximately $2.2 billion was collected as part of the civil forfeiture recovery from the estate of deceased MADOFF investor Jeffry Picower.  An additional $1.7 billion was collected as part of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. for MADOFF-related Bank Secrecy Act violations.  Additional funds were collected through criminal and civil forfeiture actions against MADOFF and his co-conspirators, and certain MADOFF investors.

Mr. Berman praised the work of the FBI and the Madoff Victim Fund, and thanked the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division for their assistance.   

For more information about the Madoff Victim Fund, compensation to victims of BLMIS, eligibility criteria, and payment information, please visit www.madoffvictimfund.com

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Best of the Bronx Annual Gala - Wednesday April 18th

Our Annual Gala is 

Quickly Approaching.

See you all on 

Wednesday, April 18th!

News from Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda

 

NYPD NCO PROGRAM EXPANDING TO TRANSIT

Praise to Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD for announcing this week its expansion of the Neighborhood Coordination Officer program from local precincts to subway stations covered by Transit District 12 in the east Bronx, as well as a transit district in Brooklyn. Having them on patrol in our subway stations means someone you know will be making sure your commute is safe and sound.” The theft of cel phones, laptops and exposed jewelry has been a leading cause of high grand larceny numbers in the subway system. Outreach by Transit police to educate riders makes total sense to drive those numbers down. And I am especially glad the program is being initiated in Transit District 12, which covers several neighborhoods in my Assembly district. Transit District 12 covers the following lines and stations: No. 2 and 5 lines: 3rd Avenue-149th Street, Jackson Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Intervale Avenue, Simpson Street, Freeman Street, 174th Street, West Farms Square-East Tremont Avenue, East 180th Street, Bronx Park East, Pelham Parkway, Allerton Avenue, Burke Avenue, Gun Hill Road, 219th Street, 225th Street, 233rd Street, Nereid Avenue, Wakefield-241st Street, Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Gun Hill Road, Baychester Avenue, Eastchester-Dyre Avenue No. 6 line: 3rd Avenue-138th Street, Brook Avenue, Cypress Avenue, East 143rd Street-St. Mary's Street, East 149th Street, Longwood Avenue, Hunts Point Avenue, Whitlock Avenue, Elder Avenue, Morrison-Sound View Avenues, St. Lawrence Avenue, Parkchester, Castle Hill Avenue, Zerega Avenue, Westchester Square-East Tremont Avenue, Middletown Road, Buhre Avenue, Pelham Bay Park    AT THE 43rd PRECINCT COUNCIL MEETING Speaking at the monthly meeting of the 43rd Precinct Community Council, which recently held a highly successful annual appreciation breakfast, attended by Police Commissioner James O'Neill and other brass. This very active precinct council meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.at the precinct, at 900 Fteley Ave., with guest speakers, updates on local crime and crime prevention tips. The public is invited to ask the precinct commander and his officers any questions they may have about public safety issues. If you are concerned about your community and quality of life, I urge to attend a meeting.

We had a great turnout for our job fair April 5 at the Sonia Sotomayor Community Center in Soundview, with about 300 job seekers showing up to interview with about 80 potential employers for jobs in healthcare, government, the general contracting industry, retail, finance, public service, business, Summer Youth Employment, technology training and job placement, and many more. Let's hope a lot of jobs came out of it. And by the way, the next job fair will be Wednesday, May 9.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There is a photo of Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo with his choice to replace Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and the current 87th A.D. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.  We have decided not to post the photo or the name of the person that the Bronx Communist Party, (excuse us) Bronx Democratic Party has chosen many weeks before the 87th Assembly seat is even vacant. when we asked Comrade Crespo what if Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda does not win the Special election for the 32nd State Senate seat, Comrade Crespo replied "Then I guess we have no candidate". Our apologies to current Assemblyman and candidate for the 32nd State Senate seat Luis Sepulveda, but if he is going along with the charade of Comrade Crespo we will take that apology back.

STATEMENT BY CYNTHIA NIXON CAMPAIGN SENIOR STRATEGIST REBECCA KATZ IN RESPONSE TO CUOMO’S ATTACK ON COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

  “Andrew Cuomo putting his personal political ambitions over the needs of grassroots organizations fighting for racial and economic justice tells you everything you need to know about him. And it shows just how terrified he is of Cynthia Nixon.”

Wave Hill Events April 27‒May 4 Arbor Weekend!

Fri, April 27    Garden Walk: Notable Trees of Wave Hill

Wave Hill’s landscape includes magnificent old trees, rare species and native beauties. Wander through the gardens on this special walk with Senior Director of Horticulture Louis Bauer to see some of his favorites from the living collection. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Weekend event. 

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM

Sat, April 28    Family Art Project: Barking up a Wave Hill Tree

With wax crayons and paper in hand, visit some of Wave Hill’s treasured trees and have a tactile experience making simple, but rich, bark rubbings. Using these inspired rubbings, work with burlap, cheesecloth, bits of leather, craft paper and yarn to create a collection of rich textures and bark-inspired designs. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Arbor Weekend event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, April 28    In The Shop: Maple Syrup Tasting

In honor of Arbor Weekend, stop in The Shop to sample some of the distinctive flavors of maple syrup. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Weekend event.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Sat, April 28    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, April 28    Neighborhood Walk: The Trees of Fieldston

The historic district of Fieldston is home to more than 1,000 street trees, many dating to the early 1900s. Senior Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day leads a walk through this leafy neighborhood to appreciate the variety and quality of this urban woodland. Walk ends at Wave Hill. $20; 10% discount to Wave Hill Members. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Arbor Weekend event. 

WALK BEGINS OFFSITE, 11AM–1PM

Sat, April 28    Junior Arborist Station

Kids are invited to don tree-climbing harnesses and hardhats and ascend into the canopy of our old sugar maple tree to get a bird’s-eye view of Wave Hill. Arborists from Almstead Tree, Shrub & Lawn Care are on hand to assist budding arborists as well as answer questions about the big, old trees at Wave Hill. Ages five and older welcome with an adult. This program is generously sponsored by Almstead Tree,  Shrub & Lawn Care. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Arbor Weekend event. 

ON THE GROUNDS, 11AM–3PM

Sat, April 28    Garden Walk: Trees and the Designed Landscape

Trees play an integral role in landscape design, from defining garden spaces to softening architecture and acting as focal points. Take a spring stroll with Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer to see how trees enhance the design of the gardens at Wave Hill. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Weekend event. 

MEET AT THE PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM

Sat, April 28    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Avifauna: Interplay of Birds + Habitatfeatures artworks that delve into the relationship between birds and their habitats—from the role birds play in propagating plants to changes in how natural and built environments affect migration patterns. Artists working in photography, video, artist books, wall painting, installation, drawing and sound include Tatiana Arocha, Tanya Chaly, Marna Chester, Nina Katchadourian, Paula McCartney, Jeff Mertz, Peter Morgan, Sarah Nicholls, James Proseck, Jenna Spevek and Fred Tomaselli. In the Sunroom Project Space, Adrienne Elise Tarver builds tactile plant sculptures that create an immersive, sheltering landscape. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, April 29    Family Art Project: Barking up a Wave Hill Tree

With wax crayons and paper in hand, visit some of Wave Hill’s treasured trees and have a tactile experience making simple, but rich, bark rubbings. Using these inspired rubbings, work with burlap, cheesecloth, bits of leather, craft paper and yarn to create a collection of rich textures and bark-inspired designs. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Weekend event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, April 29    In The Shop: Maple Syrup Tasting

In honor of Arbor Weekend, stop in The Shop to sample some of the distinctive flavors of maple syrup. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Weekend event.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Sun, April 29    Wellness Workshop: Nature’s Medicine Cabinet—The Healing Power of Trees

Working with herbalist Tina Triburgo of Tina’s Tinctures, learn about the healing power of alternative remedies made from tree parts—bark, berries, roots and more—and go home with samples, recipes and resources for creating products on your own. Concludes with an herbalist-led walk in the garden to see plants used in the workshop. $55; 10% discount to Wave Hill Members. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Arbor Weekend event. 

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 11AM–1PM

Sun, April 29    Totally Trees Family Walk

Wave Hill boasts a collection of extraordinary, stately and old trees. Through observation and inquiry, discover how trees grow by looking at a tree’s parts and the role each part plays in a tree’s life cycle. With trees as your inspiration, venture across the grounds with Environmental Educator Olivia Kalin. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Weekend event. 

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1PM

Sun, April 29    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Sun, April 29    Cooking Demo: Cooking with Maple Syrup

Discover creative ways to cook with maple syrup, the delectable sweetener made from native sugar maple trees. Senior Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day explains the maple-sugaring process while a chef from Wave Hill exclusive catererGreat Performances prepares delicious maple-flavored dishes. Free with admission to the grounds. Arbor Weekend event. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

Mon, April 30

Closed to the public.

Tue, May 1    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, May 1    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Avifauna: Interplay of Birds + Habitatfeatures artworks that delve into the relationship between birds and their habitats—from the role birds play in propagating plants to changes in how natural and built environments affect migration patterns. Artists working in photography, video, artist books, wall painting, installation, drawing and sound include Tatiana Arocha, Tanya Chaly, Marna Chester, Nina Katchadourian, Paula McCartney, Jeff Mertz, Peter Morgan, Sarah Nicholls, James Proseck, Jenna Spevek and Fred Tomaselli. In the Sunroom Project Space, Adrienne Elise Tarver builds tactile plant sculptures that create an immersive, sheltering landscape. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

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

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES DROP IN NYC POVERTY RATE

141,000 fewer New Yorkers in poverty or near poverty in 2016 compared with 2013

  The Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity today released its annual New York City Government Poverty Measure report, which shows that both the poverty rate and the near-poverty rate (the percentage living below 150% of New York City’s poverty threshold) have decreased since last year’s report. Today’s report shows a drop in the near-poverty rate to 43.5% in 2016, which is a 1.6 percentage point decline from 2014’s rate of 45.1 percent. The report also demonstrated that New Yorkers in actual poverty has declined since 2014, from 20.6% to 19.5%. Poverty is at its lowest level since the Great Recession. In 2016, there were 141,000 fewer New Yorkers in poverty or near poverty than there were in 2013, surpassing prior projections and indicating that the City is on pace to reach its goal of moving 800,000 people out of poverty or near poverty by 2025.  

“We’re always working to make this city fairer for everyone, and it’s promising to see there are fewer New Yorkers living in or near poverty,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From Pre-K for All to paid family and sick leave to the most ambitious affordable housing plan in the city’s history, we are working to provide opportunities that will make a lasting difference in the lives of New Yorkers. Today’s report shows real progress toward our goal of lifting 800,000 New Yorkers out of poverty or near poverty by 2025.”

Both the poverty rate and the near poverty rate have fallen significantly since Mayor de Blasio took office in 2014.  The drop in poverty was broadly felt across many groups of New Yorkers, and included decreases in the poverty rate for black New Yorkers, adults working part time, and families with children under 18, among others.

The City’s NYCgov poverty measure is updated annually. This year’s report uses the most recently available information from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and is augmented by the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. It offers a more precise measure for policy makers than the official U.S. poverty measure.

Highlights from this year’s Poverty Report include:

·       The NYCgov Poverty Rate for 2016 was 19.5%, down from 19.9 % in 2015.

·       The NYCgov At or Near Poverty Rate for 2016 was 43.5%, down from 44.2% in 2015.

·   From 2014 to 2016, the following groups experienced significant declines in their poverty rates:

o   Working Age Adults (19.7 percent in 2014 to 18.3 percent in 2016)

o   Blacks (21.3 percent in 2014 to 19.2 percent in 2016)

o   Asians (26.6 percent in 2014 to 24.1 percent in 2016)

o   Families with one full time and one part time worker (14.8 percent in 2014 to 12.8 percent in 2016)

o   Unmarried childless adults (20.8 percent in 2014 to 17.1 percent in 2016)

“At Operations, we track progress on the Administration’s public commitments, including its ambitious goal of moving 800,000 New Yorkers out of poverty or near poverty by 2025. As we continue to increase equity across our city, the 1.2 percentage point reduction in the New York City poverty rate shows we’re making progress,” said Emily W. Newman, Acting Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations.

“Poverty and near poverty are down, and that is good news for New York City,” said Matthew Klein, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “Reducing poverty is a critical part of the City’s goal to be the fairest big city in America.  We have much more progress to make, but the findings in this report show that we are headed in the right direction.” 

“The NYCgov poverty measure continues to be a unique tool in New York City’s efforts to lower the poverty rate,” said Christine D’Onofrio, Director of Poverty Research for the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “Mayor de Blasio’s commitments to affordable housing, better wages, good jobs and fair access to public benefits address the main sources of poverty identified in this data.”

The decrease in the poverty rate has been accompanied by other positive trends. The economy grew steadily in 2016, with more New Yorkers holding jobs. Median household income in New York City has increased 7.8% since 2014. Income in the bottom 20^th percentile has increased 4.0% from 2014, adjusted for inflation. A significant factor in the decline in poverty has been increases in the minimum wage, which the City lobbied for at the state level.

In addition, the City has many initiatives aimed at increasing equity and fairness. These programs include Pre-K for All, which gives every 4-year-old in the city access to early education and saves families money; paid family leave and paid sick leave; ACCESS NYC, a portal designed to help New Yorkers apply for benefits; and Housing New York, the largest and most ambitious plan to build and preserve affordable housing in the nation.

     

The NYCgov poverty measure was developed to provide a more precise portrait of poverty in New York City than official U.S. poverty measure. It takes into account the cost of living in New York City, including the higher cost of housing, and counts as income those programs that supplement New Yorkers’ income, such as tax credits and SNAP benefits—elements that are not taken into account in the federal measure. Additionally, the U.S. Official poverty measure has remained largely unchanged for 50 years. New York City is the only U.S. city that calculates its own poverty rate using this more precise measure.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

  It is great to see the figures from 2016, but this is mid April 2018. 

Where are the 2017 numbers? 

Or did they go up?

Bronx Democratic Party - Judicial Screening Process Now Open!

The Independent Judicial Screening Committee of Bronx Democratic Party (IJSC) is currently accepting applications is currently accepting applications for all of the elected judicial positions that will occur in the 2018 election in and for The Bronx and the City of New York. 

All potential candidates for Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York and Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York must complete and submit a 2018 questionnaire. Questionnaires must be completed and submitted no later thanFriday, April 27th at 4:00 p.m. to the offices of Bronx Democratic Party headquarters located at 1640 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461.

Candidates who qualify will be interviewed by a judicial screening panel between May 5th and 6th, 2018, at the Bronx Democratic Party headquarters. 

For more information on the application process, please visit: http://bronxdems.org/ijsc/ 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted that the Bronx Democratic Party usually endorses incumbents. 

Since this is for the Democratic Primary in September, this should apply to all open seats only for the September Democratic Primary.

It must be noted that current Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda is a candidate favored to win the 32nd State Senate Special election to be held on April 24th 2018. That would result in a vacant 87th Assembly seat which should also be screened for the upcoming September Primary election. 

However this is the Bronx, and Bronx Democratic County Leader (and Dictator) Marcos Crespo has already selected a candidate for the 87th Assembly seat without any interviews, even before the 87th Assembly seat is vacant. When asked if Assemblyman Sepulveda should lose the special election 'Comrade Crespo' replied "I Guess then We Have No Candidate".

We would suggest to anyone who may be seeking the endorsement of the Bronx Communist/Democratic Party the following. If you don't already have 'Comrade' Crespo's endorsement, your not going to get it.