Husband-and-Wife Team of Licensed Immigration Attorneys Prepared Fraudulent Asylum Affidavits and Coached Clients to Lie Under Oath

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ILONA DZHAMGAROVA and ARTHUR ARCADIAN were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil for their roles in an immigration fraud conspiracy.  DZHAMGAROVA, a leader of the scheme and an immigration lawyer, was sentenced to two years in prison, and ARCADIAN, also an attorney, was sentenced to six months in prison. 

According to the Indictment, other documents filed in this case, and statements made in open court:

Between November 2018 and December 2021, ILONA DZHAMGAROVA, an immigration attorney, ran the Dzhamgarova Firm, an immigration services firm based in Brooklyn, New York.  The Dzhamgarova Firm worked with clients — primarily aliens from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States — seeking visas, asylum, citizenship, and other forms of legal status in the United States.  Among other things, the Dzhamgarova Firm advised certain of its clients regarding the manner in which they were most likely to obtain asylum in this country, fully understanding that those clients did not legitimately qualify for asylum.  The firm also prepared and submitted to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) clients’ fraudulent Form I-589 asylum applications, asylum affidavits — statements of an asylum applicant’s personal history and claimed basis for asylum, often including allegations of past persecution — and related supporting documentation.  Members and associates of the firm also coached certain clients to lie under oath during interviews conducted by USCIS Asylum Officers and provided legal representation to their clients during various immigration proceedings.

Among other things, DZHAMGAROVA advised clients to seek asylum by falsely claiming that they were members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community who suffered persecution in their native countries, when DZHAMGAROVA fully understood that these clients were not members of that community and suffered no such persecution.  Additionally, DZHAMGAROVA and her husband, ARTHUR ARCADIAN, also an attorney, prepared and submitted clients’ fraudulent asylum applications and affidavits to USCIS, under penalty of perjury, fully understanding that these documents at times contained material falsehoods.  DZHAMGAROVA, ARCADIAN, and others, including co-defendant Igor Reznik, also coached certain clients to lie in asylum interviews conducted by USCIS asylum officers and represented these clients as they lied under oath during immigration proceedings.

The Dzhamgarova Firm also employed writers, including Reznik, who knowingly concocted and drafted clients’ fraudulent asylum affidavits so that they could be submitted as part of clients’ asylum applications.  These affidavits, which were designed to support clients’ persecution claims, conveyed narrations of clients’ personal histories that were filled with falsehoods, including events and incidents of alleged persecution that were fabricated by Reznik and his co-conspirators. 

DZHAMGAROVA, 46, and ARCADIAN, 44, both of Brooklyn New York, previously pled guilty on January 25, 2023, before Judge Vyskocil to immigration fraud conspiracy.  As part of their sentences, DZHAMGAROVA was sentenced to two years of supervised release, ordered to forfeit $540,000, and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine, and ARCADIAN was sentenced to two years of supervised release, ordered to forfeit $1,500, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Reznik, 41, of New York, New York, who also previously pled guilty to immigration fraud conspiracy, is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Vyskocil on June 7, 2023. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force, USCIS’s New York Asylum Office and Fraud Detection and National Security Unit, and Homeland Security Investigations.  Mr. Williams thanked United States Customs and Border Protection for its assistance.

Governor Hochul Announces NY Green Bank Has Surpassed $2 Billion in Financial Commitments

 

NY Green Bank Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Supporting Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Energy Storage, and Sustainable Transportation

Investments Expected to Mobilize Up to $5.5 Billion and Reduce Emissions in Support of Nation-leading Climate Goals and an Equitable Clean Energy Transition

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced NY Green Bank, a division of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the largest green bank in the country, has surpassed $2 billion in cumulative financial commitments in support of the State's transition to clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The state-sponsored financing entity has a growing portfolio of transactions supporting building decarbonization, clean energy, energy storage, sustainable transportation, and other sustainable infrastructure, which are expected to mobilize up to $5.5 billion in public and private investments. These investments advance the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce emissions 85 percent by 2050 with commitments in a variety of sectors supporting the Climate Act goal to ensure at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of benefits from clean energy investments be directed to Disadvantaged Communities.

"New York is proud to be home of one of the nation's leading green banks which has been instrumental in providing early support for clean energy sectors, including community solar, energy storage and building electrification," Governor Hochul said. "The NY Green Bank surpassing $2 billion in financial commitments highlights the state's commitment to a renewable and clean energy transition that will create a greener New York for all."

NY Green Bank reached self-sufficiency earlier than expected in July 2017 with revenues exceeding operating expenses. Projects supported by NY Green Bank to date are estimated to result in lifetime reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 41 million metric tons, the equivalent of taking more than 416,600 cars off the road for 24 years.

NY Green Bank President Andrew Kessler said, "NY Green Bank is proud to kick off the celebration of our 10-year anniversary by sharing that we have exceeded $2 billion in investments for clean energy and sustainable infrastructure across the state including meeting our investment goal three years ahead of our target. This significant accomplishment reinforces NY Green Bank's critical role in advancing the State's ambitious climate goals by addressing funding gaps and animating private sector activity in clean energy markets."

As of May 2023, NY Green Bank has completed 123 transactions which serve to address financing gaps by creating replicable and scalable precedents that draw private and institutional lenders and investors into less familiar asset classes and project types. Their completion of some of the earliest transactions in the community solar market is a leading example of how NY Green Bank has worked to expand private sector activity in this important asset class.

Recent key transactions include:

• The Arlington at Poughkeepsie - $21 million construction-to-term loan to support the first phase of development of the rehabilitation and electrification of a former school into a new all-electric development with apartments and commercial space in Poughkeepsie, New York.
• Frederick Samuel Apartments in New York City - $12 million to finance predevelopment expenses associated with the rehabilitation of the New York City Housing Authority's (NYCHA's) Frederick Samuel Apartments located in Harlem, New York. This transaction was NY Green Bank's first predevelopment loan for a NYCHA Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) project and will contribute to the preservation of 664 units of affordable housing across 40 buildings.
• Hecate Energy LLC - $60 million participation in a $250 million term loan that will finance the development of solar and battery storage projects across New York State. By supporting Hecate's growth throughout the State, this transaction builds a strong precedent for further financings of large development pipelines.
• Sunrun Inc. - $19 million additional commitment in support of a $160 million revolving credit facility to finance the purchase of eligible solar and storage equipment. This innovative loan product provides access to capital earlier in the residential solar and storage project lifecycle to support solar/renewables development and growth in New York State.
• Tenet Energy, Inc. - $10 million revolving warehouse facility for EV loans originated in New York State, helping to make electric vehicles more affordable for New Yorkers, while establishing a precedent for capital market participants seeking to expand their sustainable transportation activity.

Public commitments include: $100 million for building electrification and energy efficiency projects in buildings located in and/or serving disadvantaged communities; $150 million for clean energy improvements in affordable housing properties; $200 million toward energy storage-related investments; and $100 million in financing to help clean transportation businesses locate or expand in New York State, with a goal to achieve these investment targets by 2025.

NY Green Bank will continue its 10-year anniversary celebration throughout 2023 by sharing market sector case studies from key transactions in the past decade on social media and highlight regions of the state where investments are providing benefits to communities. Please visit NY Green Bank's website to learn more about its mission, recent transactions, and clean energy financing products.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues fostering a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2021 and a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York's climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution interventions and combat climate change.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Tonight! Financial Literacy - Networking - Drinks - Great Food

 

When: Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 5:00pm Where: Fokkus Room & Cocin 138 West Fordham Road Bronx, NY 10468 Registration: This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Councilmember Pierina Sanchez - District 14, and NYC Department of Small Business Services for an evening on financial literacy and tips on how you can make smart decisions to benefit your bottom line. The evening will feature food, drinks, and conversation as well as a deep dive into financial decision making, business advice, and how emerging professionals can build wealth with strong financial planning. Panelists include: Quincy Luzunaris Founder | President at Kredit Koncepts kreditkoncepts.com Quincy has been educating people on the concepts of credit repair, credit building and financial freedom for over 13 years. His store front is located on Castle Hill. He currently spends a lot of time working with local bronx schools teaching kids about financial literacy and financial freedom.   Chris Munoz Founder | President at Level Up Enterprises Is a community leader and financial educator. Through his online ecosystem built on the discord platform he has over 2500 members and 50k+ social media following. He teaches financial literacy through educating others on how to participate in the stock market and other investment opportunities via technology. - Also Works for Microsoft, creates trading bots and business automations. (Digital entrepreneur)    Miguel Matos Founder | Founder of Tax Focused Collab The importance of financial literacy in navigating one of the complex tax environments NYC. Miguel is an expert on tax strategies & small business compliance issues. John Cerini Founder | Bronx Tax Man Corporation John has an extensive background in the financial world as an Insurance Broker, Tax Preparer and Real Estate Broker and a Notary Public. John offers Auto, Home and Life Insurance through Capital Shield Agency. Capital Shield is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. Through Capital Shield, John represents great insurance companies such as Travelers, Progressive, Stillwater, Kingstone and more. John has over 30 years’ experience and will highlight the importance of financial literacy in navigating one of the complex tax environments NYC expert on tax strategies & small business compliance issues.

Register - Click Here

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!

Affordable Housing Lottery Launches For Bronx Point Phase 1 At 575 Exterior Street In The South Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Bronx Point Phase 1, a 22-story mixed-use building at 575 Exterior Street in the South Bronx. Designed by S9 Architecture and developed by L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects, and BronxWorks, the structure yields 542 residences, 56,000 square feet of community facility space, 12,000 square feet of retail space, and will serve as the home of the Universal Hip Hop Museum. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 432 units for residents at 30 to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $18,515 to $198,600.

Amenities include a 24-hour attended lobby, elevator, bicycle storage, shared laundry room, gym, community center, children’s playroom, and outdoor terrace. There are also educational and community facilities available to residents, including the Universal Hip Hop Museum. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 30 percent of the AMI, there are 17 studios with a monthly rent of $465 for incomes ranging from $18,515 to $32,040; 32 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $591 for incomes ranging from $23,178 to $36,030; 16 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $700 for incomes ranging from $27,772 to $43,230; and 16 three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $800 for incomes ranging from $32,092 to $49,650.

At 50 percent of the AMI, there are 21 studios with a monthly rent of $866 for incomes ranging from $32,263 to $53,400; 43 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,092 for incomes ranging from $40,355 to $60,050; 22 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,301 for incomes ranging from $48,378 to $72,050; and 22 three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,494 for incomes ranging from $55,886 to $82,750.

At 80 percent of the AMI, there are 46 studios with a monthly rent of $1,466 for incomes ranging from $52,835 to $85,440; 50 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,842 for incomes ranging from $66,069 to $96,080; 33 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,201 for incomes ranging from $79,235 to $115,280; and 33 three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,534 for incomes ranging from $91,543 to $132,400.

At 120 percent of the AMI, there are 25 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,166 for incomes ranging from $77,178 to $144,120; 36 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,892 for incomes ranging from $102,926 to $172,920; and 20 three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,332 for incomes ranging from $118,903 to $198,600.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 30, 2023.

MAYOR ADAMS, DC 37 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GARRIDO ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF FLEXIBLE WORK PILOT FOR CITY EMPLOYEES

 

First-of-Its-Kind Pilot Will Allow Eligible City Employees to Work Remotely Up to Two Days Per Week

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and District Council 37 (DC 37) Executive Director Henry Garrido today announced the launch of a flexible work pilot program for city employees. The flexible work pilot agreement, signed yesterday, May 31^st, allows eligible employees to work remotely for up to two days per week — providing greater flexibility for city workers while ensuring the administration continues to “Get Stuff Done” for New Yorkers.

 

“As we make this shift into a post-pandemic reality for offices, we must do it in a thoughtful way in partnership with our union leaders,” said Mayor Adams. “I have always said that any flexible work programs the city offers must acknowledge the reality that there are some roles that cannot be performed remotely. This new pilot program will protect core services that New Yorkers rely on while offering city workers additional flexibility in their schedules. I thank DC 37 for their partnership through this process.”

 

“We heard DC 37 workers loud and clear over the course of our latest round of contract negotiations and agreed to establish a flexible work committee as part of the agreement,” said New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion. “This pilot program we are launching today is a testament to our collaboration with DC 37, and we want to thank Henry Garrido and his team for their partnership.”

 

“The world of work has changed, and this remote-hybrid pilot is one tool in our arsenal to provide a flexible workplace that still delivers the best services for New Yorkers,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “Thank you to the members of the Flexible Work Committee, including our Local presidents and DC 37 staff, for conducting due diligence and representing the interests and varied needs of our membership. The committee will continue to review City agencies’ plans for implementing hybrid work along with compressed tours, flex time and other alternative schedules for those members whose job functions are not conducive to remote work. We’re appreciative of the partnership with Mayor Adams and Commissioner Campion for bringing this pilot program to life.”

 

Under the contract agreement between the city and DC 37, the parties agreed to establish a Work Flexibility Committee to discuss work flexibility and other measures to enhance employee morale and recruitment and retention. The parties set a joint goal of establishing a pilot program by June 1, 2023.

 

The city will work closely with DC 37 on implementation at the agency level. Employee participation in the pilot is strictly voluntary. The city and DC 37 have also agreed to continue meeting to discuss alternative work flexibility measures for those employees whose job functions are not eligible for remote work.

 

The program will run until May 31, 2025, and will be renewed for a year thereafter if both parties agree.

Governor Hochul Announces $500 Million Investment in FY 2024 Budget to Bolster New York’s Child Care Workforce

 

Application for Workforce Retention Grant Program to Benefit 150,000 Caregivers Set to Open July 13

Additional Child Care Investments In FY 2024 Budget Include Support for Employers to Create and Expand Child Care Options and an Expansion of Empire State Child Credit to Help Support Nearly 630,000 More Children

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $500 million investment in the FY 2024 Budget to bolster New York’s child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant Program. Funding from the program will support 150,000 child care workers and can be used to provide bonus payments ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 to staff in caregiving roles, as well as to recruit new staff, offer sign-on and referral bonuses, and more. Applications will open on July 13. Governor Hochul made the announcement in Brooklyn during a visit to Vivvi, a child care provider based in New York City. The Governor also highlighted additional investments in the Budget to make child care more affordable and expand access for families across New York.

“As the first mother to serve as Governor of New York, I know first-hand the impact that the lack of affordable child care can have on a family,” Governor Hochul said. “Child care is truly at the foundation of New York’s success, which is why it is central to our work to make the state more affordable and more livable. I’m proud of the investments in child care we have made in this Budget to make care more accessible for families, grow our workforce, and make a down payment on the future of our state.”

The FY 2024 Budget created the Workforce Retention Grant Program, which will make $500 million in underutilized federal funds available as grants for eligible child care programs. Funding can be used to provide bonus payments ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 to staff in caregiving roles, as well as to recruit new staff, offer sign-on and referral bonuses and more. Applications for the Workforce Retention Grant Program will open on July 13.

As part of a historic investment in families and child care, the FY 2024 Budget also includes a $4.8 million investment in a new Employer-Sponsored Child Care Pilot Program. Participating employers, the state and employees will split the cost of child care. Families must fall between 85 percent and 100 percent of the state median income to qualify. The pilot will operate in three separate regions throughout the state.

The FY 2024 Budget established a new Employer Child Care Tax Credit available to businesses that create new child care seats (and expand existing options) for workers. The $25 million annual credit will be administered through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

Additionally, $1 million was allocated in the Budget to create a statewide business navigator program in each of the 10 Regional Economic Development Council regions to help interested businesses identify options to support employees’ child care needs and will also develop a statewide employer child care guidebook.

The FY 2024 Budget also invests in New York's families by expanding the Empire State Child Credit (ESCC) to include children under four years of age. This expansion will provide $179 million in total support for over 525,000 low and middle-income taxpayers thanks to the inclusion of nearly 630,000 additional children. The ESCC, which has excluded children under four since its inception in 2006, will now provide an additional average benefit of $340 per affected taxpayer and $284 per newly included child.

The FY 2024 Budget investments build on Governor Hochul’s long record of making child care fairer, more accessible, and more affordable in New York State. As Governor, she continues to work to overhaul the child care system. In addition to those outlined above, child care investments include:

• A four-year, $7.6 billion commitment to improving the child care assistance program through raising the income limit to the maximum allowed by federal law, making over 100,000 additional New York families eligible. Families participating in the Child Care Assistance Program will also see child care costs limited to 1 percent of the total family income above the poverty line. The State will increase the number of allowable annual absences from 24 to 80 in an effort to standardize eligibility for child care assistance across the local districts.
• Creating a statewide electronic child care assistance application.
• Streamlining the application process for those enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
• Incentivizing supply building by favoring applications for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that incorporate child care facility space.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review!

Last week, we joined with Council Member Shahana Hanif in support of Resolution 550, designating the month of May as Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus is a chronic illness that disproportionately affects women of color, and it is important that we bring visibility to this disease and those who are most impacted by it. Thank you, Council Member Hanif, for your partnership in pushing this resolution forward as well as Speaker Adams and all the members of the City Council who voted in support of Reso 550.

We also joined with the Literacy Academy Collective at Latino Pastoral Action Center for an information session about the importance of literacy and the South Bronx Literacy Academy. SBLA, set to open its doors in the Fall of 2023, is a new public school designed for struggling readers. Studies show that more than 60 percent of fourth graders in the United States are not proficient readers. We are grateful that Literacy Academy Collective is combatting this by designing and supporting NYC schools to bring evidence-based literacy instruction into the classroom. For more information on the South Bronx Literacy Academy and how to enroll, click here.

Also, be sure to join us tomorrow, June 1st at 12PM for our Pride Month Flag Raising and Awards Ceremony at Bronx Borough Hall.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

IN THE COMMUNITY

Thank you to everyone who came out to our first-ever Bronx Taste of  Africa celebration at Bronx Community College! The contributions of  the African community to our Borough cannot be overstated. Thank  you for all your contributions to the Bronx! Thank you also to BCC, Bronx Economic Development Corporation,  Morris Heights Health Center and our African Advisory Council for  their partnership in bringing this event to the Bronx!

Thank you NYC Mayor Adams for signing Intro 891A into law.  Intro 891A will allow sports venues throughout New York  City to conduct raffles for charitable purposes during professional  or collegiate sporting competitions by providing certain  exemptions regarding advertising, the value of prizes, the sale  of alcohol on the premises, the cost of admission to the premises,  the number of raffles that may occur within one calendar year,  and the length of a license period. This will be a game changer for the non-profits that service our  communities. Allowing them to raise necessary funds in  collaboration with our New York Yankees.

I was proud to join with my colleagues in government and housing  advocates for the Jerome Court Housewarming Celebration. This new mixed-use building includes 175 units, 105 of which  are supportive housing units, 69 affordable housing and 1  superintendent unit. This affordable and supportive development was a part of our  blueprint in the Jerome Avenue Neighborhood Plan when we were  in the New York City Council and I am proud to see all the progress  we have made in bringing quality, safe housing to our borough. Thank you to Services for the Underserved, Inc., Bronx Pro Group  LLC, HPD, HRA, DCP, Enterprise, TD Bank and the entire team  for working to bring this space to the Bronx. UPCOMING EVENTS

Release of Body Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on January 17th, 2023 in the confines of the 48th Precinct.

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on January 17th, 2023 in the confines of the 48th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here