Bronx Man Pleads Guilty To Laundering $1.5 Million In Fraud Proceeds From Business Email Compromises And Romance Scams Targeting Elderly For Ghana-Based Criminal Enterprise

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced that ALHASSAN IDDRIS LARI, a/k/a Hassan Lari, pled guilty today to conspiring to commit money laundering and operating an unlawful money transmitting business, in connection with his involvement from at least in or about 2014 through in or about 2020 with a Ghana-based criminal enterprise that has fraudulently obtained millions of dollars through business email compromises and romance scams that targeted the elderly.  The plea was entered in front of U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels.  LARI is the seventh defendant to plead guilty in the case. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Alhassan Lari and his co-defendants operated an online criminal enterprise whose profile included romance schemes targeting the elderly. Navigating the anonymous world of the internet, and especially online dating, is oftentimes complicated enough without the added peril of fraudsters lurking to scam would-be daters. This case exemplifies the need to always remain alert and cautious on the internet – especially when being asked for money by a stranger, don’t hesitate to swipe left.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  "Manipulating someone's belief in finding love and then stealing their money is not only criminal, but unbelievably cruel. Mr. Lari and his band of thieves targeted the elderly population, using their age as a weapon to break the law. These fraudsters not only used romance to scam people, they employed business email compromise schemes, a fast-growing cyber threat to which everyone should pay close attention. We can hold these people accountable, even in far-away countries, if we have help from the public. If you know someone who has been scammed, or if you believe you may be a victim, contact us at IC3.gov to report it to us."

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen said: “IRS Criminal Investigation uses financial investigative expertise to pursue those individuals who engage in corruption as demonstrated in this case by Mr. Lari. Money laundering and fraud constitutes a serious threat to our communities and to the integrity of our financial system; today’s plea is an example of how the FBI and the IRS continue to work together as a formidable team to prosecute these offenders.”

According to the Indictment and other filings and statements at public court proceedings in the case:

From at least in or about 2014 through in or about February 2020, LARI was a member of a  criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in the Republic of Ghana (“Ghana”) that committed a series of business email compromises and romance scams against individuals and businesses located across the United States, including in the Southern District of New York.  LARI, while in the Bronx, New York, received or otherwise directed the receipt of at least approximately $1.5 million in fraud proceeds of the Enterprise in cash from co-conspirators or directly from victims through bank accounts he controlled.  Several of these bank accounts were opened using a shell shipping company, in order to avoid detection and hide the fraudulent nature of the transactions.  Once LARI received the fraud proceeds in bank accounts under his control, he withdrew, transported, and laundered those fraud proceeds to other members of the Enterprise, including those located in Ghana. 

LARI also operated an unlicensed money transmitting business located in the Bronx, New York used by co-conspirators of the Enterprise to facilitate and transfer fraud proceeds from the United States to co-conspirators in Ghana.                                                     

LARI, 48, a citizen of both the United States and Ghana, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, and one count of operation of an unlawful money transmitting business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  LARI will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels on June 16, 2021.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Other defendants in this case who have been sentenced include Muftau Adamu, a/k/a “Muftau Adams,” a/k/a “Muftau Iddrissu,” 32, of the Bronx, New York, who was sentenced to 51 months in prison on June 7, 2019; Prince Nana Aggrey, 45, of the Bronx, New York, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison on May 10, 2019; and Assana Traore, 41, of the Bronx, New York, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison on October 8, 2019.   Adamu and Aggrey each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and Traore pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money.  Each of the defendants was sentenced by United States District Judge Denise L. Cote.  

Any businesses or individuals who believe they may have been the victim of a business email compromise or a romance scam or have information regarding such crimes should file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (“IC3”) at https://www.ic3.gov or contact their local FBI office.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and IRS-CI.  Ms. Strauss also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana, for their assistance in this case. 

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sagar K. Ravi and Mitzi S. Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.

Governor Cuomo Announces Lowest Daily Positivity Rate Since November 28; Net Hospitalizations Drop 553 Over Last Week COVID-19 Stats FEBRUARY 4, 2021

 

7,967 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide - Lowest Since January 2

1,506 Patients in the ICU; 986 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.38% - Lowest Daily Statewide Rate Since November 28

Lowest 7-Day Average Positivity Since December 3 - 27 Consecutive Days of Decline

All Regional 7-Day Avg. Positivity Below 6%

135 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

Governor Cuomo: "As we enter into Super Bowl weekend, we cannot get cocky with COVID."

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the lowest COVID-19 daily positivity rate since November 28, with net hospitalizations dropping 553 over the last week. 

"The good news is New York's numbers continue to show progress as the holiday surge recedes," Governor Cuomo said. "Our positivity rate has been steadily declining, and that success is a reflection of New Yorkers' commitment to defeating this beast. We know the weapon to win the war is the vaccine and more and more needles are getting in arms every day, but the federal supply is still not enough. This has been a long road, but I commend New Yorkers for their determination through it all. As we enter into Super Bowl weekend, we cannot get cocky with COVID - we must remain vigilant: be smart, wear a mask, socially distance and stay New York Tough."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 169,186
• Total Positive - 7,414
• Percent Positive - 4.38%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.72%
• Patient Hospitalization - 7,967 (-115)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week -  -553
• Patients Newly Admitted - 961
• Hospital Counties - 57
• Number ICU - 1,506 (-16)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 986 (-17)
• Total Discharges - 130,302 (+924)
• Deaths - 135
• Total Deaths - 35,767

THE BRONX DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS PROUD TO ENDORSE ALTHEA STEVENS FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 16

 

 The Bronx Democratic Party announced today its endorsement of Althea Stevens in the City Council District 16 race. This seat is currently held by Council Member Vanessa Gibson who is term-limited. Council District 16 covers the neighborhoods of Claremont, Concourse, Concourse Village, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Mount Eden, and Morrisania. 

“Althea Stevens has demonstrated throughout her career to be tenacious in the pursuit of service for our communities. She has been an advocate for some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers and is incredibly well equipped to represent Council District 16 in an era where recovery from COVID will be paramount in the future of our city,” said Chairman Jamaal T. Bailey.

“Her work throughout the Bronx has left a positive impact on many young people; notably, those young folks who initially inspired her to run, knowing she had the tools required to lead in such a time. I look forward to the work she’ll accomplish when elected to the New York City Council. Her energy will translate to success for her district, and we are proud to announce our endorsement of Althea Stevens for District 16 from the Bronx Democratic Party,” he added.

“Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that the Bronx stands united to demand an equitable recovery and a better future. I am happy to have the support of the Bronx Democratic Party, I look forward to collaborating with Bronx leaders to uplift and build a better Bronx,” said Althea Stevens

EDITOR' NOTE:

Other candidates in the 16th City Council race are Abdourahamane Diallo, Ahmadou T. Diallo, Yves T. Filius, Uniqua S. Smith, and Eric Stevenson.

One has to wonder why 77th A.D. Male District Leader Yves T. Filius was not endorsed, when the Bronx Democratic Party has endorsed 81t A.D. Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz in the March 23rd Special Election for the 11th City Council race.

New York Hedge Fund Founder Pleads Guilty To Bankruptcy Fraud In Connection With Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced today that DANIEL KAMENSKY, the founder and manager of New York-based hedge fund Marble Ridge Capital (“Marble Ridge”), pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud in connection with his scheme to pressure a rival bidder to abandon its higher bid for assets in connection with Neiman Marcus’s bankruptcy proceedings so that Marble Ridge could obtain those assets for a lower price.  KAMENSKY pled guilty before United States District Judge Denise Cote.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Daniel Kamensky abused his position as a committee member in the Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy to corrupt the process for distributing assets and take extra profits for himself and his hedge fund.  Kamensky predicted in his own words to a colleague: ‘Do you understand…I can go to jail?’… ‘this is going to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.’ His fraud has indeed come to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and now has been revealed in open court.”

As alleged in the Complaint, the Information, and statements made in court:           

DANIEL KAMENSKY was the principal of Marble Ridge, a hedge fund with assets under management of more than $1 billion that invested in securities in distressed situations, including bankruptcies.  Prior to opening Marble Ridge, KAMENSKY worked for many years as a bankruptcy attorney at a well-known international law firm, and as a distressed debt investor at prominent financial institutions.

The Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy

Neiman Marcus, an American chain of luxury department stores with stores located across the United States, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) in May 2020.  At the outset of the bankruptcy, Marble Ridge, through KAMENSKY, applied to be on the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Committee”) and was thereafter appointed to be a member of the Committee.  As a member of the Committee, KAMENSKY had a fiduciary duty to represent the interests of all unsecured creditors as a group.

During the bankruptcy process, the Committee had negotiated with the owners of Neiman Marcus to obtain certain securities, known as MyTheresa Series B Shares (the “MYT Securities”), and ultimately, the Committee was successful in coming to a settlement to obtain 140 million shares of MYT Securities for the benefit of certain unsecured creditors of the bankruptcy estate.  In July 2020, KAMENSKY was negotiating with the Committee for Marble Ridge to offer twenty cents per share to purchase MYT Securities from any unsecured creditor who preferred to receive cash, rather than MYT Securities, as part of that settlement.

KAMENSKY’s Fraudulent Scheme

On July 31, 2020, KAMENSKY learned that a diversified financial services company headquartered in Manhattan, New York (the “Investment Bank”) had informed the Committee that it was interested in bidding a price between thirty and forty cents per share—substantially higher than KAMENSKY’s bid—to purchase the MYT Securities from any unsecured creditor who was interested in receiving cash.

That afternoon, KAMENSKY sent messages to a senior trader at the Investment Bank (“IB Employee-1”) telling him not to place a bid, and followed those messages up with a phone call with IB Employee-1 and a senior analyst of the Investment Bank (“IB Employee-2,” and collectively the “Employees”).  During that call, KAMENSKY asserted that Marble Ridge should have the exclusive right to purchase MYT Securities, and threatened to use his official role as co-chair of the Committee to prevent the Investment Bank from acquiring the MYT Securities.  KAMENSKY also stated that Marble Ridge had been a client of the Investment Bank in the past but that if the Investment Bank moved forward with its bid, then Marble Ridge would cease doing business with the Investment Bank.

The Investment Bank thereafter decided to not make a bid to purchase MYT Securities and informed the legal advisor to the Committee of its decision.  The Investment Bank further told the legal advisor they made that decision because KAMENSKY—a client of the Investment Bank—had asked them not to.

Advisors to the Committee informed counsel for Marble Ridge of their call with the Employees, and after speaking with KAMENSKY, counsel for Marble Ridge falsely informed the advisors that KAMENSKY had not asked the Employees not to bid, but instead had told them to place a bid only if they were serious.  Later that evening, KAMENSKY contacted IB Employee-1 and attempted to influence what IB Employee-1 would tell others, including the Committee and law enforcement, about KAMENSKY’s attempt to block the Investment Bank’s bid for the MYT Securities.  KAMENSKY said at the outset of the call, in substance, “this conversation never happened.”  During the call, KAMENSKY asked IB Employee-1 to falsely say that IB Employee-1 had been mistaken and KAMENSKY had actually suggested that the Investment Bank only bid if it was serious, and made comments including the following:  “Do you understand…I can go to jail?”  “I pray you tell them that it was a huge misunderstanding, okay, and I’m going to invite you to bid and be part of the process.”  “But I’m telling you…this is going to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  This is going to go to the court.”  “[I]f you’re going to continue to tell them what you just told me, I’m going to jail, okay? Because they’re going to say that I abused my position as a fiduciary, which I probably did, right? Maybe I should go to jail. But I'm asking you not to put me in jail.”

During a subsequent interview with the Office of the United States Trustee, which was conducted under oath and in the presence of counsel, KAMENSKY stated that his calls to IB Employee-1 were a “terrible mistake” and “profound errors in lapses of judgment.”

After this series of events, Marble Ridge resigned from the Committee and has advised its investors that it intended to begin winding down operations and returning investor capital.

KAMENSKY, 48, of Roslyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  Sentencing has been scheduled for May 7, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Strauss praised the work of the FBI.  Ms. Strauss further thanked the Office of United States Trustee and the Securities and Exchange Commission for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation. 

Attorney General James Delivers More Than $573 Million to Communities Across the Nation to Fight Opioid Crisis

 

Nearly Every State in Nation Reaches Agreement Holding McKinsey & Company Accountable for Role in Fueling Opioid Crisis with Purdue Pharma

New York to Receive More Than $32 Million for Opioid Abatement

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today co-led a coalition of nearly every attorney general in the nation in delivering more than $573 million toward opioid treatment and abatement to stem the opioid crisis that has ravaged families across the country. An agreement and consent judgment with McKinsey & Company — one of the world’s largest consulting firms — filed today resolves investigations by the attorneys general into the company’s role in working for opioid companies, helping those companies promote their drugs, and profiting millions of dollars from the opioid epidemic. The funds from today’s agreement — more than $32 million of which will go to New York state — will be used towards abating the effects of excessive opioid use in the participating states. This is the first multistate opioid agreement to result in substantial payment to states to address the crisis.

“McKinsey’s cynical and calculated marketing tactics helped fuel the opioid crisis by helping Purdue Pharma target those doctors they knew would overprescribe opioids,” said Attorney General James. “They knew where the money was coming from and zeroed in on it. Under the terms of today’s agreement, the company will finally end its illegal conduct, deliver more than half a billion dollars into communities across the nation, and will never be able to help perpetrate this type of fraud and deception again. While no amount of money will ever compensate for the pain of the hundreds of thousands dead, the millions addicted, and the countless families torn apart from opioid addiction, we can ensure that those responsible for the crisis help to fund prevention, education, and treatment programs to stop additional New Yorkers and Americans across the country from becoming addicted to opioids in the first place. This is just the beginning of our fight for justice for victims, and we will continue to do everything in our power to prevent the industry from hooking more patients and causing yet additional harm.”

In addition to providing more than $573 million, minus payment of costs, to address the opioid crisis, today’s agreement — filed simultaneously by 47 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories — calls for McKinsey to release tens of thousands of its internal documents detailing its work for OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma, as well as other opioid manufacturers, for public disclosure online. Additionally, McKinsey agreed to adopt a strict document retention plan, continue its investigation into allegations that two of its partners tried to destroy documents in response to investigations of Purdue Pharma, implement a strict ethics code that all partners must certify each year, and stop advising companies on potentially dangerous opioid-based Schedule II and III narcotics. 

Today’s filing describes how McKinsey contributed to the opioid crisis by promoting marketing schemes and consulting services to opioid manufacturers, including Purdue Pharma, for over a decade. Filed with today’s agreement is a complaint laying out McKinsey’s marketing tactics that detail how the company advised Purdue and members of the Sackler family — who control Purdue — on how to maximize profits from its opioid products, including targeting high-volume opioid prescribers, using specific messaging to get physicians to prescribe more OxyContin to more patients, and circumventing pharmacy restrictions in order to deliver high-dose prescriptions. Acting in concert, McKinsey, Purdue, and the Sacklers sold millions of doses of Purdue’s opioids in New York in violation of New York law.

When states began to sue Purdue’s directors for their implementation of McKinsey’s marketing schemes, McKinsey partners began emailing about deleting documents and emails related to their work for Purdue.

The opioid epidemic has caused massive harm to individuals and communities in New York and in states across the nation over the last 20 years. During this time, nearly 500,000 Americans have died from an opioid overdose, including more than 20,000 New Yorkers. On an economic level, these deaths — and the impacts on New Yorkers who have struggled with opioid use — have created significant costs to New York in the form of health care, child welfare, criminal justice, and many other programs needed to lessen the epidemic. It has also resulted in lost economic opportunity and productivity. On the social level, opioid addiction, abuse, and overdose deaths have torn families apart, damaged relationships, and eroded the social fabric of communities. 

Today’s agreement is the latest action Attorney General James has taken to combat the opioid epidemic and to hold accountable those who are responsible for creating and fueling the crisis. In March 2019, Attorney General James filed a lawsuit to hold accountable the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid epidemic. The manufacturers named in the complaint included Purdue Pharma and its affiliates, members of the Sackler Family (owners of Purdue) and trusts they control, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its affiliates (including its parent company Johnson & Johnson), Mallinckrodt LLC and its affiliates, Endo Health Solutions and its affiliates, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates, and Allergan Finance, LLC and its affiliates. The distributors named in the complaint are McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation, and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc. The cases against Purdue, Mallinckrodt, and Rochester Drug are now all in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Attorney General James’ lawsuit expanded on an earlier suit, filed in August 2018 by the Office of the New York Attorney General, against Purdue Pharma for a decades-long and continuing pattern of deceptive, illegal conduct in the marketing of the opioid OxyContin.

BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARCEL D. CLARK ANNOUNCES DISMISSAL OF CHARGES IN ALLEGED SEX ABUSE OF FDNY EMT AND RELEASES VIDEO OF INCIDENT SHOWING SUSPECT HAD APPARENT SEIZURE

 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that her office dismissed charges against a Bronx man accused of groping an FDNY Emergency Medical Services technician at a fire scene, after surveillance video and other evidence established that there was indeed a medical emergency involving a seizure. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “I will not tolerate assaults on first responders, who courageously serve our city, especially during this pandemic; and I will not prosecute anyone unless there is evidence to support charges. After an intensive investigation, we have dismissed and will not charge forcible touching, sex abuse or felony assault on a police officer, firefighter or EMS professional, against Aaron Cervantes-Mejia. He was the subject of a false narrative that spread quickly through the media and social media.” 

The investigation also included interviews of people who have witnessed Mr. Cervantes-Mejia suffer multiple seizures in the past during which he grabbed at anything within reach. Furthermore, a review of medical records confirmed a history of seizures where on at least one prior occasion he was transported to a hospital by EMS for treatment of a seizure.  The Bronx District Attorney’s Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau and NYPD Bronx Special Victims Squad reviewed surveillance video from a nearby store camera that shows Mr. Cervantes-Mejia, 52, stagger and fall in a crosswalk at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Westchester Avenue as he was walking to work at 7:06 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Passersby stopped to assist and waved over EMTs that were across the street on Westchester Avenue. A female EMT responded to the requests for help. Mr. Cervantes-Mejia is seen lying on the ground in the crosswalk and grabs the EMT’s clothing in what appears to be the throes of a seizure. The EMT moved his hand away without any assistance while covered in protective gear from head to toe. Mr. Cervantes-Mejia did not appear to have control of his hands.

The investigation also included interviews of people who have witnessed Mr. Cervantes-Mejia suffer multiple seizures in the past during which he grabbed at anything within reach. Furthermore, a review of medical records confirmed a history of seizures where on at least one prior occasion he was transported to a hospital by EMS for treatment of a seizure.

On Thursday, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office deferred prosecution and released Mr. Cervantes-Mejia pending investigation. 

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting those who serve our city as members of the FDNY and EMS. In 2018, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office secured guilty pleas to Manslaughter in the marijuana grow house explosion that killed FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, in an extremely rare instance in which someone was held criminally responsible for conditions that caused the death of a firefighter in the line of duty in New York City. The prosecution of Jose Gonzalez for the murder of EMT Yadira Arroyo in 2017 is pending. 

The video can be viewed through this link: https://youtu.be/sB8rO3JAN9Q

331 Days and Counting

 

331 days left until Mayor Bill de Blasio is term limited out.

Partnership for Parks News

 

HIGHLIGHTS

It’s Our Park: 25 Years of Communities in Action A virtual opening of our first-ever exhibition entitled It’s Our Park: 25 Years of Communities in Action.

Featured speakers include PfP Founder Tim Tompkins, PfP Director Sabina Saragoussi, City Parks Foundation Executive Director Heather Lubov, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, and others who will discuss the past, present, and future of parks.  Wednesday, February 17 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm REGISTER

What Can We Learn? Leading Community Groups during COVID-19 Hear from experienced community leaders who’ve navigated challenges in 2020 and have wisdom to share on fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and working with NYC Parks.

We will also invite leaders like YOU to share experiences leading community efforts in times of crisis. Thursday, February 25 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm REGISTER

COASTAL CLASSROOM AFTER SCHOOL Using multimedia virtual lessons and authentic learning experiences students will learn about the ecology of the aquatic ecosystems in NYC waterfront parks and the species living in them. FREE

For 6th to 8th grade students  Start Date: March 17th-8 Weekly Virtual Sessions on Wednesdays or Thursdays 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm APPLY

WE'RE HIRING! Partnerships for Parks is looking for two Catalyst Program organizers. Check out this opportunity to work with us. Click the link for details and instructions on how to APPLY

COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Bronx River Alliance Annual Virtual Assembly 2021 Please join us for our annual Assembly in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Bronx River Alliance. We will reflect on the years of successful partnerships and the milestones we’ve achieved. We’ll like to open the floor to any guests who would like to share their 2021 visions so if interested, please contact us to reserve a slot. info@bronxriver.org Date/Time:  Thursday, February 4, 7:00am-8:30pm Location: Virtual (Zoom Link)  More info: Contact: RSVP to get zoom link in invitation   Frisch Field Community Input Meeting Wednesday February 17, 6:00pm Virtual Meeting:  Please Join us to share your thoughts on the reconstruction of Frisch Field. The meeting information will be provided to the registered applications one hour before the start of the event. Registration Link: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/community-input-meetings/10483 Must Register by: Wednesday February 17, at 5:00pm. Goble Playground Community Input Meeting Tuesday February 23, 6:00pm Virtual Meeting:  Please join us to discuss your ideas for the reconstruction of Goble Playground. The meeting information will be provided to the registered applications one hour before the start of the event. Registration Link: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/community-input-meetings/10484 Must Register by: Tuesday February 23, at 5:00pm. SAVE THE DATE:  The 27th Bronx Parks Speak Up The Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces invites you for an all-virtual Speak Up. The Speak Up is an annual community networking conference for park and environmental stakeholders. We’ll have tabling, a candidates forum, presentations, and workshops. Date/Time:  Saturday, February 27, 10:00am-1:30pm Location:  Virtual  More info: www.bronxspeakup.org, FB Bronx Speak Up Page Contact: bxspeakup@gmail.com GRANTS AND RESOURCES All in Neighborhood Grants Citizens Committee for New York City  Grassroots organizations responding to the immediate needs of struggling New Yorkers will receive unrestricted grants of up to $10,000 to open food pantries, distribute surgical masks, arrange elderly check-ins, or design other projects to meet their neighborhoods’ urgent needs amid the COVID-19 crisis. This grant program is a renaming of their keystone Neighborhood Grants program, which for decades has been awarding micro-grants to resident-led groups to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Grants supported projects in arts, health, environmental justice, beautification, tenants’ rights, and more.  Deadline: Application process opening in February 2021  Link: Learn more here! American Honda Foundation - Scientific Education  American Honda Foundation The American Honda Foundation supports youth education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; the environment; job training; and literacy. Grants range from $20,000 to $75,000. The 2021 deadlines for organizations that have never received funding from the foundation are February 1 and August 1. Click here for more information regarding eligibility. Deadline: February 1, 2021 - August 1, 2021 Link: Learn more here! NBC Universal’s Project Innovation  NBC Universal  Grants support local nonprofits that are helping to move communities forward by encouraging a culture of equity and inclusion, creating pathways for individuals to participate and volunteer in community engagement efforts, fostering the next generation of storytellers and providing youth with the tools they need to succeed across multiple disciplines including entrepreneurship. Deadline: February 12, 2021 Link: Learn more here! The New York City Council - Discretionary Funding  New York City Council The New York City Council is accepting applications for community organizations interested in applying for discretionary funding for the upcoming fiscal year. Deadline: February 16, 2021 Link: Learn more here! The New York Yankees Stadium Community Benefits Fund Bronx Yankee Fund Description: The New Yankees Stadium Community Benefits Fund’s mission is to give grants to improve the quality of life in the Bronx by addressing civic, socioeconomic and or educational needs and providing recreational, social arts, health, and cultural opportunities. They are offering three different types of grant opportunities to support education, health, cultural arts, and recreation. Small Grants- $500- $1,500; Sports Equipment Grants-$500-$2,500; and Large Grants- $1,500-$15,000. Your organization must be based in the Bronx. Please read the application eligibility requirements.  Deadline: Feb. 19. 2021 -  Sports Equipment March 26.2021 - Spring Link: Learn more here!