Yonkers Man Sentenced To 18 Years In Prison For Robbery, Firearms, And Narcotics Offenses

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that FERNANDO RA was sentenced to 18 years in prison today in connection with robbery, firearms, and narcotics offenses.  RA previously pleaded guilty on June 2, 2021, before United States District Judge P. Kevin Castel.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “With today’s sentence, Fernando Ra will spend 18 years in federal prison for his admitted role in the brutal and violent kidnapping and torture of his victims.  This case illustrates yet again how violence goes hand in hand with the illegal drug trade.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who engage in drug trafficking and violence.”

According to the Superseding Indictment and other publicly filed documents, on October 3, 2020, RA and his co‑conspirators kidnapped, restrained, robbed, and savagely assaulted two victims, using firearms and baseball bats to beat them.  RA also used a knife to carve the letter “Z” into the skin of one of victims, an apparent reference to Los Zetas, the notoriously violent Mexican drug cartel.  RA claimed that the victims owed Los Zetas a narcotics debt, and that he was attacking the victims on behalf of Los Zetas.

In addition to the kidnapping and robbery, RA also participated in a related conspiracy to traffic between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine from May 2020 through November 2020.

In addition to today’s prison sentence, RA, 26, of Yonkers, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the New York Division of the DEA, and Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  Mr. Williams also thanked the DEA Buffalo Resident Office and the Paterson (New Jersey) Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 2, 2022

 

Lowest Hospitalizations Since November 10

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Under 2%

19 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"New York State has made great strides in our fight against COVID as hospitalizations and case rates continue to fall," Governor Hochul said. "However, we need to remain vigilant, and by doing the right thing we can keep our friends and families safe and healthy. Vaccines are our best defense against serious illness from COVID-19, and I encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as you can, and to get your children vaccinated if they are eligible."    

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Test Results Reported - 129,162
• Total Positive - 2,124
• Percent Positive - 1.64%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.84%
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,832 (-26)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 229
• Patients in ICU - 310 (-13)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 166 (-10)
• Total Discharges - 286,132 (+227)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 19
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 54,760

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.  

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 69,347    

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.  

**The number of vaccinations and boosters administered in the last 24 hours reflects a database correction.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 37,045,391
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 28,021
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 297,413
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.8%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 85.6%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.7%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 71.6%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.2%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.2%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.0%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.6%   

Bronx Jewish Center Celebrates Purim Thursday March 17 at 6:00 pm

 

The Bronx Jewish Center located at 1969 Haight Avenue Bx, NY 10461 is inviting the entire Bronx and Westchester to the Party of the year!! Join us on Thursday March 17 at 6:00 pm for live music ,festive catered meal, cookies galore, hamantashen, ,children’s entertainment. What more can you ask for? Come in costume and win a prize!

Special guest appearance by famous ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner .

For more info and to RSVP please visit www.bronxjewishcenter.org OR

call 718-812-1701

A note about reproductive health legislation failing in the Senate.

 

Friend —

On Monday, Senate Republicans blocked a vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation that, if passed, would have codified Roe v. Wade at the federal level.

Let’s be clear: abortion is healthcare, and the right to an abortion is under attack.

In recent months, we’ve seen Republican legislators in states like Texas and Georgia pass restrictive legislation making it very difficult to access abortion services. And the conservative-majority Supreme Court is likely to formally overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming months. Of course, people of color and economically disadvantaged individuals will be disproportionately hurt by these dangerous policies.

This is a dire situation, and Democrats must act quickly and decisively to protect access to abortion services on a federal level.

That starts with abolishing the filibuster so that the Women’s Health Protection Act can get a fair vote in the Senate, and expanding the Supreme Court to restore ideological balance.

Reproductive healthcare is an issue that’s personally important to me. I challenged former State Senator Jeff Klein in 2018 because I was frustrated by his and the IDC’s attempts to block the passage of progressive legislation, including legislation codifying the right to a legal abortion. 

In 2019, after the IDC was brought down, I joined other Democrats in the New York legislature to finally pass a bill codifying the right to an abortion. But abortion being legal doesn’t mean it’s accessible to all, so I introduced legislation that would allow New Yorkers to make a gift to a statewide abortion fund via their tax forms.

Now, it’s time for Democrats in Congress to follow our state’s lead by doing everything in their power to pass legislation legalizing abortion.

For too long, members of our party have prioritized playing it safe over actually getting things done for everyday Americans — while Republicans have shown over and over again that they’ll do anything to get their agenda passed.

I won’t rest until we abolish the filibuster, expand the Supreme Court, and make abortion legal, safe, and accessible for all.

– Alessandra

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We are trying to understand this message from current State Senator Biaggi. First she states it is the fault of Republicans in the U.S. Senate. She then gives herself a pat on the back for defeating former State Senator (and IDC leader) Jeff Klein while saying that she joined with other Democrats in the state senate to pass a bill that rearranged existing law for the right to an abortion. Then she says that Democrat in Congress need to follow New York State's lead to pass legislation legalizing abortion. 

Senator Biaggi's last sentence say it all however when she say she wants to expand the Supreme Court, a system that was in place since September 24, 1789, and has had nine judges with the exception of  the years 1865  - 1869 when there were only seven judges on the Supreme Court after President Lincoln was assassinated. We also wonder id congressional candidate Biaggi understands what State's Rights are? 

NYS OASAS Announces Availability of Funding to Support Addiction Prevention Workforce in New York State

 

Funding Will Allow Providers to Establish Paid Internship Positions to Strengthen the Prevention Workforce with Emphasis on Diversity in New York State

 The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports today announced the availability of up to $1 million in funding for OASAS certified and funded Prevention providers to establish and support paid internship positions. Providers can receive up to $21,000 under this initiative, which is focused on attracting diverse individuals into the prevention field and providing them a pathway towards a professional credential.

“Prevention is a vital part of the OASAS continuum of care, and it is important that we support the providers who deliver these services,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “This initiative will strengthen the prevention workforce and make it easier to recruit qualified and dedicated people to this rewarding field, while also providing them with a comprehensive learning and development program.”

The Paid Prevention Internship Opportunity (PPIO) program is intended to recruit talented, skilled, knowledgeable, and diverse staff to the field. This allows the providers to gain dedicated workers, allows the workers to receive valuable job experience and development, and provides an entry-level path towards a professional credential such as a Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) or Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS).

A key objective of this program is for providers to recruit interns to meet the needs of the populations and communities they serve.  Applications that identify efforts to recruit Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ, refugee and other minority groups will receive additional points in scoring. This program will also foster collaboration between our Prevention Provider system and College/University diversity programs, and employment training programs like SUNY EOC’s.

This funding will be awarded through a Request for Applications administered by OASAS, which is available to view here. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2022.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

Attorney General James Fends Off NRA’s Repeated Efforts to Dismiss Fraud Lawsuit

 

New York County State Supreme Court Rejects NRA’s Second Attempt to Dismiss AG James’ Lawsuit

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after Justice Joel Cohen of the New York County State Supreme Court rejected a second round of motions brought forward by the National Rifle Association (NRA), Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre, and Corporate Secretary and General Counsel John Frazer as they sought to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Attorney General James against the organization in August 2020:

“Today, the court affirmed my office’s right to pursue its long-standing claims that fraud, abuse, and greed permeate through the NRA and its senior leadership. While we’re heartened that the judge rejected the NRA’s attempts to thwart most of the claims in our case against the NRA, we are disappointed that the judge ruled against the dissolution portion of the case. We are considering our legal options with respect to this ruling. We remain committed to enforcing New York law regardless of how powerful any individual or organization may be.”

In today's decision, the court let stand all of the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) claims of self-dealing, abuse, and unlawful conduct by LaPierre, who has been at the helm of the NRA for three decades. Similarly, the court rebuked the efforts by Frazer to dismiss him from the case, finding that OAG’s allegations that Frazer violated his obligations as the NRA’s General Counsel for failing to address conflicts of interest and respond to whistleblowers who alerted the NRA to systemic financial wrongdoing were valid. The court also held that OAG’s claims against the NRA for false regulatory filings and failing to address conflicts of interest will proceed. 

In August 2020, Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against the NRA and four of the organization’s current or former top executives for failing to manage the NRA’s funds; failing to follow numerous state and federal laws, as well as the NRA’s own bylaws and policies; and contributing to the loss of more than $64 million in just three years. The suit was filed against the NRA as a whole, as well as LaPierre, Frazer, former Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips, and former Chief of Staff and Executive Director of General Operations Joshua Powell.

The NRA then moved to dismiss Attorney General James’ complaint in its entirety, stay the action, and change the venue to an Albany court. This past January, the New York County State Supreme Court ruled that the case be permitted to continue in a Manhattan court, and not be moved to an Albany court or dismissed outright.

Days before that ruling, in an effort to avoid accountability altogether, the NRA filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy even though the organization still claimed to have healthy financial reserves. In May, a federal bankruptcy court in Texas rejected the organization’s claims of bankruptcy after the NRA sought to reorganize in Texas, finding that the NRA had filed for bankruptcy to avoid regulators and stating, “that the NRA did not file the bankruptcy petition in good faith.”

DEC RELEASES DRAFT RECOVERY PLAN FOR HUDSON RIVER AMERICAN SHAD

 

Public Comments Due May 2 on Plan Highlighting Restoration Progress and Remaining Challenges for Ecologically Important Species

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of the draft Recovery Plan for Hudson River American shad for public comment. American Shad is an economically and ecologically important migratory fish species that once supported a robust fishery in the Hudson River. Decades of intense fishing pressure coupled with years of low reproduction and non-fishing-related mortality events have further impacted the stock’s resilience and exacerbated declines. 

“American Shad is an iconic Hudson River species and I’m proud of DEC’s efforts to restore their population,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “Today’s release of DEC’s draft Recovery Plan for Hudson River American Shad highlights actions taken to date and outlines a transparent and science-based roadmap to reopening fisheries as the population recovers."  

Native and colonial Americans fished for shad for sustenance often smoking the flesh and consuming the roe as a delicacy. American shad continued to be an important recreational and commercial fishery throughout the 20th Century. However, Hudson stock declined, and as a result, all recreational and commercial fisheries for American shad were closed in 2010.

Highlights of the draft recovery plan include:

• Annual monitoring to support an up-to-date understanding of Hudson River American shad stock status; 
• Short- and long-term recovery goals and benchmarks; and 
• Fishery reopening thresholds that would prompt the development of a Sustainable Fishery Management Plan. 

Since 2010, DEC, federal, and local partners have taken measures to address the Hudson River American Shad stock including:

• Development of Delaware Basin American Shad Sustainable Fishing Plans in 2016 and 2022; 
• Initiation of a shad bycatch monitoring project with Cornell University; and
• Reduction of shad mortality at Hudson River water intakes through plant closures and intake improvements.

The public is invited to provide comments on the draft Recovery Plan, available on the DEC website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/hudsonshadplan.pdf, until May 2, 2022. Comments, questions, or requests for copies of the draft plan should be sent by e-mail with the subject line “Shad Recovery Plan” to hudsonriverfish@dec.ny.gov or by regular mail to ElizaBeth Streifeneder, NYSDEC - Hudson River Fisheries Unit, 21 S. Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, NY 12561. Please call (845) 633-5466 with questions regarding how to submit comments.

Additional information about American Shad can be found on the DEC website at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/62510.html.

MAYOR ADAMS DELIVERS $20 MILLION IN DEBT RELIEF TO FORMER BERKELEY COLLEGE STUDENTS

 

Berkeley Also Required to Institute New Policies, Entrance Counseling, and Submit to Auditing for Two Years

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced an agreement with Berkeley College that will deliver $20 million in debt relief to former students of one of the largest for-profit colleges in New York state. The agreement stems from a 2018 lawsuit filed by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), which asserted that, to generate revenue, Berkeley engaged in aggressive recruiting tactics designed to prey on the hopes and dreams of consumers seeking improved career prospects and greater financial security. 

“Education is key to economic mobility, so the last thing students need is to be deceived by the educational institutions they are trusting to help improve their lives,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “For years, Berkeley College preyed on students just to pad their bottom line. I’m proud of our team at the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for Berkeley students and delivering them $20 million in debt relief. Our city will remain vigilant against all those who seek to take advantage of New Yorkers simply trying to better care for themselves and their families.”

 

“From aggressive recruiting tactics to tricking students into debt, Berkeley College engaged in serious deception that harmed working class students hoping to gain an education,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “Thanks to the steadfast commitment of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Berkeley students are getting some much-needed relief.”

 

“For-profit colleges are businesses, and, like most businesses, their top priority is generating profits,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “But this case sends a strong message to Berkeley and other for-profit schools that New York City will not tolerate practices that prey on the hopes and dreams of New Yorkers and bury them in student loan debt. We look forward to bringing this relief and change in practices to Berkeley’s students.”

 

This agreement stems from a lawsuit filed by the DCWP in 2018 after it conducted dozens of interviews with current, prospective, and former students; several undercover operations; and review of thousands of pages of documentation from Berkeley.

 

In its lawsuit, DCWP alleged that Berkeley’s deception included:

• Lying about federal student loans;
• Tricking students into taking out loans directly from Berkeley;
• Deceiving students about institutional grants;
• Falsely disparaging competitors;
• Deceiving students about transfer credits, majors, and careers;
• Concealing costs from students until it is too late for them to withdraw;
• Collecting debt that was not owed;
• Lying on court filings about when debt accrued;
• Concealing its identity from former students when collecting debt;
• Lying to former students about legal judgments; and
• Deceiving former students about re-enrollment.

 

The settlement — which has been approved by the New York County State Supreme Court —requires Berkeley to:

• Cease collection on any outstanding debt that was incurred before January 1, 2019, which, collectively, Berkeley estimates is valued at $20 million;
• Pay $350,000 to the city, which DCWP plans to use to pay restitution to impacted consumers;
• Produce a random sample of recorded admissions interviews to DCWP on a monthly basis for two years to review for material misstatements; and
• Institute policies related to 1) admissions interviews and financial aid counseling for incoming and enrolled students, 2) notifying students about transfer credits and financial aid issues, 3) communicating with students about debt owed to Berkeley, and 4) making sure statutes of limitation on debt collection are observed.

 

DCWP will also be referring those receiving restitution to DCWP’s New York City Financial Empowerment Centers, where they can meet one-on-one with financial counselors. Berkeley College is one of the largest for-profit colleges in New York State with approximately 4,000 enrolled students. Those who were students at Berkeley prior to January 1, 2019 and have questions about the terms of this settlement or whether it applies to them should contact DCWP.

 

Enforcement is one prong of DCWP’s efforts to help New Yorkers struggling with student loan debt, which also include education and advocacy. DCWP has released a series of seven reports about student loans that includes where borrowers live, who is most negatively impacted by student loans, and the impact that student loans have on borrowers’ lives. To help student loan borrowers understand how COVID-19 pandemic relief impacts their loans, DCWP created Important Information for Student Loan Holders: Automatic Payment Suspension and Other Relief During COVID-19. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, federal student loan payments are currently suspended, without interest or penalties, until May 1, 2022. DCWP encourages New York borrowers to visit a New York City Financial Empowerment Center to discuss their options if their financial situation has changed and/or they are unable to afford payments. Counselors can help borrowers enroll in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan if eligible, which tends to offer payments that are more affordable than the standard repayment plan. To schedule an appointment or to download tips on how to avoid student loan debt distress, borrowers can visit nyc.gov/StudentLoans.