Sixteen Members Of Own Every Dollar Gang Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses

Charges Include Five Murders, Twelve Attempted Murders, and Seven Gunpoint Robberies 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino III, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Keechant Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Kevin P. Bruen, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 16 members and associates of the Own Every Dollar (or “OED”) gang, a subset of the Trinitarios, with committing various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses, including murder and attempted murder. 

JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., a/k/a “Juju,” JERRIN PENA, a/k/a “Rooga,” a/k/a “Perry,” JUSTIN DEAZA, a/k/a “Booka,” a/k/a “Pepito,” WILSON MENDEZ, a/k/a “Tati,” BRIAN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Malikai,” HUGO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Juice,” MAYOVANEX RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Menorcito,” JOHANN ZAPATA, a/k/a “Zapata,” ELVIS TREJO, a/k/a “Po Po,” STEVEN JOAQUIN, a/k/a “Baby Gunz,” IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO, a/k/a “Bricha,” JOWENKY NUNEZ, SR., a/k/a “Bala,” ARGENIS TAVAREZ, a/k/a “Nose,” a/k/a “A-Kash,” VICTOR COLON, a/k/a “V,” JOSE GUTIERREZ, a/k/a “G,” and NIJMAH MARTE, a/k/a “N,” a/k/a “Nena,” are members or associates of the OED gang.

The Indictment charges five defendants—JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., JERRIN PENA, BRIAN HERNANDEZ, MAYOVANEX RODRIGUEZ, and IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO—with committing one or more of a total of five murders in the Bronx and Manhattan.  Eleven of the defendants—JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., JERRIN PENA, JUSTIN DEAZA, WILSON MENDEZ, BRIAN HERNANDEZ, HUGO RODRIGUEZ, ELVIS TREJO, STEVEN JOAQUIN, IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO, JOWENKY NUNEZ, SR., and ARGENIS TAVAREZ—are charged with committing one or more of a total of 12 attempted murders. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Our indictment alleges that for the past four years, OED has wreaked havoc in this City – committing multiple murders, numerous armed robberies, shootings, assaults, and also dealing dangerous drugs, including fentanyl.  The defendants charged today include OED’s leadership and some of the gang’s most violent members, who we allege murdered five victims over the past four years, committed 13 shootings, and committed seven robberies or attempted robberies.  The charges we unseal today required the partnership and dedication of our law enforcement partners.  It required us to work together, side by side, across jurisdictions, to protect the people.  I want to thank all of our partners here today for their hard work on these and so many other investigations.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino said: “These arrests and seizures amplify our commitment and focus to safeguard our communities from the perils of violent crime, and the destruction that follows.  The DEA works in partnership with our law enforcement partners having two goals in mind: saving lives and making our communities healthy and safe.  I applaud the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force comprising DEA, NYPD, and NYSP for their diligence and commitment to this impactful investigation.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said:  “These individuals lived by a brutal code of street violence – where firearms were recklessly pulled out and indiscriminately fired, where innocent lives were disregarded, where families and neighborhoods were traumatized and torn apart. Now they will no longer be able to terrorize New Yorkers.  And make no mistake: Organized groups like this do terrorize.  They sow fear and disorder, and they show zero respect for the lives of the people who reside and work in the neighborhoods where they wreak havoc.  The vast resources and untiring efforts of the NYPD and our law enforcement partners, across multiple agencies, are concentrated on the nexus of gangs, guns, and drugs that drive much of the crime in New York City.  And all the people we serve are safer today because of our collaboration.”

NYSP Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said: “The charges brought today against these dangerous individuals are a direct result of the vigilant work conducted by law enforcement partners.  These partnerships were instrumental in shutting down this racketeering operation, took dangerous drugs and weapons off our streets, and interrupted heinous crimes in our neighborhoods.  Let this be a strong message that New York State will not tolerate those who bring drugs and violence into our communities.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and in statements made in court filings[1]:

OED Acts of Violence

The following murders, attempted murders, shootings, and gunpoint robberies and attempted robberies were perpetrated in part so that the following members and associates of OED could maintain or increase their positions in the OED racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York:      

• On August 31, 2018, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR. shot and killed Nicolas Vargas in the vicinity of 232nd Street in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On April 14, 2019, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR. and JERRIN PENA shot and killed Hector Cruz in the vicinity of West 135th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On January 24, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., BRIAN HERNANDEZ, WILSON MENDEZ, STEVEN JOAQUIN, and ARGENIS TAVAREZ shot at a rival gang member in the vicinity of West 136th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• In February 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., JERRIN PENA, BRIAN HERNANDEZ, and ARGENIS TAVAREZ shot at rival gang members in the vicinity of West 138th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On March 30, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR. and STEVEN JOAQUIN shot at a rival narcotics trafficker in the vicinity of West 180th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same.  Photographs of NUNEZ, JR. (on the left) and JOAQUIN (on the right) committing that shooting are below:

 

 

• On April 18, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, SR. shot at an individual in the vicinity of Audubon Avenue in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same.
• On May 13, 2020, JUSTIN DEAZA and WILSON MENDEZ shot at rival narcotics traffickers in the vicinity of West 184th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On May 15, 2020, BRIAN HERNANDEZ shot at a rival narcotics trafficker in the vicinity of West 188th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On June 26, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., STEVEN JOAQUIN, and IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO shot at rival narcotics traffickers during a high-speed chase through Washington Heights in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On July 2, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., BRIAN HERNANDEZ, and IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO shot and killed Richard Dominguez and Israel Cabrera in the vicinity of Sedgewick Avenue in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On July 5, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR. and IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO shot at rival gang members in the vicinity of West 136th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On July 18, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR. shot at an individual in the vicinity of West 183rd Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On October 22, 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR. and JUSTIN DEAZA shot at individuals in the vicinity of Valentine Avenue in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On December 13, 2020, WILSON MENDEZ robbed an individual at gunpoint, in the vicinity of West 188th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On August 12, 2021, HUGO RODRIGUEZ and JOWENKY NUNEZ, SR. engaged in a shootout with each other in the vicinity of West 183rd Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same.  A photograph of NUNEZ, SR., committing that shooting is below:

• In August 2021, JUSTIN DEAZA robbed an individual at gunpoint, in the vicinity of West 28th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• In September 2021, JUSTIN DEAZA attempted to rob an individual at gunpoint, in the vicinity of the FDR Drive in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• In September 2021, JUSTIN DEAZA and WILSON MENDEZ robbed an individual at gunpoint, in Queens, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On January 22, 2022, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., JERRIN PENA, ELVIS TREJO, and STEVEN JOAQUIN robbed and shot several individuals in the vicinity of West 145th Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On February 7, 2022, MAYOVANEX RODRIGUEZ shot and killed Anthony Savarese in the vicinity of Andrews Avenue in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same. 

• On February 14, 2022, HUGO RODRIGUEZ and ELVIS TREJO robbed several individuals at gunpoint in the vicinity of West 203rd Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same.

• On March 4, 2022, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR. and ELVIS TREJO shot at a rival gang member in the vicinity of Dyckman Street in Manhattan, and aided and abetted the same.   A photograph of NUNEZ, JR., committing that shooting is below:

Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms Use

Between 2018 and July 2022, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., JERRIN PENA, JUSTIN DEAZA, WILSON MENDEZ,  BRIAN HERNANDEZ, HUGO RODRIGUEZ, MAYOVANEX RODRIGUEZ, JOHANN ZAPATA, ELVIS TREJO, STEVEN JOAQUIN, IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO, JOWENKY NUNEZ, SR., ARGENIS TAVAREZ, VICTOR COLON, JOSE GUTIERREZ, and NIJMAH MARTE conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, ecstasy, and marijuana.  In addition, these defendants used, carried, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking, and aided and abetted the same.

Firearms Trafficking

Between May 2020 and October 2020, JOWENKY NUNEZ, JR., JERRIN PENA, and IYAURY RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO unlawfully obtained approximately thirteen firearms in Pennsylvania and transported those firearms to New York for use by members of OED.

H. RODRIGUEZ, 26, M. RODRIGUEZ, 27, ZAPATA, 20, TREJO, 21, JOAQUIN, 20, and NUNEZ, SR., 39, were all arrested yesterday, and will be presented today before United States Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.  Today, RODRIGUEZ-ROSARIO, 41, was arrested and will be presented in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  NUNEZ, JR., 20, PENA, 20, DEAZA, 21, MENDEZ, 20, HERNANDEZ, 22, COLON, 24, GUTIERREZ, 20, and MARTE, 22, were charged in a prior indictment and have been presented on those charges.  TAVAREZ, 23, has not been arrested at this time.  This case is assigned to United States District Judge J. Paul Oetken.

Charts containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and DEA.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, the New York State Police, and the NYPD Task Force Officers assigned to this Office for their assistance in the investigation.

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

COUNT	DEFENDANT(S)	MAX. TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
Count One: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering  (18 U.S.C. § 1962(d))	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Jerrin Pena  Justin Deaza  Wilson Mendez  Brian Hernandez  Hugo Rodriguez  Mayovanex Rodriguez  Johann Zapata  Elvis Trejo  Steven Joaquin  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario  Jowenky Nunez, Sr.  Argenis Tavarez	Life Imprisonment
Count Two:  Murder in Aid of Racketeering  (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Brian Hernandez  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	Death or a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of Life Imprisonment
Count Three: Use of a Firearm to Commit Murder (18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1))	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Brian Hernandez  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	Death or Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 5 years
Count Four:  Murder in Aid of Racketeering  (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Brian Hernandez  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	Death or a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of Life Imprisonment
Count Five: Use of a Firearm to Commit Murder  (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j)(1) and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Brian Hernandez  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	Death or Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 5 years
Count Six:  Murder in Aid of Racketeering  (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2)	Mayovanex Rodriguez	Death or a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of Life Imprisonment
Count Seven: Use of a Firearm to Commit Murder (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j)(1) and 2)	Mayovanex Rodriguez	Death or Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 5 years
Count Eight: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Brian Hernandez  Argenis Tavarez	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Nine: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Brian Hernandez  Argenis Tavarez	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Ten: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jerrin Pena  Brian Hernandez  Argenis Tavarez	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Eleven: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jerrin Pena  Brian Hernandez  Argenis Tavarez	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Twelve: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Sr.	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirteen: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Sr.	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Fourteen: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Justin Deaza  Wilson Mendez	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Fifteen: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Justin Deaza  Wilson Mendez	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Sixteen: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Brian Hernandez	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Seventeen: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Brian Hernandez	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Eighteen: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Steven Joaquin  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Nineteen: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Steven Joaquin  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Twenty: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Twenty-One: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Twenty-Two: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Twenty-Three: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Twenty-Four: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Justin Deaza	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Twenty-Five: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Justin Deaza	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Twenty-Six: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Hugo Rodriguez	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Twenty-Seven: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Hugo Rodriguez	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Twenty-Eight: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Sr.	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Twenty-Nine: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Sr.	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Hobbs Act Robbery (18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Jerrin Pena  Elvis Trejo  Steven Joaquin	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirty-One: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Jerrin Pena  Elvis Trejo  Steven Joaquin	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Thirty-Two: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Elvis Trejo	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirty-Three: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Elvis Trejo	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Thirty-Four: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)	Wilson Mendez	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirty-Five: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)	Justin Deaza	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirty-Six: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)	Justin Deaza	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirty-Seven: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)	Justin Deaza	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirty-Eight: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)	Justin Deaza  Wilson Mendez	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Thirty-Nine: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)	Hugo Rodriguez  Elvis Trejo	20 years’ Imprisonment
Count Forty: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances (21 U.S.C. § 846)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.,  Jerrin Pena  Justin Deaza  Wilson Mendez  Brian Hernandez  Hugo Rodriguez  Mayovanex Rodriguez  Johann Zapata  Elvis Trejo  Steven Joaquin  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario  Jowenky Nunez, Sr.  Argenis Tavarez  Victor Colon  Jose Gutierrez  Nijmah Marte	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years
Count Forty-One: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.,  Jerrin Pena  Justin Deaza  Wilson Mendez  Brian Hernandez  Hugo Rodriguez  Mayovanex Rodriguez  Johann Zapata  Elvis Trejo  Steven Joaquin  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario  Jowenky Nunez, Sr.  Argenis Tavarez  Victor Colon  Jose Gutierrez  Nijmah Marte	Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 5 years
Count Forty-Two: Interstate Transportation or Receipt of Firearms (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(3), 924(a)(1), and 2)	Jowenky Nunez, Jr.  Jerrin Pena  Iyaury Rodriguez-Rosario	5 years’ Imprisonment

 

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

Summer Cleanup Aug 7th Morris Park

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NYGOP Dubs Hochul "Kickback Kathy" & Calls for Investigation Into Pay2Play Medicaid Scheme

Latest Pay-to-Play Medicaid Scandal Proves Hochul New Reigning Champion of Albany Corruption 

Albany, NY--August 2nd…The New York Republican Party today dubbed Kathy Hochul as “Kickback Kathy,” the new reigning champion of Albany corruption, and called for a new investigation into the latest pay-to-play scheme involving one of her top donors receiving a contract from the state worth $5 billion dollars. 

This latest scandal comes on the heels of revelations late last month that another donor who gave $300,000 to her campaign received a $637 million no-bid contract for covid tests from a company known for selling hoverboards through QVC. In the last year since becoming governor, Hochul has raised a staggering $34 million, largely from entities with business before the state. 

“Kickback Kathy is the new reigning champion of the Albany cesspool of corruption,” fumed NYGOP Chairman Langworthy. “These dirty deals are textbook kickback schemes. She is brazenly selling lucrative state contracts to her donors and just because it’s likely done with a wink and a nod doesn’t make it any less criminal. She needs to be investigated and thrown out of office by the voters. It’s time for a taxpayer revolt against the corrupt Cuomo-Hochul regime.” 

MAYOR ADAMS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCE $70 MILLION INITIAL INVESTMENT TO DECARBONIZE NYCHA BUILDINGS AS PART OF CLEAN HEAT FOR ALL CHALLENGE

 

Midea America and Gradient Selected by NYPA to Develop New Heat Pump Technology and Produce 30,000 Initial Units

 

Advanced Heating and Cooling Solutions Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Resident Comfort

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are moving forward with the Clean Heat for All Challenge through a planned $70 million initial investment in the development and production of 30,000 new heat pump units for use in New York City Public Housing facilities.

 

Last week, the NYPA Board of Trustees awarded the funding through two seven-year contracts to Midea America and Gradient for the development and delivery of cold climate packaged window heat pump units. The announcement is the latest milestone in the Clean Heat for All Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by NYCHA, NYPA, and NYSERDA to develop a new electrification product that can better serve the heating and cooling needs of existing multifamily buildings and hasten the transition to fossil-free heating sources.

 

“Our administration is laser-focused on providing safe, high-quality, affordable housing for all New Yorkers, and today, we are delivering on a commitment in our housing blueprint that brings us one step closer,” said Mayor Adams. “We understand better than ever that our city’s most pressing crises are interconnected, but the solutions can be too. I am so proud to be partnering with Governor Hochul to deliver top-of-the-line technology for NYCHA residents to heat and cool their homes while also reducing our carbon footprint and helping to protect New Yorkers from health issues like asthma.”

 

“New York is tackling the climate crisis and the need for affordable housing head on, and the funding announced today will go a long way in addressing both,” said Governor Hochul. “Prioritizing green investments in public housing ensures the state’s bold climate agenda is equitable, benefiting all New Yorkers now and in the future. NYCHA residents deserve high-quality homes, and we’re working to make that happen.”

 

The Clean Heat for All Challenge reflects the goals of Mayor Adams’ “Housing Our Neighbors” blueprint for getting New Yorkers into safe, high-quality, affordable homes. The first city housing plan to cover the entire spectrum of New Yorkers’ housing needs and options, the blueprint outlines a plan to transform NYCHA by both delivering much-needed resources for repairs and streamlining the services NYCHA provides residents and the processes by which they do so.

 

Heat pump technology provides efficient cooling and heating from a single unit by moving heat between the indoor and outdoor spaces depending on the season. The process is achieved through the refrigeration cycle, which can be up to four times more efficient than traditional heating systems, such as boilers, which rely on on-site combustion of fossil fuels to produce heat. Heat pumps are difficult to install, particularly in occupied units. As a result, many operators prefer to delay electric conversion in favor of in-kind replacement of fossil fuel systems.

 

Over the next year, NYPA will coordinate with Midea America and Gradient to develop the proposed heat pump technology for testing and demonstration. NYPA will then collaborate with NYCHA to install 60 of the developed units in designated public housing to be comprehensively monitored and assessed over the course of a winter season before moving forward with the widespread installation of 30,000 units throughout the following years.

 

The heat pump units developed to meet the Clean Heat for All Challenge will enable rapid, low-cost electrification of space heating in multifamily buildings by reducing or eliminating many of the cost drivers inherent to installing existing heat pump technologies in resident-occupied apartments, including electrical system upgrades, lengthy refrigerant piping, and through-wall drilling and penetrations.

 

Midea America, which was awarded a contract for 20,000 units, is a global appliance manufacturer founded in 1968 with headquarters in China and the U.S., 11 factories around the globe, and annual output of 67 million units. They are a market leader in room air conditioning with a line of Energy Star rated window ACs, dehumidifiers, and other packaged ACs.

 

Founded in 2015, Gradient is a startup based in San Francisco, California, that was awarded a contract to manufacture 10,000 units. The proposed unit will be a cold climate heat pump capable of operating at low temperatures based on NYCHA’s specifications. The company intends to manufacture the product domestically in the United States.

 

In June, Governor Hochul signed legislation creating the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust, a public benefit corporation, to help NYCHA invest billions of dollars in capital to fund repair, rehabilitation, and modernization of 25,000 supportive-housing apartments under NYCHA control. The Trust also guarantees homes are kept affordable by preserving rights that ensure residents only pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, residents maintain all current succession rights, apartments will continue to be reserved for low-income residents, and apartment vacancies will continue to be filled using the NYCHA waiting list.

 

“NYCHA residents have suffered freezing winters and boiling summers for too long. As a model for cleaner, more reliable heating and cooling for homes across the city and hopefully the country, the Clean Heat for All challenge will put public housing residents at the forefront of our decarbonization efforts,” said New York City Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “This $70 million investment is an incredible step forward in the face of a changing climate that will have an impact on both those living in these homes with the new window units as well as our city as a whole. Thank you to New York Power Authority and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for their partnership in support of NYCHA residents and a greener future.”

 

“The partnership between NYCHA and NYPA to develop new green technologies and pathways to implement them across a large portfolio of residential buildings will serve as an example to all property owners as we implement Local Law 97,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the five boroughs, and it is these types of innovative projects that will help us meet our critical climate goals.”

 

“The technology developed through the Clean Heat for All challenge will be transformational for the market and will help clear many of the hurdles buildings face to adopt clean heating and cooling,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, executive director, New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. “The cleaner air, improved comfort, and safety that heat pumps provide are vital to the health of our communities, and this partnership will have impacts far beyond the affordable housing market: It will create local green jobs, support New York City’s efforts to help homeowners through programs like ElectrifyNYC and continue to demonstrate the City and State’s leadership on tackling the climate crisis.”

 

“The lack of an efficient and affordable solution for electric heating and cooling remains one of the primary hurdles for meaningfully reducing our carbon emissions footprint, especially for many of the tall residential buildings that comprise our portfolio,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Greg Russ. “This innovative public-private partnership helps move NYCHA towards a low-carbon future, by bringing the promising technology of beneficial electrification to the largest public housing authority in the United States.” 

 

“I applaud Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul for leading by example with this forward-thinking action plan, showing private building owners that through innovation and investment, we can make real progress in reducing the harmful greenhouse gases coming from our buildings,” said New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric A. Ulrich.

 

“NYPA is excited to progress the Clean Heat for All Challenge through the selection of the initiative’s first vendors, which will develop and produce 30,000 heat pump units for the benefit of NYCHA residents,” said Justin E. Driscoll, interim president and CEO, NYPA. “The decarbonization of buildings — the state’s largest carbon emissions source — is critical to achieving the governor’s ambitious climate change goals.”

 

“NYSERDA is proud to support the Clean Heat for All Challenge and congratulates these two innovative companies as they begin work on what is expected to be an efficient, cost-effective, easy to install, heating and cooling solution for NYCHA residents,” said Doreen Harris, president and CEO, NYSERDA. “The combined focus on advancing new heat pump technology in multifamily buildings and ensuring the health and comfort of underserved populations supports Governor Hochul’s commitment to achieve 2 million climate-friendly homes by 2030 while ensuring that all New Yorkers benefit from clean energy investments.”

 

“Lowering or eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels in existing and new buildings is fundamental to New York State achieving the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA),” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “Today’s announcement clearly demonstrates how the collective efforts of state and local government to decarbonize our housing stock will create climate-friendly affordable homes as well as healthier, safer, and more resilient communities for all New Yorkers.”

 

Attorney General James Joins Multistate Supreme Court Brief Supporting Race-Conscious College Admissions Programs

Case before the U.S. Supreme Court Could Have Major Ramifications for College and University Admissions Processes 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a multistate amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a request to overturn more than four decades of precedent allowing higher education institutions to consider race or ethnicity as part of holistic admissions processes to promote diversity in learning environments. The brief, filed in the cases Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College and Students For Fair Admissions, Inc v. University of North Carolina, urges the court to reaffirm its prior rulings that found a holistic race-conscious admissions policy is constitutional and helps promote the educational benefits of diversity.

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“Diversity is one of our great strengths, as New Yorkers and as Americans,” said Attorney General James. “Efforts to undo the strides we’ve made in encouraging greater diversity in our educational institutions must be confronted with all of our might. Diversity at higher educational institutions leads to a more diverse workforce and a stronger, more prosperous, more equitable society. I am proud to join with attorneys general from throughout the nation to stand up for educational opportunities for all students, especially those from traditionally under-represented communities.”

According to the brief, the benefits of diversity in higher education have become more critical to states when graduates join the workforce, participate in civic life and take on leadership roles. The brief describes how diversity in the health care workforce improves health outcomes and access for all residents — particularly for those in medically-underserved communities. Additionally, increasing the diversity of primary school educators improves the academic performance of public school students and college attendance rates. The states also argue that the businesses that fuel their economies rely on a diverse pipeline of graduates who have the potential to bring differing perspectives to leadership positions in their fields.  

The brief highlights disparities that reversing this precedent will exacerbate. For example, while Black Americans make up nearly 13 percent of the country’s population, as recently as 2018, only 5.4 percent of physicians are Black, and, according to the brief, prohibiting medical schools from implementing a race-conscious admissions program could further exacerbate these disparities. In fact, the brief points out that medical schools in states that have bans on race-conscious admissions programs have seen a 37 percent decrease in enrollment from historically underrepresented communities.  

The brief also describes how, nationally, nearly 80 percent of educators are white and non-Hispanic, but 54 percent of students in public primary and secondary schools were students of color in 2020. Given these disparities, the growing diversity in our country, and the educational benefits of a diverse teaching workforce, states need every option available to increase the diversity of educators. Removing the possibility of using holistic race-conscious admissions where necessary will be detrimental to future generations of students.  

Finally, the states describe how achieving meaningful student-body diversity while altogether excluding any consideration of race has proven challenging in states with bans on race-conscious admissions, particularly at selective institutions that produce so many of the states’ civic, professional, and business leaders. Accordingly, the states argue, institutions of higher education continue to require the flexibility, where necessary, to use the kind of holistic race-conscious admissions policies that the Supreme Court has approved for decades.   

Joining Attorney General James in filing today’s brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Washington. 

Governor Hochul Announces $31.5 Million for Supportive Housing Projects

 

State Funding will Create 332 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing for New Yorkers Experiencing Homelessness

Project Complements the Governor's $25 Billion Five-Year Housing Plan to Bolster Housing Stability for New Yorkers

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $31.5 million in state funding was awarded to seven projects that will provide permanent supportive housing to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Supported through the state's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, these projects include developments that will create an additional 332 units serving the elderly, individuals with a history of substance use disorder, individuals with developmental disabilities, young adults and those suffering from serious mental illness.  

"All New Yorkers deserve access to safe, affordable housing, and it is crucial to provide them with critical resources and amenities needed in the long term," Governor Hochul said. "By implementing these strategic investments in supportive housing, we will help our state address the root causes of housing insecurity and ensure those that need help will have access to support networks they can rely on for stability. As we remain laser-focused on building back New York better and stronger than before, we will continue taking aggressive action to help ensure every community has access to the services they need to thrive."

Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is an important component of Governor Hochul's comprehensive plan to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable throughout New York. In the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget, the Governor successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. This project is supported by FY 2022 funds.

The Budget continues $128 million in capital funding for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program to build new supportive housing units or repair existing emergency shelters. With the latest awards, the program has allocated roughly $115.3 million to 476 units of permanent supportive housing, 94 units of transitional housing, and 303 emergency beds housing. Of the 303 emergency housing beds, 164 are repairs and 139 are new beds.

The projects awarded funding include:

• Breaking Ground was awarded $5.7 million to construct a 15-story building in the Queens neighborhood of Jamaica, with 52 units of permanent supportive housing serving elderly individuals who have a serious mental illness or substance use disorder.  
• Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. was awarded $2.25 million to renovate a former elementary school building and construct three townhouses in the village of Cayuga to create eight units of permanent supportive housing to serve individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.  
• DePaul Properties, Inc. was awarded $3.49 million to construct two buildings in the city of Schenectady, creating 30 units of permanent supportive housing serving the elderly and individuals with serious mental illness. 
• Project Renewal, Inc. was awarded $6 million to construct a 17-story building in the Bronx with 70 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorder. 
• CAMBA Housing Ventures, Inc. & CAMBA, Inc. was awarded $9.9 million to develop 146 units of permanent supportive housing in Brooklyn, including units reserved for individuals re-entering the community from incarceration, homeless youth, youth aging out of foster care, and chronically homeless families. 
• Christopher Community, Inc. was awarded $2.8 million to create 20 units of permanent supportive housing in the Madison County town of Morrisville, serving frail, elderly seniors with a disability or chronic condition. 
• Catholic Charities of Onondaga County was awarded $1.23 million to construct six units of permanent supportive housing serving chronically homeless men adjacent to the organization's Emergency Homeless Shelter and Housing Services Center. 

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "Supportive housing is such a crucial component of our efforts to provide lasting stability for New Yorkers in need, including some of the most vulnerable among us. These projects, like many others supported by the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, will provide new hope for individuals and families that have or are experiencing homelessness. We are grateful for Governor Hochul's continuing support for this program and for making housing stability in New York a priority of her administration."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "Supportive housing is a critical component of our Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness in New York City, and these three projects will help New Yorkers in three boroughs obtain the safe, high-quality, affordable housing they deserve. This is a fight the city cannot wage alone, and I commend Governor Hochul for committing the resources to help us tackle our deeply intertwined affordable housing and homelessness crises."

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, "I applaud Governor Hochul's announcement of $31.5 million in state funding to provide permanent supportive housing to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and  additional 332 units serving the elderly, individuals with a history of substance use disorder, individuals with developmental disabilities, young adults and those suffering from serious mental illness. The need for safe and permanent housing is at all time high across our city and state, and it is imperative that we take action to care for our most vulnerable residents."

Permits Filed For 171 West 239th Street In Kingsbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for an eight-story affordable housing building at 171 West 239th Street in Kingsbridge, The Bronx. Located between John M. Collins Place and Putnam Avenue West, the lot is blocks from the 238th Street subway station, serviced by the 1 train. Tishman Speyer is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 76-foot-tall development will yield 260,681 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 336 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 775 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and 69 enclosed parking spaces.

Aufgang Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - My Statement on Jacobi Hospital Project + Upcoming Events

 

My Statement on Jacobi Hospital

"Last year my predecessor and other local elected officials were informed that Health + Hospitals intended to utilize an already existing building on the Jacobi campus for the Just Home Initiative as well as affordable housing. Three weeks ago, following the HPD designation bringing Fortune Society onto the project, I had a meeting with them, CHS, and Jacobi Hospital to learn about what the project would entail.

I understand that there has been misinformation shared for politically expedient purposes regarding the project. So let's set the record straight, I cannot support any project that does not offer my community a seat at the table nor has attained community support. Additionally, the scaffolding surrounding the building is not because any construction relating to this project, and there is no intention to tear down the wall on Seminole Ave. Fortune Society says it will be years before anyone could move into the building and there is still a long process this project must still go through. Fortune Society is very interested in community engagement, which is why I made sure they were invited to the community meeting at Maestro’s to make this project transparent to the community.

When it comes to my district, I always strive for community led processes and to bring all relevant stake holders to the table. This project is no exception, and I hope we are able to find a use for the building that works for the community, patients, and the hospital.”

The mobile MTA sales van will be outside 3602 E Tremont Ave (between Scott Pl & Sullivan Pl) on the 2nd & 4th Friday of every month from 1pm to 3pm. The mobile MTA sales van accepts debit, credit, and cash payments. They also provide services for senior and disability transit cards.

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