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Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Honoring Bronx LGBT+ Leaders
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JUNE 7, 2022
Statewide 7-Day Average Case Rate Down Nearly 15 Percent Over Past Week
Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment
20 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday
Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.
"It is critically important that we continue to maintain our vigilance and take advantage of the tools we have available to fight this virus," Governor Hochul said. "Ensuring you and your loved ones are up to date on vaccine and booster doses remains the most effective way to protect against serious illness. Get tested, especially if you are experiencing symptoms, and if you test positive talk to your doctor about available treatments."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Cases Per 100k - 23.70
- 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 29.89
- Test Results Reported - 61,676
- Total Positive - 4,631
- Percent Positive - 6.90%**
- 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.95%**
- Patient Hospitalization - 2,162 (+35)
- Patients Newly Admitted - 257
- Patients in ICU - 210 (-6)
- Patients in ICU with Intubation - 84 (+0)
- Total Discharges - 309,663 (+188)
- New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 20
- Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,231
** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.
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.
Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.
- Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,670
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.
- Total vaccine doses administered - 39,011,599
- Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 7,994
- Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 79,186
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.6%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.1%
- 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) - 87.5%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.8%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.6%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.2%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.5%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.7%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.5%
Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:
Borough | Saturday, June 4, 2022 | Sunday, June 5, 2022 | Monday, June 6, 2022 |
Bronx | 3.81% | 3.68% | 3.70% |
Kings | 4.93% | 4.88% | 4.63% |
New York | 6.11% | 6.03% | 5.91% |
Queens | 5.89% | 5.58% | 5.57% |
Richmond | 5.65% | 5.65% | 5.71% |
South Florida Electronics Exporter Pleads Guilty To Laundering Narcotics Proceeds Through The Black Market Peso Exchange
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that earlier today, MARCELO IRIGOIN pled guilty to money laundering in connection with transactions involving his electronics export company. As part of the scheme, IRIGOIN moved over $1.4 million in narcotics proceeds through the Black Market Peso Exchange, a sophisticated market in which narcotics proceeds are bought and sold by money-launderers and then transferred overseas through shell companies and mirrored transactions. After IRIGION learned that he was the subject of a Government investigation, he provided falsified records to law enforcement in order to conceal his laundering activities from Government.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Marcelo Irigoin not only helped launder over one million dollars in drug proceeds through the Black Market Peso Exchange, he also tried to cover his tracks after he learned about the Government’s investigation. The Black Market Peso Exchange relies on so-called clean money from businesses like Irigoin’s to launder drug proceeds back to cartels overseas. Today’s guilty plea reflects this Office’s commitment to investigate and prosecute businesses and individuals who make their seemingly legitimate businesses available to facilitate these illegal transactions.”
According to the allegations in the Information and statements made during the plea and other proceedings in the case:
Beginning in June 2020, MARCELO IRIGOIN received narcotics proceeds into accounts held by his company (“Company-1”), an electronics exporter based in Doral, Florida, as payments for electronics on behalf of a particular Company-1 customer (“Customer-1”). These payments were all made by third parties with no connection Customer-1. Additionally, these payments contained significant red flags consistent with money-laundering activity, including payment amounts that did not correspond to the actual electronics Customer-1 had purchased, as well as payments broken up into multiple smaller wire transfers over the course of a single day or several days. IRIGOIN regularly communicated with the owner of Customer-1 (“CC-1”) and they discussed, among other things, the fact that CC-1 did not know in advance which third party would be sending money to Company-1 on behalf of Customer-1 for any given transaction.
These third parties were in fact shell companies that collected narcotics proceeds in the United States and sent them to Company-1 on behalf of Customer-1. Once the money was sent to Company-1, Customer-1 would release an equivalent amount of proceeds to the drug trafficking organizations, minus a commission for the money-laundering brokers. This system, known as the Black Market Peso Exchange (“BMPE”), allowed the drug traffickers to collect their narcotics proceeds in their home country without ever actually sending money in cross-border transactions from the United States.
In May 2020, the DEA served a subpoena on Company-1 for records relating to its transactions with these BMPE entities. In responding to this subpoena, IRIGOIN provided false information meant to give the impression that these BMPE entities were actually Company-1 customers, when they were in fact only making payments to Company-1 on behalf of Customer-1. Additionally, IRIGOIN secretly told CC-1 to stop sending payments to Company-1, which was under Government investigation, and instead set up a separate bank account that he used to receive payments from BMPE entities on behalf of Customer-1.
As part of his guilty plea, IRIGOIN, 41, of Hialeah, Florida, agreed to forfeit $1,436,171.60 to the United States, including over $600,000 the Government had previously seized from various company bank accounts. IRIGOIN pled guilty today to one count of money laundering. This offense carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as IRIGOIN’s sentence will be determined by the judge.
IRIGOIN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty on September 13, 2022.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Attorney General James Sues Predatory Towing Company for Cheating and Harassing New Yorkers
Bobby’s Towing Unlawfully Towed Vehicles While Owners Were Present, Overcharged for Towing Fees, and Falsified Tow Tickets
AG James Encourages New Yorkers Harmed by Bobby’s Towing to File Complaint With Her Office
New York Attorney General Letitia James today filed a lawsuit against a predatory towing company, known as Bobby’s Towing, and its owner and operator, Robert Scores, for repeatedly cheating and harassing hundreds of New Yorkers in Poughkeepsie. The lawsuit alleges that for years Mr. Scores engaged in rude behavior, illegally towed cars, overcharged for towing fees, falsified tow tickets, and made racist and derogatory comments to vehicle owners. He actively patrolled streets looking for cars to tow even if private property owners did not call for a car to be towed. Bobby’s Towing persistently violated New York’s business laws and the City of Poughkeepsie’s Towing Ordinance. Attorney General James is taking action to correct this unlawful behavior and protect New Yorkers. Through her lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking restitution and reimbursements for those who were cheated.
“We are slamming the brakes on this unlawful and predatory behavior that hurt too many vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “For too long, Bobby’s Towing bullied New Yorkers who depended on their cars to go to work, take their children to school, get groceries, and run errands. No one should have to pay hundreds of dollars to get their car back when they didn’t do anything wrong. Today, we are taking action to stop Bobby’s Towing from harassing any more New Yorkers in Poughkeepsie’s streets. There is no place for predatory businesses like this in New York.”
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) opened an investigation into Bobby’s Towing after receiving multiple complaints about the company and Mr. Scores for aggressive and even racist behavior. The OAG’s investigation found that Mr. Scores persistently engaged in deceptive and predatory business practices, including:
- Towing vehicles even when owners were on the scene and willing to move their cars;
- Towing cars that were temporarily idling; and,
- Falsifying tow tickets with untrue justifications for the tow and the cost.
In addition, Mr. Scores repeatedly told consumers to report tows to their insurance as roadside assistance for insurance reimbursement, which is illegal. Mr. Scores also often failed to properly hook up cars onto his towing truck, causing significant and expensive damages to vehicles.
Mr. Scores repeatedly violated the City of Poughkeepsie’s Towing Ordinance by charging more than $85 for towing fees, failing to wait the required 20-minute grace period before towing, overcharging for storage fees, and charging administrative and other service fees that are prohibited. In multiple affidavits obtained by OAG, car owners shared that Mr. Scores towed their car in less than 10 minutes after they left it.
Through her lawsuit — filed in Dutchess County State Supreme Court — Attorney General James is seeking:
- Conditional injunctive relief preventing Mr. Scores from operating a tow truck business unless he obtains a $100,000 bond;
- Reimbursement for vehicle owners/operators for illegal or unjustified tows, with reimbursements to include any and all damages, such as lost wages, in the circumstance of an illegal tow;
- Restitution for all known and unknown consumers;
- An end to all deceptive and predatory business practices;
- Disgorgement of illegal profits obtained; and,
- Penalties.
Attorney General James encourages New Yorkers harmed by Bobby’s Towing to file an online complaint with her Poughkeepsie Regional Office or call 845-485-3900.
State Senator Gustavo Rivera Gives out PPE, and Joins Lt. Governor Candidate Ana Maria Archila on Fordham Road.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning as State Senator Gustavo Rivera handed out COVID home test kits, face masks, and hand sanitizer outside Poe Park at the corner of the Grand Concourse and East 192nd Street.
At noon State Senator Rivera walked a few blocks to Fordham Road where he met Lieutenant Governor candidate Ana Maria Archila to introduce her to the voters of his district. They spoke to many people for over one hour before candidate Archila had to leave for another event.
It should be noted that State Senator Gustavo Rivera's district was altered during the redistricting process. Senator Rivera lost the lower half of his district that was placed into the new 32nd State Senate District of State Senator Luis Sepulveda. The West Bronx side of soon to be former State Senator Biaggi's 34th Senate district (now an East Bronx district) was added to Senator Rivera's 33rd Senate district, with a small carve out going to Manhattan's 31st Senate district.
Senator Gustavo Rivera talks to a constituent as he places home COVID test kits out.
Senator Rivera welcomes Lt. Governor candidate Ana Maria Archila to his district.
Senator Rivera introduces candidate Archila to this constituent.
Lt. Governor candidate Archila introduces herself to this voter.
Lt. Governor candidate Archila speaks to another voter, under the Fordham Road sign.
This family posed with Senator Rivera and Lt. Governor candidate Archila.
Governor Hochul Signs Landmark Law Unlocking Underutilized Hotel Space for Affordable Housing
Legislation S.4937C/A.6262B Allows Class B Hotels Within Residential Zoning Districts or Within 400 Feet of Such Districts to Operate as Permanent Residential Spaces
Bill Signing Follows Governor Hochul's Announcement of Historic $25 Billion Housing Plan in FY 2023 Budget
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed new legislation (S.4937C/A.6262B) to create more flexible rules for converting underutilized hotel space into permanent housing. Governor Hochul signed the bills with Senator Brian Kavanagh, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and housing and labor advocates.
"As New York's housing crisis continues to impact families, we're taking bold action, embracing innovative ideas and thinking outside the box to help ensure that New Yorkers can access safe, livable, and quality affordable housing," Governor Hochul said. "This new law allows us to tackle the affordability crisis head-on and convert empty, underutilized spaces into homes. I thank Assembly Member Cymbrowitz and Senator Kavanagh for sponsoring this bill and taking this step to ensure that New Yorkers have a place to call home."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "Today, we are saying yes to more of the affordable and supportive housing that New Yorkers need and deserve. This law cuts red tape and removes outdated rules so we can take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. I want to thank my partners in the Legislature and at HTC for providing the support we needed to deliver this win for New Yorkers, as well as Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law."
The new law authorizes Class B hotels that are located in or within 400 feet of districts that permit residential use and meet certain criteria to use their existing certificates of occupancy to operate as permanent residential spaces. The new bill further allows such hotels to provide permanent housing if they enter into an agreement with the City or if they receive State financing, through the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA).
In her State of the State address, Governor Hochul announced a $25 billion, five-year Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes in urban and rural areas across New York including 10,000 homes with supportive services. As part of that announcement, the governor proposed easing hotel conversions to create more affordable housing. The governor has also secured an additional $100 million in HONDA funding to convert vacant commercial properties and distressed hotel properties across the state.
Nos Quedamos - 'WE ARE MELROSE Street Fair' - Saturday, June 11, 2022 ~ 12pm-5pm
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