Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 23, 2023

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing and Treatment

22 Statewide Deaths Reported on January 20

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19 and outlined basic steps they can take to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections that become more common in the winter season.

"I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Be sure to stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul is urging New Yorkers to take common prevention measures — like staying up to date on vaccines and practicing proper hygiene — to protect from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the flu and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals. The Governor reiterated these basic steps when she updated New Yorkers on the state's winter health preparedness efforts last month.

Recently, the New York State Department of Health announced that the XBB.1.5. variant is now the most dominant strain in New York, accounting for more than 50 percent of COVID-19 infections statewide. Emerging at a time when both COVID-19 and flu cases remain high, early data indicates that XBB.1.5. is more transmissible than other circulating variants, though there is not yet clear evidence of significant changes to virulence or severity of disease.

The New York State Department of Health's weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending January 14, shows influenza remaining widespread throughout the state for a fifteenth consecutive week, with a total of 300,907 positive cases across all 62 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide dropped 50 percent, while overall hospitalizations were down 52 percent from the previous week, with the week, at 798 hospitalizations across the state.

Additionally, there were 13 outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There were two additional pediatric deaths, leaving the total at eight statewide.

With flu season continuing and infections remaining widespread, Governor Hochul encourages all New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.

The Health Department is continuing its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Governor Hochul also continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Recently, the New York State Department of Health announced new guidance for bivalent COVID-19 booster doses, which are now available for eligible children down to 6 months of age.

The updated boosters are the first to be targeted to the original virus strain and recently circulating variants and are recommended for young New Yorkers and all those eligible. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 11.61
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 17.69
• Test Results Reported - 32,445
• Total Positive - 2,268
• Percent Positive - 6.23%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.43%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,173 (-87)*
• Patients Newly Admitted - 468*
• Patients in ICU - 337 (-17)*
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 130 (-3)*
• Total Discharges - 391,949 (+514)*
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 22*
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,057*

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services 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 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 - 77,664

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.

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:

Borough	Friday,   January   20, 2023	Saturday,   January   21, 2023	Sunday,   January   22, 2023
Bronx	7.32%	7.12%	6.99%
Kings	5.15%	5.08%	4.97%
New York	5.98%	6.01%	5.89%
Queens	7.23%	7.08%	6.92%
Richmond	6.20%	5.98%	5.70%

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVE TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH NEW YORKERS

 

 

New Yorkers Can Sign up to Hear From Mayor Adams Online

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a new initiative to communicate directly with New Yorkers about updates from the administration and services the administration has unlocked for New Yorkers. Those who sign up will receive digital communications directly from Mayor Adams with information about new initiatives and policies, local events, and more.

 

“If we’re launching a new program that New Yorkers care about, that can put money in pockets or improve quality of life, I’m going to make sure New Yorkers hear about it directly,” said Mayor Adams. “We’ve accomplished so much in our first year — from expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to making quality childcare affordable for all New Yorkers and more. But none of those accomplishments mean anything if New Yorkers don’t know about them and aren’t using them. That changes now.”

 

One of Mayor Adams’ key priorities for 2023 is ensuring that New Yorkers can access the services that the administration secured for them in 2022. A select list of some of the administration’s 2022 wins for New Yorkers is available online. Notably, Mayor Adams secured $4 billion in funding for child care and significantly increased benefits that single parents and married couples will receive from the Earned Income Tax Credit. The initiative announced today will send information about those initiatives and more directly in New Yorkers’ inboxes, making sure that all of the city’s eligible residents can take advantage of them.

“Today’s announcement is yet another example of Mayor Adams embracing the power of technology to make the city work better for New Yorkers,” said Jonathan Salomons, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Emerging Markets. “We’ll use every tool at our disposal to get New Yorkers the information they need about the services they deserve.”

 

“This administration continues to redefine how city government interacts with New Yorkers,” said Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. “The Office of Technology and Innovation is proud to support this new channel for Mayor Adams to share critical information, and to continue advancing better ways for New Yorkers to connect with government services and each other.”

 

As part of this initiative, the administration will facilitate a new series of email communications to New Yorkers, specific to their locations and interests.

 

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Coop-City Town Hall Meeting

 

Saturday Afternoon Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held her first Town Hall meeting in auditorium C of 177 Dreiser Loop in Coop-City near where her new Coop-City office is located in Room 3 of 177 Dreiser Loop. Hundreds of people were in attendance to see and hear their new congresswoman that redistricting had given them. Many in the audience were familiar with their new representative in congress, and most of them approved of the job she is doing.   

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez's Town Hall meeting opened with a short welcoming by Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and then the Congresswoman spoke about the SUV Crime Intervention unit at Jacobi Hospital where she was able to obtain $1.2 million dollars,  She continued saying that one million dollars was obtained for the overhaul of the Westchester Square area to make it safer for pedestrians, and while she was talking several people stood up in protest of the United States support of the war in the Ukraine. The protesters were escorted out of the auditorium.

As Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez continued she  spoke abut the Debt Ceiling, fighting cuts to programs such as Social Security and Medicare, new energy credits, and the removal of former President Trump's tax credits for the rich. When she got into the Question and Answer part of the Town Hall, she was interrupted  on the first question when a voice shouted out why she voted against the Infrastructure Bill in Congress, where she explained there was the promise of including much needed support for public housing such as NYCHA that was cut out from the bill.

To a question on the budget, the congresswoman answered that her opposition to the defense budget is because there i no accounting of how the money allocated is spent. As for the problems at Rikers Island she is in favor of federal receivership of the jail which she stressed is only a jail and not a prison. She mentioned a queens hospital where a new maternal health center was created with her getting federal funding with additional city funding to open the maternal health center, and when this reporter was able to ask the congresswoman if she would do the same thing at the empty building #2 at Jacobi Hospital in her district, her answer was a resounding yes because she knows of the problem that women in the Bronx have during pregnancy. After the Town Hall ended Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez met those who wanted to speak to her one on one. 

Congresswoman opened up her Town Hall meeting with ideas of how to deal with the Republican Majority in Congress now.

Shortly after she began several protesters of the U.S. support of Ukraine stood up with signs protesting, and were shortly escorted out of the crowded room.

The congresswoman then moved on to Key Facts on Immigration.

After speaking on some other subjects the congresswoman informed the audience where her new Coop-City office is, right in the same building where the Town Hall meeting was being held.

The Congresswoman then went into a Question and Answer period taking questions from the audience.

Before the first question could be asked there was another heckler from the back of the packed auditorium, who was quickly ejected by security. 

The congresswoman is asked a question about Social Security and Medicare, that was answered that she will not vote for any cuts to those programs.

Here the congresswoman is interviewed by News 12, and after the interview I was able to ask if she would support placing a Woman's Health, Birthing, and Wellness center in Building #2 at Jacobi Hospital in place of a potential parole home for detainees and inmates of Rikers Island. Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez said she would love to support a Woman's Health, Birthing, and Wellness Center in Building #2 at Jacobi Hospital which is in her district.

After the Town Hall and interviews Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez then answered individual questions members of the audience may of had. You can see one of the government agents watching to make sure there was no threats to the congresswoman.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PLACEMENT OF NEW HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RELIEF CENTER

 

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Will Open in Coming Weeks to Assist Single Adult Men Seeking Asylum

 

New York City Continues to Handle Unprecedented Crisis Almost Entirely on Its Own

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the city will soon open a fifth Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to temporarily serve the continued influx of asylum seekers arriving in New York City. As the estimated number of asylum seekers that have arrived in the city since last spring surpasses at least 41,000, this humanitarian relief center will assist single adult men and provide them with a range of services, in addition to ensuring they can reach their desired destination, if not New York City, until it closes ahead of cruise season this spring. The humanitarian relief center at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal will serve single adult men who will move from the Watson Hotel humanitarian relief center, in addition to other newly arriving adult men, as space permits. Once open, this site will serve approximately 1,000 asylum seekers and will offer the same services as adult men have been receiving at humanitarian relief centers, including on site medical, food, laundry, and reconnections. The Watson Hotel humanitarian relief center will transition to serve arriving families with children seeking asylum.

 

“With more than 41,000 asylum seekers arriving in New York City since last spring and nearly 28,000 asylum seekers currently in our care, our city is at its breaking point,” said Mayor Adams. “We continue to surpass both our moral and legal obligations and meet the needs of people arriving in New York, but as the number of asylum seekers continues to grow, we are in serious need of support from both our state and federal governments. This fifth Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center will provide approximately 1,000 asylum seekers with a place to stay, access support, and get to their final destination.”

 

“We are and will continue to meet our obligations and serve all people seeking asylum with dignity and care,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Thank you to our team for compassionately executing this work at each of our sites across the city.” “Our strategy from day one has been to continuously reassess our response to this crisis and find creative solutions to care for asylum seekers upon their arrival here,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “As the numbers and demographics shift, so does our approach. What remains is our focus on addressing their needs, providing them with critical services, and ensuring a foundation is there for them to begin building their new lives.”

“As the demands of this humanitarian crisis evolve, New York City remains unwavering in our commitment to help those seeking asylum in our country,” said Ted Long, MD, MHS, senior vice president, Ambulatory Care and Population Health, NYC Health + Hospitals. “New York City has been a beacon of hope for generations of immigrants and is rising again to meet the moment. I am proud to support the unprecedented Adams administration response.”

“New York City will always remain a beacon of hope for those seeking a better life,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “The Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Response Center at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal will aid asylum seekers as they transition into American society. Our team will continue to work with our partners to find alternative ways to support this humanitarian crisis.”

Since this humanitarian crisis began, the city has taken fast and urgent action, managing the arrival of a rapidly increasing number of buses across New York City with virtually no coordination from states sending them — opening 77 hotels as emergency shelters and four other humanitarian relief centers already, standing up navigation centers to connect asylum seekers with critical resources, enrolling children in public schools through Project Open Arms, and more.

Queens Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Prize Notice Fraud Scheme

 

 Scott Gammon was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 36 months in prison for participating in a mass mailing scheme that tricked consumers into paying fees for falsely promised cash prizes. As part of the sentence, Gammon was also ordered to forfeit $139,611.97.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and Daniel B. Brubaker, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), announced the sentence.

“Financially exploiting the elderly and other victims through fraudulent prize schemes is a form of abuse and deserving of punishment as today’s sentence demonstrates,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “A term in prison should deter others from preying on the vulnerable.”

“Participants in fraud schemes face the prospect of federal prison,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Boynton. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting elderly and vulnerable Americans and to prosecuting individuals who engage in such schemes.”

“This sentencing brings to a close the investigation of Mr. Gammon, who devised a fake prize promotion scheme designed to defraud older Americans and steal from those who believed they had won a prize.  Unfortunately, for those who participated, they realized too late that they had been swindled. When a prize did not materialize, and their money was not returned, they became victims. Postal Inspectors remind consumers to be ever vigilant and play an active role in protecting their money.  If you’re asked to pay for a prize you didn’t enter to win, it’s a scam,” stated USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Brubaker.

From August 2014 through August 2019, Gammon engaged in a direct-mail scheme that sent fraudulent prize notification mailings to thousands of consumers. The mailings induced consumers to pay a fee, purportedly in return for a large cash prize. None of the consumers who sent a fee ever received such a prize.  Co-defendants Christopher King and Natasha Khan also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and are awaiting sentencing.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Charles P. Kelly of the Eastern District of New York’s Long Island Criminal Division is prosecuting the case with Trial Attorneys Daniel Zytnick and Timothy Finley of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.  Assistant United States Attorney Tanisha Payne of the Eastern District’s Asset Recovery Section is handing forfeiture matters.

The department seeks to prevent the widespread losses seniors and other consumers suffer from fraud schemes.  The best method to prevent fraud is to share information about the various types of elder fraud schemes with relatives, friends, neighbors and other seniors who can use that information to protect themselves.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: GENERAL MOTORS WILL INVEST OVER $68 MILLION AT ROCHESTER MANUFACTURING PLANT, BRINGING NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY COMPONENT PRODUCTION, FUELING REVIVAL OF FINGER LAKES AUTO INDUSTRY AND SUPERCHARGING ELECTRIC VEHICLE FUTURE

 

Schumer Lead The Charge To Protect & Keep Rochester GM Plant Open When It Was On The Verge Of Closure After 2008 Auto Industry Crash And Fought Non-Stop Personally Calling On GM To Bring New Work To UAW Workers Of The Finger Lakes  

Now Electric Battery Components Built At GM Rochester Plant Will Help Power Future EV Production And Lead GM’s Transformation To All-Electric Cars

Schumer: New GM Investment Will Put Rochester Plant in ‘Driver’s Seat’, To Power America’s Electric Vehicle Future 

After fighting to save the Rochester plant from closure years ago, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that following his push, General Motors will invest $68 million at their Rochester manufacturing plant for the production of electric vehicle battery components that will position the plant at the forefront of the rapidly growing electric vehicles market as well as for production of components for GM’s next-generation Gen6 V8 light duty truck engine. The represents the culmination of years of efforts by Schumer to bring new work to the Rochester GM facility, personally lobbying GM, and creating new federal incentives to spur electric vehicle production in America. Schumer said Rochester’s production facility will now be at the heart of GM’s transformation to all-electric and that this work will help sustain their nearly 750 workers for years to come.

 

“$68 million in new investment is about to supercharge Rochester’s GM facility, sparking the next generation of electric vehicle battery production right here in the Finger Lakes, and helping bring this historic manufacturing plant back to the future. This factory invented fuel injection and now Rochester workers will help power the future of electric cars in America,” said Senator Schumer. “I lead the charge to save the Rochester plant when it was on the verge of closure after the 2008 auto industry crash, and this investment will ensure its long term prosperity for years to come. This new EV battery component line will put this factory in the ‘driver’s seat’ to lead GM’s transformation to an all-electric future.”

 

Schumer added, “As majority leader, I am proud to have led the historic investments in EV production to help bring this industry back from overseas and I applaud GM for awarding this new work to Rochester.  Rochester’s powerhouse union workforce is second to none and I can think of no better team to lead the charge to fuel America’s future and the fight against climate change.”  

 

Dan Maloney President UAW local 1097 said, "The union represented workers at GM Rochester are grateful for the tenacious advocacy Senator Chuck Schumer brings to help secure a long-term future for our manufacturing facility. With his unyielding support for workers, good paying jobs, and New York businesses, we will maintain and grow our Upstate economy.   With Senator Schumer leading our political delegation, and keeping the focus on expanding job opportunities, I know our members and our community will prosper. "

The $68 million new investment in the Rochester facility will help put the plant at the center of GM’s transformation to all-electric while building critical components to support GM’s industry-leading truck business. Schumer explained that $56 million will help prepare the facility to build battery pack cooling lines for EV production and $12 million will be invested to prepare the facility to build intake manifolds and fuel rails for GM’s next-generation Gen6 V8 engine. Schumer said this new work to build new parts for both internal combustion and electric vehicles firmly positions Rochester at the heart of GM’s cutting-edge transformation by both helping lead GM’s transition to an all-electric future, while having the flexibility to support production of GM’s Gen6 V8 light duty truck engine manufacturing.  The new EV Battery Cooling Line components made in Rochester will be used for the Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer EV and other upcoming EV vehicle releases.

GM’s Rochester facility currently employs nearly 750 workers, including 605 UAW Local 1097 Members.  GM has invested $174 million in Rochester since 2011, and nearly $770 million across their Western New York manufacturing plants in the same time period.

This announcement follows more than a decade of work by Schumer to keep the Rochester auto facility open and successful.  In 2009, following his support for the U.S. Auto Industry Rescue package,  Schumer led the charge to keep the Rochester plant open when it’s then-owner, Delphi, closed dozens of other plants as a result of its bankruptcy.  Dozens of other Delphi plants closed, but thanks to Schumer’s intervention Rochester was one of only a few plants that stayed in business.  Schumer ultimately succeeded in his push with the Obama Administration and GM  to have GM reacquire both the Rochester plant and the Lockport, NY plant from Delphi, thereby keeping these workers and plants in business and safe from closure.   Over the past several years in personal letters and calls to GM’s CEO, Schumer has advocated for GM to award new product lines to the Rochester facility and worked with Rep. Joe Morelle to make the case to GM to add new production in Rochester.

Schumer stressed he wants this to only be the beginning of new work building America’s electric vehicle future at UAW-staffed plants in the Finger Lakes and Western New York. Schumer noted that the growing need for electric vehicles should drive new investment at the neighboring GM facilities in Lockport and Tonawanda, as well as the Ford Stamping Plant in Blasdell. The senator just helped deliver a $154 million investment at the GM Lockport manufacturing facility last year for the production of electric motor components. Schumer stated that all four facilities are critical to Upstate New York’s economy and that he would do everything in his power to ensure their continued prosperity and connection to new opportunities in the fast-growing electric vehicle market.

 

Senator Schumer has long been leading the charge at the federal level to make electric vehicles affordable, and expand electric vehicle infrastructure and manufacturing in the U.S. In October 2019, Schumer unveiled his Clean Cars For America Climate Proposal to help accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century by making clean cars and charging infrastructure accessible and affordable to all Americans, all while investing in the domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries to ensure the U.S. leads the world in this industry. Schumer was able to realize many of these goals in groundbreaking Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in fighting climate change ever. The Inflation Reduction Act expands consumer tax credits for clean vehicle purchases by providing a new tax credit of $4,000 for the sale of used clean cars, a new tax credit of $7,500 for commercial clean vehicles, and expanded tax credits of up to $7,500 for purchasers of certain new clean vehicles that meet domestic content and critical mineral content requirements that scale over time, as well as specifications on the cost of the vehicle and its final assembly. The law also includes incentives for EV charger deployments and funding to retrofit existing manufacturing facilities to make clean vehicles. These tax credits are expected to create huge new market demand and are what have largely spurred companies like GM to double down on their production of clean electric vehicles making investments like this possible.

Additionally, in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, that Schumer led to passage, he successfully secured $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV chargers, including $175 million for New York, that will put America on the path to a convenient and equitable network of 500,000 chargers across the country. This investment by the federal government is key to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; making electric vehicles and the infrastructure they rely on more accessible to all Americans.

The GM Rochester Facility on Lexington Avenue opened in 1939 has produced the highest quality fuel systems and emission control devices for General Motors for over 80 years.   Schumer praised GM for its foresight in locating this new production in Rochester and said GM’s employees at the Rochester plant are hard-working, productive and second to none.  Rochester’s GM Lexington Avenue Facility invented mechanical fuel injection for the automotive in the 1950's, quadrajet carburation in the 1960's, refined hydrogen fuel cell technology in the 1990's and made the world’s best direct injection systems for GM.  

Attorney General James Recovers Over $422,000 for Hundreds of Long Island Tenants Illegally Denied Security Deposits

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today recovered more than $422,000 for hundreds of tenants whose security deposits were illegally withheld by Fairfield Properties (Fairfield), one of the largest residential property owners on Long Island. The real estate company illegally withheld full or partial security deposits without providing tenants with a written itemized list of deductions, inspected apartments without the tenant present, and did not allow tenants to make repairs before vacating their apartment to avoid penalties. As a result of today’s agreement, Fairfield must return security deposits that it illegally withheld to approximately 900 former tenants, including interest, and pay $90,000 in penalties. 

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to worry that their landlord will illegally withhold money that belongs to them,” said Attorney General James. “Fairfield withheld thousands of dollars that belonged to hardworking people, and today, we are returning that money to tenants who were shortchanged. We will always go after landlords that violate the law and the rights of New Yorkers.” 

Fairfield owns and operates 196 rental buildings with 13,620 rental units in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) received complaints from tenants that Fairfield was withholding their security deposits, and after an investigation, OAG found that the real estate company routinely violated several housing and tenant protection laws. 

New York law requires landlords to provide an itemized list of any deductions on security deposits within 14 days or else a security deposit must be returned in full. Fairfield withheld full security deposits or returned partial deposits without providing tenants a written itemized list of deductions. New York law also requires landlords to give tenants written notice of their right to be present when the apartment is inspected and must allow tenants the opportunity to clean or fix anything that would be deducted from their security deposit. Fairfield routinely inspected apartments without the tenant present and did not give tenants the opportunity to make repairs or clean their apartment before vacating it.  

As a result of today’s agreement, Fairfield will return $422,598.21 back to 899 former tenants who had some or all of their security deposits withheld. Fairfield will contact former tenants and send them their checks. The company will also pay $90,000 in penalties to the state and will be required to provide reports to OAG about its compliance with this agreement. The company has agreed to comply with all laws regarding security deposits and must send certificates affirming their compliance every year or whenever requested by OAG for three years. They will also train current staff on correct security deposit procedures and will provide annual trainings in the future.  

“Enforcement by the New York Attorney General is the key to tenants’ rights actually being obeyed in the marketplace,” said Ian Wilder, Executive Director, Long Island Housing Services. “It is unfortunate that law enforcement is forced to step in to make sure that tenants are protected. As both a Fair Housing and HUD-certified Housing Counseling agency, we see that laws passed by the legislature to ensure that tenants are on equal footing with their landlords are often ignored. Tenants regularly find themselves without the resources to ensure that their rights are obeyed. We appreciate that the New York Attorney General stepped forward to protect our fellow Long Islanders.”

“We applaud Attorney General James for fighting to protect renters’ rights, a large portion of tenants across the region are young professionals, minorities, and millennials who work tirelessly to afford quality housing on Long Island,” said Dan Lloyd, Founder and President, Minority Millennials. “We should not have to stress about property owners taking advantage of us and pocketing our earnings.”

This agreement is part of Attorney General James’ ongoing efforts to protect tenants and hold bad landlords accountable. In December, Attorney General James barred a Queens property manager from locking tenants out of their homes. In November, she stopped real estate company Compass from denying housing to low-income New Yorkers. In October, Attorney General James and the Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force announced a settlement with Greg Fournier and his real estate company, Greenbrook Holdings, for harassing tenants and engaging in unlawful practices in managing its buildings in Brooklyn. In September, Attorney General James secured $4 million from landlords after uncovering an illegal kickback scheme to deregulate apartments.

NYC Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough Presidents and 28 Council Members Urge President Biden and FEMA to Accelerate Aid to NYC for Asylum Seekers

 

Letter from a majority of NYC elected officials asks the federal government to fulfill “national obligation” toward asylum seekers

In a letter sent to President Joseph R. Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell earlier this week, organized by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a majority of New York City elected officials urged the federal government to accelerate funding to municipalities to support arriving asylum seekers. The elected officials pressed for the City of New York to get its due share of the $800 million in assistance for municipalities allocated by Congress to FEMA in December, under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Schumer, as well as other categorical grants.

The elected officials write:

“The right to flee persecution, and to seek asylum in another country, is a human right guaranteed under both international and U.S. law. Under those laws, guaranteeing that right is an obligation of the federal government. While New York City, as a city of immigrants that has thrived on the contributions of newcomers for more than 400 years, is proud to play a significant role in helping our nation meet that obligation, the costs of meeting this national obligation should be borne by the federal government.”

The letter also urged the federal government to move quickly to accelerate work authorization for recent arrivals, noting the significant backlogs in immigration courts that may mean years before those arriving in recent months can receive work permits.

Many of the signatories have repeatedly called for increased state and federal support in recent months. Comptroller Lander and Public Advocate Williams spoke with Senator Schumer about accelerating resources and work authorization for asylum seekers in October 2022. As part of the budget agreement in December, Senator Schumer negotiated changes to the structure of FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program to better enable cities like New York City to access these funds.

The letter, signed by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Borough Presidents Vanessa Gibson, Mark Levine, and Antonio Reynoso, and twenty-eight members of the City Council, is available here.