Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - This Week in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

NYC Restaurant Week will take place from July 24 to August 20! This is a great way to highlight some of our local eateries and support our local economy. If your business is interested in participating, scroll to ‘Commerce Corner’ for more information or to register. 

This weekend, there will be activities throughout the district, including the annual Fair at the Square (hosted by the Westchester Square Business Improvement District), followed by an evening full of Latin and R&B hits at Ferry Point Park with Brenda K. Starr. For more information on these events and other programs, please scroll to ‘What’s Happening in District 13.’

In this week’s email, you will find information about CUNY’s Virtual College Prep Program, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board public meeting at Hunter College, education opportunities for our youth interested in STEM, the MTA Mobile Sales Van, and more. If you are interested in these programs, please scroll to ‘Legislative Corner,’ ‘Health Hub,’ and ‘Education and Youth.’

To contact our office for additional information or concerns, please call us at  (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Wishing you all a safe and joyous weekend.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Juneteenth

In honor of the Juneteenth holiday, there will be service changes throughout New York City, including construction updates, transportation, and government office hours.

Transportation

• NYC Ferry - Ferry service will operate on a weekend schedule on Juneteenth, Monday, June 19, 2023. For all schedules, please visit their website.

• MTA - The MTA will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, June 19, 2023.

Travel Tips

• If you plan to drive to the airport, it is recommended to pre-book parking in advance, take mass transit, or other means of transportation if possible

• The Port Authority encourages use of the MTA’s LaGuardia Link Q70, which is free year—round, for fast and efficient access to and from LaGuardia Airport via public transit (with connections to the MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA New York City Transit subway lines 7, E, F, M, and R).

• For those traveling via PATH on Juneteenth, trains will operate on a weekday schedule. For information on PAH service and train schedules, click here.

Salsa & Freestyle Night at Ferry Point Park

Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with hits and Latin rhythms as Brenda K. Starr lights up the stage tomorrow, Saturday, June 17, at 6 PM at Ferry Point Park (enter at the Ferry Point shuttle). Don’t miss out on her legendary voice and captivating energy. Grab your friends, your dancing shoes, and get ready to dance the night away!

This event is free and open to the public.

14th Annual Fair at the Square

This Saturday, June 17, from 11 AM to 6 PM, the Westchester Square Business Improvement District in partnership with my office, will host its annual Fair at the Square! Come out and join the fun, including live music, food and drinks, games, giveaways, and more.

Mark Your Calendars! Movies Under The Stars Returns

Next Friday, June 23 at the Orchard Beach North Picnic Area, we will have a special presentation of Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Enjoy a night out with the family for a movie under the stars (don’t forget to bring a blanket or a chair!). We recommend arriving at 7:30 PM, giving you plenty of time to prepare for the film to begin at dusk. As a reminder, all movie nights are free and open to the public and include free popcorn. If you have questions, please call our office at 718-931-1721 oremail District13@council.nyc.gov.

Transportation Advisory

MTA Service Updates

Due to station improvements, the MTA has announced a 24/7 bypass of the Westchester Square/E Tremont Avenue station on Pelham Bay Park-bound 6 trains, beginning Monday, June 12 at 5 AM through mid-July. Customers are advised to use the nearby Zerega Avenue or Middletown Road stations.

Travel Alternatives

• For service to Westchester Square/E Tremont Avenue station, take the 6 to Middletown Road and transfer to a Manhattan-bound 6.

• For service from Westchester Square/E Tremont Avenue station, take the 6 to Zerega Avenue and transfer to a Pelham Bay Park-bound 6.

Construction & Repair Advisories

Westchester Avenue Bridge

The NYC Department of Transportation Division of Bridges has announced it will remove temporary support structures (put in place to support the NYCT structure during the bridge girders replacement) on Westchester Avenue Bridge between Waters Place and Ericson Place weeknights through Friday, June 16, from 9 PM to 6 AM. 

Closure of Entrance Ramp

The New York State Department of Transportation has announced an entrance ramp closure from eastbound Pelham Parkway to northbound Bruckner Expressway (I-95) until Thursday, June 29 at 5 PM. Motorists wanting access to the northbound Bruckner Expressway are advised to follow the posted detour signs on Pelham Parkway. This closure is necessary to facilitate work to enhance safety and mobility on the northbound Bruckner Expressway and northbound Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx.

Shore Road Bridge

The NYC Department of Transportation Division of Bridges will continue routine maintenance of the Shore Road Bridge over the Hutchinson River. As a result, single-lane closures will continue from Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 30 according to the below schedule: 

Single Lane Closures

• Northbound - 7 AM to 9 AM

• Northbound and Southbound - 9 AM to 1 PM

• Northbound and Southbound - 10 PM to 7 AM

No Parking

The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced a ‘No Parking’ advisory on Pelham Parkway North Service Road between Eastchester Road and Bronx Park East and Pelham Bay Parkway Westbound Main Road between White Plains Road and Stillwell Avenue, from now through June 30 from 7 AM to 4 PM. This restriction is necessary to facilitate ‘end of construction’ work. 

Night-Time Lane Closures

The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced a ‘Night-Time Lane Closure’ advisory on Pelham Parkway Eastbound Main Road between White Plains Road and Stillwell Avenue from now through Friday, June 30, from 9 PM to 5 AM. This restriction is necessary to facilitate roadway reconstruction.

NYC Government Hiring Hall

On Wednesday, June 21 from 2 PM 6 PM, there will be a NYC Hiring Hall at CUNY Lehman College. This is the perfect time to share your resume and learn about New York City government job opportunities. Be sure to register below to reserve your spot!

Register

Aging Well in the Bronx Survey

The New York Academy of Medicine is working with the Bronx Borough President’s Office and Council Members Eric Dinowitz and Marjorie Velázquez to survey adults age 65+ who live in The Bronx. We want to hear from you about how well the borough meets your needs and suggest ways that The Bronx can better support older adults and people of all ages. All surveys are anonymous, and the collected data  will be shared directly with the Bronx Borough President’s Office, along with concrete recommendations on how to make The Bronx the best borough for people to age-in-place. You can complete this survey in English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Italian or Russian online or contact Council Member Velázquez’s office to complete it in person.

“Lottery Lawyer” Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For His Role In Schemes To Defraud Lottery Winner Clients Of More Than $100 Million

 

Co-Defendant Christopher Chierchio Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JASON KURLAND, a New York lawyer, and CHRISTOPHER CHIERCHIO were sentenced today and yesterday for their participation in schemes to defraud KURLAND’s prominent lottery-winning clients of more than $100 million.  KURLAND, who was convicted at trial in July 2022 of wire fraud, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, was sentenced to 13 years in prison.  CHIERCHIO, who pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, was sentenced to five years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis imposed both sentences.

According to the Indictment, the evidence presented in court during trial, and other statements made during court proceedings:

Between mid-2018 and mid-2020, KURLAND was a successful partner at a Long Island law firm, earning approximately $500,000 in annual compensation.  Through public advertisements and self-promotion, KURLAND built a niche practice representing lottery jackpot winners across the country.  KURLAND marketed himself widely in the national media as the “Lottery Lawyer,” touting expertise in counseling individuals and families who had won lotteries and consequently achieved sudden wealth.  KURLAND purported to represent dozens of lottery winners throughout the country with total winnings of approximately $3 billion.

Beginning in mid-2018, KURLAND retained three major lottery winners — one won the $1.5 billion Mega Millions lottery, another won the $245 million Powerball jackpot, and the third won the $150 million jackpot (together, the “Lottery Victims”).  The Lottery Victims each paid KURLAND and his law firm hundreds of thousands of dollars so that he could advise them on how to safely invest their money.  Instead, after gaining their trust, KURLAND steered his clients to invest in various risky businesses that he secretly co-owned and controlled with co-defendants Francis Smookler and Frangesco Russo, among others.  In addition to ownership profits from these businesses, KURLAND received undisclosed kickbacks based on a percentage of the Lottery Victims’ investments.  The defendants then used the money from the Lottery Victims’ investments to keep their scheme going and to support their lavish lifestyles, purchasing, among other things, expensive vacations and luxury vehicles, including two yachts and a Porsche.

In text messages and intercepted phone calls, KURLAND and his co-defendants brazenly gloated about defrauding the Lottery Victims.  For example, when KURLAND learned that he had retained the first Lottery Victim, he texted Russo, “Have to figure out how to have this get to us,” referring to KURLAND’s desire to direct the Lottery Victim’s money to their businesses.  KURLAND used the unique attorney-client relationship, which is founded on principles of honesty and loyalty, to his advantage, ensuring that he and his co-defendants secured multimillion-dollar investments.  Following a pre-investment client meeting with one Lottery Victim, KURLAND texted Smookler and Russo, “haven’t talked about the investment yet, but I could not have teed it up better[.]”  Shortly thereafter, that Lottery Victim invested $5 million in one of the defendants’ businesses without knowledge of KURLAND’s ownership in the business.  On a separate occasion, after KURLAND convinced one of the Lottery Victims to unknowingly purchase his and his co-defendants’ entire business for $2 million — a transaction that resulted in a large payout to KURLAND and his co-defendants — KURLAND bragged to Smookler in a text: “Like looking at my bank statement today. Not gonna lie.”  Motivated by greed, KURLAND and the co-defendants haphazardly invested the Lottery Victims’ money in high-risk deals, which turned out to be a Ponzi scheme.  As it became apparent that their high-risk investments were in peril, KURLAND texted Smookler, “let me know if I’m keeping the Panamera [a Porsche model], or have to go back to my Lexus.”  Within a little more than a year, a large portion of the Lottery Victims’ investment capital, totaling more than $40 million, was lost.

In April 2020, in an effort to try to recoup their losses and conceal their fraud from the Lottery Victims, KURLAND, Russo, and Smookler resorted to investing in Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) deals.  CHIERCHIO was the middleman for the PPE deals.  CHIERCHIO quickly capitalized on KURLAND’s precarious situation and need for quick returns, egging him on to “go deep with me here” and promising that KURLAND could “make all [his] losses back.”  In turn, KURLAND stole $19.5 million from one of the Lottery Victims’ accounts.  Only a portion of this money was ever used for the purported PPE deals while millions of dollars were skimmed off the top by CHIERCHIO and the other co-defendants.  In total, KURLAND’s misrepresentations, along with the actions of his co-defendants, caused the Lottery Victims losses in excess of $80 million, as well as an additional $19.5 million that was stolen by KURLAND directly from one of the Lottery Victims.  

In addition to their prison terms, KURLAND, 49, of Dix Hills, New York, and CHIERCHIO, 54, of Queens, New York, were sentenced to three years of supervised release.  KURLAND was ordered to pay $64,600,000 in forfeiture, and his restitution will be determined by the Court within 90 days of today’s sentencing.  CHIERCHIO was further ordered to pay $26,550,000 in forfeiture and $30,550,000 in restitution.

Mr. Williams praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this case.

Attorney General James Co-Leads Coalition of 24 Attorneys General in Supporting Stronger Federal Protections for Reproductive Health Data Privacy

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta today led a coalition of 24 attorneys general in filing a comment letter in support of increased federal protections for patients’ reproductive health information. The Biden Administration has proposed amendments to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule — the federal law governs the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) — that would make it illegal to share a patient’s PHI if it is being sought for certain criminal, civil, and administrative investigations or proceedings against a patient in connection with a legal abortion or other reproductive care.

As the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade spurred many anti-abortion states to enforce draconian restrictions that could lead to criminal or civil penalties for anyone seeking, providing, or assisting with reproductive care, it is imperative that patients’ PHI — specifically reproductive health data — is protected. In the comment letter, the coalition of attorneys general welcomed the federal government’s proposed HIPAA amendments and noted that the additional protections would help safeguard reproductive health data from being wrongfully accessed and exploited to harm pregnant people or health care providers.

“No one should have to worry about whether their health care information will be kept private when they go to the doctor to get the care they need,” said Attorney General James. “While anti-choice state legislatures across the nation are stripping away our reproductive freedom and seeking access to health care data, it is imperative that we take every measure to safeguard Americans’ privacy. I will always fight to defend abortion and ensure no one’s private right to choose can be used against them.”

In June 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade and created a climate of uncertainty and fear among reproductive health care seekers and providers throughout the country. Fifteen states currently have laws in effect prohibiting abortion under all or most circumstances. Everyone involved in assisting, providing, and obtaining abortion care in those states could be at risk of investigation, civil liability, and criminal prosecution.

In the letter, the coalition of attorneys general expressed their support for the proposed HIPAA amendments, which aim to protect against the misuse and weaponization of patients’ private health care data. The amendments would prohibit the use or disclosure of PHI for an investigation into a patient in connection with seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating reproductive health care if:

• The patient seeking reproductive health care is in a state where abortion is legal; or
• The patient is seeking reproductive health care that is protected under federal law (for example, by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act), regardless of the state.

The coalition argues that these provisions are essential to create a more unified privacy landscape for access to reproductive care and urged the Biden Administration to adopt the provisions expediently. The attorneys general also called for the creation of a nationally available, online platform that provides patients with accurate and clear information on reproductive care and privacy rights, and a public awareness campaign to promote the website.

Joining Attorneys General James and Bonta in filing today’s letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.

Filing these comments is the latest action Attorney General James has taken to protect abortion access in New York and nationwide. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to end Roe v. Wade, Attorney General James launched a pro bono legal hotline to provide legal support to patients and health care providers nationwide. Attorney General James has repeatedly led multi-state coalitions in submitting amicus briefs to combat efforts to roll back abortion rights, and to support protecting Americans’ access to safe, legal abortions. During former President Trump’s Administration, Attorney General James challenged attempts to restrict access to reproductive health care services, such as the Trump administration's Title X rule and submitted testimony urging passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act. Attorney General James has helped lead coalitions of attorneys general to defend abortion access in states including Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Attorney General James has supported state legislation to provide funds to abortion providers in New York and called for an amendment to the state constitution to ensure the right to an abortion. 

Most recently, Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against members of Red Rose Rescue, an anti-abortion extremist group, for invading reproductive health care clinics, threatening staff and clinicians, and terrorizing patients. Last month, Attorney General James co-led a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief in Texas v. Becerra, supporting the Biden Administration’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s defense of access to emergency abortion care. Also last month, she led two separate multistate coalitions in filing two amicus briefs in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit arguing that separate decisions issued by the same district court judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas would harm access to mifepristone and threaten privacy protections over adolescents’ reproductive health care decisions. 

Governor Hochul Announces Progress in State Crackdown on Child Labor Violations

 

New York State Department of Labor Conducts 145 Business Inspections, Completes Investigation into Child Labor Violations Resulting in $105,000 in Penalties

Also Launches Online Child Labor Hub, Public Service Announcements in English and Spanish to Educate Workers and Employers on Child Labor Laws

Releases Enhanced Complaint Form to Make it Easier to Report Violations

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced progress in New York State's multipronged effort to protect children in the workforce. Governor Hochul announced that, as part of its ongoing work with the Child Labor Task Force announced earlier this year, the New York State Department of Labor recently conducted inspections into child labor practices at 145 New York businesses. The Governor also unveiled the NYSDOL's new online child labor complaint form, which provides minors, their parents and caregivers, and community stakeholders with an easy method to report violations, and launched NYSDOL's new online child labor hub, a digital resource with important information to help employers comply with federal and state child labor laws. Together, these announcements build on the Governor's commitment to combatting abusive child labor practices and creating safe workplaces all New Yorkers, especially minors.

"New York State continues to build on our efforts to make our state the safest in the nation for all workers - particularly child workers," Governor Hochul said. "With these new initiatives, we are reaffirming our commitment to ending abusive child labor practices and creating a safer work environment for all."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Our children are the future of New York State and must be protected as they begin their journey into the world of work. New York State has some of the strongest protections for minors in the workplace. Any business skirting the law will be found and swiftly brought to justice. I encourage young members of our workforce and their parents to understand their rights and to file complaints if they suspect they are a victim."

In addition to NYSDOL's business inspections, NYSDOL continues to investigate child labor violations through its Division of Labor Standards. In January 2021, NYSDOL launched a child labor investigation into Princeton Food Services, L.L.C.after the Division of Labor Standards received an anonymous complaint about the company's Staten Island Wendy's restaurant. During the probe, investigators discovered several violations involving minors occurred over the span of several months. Violations included minors working during the school day, working late on school nights, and working beyond daily and weekly work hours permitted by law. Once the company was educated by NYSDOL about the law, it came into compliance. NYSDOL subsequently completed a full audit that resulted in Princeton Food Services, L.L.C. paying $105,000 in penalties for child labor violations.

The new child labor hub features several assets to help employers, parents, minors, and the public navigate child labor laws. Resources include the new online child labor complaint form, which begins a Division of Labor Standards investigation into the reported business, once a complaint is filed. The hub also boasts additional tools for employers, including an interactive scheduling template, a sample work schedule, a color-coding scheduling guide, and online training videos to assist employers in adhering to child labor laws.

NYSDOL ramped up its educational outreach by distributing print materials and digital resources - including palm cards and online trainings - to young New Yorkers, their parents, businesses, and community stakeholders across New York State. As part of its continued public service campaign on child labor, NYSDOL recently created videos in English and Spanish as part of its ongoing effort to educate the public about the protections in place for minors in the workplace. The video will be distributed to school districts statewide to educate minors who are seeking working papers. The Child Labor Hub will also soon include an employer pledge for those employers who take steps to educate themselves on child labor laws and commit to keeping minors safe in their workplaces.

Governor Hochul announced the new Child Labor Task Force in March in response to a troubling spike in child labor violations. Members of this interagency collaboration meet regularly to examine trends to guide solutions to strengthen protections of the young workforce. The task force also works proactively to ensure children, parents, and employers are educated on the rights of young New Yorkers in the workplace. As part of that announcement, the Governor also unveiled an extensive public education campaign and the creation of a new Labor Trafficking Response Unit within NYSDOL.

NYSDOL has online guidance, broken down by ages 14-17 and 18-24 to help employers, parents, and minors better understand the laws and protections. There is also additional information young workers need to know before starting their job search, including topics such as working papers, proper identification, resume preparation, and more. Some important tips to remember for young workers and hiring businesses are:

• Workers ages 14 to 17 need an employment certificate, also called working papers, in order to hold a job in New York State.
• There are limits to the length of shifts, time of day and the number of hours minors can work depending on their age, and if school is in session.
• Minors are prohibited from night work and have different restrictions than adults.
• Minimum wage laws apply to all workers (unless otherwise noted), including minors.
• Minors may not perform certain tasks or occupations deemed dangerous. These tasks and occupations are prohibited at the state and/or the federal level.

For more information on child labor laws, visit theNYSDOL Know Your Rights webpage. For more information on human and labor trafficking, visit the Human Trafficking webpage.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro - First Annual Family Fun Day Tomorrow

Dear Friends,

The First Annual Family Fun Day is tomorrow! Please join us for an amazing day filled with food, music, entertainment and celebration for all. This is a free event for the community. We hope to see you there!

When: Tomorrow, June 17, 2023

Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Where: District 80 Community Office, 2018 Williamsbridge Rd

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Community Office at (718) 409-0109. See you there!