Former NYPD Detective And Four Other New York Men Charged In Violent Racketeering Conspiracy

 

Charges Include Participating in a Criminal Enterprise that Committed Bribery, Fraud, and Theft, Including Two Gunpoint Robberies

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of Indictments charging DAGOBERTO SOTO-RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Pito,” SAUL ARISMENDY DE LA CRUZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Venom,” EDWIN LUCIANO RODRIGUEZ-GENAO, a/k/a “Pantalla,” SANTIAGO XAVIER MALDONADO, a/k/a “Xavier,” and DIEGO MUELAS-GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Menor,” for their participation in a violent theft crew.  DE LA CRUZ, RODRIGUEZ-GENAO, MALDONADO, and MUELAS-GONZALEZ were arrested this morning and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.  SOTO-RAMIREZ has not been arrested at this time.

DAGOBERTO SOTO-RAMIREZ: WANTED BY THE FBI

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “Over an extended period, the defendants allegedly participated in a string of violent armed robberies and additional crimes designed to conceal the thefts.  The crew went so far as to entice a member of law enforcement to help them evade capture.  The FBI will continue to work diligently everyday to remove violent criminals from our communities.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Violent criminal acts like the type alleged today are a disgrace.  When such behavior involves a former police officer who shamelessly exploits their position of power for personal gain, it erodes public trust in law enforcement and tarnishes the reputations of the many thousands of women and men who honorably serve New Yorkers each day.  There will always be zero tolerance in the NYPD for corruption of any kind.  And our investigators, in close partnership with all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure that it is punished to the fullest extent possible.”

As alleged in the Indictment and Superseding Indictments unsealed in White Plains federal court:[1]

Between 2017 and 2022, SOTO-RAMIREZ organized a crew that committed residential burglaries and home invasion robberies, repeatedly targeting small business owners.  The majority of the targeted victims were Asian-American.  Armed with guns and other weapons, members of the crew stole money, jewelry, and other property from scores of homes in states across the country.  RODRIGUEZ-GENAO, MALDONADO, and MUELAS-GONZALEZ took part in the crew’s criminal scheme, which also included the use of false identification, bank fraud, and laundering theft proceeds.  In addition, SOTO-RAMIREZ and other members of the conspiracy bribed DE LA CRUZ, first an officer and later a detective of the NYPD, who helped members of the crew escape arrest.  As part of his activities with the crew, SOTO-RAMIREZ committed two gunpoint home invasion robberies in Queens.

SOTO-RAMIREZ, 41, of the Bronx, New York, DE LA CRUZ, 31, RODRIGUEZ-GENAO, 48, MALDONADO, 43, and MUELAS-GONZALEZ, 26, all of Queens, New York, are each charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  SOTO-RAMIREZ is additionally charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and two counts of possession of a firearm, which was brandished, in furtherance of a crime of violence, each of which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI, the Westchester County Joint Organized Crime Task Force, the New York Public Corruption Task Force, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the NYPD, the Nassau County Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Fort Lee Police Department.  He added that the investigation is ongoing.  

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

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the description of the Indictment and the other charging documents set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY ISSUED FOR LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY METRO, AND WESTERN NEW YORK

 

In Effect for Friday, June 9, 2023

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Long Island, New York City Metro, and Western New York regions for Friday, June 9, 2023.  

The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter 

The advisory will be in effect from 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. 

The air quality is forecasted to reach ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ Air Quality Index levels on Friday in the Long Island, New York City Metro, and Western NY regions.

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

FINE PARTICULATE MATTER

Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.

When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high.

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking.

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website. To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up for DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service.

The Friday, June 9, Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of the following: Long Island which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties; New York City Metro which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties; and Western New York which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

MAYOR ADAMS AWARDS KEY TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO LEGENDARY ACTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF TRIBECA FESTIVAL ROBERT DE NIRO

Key to the City of New York to Honor De Niro’s Decades of Contribution to Acting and Critical Real-Life Role Revitalizing Post 9/11 Lower Manhattan 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams last night awarded a Key to the City of New York to legendary actor and co-founder of the Tribeca Festival Robert De Niro for his lifetime of achievement and service to New York. Mayor Adams presented the key to De Niro as they celebrated the actor and philanthropist’s decades of contribution to film and over 20 years since the founding of the Tribeca Festival.

 

“From ‘Mean Streets’ and ‘Taxi Driver’ to ‘Raging Bull’ and ‘Goodfellas,’ Robert De Niro’s work remains an iconic part of New York City, as much as he is himself,” said Mayor Adams. “Robert has starred in, directed, or produced over 140 movies, received two Academy Awards, and delivered art that will stand the test of time. Despite his success, Robert has never forgotten his roots as a lifelong New Yorker, co-founding the Tribeca Festival and helping revitalize and reenergize our city after 9/11. Thanks to him, New York City will continue to be the place to film, produce and make television and movies for years to come. For his decades of contribution to film and philanthropic support of New York City, I am honored to present Robert De Niro with a Key to the City of New York.”

 

“The true key to the city is its people,” said Robert De Niro. “I’m honored to accept this recognition on behalf of my eight and a half million neighbors.”  

 

“Robert De Niro is a visionary. He saw the potential for a massive resurrection of Tribeca and the possibility of creating a new city within a city,” said Martin Scorsese. “Bob did this while still being devoted over the years to his craft of acting, and along the way greatly supporting the arts – not only in the city, but worldwide and remaining prominent in much-needed political and social activism. Now, the Tribeca Festival is an indomitable institution and a beacon, and Tribeca itself is the most vibrant, alive location. It is the place to be and will continue to grow.

Mayor Eric Adams attends opening night of the Tribeca Festival and presents a Key to the City to Actor Robert De Niro.

De Niro, a born and bred New Yorker, is one of the most celebrated actors of all time. He has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Golden Lion, the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. His iconic films span decades, including “The Godfather Part II,” which won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1974. His longtime collaboration with director Martin Scorsese earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jake LaMotta in the 1980 film “Raging Bull.” De Niro’s notable film credits include “Mean Streets,” “Taxi Driver,” “The Deer Hunter,” “The King of Comedy,” “Goodfellas,” “A Bronx Tale,” “Heat,” and “The Irishman,” to name just a few.

 

Along with acting, De Niro is producer, director, and co-founder of the Tribeca Festival. In the aftermath of 9/11, De Niro’s contribution to Lower Manhattan and the launch of the Tribeca Festival in 2002 were instrumental in revitaltizing New York City’s economy and cultural landscape. For over 20 years, the annual Tribeca Festival has been a leading voice in media — ranging from film and TV to shorts and music — maintaining New York City’s reputation as a global cultural hub.

Robert De Niro, Mayor Eric Adams, Martin Scorsese, and Jane Rosenthal on the opening night of Tribeca Festival

The Key to the City of New York was first awarded in 1702 by New York City Mayor Phillip French, when he offered "Freedom of the City" to Viscount Edward Cornbury, the then governor of New York and New Jersey. By the mid-1800s, it became customary to award the Key to the City of New York as a direct symbol of the city’s wish that a guest feel free to come and go at will. Today, the Key to the City of New York is a beloved symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement.

KRVC - Festival and Shredding this Weekend!

 

Coming Up this Weekend!

KRVC is devoted to serving ALL members of our community at a high level. We have a decades long track record of doing just that. We have always been and will continue to be inclusive of everyone with all different views, races, genders, affiliations, backgrounds, beliefs and orientations. 

KRVC is especially proud of our newest project, 4Bronx, founded and directed by Laura Levine-Pinedo,

as the mission of 4Bronx is to serve and celebrate the beautiful diversity of our community.

Please join us this Sunday for this amazing

community event.

Please also join us for all these other great Community Events this month!

Wednesday, June 21st

Sunday, June 25th

D.A. BRAGG, DOI COMMISSIONER STRAUBER ANNOUNCE ARREST OF CITY WORKER FOR TIMESHEET FRAUD

 

ACS Employee Submitted Falsified Timesheets While Traveling Abroad to Nigeria, Togo

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. and New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”) Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber announced the arrest of BOLA ALADE-GBAMI, 72, a NYC Administration for Children’s Services (“ACS”) employee, for falsifying his timesheets and stealing taxpayer money by claiming he was working while he was either on vacation – including in Nigeria and Togo – or had not yet actually arrived at work. 

ALADE-GBAMI is charged in a New York City Criminal Court felony complaint with 1 count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and 8 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.[1]  

“This defendant swore an oath to serve the people of New York City but instead allegedly swindled thousands of dollars of taxpayer money through dishonesty,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Our charges include allegations that this city worker was supposedly clocking into work when he was actually traveling abroad in Africa. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office does not tolerate fraud in any form, and I thank the Department of Investigation for its ongoing partnership.” 

DOI Commissioner Strauber said, “During a Citywide staffing shortage, this Child Welfare Specialist, as charged, clocked in while he was not working, including when he was traveling abroad, and claimed overtime hours that he never worked. This brazen misconduct, as alleged, is a violation of his duty to the City and to the public, and it is also a crime. I thank the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for their partnership on this investigation.”

The charges announced are the result of an investigation by DOI, which received an anonymous tip regarding the possible theft, in partnership with the Manhattan D.A.’s Office. 

ALADE-GBAMI has worked for the City of New York since 1996. He was a Congregate Care Specialist with the Administration for Children’s Services from August 29, 2016, to February 6, 2022. A Congregate Care Specialist coordinates transportation and chaperones trips for children going to and from school and other appointments. 

He began working as a Community Associate for ACS on February 6, 2022, and then as a Child Welfare Specialist for ACS on September 19, 2022. 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, from June 2017 to February 2023, ALADE-GBAMI submitted dozens of fraudulent timesheets through the New York City payroll system known as CityTime.

While he traveled abroad and domestically, ALADE-GBAMI submitted timesheets that claimed he had worked regular and overtime hours for the same periods. Records from various airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that he made the following trips from New York City or New Jersey:

• Lagos, Nigeria, from September 2 to September 17, 2017 

• Lome, Togo, from November 24 to December 3, 2017 

• Lagos, Nigeria, from April 21 April 28, 2018 

• St. Louis, Missouri, from May 29 to June 2, 2018 

• St. Louis, Missouri, from September 11 to September 14, 2020 

• Dallas, Texas, from March 10 to March 14, 2022 

• Dallas, Texas, from September 9 to September 14, 2022 

• Dallas, Texas, from February 18 to February 27, 2023 

In sum, ALADE-GBAMI was paid approximately $21,000 by the City while he was traveling outside of New York City.

While he was a Congregate Care Specialist, he used ACS’s contracted car service, which is intended to provide transportation for agency staff and children in the agency’s care. The car service can only be used by Congregate Care Specialists for approved trips, such as school, court, or medical appointments, while chaperoning children.

Instead, ALADE-GBAMI used the car service to commute to work even though he was not chaperoning a child or working in any capacity for ACS. He falsified his work arrival and departure times, and ACS documentation -- including GPS records from the car service -- showed different arrival times than his timesheets. These discrepancies total more than $9,000 in stolen City time.

D.A. Bragg thanked New York City Department of Investigation. The investigation was conducted by DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for ACS, specifically Confidential Investigator Shameika Nixon, with assistance from Senior Timekeeper Phillippa Nunes, under the supervision of Assistant Inspectors General Octavia Hill and Bradley Howard, Deputy Inspectors General Gladys Cambi and Harlyn Griffenberg, Senior Inspector General Laura Millendorf, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Cort. D.A. Bragg also thanked New York City Administration for Children's Services.

Charges: 

• Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count 

• Offering a False Instrument for Fling in the First Degree, a class E felony, 8 counts 

[1] The charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

Six Defendants Arrested For Multimillion-Dollar Wire Fraud And Money Laundering Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging six defendants — SALIF NDAMA-TRAORE, KYLE EMORDI, KEITH EMORDI, AMADOU TIDIANE BA, MOHAMMED NABI ELIKPLIM AKINOTCHO, and IBRAHIM BOCOUM — with conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a business email compromise (“BEC”) scheme that used spoofing attacks to deceive victims into sending a total of approximately $5.8 million to bank accounts that had been opened using fake and stolen information.  All six defendants were arrested and were presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray in the Southern District of Texas.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “As alleged, the defendants engaged in a business email compromise scheme in which they induced the victims to make fraudulent payments totaling more than $5 million.  Additionally, in an attempt to conceal their actions, the defendants withdrew their ill-gotten gains in a manner intended to evade federal reporting requirements.  As this action demonstrates, the FBI remains committed to bringing those who engage in fraudulent activity to justice.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Business email compromise and money laundering schemes, although not violent, are not victimless and can be devastating to the organizations and individuals who fall prey to them.  While the network of online criminals targeting unsuspecting victims is growing every day, these charges should send a clear message to scammers committing fraud – wherever they are based – that they will be identified and held fully accountable.  The NYPD will continue to work tirelessly with all of our law enforcement partners to address this pervasive threat head-on.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

From July 2021 through February 2022, the defendants and others engaged in a fraudulent BEC scheme that involved impersonating legitimate business contacts by email to induce five victims — a hospital, a labor union, a law firm, a real estate closing company, and a logistics company — into remitting payments totaling approximately $5.8 million to fraudulent bank accounts.  Each of the fraudulent bank accounts was opened shortly before the diversion of funds, and at least three accounts were opened using a fake driver’s license or stolen social security number.  Internet protocol registration information also shows that the defendants logged into several of the fraudulent accounts online.

The funds were immediately moved from the fraudulent accounts to bank accounts held in the defendants’ own names or in the name of a defendant-owned company.  The funds were then quickly transferred to additional savings or investment vehicles held in the defendants’ names, withdrawn in cash, or sent to co-defendants through ACH transfers or using a P2P payment service.  Withdrawals were usually made in successive increments of less than $10,000 to avoid triggering federal reporting requirements.  Some funds were pulled back after hitting the fraudulent accounts, resulting in the recovery of approximately $3.14 million and a total loss of approximately $2.66 million.

NDAMA-TRAORE, 39, KYLE EMORDI, 26, KEITH EMORDI, 29, and BOCOUM, 32, all of Houston, Texas; AKINOTCHO, 33, of Cypress, Texas; and BA, 35, of Sugar Land, Texas, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California; the FBI Field Offices in Columbia (Hilton Head Resident Agency), Houston, and Sacramento; and the police departments of New York City, the City of Beaufort, and Houston for their assistance.

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

[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.