United States Attorney Announces Extradition Of FTX Founder Samuel Bankman-Fried To The United States And Guilty Pleas Of Former CEO Of Alameda Research And Former Chief Technology Officer Of FTX

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the extradition of SAMUEL BANKMAN-FRIED, a/k/a “SBF,” yesterday from the Bahamas.[1] 

Also unsealed are the guilty pleas of CAROLINE ELLISON, former CEO of Alameda Research, and GARY WANG, co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of FTX.  ELLISON and WANG pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams on December 19, 2022, to charges arising from their participation in schemes to defraud FTX’s customers and investors, and related crimes, and are cooperating with the Government.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Last week, we announced charges against Samuel Bankman-Fried for a sweeping fraud scheme that contributed to FTX’s collapse and for a campaign finance scheme that sought to influence public policy in Washington.  As I said last week, this investigation is very much ongoing, and it’s moving very quickly.  I also said that last week’s announcement would not be our last, and let me be clear once again, neither is today’s.” 

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “With the pleas announced today, Ms. Ellison and Mr. Wang admitted they were willing participants in schemes to defraud FTX.com's customers and backers out of their money.  The FBI will continue to seek justice for the victims of this case.  No matter how fraudsters dress it up or sell the scam, we will continue to make every effort to ensure those responsible for the scheme are held accountable in our criminal justice system.”

CAROLINE ELLISON, 28, is charged with and has pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; two counts of wire fraud, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

GARY WANG, 29, is charged with and has pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

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

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI and thanked the FBI for its partnership in the extradition of Mr. Bankman-Fried and its investigation of wrongdoing associated with Alameda Research and FTX.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Bahamas’ government as well as the United States Embassy in the Bahamas for their extraordinary efforts in the arrest and return of the defendant to the United States to face these charges.  He also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos and Danielle Sassoon are in charge of the prosecution.  The Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Raymond and Thane Rehn also contributed to the investigation.

The allegations in the Indictment against BANKMAN-FRIED are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] The charges against BANKMAN-FRIED are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION OF JIMMY VAN BRAMER AND ISABEL CASTILLA TO PUBLIC DESIGN COMMISSION

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after the New York City Council voted to confirm Jimmy Van Bramer and Isabel Castilla — both nominated by Mayor Adams — to the New York City Public Design Commission (PDC):

 

“Vibrant public spaces are essential to our city’s recovery, and Jimmy Van Bramer and Isabel Castilla will be creative and responsible stewards of our public realm. Public space is infrastructure — it is a key factor in economic opportunity, public health, and quality of life. And Jimmy and Isabel’s combined experience advocating for New Yorkers and designing high-quality, accessible urban spaces make them exceptional candidates for the Public Design Commission.

 

“I want to thank the City Council for their prompt consideration of these highly qualified nominees. I look forward to working with them, the entire commission, and the City Council to re-envision our city’s streetscapes.”

1.2-Million-Square-Foot Bronx Logistics Center Tops Out In Hunt’s Point, The Bronx

 

Construction has topped out on Bronx Logistics Center (BLC), a five-story industrial building in the Hunts Point section of The Bronx. Designed by ARCO Design/Build Industrial and developed by Turnbridge Equities, the structure will span 1.2 million square feet, including 585,000 square feet of Class A warehouse space, a five-story garage for truck fleet parking, and 1,500 surface-level parking spaces. The development is progressing on a 14.2-acre plot along East 149th Street near the East River.

The campus will serve as a last mile urban logistics center, which refers to the final step of the delivery process from a distribution center to the customer or end user.

“As a thriving economic hotbed, the New York region is bustling with industry-leading firms and more than 20 million residents that expect a seamless, swift, and frictionless delivery process,” said Ryan Nelson, managing principal of Turnbridge Equities. “Turnbridge Equities is proud to deliver the Bronx Logistics Center as a state-of-the-art, next-generation solution to a rapidly increasing demand for fast, efficient shipments.”

The BLC building will feature 32-foot ceiling spans, dedicated entrances for flatbed trucks warehouse space, an expansive rooftop solar array, and around 500 electric vehicle charging stations.

Turnbridge Equities began assembling the site in 2018 and partnered with entities affiliated with Dune Real Estate Partners LP to complete the project. The venture spent around $174 million to acquire the site and landed a $381 million loan to finance construction.

The project broke ground in 2021 and is expected to wrap up by June 2023. JLL was retained as the exclusive leasing agent.

Renderings Revealed For 105 West Tremont Avenue In Morris Heights, The Bronx

 

Developer The Community Builders in partnership with Crown Holdings is bringing a new ten-story senior housing building to 105 West Tremont Avenue in Morris Heights, The Bronx. SB+C Architecture is the design architect with Crown Architecture & Consulting as the architect of record.

The 100-foot-tall development will be designed to Passive House Standards, with fully electric systems and a 1,800-square-foot solar array on the rooftop. Components include 54,496 square feet for 95 AIRS low-income housing units for seniors, and one superintendent unit, as YIMBY previously reported. All units in 105 West Tremont Avenue will meet adaptable standards with accessibility features handrails in corridors, bright lighting, and color-defined wayfinding. There will also be double the required number of fully accessible and designed hearing and vision-impaired units.

Additional amenities include two elevators, laundry, bicycle storage, resident exam/consultation rooms, a resident services office, two recreation/community rooms, two exterior recreation spaces, a monitored package room, and an entry vestibule with seating and 24-hour reception.

The exterior of 105 West Tremont Avenue is inspired by the Art Deco buildings of Grand Concourse, with a façade comprised of sustainable porcelain and metal panels with space for a mural on the east façade.

The estimated completion date is late 2025.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 21, 2022

 

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

25 Statewide Deaths Reported on December 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 during the cold weather months.

"As New Yorkers gather together this holiday season, I urge everyone 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. "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 recently updated New Yorkers on the state's winter health preparedness efforts.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CDC also cleared the way for children six months of age and olderto receive the bivalent booster shot to increase protection against COVID-19. Previously, these shots were only available to children ages 5 and older.

The New York State Department of Health issued a report showing a 19 percent week-over-week jump in lab-confirmed flu cases across New York and week-over-week hospitalizations up 6 percent. Cases of influenza have now been detected in all 62 counties across the state, highlighting the need for New Yorkers to take steps and precautions that will reduce the risk of severe illness for children and adults. 

Governor Hochul previously launched a public awareness campaign featuring New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett speaking directly to New Yorkers about the three viruses now circulating in the state with similar symptoms and the potential to cause serious illness. Produced by the New York State Department of Health, the videos include a short clip and a longer version geared toward parents; and a version aimed specifically at health care providers.

The Governor also asked New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. 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.

In addition, Governor Hochul encourages New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season is widespread across New York State. 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 State Department of Health 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. Advertisements in both English and Spanish language began running last month.

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 32.20
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 28.55
• Test Results Reported - 77,996
• Total Positive - 6,293
• Percent Positive - 7.15%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 7.50%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,835 (+43)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 676
• Patients in ICU - 379 (+15)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 154 (+1)
• Total Discharges - 376,876 (+577)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 25
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 60,079

** 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 - 76,482

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	Sunday,   December   19, 2022	Monday,   December   20, 2022	Tuesday,   December   21, 2022
Bronx	8.57%	8.40%	8.51%
Kings	4.83%	5.62%	5.76%
New York	7.64%	7.40%	7.34%
Queens	8.99%	8.77%	8.99%
Richmond	6.70%	7.23%	7.97%