MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES 50,000 BLOCKS HAND SWEPT BY THE CITY CLEANUP CORPS

 

Several Milestones Achieved in First Six Months of New Deal-Inspired Economic Recovery Program 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City Cleanup Corps has hand-swept over 50,000 blocks, among several milestones achieved within six months of the program’s launch.  

Since April 2021, Mayor de Blasio’s New Deal-inspired economic recovery program has also removed 600,000 bags of trash, hosted 400,000 work shifts, repainted 900 defaced properties, and cleaned 25,000 rain gardens, among efforts to revitalize and refresh public areas in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. 

“City Cleanup Corps was created not only as an opportunity to get hard-working New Yorkers back on their feet, but also to fortify our commitment to the City's neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With over 50,000 blocks cleaned, thousands of pounds of litter removed, and many other milestones met, City Cleanup Corps members are creating a clear, lasting impact that is being felt by New Yorkers and revitalizing the streets, parks, and public spaces that make our City great."  

“I congratulate the members of the City Cleanup Corps on reaching the milestone of 50,000 blocks hand-swept, among other milestones, as the Corps reaches its six-month anniversary,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Phil Thompson.  “The City Cleanup Corps is fostering an economic recovery by refreshing and revitalizing our city while also providing job opportunities for 10,000 New Yorkers.  The Corps will also help build a recovery for all of us by providing transformative career preparation opportunities for Corps members, who are predominantly from communities identified by the Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity.” 

 

“City Cleanup Corps members are helping to lead a ground-up economic recovery that prioritizes our communities and public spaces,” said the City's Senior Advisor for Recovery Lorraine Grillo. “In neighborhoods across the five boroughs—from Flushing and Bay Ridge to Brighton Beach, Pelham Parkway, and beyond—Corps members’ dedicated efforts are ensuring that New York City will recover from the pandemic stronger than ever.”

 

The New York City Cleanup Corps is revitalizing neighborhoods and public spaces across the five boroughs while creating 10,000 jobs for New York City residents. Jobs with flexible hours and competitive hourly rates are still available. Learn more and apply today at https://nyc.gov/ccc. Follow the City Cleanup Corps on Instagram and Facebook.

 

In response to Hurricane Ida, City Cleanup Corps members helped New Yorkers across the five boroughs clear debris from their residential properties damaged by the storm.

 

“The efforts of the City Cleanup Corps have been instrumental in storm cleanup, pandemic recovery and the revitalization of our city,” said Department of Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson. “On behalf of the nearly 10,000 NYC Sanitation employees who work hard to pick up 12,000 tons of residential refuse every day, I thank the City Cleanup Corps for their partnership in our shared mission of keeping our city clean and safe for all.”

 

“We are proud to work with NYC Cleanup Corps as they provide vital maintenance services to Open Streets locations, plazas, and other public spaces,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman. “Public spaces make our communities vibrant, and we thank NYC Cleanup Corps for keeping them that way with daily maintenance services, horticultural care, and as public space ambassadors.”

 

"In just six months, the City's Cleanup Corps have proven to be an invaluable asset as we work towards recovery throughout the five boroughs, and especially in the neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic. Parks did its part and hired 3,200 of the 10,000 Cleanup Corps members and it proved to be a worthwhile investment. Over this past summer, they were instrumental in keeping our greenspaces clean and making our parks inviting spaces for New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy," said NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff. "As the CCC celebrates this milestone of hand sweeping 50,000 blocks, allow it to serve as a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together to beautify and preserve the communities we serve." 

 

“The City Cleanup Corps has been a terrific help in ensuring the City’s drainage infrastructure is operating as efficiently as possible,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “The Cleanup Corps has helped to clear trash and debris from catch basins and curbside rain gardens across the city. This is an important reminder that all New Yorkers can play a part in making New York a more livable city and support our drainage system by not littering on our streets.”

 

“DYCD and our funded community-based organizations are proud to be part of the City Cleanup Corps and its efforts to bring New York back from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. This is truly a win-win: the City’s hardest hit communities are being beautified one block at a time, and thousands of young people are benefiting from paid work, with an emphasis on high schoolers who need the most support and opportunities. DYCD looks forward to launching the new Work, Learn & Grow Environmental Corps in November, which will provide youth with work readiness, career exploration and training, with a focus on environmental justice and the City’s ongoing recovery,” said Department of Youth & Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong.

 

“New Yorkers continue to show their willingness to help their neighbors disaster after disaster. This is a testament to the spirit of resiliency and community throughout New York City. Programs like the New York City Cleanup Corps are a great complement to the emergency preparedness plans available to New Yorkers prior, during and after emergencies,” said Emergency Management Commissioner John Scrivani. “The response and outpouring of assistance for the residents impacted by the devastating floods due to Hurricane Ida is just another example of that sense of community.”

 

"The Cleanup Corps has allowed the Department of Probation and our Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) to pay hundreds of young people to beautify and clean up New York City, giving back to their communities. We applaud our Corps members, who are from some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by Covid-19, for stepping up and being part of the recovery and rebuilding of New York City," said Department of Probation Commissioner Ana M. Bermúdez Esq.

 

“The NYPD is a proud government partner in the recovery efforts ongoing across all five boroughs of our city. Our dedicated men and women officers work tirelessly to support city residents in these cleanup efforts that are integral to our common good,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.

 

"The amazing work of the City Cleanup Corps has played, and continues to play, a critical role in New York City's recovery efforts," said the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo. "By creating clean spaces, and revitalizing communities hardest hit by the pandemic, we can welcome back locals and visitors alike to once again enjoy everything the greatest city in the world has to offer."

 

“The City Cleanup Corps team has been instrumental in helping revitalize the City’s hardest-hit neighborhoods and helping our immigrant communities get back on their feet after Ida,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Raquel Batista. “We congratulate the team on their milestones and encourage New Yorkers to be a part of this initiative and take full advantage of the current job opportunities.”

 

“We are proud of our CleaNYC and Graffiti Free NYC programs, which employ hardworking men and women and improve our neighborhoods and public spaces. Our continued economic recovery depends on providing New Yorkers with quality jobs, which programs like these create, while improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Rachel Loeb.

 

“NYCHA campuses are interwoven throughout New York City, and the City Cleanup Corps Initiative plays an indispensable role in keeping our public spaces clean,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “Today’s milestone is a shining example of the transformations that can come when you engage residents in the sustainability and future of their communities.”

 

Four Defendants Charged In $7.6 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

 

Defendants Allegedly Submitted More Than 1,000 Fraudulent Applications for U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (“SBA-OIG”), announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging JACOB CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and CHRISTAL RANSOM with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, false statements, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), resulting in a loss to the SBA of more than $7.6 million.  The defendants were arrested this morning.  QUADRI SALAHUDDIN and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause in White Plains federal court.  JACOB CARTER will be presented this afternoon in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.  CHRISTAL RANSOM will be presented later today in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants schemed to steal taxpayer-funded resources intended for small businesses in need of assistance during the pandemic.  My Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who would illegally seek to profit from a national emergency.”   

FBI Assistant Michael J. Driscoll said: “Today’s defendants have become the latest in line to be charged for SBA loan fraud as a result of their alleged conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic. As this behavior continues to be uncovered, the FBI will continue to respond to illegal activity with appropriate legal action.”

As alleged in the Complaint:[1]

The SBA is a federal agency of the Executive Branch that administers assistance to American small businesses.  This assistance includes making direct loans to applicants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) Program.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded SBA’s EIDL Program to provide small businesses with low-interest loans of up to $2 million prior to in or about May 2020 and up to $150,000 beginning in or about May 2020, in order to provide vital economic support to help overcome the loss of revenue small businesses are experiencing due to COVID-19.  Applicants seeking a loan under the EIDL program were also now permitted to request and receive an advance of approximately $1,000 per employee, for an amount up to $10,000, which the SBA has generally provided while the loan application was pending.

From March through July 2020, JACOB CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and CHRISTAL RANSOM used the identities of more than 1,000 other individuals (the “Applicants”) to submit more than 1,000 online applications to the SBA, seeking over $10 million of funds through the SBA’s EIDL Program.  (the “EIDL Applications”).  In connection with the EIDL Applications, CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and RANSOM falsely represented to the SBA, among other things, that the Applicants were the owners of businesses with 10 or more employees.  Based on the fraudulent EIDL Applications, the SBA made advance payments of more than $7.6 million to the Applicants, who often then kicked back a portion of the advance payments to CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, and RANSOM.

JACOB CARTER, 35, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, 25, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, 35, of Mount Vernon, New York, and CHRISTAL RANSOM, 44, of Los Angeles, California, are each charged with (1) conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, (2) wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, (3) false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and (4) aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.   

The maximum potential sentences in these cases 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 outstanding work of the FBI and the SBA-OIG.

The charges contained in the Complaint 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 Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Hochul Announces $44.2 Million for Clean Water Systems and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects Statewide

 

Projects Located in 6 Regions Upstate.

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation has approved more than $44 million for drinking water and wastewater projects across New York State. The funding includes grants, interest-free financings, and low-cost financings, approved by the EFC Board of Directors. This will provide cost-effective solutions for critical infrastructure projects across the state that protect or improve water quality.   

"One of the most important things to keeping a community strong and resilient is access to clean water. By ensuring our local partners have the resources they need to invest in critical water projects, we can bolster the public health in our state, and lay the foundation for growth and economic development," Governor Hochul said. "This funding will help local governments make critical upgrades to key infrastructure, like wastewater collection systems, drinking water mains and water storage tanks, helping to protect water quality for New Yorkers for generations to come."   

  

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "In the face of our changing climate and more frequent and severe storms, New York's aging drinking and wastewater systems are being challenged like never before. Governor Hochul understands the fiscal challenges local governments face in making necessary upgrades to water infrastructure and has made supporting their efforts a top priority. Today's announcement of more than $44 million in grants and low-cost financing through New York's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds and the Clean Water infrastructure Act will help local governments implement major infrastructure projects critical to protecting and improving water quality. DEC is proud to partner with the state's Environmental Facilities Corporation and communities across the state to help strengthen New York's water infrastructure systems. The Board of Directors welcomes EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman, as she continues EFC's mission to help communities with critical water infrastructure needs across New York State."  

EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to provide unprecedented support to help communities improve water quality as shown with her recent announcement of providing $400 Million for Water Infrastructure Improvement grants available to local communities. By approving funding to local governments for critical water infrastructure work, the EFC Board of Directors has ensured that communities statewide can cost-effectively undertake important projects that help protect our precious water resources. We are pleased to partner with the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health, and local governments as we work together to strengthen and modernize New York's aging water infrastructure systems."  

Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "New York's continued commitment to fund drinking water upgrades and other clean water initiatives is making a lasting impact on the health of communities statewide. Water systems are doing the work now to shore up outdated infrastructure that will ensure residents' access to quality drinking water long into the future."   

The Board's approval includes financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.   

The project financings approved at the Oct. 14 meeting include:  

Drinking Water Projects:  

• City of Jamestown in Chautauqua County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant for water main replacement.   
• Village of Canisteo in Steuben County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant and $1,776,800 in short-term, market-rate financing for storage and distribution system upgrades.   
• Village of Walton in Delaware County - $1,200,000 WIIA grant and $800,000 in short-term, market-rate financing for storage and distribution system upgrades.   
• City of Kingston in Ulster County - $900,000 WIIA grant and $600,000 in short-term, market-rate financing to upgrade transmission and distribution systems.  
• Massapequa Water District in Nassau County - $4,000,400 Intermunicipal Grant to upgrade a distribution system.  

Clean Water Projects:  

• City of Lockport in Niagara County - $531,250 WIIA grant, $2,268,750 short-term interest-free financing, and $1,000,000 short-term market-rate financing for wastewater treatment plant improvements.   
• Village of Addison in Steuben County - $2,914,513 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater system improvements.   
• City of Binghamton in Broome County - $2,740,000 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant restoration and rehabilitation with the Village of Johnson City.   
• ­Village of Johnson City in Broome County - $2,260,000 in long-term, interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant restoration and rehabilitation with the City of Binghamton.  
• Village of Boonville in Oneida County - $5,122,500 in short-term, interest-free financing and a $2,457,500 grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for wastewater treatment plant improvements.   
• Town of Ticonderoga in Essex County - $9,275,936 in long-term, interest-free financing for treatment plant improvements, sanitary sewer separation and stream daylighting.  
• Town of New Windsor in Orange County - $392,188 WIIA grant for sewer rehabilitation.  

The CWSRF and the DWSRF are EFC's core funding programs. With its partner DEC, EFC is responsible for the operation and administration of the CWSRF. The CWSRF allows EFC to provide interest-free or low-interest rate financing and grants to support a variety of eligible water quality improvement projects. EFC similarly operates and administers the DWSRF, with its partner DOH, to provide interest-free or low-interest rate financing and grants for drinking water infrastructure projects. To learn more about how EFC provides access to low-cost capital, grants and expert technical assistance, visit EFC's website at www.efc.ny.gov. 

79 Days and Counting

 

Those weren't cheers and greetings for me in the Bronx Columbus Day Parade Sunday. Those people in the Bronx were outright mean to me Charlene. I bet they would have driven me out of office on railroad tracks as in the old days. We better start packing up everything that is not nailed down.

I also have to worry about that Department of Investigation person whom I put in charge there. Her report makes me appear that I misappropriated funds of over three-hundred thousand dollars. They put Alan Hevisi in jail for less than that. Now you know why I did not want to visit Rikers Island, but it is good that the 'No Cash Bail Law' is in effect, because all I would have to do is sign myself out, an leave the country. There goes my chance at being Governor of New York.

27-Story Residential Building Breaks Ground At 2413 Third Avenue In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Rendering of 2413 Third Avenue

RXR Realty recently celebrated the commencement of construction on 2413 Third Avenue, a 27-story residential tower in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. Designed by CetraRuddy Architecture, the development will comprise a mix of residences, parking, and ground-floor commercial area. 2413 Third Avenue arrives as RXR Realty’s first entry into the Bronx market.

“As the South Bronx’s population grows, RXR welcomes the opportunity to meet this demand and provide accessible, smartly designed, and amenitized homes,” said Joanne Minieri, senior executive vice president and COO of development and construction at RXR Realty. “RXR is fully committed to working in partnership with the community to increase local hiring and activate the neighborhood through direct investment.”

Groundbreaking ceremony at 2413 Third Avenue

2413 Third Avenue will house 200 rental units including 60 rent-stabilized units for middle-income households. All units are equipped with stainless steel appliances, white oak flooring, matte black iron fixtures, and subway tiling. Amenity spaces will include a fitness center, communal lounge areas, landscaped outdoor space, and a roof terrace with barbecue grills and dining area.

“The building design is rooted in the traditions of the vibrant community of Mott Haven,” said Nancy J. Ruddy and John Cetra of CetraRuddy Architecture. “A bold massing creates a sculpted presence that both engages the sky while opening up to pedestrian activity. Indoor/outdoor connectivity and integration with nature is an important element that helped form the project, creating gardens and varied outdoor spaces.”

The rendering shows a lively modern design incorporating a number of rectangular volumes composed of light colored paneling framing sleek floor-to-ceiling glass. These volumes are assembled together at various angles, and are interspersed by a core of earth-toned brick masonry, creating a striking contrast.

The commercial component will occupy a modest 721 square feet and will be divided into a separate gallery and retail business. The development will also include a parking garage designed to accommodate 81 vehicles with electric vehicle charging stations, a trending amenity among new developments in the New York City area.

This past summer, RXR and Bank of America closed on a $75.2 million construction loan to finance the development. Construction is on track to wrap by the end of 2023.

BRONX YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM HOLDS ANTI-VIOLENCE RALLY IN THE BRONX AFTER RANDOM SHOOTING

Anti-Violence Rally In The Bronx By Bronx YEP Program After Random Shooting 

By Robert Press

The Bronx Youth Empowerment Program held an anti gun/violence rally at the corner of Bronxwood Avenue and East 213th Street where there was a random shooting last weekend. There has also been an uptick in youth violence in the area. 

The rally included former Councilman Andy King, Pastor J. Gooding of the 47th Pct. Clergy Coalition, Marion 'Tiny' Frampton of 'The Black Spades, Victor Rodriguez, President Bronx YEP, Abigail Maldonado 47th Precinct Explorers, Frank Lewis of 'Guns Down Life Up', who spoke. There were over seventy-five concerned youth and residents who yelled we want to live, then all marched around the corner where the shooting occurred luckily with no injuries. Marchers yelled "we want to take back our corner", and during the march police from the 47th Precinct stopped all traffic. 

Former Councilman Andy King makes sure everyone is in the right place for the press conference.

Pastor J, Gooding would speak first, as Councilman King would hold up an enlarged photo of the random shooting.

YEOP President Victor Rodriguez spoke for the many members of the Bronx YEP of the rise in shootings and youth violence.

Councilman Andy King asked for help in finding the shooter in the photo.

The community Affairs officer from the 47th Precinct would say that the police had no leads on who the shooter was. 

After the speeches it was time to take the cornerback, as about seventy-five people marched around the corner three times while the police stopped traffic on Bronxwood Avenue and East 213th Street. 

 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 13, 2021

 

63,455 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

32 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"More New Yorkers are taking the vaccines and driving our vaccination rate up, but that's no excuse to get complacent—we need to improve our vaccination rate to defeat this pandemic for good," Governor Hochul said. "We're taking action to keep New York's children, state employees and medical workers safe, but it's the vaccination rate that's ultimately going to determine whether we end the COVID-19 pandemic. Every single eligible New Yorker needs to get vaccinated right away to keep our families, friends and communities safe."

 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 152,594
• Total Positive - 4,658
• Percent Positive - 3.05%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.53%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,109 (-39)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 272
• Patients in ICU - 464 (-3)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 256 (-3)
• Total Discharges - 204,093 (+281)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 32
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,974

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.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,279

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 26,032,099
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 63,455
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 396,998
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 82.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 74.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 85.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 70.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 63.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 72.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 64.6%

Former NYPD Officer Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Large Quantities Of Methamphetamine And Liquid Date Rape Drug

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officer JOHN CICERO pled guilty today to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and gamma-butyrolactone (known as “GBL”) in Westchester County and New York City.  CICERO pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “A former NYPD police officer once sworn to protect the public, John Cicero now stands convicted of trafficking substantial quantities of methamphetamine and GBL, a liquid date-rape drug, throughout Westchester and New York City.  As he admitted today, over several years, Cicero was a leader of a drug trafficking ring, and he was personally responsible for moving over three kilograms of methamphetamine and 750 liters of GBL, and importing narcotics from overseas.  Thanks to the dedication of our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cicero now awaits sentencing for his dangerous conduct.”      

According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:

Beginning in at least 2017 and lasting until his arrest in February 2020, CICERO and his co-conspirators stockpiled and sold liters of GBL and kilograms of methamphetamine in apartments, hotel rooms, and storage units in the heart of midtown Manhattan, and a residence in Bronxville, New York.  CICERO repeatedly brokered large-scale narcotics transactions over recorded prison calls with an inmate then in New York State custody.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection has previously seized GBL sent from China to CICERO’s address in New York.  As part of his guilty plea, CICERO stipulated that he was an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor in the criminal activity, the offense involved the importation of methamphetamine, and his offense conduct involved over three kilograms of methamphetamine and 750 liters of GBL.  The charged conduct began years after CICERO left the NYPD.

On February 19, 2020, CICERO was arrested in a Wall Street hotel, in a room he had rented under a false identity.  In addition to methamphetamine and GBL, law enforcement recovered from CICERO’s room a bank card and a fake ID, bearing CICERO’s photograph, all in the name of the false identity to whom the room was rented.  As part of CICERO’s arrest, law enforcement also recovered detailed drug ledgers, credit card making equipment, and notebooks full of victims’ personally identifiable information.

CICERO, 39, of Bronxville, New York, is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Kenneth M. Karas on February 10, 2022.  CICERO pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine and GBL, which carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.  The maximum and mandatory minimum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises agents and detectives from the FBI, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Westchester County Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, NYPD, and U.S. Probation.  He also thanked the New York State Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance.