TRINITARIOS GANG LEADERS SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON IN FATAL STABBING OF LESANDRO “JUNIOR” GUZMAN-FELIZ

 

Defendants Convicted of Second-Degree Murder; Their Orders Led to Killing of Teen

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two leaders of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang have been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for their roles in the June 20, 2018 fatal stabbing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants, leaders of a Trinitarios set, instructed their members to carry out violent acts, which resulted in the killing of Lesandro ‘Junior’ GuzmanFeliz. The cruel attack was caught on surveillance video and went viral. The shocking images of Junior’s last moments saddened and outraged all who saw them.

 “Today, the leaders whose order meant death for a 15-year-old boy were sentenced to 25 years to life years in prison. Junior’s family has suffered immensely and will forever miss him. We hope today’s sentence brings some peace to them and the Bronx community.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Diego Suero, 33, of Boston Road, and Frederick Then, 24, of Reading, PA, were sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus. Suero and Then were found guilty of second-degree Murder by a jury after a four-week trial on July 29, 2022.

 According to trial testimony, on the night of June 20, 2018, Suero, the leader of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang, and Then, second-in-command,summoned members to Suero’s home and ordered them to commit violence against another set of the Trinitarios called “Sunset.”

 The gang members came upon Junior and chased him to a bodega located on East 183rd Street and Bathgate Avenue, where he tried to hide. The teen was punched and dragged out of the store to the sidewalk where he was hacked with knives and a machete by five convicted codefendants. The victim received a fatal knife wound to his neck, among other injuries. He ran to St. Barnabas Hospital and collapsed. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

 According to trial testimony, Then watched the attack and later called Suero to tell him the members had carried out the orders. The killers, led by Then, returned to Suero’s home to hide weapons and provide aid to a defendant who cut his hand during the incident.

 According to trial testimony, in a message to Suero, a Trinitario said, “You are the one that gave the light for the kid…” to which Suero replied, “yes, for all of Sunset.”

 Five co-defendants were sentenced in 2019 for fatally stabbing the victim. The cases against the remaining co-defendants are pending.

 The case against Suero and Then was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Morgan Dolan, Counsel in the Homicide Bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Devin Horzempa of Trial Bureau 60, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, Chief of the Trial Division.

 District Attorney Clark thanked BXDA Detective Investigators, Principal Supervising Intelligence Analyst Theresa Ramos of the Crime Strategies Bureau, Video Technician Eric Newman of the Video Unit, Cell Site Analyst Oladimeji Gbolade of the Technical Investigations Bureau, and Francesca Castellanos of the Interpreters Unit for their hard work on the case.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked Advocates Laura Ramirez and Ana Pimentel of the Crime Victims Assistance Bureau.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detectives Frank Orlando of the Bronx Homicide Task Force and Joseph Flores of the 48th Precinct for their work on the investigation.

In Honor of Citizenship Day, New York State Secretary of State Launches Citizenshipworks Portal to Assist New Americans on their Path to Naturalization

 

The New York State Citizenshipworks Portal Provides Free Online Naturalization Application Assistance and Virtual Legal Support

The New York State Office for New Americans Offers Free & Comprehensive Support for All Stages of the Citizenship Process, From Application to Test Prep

September 17 is Citizenship Day, and in honor of this important occasion, New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez announced the launch of the New York State Citizenshipworks Portal. Through Citizenshipworks, eligible immigrants can apply for citizenship for free through an online tool that is secure and simple to use. The New York State Citizenshipworks Portal, in partnership with the New York State Office for New Americans (ONA), also includes access to a virtual ONA Opportunity Center, to support clients of ONA community partners (e.g., English Language providers, workforce partners, and Community Action Agencies) in need of naturalization assistance services, such as completing the citizenship application. Training and technical assistance is also being provided to ONA Opportunity Centers that use Citizenshipworks to deliver naturalization services.

“Many immigrants come here in search of more opportunities and a better life for themselves and their families. As they go through this process, we hope that the new Citizenshipworks tool will be a helpful guide in their quest to achieve citizenship,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez.

According to the Center for Migration Studies, over 800,000 individuals are currently eligible to naturalize throughout New York State. With the launch of this initiative, New Yorkers will now be able to access free and trustworthy assistance with their citizenship application online and from the comfort of their home.

The advantages of citizenship are often life-changing, including economic mobility, the ability to vote and participate fully in the democratic process, decreased vulnerability to immigration enforcement, and the ability to receive certain government benefits. Many of these benefits lead to increased social and economic security for immigrant families and communities. Naturalized citizens are more likely to invest in their future and in their communities and are able to participate more fully in society.

Technology-based interventions like Citizenshipworks are particularly well-suited to address many of the barriers to naturalization, including improving access to in-language resources, bridging geographic gaps for applicants who live in rural areas or without adequate access to public transportation, and increasing the availability of legal assistance through virtual interventions.

“We are honored to partner with the New York State Office for New Americans to help bring naturalization services directly to New Yorkers. New York is pioneering the delivery of legal services that bridge the digital divide and ensure that every New Yorker has access to benefits that come with citizenship," said Director of the Immigration Advocates Network Rodrigo Camarena.

In addition to the New York State Citizenshipworks Portal, ONA provides other free support for immigrants going through the naturalization process. Through its statewide network of Opportunity Centers – Civics, immigrants can access free naturalization application assistance and free citizenship prep classes, to prepare them for the naturalization interview. ONA’s Cell-Ed program also provides virtual citizenship test prep modules, that can be accessed through any type of mobile device.

Citizenshipworks is a project of the Immigration Advocates Network, a program of Pro Bono Net, a collaborative effort of leading immigrant rights organizations dedicated to increasing access to justice. The Network partners with selected top immigrant advocacy groups to identify challenges and potential for tech solutions, as well as to develop industrial-strength, immigrant legal tech that is secure, easy to use, and designed for scale. Pro Bono Net is also partnering with the Legal Services division of GMHC, which will provide application review services and virtual consultations for applicants who require assistance from a lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative to complete their applications to file for a fee waiver.  

The New York State Office for New Americans, founded in 2012, is the nation’s first statutorily created immigrant services office. ONA assists all new Americans with accessing and navigating a variety of free services and support through its statewide network of community-based providers.

For any immigrant in need of assistance, or to connect with ONA’s programs, call the New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636, 9 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday. All calls are confidential. Assistance is available in over 200 languages. For more information, visit dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans or follow ONA on Twitter at @NYSNewAmericans or Facebook at facebook.com/NYSNewAmericans.

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Be Aware of Scams Tied to Federal Student Debt Relief

 

Recent Announcement to Provide Financial Relief in Student Loans Triggers Uptick in Scams

Student Loan Borrowers are Reminded to Only Use Trusted Government Websites and Not Respond to Unsolicited Offers of Student Loan Relief

 Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a warning to consumers about scammers taking advantage of the recent student debt relief plan to steal borrowers' money and personal information. Scammers are creating a sense of urgency by impersonating government agencies and promising immediate student loan relief. Borrowers are reminded that it's important to stay vigilant, well-informed and prepared for any fraud related to this new relief plan. Yesterday, Governor Hochul signed legislation to expand and simplify access to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program statewide. This new legislation establishes what qualifies as full-time employment for the purposes of accessing PSLF, and allows public service employers to certify employment on behalf of workers, eliminating substantial barriers to applying for and accessing the program.

"New Yorkers work hard for every dollar they earn and the student loan forgiveness plan will be critical to helping reduce the pressures of mounting debt," Governor Hochul said. "Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals and scammers are using this as an opportunity to take advantage of others. Today, we're putting scammers on notice: we will not let you take advantage of hard-working New Yorkers. I urge everyone to remain vigilant and stay informed to stop these bad actors in their tracks."

What You Need to Know About the Federal Student Relief Plan:

On August 24, 2022, the Biden Administration announced a three-part plan to help working and middle-class federal student loan borrowers. The plan includes:

1. A final extension of the student loan repayment pause through December 31, 2022, and loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 for qualified individuals
2. Improving the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and creating a new income-driven repayment plan to reduce future monthly payments for lower- and middle-income borrowers.
3. Reducing the cost of college to protect future students.

The U.S. Department of Education is working quickly to implement the improvements to student loans, but many details will be forthcoming. The Department of Education recommends logging in to your StudentAid.gov account to ensure your contact information is up to date and to sign up for alerts for when new information becomes available.

How to Avoid a Student Loan Forgiveness Scams:

1. Seek trusted information and sources. Only go to ".gov" websites when seeking assistance. The U.S. Department of Education recently launched a webpage to provide borrowers with a one-stop location for accurate and up to date information about the program. Upon accessing the site, borrowers will find not only general information but also a detailed Frequently Asked Questions section that provides facts about the student debt relief plan.
2. Don't trust any person or program who promises you early or special access, or guaranteed eligibility. You might be contacted by a company saying they will help you get loan discharge, forgiveness, cancellation, or debt relief for a fee. They may also offer to help you apply early. The loan forgiveness application will launch in early October and early access is not possible, and you never have to pay for help with your federal student aid. If you receive any of these offers, it's a scam.
3. Don't give your personal information, Federal Student Aid ID or social security number to anyone who contacts you. Nobody from the Department of Education will be calling you or texting you about this initiative. Make sure you work only with the U.S. Department of Education, and never reveal your personal information or account password to anyone. Genuine emails to borrowers will only come from noreply@studentaid.gov.
4. If you encounter a scam, report it. Contact the official Federal Student Aid website to file a complaint, or contact the Federal Trade Commission. The U.S. Department of Education offers additional tips and resources here.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY CONNECTED 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS TO STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN FISCAL YEAR 2022

City-Financed Preservation and New Construction of Nearly 22,000 Affordable Homes in FY22, Including Major Repairs for Nearly 6,000 NYCHA Homes

 

Homes Affordable to Families Making Extremely Low Incomes — Earning up to $36,000 per Year — Increased to Nearly One-Quarter of Total Production, With More Than Three-Quarters of HPD-Financed Homes Serving Families Earning Less Than $96,080

 

Support for First-Home Buyers Reached a Record $9 Million

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced several significant achievements over the last fiscal year in the multiagency effort to get New Yorkers into safe, high-quality, affordable homes. In Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), the Adams administration successfully connected nearly 10,000 families and individuals to stable, affordable homes. With support from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), 6,173 New Yorkers were approved for a new affordable home through the Housing Connect lottery, 2,203 households formerly experiencing homelessness were connected to homes set aside in HPD-financed developments, and 1,521 households exiting shelter secured supportive housing.

 

Despite financial challenges brought on by inflation and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, HPD, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) were able to finance the creation and preservation of 21,951 affordable homes during FY22; that figure includes 16,042 affordable homes financed by HPD, as well as financing secured for the upgrade and repair of 5,909 public housing apartments. NYCHA also completed renovations for over 2,600 public housing units through the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program.

 

“I have said since January that our administration would be lased-focused on getting New Yorkers into safe, high-quality, affordable homes, and now we are producing results,” said Mayor Adams. “In just a few months, we have begun to break down silos and focus on housing our neighbors instead of signing paperwork, and this initial data shows that New Yorkers are reaping the benefits. As we remain in affordable housing and homelessness crises, the administration is taking action, and these numbers prove it.”

 

“The Adams administration is committed to tackling the housing shortage and ensuring that all New Yorkers have a home they can afford,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “This year, in the face of skyrocketing costs and other hurdles, the team worked incredibly hard to finance 22,000 homes, with the vast majority for families that are too often priced out of New York City. We are especially proud of reaching a record number of families through NYCHA’s PACT program, which provides comprehensive repairs while keeping the home permanently affordable. We have a lot of work to do still, and I hope through partnership with government leaders, local advocates, and the development community, we will be able to make real strides in creating a robust pipeline of new housing, while also shoring up our existing homes for New Yorkers. As we continue to add to the city’s housing supply, we are also focused on addressing the administrative burdens of our social safety net in order to better serve our neighbors.”

 

“We are focused on building quality, affordable homes that will give all New Yorkers the chance to thrive,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “As promised in the mayor’s ‘Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness,’ the paradigm for success is shifting, and progress will be measured through our impact on families. This year, the city kept its commitment to serving the New Yorkers who need it the most and promoting equitable neighborhoods by helping thousands of households experiencing hardship secure stable, affordable homes and overseeing a record investment in the city’s first-time homebuyers program. There is more work to be done, and we are focused on making our city a more affordable and equitable place to live.”

 

“NYCHA continues to create and use innovative solutions to a funding problem that plagues housing authorities across the country,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “PACT uses federal funding to provide renovated, state-of-the-art affordable housing to residents, while maintaining strong tenant protections and still ensuring public housing stays public. It is a useful tool, and we will continue to lead the way as the largest public housing authority in the nation by using every available tool in our toolbox.”

 

“Thanks to the dedication of our partners across New York City, we have made incredible strides in improving our affordable housing supply, combating homelessness, and transforming the lives of our public housing residents,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “HDC is proud to join the administration in providing comprehensive solutions that will help ensure New Yorkers thrive during a time when safe and secure housing is needed more than ever. The investments we are making today will protect the well-being of our city and its residents, while continuing to foster stronger and more resilient communities for generations.”

 

As part of Mayor Adams’ “Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness,” released in June, the administration committed to ensuring that the city’s housing investments prioritize the experiences of New Yorkers and that key reported metrics measure meaningful outcomes for families and individuals in addition to the number of homes financed. That new approach to metrics and accountability will be reflected in the upcoming Mayor’s Management Report.

 

Other highlights from the city’s housing efforts and investments in FY22 are laid out below.

 

Keeping Our Commitment to Low-Income Families

 

In FY22, the administration invested significantly in homes for low-income families and households experiencing homelessness. More than 75 percent of HPD-financed homes are affordable to low-income households earning less than $96,080 for a family of three — or up to 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI). Homes for extremely low-income families — earning less than $36,030 per year for a family of three or up to 30 percent of AMI — increased to 23 percent of total production. Additionally, HPD financed 1,216 new homes with supportive services.

 

Investing in Public Housing Residents

 

Safeguarding New York City’s public housing for the next generation of families is a key priority for the administration. Renovations were completed for over 2,600 NYCHA homes through the PACT program.  Funding was also secured to upgrade and repair 5,909 public housing apartments under PACT.

 

Expanding Homeowner Initiatives

 

In FY22, the Adams administration invested a record $9 million to help New York families achieve their dream of homeownership through HomeFirst, the city’s down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers. HPD financed renovations for 126 one- to four-family homeownership properties through the HomeFix and Project Help programs, helping existing homeowners maintain healthy and stable housing. Mayor Adams is investing an additional $44 million in expanding homeownership to help New Yorkers build and maintain wealth, particularly in lower-income communities and communities of color.

Mill Brook Terrace Affordable Senior Housing Project Debuts At 570 East 137th Street In Mott Haven, Bronx

Mill Brook Terrace, a new affordable housing development for seniors, has opened for occupancy at 570 East 137th Street in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx. Developed by West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the project is a result of NYCHA’s NextGeneration Request for Proposals (RFP), a community visioning process that identified the need for additional senior housing and services in the neighborhood. West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing was awarded the site in 2016 and construction was completed in December 2019. By October 2020, the property was fully leased.

Now complete, the nine-story building provides 158 residences for low-income seniors, including 48 studio units for the formerly homeless. The deeply affordable homes require tenants to pay only 30 percent of their income for rent.

Additional components within the property include an 8,700-square-foot senior center and a 1,000-square-foot public community space with a commercial kitchen, a dining room, and a flexible recreation room for events and special programming.

“This project shows exactly how we are reimagining our space to create the affordable housing that New Yorkers need,” said New York City mayor Eric Adams. “These 158 apartments in Mott Haven will provide our seniors with safe, affordable homes and the resources they need to thrive.”

Designed by Perkins Eastman, the building features 107 one-bedrooms and 51 studios. The façade comprises a mix of red brick, white metal cladding, floor-to-ceiling glass enclosing the community center and a central volume that divides to distinct building wings, and a standard window system with ventilation grills outside each residential unit.

To improve the building’s overall energy performance, the design team outfitted the structure with 319 rooftop solar panels, LED lighting throughout, and efficient building systems.

Residents will also have access to a landscaped courtyard garden and open green space at the front of the building.

“The combination of safe, permanent, affordable apartments and on-site support services will greatly assist seniors who have experienced homelessness to live full lives in their community,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance commissioner Daniel W. Tietz. “Mill Brook Terrace is a great addition to the Mott Haven neighborhood and we congratulate the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, along with our New York City partners, on the completion of this much-needed development.”

Funding for the development was sourced from a mix of private financial institutions and public agencies. This includes Capital One, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, National Equity Fund, and New York City Council Discretionary Capital sponsored by New York City councilmember Diana Ayala.

In addition to NYCHA, public agencies that supported the project include New York City’s Housing Development Corporation’s Extremely Low and Low Affordability Program, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development‘s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program, and the Office of Environmental Remediation.

Support from New York State agencies included the Office of Mental Health, the Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, and NYSERDA. Completion of the senior center was funded by the New York Department for the Aging.

“Time and again, we’ve heard from New Yorkers that our city needs more affordable senior housing, that we as a city need to better support our growing senior population,” said Paul R. Freitag, executive director of the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing. “This collaboration shows how we can get that done, and done beautifully.”

MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty to 2015 Murder in Babylon, Attempted Murder in Bay Shore, and Other Crimes

 

Reynaldo Lopez-Alvarado, also known as “Mente,” a member of the Brentwood Locos Salvatruchas clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in connection with his participation in the November 19, 2015 murder of Cesar Rivera-Vasquez, an attempted murder that occurred on April 9, 2013 in Bay Shore, and conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.  The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke.  When sentenced, Lopez-Alvarado faces up to life in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the guilty plea.

“In a twisted desire to enhance his status within the MS-13 gang and without any regard for human life, the defendant admittedly participated in extremely violent crimes, including murder and a shooting,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Lopez-Alvarado faces very serious consequences for his senseless actions which I hope will be of some relief to the community, including the family and friends of his victims.  This Office, together with the Long Island Gang Task Force, is working tirelessly to bring MS-13 gang members to justice for the havoc they have wrought on Long Island.”

“This case is a grim reminder of the inhumane acts individuals are willing to commit just to elevate their status within a gang,” stated SCPD Commissioner Harrison. “Let this guilty plea be a testament of our commitment to hold gang members accountable for their heinous crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure public safety on our streets.”

According to court filings and statements by the defendant at the guilty plea proceeding, Lopez-Alvarado participated in the April 9, 2013 attempted murder of a man on Benton Place in Bay Shore.  Lopez-Alvarado, who was a new member of the MS-13 at the time, and another MS-13 member went out looking to kill a rival gang member in order for Lopez-Alvarado to gain full status in the gang.  When they observed a group of men who they assumed were members of the rival Bloods street gang, Lopez-Alvarado and his co-conspirator retrieved a .25 caliber handgun and 20-gauge shotgun, drove back to Benton Place, approached the group of men and opened fire.  One victim was struck and was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and survived the shooting. 

Approximately one month after that, Lopez-Alvarado conspired to obstruct justice by assisting fellow gang members after they had committed two murders.  Specifically, on May 28, 2013, Lopez-Alvarado came to the aid of fellow gang members, who had just shot and killed Kennan Russell at a house party in Central Islip, when the minivan they had stolen and subsequently used in not only the Russell murder but also the May 26, 2013 murder of Derrick Mayes, ran out of gas and broke down.  In addition to helping his fellow gang members get gas and hide the firearms used in the Russell murder, Lopez-Alvarado and other MS-13 members, who had learned that the minivan had been linked to the murders, agreed to destroy it.  Lopez-Alvarado and his fellow MS-13 gang members then cleaned the minivan to remove any fingerprints, drove it to a wooded area in Ronkonkoma, doused it with gas, and set it on fire. 

In addition, Lopez-Alvarado admitted during his guilty plea to participating in the murder of Rivera-Vasquez on November 19, 2015, in Babylon.  Rivera-Vasquez was murdered by Lopez-Alvarado and other MS-13 members because the gang suspected him of belonging to a rival Mexican gang, Raza Loca.  On the night of the murder, Lopez-Alvarado and his co-conspirators saw Rivera-Vasquez at a deli located near the Babylon Long Island Railroad train station.  Lopez-Alvarado and the other MS-13 members convinced the victim to leave with them to smoke marijuana and brought him to an isolated area behind a nearby baseball field.  The gang members, who were armed with knives and a baseball bat, told the victim to take off his shirt so they could observe a tattoo they believed signified the victim’s membership in the rival gang.   After observing the tattoo, Lopez-Alvarado and the other MS-13 members attacked Rivera-Vasquez, beating him with the bat and stabbing him repeatedly with knives before one of the co-conspirators cut the victim’s throat.  The MS-13 members buried Rivera-Vasquez’s body near a large mound of dirt.  The body was discovered in April 2018. 

This conviction is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13, a violent, transnational criminal organization.  The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States.  With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the most violent criminal organization on Long Island.  Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York.  A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults.  Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 60 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders.  These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. 

State Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Audits

 

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today the following audits have been issued. Department of Corrections and Community Supervision: Oversight of Transportation Services and Expenses (2021-S-1) The department has not established adequate controls to effectively monitor and ensure accountability over transportation expenses and performs limited to no central monitoring of payments made through the contractor responsible for serving vehicles. Further, the contractor data does not include sufficient detail needed for the department to adequately monitor vehicle repairs and maintenance costs. Also, the department does not monitor in-house maintenance expenses but, rather, relies on each facility or office for accurate reporting. Department of Health - Medicaid Program: Claims Processing Activity (2021-S-7) The audit identified over $36.1 million in improper Medicaid payments. By the end of the audit fieldwork, about $5.5 million of the improper payments had been recovered. Auditors also identified seven providers in the Medicaid program who were charged with or found guilty of crimes that violated laws or regulations governing certain health care programs. By the end of the audit fieldwork, the department removed the providers from the Medicaid program. Department of Health - Medicaid Program: Improper Managed Care Payments for Misclassified Patient Discharges (2021-S-8) The audit identified 2,808 managed care inpatient claims totaling $32.3 million for Medicaid recipients who were reported as discharged from a hospital, but then admitted to a different hospital within the same day or the following day (which often meets the definition of a transfer). These claims are at a high risk of overpayment if the first hospital inappropriately reported an actual transfer as a discharge. The audit selected a judgmental sample of 166 claims totaling $2,474,162 from six hospitals and reviewed the associated patients’ medical records. Auditors found that 47 claims were overpaid because they were actually for transfers and not discharges and another 13 claims incorrectly billed as inpatient when they were for outpatient services. New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development: Heat and Hot Water Complaints (Follow-Up) (2022-F-3) HPD officials have made some progress in correcting the problems identified in the initial report. Of the initial report’s eight recommendations, three were implemented, two were partially implemented, and three were not implemented. Department of Health: Management of Indoor Air Quality for Individuals With Asthma (2020-S-59) While the department, through its contracts with Local Health Departments (LHDs), has identified poor indoor environmental conditions that impact residents with asthma, it needs to improve its oversight and monitoring of LHDs to ensure that individuals identified with asthma in targeted areas continue to receive appropriate assistance. New York State Liquor Authority: Internal Controls Over Selected Financial Operations (Follow-Up) (2022-F-12) SLA has made progress addressing the problems identified in the initial audit report and has implemented the two recommendations from that report.

President Of Sham United Nations Affiliate Sentenced To 42 Months In Prison For Cryptocurrency Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ASA SAINT CLAIR, a/k/a “Asa Williams,” a/k/a “Asa Sinclair,” was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for devising a fraudulent investment scheme in which he tricked at least 60 victims into providing loans to his organization, the World Sports Alliance, tied to a purported digital coin offering called IGObit.  SAINT CLAIR falsely represented to investors that the World Sports Alliance was a close affiliate of the United Nations and that they would receive guaranteed returns on their investment, but instead diverted the investors’ funds for his personal expenses and benefit.  SAINT CLAIR was found guilty of wire fraud in March 2022, following a two-week jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge P. Kevin Castel, who imposed today’s sentence. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Asa Saint Clair deceived everyday investors by taking advantage of their desire to invest in a better world while also getting a guaranteed financial return.  Saint Clair promised his victims all this and more if they invested in IGObit, a digital currency he claimed the World Sports Alliance was developing in support of its work with the UN to promote sports and peace in developing countries.  These promises were false, and Saint Clair’s victims lost the entirety of their hard-earned money.  Today’s sentence holds Saint Clair accountable for brazenly lying to investors while lining his own pockets.”   

According to the evidence presented at trial, SAINT CLAIR solicited investors for the launch of IGObit through promised investment returns, representations that the World Sports Alliance, a purported intergovernmental organization, was a close affiliate and partner with the United Nations, and representations about the World Sport Alliance’s development projects around the world.  World Sports Alliance did not in fact have any relationship with the United Nations and did not, and had not, participated in any international development projects. 

SAINT CLAIR also represented to investors that their money would be used for the development of IGObit, when he in fact diverted those funds to other entities controlled by him and members of his family, as well as to pay his personal expenses, including dinners at Manhattan restaurants, travel, and online shopping.

SAINT CLAIR defrauded more than 60 victims of more than $600,000 dollars.

SAINT CLAIR, 50, of Washington, was convicted of one count of wire fraud.  In addition to the prison term, SAINT CLAIR was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $618,417 and restitution of $613,417.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations.