NYCHA Superintendents Sentenced To Prison For Accepting Bribes

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LEROY GIBBS was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon to 33 months in prison, and JULIO FIGUEROA was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote to 15 months in prison, for accepting bribes in exchange for awarding no-bid contracts at the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) facilities where they worked.  GIBBS also obstructed justice in the weeks before his sentencing.  GIBBS and FIGUEROA each previously pled guilty to one count of solicitation and receipt of a bribe. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Leroy Gibbs and Julio Figueroa betrayed the trust of NYCHA and harmed the residents of Douglass Houses and Ft. Independence Houses, taxpayers, and the contractors who were forced to pay them bribes in order to receive work – all so that they could line their pockets.  By accepting bribes, they put greed above their duty to the public.”

According to the Complaints, Informations, and statements made in court proceedings and filings:

In February 2020, GIBBS, who was then employed as the Resident Buildings Superintendent at Douglass Houses in New York, New York, solicited and accepted approximately $2,000 in bribes from a confidential informant (the “CI”) in exchange for awarding no-bid contracts to the CI worth a total of approximately $9,950 from NYCHA for work at that NYCHA facility.  

These were not the only bribes GIBBS solicited and received; between at least 2019 and 2022, GIBBS demanded bribes from numerous other contractors who sought to do work for NYCHA at Douglass Houses.  For example, in one text message exchange in February 2020, GIBBS wrote to a contractor, “so there isn’t anything confusion like before. What is my $ from this?  I have to ask because you guys were trying to be funny last time.”  The contractor replied, “Good evening sir[,] 50k yours 50k us.”  If contractors were too explicit about the bribery scheme in their messages to GIBBS, he admonished them; for example, when a contractor asked GIBBS, “Did [my associate] gave you 4k last week?”, GIBBS replied, “Don’t ever text something like that.  Ever are you crazy.”  GIBBS also referred to his practice of receiving a $1,000 bribe for each awarded job as his “side hustle,” and wrote that he had previously “put hands on” a contractor who had threatened to report his corruption.   

In January 2023, just weeks before he was due to be sentenced, GIBBS took several steps to obstruct justice, including by deleting text messages and obtaining a new phone number to communicate with a co-conspirator. 

Between July 2021 and August 2022, FIGUEROA, who was then employed as the Assistant Resident Buildings Superintendent at the Ft. Independence St.-Heath Ave. Houses in the Bronx, New York, solicited and accepted approximately $6,000 in bribes from the CI in exchange for awarding no-bid contracts to the CI worth a total of approximately $46,622 from NYCHA for work at that NYCHA facility.  FIGUEROA continued to solicit bribes even after learning about the arrests of nine NYCHA contractors in September 2021 for paying bribes, telling the CI that he hoped he would not be the subject of an undercover investigation and that he would probably only deal with the CI from then on because the news of the arrests scared him. 

In addition to his prison sentence, GIBBS, 58, of Bay Shore, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, including 120 hours of community service per year, and was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine, forfeit $2,000, and pay $2,000 in restitution. 

In addition to his prison sentence, FIGUEROA, 45, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and was ordered to forfeit $6,000 and pay $6,000 in restitution. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Department of Investigation, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Alerts New Yorkers About Romance Scams

 

As Valentine’s Day Approaches, Learn How to Recognize and Prevent Romance and Sextortion Scams 

Secretary Robert J. Rodriguez: “Romance scams can hurt financially and emotionally, and this Valentine’s Day, I encourage New Yorkers who are looking for love online to follow basic safety tips to protect themselves and their hard-earned money from scammers.”

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is warning New Yorkers about romance and sextortion scams and is offering information and tools to help identify and outsmart scammers who prey on people’s emotions and trust. Romance scams occur when a criminal lies about their identity and uses romantic interest to manipulate or steal from the victim. Thieves use different variations of these scams to deceive unsuspecting daters. One common variation used is sextortion, where scammers encourage victims to send intimate images of themselves then demand money to keep it a secret and threaten to expose the victim to their contacts, family, friends and colleagues if payment isn’t sent.

“In this digital age when many seek romantic connections online, it’s important to know who’s really on the other end,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez, who oversees the Division of Consumer Protection. “Romance scams can hurt financially and emotionally, and this Valentine’s Day, I encourage New Yorkers who are looking for love online to follow basic safety tips to protect themselves and their hard-earned money from scammers.”

Although almost any age group can be lured into romance scams, the following groups are most frequently targeted:

• Teens (especially teen boys)
• College Students
• Men and Women over age 40
• Seniors, especially widows, widowers and recent divorcees

Common Elements of a Romance or Sextortion Scam:

• Fake Profile Pictures: Scammers create the illusion of someone you would be attracted to and trust. They seek opportunities to meet someone online and create profiles on a wide range of online platforms including social media, dating sites, messaging apps and porn sites. They often use pictures from the internet for their profile and may disguise their voice on the phone.
• Build Trust: Scammers are patient and will communicate for weeks or months until they’ve earned your trust.
• Unavailable to meet in person: Scammers may propose an in-person meeting, claiming they will travel to see you, but there will be a last-minute emergency preventing it from happening. Be suspicious of anyone who says they want to meet but then always makes excuses for why they can’t.
• Request Money: Scammers often start by requesting small amounts of money and paying it back quickly to build trust. Eventually, the scammers will request a large sum of money, usually as a loan, to be wired to them for things ranging from business investments, property, debts, illness and more. They may even ask for money for airfare so they can visit you. Once they receive the money, the scammer will often ask for more or create a new reason they need to borrow money. This will continue until the victim becomes suspicious, at which point the scammer will usually stop all contact and disappear.
• Request Explicit Images or Videos: Some online encounters end in unwanted behaviors including extortion. Scammers may request or coerce victims into sending intimate, explicit images or videos of themselves. They may even coerce victims to perform intimate acts on camera.

Tips to Avoid Romance or Sextortion Scams:

• If someone you haven’t met in person asks you for money, assume it is a scam, even if they say they need it for an emergency or traumatic life event. Never give or loan money to someone that you have not met in person.  
• Do not give out personal information to someone online, including payment and banking information, especially if you have not met them before.
• Use trusted online dating sites, but still exercise caution. Beware of online interactions that quickly ask you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
• Be cautious of people you meet online who say they are an American abroad or a deployed soldier.
• Schedule a video-chat early in the relationship to ensure they are the person they are presenting in their profile.
• Research anyone in whom you have an interest. Ask questions. Look them up online. Verify details where you can.
• Do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture. If it is linked to another name or details that don’t line up, it’s likely a scam.
• Familiarize yourself with privacy settings of all your online platforms and consider limiting who has access to your personal information, contact lists and location.
• Turn off or cover your web cameras when you’re not using them.
• To thwart sextortion scams, talk to your children and teens about online safety and online luring. Many sextortion incidents occur on Instagram or Snapchat. Remind them that pictures or videos can be saved by others and used later for blackmailing. Check out additional resources for talking to children and teens on the FBI website.

New Yorkers who have fallen victim to a romance or sextortion scam should report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.  Notify the social networking site or app where you met the scammer, too.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

Permits Filed For 3002 Perry Avenue In Jerome Park, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 3002 Perry Avenue in Jerome Park, The Bronx. Located between Mosholu Parkway South and East 201st Street, the lot is near the Bedford Park Boulevard subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Joel Friedman is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 60-foot-tall development will yield 13,295 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 24 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 553 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 33-foot-long rear yard.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in April 2022 for the residential structure on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Governor Hochul Announces Opening of the Third Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary in Manhattan

Non-Profit to Open Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary in Union Square on Monday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the third Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary location in Manhattan, New York. The opening of the store advances New York State's Seeding Opportunity Initiative and the state's goals of equity in cannabis licensing, which prioritizes providing licenses to justice-involved individuals who are people with a cannabis conviction or a close relative of someone with one, and nonprofits that serve justice-involved individuals.

“We’re building a cannabis industry here in New York State that is equitable and delivers new resources to nonprofits that bring supportive services to our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “This is the latest milestone in our efforts to grow the industry, while creating jobs and opportunity for those who, historically, have been disproportionately targeted for cannabis infractions.”

The dispensary opening in Manhattan will operate under a license held by The Doe Store, a subsidiary of the Doe Fund, a non-profit organization. It will be operated by Harbour Community. Located at 62 East 13th Street, the dispensary will be known as “Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store.” Since 1985, The Doe Fund has helped nearly 30,000 individuals break the devastating cycle of poverty, homelessness, and incarceration. Its Ready, Willing & Able program provides paid work, housing, and comprehensive support services to homeless and formerly incarcerated men in New York City. It will open at noon on Monday, February 13. Initial operating hours will be 10 am-10 pm Sunday-Thursday and 10 am-11 pm Friday and Saturday.

The CAURD license is a central pillar of the New York State Seeding Opportunity Initiative. Through the Initiative, New York's first legal adult-use retail dispensaries will be operated by those most impacted by the enforcement of the prohibition of cannabis or non-profit organizations whose services include support for the formerly incarcerated. These dispensaries are making legal adult-use sales with cannabis products grown by New York Farmers.

To be eligible, applicants must either have a cannabis conviction themselves, or be the close family relative of someone who does, and own or have owned a business that had a net profit for at least two years. Non-profits are eligible for CAURD licenses if they have a history of serving current or formerly incarcerated individuals, including creating vocational opportunities for them; have at least one justice involved board member; at least five full time employees; and have operated a social enterprise that had net assets or profit for at least two years.

VCJC News & Notes 2/10/23

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful! Reminders Shabbos Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar. Here are the times you need:   Shabbos Candles Friday 2/10/23 @ 5:06 pm Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.  Shabbos Ends Saturday 2/11/23 @ 6:10 pm There will be a Kiddush sponsored by Merrill Penn in memory of his brother Harvey Penn Watch for...!  Flyers have gone out for the Purim Greetings which will be put in the March Center Light.  The absolute deadline for your response is Tuesday, February 21.  For a donation of $21.00, we can include your name (only) along with others wishing our VCJC family, and your family, friends, and neighbors Chag Purim Sameach – may this Purim mark the beginning of great happiness, health, and prosperity to all!! You can subscribe online via PayPal via our donations page.  Just fill in the submission form and use the PayPal link to donate the $21 fee.  Van Cortlandt Jewish Center 3880 Sedgwick Ave Bronx, NY 10463

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CREATION OF FIRST-EVER MAYOR’S OFFICE OF CHILD CARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

 

New Office, Appointment of Dr. Michelle Paige Reaffirm NYC’s Commitment to Families

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today reaffirmed the city’s commitment to families by creating the Mayor’s Office for Child Care and Early Childhood Education. The new office will be led by Executive Director Dr. Michelle Paige and builds off of Mayor Adams’ Blueprint for Child Care and Early Childhood Education by focusing on ensuring New York City families have access to equitable, high-quality, and affordable early education and care. The office will lead strategy and coordinate planning among city agencies; foster innovation in partnership with families, providers, experts, and the private sector; and promote effective communication, policy advocacy, and public engagement.

 

“Today, we are making an historic investment in child care and early childhood education so that New York City families will have the support they need to flourish,” said Mayor Adams. “Not only will the new Mayor’s Office for Child Care and Early Childhood Education provide our early childhood students and their families with the support systems they need, but with Dr. Michelle Paige at the helm, I know we will give every child the opportunity to succeed. Early learning is the key to success for young children, and this administration is committed to making sure that all our children receive the support they need so that they can thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.”

 

“With the city’s first-ever office dedicated solely to early childhood care and education, the Adams administration is reaffirming its pledge first laid out in our child care blueprint to put working families first,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “With the expertise and experience of Dr. Michelle Paige, this office will streamline the child care process, remove red tape, and provide support to the entire sector. I look forward to working with Dr. Paige to deliver the quality, affordable, and equity-focused services our child care sector and New York City families deserve.”

 

“The new Mayor’s Office for Child Care and Early Childhood Education will help us in achieving a more safe, just, and equitable New York City for all children and families,” said New York City Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “We are thrilled by Mayor Adams’ appointment of Dr. Michelle Paige, a dedicated child care leader with decades of experience serving New Yorkers, as executive director. Under her leadership, New York City will increase access for families to much-needed high-quality, affordable child care.”

 

“Early childhood education and child care continues to be a top priority in New York City. It is a very exciting moment and an honor to be appointed as the first executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education,” said Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Executive Director Dr. Paige. “I look forward to supporting a dynamic team and facilitating interagency collaboration. Together, I am confident that we can continue to implement Mayor Adams’ ‘Blueprint for Child Care and Early Childhood Education’ and underscore his commitment to our youngest New Yorkers and their families.”

 

“Standing up an office that prioritizes early childhood care and education across New York City is yet another example of Mayor Adams’ commitment to children and their families,” said New York City Department of Education Deputy Chancellor of Early Childhood Education Dr. Kara H. Ahmed. “I am excited to work alongside Dr. Paige in her new role to move our collective early childhood vision forward for our city. I know that together, along with our many city partners, we will accomplish all the things New York City families and young children deserve.”

 

“Today’s announcement of Michelle Paige and the new Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education continues to make good on the city’s commitment to prioritize and strengthen our early childhood system,” said Wayne Ho, president and CEO, Chinese-American Planning Council. “We are delighted the mayor’s office believes that our early childhood system should be accessible for families, supportive of educators, high-quality for children, and streamlined for providers. As an organization that operates early childhood centers, provides child care referral services for working parents, and supports undocumented children in accessing care, we look forward to working with the new office to ensure the integration of family and provider voice into its decision-making and leadership, especially from Asian American and immigrant communities.”

 

“We know Dr. Michelle Paige to be an accomplished and visionary leader in the early childhood education and care field,” said Tara N. Gardner, executive director, Day Care Council of New York (DCCNY). “She has made her mark in strong and innovative community-based programs and is a trusted and active member of the Day Care Council of New York’s Advisory Committee. She has been a mentor to her peers in child care centers and family child care networks throughout the city. We applaud Mayor Adams for choosing a leader with deep on-the-ground experience caring for and educating young children and working with their families. DCCNY looks forward to working with Dr. Paige in her new role leading the Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to build systems of early childhood education that meet the needs of all New York City families and respects and fully compensates hardworking teachers, staff, and directors who provide early care and education for New York’s families.”

 

“Michelle has been a transformative leader for University Settlement, advancing major initiatives including our operational response to COVID, our continuing commitment to embed mental health services into all of our programs, and our efforts to build an anti-racist organizational culture,” said Melissa Aase, CEO, University Settlement. “In 2021, 90 percent of children moving on from our center-based early childhood education programs were considered socially and emotionally ‘school-ready’ — a monumental feat considering the impact of COVID and a testament to Dr. Paige’s leadership of our programs. Her formidable leadership skills and penchant for solving problems big and small have only grown during her time with us — and we are thrilled about what her appointment means for the future of early childhood education services in New York City.”

 

“Dr. Michelle Paige is a committed professional with a deep understanding of New York City’s early childhood education system,” said Susan Stamler, executive director, United Neighborhood Houses. “I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle during her tenure at University Settlement and saw her dedication to improving the lives and well-being of New York City’s children. Fortunately for all of us, Michelle brings her smarts, her heart, and her energy to this new and exciting role as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. With this appointment, the Adams administration gains an experienced leader who understands communities and the importance of supporting programs to meet the needs of families. I look forward to working with her to actualize the city’s goal of deepening and expanding quality early care and education programs.”

 

About Dr. Michelle Paige

 

Dr. Michelle Paige has dedicated her career to education in New York City for nearly 30 years. A member of a family dedicated to social justice through several generations, Dr. Paige chose education as a way to impact change for children and families. Her most recent position was as chief program and equity officer for University Settlement. In this role, she supported dynamic teams as they partnered with communities in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn to provide early childhood, youth, mental health, adult education, eviction prevention, older adult, and arts programs. She is also an adjunct professor at City University of New York (CUNY) Lehman College.

 

Dr. Paige began her professional journey as a New York City Board of Education early childhood and elementary school teacher in Queens for several years before she transitioned to early childhood leadership positions at Children’s Aid and then Union Settlement.

 

Dr. Paige earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from St. John’s University, Master of Science in Education from CUNY Queens College, and Doctor of Education in executive leadership from St. John Fisher University.

 

Dr. Paige will report to First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.

 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers On State's Progress Combating Covid-19 - FEBRUARY 9, 2023

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

22 Statewide Deaths Reported on February 8

 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 in the winter season.

"I urge all New Yorkers 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. "Be sure to 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 the flu and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals. The Governor reiterated these basic steps when she updated New Yorkers on the state's winter health preparedness efforts in December.

The New York State Department of Health's weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending January 28, shows influenza remaining widespread throughout the state for a seventeenth consecutive week, with a total of 308,279 positive cases across 57 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide dropped 34 percent to 2,937 for the week, while overall hospitalizations were down 35 percent from the previous week, at 304 hospitalizations across the state.

Additionally, there were 6 outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There was one influenza-associated pediatric death reported bringing the total to nine statewide.

With flu season continuing and infections remaining widespread, Governor Hochul encourages all New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine. 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 Health Department 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. For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Governor Hochul also continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. In December, the New York State Department of Health announced new guidance for bivalent COVID-19 booster doses, which are now available for eligible children down to 6 months of age.

The updated boosters are the first to be targeted to the original virus strain and recently circulating variants and are recommended for young New Yorkers and all those eligible. 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.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 14.90
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 12.25
• Test Results Reported - 55,748
• Total Positive - 2,911
• Percent Positive - 5.00%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.27%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,236 (-90)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 311
• Patients in ICU - 264 (-17)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 102 (0)
• Total Discharges - 398,622 (+366)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 22
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,524

** 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 - 78,197

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	Monday,   February   6, 2023	Tuesday,   February   7, 2023	Wednesday,   February   8, 2023
Bronx	4.98%	4.91%	4.69%
Kings	3.82%	3.69%	3.94%
New York	4.09%	4.09%	3.87%
Queens	4.69%	4.54%	4.33%
Richmond	4.64%	4.30%	4.50%