NEWS FROM ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ

Assemblyman Dinowitz Calls on NY Senate to Close LLC Loophole

Legislation reduces the influence of big money in political campaigns

   Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called on the New York State Senate to pass a bill reducing the ability of deep-pocketed special interests to make unlimited campaign donations. The legislation, which has already passed the Assembly overwhelmingly, would bring LLC’s in line with other corporations by creating a uniform law that restricts LLCs to the same $5,000 aggregate contribution limit. This would increase transparency in elections and accountability in government by protecting against individuals contributing above the legal limits.

Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “Currently, LLCs provide a loophole for special interests to make unlimited, and often anonymous, political donations that drown out the voices of ordinary voters. Closing this loophole will prevent the rich and powerful from skirting around contribution limits to unfairly buy influence and access.”

Under existing election law, individuals and corporations can make multiple contributions to the same candidate, political party or campaign committee by creating an unlimited number of LLCs. The law treats each LLC as an individual donor, even though more than one LLC can be controlled by the same individual. This makes it extremely difficult to determine the true contributor. Further, the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling in McCutcheon v. FEC removed aggregate limits on individual donations, effectively allowing LLCs to make unlimited political contributions.   

Big money campaign contributions have a corrosive effect on our electoral system and a corrupting influence on our government,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Candidates chasing large donations from well-heeled contributors looking for special access or influence are less able to represent all of their constituents. Our democracy will only suffer as a result. This legislation helps ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules when it comes to political contributions.  I am proud to co-sponsor this critical legislation.”

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Assemblyman Dinowitz Helps Pass Gender Protection Legislation 

     Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced that the Assembly passed legislation he co-sponsored prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression - the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) (A.4558-B), sending the message that intolerance has no place in New York State.

“Across the country, transgender individuals are facing an assault on their basic human rights,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “From absurd laws dictating what bathrooms transgendered people can use such as in North Carolina, to giving health professionals the right to refuse treatment of LGBT persons, as they are trying to do in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma; these laws are acts of ignorant bigotry, and clearly illustrate why New York must stand up to discrimination and lead the nationwide fight for transgender equality.”

In addition to prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression, the GENDA Law, authored by my colleague, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), amends various provisions of the Penal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law to add "gender identity or expression" to the list of factors that constitute a crime a hate crime.

“Sadly, transgender individuals often experience housing and employment discrimination, are refused service, and in extreme cases, face physical violence because of how they express their gender identity. While New York already protects against discrimination on a number of bases, it has not yet extended this important protection to transgender people,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.  “It’s time for the Senate to join us in extending protections to all New Yorkers.”

21 Members Of South Bronx Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Narcotics Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

     Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and William J. Bratton, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of two Indictments charging a total of 21 members of a Bronx-based drug trafficking organization with narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses.  The organization operates in the vicinity of the Diego Beekman Houses (“Beekman Houses”) in the South Bronx and is charged in two separate indictments – United States v.Demetrius Flowers et al. and United States v. Damon Guadalupe et al.  Some of the members of the organization were affiliated with a subset of the Bloods Street Gang, known as the “Low Rider Brims,” and other members were affiliated with a gang known as the “Young Shooters.”  Of the 21 defendants charged in both Indictments, 14 are currently in custody, including 12 defendants who were arrested earlier today and yesterday as part of a coordinated takedown.  The defendants already in custody will be presented today before United States Magistrate Ronald L. Ellis in Manhattan federal court. 

In connection with today’s takedown, law enforcement agents also executed search warrants at three locations, including residential apartments in the area occupied by several of the defendants.  During the execution of those search warrants, agents recovered, among other items, crack, cocaine, marijuana, as well as ammunition and gang paperwork.   To date, in this case, agents and officers have seized, among other evidence, quantities of crack, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription pills, as well as firearms, ammunition, and knives.  During the investigation, agents and officers also intercepted thousands of wiretapped calls, during many of which various members and associates of the drug trafficking organization discussed their gang and narcotics activities.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “As alleged, these defendants, many of them members of street gangs, terrorized a South Bronx neighborhood with their drug dealing and violence.  Law enforcement has no duty more important than keeping our citizens safe.  As we have done in a number of recent takedowns with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to focus on those in our communities who are allegedly responsible for so much of the gang and gun violence.  All New Yorkers are entitled to live in neighborhoods free from constant drug-dealing and senseless violence.  That is why we bring actions like the one we bring today.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said:  “Law enforcement’s crackdown on gang related drug trafficking has netted 14 more arrests in New York City.  It is alleged that the ‘Low Rider Brims’ and ‘Young Shooters’ street gangs instilled fear and intimidation in the residents of the Beekman Housing Projects in the Bronx.  Not only did their alleged drug trafficking fuel drug addiction, their ‘armed and ready’ attitude resulted in numerous shootings and turf battles jeopardizing the safety of the neighboring schools and community.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “Residents of the Mott Haven section of the Bronx can rest easier knowing members of a violent gang are under arrest and out of their neighborhood.  These gangs allegedly peddled drugs and used violence to protect their criminal enterprise.  HSI and its law enforcement partners are committed to combating violent criminal organizations and ensure the continued safety of our communities.”

Commissioner William J. Bratton said:  “This investigation is the latest example of a coordinated effort to combat drug trafficking, whose operations brought an influx of violence and firearms to the Bronx. I commend both our NYPD detectives and law enforcement partners for their hard work, which led to these arrests, and for their ongoing commitment to protect our neighborhoods.”

As alleged in the Indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and in other court papers[1]:

The Beekman Houses is a private housing complex comprising approximately 38 apartment buildings in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx, New York.  From at least 2010 up to and including May 2016, the defendants operated a drug trafficking organization (the “Beekman Houses DTO”) in and around the Beekman Houses.  The Beekman Houses DTO trafficked in a variety of narcotics – including crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana – on a daily basis.  Some of the members of the Beekman Houses DTO were affiliated with a subset of the Bloods Street Gang known as the “Low Rider Brims,” and other members were affiliated with a gang known as the “Young Shooters.”  The defendants sold narcotics in areas frequented by New York City’s most vulnerable citizens, including in the vicinity of New York City schools.   

In addition, members of the Beekman Houses DTO protected and maintained their drug business through the possession of firearms and acts of violence.  These included shootings that happened in broad daylight on public streets and into apartment buildings. 

Community Board 11's 1st Annual Health Fair Saturday, May 14th from 12 to 4 PM at Loreto Park

BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD 11

WE ARE INVITING YOU TO JOIN US

FOR A DAY OF FREE HEALTHY FUN FOR ALL AGES!

WE HAVE OVER 28 VENDORS WITH ALL KINDS OF VALUABLE INFORMATION

FREE MEDICAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION, MEDICAL TESTING

FREE DEMONSTRATIONS, GIVESAWAYS, AND MUCH MUCH MUCH!!

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE THIS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, SEE YOU SATURDAY!

You're invited: create fair at union square by Grow NY - EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER

GrowNYC's Create Fair 

Friday, May 13 

 Union Square Greenmarket

(northwest corner of Union Square - near Pavilion)

10:00AM - 2:00PM

Winning Artists announced at 12:00 PM 

  Join us for Create Fair and walk through for loads of fun, hands-on activities including: cooking demos, food samples, take home DIY Planters with something ready to grow, recycling games, nutrition education workshops and more.

Drop by at noon to see us announce the top 3 winners of the GrowNYC Art Contest.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - **A Breakfast and Movie Screening of BESA: The Promise**

Upcoming Event

A Breakfast and Movie Screening of  

BESA : The Promise

TO ENSURE YOUR TICKET, YOU MUST RSVP!

Tickets can be picked up or purchased at the door on the day of the event. 

RSVP at Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's Office

                            1126 Pelham Parkway South

Bronx, New York 10461

Phone: (718)409- 0109

Fax: (718) 409- 0431

Council Member Williams Chair of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee RESPONDS TO INDICTMENT OF MANHATTAN LANDLORD

   Manhattan developer Steve Croman was indicted on twenty felony charges related to allegations of tenant intimidation and fraud on May 9. His charges include, grand larceny, falsifying business records, a scheme to defraud, criminal tax fraud, and offering a false instrument for filing.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS 

"Steve Croman's indictment on Monday is a bittersweet victory. His indictment means that we are one step closer to stopping him from taking advantage of our City's housing crisis for personal profit. His surrender, and potential conviction, would mean there is one less greedy building owner harassing the City's most vulnerable so they can be replaced by higher-paying tenants.  I find it deplorable that former New York Police Officer Anthony Falconite, who took an oath to protect and serve, was the main instrument used in intimidating and forcing tenants out of their homes. Croman continuously harassed, intimidated and manipulated rent-regulated tenants to force them out of their homes so he could convert their apartments into market-rate units. "For every Steve Croman, there are a handful more just like him, who are targeting New Yorkers who are struggling to make ends meet. I applaud Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and his office for making cases like these a priority. I am proud to be part of a legislative body that works every day to protect tenants' rights, as evidenced by the series of bills passed during this session to do just that. "For example, we've passed legislation I sponsored that mandates owners let tenants know that they have the right to refuse a buyout offer by agents of a landlord. Agents are also required to disclose their identity and that they work for the tenants' landlord. Another bill, sponsored by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, makes contacting a tenant, after they have refused a buyout offer, a form of harassment. Council Member Garodnick passed a bill to make it unlawful for an owner to threaten a tenant, to contact tenants at odd hours, or to provide false information to a tenant. We've also increased fines for engaging in tenant harassment and passed legislation to allow the city to engage in emergency repairs of decrepit buildings, and also a requirement to provide notice to tenants when building services are being interrupted. "It is my hope that Steve Croman's arrest, and possible conviction, serves as an example for all owners who are practicing similar illegal tactics. The lesson is simple; this City will continue to aggressively fight to protect tenants."

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Traffic & Moving Violations Legal Series - Part 2

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj Presents

Part 2 of The Legal Forum Series: Traffic & Moving Violations   Thursday, May 12th, 2016 Time: 6:00pm- 8:00pm Location: Bronx House 990 Pelham Pkwy S. Bronx, NY 10461 Have a traffic, parking, or moving violation? Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, will be hosting a series of legal Forums. This particular event will feature Attorneys who will present relevant information and answer any questions regarding any traffic or moving violations.