Governor Hochul Announces Unprecedented $150 Million in Capital Funding Opportunities to Open for Arts and Culture Organizations

 Includes Additional $100 Million in New Funding for Large Capital Projects

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $150 million in capital funding will be available for arts and culture organizations through the New York State Council on the Arts' Capital Projects Fund. The Fund has two grant categories: Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants and Large Capital Improvement Grants. This unprecedented investment includes $100 million in new, multi-year funding to facilitate large-scale capital projects that prioritize community development and placemaking. It is the State's largest ever commitment to NYSCA for capital projects for the arts, following on already record-level funding for the arts in the FY 2023 Budget. Governor Hochul will further discuss her commitment to supporting the arts at the Carnegie Hall 2022-2023 Season Opening later this evening.

"New York's arts and cultural organizations strengthen our economic well-being, nourish our diversity and identity, and support our communities," Governor Hochul said. "This record State funding to NYSCA will allow a wide range of organizations to undertake much needed improvement projects, so they can continue to provide New Yorkers with enriching cultural experiences and further their role as economic and community anchors."

NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund will focus on supporting cultural institutions seeking State funding for investments in capital improvements that allow organizations to sustain and expand cultural programming for diverse audiences, promote accessibility and environmental sustainability, preserve and create jobs, and ultimately contribute to the growth of New York's arts and tourism sectors.

The two opportunities are:

• Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This opportunity funds projects of any size, with grants of up to $2 million that prioritize accessibility, artistry, cultural development, sustainability, health and safety, and structural and historical improvements. Strong projects combine excellence in design with informed decisions about organizational capacity and community needs that will positively affect the future of arts and cultural organizations across New York.
• Large Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This multiyear opportunity will support arts and cultural institutions across the state that are undertaking impactful, large-scale capital improvements. Grants will range from $2 million to $10 million for projects that have a total cost of $4 million or more. This funding will support investments to allow organizations to thrive by expanding cultural programming, reaching new and diverse audiences, and promoting accessibility. These grants will also help advance the State's goals around diversity, equity and inclusion and will require all applicants to commit to social equity initiatives and access plans that serve all New Yorkers.

The application portal for these opportunities will open on Friday, Sept 30, 2022 and can be accessed on NYSCA's website, arts.ny.gov. All eligible New York State nonprofit arts and culture organizations are encouraged to apply for NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund. NYSCA will also conduct webinars about the application process and host multiple virtual office sessions for applicants to receive one-on-one assistance before the January 12, 2023 deadline.

Since 2018, NYSCA has awarded 204 capital grants, totaling $50 million, across all 10 state regions through the support of the Governor and Legislature. These projects increase employment capacity and advance cultural venues as tourism destinations, strengthening New York's hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors.

In addition to the Capital Projects Fund, NYSCA will award $90 million in non-capital grants to arts organizations and artists. These grant recipients will be announced by the end of the calendar year.

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Mara Manus said, "New York's powerful creative economy is a crucial driver in our state's recovery as a global cultural leader. We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature's unprecedented $150 million in FY2023 capital funding for NYSCA, recognizing the critical role these projects play in our economy, our local ecologies, and the health  of all New Yorkers."

Statement on NYC Public Schools Admissions Announcement

 

Following the announcement this morning by New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks on changes to admissions for middle and high schools, Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement:  

“Sorting children into pathways that have immense power to determine their futures, based on their grades when they are eight- or nine-years-old, is inconsistent with a vision for a city where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. 

“Restoring middle-school screens will reinforce segregation in our schools. It elevates the notion that some children deserve “good schools” while the vast majority do not. The Chancellor said this morning, ‘If you’re working hard and you’re making the grade you should not be thrown into a lottery with just everybody.’ But we are talking here about eight- and nine-year-old kids. Every single one deserves the best education we can provide.  

“In many efforts, Chancellor David Banks has shown his dedication to inclusion – welcoming students from migrant families into our schools, expanding access to PSAL teams to any student, celebrating the incorporation of AAPI history into the social studies curriculum. But replicating programs that create barriers, such as the proposed accelerated learning academies, does not eliminate the barriers most students face and does not significantly move the needle on scarcity.  

“The work that the Department of Education has done in recent years to reduce school segregation – after decades of ignoring it – has been some of the most hopeful work in our schools. The District 15 Diversity Plan, developed through a deeply thoughtful and inclusive planning process, holds promise for what we can do when we are committed to the values of inclusive multiracial democracy. Earlier this month, I had the chance to visit Arts & Letters 305 United in District 13, created by a merger of two segregated schools, where they are creating a far-better whole.  

“Initiatives that advance integration and inclusion and are centered around strong community engagement increase high quality educational options for all families. So I was relieved to learn today that the District 15 Diversity Plan, the voluntary diversity-in-admission program, and the end to the use of attendance as a screen will continue.   Unfortunately, today’s announcement walks back the commitment to move forward across the city toward that vision – despite local law that requires more districts to engage in diversity planning.  

“At most, restoring middle school screens will enable a very small percentage of New York City’s students to access schools with high expectations, while the vast majority will wind up with schools with fewer high-achieving students, a greater percentage of students experiencing poverty, lower expectations, and less attention to enrichment in their learning. Meanwhile, data released just yesterday shows that only 38% of NYC students in grades 3-8 show proficiency when assessed on the state math test, and most of them attend schools that had their budgets cut this year. And it’s worth remembering that all of these kids are still emerging from the trauma of the pandemic. This should be a year that’s about helping our students heal and grow together – not about competition to divide them. 

“Only by working to make our schools more inclusive of children of all backgrounds and abilities do we truly create a system where every school is a good school, and all children can have an enriching academic experience that allows them to reach their full potential.” 

Defendant Charged with Blocking Access to Planned Parenthood Health Center on Long Island

 

Defendant Allegedly Padlocked the Clinic’s Entrance Gate and Blocked Access to the Clinic with His Body

 In federal court in Central Islip, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Christopher Moscinski with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (the “FACE Act”) for blocking access to a Planned Parenthood of Greater New York health center in Hempstead, New York that provides reproductive health services.  Moscinski was arrested today and will make his initial court appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charge.

“The defendant attempted to prevent women from accessing their legal right to vital reproductive and pregnancy services,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office will enforce federal law to protect clinics and staff that provide reproductive health services while safeguarding the rights of their patients.  I commend the local police, firefighters and bystanders who came to the health center’s aid to ensure that it could continue serving the community.”

“As alleged, the defendant made repeated attempts to disrupt and deny access to a Planned Parenthood facility in violation of the FACE act.  These attempts interfered with the community’s ability to seek reproductive and pregnancy health services, and today’s action should serve as a reminder of the FBI’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

As alleged in the complaint, at 6:22 a.m. on July 7, 2022, Moscinski, a Franciscan friar, arrived at the health center wearing civilian garb.  He fastened several padlocks and bicycle locks to the gated entrance of the health center, rendering the entrance impassable.  Some of the locks had glue poured into them.  After police and fire department personnel arrived at the health center and cut the padlocks, Moscinski returned to the scene wearing a religious robe, and laid his body in front of the gate, blocking vehicles from entering the health center’s parking lot until he was arrested by officers from the Hempstead Police Department.    

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In 1994, Congress passed the FACE Act in response to an increase in violence toward patients and providers of reproductive health services.  The FACE Act prohibits violent, threatening, damaging and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with an individual’s right to seek, obtain or provide reproductive health services.  First-time convictions of the FACE Act are misdemeanor violations punishable by up to one year in federal prison.  Subsequent convictions are a felony.

Suspected violations of the FACE Act can be reported to the FBI by calling 1-800-225-5324 (1-800-CALL-FBI) or by visiting tips.fbi.gov.  If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911.

CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Urges New Yorkers to Follow E-Bike Safety Tips and Help Prevent Battery Fires

 

E-Bike, E-Scooter, and Hoverboard Batteries May Cause Fires or Explosions if Handled Improperly

New York Attorney General Letitia James today warned New Yorkers of the potential dangers caused by electrical bike (e-bike) batteries and offered tips on how to safely handle them. Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) generated an informational flyer about e-bike safety tips, which is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Bengali, and Haitian Creole. Most e-bikes, as well as e-scooters and hoverboards, use powerful lithium-ion batteries that store more energy and are more likely to catch fire than a typical battery. In 2021, e-bike and e-scooter batteries tragically led to 79 injuries and four deaths in New York City. If the proper precautions are taken when buying, maintaining, storing, charging, and disposing of these batteries, accidents can be avoided.

“E-bikes are a valuable resource for many hard-working New Yorkers, but they can carry safety risks if not used properly,” said Attorney General James. “That is exactly why it is so important that they are used carefully. While it can be tempting to search for deals or overlook problems, no convenience is worth your safety or your life. Taking all proper precautions can protect yourself, your family, your property, and everyone around you.”

Attorney General James recommends consumers take the following steps when using e-bikes:

1 - Buy your e-bike and battery from a trusted manufacturer. 

2 - Maintain your battery by carefully checking it from time to time.

3 - Store your battery in a safe place.

4 - Charge your battery using only the cord and power adapter provided by the manufacturer.

5 - Dispose your battery at a battery-recycling location.

• Note: Putting batteries in the trash or recycling them at home is both unsafe and illegal. Visit gov/batteries to find places that can safely dispose of them.

For more information about e-bike safety tips, please visit the informational flyer provided in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Bengali, and Haitian Creole by OAG.

Bronx Community Board 11 - 9/30 Shredding Event

 

DEC ANNOUNCES START OF SEVERAL HUNTING SEASONS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE

 

Youth Big Game Hunt is Oct. 8-10 Weekend

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the beginning of several hunting seasons in New York, including bowhunting for bear and deer in the Northern and Southern zones and the start of small game hunting seasons statewide.

 

“This is an exciting time of year for hunters who now have an opportunity to head afield and experience the tremendous hunting opportunities here in New York for both big and small game,” Commissioner Seggos said. “In addition, the late summer weather, fall foliage, and extended hunting hours combine to create outstanding conditions for new and experienced hunters who enjoy the sport.”

 

Bowhunting Seasons for Deer and Bear in Northern and Southern Zones

 

Bowhunting seasons for deer begin on Sept. 27 in the Northern Zone and Oct. 1 in the Southern Zone. Bowhunting season for bear in the Northern Zone began on Sept. 17.

Crossbow season is open to bowhunters during the last 10 days of the Northern Zone bow season (Oct. 12-21); and the last 14 days of the Southern Zone bow season (Nov. 5-18). This season is open to bowhunters who possess a muzzleloader privilege and a crossbow qualifications certificate, as required by law. Visit the Crossbow Hunting webpage on DEC's website for details.

Additionally, DEC reminds hunters that the application deadline for Deer Management Permits (DMPs) is Oct. 1. Hunters should be prepared with the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) they intend to hunt prior to applying. DEC’s DMP Availability and Probability of Selection webpage has more information regarding DMP availability and chances of being selected in each WMU.

Youth Big Game Hunt

New York's annual Youth Big Game Hunt occurs on Oct. 8-10, for 12- to 15-year-old hunters. This Youth Big Game Hunt takes place throughout the state, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas. Following legislation passed in 2021, 12- and 13-year-old hunters may hunt deer with a firearm during the youth hunt and other firearms seasons in upstate counties that have passed a local law allowing their participation. Currently, the list of counties that have passed such a local law includes all counties north of Westchester County, with the exception of Erie and Rockland counties. During this special opportunity, licensed 12- to 15-year-olds may use a firearm to hunt big game while accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. All eligible junior hunters may take one deer of either sex and 14- and 15-year-olds may also take one bear. During the youth hunt, antlerless deer taken with a firearm may be tagged with a regular season tag, DMP, or a Deer Management Assistance Program tag. Antlered deer may only be tagged with the regular season tag. Though junior hunters may have multiple deer tags, they may only take one deer with a firearm during the Youth Big Game Hunt.

Additional rules that apply to junior hunters and their adult mentors can be found on pages 36 and 37 of the Hunting and Trapping Guide or on the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program webpage.

Small Game Hunting Seasons

 

Most small game hunting seasons open Oct. 1, across New York State. Season dates, bag limits, and other hunting regulations for New York's small game species are available in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which can be obtained from a license-issuing agent or on DEC's website.

 

Ruffed Grouse Hunting

Ruffed grouse hunting season runs from Oct. 1 through the last day of February in most parts of the state. In Northern New York, the season opened on Sept. 20, and runs through the last day of February. In New York City and Long Island, the season is closed.

Ruffed grouse hunters in the Northern Zone are reminded to positively identify the species of grouse before shooting. The Northern Zone, specifically Wildlife Management Units 5C, 5F, 6F, and 6J, is also home to the spruce grouse, a State-endangered species that is illegal to hunt. Loss of a single spruce grouse, particularly a female, could be a significant setback for a small local population. For tips on how to discern the two species, view the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or the Ruffed Grouse Hunting Information page on DEC's website.

DEC encourages ruffed grouse hunters to take part in the grouse hunting log program and submit feathers from harvested birds to assess recruitment (number of young produced per adult female grouse) for different parts of the state. Interested hunters should visit the DEC website.

Pheasant Hunting

The pheasant hunting season begins:

• 1, in northern and eastern portions of New York
• 15, in central and western portions of the state; and
• 1, on Long Island.

Since 2007, DEC offers a special youth-only season to provide junior hunters the opportunity to hunt pheasants during the weekend prior to the regular pheasant hunting season. In western New York, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is Oct. 8 and 9. In northern and eastern New York, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is Sept. 24 and 25, and on Long Island, it is Oct. 29 and 30. Both the junior hunter and their adult mentor must have a hunting license. Only the junior hunter can carry a firearm and harvest birds on these dates. More information on pheasant hunting in New York can be found on DEC’s website.

DEC will release approximately 30,000 adult pheasants on lands open to public hunting for the upcoming fall pheasant hunting season. Many of these release sites are privately owned or managed by non-DEC governmental agencies (e.g., New York City Department of Environmental Protection, counties, or towns). Hunters are asked to be respectful of any special rules, as the pheasant propagation system relies on these outside entities to provide hunters with opportunities close to home. New for 2022, DEC developed an interactive map detailing state and private land release sites for pheasants. The interactive mapper provides significantly more information on stocking sites, including the number of birds released, the approximate last stocking date for each property, and any access restrictions.

Squirrel, Rabbit, and Hare Hunting

Opportunities to pursue squirrels and rabbits can be found throughout the state, including on many public lands. Squirrel seasons started Sept. 1 in upstate New York, and begins Nov. 1 on Long Island. Rabbit hunting begins on Oct. 1 in upstate New York, and on Nov. 1 on Long Island. With ample opportunities and mild weather, squirrel, and rabbit hunting are great ways to introduce novices to hunting.

Snowshoe hare (or varying hare) season starts Oct. 1 in the Northern Zone. Hare hunters in the Southern Zone, where the season starts in late fall or early winter, are encouraged to report their observations to DEC through the DEC website.

Rabbit hunters should be aware of rabbit hemorrhagic virus 2 (RHDV2), a deadly virus affecting domestic and wild rabbits. Since it was first found in the United States in 2020, RHDV2 was documented in 26 states, including in domestic rabbits in New York. To learn more about the disease and see how you can help prevent the introduction of RHDV2 to New York’s wild rabbit and hare populations, see DEC’s website.

Wild Turkey Hunting

Wild turkeys can be found throughout the state but reach their highest densities in landscapes that have a mix of forests, old fields, and farmlands. Wild turkeys are less vulnerable to harvest in areas with abundant food (e.g., hard and soft mast), because they don't have to roam far and wide foraging, so scouting before the season is important. Season dates for fall 2022:

• 1 - 14, in the Northern Zone
• 15 - 28, in the Southern Zone
• 19 - Dec. 2 in Suffolk County, Long Island

The statewide season bag limit is one bird of either sex. Hunting hours are sunrise to sunset.

Furbearer Hunting

With 16 species of furbearers living in New York, furbearer hunting and trapping opportunities are abundant. Coyote hunting season begins Oct. 1 across much of the state, and hunting seasons for other furbearers such as bobcat, raccoon, and fox begin on Oct. 25. Season dates and zone boundaries for all furbearers can be found on DEC's website and in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Last week, DEC confirmed an animal taken by a hunter in Cherry Valley, Otsego County, during the 2021 coyote hunting season was a wolf. For information about differentiating a coyote from a wolf, go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45559.html.

Duck Hunting

New York offers vast waterfowl hunting opportunities as hunters may harvest more than 30 species of waterfowl. New York has five waterfowl zones and nine Canada goose zones that help to maximize hunting opportunity across diverse habitats. Most waterfowl zones also have special hunting days for youth and members of the military (both active duty and veterans) that often begin prior to the regular hunting season, giving these hunters the opportunity to hunt with less competition and hunting pressure.

Opening dates for the Regular Duck Seasons:

• Northeast Zone: Oct. 1
• Lake Champlain Zone: Oct. 15
• Western and Southeast zones: Oct. 15
• Long Island Zone: Nov. 19

For more on waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits, visit the Waterfowl Seasons page on DEC's website.

Citizen Science

Citizen science efforts such as the Grouse and Woodcock Hunting Log, Ruffed Grouse Parts Collection, and the Bowhunter Sighting Log provide hunters the opportunity to partner with DEC to monitor game species. To learn more about how to participate in these efforts, visit the DEC website.

DEC Encourages Hunter Safety

While statistics show hunting in New York is safer than ever, mistakes are made every year. DEC believes every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable, and Commissioner Seggos encourages hunters to use common sense this season and to remember what they learned in their DEC Hunter Education Course.

Firearms safety:

• Point your gun in a safe direction.
• Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
• Be sure of your target and beyond.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
  

Wearing blaze orange or pink is required for hunting big game with firearms. In addition, DEC encourages small game hunters to wear blaze orange or blaze pink. Wearing orange or pink prevents other hunters from mistaking a person for an animal or shooting in a hunter's direction. Hunters wearing blaze orange are seven times less likely to be shot.

Owners are encouraged to dress their dogs in blaze orange or pink or another bright color. For more information about requirements for hunting with dogs, go to: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27801.html

For more information and other important safety tips, please visit DEC's website and watch videos about hunter safety. For more information about getting outdoors safely and responsibly, visit DEC's Website.

Recent Changes to New York State Firearm Laws

Hunting continues to be allowed on DEC lands where previously permitted. DEC Wildlife Management Areas and State Forests remain open to hunting, as are many areas of the Forest Preserve, including Wilderness and Wild Forest areas. Please visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7844.html for additional information on State lands open for hunting.

See DEC’s Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Recent Changes to New York State Firearm Laws and additional detail and further guidance, Questions and Answers Regarding Impacts to Hunting and Hunting-Related Activities from Recent Changes to New York State Firearm Laws, on DEC’s hunting website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.html.

More information about gun safety in New York State can be found at https://gunsafety.ny.gov/.

WILLIAMS ADVOCATES FOR HIS BILL TO BAN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN NYC AT CITY COUNCIL HEARING

 

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, prime sponsor of the landmark legislation to ban solitary confinement in New York City, spoke in support of both his bill and protecting the safety of people on both sides of the bars at the City Council hearing of the Committee on Criminal Justice Wednesday. He also pushed back against misinformation and misconceptions about the legislation. This hearing comes as the crisis on Rikers Island continues, with sixteen incarcerated people losing their lives already this year, including two reported within the last week.

Solitary confinement is defined by the United Nations as torture, yet it is still commonly used in jails in New York City. Intro 549 from the Public Advocate would finally create a concrete, enforceable ban on solitary in city jails - not just in name but in practice - while also allowing for separation and de-escalation when necessary for safety. The bill provides due process and parameters for separation and restrictive housing without enabling the deeply damaging effects of isolation.

Public Advocate Williams said of solitary, "It is cruel. It is inhumane. It can ruin people’s lives, and too many do not survive it. Many try to mask the practice of isolation with euphemistic names like punitive segregation, but there is no difference–it is solitary confinement. Prolonged isolation that looks like, feels like and acts like solitary confinement—is solitary confinement. Physical isolation coupled with the lack of meaningful social interaction causes or exacerbates trauma, as well as other mental health issues. Solitary confinement does not only impact the individual; entire communities mourn the losses of their parents, siblings, children, and friends... No one leaves solitary confinement whole."

Under this legislation, the DOC shall not place an incarcerated individual in a cell, other than at night for sleep, for more than eight hours in any 24-hour period, or during the day for more than two hours in any 24-hour period, unless such confinement is necessary to de-escalate immediate conflict that has caused injury or poses an immediate danger to a person’s safety. The bill is co-prime sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera and supported by Speaker Adrienne Adams and a veto-proof majority of Council Members. 

Intro 549 has been widely misunderstood and mischaracterized. As the Public Advocate noted in his statement, "To be clear, this bill ends the harmful practices of solitary confinement, but does not ban separation when it is necessary to protect incarcerated individuals and staff. If an incident of violence occurs, staff will still be able to immediately separate a person while they begin the process of assigning them to restrictive housing, if necessary. While there will be new procedures in place to ensure that we are not isolating individuals, a person who poses a specific and imminent safety risk will not be immediately returned to the general population to await their hearing. Once again, DOC can separate these individuals prior to their due process hearing, but they can no longer hold people in prolonged isolation. This bill outlines a simple procedure: separate, deescalate, and investigate."

Prior to his prepared remarks, the Public Advocate addressed the controversy around the legislation, saying “To the corrections officers, I see you. I know that there is real harm being done to you. And there's real cause for concern, which is why you are here. I have heard of officers who have had heart attacks while on the job, officers who have committed suicide, I know that female officers who have been sexually assaulted on a regular basis, and while there’s misinformation being sent around about my bill, I know that the harm is real, and I want to make sure I lift that up. I think it’s important to remember that on both sides of those bars, most of those folks look like me - primarily Black and Brown people, and they generally come from the same communities. With just a few differences of circumstances, their roles could be reversed. It’s important to point out because I know the job is tough, and I know, I don’t work there on a regular basis, and I understand that there has to be accountability. I want it always, when an officer harms someone who is incarcerated, and when someone incarcerated harms an officer."

He continued, "There has to be accountability and a way to keep people safe, but I want to be clear. That cannot be based in torture, and that is all that this bill is saying. We have to find a way where we’re producing safety for everyone who’s on that island, an island that is not safe, to be produced. But I want you to know that I see you, and I hear you, and I know that the pain is very real. I also want to make sure it’s clear that this bill will not solve the problem on Rikers Island. I want to be clear about that. It is dealing with one particular issue that is also very real, and that is the torture of people that we have to prevent. We have to make sure that we’re humanizing everyone. When we dehumanize people, bad things happen. I don’t want to dehumanize our corrections officers. I also don’t want to dehumanize people who are accused of a crime. Our society is going to be based on how much we do or don’t dehumanize people, even people who are accused of committing crimes."

Former President Of International Aircraft Parts Distributor Convicted Of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction in Manhattan federal court of STEFAN GILLIER, a/k/a “Stephan Gillier,” a/k/a “Stefan R.R. Gillier,” a/k/a “Roland Gillier,” a/k/a “Roland Van Gorp,” a Belgian citizen, for engaging in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $6 million dollars’ worth of aircraft parts through the use of stopped check payments.  The jury convicted GILLIER following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “This guilty verdict by a unanimous jury on all counts brings an end to Stefan Gillier’s long con, which began in 2004 and ultimately resulted in his arrest and extradition from Italy in 2019.  Gillier defrauded aerospace manufacturers out of millions of dollars’ worth of aircraft parts through front companies, fake identities, and hundreds of stopped checks.  He will now face sentencing for his crimes.”

According to the Indictment, documents previously filed in the case, and evidence introduced at trial:

GILLIER was president and ran the day-to-day business activities of RTF International Inc. (“RTF), a broker of aircraft parts.  RTF began obtaining aircraft parts from Honeywell International, Inc. (“Honeywell”) in June 2004.  Starting in 2005, RTF began increasing the number of parts it ordered from Honeywell, paying for them by check.  RTF paid with checks written in foreign currency and for amounts well above the cost of the parts, which created an apparent credit balance in RTF’s favor in Honeywell’s accounting system.  RTF wrote approximately $17 million worth of checks to Honeywell but stopped payment on approximately $15 million worth of checks.  In total, RTF was able to obtain over $6 million worth of aircraft parts without paying for them.  In June 2006, Honeywell executed a civil attachment order and recovered some of the stolen aircraft parts.

To execute the scheme, GILLIER signed checks to Honeywell on behalf of RTF but repeatedly caused stop payment orders to be placed after Honeywell shipped the parts to RTF.  When questioned by Honeywell’s employees about these stop payment orders, GILLIER, using the alias “Roland Van Gorp,” falsely represented that the stop payment orders were the result of a misunderstanding with the bank and that he would check with RTF’s finance department.  In fact, as GILLIER knew, he had issued the stop payment orders, and RTF did not have a finance department. 

In June 2006, following the execution of the civil attachment order by Honeywell, GILLIER caused various large transfers of fraudulent proceeds into bank accounts controlled by him, his relatives, and a co-conspirator (“CC-1”).  The very next day, on June 15, 2006, GILLIER left the United States for Canada. 

After Honeywell discovered that it was being victimized by RTF, GILLIER and CC-1 continued their fraud scheme through a new corporate entity, “UN Air Services, Inc.” (“UAS”) (which had no relation to the United Nations).  In 2006, UAS began obtaining aircraft parts from Pratt & Whitney Component Solutions, Inc. (“Pratt & Whitney”).  Like RTF, UAS began stopping payment on checks it had written to Pratt & Whitney for the aircraft parts after Pratt & Whitney delivered the aircraft parts.

GILLIER was arrested and extradited from Italy in 2019.     

GILLIER, 49, a citizen of Belgium, was convicted of eight counts: (1) one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering, which carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison; (2) one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; (3) one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; (4) one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison; and (5) four counts of money laundering, each of which carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  GILLIER is scheduled to appear for sentencing before Judge Engelmayer on January 26, 2023.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  He also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Commerce, law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities in Italy, including the Italian Ministry of Justice and Interpol Rome, Honeywell, and Pratt & Whitney for their assistance in this case.  The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Italy.