Leader Of $8 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme Sentenced To 95 Months In Prison

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JULIO ALVARADO was sentenced to 95 months in prison for leading a sprawling scheme to defraud Medicaid of millions of dollars through the billing of fraudulent transportation claims.  ALVARADO previously pled guilty to one count of healthcare fraud.  U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Julio Alvarado was the leader of a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud Medicaid by filing false claims for medical transportation services that were never provided.  He brazenly lined his own pockets with Medicaid funds meant to help the neediest New Yorkers.  This sentence makes clear that this type of criminal conduct will be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law.”

According to court filings and statements made in court proceedings:

From August 2017 to February 2020, KJ Transportation C Services Inc. (“KJ”) was paid more than $20 million for providing transportation services for Medicaid enrollees in the New York City area.  A large volume of those claims were fraudulent.  In some instances, the Medicaid recipient was deceased or out of the country when KJ claimed it was transporting that person to medical appointments.  In other instances, the company used stolen identities, whereby the Medicaid recipient had never heard of KJ and had never taken any rides with the company.  In other instances, the Medicaid recipients had received unlawful kickbacks from defendants in exchange for either providing KJ their Medicaid information or for fraudulently scheduling trips they did not take.

ALVARADO, who supervised more than a dozen other participants in the scheme, was responsible for billing more than $8 million in fraudulent trip claims.

In addition to the prison term, ALVARADO, 63, of Yonkers, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $8,507,115 in restitution and to forfeit $8,507,115.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.  He also thanked the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General for its assistance.

Permits Filed For 604 Beech Terrace In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a five-story residential building at 604 Beech Terrace in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Located near the intersection of Beekman Avenue and Beech Terrace, the lot is one block north of the Freeman Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Arye Flohr under the Vernon Avenue Holdings LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 9,515 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 14 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 679 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a penthouse, a 39-foot-long rear yard, three open parking spaces, and four enclosed parking spaces.

Sander Williams Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Attorney General James Ends Harmful Labor Practices at Largest U.S. Title Insurance Company

 

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. to Pay $3.5 Million for Having Illegal “No Poach” Agreements with Competitors  

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced an agreement to end anti-worker practices by the nation’s largest title insurance company, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (Fidelity). An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) discovered that Fidelity and its competitors entered into illegal no-poach agreements where they would not solicit each other’s employees, reducing competition and therefore wages and opportunities for workers. As a result of today’s agreement, Fidelity will terminate any existing no-poach agreements, pay the state $3.5 million, and cooperate with OAG’s ongoing investigations in the industry.  

“New York has always been a place for individuals to achieve their dreams, but when companies illegally collude to deny workers the opportunity to pursue better jobs, they hamper those dreams,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers deserve fair pay for their hard work and experience in their fields, and their career growth should never be threatened by a company’s desire to save money on wages. My office will continue standing up for workers’ rights by stopping no-poach agreements and holding companies accountable for their bad actions.”  

Fidelity issues title insurance policies either directly through its own agency or through independent title insurance agencies. Direct agents and independent agencies are competitors in the labor market and should be able to compete for employees on the basis of salaries, benefits, and career opportunities. Fidelity’s no-poach policies with other companies prevented that from happening. The OAG’s investigation concluded that Fidelity entered into no poach agreements with other title insurance companies, and that these agreements effectively reduced career opportunities and wages for workers. Today’s agreement ends Fidelity’s no poach agreements and requires the company to pay $3.5 million to the state and cooperate with OAG’s ongoing investigations in the industry.  

Today’s agreement continues Attorney General James’ work to stop unlawful no-poach agreements that stifle both competition and careers. In February 2023, Attorney General James stopped Affordable Senior Care from preventing patients and their caregivers from choosing the provider of their choice, building on a December 2022 agreement with Marks Homecare Agency over the same issue. Also in December 2022, Attorney General James ended the use of no-poach agreements by Stewart Title Guaranty Corporation, one of the largest underwriters of title insurance in the country. In July 2022, Attorney General James ended no-poach agreements by two other top title insurance companies, AmTrust and First Nationwide. In September 2021, Attorney General James ended no-poach agreements by another top national title insurer, Old Republic National Title. In March 2019, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general entered into an agreement with four national fast food franchisors  — Dunkin’, Arby’s, Five Guys, and Little Caesars — that ended their use of “no-poach” agreements.  

Joseph Thompson Retires as President of the 49th Precinct Council

 

At the monthly meeting of the 49th Precinct Council President Joseph Thompson announced his retirement saying that his twenty-three years on the council, fifteen years as a police officer, and involving the entire 49th Precinct area should be more than enough to leave a legacy for people to become involved in the Precinct Council which he said he will still attend. He closed his speech by saying that the current Vice-President Hazel Mura would take over as President until the June Precinct Council elections. He then hugged the members of the council present, Captain Kentich, Community Affairs officer Graham, and Crime Prevention Officer Mederos. Then Joe walked out of the room shaking hands as he left to go home.  

New President Mura continued, she said a few words thanking Joe, and introduced Captain Kentish who went over the CompStat report for the past 28 day. Burglary was up 150% he said, but overall shooting were down with only one in the 28 day period and half as many to date as compared to 2022. Captain Kentish added that there have been thirty-four summonses and two arrests for illegal paper plates. The precinct has gotten a new Executive Office, and he then presented the Cop of the Month award to police officers Ralphy Reyes and Emily Cruz who were on loan to the 48th Precinct where they was a shooting, they interviewed witnesses, got video footage, called the ESU unit, who caught the shooter because of the two officers hard work.

Crime Prevention Officer Mederos said that the increase of burglaries were in the Van Nest area, commercial buildings, and vans such as the Ford Econoline that are often filled with tools. He added that he gives free security checks of homes and businesses on Sundays through Thursdays, and can be reached at 718-918-2026. Next were Community reports of issues in particular communities in the precinct such as homelessness, car accidents, mail fraud, dead end streets being used as social clubs, smoke shops illegally selling Cannabis, and unused bike lanes. A couple of members of the public spoke, one about what the man arrested for sexual abuse of a seventy-two year old woman, burglary, and grand larceny will be charged with by the District Attorney, whose representative said she could not talk about the case. 

May 19th is the 49th Precinct Council Breakfast at Maestros on Bronxdale Avenue off Morris Park Avenue. The event will run from nine to eleven AM at a cost of forty dollars a ticket. There was no announcement of honorees or keynote speaker.

49th Precinct Council President Joe Thompson announces that he is retiring from the 49th Precinct Council leaving Vice-President Hazel Mura as the interim President.

49th Precinct Interim President Hazel Mura then continued the meeting after Joe Thompson left the room. 

After Captain Kentish gave his report he presented the Cop of the Month Award to police officers Ralphy Reyes and Emily Cruz, with Interim Council President Hazel Mura between the two police officers. 

Representative of the Police Benevolent Association were on hand asking members of the public to support the police officers in their communities, and encouraged the audience to contact their local elected officials in the city council, state assembly, and state senate to support the police not defund them. 

Ms. Diaz of the District Attorney's office speaks of upcoming event by District Attorney Clark. The representative of Public Advocate Jumaane Williams who wants to Defund the Police is seated at the table with 49th Precinct Secretary Grace Lovic taking notes in the background.

NYSOFA Presents New Resource Guide to Help Older Adults Caring for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Logo

 

New guide presented during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March

For Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) presents a new resource guide for older adult caregivers of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DDs).

NYSOFA’s Future Planning Guidebook For Older Caregivers of Adults with I/DD is available online here. It connects older adult caregivers with information and resources to begin the process of long-term planning. This includes financial and legal tools as well as supportive programs and services.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, "If you are an older adult caring for an individual with intellectual or developmental disabilities, this guidebook is here to help, connecting you with vital information and resources. In many cases, these services and options are available to people of all ages who are in a caregiver role. Please share this important resource today with anyone you know who could benefit.”  

The resource guide was developed with support from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC).

Older Adult Caregivers of Individuals with I/DD

Approximately 1 million individuals aged 60 or older in the U.S. are providing care for an adult with I/DDs, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome. As individuals with I/DDs experience longer life expectancy, their parents or other family members are also more likely to continue providing care later in life.  

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), I/DDs are differences which are usually present at birth and uniquely affect the trajectory of an individual’s physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems.

Intellectual disability starts any time before a child turns 18 and is characterized by differences with both:

• Intellectual functioning or intelligence, which include the ability to learn, reason, problem solve, and other skills; and

• Adaptive behavior, which includes everyday social and life skills.

The term "developmental disabilities" is a broader category of often lifelong challenges that can be intellectual, physical, or both.

Additional Resources

In addition to NYSOFA’s Future Planning Guidebook, please see the following resources for further information:

• Services and supports provided by OPWDD or OPWDD service providers can help individuals live in the home of their choice; plus, find employment and other meaningful activities in which to participate. 

• The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is an easy way to get connected to the services you need. The line is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Individuals can call, text or videophone to 888-677-1199.

• Independent Living Centers (ILCs) provide an array of services that assist New Yorkers with all disabilities to live fully integrated and self-directed lives.

MAYOR ADAMS, TRUST FOR GOVERNORS ISLAND INTRODUCE NEW, HYBRID FERRY

New Vessel for Governors Island Will Be First Public Hybrid Ferry of its Kind in New York Harbor, Reducing Emissions by 600 Tons per Year and Ultimately Nearly Eliminating Them

 

Citywide Naming Competition Launches Online Today 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Trust for Governors Island President and CEO Clare Newman today introduced New York City’s first public, hybrid-electric ferry. The first vessel of its kind to provide public transportation within New York Harbor, the new ferry will be equipped with a hybrid propulsion system that will reduce air pollution by allowing it to toggle between zero-emission battery-only power and battery-assisted hybrid with diesel backup. The battery-assist mode will allow the new ferry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 600 tons annually. Future plans for rapid vessel charging installation will enable the ferry to operate with zero-emission battery-only propulsion, at which point emissions will drop to nearly zero.

 

Ahead of the ferry’s launch, Mayor Adams and the Trust launched a citywide competition to name the new vessel. All New Yorkers are invited to participate by suggesting names on the Governors Island website from today until May 25, 2023, with the final name expected to be announced in summer of 2023. The new ferry will begin transporting passengers to Governors Island in summer of 2024.

 

“Visiting Governors Island is a great way to support cutting-edge climate solutions, and soon, visitors will be able to go one step further just by traveling there,” said Mayor Adams. “As New Yorkers transition to greener forms of transportation, the city and our partners are leading the way with cleaner, more efficient ways to go just about anywhere. The next generation deserves a green city and a vibrant Governors Island, and this first-of-its-kind ferry will help us deliver both.”

 

“Governors Island continues its commitment to a more accessible and environmentally friendly future, exemplified in today’s announcement of the first hybrid-electric ferry in its fleet for public transportation,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I encourage all New Yorkers to use this new, cleaner ferry to visit the island in New York Harbor beginning next summer.”

 

“This hybrid ferry marks a historic step forward in expanding access to Governors Island while promoting state-of-the-art and sustainable technology to power our ferry fleet,” said Trust for Governors Island President and CEO Newman. “Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors board our vessels and journey to Governors Island to experience our rich recreational, cultural, and educational resources. We are thrilled to make the journey easier for our visitors while helping to lead the charge in electrifying the vessels of New York Harbor.”

External rendering of the new, hybrid Governors Island Ferry. Credit: Elliott Bay Design Group

Internal rendering of the new, hybrid Governors Island Ferry. Credit: Elliott Bay Design Group

The new ferry will have capacity to serve up to 1,200 passengers at a time. It has a cruising speed of 10 knots and features modern passenger amenities, including a lower-level ADA-accessible lounge and restrooms on each level.

 

It will replace the diesel-powered Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, the Trust’s current vehicle and passenger ferry, which was commissioned by the U.S. Army in 1956 and has been in continuous use since.

 

Elliott Bay Design Group designed the hybrid-electric ferry and will provide technical support services to the Trust as the ferry progresses through construction. The ferry is under construction at Conrad Shipyard’s facility in Morgan City, Louisiana.

 

“All aboard for healthier air and a reduction in the emissions that are causing climate change,” said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “In order to slow the changes in our climate that we are already seeing, such as record-breaking and deadly storms, we must have all hands on deck, and we applaud today’s announcement from Mayor Adams and the Trust for Governors Island.”

 

“I can’t wait to ride my city’s first public, hybrid-electric ferry, which will offer a scenic ride to Governors Island’s future Center for Climate Solutions, as we enjoy cleaner air and our city’s greatest physical asset: its water,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Kizzy Charles-Guzman. “This is a shining example of New York City leading by example.”

 

“Ferries are a vital part of transportation infrastructure, lasting 40 to 60 years or more. At Elliott Bay Design Group we work closely with our clients and their teams to ensure the vessel is fit for purpose and engineered to match a long life,” said John W. Waterhouse, principal in charge, Elliott Bay Design Group. “The best clients are those that truly collaborate, so the resulting vessel shows the best of designer and client. Working with the Trust for Governors Island has been a real pleasure. We believe the vessel will be a reliable component in delivering the Governors Island experience to visitors.”

 

“We are excited to build and deliver this ferry to the people of New York City,” said Johnny Conrad, chairman and CEO, Conrad Shipyard. “Since Governors Island is accessible only by ferry, we are proud that the Trust for Governors Island has selected us to play such a vital role in its growth and progress. This ferry will be the first-ever hybrid vehicle and passenger ferry in New York Harbor. Conrad is proud to be at the forefront of alternate energy solutions in the marine industry.”

DiNAPOLI ANNOUNCES REVIEW OF STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING NURSING HOME PANDEMIC FAILURES

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today that his office will conduct a follow up review of the state Department of Health (DOH) after an audit released in March 2022 exposed weaknesses in DOH’s ability to address the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes. “Families across New York suffered during the pandemic – especially those that lost loved ones in nursing homes,” said DiNapoli. “The audit released last year by my office exposed the devastating extent to which residents were not adequately protected. Now, a year later, my office is initiating a follow-up review of the Department of Health’s progress to see if they have made critical changes. New York must learn from the mistakes made during the pandemic.” DiNapoli’s initial audit found DOH was unprepared and limited in its ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks at nursing homes. It also found that, under the direction of the Executive, DOH did not provide the public with accurate COVID-19 death counts in nursing homes. The audit recommended that DOH improve how it prevents and responds to outbreaks and how it collects and reports infection control data, among other recommendations. DiNapoli’s follow-up review will examine the extent to which these recommendations have been acted on. 2022 Audit Use, Collection, and Reporting of Infection Control Data

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Industry Insights: Cannabis & The Economy

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Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, NYC Department of Small Business Services, the NYS Latino Cannabis Association, and a line up of experts in the field as we discuss cannabis and its impact on our health, businesses, and economy. The evening includes a fireside chat, networking, bites, and cocktails.

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!