Bronx Man Sentenced To 98 Months In Prison For Committing Multiple Shootings

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that THOMAS DISLA was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman to 98 months in prison in connection with a shooting spree he committed on June 3 and 4, 2022.  Over the course of 12 hours, DISLA shot an acquaintance in the groin, shot at a stranger who was driving a car, and brandished a firearm in the middle of crowded bar before striking a patron and shooting the firearm at the ceiling.  DISLA previously pled guilty to one count of possessing ammunition after conviction for a felony.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Last summer, Thomas Disla committed multiple terrifying shootings in the Bronx.  He severely injured two people, one of whom he had never even met.  And he could have killed a third.  As today’s sentence demonstrates, our Office is determined to keeping New York City safe by vigorously prosecuting perpetrators of gun violence.”

According to the Indictment and other filings and statements made in court:

At approximately 3:35 p.m. on June 3, 2022, DISLA approached an acquaintance (“Victim-1”) who was standing in front of a grocery store located on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx.  DISLA and Victim-1 exchanged words and DISLA walked away to the street.  DISLA then returned, took deliberate aim at Victim-1, and fired, hitting Victim-1 in the groin.  Victim-1 was rushed to the hospital and continues to experience discomfort and pain from his injuries. 

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on June 4, 2023, DISLA approached a construction worker (“Victim-2”) on Wheeler Avenue in the Bronx.  Victim-2 was on his way to a construction site and had briefly exited his vehicle to remove a barricade that was blocking traffic.  DISLA told Victim-2 he could not continue driving to the construction site.  After Victim-2 returned to his car, he overhead DISLA yell that Victim-2 would “learn [his] lesson.”  As can be seen in surveillance footage, DISLA then walked to the sidewalk, turned around, and shot at Victim-2’s car:

At approximately 2:20 a.m. on June 4, 2023, DISLA waived a firearm at patrons of a popular bar located on Manor Avenue in the Bronx.  He then approached a stranger who was sitting on a chair, enjoying a drink, and struck him with the firearm in his face, inflicting a wound so deep it went to the bone.  As surveillance video shows, DISLA then left the bar: 

He returned moments later only to fire one round at the ceiling of the entrance.  

DISLA was not permitted to possess ammunition because of his prior New York State conviction for criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree.  DISLA has at least 18 prior criminal convictions. 

In addition to his prison term, DISLA, 44, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department.

NYC Comptroller Lander & Pension Fund Trustees Warn Entertainment Giants that They Risk Losing Investor Confidence over Prolonged Strikes

 

Trustees of the New York City retirement systems urge Disney, Comcast & Paramount to effectively address concerns of striking workers & actors

The trustees of the five New York City pension funds, led by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, sent letters to the Chief Executive Officers of Disney, Paramount, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast, urging them to address the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) today. The ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have paralyzed major television and film productions in New York City and across the country for nearly three months, posing significant risks to the media industry’s financial stability.

The letters underscore the Comptroller’s vital role as custodian, investment advisor, and trustee to the New York City retirement systems (NYCRS), which holds significant stake in the financial, legal, and reputational health of these entertainment companies amidst the labor disputes. NYCRS collectively manages over $250 billion in assets for New York’s nearly 800,000 current and retired public sector workers.

• 2.7 million shares valued at $229.2 million in The Walt Disney Company
• 6.3 million shares valued at $272.7 million in Comcast NBCUniversal
• A combined value of more than $10 million in Paramount Pictures.

“My fellow NYCRS trustees and I have a fiduciary duty to safeguard the financial stability of our members’ assets and address issues that may present risks to NYCRS’ investments,” Comptroller Brad Lander states in the letters. “I am … concerned that the underlying business practices which led to this conflict, if not resolved, may threaten the long-term stability of NYCRS’ investments.”

Thousands of professional writers as part of WGA joined the picket lines since May 2, demanding fair compensation and improved working conditions. This critical labor dispute since escalated as SAG-AFTRA, representing 160,000 actors and performers, initiated their strike on July 14.

Growing production delays and cancellations due to the strikes have far-reaching implications for Comcast, Disney, and Paramount from production delays, canceled seasons, to postponed theatrical releases. Comptroller Lander’s letters highlight the potential for financial and reputational damage to these media companies if they fail to address the writers’ and actors’ concerns.

In the letters, Comptroller Lander urges these media giants to engage in constructive negotiations with the unions as the media landscape shifts to accommodate streaming services and artificial intelligence.

“As long-term investors, NYCRS has long considered constructive labor management relations to be fundamental to effective human capital management and the creation of sustainable shareholder value,” Comptroller Lander writes in the letters. “Your company … risks financial and reputational harm the longer you refuse to negotiate on core issues facing writers and actors, who enjoy broad support from the public and elected officials. With such visibility and public support, your company risks backlash from consumers, investors, or other stakeholders.”

Read the New York City pension funds’ letters to Disney, Paramount, and Comcast.

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $15 Million in Awards to Four Demonstration Projects That Advance Long Duration Energy Storage Technology Solutions

 

Additional $8.15 Million Now Available for Yet to be Commercialized Technologies That Advance, Develop or Field-Test Hydrogen, Electric, Chemical, Mechanical or Thermal-Electric Storage Technologies

Supports Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Install 3,000 Megawatts of Energy Storage by 2030 and Helps Facilitate Further Development to 6,000 Megawatts

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced nearly $15 million in awards to four demonstration projects that advance long duration energy storage solutions that will help harness and provide stored renewable energy to New York's electric grid. In addition to these awards, $8.15 million in funding has been announced to support innovative long duration energy storage solutions, devices, software, controls, and other complimentary technologies yet to be commercialized. Project submissions should advance, develop or field-test hydrogen, electric, chemical, mechanical or thermal-electric storage technologies that will address renewable integration challenges, such as grid congestion, hosting capacity constraints and siting in New York City. Today’s announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to install 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030 while facilitating further development to 6,000 megawatts.

"Each energy storage technology breakthrough reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and marks progress toward successfully integrating renewable energy into communities across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “Today’s announcement reflects our continued commitment to innovate and develop technology that will allow us to be energy independent and ensure resources are available when and where needed.”

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the awards and competitive funding opportunity support energy storage product development and demonstration projects that are 10 to over 100 hours and multi-days in duration at rated power, otherwise known as long duration energy storage.

Awards

The awarded projects include:

• Ecolectro, Inc.: $1.08 million – To scale-up their groundbreaking polymer chemistry and materials that are expected to significantly reduce the cost of producing hydrogen by electrolysis and create a drop-in replacement for current designs. This project entails scaling laboratory-proven technologies with engineering and validation prototypes to build and test 10-kilowatt (kW) electrolysis units. The electrolyzer unit will be deployed in a pilot demonstration in partnership with Liberty Utilities in Massena, New York.
• Form Energy: $12 million – To develop, design and construct a commercial-scale, 10-megawatt (MW)/1,000-megawatt hour (MWh) demonstration of a new form of low-cost, long-duration energy storage that aims to be able to both support the integration of intermittent renewable resources and provide multiple days of continuous, zero-carbon power to the grid when called upon. The project will use breakthrough iron-air battery materials that are safe, abundant, ultra-low-cost, and globally scalable from existing supply chains. A project location is to be determined.
• PolyJoule, Inc.: $1.03 million – To Install a 2-MWh, 167-kW PolyJoule Long Duration Modular battery energy storage system (BESS) in partnership with Eastern Generation at its Astoria Generating Station located in Queens, New York. This demonstration project aims to prove the safety, technical, operational, and economic merits of the PolyJoule Conductive Polymer BESS in a densely populated urban setting. The permitting, installation, and facilitation requirements will show reduced cost-of-deployment advantages and site flexibility. Through multiple years of testing and analyzing data gathered during seasonal fluctuations, PolyJoule, Inc. aims to prove the technical robustness of the system, capable of being deployed anywhere in New York State.
• Urban Electric Power (UEP): $703,965 - To install a 100-kW/1-MWh BESS using UEP’s patented rechargeable zinc alkaline battery technology. The proposed BESS will be designed for long duration energy storage applications (i.e., 10 to 24 hour) at commercial and industrial facilities. Specifically, the BESS will provide power resilience to end users, allow for energy reduction through peak demand shaving, and support the electric grid by participating in demand response events. The project is located in Pearl River, New York.

New Funding Opportunity

For the newly issued solicitation, awards will be made in the areas of product development, demonstration projects and cost-share requests for inclusion in federal funding submissions. Proposals will be accepted through 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on October 17, 2023. Details for this solicitation are available on NYSERDA's website.

Advancing energy storage at scale is critical to meeting the State’s Climate Act goals and to ensure the safety and security of energy storage systems across the state. Last month, Governor Hochul announced the creation of a new Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group. While fires at energy storage facilities are exceedingly rare, the Governor has directed the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control, NYSERDA, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Public Service, and the Department of State to lead the Working Group to independently examine energy storage facility fires and safety standards. The Group will leverage nationally renowned experts and national laboratories in energy storage root cause and emergency response analyses to independently assess and identify common causes, air monitoring results or other community impacts, and other factors involved with energy storage fires. The findings and resulting recommendations will be shared with the New York City Fire Department, National Fire Protection Association, International Code Council, the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, and Underwriters Laboratories, establishing New York as a national and international leader in fire safety and stationary energy storage systems.

This funding is offered through NYSERDA’s Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage Innovation Program and builds on New York State's investments in research, development, and commercialization to support innovators that are accelerating the low emissions and carbon sequestering technologies needed to meet the state's goal for economy-wide carbon neutrality. NYSERDA's Innovation program is deploying $800 million over 10 years as direct investments via grants and wrap-around commercialization support. More than $680 million in private investments and $200 million in project finance capital have been enabled, and more than 450 innovative clean energy products have been commercialized as a result of NYSERDA's technology and business development investments, including LED lighting systems, home appliances, longer-lasting batteries, and more efficient heating-and-cooling systems.

NYSERDA's initiatives are funded through the State's 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund. More information about this funding is available on NYSERDA's website.

NYS Private Sector Employment Up 6,300 Jobs in July 2023

 

Labor Force Participation Rate Reaches Highest Level in Nearly a Decade

According to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 6,300, or 0.1%, to 8,247,200 in July 2023. The number of private sector jobs in the U.S. also increased by 0.1% in July 2023.

     New York State's private sector jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 145,100, or 1.8%, over the year in July 2023, which was less than the 2.1% increase in the number of private sector jobs in the U.S.

     New York State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 3.9% in July 2023. At the same time, New York State's labor force (seasonally adjusted) increased by 23,500. As a result, the labor force participation rate increased from 61.2% to 61.4% in July 2023, its highest level since October 2013.

     The number of private sector jobs in New York State is based on a payroll survey of New York businesses conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Monthly payroll employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision as more complete data become available the following month. The BLS calculates New York State’s unemployment rate based partly upon the results of the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) of approximately 3,100 households in the State.

Note: Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are valuable in year-to-year comparisons of the same month – for example, July 2022 versus July 2023.

Statewide Industry Employment

July 2023 – Seasonally Adjusted

• On a net basis, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the state increased by 7,600 over the month, while private sector jobs increased by 6,300 in July 2023.
• At the same time, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the nation increased by 187,000, while private sector jobs increased by 172,000.

NYS Job Growth Equals That of the Nation

Over-the-Month % Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, June – July 2023

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs Increased in July 2023

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs (in 1000s), January 1990 – July 2023

Statewide Unemployment

July 2023 – Seasonally Adjusted

• In July 2023, the statewide unemployment held constant at 3.9%.

• New York City’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.4% to 5.3%. Outside of New York City, the unemployment rate held constant at 2.9%, its lowest rate on records dating back to 1976.

• The number of unemployed New Yorkers decreased over the month by 3,700, from 383,900 in June to 380,200 in July 2023.

NYS Unemployment Rate Unchanged Over the Month

Labor Force Statistics, July 2022, June– July 2023

Substate and Industry Employment  July 2023 – Not Seasonally Adjusted New York State Gains Private Sector Jobs Over the Year Over-the-Year Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, July 2022 – July 2023 Note: The sum of sub-state area job estimates will usually differ from the New York State total. This is because the State total is calculated separately from the sub-state areas and is estimated based on an independent sample. The Number of Leisure & Hospitality Jobs Increased by 5.8% Over the Year Over-the-Year Change in Jobs by Major Industry Sector, July 2022 – July 2023 *Government includes public education and public health services.  Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release. State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Advantage of Regression Model Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities). Benchmarking of Estimates Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.” Changes in Methodology Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates. In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others. Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem. Jobs Data Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, has a sample size of 18,000 establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available. The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: As Share of NYers Without Health Insurance Reached New Low, Disparities Persisted Among Black, Asian, and Latino Populations

 

As State Recertifies Medicaid Enrollees, Reporting is Necessary to Understand Impact on Health Coverage and State Finances

From 2010 through 2021, the percentage of New Yorkers without health insurance declined every year to 5.2% in 2021, well below the national average of 8.6% and less than half of what it was in the state in 2010 (11.9%), according to an analysis by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Rates of uninsured New Yorkers are lower than the national average due to the state’s higher enrollment in public health insurance programs, which provided coverage to 4 in 10 New Yorkers in 2021. New York was tied with Connecticut for the 10^th lowest rate of uninsured in 2021 (the last year for which U.S. Census Bureau data are available).

Coverage disparities persist among the state’s Black, Asian and Latino populations and higher uninsured rates were also prevalent among low- and moderate-income groups. In 2021, just 3% of white New Yorkers did not have insurance, compared to 10% of Hispanic and 6% of Black and Asian New Yorkers. The highest uninsurance rates were in households with incomes between $25,000 and $49,000.

“Public policies over the last decade have had a significant impact in reducing the number of uninsured New Yorkers,” DiNapoli said. “As the state begins reprocessing eligibility determinations for public health insurance, continued transparency and reporting will be essential for understanding the implications for coverage rates among New Yorkers of all races and ethnicities and on the state’s budget.”

While most people with insurance both nationally (67%) and in New York (65.9%) have private health insurance, expansion of public health programs under state and federal policies has played an important role in reducing the number of uninsured. Rates of New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid increased from 20.2% in 2010 to 27.7% in 2021 and surpassed national Medicaid enrollment rates every year.

Record Medicaid enrollment in 2021 reflects an increase in enrollment prompted by the pandemic and maintained under federal law. According to the Department of Health, there were 8 million enrolled in Medicaid in June 2023. As reported by DiNapoli’s office, the Division of Budget projects Medicaid enrollment to decrease to 6.9 million recipients by April 2024 as the state proceeds with recertification of those enrolled in its public health programs to determine their eligibility for continued enrollment. If enrollment exceeds projections, the Financial Plan may incur significant additional unbudgeted costs. 

DiNapoli emphasized the importance of transparency and reporting as the state undertakes its recertification efforts, and called for continued outreach to inform New Yorkers with public health insurance about impending program changes. In addition, he urged continued consideration of solutions to expand the number of New Yorkers with health insurance, such as the state’s request for a waiver from the federal government to expand access to the Essential Plan to those up to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty level, providing access to nearly 100,000 more New Yorkers.

Analysis

Health Insurance Coverage in New York State

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW YORK CITY HAS CARED FOR MORE THAN 100,000 ASYLUM SEEKERS SINCE LAST SPRING

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city has provided shelter and care for more than 101,200 asylum seekers that have arrived in the five boroughs since April 2022.

 

“With more than 101,200 asylum seekers arriving in New York City and asking for shelter, our city has now provided shelter and care for more migrants since last year than there are people in Albany,” said Mayor Adams. “Our team of thousands of dedicated public servants are working around the clock in the absence of sufficient state and federal support and have pulled off miracles. They have stretched this city’s compassion and capacity beyond imagination, and it is thanks to their efforts that no asylum-seeking families with children have slept on our streets. But, quite honestly, while our compassion is limitless, our resources are not, and we’re out of miracles. We’re grateful for the help we’ve received to this point from our partners in Albany and Washington, DC, but the fact remains that we need more. We need our federal and state partners to ensure that their efforts match the magnitude of this moment. This is a national crisis that demands solutions that extend beyond our city, and New York City cannot continue to manage largely on our own.”

As of August 13, more than 101,200 asylum seekers have come through New York City’s shelter system, and over 58,500 remain in New York City’s care. New York City’s total shelter population currently sits at 110,200 — more than double what it was when Mayor Adams took office — when including longtime unhoused New Yorkers. In the past week alone, more than 2,700 asylum seekers have arrived in New York City.

 In a citywide address last week, Mayor Adams laid out an updated forecast for how much the asylum seeker crisis could cost New York City without increased state and federal support and if circumstances do not change. New York City has already spent over $1.73 billion through the end of July and anticipates spending over $4.7 billion in the current fiscal year. Over three fiscal years, the city has the potential to spend upwards of $12 billion on this crisis if circumstances do not change.

New York City today also reiterated clear steps the state can take to support the city, including, among others:

•  Implementing a statewide decompression strategy to ensure each county is doing its part to assist with this humanitarian crisis,
• Increasing the number of state-run and state-provided sites, and
• Providing additional funding to help the city with the costs already incurred by the crisis.

 The city also reiterated its asks to the federal government to help manage this crisis, including, among others:

•  Expediting work authorizations for asylum seekers so they can more expeditiously secure employment,
• Declaring a state of emergency to manage the crisis at the border,
• Providing more federal reimbursement for costs incurred by the city, and
• Implementing a federal decompression strategy to ensure the flow of asylum seeker arrivals is more fairly distributed.

Since this humanitarian crisis began, the city has taken fast and urgent action — opening more than 200 emergency shelters, including 14 large-scale humanitarian relief centers already, with two more relief centers set to open in the coming weeks. The city has also stood up navigation centers to connect asylum seekers with critical resources; enrolled thousands of children in public schools through Project Open Arms; and launched the Asylum Application Help Center, which has already helped submit more than 2,200 applications for asylum. Earlier this spring, the city released “The Road Forward: A Blueprint to Address New York City’s Response to the Asylum Seeker Crisis,” detailing how the city will continue to manage the influx of asylum seekers and advocate for support from federal and state partners.

Mayor Adams Signs Intro. 31-C and Makes Announcement About Future of Outdoor Dining

 

In front of City Council members from all over the city, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Intro. 31-C into law and unveiled “Dining Out NYC”, New York’s permanent outdoor dining program and the largest outdoor dining program in the nation. 

“Dining Out NYC” represents one of the most significant efforts of the last decade to reimagine the city’s streetscape to support all New Yorkers and small businesses, while creating vibrant public spaces that improve quality of life and continue to accelerate the city’s economic recovery. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic that saved 100,000 jobs across the city but led to quality-of-life issues, a subset of restaurant owners were unable to maintain loosely regulated outdoor dining setups.

“Outdoor dining is here to stay, New York,” said Mayor Adams. “New Yorkers were hungry for a cleaner, safer, healthier outdoor dining program, and we are delivering for them with Dining Out NYC. Too many abandoned sheds attracted rats and detracted from the beauty of our city. Dining Out NYC locks in the best parts of outdoor dining and gets rid of the worst for restaurants, communities, and diners alike. 

Under the creation of this new law, the New York City Department Of Transportation will work with partner agencies to develop proposed rules that will establish design requirements as well as siting, material, operational guidance and cost per square foot. Those rules will enter public review this fall. Under the new program, outdoor dining setups will be open-air and easier to move or break down, as the city will no longer allow fully enclosed structures. Restaurants actively participating in the temporary program can continue operating with existing setups through the remainder of 2023 and throughout their application process, as detailed below.

 

These new rules will address quality-of-life concerns of the temporary program, including sanitation and accessibility. Once the new rules are finalized by early 2024, DOT will launch an online application portal where restaurants can begin applying for the permanent program. A restaurant’s outdoor dining setup will need to comply with the permanent program’s design requirements within 30 days of their application approval. This timeline anticipates the first approved Dining Out NYC setups will be on the street in spring 2024.

The Intro 31-C press conference and bill signing was held at the Havana Cafe on East Tremont Avenue in Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez' council district who is the prime sponsor of the bill. She said “Outdoor dining was a lifeline for our city during the Pandemic, one that can be used as the foundation of not only rebuilding and reimagining the food and restaurant industry, reinvigorating and stimulating New York City’s economy throughout all five boroughs,”

Kevin Alecia the owner of Havana Cafe said his street dining seating would cost thirty-five thousand to rebuild it, and he has no place to store it for four months. 

The symbol for Mayor Adams Dining Out NYC. 

Mayor Eric Adams explains his Outdoor Dining Plan with Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez and Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi on either side.  

Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez speaks about Intro 31-C she sponsored. Far right is Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr.

Jeffrey Garcia of the Latino Cafe Owners also spoke in favor of Intr 31-C.

Before signing Intro 31-C Mayor Adams took a few questions like one from this reporter on the details of the Outdoor Dining, which Mayor Adams said the rules will be made up by the NYCDOT who will be in charge of the program and the fees associated with it.

Mayor Adams signs Intro 31-C into law using dozens of pens so each council member received a pen used to sign Intro 31-C.

Former NYPD Officer Charged With Accessory After The Fact To Murder, Obstructing A Federal Gang Investigation, And Racketeering Conspiracy

 

Gina Mestre Allegedly Provided Confidential Information to the Shooting Boys Gang about a Federal Grand Jury Investigation, Leaked the Identity of a Witness to Gang Members, and Assisted a Gang Leader in Fleeing from the U.S. after Committing a Murder

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ivan  J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging GINA MESTRE, a former NYPD Officer, for her participation in a racketeering conspiracy with members of the Shooting Boys gang, including her involvement in obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the Shooting Boys gang.  MESTRE was arrested last night and will be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, to whom the case is assigned, later this afternoon in Manhattan federal court. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Gina Mestre shamelessly exploited her position of public trust to assist gang members in her own NYPD precinct that were terrorizing the Bronx by committing robberies, murders, drug trafficking, and other acts of violence.  The Indictment unsealed today alleges that the defendant abused her position as an NYPD police officer by, among other things, obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the gang and assisting the gang’s leader in evading capture for a cold-blooded murder committed in broad daylight.  The defendant’s alleged conduct violates the oath she swore to protect the public – as well as her fellow NYPD officers – from the type of criminal activity she helped the gang commit.  This Indictment makes clear that my Office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in fighting all forms of police corruption.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “There is no place for corruption of any kind in the NYPD.  The arrest today of a former police officer is built upon the steadfast work of our Internal Affairs Bureau, a team driven to root out such betrayals of public trust.  I thank IAB, all of our partners, and everyone from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their sustained collaboration in this important case.”

As alleged in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings:[1]

The Shooting Boys gang is a criminal organization based in the University Heights section of the Bronx.  Since at least 2017, gang members sold drugs, used guns, and committed numerous acts of violence against members of rival gangs.  The gang’s territory and base of operations fell within the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct.  The recognized leader of the Shooting Boys was Andrew Done, a/k/a “Caballo.”

MESTRE was an NYPD police officer from July 2013 to May 2022 assigned to the 52nd Precinct’s Public Safety Unit.  In the summer of 2020, a major focus of the precinct and the Public Safety Unit was the reduction of gun violence, much of which was attributed to members of the Shooting Boys.

In or about June 2020, MESTRE began communicating with Done through secret social media accounts and phone numbers.  MESTRE and Done began an intimate relationship, during which MESTRE provided Done and other gang members with confidential non-public law enforcement information about the federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys.  For example, MESTRE warned Done, and other gang members, that federal investigators were preparing to bring a federal indictment against the Shooting Boys.  MESTRE also warned Done about impending law enforcement operations, enabling Done and other gang members to conceal their criminal activity.  In addition, MESTRE disclosed the identity of a witness cooperating with law enforcement and providing information about the gang, which allowed Done and other Shooting Boys to assault and intimidate the witness in an effort to prevent the witness from further cooperation.  

On or about November 5, 2020, Done shot and killed a rival gang member (“Victim-1”) as Victim-1 sat in his car on Cromwell Avenue in the Bronx.  NYPD Detectives investigating the murder recovered security camera video (the “Video”) capturing Done’s commission of the murder.  Several members of the 52nd Precinct were called upon to assist in the identification of the person captured on the Video.  MESTRE was one of several officers who identified Done as the perpetrator. 

During the manhunt to apprehend Done, of which MESTRE was a part, MESTRE sent Done a copy of the Video to his phone and secretly communicated with Done the day of the murder and in the weeks afterwards.  MESTRE warned Done about law enforcement’s efforts to capture him, allowing Done to eventually flee from the United States. 

In March 2022, 10 members of the Shooting Boys were charged in a 15-count indictment with various federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy and murder.  Done was charged with the murder of Victim-1 and was apprehended in the Dominican Republic several months later. 

On November 17, 2022, Done pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Victim-1.  On February 22, 2023, Done was sentenced to 35 years in prison. 

MESTRE, 33, of Mohegan Lake, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of accessory after the fact to murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 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.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, Group 25; HSI; and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.   

The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.