And You Thought Jerome Avenue Was in The Bronx - Permits Filed For 1700 Jerome Avenue In Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn

 

1700 Jerome Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn via Google Maps

Permits have been filed for a seven-story mixed-use building at 1700 Jerome Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Located at the intersection of East 17th Street and Jerome Avenue, the lot is near the Sheepshead Bay subway station, serviced by the B and Q trains. Moses Kupferstein of BBM Construction Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 74-foot-tall development will yield 38,618 square feet, with 23,197 square feet designated for residential space, 15,136 square feet for commercial space, and 285 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 27 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 859 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a rear yard and 69 enclosed parking spaces.

Francisco Nunez of Studio Gallos is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Team Biaggi - Just over 24 hours left…

 

Biaggi for Congress End of Quarter

Deadline: tomorrow night at midnight

Hi Friends, we’ll keep this quick — tomorrow is the very last day of this fundraising quarter, and we’re still just a bit short of our goals.

Remember, it’s very important that this is our first federal deadline of the campaign.

As we mentioned, the Republican in this race already raised over $800,000, so we need to catch up to show we can compete. Alessandra knows how to win an uphill battle when so much is on the line, but she can’t do it alone.

All our best,

Team Biaggi

EDITOR' NOTE:

We deleted any and all references for solicitations. We however find it strange that a Republican's amount is mentioned for a Democratic Primary, when there are several Democratic candidates running against State Senator Biaggi. 

New Jersey Man Convicted Of Laundering Millions From Fraud Schemes Targeting Victims Across The United States Perpetrated By Ghana-Based Criminal Enterprise

 

Defendant Controlled Several Bank Accounts With Deposits Totaling Over $5 Million, Which Primarily Consisted of Proceeds of Romance Schemes Targeting Elderly Victims

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that FREEMAN CELVIN, a/k/a “Celvin Freeman,” was convicted today of all seven criminal counts he was charged with for his participation in a fraud and money laundering conspiracy based in the Republic of Ghana (“Ghana”) involving the theft of millions of dollars.  CELVIN was convicted after a jury trial before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff which lasted approximately one week.  CELVIN was previously arrested on February 17, 2021 and has been detained since his arrest.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “As today’s jury verdict reflects, Freeman Celvin used an auto business in New Jersey as a front to launder millions of dollars in fraud proceeds to online scam artists in Ghana.  The online scams perpetrated by Celvin’s partners in Ghana were lucrative and callous, as they targeted vulnerable, elderly men and women and tricked them into transferring their life savings to the defendant, who then took his laundering fee and sent the money abroad.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to zealously prosecute online scammers abroad and the U.S.-based money launderers they work in order to protect American victims from these scams.”    

As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

From in or about 2014 through in or about February 2021, a criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in Ghana committed a series of business email compromises and romance scams against individuals and businesses located across the United States, including in the Southern District of New York.  First, the objective of the Enterprise’s business email compromise fraud scheme was to trick and deceive businesses into wiring funds into accounts controlled by the Enterprise through the use of email accounts that “spoofed” or impersonated employees of a victim company or third parties engaged in business with a victim company.  Second, the Enterprise conducted the romance scams by using electronic messages sent via email, text messaging, or online dating websites that deluded victims, many of whom were vulnerable older men and women who lived alone, into believing the victim was in a romantic relationship with a fake identity assumed by members of the Enterprise.  Once members of the Enterprise had gained the trust of the victims using the fake identity, they used false pretenses to cause the victims to wire money to bank accounts the victims believed were controlled by their romantic interests, when in fact the bank accounts were controlled by members of the Enterprise like CELVIN. 

CELVIN received fraud proceeds from victims of the Enterprise in personal bank accounts as well as business bank accounts for his company Freeman Autos LLC, a company purportedly involved in, among other things, automobile sales.  The defendant also received fraud proceeds from other U.S.-based members of the Enterprise either by wire transfer or cash deliveries.  Once CELVIN received fraud proceeds, he took out a percentage fee and then withdrew, transported, and laundered those fraud proceeds to other members of the Enterprise abroad in Ghana.  The defendant primarily laundered the fraud proceeds by using the proceeds to purchase automobiles and other goods and shipping those products to Ghana and elsewhere.  The defendant’s transactions had the appearance of legitimate business transactions when, in fact, the products had been purchased using the proceeds of fraud schemes.  This trade-based money laundering scheme was designed to obscure the origin of the fraud proceeds as well as the identity of the ultimate beneficiaries of these schemes. 

From in or about 2016 through in or about 2021, CELVIN controlled more than eight bank accounts that had deposits that totaled over approximately $5.7 million during that time period.  A vast majority of the deposits consisted of large wire transfers and check or cash deposits from U.S.-based individuals and entities that were victims of fraud schemes of the Enterprise.   

CELVIN, 48, of East Orange, New Jersey, was convicted by a jury of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

CELVIN is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Rakoff on July 20, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

The maximum potential sentences 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 FBI.

MAYOR ADAMS COMPLETES INITIAL PORTION OF ENHANCED EFFORT TO CONNECT NEW YORKERS LIVING ON THE STREETS WITH SOCIAL SERVICES, CLEAN PUBLIC SPACES

 

Multi-Agency Task Force Cleaned Over 200 Locations Across NYC, Effort Planned for Two Weeks Completed Ahead of Schedule

 

Yesterday Mayor Adams Attended Opening of Morris Avenue New Safe Haven Location In Bronx – Bringing Total Number of New Low Barrier Beds Up To 350

 

Next Portion of Task Force Work to Include Identification of New Encampments and Maintenance of Public Spaces

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the completion of the first portion of an enhanced effort to connect New Yorkers living on the streets and experiencing homelessness with social services, as well as the city’s efforts to clean up public spaces across the five boroughs. Originally planned as a two-week intensive effort that began with initial cleanups on Friday, March 18, this first portion ends today, March 30 — two days ahead of schedule. The teams, comprised of members from a multi-agency task force, visited 244 locations and completed cleanup of 239 encampments across New York City — offering assistance to New Yorkers living on the street, while upholding the city’s Sanitation Code and maintaining cleanliness in public spaces. On Meeker Avenue in Brooklyn alone, task force members cleaned 10 separate locations — recovering 537 used needles, potentially for illegal drug use, across four of those locations.

 

Yesterday, Mayor Adams opened the Morris Avenue Safe Haven site in the Bronx, with 80 beds available to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness — part of the 500 additional low-barrier beds announced in his Subway Safety Plan, 350 of which will be open to serve New Yorkers this week.

 

“We are engaged in a multi-agency mission to get people the help they need and keep our public spaces clean, and we are getting that work done ahead of schedule,” said Mayor Adams. “As the mayor of all New Yorkers, I am not going to abandon my neighbors to face suffering, freezing, violence, or death — especially when the city has the power to help. Building trust takes time, but this is the right thing to do because there is no freedom or dignity in living in a cardboard box under an overpass. We have the resources and a moral obligation to help our fellow New Yorkers, and not just walk by them and pretend it is someone else’s problem.”

 

“I want to thank the men and women, and especially the frontline workers, of the agencies on this task force for their tireless efforts to help our most vulnerable New Yorkers and keep our public space clean and available to all,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “The Adams administration is fully committed to this dual purpose, and this is just the beginning.”

 

“The sentiments that, ‘there is a place for you’ could not resonate more profoundly,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “That is a message to every person on our streets today and one that our outreach workers carry with them in every interaction. Thank you to the mayor for his thoughtful leadership, thank you to every member of our outreach team working to connect with New Yorkers in need, and thank you to those who are at a place where they are willing and able to accept help. Today is not about clearing areas — it is about connecting people to supportive services that can categorically change their lives.”

 

The first phase of the task force’s effort — which concludes today, ahead of schedule —included initial visits to encampments across the city, as well as re-inspections of locations after the initial visits and a recanvass across the five boroughs to identify any new or remaining encampments. The task force conducted a total of 244 visits — and 239 of those sites have been cleaned.

 

The second phase of the task force’s effort — which begins tomorrow, Thursday March 31 — will include an evaluation of recanvassing and scheduling of the next round of site visits. The task force will also return to the sites that remain active and have not yet been fully cleaned to complete that work. At some sites, teams visited and decided to delay cleaning to allow additional time needed by those living at those sites.

 

This multi-agency effort has been led by a task force that includes the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), the New York City Parks Department, and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). For a typical visit, a team has gone to an encampment, offering to connect any person who appears to be living on the street with social services — including shelter, other housing options, and medical, mental, and substance abuse health care — simultaneously cleaning up the public space. Each visit is prefaced with a written notice 24 hours in advance, and NYPD officers have had their body-worn cameras on throughout each engagement.

 

 

“I am proud of this interagency effort spearheaded by the mayor to clean encampments across the city in order to offer unsheltered New Yorkers the help they need and deserve,” said DSS Commissioner Gary Jenkins. “At every cleaning, DHS outreach teams are there on the ground to connect our clients with services and help facilitate the connection to provide shelter, food, and support. It is critical that we provide services for our vulnerable neighbors who need our help — and thanks to this initiative, our city will become more equitable for all.”

 

“Every New Yorker deserves better than to sleep on the street — we all know that, and yet for too long, city policy has left people behind,” said DSNY Commissioner Edward Grayson. “This administration is working to get our neighbors the help and housing they need, and DSNY has an important role in that. It’s a job we take seriously and are ready to see through to the end.”

 

“Homelessness is not a crime; it’s a human issue and one that we must address with kindness, compassion, and most importantly, humanity,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Our staff engage with individuals experiencing homelessness on a daily basis across our parks system, and we strive to be mindful and intentional that these interactions are not dehumanizing but supportive and solution-oriented. The work we do in conjunction with our partners is designed to offer resources and aid those in need the best way we know how. The goal has always been and will continue to be to treat people in a dignified manner that promotes improved quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

 

“No person, no matter what the circumstances, should ever be forced to live on the street,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Homelessness has many root causes, but our response must be clear: When we see a problem, we must do everything we can do to fix it. To that end, in close partnership with the mayor’s office, the Department of Homeless Services, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Sanitation, and the Parks Department, we are working to improve the quality of life of all New Yorkers — especially our city’s most vulnerable populations.”

 

49th Precinct Council Holds in Person Meeting

 

Tuesday night at the Morris Park Community Association building the 49th Precinct Council returned to an 'In Person' meeting. President Joe Thompson welcomed everyone to the meeting asking for a moment of silence to remember former 49th Precinct Council officer and Morris Park Community Association leader Silvio Mazzella, who he said the May 49th Precinct Council Breakfast would honor.

Commanding Officer of the 49th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Natiw then went over the crime statistics for the precinct. He said in the past twenty-eight overall crime was up almost seventy percent stating that grand larcenies were up 237%, while stolen cars were up 80%. Group shoplifting where several people fill bags with merchandise, ID Theft, and Immigration scams lead the crimes. Fifteen Honda s and five Ford Econoline vans led the way in stolen cars out of the Twenty-seven stolen. DI Natiw spoke of the new Neighborhood Safety Teams consisting of one sergeant and five officers who will free up other officers who can go after more Quality of Life crimes. 

Police officer Nicholas Palumbo received the cop of the month award also receiving a citation from Councilman Kevin Riley, and Mr. Robert De Silvio received the Civilian of the month award. Community reports to the Deputy Inspector were given, and the Bronx Muslim Center informed the DI of the coming of Ramadan and Istar for the Muslim community. Also mentioned were recent break ins to businesses on Morris Park Avenue, where the DI said that he will be able to reposition his officers with the added officers to the precinct. 

49th Precinct Council President Joe Thompson calls the meeting to order.

Deputy Inspector Natiw gives the past month crime data for the 40th Precinct where he said overall reported crime was up almost 70%.

Deputy Inspector Natiw, Cop of the Month Palumbo, 49th Precinct Council President Joe Thompson, 49th Precinct Council Vice-President Hazel Mura, and Councilman Kevin Riley's representative .

Front row, 49th Precinct Council President Joe Thompson, Citizen of the month Robert De Silvio, his wife Diusa. back row Deputy Inspector Natiw, Morris Park Community Association Vice-President Yahay Obeid, Mr. De Silvio's daughter Michele, and MPCA board member Lefty Negron. 

Statement from Comptroller Brad Lander on Medicare Advantage Plan Contract For City Retirees

 

“Due to the legal and budgetary uncertainties that remain while litigation over the City’s contract with Anthem Insurance Companies continues, the Comptroller’s office does not have sufficient information to register the proposed Medicare Advantage Plan contract at this time.

“Over the last 30 days, our Bureau of Contract Administration has posed detailed questions to the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) regarding various questions about the documentation and budgetary impacts of this proposed contact, and we appreciate their cooperation. However, given that planned cost savings are currently unknown, as OLR acknowledged, due to delays in the implementation of the new Medicare Advantage Plan and the court decision to invalidate the requirement for retirees to pay additional premiums to keep their old health plans, our office cannot currently assess the total cost to the City and fulfil our mandate to confirm that the contract is fully funded.

“We are asking for the Law Department to confirm that their prior approval as to legal authority is still valid, given the court’s decision, and for the Administration to provide a new cost estimate for the program, which may not be possible until issues raised in the litigation are resolved.

“As a result of these outstanding questions, following a rigorous review of the City’s proposed contract with Anthem Insurance Companies to provide health care services to City retirees, my office is returning the contract to the Administration.”

Chinese National Charged With Acting As An Unregistered Agent Of The Chinese Government In The United States

 

Sun Hoi Ying, a Citizen of the People’s Republic of China, Allegedly Furthered Transnational Repression Campaign of PRC Government Using Threats and Coercion While Operating as an Unregistered PRC Agent in the United States

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging SUN HOI YING, a/k/a “Sun Haiying” (“SUN”), a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as an unregistered agent of the PRC Government. SUN is at large in China.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The PRC Government launched a campaign dubbed ‘Operation Fox Hunt,’ a global plot to repress dissent and to forcibly repatriate so-called ‘fugitives’ – including citizens living legally in the United States – through the use of unsanctioned, unilateral, and illegal practices. We allege Mr. Sun, as part of that campaign, attempted to threaten and coerce a victim into bending to the PRC’s will, even using a co-conspirator who is a member of local U.S. law enforcement to reinforce that the victim had no choice but to comply with the PRC Government’s demands. Today’s charges reflect this Office’s continued commitment, working hand in hand with our partners at the FBI, to combat transnational repression and bring to justice those who perpetrate it.”

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “This case demonstrates, once again, the PRC’s disdain for the rule of law and its efforts to coerce and intimidate those it targets on our shores as part of its Operation Fox Hunt. The defendant allegedly traveled to the United States and enlisted others, including a sworn law enforcement officer, to spy on and blackmail his victims. Such conduct is both criminal and reprehensible.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “As alleged, Sun Hoi Ying, acting at the direction of the PRC government, engaged in a range of activities designed to pressure individuals in the United States to return to the PRC to face charges brought by the Chinese government.  Our commitment to protecting the freedoms enjoyed by all United States residents is steadfast.  Today's action is the latest example of our unwavering determination to combat transnational repression in all its forms.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

The FBI has been involved in an investigation of individuals who, working at the direction of the PRC Government, have engaged in an international campaign, known alternatively as “Operation Fox Hunt” and “Operation Skynet,” to pressure individuals located in the United States and elsewhere outside the PRC to return to the PRC to face charges brought by the PRC Government or to otherwise reach financial settlements with the PRC Government.

From at least approximately February 2017 to February 2022, SUN acted in the United States as an agent of the PRC Government, without notifying the U.S. Attorney General as required by law. In particular, SUN conducted operations in the United States on behalf of the PRC Government to pressure, threaten, and collect personal information regarding victims of Operation Fox Hunt. Among other things, as part of his operations at the direction of the PRC Government, SUN hired private investigators in the United States to gather personal information on Operation Fox Hunt targets, labeled as “fugitives” by the PRC Government, and provided some of that information to the PRC Government.

For example, at the direction of the PRC Government, SUN used private investigators to conduct surveillance and collect personal information of a U.S. citizen (“Victim-1”) located in New York City who was a target of Operation Fox Hunt.  Personal identifying information of Victim-1 collected by SUN, including Victim-1’s home address and photograph, was later published by the PRC Government in a list of Operation Fox Hunt targets.  During the time SUN was collecting information about Victim-1 for the PRC Government, Victim-1’s daughter (“Victim-2”), a U.S. citizen who was pregnant at the time, was held against her will in the PRC for approximately eight months.  PRC Government representatives told Victim-2 not to request help from the U.S. Government and that she would not be permitted to leave the PRC until Victim-2 helped cause Victim-1 to return to the PRC.

SUN also sought out, located, and met with another Operation Fox Hunt target (“Victim-3”) in New York City, in coordination with a co-conspirator who is a local U.S. law enforcement officer. During those meetings, SUN threatened and pressured Victim-3, including by threatening that the PRC Government would take certain adverse and retaliatory actions if Victim-3 did not comply with the demands of the PRC Government.

SUN, 53, of China, is charged with one count of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division, and thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, for their assistance.

The case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J.C. Hellman and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

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

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR ADAMS AND CHAIRMAN NADLER ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON COVID-19 FUNDING FOLLOWING NYC DELEGATION MEETING

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chairman Jerrold Nadler, dean of the New York congressional delegation, issued the following joint statement after the congressional delegation meeting:

 

“Congress must urgently pass additional funding to address COVID-19 related challenges. Without it, the nation risks losing the ability to develop vaccines for new variants and the continued scaling of treatment production. We know that the virus disproportionately impacts the uninsured, elderly, and immunocompromised, and we need this critical federal funding to address the inequities laid bare over the last two years. Additionally, the funding will help maintain free testing and treatment capabilities for millions of New Yorkers, continue to secure supplies of essential treatments, and develop next-generation vaccines.”