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Wednesday, May 11, 2022
NYPD Announces New Head of Special Victims Division
Human-Trafficking Investigations Move to Survivor-Centric Unit
Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell today announced the appointment of Inspector Carlos Ortiz, a 25-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, to lead the NYPD's newly restructured Special Victims Division.
As the division's commanding officer, Inspector Ortiz will oversee a survivor-centric, evidence-driven investigative body that will now also have full responsibility for investigating human-trafficking cases previously handled by the NYPD’s Vice Unit. Placing these investigations under SVD’s purview will streamline cases and allow detectives to more effectively and efficiently serve survivors of all sexual offenses, while simultaneously building the strongest possible cases on their behalf.
Inspector Ortiz was chosen from among several other highly qualified executive finalists. Each of the candidates was interviewed and vetted by a group of NYPD leaders and survivors’ advocates.
"As our NYPD team comes into sharper focus, it is clear that Inspector Ortiz is the best-suited professional to take the helm of our Special Victims Division and to lead all of the dedicated individuals committed to this important and challenging work,” Commissioner Sewell said. "He has extensive investigative experience, and I am confident in his proven abilities to enhance our public safety mission and further strengthen our close working relationships with advocacy groups – whose own members were consulted in the selection process for this critical role."
A New York City native, Inspector Ortiz joined the NYPD in April 1997, and began his career on patrol at the 44th Precinct in the Bronx. He also served at Police Service Area 8 in the Bronx, Detective Borough Manhattan South, the 45th Precinct in the Bronx, Detective Borough Bronx, and Patrol Borough Manhattan North. He was promoted to sergeant in December 2002, lieutenant in October 2007, captain in April 2011, deputy inspector in June 2015, and inspector in November 2018.
He served as commanding officer of Detective Borough Bronx, Zones 7 and 20; Detective Borough Manhattan South Operations; and the 115th Precinct in Queens. He was also executive officer of the 24th and 32nd Precincts in Manhattan. Most recently, Inspector Ortiz was Special Projects Coordinator for the Patrol Services Bureau.
Inspector Ortiz earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from DePauw University in Indiana in 1992.
The NYPD is relentlessly focused on delivering justice to brave survivors of sexual assault and other offenses, beginning at the very first interaction and throughout the entire investigative process. Well-trained SVD investigators are deeply committed to doing everything necessary to ensure that survivors of all crimes feel the safety and support needed to come forward, to courageously share their experiences, and to help their police department deliver them justice.
Today’s announcement further fortifies SVD, adding to previous improvements such as: the assignment of additional investigators, implementation of enhanced training that amplifies the NYPD’s ability to respond to survivors, and improved collaboration with survivors' advocates to offer necessary support and services while conducting full and thorough investigations.
Additionally, Commissioner Sewell announced today the search for a subject-matter expert who will fill a new civilian director's position within SVD, further supporting the goals of the division and the police department as a whole.
State Senator Gustavo Rivera - Dakota’s Law Passes the Legislature
Dakota’s Law (S5024B Rivera /A7325 Peoples-Stokes), a bill to prevent and address instances of elevated blood lead levels in children, passed the Assembly. This bill is now on its way to Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature after passing the Senate last March.
This bill requires lead screenings at every routine primary health care visit or annually for children until the age of six years old. Health care practitioners will also provide parents and guardians with guidance on lead poisoning prevention, including information on their right to an inspection if the child lives in an area of high risk. The bill will also require pre-kindergarten and kindergarten institutions to check if their enrolling students have been screened for lead exposure and provide them with educational materials on lead poisoning. This is the first bill of Dakota’s Law, a multi-bill effort to enhance New York’s childhood lead poisoning prevention measures.
“Dakota’s Law is the result of my constituent Tiesha Jones’ work to not only help her daughter Dakota but to prevent other children from suffering her daughter’s fate,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “This bill will make a real difference in the lives of millions of children and parents in New York. We must do everything in our power to end lead poisoning in New York State and ensure our children are living in safe and healthy environments. I urge Governor Hochul to sign this important legislation into law."
“Lead contamination has plagued so many of our communities for decades to the detriment of our most vulnerable people,” said Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes. “This legislation is an important measure to address lead poisoning in our children and provides real solutions for communities and families to combat the negative effects of lead exposure. I look forward to this bill being signed into law.”
Dakota’s Law was written with Ms. Tiesha Jones, Senator Rivera’s constituent, based on her and her child’s experience with elevated blood lead levels. Ms. Jones was living in a public housing apartment in the Bronx with her family and took her daughter Dakota to the doctor for appropriate testing at the required ages, of 12- and 24-months-old. Upon changing doctors at age 4, she was offered a lead screening and within this time frame, Dakota’s blood lead levels increased from 5 micrograms to 45. This left Dakota with permanent developmental challenges that affect her education.
“I am so excited that Dakota’s Law passed both houses. When we drafted this legislation, I wanted to make sure other mothers and families did not have to go through what Dakota and I had to,” said Tiesha Jones. “I hope the Governor recognizes how important this bill is for the health and success of New York’s children and signs this bill into law.”
The passage of this bill builds on the successful effort by Senator Rivera to lower New York’s State’s action level from 10 micrograms to 5, in accordance with recommendations from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children under six years old whose blood lead levels reach 10 micrograms face developmental toxicity, or permanent damage, due to lead exposure. By taking action when a child has a blood lead level of 5 micrograms, we prevent permanent damage by addressing the source of lead exposure and preventing the lasting damage of lead poisoning.
Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul on Call to Revoke Firearms License of Nation's Largest Supplier of Ghost Guns
"I fully support the call from Mayor Adams, NYPD Commissioner Sewell, and the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund to revoke the federal firearms license of Polymer80 the largest source of ghost guns used in crimes. Gun violence is a public health and public safety crisis, and all levels of government must continue working together on aggressive action to crack down on the distribution and possession of dangerous weapons.
"To combat the rise of ghost guns, I took action in October to criminalize the sale of ghost guns and require gunsmiths to register firearms they assemble. I also established a nation-leading Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns, bringing together ten states, federal agencies, and local law enforcement agencies. The Task Force is having an immediate impact, taking hundreds of guns off the streets, and the State Police has specifically seized more than 50 ghost guns this year to date, working with local and interstate jurisdictions. I am grateful to all of the law enforcement partners who are working together on these vital efforts.
"While we have made progress, my team and I have been taking a close look at all of our gun laws to ensure we have every tool at our disposal and close every loophole to protect New Yorkers. I pledge that we will continue to work with our partners at the local, state and federal levels to crack down on the distribution and possession of dangerous weapons, get guns off our streets, and save lives."
New York Racehorse Veterinarian And Standardbred Trainer Plead Guilty In Federal Doping Case
Veterinarian Louis Grasso and Racehorse Trainer Richard Banca Used Their Positions to Acquire, Distribute and Administer Prohibited Performance Enhancing Drugs
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that defendants LOUIS GRASSO and RICHARD BANCA pled guilty to their respective roles in the distribution of adulterated and misbranded drugs with the intent to defraud and mislead, in connection with the charges filed in United States v. Grasso et al., 20 Cr. 163 (OKC). Both GRASSO and BANCA pled guilty before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel. GRASSO and BANCA will each be sentenced by Judge Castel on September 6, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Grasso and Banca represent the corruption and greed of those in the racehorse industry looking to win at any cost. In peddling illegal drugs and selling prescriptions to corrupt trainers, Louis Grasso abdicated his responsibilities as a medical professional to ensure the safety and health of the racehorses he “treated.” By injecting horses with unnecessary and, at times, unknown drugs, Grasso risked the lives and welfare of the animals under his care, all in service of helping corrupt racehorse trainers like Banca line their pockets through fraud. These latest convictions demonstrate the commitment of this Office and of our partners at the FBI to hold accountable individuals seeking to profit from animal abuse and deceit.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment, the Superseding Information charging GRASSO and BANCA, prior charging instruments and other filings in this case[1], and statements during court proceedings:
The charges in the GRASSO case arise from an investigation of widespread schemes by racehorse trainers, veterinarians, PED distributors, and others to manufacture, distribute, and receive adulterated and misbranded PEDs and to secretly administer those PEDs to racehorses competing at all levels of professional horseracing. By evading PED prohibitions and deceiving regulators and horse racing officials, participants in these schemes sought to improve race performance and obtain prize money from racetracks throughout the United States, all to the detriment and risk of the health and well-being of the racehorses. GRASSO, a veterinarian, not only accepted payment in exchange for prescriptions for powerful and medically unnecessary performance-enhancing drugs, he also created, distributed, and administered custom-made performance-enhancing drugs that were all misbranded and adulterated substances designed solely to improve racehorse performance. Through this fraudulent scheme, GRASSO helped corrupt trainers collect over $47 million in ill-gotten purse winnings. As a racehorse trainer, BANCA purchased and administered adulterated and misbranded drugs to his racehorses, and as a result of his crimes, his horses earned over $16 million in purse winnings. BANCA stood to profit from the success of racehorses under his control by earning a share of his horses’ winnings, and by improving his horses’ racing records, thereby yielding higher trainer fees and increasing the number of racehorses under his control.
U.S. Attorney Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI New York Office’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force and its support of the Bureau’s Integrity in Sports and Gaming Initiative. Mr. Williams also thanked the Food and Drug Administration for their assistance.
[1] As to Grasso and Banca’s co-defendants, the entirety of the texts of the Indictments and the descriptions of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
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WILLIAMS' STATEMENT ON HOCHUL'S REFUSAL TO JOIN ADDITIONAL STATEWIDE DEBATES
"After previously committing to “multiple debates,” Governor Hochul has only agreed to the bare minimum–at the latest possible moment in the campaign– because she knows that her administration cannot stand up to the scrutiny.
"Several additional major media outlets invited us to participate in statewide syndicated debates beginning as early as two weeks from now. And while I’m grateful to WCBS and WNBC/Telemundo for hosting debates, the Governor’s refusal to accept additional invitations demonstrates an aversion to transparency and an unwillingness to speak openly about her own record. This is what we have come to expect from her– another way in which she follows the Cuomo model. In the 2018 Lieutenant Governor’s race, she was only willing to have one, pre-taped debate on a borough-based public access channel, and based on her performance it was clear why.
"New Yorkers have a lot of questions for the Governor, and she should have to answer to more than just her donors. I urge the Governor to accept the invitations for these additional statewide syndicated debates, instead of ducking this critical opportunity and obligation."
Independent Proxy Advisor Glass Lewis Joins New York City and State Pension Funds in Urging Shareholders to VOTE NO on the Re-election of Amazon Board Director Judith McGrath
Growing campaign highlights investor dissatisfaction with the Amazon board’s failures of oversight of human capital management amidst high injury rates, employee turnover, and workers’ rights violations.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander today welcomed the recent report by Glass Lewis, one of the leading independent proxy advisory firms, recommending that Amazon (NYSE:AMZN) shareholders vote against the re-election of Board Director Judith McGrath, who chairs the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee, at the company’s May 25, 2022 annual meeting.
Last month, a group of institutional investors led by Comptroller Lander, on behalf of the five New York City Retirement Systems, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the Office of Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, launched a “vote no” campaign calling on Amazon shareholders to oppose the re-election of Directors Judith McGrath and Daniel Huttenlocher for failing to provide independent oversight of workforce issues at the company. Both directors are long-standing members of Amazon’s Leadership Development and Compensation Committee.
“Glass Lewis’ recommendation to shareholders to express dissatisfaction with the Company’s response to human capital management issues by voting against a key director responsible for oversight shows broad and growing support for our proposal,” said Comptroller Lander. “As one of the nation’s largest employers, Amazon’s treatment of its employees has profound implications across millions of households, our portfolios, and our economy. Amazon shareholders need qualified and accountable directors who respond to investor concerns rather than rubberstamp management’s inadequate health and safety practices, and repeated interference with workers’ rights to form a union, contrary to its own policy and U.S. labor laws.”
“We are witnessing a pattern of oversight and management failures at Amazon, including high rates of injury, rapid employee turnover and anti-union activity,” said Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. “I am also deeply concerned about the tragic loss of life that occurred at the Amazon facility in Edwardsville, Illinois, where six people died after a tornado struck, which is the subject of investigations into inadequate safety protocols. Now is the time for more responsive and engaged leadership on Amazon’s board.”
In an April 21 letter filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the group of investors highlighted that there is a lack of adequate oversight of the company’s human capital management. It also cited the directors’ inability to ensure that Amazon protects its workers’ health and safety, upholds its own corporate policies on human rights and freedom of association, and addresses unsustainable employee turnover.
In its May 6th report, proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis noted:
“The Company has faced significant scrutiny and controversy in recent years related to its human capital management practices, particularly in regard to workplace conditions and worker safety. In terms of disclosure on these issues, the Company provides a report on its safety, health, and well-being efforts, in which it discusses whether its performance expectations can coexist with safe operations.
“…However, we believe that the board has not appropriately addressed potential shareholder concern regarding these increasing human capital risks and its assessment of such risks, and could do more to mitigate the Company’s potential reputational damage as it relates to its human capital management practices. Given that the prevalence of human capital management risks and potential related reputational risks to the Company may impact shareholder value, we believe shareholders should oppose the election of director McGrath as the chair of the leadership development and compensation committee to signal dissatisfaction with the Company’s response to these issues.”
The April 21 letter is on file with the SEC here. For more information on the “vote no” campaign, visit: http://deliveraccountability.com/.