Special Election February 13, 2024 77th Assembly District - Bronx

 

• Election Day is Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Polls are open from 6AM to 9PM.
• Early Voting Period is February 3, 2024 - February 11, 2024.

Early Voting Dates	Early Voting Hours
Saturday, February 3, 2024	9AM to 5PM
Sunday, February 4, 2024	9AM to 5PM
Monday, February 5, 2024	9AM to 5PM
Tuesday, February 6, 2024	8AM to 4PM
Wednesday, February 7, 2024	10AM to 8PM
Thursday, February 8, 2024	10AM to 8PM
Friday, February 9, 2024	8AM to 4PM
Saturday, February 10, 2024	9AM to 5PM
Sunday, February 11, 2024	9AM to 5PM

This Special Election is for the vacant 77th Assembly District Seat. The Board of Elections has not released the Early Voting locations. 

Statement from Speaker Adams on the New York City Council Holding a Stated Meeting on Tuesday to Override Mayor’s Vetoes of Int. 586-A and Int. 549-A

 

“We should all be united in advancing our city by recognizing the harmful legacies of injustice that undermine the health and safety of our city and its neighborhoods. The Council has no interest in prolonging a conversation that has been made unnecessarily toxic by the spreading of fear and misinformation, and we plan to override the mayor’s recent vetoes on Tuesday.

“City government has a responsibility to ensure all agencies are accountable to New Yorkers, and nowhere is this more important than on public safety. Police transparency is a prerequisite to public safety because it fosters the community trust that is necessary to make our neighborhoods safer. At a time when Black and Latino New Yorkers continue to be disproportionately subjected to unconstitutional stops that go underreported, and civilian complaints of misconduct are at their highest level in over a decade, the need for basic transparency is clear. Int. 586-A of the How Many Stops Act is a simple data bill that the mayor and the most technologically advanced police department in the world can easily implement by building on their existing practices that require recording and classifying of ‘Level 1’ and ‘Level 2’ stops. Additionally, the isolation imposed by the use of solitary confinement and policies that mirror it by any name only makes violence worse in our jails and city. Its use must be ended, and that’s what Int. 549-A will accomplish, while still allowing the Correction Department to separate people for safety purposes. Every administration and its agencies have immense power to implement laws with maximum flexibility, so it has been confounding to see the mayor and others incorrectly claim otherwise.

“The public dialogue fostered by officials at the highest levels of city government over the past several weeks has recklessly misled the public and sought to exploit fear in a way that is disappointing and unfortunate. Honest policy debates are welcomed to improve our city, but exaggerated distortions that manufacture conflict and distraction are destructive. The desire for safety shared by all New Yorkers should not be the target of political manipulation, and it is alarming to see our city agencies used as weapons of politics.

“Our diverse communities want to be safe from all forms of harm and violence, and the Council has prioritized this outcome through expanded victim services for communities that lack access, confronting our housing and mental health crises, and fighting for the investments that prevent crime from occurring in the first place. A focus on police transparency and the rejection of inhumane and torturous practices that exacerbate violence are equally important steps to advance safety in our city. It is my hope that the mayor’s administration will abandon inflammatory and fear-based rhetoric. We want to work together with the administration and all stakeholders to successfully implement laws that make our city safer.”

Former New York City Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Salary and Overtime Fraud

Defendant Stole Over $170,000 For Hours He Did Not Work 

In federal court in Brooklyn, former New York City Department of Correction (DOC) officer James Internicola pleaded guilty to federal program fraud, admitting that he fraudulently obtained a significant amount of salary and overtime pay by lying about the hours he worked.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto.  When sentenced, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.  Internicola resigned from the DOC after his arrest.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the guilty plea.

“The defendant defrauded the City of New York by falsely claiming to have worked thousands of hours and fraudulently pocketing more than $170,000, when he was actually at home, vacationing in Aruba or elsewhere,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “The defendant’s greed cost taxpayer’s substantial money and threatens to undermine public confidence in our government institutions.  This Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to fighting corruption on Rikers Island.”

DOI Commissioner Strauber said, “This defendant, while a New York City Correction Officer, lied about the hours he worked, claiming to be on duty when, in fact, he was at home or on vacation, in order to obtain more than $170,000 of City funds by fraud.  The criminal conduct that he has acknowledged today does not reflect the dedication and integrity of the many City employees who show up every day to do their jobs and serve their fellow New Yorkers.  I thank our law enforcement partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the New York Office of the FBI for their commitment to protect City resources and to ensure that employees who defraud the City will be held accountable.”

According to court documents and facts presented at the guilty plea proceeding, Internicola fraudulently obtained more than $171,000 in salary and overtime pay by lying about the hours he worked from at least July 2021 to January 2023.  During this time, Internicola claimed to work large amounts of overtime nearly every week.  In fact, based on license plate reader data, E-Z pass toll records and cell site location information, Internicola frequently showed up to work more than two hours late and left work several hours early.  In many instances, Internicola claimed to be at work when he actually never showed up to Rikers Island at all, including when he was at his home on Staten Island, visiting the Jersey Shore or vacationing in Aruba.  In total, Internicola claimed to have worked more than 2,250 hours more than he actually did in a period of approximately 18 months and he fraudulently received the equivalent of more than a year of his base salary.

DEC ANNOUNCES ANNUAL TREE AND SHRUB SEEDLING SALE

 

Dozens of Species Available from Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery

School Seedling Program Application Period Now Open

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery officially kicked off the annual spring seedling sale, which is now open to the public and runs until May 10. Each year, the nursery offers low-cost, New York-grown tree and shrub species for sale to encourage plantings that help conserve New York’s natural resources and foster the next generation of forests.

“Since 1911, the Saratoga Tree Nursery has helped shape the future of New York’s forests by providing seedlings for restoration and conservation plantings,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Planting trees helps us all invest in a greener future by providing a renewable resource for wood products, preventing erosion, improving air and water quality, lowering energy needs for heating and cooling, and combating climate change. Trees also provide habitat for native wildlife and increase overall health and well-being.”

DEC's tree nursery grows more than 50 conifer and hardwood species from local seed sources, creating seedlings well-suited to New York State’s climate. Seedlings are available in bundles of 25 or more, plus there are several mixed species packets for those looking for a variety. Seedlings are a minimum of five inches tall and are one to three years old, depending on the species. For more information including how to order, visit the Spring Seedling Sale webpage on DEC's website. Some species sell quickly, so it is recommended to place orders by phone for the most up-to-date availability information.

The seedling sale supports Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State commitment to plant 25 million trees by 2033 to invigorate New York State’s tree planting efforts, advance steps to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s net-zero goal, and grow the state’s vital forest products industry.

Free Seedlings Available for Youth Education Through the School Seedling Program

Applications are now being accepted for the nursery’s School Seedling Program. From now until March 29, schools and youth education organizations across New York State may apply to receive up to 50 free tree or shrub seedlings to plant with their students.

The goal of the program is to help instill a sense of environmental stewardship at a young age and set a foundation that will allow students to make informed decisions about the use of natural resources. The program is an excellent tool for educators to use in meeting the Next Generation Science Standards as it provides a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about natural systems and the valuable role that trees play, while building their awareness of conservation issues.

All schools (public, private, nursery, elementary, secondary, vocational, college or university), homeschool groups, and any youth education-based organization may apply, provided trees are planted in New York State. Individual homeschools must apply through a homeschool group, co-op, or other association. Seedlings are two to three years old, approximately four to 12 inches tall, and bare-root. There are three packets available – 50 jack pine, 25 red oak or 30 mixed shrub species good for wildlife habitat – and each school or organization may only receive one packet per year. For more information and to apply online, visit DEC’s website. For assistance or questions, contact the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery at nysnursery@dec.ny.gov or 518-581-1439.

Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand Announce Approval of Emergency Federal Action for Fire Island

New York District of the Army Corps “Extreme Storm” Determination Triggers Expedited Process for Significant Federally Funded Repairs of Coastal Damage on Eastern Fire Island

New York Officials Reaffirm Commitment to Seek Full Repair by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of Dune and Beach Projects in Suffolk County Communities Significantly Damaged by Climate-Driven Storms

Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that recent seasons’ extreme coastal storms provide eligibility under Public Law 84-99 for the process to assess, fund, and repair damaged Army Corps coastal projects on Fire Island in Suffolk County. The approval allows the Corps to begin an expedited evaluation of needed repairs on eastern Fire Island while the Corps continues to assess Governor Hochul’s formal request for the repair of three other coastal projects — West of Shinnecock Inlet, Fire Island Inlet and Shores Westerly, and Downtown Montauk — to protect public safety and mitigate the severity of potential damage wrought by future storms.

“Long Island's iconic beaches are a treasured natural resource and I'm doing everything in my power to protect them for the next generation,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers are grateful for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers response to our request for support to address severe coastal erosion, along with the continued support of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. I am committed to working with the Army Corps to immediately begin repairs on eastern Fire Island and at other Army Corps projects that were damaged by recent storms.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Today, we have made good progress and the Army Corps is fired up to help Fire Island. And that is a good thing because the Island is a mess from recent storm damage. But even more succinct: this is an emergency. I am glad the Army Corps has heeded this call and can now work with a designation that allows emergency dollars to be sought and used to remediate the wide damage we have seen to beaches, shorelines and inlets. I thank Brigadier General Lloyd, Colonel Young and his team at the Corps for their work and will continue to advocate for continued help across Suffolk as it relates to this storm damage.”

On Tuesday, Governor Hochul announced additional state funding to support critical resiliency projects to stabilize communities and restore impacted beaches along Long Island’s South Shore, including Fire Island and Gilgo State Park. New York State is providing $2 million to the town of Babylon through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 to protect existing park infrastructure at Overlook Beach in Cedar Beach. New York State is also partnering with Suffolk County and providing $3 million to support local government efforts to undertake additional beach replenishment to further protect eastern Fire Island communities.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul recently announced a comprehensive resiliency plan to protect New Yorkers from extreme weather as part of her 2024 State of the State Address and included $435 million in the Executive Budget proposal to help implement the initiatives. Highlights include:

• Creating the ‘Resilient & Ready’ Program to establish a flexible fund to support resiliency efforts for low- and moderate-income homeowners ahead of future storms. The program will enable State Homes and Community Renewal to assist households that experience flood damage to make necessary repairs in the aftermath of storms and will cover the cost of proactive flood mitigation improvements.
• Creating the Blue Buffers Voluntary Buyout Program, with $250 million included in the 2024-25 Executive Budget to encourage buyouts in communities most vulnerable to flooding. The program will prioritize outreach and education first and then begin identifying voluntary projects based on the level of flood risk, ensuring we protect our communities that are most vulnerable to high water and storm surges.
• Making major investments in statewide disaster response to put more boots on the ground, improve training and preparedness, and address evolving threats as they come.
• Update Coastal Erosion Hazard Area (CEHA) Maps, which are essential to the protection of beaches, dunes, and bluffs that maintain and enhance flood resilience, so that communities and permit applicants quick quickly determine if a property is within a CEHA.

The voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 is helping to support these and many other initiatives, including leveraging funding for water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure. The Bond Act is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. Disadvantaged Communities will receive at least 35 percent of the benefits of Bond Act funding, with a goal of 40 percent. For more information about the Bond Act, go to www.ny.gov/BondAct.

Former Federal Employees Sentenced for Conspiracy to Steal Proprietary U.S. Government Software and Databases

 

Three former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees were sentenced in the District of Columbia for a conspiracy to steal proprietary software and sensitive law-enforcement databases from the U.S. government for use in a commercial venture.

Charles K. Edwards, 63, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. In January 2022, Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property and to defraud the United States and theft of government property. 

Sonal Patel, 49, of Sterling, Virginia, was sentenced to two years of probation. In April 2019, Patel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property.

Murali Y. Venkata, 58, of Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to four months in prison. In April 2022, a jury convicted Venkata of conspiracy to commit theft of government property and to defraud the United States, theft of government property, wire fraud, and destruction of records.  

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Edwards was the former Acting Inspector General of the DHS Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG). Patel and Venkata were employed in DHS-OIG’s information technology department. Edwards, Patel, and Venkata were all previously employed at the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). Edwards, Patel, and Venkata conspired to steal proprietary U.S. software and databases containing sensitive law-enforcement information and the personally identifiable information (PII) of over 200,000 federal employees from DHS-OIG and USPS-OIG. They planned to use the stolen software and databases to create a commercial software product to be offered for sale to government agencies. As part of the scheme, the co-conspirators disclosed the stolen software and databases containing PII to software developers located in India. After Venkata learned of the investigation, he deleted incriminating text messages and other communications in an effort to obstruct the investigation.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of DHS-OIG, and Executive Special Agent in Charge Michael Ray of USPS-OIG made the announcement.

DHS-OIG and USPS-OIG investigated the case.

My Statement on the Just Home Project at Jacobi Hospital - Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr.

 

Dear Neighbors, 

I wanted to share news about the latest development in the Just Home project at Jacobi Hospital.  

 

Unfortunately, our calls for concern and redirection have fallen on deaf ears and the New York Health and Hospitals Corporation voted unanimously yesterday to move forward with the project.  The final vote now falls to the City Council. 

 

Read my full statement below.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns please call my community office at 718-409-0109. 

 

In Partnership,

John Zaccaro Jr.

U.S. Attorney Charges NYPD Officer With Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor And Possession Of Child Pornography

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Erin Keegan, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”); and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that ANGAD BEHARRY, an NYPD officer, and GISAINET CRISTINA CHIRINOS VILORIA were arrested yesterday and each charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child.  BEHARRY was also charged with an additional count of possession of child pornography.

The Complaint charges that from at least on or about August 31, 2022, through at least on or about September 3, 2022, the defendants conspired to induce a female minor (the “Victim”) to engage in sexually explicit conduct, to take sexually explicit photographs and videos of the Victim, and to transmit them over the Internet to BEHARRY.  In addition, the Complaint charges that from at least in or about April 23, 2022, to June 20, 2023, BEHARRY knowingly possessed sexually explicit video and images of minors, including prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12.  BEHARRY was presented yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy and detained without bail.  VILORIA was also presented yesterday in the Southern District of Indiana, where she was arrested, and detained without bail.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The alleged actions of Angad Beharry and Gisainet Cristina Chirinos Viloria are unconscionable and despicable.  Moreover, Beharry, as New York City Police officer, is trusted in this community to protect us and stand up for what is right, but he now stands accused of victimizing a child to satisfy his own alleged repulsive desires.  We encourage anyone with additional information pertaining to this case to contact HSI at 1-866-DHS-2423.”

HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said: “Angad Beharry took an oath to protect the people of this great city.  As alleged, he betrayed his duty, chose to serve his vile desires, and, in turn, is accused of the same heinous crimes he once swore to combat.  Whether here or elsewhere around the world, HSI New York and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety of all individuals, especially those victims who are too young or vulnerable to do so themselves.”

As alleged in the Criminal Complaint:[1]

Between on or about August 31, 2022, and September 3, 2022, BEHARRY — using the alias “Gad” — asked VILORIA to take sexually explicit photographs of a nine-year-old child with whom VILORIA appeared to be acquainted, which VILORIA did and then transmitted the photographs to BEHARRY via WhatsApp.  BEHARRY asked VILORIA the price “for everything” — and stated that he transmitted money to her.

In or about October 2022, members of the Colombian National Police rescued a one-year-old female from Medellin, Colombia, whose mother took sexually explicit photographs of her and distributed them via social media.  The mother was arrested and reported to Colombian law enforcement that she had communicated with BEHARRY via Facebook, and that BEHARRY had asked her for sexually explicit material depicting sexual acts between the mother’s infant and the mother, among other requests.  The mother also told law enforcement that she had a friend in Venezuela — i.e., VILORIA — who she believed was also in communication with BEHARRY.

In addition, between on or about April 23, 2022, and June 20, 2023, BEHARRY possessed multiple photographs and videos containing child sexual abuse imagery, including material depicting males engaged in sexual acts with young female children.

ANGAD BEHARRY, 46, of, Yonkers, New York, and GISAINET CRISTINA CHIRINOS VILORIA, 23, a citizen of Venezuela residing in Goshen, Indiana, are each charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.  BEHARRY is additionally charged with one count of possession of child pornography depicting prepubescent minors or minors under the age of 12, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI’s New York Child Exploitation Investigations Team, HSI’s Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit, the Colombian National Police, and the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau. 

Mr. Williams stated that the investigation is ongoing and requests that any individuals with information concerning ANGAD BEHARRY and GISAINET CRISTINA CHIRINOS VILORIA and any individuals who may have encountered someone using the WhatsApp name “Gad,” please contact HSI through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2423 or sextrafficking_outreach@hsi.dhs.gov and reference this case.  From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199.  Hearing-impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. 

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Ly and Kathryn Wheelock are in charge of the prosecution.  

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

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