2 Florida Men Plead Guilty To Multimillion-Dollar Credit Card Fraud Scheme

Defendants Used Companies to Cause More Than $7 Million in Unauthorized Charges to Thousands of Consumers

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JAMES BECKISH and JOSEPH ANTHONY DEMARIA pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to make unauthorized charges on credit cards through sham companies that purportedly offered nutraceutical products for sale over the internet.  BECKISH and DEMARIA pled guilty before United States District Judge Edgardo Ramos.

According to the Complaint, the Information to which BECKISH and DEMARIA pled guilty, and statements made during the proceedings today:

Between 2013 and 2017, BECKISH, DEMARIA and others, created and operated dozens of companies that purported to sell dietary supplements and similar products called “nutraceuticals” over the internet.  The websites of the defendants’ companies purported to sell products like dietary supplements but, in reality, were primarily used to repeatedly bill consumers who never ordered their products, or even if they did, almost never received them.  The defendants used these websites as a cover for unauthorized and recurring charges that were placed on thousands of credit card numbers that the defendants had purchased or obtained, or had acquired from consumers who had attempted to order the products in question.  For example, in one email, DEMARIA asked BECKISH: “Are we shipping these guys actual nutra products? Lol.”  To which BECKISH responded:  “Nope.” 

BECKISH, DEMARIA, and others created these different companies and websites, because they knew that credit card processors would stop doing business with them over time as consumers noticed the unauthorized charges and sought refunds.  These refunds, called “chargebacks” by credit card processors, are generally low for legitimate businesses but reached extremely high percentages for many of the companies associated with the defendants’ scheme.  In certain instances, the chargeback rates quickly approached or even exceeded 20 percent – that is, consumers were seeking refunds of more than 20 percent of the charges placed by certain of the defendants’ companies.  Credit card processors, in turn, paid millions of dollars in refunds for fraudulent charges associated with the defendants’ companies between 2013 and 2017 in attempts to refund affected consumers.

In total, BECKISH and DEMARIA both pled guilty to causing more than $7 million in loss during the duration of the scheme.  

 BECKISH, 32, of Miami, Florida, and DEMARIA, 33, of Miami, Florida, each plead guilty to one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  BECKISH and DEMARIA also agreed to pay restitution and to forfeit $7,231,878.  Sentencing for BECKISH is scheduled for January 16, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Ramos. Sentencing for DEMARIA is scheduled for January 18, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Ramos.

The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence imposed on the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Secret Service. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND UFT REACH PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT ON 43-MONTH CONTRACT PROMOTING EQUITY & EXCELLENCE FOR ALL AGENDA

Bronx Plan will include additional pay for teachers in 180 high-needs schools and Collaborative Schools Model of decision-making

  Mayor de Blasio and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew announced that the City of New York and the UFT have reached a preliminary contract agreement for over 129,000 City workers – approximately 36 percent of the City’s workforce. This agreement is pattern compliant for the 2017-2021 round of bargaining. Once ratified, 60 percent of the City’s workforce will be under a contract agreement.

The 43-month agreement includes the new Bronx Plan. The plan, which will include schools citywide, is named for the challenges our Bronx schools faced and is designed to address their specific needs and the needs of schools facing similar difficulties. For the next three schools years, this comprehensive set of interventions will drive improvement at 180 historically underserved schools. The Bronx Plan will encourage staff to come, stay and invest in these schools and students with a hard-to-staff pay differential for certain critical positions. Of the 180 schools, 120 schools will participate in the Collaborative School Model granting them additional resources for data-driven, collaborative decision-making processes.

The agreement also strengthens teacher development including by expanding nationally recognized teacher leader roles and changing requirements for in-service teachers earning credits after a Master’s degree; launches a remote teaching pilot program; and continues salary increases for UFT-represented staff, including teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, paraprofessionals, and school psychologists.

“With this agreement, 1.1 million New York City students will get the school system they deserve, and more than 129,000 educators will get the salary, resources and support they need to continue molding our future leaders,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I’m proud that this agreement includes the new Bronx Plan, a new program that will help us retain strong teachers in schools with historically high rates of attrition. It’s another way we’re lifting up our students and laying the groundwork to make New York City the fairest big city in America.”

“A major feature of this agreement is the way it empowers teachers to help improve their schools by giving them a seat at the table where important decisions about resources and strategy are made. This contract, and in particular the Bronx plan, takes some radical steps by putting key decision-making powers in the schools. It creates a unique labor/management environment and gives us the opportunity to introduce real change,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “While the old governance structure would never have let us get to this point, mayoral control was key to the creation of universal pre-k, and has helped us make progress in city schools. Given the importance of the issues and the long-term initiatives that are part of this contract, the UFT is calling for the continuation of mayoral control as the governance structure for New York City public schools.”

“Supporting great teachers means supporting great results for our students and families, and this agreement is truly an investment in New York City’s 1.1 million students and families,” saidSchools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “I am particularly excited about our Bronx Plan, which will advance equity by bringing resources and support into some of our most historically underserved schools. I thank Mayor de Blasio and President Mulgrew for their partnership and collaboration as we move closer to Equity & Excellence for All.”

“This agreement proves that we can balance the needs of our students and teachers in a way that is also fair to New York City taxpayers. By maintaining a respectful dynamic between the City and its workers, we are bringing innovative reforms to schools that have historically been underserved, and, when ratified, bringing a majority of the workforce under a contract agreement for the second time under this administration. I want to thank Mayor de Blasio and UFT President Michael Mulgrew for their continued partnership and for always putting the needs of the kids first,” said Robert Linn, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations.

The Bronx Plan

The Bronx Plan will help retain teachers in schools that have historically had very high rates of teacher attrition – leading to great investment in the schools and students – and give teachers and school communities’ greater voice in decision-making.

The plan includes:

Additional Pay for Hard-to-staff positions: The Chancellor will be able to designate up to 180 schools to receive a “Hard-to-Staff Differential” to attract and retain good teachers, guidance counselors and other hard-to-staff positions. UFT members will be eligible for an additional $5,000-$8,000 in salary per year.

The schools will be selected this fall. Schools in the Bronx and other boroughs with high teacher attrition will be a focus of this program.

Collaborative Schools: Of the 180 schools, 120 schools, with the greatest focus in the Bronx, will also participate in the Collaborative Schools Model. The schools will begin their collaborative planning processes this fall. The program will:

Give teachers and community members a substantial voice in a school’s decision-making process;

Provide data coaching to assess needs and drive long-term planning;

Bring Equity and Excellence programming to these schools on an accelerated track;

And provide a $25,000 Innovation Fund to each of the 120 schools annually to be allocated by school committee members.

Stronger Schools Citywide

The agreement includes additional innovations to better serve students and families, and drive improvement across the system. The reforms are focused on recruitment, development, and retention of teachers across the City, including:

New teacher leadership positions: Starting in September 2019, the City will offer two new teacher leadership roles, Teacher Development Facilitator and Teacher Team Leader. Teacher Development Facilitators will take on additional responsibility supporting student teachers in their schools and preparing them to be successful from Day 1 in a full-time position. Teacher Team Leaders will work outside the classroom, developing Master Teachers, Model Teachers, and Teacher Development Facilitators across the City. Teacher Development Facilitators will be eligible for an additional $3,000 in salary per semester, and Teacher Team Leaders will be eligible for an additional $14,000 in salary per year.

The new teacher leadership roles build on the creation of three roles under the last UFT contract: Master Teachers, Model Teachers, and Peer Collaborative Teachers. There are approximately 1,500 teacher leaders across the City, and these investments in teacher leadership were recognized when New York was recognized as a Great District for Great Teachers in 2017.

Strengthening teacher advanced learning requirements: Starting in September 2019 for teachers with three or fewer years of experience, teachers applying for a salary increase (“differential”) for advanced learning beyond a Master’s Degree will have the opportunity to focus on high-quality, relevant coursework aligned to the school system’s needs. Approved courses, known as A+ courses, may include culturally responsive education, best practices in math or science, bilingual or special education, or computer science.

Remote teaching pilot: Starting in Spring 2019, 15 Bronx high schools will participate in a 3-year, remote-teacher pilot program. The video-conferencing courses will be led remotely by teachers, with the support of teacher assistants in the classroom. The pilot will expand access to AP courses, advanced foreign language courses required for an Advanced Regents Diploma, and elective courses, allowing schools to expand course offerings.

Teacher evaluation observations: Starting in September 2019, we are revising teacher observations in our teacher evaluation system -- more closely tying the number of evaluations teachers receive to their experience and effectiveness. Tenured teachers previously rated Developing and Ineffective will be observed more frequently than teachers rated Effective and Highly Effective; probationary teachers will be observed more frequently than tenured teachers. Observations will be completed in cycles throughout the year to ensure more valuable feedback and development opportunities for teachers.

Pre-screening: As part of the contract, the DOE is working to develop a pre-service suitability screen, which will determine prospective teachers' suitability to teach in addition to the rigorous background check and qualification processes they currently undergo. The screen is currently under development.

Healthcare Savings

Continuing to build off the health care savings reached during the first four years, this agreement incorporates the second health savings agreement with the Municipal Labor Committee reached in June of this year. The agreement will provide total health care savings of $1.1 billion through Fiscal Year 2022 and $1.9 billion of annual savings.

The total cost of the tentative UFT agreement through fiscal year 2022 is $2.1 billion, which is offset by substantial healthcare savings and funding already in the City’s Labor Reserve, for a new net budget impact of $572 million.

Fair Wages

The agreement respects workers with a fair deal and provides pathways for teachers to help their colleagues while earning additional pay.

UFT employees will receive the following compounded wage increases:

February 14, 2019       2.00 percent

May 14, 2020              2.50 percent

May 14, 2021              3.00 percent

Once ratified, this will be the third major labor agreement with the UFT struck by the de Blasio Administration. The first was struck in 2014, after the UFT had gone without a contract for five years.

The proposed 3-year, 7-month contract would begin on 2/14/19 and expire on 9/13/22. Terms of the agreement must be approved by the union’s full in-service membership.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It looks like the new chancellor has answered my question to him almost two months ago about the lagging performance levels of Bronx public school children when compared to the rest of the city's public schools. 

However I remember a plan like this many years ago to help schools that became Schools Under Registration Review by the city. That was called the Chancellor's district which encompassed schools throughout New York City. It appears that schools in this Chancellor's District in the other four boroughs did well enough to disband said district. It left however struggling Bronx public schools. 

It is heartening as a former parent leader who gave advice to past chancellor's, that the current schools Chancellor Richard Carranza appears to have heard what I have said to him on a recent visit he had to a Parkchester charter school. Let's hope though that this Bronx Plan is not another way in which the United Federation of Teachers is trying to look out for their members and not the children.

Congressman Engel: Next Year's Social Security COLA Increase Will be 2.8%, But W

  Congressman Eliot Engel, a founding Member of the Expand Social Security Caucus, said next year’s announced Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.8% for seniors was a welcome improvement over recent increases, but that we could do better.

“This country has a solemn duty to protect its seniors, and the best way to do that continues to be through Social Security,” Engel said. “Annual COLA increases have varied from ‘paltry’ to ‘barely adequate’ in recent years, and though the 2019 increase is a welcome improvement, it still isn’t enough. That’s why I have introduced the ‘Guaranteed 3% COLA for Seniors Act,’ which would ensure our seniors get the support they need.

“Current COLA increases are based on an outdated formula that doesn’t adequately account for the expenses the average senior incurs, like medication costs. My bill would do two things: update the formula the government uses to one that better reflects the costs seniors typically face, and set a floor of 3% to ensure that every senior citizen receives at least a 3% COLA each year. At a time when Republicans in Congress are doing everything they can to cut safety net programs for seniors, I am doing everything I can to protect and expand them.”

MAYOR ANNOUNCES UP TO 475,000 IMMIGRANT NEW YORKERS COULD BE HARMED BY TRUMP’S “PUBLIC CHARGE” PROPOSAL

Proposal could also result in at least $420 million in economic losses to the City every year

  Mayor de Blasio today announced the results of a preliminary analysis showing that, if enacted, the Trump Administration’s “public charge” proposal could harm up to 475,000 immigrant New Yorkers.

“This proposal is another perversion of our most basic values,” said Mayor de Blasio. “It is un-American to punish families for seeking help, plain and simple. As a parent myself, I could never imagine the gut wrenching decision of choosing between food on the table and the possibility of not being able to get a green card in the future. On behalf of the ultimate city of immigrants, we will fight this tooth and nail.”

The analysis, jointly conducted by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Department of Social Services, and the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, also found that hundreds of thousands additional New Yorkers could be harmed as well, including U.S. citizen children, as families might withdraw from or forgo enrolling in critical social safety net programs based on misinformation and fears of immigration consequences. In addition, the analysis shows that the overall economic consequences for New York City could be severe, with at least a $420 million hit to the city’s economy annually. The de Blasio Administration is firmly opposed to this “public charge” proposal, and will continue to share information with New Yorkers about its possible impacts.  

“We will fight back against any attempt to threaten the well-being of hundreds of thousands of middle and working class immigrant families, including their U.S. citizen children,” said Bitta Mostofi, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “Immigrant New Yorkers are the backbone of our economy and the Trump Administration’s latest proposal would undercut our progress to make NYC the fairest big city in the country. We wholly oppose this proposal and we’ll continue to share the most up-to-date information on how it could impact our fellow New Yorkers.”

“This proposed rule from the Trump Administration is a direct attack on our City’s core values and the lifelines that millions of hard-working New Yorkers rely upon every day. We will not stand for it,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “We at DSS remain committed to connecting all New Yorkers in need to the benefits for which they are eligible, ensuring they can put food on the table and make ends meet, no matter where they’ve come from.”

“The Trump Administration’s misguided proposal would harm immigrants as well as the broader New York City community – the friends, family members and neighbors who benefit from the contributions that immigrants of all backgrounds and circumstances make to the economic, social and civic life of the city,” said Matthew Klein, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “New York City is a place that welcomes newcomers from all walks of life, and we are better for it. It is in all of our interests for residents to access the resources, support and opportunities that they need to fulfill their full potential and continue to drive New York City forward.”

“I have been practicing medicine in public health systems for more than 30 years. I’ve never met a doctor - Democrat or Republican — who cared about the immigration status of their patient. We’ve taken an oath to care for the sick and can’t imagine the devastating impact this mean-spirited proposal could have if our patients end up having to choose between getting proper medical treatment or pursue their legal status. I hope this radical attempt to undermine the health and well-being of middle and working class immigrant communities can be prevented. In the meantime, it’s incredibly important to note that this proposal is by no means final, and access to services like our public health facilities has not changed. NYC Health + Hospitals is open to all without exception, and we urge our immigrant community to continue to seek care without fear,” said Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals.

The City reminds New Yorkers that this proposal has not yet gone into effect and that this proposal would not eligibility requirements for public benefits programs. The proposed regulation would also not be retroactively applied, so the proposed changes regarding use of public benefits now or through a 60-day “grace period” after the rule is finalized would not count against immigrants seeking green cards or visas.

The Trump Administration’s proposed expansion of “public charge” rules would harm immigrant families and threaten NYC’s economy. Under previous federal administrations, an applicant for a green card or certain types of visas could be barred based on a determination that they are a “public charge” if deemed likely to rely primarily on cash assistance or long-term care from the government for survival. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeks to expand their discretion to deny such applications based on an immigrant’s age, family size, income, and assets, as well as based on whether they have utilized certain cash or non-cash public benefits or programs they are legally entitled to use. By law, several categories of immigrants — including refugees and asylees — are not subject to the public charge test in their immigration applications.

The de Blasio Administration’s preliminary analysis has found that, if enacted, the proposal could:

·         Result in an annual loss of $235 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or “food stamps”), Cash Assistance, and Supplemental Security Income and the state supplement (SSI/SSP) if just 20% of the approximately 274,000 noncitizen New Yorkers currently receiving these benefits were to withdraw from participation; and

·         Lead to an additional loss of $185 million in related economic activity, if the same group of New Yorkers were to withdraw from receiving these three named benefits.

In addition, the City estimates the following effects on New York City residents, based on an analysis of Census data:

·         Force up to 75,000 immigrant New Yorkers to face a choice between accessing benefits to which they are legally entitled and possible future adverse immigration consequences;

·         Result in up to 400,000 immigrant New Yorkers who are not currently eligible to receive benefits but would face possible future adverse immigration consequences simply because of their age, health, education and employment history, and income and assets, among other factors; and

·         Prompt hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, including U.S. Citizens, to withdraw from or forgo public benefits because of fear and confusion about the scope of the proposal and misinformation about the impact of their benefits usage on noncitizen members of their households.

Building on this preliminary analysis, the de Blasio Administration will continue to assess total possible impacts of the proposal. Given the complexity of the proposal and that benefits not directly administered by the City are included in the proposal, the City anticipates that the overall fiscal impact will be greater than what is indicated in the preliminary analysis.

Additionally, the impacts on NYC Health + Hospitals and other safety net providers, patients, and finances could be significant. Hospitals would also expect to see an increase in uninsured patients and uncompensated care, and sicker patients due to deferred access to medical care. These negative effects would have a destabilizing effect on community and individual health and well-being, as well as the financial stability of safety net providers.

The de Blasio Administration encourages New Yorkers in need of assistance to seek help. The City of New York has long-standing policies in place to protect the privacy of our clients and the confidentiality of client information pursuant to Federal, State and Local Law, as well as the policies of City agencies.

Help is available to those with questions about how this proposal could affect themselves and their families. New Yorkers can visit NYC.gov/PublicCharge for more information. Additionally, New Yorkers can call the New Americans Hotline, operated by Catholic Charities, at 1-800-566-7636 from 9 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday.

Following the official posting of the proposed rule to the Federal Register on October 10, 2018, there will be a 60-day period – closing December 10, 2018 – during which individuals can submit public comments to the federal government regarding the proposal. New Yorkers can make their voices heard by submitting a public comment through NYC.gov/PublicCharge.

“This proposed rule will not only be harmful to some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, it will be a drain on the city’s economy. Perhaps most disturbing, many immigrants will feel that they have to choose between getting a green card or accessing basic family needs, such as housing support and healthcare, between nutritional assistance or obtaining a visa. I urge all New Yorkers to submit comment and let the federal government know how disgusted we are at this new and deplorable offensive against our values,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

Wave Hill events October 25‒November 1

Sat, October 27

Family Art Project: Día de los Muertos

Visiting artist Paulina Perera-Riveroll shares this special Mexican cultural holiday when the spirits of the beloved come home and visit. She will show us the traditional use of the four elements to adorn retablos, small boxes filled with meaning and purpose to honor a loved one. Decorate your box with objects and found natural materials, adding a photo of your dear one, if you like. We’ll also create a group “altar” honoring a former resident, the majestic copper beech tree that stood in the Shade Border, providing shade and beauty to countless visitors. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE  HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, October 27

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, October 27

Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. In a new collaboration, Wave Hill is partnering with the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to produce and host ASBA’s 21st Annual International. ASBA’s mission is to provide a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. This juried exhibition consists of two-dimensional original botanical art, including some specimens found at Wave Hill. In the Sunroom Project Space, Keren Anavy, creating a conservatory from man-made materials, responds to Wave Hill’s late-fall landscape. Suspended from the ceiling, abstract paintings on translucent Mylar dip into shallow pools of ink and correspond to the changing colors of Wave Hill’s seasonal plants. Anavy is also collaborating with Valerie Green/Dance Entropy on Utopia, a dance performance, which will be presented in the gallery. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, October 28

Family Art Project: Día de los Muertos

Visiting artist Paulina Perera-Riveroll shares this special Mexican cultural holiday when the spirits of the beloved come home and visit. She will show us the traditional use of the four elements to adorn retablos, small boxes filled with meaning and purpose to honor a loved one. Decorate your box with objects and found natural materials, adding a photo of your dear one, if you like. We’ll also create a group “altar” honoring a former resident, the majestic copper beech tree that stood in the Shade Border, providing shade and beauty to countless visitors. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, October 28

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, October 29

Closed to the public.

Tue, October 30

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, October 30

Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. In a new collaboration, Wave Hill is partnering with the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to produce and host ASBA’s 21^st Annual International. ASBA’s mission is to provide a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. This juried exhibition consists of two-dimensional original botanical art, including some specimens found at Wave Hill. In the Sunroom Project Space, Keren Anavy, creating a conservatory from man-made materials, responds to Wave Hill’s late-fall landscape. Suspended from the ceiling, abstract paintings on translucent Mylar dip into shallow pools of ink and correspond to the changing colors of Wave Hill’s seasonal plants. Anavy is also collaborating with Valerie Green/Dance Entropy on Utopia, a dance performance, which will be presented in the gallery. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

BRONX ELECTED OFFICIALS TO AMTRAK: GET ON BOARD WITH METRO-NORTH EXPANSION

  In a letter to Anthony R. Coscia, Chairman of the Board of Amtrak, the borough’s elected officials are demanding that the rail company cease its actions that are currently holding up progress on the proposed East Bronx Metro North expansion, which will bring commuter rail service to Co-op City, Morris Park/Van Nest, Parkchester and Hunts Point.

“Universal support exists for this critical project among Bronx communities and elected leadership. Despite this reality, Amtrak stands in the way by refusing to negotiate a reasonable MOU with the MTA that would allow work to commence,” states the letter. “It is long overdue for Amtrak to get on board.”

The letter can be read at https://on.nyc.gov/2Oj3Xll.

“The East Bronx Metro North expansion is universally popular, and has tremendous potential to connect our borough to economic centers to the north in Westchester and Connecticut while also creating a new option to midtown,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Amtrak is being entirely unreasonable. Amtrak is using its ownership of the tracks to hold up MTA for more money, but it is really commuters across the region who are being held hostage.”

The city has recently launched the Bronx Metro-North Working Group, which will engage local residents and businesses to optimize this new commuter rail service. The group is led by Borough President Diaz, Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, New York City Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett and City Planning Director Marisa Lago. 

This fall, the group will start work with the Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park and Co-op City communities, where new stations are anticipated, to put plans into place that acknowledge the needs and priorities of each neighborhood. They will also plan holistically with local stakeholders for the economic development, job growth and housing opportunities the new service presents, including the infrastructure and quality of life investments needed to accommodate them in a way that best benefits Bronx communities.

To view the presentations, learn more about the station areas, to sign up to receive updates on the planning initiative and to get involved, please visit the Bronx Metro-North Study at http://www.nyc.gov/BMNS or email BMNS@planning.nyc.gov.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This proposal for the four East Bronx Metro North stations is not something that recently came about. This has been on the back burner for many years, and why the problem with Amtrak all of a sudden is announced should worry the people of the East Bronx.

Didn't those who proposed this plan years ago know about the Amtrak right of way, and repairs that had to be made to the track structure not counting building the new stations on Amtrak property? 

It now would seem that these new Metro North stations may still be many more years away, while property is being bought up by speculators next to or near where the proposed Metro North stations are planned to go, if they do get built.

BP DIAZ & FAT JOE LAUNCH PUBLIC SCHOOL SNEAKER INITIATIVE

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., together with hip-hop legend and Bronx native Fat Joe, today announced the launch of a new initiative designed to increase student performance in four Bronx public schools. The announcement took place at the Fox Street Campus, home of two of the schools that will take part in this program.

“Sometimes, even the best kids need a little extra encouragement to perform at their highest level. We want to encourage our students to get good grades and be good citizens, and this new initiative will help us do just that,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “I want to thank Fat Joe for his continued commitment to The Bronx and its students, and for never forgetting where he came from.”

“We’re doing this because we love you. We love you, and we believe in you and we know that you’re the future. We know you’ve got what it takes, but that sometimes you need a little extra,” said Fat Joe at the announcement.  “If I was you, I would make sure my whole class does better. Make sure everyone is working hard. Teamwork makes the dream work.”

Students at four Bronx schools will participate in this initiative class for the remainder of the marking period, and will be tasked to work together to improve overall outcomes within their classroom. Progress in each class will be measured through the marking period ending in December, and will be based on student engagement, attendance, total number of books read and other factors.

Four Bronx schools—P.S. 146, M.S. 123, Accion Academy and I.S. 217 School of Performing Arts—have been chosen to participate in this initiative.

One class will be chosen as the “most improved” in each school, at the end of the December marking period, by that school’s principal. The students in that class will receive a brand new pair of Jordan sneakers from Fat Joe in exchange for their performance.

Rockland County Man Charged With Manufacturing An Explosive Device And Transporting Explosives Across State Lines

Paul M. Rosenfeld planned to detonate explosive device on the National Mall on Election Day to attract support for “Sortition”

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that PAUL M. ROSENFELD has been charged in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with manufacturing an explosive device in his Rockland County residence.  The defendant was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison in White Plains federal court this afternoon.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, Paul M. Rosenfeld concocted a twisted plan to draw attention to his political ideology by killing himself on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.—risking harm to many others in the process.  Rosenfeld’s alleged plan for an Election Day detonation cut against our democratic principles.  Thanks to outstanding coordination between local and federal law enforcement, Rosenfeld’s alleged plot was thwarted and he is now in federal custody.” 

Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “As alleged in the complaint, Paul M. Rosenfeld planned to detonate a large explosive to kill himself and draw attention to his radical political beliefs.  Had he been successful, Rosenfeld’s alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction.  Fortunately, his plans were thwarted by the quick action of a concerned citizen and the diligent work of a host of our law enforcement partners and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.  I’d like to extend particular thanks to our partners with the Orangetown Police Department, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, the Rockland County District Attorney, the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, and the Stony Point Police Department for their respective roles in bring this investigation to a safe conclusion.”

As alleged in the Complaint:[[1]]

In August and September 2018, ROSENFELD sent letters and text messages to an individual in Pennsylvania (“Individual-1”).  These letters and text messages stated that ROSENFELD planned to build an explosive device and detonate it on November 6, 2018, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  ROSENFELD’s stated reason for these acts was to draw attention to his political belief in “sortition,” a political theory that advocates the random selection of government officials. 

On October 9, 2018, law enforcement agent stopped a car driven by ROSENFELD.  ROSENFELD agreed to answer questions and, in an interview with law enforcement, stated that he ordered large quantities of black powder—an explosive substance—over the Internet, which he transported from a location in New Jersey to his home in Tappan, New York (the “Residence”).  ROSENFELD stated, among other things, that he used approximately eight pounds of black powder to construct a large explosive device in the basement of the Residence, and that he installed certain components in the explosive device to ensure that he was killed in the blast.  ROSENFELD reported that he had previously constructed smaller explosive devices and had conducted test detonations.  He also indicated that he planned to detonate the larger explosive device on November 6, 2018, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in order to draw attention to sortition. 

On October 9, 2018, law enforcement agents conducted a search of the Residence pursuant to a judicially authorized search warrant.  In the basement, law enforcement agents found what appeared to be a functional explosive device weighing approximately 200 pounds (the “Explosive Device”).  FBI bomb technicians removed the Explosive Device from the basement of the Residence and transported it to a safe location.  Within the Residence, law enforcement agents also found, among other things, a fusing system for triggering explosive devices and what appeared to be empty canisters of black powder.

PAUL M. ROSENFELD, 56, of Tappan, New York, has been charged with one count of unlawfully manufacturing a destructive device, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 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. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists principally of agents of the FBI and detectives of the New York City Police Department.  Mr. Berman also thanked the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, the Stony Point Police Department, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police, and the Orangetown Police Department for their valuable assistance.

The charges contained in the Complaint 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 Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.