Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - APRIL 15, 2022

 

As New Yorkers Make Preparations to Travel and Gather with Loved Ones For Easter and Passover Holidays, Remember to Use the Toolkit: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

9 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

"This holiday weekend will be a time of celebration for many of us, making it all the more important that we take the proper precautions against the spread of this virus," Governor Hochul said. "There are two new and highly contagious variants circulating, so if you are travelling get tested, and if you test positive please stay home and consult your doctor on available treatments. Be smart, wear your mask if you're around vulnerable family members and think it's necessary, and make sure the friends and family you are spending time with are vaccinated and boosted if eligible."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 34.47
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 28.88
• Test Results Reported - 137,654
• Total Positive - 6,737
• Percent Positive - 4.71%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.68%
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,216 (+30)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 253
• Patients in ICU - 147 (+3)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 63 (-3)
• Total Discharges - 293,129 (+226)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 9
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 55,265

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 70,488

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 37,934,699
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 37,045
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 233,438
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 86.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.5%

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:

Borough	Tuesday, April 12, 2022	Wednesday, April 13, 2022	Thursday, April 14, 2022
Bronx	1.42%	1.47%	1.45%
Kings	2.84%	2.85%	2.81%
New York	4.50%	4.75%	4.75%
Queens	2.44%	2.52%	2.64%
Richmond	2.91%	3.08%	3.23%

Ribbon Cutting at Waring Playground

It was a warm spring afternoon at Bronx Park East and Waring Avenue along the Bronx River Parkway, for the Ribbon cutting of the newly reconstructed Waring Playground. This was the first park ribbon cutting for new NYC Parks Commissioner Susan Donahue, and also for new Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson. $3.6 million dollars went into the project of then City Councilman Ritchie Torres, then Mayor Bill de Blasio, and then Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. Students from nearby PS 96 who may use the new playground were also on hand to help celebrate the ribbon cutting. 

Parks Commissioner Donahue spoke first describing the different amenities of the playground, and saying that this was her first ribbon cutting at a NYC park. Congressman Ritchie Torres spoke next on how he as a city councilman collaborated with the community to find out what they wanted to see in their neighborhood park. Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson also said this was her first Park ribbon cutting he thanked then Bronx Parks commissioner, now Deputy NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, and local Bronx Park East Community members. BP Gibson added that this playground is for the children such as those from nearby PS 96. Others who spoke included Community Board 11 Chair Al D'Angelo, BPECA members Diana Finch and Raphael Schweizer, and last but not least former Bronx Park Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa now citywide Deputy Parks Commissioner who said that she is still a Bronx girl, even though she may be working downtown. 

New York City Parks Commissioner Susan  Donahue welcomed everyone to the ribbon cutting of the new Waring Playground.

Former Councilman now Congressman Ritchie Torres said he will once again be representing the Bronx Park East community after redistricting next year as its congressman. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson spoke of the importance of play areas to children as they grow up, hoping that the new Waring Avenue Playground be put to good use, and that everyone keep an eye on it to make sure. 

Former Bronx Parks Commissioner, now Deputy NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa speaks about how this playground was finished months ahead of schedule. 

Diana Finch of BPECA says a few words about the playground.

Raphael Schweizer says a few words, and thanks a few more people.

The ribbon cutting, officially opening the new Waring Avenue Playground. 

Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson and Congressman Ritchie Torres stand at the top of the slide showing the Bronx X.

While BP Gibson took the stairs down, Congressman Torres tried out the slide.

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES $4 BILLION ALLOCATED FOR CHILDCARE IN STATE BUDGET

 

Thousands of New York City Families Will Receive Access to Free, High Quality Childcare

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams was today joined by New York City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks, elected officials, and parents to celebrate the allocation of $4 billion in the state budget for childcare in New York City over four years, as well as the authorization of new tax incentives to increase the number of childcare seats in New York City. The historic childcare expansion investment comes weeks after Mayor Adams and New York City parents asked state lawmakers to fight for an affordable expansion of quality education.

 

“Today is a win for New York City families and for our kids,” said Mayor Adams. “Raising a family in New York City shouldn't be hard, so we are making things a little easier for working families by expanding access to high quality childcare programs across our city. This historic investment of $4 billion will expand quality childcare comes at a crucial time, while families struggle with the increase in the cost of living and lost wages as a result of the pandemic. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the state that fought for New York City families and delivered. Promises made, promises kept.”

 

“We are grateful for Governor Hochul for her support for New York City's youngest children,” said Chancellor Banks. “This tremendous increase in funding will make it possible for thousands of working families to provide their children with the high-quality care they need, and the high-quality care they deserve. Education is a lifelong journey, and we are committed to ensuring that all children begin this journey with their best foot forward.”

 

“This administration made a promise to working parents across New York City to deliver critical childcare funding — and that’s exactly what we did,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “Childcare centers are foundational to families, creating a space for learn children to learn, grow, and simply to be kids. With this historic funding, we are beginning a transformative  moment for childcare, supports for high-quality providers, and bringing much-needed peace of mind to parents.”

 

While New York City will receive $4 billion over four years, the state allocated a total of $7 billion for the whole state. In addition to investing in New York City children and families, this investment will ensure New York City providers and childcare workers feel supported and have the resources necessary to run successful programs.

 

In addition, the state acted on two critical priorities the Adams administration pushed for to increase the number of childcare seats throughout the city. In the adopted budget, the state authorized the city to provide property tax abatements to property owners who retrofit property to establish childcare centers. It also authorized the city to offer a tax credit for businesses that provide free or subsidized childcare ​to their employees. Together, these incentives are estimated to create thousands of new childcare seats if fully utilized.

 

New York City has approximately 500,000 children aged 5 and younger. The Adams administration aims to maximize all funding to reach as many families in need who are currently not receiving care.

  

Bronx Man Sentenced To Over Nine Years In Prison For Coordinating Armed Home Invasion Robbery

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that OSCAR RIOS, a/k/a “Oski,” was sentenced to 115 months in prison for his coordination of an August 29, 2020 armed home invasion robbery in the Bronx, New York.  RIOS pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery on October 6, 2021 before U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan, who imposed today’s sentence. 

RIOS’s co-defendants, SHAWN GARCIA, a/k/a “Ralph Porter,” and SUTHA TAYLOR, a/k/a “Sutha Colon,” carried out the robbery and also pled guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.  GARCIA and TAYLOR were previously sentenced to 96 months and 121 months in prison, respectively.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Oscar Rios coordinated a violent home invasion robbery that resulted in one victim being shot and another victim being threatened at gunpoint.  The sentences imposed in this case send a clear message that those who plan and carry out such violent crimes will pay a heavy price.”

According to public filings and statements made in court:

On or about August 29, 2020, RIOS orchestrated an armed home invasion robbery of an apartment in the Bronx, New York (the “Apartment”), which co-defendants GARCIA and TAYLOR, along with a third co-conspirator (“CC-3”), carried out.  Shortly before the robbery took place, RIOS communicated with other uncharged co-conspirators to lure a resident (“Victim-1”) out of the Apartment.  Once RIOS learned that Victim-1 was about to leave, he informed GARCIA and TAYLOR via text message to commit the robbery. 

When Victim-1 opened the door to the Apartment, GARCIA, TAYLOR, and CC-3 ran into the Apartment and physically assaulted Victim-1, including by striking Victim-1 in the head several times with at least one firearm.  During this time, RIOS remained in a nearby building to serve as a lookout.  While the assault on Victim-1 was in progress, another resident of the Apartment (“Victim-2”) was thrown into the bathroom and ordered to remain there.  Victim-1 was then shot in the buttocks.  After the shooting, one of the robbers placed a dark garment over Victim-2’s head and demanded to know where Victim-1 kept his safe, which contained proceeds from Victim-1’s marijuana sales.  Shortly thereafter, RIOS texted GARCIA and TAYLOR to inform them that the area was clear for them to flee.  GARCIA, TAYLOR, and CC-3 then fled the Apartment, stealing a safe with cash proceeds from Victim-1’s marijuana sales, as well as other items found in the Apartment.

As a result of the assault and shooting, Victim-1 was hospitalized for several days.  

In addition to the prison term, RIOS, 28, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and NYPD, in particular, the Strategic Patterned Armed Robbery Technical Apprehension (“SPARTA”) Task Force, which is composed of agents and officers of the ATF and the NYPD.  

Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and His Wife Linda Mangano Sentenced for Corruption and Related Charges

 

 Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Edward Mangano, the former Nassau County Executive, and his wife Linda Mangano were sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 12 years, and 15 months’, imprisonment, respectively, following their convictions after a seven-week trial.  Edward Mangano was convicted of multiple counts of accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for official government action, and for conspiracy to obstruct justice.  Linda Mangano was also convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice and making false statements to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in connection with her employment by Long Island restaurateur Harendra Singh.  Edward Mangano was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, FBI, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentences.

“Edward Mangano, as County Executive, gave Nassau residents widespread corruption and dishonesty instead of truth and integrity. Linda Mangano took affirmative steps to mislead a federal investigation to keep her husband in power and to maintain their way of life,” U.S. Attorney Peace stated.  “Today’s sentence should send a strong, unambiguous message to any public official willing to place their personal interest above the public’s, and to those inner circle members who corruptly attempt to protect them from prosecution: my Office will employ all resources at its disposal to investigate, prosecute, and convict you in order to restore the public’s faith in our elected officials.” 

Mr. Peace thanked the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation for their work on the case.

The evidence at trial established that between January 2010 and February 2015, Edward Mangano engaged in schemes to solicit and receive bribes and kickbacks from Singh.  In return for the cash and personal benefits he received, Mangano, who served as Nassau County Executive from January 2010 to December 2017, performed official actions to benefit Singh in connection with his businesses.

The Town of Oyster Bay (TOB) Loan Scheme

Several weeks after Edward Mangano took office as Nassau County Executive in January 2010, he urged TOB Supervisor to help Singh obtain financing in order to make required capital improvements at TOB Beach and The Woodlands at the TOB golf course, by authorizing the TOB to indirectly guarantee four bank loans totaling approximately $20 million.  Mangano used his official position to ensure that the TOB backed the loans.  In April 2010, Singh hired Linda Mangano for a sham job as the purported Director of Marketing for Singh’s businesses.  Shortly thereafter, the TOB indirectly guaranteed the first of four personal loans to Singh related to the beach and the golf course.  Singh paid for five vacations, hardwood flooring, a custom-made office chair, a massage chair and a watch for the Manganos, as well as over $450,000 in total for Linda Mangano’s no-show job.  

Obstruction of Justice

Edward and Linda Mangano conspired to obstruct a federal grand jury investigation when they schemed with Singh to fabricate examples of work never performed by Linda Mangano at the Water’s Edge, in an attempt to thwart a grand jury investigation.  On May 20, 2015 and May 22, 2015, Linda Mangano made false statements to the FBI and federal prosecutors about the work she claimed to have performed for Singh.

Governor Hochul Announces Approval of New Framework to Achieve At Least Ten Gigawatts of Distributed Solar by 2030

 

Enough Clean Solar Energy to Power Nearly 700,000 Additional New York Homes Annually

Expected to Spur Approximately $4.4 Billion in Private Investments, Creating 6,000 Additional Solar Jobs — With Prevailing Wage Requirement for Projects Above One MW

40 Percent of Benefits to Disadvantaged Communities, Low- to Moderate-Income New Yorkers

Supports State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Generate 70 Percent of State's Electricity from Renewables by 2030

 Governor Kathy Hochul, in advance of Earth Week, today announced that the State Public Service Commission has approved a new framework for the State to achieve at least 10 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2030, enough to annually power nearly 700,000 average-sized homes. The roadmap, submitted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Department of Public Service to the PSC, provides a comprehensive strategy to expand the state's successful NY-Sun initiative into one of the largest and most inclusive solar programs of its kind in the nation. Earth Week, which this year runs from April 18-22, is celebrated with events worldwide in support of the environment and to raise awareness for environmental protection and the care of our planet.

"The existential fight against climate change demands historic investments in renewable energy to bring us closer to a brighter, greener future," Governor Hochul said. "This roadmap to expand the NY-Sun initiative into a nation-leading blueprint for the development of distributed solar meets the moment to supercharge our economy and advance our climate goals."

The adopted framework includes an investment of $1.5 billion in ratepayer-funded incentives to extend the successful NY-Sun program and continue the marked reduction in project cost and incentives observed in the last 10 years. The public investment will spur approximately $4.4 billion in private investment to bring awarded projects to fruition, for a total of $5.9 billion in expected investment over the mid- to late-2020s. 6,000 additional solar jobs will be created across the state, including with the State's first application of prevailing wage requirements for solar projects between one and five megawatts.

The program expansion will also deliver at least 35 percent of the benefits, with a goal of 40 percent, from the investments to disadvantaged communities and low-to moderate- income New Yorkers. Today's announcement supports the State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) mandate to generate 70 percent of the state's electricity from renewables by 2030 as part of a resilient and equitable transition to a clean energy economy.

The roadmap approved by the Commission and developed by DPS and NYSERDA carefully evaluated multiple strategies to deploy ten gigawatts or more of distributed solar by 2030 and determined that extending the State's successful NY-Sun initiative provides the most efficient and cost-effective path forward.

Achieving the state's expanded solar goal is expected to generate enough clean electricity per year to power nearly 700,000 additional New York homes, including those in disadvantaged communities. Importantly, the now-approved roadmap provides:

• Enough new clean, renewable energy to annually power 700,000 additional homes;
• At least 1,600 megawatts, enough to power 280,000 homes, of new solar capacity to benefit disadvantaged communities and low-to-moderate income New Yorkers, with an estimated $600 million in investments serving these communities;
• At least 450 megawatts, enough to power nearly 79,000 homes, to be built in the Con Edison electric service area (covering New York City and parts of Westchester), increasing the installed solar capacity in this area to over one gigawatt, enough to power nearly 175,000 homes;
• At least 560 megawatts, enough to power 98,000 homes, to be advanced through the Long Island Power Authority; and
• A new requirement that workers associated with the construction of NY Sun supported projects that are greater than one megawatt be paid the applicable prevailing wage.

Expanding the state's solar goal is expected to have an average bill impact for New York customers of less than one percent, or approximately $0.71 per month for the average residence.

Chair of the Public Service Commission Rory M. Christian said, "The ardent support and encouragement of Governor Hochul has been integral to the continued development of and access to solar energy in New York State. The roadmap we approved today provides New York with the guidelines it needs to accelerate the transition to a clean-energy economy and meet our critically important climate goals."

Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $33 billion in 102 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.

Brooklyn Man Arrested for Arson of Rash Nightclub

 

A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging John Lhota with the April 3, 2022 arson of Rash, a bar and nightclub in Bushwick frequented by members of the LGBTQ+ community. Lhota was arrested yesterday and will make his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Laura Kavanagh, Acting Commissioner, New York City Fire Department (FDNY), announced the arrest and charge.

“As alleged, Lhota deliberately set fire to a bar and nightclub patronized by members of the LGBTQ+ community, seriously injuring two of its employees, and endangering all present including the tenants of the building as well as the first responders who battled the blaze for approximately one hour,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office strongly condemns such acts of violence, and will vigorously prosecute this case. The victims, and all LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, should be able to enjoy their nights out in peace and without fear of such a dangerous attack.”

Mr. Peace praised the Special Agents, Fire Marshals and Detectives of the Arson and Explosives Task Force for their outstanding investigative work on the case.

“Arson is a violent crime that impacts all New Yorkers. The prompt investigation leading to the arrest of Lhota demonstrates the commitment of the Arson and Explosive (A&E) Task Force to rapidly apprehend and bring to justice those who violently attack members of our community. ATF and its partners at FDNY and NYPD hope for the quick and full recovery of the victims,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge DeVito.  

“This was a brazen act of arson that seriously injured two people, placed the lives of residents and dozens of Firefighters in grave danger, and struck fear throughout an entire community,” said Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “I commend our Fire Marshals for their outstanding work alongside members of the NYPD and ATF to apprehend this dangerous individual.”

As set forth in the complaint, on the evening of April 3, 2022, Lhota was captured on security video purchasing a red gas canister at a service station and filling it with gasoline. Lhota then proceeded to Rash, located on the ground floor of a multi-story building at 941 Willoughby Avenue, where he allegedly poured gasoline over the floor of the bar. The video showed Lhota tossing a lit cigarette on the floor, but the gasoline did not ignite. Lhota then used a cigarette lighter to ignite the gasoline, causing an explosion and a fire. The floors above Rash contain residential apartments. Firefighters responded to the location and extinguished the blaze. Two employees of Rash were injured and required hospitalization. The building sustained heavy damage due to the fire. Security video captured Lhota fleeing the burning nightclub.

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Lhota faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment.