100 PERCENT Primary Day Predictions

Let's do the easy race first For Bronx District Attorney in the Democratic Primary, the prediction is incumbent Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark will win this race with 80% or better of the vote. 

There were only three city council districts that had Democratic primaries, the 12th, 13th, and 14th  districts, and one district that had a Republican Party and a Conservative Party primary, the 13th council district. Democratic primaries first.

In the 12th Council District the prediction is that incumbent city council member Kevin C. Riley will win the primary without having to go through Rank Choice Voting  with 71% of the vote. challenger Aisha Hernandez Ahmed receiving 17% of the vote, and challenger Pamela A. Hamilton-Johnson receiving 12%  of the vote.

In the Democratic primary in the 13th council district the prediction is that incumbent council member Marjorie Velazquez will win the primary without having to go through Rank Choice Voting with 61%  of the vote. Challenger John Perez will receive 19% of the vote, challenger Bernadette Ferrara will receive 14% of the vote, and challenger Irene Estrada will receive 6% of the vote.

In the 14th Council District the prediction is that Incumbent city council member Pierina Sanchez will win the primary with 68% of the vote, and challenger Rachael T. Miller Bradshaw receiving 32% of the vote.

In the Republican primary in the 13th City Council district the prediction is that Kristy Marmorato will win without having to go into Rank Choice Voting with 56% of the vote. Challenger George Havranek will receive 31% of the vote, and challenger Hasime Samantha Zherka receiving 13% of the vote. 

There is no prediction for the Conservative Party primary in the 13th City Council race. 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADVISES NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

 

The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Monday afternoon, June 26, through Tuesday, June 27. According to the National Weather Service, New York City may experience scattered showers with the potential for severe thunderstorms starting late afternoon through the evening. The severe thunderstorms may affect the evening’s commute, with rain expected to continue into Tuesday morning. Rain amounts will range from a quarter of an inch to half an inch. There is also a potential for minor flooding in poor drainage areas.

“New York City Emergency Management has been monitoring this weather pattern with the National Weather Service and we urge New Yorkers who live in flood prone areas to take precautions. New York City may experience severe thunderstorms and we encourage New Yorkers to take precautions during this evening’s commute,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “New Yorkers should exercise caution when moving about the city during and after the heavy rains.”

Safety Tips

• Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation. 
• If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. 
• If you live in a basement apartment in a flood prone area, prepare to move to higher ground.
• Do not drive into flooded streets or enter flooded subway stations.
• Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.
• Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or download the free app for your Android or Apple device. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW YORK CITY’S FIRST JEWISH ADVISORY COUNCIL

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the formation of the city’s first-ever Jewish Advisory Council. Members of the newly-formed council will focus on all issues affecting Jewish New Yorkers, including public safety, quality of life, and education, and will ensure Jewish communities across New York City are connected with all of the city’s resources and services available. Chaired by Joel Eisdorfer, senior advisor to Mayor Adams, the council will be comprised of 37 members and will convene regularly to discuss issues affecting the city’s Jewish community.

 

“Our Jewish community — the largest in the world outside of Israel — is a critical part of New York City,” said Mayor Adams. “From the top of the Bronx to the bottom of Staten Island, the work and contributions of our Jewish brothers and sisters are felt across all five boroughs. With antisemitic crimes up across the nation, our newly-formed Jewish Advisory Council will ensure that Jewish New Yorkers in every community have a seat at the table and have access to the support and resources the city offers.”

 

“The establishment of the Jewish Advisory Council demonstrates the Adams administration’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with the Jewish community in New York City,” said New York City Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Fred Kreizman. “The Jewish community is valued and vital to the vibrancy of New York City’s culture. I look forward to working together with Jewish community leaders from all five boroughs to address issues and ensure access to city resources.”

 

“The Jewish community is extremely fortunate to have a mayor who has a deep understanding of the challenges facing the Jewish community,” said Senior Advisor to the Mayor Joel Eisdorfer. “While antisemitic hate crimes are rising around the world, Mayor Eric Adams proudly, vocally, and physically stands with the Jewish community at every opportunity. With the creation of this unprecedented council, the mayor is clearly showing that actions speak louder than words and that he leads from the front.”

 

“I’ve seen firsthand Mayor Adams’ commitment to the Jewish community,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Menashe Shapiro. “Regardless of your denomination, affiliation, or sect, New York’s Jewish community has a mayor who understands the unique cultural and ethnic sensibilities of the Jewish community and who is dedicated to ensuring their needs are met and everyone is safe and secure.”

The council includes Jewish leaders from all five boroughs and across sectors, including not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and religious leaders. The following members were appointed to the Jewish Advisory Council today:

• Rabbi Rachel Ain
• Rabbi Joseph Beyda
• Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove
• Rabbi Joshua Davidson
• Abe Eisner
• Rabbi Danielle Ellman
• Rabbi Efraim Fink
• Shia Friedman
• Rabbi Diana Gerson
• David Greenfield
• Amy Guss
• Devorah Halberstam
• Rabbi Moshe Indig
• Yossi Itzkowitz
• Rabbi Yechiel Kalish
• Jack Kliger
• Rabbi Bini Kraus
• Rabbi Yossi Levine
• Ruth Lichtenstein
• Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik
• Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov
• Shimi Pelman
• Howard Pollack
• Rabbi Joseph Potasnik
• Hindy Poupko
• Alex Rapaport
• Rabbi Boruch Rothman
• Rabbi Joanna Sammuels
• Joe Shamie
• Rabbi Daniel Sherman
• Rabbi Chanina Sperlin
• Mina Sputz
• Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz
• Rabbi Yaakov Tesser
• Steve Weill
• Rabbi Itzak Yehoshua
• Rabbi Dovid Zirkind

“Today’s creation of the Jewish Advisory Council by Mayor Eric Adams is historic in several respects,” said David G. Greenfield, CEO, Met Council. “First, it brings together Jewish leaders of different backgrounds and denominations from across New York to work together. Second, it provides a regular forum for consultation with City Hall on issues that are critical to the broader Jewish community. Finally, it comes at a time that antisemitism is at a record high and proves the commitment that Mayor Adams has made to fight hatred and antisemitism. Mayor Eric Adams made history when he appointed the first Chasidic Jew, Joel Eisdorfer, to the role of senior advisor. Today’s announcement is equally important. We’re grateful for Mayor Adams’ leadership and look forward to working with Chair Joel Eisdorfer on this critical initiative.”

 

“I wish to commend Mayor Eric Adams for organizing the Jewish Advisory Council,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, New York Board of Rabbis. “We can best confront the challenges today if we work collectively as one community. We believe that unity of spirit and diversity of thought are essential as we write a new chapter in our great city.”

 

“UJA Federation of New York is deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for his close attention to the needs and priorities of our diverse Jewish community,” said Hindy Poupko, senior vice president, UJA Federation of New York. “We are excited to work with this advisory council and the mayor’s team to help strengthen this great city.”

 

“Wolf Of Airbnb” Pleads Guilty In Connection With PPP And Real Estate Fraud Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that KONRAD BICHER pled guilty today to wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent operation of real estate companies, including by entering lease agreements for residential apartment units in Manhattan on false and fraudulent pretenses and by making false statements to obtain loans guaranteed by the United States government.  BICHER pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.

According to the allegations in the Complaint, Indictment, other court documents, and statements made in Court:

Beginning in at least February 2019, BICHER, and/or individuals working in concert with BICHER, began renting apartment units (the “Units”) in Manhattan.  The Units were leased pursuant to lease agreements which required that the lessee make monthly rental payments and also included clauses that prohibited the lessee from renting the Units to third parties on a short-term basis and/or included clauses that prohibited the lessee from subletting the Units to third parties without written consent of the owner.  Despite the requirement to make monthly rental payments, BICHER failed to make payments as required by the lease agreements.  For many of the Units, BICHER also refused to vacate the Units after the expiration of the lease agreements.  During the period of time that BICHER failed to make required rental payments, including the period of time after a lease agreement expired and the premises had not been vacated, BICHER derived income by renting the Units on a short-term basis, including by posting the Units for rent on various online marketplaces, such as Airbnb, Inc. (“Airbnb”). 

Between in or about July 2019 and in or about April 2022, BICHER and his associates failed to make more than $1,000,000 in payments pursuant to the Lease Agreements or, for the period of time after the expiration of the Lease Agreements, based on the estimated fair market value for the Units.  During this period, BICHER caused the Units to be listed for short-term rent on Airbnb and at least one other online marketplace for short-term rentals, resulting in at least $1,170,000 in rental income to BICHER and his associates.

Throughout the course of this scheme, the lessors of the Units made numerous efforts to recover rental payments from BICHER and/or to stop BICHER from continuing to rent the Units on a short-term basis, including by initiating civil litigation against BICHER.  BICHER relied on legal protections intended to benefit tenants, including tenant protections adopted in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to oppose the lawsuits.  Despite relying on tenant protections for New Yorkers in need, BICHER continued to generate revenue by renting certain Units on a short-term basis. 

In addition, between at least in or about April 2021 until in or about July 2021, BICHER obtained government-guaranteed loans through a loan program of the United States Small Business Administration designed to provide relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).  In furtherance of this scheme, BICHER submitted at least four applications for PPP loans on behalf of at least three entities and obtained over $565,000 in loan proceeds.  These PPP applications contained fraudulent documents and false information.  For example, in connection with the PPP applications, BICHER submitted tax documents which were purportedly filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).  These documents were falsified in that the entities seeking PPP loans had not actually filed the purported tax returns with the IRS, and BICHER has not otherwise reported the purported income to the IRS.

During the course of the scheme, BICHER referred to himself as the “Wolf of Airbnb” and explained to media outlets that this nickname referred to the fact that he was “hungry and ruthless enough to get on top of the financial ladder” and had the “ferocity…of a wolf, because wolves are territorial, vicious, and show no mercy when provoked.”

BICHER, 31, of Hialeah, Florida, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  BICHER also agreed to forfeit $1,740,407.12 and to make restitution to victims in the amount of $1,985,251.

The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Attorney General James Announces Conviction of Former Suffolk County Investment Advisor for Defrauding New Yorkers of Nearly $7 Million

 

Shaun Golden Sentenced to One to Three Years in Prison, Pays More Than $2.8 Million in Restitution, and Is Barred from Securities Industry

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the sentencing of former investment advisor Shaun Golden, 48, owner of Golden Wealth Management, Inc. (GWM), for operating a multi-million-dollar securities and loan fraud scheme that cheated dozens of New Yorkers out of nearly $7 million. Between 2015 and 2019, Golden obtained millions in investments and used the money from his victims — many of whom were at or near retirement — to fund his personal real estate investment company, Golden Wealth Property, LLC (GWP). As a result of his schemes, many people lost their life savings, and some were forced to sell their assets or adjust their mortgages to stay afloat. Additionally, some individuals were unable to afford advanced medical care or contribute to their grandchildren’s college expenses. Golden — who pled guilty in August 2022 to six felony charges — was sentenced today to one to three years in prison, after already paying over $2.8 million in restitution. As part of his sentence, Golden must sell two Vermont properties with proceeds payable to his victims and agreed to an additional $3.5 million debt owed to his victims. Golden is also banned from New York’s securities industry for the period of his parole. 

“New Yorkers deserve the peace of mind that the professionals handling their investments aren’t swindling them,” said Attorney General James. “Shaun Golden betrayed those who trusted him and stole millions out of their hard-earned life savings. His crimes upended lives and harmed vulnerable New Yorkers who had spent decades working so they could retire in dignity. Today’s sentencing brings this criminal to justice, and my office will continue to ensure that those who defraud New Yorkers face the consequences of their harmful actions.”

As outlined in the complaint, Golden targeted New Yorkers who had been his long time GWM clients, including former schoolteachers and their relatives who needed help saving money for retirement. In late 2015, when Golden was no longer allowed to use a trading platform for his clients’ accounts, he began transferring their funds to his GWP company without seeking their oral or written approval. He later advised clients that the stock market was too volatile and recommended real estate as a safer investment.

In June 2016, after collecting approximately $5 million in funds from his victims, Golden diverted more than $165,000 to pay a personal tax bill and even purchased a mansion in Bridgehampton, New York under his own name. Soon after, he applied for a $3 million home equity loan on the mansion by submitting falsified bank statements that significantly inflated his assets. In June 2017, Golden purchased five lots of land in Wilmington, Vermont for $1.5 million under his own name again. In February 2018, he secured a $2.75 million construction loan to build houses on the land by submitting falsified bank statements that inflated his assets.  

After purchasing the land, which housed a members-only ski resort club, Golden learned that the ski resort club owed hundreds of thousands in property taxes, had defaulted on obligations with contractors, and owed tens of thousands in utility bills. He failed to disclose these issues to investors, and instead continued to solicit an additional $500,000 in investments from his GWM clients. In 2019, when his victims began making withdrawal requests, he lied to them, saying that their money had been lost due to financial difficulties.

Attorney General James thanks the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), its Criminal Prosecution Assistance Group, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the New York State Department of Financial Services for their valuable assistance.

DASHBOARD UPDATE: NYC Comptroller Releases New Monthly Data on Department of Correction Operations

 

The New York City Comptroller’s Office released its monthly update to the Department of Correction (DOC) Dashboard, available here.

Key monthly DOC metrics show:

• As of June 1, 2023, the number of people in DOC jails was 6,004, a decrease of 20 people from May 1.

• 1,933 people entered DOC jails in May, compared to 1,860 people in April.

• DOC released 225 more people (1,956 total) in May than in April.

• In May, the average time spent in custody increased to 104 days – a six-day increase from April.
• In April, Rikers held 1,186 people with a serious mental illness, a slight increase  from 1,158 people in March.
• Incarcerated individuals missed their medical appointments 10,181 times in April, 98 fewer missed appointments than in February.

• DOC had 75 fewer uniformed officers between April and May, with uniformed staff totaling at 6,516.
• Violence incidents all increased from April to May: 40 more fights, 25 more slashings and stabbings, and one more assault.
• Although the number of use of force incidents against incarcerated individuals decreased in May, the rate of incidents per capita is higher due to a decline in the number of uniformed officers and incarcerated individuals.

• Judges assigned cash bail to 1,216 people in April (the latest data available). More than 1,000 people were assigned cash bail every month for the last 11 months.

Key data points from this month’s dashboard highlight pressing issues within the City’s jail system, including a rise in detained individuals with serious mental illness and more violent incidents. The DOC’s recent decision to discontinue disclosing deaths in custody sparked widespread concerns about transparency and accountability within the jail system. Comptroller Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams conducted an oversight visit to Rikers after the Federal Monitor’s latest alarming reports in early June. Chief District Judge Laura Swain is now considering the appointment of a federal receiver to address the system’s challenges.

“The rollback of transparency coupled with the ever-growing number of detained people on Rikers amplifies the urgent need for management change. Judge Swain’s consideration of a federal receiver represents a significant signal toward the need for new management of City jails,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.

The Comptroller’s dashboard, first published in August 2022, monitors pervasive issues in the City’s jails, including staff absenteeism, missed medical appointments, and incidents of violence among detained people and staff. It also tracks the jail population every month and length of stay. The Comptroller’s office publishes data to this dashboard monthly to provide increased transparency and accountability over the City’s jail system.

View the DOC Dashboard here.

Governor Hochul Welcomes DEC Forest Ranger Crew Returning From Fighting Wildfires in Canada

 

Forest Ranger ‘Crew Boss’ Returns from Nova Scotia

  Governor Kathy Hochul today welcomed home New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers who spent two weeks battling wildfires in Canada. The first Forest Ranger returned last week after 14 days in Nova Scotia, where he served as Crew Boss to a wildland firefighting team assigned to the Barrington Fire Complex, which burned approximately 58,100 acres. Seven Forest Rangers returned on Sunday, June 25, after spending 14 days in Quebec working on multiple fires.

"We are all too familiar with the wildfires in Canada this month, but we’re fortunate to have brave men and women ready to mobilize to where help is needed the most,” Governor Hochul said. “New York’s Forest Rangers spent two weeks in harm’s way separated from friends and family to help protect our neighbors in the north, and I thank them for their service.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "New York’s wildland firefighters have been supporting efforts to fight wildland fires across the country and beyond for more than 40 years. When there is a crisis, DEC Forest Rangers answer the call. Oftentimes, it’s out west, but in this case, it was for our neighbors to the north. As experts in incident command, DEC Forest Rangers often lead dozens of firefighters in the daunting task of containing a wildfire. I thank them for their dedication and sacrifice always."

Returning home are:

June 18 from Nova Scotia

Arthur Perryman II – Warren County

June 25 from Quebec

Matthew Adams – Essex and Franklin Counties

Anastasia Allwine – Greene County

Chester Lunt – Cayuga, Cortland, and Onondaga Counties

Christopher Pelrah – Herkimer and Oneida Counties

Robert Praczkajlo – Essex and Franklin Counties

William Roberts – Chemung, Schuyler, and Seneca Counties

Howard Thomes – Jefferson and Lewis Counties

Throughout Canada, more than 2,600 fires have burned an estimated 13 million acres. The first wildfire in Nova Scotia this year started in April. Since then, 212 wildfires have burned more than 62,272 acres. On June 8, Governor Hochul announced that a team of seven DEC Forest Rangers was deploying to assist with efforts to help contain the wildfires in Quebec. At the same time, New York State was under an Air Quality Health Advisory due to the smoke from those wildfires that traveled across state borders.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH) issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, such as ozone or smoke-induced fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are expected to exceed a federal Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. The latest AQI Forecast can be viewed here.

These two missions are the first time New York State Forest Rangers have been deployed to Canada since wildfires in Quebec in 2005. In 1979, New York sent its first firefighting crew to assist western states with large wildfires. On average, one or two crews are sent as needed to assist with wildfires nearly every year. In addition to helping contain wildfires and minimize damage, these crews gain valuable experience that can be utilized fighting wildfires and managing all-risk incidents in New York.

Personnel and travel expenses for the New York crews are either paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to New York State based on a mutual aid agreement between states and federal land agencies.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress - Together we shocked the entire political establishment

 

Five years ago today, Alexandria shocked the world by winning her primary election against a 20-year incumbent who outspent her 10-1. Everybody counted our movement out, saying that we could never beat the establishment.

Photo by José A. Alvarado Jr.

Alexandria launched her campaign for Congress in 2017 and won the primary election on June 26, 2018. She won by building a grassroots movement, meeting people where they were, and doing the hard work of canvassing and knocking on every door she could — Alexandria knocked on doors and wore down her shoes until rainwater came through.

Today, we are still proving the naysayers wrong.

We have built a strong multi-generational, multi-ethnic coalition fighting for livable wages, universal health care, and a green future, and accomplished more together than anyone ever expected.

Your support has allowed us to build a different kind of campaign. A campaign that truly centers community organizing and building relationships year-round — not just before elections. Alexandria still doesn’t curry favor with billionaires or host fancy cocktail party fundraisers. This is still a people-powered operation that relies on thousands of small contributions.

→ On the fifth anniversary of AOC’s primary win, will you donate $3 right now to help Alexandria continue to fight for a brighter future for all?

Thank you for being a part of this movement. Together we will continue to fight for racial, social, economic, and environmental justice.

Pa’lante,

Team AOC