THREE MEN INDICTED FOR OPERATING BRONX FENTANYL MILL; $300K IN DRUGS, LOADED GUN RECOVERED

 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that three men have been indicted for operating a Fentanyl mill in the Bronx that supplied traffickers in the metropolitan area.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants allegedly operated a fentanyl mill that packaged thousands of glassine envelopes of the drug that continues to rip apart families and kill people in our community. I thank our partners at the DEA and DETF for their work with us to shut down this factory.”

 DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino said, “This investigation is another example of how fentanyl mills feed deadly poison to drug trafficking organizations throughout New York City and the Northeast. The DEA New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Group T-41 and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office worked tirelessly to shut down this one-stop-fentanyl shop where the defendants cut, packaged, and delivered their product with no concern to public safety. Fentanyl continues to be DEA’s priority and is the most urgent threat to public health. I commend our partners at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police for their collaboration in our fight to save lives.”

 District Attorney Clark said Miguelange Lopez, 29, and Adell Batista, 23, both of Manhattan, were arraigned today on second-degree Conspiracy, first-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, two counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, two counts of seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, fourthdegree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, two counts of second-degree Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of Ammunition before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Kim Parker. The defendants are due back in court on February 5, 2024. A third defendant, Darlin Garcia, 33, of Passaic NJ, will be arraigned on the indictment on November 30, 2023.

 According to the investigation, on October 19, 2023, the defendants were in an apartment in 55 East 179th Street in the Bronx, where they were allegedly importing fentanyl through Pennsylvania and Connecticut and packaging it for distribution. Investigators found approximately 8,500 glassine envelopes of fentanyl, packaging materials, and a loaded handgun inside. Lopez was observed handing glassines of fentanyl to Garcia in a vehicle outside of the location. Garcia was later arrested and approximately 20,000 glassines of fentanyl were recovered. The estimated street value of the drugs is approximately $300,000.

 District Attorney Clark thanked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division along with the New York State Division of State Police Drug Enforcement Task Force for their work on the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Governor Hochul Announces New York Awarded Nearly $24 Million in Federal Funding to Strengthen and Modernize State’s Electric Grid

 

U.S. Department of Energy Grant Provides Support for New York Projects that Help Ensure Reliability of Infrastructure and Access to Affordable, Reliable Clean Energy

Supports The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goals to Transition to 100 Percent Zero-Emission Electricity by 2040

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York was awarded nearly $24 million in federal funding to strengthen and modernize the State’s electric grid to reduce the impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters. The Grid Resilience and Tribal Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide support for New York projects that help ensure the reliability of the State’s power sector infrastructure and access to affordable and clean electricity for New Yorkers. Today's announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals to transition to 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040.

“As we’ve seen, the severity of extreme weather events is not slowing down and requires ongoing preparation and the buildout of our infrastructure to minimize the impacts of climate change on communities,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding underscores the benefits that New York’s productive partnership with the federal government continues to bring to the state and will help us modernize our electric grid and its associated infrastructure as part of future powered by clean energy.”

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), which submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on behalf of New York State, will administer the grant funds over a two-year period with the opportunity to apply for three additional years. NYSERDA plans to launch a competitive selection process in the first quarter of 2024 for projects that address goals in compliance with the award, which include:

• Storm Hardening: improving the resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events such as power outages due to storms that impact critical operations;
• Predictive Analytics: development of advanced data and metrics to detect electric system conditions before they become issues to support system reliability and resiliency;
• Climate Justice: reducing carbon emissions to ensure benefits of investments flow to communities that are underserved, marginalized and overburdened by pollution;
• Energy Affordability: deploying tools and technologies and ensuring optimized utilization of resources and electricity grid assets to reduce total system costs and address the burden of inadequate electricity distribution infrastructure; and
• Job Creation: increasing access to NYSERDA’s comprehensive workforce development portfolio of services for skilled clean energy workers.

New York is one of nine states and five tribal nations that were awarded a combined total of $125 million as the seventh cohort of Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants and will provide 15 percent matching funds through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as part of DOE's grant requirements. To learn more, visit NYSERDA’s website and the Grid Deployment Office’s website.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY HALL, MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, ICONIC NEW YORK CITY SITES TO BE LIT ORANGE FOR ANNUAL “16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE” CAMPAIGN

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that City Hall and several other municipal buildings and iconic city sites will be lit orange tonight in honor of the annual “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. Led by the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and the New York City Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), which sits within the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), the campaign began this weekend with International Day to End Violence Against Women on November 25 and ends with Human Rights Day on December 10.

 

“I am urging all New Yorkers to join me in this call to action to end gender-based violence,” said Mayor Adams. “Survivors need to know and feel they have the right to safety in their homes, workplaces, and communities — and our administration works tirelessly to protect them. By standing together against gender-based violence, and educating our families, friends, and neighbors, we can work to eliminate gender-based violence.”

 

“Lighting up the sky to commemorate this campaign reinforces our commitment to survivors,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom.

“To any child, family, or individual who is a survivor, the city’s resources are available to help you on your journey to healing from the trauma of domestic and gender-based violence.”

 

“The ‘16 Days’ campaign is a platform to raise awareness, educate, and mobilize local and international governments to prevent gender-based violence. We must continuously advocate for policy changes and support survivors’ services,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar. “By wearing orange and lighting our landmarks and other buildings, we are symbolically demonstrating our collective power to prevent violence in New York and around the world.”

 

“As we light City Hall, the city’s municipal buildings, and local landmarks orange tonight in honor of ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,’ we send a clear message to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence across the five boroughs: The city is here for you,” said ENDGBV Commissioner Cecile Noel. “We hope New Yorkers will be inspired by these lights and join our campaign to spread awareness about the resources and services available to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. Together, with our partners — the New York City Commission on Gender Equity and the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice — we can mobilize far and wide to show survivors we support, listen to, and believe them.”

 

“Tonight, we are linking arms globally with our international partners to once again stand against violence with the ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign,” said MOERJ Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “By lighting City Hall and other historic buildings orange, we are reinforcing our commitment to promote safety and support for all New Yorkers touched by gender-based violence.”

 

In addition to City Hall, the following city buildings and iconic New York City sites will be lit up orange:

City Buildings and Sites Being Lit Up:

• The Arsenal in Central Park: 830 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10065
• Bronx County Courthouse: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
• The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Gracie Mansion: East 88^th Street & East End Avenue, New York, NY 10028
• One Police Plaza: 1 Police Plaza, New York, NY 10038
• Staten Island Borough Hall: 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301

 Iconic New York City Sites Being Lit Up:

• One Bryant Park: 1 Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036
• One Five One: 151 West 42^nd Street, New York, NY 10036
• One World Trade Center: 285 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10007

 The Adams administration encourages New Yorkers to learn more about the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign online.

Holidays at KRVC!

 

Upcoming Holiday Events & More

Save the Date for Mechanical Reindeer Rides

& Mark your Calendars for these other

Great Holiday Events & More!

This is event is FREE. However, space is limited so we are asking that you RSVP at by clicking HERE.

Join us for our next Book Club Meeting on Wednesday, December 6th, 1-3pm at 505 West 236th Street to enjoy a light lunch and a discussion of M Train by Patti Smith. See below for book description and our 2024 Book Selections.

News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

PASSAGE OF SPEAKER ADAMS’ FAIR HOUSING FRAMEWORK LEGISLATION

 

For far too long, the South Bronx has disproportionately faced the burden of addressing our City’s ever-growing affordable housing crisis. District 17 alone has produced more affordable housing units than 26 other council districts *combined* over several years. 

This stops now. 

With the passing of NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ Fair Housing Framework Legislation, this burden must be shared, ensuring equitable building of affordable housing units in every Borough, and in every District + expanded resources to assist Districts that are already bearing the brunt of overcrowding in their communities.

2023 TURKEY DISTRIBUTIONS

BRONX CLASSIC CENTER & THE MELROSE SENIOR CENTER

 

Team Salamanca & the Hunts Point Produce Market were hard at work, packing produce bags and delivering turkeys to Bronxites at the Bronx Classic Center and the Melrose Senior Center.

Thank you to NY State Assembly Member Chantel Jackson, BronxWorks, and the Hunts Point Produce Market for helping to make our Turkey distribution events a huge success!

LAFAYETTE ESTATES/LAFAYETTE BOYNTON DEVELOPMENTS/JAMES MONROE SENIOR CENTER

 

The sun was shining as we handed out more than 400 turkeys on Day 2 of our Annual Turkey Distribution blitz! 

Joined by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NYC Council Member Amanda Farias & Assemblymember Kenny Burgos, Team Salamanca brought the holiday spirit to the Lafayette Estates & Lafayette Boynton developments, and the James Monroe Senior Center.

BANKNOTE & MICHELANGELO APARTMENTS

 

Team Salamanca kicked off Day 3 of our Annual Turkey Distribution by serving nearly 1,000 Bronxites with events at the Banknote and Michelangelo Apartments!  

Thank you Baldor Specialty Foods, Bronx Community Board 2, The Point CDC & NYPD 41 Precinct for your commitment to Bronxites.

SOTOMAYOR HOUSES WITH CM AMANDA FARIAS

 

Our next stop was at Council Member Amanda Farias’ 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution at Sotomayor Houses! 100’s of Bronxites were served full food options for a Thanksgiving meal.

DISTRIBUTING TURKEYS WITH CM OSWALD FELIZ &
AM GEORGE ALVAREZ

 

Day 3 of our Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution concluded with an event alongside my colleagues New York City Council Member Oswald Feliz and NY State Assembly Member George Alvarez. 

Tackling food insecurity in the South Bronx has been one of my biggest priorities while in office, so it was especially meaningful to have my son, Aidan, accompany & assist me this holiday season as we distributed turkeys to families in need.

R.A.I.N. BOSTON ROAD SENIOR CENTER

It was great to partner with my good friend NYS Assembly Member John Zaccaro, Jr. to hand out Turkeys throughout the Bronx. 

Thank you to the RAIN Total Care, Inc. Boston Road Senior Center for opening your doors so Team Salamanca could distribute turkeys to Bronx Seniors.

BRADY COURT COMMUNITY CENTER

 

Thank you Brady Court Community Center for braving the chilly weather and hosting our Turkey distribution event!

PARKSIDE HOUSES/ALLERTON CO-OPS 

 

Our final distribution was at the Parkside Houses/Allerton Co-Ops. 

As we kick off this Holiday Season, it’s been an honor to spend the last week traveling throughout our Borough, meeting you all, and distributing turkeys and meals to thousands of Bronx families in need. 

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Visit our District Office at: 
1070 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10459
(718) 402-6130

salamanca@council.nyc.gov

Maryland Pizza Parlor Owner Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Scheme

 

Defendant Caused IRS Tax Loss of Over $1.7 Million

A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to willfully failing to pay employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Francesco Illiano, of Mount Airy, owned and operated two restaurants and a property management company that employed over 100 people. Illiano was responsible for collecting, accounting for and paying the income and Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the wages of employees of the three companies he controlled. From at least April 2014 to July 2016, Illiano did not pay the withholdings to the IRS. Illiano had previously been assessed a Trust Fund Recovery Penalty for not paying more than $1.4 million in taxes withheld from employees of five Green Turtle restaurants he owned in 2011 and 2012. In total, Illiano caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $1.7 million.

Illiano is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Shawn Noud of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jefferson Gray for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.

Attorney General James Releases Annual “Pennies for Charity” Report

 

New Report Shows Charitable Giving Campaigns Raised Over $1.4 Billion in 2022, A Decline of More Than 10% from 2021
Professional Fundraisers Earned $347 Million, Nearly a Quarter of Total Charitable Campaign Donations

In advance of Giving Tuesday and the holiday season, New York Attorney General Letitia James today released her annual “Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers” report. The report analyzes data from 2022 charitable fundraising campaigns submitted to the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Charities Bureau by professional fundraisers. The report looks at trends in the nonprofit sector, provides guidance and tips for donors, and gives charities information about fundraisers’ performance.

This year’s report found that in 2022, professional fundraisers received nearly a quarter of every dollar donated to the charities that hired them — a total of more than $347 million in fees and expenses. An analysis of 572 campaigns conducted by professional fundraisers in 2022 found that charities received 77 percent of donations, a notable increase from the 73 percent return in 2021. Professional fundraisers are outside, for-profit contractors often hired by charities to run campaigns. 

“New Yorkers who generously donate to charities should do so without any fear of their money being misappropriated or mishandled,” said Attorney General James. “With the holiday season and Giving Tuesday soon approaching, I encourage anyone looking to donate this winter to consult our tips for charitable giving and ensure that their gifts are put to good use. My office will continue to work throughout the season to protect New Yorkers from fraud and ensure transparency in the operation of charitable organizations.”

New York is home to many diverse charitable organizations and institutions, which like all parts of our society, faced many challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. The report found that charitable giving declined approximately $221 million from 2021 revenues. Other report findings include: 

• In 273 campaigns — 48 percent — charities received less than 50 percent of funds raised, with professional fundraisers retaining the rest. 
• In 97 campaigns — 17 percent — expenses exceeded revenue and cost charities over $11 million. These are higher numbers than reported in last year’s Pennies for Charity report.

This year’s Pennies for Charity report is based on information from professional fundraisers’ reports filed with the Charities Bureau for campaigns conducted in 2022. Professional fundraisers must register with the Charities Bureau, and their financial reports must break down their campaigns’ earnings and expenses. The report and the searchable Pennies for Charity database containing the results of specific campaigns are posted on the Charities Bureau website.

The report also includes tips for donors to follow before donating over the phone, by mail, or online to ensure that their contributions reach the causes they intend to support. A link to the report and donor guide is above, but important tips to keep in mind include:  

• If you are contacted by a telemarketer, ask questions to make an informed decision. New York law requires telemarketers soliciting for charities to make certain disclosures to potential donors and prohibits them from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements to contributors. Telemarketers are required to tell potential donors their names, which professional fundraiser employs them, and if the telemarketer is getting paid. Donors may also ask what percentage of their donation will go to the fundraiser for fees and expenses.
• If you receive a direct mail charitable appeal, verify the soliciting organization. Does the organization have a name that sounds like a well-known charity? Double-check — is it the one you think it is? Does the mailing claim to follow up on a pledge that you do not remember making? Does it clearly describe the programs that the charity plans to fund with your donation?
• If you are donating online, do your research first. Donating online or via an app is convenient for donors and can be cost effective for a charity. But before hitting “send,” donors should check whether a campaign is legitimate. Below are steps to take before donating online:
• Some online platforms that host groups and individuals soliciting for causes do not obtain permission from charities, or vet those charities that use their service. Donors should only give to campaigns conducted by people they know. Donors also should check what fees they will be charged and make sure that the charity has given its permission for the use of its name or logo. The charity’s site or the charity should confirm that the charity has approved the campaign.
• When donating online, make sure the website is secure. The web address should start with “https.” Unless the charity uses a separate payment site, the web address should match that of the organization that will receive the donation.
• Be wary of email solicitations that ask you to click a link or open attachments. These could be phishing scams that try to trick you into giving out your credit card number, Social Security number, or other confidential information.
• More information about OAG’s Charities Bureau and organizations it regulates may be found online. If you believe an organization is misrepresenting its work or that a scam is taking place, please contact OAG’s Charities Bureau at Complaints@ag.ny.gov or (212) 416-8401.

BRONX WOMAN INDICTED FOR ASSAULT OF HER TODDLER AFTER PURPOSELY GIVING HER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SHE DIDN’T NEED

 Defendant Allegedly Gave Seizure Medicine to Daughter Who Never Had Epilepsy

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx woman has been indicted for Assault and Reckless Endangerment for allegedly deliberately giving her 3-yearold daughter anti-seizure medication the child did not require.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly caused her young daughter to become ill, by giving her an overdose of prescription medication to treat epilepsy, which the child did not have.”

 District Attorney Clark said Tajanhae Brown, 24, of East 163rd Street, the Bronx, was arraigned today on Attempted Assault in the first degree, second-degree Assault, first degree Reckless Endangerment, Attempted Assault in the second degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Kim Parker. The defendant is due back in court on February 7, 2024. Electronic monitoring with supervised release conditions was continued. 

 According to the investigation, on or about and between May 2, 2023, and May 3, 2023, the defendant brought her then-3-year-old daughter to the Emergency Department at Montefiore Children’s Hospital and reported to medical staff that the child had not received her morning dose of anti-seizure medication prescribed to treat epilepsy. The child was admitted to the hospital and the level of anti-seizure medication in the child’s blood was found to be toxic. While in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Montefiore Children’s Hospital and after being informed that her daughter was toxic, the defendant allegedly gave the child additional anti-seizure medication which created the risk of exposing her daughter to serious medical complications.

 According to the investigation, between her daughter’s date of birth on May 22, 2019, and May 8, 2023, the defendant endangered the child’s welfare by bringing her to 15 different medical providers on at least 190 separate occasions. The defendant allegedly falsified her daughter’s medical history and diagnosis and made factitious representations about the child’s physical and psychological signs and symptoms to staff at these various medical providers.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Julia Watson of the Bronx Child Abuse Squad for her significant work on the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.