Housing Lottery Launches For 414 East 152nd Street In Melrose, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 414 East 152nd Street, an eight-story mixed-use building in Melrose, The Bronx. Designed by Baobab Architects and developed by Shaya Seidenfeld of MZS Realty Corp., the structure yields 44 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 25 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $106,458 to $198,250.

Residences come equipped with air conditioning, high-speed internet, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Amenities include an elevator and a shared laundry room. Tenants are responsible for electricity including stove and heat.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are eight studios with a monthly rent of $3,105 for incomes ranging from $106,458 to $146,900; 16 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,317 for incomes ranging from $113,726 to $165,230; and one two-bedroom with a monthly rent of $3,963 for incomes ranging from $135,875 to $198,250.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 7, 2024.

Doctor Sentenced for Unlawful Distribution of Oxycodone

 

A New Jersey doctor was sentenced to two years in prison and barred from practicing medicine for unlawfully distributing addictive opioids without performing necessary patient assessments.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Felicia E. Gonzalez, 65, of Toms River, prescribed oxycodone to three patients without conducting any physical examinations, developing treatment plans, or assessing the patients for drug dependence. Gonzalez previously received national bans from two large pharmacy chains related to her prescribing practices but continued to prescribe addictive opioids without performing the minimum assessments required by state safety regulations. To conceal her unlawful prescribing, Gonzalez falsified her medical records by falsely claiming to have performed examinations when she had not.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Field Division, Camden Resident Office Diversion Group; and Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Former NYPD Officer Pleads Guilty To Distributing Fentanyl And Heroin

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GRACE ROSA BAEZ pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl.  BAEZ pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Fentanyl and heroin are driving this nation’s deadly opioid crisis and are responsible for thousands of tragic deaths in this city and around the nation.  Rather than protect and serve the people of New York City, former NYPD officer Grace Rosa Baez peddled deadly poison for personal gain. Baez is held accountable for her selfish and reckless betrayal.” 

According to the filings and statements made in Manhattan federal court:

In 2012, BAEZ became an active member of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).  In 2020, due to alleged misconduct, BAEZ was placed on modified duty and was under departmental investigation.  On three occasions in October 2023, while on modified desk duty at a particular NYPD facility, BAEZ sold a confidential source working with law enforcement (the “CS”) packages containing over one kilogram of heroin, over 400 grams of fentanyl, and over 100 grams of fentanyl analogue.  BAEZ negotiated the price and quantity of the narcotics and arranged to deliver the narcotics to the CS while she was on duty with the NYPD.  BAEZ sold the narcotics to the CS outside of her homes in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York.  Upon her arrest, BAEZ resigned from the NYPD.

BAEZ, 38, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  BAEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Cote on July 18, 2024. 

The maximum potential sentence in this case 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 exceptional investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the NYPD.

Attorney General James Announces Agreement with Brooklyn Catholic Diocese for Mishandling of Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases

  

Diocese Required to Make Comprehensive Reforms to Improve Response to Sexual Abuse Complaints and Will Comply With Independent, Secular Oversight

Agreement is Second Reached by AG James to Address Pervasive Mishandling of Sexual Misconduct Within the Catholic Dioceses of New York

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn (the Diocese) to address its years of mismanaging clergy sexual abuse cases and for failing to uphold the policies and procedures it adopted for investigating and responding to abuse complaints. Instead, the Diocese applied inconsistent standards to evaluate the credibility of an abuse allegation, delayed investigations, and failed to adequately monitor priests who were accused of sexual abuse.

The agreement requires the Diocese to take significant action to prevent and address allegations of clergy sexual abuse and reform past policies, including:

• Installing an independent, secular monitor who will oversee the Diocese’s compliance with enhanced policies and procedures and issue an annual report on the Diocese’s handling of sexual abuse cases; 
• Strengthening existing policies and procedures for handling sexual abuse cases to include expedited review timelines and transparency throughout the process; 
• Creating new offices, committees, and positions within the Diocese devoted to ensuring the safety of minors and other vulnerable communities; and 
• Hiring a Clergy Monitor with law enforcement or counseling experience to develop and oversee abuse prevention plans for priests who have been accused of sexual abuse.

“The Diocese knew about this pervasive problem, but it did not adequately address allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct,” said Attorney General James. “Now, the Diocese has made a commitment to implementing holistic reforms that will ensure every report of sexual abuse or misconduct is handled quickly and transparently. New Yorkers deserve to trust their faith leaders, and my office will continue to support the Diocese’s efforts to rebuild that trust with their community.”

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that the Diocese failed to consistently comply with its own policies and procedures for responding to sexual abuse. The Diocese established these policies shortly after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Charter) in 2002 following media reports of widespread clergy sexual abuse. 

The OAG also found that the Diocese’s policies were not adequate to guarantee the safety and protection of children. The Diocese did not have policies in place to ensure a prompt and thorough response to allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct. In various matters, the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) took too long to respond to a complaint or would arbitrarily apply inconsistent standards of proof when evaluating the credibility of an accusation. In certain instances, when an allegation of sexual abuse or misconduct was found to be credible, the Diocese did not disclose that information to the public and failed to sufficiently monitor the accused priests or clergy.

• One priest admitted to the Diocese that he had repeatedly sexually abused minors. He was removed from all pastoral duties, but the Diocese did not inform parishioners. After USCCB adopted the Charter in 2002, the Diocese encouraged the priest to seek a voluntary laicization, or official removal from the priesthood, often referred to as “defrocking,” but he initially refused. He eventually agreed to be defrocked in 2007 but requested that it be kept confidential. The Diocese kept it secret until 2017, when it published a list of priests who had been removed from ministry and, for the first time, publicly announced that this priest had been credibly accused of and admitted to sexually abusing minors. In the decade between his defrocking and the Diocese’s public announcement, the priest worked as a professor at two universities. 
• In the 1990s, after learning of problems with a priest’s conduct, the Diocese repeatedly transferred the priest from parish to parish to avoid the complaints. The priest was never monitored, nor was he removed from duty. In 2000, a nun who was the principal of a Catholic school in the Diocese resigned from her position because she had witnessed the priest having inappropriate interactions with young boys and the Diocese did nothing more than issue a warning. In 2006, one of the priest’s alleged victims accused him of more than 100 incidents of sexual abuse in the 1980s, including masturbation and oral sex. Multiple other individuals corroborated certain facts to support the complaint, which matched additional complaints the Diocese had received from nuns and other clergy members about this priest. Still, after a three-year investigation, the DRB concluded that there was not enough evidence, applying a heightened standard of proof, to find the allegations against the priest credible. The priest was allowed to continue working unmonitored for many years. In 2016 and 2017, two more complainants came forward to accuse the priest, and in 2018, the DRB found both the new allegations and the original complaint from 2006 to be credible. The priest was removed from duty and forbidden from interacting with minors, but that was not made public until the Diocese published a list of credibly accused clergy in 2019. 

As part of the settlement, the Diocese has agreed to enhanced policies and procedures for mitigating risks and managing allegations of clergy sexual abuse and misconduct, including publicly posting an explanation of the complaint and investigation process. To facilitate the complaint process, the Diocese will also post online a confidential portal and telephone number for submitting complaints and will implement a whistleblower policy to protect complainants from retaliation by Diocesan officials. The Diocese has also committed to accelerated investigations. For example, all complaints must be acknowledged by the Diocese within five business days, and the Bishop must determine whether or not a complaint against a living member of the clergy is credible within 20 days. If the Bishop determines the claim is credible, then he must refer the complaint to the DRB for an independent investigation, which must be completed within nine months. The Diocese will also refer all complaints it receives to law enforcement and will cooperate with any investigations. The Diocese will also improve its record-keeping procedures, including by adopting protocols for electronic management, organization, and retention of records of all allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct.

Moving forward, the Diocese has committed to publicly announce any decisions to remove priests or other clergy members from active ministry by issuing a press release and adding the offender’s name to a published list of credibly accused clergy. The Bishop will also inform the priest’s former parish and provide support to parishioners.

The Diocese has also agreed to establish new leadership positions and continue to fund existing offices dedicated to protecting minors and other vulnerable people. The Director of the Office of Protection of Children and Young Adults will assist the Bishop in coordinating the Diocese’s sexual abuse prevention and victim assistance efforts. A new Clergy Monitor, with previous law enforcement or counseling experience addressing and preventing sexual abuse, will regularly monitor credibly accused priests and other clergy, as well as develop individualized prevention plans for each. The Safe Environment and Victim Assistance Ministry offices will continue to provide services to parishioners, including a healing intervention team and a survivor’s advisory board, which will provide recommendations to the Bishop.

Finally, the Diocese’s management of sexual abuse complaints and allegations will be subject to review by an independent monitor. The monitor must have expertise in sexual abuse prevention programs or other relevant compliance programs and be approved by the OAG. The monitoring period will last for a minimum of three years, with a potential extension to five years. Each year, the monitor will issue a public report evaluating the Diocese’s compliance with the enhanced policies and procedures set forth in this agreement. This report will be made public on the Diocese’s website. 

The OAG acknowledges the Diocese’s cooperation with this investigation, negotiation, and agreement. The agreement specifically addresses the failures of the Diocese's institutional response to the crisis of clergy sexual abuse and does not affect pending claims for damages that have been asserted by individual survivors of abuse against the Diocese. 

Governor Hochul Announces $22 Million to Help Vulnerable New Yorkers Stay Cool

 

Air Conditioning Units Support Those with Serious Medical Conditions, Older Adults, and Families with Young Children

Expected to Serve More Than 27,000 Households This Summer

Applications Now Being Accepted

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $22 million is available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to help low-income New Yorkers stay cool during the summer. The program, overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), can provide an air conditioning unit to eligible households that include someone with a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat, or households with young children or older adults.

“As we see more severe heat during the summer months due to climate change, it’s vital that we recognize the significant health risks extreme heat poses for New Yorkers with certain medical conditions, as well as young children and seniors,” Governor Hochul said. “This program helps at-risk households to stay safe and cool at home during severe heat spells, and I encourage those who may be eligible for this potentially life-saving assistance to apply before the summer arrives.”

Applications for cooling assistance through HEAP are now being accepted and will continue to be accepted through Saturday, August 31, or until funding runs out. Cooling assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The program covers the cost of an air conditioning unit, or fan and installation. More than 27,000 households are expected to receive cooling assistance this year.

To qualify for the federally-funded program, applicants must meet HEAP eligibility criteria and income thresholds, which vary by household size and include at least one member of the household who suffers from a medical condition aggravated by extreme heat, or is under age 6, or over age 60.

Last year, more than $17 million in HEAP funding was used to help over 21,000 households receive cooling assistance throughout New York State. Nearly 67,000 households have benefited from the program over the past five years.

Residents outside of New York City may apply by contacting their local department of social services by phone or in person. New York City residents may apply in person at a local Human Resources Administration (HRA) Benefit Access Center, by phone, or online at access.nyc.gov.

NYC Comptroller Lander & Pension Fund Trustees Announce Agreements with Telecom Giants to Enhance Worker Safety Measures

 

SBA, American Tower, and Crown Castle agree to expand safety protocols, training programs, and reporting methods to protect tower workers

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, on behalf of the five New York City pension funds, successfully negotiated agreements with SBA Communications Corporation (SBA), American Tower Corporation (American Tower), and Crown Castle—leaders in telecommunications infrastructure—to enhance their disclosures concerning worker safety at communications tower sites.

“From dizzying heights to challenging weather conditions, tower workers risk their lives every day to keep us connected,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “Detailed safety protocols and reporting mechanisms are necessary to ensure that companies swiftly address potential hazards. I am happy to report that SBA, American Tower, and Crown Castle will provide greater transparency and accountability concerning tower climber safety, reflecting investor expectations that these companies provide a safe working environment for all workers at their sites.”

SBA has committed to expand its disclosure to clarify how health and safety policies apply to contractors and subcontractors working on SBA tower sites. As a part of this disclosure, SBA will include its training and certification standards for contractors and subcontractors, as well as detail its third-party verification process and how its internal on-site audits supplement its verification process. The disclosure will also include safety statistics for both employee tower climbers and contractor/subcontractor tower climbers, a description of other safety initiatives, and a reporting mechanism that workers on its sites may use to report safety concerns.

American Tower will expand its disclosure to clarify how regulatory requirements and health and safety policies apply to contractors and subcontractors working at its sites, and the training and certification standard requirements. This disclosure will detail the prerequisites for contractors and subcontractors engaged by the company, the inspection and audits American Tower conducts to verify compliance with safety standards, and other safety initiatives, including third-party audits. In addition to its current reporting concerning employees, the company will now report contractor health and safety information. The company’s disclosures will also describe compliance procedures to ensure vendor adherence with regulatory and qualification requirements (prior to workers entering its tower sites), its ongoing maintenance and safety program to ensure a safe working environment, a review of safety incidents, and reporting mechanisms available to workers on its sites.

Crown Castle also agreed to expand its disclosure with respect to contractors and subcontractors working on its sites. Among other things, the disclosure will include a description of mandatory notification that technician services are to be performed at a company site, as well as qualification and registration requirements, safety team audits and inspections, and a worker reporting mechanism for safety concerns. Crown Castle’s disclosure will also include safety statistics for all tower technicians, including contractors and subcontractors on its sites.

As of February 29, 2024, the five pension funds have holdings valued at $34.4 million at SBA, $120.9 million at American Tower, $67.8 million at Crown Castle.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

We are only a few days away from our 2024 State of the Borough address at Cardinal Hayes High School. We cannot wait to share everything that we have accomplished together and all that we hope to achieve.

If you have not done so already, please use this link to RSVP. Doors will open at 5:30 PM.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

We had a huge turnout for our 2024 African Nations Soccer Tournament! Thank you to our Deputy Borough President Janet Peguero, our African Advisory Council, and the 161st Street Business Improvement District for helping to make this event a success.

Last week, we joined with our Muslim residents and families in the Bronx in celebration of Eid.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CONSUMER ALERT: THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION REMINDS NEW YORKERS ABOUT RENTAL SCAMS

 

Avoid Sending Money for Rental Properties Without Verifying the Legitimacy of the Listing

Secretary Rodriguez said, “In today’s highly competitive housing market, renters are often targeted by scammers who use enticing offers to steal their hard-earned money.” 

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is sharing tips to help New Yorkers identify and avoid rental scams. Rental scams are executed in a variety of different ways, but the goal is the same: bilk potential tenants out of as much money as possible or steal their personal information.

“In this highly competitive housing market, renters are often targeted by scammers who use enticing offers to steal New Yorkers’ hard-earned money,” Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said. “Finding a place to live can be stressful enough without the added worry of being scammed, so I encourage consumers to follow our tips and learn how to spot a potential scam when looking for a new residence.”

Looking for a rental home or apartment can be an expensive and time-consuming process.  Renters are often competing for limited housing or looking for deals, and scammers are quick to take advantage of them. Rental scams do not just harm renters, they can severely damage the reputations and livelihoods of New York’s honest, hardworking real estate agents as well.

In 2023, the FBI received 9,521 real estate/rental scam related complaints with losses of over $145 million.

To help prevent a costly mistake, below are key tips on how to identify and avoid rental scams:

1. Confirm that the rental listing is legitimate and verify the source of the listing. Scammers often post fake listings of properties that are not on the market, or may copy a photo or description of a property from another source to use in their ad. A few minutes of research can prevent you from putting a security deposit on a fraudulent rental or handing over your personal information. To verify if a rental is legitimate:

• Search the location’s address. If ads come up for the same address, but with a different owner, rental company or rent amount, that’s a sign it could be a scam.
• Run a reverse image search and see if you can find the listing anywhere else on the internet. Scammers may use photos from a legitimate listing to create a phony one. If you perform a reverse image search and find another listing of the home or apartment with a different address or contact information, that’s a red flag that it could be a scam. There are many reputable free reverse image search platforms online.
• Visit real estate websites and see if the rental you want is also listed in another city or available on another website with a different email address or contact information.

2. 2. Verify the identity of any Real Estate Professional. Confirm that the real estate professional you’re working with is licensed in New York by following these steps:

• Visit the eAccessNY Occupational Licensing Management System to look up their license.

• nduct an independent online search for that real estate agent or broker and call the office phone number to confirm they are the agent handling the listing and to verify their contact information included in the listing.
• Request to see a copy of the Department of State issued photo license and arrange an in-person or video meeting to compare the ID.
• See what other people have to say. Look for complaints about the company or agent.

3. Inspect the Premises. Avoid completing background checks, signing a lease agreement or paying any advance fees or deposits before having an opportunity to inspect the premises.
4. Be suspicious if asked to use payment methods that are untraceable. Scammers generally conduct transactions by phone, text message or email and often ask for payment by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, money-transfer app, cryptocurrency, or other methods of payment that are not easily traceable. Instead, pay by check or credit card and get receipts for any payments.
5. Make payments to the brokerage of record. In New York, it is unlawful for a real estate person to demand a fee directly from the prospective tenant. Fees are paid to the brokerage where the agent is associated with and the broker pays the agent for their services.
6. Request everything in writing. It is always better to leave a paper trail. Real estate professionals are required by law to provide you with copies of all instruments relating to the transaction.
7. Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics. Scammers may urge you to rent quickly before someone else gets the property, prompting you to possibly miss an important step in the evaluation process. While the rental market is tough right now with low supply and high demand, remember to be cautious about all the steps involved in a real estate transaction – including carefully reviewing the lease agreement and verifying the identity of those you are engaged with during the rental transaction.
8. Protect your privacy. Scammers often request personal information and money for background checks, then disappear. Refrain from providing personal information or your social security number unless you are absolutely sure you are dealing with a reputable business or agent.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.