Bronx Man Pleads Guilty To Sexual Exploitation Of A Child

  Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that KELVIN ACOSTA pled guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a child.  ACOSTA, who was arrested on March 29, 2016, entered his plea before United States District Judge Paul A. Crotty, and was remanded into federal custody.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “Kelvin Acosta preyed on vulnerable teenagers in a cruel way, contacting them on Facebook, hacking into their accounts and threatening to publish sensitive images and videos of them unless they created and sent to him child pornography.  He has now pled guilty and will face a substantial term of imprisonment.  Together with our partners at the FBI and the NYPD, we are committed to protecting children from those, like Acosta, who seek to exploit, extort, or entice them.”

According to the Complaint, Indictment, and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during the plea proceedings:

From December 2013 through November 2015, KELVIN ACOSTA committed “sextortion” by hacking into email accounts belonging to teenage girls and extorting them into producing child pornography for him.  ACOSTA did so by messaging the girls on Facebook and tricking them into revealing personal information that he then exploited to hack their email accounts.  ACOSTA then told his minor victims that he had hacked their email accounts and found compromising material (sex videos and/or nude photographs), which he threatened to send their families, friends, and schools – unless they created child pornography for him via video chat and/or paid him money. 

ACOSTA, 27, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the judge.  ACOSTA is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Crotty on January 10, 2017, at 11 a.m.

Any individuals who believe they have information concerning exploitation of children may contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-212-384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD, and thanked the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for its valuable cooperation in this matter.

MAYOR DE BLASIO HOLDS PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR AND SIGNS INTROS. 923-A, 976-A, 981-B, 1005-A, 1019-A, 1020-A, 405-A, 695-A, 795-A, 997-A, 948-A, 961-A AND 968-A

   First there’s Intro 923-A, which requires the small business department – Small Business Services – to report annually on M/WBE goals met by beneficiaries of EDC loans, grants, tax benefits, leases, or sales. Sponsor is Councilmember Laurie Cumbo.

Next, Intro 976-A requires SBS to train agency chief contracting officers and agency M/WBE officers on how best to meet M/WBE goals. Sponsor is Public Advocate Letitia James.

Intro 981-B establishes an advisory board that would work to expand procurement opportunities for M/WBEs. The sponsor is Councilmember Laurie Cumbo.

Intro 1005-A requires certain agencies to publish online their plans to increase M/WBE participation in City contracts. The sponsor is Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley.

Intro 1019-A requires the City to report on each agency’s contract, showing the number and dollar value awarded to each type of M/WBE and non-M/WBE. This sponsor is Councilmember Helen Rosenthal.

Intro 1020-A requires detailed explanations of decisions made by the City’s Chief Procurement Officer regarding whether to divide big contracts into smaller contracts. The sponsor is Councilmember Helen Rosenthal.

Together, these bills will bring greater transparency and accountability to our City’s M/WBE contracting.

Three more bills that make New York City even more bike friendly. Intro 405-A requires office buildings to allow foldable bikes in passenger elevators. The sponsor is Councilmember Helen Rosenthal. Intro 795-A requires office buildings to allow bikes in passenger elevators when no freight elevator is available. The sponsor is Councilmember Jumaane Williams. Intro 695-A requires residential buildings to allow bikes in passenger elevators. The sponsor is Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez.

Now, we have a package of legislation that makes public safety statistics even more transparent. Intro 869-A requires the NYPD to report quarterly on all sex offenses broken down by specific felony or misdemeanor. The sponsor is Councilmember Laurie Cumbo. Intro 948-A requires the NYPD to report monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually on domestic violence and quarterly and annually on hate crimes. The sponsor is Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Intro 961-A requires the NYPD to report quarterly and annually on intimate partner domestic violence. The sponsor is Councilmember Antonio Reynoso. Intro 968-A requires the NYPD to report semi-annually and annually on domestic violence in public housing and quarterly and annually on the percent of reported felony crimes citywide related to domestic violence. The sponsor is Councilmember Ritchie Torres. 

Finally we have a bill that updates pedestrian safety laws to better reflect how New Yorkers actually cross the street. Intro 997-A clarifies that pedestrians crossing the street have the right of way when a crossing signal displays a walking person, or a flashing hand, or a countdown clock.

SENATOR KLEIN ‘BOOSTS’ SCHOOLS WITH $830K ALLOCATION

Klein celebrates back-to-school with administrators, principals & parent coordinators at Project BOOST dinner

State Senator Jeff Klein joined Bronx schools administrators, principals, and parent coordinators to kick-off the new school year and announce $830,000 in funds for Project BOOST (Building Options and Opportunities for Students).

As a result of Senator Klein’s funds, students in BOOST will receive academic and cultural enrichment experiences, test preparation services, academic counseling, and community service opportunities.  BOOST will help ensure that both the teachers and students receive the resources and support needed to enhance their learning environment. Schools choose the way they use BOOST funding. In schools that lack arts programs, students enjoy performing arts programs, cultural trips to Broadway shows, museums, and other artistic institutions or become proficient in musical instruments with the help of philharmonic teachers.   

Above - Carl Vinci Director of Student Services, Project BOOST for the Center fer Educational Innovation, welcomes the educators in attendance. 

Below - Senator Klein congratulates the educators in the room for the fine job they do under current education problems. He adds that Project BOOST is a way to help every school.

Above and Below - Senator Klein and CEI Director of Student Services, Project BOOST listen to two different school personal tell the different ways that their Project BOOST monies were used to aid student development in their schools.

Editors Note:

It is great that Senator Klein is providing funds for schools to hire outside vendors to help them do work that the District Offices once did before Mayoral Control. Mayoral Control has led to no accountability of the public school system where valued elected officials have to provide additional funds to schools for items that the public school system once did, and should do. Mayoral Control of the New York City Public Schools expires on June 30 2017, and let's hope an alternative to Mayoral Control is found, or as a last resort the state legislature ends Mayoral Control (which has been a failure) once and for all in New York City.

ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ DEMANDS INCREASED SERVICE ON THE BX10 BUS LINE

   Assemblyman Dinowitz  once again petitioned the MTA to add additional Bx10 buses to the West 231^st Street and Broadway route to remedy severe overcrowding.

“Many Bx10 buses are already too full before they reach West 231^st St. and Broadway, and often those waiting cannot get on the bus and have to wait for the next” Said Assemblyman Dinowitz “People who are able to get on the bus must pack in like cattle, which is unhealthy not to mention unsafe”

Thousands of people rely on the Bx10 to get to and from work everyday and they should not have to either suffer this severe overcrowding or risk being late. The MTA needs to provide additional Bx10 service and make the commute of many of my constituents more bearable.

Editor's Note:

Perhaps the state and city should provide the proper funding to the MTA which they currently do not. Then instead of a fare increase riders can pay what the service is worth, as they did when Assemblyman Dinowitz rode mass transit last. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES BOLD NEW VISION FOR THE CITY’S M/WBE PROGRAM

Creation of new Mayor’s Office of M/WBEs

30 percent of the dollar amount of City Contract awards to M/WBEs by 2021

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a bold new vision for the City’s Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) program.

First, the Mayor announced that he has appointed Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery as the new Director of the City’s M/WBE program. He will be supported by the recently announced M/WBE Senior Advisor Jonnel Doris, and together they will shape policies and submit recommendations to increase contracting opportunities.

The Mayor also announced the creation of the Mayor’s Office of M/WBEs, which will be focused on fostering the success of minority- and women-owned businesses and coordinating the work of other City offices, including the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services and the Department of Small Business Services, that administer the City’s M/WBE programs. Through this office, the City will increase agency accountability and ensure access for businesses that want to contract with the City. The office will also serve as a one-stop-shop for M/WBEs to connect with various City agencies.

   Central to these improvements, the Mayor has set an ambitious goal of awarding at least 30 percent of the dollar amount of City contracts to M/WBEs by 2021. These would include prime and subcontracts with Mayoral and certain non-Mayoral agencies. The City is adding resources to the Department of Small Business Services and the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services to execute plans to meet the 30 percent goal. This includes increased funding for capacity building programs, free services to help strengthen City-certified M/WBEs, including connections to bonding, teaming, mentorship and one-on-one technical assistance, and resources to help City agencies improve their M/WBE program.

In addition to increasing access to City services and opportunities, the Mayor is ensuring that M/WBEs have access to City capital by improving upon the City Contract Financing Loan program. The loan program will be a revolving fund capped at a 3 percent APR, the lowest of its kind in the entire state among government-funded programs. Eligible M/WBEs will be able to apply for loans of up to $500,000. The loan program will be available to companies that are certified M/WBEs or in the process of M/WBE certification, as well as small businesses that cannot access financing from traditional sources.

“As a city, we are committed to ensuring that all people – regardless of race, gender or ethnicity – have the means to succeed in our economy. It is a fact that when minority- and women-owned businesses have the opportunity to participate in our economy, communities across New York City and the City as whole thrive,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With the new Office of M/WBEs and Deputy Mayor Buery’s leadership, we are in a stronger position to continue delivering results for the City’s M/WBEs.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “Improving and expanding New York City’s M/WBE program will help us reach our goal of achieving true equality in economic opportunity so that all New Yorkers are able to thrive and contribute to the city’s economy. By offering women and minorities more supportive services, increased access to information about potential opportunities and low interest loans, we can open doors for them to do business with the City. I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio for his commitment to improving opportunities for women and minorities and his determination to make the program as successful as possible.”

"For far too long, woman- and minority-owned businesses have too often been shut out of City contracts making it harder for them to take advantage of opportunities to work with the City," said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. "This Council has made it a top priority to make government contracting more inclusive of underrepresented businesses and doing everything in our purview to bridge that gap and provide those opportunities for M/WBE's. Just recently, the Council passed a package of bills that will hold agencies accountable for meeting the goals of the M/WBE program and to promote efforts for greater collaboration. I want to thank my Council colleagues for their commitment to M/WBE's and the Administration for taking steps to help strengthen the M/WBE program."

“As the most diverse city in the world, it is critical that we support our small businesses owned by women and people of color,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “This new commitment to M/WBEs will help propel our businesses, increase opportunities, and boost the middle class. I'm pleased to work with Mayor de Blasio on this critical issue and look forward to doing even more to support working families in our city."

“Minority- and women-owned businesses have long been a vital part of New York City’s rich and diverse economy. Today’s announcement deepens the City’s commitment to ensuring that they can flourish,” saidRichard Buery, Deputy Mayor of Strategic Policy Initiatives. “By honing in on an aggressive goal to award 30 percent of the dollar value of City contracts to minority and women business owners over five years, we will create an economy that works for everyone.”

"Creating the Mayor's Office of Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises and committing significant additional City resources to expanding those business’ opportunities for growth will benefit New York City as a whole," said Jonnel Doris, Senior Advisor for M/WBEs. "I am honored to implement the Mayor's plan to bring economic prosperity to these skilled entrepreneurs."

These announcements come on the heels of record-breaking dollar value of City contract awards to M/WBEs. In the first two years since the Mayor set his OneNYC goal of awarding $16 billion to M/WBEs in contracting opportunities, the City has awarded $3.54 billion dollars to M/WBEs.

In addition, the Department of Small Business Services has reached a historic number of M/WBE certifications. To date, SBS has certified over 4,500 M/WBE firms, a 23 percent increase since the beginning of this administration. With this in mind, the Mayor has set a new goal to double the number of certified and re-certified M/WBEs at the Department of Small Business Services from 4,500 to 9,000 by 2019. This will ensure more M/WBEs can compete for City contracts and increase their ability to sustain their businesses.

There are impediments in State law that deny the City some of the tools and flexibility it needs to maximize M/WBE participation. As part of today’s announcements, the Mayor renewed his call for the passage of a State law to give New York City the tools it needs to bring opportunities to more M/WBEs. Those changes will be critical to New York City’s ability to achieve its ambitious targets.

"Under the leadership of Mayor de Blasio, the Department of Small Business Services has certified an all-time-high number of minority- and women-owned businesses and enterprises to do business with the city,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. “With additional funding being deployed for capacity building, our department is boldly aiming to double this historic number of business certifications by 2019. These efforts will help ensure that city contractors reflect the rich diversity of our city and our business community.”

“The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services is committed to encouraging an inclusive and competitive business environment – one that reflects the diversity of this City. In the past two years, we have made progress in leveling the playing field for minority- and women-owned businesses. We are excited to work with Deputy Mayor Buery, Jonnel Doris and the Office of M/WBEs as they lead the effort to further increase opportunities for M/WBEs,” said Michael Owh, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services.

“The New York City Department of Design and Construction greatly values the contributions of M/WBEs and in Fiscal Year 2015 awarded $242 million in contracts to them – over a third of the agency’s total contract amount for the year,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “DDC, through its Office of Diversity and Industry Relations, hosts a number of events and programs to introduce M/WBEs to upcoming projects and how to navigate the City procurement process. A centralized M/WBE office further demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to creating an equitable and competitive business environment that facilitates procurement opportunities for the City’s M/WBE community.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NEW NONPROFIT RESILIENCY COMMITTEE

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the creation of the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee to offer opportunities for collaboration and to expand lines of communication between the City and the nonprofit human service sector. The Committee is charged with identifying, designing and launching solutions to support the sector in the areas of administrative processes, service and program design and organizational infrastructure.

The Committee will be co-chaired by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio and Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery. The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services will help coordinate the Committee with support from the Mayor’s Office of Operations and Office of Management and Budget. Committee members include nonprofit executive directors, philanthropy leaders and members of academia who were invited to represent the diversity and range of New York City’s human service sector. City human service agencies will participate in Committee workgroups to support effective implementation of new solutions.

“Nonprofit organizations are important partners in improving the lives of countless New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “But we want a fuller partnership with these organizations so that we may work together on a range of issues, from policy guidance to more operational matters. We are always looking to serve New Yorkers in a better, more effective way.”

“Nonprofit organizations provide a tremendous service to New York City and have a long history of working with government to create change and improve lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio. “As our Administration moves forward with a number of ambitious initiatives, it is critical that we have a strong and vibrant nonprofit sector to help us achieve our goals. I look forward to co-chairing the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee and working with its members to begin a sustained and engaged conversation around the pressing issues facing the sector today.”

"Before joining New York City government under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio, I spent my entire career founding, leading and growing non-profit organizations focused on fundamental issues of equality. In all of that work, effective partnership with government was critical. Without it, our ability to do our important work was limited; with it, anything is possible,” said Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor of Strategic Policy Initiatives. “I am so excited by the opportunity to improve the ways that government and the nonprofit sectors work together. By doing so, we build a stronger city, and advance the values of equity and opportunity that we all hold dear.”

“So much of what makes New York City great – our embrace of newcomers, our commitment to equality, and our belief that everyone has something to contribute - is sustained by the hard work of our nonprofit partners,” said Michael Owh, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. “We are eager to work even closer in pursuit of our common goals through the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee.”

"Non-profits are the City's critical service partners in our shared effort to reduce poverty and broaden opportunity," said Matt Klein, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity and Senior Advisor at the Mayor’s Office of Operations. "Through the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee, we aim to deepen this relationship and work together even more strategically to achieve positive outcomes for New Yorkers."

The inaugural meeting of the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee will take place on September 29, 2016. The Committee will be an ongoing endeavor, with quarterly meetings scheduled.

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ANDY KING WHO JOINED COUNCIL MEMBER JUMAANE WILLIAMS IN PROTEST DURING PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

   “We’ve learned the Pledge of Allegiance since we were children.  The action today was not about our allegiance to the flag.  Today is about a conversation that America tends to run from, which is the discrimination of Black Americans. The acts of discrimination are a real problem in America.  Now is the time to unite and say ‘No more!’” If we decide to sit down during the Pledge of Allegiance or at any given moment, who are you to determine how we get our message out?  So we’re going to sit down with Council Member Jumaane Williams. The message to America is: wake up because it’s time for us to shine and be better people.”

CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSES CM COHEN'S LEGISLATION ON HEALTH SCREENINGS, REPORTS AND SHARING OF HEALTH RECORDS FOR ARRESTEES

  On Wednesday, September 28th, the New York City Council unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Council Member Andrew Cohen that requires the City of New York to perform mental health screenings of all individuals who are brought to criminal courts for arraignment, as well as mandates more extensive gathering and sharing of health records within the criminal justice system.

The legislation, Introduction 1183, was introduced in May 2016, and heard by the Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Disability Services, chaired by Council Member Cohen, on September 22, 2016. It was passed with a package of related legislation increasing oversight of the quality of life of persons incarcerated in the city’s Department of Correction facilities, including women with newborn children. 

“The driving goal of this legislation is to ensure that individuals entering the justice system are treated in a humane and sensitive manner,” said Council Member Cohen.

The new measure sponsored by Council Member Cohen requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to ensure that every arrestee brought to a criminal court for arraignment is screened for possible mental health issues prior to being arraigned, and to create a report for such individuals. It also requires that agency to request the health information of any arrestee treated by any health care provider while in NYPD custody. This health information, in addition to any other records which would assist DOHMH in treating the inmate while in custody, are to be requested and utilized in support of the individual’s care and wellbeing.

Council Member Cohen added:  “This change in the law mandates more extensive gathering and sharing of health records and reports while an inmate is in custody. All of this information would be made available to correctional health services during their first evaluation of an inmate, to ensure a continuity of care for that individual.  Everyone involved in the system will be better off if this legislation passes.