Man Charged In Manhattan Federal Court For Fraudulently Posing As Medical Professional

 

 Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Keith J. Byrne,  Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (“DSS”), New York Field Office, announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging RODNEY ROBINSON, a/k/a “Alim Shariff,” with forgery and false use of a passport, false statements, and aggravated identity theft in connection with his years-long effort to fraudulently pose as a medical professional and Naval Reserve Officer.  ROBINSON was arrested this morning in New York, New York, and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn later today. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, Rodney Robinson abused the trust of his employers, colleagues, and clients by claiming to be someone he is not.  He has finally been caught in his web of lies.”

DSS Special Agent-in-Charge Keith J. Byrne said:  “The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York to investigate allegations of crimes related to passport fraud and identity theft.  We are very pleased to have apprehended Mr. Robinson to face the charges levied against him.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint:[1]

ROBINSON spent years posing as “Dr. Alim Shariff” – a “board certified behavior analyst,” “licensed psychological examiner,” and Naval Reserve Officer.  Using the Shariff identity, ROBINSON gained employment at multiple New York City area social service and rehabilitation providers.  In applying for these positions of trust, ROBINSON used fake identification documents, claimed stolen identification information, and made false statements to federal agencies.           

ROBINSON, 55, of New York, New York, is charged with two counts of forgery and false use of a passport, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, one count of false statements, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and three counts of aggravated identity theft, each of which carries a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison. 

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

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the Diplomatic Security Service.

If you believe you were a victim of this crime, including a victim entitled to restitution, and you wish to provide information to law enforcement and/or receive notice of future developments in the case or additional information, please contact Wendy Olsen-Clancy, the Victim Witness Coordinator at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, at (866) 874-8900, or Wendy.Olsen@usdoj.gov.  For additional information, go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/victimwitness.html.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Ashley C. Nicolas is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO THE RESIGNATION OF NYC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR CARRANZA

 

 Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement after NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced his imminent resignation.

"I want to thank the Chancellor for his service and collaboration, and recognize his dedication and drive. Chancellor Carranza assumed his position three years ago amid a difficult time for education in our city, with large challenges looming, but the final year of his tenure would become the most difficult and turbulent time for education in memory as the Department of Education, along with the rest of the city and nation, struggled to respond to the pandemic that took a terrible, personal toll on the Chancellor and his family.

 "As a frequent critic of decisions of the Department of Education, it was often difficult to discern where that criticism should go. I have often said that as the only constant amid the pandemic has been change, the Chancellor was given the near impossible task of building the plane while flying it. However, it became clear to me that too often, the administration was focused on the wrong parts of that plane- and that much of the blame was on City Hall. Through a focus on rushing to reopen in person education rather than improving the remote learning that would be at the heart of this year's strategy no matter what, the administration ultimately created even more chaos and lost the confidence of parents, students, administrators and educators. Rebuilding that confidence will be a key priority as we move forward in the work for safe, just, and equitable education. 

 

"The Chancellor has long professed his dedication to a progressive vision for equity in education. While some significant strides have been made toward that goal, many of the Mayor's strategies have run counter to it. This is seen clearly in the administration finally making progress in ending the segregation of the gifted and talented program in future years, but embracing an even worse strategy for 2021.

 

"There is immense work to be done, and to that end I want to congratulate Meisha Porter as she assumes this new role and becomes the first Black woman to hold it.  As a product of the public schools system, hearing her speak of her own history as first a student, then staff in that very system gave me great pride. To hear her say with intention "to all the little girls out there, I'm saving a seat for you" was incredibly impactful - especially to Black women like my fiancée and Black girls like my step-daughter, who often feel left out of reform discussions. I look forward to working with her to ensure that every young person in our city has a just and safe place to learn and grow, in recovery from the pandemic and beyond."

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS MEISHA PORTER CHANCELLOR OF NYC SCHOOLS AS RICHARD A. CARRANZA DEPARTS

 

New Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter as of March 15th

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Meisha Porter—a New York City public school graduate and 20-year veteran who has led at every level in the system—the next Chancellor of New York City public schools, and the first Black woman to serve in the role. After three years at the helm, Richard A. Carranza will begin transitioning out of the role of Chancellor. Porter will begin as Chancellor on March 15. 

“Today is an historic day for New York City schools. Meisha Porter is a homegrown New Yorker who knows what it takes to give every kid the high quality public school education they deserve,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Together we care going to build on the work that Richard Carranza has led in guiding the nation’s largest school system through the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting social and emotional learning, and making unprecedented gains for equity in our schools.”

 

“It has been my greatest honor to serve as New York City Schools Chancellor and I can’t think of anyone who would be better to take the helm than Meisha Porter,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “She has dedicated her life to New York City public schools and has a deep and crucial understanding of what it means to be a teacher and a principal. I am proud of what we've accomplished over the past three years and the change we've created together will help lift up generations of children for years to come." 

 

“As a lifelong New Yorker, a product of our City’s public schools, and a career educator, it is the honor of my lifetime to serve as Chancellor,” said Incoming Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza have laid an incredible foundation for me and I am ready to hit the ground running and lead New York City schools to a full recovery.”

 

Porter currently serves as Bronx Executive Superintendent, leading community school districts 7-12 and New Visions Affinity schools, covering the entire borough’s 361 schools and 235,448 students. She started her career as a youth organizer in Highbridge, and joined the Department of Education (DOE) as a teacher at the Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice, a school she helped conceive and found. After 18 years at the school, where she became Principal, she spent three years as Superintendent of District 11, which served the Pelham Parkway, Eastchester, and Woodlawn neighborhoods of the Bronx. 

 

As Executive Superintendent since 2018, Porter has overseen the largest gains in graduation rates of any borough in that time, from 67.4 in 2018 to 73.0 – a 5.7 percentage point increase, as compared to a 2.8 point increase citywide. Postsecondary enrollment in the Bronx has also had a substantial increase under her tenure, with 54.9% of the 9th grade cohort for the Class of 2019 enrolling in college, a 1.2 increase from the Class of 2018.  

 

In addition to previous roles within the DOE, Porter has also taught at CUNY as an adjunct professor and been a Columbia University Cahn fellow, an Aspen Institute fellow, and a member of the Harvard University National Institute for Urban School Leaders and the Fordham University – Carnegie Foundation iLead team. Ross-Porter has also received the National Association of Negro Women Sojourner Truth Award, Mercy College honorary degree and multiple state and local recognitions.

 

As the first person appointed from within DOE leadership in recent history, she will take the helm of the largest school district in the nation on March 15, and build on the tremendous accomplishments of Chancellor Carranza, a fierce advocate for public education and a champion for equity. In his tenure as Chancellor, he has: 

 

Led the nation’s largest school system through the COVID-19 pandemic: including the overnight transition to remote learning in March, the creation of dozens of safe learning environments for children of essential workers, distribution of 500,000 devices for remote learning, 80 million meals served to New Yorkers who need them, and a successful reopening of nearly all of our school buildings   when everyone doubted our ability to do it safely. Under Carranza’s leadership, New York City has consistently led the way on school reopening nationally in the past year. 

 

Propelled continued growth in academic achievement: year after year, under his academic vision, New York City’s public schools have achieved record-high graduation rates and record-low dropout rates. College enrollment and college readiness rates have risen to all-time highs, and formative assessments have become more widespread and consistent across schools in order to gain real-time information about what students know. Carranza championed and memorialized the first-ever common definition of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education for the DOE, making sure every student is recognized in the books they read and lessons they learn.  

 

Continued dismantling segregation and promoting equity in schools: including reforms that have capped suspensions and eliminated racial disparities in discipline; a strong focus on culturally responsive and sustaining education; a public push to eliminate the SHSAT; the elimination of a single Gifted & Talented test for four-year olds and plans to permanently change the program and a suspension of middle school admissions screens. This progress has occurred as the DOE has targeted efforts to support our most vulnerable learners.  

 

Made mental health and social emotional learning the priority that it is: as we move towards expanding restorative justice to every middle and high school in the City, invest in social-emotional learning, and provide students who need them with mental health services. Under his leadership, every student now has access to a guidance counselor or social worker, and the transfer of School Safety Agents from the Police Department to DOE is underway.

 

Chancellor Carranza is a native of Tucson, Arizona and has spent over 30 years as a public school educator. He began his career as a bilingual social studies teacher and high school principal, and led school districts across the country including Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Houston before New York City.  

 

Meisha Porter was born in Queens, New York and comes from a family of educators. She was raised by a single mother who returned to school to finish her degree and become an educator herself; her upbringing has taught her the power of public education, and the difference one teacher can make.

309 Days and Counting - New Chancellor March 15th

 

With 309 days left, I am putting a new Chancellor in charge of the public schools who will start on March 15th. I'll put Richard Carranza some place else, unless he decides to leave. That way I can put all the blame for poor student performance on him.

Norwood Food Giveaway by Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez

 

Assemblywoman Fernandez hands this woman a bag full of various groceries.

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez stopped by East 204th Street in the Norwood section of the 80th A.D. Thursday to help give out two-hundred bags of various food to area residents. Lexi Bar on East 204th street assisted in setting up the bags of food, and storing the bags of food inside until the food giveaway began. We must continue to ensure that our communities are supported during these struggling times. Thank you for the donations said Assemblywoman Fernandez. 

Some of the 200 bags of food which contained cereal, canned foods, and other groceries that were given out to community residents. 

Assemblywoman Fernandez stands next to a now half empty table that was full of bags of groceries that were handed out to area residents.

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF WOMAN; IS ALREADY UNDER INDICTMENT FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF BROOKLYN TEEN

 

Defendant Preyed on One of the Victims While Out on Bail 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for the sex-trafficking of a 28-yearold New Jersey woman, and is also under another indictment for sex-trafficking a 15-year-old Brooklyn girl. In both cases he allegedly beat and choked the victims. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant stands charged in two separate cases of assaulting females to force them into selling themselves for sex. He was indicted last October for trafficking a 15-year-old runaway, whom he allegedly ‘bought’ for $300 from another alleged pimp. After he was released on bail in January, he turned to his other victim and allegedly tried to coerce her into prostitution. He is now indicted for his alleged crimes against that victim as well. Sex trafficking is a heinous and despicable crime and we must do everything to stop it and to help the traumatized victims.”

 Commissioner Shea said, “The NYPD is committed to combating sex trafficking, protecting sex trafficking survivors and fighting every day on behalf of society’s most vulnerable individuals. I thank and commend the Human Trafficking Squad of the NYPD’s Vice Enforcement Unit and the Bronx District Attorney’s office for their ongoing efforts to eradicate trafficking in our city and to bring justice to the victims of these heinous crimes.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Reginald Cooke AKA Reggie, 31, of 1051 Anderson Avenue, was arraigned today on three counts of Sex Trafficking, second-degree Promoting Prostitution, second-degree Strangulation, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, fourth-degree Promoting Prostitution, third-degree Assault, fourth-degree Criminal Mischief, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Attempted Sex Trafficking, and Attempted Promoting Prostitution in the second and fourth degree before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Albert Lorenzo. The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on March 2, 2021.

 According to the investigation, between August 21, 2020 to October 8, 2020, the 28-yearold victim met two individuals at a South Hackensack, N.J. motel who then referred her to Cooke. The defendant told the victim she could have a better life and convinced her to stay with her two children in his Bronx home. Cooke allegedly took photos of the victim and posted them as ads on sex websites. The victim allegedly performed sexual acts with approximately 10-15 Johns per day in Cooke’s apartment, or at an apartment nearby. Cooke allegedly imposed specific rules, and when the victim did not comply, he would allegedly slap, punch and choke her and pull her hair. He also plied her with PCP.

 On October 8, 2020, the victim told the defendant that she did not want to work for him anymore and wanted to leave that lifestyle. Cooke allegedly became enraged and yelled and hit her in front of her two children. The victim called the police and left for New Jersey. An investigation began by the Bronx DA’s Human Trafficking Unit and the NYPD Human Trafficking Unit.

 Cooke is charged with co-defendants Laura Sue Haste AKA Chanel Foxx, 38 of Florida, and Robert Wilson AKA Tiger, 31, of 452 East 148th Street, for Sex Trafficking of a Child involving a 15-year-old victim who had run away from home and was reported missing by her mother. According to the investigation, in September 2019, the girl went to Wilson’s Bronx home and engaged in sexual intercourse with him and his partner, and she began working for Wilson. On August 3, 2020, Wilson allegedly sold the victim to Cooke for $300. Cooke allegedly took the victim to his home and he and Haste refused to let the victim leave. During that time, the victim engaged in sexual intercourse with Cooke. Cooke allegedly beat the teen to instill fear: punching, slapping and choking her. The defendant allegedly coordinated meetings with Johns and managed prices and payments. He allegedly gave the teen clothes, a list of rules and hired a photographer to take pictures of her. He then uploaded those pictures as ads on sex websites.

 The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children saw her photos when the ads started popping up and notified the NYPD. On August 21, 2020, the girl was rescued by the Human Trafficking Major Case Team after an undercover detective set up a date with the victim.

 Cooke and the co-defendants were arraigned on October 29, 2020 on a 22-count indictment charging Sex Trafficking of a Child, second-degree Promoting Prostitution, two counts of thirddegree Promoting Prostitution and fourth degree Promoting Prostitution before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross. Cooke was additionally charged with three counts of Sex Trafficking, second-degree Promoting Prostitution, third-degree Rape, third-degree Criminal Sexual Act, second-degree Unlawful Imprisonment and third-degree Assault. Haste was also charged with third-degree Criminal Sexual Act, and Wilson was charged with third-degree Rape, two counts of third-degree Criminal Sexual Act, Sex Trafficking of a Child, and second, third and fourth-degree Promoting Prostitution.

 Bail was set in the amount of $250,000 cash/$350,000 insurance bond/$500,000 partially secured bond at 10% with an examination of surety. On January 21, 2021, Cooke was released from Rikers Island and immediately contacted the New Jersey complainant and attempted to sex traffic her again. He was indicted on February 5, 2021, on the case involving that victim.

 Anyone with information about other victims, or if you are a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, or the Bronx DA’s Crime Victims Assistance Unit, (718) 590-2115.

 The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephanie M. Reilly of the Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Stephen Knoepfler, Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit, and under the overall supervision of Joseph Muroff, Chief of the Special Victims Division. District Attorney Clark thanked Rhayvan Jackson Terrell, social worker in the HTU. District Attorney Clark thanked Human Trafficking Major Case Team of NYPD Vice Enforcement Division Detective Mark Shackel, Detective Judith Moreno, and Lieutenant Amy Capogna for their work in the investigation.

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

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program

 

More Than 2.5 Million - or 12.8% of - New Yorkers Have Received First Dose

More Than 7% of New Yorkers Fully Vaccinated 

As of 11 AM today, New York's Providers Have Administered 91% of First Doses  

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-tracker#_blank; Dashboard Now Includes Demographic Data 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. As of 11 AM today, more than 2.5 million, or 12.8 percent of, New Yorkers have received a first dose of the vaccine, and more than 7 percent of New Yorkers have received both doses. New York's providers have administered 91 percent of first doses so far delivered. The week 10 allocation from the federal government that was delayed due to winter storms impacting much of the country has finished arriving. The week 11 allocation from the federal government is in the process of being delivered to providers for administration.  

"The vaccine is the weapon that will win the war, we know that it works, and it will be what gets us to the light at the end of the tunnel," Governor Cuomo said. "We're doing everything we can to further build our vaccination network and ensure the vaccine is being administered equitably, but one of our biggest obstacles to getting every single New Yorker vaccinated remains a lack of supply. The Biden Administration has been increasing our doses each week and in turn we've been able to expand eligibility to even more New Yorkers. Now that the FDA has found the Johnson & Johnson vaccine safe and effective against COVID, larger shipments and a greater supply are on the horizon, putting us one step closer to becoming the first COVID-free state in the nation." 

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.   

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. Starting next week, local health departments will also receive vaccine allocations for these individuals. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

     Doctor's letter, or

     Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or

     Signed certification

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11 AM today is as follows. Beginning week 9, allocation totals are inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program. The allocation totals below include 100 percent of the week 10 allocation.   

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received - 2,812,900

First Doses Administered - 2,562,274

Total Doses Received - 4,530,640

Total Doses Administered - 3,985,558

Senator Rivera on Sexual Harassment Allegations against Governor Cuomo

 

"I believe survivors. Coming forward is a courageous act and I believe that choosing not to share your story does not make what you survived any less real or unacceptable.

The serious allegations presented against Governor Cuomo by his former staffer are incredibly upsetting and repulsive. I join the multiple calls made for an immediate independent investigation into them.

If we want to eradicate such egregious behavior from workplaces and elsewhere and to support survivors to overcome their trauma, we must believe them. We must also act firmly and swiftly to hold those who mistreat others and abuse their power accountable, regardless of how powerful they are.”