Senator Gustavo Rivera’s Coverage For All Bill Passes the State Senate

  

State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement after his Coverage 4 All bill (S2237A/A3020A) passed the State Senate. 

We have taken a major step in our efforts to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status. Passing Coverage 4 All has been a long-standing goal of mine and I could not be prouder to get this over the finish line in the Senate. I am deeply grateful to Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for her bold leadership on this issue and to Assemblymember Gonzalez-Rojas for her steadfast partnership and continued focus to ensure this historic bill moves through the Assembly.” 

“After receiving clear guidance from the federal government earlier this week that New York can indeed utilize federal funding under the 1332 waiver program to expand health coverage to eligible undocumented New Yorkers, passing this fiscally responsible and common sense public health proposal through the Legislature will ensure that thousands of uninsured New Yorkers can proactively take care of their health while potentially saving New York millions in the long-term.”

“I am so proud to be part of the Senate Democratic Conference and am thankful to my colleagues for recognizing the urgency of passing this bill and the benefits for New Yorkers and our healthcare system. I want to thank our incredible coalition of advocates and New Yorkers who fought tirelessly for this bill since day one. I urge my Assembly colleagues to join us in passing this monumental legislation.” 

Permits Filed For 3052 Hull Avenue In Norwood, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 3052 Hull Avenue in Norwood, The Bronx. Located between East Mosholu Parkway North and East 204th Street, the lot is two blocks from the Norwood-205 Street subway station, serviced by the D train. Alfred Popaj is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 50-foot-tall development will yield 5,119 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have eight residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 639 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and a 51-foot-long rear yard.

Node Architecture Engineering Consulting is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced. 

Join Team AOC at the Hunts Point Fish Parade & Arts Festival!

 

Do you have plans for next weekend? Join Team AOC at the 20th Annual Hunts Point Fish Parade & Arts Festival!

 Hunts Point Fish Parade & Arts Festival! 
Saturday, June 17 at 11:30AM
The Point CDC
Hunts Point, The Bronx

The Fish Parade & Arts Festival is an annual procession through Hunts Point, and celebrates Bronx culture, activism, and environmental justice while connecting the community to the Bronx River.

Like shoaling fish, the community marches together in a family-friendly, vibrant celebration. Participants use banners, costumes, and puppets to capture the parade's vibe of activism, joy, and community building. The celebration culminates in an arts festival featuring live music, dancing, and art-making.

This year, the theme is Rooted Visions. Team AOC will be marching in the Fish Parade, and then sharing info about the Green New Deal at a table at the Arts Festival (with environmental art activity table for kids!)

Join us next weekend →

We hope to see you there!

AOC Organizing Team

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE INTRODUCES BILLS TO REFORM CITY JAILS, RESOLUTION CALLING FOR RIKERS RECEIVERSHIP

 

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams today introduced a slate of legislation aimed at changing systems in city jails, including a resolution formally calling for the President to place the Department of Correction under federal receivership. He first called for receivership following the federal monitor’s report last month.

“It is clear that after over a year of purported reforms, the city has shown itself to be unable to meet the needs of those under its custody, care, and control at this time. The issues on Rikers are longstanding, and predate this administration, but despite any efforts by the city, patterns of abuse, neglect, secrecy and misinformation have continued,” said Public Advocate Williams in introducing the resolution. 

“If the administration could show me a more swift, effective, fully functioning plan than is currently in place, that would be welcome – but we can’t wait to see if conditions worsen and harm compounds,” Public Advocate Williams continued. “I do not take this step lightly, and know that receivership comes with its own challenges -- at the same time, we need rapid reform. Right now, I urge my colleagues on the Council to support this resolution and call for intervention to protect people on both sides of the bars.”

The receivership resolution details the recent history of the crisis on Rikers and the push for receivership in the courts, and argues that “Federal receivership is a designation that would give sweeping powers to an independent authority tasked with finally ending violence on Rikers Island as it has helped remedy entrenched problems at other lockups nationwide.” 

In light of the court’s current position that the Department of Correction’s action plan is sufficient and the reality that “only a non-partisan receiver appointed by the Federal Court can suspend laws, regulations, and contracts, including a collective bargaining agreement, that interfere with the implementation of the consent decree, and in correcting the things that the court determined are in need of correction,” the resolution calls on “the President of the United States to immediately place New York City jails in federal receivership.”

After his inspection of Rikers alongside Comptroller Brad Lander yesterday, the Public Advocate repeated his assessment that, at this time, receivership is the best available path to most quickly address the myriad of changes needed and challenges faced at Rikers Island. In addition to the dangerous conditions for people on both sides of the bars, he cited the Department of Correction’s resistance to transparency about deaths and harm in city jails, efforts by the department to reduce or impede oversight, and budget cuts to restorative programming. 

He further noted transition to receivership “must be guided by people currently and locally involved in reform and oversight work, rather than those committed to a failing status quo. And must not be up to solely one person."

Public Advocate Williams also introduced legislation today to protect the rights of detainees on Rikers Island.

First, with Council Member Keith Powers, he introduced Intro 1093, a bill to require the city to report on voter registration in city jails, alongside a companion resolution calling for state action to help ensure this right and facilitate registration and voting among incarcerated people.

Second, the Public Advocate introduced a bill with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Intro 1092, to provide opportunity and access for eligible incarcerated people to apply for and obtain IDNYC cards while detained, an important access point for other services and resources. 

As the Public Advocate has maintained, systemic change at Rikers must include passage of legislation that will improve services, culture, and safety for all on the island. It must also include a commitment to decarcerate and follow through on the legally and morally mandated timeline to close Rikers for good.

Watch the Public Advocate and Comptroller speak following their inspection of Rikers here, and read the Public Advocate’s initial call for federal receivership in the wake of the monitor’s report here.

Attorney General James Announces Final National Settlement Agreements for $17.3 Billion with Teva, CVS, and Walgreens

 

Companies Agree to Provide $17.3 Billion to Participating States to Help Combat Opioid Epidemic

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the final approval of $17.3 billion in opioid agreements with drug makers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Allergan and pharmacies CVS and Walgreens, including over $1 billion for New York state. These agreements settle ongoing lawsuits by other states, and finalizes settlement provisions that were negotiated between Attorney General James and Teva Pharmaceuticals, CVS, and Walgreens. These respective agreements will become effective in the coming weeks. These funds are part of the over $2.6 billion secured by Attorney General James from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and prescribers. Funds from this settlement agreement are expected to start becoming available to state and local governments by the end of this year. New York has already started receiving payments from Teva for the trial premium in recognition of New York’s landmark liability verdict following a six-month trial. Attorney General James had previously settled with Allergan, and is not part of the national agreement with that company. 

“No amount of money will bring back the lives lost to opioids, but these funds will help heal New York,” said Attorney General James. “For years, Teva, CVS, and Walgreens peddled deadly opioids and today’s historic agreements hold these companies accountable for their role in this public health crisis. These funds will help with opioid abatement, education, and treatment efforts in our communities.” 

The settlement agreements announced today finalize previously achieved agreements secured between Attorney General James and the companies involved. Those agreements include securing $523 million from Teva Pharmaceuticals and over $548 million from CVS and Walgreens. As a result of Attorney General James’ efforts to hold opioid manufacturers, distributors, and prescribers accountable for their actions, New York will receive over $2.6 billion to support abatement, treatment, and prevention efforts over the coming years.  

The settlement agreements announced today will also require Teva to operate under a monitor, prevent all opioid marketing, and ensure systems are in place to prevent drug misuse. CVS and Walgreens have agreed to requirements that the pharmacies must monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions. A final agreement with Walmart is not being announced today; there are different process for finalizing that settlement, which is anticipated in the coming weeks. 

These settlement agreements continue to build on Attorney General James’ commitment to combat the opioid crisis and keep New Yorkers safe. In March 2019, Attorney General James filed a historic lawsuit to hold various opioid manufacturers and distributors responsible for their roles in the crisis. Attorney General James has recovered more than $2.6 billion to support New York opioid abatement, treatment, and prevention efforts from several companies, including Teva Pharmaceuticals, Mallinckrodt, Allergan, Endo, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen. Attorney General James has also led multistate coalitions in reaching settlements for billions of dollars with CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart for their role in failing to properly regulate opioid prescriptions. Additionally, Attorney General James has also cracked down on dozens of drug trafficking rings, taken action against drug peddlers, and removed dangerous drugs out of New York communities. 

Teva negotiations were led by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. CVS and Walgreens negotiations were led by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas. 

Ten Charged With Violent Kidnapping Of A Minor In The Bronx And Related Firearm Offenses

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging ADONYS CASTILLO, a/k/a “Candela,” GERARD VALENTINE FRIAS, a/k/a “Monkey,” JADEL ARAUJO, a/k/a “Negro,” a/k/a “Negromoneymaker,” HENRY MARCANO, a/k/a “KC,” JOSHUA TORRES, EDWIN RAMIREZ, RANDY BAUTISTA, JARYLIZ ORTEGA, ELVIO TORIBIO, and CLAUDY BRATINI, a/k/a “Cilantro,” with conspiring to kidnap a minor in the Bronx, New York.  The defendants have been charged in the violent abduction of a 16-year-old victim (the “Victim”).  The Indictment is assigned to United States District Judge Laura Taylor Swain.

CASTILLO, FRIAS, MARCANO, TORRES, BAUTISTA, ORTEGA, AND TORIBIO were arrested last night and this morning and are expected to be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.  ARAUJO, who is currently in federal custody in connection with a separate firearms offense, and BRATINI, who was previously in state custody and has been transferred to federal custody, will also be presented later today.  RAMIREZ is a fugitive.   

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today and statements previously made on the record in this case and related matters:[1]

In the early morning hours of April 26, 2022, the Victim, along with two others, robbed a location where marijuana was sold.  The defendants immediately gave chase, including EDWIN RAMIREZ and JOSHUA TORRES, who discharged a firearm as they pursued the Victim and his friends who had just stolen bags of marijuana from the drug-selling location.  The defendants were able to capture the Victim.  The defendants then held the Victim against his will for approximately 19 hours.  During this time, the Victim was severely beaten and transported from one building in the Bronx to another before being dropped off under an overpass.  The Victim was found by a bystander the next morning on April 27, 2022, after having been left on the street, hog-tied and drifting in and out of consciousness, the night before.  According to a doctor who treated the 16-year-old Victim, the Victim suffered from lacerations to his brain.

All 10 defendants have been charged with conspiracy to kidnap a minor, and RAMIREZ and TORRES have been charged with the use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

A chart containing the names and ages of the defendants who were charged today, the charges, and the minimum and maximum penalties they face is attached.  All of the defendants are residents of the Bronx, New York. 

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ni Qian and Jim Ligtenberg are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant	Age	Charges	Minimum and Maximum Penalties
ADONYS CASTILLO	27	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
GERARD VALENTINE FRIAS	28	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
JADEL ARAUJO	23	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
HENRY MARCANO	27	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
JOSHUA TORRES	27	Kidnapping conspiracy; use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime	Mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
EDWIN RAMIREZ	28	Kidnapping conspiracy; use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime	Mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
RANDY BAUTISTA	21	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
JARYLIZ ORTEGA	28	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
ELVIO TORIBIO	27	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison
CLAUDY BRATINI	27	Kidnapping conspiracy	Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison; maximum of life in prison

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