A.G. Schneiderman And Tax Commissioner Boone Announce Conviction Of Unregistered Tax Preparer For Attempting To Steal Tax Refunds

Raul D. Kelley Expected To Be Sentenced To 2 To 6 Years In Prison For Submitting Forged NYC Transit Authority W2 Statements And Preparing Over 700 Fraudulent Tax Returns

     Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Taxation and Finance Commissioner Jerry Boone today announced the guilty plea of Raul D. Kelley, 49, of the Bronx, NY for submitting forged W2 statements and preparing over 700 fraudulent tax returns while acting as an unregistered tax preparer. Kelley pleaded guilty today in Albany County Supreme Court before The Honorable Andrew G. Ceresia to the crimes of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class “D” felony, and Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “E” felony. Kelley is expected to be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison for his crimes when sentencing occurs on May 3.   

“When individuals avoid paying their taxes, it unfairly shifts the burden to honest taxpayers across New York State,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Today’s guilty plea brings the defendant to justice for his role in repeatedly submitting false documents to state tax officials and I appreciate the hard work of the Department of Taxation and Finance for partnering with my office during this investigation.”  

“The defendant admits to cheating the State on two fronts—first by falsifying tax returns for his clients, and then by falsifying his own personal income tax returns,” said Commissioner Boone. “This sentencing should send a clear message about the high price to pay for criminal activity.”

In January 2015, as a result of a joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s (DTF’s) Criminal Investigations Division, Kelley was arrested on felony charges regarding his operation of an unregistered tax preparer business, in which he submitted fraudulent tax returns on behalf of taxpayers.  Kelley was re-arrested in February 2016 on additional felony charges for submitting fraudulent documents and information on his own personal income taxes, in an effort to take more than $25,000. 

According to the indictment and statements made to prosecutors, Kelley worked for the NYC Transit Authority from 2007 until 2008 as a train operator. However, after leaving the NYC Transit Authority, Kelley continued to submit forged W2 Statements through the 2012 tax year, claiming thousands of dollars in fraudulent tax withholdings. In addition, Kelley claimed thousands of dollars in deductions and credits that he was not entitled to, all in an effort to personally wrongfully collect more than $25,000 in New York State tax refunds.

The investigation by the Attorney General and the DTF uncovered additional crimes linked to Kelley’s role as an unregistered tax preparer, including the submission of over 700 fraudulent New York State personal and corporate income tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2012. These submissions resulted in the theft from the DTF of $267,425 and the attempted theft of an additional $506,572.

Kelley pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Andrew G. Ceresia in Albany County Supreme Court to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a Class “D” felony) and Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a Class “E” felony). As part of his plea, Kelley admitted that that these crimes were related to Kelley’s role as an unregistered tax preparer and his submission of fraudulent New York State personal and corporate income tax returns for clients between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, Kelley is expected to be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in state prison and must pay a $10,000 fine. 

Commissioner Boone encourages taxpayers to ensure that tax preparers are registered with New York State by using the Tax Department’s searchable online database of 40,000 tax preparers. Certified public accountants, attorneys and enrolled agents have other professional requirements and are, therefore, not required to be registered.

The Attorney General thanked the DTF’s Criminal Investigations Division for its cooperation in the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Philip V. Apruzzese of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. The Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gary T. Fishman and Deputy Chief Stephanie Swenton. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.

The Attorney General’s investigation was conducted by Investigators Michael Leahy, Elsa Rojas, and Mark Spencer, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigators Antoine Karam and John McManus.  The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarrella.

NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, nvite you to a reception recognizing the role of Albanians in sheltering Jewish refugees during the Holocaust

NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman,  Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj,  &   H.E. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania

Cordially Invite you to a reception recognizing the role of  Albanians in sheltering   Jewish refugees during the Holocaust The reception will feature a trailer of the documentary,  "Besa: Albanians that saved Jews during WWII," a display of the photographs and stories demonstrating the compassion and bravery of ordinary people. A full screening of the documentary will follow.  Monday, April 11, 2016 Reception & Program: 6:00pm- 7:00pm Documentary Screening & Panel: 7:30pm- 9:30pm Museum Of Jewish Heritage 36 Battery Place, New York, NY 10280 SPACE IS LIMITED- RSVP IS MANDATORY Only ticket holders will be admitted To RSVP, email assemblymangjonajevents@gmail.com 1) Reception/Program 2)Documentary 0r 3)Both For more information, please contact: Klaudio Rruko 347-671-4355 or Illirjan Fundo 917-459-8912 or 718-409-0109.

Klein Bill Banning Sex Offenders from 1,000 feet of Pre-K & Kindergartens Passes Senate

The New York State Senate on Monday passed legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Klein to prohibit Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of a pre-kindergarten or stand-alone kindergarten facility. The bill would also require that a quarterly list of all elementary and secondary schools in the state is obtained by the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, in order to ensure that current residency laws are being enforced.

“Entire communities are being left vulnerable to dangerous sexual predators who often strike more than once. There's a reason why the law does not allow pedophiles to live within 1,000 feet of a school. Parents expect those laws to protect all children and be enforced. I am pleased that my bill to prohibit sex offenders from residing near a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten has passed the Senate, and that this legislation will also go a long way towards ensuring that the law is properly enforced,” said Senator Klein.

Last year, the Independent Democratic Conference released, “Keeping Our Children Safe From Sex Offenders,” which revealed disturbing violations of residency restrictions and numerous sex offenders living dangerously close to both traditional and stand-alone UPK programs in New York.

The analysis also uncovered over 130 instances where registered sex offenders were listed under incorrect zip codes. The discover renders useless the zip code alert system, which parents and community members utilize to receive notification when a sex offender moves into the area.

Two of the sexual predators found in that investigation – Michael Nieves and Damon Ford – are already back in prison. Ford violated his parole after police found him purchasing synthetic marijuana. Nieves also violated parole conditions when police were called to his home for a domestic dispute.

In August, yet another predator was found residing near a school. Mark Mercado, who was released from the Gowanda Correctional Facility in western New York, had relocated to The Bronx. He was found within 950-feet of a stand-alone UPK at the Westchester Tremont Day Care Center, which serves approximately 100 local children.

First introduced in 2014, the bill overwhelmingly passed the State Senate in 2014 and 2015.

Editor's Note:

While the State Senate has passed this legislation now for the third straight year, it must also be passed by the State Assembly, that has not the past two years. If the State Assembly was to pass this legislation this year, then the bill must be signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo to take effect.

NYCHCC Workshop in Celebration of Financial Literacy Month

PEDESTRIAN PLAZA BILL AND LEGISLATION ON TAXIs/FHVs TO BE VOTED ON IN TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

On Wednesday, April 6th at 10:00 AM, the Council Transportation Committee will vote on the following bills:

• Proposed Int. No. 658-A - By Council Members Garodnick, Rodriguez, Chin, Constantinides, Rose, Espinal, Williams, Cabrera, Mendez, Rosenthal and Menchaca - A local law in relation to requiring information security and use of personal information policies for services licensed by taxi and limousine commission
• Proposed Int. No. 1080-A - By The Speaker (Council Member Mark-Viverito) and Council Members Garodnick, Rodriguez, Torres and Menchaca - A local law in relation to fare quotes for black car and luxury limousine service
• Proposed Int. No. 1092-A - By Council Members Lancman, Menchaca, Constantinides and Van Bramer - A local law in relation to the retirement of black cars
• Proposed Int. No. 1095-A - By Council Members Rodriguez and Constantinides - A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a universal driver's license for taxicab and for-hire vehicle drivers
• Proposed Int. No. 1096-A - By Council Members Rodriguez, Constantinides and Van Bramer - A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to increasing penalties for accepting a passenger by street hail from a location where street hails are not permitted
• Proposed Int. No. 1109-B - By Council Members Johnson, Garodnick, Lander, Rodriguez, Torres, Chin and Cohen-  A local law in relation to pedestrian plazas

When: Wednesday, April 6th, 10:00 AM

Where: 250 Broadway,14th Floor Committee Hearing Room

Assemblyman Crespo & Senator Klein Create Disaster Preparedness Program Via State Budget

Superstorm Sandy and extreme weather across New York leads to program which incentivizes disaster preparedness for property owners

    With billions in damage to property across New York due to severe weather and with the limited resources of first-responders being put to their limit, New York State has adopted legislation proposed in 2014 by Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo and Senator Jeff Klein which will incentivize property owners to make their dwellings more resilient to natural disasters through a home safety and loss prevention course. This is also a win-win for insurance companies who provide homeowners with authorized courses in disaster preparedness as this would reduce claims on the company.

The 2016-2017 State Budget which was adopted yesterday included the original legislation (A.6846/S.1529) which was vetoed by Governor Cuomo last year.  With over $30 billion in property damage due to Superstorm Sandy alone, it became clear that more needed to be done to help New Yorkers become better prepared and more resilient to a major natural disaster.  Across the State, outbreaks of severe weather in the form of flooding and tornadoes have also inflicted millions in property damage. 

The new law permits the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to provide an actuarially appropriate reduction in homeowner’s insurance premiums upon a homeowner’s completion of a home safety and loss prevention course. This new law establishes that:

•               Applicants have the ability to submit a home safety and loss prevention course to DFS for review;

•               DFS will examine the course to discern if it warrants an actuarially appropriate reduction in rates of a homeowner’s insurance policy; and,

•               Once DFS approves the course and the insured (the homeowner) produces a completion certificate proving they have completed the approved course, the insurer can provide the actuarially appropriate reduction in rates of a homeowner’s insurance policy for a period of 3 years.

“I am proud to once again partner with Senator Klein to work on programs which will improve public safety, save lives and better prepare our residents to cope with natural disasters which we have seen cripple communities,” stated Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance.

“In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which devastated homes in my district, it’s imperative that New Yorkers learn how to fortify their properties in the event of extreme weather. Through this new course, homeowners will develop ways to reduce the risk of property damage posed by natural disasters and in securing their homes, lessen danger to their families, while getting a discount on their homeowners insurance,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

This is the second bill of three proposed in a report released by Assemblyman Crespo in May of 2013 to improve public safety from growing severe weather threats.   “Tornadoes Rising: The Increasing Rates of Tornadoes in New York State” highlighted the dangers facing most New Yorkers from severe weather. 

The report compiled tornado data since 1950 and found that “Over the past 15 years 146 tornadoes have hit our State, accounting for 35% of the 407 tornadoes impacting New York since 1950. Data shows 69% of the 407 tornadoes occurring since 1986, increasing in frequency over the past decade. Tornadoes now pose a tremendous risk to all of New York’s more than 19 million residents.”  It also found that “New York City alone has seen a more than 300% increase in tornadoes since 2002.”  A full copy of the report can be found at:http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/085/20130701/index.pdf

According to Crespo, “We know that most people have put their sole trust in first responders as their primary vehicle to deal with a disaster and this is unrealistic when a mass disaster impacts any locality.  It is impossible for first-responders to respond to what would become an overwhelming number of calls for assistance.  That is why this legislation incentivizes homeowners to make their homes more disaster resilient so they can stay at home and in safety until help can reach them. Disaster preparedness should become a household term and way of life.”

New York Hispanic Clergy Organization Annual Banquet to Be Held On April 16

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

New York Hispanic Clergy Organization Annual Banquet Will Be Held On April 16

You should know that on Saturday, April 16, 2016, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will be celebrating its Annual Banquet.

It is important for you to know that this Banquet will begin a 1:00PM and continue until 4:00PM, and will take place at Maestro’s Caterers, located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

Like every year for the past 27, Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, Lay People and Community Leaders will get together with the Board of Directors to celebrate the biggest social gathering of the Evangelical Hispanic Community in the Metropolitan area.

You should also know that more than 800 people have already confirmed their attendance, and elected officials are also expected to attend and join in the recognition of five distinguished members of the Hispanic Clergy.

Reverend Luis Serrano, Chaplain of the New York City Police Department; Dr. Ariel Torres, Member of Radio Vision Cristiana International Board of Directors; Reverend Dr. Feliciano Espaillat, Community Dentist and Pastor; Dr. Julio Wally, Pastor of the Iglesia Alianza Cristiana Ebenezer; and Reverend Francisco Peralta, Assistant Pastor of Heavenly Vision Ministry in Bronx County will receive Certificates, Proclamations, and Recognition during the activity.

The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization’s Banquet will be presided by yours truly, and the press is welcome.

I am Senator Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

CarFreeNYC Shows Strength With Growing Support Across City

OVER ONE HUNDRED RALLY AT CITY HALL TO SUPPORT A CAR FREE NYC ON EARTH DAY

Rally Draws from Diverse Range of Prominent NYC Institutions & Officials to Stress Importance of Leaving Cars at Home This Earth Day

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams Issues Challenge to Fellow BP's, Saying Brooklyn Will Have Fewest Cars on Street this Earth Day

New York, NY - Over one hundred gathered on the steps of City Hall today to back a transformative initiative spreading across the globe: a Car Free Day, this time in New York City. The effort, kick started by NYC Council Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez, encourages New York drivers to leave their cars at home for at least one day this year: Earth Day, April 22^nd. 

Supporters included elected officials, companies and advocacy organizations from a wide variety of fields, all eager to take part in the discussion about the choices we can make as a city when it comes to transportation.

"New Yorkers who choose to drive don't often think twice about hopping in cars to get around, at least until they're sitting in the parking lot that is typical midtown traffic," said NYC Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. "This Earth Day, we can choose another way-to work, to school, to run errands or otherwise-and hopefully drive a discussion about how our choices impact our planet and our neighbors. We will see how lively our streets can be when filled with people rather than cars. We can also reaffirm that investments in mass transit pay major dividends from an economic and environmental perspective. I am so proud that this initiative has received the support of so many and we expect to have a real impact on April 22^nd."

Single occupancy car usage is one of the least efficient ways of moving about a city rife with quality transportation options, not to mention the high costs of car ownership in New York City as compared to monthly MetroCards or a Citibike membership. Freeing up our streets can provide for cleaner air, causing less harm to our environment; allow for greater walkability and bikeability to promote active transportation; and will impress upon New Yorkers how our choices matter when it comes to how we move about.

At the rally, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams issued a challenge to his fellow Borough Presidents, including Manhattan BP Gale Brewer, who was present, that Brooklyn would be the borough to reduce car usage the most in the City; a challenge that Brewer accepted immediately.

#CarFreeNYC is also specifically geared toward those New Yorkers who don't live in transit rich areas as it will highlight the disparities in commute time for those living in transit deserts. This is an indicator which often holds a direct relationship to income and employment levels in New York and cities across the country. This is why it has garnered the support from Council Members representing districts with sparse transit such as Elizabeth Crowley and I. Daneek Miller. 

"Our planet is the only one we have, and all of us have a role to play in preserving it for future generations," said Public Advocate Letitia James. "Any step that reduces carbon emissions brings us one step closer to finally tackling climate change. I look forward to doing my part and participating in Car Free Day on Earth Day, and thank Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez for creating this important initiative."

"Car-Free Day is a great way to show our commitment to a greener future on Earth Day," said State Senator Adriano Espaillat. "Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez has demonstrated a deep dedication to better connecting our city, with new and improved transportation options. I look forward to continuing to work with him to better connect our communities to emerging job centers."

"Manhattan is one of the most walkable urban environments on the planet," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "Working together, events like Car-Free Day can help us imagine a cleaner, safer city with more public transportation, more walking, more public space, and fewer cars."

"If we are to conquer our congestion challenges, we need to be bold," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. If we are to make meaningful progress in the battle against climate change, we need to be aggressive. I applaud Council Member Rodriguez for his bold, aggressive push for a Car Free Day in New York City this Earth Day, a movement that asks all of us to rethink transportation and advance sustainable solutions. I will do my part to make sure Brooklyn is a leading force in this important moment for our planet."

Editor's Note:

The list of names who commented added up to 35. That would mean a little more than 65 others (probably mostly staff of those who commented) attended. Considering the Public Advocate, both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents, and a candidate for congress, not to mention all the others listed as giving comments for various groups or organizations, it seems that no one else was in attendance. This press release also came from City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez who was not listed as giving commentary.