Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman - Cracking Down On Fraud & Abuse In The Ticket Industry

 

The Attorney General announced legislation this week to eliminate the rampant and illegal use of ticket “bots," computer software used by resellers to buy tickets for popular concerts and sporting events within minutes of those tickets going on sale. Last week, the Attorney General reached multi-million dollar settlements with six ticket brokers that will stop the use of ticket bots by some of the most common resellers. 

More news is expected next week. The Attorney General’s previous report on the investigation detailed the difficulties ordinary New York consumers face from these troubling industry practices and the middle-men that work to keep affordable tickets out of their hands. Read about the AG's recent efforts to create a fairer ticket marketplace in the Times Union here.  

Taking Trump University to Trial

The Attorney General's office was back in court this week seeking justice for the thousands of students defrauded by Trump University. Following the hearing, the Attorney General released the following statement. Read the WSJ story here. 

“I am very pleased the judge has indicated her intention to move as expeditiously as possible to trial, as thousands of Mr. Trump’s alleged victims have been waiting years for relief from his fraud. We believe that Mr. Trump and Mr. Sexton will be essential witnesses at trial. As we will prove in court, Donald Trump and his sham for-profit college defrauded thousands of students out of millions of dollars.”

Expanding Hep C Coverage For New Yorkers

The Attorney General reached agreements with seven health insurance companies to expand their coverage policies for patients suffering with chronic Hepatitis C. Under the agreement, health insurance plans will no longer deny coverage to members using alcohol or drugs, and will start treating patients at earlier stages. Read the WSJ story here.  

Empowering Suffolk Voters to Register Online

The Attorney General issued an opinion advising Suffolk County that online voter registration is legal in the State of New York. This determination was in response to a Suffolk County letter requesting the office’s opinion whether it would be permitted by State election law. For many voters, a fully online voter registration system would streamline the process, making it easier to enroll on one’s mobile device and electronically sign. Read the Newsday story about it here.

Compelling the D.A. Comply with Executive Order

The Attorney General sued Rensselaer District Attorney Abelove to compel him to comply with Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order that appointed the Attorney General as a special prosecutor in all cases where an unarmed civilian dies during a police encounter. The D.A. attempted to exercise jurisdiction over a police shooting case in Troy in violation of the Executive Order. The Attorney General’s suit seeks to require the D.A. to surrender his case file and bar him from exercising jurisdiction to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Edson Thevenin on April 17, 2016. Read news coverage about it in the NY Times here. 

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website at ag.ny.gov. You can also call our General Hotline: 800-771-7755. 

Mosholu Parkway Clean Up

   Today was the Mosholu Parkway Clean Up by Jerome Avenue which was sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, The Friends of Mosholu Parkway, The Jerome Gun Hill BID, Bedford Mosholu Community Organization, NYC Parks & Partnership for Parks, and 52nd Precinct Explorers. 

       Due to a death in his family Assemblyman Gjonaj was unable to attend, but members of his staff and some of his many friends were on hand to help the volunteers that showed up. The area to be cleaned up was the Circle of Friends Plaza located at Jerome Avenue and E. Mosholu Parkway North. As you will see in the photos below several activities went on including trash removal, planting of flowers, weeding, and more. 

Above - Residents are joined by others as they filled up bags of litter and trash from along this step street next to the train station.

Below - Two capable volunteers from the City Comptroller's office were on hand to help. 

Above and Below - Volunteers are planting flowers around this tree. 

Above - Ms. Barbara Stronzer Parks Committee Chair of Community Board 7 and CB 7 District Manager Andrew Sandler water the plants after they were planted.

Below - A group photo of some of the volunteers who came out to help.

Tomorrow's Festival is ON! Rain or Shine! Please join us

It is shaping up to be a great event with an  awesome music and entertainment line up  and numerous attractions.   Click  here for more details. Plus we have  made a decision to hold the festival  despite the weather forecast.  The event  will feature a large, covered stage with live  music throughout.  The street will be covered by  three 20 foot by 40 foot tents to keep our guests,  organizers and sponsors as dry as possible. Many  businesses on the block are participating so stop  into those to eat, shop and get info.   Join us tomorrow -  What else is there to do on rainy Sunday!!

Charlie Rangel - Proudly Endorsing Keith Wright - He'll Continue my Work

Representing Upper Manhattan and the Bronx in Congress has been an honor and a privilege. I'm incredibly proud of my service and, as I look to the future, it's important that I support a candidate who will work equally hard for New York. That's why I am proud to announce my endorsement of Keith Wright's campaign for Congress. Keith is the best choice for New York's 13th District!

I'm proudly endorsing Keith Wright - join me in support!

I first came to Congress in 1971. The world has changed since then, but my commitment to the great people of New York has remained steadfast. Our city is my priority - I created the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, sponsored the Affordable Care Act to expand healthcare coverage, and protested injustice by the hands of police officers. I made sure that Social Security was safe while raising the minimum wage and protecting low-income housing.

I know that Keith Wright will continue this legacy.

Keith has spent decades fighting for our community in Albany. His leadership has created real change for New York. He's empowered hard-working New Yorkers to protect our rights by establishing free legal clinics and has always fought to protect and expand affordable housing. The Second Avenue Subway extension is funded because of his tenacity.

Like me, when his constituents are protesting for equality, Keith is not afraid to stand side by side with activists - even willing to risk arrest to stand up for our hardest working brothers and sisters. 

Our community needs a tireless advocate like Keith Wright who will always stand up for what is right, even in the face of right-wing extremism in Washington. I know first-hand how essential it is to have an authentic New York leader in Congress fighting for our city. Keith Wright is the man to build on the success we have achieved together in my tenure and I'm proud to endorse Keith Wright as the next Congressman representing NY-13.

What the people of Harlem, the Bronx, Washington Heights, Inwood, El Barrio, and East Harlem need in Washington is not just an experienced legislator, but a community builder and proven leader, which Keith Wright has demonstrated to be throughout his entire public service career. We can count on Keith to represent the diverse needs of our community and keep fighting for all of us.

Thank you,
Charlie Rangel

EDITOR"S NOTE:

Congressman Rangel, What took you so long? 

Look at the previous posting from May 29, 2015 when you had me take a photo of you with your choice then to replace you in congress Keith Wright. 

Congressman Rangel to Endorse Keith Wright for Congress

  The above photo was taken on May 29, 2015 at the Street renaming of East 205th Street in front of Bronx Science High School to Bronx Science Boulevard. This was the day after Adam Powell had posted a photo of Congressman Rangel and himself suggesting that Congressman Rangel was endorsing Adam Powell for his congressional seat. The exact words of Congressman Rangel were "Take this photo of Assemblyman Keith Wright and myself, because I am supporting Assemblyman Wright for my congressional seat".

   On Saturday April 30, 2016 at 11 AM at the Alhambra Ballroom located at 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard Congressman Charles Rangel will officially endorse Assemblyman Keith Wright to succeed him in congress.

Everyone Does It, de Blasio is Not the Only One

What You Should Know 
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District

  You should know that the Mayor of the City of New York is under fire and he is facing 5 different investigations.  

It is important for you to know that I never supported Mayor de Blasio when he was a Mayoral Candidate, and instead. I supported Eric Salgado and Bill Thompson. For the record, I don’t like Bill de Blasio’s policies, we have nothing in common, and I have not met with him nor spoken with him in person since he was elected Mayor. But as I see him being subject to what looks like selective prosecution, I must speak out.

It is important for you to know that Risa S. Sugarman, who was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve as the Chief Enforcement Officer for the Board of Elections, sent a report to the Manhattan District Attorney regarding Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “willful and flagrant” campaign law violations.

Ms. Sugarman’s report prompted a criminal investigation into Mayor de Blasio’s fund-raising.

According to Ms. Sugarman’s report, Mayor Bill de Blasio and his team raised money to send to certain County Committees in 2014 to help Democrats running for the State Senate. In a response to Ms. Sugarman’s report, a criminal investigation against Mayor de Blasio is underway.

You should also know that City and State’s Winners and Losers column for the week ending 4/29/2016 included NY Times columnist Jim Dwyer in the Winners’ column for successfully “putting pressure on state Board of Elections Chief Enforcement Officer Risa Sugarman to explain her selective investigation process.

This hat-tip tip Jim Dwyer includes his April 28, 2016 column “Faulting de Blasio for Walking a Beaten Path in Elections.”

Mr. Dwyer wrote: “In 2008, when Michael R. Bloomberg was mayor, he gave $1.2 million to the tiny Independence Party, which used the money to help the campaigns of two Republican senators in Queens, Frank Padavan and Serphin R. Maltese … Mr. Bloomberg also gave $500,000 to the Republicans’ Senate campaign committee, which supported Mr. Padavan and Mr. Maltese in their races.”

As you can see, Mayor de Blasio’s actions are not the first time a Mayor has used his political power and resources to influence New York State Senate races. This is routinely done by Democrats and Republicans alike, and we all know it.

I have to ask myself, how is it that Mayor de Blasio is being investigated and has received subpoenas from the Manatten District Attorney and the US Attorney General, and how is it that he is being lambasted on the front pages and editorial columns of New York’s daily newspapers, when the things he did are no different that what Michael Bloomberg did when he was New York City’s Mayor?

Why was there no outcry for investigations and allegations made when Michael Bloomberg also violated New York’s Campaign Finance laws by donating large amounts of money to the Republican and Independent Parties in order to hold sway over certain State Senate elections?

If everyone does it, how come only Mayor Bill de Blasio is being held accountable?

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

Congressman Eliot Engel Urges New Yorkers to Take Part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

  Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, urges Bronx and Westchester residents to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30th.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day helps raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse, while offering Americans a safe and convenient opportunity to dispose of unneeded or expired prescription drugs.

“Today, prescription drug safety is more important than ever,” Engel said. “The prescription opioid death rate has more than quadrupled since the late 1990s. In 2013, prescription opioids played a role in more than 16,000 overdose deaths. That same year, nearly two million Americans grappled with opioid abuse or dependence.

“This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved 11 bills to fight the opioid crisis. As a senior member of that Committee, I will work with my colleagues to ensure Congress continues to move quickly to combat substance abuse. However, this effort does not begin and end with Congress – every American needs to do his or her part.

“This Saturday, I strongly encourage my constituents to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Together, we can make keep old or unwanted prescription drugs from causing harm – an important step in fighting this heartbreaking epidemic.”

There are two drug collection sites in the NY-16 area, listed below. For additional drop-off locations, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Diversion Control here. Inquiries can also be made at 1-800-882-9539.

Ardsley Sayf Coalition

507 Ashford Avenue

Ardsley, New York 10502

NYC Police Department, Bronx

50th Precinct

3450 Kingsbridge Avenue

Bronx, New York 10463

BP Diaz Announces Bx Walk of Fame & Parade Concert Lineup; Bronx Trolley Offers Brewery Tours

BP Diaz & The Bronx Tourism Council 

Announce 2016 Bronx Walk of Fame 

Inductees & Concert Headliners

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and The Bronx Tourism Council announced on  Monday that actor Vincent Pastore, animator & director Peter Sohn, author Arlene Alda and dance pioneer Eduardo Vilaro will make up the 2016 class for the Bronx Walk of Fame.

 

"Once again, we have put together a tremendous class of individuals that represent the best of our borough for induction into the Bronx Walk of Fame," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "These four individuals have seen considerable success in their chosen fields, and throughout it all they have highlighted their strong roots in The Bronx. I congratulate Vincent Pastore, Peter Sohn, Arlene Alda and Eduardo Vilaro on their induction to the Bronx Walk of Fame, and I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments during Bronx Week 2016."

 

Vincent Pastore has been a star of screen and stage for decades, and is best known for his role in HBO's hit series The Sopranos, for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work in 2001. A City Island resident, Mr. Pastore has appeared in films including Goodfellas, Carlito's Way, Awakenings, State of Grace, The Godfather Part III and many more.

 

The first Asian-American to ever be inducted to the Bronx Walk of Fame, Peter Sohn is an award-winning animator and director with Pixar Studios, having worked on numerous hit films including Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Up. Most recently, Mr. Sohn directed Pixar's 2015 feature hit The Good Dinosaur.

 

Arlene Alda, who grew up in Williamsbridge and graduated from Evander Childs High School, is an award-winning photographer and author whose work has appeared in numerous books, newspapers, magazines and galleries. Mrs. Alda is the author of 19 books, most of them children's books featuring her words and illustrations. Her latest book, Just Kids from The Bronx: Telling it the Way it Was, An Oral History, consists of stories about growing up in The Bronx based on interviews with over 60 accomplished and proud Bronxites.

 

First generation Cuban-American Eduardo Vilaro became artistic director of Ballet Hispanico, the nation's first and oldest Latino dance organization, in 2009. He is only the second person to head the company since it was founded in 1970. In 2015, Mr. Vilaro took on the additional role of Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Hispanico. Mr. Vilaro has been part of the Ballet Hispanico family since 1985. As a dancer with the Ballet Hispanico company, he performed throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe for an audience of nearly 3 million while assisting founder Tina Ramirez with the development of dance education residencies.

 

"Witnessing our hometown heroes take their rightful place on The Bronx Walk of Fame is one of my favorite events for Bronx Week. It fills me with pride to honor these sons and daughters of The Bronx!" said Olga Luz Tirado, Executive Director of The Bronx Tourism Council.

 

Bronx Week 2016 is the highly-anticipated 11-day event, taking place from May 5th - May 15^th, where the entire borough, including government, business, and the community-at-large, come together to celebrate "The Best of The Bronx" through festivals, concerts, health fairs, parades, performances and a host of other activities.

 

Bronx Week culminates with the Walk of Fame Inductions and the Grand Finale Celebration, which will feature a concert starring freestyle dancer and singer Judy Torres; hip hop legends by Naughty by Nature, and salsa singer Tito Nieves.

 

For more information about Bronx Week 2016, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.

Bronx Trolley Offers Beer & Spirits Tour & Tastings

at Borough's Craft Beverage Producers

 

April 22, 2016: Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. shows off the "Savor The Bronx" Passport during the kick-off press conference at the Chelsea Craft Brewing Company.

The Bronx Tourism Council, in association with Taste NY -- an initiative created by Governor Andrew Cuomo to help promote New York's food and beverage industries, has launched the "Savor The Bronx Breweries & Distilleries Trolley Tour" last Friday.

 

Beer and spirits connoisseurs will get the opportunity to ride the famous Bronx Trolley, as a historian discusses the history of brewing in the borough, dating back to the late 19th century and ended during the Prohibition Era.

 

"The Bronx is quickly becoming known across the world for its top notch breweries and distilleries," said said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "If you're interested in the art of craft beverages, and would like a closer look at the ongoing revitalization of our borough, this tour is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to greeting visitors from all over the region as they take part in the 'Savor The Bronx Breweries & Distilleries Trolley Tour'."

 

Tour participants will also receive a "Savor The Bronx" Passport to be stamped by the places they visit. The fully-stamped passport can be taken to any of the following bars and distilleries:

 

-          Gun Hill Brewery

-          Chelsea Craft Brewing Company

-          The Bronx Brewery

-          Blackstone Bar and Grill

-          Bronx Ale House

-          Bronx Beer Hall

-          Bronx Draft House near Yankee Stadium

-          Tirado Distillery

-          Port Morris Distillery

 

Breweries and Distilleries Passport Promotion is open to anyone who chooses to visit the breweries and distilleries on their own as well and can be acquired at any of the craft beverage producers. The tour costs $50 per person, lasts five hours, and includes a passport and light snacks at one of the breweries. The trolley leaves from 851 Grand Concourse (between east 161st Street and 158th) at 11am. No one under 21 years of age is allowed on the trolley for this tour.

 

"This is the perfect tour for folks who are both history buffs and craft beverage aficionados," says Olga Luz Tirado, executive director of The Bronx Tourism Council.

 

For a full schedule and to purchase tickets visit www.ilovethebronx.com or call 718-590-3518.