A.G. Schneiderman Announces $306 Million National Settlement With Olympus Corporation

New York Medicaid Program To Receive Over $7.7 Million Dollars

   Attorney General Schneiderman announced today a joint settlement with the federal government and a coalition of states to resolve allegations that Olympus Corporation of the Americas paid illegal kickbacks to healthcare providers, in violation of federal and state False Claims Acts, including New York’s statute. The national settlement is $306 million, with the New York Medicaid Program receiving over $7.7 million dollars in damages.

Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2011, Olympus, a subsidiary of Olympus Corporation of Japan located in Center Valley, PA, used improper financial incentives to induce doctors and hospital executives to buy a wide ranging array of endoscopes and other surgical equipment manufactured by Olympus.  It was alleged that these improper financial inducements took the form of grants, fellowships, consulting payments, free trips, no charge loans for equipment along with other incentives. 

 “If you are a company that prioritizes profits over patients, we will hold you accountable,”Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Healthcare providers cannot make decision that are swayed by illegal kickbacks, and we are committed to ensuring that Medicaid recipients are receiving the best care possible.”

The matter was brought to the attention of the government through the filing of a qui tam lawsuit in the District of New Jersey.  (US ex. rel. John Slowik v. Olympus America, Inc. et al. 10-cv-5994 DNJ).  The Attorney General would like to thank Mr. Slowik for the information that he provided to the government.  The group representing all the states consisted of members from New York, California, Virginia, Indiana, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

Meghan Collins, Associate Special Auditor Investigator, of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s Civil Enforcement Unit, represented New York on the team. Stacey Millis is the Chief Auditor for the Civil Enforcement Division of the New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul Mahoney.  The Criminal Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.

FOLLOWING PRESSURE, AMAZON EXPANDS SAME-DAY DELIVERY TO THE BRONX

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz are praising an announcement by online retailer Amazon that it would expand same-day delivery service to The Bronx. The announcement comes following criticism from both officials regarding the borough’s previous exclusion from these services.

Last week, it was revealed that Amazon was providing same-day delivery services to nearly the entirety of New York City except for The Bronx. Following the news, Borough President Diaz issued a letter to Amazon Founder & CEO demanding an end to his borough’s exclusion from these services. In a separate letter, Assembly Member Dinowitz urged New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate Amazon’s inequitable business practices.

In letters to both elected officials issued late Friday, Amazon stated that they would reverse this practice of excluding The Bronx, adding that the company was “actively working to enable service to the Bronx in the coming weeks.”

"The over 1.4 million residents of The Bronx deserve the same level of service and amenities as their neighbors. Amazon's reversal of their previous policy, which excluded my borough from the same-day delivery services offered to the rest of the city, is a welcome one. I appreciate that Amazon heard our concerns and have made this change, and will provide The Bronx with service equity in the coming weeks. I will continue to hold businesses and entities of all kinds accountable when they slight my constituents," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“I am very grateful that Amazon has listened to our concerns regarding the exclusion of The Bronx from their Prime same-day delivery service," said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. "I am pleased they will be working to expand access to their services to a borough that has seen one of the fastest economic expansions in several decades – The Bronx. Providing equal services to all New Yorkers, including the 1.4 million Bronxites and countless of businesses that call our borough home is not just good for The Bronx, but Amazon as well. Moreover, I am hopeful that this decision means Amazon will take a second look at the several other cities with excluded neighborhoods.”

BP DIAZ KICKS OFF BRONX WEEK 2016

Vincent Pastore, Peter Sohn, Arlene Alda and Eduardo Vilaro

To be Inducted Into Bronx Walk of Fame

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. officially launched Bronx Week 2016, hosting a celebration of the “Best of The Bronx” with over 150 people in attendance at Mike’s Deli in the famous Arthur Avenue Retail Market.

“This is a time when we celebrate everything that is fantastic about The Bronx. From new developments to the diversity in our borough and from delicious restaurants to great drinks, there is so much happening and so much to do,” said Borough President Diaz. “We kicked things off yesterday acknowledging the “Best of The Bronx”, this week and next we are holding 10 days’ worth of amazing and fun events for the whole family throughout the borough, all culminating with the Walk of Fame inductions and parade.”

A full calendar of events is available at www.ilovethebronx.com.

“Bronx Week is one of my favorite times of the year, because the entire borough celebrates together as it showcases the best of the borough,” said Bronx Tourism Council Executive Director Olga Luz Tirado. “We invite visitors to join in the fun!”

“Bronx Week is a time to celebrate our businesses, big and small, that provide much needed jobs to our community as well as a time to honor veterans, seniors, youth, volunteers and our hometown greats.  This year we have even more to celebrate as more than 100,000 jobs were created in our borough,” said Marlene Cintron, President of The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

This year’s 2016 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees includes: actor Vincent Pastore, best known for his role in HBO’s hit series The Sopranos; award-winning animator and director of Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur,” Peter Sohn; award-winning photographer and author, Arlene Alda, and Eduardo Vilaro, artistic director of Ballet Hispanico, the nation’s first and oldest Latino dance organization.

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: Puerto Rico Economic Crisis

   “Puerto Rico’s latest default on its debt today and the moratorium enacted on future payments by Governor Garcia Padilla were dire necessities caused by Congress’s epic failure to adequately address the multitude of issues at hand.

“Congress has failed to provide Puerto Rico access to bankruptcy.  Moreover, the ‘Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability’ Act (PROMESA), advanced by Speaker Paul Ryan, doesn’t do nearly enough to address the long list of legislative reforms needed from Congress to grow the Puerto Rican economy. The bill’s proposed Control Board is woefully problematic. 

“Congress must act in order to resolve this very serious problem as soon as possible.

“While we appreciate the efforts of those advocating to resolve this critical humanitarian and economic crisis, it is abundantly clear that we have to do much more to resolve this catastrophe. It is unconscionable that Congress is dragging their feet in attempting to find a resolution.

“Congress is doing a huge disservice to the citizens of the island procrastinating on this matter.

“Puerto Ricans deserve equitable treatment under the law, just like every other American citizen on the mainland.  Yet, the island of Puerto Rico is being short-changed by their own government.

“Such inaction not only hurts our fellow Americans of Puerto Rico, but also drags down the entire American economy as well. I call again for Congress to allow Puerto Rico to restructure their debt, so that they can start recovering from this economic quagmire impacting the island,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Friends of Van Cortlandt Park's May 2016 Enewsletter

Spring has sprung in Van Cortlandt Park!  Birds are chirping, trees are budding, flowers are blooming and the Friends' staff is out in the park almost every day leading volunteer programs and school groups. Below our Ecological Project Manager is showing a group of volunteers organized by NY Cares how to plant shrubs in a site in the wetlands we have been enhancing.

There is so much going on so please come out and join us this spring! We have a events planned for this month (see below) and more this spring. 

Christina and all of your Friends at the Friends of VCP

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on Social Media to keep posted on what is happening in the Park.

                         

May Events

Reclaiming Nature: An Insiders Tour of Daylighting Tibbetts Brook (A Jane’s Walk)

Saturday May 7th meeting at 10am

The Friends’ will be hosting a walking tour as part of the city-wide weekend of walks during Jane’s Walk.  The inside tour will talk about the current status of the Tibbetts Brook and the efforts to daylight it.  Visit the Jane’s Walk page for more info.  

It’s My Parks Day/ Spring Garden Planting Day

Saturday May 14th meeting at 10am

Join us as we prepare and plant our 800 plus square feet of vegetable garden beds for the 2016 growing season. Volunteers are needed to prepare the beds, sift our compost bins and help plant seedlings. Meet at the Compost Site- enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue.

Get Active Hiking Series in VCP

Saturday May 14th at 10am, meet at the Friends Compost & Garden Site (enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave): A Tour of the Wetlands in the Northern Half of the Park.

John Muir Trail Volunteer Day

Saturday May 21st meeting at 10am

Join us as we continue our forest restoration efforts along the John Muir Trail. Volunteers are needed to remove invasive plants and plant native trees and shrubs. Meet at the Compost Site- enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue.

Save the Date: Picnic Supper & Concert in the Park

Tuesday June 21st starting at 6pm

The Van Cortlandt Committee of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York with the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park presents A Picnic Supper & Concert in Van Cortlandt Park with the New York Philharmonic. Join us as we Celebrate and Honor: Frank Vagnone, The Morris & Alma Schapiro Fund and Councilman Andrew Cohen.  Click here to purchase a ticket, become a sponsor or learn more about the event.

Bringing Youth, Community and Nature Together for over 20 Years!

Click here to make a secure tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park.

Visit FVCP's website for information about any of these upcoming events.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing Tuesday May 3rd

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing
Tuesday | May 3, 2016 | Trump Golf Links Ferry Point

 

Tomorrow we will hit the green Rain or Shine!
See you then!

      click here for printable handout.

Phil Cardone

Grants & Events Director

Bronx Chamber of Commerce

"The Network For Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900

Assemblyman Mark Gjona - A Breakfast and Movie Screening of BESA: The Promise

Upcoming Event

A Breakfast and Movie Screening of  

BESA : The Promise

Tickets for the event will also be sold at Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's Office: 

1126 Pelham Parkway South

Bronx, New York 10461

Phone: (718)409- 0109

Fax: (718) 409- 0431

Riverdale Avenue Street Festival

     Sunday was the annual Riverdale Avenue Street Festival. While the weather was not the greatest, it did not dampen the many people who came out to walk on Riverdale Avenue between West 236th and West 238th Streets. A huge stage set up where neighborhood children from the Riverdale Y Dance Theatre and the PS 24 Glee Club performed. On hand were State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who tried their best at the miniature golf that was set up. As you will see in those photos both were not to successful, but it was a cold rainy day and Riverdale Avenue between West 236th and West 238th Streets is on a slope. The event was put together by KRVC and KRVC Executive Director Ms. Tracy Shelton joined the two elected officials on the stage to thank the many sponsors, performers, and the many people who helped set up the tents that kept the people who were in attendance dry. There were several information tables set up, and while the merchants on Riverdale Avenue were set up to have tables outside their stores the weather kept most of that away. City Councilman Andrew Cohen (an elected official of a few words) also stopped by, but left before Senator Klein and Assemblyman Dinowitz spoke. An interesting photo I was able to take while Senator Klein was speaking includes the vacant lot which was the site of the proposed eleven (then revised to six story) medical center on Riverdale Avenue which was halted by the Klein/Dinowitz Bronx Medical Center Size Limit Law. That Law was repealed one year later after the developer and hospital abandoned its plans for the medical center. The lot remains vacant and an eyesore to the community. You can click on any small photo to make it larger.

    

     

Above and Below are children from the Riverdale Dance Theatre.

Above - A joint dance by several members of the Riverdale Y Dance Theatre.

Below -  The PS 24 Glee Club.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jeff Klein both tried their skill at miniature golf.

Above - State Senator Klein and Assemblyman Dinowitz gave remarks to the crowd after being introduced by KRVC Executive Director Tracy Shelton.

Below - As I took a wider photo the eyesore of an empty lot where the abandoned medical center was proposed to be continues to be a blight on the area much to the dismay of many merchants who were hoping for more business from the proposed medical center.