LOCAL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE $2 MILLION FOR NEW VAN CORTLANDT VILLAGE LIBRARY

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Senator Jeff Klein, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz and City Council Member Andrew Cohen have announced $2 million in new funding allocations to relocate the Van Cortlandt branch library to a new, larger home.

Each elected official has secured $500,000 in capital funding for the project as part of their FY2017 budget allocations. The new library will replace the existing branch, located at 3874 Sedgwick Avenue, with a state-of-the-art facility at a long-dormant residential building.The New York Public Library is close to finalizing a deal to move the branch to 3882 Cannon Place.

“I am proud to have partnered with the New York Public Library and my colleagues in government to help bring a brand-new Van Cortlandt branch library to the residents of the Northwest Bronx. The library is one of the most important public institutions we have, and this new location will allow for residents of all ages to enjoy an up-to-date, expanded branch library,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

"Libraries are sanctuaries of knowledge and imagination where the public can come to enjoy quiet time with a book in their neighborhood. The Van Cortlandt branch serves its residents well, but we're long overdue for an upgraded facility. I'm proud that I secured $500,000, along with the additional funding contributed by my colleagues, to make the idea of a new library jump off the page and into reality. More than twice the size of the standing library, the new Van Cortlandt branch will begin a new chapter for community engagement and activities and I hope everyone in the area takes advantage of it," said State Senator Jeff Klein.

“The value of New York’s Public libraries cannot be overstated, which is why I am thrilled I was able to secure $500k in Capital money to create a new home for the Van Cortlandt Library at 3882 Cannon Place. Libraries offer critical services such as internet access, job and technology training, English language classes, and countless other programs that enrich the lives of the communities they serve, while offering children a place to continue their educations outside of the classroom. I am proud to work with Borough President Diaz, Senator Klein, and Council Member Cohen to secure this money so that the Van Cortlandt Library can have a new and permanent home to continue to provide free education and opportunity to the residents of the Van Cortlandt community,” said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz.

“I am thrilled to be teaming up with my colleagues so we can provide the best possible library for my constituents in Van Cortlandt Village.  A new, state-of-the-art space will be a tremendous resource allowing for expanded programs that serve the entire community.  I look forward to cutting the ribbon when the new branch is complete,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

“The community relies on the programs and services offered by the Van Cortlandt Library, and we look forward to providing a bigger, better branch for that important work in the near future," said New York Public Library President Tony Marx. "We are so thankful to Borough President Diaz, State Senator Klein, Assembly Member Dinowitz and City Council Member Andrew Cohen for contributing key funding to this important project and allowing us to better serve the public.”

The existing Van Cortlandt branch has been at its original location since 1968. It is one room and approximately 2,715 square feet. Having just one room makes adult, teen, or children’s programming very difficult particularly given that program attendance in general has been up by 49 percent in recent years.

The proposed new location, at 3882 Cannon Place, is located only three blocks away from the existing branch and was originally built for supportive housing. It is 5,847 square feet, more than double the size of the current branch. In addition, the available outdoor space at the proposed new location could be a great opportunity to keep children and young readers engaged with outdoor programming, especially over the summer months.

The project is the newest way that The New York Public Library is investing in The Bronx. There is currently about $117 million earmarked for 53 capital projects for libraries in the borough, including much-needed renovations of the Hunt’s Point and Melrose branches.

Upcoming Cultural Events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center

  On Thurs. Aug. 4^th, enjoy the lively rhythms of the Igor Sherbakov Duo at 1:00 PM. Igor and Eva will perform a variety of music including Broadway, American and international selections for listening and dancing.  Lunch of breaded sole fillet or chicken salad served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served.Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700 for advance meal reservations.

On Wed. Aug. 10^th, film historian Pierre Montiel will present on the life achievements of Hollywood legend Claudette Colbert at 1:00 PM. Lunch of tilapia Francaise or egg salad will be served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served.Non-senior Meal Fee:$5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00. Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700for advance meal reservations.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center will be open on Sun. Aug. 21st. Lunch of Shake & Bake Chicken or vegetarian liver will be served at 1:00 PMfollowed by authentic South American music by the Chameleon music ensemble at 2:00 PM. Chameleon performs Brazilian choros , Venezuelan  meringues, Argentinian tangos, Colombian cumbias and more. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $3.00 and Senior Event Donation: $2.00 Refreshments will be served. Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $3.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700for advance meal reservations.

On Fri. Aug. 26^th, Gary Lovett, cabaret singer, will present “Las Vegas Show Time” at 1:00 PM.  Lunch of baked oregano chicken or gefilte fish loaf served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served. Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700 for advance meal reservations.

Vicki Rubin, pianist/singer, will present popular American and international music for listening and dancing on Wed. Aug. 31st at 1:00 PM.Lunch of Tilapia Francaise or Veggie Burger served at 12:15 PM. Recommended Senior Meal Contribution: $2.00 and Senior Event Donation: $1.00 Refreshments will be served. Non-senior Meal Fee: $5.00 and Event Fee: $2.00 Contact JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center office at 718-549-4700 for advance reservations.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave., First Floor 

Bronx, NY 10463

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictment Of Bronx Medical Clinic Owner In Alleged $5 Million Medicaid Fraud

Joseph Wright Allegedly Duped Innocent New Yorkers Into Receiving Unnecessary Medical Treatment By Luring Them To His Clinic With False Promises Of Affordable Housing

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the indictment and arraignment of Joseph Wright, 52, of Middletown NY, for his role in an alleged $5 million Medicaid fraud. Prosecutors allege that Wright, as owner of a purportedly not-for-profit organization called Assistance By Improv II, Inc. (ABI), located at 953 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, lured thousands of low-income New Yorkers to ABI with the promise of affordable housing, arranged to have them subjected to unnecessary medical tests and then filed false claims for reimbursement with the New York Medicaid program. Wright was indicted on felony charges of Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree.

“The defendant in this case allegedly took advantage of the hopes and needs of vulnerable New Yorkers to line his own pockets with millions of dollars in taxpayer funds,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This elaborate scheme resulted in an alleged theft of over $5 million of Medicaid funds that should have been used to help medical patients in need.”

Prosecutors allege Wright unlawfully owns and operates ABI as a medical mill that masquerades as a charitable housing organization. ABI claims in newspapers, on television, and on city bus advertisements to be dedicated to providing affordable housing for developmental disabled New Yorkers. Prosecutors allege Wright ignored ABI’s professed charitable mission and duped potential clients, most of whom were Medicaid recipients, into surrendering their personal health care information and undergoing purported medical screening to qualify for housing.

Prosecutors allege potential clients were directed to see various doctors and counselors at ABI, and were often subjected to unnecessary purported medical tests and procedures. Thereafter, staff at ABI, under the direction of Wright, and at the behest of various doctors and counselors employed by ABI, submitted false claims for reimbursement to Medicaid for services allegedly rendered to the Medicaid recipients who provided Wright, his staff and ABI with their client identification numbers.

Wright, prosecutors allege, used the doctors’ and patients’ Medicaid identification numbers to submit a staggering volume of claims for services purportedly rendered to Medicaid recipients. In an eight-month span, over 125,000 claims for medical services allegedly rendered to Medicaid recipients were submitted in the names of eight Medicaid providers actually employed by Wright and ABI. The value of these claims totaled in excess of $10 million dollars, for which Medicaid reimbursed these eight doctors over $5 million dollars, and they in turn paid Wright millions of dollars.

Prosecutors allege that an overwhelming number of these claims were for treatment in connection with a primary diagnosis of “counseling and advice on contraception” or “other contraceptive/sex counseling” and bore no resemblance to the purported examinations to which the recipients were subjected, even if they had been proper. Often these claims were completely fictitious and factually impossible. According to claims records maintained by the Medicaid program, prosecutors allege, these doctors purportedly treated hundreds of patients a day and each patient received the same medical diagnosis. Many of the doctors’ claims were for services outside their field of specialty and for claimed medical diagnosis and treatments the doctor often was unqualified to give.  Furthermore, given the number of claims filed each day by each doctor, the doctors could not have physically rendered the treatment they claimed to have provided.

To date, the Attorney General’s investigation has uncovered no evidence that any of ABI’s patients ever received any housing despite being subjected to unnecessary medical examinations, medical tests, and multiple visits to ABI.

Wright, at the time of his arrest on June 20, 2016 by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), was charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Health Care Fraud in the First Degree and Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree. Grand Larceny in the First Degree and Health Care Fraud in the First Degree are both class B felonies with a maximum term of incarceration of 8 1/3 to 25 years in State prison. Bail was set at the time of Wright’s arrest in the amount of $500,000 bond or cash with an examination of surety and today, following Wright’s arraignment and oral argument, continued by the Hon. George Villegas in the same amount. The defendant pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned until November 22, 2016. The investigation is ongoing.

The Attorney General’s Office thanks the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (“OMIG”), Computer Services Corporation, the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”) and the New York Office of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations for their valuable contributions to this investigation.

The case was investigated by Special Investigators Denitor Guerra and Thomas Dowd with assistance from Supervising Investigator Dominick DiGennaro and Deputy Chief Investigator Kenneth Morgan.  Dominick Zarrella is the Chief Investigator of the Office of the Attorney General. OMIG Investigator Nigill Johnson also assisted in the investigation. The audit investigation was conducted by MFCU Auditor Investigator Lisandra Defex with assistance from Principal Auditor Investigator Emmanuel Archer and Regional Chief Auditor Thomasina Smith. Also assisting in the investigation were Stephanie Paton and Margaret Tsui of OMIG and Leslie Dykeman from Computer Services Corporation.

The case is being prosecuted by MFCU Special Assistant Attorneys General Alyssa A. Preston and Mark P. Cannon with the assistance of New York City Regional Director Christopher M. Shaw. Thomas O’Hanlon is the MFCU Downstate Chief-Criminal Investigations.  The 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.

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

Harmony Day.at Van Cortlandt Park

  Your first question should be -What is Harmony Day at Van Cortlandt Park?. 

The answer is that over 100 police officers from all over the Bronx come to the park to give a little joy to a couple of thousand children who are enrolled in various summer programs in the Bronx. As you will see by the photos below almost every commanding officer, and several officers from each Bronx police precinct and other community police officers do their best to show the children some courtesy, and a good time as the children enjoy various games and other fun while they get to take back not only the joy of the day, but some stuff they enjoy that has been donated to the event by local Bronx businesses. 

Above - The Color Guard presents the flags. 

Below - The Pledge of Allegiance is recited  by the Commanding Officers on stage. 

Above and Below - You can see some of the games or attractions, and some of the attendees.

Above - Some fellow officers wait to see how long it will take to dunk this officer.

Below - Now that he has been dunked, who's next to sit on the platform?

The rock climbing wall had many children trying to get to the top.

It was fun for the police officers, and fun for the children.

Exit Realty Group - Make A Wish Come True

1st Annual  Make a Wish Come True! HOSTED BY  To Benefit the Make a Wish Foundation

To Resgister for this Event, Please Visit www.makeawishcometrue.org  For Sponsorship Opportunities & Journal Contract, Please Click HERE Join Us September 14, 2016 - 6:00pm-11:00pm The Surf Club On The Sound 280 Davenport Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10805 Featuring Sports Icons, Local Celebrities, County Executives, Pop Stars & Westchester Corporate Elites

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Announces 2016 Summer Concert Series Schedule

  Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has officially announced the schedule of his 2016 Summer Concert Series across the Northwest Bronx. The annual series, which is cosponsored by Assemblyman Dinowitz and the Bronx Council on the Arts, will feature eight incredible shows over the next four weeks in July and August and in past years have brought out hundreds of community residents for fun nights full of music and dancing.

“There is no better way to spend a beautiful summer evening than listening to talented musicians play music in a park with friends and family,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “These concerts are excellent opportunities for community members of all ages to relax and enjoy quality music together. I am proud to work with the Bronx Council on the Arts to sponsor this series of free concerts across the northwest Bronx, and I look forward to seeing the community at any or all of these concerts!”

Official Concert Schedule:

• Tuesday, July 19th – The Gene DiNapoli Variety All-Star Show at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, 7 p.m.

• Thursday, July 21st – John Benitez and his Latin Jazz Band at the Amalgamated Train Park, 7 p.m.

• Monday, August 1st – The Just Nuts Party Dance Band at Henry Hudson Park, 7 p.m.

• Thursday, August 4th – Ginetta’s Vendetta at the Amalgamated Train Park, 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, August 9th – Mystery Tour Beatles Tribute Band at Henry Hudson Park, 7 p.m.

• Thursday, August 11th – Orquesta SCC at the Williamsbridge Oval, 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, August 16th – Donald Vega at the Amalgamated Train Park, 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 17th – NY Skyscrapers and Friends at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, 7 p.m.

For more information on the 2016 Summer Concert Series in the Northwest Bronx, call Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office at 718-796-5345, or visit: assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Jeffrey-Dinowitz/ or: bronxarts.org/.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictment Of Non-Profit Executives Charged With Criminal Tax Fraud And Filing False Tax Returns

  Between July 2011 And January 2015, Defendants Wafa Abboud And Marcelle Bailey Allegedly Stole Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars And Failed To Pay Taxes On The Proceeds Of Their Crimes 

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the indictment of Wafa Abboud, 48, of Merrick, NY, the former Chief Executive Officer of Human First, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 serving the developmentally disabled community in New York City and Long Island, for allegedly failing to pay taxes on money that she is charged with embezzling from Human First. In a related indictment, separately charged defendant Marcelle Bailey, 49, of Garden City, NY, the Chief Executive Officer of MPB Management Services, Inc., was also indicted for Criminal Tax Fraud and Filing False Tax returns relating to alleged embezzlement of Human First money. 

“Tax fraud is a serious crime that harms all New Yorkers and shifts the burden to honest taxpayers,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “The crimes alleged in these indictments are troubling, particularly because they involve funds intended to benefit the developmentally disabled community. My office will continue to prosecute those who try to game the system for their own personal gain.”

“Embezzlement of public funds meant to aid individuals with developmental disabilities impacts some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said United States Attorney Robert L. Capers. “With this indictment, we serve notice that those who engage in such crimes will be vigorously investigated and held to account.”

The two indictments charging each defendant separately with the crimes of Criminal Tax Fraud and Filing a False Instrument, relate to a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General, the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office For The Eastern District of New York.  In the related investigation, a federal grand jury in Brooklyn returned a seven-count federal indictment charging Abboud and Bailey with embezzling and laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars from Human First. The joint investigation revealed that between January 2011 and May 2016, Abboud allegedly directed Human First to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees to a company controlled by Bailey. Abboud used the funds to pay her personal expenses, including more than $114,000 in personal credit card debt, which included charges for cosmetic surgery, family vacations, jewelry, meals, and spa treatments. She also used the funds to pay property taxes on her Merrick residence and to make large international wire transfers.

Abboud was indicted for two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony, and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Bailey was indicted for two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

The investigation was conducted by Richard Cicero, Supervisor of Financial Investigations, from the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, and Investigator Steven Broomer of the Investigations Bureau, with assistance provided by Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Licul Bizzarro of the Forensic Audit Section, and former legal analyst Morgan McCollum of the Public Integrity Bureau.  The Attorney General’s Office thanks the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance for their work on the case. 

The case is being handled by Special Counsel John Chiara, of the Public Integrity Bureau.  The Public Integrity Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Daniel G. Cort and Deputy Bureau Chief Stacy Aronowitz.  The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarrella. The Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.

The Attorney General’s Office thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its work on this case.  

The charges against are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  

COMPTROLLER STRINGER VOTES AGAINST TOURIST HELICOPTER DEAL AT FRANCHISE AND CONCESSION REVIEW COMMITTEE

   At the meeting of the Franchise and Concession Review Committee, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer voted against amending a concession agreement between the City of New York and Saker Aviation to operate tourist helicopter flights out of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.

“There should be no tourist helicopters in New York City, period. They provide little economic payback and instead bombard our communities with unrelenting noise and pollution, which is why they’ve been banned elsewhere in the five boroughs.  Beyond that, this flawed compromise fails to give the City the enforceable oversight it would need to restore any semblance of peace and quiet for hundreds of thousands of residents. That’s why today I voted emphatically NO,” Comptroller Stringer said.

The Comptroller outlined four specific inadequacies in the current proposal, which he said fails to:

1. Impose any real accountability on air and noise quality monitoring by spelling out what steps the Economic Development Corporation can take when either exceeds allowable limits.
2. Define what “best efforts” are to reduce idling and its accompanying negative health impacts.
3. Codify how often Saker must research technologies designed to further mitigate helicopter noise and emissions, and to implement them when “commercially feasible.”
4. Update the project’s environmental review, which has not been done since 2007.

“Tourist helicopters provide limited benefits to New York City while imposing significant health and environmental risks on our residents. It’s time to ground non-essential tourist flights once and for all,” Stringer said.