Council Member Andrew Cohen - Upcoming Housing (Tenant Law) Assistance at Bronx CB7 Office

Harlem Chamber Players - Announcing Our 2016 - 2017 Season

Save the Dates! Click on the dates or images below for details. Note the concert times.         September 24, 2016 at 4 PM                                                                                                            November 18, 2016 at 7 PM February 25, 2017 at 4 PM The Harlem Chamber Players 191 Claremont Avenue #25 New York, NY 10027 212-866-1492 www.harlemchamberplayers.org info@harlemchamberplayers.org

BJCC Rosh Hashanah Delivery

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

  Mott Hall V, A Shining Star in Our Community

You should know that I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Peter Oroszlany, the Principal of Mott Hall V, on Friday, August 19, 2016, in my District Office. Mott Hall V is a zoned school in the New York City Public School System.

It is important for you to know that Mr. Oroszlany, Mott Hall V's founding Principal who has been there for 12 years, took exception to a recent column I wrote celebrating the growing number of charter schools that serve families and children in my district, and their achievements.

Mr. Oroszlany claimed that while charter schools are able to pick and choose their students, Mott Hall V cannot reject any students, and educates public school children from grades 6 through 12 who reside in the area.

I appreciate Mr. Oroszlany's dedication to his students, and I need to echo how very proud we all are of the  85% - 90% graduation rate of Mott Hall V. This is tremendous!

I applaud the Mott Hall V’s graduates who have received full-freight scholarships and Posse Foundation Scholarships to Ivy League colleges and some of our nation’s top universities.

Some Mott Hall V students face serious challenges that include poverty, immigration status, and broken families, but due to great efforts of the school’s administration and its faculty, their students remain undeterred and still succeed in spite of the odds.

Mott Hall V is, in fact, one of the schools where many parents outside of my district wish their children could attend.

It is important for you to know that whenever I have an opportunity to allocate resources and capital funds to help the public schools in my Senatorial District, I do so with great eagerness.

You should also know that due to the ugly bureaucracy that exists in the New York City Department of Education and the New York State Dormitory Authority, there remain outstanding capital grant funds for public schools in my district that I allocated and were approved as far back as 2010.

This more than a five-year delay in disbursing the funds for our public schools is between the New York City Department of Education and the New York State Dormitory Authority. This is a disgrace, and hurts our public school children.

If our public school children did not have to wait 5 or 6 years for needed resources that seem to flow into the Charter Schools without delay, our public schools would be in better shape. If more available resources actually reached the desks of our public school children, then our public schools would be more competitive and our children would absolutely be prepared to compete.

Everyone who is helping our children to have the same opportunities as children in other areas of the city deserve to be celebrated, whether they are from public schools, charter schools, or private schools. Those who are not and who stand in the way of our children’s success should be publicly held accountable.

Ladies and gentlemen, when I write about the miseries of public schools in my Senatorial District here in the South Bronx, and what we need to do to help our children and families to have access to quality education, I need to also celebrate the great successes of Mott Hall V, its administration and faculty, students and families.

Congratulations to Mott Hall V!

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

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Another Arrest For May 2015 Gunpoint Robbery Of Watch Store In Midtown Manhattan

 

Robbers Stole Gold Rolex Watches Valued at More Than $700,000

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Charlie Patterson, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”), and William Bratton, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced the arrest of CHRISTOPHER MULLIGAN on charges of robbery conspiracy, robbery, and a firearms offense.  MULLIGAN was arrested yesterday in Stockton, California, and will be presented later today in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

One other defendant, Omar Rawlins, was arrested on May 12, 2015, the day of the robbery, in connection with the same charges, contained in a Complaint.  Rawlins’s case was assigned to the Honorable Kimba M. Wood, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, and he pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to rob the Tourneau Watch Store.  Rawlins’s sentencing remains pending.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “In broad daylight in Midtown Manhattan, Mulligan and his co-conspirators allegedly carried out a gunpoint robbery of a Madison Avenue watch store, stealing not just Rolex watches worth more than $700,000, but robbing New York City residents of their sense of security.  Thanks to good old-fashioned police work by the ATF and the NYPD, Mulligan has joined his alleged co-conspirator Omar Rawlins in facing federal criminal charges.”

ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Charlie Patterson said: “This arrest is the culmination of the diligent investigative work of the ATF Special Agents and NYPD Detectives assigned to the ATF SPARTA Task Force, which investigates armed commercial robberies throughout New York City.  The arrest of Mr. Mulligan should serve as a warning to those out there engaged in these violent crimes that we will bring the full force of the federal justice system to bear against you.  While it may seem that you can receive a quick payday by committing an armed robbery, the price you will pay is a lengthy prison sentence in a federal penitentiary.  ATF would like to extend our gratitude to the NYPD and the United States Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership in combatting violent crime in New York City.”

NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton said: “This violent crime at a Midtown watch store took 60 seconds to commit, but after being indicted and apprehended in California, the defendant’s time on the lam has run out and he’s facing decades in prison if convicted.  I want to thank the investigators from the Southern District, the ATF and the NYPD who worked on this investigation and tracked the defendant to Pennsylvania and then cross-country.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment charging MULLIGAN, the Complaint[1] charging Rawlins, and other documents in the public record, and statements made in court:

On May 12, 2015, MULLIGAN, Rawlins, and a third individual committed a gunpoint robbery of the Tourneau Watch Store (“Tourneau”) in Midtown Manhattan.  At the time of the robbery, all three men were dressed in suits and fedoras.  After entering Tourneau, one of the men produced a gun and fired a round into the floor.  The bullet fragmented, and a customer was hit with a bullet fragment, receiving a minor laceration.  The two other robbers hit one of the glass display cases with hammers.  The display case shattered, and the two robbers began removing watches from the display case.  A Tourneau employee stuck his head out through a door behind the display case.  The robber with the gun fired a shot in the direction of the employee, who was not hit.  After approximately one minute, all three robbers exited Tourneau and began running.  They were pursued by NYPD officers, who caught up to and arrested Rawlins.  When Rawlins was arrested, he was carrying, among other things, five watches, a hammer, two pairs of gloves, a yellow hard hat, and a yellow safety vest.  Surveillance footage captured some of MULLIGAN, Rawlins, and the third robber’s activities as they executed the robbery.  In total, the crew obtained approximately 20 Rolex watches, worth approximately $730,000.

MULLIGAN, 22, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of robbery conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the ATF and the NYPD, and in particular, the ATF Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery and Technical Apprehensions (“SPARTA”) Task Force.  Mr. Bharara also thanked the United States Marshals Service and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California for their assistance in the arrest and apprehension of MULLIGAN.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Lonergan and Christopher J. Clore are in charge of the prosecution.

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

---

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

News From Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

Rebuilding and Revitalizing NY Neighborhoods Beset By Vacant Homes

This week, the Attorney General announced a $4 million pilot program that will empower local communities to transform abandoned properties into safe, affordable housing. These vacant "zombie" homes are stark reminders of the long-term effects of the 2008 housing crisis. Through the program's funding and the oversight of local land banks, community members can renovate zombie homes into rental housing to revitalize their communities. The funds to rebuild neighborhoods statewide were made available by the Attorney General's settlements with Citigroup and Bank of America.

Taking Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Off The Streets

The Attorney General sued a New York based online retailer, Legalherbalbud.com, for allegedly selling synthetic marijuana--otherwise known as K2. A recent uptick in New York sales of these dangerous drugs has caused a dramatic rise in emergency room visits across the state, straining local hospitals and endangering public safety. The online company sued by the AG illegally promoted its products as “legal highs”, “herbal incense” and “potpourri,” with packaging seemingly targeted at kids, with images and names such as “The Incredible Hulk,” and “Scooby Snax.”

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. 

Morrison Avenue Festival

It was a slow start for the Morrison Avenue Festival with cloudy skies at times. Freddy Perez was the person who put together this event, an below are some of the early photos I was able to get before I left early.

Above - There were many food vendors.

Below - Francisco is carving the Gyro Meat.

Above - There were several Pina Colada tables set up.

Below - The early contingent of the Bronx Young Democrats of the Bronx are set up on the sunny side of the street.

Above - Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo greets some of the people at the festival.

Below - 78th Assemblyman Jose Rivera is taking video of the crowd, with associate Aldo Perez.

At this point the event coordinator Mr. Freddie Perez went on stage and called up Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. Assemblyman Jose Rivera was allowed inside the metal barrier behind him, along with up to a dozen people. I asked to go inside the metal barrier since I had my NYPD Press photo identification on me, but was denied access by one of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. staffers. I was told to wait even though almost the entire staff of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. know me, and I was denied access inside to take photos at that time of Assemblyman Crespo and Mr. Freddie Perez on stage. Did the others have NYPD Press Identification you may ask? The answer is that I recognized only one reporter, and no one else had NYPD Press credentials on them as I did. When Mr. Freddy Perez came off stage I told him what happened, and he seemed not to be concerned about what just had happened. I left to come back a little later bringing his brother Mr. John Perez. It seemed now that other elected officials had come including State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who were now on stage. It appeared that I was allowed then to go inside the metal barrier, and the photos are below.

Above - Mr. Freddie Perez thanks the crowd for coming, as he calls up the elected officials to come on stage.

Below - The original TEAM DIAZ. State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. between Assemblymen Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepulveda.

Above and Below - As things got going the crowd grew as you can see. 

Above - It looks like Assemblyman Jose Rivera is repeating those words to State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. when Rivera was the Bronx Democratic County Leader, as the current Bronx Democratic County Leader looks on.

Below - Mr. Freddie Perez has five-hundred dollars in his hand as a reward for the person who can answer correctly a question about a video of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. 

Above - The first person got the answer wrong, but still received fifty dollars for her effort. Yes that is Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda with his son Julian in his arms.

Below - The Bronx Young Democrats moved to the shady side of the street, ans were joined by several other members including Mr. Anthony Perez (white shirt in the back row) who is the executive Director of the Bronx Democratic County organization.

BRONX MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX TRAFFICKING AND WILL BE DESIGNATED SEX OFFENDER

 Also Pleads Guilty to Slashing Inmate in Rikers Island: Faces Up to 11 Years Bronx District 

  Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a 35-year-old Bronx man has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking related to a prostitution business he operated with his cousin, as well as an assault that took place while he was jailed in Rikers Island. 

   District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant forced a runaway girl into prostitution on the streets of Hunts Point, and in Brooklyn and Queens, by instilling fear of physical injury. Sex trafficking is a despicable offense and this victim is slowly trying to recover from her exploitation. 

   “The defendant also pleaded guilty to slashing an inmate while he was incarcerated, contributing to the culture of brutality at Rikers Island that we have been battling for the last eight months.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Shakiem Washington, 35, of 374 East 209th Street, pleaded guilty yesterday, August 15, 2016, to Sex Trafficking and second degree Assault before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood. Washington faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison for Sex Trafficking, and four years for Assault, to run consecutively, when he is sentenced on September 1, 2016. He will also be designated a sex offender and receive three years post-release supervision.

   According to the investigation, Washington’s cousin Daniel Washington found the girl, then 18 years old, in early 2011 in Atlantic City, where another pimp had abandoned her. Daniel Washington handed her over to Washington, who forced her to work as a prostitute until June, 2011. An investigation was conducted by Bronx Vice Detective Rose Muckenthaler.

  On August 10, 2015, while in the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island, Washington participated in an attack with three other inmates on another inmate, slashing him in the face with a sharp object.