United States Attorney Announces Charges Against Narcotics Trafficker Connected To Heroin Overdose Death

  Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Robert M. Noble, Chief the Yorktown Police Department, announced the arrest and filing of charges against ANTHONY DELOSANGLES, a/k/a “Taco,” age 20, for narcotics dealing that resulted in death.

On September 19, 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office secured an indictment against DELOSANGLES, charging DELOSANGELES with conspiracy to distribute heroin.  The indictment alleges that heroin distributed by DELOSANGELES resulted in the death of Thomas Cippollaro, age 25, of White Plains, New York, on November 9, 2015.  DELOSANGELES is currently detained serving a prison sentence on related state narcotics charges. 

DELOSANGELES was presented in federal court in White Plains before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison on October 11, 2016, and detained without bail.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas.  DELOSANGELES faces a mandatory minimum term of 20 years in prison. 

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated:  “The epidemic of opioid abuse is devastating our communities.  Charges like those announced today strike at the heart of the problem – dealers who fuel the cycle of addiction and overdose.  Anthony Delosangeles allegedly dealt in heroin, including the heroin that killed Thomas Cippollaro, a 25 year-old White Plains man.  We thank the FBI and our local law enforcement partners for their extraordinary efforts that led to the charges today.”  

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. stated:  “When dealers are out hawking their drugs, they rarely think beyond the easy money.  Many times buyers end up in a morgue, and the dealers are on to the next sale.  The cavalier attitude is obvious in this case when the defendant allegedly named some of his product ‘ice cream.’  The goal of the FBI and our law enforcement partners is to stop the drug traffickers who hope their clientele will think something named ‘ice cream’ won’t kill them.”

Yorktown Police Chief Robert M. Noble stated:  “The Yorktown Police Department is proud to have played an integral role in the arrest of Anthony Delosangeles.  This arrest would not have been possible without the assistance of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, F.B.I. and the United States Attorney’s Office.  When agencies combine efforts, and work without agendas, excellence in law enforcement is possible.  The residents of Yorktown and Westchester County are all a bit safer today, as an alleged heroin dealer is behind bars.  We hope that this arrest will bring a small bit of solace to the family of Thomas Cipollaro.”

As alleged in the Indictment against DELOSANGLES[1]:

From at least in or about May 2015 up to and including in or about February 2016, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, ANTHONY DELOSANGELES, a/k/a “Taco,” and others conspired to sell heroin.  The use of controlled substances distributed by DELOSANGELES resulted in the death of Thomas Cipollaro on or about November 9, 2015.

DELOSANGELES is charged with one count of narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum of life in prison and a mandatory term of 20 years in prison.  The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

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

This matter is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Burns and Maurene Comey are in charge of the prosecution.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the DEA, the Yorktown Police Department, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

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

New Investigation Finds Employment Agencies Scamming Low-Wage Workers

Legislators & advocates demand Justice for Job Seekers and call on Governor Cuomo to sign protections into law

New York — Senators Jeff Klein and Diane Savino, Democratic Senate Nominee Marisol Alcantara, and Assemblyman Francisco Moya called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign protections into law for job seekers as they released a new investigation, “Demanding Justice for Job Seekers,” on Thursday.

The investigative report illustrated deceptive and illegal tactics employment agencies use to prey on minimum-wage work seeking applicants. Employment agencies, licensed by the state or in New York City the Department of Consumer Affairs, cannot guarantee employment to a job seeker and must refund advance fees if employment is not secured.

Unscrupulous agencies across New York City, for years, have fleeced low-wage and immigrant workers out of high fees when they apply for and never land A or A1 class work, which includes jobs like busboys, wait staff, household staff, manual laborers and other unskilled work.

Current state law allows an agency to charge a fee for these jobs in advance, unlike professional jobs where fees only come after applicants nail down a job.

“It’s unconscionable that unscrupulous employment agencies scam job seekers looking for minimum wage work and that’s why we need Governor Cuomo to sign into law protections for this vulnerable class of workers. Many times immigrants seeking the American Dream wind up getting the American Nightmare at these agencies after being fleeced while on the hunt for work. This needs to end,” said Senator Klein.

“Several years ago, after hearing from my constituents whose desperation to find work was exploited by unscrupulous employment agencies, I fought to draft legislation that would protect workers from being taken advantage of. I’ve seen firsthand how fraudulent agencies charge fees in the hundreds, sending out hopeful job seekers on a wild goose hunt before changing their address and resuming their scheme elsewhere. Even when the agency is legitimate, agencies illegitimately charge upfront fees on the promise of a better job. But that promise is false, and that fee is nonrefundable. The solution that I have fought to achieve is simple: No more fees in advance. If the agency is worth what it charges, their client will have found the means with which to pay their cost. I urge Governor Cuomo to sign the Justice for Job Seekers bill into law so that New Yorkers seeking better opportunities for their family are protected from this pervasive exploitation,” said Assemblyman Moya.

“Employment agency scams impact job seekers who can least afford to lose money. We must crackdown on these bad actors, who time and time again, we find prey on low-wage and immigrant workers in our city who simply want to find a decent job. We need Governor Cuomo to sign the Justice for Job Seekers bill to better protect our workers,” said Senator Savino.

“Picking the pockets of an American Dream seekers is deplorable. When someone in the community comes to an employment agency to find a job, that person should never be robbed of their opportunity to succeed and wind up scammed out of their money. We need Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation into law to protect our job seekers from this type of fraud,” said Democratic Senate Nominee Marisol Alcantara.

During an undercover investigation, staff visited 76 employment agencies in New York City that were both licensed and unlicensed. Only 37 were accessible. Many had closed, illustrating the fly-by-night nature of many unlicensed employment agencies.

Of the 37 agencies visited, 76% asked for an advance fee and nearly half said they would not refund money if a job seeker did not find employment, which is against current state law.

Agency representatives cannot guarantee an applicant work, of the agencies charging fees that could be as high as $200, but averaged $85, for a $9 per hour worker, 40% promising jobs did not refund money and 36% guaranteeing work never mentioned a refund was possible.

In an undercover video clip, an agent at an employment agency not only guaranteed employment, but went as far as to compare an illegal nonrefundable fee to clothing return policies.

This year, Senator Klein and Assemblyman Moya passed in their respective houses the Justice for Job Seekers bill, which would strengthen protections for job seekers and crackdown on unscrupulous agencies with stiffer penalties.

Highlights of the bill include:

• Eliminating advance fees for A and A1 workers.
• Requires agencies to display their license number on all advertisements and public documents.
• Imposes civil fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, a change from the flat $500 fine.
• Imposes criminal fines ranging from $2,500, up from the current $1,000.

“The Justice for Job Seekers campaign was born from the experiences of NICE members who suffered at the hands of predatory and fraudulent employment agencies that charge hundreds of dollars for job placements that never come through” said Manuel Castro, executive director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment. “When signed into law, this bill will provide fair and meaningful protections to low-wage immigrant workers across the state of New York. The findings of this report, a product of mystery shopping done by NICE members and allies, shows once again the urgency for these protections. We thank Senator Klein, Senator Savino, and Assemblyman Moya for their relentless commitment to our communities and to this bill.”

FACT SHEET: MAYOR DE BLASIO CALLS ON ALBANY TO MAKE ELECTIONS FAIRER AND MORE OPEN FOR ALL

  Mayor also calls on federal government to clear citizenship application backlog to ensure America’s newest voters are able to register for November 8 election

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio met with New Yorkers in Brooklyn to talk about voting reforms that could make New York’s electoral system fairer and more open, and to help register students and community residents ahead of Friday’s voter registration deadline. The Mayor was joined by volunteers from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit as part of City Hall’s outreach efforts to help sign up eligible voters who have yet to register before Friday’s deadline. There are currently two million eligible but unregistered voters in New York.

The Mayor also called for the federal government to clear the citizenship application backlog of more than 57,000 pending applications in the New York and Queens USCIS service centers, and more than half a million nationwide, in order for those residents to register and vote in the November 8 election.

This year, the City has increased accessibility to voter registration for citizens with limited English proficiency by providing translated versions of the voter registration form in 11 new languages at www.nyccfb.info. In addition to the four translations that were already available – Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Bengali – the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of Operations, and the Campaign Finance Board have now provided translations in Russian, Haitian Creole, Arabic, French, Urdu, Albanian, Greek, Tagalog, Yiddish, Polish, and Italian. These efforts ensure that over 90 percent of limited English proficient eligible voters in New York City are able to register to vote on a form in their language.

FAIRER, MORE OPEN ELECTIONS

The Mayor called for the passage of a slate of reforms at the state level that would make New York’s voting process fairer and more open. By removing barriers to absentee and early voting, cutting down lines at the polls, making registration and voting easier and more streamlined, we can ensure that every New Yorkers’ vote counts and stop preventing voters from casting their ballot due to unavoidable employment, health care or family responsibilities.

These reforms include:

Allow Same-Day Voter Registration

• This legislation would remove the requirement in the State Constitution that requires voter registration no later than 10 days before Election Day.
• This reform would allow eligible voters to register on the day of Election Day, ensuring more voices are heard at the polls.
• Thirteen states and the District of Colombia have same-day voter registration.

Early Voting Measures

• Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia provide for in-person early voting or mail-in voting. New York State does not.
• Legislation should be passed to allow New York to employ methods of early voting including vote by mail, “no-excuse” absentee voting and early in-person voting.

“No Excuse” Absentee Voting

• Currently, in order to vote absentee in New York State, a voter must have one of several permissible reasons, such as being out of New York City on Election Day, temporary illness or disability.
• This proposal would remove all of the conditions precedent for absentee ballots and allow voters to request an absentee ballot as an alternative to in-person voting.

Electronic Poll Books

• This legislation would authorize the use of electronic poll books to ease the voting process and mitigate the issue of long waits at voting sites.
• Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia already use electronic poll books.

Consolidation of Primary Elections

• This legislation would consolidate all of the primary elections into one day, making it easier and more streamlined for New York residents to vote in primary elections.
• This legislation would amend the Federal Military Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, which currently requires the State to conduct two primary elections, or three in presidential years. This is very costly to local boards of election as well as confusing and burdensome to voters

Ballot Usability

• Reformatting the way ballots are laid out – including font size, placement of instructions, placement of candidate names – can make them more legible and user-friendly for voters.
• This legislation would make it easier to read a ballot and reduce errors in voting.

Pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds

• This proposal would allow 16- and 17-year olds the opportunity to pre-register to vote, including in schools at the time that students register for class selection each year. The preregistration would be optional.
• Once registered, the local board at elections shall maintain registration on file and registration shall automatically become active when the registrant turns 18 years of age.

CITIZENSHIP BACKLOG

The Mayor called for the federal government to clear the large backlog of pending naturalization applications.

Backlog

• There are currently more than 57,000 pending applications in the New York and Queens USCIS service centers, and more than half a million nationwide. Many immigrants who applied for citizenship months ago will be unable to register to vote without swift federal action.
• The de Blasio Administration calls on the federal government to process pending applications as quickly as possible to ensure that immigrant New Yorkers are able to vote.

Two week extension for recent citizens

• Immigrants who naturalize after the October 14 voter registration deadline can still register to vote in the November 8 election. These new citizens must register in person at their borough’s Board of Elections office no later than October 29.

FACILITATING VOTER REGISTRATION

There are currently 2 million eligible but unregistered voters in New York State. The de Blasio Administration is fighting to ensure every vote counts this Election Day by streamlining the process, engaging voters and making it simpler for voters of all languages to register. Below are a few of the de Blasio Administration’s wide reaching efforts to increase voter participation.

Voter registration forms in more languages

• New Yorkers can now access registration forms in a total of 16 languages at voting.nyc.
• In addition to the four translations that were already available – Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Bangla – the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of Operations, and the Campaign Finance Board have now provided translations in Russian, Haitian Creole, Arabic, French, Urdu, Albanian, Greek, Tagalog, Yiddish, Polish, and Italian.
• Voters can access the forms at voting.nyc.
• These efforts ensure that over 90 percent of limited English proficient eligible voters in New York City are able to register to vote on a form in their language.

Voter registration during civil service exams

DCAS provides direct electronic access to voter registration for all who sign up for civil service exams and the City is in process of adding additional agencies.

Voting.nyc

The Campaign Finance Board launched “voting.nyc” to provide easy access to all voting related services.

#NoshTheVote

• City Hall’s #NoshTheVote campaign, inspired by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s “GuacTheVote” voter registration drive, stationed volunteers at 12 food trucks across the five boroughs on Tuesday, October 11 to help register more New Yorkers and raise awareness that there is still time to register to vote in the November 8 election.
• Volunteers distributed hundreds of forms to New Yorkers, and raised awareness across the five boroughs.
• Voter drive efforts continue across the city through our agencies and partner organizations.

LinkNYC

LinkNYC is helping to get out the vote by making registering to vote on Links easier than ever for New Yorkers on the go. LinkNYC launched a redesigned tablet homepage, which links directly to the New York State DMV’s Electronic Voter Registration Application page.

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN PARTY AT GRACIE MANSION‎

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray invite families across the five boroughs to join them at Gracie Mansion this Halloween. For the third year, New York City families are welcome to enter a ticket giveaway to enjoy a time of tricks and treats at Gracie Mansion. Go towww.nyc.gov/GracieHalloween or call 311 between Friday, October 14 at 12 PM and Monday, October 17 at 5:00 PM to sign up for your chance to attend.

Children who reside in homeless shelters and foster care homes will be joining us thanks to our partnership with the Department of Homeless Services and the Administration for Children’s Services. Through the Department of Education, NYC public school children will also attend.

  

WHAT:

2016 Halloween Party

WHEN:

Friday, October 28 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Saturday, October 29 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Sunday, October 30 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

WHERE:

Gracie Mansion 88th Street and East End Avenue New York, NY 10128

WHAT:

Guests will embark on a Halloween Party tour  through Gracie Mansion, and will be able to  participate in activities on the front lawn, including  face painting, story-telling, a magic show and an  art activity. New York City families are welcome to enter to  win four admission tickets. The recommended  age range for this event is six to ten. This year, we are working with City Harvest to  help feed those in need. Guests are encouraged to  bring a non-perishable food item for the Hallo- ween Food Drive. Sponsors for this event include  the May Ellen & Gerald Ritter Foundation,  Investors Bank, Discovery Communications,  Blick Art Supplies, The LEGO Group, Whole  Foods Market, Skeeter Nut Free Snacks, Utz,  Bazooka Candy Brands, TDF Costume Collection,  New York Film Academy Music Theatre Program,  Make-up Designory and The Twisted Balloon  Company.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 16!

Join TEAM GJONAJ on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Orchard Beach at the 2016 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk! 

  

Registration Begins at 8:00 am 

Walk Begins at 10:00 am

Meeting at the main entrance of Orchard Beach 

1 Orchard Beach Rd, Bronx, NY 10464

Directions:

Bus - Take the BX5, BX12, BX23, BX24, BX26, BX29, BX50, or the 6 train to Pelham Bay Park. Take the BX12 at Pelham Bay Park to Orchard Beach. Driving - Take the Hutchinson Parkway N. ramp to Bruckner Blvd S/New Rochelle. Keep right, follow signs for Hutchinson Pkwy N and merge onto the Hutchinson River Pkwy N. Take exit 5 toward Orchard Beach/City Island. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Orchard Beach Rd.

• Free T-Shirts
• Water Provided

Team Gonaj Making strides for Breast Cancer

To donate or join our team please click here for more information.

IDNYC coming to Jacobi Hospital NEXT WEEK

IDNYC “Pop-Up” Enrollment Site at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

Where: 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Building 1 – Room 3E21, Bronx NY 10461

When: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. LUNES A VIERNES 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. (ON THE LAST DAY, THE SITE WILL CLOSE AT NOON..)

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR LGBT ELDERS LIVING IN THE BRONX

 

   State Senator Jeff Klein, Councilman Ritchie Torres, and SAGE’s CEO Michael Adams (center).

State Senator Jeff Klein announced $150,000 in funding for Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders today at SAGE Center Bronx.

In recognition of National Coming Out Day, on Tuesday, October 11, Senator Klein and Councilman Ritchie Torres joined SAGE’s CEO Michael Adams at SAGE’s Bronx headquarters and announced the funding for outreach efforts for LGBT older adults living in the borough.

Senator Klein’s funding allocation will be used for extensive outreach to older LGBT Bronx residents informing them of the services available for them at SAGE’s Bronx center. SAGE Center Bronx offers LGBT older adults in the Bronx a comprehensive set of direct and supportive services. Older adults also have access to health care right on site at the Union Community Health Center. SAGE’s also offers support groups for caregiving, bereavement, HIV, cancer, depression and anxiety, breaking social isolation, and much more. Social workers and case managers are available to offer assistance with many day to day issues and benefits and entitlements assistance.

“I am so proud that my $150,000 in funding will provide our LGBT seniors with access to SAGE’s valuable services. It’s so important that our LGBT seniors spend their golden years with friends and receive the support they need. Seniors can engage in social and cultural activities, utilize the computer center for educational purposes, and enjoy hot nutritious lunches.  SAGE truly meets the needs of our LBGT senior population,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

 

“LGBT elders face a number of issues that they must confront, oftentimes alone and without resources. SAGE’s work and advocacy efforts ensure that this population confront their older years with dignity and respect, and Senator Klein’s leadership in securing $150,000 for SAGE is crucial to make sure this work moves forward. I thank Senator Klein for his support of this important organization and look forward to working with SAGE to protect LGBT elders in the Bronx and across New York City,” said Councilman Ritchie Torres.

“LGBT elders in the Bronx are fortunate to have an amazing champion in Senator Jeff Klein,” said Michael Adams, Chief Executive Officer of SAGE. “Funds provided by Senator Klein will support outreach to ensure that a growing number of LGBT older Bronxites have access to LGBT-welcoming services at SAGE Center Bronx.”

“This SAGE Center is so important. It gives us a place to socialize, cares for our services, exercise, health issues. SAGE helps us do all these things and more. For example this recent housing initiative that is so important to this community, LGBT housing where we can be comfortable and safe, SAGE provides that for us. SAGE Bronx is like a little family. A lot of us don't have family, but this is our family. SAGE provides one for us, which is so important,”

Senator Jeff Klein Marches in the 40th Annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade

  Senator Jeff Klein joined with thousands in celebration of the 40th Annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade on Sunday in Morris Park.

The festivities began with a pre-parade breakfast sponsored by Senator Klein and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj at St. Dominic’s Church.  The parade, organized by The Morris Park Community Association, kicked off at White Plains Road and Morris Park Avenue, where Senator Klein’s famous cannoli carts were stationed.  Throughout the entire parade route, volunteers distributed 4,000 cannolis to parade-goers.  

“As a lifelong Morris Park resident, the annual Columbus Day Parade is a cherished tradition.  I am happy to celebrate the great Italian heritage and culture of our community. I wish everyone a safe and fun-filled Columbus Day and I hope that everyone enjoyed the cannolis!” said Senator Jeff Klein.

“For it’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, the spirits were high and the Italian pride was strong. Despite the inclement weather, The Bronx still showed up for our annual parade and it was a great time,” said Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.