“SEV-O” GANG MEMBERS INDICTED FOR SHOOTINGS, ROBBERIES AND STEALING $200,000 FROM ATM MACHINES

Twelve Defendants Charged in Conspiracy; Posed with Riches on Social Media

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that 12 members of the “Sev-O” gang have been indicted in a conspiracy that includes four shootings, three robberies and a check scam that netted them more than $200,000 from ATM machines. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “These young men engaged in street violence, as well as electronic thievery, and brazenly posed with wads of cash and bragged about their exploits on social media. Officers of the 44th Precinct were instrumental in making this case.” 

District Attorney Clark said that the defendants, who range in age from 17 to 23 years old, allegedly belong to an offshoot of the Bloods and call themselves Sev O because most of them reside near East 170th Street and Clay Avenue in the Claremont section of the Bronx. 

They were variously charged in a 71-count indictment including first, second, third, fourth and fifth-degree Conspiracy, second-degree Attempted Murder, second and fourth degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, second and third-degree Assault, first, second and third-degree Robbery, fourth-degree Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and other charges. 

Five of those indicted were already in jail and seven were arrested yesterday. Four of the defendants have been arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett and are due back in court on January 19, 2017 and the rest are awaiting arraignment. 

Five of the defendants are charged with first-degree Conspiracy and could face a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted. The others could face up to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted of second-degree Conspiracy. A thirteenth person was charged only with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. 

 According to the investigation, members of the group allegedly engaged in four shootings at rival crews. On November 22, 2015, in the vicinity of 1398 Clay Avenue, it is alleged that defendant Joel Baba (“Jay Gunz”) and Deiondre Harris (“Stackz) were acting together, and Harris shot towards members of a rival gang, grazing a man in the head. On November 28, 2015, during a conversation with a person on Facebook, Harris posted a screenshot of a news article referring to a recent shooting in which a man was grazed in the head, then stated to the person, “We going to jail…I hit something in the head.” 

 In one of the robberies charged as an overt act in the indictment, on July 13, 2014, in the vicinity of Fordham Road and Webster Avenue, defendants Emmanuel Bruntson (“Kase”), 23, and Latif Evans (“La La”), 20, and others allegedly surrounded a young boy on a bus, robbed him of his cell phone and ID, displayed a blade and told the victim that if he snitched they knew where he lived and would kill him. 

 According to the indictment, the group obtained bank cards, PIN numbers and forged checks. In numerous transactions, they deposited the checks into ATMs and withdrew the cash, for a total in excess of $200,000. 

 The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Paul Irace of the Gangs/Major Case Bureau, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, Chief of the Gangs/Major Case Bureau. District Attorney Clark would also like to thank Police Officers Jawuan Hubbard and Sean Brown, formerly of the 44th Precinct; the Field Intelligence Officers of the 44th Precinct, and the Bronx Grand Larceny Squad for their assistance in this case.  

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

DEFENDANTS: 

LAQUAN HEYWARD, A/K/A QUAN (10/7/94), 364 East 170th Street, Bronx, NY, REMANDED 

ANDRE CURRY-CRUZ, A/K/A FLEX (12/17/94), 3190 Rochambeau Avenue, Bronx, NY 

RASHAUN POPE, A/K/A RAY (4/18/97), 1241 College Avenue Bronx, NY $10,000 BAIL SET

DEVON VINES, A/K/A DEV (5/27/93), 1355 Clay Avenue, Bronx, NY REMANDED

RONNIE SULLIVAN, A/K/A ZAY (1/12/99), 1487 Teller Avenue, Bronx, NY

JOEL BABA, A/K/A JAY GUNZ (11/5/97), 1405 College Avenue, Bronx, NY 

LATIF EVANS, A/K/A LA LA (12/11/95), 3190 Rochambeau Avenue, Bronx, NY 

TYQUAN SMITH, A/K/A MOOKIE (12/26/95), 150 West 139th Street NY, NY 

DEIONDRE HARRIS, A/K/A STACKZ (3/14/95), 306 East 171st Street, Bronx, NY 

EMMANUEL BRUNTSON, A/K/A KASE (9/6/93), 15 East Clarke Place, Bronx, NY 

DAVON DELKS, A/K/A DAY DAY (1/1/99), 306 East 171st Street, Bronx, NY 

BRYAN VINES, A/K/A TREY (2/24/92), 739 Arnow Avenue Bronx, NY $100,000 BAIL SET Charged only with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument: RAMEL LOGAN (8/12/96), 1810 Lexington Avenue NY, NY RELEASED 

Dinowitz Fights to Put the Brakes on Predatory Towing Companies in Riverdale

 

Bronx Assembly Member, Chair of Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection, mounts public campaign to put a stop to booting and towing of vehicles at local shopping center parking lots, a practice plaguing community for years

Dinowitz works with local NYPD precinct to warn shoppers, calls on city Department of Consumer Affairs to investigate repeat offenders amid reports of tow operators overcharging drivers, threats and intimidation, and demanding cash for vehicle pickup and "drop fees," in violation of city codes

 

  In response to an alarming trend of predatory towing practices plaguing Bronx shoppers, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz (D - Bronx) is mounting an aggressive public awareness campaign with local law enforcement and fellow elected officials to warn the community of the scam tactics and educate shoppers of city laws governing tow truck practices and fees. The Assembly Member is also calling on the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to investigate the most egregious recent cases, which have included the charging of fees in excess of legal limits, demands of cash payment, and even instances of threats and intimidation.

 

"These towing companies prey on innocent shoppers as they cross the street to go to the ATM or run a quick errand. Not only is this practice illegal, it also discourages shoppers from patronizing our local small businesses" said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. "Even for those who may have parked in the lots against the rules, there are still laws in place to protect them from these scams and they need to be enforced. That's why I'm calling on the city to investigate repeat offender towing companies and take steps to protect consumers from predatory practices."

 

This month, Assembly Member Dinowitz and Council Member Andrew Cohen (D - Bronx) wrote to DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas urging an investigation into multiple reports of "demonstrated predatory towing practices" by Bronx-based towers Riverdale Towing Associates, LLC.

 

According to the letter, Dinowitz's office has received multiple complaints from constituents over threatening and potentially illegal practices by the company and others at various locations around the community, including a Key Foods parking lot on Johnson Avenue and West 235th Street, and nearby Skyview shopping center. In one instance, a shopper felt sufficiently threatened by a tow truck operator that he called the police.

 

"To retrieve the car, we had to arrange to travel to the other side of the Bronx to a dilapidated and deserted parking lot between the Metro-North tracks and Webster Ave. The lot attendant was not able to accept credit cards. He called the towing company, and we had to wait for two gentlemen from the towing company to show up. Another towing victim from the Key Food lot was there as well.

 

As residents report, tow operators often idle in the vicinity of area parking lots waiting to prey on shoppers. At the Johnson Avenue lot, which provides 3-hour parking for customers at Key Foods and a dozen adjacent local businesses, tow operators will wait for shoppers to cross the street to go to the bank or other businesses not serviced by the lot, and begin booting or connecting the car to their trucks. The tow operators then wait for shoppers to return and charge them for the service.

 

The most frequent complaints lodged by shoppers involve operators demanding cash payment and overcharging for fees applied to the pickup of vehicles at towing lots, or for so-called "drop fees" charged to motorists to have their vehicles unhooked from the trucks. Under city laws, tow truck operators are required to accept at least two major credit cards. The city also limits fees to $125 plus tax for the retrieval of impounded vehicles and $62.50 plus tax for "drop fees." However, motorists report being charged as much as $136 for the latter service.

 

DCA offers consumers a formal complaint process against improper practices by licensed businesses. This includes a mediated settlement process with the business owner and the opportunity to recoup losses from the agency's DCA Trust Fund, which licensees are required to contribute to as part of their bonding and licensing with the city. DCA records accessed on the agency's website list Riverdale Towing Associates LLC as a licensed business with the city.

 

In addition to the letter to DCA, Assembly Member Dinowitz has been working with the NYPD's 50th Precinct to alert residents to the practice and collaborate on increased enforcement. Dinowitz also released a public statement last month warning motorists of the practice, which his office says has plagued the community "for years." Dinowitz also reports that his office has tried to directly engage towing companies, to no avail.

 

"As Chair of the Consumer Affairs Committee, I take my responsibility to protect consumers very seriously. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we need to ensure consumers are protected as they run their daily errands," concluded Dinowitz.

28th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive Kicks off through December 31st

NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BENJAMIN TUCKER, NBA LEGEND RON HARPER, AND WNBA LEGEND KYM HAMPTON KICKOFF THE 28^TH ANNUAL NEW YORK CARES COAT DRIVE

Record Requests for Coats Exceed 125,000 this Winter; Donations Can be Made by Text

   New York Police Department First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin B. Tucker, NBA legend Ron Harper, and WNBA legend Kym Hampton joined New York Cares today at The Bowery Mission on the Lower East Side to launch the 28^th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive.

This year, New York Cares is hoping to collect and distribute 125,000 coats, which represents a record number of requests from its nonprofit and school partners but is estimated to be only a fraction of the total need for coats that exists throughout the city. In order to meet this growing need, and to get coats to New Yorkers sooner, New York Cares has created the initiative where individuals can text the word “COAT” to 41444 to donate $20, or in increments of $20, to purchase and deliver new coats. All donations are tax deductible.

From today through December 31, 2016, individuals can also donate gently used, freshly laundered coats at hundreds of locations throughout the five boroughs including all NYC Police Precincts, Queens Library branches, and major transit hubs. For a full list of drop-off sites and other ways to keep New Yorkers warm, visit newyorkcares.org/coats. 

Joined by Commissioner Tucker, NBA legend Ron Harper, and WNBA legend Kym Hampton, New York Cares distributed coats to 50 homeless residents of The Bowery Mission.

“The New York City Police Department is honored to again collaborate with New York Cares for their 28^thAnnual Coat Drive. New Yorkers can drop off coats at every precinct, transit district and police service area across the City, day or night,” said First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker. “The need for coats this year has grown, and we’re asking generous New Yorkers to please think of their neighbors and donate a coat. We know we can make this another plentiful season of giving.”

“Homelessness has reached a record high, with approximately 60,000 New Yorkers spending each night in the shelter system,” said New York Cares Executive Director Gary Bagley. “In addition, 1.7 million residents live below the poverty line. The need in our city is simply enormous, and we’re calling on all New Yorkers to give the gift of warmth this holiday season. The Coat Drive is an opportunity to show each and every one of our neighbors that they are cared for and that we recognize the struggles they are going through.”

“As temperatures begin to drop, we know this will be another tough winter for New York’s neediest, and thousands will turn to The Bowery Mission for help.  It will take the support of generous New Yorkers and community partners like New York Cares to meet the need,” said David P. Jones, President and CEO of The Bowery Mission. “On behalf of those we serve, The Bowery Mission is thankful to New York Cares and proud to host the launch of this 28^th Annual Coat Drive.”

New York Cares’ iconic ‘Shivering Statue of Liberty’ Coat Drive PSA, including information about texting donations, will air on the TOSHIBA VISION screens located at the top of One Times Square to raise awareness of the Coat Drive from Friday, November 18^th to Friday, December 30^th. The PSA will also appear on billboards and online thanks to efforts by media partners Mindshare, Xaxis, Group M, Kinetic Worldwide, and Straus News, and will air on NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47.

About The 28^th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive

The New York Cares Coat Drive is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Since 1989, New York Cares has collected and distributed more than 1.8 million coats.

The thousands of donated coats will be counted, sorted and distributed to organizations serving the homeless and other low-income New Yorkers, at an 8,600 square foot temporary warehouse space located at 157 West 31st Street in Midtown Manhattan. 

The sponsors for this year’s New York Cares Coat Drive are the New York City Police Department, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Neuberger Berman, Bank of America, Vornado Realty Trust, Toshiba, KKR, Mindshare, NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47.

New Yorkers can make financial donations in support of the Coat Drive and New York Cares’ year-round work online, by text or by mail.  For more information about the New York Cares Coat Drive, locations, news, or to make a financial donation, the public can visit newyorkcares.org/coats

How to Donate Coats

New Yorkers can text the word “COAT” to 41444 to donate $20, or in increments of $20, to purchase and deliver new coats. All donations are tax deductible. New Yorkers can also donate gently-used, freshly laundered coats at almost 300 public sites around the city, as well as hundreds of private sites hosted by corporations and civic groups. 

New Yorkers may donate coats at the following locations through Saturday, December 31, 2016. Please visitnewyorkcares.org for exact times and locations, and additional collection sites.

·         Every New York City Police Precinct (24 hours a day)

·         Every library branch in the Queens Public Library system (during open hours)

·         The New York Cares Warehouse, 157 West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues (9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday)

·         New York Cares office, 65 Broadway (weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

·         New York Penn Station - LIRR concourse (weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)

·         Grand Central Terminal - Track 16/Graybar Passage (weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)

·         Any participating member of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association

·         And many more sites citywide.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Winter Health and Wellness Fair Dec. 12th

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Senator Jeffrey Klein 

in conjunction with 

Bronx House 

 present

WINTER HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR

BRONX HOUSE

990 Pelham Parkway South

Bronx , NY 10461

Monday - December 12, 2016

5:30 - 8:30pm

Senator Jeff Klein Hosts 9th Annual Veterans' Breakfast

  State Senator Jeff Klein, in partnership with Congressman Joseph Crowley, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, hosted the 9th Annual Veterans’ Breakfast at Villa Barone Manor. 

Lieutenant Colonel Ron Watson, the Grand Marshall of the Throggs Neck Veterans’ Parade, was recognized along with 99-year-old Nicholas Calabrese, who received the Lifetime Service Award.  Joseph Byrne, US Marine Corps; Irma Gallagher, US Army; William Hyland, US Army; Frank Morales, US Army; and Marshall Siciliano, US Army received posthumous awards for their service to our country.

The day begin with a complimentary breakfast followed by the patriotic program. After the presentation of colors by SUNY Maritime College’s Color Guard, the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, Senator Klein presented the family of the late Paul Rosario Nelson with re-issued military medals that he earned during his service in the Vietnam War.

Senator Klein also announced $15,000 in funding that he secured for Bronx Veteran Mentors, which helps veterans who seek treatment for mental health and/or drug related issues as an alternative to incarceration. The veteran mentors, who understand  first-hand military experience, help provide veteran participants with a true support system.

After the breakfast, Senator Klein and the veterans gathered and marched in The 32nd Annual Bronx Veterans’ Day Parade in Throggs Neck. Photos of the breakfast are below.

Above and Below - Senator Klein went around the busy room to talk to many of those on hand for his 9th Annual Veteran's Breakfast.

Above - The program began with the SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE COLOR GUARD presentation of the Colors.

Below - The National Anthem being sung by Ms. Theresa Cassen.

Above and Below - You can see the packed room as the Pledge of Allegiance is being recited.

Above - Senator Klein gives a moving speech of what Veteran's Day means to him, and how he is helping to try to bring funding for veterans. 

Below - Senator Klein presents a check for $15,000.00 to the Bronx Veteran Mentors. Mr. Pat Devine is on the left, while Mr. Dwayne Gathers the President and CEO of the Bronx Veterans Mentors is on the right of Senator klein in the photo.

Above - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj gets a few words in about what Veterans day means to him.

Below - Lieutenant Colonel Ron Watson the 'Throggs Neck Veterans Parade Grand Marshall' is center of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, Senator Jeff Klein, and Mr. Tom Messina of Congressman Joe Crowley's office.

Above - Bugler Albert Nicotina plays TAPS for the fallen soldiers as Michelle Dolgow (of Senator Klein's office), Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, Tom Messina, and Ms. Nathalia Fernandez (Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Gjonaj).   

Below - Senator Klein, Pat Devine, and DA Clark stand at attention for the playing of TAPS.

The Honorees, Senator Klein, Assemblyman Gjonaj, and Mr. Messina. 

Veterans Day Remembrance at the Rudy Macina Peace Memorial Plaza.

   The Morris Park Community Association, Knights of Columbus, Mary Queen of Peace Council, Morris Park Kiwanis, and Community Board 11, the American Legion, and Mr. Silvo Mazzes all did a wonderful job (as usual) in this years Veterans day remembrance. The national anthem and God Bless America was professionally sung by Ms. Jillian Cannata. Many veterans said what it means to have served in the armed forces, some seeing battle with their comrades in arms being killed on the battlefield. All said however that the brave soldiers who fought for this country did it so people could live a free life, and even demonstrate as some are doing. The photos will tell the rest of the story.

Above - Mr. Silvo Mazzes was the master of ceremonies for the days Veteran Day remembrance.

Below - Those on hand included the latest rookie officers of the 49th Precinct.

Above - Ms. Jillian Cannata sung the national anthem.

Below - She also sang God Bless America at the end of the Veterans Day remembrance.

Above - Father Knapp gives the invocation.

Below - Veteran Tony Signorile gives a powerful speech about democracy, and asks why people are demonstrating when the country has a new president. Note the flags flyings briskly during Mr. Signorile very emotional speech.

Above - Assemblyman Michael Benedetto gives a moving Veterans Day speech.

Below - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj also gave a Veterans Day speech about the immigrants who built this country.

Above - It came time for the memorial reef to be placed by Mr. Al D'Angelo and Mr. Earl Menard Jr. Taps is being played in the background by the bugler. 

Below - They also place bouquets of flowers near the memorial headstones for fallen soldiers. 

A group photo of those who participated in the Veterans Day Memorial service. Over 100 people were on hand to see this touching remembrance on Veterans Day.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Arrest Of Long Island Attorney And Operators Of “Three-Quarter” Houses On Charges Of Medicaid Fraud And Money Laundering

Attorney Anthony Cornachio, Who Controls Two New York City Drug Treatment Programs, Allegedly Paid Yury Baumblit And Rimma Baumblit, Operators Of “Three-Quarter Houses,” To Force Residents To Attend Medicaid-Funded Drug Treatment

    Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arrest of attorney Anthony Cornachio, 74, of Garden City and charges against NRI Group, LLC (“NRI”) and Canarsie A.W.A.R.E., Inc. (“Canarsie”), which are Medicaid-enrolled drug treatment programs controlled by Cornachio. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (“MFCU”) also charged three-quarter housing operators Yury Baumblit, 66, and Rimma Baumblit, 60, of Brooklyn, and their company Back on Track Group, Inc. In papers filed in New York City Criminal Court, Kings County and New York State Supreme Court, Kings County, prosecutors allege that Yury Baumblit and Rimma Baumblit, in exchange for payments from Cornachio’s companies, forced residents of their “three-quarter” homes to either face eviction or attend NRI and Canarsie regardless of the residents’ actual need for drug treatment services. All of the residences leased by Back on Track Group, Inc. and operated by Yury Baumblit and Rimma Baumblit as three-quarter homes were located in Kings County.  During the course of this scheme, which dates back to at least 2013, Cornachio allegedly paid Back on Track Group, Inc. over $900,000.00 in illegal kickbacks.  As a result of this kickback scheme, prosecutors allege that Cornachio, through NRI and Canarsie, submitted, and caused to be submitted, at least $1.7 Million in false claims for reimbursement to Medicaid. These claims, prosecutors allege, were fraudulent because they resulted from illegal kickbacks and were often medically unnecessary.

“We allege that the defendants engaged in a deliberate scheme to exploit those struggling with substance abuse in order to line their own pockets with millions,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Medicaid cannot serve as a personal piggy bank for criminals and fraudsters who have little regard for the well-being of their fellow New Yorkers. My office will continue to uphold the integrity of the Medicaid program to ensure that our tax dollars are put towards helping our most vulnerable citizens.”

“Individuals who victimize the most vulnerable New Yorkers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Department of Social Service Commissioner Steven Banks. “By forcing residents to submit themselves to medical tests and treatments that in many cases they didn’t even need, these defendants have shown not only a clear intention to defraud Medicaid but also an absolute disregard for human dignity.”

In addition to the arrests, MFCU investigators executed a search warrant at Cornachio’s home in Garden City, Long Island and filed a False Claims Act and forfeiture complaint against the defendants seeking over $5 million dollars in damages plus penalties. 

Three-quarter homes in New York City are private entities that provide housing to indigent, formerly homeless individuals and those transitioning out of periods of incarceration, and are largely funded from each resident’s monthly housing allowance provided by the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”). 

Anthony Cornachio, NRI and Canarsie have been charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Money Laundering in the Second Degree, and violating Social Services Law § 366(d), which prohibits an enrolled Medicaid provider from paying kickbacks. Similarly, Yury Baumblit and Rimma Baumblit and their corporation, Back on Track Group, Inc. have been charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Money Laundering in the Second Degree, and violating Social Services Law § 366(f), which prohibits individuals from acting in concert with an enrolled Medicaid provider and accepting the payment of kickbacks. 

Grand Larceny in the First Degree is a Class B felony with a maximum term of incarceration of twenty-five years in state prison.  Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and Money Laundering in the Second Degree are each Class C felonies with a maximum term of incarceration of fifteen years.  Social Services Law §366-f is a Class E felony with a maximum term of incarceration of four years. If convicted on all charges, the defendants each face up to 25 years each in state prison.

Cornachio is currently the village attorney for the Village of Island Park, Long Island, and a trustee of Nassau Community College.

In addition to the felony complaints filed, on Monday, the Attorney General obtained an order freezing the bank accounts and other property held by the defendants and attaching up to$5,221,649.28 of those assets.  The Attorney General obtained a temporary restraining order preventing dissipation or transfer of property controlled by defendants. 

Earlier this year, Yury Baumblit and Rimma Baumblit were indicted for a kickback arrangement they maintained with a different substance abuse treatment program. That indictment, which is currently pending in Kings County Supreme Court, charges Yury Baumblit and Rimma Baumblit with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and other crimes; they remain incarcerated awaiting trial on that matter.

Throughout this investigation, the Attorney General has worked closely with the various city, state, and federal agencies. In particular, the Attorney General would like to thank the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”) for its cooperation and valuable assistance throughout the investigation and notably the work of its Medicaid Provider Investigations & Audit Unit.  In addition, the Attorney General thanks the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the United States Department of HHS-OIG, and the Office of New York State Medicaid Inspector General Dennis Rosen, MFCU’s partner in combatting fraud against the Medicaid program, for their assistance. 

The investigation was led by MFCU Senior Investigator Albert Maiorano, with the support of Investigator David Ryan and Supervising Investigators Dominick DiGennaro and Michael Casado under the supervision of MFCU Deputy Chief Investigator Kenneth Morgan.   The audit investigation was led by Principal Auditor-Investigator Investigator Patricia Iemma, with the support of Senior Auditor-Investigator Nicholas Thottam and Auditor-Investigator Jillian White, under the supervision of Principal Special Auditor Investigator Emmanuel Archer and NYC Regional Chief Auditor Thomasina Smith.   Investigative support was provided by Supervising Legal Assistant Wendy Dorival and Confidential Legal Analyst Kelvin Caraballo.

The criminal case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorneys General Megan Friedland and Erin Kelsh under the supervision of NYC Regional Director Christopher M. Shaw. Thomas O’Hanlon is MFCU’s Chief of Criminal Investigations–Downstate.  The civil case is being handled by Special Assistant Attorneys General Alee Scott and Christopher Y. Miller with the assistance of MFCU Civil Enforcement Chief Carolyn Ellis. MFCU is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney.   

The charges filed in this case, and in the previously-filed case noted above, are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

A.G. Schneiderman Honors Those Who Have Served, Releases Updated Resource Guide To Keep Veterans And Servicemembers Up To Date On Their Consumer And Legal Protections

Schneiderman: Today We Express Our Gratitude For The Sacrifices Made By Our Men And Women In Uniform To Keep Our Country Safe

   In honor of Veteran’s Day, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released an updated resource guide and website to provide veterans and active duty military personnel with information related to the education, consumer protection, and legal benefits available to them during and after active military service.  The Attorney General’s Resource Guide for Veterans and Servicemembers details numerous state and federal benefits available to those who have served in the armed forces, including housing, education, financial, and legal protections.  The updated guide and website include updates on existing laws, as well as information on additional protections and resources that have become available since the Guide was originally published in 2011.

“Today we express our gratitude for the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform to keep our country safe. We must honor their sacrifices by ensuring that our servicemembers, veterans and their families are protected here at home,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “I encourage military families to learn about the educational, housing and legal resources available to them, and to take full advantage of the benefits and protections they have earned through their service.”

The Attorney General’s Resource Guide details federal and state laws that provide benefits to those who have served in the armed forces, and includes:

• Information on educational benefits and opportunities;

• Information on protections related to debt, foreclosure, insurance, leases, and other contracts;

• A comparison of federal and state benefits; and

• Additional resources to find more information.

The updated Guide includes information on the recent United States Department of Defense Rule, which expands the coverage of the federal Military Lending Act (MLA), and provides additional protections for servicemembers in their consumer credit transactions, including a 36% interest rate cap, additional disclosures regarding the borrower’s payment obligation, and a ban on mandatory arbitration.  These provisions, except with respect to credit cards, became effective October 3, 2016.  The Guide also highlights a new provision of the New York State State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, which provides, as of July 21, 2016, additional protections for servicemembers who need to terminate contracts with telecommunications, television and internet service providers or health clubs because they have been ordered to report to military service.

Along with the Guide, the Attorney General’s website provides links to press releases about issues affecting military families and an updated list of additional resources.

Additionally, the Attorney General’s office will be conducting new fraud prevention presentations for veterans across the state. Visit our website to request a presentation.

In September 2016, demonstrating his dedication to issues affecting military families, Attorney General Schneiderman announced a multistate settlement with retailer USA Discounters, also doing business as USA Living and Fletcher’s Jewelers, to resolve the state’s claims of deceptive trade practices against the company.  The deceptive practices included targeting servicemembers and hooking them into deceptively usurious loans, false advertising and illegal collection practices.  The company would also sue servicemembers out of state where they were unable to defend the action, ultimately taking default judgments against them.  The approximate value of the restitution to consumers in New York State is $1.8 million.