Assemblyman Dinowitz’s Holiday Food Drive Makes Huge First Donations to Bronx Non-Profits

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and Saint Frances of Rome Church received hundreds of cans, boxes, and jars of nonperishable food items this afternoon.

Goodman Management, Kelly Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant, and Ben’s Market, donated dozens of turkeys to families in need.

  Assemblyman Dinowitz was joined at his district office by representatives from the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and Saint Frances of Rome Church in Wakefield, who picked up dozens of boxes containing hundreds of cans, boxes, and jars of food collected by local students from PS 7, PS 81, and community members during Assemblyman Dinowitz’s annual holiday food drive. These non-perishable food items, along with dozens and dozens of turkeys donated by Goodman Management, Kelly Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant, and Ben’s Market will go to Bronx families in need this holiday season.

“I am very pleased to report that my office’s 2016 annual holiday food drive has been a huge success thus far,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Thanks to the inspiring efforts of the community, in particular the students and staff at PS 7 and PS 81, my office has been absolutely packed over the past weeks with boxes of food.  These donations make a big difference to many families in our community. If you haven’t yet had the chance to give back this holiday season, don’t forget that my office will be accepting non-perishable food items until December 15^th!”

All food items will be donated to the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and the food pantry at Saint Frances of Rome Church for families in need during the Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and Christmas holiday seasons.  The following canned and non-perishable food items are accepted: canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, dried beans, pasta, rice, tuna, coffee, teas, canned juices, powdered milk, Jell-O, and soups. Residents may donate their canned goods to Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office located at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue; one block west of Broadway, just off of West 231st Street.  For more information, call (718) 796-5345.

Pictured from left to right: Margaret Della, Executive Director of Kingsbridge Heights Community Center; Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz; Lorrin Johnsons, co-chair of Saint Frances of Rome Food Pantry; Dave Lynch, Kelly Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant, and Pat McCaffrey, co-chair of Saint Frances of Rome Food Pantry.

BP Diaz Gives Turkeys to Needy Bronx Residents

  The Turkey truck pulled up at one of the many sites throughout the Bronx where Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. and staff from the his office would give turkeys to needy Bronx residents. At this stop on Wallace Avenue BP Diaz would hand out 100 turkeys for resident to enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving.

Above - BP Diaz greets residents with turkeys that he would give out courtesy of Western Beef Supermarkets.

Below - This person thanks BP Diaz for the turkey for his turkey to have on Thanksgiving.

Above - This man not only thanks BP Diaz for the turkey he received, but also has his picture taken with his favorite BP.

Below - The turkey give out lasted until 100 turkeys were given out at this stop, and then it would be on to the next stop to give out more free turkeys to residents of the Bronx who may not be able to afford them. In all three thousand turkeys were given out over three days by BP Diaz. 

BP DIAZ WRITES TO ODELL BECKHAM & VON MILLER

“Thanks for visiting The Bronx…but try a better place than Sin City!”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has written a letter to NFL stars Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver for the New York Giants, and Von Miller, linebacker for the Denver Broncos, regarding the pair’s recent, highly publicized visit to the notorious Sin City, a strip club located in the South Bronx.
“I would like to thank you for your recent visit to the great borough of The Bronx,” wrote Borough President Diaz, who doubles as the biggest New York Giants fan in The Bronx. “I appreciate that you both took time out of your very busy schedules to pay us a visit. However, you could have picked a better place.”

The full letter can be read at http://on.nyc.gov/2fVpUSS.

In addition to the letter, Borough President Diaz also mailed Mr. Beckham and Mr. Miller copies of the 2016 Bronx Visitors Guide (viewable at http://bit.ly/2gCMkwn) to inform their future visits to the borough, and urged them to reach out if they wanted to see the many great things The Bronx offers visitors to the borough each and every day.

“I would love to show both of you gentlemen there is more to The Bronx than establishments such as Sin City, where you risk losing more than your valuables,” wrote Borough President Diaz. “If you would like to see what The Bronx is really about, and visit numerous establishments that our residents are actually proud of, I hope you will take me up on this offer.”

In August, Borough President Diaz issued a letter to the New York State Liquor Authority urging the agency to revoke Sin City’s liquor license. That letter can be read at http://on.nyc.gov/2auXQWe.

Mayor de Blasio Visits Youth Leaders On The Move at the Christopher Columbus Campus

   At the annual Law Enforcement and School Safety Agent Appreciation Luncheon a special guest dropped in to say hello and how great it is to see students and police officers appreciating one another. Mayor Bill de Blasio who with Chancellor Carmen Farina have pushed to strengthen better relations between police officers and the school community was on hand to see students at the Columbus Campus host a luncheon for the local 47th Police Precinct officers and School Safety officers at the schools in the Columbus Campus. 

  It was a full program beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance, a wonderful music serenade by one of the students, presentation of a memorial plaque to the Police Department in honor of fallen Sergeant Paul Tuzzolo, remarks by the principal of the Bronxdale High school at the Columbus Campus, Deputy Inspector Stevenson the commanding officer of the 47th Precinct, Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, Chief Gomez of the NYPD, and then Mayor Bill de Blasio. The photos should tell the rest of the story.

Above - A beautiful musical serene by student Carlos Sanchez.

Below - The plaque given to the police officers in honor of Sergeant Tuzzolo. 

Above - Deputy Inspector Stevenson of the 47th Police Precinct tells the students how much his officers at the 47th Pct. appreciate the support from the students. He added that after Sergeant Tuzzolo was killed in the line of duty it became tough to put on the uniform without remembering what had happened, but police officers continued to do their jobs.  

Below - Chief Gomez (from police headquarters) tells the students that the entire police department appreciates what is going on at the school with this luncheon with his police officers. This is one way for students to see the real police officers, who put their lives on the line every day for the people of New York City.

Above - Even the mayor had to sign in at the front desk, as one of the students turns around to see if it is really the mayor on New York City.

Below - The mayor walks to the front of the room with the program in his hand.

Above - There is always time to get a selfie in with the mayor as he hands his program to one of his aides.

Below - The mayor speaks to the students and police officers on hand saying that something important is happening here at this school as police and the school community come together. He added that it is important for the police officers and other community based groups to meet and get to know one another.

Above = As he was talking the mayor could not help but notice the delicious looking cake on the table right in front of him to be cut right after he finished his speech.

Below - The mayor, Chief Gomez, Deputy Inspector Stevens, and others from the school cut the first slice of cake.

Then it was off to another event for the mayor.

   

Chief Financial Officer And Manager Plead Guilty And Another Manager Sentenced In $31 Million Fraudulent Debt Collection Scheme

All 14 Defendants Have Now Pled Guilty in Largest Debt Collection Scheme Ever Prosecuted

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MAURICE SESSUM, the co-owner, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer of a Buffalo, New York-based debt collection company (the “Company”), pled guilty yesterday before Judge Katherine Polk Failla to orchestrating a scheme to coerce thousands of victims across the country, through false threats and representations, into paying a total of more than $31 million to the Company to resolve debts these victims purportedly owed.  In addition, earlier today before Judge Faila, JIMMY STOKES, a Company manager, pled guilty, and TACOBY THOMAS, another Company manager, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for their respective roles in the scheme.  All 14 defendants who were charged for their participation in this fraud have now pled guilty.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “Now that all of the 14 defendants behind the largest debt collection scheme ever prosecuted have admitted their guilt, the process of restitution to the thousands of victims across the country can begin.  Thanks to the dedicated work of our Office’s criminal investigators and the Federal Trade Commission, this so-called ‘business’ is no longer able to victimize consumers.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made during the plea proceedings and THOMAS’s sentencing proceeding:

Between 2010 and February 2015, SESSUM was the co-owner, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer of the Company.  In that capacity, SESSUM, together with his co-defendant and co-owner, Travell Thomas, oversaw four debt collection offices operated by the Company in Buffalo and a team of managers and debt collectors.  As part of the scheme, SESSUM and Travell Thomas falsely inflated the balances of debts owed by consumers in the Company’s debt collection software so that debt collectors could collect more money from the victims than the victims actually owed.   

SESSUM approved debt collection scripts that contained a variety of misrepresentations and instructed his collectors to make those misrepresentations to consumers over the telephone.  The Company’s debt collectors, in turn, attempted to trick and coerce thousands of victims throughout the United States into paying millions of dollars in consumer debts through a variety of false statements and false threats.  Among other things, STOKES misrepresented to victims that he would have a bench warrant issued for their arrest, would contact the “county” to initiate legal proceedings, and was not calling from a collection agency.  Among other things, THOMAS misrepresented to victims that he was a “process server” from “U.S. Couriers” with “legal documents” to serve on victims, that victims had committed “check fraud,” and that THOMAS was calling from an “arbitration firm.”

In total, from about January 2010 through November 2014, the Company collected over $31 million from thousands of victims across the United States.  Of the money that the Company took in from victims, approximately $1.5 million was paid in cash to SESSUM and Travell Thomas, approximately $1.4 million was withdrawn from banks and ATMs, and tens of thousands of dollars were used to pay for SESSUM’s personal expenses.

SESSUM, 40, of Buffalo, New York, and STOKES, 39, of Charlotte, North Carolina, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.  SESSUM is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Failla on March 1, 2017, at 3:00 p.m.   STOKES is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Failla on May 18, 2017.

In addition to his prison term, THOMAS, 34, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $896,605.03.

In total, 14 individuals associated with the Company have pled guilty to defrauding consumers as part of this debt collection scheme.  In addition to SESSUM, STOKES, and THOMAS, co-owner and chief executive officer Travell Thomas, former Company mangers Heather Gasta, Mark Lavin, and John Salatino, and debt collectors Jessica Mann, Charles Starks, William Clark, Anthony Caba, Columbus Simmons, Michael Calandra, and Jennifer Sherk, each pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Starks, Clark, Calandra, and Mann were sentenced by Judge Failla to prison terms of 37 months, 30 months, 15 months, and one year and one day, respectively.  The sentencing of the other defendants who have pled guilty is pending. 

Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of the Office’s Criminal Investigators and he thanked the Federal Trade Commission for its assistance in the case.

Former Doctor Sentenced In White Plains Federal Court To 18 Months In Prison For Selling Oxycodone Prescriptions

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Hunt, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), George N. Longworth, Commissioner of the Westchester County Police Department, and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) announced that FREDERICK WEINTRAUB was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for illegally selling Oxycodone prescriptions for cash.  WEINTRAUB was a podiatrist who wrote and sold multiple prescriptions for Oxycodone, an opiate and controlled substance.  WEINTRUAB pled guilty on August 5, 2016, to one count of distributing an illegal controlled substance.  He was sentenced today in White Plains federal court by U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth M. Karas.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “Illegally diverted prescription opiates feed the vicious cycle of addiction and abuse that is devastating too many of our communities.  As a doctor, Frederick Weintraub was supposed to care for the health of his patients, not help fuel the country’s most acute health crisis.”

Special Agent in Charge James Hunt said:  “A doctor selling prescriptions for cash in a hotel parking lot is a drug dealer perpetuating one of America’s #1 health threats - opioid abuse.   Through invaluable collaboration with members of the TDS and law enforcement partners, this opioid supplier is off the streets and faces 18 months in jail.” 

Superintendent George P. Beach II said:  “Oxycodone is a highly addictive, often abused medication.  By illegally selling prescriptions for these painkillers, Frederick Weintraub put the community he served at risk. I applaud the hard work of the members involved in this investigation. Together we will continue the fight to keep drugs off our streets and to prevent prescription drug abuse.”

Commissioner George N. Longworth said:  “The successful investigation into Frederick Weintraub is just the latest example of the great partnership that exists among federal, state, county, and local law enforcement in our region. The Westchester County Police remains firmly committed to continuing our participation in these joint task forces. They are a critical way to combat the distribution and sale of illegal narcotics in our communities.”

According to the Complaint and Information filed in White Plains federal court, as well as statements made in connection with the plea and sentencing proceedings:

Weintraub was a podiatrist whose medical license was permanently suspended in 2014.  Following this suspension, Weintraub began illegally selling prescriptions for controlled substances in exchange for cash.  Between November 2015 and January 2016, Weintraub sold at least seven prescriptions for Oxycodone, at prices ranging between $500 and $700 per prescription, to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement.  This individual made recordings of several purchases and provided the prescriptions he purchased to law enforcement.   Each sale took place in Weintraub’s car, which was parked in the lot of a Rockland County hotel, and had no connection to any medical examination.  During these sales, Weintraub negotiated prices and attempted to arrange a long-term relationship with the customer in which Weintraub would provide weekly Oxycodone prescriptions to the customer, who would then fill the prescriptions and resell the pills at a premium.

In addition to his prison term Weintraub, 65, of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, was sentenced to two years of supervised release. 

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, which comprises agents and officers from the DEA, the NYPD, the New York State Police, Town of Orangetown Police Department, Rockland County Drug Task Force, Westchester County Police Department, and New York City Department of Investigation.  In addition, Mr. Bharara thanked the Town of Montvale Police Department and Town of New Windsor Police Department for their assistance on this investigation.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Maurene Comey is in charge of the case.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition Of International Drug Traffickers For Their Involvement In Conspiracy To Import Narcotics Into The United States

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William R. Sherman, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), today announced that ROBERTO PONCE-ROCHA was extradited from Colombia where he had been arrested for charges arising out of his leadership role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving the transportation of large-scale quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine into the United States.  As part of the DEA’s investigation of PONCE-ROCHA, which began in or around 2013, law enforcement authorities in the United States and abroad have seized thousands of kilograms of cocaine and other narcotics.  PONCE-ROCHA, a Mexican citizen, arrived in the Southern District of New York yesterday, and was presented today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein. 

Previously, on or about May 24, 2016, two co-conspirators charged in the same Superseding Indictment, Juan Caicedo-Zuniga and Adan Munoz-Cordoba, arrived in the Southern District of New York following their extradition from Panama.  Caicedo-Zuniga and Munoz-Cordoba, who are both Colombian citizens, were arrested on charges arising out of their participation in some of the same narcotics transactions organized and facilitated by PONCE-ROCHA.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “As alleged, Roberto Ponce-Rocha was for years a leader of a drug trafficking organization that moved thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to countries around the world, including to the United States.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of the DEA and its international counterparts, Ponce-Rocha will now face justice in a United States court.” 

DEA SAC William R. Sherman said:  “The extradition of these alleged international drug traffickers sends a clear message to those who are thinking about endangering the citizens of our country with these potentially deadly drugs: your greed will get you an all expenses paid trip to the United States and a nice long stay in a federal detention facility.” 

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment as well as statements made in Court:[1]

From at least in or around July 2013 through in or around January 2016, PONCE-ROCHA was a leader in a large-scale international narcotics trafficking conspiracy based in Central and South America that used various methods, including commercial shipments, drivers, and couriers to move narcotics around the world, and to import narcotics into the United States.  PONCE-ROCHA was involved in the transportation of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as the shipment of large-scale quantities of cocaine from Colombia to countries throughout the world, including the United States.  Caicedo-Zuniga and Munoz-Cordoba conspired with PONCE-ROCHA to import narcotics into the United States and other countries.

PONCE-ROCHA was arrested by Colombian authorities on or about March 20, 2016, in Colombia.  

PONCE-ROCHA, 55, is charged in one count of conspiring to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, at least one kilogram of heroin, and at least 500 grams of methamphetamine, knowing that such substances would be imported into the United States.  That charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.  The statutory minimum and 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 the judge.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman. 

Mr. Bharara praised the DEA for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Bharara also expressed his appreciation to the DEA Special Operations Division, Homeland Security Investigations San Diego, United States Customs and Border Protection San Diego, the Fontana California Police Department, the Policia Nacional de Panama Unidad de Investigaciones Sensitivas (UEIS), the Colombian National Police Direccion de Investigaciones Criminal e INTERPOL (DIJIN), the Costa Rica Policia Control de Drogas (PCD), the Republica Dominicana Direccion Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD), and the Spanish Guardia Civil for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys James M. McDonald, Kimberly J. Ravener, and David Zhou are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.US v. Roberto Ponce-Rocha et al. S1 Indictment.pdf

NYC DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES AND COUNCIL MEMBER RITCHIE TORRES ANNOUNCE OPENING OF NEW HOMELESS SHELTER FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITY

Brand-new shelter model will provide targeted services for LGBTQ community

    The Department of Homeless Services and Council Member Ritchie Torres announced a new homeless shelter will be opened in the Bronx next month to meet the needs of homeless LGBTQ young adults (ages 21-30). Some studies estimate that as many as 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. The de Blasio administration worked to develop this new shelter model in response to feedback from nonprofit service providers and advocates who identified the need to provide specialized services and support to homeless LGBTQ young adults until age 30. Services at this location will be tailored to the specific needs of this community and include:

·         Group counseling led by staff and peers,

·         “Seeking Safety” workshops led by trauma-informed clinical staff members,

·         An Entitlement Coordinator who is specifically trained on LGBTQ issues, with a focus on health benefits and documentation changes (especially needed for individuals who identify as transgender),

·         A partnership with Callen Lorde Bronx for medical services, including HIV care and transgender services,

·         Education referrals, and 

·         On-site psychiatrist who will provide psychiatric care, assessment and intervention.

“LGBTQ young people, particularly LGBTQ communities of color, are more vulnerable to becoming homeless and need our support,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates our commitment to generating innovative solutions and moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to homeless services. We thank Council Member Torres for his leadership and for standing up on behalf of homeless New Yorkers.”

New  York City Council Member Ritchie Torres, the first openly gay candidate to be elected to legislative office in the Bronx and the youngest member of City Council, has stepped up as a leader on this issue and worked closely with the City to locate a site in his district for this new shelter, welcoming these young adults in need with open arms to their new home and working closely with the City to generate homelessness solutions.

“Single adult shelters can be too dangerous for LGBT youth. If you’re a transgender young adult who’s been evicted from your home by your own parents, going into a single adult shelter could do more harm than good. This shelter can be the refuge that stands between vulnerable LGBT youth and suicide,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres of the Bronx.

The de Blasio administration has funded over 750 beds for runaway and homeless youth. This location will be managed by nonprofit service provider Project Renewal and will have the capacity to shelter 80 homeless New Yorkers.

"We are truly honored to have been selected by DHS to manage this new, unique and innovative shelter for LGBTQ young adults. Project Renewal has a 50-year track record of responding to the needs of New York's diverse homeless population. We are excited to work with the de Blasio administration, Council Member Torres and our community partners to ensure that each and every person who comes through our door at this shelter, regardless of their sexual identity or gender, has the full opportunity to renew their life and reclaim hope for the future," said Mitchell Netburn, President and CEO, Project Renewal.

Today’s announcement was made during the City’s first “Homelessness Among LGBTQ Persons of Color Awareness Breakfast,” sponsored by the Department of Homeless Services, Department of Youth & Community Development held at Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. This event featured speakers from organizations including the Ali Forney Center, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Depressed Black Gay Men, Caribbean Equality Project, Audre Lorde Project and others with the goal of raising awareness about the challenges and barriers faced by LGBTQ young persons of color.

“Under Mayor de Blasio’s leadership, the City has seen unprecedented growth in services for runaway and homeless youth. The opening of this new shelter in the Bronx will provide more housing and services to help our most vulnerable young adults succeed and thrive,” said NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong. “We thank Council Member Torres for his unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ community and DYCD looks forward to continuing the City’s commitment to every young person seeking a safe space to get back on their feet and lead an independent life.”