Thursday, December 1, 2016
Engel Cosponsors “Presidential Accountability Act”
Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has cosponsored H.R. 6340, the “Presidential Accountability Act,” which would extend conflict of interest provisions to the President and Vice President of the United States.
Federal conflict of interest law prohibits executive branch employees from engaging in government business in which they stand to gain profit. To avoid these conflicts and eliminate criminal liability, employees are allowed to place their assets in a qualified blind trust. However, as it currently stands, the President and Vice President are exempt from this law. H.R. 6340 would address these conflicts by extending a tailored version of the law that governs executive branch employees to the President and Vice President.
“In order to maintain the trust of the American people, it is imperative for the President and Vice President to have no business related conflicts of interest that may sway their decision making while in office,” Engel said. “Every President in the modern era has placed their assets in a blind-trust prior to taking office, yet they have done so of their own volition. If there are individuals at the White House who are legally bound to take steps in order to avoid a conflict of interest, why should we accept any less from our Commander-in-Chief?
“President-elect Trump’s sprawling business portfolio, which includes a significant amount of overseas interests, presents a potential obstacle to governance too significant to ignore. Since the election we have already seen instances where the President-elect’s business partners from India have paid courtesy calls to Trump Tower. Clearly, these types of interactions pose a problem. Whether or not President-elect Trump agrees to divest of his business interests, Congress should pass this bill to ensure full accountability from our nation’s highest office.”
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Pharmacist Sentenced To 4 Years For Illegally Distributing Approximately 100,000 Oxycodone Tablets, Medicare Fraud, And Money Laundering
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LILIAN JAKACKI, a/k/a/ “Lilian Wieckowski,” was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff to four years in prison for illegally distributing 100,000 tablets of oxycodone, Medicare fraud, and money laundering. JAKACKI pled guilty on July 28, 2016, before Judge Rakoff.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Through her pharmacies in Queens and Brooklyn, Lilian Jakacki dumped 100,000 illegally diverted oxycodone pills into the City’s streets. Driven by greed, Jakacki abused her pharmacy license, helping to fuel the opioid abuse epidemic that is ravaging too many of our communities. For her crimes, Jakacki will spend four years in prison and forfeit her ill-gotten gains.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment and the civil Complaint, and other information in the public record:
Between in or about March 2010 and October 2015, JACKACKI owned and operated two pharmacies in Queens and Brooklyn doing business as “Chopin Chemists.” During that time period, at these pharmacies, JACKACKI knowingly distributed approximately 100,000 tablets of oxycodone based on fraudulent prescriptions, including prescriptions made out in the names of famous luxury brands, such as Coach and Chanel. In addition, JACKACKI used the proceeds of that illegal narcotics trade to help finance the purchase of a multimillion-dollar home. Finally, JACKACKI deliberately overbilled Medicare by more than $500,000, submitting reimbursement claims for medication that she never actually distributed to patients.
In addition to the prison term, JACKACKI was also directed to forfeit $800,000 and to pay restitution of $520,000.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The DEA’s Tactical Diversion Group includes agents and officers of the DEA, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, the Town of Orangetown Police Department, and the Westchester County Police Department.
Bronx Man Pleads Guilty To Producing Child Pornography Relating To His Sexual Exploitation Of Minors
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DAVID KEITH, a/k/a “David Wright,” a/k/a “David Lee Keith,” a/k/a “David Lee,” a/k/a “Lee David,” pled guilty this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan in Manhattan federal court to five counts stemming from his sexual exploitation of minors, related child pornography offenses, and making false statements to a federal agent concerning his abuse of children.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Through lies and trickery, David Keith lured a minor girl into his vehicle and then sexually abused her, videotaping his sick assault and exploitation. Protecting children from predators like Keith remains a critical priority for law enforcement, and we hope the victims here will take some measure of comfort in knowing that Keith has admitted to and been convicted of his abominable crimes.”
According to the Indictment, publicly filed documents, and statements made in court:
On at least one occasion in 2013, KEITH produced child pornography during his sexual abuse of a child. On October 13, 2013, KEITH approached three girls, approximately 12 to 14 years old, on the street, presented himself as part of the entertainment industry, and encouraged the girls to model for him. KEITH induced one of the girls to enter his vehicle, where he video recorded, among other things, himself engaging in forcible sexual conduct with her. KEITH threatened the victim not to tell anyone and told her that he had been watching her.
Just one day earlier, on or about October 12, 2013, KEITH, lured a young girl, approximately 8 to 9 years old, into his vehicle where he tricked her into removing some of her clothing and video recorded her exposed genitals.
In addition, for a period of at least two years, KEITH downloaded and possessed images and videos of child pornography.
During the investigation, KEITH made statements to federal agents, claiming he had an alibi for October 12 and 13. Those statements were proven false.
KEITH, 39, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested on November 17, 2015, in the Bronx, New York, and has been in federal custody since. KEITH pled guilty today to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison, one count of receipt of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and one count of making false statements involving sexual abuse of children, which carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
KEITH is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Nathan on March 10, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.
Mr. Bharara praised the extraordinary efforts of the FBI, and thanked the New York City Police Department Special Victims Unit and the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department for invaluable assistance in the investigation.
Bronx Jewish Community Council - Breakfast of Champions
This morning was the Bronx Jewish Community Council Breakfast of Champions. Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. received the Bronx Business Leader Award presented by noted Riverdalian Howard Johans. Mr Sam Shalem received the Bronx Realty Leader award presented by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Drs. Molham and Lori Solomon received the Guardians of Chesed Awards presented by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. Hon. John Barone received the Public Safety Award presented by State Senator Jeff Klein, and Lynn Levine and Fred Levine received the Larance Hockert Labor of Love Award presented by BJCC Executive Director Brad Silver.
In all over 200 people were in attendance at the Riverdale Jewish Center on Independence Avenue including other elected officials and community leaders. Rabbi Israel Greenberg gave the closing invocation and comments. it is the Bronx Jewish Community Council that does the work for many by so few. Photos of the event are below.
Above - BJCC Executive Director Brad Silver opens the Breakfast of Champions.
Below - The National Anthem is sung by SAR student Keren Benillovch.
Above - Hatikva the National Anthem of Israel is sung.
Below - Former Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion Jr. speaks after receiving his award.
Above - Bronx BP Ruben Diaz presents Mr Sam Shalem with his award.
Below - State Senator Jeff Klein tells of his Jewish upbringing in the Bronx.
Above - Senator Klein presents the Hon. John Barone with his award.
Below - Rabbi Israel Greenberg gives the Invocation, and a few words despite having a fever and having a fever temperature.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Dual Iranian-American Citizen Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court Of Conspiring And Attempting To Acquire Surface-To-Air Missiles And Other Items For The Government Of Iran
Reza Olangian Worked With Iranian Officials to Obtain Large Quantities of Missiles and Military Aircraft Parts for the Government of Iran, in Violation of U.S. Sanctions
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that REZA OLANGIAN, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, was found guilty of conspiring and attempting to send surface-to-air missiles (“SAMs”) and military aircraft parts to the Government of Iran. OLANGIAN was arrested in Estonia on October 10, 2012, pursuant to a U.S. request for his provisional arrest, and he was extradited to the United States on March 26, 2013. OLANGIAN was convicted after a two-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska.
According to the evidence presented during the trial:
In 2008, OLANGIAN worked with Iranian officials to obtain approximately 375 SAMs for use by the Iranian government. Ultimately, that missile deal was unsuccessful.
Beginning in early 2012, OLANGIAN worked to negotiate another, separate missile deal, this time with a confidential source (the “CS”), who was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and who purported to be a weapons and aircraft broker. From his base of operations in Tehran, and from approximately May 2012 through October 2012, OLANGIAN arranged for the purchase of “IGLA-S” SAMs and various aircraft components. During covertly recorded meetings in May 2012, and in subsequent recorded conversations and e-mails with the CS, OLANGIAN described in detail his plans for procuring the SAMs and aircraft parts and then smuggling them over land into Iran, from Afghanistan or from another neighboring country. OLANGIAN also expressed his interest in purchasing numerous other types of weapons and military parts for the Iranian government, including the so-called “S-300” missile defense system and Russian-made naval vessels.
OLANGIAN’s 2012 negotiations included his participation in a videoconference with the CS, during which OLANGIAN remotely inspected a missile that the CS presented as a sample of the larger quantity of the SAMs that OLANGIAN sought to purchase. After inspecting the sample missile and inquiring about its specifications, OLANGIAN stated that he would want “at least 200 . . . minimum 200” of such SAMs. In his communications with the CS, OLANGIAN also indicated that he was arranging for a missile expert to inspect and test the SAMs.
At the same time that he was negotiating with the CS, OLANGIAN was also working with other individuals, both inside and outside Iran, to acquire numerous other items for the Iranian government and Iran-based entities. For example, OLANGIAN worked with individuals and entities in China, Russia, and Europe to acquire commercial aircraft for use by Iranian airlines. In one of these commercial aircraft deals, OLANGIAN and his coconspirators planned to purchase aircraft for $80 million and sell them to an Iranian company for $110 million.
During October 2012, OLANGIAN traveled to Estonia in connection with the SAMs deal and in anticipation of later traveling to Russia in connection with one of the aircraft deals. He was arrested in Estonia, and following his arrest, he was interviewed by U.S. law enforcement agents. OLANGIAN stated, among other things, that he had been working with Iranian government officials, that the SAMs he had arranged to purchase were being obtained for the Iranian government, and that the aircraft parts he attempted to acquire were to be used in Iranian military aircraft.
OLANGIAN was extradited to the United States on March 26, 2013.
OLANGIAN, 56, was found guilty of all four counts of the Indictment. Counts One and Two charged him with conspiring to acquire and transfer surface-to-air missile systems and attempting to acquire and transfer surface-to-air missile systems. Counts Three and Four charged him with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and attempting to violate IEEPA.
OLANGIAN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison on each of Counts One and Two, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of Counts Three and Four. The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2017, at 4:30 p.m., before Judge Preska.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit. Mr. Bharara also thanked the DEA’s Copenhagen Country Office, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and its National Security Division.
DCAS ANNOUNCES NYC FLEET CONTRACT WITH GENERAL MOTORS (GM) FOR THE ELECTRIC BOLT
New contract will help City achieve its goal of acquiring 1,000 EVs by the end of 2017
The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) today announced that the City has completed a contract with General Motors (GM) to procure the new, all-electric GM Chevrolet Bolt for use in the City’s fleet. The new contract with GM will help the City reach its goal of acquiring 1,000 electric vehicles by the end of 2017, creating the largest municipal electric vehicle fleet in the nation. This is part of the City’s goal to cut municipal vehicle emissions in half by 2025 and 80 percent by 2035, an aspect of Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC plan, which aims to create a more equitable, resilient and sustainable city.
The all-electric Bolt is larger than a traditional sedan and can operate for 238 miles on a single charge, providing the longest range to date of any electric vehicle in the City’s fleet.
“As part of our OneNYC plan we are implementing 2,000 electric cars and reducing emissions in our City fleet,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We reached over 500 EVs after just one year and the GM Bolt will now play a pivotal role as we make a push for 1,000 by the end of 2017.”
“A cleaner City fleet is an important step toward our ambitious and necessary goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050,” said Daniel Zarrilli, NYC’s Senior Director for Climate Policy and Programs and Chief Resilience Officer. “By expanding the City’s fleet of electric vehicles in partnership with GM, New York City is continuing to lead by example as we deliver on our OneNYC goals of delivering a more sustainable, more equitable, and more resilient city.”
“NYC already operates the nation’s largest EV fleet with over 530 units,” said DCAS Commissioner Lisette Camilo. “The Bolt will be an exciting addition to our growing zero emissions fleet.”
“NYC was one of the first users of the GM plug in Volt and we’ve been following developments with the Bolt closely”, said NYC Chief Fleet Officer and DCAS Deputy Commissioner Keith T. Kerman. “We are thrilled that the Bolt is here and proud to be one of the largest and earliest adopters.”
NYC Clean Fleet is part of the Administration’s goal to cut municipal vehicle emissions in half by 2025 – and 80 percent by 2035 – the largest such commitment of any U.S. city, making NYC Clean Fleet the most comprehensive and ambitious blueprint for municipal fleet sustainability in the nation. In addition, the City Council passed legislation sponsored by Council Member Costa Constantinides and Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez that would require the City to install at least 25 new electric vehicle charging stations in publicly accessible locations by March 1, 2018 as part of a pilot program.
The City also announced that it is placing its first order of 50 Bolts to be used as part of a new shared fleet initiative to be managed by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). The new units are expected to arrive in spring 2017 and will incorporate fleet sharing technology to enable use by multiple agencies. The Chevrolet Bolt EV includes advanced safety features with forward collision alert, low-speed forward automatic braking, and side blind zone alert with lane change alert. The vehicle is manufactured in the US at Lake Orion, Michigan.
Today’s announcement coincides with the City’s third annual Vision Zero Fleet Safety Forum at Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows Corona Parks. As part of the forum, over 400 representatives of private and public fleets, non-profit advocacy groups, and fleet technology vendors come together to discuss ways to improve fleet safety and reduce collisions. The forum has helped launch a number of critical safety initiatives including the truck side-guard program and the fleet ban on use of hands-free devices while driving.
The Bolt joins the Nissan EV Leaf, Toyota Prius EV Prime, and Ford Fusion EV Energi in the NYC Fleet.