Former Minister Of Mines For The Republic Of Guinea Charged With Receiving And Laundering $8.5 Million In Bribes From Chinese Companies

  Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Leslie R. Caldwell, the Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that MAHMOUD THIAM was arrested in Manhattan this morning on money laundering charges stemming from his scheme to launder $8.5 million in bribes that THIAM received from senior representatives of a Chinese conglomerate.  The charges allege that THIAM used his official position as Minister of Mines for the Republic of Guinea to facilitate the award to the Chinese conglomerate of exclusive and highly valuable investment rights in various sectors of the Guinean economy.  THIAM was presented today in Manhattan federal court before Magistrate Judge James C. Francis. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Mahmoud Thiam, a former high-ranking official of Guinea, allegedly used his position to accept millions in bribes from a Chinese conglomerate and laundered the money through New York.  Thiam, a U.S. citizen, will now face justice.” 

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell said: “Former Minister Thiam is accused of enriching himself at the expense of the people of the Republic of Guinea. We cannot allow the United States to be a safe haven for the spoils of official corruption.  The department is committed to pursuing both those who pay bribes, and also the corrupt officials who receive them.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney, Jr. said: “Today’s action shows that the FBI, along with our partners, is committed to investigating all levels of corruption. The United States will be relentless in its efforts to uphold fair, equal and competitive markets.  The actions of a few who use corruption for personal gain will not be tolerated.”         

According to the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

MAHMOUD THIAM, a United States citizen who was Minister of Mines and Geology of the Republic of Guinea in 2009 and 2010, engaged in a scheme to accept bribes from senior representatives of a Chinese conglomerate and to launder that money into the United States and elsewhere.  In exchange for these multimillion-dollar bribe payments, THIAM used his position as Minister of Mines to facilitate the award to the Chinese conglomerate of exclusive and highly valuable investment rights in a wide range of sectors of the Guinean economy, including near total control of Guinea’s significant mining sector.  

In order to receive the bribes covertly, THIAM opened a bank account in Hong Kong (the “Hong Kong Account”) and misreported his occupation to the Hong Kong bank to conceal his status as a public official in Guinea.  Upon receiving the bribes, THIAM transferred millions of dollars in bribe proceeds from the Hong Kong Account to, among other things, THIAM’s bank accounts in the United States; a Malaysian company that facilitated and concealed THIAM’s purchase of a $3,750,000 estate in Dutchess County, New York; private preparatory schools in Manhattan attended by THIAM’s children; and at least one other West African public official.   

To further conceal the unlawful source of the bribery proceeds that THIAM transferred from the Hong Kong Account to banks in the United States, THIAM lied to two banks based in Manhattan and on tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service regarding the bribe payments, his position as a foreign public official, and the source of the funds in the Hong Kong Account.  In total, THIAM received approximately $8.5 million in bribes from the Chinese conglomerate. 

THIAM, 50, of Manhattan, is charged with two counts of money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. 

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Elisha J. Kobre and Assistant Chief Tarek Helou, Senior Trial Attorney Jason Linder and Trial Attorney Sarah Edwards of the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division are in charge of the prosecution.

---

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

Bronx Tax Preparer Sentenced For Preparing And Filing False And Fraudulent Tax Returns

  Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHRISTOPHER AHERN was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for preparing and filing false and fraudulent tax returns that claimed more than $4.7 million in credits and expenses.  AHERN pled guilty on July 5, 2016, before United States District Judge Deborah A. Batts, who imposed today’s sentence.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “Christopher Ahern used his clients’ tax returns to bilk the IRS of more than $3 million in fraudulent credits, pocketing more than a million dollars in fees.  But because of the investigative efforts of the IRS, Ahern’s dishonest business is closed.”

According to the allegations in the Information to which AHERN pled guilty, other documents filed in Manhattan federal court, and statements made in court proceedings:

AHERN, owned and operated a tax preparation business called Get My Refund Fast, located in the Bronx, New York.  From 2012 through 2013, AHERN’s business prepared and submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) nearly 5,000 tax returns.  These tax returns were false and fraudulent in that they claimed education credits to which the clients were not entitled.  The IRS issued approximately $3 million pursuant to the false and fraudulent returns AHERN filed.  AHERN received more than $1.5 million in fees from his clients for preparing and filing the fraudulent returns. 

In addition to his prison term, AHERN, 40, of Little Neck, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $3 million in restitution.

 Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the IRS, Criminal Investigations. 

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictments Of 13 Individuals With Alleged Ties To Genovese Organized Crime Family For Illegal Loan Shark And Gambling Activities

Defendants Allegedly Operated Illegal Off-Shore Gambling Ring And Trapped Victims With High Weekly Usurious Loan Payments 

Two Defendants Also Allegedly Sold Tens Of Thousands Of Untaxed Cigarettes In New York State 

Schneiderman: No Matter How Complex Or Clever The Scheme, We Will Continue To Work With Our Law Enforcement Partners To Take Down Traditional Organized Crime

    Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill today announced the arrests and indictment of thirteen individuals on charges stemming from the alleged operation of lucrative loan sharking and gambling activities closely controlled by the Genovese Organized Crime Family.

“Operation Shark Bait” was a long-term investigation into the alleged loan sharking and bookmaking activities of alleged Genovese “made member” Salvatore DeMeo and alleged Genovese ‘associates,’ or ‘non-made’ members, Gennaro Geritano, Eugene Orefice and Anthony “Buckwheat” Giammarino, among others. A series of early morning arrests conducted by Attorney General Schneiderman’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York City Police Department’s Criminal Enterprise Investigations Section (CEIS), capped a long-term investigation dubbed “Operation Shark Bait.” Based on the evidence obtained throughout the course of the investigation, the Attorney General's Office secured two separate indictments from a Kings County grand jury, charging a total of thirteen individuals on felony charges. The investigation also uncovered a multi-state untaxed cigarette operation.

“Loan sharks shamelessly saddle their victims with outrageous loan rates that are impossible to repay. These defendants allegedly went to great lengths to trap their victims with exorbitant rates, all while evading our gambling laws and taking offshore bets,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “No matter how complex or clever the scheme, we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take down traditional organized crime.”

“Despite these Genovese members continued attempts to evade detection, our investigation revealed millions in offshore sports betting, lucrative loan sharking, and tax evasion,” said Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill. “My thanks to our detectives and the State Attorney General for their work on this case.”

Throughout the investigation, intercepted conversations revealed the hierarchy and alleged criminal activities of the Genovese crime family enterprise.  According to the charges, an illegal sports gambling operation was run through an offshore wire room in Costa Rica – 4Spades.org – that handled wagers on various college and professional sports. This gambling operation generated millions of dollars’ worth of wagers.

In addition to bookmaking, the Enterprise Corruption indictment also charges six defendants in a pattern of loansharking activities whereby victims were charged exorbitant weekly loan rates which effectively created a high cost debt trap upon any individual who received such a loan. The Enterprise Corruption charge alone carries a maximum penalty of 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.

Two defendants, Gennaro Geritano and Mario Leonardi, were also charged in a second indictment which alleges the defendants evaded both state and city excise taxes through a combined sale of more than thirty thousand unlawfully stamped cigarettes within New York City in violation of the New York State Tax Law.

Sales of untaxed cigarettes deprive the state of millions of dollars in lost cigarette tax revenues, hurt law-abiding small businesses, and undercut public health measures designed to discourage smoking.  Packs of cigarettes sold in New York City must bear a joint New York City/New York State tax stamp and only a licensed stamping agent can possess and affix the tax stamps on the cigarette packs. Neither Gennaro Geritano nor Mario Leonardi were authorized to sell tobacco products in New York City or New York State.

The defendants charged today are:

• Salvatore DeMeo (76), Brooklyn, NY
• Eugene Orefice (48), Monroe Township, NJ
• Gennaro Geritano (62), Brooklyn, NY
• Anthony Giammarino (65), Brooklyn, NY
• Joseph Tommasino (52), Staten Island, NY
• Thomas Alexiou (55), Brooklyn, NY
• Rocco Maglione (46), Brooklyn, NY
• Windsor Lewis (66), Brooklyn, NY
• Mario Leonardi (76), Odenville, AL
• Vincent Taliercio (65), Brooklyn, NY
• Jackie Charlton (53), Brooklyn, NY
• Michael Epstein (48), Brooklyn, NY
• John Giglio (55), Staten Island, NY

The Attorney General would like to thank Acting Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez for his cooperation in this matter and, additionally, Kip Brailey, Tansey Brent, and John Yaros of the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network (FinCEN) for their assistance throughout this investigation.

The charges against the defendants are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

NYPD DEPUTY INSPECTOR INDICTED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE Keith Walton Allegedly Abused Police Officer Under His Command in 49th Precinct

   Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that NYPD Deputy Inspector Keith Walton has been indicted on first-degree Sexual Abuse and other charges for grabbing the private area of a police officer and making her do the same to him inside the 49th Precinct stationhouse, where he served as commanding officer. 

   District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly sexually abused an officer who was under his command, in the police stationhouse where they serve and protect the public. By his degrading behavior, he abused the trust of his officers, as well as that of the residents of the 49th Precinct in the Bronx.” 

    District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Keith Walton, 44, was indicted on three counts of first-degree Sexual Abuse, Official Misconduct, two counts of Forcible Touching, three counts of third-degree Sexual Abuse, and second-degree Harassment. He was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett and released. He is due back in court on February 7th . If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to 2 to 7 years in prison. 

    According to the investigation, on November 6, 2016 at 1:15 p.m., Walton allegedly called the officer into his office in the 49th Precinct stationhouse at 2121 Eastchester Road and sexually abused her. Walton also allegedly threatened the officer. 

   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Meagan Powers and Brian Connor of the Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Omer Wiczyk, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Wanda Perez-Maldonado, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, under the overall supervision of Stuart Levy, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division and Jean T. Walsh, Chief of the Investigations Division. District Attorney Clark thanked Joseph Muroff, Chief of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, and the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau for their assistance. 

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

Morris Park Christmas Tree Lighting

  At the corner of Morris Park and Haight Avenues this Christmas tree sits waiting for children, elected officials, Santa, and others to arrive from the Peace Plaza tree lighting.

Above and Below - Children from the PS 83 Chorus sing various holiday songs as they wait for the arrival of Santa to help light the Christmas tree. Notice how dark it is already as this started at 5 PM.

Above - Santa arrived by a horse drawn carriage to Morris Park Avenue.

Below - With very short speeches just thanking the students and everyone else who showed up as the temperature dropped even more the Morris Park Christmas tree was light. You can see the difference from an unlit tree to this very nice looking fully lit tree.

You can see Senator Klein, Assemblymen Gjonaj and Benedetto, District leader Joe McManus, and the Precinct commander standing with Santa with the lit Christmas tree in the background.

Christmas Tree Lightings -Peace Memorial Plaza Pelham Parkway and Morris Park-

  It was the 22nd annual Christmas tree lighting at the Memorial Peace Plaza for State Senator Jeff Klein who was joined by Assemblymen Mark Gjonaj and Michael Benedetto, as well as the Chorus os PS 105 who sang several songs until Santa came to help light the Christmas tree. 

Above - The PD 106 Chorus sang several holiday songs for those who braved the cold like the happy children who got to show off their talent. 

Below - State Senator Jeff Klein welcomes everyone to the tree lighting, introduces his fellow legislators Assemblymen Mark Gjonaj and Michael Benedetto as he thanks the PS 105 chorus for the wonderful songs. 

Above - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj lets his senior member of the assembly Assemblyman Benedetto speak first, as both assemblymen kept their speeches very short due to the very cold weather.

Below - Santa dropped in to help light the tree here as he says hello to the children.

Santa, the elected officials, the chorus os PS 105, and others gather in front of the Christmas tree for one big group photo. It was then off to Morris Park for most, and the next tree lighting.

2016 Year in Review - Bronx Chamber of Commerce

2016 Year in Review

 

Professional Achievement

 

Completing my first year as the new President & CEO of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has been exciting, challenging and rewarding. I enthusiastically lead this prominent organization to reach historic success for the direct benefit of the current and future membership. I developed and expanded membership to the Chamber and enhanced strategic partnerships with other organizations and companies for our mutual benefit.

 

Planning, coordinating and implementing successful programs and events is one of my many strengths. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has sponsored, hosted or co-sponsored over 65 workshops, seminars and networking events for members, non-members and businesses in The Bronx since January 2016. Each event was well attended and feedback from attendees and participants was very positive. I promote and encourage networking and business card exchanges at every setting. I firmly believe: "You never know where your next big deal is going to come from".

 

The positive messages and promotion of the events resonated in the business community. Successful professionals are drawn to other successful professionals and want to be affiliated with organizations that are professionally managed. I reached out to my over 13,000 Outlook contacts; 5,800 contacts on LinkedIn and additional contacts on Facebook to attend events and join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Due to my experience, integrity and reputation, they responded. Over 100 new companies joined the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in the past 12 months. I am very encouraged that membership will significantly increase over the next 5 years.

 

Project with the Greatest Impact

 

Based on my experience and understanding of how to manage and strategically grow an organization, I strongly believe it requires a current and up to date database and Membership Directory. While many organizations have replaced a printed or hard copy directory with an electronic or on-line version, I am an advocate of both the printed hard copy and the electronic version of the directory.

 

Without the luxury of time, I prefer to utilize the experience of other professionals in similar positions rather than attempting to "reinvent the wheel". I visited with neighboring Presidents and CEOs of Chambers of Commerce to examine how they operate regarding programs, services and membership directory. I requested and received a number of proposals from publishers to produce the first annual membership directory for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

 

My personal preference was to work with Rich Martinelli of Today Media. The Board of Directors of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce unanimously approved the Today Media proposal at their March 2016 meeting.  I was delighted to announce and promote that we have entered into a partnership with Today Media (publishers of the Brooklyn, Yonkers Chamber of Commerce and Westchester Business Council Directory) to produce the 2017 Bronx Business Directory & Resource Guide or the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

I clearly see an important need and service being fulfilled by producing the 2017 Bronx Business Directory & Resource Guide. There is a lot of excitement and very positive comments from current and new members that have recently joined. They see and understand the value and benefit of the printed directory. The 2017 Bronx Business Directory & Resource Guide will list all members alphabetically and by category for referrals and new business contacts. The Directory will also feature important resource information.

Major businesses and institutions in The Bronx also believe in the concept and value of the Bronx Business Directory and have committed significantly with their advertising dollars. Some of the confirmed 2017 advertisers include: Active Staffing Services; American Maintenance; Apple Bank; Berkeley College; Bronx Lebanon Hospital; Castle Hill Recycling; Certified Alarm Tech Systems Inc.; Children's Corner Learning Center; Cottam Heating & Air Conditioning; Country Bank; F & F Insurance Services; Flushing Bank; Fordham University; Hutchinson Metro Center; ISE Office Plus; Law Offices of Joseph A. Romano PC; Manhattan College; Marriott Residence Inn; Metro Optics Eyewear; MetroPlus Health Plan; Monroe College; Mosholu Montefiore Community Center; New York Yankees; Pisacano Eye Surgery & Laser Specialists; Premier Facility Management; Rand Commercial; Ridgewood Savings Bank; Rite Check Cashing; Rooter Plus Plumbing & Heating; Stop & Stor New York's Self Storage; The Woodlawn Cemetery; and Tompkins Mahopac Bank.

Supercharging Productivity in 2017

Membership in 2017 will significantly increase with the printing of the 2017 Bronx Business Directory & Resource Guide delivery date of the end of January 2017. The Directory will be distributed to more than 2,000 member businesses, new businesses, and select governmental offices. It will also be distributed at Bronx Chamber of Commerce events throughout the year.

Companies and businesses that were not included will join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and will make sure that they do not miss out on future editions. Advertising in the 2018 Bronx Business Directory & Resource Guide will also significantly increase due to the exposure and benefit it brings to the Bronx businesses and institutions and the referral business for small and mid-sized companies. I can easily predict that company advertising will more than double for the 2018 edition.

Greater participation from the membership will emerge from the expanded list of committees of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Serving on committees is an excellent way to network and meet potential new customers; contribute directly to the work of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce; interact with fellow members to share ideas and common interests; further the Chamber's objectives for Bronx businesses and the borough through its promotion, support and advocacy initiatives.

We have a place for all professionals including serving on any one of 9 committees such as: Business Development; Bylaws; Events; Finance; Legislative; Membership; MWBE; Technology & Social Media; and Young Professionals Network.

Emerging trends driving investment and development in 2017

As I stated when I accepted the position of President & CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce over 1 year ago, "We are witnessing a renaissance in our great borough that is unprecedented. Together, we will grow the Chamber, enhance its influence and further improve the image of "The Bronx"!

My staff and I recently participated at the New York Business Expo (NYXPO) at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in Manhattan. Thousands of business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals from throughout the greater New York metropolitan region attended the full day event of excellent seminars, workshops and trade show exhibitors. I love trade shows and networking. I spoke to hundreds of people. What I found most remarkable was that no one had anything negative to say about The Bronx! I only heard positive comments and questions about investment and development opportunities.

I am very excited to be a leader in the continuing renaissance in our great borough and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.I look forward to your active membership and meeting you at some of our upcoming networking events. My vision is for our Bronx Chamber of Commerce to be one of the most influential and successful organizations in Bronx County. It will happen with our successful Annual Bronx Business Directory & Resource Guide and inclusive organization.

 

Helping you grow your Bronx Business is our Goal!

Nunzio Del Greco

President and CEO
Bronx Chamber of Commerce

"The Network For Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900
Nunzio@bronxchamber.org

 

"You never know where your next big deal is going to come from"!

Assemblymember Michael Blake - Why I’m running for Vice-Chair of the DNC

#LeadershipForTomorrow

BUILD OUR BENCH. STRENGTHEN OUR PARTY. EMBRACE OUR FUTURE

www.michaelblakefordnc.com

Dear DNC Members, 

 

My name is Michael Blake, and, I am running to be a Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee. As a Vice-Chair, I will focus on recruiting and winning local elections for Democrats, strengthening our party's training efforts at the county, state and national levels and embracing our diversity with a continual focus on constituency vote programs, especially among communities of color, millennials, and women. 

 

As Democrats, we have an urgent need to Build Our Bench, Strengthen Our Party and Embrace Our Future. 

 

Build Our Bench: 

As a DNC Vice-Chair, I will work to identify, cultivate, and build a bench of dynamic candidates for local offices. Our party needs a strong bench partnered with a mentorship-based candidate support program, and we must enlist our top strategists in the DNC efforts to win the bench.

 

Strengthen Our Party: 

I will work to instill the same community-based organizing tactics that I used in Michigan in 2006 to win three state house races, on the 2008 Presidential campaign for President Obama in eight states and in 2012, as the National Deputy Director of Operation VOTE for President Obama’s campaign to build constituency vote programs. We will train DNC team members on how to identify and engage community leaders and institute a metrics-driven approach to constituency organizing in all 50 states.  I will also advocate for programs that build permanent, meaningful relationships between core Democratic constituencies and a re-energized DNC. 

 

Embrace Our Future: 

We know our values are shared by a majority of Americans, but we must be better at delivering the message and program of those values in a sustainable way through both grasstops and grassroots of the DNC. I’ll work to convene quarterly messaging workshops with party strategists and officials. We’ll also ensure that we are using cutting edge digital platforms to amplify our message and bring millennials into the conversation. 

 

We have lofty goals and much to do, but just like you, I’m ready to get to work and to help unite a re-energized Democratic Party.  

 

I was one of ten young leaders in 2006 selected to the inaugural “Yes We Can” program launched by then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama to train millennials of color how to manage and win local campaigns. I took that training to Michigan where I successfully managed and won three races to help flip the State House into a Democratic majority. 

 

In 2008, I joined President Obama’s campaign as the Iowa Caucus Deputy Political and Constituency Outreach Director where I successfully brought together coalitions of color, women, youth, veterans, LGBT, faith and rural leaders to caucus for Senator Obama. After the historic 2008 Election, I worked in President Obama’s administration as the deputy associate director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement coordinating African-American, Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises and state and local elected official outreach.  In 2012, our team oversaw successful constituency vote programs that helped win nine out of ten battleground states.  But, I decided it was time to go back home and help my local hometown more directly.

 

In 2014, our team built a winning campaign from the ground up, won a six way primary by 13 points and was elected to the New York State Assembly with 80 percent of the vote. In office, we’ve passed legislation to help small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses get paid faster, helped spearhead the creation of a $20 million My Brother’s Keeper Pilot Program and secured historic funding for housing and Criminal Justice reform.

 

It is critical for Democrats to win local races and create transformational impact in communities. We must have a seat at the table to stand up for our values and face critical policy fights in an era of Trump – like the redrawing of legislative district lines in 2020 – head-on. 

 

We need to hear and listen to the everyday needs of everyone, and we must embrace and defend progressive Democratic policies. We must continue to fight for economic justice, quality access to health care for seniors and young adults, equality for all communities and protect collective bargaining rights to create opportunities for everyone. 

The DNC must be a place where all Democrats can call home. My goal as a DNC Vice-Chair is that Democrats across the country are heard, supported, and provided the necessary resources and training to win.

 

I hope to have your support in the coming weeks, and I look forward to continuing to work together to rebuild the Democratic Party and continuing to fight for the values we share. Join our movement at www.michaelblakefordnc.com.

 

It is time for #LeadershipForTomorrow 

 

Thank you, 

 

Michael