MAYOR DE BLASIO MARKS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH WITH LAUNCH OF NYC YOUTH MENTORING INITIATIVE

The initiative will bring schools, City agencies, community-based mentoring organizations and the business community together to establish mentoring programs in 400 high schools by 2022

   Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin today marked National Mentoring Month by launching the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative to increase mentoring opportunities for high school youth across the five boroughs. The initiative aims to establish mentoring programs in 400 New York City high schools by 2022, annually engaging 14,000 New Yorkers as volunteer mentors to 40,000 high school students. The initiative will support the City’s Equity and Excellence plan to achieve 80 percent high school graduation and two-thirds college-readiness rates by 2026.

The initiative launch includes an audio and video PSA, as well as a bus shelter campaign encouraging more New Yorkers to serve as volunteer mentors to high school youth.

“New Yorkers know our greatest strength is our people, so we must work together to invest in our future,” saidMayor Bill de Blasio. “The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is about reaching more high school youth across the city with positive mentoring relationships that can shape the path to their future and ours. I want to thank the many committed partners involved in this multi-sector collaboration, as well as the thousands of New Yorkers who already mentor young people in our City. I ask that you inspire someone else in your life to visitnyc.gov/service and become a personal champion to a young person in their community.”

“The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is a powerful, one of a kind program with the potential to touch thousands of lives across the five boroughs,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The New York City Council is proud to work with the Administration on this new initiative to help our city’s youth grow and learn every day by fostering impactful mentorships.”

"Children need to believe that any future is possible for them. Research shows that quality youth mentoring programs can help children believe in themselves and invest in their futures," said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery. “I’m so glad that this Administration takes the promise of mentoring seriously and is engaging community-based mentoring organizations to reach 40,000 kids with NYC Youth Mentoring.”

“We know that quality mentoring relationships create pathways to positive youth development and open doors of opportunity,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “This initiative is bringing our City together to take bold steps towards ensuring more New Yorkers see the value in mentoring High school youth, more students have a mentorship experience, and we encourage a cycle of mentoring in our communities. NYC Service is honored to be part of this important effort and we thank our schools, City agencies, community-based mentoring organizations, and businesses for joining forces to make the future of our City a priority.”

The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is a collaborative effort by NYC Service, the Department of Education, Department of Youth & Community Development, Center for Youth Employment, the Young Men’s Initiative and community-based mentoring organizations across New York City. As a proven youth development strategy which contributes to positive decision making, education achievements and successful career and college choices, mentoring will be encouraged among more New York City high school youth while also encouraging more New Yorkers to step up as mentors to these students. From the current baseline of approximately 20,000 High School mentees and 9,000 volunteer mentors, the Youth Mentoring Initiative will double the number of mentees and increase the number of volunteer mentors by 55 percent over the next five years.

The initiative will also offer prospective volunteer mentors a wide range of mentoring opportunities and models with flexibility and broad applicability to support their community and engage with youth. The initiative will both expand existing mentoring programs and focus on launching new programs in Young Men’s Initiative priority communities, including East Harlem, South Bronx, South Jamaica, Brownsville, East New York and Staten Island’s North Shore.

The growth from 20,000 to 40,000 High School mentees will be driven by the following:

1. Established mentoring programs in at least 400 high schools through the expansion of current community-based organization (CBO) mentoring programs, launch of new high school mentoring programs by CBOs, and expansion of College/Career Awareness mentoring as well as “one day programs” for a total of 33,000 high school mentees.

2. Expansion of embedded mentoring programs in DYCD workforce development programs for a total of 3,000 high school mentees.

3. Expansion of CBO programs at CBO centers to 6,000 high school mentees.

The growth from 9,000 volunteer mentors to 14,000 will be driven by campaigns to reach and engage the following:

1. Individual New Yorkers through groups, associations, colleges/universities and faith-based organizations with a neighborhood focus.

2. Corporations and small businesses.

3. City employees.

Youth who were at-risk of falling off track but had a mentor are:

• 37 percent less likely to skip a class.
• 81 percent more likely to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities than those who do not.
• 55 percent more likely to enroll in college.
• 90 percent are interested in becoming a mentor.
• 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions.

“Bringing mentoring opportunities to student’s educational experience enriches their learning and provides a unique opportunity to develop transferable skills, cultivate meaningful relationships with caring adults, and develop valuable interpersonal skills,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “As part of our ongoing partnership with NYC Service, this program will now reach even more students across the City and we look forward to building on this critical work.”

“Mentors play a vital role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and unlock their full potential. Whether helping mentees study for a test, learn a new skill, or lift them up after a setback, mentors provide our youth with the strength and resilience to move forward and set their sights even higher,” said Department of Youth & Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong. “We are truly grateful to Mayor de Blasio and our partners across the City for recognizing the importance of this national movement, and for inspiring role models to become mentors and help extend ladders of opportunity to our next generation of New Yorkers.”

“A caring and supportive mentoring relationship serves as a force multiplier for young adults’ positive developmental experiences,” said David Fischer, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Youth Employment. “The Center is excited to be a part of the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative as an important element of our mission to expand, align and improve programs helping young New Yorkers gain work experiences, build skills, and explore potential career paths.”

More information on the benefits of mentoring can be found here.

CM COHEN AND DOT ANNOUNCE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENT NEAR KINGSBRIDGE SCHOOL

Council Member Andrew Cohen; Nivardo Lopez, Acting Borough Commissioner, DOT; Frank Patterson, P.S. 7 Principal, parents and children from PS 7 met at the corner of Corlear Avenue and West 232nd Street, outside P.S. 7. to cheer the placement of a 4-way stop sign designation by the DOT.

The intersection in the middle of a residential community, within blocks of several schools, has been the scene of numerous crashes throughout the years including one PS 7 student being struck by a car.

Above - Councilman Cohen gives a brief history of the intersection at West 232nd Street and Corlear Avenue, the scene of many traffic accidents and one student being hit by a car over the past few years.

Below - PS7 Principal Frank Patterson thanks Councilman Cohen and Bronx DOT Commissioner Nivardo Lopez (to Councilman Cohen's right) for making the intersection now a four way stop. He added now a crossing guard is needed.

COMMUNITY EVENT- Understanding the Recent Opioid Epidemic in Our Community and Other Addiction Issues

Understanding the Recent Opioid Epidemic in Our Community and Other Addiction Issues

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Morris Park Community Association

1824 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx NY 10462

Jantra M. Coll, Psy.D., Clinical Director

Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC)

NYC Health + Hospitals / Jacobi

·         The opioid epidemic that is occurring on a local and national level.

·         How addiction can strike anyone including those from good families, those with good jobs, and those who had previously not had an addiction problems. Prescription medication for pain management, such as Percocet and morphine, impacts people who previously didn’t have a history of addiction since “as needed” prescriptions result in overuse and consequently addiction. For others with addiction, there is a high psychological component as people self-medicate to help heal from trauma.

·         The modern view of addiction as a disease that requires management just like diabetes. To help people recover from addiction, treatment requires a network of services involving an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors.

Addiction Services at NYC Health + Hospitals / Jacobi

Detox Unit

Medically managed detox spanning from three to five days, providing medications to help patients safely

withdraw.

The Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC)

CATC is an outpatient program that helps people learn new ways to manage their addiction and address the

underlying causes. This intensive outpatient program offers:

·         Individual Addiction Counseling where a counselor guides the patient through the recovery process

·         Group Recovery Treatment Programs

·         Vocational Counseling helping to prepare patients to compete in the job market

·         Individual and Family Psychotherapy

·         Trauma Treatment

·         Wellness Program teaching healthy habits regarding nutrition, sleep and exercise

·         Medications when needed to treat depression, anxiety or other conditions.

For More Information, Please contact-

718-918-4465

Jacobi Building #1, 9th Floor West Wing

1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461

VISION ZERO: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES 2016 SAW FEWEST FATALITIES EVER ON NEW YORK CITY STREETS

Bucking strong national trends, 2016’s 229 traffic fatalities were fewest ever in New York City, marking three years of decline and a 23 percent reduction since 2013

   Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that under the Vision Zero plan, New York City had its safest-ever year in 2016 with the fewest traffic fatalities ever recorded: 229, improving on the record of 234 set in 2015. Traffic fatalities have declined for three consecutive years, and are down 23 percentage overall since before Vision Zero began. With national trends showing traffic fatalities increasing over the last two years, the Mayor noted several other positive trends in 2016, including the success of street redesigns and a record-low number of fatalities among school-age children.

“No loss of life on our streets is acceptable. Under Vision Zero, we have now seen traffic fatalities in our City decline for three straight years, strongly countering national trends,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I have said where Vision Zero is concerned, we are just getting started and can always do better, but I nevertheless want to thank the NYPD, DOT and supporting agencies on all their hard work to deliver another year of strong results.”

“The first three years of Vision Zero in New York has been the safest three-year period in history on our City’s roadways,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Under the Mayor’s leadership, we achieved the safest-ever year with the redesign of more streets than ever before and with close collaborative work with our colleagues at sister agencies. We are especially proud of this year’s innovative Vision Zero efforts -- like theCross This Way curriculum, our pilot to make left turns safer and the Dusk & Darkness initiative – that we believe all combined to make a real difference.”

“2016 was the safest year on record in New York City. We are immensely proud of that accomplishment, but are committed to further reducing crime and making our streets even safer in this new year,” said Commissioner James P. O’Neill.

“Every life saved on our roads matters, because every life is a mother or father, sister or brother, friend or coworker,” said Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. “New York City’s commitment to Vision Zero shows that a comprehensive approach to road safety has measurable impacts, and the city serves as a model for the rest of the country as we commit ourselves to reaching zero traffic fatalities.”

Among notable Vision Zero achievements in 2016:

• Bucking National Trends: New York City’s overall 23 percent decline in traffic fatalities since 2013 runs strongly counter to national trends. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities nationwide last year saw their biggest increase in 50 years, a 7.1 percentage increase – with increases for 2016 forecasted to be even higher.
• Record Number of Street Redesigns: In 2016, DOT completed more than 100 safety projects, 165 miles of corridor safety retiming, 18.5 miles of protected bike lanes, 405 speed bumps and more than 750 pedestrian head-starts – all new records.
• Fewer Fatalities at Vision Zero Priority Locations: Since 2014, DOT has targeted over 175 high-crash intersections and corridors for redesign and other safety improvements; declines in traffic fatalities at these locations are outpacing the citywide decline in traffic deaths. For the five years prior to Vision Zero there were 141 deaths annually at Vision Zero priority locations; this year, there were 100 fatalities, a 29 percent decline. For pedestrians, there was a similar decline: 99 annual fatalities from 2009-13 at such locations to 72 in 2016, or 27 percent lower.
• Fewest Ever Fatalities in Brooklyn: Brooklyn led all boroughs with a record decline in traffic fatalities: 51 in 2016 compared to 67 in 2015, a 24 percent decrease. The previous one-year record low for traffic fatalities in Brooklyn had been 66 in 2009.
• Substantial Decreases on Staten Island: Staten Island also saw a marked decline in traffic fatalities: 17 fatalities in 2016 compared to 25 in 2015. Along Hylan Boulevard, fatalities were lowered from 8 last year to 4 this year. Hylan Boulevard had received special attention as a Vision Zero priority corridor: DOT added pedestrian head-starts and other pedestrian safety treatments, while the local NYPD precincts (including the 122, 123 and Highway 5) dramatically stepped up speeding enforcement.
• Queens Boulevard: This year, DOT completed a second phase of street redesign, transforming a 1.2-mile stretch from 74th Street to Eliot Avenue to include numerous safety improvements as well as a new protected bike lane. Once known as “the Boulevard of Death,” Queens Boulevard in 2016 had a second consecutive year without a single traffic fatality. In 1997, its worst year, Queens Boulevard had 18 pedestrian fatalities.
• Lowest-Ever Fatalities Among School-Aged Children (aged 5-17): No family should ever have to feel the tragic loss of a child from a traffic crash. This year, the City redesigned corridors and intersections and strengthened automated enforcement around schools. In addition, DOT and DOE collaborated to bring the Cross This Way curriculum to 4th through 6th grades citywide. Three children lost their lives on New York City streets, still an unacceptable number, but it was the fewest-ever annual traffic fatalities of children under 17. The previous five years have seen an average of 8 schoolchildren killed per year. As recently as 2004, 17 children were killed in a single year.
• Dusk and Darkness Initiative: An enforcement and education campaign dedicated to the fall and winter evening hours most dangerous to pedestrians, the Dusk and Darkness initiative yielded dramatic results after its announcement on October 27th: the fourth quarter of 2016 saw a 25 percent decline from the pre-Vision-Zero average of traffic fatalities (75 to 54).  When the initiative began, New York City the number of people who had been killed in traffic crashes was above 2015 levels, but instead the year ended with a record-low number of fatalities. 
• Left-Turn Treatments: After releasing a report in August, “Don’t Cut Corners,” that revealed how left turns lead to 3 times as many serious crashes as right turns, DOT began a pilot project to find ways to slow left turns at intersections around the five boroughs. DOT has completed the installation of those treatments at 107 intersections (86 in priority locations) – and will be evaluating and announcing results in 2017.

“The Cross This Way curriculum helps educate our youngest New Yorkers on how to safely navigate the City’s traffic as they travel to and from school each day,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We are grateful to the Department of Transportation for their partnership and look forward to continuing to share these essential lessons with children across the City.”

“It is encouraging to see yet another record low number of traffic fatalities throughout the city,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “With our sister agencies, we are as determined as ever to reach the City’s goal of zero traffic fatalities. I thank Mayor de Blasio for implementing unprecedented, innovative efforts that recognize this as a public health issue.” 

 “NYC government operates the largest fleet in the five boroughs and City employees are doing their part to achieve Vision Zero, by reducing fatalities and injuries” said Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Lisette Camilo. “We have trained over 30,000 staff in safe driving and went a step further in 2016 and barred the use of phones, hands-free or hand-held, by all City fleet drivers.”

"Over the past three years, the TLC has worked closely with the taxi and for-hire sectors to weave Vision Zero into the everyday fabric of our licensees’ lives,” said TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi. “From our Safety Honor Roll, where this year alone we put almost 400 of the safest TLC-licensed drivers in NYC in the spotlight, to the 35,000 drivers who received TLC Driver Education with its strong Vision Zero component in 2016, our licensees have become active partners in our drive to reach Vision Zero.  TLC also doubled the number of officers trained in the use of LIDAR anti-speeding technology, so that cutting edge enforcement continues to bolster our education and outreach efforts.”

"I commend Mayor de Blasio for his and his administration's efforts to combat traffic fatalities at a level that has become a national model," said Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. "While these numbers continue to drop, we cannot for one minute ease our efforts as pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk at a number of locations across the city. I know this administration is dedicated to redesigning these dangerous corridors and continuing to drive down traffic related deaths across the board. I'm eager to explore the successes and needs of Vision Zero in our upcoming committee hearing on January 26th."

NYC TRAFFIC FATALITIES (2013-16)
	Peds	Cyclists	Motorcyclists	Motor Vehicle Occupants	Total
2016	144	18	19	48	229
2015	139	14	22	59	234
2014	140	20	37	61	258
2013	184	12	42	61	299

For more information on 2016 Vision Zero safety data, please see here. For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please see www.nyc.gov/visionzero.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

Kudos to Our Leader Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins! 

You should know that after many years of ignoring my proposals to protect New York State’s senior citizens, Governor Andrew Cuomo has finally seen the light. 

You should already know that because of the alliance between a group of breakaway Democrats, led by Senator Jeff Klein to form the Independent Democratic Conference and keep the Republicans in power, senior citizens have been suffering. 

  

It is important for you to know that for years, my proposals as a Democrat to protect and support senior citizens have been ignored.  The partnership between the Independent Democratic Conference and the Republicans has kept projects for senior citizens that I proposed, on hold. 

Now, Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken my proposals to protect and help senior citizens and has announced them as his own   These are the very same proposals that the Senate Majority  has refused for years to support. 

In her Statement referring to how Governor Cuomo mirrored Senate Democratic efforts, our Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins wrote: 

“Another day and another set of proposals by the governor that mirrors initiatives long supported by Senate Democrats. 

The increased availability for electric vehicle charging stations proposal mirrors efforts pushed by Senator Parker. The wage theft proposal is similar to a bill advanced by Senator Peralta and the protecting seniors proposals are similar to bills created by our Aging Committee Ranker Senator Diaz. 

If all Democrats had united and given us our rightful majority these proposals would pass the Senate,” she said, referring to the Independent Democratic Conference, which caucuses with Senate Republicans. 

Here are just a few examples of how my colleagues and I in the Senate Democrats have already advanced legislation which mirrors what Governor Cuomo is calling for in his State of the State presentations:  … The Governor’s proposals to protect our seniors from financial abuse and homelessness that are similar to bills created by Senator Ruben Diaz, who has led this fight as the Ranking Member of the Senate’s Committee on Aging.” 

Bills protecting seniors from financial abuse and homelessness include: 

 S.262B – Creates a financial exploitation prevention program to aid seniors from being financially exploited (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

 S.115 – Creates the senior housing task force (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

 S.145 – Creates a senior housing partnership/public authority (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

 S.274 – Creates the senior tenant advocacy bureau (Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.) 

I was delighted to read that Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ Statement that was covered on January 9, 2016 in Crain’s, the Legislative Gazette, and other publications. 

While I am relieved that services may finally be provided for our senior citizens, I cannot accept any excuse to prevent or delay senior citizens from receiving any and all of the assistance they need and deserve. 

Kudos to Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins for giving credit where credit is due! 

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is nice to see that State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is on the Democratic side today.

It must mean that Senator Diaz Sr. is running in a Democratic primary this year for City Council.

It is great to see that Senator Jeff Klein and the IDC have learned from the mistakes of the 'Four Amigos' (of which Senator Diaz Sr. was a part of) when you cross the isle, to work for the people and not yourself. 

Could it be those bells ringing on the Ice Cream trucks that Senator Diaz Sr. uses for his campaigns that have him thinking he is a Democrat, and sponsoring Democratic legislation. 

Wasn't it the New York State Republican Leader Ed Cox who was with Senator Diaz Sr. and Councilman Rafael Salamanca at his toy giveaway at the start of this new year?

Also wasn't it Senator Diaz Sr. who stood with Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino on East 149th Street as Senator Diaz endorsed Republican Astorino for Governor, and not Democrat Andrew Cuomo?

And wasn't it Senator Diaz Sr. who met with Republican Ted Cruz during the Republican Presidential primary?

Governor Cuomo must have known that.

Senator Diaz Sr. is a perfect example of why term limits is needed in the state legislature.

At least today we know Senator Diaz is on the Democratic side, or is he? Senator Diaz Sr. should do his job in Albany, and not start campaigning for the 18th City Council seat.

That is What You Should Know.

Operator Of Unlawful Bitcoin Exchange Pleads Guilty In Multimillion-Dollar Money Laundering And Fraud Scheme

Three Guilty Pleas to Date in Bitcoin and Bribery Scheme

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANTHONY R. MURGIO pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan to charges associated with operating Coin.mx, an internet-based Bitcoin exchange, through which MURGIO processed more than $10 million in illegal Bitcoin transactions. MURGIO also pled guilty to conspiring to obstruct an examination of the Helping Other People Excel Federal Credit Union (“HOPE FCU”) by the National Credit Union Administration (“NCUA”) in furtherance of the illegal Coin.mx scheme. To date, three individuals involved in the Coin.mx schemes have pled guilty. MURGIO is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Nathan on June 16, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Anthony Murgio took a new age approach to an age-old crime of fraud. As he admitted in his guilty plea today, Murgio used Coin.mx, an internet-based Bitcoin exchange, to process over $10 million in Bitcoin transactions in violation of federal anti-money laundering laws, and then obstructed a regulatory examination to hide his scheme.”

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment to which MURGIO pled guilty and statements made during the plea proceeding and other court proceedings:

The Unlawful Bitcoin Exchange

Between 2013 and July 2015, MURGIO knowingly operated Coin.mx, an unlawful internet-based Bitcoin exchange, in violation of federal anti-money laundering laws and regulations,including those requiring money services businesses like Coin.mx to meet state licensing and federal registration requirements set forth by the United States Treasury Department. MURGIO and his co-conspirators engaged in substantial efforts to evade detection of their unlawful Bitcoin exchange by operating through a phony front company called “Collectables Club.” MURGIO used Collectables Club to open bank accounts, through which Coin.mx operated, in order to trick financial institutions into believing the unlawful Bitcoin exchange was simply a members-only association of individuals who discussed, bought, and sold collectible items and memorabilia.

In addition to lying to banks to open accounts, MURGIO and his co-conspirators deceived financial institutions by deliberately misidentifying and miscoding Coin.mx customers’ credit and debit card transactions, in violation of bank and credit card company rules and regulations. MURGIO and his co-conspirators also instructed Coin.mx customers to mislead banks about the nature of the credit and debit card transactions the customers executed through Coin.mx. For example, MURGIO and his co-conspirators caused customers to falsely tell the banks that the transactions in which they engaged with Coin.mx were for collectibles items, when in reality they were for Bitcoins. Through the illegal Coin.mx scheme, MURGIO and his co-conspirators caused more than $10 million in Bitcoin-related transactions to be processed illegally through financial institutions.

The Federal Credit Union Scheme

In 2014, in an effort further to evade scrutiny from financial institutions about the nature of the business engaged in by Coin.mx, MURGIO and his co-conspirators gained control of HOPE FCU, a federal credit union in New Jersey with primarily low-income members. After making more than $150,000 in illegal bribes, MURGIO and his co-conspirators took control of HOPE FCU. MURGIO installed various co-conspirators on HOPE FCU’s Board of Directors and transferred Coin.mx’s banking operations to HOPE FCU.

In late 2014, MURGIO and his co-conspirators attempted to obstruct an examination of HOPE FCU by the NCUA in order to perpetuate MURGIO’s control of the credit union. In furtherance of this scheme, MURGIO and others caused numerous misrepresentations to be made to the NCUA, including misrepresentations about the headquarters of the Collectables Club, in an effort to convince the NCUA that the Coin.mx-affiliated board members were eligible to serve on HOPE FCU’s Board of Directors. HOPE FCU was operated as a captive bank by MURGIO and his co-conspirators until the end of 2014.

In October 2015, the NCUA placed HOPE FCU into conservatorship, and subsequently liquidation.

MURGIO, 33, of Tampa, Florida, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to obstruct an examination of a financial institution, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Two of MURGIO’s co-defendants have been convicted and are awaiting sentence. Jose M. Freundt pled guilty on October 13, 2016, to one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, and one count of conspiracy to corruptly make payments to an officer of a financial institution, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of corruptly making payments to an officer of a financial institution, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Freundt is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Nathan on April 13, 2017. Michael J. Murgio pled guilty on October 27, 2016, to one count of conspiracy to obstruct an examination of a financial institution, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Nathan on January 27, 2017.

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

Trial for two additional co-defendants, Trevon Gross and Yuri Lebedev, is scheduled to begin on February 6, 2017. The description of the offense set forth in this release are merely allegations and Gross and Lebedev are innocent until proven guilty.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the Secret Service. He also thanked the NCUA for its assistance with the investigation and prosecution.

City Announces Pathway for Immigrant New Yorkers to Enter Healthcare Field

NYC DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW TRAINING PATHWAY FOR IMMIGRANT NEW YORKERS TO ENTER HEALTH CARE FIELD

Bilingual Medical Assistant Training Program Helps Immigrant New Yorkers Achieve Higher Wage Career Path Through Tailored Training

   The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) today announced the launch of the Bilingual Medical Assistant Training Program which provides tailored training to immigrant New Yorkers with limited English proficiency. This program, launched by SBS’s New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (NYACH), will help immigrant workers achieve higher wages and enter a career path as a Medical Assistant. The program is run out of SBS’s Workforce1 Career Center in Washington Heights and was developed in partnership with LaGuardia Community College. 

The training program supports New Yorkers in overcoming language barriers and opens up access to career paths in healthcare. The program will also help meet the high demand for a linguistically and culturally competent healthcare workforce to serve an increasingly diverse client population across the city. The two-part training program offers an initial contextualized English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum followed by a newly redesigned, industry-informed medical assistant curriculum that incorporates core competencies required for today’s healthcare workforce and will prepare participants to obtain full-time employment as medical assistants in the City’s community health centers, hospital-based clinics, and private physician practices.

“New York is proud to welcome and extend opportunities to those who immigrate to our city. The Bilingual Medical Assistant Training Program announced today will open a new, higher-wage career path for immigrant New Yorkers,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “This program will also help hospitals and clinics meet the growing demand for linguistically and culturally-competent medical assistants across our city.”

Once participants complete the ESL portion, participants will enter professional skills-based training. Training includes administrative and clinical components, focuses on communication and teamwork skills, preparation for the Clinical Medical Assistant, Electrocardiogram, and Phlebotomy certification exams, and a paid internship. The training is open to New Yorkers across all 5 boroughs. 

The pilot cohorts, which are now underway, include 44 students who hail from a wide array of countries including the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, China, Haiti, Bangladesh, Peru, Pakistan, Mexico, Cuba, Burkina Faso, Nepal, Indonesia, Mali, Togo, and Vietnam. The program takes place on a part-time evening and weekend schedule to allow participants to continue their current employment if applicable. The course is currently being offered at the Washington Heights Workforce1 Career Center.

Individuals who are interested in enrolling in future cohorts for the Bilingual Medical Assistant Training Program or other services may contact the Washington Heights Workforce1 Career Center at (929) 841-5050 or washingtonheightswf1@edsisolutions.com. 

NYACH

NYACH is an industry partnership, bringing together multiple stakeholders of the healthcare workforce development system in order to address the industry’s rapidly changing labor force needs. NYACH is an initiative of the public-private partnership between the NYC Department of Small Business Services and the NYC Workforce Funders. For more information, visit http://nyachnyc.org/ .

About NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) 

SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses and building thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information, visit our website.

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN HOSTS A THREE KINGS CELEBRATION AT SACK WERN HOUSES, CLASON POINT GARDENS AND AT HOLY CROSS SCHOOL

In celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany, Senator Jeff Klein, along with Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Councilwoman Annabel Palma, hosted a Three Kings Celebration at Sack Wern Houses and Clason Point Gardens on Saturday and another celebration at Holy Cross School on Sunday.

On Saturday night, residents gathered at Sack Wern Houses to enjoy dinner, beverages, dessert, and holiday fun. Children in attendance received special toys, such as art sets, doctor kits, stuffed animals, toy cars, puzzles, sporting equipment and board games.

The following day, Senator Klein, Assemblyman Crespo, and Councilwoman Palma hosted another celebration at Holy Cross School.  Over two hundred attendees enjoyed lunch, dancing, face painting, a bounce house, spin art and more.  At the conclusion of the event, all children received a special toy.

 

“I am thrilled to join with our family, friends, and community members as we celebrate Three Kings Day. This weekend, we witnessed a tremendous display of community spirit as we gathered to commemorate this special holiday and enjoy each other’s company. I wish everyone health, joy, and prosperity in the New Year,” said Senator Jeff Klein

“It is an honor to once again join Senator Klein, as we celebrate this joyous holiday season, provide toys and joy to hundreds of kids and more importantly to celebrate our respective faiths while keeping our cultural traditions alive and well,” said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

“Three Kings Day, otherwise known as the ‘Feast of the Epiphany’ is a special holiday within the Latin American community that commemorates the biblical adoration of baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men or Kings. This past weekend, I partnered with my colleagues Senator Jeff Klein, and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, in retelling the story of the Three Kings, while giving out toys to children of the Sack Wern & Clason Point sections of my district, as well as the Holy Cross School. As with the Christmas holiday, this is a time for giving, and I am pleased that we were able to sustain such an important theme into this special holiday,” said Councilwoman Annabel Palma

Three Kings Day honors the biblical story of the Three Kings, also known as the Three Wise men, who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus.