STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON LUNAR NEW YEAR.

   "I wish all those celebrating across the Asian diaspora a happy and healthy Lunar New Year. As the proud city of immigrants, we cherish every opportunity to come together and embrace our city’s rich heritage. That is why we made Lunar New Year an official school holiday. While we celebrate on a Saturday this year, we hope everyone is able to share this special time with their loved ones. Happy year of the rooster, a symbol of hard work and diligence.”

Chinese:

我祝願所有慶祝農曆新年的亞裔人士新年快樂和健康。在這個令人自豪的移民城市，我們珍惜每一個讓大家一起迎接本市豐富傳統的機會。這就是我們爲什麽把農曆新年定為一個正式的學校假日。我們今年是在一個星期六慶祝這個節日，我們希望每一個人都能與其親人共度這個特別的時光。雄雞是刻苦努力的象徵，祝大家雞年愉快！

ASSEMBLYMAN LUIS SEPULVEDA ON MUSLIM BAN: "WHAT'S NEXT? MUSLIM INTERNMENT CAMPS? SO SHAMEFUL."

   Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda lashed out on Saturday, Jan. 28 over President Trump's executive order blocking the entry to the United States of citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, as well as other restrictions, and prioritizing   admitting Christian over Muslim refugees.

 "I never thought I would see this nation apply a religious test for anything. This is a ham-fisted attempt by Trump to disguise racism against Muslims. So shameful," said Sepulveda, whose Bronx district includes a large number of Muslims. "What's next? Muslim internment camps? So shameful."

 Trump’s order barred refugees from entering the United States for 120 days, barred Syrian refugees indefinitely, and blocked citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering for 90 days.

 Sepulveda noted that most of the 19 hijackers on the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pa., were from other Middle Eastern countries not placed on the visa ban list.

 "Even people with green cards, giving them legally permanent U.S. resident status, are included in the order, leaving many of them stranded because they may be visiting outside the country at the moment," the Assemblyman said.

 "There are better, saner, more humane ways to deal with this situation than with a blanket iron fist," said Sepulveda. "This is not who we are as a people, not who we are as a nation." 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda currently represents the 87th Assembly District covering Parkchester, Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest and Stratton Park.

Woman Convicted By Jury In Manhattan Federal Court Of Impersonating A Federal Official

Sandra Zongo Claimed to be the “Deputy Commissioner of Foreign Affairs” While Passing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Fake Purchase Orders.

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and David E. Beach, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service New York Field Office (“USSS”), announced today that SANDRA ZONGO, a/k/a “Sandra Nelson,” a/k/a “Akiwa Gizzel,” was convicted today by a jury of impersonating an officer or employee of the United States, passing fictitious government obligations, wire fraud, and attempting to commit wire fraud in seeking benefits from the Human Resources Administration. ZONGO was convicted following a nine-day trial in Manhattan before U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Today, a unanimous jury convicted Sandro Zongo of posing as a federal government employee and using fake documents to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in goods and services from her victims. Claiming she was a Commissioner for a made-up organization with ties to the United Nations, Zongo defrauded hotels, restaurants and other vendors with fake invoices and went as far as defraud a charity for military veterans.”

Special Agent in Charge David Beach said: “The Secret Service places a priority on investigating criminals, who prey on the residents of this city and their businesses through deceit and false solicitations for real charities. Working with our partners with the NYPD to arrest these criminals and deter others from committing similar schemes, the Secret Service pursues complex crimes with significant community impact.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment, other documents publicly filed in Manhattan federal court, and the evidence introduced at trial:

In October 2014, the United States Secret Service began investigating ZONGO, who had been holding herself out as the “Deputy Commissioner” of the “Office of the Commissioner.” The “Office of the Commissioner” purported to be an “Intergovernmental Organization” and claimed to be funded by the federal government in doing work with the United Nations. In fact, the organization was not federally funded and had no affiliation with the United Nations. While purporting to be a “Deputy Commissioner,” ZONGO obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in goods and services from hotels, restaurants, and other Manhattan vendors using fake government purchase orders, certificates of indebtedness, and other fraudulent documents. Among other things, ZONGO defrauded a charity holding an event designed to benefit injured veterans of $150,000.

While ZONGO was claiming to be the “Deputy Commissioner of Foreign Affairs,” she also submitted fraudulent documents to the Human Resources Administration in her application for housing benefits, including letters in which she claimed to be an “intern.”

ZONGO, 47, of New York, New York, was convicted of one count of passing fictitious obligations, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison; one count of impersonating an official or employee of the United States government, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of attempted wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 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 work of the United States Secret Service, and thanked the Criminal Investigators of the Southern District New York, the New York City Police Department, the Human Resources Administration, the United States Postal Service–Office of Inspector General, as well as the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Queens Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murder-For-Hire

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSE LUIS GRACESQUI was sentenced today to life in prison after having been convicted at trial of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire, and murder in connection with a narcotics conspiracy for his role in the murder of a 28-year-old Manhattan man in 1999. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, who presided over the three-week jury trial, imposed today’s sentence.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Thanks to the efforts of the dedicated agents, detectives, and prosecutors who never gave up, this cold-case murder of an innocent 28-year-old man has been solved and the perpetrator brought to justice. The person responsible for that murder has been sentenced to life in prison, bringing to a close this tragic and senseless crime. We hope this brings some measure of peace to Richard Diaz’s family.”

According to the evidence introduced at trial, other proceedings in this case, and documents previously filed in Manhattan federal court:

JOSE LUIS GRACESQUI, a/k/a “Luis Perez,” a/k/a “Ramon Ortiz,” a/k/a “Onel Colon,” a/k/a “Muffler,” was a member of a crew that committed violent robberies, kidnappings, and beatings of drug dealers. In the summer of 1999, GRACESQUI was hired by a major drug dealer in Upper Manhattan to kill one of the drug dealer’s customers (“Intended Victim-1”) after Intended Victim-1 and a number of his associates stole heroin from the drug dealer.

On the night of July 19, 1999, GRACESQUI and a member of his crew saw Intended Victim-1 in a car with another person and began following Intended Victim-1 through Manhattan. When the car with Intended Vicitm-1 stopped at a red light, GRACESQUI got out of the car that he had been in, approached the car with Intended Victim-1, and began shooting. The shots hit both Intended Victim-1 and the driver of the car, Richard Diaz. Richard Diaz was able to drive a short distance to the Henry Hudson Parkway, until Diaz lost consciousness and died. Intended Victim-1 sustained injuries but did not die.

GRACESQUI, 46, is from Queens, New York. Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the DEA and the NYPD.

Two Individuals Arrested And Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Securities And Wire Fraud For Participating In A Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme

Steven Simmons and Joseph Meli Charged with Defrauding Investors and Diverting Fraudulent Proceeds For Their Own Use and to Further the Ponzi-Like Operation of a Hedge Fund

   Joon H. Kim, the Deputy United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that STEVEN SIMMONS and JOSEPH MELI were arrested this morning on conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud charges stemming from their participation in a scheme to defraud investors and provide those fraud proceeds to earlier investors in a hedge fund (the “Hedge Fund”). MELI is also charged with wire fraud in connection with a related fraudulent scheme in which MELI solicited investments through false representations that MELI had entered into an agreement to purchase tickets to a particular Broadway show (the “Show”), which MELI could then resell for a profit.

SIMMONS and MELI are expected to be presented today in Magistrate Court before the Honorable James C. Francis IV.

Deputy U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, while soliciting funds from investors for legitimate-sounding investments, Steven Simmons and Joseph Meli were in fact running Ponzi schemes. Meli allegedly made up out of whole cloth purported deals to buy Broadway tickets that he could later sell at a profit. But as alleged, Meli was just robbing Peter to pay Paul. Thanks to the work of the FBI, the curtain has fallen on Simmons and Meli's alleged fraud scheme.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “When fraudsters think they’re going to get away with scheming investors out of money, they tend to forget that at some point the money will run out. It’s the way a Ponzi scheme ends. At some point, the original investors will want to see returns on their investments, and they’re going to demand an explanation as to why there isn’t any money. The men arrested in this case even allegedly joked about the scheme, calling it a ‘shell game.’ This should serve as a warning to others playing the same games, at some point, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will discover the fraud and will make sure the criminals behind it are held accountable.”

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

Beginning in at least November 2015 through in or about January 2017, SIMMONS and MELI solicited investments by falsely representing to the investors that their funds would be used for legitimate, specified, investment purposes. SIMMONS represented that investor funds would be invested in securities by the Hedge Fund and MELI represented that investor funds would be used to purchase a large number of tickets for the Show which would then be resold by MELI for a profit. In fact, SIMMONS and MELI failed to invest the investor monies as promised, but rather used the money, in a Ponzi-like fashion, to fund the repayment of earlier investors in the Hedge Fund whose redemption requests could not be forestalled, and diverted investor monies to their own use.

Among other false and misleading statements, SIMMONS told one investor (“Victim Entity-1”) that its funds would be placed by the Hedge Fund with a highly successful group of portfolio managers, and provided performance information for these portfolio managers. In truth and in fact, SIMMONS solicited those investment funds from Victim Entity-1 for the purpose of repaying an earlier investor in the Hedge Fund that had demanded the return of its investment. Most of Victim Entity-1’s funds were, within minutes of their receipt by the Hedge Fund, wired to the earlier investor. The following day, $50,000 was wired by the Hedge Fund to an account controlled by SIMMONS. In a later consensually recorded conversation with a cooperating witness (the “CW”), SIMMONS expressed concern that Victim Entity-1 would contact the portfolio managers with whom it believed its funds were invested and learn that “there’s no . . . money.”

MELI also solicited at least three investors in a separate business run by MELI by falsely representing that he had entered into an agreement with the producer of the Show under which MELI would purchase a large number of tickets to the Show and then resell those tickets at a profit. MELI promised these investors a share in these profits. In truth and in fact, MELI had not entered into an agreement to purchase tickets to the Show but rather diverted investor money to his own personal use, including spending more than $200,000 at a luxury car dealership, and used investor monies to repay earlier investors in both his own Ponzi-like ticket resale scheme and the Hedge Fund. In later consensually recorded conversations with the CW, MELI discussed his “fraudulent ticket deal” and described playing a “shell game” with investor monies.

SIMMONS, 48, of Wilton, Connecticut, and MELI, 42, of Manhattan, were arrested this morning. SIMMONS is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, and one count of wire fraud. MELI is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, and two counts of wire fraud. The conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The securities fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the work of the FBI and thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance. He added that the investigation is continuing.

The charges were brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Since fiscal year 2009, the Justice Department has filed over 18,000 financial fraud cases against more than 25,000 defendants. For more information on the task force, please visitwww.StopFraud.gov.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisha J. Kobre is in charge of the prosecution.

The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant ispresumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

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[1] As the introductory phrase 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.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING REFUGEES AND IMMIGRATION

  “As an American and the grandson of immigrants I am profoundly saddened by the President’s Executive Order on immigration issued today. The United States has been a beacon of hope to the world. We are a country founded on the belief of religious pluralism and equality. Today the President sent a shamefully different message. He has temporarily suspended nearly all refugee admissions, indefinitely banned refugee admissions from Syria, and imposed a 90-day ban on all immigration from a number of Muslim-majority countries. These policies do not reflect the values of the United States or of New York City. We must continue to embrace refugees in need who are victims of terror, not terrorists. We must protect and celebrate religious pluralism. In this great city of immigrants we will remain true to our values and always welcome all who yearn to breathe free.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS LEGISLATION EASING RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR

Also signs legislation reauthorizing the City of New York’s tax lien sale program for four years

    Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed two pieces of legislation – Intro. 1061, in relation to the sale of plants and flowers during the Asian Lunar New Year, and Intro. 1385-A in relation to the sale of tax liens.

“For many Asian cultures, flowers and plants for the Lunar New Year symbolize good luck and good fortune. With this bill, New Yorkers celebrating the holiday will have greater access to the distribution and purchase of flowers and plants to fully embrace Lunar New Year,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I would like to thank the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Margaret Chin. I also would like to thank Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the rest of the City Council for passing this legislation.”

The first bill, Intro. 1061, mandates that on Asian Lunar New Year and the week before, people may sell flowers or plants without acquiring a vending license. This bill allows New Yorkers who celebrate Lunar New Year to carry on with this tradition without fear of penalty.

“Too many members of our community have faced the threat of large fines, and even arrest, for the ‘crime’ of selling flowers in the days leading up to Asian Lunar New Year. This legislation will correct this injustice, and ensure that vendors selling flowers during the Asian Lunar New Year season will be able to do so without fear of enforcement agents. I thank the Mayor for signing this legislation, and for acknowledging the specific enforcement concerns of our community,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin.

The second bill, Intro 1385-A, reauthorizes the City of New York’s tax lien sale program for four years. This bill will allow more flexibility for payment plans, giving struggling homeowners a greater opportunity to pay back taxes and keep their homes.

Jacques Jiha, Commissioner of the Department of Finance, said, “We are very committed to making sure that we provide important information and vital resources to homeowners to ensure that they stay in their homes. This legislation is important to advancing such efforts.

News from State Senator Jeff Klein

Dear Neighbor:

As this year’s legislative session moves along, I continue to make progress pushing our legislative agenda and bringing awareness to the issues that we all care about to get real results for hard-working New Yorkers.

As part of our Changing New York policy agenda I am calling for needed funding for immigrants facing deportation, our senior citizens facing the increasingly burdensome costs of homeownership and home health aides who still don’t make enough to pay their bills.

The deplorable conditions children and families currently endure within New York City’s temporary homeless shelter system continues to be a serious problem and I have released an investigative report documenting the extent of it and have proposed a comprehensive solution to finally tackle this epidemic.

Recently, I had the distinct honor of commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his 88th birthday while speaking at the House of Justice alongside Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network and subsequently on the State Senate floor. It was truly a fitting occasion to continue the fight to Raise the Age of criminal responsibility in memory of Dr. King and his fight for social justice.

As always, should you have any questions or concerns on all matters of importance, please feel free to contact my office at (718) 822-2049. My staff and I are here to help you and are happy to offer any assistance that we can.

Sincerely,

Senator Jeff Klein