A.G. Schneiderman Announces Conviction Of Former Village Justice Who Traded Lenient Treatment In Exchange For Sexual Favors

Delmar House Admitted To Reducing Fine For Defendant In Exchange For Sexual Favors While Serving As Justice For Village Of West Carthage

Schneiderman: We Will Continue Prosecuting Public Corruption; No One Is Above The Law

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the guilty pleas of Delmar House, the former Village Justice for the Village of West Carthage Court in Jefferson County, for abusing his position as a Judge by reducing a fine for a defendant who appeared before him in exchange for sexual favors, and by paying a portion of that defendant’s fines in exchange for additional sexual favors. House today entered guilty pleas before The Honorable Kim H. Martusewicz in Jefferson County Court, to the charges of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree in violation of Penal Law § 200.10, a class “D” felony and Receiving a Reward for Official Misconduct in the Second Degree in violation of Penal Law § 200.25, a class “E” felony.

“This was an abhorrent abuse of office,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We will keep working to root out and prosecute public corruption in all of its forms. Any conduct that compromises the integrity of public office will not be tolerated.”

House was the Village Justice for the Village of West Carthage Court from January 1, 2008 through March 2016, when he resigned. According to filed documents and statements made in court today, in or about April 2015, House, 49, of Carthage, agreed to and did reduce the fine for a defendant appearing before him in the Village of West Carthage Court for Vehicle and Traffic Law offenses, in exchange for sexual favors from that defendant.  In addition, according to documents filed in court and statements made in court today, House paid a portion of that defendant’s fines in exchange for more sexual favors. 

House is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2, 2017. According to statements made in court today, in exchange for his guilty pleas to the entire indictment, Judge Martusewicz is expected to sentence House to up to six months’ incarceration and five years of probation. Judge Martusewicz is also expected to order the defendant to pay a $5,000 fine at the time of sentencing.

The Attorney General thanks the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, New York State Police Investigator Joseph Maurer, and the New York State Police for their work on this matter.

Engel Condemns Shooting Death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla

   Congressman Eliot L. Engel issued the following statement on the shooting earlier this week in Kansas that resulted in the death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an Indian immigrant:

“I am deeply saddened and troubled by the shooting of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, Alok Madasani, and Ian Grillot in Olathe, Kansas earlier this week. The assailant targeted two of the victims because they were immigrants, and this act of hate resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Kuchibhotla.  I want to convey my condolences to the Kuchibhotla family. 

“These acts of violence are deeply disturbing, and they are an obvious assault on America’s diversity and foundational values.  I fear this shooting was a direct result of the climate of fear and xenophobia that has grown over the past few months.

“Sadly, our new administration has not spoken out against the rising tide of bigotry against Muslims, or against immigrants, and the manner in which the Administration rolled out it’s unconstitutional Muslim Ban has only furthered this trend.

“Such violence cannot be excused or swept under the rug.  Whether it’s anti-Semitic, anti-Immigrant, or anti-Muslim violence—or threats made against JCC’s or any other organization—we must, all of us, condemn such forms of hate.  I will continue to condemn these hateful acts in the strongest possible terms and use my platform to reassure all that immigrants are welcome here.”

Wave Hill Events Mar 10–Mar 17

  The energy of springtime is infectious, percolating through all that is planned for this weekend, from birding and a family walk through the burgeoning gardens to an intimate terrarium workshop with Wave Hill Gardener Alberto Cabrera and the chance to work with Winter Workspace artist Cecile Chong on creating a personal narrative to embed in beeswax and resin. Oh, and stop in The Shop for a deal on seed-packs—time to plant!

And this is the week when our closing time moves from 4:30PM to 5:30PM, as springtime—and longer days—approaches. On the blog, Horticultural Interpreter Charlie Day profiles Adonis amurensis, one of the very first perennials to bloom at the start of the growing season.

P.S. Don’t miss the last of our three annual horticultural lectures, this one with garden-book writer Jack Staub, on Wednesday evening at the New York School of Interior Design, itself a treasure!

SAT, MARCH 11    FAMILY ART PROJECT: AMOUR FOR ARMOR

Inspired by Wave Hill’s illustrious former resident Bashford Dean and his passion for armor, we’ll make our own protective gear that shimmers. Using up-cycled materials and colored aluminum foil, emboss and bedazzle a pair of shiny cuffs, a modern helmet or a fancy shield. Free, and admission to the grounds is free untilnoon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MARCH 11    IN THE SHOP: SEED-PACK SALE

This weekend, buy one seed pack in The Shop and save 50% on a second.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM–4PM

SAT, MARCH 11    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

SAT, MARCH 11    GARDENING WORKSHOP: TERRARIUMS

Don’t have a garden or greenhouse? Tiny ferns and other tropical plants thrive in the humid conditions of an enclosed glass jar as if in their own miniature greenhouse. Design and plant your own fanciful landscape with a selection of diminutive plants, perfect for home or office. Wave Hill Gardener Albert Cabreraprovides plants, materials and technical assistance. Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. $50/$35 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM

SUN, MARCH 12    SPRING BIRDING

Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring! Explore the gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow on a quest to spot some of our favorite feathered friends as they return to the Hudson Highlands. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission. Free with admission to the grounds. 

ON THE GROUNDS, 9:30AM

SUN, MARCH 12    FAMILY ART PROJECT: AMOUR FOR ARMOR

Inspired by Wave Hill’s illustrious former resident Bashford Dean and his passion for armor, we’ll make our own protective gear that shimmers. Using up-cycled materials and colored aluminum foil, emboss and bedazzle a pair of shiny cuffs, a modern helmet or a fancy shield. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MARCH 12    IN THE SHOP: SEED-PACK SALE

This weekend, buy one seed pack in The Shop and save 50% on a second.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM–4PM

SUN, MARCH 12    FAMILY NATURE WALK

Join naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a family-friendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. No registration required. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. 

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 12:30PM

SUN, MARCH 12    WINTER WORKSPACE DROP-IN SUNDAY

Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-in Sunday. In the Winter Workspace today are Cecile Chong andMichael Kelly Williams. Stop by Glyndor Gallery to speak to the artists and get a closer look at the creative process. Free with admission to the grounds. 

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1–3PM

SUN, MARCH 12    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, MARCH 13    

Closed to the public.

WED, MARCH 15   HORTULUS FARM: AN AMERICAN STORY—A HORTICULTURAL LECTURE BY JACK STAUB

This is the story of two city boys who chanced upon a 100-acre, run-down, 18th-century farmstead in rural Bucks County, PA, and began to garden there. Thirty-seven years later, Hortulus Farm, part of an original William Penn land grant of 1693 and now a not-for-profit, will remain a public garden in perpetuity. It welcomes upwards of 3,000 visitors annually, and in 2015 became the second garden to be named an affiliate of The Garden Conservancy. It is also the subject of this lecture by Jack Staub, and has inspired him to write seven garden-book titles. Wave Hill’s annual horticultural lecture series is held at the New York School of Interior Design. Three-lecture series: $60/$50 Wave Hill Member or student. Individual tickets: $25/$20 Wave Hill Member or student. Seating is limited, and advanced reservations are recommended, online at wavehill.org beginning November 16. 

NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, 6‒7:30PM

THU, MARCH 16    WINTER WORKSPACE WORKSHOP: IDIOMS ON RICE PAPER

Work with Winter Workspace artist Elisabeth Condon to immerse yourself in the art of brushwork and experience the magic of practicing idioms in ink on rice paper. With each stroke, strengthen your painting, drawing and observation skills. $55/$45 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 10AM–1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, starting March 15.  Closes 4:30PM, November 1–March 14.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

SENATOR KLEIN HOSTS 22ND ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Senator Jeff Klein, in partnership with Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto hosted his 22nd annual Black History Month breakfast at Villa Barone Manor. Representing Congressman Joe Crowley was Bronx Associate Tom Messina.Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark was the keynote speaker. Hundreds of people from all over Senator Klein's district attended the breakfast.

The honorees were -

Sergeant William Jean Baptiste, 43rd Precinct

Dolores Biggs, Community Activist, Clason Point Gardens

Lieutenant Quathisha Epps, 47th Precinct

Lorna Kirwan, President of Mount Vernon PTA Council

Patricia Manning, Former District Manager Bronx Community Board 8

Martin Prince, Chairman of Bronx Community Board 11

Above - The Reverend Nathanial Tyler Lloyd Legacy Choir of Trinity Baptist Church gave the musical performance.

Below - Ms. Cheryl Willis of New York One TV who also spoke, is below with Senator Klein, Assemblymen Benedetto and Gjonaj. 

Above - Senator Klein, Assemblymen Benedetto and Gjonaj, and Tom Messina with Bronx DA Clark.

Below - Senator Klein with Honoree and friend Ms. Patricia Manning.

The honorees and elected officials.

TEAM DIAZ - African-American Abrazo 2017

   State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz together with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Assembly Members Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda, Michael Blake, Victor Pichardo and Councilmember Rafael Salamanca announce the celebration of the Annual “African American Abrazo “Embrace” in New York State.” 

Seven distinguished Afro-Americans, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clarke, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Concourse Village Board Member Ms. Chantel Jackson,Min. Kwame Thompson, and Hon. Bernice Williams were the honorees of the seven elected officials. 

79th A.D. Male District Leader Hon. John Tucker stood in for 79th Assemblyman Michael Blake who was out of town at the DNC national convention. Photos are below.

Above and Below - It was photo ops with the elected officials before the program began.

More photo ops with the elected officials.

Above - Another photo op eith the elected officials.

Below - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is interviewed for Bronxnet Cable Television.

Above - Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark speaks about being the first Black Woman District Attorney in New York State.

Fresh off his State of the Borough address the day before Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. really woke up the packed room at Maestro's where the event was being held. 

Senator Klein & Assemblyman Crespo change law to help moms on WIC better access prescription formula

Legislators presented ceremonial bill & pen to National Supermarket Association celebrating changes to onerous DOH policy

State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, joined Rudy Fuertes, President of the National Supermarket Association, and members of the NSA for their general assembly meeting to announce the adoption of new law to ensure access to prescription baby formula across the state.

Last year the lawmakers released an alarming report analyzing the ways in which the State Department of Health’s restrictive 2014 policy change, which only allowed WIC recipients to use checks to buy prescription formula in stores that have pharmacies, impacted recipients.  The investigation concluded the 2014 policy created formula deserts across the city, severely cutting off access to mothers on WIC in multiple zip codes across the city.

Klein and Crespo introduced legislation to reverse the DOH changes, which was signed by the governor in December of 2016.

“Following last year’s report it was clear that swift action was needed to fix the broken policy that was in place. WIC participants should be able to easily find prescription formula in their neighborhoods. I’m proud that we were able to find a common sense solution to this problem that will ensure that those who need prescription formula won’t have to travel all over the city to find it,” said Senator Klein.

“Last year, under the leadership of Senator Klein, the legislature was able to respond and solve the bureaucratic nightmare created for thousands of families and children by faulty regulations that restricted access to nutrition services under the WIC program.  I am proud to have been part of the solution and look forward to our continued work to improve the health of our families while supporting our small business community’s efforts to serve all our residents,” stated Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Chair of the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.

“This law re-establishes access to WIC participants and levels the playing field for independent supermarkets and bodegas by once again allowing most WIC-approved vendors to sell specialty formula,” said Rudy Fuertes, President, National Supermarket Association.  “The NSA has long advocated for this change and we want to thank Senator Klein, Assembly Member Crespo and Congress Member Espaillat for their leadership on this issue and for coming out to NSA headquarters to present our group with the pen certificate. Independent supermarkets and bodegas are largely immigrant run businesses and at a time when the national climate for immigrants is uncertain, we commend Senator Klein, Assembly Member Crespo and Congress Member Espaillat for championing and protecting our businesses and our community.”

Senator Klein and Assemblyman Crespo passed legislation to expand access to the WIC program across the State. The rules enacted by the Department of Health severely limited the ability for stores, like supermarkets and smaller grocery shops, to participate in the program. These stores, which also carry other healthy food items included in WIC packages like fresh fruits, vegetables, dried and canned beans, baby food, whole wheat bread, infant cereal, milk and cheese are vital for women and children health.

It was signed into law this month.

Before the DOH changed their policy 556 stores in the Bronx had accepted WIC participants’ checks, but now only 39 can because of the pharmacy requirement. That’s a 93.1% drop in stores. Of the 39 stores only seven carry a full produce section where WIC recipients can find other nutritional products for their families.

Across the city, the change created a major drop in selection for WIC recipients looking for prescription formula like Enfamil, Ensure or Similac.

Prior to the change Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island collectively had 1,349 stores where WIC recipients could use checks to purchase prescription formula. These boroughs now collectively have 149 locations.

Certain zip codes have been hit harder than others. In The Bronx after the 2014 change, 16 zip codes had no stores where WIC recipients could fill their entire food package, including prescription formula.

This year, Senator Marisol Alcantara and Assemblyman Crespo introduced legislation to help stores deal with burdensome fees that they are sometimes hit with when there is a difference between the value of a WIC check and the cost of the product sold.

This legislation would not hold the vendor accountable for that difference, or the bank’s bounced or returned check fee, while providing greater transparency within the WIC program.

Bronx Democratic County Leader Statement from Marcos A. Crespo on Election of New DNC Chair

  Today, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez was elected Chair of the Democratic National Committee, becoming first Latino to chair the Democratic Party at the national level. 

Now, more than ever, our Party needs leadership that will listen to Democrats at every level and every corner of the country, while rebuilding a movement that will advance the vision and the values that define us. The Party leader is charged with rebuilding state organizations and get-out-the-vote efforts in states and raising hundreds of millions of dollars in hopes of unseating Republicans up and down ballots in 2018 and promoting a Democratic presidential nominee who will win in 2020. 

We are confident that Tom Perez is the right guy for the job and we enthusiastically look forward to working with him to help him build the Party that every Democrat, and every American, deserves.

Eight Defendants Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking In The Bronx

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), today announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging a total of eight defendants with engaging in the distribution of crack cocaine and marijuana in the vicinity of the Soundview Houses housing project in the 43rd Precinct, in the Bronx, New York. One of the defendants, ELLIOT JAMES, a/k/a “L Boogie,” a/k/a “Ace,” was also charged with using a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. Seven defendants were arrested today, and one defendant remains at large. The seven defendants who are in custody will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman later today. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “The Soundview Houses residents deserve to live free of drug-dealing and guns in their neighborhood, something that the eight defendants charged today allegedly made difficult. We thank our partners at the DEA and NYPD for their efforts in this and other investigations aimed at keeping our communities safe from drugs and gun violence.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said: “These eight defendants allegedly made the Soundview Houses their stomping ground for drug trafficking. No one chooses to live next door to drug dealers and today’s arrests have paved ground for a safer neighborhood with less drugs and drug-related crimes.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “As alleged, these individuals distributed narcotics in and around the Soundview Houses and by doing so, endangered the safety of surrounding residents with their criminal enterprise. An investigation conducted by the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division and our law enforcement partners strategically targeted this illegal activity and as a result, effected the arrests of several individuals responsible for trafficking narcotics. I commend the work of the investigators and prosecutors who committed themselves to this investigation.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

Between 2014 and February 2017, ELLIOT JAMES, a/k/a “L Boogie,” a/k/a “Ace,” JAMEL DAVIS, a/k/a “Pootie,” TYLER MASSEY, a/k/a “Gordo,” DONOVAN MOSS, a/k/a “Don,” JONATHAN NUNEZ, a/k/a “Munna,” BRANDON RAMSEUR, a/k/a “BR,” JONATHAN REYES, a/k/a “Grillz,” and JAMEL SIMS, a/k/a “Jamal Brown,” conspired to sell crack cocaine and marijuana in the vicinity of the Soundview Houses in the Bronx. During the course of the conspiracy, the defendants sold crack cocaine to confidential informants and undercover law enforcement officers on numerous occasions. Certain defendants also sold crack cocaine to the undercover officers on behalf of their co-conspirators or worked together to complete the sales to the undercover officers.

The defendants face maximum terms of life in prison and mandatory minimum terms of 10 years in prison. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court.

A chart containing the names, ages, and residences of the defendants who were arrested today is below.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and the NYPD.

These cases are being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Longyear, Jessica Fender, and Scott Hartman are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States v. Elliot James, et al.

NAME	AGE	RESIDENCE
Elliot James, a/k/a “L Boogie,” a/k/a “Ace”	27	Bronx, NY
Jamel Davis, a/k/a “Pootie”	25	Bronx, NY
Tyler Massey, a/k/a “Gordo”	22	Bronx, NY
Donovan Moss, a/k/a “Don”	22	Bronx, NY
Jonathan Nunez, a/k/a “Munna”	19	Bronx, NY
Brandon Ramseur, a/k/a “BR”	19	Bronx, NY
Jonathan Reyes, a/k/a “Grillz”	21	Bronx, NY
Jamel Sims, a/k/a “Jamal Brown”	25	Bronx, NY

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