NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR SATURDAY MARCH 18

A wintry mix of rain and snow may impact travel and cause dangerously slick conditions

   The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Saturday, March 18. According to the latest forecast, a light mix of rain and snow is expected to begin Saturday morning. The wintry mix is predicted to change over to rain Saturday afternoon, and will then change over to snow late Saturday evening. Moderate to heavy snowfall is possible during the late evening hours. The snow is expected to continue overnight before it tapers off Sunday morning. A total of 2 to 4 inches of snowfall accumulation is expected, but locally higher amounts are possible. New Yorkers are advised to exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking, and allow for additional travel time as roads may be slippery.

“We’re expecting snow Saturday that could cause slippery road conditions,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “New Yorkers are asked to allow for extra travel time and exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking.”

Snow Preparations

DSNY

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a snow alert beginning Saturday, March 18, at 3 a.m. The Sanitation department is pre-deploying 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. In addition, DSNY will dispatch more than 1600 plows in anticipation of any plowing needs (when more than two inches of snow accumulates).

Travel Safety Tips

For Motorists

·         Drive slowly. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.

·         Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.

·         Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.

·         Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your vehicle in case you break down or become stuck in snow.

·         If you get stuck on the road, stay with your vehicle and contact a towing company.

For Pedestrians

·         Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible.

·         Wear layers including a hat, gloves/mittens, and a scarf to stay protected from the cold.

·         Keep clothes and shoes dry, if a layer becomes wet, remove it.

·         Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.

·         Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

·         Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.

·         Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.

For more winter weather safety tips, visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free, official emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or email alerts about winter weather conditions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/notifynyc, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

REMINDER!!

Project HOPE Passover Package Delivery 

Sunday, March 26, 2017 - 9am-11:30am

Share the joy of the holidays by 

bringing along  friends and family to deliver 3-5 Passover packages to lonely, home-bound or needy Jewish elderly!

Whether or not you are able to come, you can always help by sponsoring a package for only $25

For groups, questions or to deliver to a particular senior contact 

Niti Minkove, Director of Volunteers at 

nminkove@bjcconline.org or Cell: (917) 693-3084

Learn more about Bronx Jewish Community Council's volunteer opportunities and how to get involved at www.bjcconline.org 

Bronx Jewish Community Council, 

2930 Wallace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTS ANNUAL IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE & CULTURE CELEBRATION

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual celebration of Irish and Irish-American culture and heritage at Gaelic Park in Kingsbridge. 

  Magee Hickey of PIX 11 News, was the event’s emcee. The honorees included Hon. Elizabeth Crowley, New York City Council Member from the 30th Council District in Queens; Tom Glacken, proprietor of Glacken’s Bar & Grill on East 149th Street; and William J. “Bill” Mulrow, Secretary to New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

  There was lots of delicious corn beef and cabbage, and some great tasting Irish Soda Bread.

Above - The pre-event warm up of some great Irish songs.

Below - Thomas Messina aid to Congressman Joseph Crowley (father of honoree Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley), 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joseph McManus, Robert Nolan, and prominent local Irishman John Flaherety (in the background).

Above - With several St. Patrick's Day events going on as the same time as this event the usual Court Officers Bagpipe crew were separated to cover all the events that were going on.

Below - The audience listens to the benediction, as you see Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. His Chief of Staff Paul DelDuca, Deputy BP Aurila Greene, and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.

Local Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was also in attendance, and he was seated near WPIX reporter and emcee Magee Hickey.

49 Members And Associates Of Two Bronx Drug Distribution Organizations Charged In Federal Court With Narcotics, Robbery, And Firearms Offenses Part Two

Charges Include the December 11, 2016, Murder of Jose Morales

Second indictment

United States v. Edwin Romero, et al., S1 17 Cr. 123 (LAP)

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 846	EDWIN ROMERO RAFAEL ROMERO FRANCIS PALUZZI LUIS GONZALEZ ANIBAL GONZALEZ CARLOS MOTA ELIMANUEL DIAZ PEDRO OLIVO ADRIAN SANCHEZ DARYL SIMON JEFFREY FERNANDEZ JUAN VALDEZ WILLIE TUCKER KASAN NOBLE DAMIAN SAUNDERS DANIEL JEFFERSON DERECK JEFFERSON WAYNE SCOTT ERIC RIVERA MICHAEL MARTINEZ MAXAMILLION  MERCADO KAREEM SIMMONDS ALEXANDER PENA ANTHONY CLASE CARLOS ACOSTA CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ GABRIEL GONZALEZ JESUS MATA NANA OWUSU ROBERTO RAMIREZ WILPHER RODRIGUEZ YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ JESUS ABAD ANGEL GUANCE	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2	Robbery conspiracy   18 U.S.C. § 1951	EDWIN ROMERO ADRIAN SANCHEZ JUAN VALDEZ WILLIE TUCKER YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ	20 years in prison
3	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), 2	EDWIN ROMERO RAFAEL ROMERO FRANCIS PALUZZI LUIS GONZALEZ ANIBAL GONZALEZ CARLOS MOTA ELIMANUEL DIAZ PEDRO OLIVO ADRIAN SANCHEZ DARYL SIMON JEFFREY FERNANDEZ JUAN VALDEZ WILLIE TUCKER KASAN NOBLE DAMIAN SAUNDERS DANIEL JEFFERSON DERECK JEFFERSON WAYNE SCOTT ERIC RIVERA MICHAEL MARTINEZ KAREEM SIMMONDS ALEXANDER PENA ANTHONY CLASE CARLOS ACOSTA CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ GABRIEL GONZALEZ JESUS MATA NANA OWUSU ROBERTO RAMIREZ WILPHER RODRIGUEZ YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ JESUS ABAD ANGEL GUANCE	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
4	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), 924(c)(1)(C)(i), and 2

DEFENDANT		AGE		RESIDENCE
EDWIN ROMERO, a/k/a “Yones” a/k/a “Yoni”		35		Bronx, New York
RAFAEL ROMERO, a/k/a “Kodi”		34		Bronx, New York
FRANCIS PALUZZI, a/k/a “Fetty”		27		Bronx, New York
LUIS GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Tili” a/k/a “Bori”		39		Bronx, New York
ANIBAL GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Foli”		34		Bronx, New York
CARLOS MOTA, a/k/a “Culebra” a/k/a “Snake”		47		Bronx, New York
ELIMANUEL DIAZ, a/k/a “Lima”		27		Bronx, New York
PEDRO OLIVO, a/k/a “Pito”		24		Bronx, New York
ADRIAN SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Pachi”		23		Bronx, New York
DARYL SIMON, a/k/a “D-Money”		19		Bronx, New York
JEFFREY FERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Jefe”		19		Bronx, New York
JUAN VALDEZ, a/k/a “Sito”		21		Bronx, New York
WILLIE TUCKER, a/k/a “Big Will” a/k/a “BJ” a/k/a “BG”		38		Bronx, New York
KASAN NOBLE, a/k/a “Kay Kay”		40		Bronx, New York
DAMIAN SAUNDERS, a/k/a “Floss”		37		Bronx, New York
DANIEL JEFFERSON, a/k/a “Ace”		30		Bronx, New York
DERECK JEFFERSON, a/k/a “Bang”		28		Bronx, New York
WAYNE SCOTT, a/k/a “Punch”		37		Bronx, New York
ERIC RIVERA, a/k/a “Chucky” a/k/a “Chuck Dollarz”		24		Bronx, New York
MICHAEL MARTINEZ		26		Bronx, New York
MAXAMILLION MERCADO, a/k/a “Bully”		24		Bronx, New York
KAREEM SIMMONDS, a/k/a “Kareem Simmons” a/k/a “Black”		40		Bronx, New York
ALEXANDER PENA, a/k/a “Green Eyes”		20		Bronx, New York
ANTHONY CLASE, a/k/a “Ant”		30		Bronx, New York
CARLOS ACOSTA, a/k/a “Greg”		23		Bronx, New York
CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Dread”		21		Bronx, New York
GABRIEL GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Gabi” a/k/a “Baldy”		40		Bronx, New York
JESUS MATA, a/k/a “Junior” a/k/a “Jay”		20		Bronx, New York
NANA OWUSU, a/k/a “Africa”		19		Bronx, New York
ROBERTO RAMIREZ		29		Bronx, New York
WILPHER RODRIGUEZ		23		Bronx, New York
YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Will”		22		Bronx, New York
JESUS ABAD, a/k/a “Rojo”		26		Bronx, New York
ANGEL GUANCE, a/k/a “Chico” a/k/a “All In”		27		Bronx, New York

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

49 Members And Associates Of Two Bronx Drug Distribution Organizations Charged In Federal Court With Narcotics, And Firearms Offenses, Robbery, Part One

Charges Include the December 11, 2016, Murder of Jose Morales

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Darcel D. Clark, the Bronx County District Attorney, James O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), today announced the unsealing of two Indictments charging 49 members of two Bronx-based drug distribution organizations, with various narcotics, robbery, and firearms offenses, including the murder of Jose Morales on December 11, 2016.

Fifteen defendants associated with a drug distribution organization operating primarily on East 175th Street and Monroe Avenue in the Bronx are charged in United States v. James Felton, et al., which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley.  The defendants taken into federal custody today were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses and Henry B. Pitman.  Three defendants, JAMES FELTON, JAMES DIAZ, and ANDRE FELTON, are currently incarcerated in federal custody on related charges and will be arraigned on the Indictment before Judge Pauley on March 23, 2017.

Thirty-four defendants associated with a drug distribution organization operating primarily on Weeks Avenue and East 176th Street in the Bronx are charged in United States v. Edwin Romero, et al., which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska.  The defendants taken into federal custody today were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses and Henry B. Pitman. 

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Dozens of alleged members of two drug distribution organizations have been charged with peddling potentially lethal drugs.  Many are also charged with committing violent crimes, including four who allegedly murdered Jose Morales in furtherance of their drug business.  All New Yorkers are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes, free from the devastating effects of drugs and the violence that can accompany drug trafficking.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to work to return the neighborhoods of the Bronx to the law-abiding people who live in them.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said:  “This case crystallizes how drug dealing’s attendant violence devastates our neighborhoods.  These two organizations held the Mount Hope area in a vise grip of numerous street shootings, including at least one murder.  In our fight against heroin and other drugs, we must always remain focused on the community residents who are victimized by these vicious traffickers.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Today’s arrests are the latest example of drug dealing that led to violence, including armed robberies and a murder in the Bronx, as alleged.  This type of precision policing is leading to further reductions in crime beyond last year’s all-time low. Many thanks to the detectives, agents, and the prosecutors in the Southern District we so often work with and whose diligence resulted in the leveling of these serious drug trafficking charges today.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “Today the law enforcement community in New York struck a serious blow to violent drug distribution organizations that operate in our city.  Two such organizations allegedly flooded the community of Mount Hope in the Bronx with heroin, crack cocaine, fear and death.  This is yet another step in our efforts to bring peace and hope to our communities by removing the alleged leadership and rank-and-file members of these organizations, putting an end to their menacing criminal conduct.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division James J. Hunt said: “Guns, violence and turf wars plague neighborhoods that drug dealers have turned into battlefields.  Today, law enforcement has reclaimed the Mount Hope section of the Bronx by arresting dozens of alleged members of two drug trafficking organizations.  DEA Agents working with HSI, NYPD, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the SDNY U.S. Attorney’s Office identified and dismantled these crews allegedly responsible for fueling drug addiction and drug-related violence.”                               

The Indictments[1] arise from a joint investigation by HSI, the DEA, and the NYPD into two violent drug trafficking organizations that operated in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx.  Members of these drug trafficking organizations sold crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and they possessed and used firearms to further their drug trafficking activities.

Count One of the Indictment in U.S. v. James Felton, et al., unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, charges JAMES FELTON, JAMES DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, EZEKIEL BURLEY, URIAH BROWN, BRADFORD CANNON, WILLIE REEVES, HAROLD FIELDS, ROBERT BRENT, DASHAUN MCDONALD, MATTHEW TORRES, TYRONE TURNER, KENDRICK MCCRAY, GINGER DIAZ, and JOSE SANDOVAL with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

Counts Two charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, and BURLEY with the murder of Jose Morales, which occurred on December 11, 2016, in the vicinity of East 175th Street and Weeks Avenue, in the course of a narcotics conspiracy.

Count Three charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, and BURLEY with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, resulting in the death of Jose Morales on December 11, 2016.

Count Four charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, and BURLEY with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, on dates other than December 11, 2016.

Count Five charges BROWN, CANNON, REEVES, FIELDS, BRENT, MCDONALD, TORRES, TURNER, MCCRAY, DIAZ, and SANDOVAL with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy.

Count One of the Indictment in U.S. v. Edwin Romero, et al., unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, charges EDWIN ROMERO, RAFAEL ROMERO, FRANCIS PALUZZI, LUIS GONZALEZ, ANIBAL GONZALEZ, CARLOS MOTA, ELIMANUEL DIAZ, PEDRO OLIVO, ADRIAN SANCHEZ, DARYL SIMON, JEFFREY FERNANDEZ, JUAN VALDEZ, WILLIE TUCKER, KASAN NOBLE, DAMIAN SAUNDERS, DANIEL JEFFERSON, DERECK JEFFERSON, WAYNE SCOTT, ERIC RIVERA, MICHAEL MARTINEZ, MAXAMILLION MERCADO, KAREEM SIMMONDS, ALEXANDER PENA, ANTHONY CLASE, CARLOS ACOSTA, CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, GABRIEL GONZALEZ, JESUS MATA, NANA OWUSU, ROBERTO RAMIREZ, WILPHER RODRIGUEZ, YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ, JESUS ABAD, and ANGEL GUANCE with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

Count Two charges EDWIN ROMERO, SANCHEZ, VALDEZ, TUCKER, and YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ with conspiring to commit robbery.

Count Three charges EDWIN ROMERO, RAFAEL ROMERO, FRANCIS PALUZZI, LUIS GONZALEZ, ANIBAL GONZALEZ, CARLOS MOTA, ELIMANUEL DIAZ, PEDRO OLIVO, ADRIAN SANCHEZ, DARYL SIMON, JEFFREY FERNANDEZ, JUAN VALDEZ, WILLIE TUCKER, KASAN NOBLE, DAMIAN SAUNDERS, DANIEL JEFFERSON, DERECK JEFFERSON, WAYNE SCOTT, ERIC RIVERA, MICHAEL MARTINEZ, KAREEM SIMMONDS, ALEXANDER PENA, ANTHONY CLASE, CARLOS ACOSTA, CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, GABRIEL GONZALEZ, JESUS MATA, NANA OWUSU, ROBERTO RAMIREZ, WILPHER RODRIGUEZ, YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ, JESUS ABAD, and ANGEL GUANCE with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy.

Count Four charges EDWIN ROMERO with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Charts containing the names, ages, residences, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the respective judges.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, HSI, and DEA, and expressed gratitude for the coordinated efforts of the NYPD’s Detective Bureau, including the Bronx Violent Crime Squad, the 46th Precinct Detectives Squad, and the Bronx Homicide Task Force.  Mr. Kim also expressed gratitude to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this investigation. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Balsamello, Matthew Laroche, Anden Chow, and Michael Krouse, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hellman (cross-designated from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office) are in charge of the prosecution.

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

United States v. James Felton, et al., S2 17 Cr. 21 (WHP)

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 846	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ ANDRE FELTON EZEKIEL BURLEY URIAH BROWN BRADFORD CANNON WILLIE REEVES HAROLD FIELDS ROBERT BRENT DASHAUN MCDONALD MATTHEW TORRES TYRONE TURNER KENDRICK MCCRAY GINGER DIAZ JOSE SANDOVAL	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2	Murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 848(e)(1)(A); 18 U.S.C. § 2	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ ANDRE FELTON EZEKIEL BURLEY	Life in prison or death   Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison
3	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms, causing death   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j)(1) and 2	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ ANDRE FELTON EZEKIEL BURLEY	Life in prison or death
4	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), 924(c)(1)(C)(i), and 2	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ EZEKIEL BURLEY	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for DIAZ and BURLEY   Mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison for JAMES FELTON
5	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), 2	URIAH BROWN BRADFORD CANNON WILLIE REEVES HAROLD FIELDS ROBERT BRENT DASHAUN MCDONALD MATTHEW TORRES TYRONE TURNER KENDRICK MCCRAY GINGER DIAZ JOSE SANDOVAL	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison

DEFENDANT	AGE	RESIDENCE
JAMES FELTON	47	Bronx, New York
JAMES DIAZ, a/k/a “Chunky”	24	Bronx, New York
ANDRE FELTON, a/k/a “Dre”	39	Mount Vernon, New York
EZEKIEL BURLEY, a/k/a “Ezekiel McCall” a/k/a “Zeke” a/k/a “Ziggy”	23	Bronx, New York
URIAH BROWN, a/k/a “Scooter”	42	Bronx, New York
BRADFORD CANNON, a/k/a “Brad”	46	Bronx, New York
WILLIE REEVES, a/k/a “Willie Reed” a/k/a “Willow”	30	Bronx, New York
HAROLD FIELDS, a/k/a “Howie” a/k/a “HD”	38	Bronx, New York
ROBERT BRENT, a/k/a “Ready”	45	Brooklyn, New York
DASHAUN MCDONALD, a/k/a “Dayday”	27	Bronx, New York
MATTHEW TORRES, a/k/a “Mac Mittens” a/k/a “Green Eyes”	33	Bronx, New York
TYRONE TURNER, a/k/a “Skrap”	32	Bronx, New York
KENDRICK MCCRAY, a/k/a “Kenny”	43	Bronx, New York
GINGER DIAZ, a/k/a “George”	30	Bronx, New York
JOSE SANDOVAL, a/k/a “Shorty”	41	Bronx, New York

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

Investment Adviser Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court For Insider Trading Scheme Involving Pharmaceutical Industry Stocks

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DAVID HOBSON, a former investment adviser, was sentenced to six months in prison for engaging in a scheme to commit insider trading in connection with deals involving a pharmaceutical company (the “Pharma Company”) at which Michael Maciocio, HOBSON’s friend, client and co-conspirator, worked.  HOBSON pled guilty on October 25, 2016, to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud before United States District Judge Laura T. Swain, who also imposed today’s sentence. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “David Hobson used his relationship with a childhood friend to obtain inside information, and then traded on that information, making hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal profits. The securities market must be free and fair for all, and our Office’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting insider trading remains firm.”      

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment filed against HOBSON and his co-conspirator and statements made in related court filings and proceedings:

From May 2008 through April 2014, HOBSON and Maciocio participated in a scheme to commit insider trading in advance of, and in connection with, acquisitions and transactions under consideration by the Pharma Company.  HOBSON and Maciocio were childhood friends and HOBSON had served as Maciocio’s investment adviser and broker for many years.

Maciocio learned about the impending transactions through his role as a master planner in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Supply Chain Group at the Pharma Company.  In that role, Maciocio was tasked with evaluating manufacturing demands and capacity within the Pharma Company and was consulted about potential acquisitions to assist in determining whether the Pharma Company would be able to manufacture any new product in-house.  Although Maciocio was not typically provided with the names of the companies targeted for acquisition, he used the inside information he received – including the Pharma Company’s code names for the acquisitions, the drug indications, the dosages, the phases of any clinical trials, and the chemical structure of the drugs – to uncover the true identities of the target companies.  At times, HOBSON assisted Maciocio in determining the identities of these target companies based on the inside information Maciocio had obtained as part of his job.  

Having learned about these impending transactions, Maciocio, in breach of fiduciary duties and other duties of trust and confidence owed to the Pharma Company, traded on his own behalf and tipped HOBSON, so that HOBSON could use the information to trade for both himself and for Maciocio.  HOBSON also used the inside information to trade on behalf of some of his other investment advisory clients. 

HOBSON used the inside information that he received from Maciocio to make profitable trades in, among other securities:  Medivation, Inc., Ardea Biosciences, Inc., and Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  As a result of the scheme, HOBSON reaped approximately $165,000 in ill-gotten gains for himself, $40,000 for Maciocio, and nearly $150,000 for certain of HOBSON’s other clients.  

In addition to the term of imprisonment, HOBSON, 48, of Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and was ordered to forfeit $385,664.39.

Maciocio, 47, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of securities fraud on May 20, 2016.  His sentencing has not yet been scheduled. 

Mr. Kim praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

New York A.G. Schneiderman Leads Coalition Of States Opposing Pres. Trump’s Vehicle Emission Standards Roll Back

New York Will File Motion To Intervene In Lawsuit In Support Of Vehicle Emission Standards 

AGs: Reconsidering Standards Represents A Wrong Turn In Nation’s Efforts To Fight Air Pollution And Protect Public Health – And We Will Oppose It

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman led a coalition of states in expressing opposition to President Trump’s action that directs federal agencies to reconsider vehicle emission standards.

The coalition, which includes the attorneys general of New York, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington D.C. and Washington State, as well as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection, issued the following joint statement today:

 “President Trump’s action represents a dramatic wrong turn in our nation’s efforts to fight air pollution from passenger cars and trucks, and protect the health of our children, seniors, and all communities.

Weakening these commonsense standards would undermine successful efforts to combat the pollution emitted by vehicles - emissions that cause widespread, substantial harm to public health and are one of the largest sources of climate change pollution. An extensive technical study by the Environmental Protection Agency already found that the standards are fully and economically achievable by the auto industry. Relaxing them would increase the air pollution that is responsible for premature death, asthma, and more – particularly in our most vulnerable communities.  

We will vigorously oppose attempts by the Trump Administration to weaken our vehicle emission policies and put our public health at risk, and we won’t hesitate to stand up for the right of our states to adopt stricter pollution standards that provide critical protections to the health of our residents and our environmental resources.” 

New York Attorney General Schneiderman also announced that he will file a motion to intervene in support of the current vehicle emission standards in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers filed suit against the standards on Monday. Yesterday, California also moved to intervene in the case.

Because motor vehicles emit a variety of air pollutants harmful to human health and the environment and are a significant source of air pollution, Section 202 of the Clean Air Act requires EPA to establish national emission standards for new motor vehicles. Section 209 of the Act authorizes the State of California to adopt emission standards that are generally more stringent than the federal standards, and Section 177 of the Act authorizes other states to adopt those same standards for new motor vehicles sold within their states.

In 2012, EPA adopted emission standards limiting greenhouse gas emissions from new passenger cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2017-25 and beyond. California has adopted parallel vehicle emission standards limiting greenhouse gas emissions for those same model years, which New York and several other states have adopted as state law. The combined emission standards, together with harmonized emission standards for other pollutants that are on the books, are expected to result in substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, dependency on foreign oil, and consumer fuel costs:

• Over the lifetimes of the vehicles sold during the 2017-2025 model years, the standards are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons—the equivalent of the annual emissions of 422 million cars currently on the road—and save approximately four billion barrels of oil.

• Combined with the first phase of vehicle emission standards for greenhouse gases for model years 2012-16, the standards for the 2017-25 model year vehicles are projected to save families more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs and reduce the country’s dependence on oil by more than 2 million barrels per day in 2025.

In January 2017, EPA determined, in its “midterm evaluation,” that the current federal standards applicable to cars and light duty trucks for model years 2022-25 are readily achievable by the auto industry. After an extensive technical review, based in significant part on information from industry, advocates, and other interested parties, EPA found that “automakers are well positioned to meet the standards at lower costs than previous estimated.” The agency concluded that, while the record supported making the standards even more stringent, it decided “to retain the current standards to provide regulatory certainty for the auto industry.” California is in the process of completing a midterm review for its parallel standards after participating in the federal process and conducting its own analysis of the feasibility of the standards.

The states issuing the joint statement have a longstanding history of working with California to adopt and enforce vehicle emission standards to combat air pollution. For example, several of the states successfully defended the first vehicle emission standards California issued to limit greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles in 2005. Subsequently, they joined California in successfully defending—in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals—EPA’s 2009 decision to grant California a waiver to adopt its greenhouse gas emission regulations. Several of the states also brought the landmark Massachusetts v. EPA case in which the Supreme Court held that EPA has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles that endanger public health and welfare, and which subsequently enabled EPA’s determination that greenhouse gas emissions pose such a threat.