A.G. Schneiderman Announces $185K Suit Against Watkins Glen-Area Vacation Rental Owner Who Allegedly Defrauded Consumers

Suit Seeks Over $185K In Restitution And Penalties From Henry Dean, Owner Of FLGH, LLC, For Misleading Consumers About Vacation Property And Pocketing Deposits

Schneiderman: We Will Keep Working To Root Out And Prosecute Unscrupulous Business Owners

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that his office has filed legal action against Henry Dean and his company, FLGH, LLC, seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting them from operating their vacation rental home business, which they advertise as being available to the general public. The case also seeks restitution of $102,694.88 for consumers who paid Dean in advance rental fees for a Town of Orange property that was uninhabitable, as well as over $85,000 in civil penalties and costs.

“A vacation is a luxury that hardworking New Yorkers often save for months or years to enjoy,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “It’s just cruel to deceive and defraud those who are trying to get away on vacation or plan a special event with loved ones. I will keep fighting to root out and prosecute unscrupulous business owners.”

The petition alleges that Dean and his company purchased the property in November 2013 for the purpose of renovating the house into a large vacation rental property. Dean began advertising the property on his own website, www.vacationrentalfingerlakes.com, and on various independent websites, including www.VRBO.com. His advertisements claimed that the property was in operation had such amenities as: three hot tubs, outdoor wetbar, fire pit, mountainside private hot tub, exotic pool with gazebo deck, streams, pools, and other amenities. All of these claims proved to be false. Although Dean began renovations almost immediately after he purchased the property, he never completed the house and the claimed amenities. More than three years later, he does not even have a certificate of occupancy for the building.

Consumers, relying on the Dean’s website and the representations he made to them after they contacted him, were induced to pay him thousands of dollars in deposits to secure the property for their long-planned family vacations, weddings, and other events. It was only after consumers went and looked at the property that they discovered it was not in the same condition as represented in the advertisements. When they tried to cancel, Dean would tell them that it would take a little time to refund their money because he had put it in escrow; however, this was a lie because Dean had already spent their money. He was simply trying to buy time until he could convince additional consumers to pay him deposits, so he could use that money to make refunds. Dean now owes refunds of over $100,000.

In addition to restitution, the Attorney General is also seeking over $85,000 in civil penalties and costs.

Consumers who believe they may have been defrauded by or have unresolved disputes with a business are encouraged to call the Attorney General’s Consumer Help Line at (800) 771-7755.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's 3ed Annual Women of Distinction Breakfast

  Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj of the 80th assembly district held his 3rd Annual Women of Distinction Breakfast Saturday morning. The five honorees who live or work throughout the 80th Assembly District were, Ms. Yvette Armstrong (an attorney and community activist), Ms. Mimoza Dajic (Founder and President of the Hope and Peace Organization), Ms. Nora Feury (Secretary and former Chair of Community Board 7), Ms. Monica Major (Director of Education for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.), and Ms. Norma Lopez (Founder and Chairwoman of the Cruger/Mace Block Association and Executive Board member of BPECA). 

  The breakfast was opened by Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj who spoke for a short while, reminding everyone of the woman behind him who gives him inspiration every day, that being his wife Roberta Gjonaj. Pastor Peggy Smalls then gave a rousing invocation. the photos below will show the honorees, and the keynote speaker Councilwoman Anabelle Palmer. At the end of the Breakfast Assemblyman Gjonaj thanked everyone who came, and wished them well.

Above - Assemblyman Gjonaj thanks Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez for attending.

Below - Assemblyman Gjonaj thanks a former honoree Ms. Edith Blitzer of the Pelham Parkway Community Association for attending. 80th A.D. State Committeeman Joe McManus is seated.

Above - Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj with his lovely wife Roberta.

Below - Pastor Peggy Smalls gives the invocation.

Above - Assemblyman Gjonaj with honoree Ms. Nora Feury.

Below - Both Gjonaj's Mark and Roberta with honoree Ms. Mimoza Dajci.

Above - Councilwoman Palma stands between Mark and Roberta Gjonaj.

Below a photo of all five honorees, Councilwoman Palma, and both Mark and Roberta Gjonaj.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim Statement On The Investigation Into City Hall Fundraising

   “In response to allegations of misconduct, this Office, along with the FBI, has been investigating fundraising by and on behalf of Mayor Bill de Blasio for his 2013 election campaign, the Campaign for One New York, and the 2014 State Senate effort. We have conducted a thorough investigation into several circumstances in which Mayor de Blasio and others acting on his behalf solicited donations from individuals who sought official favors from the City, after which the Mayor made or directed inquiries to relevant City agencies on behalf of those donors. In considering whether to charge individuals with serious public corruption crimes, we take into account, among other things, the high burden of proof, the clarity of existing law, any recent changes in the law, and the particular difficulty in proving criminal intent in corruption schemes where there is no evidence of personal profit. After careful deliberation, given the totality of the circumstances here and absent additional evidence, we do not intend to bring federal criminal charges against the Mayor or those acting on his behalf relating to the fundraising efforts in question. Although it is rare that we issue a public statement about the status of an investigation, we believe it appropriate in this case at this time, in order not to unduly influence the upcoming campaign and Mayoral election.”

Abrazo Garifuna 2017 By TEAM DIAZ

  It was flag waving, and dancing by the Garifuna Folkloric Dance Company with a few political speeches thrown in by some members of TEAM DIAZ as they hosted the Abrazo Garifuna 2017 in honor of Garifuna-American Heritage Month. There are now six members of TEAM DIAZ who are State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr., Assemblyman (and Bronx Democratic County Leader) Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Assemblyman Michael Blake, and Councilman Rafael Salamanca. Each of the six members of Team Diaz had one person that they selected to be their honoree. 

  The honorees were Mr. Pablo Gomez by State Senator Diaz Sr. Ms. Linda Lino by Assemblyman Crespo. Mr. Felipa Manaiza by Assemblyman Sepulveda, Mr. Edson Arzu by Assemblyman Pichardo. Ms. Mirtha Colon by Assemblyman Blake, and Ms. Morphy Valentine by Councilman Salamanca. 

Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda hold each others arm high in celebration of their many years of friendship. If you enlarge the photo, you can see that Senator Diaz Sr's cowboy hat is green for St. Patrick's Day.

Below - Five of the six members of TEAM DIAZ 2017. Assemblyman Michael Blake who is missing from the photos was returning from Washington where he was recently elected a Democratic National Committee Vice-Chair. Blake arrived right before the ceremony ended and is pictured in a few photos at the end.

Above and Below - Before the ceremony there was time to get in a few photos with some of the attendees.

Above - Pastor Andrew Nunez gives the Invocation.

Below - Ms. Lucy Blanco sings the U. S. National Anthem.

Above - The six honorees for the evening.

Below - The elected officials hold the awards for the honorees. Being that it was St. Patrick's Day on the right side is State Committeeman for the 80th A.D. Joseph McManus a real Irishman is there for good luck. Just like a leprechaun as you turned around he was gone and off to another event.

Above and Below - The Garifuna Folkloric Dance Company danced up a storm.

Yes these two lovely ladies were two of the dancers who performed.

BOROUGH PRESIDENTS ADAMS & DIAZ TO HOST GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION HEARING Monday, March 20, 2017

On Monday, March 20, 2017, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will co-host a joint hearing of their recently announced “Gifted & Talented Task Force,” which will study issues surrounding gifted and talented education in New York City public schools, as well as the admissions process for the city's specialized high schools.

The hearing, which will solicit public comment on the state of gifted education in the city’s public school system, will take place at the Bronx High School of Science, 75 West 205th Street, Bronx, from 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

The task force, which was launched in January, is comprised of government officials, community members and parents who are familiar with the issues gifted students face in New York City schools.  The task force will release a set of recommendations for the future of gifted education in New York City later this year. 

Community Alert Rally March 28th

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - 2017 Women of Distinction Luncheon

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.