A.G. Schneiderman Announces Guilty Plea Of Former Non-Profit Employee For Diverting $400,000 For Personal Use

Former Human Resources Manager Of Hope Community Inc. Will Be Sentenced To 1-3 Years In Prison

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the guilty plea of the former Human Resources Manager of the non-profit Hope Community, Inc., Chantel Rodriquez Pierre, for using her position to steal over $400,000 from the organization. Hope Community owns and operates low-income housing in Manhattan and is currently under contract with the New York City Department of Homeless Services for $8.9 million over five years to operate a homeless shelter for families. Rodriquez Pierre admitted that from June 2014 to February 2016, she manipulated the payroll system in order to issue bogus vacation time and additional reimbursements to employees at Hope Community. Instead of sending the money to the employees of the organization, Rodriquez Pierre ended up sending the money into accounts that she controlled. Rodriquez Pierre pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and will be sentenced on April 13, 2017 to 1 to 3 years in state prison. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Rodriquez Pierre waived her right to appeal and agreed to pay restitution over time. Rodriquez Pierre pleaded guilty yesterday in front of Acting Supreme Court Justice Abraham Clott.

“We will not let non-profit employees use their organizations for personal financial gain," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "We will continue to work with our partners in government to ensure that taxpayer dollars are put to good use.”

DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters said, "Enriching oneself by diverting funds from a not-for-profit that provides shelter for the City's homeless is nothing short of shameful. DOI is pleased that through its partnership with the New York State Attorney General's Office this defendant will now pay for her crimes."

The Attorney General would like to thank the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for their assistance with the investigation.

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