DA VANCE: LANDLORD SENTENCED TO 3-to-6 YEARS IN PRISON FOR WIDESPREAD BRIBERY SCHEMES INVOLVING CITY EMPLOYEES

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the sentencing of HERMAN EPSTEIN, 37, to 3-to-6 years in state prison for bribing a New York City Department of Buildings (“DOB”) employee to remove stop work orders, complaints, and violations associated with properties owned by or affiliated with the defendant. On February 7, 2017, the defendant was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of the sole count in the indictment against him, Bribery in the Third Degree.

  “Herman Epstein is a serial briber who has shown time and again that nothing—including criminal convictions—will stop him from cutting corners to make a profit,” said District Attorney Vance. “In this case and previous ones, he did not hesitate to pay for favors, ignore safety regulations, flout the law with seeming impunity, and even use aliases in an attempt to disguise his dishonest conduct. The construction industry in New York City is experiencing a historic boom, with construction spending projected to top $42 billion this year. This unprecedented demand comes with enormous economic incentives to build quickly, which unfortunately, can invite corruption. ‘Pay-to-play’ culture within government agencies not only compromises the integrity of these important institutions, but endangers our entire city by allowing potentially unsafe buildings to secure rubber-stamp inspections.” 

  “I thank my Office’s Rackets Bureau and our partners for their assistance putting an end to this widespread corruption. We will continue to collaborate to ensure the integrity of New York City agencies and fair competition in our housing and real estate development markets.”

  New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters said, “This investigation demonstrates the undeniable link between corruption and public safety. With just a bribe to a DOB inspector, this property owner had building code violations erased from the system, potentially endangering the safety of New Yorkers and compromising the integrity of the construction taking place. DOI and our partners, like the Manhattan District Attorney, remain committed to pursuing those who cut corners and engage in criminal conduct in the City’s construction industry.”

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF INVESTIGATION (“DOI”) COMMISSIONER MARK G. PETERS

   A DOI investigation has revealed that members of Department of Correction (“DOC”) staff, including Deputy Commissioner for the Investigation Division and Correction Intelligence Bureau Gregory Kuczinski, engaged in unauthorized surveillance of DOI undercover operations. Specifically, over a period of months this year, DOC staff, including at the direction of DC Kuczinski, used DOC technology to listen to calls placed between DOI and certain confidential informants. DOI’s investigation demonstrated that this was not inadvertent, but that DOC staff deliberately targeted DOI investigators for surveillance, and that they continued the surveillance even after written directives that such surveillance was to end. City rules expressly prohibit surveillance by DOC of calls made to DOI investigators. None of the DOC staff were able to provide a coherent explanation for this misconduct. DOI is particularly concerned that there was a renewal of this activity, directed by DC Kuczinski, immediately after he and other senior staff were informed that DOI was preparing a Report on their improper use of City vehicles. Our investigation provided no alternative explanation that would suggest this timing was coincidental. 

  We have sent a letter describing those findings to Mayor de Blasio. Because the letter contains significant technical information about security operations, we will not be making the letter available at this time beyond the summary of findings above. However, we note that the letter contains the following five recommendations, each of which the Mayor’s office has now agreed to implement immediately: 

  All members of DOC that are tasked with listening to inmate calls must immediately be retrained. This investigation determined that DC Kuczinski did not know the rules and at no time provided training or guidance on these rules to his staff. 

  DOC’s current organizational structure for telephone monitoring must immediately be overhauled to ensure sufficient safeguards are in place and DOI investigations are not further compromised. 

  DC Kuczinski must be terminated from his current position. His failure to demonstrate sound judgment in this matter raises concerns about his ability to oversee the Investigation and Intelligence Divisions, two crucial units to DOC operations. 

  DOC must sign a Memorandum of Understanding dictating that a newly created “Telephone Monitoring Unit” be under the direct supervision of DOI. 

 In order to make sure that similar problems do not occur at any agency, the Mayor should send a memo to all agency heads and agency general counsel reviewing the City rules mandating cooperation with DOI.

  I want to thank City Hall for taking this issue of improper surveillance by DOC seriously and for acting quickly to resolve the problems. Interference, by anyone, with a DOI investigation is a very serious matter that will not be tolerated. In particular, surveillance of DOI activities in the City’s jails by the very agency DOI is investigating, not only compromises investigations but can potentially put the lives of investigators, correction officers, inmates and others at risk.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Guilty Pleas Of Leaders Of Heroin, Cocaine And Illegal Prescription Drug Trafficking Ring; Defendants Will Each Be Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison

A.G. Schneiderman’s Operation Uptown Red Alert Takes Down Defendants For Shipping Over $550k Worth Of Narcotics From New York City To The Capital Region

Last Month, The AG Launched The SURGE Initiative To Crack Down On Violent Heroin and Opioid Traffickers In Suburban And Upstate New York

Schneiderman: We Have No Tolerance For Dangerous Drug Trafficking Rings That Fuel The Cycle Of Addiction

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the guilty pleas of Juan Ramos and Noemi Maldonado, the leaders of a large-scale narcotics trafficking ring that served as a multi-state heroin, cocaine, and prescription drug pipeline from New York City to the Capital Region, as well as Maine and Pennsylvania. Ramos and Maldonado, both from Brooklyn, pled guilty yesterday to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class A-1 felony; they will each be sentenced on July 20^th to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Last month, Attorney General Schneiderman announced a Suburban And Upstate Response To The Growing Epidemic – (“S.U.R.G.E”) Initiative – a new law enforcement effort that brings together the AG’s Organized Crime Task Force and local and state law enforcement to disrupt New York’s widening heroin and opioid distribution networks.

“We have zero tolerance for dangerous drug trafficking rings – and those who deal drugs and violence in our communities should be on notice: we won’t hesitate to bring you to justice,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Our S.U.R.G.E Initiative is utilizing out state’s most effective law enforcement resources to crack down on the violent, expansive heroin and opioid networks around the state. We’ll continue to aggressively prosecute criminals who fuel the cycle of addiction, part of our multipronged approach to fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic that is tearing families apart across New York.”

Ramos and Maldonado led a drug trafficking ring that trafficked hundreds of thousands of dollars of heroin, cocaine and illegal prescription medication from New York City to the Capital Region, as well as Maine and Pennsylvania. During the underlying investigation, law enforcement seized more than two pounds of bulk heroin, capable of being packaged into 50,000 bags of heroin to be sold on the street—giving the heroin an approximate street value of $500,000. Law enforcement also seized more than a pound of bulk cocaine with an approximate street value of $50,000, a homemade heroin kilogram press, 1,067 Oxycodone pills, over $21,000 in cash, two shotguns, and one handgun. The investigation also revealed that Ramos and Maldonado transported narcotics to customers in a BMW valued around $120,000.

The investigation, called “Operation Uptown Red Alert,” was conducted by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, the City of Albany Police Department, and the New York State Police, and led to the indictment of 27 people, all of whom have now pled guilty with the exception of two defendants that still have active warrants for their arrests. The charges against those remaining two defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, "Thanks to the hard work and partnership of our law enforcement members at the state, federal and local level, we have successfully shut down another illegal drug trafficking operation that was bringing dangerous narcotics into our communities. The sentencing of these two individuals serves as reminder that we will not tolerate the sale of illegal narcotics nor the criminal activity that is associated with them. Furthermore, we will aggressively pursue any criminal that threatens the safety of our neighborhoods and continue to do what it takes to protect our communities from the infiltration of these illegal substances.”

Attorney General Schneiderman’s Organized Crime Task Force has partnered with state and local law enforcement to bring over 800 accused drug and gun dealers to justice, since 2010. In addition to prosecuting major drug trafficking rings, the Attorney General has taken numerous steps to combat the opioid crisis in New York including but not limited to:

• Creating the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act (“I-STOP), an online Prescription Monitoring Program (“PMP”) that enables doctors and pharmacists to report and track controlled narcotics in real time.
• Aggressively enforcing laws that require parity in health plan coverage of mental health and addiction treatment and reaching agreements with five companies: Cigna, MVP Health Care, EmblemHealth, Excellus, and ValueOptions.
• Obtaining settlements with Cigna, Anthem, and BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS), who all agreed to remove prior authorization requirements for medication-assisted treatment (“MAT”) nationwide.
• Reaching agreements with Purdue Pharma and Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. to ensure that these opioid manufacturers engage in responsible and legal marketing.

Most recently, Attorney General Schneiderman launched the Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (“S.U.R.G.E.”) Initiative, which target gangs and individuals who deal heroin and opioids and commit acts of violence in suburban and upstate communities across New York State, in partnership with local and state law enforcement. As part of the S.U.R.G.E Initiative, Attorney General Schneiderman announced the take down a 52-person heroin and opioid ring in Operation Bricktown last month.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictment Of Albany Man For Allegedly Running Investment Fraud Scheme To Pay Restitution, Attorney’s Fees For His Other Criminal Cases

David A. Mazzeo Allegedly Stole Nearly $150K To Pay Court-Ordered Restitution To Other Victims, As Well As His Own Attorney’s Fees

Michael C. Caruso Also Charged With Money Laundering And Scheme To Defraud For Allegedly Assisting Mazzeo To Conceal The Stolen Monies

Schneiderman: We Will Fully Prosecute Those Who Defraud Hardworking New Yorkers

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the arraignment of David A. Mazzeo, 58, of Guilderland, New York, and Michael C. Caruso, 61, of Schenectady, New York, on a 9-count indictment charging them with fraudulently obtaining nearly $150,000 from multiple individuals to pay attorney’s fees and court-ordered restitution for Mazzeo’s prior crimes. The pair were also charged with allegedly laundering the money through a First Niagara bank account in Caruso’s name, in order to conceal the source of the ill-gotten gains. 

“Defrauding consumers in order to pay off one’s prior scam victims shows a blatant disregard for the law, with no remorse,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will continue working to root out and prosecute those who defraud hardworking New Yorkers.”

According to statements made by prosecutors and documents filed in court yesterday, Mazzeo was convicted in May 2012 in Fulton County of the crime of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and sentenced to five years’ probation. As part of his probation sentence, Mazzeo was required to make restitution payments to the victim of his Fulton County crime. 

Also according to prosecutors, shortly after Mazzeo’s first conviction, in June 2012, Mazzeo was again charged with the crime of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree in Montgomery County, for allegedly stealing $25,000 from an individual in an investment scam. Caruso posted bail for Mazzeo on the Montgomery County case, signing a $50,000 bail bond on Mazzeo’s behalf. Shortly thereafter, Caruso opened a personal bank account at First Niagara Bank and allowed Mazzeo exclusive access to the account.

Thereafter, in August 2012, Mazzeo was indicted in Albany County and charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree in connection with stealing $150,000 in a real estate investment scam and diverting the money to pay off prior victims. 

In early 2013, Mazzeo pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor on the Montgomery County case and paid $25,000 in restitution to his victim. In February 2013, Mazzeo was convicted of felony grand larceny on the Albany County indictment and sentenced in April 2013 to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to his victims.   

According to prosecutors, a subsequent investigation by the Attorney General’s Office uncovered evidence that in order to pay his attorney’s fees and restitution for his prior criminal cases, Mazzeo allegedly engaged in an elaborate scheme to defraud unsuspecting investors. Between July 2012 and September 2013, Mazzeo approached numerous individuals, many of whom reside out of state, and told them he was developing coal or natural gas projects and needed money to help him with expenses related to those projects. 

Also according to prosecutors, Mazzeo, with Caruso’s assistance, allegedly obtained nearly $150,000 from numerous individuals for these purported energy development projects. However, in reality, Mazzeo instead used the money to pay over $20,000 to his criminal defense attorney, to pay $25,000 restitution to the Montgomery County victim in exchange for the misdemeanor plea bargain, to pay criminal restitution to the Albany County Department of Probation, and to pay other individuals threatening additional criminal charges. Additionally, Mazzeo made nearly $37,000 in cash withdrawals and personal expenditures in the Albany area, such as Victoria’s Secret, liquor, and tobacco products, and payments to Caruso.

Prosecutors also allege that Mazzeo filed a false 2012 New York State personal income tax return in which he failed to report the money he had stolen, and he failed to file a 2013 New York State personal income tax return altogether, thereby evading taxes on the money he wrongfully obtained in his scheme.  

The Attorney General’s indictment charges Mazzeo and Caruso jointly with one count of Money Laundering in the Second Degree (a class C felony) and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (a class E felony). Mazzeo is separately charged with three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a class D felony), one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony), one count of Securities Fraud under the Martin Act (a class E felony), one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (a class E felony), and one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony). 

Mazzeo and Caruso were arraigned in Albany County Supreme Court before the Honorable Thomas A. Breslin. Caruso is currently being held on $20,000 bond over $10,000 cash bail and Mazzeo is currently being held on $400,000 bond over $200,000 cash bail. Both defendants will be back in court on May 23, 2017 for conference.

The Office of the Attorney General thanks the New York State Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division for its invaluable assistance on this case.

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's English Tea Party on May 26, 2017

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj Invites you to the annual English Tea Party Join us for an afternoon tea party on Friday, May 26, 2017 F&J Pine Restaurant 1913 Bronxdale Avenue Bronx, NY 10462 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Must RSVP by May 24, 2017 For more information please contact the office of Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj at (718) 409-0109 or Lilyanna Pekic at (718) 655-5000

Grounds of Jerome Park Reservoir to be Opened for Limited Access Recreation in May

  The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that it will open the grounds of Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx for special limited access recreation on the weekend of May 20 and 21 from 10am until 2pm. Members of the public will have the opportunity to walk or jog around the 2-mile perimeter of the Reservoir. Phones, bags and cameras will not be permitted on the Reservoir grounds. There will be an opportunity to check phones, but visitors should not bring bags or cameras. Access to the Reservoir Grounds will be through an entrance adjacent to the Gatehouse located on the west side of Goulden Avenue, just south of 205^th Street.

In addition to the public recreation, DEP will continue its partnership with schools located in the vicinity of the Reservoir to provide a pilot education program about New York City’s drinking water system. This includes teacher professional development, classroom visits and guided, interpretive tours of the Reservoir grounds. Since the fall of 2015, so far, more than 2,000 students from Bronx H.S. of Science, DeWitt Clinton H.S., Discovery H.S., P.S. 8, P.S. 86, P.S. 95, AmPark Neighborhood School, and M.S. 244 have taken part in the program.

Jerome Park Reservoir is roughly 93-acres in size, has the capacity to hold up to 773 million gallons of water, and is located in the northwest Bronx. It receives water from the City’s Croton Watershed, located in Westchester and Putnam Counties, and is the last stop for the water before it enters the Croton Water Filtration Plant and goes into the City’s distribution system.

Jeter Day Block Party this Sunday, noon - 5 PM in front of Yankee Stadium on Rivera Avenue.

  Sunday, May 14 is Jeter Day in The Bronx with celebrations, proclamations and parties honoring the retiring Yankee Captain.

  In the evening, inside the ballpark, the team will retire Jeter’s number with a ceremony in Monument Park in front of a sold-out crowd.

  Starting at noon, in front of Yankee Stadium, the 161 st Street BID will celebrate the Yankee future Hall-of- Famer with free cake for the first 1,000 fans, Mother’s Day souvenir postcards and music.

  Fans will get a chance to do The Jeterbug, a new dance by Oman based on Ella Fitzgerald’s 1938 smash hit, The Jitterbug.

  Fans can take a swing in the T-ball batter’s box, exercise in a Parks Department fitness class or play a game in the recreation mobile.

  Fans can add their name to the BID’ “Thank You Captain” mural being created by world- famous street artist and portraitist, Andre Trenier.

 Fans will hear testimonies to Jeter by Cong. Jose Serrano, City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson and The Bronx Borough President, Reuben Diaz, Jr.

  Stan’s, the Dugout, Yankee Tavern and Billy’s will broadcast Jeter programming and provide Jeter cake to their patrons.

  Admission to the block party is free. Sponsored by the 161st Street BID.

  

FBI Director James Comey Fired by President Trump

  There may be many rumors as to just why President Donald Trump fired now former FBI Director James Comey. One such rumor goes to tweets this past weekend that President Trump alleged that Comey was ordered to place a wiretap on the phones of Donald Trump during the presidential campaign by former president Obama.

  One source is saying that the firing of Comey is to restore public trust and to have confidence in the nations highest law enforcement agency. This after an announcement two weeks before the election about e-mails sent out by Huma Abedin to her husband Anthony Weiner which may have been classified, and in the thousands. Since then the number of suspected classified e-mails has dropped sharply to only a few. 

  Comey was appointed by President Obama in 2013 to the position of FBI director, which is a ten year term to be non partisan, since presidential elections are held every four years. The last time an FBI Director was fired was in 1993 by then President Bill Clinton let go of William Sessions for unethical conduct.

  It is uncertain what legal recourse James Comey will have in his dismissal, and who President Trump is to name as Comey's successor as the FBI Director.