STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE - RE: OSCAR LÓPEZ RIVERA

NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE 2017

Statement   RE: Oscar Lopez Rivera In response to the media activity surrounding the upcoming participation of Oscar López Rivera in the 60th Anniversary of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, it is imperative to express our perspective to the events that have taken place in past few days. We recognize that every news article references the Parade's past leadership and financial difficulties for context. That said, since 2014, the Parade's governance and operations were structured to prevent these matters from reoccurring and to support its core mission.    The Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, made a decision to stand by its mission of having the Parade serve as an educational and celebratory platform that embraces the diverse opinions in our community under the theme "Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces"/"One Nation, Many Voices".    In 2014, we launched our awareness and solidarity campaign to free Oscar López Rivera. This decision arose out of our strong conviction to be inclusive of all the voices in our community, and the broad support we have witnessed at prior Parades for the Oscar López Rivera cause. This confirmed the importance of having a voice in the Parade that many Puerto Ricans and people of all ideologies and cultures have rallied around. In the past three years, we have launched relevant and challenging conversations such as: marriage equality and LBGT rights; Borinqueneers; environmental justice for Caño Martín Peña, and this year the centennial anniversary of the Jones Act of 1917 that resulted in U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans.   The history of Oscar López Rivera is complicated, some call him a terrorist and others call him a freedom fighter, but Oscar López Rivera, as the New York Times recently wrote, was never charged with carrying out acts of violence. After 35 years in prison, 12 years of which were spent in solitary confinement, President Obama concluded, that at the age of 74, Oscar should be free.      It has been disappointing and unfortunate to see the progress of this Parade undermined by the circulation of false information, and the targeting of loyal sponsors by people who disagree with the Parade's decision to recognize the freedom of Oscar López Rivera. These actions allegedly influenced Goya's decision to stop its 60-year partnership with the Parade.     The Parade appreciates the sponsors who have supported this cultural entity and its mission. These relationships are rooted in mutual respect, as well as mutual goals and objectives. When we disagree, we resolve our differences through dialogue that leads to a common productive outcome. There are also times when despite our best efforts, our partners will have to make business decisions, which we respect, but the Parade will continue to be a platform for peace and solidarity that includes all the voices in our community.        Our initiatives and announcements for 2017 are evidence that we have not deviated from our mission to be an inclusive platform, even when taking on complex issues/subjects. The Oscar López Rivera experience provides opportunity to engage in a healthy and fierce conversation about a part of our Puerto Rican history. As we continue to learn and talk about issues important to our experience, Puerto Rico needs the unity and solidarity of its people in this time of crisis.  Only in unity will we inspire positive change. The Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Thursday, May 18, 2017

13 Members Of Violent Drug Trafficking Organization Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging 13 members of a Bronx-based drug trafficking organization with narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses. 

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, these defendants, many of them members of the violent and dangerous Crips street gang, used gun violence to control their territory in the North Bronx and to flood the streets with heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine. Together with our partners at the FBI and NYPD, we are committed to making our city safer from drug-related violence.”    

FBI Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Our most important job as the FBI NY Metro Safe Streets Task Force is to protect the community from dangerous gangs that use threats and violence to maintain control. Gangs impact innocent people’s lives every day, people who often have no way to rid their neighborhoods of the dealers on the street corners. Our agents and investigators from our partner law enforcement agencies will be dogged in our pursuit of these criminals.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Today’s arrests are the latest example of the NYPD’s commitment to combatting narcotics trafficking and violent gun crimes.  The dismantling of this crew and the amount of evidence seized represents a significant blow to criminal networks operating in the Bronx. Thanks to FBI and U.S. Attorney in the Southern District—our partners on this and many other cases.”

According to the Indictment[1] unsealed in Manhattan federal court and other publicly filed documents:

The members of the Davidson Avenue drug trafficking organization (the “Davidson Avenue DTO”) controlled narcotics trafficking on Davidson Avenue between West Tremont Avenue and West Burnside Avenue in the Bronx, New York (the “Davidson Block”).  From 2012 to May 2017, members of the Davidson Avenue DTO sold heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine, among other illegal narcotics, on the Davidson Block, and prevented others from doing the same by the threat of violence.  

Members of the Davidson Avenue DTO are also members and associates of the “55” and “Wildcard” neighborhood sets of the nationwide Crips street gang.  Members of the Davidson Avenue DTO possessed firearms, and planned and engaged in acts of violence to, among other reasons, protect and maintain their drug business.  In particular, members of the Davidson Avenue DTO used their firearms in territory battles with members and associates of the rival Bloods gang, as well as during internal disputes over authority within the Crips sets that composed the DTO.

Count One of the Indictment charges OVED VEGA, a/k/a “O,” a/k/a “Mantha,” FRANKIE REYES, a/k/a “Biscuit,” HENRY MEJIA, a/k/a “Bigs,” FELIX CASTILLO, a/k/a “Spyder,” JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Poochie,” JESSICA GLENN, a/k/a “J,” GABRIEL CRUZ, a/k/a “Gabe,” ISIAH PEREZ, a/k/a “Izzy,” NOEL PEREZ, a/k/a “Lito,” ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Fetti,” MARKEEN JORDAN, a/k/a “Kingo,” STEFAN CROMARTIE, a/k/a “Stef,” and DAYQUAN SALAMAN, a/k/a “Domo Gz,” with participating in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics, including heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine.

Count Two of the Indictment charges OVED VEGA, a/k/a “O,” a/k/a “Mantha,” FRANKIE REYES, a/k/a “Biscuit,” HENRY MEJIA, a/k/a “Bigs,” FELIX CASTILLO, a/k/a “Spyder,” JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Poochie,” JESSICA GLENN, a/k/a “J,” GABRIEL CRUZ, a/k/a “Gabe,” ISIAH PEREZ, a/k/a “Izzy,” NOEL PEREZ, a/k/a “Lito,” ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Fetti,” MARKEEN JORDAN, a/k/a “Kingo,” STEFAN CROMARTIE, a/k/a “Stef,” and DAYQUAN SALAMAN, a/k/a “Domo Gz,” with possessing and discharging firearms in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy charged in Count One.

In a coordinated operation, 10 defendants were arrested in New York on Tuesday afternoon and earlier today.  They will be presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court.  Defendant MARKEEN JORDAN was already in federal custody on a violation of supervised release.  Defendant DAYQUAN SALAMAN is in custody on state charges and will be transferred to federal custody.  FELIX CASTILLO remains at large.  Charts identifying each defendant, the charges, and the maximum penalties are attached to this release.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska. 

Mr. Kim thanked the FBI and NYPD for their work on the investigation.

The Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit is overseeing the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina Castellano and Hagan Scotten 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. Oved Vega et al.

Count	Charge	Defendant	Maximum Penalty
1-	Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics	OVED VEGA,      a/k/a “O,”      a/k/a “Mantha,”   FRANKIE REYES,      a/k/a “Biscuit,"   HENRY MEJIA,      a/k/a “Bigs,”   FELIX CASTILLO,      a/k/a “Spyder,”   JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ,      a/k/a “Poochie,”   JESSICA GLENN,    a/k/a “J,”   GABRIEL CRUZ,    a/k/a “Gabe,”   ISIAH PEREZ,    a/k/a “Izzy,”   NOEL PEREZ,    a/k/a “Lito,”   ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ,    a/k/a “Fetti,”   MARKEEN JORDAN,    a/k/a “Kingo,”   STEFAN CROMARTIE,    a/k/a “Stef,”   DAYQUAN SALAMAN,    a/k/a “Domo Gz,”	Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2 -	Discharge of Firearms in Furtherance of Narcotics Trafficking	OVED VEGA,      a/k/a “O,”      a/k/a “Mantha,”   FRANKIE REYES,      a/k/a “Biscuit,"   HENRY MEJIA,      a/k/a “Bigs,”   FELIX CASTILLO,      a/k/a “Spyder,”   JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ,      a/k/a “Poochie,”   JESSICA GLENN,    a/k/a “J,”   GABRIEL CRUZ,    a/k/a “Gabe,”   ISIAH PEREZ,    a/k/a “Izzy,”   NOEL PEREZ,    a/k/a “Lito,”   ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ,    a/k/a “Fetti,”   MARKEEN JORDAN,    a/k/a “Kingo,”   STEFAN CROMARTIE,    a/k/a “Stef,”   DAYQUAN SALAMAN,    a/k/a “Domo Gz,”	Life in       prison      with a       =mandatory  minimum  of 10 years  in jail

Former Manager Of Public Utility Arrested For Defrauding The Public Utility And Its Customers Out Of More Than $3.8 Million

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that JOHN FARCHIONE, a former customer operations manager of a public utility company (the “Public Utility”), and LOUIS BENDEL, who ran a business purporting to assist customers with payments to the Public Utility, were arrested this morning and charged with honest services fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy, for their roles in a scheme to defraud the Public Utility and its customers out of more than $3.8 million.  BENDEL was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.  FARCHIONE was arrested in Maine this morning and was presented in federal court there today.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “John Farchione, an employee of a public utility, and Louis Bendel, the owner of a payment processing vendor, allegedly stole more than $3.8 million from the public utility and its customers. As alleged, instead of providing the fair and honest services the public deserves and the law requires, the defendants instead looked to the public utility as a vehicle to satisfy their personal greed. We thank our partners at the FBI for protecting New York’s public utilities and their customers.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “As alleged, Farchione, aided by his inside knowledge of the billing and payment process of the public utility for which he worked, found a way to exploit procedures in furtherance of a scheme abetted by Bendel.  Bendel, whose job it was to remit customer payments to the utility company, allegedly conspired with Farchione to subvert the system, allowing for their personal enrichment to the detriment of the company and its consumers.  The right to honest services is something every member of the public should enjoy, and those who stand in the way will most certainly be held accountable.”

According to the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From at least in or about 2005, up to and including in or about November 2016, FARCHIONE and BENDEL engaged in fraudulent schemes resulting in the theft of more than $3.8 million from the Public Utility and its customers.

FARCHIONE, who was employed by the Public Utility as a manager in Customer Operations during the relevant time period, devised and implemented the scheme, using his knowledge of the Public Utility’s billing and payment processes.  FARCHIONE carried out the scheme with BENDEL, who operated a business that aggregated payments from customers of the Public Utility for the purpose of passing such payments on to the Public Utility.  FARCHIONE and BENDEL effected the fraud in part through conspiring to submit fraudulent checks and payments to the Public Utility, in amounts owed by customers who provided cash to BENDEL believing he would submit those payments to the Public Utility on their behalf. 

In fact, however, FARCHIONE and BENDEL kept the customer cash for themselves and submitted fraudulent checks to the Public Utility that purported to convey aggregated payments by multiple customers of the Public Utility.  FARCHIONE, by virtue of his position as an employee of the Public Utility, was able to conceal the nature of the fraudulent checks, and thereby perpetuate the fraudulent scheme, through his knowledge of and access to the Public Utility’s account payment system.

Additionally, FARCHIONE and BENDEL conspired to create fraudulent positive balances on certain customer accounts associated with BENDEL, causing the Public Utility to issue unearned account refunds, the proceeds of which were obtained and shared by FARCHIONE and BENDEL.

FARCHIONE, 64, of Queens, and BENDEL, 69, of Seaford, Long Island, are each charged with one count of honest services fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft in connection with the fraudulent schemes, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

The statutory maximum and mandatory penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the FBI in this investigation.

 [1] The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and FARCHIONE and BENDEL are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Queens Music School Teacher With Sex Trafficking Of Minors

  Joon Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Darcel D. Clark, the Bronx County District Attorney, 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 P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the arrest of OLIVER SOHNGEN, a/k/a “Helmuth Moss,” a/k/a “Stephan Weierbach.”  SOHNGEN is charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking of minors, attempted sex trafficking of minors, and attempted inducement of minors to engage in sexual activity.  SOHNGEN was arrested this morning and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein in Manhattan federal court.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Oliver Sohngen, a music school teacher, allegedly engaged in disturbing, predatory conduct: preying on minor girls for sex. He allegedly had sexual contact with minor girls at least twice, and attempted to engage in sex trafficking of girls under the age of 14. Together with our partners at HSI, NYPD, and the Bronx District Attorney, we are committed to working to protect our most vulnerable victims, children, from sexual exploitation.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said:  “This defendant came to the Bronx to allegedly engage in the dehumanizing treatment of girls ensnared in sex trafficking, even allegedly trying to arrange sexual encounters with girls as young as 8 years old.  We have a duty to protect our vulnerable youth, and with our partners in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who supports this cruel exploitation.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “It is unfathomable that Sohngen, who runs a music school, allegedly paid a pimp hundreds of dollars to arrange sexual encounters with underage girls. We at HSI remain committed to working together with our law enforcement partners to keep our children safe and ridding our neighborhoods of these dangerous sexual predators.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “The trafficking of minors for the purpose of sex is a deeply disturbing and reprehensible crime.  We remain resolute in working along with our law enforcement partners to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those individuals who prey upon our most innocent victims. I commend the detectives and agents involved in this investigation and the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District for their efforts that resulted in these arrests.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1]:

Between March 2013 and November 2013, SOHNGEN exchanged text messages with a co-conspirator to arrange paid sexual encounters with minor girls ranging in age from 8 to 17.  On at least two occasions, SOHNGEN engaged in sexual contact with minor girls at the co-conspirator’s apartment in the Bronx, New York.  In addition, between November 2015 and January 2016, SOHNGEN participated in recorded telephone conversations with an undercover NYPD officer who was posing as a 15-year-old girl.  SOHNGEN proposed to meet with the purported 15-year-old girl in order to engage in sexual conduct.

OHNGEN, 52, of Queens, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors, which carries a maximum term of life in prison, as well as two counts of sex trafficking of minors under the age of 18, each which carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; three counts of attempted sex trafficking of minors under the age of 14, each of which carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; and two counts of attempted inducement of minors under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity, each of which carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD, and expressed gratitude for the efforts of HSI’s New York Trafficking in Persons Unit and the NYPD’s Vice Enforcement Division Major Case Team.  Mr. Kim also expressed gratitude to the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this investigation.   

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Balsamello and Michael Krouse are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Bronx County Assistant District Attorney Meagan Powers.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

INMATE INDICTED FOR ASSAULTING NYC CORRECTION OFFICER, BREAKING HIS JAW AND CAUSING LIFE-ALTERING INJURY

Officer Will Have Permanent Metal Plate in Jaw

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Rikers Island inmate been indicted for Assault on a Peace Officer for punching a New York City Department of Correction Officer, causing extensive injury to his jaw. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “This unprovoked attack has caused long-term physical damage and pain to a Correction Officer who was just doing his job. The defendant faces charges that carry a maximum sentence of 15 years, and if he is convicted we will ask that his sentence be consecutive to any other prison term he faces. We must change the violent trajectory of Rikers Island, and inmates must know they will not get away with brutality against staff.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Tariq Hargorve, (AKA Tariq Hargrove), 20, of Brooklyn, NY was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. He is due back in court on August 23, 2017. If convicted on the top charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison. 

  Hargorve was indicted on charges of Assault on a Peace Officer, three counts of second degree Assault, third-degree Assault and second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration. 

  According to the investigation, Hargorve was speaking on an inmate phone in the George Mochan Detention Center on April 11, 2017, and when he hung up, he allegedly punched Correction Officer Richy Herrera Castillo in the face for no apparent reason. Officer Castillo stumbled backwards from the blow and Hargorve left the area, continuing to yell at the officer. The incident was captured on video.

  The officer was hospitalized and underwent extensive surgery. A metal plate was implanted in his jaw, a molar that was knocked loose by the punch had to be removed and his jaw was wired shut. He will require physical therapy and the metal plate is permanent. Officer Castillo suffered considerable pain and difficulty speaking as a result of his injuries.

  District Attorney Clark thanked Department of Correction Investigator Daniel Monaco and the Department of Correction’s Central Intelligence Bureau for their assistance in the case. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Attorneys General Schneiderman And Becerra, Governor Cuomo Announce Motion To Intervene In Critical Affordable Care Act Case Pending In D.c. Circuit

Seeking To Protect Millions Of Americans' Access To Affordable Health Insurance

16 Attorneys General Intervene In House v. Price To Ensure Effective Defense Of Affordable Care Act (ACA)

In NY Alone, 730,000 New Yorkers Rely On $900 Million In Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments

  New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, joined by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, today took legal action to protect health care access for millions of Americans - including hundreds of thousands of low-income New Yorkers. Leading a coalition of 16 Attorneys General, Schneiderman and Becerra moved to intervene in the ongoing appeal of a lawsuit filed by House Republicans that undercuts the affordability of health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The case, House of Representatives v. Price, is a legal challenge brought by the Republican-majority House of Representatives to block billions of dollars in Affordable Care Act subsidies that reduce co-payments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs for low-income Americans. These payments, known as cost-sharing reductions, are specifically required by the Affordable Care Act. Experts predict that simply the threat to end this funding could destabilize the healthcare market and increase premiums by as much as 21 percent.

"Millions of families across the country - including hundreds of thousands right here in New York - rely on these subsidies for their basic health care. We're talking about people's lives – and for President Trump and the Republicans to use them as pawns in a political game is simply unconscionable," said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. "No family should have to choose between protecting their child's health and putting a roof over their heads. That's why we're taking legal action now, and I won't stop fighting to protect New Yorkers' right to affordable, quality health care."

"No parent should worry if they can afford to take their child to a doctor or hospital,” said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “President Trump’s unpredictable behavior and lack of defense of the healthcare coverage of millions of Americans under the ACA threatens to resurrect those fears of every parent. Here in California, more than 5 million people now receive quality, affordable health care, many for the first time. No one wants to return to the days when a child was denied care because of a preexisting condition, when a woman was charged more than a man for the same health care plan, when you needed care the most and found you were capped at your lifetime limit. My fellow attorneys general and I seek to intervene in House v. Price to defend each of these Americans.”

“Every man, woman and child deserves access to affordable health care. As millions of Americans face the prospect of losing their health care coverage, it is critical that we stand together to protect this basic right,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “The actions of the federal government are a direct assault on New York and our values, and we will do everything in our power to stand up to the ultra-conservative agenda and ensure that all New Yorkers continue to receive the affordable, high quality care they deserve.” 

The motion to intervene is supported by the affidavits of the New York State Department of Health, which administers the State's Affordable Care Act Exchanges, and the Department of Financial Services, which regulates state insurance markets. Taken together, the affidavits establish the many ways the Trump Administration's failure to pay the cost-sharing reductions will damage insurance markets, disrupt insurance coverage across the state, and negatively impact New York State's ability to offer affordable healthcare to its residents.

Since the inception of the ACA, the number of New Yorkers without health insurance has fallen from 10% of the population in 2013 to 5% in 2016, a historic low.  In New York alone, the state offered roughly 730,000 residents $900 million in cost-sharing reduction payments in 2017, principally through the Essential Plan, which is administered by the State with the assistance of private insurers. 

Over the last several months, the Trump Administration (including President Trump himself) has threatened to stop cost-sharing payments and – along with the Republican-majority House of Representatives – has put the federal government’s appeal of the legal challenge on hold. 

The resulting uncertainty in the insurance markets necessitated action by the States, which issue health plans, administer health insurance markets, and approve insurance rates. The Attorneys General are seeking to intervene in this case to protect low-income residents in their states, as well as the States themselves. 

The motion to intervene, filed today, was brought on behalf of individual States and was signed by a total of 16 Attorneys General: New York, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.

The motion to intervene argues that the States have a concrete interest in the litigation and that circumstances required action to intervene on appeal. Specifically, the States’ motion argues that the District Court’s ruling, if it stays in place, will result in direct financial loss to some of the States, harm consumers, increase the number of uninsured, create additional uncertainty in the health insurance markets, and cause difficulty for State rate approval processes. The States’ motion further argues that the Administration’s various threats about whether this funding will continue and the President’s own comments show that the States cannot rely on the Administration to defend this funding.

Click here to read the motion to intervene.

In House of Representatives v. Price, the House of Representatives, controlled by a Republican majority, challenged billions of dollars in legally-required payments under the Affordable Care Act.  These payments, which total $9 billion in 2017 and are expected to rise to $16 billion by 2026, are required by the Affordable Care Act to reduce low-income consumers’ co-payments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs.

A District Court Judge ruled that the Republican-majority House of Representatives has standing to bring this lawsuit, a ruling that the Obama Administration contested and that the States filing today intend to contest as well. That Court’s ruling allowed an appeal in the D.C. Circuit to occur before the ruling would take effect. That appeal has not yet concluded. The Obama Administration filed its appellate brief in October 2016, but subsequently the Trump Administration and Republican-majority House of Representatives have held the case in abeyance, subject only to status reports to be provided to the Court. The next status report is due later this month. 

COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION CHAIR YDANIS RODRIGUEZ ISSUES SUPPORT FOR PROPOSAL TO BRING CITI BIKE TO ALL FIVE BOROUGHS

  Following recent reports outlining a proposal to bring Citi Bike to all five boroughs, including the Bronx and Staten Island for the first time, Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez issued this statement in support:

"Having long advocated for the expansion of Citi Bike into more communities, I am strongly supportive of any effort that achieves this goal. This is a system that has proven beneficial to so many New Yorkers, offering an affordable, efficient and healthy option to areas fortunate enough to have it. Ensuring equity in any future expansion, which operators Motivate have pledged to do, can be transformative for many communities lacking quality transit options. 

The reported proposal, which continues the original financing model using no public funds, while adding another 6,000 bikes--50% of the current total today--seems a quality deal for the city. While I have called for public funding to be included to ensure expansion continues, I appreciate the willingness for Motivate to be creative so long as the financial health of the system can be maintained. At the same time, the devil is in the details and I am fully confident that NYC DOT and the de Blasio Administration will work out a plan that benefits the most New Yorkers, after years of successful partnership in making Citi Bike successful. This is a network that offers quality union jobs, has an excellent safety record, and is getting New Yorkers around without street-clogging cars. I encourage the two sides in this conversation to come to a deal soon so there is no hitch in Citi Bike's expansion. My uptown community wants it, the Bronx wants it and Staten Island wants it; now let's get it done."

Wave Hill Events Jun 2–Jun 9

  Already centuries old by the time the Magna Carta was signed in mid-June,1215, the word “summer” hearkens back to Old English, Old Norse and Old Irish and is even akin to a word in Sanskrit. Such is the precious relationship we have with Mother Nature, particularly when she offers us an all-embracing season of warmth and new life! Come see for yourself on this early June weekend.

Sat, June 3    Family Art Project: Rainbow Passage

Explore the colors of the rainbow! Look at light refracted through water. Collect transparent materials and create a spectrum to glue and frame into bright window hangings. Or add your piece to a stained glass–like temporary group installation vivifying the glass doors of the Sally and Gilbert Kerlin Learning Center.

Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, June 3    Garden 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, June 3    Family Garden Walk

Visit favorite, family-friendly locations in the gardens on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON

Sat, June 3    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of current exhibitions in Glyndor Gallery. The group show,Outcasts: Women in the Wilderness, explores how women have been treated and portrayed as outcasts in history, myth and biblical legend. In the Sunroom Project Space, Sonya Blesofsky’s sculptural installation is inspired by the history of Glyndor House, while Sindy Butz’s life-sized replica of a fireplace in one of Wave Hill’s buildings includes enlarged photographs and videos of her performing with Wave Hill fireplaces. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, June 4    Family Art Project: Rainbow Passage

Explore the colors of the rainbow! Look at light refracted through water. Collect transparent materials and create a spectrum to glue and frame into bright window hangings. Or add your piece to a stained glass–like temporary group installation vivifying the glass doors of the Sally and Gilbert Kerlin Learning Center. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, June 4    Yoga in the Garden

Enjoy a morning yoga class on the lawn. Participants should bring a mat, dress appropriately and expect to be outside, unless precipitation or excessive humidity occurs. Classes are offered in partnership withYoga Haven. All levels welcome. Continues Sundays through June and July 9. $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Pre-registration recommended, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–11AM

Sun, June 4    Garden 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

Sun, June 4    Meet the Artists: Sonya Blesofsky and Sindy Butz

Join us at this artist talk in the Sunroom Project Space. Sonya Blesofsky’s sculptural installation is inspired by the history of Glyndor House, home of Glyndor Gallery. Sindy Butz’s life-sized replica of a fireplace in one of Wave Hill’s buildings includes enlarged photographs and videos of Butz performing with Wave Hill fireplaces. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Mon, June 5    

Closed to the public.

Tue, June 6    Garden 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

Tue, June 6    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of current exhibitions in Glyndor Gallery. The group show,Outcasts: Women in the Wilderness, explores how women have been treated and portrayed as outcasts in history, myth and biblical legend. In the Sunroom Project Space, Sonya Blesofsky’s sculptural installation is inspired by the history of Glyndor House, while Sindy Butz’s life-sized replica of a fireplace in one of Wave Hill’s buildings includes enlarged photographs and videos of her performing with Wave Hill fireplaces. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

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.