Acting U.S. Attorney Announces Filing Of Motion To Dismiss Pending Charges In United States V. Javier Martin-Artajo And Julien Grout

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that the Office has filed a proposed order to dismiss the outstanding charges against JAVIER MARTIN-ARTAJO and JULIEN GROUT, two former derivatives traders at JPMorgan Chase & Company(“JPMorgan”).  MARTIN-ARTAJO and GROUT were indicted on September 16, 2013, for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to hide losses in a credit derivatives trading portfolio at JPMorgan.  MARTIN-ARTAJO, a Spanish citizen, and GROUT, a French citizen, have not appeared on these criminal charges.  On April 23, 2015, a court in Spain rejected the Government’s request to extradite MARTIN-ARTAJO, and a prior determination had been made that attempts to extradite GROUT from France would have been futile.  The motion to dismiss is subject to the approval of United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.

As set forth in the proposed order, the Government sought charges in this matter based in part on the Government’s anticipated ability to call as a trial witness Bruno Iksil, a former colleague of the two defendants at JPMorgan.  Based on a review of recent statements and writings made by Iksil, however, the Government no longer believes that it can rely on the testimony of Iksil in prosecuting this case, even if the defendants appeared.  Based on these developments, among other factors, the Government has decided not to keep these charges pending, but rather to seek their dismissal at this time.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces 15-Year Prison Sentence For Leader Of Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Ring

Juan Ramos Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Shipping Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars Of Narcotics From NYC To Capital Region And Beyond

Schneiderman: We Will Aggressively Prosecute Criminals Who Fuel The Cycle Of Addiction

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that Juan Ramos, of Brooklyn, was sentenced in Albany County Court to 15 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, based upon his prior plea to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class A-I felony. Ramos was the leader of a large-scale narcotics trafficking ring that moved hundreds of thousands of dollars of heroin, cocaine and illegal prescription medication from the Bronx and Brooklyn, to the Capital Region and beyond, taken down in the Attorney General's Operation Uptown Red Alert. The defendant was sentenced today by Supreme Court Justice Thomas A. Breslin.

The sentences follow the launch of Attorney General Schneiderman’s Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (“S.U.R.G.E.”) Initiative, a crackdown on New York’s growing heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks. The S.U.R.G.E. Initiative targets gangs and individuals who deal heroin and opioids and commit acts of violence in suburban and upstate communities across New York State. The Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force has collaborated with all levels of law enforcement to arrest more than 1010 individuals in metro areas across the state since 2010, working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those criminals who target suburban and upstate areas.

In the past four months, Attorney General Schneiderman’s Operation Bricktown, Operation Un-Wise, Operation Gravy Train, Operation Bloodsport, Operation Pipeline and Operation Wrecking Ball have resulted in 240 traffickers and dealers being taken off the streets throughout New York State. 

“We have no tolerance for dangerous drug trafficking rings like the one Juan Ramos was running,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “As New York grapples with this devastating opioid crisis, my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those criminals who fuel the cycle of addiction.”

Juan Ramos was the leader of 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, and also to the States of Maine and Pennsylvania. During the underlying investigation, more than two pounds of bulk heroin were seized, 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. Also seized during the investigation was 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. During the investigation, Ramos utilized his $120,000 BMW to deliver narcotics to customers.

The investigation, conducted by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, the City of Albany Police Department and the New York State Police, 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 defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In addition to prosecuting major drug trafficking rings, the Attorney General has taken numerous steps to combat the opioid crisis in New York. In June of 2011, Attorney General Schneiderman introduced state legislation for I-STOP, an online Prescription Monitoring Program or a “PMP,” that enables doctors and pharmacists to report and track controlled narcotics in real time. The OAG has also aggressively enforced laws that require parity in health plan coverage of mental health and addiction treatment, reaching agreements with six companies. Attorney General Schneiderman also announced national agreements with Cigna and Anthem, who both agreed to remove prior authorization requirements for medication-assisted treatment nationwide. The office has also reached agreements with Purdue Pharma and Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., to ensure that these opioid makers engage in responsible and legal marketing.

TWO BRONX MEN INDICTED ON ASSAULT AND OTHER CHARGES FOR PELTING DELI CLERK WITH AVOCADOS

Victim Suffered Broken Eye Socket And Blurred Vision For Days After Attack

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Bronx man have been indicted on Assault and other charges for throwing avocados at two deli clerks, inflicting serious injuries, including fracturing a victim’s eye socket. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “Surveillance video of the vicious attack shows a senseless and immature act against two men who were simply trying to make a living. No one should be made to feel terrorized in their workplace.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Brad Gomez, 28, of Gerard Ave., has been indicted on second-degree Assault. He was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. Gomez and co-defendant Jestyfer Henriquez, 25, of Walton Ave., have each been indicted on third-degree Assault, fourth-degree Criminal Mischief, and two counts of second-degree Menacing. Henriquez was arraigned on July 17, 2017. Both men are due back on October 30, 2017. Gomez faces a maximum of 7 years in prison and Henriquez faces a maximum of 1 year in jail if convicted of the top charge.

  According to the investigation, on the early morning of May 29, 2017, inside Stadium Gourmet Deli on E. 161st St. and Walton Ave, Henriquez and Gomez were involved in a dispute over a food order. Gomez hurled several avocados at clerks Amr Alzabide and Essam Girgis, breaking Alzabide’s eye socket and causing the victim’s eye to be swollen shut for several days, later requiring surgery. Both defendants also damaged several shelves and merchandise. The defendants fled the establishment and were apprehended due to surveillance footage of the incident.

  District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Jorge Mergeche of the 44th Precinct as well the District Attorney’s Crime Victims Assistance Unit for their hard work. 

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

Which candidate ensures every inch of City Hall will work for you?

Elvin Garcia - Democrat for City Council 

Friends, It takes real leadership and experience in coalition building to ensure every inch of City Hall is working for the Bronx.  And for nearly 3 years as Mayor de Blasio's Bronx Borough Director, I was grateful to have been the Bronx leader in: the greatest expansion of Universal Pre-K the borough has ever seen the foundation for the first-in-the-Bronx ferry terminal right here District 18 the expansion of resources for Women and Minority Owned Businesses the launch of a comprehensive community policing program -- including the 43rd Pct in District 18 One of the most common questions we get from voters is: "what are you going to do for our community?" Our response speaks to our longstanding investment in the community: "Let me tell you what I have already done for the neighborhoods in District 18, and what I plan to do next on...." Public Safety Education Transportation Small Business NYCHA LGBT Community

I'm the only candidate in this race who's ensured  every inch of City Hall has worked for District 18.  Best, Elvin Garcia Candidate for City Council - District 18 EDITOR'S NOTE: I have left out the contribute buttons that  were on this page, but could not on  the links above. This is in no way to be taken as any  support of the above candidate  or any other candidate in this race. This is for informational purpose only.

NYC Council Announces Hearing on Summer Subway Woes

Hearing will examine the current state of New York City’s subway system and provide the Council with an opportunity to fully review the agency’s 30 Day Reorganizational Report

  New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez and the City Council today announced the Council’s Committee on  Transportation will convene an oversight hearing to examine the state of the subway system. The hearing will be held on August 8^th at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers and will provide the Council with an opportunity to explore and examine solutions to help address safety and efficiency issues that have plagued straphangers in recent months. The hearing will also provide the Council with an opportunity to review and conduct close oversight of the  30-day reorganizational report slated to be released by the MTA later this week.

 

“Millions of New Yorkers rely on the subway each and every day to go about their everyday lives,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The countless delays, unreliable service and numerous safety issues that  have cropped up in recent months has made clear our subway system cannot remain the status quo. The MTA must do right by New Yorkers – and that means committing to funding much-needed improvements to its nearly century-old infrastructure and working with all levels of government to put an end to these issues. I look forward to the Council’s Transportation Committee hearing and thank Chair Rodriguez for his dedication as we work together to help make  our subways safer and more reliable for all New Yorkers.”

 

“The failures of our public transit system have reached a breaking point,” said Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. “It is time for an open airing of what has led to these issues and what we are going to do to solve them. As we look forward to the 30 day report from the MTA this week, I expect to have a wide-ranging discussion on this plan, digging into the details to help riders understand what is coming, and to ensure we are up to the challenge. After months of mounting delays and derailments, our city needs action now, lest we continue to bear the severe economic and human costs of a system in disarray. I thank Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for spearheading this effort with me, to best account for how we are addressing the number one crisis facing our city today.”

 

 

WHO: Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez

Council Members, MTA Officials, Members of the Public.

 

WHERE: Council Chambers, City Hall.

 

WHEN: August 8^th, 2017 at 10:00 AM

NYC COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION CHAIR YDANIS RODRIGUEZ HAILS EXPANSION OF TRANSIT SIGNAL PRIORITY

  Today the NYC DOT announced that they will expand the use of Transit Signal Priority, allowing buses to move quicker through key intersections. This measure was found to increase bus speeds by 18% for the five routes using the technology. The expansion, if approved, will add the feature to 11 more routes by 2020. Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

"With our subway system vastly over capacity right now, buses should be handling some of the load, yet riders feel they cannot rely on this service when it can be faster to walk than to take the bus sometimes. With MTA buses shedding over two million annual riders over the past decade, it is clear the system needs improvements. There are known solutions out there, we just need a plan to move them forward. Transit Signal Priority is one of the most crucial parts of improving bus service across the city. Steps like this are how we will regain riders trust that buses are a fast and efficient option. 

Going forward, we should see a stronger effort from the MTA to add all-door-boarding and off-board-fare payment to more routes in the city. When riders are forced to enter the bus single-file to pay, it eats up valuable time and dissuades New Yorkers from choosing this option. While Transit Signal Priority is just one step in the larger effort to fully transform bus service, I am pleased to see DOT doing its part and it's great news."

Engel Alerts Constituents About Salmonella Outbreak

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel released the following statement on the outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu infections linked to Maradol papayas:

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu infections. Investigators believe that Maradol papayas have caused the outbreak. Sadly, 47 people in 12 states – including 13 in New York – have fallen ill. One person in New York City tragically died from the illness.

“The CDC is advising that ‘that consumers not eat, restaurants not serve, and retailers not sell Maradol papayas until we learn more.’ I urge the people of NY-16 to heed that recommendation, and to visit the CDC’s website for more information.”

For additional information regarding the outbreak, Maradol papayas and Salmonella Kiambu infections, visit the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/kiambu-07-17/index.html.

NEWS FROM ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ,

Dinowitz Applauds DOT for Measures to make West 230^th Street Corridor Safer

  After months of continued urging from Assemblyman Dinowitz to implement changes on the West 230^th Street corridor, the Department Of Transportation(DOT) has agreed to implement a left turn signal at the intersection of West 230^th Street and Broadway. According to the 50^th precinct, the traffic corridor has one of the highest traffic incident rates in the area including incidents with serious injury and occasionally deaths. In total 131 independent incidents occurred in 2016 with 61 of those occurring on or near the exit/entrance ramp to the Major Deegan Expressway. Several weeks ago, a pedestrian was struck on Broadway and West 230^th Street as she crossed the street and she later of her injuries.

The intersection of West 230^th and Broadway has been particularly problematic given the awkward configuration of the intersection as it joins in an irregular shape with Exterior street making it difficult to navigate safely for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Assemblyman Dinowitz has called on the DOT to review the entire West 230^th Street corridor from Riverdale to Bailey Avenue. Just last week, the Assemblyman asked DOT to make specific changes at West 230^th Street and Broadway including possibly adding a “no left turn sign” for northbound traffic.

“While the change made is not a “no left turn sign” this is certainly a big improvement. I believe the entirety of West 230^th Street needs to be reexamined. Residents from all over the Bronx use the street to gain access to the Major Deegan and many of them deal with this hazardous situation daily. What happened on Broadway and West 230^th street was a tragedy that must never be repeated,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “While it is good that DOT has finally begun to take pedestrian safety on West 230^th and Broadway more seriously, the entire traffic corridor, not just that one intersection, must be examined and safety improved in order to prevent further senseless deaths.”

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Applauds DOT/MTA Expansion of Transit Signal Priority, But Asks for More and Sooner

DOT and the MTA say they will add Transit Signal Priority to 550 intersections and 10 bus routes by 2020, and that TSP decreases travel time by 18%. Assemblyman Dinowitz says, “Let’s do more routes and get it done sooner.”

   Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Chairman of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, responded to the NYC Department of Transportation’s Green Means Go: Transit Signal Priority in NYC report with both applause and a request to expand their initiative. The move reflects a request from Assemblyman Dinowitz and his colleagues in Albany contained in a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo dated May 10, 2017 to implement two basic changes that would dramatically improve service: expansion of Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and all-door cashless boarding technology. Transit Signal Priority enables communication between traffic signals and buses to extend a green light or shorten a red light by a few seconds to reduce the amount of time a bus is stopped along its route.

“I am glad that NYC DOT and the MTA arrived at the conclusion that Transit Signal Priority improves bus service. I am glad that they have decided to expand this great program to more routes and more intersections. I do not know why it needs to take until 2020 to make this change, and I do not know why only 10 routes were selected for expansion. Perhaps only 10 routes meet the criteria indicated in their report, but I find that hard to believe,” said Dinowitz. The DOT report said that TSP works best on two-way streets and intersections that do not have complicated cross traffic patterns in addition to streets with existing bus lanes.

Dinowitz added, “It’s good to see the beginnings of change happening in our bus system, which is so important in outer boroughs like the Bronx. Many people rely on buses to get around because they have difficulty using the subway system due to accessibility concerns. I hope that DOT looks at how to accelerate Transit Signal Priority implementation more quickly than 3 years for 10 routes, given that we already have a lot of the required infrastructure installed in our traffic signals.” The DOT report indicates that a new TSP system has been developed using the NYC Wireless Network and new signal controllers, as well as existing GPS technology on buses.