Wednesday, December 6, 2017

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Convictions Of Ringleaders Of Multi-County Check Fraud Scheme


Kevin Singleton-Lee, Jerome Simpson, and Daniel Green Issued Over $175,000 in Fraudulent Checks as Part of a Scheme to Defraud Account Holders and Small Regional Credit Unions
Singleton-Lee Will Be Sentenced to 6 to 18 Years in State Prison; Simpson Was Previously Sentenced to 1 1/3 To 4 Years in State Prison
   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the convictions of Kevin Singleton-Lee (a/k/a Kev Escobar), Jerome Simpson, and Daniel Green for their roles in a check-kiting scheme that spanned Onondaga, Schenectady, and Oneida Counties. A joint investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Office and the New York State Police uncovered that ringleaders Singleton-Lee and Simpson, with the aid of Green, issued over $175,000 in fraudulent checks and used social media to recruit financially vulnerable individuals to cash the fake checks using their personal accounts, before emptying these accounts of all their assets.   
"We have zero tolerance for those who exploit financially vulnerable New Yorkers for their personal gain," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring fraudsters to justice and protect consumers from falling victim to these scams."
New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “These convictions demonstrate that people who take advantage of vulnerable individuals and our financial institutions will be held accountable for their actions. I want to thank our partners at the Attorney General’s Office for their work to bring this case to a close and effort to help recover the funds that were taken.”
Between December 2015 and August 2017, Singleton-Lee, Simpson, and Green targeted over a dozen different branches of small, local or regional credit unions and banks throughout Central New York and the Capital Region, and recruited over 50 account holders to assist in their check-kiting scheme. During the almost two-year period, the defendants presented and cashed over 100 fraudulent checks, ranging in amounts from several hundred to several thousand dollars—totaling over $175,000.
To perpetuate their scheme, Singleton-Lee and Simpson first arranged for the creation of bank accounts in the names of businesses, which were often fictitious, including “Jones Maintenance” and “Watkins Homecare.”  Then,Singleton-Lee, Simpson, and Green—relying heavily on Facebook and other social media outlets—targeted numerous college students, young single parents, and other vulnerable and unsuspecting young adults, and recruited them to cash forged checks in the name of those businesses. In exchange for either cashing the forged checks or depositing them into their personal accounts, the account owners were promised a portion of the check proceeds as a fee. 
After the checks were deposited and funds became available, Singleton-Lee, Simpson, and Green drained the accounts of the available balances before the checks were returned and the financial institutions discovered them to be worthless. In some instances, the defendants even assumed the identities of the account holders without their knowledge and consent, accessed their accounts using personal information the defendants required for asserted security purposes, and withdrew funds through ATM transactions. 
Ringleader Singleton-Lee was charged separately in Onondaga and Oneida Counties. On November 4, 2016, Singleton-Lee pleaded guilty before the Honorable Anthony F. Aloi in Onondaga County to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and one count of Identity Theft in the First Degree, all Class D felonies. On November 17, 2017, Singleton-Lee was sentenced by the Honorable Matthew J. Doran to 4 2/3 to 14 years in state prison, which consisted of consecutive terms of 2 1/3 to 7 years for his convictions for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and a concurrent term of 1 to 3 years for his conviction for Identity Theft in the First Degree. Singleton-Lee was ordered to pay $100,000 as imposed by confessions of judgment.
Today, Singleton-Lee pleaded guilty in Oneida County Court to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class E felony, before the Honorable Robert L. Bauer. On February 6, 2018, Singleton-Lee will be sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison to run consecutive to his Onondaga County sentence, for a combined sentence of 6 to 18 years in state prison. Singleton-Lee will also be ordered to pay $26,874.27, as imposed by confessions of judgment. 
Simpson was previously convicted of one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree in Schenectady County Court. On November 20, 2017, Simpson was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison by the Honorable Louise K. Sira and was ordered to repay $47,880.64 as imposed by confessions of judgment. 
Green was previously convicted of one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class E felony, in Onondaga County Court before the Honorable Anthony F. Aloi. On October 3, 2017, Green was sentenced by the Honorable Matthew J. Doran to time served and four years’ probation, and ordered to repay $9,900 as imposed by confessions of judgment. 
The Office of the Attorney General thanks the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit and Financial Crimes Unit, the Schenectady Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Utica Police Department for their invaluable assistance on this case.

Senator Jeff Klein announces $50,000 in funding for YMCA of Greater NY


Announcement made at The Bronx YMCA during Family Ties Program Holiday Cooking Class

Senator Jeff Klein announced $50,000 in state funding for the YMCA of Greater NY at The Bronx YMCA Family Ties Program Holiday Cooking Class last Friday night.

The funding will support the Family Ties Program, which is a community engagement program in which parents and their children take part in various activities, including dance, music, crafts and culinary arts.

“New York City’s YMCA is a storied organization that brings together our diverse populations to promote better health and well-being. I’m proud to secure $50,000 in funding for the Y, which will enable my constituents to come together and enjoy fun and engaging activities,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

“The funding for the Family Ties Programs allows this program to exist at the Bronx YMCA.  Family Ties promotes the well-being of children and families in the community through exercise, educational enrichment and healthy eating in a supportive and stable environment. This program also strengthens children and  families relationships and bonds through quality time spend together.  As we all know, strong families create strong communities,” said Sharlene Brown, Executive Director of Bronx YMCA.


Share some Holiday Fun with us at our last event of the year.
Early Bird Prices Extended to December 8th!

Events, Communications & Grants Director
Bronx Chamber of Commerce
"The Network for Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106 Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900

BP DIAZ URGES BRONX RESIDENTS TO APPLY TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY BOARD


  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is inviting Bronx residents to consider joining their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in The Bronx.
 
“Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” stated Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “There are great things happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of community boards. It is important that community residents participate in the decisions that are building and revitalizing our borough, and our community boards are a great place to do so.”
 
In addition, Borough President Diaz is encouraging young people ages 16 and 17 to apply for community board membership. Presently, there are six high school students who have been appointed by the borough president to community boards, and Borough President Diaz is working to ensure that there is a least one youth member per community board.
 
“I believe that the earlier young people become engaged in community affairs and interact with government officials and agencies, the better they will understand government and become active leaders in their communities. It is important to hear the voices of our youth when planning for our neighborhoods,” said Borough President Diaz.
 
Applications are available online at http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/community-boards/. Applications can also be picked up at any Bronx Community Board office, or by calling the Borough President’s Community Board department at (718) 590-3913.
 
The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments isFebruary 9, 2018.

Engel Votes Against H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act


  Congressman Eliot Engel, a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, today spoke out and voted against H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a bill House Republicans pushed through that would force states like New York, with strong gun laws, to honor permits from states with weak or non-existent concealed carry laws. The bill would allow anyone with a permit from any state to carry a concealed, loaded handgun in public.

“This bill is attack on common-sense gun laws across the country. It doesn’t create a national standard, but instead, lets the states with the weakest laws dictate safety standards for everyone else,” Engel said. “Thirty-one states require safety training. Thirty-five states prohibit domestic abusers from carrying concealed weapons. Twenty-seven states prohibit people convicted of violent misdemeanors from carrying concealed weapons. All of these state laws will be overridden if H.R. 38 becomes law.

“It is unconscionable that in the wake of two of the worst mass shootings in modern American history, Republicans are trying to dismantle gun laws. We must fight on behalf of the safety of all Americans and pass comprehensive gun safety laws, not this dangerous bill.

“So much for the Republican mantra of ‘State’s rights.’”
  
For video of Congressman Engel’s remarks in opposition to H.R. 38, please click here.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Senator Ruben Diaz Resignation Letter


December 2,2017

Hon. Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Democratic Conference Leader
188 State Street Room 907
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247

Dear Hon. Andrea Stewart-Cousins:

Please accept this letter as my official resignation as a member of the NYS Senate. This resignation is effective on Sunday, December 31, 2017, at 12:00 midnight.

I am herewith also requesting that you please consider keeping my local senate office open and fully staffed until this vacant position is filled.

This Senate office serves approximately 50 to 60 constituents daily, therefore, the residents of the 32nd district should not be left without the vital services we have faithfully provided them for the past 15 years.

Your consideration and approval of this matter will be highly appreciated by this servant, the stall, and the residents of the 32nd district in the Bronx.

Thank you in advanced.

Rev. ”Rubcn Diaz
Member of the NYS Senate

3rd Annual Blake's Birthday Boogiedown


Dear Friend,
Please join us Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 6 pm to 9 pm for our 3rd Annual Blake's Birthday Boogiedown. You can RSVP here to reserve your tickets today to support us as we continue #BuildingABetterBronx.
Michael
For more information or to RSVP, please email Baba Oloyede atbaba79districtbx@gmail.com.

Councilman Salamanca Provides Takeaway from Today's NYCHA Oversight Hearing


  Today, Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. as a member of the Council Public Housing Committee heard nearly five hours of testimony pertaining to oversight on NYCHA’s compliance with lead paint testing, including the falsification of documents certifying compliance with federal law. He had the following takeaways.
On the falsification of records by NYCHA on compliance with federal law
“Chair Olatoye did nothing to alleviate concerns and bring clarity to the rationale behind why she certified that NYCHA was in compliance with federal regulations despite her knowledge that this was not true.
‘While I am not an attorney, this seems like textbook perjury.  I have lost complete and total faith in Chair Olatoye and the current administration in place at NYCHA, and believe she should resign immediately.”
On the testing, remediation and abatement of lead paint in NYCHA apartments
“I want to echo Chair Torres’ concerns surrounding the testing of units by individuals who did not receive the proper training.

‘NYCHA’s admission that individuals were not properly trained to do all of the needed testing is unbelievable. It immediately brings into question the legitimacy of previous testing, something that should concern all of us.”

On a third-party monitor
“I remain completely convinced that the installation of a third-party monitor, whether it be under the purview of the Department of Investigation, the Southern District or the state of New York, must happen as soon as possible to ensure the proper compliance of lead paint testing and abatement.”
On the new NYCHA compliance officer
“We need real transparency, and that requires that there is the creation a defined schedule in which the new Chief Compliance Officer will publish updates pertaining to the oversight of NYCHA’s regulatory compliance for the Council, tenants and the public.”