DA VANCE, PARTNERS ANNOUNCE TAKEDOWN OF ILLEGAL MONOPOLY THAT DOMINATED TOWING INDUSTRY CITYWIDE

Organized Crime Operation Allegedly Maintained Violent Monopoly in Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, and New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”) Commissioner Mark G. Peters today announced the indictment of multiple individuals and companies for maintaining an unlawful monopoly on the towing industry in New York City through an elaborate series of schemes involving shell companies, insurance fraud, bid rigging, and other crimes. Seventeen individuals and ten companies are charged in a series of New York State Supreme Court indictments with Enterprise Corruption, Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, among other charges. [1] 

“If you were involved in a collision between June 2015 and December 2017 and received assistance from a tow company, chances are, you were an unwitting customer of an illegal enterprise that dominated New York City’s towing industry until our takedown today,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. “In order to ensure fair competition and encourage entrepreneurs to set up shop here in the City, we cannot allow this type of systemic fraud and abuse to persist within any industry. As alleged in this case, the defendants worked in concert to maintain a violent monopoly on the city’s towing business, in the kind of industrywide racket that harkens back to an earlier era. The City may have changed, but in certain trades, pervasive corruption still exists, and I thank our partners, including DOI and the NYPD, for their partnership and assistance with this investigation.”

DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters said: “These defendants exploited the tow truck licensing procedures of New York City to advance their fraud, according to the charges. Intentionally fabricating information to the City and corrupting its procedures is a crime. In partnership, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, NYPD, and DOI will work together to root out corruption and strengthen the procedures governing this industry.”

New York City Sheriff Joseph Fucito said: “It is important for our citizens to have confidence in the integrity of the towing industry that provides so many public safety services for our roadways. The Department of Finance, Office of City Sheriff stands with our partners, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and NYPD to investigate and uncover both criminal activity and unpaid tax liabilities.”

Regional Director of the Northeast Region of the NICB Kevin Gallagher said: “The National Insurance Crime Bureau would like to applaud the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department for their continued efforts in addressing insurance fraud and related crime in New York. The cost of insurance fraud and related crimes is shared by all consumers and it is important that we identify and prosecute those responsible for raising our insurance expenses. This investigation sends a strong message to others who may be contemplating engaging in insurance related crimes. We look forward to our continued partnership with the NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in combating insurance related crimes for all New Yorkers.”

The indictments are the result of a long-term, joint investigation into illegal conduct and fraud in the towing industry by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Rackets Bureau, NYPD Criminal Enterprise Investigations Section (“CEIS”), and DOI, with additional assistance by the NYC Sheriff’s Office, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, and National Insurance Crime Bureau (“NICB”).

The indicted individuals include: JAIME BAUTISTA, JOSEPH CASTILLO, DAVID CONTI, GEORGE COPPOLINO, CARL FAVA, JESUS GARCIA, DOMENICK GENISE, MIGUEL HERNANDEZ, DAUNTE HUFF, MICHAEL MAZZIO, ANGELO MAZZIO, SALVATORE MAZZIO, EDWIN ROIG, DANIEL STEININGER, KAREN STEININGER, NORMAN TEITLER, and MAURECE WIMBERLY. The indicted companies include: APPLE TOWING, INC., AUTHORIZED AUTO BODY, INC., BROADWAY CAR SALON, INC., D&D’S IMPRESSIVE AUTO COLLISION, INC., FACTORY PLUS COLLISION, INC., MIKE’S HEAVY DUTY TOWING, INC., RJN FAMILY ENTERPRISES, INC. D/B/A TABS CONSULTING, INC., SOUTHSIDE COLLISION, INC., SOUTHSIDE COLLISION AND TOWING, INC., and TOW-ARRIFIC, INC.

Daniel Steininger’s Criminal Enterprise 

DANIEL STEININGER, 44, managed a criminal enterprise (the “STEININGER ENTERPRISE”) composed of individuals and corporations that worked together to restrict competition in the towing industry in New York City, maximize auto body work at their shops by fraudulently acquiring tow truck companies and their licenses, and engage in insurance fraud by inflating insurance claims for the work done at the defendants’ auto body shops. The STEININGER ENTERPRISE also colluded with other towing companies to infiltrate additional towing markets for heavy duty towing and New York City’s arterial highway towing program.

Citywide Towing Scheme

In New York City, towing businesses are regulated through a series of operating requirements and service area agreements that include specific licensing rules set out by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (“DCA”), geographic service zones, and rotation programs called the Direct Accident Response Program (“DARP”) and Rotation Tow Program (“ROTOW”). Through these programs, the NYPD maintains a rotating roster of participating companies that are summoned to locations throughout the city to remove disabled vehicles.

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, between June 2015 and December 2017, STEININGER managed a fraudulent monopoly on the towing industry in New York City through a coordinated criminal conspiracy involving his co-defendants, their companies, and the manipulation of towing industry regulations. 

For example, STEININGER, the owner of D&D’S IMPRESSIVE AUTO COLLISION, INC. (“D&D AUTO”), a towing company and auto body repair facility, employed the assistance of NORMAN TEITLER, 74, who acted as a broker and helped the defendant purchase additional towing companies. STEININGER, however, failed to notify DCA about the acquisitions, which would have violated an ownership transfer rule known as “the 10% rule” and require the defendant’s new companies to hold towing licenses for a period of at least one year before becoming re-eligible for DARP participation. Consequently, by purchasing the companies without DCA’s knowledge, STEININGER was able to acquire multiple DARP licenses without qualifying for them, which led to the companies—all of which were controlled by STEININGER—being placed on the same rotating collision response rosters multiple times in different geographic zones.

These companies included TOW-ARRIFIC, INC., which listed STEININGER’s sister, KAREN STEININGER, 38, as president of the company, as well as SOUTHSIDE COLLISION AND TOWING, INC., and SOUTHSIDE COLLISION, INC., which were registered to DAVID CONTI, 44. Both of the tow truck companies were also associated with a number of auto body repair facilities that functioned as fronts within the STEININGER ENTERPRISE’s organization, including AUTHORIZED AUTO BODY, INC., BROADWAY CAR SALON, INC., and FACTORY PLUS COLLISION, INC. As an additional requirement for participation in DARP and ROTOW programs, towing companies must maintain a licensed shop or storage yard within the designated service zone. DAUNTE HUFF, 40, was tasked with ensuring that STEININGER’s various shell companies passed inspections, when in reality, many of these locations lacked staffing, business records, or any of the other statutory requirements for storing vehicles. 

Tow truck drivers who were part of the STEININGER ENTERPRISE also disregarded the rotation programs altogether and engaged in a practice known as “chasing” by monitoring police radio transmissions, identifying collision sites, and racing to the incident location to secure jobs ahead of competitors and before a responding NYPD officer could summon a DARP company to the scene. Occasionally, competitors arrived at a location only to find that one of STEININGER’s associates was already soliciting business from a potential customer, leading to situations in which conflict, violence, and retribution took place.

STEININGER encouraged his drivers to exert their authority in geographic areas controlled by his companies and instructed drivers to “show some force” and “cause a ruckus.” In one instance, driver JAIME BAUTISTA, 35, assaulted a bystander following an altercation with a competitor. In other instances, drivers damaged rival vehicles as a warning or form of retaliation, which was called “blasting” or “booming.” 

In addition to geographic service zones, STEININGER, his co-defendants, and their companies monopolized several types of towing jobs, including large capacity vehicles such as tractor trailers. Because no DARP-equivalent exists for incidents involving heavy duty vehicles, chasing is prevalent, and the first company to arrive on scene typically claims the clean-up and tow job. 

Arterial Towing & Bid Rigging 

STEININGER and his co-defendants also established a fraudulent monopoly on towing jobs involving city highways. Under current regulations, only the exclusive permit holder is allowed to tow a disabled vehicle from a designated highway segment; the contract is not transferrable and subcontracting is not typically permitted. However, MICHAEL MAZZIO, 49, ANGELO MAZZIO, 53, and SALVATORE MAZZIO, 40, who controlled the permits for multiple highway segments, subcontracted collision work to companies controlled by STEININGER and his co-defendants in exchange for a quarterly fee of approximately $20,000 and a portion of the proceeds from resulting insurance claims. This agreement was overseen by CARL FAVA, 58, and GEORGE COPPOLINO, 53.

Later, in 2017, the NYPD formally reopened the bidding process and sought applications from tow truck companies seeking to service multiple highway segments. Working together, the defendants manipulated the application and bidding process to establish a monopoly on arterial towing jobs involving city highways.

For example, DANIEL STEININGER and KAREN STEININGER, as well as their respective companies, D&D AUTO and TOW-ARRIFIC, INC., agreed to submit “competing” applications for control of the same highway segments in order to increase the odds that one of their companies would be awarded a contract. TEITLER and his company, RJN FAMILY ENTERPRISES, INC. d/b/a TABS CONSULTING, INC., also assisted multiple companies with fraudulent application materials. 

Insurance Fraud 

As charged in the indictment, between June 2015 and April 2017, auto body shop managers JOSEPH CASTILLO, 44, MIGUEL HERNANDEZ, 32, EDWIN ROIG, 59, and MAURECE WIMBERLY, 45, participated in the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from insurance companies under the direction of STEININGER and his co-defendant, DOMENICK GENISE, 44, who instructed the managers to inflate insurance claims through fraudulent methods including:

*Charging for additional damage the defendants themselves caused to vehicles after removing a disabled vehicle from a collision site, a practice known as “damage enhancement.” 

• Claiming to perform repairs that were never made. 

• Replacing parts that did not need to be replaced. 

• Claiming that vehicles were towed when, in fact, they were not. 

• Billing insurance companies for new parts that were actually used parts. 

The defendants also fraudulently inflated insurance claims by transporting vehicles directly to STEININGER’S repair facility, D&D AUTO, from FACTORY PLUS COLLISION, INC., in order to receive higher claim rates for labor and materials.

Tax Fraud and Money Laundering

STEININGER, GENISE, BAUTISTA, and CONTI also laundered the proceeds obtained through various schemes by using check cashers to convert insurance claim checks made payable to their companies. The checks represented millions of dollars in collective insurance claims. Both STEININGER and GENISE are also charged with falsely filing personal income tax returns that failed to report this additional income.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Asset Forfeiture Unit is also filing a lawsuit against the indicted defendants seeking the forfeiture of more than $19 million associated with the alleged scheme.

District Attorney Vance thanked the following organizations and individuals for their assistance with the investigation: NYPD CEIS; DOI, and in particular, Special Investigator Anastasia Plakas, First Deputy Inspector General Mary Kozlow, and Inspector General Chin Ho Cheng (DCA), working under the supervision of Associate Commissioner Andrew Brunsden, Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Investigations Susan Lambiase, and First Deputy Commissioner Lesley Brovner; DCA; Geico General Insurance Company; Progressive Casualty Insurance Company; Allstate Insurance Company; State Farm Mutual Automobile Company; Liberty Mutual Insurance; and Metropolitan Property & Casualty Insurance Company.

[1] The charges contained in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

Defendant Information:

DANIEL STEININGER, D.O.B. 12/8/1973 Hempstead, NY

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 4 counts

• Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, a class D felony, 2 counts

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 36 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 4 counts

APPLE TOWING, INC.

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 2 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

AUTHORIZED AUTO BODY, INC.

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

JAIME BAUTISTA, D.O.B. 9/5/1982 Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 2 counts

BROADWAY CAR SALON, INC.

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

JOSEPH CASTILLO, D.O.B. 6/22/1973 Commack, NY

Charged:

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

DAVID CONTI, D.O.B. 3/14/1973 Franklin Square, NY

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 5 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

GEORGE COPPOLINO, D.O.B. 4/22/1964 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 3 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

D&D’S IMPRESSIVE AUTO COLLISION, INC.

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 4 counts

FACTORY PLUS COLLISION, INC.

Charged:

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

CARL FAVA, D.O.B. 1/15/1960 Forked River, NJ

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E Felony, 2 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 3 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

JESUS GARCIA, D.O.B. 4/13/1984 White Plains, NY

Charged:

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 1 count

DOMENICK GENISE, D.O.B. 3/16/1973 Oceanside, NY

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, a class D felony, 2 counts

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E Felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 2 counts

MIGUEL HERNANDEZ, D.O.B. 06/02/1985 Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

DAUNTE HUFF, D.O.B. 7/23/1977 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 4 counts

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 5 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 1 count

ANGELO MAZZIO, D.O.B. 9/2/1964 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 2 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 3 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

MICHAEL MAZZIO, D.O.B. 10/11/1968 or 10/28/1968 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 3 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 3 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

SALVATORE MAZZIO, D.O.B. 5/12/1977 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 2 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 3 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

MIKE’S HEAVY DUTY TOWING, INC.

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 3 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

RJN FAMILY ENTERPRISES, INC. D/B/A TABS CONSULTING, INC.

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 18 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 2 counts

EDWIN ROIG, D.O.B. 3/3/1958 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

SOUTHSIDE COLLISION AND TOWING, INC.

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 3 counts

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 5 counts

KAREN STEININGER, D.O.B. 7/22/1979 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 16 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 2 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

NORMAN TEITLER, D.O.B. 7/30/1943 Staten Island, NY

Charged:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 18 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 2 counts

TOW-ARRIFIC, INC.

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 11 counts

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 2 counts

MAURECE WIMBERLY , D.O.B. 7/8/1972 Queens, NY

Charged:

• Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, 1 count

• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

• Contract or Agreement for Monopoly in Restraint of Trade, 1 count

Upcoming Cultural and Health Events at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center:

Mon. Mar. 5th: New computer class w/Emily Hicks-Rotella at 1 PM. Emily Hicks-Rotella has been teaching technology mindsets and skills for a decade. Emily will be available once a month to help anyone who wants to learn more about technology. She can answer questions and help solve problems. Please call the office 718-549-4700 to pre-register.

Nutritionist A. Jalandoni, RD will present on “Know Your Fats” on Wed. Mar. 7^th at 11:15 AM. Lunch of Shepherd’s Pie (beef/turkey) or salmon salad will be served at 12:15 PM. Suggested senior meal contribution: $2.00 and event donation: $1.00

Thurs. Mar. 8th: Celebrate Purim with Mosholu Montefiore Early Childhood classes at 11:15 AM. A festive lunch of Vegetable soup, pepper steak or breaded sole fillet, brown rice, Asian cabbage and fruit will be served at 12:15 PM followed by a holiday show by Hagit and family at 1 PM. Suggested senior meal contribution: $3.00 and event donation: $2.00. Pre-register for lunch by Mon. Mar. 7^th.

Tues. Mar. 13^th: View an illustrated China travelogue with Cecile Lumer at 1 PM. Lunch menu: Lemon chicken or egg salad served at 12:15 PM. Suggested senior meal contribution: $2.00 and event donation: $1.00.

Wed. Mar. 14th: Film Historian Pierre Montiel will present on Maurice Chevalier at 1 PM. Lunch of Southwest turkey meatloaf or tuna salad, mashed potatoes, kale w/tomato and fruit will be served at 12:15 PM.

Recommended senior meal contribution: $2.00 and event donation: $1.00.

Fri. Mar. 16th: Celebrate St. Patrick's Day w/Willa Bassen’s dynamic guitar/vocals at 1 PM. Festive menu of corned beef or tilaplia Francaise, cabbage, potatoes and fruit will be served at 12:15 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution: $2.00 and event donation: $1.00.

Tues. Mar. 20th: Join us for a sumptuous breakfast: omelette, salsa, bagel, cream cheese and fresh fruit at 9:30 AM. Thea Reznik, RN will provide Healthy Shopping Tips. Pre-register for a shopping trip to Fairway market in Pelham Manor with Cindy in the office: 718-549-4700.

Tues. Mar. 27th: Join our annual Passover Model Seder at 11:30 AM with a festive lunch at 12:30 PM. Lunch menu: appetizer salad plate of gefilte fish, hard-boiled egg, haroset;  honey lemon chicken or sole fillet, roast potatoes, carrot tsimmes and dessert. Debra Kriesberg, clarinetist, and her trio will provide klezmer and popular music after lunch at 1:15 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution is $5.00 and $2.00 for the event. Please call in your meal reservations to the office 718-549-4700 by: Thurs. Mar. 22nd.

Doriana Castro instructs Senior Fitness on Monday mornings at 10:30 AM and Tone & Stretch on Friday mornings at 10 AM.

Movement class with Judy Farnum, certified fitness instructor, will meet on Mon. Mar.12^th, 19th(*Tai Chi/Yoga) and 26th at 3:00 PM.This class combines low impact aerobics with easy-to-follow exercise routines as a fun way to 'get moving' to a wide variety of music including Classic Retro Pop, Latin Rhythms, Global Beats and more! *New more gentle movement class.

New: Tai Chi with Stan Scher, certified instructor, will meet on Tues. Mar. 6th & 20^th at 10:15 PM. Stan has recently taught UFT retired teachers and residents of the Amalgamated. Beginners welcome.

Health & Relaxation w/Kathleen continues on Thurs. Mar.1^st,15^th & 29th at 11 AM. Kathleen, a certified Yoga instructor, integrates Tai Chi and chair Yoga moves and stretches.

Flowing Yoga w/Kathleen will meet on Wed. Mar. 14^th,  21^st & 28^th at 3 PM.

All meals at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center are catered by Mauzone (kosher) Meal Service. We offer a daily alternate choice of main entree. Please call the senior center office to request the alternative meal choice between 9:30 and 10:30 AM. Menu is subject to change. Refreshments are served at all special events.

Note: Continuing and new Health Classes & Activities: Movement plus Tai Chi Yoga Dance, Health & Relaxation, Healthy Cooking demonstrations and Healing mbira Music are funded by a Health Initiative grant from CM Andrew Cohen.

Hold these dates: We have scheduled spring shopping trips to Fairway along with a sumptuous breakfast and healthy tips by Thea on Tues. March 20th, Tues. April 24^th and Wed. June 13th. Pre-registration is required.

We are located on the first floor of the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. Take the Bronx #1, 2 or 10 bus to the intersection of Sedgwick Ave. and Van Cortlandt Ave. West. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700. JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJA- Federation of NY and by special legislative grants from Council Member Andrew Cohen.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave., First Floor 

Bronx, NY 10463

Phone: 718-549-4700

Fax: 718-884-6063

Ms. Sharon Wolfe, Director

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES NEW GROUP SOLAR PURCHASING CAMPAIGN AND CONTINUES TO SPUR ADOPTION CITYWIDE

140 MW of solar online city-wide, with over 60 MW pending; ahead of schedule to meet Mayor’s 1 GW OneNYC solar goal

  To further accelerate adoption of solar energy, the de Blasio administration today announced a new community group purchasing campaign today that will serve the community of Brownsville, Brooklyn.  The campaign is part of Solarize NYC, a citywide program administered by the NYC Solar Partnership and designed to increase adoption of solar in communities that have historically lacked access to clean energy.

“We’re expanding access to solar across the city, and are thrilled to now include Brownsville in our community solar group purchasing program,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Through Solarize and other initiatives, we have already quintupled the solar capacity of New York City. We are well on our way to the goal of reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050, and are building a cleaner, healthier and fairer city for all.”

Solarize NYC campaigns are one of several City-led efforts underway in support of the Mayor’s goal of installing 1 gigawatt of solar capacity citywide by 2030 – enough to power 250,000 homes. Since the start of the de Blasio administration, solar power has more than quintupled, providing more than 140 megawatts (MW) of electricity and directly supporting more than 2,700 jobs across the five boroughs. Another 60MW are in the process of being installed.

For the group purchasing campaign in Brownsville, the NYC Solar Partnership, led by Sustainable CUNY in collaboration with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the NYC Economic Development Corporation, selected Nehemiah Economic Development Inc. (NED). As part of the campaign, the NYC Solar Partnership will work alongside NED and Brownsville community leaders to design a tailored program that will provide group discounts to qualifying residents for solar panels that can power Brownsville with affordable, carbon-free power. The award includes technical assistance from CUNY solar ombudsmen, funding support for staff of NED to lead the campaign, and marketing and outreach plans tailored to the needs of the Brownsville community.

Last spring, the city announced the first round of Solarize NYC campaigns. These launches build upon the success of the 2015 NYSolar Smart Solarize Brooklyn CB6 pilot program, through which 26 contracts were signed for a total of 141 kilowatts of solar power. Overall, Solarize campaigns are expected to lower costs by 10 to 20 percent.

While the latest Solarize NYC campaign is getting up and running in Brownsville, the first community shared solar projects are going live throughout the city. Community shared solar enables renters and others who cannot install solar panels on their own rooftops to subscribe to shares of electric generation from a solar array elsewhere in New York City. Two such projects are now coming online in East New York, featuring more than 1 MW in combined capacity and providing solar energy to more than 200 customers, roughly 50% of whom will be low-to-moderate income New Yorkers. These projects are developed and owned by Daroga Power. Additional community shared solar projects will soon begin operation elsewhere in the city, including two projects from Clean Choice Energy in Brooklyn (one of which currently accepting subscribers), a project by SunPower and Project Economics in Maspeth that is fully subscribed, and several projects by OnForce Solar in the Bronx and Staten Island that will soon accept subscribers. Other community shared solar projects seeking to enroll subscribers are encouraged to emailnysolar@cuny.edu.

“New York City continues to lead the fight against climate change.  We’re lowering greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for rising seas and more intense storms, and taking the fight directly to the fossil fuel interests that have caused this problem,” said Daniel Zarrilli, NYC’s Senior Director for Climate Policy and Programs and Chief Resilience Officer. “Today’s announcement expanding Solarize into Brownsville is one more way that we are leading the charge and helping to build the fairest big city in America.  Thanks to Nehemiah Economic Development Inc. for their partnership as we expand access to clean, affordable solar power across the city.”

“Expanding solar energy in NYC is about more than cheaper and cleaner electricity, it's a powerful emblem that illustrates our City’s commitment to transition to a green economy while becoming a more just city," said Mark Chambers, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli Files Suit Against Wynn Resorts' Board of Directors

Derivative Lawsuit Alleges Board Failed to Protect Company, Employees Against Longstanding Pattern of Sexual Abuse and Harassment

  New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that, as Trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, he has filed a legal action against officers and directors of Wynn Resorts Ltd. The derivative action alleges that certain officers and directors were aware that former CEO Stephen Wynn repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances towards employees and pressured employees to perform sex acts, yet failed to investigate or hold him accountable. 

“These board directors and officers were duty-bound to protect employees and the company, yet they failed to confront allegations of predatory behavior,” DiNapoli said. “We are asking the court to hold accountable the company officers and directors who allowed this behavior to go unchecked. The deeply disturbing revelations underscore that this board was loyal to Mr. Wynn at the expense of the safety of the company's employees and the company’s shareholders.”

A derivative lawsuit allows shareholders to take legal action on behalf of a corporation when the company’s officers or directors have not met their obligations as fiduciaries of the company. Among its requests for relief, DiNapoli’s lawsuit seeks to have Wynn Resorts’ take “necessary actions to enhance the Company’s governance to comply with applicable laws and to protect Wynn Resorts, its employees, and its stockholders from repeating the harms described” in the complaint.

The lawsuit alleges that the Wynn Resorts board knew of serious allegations against Mr. Wynn by, at the latest, March 28, 2016, when those allegations surfaced in litigation involving the company and Elaine Wynn (former board member and Mr. Wynn’s ex-wife). According to the lawsuit, the board’s failure to act on this and other reports of Mr. Wynn’s pattern of sexual abuse and harassment of his employees was a breach of their fiduciary duties to the company. Moreover, because gambling is a heavily regulated industry that requires a showing of “suitability” to obtain and maintain a gaming license, the board’s concealment of allegations against Mr. Wynn puts the company’s gaming licenses in jeopardy.  

Mr. Wynn resigned in response to public pressure following a published report, based on interviews with more than 150 witnesses, which detailed his history of sexual abuse and harassment.  Wynn Resorts’ stock value plummeted in the wake of the revelations and the company faces mounting lawsuits, the possible loss of its gaming licenses, and other legal and regulatory sanctions.  

The full text of the complaint filed in District Court in Clark Co., Nevada can be read here http://osc.state.ny.us/press/docs/wynn-complaint.pdf

As of January 31, 2018 the Fund held 183,800 shares in Wynn Resorts with an estimated value of $30,435,442. The Fund will vote its shares against all incumbents and all insiders nominated to serve on Wynn Resorts’ board at the company’s annual meeting. 

About the New York State Common Retirement Fund 

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is the third largest public pension fund in the United States with estimated assets of $209.1 billion as of Dec. 31, 2017. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. The Fund has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation. The Fund's fiscal year ends March 31, 2018.

TESTIMONY OF BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ JR. ON INTROS. # 608, 609 AND 610.

  My office, in partnership with City Council Member Ritchie Torres and City Council Member Chaim Deutsch, has introduced a package of new legislation designed to prevent catastrophic fires in the wake of December’s tragic fire in the Belmont section of The Bronx, which saw 13 lives lost.

Today we have introduced three bills that would improve fire safety and education, and potentially save lives:

Intro 610 would require owners of buildings with three or more units to provide and properly install approved stove safety devices on all stoves in units where a child or children 10 years or younger reside;

Intro 609 would require the Fire Department, in coordination with the Education Department, to implement a comprehensive plan for educating children and parents about fire safety and prevention

Intro 608 would require landlords to post a notice indicating that those escaping a fire should close all doors behind them.

These bills will help prevent future tragedies, keep our first responders out of harm’s way, and save lives.

On Thursday, December 28, 2017, a fire broke out at 2363 Prospect Avenue in Belmont. It led to 13 deaths, making it the deadliest fire New York City had seen in the past 25 years--since an inferno at the Happy Land social club killed 87 people in 1990. The five-story Belmont building was destroyed.

Investigators found that the fire was started by a three-year-old child playing with the stove in his apartment, and quickly grew out of control.

Just as we require window guards in apartments with young children, we should also require that stoves be made safer through the installation of approved safety devices. This tragic fire could have been prevented, had this young child been unable to tamper with the knob of the stove in his apartment. The flames spread quickly, in part because, as the boy's mother fled the burning apartment she left the door open.

For a small investment of just a few dollars per stove, we can prevent children from easily tampering with a knob and accidentally causing a fire. We can also educate families to close the door behind them if they are escaping a fire, in order to prevent the fire from spreading and to protect their neighbors. Additionally, we can do more to educate children and families on fire safety and prevention.

This is critical legislation that will protect our families, our neighbors, and keep our fire department and other first responders safe in an emergency.

One of the 13 people who died in this fire was PFC. Emmanuel Mensah. PFC. Mensah lived in this building, and was found dead in an apartment that was not his own. He was trying to rescue his neighbors, and he succumbed to the blaze.

There are many ways we can honor his memory, and preventing future tragedies is one of them. I thank Council Members Torres and Deutsch for their partnership on this legislation and for introducing these bills at my behest, and I look forward to seeing these three laws, which directly address the causes of deadly disasters like this, passed.

BP Diaz & The Shadow League Co-Host Screening of "Black Panther" For Bronx Students & Their Families

  On Friday, February 16, 2018, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., along with The Shadow League, co-hosted a screening of Marvel Studios’ "Black Panther," for volunteers from the Bronx Youth Corps and Bronx Fathers Taking Action group.

 

"This is a grand gesture by TheShadowLeague.com and we appreciate their thoughtfulness and we are very appreciative they made this screening happen," saidBronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "It is not coincidence that 'Black Panther' came out during Black History Month. This movie shows Hollywood that they do not have to be handcuffed by recycled stereotypes, that there are positive stories that can be told about the African-Americans experience and the African diaspora. While Black Panther and Wakanda are fictional, the movie celebrates where we came from, acknowledging the struggles we face and the importance of working together to keep on pushing towards a better future."

 

"Black Panther" is based off of the comic book series created by the iconic Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, in 1966. The movie has far exceeded box office expectations, raking in $704 million worldwide, and is already the fifth-highest grossing Marvel Comic Universe (MCU) film ever. "Black Panther" debuted in over 4,020 North American locations, shattering the previous Presidents Day weekend record of $152 million, set in 2016 by "Deadpool." Globally, "Black Panther" also had a "cross-nation release" in Africa, a first for any Disney film.

 

Launched in 2012, by media veteran Keith Clinkscales, The Shadow League was the first multi-media company dedicated to sports and pop culture journalism fueled by a distinct cultural perspective.

 

"We were thrilled to work with the Bronx Borough President's Office to bring Wakanda to the Bronx," Yussuf Khan, GM/SVP of The Shadow League. "Having the opportunity to interact with members of the Bronx Fathers Initiative, Bronx Youth Corps and their families and see their reactions to 'Black Panther' was amazing and we are honored to have made the experience a reality."

‘The New Flint’: Scathing report on NYCHA compares crisis to Michigan’s failures, surveys NYCHA residents on lead problems

IDC proposes comprehensive package of legislation to address major crisis facing NYCHA tenants

The Independent Democratic Conference on Monday released a bombshell report, “The New Flint,” comparing the lead crisis facing tenants of the New York City Housing Authority with the lead crisis that captivated a nation in Flint, Michigan. Along with a new survey of NYCHA residents on lead paint, the senators also unveiled a comprehensive package of legislation to protect residents from the failures of the Authority.

NYCHA houses 396,581 authorized residents nearly four times as many people as the city of Flint, Michigan with a population of 98,900. Despite the size of its population, the Authority’s admission of its failure to follow the law, no real action has been taken to cure the problems facing NYCHA tenants.

Alarmingly, despite NYCHA Chairwoman Shola Olatoye’s admission that lead paint inspection certifications were falsified, residents reported through an IDC survey that problems persist:

79% of residents said NYCHA did nothing when lead paint was discovered in their apartments

80% had children whose children’s blood-lead levels have not been tested

54% called NYCHA for repairs, but are still waiting in excess of a month for repairs

63% indicate their apartment has peeling or chipped paint

Over 82% said NYCHA did nothing to educate them about lead paint

“NYCHA is the new Flint, and we need to step up and protect tenants from the negligence of the Authority. Residents are in serious danger, especially children, if we do not take action now. The Independent Democratic Conference today unveiled a legislative package to protect nearly 400,000 tenants from the consistent mismanagement they face,” said Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).

“Every child growing up in NYCHA housing deserves to be free from lead poisoning. Every parent raising a family in NYCHA housing deserves to know that their apartment is not poisoning them. As someone who grew up in NYCHA housing myself, I know it is our duty to ensure NYCHA lives up to its responsibilities to every NYCHA resident. ‘The New Flint’ report we release today outlines the public health menace NYCHA created by its failures. Today, I stand with colleagues in advancing steps to combat these dangers – the serious danger a developmental neurotoxin poses to our community’s children. Today, I stand with colleagues to restore peace of mind to these families. And today, I stand with colleagues to ensure this type of crisis is never repeated,” said Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Brooklyn).

“This survey indicates what we have been hearing around the City from the 400,000 NYCHA residents daily: action is desperately needed. No parent should live in fear that their young child has been exposed to lead paint in the home, especially if we are unable to grasp how widespread the severity of this failure on NYCHA's behalf,” said Senator Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn).

“Considering the more than 400,000 people who live in NYCHA apartments and the falsification of lead inspection reports by NYCHA officials, it is entirely justified to compare the situation to that of Flint, Michigan. The inhabitants of NYCHA have a right to know when lead is found in their homes and the administration of NYCHA has a responsibility to comprehensively track and quickly deal with any lead problems. Lead poisoning is irreversible and lifelong, and we owe it to New York’s families to empower them to protect their children from the scourge of lead paint,” said Senator Marisol Alcantara (D-Manhattan).

“NYCHA residents should not be treated as second class citizens. I was alarmed when news reports surfaced indicating that the City had stopped inspecting lead-paint presence in their housing units, putting people’s lives in danger. In fact, according to published reports, NYCHA residents were exposed to lead paint. This is inconceivable. We must ensure NYCHA tenants are protected from lead paint exposure and other hazards,” said Senator Jose Peralta (D-Queens).

“It is shameful that the Mayor and the City of New York would put the health of so many people in danger but it is an absolute disgrace that the City would struggle to do the bare minimum to remedy any of the problems. When 79% of people respond to a survey saying that the City knew that lead paint was present in their home but did nothing about it, you have a very serious crisis on your hands. Our City cannot continue to put over 170,000 New York families living in NYCHA buildings in hazardous conditions and not answer to anybody. That is why I am proud to stand with my IDC colleagues to propose real solutions that will protect vulnerable children and give tenants across the City a voice,” said Senator Tony Avella (D-Queens)

“I know firsthand the deplorable conditions that far too many NYCHA residents face on a daily basis. Nobody has highlighted the lead-based paint, heating and mold issues that plague our developments more than Senator Klein and the IDC. I commend these common-sense proposals brought forth today that can affect real change and improve the quality of life for all NYCHA residents,” said Monique Johnson, President of Throggs Neck Resident Council.

"NYCHA needs both an infusion of money and oversight that ensures NYCHA residents that funds will be properly utilized to fix our homes so that these buildings are available to the next generation of New Yorkers. These bills start that process by allowing residents to access 311 to report repairs to HPD and oversight for money investments." said Maria Pacheco (UPACA 6 resident, member Community Voices Heard).

Over the years, the IDC issued numerous reports exposing NYCHA as the “city’s worst landlord,” showing problems with mold remediation, leaking roofs and peeling paint. The IDC lead the charge to invest $100 million, the first state funding in nearly a decade, to pay for serious repairs. But, the neglect continued without any transparency or oversight of the agency’s officials.

These problems will only be exacerbated by federal cuts to HUD and public housing authorities. In New York this could translate to a $466 million loss in operating funds for NYCHA and $346 million less from HUD’s budget.

The IDC laid out a package of legislation to clean-up NYCHA’s act and protect tenants:

Requiring 311 to accept NYCHA complaints - Currently NYHCA complaints are fielded directly by NYCHA and there is no public record or accountability. Requiring 311 to take and track complaints would provide transparency and allow residents to better track action.

An Independent NYCHA Monitor - Now more than ever, it is clear that NYCHA cannot be left to oversee its own operations. An independent NYCHA Monitor would be a watchdog who would ensure money invested in public housing in spent appropriately and report to the state.

City Council oversight - The New York City Council should be empowered to get the information they seek from NYCHA when their members request it.

The Repair Certificate Program - With buildings in dire need of repair, we need experienced developers to make quality, expedited fixes. In exchange experts would receive zoning bonuses for other projects.

Lead Based Paint Reports - This legislation would require NYCHA to submit lead based paint reports to the legislature, which would include valuable information on lead paint inspections by the authority.  

Property tax abatements for lead removal - This legislation incentivizes the removal of lead paint from buildings by providing owners with a tax abatement to keep their tenants safe.

Mandatory lead screening for children - This legislation would require children to be screened for lead when they enter kindergarten, second or fourth grade.

Follow-ups for children who test for elevated blood levels - Primary care physicians would be required to conduct follow-up tests to monitor blood lead levels if a child tests for elevated lead levels. In addition, the state must ensure there is a full environmental review of the child’s home if elevated blood lead levels are found.

The Occupant Protection Plan - Buildings inspected between 2012 and 2018 would have to be re-inspected for lead paint. All buildings constructing in 1978 or earlier would have to develop plans to protect occupants from the hazards of lead paint.

Senator Jeff Klein's Black History Month Celebration

Senator Jeff Klein's Black History Month Celebration

Four-hundred people were in attendance at State Senator Jeff Klein's Black History Celebration held at Villa Barone. After a hearty breakfast the program began with Senator Klein and Dwayne Gathers (President of the Bronx Veterans Mentors) reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthems were sung by Evangelist Michelle Lindsay, followed by the Invocation by Pastor Jay Goodings of the Fellowship Tabernacle Church of God and Christ.

Above Left - Senator Klein greets some guests.
Above Right - Senator Klein and Mr. Dwayne Gathers during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Below Left - Senator Klein with Pastor Goodings during the Invocation.
Below Right - Councilman Mark Gjonaj was in attendance with the Democratic candidate to replace him in the 80th A.D. special election Ms. Nathalia Fernandez. Also seated at the table next to Councilman Gjonaj is current Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda who is the Democratic candidate ffor the 32nd Senate District special election to replace former State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who was elected to the City Council.

Senator Klein then introduced Councilman Mark Gjonaj from the 13^th City Council District. Senator Klein also called up current Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda who is the Democratic candidate in the upcoming April 24^th special election to fill the vacant 32^nd State Senate seat left by now Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. Senator Klein also called up Ms. Nathalia Fernandez the Democratic candidate for the vacant 80^th A.D. seat left by now Councilman Mark Gjonaj.

As the program continued Senator Klein called up his Keynote speaker Ms. Bertha Lewis the founder of ACORN. Ms. Lewis said that there are still twenty-five active chapters of ACORN in twenty-five states. The outspoken Ms. Lewis continued by saying 'Your going to enslave my people, and only give us one month for Black History”?

Ms. Lewis went on to say that through 'Power Rising' there is organizing in the Atlanta area. She mentioned the Democratic Party in a way that seemed to sound as though she wanted a third party, adding that black people will soon be the majority in this country. It was a very powerful speech which received a standing ovation when she finished.

Above Left - Ms. Bertha Lewis of President and Founder of the Black Institute was the Keynote speaker.
Above Right - Ms. Lewis poses with Senator Klein, and puts up the famous Bronx X of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Below Left - Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson also spoke at the event.
Below Right - Could State Senator Luis Sepulveda (if he is elected) become the ninth member of Senator Klein's Independent Democratic Conference?

The seven honorees were, Mr. Michael Barnes, Founder of C.A.L.F. Industries (Courageous Athletic Leaders Forever). Deputy Inspector Benjamin Gurley, Commanding Officer of the 43^rd Precinct. Ms. Stephanie Hill Commnity Organizer and Activist. Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District. Ms. Katherine Hamm Principal of P.S. 107. Mr/ Larry Robinson, Chair Bronx Community Board #2's Youth Services Committee. Ms. Madge Leanna Holsey Shaw, Community Activist and Educational Advocate.