Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrests Of Operators Of Multi-State Prostitution Ring

Operators based in Flushing conspired to transport women to multiple states for prostitution

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New York (“HSI”), announced today the arrest of GUI YOU WU, a/k/a “David, a/k/a “Michael,” YOUMEI CHEN, a/k/a “Ah Mei,” a/k/a “You Mei Chen,” GUIXIA WU, and HONG ZHONG, a/k/a “5023,” a/k/a “023,” stemming from a conspiracy to engage in the interstate trafficking of women, primarily Chinese nationals, for the purposes of prostitution.  GUIXIA WU was arrested in Bronxville, New York, and the other three defendants were arrested in Flushing this morning.  They will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison in White Plains federal court.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants promoted and managed a multi-state prostitution business through an extensive network of operators who worked in different locations to advertise and facilitate prostitution.  These defendants then allegedly raked in millions dollars from their illegal and exploitive activities.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney said:  “Prostitution is a serious and harmful offense. And, in some cases prostitution can serve as a gateway for criminals with direct connections to human trafficking, organized crime, and other illegal activities. The migratory nature of these crimes makes it critical for law enforcement entities to work together to tackle this widespread dilemma. We will continue to support our law enforcement partners who play a critical role in combating this type of criminal activity.” 

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “For years these individuals allegedly used women as a commodity, selling them for sex and transporting the women from hotel to motel and state to state.  For those who choose trafficking of people as a profession, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, and you will face the consequences of your actions.”

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

Between about 2013 and 2017, GUI YOU WU was the manager of a business engaged in the interstate trafficking of women, primarily Chinese nationals, for the purposes of prostitution (the “Prostitution Business”).  As part of the Prostitution Business, GUI YOU WU and others transported women for the purposes of prostitution to and from hotels and motels in multiple states, including New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, Missouri, and elsewhere, by means of vehicles and through the purchase of airline tickets. 

The Prostitution Business recruited customers through the placement and purchase of advertisements for escort services on classified websites such as Backpage.com.  CHEN, GUIXIA WU, and ZHONG assisted GUI YOU WU in the promotion and management of the Prostitution Business through, among other things, payment for hotels and other business expenses, placement of advertisements, coordination of travel, communication with women working as prostitutes, and the movement and receipt of proceeds from the Prostitution Business. 

GUI YOU WU also employed several individuals, including ZHONG, as telephone operators for the Prostitution Business (the “Operators”).  The Operators placed advertisements to recruit customers for the Prostitution Business and used cellphones to coordinate between the customers and the prostitutes.

GUI YOU WU, 46, of Flushing, CHEN, 51, of Flushing, GUIXIA WU, 49, of Bronxville, and ZHONG, 37, of Flushing, are each charged with one count of conspiring to violate the Mann Act and the Travel Act by conspiring to transport an individual or individuals in interstate commerce with the intent that such persons engage in prostitution, or any sexual activity for which a person can be charged with a criminal offense, and by traveling in interstate commerce or causing someone else to travel in interstate commerce or using or causing to be used the mail and facilities in interstate and foreign commerce, with the intent to promote, manage, establish, carry on, and facilitate unlawful prostitution and promotion of prostitution, which carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  GUI YOU WU is also charged with violating the Mann Act by knowingly transporting an individual in interstate commerce with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution and sexual activity on or about February 25, 2016, which carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The statutory maximum potential 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.

Any individuals who believe they have information that may be relevant to the investigation should contact the FBI at 212-384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

Mr. Berman praised the work of the FBI and HSI and thanked the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation.  He added that the investigation is continuing.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

Attorney General Schneiderman To Lead Multistate Lawsuit To Preserve Fair And Accurate Census

  New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that he will lead a multistate lawsuit to preserve a fair and accurate Census.

Attorney General Schneiderman released the following statement:

“A fair and accurate count of all people in America is one of the federal government's most solemn constitutional obligations. The Trump Administration's reckless decision to suddenly abandon nearly 70 years of practice by demanding to know the citizenship status of each resident counted cuts to the heart of this sacred obligation – and will create an environment of fear and distrust in immigrant communities that would make impossible both an accurate Census and the fair distribution of federal tax dollars.

This move directly targets states like New York that have large, thriving immigrant populations – threatening billions of dollars in federal funding for New York as well as fair representation in Congress and the Electoral College.

My office will lead a multi-state lawsuit to protect New Yorkers, preserve a fair and accurate Census, and hold the Trump Administration accountable for violating both the 14th Amendment and the Enumeration Clause of the United States Constitution.”

Earlier this year, Attorney General Schneiderman led a coalition of Attorneys General in opposing the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

A.G. Schneiderman Leads Coalition Of 19 AGs Opposing Trump Administration's Attempt To Give Entities A License To Discriminate In Health Care

HHS Proposed Rule Seeks to Expand Ability of Businesses and Individuals to Refuse to Provide Necessary Health Care on the Basis of Their “Religious, Moral, Ethical, or Other” Beliefs

  New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, leading a coalition of 19 Attorneys General, filed comments opposing the Trump Department of Health and Human Services’ Proposed Rule, which seeks to dramatically expand the ability of businesses and individuals to refuse to provide necessary health care on the basis of businesses' or employees’ “religious, moral, ethical, or other beliefs.” 

“At a time when many New Yorkers and Americans are struggling to access decent health care, the Trump administration is trying to put ideology before patient safety and care – under the guise of religious freedom,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “The law is clear, providing a time-tested, established framework that balances respect for religious freedom with the rights and needs of patients, employers, and states.”

The Trump administration proposes to unlawfully expand purposefully narrow existing protections, without consideration of the consequences. For example, the rule would allow businesses, including employers, to object to providing insurance coverage for procedures they consider objectionable. The rule would also allow individual health care personnel to object to informing patients about their medical options or referring them to providers of those options. Finally, the rule would impose particularly enormous burdens on marginalized patients, including LGBT patients, who already confront discrimination in obtaining health care. 

Placing the objections of businesses and health care workers above patient safety and care violates existing federal and state laws and undermines state public health efforts to ensure access to care. Additionally, the Proposed Rule unconstitutionally seeks to coerce the States’ compliance with its unlawful requirements by threatening to terminate billions of dollars in federal health care funding if HHS determines that the States have failed—or even “threatened” to fail—to comply with the rule.  

Because HHS’s proposed rule would increase the risk of harm to patients and be inconsistent with the text of several federal and state laws and the Constitution, the Attorneys General are urging that the Proposed Rule be withdrawn. 

Click here to read the comments, which were submitted by the Attorneys General of New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

DOI Statement on NYPD's Response to Our Findings on NYPD's Special Victims Division - Adult Sex Crimes

The City of New York Department of Investigation 

MARK G. PETERS COMMISSIONER

  DOI’s Report on NYPD’s Special Victims Division (SVD) is evidence based. It relies on the NYPD’s own documents, which are attached to the report, as well as interviews with the most senior person in charge of SVD, Deputy Chief Michael Osgood, Commanding Officer of SVD, who has been running the unit since 2011. In addition, DOI spoke with other SVD supervisors, senior sex crimes prosecutors in all five District Attorney’s offices, numerous recent retirees of SVD and all major victim advocates in New York City. Furthermore, we shared the report with and requested comment from Commissioner O’Neill nearly two weeks ago.

 NYPD’s statement inaccurately notes two numbers: 

1: In 2017, the average caseload of an SVD investigator was 77 (not 62). The 77 number is based on NYPD’s own documentation. (Homicide detectives average two cases per year). 

2: The number of detectives assigned to actively investigate adult sex crimes is 67 (not 85) and the NYPD did not dispute that number last Friday when we discussed the report with NYPD officials. (NYPD has a total of 3,000 detectives).

  The report does not dispute the survivor-centered model or FETI. In fact, we commend these initiatives in our report. 

 DOI’s report demonstrates this: more needs to be done to properly respond to victims of adult sex crimes. The NYPD’s refusal to recognize this presents additional barriers to sex crimes victims in their pursuit of justice.

CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT CALLS FOUL ON U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S DECISION TO ADD CITIZENSHIP QUESTION TO 2020 CENSUS

 Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Census Bureau’s decision to add a question regarding citizenship to the 2020 Census.

“I am deeply concerned following the decision by the Trump Administration and U.S. Census Bureau to add a new citizenship question to the 2020 Census. By doing so, at the request of the Department of Justice and without proper review, this undermines the accuracy and reliability of the 2020 Census.

“I call on the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to formally object to the inclusion of this outdated and hazardous question. Including a citizenship question on the full Census, an action last done in the 1950s, will drive people underground. Asking respondents their citizenship status is unnecessary and harms the reliability and accuracy of the Census by drastically reducing the response rate, particularly among the already undercounted minority and immigrant communities. In an effort to conduct a fair and accurate Census, we must ensure the questions are appropriate and meaningful.

“The Constitutionally-mandated Decennial Census is one of the most consequential responsibilities of our federal government. The Census is the backbone of a fair and fully representative government, utilized to determine how funding and resources are allocated to Congressional districts around the nation.

“The Census is how our voices are counted, and the decision to add a new citizenship question creates fear, intimidation and removes the voices of millions of individuals from representation from the federal government. I promise to continue fighting to ensure that my constituents are counted and the diversity and inclusion within our communities are represented fairly, accurately and without interference by the divisive Trump Administration and hate based proposals being put forth.”

In a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau, Congressman Espaillat expressed early concerns regarding the 2020 Census and called for accurate reporting.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, NYC BUSINESS & LABOR LEADERS DENOUNCE TRUMP PUSH TO ADD CITIZENSHIP QUESTION TO 2020 CENSUS

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Association for a Better New York today warned that the decision by the Trump administration to add a citizenship question, asking every family in America about their immigration status, to the 2020 Census will have a serious, negative impact on New York City.  The question is likely to depress response rates among immigrant communities and result in an inaccurate count that will hurt New York State’s representation and federal funding, and, fundamentally, our American democracy.

"New York City is joining Attorney General Schneiderman’s lawsuit to stop President Trump from this unprecedented move to politicize the census. A fair and accurate 2020 count is constitutionally mandated to ensure political power and resources remain with the people – where they belong. President Trump’s decision puts our amazing city of immigrants in jeopardy and threatens federal funding for infrastructure, health care and public safety in New York,” said Mayor de Blasio. 

“The citizenship question undermines an accurate census for all America. It stokes fear, increases the likelihood of a false count, and unfairly harms cities and states like New York where immigrants are a deep and important part of the fabric,” said Steven Rubenstein, Chairman of the Association for a Better New York. “We urge Secretary Ross to reconsider this damaging decision that will further discourage these already hard to count populations from participating.”

With a population of 8.6 million people, New York City is the most populous and ethnically diverse city in the United States. Two hundred languages are spoken in the five boroughs and more than 3 million of the city’s residents were born in other countries. New York has the largest Latino, Caribbean, Asian, and African populations of any American City. Our diversity is a hallmark of our strength.

The addition of a citizenship question to the short-form Census for the first time since 1950 could reduce participation in the Census from all immigrants, regardless of their immigration status.

Before the administration decided to add this politically-charged question in to the decennial count, the challenges faced by the 2020 Census were already enormous. That is due to highly charged anti-immigrant rhetoric coming out of Trump administration and internet security breaches which have dominated the headlines.

The decennial census count determines representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, is used to draw political district at federal, state, and local levels, and affects the flow of billions of dollars in federal funds to the State and City. An inaccurate count is also bad for business, as many companies use census data to locate stores and allocate resources.

The flow of dollars to New York State and, by extension New York City, from the federal government is also affected by the census count. An undercount shortchanges the city, hurting its ability to provide affordable housing, maintain infrastructure, and provide for the needs of residents in the areas of education and health, especially related to the well-being of children. These are services that residents of all creeds, nationalities, and economic class use on a daily basis.

The decision to include a question about a family’s immigration status is a bipartisan issue. It will hurt all immigrant-heavy states, including Florida, California, Texas and Arizona. Earlier this year, the United States Conference of Mayors, with more than 160 mayors across the political spectrum issued a letter calling on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to reject a push to include a citizenship question in the 2020 Census. Civil rights advocates have also raised alarms over the question.

The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the United States Code, which means personal information provided for the Census cannot be published, shared or even given to any other government agency. Despite that, the City and ABNY remain highly concerned that the citizenship question will depress participation in the 2020 Census and so do immense harm the City, the State and Country.

The removal of this question is necessary to protect an accurate count and a correct reapportionment of federal representation and dollars to New York and other affected states throughout the nation. The City will continue its advocacy against deleterious changes, including a citizenship question, to the 2020 Census.

“The Trump Administration’s claim that adding a citizenship question to the census will protect voting rights is preposterous and hardly conceals their true intent. This is plain and simple another attack on immigrant communities,” said Bitta Mostofi, Acting Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “As federal administrations have acknowledged for the better part of a century, an accurate count of every person ensures an equitable distribution of resources for critical services, like housing and health care. We will continue to fight changes like these that aim to distort our democracy and enflame fears among immigrant New Yorkers.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS LEGISLATION EXTENDING RENT STABILIZATION LAWS

The law affirms NYC is in a housing emergency, extends rent stabilization to 2021

  Mayor de Blasio today signed legislation that affirms New York City remains in a housing emergency and extends rent regulation laws for three years, through April 1, 2021. The City law is based on the 2017 Housing and Vacancy Survey, which shows a 3.63% vacancy rate.

A vacancy rate below 5% allows the State rent regulation laws to continue to be effective in New York City. Conducted roughly every three years since 1965, the survey is used to measure the rental vacancy rate and housing stock for the five boroughs of New York City.

As rent regulation comes up for renewal in Albany next year, the de Blasio administration will fight for vital reforms to retain the stock of rent stabilized apartments, ensure current tenants are secure in their homes, and protect the benefits of rent stabilization for future tenants. Those reforms include:

·         End High-Rent Vacancy Decontrol: The City is calling for the elimination of vacancy decontrol. Currently, a vacant apartment with a rent of $2,733.75 per month may be deregulated.

·         End the Vacancy Allowance: The City is calling for the elimination of the 20 percent increase in monthly rent when tenants vacate an apartment. This allowance has created strong incentives for bad actors to pressure tenants out of their homes in the hopes of faster-rising rents.

·         Limit  Individual Apartment Improvement (IAI) and Major Capital Improvement (MCI) Increases: The City is calling for limits on how landlords can use permanent rent increases for building-wide or individual apartments. These increases are utilized as a mechanism for driving up legal rents to reach the threshold for rent deregulation.

“Reforming our State’s rent laws is a top priority. As we continue to invest to produce historic levels of affordable apartments housing, we must also protect New York tenants from illegal  harassment by landlords looking to push them out to charge higher, but illegal, rent. The status quo is unacceptable,” Mayor de Blasio said.

“The latest HVS data confirm that New York City continues to face an affordability crisis driven by rising rents. That is why this administration expanded and accelerated the housing plan to secure 300,000 affordable homes by 2026, and why we are now extending the rent regulation laws in New York City that are so critical to protecting our residents. I thank the Mayor and the City Council for their leadership in fighting for stronger rent laws to shield tenants from harassment and displacement and safeguard the stock of low-cost housing necessary to preserve the affordability of neighborhoods,” said HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer.

“Rent regulation is the most critical tool we have for maintaining affordable housing in New York City. Today, we are taking the first step by renewing the finding that we are still in a housing crisis, so the State can extend rent regulation for another three years. This year’s Housing Vacancy Survey results are staggering and show that it is necessary for the City to extend rent regulation, and we will continue to work on legislation that protects tenants and we will continue to increase opportunities to access affordable housing. I thank Housing and Buildings Committee Chair Robert Cornegy for his support on this crucial legislation,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL

Engel Marks 8^th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement:

“It was my privilege to help craft the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and vote for its passage. In the eight years since it was signed into law, we’ve seen millions gain insurance coverage, new consumer protections codified, and essential services guaranteed for the first time, ensuring Americans get premium value for their dollars.

“But on top of that, we’ve seen the idea that health care is a right, not a privilege, face test after test and prevail every time. We have defeated Republicans’ incessant attempts to repeal the ACA, and have met head on the challenges posed by the Trump Administration. More than 4.3 million New Yorkers signed up for health care coverage during the most recent enrollment period – 700,000 more than in 2017, despite the Administration’s repeated attempts to sabotage the process.

“Now, it’s time to finish the work we started with the ACA. We must fight the Trump Administration’s insidious ploy to take away quality coverage by letting junk plans proliferate. We must reject policies like Medicaid work requirements that do nothing to bring care to those who need it. And we must once and for all commit ourselves fully to truly universal health care by passing H.R. 676, the Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act.”

Engel Fights Opioid Crisis With New Legislation

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, participated in a two-day subcommittee hearing this week examining solutions to the opioid crisis. The subcommittee considered more than two dozen bills, including two co-authored by Congressman Engel: H.R. 5272, the Reinforcing Evidence-Based Standards Under Law in Treating Substance Abuse (RESULTS) Act, and H.R. 5329, the Poison Center Network Enhancement Act.

The RESULTS Act, co-led by Congressman Engel and Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH), would ensure that federal grants intended to treat mental health and substance use disorders fund activities that are backed by sound evidence. The legislation also ensures stakeholders have the necessary tools to emulate successful programs in their communities.

The committee also considered the Poison Center Network Enhancement Act, legislation co-led by Congressman Engel and Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-IN). This bill will reauthorize the nation’s poison center program for an additional five years. Since 2011, U.S. poison centers have handled nearly 200 cases per day involving opioid misuse. Poison center experts have also helped detect trends in the epidemic and educated Americans about the crisis. This bill would ensure these activities continue. Congressman Engel co-authored the last poison center reauthorization, the Poison Center Network Act (P.L. 113-77), which was signed into law in 2014.

“More action is needed to turn the tide on the opioid crisis, which is why I have co-authored these two bipartisan bills,” Engel said. “Too many of our friends and neighbors have been touched by this heartbreaking crisis. In Westchester County, 124 people died due to opioids in 2016. In the Bronx, more New Yorkers died of overdoses than in any other borough. This has to stop.

“I hope that the solutions I’ve sponsored can help bring this public health emergency to an end – but the Trump Administration must act, too. Medicaid and the protections guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act have helped Americans grappling with substance use disorders get the treatment they need. If the Trump Administration is serious about ending the opioid epidemic, the attacks on these lifelines must end.”