MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NYC SECURE, THE CITY’S FIRST-EVER CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVE TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS ONLINE

Free smartphone app to launch this summer and new security for public Wi-Fi networks deploying now

  Mayor de Blasio today announced the launch of NYC Secure, a pioneering cybersecurity initiative aimed at protecting New Yorkers online. Using a steadily evolving suite of solutions, NYC Secure will defend New Yorkers from malicious cyber activity on mobile devices, across public Wi-Fi networks, and beyond. The first NYC Secure programs will include a free City-sponsored smartphone protection app that, when installed, will issue warnings to users when suspicious activity is detected on their mobile devices. The City additionally announced new world-class protection for its public Wi-Fi networks, becoming the first city in the world to provide such services to all residents and visitors free of charge.

NYC Cyber Command (NYC3), which leads the City of New York’s cyber defense efforts, is overseeing the development and implementation of NYC Secure. Created in 2017 by Executive Order, NYC Cyber Command directs citywide cyber defense and incident response, mitigates cyber threats, and provides guidance to the Mayor and City agencies. Using the latest technologies and leveraging public-private partnerships, NYC Cyber Command works across more than 100 agencies and offices to protect, detect, respond, and recover from threats while setting citywide information security policies and standards.

“Our streets are already the safest of any big city in the country – now we’re bringing that same commitment to protecting New Yorkers into cyberspace,” said Mayor de Blasio. “New Yorkers manage so much of their lives online, from paying bills to applying for jobs to engaging with government. NYC Secure will ensure that we’re applying the best and most effective protection efforts to help New Yorkers defend themselves online.”

“In order to stay a step ahead of cyber criminals that are continuously finding new ways to hack devices, we must invest in the safety of the digital lives of our residents,” said Geoff Brown, Citywide Chief Information Security Officer and Head of NYC Cyber Command. “While no individual is immune to cybersecurity threats, this program will add an extra layer of security to personal devices that often house a huge amount of sensitive data.”

“I salute Mayor de Blasio for NYC Secure.  The City of New York has long been a progressive model for the nation in providing services for its people.  Now, through his innovative leadership in cybersecurity, Bill has placed New York at the forefront of great cities in an area of national urgency. I salute Mayor de Blasio and his administration for this important cybersecurity initiative,” said Jeh Johnson, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

The City’s initiative to get a free smartphone protection app into the hands of the public is in response to a dramatic increase in the use of mobile phones to connect to the internet. In early 2017, mobile phones accounted for 50% of web traffic, and the average U.S. user spends over 5 hours a day on their smartphone. Despite this significant growth in use, most mobile phones remain vulnerable to hackers. Gartner estimates that by 2020, 30% of all cyberattacks will be mobile-based.

The app, which will be available free to all New Yorkers this summer, will help minimize these risks by identifying malicious attacks and warning users of attempts to compromise their device. Users will receive recommended steps to protect themselves, such as disconnecting from a malicious Wi-Fi network, navigating away from a compromised website, or uninstalling a malicious app. The app will not take actions on the phone by itself.

The City-sponsored app will equip mobile devices with the technology needed to analyze threats while operating under a strict privacy policy and layers of technical controls that ensure user privacy is respected. The app works without accessing any personally identifiable information, and will not collect or transmit any private data. Similar technology available commercially typically checks for threats by collecting data from a mobile device and analyzing it externally in the cloud--meaning users must sacrifice the privacy of their data to secure their devices. That is not the case with the City-sponsored application.

The City will additionally strengthen its own Wi-Fi networks by implementing a new layer of security. This innovative technology will protect users browsing the Internet on City guest wireless networks from downloading malicious software such as ransomware, or accessing phishing websites that attempt to trick users into providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details. The technology defends browsing sessions without using or storing any personally identifiable information, while adhering to the highest standards of user privacy.

NYC Cyber Command has mandated the deployment of the technology across all “Guest” and public Wi-Fi networks provided by New York City agencies and related entities by the end of the year. Eighteen agencies and offices are already utilizing the protection for their internal networks, and the remainder of internal networks will implement it by the end of 2018. The technology will also be deployed on the LinkNYC network, which already has 1,400 free wi-fi Kiosks around the five boroughs and millions of users.

The City will be actively soliciting feedback during this process. For more information on NYC Secure, please visitsecure.nyc.

Engel Cosponsors Bill to Block Citizenship Question on 2020 Census

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has cosponsored the 2020 Census IDEA (Improving Data and Enhanced Accuracy) Act, legislation to ensure the 2020 census is free from politicization and accurately reflects the American population. The bill would prohibit any late untested design changes or questions to the census, including questions regarding citizenship.

The constitutionally mandated census determines how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal and state funds are allocated, helping governments, non-profits and businesses serve their communities. It also determines how Congressional and local districts are drawn, one of the bedrock principles of our democracy.

“Now that Secretary Ross has announced the addition of citizenship question to the census, this bill has become vital,” Engel said.“The goal of the U.S. census is to count every person living in this country, regardless of immigration status, so the government can most effectively serve the people. Adding an untested question on citizenship will silence noncitizens, including those with visas, and no doubt suppress the census data. Thus, states like New York with larger immigrant populations will once again feel the pinch and lose critical federal dollars. It’s a blatant attempt by this Administration to undercount areas with large immigrant populations and we can’t allow that happen.

“Much like last year’s GOP tax scam, this is just another example of the Trump Administration directly punishing New York. Moves like these reek of political retribution and shouldn’t be tolerated at any level of government.”

CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT URGES HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO REJECT CITIZENSHIP QUESTION ON 2020 CENSUS

  Today, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) sent a letter to Rep. Trey Gowdy, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, to urge that he reject the inclusion of the citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

“The addition of the citizenship question to the 2020 Census will have grave consequences on the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the Census count,” said Rep. Espaillat. “The Trump Administration's decision to add a citizenship question is deeply political and divisive and is opposed by civil rights leaders, advocates, and groups around the nation.

“The citizenship question raises serious concerns that must be addressed immediately. For this reason, I am calling on the House Oversight Committee to 1) reject inclusion of the citizenship question on the 2020 Census; 2) hold a hearing on the effects this question will have on constituents and communities; and 3) consider pending legislation regarding the inclusion of the citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

“We must protect an accurate Census by ensuring inclusivity and a reflection of the diversity and representation on our nation.”

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictments Of 10 Individuals With Alleged Ties To The Lucchese Organized Crime Family For Large-Scale Illegal Loan Sharking And Bookmaking Activities

Defendants Allegedly Preyed on New Yorkers in Need of Money – Using Bookmaking Operation to Funnel Victims into Loan Sharking Operation that Saddled New Yorkers with High Weekly Usurious Loan Payments

Loan Sharking Operation Largest Ever Investigated by NY AG Office 

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the arrests and indictment of 10 individuals on charges stemming from the alleged operation of lucrative loan sharking and gambling activities controlled by the Lucchese Organized Crime Family.

The long-term investigation — deemed “Operation The Vig Is Up” — involved the alleged loan sharking and bookmaking activities of alleged Lucchese “made member” Dominick Capelli and alleged Lucchese “Associates” or “non-made” crew members in Westchester and the Bronx. The loan sharking operation is the largest such operation ever investigated by the New York Attorney General, with usurious interest payouts exceeding a million dollars just during the approximately one-year investigation.

“As we allege, this brazen ring of criminals preyed on New Yorkers – using a gambling operation to funnel victims into their loan sharking operation, and then saddling them with usurious loan payments,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to root out organized crime and prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”

As part of the long-term investigation, investigators utilized wiretaps, covert surveillance cameras, a car bug, undercover police officers, and hidden cameras. Additional evidence came as a result of search warrants executed at defendant Robert Wagner’s home in New Rochelle and at McKiernan’s Lawton Street Tavern in New Rochelle.

In total, investigators identified over 47 distinct loan sharking victims, many with multiple loans, who were preyed on by the defendants. Loan sharking victims were allegedly required to make weekly, high interest “vig” payments, either by directly paying individual defendants, or by dropping off cash payments at two New Rochelle businesses: McKiernan’s Lawton Street Tavern and The Glass Room, a smoke shop. Victims were allegedly charged exorbitant weekly loan rates averaging over 200 percent per year, effectively creating a high-cost debt trap for all individuals taking out such loans. 

Additionally, defendants Capelli, Wagner, and Frank McKiernan are alleged to have run an illegal bookmaking operation, utilizing the gambling website bxbets.com to generate over a half a million dollars in annual wagers.

Today, Attorney General Schneiderman charged the following ten individuals with Enterprise Corruption – with underlying crimes of Usury in the First Degree and Promoting Gambling in the First Degree:

• Dominick Capelli, 61, of New Rochelle, NY
• Robert Wagner, 59, of New Rochelle, NY
• Frank McKiernan, 53, of New Rochelle, NY
• Anthony Martino, 76, of Port Chester, NY
• Michael Wagner, 63, of Bronx, NY
• Steve Murray, 49, of Bethel, CT
• Seth Trustman, 36, of Bronx, NY
• Richard Caccavale, 59, of Yorktown Heights, NY
• Jessica Bismark, 32, of New Rochelle, NY
• Robert Wagner Jr., 33, of New Rochelle, NY

The Enterprise Corruption charge alone carries a maximum penalty of 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.

Two related indictments were also filed in conjunction with this investigation. A separate bookmaking indictment charged Michael Lepore, 61, of New Rochelle, NY, and Vincent Tardibuono, 41, also of New Rochelle, NY, with running an online bookmaking operation via website ezplay2001.com, which generated over $1.5 million in annual wagers.

Additionally, a related narcotics-based indictment filed by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and prosecuted by OAG OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Thomas Luzio, charged Lucien Cappello, 38, of New Rochelle, NY with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony, as well as six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. If convicted, Cappello faces ten years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision.

Attorney General Schneiderman thanks Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. and his office for their assistance and support.

Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said, “This investigation and successful take down of this organized crime loan sharking operation was the culmination of a collaborative effort among the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, the New Rochelle Police, and our office. We commend the work of all involved and will continue to work together to fight organized crime here in Westchester.”

Acting New Rochelle Police Commissioner Joseph F. Schaller said, “I want to commend members of the New Rochelle Police Department’s Special Investigation’s Unit, members of the New York State Attorney General’s Office and members of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their hard work and dedicated efforts in helping to root out illegal gambling and loan-sharking in the City of New Rochelle.”  

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. 

The investigation was directed by OCTF Investigators John Mullen and Kyle Vitale-O’Sullivan, Supervising Investigator Bradford Miller, and Deputy Chief Investigator Christopher Vasta, under the supervision of Chief Dominick Zarrella; and New Rochelle Detective Dwayne Jones, under the supervision Lieutenant Brian Fagan.

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.