Op-Ed Submission From CMs King, Diaz, Cabrera and Deutsch

Legalize To Our Demise

By Council Members Andy King, Fernando Cabrera, Ruben Diaz Sr. & Chaim Deutsch

As we talk about legalizing Cannabis in New York, let’s look back on our nation’s history and see the good of endorsing harmful substances.  We recognize that alcohol is legal, but let's face it - it isn't good for you.  Alcohol impairs judgement and making it easily available for adults means easily available for young people.  For decades, our nation has seen alcoholism ruin marriages, families and lives.  We've seen countless alcohol-related vehicular deaths and alcohol-related activities destroy healthy academic careers. 

Are we ready to have the conversation about the costs of legalizing another harmful substance?  Cannabis, or marijuana, shouldn't be consumed by any young person, but our conversation recently on legalization has involved young black and brown men being policed unfairly, and all we hear in the media is: let's legalize marijuana to end this unfair policing. 

Can't we separate these issues? Of course we can, because they are two separate issues.  Poor policing has nothing to do with using drugs.  If we want to deal with different policing strategies in communities of color and white communities, then that should be the conversation.  Legalizing marijuana does not address those policing strategies.  What it does is send a poor message to kids that smoking weed is OK. 

Acting A.G. Underwood Announces Arrest And Indictment Of Licensed Nurse For Allegedly Stealing Over $550,000 From Brooklyn Hospital And Defrauding Medicaid

Keisha Demas Allegedly Used No-Show Job to Collect Over $550,000 from Interfaith Medical Center, Fraudulently Obtained Over $30,000 in Medicaid Benefits, Underpaid NY Taxes by $40,000  

If Convicted, Keisha Demas Faces a Maximum of 5 To 15 Years In Prison 

  Acting Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood today announced felony charges against Keisha Demas, 41, of Brooklyn, NY, for allegedly defrauding Medicaid and stealing over $550,000 from Interfaith Medical Center (“Interfaith”), a Brooklyn not-for-profit community-based hospital that recently came out of bankruptcy. The Attorney General's office alleges that Demas was paid for a “no-show” job at the hospital for at least four years. During this period, Demas also allegedly received Medicaid benefits she was not entitled to and failed to remit her income taxes to the State of New York. In total, Demas allegedly defrauded Medicaid of over $30,000 and underpaid the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance by nearly $40,000.

The defendant is charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a Class C felony), one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a class D felony), one count of Forgery in the Second Degree (a Class D felony), one count of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (a Class E felony), three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree (a Class D felony), and two counts of  Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree (a Class E felony). If convicted, Demas faces a maximum count of 5 to 15 years in prison.  

“As we allege, this defendant stole from a community hospital, cheated Medicaid, and majorly underpaid taxes – leaving New Yorkers to foot the bill,” said Acting Attorney General Underwood. “Our office will continue to investigate fraud and do what it takes to protect taxpayers and our state resources.”

According to the Attorney General's office, Demas was contracted by Interfaith through an outside nursing agency. Beginning in 2013 and continuing through at least 2016, Demas allegedly conspired with a former Interfaith employee to falsify her timesheets as part of a scheme to make it appear as if she was working, when in fact she was not. Demas would then allegedly provide kickbacks to the Interfaith employee with cash payments. The “no-show” job, which lasted at least four years, allegedly netted Demas over $550,000 from Interfaith.

In 2014 and 2015, Demas applied for Medicaid, allegedly claiming she had no income during those years. As a result, Demas obtained Medicaid benefits, resulting in over $30,000 of paid false claims. In addition, while Demas' income exceeded $100,000 in each year of the scheme, she failed to file personal income taxes with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, resulting in a nearly $40,000 underpayment of taxes.

Demas was arraigned today on the indictment before Supreme Court Judge William Miller in Kings County. Bail was set at $5,000 and the case was adjourned to July 17, 2018.

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

The Attorney General’s Office thanks the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for their assistance on this case. The tax case was investigated by Department of Taxation and Finance Auditors Nicholas Capkovic and Nataliya Sydorchuk.

The Attorney General’s office also thanks the New York State Department of Health (“DOH”) along with DOH Associate Attorney Kerry-Ann Lawrence of the Bureau of Litigation and Sara Oberst of the Division of Eligibility & Marketplace Integration, who investigated the Medicaid fraud. 

The Attorney General’s office also thanks Investigator Albert Flowers of the New York State Department of Financial Services for his assistance on this case.

Investigators Vincent Gisonti and Frank Tirri conducted the Attorney General’s investigation, with the assistance of Investigator Steven Pratt and William Fitzgerald, under the supervision of Supervising Investigator Michael Leahy and Deputy Chief John McManus. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarrella.

Acting A.G. Underwood Announces Settlement With Self-Dealing Trustee Of A Private Foundation

David Richenthal Used Nearly $500,000 in Richenthal Foundation Funds for Personal Travel, Entertainment, and Legal Fees

Richenthal Pays Foundation $550,000 in Total Restitution, Is Barred from Access to Foundation Funds and Fiduciary Responsibility for NY Not-for-Profits 

Foundation Agrees to Implement Internal Controls, Board Expansion, and Training Program for Trustees to Stop Future Misuse of Funds

  Acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood today announced a settlement resolving an investigation into the Richenthal Foundation, a grant-making organization that focuses on funding not-for-profit theater groups. As a result of the settlement, David Richenthal’s restitution will total $550,000 and he is barred from access to the Foundation’s funds and having any fiduciary role in New York not-for-profits. The Foundation has also agreed to implement internal controls, expand its board to ensure greater oversight, and implement a training program for trustees.

The Attorney General’s investigation found that David Richenthal, the son of founder Arthur Richenthal, improperly obtained close to $500,000 in personal benefits from the Foundation without oversight or intervention from the Foundation’s other trustees. According to the Attorney General’s investigation, Mr. Richenthal was reimbursed by the Foundation for approximately $240,000 in expenses, primarily for personal travel and entertainment costs, as well as other personal expenses. Mr. Richenthal also improperly had the Foundation make a $250,000 grant to settle a personal litigation matter with a former romantic partner. The investigation found that his misuse of the Foundation’s assets was made possible by the fact that the Foundation did not have adequate internal controls and its trustees failed to oversee Mr. Richenthal’s use of the Foundation’s charitable assets.

“When someone uses their trustee position to enrich themselves, it’s not just an abuse of trust – it's an abuse of the law,” said Acting Attorney General Underwood. “We will continue to pursue wrongdoing, protect charitable assets, and – as in this case – work with organizations that respond quickly and seriously to address misconduct.”  

As a result of the settlement, in which he admitted to the findings of the investigation, Mr. Richenthal agreed to pay an additional $150,000 in restitution to the Foundation above the approximately $400,000 that he had already paid back to the Foundation during the Attorney General’s investigation. In addition, Mr. Richenthal agreed to a permanent bar on his service as a director, officer, or other fiduciary of any not-for-profit organization operating in New York. 

Under the terms of the settlement, Mr. Richenthal is barred from having direct access to the Foundation’s assets. The Foundation has agreed to a number of reforms, including nonprofit training for its trustees, the expansion of its board to five members (at least two of which must be independent trustees), and the adoption of new internal control policies (in addition to other policies that were adopted during the course of the Attorney General’s investigation).

More information about the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau and organizations regulated by the Bureau may be found at www.charitiesnys.com

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams - DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN NYC MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT:

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS

 

"I want to commend the Mayor for today announcing that he will instruct the NYPD not to arrest New Yorkers for public marijuana usage, but rather to issue them a summons. This is one step in a larger process of correcting the many years of injustice that have led to hundreds of thousands of arrests in this city, disproportionately targeting communities and individuals of more color. Such significant, long overdue change will require a core, sustained commitment from the Mayor, the Council, the NYPD, District Attorneys, and many other agencies and offices. It will also require a state government that is willing to ultimately act for the public good by legalizing marijuana and expunging the records of those whose lives have been ruined by such arrests and charges."

"It is important to remember, as the politics and policy of marijuana undergo rapid, public change, that this is not simply the result of a progressive moment, but rather a movement. Bold advocates and elected officials have pushed for the decriminalizing and ultimately the legalization of marijuana for many years, and the progress being made in recent days and weeks comes as a result of their dedication and conviction. This movement will continue to push to ensure that political promises become active progressive policies regardless of shifting political winds. The hysteria and misinformation surrounding marijuana prohibition has clouded the issue of injustice for far too long, and it's time to clear the air and the records of those who have been targeted by illogical policies for years. 

"Should marijuana legalization becomes an eventual reality, it is essentially that the discriminatory actions surrounding its prohibition are not repeated. The industry should be open to all individuals and all communities, including those previously targeted for arrest under the illogical and inconsistent policies that we are working to correct."

License to discriminate could put the lives of millions of LGBT elders at risk

Religious discrimination has the potential of putting millions of LGBT elders at risk.

We’re building support to fight back, but we urgently need your help. Please sign our pledge and stand with LGBT elders in the face of religious discrimination.

Through arguments made in the Supreme Court's Masterpiece Cakecase, as well as the creation of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division at the Department of Health & Human Services, the Trump administration is attempting to give businesses and medical providers a license to discriminate.

A license to discriminate based on religious preference could have especially devastating consequences for older LGBT people, as the vast majority of elder care providers available are religiously- affiliated organizations.

“If the Trump administration succeeds in its efforts to enshrine a religious right to discriminate – either by an anti-LGBT Supreme Court decision or with the slew of ‘religious conscience’ policies that are advancing through federal agencies, it would have a devastating impact on the LGBT community and LGBT elders,” said Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE. 

In response, SAGE launched Care Can’t Wait, a campaign to enlist supporters to stand with LGBT elders whose care and livelihoods would be threatened by a license to discriminate. 

TAKE THE PLEDGE:

I pledge to care for LGBT elders, and all LGBT people, without discrimination.

I stand with them because Care Can’t Wait.

SAGE is also looking for organizations to partner with us on this crucial campaign. Join SAGE and our early partners, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) in saying “Care Can’t Wait.” 

Organizations can take a partner pledge or email us in order to learn how to get involved.

Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and City Councilman Mark Gjonaj in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection will host a "Reserve Your Free Rain Barrel!" event. (While supplies last)

For more information and to RSVP for this event, please call (718) 931 - 1721. 

To RSVP for this event, please call (718) 931 - 1721. 

Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Announce Launch of We Speak NYC with New Season of English Language Learning Programs

Previously known as We Are New York, We Speak NYC Builds on Emmy Award-Winning Educational Videos with Seven New Episodes

New Independent Evaluation of We Speak NYC Shows Learners Achieving Increased English Proficiency and Familiarity with City Services

  Today, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs announced the new season of We Speak NYC, the City’s Emmy Award-winning free English language learning program helping immigrant New Yorkers build language skills and become more familiar with City services. The de Blasio Administration invested over $3 million in the launch of new videos and learning tools for We Speak NYC’s second season, previously known as the We Are New York program. This season will tackle important issues facing New Yorkers, including mental health, workers’ rights, and early childhood education.

MOIA also released a new independent evaluation of We Speak NYC, which demonstrates that the program is effectively offering instruction to English language learners, not only on improving their English proficiency but also helping them to navigate the City’s resources and opportunities. Providing New Yorkers learning English with more educational and civic tools for success is part of the City’s continued drive to make New York City the fairest big city in the country.

“Effective English learning programs like We Speak NYC open new doors for New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Though we are a city that proudly speaks over 150 languages, many residents want to improve their English language skills, and we want to meet them with the tools to do it. Empowering immigrant communities with the skills and knowledge to take advantage of more opportunities is how we make the ultimate city of immigrants an even better place for all of our residents.”

“Providing educational resources for all New Yorkers, at all stages of life, opens more opportunity across our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Phil Thompson. “We Speak NYC builds on the City’s strong track record of delivering proven curriculum to English language learners with new episodes, innovative study materials, and more. With We Speak NYC, the City is bringing New Yorkers with limited English proficiency more tools for success. ”

“We Speak NYC is here to support our city’s community of English language learners. Creating high-quality episodes focused on issues critical to immigrant New Yorkers, like mental health and early childhood education, for independent study or classes facilitated by trained volunteers makes language learning more approachable,” said Commissioner Bitta Mostofi of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “Many We Speak NYC facilitators are graduates of the program, creating leadership opportunities within immigrant communities and helping spread the word about important City programs available to all New Yorkers. Our new independent evaluation is evidence of We Speak NYC’s effectiveness, showing that 85 percent of students obtained a stronger vocabulary after only 20 hours of instruction. The new season will help us reach even more English language learners on their journey, both through new classes and by bringing We Speak NYC into the homes of more New Yorkers.”

Civil Rights Icon Claudette Colvin Honored at Parkchester NAACP Meeting

During the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in 1955 there was a young 15 year old girl who stood up for her right to sit on a bus in Montgomery Alabama. Her name was Claudette Colvin who happened to be colored (the term used back then), and she became an unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement after being taken off the bus by police for refusing to give her seat up to a young white woman. 

As Ms. Colvin told the audience Sunday, "I paid my bus fare and it is my constitutional right to sit here." That lasted only until police officers boarded the bus to arrest Ms. Colvin. She said that she had been inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King who was seeking equality in the south by the Civil Right's Movement. Ms. Colvin went on to say that her colored friends who were with her and gave up their seats stayed away from her. 

Ms. Colvin mentioned that a male classmate who was friendly with a white girl wound up being lynched a few years later after six white claimed that he raped them. Life was very tough for a young colored girl growing up in the south during her childhood. Life was tough for all colored people who were treated as second class citizens in the south. 

While Ms. Claudette Colvin's event on a Montgomery Alabama bus preceded Rosa Parks, Ms. Colvin did not receive the media coverage that Ms. Parks was given. That was because the Civil Rights Movement had progressed, and the time the Rosa Parks incident came about it was then news. Ms. Colvin did testify before the Supreme Court in the case that determined that bus segregation in Alabama was unconstitutional. That then began the desegregation movement in Alabama and the rest of the south.

Congressman Joe Crowley was on hand to present to Ms. Colvin a flag which flew over the U.S. Capital, and said that Ms. Colvin is a fine example of greatness and what is good in this country. Congressman Crowley added that he is honored to commend Ms. Colvin for her Courageous achievements.

Ms. Colvin also received a proclamation from State Senator Luis Sepulveda. Senator Sepulveda spoke of his grandfather who taught him about the Civil Rights Movement, and that Ms. Colvin's act should be in the history books also. he added that it took courage for a 15 year old black girl to do what you did by saying "no I have a constitutional right to sit here." He finished by saying "Ms. Colvin - you are history."

Ms. Colvin stayed to take questions from members of the audience, and take photos with them. 

State Senator Luis Sepulveda, Ms. Claudette Colvin, Congressman Joe Crowley, and the President of the Parkchester NAACP Ms. Beverly Roberts. 

Ms. Colvin taking questions from members of the audience. 

The officers and committee members of the Parkchester NAACP with Ms. Colvin.