18 Members Of Bronx Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Potent Heroin And Fentanyl

The Organization’s Heroin and Fentanyl Has Been Linked to At Least Five Suspected Overdose Deaths

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that MAURICE HARTLEY, a/k/a “Bugz,” REGINALD SANDERS, a/k/a “Black,” HECTOR SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Jabee,” AARON CARTER, a/k/a “Cream,” RONALD BEASLEY, a/k/a “Nuke,” JONATHAN SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Nash,” TYVANN BARNETT, a/k/a “Ty,” JAVIER BENITEZ, a/k/a “Javi,” ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Lex,” GREGORY CARTER, a/k/a “Fat Boy,” RAY SANCHEZ, FREDDIE TORRES, a/k/a “Kiko,” EDWARD DAVIES, a/k/a “Yum Yum,” LOUIS BROWN, a/k/a “Tut,” CHRISTOPHER SIMON, JOHNNY INGRAM, MARIE PALUMBO, and TIA JASPER have been charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.  Seventeen defendants were arrested yesterday evening and this morning and were presented before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.  BENITEZ was in custody on state charges and has been transferred to federal custody.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants operated a network for the distribution of highly addictive and dangerous drugs.  Even after they realized the potency of the drugs they were distributing and selling – and the overdose risk those drugs posed – the defendants allegedly continued to sell their poison and to fuel the opioid epidemic plaguing our nation.  Today’s arrests are part of our continued commitment, along with our law enforcement partners, to stop the flow of heroin and fentanyl onto the streets of New York City.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The drugs these suspects were allegedly selling are killing people.  The harsh reality is the sellers and pushers are purposefully lacing heroin with a deadly mix of fentanyl to create a more powerful, and deadly high.  The FBI Metro Safe Streets Task Force and our law enforcement partners are out day after day doing all we can to stop these criminals from causing more death in our communities.  We won’t stop until we round up every last one of them.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Law enforcement can help end the scourge of overdose deaths related to illegal narcotics in New York City by relentlessly pursuing the individuals and groups responsible for distributing them on our streets.  Today’s charges show how effective the NYPD-federal partnership is in sharing the responsibility for public safety.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint and Indictment,[1] and statements made in Court:

The defendants were members of a drug trafficking organization (the “DTO”) that operated in the Bronx, New York, and controlled heroin sales between 182nd Street and 184th Street, primarily between Jerome Avenue and University Avenue (“the “DTO’s Drug Territory”).  As a means of marketing its heroin, and to ensure that the only heroin sold in the DTO’s Drug Territory belonged to the DTO, the DTO placed “stamps” on the glassines of heroin and fentanyl that it sold to customers.  Among the stamps the DTO used were “Heisenberg,” “Sleepless,” “Peace of Mind,” “Obsession,” “Fist with a Power Cord,” “Sold Out,” “Methadone,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Hands Up.”  From 2015 to June 2018, the DTO is estimated to have distributed more than 100 kilograms of heroin, much of it mixed with fentanyl.

Glassines marked with the DTO’s stamps were recovered at the scene of at least five suspected overdose deaths in and around the DTO’s Drug Territory.  First, on September 11, 2017, an individual died of a suspected heroin overdose near the DTO’s Drug Territory, and a glassine marked with the stamp “Obsession” was recovered at the scene of the overdose death.  Second, on September 18, 2017, an individual died of a suspected heroin overdose near the DTO’s Drug Territory, and a glassine marked with the stamp “Fist with a Power Cord” was recovered at the scene of the overdose death.  Finally, between December 12, 2017, and on January 2, 2018, three different individuals died of suspected heroin overdoses in a building within the DTO’s Drug Territory.  Glassines marked with the stamp “Hands Up” were recovered at the scene of each of these three deaths.  Each time one of the DTO’s stamps was recovered at the scene of an overdose death, the DTO stopped using that stamp, and started using different stamps on the glassines of heroin and fentanyl that it distributed.

On June 5, 2018, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at several locations in the Bronx, New York, that were used by the DTO, and recovered, among other things, approximately three kilograms of heroin, approximately $300,000 in cash, and a loaded firearm.

HARTLEY, 35, SANDERS, 37, HECTOR SANCHEZ, 29, AARON CARTER, 40, BEASLEY, 36, JONATHAN SANCHEZ, 30, BARNETT, 21, BENITEZ, 29, RODRIGUEZ, 47, GREGORY CARTER, 35, RAY SANCHEZ, 30, TORRES, 36, DAVIES, 58, BROWN, 62, SIMON, 59, INGRAM, 55, and JASPER, 36, each of the Bronx, New York, and PALUMBO, 36, of Elizaville, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.  

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD, and thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.

The charges contained in the Complaint and 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 Complaint and Indictment, and the description of the Complaint and Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

“BMB” Gang Member Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court Of Murder, Racketeering, Narcotics, And Firearms Charges

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DONQUE TYRELL, a/k/a “Polo Rell,” was found guilty yesterday of murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, narcotics trafficking conspiracy, distributing narcotics near schools and playgrounds, and firearms offenses in connection with his membership in the “Big Money Bosses” (“BMB”), a violent street gang that operated primarily on White Plains Road from 215th Street to 233rd Street in the Bronx.  TYRELL was convicted of aiding and abetting the murder of 17-year-old Keshon Potterfield on June 22, 2014, at a backyard party in the vicinity of East 232nd Street in the Bronx.  A unanimous jury convicted TYRELL on all counts of the controlling indictment following a six-day trial before United States District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As proven at trial, Donque Tyrell participated in the murder of a 17-year-old who dared go to a backyard party in a part of the Bronx that Tyrell’s gang, the Big Money Bosses, claimed as its own.  Tyrell then celebrated that murder on Facebook and in YouTube rap videos.  Gang violence threatens the safety and security of all New Yorkers, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent this type of violence from happening in our neighborhoods.”

According to court documents and the evidence at trial:

BMB is a subset of the “Young Bosses,” or “YBz” street gang, which operates throughout New York City.  Between 2007 and 2016, members and associates of BMB committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members in the Bronx – including murders, attempted murders, and armed robberies – and sold crack cocaine and marijuana.   

TYRELL was a member of BMB.  On June 22, 2014, TYRELL and other members of BMB showed up at a birthday party in the backyard of a residence in the vicinity of East 232nd Street in the Bronx, in an area that BMB considered to be part of its territory.  Potterfield was one of the guests at the party, and was perceived to be associated with a rival gang.  After arriving at the party, TYRELL obtained a gun from an associate and passed it to another BMB member who then shot and killed Potterfield.  Potterfield was 17.  TYRELL celebrated Potterfield’s murder in public Facebook postings and in rap music videos posted on YouTube in which he taunted rival gang members and threatened future violence.  

TYRELL was arrested in this case as a result of a multi-year investigation by the New York City Police Department’s Bronx Gang Squad (the “Bronx Gang Squad”), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Unit (“HSI”), the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and the Joint Firearms Task Force of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) into gang violence in the Northern Bronx.  On April 27, 2016, 63 members and associates of BMB were charged with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, narcotics distribution, and firearms charges.  TYRELL was the last defendant outstanding in the case. 

In addition to the murder in aid of racketeering conviction, TYRELL, 22, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of conspiring to commit racketeering as a result of his membership in BMB, conspiring to sell narcotics, selling narcotics within 1000 feet of schools and playgrounds, using firearms in connection with the gang and drug offenses, an attempted assault with a firearm in connection with his BMB membership, and attempting to rob a livery cab driver in the Bronx by hitting him in the head with a firearm.  TYRELL is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.  TYRELL is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14, 2018, before Judge Rakoff. 

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD’s Bronx Homicide Task Force, the NYPD’s 47th Precinct Detective Squad, the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI, DEA, and ATF.  

15 Members Of Brooklyn Drug Trafficking Crew Charged In Manhattan Federal Court

   Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”) and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging members of a Brooklyn drug trafficking organization known as the “Boss Crew” with narcotics and firearms offenses.  Fifteen members of the organization, including TYSHAWN BURGESS, a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Ty Black,” LLOYD GORDON, a/k/a “LG,” LARRY BAYER, a/k/a “L,” KERRY FELIX, a/k/a “Mack,” DEVONTAE NEWTON, a/k/a “D-Block,” a/k/a “Sneeze,” TYRELL SUMPTER, a/k/a “Rell,” a/k/a “Ruger,” MAURICE CURTIS, a/k/a “Mo,” TYQUAN ROBINSON, a/k/a “Blacko,” TYREEK OGARRO, a/k/a “Reek,” DARREN MILLER, a/k/a “Dice,” a/k/a “Darren Thomas,” ERNEST MURPHY, a/k/a “Problem G,” a/k/a “E,” RAMAL CURTIS, a/k/a “Rah,” KELLY ROYSTER, a/k/a “KK,” ROBERT RHODES, a/k/a “Charlie,” and KAEMAR WILSON, a/k/a “K,” are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and heroin from 2015 to May 2018.  In addition, BURGESS, FELIX, NEWTON, SUMPTER, CURTIS, ROBINSON, and WILSON are also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy.  Fourteen defendants were arrested this morning and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.  WILSON is in custody on state charges and will be transferred to federal custody.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Richard J. Sullivan.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants were members of a street gang that terrorized a Brooklyn neighborhood with their drug dealing and violence.  Law enforcement has no more important duty than keeping our citizens safe.  These arrests demonstrate our continued commitment to protecting communities that are victimized by gang and gun violence.

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan M. Benedict said: “Burgess and his co-conspirators as alleged in the Indictment ran an organized ring of narcotics dealers associated with acts of violence on the streets of Brooklyn.  ATF remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the public from violent individuals, groups and gangs looking to do harm to fellow citizens.  I would like to thank the Special Agents and Task Force Officers of the NYPD/ATF Joint Firearms Task Force, the NYPD Gun Violence Suppression Division, and HSI.  I would also like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “In collaboration with our federal partners, we will remain steadfast in our fight against those who traffic in illegal narcotics and the violence so often associated with it.  Today’s charges emphasize the highly efficient working relationship NYPD detectives enjoy with ATF investigators and attorneys at the Southern District.”

As alleged in the Indictment[1] unsealed in Manhattan federal court today:

The defendants were members of a drug trafficking organization (the “Boss Crew DTO”) that distributed significant quantities of narcotics, including crack cocaine and heroin, on a daily basis, in and around the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.  TYSHAWN BURGESS, a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Ty Black,” was the leader of the Boss Crew DTO.  BURGESS supervised other members of the Boss Crew DTO, coordinated the supply of narcotics to other drug dealers within the Boss Crew DTO, and referred drug customers to members of the Boss Crew DTO for sales.  LLOYD GORDON, a/k/a “LG,” and DARREN MILLER, a/k/a “Dice,” a/k/a “Darren Thomas,” supplied wholesale quantities of crack cocaine to members and associates of the Boss Crew DTO for street-level distribution.  LARRY BAYER, a/k/a “L,” and ERNEST MURPHY, a/k/a “Problem G,” a/k/a “E,” maintained narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia at the Boss Crew DTO’s stash location, and packaged the narcotics for street-level distribution.  TYREEK OGARRO, a/k/a “Reek,” RAMAL CURTIS, a/k/a “Rah,” KELLY ROYSTER, a/k/a “KK,” and ROBERT RHODES, a/k/a “Charlie,” purchased and facilitated the purchase of wholesale quantities of narcotics from members of the Boss Crew DTO for distribution.  TYRELL SUMPTER, a/k/a “Rell,” a/k/a “Ruger,” TYQUAN ROBINSON, a/k/a “Blacko,” LARRY BAYER, a/k/a “L,” KERRY FELIX, a/k/a “Mack,” DEVONTAE NEWTON, a/k/a “D-Block,” a/k/a “Sneeze,” and MAURICE CURTIS, a/k/a “Mo,” functioned as street level distributors for the Boss Crew DTO.  

In addition, BURGESS, FELIX, NEWTON, SUMPTER, CURTIS, ROBINSON, and WILSON, possessed and used firearms to protect the Boss Crew DTO’s narcotics trafficking operation.

BURGESS, 24, GORDON, 47, BAYER, 25, FELIX, 23, NEWTON, 19, SUMPTER, 23,  CURTIS, 24, ROBINSON, 27, OGARRO, 26, MILLER,50, MURPHY, 28, RAMAL CURTIS,  31, ROYSTER, 39, RHODES, 33, and WILSON, 33, are charged with conspiring to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, 280 grams and more of crack cocaine and 100 grams and more of heroin, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  BURGESS, FELIX, NEWTON, SUMPTER, CURTIS, ROBINSON, and WILSON, are charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and ATF.

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.

A.G. Underwood And Comptroller DiNapoli Announce Guilty Plea Of Queens Pharmacy Owner For $1.5 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme

Owner of Value Pharmacy, Inc. Will Serve Jail Time and Pay $3 Million for Participating in a Kickback Scheme with a Former Nassau University Medical Center Cancer Care Center Employee and Defrauding Medicaid of $1.5 Million

   Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced that Arkady Goldin, 40, of Brooklyn, and Value Pharmacy, Inc. (“Value”) — a pharmacy formerly located in Corona, Queens before re-locating to its current location in Lynbrook, NY — entered felony guilty pleas in Supreme Court, Queens County admitting to defrauding the State’s Medicaid program out of $1.5 million. The case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Attorney General and State Comptroller’s Joint Task Force on Public Integrity.

“We have zero tolerance for those who defraud the state’s Medicaid program,” said Attorney General Underwood. “We will continue to aggressively pursue all individuals who steal from Medicaid to enrich themselves at the expense of those who need the program for their fundamental health care.”

“Arkady Goldin billed Medicaid millions for cancer medications he never dispensed,” State Comptroller DiNapoli said. “Thanks to our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office, Goldin has been convicted, his corrupt pharmacy closed, and he and his partners will pay the state back for the $3 million total in stolen Medicaid funds.” 

Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron accepted Goldin’s guilty plea to Health Care Fraud in the Second Degree, a class C felony, and to violating the Social Services Law prohibition on the payment of kickbacks related to the State’s Medicaid program, a class E felony. The pharmacy entered a guilty plea to Grand Larceny in the First Degree, a class B felony. Goldin will be sentenced to six months incarceration, five years’ probation, and, along with Value, will be required to pay $1.5 million as restitution for money stolen from Medicaid. The defendants will also pay an additional $1.5 million in financial penalties, including a $10,000 fine that must be paid by the corporation. Goldin will also be required to perform 200 hours of community service. 

Goldin and Value’s pleas will also resolve a separate civil asset forfeiture and False Claims Act law suit filed by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Civil Enforcement Division (“MFCU”) in New York State Supreme Court, Queens County.

In papers filed in court, the State alleged that Goldin, an owner of Value, which formerly was located in Corona, Queens, had a kickback arrangement with a former employee of Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) who earlier in the investigation pleaded guilty to unlawfully accepting kickbacks related to Medicaid services. In exchange for steering expensive cancer prescriptions from NUMC to Value, Goldin paid the hospital employee a monthly cash referral fee and provided him with other items of value, including tickets to sporting events, an iPad, and free meals. State law strictly prohibits all medical providers, including pharmacies, from paying or offering to pay kickbacks to another person in return for the referral of medical services ultimately paid for by Medicaid. 

Additionally, as part of the scheme, the investigation uncovered that Value did not purchase sufficient amounts of medication from licensed New York State drug wholesalers that would have been necessary if Value legitimately dispensed prescriptions for which Value billed Medicaid. As a result of the unlawful scheme, Medicaid ultimately paid Value over $1.5 million for unlawful claims for medications.

Since 2011, the Attorney General and Comptroller have worked together to fight corruption through their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity. They have brought charges against dozens of individuals implicated in public corruption schemes around the state – resulting in the return of millions in restitution to taxpayers through these convictions.

Comptroller DiNapoli’s investigation was led by the Office of the State Comptroller (“OSC”) Division of Investigations, working with the OSC Division of State Government Accountability. 

Democrat Amanda Septimo Kicks Off Her Campaign for State Assembly

   On Sunday, Democrat Amanda Septimo kicked off her campaign to represent the 84th Assembly District with a rally at the Patterson Houses in Mott Haven. The event was attended by over fifty excited supporters.

 

"I am proud to be a lifelong member of our community, and I will be a leader that my neighbors can rely on to fight for them in Albany. For too long, the status quo has remained unchanged and unchallenged. The South Bronx deserves new leadership in the Assembly. I will work to improve educational opportunities for our students, make our community safer, and find truly affordable solutions to the housing crisis," said Septimo.

 

Amanda's campaign platform focuses on delivering change in several key areas, including affordable housing, education, mass transit, the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and community safety.

 

"Throughout my life, I have seen the power of this community, and I want to do everything I can to help it thrive. I have the experience and drive to make a real difference in Albany and deliver results for the South Bronx. The Bronx is strong, and I am ready to a powerful voice for our community in the Assembly," concluded Septimo.  

 

Born and raised in the South Bronx, Amanda Septimo has been involved in community activism since she was teenager as a member of A.C.T.I.O.N., The Point Community Development Corporation's teen activism platform. She has worked with the Legal Aid Society, with a specific focus on cases involving domestic violence and Spanish-speaking immigrants. She also worked as the District Director for Congressman José E. Serrano (D-15th Congressional District), making her one of the youngest-serving senior staffers in Congress. Most recently, Amanda worked to help working and middle-class families by fighting for stronger worker protections with the Council of School Supervisors & Administrators.

 

The 84th District includes Mott Haven, Port Morris, Melrose, The Hub, Longwood, Concourse, Highbridge, and Hunts Point. The Primary Election will be on Thursday, September 13th

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News From State Senator Gustavo Rivera

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS GOVERNOR CUOMO, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND CIVIC LEADERS TO SET PRIORITY AGENDA FOR THE NEW YORK STANDS WITH PUERTO RICO REBUILDING AND RECONSTRUCTING COMMITTEE

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement after attending a meeting with representatives of Governor Cuomo's office, fellow elected officials, and civic leaders in which they discussed and continued the process of identifying key priorities for Governor Cuomo's New York Stands with Puerto Rico Rebuilding and Reconstructing Committee.

It has been almost nine months since Hurricane Maria hit the island, yet lack of federal action to provide adequate aide and Puerto Rico's pre-existing economic crisis, have claimed the lives of thousands of Puerto Ricans and stalled recovery efforts. The goal of this committee is it to help facilitate lasting and forward-thinking solutions that help Puerto Ricans rebuilding their lives and their island. 

"Puerto Ricans have not only seen their lives completely torn apart by a natural disaster, but also by the criminal inaction of our federal government. After attending the first official meeting of the New York Stands with Puerto Rico Rebuilding and Reconstructing Committee, I am encouraged by the thoughtful discussion we held regarding New York's current and future efforts to help Puerto Rico rebuild and thrive. Throughout the meeting, it was clear that our priority was to facilitate a more comprehensive, multi-pronged rebuilding and reconstruction roadmap for Puerto Rico. This meeting made me feel that New York State will continue to be a key supporter of the island's recovery efforts and the Puerto Rican people. 

After countless hours connecting with grassroots organizations in Puerto Rico and a humbling week long visit to the island, which allowed me to see firsthand the utter devastation and the various needs that exist, I presented Governor Cuomo and the committee members with a list of priorities and recommendations that focused on the various issue areas including Counseling and Mental Health Services, Extension of SUNY and CUNY Credit Program, among others. 

This meeting is just a first step.

I look forward to continue working alongside the Governor and members of this Committee to formulate and implement a robust and ambitious plan to help our fellow brothers and sisters of Puerto Rico rise and take the reins of their own future.

NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE BANS SMOKING NEAR LIBRARIES

   New Yorkers everywhere can take a collective breath of fresh air, at least near a school or now: your closest library. A bill (A.330B/S.169-B), introduced by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Gustavo Rivera, has passed both houses of the state legislature and now awaits delivery to the Governor for signing. In 2012, Dinowitz and Rivera passed legislation enacting a ban on smoking within 100 feet of all entrances, exits, and outside areas of all primary and secondary schools in New York State. This law would apply the same policy to all libraries.

Following the Clean Indoor Air Act in 2003, smoking was prohibited in all workplaces and smokers everywhere were forced to go outside to indulge their habits. These smokers are now frequently found in close proximity to entrances and exits of all buildings, exposing countless passersby to secondhand smoke and increasing their risk of respiratory infections and cancer-inducing abnormal cell growth. Libraries, similar to schools, serve some of our most vulnerable populations when it comes to secondhand smoke, including both young children and senior citizens. 

The legislative process now turns to Governor Cuomo, who signed the ban on smoking near schools along with a ban on e-cigarette sales to minors as part of a package designed to protect New York's youth from harmful effects of cigarettes.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera said: "This bill will help our State further curtail New Yorkers' exposure to the dangers of secondhand smoke, especially around commonly shared spaces, such as public libraries. With smoking bans already in place outside schools and afterschool programs across our State, this bill further ensures New Yorkers, especially our children, are able to access and enjoy learning spaces without worrying about their health. This common sense measure will go a long way in providing our youth with the safe educational environments they deserve. I urge Governor Cuomo to join the Legislature in supporting this measure and sign this bill into law once it reaches his desk."

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: "Libraries, like schools, are often the heart of a neighborhood. They bring together a huge variety of community members, and I'm willing to bet that most of these folks are not there to inhale somebody else's secondhand smoke. Given that the library is a place we encourage our children to go as often as possible, a smoking ban is common-sense public policy. I thank State Senator Rivera for his continued partnership on this important issue as well as Governor Cuomo again for his support in the fight against tobacco."

Senator Rivera Introduces Legislative Resolution Celebrating the Life of Puerto Rican and Latino Civic Leader Angelo Falcón

   State Senator Gustavo Rivera introduced a resolution paying tribute to the life and community activism of Angelo Falcón, founder and president of the National Institute of Latino Policy (NILP), who passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2018. Mr. Angelo Falcón was an influential Puerto Rican political analyst and journalist who advocated and empowered Latino communities across the United States, especially in New York. Recently, Mr. Falcón became a fierce advocate for Puerto Rico's relief efforts devoting countless resources to bringing attention to the needs of Puerto Ricans on the island and those who were displaced after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. 

"Angelo Falcón was a legendary intellectual, activist, and scholar who spent the majority of his years advocating on issues of equality and social justice in order to help empower and uplift the Puerto Rican and Latino communities across our city, state and country. Mr. Falcón's prolific career was marked by his tireless work engaging and promoting more Latino participation in government in an effort to raise critical awareness on the significant problems facing our communities; while holding those in power accountable through his trailblazing community advocacy and research. His premature death leaves an immense void in our state's civic discourse, one that will be difficult to replace. In his honor, I am committed to continue working diligently to fight for policies that will lift up our communities and make them thrive." 

2018 NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE, SUN. JUNE 10th

61st ANNUAL NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE ON FIFTH AVENUE  SUNDAY, JUNE 10th 2018 11:00AM - 5:00PM

DESCRIPTION:   The 61th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade will take place on New York City's Fifth Avenue, Sunday, June 10th, starting at 11am.  2018 honorees include: · Esaí Morales (Parade Grand Marshal) · Zuleyka Rivera (Parade Queen) · David Begnaud (Puerto Rican Champion) · Ismael Miranda (Lifetime Achievement Award) · Michael Stuart (Parade Ambassador) ·1st Responders and Heroes in the Puerto Rico relief, recovery and rebuilding    efforts post Hurricane Maria  America's largest cultural celebration with over 1.5 million spectators this year will also feature: Richard "Crazy Legs: Colón:  Hip Hop artist, B-Boy and philanthropist Tats Cru (Wilfredo "Bio" Feliciano, BG 183 and Hector "Nicer" Nazario):  Bronx-based graffiti artists and professional muralists Virginia Sánchez Korrol, PhD:  Educator, historian and novelist, specializing in Puerto Rican studies Sunny Hostin:  Attorney, Emmy-Award winning journalist and co-host of ABC's "The View" Jackie Guerrido:  Television personality, journalist and co-anchor of Univision's "Primer Impacto" Julio "Gaby" Acevedo:  Reporter for NBC4 and Telemundo 47/WNJU Allan Villafaña:  co-anchor for "Primera Edicíon"and host of "Enfoque", Telemundo 47/WNJU Ricardo Villarini:  Reporter for Telemundo 47/WNJU Johnny Bliss:  singer and contest on NBC's "The Voice" WHERE:   Fifth Avenue From 44th Street to 79th Street New York, NY 10075   ADMISSION:   FREE. Open to the public. With 100,000 marchers and 1.5 million spectators, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is one of the largest parades in the world.  Organizers and NYC local authorities request your full cooperation in observing the rules of security.

THE CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION WILL HOLD AN ISSUE FORUM ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE

  The City’s Charter Revision Commission will hold an issue forum on Thursday, June 14^th, 2018.The issue forum will feature experts to discuss Campaign Finance. The meeting will be held at NYU’s D’Agostino Hall, 108 West Third Street. This meeting is open to the public. Because this is a public meeting and not a public hearing, the public will have the opportunity to observe the Commission’s discussions, but not testify before it. 

WHO: The Charter Revision Commission

WHAT: Issue Forum

WHEN: Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 1PM

WHERE:  NYU’s D’Agostino Hall, 108 West Third Street St New York, NY 10012

LIVE STREAM: NYC.gov/charter

FOLLOW US: https://twitter.com/nyccharter and facebook.com/nyccharter

This location is accessible to individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Induction loop systems, ASL interpreters, and Spanish interpreters will be available. In addition, with advance notice, members of the public may request language interpreters. Please make language interpretation requests or additional accessibility requests by 5PM no later than June 11, 2018 by emailing the Commission at requests@charter.nyc.gov or calling 212-386-5350.