MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES MAJOR RENOVATIONS FOR 2,400 NYCHA APARTMENTS

Innovative public private partnership will generate $400 million for critically needed repairs without raising rent

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today a commitment from the New York City Housing Authority to renovate nearly 2,400 apartments across 21 public housing developments in Brooklyn and Manhattan. The $400 million in upgrades will be made possible through the HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program, which converts apartments’ funding to the Section 8 program. These homes will be permanently affordable and maintained by quality private property managers. The 5,300 residents at these developments will retain all their rights as public housing residents, continue to be charged their current rent, and remain in their buildings during the renovations, which will include new kitchens and bathrooms; replacing windows, elevators, boilers and roofs; and improved common areas. NYCHA will begin selecting development teams for the construction and management work this fall, with renovations on the first buildings beginning in 2019.

NYCHA also announced new private management and construction teams to oversee $80+ million in renovations for 700 NYCHA apartments with 1,000 residents at Baychester and Murphy Houses in the Bronx. These developments have had no consistent funding stream since the State of New York divested them in 1998. Using a program similar to RAD, they are also being converted to NYCHA’s Section 8 program to raise funds, complete badly needed repairs, and efficiently oversee day-to-day operations. The renovations on these units will begin this fall.  This conversion prevents these unfunded units from falling into complete disrepair and protects their affordability along with residents’ rights. These RAD and unfunded renovations will all be complete by 2023.

The Mayor made today’s announcement at Campos Plaza I, a 875-apartment complex on the Lower East Side that recently underwent renovations under the Section 8 model, with drastic improvements in the health, safety and quality of residents’ homes.

“All New Yorkers deserve to live in safe and decent housing, which is why we’ve been investing in NYCHA since the first day of my Administration to reverse the decades of neglect,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The City is leveraging every tool available to deliver critically needed repairs without raising the rent. We will never stop fighting to improve the quality of life for NYCHA residents.”

“As we strive to preserve public and affordable housing for future generations, RAD is one of the clear paths forward to get residents the repairs they need while keeping them in their homes despite the federal government continuing to cut back its public housing support,” said NYCHA Interim Chair and CEO Stanley Brezenoff. “Through public-private partnerships, millions of dollars will be brought to these homes, improving resident quality of life and guaranteeing they stay affordable.”

RAD is an innovative tool from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that lets public housing authorities permanently preserve public housing developments as affordable homes and make necessary repairs. In New York City, RAD includes collaboration between the Authority, NYCHA residents, development partners, and community and housing advocates, and it is a key part of Next Generation NYCHA, the Authority’s long term strategic plan to create financial stability and improve residents’ lives. 

NYCHA will begin resident engagement this summer at the 21 developments across Manhattan and Brooklyn:

Manhattan sites: 

·         335 East 111th Street

·         Manhattanville Rehab (Group 2)

·         Manhattanville Rehab (Group 3)

·         Park Avenue-East 122nd, 123rd Streets

·         Public School 139 (Conversion)

·         Samuel (MHOP) I

·         Samuel (MHOP) II

·         Samuel (MHOP) III

·         Washington Heights Rehab (Groups 1&2)

·         Washington Heights Rehab Phase III

·         Washington Heights Rehab Phase IV (C)

·         Washington Heights Rehab Phase IV (D)

·         Fort Washington Avenue Rehab

·         Grampion

Brooklyn sites: 

·         Armstrong I

·         Armstrong II

·         572 Warren Street

·         Berry Street-South 9th Street

·         Marcy Avenue-Greene Avenue Site A

·         Marcy Avenue-Greene Avenue Site B

·         Weeksville Gardens

New York City is using innovative strategies to generate revenue for repairs in public housing. With today's announcement, there are currently nearly 8,900 NYCHA RAD and unfunded apartments in resident engagement, predevelopment, or development for comprehensive capital repairs, and the City is on track to complete all 20,000 apartments by 2025. In the Next Generation NYCHA plan, the City committed to renovating 15,000 apartments through RAD and that all 5,000 unsubsidized apartments receive subsidy by 2025.  The 1,400 apartments at Ocean Bay have completely new interiors, hydronic boilers on every roof, and upgraded elevators with RAD. In addition to the 2,400 RAD units being announced today, there are 3,100 RAD apartments in predevelopment.  In addition to the 700 apartments at Baychester and Murphy, NYCHA has started resident engagement on 1,300 additional unfunded units.  

For Baychester and Murphy, NYCHA will partner with MBD Community Housing Corporation, Camber Property Group, and L+M Development Partners. This development team was chosen based on their experience and capacity for both development and property management, their financial proposal, and the quality of their proposed rehabilitation scope of work. The development team will partner with BronxWorks to provide tailored social services to the residents. The development partner will begin making repairs as early as 2019. Residents will play a major role in finalizing the rehab scope for their developments, including kitchen and bathroom upgrades in every apartment, replacing the existing boilers, and improvements to common areas, outdoor spaces, and community centers to create a stronger sense of pride and belonging among residents. All repairs will be done while keeping the residents in place.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Today's announcement is not enough. By 2025 this small part of the work should be finished? 

This mayor and the next mayor should be made to live with those NYCHA residents who are not going to get repairs until who knows when?

Cynthia Nixon and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Announce Dual-Endorsement

Citing a shared interest in taking on centrist, corporate Democrats, Nixon and Ocasio-Cortez throw support behind each other’s progressive campaigns

  Democratic candidate for governor, Cynthia Nixon today publicly announced her support for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is running in the Tuesday's congressional primary to unseat Rep. Joseph Crowley in New York’s 14th District. Ocasio-Cortez also announced her support for Cynthia’s bid for governor in the September 13 primary as they both take on status quo incumbents, whose political careers have been financed by big-money banks, luxury real estate developers and multigenerational political machines. Later today, both candidates will appear in Queens together.

"I am proud to endorse Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress,” said Cynthia. “She represents the future of the Democratic Party.  Alexandria and I are joining together to take on the old boys club, rejecting corporate money, and run people-powered campaigns that envision a progressive New York that serves the many, not just the few who can afford to buy influence. Like thousands of other women across the country who are running for office for the first time this year, we looked at who is in charge and the job they were doing and realized that if we want things to finally change, we’re going to have to step up and do it ourselves."

Both Cynthia and Ocasio-Cortez are running progressive, people-powered campaigns grounded in racial and economic justice. Like thousands of women across the country, both are running for office for the first time and challenging establishment politicians to fight for a fairer, more progressive New York. In stark contrast to Cuomo and Crowley, both campaigns are rejecting any corporate donations. Cynthia and Ocasio-Cortez have publicly supported the abolishment of ICE, single-payer health care, and 100% renewable energy, among other progressive priorities.

“Movements are built when communities come together. For too long, New York machine politics has drifted away from the communities they were originally supposed to serve. Today I am honored to join fellow fighter Cynthia Nixon in the advancement of dignified healthcare, housing, and education for all, in one concerted movement for a New York for the many. Cynthia and I both have roots in educational work, and her nonstop fight for working families resonates with me deeply. Together, it is my hope that Cynthia and I can propose the notion that New York’s elections don’t have to be foregone conclusions - they can be earned opportunities for change.”

Before New York voters head to the polls this Tuesday, June 26th, to vote in the Congressional primary, Cynthia will visit Ocasio-Cortez’s district today to meet with constituents and discuss the need for more progressive, and more diverse Democratic Party in New York and across the country. The New York gubernatorial primary election will take place on September 13.

Wave Hill Events July 6‒July 13 Scented Geraniums Day, Balkan Brass and Creatures of the Night!

Sat, July 7    Family Art Project: Billowing Sails and Handmade Boats

Use brightly colored kite paper to design colorful, flag-like sails. Then collage a mixture of buoyant materials cut from repurposed foam trays, corks, plastics and reeds, and construct a handmade sailboat. Keep it as a small sculpture—or see if it floats! Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, July 7    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, July 7    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present a call to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space, Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Working collaboratively since 2015, Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns of the day as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, July 8    Summer Birding

Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of diverse bird species and their behavior on these walks through the gardens and woodlands. Observe the plants, insects and habitats at Wave Hill that make it so appealing for such a wide variety of birds. Birders of all levels welcome! Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. NYC Audubon Members enjoy two-for-one admission. 

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM

Sun, July 8    Family Art Project: Billowing Sails and Handmade Boats

Use brightly colored kite paper to design colorful, flag-like sails. Then collage a mixture of buoyant materials cut from repurposed foam trays, corks, plastics and reeds, and construct a handmade sailboat. Keep it as a small sculpture—or see if it floats! Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, July 8    Yoga in the Garden

Enjoy a morning yoga class in the gardens, offered in partnership with Yoga Haven. All levels welcome; please bring a mat and be on time. Meets indoors in case of rain. Online registration suggested, at wavehill.org, or register day-of at the Front Gate. Yoga sessions continue through July 29. $25 per session. Wave Hill Members save 10%.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10–11AM

Sun, July 8    Wellness Workshop: Floral Soap-Making

Explore scented-geranium essences, including floral varieties that will surely surprise you! Learn about the wrinkle-reducing, muscle-relaxing and skin-soothing benefits of geranium oil while making your own cold-processed soap. Melissa Rivera ofEssence and Aroma leads this hands-on workshop; participants go home with several bars of all-natural vegan soap. Ages 12 and older welcome with an adult. Space is limited. $55. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Scented Geranium Day event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

Sun, July 8    In The Shop: Get Half Off a Second Scented Geranium Plant

Captivated by the wonderful fragrances and properties of pelargoniums? Enjoy this opportunity to take a couple of plants home for your collection at a wonderful discount! We love the perfumed, herbal leaves of scented geranium—with fragrances of spice, citrus, fruit and flowers—which can be enjoyed by delicately rubbing the leaf surface, or drying the leaves and using them in fragrant potpourri or sachets. Scented Geranium Day event.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM‒4PM

Sun, July 8    Family Nature Walk

Join naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a family-friendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Registration is not required. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1PM

Sun, July 8    Scented Geranium Walk

Join Wave Hill gardener Gelene Scarborough on an aromatic walk through the Herb Garden to enjoy the astounding varieties and fragrances of scented geraniums (Pelargonium species and hybrids). Learn about their origins and pick up some useful tips for growing these easy-care plants both indoors and out. Purchase your favorites in The Shop. Free with admission to the grounds. Scented Geranium Day event.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1:30PM

Sun, July 8    Cooking Demo: Cooking with Scented Geraniums

A rose is a rose is a rose… unless it’s a scented geranium! These beguiling herbs mimic the scent of other familiar plants such rose, lemon, peppermint and apple. Many varieties can be used in the kitchen, where their leaves lend evocative aromas to a variety of dishes. Watch as a chef from Great Performances whips up some delicious summer recipes featuring scented geraniums. Free with admission to the grounds. Scented Geranium Day event.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 3PM

Sun, July 8    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, July 9

Closed to the public.

Tue, July 10    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, July 10    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator continues Wave Hill’s efforts to examine the ways that artists engage in ecological projects that present a call to action. The exhibition documents environmental art that explores persistent problems throughout New York City. In the Sunroom Project Space, Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall’s installation uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Working collaboratively since 2015, Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. In the Sun Porch, Katie Westmoreland’s presentation of kinetic tapestries responds to the space’s architecture, evoking the patterns cast by sunlight through trees and plants. Her immersive installation utilizes the passing light and shadow patterns of the day as active mediums in her work, calling attention to the sun’s enduring, inspirational qualities. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Wed, July 11    Sunset Wednesdays: Live Music on the Great Lawn‒Slavic Soul Party

A fiery Balkan Brass Band that features funk grooves, Roma accordion and a lineup of musicians with virtuosic jazz chops,Slavic Soul Party makes new music out of the unplanned results of immigration, proximity, and globalization. “Slavic Soul Party! doesn’t strain for authenticity… it plays its chosen music with skill and spirit” (Jon Pareles, The New York Times). Rain or shine, all Sunset Wednesday Concerts are held on the Great Lawn. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved indoors to Armor Hall with overflow space in the Mark Twain Room and the covered terrace behind Wave Hill House. Check wavehill.org for shuttle service and for The Café menu on Sunset Wednesdays. The onsite parking lot closes at 4PM, except to accommodate vehicles with a disability license plate or placard. Free with admission to the grounds, which is $12 starting at 4PM. Free to Wave Hill Members. The grounds close at 8:30PM. 

ON THE GROUNDS, 7PM

Thu, July 12    Stories in the Garden

Each week, Wave Hill educators share some of their favorite nature stories. These stories—classics and more—will come to life through interactive book readings, sing-alongs and movement. Programs are held outdoors. Rain cancels. Ideal for children ages three to six with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 11AM

Thu, July 12    Evening Garden Walk

Enjoy a short evening stroll in the gardens with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free with admission to the grounds. Serene Thursday event.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6:30PM

Thu, July 12    Nocturnal Wildlife Presentation: Creatures of the Night

Experts from Volunteers for Wildlife share the mysterious lives of nocturnal wildlife. Get up close with some of VFW’s “Animal Ambassadors”—perhaps an owl, opossum and nocturnal snake—while uncovering unique adaptations and behaviors that allow them to survive, even thrive. Ages eight and up welcome with an adult. $25. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration recommended, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Serene Thursday event. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 7–8PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA JOINS BI-PARTISAN DELEGATION OF LATINO LEADERS AT #ENDFAMILYDETENTION RALLY IN TORNILLO, TEXAS

As a board member of NALEO, Senator Rivera joined a delegation of 12 board members and several organizations from across the country to call for family reunification and an end to the egregious family detention policy 

  Today, New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera joined a bi-partisan delegation of 12 board members from the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) at a rally in Tornillo, Texas to call on the Trump administration to end its racist and abominable "zero tolerance" immigration policy. While the Trump administration signed an Executive Order claiming to end family separations, it has been responsible for the forceful separation of approximately 2,400 migrant children who were separated from their family and are currently being held throughout the country, including New York State.

Senator Rivera and the rest of the NALEO delegation joined members of sister organizations such as Voto Latino and UnidosUS, outside of a detention facility in Tornillo, Texas, near El Paso. They were there to demand the Trump administration implement an immediate course of action to reunify those children who were separated with their families and to end the shameful practice of keeping children of any age detained in jail like conditions.

"Today, I joined a group of devoted Latino leaders as we rallied to demand that this administration immediately end its abhorrent "zero tolerance" policy. This policy has destroyed the lives of thousands of families and drives focus and resources from the true problem - a broken immigration system. The National government, as our representative, has separated approximately 2,400 children and babies from their families and has held them like criminals in jail-like conditions just because their parents made the desperate decision to leave their country and try to provide them with a better quality of life. This needs to stop. This has to stop. We have an obligation to these families, especially these children, to right the irreparable damage caused. We need to continue working across all levels of government, and in collaboration with not-profit organizations, to ensure these families receive the care they deserve, are reunified, and leave detention."

Senator Rivera was joined by the following group of NALEO leaders: 

• Mr. Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive Officer, NALEO
• Hon. Alex Padilla, California Secretary of State; Past NALEO President
• Hon. Sergio de Leon, Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County, TX
• Hon. Dante Acosta, California State Assemblymember
• Hon. Sarah Benatar, Treasurer, Coconino County, AZ
• Hon. Steve Corona, Vice President, Board of Trustees, Fort Wayne Community Schools, IN
• Hon. Crisanta Duran, Speaker, Colorado House of Representatives
• Hon. Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff, Harris County, TX
• Hon. Nora Vargas, Board Member, Southwestern Community College District, CA
• Hon. Mara Candelaria Reardon, Indiana State Representative
• Hon. Gustavo V. Camacho, Mayor, Pico Rivera, CA
• Hon. Rafael Anchia, Texas State Representative; Chair, Mexican American Legislative Caucus

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) is a leading non-profit, non-partisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process. 

Senator Rivera, Fellow NALEO Board Members, and NALEO CEO Arturo Vargas

Senator Rivera with Labor Leader and Civil Rights Icon, Dolores Huertas

Senator Rivera, NALEO CEO Arturo Vargas, Fellow NALEO Members and Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro

EDITOR'S NOTE:

In case you are unaware (which you seem to be like Mayor de Blasio) there are bigger problems in New York City, the Bronx, and your State Senate District. 

The public school system is still not teaching children of New York City, the Bronx, and your State Senate district the needed skills to enter the specialized high schools, let alone basic english and math. 

Chancellor Richard Carranza tells me that he and the mayor know Bronx students are behind the rest of the city academically, tells me he is new here, to give him some time, and one week later he is an expert on the specialized high schools. 

Where are you State Senator Gustavo Rivera? Down in Texas, just like the mayor.

The NYCHA buildings in the city, the Bronx, and your State Senate District are falling apart, have falsified lead paint reports, and have mice, rats, and roaches throughout the buildings. The city signs a statement about the false lead paint reports and condition of many of the apartments.

Where are you State Senator Gustavo Rivera? Down in Texas, just like the mayor.

Crime in the city, the Bronx, and your State Senate District is going rampant with innocent bystanders being shot or killed in other ways.

Where are you State Senator Gustavo Rivera? Down in Texas, just like the mayor.

On election day we look forward to once again not seeing you in your State Senate District, but down in Texas, just like the mayor.

TEXAS PHYSICIAN AND TWO TEXAS NURSES CONVICTED FOR ROLES IN HOME HEALTH CARE FRAUD SCHEME

   A federal jury found one physician and two nurses guilty today of health care fraud, and one physician and one nurse guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, all for their roles in a home health fraud scheme.

U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas, Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region, Special Agent in Charge Eric Jackson of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and Director of Law Enforcement David Maxwell of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement. 

After a five-day trial, Kelly Robinett, M.D., 70, of Denton County, Texas; and Kingsley Nwanguma, 47, of Dallas County, Texas were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  In addition, Robinett and Nwanguma were each convicted of three counts of health care fraud, and Joy Ogwuegbu, 42, of Collin County, Texas was convicted of four counts of health care fraud.  Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Texas, who presided over the trial, has not yet been scheduled. 

“Medical professionals Kelly Robinett, Kingsley Nwanguma, and Joy Ogwuegbu engaged in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud the taxpayer-funded Medicare program by certifying patients for medically unnecessary home health services and falsifying medical records to hide their crimes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan.  “The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting taxpayer dollars by vigorously pursuing medical professionals and anyone else who seeks to profit off our federal health programs through fraud and deceit.” 

“The significance of this case highlights the responsibility healthcare workers, especially physicians and nurses, have to protect not only their patients, but prevent fraud against any federal health insurance program during the performance of their duties,” said Eric K. Jackson, FBI Dallas Special Agent-In-Charge. “Their decision to undertake this level of fraud against the government is something that the FBI will always make a priority to investigate and bring to justice those who would use their influential positions and their access for personal gains.”

“All patient care decisions must be based on legitimate assessments of medical need,” said CJ Porter, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “In this case, decisions revolved around a fraud scheme to enrich the defendants.  The Office of Inspector General, with our enforcement partners, will continue to pursue prosecutions of this nature to protect federal health care program dollars.”

From 2007 through 2015, Robinett, Nwanguma, and others, engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting and causing the submission of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, through Timely Home Health Services Inc. (Timely), a home health agency, and Boomer House Calls, a physician house call company.  The evidence presented at trial showed that Robinett, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, certified Medicare beneficiaries—whom he had never seen and did not care to see—for medically unnecessary home health services that were often not provided.  The evidence further established that Ogwuegbu, a registered nurse, falsified nursing assessments and Nwanguma, a licensed vocational nurse, falsified nursing notes, to make it appear as if Medicare beneficiaries were qualified for and were provided skilled nursing services.   

Evidence at trial demonstrated that Timely billed Medicare for over $11.3 million for home health services purportedly provided to Timely’s patients, some of which was attributable to certifications Robinett signed.  Robinett’s company Boomer House Calls billed Medicare approximately $1 million for medically unnecessary home health certifications and services and physician’s home visits. 

Four other defendants, have been convicted in this matter and in a related case.  

The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations are part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country.  The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operates in nine locations nationwide.  Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged over 3,500 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $12.5 billion. 

Former Leader Of New York Chapter Of United Gamefowl Breeders Association Convicted For Animal Welfare Offense For Cockfighting Venture

Thomas Carrano Convicted of Conspiring to Raise, Train, and Sell Roosters for Cockfighting

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that THOMAS CARRANO was convicted today by a unanimous Manhattan jury of conspiring to possess, sell, and transport roosters for purposes of participation in animal fights around the United States. The defendant was convicted after a five day trial before the Honorable Sidney H. Stein.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Thomas Carrano, the leader of an association that claimed to ‘not promote cockfighting in any way,’ was convicted of that very thing.  Carrano cared not a whit for the welfare of the roosters he raised, sold, and transported for participation in the cruel and inhumane ‘sport’ of cockfighting.  Thanks to the ASPCA and our law enforcement counterparts, justice has come home to roost for Thomas Carrano.”

The evidence at trial showed, among other things, the following:

Cockfighting is an activity in which two roosters are put forward to fight one another for sport and entertainment.  The roosters typically have metal spurs, known as gaffs, or plastic spurs, known as “postiza,” affixed to their legs for use in the fight.  The fights between roosters are ended when one rooster is dead or refuses to continue to fight.  If not killed during the fight, the losing rooster is typically killed afterwards.  Roosters involved in cockfighting will often be mutilated in preparation for fights, typically by cutting off the rooster’s comb and wattle and shaping the rooster’s spur. 

From January 2012 up June 2017, THOMAS CARRANO, a member and former president of the New York chapter of the United Gamefowl Breeders Association (“NYUGBA”), conspired with others – including a co-conspirator in the Bronx, New York – to buy, sell, transport, and receive roosters for cockfighting and to buy, sell, and transport cockfighting weapons.  CARRANO used two social media accounts – one in his own name, and one in NYUGBA’s name – to communicate with co-conspirators, including members of NYUGBA and others who were located in the Southern District of New York.  The NYUGBA claimed to be devoted solely to breeding rare gamefowl for poultry shows.  Yet in messages sent through these social media accounts, CARRANO discussed breeding and training roosters for cockfighting, the sale and purchase of gaffs and postizas for cockfighting, and CARRANO’s personal participation in cockfighting.

On May 23, 2017, law enforcement personnel executed a search warrant at CARRANO’s gamefowl farm in Ontario, New York.  During the search, law enforcement officers discovered, among other things, gaffs, postizas, shears for dubbing roosters, a rooster sparring dummy, a specialized ladder used to train fighting roosters, cockfighting supplements, and videos of roosters being trained for cockfights.  In addition, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 104 chickens, including 19 adult roosters and 12 adolescent roosters, many of which had their natural spurs, combs, wattles, and/or earlobes removed.            

CARRANO, 44, of Ontario, New York, is convicted of one count of conspiring to sell, possess, and transport animals for purposes of participating in an animal fight, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the New York City Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Investigations Squad, and thanked them for their ongoing support and assistance with the case.  Mr. Berman also thanked the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case.