Community and Councilman Protest Soundview Triple Homicides

 

  At the site of the recent triple homicide outside a Castle Hill strip mall across from the Castle Hill House, Sheikh Musa Drammeh (the CEO of the Parkchester Times), Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr., and 87th Assembly candidate Sgt. John Perez demonstrated with community members to stop the violence in the community. Among those calling for an end to the violence were two former gang members who have become  mentors to try to keep local children out of gangs. 

 Police have an alert out for the shooter who killed the three people, including a photo which has been distributed throughout the community. Police searched the Castle Hill Houses directly after the shootings, but were unable to apprehend him. Now the community is calling for an end to the violence. 

Above - Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. tells Mr. Drummeh that he is giving $5,000 for an anti violence program, and will introduce legislation in the city council.

Below - 87th Assembly candidate former Army Sergeant John Perez tells the people that he will be on the street with them, to fight for them, as he did as a soldier, should he be elected to the State Assembly.

Above - Former gang member Darney K Born Rivers, and founder of I Am My Community Inc. talks about keeping children active and out of gangs.

Below - Only called TINY, another former gang member now mentoring children about the evils of gang membership also spoke. 

  Julian Sepulveda the son of former Assemblyman now State Senator Luis Sepulveda lights a memorial candle at the spot of the triple homicide. 

New York City Police Foundation Establishes New Scholarship To Honor Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz

New Scholarship Will Provide Tuition Assistance To Two Graduates Of The NYPD’s Explorer Summer Camp

  The New York City Police Foundation today established a new scholarship that will honor Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, the 15-year-old resident of The Bronx who was tragically murdered on June 20th in New York City. On an annual basis, The New York City Police Foundation Lesandro Guzman-Feliz Memorial College Fund will provide two NYPD Explorer high school graduates up to $5,000 each in reimbursement of tuition and school supplies upon enrollment in an accredited school for the fall semester.

 

“The murder of Junior has sent shockwaves of sadness across our city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Junior’s life was taken too soon, but it will not be in vain. This scholarship will help more young New Yorkers learn about law enforcement and public service, and ensure that Junior’s legacy will never be forgotten.”

 

"NYPD Explorers come from the communities in which they volunteer and learn about the importance of higher education, self-discipline in reaching their goals, and the rewards of a career in law enforcement," Police Commissioner O'Neill said. "There is no better way to honor a young man whose stated dream was to become one of the greatest detectives in the world than by establishing a memorial scholarship in his honor. I thank the Police Foundation for its generosity in funding this annual award in the name of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz. The work Explorers do makes our communities stronger, it makes our neighborhoods safer, and it makes our police department better. The people we serve, in every corner of New York City, will surely be the largest beneficiaries in all of this." 

 

“Out of this tragedy, future students like Junior will be able to pursue their dreams and, just as importantly, his name will live on,” said Susan Birnbaum, President & CEO of the New York City Police Foundation. “The New York City Police Foundation joins all of the members of the NYPD and the City of New York to extend our deepest sympathies to his family.”

U.S. Attorney Announces Lawsuit Against The City Of Mount Vernon For Clean Water Act Violations

Suit Alleges That The City of Mount Vernon Discharges Raw Sewage and Other Illicit Pollutants from Its Storm Sewer System into the Hutchinson and Bronx Rivers

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter D. Lopez, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), announced today that the United States has filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Mount Vernon, New York (“Mount Vernon”) for violating the Clean Water Act.  The lawsuit alleges that Mount Vernon has long failed to comply with Clean Water Act storm sewer permit requirements designed to prevent raw sewage and other illicit pollutants from flowing from the City’s storm sewer system to the Hutchinson and Bronx Rivers.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  “For years, Mount Vernon has discharged raw sewage and other illicit pollutants from its storm sewer system into the Hutchinson and Bronx Rivers.  Mount Vernon has consistently failed to comply with permit requirements intended to prevent these discharges, and has flouted EPA administrative orders intended to address the problem.  Today’s lawsuit will protect the waters of this district by obtaining a judicial order compelling Mount Vernon to bring its sewers into compliance with the Clean Water Act.”

EPA Regional Administrator Peter D. Lopez said:  “The City of Mount Vernon must take the appropriate actions to protect its residents and downstream communities from threats posed by raw sewage and other pollutants.  EPA and New York State will continue to work together with the city to ensure that Mount Vernon understands how to fix the problems with its storm sewer system.  In addition, we support efforts by the city to seek funding to assist Mount Vernon in getting the necessary work completed.  This complaint gets to the core of EPA’s mission of protecting people’s health, and we will continue to work with the state and city to carry out that mission.”

As alleged in the complaint filed today in White Plains federal court, the Clean Water Act generally prohibits discharges of pollutants into navigable waters, absent a permit.  Many municipalities, like Mount Vernon, operate “municipal separate storm sewer systems” that carry storm water and discharge it without treatment into nearby waters.  Because separate storm sewer systems do not treat the water they discharge, a municipality is required by its Clean Water Act permit to maintain a program for identifying and eliminating any sewage or other illicit pollutants that are flowing into the storm sewers.

The lawsuit filed today alleges that since at least January 2012, Mount Vernon has failed to comply with these permit obligations and, as a result, has allowed raw sewage to flow into its storm sewer system, and then to be discharged into the Hutchinson and Bronx Rivers.  Mount Vernon has also failed to comply with two EPA Administrative Orders issued to compel the City’s compliance with these requirements. 

The lawsuit seeks an injunction compelling Mount Vernon to comply with applicable Clean Water Act requirements and an order imposing civil penalties for Mount Vernon’s violations to date.

The State of New York and the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are co-plaintiffs in this lawsuit, asserting parallel claims under state law. 

Mr. Berman thanked EPA for its invaluable efforts in this matter.

Two Men Charged With Schemes To Defraud Medicare As Part Of Nationwide Health Care Fraud Takedown

The Two Men Are Responsible For More Than $1 Million In Losses To Medicare

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge for the New York Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS-OIG”), announced charges today against JAMES WOODSON and ANTHONY PALMIERI for their participation in separate fraudulent schemes that resulted in more than $1 million in losses to the Medicare program.  These charges are part of a nationwide health care fraud takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 601 individuals for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving approximately $2 billion in fraudulent claims. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “By allegedly falsely obtaining HIV medication, and by billing Medicare for diagnostic tests that were never provided, these individuals have cost American taxpayers more than $1 million, and, in the case of the HIV medicine, also endangered the lives of those who unwittingly bought medication that had been re-sold on the black market.  These prosecutions show that those who defraud our nation’s health care programs will be brought to justice.”   

HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert said:  “Health care fraud is costly to vulnerable patients and the federal health care programs that serve them.  Working closely with our law enforcement partners, we are sending a clear message that actions can have serious consequences.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1] in United States v. James Woodson (“WOODSON”), unsealed on Monday in Manhattan federal court, WOODSON obtained prescriptions for complete regimens of human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) medications from both the Veterans Administration (“VA”), and the Medicare Part D (“Medicare”) program.  WOODSON allegedly sold the excess medication on the black market.  In an effort to avoid detection, WOODSON changed Medicare plans at least 16 times.  He also utilized at least 34 different pharmacies and 40 different doctors, to maximize the amount of HIV medication he could obtain.  As a result of these actions, WOODSON defrauded the Medicare program by at least $815,000.

According to the allegations in the Complaint in United States v. Anthony Palmieri (“PALMIERI”), which was unsealed on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, from November 2014 through May 2016, PALMIERI conspired with others to use his company’s position as an enrolled participant in Medicare to submit, or cause to be submitted, to Medicare numerous claims that falsely represented that certain health care services, such as ultrasounds, had been provided to patients.  As a result of the fraudulent scheme, Medicare paid for services that were never performed.  As a result of these actions, PALMIERI and his co-conspirators defrauded the Medicare program by at least $481,000.

WOODSON, 54, of Manhattan, New York, is charged with one count of health care fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  PALMIERI, 40 of Holmdel, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and one count of health care fraud, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in these cases are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. 

These cases, he Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Louis A. Pellegrino is in charge of United States v. Woodson, and Assistant United States Attorney Timothy V. Capozzi is in charge of United States v. Palma part of the Department of Justice’s National Healthcare Fraud Takedown, are being handled by tieri.        

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

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

Two Defendants Sentenced For Fatal 2012 Home Invasion Robbery

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JUDIE OLIVERA was sentenced today to a term of 40 years in prison for her role in the May 2012 home-invasion robbery of victim Miles Klein, which resulted in Klein’s death.  On June 26, 2018, GIBRON LOPEZ was sentenced to a term of 40 years in prison, which must run consecutively to a prior prison sentence of five years, for his role in the home-invasion robbery.  Both sentences were imposed by United States District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.  LOPEZ and OLIVERA were convicted of Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy following a jury trial in October 2017 before Judge Failla.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The defendants committed a violent home-invasion robbery, resulting in the brutal death of Miles Klein.  Having been convicted at trial, the defendants will now spend decades in prison for this horrific crime.  We thank our remarkable partners at the ATF and NYPD for their tireless efforts to bring these defendants to justice.”                       

According to the Indictment, other filings in Manhattan federal court, and the evidence admitted at trial: 

In May 2012, OLIVERA, who had a preexisting relationship with Klein, set up a home invasion robbery, which targeted Klein’s drugs and drug proceeds.  OLIVERA recruited LOPEZ and another man to commit the robbery.  On May 15, 2012, OLIVERA gained access to Klein’s apartment in the Bronx, and LOPEZ and the other man, armed with a wrench and a rubber mallet, respectively, followed her there.  LOPEZ and the other man struggled with Klein at the door, striking him in the head repeatedly with the wrench and the mallet, binding his eyes and mouth with duct tape, and gagging him.  During the assault, OLIVERA stole a safe containing cash, among other items, from Klein’s apartment.  LOPEZ and the other man then dragged Klein’s body to the bathroom, where they left him.   They discarded the murder weapons and their bloody clothes in a sewer, and later split the proceeds of the robbery.  Police responded to the scene on May 16, 2012, after receiving a 911 call from concerned family members.  Klein was ultimately pronounced dead as a result of the blunt force trauma to the head and obstruction of his airway.

In addition to prison terms, LOPEZ, 37, and OLIVERA, 40, both of the Bronx, New York, were each sentenced to three years of supervised release. 

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery Task Force, and the New York City Police Department. 

MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON IN 1993 MURDER OF 20-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN THE BRONX

Cold Case Solved in 2015 When Defendant’s DNA Linked to Strangling of Victim

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Brooklyn man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction for second-degree Murder in the 1993 killing of the mother of his child. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The sentence proves that criminals cannot escape justice. The defendant strangled and stabbed the 20-year-old Michelle Page, who was the mother of his child and was working and studying business at Manhattan Community College. It took two decades but, thanks to DNA science, the defendant will go to prison for many years for this heinous crime.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jonathan Jolivert, 49, of 338 Forbell Street, Brooklyn, N.Y., was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Michael A. Gross to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was found guilty by a jury on June 5, 2018 of second degree Murder. 

 According to the investigation, on March 24, 1993, Jolivert had stopped by Michelle Page’s apartment on Morris Avenue in order to give her some child support money. The victim’s mother subsequently entered the apartment and found her daughter lying on the floor with a scarf on her neck that had been used as ligature to strangle her. She was also found with a kitchen knife plunged into her throat. The 14-month-old son she shared with Jolivert was not at home at the time.

 The defendant was linked to the murder by the NYPD’s Cold Case Squad through DNA that was found under Page’s fingernails. Jolivert was arrested and indicted on second-degree Murder in 2015.

Wave Hill Events July 12‒July 19

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

Sat, July 14    Family Art Project: Felting the Earth’s Atmosphere

Wave Hill 2017 Winter Workspace artist Crystal Gregory returns to take us through the simple steps of wet felting. Pull from bright colors of wool roving, as well as your own outdoor sketches, to make an atmospheric scene in an expansive landscape—perhaps a vibrant sunrise or sunset! Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, July 14    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 14    Meet the Artist: Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall

Join us at this artist talk in the Sunroom Project Space. Artists Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall discuss their installation with Curator of Visual Arts Eileen Jeng Lynch. Their project uses traditional landscape architecture, such as a conventional English garden maze, to expose the instability of identity in the United States. Dasgupta and Marshall’s work explores the dichotomy of the sanctuary—its ability to protect as well as restrict. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, July 15    Family Art Project: Felting the Earth’s Atmosphere

Wave Hill 2017 Winter Workspace artist Crystal Gregory returns to take us through the simple steps of wet felting. Pull from bright colors of wool roving, as well as your own outdoor sketches, to make an atmospheric scene in an expansive landscape—perhaps a vibrant sunrise or sunset! Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, July 15    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 Wave Hill’s front gate. Yoga sessions continue through July 29. $25 per session. Wave Hill Members save 10%.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10–11AM

Sun, July 15    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 16

Closed to the public.

Mon, July 16    Excursion: Pottery and Plein Air at Garrison Art Center    SOLD OUT

Adventure up the Hudson River to Garrison Art Center where clay and watercolor await. Work with seasoned art instructors while soaking up the vistas. Enjoy a riverside painting workshop and work on the wheel in their cherished pottery studio. Transportation and lunch are included. An indoor location will be provided in case of inclement weather. $125. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited.   

MEET AT THE FRONT GATE, 9AM–4PM    

Tue, July 17    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 17    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 18    Sunset Wednesdays: Live Music on the Great Lawn‒Mary Courtney & Morning Star

Hailing from the parish of Castlegregory in Ireland’s County Kerry, Mary Courtney is a remarkable singer and guitarist who brings her heritage, history and experience to her music. At the helm of her band, Morning Star, with John Redmond on button accordion and Donie Ryan on tenor banjo, Courtney is a remarkable storyteller, engaging the audience with everything from traditional Irish music to rock ‘n’ roll. In addition to singing, she performs on guitar and bodhrán. 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 19    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 19    Countering Risk through Resiliency: An Open Conversation

This conversation is co-hosted with THE POINT, whose South Bronx Resiliency Arts Fellowship has engaged four artists represented in Ecological Consciousness. Free with admission to the grounds. 

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 6–7:30PM

Thu, July 19    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

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.

Why Does Governor Cuomo Support ICE?

Cuomo continues to support rogue deportation force  breaking up immigrant families across New York.

   While the number of Democratic candidates and elected officials calling for the abolition of ICE grows, Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to support the existence of Donald Trump’s rogue deportation force. Cynthia has joined immigrant rights leaders in calling to abolish ICE.

“Many New Yorkers are rightly horrified by what ICE is doing,” said Cynthia Nixon campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt. “Cuomo hasn’t. Why not? What about ICE’s mission to separate and deport families does he think should continue to be funded and supported?”

The number of Democratic candidates and elected officials who have signaled support for abolishing ICE includes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Representative Mark Pocan, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Raul Grijalva and Rep. Mike Capuano.

The above came from - Cynthia for New York