Vice President Pence Attacks Cynthia Nixon Over Her Call to #AbolishICE

In a speech to ICE agents this morning, the VP called Cynthia “appalling”

  Today, in remarks to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Vice President Mike Pence slammed Cynthia Nixon and her statement that ICE has become a terrorist organization. Cynthia issued the following statement in response.

“If Mike Pence is attacking me, we must be doing something right. What’s really appalling is how ICE tears children away from their parents. Parents who came to this country, fleeing deadly violence, to provide a brighter future for their families. Parents who have lived here for decades, paying taxes, building small businesses. Parents whose children are legal U.S. citizens. Parents who have no criminal record. ICE's mere existence causes many New Yorkers to live in daily fear that they will lose their family. I can think of no better description than to call ICE a terrorist organization, and I will wear any criticism from Mike Pence as a badge of honor. ”

 

REPRESENTATIVE ADRIANO ESPAILLAT STATEMENT ON PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS SERVING IN U.S. MILITARY

  Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat released the following statement in response to a report by the Associated Press (AP) that the U.S. Army is discharging immigrant recruits.

“For the love of country and in defense of freedom, immigrants have served in the U.S. armed forces since the American Revolution and turning them away now is shameful,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Dreamers serve and help keep our nation safe, while the Trump administration has shut the door on their hopes and aspirations in the only nation they have ever called home.

“Hundreds of thousands of reservists and enlisted recruits have given their all to protect and defend our nation, while some have even made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives like Sgt. Ryan Tejeda, a 26-year-old U.S. Marine from my district who was killed in Baghdad in 2003.

“Many immigrant servicemen serve while dreading their loved ones may be deported from the nation they vowed to protect. Today’s report highlights another effort by the Trump administration to sow fear and hate across America and criminalize immigrant communities. These men and women have honored our nation with their service and now it is time that we honor them by keeping our word in ensuring their rightful path to citizenship.”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - ORCHARD BEACH SUMMER CONCERTS ARE BACK

Senator Luis Sepulveda - PUERTO RICO POWER GRID REBUILD A MISTAKE IN THE MAKING

PUERTO RICO RELIVES A MAJOR MISTAKE IN THE REBUILDING OF ITS POWER GRID By State Senator Luis Sepúlveda One short sentence on Puerto Rico in a recent report commissioned by the United Nations on poverty in the United States might have been overlooked if not for the current rebuilding of the power grid devastated by Hurricane Maria. NYU Law Professor Philip Alliston writes that in his travel documenting extreme poverty all over the United States, he visited a town in the south of Puerto Rico where residents live “next to a mountain of completely unprotected coal ash which rains down upon them bringing illness, disability and death.” This one sentence led to a question:  There are no coal mines in Puerto Rico.  So why is there toxic coal ash on the island?  The answer explains a past and future problem that unfortunately will continue to perpetuate Puerto Ricans’ second-class status as American citizens. Puerto Rico’s financial problems where in a big part created by the island’s huge borrowing strategy. At the top of the list of entities borrowing was the island’s power authority.  Well you see, Puerto Rico, even though gifted by God with over 300 days of sun each year, is completely reliant on fossil fuels for power. To make this worse is the fact that it imports nearly 100% of the coal, natural gas and petroleum it needs to provide the island with electricity. This policy by Puerto Rico is incredibly expensive and inexplicable. The revelation on the mountain of toxic ash in the scathing UN report documenting how 40 million Americans live in dire poverty comes at a time when the United States is spending some projected $18 billion to rebuild Puerto Rico’s power grid.  While it will be rebuilt to withstand a category 4 hurricane, Puerto Rico is again falling victim to a dependency on imported fossil fuels that will not only make it harder to address its financial crisis but contributes to the environmental factors that created Hurricane Maria and other such storms to come. Puerto Rico should not rebuild its electric grid using power producing and distribution models of towers, wires and fossil fuels.  Instead, Puerto Rico should be using this opportunity to build a 21st Century power grid rooted in micro-grids fueled by alternative energy like solar, wind, tidal and wave energy.  Hawaii, Madeira, Orkney and Iceland are islands with fully developed initiatives that harness clean, green and blue energy to power their communities and businesses while replacing expensive imports of fossil fuels. They have diverted those significant savings towards improving the health and education and economic opportunities of their residents.  These are models of energy production and clean fuel technology that Puerto Rico should be fully embracing. Allowing Puerto Rico to rebuild a power grid that will continue to rely on imports of toxic, global warming compounds is tantamount to agreeing to perpetuate its colonial status.  We can be assured that the current political status of Puerto Rico is been cemented for another century with every inch of power transmission wires and foot of steel towers deployed in the current rebuilding efforts.

Mayor Of The Municipality Of Sabana Grande Indicted For Conversion Of Federal Funds, Fraud, And Money Laundering

In a separate indictment, two ex-employees of the municipality of Toa Baja indicted and arrested

  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– Miguel G. Ortiz-Vélez, a.k.a. “Papín”, mayor of the municipality of Sabana Grande has been indicted and arrested for his participation in a conspiracy to steal federal funds involving fraudulently obtained contracts from the PR Department of Education (PR DOE), announced U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico. In a separate unrelated indictment, Victor Cruz-Quintero, former Director of Finance, and Ángel Santos-García, former interim Director of Finance of the Municipality of Toa Baja were charged with theft, conversion, and misappropriation of funds from the US Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services. The United States Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are handling the Sabana Grande investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, are handling the Toa Baja investigation, with the collaboration of the PR Comptroller’s Office.

The indictment charging Ortiz-Velez, returned on July 2, 2018 by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico, includes six counts: two counts for theft of government money and property, one count for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, two substantive counts of mail fraud, and one count for money laundering. He is also facing forfeiture allegations and a potential money judgment of $2,904,920.00, the value of the two contracts fraudulently obtained from the PR DOE.

According to the indictment, the defendant conspired with Irving Riquel Torres-Rodríguez (who previously pled guilty in two different cases), and others, to engage in deceptive conduct designed to fraudulently obtain federal funds from the US Department of Education and Puerto Rico Department of Education. As part of the agreement, those federal funds would be distributed to: the Municipality of Sabana Grande; Administrative, Environmental and Sports Consultants Corp. (AESC); Torres-Rodríguez- who was the owner of AESC; and others.

Defendant Ortiz-Vélez used his position as Mayor of Sabana Grande to defraud the PR DOE and to fraudulently obtain federal funds as follows:

• Ortiz-Vélez utilized his position as Mayor of Sabana Grande to obtain federal funds from the PR DOE based on material misrepresentations regarding the Municipality’s ability to perform the activities and the scope of the activities subject to the proposals. Ortiz-Vélez, as Mayor of Sabana Grande, subcontracted with AESC and Company F for the complete financing and administration of the projects without the knowledge or consent of the PR DOE. AESC then financed and administered the project for Company F, with an agreement that all profits would be split 40% for AESC and 60% for Company F.
• The Sabana Grande contracts with the PR DOE did not reflect the actual expenses incurred by AESC and Company F in providing the services. As a result, Ortiz-Vélez obtained net proceeds for the municipality, as well as net proceeds for AESC and Company F. For the first project, Verano Educativo, the AESC obtained approximately $549,286.10 in net profits and the Municipality of Sabana Grande obtained net proceeds of approximately $363,686.40, despite the project’s actual cost of approximately $221,747.50.
• For the second project, Desarrollo Contínuo, the Municipality of Sabana Grande, Company F, and AESC split approximately $1,330,612.45 in net profits from the PR DOE contract. The Municipality obtained net proceeds of approximately $391,988 and AESC obtained a net profit of $375,449.78. Company F obtained a net profit of $563,174.67, despite the project’s actual cost of approximately $439,587.55.
• During the period of this scheme, from in or about 2013 to in or about 2016, defendant Miguel G. Ortiz-Vélez received approximately $22,900 in cash contributions from AESC and Torres-Rodríguez.

The second indictment charges Victor Cruz-Quintero and Ángel Roberto Santos-García for, at different times, making unauthorized deposits and transfers of federal funds into the general account and payroll account of the Municipality of Toa Baja in order to pay the municipal payroll and to pay municipal contractors.

On or about October 28, 2014, defendant Victor Cruz-Quintero, as the finance director of the Municipality of Toa Baja, deposited approximately $2,538,164.41 in HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program funds into the municipality’s general fund. These funds were utilized to make payroll payments to municipal employees and to pay various municipal contractors.

On various dates from September 2014 through February 2016, Victor Cruz-Quintero made additional deposits and transfers of federal funds from HHS and HUD to the general and payroll accounts of the Municipality of Toa Baja for unauthorized purposes. The indictment identifies seven separate transactions totaling over $1,750,000.While interim finance director of the Municipality of Toa Baja in approximately August and September 2015, defendant Ángel Roberto Santos-García made various transfers of federal funds from HHS and HUD to the general and payroll accounts of the Municipality of Toa Baja for unauthorized purposes. The indictment identifies three separate transactions totaling $650,000.

“Mayor Miguel G. Ortiz-Vélez deceived the public’s trust and used his public office to fraudulently obtain federal funds in order to supplement the finances of the municipality of Sabana Grande,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “Corruption and fraud at any level of government betrays the ideals upon which our democracy is built. In regards with the investigation in Toa Baja, we will continue to follow the evidence in order to determine if other municipal officials were involved in the fraudulent scheme announced today.”

“The public must be able to trust the officials who are put in charge of government funds. Anyone who violates that trust will be brought to justice, because the citizens of Puerto Rico deserve no less. The FBI is proud to share this commitment with its partners from the United States Attorney’s Office, the Inspectors General for the Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, and the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico,” stated Douglas Leff, Special Agent in Charge of FBI, San Juan.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbe. If found guilty, the defendants are facing possible sentences of up to 10 years for theft of government funds, misappropriation of federal program funds, and money laundering and up to 20 years for mail fraud, and the wire and mail fraud conspiracy.

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

District Attorney Vance Announces Additional Charges Against Harvey Weinstein Including Predatory Sexual Assault

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the filing of a superseding indictment containing additional charges against HARVEY WEINSTEIN, 66. Pursuant to the D.A.’s Office’s ongoing investigation, the Grand Jury has charged WEINSTEIN with an additional count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree for a forcible sexual act against a third woman in 2006, as well as two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault, a Class A-II felony which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. [1]

The new charges are in addition to those contained in the previous indictment of WEINSTEIN on charges of Rape in the First and Third Degrees, as well as Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, for forcible sexual acts against two women in 2013 and 2004, respectively.

“A Manhattan Grand Jury has now indicted Harvey Weinstein on some of the most serious sexual offenses that exist under New York’s Penal Law,” said District Attorney Vance. “This indictment is the result of the extraordinary courage exhibited by the survivors who have come forward. Our investigation continues. If you are a survivor of the predatory abuse with which Mr. Weinstein is charged, there is still time to pursue justice. Please call us at 212-335-9373.”

The superseding indictment is the result of a monthslong, ongoing investigation led by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the New York City Police Department.

District Attorney Vance thanked the New York City Police Department for its assistance with the investigation.

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

 Defendant Information:

HARVEY WEINSTEIN, D.O.B. 3/19/1952

New York, NY

Charged:

Predatory Sexual Assault, a class A-II felony, 2 counts
Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class B felony, 2 counts
Rape in the First Degree, a class B felony, 1 count
Rape in the Third Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

Woman Who Unlawfully Climbed The Statue Of Liberty Arrested For Trespassing, Interference With Government Agency Functions, And Disorderly Conduct

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Major Pamela Smith, Commander, New York Field Office of the U.S. Park Police, and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the arrest of THERESE OKOUMOU on charges of trespassing, interference with government agency functions, and disorderly conduct.  The Information charges that OKOUMOU climbed the base of the Statue of Liberty and resisted orders to come down, causing the evacuation of Liberty Island on the Fourth of July and posing substantial danger to NYPD officers who were required to retrieve her.  OKOUMOU was arrested Wednesday, and will be presented today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the Information, the defendant staged a dangerous stunt that alarmed the public and endangered her own life and the lives of the NYPD officers who responded to the scene.  While we must and do respect the rights of the people to peaceable protest, that right does not extend to breaking the law in ways that put others at risk.  I commend the Park Police for the orderly evacuation of Liberty Island yesterday, and the NYPD for their bravery and effectiveness in bringing yesterday’s events to a safe conclusion.”

U.S. Park Police Major Pamela Smith said:  “This incident caused disruption to thousands of visitors on one of the busiest days of the year at the Statue of Liberty.  We are grateful that the matter was resolved with no one sustaining injuries or causing major damage to the monument.”

OKOUMOU, 44, of Staten Island, New York, is charged with one count of trespassing, one count of interference with agency functions, and one count of disorderly conduct.  Each charge carries a maximum penalty of six months 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 defendant will be determined by the judge.

The charges contained in the Information are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A.G. Underwood Announces Settlement With Brooklyn Auto Dealer Over Deceptive Practices That Targeted Non-English Speakers

  Following Investigation Into Reports of Unwanted Charges, Fraudulent Sales Tactics, and Other Deceptive Practices That Mostly Targeted Chinese-Speaking New Yorkers, Bay Ridge Honda Will Reform Practices and Pay Over $423,000 in Restitution and Penalties

  Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood today announced a settlement requiring Bay Ridge Honda of Brooklyn to reform its business practices and pay over $423,000 in restitution and penalties, after the office received dozens of complaints from New Yorkers about unwanted charges and fraudulent sales tactics that targeted non-English speakers. Many of the consumers who complained were Mandarin and Cantonese speakers who negotiated their sales or lease contracts in Chinese, but were only provided English documents that they later discovered contained different terms and unwanted and costly aftermarket items in their bills. 

Under the settlement, Attorney General Underwood obtained restitution for 47 known New Yorkers harmed by the dealership’s practices, as well as requirements that the dealership stop engaging in the alleged deceptive practices, and modify employee training and the processing of consumer complaints. Importantly, Bay Ridge Honda will ensure future sales and lending documents are translated into the language the dealership conducts business in with consumers, prior to signing any documents in English.

“We have zero tolerance for unscrupulous businesses that prey on immigrant communities and non-English speakers,” said Attorney General Underwood. “This office will continue to protect the rights of all New Yorkers, of all backgrounds.”

According to U.S. Census Data, approximately 4.3 million New Yorkers have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English fluently. In the New York City metro area alone, over a third of people speak a language other than English at home; close to 200 different languages are spoken.

Attorney General Underwood alleged that Bay Ridge Honda engaged in a variety of deceptive practices, misleading consumers about the true cost of their purchases -- including unlawfully selling unwanted aftermarket items, such as supplemental service contracts, gap insurance policies, or special protections for tires, fabric, glass, or paint that added thousands of dollars to the auto sale or lease contracts. For example, when consumer Xui Fen Hong got her first bill, she saw that her loan was for a 72-month period, instead of 60 months as promised. Hong also found out and complained that she was paying over $7,000 for aftermarket items the dealership’s staff never mentioned during her sale, which was conducted in Chinese. 

The Attorney General’s investigation also found that the dealership falsely promised to refinance consumers’ loans. For example, when consumers complained that the dealership had overcharged them or included unwanted extra aftermarket items in their contracts, dealership staff would falsely promise to refinance to a lower rate after a few months of payments. Ultimately, the dealership did not honor these refinancing promises.

Under the Consent Order, Bay Ridge Honda will refund $269,525 to the 47 known consumers. In addition to restitution, the dealership will also pay $153,648 in penalties, fees, and costs to the State. The dealership agreed to refrain from engaging in all of the alleged deceptive business practices, as well as modifying its employee training and changing how complaints are processed and recorded. Lastly, the dealership will produce sales and lending documents translated into every language in which the dealership conducts business with consumers, prior to signing any documents in English.   

New Yorkers who believe they were deceptively sold unwanted aftermarket items or offered false promises to refinance transactions by Bay Ridge Honda are encouraged to file complaints online or call 1-800-771-7755.