Wave Hill Events July 26‒August 2

Thu, July 26    Marvelous Moths Walk and Talk

Often overshadowed by their more flamboyant butterfly relatives, moths have their own subtle beauty. In recognition of National Moth Week, join environmental educator and moth enthusiast Pam Golben for a special, twilight, mothing adventure. After a short presentation indoors, head outside to search for these demure creatures in the garden and at an illuminated moth observation station. No mothing experience required! Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. $25. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited.Serene Thursday event.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 8–9:30PM

Sat, July 28    Family Art Project: Cool-off Colors Collage

The colors of teal, cobalt, cerulean and cornflower blue make for cool, summer collages. Draw from a rich supply of materials, including painted and metallic papers, blue buttons and repurposed packaging, and feel inspired by the Hudson River, the blue cliffs of the Palisades or shades of blue flowers silhouetted against an aquamarine sky. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, July 28    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 28   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 29    Family Art Project: Cool-off Colors Collage

The colors of teal, cobalt, cerulean and cornflower blue make for cool, summer collages. Draw from a rich supply of materials, including painted and metallic papers, blue buttons and repurposed packaging, and feel inspired by the Hudson River, the blue cliffs of the Palisades or shades of blue flowers silhouetted against an aquamarine sky. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, July 29    Yoga in the Garden

Enjoy a morning yoga class in the gardens—our last for the summer—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. $25 per session. Wave Hill Members save 10%.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10–11AM

Sun, July 29    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 30

Closed to the public

Tue, July 31    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 31    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, August 1    Sunset Wednesdays: Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers

An accomplished Americana instrumentalist with foundations in jazz and swing music, Phoebe Hunt has a skill for taking seemingly disparate elements and pulling them together into a dazzling kaleidoscope of lush, coherent sound and rhythm patterns. The result is music that swells, crashes and breathes organically under her soulful, plaintive voice. The music seemingly transcends traditional genre, by weaving exotic rhythmic concepts within her roots of Americana, Country and Texas Tinged Swing. Her latest release is the culmination of a five year journey that has taken her from her Austin roots through Music Row, Brooklyn, and even to India to study with seventh-generation master violinist Kala Ramnath.  Rain or shine, all Sunset Wednesdays 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, August 2    Art Workshop Series Begins: Drawn to Color

Compose intimate portraits of Wave Hill’s loveliest summer blooms by layering and blending soft pastels. This two-day, intensive mini-course, which continues Friday, May 3,  includes plein air drawing, a curator-led overview of the summer exhibition and technical guidance from artist Wennie Huang, a newly inducted member of the Pastel Society of America. Basic tools and hardware supplies included; a materials list will be provided upon registration. All skill levels welcome. $160. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Space is limited. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–4PM

Thu, August 2    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, August 2    OnBehalfof.Life: Bronx Edition

EPA Agents will be on hand to facilitate conversations about environmental issues affecting multispecies habitats in the Bronx River Watershed and how these issues are influenced by environmental protection policy. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the OnBehalfof.Life project by submitting a public comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of another species, helping to articulate a vision for environmental justice on behalf of all life. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 6–7:30PM

Thu, August 2    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.

MINISTERS TO CONDUCT A PRAYER VIGIL ON BEHALF OF NEW YORK TAXI INDUSTRY & CITY RESIDENTS

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Councilman,  Rubén Díaz Sr.

District 18 Bronx County, New York

  You should know that this coming Thursday July 19^th  at 11:00 A.M., the Hispanic Ministers will be conducting a prayer vigil at the steps of City Hall.  

This vigil is being organized by “The Clamor for New York” its President Bishop Luis Paniagua from Brooklyn, and the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization which I preside.    

It is important that you know the need for this prayer vigil. 

First: The City of New York has policies in place that have enabled “Uber” and other such companies to destroy the Yellow Taxi industry which has resulted in suicides among its drivers.   The drivers have found themselves destitute, after having invested so much of their life’s savings to acquire the taxi Medallions at a cost of $1,500,000. Now those Taxi medallions are worth a mere $200,000. Having lost their investments, loss their homes and life’s savings some of these drivers sadly have turned to suicide.  

Also, according to Livery Drivers, they are being persecuted, abused and discriminated against by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and its enforcement agents.   Drivers report numerous incidents of entrapments, drivers are being penalized with outrageous summonses as high as $10,000 and double fines (by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission) for the same violation.

Second: Crime in the City is spiking.  Homicides, rape, and gang violence are on the rise.   It is predicted that this summer the weather will be one of the hottest, but it will also be very dangerous for residents of the City, especially the most vulnerable - the elderly and children.  

Third: The immigrant community is facing many difficulties which our city and state leaders must unify to address as one single voice.  Leaders must work together to develop comprehensive solutions regarding affordable housing, jobs, education, and health insurance these new immigrants entering the City and State. We must do this without ignoring the pain and suffering of our own children and legal City residents.

Fourth: According to recent Federal inspections of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), NYCHA neglected to make necessary boiler repairs, leaving its residents to endure the bitter cold winters without heat and hot water.   NYCHA’s years of failures to repair and paint apartments exposed children to the health hazards of lead paint, causing disease and health ramifications.

Fifth: Currently there are close to 70,000 families living in shelter every night, plus many thousand more homeless in the streets. We have to be sure to take care of our own before we take care of anybody else. 

For this and many other reasons The Hispanic Ministers have a call to prayer.  This prayer vigil on the steps of City Hall is to ask God to intervene on behalf of our city and its people.   We will pray that God protect, guide, and grant our Governor, Mayor, City Council, and state legislators the wisdom needed to help heal our city and state.  Our prayers will be that God guide and intervene so we can work together to bring to fruition an end to the abuses, neglect, and suffering of the most vulnerable population of this city.  

There is much power in prayer.  

I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.   

Cynthia Nixon Statement on Verdict in the Buffalo Billion Trial

    Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon released the following statement after the jury in the Buffalo Billion trial found  several top donors to the Governor and his former top economic development aide, Alain Kaloyeros, guilty on all counts. Another top aide of the Governor's, Joe Percoco, was convicted on corruption charges earlier this year. Percoco, who also formerly served as the Governor's campaign manager, is expected to be sentenced next week. 

"Governor Cuomo will say that he had no knowledge of Kaloyeros’ activity, just like he said he knew nothing about the crimes that Joe Percoco was committing in the his own office. We’re supposed to believe that Andrew Cuomo, a notorious micromanager, had no idea what his right-hand man was doing right under his nose?  We’re supposed to believe that the master architect of the Governor's economic development plan doled out nearly a billion dollars without the Governor's knowledge or guidance? I for one don’t believe that. But if the Governor truly didn’t know what his top aide and highest-paid state employee were doing, that’s arguably even worse. Andrew Cuomo is either corrupt or he is spectacularly incompetent. Either way, the facts from the trials of Joe Percoco and Alain Kaloyeros lead to only one conclusion: We can’t clean up Albany until we clean out the governor’s mansion. Nothing is going to change until we change who’s in charge."

NEW YORK CITY CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION TO HOST “CHARTER WEEK” FOR THE PUBLIC TO DISCUSS PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE CITY CHARTER

  The New York City Charter Revision Commission announced today it will host “Charter Week,” a series of public hearings in each of the five boroughs. Charter Week also includes community events complementing the extensive public outreach and engagement the Commission has undertaken to date. The Commission’s Preliminary Staff Report will be released as part of the Commission’s public meeting on July 17.

“Charter Week” features a series of public hearings in each of the five boroughs. The hearings are an opportunity for the public to respond to the Preliminary Staff Report. The public is encouraged to attend and offer testimony in front of the Commission about the report and on any aspect of the Charter. As a part of “Charter Week,” Commissioners and staff will engage youth groups, veterans, immigrant families and others to solicit further input on revising the Charter. 

All Commission meetings and hearings will be 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 other language interpreters. Please make language interpretation requests or additional accessibility requests by 5PM no later than four calendar days before a hearing date by emailing the Commission at requests@charter.nyc.gov or calling 212-386-5350. All meetings are also live streamed at NYC.gov/charter.

The information about Charter Week is below:

1. Community Event: Greenmarket (Brooklyn)

·         WHEN: Saturday, July 14, 2018 from 9AM-11AM

·         WHERE: Grand Army Plaza, Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn

·         Directions: Take 2 or 3 to Grand Army Plaza

2. Public Commission Meeting to Discuss Preliminary Staff Report

·         WHEN: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11AM

·         WHERE: Pratt Institute Manhattan Campus, 144 West 14^th Street, Room 213, New York, NY 10011

·         Directions: Take the 1, 2, or 3 train to 14^th Street Station

3. Community Event: Greenmarket (Staten Island)

·         WHEN: Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 9AM-11AM

·         WHERE: St George Green Market St Marks Pl & Hyatt St, Staten Island, NY 10301

·         Directions: Take the Ferry to St. George

4. Public Hearing (Manhattan)

• WHEN: Monday, July 23, 2018 at 6PM

• WHERE: New York University’s Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, Greenberg Lounge, New York, NY 10012

• Directions: Take the A, C, or E train to West 4^th St, Washington Square Station

5. Public Hearing (Bronx)

·         WHEN: Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 6PM

·      WHERE: Hostos Community College, 120 East 149^th Street, 2^nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10451

·         Directions: Take the 4, 5, 6, or 2 train to 149 St. – Grand Concourse

6. Community Event: Greenmarket (Queens)

·         WHEN: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 from 9AM-11AM

·         WHERE: Astoria Greenmarket 14th St & 31st Ave & 31st Road, Queens, NY 11106

·         Directions: Take the N or W to 30^th Ave

7. Public Hearing (Brooklyn)

·         WHEN: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 6PM

·         WHERE: St. Francis College, 4305, 180 Remsen St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

·         Directions: Take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Borough Hall; or the R train to Court St.; or the A, C to Jay St. – MetroTech Station

8. Public Hearing (Queens)

·         WHEN: Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 6PM

·         WHERE: Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11424

·         Directions: Take the E train to Union Turnpike – Kew Gardens Station

9. Public Hearing (Staten Island)

·         WHEN: Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 6:30PM

·         WHERE: McKee High School, 290 St. Marks Place, Auditorium, Staten Island, NY 10301

·         Directions: After leaving the Staten Island terminal, head northwest. Turn right toward Wall St., turn left onto Wall St., and turn left onto St. Marks Place

The Commission’s Preliminary Staff Report will be released as part of the Commission’s public meeting on July 17. During this meeting, the Commission will release and discuss the findings from the Preliminary Staff Report. 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. Once released, the Preliminary Staff Report will be found here. The public will have the opportunity to testify at the public hearings during Charter Week, July 23 to 31.

                                                                                                       

The remainder of the Commission’s schedule is as follows:

August, 2018

The Commission will hold two public meetings in August to finalize its report outlining its findings and any ballot proposals to amend the Charter.

September, 2018

Charter revision ballot proposals, if any, are filed with the City Clerk.

The Commission will notify the public when dates and locations of the remaining public meetings are determined. The Commission may schedule additional public meetings or change this proposed schedule as appropriate.

About the Commission

During his State of the City Address on February 13th, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his intent to appoint a Charter Revision Commission. The Commission is required by law to examine the entire New York City Charter to identify areas for potential revision. The public is encouraged to engage with the Commission over social media on Twitter (https://twitter.com/nyccharter) and Facebook (facebook.com/nyccharter).

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Why are there only four public events for five boroughs?

Why is it that the Bronx has no public event?

Is it that the mayor does not want to inform the people of the Bronx about the Charter Revision meetings?

Or is it the mayor does not care about the people of the Bronx?

Our Bronx elected leaders need to demand of the mayor the same that the tiny borough of Staten Island will get.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND CITY COUNCIL APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE NIGHTLIFE ADVISORY BOARD

The 14-member body will advise the Mayor and the City Council on issues affecting the nightlife industry

  Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, and Council Member Espinal today announced the appointment of the 14 members of the City’s first-ever Nightlife Advisory Board. As a complement to the newly formed Office of Nightlife, the all-volunteer board is charged with making recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on ways to improve regulations and policies that impact nightlife establishments.

Ranging from DJs and hospitality advocates to regulatory attorneys, the appointees bring a variety of perspectives and expertise on New York City’s celebrated nightlife.

“New York City’s nightlife is second to none. It attracts visitors from around the world and is an economic engine across the five boroughs,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The new Nightlife Advisory Board reflects the diversity that makes our city and our nightlife great. Working together, we will ensure the industry continues to thrive.”

“Native New Yorkers and tourists alike love the City for its exhilarating and vibrant nightlife culture, but businesses should not have to face bureaucratic obstacles when they are trying to give people what they want: a fun time out in the City that never sleeps. The establishment of the Nightlife Advisory Board gives stakeholders a voice and path to solutions, and I thank Council Member Rafael Espinal for his leadership and continued advocacy for the nightlife community,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

The Nightlife Advisory Board will issue formal recommendations to the Mayor and the Council that will address the regulatory structure of the nightlife industry; common complaints about nightlife establishments; public safety concerns related to nightlife; zoning, enforcement, nightlife workforce conditions and the integration of nightlife into the city’s various neighborhoods. All members will serve two year terms.

“I am thrilled to welcome the members of the new Nightlife Advisory Board, which represents a cross-section of stakeholders in both the industry and communities affected by it,” said Julie Menin, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. “Working together, I know we can help nightlife establishments comply with well-thought out regulations while ensuring that our communities maintain the kind of quality of life they deserve.”

“I am very excited to work with the Nightlife Advisory Board, and look forward to the important and diverse insight they will bring,” said Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director of the Office of Nightlife. “Along with the recent hiring of the full Office of Nightlife staff, the stage is set to accomplish the very significant work ahead.”

Mayoral Appointees

José Francisco Ávila, founder and managing member of Garufina Afro-Latina Entertainment, LLC. and Chairman of the Board of The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc.

Kurtis Blow, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ and Chairman of the Universal Hip Hop Museum who has released 15 albums over the course of his career

DJ Tikka Masala composes and produces music for the Obie and Bessie award winning Brooklyn based feminist acrobatic dance company, LAVA, and is resident DJ at Henrietta Hudson

Susan Stetzer, district manager for Community Board 3, Manhattan, where she has served for the past 14 years

Luisa F. Torres, owner of Mojitos Restaurant Bar and community activist

City Council Appointees

Robert Bookman, regulatory and liquor licensing attorney, partner Pesetsky and Bookman

Marti Gould Cummings, drag artist, LGBTQ advocate

Alvester Garnett, drummer, percussionist, arts educator and advocate

Pedro Goico, representative at New York Supermarket Association

Olympia Kazi, architect, arts advocate and urban design critic. Member of the NYC Artists Coalition

Andrew Praschak, environmental attorney

Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance

David Rosen, Brooklyn and Queens bar operator and community organizer, co-founder of Brooklyn Allied Bars and Restaurants (BABAR)

Susan Xenarios, director and founder, Crime Victims Treatment Center, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals

Statement Of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman On The Conviction Of Buffalo Billion Defendants

  Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The inscription, ‘The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government,’ is set in stone in the New York County courthouse.  Those words have never been more poignant for the citizens of New York, as in quick succession less than four months apart they have seen this Office secure convictions in separate prosecutions against the State Assembly Speaker, a close confidant and executive aide to the governor, and now the president of SUNY Polytech, the executive leading the expansive ‘Buffalo Billion’ initiative.  The guiding principle of the Southern District holds that true justice can only be achieved through independence from politics or influence, and that has never been more important than today. I commend the career prosecutors of our Public Corruption unit for their enduring commitment to true justice in our government.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Who is next U.S. Attorney Berman?

Alain Kaloyeros, President Of Suny Polytechnic Institute, And Three Executives Of Real Estate Development Companies Found Guilty Of Fraud In Connection With Buffalo Billion Projects

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ALAIN KALOYEROS, the former president of the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (“SUNY Poly”), was convicted of defrauding and conspiring to defraud a SUNY Poly-affiliated not-for-profit organization in connection with Buffalo Billion construction projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.  LOUIS CIMINELLI, STEVEN AIELLO, and JOSEPH GERARDI – three executives of real estate development companies based in Syracuse and Buffalo – were also convicted of fraud and conspiracy.   

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The inscription, ‘The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government,’ is set in stone in the New York County Courthouse.  Those words have never been more poignant for the citizens of New York, as in quick succession less than four months apart they have seen this Office secure convictions in separate prosecutions against the State Assembly Speaker, a close confidant and executive aide to the governor, and now the president of SUNY Poly, the executive leading the expansive ‘Buffalo Billion’ initiative.  The guiding principle of the Southern District holds that true justice can only be achieved through independence from politics or influence, and that has never been more important than today.  I commend the career prosecutors of our Public Corruption unit for their enduring commitment to true justice in our government.”

According to the evidence introduced at trial, other proceedings in this case, and documents previously filed in Manhattan federal court:

KALOYEROS conspired with AIELLO and GERARDI, two top executives at Syracuse-based COR Development Company (“COR Development”), and CIMINELLI, the head of Buffalo-based LPCiminelli Inc. (“LPCiminelli”), to deceive Fort Schuyler Management Corporation (“Fort Schuyler”), a State-funded entity charged with awarding State contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, by secretly rigging the bidding process so that the contracts would be awarded to those two companies.

KALOYEROS, who oversaw the application process for many of the State grants awarded under the Buffalo Billion and similar programs, retained Todd Howe to assist with developing the projects and identifying developers for those projects.  KALOYEROS, Howe, AIELLO, GERARDI, and CIMINELLI worked together to deceive Fort Schuyler by, among other things, secretly tailoring the required qualifications for those development deals so that COR Development and LPCiminelli would be awarded contracts in Syracuse and Buffalo, respectively, without any meaningful competition, while falsely representing to Fort Schuyler that the bidding process was fair, open, and competitive. 

More specifically, in or about October 2013, Fort Schuyler issued requests for proposals (“RFPs”) to solicit bids from interested and qualified developers for the Syracuse and Buffalo projects.  KALOYEROS, with Howe’s assistance, oversaw the drafting of the RFPs and, unbeknownst to Fort Schuyler, KALOYEROS and Howe secretly solicited from AIELLO, GERARDI, and CIMINELLI qualifications of COR Development and LPCiminelli to put in the RFPs so that the RFPs would request qualifications specifically held by those companies.  For example, the Syracuse RFP requested the use of specific project management software used by COR Development.  After Howe emailed GERARDI and AIELLO a draft of the Syracuse RFP approximately two weeks before its public issuance, GERARDI sent back a handwritten mark-up of the draft RFP, on which GERARDI had, among other things, underlined the software names and wrote “too telegraphed??”  For its part, the Buffalo RFP, as initially issued, required 50 years of experience by a local developer – a qualification touted by LPCiminelli in promotional materials provided to KALOYEROS.  This requirement was later changed and claimed to be a “typographical error.”  LPCiminelli also was provided internal State documents to use in drafting its response to the RFP.

In or about fall 2015, after the FBI interviewed other real estate development and construction companies that expressed interest in the Buffalo RFP, KALOYEROS deleted from his Gmail account numerous emails involving Howe, including emails in which KALOYEROS and Howe exchanged “vitals” for COR Development and LPCiminelli during the drafting of the RFPs.  In addition, CIMINELLI deleted a number of emails between himself and KALOYEROS, including an email in which KALOYEROS, from his Gmail account, sent a draft of the Buffalo RFP to CIMINELLI and promised to “fine tune the developer requirements to fit.”

KALOYEROS was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  CIMINELLI, AIELLO, and GERARDI were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of  20 years in prison.  GERARDI was also convicted of one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

KALOYEROS is scheduled to be sentenced on October 11, 2018; AIELLO is scheduled to be sentenced on October 12, 2018; GERARDI is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15, 2018; and CIMINELLI is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17, 2018.  All defendants will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, who presided over the trial. 

Mr. Berman praised the work of the FBI Buffalo Field Office and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, which jointly conducted this investigation with the Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.