Former New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos And His Son, Adam Skelos, Convicted Again Of Corruption Offenses In Manhattan Federal Court

  Robert Khuzami, Attorney for the United States, acting under authority conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 515, announced the convictions of former New York State Senate Majority Leader DEAN SKELOS and his son ADAM SKELOS on bribery, extortion, and honest services fraud counts, following a five-week jury trial before the U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood.  As a unanimous jury found for a second time, DEAN SKELOS repeatedly abused his official position to obtain more than $300,000 in bribes and extortion payments made to his son, ADAM SKELOS.  The defendants had previously been found guilty of the same offenses by a jury in December 2015, but their convictions were overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in McDonnell v. United States.

Deputy U.S. Attorney Robert Khuzami said:  “Yet again, a New York jury heard a sordid tale of bribery, extortion, and the abuse of power by a powerful public official of this State.  And yet again, a jury responded with a unanimous verdict of guilt, in this case of Dean Skelos and his son Adam – sending the resounding message that political corruption will not be tolerated.”

According to the evidence introduced at trial, court filings, and statements made in Manhattan federal court:

From 2011 to 2015, DEAN SKELOS served as Majority Leader and Co-Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, a position that gave him significant power over the operation of New York State government.  DEAN SKELOS repeatedly used this power to pressure companies with business before New York State to make payments to his son, ADAM SKELOS, who substantially depended on these companies for his income.  DEAN SKELOS and ADAM SKELOS were able to secure these illegal payments through implicit and explicit representations that DEAN SKELOS would use his official position to benefit those who made the payments, and punish those who did not.  In total, DEAN SKELOS obtained over $300,000 in payments to ADAM SKELOS through persistent and repeated pressure applied to senior executives of three different companies that needed legislation passed in the New York State Senate and other official actions from DEAN SKELOS. 

The Glenwood Scheme

Beginning in late 2010, and continuing for approximately two years, DEAN SKELOS repeatedly solicited payments for ADAM SKELOS from representatives of Glenwood Management Corp. (“Glenwood”), a major New York City real estate company.  DEAN SKELOS’s solicitations for payments to ADAM SKELOS took place during the same meetings when Glenwood’s representatives were asking for DEAN SKELOS’s assistance with New York State legislation that was crucial to Glenwood’s profitability.  As a result of the sustained pressure from DEAN SKELOS, representatives of Glenwood arranged for a $20,000 direct payment to ADAM SKELOS and further arranged for Abtech Industries (“Abtech”), an Arizona-based stormwater technology company in which Glenwood’s founding family owned a stake, to make $4,000 monthly payments to ADAM SKELOS.  Glenwood arranged for these payments to ADAM SKELOS due to the company’s substantial dependence on DEAN SKELOS for real estate tax abatements and other real estate legislation favorable to Glenwood, and based in part on statements from DEAN SKELOS that he would punish those in the real estate industry who defied him. 

The Abtech Scheme

After successfully obtaining ADAM SKELOS’s Abtech consulting contract for $4,000 per month, DEAN SKELOS and ADAM SKELOS then threatened to use DEAN SKELOS’s official powers to block Abtech’s bid for a Nassau County contract unless the company sharply increased ADAM SKELOS’s payments.  Abtech ultimately agreed to increase ADAM SKELOS’s payments to $10,000 per month because the company feared that, if it did not meet the defendants’ demands, it would lose the Nassau County contract that was critical to its business.  In return for the payments to ADAM SKELOS, DEAN SKELOS took and agreed to take numerous official actions to benefit Abtech. 

For example, when Abtech and ADAM SKELOS believed Nassau County was withholding funding due to Abtech under its contract, DEAN SKELOS pressured Nassau County officials to make additional funds available.  In January 2015, DEAN SKELOS was intercepted in a call with the Nassau County Executive in which he raised the issue, complaining on behalf of ADAM SKELOS that “somebody feels like they’re getting jerked around the last two years.”  The next day, DEAN SKELOS traveled with the County Executive and his Deputy to the funeral of a New York City Police Department officer, where DEAN SKELOS reiterated in person his demand that the County make payments to Abtech, which the County subsequently did. 

DEAN SKELOS also used his official position in an attempt to direct State funding that had been recovered in litigation with financial services companies (the “Settlement Funds”) in a way that would benefit water projects and contracts being pursued by Abtech.  For example, at the same time ADAM SKELOS was attempting to obtain additional Abtech stormwater projects with local municipalities by claiming that the projects could be funded with State money, DEAN SKELOS advocated for a portion of the Settlement Funds to be allocated for stormwater projects. 

The PRI Scheme

During the same time period as the Glenwood and Abtech schemes, DEAN SKELOS solicited payments for his son ADAM SKELOS from yet another company, Physician Reciprocal Insurers (“PRI”).  PRI, a medical malpractice insurance firm whose existence depends on the renewal of certain New York State legislation, complied with the request, giving ADAM SKELOS a full-time job with benefits.  Even though ADAM SKELOS was expected to work 40 hours per week, he treated his PRI position as a “no show” job from the outset of his employment.  When ADAM SKELOS’s supervisor told ADAM SKELOS that he was expected to show up to work, ADAM SKELOS berated him and said, “Guys like you couldn’t shine my shoes. Guys like you will never amount to anything, and if you talk to me like that again, I’ll smash your f**king head in.”  When the CEO of PRI told DEAN SKELOS that ADAM SKELOS was not showing up to work and was mistreating the other employees, DEAN SKELOS expressed no concern about ADAM SKELOS’s conduct and simply told the CEO to “work it out.”  Based on this conversation, among others, the CEO understood that if he did not continue to pay ADAM SKELOS, despite his non-performance and misconduct at work, he was risking DEAN SKELOS taking legislative action against PRI.

During the time period that PRI was paying ADAM SKELOS, DEAN SKELOS repeatedly voted to extend PRI’s legislative protection from liquidation as well as other legislation that was being sought by PRI.

DEAN SKELOS, 70, and ADAM SKELOS, 36, each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on Count One (conspiracy to commit extortion), a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on Count Two (conspiracy to commit honest services fraud), a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of Counts Three through Five (extortion), and a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each of Counts Six through Eight (bribery).  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by Judge Wood.  Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2018.

Mr. Khuzami praised the work of the Criminal Special Agent Investigators of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who jointly conducted this investigation.  

Bronx Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty To Selling Heroin That Caused Woman’s Overdose Death In A Hospital Rehabilitation Clinic

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DUANE MARTINEZ pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin between 2015 and 2017.  As part of that conspiracy, MARTINEZ arranged to deliver heroin to a 41-year-old woman, Ivy Katz, while she was a patient in a hospital rehabilitation clinic, causing Katz to overdose and die.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The trafficking of heroin and other opioids is a serious crime that often leads to the tragic overdoses that are a public health crisis in our city and around the country.  Duane Martinez sold large amounts of heroin over a long period of time, and he arranged for his heroin to be delivered to an inpatient rehabilitation clinic located inside a hospital.  Martinez’s disregard led to a tragic death and undermined the efforts of health professionals to provide treatment for someone with the courage to seek it.  Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of our partners in the New York City Police Department, Duane Martinez is out of business, and heroin dealers should know that they cannot escape the consequences of their crimes.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint, the Indictment, and statements made in court and publicly available documents:

From at least in or about November 2015 through in or about April 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, MARTINEZ and others conspired to sell more than one kilogram of heroin. 

In particular, on or about January 1, 2017, MARTINEZ arranged for heroin to be delivered to Ivy Katz at an inpatient rehabilitation clinic located in a hospital in Manhattan.  In mid-December 2016, Katz had voluntarily checked herself into the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation program for opioid dependence.  MARTINEZ arranged for another individual to deliver heroin to Katz in the hospital, evading measures designed to prevent patients in recovery from receiving drugs.  Approximately 30 minutes after the person sent by MARTINEZ left the hospital, Katz was found comatose in her room with a needle containing heroin in her arm.  Katz never regained consciousness and ultimately died on or about January 16, 2017.

DUANE MARTINEZ, 44, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory term of 10 years in prison.  The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge. MARTINEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Caproni on October 25, 2018.

Charges against the other individual named in the indictment – Anthony Dodaj – are pending.  The charges and allegations against Dodaj are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department’s Manhattan South Narcotics Heroin Overdose Team.

Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church - Upcoming Events

Annual Missionary Outreach Day 

               And

Health & Wellness Fair

Saturday, July 28, 2018

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

At

Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church (GMBC)

771 Fairmount Place & Prospect Ave   Bronx, N. Y. 10460

Street Closure @ Fairmount Place from Prospect to Marmion Avenues. 

Community engagement & networking. Hosted by GMBC’s Missionary Dept:

SPOKEN WORD● INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC●GAMES ● FREE FOOD & BEVERAGES ● FREE CLOTHING●VOTER REGISTRATION● SAFETY & HEALTH WELLNESS EDUCATION●HEALTH SCREENINGS & TESTING●OTHER

Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church

771 Fairmount Place                                  

Reverend Torrence Robinson, Pastor

GMBC’s Ministries: Prison, HIV/AIDS Prevention, F.O.C.U.S., Social Action, PoWW, and YGT with HAVE

and Gateway Community Development

Presents

Beyond a Criminal Record 

to Work & More

An Empowerment and Prevention Information & Education Workshop

for Civilians and Veterans

(Wednesday) October 17, 2018

1:00 PM – 4:30 PM 

At 

Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church

(See Address Above)

(Bus #40 or #42 to E. Tremont & Prospect Aves; walk 2 blocks to corner of Prospect & Fairmount Pl)

Facilitator:

Roberta Meyers, Director

Legal Action Center National H.I.R.E.

(Helping Individuals with criminal records Reenter through Employment) Network project

Information and education provided to help people with a history of incarceration improve their opportunity to obtain gainful employment.

With Presentations By:

Dennis Frink, Outreach Specialist OFFICE OF ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH    NYC HRA, DHS, DSS  Child Support Arrears. SNAP. Homelessness. Rental Assistance. Jose [Tony] Rivera, Career Counselor JERICHO PROJECT Vocational Training. Education. Veteran Employment.
David Thorpe, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Elvin Garcia THE FORTUNE SOCIETY Employment Services. Family Services Jose [Tony] Rivera, Career Counselor JERICHO PROJECT Vocational Training. Education. Veteran Employment..

For inquiries: Deacon Kim D. James, Chairperson, Prison Ministry 646-418-2675|kimdjames@aol.com

Russian National Charged in Conspiracy to Act as an Agent of the Russian Federation Within the United States

  A criminal complaint was unsealed today in the District of Columbia charging a Russian national with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian Federation within the United States without prior notification to the Attorney General.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu, and Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

Maria Butina, 29, a Russian citizen residing in Washington D.C., was arrested on July 15, 2018, in Washington, D.C., and made her initial appearance this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. She was ordered held pending a hearing set for July 18, 2018.

According to the affidavit in support of the complaint, from as early as 2015 and continuing through at least February 2017, Butina worked at the direction of a high-level official in the Russian government who was previously a member of the legislature of the Russian Federation and later became a top official at the Russian Central Bank.  This Russian official was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control in April 2018.

The court filings detail the Russian official’s and Butina’s efforts for Butina to act as an agent of Russia inside the United States by developing relationships with U.S. persons and infiltrating organizations having influence in American politics, for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Russian Federation. The filings also describe certain actions taken by Butina to further this effort during multiple visits from Russia and, later, when she entered and resided in the United States on a student visa. The filings allege that she undertook her activities without officially disclosing the fact that she was acting as an agent of Russian government, as required by law. 

The charges in criminal complaints are merely allegations and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  If convicted of any offense, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation into this matter was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER, PAYS FULL RESTITUTION TO WORKERS

SSC High Rise Inc. Convicted of Manslaughter for Causing Death of Carpenter Juan Chonillo 

Subsequent Investigation Revealed Institutionalized Scheme to Steal Workers' Wages

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New York State Department of Labor ("NYS DOL") Commissioner Roberta Reardon, and New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”) Commissioner Mark G. Peters today announced the resolution of a joint investigation into SSC HIGH RISE INC. (“SSC”) for a 2016 construction site fatality, as well as wage theft and insurance fraud schemes uncovered by the joint investigation. SSC pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree for causing the death of construction worker Juan Chonillo, paid approximately $842,000 in restitution, and was assessed a $10,000 corporate fine, the maximum permitted under New York Law. In a Superior Court Information previously filed in New York State Supreme Court, SSC admitted to causing the death of Chonillo, stealing more than $500,000 in wages from more than 50 employees, and underreporting nearly $2 million in payroll.

“SSC High Rise stole half a million dollars from vulnerable workers, and then robbed Juan Chonillo of his life,” said District Attorney Vance. “It is unthinkable that after a preventable tragedy like the death of Chonillo—a father of five—the company faces a maximum penalty of just $10,000. This is pennies on the dollar compared to the potential profits on a high-rise construction job in a booming real estate market. My Office and our partners will continue pursuing criminal cases against companies that endanger and defraud their workers, but meaningful, practical deterrence—in the form of higher corporate penalties for killing and maiming workers—is the only way that New York State can end these dangerous and unlawful practices that put vulnerable New Yorkers’ lives at risk.”

DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters said: “Today’s disposition holds accountable this company that gambled with the lives of their workers. SSC High Rise violated City building codes, allowing a construction platform to dangle precariously by a crane with no structural support and five employees on board—one who fell to his death. More severe penalties must be applied to companies whose illegal conduct directly causes terrible tragedies like the death of Juan Chonillo and other workers who have perished or been seriously injured on construction sites. DOI will continue to work with Manhattan District Attorney Vance and his team to see that these companies are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

The guilty plea and restitution follow a joint investigation led by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Construction Fraud Task Force, NYS DOL, DOI, and New York State Insurance Fund (“NYSIF”). 

Construction Site Fatality 

In February 2016, SSC was hired as a subcontractor to perform concrete superstructure work at 161 Maiden Lane, a 60-story, luxury residential building project near the South Street Seaport. Construction commenced on the project in July 2016. As part of its work, SSC used a three-tiered, bracketed scaffolding system created by PERI Formwork Systems, Inc. that vertically moved the construction platforms from floor to floor using a crane or hydraulic climbing mechanism. The construction platforms were secured to the exterior of the structure by retractable components known as “wall shoes,” which lock into place.

Recognizing the danger of unsecured scaffolding platforms, the New York City Building Code requires loads to be properly secured before being moved, and operators are prohibited from lifting, lowering or moving loads in any direction while individuals may be present, attached to, inside, or standing on top of them, unless advance notification is filed with the New York City Department of Buildings (“DOB”). PERI system guidelines also specify that individuals must not be inside or on top of a climbing unit if the platform is unattached to a building facade or being moved vertically, laterally, or diagonally while unhooked and unsecured.

On September 21, 2017, in contravention of the Building Code, an SSC foreman directed employees to unhook a PERI platform from its wall shoes and use a crane to move the platform unit laterally while five workers were still on the unit. During the move, the platform became stuck to one of the wall shoes, which prompted Juan Chonillo, a carpenter, to release his harness so that he could attempt to correct the jam.

The platform, which was still connected to the crane, subsequently jolted and dangled in the air, causing Chonillo to fall 29 stories to his death. A native of Ecuador, Chonillo was 44 years-old and the father of five children.

Wage Theft Scheme 

Between August 2011 and September 2017, SSC failed to pay more than 50 workers approximately $517,000 in wages for overtime work over a six-year period. As part of its plea agreement, the company has paid full restitution in the form of back wages to current and former employees, as well as additional fees totaling approximately $568,700 to the New York State Department of Labor (“DOL”). 

Insurance Fraud

Between March 2014 and November 2016, SSC also underreported nearly $2 million in payroll by paying workers in cash and failing to disclose the company’s actual payroll details. As a result, SSC paid a significantly reduced premium to the New York State Insurance Fund (“NYSIF”). As part of the plea agreement, SSC has agreed to pay approximately $325,000 in restitution to NYSIF. 

Construction Fraud Task Force

In 2015, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office formed the Construction Fraud Task Force with partners in law enforcement to investigate and pursue criminal cases against individuals and companies who endanger the safety of others and undermine the integrity of the construction industry. Following a series of successful trial convictions related to the death of worker Carlos Moncayo, District Attorney Vance created the Construction Safety Community Project to train workers to recognize workplace safety hazards and signs of fraud, and proactively report them to law enforcement.

How to Report Worksite Safety Violations, 

Wage Theft Workers are encouraged to send tips related to wage theft and dangerous work sites directly and anonymously to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office through WhatsApp at (646) 712- 0298. These reports may be investigated by members of the Construction Fraud Task Force, which has secured a number of notable convictions and has previously returned approximately $649,000 in stolen wages to workers

Defendant Information: 

SSC HIGH RISE INC. 

Convicted: 

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 1 count Sentenced: 

• $842,000 in restitution 

• $10,000 in corporate fines and penalties

Comptroller Stringer Audit Identifies $5.7 Million in Taxes Uncollected by City

Nearly 200 businesses working with the City owe millions in unpaid taxes

The Department of Finance fails to recoup unpaid taxes by continuing to pay businesses with outstanding tax debts

To increase City tax revenue, Comptroller calls for more effective DOF payment seizure practice

   A new audit released by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer identified an additional $5.7 million in taxes that could be collected by the City’s Department of Finance (DOF). The audit found that DOF, the City’s tax collector and enforcer of tax law, continues to pay businesses who owe past due taxes while they are contracting with City agencies. This occurs largely because of simple oversight failures by DOF that result in a breakdown of its standard process.

“For New York families struggling to make ends meet, every single penny counts – we need to make sure New York City tax dollars are collected in full and are serving our children, seniors, and neighbors,” said Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “Our audit identified a basic way the Department of Finance could collect an additional $5.7 million – that’s enough to fund salaries for 71 teachers for a year, shelter 1,500 homeless families for one month or provide nearly 700,000 home-delivered meals to seniors.”

DOF is responsible for collecting City taxes, including from businesses, such as private contractors and companies that do business with City agencies. The purpose of this audit was to examine whether DOF is effectively collecting past due taxes from those businesses. If a business working with a City agency does not pay its taxes, DOF can temporarily hold or freeze any payments from the City to that company and, unless the taxes are then paid, DOF can take the back taxes the City is owed from those frozen funds.

The audit found, however, that DOF continues to pay companies that owe back taxes. While DOF does temporarily hold or freeze the payments, it does not take the needed steps to ultimately collect owed taxes from those funds on hold. These steps would include filing certain forms in the City’s financial management system that would enable DOF to permanently seize the held payments and apply them to the companies’ tax debts.

In fact, the audit found that although DOF has routinely held thousands of payments worth millions of dollars, it has not seized any of that money as payment for City taxes since October 2014 – more than three years ago. In some cases, DOF released the payments to vendors who agreed to pay down their tax debts, but then defaulted. The audit further revealed that DOF does not systematically track how much money it collects overall from City vendors who owe past due City taxes.

In one case, the audit found a business was paid more than $428,000 by the City, even though it owed significant and increasing tax debt. Ultimately, the company went out of business while it still owed $80,000 in back taxes, which now cannot be recouped by the City.

In a second case, a business received $20,844 from the City over a two and a half year period even though its tax debt, which remained uncollected, grew to $27,403. While DOF held the money at one point, it then released the funds, for unknown reasons, leaving the City with nothing to apply to the business’s unpaid tax bill.

The Comptroller’s audit makes several recommendations to DOF, which include the following:

• Track and measure collection of City tax debt from City vendors;
• Revise procedures to better collect tax debt from City vendors, including training staff and increasing staff access to the City’s central financial management system;
• Require staff to take timely steps to deduct vendors’ tax debts from the City’s payments;
• Withhold payment until the debt is collected, vacated by a court or withdrawn by DOF after appropriate documentation has been filed; and
• If other collection methods fail, deduct back taxes from City payments to offset the $5.7 million in City business taxes owed by City vendors.

New York City can easily improve DOF processes to better collect back taxes from companies doing business with – and being paid by – City government.

To read the full audit, click here.

Working Families Party, DC 37 Endorse Democrat Amanda Septimo

84th Assembly District

Amanda Septimo, a Democrat running for Assembly in the 84th District, has received the support of the Working Families Party and District Council 37.

 

"Amanda Septimo is the progressive leader the South Bronx deserves. With a bigot in the White House, we need bold leadership in Albany that will fight for working families. Amanda is a lifelong Bronxite, a community leader, and an education activist-and we know that in the Assembly, she will put immigrants, students and workers first. The Working Families Party is proud to support her campaign for Assembly in the 84th district," said Dom Leon-Davis, WFP spokesperson.  

 

"DC 37 is excited to support Amanda Septimo as she runs for Assembly. The South Bronx needs progressive and effective leadership in Albany, and Amanda will be a fighter for all of us. As a product of this community, she truly understands the struggles facing working families and she is committed to making a difference. Amanda has stood up for workers throughout her career, and we are ready to stand with her now," said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido.

 

"I am proud to have the support of the Working Families Party and DC 37. For too long, our families have had to put up with the status quo and it's time for change. When elected to the Assembly, I will be a strong voice for our working families and bring back real results to the South Bronx," said Septimo.

 

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

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISE NEW YORKERS TO BEAT THE HEAT

Heat Advisory in effect for New York City Monday and Tuesday

Cooling centers are open across the city on Monday and Tuesday. To find the nearest location call 311 or visitwww.nyc.gov/beattheheat 

  The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department today advised New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat. The National Weather has issued a heat advisory in effect for New York City from 12 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 17. High heat and humidity are in the forecast, with heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. An Air Quality Alert is also in effect through 11 p.m.Monday. This means individuals should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants, and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease are at an increased risk, and should consider consulting their personal physician if they experience heat-related symptoms.

“Stay cool and hydrated to beat the heat,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “Use air conditioning or visit a cooling center, drink lots of water, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.”   

“During extreme heat, air conditioning can save lives. Check on older neighbors, friends and family who may not have air conditioning, and help them get to a cool place,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.

To help New Yorkers beat the heat, New York City cooling centers are open throughout the five boroughs today andTuesday, July 17.  Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers, senior centers, and NYCHA facilities that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the NYC Cooling Center Finder at www.nyc.gov/beattheheat.

The New York City Emergency Management Department urges New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. Those at increased risk are people who do not have or use air conditioning AND:

·         Are 65 years or older;

·         Have chronic medical, mental health, or cognitive/developmental conditions;

·         Take certain medications, which can disrupt the regulation of body temperature;

·         Are confined to their beds, have limited mobility, or are unable to leave their homes;

·         Are obese; or

·         Misuse alcohol or drugs.

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE HEAT:

·         Stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperature changes.

·         Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

·         Drink fluids, particularly water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Those on fluid-restricted diets or taking diuretics should first consult their physician.

·         Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid beverages containing alcohol and/or caffeine.

·         Eat small, frequent meals.

·         Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.

·         If possible, go to an air-conditioned location for several hours during the hottest parts of the day.

·         Cool down with a cool bath or shower.

·         Participate in activities that will keep you cool, such as going to the movies, shopping at a mall, or swimming at a pool or beach.

·         Cover all exposed skin with an SPF sunscreen (15 or above) and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head.

·         Never leave your children or pets in the car.

For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/health.

FACTS ABOUT HEAT ILLNESS:

Heat illness is serious. Prolonged exposure to the heat can be harmful and potentially fatal. The added stress caused by heat can also aggravate heart or lung disease even without symptoms of heat illness.

Know the warning signs of heat stress. If you or someone you know feels weak or faint, go to a cool place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911.

Call 911 immediately if you have, or someone you know has:

·         Hot dry skin.

·         Trouble breathing.

·         Rapid heartbeat.

·         Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.

·         Nausea and vomiting.

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE

·         Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.

·         Exercise early and late: When the temperature is very high, do not let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Your pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.

·         Know when your pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. Animals with flat faces like pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. They should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

·         Keep cats safe by installing screens in your windows: Unscreened windows pose a real danger to cats, as they can fall out of them often during summer months.

IMPROPER FIRE HYDRANT USE:

The improper opening of fire hydrants wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, causes flooding on city streets, and can lower water pressure to dangerous levels and hamper the ability of FDNY to fight fire safely and quickly.

Properly used “spray caps” reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing relief from the heat. To obtain a spray cap, an adult 18 years or older with proper identification can go to his or her local firehouse and request one.

For more information, visit NYC.gov/beattheheat. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.