Operator Of Bitcoin Investment Platform Pleads Guilty To Securities Fraud And Obstruction Of Justice

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JON E. MONTROLL, a/k/a “Ukyo,” pled guilty today to securities fraud and obstruction of justice.  MONTROLL, who issued and sold securities related to a bitcoin investment platform that he ran through false statements about the success of the business, later provided false sworn testimony to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and provided the SEC with a false document during the course of the SEC’s investigation into his operation of the bitcoin investment platform.  MONTROLL’s plea was taken by U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As he admitted today, Jon Montroll deceived his investors and then attempted to deceive the SEC.  He repeatedly lied during sworn testimony and misled SEC staff to avoid taking responsibility for the loss of thousands of his customers’ bitcoins.”

According to the Information, the allegations in the Complaint, and statements made during the proceedings in Manhattan federal:

JON E. MONTROLL operated two online bitcoin services:  WeExchange Australia, Pty. Ltd. (“WeExchange”) and BitFunder.com (“BitFunder”).  WeExchange functioned as a bitcoin depository and currency exchange service.  BitFunder facilitated the purchase and trading of virtual shares of business entities that listed their virtual shares on the BitFunder platform.

Between the launch of Bitfunder, in or about December 2012, and at least in or about July 2013, MONTROLL converted a portion of WeExchange users’ bitcoins to his personal use without the users’ knowledge or consent.  For example, MONTROLL exchanged numerous bitcoins taken from WeExchange into United States dollars, then spent those funds on personal expenses, such as travel and groceries.

Beginning on or about July 18, 2013, MONTROLL promoted a security referred to as “Ukyo.Loan.”  As described by MONTROLL in a public post about Ukyo.Loan, MONTROLL encouraged investors to “think of [Ukyo.Loan] as a sort of round-about investment” in BitFunder and WeExchange and, at the same time, described Ukyo.Loan as “a personal loan” and “for private investment purposes.”  MONTROLL further promised to pay purchasers of Ukyo.Loan daily interest on their investment and promised shares could be “redeemed at face value anytime upon request.”

During the summer of 2013, one or more individuals (the “Hackers”) exploited a weakness in the BitFunder programming code to cause BitFunder to credit the Hackers with profits they did not, in fact, earn (the “Exploit”).  As a result, the Hackers were able to wrongfully withdraw from WeExchange approximately 6,000 bitcoins, with the majority of those coins being wrongfully withdrawn between July 28, 2013, and July 31, 2013.  As a result of the Exploit, BitFunder and WeExchange lacked the bitcoins necessary to cover what MONTROLL owed to users.

Notwithstanding the scope of the Exploit, MONTROLL failed to disclose the Exploit to users of BitFunder and WeExchange, or investors in Ukyo.Loan.  Instead, MONTROLL continued to promote and sell Ukyo.Loan to customers and, on at least one occasion, falsely represented to customers that BitFunder was commercially successful.  As a result of his omissions and misrepresentations, MONTROLL raised approximately 978 bitcoins through Ukyo.Loan after his discovery of the Exploit.

The SEC’s New York Regional Office began an investigation into BitFunder and the Exploit.  During the course of the investigation, MONTROLL provided the SEC with a falsified screenshot purportedly documenting, among other things, the total number of bitcoins available to BitFunder users in the WeExchange Wallet as of October 13, 2013.  Additionally, during sworn investigative testimony on both November 14, 2013, and October 6, 2015, MONTROLL provided materially false and misleading answers to certain questions about, among other things, the timing of MONTROLL’s discovery of the Exploit.

MONTROLL, 37, of Saginaw, Texas, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud and one count of obstruction of justice.  Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years 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.

MONTROLL will be sentenced by Judge Berman at a date to be determined.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He also thanked the SEC, which previously filed civil charges against MONTROLL in a separate action.             

12 ALLEGED TRINITARIOS INDICTED IN STABBING MURDER OF 15-YEAR-OLD BOY IN INTRA-GANG CONFLICT

Defendants Allegedly Plotted to Attack an Upstart Set; Encountered Random Victim, Chased Him Into Bodega, Dragged Him Out and Attacked Him With Knives And Machete

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill today announced that 12 men have been indicted in the fatal stabbing of 15- year-old Lesandro Guzman-Feliz on June 20, 2018 in the Bronx. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “This crime was nothing less than ferocious. The defendants were out for violence. They came upon the 15-year-old boy, Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, chased him into a store, dragged him out and stabbed and slashed him.”

 “I commend the Homicide Bureau and the Narcotics & Gangs Investigation Bureau prosecutors for their diligence in this case, along with the NYPD detectives from Bronx Homicide and the 48th Precinct. This indictment is an early step in the criminal justice process, so I ask the community to be patient as the case takes it course. The investigation is ongoing.” 

 “We will not tolerate violence by gangs on our streets. I urge the community to continue to be our partner to save our youth.”

 Commissioner O'Neill said, “The notion that anyone - or any group of people - somehow thinks that committing such an act in New York City is OK, is abhorrent at its core. Criminal groups continue to threaten public safety and quality of life in some New York City neighborhoods. The NYPD will remain vigilant in the face of this threat, but our mission is dependent on a major buy-in from the public we serve. And that's why - through Neighborhood Policing - we're making huge efforts to build trust and to strengthen relationships in every community. Because in every single case, we need all New Yorkers' help - just like we saw with the good people of the Bronx, who helped bring about justice for Junior."

 District Attorney Clark said five of the defendants--Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, Jose Muniz, Manuel Rivera, and Elvin Garcia--have been indicted on first-degree Murder, under Penal Law 125.27 (1) (a) (x), intentional murder which included torture.

 All twelve defendants have been charged with second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter, second-degree Conspiracy, first-degree Gang Assault, second-degree Gang Assault, and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. They were arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. Remand was continued. If convicted of the top charge of first-degree Murder, defendants can face up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

 According to the investigation, on June 20, 2018, the defendants, who allegedly are part of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang, gathered at the Boston Road home of Diego Suero, alleged leader of Los Sures, to plan to commit violence against another set of the Trinitarios called “Sunset.” The defendants then travelled in four cars, and came upon the victim, who fled from them, running approximately four blocks to a bodega in Belmont, where he tried to hide.

 According to the investigation the defendants are then seen in surveillance footage from the store cameras entering the bodega, then dragging the victim out of the store as he fought for his life. When the victim was forcefully taken from the store, five defendants repeatedly stabbed and slashed him with knives and a machete in the neck and body. The victim ran from the bodega to St. Barnabas Hospital and collapsed near the entrance.

 According to the investigation, after the stabbing, the defendants fled and went back to Diego Suero’s home to hide weapons and provide aid to Elvin Garcia, whose hand was cut in the midst of the multiple stabbings the victim received. Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, Jose Muniz, Manuel Rivera, Danel Fernandez and Jose Tavarez then fled and were ultimately arrested in Paterson, New Jersey on June 24, 2018. Five other defendants were arrested in the Bronx, and one was detained on July 9, 2018 in Connecticut, where he had fled.

 The investigation is ongoing.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Frank Orlando of the Bronx Homicide Task Force and Joseph Flores of the 48th Precinct Squad for their work on the investigation. District Attorney Clark thanked her Detective Investigators for their assistance. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. 

Defendants Kevin Alvarez, 19, Bronx, N.Y. 

Elvin Garcia, 23, Manhattan, N.Y. 

Antonio Rodriguez Hernández Santiago, 24, Bronx, N.Y. 

Manuel Rivera, 18, Bronx, N.Y. 

Danel Fernandez, 21, Bronx N.Y. 

Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, 24, Freeport, Long Island, N.Y. 

Jose Muniz, 22, Bronx, N.Y. 

Jose Tavarez, 21, Bronx, N.Y. 

Danilo Payamps Pacheco, 21, Bronx, N.Y. Diego Suero, 29, Bronx, N.Y. 

Gabriel Ramirez Concepcion, 26, Bronx, N.Y. 

Luis Cabrera Santos, AKA Luis Rodriguez, 25, Bronx, N.Y

UAW REGION 9A ENDORSES ALESSANDRA BIAGGI

  United Automobile Workers (UAW) Region 9A CAP Council announced today it is endorsing Alessandra Biaggi in the Thursday, Sept. 13 primary for State Senate in District 34.

“UAW Region 9A CAP Council is honored to endorse Alessandra Biaggi. We are confident that Alessandra will champion and support our members’ issues in State Senate District 34 and make a positive contribution around the entire State of New York,” said UAW Region 9A Director Beverley Brakeman. “Alessandra is a relentless fighter with lots of energy and stands for the many principals we represent in the UAW: affordable health care, fair wages, a voice at the workplace, and social justice. We are excited to support a candidate with all these qualities who will help improve the quality of life for working people.”    

Alessandra Biaggi said, “I am honored to be endorsed by UAW Region 9A, a union with a long history of leading the fight on behalf of working people and for progressive issues. At a time when unions and the right to organize are under attack, which is also an attack on the standard of living of hard working Americans, it’s more important than ever to stand with unions like the UAW. In the State Senate, I will be an ally and an advocate for living wages, better benefits, access to health care and strong protection from sexual harassment and discrimination.”

UAW Region 9A represents 50,000 active and retired members throughout New England, eastern New York State (including NYC and Long Island), and Puerto Rico. Region 9A is a diverse region representing a variety of workers, including childcare providers, graduate employees and human service workers.

Biaggi has already been endorsed by 32BJ SEIU, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and dozens of progressive organizations.

SENATOR RIVERA ON DECISION TO CUT NEW YORK DAILY NEWS STAFF IN HALF

  "I am incredibly disappointed and saddened by the decision of Tronc, Inc. to cut the New York Daily News newsroom in half and to oust its editor-in-chief, Jim Rich. For almost a century, the Daily News has covered New York like no other newspaper. Daily News' reporters have been responsible for unveiling compelling stories about issues affecting our City's most vulnerable communities. Its coverage does not only highlight what is happening in our City on any given day, but it also holds elected officials and those in positions of power accountable-- a vital component of any vibrant democracy. At a time when our country's journalists are being maliciously targeted as "enemies of the American people" by the Trump administration, we cannot afford for our local newsrooms to dwindle. If we believe in freedom of the press as one of most important pillars of our democracy, we must support local journalism to continue providing us the checks and balances we need to make our City and our State work for the interests of the majority and not just the few."

MAYOR DE BLASIO LAUNCHES PURESOIL NYC TO RECYCLE CLEAN SOIL FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS

PUREsoil NYC provides communities across the city access to high-quality soil for neighborhood projects & to help protect against climate change

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the launch of PUREsoil NYC, an innovative initiative that recycles clean soil from construction projects in NYC to community uses, where it improves soil quality and increase resilience to the effects climate change. Under this program, the city will provide clean soil to community-based organizations to improve the quality of degraded soils in gardens, yards, and other open spaces and lower exposure to lead and other pollutants. Clean soil will also be used to create tidal and fresh water wetlands, berms, and levees and raise the elevation of coastal land to reduce risks from sea level rise and stronger storm surges caused by climate change. PUREsoil NYC and the source of the soil, the NYC Clean Soil Bank, are operated by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation (MOER). PUREsoil NYC is the first city-run program of its kind in the world.

“Not only are we finding new uses for New York’s own, pristine soil, we are helping beautify neighborhoods and making communities more resilient,” said Mayor de Blasio. “This program is a global first, helping us build a better, fairer city.”

“The clean soil deep beneath our feet is one of the most precious natural resources we have in NYC.  Each year, hundreds of thousands of tons of surplus clean native soil are exported long distances out of our city. By keeping this soil in NYC and ‘upcycling’ it to its best use, we can improve the chemical quality of our urban soil to reduce pollutant exposures, build new wetlands, and raise our coastal land to prepare for the effects of climate change and sea level rise,” said Dr. Daniel Walsh, MOER Director and founder of the NYC Clean Soil Bank and PUREsoil NYC. “This administration recognizes the disproportionate risk from environmental pollution and climate change in disadvantaged communities and is focusing use of our natural resources to achieve equity in environmental quality and preparedness.”  

PUREsoil NYC seeks to achieve the highest uses for NYC’s surplus pristine soil resources and to prioritize this work in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. The soil will be obtained from the NYC Clean Soil Bank, the nation’s only soil exchange and the only city-run soil exchange in the world.  Pristine soil is extracted from deep below the ground during construction of basements, underground parking and other underground structures. The soil is native sediment deposited by glaciers in NYC over 10,000 years ago and is among the highest-chemical-quality soil found in the northeast United States. PUREsoil NYC is part of MOER’s Progressive Urban Resource Exchange (PURE) initiative established under OneNYC.

Soil used in PUREsoil NYC is subject to a 12-step chemical quality vetting process to ensure purity.  Recent study by MOER and Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory showed that by retaining and recycling pristine native soil, soil exchange lowers soil transport distances by over 70% and provides a series of environmental benefits, including reductions in truck mileage on highways, fossil fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas and other air pollution emissions. Local sourcing of soil through the exchange also preserves NYC’s original soil character, conserves natural resources in regional quarries, and lowers costs of soil management by 85%. In the absence of programs like PUREsoil NYC that retain and recycle valuable native soil resources within NYC, studies have shown that over 95% of NYC’s clean soil resources are exported for uses outside of the city.

The NYC Clean Soil Bank and PUREsoil NYC are the only programs designed to retain clean soil resources within a city to achieve a broad set of environmental and societal goals. The design of PUREsoil NYC was guided by an intensive set of scientific studies by MOER, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory Columbia University and Brooklyn College and is advised by a distinguished panel of soil scientists and other experts. Retention and upcycling of NYC’s clean soil resources is supported by over 350 soil scientists, engineers, environmental professionals, advocates, and community members in NYC.

“The Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation and its Clean Soil Bank program have been invaluable to building the city’s resiliency against climate change. The City’s Interim Flood Protection Program has relied on the soil bank to build flood control structures in Red Hook and Hunts Point to protect these communities from coastal storms,” said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. “We’re excited to have PUREsoil NYC as a new tool to support the resiliency of our neighborhoods.”

“This approach is good government! Keeping our clean soil resources in NYC and using them for improving our environment and quality of life for our communities not only makes NYC resilient, but also conscientious, and sets an example in sustainability for the rest of the world,” said Tatiana Morin, Director of the New York City Urban Soils Institute.  “This program is supported by many soil scientists in NYC and has been vetted in scientific literature. It is absolutely a high priority for our organization and other soil resource leadership organizations.”

House Passes Engel “Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act”

  The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (H.R. 1676), legislation authored by Congressman Eliot L. Engel, passed the full House of Representatives today. It now awaits consideration by the Senate. The bill expands opportunities for training in palliative and hospice care and also seeks to better educate patients, families and health professionals about palliative care’s benefits. In addition, the legislation encourages the National Institutes of Health to expand research around this topic.

Congressman Engel offered the following remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 1676 (as prepared for delivery):

Mr. Speaker: I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 1676, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, and I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

The goal of palliative care is to alleviate suffering for patients and their loved ones, accompanying efforts to treat or cure illness.

It entails support from a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, physician assistants, chaplains, and other specialists who provide an extra layer of assistance, including help with medical decision-making and coordination of care across multiple settings. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness.

Palliative and hospice care have been associated with enhanced quality of life for patients – but too many people don’t know about these benefits. On top of that, there is a shortage of educated providers who can offer quality palliative and hospice care.

That’s where this bill comes in.

The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act addresses these issues by expanding opportunities for training in palliative and hospice care.

This bill also aims to better educate patients, families and health professionals about palliative care’s benefits, and encourages NIH to expand research around this topic.

Ultimately, this bill will help us ensure there is a well-trained palliative care workforce available to care for patients – a goal that, I believe, will also be critical to turning the tide of the ongoing opioid epidemic.

One of the goals of palliative care is to provide relief from the pain of a serious illness. By creating the infrastructure needed to better educate health professionals on palliative care, this legislation will also help ensure health professionals are able to properly manage patients’ pain and practice appropriate, evidence-based prescribing – a space where, as the opioid crisis has shown, we need to do much better.

I want to thank Chairman Walden, Ranking Member Pallone, Chairman Burgess and Ranking Member Green for helping to move this bill forward. I also want to thank Congressman Tom Reed and Congressman Buddy Carter, who co-authored this bill, and all of its 285 bipartisan cosponsors.

I think every one of us has felt the pain and stress of a serious illness, either personally or standing alongside a loved one.  By passing this bill, we’ll take an important step to bring much, much needed relief to both patients and their loved ones.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Wave Hill Events August 2‒August 9

Thu, August 2    Art Workshop Series Begins: Drawn to Color     WAITLIST ONLY

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

Sat, August 4    Family Art Project: On Storytelling and the Land

In conjunction with this summer’s gallery exhibition addressing ecological consciousness, activist and exhibiting artist Alicia Grullon will pose the question “What connects us to the land?” Through storytelling, movement and exploring Wave Hill’s history, we’ll go beyond property titles and leases, and create inclusive stories, envisioning a future when the land belongs to everyone. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, August 4    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, August 4   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, August 5    Family Art Project: On Storytelling and the Land

In conjunction with this summer’s gallery exhibition addressing ecological consciousness, activist and exhibiting artist Alicia Grullon will pose the question “What connects us to the land?” Through storytelling, movement and exploring Wave Hill’s history, we’ll go beyond property titles and leases, and create inclusive stories, envisioning a future when the land belongs to everyone. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, August 5    Neighbors Engaging the Environment

Explore two thought-provoking exhibitions at neighboring institutions in one afternoon. The Derfner Judaica Museum + The Art Collection’s Associate Curator Emily O’Leary will give informal tours of Erosion: Works by Leonard Ursachi, whose work addresses themes of environmental and social crises caused by manmade events. The exhibition reflects on how the destruction of natural resources is intimately interconnected with the effacement of human history and culture. Wave Hill Senior Curator Jennifer McGregor will give informal tours of Wave Hill’s Ecological Consciousness: Artist as Instigator. Wave Hill provides shuttle service between the Hebrew Home and Wave Hill. Free with admission to the grounds. 

GLYNDOR GALLERY; SHUTTLE LEAVES FROM WAVE HILL FRONT GATE, 1:30‒4PM

Sun, August 5    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, August 6

Closed to the public

Tue, August 7    Garden Highlights Walk

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

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, August 7    Gallery Tour

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

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Wed, August 8    Sunset Wednesdays: Live Music on the Great Lawn: Aurora & Zon del Barrio

Aurora & Zon del Barrio, featuring Fania All-Star Nicky Marrero, bring its classic Afro-Boricua foot-stomping, funk-based classic salsa, plena, merengue, bomba and boogalu to the corners of the barrios where Latinos live, work and play. Creative and musically diverse while resourceful in survival, Latinos from the barrio zones have sophisticated tastes in music that are not relegated to one particular genre. Zon del Barrio emerges as one of the few orchestras to express the varied genres of Latin music from the African Diaspora and the urban streets of New York. This group of veteran and young musicians is led by music journalist and historian Aurora Flores with musical direction provided by David Fernandez, a multi-instrumentalist who defers to his almost encyclopedic knowledge of the classics for his creative arrangements. 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, August 9    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 9    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, August 9    Summer Stargazing

Prepare for the Perseid meteor shower, this summer’s most anticipated celestial show! Look up and get ready for an out-of-this-world experience with Irene Pease, sidewalk astronomer and science educator. Learn what it takes to be an amateur astronomer in New York City, get oriented to the night sky, test out a telescope in the garden, and observe the starry night high above Wave Hill. This program is rain or shine, with an indoor presentation only in the case of rain. Adults and children 12 and up welcome. $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

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.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Councilman Rubén Díaz Sr.

Reasons Why I have been writing "What You Should Know"  for many years

You should know that The New York City Ethics Committee has opened up an investigation into the writing of my weekly column, which I titled “What You Should Know” (WYSK). 

It is important for you to know, my dear reader, why and what motivates me to write this column, which I have done for more than 20 years.  

I want you to know that for the past (16) sixteen years, while I served as a New York State Senator, my column was always e-mailed through my Senate email address “Senator Ruben Diaz” Diaz@NYSenate.com.   I was never investigated by the Senate’s Ethics Committee for violating the Senates rules and ethics. 

I believe that it is my right as an elected official to inform, not only my constituents, but the State, City Employees and the General Public as a whole about important issues, negotiations, or to write on the antics, and conniving manner in which some things are done, especially those things that have an impact on New York State/ City residents.  

I strongly believe transparency is of great importance.   Therefore, I write on issues that are being done secretly or in a conniving manner, be it intentional or unintentional. I must ensure the people have a full understanding of what is actually being done by their representatives or what impact, if any, these actions may have on their lives.  So, I write to inform the public, hence the title “What You Should Know.”

Sometimes, I am compelled to write late at night.  When a thought or an issue that I feel you should know comes to mind, my sleep is interrupted, and I wake up in the middle of the night to write on the matter of importance that you should know.

I have never used this column for personal gain or for political purposes.   This column has never been used to raise money, nor to endorse, support or ask to vote for any candidate in particular.  This column has always been to inform and as a public official to express my position on public issues that are being discussed and may become law.

This column is also a way for me to inform the public on coming activities and planned community events related to education, cultural events, parades, etc.  

This column also presents the positions and opinions expressed by other public officials especially if those opinions differ when in private, than those expressed in public.   When it comes time to vote some elected officials will vote differently than what they promised in public.   This is wrong.  Therefore, I will write on it, because I strongly feel that the people we represent have a right to know.  If I don’t write on it, the people may never know, and they have a right to know what their legislators are doing. 

Once in a while, some in the New York media will comment on the topics covered on “WYSK”, and at times the press have reprinted my column in its entire format. 

There are readers of “WYSK” that have given it praise and compliments regarding the topics covered.   There are other readers who criticize “WYSK”.   But either way, this is great, because it just shows the American way of expressing our right to free speech. 

Now I have been in the New York City Council a mere six (6) months and rumor has it that one of my colleagues did not like a “WYSK” and therefore has filed a complaint against me, placing my reputation, integrity, and honesty in question.

The City Council’s Ethics Committee has opened an investigation and the media has written an article reporting that I am under investigation, giving the wrong impression.   Some have said that I am being investigated for corruption. 

This is unfair, unjust and unnecessary.   I sincerely hope that the “Ethics Committee” does the right thing and puts an end to this as soon as possible.    I also pray that other members of the City Council will never be put through this kind of situation.

I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know.