Cynthia Nixon Slams Cuomo for Underperforming Metro-North Service

  Today, Cynthia greeted commuters at Grand Central Terminal before taking Metro-North to greet volunteers in Mount Vernon. The Governor oversees the MTA, which has jurisdiction over Metro-North railroad lines on the western and eastern portions of the Hudson River in New York. Much like the New York City subway and the LIRR, Metro-North has struggled under Cuomo’s leadership. Metro-North’s on-time performance declined again in June.

“Governor Cuomo literally can’t make the trains run on time,” said Cynthia in a statement. “His refusal to ask his wealthy donors to pay more has left commuters struggling with broken mass transit and higher and higher fares. Unlike the Governor, I know the MTA is the state’s responsibility, and I will do what is necessary to fund it.”

Nine Members of a Violent Drug Crew Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy and Four Murders

The “Bushwick Crew” Allegedly Committed Multiple Acts of Violence to Further Their Drug Distribution Operations in Brooklyn and Queens

  A 19-count superseding indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging five new defendants, and four previously charged defendants, for their participation in a drug-trafficking enterprise based in Brooklyn and Queens, referred to in the indictment as the “Bushwick Crew.”  Eight defendants are charged with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate acts of murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion conspiracy and heroin distribution conspiracy, and a ninth defendant is charged with murder in aid of racketeering. 

Maurice Brown, Jaquan Cooper and Tyquan Griem were arrested yesterday and today and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo at the Brooklyn federal courthouse.  Norman Marrero was arraigned earlier today before United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson at the federal courthouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and ordered detained.  Lance Goodwin was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Howell at the federal courthouse in Asheville, North Carolina.  

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.     

“As alleged, the defendants were part of a violent crew that beat, tortured and killed in furtherance of their heroin trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “These charges demonstrate the commitment by this Office and our law enforcement partners to rid our community of the extreme violence associated with drug dealing.”  Mr. Donoghue expressed his appreciation to the New York Metropolitan Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of FBI special agents and NYPD detectives, for their participation and assistance in the investigation.

“Not only are these gang members pushing deadly drugs in our most vulnerable communities, they’re allegedly killing rivals and bystanders in their attempts to maintain power and control,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.  “We’ve stated before the FBI Metro Safe Streets Task Force will continue our pursuit of the leadership in these gangs, and stop their violent and illegal trafficking enterprise before more and more people die from either addiction or at the hands of the gang members.”

“The behavior this crew engaged in will never be tolerated by New Yorkers, and I thank our federal partners at the FBI and the Eastern District for strengthening the NYPD’s efforts to rid our streets of these criminals,” stated NYPD Commissioner O’Neill.  “We will remain relentless in our mission to dismantle groups like this by precisely focusing on the drivers of violence in our city, and we will see their cases through to appropriate and meaningful prison sentences – those who live and work in all of our neighborhoods deserve nothing less.”

As alleged in the superseding indictment and court filings by the government,

the Bushwick Crew was involved in a large-scale heroin trafficking organization with Mexican cartel connections.  Various members of the crew served as enforcers to protect its interests by arming themselves to escort drug traffickers, forcibly collecting drug debts and committing acts of violence against anyone who interfered with the crew’s operations or offended its members.  The crimes alleged include:

Murder of Donte Williams

On August 18, 2012, defendant Lance Goodwin and other members of the crew were involved in a street altercation in Bushwick.  During the fight, Goodwin fatally shot Donte Williams in the stomach to advance his own standing within the crew.  When arrested one week later, Goodwin was carrying the murder weapon.

Murders of Gary Lopez and Rudy Superville 

On March 5, 2013, Gary Lopez and Rudy Superville attempted to rob one of the Bushwick Crew’s main heroin distributors at the distributor’s apartment.  Lopez and Superville were shot and wounded by the distributor.  Defendants Maurice Brown, Peter Vasquez, Luis Lopez, Jason Pantojas and his brother Miguel Pantojas were summoned by the distributor to the apartment where they beat and tortured Gary Lopez and Superville.  Gary Lopez called 911 to plead for help and was shot dead by Brown.  Superville attempted to flee the apartment and was fatally stabbed by Jason Pantojas.  The bodies were doused with bleach and ammonia, wrapped in plastic and driven to a field in Queens by defendants Brown, Luis Lopez and Vasquez, as well as other crew members.  At the field, the bodies were soaked with gasoline and ignited.

Murder of Kelvin Johnson

On September 20, 2014, defendant Tyquan Griem and the above-mentioned heroin distributor went to a nightclub in Queens where a fight broke out.  Griem retrieved a handgun stashed in a secret trap in the distributor’s car and opened fire, killing Kelvin Johnson.

Other Violent Crimes

Defendant Norman Marrero is charged with participating in the shooting of a drug customer to extort him for a drug debt owed to the Bushwick Crew.  Defendant Jaquan Cooper is charged with committing a gunpoint robbery at a barbershop in Queens as customers were getting their hair cut. 

The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

If convicted of the murder charges, defendants Brown, Goodwin, Griem, Lopez, Jason Pantojas, Miguel Pantojas and Vasquez face mandatory life sentences.  If convicted of the drug and gun-related charges, defendants Cooper and Marrero face mandatory minimum sentences of 17 years’ and 20 years’ imprisonment, respectively, and a maximum of life imprisonment.

The superseding indictment is the product of an ongoing investigation into gang and narcotics-related violence in Brooklyn and Queens, among other locations, which has resulted in the filing of federal narcotics-and weapons-related charges in this district against more than 25 individuals in the past three years. 

This case is also the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

The New Defendants:

MAURICE BROWN (also known as “Spaz”)
Age: 27
Brooklyn, New York

JAQUAN COOPER (also known as “J-Gunna”)
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

LANCE GOODWIN (also known as “Ty Mucka”)
Age: 29
Brooklyn, New York

TYQUAN GRIEM (also known as “Ty Goon”)
Age: 28
Brooklyn, New York

NORMAN MARRERO (also known as “Tito”)
Age: 35
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Previously Charged Defendants Facing New Charges:

LUIS LOPEZ (also known as “Lou”)
Age: 36
Brooklyn, New York

JASON PANTOJAS (also known as “Tuli”)
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

MIGUEL PANTOJAS (also known as “Miggs”)
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New York

PETER VASQUEZ (also known as “Pete”)
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New York

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition Of Alleged Russian Hacker

Responsible For Massive Network Intrusions At U.S. Financial Institutions, Brokerage Firms, A Major News Publication, And Other Companies

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and David E. Beach, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service New York Field Office (“USSS”) announced today that ANDREI TYURIN, a/k/a “Andrei Tiurin,” was extradited from the country of Georgia.  TYURIN was arrested by Georgian authorities at the request of the United States for charges arising from his participation in a massive computer hacking campaign targeting U.S. financial institutions, brokerage firms, financial news publishers, and other American companies.  These hacks included the largest theft of customer data from a U.S. financial institution in history.  TYURIN is charged with committing these crimes with Gery Shalon, a/k/a “Garri Shalelashvili,” a/k/a “Gabriel,” a/k/a “Gabi,” a/k/a “Phillipe Mousset,” a/k/a “Christopher Engeham”; Joshua Samuel Aaron, a/k/a “Mike Shields”; and Ziv Orenstein, a/k/a “Aviv Stein,” a/k/a “John Avery,” in furtherance of securities market manipulation, illegal online gambling, and payment processing fraud schemes perpetrated by Shalon, Aaron, Orenstein, and their co-conspirators. 

TYURIN, a Russian citizen, arrived in the Southern District of New York earlier today, and will be presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman.  TYURIN is expected to appear before United States District Judge Laura Taylor Swain on September 25, 2018, at 2:00 PM. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Andrei Tyurin, a Russian national, is alleged to have participated in a global hacking campaign that targeted major financial institutions, brokerage firms, news agencies, and other companies.  Tyurin’s alleged hacking activities were so prolific, they lay claim to the largest theft of U.S. customer data from a single financial institution in history, accounting for a staggering 80 million-plus victims.  As Americans increasingly turn to online banking, theft of online personal information can cause devastating effects on their financial wellbeing, sometimes taking years to recover.  Today’s extradition marks a significant milestone for law enforcement in the fight against cyber intrusions targeting our critical financial institutions.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Andrei Tyurin allegedly engaged in a long-running effort to hack into the systems of U.S. based financial institutions, brokerage firms and financial news publishers, all from the perceived safety of operating outside our borders.  As alleged, his illegal acts included the historically largest theft of customer data from a U.S. financial institution.  Today’s charges and extradition should serve as a lesson to all those who would conspire to engage in similar activity that the FBI and our partners will continue to bring these hackers to justice, regardless of where they may hide.  I’d like to specifically thank our partners with the United States Secret Service, whose collaboration was crucial to seeing this case to fruition.”

U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge David E. Beach said:  “This case represents the core of the U.S. Secret Service’s integrated mission to secure our nation’s cyber related financial infrastructure and protect our nation’s leadership.  The collaboration between the Secret Service New York Field Office Electronic Crimes Task Force, FBI New York Office Cyber Division and our global law enforcement partners demonstrates the commitment to combating cyber-enabled financial crimes and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.”

According to the allegations contained in the superseding indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1], other filings in this case, and statements made during court proceedings:

From approximately 2012 to mid-2015, TYURIN engaged in an extensive computer hacking campaign targeting financial institutions, brokerage firms, and financial news publishers in the United States, including the theft of personal information of over 100 million customers of the victim companies.  TYURIN’s hack of one financial institution headquartered in Manhattan resulted in the theft of personal information of over 80 million customers, making it the largest theft of customer data from a U.S. financial institution in history.  TYURIN engaged in these crimes at the direction of Shalon and in furtherance of other criminal schemes overseen and operated by Shalon and his co-conspirators, including securities fraud schemes in the United States.  For example, in an effort artificially to inflate the price of certain stocks publicly traded in the United States, Shalon and his co-conspirators marketed the stocks in a deceptive and misleading manner to customers of the victim companies whose contact information TYURIN stole in the intrusions.

In addition to the U.S. financial sector hacks, TYURIN also conducted cyberattacks against numerous U.S. and foreign companies in furtherance of various criminal enterprises operated by Shalon and his co-conspirators, including unlawful internet gambling businesses and international payment processors.  Nearly all of these illegal businesses, like the securities market manipulation schemes, exploited the fruits of TYURIN’s computer hacking campaigns.  Through these various criminal schemes, TYURIN, Shalon, and their co-conspirators obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds.

TYURIN, 35, of Moscow, Russia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit computer hacking, which carries a maximum prison term of five years; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of 30 years; four counts of computer hacking, each of which carries a maximum prison term of five years; one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of five years; one count of conspiracy to violate the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which carries a maximum prison term of five years; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of 30 years; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years. 

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by Judge Swain.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service, and expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia and the Ministry of Justice of Georgia for their support and assistance with the extradition proceedings.  He also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, Homeland Security Investigations, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Office of International Affairs of the U.S. Department of Justice for its assistance with the extradition, and the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which significantly aided the investigation by facilitating information-sharing among the victim institutions.

The charges contained in the indictments are merely accusations and TYURIN is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the texts of the Superseding Indictments and the descriptions of the Superseding Indictments set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters Issued the Following Statement on a Matter at the New York City Housing Authority’s Throggs Neck Houses

  “DOI is opening an investigation into possible employee misconduct in the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Throggs Neck development after further reviewing the allegations, including two complaints it received this summer about improper behavior by staff at the Throggs Neck development. This investigation will build on the internal investigation conducted by NYCHA. As this is an ongoing investigation, DOI will not comment further at this time.”

RAIN OR SHINE: Join Bronx Dems Chairman Marcos Crespo for Our Annual BBQ

  The annual Bronx Democratic County Committee Softball game may have been rained out, but as you see in the photo above the rain did not stop the Annual BDCC Barbecue. There was more than just hot dogs and hamburgers this year as there were about a dozen different main dishes, and as many side dishes to be had. A huge fruit platter, and an almost endless variety of desert cookies and mini muffins were all on hand. An abundance of different refreshments were also in the house. 

Above - The early group photo of the elected officials that were on hand.

Below - Former 80th A.D. Male District Leader Marcos Sierra (L.) with future (?) Councilman Brian Meadows. Mr. Meadows boss Andy King will be term limited out of office in 2021.

Above - The latter group photo with the second wave of elected officials.

Below - We were glad to see our good friend Assemblyman Jose Rivera, and had a nice lively three way conversation with Assemblyman Rivera and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

The rain may have cancelled the annual BDCC Softball game,  but it could not damper the spirit of those who attended this years BDCC Barbecue. 

Street Renaming For Will Madonna Does Not Go As Planned

  It didn't go as planned for the Street Renaming of the corner of Morris Park and Bogart Avenues to 'Wil Madonna Way'. The family, the elected officials, and close friends were there, but the official street sign did not arrive in time for the ceremony. Councilman Mark Gjonaj said in his most apologetic way, but also a humorous way that Wil must still be here in spirit because this is something he might have done. Councilman Gjonaj and others who spoke gave revealing thoughts of how William (Wil) Madonna touched their lives, with Gjonaj sadly remembering all the many things that Wil did for him. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez said that Will taught her many things while he always said after wards that she had done a good job in the assignment she was given. She had to stop at one point, while she wiped away the tears, but almost everyone was teary eyed. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Wil's sister, his son , and others spoke of all the good things that William Madonna had done for the community and his friends, not wanting anything really in return. 

Above - Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez speaks as tears are coming to her eyes, as next to her is a somber Councilman Mark Gjonaj.

Below - Wil's good friend Sonny Vitaj told a few stories of the great times with Wil.

Above - Wil's sister spoke of how committed he was to his community.

Below - Wil's sons echoed the comment their aunt made about Wil's devotion to his friends and community.

As the official  street sign  did not arrive on  time for the  ceremony, a dignified temporary sign was put up until the official street sign 'Wil Madonna Way' arrives in a few days.

Bronx Man Convicted In White Plains Federal Court In Connection With Fatal Carjackings Of Two Livery Cab Drivers

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that TYRONE FELDER, a/k/a “Man Man,” was found guilty of participating in the fatal carjackings of two livery cab drivers: Maodo Kane, who was killed in the Bronx on August 5, 2014, and Aboubacar Bah, who was killed in the Bronx on August 12, 2014.  FELDER was also found guilty of participating in two armed robberies in Yonkers on August 5, 2014, as well as firearms offenses related to the carjackings and the robberies.  The jury convicted FELDER yesterday on all nine counts of the Indictment following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Tyrone Felder’s days of reckless and deadly violence are over.  This unanimous verdict means that Felder will spend the rest of his life in prison, but it will not bring back the two men that Felder murdered.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and the evidence presented in court during the trial:

On August 5, 2014, FELDER participated in the armed carjacking of Maodo Kane.  During the course of the carjacking, FELDER shot and killed Mr. Kane in the vicinity of Hunter Avenue, in the Bronx.  FELDER then used the stolen car to participate in two gunpoint robberies of businesses in Yonkers.  Subsequently, on August 12, 2014, FELDER participated in the carjacking of Aboubacar Bah.  During the course of the carjacking, FELDER shot and killed Mr. Bah in the vicinity of Bryant Avenue, in the Bronx.

FELDER, 29, was found guilty of two counts of carjacking resulting in death, two counts of robbery, four counts of firearms possession, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.  FELDER faces a maximum potential sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 100 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.  FELDER is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Briccetti on January 18, 2019.

FELDER’s co-defendants, Kareem Martin, a/k/a “Jamal Walker,” Takiem Ewing, a/k/a “Mulla,” and Tommy Smalls, a/k/a “Tommy Guns,” previously pled guilty to participating in the fatal carjackings described above. 

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, the City of Yonkers Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force.

New York Attorney Pleads Guilty To Tax Fraud Related To Multimillion-Dollar Embezzlement From Deceased Client’s Estate

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Richard E. Zuckerman, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division of the Department of Justice, announced that STEVEN M. ETKIND, a New York-licensed attorney and a Certified Public Accountant, pled guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax evasion arising from a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars from a deceased client’s estate.  ETKIND pled guilty before United States District Judge John G. Koeltl.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Berman said:  “As he admitted in court today, Steven Etkind violated the law, the canons of his profession, and the trust of his client by stealing more than $3.5 million from the client’s estate.  Etkind now awaits sentencing for his crimes.”

Principal DAAG Zuckerman said:  “The fiduciary duty that a lawyer owes to a client is paramount to the practice of law.  The Justice Department will prosecute and seek just punishment against any attorney who victimizes their clients for their own personal gain.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment to which ETKIND pled guilty and statements made in court:

ETKIND was a partner at a New York law firm and served as head of the law firm’s Tax, Trusts, and Estates practice group.  ETKIND performed legal work for a successful entrepreneur client who, prior to his death in 2008, named ETKIND as co-executor of his $35 million estate.

The client’s will directed the creation of two charitable trust private foundations, funded with assets from the client’s estate, for the sole purpose of donating to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, including those aimed at assisting Jewish-sponsored organizations.  ETKIND was named co-trustee of these trusts. 

Beginning in 2009, ETKIND and his co-conspirator set up a phony charitable organization, the United Jewish Education Foundation (“UJEF”), and used it to steal more than $3.5 million from these charitable trusts.  As part of the conspiracy, ETKIND directed that donations from the trusts be first made to legitimate Jewish charitable organizations in order to give the disbursements the appearance of legitimate donations.  ETKIND and his co-conspirator then redirected the funds to accounts of UJEF, the phony charity that his co-conspirator controlled. 

ETKIND subsequently directed his co-conspirator to write checks, totaling $327,500, to a bank account in the name of JE Capital Holding Corp., a nominee corporate entity that ETKIND controlled exclusively.  ETKIND further directed more than $3 million to be used in 2010 to purchase a 6,300 square-foot home with a swimming pool in Southampton, New York.  The Southampton property was purchased for the use and enjoyment of ETKIND and his family.  ETKIND later transferred title of the property to JE Trust, a nominee trust he controlled. 

To conceal his embezzlement, ETKIND filed, and caused to be filed, fraudulent personal, corporate, and charitable trust returns with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).  During the course of a subsequent audit of UJEF by the IRS Tax Exempt & Government Entities Division, ETKIND and his co-conspirator made several false and misleading statements, including about the true ownership of the Southampton Property.          

ETKIND, 56, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of tax evasion, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  As part of the plea agreement, ETKIND agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $1,208,245 to the IRS, which represents the additional tax due and owing as a result of ETKIND’s filing of false individual income tax returns for the 2009 and 2010 calendar years.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 18, 2019, before Judge Koeltl.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by Judge Koeltl.

Mr. Berman and Mr. Zuckerman praised the outstanding efforts by special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation.  Mr. Berman also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division and the IRS’s Tax Exempt & Government Entities Division for their assistance in the investigation. 

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website, https://www.justice.gov/tax.