BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR FATALLY STABBING PIT BULL DOG

Defendant Knifed Dog More Than 50 Times

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to one year in jail for brutally stabbing an 18-month-old pit bull to death. The incident happened when the dog’s owner left him in the defendant’s care. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant mercilessly stabbed the dog, Onyx, more than 50 times and also slit his throat. We had recommended the maximum two-year sentence because of the disturbing level of violence. We will continue to pursue justice and prosecute those who commit such crimes against defenseless animals.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Stephen Richardson, 34, of 1237 Fulton Avenue, was sentenced today to one year in jail after pleading guilty to Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. He cannot own an animal for ten years and must register with the NYC Animal Abuse Registry. This plea was extended to the defendant by Bronx Supreme Court Justice April Newbauer over the objection of prosecutors, who recommended the maximum two-year sentence.

 According to the investigation, on December 29, 2017, the defendant was caring for the pit bull dog in his apartment, as he had been doing for approximately six months. Onyx’s owner passed by the defendant’s house to check on the dog, as she frequently did, and found the pit bull in the bathtub, dead. He had suffered multiple stab wounds, mostly in the face and neck. At the same time, police were responding to a 311 call about a possible animal abuse situation in the building. They went to the defendant’s apartment and arrested Richardson, and also recovered a knife.

 According to the investigation, the defendant said he stabbed Onyx in a park because the dog had bit him. Veterinarians said the canine died of a minimum of 55 sharp force wounds, including several that caused lacerations deep into his skin and tissue, and the dog was alive for several minutes.

 District Attorney Clark thanked N Y P D P o l i c e Officer Anthony Alvino of the 42nd Precinct and Dr. Alison Liu of the ASPCA for their assistance.

MAYOR AND COMPTROLLER ANNOUNCE PENSION FUND GOAL TO INVEST $4 BILLION IN CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS BY 2021

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Stringer, and other trustees of New York City’s pension funds announced a new goal to double the investments of the NYC Funds in climate change solutions to $4 billion or 2% of the City’s $195 billion pension portfolio over the next 3 years. In order to accomplish this objective, City pension systems will aim to double the existing $2 billion investment across all asset classes to reach $4 billion of investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate solutions. This new target builds upon the funds earlier, ongoing goal to divest City pension funds from fossil fuel reserve owners within five years.

“New York City leads from the front when it comes to the fight against climate change,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We’re taking a stand for generations to come with our goal to double our pension investments in job-creating climate solutions. I know that other cities will look to our example, and I implore them to join us.”

“The future is with big ideas in clean technology, not with big polluters,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “Today we’re showing that New York City will continue to lead the way in investing in sustainable investments that offer strong returns for New York City beneficiaries. By pledging to double our holdings in climate solutions we’re becoming an important part of that solution.”

New York City is working to change the paradigm for public pension plans and set a new standard for how asset owners, such as pension funds, can use their substantial investments to both do well for our beneficiaries and do good for the planet.  Climate change creates both risks to some investments and opportunities for other investments.  As part of their fiduciary responsibility, city pension funds are working to address the risks and maximize the opportunities for its beneficiaries. Specific investments will be reviewed by the boards of individual pension systems consistent with their portfolio strategies.

Climate change poses significant threats to New York City. Rising temperatures; stronger, more destructive hurricanes; and increasing precipitation tied to climate change have already affected neighborhoods and communities across all five boroughs and are projected to become increasingly severe and costly over the coming decades. Only by eliminating the use of fossil fuels and reducing the carbon pollution that drives climate change can these challenges be fully addressed. Since climate change is a global problem that cannot be solved by any one city, state, or country, Mayor de Blasio has committed to spreading tools, knowledge, and best practices by partnering with the City of London to create and co-chairing the Divest/Invest Cities Divestment Forum.

“Climate change demands bold solutions. In January, New York City pledged to divest its pension funds from fossil fuels,” said Daniel Zarrilli, NYC’s Chief Climate Policy Advisor and OneNYC Director. “Today, we’re going even bigger by doubling our investments in climate solutions and putting $4 billion to work in fiscally responsible investments into clean energy and energy efficiency. If all investors followed our lead, we could leave fossil fuels behind us, deliver on the Paris Agreement, and build a better world for our children.”

“Today’s announcement is an important step in finding clean energy solutions. I applaud the Mayor and Comptroller for their commitment to creating good paying sustainable jobs,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “As a NYCERS trustee, I will work with my colleagues to lessen the risks and maximize the opportunities for the beneficiaries of our pension funds.”

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Heritage Luncheon honors Six Distinguished Individuals

 

Phil Cardone

Events, Communications & Grants Director

Bronx Chamber of Commerce

"The Network for Business Success"
1200 Waters Place, Suite 106
Bronx, NY 10461
718-828-3900

Wave Hill Events September 27‒October 4

Thu, September 27

Art Workshop Series Begins: Plump and Prickly: Succulents in Mixed Media

With a focus on texture and shape, investigate Wave Hill’s spiky and fleshy succulents, with individual guidance from artistWennie Huang. As part of each session, sketch in the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory’s Cactus and Succulent House and gain valuable insights during peer critiques. List of materials provided. Suitable for all levels. This four-day series continues Thursdays, October 4, 11 and 18. $185. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM–1PM

Sat, September 29

Family Art Project: Tiny Terrariums

Create your very own mini-terrarium in a recycled glass jar that we provide, or bring in one of your own. Craft a small world to nurture a little succulent bud through the winter. Add layers of sand, tiny rocks and natural materials, or even a tiny creature to live within your take-home nursery. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, September 29

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, September 29

Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. In a new collaboration, Wave Hill is partnering with the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to produce and host ASBA’s 21st Annual International. ASBA’s mission is to provide a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. This juried exhibition consists of two-dimensional original botanical art, including some specimens found at Wave Hill. In the Sunroom Project Space, Ashton Agbomenou’s new project stems from his time in Wave Hill’s 2018 Winter Workspace. Seeking synchronicity in the African diaspora, Agbomenou constructs visual mementos through his collage-like, layered-painting process, drawing inspiration from Wave Hill’s natural resources. Bronx-born, Dominican-American artist Yelaine Rodriguez works on a new series for the Sun Porch. Using photography, video and performance, Rodriguez creates a unique narrative that examines self-identity and draws inspiration from the colors and textures in nature and from her experience of Wave Hill’s landscape during the 2018 Winter Workspace program. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, September 30

Family Art Project: Tiny Terrariums

Create your very own mini-terrarium in a recycled glass jar that we provide, or bring in one of your own. Craft a small world to nurture a little succulent bud through the winter. Add layers of sand, tiny rocks and natural materials, or even a tiny creature to live within your take-home nursery. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, September 30

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

Sun, September 30

Meet the Artist: Ashton Agbomenou

Join us at this artist talk in the Sunroom Project Space. Ashton Agbomenou’s new project stems from his time in Wave Hill’s 2018 Winter Workspace. Seeking synchronicity in the African diaspora, Agbomenou constructs visual mementos through his collage-like, layered-painting process, drawing inspiration from Wave Hill’s natural resources. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, September 30

Meet the Artist: Yelaine Rodriguez

Join us at this artist talk in the Sunroom Project Space. Bronx-born, Dominican-American artist Yelaine Rodriguez works on a new series for the Sun Porch. Using photography, video and performance, Rodriguez creates a unique narrative that examines self-identity and draws inspiration from the colors and textures in nature and from her experience of Wave Hill’s landscape during the 2018 Winter Workspace program. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 3PM

Mon, October 1

Closed to the public.

Tue, October 2

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, October 2

Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. In a new collaboration, Wave Hill is partnering with the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to produce and host ASBA’s 21st Annual International. ASBA’s mission is to provide a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. This juried exhibition consists of two-dimensional original botanical art, including some specimens found at Wave Hill. In the Sunroom Project Space, Ashton Agbomenou’s new project stems from his time in Wave Hill’s 2018 Winter Workspace. Seeking synchronicity in the African diaspora, Agbomenou constructs visual mementos through his collage-like, layered-painting process, drawing inspiration from Wave Hill’s natural resources. Bronx-born, Dominican-American artist Yelaine Rodriguez works on a new series for the Sun Porch. Using photography, video and performance, Rodriguez creates a unique narrative that examines self-identity and draws inspiration from the colors and textures in nature and from her experience of Wave Hill’s landscape during the 2018 Winter Workspace program. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

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.

Vote for Sergeant John Perez in the Open 87th Assembly Seat

 

  Three debates were held for the open 87th Assembly District seat, and Sergeant John Perez was the winner hands down over his two opponents Nurse Karines Reyes and Farah Despeignes.

 John Perez was a founder of 'We Stay Nos Quedamos', a community organization which fought redevelopment of the Melrose section of the Bronx in the 1990's that was proposed without community involvement. 

  Parkchester will be getting a new Metro North railroad station in the coming years, and developers are buying up blocks of land in the Parkchester area. Unlike his opponent Karines Reyes who has taken tens of thousands of dollars in donations from developers waiting to redevelop the area around the new Metro North station, John Perez will put the community first, not the developers as he has already done by organizing a community under 'We Stay Nos Quedamos'.

  John Perez is endorsed by the largest Democratic Club in Parkchester - The Roslyn Johnson Democratic club, and is not on any other party line like his opponent Karines Reyes who has taken the Working Families Party line. John Perez is a real Democrat who is running on the Democratic Party line only. 

  John Perez is an exceptional leader with a proven track record who is a progressive and adaptable individual. He will Develop, implement, and coordinate all administrative and logistical operations in a highly professional manner.

 John Perez has worked for City Councilman David Rosado, the Project Manager of the Bathgate Industrial Local Development Corporation, a founder of "We Stay Nos Quedamos', and an has had an 18 year decorated career in the United States Army achieving the position of Master Sergeant in record time. John Perez was also the top Recruiter in the Northeast area of the U.S. He will go up to Albany with every resident of the district in mind, and not just to only represent one union's views because their contract is up in December of this year. 

  Vote for John Perez for the 87th Assembly Seat. 

Cynthia Nixon and Alex Ocasio-Cortez visit PS 304 on Lafayette Avenue in Throggs Neck

  It was a cloudy afternoon, but that didn't damper the spirits of Cynthia Nixon (Democratic candidate for governor), and the Democratic candidate for the 14th Congressional District Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who came to meet parents as they picked up their children from school to stump for candidate Cynthia Nixon for Governor. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez won the federal primary held in June, and is the Democratic candidate for the 14th Congressional District. 

  Dozens of reporters and television camera people were on hand from many of the major television stations, citywide, and local newspapers. Candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon and  the Democratic candidate for congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greeted parents as they left the school with their children. Many wanted their pictures taken on their cell phones with the next congresswoman from the district, and maybe the next governor of New York State. Below are some more photos.

Above - The television reporters were interviewing Democratic candidate for congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez before the students departed school with their parents.

Below - Some members of the media wait for parents to depart with their children.

Above - Shy young child Kourtney McLean poses with Cynthia Nixon and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Below - Kourtney's parents were not shy at all in having their photo taken with Cynthia Nixon and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Democratic candidate for congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets this voter, asking him to vote for Cynthia Nixon for governor in Thursday's state primary.

Staten Island-Based Health Care Service Agrees to Pay More than $1.6 Million to Settle False Claims Act Suit Alleging Fraudulent Billing Practices

  Centers Plan for Healthy Living (“Centers Plan”), a Staten Island-based company that provides services to people who are chronically ill or who need long-term health care services, has agreed to pay $1,650,000 to settle civil fraud allegations that Centers Plan billed the Medicaid Program for services that it did not provide to Medicaid beneficiaries.  The settlement agreement, which resolved claims under both the Federal and New York State False Claims Acts, was approved yesterday by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano.  

“When health care providers engage in fraudulent billing practices to improperly obtain Medicaid funds, they jeopardize the very integrity of Medicaid, a critical program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who seek to exploit Medicaid for their own enrichment.”  Mr. Donoghue thanked the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for their assistance in the investigation.

The government’s investigation revealed that, from April 2013 through December 2015, Centers Plan fraudulently enriched itself at the expense of Medicaid by knowingly and systematically submitting false claims for payment to Medicaid.  In one scheme, Centers Plan improperly enrolled into its managed long-term health care plan individuals who were actually only eligible for Social Adult Day Care or transportation services.  In another scheme, Centers Plan failed to disenroll members from its managed long-term health care plan who were no longer receiving qualified community-based long-term care services.

The allegations were brought to the government’s attention through the filing of a complaint pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under the Act, private citizens can bring suit on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery.

A.G. Underwood Announces Guilty Pleas Of Former Focus Otsego Nursing Home Operators For Endangering Resident

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extended Deadline For NYCHA Monitor Applications

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has extended the deadline for receiving applications from qualified individuals to serve as Court-appointed monitor in connection with a proposed consent decree submitted to the Court for approval in the case of United States v. New York City Housing Authority, 18 Civ. 5213 (WHP).  Specifically, applications will be accepted until the date that the Court enters the proposed consent decree.

Applications will continue to be considered on a rolling basis as they are submitted, and applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.  In addition, individuals who have already submitted applications are invited to supplement those applications as appropriate.

Pursuant to the terms of the consent decree, the Government will propose a monitor for approval by the Court.  As set forth at greater length in the proposed consent decree, the monitor will be responsible for the remediation of extensive health and safety deficiencies in NYCHA housing, as well as oversight and reform of NYCHA management, controls, and operations.  

The application and related materials, and instructions for submission, are available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/monitors-receivers-claims-administrators. 

The consent decree remains subject to review and approval by the Court.