Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Guilty Plea Of U.S. Taxpayer In Panama Papers Investigation

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Brian A. Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, announced today that HARALD JOACHIM VON DER GOLTZ, a/k/a “H.J. von der Goltz,” “Johan von der Goltz,” “Jochen von der Goltz,” “Tica,” “Tika,” pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses to wire fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, false statements, and other charges.  VON DER GOLTZ, a former U.S. resident and taxpayer, is charged along with Ramses Owens, Dirk Brauer, and Richard Gaffey, a/k/a “Dick Gaffey,” in connection with a decades-long criminal scheme perpetrated by Mossack Fonseca & Co. (“Mossack Fonseca”), a Panamanian-based global law firm, and its related entities. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Harald Joachim von der Goltz went to extraordinary lengths to circumvent U.S. tax laws in order to maintain his wealth and hide it from the IRS.  Using the specialized criminal services of global law firm Mossack Fonseca, von der Goltz set up shell companies and off-shore accounts to conceal millions of dollars.  Now, after years of concealment from the United States, von der Goltz has admitted guilt in a U.S. court and awaits sentencing that could result in a term in a U.S. prison.”

AAG Brian A. Benczkowski said:  “Over nearly two decades, von der Goltz conspired to keep his income hidden from U.S. tax authorities and law enforcement.  Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the Department’s steadfast commitment to prosecute taxpayers who use offshore structures to obscure their wealth and evade their tax obligations.”According to the allegations contained in the Indictments[1], other filings in this case, and statements during court proceedings, including VON DER GOLTZ’s guilty plea hearing:

Since at least 2000 through 2017, VON DER GOLTZ conspired with others to conceal his assets and investments, and the income generated by those assets and investments, from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) through fraudulent, deceitful, and dishonest means.  During all relevant times, VON DER GOLTZ was a U.S. resident and was subject to U.S. tax laws, which required him to report and pay income tax on worldwide income, including income and capital gains generated in domestic and foreign bank accounts.  Nevertheless, VON DER GOLTZ evaded his tax reporting obligations by setting up a series of shell companies and bank accounts, and hiding his beneficial ownership of the shell companies and bank accounts from the IRS.  These shell companies and bank accounts made investments totaling tens of millions of dollars.  VON DER GOLTZ was assisted in this scheme through the use of Mossack Fonseca, including Ramses Owens, a Panamanian lawyer who previously worked at Mossack Fonseca, and by Richard Gaffey, a partner at a U.S.-based accounting firm.  Specifically, in furtherance of VON DER GOLTZ’s efforts to conceal his assets and income from the IRS, VON DER GOLTZ engaged the services of Mossack Fonseca, including Owens, to create a sham foundation and shell companies formed under the laws of Panama and the British Virgin Islands to conceal from the IRS and others the ownership by VON DER GOLTZ of accounts established at overseas banks, as well as the income generated in those accounts.  VON DER GOLTZ, Gaffey, and Owens also falsely claimed that VON DER GOLTZ’s elderly mother was the sole beneficial owner of the shell companies and bank accounts at issue because, at all relevant times, she was a Guatemalan citizen and resident, and – unlike VON DER GOLTZ – was not a U.S. taxpayer. 

VON DER GOLTZ, 82, a citizen of Germany and Guatemala who resided in Needham, Massachusetts, and Key Biscayne, Florida, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit tax evasion, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; four counts of willful failure to file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, FINCEN Reports 114, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and two counts of false statements, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. 

VON DER GOLTZ is scheduled to appear before Judge Richard M. Berman on February 24, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., at which time it is anticipated Judge Berman will set a sentencing date.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence for the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Gaffey is scheduled to proceed to trial on March 9, 2020, before Judge Berman. 

U.S. Attorney Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of IRS - Criminal Investigation and HSI, and thanked the Justice Department’s Tax Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their significant assistance in the investigation.  Mr. Berman also thanked the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, which provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from the United Kingdom.  He also thanked law enforcement partners in France, the United Kingdom, Panama, and Germany for their assistance in the case.

The charges as to Owens, Brauer, and Gaffey are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

Attorney General James Condemns Federal Proposals To Roll Back Critical Anti-Discrimination Protections For Patients And Students

   New York Attorney General Letitia James today sent two multistate comment letters to the Trump Administration, opposing federal proposals that roll back critical anti-discrimination protections for patients and students. Both proposals stem from President Trump’s Executive Order that allows faith-based organizations to deny services to various groups. In the first proposal, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would eliminate transparency requirements for faith-based providers that help patients to understand their rights and access referrals to care from alternative providers. In the second, the U.S. Department of Education is vastly expanding the definition used to claim a religious exemption under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. This would allow schools to discriminate on the basis of sex against students or faculty based on the moral beliefs and practices of administrators, even if those practices have no connection with a religion. Together, these federal proposals are part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing assault on the rights of women, survivors of sexual harassment and violence, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

“The president’s Executive Order is nothing more than a veiled attempt to discriminate against our nation’s patients, students, and those who are most vulnerable,” said Attorney General James. “Religion should never be used as weapon, yet the Trump Administration has repeatedly worked to pit Americans against each other by using faith as a wedge between us. Our coalition is fighting the president’s attempts to divide Americans along religious lines, and will continue to do everything in our power to protect women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who need these valuable protections.”

In the first comment letter, the coalition of 23 attorneys general contends that HHS’ proposal fails to safeguard the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals — both groups which already disproportionately face barriers to care, particularly when it comes to obtaining accurate information about their health care and referrals. The receipt of accurate and impartial information from providers is vital to a patient’s health and could mean the difference between life and death. Under the proposal, faith-based providers will no longer be required to notify patients of their rights, including the right to a referral. For instance, removing notice and referral requirements will adversely impact a woman’s ability to access critical reproductive care, including an abortion. In fact, religiously-affiliated crisis pregnancy centers — which have seen an uptick in federal funding under the Trump Administration — have been known to offer patients misleading information in an attempt to discourage them from obtaining an abortion or accessing contraception. In the comment letter, the coalition maintains that HHS’ proposal is arbitrary and capricious because it fails to consider the evidence or adequately justify the proposed changes. 

In the second comment letter, the coalition of 20 attorneys general highlights how the Department of Education’s proposal to expand religious exemptions under Title IX could give schools free rein to discriminate against students or faculty on the basis of sex — significantly harming people who have suffered discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence. Currently, Title IX contains a narrow religious exemption for educational institutions controlled by a religious organization. The proposal would allow more schools to discriminate on the basis of sex by broadening the criteria for institutions to claim a religious exemption, such that even schools with a tenuous relationship with religion could claim exemption from Title IX requirements. As a result, under the proposal, a student could unlawfully face discrimination — for using birth control, being pregnant or parenting a child out of marriage, or for being LGBTQ+ — simply because of the moral beliefs or practices of school administrators. Sexual harassment and violence survivors could also be denied the protections of Title IX by schools claiming to be exempt under the proposed rule. This kind of discrimination can needlessly and seriously disrupt a student's academic trajectory and career and could have a detrimental long-term effect on their mental and physical health. The coalition also notes that the proposal is arbitrary and capricious because the federal government failed to provide any substantive reasoning that would justify this dramatic departure in policy, which is contrary to the goals of Title IX.

LIVE.     WORK.     SHOP.     THRIVE.

Our trainings are free. These workshops address barriers for district small business owners and build robust equitable economic development tools. These tools help drive the systemic change needed to support equitable economic development in the Bronx, while also providing important information to avoid fines from increased government-imposed small business regulations. NYS Plastic Bag Ban Info Session, Weds - February 26, 2020 - 5:00pm Learn about the NYS Plastic Bag Ban and what steps you need to take to comply with the law. The NYS Plastic Bag Ban goes into effect on March 1, 2020. All businesses should be aware of what they need to do to comply with this new law. The New York State Bag Waste Reduction Act prohibits the distribution of plastic carryout bags by retailers in New York state. Businesses that are not exempt from the law are required to provide paper bags to consumers. Businesses must charge a 5 cent paper bag fee per bag. SNAP and WIC recipients are exempt from this fee. Businesses must show the transaction of the paper bags clearly on receipts and shall state the number of bags provided to the customer. The paper carryout bag reduction fee must be reported and paid to the state commissioner of taxation and finance on a quarterly basis. Learn more about this ban and what you need to do during this information session hosted by the Third Avenue Business Improvement District and NYC Department of Sanitation. Free Registration - Click Here

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez Opens Bronx Campaign Office

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez kicking off her re-election bid, opened her Bronx campaign office on Saturday February 15th. The address is 1371 Herschell Street just off Westchester Avenue. This location seems to be the middle of the Bronx part of the 14th Congressional District. To the East is Throggs Neck, Pelham, and Country Club. To the West is Parkchester and Castle Hill. To the North is Morris Park, Van Nest, and Pelham Parkway.

  The campaign office is divided into different sections where different activities can take place. After she wins re-election Congresswoman Ocassio-Cortez intends to turn the campaign office into a community space for meetings and educating people how to help themselves, and others. The lease is for five years so it looks like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez intends to stick around. One thing however, in 2021 there will be redistricting, and with the possible loss of two congressional seats for New York no one can predict what Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez's district will look like for her race in 2022. 

Above - AOC chats with one of the many volunteers.

Below - The volunteers wanted selfies with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.

There are two community meetings with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez Wednesday February 19th at PS 304 2759 Lafayette Avenue in the Throggs Neck area from 7:30 - 9 PM.

Thursday February 20th at Janell Towers 801 Neill Avenue in the Morris Park area from 7:30 - 9 PM.

Contact OcasioCortez.com/events  to sign up for these and other events including petitioning beginning Tuesday February 25th at various locations listed. You must be a registered voter in New York State, and a member of the Democratic Party to collect petition signatures.

Bronx Fashion Week Returns 2/.29./2020 At the Bay Plaza Mall

13 Defendants Charged With Submitting Millions Of Dollars In False Transportation Claims To Medicaid

  Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), and Dennis Rosen, New York State Medicaid Inspector General (“OMIG”), announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging thirteen defendants with participating in a scheme to steal millions of dollars from New York State’s Medicaid program through fraudulent claims related to transportation services.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants exploited and abused Medicaid, billing millions of dollars for phantom medical transportation services.  Medicaid is intended to provide financial assistance to those in need.  These defendants allegedly treated the Medicaid program that pays for medical transport as an opportunity to steal from Medicaid, which is indirectly stealing from American taxpayers.  Now they face prosecution for their alleged crimes.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “It is alleged that these individuals schemed to defraud the Medicaid program out of millions of dollars, in turn robbing all those who rely on it for their vital healthcare needs.  More than a dozen were involved in this plan to charge for services not rendered, and HSI working with its law enforcement partners arrested those who sought to make a profit at the expense of those in need and will continue to do so.”

HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert said:  “Millions of people in New York depend on Medicaid for vital services, and taxpayers across the country pay for that care.  We will continue close cooperation with our State and Federal law enforcement partners to preserve this essential funding.”

NYS Medicaid Inspector General Dennis Rosen said:  “Today’s arrests send an unmistakable message to those who seek personal gain by preying upon vulnerable New Yorkers and exploiting the Medicaid program.  My office will continue to work closely with our federal partners to protect Medicaid recipients, save taxpayer dollars, and hold wrongdoers fully accountable.”

As alleged in the criminal Complaint unsealed today:[1] 

From in or about August 2017 to February 2020, KJ Transportation C Services Inc. (“KJ”) was paid more than $20 million for providing transportation services for Medicaid enrollees in the New York City area.

JORGELINA ABREU GIL, 32, of Yonkers, New York, is the owner of KJ.  Her husband, JULIO ALVARADO, 59, of Yonkers, is a manager at the company.  Beginning in August 2017, KJ began submitting claims to Medicaid for purported medical transportation services for eligible people in the New York area.  From August 2017 to February 2020, KJ submitted more than 100,000 claims related to hundreds of thousands of trips.  However, a large percentage of those claims were fraudulent.  In some instances, the Medicaid recipient was deceased or out of the country when KJ claimed it was transporting that person to medical appointments.  In other instances, the Medicaid recipient had never heard of KJ and had never taken any rides with the company.  In yet other instances, the Medicaid recipient had received unlawful “kickbacks” from defendants in exchange for either giving KJ his/her Medicaid information, or for fraudulently scheduling trips he/she did not take.

In hundreds of instances, defendants called Medicaid’s transportation management company for the New York City area and scheduled trips on behalf of Medicaid enrollees.  On these calls, the defendants tried to schedule reoccurring trips several times per week that would go on for months, allowing them to bill dozens of trips to Medicaid without having to schedule each trip individually.  In other instances, defendants scheduled trips online.  ABREU GIL attested to nearly all of the trips, fraudulently certifying that the trips actually took place when, in fact, most did not.

HECTOR SALAZAR HERRERA, 27, of the Bronx, New York, ZORAIDA GONZALEZ, 44, of Yonkers, New York, YESENIA RODRIGUEZ,  37, of Yonkers, JOSE RIVERA, 26, of the Bronx, FABIAN MORGAN, 39, of the Bronx, VICTORIA PALMA BREA, 32 of the Bronx, CRISTOPHER SANTOS FELIX, 28, of the Bronx, JOHN MANUEL MEJIA, 41, of the Bronx, JOSE JIMENZ HIDALGO, 42, of the Bronx, FRANCISCO SALAZAR, 68, of the Bronx, and NELSON DIAZ, a/k/a “Abdul Alamin,” 56, of the Bronx, acted as “drivers” or “recruiters” of Medicaid enrollees.  As detailed in the Complaint, the defendants variously paid Medicaid enrollees to schedule fraudulent trips, paid unlawful kickbacks to Medicaid enrollees, and fraudulently scheduled trips that never took place.  In exchange for their work, the “drivers” or “recruiters” were paid up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

ABREU GIL, ALVARADO, GONZALEZ, RODRIGUEZ, RIVERA, MORGAN, PALMA BREA, MEJIA, JIMENEZ HIDALGO, SALAZAR, and DIAZ were arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court.  SANTOS FELIX was already in federal custody on unrelated charges and will be presented at a later date.           

ABREU GIL, ALVARADO, SALAZAR HERRERA, GONZALEZ, RODRIGUEZ, RIVERA, MORGAN, PALMA BREA, SANTOS FELIX, MEJIA, JIMENZ HIDALGO, SALAZAR, and DIAZ are each charged with one count of submitting false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 287; one count of theft of government funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641; one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation 18 U.S.C. § 1028A; one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; one count of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; and one count of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b.  In addition, ABREU GIL and ALVARADO are each charged with one count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957.

The crime of submitting false claims carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The crimes of theft of government funds, health care fraud, money laundering, and violating the Anti-Kickback Statute each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The crime of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The crime of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two 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 defendants will be determined by a judge.

On February 14, 2020, law enforcement officers also executed seizure warrants in an effort to recover millions of dollars in fraud proceeds obtained by the defendants.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of HSI, HHS-OIG, and OMIG.  He also thanked the City of Yonkers Police Department, the New York City Police Department, the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and United States Customs and Border Protection for their assistance in the case.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein are only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

AG James, NY Drug Enforcement Task Force, And NY Strike Force Take Down Bronx Gun And Heroin Trafficking Ring

Individuals Illegally Sold 16 Firearms, Including 4 Assault Weapons, 11 High-Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices, Hundreds of Rounds of Ammunition, and Heroin

Latest Bust in AG’s Efforts to Crack Down on Gun Traffickers, Take Illegal Guns Off of New York’s Streets

  New York Attorney General Letitia James and the New York Strike Force announced a 107-count indictment, charging five individuals for their roles in a gun trafficking operation that illegally sold 16 firearms in the Bronx. The indictment — unsealed in Bronx County Supreme Court today — charges Luis Alsina, Michael Alsina, Miguel Rodriguez, Josue Pagan-Adorno, and Rafael Cruz with trafficking numerous assault weapons, semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, 11 high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and more than three hundred rounds of ammunition. The indictment additionally charges Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina with various counts pertaining to the sale of approximately 250 grams of heroin.

“Let these arrests serve as a loud and clear message: there is zero tolerance for gun trafficking in New York,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “These five individuals allegedly made a business of flooding our communities with dangerous weapons - including assault weapons -and drugs, putting our city in harm’s way. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their invaluable support and for their help to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.”

Some of the weapons and rounds of ammunition recovered through this gun trafficking operation.

This taked own was the result of a joint investigation between the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the New York Strike Force — a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

The investigation, dubbed “Operation Iron Empire,” included the use of physical surveillance, electronic surveillance, and undercover operations. During the course of the recorded transactions, the defendants repeatedly referenced their ability to obtain guns from Pennsylvania and bring them into New York to be sold.

The five defendants were charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Conspiracy for their participation in the illegal gun trafficking operation. Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina were also charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, as well as Conspiracy for their participation in an illegal heroin distribution scheme.

According to the indictment, Michael Alsina acted as a broker between his firearms suppliers and undercover officers, to whom he sold firearms and/or ammunition on ten occasions between June 22, 2019 and November 12, 2019. Luis Alsina provided the firearms and/or ammunition to Michael Alsina for seven of those ten sales and also sold firearms directly to undercover officers on three other occasions from June 22, 2019 through December 27, 2019.  Rafael Cruz supplied two firearms for sales brokered by Michael Alsina, while Josue Pagan-Adorno and Miguel Rodriguez transported firearms for sale to undercover officers.

The indictment also alleges that Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina combined to sell approximately 250 grams of heroin to undercover officers on four occasions spanning from August 7, 2019 through September 5, 2019.

The investigation resulted in the recovery of the following firearms and ammunition from the defendants:

• Seven 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistols
• Three .32 caliber revolvers (one inoperable)
• Two 5.56-millimeter semiautomatic rifles (assault weapons)
• One 7.62x39-millimeter semiautomatic rifle (assault weapon)
• One .40 caliber Carbine (assault weapon)
• One 7.62x39-millimeter single shot rifle
• One .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol
• One .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol
• One .38 caliber revolver
• 11 high-capacity ammunition feeding devices
• One bullet-proof vest (uncharged)
• Approximately 317 rounds of ammunition

The 107-count indictment — unsealed today before Bronx County Supreme Court Judge Ethan Greenberg — charged the five individuals with multiple crimes, including Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, among other charges. Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina were also charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. If convicted of this crime, Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina face a maximum of 25 years in prison.  Miguel Rodriguez and Rafael Cruz each face a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted, and Josue Pagan-Adorno faces a maximum of 7 years in prison if convicted.

Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina are also each charged with multiple offenses related to the sale of heroin, including Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. If convicted on these charges, they each face an additional maximum of 10 years in prison. 

Those charged in today’s indictment include:

LUIS ALSINA, 30, Bronx, New York;
MICHAEL ALSINA, 27, Bronx, New York;
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, 32, Bronx, New York;
JOSUE PAGAN-ADORNO, 29, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania;
RAFAEL CRUZ, 22, Bronx, New York.

Operation Iron Empire is the latest example of Attorney General James’ commitment to cracking down on illegal gun trafficking rings and taking these weapons off our streets. Just last week, the Attorney General’s Office arrested and charged several individuals for their roles in a separate gun trafficking ring operating on Long Island. That investigation resulted in the seizure of 32 firearms, including assault weapons, 18 high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and more than one thousand rounds of ammunition.

“We will not tolerate illegal firearms getting into the hands of criminals," said Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. "Fortunately an undercover detective intercepted these weapons before they could do harm. My Office has prosecuted many traffickers who bring firearms from out of state, but this case shows there is much more to be done. I am proud to be a partner with Attorney General James and our local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to combat the flow of illegal guns into my county.”

“It is a fact, illegal drug trafficking and gun violence threaten the lives of New Yorkers,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. “As a result of this investigation we have taken 16 firearms, four assault weapons, and five gun and/or drug traffickers off the streets of the Bronx. I commend our state, local, and federal counterparts whose diligent efforts resulted in these arrests and seizures.” 

“This investigation uncovered a scheme to sell firearms illegally, without any regard for who might purchase the weapons or the intended use,” said New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett. “We have zero tolerance for those who willingly break the law while putting others in danger. I want to thank the Attorney General’s Office and our partners for their outstanding work.”

“This case highlights our continuing focus on keeping illegal firearms, and the threat they pose to the public, out of New York City,” said New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “I want to thank our NYPD investigators, and our federal and state partners, for working together to stop these defendants from allegedly selling guns and drugs on the streets of the Bronx.”

“The danger posed to our communities with the number of assault weapons, pistols and ammunition being trafficked through the Bronx is profound, and the risk to people’s lives was imminent,” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of HSI New York. “While guns continue to be bought and sold in the streets, HSI continues to work with our law enforcement partners to see that these guns are removed from neighborhoods and those involved in the trafficking are arrested and face prosecution for their actions.”

The Office of the Attorney General wishes to thank the members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York Strike Force for their partnership in this investigation. The New York Drug Enforcement Task Force comprises agents and officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York State Police, and the New York City Police Department.

The New York Strike Force includes the New York Division of the DEA; the New York State Police; the New York City Police Department; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the U.S. Secret Service; the U.S. Marshals Service, the New York National Guard; the Clarkstown Police Department; the U.S. Coast Guard; the Port Washington Police Department; and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

The Office of the Attorney General also wishes to thank the Mt. Arlington, New Jersey Police Department for their valuable participation and assistance in this investigation.

The joint investigation with the DEA’s New York Field Division Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force was directed by OCTF Investigators Bradley Rutty, Angel Lopez, and Andrew Scala; with the assistance of the U.S. Army National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, and Supervising Investigator Paul Grzegorski, under the supervision of OCTF Assistant Chief John Sullivan and Deputy Chief Christopher Vasta. The Attorney General’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes. 

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND CHANCELLOR CARRANZA CELEBRATE SUCCESS ON NATIONAL EVALUATION SYSTEMS OF PRE-K FOR ALL

National program assessment systems find Pre-K for All leads to positive outcomes for students

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza celebrated the results of two different national program assessment tools that show the vast majority of pre-K programs are demonstrating predictors of positive student outcomes, meaning children are more likely to demonstrate reading, math, language, and social skills such as being independent, understanding shapes, and using expanded vocabulary.

The Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale—Revised (ECERS-R) and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), two tools used to measure the quality of pre-K programs across the country, show that Pre-K for All continues to improve. On ECERS-R, 95 percent of evaluated City programs met or exceeded the threshold that predicts positive student outcomes, a 7 percentage point increase from when programs were evaluated in 2016-17. On CLASS, 99.8 percent of sites with scores met at least one of three thresholds for positive student outcomes in 2018-19, representing a 0.8 percentage point increase from 2016-17. City pre-K programs are outpacing or on par with 2018 National Head Start averages in CLASS scores.

“These results confirm what we knew all along: Pre-K for All lays a foundation for success for kids all around our city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are investing in our future by ensuring that every single 4-year-old in New York City has access to free, high quality Pre-K.”

“We know that when students get in the classroom at a younger age, they are set up for academic success in later years, and this is evidence that in New York City, Pre-K for All is a strong foundation for our students,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “Free, full-day, high-quality Pre-K is available to every four year-old in the City, and I encourage all families to take advantage and apply today!”

Developed by early childhood education experts across the country, ECERS-R and CLASS are nationally recognized instruments to assess and monitor program quality, and help educators create high quality programs for the children and families they serve. Programs are assessed on a three year cycle, meaning in a three year period, a program will receive a CLASS and ECERS-R assessments at least once.

High quality programs measured by ECERS-R and CLASS engage families as strong partners and encourage families to support children’s learning with meaningful activities outside the classroom. Teachers are emotionally supportive, sensitive and responsive to students’ unique perspectives, and create a positive classroom environment. The space is clean and well maintained with child-size furniture conducive to student learning; meals and snacks are well balanced, and children’s work is displayed throughout the room.

Pre-K for All is having an impact on academic performance and closing the achievement gap. For the first time this school year, third graders who had participated in the City’s pre-K program took State tests. According to 2019 State test scores, the White-Black and White-Hispanic achievement gaps were narrower for students who attended Pre-K for All compared to those who did not, illustrating the long term benefit of the program. Additionally, third grade students who attended Pre-K for All outperformed students who did not attend Pre-K for All.

A summary of the 2018-19 Pre-K ECERS-R and CLASS assessments is available online.

Applications for free, full-day, high-quality 3-K and Pre-K for All opened on Wednesday, February 5. Families can find programs and apply online at MySchools.nyc. Families can also apply over the phone at 718-935-2009, or in person at a Family Welcome Center. The online application is available in ten languages, and families can submit an application over the phone or in person in over 200 languages. All New York City families with children born in 2016 can apply for pre-K, and all families with children born in 2017 can apply for 3-K in the 2020-21 school year.

The Pre-K application will remain open until March 16. The 3-K application will remain open until April 24. Families can make changes to their application at any time before submitting, and can find out their school district by calling 311 or visiting schools.nyc.gov/find-a-school.

Access to free, full-day, high-quality pre-K prepares children for kindergarten and puts them on the path to success throughout their time in school. Research has shown that every dollar invested in high-quality early education saves taxpayers as much as $13 long-term. Specifically in New York City, research has found that families with children enrolled in free, full-day pre-K save an average of $10,000 per year on childcare costs, and access to Pre-K for All increases the chance that a low-income child is properly diagnosed with asthma or vision problems and receives appropriate treatment. Since 2014 the City has more than tripled the number of 4-year-olds enrolled in pre-K, from approximately 19,000 in 2013-14 to approximately 70,000 students enrolled today. The City is now going a step further with the expansion of 3-K for All.

For the 2020-21 school year, 3-K will expand to two additional districts: District 1 (Chinatown, East Village, Lower East Side) and District 14 (Greenpoint, Williamsburg). This expansion comes in addition to District 12 (Central Bronx) and District 29 (Cambria Heights, Hollis, Laurelton, Queens Village, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans) as announced in 2018. Each year, the City has outpaced its planned 3-K for All growth. Originally, 3-K was expected to be in only eight districts by Fall 2020; with this expansion, 3-K for All will serve 26,000 children citywide for the 2020-21 school year. Families applying to 3-K can begin filling out an application now, and additional programs in Districts 1 and 14 will be added to the application in the coming weeks.

Pre-K for All and 3-K for All are part of the Mayor and Chancellor’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda, which is building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. 3-K for All and Pre-K for All are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier; Universal Literacy is working towards ensuring every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All is improving elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensuring that all 8th graders have access to algebra. Equity and Excellence for All is also offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All is giving all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms, outlined in the 2017 New York City school diversity plan and through diversity pilots taking root in eight districts, are central to this pathway.