President Of Law Enforcement Union Charged With Defrauding Union’s Annuity Fund

Union Treasurer, a Police Officer, Also Charged With Obstruction of Justice and False Statements

  Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeny Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, New York Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Andriana Vamvakas, Northeastern Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards (“DOL-OLMS”), announced the arrest of KENNETH WYNDER Jr., a former New York State Trooper and the president of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (“LEEBA”), a labor union for law enforcement officers employed by the City of New York (the “City”), for defrauding union members by misappropriating money from LEEBA’s Annuity Fund.  STEVEN WHITTICK, LEEBA’s treasurer and a police officer for New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”), was charged separately with obstructing the investigation into fraud in connection with LEEBA and the Annuity Fund and making false statements to federal agents.  Both defendants are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Today we have charged two leaders of a union that represents local law enforcement officers for engaging in criminal conduct, something they and their membership are sworn to combat.  As alleged, Kenneth Wynder abused his position as the union’s president and its annuity fund’s administrator and trustee to raid his members’ retirement accounts.  As further alleged, Steven Whittick, the union’s treasurer, took repeated steps to obstruct a federal investigation aimed at uncovering those financial improprieties.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeny Jr. said:  “As alleged, both law enforcement and civilian members of multiple city agencies had their retirement savings compromised by two individuals who prioritized their own financial well-being over that of the hardworking men and women who dedicated their livelihood to serving the public. Most people only get one chance to put aside enough money to last them into retirement. To think the money these individuals worked so hard for could allegedly be swindled by the very people who play a role in managing it is disturbing beyond belief. Today’s arrests bring us one step closer to making sure justice is served in this case.”

DOL-OLMS Northeastern Regional Director Andriana Vamvakas said:  “Union officials are required to use the union’s funds only for legitimate purposes, not their own personal gain. Financial misappropriation by union officials not only breaks the law, it betrays the trust placed in them by their membership.  OLMS was proud to work with its partners at the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this case.”

According to the allegations contained in the two Complaints unsealed in Manhattan federal court, publicly available information, and prior court filings:[1]

Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association and the Annuity Fund

LEEBA is a labor union that has acted as the collective bargaining representative principally for law enforce­ment personnel at various City agencies, and has entered into agreements on behalf of those law enforcement employees, including agreements for insurance and retirement benefits.  The City agencies whose employees LEEBA represented included, at various times, the Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”), the Department of Sanitation (“Sanitation”), and the Department of Transporta­tion (“Transportation”).           

The Annuity Fund is a LEEBA fund that received monthly contributions from the City for the benefit of LEEBA’s members, and maintained separate accounts for each fund member.  These accounts were functionally similar to employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement accounts.  Both WYNDER and WHITTICK were Trustees of the Annuity Fund and signatories to agreements that governed the fund.  Under the relevant agreements and plans, the money in the Annuity Fund could be used for no purpose other than funding individual members’ retirement accounts and defraying reasonable administra­tive expenses of the Annuity Fund itself.

WYNDER

WYNDER, a former New York State Trooper, is the President of LEEBA and a member of LEEBA’s board of directors.  WYNDER has also served as the Fund Administrator of the Annuity Fund and as a member of the board of trustees of the Annuity Fund, pursuant to which he owed a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the Annuity Fund and its account holders.  WYNDER also was on the board of trustees of the LEEBA Welfare Fund (the “Welfare Fund,” and collectively with the Annuity Fund, the “LEEBA Funds”), which provided supplemental insurance benefits to its members.  While occupying those positions, WYNDER centralized and controlled major decision-making authority for LEEBA and the LEEBA Funds, often acting without the proper approval of their respective boards of directors or trustees.  WYNDER’s de facto dominance of LEEBA and the LEEBA Funds enabled him to make decisions in his own self-interest and contrary to the interests of the Annuity Fund and individual members.

WHITTICK

WHITTICK, a DEP police officer, is the Treasurer of LEEBA, and a member of the board of directors of LEEBA and the boards of trustees of the LEEBA Annuity Fund and the LEEBA Welfare Fund.  As LEEBA’s Treasurer, WHITTICK had responsibi­lity for LEEBA’s financial matters and accounts, arranging for LEEBA to pay its payroll through an outside payroll processing firm starting in 2016, as well as having signatory authority over LEEBA’s main operating bank account. 

            WYNDER’s Alleged Fraud Scheme

            From at least in or about 2012 up to and including the date of this Complaint, WYNDER participated in a scheme to steal, embezzle, and misappropriate money from the Annuity Fund and individual members’ retirement accounts.  Specifically, WYNDER made hundreds of thousands of dollars of fraudulent transfers from the Annuity Fund to LEEBA’s operating account, which he controlled, and regularly used the funds, once transferred from the Annuity Fund, to enrich himself at union members’ expense, including through unauthorized and excessive checks to himself and cash withdrawals for his own benefit.  In addition, WYNDER caused the union to pay for various personal expenses such as a second residence, clothing, travel expenses, and the purchase of a personal automobile, all paid for by the union, and none of which were contemporaneously reported to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), as required.

To accomplish this fraudulent scheme, WYNDER, acting in his capacity as the Annuity Fund’s Plan Administrator, repeatedly made false and misleading statements to a third-party retirement plan manager that served as the custodian for the Annuity Fund and the retirement accounts of individual union members, including through emails and faxes that WYNDER used to withdraw increasingly large sums of money from the Annuity Fund, effectively causing such withdrawals to be made from the retirement accounts of individual members.  From in or about 2014 through in or about 2019, WYNDER caused the withdrawal of more than $500,000 from the individual retirement accounts that constitute the Annuity Fund, thereby wiping out the entire balance of certain members’ accounts.  Without these improper withdrawals from the Annuity Fund, the LEEBA operating account would have been insolvent, and would have had insufficient funds to pay for WYNDER’s excessive checks to himself and cash withdrawals and the personal expenses he caused to be charged to that account.

In addition, throughout the duration of this scheme, WYNDER repeatedly made and approved false and misleading statements to LEEBA’s members and prospective members about how he was purportedly using and protecting their retirement accounts and the LEEBA Annuity Fund.  WYNDER further concealed his scheme by causing LEEBA to fail to timely file mandatory reports and financial disclosures with the City and public reports to the Annuity Fund’s members, and by making false statements to the Annuity Fund’s auditors and accountants.

WHITTICK’s Alleged Obstruction of Justice

From at least in or about 2017 through in or about August 2019, while serving as LEEBA’s Treasurer, and after learning of the federal investigation into LEEBA’s finances including the embezzlement scheme described above, WHITTICK repeatedly lied to federal agents in an effort to obstruct that investigation.  WHITTICK did so despite personal involvement in some of the financial improprieties with which WYNDER is charged.  For example, as alleged, on at least two occasions, on or about February 1, 2018, and March 30, 2018, WHITTICK withdrew $16,000 in cash from a LEEBA bank account, and on each occasion deposited $15,000 cash into WYNDER’s personal bank account and $1,000 cash into WHITTICK’s own personal bank account. 

After the FBI had executed a search warrant of LEEBA’s offices in September 2019, WHITTICK attempted to obstruct and to influence the ongoing federal investigation by making, in two different interviews with law enforcement agents, false statements about, among other subjects, cash withdrawals he made from LEEBA’s bank accounts, unauthorized withdrawals from LEEBA’s Annuity Fund and from members’ individual accounts, and LEEBA’s payment for certain travel and entertainment expenses for union officers, including WHITTICK and WYNDER.

WYNDER, 56, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

WHITTICK, 50, of Kingston, New York, is separately charged with one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and two counts of false statements to federal investigators, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in these cases are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the FBI and the Department of Labor OLMS.  Ms. Strauss also thanked IRS-Criminal Investigations, the New York City Comptroller’s Office, and the New York City Department of Investigation for their assistance.

The charges contained in the Complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

Mayor de Blasio Announces New Face Covering Guidance and Public Awareness Campaign to Reach Younger New Yorkers

New Yorkers looking to get tested should text COVID TEST to 855-48 or visit NYC.gov/COVIDTEST

  Mayor de Blasio today announced that all New Yorkers should wear a face covering indoors when they are around other people in a setting that is not their home. With cases rising among New Yorkers between the ages of 20-29, the City will launch a public outreach campaign geared towards younger New Yorkers, including additional mobile testing sites. Through partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers, the City will also open additional testing sites, building on the commitment to make COVID-19 testing as fast and convenient as possible across the five boroughs.

"We have come so far in our fight against the virus—but we cannot let our guard down just yet,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Younger New Yorkers are not invincible to COVID-19. My plea is simple: please get tested, practice social distancing, wear your face coverings, and take all the necessary precautions to keep each other safe.”

Guidance for Younger New Yorkers

With cases rising among New Yorkers under the age of 40—especially for the 20-29 age demographic—the City will launch a comprehensive public outreach campaign targeting younger New Yorkers. Through a “Night of Action” the City will conduct outreach through popular bars, outdoors restaurants, and waterfront locations, offering nearby mobile van testing and mask giveaways. The City will also partner with digital influencers to reach younger New Yorkers across social platforms and share guidance on how to prevent COVID-19.

Face Coverings

As the city continues to reopen and more people return to work outside the home, New Yorkers should wear a face covering as much as possible when around other people in an indoor setting that is not their home.

New Testing Partnerships

Ramon Velez Health Center (Currently Open)

754 E. 151st Street, Bronx

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Appointment required

Clay Avenue Health Center 1 (Currently Open)

776 Clay Avenue, Bronx

Monday - Friday 9:00AM-4:00 PM

Appointment required

Casa Maria Health Center (Currently Open)

324 E. 149th Street, Bronx

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Appointment required

Claremont Health Center (Currently Open)

262 E. 174th Street, Bronx

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Appointment required

Thomas and Marie White Health Center (Currently Open)

116-30 Sutphin Boulevard, Queens

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Appointment required

Hope Gardens (Opens tomorrow, July 14th)

120 Menahan Street, Brooklyn

Monday - Friday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Appointment required

The City will also operate additional testing sites through Union Community Health Center:

Union Community Health Center: (Currently Open)

260 East 188th Street, Bronx

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Rapid Care hours: Monday-Friday 3:00 PM -9:00 PM. Saturday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

Appointment required

Grand Concourse

2021 Grand Concourse, Bronx

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM  

Appointment required

The following sites will open through a partnership with the Institute for Family Health:

Stevenson Family Health Center (PCR Testing Only; Opens August 3rd)

731 White Plains Road, Bronx

Governor Cuomo Announces Appointments to The Appellate Division of The Supreme Court

Appointments Fill Vacancies in Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Department of New York State

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced four appointments to fill vacancies in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, in the First Department of New York State. The justices selected today reflect the diversity, talent and experience present throughout New York's judicial system.

"New York State's courts have enormous impact on the laws that shape citizens' day-to-day lives, and their judges should display strong commitments to justice and fairness," Governor Cuomo said. "I am proud to appoint four individuals whose exemplary service qualifies them to serve in the Appellate Division of New York's Supreme Court and wish them well in their work for New Yorkers in Manhattan and the Bronx."

Appellate Division-First Department Appointees:

The Governor appointed Supreme Court Justices Saliann Scarpulla, Manuel Jacobo Mendez Olivero, Martin Shulman, and Tanya R. Kennedy to fill vacancies on the Appellate Division-First Department. The First Department covers Manhattan and the Bronx.

Honorable Saliann Scarpulla

After graduating law school Justice Scarpulla clerked for the Hon. Alvin F. Klein in Supreme Court, New York County. When her clerkship concluded, Justice Scarpulla joined Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn as a litigation associate.  Justice Scarpulla later moved to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Senior Counsel.  From the FDIC Justice Scarpulla became Senior Vice President and Bank Counsel to Hudson United Bank. Justice Scarpulla returned to the New York State court system as Principal Court Attorney to the Hon. Eileen Bransten. She was then elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2001, appointed to the New York State Supreme Court in 2009, and elected to the Supreme Court in 2012.  Since February 2014, Justice Scarpulla has been sitting in the Supreme Court, New York County Commercial Division.  In 2019 Justice Scarpulla was also appointed to handle all international commercial arbitration matters pending in the New York State Supreme Court. Justice Scarpulla is active in several New York City and statewide bar associations and is a Business Court Representative to the American Bar Association. Justice Scarpulla earned a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, cum laude.

Honorable Manuel Jacobo Mendez Olivero

Justice Mendez has been a Justice of the Supreme Court, New York State, since his election in 2012 and has been since 2018 the coordinating judge of the New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL).  Prior to his election, Justice Mendez was elected Judge of the Civil Court, New York County in 2003, and had served as a Judge in the Civil Court from 2004 to January 2010.  He presided by Designation in Bronx Criminal Court from 2008 to January 2010, and as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Bronx County from January 2010 to January 2011, and then New York County until his election to Supreme Court in 2012.  Before his election to the Civil Court, Justice Mendez was engaged in the private practice of law as a solo practitioner (Law Office of Manuel J. Mendez, P.C.), from 1999 through 2003, and as a partner in the firm of Kwasink & Mendez, P.C. from 1993 through 1998. He worked as a Senior Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Division in the Bronx from September 1990 to October 1993. Justice Mendez earned a J.D. from the Universidad Central Del Este School of law in the Dominican Republic.

Honorable Martin Shulman

Justice Shulman was first elected to the New York County Supreme Court in the First Judicial Department in 2005 with his term ending in 2019, and in 2019, was re-elected to the New York County Supreme Court for another 14-year term. At the First Judicial Department, he served as the Presiding Justice in the Appellate Term, a position Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks appointed him to in 2018. Justice Shulman first became a Justice of the Appellate Term when Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau appointed him in 2009. From 1999 to 2004, he served as an Acting Justice after being appointed by then Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman. In addition to his time with the New York County Supreme Court, Justice Shulman was also a Judge at New York County's Civil Court from 1995 to 2014. Judge Lippman also appointed Justice Shulman as the Supervising Judge of the New York County Civil Court. Before becoming a Judge, Justice Shulman was an Associate, then Partner, at the real estate litigation firm of Shaw & Binder. Prior to Shaw & Binder, Justice Shulman held numerous positions at the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (Formerly New York City Conciliation and Appeals Board), including Deputy Chief of the Administrative Review Bureau, a Supervising Attorney and a Staff Attorney from 1982 to 1987. He was also a Court Attorney for the Hon. Eugene L. Nardelli from 1981 to 1982. Justice Shulman earned a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Honorable Tanya R. Kennedy

Justice Kennedy has served as a Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County, since January 2016, after election in November 2015. She was elected to Civil Court in November 2005 and thereafter served in Criminal Court (January 2006-September 2008), Civil Court (September 2008-December 2009), Family Court (January 2010-December 2010), as Acting Supreme Court Justice (January 2011-December 2012) and as Supervising Judge of Civil Court (January 20l4-December 2015). As an Acting Supreme Court Justice, Justice Kennedy presided over an integrated guardianship and landlord-tenant calendar and conducted bench hearings on a daily basis from January 2012 to December 2013. Before her election to Civil Court, Justice Kennedy was principal law clerk to Hon. Barry A. Cozier both while he was an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department (March 2001-December 2005) and while he was a Justice in the Commercial Division, New York County (May 1999-March 2001). Before her clerkship with Justice Cozier, Justice Kennedy served in the Office of the Corporation Counsel, New York City Law Department, as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Bronx Family Court Division (August 1992-August 1994) and in the Bronx Tort Division (August 1994-August 1997), where she was promoted to Assistant Deputy Chief. Justice Kennedy earned a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

The Judicial Screening Committee for the First Department, Appellate Division reviewed the applications and conducted interviews of dozens of applicants. Only those applicants deemed "highly qualified" by the Committees were submitted to the Governor for his consideration. To be found "highly qualified," candidates must display integrity, independence, leadership, intellect, legal ability, judgment, temperament, and experience.

The Governor's Office will continue to review candidates that successfully advance through the screening process to fill vacancies in the Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court.

Under the New York State Constitution and Judiciary Law, the Governor has the authority to appoint Justices to each Appellate Division from among those who have been elected as Justices of the Supreme Court. These appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Data-Driven Guidance for Reopening Schools

 Schools in Regions in Phase IV Can Reopen if Daily Infection Rate Remains Below 5 Percent Using a 14-Day Average

Schools Will Close if Regional Infection Rate Rises Over 9 Percent After August 1

Finalized DOH and Reimagine Education Advisory Council Guidance and Guiding Principles Available Here

1.08 Percent of Yesterday's COVID-19 Tests were Positive

10 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

Confirms 557 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 402,263; New Cases in 38 Counties

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new, data-driven guidance for reopening schools in New York State. Schools in a region can reopen if that region is in Phase IV of reopening and if its daily infection rate remains below 5 percent or lower using a 14-day average since unPAUSE was lifted. Schools will close if the regional infection rate rises above 9 percent, using a 7-day average, after August 1. New York State will make the formula determination during the week of August 1 to 7. New York State, the Reimagine Education Advisory Council and the Department of Health released finalized guidance and guiding principles for reopening schools today, which are available here. The DOH and Governor's Reimagine Council are working closely with the Department of Education as it releases education guidance. Plans to reopen schools are due on July 31.

Topics addressed by state guidance include:

• Masks/PPE
• Social Distancing
• Cohort Structures
• Restructuring Space to Maximize In-Class Instruction
• Transportation
• Food Service
• Aftercare and Extracurriculars
• Screening
• Tracing
• Cleaning and Disinfecting

Governor Cuomo also updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"Everybody wants to reopen schools, but you only reopen if it's safe to reopen, and that's determined by the data. You don't hold your finger up and feel the wind, you don't have an inspiration, you don't have a dream, you don't have an emotion--look at the data," Governor Cuomo said. "We test more and we have more data than any state. If you have the virus under control, reopen. If you don't have the virus under control, then you can't reopen. We're not going to use our children as the litmus test and we're not going to going to put our children in a place where their health is endangered. It's that simple. Common sense and intelligence can still determine what we do, even in this crazy environment. We're not going to use our children as guinea pigs. What I say to the experts is very simple. I'm making the determination as to whether or not I would send my daughter to school. If it's safe, I'll send her. If it's not safe, I'm not going to send her. And you can determine that by science."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 792 (-9)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 60 (-15)
• Hospital Counties - 31
• Number ICU - 175 (+1)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 103 (+1)
• Total Discharges - 71,643 (+78)
• Deaths - 10
• Total Deaths - 24,989

WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO GUN VIOLENCE SPIKES IN NEW YORK CITY

  Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams issued the following statement after another spike in gun violence in New York City this weekend, including the killing of a one year old child in Brooklyn.

"The violence and loss that our city has seen in the last several weeks, in the last several hours, is devastating, and can leave us at a loss ourselves for how to respond and advance peace. I pray for the victims of this epidemic of gun violence, and for the families facing unimaginable pain in this moment, but I know that prayers alone are not sufficient without action.

"We cannot grow numb to the headlines on our screens or the violence in our streets. This cannot be considered normal, in our city or anywhere. It must shock us, and shock us into action that stems both the supply of guns into our communities and the many factors that lead to violence. To the people who say law enforcement is the only solution - you are wrong. To the people who say law enforcement has no role - you are wrong. We need to come together with increased commitment to the community-driven strategies we know can work and are essential to ending this senseless violence and heartbreaking loss." 

NYC Council Candidate Jessica Haller Raises over $55,000

NYC Council Candidate Jessica Haller Raises over $55,000 from over 425 donors, securing a $220,000+ budget for June 2021 Democratic Primary   BRONX, NY (July 13, 2020) – Jessica Haller, a Democratic candidate for the City’s 11th Council District in the Bronx, announced that her campaign has raised more than $55,000 from over 425 donors in her first filing period. With anticipated matching funds, will have over $220,000 for the June 2021 Democratic Primary.   “I am honored to have the support of so many people, specifically in the district, in the midst of unprecedented public-health, economic, and social-justice crises,” said Haller. “With the pandemic hitting shortly after our campaign was launched, I am proud that we were able to quickly devise an online strategy that mobilized hundreds of donors and volunteers committed to a sustainable, resilient, and equitable New York. We also spent our time talking to people one on one. Our campaign now has the financial resources and grassroots support to share our message and engage with voters over the next 11 months. We accomplished this without parties or events.” Haller’s NYC Campaign Finance Board filing, due on July 15, 2020, will report an estimated:   Actual funds raised  $55,827 Anticipated matching funds of $168,888 428 individual contributors Over 189 in-district contributions  Haller is the only female candidate to enter the District 11 Council race and is an active member of 21 in ’21, which was launched in response to the alarmingly low number of women serving on the New York City Council. Today, only 12 out of 51 Council members are women, down from 18 in 2009. “As someone who strongly believes in equality I find it more than troubling that in 2020 none of my New York City elected representatives — from the Mayor to the Public Advocate to the Comptroller to my City Council member — is a woman,” said Haller. “I believe that a diverse Council will do a better job bringing people of all backgrounds together to address the serious inequities, economic challenges and life-threatening crises facing New Yorkers.” ### About Jessica Jessica Haller, a climate activist, tech entrepreneur, and working mother of four, is a candidate to represent the 11th District in the New York City Council, which includes the Bronx neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn. Jessica has spent her life living along the 1 train and is raising her children in the Bronx, where she has lived for more than two decades. She has been shattering glass ceilings throughout her career and left a corporate career to pursue her passion for the environment and to understand how to create a thriving future for all people. As a life-long New Yorker, Jessica will use her environmental experience, justice centered service, and technical know-how to build sustainable neighborhoods in the Bronx. She will work to modernize public transit, make our buildings energy efficient and resilient, bring 21st century skills to our public-school children, strengthen community for seniors, and promote economic opportunity for all. Learn more about Jessica’s campaign at https://www.jessicahaller.com.

Ruben Diaz Sr. to Call it Quits at the End of His City Council Term December 31, 2021. Joining Mayor Bill de Blasio who will be Term-Limited out of Office.

Here is the official statement from current City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. 

What You Should Know

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18, Bronx County

 

Everything Has Its End

You should know that "Everything Has Its End" is a (Salsa) tune, made famous and sung by the late, great, Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez, better known as Héctor Lavoe. This song hints at the fact that all things, good or bad, do not last forever. Everything has its end!

My beloved reader, I have taken this famous tune, not only because it’s fantastic lyrics, but because it is true to life, that everything has its finality.  So, I chose it’s theme to inform you of my official decision.  

After an in-depth analysis of my life as a public servant for many years, I perused through those years and my trajectory of accomplishments on behalf of serving my community and they are as follows:

1. When the Bronx was burning and everything was in ruins, abandoned, when hopelessness seemed to be the norm, and the Bronx was compared to post 2nd world war Germany, I remained and decided to make a difference. Here is a list of some of those projects that helped in the revitalization of the Bronx.

a) The Rev. Ruben Diaz Plaza Housing Complex located at the corner of 163rd Street and James Polite.

b) Rev. Ruben Diaz Apartments located on Westchester Avenue, between Intervale Ave. and Kelly street.

c) The first transportation program for the frail elderly and people with disabilities: The South Bronx Senior Transportation Network, located at 910 East 172^nd Street.

d) Three (3) Centers serving various vital programs for the elderly: Casa Boricua, located at 172nd Street, corner of Southern Boulevard, The Millbrook and Betances Senior Citizen Centers, both located on St. Ann’s Avenue.

e) The creation of the Home Attendant program, The Christian Community In Action Inc. This program provided 1,300 jobs. It employed a large immigrant population from the Dominican and Honduran communities. This was at a time, when they were not well received in New York.  This program served more than 1,400 disabled and frail elderly people. This program also employed 28 people in administrative positions.

f) The Christian Community Ambulette Transportation Program. Located at 910 East 172^nd Street, Bronx. This program served the sick and disabled transporting them to and from their medical appointments.

g) Also, the establishment of The Christian Community Neighborhood Church: Located at 1437 Longfellow Avenue between Jennings and Freeman Streets in the Bronx. Serving the spiritual and social needs of Bronx residents as their Pastor for 28 years.

h) The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, which was founded to educate the Christian Evangelical Community in the political process, while also providing humanitarian aid in the natural disasters like, hurricanes, earthquakes of the world.

          

           

i) I have faithfully served Bronx residents as their State Senator for sixteen (16) years creating legislation that would defend and improve the quality of life for the district I was elected to  serve. It goes without saying that all the while leaving my wife to fend for herself at home, while duty called me to session in Albany, N.Y.

j) The last (3) years I have served as a Member of the City Council where I have had to defend my principles, values ​​and faith, while being a "Punching bag" by friends and foes alike.  I dare say that I was used by some as the “Hen that laid the Golden Eggs” to help them raise funds for their campaigns. Nonetheless I remained focused and continued to work for the betterment of my district and on improving the quality of life of those I was elected to represent.  

I remained steadfast and brought many projects and programs.  I did so, with my head held high, defending those in need regardless of race, sexual orientation, political orientation, nationality or religion, regardless if they resided in my district or not, my office welcomed and served all.

After serious analysis, of which I spent in prayer with God, family, ministers and after a political analysis, I have made the decision to follow the example of my two sons. My biological son Ruben Diaz Jr., and my political son Marcos Crespo.

    

                

I will forever be grateful to all those that have stood by me.  My children, Damaris, Samuel and Ruben Jr., my staff, all the wonderful volunteers, supporters, friends, ministers, taxi drivers, members and leaders of the Christian Community Neighborhood Church and especially to my wife Leslie who has been the most affected and who silently suffered through it all.

I have been blessed to have served with honor and I am grateful to God for having allowed me this privilege. With the help of God and my Lord Jesus Christ, I intend to finish out this term as a Member of the City Council which comes to an end on December 31, 2021.  

And then in the words of the Apostle Paul I will say: 

 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” ( 2 Timothy 4:7-8 )

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

EDITOR"S NOTE:

It would appear that Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. already knows that he will not win the 15th Congressional seat, that he will not be able to win the city council seat again, and that Rank Choice Voting will provide the manner in which he would lose.

We say to Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. step down immediately, rather than be a lame duck who is waiting his time out. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - July 12,2020

New York's Numbers Remain Low and Stable with 1.08% of Yesterday's COVID-19 Testing Positive

COVID-19 Deaths Match Previous Low with 5 Reported in New York State Yesterday

New York State Closely Monitoring Uptick in COVID-19 Cases in Rensselaer County

Confirms 677 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 401,706; New Cases in 40 Counties

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"New York State continues to move forward combatting COVID-19 with its phased, data-driven reopening in the face of alarming increases in cases throughout the country and in the nationwide death rate," Governor Cuomo said. "What's happening elsewhere in the United States is very concerning to us here at home, and our ability to avoid the same fate rests on New Yorkers' willingness to wear masks, socially distance and wash their hands, and local governments' willingness to enforce state guidelines. Today's numbers remain low and stable, but it is up to us to keep it that way. Being New York Tough isn't easy, but New Yorkers have shown the nation that we can effectively fight the virus when we all come together, and I urge them not to give up any ground now."

New York State is closely monitoring an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Rensselaer County, a number of which are being investigated as being linked to several individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling back to New York from Georgia. They are in isolation and the New York State Department of Health and Rensselaer County Health Department are conducting contact tracing.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 801 (+2)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 75 (+0)
• Hospital Counties - 28
• Number ICU - 174 (-3)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 102 (+2)
• Total Discharges - 71,565 (+88)
• Deaths - 5
• Total Deaths - 24,979

Of the 62,418 tests conducted in New York State yesterday, 677, or 1.08 percent, were positive. Each region's percentage of positive tests over the last three days is as follows: