State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - Over $16 Billion in Unclaimed Funds, Search for Your Lost Funds

 

Over $16 Billion in Unclaimed Funds,
Search for Your Lost Funds

Did you forget about an old bank account or utility deposit? There is currently $16.5 billion in unclaimed funds in New York state waiting to be claimed. This office currently returns over $1.5 million a day – and we want to do more. It’s easier than ever to see if there are any unclaimed funds in your name. Simply visit our website and search your name or business to get started.

Typically, staff from our Office of Unclaimed Funds would be at the New York State Fair right now, helping connect New Yorkers with their lost money in person. Unfortunately, that is not the case this year, but you can still search online and find out if you are owed money. I look forward to seeing everyone next year at my annual visit to one of the state’s must-see events.

DiNapoli: NYC's Shelter Repair Process Needs Its Own Fix

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released an audit of the New York City Department of Homeless Services’ (DHS) efforts to make capital improvements to shelters. The audit found that badly-needed shelter repairs are too often delayed with little or no explanation, allowing conditions to deteriorate further and, in some cases, forcing residents to relocate.

Michael Blake - 57 Years Later, We Continue to DREAM

Friends -

Most journeys have a beginning and end point, and today, we commemorate a march on this continual journey to justice, equity, and true freedom. This is a journey that began when the first Black people were brought, against their will, to the land that would become the United States of America.

This is a journey that has seen Black people enslaved, separated from families, abused and tortured. This is a journey that has been a part of the American story from it’s very beginning. This has been a journey that, thanks to so many women and men who have gone unnamed and whose stories have gone untold, have believed and fought for a better life. They saw a better world for us all. This is a journey that has seen voting rights attained and citizenship granted. This is a journey that has seen Jim Crow come and officially go while unofficially still present. This has not been a quiet journey. This journey has been moved along by words, shared experience, stories, and music. This is a journey that has been powered by faith, strength, and the very belief of human worth.

Today marks a very important stop on our journey. On August 28th, 1963, more than 250,000 Black people and allies organized, met, and created the March on Washington in support of jobs, justice, equity, and real freedom. People arrived on trains, in busses, in carpools, from across the nation. A program of inspiration and leadership compelled America to recognize that Black people were not fully enjoying the rights promised to us all. One hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation, as Dr. King said, we are still not free.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared that his Dream, the American Dream, is not yet fully realized. John Lewis, the youngest speaker of the day, demanded that our government protect civil rights workers under attack. All of the leaders who spoke inspired the crowd of a quarter million people to continue the journey.

This year, as we still reel from the painful effects of Coronavirus, the loss of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the most recent shooting of Jacob Blake, activists from Milwaukee, a city not far from Kenosha Wisconsin, arrived in Washington DC today, after WALKING for 24 days. This year, we are still fighting many of the same fights. We are fighting at the ballot boxes for access. We are fighting for criminal justice reform. We are fighting for safe, comfortable housing. We are fighting for equal paychecks. We are fighting for access to capital. We are fighting for equal representation in our governments and boardrooms. We are fighting to stay alive. 

On this anniversary, I chose to honor our fellow Brothers and Sisters in sports who will not just shut up and dribble, but rather, stand up and lead. I read the words of Lebron James' "I Promise" to four young Kings of Color at The Lit Bar in The Bronx, thanks to our local Shero Noelle Santos. I want them to Dream Bigger Dreams.

We must continue the journey. We have faith. We have hope. We still believe. We are all on this journey together, towards Election Day and beyond. We are on this journey together. 57 years later, let us continue to DREAM.

Michael

Paid for by Friends of Michael Blake

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNNOUNCES NYC PARKS WILL RESUME PERMITTING FOR OUTDOOR YOUTH SPORTS

 

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that NYC Parks can resume permitting its athletic fields across the city for outdoor youth sports. Supportive of children’s physical and mental health, lower and moderate-risk youth play on permitted fields will resume Tuesday, September 15. 

"Our children have been through so much this year and have been yearning for more outdoor play,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Thankfully we’re continuing to see improvement in beating back this disease, and can safely permit youth sports this fall. We’ll continue to monitor our progress and put health and safety first."

 

“Our children’s health is supported with outdoor play and physical exercise,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “But safety is paramount. Children will only be able to take the field if citywide transmission remains low, which is dependent on New Yorkers wearing face coverings, maintaining distance, practicing hand hygiene and staying home if ill.”

 

“In a time when our mental and physical health has increased stressors, every opportunity we can provide our city’s youth with safe outdoor play is a benefit to us all. As we look to the start of the fall youth athletic season in our parks, I encourage all to follow the rules and do so safely,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.

 

City athletic fields have been opened for first come, first served, socially distanced play throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Now, youth sports leagues will be issued permits for organized outdoor play. Permitted sports will include baseball, softball and soccer. Indoor sports, including swimming, will not be permitted. Leagues must enforce the following regulations:

 

• Face coverings must be worn by all coaches, staff, spectators, and players on the sidelines; players are encouraged to wear while playing if possible
• Social distancing must always be practiced by all when not active in game play
• Spectators must be limited to two per player
• All must leave the field post game, there shall be no congregating

 

Parks will monitor league activities; if a team accumulates three violations, Parks will revoke that league’s permits.

 

If New York City’s percentage of positive COVID-19 tests exceed three percent positivity, permits will be suspended for all sports.

Assemblywoman Fernandez Food Giveaway in Norwoo

Thursday afternoon Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez and the Albanian American Open Hand Association inc, gave out bags and boxes of various food to the community. Helping Assemblywoman Fernandez and the AAOHA were 80th District Leader Marco Sierra and State Committeewoman Sandra Pabon. Also helping were local community activists Shelia Sanchez and Anthony Rivieccio. 

Above - Assemblywoman Fernandez in a rare moment of rest while the food is set up to be given away.

Below - Assemblywoman Fernandez has announced her candidacy for Bronx Borough President, and we caught her doing her impression of Current Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. when he attended various food giveaways.

Above - Assemblywoman Fernandez is giving away some rolls here.

Below - (L - R) District Leader Marcos Sierra, State Committeewoman Sandra Pabon, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, with Community Activist Shelia Sanchez in front of two AAOHA workers. Camera shy was Anthony Rivieccio.

Final Mafia Member In 2017 Takedown Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murder, Racketeering, And Other Crimes

 

  Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that STEVEN L. CREA, the Underboss of the Luchese Family, was sentenced today to life in prison, a $400,000 fine, and the forfeiture of $1 million following his conviction for the 2013 murder of Michael Meldish, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and other felonies.  A jury convicted CREA and three co-defendants on November 15, 2019, following a six-week trial before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, who also imposed today’s sentence.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Steven L. Crea – the Underboss of the Luchese Family – is the last of a dozen made men arrested in 2017 to be sentenced for his crimes.  For his role in the 2013 murder of Michael Meldish and other crimes, Crea will now spend the rest of his life behind bars.  Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD, we continue our commitment to render La Cosa Nostra a thing of the past.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, the admissions of defendants who pled guilty, and other court documents:

STEVEN L. CREA was the Underboss, or second-in-command, of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, one of the “Five Families” that constitute the Mafia in the New York City area.  From 2000 to his arrest in 2017, CREA helped lead the Luchese Family, which made millions of dollars in profit from crimes committed by the Family’s members and associates in New York City, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, and elsewhere.  In 2013, CREA helped orchestrate the murder of Michael Meldish.

In May 2017, charges were filed against 12 members of the Luchese Family, including the Acting Boss, Underboss, Consigliere, four captains, and five soldiers, for their commission of a wide array of crimes with the Mafia from at least in or about 2000 up to and including in or about 2017.  With the exception of one captain who died before his case was resolved, every Luchese Family member charged in this case either pled guilty or was convicted at trial.  With CREA’s sentencing today, all have now been sentenced by Judge Seibel.  Eight Mafia associates were also charged.  All subsequently pled guilty or were convicted at trial, and seven have now been sentenced.  The defendants were convicted of being leaders, members and associates of the Mafia, and committing crimes including the murder of Michael Meldish; three attempted murders – including the attempted murder of a former witness against the Mafia; multiple assaults; trafficking oxycodone, cocaine, and other drugs; extortion; millions of dollars in fraud against a public hospital in the Bronx; loansharking; operating illegal gambling businesses; and other crimes.  A chart containing the ages, residency information, convictions, and sentences of the defendants is attached.   

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Hartman, Hagan Scotten, Jacqueline Kelly, Celia V. Cohen, and Alexandra N. Rothman are in charge of the prosecution.

DEFENDANT	AGE	CITY OF RESIDENCE	CHARGES OF CONVICTION	SENTENCE
Madonna, Matthew	84	Incarcerated	Racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, aiding and abetting use of a firearm to commit murder	Life in prison
Crea, Steven L.	73	Crestwood, NY	Racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, aiding and abetting use of a firearm to commit murder	Life in prison, $400,000 fine, $1 million forfeiture
Londonio, Christopher	46	Incarcerated	Racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, aiding and abetting use of a firearm to commit murder, conspiracy to distribute narcotics	Life in prison
Caldwell, Terrence	62	Incarcerated	Racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm to commit murder, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm during a crime of violence	Life in prison
Datello, Joseph	69	Staten Island, NY	Racketeering conspiracy	168 months' imprisonment
Crea, Steven D.	48	New Rochelle, NY	Racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, attempted assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering	156 months' imprisonment, $50,000 fine
Bruno, Vincent	36	Incarcerated	Attempted murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy	136 months' imprisonment
Vaughan, Brian	54	Matawan, NJ	Racketeering conspiracy	84 months' imprisonment
O’Connor, Richard	66	Staten Island, NY	Conspiracy to distribute narcotics	72 months' imprisonment
Garcia, Carmine	Deceased	Hawthorne, NJ	Racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit assault in aid of racketeering	60 months' imprisonment, $250,000 fine
DiNapoli, Joseph	84	Bronx, NY	Racketeering conspiracy	52 months' imprisonment, $250,000 fine
Castelucci, John	60	Staten Island, NY	Racketeering conspiracy	37 months' imprisonment, $150,000 fine
Maffucci, James	72	New York, NY	Extortion, Extortionate extension of credit	37 months' imprisonment
Corso, Tindaro	59	Staten Island, NY	Racketeering conspiracy	30 months' imprisonment, $10,000 fine
Venice, Joseph	59	Yonkers, NY	Racketeering conspiracy	18 months' imprisonment, $10,000 fine
Cassano, Paul	41	Yonkers, NY	Conspiracy to commit assault in aid of racketeering	18 months' imprisonment
Camilli, Robert	63	Briarcliff Manor, NY	Extortionate extension of credit	One year supervised release; $35,000 fine
Incatasciato, John	45	Elmsford, NY	Extortionate collection of credit	Two years' supervised release; 100 hours' community service

 

Governor Cuomo Announces 1,222 Tickets Already Issued by State Police in 2020 Under "Operation Hardhat," Exceeding Totals for All of 2019

 

Initiative between NYSP, Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority Aims to Keep Highway Workers Safe in Construction Work Zones

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Police have already issued 1,222 tickets during Operation Hardhat, an initiative between State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority, to crack down on work zone violations and highlight the importance of safe driving when encountering construction, maintenance and emergency operations along state highways. With at least three months left in the construction season, this total already surpasses the 1,048 tickets issued by State Troopers during all of 2019. 

"Through Operation Hardhat, we continue to aggressively crack down on work zone violators who put our highway workers in harm's way," Governor Cuomo said.  "Essential transportation projects and ongoing maintenance activities to keep our highways safe are underway across New York State, and for the safety of our highway workers everyone is obligated to follow the speed limit in work zones and eliminate distractions on the road."  

Already in 2020, New York State Police have conducted 37 separate details at DOT and Thruway-operated work zones beginning in July that are expected to continue through November. A total of 1,222 tickets have been issued, including:

• Speeding - 432
• Seatbelts - 112
• Cell Phone - 192
• Move Over - 68
• Failure to Obey Flagger - 2
• Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device - 10
• DWI - 1
• Unsafe lane change - 2
• Other violations - 403

Additional "Operation Hardhat" enforcement details are currently being scheduled with State Troopers patrolling active highway work zones throughout at locations along interstates and other state highways where maintenance and construction activities are underway.

Under "Operation Hardhat" State Troopers are present within the work zones, dressed as highway maintenance workers, to identify motorists who disobey flagging personnel, speed through the work zone or violate the state's Move Over Law, which applies to both emergency and maintenance vehicles.

Additionally, the State Department of Transportation has already partnered with five local law enforcement agencies on separate "Operation Hardhat" initiatives in 2020, including the Utica Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, and the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office.  Separately, these operations have resulted in 180 tickets issued to motorists, including tickets for speeding, seatbelt violations, cell phone/electronic device use, expired inspections, among other violations.

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "I can't thank our partners in law enforcement enough for the work they are doing to keep our DOT workers safe in highway work zones.  At its core 'Operation Hardhat' is an education campaign designed to increase driver awareness as to the consequences of not following the rules of the road in a work zone.  Our DOT workers will continue to be out there on our roadways working on projects large and small in the coming months - working to make New York's transportation system safer.  We need all motorists to remember that our team works to keep you safe, so please, keep them safe - slow down and move over." 

Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said, "All we ask for is your undivided attention and a moment of your time so maintenance workers can go home unharmed at the end of their shifts. Thank you to our partners at the State Police for patrolling the Thruway and enforcing our work zones speed limits to protect the men and women of the Thruway Authority. These crews work hard every day so that drivers have a safe roadway to get to and from their destinations."

State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said,  "The New York State Police are committed to highway safety, and the safety and well-being of highway and construction workers as they improve the roadways of our state. Drivers should be aware, we will continue to aggressively enforce vehicle and traffic laws during this busy construction season. We ask all motorists to drive safely by obeying posted speed limits, moving over, and being cognizant of workers and equipment in highway work zones."

DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "We want to ensure that our highways are as safe as possible for everyone, especially those workers doing maintenance, construction, or emergency operations. Avoid a senseless and preventable tragedy by obeying the speed limit and moving over when you encounter emergency vehicles and maintenance crews. A moment of inattention could lead to lifelong consequences—it's just not worth it."

Motorists are reminded to Move Over a lane, if safely possible, or slow down significantly whenever encountering roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver license.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

Follow New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT. 

United States Settles Suit Against Two Additional Responsible Parties For The Release Of Mercury In The Village Of Rye Brook

 

Defendants Agree to Pay $142,653 in Clean-up Costs and Accept Responsibility in Consent Decree

  Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter D. Lopez, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), announced today that the United States has filed a civil lawsuit against CYTEC INDUSTRIES, INC. (“Cytec”) and KEYSPAN GAS EAST CORPORATION d/b/a NATIONAL GRID (“National Grid”) (collectively, the “Defendants”), and has simultaneously filed a consent decree settling the lawsuit.  In the complaint, brought pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601-9675 (“CERCLA”) – commonly known as the Superfund statute – the United States alleged that the Defendants arranged for the disposal or treatment of mercury by Port Refinery, Inc. (“Port Refinery”), a mercury refining business in the Village of Rye Brook, New York, which led to releases of mercury into the environment.  Through the lawsuit, EPA sought to collect the costs that it has incurred since April 2004 in connection with its clean-up of mercury at the Port Refinery Superfund Site (the “Site”) in the Village of Rye Brook in Westchester County, New York.  The consent decree, which provides for a combined payment of $142,653 by the Defendants, has been lodged with the District Court for a period of at least 30 days, after which it will be submitted for the Court’s approval.

Acting United States Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Both Cytec and National Grid contributed to contamination in a residential community by arranging for the treatment or disposal of toxic mercury, and now they are each paying a share of the costs they have imposed on the community.  This Office will continue to hold responsible parties accountable for their share of the costs at the Site.”

Regional Administrator Peter D. Lopez said:  “These companies sent mercury-containing materials to this site where they were improperly handled, resulting in mercury being released into the environment and putting people in the area at risk.  Thankfully, EPA was able to take action to address the risk, and this settlement holds the companies accountable, ensuring that taxpayers don’t bear the full burden of the cleanup at this site.”

As alleged in the complaint filed yesterday in White Plains federal District Court, each of the Defendants arranged for the sale and transport of used or scrap mercury, or mercury-containing products, directly or indirectly to Port Refinery.  Port Refinery then processed these materials as part of a mercury refining business it operated out of a residence in Rye Brook, New York.  Port Refinery’s treatment and processing of the scrap mercury sent by the Defendants and other parties led to extensive releases of mercury, a hazardous substance, requiring two separate clean-up actions by EPA.  In connection with the second clean-up, which began in 2004, EPA has incurred costs at the Site for a variety of investigative and removal activities, including, among other things, excavating and disposing of more than 9,300 tons of mercury-contaminated soil from the Site.

In the consent decree filed yesterday, the Defendants admit and accept responsibility for the following:

• EPA has determined that from the 1970s through the early 1990s, Port Refinery engaged in, among other things, the business of mercury reclaiming, refining, and processing.
• Port Refinery operated in the Village of Rye Brook out of a two-story garage bordered by private residences on its south, east, and west sides.
• EPA has determined that Port Refinery took virtually no environmental precautions or safety measures during its mercury refinement process.
• EPA has determined that Port Refinery released a significant amount of mercury into the environment, contaminating the Site.
• EPA has determined that mercury from the Defendants’ mercury-containing products was comingled at the Site and contributed to the mercury released into the environment.
• Defendants delivered materials containing scrap mercury to Port Refinery during its period of operations.

Pursuant to the consent decree, the Defendants will pay a total of $142,653 in costs incurred by EPA, consisting of $93,076 to be paid by Cytec, and $49,577 to be paid by National Grid.

This lawsuit is the United States’ fifth lawsuit against responsible parties to recover clean-up costs for the second clean-up at the Site.  Prior to this settlement, the United States had recovered $827,229 from other responsible parties.  The United States is continuing to pursue its claims against additional potentially responsible parties.

The consent decree will be lodged with the District Court for a period of at least 30 days before it is submitted for the Court’s approval, to provide public notice and to afford members of the public the opportunity to comment on the consent decree.

Governor Cuomo Announces 20 Straight Days with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent

 

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

4 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

SLA and State Police Task Force Visits 1,092 Establishments; Observes 2 Establishments Not in Compliance

Confirms 791 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 432,131; New Cases in 46 Counties

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State's rate of positive COVID-19 tests has been less than 1 percent for 20 straight days. The governor 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.  

"We're closely monitoring the state's COVID-19 data every day, and the continued 20-day streak with an infection rate below 1 percent is good news. However, I urge New Yorkers not to get complacent, particularly as we move into the fall season," Governor Cuomo said. "COVID-19 is still a real threat, and it's the actions each of us take—wearing masks, socially distancing and washing our hands—that make the difference in our ability to fight this virus. Congratulations to New Yorkers—stay with it and stay New York Tough." 

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 1,092 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 2 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below: 

• Queens - 2  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Patient Hospitalization - 490 (-2)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 73 
• Hospital Counties - 32
• Number ICU - 126 (-10)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 52 (-2)
• Total Discharges - 74,850 (+59)
• Deaths - 4
• Total Deaths - 25,309