Bronx State Senator Luis Sepulveda Turns Himself In After His Wife Accuses Him of Assault

 

This morning State Senator Luis Sepulveda turned himself in at the 48th Precinct facing charges that he assaulted his wife. It was reported that his wife Elizabeth called 911 Saturday shortly after the senator who is running for Bronx Borough President finished a virtual candidates forum. The incident had occurred in their West Farms apartment where both said to police that the other had assaulted them. It was rumored that the reason Sepulveda's wife went to Florida previously was because of a domestic dispute, but she returned to the Bronx a short time later. 

He became a State Senator in April of 2018 replacing Ruben Diaz Sr. who left the State Senate to become a City Councilman. Senator Sepulveda is known for his work in Criminal Justice reforms, sponsoring the Green Light Bill which granted drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants in New York State. He chairs the Senate Committee on Crime Victims and Corrections, but Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins said that Senator Sepulveda would be removed as the chair, and stripped of all his committee assignments. She added that the situation will be monitored, and that she takes these allegations extremely seriously.

In January 2020 the State Senate received a thirteen page packet from Senator Sepulveda's older brother who is incarcerated in a Florida jail after being convicted in 1998 of importation of Cocaine, Marijuana, and Hashish oil. The senator denied the claims stating they are false, and that his brother is in a difficult place in his life. The charges were not substantiated by the Ethics Committee chaired By Senator Biaggi.

Here is a statement from Marvin Ray Raskin Esq. that we were given.

"Mr. Sepulveda has been the victim of recurring physical violence by his estranged spouse for approximately nine years, a situation he has endured because of the young child they share together. This false accusation is a calculated attempt by a disgruntled party to leverage a divorce settlement from a case she filed in Florida this past November.”

"All allegations must be taken seriously and investigated to the full extent of the law, which is why the Senator is committed to and will proactively provide full transparency as this matter is resolved. The issues raised must see the full light of day, and we are confident that when the true history of the relationship is understood, the facts that present themselves will clear his name.”

Two Men Charged in Connection with Events at U.S. Capitol

 

 Two more men were charged in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

Larry Rendell Brock, of Texas, was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Brock was arrested today in Texas.

It is alleged that Brock was identified as one of the individuals who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol wearing a green helmet, green tactical vest with patches, black and camo jacket, and beige pants holding a white flex cuff, which is used by law enforcement to restrain and/or detain subjects.

Eric Gavelek Munchel, of Tennessee, was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Munchel was arrested today in Tennessee.

It is alleged that Munchel was inside of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Photos depicting his presence show a person who appears to be Munchel carrying plastic restraints, an item in a holster on his right hip, and a cell phone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward, ostensibly to record events that day.

These cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, the FBI’s Memphis Field Office and the United States Capitol Police.

The information contained in the charging documents are merely allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

 The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Three Men Charged in Connection with Events at U.S. Capitol

 

 Three men were charged in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

Jacob Anthony Chansley, a.k.a. Jake Angeli, of Arizona, was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Chansley was taken into custody today.

It is alleged that Chansley was identified as the man seen in media coverage who entered the Capitol building dressed in horns, a bearskin headdress, red, white and blue face paint, shirtless, and tan pants. This individual carried a spear, approximately 6 feet in length, with an American flag tied just below the blade.

Adam Johnson, 36, of Florida, was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; one count of theft of government property; and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Johnson was arrested yesterday and is currently in custody.

It is alleged that on Jan. 6, 2021, Johnson illegally entered the United States Capitol and removed the Speaker of the House’s lectern from where it had been stored on the House side of the Capitol building. A search of open sources led law enforcement to Johnson, who is allegedly seen in a widely circulated photo inside the Capitol carrying the lectern.

Derrick Evans, 35, of West Virginia, was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds. Evans was taken into custody Friday.

It is alleged that on Jan. 6, 2021, Evans, a recently elected member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, streamed live to his Facebook page a video of himself joining and encouraging a crowd unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol. In the video, Evans is allegedly seen crossing the threshold of the doorway into the U.S. Capitol and shouting, “We’re in, we’re in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!”

These cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Capitol Police.

The information contained in the charging documents are merely allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Raytheon Technologies and Subsidiary Pay $515K to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

 

 John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RAYTHEON TECHONLOGIES CORPORATION (“RTC”) and its subsidiary, HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION (“HSC”), have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the government in which they will pay $515,6235 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act.

RTC, a Massachusetts-based corporation, and HSC, its wholly owned subsidiary, are military defense contractors that sell goods and services to the U.S. and to other defense contractors.

The Buy American Act of 1933 (the “BAA”) is domestic-preference legislation that attempts to protect U.S. businesses and labor by generally restricting the acquisition and use of end products or construction materials that are not categorized as “domestic.”   The government alleges that UTC and HSC sold various goods to the government pursuant to contracts containing domestic-preference requirements and, in the course of those sales, improperly certified that the goods were of domestic origin pursuant to the BAA when the goods were actually manufactured in Romania.  UTC and HSC also sold various goods to a third-party supplier for sale to the government and, in the course of those sales, improperly certified to the third-party supplier that the goods were of domestic origin pursuant to the BAA when the goods were actually manufactured in Romania.

The government contends that the certifications and invoices submitted to the government and to the third-party supplier were false claims for payment pursuant to the False Claims Act.  To resolve the government’s allegations, RTC and HSC have paid $515,625 for conduct occurring between 2006 and 2015.

This investigation was conducted by Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.  

Comptroller Stringer: With New Leadership in Washington Congress Must Deliver Comprehensive Federal Aid

 

Comptroller writes to President-elect Biden, incoming Majority Leader Schumer, and Speaker Pelosi, urging swift stimulus package for critical short-term needs and a stronger, more inclusive 21st century economy

Outlines New York City’s needs for ongoing COVID-19 response, transportation, public housing, education, health care, child care and paid family leave, affordable housing and more

Comptroller Stringer: “New York City powers the national economy. Federal investment in the financial wellbeing of our cities is crucial to any sustained recovery.”

The full text of the letter can be found here.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted that Comptroller Stringer is a candidate for Mayor of New York City this year.

353 Days and Counting

 

353 days left until New York City gets a new mayor.

Governor Cuomo Announces Buffalo Bills Fans Can Attend Second Home Playoff Game Under Pilot Plan

 

6,700 Fans Will be Allowed to Attend Second Home Playoff Game After Plan's Successful Implementation Last Week

Admission Contingent Upon Negative COVID-19 Test Result; Contact Tracing to Follow

Tailgating Remains Prohibited

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that following successful implementation of the pilot plan to open Bills Stadium to fans last week, Buffalo Bills fans can attend the team's second home playoff game on Saturday, January 16. Under this continued demonstration, approximately 6,700 fans will be allowed to attend the game only after first obtaining a negative COVID-19 test result and adhering to all public health precautions. Contact tracing will also be conducted after the game and tailgating remains prohibited. This plan was developed cooperatively between the Bills, the New York State Department of Health and BioReference Laboratories.

"It was a great joy to see the Buffalo Bills win their first home playoff game in more than two decades in front of thousands of New York fans on Saturday, and we're looking forward to extending that winning streak this week," Governor Cuomo said. "New York's first-in-the-nation pilot plan to reopen Bills Stadium to fans went smoothly, and we're pleased to be able to extend it to next week's game. The success of our pilot plan depends on individual behavior as well as collective measures, and I urge Bills fans to stay safe and follow the rules as we look to another exciting game. Go Bills!"

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "The Bills' play on the field earned them an opportunity to play again this weekend, and their fans behavior in the stands earned them another opportunity to watch them.  We'll continue our contact tracing efforts and our work closely with the Bills throughout the week to ensure all safety compliance measures are in place for Saturday night. We're confident we'll have the same outcome, both on and off the field."

The continued success of this plan will help inform the re-opening of entertainment venues across New York. Within the demonstration, team staff control all entry and exit points to the stadium and only fans with a documented negative COVID-19 test are allowed inside. Testing is conducted in partnership with BioReference. Once inside the stadium, fans are required to wear a mask at all times and adhere to strict social distancing protocols. Fans who refuse to comply with these protocols will be removed from the stadium. Ushers will also be present throughout the stadium to ensure all fans are in compliance with the public health protocols and rules of conduct.

Tailgating remains banned under this plan and New Yorkers are reminded to avoid gatherings and parties before, during and after the game as these events are prime for deadly viral spread.

Senator Rivera on State's Coordination of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

  

I am appalled by the confusion being sowed at the state level as we navigate COVID-19 vaccination distribution. Misinformation and neglect of available resources is delaying getting vaccines into New Yorkers’ arms. New York City and counties across our state have been developing and running drills for mass vaccinations for years. Yet, localities and providers are being kept in the dark by the state until the last possible minute while people continue to get sick and die. It is not enough to say that is unacceptable. The lack of collaboration between the State and localities like the City of New York has created an unnecessarily confusing and bifurcated system of vaccination sites and scheduling for New Yorkers to navigate.

Our health care system is under immense pressure and needs clear and timely notice to perform their responsibilities. Excluding local health departments from the decision-making process and constricting their flexibility to get shots into arms is exacerbating the complexity of an historic vaccination effort. Confusion, last minute guidance, and an unwillingness to cooperate effectively creates a reluctance among healthcare providers and hesitancy in the public domain.

New York City releases data on vaccine progress daily, including the number of first and second doses administered throughout the City. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publicizes the number of doses delivered and administered in New York and other states. I call on the state to make vaccination data transparent and to provide timely notice to activate new phases and systems. It is literally the least the state can do and only the first step in better organizing this effort.

We need decisive action that is driven by data and cooperation, not political showmanship. New Yorkers cannot afford for the vaccination process to be riddled with bureaucratic delays and should have clear thresholds that allow anticipation of the next phase or marked progress. Phases must be rolled out effectively so that resources, whether they be vaccine doses, scheduling interfaces, or inoculation sites, can be utilized sufficiently and so New Yorkers can get vaccinated.

The lives of at-risk New Yorkers depend on us getting this right.