Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Bronx 11th and 15th Council Districts Special Election -

 

Bronx 11th and 15th Council Districts

 

  • Election Day is Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.
  • Early Voting Period is March 13, 2021 - March 21, 2021.

On-line Absentee Ballot Application

Coming Soon




Download Absentee Application

Absentee Ballot Application (English)Applications for additional languages are below.

 


Early Voting Days 

Saturday            

March 13, 2021          

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM     

Sunday              

March 14, 2021          

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM     

Monday             

March 15, 2021          

7:00 AM to 3:00 PM       

Tuesday             

March 16, 2021          

12:00 PM to 8:00 PM     

Wednesday      

March 17, 2021          

12:00 PM to 8:00 PM     

Thursday           

March 18, 2021          

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM     

Friday                 

March 19, 2021          

7:00 AM to 3:00 PM       

Saturday            

March 20, 2021          

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM     

Sunday              

March 21, 2021          

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM     

 

Voters must vote at their assigned Early Voting Site.


California Man Charged With Making Threats Directed Against A New York City-Based U.S. Congressman And A Journalist, Citing Their Statements About The Results Of The 2020 Presidential Election

 

 Audrey Strauss, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced that ROBERT LEMKE was arrested today based on a criminal Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court charging LEMKE with making threatening interstate communications. LEMKE allegedly sent threatening text messages on January 6, 2021 to family members of a New York City-based U.S. Congressman (the “Congressman”) and a New York City-based family member of a journalist (the “Journalist”). LEMKE was arrested in Bay Point, California, and will be presented tomorrow in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, Robert Lemke was dissatisfied with the results of the 2020 Presidential Election and subsequent statements about the election made by a U.S. Congressman and journalist. Rather than peaceably disagree, Lemke allegedly threatened to harm those individuals’ families, demanding they retract their statements.  The electoral process is the essential mechanism through which our democracy functions. While in any election it is inevitable that some will be disappointed in the result, threats of violence cannot and will not be tolerated.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Lemke’s alleged threats, aimed at the family members of a sitting U.S. Representative and a journalist, crossed a bright line.  The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is always on watch, and we act with speed to stop violence - whether the threat comes from within our borders or from outside them.  That's how we do it.  As always, it is the partnership with our communities that makes us most effective.  If you have any additional information that could benefit this case, or are aware of an active threat, we urge you to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “To those individuals and groups that would seek to threaten a United States Congressman, this arrest should serve as a warning that the NYPD and its law enforcement partners, will ensure you are held accountable for your actions. I want to commend the FBI Agents, NYPD Detectives, and representatives of 54 other agencies that make up the Joint Terrorism Task Force for the investigation that led to this arrest.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court[1]:

On January 6, 2021, the same day that individuals purporting to protest the 2020 Presidential Election gathered in Washington, D.C. and stormed the Capitol Building, ROBERT LEMKE sent threatening text messages to the brother of the New York City-based Congressman, citing the Congressman’s statements about the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. LEMKE’s text messages, which included a picture of a home in the same neighborhood as the home of the Congressman’s brother, stated:

Your brother is putting your entire family at risk with his lies and other words. We are armed and nearby your house. You had better have a word with him. We are not far from his either. Already spoke to [the Congressman’s son] and know where his kids are.

. . . your words have consequences. Stop telling lies; Biden did not win, he will not be president. We are not[] white supremacists. Most of us are active/retired law enforcement or military. You are putting your family at risk. We have armed members near your home . . . . . Don’t risk their safety with your words and lies.

Also on January 6, 2021, LEMKE sent threatening text messages to the Congressman’s sister-in-law, stating: “calm your husband down . . . . We saw on the hidden camera, he was quite stirred up. You need to have him talk to [the Congressman].”

In addition, also on January 6, 2021, LEMKE sent threatening text messages to a relative of the Journalist, stating: “[The Journalist’s] words are putting you and your family at risk. We are nearby armed and ready. Thousands of us are active/retired law enforcement, military, etc. That’s how we do it.”

LEMKE’s Facebook account has as its background image a photograph of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who were charged with criminal offenses last summer after they pointed firearms at Black Lives Matter demonstrators near their home in St. Louis, Missouri. On  November 7, 2020, LEMKE posted to Facebook: “Folks. Be ready for war. Trump has refused to cede. Evidence shows fraud occurred and the Supreme Court cases will be successful. We blockchained and watermarked ballots in 16 states. Trump will prevail.[] Spread this message. . . . FAITH my fellow Republicans. Do not give up. Keep an eye out for a variety of protests, and Stop The Steal Facebook groups for updates.”

ROBERT LEMKE, 35, of Bay Point, California, is charged with making threatening interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. The maximum potential penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, and the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office. Ms. Strauss also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California for its assistance.

The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

DEC ISSUES GUIDANCE TO AVOID COYOTE CONFLICTS

 

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued guidance to help prevent conflicts between people and coyotes. 

“Coyotes may become more territorial during the breeding and pup-rearing seasons, which in New York run from January through March, increasing the risk for potential conflicts with people and pets,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “While coyotes are an important part of New York’s ecosystem, New Yorkers are encouraged to be aware of the increased risks for conflicts and follow DEC’s guidance to prevent coyote encounters.” 

The Eastern coyote is found in many habitats, from rural farmland and forests to populated suburban and urban areas across New York State. Coyotes are well adapted to suburban and even urban environments and tend to avoid conflicts with people. However, conflicts with people and pets may occur, particularly during the spring denning and pupping period. If coyotes learn to associate food, such as garbage or pet food, with peoples' homes, these animals may lose their natural fear of humans and increase the potential for close encounters or conflicts. 

To reduce or prevent conflicts with coyotes, New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following steps: 

  • Do not feed coyotes.
  • Do not leave food outside. Pet food and garbage attract coyotes and other wildlife and increase risks to people and pets:
    • Do not feed pets outside.
    • Prevent access to garbage.
    • Fence or enclose compost piles.
    • Eliminate availability of bird seed. Concentrations of birds and rodents that come to feeders can attract coyotes.
  • Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets. If you see a coyote, be aggressive in your behavior: stand tall and hold your arms up or out to look as large as possible. If a coyote lingers for too long, make loud noises, wave your arms and throw sticks and stones.
  • Teach children to appreciate coyotes from a distance.
  • Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at sunset and at night. Small dogs and cats are especially vulnerable.
  • Fence yards to deter coyotes. The fence should be tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level and taller than four feet.
  • Remove brush and tall grass from around homes to reduce protective cover for coyotes. Coyotes are typically secretive and like areas where they can hide.
  • Contact the local police department and DEC regional office for assistance if coyotes exhibit bold behaviors and have little or no fear of people, or if seen repeatedly during the daytime in a human-populated area or near residences. Seeing a coyote occasionally throughout the year is not evidence of bold behavior.
  • Ask neighbors to follow these steps to prevent coyote conflicts. 

For additional information about the Eastern coyote and preventing conflicts with coyotes, visit the DEC webpages below: 

Eastern Coyote

Coyote Conflicts

Feeding Wildlife: A Wrong Choice

Tips to Eliminate Wildlife Conflicts

Regional DEC Wildlife Offices

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $300K IN FEMA FUNDING FOR NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDING TO COVID-19

 

 U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that $306,624.52 in federal funding will be administered to twelve counties across New York to support COVID-19 emergency response preparedness measures. This funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) second round of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S 2) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. This funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will be used to purchase essential PPE and equipment for firefighters responding to the COVID-19 outbreak across New York.

“From the peak of the pandemic to normal times, our brave firefighters are always on the front lines, risking their lives to protect their communities,” said Senator Schumer. “These courageous first responders deserve all the federal support possible to help them do their jobs. I will always fight to bring more federal resources to support our heroic firefighters, and I’m proud to deliver this funding so New York’s fire departments have the critical PPE and essential support they need as they keep New Yorkers safe during the pandemic.”

“New York’s firefighters and first responders continue working around the clock to keep our communities safe during this public health crisis,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The ongoing pandemic has left local and state governments with limited resources - this critical federal funding will ensure our firefighters are protected on the frontlines and fire stations can maintain clean facilities in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines. I will continue to push for emergency funding to keep our fire departments and firefighters safe as they enter the line of duty.” 

Funding Recipients Listed Below:

Western New York

Eggertsville Fire District

Buffalo, Erie County

$29,942.38

Town Of Niagara Active Hose Co. Inc.

Niagara Falls, Niagara County

$5,889.94

Adam's Fire Co Inc

North Tonawanda, Niagara County

$46,095.24

Lewiston Fire Co 1 Inc

Lewiston, Niagara County

$7,528.57

City Of North Tonawanda 

North Tonawanda, Niagara County

$13,512.73

Harris Hill Volunteer Fire Co (Inc)

Williamsville, Erie County

$1,294.12

Millgrove Volunteer Fire Department Inc

Alden, Erie County

$2,976.05

Big Tree Volunteer Fireman's

Company Inc

Hamburg, Erie County

$65,553.24

 Hudson Valley

Village Of Spring Valley (Inc)

Spring Valley, Rockland County 

$3,617.43

Village Of Woodbury

Woodbury, Orange County

$2,308.11

Town Of Greenburgh

Greenburgh, Westchester County

$9,542.30

Village Of Larchmont 

Larchmont, Westchester County

$20,998.46

 Central New York

City of Ithaca

Ithaca, Tompkins County 

$5,130.11

Village Of Manlius

Manlius, Onondaga County

$21,545.45

Five Mile Point Fire Co Inc

Kirkwood, Broome County

$1,804.76

Springport Fire District

Union Springs, Cayuga County

$6,483.00

Village Of Fayetteville

Fayetteville, Onondaga County

$38,666.62

North Country

Town Of Constable (Inc)

Constable, Franklin County 

$14,172.67

Cadyville Fire District

Cadyville, Clinton County

$1,819.05

 

 

Long Island 

Village of East Rockaway

East Rockaway, Rockland County

$7,744.29


U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition Of Two Defendants In Multimillion-Dollar Text Messaging Consumer Fraud Scheme

 

Indictment Alleges Scheme to Fraudulently Charge Hundreds of Thousands of Mobile Phone Customers for Text Messaging Services Without Their Knowledge or Consent

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ramsey E. Covington, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Boston Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that MICHAEL PEARSE, an Australian national, and YONGCHAO LIU, a/k/a “Kevin Liu,” a Chinese national, were extradited from Australia and arrived in the United States yesterday.  PEARSE and LIU were extradited on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and, as to PEARSE, conspiracy to commit money laundering, stemming from the defendants’ participation in a scheme to charge mobile phone customers millions of dollars in monthly fees for unsolicited, recurring text messages about topics such as horoscopes, celebrity gossip, and trivia facts, without the customers’ knowledge or consent – a practice that the defendants and their co-conspirators referred to as “auto-subscribing.”  The portion of the fraudulent scheme that PEARSE, LIU, and their co-conspirators orchestrated generated more than $50 million in proceeds for themselves.  PEARSE and LIU will be presented and arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, Michael Pearse and Yongchao Liu played key roles in an international consumer fraud conspiracy that victimized hundreds of thousands of mobile phone customers to the tune of more than $50 million.  Thanks to IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI, as well as our international partners, Pearse and Liu are now in the United States and facing serious charges in this District.”

IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington said:  “Through a sophisticated text messaging scam, the defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly swindled more than $50 million in proceeds from hundreds of thousands of unwitting mobile customers.  Yesterday’s extraditions continue the pathway to justice for the staggering number of victims and financial losses accumulated as a result of this alleged scheme.  I applaud the collective efforts of the law enforcement agencies whose collaboration and coordination made the extraditions possible.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Pearse and Liu will finally face the consequences for the text messaging scheme they were charged with more than five years ago. Their extradition is a reminder that being out of our sight and out of our reach are two different things.”           

According to allegations in the Indictment[1], evidence presented at the trial of co-conspirator Darcy Wedd, and other public filings:

From in or about 2011 through in or about 2013, PEARSE, LIU, and their co-conspirators engaged in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud consumers by placing unauthorized charges for premium text messaging services on consumers’ cellular phone bills, through a practice known as auto-subscribing.

During the relevant time period, Lin Miao, a co-conspirator of PEARSE and LIU, operated a company called Tatto, which offered premium text messaging services – such as monthly horoscopes, celebrity gossip, and trivia facts – to mobile phone customers.  PEARSE and LIU worked for a company called Bullroarer, which was affiliated with Tatto.  PEARSE was the CEO of Bullroarer and LIU was a Java development engineer for Bullroarer.  Co-conspirator Darcy Wedd operated Mobile Messenger, a U.S. aggregation company in the mobile phone industry that served as a middleman between content providers such as Tatto and mobile phone carriers, and was responsible for assembling monthly charges incurred by a particular mobile phone customer for premium text messaging services and placing those charges on that customer’s cellular phone bill.

To carry out the scheme, co-conspirators at Tatto purchased large numbers of mobile phone numbers from co-conspirators at Mobile Messenger, who had access to those numbers by virtue of their employment.  PEARSE, LIU, and their co-conspirators then worked to have unsolicited text messages sent to these and other mobile phone numbers and to enroll those customers in premium text messaging services without their knowledge or consent.  PEARSE, LIU, and their co-conspirators also took steps to conceal the fraud scheme by making it appear as if the customers had, in fact, elected to purchase the text messaging services, when in truth they had not.

The consumers who received the unsolicited text messages typically ignored or deleted the messages, often believing them to be spam.  Regardless, the consumers were billed for the receipt of the messages, at a rate of $9.99 per month, through charges that typically appeared on the consumers’ cellular telephone bills in an abbreviated and confusing form, e.g., with billing descriptors such as “96633IQ16CALL8668611606” and “25184USBFIQMIG.”  The $9.99 charge recurred each month unless and until consumers noticed the charges and took action to unsubscribe.  Even then, consumers’ attempts to dispute the charges and obtain refunds from Tatto, Bullroarer, or other corporate affiliates of Tatto were often unsuccessful. 

After obtaining proceeds of the fraud scheme, PEARSE worked with other co-conspirators to launder the proceeds.  PEARSE and his co-conspirators distributed the proceeds of the fraud scheme among themselves and others involved in the scheme by, among other things, causing funds to be transferred through the bank accounts of a series of shell companies and companies held in the names of third parties.  This was done in order to conceal the nature and source of the payments and PEARSE’s and his co-conspirators’ participation in the fraud.

Through their successful orchestration of this fraud scheme, which affected hundreds of thousands of consumers, PEARSE, LIU, and their co-conspirators generated more than $50 million in fraud proceeds for themselves.

PEARSE, 52, and LIU, 33, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1349, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 2, which also carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A and 2, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed.  In addition, PEARSE is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 1957, and 1956(h), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 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 the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of IRS-CI and the FBI.  In addition, Ms. Strauss thanked law enforcement partners in Australia, particularly the International Crime Cooperation Central Authority, Australian Federal Police, and the New South Wales Police Force, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, for their support and assistance with the defendants’ extraditions. 

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jilan Kamal and Olga Zverovich are in charge of the prosecution. 

The charges in the Indictment 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 Indictment and the description of the Indictment and charges set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.