Wednesday, March 31, 2021

MAYOR DE BLASIO RELEASES STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF THE MARIJUANA REGULATION AND TAXATION ACT

 


Mayor Bill de Blasio today released the following statement applauding the New York State Legislature for the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act:

 

“At long last, New York has legalized marijuana and created a fair program that will uplift communities of color previously harmed by criminalization. I am thrilled this legislation has achieved much of what we pushed for with that effort by prioritizing licenses for those negatively impacted by criminalization, expunging convictions for past marijuana charges, and new social equity initiatives that will help communities most harmed by past marijuana laws. I thank Assembly Speaker Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Stewart Cousins, Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes and Senator Krueger for fighting for justice through this important legislation.” 


Statement From Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on New York State Legislature Passing Legislation to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

 

 "The New York State Legislature took the first step in a major leap forward for the Empire State by passing legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis. I thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and the many legislators who worked tirelessly on this issue for securing passage of this historic legislation.

"For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of color with harsh prison sentences and after years of hard work, this landmark legislation provides justice for long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and establishes substantial safety guards for the public.

"New York has a storied history of being the progressive capital of the nation, and this important legislation will once again carry on that legacy. I look forward to signing this legislation into law."

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic March 39, 2021

 

4,715 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

903 Patients in the ICU; 523 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.28%

61 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"New Yorkers have shown time and again the strength and discipline it takes to fight COVID, but there's more work to be done before we reach the light at the end of the tunnel. We're working 24/7 to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as possible, and while those efforts are bearing fruit, we need everyone to keep up the vigilance," Governor Cuomo said. "We're expanding eligibility and opening more vaccine sites around the state but the new variants are a concern. I urge New Yorkers to continue wearing masks, socially distancing and following the public health guidance as we work to defeat the COVID beast for good."

It is important to note that data, including test results and hospital rates, reported early in the week are often not completely reflective of the current situation due to lower discharges and testing volume over the weekend. Data trends over a period of time, such as using 7-day averages, are a preferred metric.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

  • Test Results Reported - 151,437
  • Total Positive - 6,488
  • Percent Positive - 4.28%
  • Patient Hospitalization - 4,715 (+140)
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.43%
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 513
  • Hospital Counties - 51
  • Number ICU - 903 (+13)
  • Number ICU with Intubation - 523 (+2)
  • Total Discharges - 161,186 (+318)
  • Deaths - 61
  • Total Deaths - 40,451

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program - March 30, 2021

 

172,128 Doses Administered Across New York State in the Last 24 Hours      

More than 1.3 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days  

Beginning Today, New Yorkers 30 Years of Age and Older Can Begin to Schedule Appointments and Get Vaccinated 

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 172,128 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.3 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. Beginning today, all New Yorkers 30 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Delivery of the week 16 allocation begins mid-week.  

"We know the key to defeating COVID once and for all is getting every single New Yorker vaccinated, and as our supply increases week to week we are opening up eligibility even further to all New Yorkers over the age of 30, with universal eligibility set to begin on April 6," Governor Cuomo said. "Nearly one out of every three New Yorkers has already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and we are getting more shots in arms every single day while continuing to focus on fair and equitable distribution. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer, but for now we have to remain New York tough and continue with the practices we know will stop the spread."

New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

  • Doctor's letter, or
  • Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
  • Signed certification       

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11 AM today is as follows.                             

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 9,229,098

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 172,128

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,354,054

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 29.9%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 17.3% 

277 Days and Counting

 


New York City is coming back now better than ever. I could not kill it in my first seven years, and the COVID-19 Pandemic helped me. Crime is up, schools are the worst they have ever been, very few people want to ride the subways, because of all the stabbings and people being pushed onto the tracks. We can't go any lower, the only way is up, and I will have built a legacy. The envelope goes to Charlene Developer #9.

Assemblymember Pichardo passes landmark marijuana legalization providing restorative justice, economic boost

 

Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo (D-Bronx) announced that he helped pass the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which he co-sponsored, to advance restorative justice and provide economic opportunities for local communities (A.1248-A).

    “For years, iron-fisted and discriminatory marijuana prohibition laws have devastated the lives of thousands of New Yorkers and disproportionately affected communities of color,” Pichardo said. “Legalizing marijuana is one small step toward bringing restorative justice to those who have been severely harmed by the war on drugs and will help deliver economic justice during these incredibly challenging times. I strongly support this bill and thank Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes for her leadership on this landmark measure for the state of New York. I’ll continue fighting to rectify the decades of suffering caused by the war on drugs and help uplift our communities.”

    The bill includes measures to ensure revenue from the state’s marijuana industry directly helps the communities that are disproportionately impacted by draconian drug laws, Pichardo noted. The Cannabis Revenue Fund will receive taxes on dispensary sales to consumers at a rate of 13% of the sale price. This fund’s tax revenue would be distributed to areas benefiting local communities, including 40% to education, 40% to the Community Grants Reinvestment Fund and 20% to the Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund. Funding will also be provided for low-cost loans and incubator programs benefiting social equity applicants.

    Additionally, an economic equity plan would be established to ensure that a certain percentage of the cannabis licenses go toward communities impacted by the war on drugs, Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), veterans with disabilities and other priority applicants. Pichardo noted these measures would prevent corporate dominance in the legal marketplace and help diversify the cannabis industry through more equitable licensing, ownership and employment.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Let's hope this is another bill passed in Albany that was not well thought out like previous bills that have been recently passed by this new Progressive agenda. Next will they legalize prostitution.

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Reality Show Cast Members Charged With Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme

 

Jennifer Shah and Stuart Smith Allegedly Profited by Generating Lists of Victims for Targeting and Directing Co-Conspirators to Defraud Them

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging JENNIFER SHAH and STUART SMITH with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Sidney H. Stein.

SHAH and SMITH were arrested earlier today and will be presented this afternoon in Salt Lake City federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Dustin Pead.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Jennifer Shah, who portrays herself as a wealthy and successful businessperson on ‘reality’ television, and Stuart Smith, who is portrayed as Shah’s ‘first assistant,’ allegedly generated and sold ‘lead lists’ of innocent individuals for other members of their scheme to repeatedly scam.  In actual reality and as alleged, the so-called business opportunities pushed on the victims by Shah, Smith, and their co-conspirators were just fraudulent schemes, motivated by greed, to steal victims’ money.  Now, these defendants face time in prison for their alleged crimes.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “Shah and Smith flaunted their lavish lifestyle to the public as a symbol of their ‘success.’  In reality, they allegedly built their opulent lifestyle at the expense of vulnerable, often elderly, working-class people.  As alleged, disturbingly, Shah and Smith objectified their very real human victims as ‘leads’ to be bought and sold, offering their personal information for sale to other members of their fraud ring.  Working with our partners at the NYPD and the United States Attorney’s Office, SDNY, and with the assistance of HSI Salt Lake City, HSI New York worked to ensure that Shah and Smith will answer for their alleged crimes.  As a result, their new reality may very well turn out differently than they expected.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “These individuals allegedly targeted and defrauded hundreds of victims but thanks to the hard work of the NYPD and our law enforcement partners, this illegal scheme was brought to an end.  I congratulate the NYPD detectives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for their hard work in bringing these persons to justice.”

According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment[1]:

From 2012 until March 2021, JENNIFER SHAH and STUART SMITH, together with others (collectively, the “Participants”) carried out a wide-ranging telemarketing scheme that defrauded hundreds of victims (the “Victims”) throughout the United States, many of whom were over age 55, by selling those Victims so-called “business services” in connection with the Victims’ purported online businesses (the “Business Opportunity Scheme”). 

In order to perpetrate the Business Opportunity Scheme, Participants, including SHAH and SMITH, engaged in a widespread, coordinated effort to traffic in lists of potential victims, or “leads,” many of whom had previously made an initial investment to create an online business with other Participants in the Scheme.  Leads were initially generated by sales floors operating in, among other places, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.  The owners and operators of those sales floors operated in coordination with several telemarketing sales floors in the New York and New Jersey area, including in Manhattan, and provided lead lists and assistance in fighting Victim refund requests to other Participants operating those floors.

SHAH and SMITH, among other things, generated and sold leads to other Participants for use by their telemarketing sales floors with the knowledge that the individuals they had identified as “leads” would be defrauded by the other Participants.  SHAH and SMITH received as profit a share of the fraudulent revenue per the terms of their agreement with those Participants.  SHAH and SMITH often controlled each aspect of the frauds perpetrated by other Participants on the individuals they had identified by, among other things, determining which “coaching” sales floor could buy leads from them, selecting the downstream sales floors to which the “coaching” sales floor was permitted to pass the leads, choosing the firms to provide “fulfillment” services, that is, documents and records purporting to demonstrate that the services the Participants claimed to provide to those Victims were actual and legitimate, setting how much the downstream sales floors could charge, and determining which “products” each of the downstream sales floors could sell. 

To perpetrate the Business Opportunity Scheme, certain of the Participants sold alleged services purporting to make the management of Victims’ businesses more efficient or profitable, including tax preparation or website design services, notwithstanding that many Victims were elderly and did not own a computer.  At the outset of the Business Opportunity Scheme, certain Participants employed by a purported fulfillment company sent a given Victim electronic or paper pamphlets or provided so-called “coaching sessions” regarding these purported online businesses, but at no point did the defendants intend that the Victims would actually earn any of the promised return on their intended investment, nor did the Victims actually earn any such returns. 

SHAH and SMITH undertook significant efforts to conceal their roles in the Business Opportunity Scheme.  For example, SHAH and SMITH, among other things, incorporated their business entities using third parties’ names and instructed other Participants to do the same, used and directed others to use encrypted messaging applications to communicate with other Participants, instructed other Participants to send SHAH’s and SMITH’s shares of certain fraud proceeds to offshore bank accounts, and made numerous cash withdrawals structured to avoid currency transaction reporting requirements.

SHAH, 47, of Park City, Utah, and SMITH, 43, of Lehi, Utah, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing through which they victimized 10 or more persons over the age of 55, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.  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 HSI’s El Dorado Task Force and the NYPD.  Ms. Strauss also thanked HSI Utah and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah for their support and assistance in this investigation.   

If you believe you have been a victim of the scheme described above, including a victim entitled to restitution, and you wish to provide information to law enforcement and/or receive notice of future developments in the case or additional information, please contact Wendy Olsen-Clancy, the Victim Witness Coordinator at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, at 866-874-8900 or wendy.olsen@usdoj.gov.  You may also report it to Detective Christopher Bastos at 917-480-7167 or christopher.bastos@nypd.org.

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

Senator Rivera on the Senate's Vote Legalizing the Adult Use of Marihuana/Marijuana

 

GOVERNMENT HEADER


“Today, we are putting an end to the devastating impacts of marihuana/Marijuana prohibition and ensuring an equitable and diverse industry in our state for adult-use marihuana/Marijuana by passing the Marihuana/Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). This bill responsibly regulates the adult-use marihuana/Marijuana market, improves New York’s medical marihuana/Marijuana program, and directs new revenues and resources to Black and Brown communities, who have been historically harmed by its criminalization. I proudly voted for this legislation because racial and economic justice are at its core. 

This victory would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership of Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the bill’s longtime sponsor, my friend, Senator Liz Krueger. But, above all, it would have never happened without the tireless work of advocates who have championed comprehensive, equitable solutions to a policy failure that has harmed too many New Yorkers.”