MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING FIVE-YEAR COMMUNITY CARE PLAN TO EXPAND AGING SUPPORT SERVICES

 

$58 million investment in plan will add additional centers and services in underserved communities to help older New Yorkers age in place

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the City will invest $58 million in the first year of his five-year Community Care Plan for older New Yorkers. The plan addresses the importance of creating a network of services that support the independence, self-reliance and wellbeing older New Yorkers need to age in their homes.

“As they age, our seniors deserve to remain in their homes and the neighborhoods they know and love,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The Community Care Plan not only offers services, but also a sense of security.”

 

“As our City recovers, we’re focused on keeping seniors front and center in all that we do, including continuing to provide vital resources and expanding services, from vaccine sites and outreach strategies to these new, crucial investments in community care,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog. “We thank DFTA for their continued leadership and remain committed to uplifting older New Yorkers, which will help ensure New York comes back stronger and more inclusive than ever.”

 

“New York City is again modeling what is needed to be an age-inclusive City, where older adults can age in place with the support of their community, paving the way for what an aging-in-place city should be in this country,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “The pandemic highlighted the detrimental effects that living in institutions had on both older adults and their families. This investment in Community Care will provide the continuum of services, safety net and community network that older New Yorkers need to continue living in their homes, communities and among their loved ones.”

 

"This $48 million of funding for the Community Care Plan is a much-needed investment for our older adult population, which is the fastest-growing age demographic in New York City. Aging in place is more than physical permanence; it allows older New Yorkers to remain rooted in the communities they helped to shape throughout their lifetime. I am pleased that the Administration and the Council agreed that the RFP for Older Adult Centers was simply too important to rush. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have lost so many seniors to COVID-19. I am hopeful that with this new timeline we will see a seamless continuation of services for our seniors who have endured isolation, illness, and trauma this past year," said Council Member Margaret Chin. "Additionally, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of fulfilling the commitment to add the additional $10 million to the model budget. I thank Commissioner Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, Deputy Mayor Melanie Hartzog, and Mayor de Blasio for including this funding in the Community Care Plan."

 

With this five-year Community Care Plan, the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) will add 25 additional Older Adults Centers (OACs) or Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in communities with large aging populations that are currently underserved. In addition, investment in the Community Care Plan will provide additional program staff, transportation services, and robust outreach to expand services to older New Yorkers.

 

The plan will also increase existing services that allow older adults to remain in their homes with dignity and support and avoid institutionalization. It also builds upon the success and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the expansion of virtual services that has kept many older adults active and engaged while mitigating social isolation.

 

This investment lays the groundwork for future investments needed to provide Community Care across the five boroughs.  One of the first steps of the Community Care plan is the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for OACs and NORCs. It will seek proposals that foster collaboration across community-based programs that are aligned with the Community Care five-year plan, ensure congregate and home-based services for older adults throughout the City, and expand services in currently underserved neighborhoods.

  

Georgia Man Sentenced To 40 Months In Prison For Participation In Multimillion-Dollar Business Email Compromise Scheme

 

Ifeanyi Eke Had Supervisory Role in the Scheme and Is Responsible for Approximately $2.7 Million in Losses to 35 Victims

 Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that IFEANYI EKE, a/k/a “Luther Mulbah Doley,” pled guilty today and was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman to 40 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud as part of a wide-ranging international business email compromise (“BEC”) syndicate. 

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As he admitted today, Ifeanyi Eke played a key role in an international conspiracy that deceived and defrauded dozens of victims of nearly $3 million.  Fittingly, Eke has been sentenced to prison and ordered to make restitution to the victims of the conspiracy.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:

Between in or about 2016 and July 2018, EKE and his co-conspirators, including codefendants Cyril Ashu, Joshua Ikejimba, and Chinedu Ironuah, perpetrated a fraudulent BEC scheme through which they deceived dozens of victims, both foreign and domestic, into wiring millions of dollars to bank accounts controlled by the syndicate.  The fraud was perpetrated by sending victims “spoofed” emails, which purported to be from counterparties whom the victims knew and trusted, and which contained wiring instructions fraudulently directing the victims to send funds to accounts that were in fact controlled by the defendants and others involved in the scheme.    

EKE played a broad role in the fraud.  As part of the scheme, EKE personally received wire transfers of fraud proceeds from several different victims in bank accounts that he opened and controlled.  One of the victims, an intergovernmental organization headquartered in New York, was defrauded into sending $188,815 into EKE’s bank account.  After receiving the fraud proceeds, EKE withdrew and transferred them both for his own use and for dissemination to his co-conspirators.  In addition to receiving and dissipating victim funds directly, EKE managed and supervised other members of the conspiracy, including by arranging for co-conspirators’ accounts to receive fraud proceeds, receiving and communicating wire transfer information contained in victim emails, and coordinating the acquisition and deposit of checks representing fraud proceeds.  In total, EKE is responsible for actual losses to 35 victims totaling approximately $2.7 million.

EKE, 34, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, pled guilty to, and was sentenced on, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.  In addition to the prison term, EKE was sentenced to three years of supervised release.  EKE was further ordered to forfeit $365,205, and to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $2,691,908.30.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Olga I. Zverovich and Jarrod L. Schaeffer are in charge of the prosecution.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic April 13, 2021

 

4,175 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

869 Patients in the ICU; 564 Intubated

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops to 3.16%-Lowest in A Month

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.90%

58 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. The statewide 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 3.16 percent, the lowest in a month.

"We're making progress vaccinating more New Yorkers by expanding eligibility, opening new vaccination sites and getting doses to underserved communities across the state. However, COVID-19 is still spreading in New York and practicing safe behaviors will help us keep our fellow citizens safe," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers should continue washing their hands, wearing masks and staying socially distanced as we work to defeat the COVID beast together. We're getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel, but it will take residents' vigilance and perseverance to get us through this pandemic together."

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 - 128,912
• Total Positive - 5,029
• Percent Positive - 3.90%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.16%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,175 (+57)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -358
• Patients Newly Admitted - 437
• Hospital Counties - 56
• Number ICU - 869 (+9)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 564 (-7)
• Total Discharges - 168,261 (+306)
• Deaths - 58
• Total Deaths - 41,257

Second Managing Partner Of Investment Advisory Firm Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Clients And Investors In Over $100 Million Ponzi-Like Fraud Scheme

 

 Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARTIN SILVER, a managing partner and the chief operating officer of the New York-based investment advisory firm International Investment Group (“IIG”), pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein to investment adviser fraud, securities fraud, and wire fraud offenses in connection with an over $100 million scheme to defraud IIG’s investment advisory fund clients and investors.  Throughout the course of more than 10 years, SILVER perpetrated the scheme by, among other fraudulent actions, creating fictitious investments and overvaluing investments used to generate funds to pay off earlier investors in a Ponzi-like manner.  In connection with his plea agreement, SILVER has also agreed to cooperate with the Government’s ongoing investigation.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Today, Martin Silver admitted to participating in a sophisticated, decade-long scheme to defraud IIG funds and investors, abandoning his fiduciary responsibilities to IIG’s clients, and causing millions of dollars of losses.  My Office remains committed to policing investment advisers who seek to take advantage of their clients for personal and professional gain.”

According to the allegations contained in the Information and based on statements made in Manhattan federal court:           

Background of IIG 

SILVER and a co-conspirator (“CC-1”) founded IIG in 1994.  SILVER was a managing partner and the chief operating officer of IIG.  IIG, an SEC-registered investment adviser, provided investment management and advisory services, including for three private funds that it operated: (1) the IIG Trade Opportunities Fund N.V. (“TOF”), (2) the IIG Global Trade Finance Fund, Ltd. (“GTFF”), and (3) the IIG Structured Trade Finance Fund, Ltd. (“STFF”).  IIG also advised the Venezuela Recovery Fund (“VRF”), a fund that managed the remaining assets of a failed Venezuelan bank (VRF, together with TOF, GTFF, and STFF, the “IIG Funds”).  In March 2018, IIG reported to the SEC that it had approximately $373 million in assets under management.

IIG advertised itself as specializing in global trade financing, particularly in providing trade finance loans to small and medium-sized businesses.  IIG’s principal investment advisory strategy, including with respect to the IIG Funds, was investing in trade finance loans that it also originated.  Trade finance loans are used by small and medium-sized companies, typically exporters and importers, to facilitate international trade.  IIG’s purported expertise was in trade finance loans to borrowers located in Central or South America, and in a variety of industries, with a stated focus on “soft commodities,” such as coffee, agriculture, fishing, and other food products.  IIG’s trade finance loans were purportedly secured by collateral, such as the underlying traded goods, assets held by the borrowers, or expected payments by third parties.

Investments in TOF, STFF, and GTFF were marketed by IIG to institutional investors, such as pension funds, hedge funds, and insurers.  In offering memoranda and communications with investors, IIG advertised strict risk controls, such as promises to use diligence to carefully select borrowers or issuers with trusted management and marketable assets, and portfolio concentration limits based on borrower, developing country, and industry.

IIG purported to value the trade finance loans in the IIG Funds on a regular basis.  IIG and, in turn, SILVER, received a performance fee with respect to the IIG Funds, as well as a management fee, which was calculated as a percentage of the assets under management held in the Funds.

The Scheme

From approximately 2007 to 2019, SILVER conspired to defraud investors in IIG-managed funds by: (i) overvaluing distressed loans held by the IIG Funds, (ii) falsifying paperwork to create a series of fake loans that were classified, fraudulently, as positively performing loans, and to otherwise hide losses, (iii) selling overvalued and fake loans to a collateralized loan obligation trust and new private funds established and advised by IIG, and (iv) using the proceeds from those fraudulent sales to generate liquidity required to pay off earlier investors in a Ponzi-like manner.   

MARTIN SILVER, 63, of New Jersey, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit investment adviser fraud, securities fraud, and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  Sentencing before Judge Hellerstein has been scheduled for November 16, 2021, at 11:00 a.m.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the FBI and also thanked the SEC for its assistance. 

Comptroller Stringer, Muslim Community Leaders and Hunger Relief Organizations Announce Five-Borough ‘Iftar on the Go’ to Expand Access to Free Halal Meals During Ramadan

 

Joins Islamic Relief USA and community-based organizations to distribute nearly 4,500 halal Iftar on the Go meals to families in need

Urges City’s restoration of Ramadan halal meal boxes that successfully added much-needed capacity to feed families in need last year

Calls for more pop-up vaccination sites and mobile vaccination vans at mosques, community centers and other places of worship to reach Muslim New Yorkers facing barriers to immunization

New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer in partnership with Islamic Relief USA, local elected officials, Muslim community leaders and hunger relief organizations, announced ‘Iftar on the Go’– a five-borough food distribution to expand access to free, halal meals and conduct SNAP outreach in multiple languages for New Yorkers during Ramadan. Comptroller Stringer also urged the City to restore and ensure quality and diversity in the Ramadan Halal emergency meal boxes that added much-needed capacity to feed families last year. As the COVID-19 pandemic has acutely heightened food insecurity in New York City, Comptroller Stringer has called for increased halal options, funding for community-based organizations and food pantries, and cultural and linguistic competence in the City’s current food programming to ensure that New Yorkers of all backgrounds are able to access benefits.

Comptroller Stringer also underscored that Ramadan is an opportunity to expand vaccine access to Muslim communities that face systemic obstacles to immunization, including language barriers, digital barriers, and lack of workplace flexibility to take paid time off for vaccination. Comptroller Stringer called on the City to:

• Double-down on pop-up vaccination sites across the five boroughs during Ramadan and beyond to include more mosques, community centers and other places of worship.
• Deploy mobile vaccination vans to mosques after evening prayers, specifically targeting transit-deserts and areas disproportionately impacted by COVID.
• Ensure ample walk-in options for seniors at these mobile sites, many of whom were left out due to the digital divide and language access.

“Ramadan is a time to reflect and take care of one other. No one should have to go hungry in the middle of a public health crisis, and especially during Ramadan,” said Comptroller Stringer. “I am proud to stand with Muslim community leaders and food security advocates to announce our five-borough Iftar on the Go to get halal meals, nutrition and support to families in need. Ramadan is also a chance for the City to ramp up vaccination outreach and meet Muslim New Yorkers where they are this holy month. Mosques, community centers and other places of worship can be lifesaving immunization hubs during Ramadan to protect thousands of our neighbors.”

“The month of Ramadan is an opportunity for Muslims across the world to increase giving and empathy. It is a time to remember our neighbors who are struggling and have found themselves in vulnerable circumstances,” said Sharif Aly, Chief Executive Officer at Islamic Relief USA. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has particularly exacerbated food insecurity throughout the country. We are pleased to be collaborating with the New York City Comptroller’s Office to provide hot meals to those who are breaking their fasts or simply seeking a nutritious dinner during this holy month.”

Iftar on the Go halal meal distribution and SNAP outreach locations and dates are available below:

Queens

Partner: Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of NY
Location: 88-29 161 Street, Jamaica, NY 11432
Dates:

• Thursday, April 15 at 7:00pm
• Thursday, April 22 at 7:15pm
• Thursday, April 29 at 7:20pm
• Thursday, May 6 at 7:30pm

Manhattan

Partner: Food Bank For New York City
Location: 252 West 116th Street New York, NY 10026
Dates:

• Thursday, April 15 at 4:00pm
• Thursday, April 22 at 4:00pm
• Thursday, April 29 at 4:00pm
• Thursday, May 6 at 4:00pm

Brooklyn

Partner: APNA Brooklyn Community Center
Location: 236 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Dates:

• Friday, April 16 at 2:00pm
• Friday, April 23 at 2:00pm
• Friday, April 30 at 2:00pm
• Friday, May 7 at 2:00pm

Staten Island

Partner: Bait-ul Jammat – House of Community
Location: 192 Corson Ave Staten Island, NY 10301
Dates:

• Tuesday, April 20 at 11am
• Tuesday, April 27 at 11am
• Tuesday, May 4 at 11am
• Tuesday, May 11 at 11am

Bronx

Partner: SAPNA NYC
Location: 2348 Waterbury Ave Bronx, NY 10462
Dates:

• Friday, April 16 at 2pm
• Friday, April 23 at 2pm
• Friday, April 30 at 2pm
• Friday, May 7 at 2pm

Last month, Comptroller Stringer joined more than 100 community-based organizations in calling for $25 million in FEMA reimbursement funding to be specifically dedicated to providing emergency food to undocumented New Yorkers who are unable to access federally funded safety net programs like SNAP. In February, Comptroller Stringer released a comprehensive food security plan to reach any New Yorker in need regardless of immigration status, including expanded SNAP outreach and purchasing power and the creation of a “shared delivery zone” program that centralizes neighbors’ food deliveries to meet online retailers’ minimum purchasing requirements.

In 2018, Comptroller Stringer convened a diverse coalition of Muslim and Jewish stakeholders to review his Halal and Kosher School Lunch Pilot Proposal and organize around expanding universal free school lunches to include halal and kosher food options. which was eventually funded by the City Council in several schools.

Mosaab Sadeia, Outreach Manager at Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of NY said: “So many of our Muslim brothers and sisters have kept our city moving as frontline workers through this pandemic—but disproportionately face barriers to food security and immunization. There have been efforts by the city in both areas, and we are calling to see these efforts continued and expanded. Comptroller Stringer’s recommendations for scaling up pop-up vaccination sites and mobile vaccination vans at mosques and community centers are easy steps the City can take that would drastically expand access for our community.”

Sultana Ocasio, Director of Food Bank For New York City’s Community Kitchen & Food Pantry, said: “The absence of food in the day and the humility and gratitude experienced in breaking your fast at sunset are so important in Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of sharing food, and we are grateful for NYC Comptroller Stringer and our friends at Islamic Relief USA for providing our Muslim neighbors with halal Iftar meals after breaking their fasts during this important time of the year.”

Erum Hanif, Chief Executive Officer of APNA Brooklyn Community Center said: “From helping launch a pilot program for free halal school lunches to proposing a food security plan with increased cultural and linguistic competence, Comptroller Stringer understands that our community shouldn’t have to choose between our faith and feeding our families. Comptroller Stringer is laying out smart and strategic recommendations to what the City can do to lift up approximately 1 million Muslim New Yorkers many of whom are currently underserved and unrepresented during the most challenging time of their lives.”

Jamilah LaSalle, Co-Founder of the Bait-ul Jamaat – House of Community said: “The nutritional and dietary needs of undeserved communities on Staten Island are vast. Through the collaborative efforts of the NYC Comptroller’s Office and Islamic Relief USA, organizations with the mission to fight hunger such as ours will be able to help address this need for Muslim families by providing halal meals and doing snap outreach during this holy month.”

Diya Basu-Sen, Executive Director of SAPNA NYC said: “The past year has been incredibly tough for working class immigrant communities and communities of color with many forced to make unbearably difficult choices about what they can afford – choosing between food, rent, minutes on their phone, and other basic necessities. Last year at Sapna we decided to open an emergency food pantry because while the city has increased food assistance programs, finding culturally appropriate fresh produce and staples is still difficult for many families. In the midst of a pandemic that has already resulted in so much fear, anxiety, and loss, being able to provide families with the food that they are used to eating is a small way of maintaining normalcy at a time when everything seems out of their control. We’re grateful to be partnering with Comptroller Stringer and IRUSA this Ramadan to provide iftar meals to our communities in the Bronx so that families can focus on their spiritual reflection and prayer instead of worrying about their next meal. These iftar food distributions will also allow us to do outreach on SNAP enrollment, COVID vaccines, and other community needs that will help ensure a more equitable recovery for our city.

263 Days and Counting

 

I got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine from the Commissioner of Health of NYC, Dr. Chokshi. I had my wife Charlene besides me in case anything happened. It has now been over a month and nothing has happened to me. I am my same old self who dodges any hard question from reporters, I still think the Post is a rag, and we need to put more bike lanes, bus lanes, and homeless people from Brooklyn and Manhattan into the Bronx. 

So you see the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has had no ill effect to me while I am Mayor. Charlene how much time did they give me, 263 days now?

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNAPOLI: MIDDLETOWN CHIROPRACTOR SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR INSURANCE FRAUD

 

James Spina to Serve 108 Months, Pay More than $18 Million in Restitution and Forfeiture; Co-Conspirators Await Sentencing

 State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced James “Jay” Spina was sentenced in federal court for running a large-scale healthcare insurance fraud scheme. Spina and three co-conspirators systematically double-billed insurers, charged for services never rendered, created shell companies and falsified records to hide their crimes.

Spina pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and today was sentenced to serve 108 months (nine years) in federal prison, plus three years of probation and pay $9.7 million in restitution and forfeit $9.1 million.

"Mr. Spina orchestrated a massive criminal health insurance fraud which systematically defrauded the state, federal and private insurers of millions of dollars,” DiNapoli said. “This type of fraud harms all New Yorkers and contributes to higher health care costs across the state and country. Thanks to my partnership with U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General and the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Mr. Spina has been held accountable." 

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “James Spina led a sophisticated, widespread, and callous scheme that put greed and profits ahead of patients and their well-being.  In doing so, he betrayed his professional obligations and bilked insurance companies and Medicare out of millions of dollars.  Thanks to the coordinated efforts of federal and state investigative agencies, Spina will now serve a lengthy sentence in federal prison.”

In 2018, Spina and three others were charged with billing insurers for medically unnecessary services and procedures, submitting claims for services not rendered, double-billing for services, fabricating medical records and concealing the fraud by blocking audits. The submitted claims totaled more than $80 million.

All four individuals who were charged have pleaded guilty.

264 Days and Counting

 

My congratulations to Eric Dinowitz 11th Council District, and Oswald Feliz 15 Council District up there in the Bronx on winning your respective special elections. We knew you were going to win Eric, and Oswald you pulled it out. 

Both of you will finish out the terms that the previous council member did not. That means that all three of us will be leaving on December 31, 2021, that is me at least because both of you are running for re-election, something I can't.