Eric Adams Rally at Fordham Plaza

 

It was a cold afternoon, and the second rally for many of those who arrived at Fordham Plaza to support Mayor Elect Eric Adams. Sheikh Musa Drammeh, Bronx African organizer, led the rally saying that there are high hopes that Mayor Eric Adams will bring the city back to where it once was. He mentioned that no one feels safe in New York City including what were once considered the most safest areas. He also mentioned the meeting with Mayor Elect Adams and Black Lives Matter leader Hawk Newsome where Mayor Elect Adams said to Newsome, "Do not threaten me that there will be violence and blood in the streets, I won't give into those threats". That was in response to the announcement of Mayor Adams of the return of the NYPD Anti Crime Task Force.

Others who spoke were activist Eunice Ukwuani, activist Cabenga Subiat, and Assemblyman Jose Rivera who also videotaped the Fordham Plaza rally, and entertained everyone with stories about when he was the Bronx Democratic Party Chair, and how times have changed. 

(L - R) Activist Cabenga Subiat, Activist Eunice Ukwuani, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, Sheikh Musa Drammeh Bronx African organizer, and Chris Tabicof.

(L - R) Activist Cabenga Subiat, Activist Eunice Ukwuani, Sheikh Musa Drammeh Bronx African organizer, Chris Tabicof, and Boswell Shippie. with Assemblyman Joe Rivera at the video camera.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - NOVEMBER 19, 2021

129,085 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

33 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"Getting the booster is a critical way to protect ourselves and our loved ones that goes hand in hand with washing our hands and wearing a mask," Governor Hochul said. "80 percent of New York's adults are vaccinated, but COVID-19 is surging in regions with lower vaccination rates. If you remain unvaccinated, get vaccinated. Get your children vaccinated. If you've had your vaccination, get your booster. Take every precaution necessary to keep your community safe as we head into the holiday season."  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 207,467
• Total Positive - 7,558 
• Percent Positive - 3.64%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.68% 
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,164 (+24) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 351 
• Patients in ICU - 424 (+4) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 219 (+4) 
• Total Discharges - 212,602 (+305) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 33 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46,165

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 58,789 

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 28,868,533 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 129,085 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 689,644 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 85.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 77.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.5% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 80.1% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 73.2% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 65.9% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 76.5% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 67.8% 

VNNA 8TH CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & CHRISTMAS PARTY 2021!

 

COME JOIN VNNA FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR DEFRAUDING MORE THAN $35,000 FROM STATE COMPENSATION BENEFITS

 

Defendant Worked Second Job While Claiming He Was Disabled

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced a Bronx man has been indicted on Grand Larceny, Insurance Fraud, and additional charges for falsely claiming he was fully disabled and unable to work at his state job so he could collect more than $35,000 in worker’s compensation. 

 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly continued working an increased number of hours at his second job while collecting compensation for being unable to work for the state. He took advantage of a system in place that helps New Yorkers who truly need it, and now he will be held accountable.” 

 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, James Garner, 49, from the Soundview section of the Bronx, was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Efrain Alvarado on third degree Grand Larceny, third-degree Insurance Fraud, Penalty for Fraudulent Practice, five counts of first-degree Falsifying Business Records, five counts of second-degree Falsifying Business Records, five counts of first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing, and first-degree Perjury. He is due back in court on February 22, 2022.

 According to the investigation, between July 19, 2019 and July 31, 2020, the defendant allegedly defrauded New York State of workers’ compensation benefits of more than $35,000. Garner was a full-time employee at the Office of Mental Health at the New York City Children’s Center working as a mental health therapy aide. He was injured on the job in 2019. For about a year he claimed he was fully disabled and swore under oath he was not working. The investigation found he was able to work and was working increased hours at his part-time job.

 An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Attorney General James Leads Coalition in Fight to Preserve and Fortify DACA

 

Coalition of AGs Highlight Critical Contributions of Hundreds of Thousands of Dreamers to Public Health Efforts, Economies, and Communities Across the Country

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today continued her fight to protect hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across New York and the rest of the nation. Co-leading a coalition of 24 attorneys general, Attorney General James sent a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in support of the federal government’s efforts to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. In the comment letter, the coalition highlights the critical contributions of hundreds of thousands of Dreamers to broader public health efforts, to economies, and to communities across the country, and urges the federal government to finalize regulations strengthening DACA — ensuring that states can continue to benefit from the policy, as well as providing relief to all the Dreamers who fear deportation. Since 2012, DACA has protected approximately 825,000 individuals who grew up in this country — most of whom have known no home other than the United States — from deportation and permitted them to work here.

“Home is here for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who know no other home but the United States,” said Attorney General James. “America is where these young people have gone to school, where they have worked, where they have paid taxes, where they have raised families, and where they have continued to be vital members of our communities. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s where they have put their lives on the line to protect and save others. In the past, our coalition has stood up against inhumane and immoral threats of deportation, but the federal government now has the opportunity to step up and finally strengthen DACA going forward. Our Dreamers deserve to know that they are valued, that they are loved, and that we will always fight to protect them. Si se puede!”

DACA is an Obama era policy that has allowed hundreds of thousands of young people to live, study, and work in the United States, and to become stable and even more productive members of their communities, without fear that they could be arrested and placed in deportation proceedings at any moment or forcibly separated from their families and communities. DACA has enabled grantees to enroll in colleges and universities, complete their education, start businesses that help improve the U.S. economy, and give back to communities as teachers, medical professionals, engineers, and entrepreneurs — all on the books. These contributions have been especially evident as the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began to sweep through the nation and thousands of DACA recipients have served on the frontlines as essential workers. As of April 2020, an estimated 27,000 health care workers and support staff depend on DACA for their authorization to work in the United States, including nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, home health aides, technicians, and others. DACA has also advanced public health and societal interests by giving its recipients the opportunity to procure employer-provided health insurance, which has been particularly critical as states fight COVID-19.

In today’s the comment letter, the coalition asserts, among other things, that:

• DACA has public safety and public health benefits for states,
• States benefit economically from DACA and DACA recipients,
• DACA and DACA recipients are important to states’ higher education institutions,
• States have adopted laws, regulations, and programs in reliance on DACA, and
• Opponents of DACA are unable to substantiate any alleged harms.

After former President Donald Trump broke the promises made to Dreamers by ordering his administration to change the DACA policy in 2017, a prolonged legal battle began in September 2017 that made its way through multiple courts before landing at the U.S. Supreme Court in November 2019. In June 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration’s attempt to cancel the DACA policy was unlawful.

After the Supreme Court ruled, the policy was supposed to resume, but the Trump Administration announced that new DACA applications would not be granted. In August 2020, Attorney General James co-led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in a lawsuit that sought to vacate, as unlawful, a memo from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that sought to make changes to DACA. In November 2020, a federal district court issued an order granting Attorney General James’ request for partial summary judgment. And, in December 2020, that same federal court issued a remedial order granting Attorney General James’ request for DHS to reopen DACA to first-time applicants, restore protections to a two-year period instead of one year, and make Advanced Parole available to DACA recipients again without restrictions.

On January 20, 2021 — on his first day in office — President Joe Biden signed an executive order rescinding the Trump Administration policy that threatened these Dreamers with deportation.

Joining Attorney General James in filing the comment letter are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Governor Kathy Hochul Statement on CDC Approval of COVID-19 Booster for All Adults

"Today, boosters for all adults cleared the final round of federal review by health experts and doctors. This is great news as we enter the holiday season and gather indoors with friends and family. 

"Boosters can help provide additional protection, especially for those over the age of 50 and others with underlying conditions. With 80 percent of New York State adults fully vaccinated, getting the booster is another important way to protect ourselves and our loved ones, as well as washing our hands and wearing a mask. 

"We know the recent increase in the spread of COVID across regions of New York State is happening due to lower vaccination rates in those areas. Getting more New Yorkers vaccinated, including children aged 5 and older, remains the best way to help turn the tide in our fight against COVID-19.

"So, if you are unvaccinated, get vaccinated. If you have kids, get them vaccinated. And if you have been vaccinated, get the booster. It's widely available, free and safe. Let's do this, New York." 

GET INVOLVED: CITY ISSUES PUBLIC SURVEY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SCHEDULE FOR PERMANENT OPEN RESTAURANTS PROGRAM

 

Robust public engagement process will evaluate successes and improvements needed for Open Restaurants program; draft guidelines for permanent program out in March 2022 

  

The de Blasio administration announced next steps for the public to participate in the creation of easy-to-use design rules to that will guide the coming citywide permanent Open Restaurants program. This public engagement process is a collaboration between the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of City Planning (DCP). A short guide outlining the coming citywide program is available here. 

 

“The incredible success of outdoor dining shows how we can reimagine our streetscape to better serve our neighborhoods,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “We have learned so much about how to make this overwhelmingly popular program even better, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re thrilled to start this robust conversation with the public to craft guidelines that will increase accessibility, safety and address concerns such as noise, hours of operation and sanitation.” 

 

“While helping us to recover from a devastating pandemic, the coming citywide Open Restaurants program is a key to helping us build healthier and safer shared streets, and stronger and vibrant communities. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Fill out the survey and get involved in designing rules that will shape the look and feel of outdoor dining in New York City,” said DCP Director Anita Laremont, who also serves as Chair of the City Planning Commission. 

 

A survey for members of the public is available here. We urge all New Yorkers to consider responding by Dec. 31. 

 

A schedule of in-person and virtual public events, set for this fall and winter, is available here and will be listed on NYC Engage. 

 

Credited with saving over 100,000 restaurants jobs during the pandemic and increasing the number of restaurants with outdoor dining – from 1,200 in February 2020 to 11,000 now – the emergency Open Restaurants program introduced novel questions about how to best integrate roadway dining setups into the complex environment of New York City streets. 

  

Earlier this week, the City Planning Commission voted to remove inequitable zoning rules that limited al fresco dining to some parts of New York City. In response to public input, the new zoning rules, which must still be approved by the City Council, will not go into effect until the Permanent Open Restaurants program, including all safety and design guidelines, are reviewed by the public and final. Alongside rigorous public input, the permanent program will be guided by coming legislation by the New York City Council.  

 

This citywide public engagement process for the coming design rules for sidewalk and roadway setups aims to promote accessibility, ensure guidelines are clear and enforceable, and address quality-of-life issues such as trash and noise. DCP and DOT intend to release a first report on design of the coming program in March 2022. Read more about the process here. After that, DCP and DOT will begin a second series of public engagement and outreach sessions to develop the final rules.  The permanent program is expected to be in place by 2023.  

 

Survey  

The survey, which is posted on DOT’s website, solicits information from New Yorkers, those in the restaurant business and their neighbors, about what they see as the pros and cons of Open Restaurants, and to share their thoughts on how to improve on the emergency program. Public input via the survey will shape the coming design rules. The deadline for survey responses is Dec. 31.   

 

Outreach Schedule  

Five Borough Board Meetings 

DCP & DOT will present to each of the five Borough Boards (made up of the Borough Presidents and Community Board chairs in all five boroughs) in December and January. The agencies will share an overview of the permanent Open Restaurants design guidelines process and goals and solicit feedback from the Borough Board members. The public is encouraged to join the meetings, either in person or online. A zoom link will be made available and publicized. The dates are available here. 

 

Virtual Public Roundtables  

DOT and DCP will host a series of four virtual roundtables that are open to the public, where any New Yorker can share their thoughts on the permanent Open Restaurants program. The first two roundtables will take place on Jan. 11, 2022, from noon to 1:30 pm and Jan. 12, 2022, from 6 to 7:30 pm.  

 

Virtual Topic-Based Roundtables 

Alfresco NYC - RPA, Design Trust, and Tri-State Transportation Campaign in coordination with DOT & DCT will host a series of virtual roundtables to bring together a range of stakeholders from the hospitality industry, design professions, and transit and accessibility advocates, to provide an in-depth look at major issues to be addressed by the permanent program. Details to follow. 

   

This public engagement announcement comes after the City Planning Commission’s vote on Nov. 15 in favor of the Open Restaurants zoning text amendment that aims to remove geographic restrictions on where sidewalk cafes can be located within New York City. The text amendment was modified to only go into effect after the permanent program guidelines are in place. It now moves on to the City Council for a public hearing and vote. 

Real Estate Businessman And Lawyer Arrested In Connection With Campaign Finance Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Daniel G. Cort, Acting Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging GERALD MIGDOL with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to misrepresent and conceal the sources of political campaign contributions.  MIGDOL was arrested this morning and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang later today.  The case is assigned to United States District Judge J. Paul Oetken.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and campaign finance regulations are one way communities seek to ensure everyone plays by the same rules.  As alleged, Gerald Migdol and others tried to divert taxpayer dollars from New York City’s matching funds program to a particular candidate based on fraudulent campaign contributions.  My Office remains vigilant against such attempts to defraud the public.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “Public programs, such as the one Migdol allegedly defrauded, exist to provide support for New Yorkers who want to represent their city in elections, but find themselves without the means to do so. Illegally subverting the requirements to be eligible for these funds so that the candidate of your choice receives more than their fair share is a federal offense, as highlighted by today’s charges.”

Acting DOI Commissioner Daniel G. Cort said: “Obtaining fraudulent donations for a political candidate that will ultimately be used to secure matching funds undermines the fair and honest public financing of elections. DOI thanks its partners on this matter, the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and information in the public record[1]:

From at least in or about October 2019, through at least in or about January 2021, GERALD MIGDOL orchestrated and participated in a scheme to misrepresent and conceal sources of contributions made during the 2021 election cycle to the campaign of a candidate for New York City Comptroller (“Candidate-1”), fraudulently attempting to procure public funds for Candidate-1 from the campaign finance program overseen by the New York City Campaign Finance Board (“CFB”).  That campaign finance program included, among other things, a “matching funds program” that provided eligible candidates with public funds based on the number and amount of certain donor contributions.  According to the CFB, “[b]y matching their contributions with public funds, the [p]rogram empowers New Yorkers in every neighborhood to make their voices heard in city elections” and “[b]y encouraging candidates to raise small-dollar contributions from average New Yorkers, the program increases engagement between voters and those who seek to represent them.”[2]

Candidates running for the office of New York City Comptroller were eligible to participate in the matching funds program if they met certain criteria, and eligible candidates could receive up to approximately $3.4 million in public matching funds based on qualifying contributions.  Candidate-1 filed a certification with the CFB in or about September 2019, becoming a candidate for the office of the New York City Comptroller and opting in to the CFB’s matching funds program.  Thereafter, MIGDOL and others conspired to obtain fraudulent contributions for Candidate-1 that would be used, among other things, to seek public matching funds from the CFB.  A number of those contributions were “nominee contributions,” in which money was given to Candidate-1’s campaign under one contributor’s name, but in reality the money for the contribution came from, or was reimbursed by, another person.  Other contributions obtained at MIGDOL’s direction were fraudulently made in the names of individuals who, in fact, had never authorized those contributions.

Through these and other efforts, MIGDOL and others involved in the scheme procured nominee and other fraudulent contributions for Candidate-1’s campaign, which in turn were submitted to the CFB by Candidate-1’s campaign in connection with requests for at least tens of thousands of dollars in additional public matching funds.

MIGDOL, 71, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison.  The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress, and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and DOI.  This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jarrod L. Schaeffer, David Abramowitz, Tara La Morte, and Alison Moe are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is 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 set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

[2] https://www.nyccfb.info/program/benefits.