40 Days and Counting

 

I can't even trust the few reporters I put on my call on list. This morning Andrew Siff from NBC who I have my moderator call on at least twice a week, asked me if Governor Hochul invited me to go on the tour of the Second Avenue Subway line. I had to duck the question saying what a wonderful job she is doing.

Other reporters hit me with, what do I think of Mayor Elect Adams riding on a private jet owned by a cryptocurrency Billionaire, non citizen voting, ending city business with Homeless provider CORE Services Group, closed classrooms due to COVID, asking the governor for a vaccination mandate, me owing for six years now $435,000 to the lobbyist firm that is representing the Blood Center and why haven't I paid it yet, banning horse racing statewide, and some of the other questions I got. It's a good thing I have a four days without no reporter questions, they must have known that today.

Albanian American Open Hands Association Thanksgiving meal for It's Volunteers

Sunday afternoon after the Albanian American Open Hands Association joined with the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association, and Assemblywoman Fernandez to hand out almost one-hundred and fifty turkeys to the Pelham Parkway community. 

A few hours later AAOHA volunteers gathered at the Destination Tomorrow building on Barnes Avenue one block from the AAOHA office on Holland Avenue to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast by AAOHA founder and President Aleksander Nilaj along with Ms. Dila Kocaj who did most of the cooking, and Ms. Violeta Craij who baked several delicious desserts. It was a meal for the forty volunteers who help out twice a week giving out food to the community from in front of the AAOHA office located at 2141 Holland Avenue.

The group of AAOHA volunteers, with the elected officials who support them on the wall behind them. 

The line of delicious Thanksgiving food that was prepared for the volunteers.

The Baklava gets a healthy dose of honey from Ms. Violeta Craij, who also tore up the dance floor later.

Here Violeta and her husband John take to the dance floor for a traditional Albanian dance. 

AAOHA Founder and President Aleksander Nilaj with Volunteer Miriam Quin, State Committeeman Joe McManus, and Community Board 11 members Christian Amato,\ and Andrea Siegal.

 

Governor Hochul Announces 90 Percent of Adult New Yorkers Ages 18 and Over Have Received At Least One Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccin

62,641 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.  

"As of today, 90 percent of adult New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine - while that is an incredible achievement, it's crucial we continue to take precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from this deadly virus as we head into the holiday season," Governor Hochul said. "We know the tools to stop the spread of COVID: Get vaccinated, get the booster if you are already vaccinated, and please stay home if you're feeling sick. The vaccine and booster is safe, free and widely available. Don't put it off any longer."

 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 120,209
• Total Positive - 5,401
• Percent Positive - 4.49%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.82%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,361 (+69)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 281
• Patients in ICU - 470 (+17)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 236 (+9)
• Total Discharges - 213,374 (+212)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 33
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46,254

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 - 58,907

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 - 29,149,973
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 62,641
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 702,976
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 85.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 78.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 80.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 73.5%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 66.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 77.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 68.1%

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE CUOMO IMPEACHMENT REPORT

 

"This report is damning, if delayed. It documents both specific instances of harm and a clear overarching pattern of abuse of power within the Cuomo administration – one which many of us saw and challenged long before the pandemic. The former Governor engaged in repeated incidents of sexual misconduct, mishandled the COVID crisis, and focused time and resources on a book deal rather than combatting that crisis. He was clearly only ever interested in his own interests.

"Again and again throughout the report, we see how Andrew Cuomo abused his power and position to both commit egregious actions and coerce the people under his control to support both the actions themselves and the coverup. With the former Governor exerting such influence, it was and has always been important for those outside of it to use the power they have to stand independently and speak out about these instances of abuse – or to preemptively stand against the culture that enabled them. This impeachment report documents a series of terrible, preventable actions, and in holding Andrew Cuomo accountable, we must also account for how he was enabled and empowered.

"The former Governor’s conduct was clearly impeachable, and the legislature should explore how it can move forward to help ensure the full legal accountability– as a condemnation of the conduct displayed, the Cuomo administration that perpetrated it, and the systems in Albany that perpetuate these abuses."

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES DOZENS OF NEW RESILIENT BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

New projects being implemented by 23 City capital agencies will strengthen NYC’s resiliency against future climate disasters 

 Mayor de Blasio today announced a new pilot program that will help ensure new City infrastructure and public facilities are prepared for the worsening impacts of climate change, including intense rainfall, coastal storm surge, chronic high tide flooding, and extreme heat. 

Under this program, 23 City capital agencies will begin designing and constructing dozens of new projects using the NYC Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines, which were developed by the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency (MOCR) using cutting-edge science and research. These Guidelines translate future-looking climate change projections into technical guidance that engineers and architects will use as they design roads, buildings, sewer systems, hospitals, public housing, and other pieces of critical public infrastructure. This ensures that projects constructed today will be prepared for worsening extreme weather decades into the future and can continue to provide critical services to New Yorkers. 

 

“Climate change is happening now and we have the guide we need to ensure our public infrastructure is protected in New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Roads, hospitals, public housing, and buildings need to be designed with the impact of extreme weather in mind and the NYC Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines will make sure that happens.”

 

“The NYC Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines pilot program is a massive step forward in our work to build a more resilient New York City,” said Director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency, Jainey Bavishi.  “Following the five-year pilot, all City buildings and infrastructure projects across $90 billion in planned capital spending will be built to withstand future flooding and heat, ensuring that New Yorkers are safer, infrastructure lasts longer, and taxpayer dollars go further.”

 

Forty pilots were selected through a rigorous process that considered climate exposure, equity, and project scope. Over 40 percent of projects being advanced under this program range will be constructed in environmental justice areas. They range in budget from $3 million up to $1 billion and include a wide diversity of facilities spread across all five boroughs. The cohort of projects will apply resilient design principles from the very beginning of their design.  

 

In March of 2021, the de Blasio Administration worked with City Council to pass Local Law 41, which will transform how City Capital projects are designed and sited. This pilot program is the first step toward full implementation of Local Law 41, which involves the development of a new resiliency scoring system for public projects. By 2026, all City projects must meet a stringent set of requirements that will certify their preparedness for extreme weather threats. 

 

“While the City works to mitigate the impacts of climate change, we must ensure the safety of our residents by adapting our infrastructure to make New York even more resilient,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “I thank the Mayor and the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency for their commitment to protecting New Yorkers and building a greener and safer future for all.”

 

“Protecting public health in a city of 8.8 million residents means it is critical that our drinking water and wastewater systems operate without interruption, 24/7/365,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “We thank MOCR and Director Bavishi for their leadership and support as we create a more resilient city.”

 

“Climate change is no longer a question – it’s a fact of life and an existential threat to our city,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “We’re ensuring that the work we do today will be able to stand up to more extreme weather and changing climate conditions while still being able to serve our city.”

 

“As the largest residential overseer in New York City, NYCHA plays an important role in the coordinated, interagency effort to address climate change,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “The forward-thinking technical guidance and expertise provided through this pilot program will enable the Authority to prepare for worsening extreme weather events by further embedding resiliency-based design principles across our portfolio of capital projects.”

 

Increasing the resiliency of infrastructure and other City-funded construction has numerous benefits. First, stronger and more resilient facilities are better prepared to withstand storms—which means that they can continue providing critical services during emergencies. In the event that facilities are compromised by flooding, resilient design features can help them come back online faster.

 

Additionally, implementing resiliency standards will save taxpayers money. For every dollar invested in resiliency, six dollars in future repair and recovery costs are saved. Making investments in preparedness now will pay dividends in the future.

 

The projects being advanced under this program include: 

 

• Horizon Adolescent Facility Expansion (ACS)
• Canarsie Library Overhaul (BPL)
• Kingsborough Community College Hot Water Heat Piping Distribution (CUNY)
• Queens Courthouse Upgrades and Renovations (DCAS)
• Queens County Farm Museum: New Education Center (DCLA)
• Harlem Stage at The Gatehouse: HVAC Upgrade (DCLA)
• Reconstruction of Paerdegat Pumping Station (DEP) 
• Owls Head Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility Main Sewage Pump Replacement (DEP)
• Mahopac Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades (DEP)
• Arcady Road Reconstruction (DEP)
• Mid Staten Island Bluebelt (DEP/DOT)
• Leonard Covello Senior Center Upgrades (DFTA)
• Harlem Shelter Improvements (DHS) 
• New Manhattan Detention Facility (DOC)
• Washington Heights Health Center Exterior Renovation (DOHMH)
• Manhattan Greenway – Inwood (DOT)
• Harper Street Administration Building (DOT)
• Reconstruction of Shore Road Bridge (DOT) 
• Queens 1 Luyster Creek Garage Construction (DSNY)
• Brooklyn Army Terminal Elevators (EDC)
• Hunters Point South Ferry Landing Reconstruction (EDC)
• Engine 91 Renovation (FDNY)
• Fort Totten Utilities Improvements (FDNY)
• Partially funded renovation of a pediatric hospital facility on Staten Island (H+H)
• Brownsville Community Center (HRA)
• Gowanus Green, new affordable housing (HPD) 
• New affordable housing development in The Bronx (HPD)
• Renovated affordable housing project in Brooklyn (HPD)
• Wagner Community Center (NYCHA)
• Jefferson Playground Reconstruction (NYCHA)
• 23^rd Street Warehouse Rebuild (NYPD)
• Rodman’s Neck Facilities Improvements (NYPD)
• New Dorp HVAC Improvements (NYPL)
• Dalton Recreation Center Reconstruction (Parks)
• Haffen Park Improvements (Parks)
• 107^th Street Pier and Bobby Wagner Walk Reconstruction (Parks)
• Jackson Heights Library Expansion (QPL)
• Sunset Park Sub-District School Construction in Brooklyn (SCA)
• New School Construction in Queens (SCA)
• New School Construction – site to be determined (SCA)

“Climate risks have created a tremendous sense of urgency in how we design, build, retrofit, and maintain our infrastructure,” said Vice President of Programs, Waterfront Alliance Karen Imas. “Waterfront Alliance commends the City on actualizing the climate resiliency guidelines through 40 critical public infrastructure pilot projects. This is an important step for making communities safer and creating long-term savings from reductions in damages and increases in efficiency. These projects can also catalyze New York’s leadership in the climate-smart design industry and drive job growth in the green economy.”

 

“Every violent storm that hits our region is another reminder that we must build better, stronger, and for the future,” said President and CEO of the New York Building Congress Carlo A. Scissura. “These new projects are a bold first step in making our buildings and infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change. This initiative is crucial because it guarantees that capital projects are all held to the same standards. The New York Building Congress applauds Mayor de Blasio and his team for continuing to build a stronger, smarter New York City.”

 

“Scientists tell us that extreme weather events will become even worse and more frequent as a result of climate change,” said Professor and Director of Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School, Michael Gerrard. “This demands serious efforts by cities to require that buildings and infrastructure are designed to withstand these predicted events. New York City is again taking the lead in actually implementing – not just talking about- its pathbreaking Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines.”

 

CONSUMER ALERT: NYS DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION OFFERS TIPS FOR A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON

Holiday Shoppers May Face Difficulties this Year Due to Supply Shortages, Higher Prices and Potential Scams 

DCP Provides Tips to Help Consumers Navigate the Challenges to Have a Safe and Enjoyable Holiday 

 The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) today alerted consumers to issues impacting the holiday shopping season. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday shopping season will be rife with delays, higher prices and potential scams. Consumers should expect to have a lengthy wait for goods and holiday presents due to the continued supply shortages and shipping backlogs.

Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, “The holiday season brings out the best of us as we share with family and friends in celebration of this special time of year. However, this holiday shopping season may be frustrating due to delays, higher prices and the risk of scams. To help consumers enjoy this festive time, the Division of Consumer Protection encourages everyone to follow these basic tips to have a smooth and safe holiday shopping experience.” 

The DCP advises consumers to exercise caution this holiday season. Scams and theft are common this time of year, and it is essential consumers continue to protect themselves.

Shop safely using these tips:

 Avoid Pandemic-Related Shortages:

• Shop early this holiday season to avoid merchandise shortages and shipping delays. Experts advise to get shopping done ahead of time and avoid the last-minute rush to ensure your gifts arrive on time.
• Consider virtual gifts. Avoid shipping concerns altogether by gifting items that can be used online, such as streaming subscriptions, virtual gift cards, or online learning classes. Always verify the source of online retailers and shop on secure sites to avoid scams.
• Shop local—support small business and pick up direct from in-store locations for holiday gifts. Many local retailers are offering deals to encourage consumers to shop locally from neighborhood businesses. Continue following Covid-19 safety protocols when shopping in person.

 Know Your Rights:

• Retailers must inform you of any changes to your delivery. The Federal Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule (the Mail Order Rule) states that your order must be delivered within 30 days unless otherwise stated at the time of purchase. If there is a delay, you must be notified. If the company cannot reach you to obtain your consent to the delay, they must, without being asked, promptly refund all the money you paid for the unshipped merchandise.
• Review refund policies. Retailers must post their refund policy. If it is not posted, the retailer is legally required to accept a return within 30 days with receipt.

Savvy Online Shopping Tips:

• Shop on trusted sites with retailers known to you. In the era of social media marketing and influencers, consumers are more exposed to sham businesses that advertise a premier product but only deliver a low-quality version of the advertised item, if they deliver anything at all. Use caution on trusted sites that host items for third-party sellers.
• Beware of third-party vendors. If redirected from a trusted site to a third-party site, read the seller’s policies, review ratings, read consumer comments, and most importantly do a broad internet search before making your purchase. Trusted retailers who host third-party sellers do not warranty their sales, thus you could get a substandard product or no product at all when you take the risk and purchase from an unknown third-party vendor.
• Do your research if you want to try a new site or retailer. Performing a broad internet search will provide you with important feedback from other customers. Read the comments within any social media advertisements. This will help you assess what to expect if something goes wrong.
• Read product specifications. Online marketing is geared to get you to buy, so it is important to understand the product you are purchasing and the terms of the sale to ensure you are getting what you want.
• Comparison shop. Search other websites to compare price, quality, return policies, delivery cost and speed. Buying the “cheapest” advertised price may cost you more when you factor in delivery charges in the short term or return policies in the long term.

Tips for Using Credit Cards Online:

• Check the website’s encryption; It’s easier than you think. Before entering your credit card information, make sure that the website’s address begins with “https” and that there is a closed lock or unbroken key symbol in the lower portion of your window or up on the website address bar.
• Don’t keep the credit card on file for future purchases. Provide your credit card number each time you make a purchase.
• Designate one credit card and one email address for online shopping. This will allow for easy review of purchases and provide protection in case of a dispute.

Online Privacy Protection Tips:

• Protect your passwords. The key to safe passwords is to update them regularly and make them unique. Try using a passphrase instead of a password and include special characters and numbers. If it’s difficult to remember so many passwords, try a password manager with multi-step authentication to manage your passwords.
• Avoid autofill. Saving usernames, passwords, and credit card information on your device saves time. Unfortunately, it also makes it easier for thieves to get access to that information if they access your account or device. Re-entering important information each time – as opposed to autofill – is an extra step to safeguard personal information.
• Check social media logins. Many apps allow you to use your social media credential to create a new account on their platform, but when you stop using those apps, your social media accounts still have access to the information. Once a year, check the list of apps that you access through your social media account and delete any you do not recognize or no longer use.
• Secure your connections. Do your shopping while connected to a secure network, rather than public WiFi or an unknown WiFi server. Public WiFi does not mask any information, even if a website or app seems secure. Usernames, passwords, credit card and account information can be easily seen by hackers who are logged into the same network. On home networks, keep operating systems and antivirus software up to date with the latest security patches and ensure the network has a strong password.
• Don’t become the product. Everything you do on your computer or device creates a digital imprint. That information is often compiled, tracked and sold to interested parties to better market products directly to you. This is called “behavioral advertising.” You can shut this feature off on your devices. Go to your device’s main settings and look for the settings marked “Privacy.” You can adjust the privacy settings to your comfort level.

Package and Delivery Scams:

• Keep track of your packages. Package tracking and delivery scams are common during the holidays. Review the tracking information for your package and note any issues right away through the merchandisers’ websites.
• Beware of phishing attempts. Another common scam this time of year is scammers using phishing emails and text messages and impersonating delivery companies (e.g. UPS, USPS, FedEx), banking and credit card companies, and other large retailers (e.g. Netflix, PayPal, eBay, Amazon), which often include links to sites attempting to steal your information.  Always open a browser and type the company’s website address yourself instead of clicking on a link in an email or text message.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. Consumers can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. 

Israeli Securities Trader Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Role In International Insider Trading Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DOV MALNIK, an Israeli securities trader and finance professional, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in an international insider trading scheme.  MALNIK was extradited from Switzerland and pled guilty on June 25, 2021, to insider trading for his role in trading based on confidential inside information stolen by an insider at a global investment bank and shared with MALNIK in exchange for profits.  The sentence was imposed on November 19, 2021, by United States District Judge Victor Marrero.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This prosecution shows that we will vigorously protect the integrity of our nation’s capital markets by holding insider traders accountable for their use of inside information, regardless of where in the world the inside information is stolen and where tips are illegally passed.”

According to the Superseding Indictment, statements made in open court, and court filings:           

DOV MALNIK and his business partner and codefendant Tomer Feingold, both Israeli citizens, were securities traders who traded in their own names and managed various companies and investment funds.  From at least 2013 through 2017, MALNIK participated in a large-scale, international insider trading ring.  Through the scheme, MALNIK received material, nonpublic information (“MNPI”) concerning acquisitions and potential acquisitions of publicly traded companies from a securities trader who resided in Switzerland (“CC-1”).  MALNIK knew that this MNPI was obtained by CC-1 directly and indirectly from individuals who were insiders at publicly traded companies and investment banks.  These insiders breached their fiduciary duties and shared MNPI with others, including CC-1, in exchange for compensation, who in turn shared that information with MALNIK.  MALNIK used that information to place timely, profitable securities trades resulting in millions of dollars of profits.

Throughout the conspiracy, MALNIK, Feingold, the investment bank insiders, CC-1, and others involved in this scheme, took numerous steps to conceal their unlawful enterprise, including through the use of encrypted messaging applications and multiple unregistered “burner” cellphones to communicate with each other.  MALNIK also attempted to avoid detection by engaging in securities trading through numerous offshore corporate entities.  For example, in 2011, MALNIK incorporated a British Virgin Islands entity based in Geneva, Switzerland, and subsequently opened trading and/or bank accounts in that shell company’s name.  During the insider trading scheme, MALNIK’s offshore companies traded in the stocks of companies about which MALNIK had received MNPI – often with multiple of those companies trading in the same stock and on the same days.

MALNIK also used these entities to transfer a portion of the profits of his and Feingold’s illegal insider trading to CC-1, as per MALNIK’s agreement with CC-1.  At first, MALNIK instructed his bank to send the funds to an account at a financial institution in Switzerland that agreed to hold the funds for the benefit of CC-1.  After a short time, however, MALNIK’s bank questioned the purpose of the transactions and requested justification for the transfer of funds.  Accordingly, in order to deceive the banks, MALNIK, Feingold, and CC-1 agreed that CC-1 would issue fake invoices for consulting services to MALNIK and Feingold’s various offshore entities.  The offshore entities would then send the funds to CC-1’s account pursuant to the fake invoices.

To date, this investigation has also resulted in the conviction of other individuals who were involved in this global insider trading scheme, including investment banker Bryan Cohen, who pled guilty on January 7, 2020, to illegally passing MNPI related to his bank’s corporate clients, and entrepreneur and pharmaceutical company executive Telemaque Lavidas, who was convicted on January 15, 2020, of illegally passing MNPI related to Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

In addition to the prison term, MALNIK, 43, was ordered to pay a fine of $50,000 and forfeiture of $1,594,779.

Mr. Williams praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Swiss Federal Office of Justice provided substantial assistance in securing Malnik’s arrest and extradition.

Ruben Diaz Sr. - Cleared by the Federal Election Commission

You should know that I have received a determination from the Federal Election Commission stating that they have voted to dismiss the complaint filed in 2020 by Bronx United, a “PAC”, clearing me of any claimed violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act.  In other words, my public service to the poor and needy families in the South Bronx in 2020, which was part of a Fresh Direct 5-borough food drive, didn’t violate any federal election law.    It is important for you to know that the Fresh Direct Food Drive was done in full cooperation with all five Borough Presidents and many, many elected officials, yet somehow, I was the only elected official that the Bronx United PAC singled out to be fined.     Ladies and gentlemen, I was proud to participate in this charitable activity by helping to hand out food and masks in the midst of a pandemic to the poor and needy alongside my son, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and my fellow members of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.    You also know that for decades I have tried my best to live my Christian faith and to engage in manual labor by collecting food and supplies for families here in Bronx County, in my beloved Puerto Rico, and in the Dominican Republic.     It makes me wonder if the sponsor of the Bronx United PAC had put their money into helping a food pantry instead of using it to try to charge me with a federal election violation, they might have made the South Bronx a better place.    I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This reminds us of soon to be former Mayor Bill de Blasio who in 2017 was not charged by the U.S. Attorney Preet  Bharara, who said "There is not enough evidence for an indictment".