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Wednesday, November 24, 2021
THE NEW BXCC - Bronx Business News You Can Use
Governor Hochul Provides Thanksgiving Message and Encourages New Yorkers to Get Vaccinated
Hi, I'm Governor Kathy Hochul. I want to wish all New Yorkers a Happy Thanksgiving.
For many of us, the holiday season is a special time of year when we gather with our families and loved ones. But we're also headed into a vulnerable time when more people are traveling and gathering indoors. That means that the chance of spreading COVID-19 is higher. Unfortunately, we are already seeing that play out in regions across New York State.
My team has been closely working with local leaders on this, and last weekend I held calls with county executives in every region of the state. I let them know that the State will provide any resources and support they need to combat this deadly virus. I want to thank local officials, like Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, who are taking strong actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their community. That's the kind of leadership we need to see.
I'm also asking business owners for their help. Please encourage your customers and staff to be vaccinated and to wear masks if your business is indoors. We're all in this together and we need everyone to do their part because the bottom line is that we can't afford another spike in the numbers this winter. So let's be smart.
We know the tools to stop the spread of this deadly virus.I know many of you are tired of hearing about this pandemic, but we're not through it yet, and the vaccine is truly our way out. Recent data shows that less than one percent of vaccinated New Yorkers are hospitalized due to COVID. So, if you haven't gotten the shot, what are you waiting for? Now is the best time to get yourself vaccinated ahead of the holidays. Don't put it off. Go to COVID19.health.ny.gov to make an appointment.
Thankfully, 90 percent of New Yorkers have received at least one dose, and I want to thank you for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe. If you've already gotten your two doses, then you should get a booster shot. I got a booster shot a few weeks ago because my family will be visiting for Thanksgiving. And you know what? It didn't hurt and I felt fine. More importantly, I knew I was keeping myself and my family and my 85 year old father safe.
The Food and Drug Administration recently authorized the booster for all adults, and doctors recommend getting the booster. The booster is free and safe and widely available. There are nearly 4,500 locations in New York that are giving out booster shots. So book an appointment today at ny.gov/boosters.
We've also been working on a detailed plan of action in consultation with doctors and local health officials to vaccinate our children who are 5 and older. Vaccinating our children not only protects them from variants, it also prevents the spread of COVID.Now I know parents and guardians out there still want to learn more about the vaccine for their child. I get it, I'm a mom, too. So I encourage you to talk to your pediatrician. Doctors and respected health experts agree: the vaccine is safe for children. So please take this holiday break to get your child vaccinated. It's the perfect time before getting together with family members.
As an incentive, I recently announced a chance for a full scholarship for children at a SUNY or CUNY college or university, and today I want to congratulate our first week round of winners. There's still four more weeks left, so don't miss out. Please visit ny.gov/vaccinateeducategraduate to enroll. Not only are you keeping your child safe and healthy, you are creating a bright future for them.
I'm also proud to announce a new incentive today called Take Your Shot for An Outdoor Adventure. Starting December 1, five lucky New Yorkers who get their first shot will have the chance to win lifetime hunting, fishing and birding licenses and deluxe gear to go with it! So what are you waiting for? Go to dec.ny.gov to learn more about how to enroll.
Finally, if we want to beat COVID, we also need to keep flu cases down. So don't forget to get your annual flu shot.
I'll close by sharing a few tips at home to keep yourself and others safe from COVID for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Limit gatherings to only vaccinated family and loved ones.If you can, get tested prior to seeing anyone who is at high risk. If the weather permits open the windows and doors. Think about ventilation. If you feel sick, stay home.Wear a mask when in public indoor places.
And if you're already vaccinated and got the booster I have one more request for you, I want you to think about the person in your life who isn't vaccinated yet. Reach out to them. Tell them why you chose to get the vaccine and encourage them to do so, too.
Tell them not to wait. Don't put it off.
So let's do this, New Yorkers. Let's prevent a spike in the numbers this winter. And celebrate with our loved ones safely this holiday season.
Thank you.
MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY PLANS FOR PEDESTRIAN SPACE AROUND ROCKEFELLER CENTER
City to partially close 49th and 50th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, with defined pedestrian spaces
As visitors return to Manhattan this holiday season, Mayor de Blasio, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and New York City Police Department (NYPD) today announced the return of temporarily expanded pedestrian space on the streets around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. With crowds this year expected to be the largest since the start of the pandemic, the Mayor and City officials strongly encourage New Yorkers to use public transportation.
“No place on earth is more magical than midtown during the holidays, and New Yorkers and visitors alike will get to enjoy the neighborhood with more pedestrian space than ever,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Public transit is the best way to get to the neighborhood, and these pedestrianized streets will create a safe, spacious, and welcoming environment for everyone who enjoys the holiday season.”
“Traffic safety and security are paramount all year round in New York City, and particularly as the winter holidays approach,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation Kim Royster. “This year, as in years past, our NYPD officers will be working around the clock along with our government partners to ensure a safe and fun holiday season for all who wish to visit the sights and stroll in Midtown Manhattan with their friends and loved ones.”
“We expect that as New York City continues to recover from the pandemic, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will once again be a major destination for New Yorkers and of course for the tourists once again flocking to our city,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “Creating more space for pedestrians around Rockefeller Center will keep people safe while ensuring minimal disruption to the rest of the life of the city. New Yorkers can of course do their part by avoiding unnecessary driving in Midtown during the holiday season.”
Starting Friday, the City will pedestrianize the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, using movable barriers to institute full or partial street closures to alleviate swelling foot traffic along sidewalks. Changes include:
- Pedestrian-Only Side Streets: 49th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues will be open only to pedestrians during the most congested hours.
- The City will close these streets to vehicle traffic between 11 a.m. and midnight daily.
- Stricter crowd-control protocols are expected to be in place for the tree-lighting scheduled for Wednesday, December 1st.
- 5th Avenue: Movable barriers will be placed on the east and west sides of 5th Avenue between 48th and 52nd Streets, eliminating a lane of traffic on each side of the avenue to create more pedestrian space. Additionally, there will be no turns allowed onto 47th, 49th, or 51st Streets.
- 6th Avenue: Movable barriers will be placed on the east side of 6th Avenue between 48th and 52nd Streets, eliminating one lane of traffic to create more pedestrian space.
- Buses: MTA buses will bypass all stops between 48th to 52nd Streets, and all crosstown buses will be re-routed around Rockefeller Center during pedestrian-only hours.
NYPD will conduct round-the-clock monitoring of the area to adjust the barriers if needed during times of unusual pedestrian activity or extreme weather. Closing streets to vehicle traffic will protect pedestrians while ensuring minimal disruptions to transit and police operations, allowing the City to permit the flow of many morning commuters while protecting pedestrians at peak times.
Long Island Pain Management Doctor Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion
Defendant Claimed More Than $1 Million in Fraudulent Tax Deductions for False Business Checks He Provided to a Black Market Money Exchange Network.
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”) New York Field Office, and Keith Kruskall, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), today announced that defendant JORDAN SUDBERG pled guilty to tax evasion for the calendar years 2015 through 2017, in connection with false deductions from a scheme involving his issuance of hundreds of business checks falsely purporting to be payments for business services, which he provided in exchange for cash to a black market money exchange network. As part of his plea SUDBERG agreed to pay $551,660 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and forfeit an additional $243,257. SUDGERG pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted in court today, Jordan Sudberg engaged in a years-long pattern of fabricating false business expenses to conceal from the IRS large portions of his substantial income earned from his medical practices. He fraudulently claimed more than $1 million in deductions that should have been reported to the IRS as taxable income, and allowed other individuals to create purportedly legitimate origin for their illicit cash in the process. Now Sudberg awaits sentencing for his crime.”
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso said: “Medical professionals should be in the business of caring for people, not evading taxes. IRS-CI agents are specially trained to detect tax fraud – even elaborate schemes like the one Sudberg allegedly devised.”
DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Kruskall said: “This defendant allegedly engaged in a scheme where he purposefully claimed a significantly lower income to evade U.S. tax law. Thanks to the dedication of our law enforcement partners, the defendant will finally be paying his fair share.”
According to the allegations contained in the Information to which SUDBERG pled guilty, a Civil Forfeiture Complaint filed against funds seized from SUDBERG, a Criminal Complaint and Information filed against SUDBERG’s co-conspirator Hua Fen Bi, and statements made in court:
From at least 2015 through 2017, SUDBERG devised and perpetrated a scheme to evade a substantial portion of his personal income taxes. During that period, SUDBERG owned two S-corporations through which he operated a medical practice, specializing in pain management, at locations located in Manhattan, Long Island, and Queens, New York. SUDBERG issued hundreds of checks made payable to various companies and falsely purporting to be payments for business services. In fact, those companies had not performed any business services for SUDBERG’s corporations. In exchange for the checks, SUDBERG received sums of cash that were equal to the value of the checks minus a small fee. SUDBERG falsely reported to the IRS that the checks were for legitimate business expenses and claimed deductions in the amount of the checks, thereby substantially understating his taxable income.
SUDBERG’s tax evasion helped support an unlicensed money services network operated by a number of co-conspirators, including Hua Fen Bi, who was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon on May 24, 2021, for his role in conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. This network permitted individuals to exchange cash for business checks like those provided by SUDBERG, thereby generating a false and nominally legitimate source of funds, including for the laundering of narcotics proceeds.
SUDBERG pled guilty to one count of tax evasion, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The statutory maximum penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.
SUDBERG is scheduled to be sentenced on February 23, 2022.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Internal Revenue Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration on this case. He also thanked the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force for their support and assistance.