Council Member James F. Gennaro Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection - Statement on Intro. 2317, the 'Gas Ban Bill'

 

“As Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, I am proud to support Intro. 2317, which was passed out of my committee after I personally negotiated every word in this bill. When passed, this bill will yield a cumulative savings of 2.1 million tons of CO2 by 2040 – the equivalent of the carbon that is produced from 450,000 cars in a whole year.

This legislation is the latest in a host of climate and clean air bills to come from the City Council – a movement that began with the Council’s NYC Climate Protection Act of 2008 – a bill I authored that is reducing CO2 in NYC by 30 percent.

New York City buildings emit more than 70 percent of the city’s carbon each year. By requiring almost all new construction (after the phase in period) to be all-electric, we are committing to a greener, healthier future, eliminating harmful pollutants from our atmosphere and improving New York City’s air quality. I look forward to joining my colleagues in the New York City Council in voting yes on Intro. 2317 this week, and thereby saying yes to cleaner air, pushing back against climate change, and advancing our new green economy.”

Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Meeting and Christmas Party

 

It was a very brief meeting Monday evening of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance with one main Item on the agenda. That was the December 20th Community Board 11 Public Hearing on making Rhinelander Avenue into a one way street from a two way street. 

The full board will then vote at its December 23rd meeting to ask the NYCDOT for a traffic study in making Rhinelander Avenue a one way street. VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara who is a member of Community Board 11 explained that the DOT may decide that changing the street is unwarranted, or that the street should be a one way street, but it may not be in the choice of the community board or those who asked for the street change. 

Why the VNNA had taken no position on the matter with Rhinelander Avenue running through part of Van Nest was answered by parliamentarian Robert Nolan. In the vote months before there were only three yes votes, two no votes, and nine abstentions. Not having a majority of the votes the resolution did not pass at the time. President Ferrara wants to see how the community board will vote before bringing the matter up again. The meeting was then adjourned to the Christmas Party. 

L - R, VNNA Executive Board Trustee Shradhanand Pirtam, Treasurer John Messenger, President Bernadette Ferrara, Senior Advisor Robert Nolan, Sergeant of Arms John Fernandez, and Secretary Marion Manfredi. Missing is, Vice President Sharlene Jackson-Mendez.

The large audience for the meeting and Christmas Party.

L - R, Front row. Ms. Grace Lovag, VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara, 80th A.D. Female District Leader Irene Estrada, Mr. Sammy Ravelo, Mr. Dion Powell. Back row Mr. Carlos Sanchez, Community Board 9 District Manager William Rivera, and Mr. Al Quattlebaum candidate for 82nd A.D.

Bronx Conservative Party Christmas Event Features Bronx Republican Candidates

The Bronx Conservative Party under new Chairman Patrick McManus held its Christmas Party Sunday where Bronx Republican Party Chair Michael Rendino showcased his choices for the June Republican Primary led by Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin who will be facing announced candidates Rob Astorino and Andrew Giuliani for the position of Governor of New York State.

Other members of the Rendino team were Attorney General candidate Michael Henry, U.S. Senate candidate Aleksander Mici. 14th Congressional District candidate Pura H. Dejesus-Coniglio, 80th A.D. candidate Phyliss 'Tiz Nastasio, 81st A.D. candidate Kevin Pazmino, and 82nd A.D. candidate John Cerini. Congressman Zeldin  spoke about the Fight for Freedom, being a former member of the armed forces, he said that losing in the June primary and then the November General election was not an option. Zeldin added that people have crime as their number one issue, and that it seems that New York State has gone back to when crime was rampant in the 1980's. As governor he will change that.

Congressman Lee Zeldin and his wife Diana are greeted by  Bronx Conservative Party Chair Patrick McManus. 

Bronx Conservative Party Chair Patrick McManus welcomes everyone to the Bronx Conservative Party headquarters on Morris Park Avenue. 

Bronx Republican Party Chair Michael Rendino announces his slate of candidates that will be also on the Bronx Conservative Party line. 

Candidate for New York State governor Congressman Lee Zeldin addresses the many issues he says that face New Yorkers with crime leading the way.

Candidate for the 14th Congressional District Pura H. Dejusus-Coniglio said that God told her to run for the 14th Congressional District. She is the Pastor of Love Gospel Church Without Walls.

L - R Bronx Conservative Party candidate 79th A.D. 2020, John Cerini Republican candidate 82d A.D. 2022, Kevin Pazmino Republican candidate 81st A.D. 2022, Phyliss 'Tiz' Nastasio Republican candidate 80th A.D. 2022, Anthony Rivieccio founder Northwest Bronx Democrats. 

Bronx Man Sentenced To 24 Months In Prison For Lying To Federal Agents Which Led To The Shooting Of Two Deputy United States Marshals

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that GRANT GRANDISON was sentenced to 24 months in prison for making false statements to federal agents, which led to the shooting of two Deputy U.S. Marshals on December 4, 2020.  GRANDISON pled guilty on June 28, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra A. Freeman.  U.S. District Court Judge Kimba M. Wood imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Grant Grandison lied when a team of Deputy U.S. Marshals, NYPD officers, and Massachusetts state troopers came to his apartment early on the morning of December 4, 2020 to arrest Andre Sterling, who was a fugitive from law enforcement.  After Grandison lied to them, two federal agents were shot and injured that fateful morning, and several other agents were placed in serious danger.  Grandison will now serve a meaningful sentence in prison to account for his crimes.  This Office stands firmly behind all of our law enforcement partners, and especially the U.S. Marshals Service, as they work to enforce the laws and keep all New Yorkers safe.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

On or about November 20, 2020, Andre Sterling allegedly shot a Massachusetts State Trooper during a traffic stop in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Sterling fled from Massachusetts and was deemed a fugitive.  On or about November 24, 2020, a federal warrant was issued for Sterling’s arrest.

On the morning of December 4, 2020, several Deputy United States Marshals (the “Marshals”), along with officers from the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and state troopers from the Massachusetts State Police, traveled to GRANDISON’s apartment in the Bronx (the “Apartment”), where they believed that Sterling was located, in order to arrest Sterling.  The Marshals announced themselves as “U.S. Marshals” and encountered GRANDISON at the door.  The Marshals asked GRANDISON, in sum and substance, if anyone else was in the Apartment, and GRANDISON replied, in sum and substance, that no one else was in the Apartment.  At the time of GRANDISON’s statements to the Marshals, GRANDISON knew that Sterling was a fugitive, and that Sterling was hiding in a bedroom in the Apartment. 

The Marshals proceeded into the Apartment, at which point Sterling came out from a bedroom in the Apartment and began firing at the Marshals, striking and injuring two Marshals.  The Marshals returned fire, and Sterling was killed in the exchange.  Law enforcement agents recovered a firearm from near Sterling.

In addition to his prison sentence, GRANDISON was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $80,775 in restitution.    

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the United States Marshals Service, the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the New York City Police Department’s 47 Precinct Detective Squad, and the Massachusetts State Police.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 13, 2021

 

62,934 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

46 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

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

"The vaccine is the first and best line of defense we have against this virus," Governor Hochul said. "With the holiday travel season upon us and friends and family gathering together indoors, it's more important than ever that we stay vigilant and take the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and each other safe. Get the vaccine if you haven't already, get the booster if you have, and make sure your loved ones do the same." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Test Results Reported - 179,704
• Total Positive - 8,993
• Percent Positive - 5.00%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.62%
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,683 (+109)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 445
• Patients in ICU - 736 (+43)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 399 (+11)
• Total Discharges - 220,524 (+330)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 47,183 
  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 - 59,990 
  
  
  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 - 31,361,706
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 62,934
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 846,658
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 86.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 79.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 93.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 82.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 75.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 67.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 70.4%

New York-Area Animal Welfare Organizations Surprised with Grants from Petco Love

 

Multiple animal welfare organizations including Hearts & Bones Animal Rescue, Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition, Meow Parlour Cats, Inc., Korean K9 Rescue, Muddy Paws Rescue, and Anjellicle Cats Rescue were surprised with life changing grants from Petco Love and BOBS from Skechers during a celebration at Petco on Tuesday all thanks to stories submitted by local residents in the Petco Love Stories campaign. These organizations along with twelve additional animal welfare groups in the New York City surrounding area are being honored through December 19^th with a total of $292,000 in grants for the market. 

Numerous heartwarming stories of how local adopters’ pets changed their lives were selected as Love Stories winners from across the country this year. Now these organizations can earn up to an additional $25,000, but they need the community’s support. From now through Dec. 15, noon CST, the public can vote for their winning stories in the People’s Choice competition at petcolove.org/lovestories. 

 

• Hearts & Bones Animal Rescue: Grant Amount: $100,000 
• Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition: Grant amount: $35,000 
• Meow Parlour Cats, Inc.: Amount: $15,000 
• Korean K9 Rescue: Grant Amount: $11,000 
• Muddy Paws Rescue: Combined Grant Amount: $2,000 
• Anjellicle Cats Rescue: Grant amount: $1,000 

Three Defendants Charged In $1.3 Million Covid Fraud Scheme

Mariluz Fermin, Bellanilda Fermin, and Juan Nolasco Arrested for Submitting Fraudulent COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Applications 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), Ricky Patel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Damon Wood, Inspector in Charge, Philadelphia Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service  (“USPIS”),  announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging MARILUZ FERMIN, BELLANILDA FERMIN, and JUAN NOLASCO with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, theft of government benefits, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a COVID-19 unemployment benefit scheme that attempted to steal more than $1.3 million from the New York Department of Labor (“NY DOL”).  MARILUZ FERMIN, BELLANILDA FERMIN, and NOLASCO were arrested this morning in Yonkers, New York, and will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants, working in concert, fraudulently filed claims for COVID-19 unemployment benefits under the names and social security numbers of at least 75 other people, making off with nearly $700,000 and attempting to steal more than $1.3 million.  Now all three are in custody and facing serious federal charges.”    

DOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone said: “The Unemployment Insurance Program exists to provide needed assistance to qualified individuals who are unemployed due to no fault of their own.  Fraud against the Unemployment Insurance Program distracts state workforce agencies from ensuring that benefits go to individuals who are eligible to receive them. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners, to investigate those who allegedly exploit the Unemployment Insurance Program.”  

HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said: “As alleged in the Complaint, these individuals attempted to manipulate a program designed to help Americans and U.S. businesses pay their bills, retain employees, and keep afloat on the heels of a global pandemic that took the lives of millions throughout the world.  Each defendant allegedly used the personal information of more than 70 people in this attempt, and succeeded in stealing at least $687,000 in COVID unemployment benefits – stealing not just from the government, but from everyday Americans who need it most.  HSI and our partners will use all of our resources to seek out and bring to justice those that attempt to steal benefits meant to help those struggling to get back on their feet from COVID-19.”

USPIS Inspector in Charge Damon Wood said: “These individuals allegedly took advantage of the pandemic and those truly in need of assistance when they developed a scheme to lie and steal from the government and the American public.  Today, they have been brought to justice for their alleged crimes by Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners whose mission is to keep the public safe from criminal activity.”

As alleged in the Complaint[1]:

From May 2020 through October 2020, MARILUZ FERMIN, BELLANILDA FERMIN, and JUAN NOLASCO engaged in a scheme to obtain COVID-19 unemployment benefits by fraudulently filing and verifying applications using the names and social security numbers of at least 75 other people.  The NY DOL was alerted to the suspicious activity based on metadata associated with the applications (the “Fraudulent Applications”), which indicated that the Fraudulent Applications were submitted from the same internet protocol (“IP”) address.  During that same time, the IP Address was used to log into unemployment benefits claims – including the Fraudulent Applications – at least approximately 900 times.  Further, MARILUZ FERMIN, BELLANILDA FERMIN, and JUAN NOLASCO exchanged text messages that included, among other things, personal identifying information – such as names, email accounts, and dates of birth – used in the Fraudulent Applications.  In addition, between in or about June 2020 and in or about August 2020, NOLASCO visited several ATM machines in the Bronx, New York, for the purpose of withdrawing funds issued as a result of the Fraudulent Applications.  The scheme filed claims for more than $1.3 million and succeeded in stealing at least $687,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits before the fraud was detected. 

MARILUZ FERMIN, 46, BELLANILDA FERMIN, 41, and JUAN NOLASCO, 37, are each charged with (1) conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, (2) theft of government benefits, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and (3) aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DOL-OIG, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, HSI, USPIS, the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, and the NY DOL.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation as to the defendants charged in the Complaint.

Attorney General James Concludes New York’s Opioid Trial

 

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA is Last Remaining NYS Defendant in Trial

AG James Has Already Negotiated Up to $1.7 Billion for New York From Different Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after New York state concluded its opioid trial in Suffolk County State Supreme Court against the final remaining New York state defendant not currently in bankruptcy — Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates:

“Today marks an important milestone as we conclude the trial against the last remaining defendant in our opioids trial — Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.

 “More than two years ago, I made a promise that we would hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable for the deaths and the suffering caused by an epidemic that they helped fuel. And, one-by-one, we have done just that.

“We have already secured up to $1.7 billion from the various defendants we initially sued, and that figure may grow.

“While no amount of money will ever compensate for the human suffering, the addiction, or the lives lost due to opioid abuse, this money will be essential in helping every corner of the state — from the North Country to Western New York, from the Southern Tier to Long Island, and up and down the Hudson — recover from this epidemic.

“Today, I am left thinking about all those families that will never be whole again. For everyone who lost their life. For every parent who will never hold their child again. For every community that’s been devastated. But, today, we turn the tide.

“I am also eternally grateful to our trial team and every other member of the office that put time into this vitally important case."

In March 2019, Attorney General James filed the nation’s most extensive lawsuit to hold accountable the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid epidemic. The manufacturers named in the complaint included Purdue Pharma and its affiliates, as well as members of the Sackler Family (owners of Purdue) and trusts they control; Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its affiliates (including its parent company Johnson & Johnson); Mallinckrodt LLC and its affiliates; Endo Health Solutions and its affiliates; Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates; and Allergan Finance, LLC and its affiliates. The distributors named in the complaint were McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation, and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc. 

Last week, an agreement with Allergan was reached that will deliver up to $200 million to New York state and Nassau and Suffolk counties for opioid abatement, as well as make enforceable a bar that stops Allergan and all of its subsidiaries, predecessors, and successors from selling opioids in New York and acknowledges Allergan’s prior exit from the opioid business.

In September, an agreement with Endo was reached that has already delivered $50 million to New York state and Nassau and Suffolk counties to combat the opioid crisis.

Also, in September, the bankruptcy court in Purdue confirmed a $4.5 billion plan — at least $200 million of which will be earmarked for New York — from the Sackler family and foundations that they control, will end the Sacklers’ ability to manufacture opioids ever again, and will shut down Purdue Pharma.

In July, a settlement with McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen that will deliver up to $1 billion to New York state to combat the opioid epidemic was announced.

In June, a settlement that ended Johnson & Johnson’s sale of opioids nationwide and that will deliver $230 million to New York alone was announced.

The deals with Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen have a global value of approximately $26 billion.

The cases against Mallinckrodt and Rochester Drug Cooperative are now moving separately through U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Pursuant to the new law establishing the opioid settlement fund, all funds collected by the state from opioid settlements or litigation victories will be allocated specifically for abatement efforts in communities devastated by the opioid epidemic and will not go towards the state’s general fund.