Attorney General James’ Statement on Federal Court Order Regarding Purdue Pharma Settlement

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York rejected a settlement with opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma and the family that owns the company — the Sacklers:

“For more than two decades, Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers dealt in death and destruction, callously pushing opioids on the American people with no regard for the tens of millions of addictions and hundreds of thousands of deaths they were causing. 

“Earlier this year, we negotiated an agreement that would shut down Purdue Pharma and ban the Sacklers from ever making another opioid again, in addition to guaranteeing up to $4.5 billion in payments. 

“The appellate court will now make a determination as to whether this plan will be confirmed, but make no mistake, Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family remain named defendants in our ongoing litigation and we will hold them accountable for their unlawful behavior, one way or another. 

“We will get justice for the American people.”

15 Days and Counting

 

I hope the Brooklyn Nets have enough players for tonight's game against the Orlando Magic. If the COVID related sit out of players continues much longer I may call my friends at the Net to remind them who got them the stadium and all those tax breaks. 

I'll remind them that after January 1st I will be a free agent. I have the photos of me shooting hoops in the Bronx from that ace political reporter Robert Press, who took photos when I was shooting hoops in the Bronx with Councilman Oswald Feliz.

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 12/17/2021

 

Dear Friends,

I hope you and your families are doing well and in light of the Covid-19 new variants and new rules and regulations asking everyone to get vaccinated, wear a face mask while indoors and in public, to help our city beat this virus once and for all.

Christmas is the most beautiful season of the year where we share the joy of the season, surround ourselves with friends and family and give back.

Last Saturday we started our marathon Toy, Hats and Gloves Giveaway and throughout the week between the NYCHA Throggs Neck and Pelham Parkway Houses, Jacobi Hospital, Montefiore Medical Medical Center and different neighborhoods where we gave out over 1,000 toys, hats and gloves.

Our Holiday Floater in partnership with the Westchester Square BID was a huge hit, as we drove down our commercial corridors with Santa Claus and Carolers stopping, cheering and sharing hot chocolate and donuts with shoppers and neighbors.

This week I attended the last Council Stated meeting of the year and term, I am proud to say, as your representative of District 13, that six bills were passed with my name attached. These include bills to minimize safety hazards at construction sites, improve interagency coordination during states of emergency, and to explore the versatility of vacant spaces. My colleagues and I also confirmed this year’s slate of street co-namings, enshrining the legacy of our respective districts’ heroes for the many years to come: PePe Cardona, Joe Chiodi, Conti’s Pastry Shoppe, Mario D’Agostino, Ibrahim al-Hamdi, Joseph Oddo, Carmine Palladino, Michael Prince, Dominick Schiano, Thomas Solfio.

Between regular clean ups and graffiti removals, hand sanitizer and mask giveaways, nightly meetings, budget work, legislation, case work and events, Team Gjonaj has been proudly serving you throughout these difficult times.

If you have called our office with an issue, please note we will be working on your case and they will be transferred to the new Councilmember’s office as of January 1st and you can reach out to that office using the same number.

Until than, please contact us at 718-931-1721 or email us at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj

District 13, Bronx

RIKERS ISLAND INMATE INDICTED FOR HARASSING FEMALE DOC OFFICER

 

Defendant Exposed Himself and Ejaculated on Officer

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Rikers Island inmate has been indicted for Harassment of a female Department of Correction Officer. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly harassed a DOC Officer by committing demeaning acts toward her. The victimized officer, a 53-year-old woman, has been deeply shaken by this incident. This indictment shows this behavior will not be tolerated. DOC Officers should be treated with respect and should not be subjected to repulsive incidents while on the job.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Christopher Galliego, 29, an inmate in Rikers Island, was arraigned today on Aggravated Harassment of an Employee by an Inmate, seconddegree Obstructing Governmental Administration, and second-degree Harassment before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Efrain Alvarado. The defendant is due back in court on March 18, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on May 21, 2021, at approximately 7:17 a.m. in the North Infirmary Command of Rikers Island, the defendant allegedly called the 53-year-old DOC Officer, to his cell gate. When she approached him, he exposed himself to her and ejaculated on her gloves and leg. The matter was taken in for testing and was positively identified as seminal fluid.

 District Attorney Clark thanked DOC Correction Intelligence Bureau Investigator John Cammisuli for his work on the case.

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

CONSUMER ALERT: NYS DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PROVIDES CONSUMERS WITH TIPS FOR BUYING GIFT CARDS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

 

Gift Cards are More Popular Than Ever

Follow Basic Gift Card and Gift Certificate Purchasing Tips this Holiday

 The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) today released tips to inform and empower New York consumers purchasing gift cards and gift certificates this holiday season. Gift cards are increasingly popular, so it is important for consumers to understand the pitfalls surrounding gift cards in order to avoid scams.

“The convenience of gift cards makes them a very popular present to give and receive during the holiday season,” said Acting Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “If gift cards are on your holiday shopping list, the Division of Consumer Protection encourages you to know your rights when it comes to buying and using them to purchase goods.”

In New York, consumers who buy and use gifts cards have protections. Current law states that no gift card may expire earlier than five years from the date of purchase and requires businesses to prominently post the ‘Terms and Conditions’ that apply to their gift cards, including the procedure to replace a missing card.

Below are tips consumers should keep in mind when buying and using gift cards this holiday season:

• Research retailers before purchase. Verify the legitimacy of the seller. Check reviews and articles.
• Check packaging. When buying a gift card, consumers should make sure the packaging and security seals are intact.
• Use caution with third parties. Consumers should use caution when buying gift cards from third parties or online auctions, as it may be difficult to verify the dollar amount remaining.
• Review the terms and conditions. Consumers should always review the terms and conditions and check for hidden fees or restrictions on the use of the gift card. ‘Dormancy Fees’ for non-use cannot be imposed if the card is used within two years of the purchase date, and any such fees must be waived where the cardholder uses it within three years of the purchase date.
• Check unclaimed funds site for unused gift cards. Businesses should transfer any uncollected gift cards funds to the State Comptroller in the name of the purchaser. The New York State Office of the State Comptroller has an application process where consumers can search to see what funds may be available for them. Consumers can access this site at: https://www.osc.state.ny.us/ouf/
• Beware of scammers. Scammers may try to get consumers’ gift cards. Consumers should be particularly cautious about callers claiming to be from the government or utility company saying that an overdue bill or federal debt can be paid with a gift card.
• Follow up with unused gift cards in the case of bankruptcy.
  • If a business is currently going through bankruptcy, consumers can file a claim against the company for the gift card amount. For more information, consumers can reference https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/unclaimed-funds-bankruptcy to check on any unclaimed funds in their name or to file a claim against a current bankruptcy matter.
  • If a business is out of business or completed their bankruptcy filing, funds may also be available with the State Comptroller: https://www.osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds.

Consumers having difficulty with an existing gift card are encouraged to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. The Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation, between the consumer and business, when the consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own.

The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 17, 2021

 

129,464 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

60 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Over the Last Two Days  

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

"The winter surge in COVID-19 cases is a reminder that the pandemic is not over yet and we must take extra care to keep ourselves and each other safe," Governor Hochul said. "The vaccine is still our best weapon to defeat the virus and ensure we are safe from serious illness. Get the shot if you haven't yet and the booster if you have, mask up, and wash your hands." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 263,536
• Total Positive - 21,027
• Percent Positive - 7.98%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.73%
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,839 (+74)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 561
• Patients in ICU - 731 (-31)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 435 (+2)
• Total Discharges - 222,307 (+476)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 60
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 47,432

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 - 60,253

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 - 32,101,073
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 129,464
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 1,054,522
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 87.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 79.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 93.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 82.2% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 76.4% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 68.8% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.6% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 70.7%

MAYOR DE BLASIO, SERGEANT’S BENEVOLENT’S ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT

 

With this agreement, the City has reached pattern-conforming contract agreements for the current round of bargaining with approximately 89% of the unionized workforce 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a tentative contract agreement with the Sergeant’s Benevolent Association. Under this agreement, approximately 4,700 NYPD Sergeants will receive wage increases consistent with the uniformed pattern.   

 

“NYPD Sergeants work side by side with communities to keep our city safe every single day,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This is a fair deal that will raise wages for 4,700 employees, consistent with our uniformed pattern.” 

 

“We are proud to have reached this agreement with SBA, which is the culmination of years of collective bargaining. This workforce is a critical component of the NYPD’s public safety effort, and this contract is a fair and equitable recognition of these employees’ important work,” said Commissioner of Labor Relations Renee Campion. 

 

“After three years of often arduous negotiations, I am happy that we reached a contract settlement. It was nice that it came at this time of year and I believe the membership will be happy with the terms,” said Vincent Vallelong, President of the Sergeant’s Benevolent Association. 

 

The term of the agreement is August 30, 2018 through December 9, 2021, including a contract extension of 3 months and 9 days. The wage increases will constitute 7.95% over three years, following the pattern of those negotiated with the Uniformed Officers Coalition: 

 

8/30/18: 2.25% 

 

8/30/19: 2.50% 

 

8/30/20: 3.00% 

 

In addition, the parties agreed on increases to longevity pay and to the City’s contribution to the legal representation fund, and the agreement includes a recognition of the NYPD’s right to equip Sergeants with body-worn cameras. The cost of this settlement in the current fiscal year, including retroactive payments going back to August of 2018, is approximately $200 million, which has already been funded.

 

The terms of the agreement must be approved by SBA membership. 

 

With this agreement, the City has reached pattern-conforming contract agreements for the current round of bargaining with approximately 89% of the unionized workforce.  

 

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 12/13/21-12/17/21

 

Dear Community,

In recent days we have seen the COVID-19 winter surge in full force. Positivity and hospitalization rates have increased significantly over the last week, and we must continue to stay vigilant in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the virus. Please continue to get vaccinated, get your booster shot, get tested, wear a mask, and practice social distancing – these remain our best protections against the virus. See below in the COVID-19 updates section for additional information and resources.

Earlier this week, I hosted a virtual town hall regarding the proposed homeless shelter on 6661 Broadway in Riverdale. I was joined by Joslyn Carter, the Administrator of the Department of Homeless Services. The purpose of the town hall was to answer any questions or concerns the community had regarding the shelter, and to share all of the information my office has on the proposed shelter. It was a productive conversation and I appreciated many of the thoughtful questions that were asked. For those who were unable to attend or would like more information, please refer to this informational fact sheet for answers to FAQs and information that was provided at the town hall. If you still have any unanswered questions, you can ask them using this form and a member of my team will get back to you. 

Lastly, my office will be closed from Monday, December 20th until Monday, January 3rd in observance of the holidays. If you need assistance during this time, please reach out to my team at biaggi@nysenate.gov or call 718-822-2049. On behalf of Team Biaggi and myself, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a joyous, safe, and wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to connecting with you all in 2022.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi