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Wednesday, March 23, 2022
NYS COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI: WALL STREET’S 2021 BONUSES SET A NEW RECORD
Attorney General James Secures Additional Court Order Against AAUCONNECT for Defrauding Consumers
AAUCONNECT Ordered to Set Aside $40,000 for Seven Families, Total Restitution and Civil Penalties Rises to More Than $450,000
New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced another court victory against fraudulent post-graduate basketball program AAUCONNECT, which has been ordered to pay an additional $40,000 to seven families that were defrauded by the company. This announcement follows a 2020 court decision that required the program’s owners to issue refunds to former customers and banned them from owning or operating any high school program and post-graduate high school basketball. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that AAUCONNECT had advertised itself as a premier basketball training program and collected tuition money, but failed to provide the training, housing, and education promised. Today’s supplemental judgment brings the total amount of victim restitution to $279,040, on top of $135,000 secured in civil penalties.
“AAUCONNECT thought that their scheme to cheat families was a slam dunk, but my office called foul, and today seven more families will be added to the restitution judgment,” said Attorney General James. “No student should see their education, training, and future sidelined because of greedy fraudsters. New Yorkers can trust that my office will always use a full-court press to stop fraudsters trying to game them and protect them from harm.”
The OAG first filed a lawsuit in September 2018 alleging that AAUCONNECT, Chris Bevin, and Hazel Ward advertised unverified claims that their program was the top post-graduate basketball program in the northeast with “the very best coaching, training & educational facilities and college placement service.” AAUCONNECT claimed to offer athletes from around the world the opportunity to participate in a 10-month New York International Academy High School or six-month post-graduate program. Consumers also reported that Bevin and Ward, who held the roles of CEO and Admissions Counselor for the company, were absentee owners that lived outside of the United States and were never present to supervise the program or address problems that arose.
AAUCONNECT failed to clearly disclose to consumers that any payments are non-refundable or that they charged significant fees for late payments. Additionally, they failed to pay refunds after consumers left the program due to Bevin and Ward not providing the advertised services and accommodations. Today’s restitution order addressed claims made by seven additional families who sent their sons to participate in AAUCONNECT’s fraudulent program. The order directs refunds for the money given to the program for tuition, housing, as well as reimbursement for transportation expenses.
Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 23, 2022
933 Hospitalizations - Under 1,000 for Six Consecutive Days
Highest Daily Test Results Reported Since March 2
7 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday
Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.
“While we keep a watchful eye on hospitalization and case trends, it is vitally important that every New Yorker continue using the tools we know are effective,” Governor Hochul said. “Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and stay home to avoid spreading the virus. The vaccine and booster are the most effective way to prevent serious infection – get vaccinated if you haven’t yet, boosted if you have, and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same.”
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Test Results Reported – 160,670
- Total Positive – 3,875
- Percent Positive – 2.41%
- 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.94%
- Patient Hospitalization - 933 (-17)
- Patients Newly Admitted – 137
- Patients in ICU – 161 (-1)
- Patients in ICU with Intubation - 70 (-1)
- Total Discharges – 289,674 (+147)
- New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 7
- Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS – 55,064
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 – 70,077
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 - 37,348,142
- Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours – 14,867
- Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days – 92,757
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.9%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.4%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 86.0%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.3%
- Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.4%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.4%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.7%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.4%
- Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 76.0%
Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:
BOROUGH | Sunday, March 20, 2022 | Monday, March 21, 2022 | Tuesday, March 22, 2022 |
Bronx | 0.84% | 0.66% | 0.70% |
Kings | 1.40% | 1.16% | 1.30% |
New York | 2.11% | 1.87% | 2.04% |
Queens | 1.20% | 1.04% | 1.13% |
Richmond | 1.19% | 1.07% | 1.16% |
Ten “OED” Gang Members Charged With Narcotics Conspiracy
Six Members Also Charged With Firearms Possession
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Timothy Foley, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division (“DEA”), Kevin P. Bruen, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint today charging gang members JERRIN PENA, a/k/a “Rooga,” a/k/a “Perry,” ARIEL OLIVER, a/k/a “8Ball,” a/k/a “Ocho,” JUSTIN DEAZA, a/k/a “Booka,” WILSON MENDEZ, a/k/a “Tati,” JOWENKY NUNEZ, a/k/a “Juju,” BRIAN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Malikai,” VICTOR COLON, a/k/a “V,” JOSE GUTIERREZ, a/k/a “G,” ARGENIS TAVAREZ, a/k/a “Nose,” and NIJMAH MARTE, a/k/a “N,” with participating in a conspiracy to traffic narcotics. Six of the defendants also were charged with using guns in furtherance of that conspiracy.
PENA, MENDEZ, COLON, GUTIERREZ, and MARTE were arrested yesterday in New York, New York and the Bronx, New York and will be presented today before the Hon. Barbara Moses, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York. OLIVER, DEAZA, and HERNANDEZ were already in state custody. NUNEZ and TAVAREZ remain at large.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, these defendants were members of a gang that distributed many types of illegal narcotics in a Manhattan neighborhood for years. Several of the defendants frequently carried firearms while dealing drugs. Today’s arrests are part of our continued commitment, along with our law enforcement partners, to target narcotics trafficking and firearms use in New York City.”
DEA Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley said: “The Own Every Dollar gang used social media to glamorize their drug enterprise, conduct drug transactions and brandish weapons instilling fear in the community. Our drug trafficking investigations have a way of uncovering links to the threat of gun violence and gang-related criminal activity. Today’s arrests exemplify law enforcement’s commitment to law and order and people’s right to live without fear.”
NYSP Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said: “We have no tolerance for those who bring drugs and the threat of violence to our communities. These arrests are the result of an aggressive strategy to stop the trafficking of narcotics and other deadly drugs on our streets. Together, with our law enforcement partners at all levels, we will continue to work vigilantly to put dangerous individuals like these gang members behind bars.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “The details of this investigation make clear: Criminal gangs, illegal guns, and illicit drugs are a dangerous combination – and will never be tolerated in our city, and any person who deals in the criminal behavior alleged in this case will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, the New York State Police, and everyone else who worked to take these 10 defendants off our streets, and made New York City safer for all the people we serve.”
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today[1]:
PENA, OLIVER, DEAZA, MENDEZ, NUNEZ, HERNANDEZ, COLON, GUTIERREZ, TAVAREZ, and MARTE, are members of a criminal gang called “Own Every Dollar” or “OED,” which uses the following logo:
Between in or about 2019 and in or about 2022, the defendants sold fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana in and around the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The defendants sold drugs to, among others, undercover police officers, and were frequently arrested in possession of drugs packaged for resale.
In addition, PENA, MENDEZ, NUNEZ, HERNANDEZ, COLON, and MARTE each possessed firearms in connection with their drug dealing, and PENA, OLIVER, and NUNEZ regularly posted social media photographs and videos of themselves holding firearms.
On February 24, 2022, DEAZA was arrested in possession of one kilogram of fentanyl.
JERRIN PENA, 20, ARIEL OLIVER, 22, JUSTIN DEAZA, 20, WILSON MENDEZ, 19, JOWENKY NUNEZ, 19, BRIAN HERNANDEZ, 22, VICTOR COLON, 24, JOSE GUTIERREZ, 20, ARGENIS TAVAREZ, 22, and NIJMAH MARTE, 21, all from New York City, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The defendants are also charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, also in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
PENA, MENDEZ, NUNEZ, HERNANDEZ, COLON, and MARTE are also each charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other 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 the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA, NYSP, and NYPD. He also thanked the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the case.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Join Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez this weekend in NYC
Big news,
We’re hosting two rallies this weekend with Alexandria and a few of our allies in the state senate and assembly!
After the rallies, we’ll hit the pavement in groups to knock on doors and collect signatures to secure Alexandria’s spot on the ballot this November. We’ve set a goal of collecting 5,000 signatures and we’re still 2,000 short.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear from Alexandria, meet voters, and get to know your state representatives.
Here are the details:
Upcoming events: | |
Sunday, March 27 11am - 1pm 34th Ave Open Street in front of Travers Park Sunday, March 27 2pm - 5pm Virginia Park, right next to the Parkchester 6 train stop | |
WILLIAMS' STATEMENT ON THE MAYOR'S MATERNAL HEALTH INITIATIVE EXPANDING ACCESS TO DOULA AND MIDWIFERY SERVICES
"Maternal healthcare inequities, particularly for Black and Brown women, have been a key focus for my office, and a personal issue for so many New Yorkers – until recently, I never realized how significant it would be to me and my family. Maternal mental health, maternal mortality, birth equity – these are issues that have been too long ignored, raised by voices too long silenced.
"Birth equity is a social justice issue, and today’s announcement will help bring care to communities often underserved, and lower the economic barriers that have prevented some pregnant people from seeking critical care. This initiative will also strengthen the ties between hospitals and community based organizations, meeting people where they are.
"I thank the administration for making this issue a priority – together with my maternal health legislative package and other, previously announced initiatives, these programs will help to change the unjust systems that have long denied women of more color in our city the care they need and deserve."
Permits Filed For 3073 Villa Avenue In Bedford Park, The Bronx
Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 3073 Villa Avenue in Bedford Park, The Bronx. Located between East 204th Street and Bedford Park Boulevard, the lot is one block from the Bedford Park Boulevard subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Arben Mitaj of Euro Tech Developers is listed as the owner behind the applications.
The proposed 60-foot-tall development will yield 9,062 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 21 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 431 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a 30-foot-long rear yard.
Rise Architecture is listed as the architect of record.
Demolition permits were filed in February 2022 for the three-story building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.