Defendant Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Attempting to Murder United States Government Informant

 

 Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Luis Taveras was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 17 years’ imprisonment for attempting to commit obstruction-of-justice murder.  Taveras pleaded guilty to the charge in January 2020. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Ricky J. Patel, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); Tim Foley, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA); Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Kevin P. Bruen, Superintendent, New York State Police (NYSP), announced the sentence.

“The defendant planned the cold-blooded execution of a witness he believed to be cooperating with U.S. law enforcement, and watched as the witness and members of his family, including a 5-year-old, were shot and wounded.  By his callous disregard for human life and brazen contempt for the law, Taveras has earned the lengthy prison term imposed today,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “I commend and thank the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force for their tireless efforts to bring the defendant to justice for this horrific crime.”

“Taveras tried to silence a potential witness to eliminate the chances of their cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.  In a daring public attempt, Taveras tried to gun down the individual in a crowded Colombian restaurant, wounding three victims including a 5-year-old boy,” stated HSI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Patel.  “This callous act of extreme violence and blatant disregard for human life resulted in today’s stiff sentence to land Taveras in federal prison for 17 years.  HSI New York, working with our law enforcement partners will continue to tirelessly pursue the most dangerous offenders and prosecute those who seek to obstruct justice, both domestically and on foreign soil.”

“Luis Taveras’ actions were nothing less than cold-blooded and this sentence cements the gravity of his crimes.  The relentless nature of law enforcement has resulted in bringing Taveras to justice to face the consequences of his actions.   I applaud the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations for their diligent work and continued collaboration with the DEA New York Division,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Foley.

 “A measure of justice was meted out today against Luis Taveras, whose admitted crimes not only victimized a family, including an innocent child, but sought to upend the sanctity of our collective law enforcement system,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell.  “His sentencing reflects the commitment of our NYPD investigators and partners, including in the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York, to never relent in our work to eradicate drug traffickers and the harm they propel at home and abroad.”

“This is a clear-cut case in which this suspect attempted to take out a witness who had information regarding his criminal activity, while completely disregarding the safety of innocent family members, including a young child. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their continued partnership, and the US Attorney for ensuring that the defendant is held fully accountable for his actions,” stated NYSP Superintendent Bruen,

As detailed in court filings and the defendant’s statements at his guilty plea proceeding, Taveras arranged for the murder of an individual whom he knew from prior narcotics transactions and believed to be cooperating with U.S. law enforcement.  On June 21, 2016, Tavares entered a restaurant in Cali, Colombia, and sat down at a table with the victim.  Shortly thereafter, Taveras stood up, walked to the back of the restaurant, and watched as a co-conspirator entered the restaurant and fired eight shots – wounding the victim in the shoulder and arm, and also wounding two family members of the victim, including a five-year-old child.  Taveras and his co-conspirator then fled.  The three victims survived their wounds. 

Taveras was arrested in February 2019 by federal law enforcement agents in Miami.  During his guilty plea proceeding, Tavares admitted that he identified the intended target to his co-conspirator, and that he wanted to prevent that individual from providing information to U.S. law enforcement.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

DEC OFFERS FREE WATERFRONT LIFEGUARD COURSE

 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced a free waterfront lifeguard course will be offered April 19 through 22 in Gloversville, Fulton County. Individuals looking for seasonal summer employment who enjoy the outdoors are encouraged to learn more about DEC's summer recreation opportunities.

"Joining the team of lifeguards at DEC campgrounds and day use areas during the summer season offers an excellent opportunity to help visitors safely enjoy the great outdoors in New York’s beautiful Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "I encourage all eligible New Yorkers with a passion for nature and an interest in becoming a lifeguard to learn more."

Individuals at least 16 years old interested in lifeguarding positions at DEC facilities this summer may register. Candidates that complete the course will be considered for employment. The course includes certification in required lifeguarding and waterfront skills, CPR/AED for the professional rescuer, and first aid.

A prerequisite fitness test will be given the morning of Tuesday, April 19. Candidates must successfully complete each component of the fitness test to continue with the free waterfront lifeguard course, including:

• 550 yard (22 lengths) continuous swim (front crawl or breaststroke only);
• Treading water for two minutes using legs only;
• Swim 20 yards, surface dive to retrieve a 10 pound brick, return to surface, and swim on the back returning to the starting point. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps; and
• Swim five yards, submerge, and retrieve three dive rings placed five yards apart in four to seven feet of water, resurface, and continue to swim another five yards to complete the skill sequence.

Applicants must be 16 years of age, meet agency medical and vision (20/70 or better) requirements, and intend to work at a DEC facility for the 2022 season.

Immediately following the course, eligible candidates will have the opportunity to take the DEC qualifying procedure. Only individuals that pass the qualifying procedure can be employed as DEC lifeguards. Qualifying procedures will also be available from April through June at additional locations. If a candidate does not pass the water skills and/or CPR section(s) at a single location, they are required to register for and attend a separate qualifier. Candidates have multiple attempts to qualify and there is no charge to take the qualifying procedure.

Seasonal lifeguard positions are available at DEC campgrounds throughout the Adirondack and Catskill parks. Most facilities offer free housing or site accommodations.

For more information on the course, qualifying procedure, or to pre-register, call 518-457-2500 ext. #1, e-mail DEC at Info.Lifeguard@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Employment Opportunities in Summer Recreation section of DEC's website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/726.html.

NYGOP Chairman Langworthy, Dutchess County Executive and NY-19 Congressional Candidate Marc Molinaro and Dutchess Sheriff Kirk Imperati to Blast Delgado on Support of Deadly Bail Reform Law

 

Call on Him to Return Blood Money from AOC & PACs That Support Defunding Police

New York State Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro who is running for Congress in NY-19, and Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati will blast Antonio Delgado for his support of the deadly bail reform law and taking money from AOC and radical left PACs that support defunding the police at a press conference tomorrow, March 24th at 2:00 PM at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. 

DATE: Thursday, March 24th

TIME: 2:00 PM

LOCATION: Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, Palm Court Room, 40 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 

Governor Hochul Directs Ukrainian Flag Raised in Solidarity with the People of Ukraine

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Ukrainian flag will be flown on the Capitol building, the Executive Mansion, and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services headquarters tomorrow, March 24, marking one month since the beginning of the Russian invasion, in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The Governor also invited local governments across New York to join the State in flying the Ukrainian flag on municipal buildings.  

“New York is the proud home of the largest Ukrainian community in the United States, and we condemn the unjust and unconscionable violence being perpetrated against the people of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin,” Governor Hochul said. “Our prayers are with the victims and those displaced by war. Tomorrow we will fly the Ukrainian flag on state buildings in solidarity with those in New York who are scared for their family and loved ones. I invite other New York State cities and municipalities to join us in showing our unwavering support for democracy in the face of tyranny."

This directive comes amid Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to support Ukraine. Last week, the Governor announced an Executive Order to prohibit state agencies and authorities from contracting with entities that continue to do business in Russia. In early March, Governor Hochul announced actions to strengthen the Department of Financial Services' (DFS) enforcement of sanctions against Russia, including the expedited procurement of additional blockchain analytics technology. In February, Governor Hochul ordered all state agencies and authorities to divest public funds from Russia and stop doing business with Russian companies.

MAYOR ADAM’S STATEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF VETERAN HOSPITALS IN NYC

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement on the future of U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs health care facilities in New York City:

 

“We are committed to ensuring that New York City’s veterans have access to high quality health care. We are aware of the report from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the future status of VA health care facilities in the city. Our team is in communication with the VA to get more specifics on their plan. While we work to ascertain more information, we want all veterans in the five boroughs to know that we are fighting to make sure they have the care they earned and deserve.”

NYC Comptroller: Despite Bloated Budget, Department of Correction Remains in Crisis As Services and Safety Have Deteriorated

Budget Analysis Finds Spending, Staff Absenteeism, and Rates of Violence Rising.

City Needs to Reduce Jail Population By Over 40% To Close Rikers. 

 Ahead of a New York City Council hearing on the Department of Correction budget, City Comptroller Brad Lander released a budget analysis of the skyrocketing costs per person, staff absenteeism, and rates of violence plaguing the City’s jail system.

New York City spends more than half a million dollars to incarcerate one person for a year, nearly four times the amount spent 10 years ago. Yet despite these ballooning resources, city jails are in crisis. At least 19 people have died in custody since the start of 2021. Staff absenteeism skyrocketed to 27% in the beginning of FY 2022, nearly double the rates of other uniformed agencies. 

 

“New York City spends far more per person detained than other jail systems in the country, yet the Department of Correction consistently fails to keep the people incarcerated and its own staff safe,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “DOC spends half a million dollars a year per person but cannot even keep them alive–19 people have died in custody in the last 15 months. The agency cannot keep its house in order when it is paying nearly a third of its staff not to work. The Department of Correction doesn’t need more resources, it needs fundamental reform.”

The Department of Correction is on the Comptroller’s Watch List and has been closely monitored by the Comptroller’s Office since 2014. The Department has been under a court-appointed federal monitor’s supervision since 2015. In September 2021, Mayor de Blasio issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency over the persistent staff absenteeism, which remains in effect under Mayor Adams. This analysis looks at spending and performance data, including at budget and personnel data, jail population trends, reports of violence in City jails, and other data on services to people in custody to assess the DOC’s operations.

 

Highlights of the Comptroller’s analysis of the current state of the Department of Correction include:

• DOC budget is expected to rise in the current year. The City adopted a 6% reduction in DOC’s budget for FY 2022 last June, but revisions have pushed the forecast for the current year up to $1.34 billion, or 7% higher than FY 2021. In the first seven months of FY 2022 (July-January), uniformed overtime at DOC totaled $132 million, 71% higher than pre-pandemic levels in FY 2020. The Comptroller’s Office projects that uniformed overtime costs at DOC will exceed the City’s current assumptions by $67 million in FY 2022 and $49 million in FY 2023.
• High rates of staff absenteeism continue to impede operations: DOC’s paid, uniformed absentee rate due to illness or line of duty injuries skyrocketed to 27% in the beginning of FY 2022, far surpassing the pre-pandemic absence rates at DOC (5 to 7%) and more than double current absence rates at other uniformed agencies (10% at FDNY, 11% at DSNY). As of early February 2022, approximately a quarter of staff were calling out sick each week.
• Indicators of jail violence rose over the last year: Violence by, between and against people in custody has risen. The absolute number of slashings and stabbings has more than tripled for FY 2022 to-date, rising to 317 in the first eight months of FY 2022, up from 97 in the same period last fiscal year. The rate of use of force incidents and allegations in the fourth quarter of FY 2021, adjusted for the jail population, was up 81% from 2019. The monthly number of assaults on staff has generally trended down after peaking in May 2021, but the year-to-date total was still 10% higher than the same period in the prior year.
• Access to medical services and court appointments has decreased: The number of people who were not produced to medical appointments hit a peak of 15,201 in July 2021, coinciding with the period during which a progressively higher share of uniformed officers were reported as “new sick.” Despite the resumption of court proceedings in March 2021, the share of the jail population produced in court each month remains dramatically low (2%) as of August 2021.
• After 14 years of steady declines, the jail population has risen back to pre-pandemic levels. The New York City jail population was 7,822 when the New York State Legislature passed the 2019 bail reforms. Implementation of bail reforms in 2020 lowered the daily population to 5,473 as of March 1, 2020. And the population subsequently dropped below 4,000 due to COVID-19 prevention measures. However, the number of people incarcerated daily has risen back to about 5,700 as of mid-March 2022, driven by increased gun arrests, delays in court proceedings, and bail reform rollbacks.
• The City will need to reduce the current jail population by over 40% in order to close Rikers Island. In 2019, the City adopted a plan to build four borough-based jails, with a capacity of 3,300 beds, as part of its plan to close all of the jails on Rikers Island

“Advancing the vision of a smaller, safer and fairer jail system remains one of the City’s most pressing challenges and will necessitate collective action on the part of all criminal legal system stakeholders,” the report states. “Achieving those goals requires both immediate reform to address conditions that contribute to violence in the City jails, and policy change to further reduce the jail population, in particular the significant share of people in custody being detained pretrial, at least to the levels needed to close Rikers.”

The full analysis report can be viewed here.

NYS COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI: WALL STREET’S 2021 BONUSES SET A NEW RECORD

 

$257,500 Average Bonus in NYC Securities Industry  The average bonus paid to employees in New York City’s securities industry for 2021 grew to $257,500, a 20% jump over the previous year’s record high, according to annual estimates released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The estimated bonuses paid out on Wall Street are higher than the city’s most recent 15.7% growth projection, and should help the city exceed its expected revenue from income taxes. “Wall Street’s soaring profits continued to beat expectations in 2021 and drove record bonuses,” DiNapoli said. “But recent events are likely to drive near-term profitability and bonuses lower. Markets are turbulent as other sectors’ recovery remains sluggish and uneven, and Russia wages an inexcusable war on Ukraine’s freedom. In New York, we won’t get back to our pre-Covid economic strength until more New Yorkers and more sectors — retail, tourism, construction, the arts and others ­­— enjoy similar success.” While the average bonus rose 20%, the total 2021 bonus pool for New York City securities industry workers increased by 21% to $45 billion during the traditional December through March bonus season, up from $37.1 billion in 2020. The 2020 bonus pool itself reflected 25% growth over the previous year, an increase that was historically unique in the wake of a pandemic-induced recession. The securities industry continues to make up one-fifth of private sector wages in New York City, despite comprising only 5% of private sector employment. DiNapoli estimates that 1 in 9 jobs in the city are either directly or indirectly associated with the securities industry. As a major source of revenue, DiNapoli estimates that the securities industry accounted for 18% ($14.9 billion) of state tax collections in state fiscal year (SFY) 2021 and 7% ($4.7 billion) of city tax collections in city fiscal year (CFY) 2021. Pretax profits through the first three quarters of 2021 for the broker/dealer operations of New York Stock Exchange member firms, the traditional measure of securities industry profits, increased by 19.6% to $44.9 billion. While fourth quarter results have not yet been released, they are expected to show continued profitability, which would represent the sixth consecutive year of growth in profits since 2015. The analysis suggests profits are likely to at least reach the second-highest level on record after 2009 (which saw $61.4 billion). In 2021, the increase in profits were driven by low interest rates and a record IPO market, fueling lower interest expenses and record fees (underwriting, account supervision and investment advisory). In 2021, employment the city’s securities industry was 180,000, 5% smaller than 2007 and 10% below its peak in 2000, and largely unchanged from the year before. While New York remains the center of the nation’s securities industry, the total share of jobs has declined from 33% in 1990 to 18% in 2021. DiNapoli’s office releases an annual estimate of bonuses paid during the traditional December through March bonus season to securities industry employees who work in New York City. Bonuses paid by firms to their employees located outside of New York City, whether in domestic or international locations, are not included. The Comptroller’s 2021 estimate is based on personal income tax withholding trends and includes cash bonuses paid for work performed in 2021 and bonuses deferred from prior years that have been cashed in. The estimate does not include stock options or other forms of deferred compensation for which taxes have not been withheld. DiNapoli also reported: The Governor’s January projection assumes bonuses in the broader finance and insurance sector will increase by 16.2% in SFY 2022, ending March 31. Because the city’s securities industry makes up three-quarters of the statewide bonus pool, Wall Street record bonuses will likely increase state tax collections to higher than anticipated levels in the current fiscal year. New York City’s Feb. 2022 financial plan assumes that the 2021 bonus pool for securities industry employees will increase by 15.7%. Based on DiNapoli’s estimate, tax revenue from the securities industry bonuses should continue to support income tax revenues coming in at, or better than, expectations. The city’s financial plan assumes securities industry bonuses for work performed in 2022 will decrease by 16.8%. The average salary (including bonuses) in the city’s securities industry increased by 7.7% to $438,370 in 2020 (the latest annual data available), nearly five times higher than the average in the rest of the private sector ($92,315). By contrast, the average wage in the city’s securities industry was about two times the rest of the private sector in 1981. Charts Bonus Pool Chart from 1992 to 2021 Annual Profits and Employment Chart

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.