Two Leaders Of ‘We Build The Wall’ Online Fundraising Campaign Plead Guilty To Defrauding Hundreds Of Thousands Of Donors

 

Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato Admitted to Participating in Wire Fraud Conspiracy

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BRIAN KOLFAGE and ANDREW BADOLATO pled guilty today in connection with their roles in defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors to an online crowdfunding campaign known as “We Build the Wall.”  Both defendants pled guilty before United States District Judge Analisa Torres.

According to the Indictment filed in the case:

Starting in approximately December 2018, BRIAN KOLFAGE, ANDREW BADOLATO, and others orchestrated a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors, including donors in the Southern District of New York, in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign ultimately known as “We Build The Wall” that raised more than $25,000,000 to build a wall along the southern border of the United States.  In particular, to induce donors to donate to the campaign, KOLFAGE repeatedly and falsely assured the public that he would “not take a penny in salary or compensation” and that “100% of the funds raised . . . will be used in the execution of our mission and purpose.”

Those representations were false.  In truth, KOLFAGE, BADOLATO, and others received hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor funds from We Build the Wall, which they each used in a manner inconsistent with the organization’s public representations.  For example, KOLFAGE covertly took for his personal use more than $350,000 in funds that donors had given to We Build the Wall.  To conceal the payments to KOLFAGE from We Build the Wall, KOLFAGE, BADOLATO, and others devised a scheme to route those payments from We Build the Wall to KOLFAGE indirectly.  They did so by using fake invoices and sham “vendor” arrangements, among other ways, to ensure, as KOLFAGE noted in a text message to BADOLATO, that his pay arrangement remained “completely confidential” and kept on a “need to know” basis.  

KOLFAGE, 39, and BADOLATO, 57, both residents of Florida, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  In the same proceeding, KOLFAGE also pled guilty to tax and wire fraud charges filed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. 

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Both KOLFAGE and BADOLATO are scheduled to be sentenced at 1:00 pm on September 6, 2022, by Judge Torres.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

On Earth Day, Governor Hochul Announces $59 Million Now Available for 'Clean Green Schools' Initiative

 

Program Will Improve Air Quality, Advance Clean Energy and Reduce Carbon Emissions in Pre-K-12 Public Schools 

Would be Significantly Expanded Under $4.2 Billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act Going Before Voters This Fall    

Builds Upon New York's First in the Nation Requirement for All New School Buses to be Zero-Emission by 2027 to Further Improve Air Quality for School-age Children 

Supports New York State's Nation-Leading Goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Including an 85 Percent Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $59 million in funding is now available for the Clean Green Schools initiative, which will advance clean energy and energy efficiency solutions to improve indoor air quality and reduce emissions for more than 600 under-resourced public Pre-K-12 schools across the state. All public school buildings across New York State that are designated as high-needs by the New York State Education Department or located in a disadvantaged community will be eligible to participate in the program. First announced during Climate Week 2021, the initiative was developed with input from education leaders and low carbon building experts. Today's announcement builds on the historic achievements in the enacted FY 2023 Budget, including the expanded Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, as well as New York's first in the nation requirement for all new school buses to be zero-emission by 2027. It also supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

"Providing cleaner and healthier places for children to learn and grow is an absolute must if we want to deliver on a green transition that benefits all," Governor Hochul said. "This Earth Day, we reflect on the ways New York has made strides to fight climate change and will continue to lead the nation with our climate goals. The Clean Green Schools initiative will bring meaningful change to communities that have been too often left behind, allowing our schools to be models of innovation while giving educators and students the type of learning environment they deserve."

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), applications are now being accepted for the Clean Green Schools initiative, which will help public schools in disadvantaged communities or high-needs areas that traditionally lack resources to invest in infrastructure improvements become healthier, more productive learning environments. This initiative advances climate justice by providing technical, financial, and human resource support to help under-resourced public schools assess and implement energy efficient heating and cooling projects to benefit the most vulnerable New Yorkers. All HVAC projects funded under this initiative will address indoor air quality.

Funding to significantly expand the program will be included in the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which will go before voters in November. If approved, the Bond Act funding will allow the program to serve will serve more than 1,000 under-resourced public schools and benefit nearly 1 million students, driving significant infrastructure upgrades, such as geothermal heating and cooling, solar, green roofs, and indoor air quality/ventilation. The historic Bond Act will also provide the support New York needs to provide safe water to drink; invest in critical water infrastructure; restore critical environmental habitats; reduce flood risks; preserve our outdoor spaces and local farms; and invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation projects that will reduce air pollution, lower carbon emissions, and improve the ability of New York communities to withstand the climate-driven increase in severe weather events and flooding.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "On this Earth Day, New York is sending a resounding message that we are leading the nation by advancing actions to fulfil our commitment under New York's landmark Climate Law in tackling the damaging impacts of climate change. Today with the Clean Green Schools initiative, the Governor is answering that call with real and impactful change that will increase energy efficiency in our schools and electrify our school buses, building a greener, healthier and a more sustainable learning environment for our children."

Applications are open for the two tracks participating in the initiative:

• Track I will provide professional services, including energy studies, on-site energy managers and fiscal advisors, to help schools evaluate and facilitate comprehensive energy reduction, decarbonization, environmental sustainability, and indoor air quality improvements.
  • Funding for Track I will be provided on an open enrollment, first-come-first-served basis.
• Track II will provide schools with funding for construction projects that decarbonize their building portfolios, including retrofits that impact energy consumption and overall building load, electrification readiness projects, and conversion of central heating and/or cooling plants to clean energy technologies such as heat pumps.
  • Funding for Track II will be provided on a competitive basis.

Participating schools in either Track may also apply for funding under the initiative to support eligible activities that create or further clean energy educational opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. New York State has over 4,000 public K-12 schools that spend approximately $800 million in annual energy costs, which produce approximately 4.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide or other harmful greenhouse gases. Approximately 2,500 of these schools are located in a disadvantaged community or high-needs area and are eligible to participate in the initiative. Schools that are interested in applying to the program should visit the NYSERDA website.

In addition to today's announcements, New York State currently offers incentives for the purchase of new electric school buses through the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) administered by NYSERDA. NYTVIP provide incentives up to $220,000 for electric school buses located within disadvantaged communities utilizing up to $12 million in funding from the State's settlement with Volkswagen and the Congestion Mitigation for Air Quality Improvement Program. To date, New York has committed nearly $70 million in VW settlement funds to replace diesel-powered medium-and heavy-duty vehicles with new zero emission vehicles, including electric transit buses, school buses, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and cargo handling equipment. For more information, visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/109784.html.

To further improve air quality for school-age New Yorkers and local communities, the State Budget requires that all new school bus purchases be zero-emissions by 2027 and all school buses on the road be zero-emissions by 2035. The State Budget will provide $500 million through the Bond Act to support school districts in purchases of zero-emission buses and related charging infrastructure including charging stations, aided by technical assistance to be provided by NYSERDA. Additionally, the State Budget authorizes school districts to lease or finance zero-emission buses for 12 years, more than double the current five-year limitation for diesel buses, in order to help districts meet this goal, and ensures Transportation Aid is provided on zero-emission buses and related charging infrastructure.

DURING EARTH WEEK, DEC COMMISSIONER SEGGOS ANNOUNCES OPENING OF HUDSON VALLEY SEGMENT OF STATEWIDE BIRDING TRAIL

 

Hudson Valley Birding Trail Includes 39 Locations in Six Counties

New Trail Provides Birding Opportunities for All New Yorkers, Regardless of Age, Ability, Identity, or Background

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the grand opening of the Hudson Valley segment of the New York State Birding Trail to highlight the State’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities. The Hudson Valley segment includes 39 locations on public lands throughout six counties, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. The announcement was made as part of DEC’s annual Earth Week celebration and in conjunction with the annual New York State Tourism Industry Association conference in Westchester.

"Spring is a fantastic time of year to visit one of the many sites on the newest segment of the New York State Birding Trail," Commissioner Seggos said. “The Hudson Valley region, with its stunning and historic parks and public lands, unique hawk watches, and sweeping Hudson River views, provides a unique and special birding experience for anyone interested in getting started in this fun, accessible activity.”

Birdwatching has quickly become one of New York’s fastest-growing recreation and tourism activities. The New York State Birding Trail is managed by DEC in collaboration with partners including the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The statewide trail includes a network of promoted birding locations that can be accessed by car or public transportation, providing an inclusive experience for all visitors to enjoy birds amid beautiful natural settings with little or no cost or investment in equipment.

The Hudson Valley segment of the trail includes 39 locations on a mix of public and private lands throughout Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Westchester counties. From Bird Conservation Areas (BCAs) including Hudson Highlands State Park, and Rockefeller State Park Preserve, to the tidal swamps and marshes at Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area, and the Mount Peter Hawk Watch that provides a scenic overlook for raptor watching, the Hudson Valley provides unique landscapes and habitats for birding along the Hudson River and beyond. We invite you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to experience birds firsthand by taking the time to visit one of the sites on the bird trail.

“Exploring the Hudson Valley segment of the New York State Birding Trail is a sure way to grow and enrich an appreciation for the natural world,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. “Our State Parks on the trail offer exceptional places for people to see and learn about a diverse species of birds in their native habitats – and we welcome all to visit."

New segments of the Birding Trail are opened in a phased approach. DEC announced the New York City trail segment in October 2021, the Greater Niagara trail segment in February 2022, and Long Island segment in March 2022, totaling more than 130 birding locations. Once finished, the Statewide Birding Trail will provide birding opportunities for everyone, regardless of age, ability, identity, or background, across New York State.

To promote the trail as an inclusive experience for all, DEC and partners are working to select sites that are welcoming and accessible by public transportation. Several Hudson Valley birding trail locations are accessible via the Cold Spring-Beacon Trolley Shuttle which runs from Memorial Day to Veterans Day weekend. DEC also continues to solicit input from a wide range of New Yorkers and organizations that represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and is making information available in both English and Spanish. Bird walks will be held in collaboration with organizations working with BIPOC communities.

The New York State Birding Trail map is available at www.ibirdny.org and provides valuable information on each site such as location, available amenities, species likely to be seen, directions, and more. Additional information on birding, educational and interpretive information, is also available. Digital information on the Birding Trail will be updated periodically, so budding outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to check back often. 

In addition to State-owned and managed locations for the Birding Trail, publicly and privately managed sites can complete a simple self-nomination process to be considered for inclusion on the trail. Sites all meet criteria to help ensure a positive experience for visitors throughout the state. Additionally, each site will post signage noting it as an official location on the birding trail. For information on the nomination process, see www.ibirdny.org.

DEC encourages birding enthusiasts to visit I Bird NY for more information on where and how to observe birds, upcoming bird walks, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding (available in Spanish), and additional resources.

DEC manages and oversees nearly five million acres of public lands and conservation easements and plays a vital role in both protecting New York’s natural resources and providing opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. From fishing on scenic streams, hiking and rock climbing, swimming and boating, birding, and nature study, or simply relaxing in a tent under the stars, there are endless adventures to be found. Visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/, connect with us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

In the 2022-23 Enacted State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul succeeded in increasing the EPF from $300 to $400 million, the highest-ever level of funding in the program's history. The EPF supports a number of important objectives that benefit birds and other wildlife in the State, including climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, promoting sustainable agriculture, protecting water sources, advancing open space conservation efforts, and providing recreational opportunities for New Yorkers.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES HISTORIC INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN $900 MILLION IN TRAFFIC SAFETY TO TURN THE TIDE ON TRAFFIC VIOLENCE CRISIS

 

More Than Half-Billion Dollar Capital Investment and Baselined Expense Funds Will Advance Goals of ‘NYC Streets Plan’ and Deliver Safer, Healthier, and Greener City 

With Significant New Funding Commitment, Mayor Adams Will Tackle Traffic Violence Crisis — Protecting Cyclists, Speeding up Public Transportation, and Reclaiming Street Space for Pedestrians 

Administration Already at Work With New Safety Upgrades Beginning for Five Protected Bike Lanes in Four Boroughs, on Track to Keep Promise of 20 Miles of Bike Lanes Hardened by End of 2023 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today

announced a historic investment of more than $900 million to tackle the city’s traffic violence crisis and deliver a safer, healthier, and greener city for all New Yorkers. The Adams administration is committing $904 million over five years — nearly $580 million in capital funding, as well as expense funding that ramps up to more than $65 million annually, or $327 million over five years — to advance the goals laid out in the ‘NYC Streets Plan’ and rapidly build out critical street safety and public transportation infrastructure. With this major new investment, Mayor Adams also today announced that the city was getting to work immediately, designating five protected bike lanes for physical infrastructure upgrades to protect cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. 

Today’s major investment follows an announcement earlier this week that 150 streets — covering a total of 300 blocks — are participating in the 2022 Open Streets program. It also follows the administration’s plan — announced earlier this year — to redesign 1,000 intersections and the mayor’s

urging Albany to pass local control and give New York City the power to set speed limits and control automated traffic enforcement. Today also marks the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Car-Free Earth Day, which Mayor Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez kicked off with a Citi Bike ride over the Brooklyn Bridge.  

“This investment is a game-changer,” said Mayor Adams. “Too many New Yorkers have lost their lives to the traffic violence crisis, and we are seeing cities across the country struggle just like us, but this historic investment will allow New Yorkers to walk and cycle around our city without fear. With this historic investment of over $900 million, we are tackling this crisis head-on and setting the tone nationwide. We are going to ‘Get Stuff Done’ and deliver safe streets for New Yorkers. This is how we save lives.” 

“Expansion of car-free streets is a giant step towards aligning New Yorker’s experience with this fundamental truth: To save lives and our planet, streets cannot just be for cars anymore,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Though we have the most heavily driven streets in the nation, today’s action and historic investment show the Adams administration’s deep commitment to ensuring this prime real estate is available to all.” 

“Car-Free Earth Day is a reminder that we can all do our part to shape a better planet. We at the DOT understand we are experiencing a climate crisis, and we must act now,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “This ‘NYC Streets Plan’ funding will both support sustainable transit and curb the senseless violence on our streets. We thank the mayor for this commitment and show of support for this important work.”  

This $904 million investment will advance the statutory commitments of the ‘NYC Streets Plan,’ the transformative five-year vision to expand the mileage of bike lanes, dedicated bus lanes and busways, and reclaimed pedestrian space on city streets. The plan also aims to reform on-street parking and reduce the number of dangerous vehicles and drivers in New York City — building on work the city has already done to stem the tide of rising traffic violence.  

This five-year budgetary commitment surpasses the city’s statutorily obligated commitment of $1.7 billion over 10 years.  

Vision Zero 

This new ‘NYC Streets Plan’ funding builds on the ongoing budgetary commitments to curb traffic deaths. The city has committed nearly $3 billion in the Capital Budget, from Fiscal Year 2022 to 2031, and roughly $200 million on average per year in the expense budget. The city is already advancing the ‘NYC Streets Plan’ with projects that include the more permanent redesigns of popular Open Streets, including 34^th Avenue in Queens and Berry Street in Brooklyn; a new linear park and sidewalk-grade bike lanes on Queens Boulevard; and a host of bus improvement projects in the Bronx tied to the MTA’s Bronx bus network redesign.  

Bike Lane Hardening  

DOT crews have been working to meet the administration’s commitment to upgrade physical infrastructure on 20 miles of bike lanes by the end of 2023. Mayor Adams today announced an additional five bike lanes that have been selected for physical upgrades, keeping the city on track to complete 10 miles of bike lane upgrades in 2022 and 20 miles in 2023. The five locations are:  

·        20^th Street, from 7^th Avenue to 10^th Avenue (Brooklyn) 

·        Northern Blvd, from 41^st Avenue to Honeywell Street (Queens) 

·        Grand Street — exact limits to be determined (Brooklyn) 

·        60^th Street, from 1^st Avenue to York Avenue (Manhattan) 

·        Southern Boulevard — exact limits to be determined (Bronx) 

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Invites you to Let's talk about Money & Real Estate!

 

Senator Biaggi's "Stop the Waste" Campaign

 

Dear Community, 

Happy Earth Day! In celebration, my office is launching a “Stop the Waste” campaign, focused on reducing food and clothing waste in District 34! 

Food scraps are one of the most prominent types of waste that exists. In NYC, every year, more than 1 million tons of food gets thrown away. During this campaign, we will highlight vital resources available from the NYC Department of Sanitation and food scrap drop-off locators found on the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycle’s website. More information on these resources can be found below: 

    .   

     

In the coming weeks, we will continue to highlight organizations that are working hard to combat food waste, along with hosting a DIY Compost Bin event at a local park. Please be on the lookout for more information in the following weeks as we continue to raise awareness about food waste. 

On the other end, clothing waste remains a massive problem in our communities and around the world. The average New Yorker tosses 46 pounds of clothing and other textiles in the trash each year. During this campaign, we will share resources like the textile recovery locator found on the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling’s website. 

Permits Filed For 733 Crotona Park North In Crotona Park East, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story mixed-use building at 733 Crotona Park North in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Located between Clinton and Prospect Avenues, the lot is near the 174th Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Elena Borokhovich of Affordable Living NY is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 70-foot-tall development will yield 62,300 square feet, with 49,055 square feet designated for residential space and 13,245 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 83 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 591 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a 30-foot-long rear yard and 42 enclosed parking spaces.

Menzak Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

On Earth Day, Governor Hochul Announces MTA to Expand Next Wave Deployment of Zero-Emission Buses to Six Depots

 

Governor Hochul: "We have the most ambitious renewable energy and emissions reduction goals in the country. We will have 70% electricity from renewables by the year 2030, 85% reductions by the year 2050. We're not afraid, we're leaning hard into those bold ambitious goals."

Hochul: "We want to make sure that we reduce our carbon footprint at the same time we're creating new jobs with the energy infrastructurethe MTA will be deploying 60 zero emission electric vehicles across the city. We'll have that in place by the end of the year new buses will begin arriving over the next year at Grand Avenue, Queens, Charleston, Staten Island, East New York in Brooklyn, Kingsbridge in the Bronx, the Michael J. Quill Manhattan location, and Jamaica Queens."

 Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will deploy 60 zero-emission electric buses at six bus depots serving all five boroughs. This deployment deepens the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's commitment to equity and environmental justice by prioritizing communities with high asthma and air pollution rates. In New York City, approximately 75 percent of Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus depots are located in low/moderate-income communities, and transit bus routes run disproportionately through these neighborhoods.  

We opened up the new Google facility at Pier 57 on a rooftop a couple of days ago. I was rather high in the sky with former President Clinton and Eric Adams, our mayor, yesterday as we talked about more earth-friendly initiatives from the highest levels of the Empire State Building. 

So here we are, once again, on a rooftop at the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot. And why are we here today? Well we have a very exciting announcement to talk about as we look at our transportation clean energy future here. And I wanted to say this is in line with the goals that have been set forth for the state of New York. 

They're ambitious. We have the most ambitious renewable energy and emissions reduction goals in the country. We will have 70% electricity from renewables by the year 2030, 85% reductions by the year 2050. We're not afraid, we're leaning hard into those bold ambitious goals. 

And it starts with other initiatives such as the fact that our budget, and I thank our legislators, my partners in state government, for approving a $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which is critically important to our energy future. But within that includes over $500 million to electrify school buses. 

So we need to get the word out to everyone across the state. We'll need their support in November for this literally game changer as we talk about having the resources to take care of mother earth the way it should have always been taken care of. 

We also have nation leading investments in offshore wind - $500 million to ensure that Long Island for sure is the epicenter of the offshore wind movement. And also we have the largest ever investment in the Environmental Protection Fund in our budget. And just last week, our regulators gave approval to two transformative projects that we're going to do simultaneously, two mega energy projects to bring wind, solar, and hydro power directly to New York City and cut the fossil power plants used in half by 2020, the end of 2020. So that's ambitious as well. 

On top of that, we're making sure that all passenger vehicles sold in New York be zero emissions by 2035. And to help our electrification and our support for the electric vehicle industry, we're investing $1 billion in electric vehicle infrastructure. So, we're pulling out all the stops. Not just at bus stops, but everywhere we can, to ensure that we're not leaving any stone unturned in terms of finding ways that we can improve the environment for the future.

So today we're very proud to announce that our buses are a part of that energy future, and we are going to be - the MTA will be deploying 60 zero emission electric vehicles across the city. We'll have that in place by the end of the year. And this is all part of MTA's massive equipment to deploy a zero emission bus fleet by 2040 and on top of our historic $1.1 billion in funding to buy another 500 electric buses.

This is extraordinary. No other city is making this level of commitment. We're doing it right here in the state. And new buses will begin arriving over the next year at Grand Avenue, Queens, Charleston, Staten Island, East New York in Brooklyn, Kingsbridge in the Bronx, the Michael J. Quill Manhattan location, and Jamaica Queens.

So, we're excited about this. We want to make sure that we reduce our carbon footprint at the same time we're creating new jobs with the energy infrastructure. These buses are built, assembled here in the State of New York, in Jamestown. I've been there, I've visited and I want to thank all of our leaders in the legislature, including transportation Chair in the Senate, Senator Tim Kennedy, who hails from Western New York and ensures that we are focusing on this as well. 

So I would like to ask Janno Lieber to talk about what we're continuing to do. Our investments and why it's so important here, on Earth Day, to be on top of this rooftop to talk about the energy revolution that is unfolding right here and on our streets.And our passengers will be part of knowing that they're doing everything they can in their power to ensure that we're making sure that the future is better for our children and grandchildren. 

So again, happy Earth Day everybody. Janno Lieber, our incredible leader of the MTA.