NYPD Announces Release of RTI Independent Assessment of the Department’s Investigation of Adult Sexual Assault Cases

 

Release Includes RTI Recommendations and NYPD Commitments

In its ongoing effort to better serve the people of New York City, the New York City Police Department announced the release of a commissioned report detailing best practices in our response and investigation of sexual assault cases. While there is much that its Special Victims Division (SVD) already does well, the NYPD is always seeking to improve its operations as it relates to sensitive cases and supporting sexual assault survivors.

With this in mind, in 2021 the NYPD partnered with the independent Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the department’s approach to adult sexual assault cases. Working closely with advocates on all aspects of the review, this detailed assessment provides the NYPD with the information it needs to develop a forward-looking plan to improve its practices and continue to be a leader in investigating such crimes.

RTI’s assessment team was comprised of criminologists, prosecutors, survivor advocates, forensic scientists, and current and retired police personnel. RTI reviewed department policy and procedure, training, investigative response, and partnerships. They also interviewed dozens of NYPD employees and outside stakeholders, and analyzed 150 case files to better understand the department’s approach to adult sexual assault cases.

The NYPD appreciates the comprehensive and professional examination by RTI and its experts, and is fully committed to the report’s findings. Some of the report’s highlights include:

• Report Recommendation: Implement an agency-wide comprehensive sexual assault policy, starting from initial contact with the survivor through the investigative process and case resolution.
• NYPD Commitment: Create a guidebook providing uniformed and civilian members of the service with clear direction and expectations to establish a more consistent and standardized response to sexual assault. The document may include guidance on survivor advocacy, sexual assault crime-scene management, report documentation, 911 dispatch interactions with survivors, and more.
  
  
• Report Recommendation: Create and deliver and in-service sexual assault training for all NYPD personnel who have interactions with survivors of sexual assault.
• NYPD Commitment: Develop in-service training available to all members who may interact with a survivor of sexual assault, including civilian members such as 911 operators, hotline staff, and precinct reception personnel.
  
  
• Report Recommendation: Incorporate opportunities for cross-training with partner disciplines to improve communication and provide enhanced understanding of roles and response practices.
• NYPD Commitment: Increase cross-training with outside agencies, and enhance currently provided training for peer volunteer advocates across the city, including with the Crime Victims Treatment Center (CVTC), the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention program (SAVI), Bellevue Hospital volunteer advocacy group, Domestic & Other Violence Emergencies (DOVE), and the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital Volunteer Program.
  
  
• Report Recommendation: Ensure consistent supervisory oversight of case assignment, investigative actions, and case statuses to guarantee equitable distribution of responsibilities and support feedback opportunities related to caseloads and work quality.
• NYPD Commitment: Undertake a bureau-by-bureau staffing assessment that will examine resource levels, roles and responsibilities, workloads, and opportunities to enhance efficiency. After the initial review, reassessments will be made regularly.
  
  
• Report Recommendation: Develop a standing working group with advocacy partners that includes SVD supervisors and detectives.
• NYPD Commitment: Regularly meet with advocacy partners to improve practices, enhance communication, and define roles and expectations. Further develop and deepen bonds between the NYPD and the advocacy community.
  
  

An executive summary outlining the report’s findings, recommendations, and NYPD commitments, as well as the full RTI report, is now available to the public here:

• NYPD executive summary click here
• Full RTI report click here

Statement from NYC Comptroller Brad Lander on Fitch Ratings Outlook Revision

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released a statement in response to today’s revised outlook on the City’s General Obligation (GO) credit from “stable” to “positive” by Fitch Ratings. 

The revised outlook comes in connection with the City’s upcoming general obligation bond sale. Fitch cites the City’s improved revenue performance and budgeted increases in reserve levels as key factors in their outlook revision. This action follows a meeting that the Comptroller’s senior staff had with Fitch personnel to discuss the City’s credit. 

Fitch also noted setting aside reserves above current levels and plausible structural solutions to out-year budget gaps as factors that could lead to them to upgrade the City’s credit rating. 

The City’s long-term General Obligation bond ratings are Aa2 from Moody’s, AA from S&P, AA+ from Kroll, and AA- from Fitch. 

In a statement, Comptroller Lander said:

“Fitch Ratings’ revised positive outlook on the City’s credit is welcome news for NYC. Prudent fiscal management is key to ensuring a strong economy for New York City, especially through a time of unprecedented challenges. NYC is in better-than-expected financial condition, made possible through historic federal relief as well as strong revenue collections. However, the work is not done, and the City should use this opportunity to continue bolstering reserves. My office remains committed to critical oversight of both the City’s budget and economy to ensure an inclusive recovery and a sustainable future for all New Yorkers.” 

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Steven Leconte

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Steven Leconte of Brooklyn. After conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation, OSI concluded that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers involved were justified under New York law when they fired at Mr. Leconte, who, armed with a handgun, had just shot three individuals and was pointing that gun at the officers. OSI’s review of the incident included footage from police body-worn cameras, street surveillance videos, interviews with witnesses, and other forms of evidence.

On the evening of July 8, 2021, Mr. Leconte approached a group of men gathered outside a store in Bushwick, Brooklyn and fired his gun, wounding three of them. A fourth person near the store fired a gun at Mr. Leconte, wounding him in the leg. NYPD officers patrolling nearby heard the shooting and arrived at the store within a minute or two, in which bystanders told them where the shooter had fled. The officers found Mr. Leconte nearby, crouched beside a parked car, with the gun still in his hand. The officers ordered Mr. Leconte to drop his gun. Instead, he pointed the gun at the officers, and the officers fired. The officers performed CPR until EMT arrived and transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Under New York’s justification law, a police officer attempting to make an arrest may use deadly physical force to defend himself, herself, or others from the use or imminent use of deadly physical force. In this case, Mr. Leconte, who had just shot three men, ignored directions to drop his weapon and instead pointed his gun at an officer. After careful review of the facts and the law, OSI determined that the officers involved were justified in their actions because they were necessary to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the public. Nonetheless, Mr. Leconte’s death was a tragedy, and Attorney General James extends her condolences to his family.

NYCHA SUPERVISOR SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING SUPERINTENDENT

 

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to First-Degree Assault

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a former New York City Housing Authority employee was sentenced to 12 years in prison for shooting a building superintendent multiple times after being written up for a job infraction.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The victim faced life altering injuries after he was shot four times at his workplace for writing up the defendant for an infraction. The victim suffered from a collapsed lung and other serious injuries. The defendant is now facing consequences for this senseless shooting of a civil servant. Fortunately, the victim was able to survive.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant Frankie Corchado, 48, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio. He pleaded guilty to first-degree Assault on April 20, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on January 6, 2020 inside the Fort Independence Houses, Corchado, who worked as a Supervisor of Caretakers, met with Charles Newton, the superintendent, along with a manager. The defendant was written up for an infraction. Corchado left and returned with a gun, kicked open the victim’s office door and shot him once in the leg and once in the chest. After the victim fell to the ground, Corchado shot him again in the abdomen and fired another shot, hitting the victim’s foot. He attempted to shoot the victim at least two additional times during the attack, however the gun didn’t fire after the trigger was pulled. Newton was shot a total of four times.

 The victim was treated at Saint Barnabas Hospital, undergoing several surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his abdomen. He also suffered from a collapsed lung and had a rod inserted into his leg. A bullet remains lodged in one of his legs, along with fragments in one of his feet.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Detectives Andrew Greges and Robert Hoey of the 50th Precinct, and retired Lieutenant John Gogarty of the 50th Precinct.

Team Biaggi - Update: the state of OUR race and why we need YOU!

 

Hi friends —

We wanted to provide a quick update on the state of our race.

As a reminder, the New York State Congressional maps were recently thrown out, completely changing the course of this primary. Here’s some new information for you:

• The primary date is now scheduled for August 23rd.
• On May 16th, the newly drawn maps will be made available to the public.
• They won’t be finalized until May 20th, at which time we’ll know exactly what the new NY-3 looks like. We’ll also learn what period of time we have to petition.

We’ll be honest – there’s a lot of uncertainty in our race right now. But despite that, Alessandra is still the strongest and most experienced candidate.

And the reasons Alessandra decided to run for Congress couldn’t be more important given the infuriating news out of Washington. Our country desperately needs stronger Democrats who actually embody the core values of our own party and agenda. Leaders who will fight relentlessly to protect abortion and voting rights, to combat the climate crisis, to expand access to affordable health care, to raise the minimum wage, and so much more.

These issues are supported by a majority of Americans, but we need members of Congress who will actually fight like hell to deliver. This is the type of Representative Alessandra will be, because it’s who she’s been in the State Senate.

We’ll be in touch soon,

– Team Biaggi

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Alessandra Biaggi has said she will continue to run for congress, and will only have to give the Board of Election a letter of intent to continue running for congress. Thus she would not have to collect petitions again for congress. 

Should Ms. Biaggi decide that she does not want to run for congress but her old State Senate seat after seeing the new district maps, she would have to go through the petition route for that decision. 

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence

 

Legislation(S.8417B/A.9601B) Prohibits Discrimination Against Victims of Domestic Violence 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation protecting victims of domestic violence from discrimination. Legislation (S.8417B/A.9601B) expands protections for victims of domestic violence to areas of discrimination where they were not previously guaranteed, such as housing and public accommodations. By signing this legislation, Governor Hochul has accomplished a key legislative priority she proposed in her 2022 State of the State.

"The pandemic has led to a heartbreaking increase in domestic and gender-based violence, and New York must stand strong to protect survivors," Governor Hochul said. "Ever since I helped my mother open a home for survivors of domestic violence, I've made it a personal priority to do everything in my power to stand with and support survivors. I'm proud to sign this legislation, a critically important step to ensure survivors can safely access the services they need without fear of discrimination or retaliation."

This bill will expand coverage under the Human Rights Law and improve access to the Division of Human Rights complaint process for victims of domestic violence by prohibiting discrimination against victims of domestic violence in every context covered by New York's anti-discrimination law, including housing, education, and public accommodations.

Prior to this, victims of domestic violence were only covered as a protected class under the employment provisions of the Human Rights Law. However, employment is not the only context in which a victim might face discrimination, making this expansion to other areas such as housing and public accommodations necessary, and further instituting a survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens to New York State's response to survivors.

New York's Human Rights Law is the oldest anti-discrimination law in the country, and New York was also the first state to create a permanent agency enforcing anti-discrimination laws. The bill signed by the Governor today reflects New York State's ongoing commitment to expanding the Human Rights Law's protections and ensuring that all New Yorkers can live free from discrimination.

Domestic violence is a serious issue facing hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, primarily women. In 2020, there were 165,577 domestic violence orders of protection issued in New York State, according to the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the problems were exacerbated, with calls to the New York State hotline increasing by nearly 45 percent.

This legislation builds on the Governor's accomplishments from this year's enacted Fiscal Year 2023 budget, including nearly $90 million in funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs and aid for survivors and their families. The Governor also allocated $14.4 million to the Office of Victim Services to support victim service providers and allow the programs they offer to continue operating without interruption - despite significant loss in federal Victims of Crime Act funding.

Man Charged With December 2021 Broad Daylight Murder In Bronx Park

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Keechant L. Sewell, Police Commissioner for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced today that RICARDO FERGUSON, a/k/a “Mayback,” was charged with the December 5, 2021 murder of Robert Brown, Sr., in the Aqueduct Walk park in the University Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. FERGUSON was arrested today and will be presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Richard M. Berman.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Ferguson allegedly murdered Robert Brown, Sr., in broad daylight in a Bronx park. We hope that today’s charges bring some measure of comfort to the family of Robert Brown, Sr. and make clear that this Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of anyone who takes another person’s life.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said:  “Aqueduct Walk is a tree lined stretch lined with park benches where New Yorkers can take a walk or find a moment’s peace from the bustle of Fordham Road. When gunfire broke that peace on December 5th and a man was shot dead on that tree lined stretch, NYPD detectives went to work to gather evidence and bring justice. I want to thank US Attorney Damian Williams and the Criminal Investigators of the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their efforts that resulted in this federal indictment. These federal charges should remind those willing to carry guns or commit murder associated with drug-trafficking: You may face many years or even life in prison.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

On or about December 5, 2021, in the Aqueduct Walk park, near Aqueduct Avenue and West Fordham Road in the Bronx, FERGUSON shot and killed Robert Brown, Sr. while FERGUSON and another attempted to rob Brown.

FERGUSON, 36, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison; one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, which caries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison; one count of using violence in furtherance of a plan to commit Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison; and using a firearm to commit murder during a drug-trafficking crime and crime of violence, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.    

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

Governor Hochul Announces $234 Million in Additional Food Assistance for May

 

All SNAP Households to Receive the Maximum Level of Food Benefits This Month 

Nearly $1 Billion in Supplemental Benefits Distributed Since January  

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for May. All households participating in SNAP – including those already at the maximum level of benefits – will receive a supplemental allotment this month, resulting in a roughly $234 million infusion of federal funding into the New York State economy. 

"While New York continues to build back stronger than before, there are far too many households struggling with food insecurity,” Governor Hochul said. "By providing the maximum level of food benefits to those in need, we can help struggling households make ends meet and keep food on the table. This funding will help ensure countless families can avoid the heart-wrenching prospect of food insecurity as we collectively work toward a more prosperous future for all New Yorkers.”  

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to all households, including those that ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP – a federally funded program overseen by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level – $835 for a household of four – will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95. These funds can also be used to purchase baby food and formula.  

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these extra benefits post by May 21. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see their benefits post by May 28.   

OTDA began issuing the emergency supplemental benefits in April 2020 to those SNAP households receiving less than the maximum monthly benefit amount. When New York State's emergency declaration expired in June 2021, the agency successfully worked with the federal government to secure the maximum allotment for all SNAP households until the expiration of the federal declaration, which is now expected to be extended into July.   

New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP, with more than 1.6 million households throughout the state enrolled in the program in February, a 1 percent increase over the previous month. More than 2.8 million New Yorkers received benefits in February, the most since June 2021.   

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “No individual or family should be left wondering whether they have the resources to put healthy, nutritious food on the table each month. The additional food benefits provided throughout the public health crisis have played an integral role in helping to allay this uncertainty, while simultaneously helping local businesses and retailers recover throughout our state.”