Panama Intermediaries Each Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme

 

 Two brothers, each a dual-citizen of Panama and Italy, were each sentenced to 36 months in prison for laundering $28 million in a bribery and money laundering scheme involving Odebrecht S.A. (Odebrecht), a Brazil-based global construction conglomerate. The defendants were also ordered to forfeit more than $18.8 million, pay a $250,000 fine and serve two years’ supervised release.

Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares, 40, and Ricardo Enrique Martinelli Linares, 42, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and admitted to agreeing with others to establish offshore bank accounts in the names of shell companies to receive and disguise over $28 million in bribe proceeds from Odebrecht for the benefit of a close relative, a high-ranking public official in Panama. According to court documents, approximately $19 million of the bribes were transferred through U.S. banks. Luis Martinelli Linares also used some of the proceeds of the scheme to purchase a $1.7 million yacht and a $1.3 million condominium in the United States, and Ricardo Martinelli Linares spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds to pay personal expenses.

On Dec. 21, 2016, Odebrecht pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to a criminal information charging it with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for its involvement in the bribery and money laundering scheme. According to court documents, the scheme involved the payment of more than $700 million in bribes to government officials, public servants, political parties, and others in Panama and other countries around the world to obtain and retain business for the company.

The defendants were initially charged by criminal complaint on June 27, 2020. Pursuant to a provisional arrest request from the United States, they were arrested at el Aeropuerto Internacional la Aurora in Guatemala on July 6, 2020, as they were attempting to depart Guatemala on a private plane, and later held on extradition requests from the United States. Both defendants filed multiple challenges and appeals opposing the extradition request in Guatemalan courts before ultimately being extradited to the United States, Luis Martinelli Linares on Nov. 15, 2021, and Ricardo Martinelli Linares on Dec. 10, 2021.

On Feb. 4, 2021, Luis Martinelli Linares and Ricardo Martinelli Linares were charged with conspiracy and money laundering charges by an indictment filed in federal court in Brooklyn.

“Ricardo and Luis Martinelli Linares directed millions of dollars in bribes through U.S. banks to their own Swiss accounts in order to help Odebrecht gain corrupt influence at the highest levels of the Panamanian government,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentences show that the Department of Justice remains committed to prosecuting individuals who enable and profit from laundering corrupt payments to foreign officials through the U.S. financial system, as well as those who attempt to spend the proceeds of corruption in the United States.”

“The Martinelli brothers used American banks to commit their selfish, greedy fraud – and now it is the American legal system serving justice with today’s sentencing, especially for the people of Panama,” said U.S. Attorney Peace. “Together, the Department of Justice, this office and our law enforcement partners stand firm against international corruption and will use all tools at our disposal to root it out.”

“The defendants laundered millions of dollars in bribes through the U.S. financial system to benefit a close relative and maintain their luxury lifestyles,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s sentencing shows that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing to justice anyone who enables the corruption of public officials for personal gain.”

The FBI’s International Corruption Unit in New York is investigating this case, with the support of FBI Legal Attaché Panama. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing their arrest and extradition from Guatemala.

Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative in MLARS was formed to prosecute money launderers and forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to use those recovered assets to benefit the people harmed by the corruption and abuse of office. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov

Governor Kathy Hochul Trying to Use Yesterday's News Today, Plus No COVID-19 Numbers Until Monday

MAY 21, 2022

Historic Investments in Child Care

Expanding eligibility levels will increase the number of low-income, working families and child care providers who will receive a record $2B in subsidies for essential services.

Or was it 

May 20, 2022

Governor Hochul Announces Historic $2 Billion in Child Care Subsidies to Support Low-Income and Working Families and Child Care Providers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the largest investment in child care subsidies in New York State history will be distributed—$2 billion to increase the number of families receiving child care financial assistance and the amount child care providers are paid for their essential services.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera - Proud Bronxite. Now and Forever.

 

Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Which Senate District He Intends to Run For

"While I believe that this entire process has been deeply flawed, utterly undemocratic, and intended to diminish the voices of communities of color in our government, a determination has been made by the courts and the district maps are now final. With so much work left to do in the legislature, I will be running for reelection in the new 33rd Senatorial District, which includes significant parts of my current district, as well as many communities that I represented when I was first elected to the Senate."

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We believe current state Senator Gustavo Rivera is making a big mistake if he thinks he can win a Riverdale State Senate District. We say that because Senator Rivera would be going up against not only the Bronx Democratic Party announced candidate who lives in Riverdale, and Mr. Christian Amato who was the former Deputy, and then Chief of Staff to Senator Biaggi, and is currently a member of Bronx community Board 11. 

Senator Rivera who is currently the State Senate health Committee Chair will have to answer to his inaction on COVID-19, which continues to this day. His lack of improving Bronx public school in his district for the over ten years in office, and other items we know will come out during the campaign. 

We would suggest to Senator Rivera to run in the 32nd State Senate seat since the current 32nd State Senator will be moved into the new 34th State Senate district, leaving the new 32nd State Senate Ditrict open for anyone to take, as he won election term after term without a primary.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CONFIRMATION OF DAVID DO AS TLC COMMISSIONER, CHAIR

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the confirmation of David Do by the New York City Council as commissioner and chair of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), with no votes against his confirmation.

 

“David Do understands that a strong taxi and for-hire industry is a critical piece of a just and equitable New York City, and he is the right person to help us achieve it,” said Mayor Adams. “Thank you to my colleagues in the City Council for their fair and timely consideration of a supremely qualified and capable nominee. I look forward to working with Commissioner Do to move our city forward.”

 

“Congratulations to David Do for his confirmation by the City Council as chair and commissioner of the TLC,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “I look forward to working with him in his new role as he brings his experience and commitment to equity and accessibility to the industry.”

 

“I am excited and ready to take on this role to serve the entire for-hire industry at this critical time, and I want to thank Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor Joshi, and the City Council for this incredible opportunity,” said incoming TLC Commissioner and Chair David Do. “I want to let drivers know that they have a partner in me. I am fully committed to helping drivers get relief from crushing medallion debt, delivering true transportation equity for our customers with disabilities and those outside of Manhattan, and leveraging technology and innovation to diversify and strengthen our industry.”

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Health Department Investigating A Community Cluster Of Legionnaires’ Disease In The Highbridge Neighborhood In The Bronx

 

Dear Neighbors,   The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Bronx (ZIP codes 10452, 10456).    Four people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since May 9, 2022, and results for other individuals are pending. To date, there have been no deaths associated with this possible cluster.    The NYC Health Department is sampling and testing the water from all cooling tower systems in the area of the cluster. The risk to most people is low, but if you have flu-like symptoms – such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or shortness of breath - see a health care provider right away.     The likely source of the bacteria causing this pneumonia in the community is a cooling tower(s) in the affected area. Cooling towers are water systems usually found on the top of buildings and are responsible for regulating the temperature of cooling systems such as central air conditioning or refrigeration. The cooling towers spray mist from the top that can contain the bacteria. The cooling towers in the impacted area are being identified and sampled by the Health Department. If needed, Commissioner’s Orders will be issued to disinfect and clean any affected cooling towers.   This is not an issue with any building’s plumbing system. It is safe for you to drink water, bathe, shower, cook, and use your air conditioner.      For more information or if you have questions, call 311, visit nyc.gov/health/legionnaires or email communityaffairs@health.nyc.gov If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.   In partnership, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

Office of The Bronx Borough President   851 Grand Concourse, Ste. 301, Bronx, NY 10451

One Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Two Defendants Plead Guilty to Sex Trafficking Conspiracy and Sex Trafficking of a Minor

 

Former Florida Corrections Officer Sentenced to 12 Years; Used the Internet to Coerce a 16-Year-Old Long Island Girl to Generate and Distribute Masochistic Child Pornography of Herself

Two Defendants Used Online Ads to Conspire to Cause and Repeatedly Caused a Long Island Minor to Engage in Prostitution

 Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Robert Gallimore, a resident of Sebring, Florida, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert to 144 months’ imprisonment for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

Also earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Terron Newsome, also known as “Loso,” and Fredjy Exavier pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking of minor (Jane Doe #1).  Newsome also admitted during his plea hearing to attempting to engage in the sex trafficking of a 12-year-old victim (Jane Doe #2) in December 2018.  When sentenced, each defendant faces up to life in prison. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence, Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) joined in announcing the guilty pleas. 

“These defendants manipulated, abused and exploited children who they saw as objects to control rather than as young people to be cherished and protected,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to protecting our children and ensuring that those who perpetrate sex crimes against them face serious consequences.” 

“These individuals committed unthinkable acts against children, exploiting them for their own personal gain,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Harrison said. “I hope today’s guilty pleas help the victims move forward from these tragedies and I extend my thanks to Eastern District of New York and our law enforcement partners for ensuring these criminals are answering for their heinous crimes.”

The Sentencing

As indicated in court filings, Gallimore was a Florida state corrections officer who, over the period of a week in 2018, caused a 16-year-old Long Island girl to repeatedly generate sexually explicit and masochistic child pornography of herself and to send it to him under the threat that images and videos would be disseminated throughout her school if she did not continue to comply.  In addition to terrorizing the victim into producing child pornography at his direction, Gallimore also unsuccessfully sought to solicit sex from the minor victim. 

The Guilty Pleas

As charged in the indictment and as stated at the plea hearing, in or about and between March 2014 and December 2018, Newsome and Exavier conspired to engage in the sex trafficking of Jane Doe #1 and used the internet to set up “dates,” i.e. sexual intercourse or other sex acts, with “Johns” for money at various motels on Long Island. During the conspiracy, the defendants knew that Jane Doe #1 was under the age of 18.  Newsome also admitted that in December 2018, he attempted to cause Jane Doe #2 to engage in sex trafficking. 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DEADLY STABBING

 

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 2019 stabbing death of a man in the Olinville section of the Bronx.

 District Attorney Clark said, “Responding officers found the victim in a pool of blood in an apartment building stairwell. The victim was a father and leaves behind a young girl. The defendant’s guilty plea will not bring her father back, but the perpetrator of this attack is being held accountable for his deadly actions.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Terrance Caudle, 33 was sentenced on May 18, 2022 to 15 years in prison and five years post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter on March 15, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on June 30, 2019 at 3677 White Plains Road, the defendant repeatedly stabbed O’Brian Maxwell in the neck inside the victim’s apartment after a dispute involving borrowed clothing. Maxwell ran out of the apartment and collapsed in the stairwell where he was found bleeding and unresponsive.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Michael Simpson of the 47th Precinct

Governor Hochul Announces Historic $2 Billion in Child Care Subsidies to Support Low-Income and Working Families and Child Care Providers

 

$7 Billion in Child Care Funding Included in FY 2023 State Budget

Income Threshold for Child Care Subsidies Increasing, Making an Unprecedented Number of Young Children in New York State Eligible

State Sees Record Number of Responses From Providers Located in Child Care Deserts, Receiving Over 1,700 Grant Applications to Establish New Child Care Programs

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the largest investment in child care subsidies in New York State history will be distributed—$2 billion to increase the number of families receiving child care financial assistance and the amount child care providers are paid for their essential services. The $2 billion in childcare subsidies includes $894 million in New York State Child Care Block Grant new funding passed in the recent State Budget, more than $500 million in funds previously allocated to local departments of social services districts that remains unspent, and more than $600 million in existing COVID-19 pandemic funding. As part of the Governor's unprecedented commitment of $7 billion to child care over the next four years, these investments provide families with much-needed support, while also furthering New York's economic recovery.

"I know firsthand how a lack of child care can hurt your career, your family and your future, as a working mother when I was forced to leave my job to care for my child," Governor Hochul said. "These historic investments in New York State's child care system will allow us to forge a new path forward for parents, especially mothers. It is the right thing to do, the moral thing to do, and will supercharge our economic recovery and support working families. Child care is an essential service, and in New York, we will continue to do everything in our power to make sure more working families have access to it."

The funding, managed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), will expand the initial eligibility levels for families in August 2022 to up to 300% of the federal poverty level ($83,250 for a family of four), up from 200%, extending eligibility to hundreds of thousands of young children in New York.

OCFS' subsidy funding announcement comes on the heels of its recent release of $30 million in federal grant funding to expand existing licensed, registered or permitted child care programs in areas of the state without sufficient child care slots, known as child care deserts. These funds, which are part of the $100 million child care desert initiative approved in the 2021 Enacted Budget, are being made available through the American Rescue Plan Act. More information and a request for applications are available here. The other component of the child care desert funding, worth $70 million, opened in April.

As of yesterday's application deadline, OCFS received over 1,700 applications from individuals hoping to establish new child care programs in areas of New York State facing critical child care shortages as part of the $70 million made available in the 2021 enacted budget. Over half of these submissions target child care deserts specifically in New York City. Made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, these funds will help child care providers in underserved neighborhoods establish child care programs; cover start-up and personnel costs; recruit, train, and retain staff; and support staff in accessing COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Award announcements are slated to begin in the coming weeks.

Earlier in April, the Governor announced major investments in child care among the highlights of the FY 2023 Budget, doubling New York's support for child care subsidies. New York State is investing $7 billion over four years, reflecting that access to quality child care is critical to children, families and a statewide economic recovery. The state budget also expands access to high quality child care by increasing the child care market rate to the 80th percentile of providers' rates in June 2022. This change will broaden the child care options available to families that receive child care assistance while also increasing reimbursements for child care providers. This increase makes New York State a national leader regarding payment rates.