State Senator Gustavo Rivera Gives out PPE, and Joins Lt. Governor Candidate Ana Maria Archila on Fordham Road.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning as State Senator Gustavo Rivera handed out COVID home test kits, face masks, and hand sanitizer outside Poe Park at the corner of the Grand Concourse and East 192nd Street. 

At noon State Senator Rivera walked a few blocks to Fordham Road where he met Lieutenant Governor candidate Ana Maria Archila to introduce her to the voters of his district. They spoke to many people for over one hour before candidate Archila had to leave for another event. 

It should be noted that State Senator Gustavo Rivera's district was altered during the redistricting process. Senator Rivera lost the lower half of his district that was placed into the new 32nd State Senate District of State Senator Luis Sepulveda. The West Bronx side of soon to be former State Senator Biaggi's 34th Senate district (now an East Bronx district) was added to Senator Rivera's 33rd Senate district, with a small carve out going to Manhattan's 31st Senate district. 

Senator Gustavo Rivera talks to a constituent as he places home COVID test kits out.

Senator Rivera welcomes Lt. Governor candidate Ana Maria Archila to his district.

Senator Rivera introduces candidate Archila to this constituent.

Lt. Governor candidate Archila introduces herself to this voter.

Lt. Governor candidate Archila speaks to another voter, under the Fordham Road sign.

This family posed with Senator Rivera and Lt. Governor candidate Archila.

Governor Hochul Signs Landmark Law Unlocking Underutilized Hotel Space for Affordable Housing

Legislation S.4937C/A.6262B Allows Class B Hotels Within Residential Zoning Districts or Within 400 Feet of Such Districts to Operate as Permanent Residential Spaces 

Bill Signing Follows Governor Hochul's Announcement of Historic $25 Billion Housing Plan in FY 2023 Budget 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed new legislation (S.4937C/A.6262B) to create more flexible rules for converting underutilized hotel space into permanent housing. Governor Hochul signed the bills with Senator Brian Kavanagh, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and housing and labor advocates.

"As New York's housing crisis continues to impact families, we're taking bold action, embracing innovative ideas and thinking outside the box to help ensure that New Yorkers can access safe, livable, and quality affordable housing," Governor Hochul said. "This new law allows us to tackle the affordability crisis head-on and convert empty, underutilized spaces into homes. I thank Assembly Member Cymbrowitz and Senator Kavanagh for sponsoring this bill and taking this step to ensure that New Yorkers have a place to call home."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "Today, we are saying yes to more of the affordable and supportive housing that New Yorkers need and deserve. This law cuts red tape and removes outdated rules so we can take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. I want to thank my partners in the Legislature and at HTC for providing the support we needed to deliver this win for New Yorkers, as well as Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law."

The new law authorizes Class B hotels that are located in or within 400 feet of districts that permit residential use and meet certain criteria to use their existing certificates of occupancy to operate as permanent residential spaces. The new bill further allows such hotels to provide permanent housing if they enter into an agreement with the City or if they receive State financing, through the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA).

In her State of the State address, Governor Hochul announced a $25 billion, five-year Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes in urban and rural areas across New York including 10,000 homes with supportive services. As part of that announcement, the governor proposed easing hotel conversions to create more affordable housing. The governor has also secured an additional $100 million in HONDA funding to convert vacant commercial properties and distressed hotel properties across the state.

Nos Quedamos - 'WE ARE MELROSE Street Fair' - Saturday, June 11, 2022 ~ 12pm-5pm

 

'WE ARE MELROSE Street Festival' Saturday, June 11, 2022 ~ 12pm-5pm

WE ARE MELROSE (WAM) Street Festival returns on Saturday, June 11th from 12pm until 5pm! This year’s theme is “HEALING and RESILIENCY” The festival will take place at East 160th Street between Melrose & Elton Avenues, adjacent to Yolanda García Park (named after Nos Quedamos’ founder). Download FLIER.

We will also be celebrating Nos Quedamos’ 29th anniversary!

WE ARE MELROSE (WAM) will showcase the best cultural ambassadors of the Bronx in a multitude of LIVE in-person entertainment genres from dancing, music, spoken word and poetry, performing arts and more in the heart of the South Bronx: MELROSE COMMONS. The event is a family-friendly gathering with lots for everyone to enjoy, including organized game-play, face-painting, give-aways and raffles. There will also be a dynamic story-telling session geared to uplift the spirits of the entire family, a cooking demo based on items traditionally harvested in regional community gardens, as well as numerous service providers who will be sharing a wealth of relevant and timely resources and valuable opportunities throughout the day from health to housing, and more (including give-aways). 2022 cultural performances include: Mazarte Dance Company, Bombayo & Dr. Drum, and Chief Joseph Chatoyer Dance Company.

MAYOR ERIC ADAMS DELIVERS REMARKS AT GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S SIGNING OF LEGISLATION TO CONVERT HOTELS INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

 

  I want to thank you, governor, for your leadership. Many of the initiatives that you are putting forward have basically stood stale and stagnant for so many years. And coming in and working with the local electeds, particularly the mayors across the entire state, and the lawmakers in Albany, you have been able to create the partnerships that are needed to move these important pieces of legislation forward. And so I want to personally thank you because this is going to dramatically change the lives of a countless number of New Yorkers.

 Today, we're saying yes to more housing. Yes to utilizing the resources that we have in the appropriate way. And yes to listening to those who know firsthand, like Shams DaBaron, who has been a very notable advocate on dealing with those who are homeless. And our partners in HTC, Rich, I cannot thank you enough for really talking about how do we use our hotel population correctly to continue to have union jobs, but at the same time, utilize those hotels that had a market that was overly saturated and using those spaces to do something that many of us know is important, and that is permanent housing.

 The hotel conversion bill will unlock affordable housing for New Yorkers. We talked about it and now we have put it in place with the actions of the lawmakers in Albany and the governor moving forward with this important piece of legislation. New York needs affordable housing, we cannot argue with that. And to not focus on converting hotels that are currently there, currently on the market, sitting empty – converting those hotels into now apartments with permanent housing. Repurposing these housing is going to allow older adults, those with families, to take these older buildings and now utilize them to give someone a newer life, a life where they can feel they are receiving the housing they deserve.

 And supportive housing, as we engage in the conversation around what are we going to do with our homeless population that are dealing with many different issues, supportive housing is the answer to this issue, and this is going to allow us to do so. And it's going to help us unlock 200 million in funds that we have been eager to utilize and spend the right way. And when you are able to do that, to create permanent housing, it's a win for taxpayers, it's a win for the industry and it's a win for everyday New Yorkers who are looking for housing. This bill will do more than build apartments, it will transform lives. Nothing is more transformative than being able to have your permanent space so you can raise your children and families.

 So Senator Kavanagh and Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, for your vision, and as the governor stated, you probably have more pens than anyone from the bills that you are producing helping New Yorkers, and we want to thank you for that and want to thank the governor for signing this bill. And we want to continue to thank our partners in the City Council who advocated for this, as well as those in Albany, our partners there that clearly understood this was a pathway to go. New York is the dream. As we partner with the American dream, as the governor stated, there is a New York dream, and today we are ensuring the continuation of that dream. Absence of a home – you live in a nightmarish reality that you are not participating in the American or the New York dream. Today we say no to that. Today we say, we are a city and state of yes, and we are a place where we will get stuff done. True partnership is allowing this to happen. I thank you, governor.

Permits Filed For 2835 Sedgwick Avenue In Kingsbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed to expand an existing two-story, two-family structure to a four-story residential building at 2835 Sedgwick Avenue in Kingsbridge, The Bronx. Located between Perot Street and West Kingsbridge Avenue, the lot is near the 231st Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Yaakov Lefkowitz of Lefko Capital Group is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 54-foot-tall development will yield 11,639 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 23 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 506 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar, a 33-foot-long rear yard, and seven open parking spaces.

Engineer Mohammad Ahead is listed as the applicant of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the project consists of a vertical expansion. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson Juneteenth Flag Raising

 

It was a beautiful Monday afternoon for a flag raising, Paradise Drummers Zen and Mam Dov Dov were pounding away on the drums, and people were dancing, as Bronx Borough President Vanesa L. Gibson came out for the Juneteenth flag raising. She brought with her a Proclamation declaring today Juneteenth Day in the Bronx. Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero, Councilwoman Althea Stevens, Assemblywoman Chantel Jackson with son TJ, and various community activists and Bronxites were also on hand. 

Borough President Gibson gave a rousing explanation of Juneteenth (June 19th), the Abolition of Slavery in the United States in 1865 after the Civil war. BP Gibson added that only half of the states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday. In 1994 then Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law that Juneteenth become a state holiday. She added that since Juneteenth falls on a Sunday this year public school students are off Monday June 20th. 

Camden Plaza in Brooklyn will be named Juneteenth Park, Percy Sutton Park in Harlem, and in the Bronx Mullaly Park will be renamed Reverend Wendell Foster Park in honor of Juneteenth. Assemblywoman Jackson, Councilwoman Stevens, Deputy Bronx BP Peguero, and Activist Linda L. Kemp spoke echoing Borough President Gibson's words. 

Paradise Drummers Zen and Mam Dov Dov, play as people dance to the music.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson reads her proclamation for Juneteenth, as Deputy BP Janet Peguero and others in attendance clap. 

Assemblywoman Chantel Jackson (with son TJ in her arms) spoke about what Juneteenth means to her.

Councilwoman Althea Stevens spoke about what Juneteenth means to her.

Linda L. Kemp of Bringing the Peace Inc. spoke about Juneteenth.

(L- R) 79th Assembly Female District Leader Latina Jones, Bronx BP Vanessa L. Gibson, Activist Linda L. Kemp, and Deputy BP Janet Peguero.

Borough President Gibson stands in front of the flagpole as she announces that the Bronx BP Juneteenth flag could not be found, and will be raised when it is, or a new one is obtained. 

Queens Restaurant and Nightclub to Pay More Than $1 Million in Restitution After Guilty Plea to Multiple Felonies

 

Mamajuana Queens failed to send the sales tax it collected from customers to New York State

 The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Queens District Attorney’s Office today announced Mamajuana Queens, a restaurant and nightclub located at 33-15 56th Street, Queens, and its owner Oscar Monegro, Jr., pled guilty to multiple felonies, including grand larceny and criminal tax fraud.

Between December 2012 and February 2020, Monegro collected at least $1 million in sales tax from customers to his business, Culturas Fiesta Corporation, doing business as Mamajuana Queens. He underreported sales and failed to send the sales tax collected to New York State as required by law.

Tax Department investigators uncovered the crimes by analyzing sales tax and corporation tax returns. In all, Monegro, Jr., was ordered to pay back $1 million in restitution.

“Business owners who steal sales tax paid by their customers deprive their communities of revenue for vital public programs and services and put law-abiding businesses at a competitive disadvantage,” said Acting New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Amanda Hiller. “We’ll continue to work with all our partners in law enforcement to uncover tax evasion and level the playing field for all businesses.”

The Queens District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “The defendant and his business, Culturas Fiesta Corporation, admitted guilt in stealing at least a million dollars in tax revenue paid by customers in order line his own pockets. Tax evasion hurts our economy and diverts funding away from vital public programs. This will not stand in Queens County, and we thank the State Department of Taxation and Finance for their partnership in bringing this defendant to justice. He has been ordered to pay restitution, which will help fund community services.”

Report fraud

You can report tax evasion and fraud online at the Tax Department's website or by phone at 518-457-0578. The information is kept confidential. The Tax Department promptly reviews each complaint and takes corrective action when appropriate.

United States Obtains Warrant For Seizure Of Two Airplanes Of Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich Worth Over $400 Million

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York,  Andrew C. Adams, Task Force KleptoCapture Director, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, announced today that the United States of America has been authorized to seize a Boeing 787-8 aircraft and a Gulfstream G650ER aircraft owned and/or controlled by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, pursuant to a seizure warrant from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which found that the airplanes are subject to seizure and forfeiture based on probable cause of violations of the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”) and the recent sanctions issued against Russia.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Today’s affidavit and warrant demonstrate the Southern District’s commitment to bring to bear every legal tool available for enforcement of sanctions and export controls imposed in response to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.  Our international partners — nations devoted to the rule of law — far outnumber those jurisdictions where these aircraft can safely hide, and our investigation of illegal exports in violation of U.S. law will continue unabated.”

Task Force KleptoCapture Director Andrew C. Adams said:  “Today’s action reflects the global scope of the United States’ response to illegal Russian aggression in Ukraine.  While we seek to execute on these warrants, the Task Force eagerly anticipates working with international partners to uphold the rule of law and reminds members of the aviation, insurance, and financial industries that these aircraft constitute tainted property under active investigation by the United States.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said:  “These wealthy Russian oligarchs have helped foster an environment that enabled Russia to pursue its deadly war in Ukraine.  The seizure of their valuable possessions, including these two aircraft, is just one way the U.S government holds accountable those who break U.S. laws and support Russia in its attempt to conquer a sovereign nation.  Our work has only just begun and we won't back away.”

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod:  “The Commerce Department has put in place unprecedented export controls in response to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.  Today’s action, and our recent changes to make such actions public when brought, provides notice to the world of our commitment to enforce those controls aggressively in a transparent way, consistent with our commitment to the rule of law.”

According to the seizure warrant and affidavit sworn out today:[1]

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued various sanctions against Russia that impose export controls and license requirements to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.  These Russia sanctions include expanded prohibitions on the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of U.S.-manufactured aircraft and aircraft parts and components to or within Russia without a BIS license, and eliminate the availability of any license exception for aircraft owned or controlled, or under charter or lease, by Russia or a Russian national.

The Boeing and the Gulfstream each were reexported to Russia (i.e., flown from a foreign country to Russia) in violation of the ECRA and regulations issued thereunder, including the recent Russia sanctions.  The Boeing was flown to Russia on March 4, 2022 without a BIS license and without a license exception, and is now in the United Arab Emirates.  The Gulfstream was flown to Russia on March 12 and 15, 2022 without a BIS license and without a license exception, and remains in Russia.  The Boeing and Gulfstream are owned and/or controlled by Roman Abramovich, a Russia national, through a series of shell companies in Cyprus, Jersey, and the British Virgin Islands. 

The Boeing (pictured below), bearing tail number P4-BDL and manufacturer serial number 37306, is believed to be worth approximately $350 million.

The Gulfstream (pictured below), bearing tail number LX-RAY and manufacturer serial number 6417, is believed to be worth approximately $60 million. 

 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI and BIS.  In a charging letter that separately issued today, BIS initiated administrative proceedings against Roman Abramovich, seeking penalties of up to twice the value of the Boeing and the Gulfstream.  Mr. Williams further thanked the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, and Her Majesty’s Attorney General for the Bailiwick of Jersey for their assistance in this investigation. 

The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.  Announced by the Attorney General on March 2 and run out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

[1]   The burden to prove forfeitability in a forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.