MAYOR ADAMS, DSNY COMMISSIONER TISCH CELEBRATE MAJOR NEW INVESTMENTS IN CLEANLINESS

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and elected officials today gathered in the South Bronx —an area beset by the twin scourges of illegal dumping and persistent large-scale littering — and affirmed that the city will not allow its neighborhoods and the New Yorkers who live there to accept unsanitary, unsightly conditions as normal. Mayor Adams celebrated investments in cleanliness in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Adopted Budget of a level not seen in decades, affirming that all New Yorkers have a right to a clean street, and that delivering on this right is critical to New York City’s recovery.

“New Yorkers tell it like it is, and everywhere I’ve gone in the last couple of years, they’ve told me the streets don’t look the way they should,” said Mayor Adams. “We have heard the complaints loud and clear; we need to get trash off our streets and kick littering to the curb, and, today, we are throwing those conditions in the bin. Sanitation workers want and deserve the tools to clean up this town and revitalize the city they love, and the tens of millions of dollars invested in this budget will let them ‘Get Stuff Done’ for our neighborhoods.”

 

“This is a historic investment for DSNY and a huge win for New Yorkers who deserve clean streets and public spaces,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “We urge New Yorkers to do their part in keeping our streets clean and supporting DSNY in doing their job: Place your trash in litter baskets, call 311 when spaces need additional cleaning, and move your car to accommodate street cleaning. Together, we can bring a cleaner, more enjoyable city.”

 

“The Sanitation Department has three core functions — curbside collection, snow removal, and cleaning,” said DSNY Commissioner Tisch. “At the start of the pandemic, though, the budget for cleaning programs was decimated, and anyone who took a walk outside could see the difference immediately. Overflowing litter baskets, dirty streets and lots, piles of illegally dumped material; that’s not New York. That’s not how it’s supposed to be. And under this budget, New Yorkers will see a meaningful difference.”

 

The FY23 Adopted Budget, passed by the City Council on June 14^th, includes significant new funding for cleanliness initiatives at DSNY. These include: 

 

• $22 Million in new funding for litter basket service, baskets to be emptied approximately 50,000 more times per week citywide. This means more service than ever, fewer overflowing baskets, and less trash on the sidewalk. 
• $7.5 Million for Precision Cleaning Initiatives — targeted work that addresses conditions like illegal dumping and persistent littering. Anyone who knows an area in need of precision cleaning is encouraged to call 311; this funding means calls can get results faster than ever before. 
• $4.5 Million for cleaning of vacant lots — allowing a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels at the DSNY Lot Cleaning Unit. This funding will stop vacant lots across the city — largely located in traditionally underserved neighborhoods — from turning into de facto dumps and will make the city’s recovery more equitable.

 

In addition to these efforts, DSNY is engaging in the following previously announced new initiatives under Mayor Adams’ leadership:

• The July 5^th return of full pre-pandemic street sweeping, as New Yorkers once again move their cars to allow the mechanical broom — the strongest tool in the street cleaning arsenal — to do its job. 
• A five-borough pilot on containerization of waste, keeping bags of trash off the sidewalks and testing what works to improve aesthetics and reduce opportunities for pests to feed. 
• New equipment and staff for sweeping protected bike lanes at least once per week. 

 

DSNY is also engaging in a major increase of enforcement, particularly against illegal dumping — a theft of public space by private entities that carries a $4,000 fine for the first offense, and during which the offenders’ vehicles are impounded. All residents have a role to play in keeping New York City clean, either by reducing their waste, by calling 311 to report conditions in need of service, or by simply following the law. 

 

New York’s Strongest are essential heroes who keep New York City clean, healthy, and safe — and recruitment is open now for the Sanitation Worker civil service exam. Any New Yorker excited about the opportunity to work on these new cleanliness initiatives can register before June 30^th at nyc.gov/dsny.

Statement from NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy on the NYGOP's Victorious Lawsuit Against Democrats' Non-Citizens Voting Law

“This is another victory for citizen rights, election integrity, and the rule of law. The judge affirmed that this brazen attempt to give voting rights to non-citizens is in direct violation of the law and a common-sense reading of the Constitution.

“Time and again, New York Democrats have abused the power entrusted to them to illegally rig the system while trampling on citizen’s rights. Whether it was this outrageous violation or their illegal gerrymander, we have proven that we will fight them in court and win,  but this should serve as yet another reason why we need to break up one-Party rule and restore balance and accountability to our government.” 

Team AOC - Ana María Archila

 

Big news: Alexandria has endorsed a dear friend and movement leader, Ana María Archila, for Lieutenant Governor of New York! And her election is this Tuesday, June 28!

Many people know Ana María as one of the women who courageously confronted then-Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator to stop the Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. In that moment, Ana María inspired the nation with her courage and tenacity.

But she’s also so much more than that moment. For 20 years, she has founded and led organizations to lift up the voices of working-class and marginalized people in New York and across the country–immigrants, Black and brown youth, LGBTQ+ people, and more. That’s why Alexandria invited her to join her to the State of the Union address in 2019, and it’s why she’s endorsing her now.

Join Alexandria today and donate to Ana María Archila’s visionary campaign today! With just a few days until the election, they are trying to close their Get Out the Vote budget gap, so they can reach every last voter.

If elected, Ana María would be the first Latina and the first LGBTQ New Yorker elected statewide. 

She is the clear progressive choice in this very close race, and she is talking to voters every day about the need to put the needs of working families before the wants of billionaires. As she told the New York Times, “New York State is such a rich state. Our problem is never that we lack resources, our problem is that we prioritize the interests of those who have already so much and who are able to use their leverage and their money to influence our policies.”

Not surprisingly, crypto and real estate billionaires are pouring huge sums to defeat her. But we know that people power can beat the money of the billionaires and corporations. 

Join Alexandria today and help make sure that people power wins again in New York and Ana María Archila becomes our next Lieutenant Governor!

In solidarity,

Team AOC

Permits Filed For 1111 Fox Street In Crotona Park East, The Bronx

Permits have been filed for a 14-story mixed-use building with affordable housing at 1111 Fox Street in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Located between East 167th and East 169th Streets, the lot is near the Freeman Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Dan Rad of Radson Development is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 145-foot-tall development will yield 87,600 square feet, with 80,898 square feet designated for residential space and 6,702 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 87 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 929 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Magnusson Architecture and Planning is listed as the architect of record. 

Release of BWC Footage from a Police-Involved Firearm Discharge that occurred March 6, 2022 in the confines of the 42 Precinct

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 6th, 2022, in the confines of the 42nd Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here

Release of BWC Footage from a Police-Involved Firearm Discharge that occurred January 20, 2022 in the confines of the 47 Precinct

 

The NYPD is releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on January 20th, 2022, in the confines of the 47th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here

DOI INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST OF FORMER CITY CONTRACTOR ON CHARGES OF STEALING FROM HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION CLIENTS SEEKING HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE

 

 Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the arrest of a former worker of a City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”) contractor for allegedly defrauding two HRA clients who were seeking assistance from HRA’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) of $2,650. DOI’s investigation was prompted by HRA’s report of potential misconduct involving the HEAP program. DOI worked in partnership with the Office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, which is prosecuting this matter.

 DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “The City’s Human Resources Administration provides critical services to New Yorkers, often at times of crisis. But instead of rendering assistance, this defendant, as charged, shamelessly deceived and stole from at-risk New Yorkers while pretending to assist. I thank the Brooklyn District Attorney for his commitment to hold accountable those who seek to exploit vulnerable New Yorkers and I thank the Department of Social Services Commissioner, who also oversees HRA, for his cooperation in this investigation.”

 Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s alleged scheme targeted and victimized vulnerable and needy New Yorkers seeking assistance. We will now seek to hold her accountable. I thank the DOI Commissioner and her staff for their work on this matter.”

 Department of Social Services Commissioner Gary P. Jenkins said, “The Human Resources Administration is committed to serving our clients with integrity and honesty. We hold our staff to the highest ethical standards and do not tolerate any violation of the public trust that is fundamental to the vital work of serving and supporting New Yorkers in need. On behalf of my agency, I would like to thank the Brooklyn DA and the Department of Investigation for their thorough and comprehensive probe into this matter and taking action against this bad actor.”

 KENDRA CHRISTIE, 25, of Brooklyn, N.Y., a former contract employee with an HRA contractor on the HEAP program, was arrested and charged late yesterday, Thursday, June 23, 2022, with Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree and Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, both class E felonies; and one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, two counts of Official Misconduct, and 12 counts of Petit Larceny, all class A misdemeanors. Upon conviction, a class E felony is punishable by up to four years in prison and a class A misdemeanor by up to a year’s incarceration. CHRISTIE was arraigned on Friday, June 24, 2022 in Brooklyn Criminal Court and released with some supervision requirements.

 CHRISTIE worked for IOS Staffing Services, an HRA contractor tasked with providing temporary personnel services. CHRISTIE was employed for the seasonal period of September 4, 2018 through April 26, 2019 and was paid a total of approximately $15,599

 According to the criminal complaint and the investigation, CHRISTIE worked as a seasonal HEAP employee in Brooklyn, N.Y. from September 4, 2018 until April 26, 2019. CHRISTIE’S duties and responsibilities included, among other things, interviewing clients to assist in determining whether they were eligible for HEAP benefits, assisting in completing HEAP applications, and entering HEAP applicants’ information into the HEAP system database. In connection with this role, CHRISTIE had access to HEAP recipient bank account information and other confidential client information.

On February 13, 2019, CHRISTIE was assigned to assist an HRA Client who was applying for HEAP benefits to subsidize payment of his National Grid and Con Edison utility bills. CHRISTIE informed the HRA Client that he was not eligible for HEAP assistance and told the HRA Client that if he did not promptly pay her $200 to $300, his gas meter would be removed. CHRISTIE then offered to facilitate an installment payment plan on his behalf under the false premise that CHRISTIE would use those funds to pay off the HRA Client’s utility bills. CHRISTIE did not have permission or authority to make such a representation and did not have permission or authority to accept any payments from the HRA Client for this purpose. Believing that CHRISTIE had such authority, on February 13, 2019, the HRA Client provided CHRISTIE with $150 in cash. The HRA Client made six additional payments to CHRISTIE based on her representations that she was using the money to facilitate payment of his utility bills. In total, between February 13, 2019 and May 1, 2019, the HRA Client paid CHRISTIE $900 and on an unknown date paid CHRISTIE $200, for a total of $1,100.

 Instead of paying the HRA Client’s utility bills with the money the HRA Client provided CHRISTIE, the defendant accessed the bank account of another Brooklyn-based HEAP Recipient. Between February 13, 2019 and April 26, 2019, taking funds from the HEAP Recipient’s bank account, and paying a total of $1,300 on the HRA Client’s National Grid and Con Edison accounts. On February 25, 2019, CHRISTIE transferred $250 from the same HEAP Recipient’s bank account to pay her boyfriend’s Con Edison bill. CHRISTIE did not have authorization or permission to take these funds from the Brooklyn-based HEAP Recipient.

 Commissioner Strauber thanked Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and his staff, for their partnership on and prosecution of the case. Commissioner Strauber also thanked Department of Social Services (“DSS”) Commissioner Gary P. Jenkins for his and his staff’s cooperation in this investigation. DSS oversees HRA.

A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

U.S. Attorney Announces Guilty Plea By A Chiropractor For Defrauding The NBA Players’ Health And Welfare Benefit Plan

 

Patrick Khaziran, a/k/a “Dr. Pat,” a Los Angeles-Based Chiropractor, Provided Fraudulent Invoices to Former NBA Players to Defraud the NBA’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan out of $1.3 Million

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that PATRICK KHAZIRAN, a/k/a “Dr. Pat,” pled guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the National Basketball Association (“NBA”) Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. KHAZIRAN pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Khaziran abused his position as a medical services provider by creating fraudulent invoices and defrauding the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan of at least $1.3 million.  I thank our law enforcement partners in the FBI for their hard work unraveling this pervasive scheme.  My office will continue to investigate those who abuse their positions as medical service providers to commit fraud.”   

According to the Information, public court filings, and statements made in court:

The NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan (the “Plan”) is a health care plan providing benefits to eligible active and former players of the NBA.  KHAZIRAN is a chiropractor licensed in the State of California who owns and operates a chiropractic office (“Chiropractic Office-1”), which is a chiropractic and rehabilitation office in Los Angeles, California. Chiropractic Office-1 serves the general public and also provides rehabilitation services to professional athletes.

From at least in or about 2016, up to and including at least in or about 2019,  KHAZIRAN participated in a scheme with other several former NBA players, including Terrence Williams and Keyon Dooling, to defraud the Plan.[1]  KHAZIRAN’s role in the scheme was to document that former NBA players received certain medical services when, in truth and in fact, the medical services were never provided. 

KHAZIRAN accomplished his role in the scheme in two ways.  First, beginning in 2016, KHAZIRAN created, and caused others to create, fraudulent invoices for former NBA players.  The former NBA players that received fraudulent invoices then, in turn, submitted the fraudulent invoices to the Plan to request reimbursements that they were not entitled to. Second, KHAZIRAN charged, and caused others to charge, the Plan-issued debit cards of former NBA players.  The Plan-issued debit cards were intended to be used by Plan participants to pay for eligible medical services at the point of service.  However, KHAZIRAN charged the Plan-issued debit cards of former NBA players for medical services that were never actually provided.  In return for his participation in the scheme, KHAZIRAN received approximately 33% of the fraudulent proceeds he documented—i.e., 33% of the value of the fraudulent invoices and 33% of the fraudulent charges on Plan-issued debit cards, which totaled approximately $1.3 million.  The remaining fraudulent proceeds were kept by the former NBA players KHAZIRAN conspired with.

KHAZIRAN, 40, of Los Angeles, California, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, which carries a maximum term of ten years in prison.  As part of his guilty plea, KHAZIRAN agreed to pay restitution of $1,300,000 and to forfeit $429,000 to the United States.  KHAZIRAN is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2023.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[1] Charges against Williams and Dooling are pending.