MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS LEGISLATION GUARANTEEING ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE ABORTION IN NEW YORK CITY

 

In Wake of Dobbs Decision, Six NYC Bills Will Expand Abortion Access, Protect Reproductive Health Care, Increase Public Health Education to Fight Disinformation on Abortion

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed historic legislation to protect access to safe and affordable abortions in New York City. Coming on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, these six bills will strengthen abortion protections, make medication abortion free at all New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) clinics, and improve public health education so every New Yorker and person visiting New York City for reproductive health care knows their rights and their options for receiving care. The passage and signing of these bills underscore the city’s commitment to protecting the bodily autonomy of women in New York and outsiders seeking reproductive asylum here in the city.

 

“The Dobbs decision was about nothing more than controlling people’s bodies, their choices, and their freedoms, but we are not going to leave our sisters or others behind,” said Mayor Adams. “Abortion is health care, and, with the signing of these six bills into law, the nation will know that New York City will always defend the right for all people to access an abortion. Safe, legal abortion care is the cornerstone of public health in our city, and our goals are and will remain to ensure that young women will not come of age with fewer rights than their parents. Reproductive freedom and abortions will always be protected in New York City no matter what any activist court with a clear political agenda rules. I, and those here in New York City and across the country, are grateful to the City Council for passing these bills and getting this important work done.”

 

“In New York City, we stand in defense of abortion and reproductive rights,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “These are critical services that must remain accessible and available to every person that needs them. Abortion is health care and a lack of access to reproductive health care is a public health issue.”

 

“Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “With these bills, New York City will again play a historic role as a national leader for abortion services and reproductive justice. I thank the Council for taking action to protect and expand access to safe abortions.”

 

“Reproductive health care is a fundamental right, and these bills will ensure that our patients are protected under the law, no matter what path they choose,” said Dr. Machelle Allen, senior vice president and chief medical officer, NYC Health + Hospitals. “NYC Health + Hospitals provides abortion care, both medical and procedural, and we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment. I want to thank Mayor Adams and the speaker for their unwavering support to our providers, patients, and their families.”

 

With the implementation of these bills, New York City is strengthening abortion protections, expanding access to safe abortion, and raising public awareness about women’s rights and the options for those seeking abortions in New York:

 

Int. 465-A requires DOHMH to annually report the number of births and abortions provided in the city each year both for individuals who were residents of New York City at the time of such birth or abortion and for those who were not residents. DOHMH will also be required to assess the ability of licensed medical providers in the city to provide reproductive health care, identify any challenges faced by licensed medical providers to provide reproductive health care, and make recommendations for increasing the capacity of such providers to provide reproductive health care.

 

Int. 466-A prohibits city agencies from using city resources — including, but not limited to, time spent by employees and the use of city property — to detain persons for performing or aiding with abortions or to cooperate with out-of-state entities related to abortions performed in New York state.

 

Int. 474-A requires the city to conduct a public education program to inform the public about the protections available to people and providers accessing reproductive health care facilities. It also requires the city provide information about the protections available in the city Human Rights Law (HRL) related to reproductive health decisions and stopping discriminatory harassment. The public education program will also provide information about a person’s right to bring a civil action for violating the HRL or accessing the reproductive health care facilities law, as well as how to access resources to find comprehensive reproductive health care and privacy protections for people accessing reproductive health care.

 

Int. 475-A creates a private right of action for interference with reproductive or endocrine medical care.

 

Int. 506-A requires the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to implement an outreach and education campaign on facilities that deceptively advertise or are otherwise misleading when offering reproductive health services.

 

Int. 507-A requires DOHMH to provide access to U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medicine for medication abortions, at no cost to patients, at health clinics operated by DOHMH. DOHMH would provide such medication to patients who seek to terminate their pregnancy, when the use of such medication is indicated and in accordance with the medically reasonable and good faith professional judgment of such patients’ medical providers. DOHMH would also provide counseling and timely referrals to other health facilities and qualified family planning providers, if needed, for other services.

 

“The NYC Abortion Rights Act is a monumental legislative package that sends a clear message that New York City is a safe haven for abortion and reproductive care,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “These critical bills, championed by the first women-majority Council in our city’s history, will support and protect both New Yorkers and people coming to our city to seek the care they need. As states across the country restrict access to safe and affordable abortion care, our city is demonstrating national leadership and setting the example for others to follow.”

 

“At a time in which access to abortion care in our country has been stripped away by the Supreme Court, it is important now more than ever to ensure women and birthing individuals are fully aware of the reproductive services that are available to them,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. “Crisis Pregnancy Centers are deceptive and can cause detrimental harm to the well-being of a person seeking abortion services in our city, and it is important we take immediate action to address the issue. I want to applaud Mayor Adams for signing into law Intro 506-A and Speaker Adrienne Adams, Councilmember Carlina Rivera, the Women’s Caucus, and members of the New York City Council for their work to increase transparency around so-called Crisis Pregnancy Centers in our city and ensure that birthing individuals receive culturally competent and affirming reproductive care.”

  

NYS PENSION FUND LAUNCHES REVIEW OF INTEGRATED OIL & GAS COMPANIES

 

Latest Step in Comptroller's Review of Fossil Fuel Holdings to Determine Which Companies Are Ready for Transition to Low-Carbon Future

 The New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) is evaluating 28 publicly traded integrated oil and gas companies to determine if they are prepared for the transition to a low-carbon economy, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, the Fund’s trustee, announced today. Each company is being asked to provide information on its readiness to transition to the emerging net zero economy.

“Oil and gas companies face significant and complex economic, environmental and regulatory challenges in the years to come,” DiNapoli said. “These companies need to be ready for the transition to the low-carbon economy of the future. While energy companies are currently making record profits driven by high prices, their long-term prospects are far less certain. As investors, we will carefully review these companies and may restrict investments in those that do not have viable plans to adapt.”

Integrated oil and gas companies – including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP and others – engage in all facets of the oil and gas business, from exploration and production to transportation, refinement and retail sales.

Today’s actions come as part of DiNapoli’s comprehensive Climate Action Plan to mitigate investment risks posed by climate change and ultimately transition the Fund’s investment portfolio to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. DiNapoli also released the Fund’s second progress report regarding the implementation of the Climate Action Plan.

The evaluation of the Fund’s integrated oil and gas holdings is part of DiNapoli’s broader review of the transition readiness of energy sector investments that face significant climate risk. The Fund’s prior reviews of shale oil and gas, oil sands and coal companies led to the Fund’s divestment from 55 firms that the Fund determined failed to demonstrate transition readiness.

Background on DiNapoli’s Climate Investment Actions

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has been recognized as a global leader for his efforts to protect the Fund’s investments, address material risks from climate change and pursue sustainable investment opportunities for the Fund. In 2019, DiNapoli released a Climate Action Plan, a multi-faceted strategy that includes a goal of committing $20 billion to sustainable investments, dedicated staff to pursue climate solution investments, and minimum standards for portfolio companies that will inform engagements, investments and potential divestment decisions. Building on the Climate Action Plan’s solid foundation, in December 2020, DiNapoli announced the Fund has adopted a goal to transition its portfolio to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Background on New York State Common Retirement Fund

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States, with assets of $272.1 billion as of March 31, 2022. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than 1 million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. It has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation.

Two Defendants Charged With Firearms And Narcotics Trafficking

 

Cesar Vasquez and Micky Colon Conspired to Traffic Narcotics and More Than 50 Firearms From Ohio to New York

 Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino III, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Keechant Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that CESAR VASQUEZ, a/k/a “Aguila,” a/k/a “Primo,” and MICKY COLON, were arrested and charged in a nine-count Complaint with trafficking more than 50 firearms, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl, from Ohio to New York. VASQUEZ and COLON will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court later today.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Illegal firearms, and especially military-style assault weapons, like many of those allegedly trafficked by these defendants, pose a dire threat to all New Yorkers. These weapons of war are designed to kill, and absent intervention from the dedicated federal, state, and local law enforcement agents who investigated this case, these guns could have been loose on the streets of New York City. That many of these guns were sold alongside narcotics only underscores the connection between drug trafficking and gun violence. We will continue to work with our dedicated partners at the DEA and NYPD to aggressively dismantle those networks that enable gun violence and endanger the lives of New Yorkers.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino said:  “Fifty guns headed to criminal networks in New York were intercepted, preventing the potential for at least 50 instances of gun-related violence.  These arrests and seizures clearly demonstrate DEA’s resolve to safeguarding our communities from the threats of drugs and guns.  I would like to commend the tireless work and countless hours of collaboration by the New York Strike Force and U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said:  “The NYPD’s fight against the flow of illegal guns and narcotics into our city is at the forefront of our public-safety mission.  The defendants in this case showed a callous disregard for human life, and we will never waver in our commitment to protect the people we serve – no matter where the threats to them originate.  I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the DEA’s New York Division, and every local, state, and federal agency working with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force for their efforts in this important investigation.”

As alleged in the Complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

From at least June 2022 until their arrests today, VASQUEZ and COLON were part of a gun and narcotics trafficking operation that moved dozens of guns, alongside methamphetamine and fentanyl, from the Columbus, Ohio area to the Bronx. On five separate occasions, VASQUEZ, COLON, and their co-conspirators sold, or attempted to sell, firearms to undercover law enforcement agents.  During three of those gun incidents, VASQUEZ, COLON, and their co-conspirators also sold, or attempted to sell, the undercover agents narcotics.

In total, VASQUEZ, COLON, and their co-conspirators sold law enforcement agents approximately 51 firearms, approximately 196 grams of methamphetamine, and a “sample” of fentanyl as a precursor to later fentanyl transactions. Included in the firearms that VASQUEZ, COLON, and their co-conspirators sold were more than a dozen assault rifles; other military-style weapons, including a semiautomatic shotgun and assault-type weapons that fire pistol rounds; and numerous handguns.

VASQUEZ and COLON were arrested early this morning in the Bronx, when they arrived from Ohio, bringing 23 guns and fentanyl into the city. Photos of some the firearms that VASQUEZ, COLON, and his co-conspirators sold are below.

Firearms Sold on June 4, 2022

Firearms Sold on June 17, 2022

Firearms Sold on June 23, 2022

Firearms Sold on July 6, 2022

Firearms Brought to the Bronx on August 11, 2022

VASQUEZ, 19, of Columbus, Ohio, has been charged in Count One with conspiring to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; in Count Two with trafficking firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; in Count Three with attempting to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; in Count Four with transferring a firearm for use in a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; in Count Five with attempting to transfer a firearm for use in a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; in Count Six with illegally dealing firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; in Count Seven with illegally transporting and distributing firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; in Count Eight with conspiring to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a statutory minimum sentence of five years in prison; and in Count Nine with using and carrying firearms while engaging in the narcotics trafficking conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a statutory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

COLON, 21, of Columbus, Ohio, is charged in Count One, Count Three, and Counts Five through Nine of the Complaint. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of these defendants would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) New York Strike Force.  The OCDETF New York Strike Force is a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.  The Strike Force is affiliated with the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, New York National Guard, Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department, and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Mr. Williams also thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania for its assistance in the case.

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

Attorney General James Announces Election Protection Hotline Ahead of August Primary

 

OAG Will Troubleshoot Voting Issues during Early Voting and on Election Day

Voters Experiencing Problems Can Call (866) 390-2992, Submit Complaints Online, or Email election.hotline@ag.ny.gov

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will make its Election Protection Hotline available for the upcoming August 23, 2022 election and during New York’s early voting period, which runs from Saturday, August 13 through Sunday, August 21. The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including voting by absentee ballot or in person at their polling place. Voters that experience problems can report issues to OAG by calling the hotline at (866) 390-2992, submitting complaints online, or emailing election.hotline@ag.ny.gov. The OAG has also created a guide addressing frequently asked questions to assist voters.

“Free and fair access to the ballot box is integral to our democracy,” said Attorney General James. “While states across the nation are making every effort to limit the right to vote, New Yorkers can count on our election protection hotline to address any challenges and provide helpful guidance, whether they’re voting absentee by mail or in-person at their polling place. My office will always fight to defend the right to full and meaningful participation in the electoral process.”

Voters experiencing problems are encouraged to call OAG’s hotline at (866) 390-2992, submit complaints online, or email election.hotline@ag.ny.gov to request election-related assistance in advance of the election. The hotline and digital form are accessible in multiple languages. The telephone hotline will be open between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 13 through Sunday, August 21, and between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, August 23. Written requests for election-related assistance may be submitted at any time through the online complaint form or via email. Hotline calls and written requests for election-related assistance are processed by OAG attorneys and staff.

The OAG has operated its Election Protection Hotline since November 2012. During previous elections, OAG fielded hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of complaints from voters across the state and worked with local election officials and others to address issues. The OAG has also taken legal action to protect against voter registration purges and to ensure that voters have adequate and equitable access to vote early as required by law.

Attorney General James reminds all registered voters that they have the right to accessible elections. In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or any other person. 

The OAG will receive and respond to election complaints relating to any of the statutes that OAG enforces. The OAG’s Election Day Hotline is being coordinated and led by Assistant Attorneys General Nancy Trasande, Lindsay McKenzie, and Conor Duffy, Research Analyst Miriam Li, and Deputy Bureau Chief Travis England of the Civil Rights Bureau. The Civil Rights Bureau is a part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

Governor Hochul and Mayor Patterson-Howard Announce $6 Million to Fund Priority Sewer Projects and Long-Term Planning for the City of Mount Vernon

 Services Funded by Grants Through New York State's Historic $150 Million Investment to Address Mount Vernon's Crumbling Sewer Systems

 Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard today announced the Mount Vernon City Council has approved $6 million in State-funded contracts that allow for critical work to move forward in addressing the City's decaying water and wastewater infrastructure. The contracts are the first approved under the State's historic $150 million investment to address the City's longstanding water and wastewater infrastructure issues and related public health challenges. This key milestone enables the start of priority sewer repairs and long-term planning for future wastewater projects, and connects City officials to technical, managerial and financial consultants to help guide this work.

"This announcement is about action for Mount Vernon. It's about making good on the promises we made in April when we announced the historic $150 million investment to start rebuilding the City's crumbling water and sewer systems," Governor Hochul said. "I envisioned moments like this - seeing the tangible results for the City and taking a big step towards ensuring that Mount Vernon residents, businesses and visitors have access to the reliable water and sewer infrastructure systems that they deserve." 

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said, "As Mayor of a historically marginalized community on the edge of one of the wealthiest counties in the country, I am excited that Governor Hochul has embraced both the theory and practical application of equitable environmental infrastructure and deviated from the color-blind health and environmental injustices of the past. For decades, inferior infrastructure and housing have negatively influenced learning outcomes and lifetime earning potential in communities of color and Mount Vernon is no different. This landmark investment from the State will allow the City to secure the expertise necessary to jumpstart capital projects alongside our Public Works staff to improve the long-term wealth and welfare of all Mount Vernon residents." 

The contracts are funded by State grants through the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation in partnership with the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health. The contracts provide for the following activities: 

• $5 million to plan, design, and construct priority wastewater projects identified in the city's Illicit Discharge Action Plan dated June 2022. The plan identifies all the discharges to the storm sewer system that are not specifically stormwater, such as leaking sanitary sewers.
• $500,000 for sewer cleaning services and closed-circuit TV inspection of sewer lines to support capital improvement project planning. Televising the lines will bring visibility to what's happening underground by identifying blockages and leaks or potential failures in the system.
• $500,000 for professional consultant services to provide training, technical, managerial, and financial assessments, funding application assistance, and on-site technical assistance.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "This historic project is moving forward under Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership to address the water infrastructure crisis that's plagued the people of Mount Vernon for far too long. With these projects underway, progress is advancing and we look forward to continuing to work with our City, state agency, and community partners to achieve life-changing results for Mount Vernon residents."

State Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett said, "Governor Hochul recognizes that improving the public's health includes making strategic investments to ensure a clean environment. These improvements to the City's sanitary sewer system will help protect the health of the residents of Mount Vernon."

U.S. Attorney Announces $3.64 Million Settlement Of Civil Fraud Lawsuit Against Menswear Company And Its Manager For Underpaying Customs Duties Owed On Apparel Imported Into The United States

 

Luchiano Visconti and Its Manager Admit That Company Significantly Underreported the Value of Menswear Imported to the United States and Routinely Underpaid Customs Duties

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, AnnMarie Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (“CBP”) Office of Trade, and Francis Russo, Director, CBP Field Operations New York, announced today that the United States has filed and settled a civil lawsuit against Luchiano Visconti Loutie LLC d/b/a Luchiano Visconti (“LUCHIANO VISCONTI”), a New York-based company that imports and sells men’s apparel to retailers, as well as its manager, SASHA HOURIZADEH (“HOURIZADEH”). The settlement resolves claims that LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH (collectively, “Defendants”) defrauded the United States by falsely underreporting to CBP the value of apparel imported from overseas in order to avoid paying customs duties owed on the goods. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Luchiano Visconti and Hourizadeh engaged in a fraudulent scheme to cheat the Government of customs duties owed by falsely reporting the value of the apparel brought into this country.  This Office is committed to combatting customs fraud and will continue to hold companies, as well as their executives, accountable when they mispresent the value of imported goods to evade paying legally required duties.”

Executive Assistant Commissioner AnnMarie Highsmith said:  “Trade enforcement is a priority for CBP, and this settlement serves as a great example of collaborative efforts to enforce trade laws.  The dedication of the men and women of the CBP Office of Trade, the Office of Chief Counsel, and the United States Attorney’s Office to protect a fair and competitive trade environment is vital to facilitating lawful trade.”

Under the settlement agreement approved by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, Defendants will pay $3,641,157 to the United States. As part of the settlement agreement, Defendants also made admissions regarding their conduct. LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH admitted that LUCHIANO VISCONTI significantly underreported the actual value of imported menswear on entry documents filed with CBP and routinely underpaid customs duties on the menswear.  Specifically, Defendants admitted that they regularly provided their customs brokers with information and documentation, including commercial invoices, that significantly understated the true value of the imported menswear and the price actually paid for the apparel. LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH also admitted that, in some instances, they made changes to invoices provided by a foreign manufacturer before providing them to a customs broker. In other instances, as acknowledged by Defendants, foreign manufacturers transmitted invoices that LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH knew or had reason to know did not reflect the actual value and price paid for the menswear.     

As alleged in the Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court:

From December 2013 through August 2019, LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH defrauded the United States by materially underreporting to CBP the value of imported apparel.  Defendants knowingly submitted, or caused the submission of, customs entry forms and associated invoices to CBP that contained false valuations of the apparel.

In some cases, HOURIZADEH altered commercial invoices issued by a foreign manufacturer so that the invoices reflected lower and false prices. In other instances, a foreign manufacturer transmitted two categories of invoices to LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH that, together, reflected the actual price paid for the apparel. The first category of invoices identified specific quantities and prices for the imported apparel. These invoices, in sum, reflected a substantially lower price than what LUCHIANO VISCONTI actually paid for the imported goods. The second category of invoices were for services relating to the production of the Menswear, such as “pre-production” services, “patent” services, and “designer” services. In reality, and as reflected in LUCHIANO VISCONTI’s own banking records, these invoices generally reflected an additional amount paid by LUCHIANO VISCONTI for the same shipment of apparel. Defendants, however, routinely failed to provide their customs broker with this second category of invoices, which constituted a substantial portion of LUCHIANO VISCONTI’s payments for the apparel.   

In the settlement agreement, LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH admitted, acknowledged, and accepted responsibility for the following conduct:

• From December 2013 through August 2019, LUCHIANO VISCONTI imported menswear from manufacturers based outside the United States, including Turkey and China (the “Foreign Manufacturers”).

• HOURIZADEH is the LUCHIANO VISCONTI manager who is responsible for managing the importation of the menswear and all customs entry issues, including the provision of relevant and necessary information and documentation to LUCHIANO VISCONTI’s customs brokers who prepared and submitted the entry summaries to CBP. 

• LUCHIANO VISCONTI’s customs brokers used commercial invoices and other information provided by LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH to determine the value of the menswear to declare to CBP and to calculate the amount of the customs duties owed. LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH knew that the customs brokers would rely on the information and invoices when preparing the entry summaries submitted to CBP.

• LUCHIANO VISCONTI and HOURIZADEH regularly provided LUCHIANO VISCONTI’s customs brokers with information and documentation, including commercial invoices, that significantly understated the true value of the imported menswear and the price actually paid by LUCHIANO VISCONTI to the Foreign Manufacturers for the menswear.

• LUCHIANO VISCONTI did not pay over $1.8 million in customs duties that it was obligated to pay on the menswear.

In connection with the filing of the lawsuit and settlement, the Government joined a whistleblower lawsuit that had previously been filed under seal pursuant to the False Claims Act.

Mr. Williams thanked U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and CBP for their investigative efforts and ongoing support and assistance with the case. 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera - Statement on Tragic Death of Teenager in Fordham

Senator Rivera released the following statement in response to the tragic death of a teenager in the Fordham area. 

"My heart is heavy today. We've lost a 14-year-old boy to gun violence. Yet another family will grieve a senseless death and our community will mourn again. Something's got to give. We need these guns off our streets and our City needs to come together to take care of our youth. My heart is with my neighbors and those who loved this young soul. In the Bronx, we take care of each other and I am committed to making sure that our borough gets everything we need to keep our children safe. My team and I are closely monitoring the situation and we're ready to assist in any way we can."

VCJC News & Notes 8/12/22

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders Shabbos Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar. Here are the times you need:   Shabbos Candles Friday 8/12/22 @ 7:39 pm Shabbos morning services at 8:45 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.  Shabbos Ends Saturday 8/12/22 @ 8:42 pm Van Cortlandt Jewish Center 3880 Sedgwick Ave Bronx, NY 10463