Speaker Adrienne Adams Submits Comments on Congestion Pricing Environmental Assessment

 

 In response to the congestion pricing Environmental Assessment (EA) released on August 10, 2022, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams submitted public comments to the Environmental Justice Stakeholders Working Group of the Central Business District Tolling Program. She expresses her concerns about persistent transit inequities for many communities of color in the outer-boroughs, and the environmental impacts on low-income communities of color.

In the letter, Speaker Adams points out that the study does not mention any efforts to lessen the burden of the CBD Tolling Program costs for low-income drivers, particularly those that may not have ready access to the E-Z Pass and who typically are not eligible for any discounts under the present cashless tolling program. She is also concerned about increases in parking demand within neighborhoods that are underserved by public transportation, and to park-and-ride surrounding LIRR stations in Queens.

Speaker Adams expresses concern that the CBD Tolling Program is also likely to significantly impact the taxi and for-hire vehicle industry at a time when drivers already face economic challenges with recovering to pre-pandemic levels of business. She calls on the government agencies involved to undertake proactive mitigation measures to improve air quality in the Bronx and Staten Island, where the CBD Tolling Program would result in increased commercial truck traffic.

The full comments can be accessed at this link.

Leader of Brooklyn-Based Eastern European Organized Crime Syndicate Extradited from Switzerland to Face Racketeering and Other Charges

 

Defendant’s Alleged Crimes Include Arson, Extortion, and Illegal Gambling

 Viktor Zelinger, also known as “Vitya” and “Vityok,” the alleged leader of an Eastern European organized crime syndicate that operated in the Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island neighborhoods of Brooklyn and was linked to high-level Russian mafia members known as “Thieves in Law” or “Thieves,” was extradited from Switzerland to the United States on a nine-count superseding indictment.  Zelinger is charged with racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, arson, arson conspiracy, illegal gambling, illegal gambling conspiracy, extortionate collection of credit and two counts of extortionate collection of credit conspiracy.  Zelinger, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen with dual Ukrainian citizenship, is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in federal court in Brooklyn before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), announced the extradition.   

“As alleged, Zelinger was a ruthless leader of a violent criminal syndicate that wreaked havoc throughout Brooklyn with seeming impunity, including an arson in the middle of the night that endangered civilians and firefighters.  Zelinger’s underlings were arrested by our law enforcement partners and prosecuted by this Office, and now he will learn the serious consequences for his crimes,” stated United States Attorney Peace. 

Mr. Peace thanked the Swiss government for its assistance with Zelinger’s arrest and extradition, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for its investigation of the charged arson and heroic efforts in rescuing residents trapped in an apartment building as a result of that blaze.

“When Viktor Zelinger stepped onto American soil, all the alleged crimes he is charged with became a reality after years on the run.  As a prominent leader in the ‘Thieves in Law,’ Zelinger held the decision-making power in New York further enabling organized crime around the world.  This extradition demonstrates DEA’s global reach and perseverance, as well as our commitment to the rule of law.  I applaud the DEA Strike Force and all of our law enforcement partners on their diligence throughout this investigation,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Tarentino.

“This points to just the beginning for Viktor Zelinger as he was returned to the United States to face justice for years of alleged criminal activity.  Extortion, narcotics trafficking, assault, and arson—setting fire to an apartment building for vengeance—are just a sample of the charges against Zelinger, the alleged leader of an organized crime mob in Brooklyn.  This extradition is true testament to the global reach of IRS Criminal Investigation and our incredible investigative partnerships in the DEA Strikeforce,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Fattorusso.

As alleged in a superseding indictment, the defendant was the leader of a sophisticated criminal organization that engaged in a wide range of activities traditionally associated with organized crime, including extortion, arson, assault, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, loansharking and wire fraud.  The organization also reported to and associated with high-ranking members of Eastern European mafia, known as “воры в зако́ не” (pronounced “vory v zakone”), which literally translates to “Thieves in Law” or “Thieves.”

From approximately 2011 to May 2017, members of Zelinger’s syndicate carried out numerous crimes, including arson and extortion, operated high stakes gambling establishments, trafficked in narcotics, assaulted victims, and facilitated loansharking.  Zelinger ordered the arson of an apartment building at 2220 Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay because it housed a rival high-stakes poker game on the ground floor that competed with the defendant’s illegal gambling spot at 2663 Coney Island Avenue.  Specifically, Zelinger directed members of the syndicate to break into the Voorhies Avenue building in the early morning hours of May 2, 2016 and set a fire.  The second and third floors of the building contained occupied apartments.  As a result of the fire, two building residents and five firefighters were injured, with one firefighter suffering career-ending burns, and the building was destroyed.

The defendant’s Coney Island Avenue gambling spot provided poker players with complimentary food and alcohol and “massage girls,” who gave players back and shoulder rubs during the games.  Poker players used narcotics, including cocaine and marijuana supplied by members and associates of the syndicate during the games.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars were wagered, with individual players sometimes winning or losing tens of thousands of dollars in a single night.

OIA worked with Swiss law enforcement partners to secure Zelinger’s apprehension and extradition, the latter of which was carried out by the United States Marshals Service.  Zelinger was apprehended in Switzerland on an extradition request based on charges pending in the Eastern District of New York.  The Federal Department of Justice and Police for the Swiss Confederation approved the extradition on August 31, 2022.

If convicted, Zelinger faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment for each of the arson counts; a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment for each of the racketeering and extortion counts; and a maximum of five years’ imprisonment for each of the gambling counts.

Ten other defendants previously charged in the government’s case either were convicted at trial of or pleaded guilty to racketeering and related crimes.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location.  This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Cigars, Scotch, and Networking - 9.22.2022

 

Purchase Networking Tickets - Click Here

Bronx House Family Fun Day

 

Bronx House located at 990 Pelham Parkway South Between Bogart and Hone Avenues held its Annual Family Day to sign up children and adults to some of their wonderful and exciting programs that are offered. Bronx House had operated on a much smaller scale during COVID-19, and was letting the community know that Bronx House had hired more staff to offer the full line of programs that were offered before the Pandemic. 

Programs such as early childhood, Aquatics, after school assistance, SAT Prep courses, and several adult courses are only a few that are offered by Bronx House. There is also a full Fitness Center, and a low cost senior citizen lunch available at Bronx House.

Two of program offerings at Bronx House. Day Camp and Tween/teen programs.

School for performing arts.

Cooking with Chef Chey.

Several program offerings are lined up for people to choose.

Drums were set up for the children to try to see if they wanted to take a music program.

Back-to-School with Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Councilman Oswald Feliz, and State Senator Jamaal Bailey

It was a beautiful Friday afternoon for a bookbag Giveaway, and when school let out at PS 96 students walked over to Bronx Park East to get a new Bookbag filled with school supplies donated by the Carpenters union, Assemblywoman Fernandez, Councilman Feliz, and State Senator Jamaal Bailey. Also on hand were Earl the Balloon man and Chussie the Face Painter were also on hand for the children. 

After dismissal students picked up their new bookbags loaded with school supplies they need, got a toy balloon, and if they wanted got their face painted. 

Everything is ready for the children. 

Earl the Balloon man got an early start as almost every child wanted a toy balloon.

Members of the Bailey Bunch stood in for Senator Bailey, and Councilman Feliz was down in City Hall.

Above and Below, Assemblywoman Fernandez seemed to have a way with the little children.

WATER FULLY CLEARED FOR DRINKING AT NYCHA’S JACOB RIIS HOUSES AFTER LAST BATCH OF TESTS COME BACK NEGATIVE FOR CONTAMINENTS

 

Water at Riis Houses Already Cleared Safe from Arsenic

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after test results came in clearing the water for drinking at the Jacob Riis Houses in Manhattan:

 

“I know the last eight days have been unbearable for the residents of Jacob Riis Houses, but, this morning, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reviewed the final test results for contaminants and found the water to be well within EPA drinking water quality standards. We can confidently say the water at Riis Houses is and has been free of any discernible amount of arsenic since the initial tests were initiated in August and meets EPA standards. I would not ask the residents of Riis Houses to do anything I wouldn’t do, which is why I have already stopped by Riis Houses and drank the water myself.

 

“While having the basic need of drinking water is welcome news, it is the bare minimum. It is unacceptable that Environmental Monitoring and Technologies introduced arsenic into the samples that not only led to the false results, but to fear, turmoil, and massive inconvenience.

 

“As we stated yesterday, NYCHA nor any other city agency will test water through Environmental Monitoring and Technologies any longer, and the city intends to pursue all available legal options on behalf of the residents of Riis Houses and will look for how we can reimburse residents for costs incurred over the last week.

 

“In regard to the Legionella bacteria reported earlier this week, we suspect these results are inaccurate. As public health experts have noted, Legionnaires Disease cannot be contracted by drinking water. Additionally, we are actively reviewing our Legionella surveillance data, and have found no reported or confirmed cases of Legionnaires Disease at Riis Houses over the last 12 months.

 

“We will continue to be transparent about the information we receive, and have already publicly released all the arsenic reports, both true and what we now know to be false. We will work to get these additional reports up online as soon as possible.”

 

All test results related to claims of arsenic in the water at the Jacob Riis Houses can be found online.

NEW ROCHELLE MAN SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON FOR GUN POSSESSION, ROBBING A MAN AND STEALING HIS CAR

 

Defendant Was Convicted by Jury

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a New Rochelle man has been sentenced to nine years in prison and five years of post-release supervision for gun possession, robbing a man and stealing his car in the Bronx.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant robbed a man and took his car, recklessly driving through red lights and speeding while police pursued him for seven blocks before he crashed into a subway pillar. Officers found a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his possession. If you possess a loaded illegal gun in the Bronx, you face prison time.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Shamel Rodriguez, 33, last of 72 Drake Avenue, in New Rochelle, NY, was sentenced September 7, 2022 to nine years in prison for second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon and nine years for second-degree Robbery, to run concurrently, and five years of post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle. The defendant was found guilty of the charges on March 18, 2022 after a jury trial.

 According to the investigation, on September 13, 2019 at 4:00 a.m. in the vicinity of Jefferson Place and Franklin Avenue, Rodriguez approached the victim asking for marijuana, then demanded his personal property. After receiving the victim’s car keys, he stole the vehicle and attempted to escape. Officers followed the car and after pursuing the defendant for several blocks as he drove recklessly, the defendant crashed the car into a subway pillar. NYPD officers found Rodriguez in possession of a loaded .22 caliber pistol.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Daniel Banek of the DA’s Squad for his assistance in the case. District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Officer Nadja Brightman of the Bronx Evidence Collection Team, Detective Michael Riggio and NYPD Officer Stephanie Gallardo, both of the Bronx Strategic Response Group, and retired Detective Steven Hearns of the NYPD Ballistics Lab, and NYC Department of Correction Investigator Josiette Mclean for their work in the investigation.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIZATION APPROVING A MERCHANT CATEGORY CODE FOR GUNS AND AMMUNITION STORES

 

"I want to thank the International Standards Organization for answering our call and newly approving a merchant category code for guns and ammunition sales, and thank Amalgamated Bank, Comptroller Brad Lander, and everyone who was instrumental in pushing for its creation. Every illegal gun was legal at some point, and the usage of these codes can be extremely important in monitoring and tracking those gun sales as well as future gun trafficking. This simple step can help detect suspicious activity and prevent violence." 

"Now that the standard has been approved, the three major credit card companies – in which New Yorkers' pensions are invested – must adopt this code, just as they have for retailers from utilities to transportation to clothing. As an elected leader and a trustee of the New York City Employees' Retirement System, there is a fiscal and moral responsibility to protect New Yorkers' safety and finances by urging these companies to exercise that same responsibility and utilize this code. There's no good reason for them not to adopt this common sense standard to strengthen accountability and save lives."