JOIN US FOR OUR SEPT MONTHLY VNNA MEETING
Monday September 12, 2022
7:00pm
Monsignor Fiorentino Senior Apts
Ground Floor in the Community Room
1830 Amethyst Street, Bx, NY 10462
Bring a Friend! Bring a Neighbor!
Sunday, September 11, 2022
MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY HALL TO BE LIT BLUE, FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF TO MARK 21st ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11th ATTACKS, HONOR THOUSANDS OF LIVES LOST
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that City Hall and the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building will both be lit blue tonight to mark the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Mayor Adams also ordered all flags on city buildings — as well as stationary flagstaffs throughout the five boroughs — to continue to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the memory of those who tragically lost their lives on September 11th.
“Twenty-one years later, and the deep pain of the September 11th attacks is still present for all of us. On that night, more than two decades ago, I went to Ground Zero, and I saw the ground still smoldering and all the other first responders covered in soot. I looked at a site of total destruction, and it was as though New York had the wind knocked out of it. We will never forget the attacks on September 11th, but the most remarkable moment, for me, was September 12th — when we got up,” said Mayor Adams. “September 12th was a symbol of the invincibility and the resiliency of New York City and this country. Today, we honor all those who lost their lives and their families, and all those working every day to prevent us from another terror attack.”
Mayor Adams also today released a video reflecting on the September 11th attacks.
Two Paterson Police Officers Sentenced to Prison Terms for Roles in Violating Individuals’ Civil Rights
Two Paterson, New Jersey, police officers were sentenced today to prison terms for their respective roles in a conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden handed down the following sentences in Newark federal court:
- Police Officer Frank Toledo, 33, of Paterson, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Toledo previously pleaded guilty to a three-count information charging him with conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights, using unreasonable and excessive force in violation of individuals’ civil rights, and filing a false police report.
- Police Officer Daniel Pent, 35, of Paterson, New Jersey, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Pent previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights, using unreasonable and excessive force in violation of individuals’ civil rights, and filing a false police report.
In addition to the prison terms, Judge Hayden sentenced both of the defendants to three years of supervised release.
Three codefendants – Police Officers Jonathan Bustios, Eudy Ramos and Matthew Torres – were sentenced Sept. 8, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings. He also thanked the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, and the Paterson Police Department Office of Internal Affairs, for their assistance.
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 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.
