Bronx Fashion Week at the Mall at Bay Plaza

 

The Mall at Bay Plaza with over one-hundred stores hosted its Annual Fashion show where mall clothing stores show off some of their clothing lines for women and men. This show is organized by Ms. Flora Montes, Ms. Crystal Gomez, Ms. Hazel McIntyre, and many others from the models to those who helped the models make it to the runway.  

Mall stores showing off their clothes included Macy's, Forever 21, Ashley Stewart, Hollister, Xbelta, and also Boulevard Menswear of Southern Boulevard. Latif McIntyre introduced the store as the models came out. There will be another Bronx Fashion Week showing this Saturday September 17th at the Bronx Library Center on East Kingsbridge Road from 5 - 7 PM. Some photos of the Mall at Bay Plaza fashion show. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Flora Montes with Crystal Gomez.

New York Woman Sentenced to Prison for Interfering with a Flight Crew

 

Kelly Pichardo, 32, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to four months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. Pichardo previously pleaded guilty to Interference with Flight Crew Members. Pichardo was also ordered to pay restitution to American Airlines in the amount of $9,123.00. 

In 2021, Pichardo and her co-defendant, Leeza S. Rodriguez, engaged in unruly and intimidating behavior while traveling first class on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Los Angeles. Their actions caused such a disturbance that the pilot had to divert the flight to Phoenix, Arizona, so Pichardo and Rodriguez could be removed from the plane. Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced pursuant to her guilty plea in this case on November 7, 2022.    

“There is a line between boorish behavior on an airplane and criminal activity, and the defendant clearly crossed it,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino.  “First class passengers are not immune from prosecution: defendant’s verbal and physical intimidation disrupted the travel of passengers and crew alike.”

NYS OASAS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW WEBSITE TO PROMOTE OVERDOSE PREVENTION EDUCATION

 

Project COPE Website Offers Information and Resources to Educate New Yorkers on Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction

 

Launch Coincides with National Recovery Month Observance

 The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports today announced the launch of the new “Project COPE” website, which promotes overdose prevention and harm reduction education in New York State. The goal of this initiative is to empower people to learn how to prevent overdoses and save lives in their community. The website can be accessed by visiting https://oasas.ny.gov/projectcope.

“Every community in New York State has been affected by the opioid and overdose epidemic,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “This new website brings important resources and educational materials together in one place and gives New Yorkers an opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills they need to take action and save lives.”

“Project COPE” is launching as New York State, along with the rest of the nation, continues to see an increased rate of overdoses. “COPE” stands for Community Overdose Prevention Education, and the new website offers various resources including instructions on how to use naloxone to reverse an overdose, where to obtain low or no cost naloxone, and how to access treatment and other resources for addiction. There are also interactive training and educational tools for families, providers, and the general population. All information on the website is available in both English and Spanish.

A portion of the funding for this project was provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The launch of this website is part of a series of efforts by OASAS to make information about prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services more accessible. It also coincides with the annual National Recovery Month observance, which promotes recovery services across the country and recognizes the millions of people who are living their lives in recovery every day.

During recovery month, OASAS is also continuing to highlight the stories of people in recovery through the 30 in 30 project. This ongoing initiative elevates the voices of New Yorkers in recovery by sharing 30 stories every 30 days, allows them to share their experiences in order to motivate others and provide hope and information for those who may be struggling. Participants have the opportunity to speak about their own journeys and highlight how recovery is an individual, non-linear process.

Recovery Month events are also happening across the state during September. To find an event organized by an OASAS-certified provider in your area, visit the events section of the OASAS website.

In addition, OASAS also offers various recovery-related resources online. The Recovery section of the OASAS website has information about support services, certification for recovery workers, housing services, and more.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS

 

"More than two decades have passed since September 11, 2001, and the memory of that morning and its aftermath, the grief of the families who lost loved ones, remains a permanent part of our city and its people. I pray for healing and peace for New Yorkers mourning the loss of 21 years, for those who have passed in the years since, and for those still suffering illness and injury as a result of the attacks, including the first responders who sacrificed their own safety in service.

"New York saw unimaginable loss twenty-one years ago today, and in its wake, unimaginable courage and compassion. From collective despair came an environment of collective empathy, of resolve, of support for and from our fellow New Yorkers and our fellow Americans. I hope that we still have the capacity to summon that common spirit and direct it toward common good.

"Recovery means remembering - the collective trauma of this tragedy remains, and we must continue to comfort those in mourning, support those in need, and remember those we lost. The pain of September 11 remains heavy on our city and our nation's minds, our hearts, our history, and so too must our sense of strength, solidarity, and support."

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Accepting More Than $500,000 in Bribes in Connection with a Multi-Million Dollar New York City Public Works Contract

 

Defendant Oversaw Contracts for Company That Sells Warranties To New York City Homeowners Covering Repairs to Sewer And Water Pipes

 In federal court in Brooklyn, George Djurasevic pled guilty to bribery, in violation of the Travel Act, admitting that he accepted more than half-a-million dollars in bribe payments in his role as a manager of a company (the “Company”) contracted by the New York City Water Board (NYCWB) to provide sewer and water pipe repair services to New York City homeowners.  Djurasevic also pled guilty to tax evasion.  Today’s proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.  When sentenced, Djurasevic faces a total of 10 years in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Michael J. Driscoll, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation; and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office (IRS), announced the guilty plea.

“Motivated by greed, Djurasevic flushed away his integrity, accepting bribes and leaving New Yorkers to pay the bill, including when home repairs were not even completed,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace.  “That the process of overseeing city contracts on warranties for costly repairs was corrupted is a betrayal to New York homeowners.” 

“As he admitted with this plea, Mr. Djurasevic abused his position for personal gain and passed the tab on to New York City taxpayers.  Those responsible for helping their fellow citizens obtain basic utility services have a duty to do so in an honest manner, not one motivated by greedy self-interest. The FBI and our partners remain dedicated to bringing those who take bribes at the expense of the public to justice,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.  

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, "As today’s guilty plea establishes, instead of providing responsible oversight of City repair projects, the defendant used his status as a City contractor to line his own pockets with hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribe payments.  DOI and its federal partners will continue to thwart those who corrupt City processes and victimize New Yorkers."

“Djurasevic lined his pockets with ill-gotten gains and left the people of New York City to pay the tab.  He then underpaid his taxes by more than a hundred thousand dollars, revenue used to fund programs for Americans who need it.  It is clear that Djurasevic had little regard for the collateral damage of his schemes, and with this guilty plea he is one step closer to justice,” said Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge for IRS:CI in New York.

According to court documents and facts presented at the guilty plea proceeding, the Company was awarded a multi-million-dollar contract by the NYCWB to sell warranties to New York City homeowners covering repairs to sewer and water pipes.  Djurasevic was responsible for overseeing the Company’s sewer and water line repair work carried out by the Company’s plumbing sub-contractors in Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn.

Djurasevic accepted approximately $500,000 in bribes over five years from a sub-contractor in exchange for, among other things, allowing the sub-contractor to overbill for work performed or to not perform certain repairs to the homeowners’ sewer and water pipes, as well as for his review of the sub-contractor’s determination as to whether repairs were covered by the Company’s warranty.  Djurasevic also failed to report his true income to the Internal Revenue Service, which resulted in his failure to pay more than $114,000 in taxes.  When sentenced, Djurasevic faces a total of 10 years in prison.

VAN NEST NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE (VNNA) IN-PERSON MONTHLY MEETING–SEPT 12, 2022– 7PM

 

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!

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 21^st 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 11^th.

 

“Twenty-one years later, and the deep pain of the September 11^th 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 11^th, but the most remarkable moment, for me, was September 12^th — when we got up,” said Mayor Adams. “September 12^th 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 11^th 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.