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(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: Fiesta de Flores Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at NYBG YMCA & Tour de Bronx MLB Playoffs Set to Generate over $97M in economic development Legislative & Advocacy Updates Bronx Chamber of Commerce Appointed to NYC Small Business Commission Childcare Bill Package Passes City Council City of Yes Public Meeting on Zoning Text Amendments Funding Opportunities NYS SEED Program for Early-Stage Businesses Small BID Grant Program Launched Upcoming Events Autumn Soiree Networking Event at Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy Member Spotlight Sandra Erickson Real Estate iMentor Education Summit

FIESTA DE FLORES CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE SORIN HONORED BY SALAMANCA & NYBG U.S AMBASSADOR TO UNITED NATIONS DELIVERS REMARKS

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Council Member Rafael Salamanca in conjunction with the New York Botanical Garden, will hosted Fiesta de Flores, a night at the Garden honoring the people of Latin America and the Caribbean who make New York City the vibrant city that it is.  As part of the event, held on Tuesday, October 11, Council Member Salamanca, honored four New Yorkers who have made significant contributions to the Latino community living in the Bronx, as well as New York City as a whole.  Joining Bronxites for the festivities, special guest, the honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United Stated Ambassador to the United Nations.  The four honorees included:    Congressman Ritchie Torres    Lisa Sorin, President, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce    Felipe Febles, Founder & President of the Bronx Dominican Day Parade    Iris Rodríguez-Rosa, First Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation  The Bronx Chamber was delighted to support longtime Chamber member New York Botanical Garden and the many businesses which have supported this annual celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture. Sorin is the first Latina to serve as President of a borough-wide Chamber of Commerce in New York City history and serves on the NYC Districting Commission, Gov. Hochul's CHOICE Retirement Board, and the Board of Directors for the MTA.

U.S Ambassador to the United Nations, Hon. Linda Thomas-Greenfield with Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin Michael Brady, Bronx Chamber Board of Directors & Lisa Sorin, President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce with Bronx Borough Parks Commissioner Yesenia Aponte and Councilmember Rafael Salamanca. Jr.

NORTHEAST YMCA CELEBRATES 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR DE BRONX & LA CENTRAL YMCA OPENING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER

Chair of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Legislative & Policy Committee, Michael Brady, caught up with Michael Rivadeneyra, Vice President for Government Relations, YMCA of Greater New York to discuss the YMCA's new centers in the Bronx and the Tour De Bronx. The YMCA celebrated it's one year anniversary of the Northeast YMCA in the Edenwald section of the Bronx and has been received by the community with open arms exceeding Year 1 goals. Additionally, the YMCA is excited to open the YMCA at La Central in the South Bronx and has been working with several program partners including, Third Avenue Business Improvement District, to ensure the facility is fully subscribe and provides customized services to residents and visitors alike. The YMCA has partnered with the Office of the Bronx Borough President for Tour De Bronx an in-person 25-mile ride through the best of the Borough, highlighting Bronx Greenways, Residential Neighborhoods, Historical Districts, Waterfronts, and Tourist Attractions taking place on Sunday, October 23. Virtual tours of 40-miles and 10-miles will be made available on October 24th! Please register separately for the virtual tours. For more information, click here.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS ADD $100 MILLION TO NYC ECONOMY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS LED BY THE NY YANKEES

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the 2022 Major League Baseball postseason is expected to generate a minimum of $93 million in economic activity for New York City — stimulating local businesses, creating jobs and economic opportunity for New Yorkers across the five boroughs, and continuing to drive the city’s economic recovery. Each home playoff game played by the New York Yankees and the three already played by the New York Mets in the Wild Card series is projected to generate more than $15 million of economic impact, and — with both teams playing multiple home playoff games for the first time since 2006 — the 2022 postseason could be particularly beneficial to the city’s economic recovery. A new analysis from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) found that each upcoming Yankees postseason home game is expected to generate an economic impact of $21.5 million. A similar NYCEDC analysis found that each of the three Mets postseason home games already played this year were expected to generate an economic impact of $16.9 million.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION LAND USE & OUR ECONOMY HON. RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR

The Coffee and Conversation series, presented by The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, brings together decision makers, influencers, and thought leaders shaping the economic future of the Bronx and highlights priorities identified by Bronx Chamber members. Land Use & Our Economy features Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Chair of the Land Use Committee, to discuss Bronx economic development projects including Hunts Point, and the Kingsbridge Armory, as well as zoning text amendment reforms and his thoughts on the Bronx and NYC economy. The program launched with Hon. Julie Menin, Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Small Business addressing business concerns, fines, small BID grant funding delays, and NYC Small Business Service Oversight. It has since included solution oriented approaches to financing with the US Small Business Administration, access to State resources with Empire State Development, and will continue with City, State, and Federal partners bringing direct services and resources to our members. This action packed hour-long, virtual webinar is something you can do from work, the gym, your office - and addresses the very specific needs of our business community. Make sure you check out the full schedule and register!

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Appointed to NYC Small Business Commission Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department Of Small Business Services announced Formation Of Small Business Advisory Commission. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has been appointed to serve on the Commission, as well as on the Adams Commission for the NYC Department of Buildings. Michael Brady will represent the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on the Small Business Commission, and Darry Saldana and Miguel Matos will represent the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on the Adams Commission for Department of Buildings. The Small Business Advisory Commission builds on Mayor Eric Adams’ commitment to forge strong partnerships with the City’s business community and slash through regulatory barriers to accelerate the economic recovery. Mayor Adams established the Commission in Executive Order 15 to improve the regulatory ecosystem impacting small businesses, outlined in the Mayor’s economic recovery plan, “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City Economic Recovery.“   The Commission will deliver input on new policies, laws, and regulations, as well as on existing rules, fines, fees, and violations. It will serve as a critical link between business leaders and city government, and support business growth while preserving public health and safety. The Commission will serve as a critical link between business leaders and City government, and support business growth while preserving public health and safety.

NYC City Council Passes Legislation to Increase Accessibility for Child Care Services in New York City The New York City Council passed a legislative package making child care services more accessible in New York City. The legislation addresses systemic issues with child care, establishing a provider directory, a pilot grant program, and planning processes to advance access across the City. Child care is essential for families to ensure their children receive quality care and working parents can succeed in the workforce. Child care is one of the biggest challenges for working women, who experienced some of the greatest job losses from COVID. Nationally, there are approximately 225,000 more men in the labor force than before the pandemic, but 427,000 fewer women. The child care crisis has been exacerbated by the pandemic with the cost of care only increasing. According to a report by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, by late January 2021, an estimated 519,000 New Yorkers were not working due to taking care of a child at home.

Eight Defendants, Including a Brooklyn Medical Doctor, and Three Pharmacists, Charged with Illegally Distributing More Than 1.2 Million Oxycodone Pills

 

Defendants Allegedly Conspired to Divert Oxycodone Worth at Least $24 Million 

In federal court in Brooklyn, a 10-count indictment was unsealed charging Dr. Somsri Ratanaprasatporn, her office manager Leticia Smith, Bassam Amin, Omar Elsayed, and Yousef Ennab who are pharmacists, Michael Kent, Anthony Mathis, and Raymond Walker with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and related crimes. Smith and Kent are also charged with money laundering in connection with their alleged efforts to hide the proceeds of their illegal oxycodone distribution operation. All eight defendants were arrested this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA); Elysia M. Doherty, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General’s Office of Investigations, New York Region (HHS-OIG); Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, New York (IRS-CI); Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI); and Joshua Vinciguerra, Director, New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), announced the charges.

“Doctors and medical professionals have a professional obligation to do no harm, but, as alleged, the defendants callously supplied more than one million pills to traffickers for distribution, resulting in dangerous opioids flooding the streets of this district,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s charges demonstrate this Office’s continued commitment to stemming the availability of illegal drugs and holding to account those who contribute to the epic tragedy that is the opioid epidemic.” 

“This structured drug trafficking ring’s operations started in a doctor’s office and ended with $24 million worth of diverted oxycodone on the streets. DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold DEA Registrants and other medical professionals to the highest possible standards and also hold them accountable when they knowingly endanger members of the community. 

Together, we are all proud of this righteous work, and for the difference it makes in our communities. I commend the investigators and the prosecution team for their work on this widespread investigation,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Tarentino. 

“As alleged, our health care system that serves vulnerable populations has been undermined by these individuals,” stated HHS-OIG Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Doherty. “HHS-OIG, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigorously pursue those who steal from government health care programs for personal gain.” 

NYPD Commissioner Sewell stated: “Today’s charges prove again that our fight against the illegal drug trade is unremitting. The NYPD, together with all of our local, state, and federal lawenforcement partners, will pursue these criminals wherever they operate – and when the perpetrators are trusted members of the medical community, their crimes are especially egregious. I thank and commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the DEA’s New York Division, the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Services’ Criminal Investigations, the NYS Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, the New York City Department of Investigation, and everyone else involved in this case for their exceptional work.” 

“As charged, these defendant medical professionals and their co-conspirators supplied more than 1.2 million oxycodone pills to the streets of New York City, promoting the illicit trade of dangerously addictive opioids. DOI will continue to work tirelessly with our federal and law enforcement partners to ensure that pill mills such as this one are exposed and shut down, and that the individuals who run them are held accountable. I thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and all our investigative partners on this investigation,” stated DOI Commissioner Strauber.

“With this multi-million-dollar criminal scheme, it's alleged the defendants made their profits off the vulnerabilities and addictions of their customers throughout New York City. Law enforcement partnerships like those seen here today have been and continue to be an integral part of stopping the flow of highly addictive narcotics into our communities,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Fattorusso.

“This shows how diverted prescription drugs still fuel the opioid epidemic in New York. The Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement remains resolute in its commitment to work together with our federal and local law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle the criminal organizations that abuse the public’s trust in health care practitioners to move these dangerous and addictive pills from pharmacies to our neighborhoods,” stated BNE Director Vinciguerra. 

Oxycodone is a highly addictive opioid used to treat severe and chronic pain conditions. Every year, millions of Americans abuse oxycodone, and the misuse of prescription painkillers like oxycodone leads to hundreds of thousands of annual emergency room visits. More than 16,000 Americans died from prescription opioid overdoses in 2020. Oxycodone prescriptions have enormous cash value to drug dealers. For example, one oxycodone 30 mg tablet, which was the dosage prescribed in this case, can be sold by dealers on the street for between $20 and $30 in New York City.

As set forth in the indictment and publicly filed documents, between December 2018 and October 2022, the defendants operated a drug distribution ring out of a medical practice on Linden Boulevard in East New York, Brooklyn. Together, they unlawfully distributed more than 11,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, amounting to more than 1.2 million oxycodone pills, which carry a street value of at least $24 million. Ratanaprasatporn, a pediatrician and general practitioner, and Smith, issued the prescriptions; Amin, Ennab and Elsayed filled the prescriptions at pharmacies in Brooklyn and Staten Island, and Kent, Mathis, and Walker oversaw “crews” of sham patients who received medically unnecessary prescriptions. Together, the defendants made millions of dollars from the scheme. During the execution of a search warrant this morning, members of law enforcement recovered several hundred thousand dollars in U.S. currency from Smith’s residence. Law enforcement also recovered two handguns that Kent was observed tossing from a rear door of his residence.

If convicted of the drug charges, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment. If convicted of the money laundering charges, Smith and Kent face up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each count. 

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The charges are the result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the DEA. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

New Yorkers who need help finding substance-use-disorder treatment resources should contact 1- 877-8-HOPENY. The HopeLine provides high quality, responsive information, and referral services via phone and text message to callers throughout New York State experiencing substance abuse issues. HOPEline services are free and confidential.

The Defendants: 

LETICIA SMITH Age: 54 Brooklyn, New York 

BASSAM AMIN Age: 69 Brooklyn, New York 

OMAR ELSAYED Age: 28 Hackensack, New Jersey 

YOUSEF ENNAB Age: 25 Brooklyn, New York

MICHAEL KENT Age: 49 Brooklyn, New York 

ANTHONY MATHIS Age: 55 New Windsor, New York 

Dr. SOMSRI RATANAPRASATPORN Age: 75 Staten Island, New York 

RAYMOND WALKER Age: 70 Brooklyn, New York 

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR464 (DLI) 

DAYVON BOSTICK-SAMUELS (also known as “Daytoe”) Age: 22 Brooklyn, New York 

JOHNNY CHILES Age: 36 Brooklyn, New York 

BERMON CLARKE (also known as “G” and “Blue”) Age: 28 Rahway, New Jersey 

MIKE GUSTAVO CONNOR (also known as “Gus”) Age: 21 Brooklyn, New York 

RASHAAD CRAIG (also known as “Skeeno”) Age: 25 Brooklyn, New York 

RONALD DAVIS (also known as “Ronno”) Age: 29 Brooklyn, New York 

QUINTEN DELVALLE (also known as “Q”) Age: 24 Brooklyn, New York 

ELIZABETH DUECASTER Age: 35 Searsport, Maine

BRITTANY DUNCAN Age: 26 Bayonne, New Jersey 

NEHEMIE ERIL (also known as “Poca”) Age: 24 Orange, New Jersey 

CHRISTINA ESTEVEZ Age: 31 Queens, New York 

LARON ESTRADA (also known as “Yetta”) Age: 27 Brooklyn, New York 

ERICA FAGGIOLE Age: 44 Maine 

ANTONIO FULTON (also known as “Tone”) Age: 23 Brooklyn, New York 

FRANKLIN GILLESPIE (also known as “Spazz” and “Frankie Gino”) Age: 30 Newark, New Jersey

ROMEO GONZALES Age: 22 Brooklyn, New York 

NIA GOVAN (also known as “Cam” and “V”) Age: 29 Boston, Massachusetts 

KEON GRANT (also known as “Keys”) Age: 34 Brooklyn, New York 

MOELEEK HARRELL (also known as “Moe Money”) Age: 31 Brooklyn, New York 

PAUL HARRIS (also known as “Baldhead”) Age: 31 Brooklyn, New York

NADINE HEATH Age: 54 Troy, Maine 

ROBERT HOLT (also known as “Ricky” and “Ghost”) Age: 33 Brooklyn, New York 

AMANDA HUARD Age: 38 Raymond, Maine 

LATRELL JOHNSON (also known as “Barlie Buckz”) Age: 27 Brooklyn, New York 

ANTHONY KENNEDY (also known as “Biggie”) Age: 34 Queens, New York 

TYQUAWN LANE (also known as “Bicks” and “Tah Tah”) Age: 27 Brooklyn, New York 

JOANNE LYDEM Age: 49 Garland, Maine 

DARIUS MURPHY Age: 24 Brooklyn, New York 

JESSICA PELKEY Age: 26 Presque Isle, Maine 

CHRISHAWN PENN (also known as “Prince”) Age: 26 Brooklyn, New York 

MICHAEL PEREZ (also known as “White Mike”) Age: 29 Brooklyn, New York 

JOELLE POCHE (also known as “Rico”) Age: 21 Brooklyn, New York

TERRELL RATLIFF (also known as “Rello”) Age: 29 Brooklyn, New York 

MICHAEL REID (also known as “Half”) Age: 39 Brooklyn, New York 

ISAIAH TERRY SANDIFORD Age: 21 Brooklyn, New York 

JAMEL SMITH Age: 23 Bronx, New York 

CHINASA STRACHAN Age: 33 Brooklyn, New York 

NICOLETTE TOMPKINS Age: 22 Westfield, Maine 

AMANDA WALTON (also known as “A”) Age: 32 Portland, Maine 

DANIELLE WHITE Age: 47 Swanville, Maine 

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-239 (S-8) (BMC)

TWO WOMEN INDICTED FOR FRAUD INVOLVING PHONY COVID-19 VACCINATION CARDS

 

One Defendant, A Teacher, Allegedly Submitted Fraudulent Card to DOE; Other Defendant Sold Cards via twitter

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two women have been indicted for fraud involving Covid-19 vaccination cards. One defendant allegedly sold vaccination cards to undercover BXDA investigators and uploaded the false vaccination information to the NYC Department of Health Citywide Immunization Registry. The second defendant, a teacher, allegedly submitted a fraudulent card to the NYC Department of Education.

 District Attorney Clark said, “Both defendants put public safety at risk while our community continues the battle against COVID-19. The defendants were allegedly willing to endanger the health and safety of people in the Bronx, including students. It is essential we do our part to protect people from a virus that is still leading to hospitalizations and even death.”

 District Attorney Clark said defendant Noni Porter, 29, of Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens, was arraigned October 11, 2022 on two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, two counts of first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing, two-counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of Forged Instrument, and two counts of second-degree Falsifying Business Records before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. She was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court on November 11, 2022.

 According to the investigation Porter, a DOE employee who worked as a teacher at the Bronx School for Continuous Learners, allegedly submitted a photo of her Covid-19 vaccination card to the New York City Department of Education Covid Portal and emailed a copy of the card to her principal, asking for the day off due to vaccine side effects. After the principal was alerted to possible fraudulent activity, an investigation began. Porter allegedly admitted to investigators the card was fraudulent and stated she paid $60 for it.

 District Attorney Clark said defendant Destiny Colon, 24, of Bryant Avenue, was arraigned on August 15, 2022 on two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, two counts of third degree Computer Tampering, two counts of first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing, two counts of Computer Trespass, two counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, two counts of first-degree Falsifying Business Records, two counts of second-degree Falsifying Business Records, two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Computer, and two counts of second-degree Computer Tampering, before Bronx Supreme court Justice Albert Lorenzo. She was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court October 27, 2022.

 According to the investigation, Colon worked for a contractor involved in the city’s vaccination efforts. NYS State Police found the defendant offering to sell vaccination cards through her Twitter account. The defendant then allegedly sold two vaccination cards to a Detective Investigator from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office posing as a person requesting them on two separate incidents. Additionally, Colon allegedly uploaded the fraudulent vaccine information to the NYC Department of Health Citywide Immunization Registry indicating the “customer” received the vaccination.

 District Attorney Clark thanked the NYC Special Commission for Investigations, Investigator Nekiesha Henry of the New York State Department of Health Vaccination Complaint Investigations Team, and Joseph A. Giovannetti, Director of Investigations, New York State Department of Health as well as the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, for their assistance in the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 10/10/22-10/14/22

 

Dear Community,

As you may be aware, New York City has been managing an influx of asylum seekers arriving by bus to the City. Asylum seekers are being sent to New York from Texas because of a political stunt led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to show their opposition to federal immigration policies. The political stunt, conducted at the expense of thousands of asylum seekers, led Mayor Eric Adams to declare a state of emergency to respond to New York City’s migrant crisis. 

To accommodate the migrants, Mayor Eric Adams originally planned to build a tent city in the parking lot of Orchard Beach in our district. However, Orchard Beach’s parking lot is in a high risk flood zone and the planned facility was inadequate and unsafe. I testified at a City Council Immigration Committee hearing to express my concerns and urge Mayor Adams to pursue a different course of action. 

After being met with criticism, the Mayor announced that the City would instead build a relief center on Randall’s Island and stop the construction taking place at Orchard Beach. Randall’s Island also remains in a flood zone, and is an insufficient response to this crisis. As winter approaches, it is inhumane to force asylum seekers to sleep in tents outdoors. It was announced this week that Row NYC, a hotel in Midtown, will serve as a second location for families. I welcome this decision, and believe that the City should continue to utilize vacant hotels and buildings over outdoor relief centers. The city has also opened over 40 emergency shelters to accommodate migrants. 

I urge Mayor Adams to continue to consider alternative indoor locations for relief centers to ensure that every migrant who arrives in New York finds a safe and welcoming environment. Ultimately, the City and State must do more to invest in safe, affordable housing to alleviate the overburdened shelter system. Solving this crisis requires long-term solutions and investments into our housing system, and we cannot continue to put mere bandaids on these issues.  

My office and I have been in contact with mutual aid groups on the ground since August helping migrants acclimate once they arrive in New York City. Mutual aid organizations and migrants have expressed alarm regarding the lack of resources available upon arrival to Port Authority. Asylum seekers are arriving without knowledge of how to access resources here including food, clothing, phone service, and accessible transportation. To support the migrants coming to New York, you can donate new clothing, toiletries, and hygiene items at the following drop off locations: 

• Mission Church John 3:16: 518 West 168th Street, New York, NY; Tuesday & Saturday 10AM - 5PM; 914-310-8948
• New Life Church: 2757 Morris Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468; Call before drop off; 718-562-2230
• Iglesias Jovenes Cristianos: 8700 18th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214; Sunday 12PM - 4PM; 718-795-5645
• The Bridge: 1894 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210; Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10AM - 4PM; 917-804-3942
• Salvation Army Jamaica Community Center: 90-23 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432; Monday - Thursday 10AM -2PM; 914-217-3277
• Central Family Life Center: 59 Wright Street, Staten Island, NY 10304; 718-273-8414

Thank you in advance for your help!

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: State Tax Receipts Through First Half of Fiscal Year Exceed Projections by $2.4 Billion

State tax receipts totaled $58.4 billion through the first half of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23, exceeding the latest projections from the First Quarterly Update by $2.4 billion, according to the September State Cash Report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “Tax collections continued to run ahead of projections through September,” DiNapoli said. “However, there are economic uncertainties and risks that may impact revenue in the months ahead. Bolstering rainy day reserve funds on or ahead of the schedule proposed in the Enacted Budget Financial Plan should be a priority.”   Major findings: Personal income tax (PIT) receipts totaled $33.2 billion and were $2.4 billion above the state Division of the Budget’s (DOB) latest financial plan projections through Sept. 30. However, PIT receipts were $2.6 billion lower than the same period in SFY 2021-22, reflecting, in part, the effects of the Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET), which allows certain taxpayers to make business tax payments rather than personal income tax payments. Year-to-date consumption and use tax collections totaled $10.3 billion, including $9.5 billion from the sales tax, which were 5.3% or $518.2 million higher than the same period last year, and $130.9 million higher than anticipated by DOB. Business taxes totaled $12.9 billion, or double the amount collected through last September, but $560.2 million below DOB’s latest financial plan projections. The large year-over-year increase is primarily the result of collections from the PTET. All Funds spending through September totaled $96.2 billion, which was $4.4 billion, or 4.8%, higher than last year for the same period. All Funds spending through September was $5 billion lower than DOB’s latest financial plan projections primarily due to lower than anticipated spending for local assistance payments. The State’s General Fund ended September with a balance of just under $50 billion, $4.8 billion higher than projected by DOB and $30 billion higher than last year at the same time, primarily due to PTET collections, higher than anticipated tax collections and lower than anticipated spending. Report September Cash Report COVID-19 Relief Program Tracker Tracker

Combating Crime: Attorney General James and NYPD Commissioner Sewell Take Down Interstate Luxury Vehicle Theft Ring and Fraudulent Credit Card Operation

 

Joint AG and NYPD Investigation Charges Four Individuals with

Stealing Luxury SUVs and Shipping Them to West Africa

Individuals Stole Thousands of Dollars’ Worth of Property and Services from New York City Hotels and Clothing Stores Using Stolen Credit Card Information and IDs

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Keechant Sewell today announced the takedown of a luxury vehicle theft ring and fraudulent credit card operation in New York City. As outlined in the indictment, four individuals are charged with 76 counts for their roles in the auto-theft and export operation. During a three-year joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and NYPD’s Grand Larceny Division, law enforcement uncovered a scheme in which these individuals used stolen credit card information and stolen identifications to steal high-end vehicles from residences and rental car lots in New York and other states. After stealing the rental vehicles, the members of this theft ring drove the stolen vehicles into the greater New York City area, leaving them for a period of time to “cool off.” Crew members then drove the vehicles to South Florida where the stolen cars were loaded into shipping containers headed to West Africa to be sold.

These same individuals also defrauded luxury hotels and clothing stores in New York City by purchasing thousands of dollars in goods and services using fake identifications. The defendants are being charged with various counts of criminal possession of stolen property, identity theft, grand larceny, and other crimes.

“We are slamming the breaks on this dangerous luxury vehicle theft ring that defrauded New York businesses and individuals,” said Attorney General James. “These fraudsters stole high-end cars to sell abroad and today they are being held accountable for the harm they have caused. Today’s takedown is a continuation of our efforts to make our streets safer and protect New Yorkers from fraud and theft.”

“New York City will not tolerate any form of lawlessness, and this once sophisticated theft ring not only harmed public safety, but also undermined our local economy,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We were proud to partner with Attorney General James in announcing operation ‘Treasure Steals’ earlier this year and arrest these bad actors. Today’s announcement is a testament to the strength of the ongoing partnership between the NYPD, the Office of the Attorney General, and other local law enforcement entities, and their ability to bring organized criminal enterprises to justice.”

“This years-long, multistate investigation is a perfect example of how public safety is most definitely a shared responsibility,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “These wide-ranging charges show how complex this criminal enterprise was, and this case exemplifies our collective effort to bring these criminals to justice. I want to thank the New York Attorney General’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners for their tireless dedication and exceptional work.”

Today’s takedown was a result of a three-year joint investigation conducted by OAG’s OCTF and NYPD’s Manhattan Grand Larceny Division. The investigation — dubbed Operation “Gone in 60 Seconds” — utilized court-authorized wiretapping, multi-state physical surveillance, and financial analysis to identify the stolen vehicles, stolen credit card information, and identities used in this interstate scheme. 

The OAG’s investigation alleges, that since 2018, defendant Salimou Dabo managed this vehicle theft and export operation and provided fraudulent identification documents and stolen credit card information to co-defendants Tamek Skinner and Jayvon Moore, which they used to steal specific vehicles based on sales trends in West Africa. During the course of this investigation, Dabo, Skinner, and Moore targeted nine SUV models, including Land Rover, Range Rover, Mercedes, Infiniti, and Toyota, with a combined value of approximately $423,000. In an effort to erase the vehicles’ true origin, Dabo and his co-conspirators altered the vehicle identification numbers on five of the nine vehicles in preparation for their export, and used fraudulent, stolen identities to register and insure the vehicles. Dabo directed Skinner and Moore to transport the stolen vehicles from the theft locations to shipping yards, located in South Florida, where the vehicles would be loaded into 40-foot shipping containers, destined for the West African country of Guinea. Dabo disguised the contents of the shipping containers by documenting false vehicle identification numbers and vehicle descriptions. 

The investigation further alleges, that Tony Blathers created and supplied fraudulent credit cards and credit card information, as well as fraudulent identification documents to Dabo and Skinner, to bolster this operation. Wire communications between Blathers and Dabo revealed discussions related to matching fraudulent credit cards to “faces” or stolen identifications and Blather’s creation of fraudulent credit cards that would “beat the light,” referring to circumventing ultraviolet light security checks at Hertz rental counters, in an effort to circumvent any detection of a stolen credit card. 

The investigation also revealed that Dabo, Skinner, and Moore used the stolen credit card information, fraudulent credit cards, and fraudulent identification documents provided by Blathers to steal more than $16,500 worth of goods or services from New York City area retailers and hotels. 

The indictment, unsealed today before New York County Acting Supreme Court Justice Cori Weston, charged the individuals with various counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Identity Theft, Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, and other crimes in relation to their involvement in the auto-theft and export operation and the fraudulent credit card operation.

Those charged in today’s unsealed indictment include:

Salimou Dabo, 37, Guinea
Tamek Skinner, 28, New York, NY
Jayvon Moore, 28, New York, NY
Tony Blathers, 60, Brooklyn, NY

The charges against the defendants are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

In addition to law enforcement partners, Attorney General James would like to thank the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force, specifically Agent Michael Dealmeida, for his long-term assistance on this investigation.

The OAG thanks the Hertz Corporation, CMC Investments, Inc., and Todd Investment Co. doing business as Dollar, and all of OAG's retail partners in this investigation.

The OAG extends a special thanks to Detective Thomas Moran of the Pembroke Pines Police Department, who provided long-term investigative collaboration and resources to the investigative team. 

Permits Filed For 1298 Inwood Avenue In Highbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 15-story mixed-use building at 1298 Inwood Avenue in Highbridge, The Bronx. Located between West 169th Street and Clarke Place West, the lot is near the 170th Street subway station, serviced by the 4 train. David Sjauw under the 1298 Inwood Developers LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 162-foot-tall development will yield 123,422 square feet, with 112,439 square feet designated for residential space and 10,983 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 195 residences as part of a homeless shelter. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and 12 bicycle parking spaces.