Two British Citizens Arrested For Conspiracy To Defraud Investors In Fraudulent Co-Working Space Business

James Robinson and David Kennedy, Principals of United Property Group, Arrested in Spain For Fraudulently Soliciting Millions of Dollars From Investors in Bar Works Inc. and Related Entities 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging JAMES ROBINSON and DAVID KENNEDY, both citizens of the United Kingdom, with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for engaging in a scheme to defraud victims by making material misrepresentations about the management and operations of a company called Bar Works Inc. and related entities (“Bar Works”).  On November 30, 2022, ROBINSON and KENNEDY were arrested in Spain, and the United States Government will be seeking their extradition to the United States. 

According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and other court documents related to the prosecution of co-conspirators Renwick Haddow and James Moore:[1]

ROBINSON, KENNEDY, and co-conspirators Renwick Haddow and James Moore are citizens of the United Kingdom (the “UK”).  At all times relevant to the Indictment, United Property Group and related entities (collectively, “UPG”) was a company based in Spain that was controlled in part by ROBINSON and KENNEDY.  UPG sold real estate and other investing opportunities to potential investors.  Bar Works was a private co-working space company controlled by Haddow, which operated locations in New York City and elsewhere between in or about 2015 through 2017 and accepted millions of dollars in investments from investors recruited through UPG, among others.  Prior to launching Bar Works, Haddow had been disqualified as a director of any UK company for eight years and was later sued by the Financial Conduct Authority, a British regulator, for operating investment schemes through misrepresentations that lost investors substantially all of their money.  These sanctions and the lawsuit were publicized online.  

In exchange for millions of dollars in commissions, ROBINSON, KENNEDY, and Moore partnered with Haddow in soliciting investments into workspace leases in Bar Works through material misrepresentations concerning, among other things, the identity of Bar Works’ management and the operations of Bar Works.  Specifically, as ROBINSON and KENNEDY knew, notwithstanding Haddow’s control over Bar Works, Haddow caused the Bar Works offering materials to omit his name entirely, list a fictitious individual named “Jonathan Black” as the Chief Executive Officer of Bar Works, and claim that “Black” had an extensive background in finance and past success with start-up companies.

Through UPG, ROBINSON and KENNEDY recruited agents to sell workspace leases in Bar Works and provided them with fraudulent offering documents and other information.  An account controlled in whole or in part by JAMES ROBINSON and DAVID KENNEDY received over $2 million in commissions from Bar Works in exchange for soliciting victims to invest at least approximately $7.5 million in this scheme.  Separately, Moore received another approximately $1.6 million from Bar Works.  Overall, prior to its collapse in or about June 2017, Bar Works obtained over $57 million from over 800 investors worldwide.

ROBINSON, 46, and KENNEDY, 47, both of the UK, are each charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of wire fraud conspiracy.  Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Renwick Haddow, 54, pled guilty pursuant to a cooperation agreement on May 23, 2019, to one count each of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy relating to the Bar Works scheme and one count each of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy relating to a separate Bitcoin-related investment scheme.  Haddow’s sentencing is currently scheduled for April 28, 2023, before United States District Judge Laura Taylor Swain.

James Moore, 62, was found guilty on June 7, 2019, of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud following a week-long jury trial before United States District Judge Richard M. Berman.  On February 1, 2022, Moore was sentenced to 140 months in prison by Judge Berman.

Savraj Gata-Aura, 36, pled guilty on November 18, 2019, to one count of wire fraud conspiracy for his participation in the scheme and was sentenced to 48 months in prison on July 27, 2020, by United States District Judge Jed. S. Rakoff.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  He further thanked the Spanish National Police for their assistance.  Finally, Mr. Williams thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS SISTER CITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN NEW YORK CITY AND ATHENS, GREECE

 

Historic Municipalities Agree to Expand Cooperation in Cultural Affairs, Environmental Protection, Technology, and Tourism

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the signing of a sister city agreement with Athens, Greece, building on the relationship between the two historic municipalities. Mayor Adams joined Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis at Athens City Hall today in executing the agreement to expand cooperation in tourism, environmental protection, technology, and cultural affairs.

“New York City has always been inspired by Athens’ example — a place where people of different backgrounds come together to seek a better future for themselves and their fellow citizens. The friendship between New York City and Athens is rooted in kinship, in shared values, and in history, and, today, we’re committing to the future of our partnership and laying the groundwork for collaboration. This sister city agreement will allow us to share best practices and address our most pressing challenges,” said Mayor Adams.  “We are going to work together to grow tourism between our two cities, address climate change, commit to cultural cooperation, and more. Athens teaches us that we must always dream and work towards a better tomorrow, and as the world comes back from our darkest days, I am excited to join hands across the Atlantic Ocean with my good friend Mayor Bakoyannis to forge that bright future together. I thank him, all of Athens, for their commitment to this relationship.”

“The ‘City of Wisdom’ and the ‘Big Apple’ are joining forces. To move in tandem, forwards and upwards. Our democratic values of tolerance, equality, and individual freedom are our common starting point. Our citizens and their ideals bring us together, from the Parthenon to the Statue of Liberty and from Astoria to Koukaki. We are proud to give tens of thousands of Greek New Yorkers the opportunity to see the two capitals of their hearts unite,” said Mayor Bakoyannis. “This document serves as a compass that will chart a common path towards strengthening the sustainability and resilience of our cities. It extends our cooperation in the protection of the environment and consolidates a common attitude of zero tolerance towards social discrimination. It also further binds a personal friendship with Mayor Adams, a man of true integrity, a visionary, and a pioneer. His devotion to the people of New York, and hard work for their city, serves as an example for all public officials around the world. This day marks the official beginning of an enduring bond between Athenians and New Yorkers. The historical exchange of populations, ideas, knowledge, and culture between the two cities is from today an institution.”

The sister city agreement — which recognizes the crucial role of cities in the stability, development, prosperity, sustainability, and well-being of their societies and their citizens — focuses on several key issues of collaboration, including:

• Investigating the organization of joint art exhibitions, festivals, concerts, opera, theater, ballet, or other relevant cultural events;
• Engaging in information sharing about the resilience of modern urban centers, specifically on topics related to climate change mitigation challenges, prevention of natural disasters, and emergency management, including earthquakes, winter weather emergencies, and wildfires;
• Exchanging best practices and know-how on the digitalization of municipal services, such as the issuance of official forms, licenses, and electronic applications without requiring the citizen’s physical presence; and
• Examining appropriate ways to encourage the travel of their citizens to each other’s respective city in order for them to visit their monuments and local landmarks.

“The world has faced deep challenges that go beyond borders and they can only be resolved through collaborations and the sharing of best practices,” said Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Commissioner Edward Mermelstein. “Under the great leadership of Mayor Eric Adams, my office is proud to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships with cities globally. This agreement is a shining example of this work and we look forward to collaborating closely with the city of Athens in achieving these objectives.”

Through the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, New York City also maintains sister city relationships with the cities of Beijing, Budapest, Cairo, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Rome, Santo Domingo, and Tokyo. Additionally, the office has engaged hundreds of municipalities around the world regarding key opportunities and challenges to ensure the exchange of best practices.

December 2022 at KRVC

 

Join us to Launch 4Bronx as the Newest KRVC Program!

Mark Your Calendars & Join Us for these Fun & Festive Holiday Celebrations!

Look forward to seeing you! KRVCDC.ORG @krvcbronx

NYPD Commissioner Announces Retirement of Chief David Barrere

 

Longtime NYPD Chief Caps Distinguished Policing Career

On Chief of Internal Affairs David Barrere’s final day with the New York City Police Department, Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell extends her gratitude and best wishes. Chief Barrere previously filed for his service retirement on November 1, 2022 and today marks the final day of a distinguished 32-year career.

"I thank Chief Barrere and his family for his years of dedicated public service," said Police Commissioner Sewell. "Throughout his exemplary career, he epitomized the professionalism, dedication, and commitment to public service that are the hallmarks of a New York City Police Department officer. Working across multiple bureaus, boroughs, and assignments, Chief Barrere represented the best of the NYPD for more than three decades, and I wish him the very best in all that lies ahead."

"It has been an absolute privilege to work among the very finest police officers anywhere," said Chief David Barrere. "Every day of my nearly 33 years in the NYPD brought something new – but one thing I could always count on was the unwavering devotion of the men and women of this police department to the people and the city they served. The NYPD is the greatest law enforcement organization in the world because they have the best cops in the world, and I am eternally grateful for their camaraderie, commitment, and courage. Thank you as well to all the communities I had the honor to serve over the years, and I look forward to spending retirement with my family and friends."

Chief Barrere joined the NYPD in April 1990 and began his career on patrol in the 63 Precinct. He also served in the 32nd, 67th, 75th, 76th, 77th, and 114th Precincts, as well as the Brooklyn South Task Force, Central Robbery Division, Detective Borough Brooklyn, and Patrol Borough Queens South. He was promoted to Sergeant in March 1994; Lieutenant in May 1997; Captain in September 1999; Deputy Inspector in July 2002; Inspector in December 2004; Deputy Chief in June 2009; Assistant Chief in June 2014; Chief of Housing in February 2020; and Chief of Internal Affairs in 2022. Chief David Barrere served as Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens South, and he has also commanded the 75th, 76th, and 114th Precincts, the Central Robbery Division, and Detective Borough Brooklyn. Additionally, he served as Executive Officer of the 67th Precinct.

Governor Hochul Announces Launch of Holiday Toy, Coat and School Supply Drive to Benefit New Yorkers in Need

 

Statewide Drive Begins December 1

Shipped Packages Accepted at Empire State Plaza

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York's annual statewide holiday donation drive to benefit families in need across New York will begin on December 1, 2022. Donations of new unwrapped toys, coats and school supplies are being sought to assist community-based organizations during the holiday giving season. 

"This holiday season, I encourage all New Yorkers to come together to support families and children across the state who are in need," Governor Hochul said. "New York's Annual Toy and Coat Drive is a great opportunity to bring some much-needed joy and hope to our communities, and everyone with the means to do so can spread some holiday cheer by donating." 

The New York State Office of General Services has set up drop-off locations across the state for businesses and individuals to bring the new unwrapped toys, coats and school supplies, which will be distributed to families in underserved communities throughout New York.

The drop-off locations will collect donations from December 1 through December 16. Locations are as follows: 

• Alfred E. Smith Building, 80 South Swan Street, Albany
• Empire State Plaza Main Concourse, Empire State Plaza, Albany
• Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany
• Agency Buildings 1,2,3,4 - Empire State Plaza, Albany
• Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice Empire State Plaza, Albany
• Swan Street Building, Core 2 and Core 3, Empire State Plaza, Albany
• Harriman Campus Buildings 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 12 Harriman Campus, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany
• Ten Eyck Building, 40 North Pearl Street, Albany
• 50 Wolf Road, Albany
• 625 Broadway, Albany
• Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, Albany
• 44 Holland Avenue, Albany
• 328 State Street, Schenectady
• Senator John J. Hughes State Office Building, 333 E. Washington Street, Syracuse
• Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington Street, Watertown
• Utica State Office Building, 207 Genesee Street, Utica
• Eleanor Roosevelt State Office Building, 4 Burnett Boulevard, Poughkeepsie
• Henderson-Smith State Office Building, 107 Broadway, Hornell
• Binghamton State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton
• NYS State Police, 1155 Scottsville Road, Rochester
• Homer Folks Facility, 28 Hill Street, Oneonta
• Electric Tower, 535 Washington Street, Buffalo
• Perry B. Duryea State Office Building, 250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge
• Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street, New York City
• Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building, 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn

Packages ordered online can be shipped to the following location:

Empire State Plaza

P1 South Dock J

Albany, New York 12242

NYS Holiday Drive

NYS Inspector General announces sentencing of Dutchess County man who stole the identity of a licensed surgeon to review Workers’ Compensation claims

 

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced the sentencing today of Spyros Panos to 111 months in prison following his plea to charges of health care fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft as part of a scheme to defraud medical record review companies of more than $875,000.  

A former doctor himself, Panos surrendered his medical license in 2013 in connection with a guilty plea to federal health care fraud, for which he subsequently served 54 months in prison.   After surrendering his own license, and both before and after serving his sentence, Panos used the medical credentials of a Westchester orthopedic surgeon without his knowledge to secure work with five separate peer review companies.   Unbeknownst to the surgeon whose identity he stole, Panos reviewed patient files in connection with Workers’ Compensation claims and health care appeals, receiving approximately $876,000 in compensation from the five companies for the work.

“New Yorkers deserve to have faith in the Workers Compensation system and the medical professionals they entrust with their health,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “I commend the team that unraveled and exposed this scheme. New Yorkers should keep faith in our most important systems knowing that the Inspector General’s Office is standing watch.”

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Spyros Panos, a former surgeon who surrendered his license to practice medicine after a prior conviction for health care fraud in this District, abused our healthcare system for his own personal profit again, and he is now facing a return to prison.  The sentence he received appropriately reflects the seriousness of his crime and of recidivism in the eyes of the law.”

Postal Inspector in Charge of the New York Division Daniel B. Brubaker said: “I would like to thank New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang and our other law enforcement partners for their outstanding work. Today’s sentencing brings to a close Mr. Panos’ unscrupulous scheme to defraud the Workers Compensation system, medical professionals and the public. Even after serving years in prison for health care fraud, Mr. Panos wasted no time returning to his old, corrupt ways and stole the identity of another licensed physician to continue his deceptive practices for monetary gain. He will now have to pay for his life of crime. The Postal Inspection Service is the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service. Our proud and long-standing mission is to protect our employees, infrastructure and customers from criminals. Any time the U.S. Mail is used in furtherance of a crime, Postal Inspectors will be there to hold criminals responsible for their actions.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Susan Frisco said: "By assuming the identity of a licensed doctor, Panos undermined patient trust and the integrity of the medical community. HHS-OIG is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate such egregious conduct.”

Lang thanked Deputy Inspector General Jean M. Carsey and Senior Investigator Dave Regazzi for their work on the investigation, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margery B. Feinzig and Lindsey Keenan of the Southern District of New York. 

Permits Filed For 2071 Ryer Avenue In Fordham Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for an eight-story residential building at 2071 Ryer Avenue in Fordham Heights, The Bronx. Located between East 180th Street and East Burnside Avenue, the lot is two blocks from the 182nd-183rd Streets subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Joel Friedman is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 80-foot-tall development will yield 14,257 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 24 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 594 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a 39-foot-long rear yard but no accessory parking.

Leonid Krupnik is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed last month for a two-story building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

8 stories, 24 apartments, average unit size 594 square feet, and no parking. Kevin Daola, there is no mention of a bike room.

49th Precinct Council November Meeting

 

Tuesday November 29th was the 49th Precinct Council meeting, which was held at the Eastchester Gardens Houses Community Center. Very few people were in attendance since the site of the meeting was only posted a few days in advance, and not the required ten days in advance of Precinct Council meetings.

Ms. Rhonda Coleman-Brissett was presented with a certificate of completion of the Citizens Police Academy. 49th Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Gareth Kentish presented a brief update of crime figures in the 49th Precinct. Most reported crime is up, the number of calls has increased, and the precinct has less officers and cars on patrol than in previous months. 

The Cop of the Month Police Officer Steven Valarezo was not present, The Civilian of the month award was presented to Mr. Matthew Murphy, Neighborhood reports from Eastchester Garden, Morris Park and Bronx Park East were given as Precinct Council President Thompson once again skipped the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association President who was in attendance and heard after Crime Prevention Officer Mederos gave his tips on staying safe and not to leave your car running to go into a store for a few seconds to come out and see the car gone. 

An issue was brought up where the vacant Assistant Secretary position was brought up by a member in good standing. A motion to eliminate the unneeded position which is an optional position as is the Corresponding Secretaries position was squashed by President Thompson, and when the member in good standing presented themself for the vacancy it was said the position would be filled at the next election in June of 2023.

Ms Rhonda Coleman-Brissett holds her Certificate of completion of the Citizens Police Academy as she stands next to 49th Precinct officers (L-R), Community Affairs Officer Powers, Captain Kentish, and Detective Sturdivant. 

Mr. Michael Murphy holds his Civilian of the Month Award as Captain Kentish, Precinct Council President Thompson, and Keith Ramsey of the Eastchester Garden Houses are also in the photo.

Crime Prevention officer Mederos goes over his many tips on staying safe, not to leave your cars idling unattended, and not to leave your holiday packages bought  in plain sight. Officer Mederos added that people walk along cars to look in them to see if there are any unattended items that they can steal.