Permits Filed For 3573 Laconia Avenue In Williamsbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 3573 Laconia Avenue in Williamsbridge, The Bronx. Located between East 212th Street and East 213th Street, the lot is near the Gun Hill Road subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Elvis Dushi is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 37-foot-tall development will yield 14,941 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 20 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 747 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar, penthouse, a 30-foot-long rear yard, eight open parking spaces, and five enclosed parking spaces.

Badaly Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in July 2021 for the single-story structure on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Attorney General James Fights To Protect DACA

 

Effort by AG James Continues Ongoing Commitment to DACA and Dreamers, Including Historic SCOTUS Win Defending the Program

New York Attorney General Letitia James co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general, in pushing back against the ongoing effort by Texas to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In the amicus brief filed before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the coalition asserts the critical importance of DACA for states across the country and the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers and their families who depend on the program. This action is part of Attorney General James’ ongoing effort to protect DACA, including her defense of the program in the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Every American, no matter their immigration status, deserves a chance to achieve the American Dream,” said Attorney General James. “For thousands of New Yorkers who have known no other home than our welcoming state, DACA has meant they are able to stay with us and contribute to our communities. When other states try to tear down this successful program, they are trying to rip families apart and remove New Yorkers from our state, and that I will not allow. I will continue to fight for all New Yorkers, and I am proud to lead my colleague attorneys general in this must-win effort.”

DACA has allowed recipients to live, study, and work across the United States free from the fear of being forcibly separated from their families and communities. Since 2012, more than 825,000 young immigrants have been granted DACA protections after completing applications and passing a background check, including nearly 41,000 New Yorkers. Dreamers come from almost every country in the world, but many have never known any home other than the United States. The program has enabled hundreds of thousands of grantees to enroll in colleges and universities; start businesses that help improve our economy; serve in the military; and give back to our communities as teachers, medical professionals, engineers, and entrepreneurs. These contributions became even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic as tens of thousands of DACA recipients continued to serve their communities as essential workers and frontline healthcare professionals.

DACA plays a vital role in supporting our economies at the national, state, and local level. DACA recipients and their households are estimated to contribute approximately $9.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes each year. A full rollback of DACA — as being pushed for by Texas and its allies — is projected to result in a loss of an estimated $280 billion in national economic growth over the course of a decade. It would also lead to an estimated loss of $33.1 billion in Social Security contributions and $7.7 billion in Medicare contributions — funds that are critical to ensuring the financial health of these national programs upon which people across the country rely. In addition, the spending power of DACA recipients — estimated at $25.3 billion annually — contributes substantially to the overall economic health of the nation. DACA recipients own homes, make mortgage payments, own small businesses, and help support the creation of new jobs.

In the amicus brief, Attorney General James and her colleagues assert that DACA recipients are vital to their communities, public universities, and economies. The attorneys general also note that DACA enhances public safety and reduces the strain on social safety net programs. They raise the concern that any abrupt termination of DACA would harm recipients and their communities, and any remedy ordered by the court must account for the fact that DACA recipients, and their states and communities, have relied on the program for over a decade. 

Attorney General James has been at the forefront of the fight for the preservation of DACA and to support the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who rely on it. In 2017, former President Donald Trump ordered his administration to terminate the DACA program. This resulted in a prolonged legal battle with the issue landing at the U.S. Supreme Court in November 2019. In June 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Attorney General James' arguments that the Trump Administration’s attempt to cancel the DACA policy was unlawful. In August 2020, Attorney General James co-led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in a lawsuit to vacate a memo from the then-Trump Administration U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that sought to make harmful changes to DACA. In December 2020, a federal district court issued a remedial order granting Attorney General James’ request for DHS to reopen DACA to first-time applicants, restore protections to a two-year period instead of one year, and make Advanced Parole available to DACA recipients again without restrictions. At the same time, Attorney General James has supported DACA in the present and ongoing lawsuit filed by Texas and several other States in 2018. In December 2021, Attorney General James co-led a coalition of 23 attorneys general to support DACA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Joining Attorney General James in filing today’s amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli Writes to President Biden in Support of His Planned Veto of Anti-ESG Resolution

 

Partisan Measure Seeks to Handcuff Investors' Ability to Weigh ESG Risks to Portfolios 

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today wrote to President Biden in support of his planned veto of a resolution that would undo a U.S. Labor Department (DOL) rule that allows managers of retirement funds that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks as part of their investment decisions.

“Investors worldwide know that successfully managing portfolios means managing risk — including ESG risks. It’s prudent, common-sense investing,” DiNapoli said. “Companies that don’t safeguard employees’ health and safety, that don’t hire and promote on a level playing field, that don’t protect themselves from fires or floods or take steps to benefit the communities in which they operate, put their profits, reputations and investors at risk.

“The members of Congress attempting to undo the Department of Labor’s rule are trying to impose partisan politics on what should be dollars and cents, nonpolitical investment decisions. They cannot be allowed to play political football with the retirement security of millions of hardworking Americans. My thanks to President Biden for his assurance that he will do the right thing and veto this misguided attempt to politicize investment decisions.”

In December 2021, DiNapoli wrote in support of a rule submitted by the DOL relating to “Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights, RIN 1210-AC03” (Rule). In his comment letter, DiNapoli stated that the DOL’s Rule would strengthen and provide greater guidance on the appropriateness of the evaluation of ESG factors—especially climate change. Additionally, DiNapoli stated there should be no doubt at this point that these factors can be material depending on the individual facts and circumstances, and that not only may fiduciaries properly consider them, but that in some instances, an evaluation of those factors may be required.

March 10, 2023

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden:

I am writing to support your planned veto of H.J. Res. 30 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to “Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights.” As Comptroller of the State of New York, I serve as the Trustee of the New York Common Retirement Fund (Fund), which is the one of the largest public pension funds in the United States.

The Fund is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) or the Department of Labor’s rules, but ERISA guidance has the potential to change market standards by impacting the common and prevailing market practices of ERISA fiduciaries, who are a meaningful segment of institutional investors. It also has the potential to affect the corporate governance of the companies in which the Fund invests and, therefore, the Fund’s investments.

Investors worldwide have come to understand that prudent, long-term portfolio management requires contending with real-world issues. What investors, including the Fund, increasingly recognize is that companies that commit resources to managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues like climate risk, board oversight and human capital management, perform better. Accordingly, we cannot ignore the growing consensus among investors that ESG factors are financial factors that should be considered by all fiduciaries.

The New York State and Local Retirement System is ranked one of America’s best-managed and best-funded public pension plans. We have integrated ESG factors into our investment processes as part of our risk analysis for close to a decade. Like all fiduciaries, I am compelled to consider matters that may be material to risk or return when making investment decisions. ESG factors that meet this standard are no different.

The DOL Rule was welcomed by a broad array of investors because for many years, ERISA fiduciaries faced shifting standards from the Department about whether they can and should consider ESG factors in their role as investment stewards for retirement plan participants. I supported the DOL Rule because it strengthened and provided greater guidance on the appropriateness of the evaluation of ESG factors—especially climate change.

Far too many people are trying to impose their politics on what should be a dollars-and-cents, apolitical investment process. Voiding the 2022 DOL Rule would handcuff ERISA investors by discouraging them from considering material factors that a prudent investor, including pension funds, absolutely must consider.

Thank you for continuous efforts to deliver for America’s workers and for protecting the DOL Rule, which will better protect the retirement security for millions of workers.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. DiNapoli

State Comptroller

Former President Of International Aircraft Parts Distributor Sentenced To 84 Months In Prison For Role In Multi-Million-Dollar Fraud Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that STEFAN GILLIER, a/k/a “Stephan Gillier,” a/k/a “Stefan R.R. Gillier,” a/k/a “Roland Gillier,” a/k/a “Roland Van Gorp,” was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to 84 months in prison for engaging in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over six million dollars’ worth of aircraft parts.  GILLIER was convicted in September 2022 following a one-week jury trial.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “With this sentence, Stefan Gillier’s aircraft parts fraud scheme has been grounded.  As the sentence for this extradited defendant shows, those who flee justice will be held accountable for their crimes, no matter how long it takes.”   

According to the Indictment, documents previously filed in the case, and evidence introduced at trial:

GILLIER was the president and ran the day-to-day business activities of RTF International Inc. (“RTF”), a broker of aircraft parts.  RTF began obtaining aircraft parts from Honeywell International, Inc. (“Honeywell”) in June 2004.  Starting in 2005, RTF began increasing the number of parts it ordered from Honeywell, paying for them by check.  RTF paid with checks written in foreign currency and for amounts well above the cost of the parts, which created an apparent credit balance in RTF’s favor in Honeywell’s accounting system.  RTF wrote approximately $17 million worth of checks to Honeywell but stopped payment on approximately $15 million worth of checks.

In particular, GILLIER signed checks to Honeywell on behalf of RTF but repeatedly caused stop payment orders to be placed after Honeywell shipped the parts to RTF.  When questioned by Honeywell’s employees about these stop payment orders, GILLIER, using the alias “Roland Van Gorp,” falsely represented that the stop payment orders were the result of a misunderstanding with the bank and that he would check with RTF’s finance department.  In fact, as GILLIER knew, he had issued the stop payment orders, and RTF did not have a finance department. 

In total, GILLIER was able to obtain over $6 million worth of aircraft parts from Honeywell without paying for the parts. 

In June 2006, Honeywell executed a civil attachment order and recovered some of the aircraft parts stolen by GILLIER.  Following the execution of the civil attachment order by Honeywell, GILLIER caused various large transfers of fraud proceeds into bank accounts controlled by him, his relatives, and a co-conspirator (“CC-1”).  The day after making those transfers, on June 15, 2006, GILLIER left the United States for Canada. 

After Honeywell discovered that it was being victimized by RTF, GILLIER and CC-1 continued their fraud scheme through a new corporate entity, “UN Air Services, Inc.” (“UAS”) (which had no relation to the United Nations).  In 2006, UAS began obtaining aircraft parts from Pratt & Whitney Component Solutions, Inc. (“Pratt & Whitney”).  Like RTF, UAS began stopping payment on checks it had written to Pratt & Whitney for the aircraft parts after Pratt & Whitney delivered the aircraft parts to UAS.

GILLIER was arrested and extradited from Italy in 2019.

In addition to the prison sentence, GILLIER, 49, a citizen of Belgium, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

Ironworkers Recruit Apprentices

 

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) for Ironworkers, Local Union #40 & #361, will conduct a recruitment from April 3, 2023 through June 9, 2023 for 100 Ironworker (Outside) apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today.

Please note that the 100 openings listed for apprentices represent the total number for two recruitment regions: the Long Island and New York City regions of the state.

Applications must be obtained and submitted online at www.nycironworkers.org, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, starting on April 3, 2023 and ending on June 9, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Applicants who do not have access to a computer should visit their local library. All applications must be received by June 9, 2023.

A $25.00 testing fee and a valid form of identification will be required at the time of testing (Money Order only - payable to Ironworkers LU #40 & #361). Please note, you may request that this fee be waived. Fee waivers will be approved upon showing verifiable proof of financial need. After paying the $25 application fee, you will receive a receipt with the date and time you will come to Local Union’s school at 35-23 36th Street Astoria NY 11106 to take the written exam.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old. Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Proof will be required after the offer of employment.
• Must take and pass the Ironworkers’ written aptitude test.
• Must be able to follow written directions.
• Must submit to a drug test, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be physically able to perform the work of an Ironworker (Outside) as determined by physical test which includes:
• Climbing up a 35-foot column in less than 40 seconds and safely climbing back down.
• Climbing a ladder 20 feet up to a 5.5-inch-wide beam and walking on top of that beam for 20 feet, turning around and returning to the ladder; climbing four feet down the ladder onto a platform and pulling up a bucket that weighs 75 pounds; lowering the bucket back to the ground, pulling it up, and lowering it to the ground again; climbing back down the ladder; this must be completed in less than three and a half minutes.
• Raising and lowering 2,000 pounds of steel 40 inches into the air with a chain fall in less than two minutes and 15 seconds.
• Carrying a 45-pound tool up and down a staircase, three times, within one minute and 30 seconds.

 For further information, applicants should contact JATC for Ironworkers, Local Union #40 & #361 at (718) 433-4195. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: dol.ny.gov/career-centers).

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

Carpenters Recruit Apprentices

 

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the High Rise Concrete Carpenters of New York City will conduct a recruitment from April 12, 2023 through November 8, 2023 for 100 Carpenter apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today.

Applicants must attend an in-person information session at the New York City District Council of Carpenters Training Center (NYCDCC Training Center), 395 Hudson Street (Clarkson Street entrance), New York, New York. Information Sessions will be held on the Second & Fourth Wednesday of each month from 9AM-10AM for all trades during the recruitment period. There is no admittance after 9 AM. Off-Site information sessions and virtual information sessions may be added if necessary. In order to receive an application, applicants must provide government-issued picture identification.

Please note, spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. At the conclusion of the information session, a passcode will be given which is required to complete an online application.

Applicants must sign in during the in-person information session. Failure to sign in will disqualify the individual from further consideration. Applicants will receive a passcode during the in-person information session, which will allow them to access the application online. Applications will be available online during the recruitment period at www.nyccarpenterstrainingcenter.org.

Completed applications must be emailed to application@nycdcctc.org or submitted to the NYCDCC Training Center, 395 Hudson Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014. All applications must be completed correctly and if mailed, must be postmarked no later than five (5) business days from the date of the information session. Failure to comply will disqualify the individual from further consideration.

Applications that comply with the previous application steps will receive a confirmation letter and will be scheduled for an interview at a future date and will be provided with an instruction sheet and a list of original documents that will be required if they are accepted into the program. Applicants that do not arrive on time to their scheduled interview will be disqualified from further consideration.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 17 years old at the time of application.
• Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be physically able to perform the work of the trade without posing a direct threat to the safety of themselves or others.
• Must attest in writing that they are physically able to perform the work of a Carpenter, which may include:
  • Working on scaffolds and in confined spaces.
  • Working under conditions of inclement weather, such as rain, snow, cold, heat, and direct sunlight.
  • Performing constant repetitive motions.
  • Climbing and working from heights.
  • Lifting items weighing a minimum of 50 lbs.
  • Standing and stooping for prolonged periods of time.
• Must pass a substance abuse screening, at the expense of the sponsor, within 48 hours of selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship. Applicants that do not pass the substance abuse screening will be notified and disqualified from further consideration.
• Must provide proof of any trade-related experience, certification, or education, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be able to read, hear and understand written and verbal instructions and warnings in English.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have the legal right to work in the United States. Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment to apprenticeship.
• Must provide DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, if applicable, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.  

For further information, applicants should contact High Rise Concrete Carpenters of New York City at (212) 727-2224, Ext. 111. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: https://dol.ny.gov/career-centers).

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

DEC ANNOUNCES 2023 I BIRD NY CHALLENGE

 

Program Encourages New Yorkers to Enjoy Birding Close to Home and on the New York State Birding Trail

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the start of the 2023 I BIRD NY Challenge for birders of all ages and abilities. The challenge provides opportunities to identify and learn about birds and awards participants who finish the program with a commemorative I BIRD NY Challenge patch and the chance to win birding equipment. DEC has updated the challenge format this year to feature a single challenge for all ages and abilities.

"No matter where you live or where you come from, birdwatching is a fun, easy, and affordable activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds," Commissioner Seggos said. "With spring migration in full swing, it’s a great time of year to take up birding or take your birding skills to the next level by observing birds on the diverse variety of habitats found in New York State.” 

New York State's wide-ranging habitat types, from the Atlantic Ocean's sandy beaches to majestic Catskill and Adirondack peaks, Great Lakes shorelines, and everything in between, create a birder's paradise, supporting more than 450 different bird species throughout the year. New York has many wonderful Birding Trail locations and new ones are being added all the time, making it even easier for New Yorkers to get started with birding.  

Birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities in the country. Backyard birding, or watching birds close to home, is the most common way people engage in birding. As a birder's skill and interest develop, there are several opportunities to contribute to scientific knowledge about birds and the natural world. Programs like eBird, New York's Breeding Bird Atlas, Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count rely on volunteer birders to contribute sightings to a centralized database.

The I BIRD NY program was launched in 2017 to build on the State's efforts to increase access to New York's vast natural resources and promote no- and low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature. I BIRD NY is just one of DEC's ongoing efforts to engage New Yorkers in nature-based activities that provide a fun opportunity for the entire family to learn about the natural world. Because people can observe birds wherever they live, work, or recreate, birding is an accessible activity that does not require transportation or the purchase of specialized equipment. Birdwatching can be enjoyed by people from all economic backgrounds and education levels. While binoculars can help, many birds can be identified without them.  

Chris Lajewski, Center Director at Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah, said, “Montezuma Audubon Center, one of 41 National Audubon Society centers, is thrilled to welcome visitors to the New York State Birding Trail where you can paddle to search for secretive marsh birds and shorebirds and hike to experience melodious songbirds and migratory waterfowl. Montezuma’s forests, wetlands, grasslands and waterways are critical to the health of birds and people. Nearly 300 bird species, including threatened and endangered species like the black tern, pied-billed grebe and northern harrier, are found across this unique mosaic of habitats. Montezuma Audubon Center encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the pleasures of birding along the New York State Birding Trail and take the I BIRD NY Challenge, and we’re delighted that more New Yorkers now have the opportunity to take part in this joyful activity.”

The Western New York Young Birder Club (WNY YBC) was started by Maisie Hebrank (9) and Sam Hebrank (12) to connect with other kids who love birds as much as they do. Founder of the WNY YBC, Maisie Hebrank, said, "Birds are awesome!!!!!" which is the motto of the WNY YBC.

The 2023 I BIRD NY Challenge is open to all ages and ends on Nov. 1. To complete the challenge, participants are required to identify any 10 bird species of their choosing and submit a challenge sheet to DEC that can be found at https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/109900.html#2023. Challenge sheets may be submitted online via Survey Monkey or sent via email or mail. Entries must be received by Nov. 17. Entry forms are also available in Spanish. All participants will be awarded a commemorative patch, given a completion certificate, and entered into a drawing for great birding prizes. Two youth and two adult winners will be chosen. Participants will also receive an extra prize entry for providing a photo documenting their challenge experience. As an extra bonus, the first 50 participants will receive a special goodie bag of birding swag items.

Birding enthusiasts can visit I Bird NY to access this year's challenge sheets, as well as find information on where and how to watch birds, upcoming birding events, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding (also available in Spanish), and additional resources. Those interested may also opt to sign up for DEC’s monthly birding newsletter, Words of a Feather, to have birding tips and tricks, New York State Birding Trail site recommendations, events, and more delivered right to one’s inbox.

DEC will be hosting a Facebook and Instagram Live about the 2023 I BIRD NY Challenge from the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area in coming days. Tune in to @NYSDEC for more details.

As always, challenge participants are encouraged to Love Our New York Lands by practicing Leave No Trace^TM principles and by recreating safely and sustainably. For more information, go to: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/119881.html

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES TONYA JENERETTE AS MAYORAL DESIGNEE ON NEW YORK CITY BANKING COMMISSION

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Tonya Jenerette as his designee on the New York City Banking Commission. Jenerette joins New York City Treasurer Mary Christine Jackman, New York City Department of Finance (DOF) Commissioner Preston Niblack’s designee, along with Louis Cholden-Brown, New York City City Comptroller Brad Lander’s designee.

 

“Tonya Jenerette’s extensive background in banking and securities law makes her well-suited to serve on the New York City Banking Commission,” said Mayor Adams. “She has a proven track record successfully litigating a myriad of important issues on behalf of the city, and I am confident she will ensure our city’s banking policies are aligned with this administration’s values of equity and fairness for all New Yorkers.”   

 

 “I am honored to serve on the New York City Banking Commission, and thank Mayor Adams for this appointment,” said Tonya Jenerette, mayor’s designee, New York City Banking Commission. “I have dedicated my career to ensuring financial institutions abide by the law, and the Banking Commission offers an opportunity to ensure we are advancing equitable and inclusive banking practices and policies citywide.”

 

The Banking Commission, comprised of three members — the mayor, the city comptroller, and the DOF commissioner — is responsible for approving banks as New York City designated banks, which are the only banks that can hold city deposits. The Banking Commission also recommends to the City Council interest rates for the early and late payment of real estate taxes and administers the city’s Banking Development District (BDD) Program, a program of the New York State Department of Financial Services. The goal of the BDD program is to encourage and assist banks in opening branches in traditionally underserved neighborhoods. 

 

Upcoming meetings of the New York City Banking Commission will be held on the following dates: May 11, 2023 for the discount/late payment rate recommendation meeting and May 25, 2023 for the bank designation meeting. The designation will take place immediately following the latter meeting. More information can be found online.

 

About Tonya Jenerette

Tonya Jenerette currently serves as chief strategy officer to First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. Previously, she served as special counsel to the deputy mayor of operations (DMO), responsible for overseeing all legal issues, legislative priorities, and complex special projects to support DMO’s overall efforts to build infrastructure for New Yorkers that is safe, high-quality, and accessible. 

 

Before that, Jenerette served in the New York City Law Department as deputy chief for the impact litigation unit, leading a team of five attorneys to develop, direct, manage, and supervise social justice and impact litigation on behalf of the city.

 

Earlier, Jenerette served as senior regional attorney for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s New York Regional Office, where she led investigations of misconduct by bank insiders, instituting and prosecuting appropriate corrective or enforcement actions, including cease-and-desist orders, prohibitions from banking and removal actions, and civil money penalties.

 

Jenerette also served as an attorney for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for its enforcement, litigation, protection, and corporate affairs group, where she conducted investigations into allegations of illegal activity at banking institutions, drafted and executed enforcement actions and settlement positions, and advised bank officers and senior staff on litigation and enforcement matters. 

 

Jenerette earned her BS at Richard Stockton College, pursued her PhD at Harvard University, and her JD at New York University School of Law.