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Thursday, March 23, 2023
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Work in Your Favorite Park!
Financial Advisor, Financial Planner, NBA Agent, And Previously Convicted Fraudster Charged With Schemes To Defraud Professional Basketball Players
Four Professional Basketball Players Defrauded of Over $13 Million
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a six-count Indictment charging DARRYL COHEN, BRIAN GILDER, CHARLES BRISCOE, and CALVIN DARDEN, JR. in connection with two schemes to defraud professional basketball players. COHEN and GILDER were arrested this morning in, respectively, Chatsworth, California, and North Ridge, California, and will be presented later today in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. BRISCOE was arrested this morning in Katy, Texas, and will be presented later today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. DARDEN, JR. was arrested this morning in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be presented later today in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the indictment, these defendants believed that defrauding their professional athlete clients of millions of dollars would be a layup. That was a huge mistake, and they now face serious criminal charges for their alleged crimes.”
FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “As alleged, the defendants engaged in schemes to defraud four professional basketball players of more than $13 million. Today’s actions should serve as an example to others who engage in criminal activity to serve their own greedy financial desires at the expense of others – the FBI is committed to bringing you to justice.”
As alleged in the Indictment:[1]
COHEN and GILDER
From at least in or about 2017 through in or about 2020, COHEN, a registered investment adviser, orchestrated a scheme to defraud three different professional basketball player clients (“Athlete-1,” “Athlete-2,” and “Athlete-3,” respectively) of a total of over $5 million by taking advantage of his advisory and fiduciary relationships with those clients. COHEN conspired with BRIAN GILDER, an independent financial planner whom COHEN encouraged his clients to work with and who assisted in tax preparation for Athletes-1, -2, and -3.
First, COHEN and GILDER fraudulently induced Athletes-1, -2, and -3 to purchase viatical life insurance policies at massive markups. COHEN and GILDER did not disclose that GILDER had arranged for a purported law firm (“Law Firm-1”) that he controlled to purchase the polices and then to sell them to the athletes at markups of 222%, 310%, and 244%, respectively. Indeed, Law Firm-1 made approximately $4.5 million in profit from the sale of the policies to COHEN and GILDER’s athlete clients. COHEN and GILDER used a substantial portion of these illicit proceeds to pay their own personal expenses. In particular: (i) GILDER used approximately $257,479 of the funds to pay off a mortgage he owed; (ii) COHEN used approximately $178,462 of the funds to renovate his home and to perform work on his pool; (iii) COHEN used approximately $67,500 of the funds to pay off his personal credit card bill; and (iv) COHEN transferred approximately $200,000 of the funds to an individual with whom he was in a romantic relationship.
Second, COHEN directed that $500,000 be transferred from the accounts of Athletes-2 and -3 as purported donations to a non-profit organization. COHEN then used approximately $238,000 of the funds purportedly donated to the non-profit to build athletic training facilities in the backyard of his home. Athletes-2 and -3 never, in fact, authorized any transfers of their funds to the non-profit organization. When Athlete-2 confronted COHEN about the donations, COHEN told Athlete-2 in a text message, in substance and in part, that Athlete-2’s money had “[h]elped a lot of future prospects and a lot of underprivileged kids.” COHEN did not disclose to Athlete-2 that a substantial portion of Athlete-2’s donations had, in fact, been used to build an athletic training facility in COHEN’s backyard.
Third, COHEN and GILDER used a sports agency and another law firm to channel approximately $328,125 of Athlete-2’s money to repay a former professional baseball player (“Athlete-4”), who was a disgruntled client of COHEN’s. Athlete-4 had expressed concern to COHEN about investments and loans that COHEN made on Athlete‑4’s behalf and demanded to be repaid. On or about February 19, 2020, in the midst of making the payments of Athlete-2’s money to Athlete-4, COHEN messaged GILDER, “We gotta send [Athlete-4] more to get rid of him.” Athlete-2 did not authorize the use of funds from his account to repay debts owed by COHEN to Athlete-4.
BRISCOE and DARDEN, JR.
BRISCOE and DARDEN, JR. also defrauded professional basketball players. BRISCOE was an NBA agent, and DARDEN, JR. had previously pled guilty to wire fraud in the Southern District of New York.
BRISCOE served as the sports agent of a professional basketball player (“Athlete-5”). Athlete-5 began discussing the possibility of purchasing a professional women’s basketball team (“Team-1”), and BRISCOE introduced Athlete-5 to DARDEN, JR. Because Athlete-5 was not permitted to purchase Team-1 as an active professional basketball league player, BRISCOE, DARDEN, JR., and a relative of DARDEN, JR., who serves or has served on the boards of multiple public companies (“Relative-1”), discussed with Athlete-5 an arrangement in which Athlete-5 would indirectly purchase Team-1 through a company (“Company-1”) purportedly controlled by Relative-1. BRISCOE provided Athlete-5 with a slide deck outlining a “vision plan” for the purchase of Team-1 by Company-1. The “vision plan” claimed, among other things, that Company-1 was led by Relative-1 and was advised by a board including several prominent individuals in sports, entertainment, and corporate America. In truth and in fact, and as BRISCOE and DARDEN, JR. well knew, at least two of those individuals never served as advisors to Company-1.
Between in or about November 2020 and in or about December 2020, Athlete‑5 caused $7 million to be transferred to a bank account controlled by DARDEN, JR. Athlete-5 understood that these payments were in order for Athlete-5 to purchase and become full owner of Team-1. In truth and in fact, none of the money Athlete-5 sent went toward the purchase of Team-1, and Athete-5 did not become an owner of Team-1. Instead, from approximately November 2020 until approximately December 2021, DARDEN, JR. transferred more than $1 million of the funds to BRISCOE. In addition, DARDEN, JR. retained a substantial portion of the funds for himself and his relatives, sending more than $500,000 to a relative and more than $400,000 to a cryptocurrency exchange for his benefit. DARDEN, JR. also used some of the funds to pay for luxury goods for himself, including approximately $880,000 to luxury car companies, more than $300,000 to art galleries, and more than $100,000 to purchase a piano, among other things. DARDEN, JR. also spent in excess of approximately $1 million in connection with purchasing and making improvements to a residence, including, among other things, the addition of a koi pond.
BRISCOE and DARDEN, JR. also worked together to defraud Athlete-2. BRISCOE, in consultation with COHEN and GILDER, was purportedly building a new sports agency (“Agency-1”) funded by Athlete-2. BRISCOE convinced Athlete-2 that BRISCOE had signed, through Agency-1, a highly touted athlete preparing for a professional basketball draft (“Athlete-6”). In fact, Athlete-6 had not signed with BRISCOE or Agency-1. Rather, BRISCOE forged the signature of Athlete-6 and Athlete-6’s mother on a player-agent contract and sent that forged contract to Athlete-2. BRISCOE then directed Athlete-2 to transfer $1 million to BRISCOE as a “loan” to Athlete-6 while Athlete-6 prepared for the draft. In fact, Athlete-6 never had any conversations with BRISCOE or DARDEN, JR. about signing with BRISCOE or about receiving a $1 million loan, and Athlete-6 never received any part of the $1 million loan. Instead, BRISCOE used approximately $306,642 of the funds transferred by Athlete-2 to pay off a debt that BRISCOE had personally incurred and also transferred approximately $544,000 to a bank account controlled by DARDEN, JR.
COHEN, 49, of Chatsworth, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, GILDER, 49, of North Ridge, California, BRISCOE, 35, of Katy, Texas, and DARDEN, JR. 49, of Atlanta, Georgia, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. COHEN is also charged with one count of investment advisor fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and BRISCOE is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory prison term of two years.
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 a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI. Mr. Williams also thanked the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Central District of California, the Northern District of Georgia, and the Southern District of Texas for their assistance in the investigation. Mr. Williams further thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which today filed a parallel civil action against COHEN, for its assistance and cooperation in this investigation.
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 and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.
Governor Hochul Announces Opening of First Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Dispensary in the Capital Region
Justice-Involved Individual to Open Schenectady Retail Dispensary on April 1
Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Will Further the State's Equity and Justice-Centered New York State Seeding Opportunity Initiatives
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the first Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary location in Schenectady - the first to open in the Capital Region. The opening of the store continues to advance New York State's Seeding Opportunity Initiative and the State's goals of equity in cannabis licensing, which prioritizes providing CAURD licenses to justice-involved individuals. Justice-involved individuals are people with a cannabis conviction or a close relative of someone with one, and non-profits that support them.
"We're building an equitable adult-use cannabis market that provides a safer product for New Yorkers, while offsetting the harms caused by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis prohibition," Governor Hochul said. "With this latest dispensary opening - the first in the Capital Region - we continue to advance our nation-leading industry and will continue to work towards achieving the aggressive goals embodied in the New York Cannabis Law."
The retail dispensary called "Upstate Canna Co." - located at 1613 Union St. Schenectady, NY 12309 - will be owned and operated by experienced local entrepreneur Don Andrews and will open on April 1 at 11:00 A.M. and close at 9:00 P.M. Regular operating hours will be Monday-Friday 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M., Saturday 11:00 A.M.-11:00 P.M. and Sunday 11:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. For 10 years, Mr. Andrews has owned and operated retail storefronts specializing in smoking, vaping, cannabinoid hemp (e.g. CBD products) and accessories in Schenectady and Scotia.
Owner of Upstate Canna Co. Don Andrews said, "I have been a store owner and operator in Schenectady County for the past ten years. I am honored to be the first dispensary in the Capital Region to open their doors to the public and provide high quality, laboratory tested New York produced adult-use cannabis products. Thank you to the OCM and Governor Hochul for rolling out this program -- they have done an outstanding job and have been great to work with. We are very excited to be a part of the foundation of the growing cannabis community and industry in New York State.
The CAURD license is a central pillar of the New York State Seeding Opportunity Initiative. Through the Initiative, New York's first legal adult-use retail dispensaries will be operated by those most impacted by the enforcement of the prohibition of cannabis or non-profit organizations whose services include support for the formerly incarcerated. These dispensaries are making legal adult-use sales with cannabis products grown by New York Farmers.
To be eligible, applicants must either have a cannabis conviction themselves, or be the close family relative of someone who does, and own or have owned a business that had a net profit for at least two years. Non-profits are eligible for CAURD licenses if they have a history of serving current or formerly incarcerated individuals (including creating vocational opportunities for them), have at least one justice involved board member, at least five full time employees and have operated a social enterprise that had net assets or profit for at least two years.
DEC HOSTS 15TH ANNUAL NATIONAL ARCHERY IN SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT
635 Youth Archers Participate in 2023 State Tournament
St. Joseph by the Sea Wins High School Division; Arkport Central School Wins Middle School Division; and Avoca Wins Elementary School Division
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently hosted the 15th annual state archery tournament for New York school students at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Approximately 35 schools from across the state participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) state 2023 tournament.
"The National Archery in the Schools Program introduces young people to the sport of archery and teaches them that patience, focus, and practice can lead to impressive results,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “The NASP state tournament provides an excellent opportunity for New York student archers to demonstrate the results of their practice, dedication, and hard work over the past year.”
A total of 635 students competed for their schools in one of three divisions: high school (grades 9-12); middle school (grades 6-8); and elementary school (grades 4-5). Nicholas Scalise from St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County had the top overall score and placed first among male archers in the High School Division with a score of 288 out of 300 possible points. Abigail Murray from St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County was the top overall female archer, earning first place in the High School Division with a score of 284. Both winners received a trophy and a New York Champion Genesis bow and bow case. Awards were also given in each of the three divisions for first through tenth places.
St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County was the first-place team in the High School Division for the ninth year in a row. Arkport Central School in Steuben County repeated as the first-place team in the Middle School Division. The first-place team in the Elementary School Division was Avoca Central School, also in Steuben County. For the full list of tournament results, visit the tournament website.
NASP® is hosting the U.S. Eastern National Tournament in Louisville, KY, from May 11 through 13. The first-place teams in each division and the top 10 individual girls and boys from each division (elementary, middle, high) are eligible to register for the Eastern National tournament.
For more information on how schools can become involved in NASP in New York, visit DEC's website. For photos of this year’s tournament participants see the Flickr album here.
MAYOR ADAMS EXPANDS ‘BIG APPLE CONNECT’ TO DELIVER FREE INTERNET, TV TO MORE THAN 300,000 NEW YORKERS AT 200 NYCHA DEVELOPMENTS
Delivery of Completion of Nation’s Largest Municipal Broadband Comes Ahead of Schedule
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Technology Officer and New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Matthew Fraser today announced the expansion of ‘Big Apple Connect’ — the nation’s largest municipal broadband program — by nearly 50 percent, providing free internet and basic cable television service to a total of 202 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, and reaching approximately 300,000 New Yorkers. OTI has now expanded ‘Big Apple Connect’ to an additional 67 NYCHA developments since last year, reaching up to 40,000 new households — ahead of schedule after announced at the full launch last fall when Mayor Adams promised to install ‘Big Apple Connect’ in more than 200 NYCHA developments by the end of 2023.
“Six months ago, I promised that we would bridge the digital divide for NYCHA residents, and today I’m proud to deliver on that commitment ahead of schedule,” said Mayor Adams. “With this expansion of ‘Big Apple Connect,’ the nation’s largest municipal broadband program to more than 200 NYCHA developments, more than 300,000 New Yorkers now have access to internet and cable TV for free. Internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, and today we’re proud to connect hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers to opportunities and to the future.”
“‘Big Apple Connect’s’ expansion marks a continued effort by this administration to close the digital divide and prioritize equity across our city,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “Your zip code or neighborhood should not define whether or not you have access to critically needed internet services. I applaud Chief Technology Officer Fraser’s commitment for delivering on a promise to reach hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers across over 200 NYCHA developments.”
“A better-connected New York City is a safer, more prosperous, and more equitable New York City,” said Chief Technology Officer and OTI Commissioner Fraser. “‘Big Apple Connect’s’ expansion ensures that thousands of students, families, jobseekers, and older adults living in public housing now have the broadband access needed to fully participate in our modern society. I am grateful to Mayor Adams for his action-oriented commitment to bridging the digital divide, and I thank Altice and Charter for their partnership on this landmark project.”
“As we learned during the pandemic, access to high-speed internet is a necessity rather than an amenity. Expanding ‘Big Apple Connect’ will fulfill yet another goal of ‘Housing Our Neighbors,’ the city’s housing and homelessness blueprint,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “Ending the digital divide is one more way of addressing racial disparities, expanding economic opportunity, and improving quality of life for tenants.”
"Today's expansion of ‘Big Apple Connect’ represents another step towards fulfilling the promise of delivering an essential 21st-century service to public housing residents," said NYCHA Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. "Families, young people, and seniors across NYCHA campuses citywide will benefit greatly from the improved internet accessibility enabled through this public-private partnership, which will help immensely in moving the city and the authority towards ensuring digital equity for all."
“The continued expansion of ‘Big Apple Connect’ is helping to realize Mayor Eric Adams’ vision to advance digital equity for all New Yorkers in an age-inclusive city,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “When older adults have access to the internet, they can sign up for the critical supports and benefits, explore workforce opportunities, and participate in online activities that keep them stay healthy and socially engaged. This is yet another important example of Mayor Adams’ deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the city’s older residents.”
‘Big Apple Connect’s’ expansion will reach 25 new developments in Manhattan, 20 in Brooklyn, 14 in the Bronx, 5 in Queens, and 3 in Staten Island. New Yorkers can view a full list of ‘Big Apple Connect’ eligible NYCHA developments online.
"Internet is a necessity for families in Bronx River Houses to improve our quality of life," said Norma Saunders, tenant association president, Bronx River Houses. "At a time when a lot of residents are struggling with inflation, food insecurity, and child care expenses, ‘Big Apple Connect’ means residents no longer have to wonder if they can afford internet and cable TV. This program is a step in the right direction for our families, kids, and young adults, and I thank Mayor Adams for bringing it to Bronx River Houses."
‘Big Apple Connect’ provides residents of NYCHA developments a free bundle that consists of in-home, high-speed internet connection, including a modem and router; basic cable TV service, including a cable box and remote control; and common area Wi-Fi hotspots, selected in consultation with NYCHA.
The city has entered into three-year agreements with Altice (Optimum) and Charter (Spectrum), which will collectively cover the majority of developments owned and managed by NYCHA. OTI is billed directly for all residents enrolled in ‘Big Apple Connect.’
Existing customers of Optimum and Spectrum living in NYCHA developments where ‘Big Apple Connect’ is active will be automatically enrolled in the program and will only be billed for additional services they choose to purchase directly. Residents will receive email notifications and mailers explaining why their bills were lowered, as well as information on ‘Big Apple Connect.’ Residents without existing service will have the opportunity to sign up directly though Optimum or Spectrum or may attend on-site enrollment events conducted by the companies in partnership with OTI.
“Optimum is committed to ensuring digital equity for all, and, as a founding member of the ‘Big Apple Connect’ public-private partnership, is proud to have partnered with the city to bring free high-speed Optimum internet and TV service to thousands of New York City families,” said Lee Schroeder, executive vice president, Government & Community Affairs, Altice USA/Optimum. “We commend New York City on developing this innovative and effective approach to bridging the digital divide and look forward to continuing to work with the city on this next phase of the program, which has the ability to deliver essential Optimum connectivity services to thousands more city residents starting today.”
“This is another landmark day for digital equity in New York City,” said Adam Ray, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Charter Communications. “By leveraging the robust networks and proven capacity of leading providers, the inaugural phase of Mayor Adams’ ‘Big Apple Connect’ has been a tremendous success in connecting New Yorkers. At Charter, we have been delivering Spectrum internet quickly and efficiently to NYCHA families, exceeding our service and marketing commitments. We stand ready to support this dramatic expansion of our partnership, which will bring high-speed broadband and TV to tens of thousands of additional families in the city and ensure every resident has access to the educational, economic, and social benefits broadband provides.”
This effort builds on OTI’s suite of digital equity initiatives, aimed at making sure every New Yorker has the connectivity they need to participate in an increasingly digital society. Efforts include the Link5G program, which is aimed at delivering high-speed wireless service and free Wi-Fi to every corner of New York City; the city’s Gigabit Centers, which provide free connectivity and digital literacy training to community centers; and OTI’s ‘Connected Communities program,’ a large-scale digital inclusion initiative that delivers digital literacy and employment resources in historically underserved areas for thousands of New Yorkers every year.
New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Invites you to join us for a Complimentary “Digital and Financial Empowerment” Webinar
Invites you to join us for a Complimentary “Digital and Financial Empowerment” Webinar
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Coindawg Founder Arrested For Laundering Proceeds Of Fraudulently Obtained Small Business Administration Loans
Law Enforcement Officers Seized 18 Cryptocurrency ATMs in Texas and Oklahoma that Charles Constant Purchased to Start a Cryptocurrency ATM Business Using Fraudulently Obtained SBA Loans
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced today the arrest of CHARLES RILEY CONSTANT, a/k/a “Chuck Constant,” for charges in connection with a scheme to steal and launder over $1 million in fraudulently obtained loans from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), including the use of fraud proceeds to purchase cryptocurrency ATMs. CONSTANT was arrested yesterday morning and is being presented today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Texas. In connection with CONSTANT’s arrest, law enforcement agents seized, among other things, 18 cryptocurrency ATMs in Texas and Oklahoma that CONSTANT purchased with fraud proceeds to start a cryptocurrency ATM business named “Coindawg LLC,” as well as Coindawg’s website.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Charles Constant helped to launder over $1 million of proceeds from loans that his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained from the SBA. He converted the bulk of the crime proceeds into Bitcoin for his co-conspirators and used a portion of the rest to start his own lucrative cryptocurrency ATM business. Thanks to this Office’s teamwork with the HSI, Constant is now facing serious criminal charges for his alleged crimes. We will continue to hold accountable people who steal funds intended for small businesses that struggled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: “As alleged, Charles Constant specifically exploited the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program put in place to help our small businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic, for the purpose of expanding his criminal money laundering enterprise. Constant is accused of defrauding the federal government and robbing U.S. taxpayers with his illicit money-laundering scheme. HSI New York will continue to exhaust every resource at our disposal to ensure criminals like this will be held accountable for their actions.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint, which was unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
CHARLES RILEY CONSTANT, a/k/a “Chuck Constant,” knowingly assisted others involved in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1 million in loans from the SBA, which CONSTANT and his co-conspirators laundered through Bitcoin transactions. The perpetrators of the fraud against the SBA used false identities and non-existent companies to obtain seven Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA — funds that were intended to help small businesses financially harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan proceeds were transferred directly from the SBA to a bank account held by C2 LLC, an entity that CONSTANT owned and registered with the U.S. Treasury Department as a money services business. CONSTANT then used approximately $700,000 of the crime proceeds — a portion of which he routed through a second bank account held by C2 LLC — to purchase Bitcoin from a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in New York City. CONSTANT directed the New York-based exchange to distribute the Bitcoin to his co-conspirators.
CONSTANT then stole the remaining $300,000 of fraud proceeds. CONSTANT transferred $53,000 of the $300,000 to a third bank account held by C2 LLC and an additional $98,300 to an account in CONSTANT’s name at a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in California. Beginning in the fall of 2020, CONSTANT used a portion of these fraud proceeds to purchase, among other things, seven cryptocurrency ATMs (“Crypto ATMs”), cryptocurrency, and promotional services to start a cryptocurrency ATM business named “Coindawg LLC.” CONSTANT used revenue generated by the seven Crypto ATMs to acquire additional Crypto ATMs and more cryptocurrency to expand Coindawg’s operations. To date, Coindawg has exchanged over $3,000,000 worth of cryptocurrency and charged 15% in transaction fees. Below is a photograph of one of the Coindawg Crypto ATMs seized by law enforcement in connection with CONSTANT’s arrest:
CONSTANT, 54, of Allen, Texas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of theft of public money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of interstate receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the HSI. Mr. Williams also thanked the HSI Field Office in Dallas, Texas, for their assistance in the investigation of this case.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
Housing Lottery Launches For 1169 River Avenue In Concourse, The Bronx
The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1169 River Avenue, a 19-story mixed-use building in Concourse, The Bronx. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Community Access, a NYC supportive housing and social service non-profit, the structure yields 245 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 96 units for residents at 60 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $31,852 to $132,400.
Amenities include a community center, playground, bike storage lockers, a shared laundry room, green space, pet-friendly policies, common area wifi, gym, party room, recreation room, business center, storage, outdoor terrace, concierge, doorman, and on-site resident manager. Residences come equipped with energy-efficient appliances, air conditioning, smart controls for heating and cooling, and name-brand countertops and finishes. Rent includes gas for heating and hot water. Tenants are responsible for electricity.
At 60 percent of the AMI, there are 36 studios with a monthly rent of $843 for incomes ranging from $31,852 to $64,080; 11 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,065 for incomes ranging from $39,875 to $72,060; and six three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,482 for incomes ranging from $56,332 to $99,300.
At 70 percent of the AMI, there are two studios with a monthly rent of $1,003 for incomes ranging from $37,338 to $74,760; and two three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,760 for incomes ranging from $65,863 to $115,850.
At 80 percent of the AMI, there are six studios with a monthly rent of $1,163 for incomes ranging from $42,823 to $85,440; 17 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,465 for incomes ranging from $53,589 to $96,080; seven two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,770 for incomes ranging from $65,109 to $115,280; and nine two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,037 for incomes ranging from $75,360 to $132,400.
Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than May 22, 2023.