MAYOR ADAMS CALLS OUT WORST TRUCK IDLING OFFENDERS, ANNOUNCES THAT LOOMIS WILL ELECTRIFY FLEET OF TRUCKS BY 2025 IN RESPONSE TO CITIZENS AIR COMPLAINT PROGRAM

 

Amazon Has Paid More Than $1 Million to Satisfy Outstanding Violations

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, and New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix today highlighted the 10 companies that are the worst truck idling offenders in the city. After receiving 420 complaints as a result of the Citizens Air Complaint Program, one of those companies, Loomis — an armored car company — has agreed to fully electrify its fleet by 2025. Since its inception, the Citizens Air Complaint Program has seen a 440-percent increase in submissions and is on track for 90,000 complaints in 2023, marking its biggest year ever. The city also announced that Amazon, the second-worst offender, has already paid more than $1 million to settle outstanding violations issued to the company and its affiliates.

 

“Today, we’re making two things clear: If companies do the right thing and electrify their fleets, we’ll have their backs. And if companies don’t, while they idle and continue to expose our children to asthma-causing pollution, we’ll hold them accountable,” said Mayor Adams. “New Yorkers deserve clear streets and clean air, and the Citizens Air Complaint Program is helping us deliver.”

 

“Every vehicle idling on our streets is pouring pollution into our atmosphere and our airways, and we won’t allow that to continue,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “The companies behind this public health hazard have a choice: They can do the right thing and electrify their fleets, like Loomis is, or we’ll make them pay for the damage they’re causing.”

 

“DEP will not stand ‘idly’ by while these companies allow their fleet vehicles to ruin New York City’s air quality and fill the lungs of our residents with harmful pollution. These companies have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and public health, and that is why DEP is working with the City Council to strengthen our idling laws and improve the Citizens Air Complaint Program,” said Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Aggarwala. “I want to thank New Yorkers for their vigilance in protecting the environment and providing us with the video evidence needed to levy penalties against these top ten offenders.”

 

“The city takes seriously its obligation to combat excessive engine idling,” said Corporation Counsel Hinds-Radix. “The city will continue to pursue collection on the large number of outstanding, unpaid violations to provide a disincentive to the continued problem of excessive idling on our streets.”

 

“Loomis is committed to be the industry leader in reducing our carbon footprint and having the most efficient transportation network possible. Reducing CO₂ emissions from our vehicles through the investment in electric vehicles is a major component of our plan,” said Patrick Otero, chief financial officer, Loomis. “We look forward to our partnership with New York City as we invest in our fleet and continue our rollout of zero-emission electric vehicles in the city. Loomis Armored US will be completely emission-free in New York City by the end of 2025.”

 

Loomis does not turn off their vehicles during their routes due to security concerns. As a result of Loomis’s commitment to fully electrify their fleet by 2025, and continued demonstrations of progress towards that goal, the city will issue a variance for idling penalties against Loomis. Loomis will purchase six electric vehicles a year over the next three years. Currently, two vehicles in the Loomis fleet are already electrified. Loomis has already presented DEP a purchase order from February for six vehicles for 2023. This pledge aligns Loomis with the city’s climate goals of reducing idling pollution and improving air quality, and it is expected to inspire other companies to take necessary steps toward fleet electrification. DEP will be reviewing Loomis’ progress at a six-month interval to ensure compliance with the variance. If Loomis fails to show sufficient progress, DEP can revoke the variance. During the next two years, Loomis will also determine if there are any issues that could preclude the purchase of the additional vehicles, such as the inability to receive necessary permits to install adequate chargers for their electrified fleet.

 

TOP TEN IDLING OFFENDERS

Company Name	Total Summonses (since program inception)
LabQ Clinical Diagnostics LLC	3,288
Amazon	2,964
Con Ed	2,814
Verizon	2,813
Merchants Automotive Group	2,486
Brink's Incorporated	1,020
Spectrum/Charter	1,011
Garde CL	598
Loomis	420
Fed Ex	390

Amazon has paid a total of $1,014,387 to satisfy 764 outstanding engine idling violations issued to the company and affiliated entities. As of March 17, 2023, Amazon had an additional 1,640 summonses awaiting adjudication, with the company potentially facing a minimum of an additional $691,010 in penalties. The remaining summonses are in various stages of process. The enormous number of summonses that Amazon continues to amass indicates that Amazon’s violation of the city’s engine idling prohibitions continues unabated. 

 

Other top violators include Ryder Truck Rental, Penske Truck Rental, EZ Rental, National Grid, Union Beer Distributors, EAN Holdings (parent company of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent a Car), and United Parcel Service (UPS).

 

About the Citizens Air Complaint Program

 

The Citizens Air Complaint Program allows individuals who witness illegal truck idling to file a complaint online with DEP. Participants upload three-minute videos of idling trucks and, following further investigation, DEP may issue a summons based on these reports. If DEP does not issue a summons, the citizen reporting the violation may issue a summons. If the city is successful in collecting on citizen-reported violations, the citizen reporting the violation is entitled to a share of the amount recovered. Penalties imposed are $350 to $1,000 for a first violation, $440 to $1,500 for a second violation, and $600 to $2,000 for a third or any subsequent violations. DEP, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and the New York City Department of Sanitation all have authority to issue summonses for violation of the excessive idling provisions.

 

Since its inception, the Citizens Air Complaint Program has produced a significant spike in the number of complaints being filed. DEP received 9,070 complaints in 2019, 9,569 in 2020, 12,267 in 2021, and 48,979 complaints in 2022 — a 440-percent increase from when the program began. Just this year, DEP received 7,428 complaints in January, 7,304 in February, and 8,431 in March — putting the program on a trajectory for more than 90,000 complaints in 2023.

 

DEP has met this growth in several ways: Utilizing artificial intelligence technology to accelerate review of submitted videos and identification of registered vehicle owners; assigning more staff to the program; establishing a dedicated email address where citizens can submit questions and receive assistance in making their submissions; and clarifying the requirements for making submissions on the DEP website.

 

It is illegal to idle for longer than three minutes on a New York City street or for more than one minute while next to a city school. There are exemptions for emergency vehicles; certain vehicles that operate loading, unloading, or processing devices; and school buses and other buses when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Idling emissions from gasoline and diesel motor vehicle engines have health-related impacts, contributing to asthma and respiratory, cardiovascular, and other health-related harms.

 

NYS OASAS RELEASES NEW VIDEO SHOWCASING OPIOID TREATMENT PROVIDERS AND SUCCESS STORIES OF INDIVIDUALS IN TREATMENT

 

“Routine for Recovery” Video is Part of New Social Media Campaign to Provide Information about OASAS Services

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) released a new video today titled “Routine for Recovery,” highlighting the work of opioid treatment providers, and the stories of clients who have received services at these facilities. The goal of the campaign is to explain the work that these providers do and emphasize that medication for addiction treatment is safe and effective, and has been proven to save lives and support the long-term health of those impacted by addiction.

OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Everyone’s recovery journey is different, and it is important to celebrate the many success stories of those who have found support through our system of care, and to recognize the tireless work of those who provide these lifesaving services across New York State. These individuals give hope that recovery is real and achievable, and send a strong message that help is available for all those impacted by addiction.”

A video news release with sound from Commissioner Cunningham, and a downloadable version of the video, is available here.

Segments of the video will also be posted on OASAS social media accounts, with the full video available to view on the OASAS website.

The campaign is part of the ongoing efforts to address the stigma surrounding addiction services. There remains opposition in many communities against medication for addiction treatment. As part of our efforts to improve and expand services, we focus on educating the public about the help and support available through the agency or our certified providers. A core aspect of this work is to highlight that addiction is a medical issue, and should be viewed and treated like other chronic conditions.

This effort is being supported with funding received by New York State through the federal State Opioid Response Grant.

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

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

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

New York Attorney Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Commit Money Laundering To Promote Sanctions Violations By Associate Of Sanctioned Russian Oligarch

 

Robert Wise Facilitated Approximately $3.8 Million in Payments to Maintain Luxury Real Estate Owned by Viktor Vekselberg

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Andrew C. Adams, the Director of Task Force KleptoCapture, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that ROBERT WISE, a New York attorney, pled guilty to participating in a scheme to make approximately $3.8 million in U.S. dollar payments to maintain six real properties in the United States that were owned by Viktor Vekselberg, a sanctioned oligarch.  WISE pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said “With today’s guilty plea, Robert Wise has admitted that he misused his position of trust as a lawyer, laundering money to promote sanctions violations by Viktor Vekselberg’s longtime associate, Vladimir Voronchenko.  This Office is proud to continue its work to enforce the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.”

Director of Task Force KleptoCapture Andrew C. Adams said: “From its inception, the Task Force has targeted those enablers of money laundering and sanctions evasion who aim to hide crime behind a veneer of professionalism.  Admission to the bar carries with it a public trust that attorneys will act with honesty and integrity – a trust that Robert Wise chose to betray in exchange for an easy, illicit paycheck.  The Task Force will continue to pursue those who have made the same poor decision.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: “The ill-gotten proceeds of Russia’s oligarchs do not move and hide themselves.  Instead, the funds derived from Russia’s crony capitalism are secreted around the world in luxury assets by a professional class of enablers who specialize in secretive methods to shield the true owners and beneficiaries of the assets from detection, investigation, and enforcement.  Today, working with our partners at the Department of Justice, HSI continues to fulfill our promise to hold all individuals accountable for their actions, especially those that betray their ethical codes.” 

According to the allegations in the Information filed in Manhattan federal court today and other public filings:

On April 6, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated Vekselberg as a Specially Designated National (“SDN”) in connection with its finding that the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation in Ukraine constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  On or about March 11, 2022, OFAC redesignated Vekselberg as an SDN and blocked Vekselberg’s yacht and private airplane.

Prior to his designation by OFAC, between approximately 2008 and 2017, Vekselberg, through a series of shell companies, acquired six real properties in the United States, specifically, (i) two apartments on Park Avenue in New York, New York, (ii) an estate in Southampton, New York, (iii) two apartments on Fisher Island, Florida, and (iv) a penthouse apartment also on Fisher Island, Florida (collectively, “the Properties”).  As of the date of this Information, the Properties were worth approximately $75 million. 

Voronchenko, Vekselberg’s longtime associate, retained WISE, an attorney who practiced in New York, New York, to assist in the acquisition of the Properties.  WISE also managed the finances of the Properties, including by paying common charges, property taxes, insurance premiums, and other fees associated with the Properties in U.S. dollar transactions from WISE’s interest on lawyer’s trust account (“IOLTA account”).

In particular, prior to Vekselberg’s designation as an SDN, between approximately February 2009 and March 2018, shell companies owned by Vekselberg sent approximately 90 wire transfers totaling approximately $18.5 million to the IOLTA account.  At the direction of Voronchenko and his family member who lived in Russia, WISE used these funds to make various U.S. dollar payments to maintain and service the Properties. 

Immediately after Vekselberg’s designation as an SDN, the source of the funds used to maintain and service the Properties changed.  The IOLTA Account began to receive wires from a bank account in the Bahamas held in the name of a shell company controlled by Voronchenko, Smile Holding Ltd., and from a Russian bank account held in the name of a Russian national who was related to Voronchenko.  Between approximately June 2018 and March 2022, approximately 25 wire transfers totaling approximately $3.8 million were sent to WISE’s IOLTA account.  Although the source of the payments changed, the management of the payments remained the same as before: WISE used these funds to make various U.S. dollar payments to maintain and service the Properties, and he did so knowing that he was promoting sanctions violations.  Additionally, after Vekselberg was sanctioned in 2018, Voronchenko, WISE, and others tried to sell both the Park Avenue apartment and the Southampton estate.  No licenses from OFAC were applied for or issued for these payments or attempted transfers.  

WISE, of Pelham, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to commit international money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  WISE also agreed to entry of a forfeiture order in the amount of $3,771,727.67, to be satisfied by a payment of $210,441.

The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

An Indictment charging co-conspirator Vladimir Voronchenko, a/k/a “Vladimir Vorontchenko,” who is a fugitive, was unsealed on February 7, 2023.  A civil forfeiture complaint was filed against the Properties on February 24, 2023.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of HSI and FBI.  Mr. Williams further thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs and OFAC for their assistance and cooperation in this investigation.

On March 2, 2022, the Attorney General announced the launch of Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.  The Task Force will leverage all the Department’s tools and authorities against efforts to evade or undermine the economic actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

State Labor Department Releases Preliminary March 2023 Area Unemployment Rates

 

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for March 2023. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The State’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. To recap last week’s statewide press release, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.2% in February to 4.1% in March 2023.

 

Local Area Unemployment Rates* (%)
March 2022 and March 2023
(Not seasonally adjusted)

The data in the preceding table are not seasonally adjusted, which means they reflect seasonal influences (e.g., holiday and summer hires). Therefore, the most valid comparisons with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month, for example, March 2022 versus March 2023. Labor force data for the current month are preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available the following month. Revised estimates for prior months are available at: https://dol.ny.gov/local-area-unemployment-statistics

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are the most up-to-date estimates of persons employed and unemployed by place of residence. Estimates are available for New York State, labor market regions, metropolitan areas, counties and municipalities with population of at least 25,000.

Unemployment Rates By County,
New York State,
March 2023

Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet

This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release.

State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model

Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Advantage of Regression Model

Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities).

Benchmarking of Estimates

Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.”

Changes in Methodology

Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates.

In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others.

Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries

The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem.

Jobs Data

Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, samples establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available.

The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY HALL, OTHER CITY BUILDINGS WILL BE LIT BLUE AND WHITE TONIGHT IN HONOR OF ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE DAY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced today that City Hall and other municipal buildings will be lit blue and white tonight in honor of Israeli Independence Day, marking the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

 

“On Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, we celebrate freedom for those in Israel and around the world,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City stands side by side with our neighbors, the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel, to honor three-quarters of a century promoting peace and security in the Middle East and hope and opportunity across the globe.”

 

In addition to City Hall, the following city buildings will be lit up starting tonight at sundown:

• Bronx Borough Hall: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
• The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Queens Borough Hall: 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Queens, NY 11424
• Staten Island Borough Hall: 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
  

“As a proud Jewish New Yorker, I want to thank Mayor Adams for lighting New York City in blue and white tonight to honor the 75^th anniversary of the independent Jewish State of Israel,” said Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder, president, World Jewish Congress. “Over the last 75 years, we have witnessed the miracle of the rebirth of the homeland of the Jewish people, and I cannot wait to see what the next 75 years bring. Am Yisrael Chai.”

 

“Seventy-five years ago, the dream of a modern Jewish democratic State of Israel became a reality,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York. “On this milestone birthday, these lights represent a New York City united with the State of Israel, and we thank Mayor Adams for his longstanding support and commitment to this critical relationship.”

 

“Today we join people throughout the world in celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day,” said Gideon Taylor, CEO, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY). “Standing with New York’s Jewish community, JCRC-NY wants to wish Israel a happy 75^th birthday. We wish to also thank Mayor Eric Adams for recognizing the unique bond that Israel shares with our great city by lighting up municipal buildings blue and white. We hope to see all of you on June 4^th as we continue the celebration on Fifth Avenue at the Celebrate Israel Parade.”

 

“On behalf of the Israeli-American community, we thank Mayor Adams and the City of New York for this bold statement of solidarity with the State of Israel on its 75^th anniversary, and for telling the story of the unbreakable bond between the U.S. and Israel,” said Shoham Nicolet, cofounder and CEO, Israeli-American Council.

 

Yom Ha’atzmaut (Day of Independence) marks the day on the Hebrew calendar that corresponds to the day the new State of Israel formally declared its independence in 1948 after the cessation of the British Mandate. It is preceded annually by Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s official memorial day honoring fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism.