Former President Of The New York Building And Construction Trades Council And 10 Other Union Officials Sentenced For Accepting Bribes And Illegal Payments

 

Defendants Accepted Dozens of Bribes to Corruptly Influence the Construction Industry at the Expense of Labor Unions and Their Members

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Raymond A. Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney, announced today that JAMES CAHILL, former President of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for accepting bribes and illegal cash payments from a non-union construction contractor (“Employer-1”) while serving as a union officer.  Union officers CHRISTOPHER KRAFT, PATRICK HILL, MATTHEW NORTON, WILLIAM BRIAN WANGERMAN, KEVIN MCCARRON, JEREMY SHEERAN, a/k/a “Max,” ANDREW MCKEON, ROBERT EGAN, SCOTT ROCHE, and ARTHUR GIPSON have previously been sentenced for related conduct by U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon, who imposed today’s sentence.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said: “James Cahill repeatedly chose to enrich himself at the expense of the hard-working men and women whose interests he had a sworn duty to protect, and his sentence to a substantial term in federal prison should serve as a message to all others who would consider engaging in similar betrayals of trust.  I want to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York for their collaboration in this investigation, and for their efforts in obtaining this just result.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment, statements made in court, and court filings:

JAMES CAHILL was the President of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council (the “NYS Trades Council”), which represents over 200,000 unionized construction workers, a member of the Executive Council for the New York State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (the “NYS AFL-CIO”), and formerly a union representative of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (the “UA”).  During the charged conspiracy from about October 2018 to October 2020, CAHILL accepted approximately $44,500 in bribes from Employer-1, as well as other benefits, including home appliances and free labor on CAHILL’s vacation home.  As part of his guilty plea, CAHILL acknowledged having previously accepted at least approximately $100,000 of additional bribes from Employer-1 in connection with CAHILL’s union positions.  As the leader of the conspiracy, CAHILL introduced Employer-1 to many of the other defendants, while advising Employer-1 that Employer-1 could reap the benefits of being associated with the unions without actually signing union agreements or employing union workers. 

KRAFT, HILL, NORTON, WANGERMAN, MCCARRON, SHEERAN, and MCKEON were Business Agents, EGAN was the Secretary-Treasurer, and ROCHE was the Business Agent At Large of the Local 638 of the UA (“Local 638”).  GIPSON was a Business Agent of the Local Union 200 of the UA (“Local 200”).  Each of these defendants accepted thousands and, in some cases, tens of thousands of dollars of cash bribes from Employer-1, a contractor who had projects and potential projects within the jurisdiction of Local 638 and Local 200.

All 11 defendants accepted cash from Employer-1 — usually stuffed in envelopes that Employer-1 handed off inside the restrooms of restaurants.  During the meetings at which the payments were made, Employer-1 repeatedly requested favorable action from Local 638 and/or Local 200, including the following: (i) that the relevant union would support Employer-1’s bids on various projects, (ii) that the union would consider signing Employer-1 to labor agreements that Employer-1 regarded to be favorable (including agreements that would pay union workers lower rates than their experience merited), and (iii) that the union would permit Employer-1 to falsely claim to developers that Employer-1 employed union workers.  Employer-1 contracted to work on — or would bid on — projects that otherwise could have employed union workers belonging to Local 638 and/or Local 200.  At the time Employer-1 was bribing the defendants, Employer-1’s business employed workers who were not members of Local 638 and/or Local 200 but would have been eligible for membership.

A chart containing the names, offenses of conviction, and sentences imposed by Judge McMahon is below.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents and investigators within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Defendant	Statute of Conviction	Sentence
JAMES CAHILL	Honest Services Fraud Conspiracy	Sentenced on May 18, 2023, to 51 months in prison and $150,000 fine
CHRISTOPHER KRAFT	Honest Services Fraud Conspiracy	Sentenced on December 12, 2022, to 18 months in prison and $10,000 fine
PATRICK HILL	Honest Services Fraud Conspiracy	Sentenced on December 19, 2022, to 27 months in prison and $10,000 fine
MATTHEW NORTON	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Felony)	Sentenced on December 13, 2022, to three years’ probation and $10,000 fine
WILLIAM BRIAN WANGERMAN	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Felony)	Sentenced on April 12, 2023, to four years’ probation and $10,000 fine
KEVIN MCCARRON	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Misdemeanor)	Sentenced on May 10, 2023, to 60 days in prison
JEREMY SHEERAN	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Felony)	Sentenced on February 8, 2023, to two years’ probation and $10,000 fine
ANDREW MCKEON	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Felony)	Sentenced on March 14, 2023, to two years’ probation and $10,000 fine
ROBERT EGAN	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Felony)	Sentenced on March 14, 2023, to three years’ probation and $10,000 fine
SCOTT ROCHE	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Misdemeanor)	Sentenced on December 6, 2022, to two years’ probation and $10,000 fine
ARTHUR GIPSON	Taft-Hartley Act Violation (Felony)	Sentenced on May 3, 2023, to 60 days in prison and $4,000 fine

 

Housing Lottery Launches For 3436 Kingsbridge Avenue In Kingsbridge, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 3436 Kingsbridge Avenue, a six-story mixed-use residential building in Kingsbridge, The Bronx. Designed by Gerald J. Caliendo Architect and developed by Benjamin Shavolian, the structure yields 39 residences and 4,816 square feet of community facility space. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 12 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $73,715 to $187,330.

Amenities include a garage with electric vehicle charging stations, bike storage, recreation room, shared laundry room, common area Wi-Fi, gym, business center, recycling center, storage, and an outdoor terrace. Amenities include name-brand kitchen countertops and finishes, energy-efficient appliances, air conditioning, and high-speed internet.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are three studios with a monthly rent of $2,150 for incomes ranging from $73,715 to $138,840; three one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,200 for incomes ranging from $75,429 to $156,130; and six two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,800 for incomes ranging from $96,000 to $187,330.

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 23, 2023.

New York City Health and Hospital Corporation Bronx Annual Public Meeting

 

The 2023 Bronx Annual Meeting of the New York Health and Hospitals Corporation took place at Jacobi Hospital Tuesday May 16th. The Health and Hospitals Corporation was set up in 1969 by the New York State legislature to replace the city's Department of Hospitals in operating city hospitals and other health care facilities. HHC was formed as a Quasi Public agency to enable it to benefit from private revenues and funding. 

The meeting began a few minutes late as the President of the HHC Dr. Katz was held up in traffic coming to the meeting. Dr. Katz said it was his sixth year as head of the HHC, as he spoke about COVID and Mpox going into taking care of asylum seekers now. The HHC met major goals that were set including fifteen thousand Mpox vaccinations and plant based lunches and dinners as an option. The HHC runs eleven full service hospitals in four boroughs, five Long Term Care facilities in four boroughs, and thirty Gotham Health Centers in all five boroughs. 

After Dr. Katz finished public speakers were called up to speak. The majority of speakers most of whom live in the surrounding area of Jacobi Hospital all spoke against the Just Home proposal to house people currently incarcerated in Rikers Island that may have medical needs as minute as Diabetes live in studio apartments on the Jacobi Hospital campus. Community Board 11 Vice-Chair Al  D'Angelo said that the community board overwhelmingly voted against the Just Home proposal. Other members of the community spoke of the fear of having people and gang members indicted of major crimes currently detained in jail awaiting trial of possibly living next to them without any restraints and being allowed to go into the community as they are. Several nurses at Jacobi and other HHC hospitals spoke about the low wages there are paid, staff shortages of 25% or more which for HHC to pay travel nurses almost twice the salary of HHC nurses to fill the nurse shortage gap, and other staff problems. Only a couple of people spoke in favor of the Just Home proposal at Jacobi Hospital, and they do not live in the surrounding area of Jacobi Hospital.

The Health and Hospitals Corporation Board sat up on the stage of the Jacobi Hospital Rotunda auditorium. (L - R) Colleague Hercules Secretary, Andrea Cohen Senior VP and Counsel, Dr. Melvin Katz President, Jose Pagan Chairman, Bob Nolan Bronx Borough President member, Sally Hernandez Board member, Jackie Rowe Adams Board Member.

Mr. Al D'Angelo President of the Morris Park Community Association and Vice Chair of Community Board 11 said that Community Board 11 overwhelmingly voted against the Just Home proposal at Jacobi Hospital.

Indian Village resident Phyllis Bastelone whose family has lived in the community since 1930 said she is against the Just Home proposal and said that she would like to see senior housing in Building two on the Jacobi Campus. 

Patti Marabello another resident of Indian Village spoke of the lawsuits Jacobi Hospital has had to settle and the need for money by the HHC. She added that the Department of Corrections Commissioner has said the majority of detainees indicted at Rikers Island are gang members that she does not want to see come into the area.

Kristy Marormato another resident of Indian Village and City Council candidate also spoke against the siting of Just Home at Jacobi Hospital and said she had 2951 signatures on a petition against the Just Home proposal on the floor next to her. 

Kristy Marormato holds the 2951 signatures against the Just Home proposal at Jacobi Hospital.

Irene Estrada another City Council candidate took the opportunity to go after the incumbent councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez telling people not to vote for the current councilwoman.

Samantha Zherka another City Council candidate took the opportunity to turn to the audience to go after the Bronx Republican Party chair saying he is not putting up candidates against the Democratic Party. Ms. Zherka was the Republican Party candidate for the 34th State Senate District in 2022, and is involved in a three way Republican primary for the 13th City Council seat. 

Sharlene Jackson-Mendez the current President of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance spoke against the Just Home project suggesting other uses for Building #2 at Jacobi Hospital.

Sonia Lawrence RN President of H & H and Mayors Executive Council of Nurses spoke about the staffing shortages and low pay for HHC nurses. She mentioned that there is twenty-five percent of the nurses at HHC hospitals who are Traveling Nurses and are getting paid twice the amount of HHC nurses which has cost one hundred and ninety-seven dollars in the first quarter of 2023.

A nurse from North Central Bronx Hospital echos what Nurse Lawrence had said.

Bloods Gang Member Convicted Of Witness Tampering

 

Defendant Sir Murray Found Guilty of Threatening, Intimidating, and Attempting to Bribe Sex Trafficking Victim Who Testified at Prior Trial of Fellow Bloods Gang Member

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today’s conviction in federal court of SIR MURRAY for witness tampering and conspiracy to commit witness tampering.  MURRAY threatened, intimidated, and offered bribes to a sex trafficking victim for the purpose of inducing her to recant testimony she gave in a prior trial against a sex trafficker.  The jury convicted MURRAY today following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.

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

In fall 2021, MURRAY agreed with Justin Rivera, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking following a trial in the Southern District of New York in June 2021, to tamper with a victim (“Victim-1”) who testified at Rivera’s trial.  MURRAY offered Victim-1 bribes, intimidated her, and threatened her for the purpose of persuading her to recant her testimony.  In executing the plan, MURRAY directly contacted Rivera, who was in custody, exclusively through a contraband cellphone that Rivera maintained where he was in custody. 

MURRAY and Rivera are both members of the Bloods street gang, and in his communications with Victim-1, MURRAY offered Victim-1 payment from “every Blood in [Long Island]” in exchange for Victim-1 recanting her testimony.  MURRAY also sent Victim-1 multiple written messages containing veiled threats stating that MURRAY had done an “investigation” of Victim-1, knew where she lived, and knew that Victim-1 had a “beautiful son.” 

MURRAY’s co-conspirator, Rivera, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking following a trial in June 2021 before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.  In October 2022, Judge Engelmayer sentenced Rivera to a prison term of 21 years.  Having considered much of the same evidence presented to the jury at MURRAY’s trial, Judge Engelmayer stated at Rivera’s sentencing that “the facts . . . set out a blatant instance of post-trial witness tampering” that “was transparently aimed at subverting a justly returned conviction.” 

MURRAY, 31, of Suffolk County, New York, was convicted of one count of witness tampering in connection with a criminal case and one count of conspiring to do the same.  The maximum sentence on both counts is life in prison.  

The maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.  MURRAY is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, 2023.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Suffolk County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - You had me at beer.

 

Register - Click Here

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, New York City Department of Small Business Services, maker businesses, brewers, and distillers for an evening of networking, conversation, happy hour cocktails, and bites in the Port Morris Industrial Business Zone at Bronx Brewery with food by Empanology. The evening brings together the Bronx business community and highlights the maker, industrial, and crafting community in the Bronx in the heart of one the Bronx's oldest industrial areas with a rich history dating back to the Morris family. The evening will also showcase The Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Minority / Women Business Enterprise program and how The Bronx Chamber can assist in procurement and bringing your business to scale. Bring your business cards or e-cards - this networking event is not to be missed!

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!

MAYOR ADAMS, DOT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ KICK OFF REDESIGN OF GUN HILL ROAD TO SPEED UP COMMUTES, IMPROVE SAFETY

 

One of Adams Administration’s Longest Bus Priority Projects, Project Will Accelerate Commutes for 40,000 Daily Bus Riders and Improve Connections to Subways, Jobs, and Health Care

 

Project Will Add More Than Three Miles of Camera-Enforced Bus Lanes, Safety Improvements Like Shorter Crossings and Traffic Calming at More Than 20 Intersections Along Vision Zero Priority Corridor

 

Administration Delivered Faster, More Reliable Service for 400,000 Daily Bus Riders in 2022

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the start of construction on the Gun Hill Road Bus Priority and Safety project in the Bronx, which will deliver faster and more reliable service for 40,000 daily bus riders and safer streets along a Vision Zero Priority Corridor. As part of the project, DOT will redesign more than 20 intersections to expand pedestrian safety, shorten crossings, and calm traffic along one of the most dangerous stretches in the borough.

 

At more than three miles, the Gun Hill Road Bus Priority and Safety project is one of the largest bus priority projects under the Adams administration. It builds on the administration’s successful work in 2022 to improve the lives of 400,000 daily bus riders with faster and more reliable service. The project also builds on the administration’s commitment to developing innovative tools to manage curb access, as outlined in the “Making New York Work for Everyone” action plan developed by the “New” New York panel that Mayor Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul convened last year.

 

“Bronxites deserve safer streets and faster commutes, and that’s exactly what our administration is delivering with the Gun Hill Road Bus Priority and Safety project,” said Mayor Adams. “The data is clear: This is one of the most dangerous streets in the Bronx, and these improvements will reverse the course we are on. With this project, we are following the data to deliver a safer, more prosperous, more equitable New York City.”

 

“Part of ‘Getting Stuff Done’ means getting stuff moving. It is our responsibility to make sure New Yorkers can get around the city quickly, safely, and on time,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Our partnership with the MTA on the bus routes benefits millions of New Yorkers each and every day. The Gun Hill Road Bus project is a massive win for the Bronx community. Thank you, DOT, for keeping New York City moving.”

 

“This redesign will make Gun Hill Road a safer, more efficient corridor — speeding up the commutes for 40,000 daily bus riders while improving access to local businesses, job centers, and health institutions,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “Through the Adams administration’s commitment to equity, Gun Hill Road is an example of one of many great, lifesaving projects we are delivering this year to ensure Bronxites have access to reliable transit and safe streets. We thank the MTA for their partnership, and we will be closely monitoring traffic during the construction along the corridor.”

 

“We are excited to be working with DOT on this project to help buses move faster on Gun Hill Road,” said Frank Annicaro, vice president for buses, New York City Transit. “New York City Transit serves thousands of customers daily on the Bx28 and Bx38 routes on Gun Hill Road, connecting Bronx residents to Montefiore Hospital, four different subway lines, several north-south bus routes, and Metro-North. Having new bus lanes and boarding islands will get customers where they are going more quickly and reliably.”

 

The concrete bus boarding island and street redesign planned for the section of Gun Hill Road between Hull Avenue and Webster Avenue. Credit: DOT

 

The Route

 

Gun Hill Road serves 40,000 daily bus riders across the Bx28 and Bx38 routes — connecting to other local buses and the 2, 4, 5, and D subway lines. The route also connects to anchor community institutions, residential centers, and commercial hubs — including Montefiore and North Central Bronx hospitals, Co-Op City, the Jerome-Gun Hill shopping district, and The Mall at Bay Plaza. New bus-only lanes and turn bays will help bus riders cut through congestion and double parking, which has slowed buses to less than five m.p.h. during peak commuting times.

 

This section of Gun Hill Road is a Vision Zero Priority Corridor and features a per-mile rate of deaths and serious injuries within the top 10 percent of corridors in the borough. On average, roughly five people are injured every week in crashes on Gun Hill Road. The redesign will add painted or concrete curb extensions at 25 intersections, discourage speeding, improve visibility between drivers and pedestrians, and help prevent dangerous wide-angle turns.

 

Bus Lane Design

 

DOT worked with community partners to develop a unique design for the Gun Hill Road bus lane, from Bainbridge Avenue to Bartow Avenue, to ensure businesses can receive deliveries without blocking bus lanes. The design features new loading zones and metered parking as well as 3.1 miles of offset (next to the parking lane), center-running, and curbside bus lanes — which will be enforced with both DOT’s stationary and MTA’s bus-mounted cameras. Camera enforcement brings a $50 fine for the first offense, with escalating fines up to $250 for a driver who receives more than four violations in a 12-month period.

 

At two locations, DOT will install concrete, block-long bus boarding islands that allow passengers to quickly and safely board buses. This design will separate the bus lanes from general traffic, making it safer to cross the street, while also improving bus speed and reliability. The islands will be located between Hull and Decatur Avenues as well as between Tryon Avenue and Kings College Place.

 

Outreach and Implementation

 

The project is the culmination of extensive public outreach, with more than two dozen meetings held with community members. Work will begin today on Gun Hill Road between Webster Avenue and Bainbridge Avenue, with work on the rest of the corridor to begin soon thereafter.

 

During implementation, DOT will maintain a travel lane in each direction and access to each block. Construction will be most disruptive between the Bronx River Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue, from now through June, and DOT advises drivers to seek alternate routes around this area during construction. The remainder of construction will be less disruptive and will continue through early fall. DOT will monitor the corridor during and after implementation and adjust as needed to improve traffic flow.

 

“This transformative redesign of Gun Hill Road’s transportation infrastructure marks a milestone in our ongoing efforts to address long-standing concerns and create a safer, more accessible, and efficient transportation network for Bronxites along one of the most dangerous corridors in the borough," said New York State Senator Jamaal Bailey. "The Gun Hill Road Bus Priority and Safety project will not only deliver faster and more reliable service for 40,000 daily bus riders, but create safer streets by expanding pedestrian safety measures, shortening crossings, and implementing new traffic calming measures. I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams, Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, and the Department of Transportation for prioritizing this project and their commitment to engaging with the community throughout the planning process.”

 

“The Gun Hill Road redesign is an urban planning triumph. We will end the era of Gun Hill Road being in the top 10 percent of most dangerous streets in the Bronx, with an average of 5 injuries per week,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez spoke to the community to create a redesign that improves safety and bus service while considering everyone’s needs. More than 20 intersections along this vital corridor will receive expanded pedestrian safety, shortened crossings, and traffic calming. The new bus lanes ensure that the Bx28/38 on-time rate will go from 65 percent to 100 percent, speeding the travel time for 40,000 riders. At the same time, we are integrating parking and loading zones into the redesign, allowing small businesses along the corridor to continue receiving deliveries and welcoming customers who drive. Under the mayor and commissioner, everyone will get improved safety and convenience, while reaching their destinations in a New York minute.”

"We are pleased that the mayor and Department of Transportation continue to move towards the goals of the streets plan for faster bus service and safer streets," said Natasha Elder, director of equity and resiliency projects, New York Public Interest Research Group. "Faster, reliable and accessible service will get more folks on public transportation. The installation of bus lanes on Gun Hill Road and throughout the city will improve bus speeds and decrease congestion along the corridor, while making strides to improve the city's overall public health and air quality."

EDITOR'S NOTE: 

We do not understand how the Mayor and NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez asked Queens Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar to comment on a Bronx road that runs through the Districts of Bronx Assembly members Carl Heastie, Jeffrey Dinowitz, and John Zaccaro Jr.?