*ALERT JAN. 3* Registration Opening: 2024 TD Five Boro Bike Tour

 

REGISTRATION OPEN: 2024 TD FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR

 

Bike New York announces registration opening for the 46th TD Five Boro Bike Tour which will be held on May 5, 2024. 

Bike New York announced today that general registration for the 2024 TD Five Boro Bike Tour – the world’s largest charitable bike ride – opens tomorrow, Wednesday, January 3 at 12:00 PM. 

 

Since 1977, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour has brought together cyclists from all walks of life and skill levels for an opportunity to experience New York completely free of cars annually. This year, Bike New York is offering an Early Bird pricing of $134 plus processing fees between January 3rd and ending at 11:59PM on January 13. Riders will receive the standard pricing of $139 when they register after January 14. The registration fee is a tax-deductible charitable donation to Bike New York which helps fund free bike education, advocacy, and community outreach programming.

 

“For the 46th year in a row, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour will provide cyclists from around the world the opportunity to ride through New York City’s five boroughs completely car free,” said Ken Podziba, CEO and President of Bike New York. “This tour is especially important to us at Bike New York because each year it helps provide the funding and visibility we need to bring the joy of biking to New Yorkers.” 

 

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is the primary fundraising event for Bike New York, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to empowering New Yorkers to transform their lives and their communities through cycling. Proceeds from the event directly help to fund free public bike education and access programs for more than 30,000 adults and kids throughout the five boroughs, Bike New York co-produces this iconic New York tradition with the New York City Department of Transportation. 

 

For more information and to register for the 2023 TD Five Boro Bike Tour, visit www.bike.nyc/tour.

 

About Bike New York

Bike New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free bike education programs throughout New York City. Bike New York teaches bike education and safety skills to 30,000 kids and adults each year. Funding for these programs comes from numerous annual events, including the TD Five Boro Bike Tour and regional rides like Twin Lights. www.bike.nyc

 

CONSUMER ALERT: NYS DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION OFFERS TIPS TO AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES WITH GYM MEMBERSHIPS

 

Tips To Help Gym Membership Choices Work Out for Consumers

Secretary Rodriguez: “Our Division of Consumer Protection is alerting the public so they are aware that gym fees can become a burden to those consumers who are looking for their services but may not be aware of many hidden non-refundable registrations charges that can lead to expending hundreds of dollars in fees for initiation, maintenance, and/or cancellation.”

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics 

As we begin a New Year, many of us will be setting new goals and resolutions. One of the most popular resolutions is to get fit and healthy, and to achieve this, many people will be joining a gym or renewing their gym membership. The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) shares practical tips to help guide New Yorkers on what they need to know before signing up or a renewing a health club or gym membership.

“For many New Yorkers, the new year may include a resolution to be healthier and in better physical shape,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “Our Division of Consumer Protection is alerting the public so they are aware that gym fees can become a burden to those consumers who are looking for their services but may not be aware of many hidden non-refundable registration charges that can lead to expending hundreds of dollars in fees for initiation, maintenance, and/or cancellation.”

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR A GYM MEMBERSHIP: 

Carefully review the contract before signing it:

Read the fine print and be aware of any hidden fees that may come with it. While the advertised monthly fee may seem reasonable, gyms often include additional fees for things like initiation, cancellation, and maintenance. These fees can quickly add up and leave you with a much higher bill than you expected.

Be aware of add-ons:

When signing up for a gym membership, it's important to understand the fees and policies that come with it. Here are some key things to keep in mind:

• Initiation or registration fees are typically non-refundable, so be sure the location and schedule are convenient to you.
• Look out for annual maintenance charges. Make sure to read the contract carefully and understand the terms regarding this annual surcharge.
• Locker rentals are often not free, so ask ahead to plan where you're going to keep your belongings. Some gyms require you to purchase your own padlock or locker assignment.
• Termination fees are important to consider in case you need to cancel your membership. Make sure you understand the gym's policies regarding termination to avoid any unexpected charges.
• Premium classes and personal training sessions may come with additional charges. While the first training session may be offered for free, subsequent sessions will likely come at a cost. Be sure to ask about the hourly rate, understand the costs involved and inquire if/when prepaid training sessions expire.
• Be sure to check the equipment requirements before attending a class to avoid any unexpected charges. Classroom extras such as yoga mats, steps, and stretch bands may require a rental fee if you don't have your own equipment.

To learn more, check out these tips from the New York State Attorney General. 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN CANCELLING OR RENEWING A GYM MEMBERSHIP:

New York State law requires businesses with automatic renewal programs to disclose the terms of auto-renewal offers clearly and conspicuously, cancellation policies, and minimum purchase obligations. These terms must be stated when consumers are enrolling or signing up, close to the time of purchase.

A business that allows auto-renewal must also provide simple user-friendly cancellation options for consumers to make it easier to unsubscribe or cancel memberships. They must provide a toll-free telephone number, email address or other cost-effective, timely, and easy-to-use option for consumers to cancel after agreeing to a contract. Consumers who purchase these services online must be allowed to terminate the agreement online. 

Additionally, businesses must provide consumers with an acknowledgement that outlines the terms of any auto-renewal offer and, if the original offer includes a "free" trial offer or gift, information on how the consumer can cancel the service before they pay for goods or services. 

CONSIDER OTHER MONEY SAVINGS IDEAS TO REACH YOUR WELLNESS GOALS:

• Engage in outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, skating, skiing, or biking.
• Take advantage of community recreation center classes, which may be low cost or free.
• Contact your nearby state park to learn more about their fitness programs and workshops. The Empire State Trail is a new initiative from the state of New York to promote outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyle choices. With a focus on community vitality and tourism-related economic development, this trail is a hit with locals and visitors alike.
• Some health insurance plans will cover gym memberships costs, access to fitness activities at no extra cost, or provide reimbursement.

If it is believed a company is not following the law when offering recurring services or free gifts, consumers should file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection.

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

United States Settles Suit Against Telecommunications Service Provider for Assisting and Facilitating Illegal Robocalls

 

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider XCast Labs Inc. (XCast) has agreed to a court order resolving allegations that it violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) by assisting and facilitating illegal telemarketing campaigns. The stipulated order, which was entered today by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, prohibits XCast from violating the TSR and has additional provisions to ensure its compliance, including required processes for screening its customers and the calls it transmits to identify potential illegal telemarketing. The order also imposes a $10 million civil penalty judgment, which is suspended based on XCast’s inability to pay.

According to the complaint filed on May 12, XCast provided VoIP services that transmitted billions of illegal robocalls to American consumers, including scam calls fraudulently claiming to be from government agencies. Those robocalls delivered prerecorded marketing messages, and many of them were delivered to numbers listed on the National Do Not Call Registry. Additionally, many of the calls failed to truthfully identify the seller of the services being marketed, falsely claimed affiliations with government entities, contained other false or misleading statements to induce purchases or were transmitted with “spoofed” caller ID information. The complaint alleged that XCast continued to transmit these calls even after being alerted to their illegality.

“Today’s order is another example of the Justice Department’s efforts to protect American consumers from illegal robocalls and to stop telecommunications providers from enabling those calls,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to work with the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the Telemarketing Sales Rule.”

“XCast was warned several times that illegal robocallers were using its services and did nothing,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Companies that turn a blind eye to illegal robocalling should expect to hear from the FTC.”

Attorneys in the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, including Trial Attorney Zachary Dietert and Assistant Director Rachael Doud, in conjunction with staff in the FTC’s Division of Marketing Practices, handled the case.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the FTC, visit www.FTC.gov

Founder And Former CEO Of Tingo Companies Charged With Securities Fraud

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging ODOGWU BANYE MMOBUOSI, a/k/a “Dozy Mmobuosi,” with securities fraud, making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and conspiracy charges.  MMOBUOSI is still at large. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Dozy Mmobuosi allegedly orchestrated a massive scheme to inflate Tingo Group’s financial statements and make it appear as though the cellular and agriculture companies he founded were profitable and cash rich companies when, in fact, they were not.  With this Indictment, Mmobuosi’s alleged deceitful scheme comes to an end.” 

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court and court filings:[1]

From at least in or about 2019 through in or about 2023, ODOGWU BANYE MMOBUOSI orchestrated a scheme to enrich himself by falsely representing that Nigerian companies he founded, Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods, were operational, profitable businesses generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue respectively.  MMOBUOSI then sold Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods to companies listed in the United States, including Tingo Group (listed on Nasdaq as “TIO”) and Agri-Fintech Holdings (traded in the Over-the-Counter Markets under symbol “TMNA”).  As a result, MMOBUOSI caused Tingo Group and Agri-Fintech to issue financial statements that falsely portrayed Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods to be cash-rich, revenue-generating companies when, in fact, they were not.  MMOBUOSI then looted Tingo Group and Agri-Fintech by misappropriating cash from those companies and engaged in well-timed sales of their shares at inflated prices, generating millions of dollars of profits from his scheme.

MMOBUOSI, 45, of Nigeria, has been charged with one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, one count of securities fraud under Title 15, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of making false filings with the SEC, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purpose only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.  He also expressed appreciation for the SEC, which separately initiated civil proceedings against the defendant.

This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Davis and Kiersten A. Fletcher are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment 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 Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Deaths in Rockland County

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the deaths of a husband and wife and their two sons, who died on December 30, 2023 in New City, Rockland County.

At approximately 12:15 a.m. on December 30, Clarkstown Police Department (CPD) received a call from the Bronxville Police Department (BPD) asking for a wellness check at the home of BPD Sergeant Watson Morgan, who had not shown up for his 11:30 p.m. shift. CPD officers arrived at the residence and found Sgt. Morgan, his wife, and their two children dead from apparent gunshot wounds to the head. Sgt. Morgan’s gunshot wound is alleged to be self-inflicted.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.

Governor Hochul Unveils First Proposal of 2024 State of the State: The Consumer Protection & Affordability Agenda

 

First Expansion of New York's Consumer Protection Law in More Than 40 Years and Measures to Ensure Fairness in "Buy Now Pay Later" Services

First Major Increase to Paid Medical and Disability Leave Benefits Since 1989; Tie Benefits to Statewide Average Weekly Wage

Nation-Leading Plan to Eliminate Insurance Co-Pays for Insulin, Saving New Yorkers $14 Million in 2025 Alone

Bold Action to Protect New Yorkers from Medical Debt, Limiting Hospitals’ Ability to Sue Low-Income Patients, and Expanding Financial Assistance Programs

Minimum Wage Increase Secured by Governor Hochul in FY24 Budget Took Effect on New Year's Day

Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled a sweeping consumer protection and affordability agenda, the first plank of her 2024 State of the State. Governor Hochul announced proposals to amend New York’s consumer laws to strengthen consumer protections against unfair business practices; establish nation-leading regulations for the Buy Now Pay Later loan industry; advance the first major increase in paid medical leave benefits in more than three decades; implement the nation’s most wide-ranging proposal to eliminate co-pays for insulin on certain insurance plans; and propose legislation to combat medical debt. Governor Hochul announced these proposals just one day after New York's minimum wage increase took effect.

“The first plank of the 2024 State of the State is our Consumer Protection & Affordability Agenda – one that combats the effects of illness, disability, unfair business practices and low wages,” Governor Hochul said. “If the last two years have been about putting more money in New Yorkers’ pockets, this year is about keeping it there and that starts with safeguarding people’s hard-earned cash.”

Strengthening Consumer Protections

Governor Hochul has proposed actions to strengthen consumer protections across New York State through the most significant expansion of consumer laws since 1980. While current law protects New Yorkers against deceptive business practices, New York is one of only eight states in the nation whose law fails to protect against unfair and abusive business practices. Amendments to expand consumer protection laws will transform how New York protects consumers, enhance the Attorney General’s ability to enforce consumer protections, and give the State additional tools to pursue bad actors.

Governor Hochul will also propose legislation to require Buy Now Pay Later providers to get a license to operate in the state, and to authorize the New York State Department of Financial Services to propose and issue regulations for this rapidly growing industry. New Yorkers are increasingly turning to Buy Now Pay Later loans as a low-cost alternative to traditional credit products to pay for everyday and big-ticket purchases. This legislation and regulations will establish strong industry protections around disclosure requirements, dispute resolution and credit reporting standards, late fee limits, consumer data privacy, and guidelines to curtail dark patterns and debt accumulation and overextension.

Expanding Paid Medical and Disability Leave Benefits

Governor Hochul announced a plan to increase the maximum benefit for paid medical and disability leave for the first time in 35 years. Under the plan, the Governor will propose an amendment to the disability law to increase the maximum weekly benefit over the next five years and tie it to the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). To match the paid family leave benefit, for the first 12 weeks of medical leave, eligible employees would receive 67 percent of their average weekly wage, capped at 67 percent of the SAWW, once fully phased in after five years.

The maximum paid benefit available to New Yorkers who need time off from work to address their own health needs, including for any pregnancy-related conditions, has been capped at $170/week since 1989. Strengthening medical leave will not only support women and parents, but also the nearly 1 in 5 New Yorkers with a disability, who often need leave from work to manage disability-related health needs.

Eliminating Co-Pays for Insulin

Governor Hochul announced a proposal to eliminate insulin cost-sharing completely through proposed legislation. This proposal will enact the most expansive prohibition against insulin cost-sharing in the nation, providing financial relief to New Yorkers and improving adherence to these life-saving medications. With 1.58 million New Yorkers diagnosed with diabetes, the proposal is estimated to save New Yorkers an estimated $14 million in 2025 alone.

According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes have medical expenses that are 2.3 times higher than people who do not have diabetes and the impact is even larger for communities of color, which face disproportionately high diagnosis rates.

Combating Medical Debt

Governor Hochul will also introduce legislation to update and expand New York’s hospital financial assistance law to better protect New Yorkers from medical debt. This legislation would include bold action to protect low-income New Yorkers from medical debt lawsuits by limiting hospitals’ ability to sue patients earning less than 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($120,000 for a family of four). The legislation would also expand hospital financial assistance programs for low-income New Yorkers, limit the size of monthly payments and interest charged for medical debt and implement other protections to improve access to financial assistance and mitigate the deleterious effects of medical debt on New Yorkers.

More than 700,000 New Yorkers have medical debt in collections. Individuals with medical debt are less likely to seek necessary medical care and report being forced to cut back on critical social determinants of health, including food, heat, and rent. As a result, substantial debt levels threaten not only the financial stability of many individuals and families, but also undermine the State’s commitment to improving health equity and health outcomes.

The Consumer Protection & Affordability Agenda

Governor Hochul’s consumer protection and affordability agenda builds on her administration’s efforts to keep hard-earned money in New Yorkers’ pockets. The Governor signed legislation last year to protect New Yorkers from price gouging and medical debt. In 2022, the Governor also signed legislation to ban hidden fees for consumers purchasing tickets to live events, expand penalties for use of scalper bots and ticket purchasing software, outlaw the sale of free tickets, and prohibit delivery fees on tickets that are delivered electronically or printed at home.

These proposals also build on Governor Hochul’s commitment to making the state more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY 2024 Budget, the Governor secured a historic, multi-year increase to New York’s minimum wage that will raise the minimum wage through 2027 and then index it to inflation. Governor Hochul has also pushed forward on Executive Actions to address New York’s housing crisis and reduce housing costs by increasing the state’s housing supply.

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on October 22, 2023 in the confines of the 44th Precinct

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on October 22nd, 2023 in the confines of the 44th Precinct..

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association January Meeting

 

The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association is starting the New Year off with a bang! Their monthly community event on TUESDAY JANUARY 9th, 2024, starting at 7:00 pm at our NEW location Bronx House 990 Pelham Parkway South, corner or Hone Avenue. Bx, NY 10461. Our special guest scheduled to appear will be the Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. Please join us for this very interesting AND informative event. 

We look forward to seeing you! Show up. Speak up. Get involved!