Governor Hochul Announces $13.1 Million to Support Construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail

Environmental Bond Act Funding to Support Ongoing Construction of World-Class Recreational Trail in Heart of the Adirondacks

Restoration of Adjacent Historic Saranac Lake Depot to Bolster North Country Economy

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $13.1 million to support the ongoing construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail, a 34-mile, multi-use recreational corridor for outdoor adventurers between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, and the restoration of the Saranac Lake Depot. Funding from the 2022 Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act will aid the ongoing transformation of a former railbed into a world-class shared-use path and the former depot for use as a regional education, interpretation, and economic asset. When complete, the trail will be open all year, free of charge, for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobile enthusiasts.

“The Adirondack Rail Trail is bolstering tourism and connecting New Yorkers to the outdoors to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the Adirondack Park,” Governor Hochul said. “As construction continues, this new $13.1 million investment is instrumental in fulfilling the Environmental Bond Act’s commitment to improving recreational infrastructure, contributing to local economies, and enhancing public access to the outdoors for residents and visitors alike.”

In December 2023, Governor Hochul announced completion of the first of three construction phases that connected the Lake Placid to Saranac Lake corridor of the trail. Upon completion of all three phases of construction, the Adirondack Rail Trail will connect the communities of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. Interpretive signage will help visitors learn about the history of the railway, cultures of adjacent communities, and surrounding lands and waters. The trail is currently open for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor winter recreation.

As part of the Rail Trail project, DEC is preserving the historic Saranac Lake Depot and the associated Freight Building, which are contributing features of the New York Central Railroad, Adirondack Division Historic District, and listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places. It is an integral part of the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor and an integral part of the village of Saranac Lake that will serve as the key interface between the State-owned Rail Trail and the village. In October, DEC solicited ideas and plans for the depot’s use and public access through structure improvements, opportunities for historic interpretation, facilitation of a welcoming outdoor experience for the public, and activities or operations that complement the Adirondack Rail Trail. DEC is reviewing submissions before issuing a formal Request for Proposals.

Work to transform the trail started in October 2020 when the State Department of Transportation (DOT) worked to remove rail infrastructure from the Tupper Lake to Lake Placid segment of the corridor. In March 2022, DEC and DOT announced the transfer of jurisdiction to DEC, marking the formal completion of the rail removal phase and the start of the formal trail design and construction phase with the State Office of General Services. Up-to-date information on corridor conditions, phases of construction, guidance on interim recreation, and a public use map are available on DEC's Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor webpage.

The Adirondack Rail Trail project is part of DEC's strategic investments through the Adventure NY Initiative to enhance public access to State lands and facilities and connect people with nature and the outdoors. The trail is designed to be accessible by people of all abilities to the maximum extent practicable. Most of the trail surface will consist of compacted crushed stone. The trail will be paved within the village of Saranac Lake and on small sections of trail over bridges.

The voter-approved $4.2-billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act is helping to support these and many other initiatives, including leveraging funding for water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure. The Bond Act is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. For more information about the Bond Act, go to www.ny.gov/BondAct.

Today’s announcement complements Governor Hochul’s ongoing investments in the Adirondack Park. Earlier this month, the Governor announced $1.8 million in grants to support 27 not-for-profit organizations involved with stewardship of State parks, trails, historic sites and other public lands. Among the grantees was the Adirondack Rail Trail Association, who was awarded $75,400 to fund a comprehensive capacity-building initiative including the development of a multi-year strategic plan, revenue-generating activities, a volunteer program, and a marketing campaign plan.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES 14 JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced 14 judicial appointments and reappointments to Family Court, Criminal Court, and Civil Court. Specifically, Mayor Adams appointed two Family Court judges and three Criminal Court judges, and reappointed two Family Court judges, six Criminal Court judges, and one interim Civil Court judge.

 

“Public safety and justice are the prerequisites to prosperity, and the judges I’m appointing and reappointing today are deeply committed to both,” said Mayor Adams. “Ensuring that our courts have the judges they need to operate smoothly, efficiently, and effectively will help us continue to reverse the bottlenecks that resulted from the pandemic and that has delayed justice for too many. We are grateful for their continued service as we build a city that is more just and equitable for all.”

 

“A capable judiciary is crucial to providing fair and efficient justice for New Yorkers,” said City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg. “We are grateful to this impressive group of judges for their continued dedication to serving the city.”

 

Mayor Adams appointed the following judges to Family Court:

 

Judge Cynthia Lopez was first appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in June 2021 and has been serving in Family Court since then. Judge Lopez began her legal career with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services as an agency attorney. She went on to hold various titles, including but not limited to assistant supervising attorney of Queens Family Court Legal Services and supervising attorney of Manhattan and Staten Island Family Court Legal Services. Prior to her appointment to the bench in 2021, she served as borough chief of the Brooklyn Family Court Legal Services. 

 

Judge Marjorie Steinberg was first appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in April 2023 and has been serving in Family Court since then. Judge Steinberg initially worked at a private firm as an associate attorney with a focus on custody, visitation, domestic violence, matrimonial, guardianship, and neglect litigation. She then served with The Children’s Law Center as a staff attorney and subsequently as deputy director. Judge Steinberg then joined the New York State Unified Court System and was first assigned to the Richmond County Supreme Court as a court attorney in the Integrated Domestic Violence Part, then as principal court attorney in the All-Purpose Matrimonial Part. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Steinberg served as a support magistrate in Richmond County Family Court.

 

Mayor Adams appointed the following judges to Criminal Court:

 

Judge Anthony Battisti was first appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in December 2021 and has been serving in Criminal Court since then. He was a former Queens County assistant district attorney with assignments to the Intake, Criminal Court, Grand Jury, and Supreme Court Bureaus. After several years, he entered a law partnership which he eventually left to start his own practice. Prior to his appointment, Judge Battisti was a private practitioner in Queens for 27 years, specializing in criminal defense and residential real estate. 

 

Judge Diego Freire was first appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in December 2021 and has been serving in Criminal Court since then. Judge Freire began his legal career with The Legal Aid Society, Queens County Criminal Defense Practice in 2007. Prior to his appointment to the bench in 2021, he was a senior staff attorney holding the dual title of adolescent intervention and diversion attorney.

 

Judge Craig Ortner was first appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in February 2023 and has been serving in Criminal Court since then. Judge Ortner was a former associate with Proskauer Rose LLP before leaving to clerk with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and United States Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit in Jacksonville, Florida. He then returned to New York and served with the New York County District Attorney’s Office for over 19 years, holding various titles, including criminal court supervisor in Trial Bureau 80 and deputy bureau chief in Trial Bureau 60.

 

Mayor Adams reappointed the following judges to Family Court:

 

Judge Ben Darvil was first appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in March 2016 and then appointed to Family Court in April 2017. Judge Darvil was a former staff attorney with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, Family Court Legal Services. He litigated child abuse and neglect cases in New York County Family Court. He went on to serve in the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, as an appellate court attorney. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable John M. Leventhal (Ret.).

 

Judge Emily Ruben was appointed to the Family Court in June 2015. She began her legal career as a law clerk to New York County Supreme Court Justice Elliot Wilk. Thereafter, she was an associate with a boutique matrimonial firm and a private firm focusing on matrimonial law and trusts and estates. She was formerly with The Legal Aid Society, Civil Division, and prior to her appointment to the bench, she concurrently held the titles of supervising attorney of the Citywide Family Law Unit, co-supervisor of the Domestic Violence Project, and attorney-in-charge of the Brooklyn Neighborhood Office.

 

Mayor Adams reappointed the following judges to Criminal Court:

 

Judge Mary Bejarano was first appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in May 2017 and then appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2018. She was a former Queens County assistant district attorney and malpractice defense attorney for two private firms. She went on to operate and maintain her own solo practice for over six years before joining the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in the Civil Litigation Unit up until her appointment to the bench.

 

Judge Kathryn Paek has been a Criminal Court judge since February 2015. Judge Paek began her legal career with The Legal Aid Society in Nassau County and briefly practiced as an associate with a private firm. Thereafter, she was a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society, Kings County in the Criminal Defense Division and Immigration Unit. Judge Paek was also a former principal court attorney to a Kings County Supreme Court justice. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was chief-of-staff to the New York State Unified Court System’s Office of Policy and Planning.

 

Judge Archana Rao has presided in Criminal Court since January 2019. Judge Rao spent the entirety of her legal career at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where she served as an assistant district attorney in Trial Bureau 30 and in the Financial Frauds Bureau (formerly known as the Special Prosecutions Bureau). She served as deputy bureau chief, principal deputy chief, and, prior to her appointment to the bench, bureau chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau.

 

Judge Steven Statsinger was appointed Criminal Court judge in January 2013. Judge Statsinger formerly served with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Appeals Bureau before moving onto the Federal Defender Division, Appeals Bureau. He then joined the Federal Defenders of New York, Inc., Southern District of New York as a supervisor and training director before his appointment to the bench.

 

Judge Laura Ward has presided in Criminal Court since May 1997. Judge Ward currently serves as an acting Supreme Court justice. Judge Ward began her legal career with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as a litigation associate before joining the Organized Crime Strike Force with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York as a special attorney. She also briefly served as assistant attorney general-in-charge of the Bureau of Investor Protection and Security at the New York Office of the Attorney General before returning to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York to serve as an assistant United States attorney before her appointment to the bench.

 

Judge Joanne Watters was appointed as a Criminal Court judge in December 2015. Judge Watters currently serves as supervising judge in Criminal Court, Queens County. She was a former prosecutor with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office before joining a private firm as an associate attorney. Judge Watters then became an assistant department advocate for the Department Advocate’s Office before joining the New York State Unified Court System, where she last served as supervising court attorney in Kings County Criminal Court.

 

Mayor Adams reappointed the following judge to Civil Court:

 

Judge Grace Oboma-Layat was appointed as an interim Civil Court judge in April 2023 and has been serving in Family Court since then. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Oboma-Layat was a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Practice for 19 years. Her focus was child protective, termination of parental rights, and custody and visitation proceedings.

City Planning Commission Kicks Off Public Review on Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan

 

Proposal will complement new Metro-North stations coming to Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, and Co-op City

Land Use Revamp Around New Stations Builds on Six Years of Public Engagement

Plan to Bring Thousands of New Homes and Jobs, Improved Infrastructure, and More to the East Bronx

New York City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair Dan Garodnick today began the public review process for the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan, the first neighborhood plan certified during Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which will better support the East Bronx’s current and future needs. This once-in-a-lifetime plan complements new Metro-North stations coming to Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Hunts Point, and Co-op City with improved public space, transit access, and other community amenities, as well as nearly 7,500 homes, including permanently income-restricted housing, and 10,000 jobs in Parkchester/Van Nest and Morris Park.

“Building on historic citywide zoning overhauls like ‘City of Yes,’ our plan for the Bronx Metro North Station area offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transportation and neighborhood investments that will serve current and future residents of the East Bronx,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The plan would bring more than 7,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs to these neighborhoods, along with infrastructure and public realm improvements, workforce training programs, and support for important community institutions and job centers. We hope Bronxites continue to engage with this transformative effort and make their voices heard as it continues through the public review processes.”

“With four new Metro-North stations on their way, this is a unique and exciting opportunity for the East Bronx. Our plan will help to ensure that those who live and work in these four neighborhoods are the ones who benefit the most from these new stations. From housing to jobs, open space to infrastructure, and more, this community-focused plan will be a truly transformational and positive force for the Bronx,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

“The Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan is years in the making and will be a major game-changer for the East Bronx. Soon, we will be connecting communities in historic transit deserts to accessible public transportation options, providing employment for New Yorkers, reducing our carbon footprint, increasing public amenities in these neighborhoods, and developing new, affordable housing to combat our current housing crisis. I want to thank the NYC Department of City Planning, my colleagues in the City Council, and transit advocates for their partnership on this important initiative, and we look forward to our continued work together to bring this project to fruition,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

“New York City financed a record number of new affordable homes in 2023, and the city is hard at work to continue building new affordable housing anyway we can, everywhere we can,” said Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “The launch of the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan showcases how we push the envelope to deliver for New Yorkers. Along with critical transit access, public space, and community amenities, this plan will bring over 7,000 new homes to the Parkchester and Morris Park neighborhoods. HPD looks forward to working with DCP in getting this transformative plan across the finish line.”

“Expanding sustainable and safe public transportation options brings better access to education and economic opportunities, as well as supports ongoing demand for housing in New York City, while also making it faster and easier to get around without a car,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We look forward to engaging with Bronx communities to build the infrastructure necessary to make these new neighborhoods a hub for vibrant public space and improved quality of life.”

“These new stations will connect Bronx residents with crucial job centers and increase access to other parts of New York City and beyond, while creating more vibrant communities in the station neighborhoods. The neighborhood plan includes proposals that will enhance green and open public spaces, and increase park equity by ensuring Bronxites have access to high-quality outdoor spaces,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “These new stations and the proposed transit-oriented development will be transformative for the Bronx and we look forward to receiving public feedback on the neighborhood planning proposals.”

“The Bronx is home to some of our city's most vibrant commercial corridors,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “DCP's plans will not only create greater accessibility to the Metro-North area and generate thousands of jobs, but also supercharge the small businesses that make their home in the East Bronx. I want to thank Commissioner Garodnick and Borough President Gibson for making the Bronx a pivotal part of the City of Yes.”

“As NYCEDC works to further our commitment of making New York City a great place to live, work, play and learn, it’s essential we invest in commercial and residential density near transit options,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “I applaud DCP and Commissioner Garodnick's commitment to maximizing housing and job creation near the four new Metro-North stops in the East Bronx.”

“It’s exciting that we’re already seeing the benefits of Metro-North Penn Access,” said Metropolitan Transit Authority Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “This project supports the East Bronx’s economic development and is a perfect example of how investing in public transportation stimulates local and regional economic activity, especially in historically underserved areas. New rail service to and from the East Bronx, Westchester, and Connecticut will provide residents with access to job opportunities, education, medical institutions, and leisure travel and support development of the surrounding communities, aided by this initiative from the Adams administration.”

Together, these four neighborhoods of Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, Hunts Point, and Co-op City are home to 500,000 New Yorkers, greater than the population of Atlanta, Georgia. Nevertheless, these communities have limited access to public transit, with the exception of Hunts Point. The new Metro-North stations on the New Haven Line will connect area residents to job opportunities across the Bronx, Midtown Manhattan, Westchester and Connecticut, while also reducing car use and easing traffic.

Most of the land use actions proposed in the Bronx Metro-North Plan are focused on the neighborhoods of Parkchester/Van Nest and Morris Park, with Hunts Point and Co-op City receiving investments but no zoning changes.

The Bronx Metro-North Plan would create nearly 7,500 new homes, including 1,900 permanently income-restricted homes through Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, by allowing residential uses in some areas of Parkchester/Van Nest currently designated solely for commercial and manufacturing uses. It would also expand the amount of housing allowed in some residential districts in that neighborhood and in parts of Morris Park.

The plan would lead to the creation of 10,000 new jobs by bolstering key commercial corridors, establishing workforce training programs, and supporting important community institutions and job centers, such as Jacobi Medical Center, Montefiore Hospital, Calvary Hospital, and Hutchinson Metro Center. Morris Park and Hunts Point are two of 10 largest job centers in New York City, responsible for a total of 37,000 jobs. To augment the mix of education and health care found in Morris Park, the Bronx Metro-North Plan will explore siting a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) school to set high schoolers on a path to a career success in these growing sectors.

Enhanced infrastructure and new pedestrian-friendly public amenities will make it easy for residents and workers to access the new stations, and improve the quality of life in these neighborhoods. Proposed public realm improvements include new and/or upgraded public plazas and open spaces; bus shelters, improved lighting, wider medians; and local retail that fosters a sense of community around these transit hubs.

“As a Chamber leader, I have waited for a strategic plan such as this one that not only fosters economic and workforce development but also recognizes and confronts the unique challenges of small businesses. The prospects that lie ahead following the implementation of the several new Metro-North stations are truly promising, and I eagerly anticipate the positive outcomes it will bring. In order to ensure that these stations and the related redevelopment have a positive impact on the employment needs of Bronx communities and the talent needs of local employers, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce is committed to partnering with the necessary organizations to develop information and strategies,” said Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

“This is an exciting day and a big step forward for the East Bronx,” said Ruben Diaz, Jr., SVP, Strategic Initiatives, Montefiore. “With four new Metro-North stations providing improved transit access to this borough, along with new housing, jobs, and infrastructure investment, we’re on our way toward a brighter future with improved access to vibrant economic activity and world class scientific research and healthcare.”

In partnership with Bronx Borough President Gibson and the New York City Council, DCP has conducted extensive outreach in the communities around the new stations over the last six years, including both in-person and virtual workshops, open houses, weekly “office hours” to answer questions, surveys, and small-group meetings. The agency has held multiple meetings with nearly two dozen community stakeholders, ranging from neighborhood organizations to educational and medical institutions, as well as 16 government agencies at the city, state, and federal levels.

Today’s certification begins the roughly seven-month Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), which includes recommendations from Community Boards 9, 10, and 11, and Borough President Gibson, followed by votes at the City Planning Commission, then the City Council.

The MTA anticipates the four new Metro-North stations will open in 2027.

MAYOR ADAMS TO RELIEVE OVER $2 BILLION IN MEDICAL DEBT FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKING-CLASS NEW YORKERS

 

$18 Million Investment Will Provide Relief for up to 500,000 New Yorkers Burdened With Medical Debt, Becoming Largest Municipal Medical Debt Relief Program in Country

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today announced a pioneering medical debt relief program, that will invest $18 million over three years to relieve over $2 billion in medical debt for hundreds of thousands of working-class New Yorkers. Medical debt — the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States — disproportionately affects uninsured, under-insured, and low-income households, and the city’s program would wipe out debt for up to 500,000 New Yorkers on a one-time basis. The city will partner with RIP Medical Debt, a national, New York City-based nonprofit specializing in buying and ultimately wiping out medical debt to acquire debt portfolios and retiree debt from health care providers and hospitals across New York City. Affected New Yorkers will then be notified that their medical debt has been relieved; there is no application process for this program. The one-time debt relief program, the largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country, will launch in early 2024 and run for three years.

 

“Getting health care shouldn’t be a burden that weighs on New Yorkers and their families,” said Mayor Adams. “Since day one, our administration has been driven by the clear mission of supporting working-class New Yorkers and today’s investment that will provide $2 billion in medical debt relief is another major step in delivering on that vision. Up to half a million New Yorkers will see their medical debt wiped thanks to this life changing program — the largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country. No one chooses to go into medical debt — if you're sick or injured, you need to seek care. But no New Yorker should have to choose between paying rent or for other essentials and paying off their medical debt, which is why we are proud to bring this relief to families across the five boroughs, as we continue to fight on behalf of working-class New Yorkers.”

 

“For hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and for millions of Americans, medical debt creates anxiety, uncertainty, and stress,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “It weighs not only on individual and familial balance sheets, but may cause some to put off additional care and limits upward financial mobility. New York City’s investment through this partnership will help working people and families advance their health and financial well-being so they can thrive, instead of just survive. Furthermore, we realize this issue is part of a larger complex health care system and we look forward to continuing to advocate for systemic changes to help New Yorkers avoid medical debt in the future.”

 

“Throughout my career as a doctor, I have seen first-hand how high health care costs and medical debt can force patients to make impossible choices,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “No one in New York City, or in America, in 2024, should have to choose between getting the health care they need and paying their rent or buying food to feed their families. But as a provider, I have seen all-too-often patients who delay or forgo lifesaving care because of fear of high costs leading to debt. Medical debt caused by the exorbitant and ever-rising costs of health care is the number one cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, and also has our economy on an unsustainable path. As a physician and advocate, I know medical debt is killing New Yorkers and killing our economy, and today, this city is stepping up to say that the people deserve better.”

 

“It’s gratifying to see this collaboration come together since RIP Medical Debt was founded here in New York City,” said Allison Sesso, president and CEO, RIP Medical Debt. “Medical debt is a failing of the system writ large, not people. Beyond creating often unpayable financial burdens, medical debt undermines one’s mental health as well. By making future care more accessible, this initiative aligns well with hospitals and health systems’ community benefit and health equity efforts.”

 

“Medical debt impacts tens of thousands of New Yorkers, preventing them from saving for the future,” said New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “This new partnership with RIP Medical Debt will transform the lives of New Yorkers and their families, providing much needed relief and stability. Thank you to the mayor, DOHMH Commissioner Vasan, RIP Medical Debt, and the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity for prioritizing the needs of some of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

 

“Our unique poverty measure for New York City identifies out-of-pocket medical expenses as a consistent force keeping New Yorkers in poverty,” said Carson Hicks, acting executive director, Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “High medical expenses often mean high levels of debt. Our research has found that the pool of people eligible for debt relief includes both low- and middle-income households across all boroughs. Medical debt relief is an important step towards increased economic security for many New Yorkers.” 

“In New York, we believe that health care is a right and that no New Yorker should worry about barriers to accessing the high-quality health care they need," said Mitchell Katz, MD, president and CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals. “Our health system has reduced barriers and encouraged all New Yorkers — regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status — to access primary care as their pathway to their healthiest life.”

“The overwhelming impact of medical debt on hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and their families goes beyond a financial burden and can become debilitating in other areas of their lives” said Marcella Tillett, executive director, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is excited to partner with the City of New York and RIP Medical Debt on this groundbreaking Medical Debt Relief Program which will give New Yorkers access to greater financial health and combat other impacts of medical debt, including experiences of great emotional distress and feelings of there being barriers to continued engagement in health services.”

 

RIP Medical Debt will purchase bundled medical debt portfolios from providers like hospitals and commercial debt buyers to then abolish that debt at pennies on the dollar. Debt relief recipients will then be notified that their debt has been bought by a third party and erased, with no strings attached. Recipients owe nothing on the debt and face no tax penalty. New Yorkers who fit one of the two eligibility criteria will qualify for the debt relief announced today, if their debt has been acquired: 1) having annual household income at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Line or 2) having medical debt equal 5 percent or more of their annual household income.

 

To supplement the city’s investment, RIP Medical Debt and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will also partner to raise additional funding over three years. New Yorkers interested in helping relieve medical debt can donate online.

 

More than 100 million Americans hold some medical debt, with the total amount nationwide exceeding $195 billion. Carrying medical debt can undermine financial stability and mobility, as it can affect credit scores and put individuals and families in difficult positions to choose between care and other needed expenses. Black and Latino communities are 50 percent and 35 percent, respectively, more likely to hold medical debt than their white counterparts, and while medical debt may be held by those without insurance, even those with insurance are at risk of carrying medical debt.

 

“We applaud Mayor Adams for this tremendous effort to relieve medical debt for so many New Yorkers who deserve continued access to the care they need,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO, Northwell Health. “As New York’s largest health care provider, we remain committed to providing quality care to all patients in need, regardless of their ability to pay. For more than a decade, we have offered financial assistance to patients based on incomes 500 percent above the federal poverty level and we will continue to support any measure that helps us do more. We stand with the city in raising the health of all New Yorkers and keeping health care affordable for all.”

 

“We recognize that medical debt can be devastating for many families across the country. We support efforts to reduce medical debt and thank the mayor for highlighting this important issue,” said Brendan G. Carr, MD, MA, MS, chief executive officer, Mount Sinai Health System.

 

“I applaud the Adams administration for investing in New Yorkers’ health by unburdening them from medical debt,” said Oxiris Barbot, MD, president and CEO, United Hospital Fund; Board Member, RIP Medical Debt; former DOHMH commissioner. “The benefit of debt relief is more than financial.  It gives patients peace of mind and ensures they seek the medical care they need.  As we strive collectively toward a health system that promotes health equity, I encourage all New York City hospitals not only to participate in this partnership but commit to further enhancing their robust financial assistance policies so that patients don’t have to incur unnecessary medical debt in the first place.”

 

Two Defendants Charged With Obstruction Of Justice In Connection With Sentencing Proceedings

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Erin Keegan, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”); and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging LEO HERNANDEZ with obstruction of justice in connection with his October 2022 sentencing proceeding in a federal narcotics case.  HERNANDEZ will be presented today before the Honorable Sarah Netburn.

Mr. Williams and Christopher Hileman, the Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Office of Inspector General (“State-OIG”), also announced the unsealing of an indictment charging OBIOMA IWOBI with obstruction of justice in connection with his March 2023 sentencing proceeding in a federal fraud case.  IWOBI’s case has been assigned to the Honorable Naomi Reice Buchwald.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Leo Hernandez and Obioma Iwobi allegedly provided false information to federal judges in improper attempts to obtain leniency at sentencing.  The obstruction of justice charges announced today should send a clear message that this Office will not tolerate attempts by criminal defendants to manipulate the court system.”

HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said: “As alleged, Leo Hernandez has shown once again he is neither reformed nor remorseful for the crimes of which he is accused.  I commend HSI New York’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force and our law enforcement partners for their continued emphasis on securing justice.”

State-OIG Special Agent in Charge Christopher Hileman said: “Our office commends and appreciates the vigilance and efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in addressing the alleged attempts by a subject to obtain leniency during his sentencing hearing through the submission of false attestations.  This indictment shows that the U.S. criminal justice system will hold accountable those who seek to deceive and defraud it.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint charging HERNANDEZ and the Indictment charging IWOBI:[1]

HERNANDEZ was prosecuted for participating in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics in United States v. Leo Hernandez, No. 20 Cr. 79 (RMB).  In advance of the sentencing proceeding in that case, HERNANDEZ obstructed the sentencing proceeding by, among other things, (i) falsely stating to the U.S. Probation Office for the Southern District of New York that he had an opioid addiction, which was then incorporated into HERNANDEZ’s presentence investigation report, and (ii) causing his attorney in that case to make false representations to the Court in connection with sentencing regarding HERNANDEZ’s purported addiction, including a claim that the addiction motivated the criminal conduct for which HERNANDEZ was prosecuted.  However, in truth and in fact, HERNANDEZ had no such addiction and provided false information to the Court in an improper attempt to obtain leniency at sentencing. 

IWOBI was prosecuted for participating in a fraud and identity theft scheme in United States v. Obioma Iwobi, No. 22 Cr. 652 (ER).  In advance of the sentencing proceeding in that case, IWOBI caused false and fraudulent letters to be submitted, and caused false and misleading statements to be made, to the Court in an improper attempt to obtain leniency at sentencing.

HERNANDEZ, 42, of Staten Island, New York, and IWOBI, 43, who is currently incarcerated in Seagoville, Texas, are each charged with one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

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

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI, HSI New York’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force’s Trade Enforcement and Interdiction Group, the NYPD, and State-OIG.

The cases are being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel P. Rothschild and Robert B. Sobelman are in charge of the HERNANDEZ prosecution.  Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Josiah Pertz is in charge of the IWOBI prosecution.

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

Virginia Man and Woman Convicted of Forced Labor at Gas Station and Convenience Store for Multiple Years

 

Following a two-week trial, a federal jury on Friday in the Eastern District of Virginia convicted a Richmond-area couple of conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, harboring for financial gain and document servitude in connection with their operation of a gas station and convenience store in North Chesterfield, Virginia.

The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that, between March 2018 and May 2021, Harmanpreet Singh, 30, and Kulbir Kaur, 43, forced the victim, Singh’s cousin, to provide labor and services at Singh’s store, including working as the cashier, preparing food, cleaning and managing store records. Singh and Kaur used various coercive means, including confiscating the victim’s immigration documents and subjecting the victim to physical abuse, threats of force and other serious harm and, at times, degrading living conditions to compel him to work extensive hours for minimal pay.

“The defendants exploited the victim’s trust and his desire to attend school in the United States, and then inflicted physical and mental abuse against him, all so they could keep him working for their profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Human trafficking is a disgraceful and unacceptable crime, and this verdict should send the very clear message that the Justice Department will investigate and vigorously prosecute these cases to hold human traffickers accountable and bring justice to their victims.”

“These defendants engaged in an egregious bait-and-switch, luring the victim with false promises of an education in the United States and instead subjecting him to grueling hours, degrading living conditions and a litany of mental and physical abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Forced labor and human trafficking are abhorrent crimes that have no place in our society, and I am grateful to our team of prosecutors, agents and support staff for ensuring that justice was done in this case.”

“Today’s convictions demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to seeking justice for victims of human trafficking and should also serve as a reminder to those who seek to engage in this illegal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “We will continue working with our local, state and federal partners to aggressively identify, investigate and bring those responsible to justice.”

In 2018, the defendants enticed the victim, then a minor, to travel to the United States with false promises of helping enroll him in school. After arriving in the United States, the defendants took his immigration documents and immediately put him to work. They also left the victim at the store to sleep in a back office for days at a time on multiple occasions, limited his access to food, refused to provide medical care or education, used surveillance equipment to monitor the victim both at the store and in their home, refused his requests to return to India and made him overstay his visa. The evidence further showed that Singh pulled the victim’s hair, slapped and kicked him when he requested his immigration documents back and tried to leave, and on three different occasions threatened the victim with a revolver for trying to take a day off and for trying to leave.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 8. Singh and Kaur face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and mandatory restitution for the forced labor charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Richmond Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi Panth and Peter S. Duffey for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Matthew Thiman of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Attorney General James Sues Fraudulent Lawyers in the Bronx for Scamming Immigrants

 

Kofi Amankwaa and His Colleagues Tricked Vulnerable Immigrants Into Paying Thousands For Fraudulent Services That Caused Them to be Deported

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit today against Kofi Amankwaa, a Bronx immigration lawyer, and others in his office, Sylvester Boateng, Nana Adoma Kontoh, Betty Smith, and Kofi Amankwaa, Jr., for running an illegal scheme that scammed hundreds of vulnerable immigrants into paying thousands of dollars for fraudulent services that caused many to be deported or have their green card applications denied. From 2018 through 2023, Amankwaa and the other defendants charged immigrant clients thousands of dollars to submit paperwork on their behalf to secure green cards for their clients. Unbeknownst to their clients, Amankwaa and the other defendants were also illegally submitting separate petitions falsely claiming that their children were abusing them. These petitions were filed under the Violence Against Women Act, which allows victims of abuse by a U.S. born child over 21 years old to seek lawful permanent residency. As a result of their illegal actions, several of their clients were deported while others were denied their green cards. With this lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking an order to immediately halt Amankwaa and the defendants’ illegal scheme, and force them to pay restitution and damages to the affected customers, in addition to civil penalties to the state. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York filed a parallel criminal action today, charging and arresting Mr. Amankwaa and Kofi Amankwaa, Jr. for carrying out a large-scale immigration fraud scheme. 

“People who immigrate to America are often vulnerable and simply trying to build better lives for themselves and their loved ones,” said Attorney General James. “When these immigrants sought help from attorneys claiming to act in their best interests, they were taken advantage of and harmed instead. This cruel and illegal scheme led to them being separated from their families and deported. I thank Assemblymember Cruz for bringing this issue to light and for her tireless work to protect our most vulnerable communities. I will not tolerate fraudsters who prey on the vulnerable and take advantage of people asking for help.”       

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) revealed that Amankwaa and the others working in his office knowingly and repeatedly filed false petitions on behalf of their clients. These petitions identified each client as the parent of an abusive United States citizen, which would allow the client to petition for a green card. However, Amankwaa and the others did not inform their clients that they were doing this and refused to provide them with copies of the filed documents. As a result, clients were unaware that attorneys, were falsely accusing their own children of abuse in their name. Amankwaa also falsely told clients they would be able to safely leave and return to the United States and instructed his clients to lie on their petition submissions and to immigration officials about being abused, though none of them ultimately did. In November 2023, Amankwaa’s law license was suspended after he failed to respond to nine separate complaints alleging he submitted fraudulent immigration filings on behalf of his clients. 

In addition, Kontoh falsely represented that she was an attorney while acting as an immigrant assistance service provider, unlawfully providing legal advice and misleading her immigrant clients. She unlawfully encouraged her clients to lie to immigration officials, failed to provide her clients with written contracts or copies of documents filed with the government, and failed to post signs informing clients that she was not an attorney. The lawsuit also alleges that Amankwaa, Jr. also violated the law by providing legal advice, even though he is not admitted to practice law in New York. 

As a result of Amankwaa and the others’ actions, several of their clients were deported, including Ricardo Velazquez, a father of four from the Bronx who had lived in America for over 20 years. Amankwaa falsely told Velazquez that he needed to leave the U.S. and re-enter to proceed with his application for lawful permanent residence. When he attempted to come back to America after visiting Mexico, he was detained by immigration authorities and ultimately deported. Velazquez’s family only later learned that Amankwaa had filed false petitions stating that Velazquez’s son had abused his parents, which led to his father’s deportation. In another instance, Amankwaa instructed a woman to lie to immigration authorities and claim her daughter was abusing her. When the woman refused to lie in an interview, immigration officials denied her application for lawful permanent residency and began deportation proceedings. 

Other clients paid thousands of dollars for immigration services that were never rendered. In one case, a father of two paid Kontoh over $4,000 for travel documents to allow him to legally visit Honduras and return to America. Instead, Kontoh secretly filed a fraudulent petition stating the father was a victim of his abusive children. 

With this lawsuit, Attorney General James is alleging Amankwaa and the others working in his office exhibited a pattern of repeated and persistent fraudulent and illegal conduct in violation of Executive Law 63(12), New York General Business Law, and Judiciary Law. Attorney General James is seeking an order to prevent Amankwaa and his colleagues from continuing their illegal scheme and make a full accounting of each transaction with their clients in order to pay full restitution and damages to their customers, in addition to paying civil penalties to the state. Attorney General James would like to thank Assemblymember Catalina Cruz for referring this matter to OAG. 

Attorney General James is committed to protecting immigrants and all vulnerable New Yorkers. Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of fraud is encouraged to report complaints by filling out a complaint form or calling 1-800-771-7755. Any identifying information provided to the office will be protected according to state law and policies on the safeguarding of identifying information.

BRONX DA DARCEL D. CLARK ANNOUNCES INTERACTIVE DATA DASHBOARDS TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY ON PROSECUTIONS

 

BXDA Data Analysts Examined Stats from Arrest to Disposition; Information Appears on BXDA Website, Will Be Frequently Updated

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced the launch of data dashboards on the Office’s website which will provide historical as well as current information on prosecution trends, and allow users to focus on specific charges, violent crimes, demographics and other data points. 

District Attorney Clark said, “Providing accurate, timely data will help inform the Bronx community as well as policy makers about our performance and effectiveness. We believe in transparency, and this is one more step to inform the public about how we are keeping Bronxites safe, pursuing justice with integrity and improving our role as prosecutors. This high-tech resource complements our human-touch approach to community outreach.” 

The interactive dashboard launched today is accompanied by data “stories” from 2018 to 2023, providing additional information on trends in prosecution and outcomes of criminal cases. Those accessing the dashboards can see how criminal cases flow through the court system, beginning with arrests by the New York City Police Department and ending with case disposition and sentencing. The data is culled from New York City Police Department arrest filings, Office of Court Administration case records, and the Bronx District Attorney’s case management system.

Access to the data reports and dashboards is found by clicking on the “Data Facts and Insights” tab on the homepage of the Bronx District Attorney’s Office website, bronxda.nyc.gov.