Permits Filed For 2775 Reservoir Avenue In Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx

  

Permits have been filed to expand a two-story structure into four-story residential building at 2775 Reservoir Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx. Located between West 195th Street and Strong Street, the lot is near the Kingsbridge Road subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Yitzi Salamon is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 53-foot-tall development will yield 6,674 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 15 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 444 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a cellar, penthouse, and one enclosed parking space.

James Chun of Chun Engineering Consultant PLLC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the project calls for a vertical and horizontal expansion. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Attorney General James Stops Ponzi Schemer Targeting Harvard Business School Alumni

 

Harvard Business School Alum Vladimir Artamonov Tricked HBS Alumni into Investing in Ponzi Scheme, Cheating Investors out of at least $2.9 Million

AG James Urges Anyone Defrauded by Artamonov’s Scheme to File a Complaint

New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken action to stop a fraudster who is tricking Harvard Business School (HBS) alumni and associates into investing in a fraudulent Ponzi scheme. Vladimir Artamonov, a HBS alumnus, solicited at least $2.9 million from at least 29 investors, many of whom he met through his connections to HBS. Attorney General James secured a court order to stop Artamonov from harming investors through his fraudulent scheme and to stop him from withdrawing and transferring funds in his bank and brokerage accounts. This matter came to light when the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) was informed that one of Artamonov’s initial investors ended his own life after discovering that he lost $100,000 because of Artamonov’s fraud. Even after the tragedy, Artamonov continued to solicit new investors and lied to them regarding the fund’s strategy and performance. Any investors who may have suffered losses due to Vladimir Artamonov’s scheme are encouraged to contact OAG and file a complaint. 

“Even sophisticated investors can be conned by fraudsters, especially when personal relationships and networks are used to build a false sense of trust,” said Attorney General James. “Vladimir Artamonov used his alumnus status from Harvard Business School to prey on his classmates and others while seeming legitimate and dependable. Instead, he has been scamming people out of their investments, with horrific consequences. Today, we have put a stop to this scheme and encourage anyone who has been defrauded to come forward to my office.”

Artamonov attended HBS and graduated in 2003 with a Master’s in Business Administration. After graduating, Artamonov moved to New York and was once registered with New York as a securities professional, but not at the time he solicited money from the investors for his fund. From September 2021 through the present, Artamonov solicited money from the public for an investment fund that he called “Project Information Arbitrage” or the “Artamonov Fund.” Artamonov identified many of his investors through the HBS alumni network. Many of his investors did not have a close personal relationship with him and only knew him as an acquaintance.

The OAG alleged that Artamonov lured clients by claiming that he could learn which investments Berkshire Hathaway would make ahead of the market by examining public state insurance filings. Artamonov boasted to his investors that it is like “having a private time machine” and “getting tomorrow’s newspaper today,” and projected returns of 500-1,000 percent. In reality, Artamonov used his investors’ money to buy short-term options that expired within days of purchase and appeared to have no relation to Berkshire Hathaway or its investment activities. Artamonov lost millions of investors’ funds by investing in these short-term options, but did not disclose the loss to his investors. To cover up the losses, Artamonov told the investors that it had been a “quiet” month and to just wait and see.

Since 2021, Artamonov has secured at least $2.9 million from at least 29 individual investors and engaged in a Ponzi scheme by paying the existing investors with the new investors’ fund. For instance, in October of 2022, Artamonov received $100,000 from an investor, and lost virtually all of these funds within a few weeks on short-term options. But when the investor asked for an update, Artamonov told the investor that he had yet to invest and solicited an additional $50,000 from him. Artamonov also used new investors’ money to repay existing investors who asked for their money back, in effect engaging in a Ponzi scheme. Artamonov also used his investors’ money to fund unauthorized personal expenses for vacations, shopping, and dining. 

In the petition filed with the New York County State Supreme Court under Section 354 of the Martin Act, New York’s powerful securities law, Attorney General James asked the Court for a preliminary injunction restraining Artamonov from providing financial services, engaging in fraudulent conduct, and withdrawing and transferring funds from his bank accounts. Attorney General James also secured an order directing Artamonov to testify and produce books and records which are material and necessary to OAG’s ongoing investigations. 

Meeting Date Change - 3/7/2024 - 6:30 P.M. - NYPD Build the Block - 49 Pct

 

49th Precinct Sector A Build the Block

Thursday March 7th

Meeting starts at 6:30 P.M.
Morris Park Community Association, 1824 Bronxdale Ave. 

Post Amendment Approval Issued For 806 East 170th Street In Crotona Park East, The Bronx

 

Permits have been updated for 806 East 170th Street, a seven-story residential building in Crotona Park East, The Bronx. Initial permits from Hershy Silberstein of Blue Shine Builders Inc. in 2022 called for a 44-unit structure under the 421A tax abatement program, which incentivized multi-family housing to be built on vacant or underutilized lots. Under the post-approval amendment (PAA), the scope has been expanded to 110 dwelling units. Because it went through a PAA process and a new permit was not issued, it will retain its 421A tax status, even though the program ended in June 2022.

Designed by Kao Hwa of Kao Hwa Lee Architects, the 70-foot-tall structure will span 76,346 square feet and also contain 55 open parking spaces and 55 bicycle parking spaces.

806 East 170th Street is located just to the south of Crotona Park. It is steps from stops for the Bx17 and Bx21 bus lines, and an eight-minute walk from the Freeman Street subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains.

Wave Hill Weekly Events March 21 – March 28 | Free Family Frog Fest & Telmary Performs

  

Our first free community event of the year is here – Thur, March 21! The frogs and all their friends are back from hibernation and we’re celebrating! This family-friendly event is free to all. Visiting educators from Tenafly Nature Center will be on site to answer all your questions. Our gardens will stay open late so you can keep an ear out for their nighttime songs. Or just come enjoy the gardens at sunset and festive food and drinks from our café. 

And don’t miss our last Armor Hall Concert of the season!  A Cubadisco and Juno award winner and Latin Grammy nominee, Telmary will perform a special "unplugged" program for her Wave Hill debut. Ages 8 & up. Save on advance tickets.  

Save the Date: April 8 

Wave Hill will be hosting a free Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. Experience this amazing celestial event from our open lawns with spectacular views of the Hudson River and open sky above. Pot up some seeds and make a festive eclipse party hat or celestial floral headband at our activity stations and enjoy live music and story time with the Riverdale Library. There's solar-spirited fun for all at this community event!  

Frogs and Friends  

Thu, Mar 21 4:30PM – 7:00PM 

Free and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Advance registration encouraged 

Spring is the time when frogs and other amphibians emerge from winter hibernation, and we can’t wait! Help us celebrate their return with an evening of nature discovery and play. Listen to a chorus of spring peepers and their kin as you get up close and personal with live frogs, toads and salamanders with a visiting educator from Tenafly Nature Center. Craft frog and toad-inspired art and practice your jumping skills or get cozy in our book nook. Don’t miss this evening of froggy family fun!  

Family Art Project: Sounds of Nature

Sat, Mar 23, 10:00AM – 1:00PM  

Sun, Mar 24, 10:00AM – 1:00PM

Free with admission to the grounds  

Registration not required  

Let’s make music! A breeze through the trees, the hoot of an owl, rain falling on a pond, the natural world is full of beautiful sounds. We’ll make and decorate our very own instruments that mimic the tunes and tones in nature. 

Intro to Birding  

Sat, Mar 23 10:00AM – 12:00PM 

$17; including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10%. 

Registration required 

Anyone can be a birder! Ryan Mandelbaum from the Feminist Bird Club is here to guide you through your first birding session. Learn tips and tricks to observe and identify common birds in your local park, garden or neighborhood using visual and auditory cues as well as helpful birding apps such as eBird and Merlin. Find out how to prepare for your outings and practice using binoculars (bring your own or borrow ours). Afterwards, venture outside to put your new skills to use while observing birds in Wave Hill's gardens and at our bird feeding station. You'll be birding in no time!  

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk 

Sun, Mar 24, 1:00PM – 1:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Registration not required 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide--come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Public Garden Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults.  

Armor Hall Concert: Telmary  

Sun, Mar 24, 2:00PM – 3:00PM  

$30 Adult/$16 Student with ID/$14 Child (8-18), including admission to the grounds. Advance tickets $2 off. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

Street poet and musician, Telmary has emerged as a leader and trendsetter on the cutting edge of hip-hop and urban music in Cuba. As a rapper, Telmary uses her distinctive voice, at times deep and soulful, at times fast and aggressive to proclaim a positive, empowering message, tearing down cultural barriers and connecting people of different backgrounds and languages. A Cubadisco award winner, Juno award winner and Latin Grammy nominee, Telmary has devised a special "unplugged" program for her Wave Hill debut, featuring horns, percussion and vocals. Ages 8 & up

This concert is part of “Roots and Branches,” Wave Hill’s indoor concert series featuring artists from across musical disciplines, exploring how traditions and heritage inspire musical exploration and growth. 

HOURS: 10AM–5:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday 

Shuttle Service suspended until Spring 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.  

Gunvor S.A. Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Bribe Ecuadorian Officials and Ordered to Pay Over $600 Million in Criminal Penalties

In federal court in Brooklyn, Gunvor S.A. (Gunvor), a part of the Gunvor Group, one of the largest commodities trading firms in the world, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).  The charge arises out of a scheme to bribe officials of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Petroecuador, the Ecuadorian state-owned oil company, in order to obtain contracts to purchase oil products.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano.  As part of the company’s sentence, Gunvor was ordered to pay a criminal penalty of approximately $661 million. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Brent S. Wible, Acting Senior Counselor of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea and sentence.    

“This guilty plea and sentencing marks yet another example of this office’s efforts to combat widespread corruption,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “Corruption erodes the public’s trust in their government, prevents government officials from acting in the best interests of the people they represent and harms businesses that play by the rules, driving up prices for consumers. The Justice Department, including my Office, will not tolerate bribes being paid by American companies or foreign companies misusing the U.S. financial system.”

“Over nearly a decade, Gunvor representatives bribed high-level government officials at Ecuador’s state-owned oil company to enter into business transactions with other state-owned entities that ultimately benefited Gunvor. As a result of this complex bribery scheme, Gunvor obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit profits,” said Acting Senior Counselor Wible. “Foreign bribery emboldens corrupt officials and undermines the rule of law. Gunvor’s guilty plea demonstrates that the Criminal Division remains resolute in our efforts to root out bribery and official corruption. We will continue to hold both corporations and individuals who bribe foreign officials to account, in coordination with our international partners.”

“Gunvor’s years long bribery scheme involving high-level Ecuadoran officials was both detrimental to the business environment and eroded the public’s trust and confidence in their government,” stated FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Veltri. “This guilty plea and significant fine would not have been possible without significant cooperation from our international partners in the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Curacao, Ecuador, Panama, Portugal, Singapore, and Switzerland. This truly was an international effort.”

In connection with the resolution, Gunvor entered into a plea agreement with the government and pleaded guilty to an information charging the company with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA.  Following the plea, Judge Vitaliano sentenced Gunvor to pay a criminal monetary penalty of more than $374 million and to forfeit more than $287 million in ill-gotten gains.  The sentence includes credits of up to $93 million each for amounts Gunvor pays to resolve investigations by Swiss and Ecuadorian authorities into the same misconduct so long as the payments are made within 12 months of today’s date.   

According to the company’s admissions and court documents, between 2012 and 2020, Gunvor and its co-conspirators paid more than $97 million to intermediaries understanding that some of the money would be and in fact was used to bribe numerous Ecuadorian officials, including Nilsen Arias, a then-high ranking official at Petroecuador.  The bribe payments were routed through banks in the United States using shell companies in Panama and the British Virgin Islands controlled by Gunvor’s co-conspirators.  A Gunvor employee directed one of the intermediaries to use the bribe money to purchase an 18-karat gold Patek Philippe wristwatch for Arias.   

In exchange for these bribe payments, high-level Ecuadorian officials helped Gunvor win contracts to provide a series of oil-backed loans to Petroecuador.  The oil-backed loans were made through other state-owned entities, which acted as “fronts” for Gunvor.  Because the contracts were with other state-owned entities, Petroecuador rules did not require a competitive bidding process, allowing Gunvor and co-conspirators to obtain contracts it would not have been able to obtain directly.  Gunvor also received confidential Petroecaudor information. 

In total, Gunvor earned more than $384 million in profits from the business it corruptly obtained related to Petroecuador. 

The department reached this resolution with Gunvor based on a number of factors including the nature and seriousness of the offense, which involved a multi-year scheme to bribe numerous senior Ecuadorian government officials in order to obtain lucrative business resulting in more than $384 million in profits to Gunvor; and that Gunvor has a history of misconduct.  In October 2019, Gunvor reached a resolution with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland concerning a corrupt scheme to bribe officials in Congo-Brazzaville and Côte d’Ivoire to secure oil contracts. The conduct that is the subject of today’s guilty plea occurred, in part, at the same time as the prior Swiss investigation and resolution.  Accordingly, taking into account these and other factors, including Gunvor’s cooperation and remediation, the total criminal penalty reflects a 25% reduction off the 30th percentile of the applicable U.S. sentencing guidelines fine range.

The department previously secured convictions in the Eastern District of New York of four individuals who were implicated in Gunvor’s bribery scheme, including:

• Antonio Pere Ycaza, a former consultant for Gunvor, pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• Enrique Pere Ycaza, a former consultant for Gunvor, also pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and to violate the FCPA.
• Raymond Kohut, a former Gunvor employee and agent, pleaded guilty on April 6, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• Nilsen Arias Sandoval, a former senior Petroecuador official, pleaded guilty on Jan. 19, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The investigation was conducted by FBI Miami’s International Corruption Squad.  The government’s case is being handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) Special Financial Investigations Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax, Nick M. Axelrod and Matthew R. Galeotti of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with Assistant Chiefs Derek J. Ettinger and Jonathan P. Robell and Trial Attorney Clayton P. Solomon of the Fraud Section, Deputy Chief Adam J. Schwartz and Trial Attorney D. Hunter Smith of MLARS. Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Mantell and Brendan King of the Eastern District of New York’s Asset Recovery Section are handling forfeiture matters.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Curacao, Ecuador, Panama Portugal, Singapore and Switzerland provided valuable assistance in this matter.  

Russian International Money Launderer Pleads Guilty To Illicitly Procuring Large Quantities Of U.S.-Manufactured Dual-Use, Military Grade Microelectronics For Russian Entities

 

Maxim Marchenko Participated in an Overseas Illicit Procurement Network That, After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Illegally Procured Large Quantities of Dual-Use, Military Grade OLED Micro-Displays for Russian End Users

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, announced that MAXIM MARCHENKO pled guilty to charges of money laundering and smuggling goods from the U.S. MARCHENKO was arrested in September 2023 and pled guilty  before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Maxim Marchenko admitted in court that he illicitly sought to procure U.S.-manufactured, military grade microelectronics to deliver to end users in Russia.  Marchenko concealed his scheme to funnel these microelectronics – which had application for use in rifle scopes, night-vision goggles, thermal optics, and other weapons systems – by using shell companies and other elaborate money laundering techniques.  This guilty plea should send a strong message to those who attempt to break the law by supplying Russia with U.S. military technology that this Office will vigorously pursue such smuggling schemes and hold those involved to full account.”

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “By his own admission, Mr. Marchenko conspired to smuggle military-grade technology to Russia, using a complex network of front companies to hide his illicit activity.  Today, once again, the Justice Department is holding accountable those who would enable the Kremlin and its unjust war of aggression against Ukraine.” 

According to the allegations contained in the Information, the allegations in the Complaint, and other filings and statements made in public court proceedings:

At all relevant times, MARCHENKO was a Russian national who resided in Hong Kong and operated several Hong Kong-based shell companies.  MARCHENKO and two co-conspirators (“CC-1” and “CC-2”), who are also Russian nationals, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia, Hong Kong, and elsewhere overseas.  This procurement network fraudulently obtained from U.S. distributors large quantities of dual-use, military grade microelectronics, specifically OLED micro-displays, on behalf of Russia-based end users.  To carry out this scheme, MARCHENKO, CC-1, and CC-2 used shell companies based in Hong Kong and other deceptive means to conceal from U.S. government agencies and U.S. distributors that the OLED micro-displays were destined for Russia.  The technology that MARCHENKO and his co-conspirators fraudulently procured had significant military applications, such as in rifle scopes, night-vision googles, thermal optics, and other weapon systems.

To perpetrate the scheme, MARCHENKO and other members of the conspiracy acquired the dual-use OLED micro-displays from U.S.-based distributors using MARCHENKO’s Hong Kong-based shell companies.  Members of the conspiracy, including MARCHENKO, procured these sensitive microelectronics by falsely representing to the U.S. distributors (who, in turn, are required to report to U.S. agencies) that the Hong Kong shell entity was sending the shipments to end users located in China, Hong Kong, and other countries outside of Russia for use in electron microscopes for medical research.  In reality, the OLED micro-displays were destined for end users in Russia.  MARCHENKO and other members of the conspiracy concealed the true destination (Russia) from U.S. distributors for the purpose of causing false statements to the U.S. agencies.

To conceal the fact that these OLED micro-displays were destined for Russia, MARCHENKO and other members of the conspiracy worked together to transship the illicitly procured OLED micro-displays by using pass-through entities principally operated by MARCHENKO in third countries, such as Hong Kong.  MARCHENKO then caused the OLED micro-displays to be shipped to the ultimate destination in Russia using, among other entities, a freight forwarder known to provide freight forwarding services to Russia.  In addition, MARCHENKO and other members of the conspiracy used Hong Kong-based shell companies, principally operated by MARCHENKO, to conceal the fact that payments for the OLED micro-displays were coming from Russia.

MARCHENKO, 51, a Russian citizen who resided in Hong Kong, pled guilty to one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of smuggling goods from the U.S., which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  MARCHENKO is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, 2024, before the Honorable Nelson S. Román.

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

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division and the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce.  Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Australia; the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; and the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division for their assistance.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance & Money Laundering Unit and White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer N. Ong and Shiva H. Logarajah are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

This case was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the U.S., along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

Court Finds That Arizona Voter Registration Provisions Violate Federal Law

 

The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona struck down an Arizona requirement that individuals seeking to register to vote must list their birthplace as a prerequisite to registering to vote. The court ruled that the birthplace requirement of House Bill 2492 violated a federal law that prevents election officials from rejecting voting materials for errors or omissions that are not material to determining a registrant’s qualifications to vote. The court previously ruled that Arizona may not require documentary proof citizenship to vote in a federal election.  

“This ruling provides a cautionary note that should discourage officials from considering imposition of restrictive or burdensome proof of citizenship demands or requests for unnecessary information from voters before registering them to vote in federal elections,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue its vigorous enforcement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and other federal laws to ensure that eligible voters are able to register and vote in federal elections vote.”

“Arizona passed legislation in 2022 that violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal safeguards,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona. “The District Court’s order helps level the playing field and it removes formidable barriers to Arizonans’ exercise of their right to vote. We appreciate the advocacy work of so many non-profit organizations and the Civil Rights Division in seeking a fairer and more just America.”

The court’s ruling comes following a bench trial late last year in a set of consolidated cases challenging various aspects of voting laws adopted by the State of Arizona. The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in July 2022, challenged voting restrictions imposed by House Bill 2492 (2022), alleging violations under Section 6 of the NVRA and Section 101 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the United States’ complaint contended that House Bill 2492 violates the NVRA by requiring that applicants produce documentary proof of citizenship before they can vote in presidential elections or vote by mail in any federal election when they register to vote using the uniform federal registration form created by the NVRA. This requirement flouts the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Ariz., Inc., which rejected an earlier attempt by Arizona to impose a similar documentary proof of citizenship mandate on applicants seeking to vote in federal elections.

The United States’ complaint also contended that House Bill 2492 violates Section 101 of the Civil Rights Act by requiring election officials to reject voter registration forms based on errors or omissions that are not material to establishing a voter’s eligibility to cast a ballot. Several private plaintiffs filed related cases and yesterday’s ruling also addresses additional claims brought by those parties.

More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about discriminatory voting practices can be reported to the Civil Rights Division through the internet reporting portal at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.