Saturday, June 1, 2024

📩 Latest from Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato's Desk



Fathers Day BBQ Celebration

May be an image of 3 people, souvlakia and text

We had a blast at our Father’s Day BBQ Celebration in Throggs Neck last week!


Thank you to everyone that came with their dads and to all of our partners and sponsors!

Third "Coffee Time with Kristy" event

Had a great time at Ana’s Bakery and Cafe with some of my constituents for our third “Coffee Time with Kristy” event! ☕

OATH staff in our District 13 office

Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) staff was in our office earlier this week to talk to our constituents about summonses.


Thanks again OATH for taking the time to be here today to provide more information for our constituents about regarding summonses and the appropriate steps to take if someone receives one!


Fireworks at Orchard Beach before the 4th of July

On Thursday June 27th Orchard beach and district 13 saw a beautiful fireworks display 🎆


Thank you to my colleagues & sponsors for making this happen.


I remind everyone to remember the incredible liberties and freedoms we have, as we live in the best borough, city and country! 🇺🇸


Visit to Monarch Butterfly Habitat with St. Benedict's Seniors

It was truly a fascinating experience joining St. Benedict’s seniors for their visit to the Monarch Butterfly Habitat at 1200 Waters Place this morning! 🦋

Thank you to NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the Bronx River Art Center for putting on such a fun morning for all of us!

Keeping Up with the Community!

Sending a big thank you to Ace for cleaning up the acorns and berries in front of 1306 Edwards Avenue within our District!

Ace is always on it! Appreciative of everything their organization does throughout our community.

Shouting out NYC Department of Transportation for replacing this lamp post on Seminole Avenue!


I'm so appreciative of DOT for keeping our streets safe!

Sending a big shoutout to NYC Department of Parks and Recreation for their cleanup of the Pelham Bay Park waterfront earlier this month.

Thank you NYC Parks for keeping our Bronx waterfronts and parks looking beautiful and free of litter! ✨

 

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Pharmacy Owner Sentenced for Paying Illegal Kickbacks and Engaging in a Money Laundering Conspiracy

 


A Texas pharmacy owner was sentenced to four years and four months in prison and ordered to pay over $59 million in restitution for paying illegal kickbacks and engaging in a money laundering conspiracy.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Richard Hall, 53, of Fort Worth, worked with others to create and market expensive compounded medications, which are intended to be custom-tailored to individual patient needs. Hall paid marketers to recruit area doctors to write prescriptions for these expensive compounded medications, including by creating so-called “investment opportunities” so that doctors who wrote prescriptions to the pharmacy could profit from the pharmacy operations. Hall paid illegal kickbacks to these marketers and engaged in a conspiracy to launder the unlawful proceeds.  

A federal jury in the Northern District of Texas convicted Hall in July 2023 of four counts of paying and receiving unlawful kickbacks and one count of conspiring to launder money.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentavlos of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Regional Office; Special Agent in Charge Chad B. Yarbrough of the FBI Dallas Regional Office; Special Agent in Charge Casey Howard of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) Central Regional Office; and Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) South Central Field Office made the announcement.

The DCIS, HHS-OIG, FBI, DOL-OIG, and VA-OIG investigated the case.

Assistant Chiefs Kate Payerle and Brynn Schiess and Trial Attorneys Lee Michael Hirsch and Jacqueline DerOvanesian of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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Attorney General James Appoints New York City Public Health Advocate Tracie M. Gardner to Opioid Settlement Board

 

Gardner Brings Over Three Decades of Experience in Public Health and Health Equity to State Board that Helps Distribute Billions in Opioid Settlement Funds

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced her appointment of Tracie M. Gardner of Brooklyn, New York to the state’s Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, which provides recommendations for how New York’s opioid settlement funds should be used in communities across the state. The board supports the distribution of more than $2.7 billion that Attorney General James has secured from opioid manufacturers and distributors, which is used for treatment, prevention, and abatement efforts. Gardner has more than three decades of experience in public health and public policy and is a nationally recognized expert on health and issues that disproportionately impact communities of color. Gardner is the Co-Director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network after concluding 24 years at the Legal Action Center, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President of Policy Advocacy.

“Tracie Gardner has spent her career bringing unique expertise to public health challenges, especially those that disproportionately impact communities of color,” said Attorney General James. “She is distinctly qualified to sit on the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board to help steer critical investments in prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to the most vulnerable in our state. In this new role, Tracie will help oversee the distribution of more than $2.7 billion that my office secured from companies that fueled the opioid crisis, and I look forward to seeing leaders across the state continue to use these funds to support communities that are still struggling. New Yorkers have suffered great losses from the opioid epidemic, but I am confident that Tracie’s work with the board will help us turn the tide on this crisis and save lives.”

“As New Yorkers continue to endure the devastating impact of the opioid crisis, Black and Brown New Yorkers face higher barriers to access quality addiction treatment and recovery and harm reduction services,” said Tracie M. Gardner. “My work has always focused on tackling New York’s public health challenges in a way that is equitable, just, and inclusive, and I look forward to supporting the board’s mission of prioritizing these critically needed resources in communities of color that have been torn apart by the overdose crisis and the war on drugs. I am deeply grateful to Attorney General James for this appointment. Her tireless efforts to secure these settlement funds for our state have set a national precedent that makes me confident that we can turn the tide of this epidemic.” 

Since 2021, Attorney General James has secured over $2.7 billion from opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the opioid epidemic. These include Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Publicis Health, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt, Allergan, Endo, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen. Attorney General James has also led multistate coalitions in reaching settlements for billions of dollars with CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart for their roles in failing to properly regulate opioid prescriptions. Additionally, Attorney General James, co-led a coalition of nearly every attorney general in the nation in delivering more than $573 million – more than $32 million for New York state – toward opioid treatment and abatement in an agreement and consent judgment with McKinsey & Company.

The Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board was created in 2022 to make recommendations to the governor and state legislative leaders on how to allocate funds secured from opioid settlements or litigation victories. Under the 2021 law establishing the state’s opioid settlement fund, these funds will be allocated specifically for abatement efforts in communities devastated by the opioid epidemic and will be distributed to all 62 counties in New York state. Since its creation, the board has developed ten priority investment areas – with a focus on investing in removing barriers to treatment and addiction services in communities of color – to guide state allocations of settlement funds. 

The law also grants Attorney General James the authority to pick one individual to serve on the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, which makes recommendations to the state Legislature on how programs across the state will receive funds. Her previous appointment, Avi Israel, president and founder of Save the Michaels of the World, Inc. is stepping down from the board after three years of service. 

About Tracie M. Gardner

Tracie M. Gardner is the Co-Director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network and has worked for more than three decades in the public health, public policy, and not-for-profit fields. The former Senior Vice President of Policy Advocacy at the Legal Action Center (LAC), Ms. Gardner’s work has focused on the intersection of health equity, criminal justice, and public health issues across New York and the United States. 

Beginning as an AIDS policy advocate in 1989 at the New York City Minority Task Force on AIDS (now called FACES), Ms. Gardner led budget and legislative advocacy campaigns that won key health and criminal-legal reforms in New York State at organizations such as the National Minority AIDS Council, GMHC, and the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. 

From 2013 to 2015, Ms. Gardner worked closely with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Division of Criminal Justice Services on efforts to use Medicaid-funded health homes to improve transitions from incarceration to community-based care. During this time, she was also appointed to the New York State End the Epidemic Task Force which was established to support the state's goal to achieve the first-ever decrease in HIV prevalence in New York by the end of 2020.

From 2015 to 2017, Ms. Gardner served as the Assistant Secretary of Health in the Office of the Governor, where she oversaw the state’s mental hygiene agencies, including the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office of Mental Health, the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, and the Justice Center, a state enforcement agency established to protect vulnerable individuals. Following her time in the Governor’s office, she returned to the Legal Action Center as the organization’s first Associate Director, inaugurating its work on racial justice and equity and continuing policy advocacy work on the Legal Action Center's priorities. 

Ms. Gardner has been involved in several advisory bodies overseeing research on the national overdose crisis and the impact of COVID on people involved with the criminal legal system, especially those with substance use and mental disorders. Ms. Gardner was the inaugural co-chair of the Black Communities Workgroup of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency initiative’s Opioid Response Network. 

She has contributed to or co-authored numerous publications, including “Case Studies from Three States: Breaking Down Silos Between Health Care and Criminal Justice” in Health Affairs and “Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Improving Access Through Regulatory and Legal Change: Proceedings of a Workshop” by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2022.

Her proudest achievement is as a parent to her two sons, Caleb and Elijah Wright.

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Governor Hochul Announces 2024 “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” is Saturday, June 8

Kids playing on a school playground 

Inclusive and Accessible Day of Family-Friendly Recreation and Fun Taking Place at DEC, State Parks, and Other Public Lands Across New York State


Governor Kathy Hochul announced “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” will be held on Saturday, June 8, with events at more than 20 select locations across New York State to bring people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds together for a day of fun, healthy activities. Supporting the State’s ongoing efforts to broaden the diversity of users and ensure inclusivity of access to State public lands, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, in partnership with the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Veterans' Services, are hosting free events to connect people to nature and provide increased access to the outdoors.

“‘Get Outdoors & Get Together Day’ is an event for every New Yorker to participate in and enjoy,” Governor Hochul said. “We’ve prioritized accessibility in New York State and are proud that a diverse cross-section of people already visit our spectacular public lands and facilities. We want New Yorkers to know that no matter what their background or ability, New York State resources are shared by all.”

At 22 locations across the state, participants will be encouraged to discover new skills and enjoy a range of introductory-level outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, nature walks and hikes, birding, archery, camping, paddling, and more. Each event will highlight ways to enjoy the outdoors safely and sustainably. All locations will offer a selection of accessible activities and use of adaptive equipment, and demonstrations will be provided at many sites, including trail and beach mobility aids, archery assist stands, arm supports for fishing, and more.

New York's  Get Outdoors & Get Together Day  coincides with National Get Outdoors Day, an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Most Get Outdoors & Get Together Day celebrations will be held from 10 AM until 2 PM with a few exceptions. The event at the Catskill Visitor Center will be held from 10 AM until 4 PM, where Get Outdoors & Get Together Day is part of the Catskills Great Outdoor Expo. The event at Mendon Ponds Park in Pittsford will be held from 9:30 AM until 3:30 PM, where Get Outdoors & Get Together Day is part of the Adirondack Outdoor Expo. Also, the event at Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center will begin at 9 AM and the event at Norrie Point Environmental Education Center will run from 11 AM until 2 PM.

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day events support New Yorkers of all ability levels in trying healthy outdoor activities.

2024 DEC led Programs:

Activities at DEC facilities include the following:

  • Camping 101: Visitors can try their hand at camping basics by pitching a tent on the lawn and learning how to pack for a camping trip.
  • Birding: Participants can learn how easy and fun it is to enjoy birdwatching almost anywhere.
  • Hiking: Participants can take a short hike and learn the basics of finding the perfect trails on their own.
  • Outdoor safety: Learn the basics of being prepared and safe so all outdoor adventures are good ones.
  • Accessible outdoor recreation: Experience and learn about accessible outdoor recreation opportunities on State lands including hiking, camping, birding, fishing and boating.
  • Select locations will also include I Fish NY catch-and-release clinics with rods and reels available for loan, introductory paddling on the water, and introductory archery, including important safety tips.

Wheelchair-accessible features, including restrooms, as well as activities and select recreation opportunities are offered at all locations. Please contact the event coordinator directly with accommodation requests and to find out about the adaptive equipment and activities offered at each site. Details, including schedules and registration requirements, can be found on DEC's website at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/outdoors-day

2024 State Parks-Led Programs:

Program and scheduling details for each location can be found by visiting  www.parks.ny.gov. No parking fee will be charged during event times. For details about visitor amenities at each location, visit  www.parks.ny.gov.

DEC manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter, Flickr  and  Instagram.

The New York  State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free  NY State Parks Explorer app  or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on   Facebook,   Instagram,  X  (formerly Twitter) and the  OPRHP Blog.

The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provides high quality person-centered supports and services to people with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and other neurological impairments. OPWDD provides services directly and through a network of not-for-profit providers. OPWDD's mission is to help people live richer lives that include meaningful relationships, good health, personal growth and a home that supports them to participate in their community. For more information visit  www.opwdd.ny.gov  or connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  Instagram.

The New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) supports New York's veterans, service members, and their families, providing assistance to obtain state and federal benefits earned through their service to New York State and the United States. For more information about veteran's benefits, please make an appointment with a DVS Veterans Benefits Advisor by calling 888-838-7697 or visiting the agency's website.


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