Israeli Freight Forwarder Pleads Guilty to Violating Export Restrictions Imposed on Russia

 

Gal Haimovich, 49, of Israel, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export control and smuggling violations for his role in a scheme to illegally ship aircraft parts and avionics from U.S. manufactures and suppliers to Russia, including for the benefit of sanctioned Russian airline companies. As part of his plea agreement, Haimovich admitted that his scheme involved deceiving U.S. companies about the true destination of the goods at issue, and that the defendant and others attempted to conceal the scheme by submitting false information in export documents filed with the U.S. government. A sentencing hearing has been set for Nov. 22.

According to court documents, Haimovich owned an international freight forwarding company that was an affiliate in a group of companies that did business in various countries, including the United States and Israel. Haimovich, through those companies, operated as a freight forwarder of choice for individuals and entities seeking to illegally export goods to Russia in violation of U.S. export control laws. Between at least March 2022 and May 2023, Haimovich facilitated the export of aircraft parts and avionics, including those with missile technology applications, from the United States, through the Southern District of Florida, to various third-party transhippers on behalf of Russian customers. These Russian end customers routinely instructed Haimovich to deceive the U.S.-based manufacturers and suppliers about the ultimate destination of the goods.

For example, between April 2022 and April 2023, after the United States imposed additional restrictions on the export of goods to Russia in response to the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Haimovich arranged for more than 160 shipments to companies in the Maldives and United Arab Emirates that were responsible for the illicit transshipment of the goods to Russia. One such shipment, of an air data module, occurred in August 2022. Haimovich, who had been hired by Siberia Airlines (doing business as S7 Airlines) to deliver the aircraft component to Russia, directed a co-conspirator to falsely inform the U.S. supplier that the part was destined for the Maldives; in fact, Haimovich knew that the part was destined for Russia for the benefit of S7 Airlines.

Haimovich also agreed that, between March 2022 and May 2023, he billed Russian customers, including Siberia Airlines (doing business as S7 Airlines), more than $2 million to have aircraft parts and avionics illegally exported from the United States to Russia. In connection with Haimovich’s plea, he agreed to the entry of a forfeiture money judgment in the sum of $2,024,435 and to forfeit various aircraft parts and components.

The Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI investigated the case.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI National Security Branch, and Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the U.S. Commerce Department made the announcement.

Trial Attorney Christopher M. Rigali of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

This case is being 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 United States, 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.

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Michael Nieves

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on the death of Michael Nieves, who died on August 30, 2022 after an earlier incident that occurred on August 25, 2022 while he was incarcerated at the Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC) on Rikers Island. Following a comprehensive investigation, including review of security camera video, body-worn camera footage, shift logbooks, and staffing schedules, witness interviews, and legal analysis, OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the correction officers staffed on Mr. Nieves’ unit committed a crime, and therefore criminal charges would not be pursued. In its report, OSI recommends that the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) should train all correction officers on proper wound care and establish a clear requirement that correction officers should provide immediate wound care to incarcerated people who are severely bleeding.

On the morning of August 25, Mr. Nieves was issued a handheld razor for use in the shower. When Mr. Nieves was finished with his shower, the correction officer who issued the razor asked for it back, but Mr. Nieves said he had lost it. The correction officer called for the Captain, and together with another correction officer they searched Mr. Nieves’ cell, as well as the cell of another person who had been in the showers at the same time. When they did not find the razor, the correction officers and the Captain returned to Mr. Nieves’ cell, where they found him leaning against the wall surrounded by blood, and bleeding profusely from what appeared to be his face or neck. They offered Mr. Nieves a shirt and blanket to put pressure on the wound, but he declined. When asked whether he was bleeding from his head or his neck, Mr. Nieves said it was his neck. The Captain called for medical assistance, but did not share details of the injury, and medical staff were not equipped with gauze or other wound care materials when they arrived on the unit. Medical staff called 911 for emergency medical services, who then transported Mr. Nieves to the hospital. Mr. Nieves was declared brain dead on August 26, and died on August 30.

Following a preliminary assessment of the incident, OSI determined that the failure of the Captain and the correction officers to provide immediate aid to Mr. Nieves qualified as an omission, or failure to perform a duty imposed by law, which contributed to Mr. Nieves’ death. Therefore, OSI conducted this investigation pursuant to Executive Law Section 70-b. 

The OSI’s investigation found conflicting information as to whether correction officers are trained in wound care, and it was not clear whether or not correction officers are trained to treat severe wounds themselves or to wait for medical staff to arrive. Currently, training requires correction officers to transport an incarcerated person to the clinic or otherwise wait for medical staff unless the person has stopped breathing, in which case the correction officer should provide CPR, or if the person is attempting suicide using a ligature, in which case the correction officer should cut or otherwise disable the ligature. The only specific reference to bleeding in correction officers’ rules and regulations directs officers to bring someone who is bleeding to the clinic. 

Under New York law, prosecuting criminally negligent homicide for an omission would require proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the correction officers and the Captain knew that waiting for medical staff to assist Mr. Nieves would lead to his death. In this case, the medical examiner determined that while stopping the bleeding earlier could have given Mr. Nieves a better chance at survival, surgery is the only intervention that would have definitively saved his life. The OSI concluded that although the correction officers’ failure to render aid to Mr. Nieves contributed to his death, a prosecutor would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this failure caused Mr. Nieves’ death.

The DOC’s rules and regulations do not clearly require officers to provide immediate care to people with severely bleeding wounds. The OSI therefore recommends that DOC amend its rules and regulations to make clear that correction officers are required to provide immediate treatment to severe bleeding without waiting for the arrival of medical staff, and that DOC should train all correction officers on proper wound care and stock command stations with the equipment necessary to safely provide that care.

Permits Filed for 2951 Briggs Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a five-story mixed-use building at 2951 Briggs Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located between East 201st Street and Bedford Park Boulevard, the lot is near the Bedford Park Boulevard subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Bikramjit Singh of Superior Energy Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 56-foot-tall development will yield 15,096 square feet, with 13,396 square feet designated for residential space and 1,700 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 20 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 669 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar but no accessory parking.

King David Architecture is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet for the residential building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE’S STATEMENT ON THE 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS

 

"Twenty-three years may seem a lifetime away, but for so many of us in this city, the tragedy of September 11th still feels immediate. Today I mourn the lifetimes cut short – the New Yorkers we lost on that morning, and all who have since suffered the lasting harm that stemmed from their heroism on that day. We have a moral obligation to support the families and lift the memories of all who were killed, and provide the resources needed to aid the people still in physical, mental, and emotional pain." 

 

"That unimaginable tragedy showed our unimaginable capacity to care – that from common pain, we can draw common purpose. I pray today that we might summon that purpose to better support all New Yorkers facing danger and hardship, to bring the spirit of our brave, selfless first responders to the tragedies of today." 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR FATALLY STABBING GIRLFRIEND

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for second-degree Murder in the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant stabbed his girlfriend in the apartment they shared. Her body was found by first responders weeks later. The defendant, showing no remorse, will now spend many years in prison.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Luis Severino, 54, of 2414 University Avenue, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Audrey Stone to 25 years to life in prison on second-degree Murder. He was found guilty by a jury on August 9, 2024.

According to the facts at trial, betweenJune 13, 2019 and July 12, 2019, the defendant caused the death of Cindi Olivo, 32, by stabbing her in the neck. The defendant fled the scene, and the victim’s body was found on July 12, 2019, after neighbors called 911 to report a foul odor. The defendant was arrested on October 15, 2019.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Anthony Velez and Anthony Caltabiano of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their work in the investigation.   

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Artistry in Service: A Gala Honoring Gail Nathan

 

We welcome you to join us on Wednesday, October 16th for Artistry in Service: A Celebration of Legacy and Dedication!

Starting at 7pm and featuring live music from Papo Vazquez and his Mighty Pirates Troubadours and a BRAC artists art auction, this gala will honor Gail Nathan, the Executive Director Emeritus of the Bronx River Art Center, who retired earlier this year. Read more here.

TICKET PRICES: $90 - Artists and Young Art Lovers If you are a practicing artist or young adult, please join us for the night’s festivities at this discounted rate! $150 - Bronx Art Booster Join us for a celebration of Bronx art honoring Gail Nathan’s 25 years of service to the Bronx River Art Center. $250 - Patron Includes a cocktail pre-reception on the Bronx River Art Center’s roof. $500 - Legend Join us for all the festivities on Wed, Oct 16. PLUS an intimate gourmet dinner in the performance space hosted by Italian speciality food importer Gustiamo on Tues, October 22. Buy Tickets! WISH TO SPONSOR THIS EVENT? Please help to underwrite this celebration and support BRAC's on-going mission to cultivate a space in which artists, community members, and youth can transform creativity into vision. BRAC engages our audiences with art that explores current social issues specifically related to local concerns such as career development, and environmental and racial justice. Our goal is to inspire and encourage participants, especially teens and young adults, to take civic action to improve conditions within our Bronx communities. By sponsoring our gala, you will receive special sponsorship benefits in addition to your tickets, and you will also be recognized as a supporter of BRAC! $750 - Muse Two (2) tickets to the cocktail hour. Two tickets to the cocktail reception. Listing in event materials (website, e-blasts, social media) and program. $1,000 - Curator Two (2) tickets to the cocktail hour. Listing in event materials (website, e-blasts, social media) and program. $2,500 - Visionary Two (2) tickets to the full evening of festivities. Listing in event materials (website, e-blasts, including special call-outs on social media) and in the program. $5,000 - Benefactor Four (4) tickets to the full evening of festivities. Elevated listing in event materials (website, e-blasts, including special call-outs on social media) and recognition during the speaking program. $10,000 - Champion Eight (8) tickets to the full evening of festivities. Top listing in event materials (website, e-blasts, social media) and program. Recognition during the speaking program and an option to speak during the event. Sponsorship Opportunities are Available!

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

Last week, we joined Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Department of Education, the NYC School Construction Authority, and youth advocates to celebrate the opening of 8 new schools in the Bronx! These schools are more than just buildings; they are gateways to a brighter future, offering our students pathways to scholarly learning, scholastic achievement, and creative exploration.

For Fiscal Year 2025, we invested over $15 million in our schools for infrastructure upgrades and to bridge the digital divide because we are committed to ensuring every child can succeed and reach their full potential. Together, we’re not just building schools; we’re building a stronger, more equitable future for all our scholars and their families.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

IN THE COMMUNITY

On this Hunger Action Day, we are shedding light on an issue that is disproportionately affecting our older adults in the Bronx.

 

I am excited to announce a partnership with Grow NYC and the New York City Department for the Aging. We will distribute information and resources at our local farmers markets to ensure older adults in our borough have access to fresh and nutritious food options.

 

I want to thank Grow NYC and the New York City Department for the Aging for their partnership on this initiative and commitment to supporting our older adults.

Our Back-to-School tour was a success. It’s inspiring to see the passion and dedication of our students and educators. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our communities and investing in our young people.

The Bronx knows fashion and we showcased this fact at our Fashion Show Extravaganza at Bronx Borough Hall. Thank you to all the artists and participants who showed off their talent and creativity on the runway! This event was a huge success and underscores the importance of why we must continue to support culture and the arts in our borough.

We announced a $360,000 capital investment with Council Member Eric Dinowitz to make the Wakefield Library more accessible for our residents and families in the Bronx!

This allocation is not just about improving infrastructure; it is about aligning with our broader policy goals of creating equitable and inclusive public spaces. By enhancing the accessibility of our libraries, we are making a tangible impact on the quality of life in our borough.

We are ensuring that every member of our community, including our residents living with disabilities, can access the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.

UPCOMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

MAYOR ADAMS OPENS NEW EAST RIVER PARK BALLFIELDS, DELANCEY STREET BRIDGE AS PART OF EAST SIDE COASTAL RESILIENCY

 

ESCR Will Protect 120,000 New Yorkers from Flooding by 2026 Completion Date — On Time and On Budget 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today opened the new Ballfields 1 and 2 in East River Park — the first park areas that are part of the $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) to reopen to public use. Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue, and New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley welcomed New Yorkers back to the ballfields today, leading community members over the newly-constructed, ADA-accessible Delancey Street Bridge that spans the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe means building state-of-the-art projects to protect New Yorkers from climate change, while at the same time ensuring that New Yorkers have high-quality spaces to play ball,” said Mayor Adams. “That’s exactly what we’re doing here. We’re walking and chewing gum at the same time — fortifying our defenses and protecting our residents and city against sea level rise; safeguarding taxpayer dollars; and ensuring that we also get greener, cleaner, better public spaces in the process.”

"Our agencies are nothing if not creative in their efforts to protect New Yorkers from climate change and deliver needed public space. If that means building out, like the 34th Street esplanade, or up, as we're doing here with ESCR, that's what we'll do," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "When this is all complete, on time and on budget, this will be a beautiful, airy park that shows no trace of the level of complexity that went into its planning. It's a testament to our efforts to ensure all our infrastructure does double duty."

“Today’s unveiling of the Delancey Street Pedestrian Bridge and East River Park Ballfields represents more than just new infrastructure; it stands as a testament to our commitment to resilience and community well-being,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “These projects not only provide crucial flood protection, but also create vibrant spaces for recreation, connecting our residents with their city and each other. They embody how integrating sustainability and innovative design can enhance our urban landscape and ensure a brighter, greener future for all New Yorkers.”

“ESCR is not just about protecting 128,000 Lower East Side residents from flooding, it’s also increasing accessibility and making improvements to five important local recreation areas,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We’re happy to live up to our commitment to reopen this part of East River Park by the start of September little league season, and we remain on budget and on schedule to complete the entire project by the end of 2026. But even with this success, we know we can do better. Mayor Adams has called for alternate capital construction methods like progressive design-build for future resiliency projects, and we can save time and money that way if our current bill in Albany is signed into law.”

“The ADA-compliant Delancey Street Bridge and improved access points enhance the accessibility of the city's public spaces for all New Yorkers, including those with disabilities,” said Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities Commissioner Christina Curry. “These updates ensure that everyone can enjoy the park and its amenities, reflecting the importance of creating inclusive environments throughout the city.”

“As the climate has changed, so has our approach for keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “ESCR is an example of how we're transforming our public spaces to protect New Yorkers, while also providing them with amenities like better ballfields and more green space that can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

"This latest phase of East Side Coastal Resiliency demonstrates New York City leading the way with double duty infrastructure, delivering critical upgrades that not only mitigate risk to protect residents but also enhance New Yorker's quality of life with accessible waterfront recreation spaces," said New York City Chief Infrastructure Officer Alison N. Landry. "I'm proud of collaboration across government on this project, and in particular DDC's efforts with industry partners to implement capital process reform initiatives, saving taxpayer dollars and maintaining commitments to the community. With better tools, we can do better work to advance the city's resiliency efforts, and I’m eager to see expanded alternative delivery legislation signed into law later this year."

East River Park and Delancey Street Bridge

East River Park’s newly rebuilt Ballfields 1 and 2 now feature turf with an advanced drainage system for better maintenance, new stadium lighting for evening play, and new fencing around the perimeter. Through ESCR, new amenities are being added to the rest of the park, including upgrades to the amphitheater, ballfields, tennis courts, soccer and multi-use turf fields, track and field, basketball courts, playground, comfort stations, and picnic and barbeque areas. New passive-use areas will create enhanced spaces with grass and greenery, allowing expanded opportunities for relaxation and reflection along the East River waterfront. The Tennis House, Track House, and 10^th Street Comfort Station are also being reconstructed.

The new $32 million, 215-foot-long Delancey Street Bridge is one of the new access points to the park being created by ESCR, and it replaces a much smaller bridge with steeper ramps that was not ADA-compliant. The bridge was manufactured in Italy, assembled in East River Park, and then installed in only one evening over the highway. In addition to the new Delancey Street Bridge, the Corlears Hook and East 10^th Street Bridges will also be replaced with gently sloping entryways that will provide access for all New Yorkers, including those with disabilities.

East Side Coastal Resiliency

Most of the southern end of East River Park was closed in late 2021 when DDC began work on ESCR — a $1.45 billion project which is creating a flexible, 2.4-mile-long flood barrier on the Lower East Side from Montgomery Street up to Asser Levy Playground between East 23^rd Street and East 25^th Street. ESCR is employing raised parkland, floodwalls, berms, and 18 swinging or sliding flood gates to create a continuous line of protection against sea level rise and the growing threat of stronger, more severe coastal storms worsened by climate change. The project has been designed to improve waterfront access through reconstructed bridges and entry points and will also upgrade existing sewer systems to capture and manage precipitation during storms. The first floodgate — which is 42 feet long, 10 feet high, and 32,000 pounds — was installed in February 2022.

ESCR is making improvements to five recreation areas in total. Stuyvesant Cove Park has been rebuilt with new amenities and a combination of floodwalls and floodgates along its western edge. The 2.44-acre Asser Levy Playground — which is now intersected by a new floodwall and sliding floodgate — was partially rebuilt with extensive landscaping and new playground and basketball areas using resilient materials. Murphy Brothers Playground and Corlears Hook Park will also see improvements such as new landscaping, plantings, lighting, and playground equipment, with Murphy Brothers Playground expected to reopen this fall.

To the south of ESCR, DDC continues to make progress on Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resiliency (BMCR) — the companion project to ESCR — which is currently installing flood gates along a 0.82-mile stretch of the Lower East Side from Montgomery Street south to the Brooklyn Bridge. BMCR is also creating numerous new recreation zones along its project area, such as open air seating, publicly-available fitness equipment, performance space, and more. Together, the two projects will form a 3.22-mile flood barrier when they are completed at the end of 2026.