Maritime College: 150 Years of Learning at Sea. East Bronx History Forum will hold our 187th meeting on Wednesday, September 18th at 7:30 p.m. at Maritime College.

 

The East Bronx History Forum (EBHF) is pleased to announce the beginning of its 19th season as we hold our 187th meeting on Wednesday, September 18th at 7:30 p.m. at Maritime College located on the grounds of Fort Schuyler at 6 Pennyfield Avenue. Our speakers this evening will be the administrators of the Stephen B. Luce Library for SUNY Maritime College 

Please join Taliesin Gamache, Archivist and Scholarly Communications Librarian and Laura Andres, User Services and Engagement Librarian for a presentation on the rich history of Fort Schuyler and SUNY Maritime College. Learn about the history of the Throggs Neck peninsula, the Indigenous community who called it home, and the purchase of land for Fort Schuyler. Laura and Taliesin will talk about the construction of the fort and use prior to conversion into the New York Nautical School. This year marks one hundred and fifty years of the school’s history. We will touch on life aboard the St. Mary’s, moving into the fort, as well as milestones through the Maritime College’s history through to the arrival of the Empire State VII. If arriving from further north and west take East Tremont Avenue heading southeast to Schurz Avenue, make a left onto Schurz for five blocks, followed by a right onto Pennyfield Avenue, the fort is a little over a mile from the intersection of Schurz and Pennyfield. 

The EBHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit chartered by the New York State Education Department. Donations are always accepted and can be made through our website at www.BronxNYC.com. Additionally, follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages for the most current updates or information, we look forward to seeing you as we begin our new season of presentations. 

We look forward to seeing you.

Dorothy A. Krynicki 

Secretary, East Bronx History Forum

 

Housing Lottery Launches for 3056 Decatur Avenue in Norwood, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 3056 Decatur Avenue, a four-story residential building in Norwood, The Bronx. Designed by Node Architecture, Engineering, Consulting and developed by Zef Perperpaj, the structure yields nine residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are three units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $82,286 to $181,740. 

Residences feature name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops and finishes, air conditioning, smart controls for heating and cooling, energy-efficient appliances, and intercoms. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are three one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,400 for incomes ranging from $82,286 to $181,740.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than September 30, 2024.

RSVP here to our Open House 9/21 12-4pm WEEKLY ART CLASSES (Full descriptions available at  www.bronxriverart.org/education) Youth Classes (under 18) $125 for 10 sessions/ $75 with Bronx Zip Code discount Child and Parent together $250 for 10 sessions/ $150 with Bronx Zip Code discount Adult Classes (age 18+) $175 for 10 sessions/ $105 with Bronx Zip Code discount Adult Ceramics and Pottery tickets $295 for 10 sessions/ $177 with Bronx Zip Code discount    Residents of select Bronx Zip Codes - 10451 to10460,  10462, 10467, and 10472 to 10474 - may enter their Zip  Code as a Promo Code when buying your tickets on  Eventbrite to get 40% off classes.  Click here for further instructions. Tickets for selected Bronx Zip Codes will also be discounted  for in-person sales.  Email info@bronxriverart.org with any questions. Email education@bronxriverart.org to inquire about available  free programs Visit Education Page WEEKLY CLASSES

 

Mondays (Sept 30; Oct 7, 21, 28; Nov 4, 18, 25; Dec 2, 9, 16)

DRAWING, 4:30 - 6:30pm: Youth, Parents Welcome to Register

With a focus on composition, students will learn drawing by sketching and observing still life and the work of master illustrators and photographers.

Tuesdays (Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov 12, 19, 26; Dec 3, 10)

CERAMICS, 4:30 - 6:30pm: Youth, Parents Welcome to Register

Learn how to build pots, cups, plates, vases and other figures in class using only the simplest hand building techniques.

POTTERY (Wheel Throwing), 6:30 - 8:30pm: Teens and Adults SOLD OUT

This course introduces students to a range of techniques as they learn to create ceramic forms utilizing the potter's wheel.

Wednesdays (Oct 2, 9, 23, 30; Nov 6, 13, 20; Dec 4, 11, 18)

MANGA & CARTOONING, 4:30 - 6:30pm: Youth, Parents Welcome to Register

Students will learn the basics of character design, story structure, panel layout, and art techniques such as light/shadow techniques to make their own comics.

DIGITAL ART & ILLUSTRATION, 4:30 - 6:30pm: Teens & Adults

This class teaches the skills and work habits that are essential to mastering Photoshop and its complex range of possibilities, helping students create digital art with ease.

ABSTRACT PAINTING, 6:30 - 8:30pm: Teens & Adults

Using the abstraction inherent in natural forms as a guide, students will explore and hone the properties of line, shape, space, form, texture, pattern, and color.

Thursdays (Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov 7, 14, 21; Dec 5, 12)

CERAMICS (Handbuilding), 4 - 6pm: Youth, Parents Welcome to Register

Learn how to build pots, cups, plates, vases and other figures in class using only the simplest hand building techniques.

PAINTING, 4:30 - 6:30pm: Youth, Parents Welcome to Register

Students are guided through the fundamentals of painting and are introduced to the tools and techniques of the medium, learning to create striking works.

POTTERY (Wheel Throwing), 6:30 - 8:30pm: Teens and Adults SOLD OUT

This course introduces students to a range of techniques as they learn to create ceramic forms utilizing the potter's wheel.

Fridays (Oct 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov 8, 15, 22; Dec 6, 13)

Three-Hour Art Workshops, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Each workshop is three hours in length, running from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Workshops are $15 per session and are open to everyone age 12 and above, with the exception of Figure Drawing, which is for ages 18+ and is $20 per session. Stay tuned for a separate announcement for the workshop schedule.

Saturdays (Oct 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov 2, 9, 16, 23; Dec 7, 14)

PRINTMAKING & DRAWING, 10am -12pm: Ages 7 and Up, Parents Welcome to Register

Participants will use a wide variety of material to draw and block out images on inked plates to create inventive and colorful hand-crafted prints.

CERAMICS, 11am-1pm: Ages 7 and Up, Parents Welcome to Register

Learn how to build pots, cups, plates, vases and other figures in class using only the simplest hand building techniques.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, 11am-1pm: Teens and Adults

Get closer to your camera as we will review the photography workflow from photography concepts to digital editing with Adobe Lightroom.

PRINTMAKING & DRAWING, 12pm-2pm: Ages 7 and Up, Parents Welcome to Register

Participants will use a wide variety of material to draw and block out images on inked plates to create inventive and colorful hand-crafted prints. This session is more geared towards teens and adults, introducing the use of wood blocks and linoleum.

POTTERY (Wheel Throwing), 1:15 - 3:15 : Teens and Adults SOLD OUT

This course introduces students to a range of techniques as they learn to create ceramic forms utilizing the potter's wheel.

DIGITAL ART & ANIMATION, 2 - 4pm: Ages 11 and Up

Embrace the art form of animation. Learn some of the basic principles of the medium as we transform the image in our heads into short films using Photoshop.

PAINTING, 2:30 - 4:30pm: Ages 11 and Up

Register for Weekday Afternoon, Evening Classes, and Saturday Classes

FREE ART PROGRAMS

Click for more info: NEW! Middle School program MSCreate

FREE CLASS - MSCreates Monday-Friday 3:30-6:30 starting October 21st

Apply here: Teen Project Studio

FREE CLASS - Teen Project Studio +2.0 - Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 starting October 21st

NOTE: Classes may not run if there are less than eight registered students. If the class is canceled, you will be notified before classes start.

Refund Policy: Full refund available 48 hours before classes begin, partial refunds to the second week. You can contact the education office or request refund directly through Eventbrite. Contact us as soon as possible especially if you need a refund for a Pottery (wheel-throwing) class since that is a popular class that sells out quickly due to class size limits and we have a waiting list ready.

Covid-19 Protocols:

Vaccination is strongly recommended. If student is sick, must take a Covid test before attending class. If positive, cannot return for five days and must wear mask for ten days.

Please ask us if you need tests, we have them available.

We appreciate your continued vigilance and cooperation. Covid did not go away!

California Addiction Treatment Facility Operator Convicted of Paying Nearly $2.9M in Illegal Kickbacks

 

A federal jury convicted a California man this week for paying illegal kickbacks for patient referrals to his addiction treatment facilities located in Orange County, California.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Casey Mahoney, 48, of Los Angeles, paid nearly $2.9 million in illegal kickbacks to so-called “body brokers” who referred patients to Mahoney’s addiction treatment facilities, Healing Path Detox LLC and Get Real Recovery Inc. Those body brokers in turn paid thousands of dollars in cash to patients, which some patients used to purchase drugs, in order to induce those patients to attend treatment at Mahoney’s facilities. Mahoney concealed the illegal kickbacks by entering into sham contracts with the body brokers which purportedly required fixed payments and prohibited payments based off of the volume or value of the patient referrals. In reality, Mahoney and the brokers negotiated payments based on the patients’ insurance reimbursements and the number of days Mahoney was able to bill for treatment. Mahoney also laundered the proceeds of the conspiracy through payments to the mother of one of the body brokers, which Mahoney falsely characterized as consulting fees.

Mahoney was convicted of one count of conspiracy to solicit, receive, pay, or offer illegal remunerations for patient referrals, seven counts of illegal remunerations for patient referrals, and three counts of money laundering. Mahoney is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 17, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge, 10 years in prison on each illegal remuneration count, and 20 years in prison on each money laundering count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California; Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office investigated the case. The California Department of Insurance provided valuable assistance.

Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nandor F.R. Kiss for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case.

Mahoney’s conviction arose out of violations of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA). EKRA was enacted in October 2018 as part of comprehensive legislation designed to address the opioid crisis in order to target the rise in body brokering and substance abuse facility profiteering.

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 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24.7 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, 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.

Walgreens Agrees to Pay $106.8M to Resolve Allegations It Billed the Government for Prescriptions Never Dispensed

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens) have agreed to pay $106.8 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and state statutes for billing government health care programs for prescriptions never dispensed. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country.

The government alleges that, between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for prescriptions that it processed but that were never picked up by beneficiaries. As a result, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for prescriptions that it never actually provided to health care beneficiaries.

As part of the resolution, Walgreens received credit under the department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases. Among other actions, Walgreens implemented enhancements to its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent this from occurring in the future and self-reported certain conduct. Because Walgreens previously refunded $66,314,790 pertaining to the settled claims, Walgreens will receive a credit for this amount.

“Federal health care programs provide critical health care services to millions of Americans,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those who abuse these programs by knowingly billing for goods or services they did not provide.”

“Millions of Americans rely on the promise of federal healthcare through programs like Medicare and Medicaid,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “Fraudulently billing for prescriptions which are never dispensed endangers the integrity of these critical programs. We are committed to guarding the public’s investment in our health from private corporations.”

“Adopting new technology and systems can be beneficial for providers, beneficiaries, and federal payors, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “However, we will not allow companies to hide behind their implementation of ill-conceived technology and systems that result in billing federal health care programs for goods and services never provided to beneficiaries. In those situations, we will pursue the companies and ensure that the taxpayer is made whole.”

“This settlement marks another major achievement in our ongoing commitment to combat healthcare fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “It is essential to hold pharmacies accountable when they knowingly fail to abide by the rules and requirements of our national health care programs.”

“Medicare enrollees, and consumers at-large, rely on pharmacies for critical medications that sustain their quality of life, and providers who prey upon public health care programs to increase profit margins must be held accountable,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is unwavering in its commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs and ensuring those that threaten their integrity are held liable for their actions.”

The federal share of the recovery is $91,881,530, and a total of $14,933,259 will be returned to individual states, which jointly fund state Medicaid programs, through separate settlement agreements with the Medicaid participating states.

The federal government’s settlement with Walgreens resolves three cases pending in the District of New Mexico, Eastern District of Texas and Middle District of Florida under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Steven Turck, a former Walgreens pharmacy manager, filed the qui tam suit in the Eastern District of Texas related to billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs, and will receive $14,918,675. Andrew Bustos, a former Walgreens district pharmacy supervisor, filed the qui tam suit in the District of New Mexico related to billing Medicare Part B and will receive $1,620,000.

Trial Attorney Seth Greene of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth Keegan and Sean Cunniff and Auditor Julie Chappell for the District of New Mexico; Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Adrian Garcia for the Eastern District of Texas; and Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matters. HHS-OIG and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units assisted in the investigations.

The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The civil settlements with Walgreens resolved the following captioned cases: United States ex rel. Bustos v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 1:15-cv-781 (DNM); United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 4:19-cv-315 (EDTX); and United States, et al. ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., No. 8:20-cv-858-T-60TGW (MDFL).

*This release has been updated to remove an allegation that is not in the settlement agreement. 

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Saratoga County

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of James Dellea, who died on September 11, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Saratoga Springs. 

On the afternoon of September 11, NYSP troopers responding to a 911 call followed Mr. Dellea to a parking lot on State Route 9, where he was allegedly holding a long gun. During the encounter, one of the troopers, who was off duty at the time, fired his weapon, striking Mr. Dellea. Mr. Dellea was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers recovered one long gun at the scene.

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

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.  

Governor Hochul Announces $36 Million Awarded to Create Permanent Supportive Housing Across New York State

State Funding Will Create 249 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing in Monroe, Steuben, Erie, Jefferson, and Kings Counties

Projects Include Funding for Housing with On-Site Support Services to Assist Formerly Homeless Veterans, Youth Aging Out of Foster Care, and Individuals Living with Serious Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorders and Their Families

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $36 million has been awarded to five projects across New York State that will create 249 units of permanent supportive housing in Monroe, Steuben, Erie, Jefferson, and Kings counties for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness.

“From Brooklyn to Watertown, these diverse projects across New York demonstrate our commitment to invest in housing that strengthens our communities and makes every region of our state a safer, healthier, and more affordable place to live,” Governor Hochul said. “The supportive housing created through these projects will provide formerly homeless New Yorkers with safe, stable homes and the services they need to thrive in their communities.”

The grants—awarded through a competitive process by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) Homeless Housing and Assistance (HHAP) Program—are an important component of Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will help create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations. The five projects awarded funding will provide housing with on-site support services for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, including, youth aging out of foster care, and individuals living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

With these latest awards, HHAP has committed more than $133.8 million in this funding cycle. That includes all of the $128 million in funding provided in the FY 2025 budget, as well as an additional $5.8 million in unspent funding that had first been awarded in prior years. The projects awarded funding include:

• PathStone Housing Action Corporation (Monroe) - $750,000 to develop 38 units of permanent supportive housing in the Town of Perinton for formerly homeless individuals over the age of 55. Part of a larger project, Midvale Commons involves the new construction of a two-story fully electric building (Passive House and net zero solar certified) with elevator, community space, laundry, support services office, a fitness center and outdoor space. Already in construction, the fossil fuel-free project includes air source heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators, heat pump dryers, and onsite EV charging stations. Support services will be provided by Rochester Regional Health.
• Providence Housing Development Corporation (Steuben) - $1.9 million to develop eight units of permanent supportive housing in Bath for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorder who have experienced homelessness. Part of a larger project, The Dana Lyon Apartments involves the preservation and adaptive reuse of the former Dana Lyon elementary school building. There will be on-site laundry facilities, service office space, a management office, exercise room, community room, playground and outdoor greenspace. There will also be commercial space that will be leased for the operation of a community arts center. Support services will be provided by Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston on site and through other community organizations via linkage agreements.
• Episcopal Community Housing Development Organization, Inc. (Erie) - $3.8 million to develop 16 units of permanent supportive housing in the Village of Angola for single adults aged 55 and over, who have experienced homelessness. Part of a larger project, St. Paul’s Apartments II proposes the new construction of a three-story building with onsite amenities including laundry facilities, office space for property and case management providers, ample outdoor green space, and a 52-space parking lot that includes two electric vehicle charging stations. Support services will be provided by People, Inc.
• DePaul Properties, Inc. and DePaul Community Services, Inc. (Jefferson) - $14.5 million to develop 70 units of permanent supportive housing in Watertown for individuals with serious mental illness, veterans, and individuals aged 55 and older who have experienced homelessness. Pine Camp Apartments is part of a larger project that proposes the new construction of a four-story building that will feature laundry facilities, a community room, and exterior central courtyard. Support services will be provided by DePaul Community Services and Eagle Star Housing, Inc.
• Breaking Ground II Housing Development Corporation (Kings) - $15 million to develop 117 units of permanent supportive housing in Brooklyn for chronically homeless individuals, as well as youth aging out of foster care, and formerly homeless individuals and families where the head of household is living with a serious mental illness. This is part of a larger project that proposes the new construction of two buildings on the Kingsboro Psychiatric Center campus. This project is being developed as part of the Vital Brooklyn Initiative and will be constructed over three phases with these two buildings in phase one. The total project, once all three phases are complete, will provide over 1,000 units of housing. Support services will be provided by Breaking Ground.