Friday, October 18, 2024

Governor Hochul Announces Free SUNY and CUNY Applications for New York Students Starting on October 21

SUNY Potsdam campus building

For the Second Consecutive Year, SUNY, CUNY and More Than 50 Private Colleges and Universities Will Waive Application Fees During College Application Month

A Complete List of Participating Campuses and Fee Waiver Information Available Here; Students Encouraged To Apply

Builds on Governor Hochul’s Efforts To Expand Access to Higher Education and Make College More Affordable

Last Week, the Governor Announced More Than 40,000 Newly Eligible College Students Have Applied for Financial Aid Following TAP Expansion 


Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the State University of New York, the City University of New York and over 50 private colleges and universities throughout New York State have again come together to offer free application opportunities for high school seniors during New York State College Application Month.

“Ensuring that every student has the opportunity to pursue higher education is a top priority for New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “College Application Month isn’t only about waiving fees — it’s about breaking down financial barriers and opening doors to future opportunities. We’re empowering students across the state to take the first step toward achieving their educational and career goals while removing the financial obstacles that may deter students from pursuing higher education.”

The State University of New York (SUNY) will waive up to five application fees per student across its 64 colleges and universities from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3. The City University of New York (CUNY) is waiving application fees across all 25 campuses for high school seniors attending New York City public schools from Oct. 21 to Nov. 15 and from Nov. 4 to Nov. 15 for all New York State residents applying as a college freshman. CUNY further guarantees admission to all seven of its community colleges for all NYC Public Schools graduates, while private institutions across the state are offering fee waivers that vary by campus. Visit the New York State Application Month waiver webpage here for more information and a complete list of participating NYS colleges and universities.

Last week, Governor Hochul announced that following the increase in income thresholds secured in the FY25 Enacted Budget, more than 40,000 newly eligible New York State students have already submitted Tuition Assistance Program applications for the 2024-25 academic year. B-roll of Governor Hochul meeting with students at the University at Albany’s Financial Aid Office is available on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here.

To assist students with their academic goals, the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and academic partners will offer over 65 virtual and in-person events. These events aim to support students through their college applications, encourage students to learn more about New York State financial aid, and inform them about their college options. Additional assistance with college applications and information on related events can be found on the Apply to SUNY webpage and CUNY Month webpage.

New York State’s College Application Month (CAM) is part of the national American College Application Campaign, which began as a pilot at a single high school in North Carolina in 2005 and has since expanded to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Coordinated by HESC in partnership with the NYS Education Department, SUNY, CUNY, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, the Association of Proprietary Colleges, the NYC Department of Education and community organizations. CAM encourages high school seniors — especially those from low-income families, first-generation students, and those who may not otherwise apply — to submit college applications early. To date, the national campaign, sponsored by ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, has helped nearly 4.7 million students submit over 8.7 million applications.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES YANKEES, METS, LIBERTY HOME PLAYOFFS GAMES HAVE ALREADY GENERATED NEARLY $200 MILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR NEW YORK CITY

 

Each Additional Yankees and Mets Home Playoff Game Expected to Generate Between $20 Million and $25 Million in Additional Economic Activity 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball today announced that the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) postseason in New York City has already generated nearly $200 million in economic activity from the home games of their respective playoff runs. The New York Liberty’s WNBA postseason run could generate a cumulative economic impact up to $18.3 million. The analysis accounts for ticket sales and spending from nearly 24,000 visitors from outside of New York City during the Liberty’s postseason run.

Additionally, with both the New York Yankees and New York Mets now participating in their respective Championship Series, each additional home playoff game is expected to generate between $20 million and $25 million per home game — stimulating local businesses and creating jobs and economic opportunity for New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Specifically, a new analysis from NYCEDC found that the New York Yankees 2024 postseason games generate an economic impact of $25 million per home game. A similar analysis found that New York Mets 2024 postseason games generate an economic impact of $20.1 million per home game.

“Playoff runs aren’t just good for our spirits, but also for our wallets. Championship teams on the field mean championship earnings for small businesses and championship wages for hard-working New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “With the Yankees, Mets, and Liberty all making deep playoff runs, it’s a great time to be a sports fan in the greatest city in the world — and sports fan or not, we’re all rooting for more games and more money in New Yorkers’ pockets. If only I had a hat to cheer on ALL our New York City teams together!”

“Congratulations to the New York Liberty, Mets, and Yankees for their success in the playoffs,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “As all three teams keep winning, so does the city, with each home game generating millions of dollars in economic activity, spending at small businesses citywide, and more visitors traveling to New York City.”

“There’s nothing like the playoffs, and with the Liberty, Mets, and Yankees advancing, New Yorkers are buzzing with excitement, and the city is set to see a huge economic boom,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Kimball. “MLB and WNBA postseason games stimulate our local economy, bringing visitors to New York City, and we would love nothing more than a deep postseason run for both of our MLB teams, and a championship tonight from the Liberty.”

NYCEDC’s analysis accounts for ticket sales, estimated at 33,000 for the Yankees, 27,000 for the Mets, and 3,400 for the Liberty, and spending from outside of New York City for each playoff home game. Additional earnings for seasonal employees at Yankee Stadium and at Citi Field, as well as other factors were included. Seasonal employment estimates were unavailable for the Barclay’s Center. These impacts stimulate growth in the local economy, creating opportunities and jobs for New Yorkers and spending that is reinvested across the five boroughs.

Demolition Permits Filed for 2875-2879 Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park, The Bronx

 

2875-2879 Valentine Avenue, via Google Maps

Permits have been filed for the demolition and alteration of three adjacent buildings at 2875, 2877, and 2879 Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park, The Bronx. Dedaj Construction Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications. Permits are currently in the plan examiner review phase.

All three properties stand three stories and 24 feet tall. The proposed demolition and alteration at 2879 Valentine Avenue will make structural stability changes to the building, which spans 1,317 square feet and contains three residential units. The proposed demolitions at 2875 Valentine Avenue and 2877 Valentine Avenue will clear 1,305 square feet and 1,317 square feet of space, respectively. Each of the latter properties contain two residential units.

Mohammad R. Badaly is listed as the applicant of record for all three projects. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Raytheon Company to Pay Over $950 Million in Connection With Foreign Bribery, Export Control and Defective Pricing Schemes


Raytheon to Pay Approximately $300 Million to Resolve the FCPA and ITAR Investigations in the Eastern District of New York 

Raytheon Company (Raytheon), a subsidiary of Arlington, Virginia-based defense contractor RTX (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation), entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Department of Justice in connection with a criminal information unsealed in the Eastern District of New York charging Raytheon with two counts: conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for engaging in a scheme to bribe a government official in Qatar and conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) by willfully failing to disclose the bribes in export licensing applications with the Department of State. 

Separately, Raytheon will enter into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed in the District of Massachusetts charging Raytheon with two counts of major fraud against the United States. As part of that resolution, Raytheon admitted to engaging in two separate schemes to defraud the Department of Defense (DOD) in connection with the provision of defense articles and services, including PATRIOT missile systems and a radar system.

Both agreements require that Raytheon retain an independent compliance monitor for three years, enhance its internal compliance program, report evidence of additional misconduct to the Justice Department, and cooperate in any ongoing or future criminal investigations. 

Raytheon also reached a separate False Claims Act settlement with the department relating to the defective pricing schemes. The Justice Department’s FCPA and ITAR resolution is coordinated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, the Justice Department’s resolutions ensure that the appropriate federal agencies can proceed with determining whether Raytheon or any other individuals or entities associated with the company should be suspended or debarred as federal contractors. Pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), when more than one agency has an interest in an entity’s potential suspension or debarment, the FAR requires that the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee (ISDC) identify the lead agency for conducting government-wide suspension or debarment proceedings. In connection with this resolution, the Justice Department has referred Raytheon’s factual admissions to the appropriate officials within the Department of Defense to initiate the process with the ISDC to identify which federal agency will take the lead in such administrative proceedings, which occur independently of the Justice Department’s criminal and civil resolutions.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Kevin Driscoll, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kevin Driscoll of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Chad Yarbrough, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York,  announced the resolution.

“Over the course of several years, Raytheon employees bribed a high-level Qatari military official to obtain lucrative defense contracts and concealed the bribe payments by falsifying documents to the government, in violation of laws including those designed to protect our national security,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “We will continue to pursue justice against corruption, and as this agreement establishes, enforce meaningful consequences, reforms and monitorship to ensure this misconduct is not repeated.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of State for their work on the case.

“Raytheon engaged in criminal schemes to defraud the U.S. government in connection with contracts for critical military systems and to win business through bribery in Qatar,” stated Deputy Assistant Attorney General Driscoll. “Such corrupt and fraudulent conduct, especially by a publicly traded U.S. defense contractor, erodes public trust and harms the Department of Defense, businesses that play by the rules, and American taxpayers. Today’s resolutions, with criminal and civil penalties totaling nearly $1 billion, reflect the Criminal Division’s ability to tackle the most significant and complex white-collar cases across multiple subject matters.”

“International corruption in military and defense sales is a violation of our national security laws as well as an anti-bribery offense,” stated Assistant Attorney General Olsen.  “Raytheon willfully failed to disclose bribes made in connection with contracts that required export licenses. This resolution should serve as a stark warning to companies that violate the law when selling sensitive military technology overseas.”

“The Raytheon Company set out to intentionally defraud the U.S. government,” stated FBI Assistant Director Yarbrough.  “This agreement highlights the importance of integrity when it comes to government contracting. The FBI, with its law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate these types of crimes that waste taxpayer dollars and prosecute all those who are intent on cooking up these major fraud schemes.”

“Raytheon Corporation engaged in a systematic and deliberate conspiracy that knowingly and willfully violated U.S. fraud and export laws,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Walker.  “Raytheon’s bribery of government officials, specifically those involved in the procurement of U.S. military technology, posed a national security threat to both the U.S. and its allies. As this investigation reflects, national security continues to be a top priority for HSI New York. The global threats facing the U.S. have never been greater, and HSI New York is committed to working with our federal and international partners to assure sensitive U.S. technologies are not unlawfully and fraudulently acquired.”

The FCPA Case

According to admissions and court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, between approximately 2012 and 2016, Raytheon, through certain of its employees and agents, engaged in a scheme to bribe a high-level official at the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF), a branch of Qatar’s Armed Forces (QAF) that was primarily responsible for the conduct of air warfare, to assist Raytheon in obtaining and retaining business from the QEAF and QAF.  Raytheon entered into and made payments on sham contracts for air defense operations-related studies to corruptly obtain the Qatari official’s assistance in securing certain air defense contracts.  Raytheon also entered into a teaming agreement with a Qatari entity to corruptly obtain the Qatari official’s assistance in directly awarding a contract to Raytheon, without a competitive bid, to build a joint operations center that would interface with Qatar’s several military branches. 

Under the terms of the DPA, Raytheon will pay a criminal monetary penalty of over $252.3 million, criminal forfeiture of over $36.6 million and retain an independent compliance monitor for three years.  In addition, as part of the resolution of the SEC’s parallel investigation, Raytheon will pay approximately $49.1 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and a civil penalty of $75 million, $22.5 million of which will be credited against the criminal monetary penalty.  The Department has agreed to credit approximately $7.4 million of the disgorgement Raytheon pays to the SEC against the criminal forfeiture.

As part of the DPA, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section in any ongoing or future criminal investigations relating to this and other conduct.  In addition, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to enhance Raytheon’s compliance program.

The Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense.  Raytheon received credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included:

  • Providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the government to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own independent investigation;
  • Facilitating interviews with current and former employees;
  • Making detailed factual presentations to the government;
  • Proactively disclosing certain evidence of which the government was previously unaware and identifying key documents in materials it produced; and
  • Engaging experts to conduct financial analyses. 

Raytheon also engaged in timely remedial measures, including:

  • Recalibrating third party review and approval processes to lower company risk tolerance;
  • Implementing enhanced controls over sales intermediary payments;
  • Hiring empowered subject matter experts to oversee its anti-corruption compliance program and third party management;
  • Implementing data analytics to improve third party monitoring; and
  • Developing a multipronged communications strategy to enhance ethics and compliance training and communications.

However, in determining the appropriate cooperation credit, the government also took into account the fact that, in the initial phases of the investigation, prior to in or around 2022, Raytheon was at times slow to respond to the government’s requests and failed to provide relevant information in its possession; for example, Raytheon withheld relevant, material information from the government and gave incomplete and misleading presentations regarding the nature and scope of a relevant third-party intermediary relationship.

In light of these considerations, as well as Raytheon’s prior history, which includes three prior civil or regulatory enforcement actions: (i) a 2013 consent agreement with the U.S. State Department concerning civil ITAR and Arms Export Control Act violations, in connection with which Raytheon agreed to hire an independent special compliance officer to oversee the four-year consent decree while at the same time engaging in the conduct described in the DPA; (ii) a civil settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 concerning payments to clean up contamination sites; and (iii) a resolution with the SEC in 2006 concerning false and misleading disclosures and improper accounting practices, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 20% reduction off the twentieth percentile above the low end of the otherwise applicable Guidelines fine range.

The ITAR Case

According to admissions and court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, between approximately 2012 and 2016, Raytheon, through certain of its employees and agents, engaged in a scheme to willfully violate the AECA and ITAR Part 130 by failing to disclose to the United States Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, fees and commissions paid in connection with two Qatar-related contracts – specifically, the bribes Raytheon paid to the high-level QEAF official through sham subcontracts.

The Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense.  Raytheon received credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included:

  • Gathering evidence of interest to the government and proactively identifying key documents related to willful ITAR-related misconduct;
  • Making factual presentations concerning the ITAR-related misconduct; and
  • Facilitating witness interviews and expediting the government’s ability to meet with witnesses. 

Raytheon also received credit for remediation, which included, in addition to the remediation described above in connection with the FCPA case:

  • Hiring additional empowered subject matter experts in legal and compliance;
  • Developing a multipronged communications strategy to enhance ethics and compliance training and communications; and
  • Making enhancements to its ITAR-related compliance program.

Raytheon did not receive full credit for its cooperation because in the initial phase of the investigation, it failed to provide information relevant to the ITAR violations beyond what was requested in the FCPA investigation.

In light of these considerations, the ITAR-related financial penalty of $21,904,850 includes a cooperation and remediation credit of 20 percent off the otherwise applicable penalty.

The Defective Pricing Case

According to admissions and court documents filed in the District of Massachusetts, from 2012 through 2013 and again from 2017 through 2018, Raytheon employees provided false and fraudulent information to the DOD during contract negotiations concerning two contracts with the United States for the benefit of a foreign partner — one to purchase PATRIOT missile systems and the other to operate and maintain a radar system. In both instances, Raytheon employees provided false and fraudulent information to DOD in order to mislead DOD into awarding the two contracts at inflated prices. These schemes to defraud caused the DOD to pay Raytheon over $111 million more than Raytheon should have been paid on the contracts.

Under the terms of the DPA, Raytheon will pay a criminal monetary penalty of $146,787,972, pay $111,203,009in victim compensation, and retain an independent compliance monitor for three years. The Justice Department has agreed to credit the victim compensation amount against restitution Raytheon pays to the Civil Division in its related, parallel False Claims Act proceeding.

Pursuant to the DPA, in addition to the independent compliance monitor, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to implement a compliance and ethics program at Raytheon designed to prevent and detect fraudulent conduct throughout its operations. Raytheon and RTX have also agreed to continue to cooperate with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts in any ongoing or future criminal investigations.

The Justice Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct, which involved two separate schemes to defraud the U.S. government. Raytheon received credit for its affirmative acceptance of responsibility and cooperation with the department’s investigation, which included (i) facilitating interviews with current and former employees; (ii) providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the department to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own independent investigation; (iii) making detailed presentations to the department; (iv) proactively identifying key documents in the voluminous materials collected and produced; (v) engaging experts to conduct financial analyses; and (vi) demonstrating its willingness to disclose all relevant facts by analyzing whether the crime-fraud exception applied to certain potentially privileged documents and releasing the documents that it deemed fell within the exception. However, in the initial phases of the investigation prior to March 2022, Raytheon’s cooperation was limited by unreasonably slow document productions.

Raytheon also engaged in timely remedial measures, including (i) terminating certain employees who were responsible for the misconduct; (ii) establishing a broad defective pricing awareness campaign; (iii) developing and implementing policies, procedures, and controls relating to defective pricing compliance; and (iv) engaging additional resources with appropriate expertise to evaluate and test the new policies, procedures, and controls relating to defective pricing compliance.

In light of these considerations, as well as Raytheon’s prior history, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 25% reduction off the tenth percentile above the low end of the otherwise applicable guidelines fine range.

The False Claims Act Settlement

Raytheon also entered into a civil False Claims Act settlement to resolve allegations that it provided untruthful certified cost or pricing data when negotiating prices with the DOD for numerous government contracts and double billed on a weapons maintenance contract.

Under the False Claims Act settlement, which is the second largest government procurement fraud recovery under the Act, Raytheon will pay $428 million for knowingly failing to provide truthful certified cost and pricing data during negotiations on numerous government contracts between 2009 and 2020, in violation of the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA). Congress enacted TINA in 1962 to help level the playing field in sole source contracts — where there is no price competition — by making sure that government negotiators have access to the cost or pricing data that the offeror used when developing its proposal. As part of the settlement, Raytheon admitted that it failed to disclose cost or pricing data, as required by TINA, regarding its labor and material costs to supply weapon systems to DOD. 
 
Raytheon also admitted that by misrepresenting its costs during contract negotiations it overcharged the United States on these contracts and received profits in excess of the negotiated profit rates. Further, Raytheon admitted that it failed to disclose truthful cost or pricing data on a contract to staff a radar station. Raytheon also admitted that it billed the same costs twice on a DOD contract.

As part of the civil resolution, Raytheon received credit under the Justice Department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation, and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases for cooperation provided by RTX. That cooperation included conducting and disclosing the results of an internal investigation, disclosing relevant facts and material not known to the government but relevant to its investigation, providing the department with inculpatory evidence, conducting a damages analysis, identifying and separating individuals responsible for or involved in the misconduct, admitting liability and accepting responsibility for the misconduct, and improving its compliance programs.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit was filed by Karen Atesoglu, a former Raytheon employee, and is captioned United States ex rel. Atesoglu v. Raytheon Technologies Corporation, 21-CV-10690-PBS (D. Mass.). Ms. Atesoglu will receive $4.2 million as her share of the settlement.

In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC).  As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including the FCPA.

Art Advisor Lisa Schiff Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Clients

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LISA SCHIFF, a Manhattan-based art advisor focused on contemporary art, pled guilty before United States District Judge J. Paul Oetken to one count of wire fraud for perpetrating a multi-year scheme in which she defrauded the clients of her art advisory business of approximately $6.5 million in connection with the purchase and sale of approximately 55 artworks.  SCHIFF will be sentenced by Judge Oetken on January 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.   

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “For years, Lisa Schiff breached the trust of her art advisory clients by lying to them and diverting millions of dollars her clients had entrusted to herInstead of using client funds as promised, Schiff used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle. This guilty plea serves as a reminder that the Southern District of New York will vigorously investigate and prosecute those who engage in fraud wherever we may find them, including the art market.” 

Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “Lisa Schiff attempted to paint a picture of a successful fine art advisory business, when in reality—as she admitted—it was actually a multimillion-dollar fraudulent scheme.  After half a decade of deceit, Ms. Schiff will now be held accountable for her lies and duplicitous actions.  FBI New York will continue to ensure that individuals attempting to defraud their clients are brought to justice.”

According to the Information, plea agreement, and statements made in court:

From 2018 through May 2023, SCHIFF engaged in a scheme to defraud clients of her art advisory business, Schiff Fine Art (“SFA”) by diverting her clients’ funds—profits from the sale of her clients’ artworks or payments they made to purchase artwork—to pay her own personal and business expenses.  SCHIFF advised clients regarding the purchase and sale of artworks and bought and sold artworks on behalf of clients in exchange for a commission.  In her role as an art advisor, SCHIFF acted as an intermediary between art galleries and auction houses, and her clients, who were art collectors.  Typically, when SCHIFF’s clients bought or sold artworks, payments were routed through SCHIFF’s business, SFA.  In addition, when SCHIFF sold artworks on behalf of a client, she often had custody or control of the artworks to coordinate the sale.  At times, SCHIFF, through SFA, also sold artwork on consignment on behalf of artists and other galleries.   

Starting in about 2018, SCHIFF began defrauding her clients in two ways: (1) not remitting payments to her clients when she sold their artwork while not disclosing to her clients that their artworks had, in fact, been sold; and (2) not purchasing artworks on behalf of clients despite representing to her clients that she would purchase certain artworks on their behalf using their funds.  Instead of using client funds as promised, SCHIFF diverted her clients’ money to pay her business and personal expenses.  SCHIFF lied to her clients and galleries in furtherance of her fraud scheme.  For example, when defrauding clients in connection with selling their artwork, SCHIFF at times lied to clients, claiming she had not sold the artwork, or the buyer was delayed in making the payment and SCHIFF still had custody of the artwork when, in fact, SCHIFF had sold the artwork, received payment from the buyer, and delivered the artwork to the buyer.  When defrauding clients in connection with purchasing artwork on their behalf, SCHIFF lied to galleries from which she was supposed to purchase artwork on behalf clients, blaming delays in payment on clients when, in fact, clients had already paid SCHIFF for the purchase of the artwork but she had diverted the funds for her own use.  Over several years, SCHIFF defrauded at least twelve clients, one artist, the estate of another artist, and one gallery, collectively, of at least approximately $6.5 million.  During her fraud, SCHIFF lived lavishly and incurred substantial debts, which she paid in part using her victims’ diverted funds.

In about May 2023, SCHIFF could no longer conceal her scheme due to mounting debts. SCHIFF confessed to several clients that she had stolen their money.

SCHIFF, 54, a Manhattan resident, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.  Under the terms of her plea agreement, SCHIFF agreed to forfeit approximately $6.4 million.

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

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Art Crime Team and the FBI/New York Police Department's Joint Major Theft Task Force.

Governor Hochul Announces $35 Million in COVID-Related Rent Relief for Thousands of NYCHA Tenants

 

State Funding Will Help Cover Unpaid Rent from March 2020 to May 2023

State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program Has Already Delivered $159 Million in COVID-Related Rent Relief for More Than 27,000 NYCHA Households

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $35 million in State funding is being distributed by the New York City Housing Authority to help address COVID-related rental arrears for NYCHA residents. This funding secured by the Governor and State Legislature will provide up to 12 months of unpaid rent for NYCHA tenants and ensure these families maintain stable, affordable housing during recovery from the pandemic.

“We're continuing to support vulnerable New Yorkers who were hit hard by the pandemic and helping to ensure families remain in their homes,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding builds on our efforts to provide meaningful assistance to NYCHA tenants with COVID-related rental arrears, while also furthering our commitment to helping NYCHA make vital repairs and improvements."

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is expected to use these funds to address rental arrears accrued by NYCHA tenants. Qualifying households could be covered for up to 12 months of past due rent accumulated during the period of March 2020 – May 11, 2023.

This commitment builds on Governor Hochul’s previous efforts to help ensure that tenants throughout New York adversely affected by the pandemic could remain stably housed, including NYCHA and other public housing residents and recipients of federal Section 8 vouchers.

Separate from the $35 million highlighted today, New York State has delivered payments totaling approximately $159 million to date on behalf of more than 27,000 NYCHA households through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

The Governor and the Legislature secured more than $1 billion in State funding to supplement federal ERAP funding in the FY 2023 and 2024 Enacted Budgets, including the $35 million targeted for NYCHA and more than $350 million in the FY 2024 budget to ensure there were sufficient funds in New York State’s ERAP for public and subsidized housing residents, including NYCHA tenants, Section 8 tenants and other subsidized housing residents across the state.

Previously, the Governor signed legislation creating the New York Public Housing Preservation Trust, to address overdue repairs, rehabilitation, and modernization of 25,000 NYCHA apartments.

DEC Reminds Property Owners to Prioritize Home Heating Safety This Winter by Inspecting Oil Fuel Tanks and Equipment for Leaks and Spills

 

Logo

Property Owners Advised to Put Safety First and Utilize Assistance Program Opportunities

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) advised property owners to prioritize safety when preparing for home heating needs this fall and winter. DEC reminded property owners that connecting occupied buildings to wells producing natural gas is dangerous and potentially deadly. DEC also encouraged property owners to inspect fuel storage tanks for potential leaks or spills prior to receiving shipments of fuel oil for the upcoming heating season. In addition, DEC urged residents to take steps now to utilize programs designed to save consumers energy and money.

 

“Planning ahead for the winter season will help save New Yorkers time, money, and potential headaches later on when it comes to home heating,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “Annual inspections and other simple precautions can prevent leaks and spills and ensure people, property, and the environment are protected.”   

 

Natural Gas Safety

Natural gas produced by a gas or oil well is odorless and difficult or impossible for a person to detect. While the primary component of natural gas is methane, gases like propane and butane may also be present in addition to water, because the gas is raw and untreated. This may result in improper and erratic combustion in appliances. The risk of an explosion due to natural gas build-up in a home is substantially greater when that gas is not provided by a utility.

 

If a home-use well is connected to a house or other structure:

  • Contact a plumber licensed to work on gas lines and have the fuel source switched to utility natural gas or consider another fuel or heating appliance;
  • Natural gas directly from a well is odorless and colorless, meaning it may build up to explosive levels without detection. Install methane detection alarms in any closed space where methane may accumulate;
  • Commercial gas suppliers always add the odorant mercaptan to natural gas before it is delivered for use. Consider adding mercaptan to natural gas from a home use well so it can be more easily detected; and
  • Contact DEC if the well is not registered in DEC’s database. Owning and operating an oil or gas well comes with regulatory responsibilities to protect the environment. New York is actively plugging oil and gas wells throughout the state and home wells may be eligible for the State’s program.

 

For questions and additional information about home-use wells, contact DEC at (518) 402-8056 or oilgas@dec.ny.gov. Also, visit DEC’s website for photos and additional details at: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/oil-gas/landowner-information-on-wells.


Fuel Oil Safety

DEC also reminds home and property owners to inspect heating fuel oil storage tanks for leaks or spills before ordering and receiving fuel oil.

 

Annual inspections can prevent leaks and spills and protect property, public health, and the environment. Homeowners are advised to look for the following concerns and contact their fuel oil service provider if they see any of the items from the lists below.

 

For above-ground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

  • Bent, rusty, or wobbly tank legs or tank located on an unstable foundation;
  • Signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or many dents on the tank's surface;
  • Drips or any signs of leaks around the oil filter or valves;
  • Fuel oil lines not covered in a protective casing - even if under concrete;
  • Overhanging eaves where snow and ice could fall onto the tank;
  • Stains on the ground or strong oil odor around the tank;
  • Browning, dying, or loss of vegetation around the tank;
  • Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled - ask fuel delivery person;
  • Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
  • Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
  • Improperly sized vent pipes - ask fuel delivery person; and
  • Cracked, stuck, or frozen fuel level gauges or signs of fuel around them.

 

For underground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

  • Water in the tank - ask fuel delivery person to check;
  • Oil or oil sheen in your basement sump or French drain;
  • Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled - ask fuel delivery person;
  • Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
  • Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
  • Well water has strange tastes or smells;
  • Complaints from neighbors of fuel oil smells; and
  • Using more than normal amount of fuel.

DEC offers tips on environmentally friendly home heating safety and a checklist covering many issues for home heating oil tanks in this month’s Living the Green Life webpage, offering both prevention and response guidance about fuel spills. Fuel oil spills or leaks should be reported to the DEC Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362. For more information on home heating oil tank stewardship, visit the Underground Heating Oil Tanks: A Homeowner's Guide webpage on DEC's website. 

Help for Homeowners

New Yorkers can take the following steps in their homes to help improve safety and protect against higher energy costs, including:

DEC is interested in reaching interested landowners to participate in a voluntary oil and gas well plugging program using more than $50 million in state and federal funding.

Landowners who suspect an orphaned well may be located on their property should review the information on DEC’s website: Finding and Identifying Oil and Gas Wells. Landowners will also find contact information for DEC’s regional offices to report the well for placement on DEC’s well plugging priority list.

MAYOR ADAMS, MAYOR’S FUND, FAITH-BASED LEADERS ANNOUNCE HURRICANE HELENE AND MILTON RELIEF EFFORTS

 

In Partnership With Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and Faith-Based Leaders, Adams Administration to Offer Relief and Support to Those Impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, and a coalition of faith-based leaders announced ongoing efforts to lend support to those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Southeastern United States. People can donate directly to the on-the-ground organizations offering support via the Mayor’s Fund website.

 

“What makes New Yorkers special is that when our neighbors are in need a helping hand, we answer the call — no matter where they may be,” said Mayor Adams. “In recent days, two devastating hurricanes have impacted our neighbors, both domestically and abroad, and our city wants to play its part to help. Together, with our faith-based leaders and the Mayor’s Fund, our administration is asking those who can offer support and donate to on-the-ground organizations to step up and do their part. To those recovering from this tragedy, New York City stands in solidarity with you.”

 

“In times of crisis, New Yorkers come together and help those most in need,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “We are seeing those devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in need of basic resources to help them recover. Thanks to our faith-based leaders, who are stepping up to lend support, and our Mayor’s Fund, we have identified reliable organizations with a proven track record of success to provide relief. Together, as a city and a nation, we can meet this moment head on to ensure that those impacted by these hurricanes know they are not alone.”

 

“In times of crisis, our collective strength shines brightest,” said Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City Chief Administrative Officer Loraya Harrington-Trujillo. “The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is dedicated to rallying resources for those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Together, with our partners, we are united in our efforts to provide support and relief to help rebuild.” 

 

“New York City is proud to provide resources to aid the response and recovery operations after these devastating storms,” said New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Zachary Iscol. “Partners from across the nation responded to our city’s times of greatest need after 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, and we’re honored to provide our support to others. NYCEM remains committed to assisting our partners in the ongoing storm recovery efforts.”

 

NYCEM currently has a New York Task Force One team, including 81 personnel and four K9 dogs, at the Orange Convention Center in Orlando, Florida to act as an immediate response to any structural emergencies. In North Carolina, a task force composed of personnel from NYCEM, the New York City Police Department, and the Fire Department of the City of New York was deployed on September 25. The task force was trained to support with swift water rescue, technical search, canine search, and medical needs. During their time on the ground, the task force carried families to helicopters, provided medical aid, assisted the National Guard in airlifting stranded civilians, and conducted targeted searches. This team returned on October 9 and NYCEM has already sent another relief team to continue their support.

 

The Mayor’s Fund was created in 1994 to build public-private partnerships and raise private funding for critical initiatives in New York City. The Mayor’s Fund works with 50 city agencies and offices, 300 institutional funders, and 100 community-based partners to advance these initiatives across all five boroughs. For nearly 30 years, the Mayor’s Fund has helped the public and private sectors come together around initiatives that build a stronger, safer, and more just New York City.