New Rochelle Physician Pleads Guilty To Selling Thousands Of Oxycodone Pills For Cash

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), announced that MORDECHAI BAR pled guilty to one count of illicitly distributing and dispensing oxycodone and other controlled substances.  BAR pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, to whom his case is assigned. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Dr. Mordechai Bar hid behind his medical license while he prescribed oxycodone without a legitimate medical need.  Like any drug dealer, he pumped highly addictive substances into the streets for profit, with no regard for the impact on the community. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively prosecute physicians who help fuel the opioid crisis.” 

HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz said: “This physician accepts responsibility for illegally prescribing controlled substances, an action that is especially egregious given the ongoing opioid epidemic. HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure individuals involved in fraud schemes that exploit federal health care programs and threaten patient safety are held accountable.”

According to documents filed in this case including the Complaint, the Information, BAR’s plea agreement, and statements made in Court:

Between in or about January 2023 and in or about June 2024, BAR, a physician, repeatedly prescribed oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside of the usual course of professional practice.  Oxycodone, a Schedule II narcotic, is a highly addictive opioid that is used to treat severe and chronic pain, as well as pain associated with certain forms of cancer and other terminal illnesses.  Oxycodone prescriptions command high prices in the black market because of demand by drug abusers.  BAR often prescribed oxycodone in combination with amphetamines and/or alprazolam, controlled substances that are themselves frequently abused and resold illicitly.  BAR sold these prescriptions for cash, and he did so without performing physical examinations or medical tests on the patients in whose names the prescriptions were issued. 

BAR, 71, of Larchmont, New York, pled guilty to one count of distributing oxycodone and other controlled substances, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing will be determined by a judge.  BAR is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Seibel on February 18, 2025.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA, HHS-OIG, the FBI, IRS-CI, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) New York Strike Force.  Mr. Williams also thanked the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement for their assistance in this case.

The OCDETF New York Strike Force provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location.  This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.  The specific mission of the OCDETF New York Strike Force is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, reduce the illegal drug supply in the United States, and bring criminals to justice.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR RAPING 13-YEAR-OLD BOY IN NYCHA SOTOMAYOR HOUSES

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for second-degree Rape and other charges in the sexual assault on a 13-year-old boy that took place in a building stairwell in the Sotomayor Houses in Soundview. 

District Attorney Clark said “This defendant is charged with raping a 13-year-old boy whom he engaged online and then went to his building. This child has suffered trauma and we will do all we can to help him through this ordeal.” 

 District Attorney Clark said Ishmael Francis, 29, of the Bronx, was indicted on two counts of second-degree Rape, two counts of third-degree Rape, two counts of Sexual Misconduct, one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of fourth-degree Grand Larceny. He was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Shari Michels who continued Supervised Release for the defendant. He is due back in court on January 7, 2025.

According to the investigation, at about 11:00 pm on September 18, 2024, the defendant allegedly engaged in a conversation online with the victim. He then went to the child’s address and waited in a stairwell. When the child exited his apartment to take out the trash and entered the stairwell, the defendant allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the boy. The defendant then allegedly stole the child’s cell phone and fled the building when the child’s family began to call out for him. The child ran back to his apartment and 911 was called. The victim was taken to New York Health + Hospitals Jacobi. The defendant was identified through information provided in his online messages to the victim and he was arrested on September 24, 2024.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Yoan Deleon from the Bronx Special Victims Squad and NYPD Detective Michael Summa from the Bronx Warrants Squad for their work in the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Speaker Adrienne Adams Delivers Opening Remarks at Council’s Public Meeting on City of Yes Zoning for Housing Opportunity Proposal

 

Today, Speaker Adrienne Adams delivered opening remarks at the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises’ public meeting on the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning proposal.

Below are the Speaker’s full remarks as prepared for delivery.

Good morning.

Thank you, Chair Riley, for leading today’s public meeting of the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises on the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity citywide zoning reform proposal. And thank you Director Garodnick and Commissioner Carrion, and everyone who has joined us today.

New Yorkers in every neighborhood need access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. Housing is key to building a stronger and healthier city, economically stable communities, and expanding opportunities for all New Yorkers.

But our city is currently in the midst of a severe housing crisis that is squeezing out working- and middle-class families who are already on the brink. New Yorkers are struggling to afford to stay in their neighborhoods due to increasing costs, and they lack the necessary support to remain in the city they love.

New Yorkers are facing a confluence of pressures that are undermining the stability of our communities. With a citywide housing vacancy rate of just 1.4 percent that is even lower for the most affordable homes, and the median home value in New York City near $700,000, it’s clear that there is an overall lack of housing, affordable homes, housing security, and homeownership opportunities. All these and various other issues must be addressed to help get us out of this crisis.

Homelessness in our city has soared to record levels in recent years, with an estimated 350,000 people without homes. Evictions have risen, and there is widespread housing insecurity among residents as rents remain high with more and more rent-burdened neighbors emerging.

All of these factors are contributing to New York’s housing crisis, and they will only worsen unless we advance holistic housing solutions.

Today, we are examining the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning reform proposal, which was put forward with the intention of allowing for the creation of more homes. We recognize the importance of updating the city’s zoning from the last major change decades ago to help contribute towards addressing the current housing needs in our city. We look forward to discussing these proposed changes during this meeting and tomorrow’s hearing.

At the same time, this Council knows that zoning reform alone cannot fully address the wide-ranging housing needs of New Yorkers. Zoning reform is one important component, but New Yorkers also need deeper affordability, expanded pathways to affordable homeownership, strengthened tenant protections, the removal of barriers to housing vouchers, investments in their neighborhoods, and more.

To truly confront this housing crisis and meet the diverse needs of our constituents, we must advance holistic solutions at the scale of the challenges facing New Yorkers.

As the Council reviews this zoning reform proposal, we will also prioritize a thorough housing plan with concrete actions and investments needed by people and neighborhoods across our city. We desperately need the creation of new housing, but also a focus on the pillars that serve the housing needs of New Yorkers. And we must do this in partnership with members of our community and all stakeholders. 

At today’s public meeting, I look forward to hearing more from the Administration regarding its zoning proposal, and how we can work towards securing holistic solutions for our diverse communities and city.

Thank you, and now I will turn it over to our Land Use Chair, Council Member Rafael Salamanca.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE’S STATEMENT ON ‘CITY OF YES’ HOUSING PROPOSAL

 

As the City Council deliberates on the Adams administration’s ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ proposal, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams made the following statement on the plan, highlighting both the positive intentions of City of Yes and several areas of concern, where he believes changes to the framework would prevent potential negative impact and unnecessary challenges.

The Public Advocate spoke about the proposal at City Hall today as it was considered by the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises. His statement on the plan is below, and video of his comments at the hearing is available here. 

“I want to start off with some questions I normally ask people all across the city:

How many people think housing and homelessness are the number one or number two issue? Everybody raises their hand.

How many people think the answer is housing at a price point people can afford? Everybody raises their hand.

And how many people would like to live next to a taller building? And no one raises their hand.

Those questions are answered the same anywhere I go in the city, across socioeconomics, race, religion, political affiliation. Which I always use to show – we sometimes know what the answer is, but it’s still difficult to still get it done, and I think it’s up to us to walk people through it. 

Although the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity is the right lens to try and build a framing, and it’s  well-intentioned, there are a number of challenges and potential negative impacts that include possible gentrification and the risk of this proposal not producing a lot of affordable housing units. Some things I wanted to highlight include:

Gentrification Risk: When market rate housing units are built and rented at higher rates than current residents pay, property values can rise causing displacement of existing residents. We know we need some market rate housing, but we need affordability as well. Whether through the increase in property taxes for longtime residents forcing people to sell their homes, often to developers exacerbating the issue, or through a rise in rents as property values rise, if there are no preventative measures in place, vulnerable communities can be pushed out and it is critical to understand the long-term impacts and whether there are risks of racial and ethnic displacement. How does the City of Yes comply with Local Law 78 of 2021? How does the administration plan to address and mitigate heightened risk of displacement from tax increases or management companies taking advantage of an already overburdened rental market?

Lack of Affordable Units: While the plan emphasizes affordable housing, it does not guarantee any number of truly affordable units. Currently, this does not require Universal Affordability Preference (UAP) and lacks any regulatory system  – it may be adhered to, but I want to make more of it mandatory. This was one of the problems I had with Mandatory Inclusionary Housing  – a lot of it wasn’t mandatory, particularly the lower income. Stronger enforcement mechanisms are needed to ensure deep affordability so that developers are not prioritizing building luxury housing. The same applies to residential conversions. How will this proposal guarantee deep affordability? 

As for recommendations, I want to highlight the following:

Affordability Guarantees: The administration should strengthen UAP enforcement to ensure a significant percentage of units are guaranteed to be and remain affordable. Another option would be to extend rent regulations to protect existing tenants from evictions where rents are exorbitantly and inexplicably increased making someone’s dwelling unaffordable from one minute to the next.

Tenant Protections: No proposal centered around affordable housing can be truly authentic without other key protections in place for residents of the city. Increasing tenant protections through the proper funding of right to counsel legislation, as well as exploring aspects of universal rent control, tenant purchasing options and expanding voucher subsidies should not be excluded from this conversation. Further, we should dig deeper into the tens of thousands of rent-stabilized apartments currently not counted in the 1.4% vacancy rate that has been the cornerstone of this proposal. I'm sure we can find a little more housing in every neighborhood if we count those. I urge you to consider a parallel pathway to strengthening housing rights alongside access to affordable housing.

Infrastructure Investments: Increased housing density will burden existing infrastructure, including transportation, schools, and healthcare facilities. The administration must plan on funding infrastructure improvements alongside housing development that will strengthen and improve quality of life. 

Removing Parking Mandates: Eliminating mandates in public transportation deserts will be harmful to many neighborhoods. If this proposal were to move forward, I urge that it be limited to areas within a half-mile of a railroad or subway station. There are some areas that definitely need the parking, and we may want to talk about some municipal parking program that utilizes a multi-tiered, need-based assessment of areas where public transportation is inaccessible and in high density areas where prioritizing low-income commuting to these high volume areas where parking is limited, because every place doesn't have the kind of access to parking that other folks would have.  

Community Engagement: We want to make sure communities are engaged early and often, giving them a chance to really be heard. It is important that communities are engaged early on and that concerns are explained and addressed. Educating, collaborating, and communicating with residents, community boards, and local organizations is crucial.

Sustainable Design: An increase in construction and population density will strain natural resources and contribute to pollution. To prevent this, the plan should incorporate sustainable practices that promote green buildings, energy efficiency, and open spaces. 

Faith Based Development: While the city does not have a detailed description of the ways faith based organizations can develop their land, it is important that houses of worship be protected from predatory practices, as well as prioritized for engagement to develop supportive housing partnerships. A structure is needed that can extend housing opportunities for organizations that are limited by current zoning restrictions 

Lastly, I really want to make sure that the public sees what the City Council is doing, which is really important – really taking the feedback folks have been hearing, really having an opportunity to hopefully adjust the City of Yes plan right now to address many of the concerns that we have heard and will continue to hear, because people are really concerned. 

I know if we looked the way we did 100 years ago, we wouldn’t be here now. We were able to look this way because of building up, and because of our subway system. If we look the same way in 100  years, we will have failed our children’s children – there’s no way around it. We have to do this, but we have to do it correctly. The way I’ve put it is if we preserve some areas of the fabric of the neighborhood, we can ask the neighborhood to give up some density – but we do want to make sure if they’re giving it up, they’re actually getting the housing the city needs. 

From today’s hearing, I hope to hear updates from the administration regarding the City of Yes including clear proposals on the amount of affordable housing guaranteed. I hope to learn more from advocates, residents, and developers about their recommendations. I hope we can all work together to ensure that real affordability is prioritized throughout the entire process. We must adequately invest and support New Yorkers who deserve fair housing and opportunities. Let’s do what we can for the people who most need it.”

Philadelphia Resident Charged for Election-Related Threat to State Party Representative

 

An indictment was unsealed today charging a Pennsylvania man with threatening to kill a representative of a state political party who was recruiting official poll watchers.

According to the indictment, on Sept. 6, John Pollard, 62, of Philadelphia, sent threatening text messages to Victim 1. Victim 1 had previously posted online, in Victim 1’s capacity as an employee of a state political party, that Victim 1 was recruiting volunteers to “help[] observe at the polls on Election Day” and included Victim 1’s phone number. Pollard allegedly texted Victim 1 that he was “interested in being a poll watcher” and included Victim 1’s first name. Pollard then allegedly texted three threats to Victim 1:

• “I will KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T ANSWER ME!”
• “Your days are numbered, B****!”
• “GONNA F***ING FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR SKIN FOR F***ING TOILET PAPER, YOU F***ING KKK**T!”

Pollard was arrested today and appeared in federal court in Philadelphia. He is charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 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, and U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Jacob R. Steiner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Stockey for the Western District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Statement by NYC Comptroller Lander in Support of City of Yes

 

As the New York City Council holds its two-day public meeting on the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes: Zoning for Housing Opportunity citywide zoning reform proposals, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement: 

“I support the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning reform proposal, which is common sense policy that would allow a little more housing to be built in every neighborhood. Increasing the city’s housing supply is essential in combatting our dire housing shortage.  

“The proposals would also help us catch up with cities across the country that are working to end exclusionary zoning and further fair housing goals, correcting for dozens of rezonings over the past 20 years that limited new development in neighborhoods with strong access to public services. In particular, allowing new development in transit-rich neighborhoods will help increase New Yorkers’ economic mobility and access to opportunity. 

“However, as Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso stated in his favorable recommendation on City of Yes, ‘the proposal should be best understood as a housing supply strategy rather than a housing affordability strategy.’  The market alone cannot meet the housing affordability challenge that New York’s working families face every day.  

“We urgently need a renewed commitment and a more comprehensive strategy from the City, State, and Federal governments for creating and sustaining much more deeply affordable housing. In order for New Yorkers to actually see themselves sharing in the prosperity that comes along with growth, we must expand access to housing vouchers and families’ ability to use them, bolster tenant protections, live up to the City’s ‘right to counsel’ promise to protect tenants from evictions, and generate affordable homeownership opportunities for working families. It is also urgent that we strengthen the capacity of our City’s housing agencies, as we have previously called for.   

“I applaud City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer for putting forward the City of Yes proposals, and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for her leadership and efforts to ensure that its passage is part of a broader strategy that can more adequately address the housing affordability crisis that New York City faces. The City of New York has the tools to combat the housing crisis, and we must use all of them to create a more affordable, fairer, and thriving city.” 

Governor Hochul Announces Start of $26.3 Million Project to Improve Resiliency Along U.S. Route 9W in Orange County

Upgraded Drainage System, Stone Wall and Road Surface Will Enhance Safety and Harden Key Roadway Against Severe Weather Impacts 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that work has begun on a $26.3 million project to enhance safety and improve resiliency along a 4.9-mile stretch of U.S. Route 9W atop Storm King Mountain in the Towns of Cornwall and Highlands, Orange County. The project will upgrade drainage systems, fortify stone walls, replace concrete barriers and resurface the road to improve travel conditions and help this vital roadway better withstand the impacts of severe weather. This stretch of the scenic highway, located between Newburgh and Bear Mountain on the western side of the Hudson River, serves as an important access road for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and many other popular attractions in the Hudson Valley region.

“New Yorkers need only look at the significant damage done to our roads and bridges by severe storms in recent years to know that climate change is already having an impact and we need to be ready,” Governor Hochul said. “This resiliency project along U.S. Route 9W in Orange County exemplifies our Build-it-Back-Better mantra and will mitigate persistent drainage issues on this important Orange County roadway, ensuring its long-term ability to withstand the growing challenges posed by mother nature.”

A key focus of the project will be the installation of 6,700 linear feet of perforated pipe, known as an underdrain, that is designed to collect and redirect subsurface water before it saturates the road surface. Additionally, 12,300 feet of asphalt gutter will be constructed, and existing drainage structures will be repaired to better channel surface water runoff and prevent ponding.

Deteriorating sections of the 88-year-old stone wall located along the eastern, or cliff side, of the roadway will be rebuilt and strengthened using a concrete barrier placed on a structurally integrated concrete slab. Where possible, salvaged stones from the existing wall will be repurposed as stone veneer, seamlessly blending the aesthetics and keeping a similar appearance. Additional portions of the existing wall will also be repaired and repointed, where necessary.

The roadway will be resurfaced using warm-mix asphalt – which utilizes less energy to produce than traditional asphalt – and high-visibility pavement markings and reflectors on barriers will be installed to enhance safety, especially during nighttime driving conditions. Additionally, about 10,000 linear feet of concrete median barrier will be replaced and equipped with new impact attenuators, substantially mitigating crash risks.

During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction to allow for construction activities, which will be complete in Spring 2026.

News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

WALKTHROUGH WITH DSNY COMMISSIONER TISCH

 

 Thank you to the New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch for walking the Third Avenue Business Improvement District with me to discuss syringe cleanup and sanitation concerns that Bronxites are facing on a daily basis & how we can work more efficiently to improve the cleanliness of our Bronx communities.

WALKTHROUGH WITH NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE WILLIAMS

 

In an effort to combat the growing opioid epidemic in the Third Avenue HUB, I conducted a walkthrough with the Office of the NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams where we addressed the concerning quality of life issues we’re facing in the Bronx.

BRONX PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE!

 

 It was a beautiful morning in the Bronx as we welcomed back the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade following its 5 year hiatus from Covid! 

Thank you to all the Bronxites that turned out to celebrate our Boricua culture!

VISITING WITH LINCOLN HOSPITAL PRESIDENT CRISTINA CONTRERAS

Spent the afternoon with NYC Health + Hospitals Lincoln Hospital President Cristina Contreras where she updated me on the progress being made under her leadership - including efforts to elevate patient care and hospital infrastructure. 

We also stopped by to meet with Guns Down Life Up staff to discuss ways to expand their program initiatives to serve more areas of the Bronx.  

MEETING WITH CONSTITUENTS AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE

As an elected official, I always meet with my constituents and community organizations to hear the most pressing issues to #D17. 

The day’s events included 

• A proud supporter of The New York Public Library, it was an honor to receive my official “Libraries Make NYC Stronger” promotional poster 

• Discussing initiatives to rid our community of gun violence and establishing safe spaces for our youth with Gilberto from ‘Guns Down Life Up’ 

IN THE NEWS

“As a Puerto Rican kid from the South Bronx, this occasion is especially important to me as it serves as a special opportunity to reflect upon our collective heritage that has strengthened our City and our Borough for the better,” Council Member Salamanca said. “For most of us adults in this room, we did not have moments like this where we could gather to celebrate our rich and diverse culture, so now to be able to host an event entirely to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month – and to get to do so in front of my son, Aidan – is truly special for me.”

Read more

https://www.bxtimes.com/salamanca-new-york-botanical-garden-host-annual-fiesta-de-flores-event/

Visit our District Office at: 
1070 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10459
(718) 402-6130
salamanca@council.nyc.gov