VIRGINIA MAN SENTENCED TO 2-6 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MANSLAUGHTER FOR DRUNK DRIVING CRASH THAT KILLED HIS FRIEND

 

Defendant Slammed into Tractor-Trailer in Hunts Point

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Virginia man has been sentenced to two to six years in prison after pleading guilty to Manslaughter in a drunk driving crash that caused the death of a 20-year-old man who was a passenger in his car. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant was intoxicated, speeding, and driving the wrong way on a one-way street when his car hit a tractor trailer. He killed his friend who was a passenger in that car, ending a young life and forever changing his own.” 

The defendant, T’Andre Hatcher, 22, of Chesapeake, Virginia was sentenced on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to two to six years in prison, license suspension upon release from prison, and waiver of right to appeal, on one count of second-degree Manslaughter by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Joseph McCormack. He pleaded guilty to that charge on September 24, 2024.

According to the investigation, on January 8, 2022, at 5:18 am, the defendant was driving a 2018 Infiniti Q50 sedan at 75mph the wrong way on Oak Point Avenue in the Hunts Point section when he crashed into a tractor trailer as it was passing through the intersection at Manida Street. The force of the impact killed his passenger, 20-year-old Frankely Nunez Payano. An open bottle of tequila was found in the car. A blood alcohol test determined that the defendant was driving while intoxicated. The investigation was largely based on surveillance video, blood test results, and information from the car’s “black box”. 

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Police Officer Gregory Gianacopulos of Highway 1 Crash Investigation Squad and NYPD Neighborhood Coordination Officer Bryan Jones of the 41st Precinct for their work in the investigation. 

Housing Lottery Launches for Wakefield Grace Senior Housing at 4750 White Plains Road in Wakefield, The Bronx

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Wakefield Grace Senior Housing, a six-story mixed-used building at 4750 White Plains Road in Wakefield, The Bronx. Designed by Marin Architects, the structure yields 73 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 50 units for residents at 50 to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $0 to $83,880. 

Amenities include free Wi-Fi, elevator, computer room, fitness room, community room, a shared laundry room, and a rooftop deck. Residences are available for individuals or households that have at least one member who is 62 years of age or older at the time of application and meet the income and household size requirements. Eligible applicants must qualify for Section 8 and will pay 30 percent of their household income in rent. Rent includes all utilities. 

At 50 percent of the AMI, there are eight studios with a monthly rent of $0 for incomes ranging from $0 to $62,150. 

At 60 percent of the AMI, there are 41 studios with a monthly rent of $0 for incomes ranging from $0 to $74,580, and one one-bedroom with a monthly rent of $0 for incomes ranging from $0 to $83,880. 

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than January 13, 2024. 

Bronx Juvenile Detention Center Supervisor Pleads Guilty In Connection With Beating Of 16-Year-Old Resident And False Report

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the guilty plea of DAQUAN SEYMOUR, a supervisor at the Horizon Juvenile Center (“Horizon”), a secure detention center for juveniles located in the Bronx, New York, in connection with his beating of a 16-year-old resident at Horizon (“Minor Victim-1”), and attempt to cover-up the beating, on April 25, 2022.  SEYMOUR pled guilty to depriving Minor Victim-1 of his constitutional rights under color of law.  As part of his guilty plea, SEYMOUR admitted that he prepared a false report following the assault of Minor Victim-1 on April 25, 2022, in which he omitted reference to the assault of Minor Victim-1.  In addition, as part of his guilty plea, SEYMOUR also agreed not to dispute that he falsified another incident report in connection with an earlier attempted assault of a 17-year-old resident at Horizon (“Minor Victim-2”) on December 29, 2021.  SEYMOUR was arrested on July 26, 2023, and pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Daquan Seymour, a supervisor at a juvenile detention facility, abused his position of authority by assaulting a vulnerable sixteen-year-old boy who was detained pending trial.  Seymour also lied on his reports about this and another assault on a minor in his care. Seymour’s pattern of violence toward youth and obstruction has now come to an end as he faces justice. This Office is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all New Yorkers, including minors residing at youth detention facilities, and will ensure that those who abuse their power and harm vulnerable members of our society are held accountable.” 

According to the allegations in the Indictment, Superseding Indictment, other public court documents, and statements made in court proceedings:

On or about April 25, 2022, SEYMOUR was employed as an Associate Youth Development Specialist at Horizon, which was operated by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (“ACS”).  Associate Youth Development Specialists at Horizon are responsible for, among other things, supervising other staff members and ensuring the safety of all juvenile residents. 

At the time of the beating, Minor Victim-1 was a 16-year-old juvenile resident at Horizon, who was detained pending trial.  Following a confrontation between several staff members and juvenile residents at Horizon, including Minor Victim-1, SEYMOUR, along with a fellow supervisor violently dragged Minor Victim-1 by his forearms across the floor of a residential hall and into a private room (the “Room”).  Once inside the Room, SEYMOUR and the other supervisor beat Minor Victim-1, striking him repeatedly and forcefully as Minor Victim-1 lay on the floor.  As a result of the beating, Minor Victim-1 suffered bodily injuries, including a deep laceration to his upper lip area, which required Minor Victim-1 to be transported to a nearby hospital for emergency medical care where he received nine stitches. 

Following the beating of Minor Victim-1, SEYMOUR attempted to cover up his participation in the beating.  In particular, SEYMOUR prepared an incident report that described the confrontation between Horizon residents and staff members that immediately preceded the assault but failed to disclose that he dragged or physically assaulted Minor Victim-1.

SEYMOUR, 34, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.   

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the efforts of the Department of Investigation for their outstanding work on this matter.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their significant assistance.

Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers of Health Insurance Scams During Open Enrollment for Affordable Care Act Plans

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about common health insurance scams as open enrollment begins for insurance plans through New York’s Affordable Care Act marketplace. New Yorkers have until December 15, 2024, to enroll through the New York State of Health marketplace for health coverage taking effect January 1, 2025. Health insurance scams spike during open enrollment periods, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is providing consumers with tips to protect themselves against potential scams.  

“New Yorkers must be able to secure health insurance free from predatory scammers trying to take advantage of them,” said Attorney General James. “As New Yorkers take advantage of this year’s open enrollment period, I urge everyone to be cautious and contact my office if they think they are the target of a scam or fraud. Affordable and accessible health care is a fundamental right, and my office will do everything in its power to protect New Yorkers seeking to secure insurance for themselves and their families.” 

Enrollment in New York’s public health programs – Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and the Essential plan – is open year-round. However, New York state requires enrollees to renew their eligibility for these health plans every year. Enrollees are sent renewal notices well in advance of their coverage end dates with detailed instructions on how to stay covered and their deadline to renew. To enroll in commercial health insurance for 2025, New Yorkers must do so during the open enrollment period which lasts from November 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025. New Yorkers have until December 15 to enroll for coverage that will start on January 1, 2025. Otherwise, coverage will begin February 1, 2025.

New Yorkers should look out for the following tactics scammers use to target those who are trying to obtain or keep health insurance:

• Scammers often use fear by threatening New Yorkers that their Medicaid or other health coverage is at risk of cancellation, or that they have already lost their Medicaid or other health coverage unless they provide hundreds of dollars to reinstate or continue benefits.
• Scammers will also use false offers of generosity to lure New Yorkers into providing personal information. This is typically done through phishing scams offering people gift cards or money to “update” their health accounts so as not to lose coverage.
• Scammers may ask for money to enroll people in marketplace or "Obamacare" insurance. The New York agencies that administer Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Essential Plan benefits will never use the term “Obamacare” or ask for money from consumers to enroll or re-enroll. They will also not offer New Yorkers rewards to renew their coverage.

Attorney General James provided the following tips and reminders for New Yorkers to avoid common scams:   

• No one can ever charge a fee to renew health insurance in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan.  
• If enrolled in health insurance through the NY State of Health, many people are available to help you renew for free. These include the state’s health-certified enrollment assistors (including navigators, agents, and brokers) and customer service representatives. For information or guidance, visit the NY State of Health website or call 1-855-355-5777. The phone line is available Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 8 PM and on Saturday from 9 AM – 1 PM.    
• If enrolled in Medicaid through either your county’s Medicaid office or through New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA), there are also many people available to help for free. Contact the office where you enrolled to ask questions and get help with renewing insurance.  
• Government agencies will never threaten, demand payment, or ask for credit information in a text message, email, or phone call.   
• Many websites will try to make residents think that they are the official New York state health insurance marketplace. There is only one official NY State of Health website. Submitting contact information to some websites may lead to calls, texts, or emails from scammers.

Any New Yorker who suspects that they are a victim of a scam is encouraged to report it to OAG by submitting a complaint online or calling 1-800-771-7755.  

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR MARKS TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK BY ANNOUNCING $1 MILLION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Interested Organizations Can Apply Here

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced a $1 million workforce development grant opportunity for organizations that serve transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) individuals. The release of this funding opportunity marks Transgender Awareness Week, which runs November 13 through 19. This grant, first announced in Governor Hochul's 2024 State of the State Agenda, is part of the Governor's $12.25 million investment for the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund, continuing to build upon the state’s commitment to the TGNCNB community.

“Transgender Awareness Week is an opportunity to honor the lives and contributions of the TGNCNB community across New York State,” said New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “This new funding allows us to continue to raise up those important voices throughout the year by supporting vital workforce training programs that truly understand their needs.”

Funding through this grant will support organizations that demonstrate the capacity to increase access to employment for TGNCNB individuals, promote employment equity for TGNCNB individuals through full and equal access to training services, and eliminate bias and discrimination based on gender identity and expression in the workplace. Funds can be used for organizations to develop and enhance comprehensive workforce development services and expenses, including:

• Occupational skills training
• Career development services
• Supportive services

These funds seek to help TGNCNB individuals enter the workforce, qualify for employment, achieve full employment, or increase wages through skill development. Interested organizations can learn more and apply for funding here. Grant submissions are due January 17, 2025. Grant awards will range between $50,000 and $250,000 per year.

In June, the Department announced plans for this grant and encouraged interested organizations to come forward so staff could provide technical assistance to help them prepare for the application process. Since that time, dozens of organizations were engaged, many of which took part in related grant process training webinars.

This program also follows the release of NYSDOL's 2023 TGNCNB Employment Report, which found that community relationships and skill development are key to enhancing TGNCNB individuals' economic mobility.

NYS Inspector General Announces Significant Developments in Two Welfare Fraud Investigations

 

New York State Welfare Inspector General Lucy Lang, in partnership with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, announced the conviction of one Buffalo resident and the guilty plea of another in two separate welfare fraud schemes. Both people stole thousands of dollars from the New York State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a vital program intended provide supplement the grocery budgets of low-income families so they can afford nutritious food. The successful investigation and prosecution of these cases will result in more than $16,000 in restitution to the State of New York, and more than $70,000 to the federal government.

Specifically, Carmella Miller, 39, was found guilty after a bench trial before Erie County Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens, to Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree and Welfare Fraud in the 3rd Degree, both Class D felonies, in connection with her fraudulent receipt of over $6,000 in SNAP benefits. Despite certifying on her application that she had no additional income, the Inspector General’s investigation found Miller concealed multiple sources of income, including her employment with Edison Home Health Care, earnings as a Lyft driver, and her husband’s income.

Miller’s sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2025.

Also in Erie County Court, Rodney Jones, 60, pleaded guilty before Erie County Supreme Court Justice Paul Wojtaszek to Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for fraudulently receiving over $9,000 in SNAP benefits from Erie County and stealing more than $72,000 from the Social Security Administration. Jones concealed his wife’s income to obtain the SNAP benefits and has paid $9,707 in restitution to the Erie County Department of Social Services and $72,459 to the Social Security Administration.

Jones’ sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2025.

“The US has provided some version of what we now call SNAP benefits at various times since the 1930s to provide nutritional meal access to hungry and struggling Americans.  In fact, the very first recipient of the first food stamp program was a New Yorker in need,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “It is an affront to this great history of social welfare programs, and to those families who truly need and deserve them, that these two people put their greed above the integrity of the system and bilked taxpayers for money to which they were not entitled.  We will continue to hold accountable people who undermine hungry New Yorkers and taxpayers alike.”

“This public assistance benefit program is reserved for low-income individuals and families who truly need help paying for food and other basic needs,” said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane. “I want to thank the Office of the New York State Inspector General and Erie County Department of Social Services for their work in this investigation. Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable.”

Inspector General Lang expressed her gratitude to the dedicated team involved in these investigations, including Investigative Counsel Philip Druss, Investigative Counsel Jill Florkowski, Investigator Amanda Brennan, Investigator Erynn Migaj, Investigator Christopher Martello, Investigative Auditor Meghan O’Dell, and the leadership of Deputy Inspector General Jeffrey Hagen, Chief of Investigations Martin Stanford and Attorney-In-Charge of Welfare Matters, Andrew Weiss.

The Inspector General’s Office also thanks the Erie County Department of Social Services, the United States Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office for their collaboration in these investigations and prosecutions.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO MAYOR ADAMS' COMMENTS ON DONALD TRUMP AND HIS AGENDA

 

"The mayor’s sanctimonious claims in the wake of his preferred choice’s – Donald Trump’s – victory would be absurd if they weren’t so angering. With so many New Yorkers rightly frightened for their communities and families, he is proudly claiming ideological victory and blurring the line between morally right and politically advantageous.    

"Just as he did in 2022, the mayor is blaming progressives for not putting out the flames he fanned on issues of public safety and immigration, among others. He correctly identifies problems that are top issues for our constituents, but rather than elevate the solutions available, he joined his fellow conservatives in fearmongering and scapegoating.

"Whether in hopes of special treatment or in genuine belief of the ultra-conservative Trump talking points he parrots, this mayor seems willing to either stand alongside Trump, or to look the other way in the face of an agenda that harms the same people that the mayor claims to represent."

Grilling Banned in NYC Parks

As of Saturday, November 9, 2024, grilling is banned in New York City parks while the city remains in drought conditions. Smoking and other sources of open flame remain illegal throughout the parks system. Key steps to help prevent fires amidst dry conditions: Fireworks remain illegal across New York City. Take extra safety precautions when welding or undertaking other hot construction activities, particularly when near dry grass or leaves. Smoking remains illegal on construction sites across the five boroughs. Additional information on construction site fire safety is available online. Tapping streetlights for electricity (for things like holiday decorations) remains illegal, as it poses a large fire risk. As fallen and bundled leaves can be a fire accelerant, New Yorkers should continue to set out yard waste on their recycling day for New York City Department of Sanitation pickup and call 311 to have the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) clear clogged catch basins. New Yorkers should remove litter and any excessive brush or leaves from sidewalks abutting their residences and businesses. New Yorkers sensitive to changes in air quality should continue to take appropriate precautions and check AirNow’s website for information on city air quality. All New Yorkers should subscribe to Notify NYC for up-to-date information.

For questions or concerns, contact your borough community engagement coordinator:

Robert Madera | Bronx Community Engagement Coordinator

Community Districts: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12

718.430.1815 | Robert.Madera@parks.nyc.gov

Ashley Santos | Bronx Community Engagement Coordinator

Community Districts: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 11

718.430.4667 | Ashley.Santos@parks.nyc.gov