Your Weekly Update from Councilwoman Marmorato

 

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

Latest News from Councilwoman Marmorato!

Welcome to our Weekly Newsletter!

Dear Friends/Neighbors,

This week, I was downtown at City Hall for our Albanian Independence Day Celebration and to attend committee meetings. Back in District 13, I attended events in the community and also met with Chief Gurley to discuss public safety issues and concerns in the community.

As always, if you need help with a City Agency contact my office at:

718-931-1721. We are open from Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 5 PM and Fridays from 9 AM - 2 PM. We offer FREE casework services to help our residents of District 13.

Si necesita ayuda con una Agencia de la Ciudad, llame a mi oficina al:  718-931-1721. Estamos abiertos de lunes a jueves de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. y los viernes de 9 a.m. a 2 p.m. Ofrecemos servicios de asistencia GRATUITOS para ayudar a nuestros residentes del Distrito 13. 

It is an honor to represent you in the New York City Council.

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

District 13, Bronx

Albanian Independence Day Celebration at City Hall

On November 26th, we hosted our Albanian Independence Celebration at City Hall! 

Councilwoman Marmorato led this memorable evening celebration thatfeatured delicious Albanian cuisine and showcased variety of performers, including our very own Alek Nilaj!

Thank you to who all contributed to an adding an extra touch of charm to our celebratory occasion and to our esteemed honorees and distinguished guests.

Meeting with Chief Gurley

Councilwoman Marmorato met with Assistant Chief Gurley for a productive meeting to discuss public safety updates and concerns in District 13. 

 

We are grateful for the insights shared and the ongoing dedication of the NYPD officers serving our Bronx community. Together, we're committed to making our neighborhood safer!  

Happy Retirement to Deputy Inspector Johnny Orellana from the 45th Precinct!

Last Wednesday, Councilwoman Marmorato and her staff attended a farewell gathering honoring Deputy Inspector Johnny Orellana for his retirement from the 45th precinct.

We are extremely grateful for his exemplary service and for being an incredible ally and advocate for public safety in our district.

We wish him a joyful and fulfilling retirement!

Committee on Health Meeting

On Monday, Councilwoman Marmorato attended a committee meeting for the Committee on Health.

The meeting addressed several topics including legislations, Int 0641 and Int 1047, that are proposed Healthy NYC initiatives and a pilot program for sleep apnea screening.

For more information and to watch this committee meeting, click here.

NEW: Bronx Teens Saturday Program

CUNY Citizenship

Holiday Toy Drive 

Our office is seeking donations for underserved children in our community.

Please refer to our flyer for information on donations accepted!

We are accepting donations until December 13th.

Let us Know! Illegal Smoke Shops Please let us know about illegal and unlicensed smoke shops operating within District 13!

Your Feedback on E-Scooters Matters! Report E-Scooters that are blocking sidewalks, fire hydrants, ADA-accessible entrances, or creating any other hazardous conditions in our community. Reach out to us at district13@council.nyc.gov Tenants Resource Fair

Councilwoman Marmorato 718-931-1721 District13@council.nyc.gov

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - It’s all for you!

Today and every day, your park is here for you... 

... as your neighborhood getaway and outdoor haven in the Bronx.

... as your place to relax, play, recharge, and reconnect with nature.

... as your welcoming green space for tranquility and community.

And it’s all made possible because of you! That’s why we’re asking for your special year- end gift to Van Cortlandt Park Alliance to ensure the park you love continues to flourish in the months ahead.

We can’t thank you enough for all you do to power your park. Your generosity supports our every effort—from maintaining the park’s 600 acres of urban forest, to restoring its wetlands, meadows, and trails, to presenting new community events and cultural celebrations, and so much more.

The impact of your generosity radiates across the park, planting the seeds of abundant joy, natural wonder, and beauty that benefit us all.

Support the park you love!

It takes a lot of dedication and care to sustain the third largest park in New York City, which draws more than 3 million visitors annually! And it requires community involvement—your involvement.

I hope we can count on you once again to join with our alliance of proud park supporters by giving generously before the year ends.

With gratitude and best wishes for the holiday season,

Stephanie Ehrlich

Executive Director, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance                                                 

P.S. Van Cortlandt Park is always here for you... because of you. Your generosity is what protects and preserves this natural treasure as an essential part of our city, our community, and our lives. Please support VCPA now.

Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460

http://vancortlandt.org 

Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Firebombing Apartment Building in Flushing

One Firefighter Was Injured in a Partial Ceiling Collapse and Another Suffered First-Degree Burns Battling the Blaze 

In federal court in Brooklyn, Atahualpa Rodriguez pleaded guilty to committing arson of an apartment building in Flushing, Queens.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross.  When sentenced, Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Robert S. Tucker, Commissioner New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea.

“The defendant admitted that he deliberately set fire to an apartment building in the pre-dawn darkness while many tenants slept, causing the destruction of one apartment unit, damage to surrounding units and injuries to the brave first responders who battled the blaze,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “His actions showed complete disregard for human life and placed hundreds of people in grave danger over a personal dispute. Rodriguez will now face just punishment for his actions.”

“Deliberately setting a fire is an egregious crime that deserves severe punishment,” said FDNY Commissioner Tucker.  “In this case, three of our firefighters were injured due to this unspeakable crime. We want to thank the NYPD’s Arson and Explosion Squad along with FDNY fire marshals and ATF agents for their diligent and swift work in this case. We are relieved Atahualpa Rodriguez will no longer be on our city’s streets.”

“Deliberate criminal activity, such as the type Mr. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to, poses a significant threat to both first responders and private citizens and goes against everything that New York City stands for,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “I am grateful that the injuries sustained by our FDNY colleagues were not more severe, and I commend them for their dedication in maintaining the safety of all New Yorkers. I also thank our partners at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York for their diligent efforts in ensuring that criminal actions are met with appropriate consequences.”

According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, on January 11, 2024, Rodriguez was in a dispute with the tenants of one unit in the building. On January 12, 2024, Rodriguez firebombed the multi-story building on Parsons Boulevard in Flushing, Queens, which contained approximately 175 units and hundreds of tenants. At approximately 4:40 a.m. on January, a resident of the targeted apartment unit awoke to the sound of breaking glass and heard a voice state: “F—k you all.”  The resident walked out of the bedroom and saw the fire ignited by the defendant. One firefighter was injured when a section of ceiling collapsed on him, another suffered first-degree burns and a third was hospitalized after breathing contaminated air.  The fire caused approximately $1 million in damages and completely destroyed the targeted apartment unit, as depicted below.

Attorney General James Provides Tips for New Yorkers to Protect Themselves from Package Theft

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about the rise of package theft and providing tips to protect consumers from porch pirates, or those who steal packages from people’s homes. Package theft increases during the holiday season, and Attorney General James encourages all New Yorkers to take steps to protect their deliveries and report instances of theft to local law enforcement.

“Package and mail theft can be heartbreaking and put New Yorkers’ personal and financial information at risk,” said Attorney General James. “As package theft spikes during the holiday season, every New Yorker should know how to keep their deliveries and personal information safe from thieves. I urge everyone to remain vigilant, and protect themselves and their mail by following our important tips.”

As part of her ongoing efforts to combat theft and protect New Yorkers, Attorney General James recommends the following tips for New Yorkers to follow to prevent package theft:

• Always pick up your mail promptly when delivered. Do not leave it in your mailbox or on your porch overnight. If you are expecting checks, credit cards, or any other financial items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail if you are unable to do it promptly.
• Sign up for tracking alerts, such as USPS’ Informed Delivery service, which provides email notifications for incoming mail and packages, to know when your package is scheduled to be delivered. When signing up for tracking alerts, verify that the URL you are using is legitimate. Scammers often solicit potential victims using fraudulent package tracking messages.
• If you cannot be home to receive a package, opt to have it delivered to a secure location like a USPS Smart Locker or use the USPS Hold Mail Service. Letters and packages will be held securely at your local Post Office until you return.
• Use a doorbell camera or video surveillance system to help deter thieves or assist law enforcement in identifying them.
• When mailing something important, consider requesting signature confirmation for the intended recipient or using the Hold for Pickup option, which allows the recipient to collect the package at their local Post Office.
• If you suspect your mail was stolen or see a mail theft happening, contact police immediately and then report it to Postal Inspectors by calling (877)-876-2455.

New York Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Transnational “Grandparent Scam” Operated from Dominican Republic

 

Defendant Admits He Acted as Courier Visiting Homes of Defrauded Elderly Victims

A New York man pleaded guilty to serving as a courier for a Dominican Republic-based “grandparent scam” that targeted elderly Americans.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 40, of the Bronx, New York, was charged in District of New Jersey with one count of wire fraud conspiracy for his role in the scam. According to the indictment, returned over the summer by a grand jury sitting in Newark, New Jersey, the scam operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic, making phone calls to elderly American victims purporting to be the victim’s grandchild, an attorney representing the grandchild in criminal proceedings, court personnel, or other persons associated with the legal system. Co-conspirators told the victims that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail or other expenses. Once victims were convinced through lies and falsehoods, coconspirators instructed the victims to provide cash to couriers, including Valdez, who went to victims’ homes to pick up the money.

While acting as a courier for the scam between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez is alleged to have retrieved, or attempted to retrieve, tens of thousands of dollars from defrauded victims at their homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez was an employee of the Social Security Administration, New York Region, at the time he committed the offense.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue individuals who prey on vulnerable and elderly victims through fraudulent schemes like the one in which the defendant here participated,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Those who aid transnational criminals in deliberately targeting vulnerable consumers in the United States will be held accountable.”

“The defendant admitted today to his role in a scam targeting vulnerable seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “The defendant and his co-conspirators took advantage of grandparents’ love and concern for their grandchildren they believed to be in trouble, convincing them to pay thousands of dollars. My office will continue to protect the rights of all victims, and we will relentlessly prosecute those who target and cheat vulnerable seniors.”

“Mr. Valdez intentionally conspired to defraud the elderly of their money and property through a cruel, international grandparent scam,” said Acting Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the Social Security Administration. “The vast majority of the victims are Social Security beneficiaries, who live on a fixed income. We will continue to aggressively pursue such intolerable criminal activities.  I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting this case.”    

Valdez pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in a hearing in Newark before the Honorable Claire C. Cecchi of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Valdez is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Joshua Ferrentino of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Silane and Alison Thompson for the District of Jersey are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov /or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

OVERALL INDEX CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY DECREASES 5.7% IN NOVEMBER

 

November crime reductions driven by decreases in murders, robberies, burglaries, grand larcenies, and stolen vehicles

Subway crime is down 15.8% in November—and down 6.3% year to date

Year to date in 2024, major crime across New York City is reduced 1.9%

Overall index crime in New York City was reduced by 5.7% in November. A majority of major crime categories again saw hefty drops, led by reductions in murder, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny—auto.

The 5.7% citywide index crime decrease in November (9,647 vs. 10,235) contributed to the 1.9% year-to-date reduction in overall crime (114,374 vs. 116,645). In addition, total crime in the nation’s largest subway system saw another substantial reduction in November, of 15.8% (202 vs. 240), and a year-to-date decrease of 6.3% (2,002 vs. 2,137). Discounting the COVID years, the transit network marked both the safest November and the safest year-to-date achievement in 14 years.

“Fear has no place in New York City—it is our mission, not only to keep New Yorkers safe, but to make them feel safe, and to improve their quality of life,” said Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “We are all in this together, and while the downward trends in violence and disorder across New York City are highly encouraging as we enter the final month of 2024, we have a lot more work to do to deliver the public safety that New Yorkers deserve. This crime reduction directly reflects the relentless effort and dedication of our hardworking women and men in uniform, and I look forward to further successes across all crime categories.”

Ongoing crime decreases citywide, including in the subways, is attributable to an augmented patrol force, the strategic deployment of resources, and a continued focus on illegal firearms, gang activities, and quality-of-life offenses, including fare evasion enforcement. Residents of New York City’s public housing complexes also saw a drop in crime in November, compared to the same month last year, with a 6.5% decrease (435 vs. 465). Year to date, housing crime dropped another 4.7% (5,445 vs. 5,713).

Across New York City, shootings decreased by 61 incidents year to date (841 vs. 902), a 6.8% reduction. That decline equates to 37 fewer shooting victims in New York City year to date (1,023 vs. 1,060), a 3.5% decrease. This November marked the sixth-lowest November for shooting incidents—and the fourth-lowest year-to-date figure—in the CompStat era. A total of 5,839 firearms were taken off the streets so far this year through Nov. 30, adding to the nearly 19,450 illegal guns seized since the start of the administration three years ago.

The month of November experienced total citywide declines in five major crime categories: Grand larceny significantly dropped by 9.9% (3,775 vs. 4,192); robbery declined by 7.4% (1,296 vs. 1,400); murder decreased by 6.7% (28 vs. 30); burglary dropped by 6.1% (1,037 vs. 1,104); and grand larceny—auto declined by 4% (1,171 vs. 1,220). The category of felony assault increased by five incidents in November, while reports of rape increased by 46, nearly half of which occurred in years prior to 2024.

Potential bias incidents investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force decreased by 53% in November 2024 compared to November 2023 (40 vs. 86). Anti-Jewish offenses, which historically comprise the largest category, dropped by 63 percent in November (21 vs. 57).

THREE PEOPLE INDICTED FOR STEALING $173,000 FROM BRONX MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

School Employee Allegedly Submitted Invoices for “Vendors”—Her Husband and Friend--Who Supplied Nothing

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District Anastasia Coleman announced that a NYC public school employee, her husband and another person have been indicted on corruption, grand larceny and fraud charges for stealing over $173,000 from a Bronx middle school’s funds. 

District Attorney Clark said, “While working at Middle School 302 in Longwood, the defendant allegedly stole much-needed funds from the school in a fraud scheme that lasted four years, enriching herself, her husband, and her friend. It is unconscionable that they would deprive children in this way.”

Special Commissioner Anastasia Coleman said, “As alleged, this fraud, over a period of years, drained MS 302 of tens of thousands of dollars earmarked for City students. There can be no place in our society for those who would brazenly steal the limited resources allocated for our students and their families, and there can be no tolerance for this type of fraud within the New York City school system. I would like to thank our partners at the Bronx DA’s office, especially those from the Financial Frauds Bureau, for their efforts and assistance in this matter.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants -- Rusnelly Clase, 40, of Main Street, Yonkers, a Community Associate at MS 302, the Luisa Dessus Cruz School, in Longwood; Clase’s husband, Justin Echevarria, 37, and Lisa Michelle Geraldino, 36, of Van Buren Street, Brooklyn, an acquaintance of Clase—were arraigned today on a 296-count indictment by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Brenda Rivera. The defendants were released on supervised release. They are due back in court on January 28, 2025.

The indictment charges Clase with first-degree Corrupting the Government, second-degree Grand Larceny, Public Corruption, and multiple counts of first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing, first-degree Falsifying Business Records, second-degree Forgery. Echevarria, and Geraldino are each charged with second-degree Corrupting the Government, second-degree Grand Larceny, and multiple counts of first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing, first-degree and second-degree Falsifying Business Records. 

According to the investigation, over the course of approximately four years, Clase allegedly filed a substantial number of fraudulent vendor invoices, along with falsified purchase orders for “swag” clothing such as sweatshirts, shorts, t-shirts, and jackets. Clase then allegedly used unauthorized access to approve the invoices and trigger the payment of over $90,000 of funds to be directed to Echevarria and over $75,000 to be directed to Geraldino. The co-conspirators allegedly “kicked back” a portion of the money to Clase. Ultimately, no items were ever delivered. 

District Attorney Clark thanked SCI Investigator Daniel Sullivan, SCI Chief Investigator Michael Bisogna, SCI Special Counsel Valerie Batista, Department of Education General Counsel Elizabeth Vladeck, and the New York City Financial Information Services Agency – Office of Payroll Administration for their work on the case.

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