Nevada Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Seeking Nearly $100M in COVID-19 Employment Tax Credits

 

IRS Paid Out $33M of the $98M Defendant Sought

A Nevada woman pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States by making claims for refunds of false COVID-19 related employment tax credits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit (ERC) and paid sick and family leave credit. From around June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed approximately 1,227 false tax returns for her businesses and others claiming these refundable credits.

In total, these claims sought refunds of over $98 million, of which the IRS paid approximately $33 million. McCoy personally received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds and was paid about $800,000 from those on whose behalf she filed fraudulent returns. McCoy knew that these returns were fraudulent. Neither she nor the others for whom she filed them were eligible to receive the refundable credits in the amounts claimed. McCoy used the proceeds for her personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury cars, gambling at casinos, vacations and other luxury goods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, Congress authorized the ERC for small businesses to reduce the employment tax owed to the IRS. Congress also authorized the IRS to give a credit against employment taxes to reimburse businesses for the wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. This credit was equal to the wages the business paid the employees during the sick or family leave, subject to a maximum amount.

McCoy is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2026. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration are investigating the case.

FREE Food Giveaway Hosted by Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr.

 

Friends, 

Join me on Friday, February 28th, for a FREE food giveaway at Zimmerman Playground. See our flyer below for details. 

 

When: Friday, February 28, 2025

Time: 1:00PM

Where: Zimmerman Playground - 650 Britton Street

 

Please remember supplies are limited and this is a first come, first serve basis. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday afternoon. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

John Zaccaro Jr. 

New York State Assembly 

80th Assembly District 

Pressure from NYC Comptroller Lander Leads to Adams Administration’s Reversal on Recouping FEMA Funds

 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement:

“Since Wednesday, when my office discovered that the federal government had, at Elon Musk’s direction, removed $80 million from one of the City’s bank accounts, I have been demanding that the Mayor take immediate action to get it bank. My Office sent a letter to the New York City Law Department calling on them to commence legal action to recover the City’s money, and making clear that if they are not prepared to pursue a lawsuit against the federal government, I am.

“I was relieved to receive a reply from Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant, agreeing to commence legal action. I am grateful that our urgent insistence pushed the Law Department to pursue litigation, even at this precarious moment. I look forward to doing everything in my power to help the City recoup the FEMA funds stolen by President Trump and holding accountable those intent on working against the best interests of New Yorkers.”

Governor Hochul Provides Update on Winter Weather Impacting New York State

Executive Order In Place To Facilitate Emergency Salt Deliveries

Snow and Wind Could Create Blizzard-Like Conditions in the Mohawk Valley, North Country and Central New York Through Tuesday Night

Strong Gusty Winds of 40-65 MPH Expected Tonight Through Monday in Most of the State

Isolated Thunderstorms and Locally Heavy Rainfall up to 1.5” Possible in New York City, Long Island and the Southern Mid-Hudson Region.

Power Outages, Downed Trees, Hazardous Travel Possible Due to Wind and Ice; More Than 6,600 Utility Workers Available Statewide to Repair and Restore Power

Flash Freezing Possible this Evening With Additional Ice Accumulations of a Quarter Inch East of Lake Ontario

MTA Bridges and Tunnels To Ban Empty Tractor-Trailers and Tandem Trucks Starting 2:00 p.m. Sunday

Colder Temperatures on the Way With “Feels Like” Temperatures That Could Reach -20 Degrees Fahrenheit Monday Night

Governor Kathy Hochul today provided an update on winter weather conditions across the State and detailed preparations by state agencies to respond to snow, ice and wind conditions. A multi-faceted winter storm is underway across the State and will persist through this evening. A widespread 1 to 3” of snow has fallen across the State, with higher localized amounts of 4 to 5”. This morning, snow transitioned to a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Tonight, temperature drops accompanied by flash freezing and strong winds gusting up to 65 MPH could increase the potential for power outages. Continued lake effect snow in parts of the State could produce blizzard-like conditions. Precipitation and falling temperatures could combine to produce black ice and hazardous driving conditions. People should monitor local forecasts and take precautions when traveling.

“As snow, ice and gusty winds sweep across much of our state, our state workers are deployed and actively working to keep New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “My Administration is in close contact with our local government partners as we coordinate our efforts, and I issued an executive order to facilitate emergency road salt deliveries ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to keep our roads safe for drivers. I encourage all New Yorkers to continue monitoring their local forecasts and use extreme caution when traveling.”

Isolated thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall up to 1.5” is possible in New York City, Long Island and the southern Mid-Hudson Region. Due to forecasted high wind conditions, MTA Bridges and Tunnels will implement a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem (piggyback, dual, triple, etc.) trucks starting 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 16. Based on the current forecast and the overall timing of this weather event, it is anticipated this ban will be in place until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 16.

Strong gusty winds of 40-65 MPH are expected tonight through Monday statewide. A High Wind Warning is in effect for portions of Central New York, the Southern Tier, Capital District and Mid-Hudson Valley. A Wind Advisory is in effect for Western New York, the Finger Lakes, New York City, Long Island and portions of the North Country, Southern Tier and Capital regions. A High Wind Watch remains in effect for upper portions of the North County tonight through Monday, with areas of blowing and drifting snow likely.

Lake Effect Snow Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories for heavy lake effect snow are now in effect for portions of the Mohawk Valley, North Country and Central New York from this evening through late Tuesday night. Blizzard-like conditions are expected, especially tonight through Monday due to moderate to heavy snowfall rates and strong winds. Total accumulations range from 7 to 24 inches with the greatest accumulations anticipated in areas closely adjacent to Lake Ontario. Much colder weather will return early this week, with wind chills near -20°F possible locally Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

The Governor has an Executive Order in place declaring a State of Emergency, allowing the State to coordinate and share resources with local governments affected by these storms. This includes the State Department of Transportation, which will provide assistance to municipalities impacted by the State of Emergency in excess of existing shared service agreements. The order also waives “hours of service” requirements for truck drivers to facilitate emergency salt deliveries ahead of these storms and includes other measures to facilitate emergency salt deliveries to State and local agencies across the State.

For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert — a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

Safety Tips

Power Outages

• Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules.
• If you lose power, turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
• If heat goes out during a winter storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.

To Report an Electric Outage, call:

• Central Hudson: 800-527-2714
• Con Edison: 800-752-6633
• National Grid: 800-867-5222
• NYSEG: 800-572-1131
• O&R: 877-434-4100
• PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075
• RG&E: 800-743-1701

Heating Safety

• Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters.
• When using alternative heat sources such as a fireplace, woodstove, etc. always make sure you have proper ventilation and follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep curtains, towels and potholders away from hot surfaces.
• Have a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors and make sure they work.
• If you use kerosene heaters to supplement your regular heating fuel, or as an emergency source of heat, follow these safety tips:
• Follow the manufacturers' instructions.
• Use only the correct fuel for your unit.
• Refuel outdoors only and only when the unit is cool.
• Keep the heater at least three feet away from furniture and other flammable objects.
• When using the heater, use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.

For more safety tips, visit dhses.ny.gov/safety. For all non-emergency service needs in New York State before, during or after a storm, call 211 or visit www.211nys.org/.

Criminal Defense Attorney Indicted For Bribery Scheme

 

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging DAVID MACEY, a criminal defense attorney based in Florida, with bribery of a public official, conspiracy to bribe a public official, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, for a scheme in which MACEY paid tens of thousands of dollars to a senior Special Agent (“Agent-1”) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), in exchange for Agent-1 providing sensitive law enforcement information to MACEY to assist MACEY in recruiting and representing clients.  MACEY was presented before Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Reardon. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “As alleged, David Macey provided secret payments to a senior DEA special agent in exchange for access to sensitive information that Macey could use to enrich himself, including information regarding sealed indictments and impending arrests.  This prosecution underscores this Office’s commitment to combatting bribery – especially bribery that compromises law enforcement’s duty to protect and serve the public.” 

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “David Macey, a criminal defense attorney, allegedly bribed a senior federal agent with tens of thousands of dollars for confidential information from law enforcement databases. Macey allegedly breached an expectation of privacy and received unlawful advantageous details to unjustly benefit his practice. The FBI will never tolerate those who engage in corrupt practices with public officials and cheat the investigative nature of our criminal justice system.”

According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

MACEY is a criminal defense attorney based in Coral Gables, Florida.  From in or about October 2018 through in or about January 2020, MACEY and a private investigator that worked with MACEY (“Investigator-1”) paid bribes to Agent-1 with the DEA in return for Agent-1 providing non-public, confidential DEA information in breach of Agent-1’s official duties.  MACEY and Investigator-1 paid the bribes to Agent-1 using methods designed to conceal MACEY’s own connection to the bribe payments, including by using EDWIN PAGAN III, a former DEA Task Force Officer, as an intermediary.  In return for the bribe payments, Agent-1 provided nonpublic, confidential DEA information to MACEY and Investigator-1 so that MACEY and Investigator-1 could use that information in furtherance of MACEY’s legal practice, including to recruit and represent criminal defendants.

Among the benefits paid by MACEY and Investigator-1 to Agent-1 were a $2,500 payment made in November 2018, shortly after Investigator-1’s retirement from the DEA, which was funneled to Agent-1 through a company owned by a close family member of Agent-1. At the same time that this payment was made, MACEY and Investigator-1 began asking Agent-1 to run searches in the DEA’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System (“NADDIS”), a database that contains confidential information about individuals who are or have been under investigation by the DEA.  Following that initial payment, MACEY and Investigator-1 continued to provide benefits to Agent-1, including $50,000 that was paid to Agent-1 for Agent-1’s purchase of a condominium in January 2019 and tens of thousands of dollars that were funneled from Investigator-1 through a company created by PAGAN.

In return, Agent-1 continued to provide nonpublic DEA information to MACEY and Investigator-1, including information about the timing of forthcoming indictments, information about DEA arrest plans of particular targets, and non-public information about arrests of criminal defendants.  Agent-1 also continued to search NADDIS for names of particular individuals requested by MACEY and Investigator-1, doing so on dozens of occasions during the scheme. In addition, during the scheme, MACEY and Agent-1 discussed Agent-1’s efforts to influence subjects of DEA investigations to retain MACEY as their attorney.  

MACEY, 54, of Coral Gables, Florida, and PAGAN, 52, of Miami, Florida, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum term of five years in prison, and one count of receiving or paying a bribe, respectively, which carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison. MACEY and PAGAN are also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud, each of which counts carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.  PAGAN is also charged with four counts of perjury in connection with false testimony that he provided in a related criminal trial in November 2023.  The charges against PAGAN were unsealed in November 2024.

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

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, and thanked the DEA’s Office of Professional Responsibility for its support in this matter.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Deininger and Mat Andrews are in charge of the prosecution. 

[1] The entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

8 BILLS PASSED THE THIRD HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING OF 2025

This week, Senator Rivera held the third Health Committee meeting of the year, where 8 bills were passed, including:

• S.3100: This bill will require insurance companies to cover additional asthma treatments.

• S.1855: This bill will require the state board of medicine to adopt a Zero Tolerance Policy for sexual misconduct and that patients be made aware of the protections afforded to them during any medical exam.

Check out here Senator Rivera's post on Instagram for more details.

This week, Senator Rivera participated in the Legislative Public Hearing on the 2025 Executive Budget Proposals on Health and Medicaid

During the first panel of the day, Senator Rivera questioned State Health Commissioner James McDonald about the Executive's decision to transition School Based Health Centers' reimbursement model from fee-for-service to managed care starting on April 1st. The Commissioner's response was surprising since he recognized that this transition was not supported by anyone outside this administration (watch the video here). Senator Rivera has two bills (S.1224 and S.3547) that could keep these centers operating as they are now, ensuring that thousands of vulnerable children are not left without basic healthcare access.

Regarding the CDPA program transition to a single intermediary, Senator Rivera in an exchange with the State's Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri asserted that the April 1st deadline is not realistic given that there are only 49 days left to complete the transition and thousands of consumers that still need to register under PPL. Senator Rivera believes that the timeline needs to be reconsidered and that his bill, the CDPAP Accountability Act (S1189) is a reasonable alternative that could provide the necessary stability to the program.

SENATOR RIVERA WELCOMES SOCCER CHAMPIONS OF THE FORDHAM PREPARATOY SCHOOL TO THE SENATE CHAMBERS

Last Monday, Senator Rivera welcomed the Soccer Team of the Fordham Preparatory School to the Senate Chambers to congratulate them on their 2024 Catholic High School Athletic Association State Championship Title. Congratulations to the entire team, coaches and families who worked hard for this amazing achievement.

Last Friday, Senator Rivera and his team had a great day helping constituents apply for the rent freeze (SCRIE, DRIE) and property tax break programs (SCHE). A big thank you to Part of the Solution (POTS) and NYC Department of Finance for partnering with us on another successful event!

SATURDAY 02/22: 31st BRONX PARKS SPEAK UP! 

THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL COALITION & JUST FIX RELAUNCHED: "EVICTION FREE NYC"

How does Eviction Free NYC help?

• Eligibility Screener: Eviction Free NYC helps you learn if you’re eligible for a free lawyer under NYC’s Right to Counsel law.

• Step-By-Step Guide: We’ll walk you through where to go in housing court, what to expect, and what next steps to take.

• Connect to Community Support: Based on your zip code, we’ll provide you with information on how to contact a tenant organization in your area.

For more info, click here

The MTA is seeking input on which stations to prioritize for accessibility improvements over the next five years. The proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan identified an initial 30 stations, and the MTA plans to make at least an additional 30 stations accessible, for a total of more than 60 stations. With these investments, approximately 70% of all subway rides will take place to or from accessible stations.

Check this link for more info and to share your input.

UPDATE: REDUCED-FARE OMNY CARDS

Reduced-Fare customers can now tap to pay with OMNY. With OMNY, you can:

• Pay 12 fares in seven days, and the rest of your rides for those seven days are free.
• Skip the vending machine and load your card online with a free OMNY account.
• Get the same free transfers you did with MetroCard.

Find more info here and join the next MTA webinar to discuss the transition from MetroCard to OMNY, including how to spend down your MetroCard balances and utilize the new benefits of OMNY. Register here!

The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Missed Our Friday Extra? Catch Up Today!

 

Missed our Friday Extra?

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Check out the video below for the latest and greatest updates in Bronx business, upcoming events, and resources to help your business thrive.

Stay Connected & Get Involved!

Thank you for being a part of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce community. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting news coming your way!

For more information or questions, feel free to reach out to us at events@bronxchamber.org for event related questions and membership@bronxchamber.org for membership related questions.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce

1200 Waters Place Suite 106

Bronx, NY 10461

East Bronx History Forum (EBHF) meeting on Wednesday, February 19th at 7:30pm. This month’s topic is Intimate Sketches of New York.

 

Dear East Bronx History Forum Member,

       

The East Bronx History Forum (EBHF) is pleased to announce its 192nd meeting on Wednesday, February 19th at 7:30 pm in the lower level of St. Clare of Assisi Church, located at 1027 Rhinelander Avenue. Parking is free and just north of the entrance on Paulding Avenue. 

 This month’s topic will be Intimate Sketches of New York, our speaker will be Dr. Janet Butler Munch. She is Professor and Special Collections Librarian at Lehman College of the City University of New York. Dr. Munch will be looking at a series of Bronx related sketches that appeared in The New York Sun from 1932 to 1934. This newspaper series ran for sixteen months showing pen and ink illustrations of New York City streetscapes, buildings, perspectives and locales. This popular series “Intimate Sketches of New York,” used drawings by artist Vernon Howe Bailey (1874-1953) along with descriptive captioning by literary editor Arthur Bartlett Maurice (1873-1946). In all, this series --from ninety years ago, produced 381 sketches of city sites throughout all five boroughs—including 17 alone for the Bronx. In addition to discussing the Bronx locales, Dr. Munch will contextualize the presentation in terms of why The New York Sun was eager to publish this series.

Dr. Janet Butler Munch holds a D.L.S. from Columbia University. Her research interests and publications have largely focused on biographical and historical topics, architectural and historical sites and community history. She oversees Lehman’s Bronx Institute Archives and co-edited Bronx Faces and Voices: Sixteen Stories of Courage and Community (2014).

          

The entrance to this free event is on Paulding Avenue in Msgr. Joseph Raimondo Hall. The EBHF is a 501(c)3 non-profit chartered by the New York State Education Department. Donations are always accepted and can be made through our website BronxNYC.com. Additionally, remember to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages for the most current updates or information.

We look forward to seeing you.

Dorothy A. Krynicki, Secretary