Councilmember Kristy Marmorato's Weekly Newsletter

 

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

Dear Neighbors,

This week, we continued our commitment to supporting our community members in celebrating Ramadan, hosting free Mammogram screenings, and celebrating International Women's Day! It is always a joy to engage with our amazing community and ensure we keep providing valuable events that meet the needs of our constituents.

In this newsletter, you will find details about the district events that took place this week, along with information on various upcoming events we have planned.

It is an honor to represent you in the New York City Council and continue fighting to keep our community safe, healthy, and prosperous!

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

District 13, Bronx

Ash Wednesday! 

March 5th, 2025

Last Wednesday marked the start of the Lenten season, known as Ash Wednesday. This is a time for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal.

The ashes we receive remind us of our humility before God and our commitment to growing in faith.Let us embrace these 40 days as an opportunity to strengthen our faith through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. May this journey deepen our understanding of compassion and the importance of community.

Wishing a blessed Ash Wednesday and Lent to our Catholic brothers and sisters.

Ramadan Mubarak! 

Ramadan Mubarak!

Last week, we had the privilege of breaking bread with members of our Muslim community, coming together in a spirit of prayer, song, and unity. It was a beautiful time of reflection and togetherness, as we shared in the blessings of this sacred month.

Thank you to everyone who included us in this special moment and opened your hearts and homes to share this meaningful time with us. It’s an honor to celebrate alongside you and to witness the strength of community and faith that makes this time of year so powerful.

Wishing all of you peace, blessings, and continued joy throughout Ramadan.

Celebrating International Women's Day!

Happy International Women’s Day! 

 

On March 8th, we honored the extraordinary women who make a difference every day—from the dedicated principals shaping the future of our students, to the community leaders advocating for their neighborhoods, to the women in my office who work behind the scenes to support our district. 

I am also proud to stand with my fellow women colleagues in government who are breaking barriers and fighting for a better city. Above all, I want to recognize the women of District 13—mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, teachers, first responders, and so many others—who inspire us with their strength, resilience, and leadership.

While we can only capture a few in a photo, on this day and every day, we celebrate all of you!

Mammogram Bus!

Last Saturday, we were proud to offer FREE Mammogram Bus screenings for the residents of District 13. Early detection is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against breast cancer, and it truly can save lives!

A heartfelt thank you to the foundation for bringing this vital service to our community and helping make essential healthcare more accessible.

It's events like these that empower us to take charge of our health and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight for early detection and wellness. We are grateful for this opportunity to support the health and well-being of our residents!

Constituent Case Highlight!

ACE does it again! Huge thanks to ACE for keeping our community clean. Your efforts are making a real difference!

Keeping District 13 clean not only enhances its beauty but also contributes to the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits here. Together, we’re making our community a better place for all!

Bringing a taste of the Bronx to City Hall! 

I was proud to represent District 13 at the 3rd Annual St. Joseph’s Day Pastry Contest, featuring delicious treats from our own Conti's Pastry Shoppe.

A big thank you to the Italian Caucus for celebrating Italian heritage with great company and even better pastries!

Lifeguard Recruitment 

Free Tax Prep Services Upcoming Events Councilwoman Marmorato 718-931-1721 District13@council.nyc.gov

Attorney General James’ Health Care Helpline Recovers More Than $4.6 Million in Restitution and Savings For New Yorkers

 

Free Helpline Handled More Than 4,800 Cases for New Yorkers with Health Care Complaints in 2023 and 2024

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released a report detailing the work of the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Health Care Helpline, a free service that recovered more than $4.6 million in restitution and savings for New Yorkers in 2023 and 2024. The Health Care Bureau’s (HCB) Helpline is staffed by a dedicated team of advocates who work with New Yorkers to resolve disputes with insurance companies, correct overbilling, and ensure they can access medically necessary care or prescription medication that they have been unfairly denied. In 2023 and 2024, the Helpline handled more than 4,800 consumer complaints, reversing wrongfully rejected health insurance claims, correcting inaccurately processed claims, reinstating New Yorkers’ incorrectly terminated health coverage, and rectifying companies’ wrongful business practices.

“Every New Yorker deserves affordable, accessible health care and coverage,” said Attorney General James. “Whether it’s recovering thousands of dollars in wrongful medical charges, ensuring access to life-saving treatments, or holding companies accountable for deceptive practices, my office is committed to fighting for New York patients and protecting their rights. No one should have to battle insurance companies or medical providers alone. I urge anyone who believes they were wrongfully billed or denied care or coverage to contact my office for support.”

The Health Care Bureau’s 2023-2024 Report, “Real Solutions for Real New Yorkers,” presents the work HCB and the Helpline have taken over the past two years to assist New Yorkers. The report highlights actions taken by Helpline advocates to resolve consumer complaints, discusses major cases handled by the bureau, and details health care concerns facing New Yorkers. 

In 2023 and 2024, Helpline staff handled 4,803 consumer complaints and provided another 2,010 consumers with information or referred them to an appropriate agency for assistance. Complaints addressed through the helpline included: 

• An individual with cancer was terminated from his job and, in the termination letter, his employer stated that his health insurance would expire at the end of the month. Thinking he still had insurance, he continued to receive care through the end of the month but later learned that a broker had told his insurance company to terminate his coverage the day he was let go. He contacted the helpline for assistance and an OAG advocate was able to work with the insurer to restore coverage for the remainder of the month, process the claims, and save the consumer nearly $11,000 in medical bills.
• A consumer experiencing homelessness was admitted to a hospital and, after proving he qualified for financial assistance, was told his care would be 100 percent covered by the hospital’s financial aid. However, upon discharge, he started receiving bills for more than $1,000. As the bills continued to come, the consumer attempted to contact the hospital for help but struggled with a language barrier. After OAG intervened, the hospital reversed course and covered the individual’s entire bill using financial aid, erasing the consumer’s outstanding balance.
• A consumer was unable to use her power wheelchair due to a dead battery, but the vendor who makes the batteries refused to schedule a delivery. Instead, the vendor was trying to force the consumer to travel to its office for installation — something she physically could not do. The consumer contacted the helpline, and an OAG advocate successfully intervened, scheduling a battery delivery and installation for the following week.
• A consumer had to undergo emergency surgery after she went to the ER at the urging of her health plan’s telemedicine provider, who then directed her to the nearest hospital. Her health plan initially declined to cover the emergency surgery, noting it was an out-of-network hospital and claiming that the surgery could have been an outpatient treatment. The OAG directed the health plan and hospital to work together to facilitate a resolution and, ultimately, saved the consumer more than $50,000.
• A consumer contacted OAG after being billed more than $63,000 for an MRI, nearly $60,000 of which was for a single medication. Upon investigation, OAG discovered that the provider had mistakenly billed for 150 units of medication instead of a single unit – and that the provider had done the same to nearly 60 other consumers. The OAG secured refunds for patients wrongfully charged and put an end to the accidental overbilling.
• After a consumer complained that their birth control insurance claim was denied by UnitedHealthcare, OAG launched an investigation that ultimately resulted in a $1 million settlement with UnitedHealthcare and full reimbursements for all patients whose claims were denied.

In addition to highlighting the challenges faced by New York health care consumers, complaints handled by the HCB helpline are also an important ways to identify systemic problems in the state’s health care system. While not all complaints and inquiries can be resolved favorably, the helpline is a crucial source of reliable and objective information for New Yorkers.

New Yorkers can contact the HCB helpline through the online complaint form to report and resolve health care complaints and concerns ranging from simple payment processing errors to complex deceptive business practices. Consumers can also call the toll-free HCB helpline at 1-800-428-9071 to lodge a complaint. Any consumer who believes that they may have been treated unfairly by a health care provider, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), insurance plan, or health-related business should contact the helpline. Helpline advocates also work to ensure that any negative effects from improper medical billing or insurance claims are removed from credit reports. 

Keeping New York Moving: Governor Hochul Celebrates Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road’s On-Time Performance Milestones

Metro-North Railroad Achieved 21st 100 Percent On-Time Performance Day on March 9

99 Percent of Trains on All Three Lines East of Hudson River Arrived On-Time From February 4 Through March 2

Long Island Rail Road’s On-Time Performance of 96.4 Percent Marked Highest Ever Recorded for the Month of February

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad trains are achieving significant milestones so far in 2025, with high on-time performance records and strong ridership gains, building on record service reliability documented in 2024. The first two months of 2025 have seen exceptional service for Metro-North Railroad with an upward trajectory in both ridership and on-time performance, including a 100 percent on-time performance day across all three train lines on Sunday, March 9 — the 21st time the railroad has reported 100 percent on-time performance since 2023. Long Island Rail Road customers have seen record levels of on-time performance, with a 2025 year-to-date on-time performance of almost 97 percent — three percent above the established monthly goal and almost two percent over 2024’s record of 95.65 percent outside of COVID years.

“We are delivering a faster and consistently reliable mode of public transportation to riders with each milestone the commuter railroads achieve,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers know that they can depend on the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road trains every single day — whether it’s for their daily commute to work, or for a trip to a different part of New York State.”

On-Time Performance Data
Metro-North Railroad

On-time performance (OTP) for the week of February 24 through March 2 was 99 percent — marking an improvement across all three lines and meaning that almost every single train was on time. This was the ninth time since 2023 that all three of the Metro-North Railroad (Metro-North) lines operated at 99 percent or better OTP in the same week.

• Hudson Line 99.4 percent
• Harlem Line 99.2 percent
• New Haven Line 99 percent

These incredible numbers from the first two months of 2025 follow a remarkable year for the railroad in 2024 — a year that saw Metro-North’s OTP hit an all-time high, exceeding 98 percent. The Metro-North also saw an average daily ridership of 176,414 passengers the week of February 24 through March 2 — an increase of 13.8 percent from the previous week.

Long Island Rail Road

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) set an all-time record in February of 96.4 percent. The top three branches year-to-date are:

• Port Washington 98.7 percent
• West Hempstead 97.6 percent
• Babylon 97.0 percent

In January, 6.1 million people rode the LIRR — an increase of 617,096 customers, 11.2 percent, compared to January 2024 with commutation ridership up 8.4 percent and non-commutation ridership up 13.3 percent compared to last year. The LIRR is now carrying 85 percent of 2019 ridership with average Monday to Friday weekday ridership at 247,708. More than 1.4 million people rode the LIRR the week of February 24 through March 2.

Ridership Achievements on the Commuter Rails

There was a strong rebound across several ridership categories. Commutation ridership was up 17.1 percent, including a 17.1 percent increase for monthly ticket ridership and a 17.8 percent increase for weekly ticket ridership. Single trip ticket ridership was up 8.7 percent overall, including a 24 percent increase in peak single ticket ridership. Although off-peak single ticket ridership was down 3.4 percent, CityTicket — tickets good for one-way travel that begins and ends within New York City — ridership increased 15.8 percent.

 

Eight Individuals Plead Guilty to Wide-Ranging Scheme to Monopolize Transmigrante Forwarding Industry, Fix Prices, Extort Competitors, and Launder Money

 

The U.S. Department of Justice announced that eight defendants have pleaded guilty for their conduct in a long-running and violent conspiracy to monopolize the transmigrante forwarding agency industry in the Los Indios, Texas, border region near Harlingen and Brownsville, Texas. The three remaining defendants to the superseding indictment remain at large as fugitives. Transmigrantes are individuals who transport used vehicles and other goods from the United States through Mexico for resale in Central America. Transmigrante forwarding agencies are U.S.-based businesses that provide services to transmigrante clients, including helping those clients complete the customs paperwork required to export vehicles into Mexico.

“The Criminal Division is committed to holding violent criminal organizations accountable in whatever markets in which they operate,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Transnational criminal organizations that use violence to dominate industries will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“These guilty pleas bring to justice individuals who used violence and extortion to fix prices and monopolize the market for essential services that Americans rely on to earn a living,” said Director of Criminal Enforcement Emma Burnham of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division will continue to use every tool at its disposal to protect the public by prosecuting violent criminals – including those who aim to corrupt America’s free markets.”

“Price fixing harms both the public and the business community,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas. “Schemes like this artificially drive up prices, forcing consumers to pay more than they ordinarily would. At its core, such market collusion is nothing more than theft from consumers.”

“These defendants tried to rule through fear, using threats, violence and intimidation to eliminate competition,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Their guilty pleas send a clear message that price fixing and market allocation are serious crimes, and we will hold those accountable who put profits over the law and fair commerce.”

“These pleas reflect the relentlessness of the federal government’s pursuit of transnational criminal organizations that exploit international trade and the U.S. economy,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “This violent scheme was fueled by greed that undermined the safety and economic security of the border region; HSI has prioritized significant resources to protect the U.S. and our legitimate trade.”

According to documents filed in the U.S. District Court in Houston, defendants Carlos Martinez also known as “Cuate,” Pedro Antonio Calvillo Hernandez, Roberto Garcia Villareal, Sandra Guerra Medina, and Mireya Miranda pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to fix prices and allocate the market for transmigrante forwarding agency services in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, and one count of conspiracy to monopolize the same market in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. The conspirators fixed the prices for transmigrante forwarding agency services and created a centralized entity known as the “Pool” to collect and divide revenues among the conspirators, limit competition from other agencies, and increase prices for their services. Market participants who were not part of the conspiracy had to join and pay into the Pool. Pool members enforced the rules of the Pool by monitoring whether forwarding agencies were charging the agreed-upon prices, including by posting prices publicly on social media, and monitoring whether agencies were paying into the Pool as required.

Martinez, Calvillo, Villareal, and Carlos Yzaguirre pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion. Martinez also pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by extortion. The defendants conspired to force forwarding agencies to pay money to the Pool and to pay other extortion fees, including a “piso” for every transaction processed in the industry as well as a “fine” for operating in the market outside of Pool rules. The conspirators perpetrated acts of intimidation, coercion, and violence in furtherance of the antitrust and extortion conspiracies. Defendant Martinez was responsible for at least $9.5 million in extortion payments.

Martinez and Jose de Jesus Tapia Fernandez also pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy, through which they laundered extortion proceeds. Cash obtained from the extortion conspiracy was deposited into bank accounts controlled by Martinez and his family, and those deposits were made to conceal and disguise the nature, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds. Juan Hector Ramirez Avila pleaded guilty to one count of structuring a financial transaction to evade reporting requirements.

Martinez agreed to forfeit four real properties and $375,000 in seized U.S. currency, to pay a fine, and to pay full restitution to extortion victims. Guerra, Miranda, Calvillo, and Villareal have also agreed to pay fines as part of their plea agreements.

Rigoberto Brown and Miguel Hipolito Caballero Aupart, and Diego Ceballos-Soto were also charged in the superseding indictment and remain fugitives. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258, or visit www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

Conspiracies to allocate the market, fix prices, or monopolize in violation of the Sherman Act carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum $1 million fine for an individual. Conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum $250,000 fine. Money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum $500,000 fine. Structuring a financial transaction to evade reporting requirements carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, HSI, and the FBI are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Brittany E. McClure, Anne Veldhuis, and Michael G. Lepage of the Antitrust Division, Trial Attorney Christina Taylor of VCRS, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander L. Alum for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258, or visit www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - JOIN US: 2025 State of the Borough

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Statement from NYGOP Chair Ed Cox on the Deportation of Mahmoud Kahlil

 

NYGOP Chair: New Yorkers won't forget Democrats silence and cowardice

“The deportation of Mahmoud Kahlil should not be controversial. Foreigners here on student visas or green cards should be removed if they support terrorist organizations.

 

"Kathy Hochul and Letitia James side with a man who openly supports Hamas, rather than with the safety and security of New Yorkers, especially Jewish students on campus. Their disgraceful support for this enemy of Western civilization underscores how deeply unserious they are about protecting our citizens from foreign threats.

 

"Every New Yorker deserves to know where self-styled ‘moderate’ Democrats stand. Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen, Pat Ryan, Josh Riley and John Mannion must answer a simple question: Do they stand with the victims of terrorism, or do they stand with foreign extremists who advocate for it? New Yorkers will not forget their silence - or their cowardice.”

Permits Filed for 2768 Wallace Avenue in Bronxwood, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story residential building at 2768 Wallace Avenue in Bronxwood, The Bronx. Located at the southwest intersection of Arnow Avenue and Wallace Avenue, the lot is near the Allerton Street subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Shimon Greenfeld of SCG Capital LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 65-foot-tall development will yield 28,865 square feet designated for residential space. The masonry-based building will have 38 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 759 square feet.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet for the two-story residential structure built in 1931. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Permits Filed for 3771 White Plains Road in Williamsbridge, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for an 11-story mixed-use building at 3771 White Plains Road in Williamsbridge, The Bronx. Located between East 216th Street and East 219th Street, the lot is near the Gun Hill Road subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Hershy Silberstein of Blue Shine Builders Inc. DBA Blue Sky is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 124-foot-tall development will yield 42,197 square feet, with 31,244 square feet designated for residential space, 10,189 square feet for commercial space, and 762 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 58 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 538 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a 20-foot-long rear yard and 22 enclosed parking spaces.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.