Assemblymember John Zaccaro - SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Summer Kickoff Family Fun Day

 

Friends, 

Join us for our 3rd Annual Summer Kickoff Family Fun Day!

 

The past two years we have seen thousands of people join us on a beautiful Saturday in June to enjoy music, games, food, bouncy houses, face painters and more. The best part?  It was all provided FREE of cost. 

 

This year, we are going BIGGER. More bouncy houses, games, food, and fun for the whole family!

 

Bring your friends and family and get ready to enjoy one of the best days in the boogie down Bronx. 

 

When: Saturday, June 21, 2025

Where: Williamsbridge Rd (between Lydig and Neill Ave)

Time: 12pm - 4pm

 

On behalf of my office and family, we can’t wait to spend an afternoon with all of you. 

 

With Gratitude,

 

John Zaccaro, Jr. 

New York State Assembly

Permits Filed for 2675 Decatur Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 2675 Decatur Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located between East 194th and East 195th Streets, the lot is closest to the Kingsbridge Road subway station, served by the B and D trains. Alban Haxhari of KGCJ Development Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 16,066 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 23 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 698 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and a 32-foot-long rear yard.

Jakov Saric of Node Engineering & Consulting 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.

Florida Fuel Supplier Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Defraud U.S. Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies

 

A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment charging a Florida business owner with multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and forgery for orchestrating a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies by submitting altered and fake invoices to U.S. Navy ships and other vessels through the SEA Card Program, which allows U.S. vessels to purchase critical fuel from suppliers at ports around the world.

According to court documents filed in the Southern District of Florida, between August 2022 and January 2024, Jasen Butler, 37, of Jupiter, Florida, the owner of Independent Marine Oil Services LLC, submitted dozens of falsified documents to multiple U.S. warships — including the USS Patriot — demanding and receiving over $5 million dollars in payments for phony expenses that Butler had not incurred. These ships were attempting to purchase fuel in international ports such as Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Croatia, among others. Butler also concealed his identity from government officials by using a false name and feigning employment by a fictitious fuel division of a different company. As alleged in the indictment, Butler used the millions in fraud proceeds to personally enrich himself and purchase multiple properties, including in Florida and Colorado. 

“This indictment sends a clear, public message: the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force under President Trump will not rest until all who defraud the brave men and women of the U.S. military and the American taxpayers receive swift justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail A. Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.

“Investigating complex fraud schemes which impact U.S. Coast Guard operations is a priority for CGIS,” said Special Agent in Charge Josh Packer of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Southeast Field Office. “CGIS remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate any fraud which undermines the integrity of the Coast Guard’s supply chain.”

“Mr. Butler’s alleged involvement in unlawfully submitting fraudulent invoices related to U.S. naval ships receiving fuel during port visits is an affront to the warfighter and taxpayer,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS remains committed to thoroughly investigating those who commit fraud impacting the Department of Navy.”

If convicted, Butler faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years for each count of forgery, and up to 10 years for each count of money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Assistant Chief Sara Clingan and Trial Attorney Jonathan Pomeranz and of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

The NCIS and CGIS are investigating the case.

Anyone with information about this investigation or other procurement fraud schemes should notify the PCSF at www.justice.gov/atr/webform/pcsf-citizen-complaint. The Justice Department created the PCSF in November 2019. It is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force. 

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

Attorney General James Announces Sentencing of Former Mortgage Broker for Role in Queens Deed Theft Ring

 

Stacie Saunders Sentenced to Three to Nine Years in Prison for Helping Steal Three Homes in Queens

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing of Stacie Saunders, a former mortgage bank branch manager, for her role in a Queens deed theft ring that stole homes in Jamaica and St. Albans, Queens, owned by vulnerable New Yorkers or their estates. Saunders stole three properties along with her associates and was instrumental in fraudulently selling the homes for a total of over $1 million in illegal profits. Her expertise was essential to the scheme, allowing the deed theft ring to quickly offload the stolen properties. In May, a jury in Queens found Saunders guilty on 18 charges, and today she was sentenced to three to nine years in prison. Saunders is the final defendant to be convicted and sentenced in the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) investigation into the Queens deed theft ring.

“New Yorkers should never have to fear losing their homes to scammers and thieves like Stacie Saunders and her associates,” said Attorney General James. “This deed theft ring preyed on vulnerable homeowners with their deceptive schemes, but my office has successfully brought them all to justice. I will continue to fight deed theft and other frauds wherever they arise to protect homeowners throughout our state.”

Saunders and her co-conspirators, which included Marcus Wilcher, disbarred attorney Anyekache Hercules, Jerry Currin, and Dean Lloyd, targeted elderly or otherwise vulnerable homeowners and estates in Jamaica and St. Albans. Together they stole and sold three homes and attempted to steal an additional home from an elderly homeowner in Jamaica in 2019.

As the leader of the ring, Wilcher located homes in poor or run-down condition with absentee owners. Hercules forged legal documents used to steal and sell the properties. As she was disbarred, Hercules would also steal the identity of a practicing attorney to use on the legal documents. Saunders, who was also a licensed real estate salesperson, marketed the homes to investors at prices well below the market rate to draw quick sales. Wilcher would secure personal information about the real owners, including Social Security numbers and birth dates, to create falsified documents after investors expressed interest in purchasing a home. Wilcher and Saunders then found people to impersonate the owners of the properties at contract signings and closings, with Saunders arranging attorneys, collecting closing documents, and scheduling the closings on the stolen homes.

When the sales were finalized, the defendants used forged drivers’ licenses and social security cards to open bank accounts in the names of the homes’ real owners. They then used the bank accounts and other entities and LLCs under their control to funnel over $1 million in proceeds from the illegal sales to themselves.

Saunders is the final member of the deed theft ring to be convicted and sentenced. In December 2022, Attorney General James announced the arrests and indictments of Wilcher, Saunders, Hercules, Currin, and Lloyd. Hercules, who was previously convicted of deed theft in Kings County, pleaded guilty to Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree and was sentenced in September 2024 to one and a half to three years in prison. In July 2024, Wilcher was convicted of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and sentenced to three to nine years in prison for the theft of five homes — three of which he had stolen with the deed theft ring. Currin and Lloyd pleaded guilty to felony counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.

In May, a jury convicted Saunders on 18 total counts, including Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, Money Laundering in the Second Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. She was sentenced today by Judge Leigh Cheng to three to nine years in prison on the top counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and Money Laundering in the Second Degree.

Governor Hochul Issues Update on Thursday’s Forecasted High Temperatures for New York City

New Yorkers Encouraged To Be Prepared for Warmer Weather and Be “Air Quality Aware”

New Maps Showing Heat Exposure Help Communities Identify Urban Heat Islands and Extreme Heat Impacts for Future Planning

Air Quality Advisory Also Issued for Long Island, New York City, and Lower Hudson Valley Regions

Governor Kathy Hochul reminded New Yorkers to stay safe this summer during periods of elevated temperatures. Higher than normal temperatures are forecast for New York City for tomorrow, June 12. The National Weather Service HeatRisk index forecasts potential heat risks for the New York City area which will impact most individuals sensitive to heat. In addition to the heat risks, an Air Quality Health Advisory is being issued for Thursday for the Long Island, New York City Metro, and Lower Hudson Valley regions due to fine particulate matter pollution caused by wildland fires in Western Canada.

“With summer almost here, New Yorkers should make plans to stay cool and safe, and sensitive groups should take steps to especially avoid potential health issues from high temperatures, humidity, and air quality,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage everyone to be prepared for periods of warmer weather, including making a preparedness plan and knowing the location of local cooling centers.”

New York State provides resources on the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website to help residents stay cool and to help prepare for extreme heat ahead of the summer season. In addition, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today released preliminary urban heat island maps to help communities plan and adapt to extreme heat in the future.

Air Quality Advisory

An Air Quality Health Advisory for PM2.5 is being issued for June 12, 2025, for the Long Island, New York City, and Lower Hudson Valley regions due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada.

New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. Information about exposure to smoke from fires can be found on DOH’s website.

Staying Safe During Higher Temperatures

The dangers of hot temperatures can affect everyone, regardless of age, physical shape, or existing health conditions. The body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature during extreme heat and, without taking proper measures, this can lead to heat-related illness or even death. Governor Hochul recently announced a suite of actions to help New Yorkers stay cool during extreme heat events this summer.

Pools and beaches at New York State Parks are available for swimming, dependent on location. Prior to making a trip, visitors should call ahead to the park they plan to visit or  check the New York State Parks website  for any updates as weather and water conditions may affect swimming status. Park status updates are also available on the free New York State Parks Explorer mobile app for iOS and Android devices. 

Learn more about heat related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Department of Health website here.

The New York state Department of Health’s interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard allows the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their area and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.

Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to  locate cooling centers  can be found on  DOH’s Extreme Heat website.

For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts,  visit the National Weather Service website.

To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

Implementing the Extreme Heat Action Plan

DEC today released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. DEC worked in partnership with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and the Davey Tree Expert Company to help identify, model, and map urban heat islands, assess extreme heat impacts and responses, and support climate actions to address urban heat island effects and extreme heat, particularly where New Yorkers are disproportionately burdened by the impacts of climate change.   

Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage  and posted at nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour. Over the next year, more comprehensive heat exposure maps will be developed and released. Unlike the preliminary maps showing the single hottest hour based on past data, the final maps will incorporate both historical and future data based on climate change projections. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the state.

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for Long Island, New York City Metro, and Lower Hudson Valley Regions

 

In Effect for Thursday, June 12

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald are issuing an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter on Thursday, June 12, 2025, for the Long Island, New York City Metro, and Lower Hudson Valley regions due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada.

The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter

The advisory will be in effect 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.

The Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of: Long Island, which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties; New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties; and Lower Hudson Valley, which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, and Sullivan counties.

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

Fine Particulate Matter

Fine particulate matter (PM) consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g., vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Exposure can cause short-term health effects, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.

When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high. Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website.

Additional information on PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC’s website or by PDF download. 

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera on the Violent NYPD Response at 26 Federal Plaza and the Military Deployment in California Against Demonstrators

"In light of the disturbing but unsurprising events that took place at the “ICE out of NYC” protests last night at 26 Federal Plaza, I want my community to know that we deserve to feel safe exercising our right to free speech and to be protected by our laws and the public servants charged with enforcing them. Over the years, we’ve seen the NYPD’s response to public demonstrations show a disturbing pattern of excessive use of force, which suppresses the right to protest and places the safety and well-being of New Yorkers at risk. We need City Hall to hold the NYPD accountable to protecting civilians, not escalating tensions, and to help us resist this fascist federal government overreach. 

"In New York, we must do everything within our power to protect our communities. That includes passing the New York for All Act, which reinforces that the job of our local police is to keep us safe, not to carry out the work of immigration authorities.

"The federal government is deploying military forces in California against civilian demonstrators— this is an unwarranted and alarming abuse of power. The Trump administration will attempt to bring military forces to New York and we must prepare to defend each other and our City. We need the NYPD to hold the line against ICE’s lawless kidnapping of New Yorkers and to reject National Guard or other military deployment against civilians. 

"A government that fears diversity, silences dissent, and disregards legal due process cannot claim to be a democracy—this is authoritarianism.

"The United States of America does not have kings."

Join me this Saturday, June 14 at the No Kings March. This national day of action and mass mobilization is a response to increasing authoritarian power grabs and corruption from Trump and his cronies. We cannot stand idly by as the federal government flouts the rule of law, disappears our neighbors, rips families apart, and threatens to deport American citizens and anyone who defies them. 

You can link up with one of these groups:

• NYCLU marchers will meet at 1PM the intersection of Park Avenue and 42nd Street at the entrance of Pershing Square, just across the street from the Grand Central-42nd St Terminal. We will head to Bryant Park to get in marching formation promptly at 1:15 PM.

• The Healthcare Contingent, including the Campaign for NY Health and PNHP NY Metro, will meet at 1:45 PM in front of 1 East 38th Street, between 5th Avenue & Madison Avenue, closer to 5th. The march steps off at 2 PM. 

Healthcare workers, wear your scrubs & white coats! Union members, wear your union swag! Your own banners & signs are welcome!

If you can’t make it downtown, head to Fordham Plaza to join Bronxites at 12:30 PM for a local No Kings Rally.

Check out nokings.org for more information.

BRAC - This Saturday!

 

Do you have any fun plans for this Saturday? 

 

Because we'll be celebrating the Afro-Latin roots of The Bronx with music and dance over at BRAC, and you are 100% invited. 

 

We'll kick the day off with a Salsa/movement workshop from 4-5PM, followed by the Afro-Cuban Rumba Ensemble at 5PM, and Grammy-winning Latin jazz/salsa dura sensation Jeremy Bosch at 7PM. Dancing (even in your seat) is highly encouraged! 

Use this link to get 50% off when you reserve your tickets. For the next three Saturdays in June, we'll be welcoming musical talent from around the world — we hope you'll stop by and join in the fun! 

RSVP here →

We can't wait to welcome you to BRAC for another unforgettable summer of rhythm, culture, and community!

See you soon,

Akia

Executive Director

Bronx River Art Center