Sunday, August 17, 2025

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Holds Succesful Book Bag and School Supply Giveaway

The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association held their annual Bookbag and School Supply Giveaway at the Urban Lux center located On White Plains Road south of Bronxdale Avenue. Most of all the bookbags and school supplies were given away as PPNA President Steven Glosser said the organization bought extra supplies expecting a turnout larger than last year.

On hand was Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato who greated parents and spoke with them, representatives of Assemblyman John Zaccaro's office, and several other community based organizations who also gave away school related item. The PPNA expects to hold another smaller giveaway for the bookbags and school supplies that were leftover to make sure every child in the PPNA area has a new bookbag and school supplies. The second giveaway will be announced soon.

As children and their parents entered they stopped by the PPNA table to pick up a book bag then continue to the next tables to pick up school supplies needed for school.

The crowd backed up at times as they went from table to table.

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato a sponsor of the PPNA school giveaway was on hand to talk to parents to listen to what they had to say.

Not only did Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato talk to the parents, she also posed for photos with a few of the parents.

ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Arrested for Aggravated Kidnapping, After He Allegedly Sexually Assaulted His Uber Passenger

Lebanese criminal illegal alien let in under Biden and overstayed visa before committing violent crime against woman

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the following statement on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcment (ICE) lodging an arrest detainer against Sameh Mohamad Chami, a criminal illegal alien who was charged with aggravated kidnapping of his uber passenger.

On August 6, Sameh Mohamad Chami, 49, was arrested by Friendswood Police Department. According to reports, while working as an Uber driver, the criminal illegal alien sexually assaulted his young female rider. The victim, a 21-year-old female, fell asleep in the backseat of this illegal alien’s car after a late night out. Reportedly, she woke up in the front seat of Chami’s car parked near a school with her shorts unbuttoned. The victim’s family followed her location and thankfully, came to her rescue around 3:00 AM.

The same day as his arrest, ICE lodged a detainer to ensure Chami is transferred to ICE custody and not released into American neighborhoods to prey on more innocent women.

“ICE lodged an arrest detainer against Sameh Mohamad Chami—a criminal illegal alien let into our country by Joe Biden. This depraved criminal was charged with aggravated kidnapping after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 21-year-old girl who was a passenger in his Uber car,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed our brave law enforcement to take down these sickos and to protect women from sexual predators.”

Chami entered the United States on Dec. 2, 2021—under the Biden administration--on a B-2 tourist visa with permission to remain for six months. He applied for and was granted an extension until Dec. 1, 2022, but failed to depart as required and has remained in the U.S. illegally for more than three years.

President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S.

BRONX HS GUIDANCE COUNSELOR INDICTED FOR SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH STUDENT

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Yonkers woman who worked as a guidance counselor at a Bronx high school has been indicted on third-degree Rape and additional charges for repeatedly having sex with a teenage boy who was a student in her school.

District Attorney Clark said, “The victim was 16 when the guidance counselor allegedly began having sex with him. She allegedly exploited the teen for nearly a year while being entrusted with the care of students. Anyone who acts in such a disturbing and predatory manner will be prosecuted by our office.”

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Wendy Lora, 43, of Yonkers, was arraigned today on third-degree Rape, third-degree Criminal Sexual Act, two counts of Sexual Misconduct, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Laurance Busching. She is due back in court on September 30, 2025.

According to the investigation, from September 2023 to October 2024, the defendant allegedly engaged in sex with the boy at various locations including her office at the school.

The alleged inappropriate relationship was reported to school officials on May 7, 2024. A second report was made on September 20, 2024. The case was referred to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office on April 21, 2025, by the NYPD, after the victim’s mother reported the allegations to them.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Yesenia Rengel of the NYPD Bronx Special Victims, Adult Squad for her work in the investigation.

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

Governor Hochul Grants Clemency to Thirteen Individuals

Governor Kathy Hochul New York State Seal

Continues To Fulfill Commitment To Grant Clemency on a Rolling Basis

Builds on Governor’s Efforts To Reform Clemency Process, Including Convening an Advisory Panel of Impartial Experts, Dedicating Additional Staff Resources and Increasing Communication With Applicants

Governor Kathy Hochul granted clemency in the form of a pardon to 13 individuals. This action recognizes individuals demonstrating remorse, exemplifying rehabilitation and displaying a commitment to improving themselves and their communities. After implementing procedural reforms to strengthen the clemency process, Governor Hochul has made a total of 107 grants of clemency during her time in office.

“When I took office, I pledged to reform the clemency process by bringing greater transparency and expert analysis to each case that comes before my desk,” Governor Hochul said. “After careful deliberation, I’m granting clemency to thirteen individuals who have demonstrated remorse for their actions and exemplify a commitment to bettering their communities.”

The Governor's Office has taken a number of steps to improve transparency and communication in the clemency process. The Executive Clemency Bureau has implemented a new policy of sending regular letters to individuals with clemency applications, informing them of their case status, and providing information about how to submit supplemental information in support of their applications. The Governor's Office also launched an updated online web hub to assist clemency applicants with the application process; this hub includes template clemency application forms for both pardons and commutations to provide prospective applicants with improved guidance about what information to include when they apply.

The Governor also convened a Clemency Advisory Panel comprised of impartial experts to assist in advising the Governor on clemency applications. Following recommendations from the Clemency Advisory Panel, Governor Hochul is granting pardons to 13 individuals.

Pardons

These individuals who have been granted a pardon have all lived crime-free lives for a significant period of time — and in many cases several decades — and have demonstrated positive contributions to their communities. Several of these pardon recipients were convicted of an offense while living in New York State, but they have since relocated to other states. These individuals receiving pardons have continued to have their lives impacted by their criminal convictions. The Governor’s pardons will help alleviate these challenges.

Theodore Goodman, 43, was convicted of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree in 2003.

Hansel Dorsey, 64, was convicted of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree and Attempted Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree in 1991 and 1988.

Maryann Smith-Jackson, 65, was convicted of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 1989.

Stephen Gary, 56, was convicted of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 1993.

Ernesto Muñoz, 58, was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree in 2005.

Frank Merola, 52, was convicted of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree in 1997.

Ruben Abreu, 61, was convicted of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 2001 and Bail Jumping in the First Degree.

Jimmy Jean-Baptiste, 42, was convicted of Arson in the Fourth Degree in 2008.

Giovanni Ordonez, 60, was convicted of Attempted Robbery in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree in 1988 and 1986.

Hector Zelaya Quinonez, 65, was convicted of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree in 1986 and 1984.

Susannah Morgan-Thomas, 60, was convicted of Assault in the Third Degree in 1989.

Zhi Yong Yu, 49, was convicted of Robbery in the Second Degree in 1992.

Sammy Vatthanavong, 52, was convicted of Manslaughter in the First Degree in 1990.

Arizona CEO Indicted for Embezzling Over $2.4M from Employee Benefit Plans

An indictment unsealed in the District of Maryland charges an Arizona man with embezzling more than $2.4 million from an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) benefit plan and related money laundering offenses.

According to court documents, James Vincent Campbell, 47, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is CEO and founder of Axim Fringe Solutions Group, LLC (Axim), a company that processes employee benefits for employees of federal contractors. At the time of the alleged thefts, the company was headquartered in Maryland.

The indictment alleges Axim’s clients sent funds to the company to pay for health insurance premiums and 401(k) retirement contributions. Axim was responsible for forwarding those funds to insurance carriers and retirement accounts, charging clients a contractual fee of $40 per employee per month for its services.

Before forwarding the funds, Campbell allegedly pooled them in a master trust account. Between 2015 and 2024, he made 135 unauthorized withdrawals – totaling $2,486,905 – beyond the legitimate fees owed to Axim. Campbell used a significant portion of the stolen funds for personal expenses including big game hunting trips in Alaska, Africa, and other locations; taxidermy fees; jewelry; casino gambling; and direct payments to his girlfriend.

The indictment charges Campbell with a single count of theft from an ERISA plan and eleven counts of money laundering.

If convicted, Campbell faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison for each count of money laundering and up to five years for theft from an ERISA plan. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting Assistant Secretary Janet Dhillon of the Labor Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration made the announcement.

The Employments Benefits Security Administration of the Labor Department is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Vincent Falvo and Jared Hernandez of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case.

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

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - State Pension Fund Valued at $283.9 Billion at End of First Quarter

New York State Comptroller Thomas P DiNapoli

Senior Couple Jumping

State Pension Fund Valued at $283.9 Billion at End of First Quarter

The estimated value of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) was $283.9 billion at the end of the first quarter of State Fiscal Year 2025-26, Comptroller DiNapoli recently announced. For the three-month period ending June 30, Fund investments returned an estimated 5.46%.

“Financial markets have seen turbulence in the past few months, but returns for the Fund have been positive, even amid concerns over tariffs and a slowing job market,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to our diverse portfolio and a long-term approach, the Fund is solidly positioned to continue to provide the retirement benefits our state and local government employees have earned.”

The Fund's audited value was $273.1 billion as of March 31, 2025, the end of the state’s fiscal year.

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NYC Budget Is Balanced but Risks Loom as Fiscal and Economic Concerns Grow

New York City’s adopted $119.7 billion fiscal year 2026 budget is currently balanced (including pre-payments) but there are significant concerns over funding from Washington and slowing economic growth that could jeopardize its financial position and discretionary programs if greater preparation is not taken, according to a report released by Comptroller DiNapoli.

“New York City’s finances in fiscal year 2025 benefited from better-than-projected revenues and savings from the lower cost of services for asylum seekers,” DiNapoli said. “Employment and tax revenues continue to grow, buoyed by a financial sector that has generated near-record profits in recent years. While this has enabled the city to fund substantial spending growth, given the systemic restructuring of federal fiscal policy underway and the risk of its lasting consequences, the city is vulnerable to reductions both in federal spending and perhaps from state responses to this retrenchment. It is concerning that the city made no efforts to codify plans to bolster reserves or set aside additional funds in its rainy-day fund.”

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Former Vernon Center Fire Department Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $300,000

The former Treasurer of the Vernon Center Fire Department pled guilty to stealing more than $300,000 from the department, Comptroller DiNapoli, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced.

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