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Sunday, September 21, 2025
CITY HEALTH + HOSPITALS ENGINEER PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING NEARLY $22,000 IN WAGES
Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), and Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, jointly announced the arrest and guilty plea of a City Health + Hospitals (“NYC H+H”) Senior Engineer for theft of almost $21,985.87 in City wages, between January 2024 and February 2025. DOI received an anonymous complaint that led to this investigation and worked jointly with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting the case.
NICHOLAS RUSZALA, 35, of Cranford, New Jersey, is charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony. During his court appearance today in Manhattan Criminal Court, pursuant to a plea agreement, RUSZALA pled guilty to Petit Larceny, a class A misdemeanor, and paid back the money stolen from NYC H+H.
DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “This City employee falsely claimed to be at work for 205 hours when in fact he was not and stole funds from the City in the form of wages that he had not earned. Today he takes responsibility for that conduct, and returns the stolen funds to the City’s Health + Hospitals. I thank our partners on this investigation, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, for their commitment to protect City funds.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, "This prosecution ensures the return of more than $21,000 in City wages paid for time never worked. I thank Commissioner Strauber and the team at DOI for their ongoing partnership and commitment to rooting out fraud that harms our City."
According to the criminal complaint, RUSZALA is employed as a Senior Engineer at NYC H+H and his position requires him to work on site, at locations in Manhattan. He did not have permission or the capability to perform his job from home. The defendant was paid an hourly wage of $87.71 and an overtime hourly rate of $131.56. DOI reviewed timesheets submitted by the defendant between January 1, 2024 through the end of February 2025 and compared them to License Plate Reader information that captured the defendant’s vehicle leaving Manhattan. DOI found that the defendant was neither at work nor in Manhattan for approximately 205 hours that he represented he was working. As a result of these findings, it was determined that he stole approximately 205 hours of work time from NYC H+H, valued at approximately $21,985.87.
RUSZALA began his employment with NYC H+H in April 2019 and currently receives an annual salary of approximately $146,000.
Commissioner Strauber thanked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his staff for their partnership on this investigation, including the District Attorney’s Financial Frauds Bureau, specifically Bureau Chief Kofi G. Sansculotte and Assistant District Attorney Matthew J. Jacinto who is handling the prosecution. Commissioner Strauber also thanked Dr. Mitchell Katz, NYC H+H President and Chief Executive Officer, for his and his staff’s cooperation, including Chief Executive Officer/Metropolitan Julian John.
Marketer Sentenced for $11.5M Genetic Testing Fraud and Kickback Scheme
Robert Desselle, 47, was sentenced in Tampa, Florida, to 57 months in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks. Desselle pleaded guilty in February 2025. In addition, Desselle was ordered to pay $4.5 million in restitution and to forfeit $2.1 million of the criminal proceeds.
According to court documents, Desselle and his co-conspirators convinced Medicare beneficiaries to take genetic tests that they did not need. Desselle paid other marketers, who were not medical professionals, to recruit vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries at grocery stores, pharmacies, or car dealerships and persuade them to take the tests using deceptive methods. Desselle then bribed a telemedicine company to supply doctors’ orders for the tests. The orders and test kits were then sent to clinical laboratories who paid Desselle and his co-conspirators kickbacks in exchange for the referrals.
From June 2018 to December 2020, Desselle and his co-conspirators caused the laboratories to bill $11.5 million to Medicare. Medicare paid out $4.5 million on these claims. Desselle personally earned over $2.1 million from the scheme.
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) investigated the case.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank for HHS-OIG made the announcement.
Trial Attorney Charles D. Strauss of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Former Yonkers Teacher Sentenced To 25 Years In Connection With Sexual Exploitation Of Minor Student
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that SANDY CARAZAS-PINEZ was sentenced to 25 years in prison for enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. CARAZAS-PINEZ’s sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan, who also presided over her guilty plea.
“Sexual exploitation by teachers offends every New Yorker,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Sandy Carazas-Pinez betrayed her role and, through explicit texts and other means, coerced a 16-year-old into a sexual relationship. Actions of this type by anyone, particularly a teacher or other person of trust, will not be tolerated.”
According to the court documents and statement made during court proceedings:
CARAZAS-PINEZ was a high school teacher at a school for kindergarten through 12th grade students located in Yonkers, New York (“School-1”). From in or around November 2022 through February 2023, CARAZAS-PINEZ abused her position as a teacher at School-1 by inducing and attempting to induce a student (“Minor Victim-1”) at School-1 into a sexual relationship with CARAZAS-PINEZ. Minor Victm-1 was 16 years old at the time of the abuse.
CARAZAS-PINEZ singled out Minor Victim-1 for personal attention at School-1. In addition, CARAZAS-PINEZ induced Minor Victim-1 to engage in sexual activity with her by leading Minor Victim-1 to believe that they were in a romantic relationship.
CARAZAS-PINEZ used her personal cellphone to call, text, and video call Minor Victim-1 to arrange sexual encounters and to repeatedly induce Minor Victim-1 to engage in live-streamed sexually explicit conduct while on video calls with CARAZAS-PINEZ. In text messages with Minor Victim-1, CARAZAS-PINEZ referred to her sexual encounters with Minor Victim-1 and the live depictions of sexually explicit conduct she induced Minor Victim-1 to create as “gifts.”
CARAZAS-PINEZ also used her personal cellphone to send Minor Victim-1 sexually suggestive photographs of herself along with sexually explicit text messages. After sending the photographs and messages, CARAZAS-PINEZ instructed Minor Victim-1 to delete them and inquired repeatedly as to whether Minor Victim-1 had done so.
To facilitate their sexual encounters outside the premises of School-1, CARAZAS-PINEZ directed Minor Victim-1 in text messages to obtain day passes from School-1 to be permitted to leave campus. CARAZAS-PINEZ then met Minor Victim-1 at a location near School-1’s campus and drove Minor Victim-1 to another location. On multiple occasions, while parked in CARAZAS-PINEZ’s car at various locations, including in or around the Bronx, Yonkers, and Staten Island, New York, CARAZAS-PINEZ engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual acts, and attempted to do so, with Minor Victim-1.
In addition to the prison term, CARAZAS-PINEZ, 36, of Bethel, Connecticut, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.
Mr. Clayton praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department for their outstanding work in this matter.
DEC Reminds New Yorkers to Use Caution When Outdoor Burning
Fire Danger Map Available on DEC Website; Photos Available Here
Interview with DEC Forest Ranger Captain Available Here
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton urged all New Yorkers to exercise extra caution before any outdoor burning. Current warm and dry conditions are causing an increased fire risk across New York State, and DEC encourages people to put safety first, not leave fires unattended, and ensure all fires are fully extinguished.
“Much of New York is abnormally dry and fire risk is either high or moderate for the entire state, so it's absolutely essential New Yorkers are mindful of the risk when doing any kind of residential outdoor burning,” said Commissioner Lefton. “Campers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts should avoid building campfires outside of established fire rings or pits to not only keep themselves safe, but also our Forest Rangers who respond to fires that start burning out of control.”
Daily fire danger ratings may fluctuate based on weather, but the overall risk is elevated beyond what is typical for this time of year. These conditions are expected to continue through the month of September and may persist through October. With the fall foliage and dry autumn season beginning, fire risk will continue to be a concern.
Since Aug.1, DEC Forest Rangers have responded to 53 fires burning nearly 26 acres of land. Approximately half of those were caused by campfires that broke containment or were not extinguished properly. People often think a fire has been extinguished, but in dry conditions, hot embers burn into the ground where they can smolder for days or even weeks before being detected as a wildfire. To properly extinguish a campfire, pour copious amounts of water on the fire, stir any remaining coals to mix the water into the fire bed, and make sure the fire is cool to the touch before leaving it.
If you encounter a wildfire in the forest, dial 911 to report the fire and be prepared to give a location of the fire to first responders. If you encounter unattended campfires on DEC lands, contact Forest Ranger Dispatch at: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
Wildfire Prevention Tips
- Completely extinguish all campfires. Fires should be doused with water and stirred to mix ashes and water until ashes are cool enough to touch with the back of your hand. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
- Never discard ashes from campfires, charcoal grills, woodstoves, or cigarettes on vegetation or the forest floor.
- Refrain from smoking in areas with flammable vegetation or organic soils. Cigarette butts and ashes should never be discarded in the forest regardless of location. If you carry it in, carry it out!
- Do not drive off established road or park on top of vegetation. Hot mufflers and catalytic converters can ignite vegetation that touches them.
- When operating chainsaws, generators, and other power equipment ensure it has a functioning muffler with spark arrestor. Have supplies (shovel, water, fire extinguisher) to deal with a fire if one should start.
- Check local regulations for your intended destination for any additional restrictions on fires.
- Make sure that all vegetation and flammable material are far away from your fire.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Always be careful with fire.
- And “Remember…Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.”
Other available resources:
NYS DEC Campfire Safety: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-
NYS DEC Open Burning: https://dec.ny.gov/
NYS DEC Fire Danger: https://dec.ny.gov/
Firewise NY: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/
You Are Invited to Assemblymember Zaccaro, Jr.'s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Dear Friends,
I’m so excited to invite you to our very first Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration!
Hispanic Americans have helped shape the Bronx into the vibrant, diverse community we’re proud to call home. From food and music to culture and traditions, the Hispanic community has given our borough so much to celebrate.
Join me at the Bronx Zoo on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 5:30 PM for an evening of great food, music, and community.
FREE parking will be available.
This is an RSVP-only event, so don’t forget to use the QR code on the flyer to save your spot.
Can’t wait to celebrate with you all!
With gratitude,
John Zaccaro, Jr.
New York State Assembly
Saturday, September 20, 2025
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - Federal Tax Provisions Give Disproportionate Benefits to Higher-Income New Yorkers
Federal Tax Provisions Give Disproportionate Benefits to Higher-Income New Yorkers
A new report by Comptroller DiNapoli analyzed the federal tax provisions enacted under Public Law No: 119-21 at the beginning of July and how they may impact New Yorkers. While the law made permanent many tax changes included in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it includes new tax breaks for seniors and the working class that are largely temporary. These minimal tax benefits, along with the significant cuts in safety net spending included in the legislation, will put a larger burden on New Yorkers trying to make ends meet.
“Many of the tax benefits in the federal legislation passed in Washington this summer will continue to go to those with higher incomes,” DiNapoli said. “This was a lost opportunity to improve the tax code; instead, the new federal law adds complexity and creates inequities. Low-and middle-income New Yorkers will see few long-term benefits while bearing most of the burden of the bill’s significant spending cuts to vital programs.”
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Westchester Groups Get Back Lost Funds
Returning nearly $12K to New Yorkers will make any day a great day. Comptroller DiNapoli joined Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins this week in White Plains to present unclaimed funds checks to a number of local groups, including The Business Council of Westchester, My Sisters' Place-Westchester, NY, the White Plains City School District and Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 21.
You too may have lost money. Click on the button below to find out.
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Comptroller DiNapoli's State Audit Staff Receives National Recognition for Excellence
Staff from Comptroller DiNapoli’s State Government Accountability team were recognized by the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT). The team was given a National State Auditors Association Excellence in Accountability Award for their audit of the NYS Division of Human Rights and their investigation into housing discrimination complaints.
Budget and Policy Team Honored by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress
This week, Comptroller DiNapoli joined members of the Hudson Valley’s regional planning and research organization, Pattern for Progress, to celebrate their 60th anniversary in Poughkeepsie. The Comptroller’s Office of Budget and Policy Analysis received the organization’s Progress in Action award for its use of data and objective research to help New Yorkers understand a broad range of policy issues that affect our communities.
Former Fulton County Snowmobile Club President Pleads Guilty to Stealing $17k
Comptroller DiNapoli, Fulton County District Attorney Mike Poulin and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced that the former president of the Snowdrifters of Stratford pleaded guilty to stealing $17,000 from the nonprofit. As part of his plea agreement, he paid full restitution to the club.
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Former Captain of Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Over $14k
Comptroller DiNapoli, Acting Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of the former Captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad for allegedly stealing over $14,000 from the Town.
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A L S O I N T H E N E W S
- New Yorkers could be owed lost money, state comptroller says
- New York has few winners in new federal tax cuts, Comptroller finds
- From corn mazes to kangaroos, New York farms shift to selling memories
- Interview: New York State Comptroller Visits North Country
- Bonus Interview: Comptroller DiNapoli on Child Care, Broadband, and Unclaimed Funds
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P O S T O F T H E W E E K
Housing Lottery Launches for Bryant Avenue Apartments at 1525-1927 Bryant Avenue in Charlotte Gardens, The Bronx
The affordable housing lottery has launched for Bryant Avenue Apartments, a seven-story residential building at 1525-1527 Bryant Avenue in Charlotte Gardens, The Bronx. Designed by Node Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, the structure yields 12 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are eight units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $111,360 to $189,540.
Amenities include bike storage lockers, elevator, recycling center, and a recreation room. Units are equipped with intercoms. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including stove, hot water, and heat.
At 130 percent of the AMI, there are eight one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,050 for incomes ranging from $111,360 to $189,540.
Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than October 6, 2025.