Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Women of Distinction Luncheon March 18, 2016

Attend the upcoming 

Business & Networking Mixer!

Take advantage of the 

Early Reservation and Member Discounts!

We look forward to seeing you at this excellent business networking event!

Assemblyman Mark Gjona - Kosova Independence Celebration 2016

You are Cordially Invited to Join  NYS Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

Albanian American Business Network Albanian American Community Assoc. Albanian American Educators Assoc. Albanian American Open Hands Assoc. Fondacion Plave Guci Komuniteti Hasan Prishtina Waterbury Shoqata Batalioni Atlantiku Shoqata Malesia e Madhe NY Shoqata Peja Shoqata Rugova Shoqata Shqiptare Amerikane Ana e Malit

As We Celebrate the  8th Anniversary of Kosova Independence!  Saturday - February 20, 2016 12:00pm- 5:00pm Maestro's Caterers 1703 Bronxdale Avenue ~ Bronx, NY 10462 Food & Beverages  with Special Guest Miss New York USA Serena Bucaj Special Performances by: Alberije Hadergjonaj ~ Hajro Ceka ~ Gezim Nika  Seating is Limited You Must RSVP!   Tickets: $25 each To RSVP: (914)439-5798 / (347)671-4355 assemblymangjonajevents@gmail.com  Event Supporters:  AAWO Motrat Qiriazi Albanian American Community Waterbury Albanian American Council Albanian American National Org. Albanian Roots-Rrenjet Shqiptare Ansambli Bashkimi Kombetar APEN Dom Simon Filipaj Foundation Qendra Kulturale Shqiptaro Amerikane Shoqata Atdhetare Dibra Shoqata Atdhetare Kraja Shoqata Cameria Shoqata Kelmendi The Woman's Organization Hope & Peace

Eliot Spitzer vs Hiram Moserrate

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

  You should know that back in 2009, my friend and former New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate was accused of slashing his girlfriend in a jealous rage, facing serious charges at trial for those accusations. The only two people in the room at the time the incident took place were Hiram Monserrate and his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo.

 You should also know that they both testified that she got cut by accident, and that Hiram never cut her nor abused her.

It is important for you to know that there was a lynch mob, led by now Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, that took Hiram Monserrate to court where he was convicted of assaulting Karla Giraldo, and had him expelled from the New York State Senate.

 This all took place regardless of both Hiram Monserrate testifying that he was innocent, and Karla Giraldo testifying that it was an accident.

 It is important for you to know that now, it seems that the story is being repeated absent of the lynch mob.

This week, our newspapers are filled with stories about how former Governor Eliot Spitzer is under investigation by the NYPD for assaulting a 25-year old woman at the Plaza Hotel who had called 911 to say that she cut her own wrists. According the media reports, the lady told hospital employees at Mount Sinai West that Eliot Spitzer had choked her.

 Following those news stories about Eliot Spitzer were reports that the lady says it was all a mistake, and Eliot Spitzer’s lawyers insist that he didn’t do anything wrong.

 My dear reader, I have to wonder if the laws that applied to Hiram Monserrate are the same laws that apply to Eliot Spitzer.

 I have to ask myself: Where is the outrage against Eliot Spitzer? Will that same crowd who claim there is a War on Women and who focused their energy to defend and protect Karla Giraldo from what they accused Hiram Monserrate of doing, be dragging Eliot Spitzer into the Criminal Courts to have him tried and convicted under the law?

 Or, unlike Hiram Monserrate, does Eliot Spitzer have extra special privileges? Will Eric Schneiderman and the lynch mob that destroyed Hiram Monserrat's career go after Eliot Spitzer? I wonder.

 I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Did Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Give his State of the Borough Speech Already?

  

  Above is a copy of the front page of the Riverdale Review I picked up today Wednesday February 17, 2016. As you can see the front page (and only story in this paper) is about Thursday's February 18, 2016 State of the Borough speech by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. As one reads the story Bronx Borough President Diaz is quoted as if he has already given the State of the Borough Speech. I have circled several areas where the following is - 'Said Borough President Diaz in his speech'. 

  Also in the story the words 'In his speech, the borough president will note that the borough has seen 23,000 new units of housing and over 68 million square feet of total development since he took office in 2009.  Also mentioned is that Borough President Diaz will also focus on his recent report that considers building a platform over the Concourse Yards adjacent to Lehman College. it is also mentioned that the borough president will also call for all students in public universal pre-K programs to be tested for gifted an talented programs.

  

  In all there are four times 'Said Borough President Diaz in his Speech' appears in the Review story. Today we are leading the way in job creation -said Borough President Diaz in his speech. 

The economic benefits of new transit projects are undeniable, and we look forward to full approval by the State Legislature 'said Borough President Diaz in his speech. 

And, perhaps, we must generate new real estate in areas where none exists 'said Borough President Diaz in his speech'. 

If more students are tested more students will qualify, and more students will be given the same opportunity I was, 'said Borough President Diaz'.

  I almost feel as if I have already heard the Thursday February 18, 2016 State of the Bronx speech by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. after reading the story in the Wednesday February 17, 2016 story about the State of the Borough Speech by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

  Maybe I can have Deja vu tomorrow when I see the State of the Borough Speech given by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

Statement of endorsement by 17th Council Special Election Candidate Alvarez Is Totally False

In response to 17th City Council District candidate George Alvarez claiming that the Committee of 100 Democrats has endorsed him that statement is false. - The Committee of 100 Democrats has not endorsed any candidate in the 17th City Council special election yet, and The Committee of 100 Democrats Chairman Mr. Ricky Martinez has added that the Committee of 100 Democrats requests a withdrawal of candidate Alvarez's statement. Mr. Martinez continued that this special election is not the Republican primary where candidates like Ted Cruz/George Alvarez can make false statements without any consequences.

The Committee of 100 Democrats awaits the withdrawal of the false statement by 17th City Council special election candidate George Alvarez.

We thank Mr. Anthony Rivieccio and his Northwest Bronx Dems for bringing this to the attention of the Committee of 100 Democrats.

As to questions of a Queens chapter of the Committee of 100 Democrats endorsing Mr. Alvarez - The Committee of 100 Democrats as founded by Mr. Dominick Fusco was and is based in the borough of the Bronx, and any Queens chapter has not been established by the current leadership of the Committee of 100 Democrats.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Files Civil Rights Suit And Enters Settlement With Developer To Enhance Accessibility At More Than 2,500 Rental Apartments

       Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that it has settled a federal civil rights lawsuit against GLENWOOD MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (“GLENWOOD”) and GLENWOOD’S affiliate, LIBERTY STREET REALTY, LLC, by consent decree.  Under the settlement, GLENWOOD agrees to make retrofits at three residential rental complexes in Manhattan – Liberty Plaza, Hawthorne Park, and The Sage – to make them more accessible to individuals with disabilities.  GLENWOOD further agrees to inspect six other residential rental complexes in Manhattan and, where necessary, make retrofits at those buildings as well.  Additionally, GLENWOOD must establish procedures to ensure that its ongoing and future development projects will comply with the accessibility requirements of the federal Fair Housing Act (“FHA”).  Finally, GLENWOOD agrees to provide up to $900,000 to compensate aggrieved persons and pay a civil penalty of $50,000.  The consent decree was approved yesterday by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken.

            Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “This is the tenth lawsuit that this Office has brought to ensure that the promise of the Fair Housing Act – that newly built residential buildings are accessible to people with disabilities – is being fulfilled in New York City.  This settlement shows our enforcement efforts have motivated major developers like Glenwood to embrace their obligations under the law by making retrofits in thousands of apartments, compensating aggrieved parties, and establishing procedures to ensure accessibility at ongoing and future development projects.”

           The FHA’s accessible design and construction provisions require new multifamily housing complexes constructed after January 1993 to have basic features accessible to persons with disabilities.  According to the allegations in the Complaint, Liberty Plaza, a 287-unit rental complex located in Manhattan, was designed and constructed with numerous inaccessible features, including excessively high thresholds interfering with accessible routes into and within individual units, insufficient spaces in bathrooms and kitchens for people in wheelchairs, and bathroom configurations preventing installation of grab bars.  These inaccessible conditions at Liberty Plaza were first brought to the attention of the United States by testing performed by the Fair Housing Justice Center. 

            Under the settlement, GLENWOOD agrees to make extensive retrofits at Liberty Plaza and to commit to make retrofits at two other rental complexes that have been inspected, The Hawthorne and The Sage, to make them accessible.  GLENWOOD also agrees to arrange for inspection at its six other rental complexes in Manhattan and, where necessary, to make retrofits at those properties as well.  Together, the nine buildings covered by the consent decree contain more than 2,500 rental apartments.

            The settlement also requires GLENWOOD to establish procedures to ensure FHA compliance at its ongoing and future development projects.  These include retaining an FHA compliance consultant to ensure each residential building developed by GLENWOOD will, as constructed, comply with the FHA’s accessibility requirements.  The FHA consultant also will conduct a site visit to identify non-compliant conditions and recommend appropriate solutions prior to the completion of construction.  In addition, GLENWOOD agrees to institute policies and training to ensure that its own employees and agents will comply with the FHA’s accessibility requirements.

            Finally, the settlement requires GLENWOOD to provide up to $900,000 in funds to compensate aggrieved persons.  GLENWOOD also agrees to pay a civil penalty of $50,000. 

            The government’s lawsuit also asserted claims against the architect of Liberty Plaza, STEPHEN B. JACOBS GROUP, PC.  The United States is currently engaged in negotiations with that architect regarding a potential settlement. 

            Aggrieved individuals may be entitled to monetary compensation from the fund created through today’s settlement.  Aggrieved individuals may include those who were:

• Injured by a lack of accessible features at Liberty Plaza or the other properties constructed by GLENWOOD;
• Discouraged from living at Liberty Plaza or the other properties constructed by GLENWOOD because of the lack of accessible features;
• Required to pay to have an apartment at Liberty Plaza or the other properties constructed by GLENWOOD made accessible;
• Prevented from having visitors because of a lack of accessible features at Liberty Plaza or the other properties constructed by GLENWOOD; or
• Otherwise injured or discriminated against on the basis of disability as a result of the design or construction of Liberty Plaza or the other properties constructed by GLENWOOD.

            People who may be entitled to compensation should file a claim by contacting the Civil Rights Complaint Line at (212) 637-0840, using the Civil Rights Complaint Form available on the United States Attorney’s Office’s website http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/civilrights.html, or by sending a written claim to:

                        U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York

                        86 Chambers Street, 3rd Floor

                        New York, New York  10007

                        Attention:  Chief, Civil Rights Unit

            The case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Li Yu, Jessica Jean Hu, and Jacob Lillywhite are in charge of the case.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman - $550 Million For New York, Fighting Public Corruption & More

Continuing To Rebuild New York After The Housing Crisis

The Attorney General secured another victory in his efforts to help New Yorkers rebuild in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis: a $3.2 billion settlement with Morgan Stanley. The agreement, negotiated by the joint state federal Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group co-chaired by Attorney General Schneiderman, brings $550 million to New York. The funds are earmarked to help build affordable housing, combat the proliferation of zombie homes and provide loan reductions to families facing foreclosure. The settlement resolves allegations that Morgan Stanley misrepresented the quality of the mortgage loans it securitized and sold to investors, and that it sold loans with material defects to investors. This settlement delivers resources to the families and communities all across the state that need them the most.

  

Enforcing Wage Theft Laws

Arthur Anyah, the owner of a Peekskill-based Home Health Care, has been arrested for allegedly failing to pay 52 workers more than $110,000 in wages for more than two years. The aides, who provided services to clients such as bathing, preparing food, and assisting with toileting, were allegedly induced to keep working after Anyah and the company stated or implied that they would eventually get paid. The Attorney General has returned more than $21 million in restitution and damages to workers subjected to wage theft since he took office, and will continue to take aggressive action against those who think they can skirt the law and take advantage of hard working New Yorkers.

Stopping Fraudsters From Preying On New Yorkers

MoneyGram Payment Systems is revamping and improving its anti-fraud measures thanks to a multi-state settlement reached with the Attorney General and 48 other states. The settlement follows complaints from consumers who used MoneyGram’s wire transfer service to send money to third parties that were seeking to defraud consumers. As part of the agreement, MoneyGram has agreed to maintain and continue to improve a comprehensive and robust anti-fraud program designed to help detect and prevent consumers from suffering financial losses as a result of fraud-induced wire transfers. Furthermore, the company will pay a total of 13 million dollars to the states to fund a nationwide consumer restitution program and for the states’ costs and fees.

Cracking Down On False Advertisements Online

The Attorney General announced settlements with four companies for their role in posting fraudulent content on the internet. One company called Machinima, which distributes video content related to video games on YouTube, allegedly paid gaming experts to endorse several games the company was promoting online. Premier Retail Group, a chain of cosmetic and beauty stores that offer services for a certain skin treatment brand, solicited reviewers through advertisements posted on Craigslist to write positive reviews in exchange for samples and other forms of compensation. Similar practices were uncovered following an investigation into ESIOH Marketing, which solicited writers over Craigslist to write over 200 fake reviews of its small business clients. Finally, a spa company in New York paid a businessman hundreds to post fake positive reviews on Yelp for their services. Consumers rely on reviews and other endorsements on the Internet to inform themselves in making daily purchasing decisions, and deserve honesty and transparency in the reviews and endorsements they read online.

Rooting Out Public Corruption in Monroe County

The fourth and final defendant involved in a Monroe County bid-rigging scheme has pleaded guilty. It is expected that that Daniel Lynch will be sentenced to two-and-one-third to seven years in state prison and be required to pay approximately $600,000 in restitution and forfeiture. Lynch and co-conspirators were charged in November 2013 with a scheme to rig the bidding process for a number of multi-million dollar public works contracts in Monroe County.  This guilty plea demonstrates that the Attorney General is committed to ensuring that taxpayer funds are being spent appropriately. Those who violate the public's trust will held accountable.

Providing Consumer Relief Under Lemon Laws

The Attorney General announced that over $12 million has been recovered by New Yorkers since 2011 thanks to Lemon laws, which provide a legal remedy for consumers who have repair or warranty issues with new or used cars. The Attorney General’s Lemon Law arbitration program provides both consumers and the auto industry a fair and effective means to resolve disputes. In 2015 alone, $2.5 million was awarded to dozens of consumers. To apply for arbitration, visit here and submit your complaint. 

Protecting New York’s Workers’ Compensation Fund

The Attorney General, working with the State Inspector General, announced the sentencing of a former Department of Transportation employee for fraudulently obtaining nearly $10,000 in Workers’ Compensation Benefits over a period of approximately eight months. It was alleged that Corey Cragnolin claimed he suffered an injury while at work, and claimed that he was not working in any capacity while accepting the benefits. Yet between the period of September 2013 to May 2014, Cragnolin was running his own home improvement and contracting business, which included repairing roofs, cleaning and repairing chimneys, cleaning and repairing gutters, among other projects. Cragnolin must now repay nearly $10,000 as part of his sentencing. 

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website at ag.ny.gov. 

100 PERCENT Saturday February 13, 2016 The 78th A.D. Race Shapes Up

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

78th A.D. Race Shapes Up

    Before I get into the 78th A.D. race, yesterday was the taping for the Monday night Bronxtalk 17th City Council Special Election Debate. It was an interesting hour, but I have to wait until after the show airs to report on it. You do however want to watch the show as there is more insight into the six remaining candidates that currently are on the ballot. Host Gary Axelbank was excellent in the way he moderated the debate, but I can tell you no one pulled out a rubber hatchet as was the case in the infamous Espada/Rosado debate many years ago. The 17th City Council Special Election debate will air Monday night at 9 PM on channel 67 for Cablevision viewers, and on channel 33 for Fios customers. You can also go to Bronxnet.org on Tuesday to see a replay of the show. 

Host Gary Axelbank on the left, candidates Rafael Salamanca, Julio 

Pabon, George Alvarez, Marlon Molina, Loren Russell, and Joann Otero.

   On to the 78th Assembly District. The former Executive Director of the Bronx Democratic County organization Ms. Ischia Bravo has just announced (after rumors had been circulating) that she intends to be a candidate for the position of Assembly member of the 78th A.D. Ms. Bravo in a press release says that women voters outnumber male voters six to one. She claims that the women of the 78th Assembly District need a women who can speak for women's rights and other issues that are important to women, and to all the voters of the district.

   This will not be an easy battle for Ms. Bravo who knows that the Bronx Democratic County organization will be endorsing all incumbents including her opponent the current assemblyman. There is however a rumor that the current assemblyman's daughter the former 80th A.D. Assemblywoman who was defeated four years ago of being a replacement candidate after petitions are circulated for her father who would withdraw before the deadline. If that was to be the case then there would be no incumbent and Ms. Bravo could receive the endorsement of the Bronx Democratic County organization. One would have to guess now that I have exposed that scenario, it looks like Assemblyman Jose Rivera is going to have to go through another election, which many hope will be his last. 

    Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will be giving his 'State of the Bronx Address' on Thursday Feb. 18th at the Cardinal Hayes High School starting at 11:30 AM. The school is located at 650 Grand Concourse, and seating is limited so call 718-590-6116 to reserve your seat. 

   The Independent Democratic Conference led by State Senator Jeff Klein has outlined a proposal calling for a $765 million dollar investment in after school programing, Community Learning Schools, and full day Kindergarten. Check this blog archive on the left for the Report: IDC Proposes 50 Hour Learning Week to read more. 

   Finally, this Wednesday State Senator Gustavo Rivera is hosting a Kingsbridge Armory Community Meeting from 6:30 - 8 PM at Monroe College King Hall located at 2501 Jerome Avenue. 

   If you have any political information that you want to share or have checked out, any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on this blog, you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.