MASSIVE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES RELATING TO CITYTIME PROJECT

     New York City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following in response to questions about today's announcement by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations of massive fraud and $80 million in misappropriations relating to the CityTime project:

    "These charges will be another stain on the checkered history of the CityTime project. This further underscores the need to more closely monitor expensive outside consultant contracts."
     Comptroller Liu has called for an emergency session of the New York City Office of Payroll Administration "OPA" Board of Directors.

      As recently as last week, the Comptroller's Office has continuously provided series of documents to DOI for their investigation. The Comptroller's Office will continue to assist the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the NYC Department of Investigations in their ongoing investigation into the CityTime project.

Elevation of Judge Edgar Walker to Justice of the Supreme Court

    Tuesday afternoon Judge Edgar Walker was sworn in as the next Bronx Supreme Court Justice. Many were on hand for the occasion including Bronx elected officials such as Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie.

 Also in the picture are 81st A.D. District Leaders Bruce Feld and Randi Martos, along with Bruce Weitz chief of staff for Congressman Engel, and new Supreme Court Judge Edgar Walker..

Espada Indicted  US Attorney
UPDATE

   NEW  Pedro Esapda charged with fraud and embezzlement of $500,000.00 from the Soundview Medical Center. His son has also been incited on similar charges it is reported. Both could face up to ten years in jail on these counts alone.

   We have just heard word that the US attorney will indict current State Senator Pedro Espada on five counts.

We will have the details as they are announced.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTED THE 5^th ANNUAL ‘A TASTE OF THE BRONX’ FOOD SHOW

    On Sunday, December 12, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and The Bronx Tourism Council gave food enthusiasts the chance to taste the best of the Bronx cuisine. Residents who purchased tickets to the production of “A Bronx Messiah” by Handel at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, received free admission to “A Taste of The Bronx” Food Show, an event created to draw attention and business to the borough’s array of fine restaurants.

    "With a record number of Bronx restaurants being recognized by publications like Zagat Survey and the Michelin Guide, it's an especially good time to celebrate some of the best eateries in our borough.  Our residents don’t have to go far to enjoy a good meal, The Bronx is full of excellent restaurants,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

        BP Diaz getting the first tasting of the food on display.

It Stinks

by Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz

    Kudos to Ms. Joanna Molloy from the New York Daily News for her sharp warning to us in Saturday’s column, New Yorkers rip Bloomberg on crash tax, say he's 'bleeding the middle class' dry.

    Her comparison of Mayor Bloomberg’s intention to allow the FDNY to bill drivers involved in accidents to the Emperor Nero’s tax on urine collectors may sound grotesque.  According to history, Nero’s son complained about the gross nature of that tax.  A gold coin was held high before him and a voice of authority stated: “This doesn’t stink.”  

    Well, my friends, if we hold Mayor Bloomberg’s plan up to the light, it does stink.

    It stinks that people who need help may not call for help.

    It stinks that anyone injured in a car accident where the car goes on fire would have to worry if he or she has an extra $415 in the bank before calling the FDNY for help.

    It stinks that under-privileged New Yorkers could decide to leave the scene of an accident just to avoid paying a $490 ‘crash’ tax.

    It stinks that the number of hit and runs could go up.

    It stinks that taxi drivers and truck drivers would have new worries added to their already difficult lives.

    It stinks that fender benders where the drivers (thankfully) have no injuries and are reported by a third party could cost drivers $365 for the ambulance that shows up.

     It stinks that needy New Yorkers may vow to never call 911 again even in the case of medical emergency because of this preposterous plan.

    The men and women who work in New York’s firehouses, drive emergency vehicles and respond to accidents are our heroes and heroines.

    It stinks to think that Mayor Michael Bloomberg could exploit the relationship between New York’s Bravest and New York residents by sending a bill from the FDNY to accident victims.

    It stinks that our Mayor or anyone could even think of pitting emergency care workers – our heroes and heroines – against the public.

    Back to Ms. Molloy’s reference to Nero … we’ve all heard the expression: “Nero fiddled while Rome burned.”

    Let’s hope that Mayor Michael Bloomberg does not take up the fiddle anytime soon.

    [http://rubendiaz.com/itstinks.html]

 

    

 

 

   

Senator Klein’s Court Watchers Team To Show Solidarity At Bronx Vandalism Case
UPDATE This was postponed, as The case has been adjourned until further notice.

    Members of State Senator Jeff Klein's (D- Bronx/ Westchester) court watchers team will observe the court case of Iyylania Milityk on Friday, taking place at the Bronx Criminal Courthouse. Milityk is being charged a second time for committing vandalism within the 49th Precinct. Klein's Bronx Court Watchers program, which launched in April, is aimed at showing community support and solidarity in calling for tougher sentences for repeat adult graffiti vandals. The program is an extension of Klein's ongoing efforts to eliminate graffiti across the Bronx. As part of the Court Watchers program, volunteers from the community sit-in on repeat, adult offender court proceedings, wearing t-shirts and buttons that express their intolerance for graffiti and desire for a jail-time sentence. To volunteer for the Court Watchers program, residents should call Klein’s office at (718)-822-2049. 

     Observing the Court Case of Iyylania Milityk, who is being charged a  second time for vandalism within the  49th Precinct.  

     FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10^TH AT 9:30AM

     Bronx Courthouse, 265 East 161 Street, Bronx 

     For more information call (718) 822-2049

“BALLET AMBASSADORS” TEACH CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE HOW TO DANCE AND PERFORM THE “NUTCRACKER” 

     On Thursday, December 9^th  at Haven Academy Charter School in the Bronx, 175 students in grades Kindergarten through 3^rd, will learn, rehearse and perform the timeless “Nutcracker” ballet in an engaging, one-day workshop. Children will learn basic ballet steps, practice scenes from the “Nutcracker” and then perform, dressed in costumes, for parents, peers and staff. The workshop will be led by two professional dancers from Ballet Ambassadors, Inc.-- a non-profit organization that gives children and teens in schools, afterschool programs, and homeless shelters the chance to share the stage with professional dancers in costumed adaptations of the ballet classics, original ballets, and world dance productions.

    The New York Foundling, one of the City’s oldest and largest child welfare agencies, developed Haven Academy Charter School to address the obstacles to educational achievement that plague students growing up in poor, underserved, urban communities and particularly those in the child welfare system. The school enrolls one third children in foster care, one third children with families receiving preventive services and one third children from the general Mott Haven community, the poorest Congressional district in the country.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Haven Academy students perform “Nutcracker” ballet

Haven Academy Charter School, 170 Brown Place, Mott Haven, Bronx

CONTACT:       Abby Ross, LAK PR 212-329-1404/479-283-3505 or aross@lakpr.com