| from: | Mayor's Press Office |
| date: | Sat, Oct 8, 2016 at 2:53 PM |
| subject: | STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO & FIRST LADY CHIRLANE MCCRAY
|
Saturday, October 8, 2016
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO & FIRST LADY CHIRLANE MCCRAY
Friday, October 7, 2016
Former New York City Human Resources Administration Supervisor Sentenced To 23 Months In Prison For Defrauding Two Public Assistance Programs Of More Than $1.8 Million
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CHERRISE WATSON-JACKSON, a/k/a “Reesie,” a former supervisor with the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”), was sentenced in Manhattan federal court today to 23 months in prison for defrauding two public assistance programs, which she helped to administer, of more than $1.8 million. WATSON-JACKSON, who pleaded guilty in early May 2016 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.
U.S. Attorney Bharara stated: “In schemes that netted more than $1.8 million, Cherrise Watson-Jackson looted the very public assistance programs that she was responsible to administer. Not only did Watson-Jackson siphon money meant to assist those less fortunate, by doing so, she committed federal crimes that now leads her to prison.”
According to the Complaint, Superseding Indictment, sentencing submissions, other information in the public record, and today’s proceeding:
HRA is an agency of the City of New York responsible for administering various public assistance programs. Among other things, HRA provides temporary help to individuals and families with social service and economic needs to assist them in reaching self-sufficiency. Its services include, among other things, administering the federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) (more commonly known as “food stamps”), and providing rental assistance to low-income families and individuals.
Starting in 1993, WATSON-JACKSON worked at HRA, most recently as a supervisor in a job center in Queens, New York. In that capacity, she supervised a group of other supervisors who in turn were responsible for teams of employees who review and determine eligibility for public assistance clients. Since early 2012, and continuing until December 2013, WATSON-JACKSON abused her position by engaging in a scheme to defraud two of the public assistance programs that she was charged to help administer. The first of the two schemes involved WATSON-JACKSON fraudulently loading electronic benefit transfer (“EBT”) cards
with funds from SNAP, and the cards were then used by co-conspirators throughout the New York City area. The second scheme involved WATSON-JACKSON fraudulently causing rental assistance checks to be mailed to co-conspirators who posed as “landlords” of low-income tenants. Co-conspirators then cashed and/or assisted others to cash the fraudulently obtained checks. The two schemes resulted in the loss of more than $1.8 million in public funds.
In addition to her 23-month prison term, WATSON-JACKSON, 45, of Queens, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervise release, and ordered to forfeit $1,809,811.75 and to pay restitution in the same amount.
WATSON-JACKSON was arrested in early December 2015, along with Maurice Cromwell, a/k/a “Reese,” 40, of Staten Island, New York; Derrick Williams, a/k/a “Blood,” 35, of Queens, New York; Isaac Allen, 40, of Brooklyn, New York; Corey Brock, a/k/a “Cee,” 36, of Queens, New York; Vernecka Petersen-Fowler, 44, of Brooklyn, New York; Kevin Williams, 38, of Queens, New York; Jaron Annuziata, 36, of Brooklyn, New York; Beverly Franklin, 38, of Queens, New York; Beverly Lord, 54, of Queens, New York; Yesenia Depena, 25, of Brooklyn, New York; and Gerard Stokes, 32, of Queens, New York. To date, all defendants except Lord, Depena, and Stokes have pleaded guilty to their participation in one or both fraudulent schemes, and Cromwell, Derrick Williams, Allen, Brock, Petersen-Fowler, Annuziata, and Franklin have been sentenced. Cromwell and Derrick Williams, who served in managerial roles in both schemes, were sentenced to 27 months in prison and 37 months in prison, respectively; Allen was sentenced to 18 months in prison; Brock was sentenced to five years of probation with special conditions of nine months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service; Petersen-Fowler was sentenced to three years of probation with a special condition of eight months of home confinement; Annuziata was sentenced to three years of probation with a special condition of eight months of home confinement; and Franklin was sentenced to three years of probation. All of the defendants that have been sentenced were also ordered to forfeit proceeds of the fraud and to pay restitution.
U.S. Attorney Bharara praised the work of the New York City Department of Investigation, the New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Richenthal and Andrew D. Beaty are in charge of the prosecution.
The pending charges against Beverly Lord, Yesenia Depena, and Gerard Stokes are merely accusations, and these defendants are presumed innocent.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney To Host Education Forums On Opioid Abuse Epidemic
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that he, along with representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the medical field, and representatives from the community, will host a number of education forums to discuss how best to confront the epidemic of opioid abuse that is ravaging so many of our communities, and the federal government’s response.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Close to 80 Americans die every day from opioid abuse. Indeed, more people die from drug overdoses now than automobile accidents or guns. This growing epidemic is everywhere – in our cities, our suburbs and our rural communities. This problem will not be solved by prosecutions alone, although law enforcement certainly must play its part. All of us – law enforcement, pharmaceutical companies, schools and parents – must work together to combat the scourge of opioid abuse. And that effort starts with education. That is why, over the coming weeks, I will be holding education forums in communities throughout our District to discuss this evolving challenge and will be talking about how our Office, the DEA, and others can help.”
Since 2000, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses has increased 137 percent, including a 200 percent increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (prescription opioid pain relievers and heroin). Drug overdoses are the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes and deaths from firearms. Each day, 78 Americans die of an opioid overdose. This increase mirrors large increases in heroin use across the country and has been shown to be closely tied to opioid pain reliever misuse and dependence. Past misuse of prescription opioids is the strongest risk factor for heroin initiation and use, specifically among persons who report past-year dependence or abuse. The increased availability of heroin, combined with its relatively low price (compared with diverted prescription opioids) and high purity, are major drivers of the upward trend in heroin use and overdose.[1]
Mr. Bharara will host the first educational forum on Thursday, October 20, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at New York University School of Law. Parents, teachers, medical professionals, and members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the urgent challenge of opioid addiction. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP here[external link].
A second forum will be held Thursday, December 1, 2016, at Pace Law School in White Plains, New York, and a third forum will be held Thursday, December 8, 2016, at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York.
CORRECTION OFFICER SENTENCED FOR SMUGGLING CELL PHONE TO RIKERS ISLAND INMATE
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a New York City
Department of Correction Officer has been sentenced for bringing a cell phone into a
Rikers Island jail for an inmate with whom she had a personal relationship.
District Attorney Clark said, “The actions of this defendant, whose job is to help
maintain order in an often chaotic environment, are what fuel lawlessness both inside and
outside Rikers Island.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Tessie Clifton, 53, of Manhattan, a
DOC Officer for three-and-a-half years, was sentenced today before Bronx Supreme
Court Justice Steven Barrett to one year in jail. Clifton pleaded guilty to first-degree
Promoting Prison Contraband on September 20, 2016.
According to the investigation, Clifton and inmate Tyrone Williams developed a
personal relationship.
According to the indictment, Clifton placed a black cell phone into
a garbage can inside of AMKC Quad 11 Lower housing area on May 8, 2015, per
Williams’ instructions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ann Lee of the Public
Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Omer Wiczyk, Deputy Chief of the Public
Integrity Bureau, and Wanda Perez-Maldonado, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau.
BP DIAZ HOSTS ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual celebration of Italian-American Heritage & Culture Month, "Mese della Cultura Italiana,” at the Schiff Family Great Hall on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo Thursday night.
This year’s honorees included President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Mario Cilento; Bronx County Public Administrator, Frank C. Randazzo, Esq.; and owner of Sanitation Salvage Corp., Steven Squitieri.
Above - BP Diaz with Honoree Frank Randazzo.
Below - BP Diaz with Honoree Mario Cilento.
Above - BP Diaz with Honoree Steve Squiteri.
Below - Honorees Steve Squiteri and Frank Randazzo with Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.
Bronx Council for Environmental Quality - The Harlem River, the Land and the Watershed 2016
The time has come to get ready for the DEP to study our river!
Join us as we celebrate the River and the Land surrounding the River.
Below you will find our Schedule of Events where we share ON THE WATER fun with schools and the community. If you are interested in attending or volunteering to help out, please register at rsvp@bceq.org
- We will be at Roberto Clemente on Monday October 10 (Columbus Day) for the community and on Tuesday October 11 for the Schools. Volunteers are needed and if partners what to take a ride on the Harlem River it is schedule for Tuesday afternoon.
- We will be at Van Cortlandt Park Lake on Thursday October 13 and Friday October 14 for the Schools. Volunteers are needed and if partners what to take a ride on the Lake in Van Cortlandt Park it is schedule for Friday afternoon.
- Finally, the BCEQ Mini Water Conference is on Thursday, October 20. Please attend to learn about the River, the Land and the Watershed. Refreshments will be served.
Monday, October 10: Community Canoemobile with the Wilderness Inquiry
- Location: Roberto Clemente State Park, 301 W Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10453
- Schedule & Participants:
- COMMUNITY EVENT 12:00-4:00pm Open To The Public
- Open to the public, canoeing only
Tuesday, October 11: School children
- Location: Roberto Clemente State Park, 301 W Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10453
- Schedule & Participants:
- DAY SESSION: 10:00am-2:00pm (150 participants)
- PARTNER PADDLE: 3:00-5:00pm
Thursday, October 13: School children
- Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY 10462
- Schedule & Participants:
- DAY SESSION: 9:00am-2:00pm (100 participants)
Friday, October 14: School children
- Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY 10462
- Schedule & Participants:
- DAY SESSION: 9:00am-1:00pm (100 participants)
- PARTNER PADDLE: 2:00-4:00pm (100 participants)
Saturday, October 15: Community Canoemobile
- Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY 10462
- Schedule & Participants:
- COMMUNITY EVENT: 12:00-4:00pm Open To The Public
Thursday, October 20: Harlem River: Clean Water Quality/Quantity Program & Breakouts
• Location: New Settlement School, 1501 Jerome Ave. (at 172nd Street), Bronx, NY 10452
• Schedule & Participants:
- COMMUNITY EVENT: 6:00-8:00pm Open To The Public
- Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ) Mini Water Conference on the Harlem River: Clean Water Quality/Quantity Program & Breakouts
- Sponsored by: Harlem River Working Group, BCEQ, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Storm Water Infrastructure Matters (SWIM) and NYC Parks.
- Topic: Community Meeting and Breakouts for Harlem River Watershed Parks and Natural Resources Management Plan for the Bronx side of the Harlem River Watershed/Sewershed: Vision and Goals
This qualifies for the BCEQ Board of Directors
October Meeting:
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE AND DAY
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