PARKCHESTER TOWN HALL MEETING ON MAINTENANCE HIKE

WHAT: Senator Ruben Diaz and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda will hold a Town Hall meeting to update residents of Parkchester South Condominiums on the status of the court case involving a major one-time maintenance hike by management.

The two electeds have been working with legal counsel in a lawsuit to modify the one-time 15.19 % increase, which management has said it needs to cover the cost of emergency repairs to roofs and other portions of the spawling condominium development.

They have already won concessions from management, including extending the maintenance payment over a four-year period for those who qualify based on their financial status.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017

WHERE: St. Paul's Church (Gymnasium), 1891 McGraw Ave., Bronx.

Council Member Andy King to Host Open House For 12th District Constituents Jan. 15, from Noon to 3 p.m.

  City Council Member Andy King will hold an open house and community “meet and greet” at his 12th District offices at 940 East Gun Hill Road on Sunday, Jan. 15, from Noon to 3 p.m. 

Joining Council Member King will be his staff and representatives from city agencies, who will be available to answer community questions.

The open house also celebrates the observance of the birthday of the slain civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“It’s only fitting that on the day of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual birthday that we open up our house as Dr. King had opened up his heart and gave his life to improve the lives of others. That true commitment to service is what we strive for in the 12th District,” said Council Member King.

This event is free and open to the public.

Alleged Confidence Man Charged With Luring Victims Through Matchmaking And Networking Sites To Commit Fraud And Identity Theft

John Edward Taylor Allegedly Masqueraded as a Millionaire and Businessman to Romance Victims, Steal Their Identifying Information, and Use Their Bank Accounts and Credit to Fund His Daily Expenses.

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Timothy Gallagher, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Newark Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, a/k/a “Jay Taylor,” a/k/a “Josie Reeser,” was charged in a five-count indictment today.  TAYLOR had previously been charged by complaint, and first appeared in this district on December 21, 2016.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain. TAYLOR is expected to be arraigned later this week before Judge Swain.  

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “John Edward Taylor allegedly trolled dating websites to find unsuspecting women for his ‘romance’ scam, designed to steal their money.  While masquerading as a millionaire businessman with romantic and professional interest in his victims, Taylor was in reality an alleged con artist.  When confronted by some of his victims for looting their bank accounts, Taylor took his insidious crime another step further, allegedly threatening to release sexually explicit photos of them.”

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Gallagher said:  “Today’s charges illustrate the FBI’s commitment to combating the growing threat of online dating scams and financial fraud. Our job is to protect victims and ensure those who commit these egregious crimes are held accountable.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint and Indictment filed in federal court:[1]

JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, a/k/a “Jay Taylor,” a/k/a “Josie Reeser,” stole, or attempted to steal, money, credit, and personal information from more than a dozen women (the “Victims”) in cities across the country, including New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.

TAYLOR contacted Victims using online matchmaking and networking websites, such as Match.com, eHarmony, Craigslist, and Seeking Arrangement.  TAYLOR typically introduced himself as “Jay” and often falsely described himself as a wealthy businessman with oil and land interests in North Dakota.  To some Victims, TAYLOR feigned interest in hiring the Victims to work on a new business TAYLOR purported to be creating.  To other Victims, TAYLOR expressed an interest in a romantic and personal relationship.  To most Victims, TAYLOR purported to be interested in both a personal and a professional relationship.

Using a variety of false pretenses, TAYLOR obtained the Victims’ personal identifying information, often including birthdates, addresses, and bank and credit account numbers.  TAYLOR used the Victims’ personal identifying information to purchase goods, transfer funds, and open new accounts – all without authorization.  In certain circumstances, TAYLOR opened accounts without the Victims’ knowledge.  In other circumstances, TAYLOR opened accounts that he assured Victims were business accounts, but were, in fact, personal accounts in the Victims’ names, over which TAYLOR maintained exclusive control.

Often within a matter of months, Victims would discover thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges and transfers in their existing accounts, receive bills for accounts they had never created, or learn their existing accounts had been closed due to delinquency.

Independent of each other, multiple Victims confronted TAYLOR about his activities.  To some, TAYLOR responded with insults.  To others, TAYLOR responded with promises to repay the losses – and on at least one occasion attempted to repay one Victim with funds unlawfully obtained from another Victim.  On multiple occasions, TAYLOR threatened to transmit sexually explicit images of the Victims – which he had obtained as part of his purported romantic relationships with them – to the Victims’ employers if the Victims tried to collect their debts.

TAYLOR’s fraud and attempted fraud totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

TAYLOR, 47, has been charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense; one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense; one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison; and two counts of threatening communications, each of which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentences for the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding work of the FBI for their investigative efforts and ongoing support and assistance with the case.

The prosecution of this case is being overseen by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Rebold and Andrew Thomas are in charge of the case.

The charges contained in the Complaint and Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and Indictment and the descriptions of the Complaint and Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Former New York City Human Resources Administration Employee Pleads Guilty To Fraud And Cocaine Trafficking

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that PETRONILA PERALTA, a/k/a “Petra,” a former employee with the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”), pled guilty to defrauding a public assistance program that she had administered during the time when she worked for HRA, resulting in the theft of more than $600,000 in public funds, and to trafficking more than 50 kilograms of cocaine following her separation from HRA.  PERALTA, who was arrested in December 2015, entered her pleas today before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods, and was ordered remanded.  She is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Woods on April 4, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Bharara stated:  “As she admitted today, in addition to cocaine trafficking, Petronila Peralta defrauded the public by stealing more than $600,000.  This money was intended to aid the neediest New Yorkers, including children, by helping to defray the costs of basic nutrition and housing.” 

According to the Complaint, Indictment, plea agreement, 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 others, administering the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (more commonly known as “food stamps”), administering the federally funded Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program, and providing rental assistance to low-income families and individuals.

Between 2005 and August 2014, PERALTA worked at HRA, most recently as a Job Opportunity Specialist in a job center in Queens, New York.  In that capacity, PERALTA was supposed to provide economic support and employment-related services to persons in need.  Starting by approximately 2009, PERALTA abused her position by fraudulently issuing more than approximately 800 supplemental issuances to individuals who were not entitled to such payments.  A “supplemental issuance” is a supplemental transmission of funds to a public assistance beneficiary who did not receive the amount of funds he or she was due previously.  Between approximately 2009 and May 2011, PERALTA repeatedly issued such funds not to individuals who were entitled to them, but to co-conspirators, and took steps to conceal her conduct, including by using the computer system log-in information of a former employee of HRA, rather than her own.  The scheme led by PERALTA resulted in the loss of more than approximately $600,000 in public funds.

Following her separation from HRA, between approximately January 2013 and March 2015, PERALTA agreed to and did receive, and help others to receive, through the mail more than 50 kilograms of cocaine meant for re-distribution.

PERALTA, 52, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine, which carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

U.S. Attorney Bharara praised the work of the New York City Department of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj - Coat Drive: Donate a Coat

Statement from Comptroller Stringer, Council Members Cohen and Williams Re: Support for Governor’s Free Tuition Proposal

Statement from Comptroller Scott M. Stringer 

  “Making college tuition-free for working families will be a major step forward for our students, our city, and all of New York. College is a necessity in the 21st century, and if we are to compete as a city, we need to give everyone a fair shot to succeed. Access to higher education should be a right for all, not just a privilege for a few. This proposal is both the smart approach and the right thing to do. I applaud Governor Cuomo for taking on this critical issue.”

Statement from Council Member Andrew Cohen

   “I commend Governor Cuomo on today’s free tuition proposal.  City and State officials should be open to all options for putting CUNY and SUNY within the reach of middle-class families, including eliminating tuition altogether.  His proposed supplemental aid program would make college affordable for thousands of families throughout New York.  

“I support the goals of this proposal as I was a co-sponsor of legislation recently passed by the New York City Council, and signed into law by the Mayor, which will create a taskforce to examine ways to increase affordability at CUNY, including the feasibility of eliminating tuition.  Phased-in support to households over the next three years is a good start on reaching the goals we all share of making CUNY and SUNY affordable for current and future students in New York City and throughout the State.” 

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS

  Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader, and a Brooklyn College graduate, released the following statement after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a proposal Tuesday morning to offer free tuition at state colleges to middle- and low-income New Yorkers. Under the plan, college students whose families earn less than $125,000 a year will receive free tuition for any city or state university in New York.

"I commend Governor Cuomo on his plan to offer free tuition to New York's families. A college education should not be a debt sentence for years to come. Given the economy and the slow growth of available jobs, it is irresponsible to saddle young adults with debt without a path to work their way out of it after graduation.

"There's a precedence for the Governor's move. The biggest expansion of the CUNY system was during the Great Depression because it was believed education would lift the country out of the recession. 

"It's time the Democratic party begin to adopt forward-thinking policies and truly be the enlightened party it purports itself to be."

MAYOR DE BLASIO, COUNCIL MEMBER ESPINAL AND SCA ANNOUNCE START OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR NEW 1,000 SEATS SCHOOL IN EAST NEW YORK

As part of the East New York Plan, the PS/IS school will be fully accessible, air-conditioned, and feature art and music classrooms, a cafeteria, gymnatorium, science labs

   Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Member Rafael Espinal and Lorraine Grillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), today announced the start of the public review process to build a new 1,000 seat school in the East New York section of Brooklyn. 

“The East New York Plan was adopted this past spring and we are already seeing progress: safer streets, a gracious new community center and now the start of the public comment period for a new public school. This is the beginning of the work we will do to secure a bright and stable future, including new affordable homes, for East New York,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"A school is so much more than a building full of classrooms," said Council Member Rafael Espinal. "It is where our youth spend the majority of their waking hours learning valuable lessons of community, respect and friendship. A school is where students cultivate their interests and form lasting goals. 

"I hope the community will take advantage of this important opportunity to make their voices heard on this important component of East New York's future. The foundation of a community's success is built in its investment in ensuring we have safe places to raise healthy children and families; schools are cornerstones of that foundation," said Borough President Eric Adams.

“This new 1,000 seat school will build on the strong public investments made as part of the East New York Neighborhood Plan.  By taking this step to start our public review process, the School Construction Authority is making good on the commitments to the East New York Community by Mayor de Blasio and Council Member Espinal.  When completed, the new school will be a state-of-the-art facility that will be enjoyed for decades to come,” said Lorraine Grillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority.

The new school building will be constructed on a portion of the City-owned Dinsmore-Chestnut site. The lot, which is currently vacant, will house the new PS/IS school and serve children from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in Community School District 19. It will sit next to a future affordable housing project.

The state-of-the-art school building will be fully accessible and fully air-conditioned.  It will include both art and music rooms, a cafeteria, a gymnatorium and exercise room, science labs, a library and other amenities for students.  A large outdoor playground will also be built and is expected to be open to the public after school hours. The school will also include a District 75 program, or special education program. The SCA is kicking off its site selection process for the school January 3. The process includes a 45-day public comment period, when the local Community Board and Community Education Council are invited to hold hearings and members of the community are invited to give feedback about the site and the planned school.  

Information regarding the public hearings will be available through the Community Board 5 and CEC District 19, which are hosing the events. 

Comments on the proposed actions can also be submitted to the New York City School Construction Authority by email at sites@nycsca.org; or mail to New York City School Construction Authority, 30-30 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11101. Attention: Ross J. Holden. 

The deadline for public comments is February 17.

Following successful completion of the public comment period, the SCA will submit this site for final approval to the New York City Council and Mayor de Blasio.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

  It would seem that if a community or borough wants a new school, a large scale Affordable Housing Project must be built as is the case above. Note the word Gymnatorium (underlined and in bold) which is a combined Gym and Auditorium. This is not new to the public school system in New York, as all purpose rooms have included cafeteria, auditorium, gym, and learning facilities in just one room. That way they can be built to a smaller scale to allow only a percentage of students to use the room, which is used for the entire school day, not to be left unused at any time. 

  Notice there are no cost estimates. There is a standard building plan, and this school should cost around $76 Million dollars to build before any cost overruns.