ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES, HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCE NEW CITYWIDE CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS

Central Bronx, High Bridge/Morrisania, Hunts Point/ Mott Haven, and Northeast Bronx have the highest rates of sleep-related infant deaths

ACS and Health Department teams trained over 12,300 frontline child welfare staff, city workers, parents and other caregivers in safe sleep practices

ACS frontline staff offers in-home assessments with smartphones and training video

Health Department home visiting staff provides safe sleep education and cribs for families who do not have a safe place for their infant to sleep

  The New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and the Health Department announced a new citywide campaign today at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln to promote safe sleep practices for families with infants, building on a community-based training initiative that has seen over 12,300 New Yorkers trained on approved Safe Sleep practices since January 2016.

The new campaign – in English, Spanish, Chinese, French and Haitian Creole – directs parents and caregivers to “Put them to bed as if their life depends on it. Because it does” and highlights the reasons why safe sleep recommendations can save lives. The campaign will be featured in bus shelters, hair and nail salons, bodegas and laundromats in East and Central Harlem, throughout Brooklyn and the Bronx, parts of Queens and Staten Island. 

In New York City, sleep-related injuries remained one of the leading causes of death among infants, with 40 deaths in 2014 and 48 deaths in 2015 at a combined rate of 36.1 per 100,000 live births for 2014-2015. During this time period, prematurely-born infants (less than 32 weeks) compared to other gestational ages, infants residing in the Bronx compared to other boroughs, and infants whose mothers were 20-29 years of age compared to other age groups, had higher rates of sleep-related injury deaths.

In an effort to focus these trainings in communities with the highest rates of sleep-related infant deaths, ACS’ Safe Sleep team has trained over 5,300 fatherhood groups, faith-based organizations, expectant teens, healthcare professionals, formerly-incarcerated mothers, public housing residents, and homeless families. In the field, the agency’s over 2,200 frontline child welfare workers are also able to access ACS’ “A Life To Love” educational video through new Smartphones distributed throughout the division.

“Empowering parents to practice safe sleep is a critical part of our Administration’s efforts to keep children healthy and safe,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio.  “I commend the Administration for Children’s Services and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for coming together to spread the word about these practices – which will save lives and ensure that every child, in every community, has the same chance at a long and healthy life.”

“These initiatives are part of a comprehensive effort to promote safe sleep practices for families with infants,” said ACS Commissioner David Hansell. “We know that, tragically, the High Bridge/Morrisania is one of the area’s most affected by sleep-related deaths. We consider such deaths entirely preventable with public education-- like this bold campaign-- and appropriate and accessible healthcare. We are proud to join the Health Department in this mission, proud to re-launch this campaign at Lincoln Hospital, and proud to continue this vital work in the Bronx.”

“Safe sleep practices are life-saving for all newborns, and this renewed effort enlists the help of trusted community members to educate families about these practices,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “Additionally, by focusing on community engagement and training, we are disseminating this important knowledge to families and connecting them to the resources they need through the Neighborhood Health Action Centers’ Family Wellness Suites. We are confident this neighborhood-level approach will be effective in making safe sleep the norm for all moms and their newborns.”

“Every family should get to celebrate their newborn’s first birthday,” said First Deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “Sadly, each near approximately 50 of our tiniest New Yorkers die due to a sleep-related cause, which is entirely preventable. This new educational campaign coupled with programming to reach credible messengers in communities most affected is a positive step in remedying a longstanding inequity.”

“NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln recognizes the power of community as an important element in the making of strong and healthy families.  We are proud to continue supporting the work of the Safe Sleep initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to better health outcomes and providing necessary resources for families in the Bronx,” said Milton Nuñez, Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln.

The Health Department provides safe sleep education and supports breastfeeding families in high priority neighborhoods through home visitors from the Department’s Newborn Home Visiting Program, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Healthy Start Brooklyn programs. Staff can connect families to resources and support, including the Department’s Healthy Homes Program, to address housing quality issues like heat and rodents that can interfere with safe sleep practices. Through initiatives such as these the Health Department has trained over 7,000 home visitors, city employees, community health workers, parents and infant caregivers in safe sleep practices since January 2016. The Department promotes American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations that breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

New Health Department initiatives include:

·         The Champions Program: A pilot project to train community influencers to be Safe Sleep ambassadors. The Health Department is engaging community members through the Neighborhood Health Action Centers and community partners to recruit grandparents and other trusted community residents to be trained in safe sleep practices. The training employs a newly-created safe sleep curriculum and educational materials and aims to train 100 grandparents and community residents by June 30, 2017.

·         Launch of New Parent Safe Sleep Educational Video: ACS and the Health Department are jointly creating a resource for NYC Health + Hospitals’ hospitals and community health centers, the video will be shown to new parents before hospital discharge. The video will be available at nyc.gov/safesleep and it will be downloadable on smart phones.

·         Safe Sleep Educational Flyer: The flyer promotes Safe sleep by focusing on the “why”: why safe sleep practices make a difference in preventing sleep-related infant deaths. It will be mailed with every birth certificate.

The Health Department’s ongoing Safe Sleep activities will continue to be offered at the Neighborhood Health Action Centers, community spaces in East Harlem, Manhattan, Brownsville, Brooklyn and East Tremont in the Bronx. The Neighborhood Health Action Center initiative is revitalizing underused Health Department buildings by co-locating health services, community health centers, public hospital clinical services, community-based organizations and service providers.  

According to the 2014 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data, the percent of mothers placing their infants to sleep on their back has increased significantly, from 53 percent in 2004 to 66 percent in 2014.  Despite improvements over time, disparities among racial groups persist and were statistically significant in 2014: 62 percent of Latina mothers and 58 percent of Black non-Latina mothers put their baby on their back to sleep compared to 75 percent of White mothers.

Infant sleep-related injury deaths involve the following risk factors:

·         Sleep positioning: Unsafe sleep positioning (placement on the stomach or side) were found in 49 percent of sleep-related infant injury deaths.

·         Bed sharing: Bed sharing with an adult or other child at the time of death was evidenced in 52 percent of injury deaths.

·         Sleep surface: Unsafe sleep surfaces (anything other than a crib, bassinet or playpen) were found in 72 percent of sleep-related infant injury cases.

·         Bedding: Excess/soft bedding or other object in bed was found in 68 percent of sleep-related infant injury deaths.

For more information about NYC ACS, please visit www.nyc.gov/acs, and for more information about NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, please visitwww.nyc.gov/health 

Federal Tax Proposal Could Cost Homeowners $21 Billion More in Taxes: IDC Report

Senator Carlucci & IDC Step Up to Protect Taxpayers in ‘Taxing Times’

Senator David Carlucci and members of the Independent Democratic Conference released a policy report, “Taxing Times: Protecting New Yorkers from Bad Tax Policy in Washington,” examining how Washington’s proposal to eliminate one’s ability to deduct property taxes on the federal level deals taxpayers another blow on the state level. The federal change could wind up costing taxpayers a whopping $21 billion more in taxes.

Senator Carlucci also introduced legislation (S.6502) to protect New Yorkers’ ability to deduct property taxes on state income taxes in the event this bad federal policy becomes law.

“Donald Trump's tax plan would rob middle-class New Yorkers and force some residents who already pay the highest property taxes in the nation, to pay even more.  With State taxation rates impacted by federal policy, the elimination of this deduction would amount to a double tax on New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet as it is.  If Washington's out of touch leadership takes this tax deduction away from New Yorkers, it would cost a shocking $21 billion throughout the State. Taxpayers can't afford to lose this deduction and New York has to continue to be a safety net to Washington's destructive direction,” said Senator Carlucci.

“The bad tax proposals coming from Washington will hurt millions of hardworking New Yorkers who already pay steep property taxes. This trumped-up tax plan only hurts our middle-class who could least afford to pay more taxes. The Independent Democratic Conference will act on a state level to protect taxpayers’ ability to continue to deduct their property taxes on a state level,” said IDC Leader Jeff Klein.

“This proposed change to federal tax policy would affect thousands of Central New Yorkers who claim a property tax deduction to reduce their tax burden. Asking hard-working families to pay more is wrong, and the IDC’s report explains the cost families would face if this policy is implemented,” said IDC Deputy Leader David Valesky.

“New Yorkers consistently face some of the nation's highest tax burdens at every turn. Another tax hit from Washington with the elimination of the property tax deduction is one that will cause our middle-class families to suffer most. The Independent Democratic Conference is taking a proactive and pragmatic step to ensuring New York homeowners can rest easier at night,” said Senator Diane Savino.

“It seems that every time President Trump puts a proposal forward, hardworking New Yorkers will be seriously hurt by it. His tax plan is no exception. My conference and I will do everything possible to ensure homeowners are capable of continuing to deduct their property taxes,” said Senator Jose Peralta.

“Residents of New York City and State are subject to some of the highest taxes in this nation. Being able to deduct state and local taxes from our taxable federal income is the only relief we see and losing this deduction would hit New Yorkers, particularly those in my District, exceptionally hard. This legislation being introduced by the IDC to protect taxpayers across the state will provide much-needed relief in the event of Donald Trump’s tax plan becoming law,” said Senator Tony Avella.

“‘Taxing Times’ shines a spotlight on a key area of policy where the wrong choice in DC could negatively impact millions of New York households. The Trump administration has a record of bringing forward unwise, unsound, and unreasonable policies and we need to be prepared for Trump’s total lack of judgement to appear in tax policy. Senator Carlucci’s legislation serves as an important step to help shield New Yorkers from a damaging change that has the potential to harm millions of our fellow New Yorkers. We must act in every area we can to meet faulty federal policy with wisdom here on the state level. Senator Carlucci’s legislation does precisely that,” said Senator Jesse Hamilton.

“The policies coming out of Washington are wrongheaded and disproportionately affect working people and states with high property taxes like New York. By unlinking state property tax deductions from federal deductions, we can minimize the blow to New York homeowners and HDFC owners of this regressive policy,” said Senator Marisol Alcantara.

The federal government allows taxpayers to deduct state and local taxes from their income when determining their taxable federal income. Currently, a third of New York filers claim this itemized deduction on their federal returns, with an average deduction of $21,000 based on 2014 numbers.

Unfortunately the Trump administration’s plan for “tax reform” includes cuts that would end this deduction, resulting in a net tax increase for New Yorkers and leaving them at risk to lose this important money saving tool. Similar plans from Congress would enact similar cuts.

The Independent Democratic Conference estimates a $21 billion increase in federal taxes for New Yorkers, based on an analysis of 2014 tax data, if this policy is enacted.

IDC Analysis of Value of State and Local Tax Deduction

Type of State or Local Tax	Total Deductions Claimed    (In Thousands of $)	Value of Deductions  (In Thousands of $)	Number of Filers claiming the deduction	Value per filers
Real property Taxes	$20,158,375.00	$5,266,850.86	2,375,850	$2,216.83
State and Local Income Taxes	$47,302,123.00	$15,045,552.51	2,839,750	$5,298.20
All State and Local Taxes	$68,400,903.00	$21,049,806.20	3,251,300	$6,474.27

If this federal itemized deduction were to be repealed, then state taxpayers would no longer be able claim a  property tax deduction on their state returns either. Current state law links the itemized deduction at the state level to federal itemized deductions.

In order to unlink the two, in the event a policy change, the IDC is introducing legislation that would enshrine New Yorkers’ ability to claim an itemized deductions for their property taxes on state returns.

It would not impact the state’s bottom line differently since this deduction already exists. Taxpayers saved $716.6 million in 2014 and this year they are expected to save $704 million in taxes. It is the second largest deduction after the mortgage and investment interest deduction at the state level. Over 1.6 million New Yorkers deducted property taxes in 2014, with an average deduction of $9,883.

If the state does not act, it could  cost taxpayers over $704 million this year on a state level.

Why I am marching in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade By Ruben Diaz Jr.

Why I am marching in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
By Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Borough President

On Sunday, June 11, hundreds of thousands of my fellow Puerto Ricans and New Yorkers will come together along Fifth Avenue to celebrate our shared culture and heritage as part of the 60th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

I will be among them.

I will march as I have for each of the 20 years I have been an elected official. And I will celebrate like I have since I was a small child. I will shake hands will my fellow boricuas. I will proudly wave La Bandera Puertorriquena. I will not let the controversy surrounding one man become bigger than the hearts of millions of Puerto Ricans.

The National Puerto Rican Day Parade has never been about one person, but the more than five million Puerto Ricans who call the mainland United States their home. To suggest otherwise is to reduce our traditions and pride into the background noise of anovela. Reasonable people can disagree on the actions and impact of Oscar Lopez Rivera. Many in our city have invoked the specter of terrorism, especially in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11, as a reason why Rivera should not be honored by the parade, and I understand the passion of that argument.

Oscar Lopez Rivera served 35 years in federal prison. He was offered clemency by two different Presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. He served his time, and he was released legally.

That so many sponsors have chosen to pull their support from this parade is incredibly disheartening. This parade is not about any particular individual, but the pride—orgullo—of the Puerto Rican people. To remove financial resources that foster this celebration sends an awful signal to a loyal customer base. Are we not wanted?

The dispute surrounding this year’s parade accomplishes nothing. In fact, it is a distraction from the historic injustice people on the island have faced and continue to endure for more than a century. The fiscal crisis in Puerto Rico has not receded since last year’s parade. The island’s debt has risen to a massive $123 billion, forcing the commonwealth’s government to file for a form of bankruptcy protection. More than 200 schools are closing on the island due to lack of funds. People are dying because Puerto Rico has lost its doctors.

Arguing over who is honored at a parade will not help the 3.5 million residents of Puerto Rico deal with the crushing debt crisis that affects their island. They are American citizens who need our help, and who does or does not march in this year’s parade is inconsequential to the much weightier issue of their plight.

The fiscal crisis on Puerto Rico requires immediate federal action. The Trump administration and Congress cannot allow the island to sink under its debt. The status quo is unacceptable. In order to truly save Puerto Rico, there must be a permanent solution.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - Join us at the Bronx BP & Allies LGBTQ Pride Awards Ceremony!

Six Members Of National Drug Trafficking Organization Charged In Manhattan Federal Court

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Carl J. Kotowski, the Special Agent in Charge of the New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging six defendants with operating a national drug trafficking organization that distributed synthetic cannabinoids. In conjunction with the unsealing of the Indictment, search warrants were executed at locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

HIKMAT HAMED, a/k/a “Abu Amjad,” was arrested by DEA agents this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Noce in St. Louis, Missouri.

MOHAMMAD ABDELELAH AL BARBARAWI, a/k/a “Abu Yazan,” and HATEM K. EL HAJ, a/k/a “Tug Tug,” were arrested by DEA agents this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole in Chicago, Illinois.

NEHAD THAHER, a/k/a “Nick,” SHADI SHUAIBI, and MAYTHEM AL ABOUDI were arrested by DEA agents this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Colin H. Lindsay in Louisville, Kentucky.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Trafficking of synthetic cannabinoids – sometimes called K2 or Spice – is on the rise and posing a serious threat to public health and safety. Packaged attractively to appeal to teenagers and young adults, synthetic cannabinoids are in reality a toxic cocktail that can be very dangerous to consume. As alleged, thanks to our partners at the DEA, a sprawling operation of alleged traffickers has been dismantled.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski said: “This multi-jurisdictional investigation puts an end to this alleged drug trafficking organization. This is just another example of an organization allegedly more concerned about making a profit selling their poison than they are about the safety of the public.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal

court[1]:

Between October 2016 and May 2017, HIKMAT HAMED, a/k/a “Abu Amjad,” MOHAMMAD ABDELELAH AL BARBARAWI, a/k/a “Abu Yazan,” NEHAD THAHER, a/k/a “Nick,” SHADI SHUAIBI, HATEM K. EL HAJ, a/k/a “Tug Tug,” and MAYTHEM AL ABOUDI participated in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute leaves treated with 5F-MDMB-PINACA and FUB-AMB, each of which is an analogue of a schedule I controlled substance. Many of the synthetic cannabinoids the defendants distributed were packaged in packets that contained inaccurate descriptions of their contents and were misleadingly labeled as “Potpourri Product,” “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION,” and “complies with all federal and state legislation.”

Each of the defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the DEA Newark’s Tactical Diversion Squad. Mr. Kim also thanked the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Indiana State Police, the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, as well as the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Illinois, the Northern District of Indiana, the Southern District of Indiana, the Eastern District of Kentucky, the Eastern District of Missouri, the District of New Jersey, and the Eastern District of Wisconsin for their assistance in this investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing. 

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Former CEO And President Of Real Estate Investment Company Pleads Guilty To Embezzling $1.6 Million And Evading Taxes

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ROCKWELL GAJWANI pled guilty today to one count of wire fraud and three counts of tax evasion in connection with embezzling over $1.6 million from the Manhattan-based real estate investment company for which he had served as chief executive officer and president. As part of his plea, GAJWANI agreed to pay $1,975,068.04 in restitution and $1,612,841 in forfeiture. GAJWANI pled guilty before United States District Judge Loretta A. Preska.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As he admitted today, for years Rockwell Gajwani siphoned money from his employer’s accounts, lining his own pockets with more than $1.6 million. Instead of working diligently as his company’s CEO, Gajwani put his efforts into concealing his crimes and hiding his ill-gotten gains from the IRS. Thanks to the dedicated work of the Postal Inspection Service and the IRS, Gajwani will now be held to account for his crimes.”

According to the Complaint, the Indictment, and other statements made in open court:

From October 2011 through March 2013, GAJWANI was the chief executive officer and president of a real estate investment company based in Manhattan (the “Manhattan Real Estate Company”). During this period, GAJWANI took more than $1.6 million in company funds to which he was not entitled by, among other means, making wire transfers from the company’s bank account to his personal bank account, writing company checks to himself, and making cash withdrawals from the company’s bank account.

To accomplish this scheme, among other means, GAJWANI took steps to conceal his true salary and to conceal from the Manhattan Real Estate Company’s parent company (the “Parent Company”) the amount of money he had taken from the Manhattan Real Estate Company’s bank account.

Beginning in late 2012, the director of accounting for the Manhattan Real Estate Company (the “Director of Accounting”) asked GAJWANI for details regarding GAJWANI’s compensation on more than one occasion, and GAJWANI repeatedly said he would get such details to her, but failed to do so. On another occasion, in connection with a request from the Parent Company for financial information, GAJWANI told the Director of Accounting not to provide that information to the Parent Company. To further conceal the funds he had taken from the Manhattan Real Estate Company, GAJWANI directed employees of the Manhattan Real Estate Company to lump the compensation of all employees together in accounting materials provided to the Parent Company, so that GAJWANI’s compensation would not be listed separately from the aggregate figure. GAJWANI also directed certain employees of the Manhattan Real Estate Company not to communicate with employees of the Parent Company.

Over the course of his employment, GAJWANI wrote himself over $940,000 in checks from the Manhattan Real Estate Company’s bank account, and wired over $1.7 million to his personal bank account. Although some of these funds were purportedly for expenses, by the end of his employment GAJWANI had taken over $1.6 million more from the Manhattan Real Estate Company’s bank account than he was entitled to under his employment agreement.

GAJWANI also concealed his fraud on the Manhattan Real Estate Company. Specifically, on two occasions in May 2012, wrote checks to an employee of the Manhattan Real Estate Company (“Employee-2”) from the company’s bank account. wrote “expenses” in the memo line of each check, although neither check was meant to pay company expenses, and instructed Employee-2 to write a check in return directly to GAJWANI himself. Employee-2 did so on both occasions. In this manner, was able to secure over $30,000 in payments that GAJWANI appeared to receive from Employee-2 but in reality were funds GAJWANI had taken from the Manhattan Real Estate Company.

In addition to defrauding the Manhattan Real Estate Company, GAJWANI did not file tax returns or pay taxes for his legitimate salary or for the money he had secured through fraud. Ultimately, in July 2015, after he learned of a criminal investigation, GAJWANI filed tax returns for calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013. Each of those returns included false representations. For tax year 2011, the federal income tax return that GAJWANI filed understated GAJWANI’s actual income by more than $480,000, and included over $85,000 in false, impermissible tax deductions. For tax year 2012, the federal income tax return that GAJWANI filed included over $260,000 in false, impermissible tax deductions. For tax year 2013, the federal income tax return that GAJWANI filed underreported GAJWANI’s actual income by $270,000.

GAJWANI, 53, of Darien, Connecticut, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and three counts of tax evasion, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five 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. As part of his plea, GAJWANI agreed to pay $1,975,068.04 in restitution and $1,612,841.04 in forfeiture.

GAJWANI is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Preska on September 12, 2017, at 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative efforts of law enforcement personnel at U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Sentencing Of Long Island Resident Who Stole $75K From Medicaid

Sonia Ponce Stole From Medicaid By Submitting False Timesheets And Forging Signatures For Services That Were Not Rendered

Schneiderman: We Will Continue To Protect The Integrity Of The Medicaid System

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Sonia Ponce, 57, of Freeport, for stealing approximately $75,000 from Medicaid by causing claims to be filed with Medicaid that falsely stated that home-health care services were provided to two of her relatives by the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a home-care program funded by Medicaid. In March 2017, Ponce pleaded guilty to Forgery in the Third Degree and Petit Larceny, both class A misdemeanors. Today, the Honorable Anthony Paradiso in Nassau County District Court sentenced Ponce to one week in jail, three years’ probation, 150 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine.

“Taxpayer funds meant to care for our sick and disabled should not be abused by those taking advantage of the system,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “We will bring to justice those who defraud Medicaid and continue to protect the integrity of the system.” 

The defendant exploited benefits meant for her relatives who received home-care aide services provided by CDPAP. CDPAP allows a representative of a physically disabled person, often a relative, to assume full responsibility for their home care and recruit, hire, supervise and fire the personal aides providing the care. The investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) uncovered that Ponce used the personal identification numbers (PINS) of the aides to record them logging in and out of work at times when the aides weren’t working, including several days when the aides were out of the country.

Ponce also falsified the aides’ timesheets and submitted them to Recco Home Care Services, the CDPAP fiscal agent. On several occasions, Ponce picked up the aides’ paychecks from Recco, forged the aides’ signatures on their paychecks and cashed them.  Ponce then used the cash to pay the aides for the work that they performed but kept the fraudulent portion of the check. 

The Attorney General would like to thank the Nassau County Department of Social Services for referring this matter to the Office and for its assistance in conducting the investigation.