Mayoral Town Hall Meeting at IS 254

  It wasn't any different from the other Bronx town hall meetings that Mayor Bill de Blasio has had here in the Bronx. Councilman Ritchie Torres was the co-host of this town hall meeting in his 15th city council district at IS 254. Above the mayor waits to be introduced, and the only other elected officials in the room with Councilman Torres were State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.  

Above - Bronx DA Darcel Clark thanks the mayor for the funding that is needed to run the DA's office, and his plan to close Riker's Island.

Below - State Senator Gustavo Rivera points out some current city legislation that is directly connected to legislation that he and others in the State Senate are trying to get passed into law, but are having a few problems getting the needed number of votes to pass said legislation in the State Senate.

Councilman Torres spoke about the relationship he has forged with the mayor to help not only his district, but many other people who live in NYCHA house of which Councilman Torres is the chair of Public Housing Committee in the city council.

Below - As usual Mayor de Blasio is given cue cards to read from so he can say positive things about the council member and the council district he is in. You can see the mayor reading off of one of said cue cards to announce NYCHA improvements to one housing complex in Councilman Torres's district.

Above - The first question of this town hall meeting went to Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance President Bernadette Ferrara, as she is recognized by Councilman Torres, who chose the speakers.  

Below - Mayor de Blasio listens intently to what Ms. Ferrara has to say about the quality of life issues in the Van Nest neighborhood. 

The town hall meeting began about 7:30 PM and lasted past 10 PM as Mayor de Blasio took as many questions on as many topics from education to community policing. You can see the precinct commanders from all Bronx precincts and Bronx Borough Command Inspectors were on hand to answer any questions relating to police matters. also on hand were Borough agency heads, and even several citywide commissioners.

Bronx Man Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Sex Trafficking Of Minors And Other Related Offenses

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that ADRIAN BROOKS, a/k/a “Abee,” was arrested for his alleged role as the leader of a sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise that exploited and abused women and minor girls.  BROOKS was charged in an Indictment with sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.  BROOKS was also charged with the use of interstate facilities and interstate travel to promote a prostitution enterprise.  BROOKS was arrested this morning and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gorenstein in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley.   

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, Adrian Brooks used threats and violence to coerce underaged girls into performing sex acts for money, and then kept most of the money for himself.  For his reprehensible alleged crimes, Brooks will now face federal sex trafficking charges.  This Office remains committed to protecting vulnerable children from the sick world of commercial sex trafficking.”

           

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Brooks’s alleged acts are horrendous, preying on and exploiting minors. Cases like this are disgraceful examples of the worst in our society. Sadly, too often these types of crimes are unknown or ignored in our communities. The FBI simply won't tolerate this behavior. Our Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force will be relentless in pursuing those who target our youth.  I encourage anyone with knowledge of trafficking activity to step forward to help us make a difference”

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

Since at least 2014, BROOKS directed and conducted a criminal sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise (the “Sex Trafficking Enterprise”) that recruited and exploited minor girls, and then forced them to engage in commercial sex acts for his own profit by, among other things, using an online classifieds website called Backpage.com (“Backpage”).  BROOKS operated the Sex Trafficking Enterprise out of motels in the Bronx, New York, and Yonkers, New York, as well as on the streets of the Bronx.

To evade detection by law enforcement, the Sex Trafficking Enterprise’s advertisements often purported to be offering escorts.  However, such advertisements often signaled that they were, in fact, offering individuals for commercial sex acts through a variety of cues, including pictures of partially-clothed women in sexually suggestive poses, and coded language indicating that the people being offered would perform sex acts in exchange for money.

The victims of BROOKS’s Sex Trafficking Enterprise were typically forced to engage in commercial sex acts with multiple customers in a single day.  Customers typically paid for such commercial sex acts in cash.  BROOKS kept most or all of the profits from his Sex Trafficking Enterprise.

BROOKS forced certain of his victims to take prescription pain relievers, to which they became addicted.  In addition, BROOKS set rules for his victims, controlled their actions, and punished violations of his rules and disobedience through physical violence, among other things.

BROOKS is charged with one count of sex trafficking conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and by force, fraud, or coercion, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison; and one count of use of interstate facilities and interstate travel to promote a prostitution enterprise, 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.

Any individuals who believe they have information concerning ADRIAN BROOKS, a/k/a “Abee,” that may be relevant to the investigation, or information regarding other sex trafficking crimes, should contact the FBI at (212) 384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/, or the New York City Police Department at (646) 610-7272.

The investigation was conducted through the New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, a joint task force between the FBI and NYPD to combat human trafficking.  Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.   Mr. Kim also thanked the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - Youth Services Unit and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services for their assistance during the investigation.

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

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

Fraudster Involved In International Bribery Scheme Relating To Korean Company’s Attempted Sale Of $800 Million Skyscraper In Vietnam Sentenced To 42 Months In Prison

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Kenneth A. Blanco, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, announced that MALCOLM HARRIS was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering charges arising from his role as a middleman in a corrupt scheme to pay millions of dollars in bribes to a foreign official (“Foreign Official-1”) of a country in the Middle East (“Country-1”).  The bribes were intended to facilitate the sale by South Korean construction company Keangnam Enterprises Co., Ltd. (“Keangnam”) of a 72-story commercial building known as Landmark 72 in Hanoi, Vietnam, to Country-1’s sovereign wealth fund (the “Fund”) for $800 million.  Instead of paying an initial $500,000 bribe to Foreign Official-1 as he had promised, HARRIS simply pocketed the money and spent it on himself.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Malcolm Harris schemed to bribe a foreign official, then double-crossed his alleged co-conspirators by pocketing the half-million dollars intended to be bribes.  Harris’s international bribery and fraud scheme centered around a Korean construction company’s attempt to sell a 72-story skyscraper in Vietnam through corruption.  This sentence and the prosecution of Harris and his co-conspirators, Joo Hyun Bahn, and Ban Ki Sang should send a message that if you bring international corruption to New York, you may very well find yourself in a Manhattan federal court being sentenced to significant time in a federal prison.”

According to the Indictment to which HARRIS pled guilty, statements made during the plea and sentencing proceedings, and statements made at other court proceedings: 

From in or about March 2013 through in or about May 2015, HARRIS’s co-defendants Joo Hyun Bahn, a/k/a “Dennis Bahn” (“Bahn”), and his father Ban Ki Sang (“Ban”) engaged in an international conspiracy to bribe Foreign Official-1 in connection with the attempted $800 million sale of a building complex in Hanoi, Vietnam, known as Landmark 72.  During this time, Ban was a senior executive at Keangnam, a South Korean construction company that built and owned Landmark 72.  Ban convinced Keangnam to hire his son Bahn, who worked as a broker at a commercial real estate firm in Manhattan, to secure an investor for Landmark 72. 

Instead of obtaining financing through legitimate channels, Bahn and Ban engaged in a corrupt scheme to pay $2.5 million in bribes to Foreign Official-1, through HARRIS, who held himself out as an agent of Foreign Official-1, to induce Foreign Official-1 to use his influence to convince the Fund to acquire Landmark 72 for approximately $800 million.  In furtherance of the scheme, HARRIS sent Bahn numerous emails purportedly sent by Foreign Official-1 and bearing Foreign Official-1’s name.  In or about April 2014, following communications with HARRIS, Bahn and Ban agreed to pay, through HARRIS, a $500,000 upfront bribe and a $2 million bribe upon the close of the sale of Landmark 72 to Foreign Official-1 on behalf of Keangnam. 

Unbeknownst to Bahn or Ban, however, HARRIS did not have the claimed relationship with Foreign Official-1 and did not intend to pay the bribe money to Foreign Official-1.  Instead, HARRIS simply stole the $500,000 upfront bribe arranged by Bahn and Ban, which HARRIS then spent on lavish personal expenses, including rent for a luxury penthouse apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

In addition to the prison sentence, HARRIS, 53, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $500,000 and restitution of $760,148.57 to victims.

Trial in Bahn’s case is scheduled to begin on February 5, 2018, before Judge Ramos.  Ban is a fugitive believed to be residing in South Korea.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the International Corruption Squad of the FBI’s New York Field Office.  Mr. Kim also thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for its ongoing assistance in this case. 

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Return Of 95 Artworks Linked To Brazilian Money Laundering

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Matthew Etre,Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (“ICE”) Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Boston Office, announced today the return of 95 works of art, previously acquired by Edemar Cid Ferreira, the former president of Banco Santos, S.A. (“Banco Santos”), in connection with money laundering and other crimes he committed in Brazil against the national financial system.  The 95 works of art will be returned to the Judicial Administrator of Banco Santos’s bankruptcy estate (the “Judicial Administrator”).  These works, which were recovered through an investigation by HSI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (the “U.S. Attorney’s Office”), will be returned pursuant to a Stipulation and Order between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Judicial Administrator, which was entered today by United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Our Office is proud of our role in returning these treasured works of art.  These works were used to mask an audacious criminal scheme by Edemar Cid Ferreira.  Thanks to the diligent efforts of our Office and HSI, these treasured pieces will be returned to their rightful owner, the bankruptcy estate of Ferreira’s insolvent Banco Santos.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Etre said:  “Protecting the cultural heritage of our global community is important work and we are committed to identifying and returning these priceless items to their proper place.  It’s the responsibility of law enforcement worldwide to ensure criminals do not profit from the theft of these culturally and historically valuable items.”

The 95 works of art being returned to the Banco Santos Judicial Administrator once belonged to Brazilian banker Edemar Cid Ferreira, the founder and former president of Banco Santos.  Ferriera was convicted in Brazil of crimes against the national financial system and money laundering.  In December 2006, Ferreira was sentenced in Brazil to 21 years in prison.  Banco Santos ultimately entered bankruptcy.

As part of the case, a Sao Paulo Court Judge also ordered the search, seizure, and confiscation of assets that Ferreira, his associates, and members of his family had acquired with unlawfully obtained funds from Banco Santos.  Those assets included an extensive art collection, valued in the tens of millions of dollars.  The art collection was kept in several locations, including Ferreira’s home in the Morumbi neighborhood of Sao Paulo, the main offices of Banco Santos, and at a holding facility.  When Brazilian authorities searched these locations, they found that much of the collection was missing.

The Sao Paulo Court sought Interpol’s assistance after searching museums and institutions in Brazil for the missing artwork.  In October and November 2007, Interpol and the Government of Brazil sought the assistance of the United States to locate and seize the missing works on behalf of the Brazilian government.  The ensuing U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI investigation found that large numbers of works of art had been smuggled out of Brazil by Ferreria and companies associated with him, and into the United States and various European nations. 

Through their investigation, HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office located and recovered the sculpture “Woman” by Henry Moore, from France, seven works from the United Kingdom, and 85 works from the Netherlands.  Two additional works were voluntarily turned over to HSI by third parties in the United States.  These 95 works will now by returned to the Judicial Administrator so they may be disposed of and distributed as part of the Banco Santos bankruptcy estate, under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Bankruptcy Court.    

The U.S. Attorney’s Office previously repatriated five other works smuggled into the United States, which were seized by HSI and the subject of a successful civil forfeiture action brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office: “Hannibal” by Jean-Michel Basquiat, “Modern Painting with Yellow Interweave” by Roy Lichtenstein, “Figures dans une structure” by Joaquin Torres-Garcia, “Composition abstraite” by Serge Poliakoff, and a Roman Togatus statue.  

Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of HSI in helping to locate and recover the artworks.  He was grateful for the assistance of the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.  Mr. Kim thanked Brazilian authorities for their assistance in the case.  He also acknowledged the assistance of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Brazil for their assistance in the investigation.

FORMER RIKERS ISLAND INMATE INDICTED FOR ATTACKING DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION OFFICER

Defendant Head-Butted CO, Causing Him To Fall Off Bus And Suffer Multiple Fractures to Arm, Cut Over Eye

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Manhattan man has been indicted for assaulting a New York City Department of Correction officer on a bus transporting him to a jail on Rikers Island, causing debilitating injuries. 

   District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant allegedly head-butted the officer when they were on a bus, causing the officer to fall down the stairs and onto the ground. The officer suffered a cut over his eye requiring sutures, and multiple fractures to his arm. He is still receiving treatment for his eye. The defendant was released from Rikers after serving time for a misdemeanor; now he could face years in prison if convicted for his brutal act.” 

   District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Yacoub Bamba, 18, of 492 First Avenue, Manhattan, was indicted for Aggravated Assault of a Police or Peace Officer, first-degree Assault, second-degree Assault, two counts of third-degree Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Harassment. He was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas and bail was set at $15,000. He is due back in court on October 26, 2017. If convicted of the top charge, he faces five to 25 years in prison. 

  According to the investigation, on June 9, 2017, the correction officer was transporting inmates back to their housing areas on Rikers Island. The defendant, who was housed in the George Motchan Detention Center, demanded to be let off the bus before it reached his facility and when the officer refused, Bamba pushed the officer and head-butted him. The officer fell down the stairs of the bus and suffered the injuries. He was able to call out to his partner, who saw him bleeding on the ground.

  An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW YOUTH COURT IN THE BRONX

Youth courts train teenagers to adjudicate low-level offenses involving their peers and help prevent further justice involvement

   Mayor de Blasio announced funding for a new youth court in the Bronx, which will train young people to serve as jurors, judges and attorneys as well as to adjudicate  real-life cases involving their peers. The announcement came at a town hall in the 15th Council District in the Bronx.

“Every other borough in the city has a youth court and now we’re making sure the Bronx has this resource too – so young people can access important services, develop leadership skills, and help their peers stay out of trouble,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Young people must have confidence in the criminal justice system. That starts by understanding how it works and by seeing themselves as a part of the administration of justice.”

The program will be administered by the Center for Court Innovation, which currently operates youth courts in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. The Bronx is the only borough that currently does not have a youth court.

In all other boroughs, youth courts provide an opportunity for teens to develop leadership skills, become community leaders, and help their peers avoid justice system involvement without compromising public safety. The court is estimated to cost around $300,000 per year.

Youth courts, which began operating at Brooklyn’s Red Hook Community Justice Center in 1998, handle low-level offenses committed by first-time offenders that would typically be heard at Family Court. The Center for Court Innovation currently operates five youth courts in New York City and one in Newark New Jersey. The goal is to address youth crime while also helping those in trouble access services, make amends and stay out of future trouble. 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “Youth court not only helps young people take responsibility for their actions and reduces collateral consequences of a criminal record; it also shows them how the criminal justice system works and how they can play a vital role in it as lawyers, judges and jurors. It is a welcome addition to the many reforms that we are implementing in the Bronx.”

Senator Klein announces $865,000 in Project Boost funding for 41 Bronx schools

Innovative new program, KAMP Kenan, enables students to embark on virtual field trips to reputed southern Florida reptile conservatory

  Senator Jeff Klein, joined by school administrators and local teachers, announced $865,000 in state funding toward Project BOOST (Building Options and Opportunities for Students), an academic and cultural enrichment program, at a welcome back dinner on Tuesday night at F&J Pine Restaurant.

Part of this year’s funding allocation will support an innovative new program where Bronx students can take virtual field trips to a reputed southern Florida reptile conservatory. KAMP Kenan, founded by former BMX professional Kenan Harkin, allows students access through video conferencing to Kenan’s refuge for hundreds of reptiles, and to take part in active investigations with alligators, iguanas, pythons and tortoises.

“Over the years Project BOOST has had a tremendous impact on students in The Bronx by enriching classroom instruction. This year I’m excited to announce this exciting new offering with KAMP Kenan that will allow students to get an immersive experience with reptiles without having to leave the classroom. I look forward to hearing about the experiences these students have in the coming months,” said Senator Klein.

Project BOOST, run by the Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association (CEI-PEA), provides academic enrichment opportunities to elementary and middle school students who have demonstrated academic talent, but come from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Project BOOST currently operates in 41 schools across the 34th Senate District – providing essential funding for class trips, arts and drama programs and computer science and technology labs.

Assemblyman Sepulveda opposes initial lack of drivers in driverless cars

With Technology Still New, Proposed Legislation by Assemblyman Sepulveda  Would Require Drivers in Driverless Cars for Safety Reasons

                       

"Do we want innocent people - both passengers and pedestrians - to become the crash test dummies for this new technology?"

   A state Assemblyman is warning that a congressional push to pave the way for driverless vehicles could be a formula for death and injury.

 Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda said that he is concerned over initial safety issues with the new technology.

  He has introduced a bill in Albany (A8590) that would require an adult, at least age 18 or a licensed driver, in such vehicles for safety and emergency reasons.

 A Senate panel on Wednesday, Oct. 4, approved bipartisan legislation to pave the way for driverless cars, avoiding the requirement of an adult driver in such vehicles.

 Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) offered, and withdrew, an amendment that would have required a driver behind the wheel of autonomous vehicles, even for the highest levels of automation.

 But Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), who authored the measure, was quoted as saying “The headline tomorrow would read, ‘Senate mandates drivers in driverless cars.’”

 Both the Senate and House have nearly similar bills which once finally voted, would become the nation's first driverless vehicle laws.

 Sepulveda noted that consumer safety advocates are worried that the bill’s exemption language would allow manufacturers to rush these vehicles to market before the technology is fully assured for safety. He added that they also fear some manufacturers might cut back on safety devices such as air bags.

 The Bronx Assemblyman's proposed legislation, now referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee, notes that "Currently, all of the driver assistance systems which are in use today operate only for short times and in extremely limited settings. Auto-parking operates for a few seconds with the driver watching. Emergency braking kicks in at the last moment before an inevitable crash. Lane warning comes on briefly when a car veers out of its lane.

"However, once the car drives itself continuously for minutes or hours, gradual evolution is impossible. Once a car is engaged on the road for autonomous driving there is no margin for error: no room for gradual improvement, learning by doing or evolution. It needs to be able to cope with all driving situations and crisis situations that may arise on the spot."

 Sepulveda noted that the legislation would be reviewed periodically as the technology advances until it may no longer be needed. But that may take a while.

 "Do we want innocent people - both passengers and pedestrians - to become crash test dummies for this new technology? I certainly hope not," said the Assemblyman. "Let's just take a breath here, and think safety along with progress."

               

Assemblyman Sepulveda represents the 87th Assembly District in the Bronx covering Parkchester, Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest and Stratton Park.