BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTS HIS ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

  This Year Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. held his Annual Black History Month Celebration in Coop-City. Ms. Cheryl Wills of NY1 Spectrum cable television emceed the event. The Bartow dancers provided the warm up and mid event entertainment. All of the local elected officials were on hand with the exception of Councilman Andy King who had a staffer fill in for him. 

   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. told the audience that one of the three honorees Mr. Shaun King was not feeling well, and could not attend the event on this rainy day. Former Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster and Ms. Tamika Mallory were the other two honorees. the photos below should tell the rest of the story. 

Above - The Bartow Dancers pose for this photo before starting to dance before the event.

Below - Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark got into it with Joseph Cooper in what looked like a dance off.

Above - Is Congressman Engel giving Bronx BP Diaz Jr. some pointers in a possible run for mayor in four years?

Below - Ms Wills was stopped as soon as she entered the room as Elayne Gubitose speaks with her.

It seemed a lot of people wanted their picture with Ms. Wills.

Above - Bronx DA Darcel Clark, Below State Senator Jamaal Bailey. 

After Ms. Wills opened the event there was an invocation by Elder Nitisha Moore, and the singing of the American and African American national Anthems by IS 117 Principal Delise Jones.

Below - the Bartow Dancers hit the floor once again,

Above - Bronx BP Diaz Jr. holds the book that Ms. Wills autographed for him as she introduces him.

Below - Bronx Bp Diaz Jr. spoke about what this celebration means to him, while just about saying that the current president was nuts. 

DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PARTNERS HOST FIRST EVER 12-HOUR FREE TAX PREPARATION EVENT IN ALL FIVE BOROUGHS

Attendees Who Earned $54,000 Or Less In 2017 Can Have Their Taxes Filed For Free By An IRS Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Preparer

  Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lorelei Salas, in collaboration with the Department of Education’s network of community schools, today announced the first ever NYC Free Tax Prep-a-Thon, a 12-hour tax filing marathon and resource fair, which will be held this Saturday, February 10 at schools in all five boroughs. From 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., attendees who earned $54,000 or less in 2017 can have their taxes filed for free by an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer who will help them claim deductions and tax credits. During the event, New Yorkers can take advantage of free financial counseling with a professional, financial counselor from the NYC Financial Empowerment Centers. Counselors can help filers make a plan to manage their refunds, create a budget, reduce debt and much more.

Free screening for local, state, and federal health and human service benefits will also be available to help individuals find out if they are eligible. This family friendly event will offer fun activities for kids and a resource fair for individuals to learn more about the many City resources available to all New Yorkers. Those looking to learn more about the NYC Free Tax Prep-a-Thon can visit DCA’s event calendar to find a location near them.

“Since 2015 we have helped New Yorkers file more than 425,000 returns for free and claim refund-boosting tax credits that can be pivotal in helping them pay bills, get out of debt, and save for their future,” said DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “During the busiest time of the tax season this twelve hour event will allow us to reach even more families. We are committed to helping all hardworking families and individuals struggling to make ends meet receive every penny of their hard-earned refund. I encourage all New Yorkers to come out to our free tax prep-a-thon to file their taxes and take advantage of free financial counseling, benefits screenings, and other City resources and services.”

Throughout the tax season, NYC Free Tax Prep includes more than 200 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and AARP Tax-Aide sites citywide, as well as online self-preparation at nyc.gov/taxprep. New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/taxprep and use DCA’s interactive map to search for the most convenient free tax site, and text “Taxes” to 42033 (message and data rates may apply) to find the nearest location and receive tax season updates and reminders. A checklist of what is needed to file is available at nyc.gov/taxprep.

The City’s free tax filing options:

·         For most sites, New Yorkers with an annual income of $54,000 or less with children or $30,000 or less without children, can visit one of more than 200 free tax sites in the five boroughs. At the sites, returns can be prepared in-person by an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer or dropped-off to be completed by the preparer. At the convenient drop-off sites, filers can drop off their tax documents and return later to pick up the completed return or receive it by email.

·         New Yorkers earning less than $66,000 can file their taxes online for free atnyc.gov/taxprep. The City partners with Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation and MyFreeTaxes, powered by H&R Block and in partnership with United Way Worldwide, to offer these services.

Senator Klein honored during M.S. 101’s “Who’s Your Hero? Valentine’s Day Dance”

  The students at MS 101 on Lafayette Avenue wanted to do something special for their first Valentine's Day Dance. They decided to do a 'Who's Your Hero' dance dedicated to people they can call hero's  The dance was in memory of Police Officer Edward Byrne, of which  MS 101 is named for. The gym was decorated with red and white balloons, and various heart designs, with a DJ and photo area. 

  State Senator Klein who has given monies to MS 101 through the Project Boost program was received a special award for being the hero to many of the students in the Project Boost programs at MS 101. 

Above - State Senator Jeff Klein standing next to the sign honoring Police Officer Edward Byrne asks the students if they are having a good time, while letting the parents in attendance know the benefits of the Project Boost Program at MS 101.

Below - Senator Klein known for giving out certificates, receives one from Principal Jared Rosoff, and parents of MS 101. 

Senator Klein and Councilman Gjonaj deliver a $1300 funding donation to the P.S. 89 cheerleaders during their “Send them off to Nationals” celebration

Donation helped the team reach their funding goal for this weekend’s tournament

Senator Jeff Klein and Councilman Mark Gjonaj delivered a $1300 donation to the P.S. 89 cheerleading squad during their “Send them off to Nationals” celebration on Wednesday inside the P.S. 89 middle school auditorium. The donation, which will be used to help cover expenses, helped the team reach their $21,500 funding goal for the historic trip to the National High School Cheerleading Championship this weekend in Orlando, Florida.

“The P.S. 89 cheerleaders are an extraordinarily talented group of athletes who’ve made The Bronx proud for being the first public middle school in the borough’s history to compete in National Cheerleading Championship. I’m thrilled to partner with Councilman Gjonaj to help make this trip a reality for them by sponsoring one of their cheerleaders, and I wish them the best of luck at Nationals,” said Senator Klein.  

“The P.S. 89 cheerleaders are the epitome of the Bronx’s famous “can do” spirit. I salute the entire team for their determination, focus and drive. I’m proud to stand with Senator Jeff Klein and all other Bronxites as we wish these inspirational athletes the best of luck at this year’s National Cheerleading Championship,” said Councilman Mark Gjonaj.

“I am so grateful for the tremendous support from our community,” said P.S. 89 Cheerleading Coach, Angelica Reyes. “It is such an honor to have Senator Klein and Mark Gjonaj come out to support the team. I cannot thank them enough!”

The elected officials also presented certificates honoring the team, who represent the first public

middle school in The Bronx to qualify for the tournament.

Brooklyn Man Charged With Demanding And Receiving Kickbacks On Federally Funded Construction Contract

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter Nozka, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), announced today that ERRON STRACHAN, a former foreman on a federally funded residential housing construction project in Harlem, was arrested this morning and charged in Manhattan federal court with soliciting and receiving kickbacks from workers on the project.  STRACHAN was arrested this morning and will be presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court.    

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, a foreman on a federally funded construction project abused his position by demanding kickbacks from workers who were legally entitled to a prevailing wage.  Allegedly, when workers spoke up, he fired them.  Together with our partners at the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, we will pursue those who deliberately and criminally take advantage of hard-working New Yorkers.”

DOL-OIG Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Peter Nozka said:  “An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations regarding employees being forced to kickback portions of their wages. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and publicly available documents:

From at least November 2014 to December 2015, ERRON STRACHAN was a foreman for a construction company (“Contractor-1”) that provided construction services at the Randolph Houses, a public housing project located in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan (the “Construction Project”).  STRACHAN’s responsibilities on the Construction Project included supervising the workers on site, hiring and firing employees, and disbursing checks to workers.  Because the Construction Project received funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, pursuant to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, Contractor-1 was required to pay its laborers a prevailing wage.   

STRACHAN demanded and received kickbacks from numerous employees of Contractor-1 who worked on the Construction Project, thus denying these employees the prevailing wage to which they were entitled.  STRACHAN would instruct employees to negotiate their paychecks and then return with cash, sometimes up to almost a third of an employee’s weekly paycheck, for himself.  STRACHAN brazenly attempted to justify the kickback requests to employees by suggesting that the prevailing wage salary was “too much” money and falsely stating that he provided the kickbacks to Contractor-1 in order to offset the financial burden on Contractor-1 of having to pay prevailing wages on the Construction Project.  When workers refused to pay kickbacks, STRACHAN reduced their work schedules and fired them.

STRACHAN, 53, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of violating the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the DOL-OIG and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. 

The charges contained in the Complaint 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 Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitutes only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

NEW YORK CITY CORRECTION OFFICERS CHARGED WITH SMUGGLING NARCOTICS INTO CITY PRISON FACILITIES

  A six-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging seven defendants with conspiring to bribe correction officers employed by the New York City Department of Corrections (“DOC”) as part of a narcotics smuggling conspiracy. The defendants’ arraignment is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James Orenstein. 

 As alleged in the indictment, the defendants conspired to smuggle marijuana and other contraband into DOC prison facilities with the assistance of New York City Department of Correction Officers Christian Mizell and Carl Noel. Defendants Warren Green and Patrick Johnson, both incarcerated on unrelated felony offenses, arranged for marijuana and other contraband to be packaged and delivered covertly to the correction officers by defendants Robert Martino, Malik Holloway and Asha Patterson. The Correction Officers received thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle the contraband past DOC security for eventual distribution inside the prison.

 Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), Mark G. Peters, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), and George P. Beach, Superintendent, New York State Police, announced the charges.

 “The honesty and integrity of correction officers is critical to the orderly running of a prison,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “When the defendant correction officers betrayed the trust placed in them by the City of New York, they not only committed serious crimes but also potentially jeopardized the safety of staff and inmates. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to identifying and prosecuting corrupt correction officers who accept bribes to smuggle contraband into prison facilities.”

 “Drug traffickers are notorious for their smuggling methods, but this case demonstrated the defendants’ ability to bypass security altogether,” stated DEA Special Agentin-Charge Hunt. “With two correction officers as members of the organization, the defendants allegedly pushed contraband into prison for resale to inmates. Today’s arrests are a result of law enforcement partnerships and hard work.”

 “This investigation demonstrates again a pattern of misconduct in our City’s jails: outside civilians working with Correction Officers and DOC employees to smuggle narcotics and other contraband to inmates on the inside,” stated DOI Commissioner Peters. “DOI and its partners, including the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, have been cracking down on these illegal operations to stem the flow of contraband, while also working towards critical reforms in DOC’s front-gate screening protocols to shore up security at these facilities.”

 “Due to the hard work and cooperation between law enforcement partners at all levels, this smuggling conspiracy was uncovered and shut down,” stated NYSP Superintendent Beach. “This sends a strong message that we will not tolerate such crimes, especially when they are perpetuated by individuals in a place of authority who have been entrusted with upholding the law. Such criminals will be prosecuted to the fullest.”

 The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

The Defendants: 

CHRISTIAN MIZELL Age: 48 Queens, New York 

CARL NOEL            Age: 32 New York, New York

WARREN GREEN     Age: 40 Pine City, New York 

PATRICK JOHNSON Age: 27 Bronx, New York 

ROBERT MARTINO  Age: 37 Queens, New York 

DOI REPORT FINDS SERIOUS SECURITY LAPSES AT TWO CORRECTION DEPARTMENT FACILITIES ALLOWING WEAPONS AND DRUGS INTO THE FACILITIES

DOI found same failures in 2014 and recommended DOC make changes, which the agency never adopted

  Mark G. Peters, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), released a Report today on security lapses at the entrances of two City Department of Correction (“DOC”) detention facilities – one in Manhattan and the second in Brooklyn – exposing serious vulnerabilities in DOC’s security operations. The Report, based on recent undercover operations, documents the continued existence of security failures that were first uncovered during a similar DOI investigation in 2014 but were never addressed by DOC. In fact, some of the recommendations in today’s Report were ones made to DOC in 2014, and if properly implemented would have prevented DOI’s undercover investigator from entering the facilities with contraband. As a result of this new Report, DOC has now agreed to adopt DOI’s recommendations to strengthen its screening protocols and establish a dedicated, independent unit of specially trained officers to provide screening at DOC’s front gates. Importantly, DOI’s investigation revealed that certain security issues are as prevalent at the City’s localized borough facilities as at Rikers, demonstrating that a number of previously documented concerns at Rikers are equally problematic at smaller, community-based jails.

  In September 2017, a DOI undercover investigator posed as a Correction Officer and successfully smuggled in two scalpel blades, with handles and blade covers; 26.8 grams of marijuana; and five strips of suboxone, a prescription opiate substitute similar to methadone, into the Manhattan Detention Center (“MDC”) and Brooklyn Detention Center (“BKDC”). The undercover investigator passed all screening checkpoints at both facilities without being manually searched, even when magnetometers confirmed a metallic presence. At MDC, the correction officer stationed at the front desk did not acknowledge the alert on the magnetometer, did not ask the investigator to pass through again, and did not stop or search the investigator, either manually or with a transfrisker wand, before allowing him through security. DOI’s undercover investigator also smuggled contraband into the detention center from the New York County Criminal Court entrance, though again, he triggered the magnetometer. Later that same day, the undercover investigator also entered BKDC’s front gate without being stopped or searched, despite triggering the magnetometer once again, this time with his belt and shield still on and his keys in hand. Only one correction officer inquired as to whether the undercover investigator was carrying contraband, but accepted the investigator’s answer without conducting a physical search.

  Today’s Report highlights DOI’s monitoring of the City’s jails since 2014, which has led to more than twodozen arrests of DOC employees on contraband smuggling charges. This Report is a follow-up investigation to DOI’s November 2014 Report that exposed security breakdowns at the entrances of Rikers Island jail facilities and enabled an undercover DOI investigator to smuggle in dangerous contraband, including narcotics and weapons, into six out of the six jails entered. DOI also found through its investigation that DOC had not fully implemented DOI’s essential recommendations made in 2014 to address these problems. As a result, DOI has re-issued these recommendations along with several additional recommendations, including the creation of a dedicated, independent unit to handle DOC’s front-gate entrance screening. 

 The recommendations being re-issued from DOI’s 2014 investigation are the following: placing drugdetecting dogs at the staff entrance gates to screen correction officers entering facilities for drugs, especially during tour changes; eliminating unnecessary pockets on the correction officers’ uniforms, including those on cargo pants; and locating DOC staff members’ personal lockers outside the front-gate entrances.

 DOI has also issued two new recommendations based on this investigation, including: 

 DOC should create a dedicated, independent unit specially trained in the security and screening for correctional institutions and with in-depth knowledge of the policies, procedures, and operations of DOC’s front-gate entrances. The current practices of using correction officers with jail assignments means these DOC staff members are asked to oversee the same correction officers they must depend on to protect them inside the jail housing areas. A specialized unit, dedicated to security, will eliminate this conflict. DOC informed DOI that it has undertaken efforts to train staff in front-gate security. 

 The court-side entrance of MDC must be fully equipped with adequate personnel, surveillance cameras and x-ray machines, in addition to magnetom.

DOC has informed DOI that it will accept these recommendations. DOI will continue to monitor the implementation of these recommendations and issues of contraband screening at DOC facilities.

NYC Economy Takes a Break in Fourth Quarter of 2017

City economic growth slowed to 1.2% in the 4th quarter

Private sector lost 17,300 jobs, largely in medium-wage industries

  New York City’s economy slowed down at the end of 2017, as gross city product grew only 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2017 (October through December), according to an analysis of the City’s economic performance released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. During the same quarter, the national economy expanded by 2.6%.

In the final three months of 2017, private-sector employers shed 17,300 jobs, including 15,700 jobs in medium-wage industries. For the whole of 2017, private-sector employers added jobs 71,400 in 2017, compared to 83,600 new private-sector jobs in 2016.

“The weakness in employment growth should serve as a reminder that the robust rate of job creation in the City over the last several years won’t continue forever,” said Comptroller Stringer. “We will continue to monitor the economy’s condition closely, but this quarter’s results highlight the need for prudence in the management of our finances.”

Released every three months, the Comptroller’s Quarterly Economic Update tracks New York City’s economic health and analyzes the City’s economy in a national context. The report includes information on economic growth, unemployment, average wages, business activity, real estate transactions, and other economic indicators.

Current and historical data in the Comptroller’s Quarterly Economic Update are available on a new website www.comptroller.nyc.gov/EconomicData that presents data on the City’s economy in an accessible, open, and easy to manipulate way. New Yorkers, policymakers, and economists are encouraged to explore the data that underpins the Comptroller’s Quarterly Economic Reports and analyze the City’s economic performance over time.

Findings in the Fourth Quarter Update include:

City Economic Growth Slowed

New York City’s economy ended 2017 with a whimper, growing only 1.2% in the fourth quarter. In contrast, the U.S. economy, as measured by the change in real GDP, grew 2.6% (advance estimate). For 2017 as a whole, the City’s economy grew 2.4%, slightly less than the 2.5% rate in 2016, but better than U.S. economic growth of 2.3%.

Private-Sector Slammed the Brakes on Hiring

Establishments in New York City (including government) shed 16,800 jobs, an annualized decline of 1.5%, registering the worst fourth quarter performance in eight years. Of 17,300 private-sector jobs lost in the fourth quarter, 15,700 were in medium-wage industries, followed by 1,300 in low-wage industries, and 300 in high-wage industries.

Private-sector job losses included:

• 4,000 in arts, entertainment, and recreation;
• 3,500 in administrative services;
• 2,600 in retail trade;
• 1,300 in accommodation; and
• 500 in food services and drinking places.

Job losses were partially offset by job gains in construction and financial activities.

• For the year, the city added 71,400 total private sector jobs, after adding 83,600 in 2016.
• Most of the new jobs (40,000 or 55.5%) paid under $60,000, followed by mid-wage jobs between $60,000 and $119,000 (18,000 or 25.5%) and high-wage jobs paying over $119,000 (14,000 or 19.0%).

Labor Force Participation Rate Retreated From Its Record High

The City’s labor force, which is the sum of all city residents who are employed or looking for a job, declined by 9,200 from its record high in the third quarter of 2017. As a result, the City’s labor-force-participation rate (LFPR), which is the ratio of the total labor force to the total non-institutional population (16 years old and over), fell slightly to 61.3%, off its record high of 61.5% in the third quarter.

As the labor force contracted, the unemployment rate fell in all five boroughs to their lowest fourth-quarter levels in at least 12 years. The unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2017 was:

• 5.9% in the Bronx;
• 4.4% in Brooklyn;
• 4.2% in Staten Island;
• 3.8% in Manhattan; and
• 3.7% in Queens.

Average Hourly Earnings and Personal Income Tax Collections Rose

Changes to the U.S. tax code at the beginning of 2018 appear to have had a significant impact on personal income tax collections at the end of 2017. Beginning in tax year 2018, taxpayers will lose the ability to deduct more than $10,000 in state and local taxes.

On a year-over-year basis, personal income taxes withheld from paychecks rose 16.2% to over $2.2 billion in the fourth quarter, while estimated tax payments, which reflect trends in taxpayers’ non-wage income, including interest earned, rental income, and capital gains, more than doubled.

Average hourly earnings (AHE) of all private NYC employees, another proxy for personal income, rose 3.7% on a year-over-year basis to $35.52 in the last quarter of 2017, the biggest fourth-quarter gain since 2008.

Venture Capital Investment On-Trend

Total investment in the New York metro area rose 32.5% on a year-over-year basis to $2.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017, as the number of deals rose to 177 from 169 in the prior year.

Total national growth in venture capital investment was slightly higher at 45% in the fourth quarter, as investment in Silicon Valley more than doubled.

New Commercial Leasing Grows, While Manhattan Residential Market Softens

New commercial leasing activity in Manhattan surpassed 7.0 million square feet in the fourth quarter, 21.8% higher than in same quarter last year.

However, residential housing prices in Manhattan continued to soften for the second consecutive quarter. Both average sales prices and average price per square foot fell for the second time after nine consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth.

Unlike Manhattan, housing market prices increased slightly in Brooklyn to $948,706. Similarly in Queens, the average sales price rose 8.9% to $624,698.

MTA Bus Ridership Continued Decline

Average weekday ridership on MTA NYC Transit fell 0.9% in October and November of 2017 from a year ago, as bus ridership fell 3.4%. During the same period, ridership on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) fell 0.5%, but increased 0.1% on Metro North.

For the entirety of 2017 through November, average weekly ridership fell 1.2% on MTA subways and 5.5% on the buses.

Leading Economic Indicators are Positive

The City’s leading economic indicators were mixed, but implied continued expansion. The current business condition index provided by ISM-New York, Inc. (which measures the current state of the economy from the perspective of business procurement professionals) fell to 55.3% in the fourth quarter, below the 56.4% in the prior quarter. However, a reading greater than 50% indicates growth.

In a positive sign, total building permits in the City rose 12.7% to 5,672 in the fourth quarter from a year ago. However, initial unemployment claims increased 2.8%, on a year-over-year basis, for the first time after twelve consecutive quarters of decline.

To view the full report, visit Comptroller Stringer’s new, interactive webpage at www.comptroller.nyc.gov/EconomicData or click here for a PDF.