Statement from Cynthia Nixon on Cuomo's Big Ugly Budget Dealmaking

  Cynthia Nixon, candidate for Governor, released the following statement on the budget process at 8:05 PM:

Under Andrew Cuomo, the state budget process has routinely become known as the “Big Ugly,” and this budget sounds like it will be particularly ugly for everyday New Yorkers. Instead of an open and transparent process with a public debate on the issues, Cuomo’s budget cobbles together a series of backroom deals. When sexual harassment legislation was negotiated, the only woman legislative leader in the state was shut out of the room, but a man being investigated for sexual harassment was part of negotiations. A major policy change on school budgets that would undermine local control and give Governor Cuomo unprecedented power to veto local school budgets is being decided without any input from local voters or parents. And Governor Cuomo is allowing essential reforms like tax hikes on multimillionaires, bail reform, and early voting to drop off the table altogether. Andrew Cuomo promised to clean up the corruption in Albany, but instead he has doubled down on secretive backroom deal-making, in a process driven by whatever soundbite will make the Governor look good, not by the budget that is good for New York families and workers. No wonder it’s called the “Big Ugly.”

Lehman College Presents a Special Screening of CNN en Español Documentary “Deportados”

   Wednesday night was a special screening of the CNN Espanol Documentary “Deportados” at Lehman College. The film tells the story of those who immigrated to the United States either as children or adults to find a better life than they had. It chronics the lives of several people who had lived here for many years, either as they grew up, got married, had children, or served in the armed forces for the United States, but for one reason or another wound up being deported. Statistics were shown of the hundreds of thousands of people who were deported in 2013, and in 2015. This film concentrated on a few who were deported in 2017 under the new presidency of Donald Trump.

One person interviewed told of how he worked for others by bringing people across the border to the United states, saying that it is a big money business. Others interviewed included a woman who was married and had three children, but was deported because she came into this country illegally as a child. Another story was of an immigrant who had a work permit, and enlisted in the armed forces as he was told it would lead to permanent citizenship. After completing his enlistment he was jailed on a traffic accident and since he did not apply for citizenship he was deported. He said that the only way he could come back into the United States right now was in a coffin to be buried in any cemetery with full military honors.

There was a panel discussion after the movie moderated by Juan Carlos Lopez CNNE Senior Political Anchor. The panel included Congressman Adriano Espaillat, The co-producer of the film Ms. Cathy Reyes, CUNY Instructor Jose Higurera Lopez, Lehman Professor Ulises Gonzalez, and Lehman Dreamer Francisco Aquino Ramirez.

Congressman Espaillat said that he voted against what he called were CR's or Continuing Resolutions to keep the U.S. Government going even though they had some mention of the Dream Act and Aid to Puerto Rico, but in his words the bills were tied to other things he was against. Ms. Reyes said that there were others who were interviewed for the film, but declined after the filming for f\ear of reprisals when the film came out. All had the same feelings about how people have come from other countries in the past for a better life, and even today there are those like the Dreamers who have the same thoughts.

Above - The five panelist Congressman Adriano Espaillat, CUNY instructor Jose Higurera Lopez, ESPN film producer Cynthia Reyes, Lehman College Professor Ulises Gonzalez, Lehman student Francisco Aquino Ramirez, and moderator Juan Carlos Lopez CNNE Senior Political Anchor.

Below - Congressman Espaillat explains the difficulty of voting on bills in Washington. He said that he voted against Continuing Resolutions that had in them funding for Dreamers and aid to Puerto Rico because there were other things he did not want in them. 

Statement from IDC Leader Jeff Klein

  The Independent Democratic Conference outlined a bold agenda, One New Yorker, and we’re proud that we were able to achieve so much of it in this year's budget. After releasing several investigations, we stepped up for NYCHA tenants who live with lead paint, mold and deplorable conditions by delivering $250 million and crucial oversight pursuant to an Executive Order. We ensure that straphangers no longer face delays by funding the MTA's Subway Action Plan, and require the City to pay its share. We build upon the SAFE Act by removing guns from dangerous domestic violence abusers. We put in crucial protections for union workers to ensure their right of collective bargaining. We shield our taxpayers from harmful changes made by the federal government, while continuing our middle-class tax cut to ensure New Yorkers prosper. We are one New York, and this budget reflects that.

Assemblymember Pichardo: State budget increases education funding, looks out for Bronx families

           Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo (D-Bronx) announced that he helped pass the 2018-19 state budget, which makes a $26.6 billion investment in education – an increase of $914 million over last year. The budget also provides additional funding for college opportunity programs to support Bronx students hoping to make their college dreams a reality.

 “A sound education provides the foundation our kids need to meet the challenges of the 21^st-century economy. We must ensure that all students, no matter where they live or who they are, have a fair shot at success and that starts with fully funding our schools,” Pichardo said. “This was a tough budget to balance, but I fought to ensure that it expands opportunities for Bronx families and supports students from pre-K through college.”

  The state budget increases Foundation Aid by $618 million – for total of $17.8 billion – and invests a total of $96.6 million in local libraries, an increase of $1 million over last year. Public libraries are a vital resource for job seekers, students and the community as a whole, Pichardo noted.

  To help close the opportunity gap for young men and boys of color in the Bronx, Pichardo successfully helped secured over $18 million to continue supporting President Obama’s My Brother's Keeper initiative. The program focuses on building community engagement resources that increase academic strength and social capital for underachieving young men of color.

  Pichardo also fought to ensure the budget invests in higher education and helps more Bronxites go to college. It includes a measure spearheaded by Pichardo ensuring students attending proprietary colleges are eligible to apply for scholarship opportunities under the Enhanced Tuition Awards program. Pichardo recently successfully fought to pass this legislative measure in the Assembly.

  “As the cost of higher education continues to climb, it’s imperative that we expand scholarship programs so that every student has the opportunity to attend college” said Pichardo. “It’s about financial equity for students. So I fought tooth-and-nail to make sure it wasn’t lost in the budget shuffle.”

   An additional measure would make all students attending a public, private or other certified degree-granting institution eligible for the New York State STEM Incentive Program.

  The budget also restores $23.8 million to support college opportunity programs, which help academically and financially disadvantaged students succeed in college. The plan allocates:

$35.5 million for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP);

$32.2 million for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP);

$28.1 for the Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) program; and

$1.3 million for the College Discovery program.

 Pichardo helped secure $15 million for the Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums Program, which offers grants through the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. This funding will help ensure the Bronx Zoo continues to be an educational resource for students and families alike, noted Pichardo.

 In addition, the budget provides a $6 million funding increase in the Foster Youth Initiative and restores $2.5 million to the CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Program (ASAP), which helps covers tuition and non-tuition related expenses such as textbooks, transportation assistance and tutoring assistance. The budget also provides $902,000 in total funding for CUNY Child Care Centers.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

  While we applaud Assemblyman Pichardo for having these numbers so quickly about education, but we have a few questions for the good assemblyman.

Assemblyman Pichardo, how can a student learn in a current NYCHA building where there is lead paint, no heat or hot water, mold, roaches, mice and other vermin, as well is the case in many of the other buildings in your district with the same poor living conditions?

Assemblyman Pichardo, with Mayoral control of the public schools a failure, as most of the public schools in your district are below citywide statistics how can you tell a parent to send their children to a public school in your district?

Assemblyman Pichardo, with such poor public schools how can you expect students to get into a college, junior college, or let along graduate from high school on time?  

Assemblyman Pichardo there are many more questions to ask you, and we would like to sit down with you to interview you. Is that possible? You have our e-mail, please let us know when this can happen, and before the September Primary please?

IN PRAISE OF THE NEW STATE BUDGET BY ASSEMBLYMAN LUIS SEPULVEDA

Praising the New State Budget That 'Stays True to Our New York Values, Puts Families First'

   I am proud of the new $168.3 billion 2018-19 state budget that I helped pass, which includes a nearly $1 billion increase in education funding, invests in infrastructure and transportation repairs, protects New Yorkers from federal tax changes and institutes meaningful sexual harassment policy reforms.

 Because of a sizable budget deficit, we had to make some tough decisions. But we fought hard for a spending plan that stays true to our New York values. This budget gives all New Yorkers a voice.

 From the public school student who deserves every chance to reach for the stars, to the tenant whose quality of life has been sacrificed for far too long, to the hardworking parents struggling to put their kid through college and the family torn apart by the opioid crisis, we’re here for you. It’s our responsibility to look out for you and to build a better New York. This blueprint moves us forward.

Thwarting federal tax changes

 This budget also includes measures that help blunt the impact of the federal tax plan, which increases taxes on many middle-class families by restricting state and local tax deductibility.

 Taxpayers who donate to newly created state-operated funds designed to help improve health care and education can claim these contributions as deductions on their state and federal tax deductions, as well as claim a state tax credit equal to 85 percent of the donation amount.

 School districts and local governments would be allowed to create similar charitable funds that would offer local property tax deductions equal to a percentage of the contribution amount.

 The new federal tax bill represents a multipronged attack on New Yorkers, raising taxes on hardworking families and threatening our economic future. This new state budget includes measures to limit the law’s impact and protect New Yorkers from its devastating effects.

Tax cuts for middle-class families

 The budget also continues phasing in middle-class tax cuts, which are projected to save families $4.2 billion annually by 2025, and continues the local property tax relief credit.

 Saving for the future can be an uphill battle when more and more families are struggling just to make ends meet. These families deserve a break, which is why this year’s budget continues these vital tax cuts.

Investing in education

 The new budget provides $26.6 billion in education funding, an increase of $914 million – or 3.6 percent – over the previous year.

 To support students in underserved communities, it includes a $50 million increase to help high-need schools – including struggling schools, districts with large numbers of English language learners (ELLs) and districts with increasing numbers of homeless students – become community schools.

 The budget also provides $7.6 billion in funding for higher education and the Excelsior Scholarship program, because a student’s ability to pay should never determine where their educational journey ends.

Protecting NYCHA tenants

 NYCHA tenants deserve better than the horrific living conditions they find themselves in, including 80 percent of them being without heat this past winter. This budget invests $250 million to make capital repairs, including replacing and updating heating equipment, and other critical maintenance projects.

Combating the opioid crisis, substance use disorders

 To combat the opioid epidemic and create a road to recovery, thebudget establishes the $100 million Opioid Stewardship Fund to help curb the epidemic by creating a partnership with the pharmaceutical industry to expand prevention, treatment and recovery programs for individuals with substance use disorder.

Standing up against sexual harassment

 Harassment and sexual misconduct are too often known of, but not spoken about for fear of retaliation. This budget takes overdue steps to correct that, giving victims the power they deserve to pursue justice and making sure the perpetrators of these degrading acts are held accountable.”

Measures includes legislation to ensure employers have comprehensive policies to combat sexual harassment in the workplace; a measure barring confidentiality clauses in any settlement except when specifically requested by the victim, and a ban on mandatory arbitration agreements for claims of sexual harassment.

 I am proud that working with my fellow Assembly members and the Assembly leadership, we have managed to craft a working budget that is both fair and progressive, one that serves both the needs and dreams of the people of our great state, and especially its families.

Don't forget to vote in the special election on April 24th.

Genovese Organized Crime Family Associate Convicted Of Murder Conspiracy And Other Racketeering Offenses

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction in Manhattan federal court of SALVATORE DELLIGATTI, a/k/a “Fat Sal,” a/k/a “Jay,” for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, murder-for-hire conspiracy, participation in an illegal gambling operation, and a firearms offense.  The jury convicted DELLIGATTI yesterday on all six counts of the Indictment following a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Salvatore Delligatti, in order to increase his standing in the Genovese Family, recruited a group of hitmen to murder an individual.  But Delligatti’s hitmen were caught red-handed by the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office before they could carry out their hit.  Delligatti now stands convicted of this foiled murder plot and other crimes he committed with the Genovese Family.  We thank our partners in Nassau County and at the FBI.”

According to the Indictment, other filings in Manhattan federal court, and evidence presented in court during the trial:

From at least in or about 2008 through in or about May 2016, DELLIGATTI was an associate of the Genovese Organized Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra.  During this period, DELLIGATTI conspired with others to participate in and conduct the affairs of the Genovese Family through a pattern of racketeering activity that included a murder conspiracy, an extortion conspiracy, and the operation of an illegal sports betting business.  For example, as part of DELLIGATTI’s participation in the Genovese Family, DELLIGATTI committed the following crimes:     

From in or about May 2014 through in or about June 2014, DELLIGATTI conspired with Robert DeBello, a “made” soldier, and Ryan Ellis, an associate of the Genovese Family, to murder a neighborhood “tough guy” from the Whitestone section of Queens.  DELLIGATTI sought and obtained permission from DeBello to murder the intended victim.  However, instead of carrying out the murder himself, as DeBello had authorized him to do, DELLIGATTI hired a crew of hitmen from the Bronx to ambush and kill the intended victim at his residence.  DELLIGATTI provided the hitmen with a loaded .38 revolver and a get-away vehicle, and offered to pay them several thousand dollars for the murder.  As a result of wiretap surveillance of DELLIGATTI by the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the crew of hitmen was apprehended in the get-away vehicle just a few blocks from the intended victim’s residence on June 8, 2014.  In their vehicle, law enforcement recovered the loaded revolver, a spray bottle containing a bleach solution, and other materials.

From in or about April 2014 through in or about May 2014, DELLIGATTI and others in the Genovese Family, including DeBello and Ellis, participated in a conspiracy to use threats of violence and economic harm to extort the owners and promoter of a night club located on the rooftop of a hotel in Queens.  

From at least in or about 2013 through in or about 2015, DELLIGATTI participated with others in the Genovese Family, including DeBello and Ellis, in a large-scale bookmaking and sports betting operation that took bets from bettors in Manhattan and Queens, among other locations, and made use of an offshore wireroom.  During and in furtherance of this gambling operation, DELLIGATTI and Ellis brought envelopes filled with cash to DeBello, the “made” soldier with whom they were committing these crimes.

DELLIGATTI, 40, was found guilty of conspiring to participate in the Genovese Family through a pattern of racketeering activity, conspiring to murder and attempting to murder Joseph Bonelli in aid of racketeering, conspiring to commit murder-for-hire, possessing a firearm in furtherance of those crimes of violence, and participation in an illegal gambling operation.  DELLIGATTI faces a maximum potential sentence of life in prison.  DELLIGATTI is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Forrest on August 16, 2018.  

DELLIGATTI’s co-defendants, Robert DeBello and Ryan Ellis, previously pled guilty before Judge Forrest to racketeering conspiracy offenses for their roles in the murder conspiracy, the extortion conspiracy, and the illegal gambling operation that are described above.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Nassau County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  He also thanked the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, for their assistance with the prosecution.

Bankruptcy Attorney Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Embezzlement From A Bankruptcy Estate

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that PINCUS DAVID CARLEBACH, a bankruptcy attorney, pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to embezzling funds from a client’s bankruptcy estate.  From January 2016 through February 2016, CARLEBACH, whose client was in bankruptcy proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, caused the transfer of $30,000 in estate assets to himself for his own use.  CARLEBACH pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman to one count of embezzlement from a bankruptcy estate.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  “Pincus David Carlebach abused his position as a bankruptcy attorney for his own financial gain.  As he admitted in Manhattan federal court today, Carlebach caused the unlawful transfer of $30,000 from his client’s bankruptcy estate to himself.  Our Office is committed to prosecuting those who misuse positions of trust for their own gain, including attorneys who do so in violation of their professional duties.”       

CARLEBACH, 57, of Brooklyn, New York, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and three years of supervised release.  The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 

Mr. Berman praised the Office of the United States Trustee for the Southern District of New York and the United States Marshals Service for their work on the case. 

CEO And President Of Premium Ticket Resale Business Pleads Guilty To Running Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JASON NISSEN pled guilty today to defrauding victims of more than $60 million by falsely representing that he was using the victims’ money to further a profitable, multimillion-dollar wholesale ticket business.  NISSEN pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2018.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As he admitted in court today, Jason Nissen’s pitch to investors about access to premium sports and entertainment tickets was a sham.  His investment scheme was really a Ponzi scheme.  Now he awaits sentencing for his admitted swindle.”        

According to allegations in a Complaint and other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

Since at least in or about 2010, JASON NISSEN has operated a ticket resale business (the “Ticket Company”) through which NISSEN purchased large quantities of premium tickets for sporting and entertainment events, and then resold such tickets for a profit.

The Ticket Company is a ticket resale business located in Manhattan, New York, of which NISSEN was the chief executive officer and president.  The Ticket Company’s website stated that “[The Ticket Company] is an industry leader in providing VIP access and premium tickets to all concerts, Broadway theatre, red carpet premieres and sporting events worldwide . . . the Ticket Company stocks one of the largest revolving inventories for sports, concerts, and theatre worldwide.”

From at least in or about 2015 to in or about May 2017, NISSEN defrauded multiple investors in ticket deals arranged by the Ticket Company of tens of millions of dollars.  NISSEN represented to these investor victims that he would use their money to purchase bulk quantities of premium tickets to sporting and entertainment events such as the Super Bowl (football), the World Cup (soccer), the U.S. Open (tennis), and “Hamilton” (Broadway musical), and then resell the tickets at a profit.  However, in truth and in fact, NISSEN used the victims’ money in large part to repay other victims and to enrich himself. 

To further perpetuate his fraudulent scheme and to raise additional sums from victims, NISSEN falsified financial documents and inflated accounts receivable ledgers, which NISSEN presented to certain victims as purported proof that their money was being used to purchase premium tickets for resale. 

In total, JASON NISSEN defrauded victims of more than $60 million.     

NISSEN, 45, of Roslyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.