Mayor de Blasio, First Lady McCray and Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists Joel Simon will push the button at the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Parkchester Kwanzaa Celebration
It was the 52nd Anniversary of Kwanzaa at St. Helena's Church in Parkchester. Nubia Leader was the Mistress of Ceremony, various holiday entrainment performed, the lighting of the Kwanzaa Candles, Parkchester 87th Assembly District Leader John Perez along with 79th Assemblyman Michael Blake (also a candidate for the vacant Public Advocate office), and lots of vendors made this a wonderful evening.
Above - The lighting of the Kwanzaa Candles by Ms. Nana Zakia.
Below - Mr. Hilliard Greene on the Bass Fiddle.
Above - Mr. King Lagee and Ms. Sarah Thomas are with event organizer Debra Oguamah.
Below - Parkchester District Leader John Perez speaks with Ms. Ogusmah.
Above - Some more entertainment.
Below - Assemblyman (and candidate for Public Advocate) Michael Blake address the large crowd.
Christ Disciples International Ministries Food Pantry Saturday Mission
Over 500 people came to the Christ Disciples International Ministries Food Pantry this past Saturday to pick up some much needed fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, and other food that a family needs but can not afford. This is a weekly occurrence by a few greatly appreciated donors such as Western Beef, Shabbir Gul, the Albanian American Open Hand Association, and the many volunteers who assist in handing out the free food.
Assemblyman Jose Rivera was on hand to capture some of the 'act of kindness' as he interviews Shabbir Gul a Bronx business owner and Mr. Aleksander Nilaj of the AAOHA. The fourth person is one of the volunteers. Also on hand was 87th A.D. District Leader Sergeant John Perez. No photos of the people receiving food were taken to uphold their dignity. About a full truckload of food was distributed.
NYPD Outlines Security Measures for Security on New Year's Eve in Times Square
Hundreds of Thousands Expected to Safely Gather in Times Square to Ring in 2019
The New York Police Department announced today security measures for the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill were joined by other top officials at the announcement, which was held at NASDAQ. The New York Police Department continues to maintain a robust overlay of police officers to ensure the safety of the celebrators.
"The NYPD routinely does a great job of planning and securing large-scale events around New York City," Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said. "Simply put, this is what we do — and New Year's Eve, when the eyes of the world are on us, is certainly no exception. Nothing in our profession is done alone, however, and our members work hand-in-hand with our law-enforcement partners — including the FBI, the New York State Police, the MTA Police, and many others — all throughout the year in preparation. This unrivaled collaboration allows us to carry out our shared mission of delivering the safest and most enjoyable event possible, up to and through the ball-drop in Times Square."
"New Yorkers have much to be thankful for and celebrate this year," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're on track to becoming yet again the safest big city in our nation thanks to the women and men in blue who defend and protect our city every day. Our officers are fostering connections with community leaders and neighborhood organizations to build on our neighborhood policing progress and make New York City not just safest, but fairest big city in America."
As in years past, those attending the celebration in Times Square will be screened. Backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Property may not be left checkpoints. At approximately 11 a.m., attendees will be directed by police officers to gather in separate viewing pens. As the pens get populated, the entertainment from 43rd Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues will continue to move north up to Central Park, due to the ball drop from the southern end. Please note, attendees who leave before the ball drops will not be able to regain entry to their original viewing area.
Beginning at 4 a.m. on Monday, December 31st, 2018, Times Square will be closed to vehicular traffic. People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. A traffic advisory with a comprehensive list of street closures is available on our website.
Mass transit is strongly encouraged due to expected heavy traffic delays and parking restrictions. Remember, large backpacks, lawn chairs, umbrellas and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should alert a police officer or call 911. The NYPD's terrorism hotline is 888-NYC-SAFE.
The New York Police Department announced today security measures for the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill were joined by other top officials at the announcement, which was held at NASDAQ. The New York Police Department continues to maintain a robust overlay of police officers to ensure the safety of the celebrators.
"The NYPD routinely does a great job of planning and securing large-scale events around New York City," Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said. "Simply put, this is what we do — and New Year's Eve, when the eyes of the world are on us, is certainly no exception. Nothing in our profession is done alone, however, and our members work hand-in-hand with our law-enforcement partners — including the FBI, the New York State Police, the MTA Police, and many others — all throughout the year in preparation. This unrivaled collaboration allows us to carry out our shared mission of delivering the safest and most enjoyable event possible, up to and through the ball-drop in Times Square."
"New Yorkers have much to be thankful for and celebrate this year," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're on track to becoming yet again the safest big city in our nation thanks to the women and men in blue who defend and protect our city every day. Our officers are fostering connections with community leaders and neighborhood organizations to build on our neighborhood policing progress and make New York City not just safest, but fairest big city in America."
As in years past, those attending the celebration in Times Square will be screened. Backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Property may not be left checkpoints. At approximately 11 a.m., attendees will be directed by police officers to gather in separate viewing pens. As the pens get populated, the entertainment from 43rd Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues will continue to move north up to Central Park, due to the ball drop from the southern end. Please note, attendees who leave before the ball drops will not be able to regain entry to their original viewing area.
Beginning at 4 a.m. on Monday, December 31st, 2018, Times Square will be closed to vehicular traffic. People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. A traffic advisory with a comprehensive list of street closures is available on our website.
Mass transit is strongly encouraged due to expected heavy traffic delays and parking restrictions. Remember, large backpacks, lawn chairs, umbrellas and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should alert a police officer or call 911. The NYPD's terrorism hotline is 888-NYC-SAFE.
A.G. Underwood And State Police Superintendent Beach Announce Indictment Of Brooklyn Couple For Year-Long Mortgage Fraud And Money Laundering Scheme To Obtain Over $1.3 Million
John F. Iacono and Shpresa Gjekovic Allegedly Stole Over $460,000 and Attempted to Steal Over $860,000 More from Financial Institutions Throughout New York
Iacono and Gjekovic Allegedly Grossly Overstated Their Income and Assets, Forged Cashier Checks, and Falsified Bank Statements, W2s, Paystubs, and Tax Returns in Order to Secure Financing on a Schoharie County Property
Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood and State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II announced the unsealing of a 19-count indictment charging John F. Iacono, 46, a/k/a Vito Yodice and Shpresa Gjekovic, 32, a/k/a Hope Gjekovic a/k/a Hope Iacono a/k/a Hope Yodice a/k/a Shpresa Hadzovic, with defrauding banks throughout New York State and laundering those criminal proceeds to further their scheme. A joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and the New York State Police revealed that Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly utilized shell companies, provided fake bank statements, W2s, paystubs, and tax returns, and forged cashier checks in order to solicit over $1.3 million in loans from multiple banks across the upstate region. Both defendants were arrested on a 19-count indictment, including charges of Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, Grand Larceny in the Second and Third Degrees, and Money Laundering in the Third Degree.
“As we allege, these defendants grossly inflated their assets and forged a number of documents in order to defraud multiple New York banks and attempt to steal over a million dollars,” said Attorney General Underwood. “We have no tolerance for those who try to defraud New Yorkers in order to line their own pockets.”
Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “This couple concocted a series of devious schemes to knowingly defraud financial institutions out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. I commend the Attorney General’s Office, our State Police Financial Crimes Unit and other law enforcement partners for their hard work in exposing this fraud. This indictment should serve as a reminder that those who seek to carry out such deliberate scams will be held accountable for their crimes and brought to justice.”
According to the indictment and statements made by the prosecutor at arraignment, between April 2016 and March 2017, Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly applied for mortgages, a construction loan, personal lines of credit, personal loans, a commercial loan, a debt consolidation loan, and a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) by grossly overstating their income, assets, and source of funds – all supported by fraudulent documentation. The couple also allegedly created entities, including but not limited to JF Iacono, LLC and Iacono, LLC, and purported to have worked for them for years. In reality, these companies were created just days prior to their submission of applications for hundreds of thousands of dollars in bank funds. In total, the couple stole over $460,000 from three financial institutions, and attempted to steal over $860,000 in additional proceeds from five financial institutions.
The investigation further revealed that Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly supplied over $125,000 in counterfeit cashiers checks to financial institutions, law firms, title companies, and the sellers of a Schoharie County property in order to secure financing and establish residence in the area. Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly intended to turn the Schoharie County property into a swingers club, but after obtaining the property, instead rented it out as a hunting cabin and purported to raise money for children in need. The couple allegedly utilized online postings, including on Facebook and Airbnb, to advertise the rental property.
In addition, Iacono and Gjekovic allegedly concealed from financial institutions outstanding judgments against them totaling in excess of $1.4 million. Moreover, the couple allegedly laundered fraudulently obtained loan proceeds to fund deposits and cash to close on the real estate transactions, utilizing at least five financial institutions during the course of the year-long scheme.
The defendants also allegedly created a personal financial statement showing net worth in excess of $1.1 million, with cash on hand of $400,000, while in reality their account balances were in the negative. The defendants allegedly supplied false bank statements showing the purported assets to support this claim. The balances on these statements were allegedly grossly inflated, as the couple never had more than a few thousand dollars in the accounts – the vast majority of which was from other loans.
Iacono and Gjekovic are each charged in the Attorney General’s indictment with the following 19 felonies: Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, a class C felony (one count); Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony (two counts); Money Laundering in the Third Degree, a class D felony (two counts); Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony (one count); Attempted Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree, a class D felony (one count); Attempted Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class D felony (three counts); Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, a class D felony (four counts); Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a class E felony (four counts); and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony (one count).
Iacono was arraigned on December 20, 2018 before Schoharie County Court Judge George R. Bartlett, III. Bail was set in the amount of $175,000 cash or $350,000 bond. Gjekovic was arraigned on December 24, 2018 before Hon. Bartlett and bail was set in the amount of $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. The defendants are scheduled to appear back in court January 16, 2019.
If convicted of all counts, Iacono and Gjekovic could each face up to 10 to 20 years in state prison.
The charges are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Attorney General Underwood thanks the New York State Police Financial Crimes Unit, as well as Schoharie County District Attorney Susan J. Mallery, for their valuable assistance on this investigation.
Throggs Neck Houses Community Day With Police Commissioner O'Neill
It was the Throggs Neck Houses Community Day where the residents and the police officers that protect them were able to celebrate the holidays together. A special guest arrived to help Tenant Leader Monique Johnson, as Police Commissioner James O'Neill came to show his support for the Housing Officers of PSA 7 and PSA 8, and the Explorer Programs at the 43rd, 45th, and 47th Precincts.
Above - Throggs Neck Houses Tenant Leader Ms. Monique Johnson escorts NYPD Commissioner O'Neill into the room.
Below - Captain Ramsey (commanding officer of PSA 8) introduces NYPD Commissioner O'Neill.
Above - Students enrolled in the NYPD Explorers Program from the 43rd, 45th, and 47th Precincts competed in a drill competition.
Below - Commissioner O'Neill with some of the Explorers.
Above - Bronx District Attorney Darcal Clark (r), and Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson.
Below - Councilman Andy King.
Above- Councilwoman Gibson and Captain Ramsey got down with the Explorers and police officers.
Below - Councilman Andy King showed off his moves with residents of the Throggs Neck Houses.
Above - Commissioner O'Neill was interviewed by Fox 5 reporter Lisa Evers.
Below - Assemblyman (and candidate for Public Advocate) Michael Blake with Captain Ramsey.
Councilwoman Gibson and Councilman King (both of whom are considered to be candidates in 2021 for Bronx Borough President) with PSA 8 Captain Ramsey, and PSA 8 Community Affairs officer Stephanie Batista-Fernandez.
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE SPECIAL ELECTION FOR PUBLIC ADVOCATE
“With New York Attorney General-elect Tish James’ upcoming inauguration, it is my pleasure to announce the special election for Public Advocate will take place on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. This date will help maximize voter turnout, and my Administration will work around the clock to make sure every New Yorker is encouraged to exercise their right to vote.”