Attorney General James Announces Sentencing Of Former Hospital Employee For Stealing Over $500,000

  New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the state prison sentence of Wendell Lewis, 32, of Brooklyn, NY, for stealing over $500,000 from two hospital systems: Interfaith Medical Center, a Brooklyn-based not-for-profit community hospital that recently came out of bankruptcy, and New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Earlier today, the Honorable Danny Chun of Brooklyn Supreme Court sentenced Lewis to two-and-one-half years to five years in prison following Lewis’ August 7^th guilty pleas to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, and Identity Theft in the First Degree, a class E felony. 

“It is unconscionable that an individual would steal from hospitals that serve such an important and necessary role in the Central Brooklyn community,” said Attorney General James. “My office will continue to hold fraudsters accountable for stealing from institutions serving our most vulnerable citizens because this behavior will never be tolerated.”

The investigation conducted by the Office of the New York Attorney General identified that Lewis — while working in the payroll department of the two hospitals between 2015 and 2018 — engaged in a scheme to fraudulently direct monies from the hospitals to bank accounts he set-up using the personal identification of other persons. In 2012, Lewis was convicted of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree for committing similar conduct when he worked in the payroll department at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, which is also located in Brooklyn. 

Between 2015 and 2018, Lewis allegedly used 14 fraudulent bank accounts in the names of other persons to steal over $500,000 from the hospitals. After the transfer of the stolen monies to Lewis’ controlled bank accounts, Lewis used the debit cards associated with those accounts to withdraw over $546,000 in cash from ATM machines throughout New York City. 

A review of Lewis’ personal bank accounts revealed that he used the stolen monies, in part, to live a lavish lifestyle, including taking multiple trips to the Caribbean; going on shopping sprees at high end stores like Barney’s, Zara, Burberry, and Gucci; and dining at some of New York City’s premier restaurants.

As part of the defendant’s sentence, Lewis forfeited over $129,000 that was seized by the Office of the New York Attorney General and executed a confession judgement for $325,000.

The Office of the New York Attorney General wishes to thank the State Department of Financial Services (DFS) for their assistance with this matter.

“Today, justice was done and although this can never undo the damage inflicted on these communities, we continue to stand ready to assist our hard-working law enforcement partners in holding accountable those who exploit our vulnerable communities or use our financial systems to commit crimes,” added DFS Superintendent of Financial Services Linda A. Lacewell.

The Office of the New York Attorney General also thanks DFS Investigator Albert Flowers for his assistance in the matter.

BRONX MAN AND WOMAN INDICTED FOR KIDNAPPING AND BEATING MAN IN BODEGA BASEMENT

Defendants Allegedly Kept Man Captive for Three Days; Possessed Multiple Weapons

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a man and a woman have been indicted on Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault and additional charges for beating and holding a man hostage in a Bronx bodega. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants allegedly took part in a series of atrocious acts. They kept a man in a basement against his will in handcuffs for days and inflicted injuries on him, at times with a knife and a heavy object. Luckily the victim was found by NYPD Police Officers who were on patrol in the area.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Orinthia Gifford, 49, and Richard Millwood, 35, both of 4160 Digney Avenue, were arraigned on six counts of first-degree Kidnapping, two counts of second-degree Kidnapping, first-degree Unlawful Imprisonment, three counts of second-degree Assault, two counts of second-degree Robbery, third-degree Robbery, fourthdegree Grand Larceny and six counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Gifford was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Miriam Best. Millwood was arraigned on October 8, 2019. Bail was continued at $75,000 cash/$75,000 bond for Gifford and $250,000 cash/$250,000 bond for Millwood. The defendants are due back in court on December 11, 2019.

 According to the investigation, on the evening of September 7, 2019 the victim, Ansumana Sesay, 49, was on White Plains Road when Millwood and two unapprehended individuals allegedly put him in a vehicle and took him to a bodega located at 1724 Bussing Avenue, which is owned by Gifford. Once inside Gifford allegedly hit Sesay in the head with an unknown heavy object and ordered the three other men to take the victim to the basement. They allegedly held Sesay against his will in the basement between September 7, 2019 and September 10, 2019. The victim and the defendants are known to each other.

 According to the investigation, on September 10, 2019, police officers were pursuing an individual wanted in an unrelated case and the individual ran into the bodega where Sesay was being held. The officers received consent to enter the store and searched the basement, where they discovered Sesay with visible injuries.

 The defendants allegedly possessed several weapons, including a rifle, a 9-mm firearm, a knife, a machete, an unknown heavy object and a lighter. They also had personal property allegedly stolen from the victim, including his cell phone and cash.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Bronx DA Chief of Detective Investigators Frank Chiara, and Bronx DA Supervising Detective Investigator Rocco Galasso, Bronx DA Senior Investigator John Wall, and Detective Investigator Anai Tamarez. District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Valerie Guzman and NYPD Police Officer Austin Hieronymi, both of the 47th Precinct, for their assistance in the investigation.

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

BRONX MAN INDICTED IN STABBING OF WOMAN WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND BADLY DECOMPOSED IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS APARTMENT

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for Murder and Manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly stabbed the victim, his girlfriend, in the apartment they shared. First responders discovered the victim’s body severely decomposed in the bedroom.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Luis Severino, 49, of 2414 University Avenue, was arraigned today on second-degree Murder and first-degree Manslaughter before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Torres. The defendant was returned to Federal Custody where he is held on an unrelated matter and is due back in court on October 30, 2019.

 According to the investigation, on or about and between June 13, 2019 and July 12, 2019, the defendant caused the death of Cindi Olivo, 32, by stabbing her in the neck. The defendant fled the scene, and the victim’s body was found on July 12, 2019 after neighbors called 911 to report a foul odor on their building floor. 

 The defendant was arrested on October 15, 2019 after an investigation.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Anthony Velez of the Bronx Homicide Squad and NYPD Detective Anthony Caltabiano of the 52nd Precinct for their assistance in the investigation.

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

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Rikers Island Vote & Borough-based Jail System

  "The de Blasio administration has weaponized the land use process in a manner designed to steamroll any opposition to their plans to build a new Bronx jail on the wrong site—the Mott Haven tow yard.

 

"Without a doubt, Rikers Island must be closed. I am glad that this long-awaited outcome will finally be moving forward in a meaningful way following today’s City Council vote. On the other hand, I remain troubled by the precedent set in making such a monumental urban planning decision by lumping all four sites into one ULURP process.

 

"The closure should have been handled in the right way, with elected officials and stakeholders in all four boroughs having substantial input to ensure that future generations do not suffer from the consequences of poor planning and political expediency. I want to thank those elected officials and borough activists, especially New York City Council Land Use Chair Rafael Salamanca and the residents of the Diego Beekman Houses, who have understood throughout this process that the city has selected the wrong site in The Bronx and have worked to open the eyes of the administration to select a more appropriate site for this jail.

 

"Throughout this process I have been advocating to build the new jail Bronx adjacent to the existing Bronx Hall of Justice. With our citywide inmate population at a historical low, the Mayor’s Office has already admitted that the size of these jails can be reduced, which further validates that the Bronx jail could be moved to its proper location next to the court system, like the other boroughs.

 

"I sincerely hope that the city’s failure to engage with the community on site selection for such a major infrastructure project will not adversely impact this borough for decades to come," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES RECORD INCREASES IN SCHOOL INTERNET CAPACITY

Ten-fold increase in minimum speeds at all schools will support advanced instruction

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced record increases in internet access in schools. Now, more students can take advantage of online resources and tools without interruption, including conducting research and engaging in coding and design programing.

“If we want our kids to be prepared for the 21st century, we must give them 21st century tools,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Under this administration, we’re ensuring that every school – regardless of zip code – has access to high speed internet so that our students have everything they need to succeed.”

“Our New York City public school students need access to high-speed internet and WiFi so that they can engage with the newest technologies, learn computer science and robotics, and be prepared for the careers of the future,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “Better internet connectivity is foundational to these efforts, and I’m thrilled to see we’re making significant strides towards providing all of our students with the 21st century, high-tech classrooms they deserve.”

Access to technology is essential to prepare today’s students to be 21st century leaders, and bandwidth is foundational to bringing more technology into schools. Upgraded bandwidth and increased access to technology are essential to advancing equity and the expansion of Equity and Excellence for All initiatives, including Computer Science for All, AP for All, and College Access for All.

Since 2015, the Department of Education has boosted citywide core internet connectivity by 15 times, from 9 Gbps to 140 Gbps. Between Fall 2017 and Summer 2019, the DOE also performed a “fiber infrastructure upgrade” at all of the DOE's approximately 1,300 school buildings -- increasing each school’s circuit capacity from 10 Mbps in 2015 to a minimum of 100 Mbps citywide.

With 100Mbps, schools can support 50 concurrent standard definition video streams, while 10Mbps supported five. 100Mbps can support 1000 devices for general web browsing, while 10Mbps can support 100 devices.

These improvements to citywide and school capacity are necessary for faster Internet and more computers at schools. The City is also updating hardware and software including routers, switchers, and firewalls to ensure schools can take full advantage of the infrastructure improvements. Each school will have a “School Tech Refresh” with hardware and software updates every five years. The Chancellor made the announcement at JHS 259 William McKinley in Bay Ridge.

   

Since the start of this administration, the DOE has committed $650 million in capital funding to upgrade technology. This investment includes the ongoing replacement of school-level equipment, including routers, switchers, firewalls, and wireless access points that enable schools to take full advantage of the increased internet capacity. Schools will receive upgraded equipment every five years.

Additionally, through the 2020-24 School Capital Plan, the DOE will invest an additional $750 million in technology, including bandwidth upgrades, with the goal of increasing the total citywide DOE core internet connectivity to 240 Gbps by the end of the 2020-21 school year.

Computer Science for All will bring Computer Science (CS) education to every elementary, middle, and high school by 2025. During the 2018-19 school year, a record approximately 160,000 students received CS education, a 72 percent increase from 2016-17. To date, Computer Science for All has trained approximately 1,900 teachers across 800 schools in all five boroughs. In the first two years of the initiative, the number of students who took an AP Computer Science exam has quadrupled – 5,190 students compared to only 1,137 students in 2016. New York City had a higher percentage of female, black, and Latino students take an AP Computer Science exam in 2018 than nationwide figures.

Computer Science for All, College Access for All, and AP for All are part of Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda. 3-K for All and Pre-K for All are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier; Universal Literacy is working towards ensuring every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All is improving elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensuring that all 8th graders have access to algebra. Equity and Excellence for All is also offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All is giving all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools.

“All New Yorkers deserve access to reliable, high speed internet - and that starts with making sure our City’s classrooms are equipped with the cutting edge technology students need to succeed,” said Interim DoITT Commissioner and CIO Seb Formoso. “I thank Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza for spearheading these critical technology upgrades and look forward to our continued work to bring universal broadband to our City.”

   

CB 10 District Needs Public Hearing TONIGHT - WHERE IS THE DOCUMENT?

BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD #10 MEETING

October 17, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.

Riverbay Corporation

2049 Bartow Avenue, Rm. 31

Bronx, New York 10475

AGENDA

1. Call to Order Joseph Russo, Chairman

2. PUBLIC HEARING – 2021 CAPITAL AND EXPENSE BUDGET PRIORITIES

A public hearing with respect to the 2021 Capital and Expense Budget Priorities. Members of the Bronx Community Board #10 community are encouraged to bring forth ideas/suggestions for the Board's 2021 Capital and Expense Budget Priorities and present them at this public hearing.

2b. Public Participation for 2021 Capital and Expense Budget Priorities

2c. RESOLUTION for 2021 Capital and Expense Budget Priorities

“Resolved...at the recommendation of the Executive Board of Bronx Community Board #10 that the District Manager submit the annual District Needs Statement for Fiscal Year 2021 to the Mayor of the City of New York and Department of City Planning as part of our annual Charter requirement and that this be forwarded to the Full Board for its approval.”

Having been a Budget Committee Chair of a community board I was charged with creating that years District Needs Statement. It took weeks to prepare said statement, working with the Chair, Vice-Chair, and District Manager of the community board. 

I visited the Community Board 10 office on Tuesday October 15th 

I asked to see the CB 10 District Needs Statement for Fiscal Year 2021. 

I was told the District Manager did not make it up yet. Thus I could not view it.

Here are three questions to CB 10 Chair Mr. Joe Russo, and to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz's Community Board office. 

1 - How can you ask for public participation on something that was unavailable to view?

2 - How are your members of the Executive Committee going to know what your District Manager submits, unless it is going to be the same from the previous year with only the date changed?

3 - Is that why the FY 2020 CB 10 District Needs statement was sent out?

Will I be cut off again Mr. Russo if I question you on the CB 10 FY 2021 District Needs Statement?

State Senator Gustavo Rivera - Health & Housing Halloween Fair

Dear Neighbor,

I am pleased to invite you to our Health & Housing Halloween Fair! I hope you will join me to learn how to protect yourself from unscrupulous landlords, dangerous vermin, mysterious charges, and looming health hazards. Bring the whole family for some spooky fun!

Senator Rivera's Health & Housing Halloween Fair

What's Haunting Your Home & Health?

When: Saturday, October 19 from 12pm to 2pm

Where: Bronxworks Morris Innovative Senior Center

80 E 181st St, Bronx, NY 10453

RSVP: Email RSVPSenatorRivera@gmail.com or call 718-933-2034.

We hope you will share the attached flyers with your community to let them know that they can get free health screenings, free housing assistance including consultations with lawyers, giveaways and to go trick or treating at the event. See you there!

 

JAILS TO JOBS: CITY EXPANDS RE-ENTRY SERVICES AND TRAINING FOR JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS

City pledges $19M annually to fund comprehensive job training and re-entry services for all people leaving City jails through its Jails to Jobs initiative

  The City announced an expansion of its Jails to Jobs initiative with a $19 million annual commitment to re-entry services for formerly incarcerated individuals. In addition to providing job readiness workshops, therapeutic and other social services, qualified Jails to Jobs providers will now be able to offer transitional employment to all individuals leaving City jails, regardless of sentencing.

Jails to Jobs, launched in April 2018, provides individuals leaving City jails with one-on-one peer mentors, workforce training, educational subsidies, and short-term transitional employment. The program also requires all workforce providers to be trained in issues and laws related to working with people with criminal records. The initial Jails to Jobs was offered to approximately 5,200 individuals per year. Today’s announcement will expand these resources to all individuals leaving City jails, and will grow to be able to offer programming and services to approximately 9,000 people. Previously, paid transitional employment was only offered to individuals serving a city sentence.

Today’s event was held at Exodus, a Jails to Jobs partner that provides job training, wrap around case management services and paid transitional employment—often involving peer work. They also provide hot meals and social services, and are currently in the midst of expansion.

Over the last 20 years, Exodus has served over 25,000 people, advocating for their rights, helping them to build the skills necessary to join the workforce in career focused jobs, and building skills with them and placing these resilient, hard-working, talented individuals in jobs all over New York.

This builds on previous funding commitments from the Department of Correction (DOC) and Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) for re-entry programming in City jails and re-entry services upon an individual’s release from custody. The RFP, issued by MOCJ, reflect the City’s continued commitment to provide programming based on best-practices for those in custody, as well as in the community, to provide stability for those leaving incarceration, while decreasing the likelihood of continued criminal justice system involvement.

The solicitation for re-entry services will significantly increase the breadth and coordination of services that help people find and maintain employment following their release from City custody.  Notable enhancements in this solicitation include:

·         Hybrid in-custody roles: To ensure the greatest levels of success, planning for release must begin while an individual is in custody. The solicitation creates specialized “hybrid” roles that connect service providers with people in custody prior to release. Providers will be able to assess the individuals’ needs and make connections to supports in the community upon discharge.

·         Enhanced day-of-discharge supports: Research demonstrates the period immediately following release is critical, particularly to ensure immediate needs are met during times of transition. The new solicitation aims to connect people with service providers at the point of release to provide basic needs and connect people to longer term services.

·         Peer mentors: People with lived experience in the criminal justice system are uniquely positioned to foster trusting relationships and promote service engagement for those with similar experiences, leading to increased stability upon release. To build on their expertise, the solicitation creates roles for credible peer mentors to assist individuals in their transition from jail back to the community.

·         Localized service provision: To ensure services are accessible to individuals released from jail, re-entry services aim to be localized in the neighborhoods to which most people return, including through partnerships with local organizations and institutions.

·         Expanded services: Comprehensive services, including paid transitional employment, job readiness workshops and supports, therapeutic services, and a variety of social services will be provided and coordinated as part of the solicitation.

“New York City believes in second chances. With Jails to Jobs, we are breaking the cycle of incarceration by making sure people in City custody have the opportunity to learn and grow while in jail and a pathway to stability as they return to their communities,”  said Mayor de Blasio.

“As the City jail population shrinks and our justice system looks to achieve safety through better means, it remains essential that we provide effective, empowering programming for people while in custody and as they return to their homes and neighborhoods,” said Elizabeth Glazer, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. “By improving programs and services, this Administration is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to creating the smallest, safest, fairest justice system possible.”

“The Jails to Jobs program affirms the value of what Fortune has learned over more than five decades:  jobs matter on the road to successful reentry,” said JoAnne Page, President and CEO of The Fortune Society. “When individuals emerge from the trauma of Rikers Island – even after a short incarceration – they have often lost their jobs, and too often jeopardized their housing as well.  The Jails to Jobs program gives Fortune participants an immediate opportunity to obtain paid work – work that helps put food on the table, support the family and most important, puts them on the pathway to permanent employment.  Employment is key to stopping the cycle of recidivism.  The Fortune Society is proud to partner with the de Blasio administration on this initiative as part of the commitment to reduce the jail population and, ultimately close Riker’s Island.”