News From NYS Office of the Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli

INVESTORS REACH SETTLEMENT WITH WYNN RESORTS

Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts' Officers and Directors to Pay $41 Million in Damages: Company to Adopt Significant Governance Reforms

Investors who filed suit against the officers and directors of Wynn Resorts Ltd. claiming they failed to protect the company and employees from former CEO Steve Wynn’s alleged abusive behavior have reached a settlement agreement, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today.

“We filed our lawsuit in response to serious and repeated allegations of sexual misconduct by Steve Wynn and the prior board’s alleged failure to stop it,” DiNapoli said. “We are gratified that the reforms in this agreement and those undertaken following the initiation of our lawsuit will protect Wynn Resorts’ employees and shareholders against future harm.”

“This agreement institutes a number of landmark reforms to improve governance and accountability at Wynn Resorts,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “Steve Wynn is alleged to have created an unacceptable culture of sexual misconduct and harassment and the prior board’s alleged passivity perpetuated it. There must be zero tolerance for this kind of behavior, and this agreement is a major step forward in protecting employees and shareholders from future harm.”

Comptroller DiNapoli and the New York City Retirement Systems and Pension Funds, as co-lead plaintiffs, through their counsel at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, filed a derivative lawsuit, a legal action taken on behalf of a company when it is believed its officers or directors failed to comply with their fiduciary obligations to the company. The lawsuit claimed the Wynn Resorts’ prior board and certain officers knew about Mr. Wynn’s alleged sexual abuse and harassment of employees but made no effort to stop it. The lawsuit sought monetary damages and improved governance measures aimed at protecting the corporation, its employees and shareholders from future harm.

Pending court approval, the settlement requires Mr. Wynn to personally pay $20 million to the company. Another $21 million will be paid to the company by insurance carriers on behalf of former and certain current Wynn Resorts’ employees, officers and directors.  As part of the settlement, liability has not been admitted.

The corporate governance reforms Wynn Resorts Ltd. will adopt include:

• Independent Board Chair: Amend the bylaws to separate the role of board chair and CEO, with the additional requirement that the board chair be independent.
• Majority Vote Requirement: Amend the bylaws to require all directors seeking election to the board receive majority vote support except in the instance of a proxy contest.
• Commitment to Diversity: The board will publicly announce its intention to achieve 50 percent diversity on its board of directors and choose from a diverse pool of board candidates.
• Succession Plan: The board will provide an enhanced succession plan for executive officers and board directors.
• 10b5-1 Plan: The board will require directors who want to sell Wynn Resorts stock to do so through a 10b5-1 plan. The 10b5-1 plan requirement would also apply to any executive with more than $15 million in company stock.

The value of the reforms attributed to the lawsuit is estimated at $49 million, bringing the total settlement value to $90 million.

Additionally, in part because of the derivative litigation, Wynn Resorts enacted a number of policy changes that significantly strengthen employees’ rights to a workplace free from mistreatment or abuse, including among others, a substantial revision and update to the company’s:

• Corporate Prevention of Harassment Policy;
• Personal Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest Policy;
• Spa and Salon Policy; and
• Code of Personal Conduct.

Other significant improvements include:

• Improvements to the company’s sexual harassment and diversity training for all employees;
• Enhancement of the ability of Wynn employees to report complaints, including the establishment of a third-party hotline; and
• The prohibition of employer-forced arbitration clauses and non-disclosures agreements.

As of Oct. 31, 2019, New York State Common Retirement Fund held shares in Wynn Resorts with an estimated value of $22.6 million. The New York City Pension Funds held shares in Wynn Resorts with an estimated value of $22.3 million.

About the New York State Common Retirement Fund  The New York State Common Retirement Fund is the third largest public pension fund in the United States with an audited value of $210.5 billion as of March 31, 2019. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. The Fund has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation. The Fund's fiscal year ends March 31.

Bronx Jewish Center Community Dinner

BRONX JEWISH CENTER  Hosts Community Dinner  

Please join us for our next community Shabbat dinner on Friday December 6th starting  at 7:00 pm  at  the Bronx Jewish Center . The B J C will be going orange..  The special theme for that evening will be Autumn Orange.!   All of your traditional  style  dishes will take center stage!  We look forward to seeing you! Enjoy a delicious 4 course dinner with your fellow neighbors.Turn your Friday night Shabbat into an evening of spiritual awakening, inspiration,Jewish songs and culinary delight.All are welcome .

  Please RSVP@718-812-1701 to let us know you are coming .Shabbat dinners are held the first Friday of every month.    

When:    Friday  December  6th.

Where: 1969 Haight Avenue Bx NY 10461

Cost:   Free of charge and all are welcome to join!

Website:www.BronxJewishCenter. org

Contact: office@bronxjewishcenter.org 

Telephone:  #718-812-1701

Wave Hill events December 12‒December 19

Thu, December 12

Wave Hill Members Sale in The Shop

Find naturally appealing gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season, from the handsome new book about Wave Hill, Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, to jewelry and accessories for the women--and men--in your life, children’s books and toys.

Perkins Visitor Center, 10AM–4:30PM

Fri, December 13

Wave Hill Members Sale in The Shop

Find naturally appealing gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season, from the handsome new book about Wave Hill, Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, to jewelry and accessories for the women--and men--in your life, children’s books and toys.

Perkins Visitor Center, 10AM–4:30PM

Sat, December 14

Family Art Project: Self-Portraits: Follow My Tracks

Look to the internal navigational systems of swifts and pigeons. Look to the bees, who use remembered landmarks to find their way, and to the sea turtle, who uses the sun for way-finding. And the wood mouse, who forages twigs and leaves to create landmarks for exploration. Then think about the tracks animals leave behind. Using natural and food materials, create your own self-portrait from the tracks that you leave behind, remembering all the places you’ve been and the memories you hold. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, December 14

Wave Hill Members Sale in The Shop

Find naturally appealing gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season, from the handsome new book about Wave Hill, Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, to jewelry and accessories for the women--and men--in your life, children’s books and toys.

Perkins Visitor Center, 10AM–4:30PM

Sun, December 15

Family Art Project: Self-Portraits: Follow My Tracks

Look to the internal navigational systems of swifts and pigeons. Look to the bees, who use remembered landmarks to find their way, and to the sea turtle, who uses the sun for way-finding. And the wood mouse, who forages twigs and leaves to create landmarks for exploration. Then think about the tracks animals leave behind. Using natural and food materials, create your own self-portrait from the tracks that you leave behind, remembering all the places you’ve been and the memories you hold. Free with admission to the grounds. 

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, December 15

Wave Hill Members Sale in The Shop

Find naturally appealing gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season, from the handsome new book about Wave Hill, Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, to jewelry and accessories for the women--and men--in your life, children’s books and toys.

Perkins Visitor Center, 10AM–4:30PM

Sun, December 15

Concert: Jason Prover’s Sneak Thievery Orchestra

Known mostly for his work in traditional and mainstream jazz, Jason Prover has established himself as one of the most versatile and multifaceted trumpet players in New York City. Specializing in the music of the 1920's and 1930's, the Sneak Thievery Orchestra is a living embodiment of the old and the new. Innovative soloists with the utmost respect for the past offer fresh ideas within the tradition of early jazz. Concerts begin at 2PM and last approximately one hour with no intermission. Ticket prices (including admission to the grounds): Adults: $30 at the door/$14 at the door for children ages 8-18. Purchase your tickets in advance and save $2 per ticket. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Order tickets online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Learn more at wavehill.org.

Wave Hill House, 2PM

Sun, December 15

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Mon, December 16

Wave Hill is closed.

Tue, December 17

Wave Hill Members Sale in The Shop

Find naturally appealing gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season, from the handsome new book about Wave Hill, Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, to jewelry and accessories for the women--and men--in your life, children’s books and toys.

Wed, December 18

Wave Hill Members Sale in The Shop

Find naturally appealing gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season, from the handsome new book about Wave Hill, Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, to jewelry and accessories for the women--and men--in your life, children’s books and toys.

Perkins Visitor Center, 10AM–4:30PM

Thu, December 19

Wave Hill Members Sale in The Shop

Find naturally appealing gifts for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season, from the handsome new book about Wave Hill, Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill, to jewelry and accessories for the women--and men--in your life, children’s books and toys.

                         

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM, November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

News From Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez

Always make sure to donate blood! Assemblywoman Fernandez is pictured donating blood at the 49th Precinct. The American Red Cross is always in need of donations to better serve those in need. Go to https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html learn more!

DISTRICT OFFICE

2018 Williamsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10461
718-409-0109    Fax: 718-409-0431

Bronx Man Sentenced To 24 Years In Prison For Violent Robbery

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced that WILFREDO SEPULVEDA, a/k/a “Dionico de la Cruz Rodriguez,” a/k/a “Tonito,” was sentenced yesterday in Manhattan federal court by United States Circuit Judge Richard J. Sullivan to 24 years in prison.  SEPULVEDA was convicted of narcotics and robbery charges after a five-day trial in March 2019. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The defendant carried out a violent robbery to steal drugs and cash.  In doing so, he threatened the lives of multiple innocent victims.  I would like to extend my gratitude to the ATF and NYPD for their outstanding work in ensuring that the defendant faced the justice he deserved.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito stated:  “The defendant committed various acts of violence where he brandished knives and firearms and terrorized others for narcotics and money.  These acts threatened the lives of both rival dealers and innocent citizens on the street.  The core of the ATF mission is to protect the public from violent crime.  To that end, we will work tirelessly with our partners to bring individuals bent on committing violent acts to justice.  I would like to thank the members of the ATF/ NYPD SPARTA Task Force for their diligent work on this case.  I would also like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill stated:  “I want to commend our law enforcement partners for bringing justice in this violent case.  Working together, our quest to investigate and solve crime, and to keep New York and its residents safe, continues.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictments, evidence presented at trial, and other court documents previously filed in Manhattan federal court:

In the spring of 2018, SEPULVEDA spent months plotting to rob his source of narcotics.  On May 14, 2018, SEPULVEDA disguised himself in a wig and a dress, armed himself with a gun and a knife, and went to his drug dealer’s apartment to commit the robbery.  Inside the apartment, SEPULVEDA encountered the dealer’s 83-year-old mother-in-law, who, at the time, was home alone.  SEPULVEDA brandished the knife and firearm, threatened that elderly victim’s life, and then ransacked the apartment. After SEPULVEDA found approximately 1.5 kilograms of narcotics and $13,000 in cash, he fled the apartment and encountered a neighbor who attempted to intervene.  The neighbor chased SEPULVEDA onto the street where SEPULVEDA engaged in a struggle with the neighbor near a school.  During the struggle, SEPULVEDA brandished a firearm and threatened the neighbor’s life.  Shortly thereafter, police responded to the scene of the crime, placed SEPULVEDA under arrest, and recovered the firearm, narcotics, and cash, as well as the dress and wig SEPULVEDA had used as a disguise.

In addition to his prison term, SEPULVEDA, 41, of the Bronx, New York, was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the NYPD and the ATF, and in particular the Strategic Patterned Armed Robbery Technical Apprehension (“SPARTA”) Task Force, which is composed of agents and officers of the ATF and the NYPD.

Former Construction Manager Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion In Connection With Bribery Scheme

Defendant, Awaiting Sentencing in State Bribery Case, Pleads Guilty to Evading Taxes on Those Bribes

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MICHAEL CAMPANA, a construction manager for a global financial firm, pled guilty today to charges of evading taxes on more than $350,000 in bribes he received from building sub-contractors.  The bribes included payments of more than $75,000 to cover expenses associated with CAMPANA’s wedding.  CAMPANA is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2020, before United States District Judge Denise Cote.  Thereafter, he also faces sentencing in New York State court on money laundering charges for his participation in the bribery scheme.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Bribery and tax evasion often go hand-in-hand, forcing both the bribery victims and the taxpaying public to unfairly bear the hidden costs of corruption.  Today, Michael Campana admitted to federal tax evasion for failing to report his income from an illegal bribery scheme to which he already pled guilty.”

According to the criminal Information filed today, as well as other public documents and today’s court proceeding:

Between 2013 and 2017, CAMPANA was a construction manager for a global financial firm engaged in various building projects in New York City and elsewhere.  He and others participated in a scheme to obtain bribes from construction sub-contractors, who paid bribes in exchange for being awarded various construction contracts and sub-contracts.  In all, CAMPANA received bribes in excess of $350,000 between 2014 and 2017.  Some of those bribes related to CAMPANA’s 2017 wedding, including payments of approximately $40,000 from sub-contractors directly to a catering hall in New Jersey, over $13,000 directly to a photography studio, and over $23,000 directly to a travel agent for airline tickets purchased in connection with CAMPANA’s honeymoon.  Other payments, totaling more than $100,000, were made in cash, which CAMPANA stashed in a safe.  CAMPANA evaded federal income tax on this bribery income, by failing to declare it on his income tax returns for the years 2014 through 2017.

In connection with the underlying bribery scheme, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office charged CAMPANA and 13 others in December 2018 with numerous felonies, including charges of conspiracy, commercial bribery, and money laundering.  Last week, on November 19, CAMPANA pled guilty in the state court case to money laundering in the third degree.  (New York v. Guzzone, et al., case no. 04037-2018 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), count 44).  He is awaiting sentencing in that case as well. 

CAMPANA, 33, of Tuckahoe, New York, pled guilty today to a single count of tax evasion.  That charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, and an order of restitution.  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 excellent work of the Internal Revenue Service.

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS ANIMAL RIGHTS LEGISLATION INTO LAW

Package of legislation builds on the Administration’s commitment to the welfare and humane treatment of animals

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed a new package of legislation into law to protect and promote animal welfare, ensuring a more humane City for all New Yorkers.

The bills support the welfare of dogs, horses, and birds, specifically, as well as the wellbeing of all animals. In addition to establishing an Office of Animal Welfare, increasing animal cruelty reporting, and promoting animal shelter adoptions and kennel cough vaccinations, the animal welfare package prevents the trafficking of wild birds, bans the sale of foie gras, and improves working conditions for carriage horses.

“I’m proud to sign this legislation that further solidifies our commitment to the humane and fair treatment of animals across our city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I look forward to continuing our work with elected officials and communities to protect animals and build on New York City’s leadership in animal rights.”

This legislation builds on the de Blasio Administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting animal rights. The City is the first in the nation to appoint a designated animal rights liaison within a City’s government to work with animal advocates and implement humane policies that impact animals. Notable accomplishments include the City’s ‘Meatless Mondays’ program. After a successful pilot initiative launched in 2018, all 1800 of the City’s public schools serve vegetarian meals on Mondays.

The administration has also invested $98 million in the development and renovation of full-service animal shelters in all five boroughs—making them the first administration in the City’s history to do so—and has achieved record shelter placement rates at their municipal shelters run by Animal Care Centers of NYC. 

Through its work with the City Council and other stakeholders, the City has strengthened regulations and protections surrounding animal welfare. In 2017, the City banned the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses. In partnership with the ASPCA, the City established the NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad to exclusively investigate animal abuse and neglect cases, and implemented the Animal Abuse Registry. Other legislative achievements include a ban on sale of rabbits, as well as the sales of dogs and cats from puppy or kitten mills, and legislation requiring pet shops to only sell spayed or neutered dogs.

Through Int. 1478-A, the Administration will establish an Office of Animal Welfare, headed by a Director appointed by the Mayor. The Office will advise and assist the Mayor in interagency coordination and cooperation related to animal welfare administration, regulation, management, and programs. 

The package of bills signed today also include, Intro 870-A, which requires animal shelters operated by New York City to post photographs of adoptable animals within three days. Intro 1202-A prohibits the trafficking of wild birds, including pigeons. Intro 1378-A prohibits restaurants and stores from selling foie-gras. Int. 1425-A prohibits carriage horses from being worked in certain heat conditions. Through Int. 1498-A the NYPD will now be required to publish semi-annual public reports on complaints and investigations of animal cruelty allegations. Int. 1570-A requires that dogs entering kennels are in compliance with the New York City Health Code and are vaccinated for kennel cough.

“We're thrilled that New York City is now the largest city in the world to protect ducks and geese from the abusive foie gras industry by banning the sale of force-fed products," said Allie Feldman Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights. "New York has sent a clear message to foie gras producers that shoving a foot-long pipe down a bird's throat and intentionally diseasing and enlarging their liver up to ten times its normal size in order to create some bizarre delicacy is cruel and has no place in our compassionate city. We’re beyond grateful to Mayor de Blasio for signing this landmark package of animal protection measures into law. By enacting this historic package, New York City has proven itself to be a leader on animal rights."

“We thank Mayor de Blasio for signing these important animal welfare measures, which will reinforce New York City’s reputation as a place of deep compassion and a humane model for cities around the country,” said Matt Bershadker, President and CEO of the ASPCA. “We look forward to working with the Council and Mayor’s Office to continue protecting New York City animals from unacceptable suffering and abuse.”

“This package of bills just made New York a much more civilized city for animals. PETA is pleased that Mayor de Blasio and the city council recognize that animal rights issues are important to voters of all political persuasions,” said Dan Matthews, Senior Vice President of PETA.     

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES OUTPOSTED THERAPEUTIC HOUSING UNITS TO SERVE PATIENTS IN CUSTODY WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS

Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull will improve access to care for incarcerated individuals with complex medical, mental health, and substance use needs

 Building on prior efforts to reform the City’s criminal justice system and build new modern and borough-based facilities by 2026, the de Blasio administration, through NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services (CHS), announced plans to open Therapeutic Housing Units to improve access to care for patients whose clinical conditions require access to specialty and subspecialty care.

“As we move forward to a smaller, safer and fairer criminal justice system, we’re exploring all options that will improve our justice system and end the era of mass incarceration,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “That means pushing for creative solutions that will help improve the lives of people in custody by providing a more therapeutic environment that is so crucial to help people reenter their communities.”

Subject to design, approximately 250 Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit beds between NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull will be in secured, clinical units operated by CHS in areas separated from the public, as to not infringe on other patients or compromise security. The Department of Correction will provide security, and decisions regarding admission to and discharge from the Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units will be made by CHS according to a patient’s clinical needs.

The creation of these Units will also follow significant investments in both hospitals, resulting in improved care and infrastructure. Additionally, the implementation of the Units will not compromise the quality of care or existing services within the hospitals.

Development and implementation of the Unit model will bridge the gap in the correctional health care continuum between care provided in jail and inpatient hospitalization With a focus on reentry, individual treatment plans will be developed at both Units to support the health and wellbeing of patients, marking another step forward in the progress that CHS has made since its transition to NYC Health + Hospitals into its effort to transform health care services for patients in custody. These units substantially improve access to needed care and will offer a therapeutic and more normalized environment for those patients with more complex medical, mental health, and substance use needs.

Among the improvements since its transition to NYC Health + Hospitals in 2016, CHS has established more jail-based therapeutic housing units for patients with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or complex medical needs. CHS launched the Geriatric and Complex Care Service, the first jail-based program of its type in the country, providing integrated clinical care and court advocacy to the oldest and most vulnerable patients in the jail system. In addition, CHS has expanded what was already the largest jail-based opioid treatment program in the nation, overseeing the care of approximately 6,000 patients with an opioid use disorder annually.

This initiative will decrease the number of beds in the borough-based jails by 250 and provide a more medically appropriate setting for certain individuals in the City’s care. Additionally, CHS has also recently enhanced reentry support services to help ensure successful reentry into the community, including the creation of Point of Reentry and Transition primary care practices at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, which improve continuity of care for patients recently released from custody in City jails.

“I am extremely proud that NYC Health + Hospitals, as both innovator and advocate, will establish these new therapeutic units to allow for better access to hospital-based specialists to stabilize patients for successful reentry to the community,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals.

“We are very excited to launch this pioneering approach that will help meet the health care needs of patients in custody, in a safer, more humane, and more dignified way,” said Dr. Patsy Yang, Senior Vice President for NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services. “We believe these therapeutic units will better support healing and recovery for our patients

“NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull is proud to be selected as one of two sites to pilot this innovative initiative, which will help provide critical support to this vulnerable population of patients,” said Gregory Calliste, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.

“At NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, we have had an extensive and successful history providing health care to patients in custody, and this is a significant opportunity to expand our forensic experience in order to ensure continuity of high quality care by our specialists and subspecialists,” said William Hicks, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.

“As we continue to drive down the population of incarcerated individuals with serious mental health issues, it is critical to treat those who remain in our custody in an appropriate environment,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “The Council will work to ensure that individuals who do need specialized medical services are cared for in spaces that are in line with the progressive design principles developed in the process of the borough-based jail plan, and looks forward to engaging with the Administration on how these new facilities will achieve our collective goals.”