SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $5 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING FOR NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS

 

AFG Program Designed To Protect Firefighters Responding to COVID-19

SAFER Program Strengthens New York’s Emergency Response Preparedness Through Hiring and Retention of Firefighters 

  U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,046,694.73 in federal funding to bolster New York’s firefighter force and to provide essential PPE for firefighters responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“From the peak of the pandemic to normal times, our brave firefighters are always on the front lines, risking their lives to protect their communities,” said Senator Schumer. “These courageous first responders deserve all the federal support possible to help them do their jobs. I’ve fought my whole career to bring more federal resources to support our heroic firefighters, and I’m proud to deliver this funding so New York’s fire departments have the critical PPE, training, and support they need as they keep New Yorkers safe during the pandemic.” 

“New York’s first responders have worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe throughout the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Senator Gillibrand. “As we enter fire season amidst a global pandemic, we must ensure our fire departments have the resources needed to hire and retain firefighters, and to keep them protected with essential PPE. I will always fight to secure the resources our fire departments need to stay safe as they enter the line of duty.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) - COVID-19 Supplemental Program awarded New York State $4,406,589.73 to provide essential PPE, training, and supplies for firefighters responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, New York State received $640,105 from FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which was designed to strengthen the nation’s emergency response and preparedness for fire-related hazards by maintaining 24-hour fire department staffing. 

In recent letters, Senator Schumer pushed for AFG - COVID 19 supplemental funding for the Owasco and Howlett Hills Fire Departments, which were awarded $436,952.38 and $171,238.10 respectively, and Senator Gillibrand successfully pushed for the City of Troy to receive $34,374.55 in Round 11 of the competitive FY 2020 AFG-S announcement

Funding Recipients Listed Below:

Capital Region

North Granville Hose Company - North Granville, NY	$82,000.00	SAFER
Rockwood Garoga Lassellsville Volunteer Fire Company – St. Johnsville, NY	$26,000.00	SAFER
City of Troy - Troy, NY	$34,374.55	AFG COVID-19
Town Of Broome Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. - Middleburgh, NY	$133,333.33	AFG COVID-19
Granville Rescue Squad Inc - Granville, NY	$45,933.33	AFG COVID-19
Hebron Volunteer Fire Company - Salem, NY	$100,000.00	AFG COVID-19
North Granville Hose Company - North Granville, NY	$70,714.29	AFG COVID-19
Ghent Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1, Inc. - Ghent, NY	$495,714.29	AFG COVID-19

Central Region

Village of New York Mills - New York Mills, NY	$39,655.00	SAFER
Owasco Fire Department - Auburn, NY	$436,952.38	AFG COVID-19
Howlett Hill Fire Department Inc - Syracuse, NY	$171,238.10	AFG COVID-19
Town Of Binghamton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. - Binghamton, NY	$603,090.91	AFG COVID-19
Village of Endicott – Enidcott, NY	$2,749.52	AFG COVID-19

Western Region

Adam's Fire Co Inc - North Tonawanda, NY	$194,140.00	SAFER
Miller Hose Company Inc - Newfane, NY	$44,749.00	SAFER
City of Buffalo - Buffalo, NY	$417,245.79	AFG COVID-19
Village of Delevan - Delevan, NY	$28,092.38	AFG COVID-19
Town Of West Seneca Fire District 6 - West Seneca, NY	$167,857.14	AFG COVID-19
Town Of Niagara Active Hose Co. Inc. - Niagara Falls, NY	$95,238.10	AFG COVID-19
Alfred Station Fire Co Assoc - Alfred Station, NY	$95,304.76	AFG COVID-19
Cambria Volunteer Fire Co – Lockport, NY	$38,901.00	SAFER

Hudson Valley Region

Village Of Woodbury - Highland Mills, NY	$146,660.00	SAFER
Garrison Fire District - Garrison, NY	$78,328.57	AFG COVID-19
Milan Volunteer Fire Department, Inc - Red Hook, NY	$36,673.76	AFG COVID-19

Long Island Region

Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corp - Mineola, NY	$275,796.58	AFG COVID-19
Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corp - Mineola, NY	$119,047.62	AFG COVID-19
Wading River Fire District -           Wading River, NY	$244,571.43	AFG COVID-19
Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department – Long Beach, NY	$41,500.00	SAFER
Floral Park Centre Fire Co Inc – Floral Park, NY	$26,500.00	SAFER

New York City Region

Richmond Engine Co #1 - Staten Island, NY

$3,000.00

AFG COVID-19

Finger Lakes Region

Benton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. - Penn Yan, NY	$166,666.67	AFG COVID-19
Village of Honeoye Falls - Honeoye Falls, NY	$152,285.71	AFG COVID-19
Village of East Rochester - East Rochester, NY	$277,000.00	AFG COVID-19
The Perinton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. - Fairport, NY	$45,909.09	AFG COVID-19
Byron Fire Department #1, Inc - Byron, NY	$76,138.10	AFG COVID-19

North Country Region

Alexandria Bay Volunteer Fire Department - Alexandria Bay, NY

$33,333.33

AFG COVID-19

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Over $5 Million Dollars, and only $3,000.00 for New York City. Couldn't you two U.S. Senators do any better for New York City?

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES DELAY OF TAX LIEN SALE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

 

Delay gives New Yorkers more time to pay debt or enter payment plans with the Department of Finance

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Finance Commissioner Jacques Jiha announced today the postponement of the annual tax lien sale until September 25, 2020 to give New Yorkers additional time to pay debt or enter into payment plans. The City will continue its outreach efforts to affected homeowners. 

“COVID-19 has hit the pocketbooks of New Yorkers hard, and we’re doing whatever we can to give New Yorkers some relief,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Postponing the lien sale will allow New Yorkers more time to work with the City on their best path forward.”

 

The lien sale is administered by the NYC Department of Finance, which sells overdue property taxes, water and sewer charges, and other property charges to a non-profit trust. The agency sends out four warning notices to property owners starting three months prior to the sale, alerting them that the property is at risk of being on the lien sale list. More than 80 percent of owners pay the full amount owed, enter into payment plans, or obtain an exemption that removes them from the at-risk pool. DOF also advertises at risk properties and conducts extensive outreach to property owners at risk of having their liens sold, often partnering with community groups and elected officials to reach as many property owners as possible.

 

The sale was originally scheduled to occur in May 2020, but it was previously postponed until September 4, 2020 as the City focused its efforts on the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Property owners who are facing hardships making their property tax payments can take advantage of several existing DOF programs. These include exemption programs to lower the amount of taxes owed, standard payment plans, or a new Property Tax and Interest Deferral (PT AID) program, for those who qualify. DOF also provides a monthly property tax billing service to facilitate budgeting for property owners billed on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. More information on those programs can be found on the agency’s website.

Norwood Food and Face Mask Giveaway

 

 It was not the normal Thursday evening on East 204th Street for the weekly 80th Assembly District free food and mask giveaway. This Thursday there were two Male District Leaders in the 80th A.D. Marcos Sierra is the Male District Leader in the 80th A.D., so what was the Male District Leader from the 81st A.D. doing in Norwood? I said to Eric (Dinowitz), what brings the 81st A.D. Male District Leader to the 80th A.D.? He answered that he was a candidate in the 11th City Council race, and we are in the 11th council district. If that is the case, then Eric Dinowitz would not mind if the 80th Male District Leader Marcos (Sierra) goes into Riverdale in the 81st A.D. since Marcos is also a candidate in the 11th City Council race, and Riverdale is in the 11th council district just like Norwood is.

 An exquisitely dressed Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez helped set up the food giveaway, and began handing out some food before she had to leave for another event since she is one of the three announced candidates for Bronx Borough President. State Senator Jamaal Bailey arrived shortly afterwards taking control of the food giveaway. Also on hand was the Irene Estrada the Female District Leader from the 80th A.D., Sandra Pabon the State Committeewoman, and a representative from Councilman Cohen's office. In less than one hour all the food was given out, and people were posing for pictures with each other. The food that was handed out was provided by the Albanian American Open hand Association. 

Above - Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez helping to set up the food giveaway. 

Below - (L - R) 80th A.D. State Committeewoman Sandra Pabon, 80th A.D. Male District Leader Marcos Sierra, Community Activist Shelia Sanchez, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, 80th A.D. Female District Leader Irene Estrada, 81st A.D. Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz, and Aleksander Nilaj of the Albanian American Open Hand Association.

Above - The new Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey (middle) is flanked by (L-R) 80th A.D. State Committeewoman Sandra Pabon, 80th A.D. Male District Leader Marcos Sierra, 80th A.D. Female Ditrict Leader Irene Estrada, and 81st A.D. Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz. 

Below - 81st A.D. Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz talking with 80th A.D. Female District Leader Irene Estrada about his candidacy for the 11th city council seat to be vacated by soon to be Supreme Court Judge Andrew Cohen. 

Councilman Gjonaj Tuesday Food Giveaway

 There were boxes and bags of assorted foods to give away to the long line of people waiting for more than a block from Councilman Mark Gjonaj's office Tuesday. To add to the food giveaway Ms. Lilyanna Pekic of the councilman's office was giving out face masks and a free admission ticket to the Bronx Botanical Gardens to those who wanted one as they waited on line. 

 Once it was time to give out the boxes and bags of food they went quickly. Some people were even trying to take more than one, but Ms. Pekic had a sharp eye to say that it was only one bag or box of food per family. That was because of the very long line as the bags and boxes ran out sooner than expected, but I was told that more people came this week than there were the week before. 

Above - The Boxes and Bags filled with assorted groceries are lined up to be taken in front of Councilman Gjonaj's office.

Below - One at a time people picked either a box or bag of assorted foods. 

Above - Ms. Pekic gives out a face mask and free ticket to the Bronx Botanical Garden to those on the long line.

Below - One person shows the free ticket to the Bronx Botanical Garden.

Governor Cuomo Announces Malls In New York City Allowed to Reopen with Half Capacity Next Week

 

Face Coverings, Social Distancing and Other Safety Protocols Required at All Times; No Indoor Food Courts Permitted

Must Have Enhanced Air Filtration, Ventilation & Purification Standards In Place Prior To Opening

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced malls in New York City will be allowed to reopen starting September 9 with a 50 percent occupancy limit. All malls that choose to reopen will be subject to strict safety protocols, including strict enforcement of face coverings, social distancing, additional staff to control occupancy, traffic flow and seating to avoid crowding and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols. Malls must also have enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards in place in order to open.

"While this pandemic is far from over, our numbers have remained steadily low, so we know our phased, data-driven approach to reopening is the right one," Governor Cuomo said. "Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers, we are at a point in our fight against this virus where we can safely reopen malls in New York City as long as they adhere to strict health and safety protocols. Masks, enhanced air ventilation systems, and social distancing will be mandatory. This is good news and the right step forward."

No indoor dining, loitering or unnecessary congregation will be permitted in malls.

Governor Cuomo Announces Casinos Allowed to Reopen with Limited Capacity Next Week

 

Face Coverings, Social Distancing and Other Safety Protocols Required at All Times

Casinos Must Have Enhanced Air Filtration, Ventilation & Purification Standards In Place Prior To Opening

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced casinos and video lottery terminal facilities will be allowed to reopen starting September 9 with a 25 percent occupancy limit. All venues that choose to reopen will be subject to strict safety protocols, including strict enforcement of face coverings except when eating or drinking, social distancing, additional staff to control occupancy, traffic flow and seating to avoid crowding, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols. Casinos must also have enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards in place in order to open.

"New Yorkers have done an extraordinary job - we flattened the curve in a way that no expert thought was possible," Governor Cuomo said. "We've made the determination that we can safely reopen casinos with enhanced air filtration and strict safety protocols including mandatory masks and social distancing. This is good news and the right next step in our data-driven, phased reopening which is working."

Casinos must leave six feet of distance between operating machines. No table games will be allowed unless and until casinos put in place physical barriers between players and the Gaming Commission approves those barriers. No beverage or food service will be allowed on the gaming floor. The State Gaming Commission will be deployed to monitor casinos and ensure strict enforcement of these measures.

Disbarred Attorney Charged In White Plains Federal Court For Stealing 9/11 Victim Compensation Funds

 

 Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Kenneth R. Dieffenbach, Special Agent in Charge of the Fraud Detection Office of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ-OIG”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging a disbarred attorney with theft of government funds.  GUSTAVO L. VILA, the defendant, allegedly stole approximately $1 million that the Department of Justice’s 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund had awarded to the defendant’s client, a 9/11 first responder.  The defendant was arrested today and presented in White Plains federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, Gustavo Vila stole money awarded to his client – an NYPD officer and 9/11 first responder – by the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.  Vila allegedly lied to his client, telling the client for more than three years that the money Vila stole had yet to be released by the Fund.  Further, Vila lied to his client about his standing, continuing to hold himself out as an attorney even after he had been disbarred.  Now Gustavo Vila has been charged with theft of government funds.”

DOJ-OIG Fraud Detection Office Special Agent in Charge Kenneth R. Dieffenbach said:  “Vila allegedly attempted to profit off of the suffering of a retired NYPD officer who risked his life at Ground Zero. Because of Vila’s alleged greed, the victim never received about $1 million he was awarded from the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Congress created the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) to provide compensation with federal government funds to any individual who suffered physical harm or was killed as a result of the terrorist attacks, or as a result of the debris removal efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath of those attacks.  The original VCF operated from 2001-2004.  President Obama and President Trump reactivated the VCF, authorizing it to operate through October 2016, and December 2020, respectively.  Claimants seeking compensation from the VCF were authorized to work with an attorney and have the attorney, on the claimant’s behalf, submit a claim to, and receive the claimant’s award from, the VCF.  An attorney’s fees were limited to 10% of a VCF award. 

From at least in or about 2012 through at least in or about 2019, GUSTAVO L. VILA, the defendant, represented a retired New York City Police Department Officer (“Victim-1”) in connection with Victim-1’s claim for compensation from VCF.  Victim-1 was diagnosed with, and suffered from, serious, life-threatening medical conditions, including cancer, as a result of rescue and recovery work he performed at Ground Zero.  Throughout his representation of Victim-1, VILA held himself out as an attorney to Victim-1 and to VCF, despite the fact that in 2015, VILA was disbarred.   

In or about May 2013, GUSTAVO L. VILA, the defendant, submitted a claim to VCF on behalf of Victim-1.  VILA also submitted forms to the VCF authorizing the VCF to deposit Victim-1’s compensation award directly into a bank account controlled by VILA’s law firm (the “Bank Account”).  On or about September 13, 2016, the VCF authorized an award to Victim-1 of approximately $1,030,622.04. 

On or about October 12, 2016, the VCF deposited the full amount of Victim-1’s award into the Bank Account.  At that point, VILA was required to distribute all of that money, less 10% for his purported attorney’s fees, to Victim-1.  VILA, however, did not distribute any of that money to Victim-1 or otherwise inform Victim-1 about this deposit.  Rather, VILA allegedly kept almost the entire amount of that award for himself and used that money for his own personal benefit, including to pay his own taxes.  From in or about October 2016 to in or about February 2020, VILA falsely represented to Victim-1 that the VCF had not yet released the majority of Victim-1’s VCF award, when in fact, the entire award had been released for Victim-1’s benefit in October 2016.

VILA, 62, of Yorktown Heights, New York, is charged with one count of theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 641 and 2, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 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 would be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of DOJ-OIG’s Fraud Detection Office. 

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

AG James Announces Criminal Indictment of Former Tech CEO for Defrauding Investors Out of Over $22 Million

 

Aaron D. Fischman — Former CEO of Cardis Enterprises — Charged with Securities Fraud, Grand Larceny, Money Laundering, and Scheme to Defraud

  New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a 20-count criminal indictment charging Aaron D. Fischman — former CEO of the now defunct company Cardis Enterprises International (USA), Inc. (Cardis) — with operating a multi-million dollar securities fraud scheme that defrauded over $22 million from investors across the country and around the world.

“Aaron Fischman was able to fleece investors out of tens of millions of dollars for his own personal benefit,” alleged Attorney General Letitia James today. “These victims believed they were investing in technology to help businesses mitigate against costly charges from electronic transactions, but instead they fell victim to Fischman’s massive fraud. We will always hold white collar criminals accountable for their greed and deception that seek to illegally profit off others.”

According to statements made by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) at arraignment, between January 2013 and December 2016, Fischman solicited millions of dollars of investments in Cardis — a Long Island-based company that claimed to possess a patented and proprietary technology that would make low-value credit card transactions less expensive. The technology was supposed to bundle multiple transactions under one fee. Fischman and his associates promised investors that their money would be used to promote the business of Cardis. However, today’s criminal charges allege that instead of using the money for business purposes, Fischman secretly devised a plan to divert millions of dollars of investor money into his personal bank accounts, to members of his family who had no business association with Cardis, and to select charities. 

While New York served as the center of Fischman’s fraud, the scheme allegedly ensnared investors from multiple states and countries, who invested millions of dollars in Cardis. The OAG contends that Fischman conned many of these investors into making multiple investments across several years, and that many of these investors felt compelled to invest further to avoid risking losing their entire previous investment amounts. In the end, few, if any, of these investors received any return on their investments in Cardis, and the majority lost their entire investment.

The OAG alleges that investors in Cardis were instructed by employees of the company to wire money or write checks to multiple Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) accounts. Between January 2013 and December 2016, over $22 million of investor money flowed into four IOLA accounts and one business checking account in the name of Cardis USA. Of this $22 million, prosecutors allege that more than $3 million was diverted for the benefit of Fischman and his family. Some examples of these personal diversions include more than $1.4 million diverted to bank accounts in the name of Fischman and his wife, more than $285,000 was diverted to bank accounts in the names of Fischman’s relatives, more than $900,000 was diverted to select charities of Fischman’s choosing, and more than $400,000 was paid to American Express in connection with personal charges on American Express cards in the names of Fischman and his wife.

The OAG further indicates that investors were never told that portions of the money they invested would be used for non-business purposes, including to fund shopping sprees at high-end clothing stores, to pay for over $15,000 worth of limousine services for members of Fischman’s family, to fund nearly $30,000 in tuition and related expenses at a private school attended by one of Fischman’s children, and to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in charitable donations in Fischman’s name. 

The OAG’s 20-count criminal indictment, unsealed today in Nassau County State Supreme Court, charges Fischman with: one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree (a Class “B” felony), four counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a Class “C” felony), four counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a Class “D” felony), one count of Money Laundering in the Second Degree (a Class “C” felony), nine counts of securities fraud under the Martin Act (a class “E” felony), and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (a Class “E” felony). 

If convicted, Fischman faces up to 8 1/3 to 24 years in prison. 

Fischman was arraigned earlier today in Nassau County State Supreme Court before the Honorable Judge Francis Ricigliano. Bail was set at $500,000. 

The charges are merely accusations and Fischman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau’s criminal investigation into Cardis began in September 2018, after a referral from the OAG’s Investor Protection Bureau. In December 2018, the Investor Protection Bureau filed a civil complaint in New York County State Supreme Court against Fischman and associated individuals and entities, including Cardis USA and Cardis NV. The Investor Protection Bureau subsequently secured default judgments against a number of these entities and individuals. The civil complaint alleges that, since 2011, Fischman and his associates solicited at least $30 million of investments in Cardis NV by fraudulently representing to investors that Cardis was close to monetizing its technology through agreements with prominent companies and that an initial public offering or buyout was on the horizon. The civil case, People v. Fischman, remains ongoing. 

The investigation of Cardis was prompted by investor complaints to the OAG. Those with information about potential investor fraud are encouraged to submit a complaint online. Additionally, for those who wish to report fraudulent conduct without compromising their identity, the OAG launched a secure whistleblowing system — the New York Attorney General Whistleblower Portal — that allows for the simple and secure transmission of information and two-way anonymous communication. 

The OAG wishes to thank the Finanicial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and, in particular, its Criminal Proseuction Assistance Group, for their invaluable assistance on this case.