Governor Cuomo Announces $357 Million in New Pavement Renewal Projects - Not One Cent For Any Bronx Project

 

Incorporates Construction Techniques that Reduce Fuel Consumption and Decrease Production of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Funding Supports Pavement Revitalization Projects in Every Region of State

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $357 million in funding for the renewal of roadways in every region of New York State. These infrastructure renewal projects will incorporate the use of environmentally conscious construction techniques such as warm-mix asphalt and cold in place asphalt recycling that can be applied at significantly lower temperatures, thereby reducing fuel consumption and decreasing the production of associated greenhouse gas emission during construction. These techniques also allow existing materials to be reused and can reduce the amount of materials that would otherwise be trucked to landfills. The projects announced today are currently being designed and construction will begin next spring.

"New York continues to lead the nation in demonstrating that infrastructure investments supporting economic growth can be balanced with protecting our precious environmental and natural resources," Governor Cuomo said. "These investments are laying the foundation for sustained growth in tourism and business development while enhancing the resilience of the supporting infrastructure."

This funding, administered by the New York State Department of Transportation, will support 135 paving projects and the renewal of approximately 1,740 lane miles of pavements across New York State. The projects announced today will be implemented in a manner that is sensitive to the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals established in New York State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, one of the most ambitious and comprehensive climate laws in the world.

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State is building back better and in a sustainable manner that will support regional economic development for decades to come. New York is leading the way by incorporating climate friendly strategies into our historic investments in resilient transportation infrastructure."

Capital Region

Approximately $35.0 million in projects to renew 196 lane miles of the roads in Columbia, Greene, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Washington and Warren counties:

Mohawk Valley

Approximately $56.4 million in projects to renew 128 lane miles of the roads in Oneida, Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie and Otsego counties:

Central New York

Approximately $31.5 million in projects to renew 262 lane miles of the roads in Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland and Madison counties:

Finger Lakes

Approximately $41.2 million in projects to renew 187 lane miles of the roads in Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Yates, Seneca counties:

Western New York

Approximately $42.5 million in projects to renew 234 lane miles of the roads in Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties:

North Country

Approximately $30.3 million in projects to renew 279 lane miles of the roads in Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex and Hamilton counties:

Mid-Hudson Valley

Approximately $58.3 million in projects to renew 167 lane miles of the roads in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan counties:

Southern Tier

Approximately $34 million in projects to renew 226 lane miles of the roads in Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Tioga, Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties:

Long Island

Approximately $16.7 million in projects to renew 59 lane miles of the roads in Nassau and Suffolk counties:

So what did New York City receive?

New York City

Approximately $11.4 million in projects to repair 4 lane miles of concrete pavements on ramps within the following roads in New York City:

• $ 190,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the East Bound Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I-278) Exit 27 Ramp to Atlantic Avenue in Kings County.
• $ 800,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the East Bound Grand Central Parkway Entrance Ramp from Northern Boulevard/ 34TH Avenue in Queens County.
• $ 1.2 million for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the entrance ramp from Flushing Meadow Park to Whitestone Bridge/ Northern Boulevard East in Queens County.
• $ 300,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs on the East Bound Long Island Expressway (I-495) at the West Bound Grand Central Parkway Ramp in Queens County.
• $ 361,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the West Bound Grand Central Parkway ramp to East Bound Long Island Expressway (I-495) in Queens County.
• $ 1.6 million for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the West Bound Grand Central Parkway entrance ramp from Astoria Boulevard North in Queens County.
• $ 220,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the West Bound Grand Central Parkway exit ramp to 31st Street in Queens County.
• $ 810,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the South Bound Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) exit ramp to Belt Parkway in Queens County.
• $ 610,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the East Bound Brooklyn Queens Expressway (I-278) Exit 39 Ramp to Queens Boulevard and 65th Place in Queens County.
• $ 2.7 million for full depth concrete pavement repairs on the Jackie Robinson Parkway at various locations including the Exit 6 Ramps to and from Metropolitan Avenue, the Exit 3 ramp to Cypress Hill Street,
• $ 500,000 for full depth concrete pavement repairs at the West Bound Grand Central Parkway Bridge over Bell Boulevard in Queens County.

$ 2.1 million for full depth concrete pavement repairs on the North Bound Korean War Veterans Parkway from Boscombe Avenue to the North Bound West Shore Expressway exit ramp in Richmond County.

And nothing for any project in the Bronx.

Head Of Merchant Bank Pleads Guilty In Connection With Multimillion-Dollar Securities Fraud Scheme

 

 Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CRAIG ZABALA, the chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Concorde Group Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”), pled guilty before U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud stemming from a scheme to defraud investors in Holdings, a purported merchant banking firm.  Among other illicit activity, ZABALA fraudulently induced at least 17 investors to invest at least approximately $4.38 million based on false and misleading statements, by failing to use investors’ funds as promised, including to build Holdings’ purported business by investing in and buying other financial services companies, and by converting investors’ money to his own use, including to repay other investors in a Ponzi-like fashion. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Craig Zabala admitted in court that he defrauded investors of more than $4 million through a purported financial services firm he controlled.  Zabala lied to investors about how much money had been raised, who had invested, how close the firm was to an IPO, and how he would use investors’ money – most of which he took for his own use or to pay off investors in Ponzi-like fashion.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint, the Information filed today, and other proceedings in this case:           

CRAIG ZABALA was the chairman, CEO, and president of various affiliated and intertwined purported financial services companies:  Holdings, Concorde Group, Inc. (“Group”), Blackhawk Capital Group BDC, Inc. (“Blackhawk”), DBL Holdings, LLC, d/b/a “Drexel Burnham Lambert” (“DBL”), Concorde Investment Managers, LLC (“CIM”), and Concorde Europe, Ltd. (“Concorde Europe”).  In or about August 2019, FINRA barred ZABALA from the broker-dealer industry, including because of his failure to cooperate with a FINRA investigation.

Holdings was a Delaware corporation formed in or about 2015, with an office in Jersey City, New Jersey, and a mailing address in New York, New York.  Holdings purported to provide financial services, including merchant banking, investment banking, asset management, and securities brokerage services, to entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses in the middle market, meaning small to mid-sized companies with revenue and market capitalizations of less than $1 billion, in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Holdings’ purported affiliates included Group, DBL, Blackhawk, CIM, and Concorde Europe.  ZABALA was a majority owner of Holdings.

Group was a Delaware corporation formed in or about 1995, based in New York, New York, that purported to provide the same types of financial services as Holdings.  Group’s purported affiliates included DBL, Blackhawk, CIM, and Concorde Europe.  ZABALA was a majority owner of Group.  Between in or about 2001 and in or about 2014, Group purportedly raised approximately $18 million from investors.

From at least in or about 2015 through in or about 2020, ZABALA and others perpetrated a scheme to defraud at least approximately 17 investors out of at least approximately $4.38 million in Holdings notes, warrants, and equity, almost all of whom invested in a private offering by Holdings of $25 million in senior secured notes with attached warrants paying 13 percent interest (the “Holdings Offering”). 

ZABALA and others falsely represented that the proceeds from the offerings would be used to grow Holdings’ purported business by investing in and buying other financial services companies.  In truth and in fact, and as ZABALA well knew, Holdings did not make any investments in or buy other companies.

ZABALA and others falsely represented to Holdings investors that Holdings had raised nearly $25 million in the Holdings Offering.  In truth and in fact, and as ZABALA well knew, Holdings only raised a few million dollars. 

ZABALA and others falsely represented to Holdings investors that the family office of a wealthy German family had invested millions of dollars in Holdings.  In truth and in fact, and as ZABALA well knew, this family office never invested in, and never committed to invest in, Holdings.

ZABALA and others falsely represented to Holdings Investors that Holdings would soon have an initial public offering (“IPO”), which would result in large profits to Holdings investors.  In truth and in fact, and as ZABALA well knew, Holdings was not close to an IPO.            

ZABALA converted at least approximately 70 percent of the approximately $4.38 million in Holdings investor funds in the form of cash withdrawals and other transfers to himself, payments to his girlfriend, payments of his personal credit card bills, and repayment of Group investors in a Ponzi-like fashion.

ZABALA, 68, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The charge also carries a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offenses.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  ZABALA also agreed to forfeit $4,380,000 and to pay restitution in the amount of $4,380,000.  ZABALA is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Oetken on February 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the United States Postal Inspection Service’s New York Division, and also thanked the SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority for their assistance and cooperation in this investigation. 

DEC ANNOUNCES OCT. 31 OPENING OF SALMON RIVER LOWER FLY-FISHING AREA

 

DEC Encourages Anglers to Fish ‘SMART’ to Protect Resources and Other Anglers

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the Lower Fly-Fishing Section of the Salmon River will be open for catch-and-release fishing starting Saturday, Oct. 31, marking the success of actions taken by the Salmon River Flow Management Team to mitigate the impacts of low-water flows at the start of the salmon run. Recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 remain in effect to ensure the health and safety of the public. 

Under a federal license, Salmon River seasonal baseflows are typically increased from 185 cubic feet/second (cfs) to 335 cfs on Sept. 1, providing that water levels in the Salmon River Reservoir are above a critical threshold. This summer, below-average precipitation resulted in low and declining water levels in the reservoir. The Executive Committee of the Salmon River Flow Management Team, comprised of natural resource agencies and Brookfield Renewable hydroelectric facility that regulates reservoir water levels, delayed the annual Sept. 1 increase in baseflow and canceled scheduled whitewater releases over the Labor Day weekend. These actions conserved reservoir water to maintain suitable flows throughout the salmon spawning run. 

Because significant rainfall was not forecasted, DEC recommended delaying the scheduled baseflow increase. DEC’s recommendation was based on abnormally high-water temperatures coupled with low-water flow in Salmon River tributaries, including Beaverdam Brook, where migrating Chinook salmon access the DEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery for egg collections that support the State’s successful stocking program. Increasing baseflows prematurely would have likely enticed the Chinook salmon already “staging” in Lake Ontario to enter the Salmon River on their spawning migration, which could have stranded and/or killed fish if temperatures remained high. These fish cannot reach DEC’s hatchery without sufficient water levels in Beaverdam Brook. 

To increase the probability that sufficient numbers of salmon reached the hatchery to sustain the salmon stocking program, on Sept. 15 DEC did not open the Lower Fly-Fishing Section of the river to fishing. This section, situated just below the hatchery, is typically where large numbers of salmon and anglers congregate. Temporarily closing this section under the low-flow conditions allowed adequate numbers of salmon to reach the hatchery for another year of successful egg collection. To view a map of the Salmon River Lower Fly Fishing Section, go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/decsalmonriver.pdf. 

Anglers are encouraged to be respectful of the resource and other anglers by using ethical angling techniques. Additional information can be found at DEC’s website. 

DEC reminds anglers that several new Great Lakes tributary angling regulations became effective on April 1, 2020. For more information and exceptions, consult the DEC Freshwater Fishing Digest or visit DEC’s Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations website. 

This fall, Great Lakes tributary anglers should take precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 while enjoying the outstanding salmon and trout fishing on Lake Ontario tributaries. At popular angling destinations like the Salmon River, angler density can become high enough to make social distancing difficult. DEC is placing signage at popular locations reminding anglers to be SMART when fishing this year: 

• Socially distance at least six feet apart;
• Mask – Wear one when you cannot maintain social distancing, especially in parking lots and along footpaths;
• Avoid sharing gear when possible;
• Respect your fellow anglers and the resource by providing space and practicing ethical angling; and
• Take out what you bring in or place trash in receptacles. 

For more information about how to PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL, visit DEC’s website. 

DEC’s Salmon River Fish Hatchery is instrumental to maintaining healthy runs of salmon and trout and is a very popular destination for anglers, school groups, and other visitors. To help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to protect hatchery staff and effective hatchery operations, the Salmon River Hatchery and its grounds remains closed to visitors until further notice.

 

As COVID-19 continues to present challenges to communities caring for parks across the city, we are offering an inspiring and informative lineup of webinars to support you. Join us throughout the fall to learn how to work with NYC Parks, set goals, and grow your membership during the pandemic. WORKING WITH NYC PARKS DURING COVID-19: TIPS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Parks staff and community groups across the city are working tirelessly to help all New Yorkers enjoy our most valuable public assets—our parks and green spaces. Join us at this webinar to hear updates from NYC Parks and get tips on how to best advocate for park projects in your community during this challenging time. This webinar will include: A breakdown of NYC Parks’ structure and divisions Who to contact to address concerns about your local park Updates on special events and sports permitting How to advocate for, or check the status of, a park repair or renovation Featured speakers: First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh, NYC Parks Chief of Capital Strategic Initiatives Diane Jackier, NYC Parks Park Manager Wes Hamilton, NYC Parks—Manhattan Districts 6, 8, &15 Queens Outreach Coordinator Sara Baral, Partnerships for Parks Wednesday, October 28 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm REGISTER NOW Setting Goals During Uncertain Times How can community leaders set meaningful goals when so much is in flux? In this two-part webinar, we will walk you through techniques from the Partnerships Academy Fellowship, which leaders have used to reach new fundraising goals, receive 501(c)3 status, develop new programs, and recruit members. You will also meet like-minded New Yorkers doing important work to support their parks and communities. Attending BOTH sessions of this webinar is recommended. As a bonus, we are offering a chance to win FREE raffle prizes by taking Leah's Goal-Setting Quiz! Session 1: Creating Meaningful and Achievable Goals Learn how to set mission-based goals which are rooted in your group’s strengths, and leave with concrete next steps. Monday, November 9 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Session 2: Being Persistent Despite Setbacks Learn practical techniques for moving forward after facing challenges on the path to your goal. Thursday, December 10 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm   REGISTER NOW Growing Your Community Park Group during COVID-19 Are you looking to bring more members into your NYC community park group and keep them engaged? At this webinar, we invite you to reflect on what your group needs and make a step-by-step plan to attract the right volunteers. We will show you how clearly defined roles, effective meetings, and appreciation initiatives can keep volunteers motivated. You will also: Refine and practice your pitch for recruiting volunteers Get tips from experienced facilitators on leading Zoom meetings Learn about converting in-person roles to online volunteer opportunities Discover how to involve youth volunteers in your group Tuesday, November 17 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm REGISTER NOW Generous private support is provided by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Altman Foundation, Con Edison, the Greenacre Foundation, TD Bank, and the MJS Foundation. Public support is provided by the NYC Council under the leadership of Speaker Corey Johnson through the Parks Equity Initiative. Partnerships for Parks is a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people and organizations with the skills and tools needed to transform these spaces into dynamic community assets.

Theryn Jones And Arius Hopkins Sentenced To Life In Prison For 2014 Murder In The Bronx

 

 Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that THERYN JONES, a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Old Man Ty,” a/k/a “Tyballa,” and ARIUS HOPKINS, a/k/a “Scrappy,” a/k/a “Scrap,” were sentenced today to life in prison following their conviction for the January 2, 2014 murder of Shaquille Malcolm.  A jury convicted JONES and HOPKINS on December 18, 2019, following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who also imposed today’s sentences.   

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Jones and Hopkins were responsible for the murder of 20-year-old Shaquille Malcolm over six years ago in a Bronx apartment lobby.  Now they have been sentenced to serve the rest of their lives in federal prison for this heinous crime.”

According to the evidence presented during the trial:

THERYN JONES was a high-ranking leader within the Mac Balla gang and the leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine out of a residential building in the Allerton section of the Bronx.  Because Malcolm and others were encroaching on JONES’s drug territory, JONES directed HOPKINS and another person to murder Malcolm.  On January 2, 2014, HOPKINS shot Shaquille Malcolm multiple times in the lobby of an apartment building located at 2818 Bronx Park East in the Bronx, New York.  Malcolm died at the scene. 

For their participation in the Malcolm murder, JONES, 43, and HOPKINS, 25, of the Bronx, New York were each convicted at trial of using a firearm to commit murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and murder while engaged in a conspiracy to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.

BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE & NYPD TO HOLD GUN BUYBACK People Can Turn in Weapons No Questions Asked; Will Receive Cash Card and Free iPad for Operable Handguns

“Turn in a Gun, Turn on an iPad”  

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, the New York Yankees and elected officials today announced a Bronx Gun Buyback where people can turn in handguns and assault rifles, no questions asked, and receive a cash card and an iPad. 

 The Bronx Gun Buyback event will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, located at 777 East 222nd Street and Barnes Avenue in the Wakefield section of the Bronx. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “With so many shootings happening, it’s important to do all we can to take guns off Bronx streets. The police are recovering several guns a day out there, but we also need to get unlicensed firearms out of homes. Children can come upon them and be injured or even killed. This buyback event is an opportunity for people to turn in guns, no questions asked, and receive cash AND a useful tool to help their children’s education. Remember, if you are caught with an illegal gun, you face prison time. We hope to get as many guns as possible, but even one could save a life. I thank our partners for helping us with our goal of eradicating gun violence in the Bronx, and I am so grateful to the New York Yankees for donating iPads.”

 Commissioner Shea said, “Every day, our NYPD officers work relentlessly to prevent gun violence and to keep illegal guns from victimizing New Yorkers. This gun buy-back event being carried out with our partners in the Bronx district attorney's office is a key part of our tireless efforts to work with those we serve to take guns off of our city streets.”

 Brian Smith, Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate/Community Relations, said, “The Yankees organization is proud to participate in this gun buyback initiative with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD. We continually strive to find creative ways to positively impact our neighbors in the Bronx, and this program generates clear and immediate benefits toward making our community safer. We offer our thanks to all those involved in bringing it to fruition.”

 People can turn in operable handguns or assault rifles and receive a $200 pre-paid card, and a free iPad from the Bronx DA’s Office and the New York Yankees. The iPad will be given to the first 150 participants, with a limit of one per person. People who turn in rifles, shotguns or airguns will receive a $25 pre-paid card. Participants can turn in as many guns as they wish but will only receive payment for up to three guns. Only one iPad will be given per person, regardless of how many weapons they surrender.

 There have been 315 shooting incidents in the Bronx this year, wounding 377 people, a major jump from 2019, when there were 176 shootings that wounded 196 people. In the 47th Precinct, where St. Luke’s is located, there have been 42 people wounded in 38 shooting incidents, more than double the number of victims and incidents at this time last year.

 District Attorney Clark said, “I believe providing iPads will entice more people to do the right thing and turn in illegal guns and at the same time help members of their households. Children are home now more than ever and, especially in the Bronx, in need of technology that connects them to school and to the world outside their quarantine. Their caregivers are also home now more than ever, because they are working remotely or, unfortunately, because they lost their jobs. Bronx unemployment rates have soared to 25%, the highest in the city.”

United States Attorneys Available To Receive Election Complaints

 

Acting United States Attorneys Audrey Strauss and Seth DuCharme announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) will lead the efforts of their Offices in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election.  AUSA Erik Paulsen has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of New York, and David J. Kennedy has been appointed to serve as the DEO for the Southern District of New York.  In their capacity as DEOs, these AUSAs are responsible for overseeing the Districts’ handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

Acting United States Attorneys Audrey Strauss and Seth DuCharme said:  “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud.  The Department of Justice will always act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur.  The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through Election Day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.  For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law.  Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. 

In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the Acting United States Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers on Tuesday, November 3, 2020:

(646) 369-4739  (for Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties) and  

(718) 254-7000  (for Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties)

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (212) 384-1000.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC, by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

The Acting United States Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on Election Day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:

IN NEW YORK CITY

City Board of Elections

Main Office  (866) 868-3692; TTY #: 212-487-5496

IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY

County Boards of Elections

Dutchess                                 (845) 486-2473

Nassau                                     (516) 571-8683

Orange                                    (845) 360-6500

Putnam                                    (845) 808-1300

Rockland                                 (845) 638-5172

Suffolk                                    (631) 852-4500

Sullivan                                   (845) 807-0400

Westchester                             (914) 995-5700

Acting United States Attorneys Strauss and DuCharme said:  “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate.  It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

Two Men Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court Of Conspiring To Commit Murder For Hire

 

 Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that VANCE COLLINS, a/k/a “Big AK,” and RAMON RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Obendy,” were found guilty of hiring gang members to murder an individual believed to be having an affair with RAMIREZ’s wife.  COLLINS was also convicted of possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.  COLLINS and RAMIREZ were convicted yesterday after a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Vance Collins and Ramon Ramirez tried to arrange for a murder.  Now, in the first criminal trial in this District since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the defendants stand convicted and will face punishment for their crimes.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and evidence at trial:

In around 2017, RAMIREZ learned that his wife was having an affair with another man (the “Victim”).  RAMIREZ enlisted COLLINS, a high-ranking gang leader, to hire someone to kill the Victim.  COLLINS turned to a member of his gang, who in turn enlisted another gang member, and those two gang members took steps to locate and surveil the Victim, intending to shoot or stab the Victim to death.  One night in October 2018, the two hitmen encountered the Victim at the Victim’s home; however, the presence of another person thwarted their plan.  One of the hitmen was arrested shortly thereafter, and the Victim was not killed.  During his arrest, COLLINS was found to be in possession of three firearms, including one that he and one of the hitmen had acquired to use in the plot to kill the Victim.

Count One charged the defendants with conspiracy to commit murder for hire in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1958, and Count Two charged the defendants with murder for hire in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1958 and 2.  Count Three charged defendant COLLINS with possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.  Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Castel on February 10, 2021.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises agents and task force officers from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Probation Office, New York State Police, New York City Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Greenburgh Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Westchester County Police Department, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.