Senior NASA Scientist Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements Related To Chinese Thousand Talents Program Participation And Professorship

 

 Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (“USAO”), William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Mark J. Zielinski, Special Agent in Charge of the Eastern Field Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (“NASA OIG”), announced that MEYYA MEYYAPPAN, a senior NASA scientist, pled guilty today to making false statements to the FBI, NASA OIG, and the USAO.  MEYYAPPAN pled guilty in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Meyya Meyyappan held a trusted position at NASA, with access to valuable intellectual property.  In violation of the terms of his employment and relevant laws and regulations, Meyyappan failed to disclose participation in a Chinese government recruitment program, and subsequently lied about it to NASA investigators, FBI agents, and our Office.  Now, having admitted his crime, Meyyappan awaits sentencing.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Members of U.S. government agencies are strictly prohibited from maintaining undisclosed affiliations with foreign entities, especially those that are actively seeking our intellectual property and technological advances.  Meyyappan violated this sacred rule, and then lied to FBI agents about it.  Actions like those carried about by Meyyappan can have security implications, and his charges should serve as a warning to others thinking about engaging in the same type of activity.”

NASA OIG Special Agent in Charge Mark J. Zielinski said:  “Certain NASA employees are required to disclose affiliations with foreign entities in order to protect NASA’s intellectual property.  Failure to do so could allow malicious foreign actors unauthorized access to American taxpayer funded technologies.  We thank the FBI and the USAO, SDNY for their assistance throughout this investigation.”

According to the allegations in the Information filed today in Manhattan federal court and other proceedings in this case:

Since in or about 1996, MEYYAPPAN, the defendant, has been employed by NASA, an independent U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.  Since in or about 2006, MEYYAPPAN has been Chief Scientist, Exploration Technology at the Center for Nanotechnology, at NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in Silicon Valley, California.

In his position at NASA, MEYYAPPAN was subject to certain statutory, regulatory, and agency restrictions and reporting requirements regarding, among other things, outside employment, travel, and compensation.  Notwithstanding these prohibitions, MEYYAPPAN participated in China’s Thousand Talents Program, a program established by the Chinese government to recruit individuals with access to or knowledge of foreign technology or intellectual property, and held professorships at universities in China, South Korea, and Japan, and failed to disclose these associations and positions to NASA and the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. 

On or about October 27, 2020, MEYYAPPAN was interviewed by the FBI, NASA OIG, and the USAO, in New York, New York.  During that interview, MEYYAPPAN falsely stated, among other things, that he was not a member of the Thousand Talents Program and that he did not hold a professorship at a Chinese university.  In truth and in fact, MEYYAPPAN was a member of the Thousand Talents Program and held a professorship at a Chinese university, funded by the Chinese government.

MEYYAPPAN, 66, of Pacifica, California was charged with one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.  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.  MEYYAPPAN is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Castel on June 16, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the FBI and NASA OIG.

Governor Cuomo Outlines 2021 Agenda: Reimagine | Rebuild | Renew

 

In 11th State of the State Address, Governor Advances Bold Agenda for Building the Green Economy in New York State  

The State's Green Energy Program Will Create a Total of 12,400 Megawatts of Green Energy; to Power 6 Million Homes; Directly Create More Than 50,000 Jobs, and Spur $29 Billion in Private Investment All Across the State

Largest Off-Shore Wind Program in the Nation Anchored by the Two Largest Offshore Wind Projects in the Nation 

Initiative to Make New York a Global Wind Energy Manufacturing Powerhouse Include Upgrades to Create Five Dedicated Port Facilities in Albany, Coeymans, South Brooklyn, Port Jefferson and Port of Montauk Harbor

Construction of a Green Energy Transmission Superhighway to Bring Clean Energy Generated Upstate to Needed Areas Downstate; Involves Several Project in Western New York, Mid-Hudson, and the Capital Region

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today delivered his 2021 State of the State address. The Governor's 2021 agenda - Reimagine | Rebuild | Renew - features a suite of initiatives to not only begin reopening New York as the state continues its work to defeat the COVID-19 virus, but also becoming a leader and growing the green energy economy. As part of these efforts, Governor Cuomo has put forth a number of proposals focused on creating the largest offshore wind program in the nation, make New York State a global wind energy manufacturing powerhouse, and create a green energy transmission superhighway, all while creating green jobs to support communities and small businesses as we face the global threat of climate change. 

Earlier this week, the Governor announced proposals to win the war against COVID-19, by addressing New York's short-term economic issues, ensure social and racial justice, and reopen the state. Proposals focused on building a new New York will be announced in the coming days.  

"Our planet is in crisis. By every metric it is clear: Sea levels are rising; ice caps are shrinking. California is burning, the Arctic is melting and deserts are flooding." Governor Cuomo said. "We are proposing the largest wind programs in the nation and advancing our green manufacturing capacity and the jobs that go with it. Our new energy superhighway will be optimized by state-of-the-art battery storage facilities, so we can store renewable energy to be used when needed. These projects will not only create power but bring needed economic opportunity to struggling parts of our state, create green jobs, and make New York State a global wind energy manufacturing powerhouse."

Governor Cuomo continued, "Green energy is a pressing moral imperative and a prime economic opportunity. New York can and will be the nation's leader for renewable energy innovation and production, all while securing jobs of the future for New Yorkers. Our entire green energy program will create a total 12,400 megawatts of green energy to power 6 million homes, directly create more than 50,000 jobs, and spur $29 billion in private investment all across the state." 

2021 REIMAGINE | REBUILD | RENEW HIGHLIGHTS 

Largest Offshore Wind Program in the Nation: In 2021, New York will continue to build out its nation-leading green economic recovery and accelerate renewable energy development programs. The state will contract with Equinor Wind US LLC for the development of two new offshore wind farms more than 20 miles off the shore of Long Island, in what is the largest procurement of renewable energy by a state in U.S. history. Upon completion, the two offshore wind farms will yield a combined 2,490 megawatts of carbon-free energy, bring another $8.9 billion in investment, and create more than 5,200 jobs.  

Once the large-scale renewable and offshore wind farms are complete, more than half of New York's electricity will come from renewable sources, putting the state ahead of schedule toward reaching its goal of 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. 

Global Wind Energy Manufacturing Powerhouse: New York has secured commitments from companies to manufacture wind turbine components within the state and build the nation's largest offshore wind program. Plans to make New York State a global wind energy manufacturing powerhouse include upgrades to create five dedicated port facilities, including: 

• The nation's first offshore wind tower-manufacturing facility to be built at the Port of Albany. 
• An offshore wind turbine staging facility and operations and maintenance hub to be established at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. 
• Increasing the use of the Port of Coeymans for cutting-edge turbine foundation manufacturing, and
• Buttressing the ongoing operations and maintenance out of Port Jefferson and Port of Montauk Harbor in Long Island. 

The projects will leverage almost $3 of private funding for every $1 of public funding, for a combined $644 million investment in these port facilities, and will ultimately yield 2,600 short- and long-term jobs in the offshore wind industry.

Construct New York's Green Energy Transmission Superhighway: As New York builds substantial capacity to generate clean energy Upstate, the next challenge is to create a modern transmission system capable of delivering this electricity efficiently to high-demand areas Downstate. Last year, New Yorkers utility bills reflected approximately $1 billion in unnecessary "congestion costs" because of bottlenecks on our antiquated transmission grid. 

In 2021, New York State will construct a new green energy superhighway of 250 miles. The $2 billion project will create opportunities to maximize the use of renewable energy for the parts of the state that still rely on polluting fossil-fuel plants. Construction has already started on the New York Power Authority's 86-mile Smart Path project from Massena to Croghan, and construction will soon start on several key projects in Western New York, Mid-Hudson, and the Capital Region.  

Today, New York will issue a Request for Proposals for transmission arteries to bring renewable energy from Upstate and Canada to New York City. Supercharging the new transmission superhighway will be vital to completing New York's nation-leading green economic recovery and accelerating renewable energy development programs. Current and planned investments will result in more than 1,000 jobs and $5 billion of public and private sector investment. 

Public-Private Partnership to Build Nearly 100 Renewable Energy Projects: New York's clean energy transformation has accelerated rapidly over the past five years. During this period, the State has contracted for the construction of 68 new large-scale renewable energy facilities including solar farms, onshore wind farms, and three offshore wind farms that are among the largest in the nation. These investments in renewable energy have brought economic activity to 34 distinct counties, will add 6,100 megawatts of clean energy capacity to the state's infrastructure, and generate investment of more than $12 billion.

To build on this remarkable progress, New York will contract for another 24 large-scale renewable energy generation projects in 2021, to bring the State's total clean energy build-out to nearly 100 projects. The 23 solar farms and one hydroelectric facility will be the most cost-efficient clean energy construction to date in New York, producing more than 2,200 megawatts of clean power, generating more than $2.9 billion of investment and creating 3,400 jobs in 16 counties Upstate

Energy Storage Projects: New York will continue to develop and deploy state-of-the-art renewable energy storage technology and facilities to generate electricity, build the capacity for storage, and help the state achieve its ambitious climate plans. To that end, the New York Power Authority has already begun construction on a large-scale, 20-megawatt battery storage project in Northern New York, one of the largest storage projects in the State's growing portfolio of almost 1,000 megawatts of contracted storage projects. These projects will help meet the electricity demands of 1.2 million New York homes using renewable energy. In addition, these projects will help continue propelling this fast-growing job sector. 

Train the Green Energy Workforce: New York's accelerated renewable energy development program is creating thousands of well-paying jobs. To make sure all New Yorkers benefit directly from growth in this sector, the State is investing $20 million in a new Offshore Wind Training Institute based at SUNY Stony Brook and Farmingdale State College. The Institute will train at least 2,500 New Yorkers for good-paying jobs in wind and renewable energy. Today, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the State University of New York will issue the first solicitation for advanced technology training partners to leverage our SUNY system and train the first group of workers beginning in the summer of 2021. 

New York is also investing $700 million in building electrification solutions for approximately 130,000 buildings in the state, including a variety of heat pump technologies, and the training of 14,000 workers for the new heat pump markets. Approximately 25 percent of the workers trained will be from disadvantaged communities or priority populations.  

Combined with our efforts in the buildings and transportation sectors, our entire green economy recovery will create 12,400 megawatts of green energy to power 6 million homes, directly create over 50,000 jobs, and spur more than $29 billion in public and private investment, while delivering to environmental justice communities and benefiting all New Yorkers by securing our carbon-free climate future.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A GREEN ENERGY MANUFACTURING HUB IN SOUTH BROOKLYN

 

 "I am grateful that today, Governor Cuomo listened to our calls to build an offshore wind turbine manufacturing hub at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. As I have consistently said-- alongside an incredible coalition of activists and local, state, and federal elected officials-- we can and must revitalize our coastline and support the Sunset Park community in a way that is environmentally and economically beneficial. We made this argument in opposing the Industry City rezoning, and I am glad it is now being heard in favor of alternatives. 

 

"This project presents an incredible opportunity for the revitalization of the New York City industrial waterfront that will create good jobs and clean energy at the same time - part of a just transition for New York City and State. In the immediate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, and the long term economic and environmental sustainability of our city, this project is crucial and this announcement a victory for climate justice."

352 Days and Counting

 

352 Days until a new mayor is sworn in.

ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ CALLS FOR TENFOLD INCREASE IN VACCINE DISTRIBUTION CAPACITY

 

New Yorkers have struggled to secure vaccination appointments in the first week of Phase 1B distribution due to a combination of inadequate testing sites and a convoluted and duplicative registration system. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz issued the following statement regarding concerns he has on the vaccine distribution process:

 

“It is outrageous that so many otherwise-eligible New Yorkers are being frozen out of the vaccine distribution process. We have been looking forward to a vaccine against COVID-19 for nine months. Why does it seem like we are only just now preparing the distribution process? Based on the inquiries my office has received, it seems clear that we need a tenfold increase in vaccination capacity in order to accommodate everybody who is eligible under current guidelines.

 

“There must be at least one large, public vaccine distribution site in every community so that all New Yorkers have equitable access to this life-saving medical treatment. We hold elections every year, using polling sites that meet much of the same criteria as the City and State are now using to evaluate vaccination sites. For example, Riverdale-Kingsbridge Academy and InTech Academy are both large sites that can serve many people in the community, and there are other middle and high schools that are closed right now which could serve as mass vaccination sites. Why are these locations not being prepared immediately for public vaccine distribution?

 

“We need to have city and state leaders coordinating to offer a streamlined portal for New Yorkers to easily see where vaccines are available to them. We need sufficient supply of vaccines, which has been complicated by Donald Trump’s failure to secure and deploy enough doses for everyone who needs one, but this will hopefully be rectified starting on January 20. We are hopefully approaching the beginning of the end of this pandemic and it is unconscionable to botch this key element in our state’s recovery from COVID-19.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We wonder if Assemblyman Dinowitz is aware that New York City is being given a limited supply of the vaccine by the state, which in turn is also limited, because there has not been enough vaccine produced for everyone to get two shots of it, let alone one shot. 

Suburban Chicago Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Violence at Upcoming Presidential Inauguration

 

 A suburban Chicago man was arrested today on a federal criminal charge for allegedly threatening to commit violence at the upcoming presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.

LOUIS CAPRIOTTI, 45, of Chicago Heights, Ill., is charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  Capriotti was arrested near his home this morning.  He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance today at 3:30 p.m. CST before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.

The complaint and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Christopher Diiorio, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office.  The U.S. Capital Police provided valuable assistance in the investigation.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Dunne.

In a Dec. 29, 2020, voicemail for a U.S. House member from New Jersey, Capriotti allegedly stated that if certain individuals “think that Joe Biden is going to put his hand on the Bible and walk into that [expletive] White House on January 20th, they’re sadly [expletive] mistaken.”  Capriotti further stated in the voicemail, “We will surround the [expletive] White House and we will kill any [expletive] Democrat that steps on the [expletive] lawn,” the complaint alleges.  According to the complaint, Capriotti has a history of leaving profane voicemails for members of Congress. 

“Our office takes the security of our public servants very seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.  “Individuals who cross the line of free speech by making unlawful threats will be held accountable.” 

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  The charge in the complaint is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Attorney General James Ready to Take Legal Action Against Insurrectionists or Domestic Terrorists Who Riot at New York State Capitol

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement in response to reports that insurrectionists and domestic terrorists are considering riots at the New York state Capitol in Albany and at state Capitols across the nation between now and next Wednesday, January 20, when Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in as the president and vice president of the United States:

“After last week’s deadly attack at the U.S. Capitol, my office is closely monitoring all threats against our state Capitol in Albany. While I am working with law enforcement on the ground to ensure the chaos that we saw in Washington, DC does not take place right here in New York, we will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone who seeks to terrorize or harm legislators, Capitol staff, law enforcement, or members of the public. Our system of government may not be perfect, but it works, and we will not allow those fueled by lies and unhinged conspiracy theories to run wild as they violently seek to overthrow the government through sedition and insurrection. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, our duly elected president and vice president, will assume office on January 20th and history will remember all who sought to destroy our democratic republic.”

Comptroller Stringer Unveils Plan to Ensure Fair Distribution of PPP to New York City Small Businesses

 

Just 12 percent of the more than 1.1 million employee-based and non-employer businesses in New York City received a PPP loan compared to 24 percent in North Dakota

Recommends creating a multi-lingual proactive community outreach team, partnering with non-profits and external stakeholders to increase awareness, and creating comprehensive list of all financial institutions administering the PPP so that businesses know exactly where to go

 New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a plan to make sure New York City’s small businesses get their fair share of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding amid the ongoing economic distress of the pandemic. With the program now reopened, Comptroller Stringer outlined recommendations for the City to proactively help more small and immigrant-owned businesses apply for and receive this vital lifeline– including creating a multi-lingual community outreach team, partnering with non-profits and external stakeholders to increase awareness, and creating a comprehensive list of all the financial institutions administering the PPP so businesses know exactly where to go.

“New York City’s small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open and the lights on. PPP should have been a lifeline to these businesses, but they were drastically shortchanged,” said Comptroller Stringer. “Too few of our businesses were able to access the first round of funding – so we need to step up at the local level and use every tool at our disposal to proactively ensure our small businesses are not shut out of the next wave of PPP loans. The City should start implementing our recommendations immediately to make sure New York small businesses get their fair share of funding, can remain open, and our economic recovery stays on track.”

The Paycheck Protection Program was intended to support small businesses by helping them to retain staff and stem job losses amid the shutdowns and other disruptions in the early months of the pandemic. However, an analysis released by Comptroller Stringer found New York City lagged far behind in its share of eligible businesses that received a PPP loan. Just 12 percent of the more than 1.1 million employee-based and non-employer businesses in the city received a PPP loan, compared to more sparsely populated and less economically impacted states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa, where more than 20 percent of businesses received a loan. The report also showed notable disparities between boroughs and industries receiving PPP loans, with non-profits getting minimal support through the program.

The Paycheck Protection Program reopened on Monday, January 11. Comptroller Stringer outlined the following recommendations to ensure New York City small businesses get their fair share of PPP loans:

• Build a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic team—modeled after the Tenant Support Unit—for proactive outreach and support, working with various ethnic and immigrant organizations to build capacity quickly.
• The City should compile and disseminate a comprehensive list of all the financial institutions that are administering the PPP so that businesses know exactly where to go and have the necessary contact information.
• The City’s Small Business Services, in collaboration with BIDs and other business associations, should create the NYC Door-to-Door Outreach Team and knock on the door of every commercial corridor business, reach out to proprietors, and help them prepare paperwork for the PPP program. They should also create a business hotline to help walk businesses through the application process, connect them to a lending institution, and to conduct phone outreach.
• In the first rounds of the PPP program, Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) proved highly effective at providing loans to small businesses.  The City should work closely with these organizations to ensure that our small and minority-owned businesses are not left out in the latest round. The City should also provide funds to MDIs and CDFIs to hire experts in PPP paperwork preparation.
• While freelancers and other solo entrepreneurs were eligible for PPP loans, less than 5 percent received one. The City should work with the Freelancers Union and other relevant organizations to improve outreach and support.
• The City should amplify the PPP program at every opportunity, advertising the relaunch of the program on TV, radio, social media, and public transit and encouraging local businesses to apply.

As of December 30, 2020, small business revenue was down 67% in Manhattan, 43% in Queens, 38% in the Bronx, 37% in Brooklyn, and 28% in Staten Island compared to the first week of January 2020. According to Comptroller Stringer’s Save Main Street report, immigrant New Yorkers and communities of color have been hardest hit; 73 percent of Main Street jobs in New York City are held by people of color, 53 percent by immigrants, and 29 percent by non-citizens. An analysis by Comptroller Stringer estimated that the city would forgo at least $1.5 billion in taxable tourism sales for the next year.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Where have you been on FAIR SHARE of the Homeless population since you have been City Comptroller? why is it that a borough with only 18 percent of the cities population (the Bronx) has 37 percent of the homeless population and the DHS is adding more by overloading one Bronx Community Board with 400 single adult males in two new nearby homeless shelters that will destroy the community? Or is the Comptroller just a mere formality as DHS Commissioner Banks said.