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Friday, February 5, 2021
Green Thumb February Newsletter
Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide Crackdown on Impaired Driving During Super Bowl Weekend
Enforcement Campaign to Run February 5 Through February 8
More than 26,000 Vehicle and Traffic Law Violation Tickets Issued During Last Year's
Super Bowl Enforcement Campaign Including 850 Arrests for DWI
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that state and local law enforcement agencies across New York will be stepping up patrols to crack down on impaired driving during the Super Bowl weekend. The enforcement campaign will run from Friday, February 5, through Monday, February 8. This safety initiative is designed to reduce alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. It is sponsored by STOP-DWI with funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.
"Super Bowl weekend is an exciting time of year, and I urge all New Yorkers to celebrate responsibly," Governor Cuomo said. "New York has zero tolerance for impaired driving, and law enforcement will be on the road all weekend long to help keep New Yorkers safe. If you drink and drive, you will get caught, so avoid costly and potentially deadly consequences by planning for a safe ride home."
During the 2020 Super Bowl campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued 26,375 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 850 arrests for DWI. Full breakdown here:
Violation Number of Tickets
Impaired Driving 850
Distracted Driving 811
Move Over Law 157
Other Violations 18,661
Seatbelt 569
Speeding 5,327
Grand Total 26,375
State Police Acting Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, "Driving while impaired can result in tragic consequences for you, your passengers and others on the road. Troopers will be on patrol this weekend looking for potentially impaired drivers. If you plan on celebrating the big game this weekend, please do it safely, and plan ahead or drive sober."These STOP-DWI enforcement campaigns occur throughout the year. During the recent "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, which was held during the busy holiday season from December 16 through January 1, law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued more than 70,000 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations and made 2,067 arrests for DWI.
New York DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "Enjoy the Super Bowl weekend responsibly by making the smart choice to not drive impaired.
We want everyone on the road to be safe and not potentially end up in the hospital where our courageous health professionals are busy battling COVID-19. As you make plans to enjoy the game, have a plan to get home safely."
New York State STOP-DWI Association Chairman and Niagara County Sheriff's Office Captain Robert Richards said, "Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday by Having a Plan. Download STOP-DWI New York's "Have a Plan mobile app. This app enables users to locate and call a car service for a ride home, program a designated driver list, provide information on DWI laws and penalties and even report a suspected impaired driver. The mission of STOP-DWI New York is to reduce the number of persons killed or injured in alcohol and or other drug-related traffic crashes. Do your part and celebrate responsibly!"
In addition to enforcement campaigns, the GTSC coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year, and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle safety. The GTSC also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Senator Rivera on Governor Cuomo's Decision to Vaccinate Elderly Incarcerated Individuals
"I applaud the Governor for making the very important decision to vaccinate elderly incarcerated New Yorkers, one of the groups with the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 in our State. The plan to include incarcerated New Yorkers who are 65 years and older in the state’s historic distribution plan is prudent, given that prisons have become hotbeds for this virus, and it will go a long way to assuage the unique fear that incarcerated individuals, their families, and loved ones, have experienced during this pandemic. New Yorkers who live in prisons, particularly those who would otherwise be eligible for the vaccine based on age or condition if they were not in these facilities, must be protected and eligible at the same time as other at-risk groups of New Yorkers.”
Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program
As of 11AM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 95% of First Doses Received from Federal Government
Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. As of 11AM today, New York's health care distribution sites have received 1,554,450 first doses and already administered 95 percent or 1,475,122 first dose vaccinations and 81 percent of first and second doses. Delivery of the week 8 allocation from the federal government is in the process of being delivered to providers for administration.
"We're in a footrace to vaccinate all eligible New Yorkers while continuing to keep the infection rate low. We've proven we have the necessary infrastructure in place to win the COVID war, but it will take time and the more supply we get from Washington the quicker we will go," Governor Cuomo said. "Our massive distribution network, which includes targeted community-based vaccination sites like Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, allows us to get more shots in arms and prioritizes Black, Latino and poor communities who have suffered the most at the hands of this deadly virus."
Approximately 7.1 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.
The state's Vaccine Dashboard includes a county-by-county breakdown for vaccinations administered through the Long Term Care Facility program and vaccine administration progress for hospital workers. Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11:00 AM today is as follows:
STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN
- First Doses Received - 1,554,450
- First Doses Administered - 1,475,122; 95%
- Second Doses Received - 725,050
- Second Doses Administered - 369,186
CITY LAUNCHES TRAINING PROGRAM TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnel Doris today announced the launch of “Training for Your Employees,” a new resource that provides business owners and their employees with training in digital literacy, marketing tools, online security, and COVID-19 safety.
“As our city fights back COVID-19, every business deserves access to the tools it needs to serve its customers virtually,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These free training courses will help New Yorkers stay safe while shopping local, and help businesses attract new customers and keep their teams safe. I urge every small business owner to take advantage.”
“The pandemic has altered the way we conduct business,” said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. “This program will help train small business employees to get the digital skills needed to thrive in a post-COVID 19 business environment.”
“The pandemic accelerated the need for small businesses to make better use of technology for their everyday activities and to adopt new safety protocols. The digital divide remains an obstacle for many, particularly those in underserved communities,” said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “The Training for Your Employees program is designed to address that divide by helping small business owners and their employees navigate digital tools and operate safely to optimize their operations and reach new levels of success.”
The online, no-cost training will prepare small business owners and their employees to use digital platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Office 365, and Google Workspace. Live instruction will be provided by Lehman College. Select training programs will also be available in Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin). Training courses include:
- Communication: Google Meet and Gmail
- Document Creation: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
- Scheduling and Managing Zoom Meetings (for Hosts)
- Microsoft Office Basics
- Cloud Storage: Microsoft OneDrive and more.
Businesses can learn more about the program’s eligibility criteria and access the application at NYC.Gov/TrainingEmployees.
“I’m excited Lehman’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies will be able to offer this free program to give our small businesses and their employees the opportunity to learn new technology skills for their future success,” said Lehman College President Daniel Lemons.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has produced an urgent need to help struggling workers and small businesses adapt through this difficult time and beyond,” said Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity Executive Director Matthew Klein. “We are pleased to partner with Small Business Services and build on our track record of successful workforce development programs to provide free training to employees to get vital digital skills that will help them in their careers, and also help their businesses meet pressing needs.”
“The ‘Training for your Employees’ program will help local businesses adapt to an increasingly digital business world,” said Council Member Mark Gjonaj, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Small Business. “By empowering owners and employees with COVID-19 awareness, online business, cybersecurity and marketing tools, we are giving NYC’s small businesses a fighting chance to thrive in an ever changing landscape.”
"The sudden emergence of the coronavirus pandemic has created a need for all industries and especially cities, to pivot towards digital transformation," said Council Member Robert Holden, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Technology. "Our small businesses have struggled in this rapidly changing world, and need all the help they can get. I applaud the city for offering this resource to business owners and their employees and encourage all to use it."
Bronx Man Pleads Guilty To Laundering $1.5 Million In Fraud Proceeds From Business Email Compromises And Romance Scams Targeting Elderly For Ghana-Based Criminal Enterprise
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced that ALHASSAN IDDRIS LARI, a/k/a Hassan Lari, pled guilty today to conspiring to commit money laundering and operating an unlawful money transmitting business, in connection with his involvement from at least in or about 2014 through in or about 2020 with a Ghana-based criminal enterprise that has fraudulently obtained millions of dollars through business email compromises and romance scams that targeted the elderly. The plea was entered in front of U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels. LARI is the seventh defendant to plead guilty in the case.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Alhassan Lari and his co-defendants operated an online criminal enterprise whose profile included romance schemes targeting the elderly. Navigating the anonymous world of the internet, and especially online dating, is oftentimes complicated enough without the added peril of fraudsters lurking to scam would-be daters. This case exemplifies the need to always remain alert and cautious on the internet – especially when being asked for money by a stranger, don’t hesitate to swipe left.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: "Manipulating someone's belief in finding love and then stealing their money is not only criminal, but unbelievably cruel. Mr. Lari and his band of thieves targeted the elderly population, using their age as a weapon to break the law. These fraudsters not only used romance to scam people, they employed business email compromise schemes, a fast-growing cyber threat to which everyone should pay close attention. We can hold these people accountable, even in far-away countries, if we have help from the public. If you know someone who has been scammed, or if you believe you may be a victim, contact us at IC3.gov to report it to us."
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen said: “IRS Criminal Investigation uses financial investigative expertise to pursue those individuals who engage in corruption as demonstrated in this case by Mr. Lari. Money laundering and fraud constitutes a serious threat to our communities and to the integrity of our financial system; today’s plea is an example of how the FBI and the IRS continue to work together as a formidable team to prosecute these offenders.”
According to the Indictment and other filings and statements at public court proceedings in the case:
From at least in or about 2014 through in or about February 2020, LARI was a member of a criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in the Republic of Ghana (“Ghana”) that committed a series of business email compromises and romance scams against individuals and businesses located across the United States, including in the Southern District of New York. LARI, while in the Bronx, New York, received or otherwise directed the receipt of at least approximately $1.5 million in fraud proceeds of the Enterprise in cash from co-conspirators or directly from victims through bank accounts he controlled. Several of these bank accounts were opened using a shell shipping company, in order to avoid detection and hide the fraudulent nature of the transactions. Once LARI received the fraud proceeds in bank accounts under his control, he withdrew, transported, and laundered those fraud proceeds to other members of the Enterprise, including those located in Ghana.
LARI also operated an unlicensed money transmitting business located in the Bronx, New York used by co-conspirators of the Enterprise to facilitate and transfer fraud proceeds from the United States to co-conspirators in Ghana.
LARI, 48, a citizen of both the United States and Ghana, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, and one count of operation of an unlawful money transmitting business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. LARI will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels on June 16, 2021.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Other defendants in this case who have been sentenced include Muftau Adamu, a/k/a “Muftau Adams,” a/k/a “Muftau Iddrissu,” 32, of the Bronx, New York, who was sentenced to 51 months in prison on June 7, 2019; Prince Nana Aggrey, 45, of the Bronx, New York, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison on May 10, 2019; and Assana Traore, 41, of the Bronx, New York, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison on October 8, 2019. Adamu and Aggrey each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and Traore pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money. Each of the defendants was sentenced by United States District Judge Denise L. Cote.
Any businesses or individuals who believe they may have been the victim of a business email compromise or a romance scam or have information regarding such crimes should file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (“IC3”) at https://www.ic3.gov or contact their local FBI office.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and IRS-CI. Ms. Strauss also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana, for their assistance in this case.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sagar K. Ravi and Mitzi S. Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.
Governor Cuomo Announces Lowest Daily Positivity Rate Since November 28; Net Hospitalizations Drop 553 Over Last Week COVID-19 Stats FEBRUARY 4, 2021
7,967 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide - Lowest Since January 2
1,506 Patients in the ICU; 986 Intubated
Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.38% - Lowest Daily Statewide Rate Since November 28
Lowest 7-Day Average Positivity Since December 3 - 27 Consecutive Days of Decline
All Regional 7-Day Avg. Positivity Below 6%
135 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday
Governor Cuomo: "As we enter into Super Bowl weekend, we cannot get cocky with COVID."
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the lowest COVID-19 daily positivity rate since November 28, with net hospitalizations dropping 553 over the last week.
"The good news is New York's numbers continue to show progress as the holiday surge recedes," Governor Cuomo said. "Our positivity rate has been steadily declining, and that success is a reflection of New Yorkers' commitment to defeating this beast. We know the weapon to win the war is the vaccine and more and more needles are getting in arms every day, but the federal supply is still not enough. This has been a long road, but I commend New Yorkers for their determination through it all. As we enter into Super Bowl weekend, we cannot get cocky with COVID - we must remain vigilant: be smart, wear a mask, socially distance and stay New York Tough."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Test Results Reported - 169,186
- Total Positive - 7,414
- Percent Positive - 4.38%
- 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.72%
- Patient Hospitalization - 7,967 (-115)
- Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -553
- Patients Newly Admitted - 961
- Hospital Counties - 57
- Number ICU - 1,506 (-16)
- Number ICU with Intubation - 986 (-17)
- Total Discharges - 130,302 (+924)
- Deaths - 135
- Total Deaths - 35,767
THE BRONX DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS PROUD TO ENDORSE ALTHEA STEVENS FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 16
The Bronx Democratic Party announced today its endorsement of Althea Stevens in the City Council District 16 race. This seat is currently held by Council Member Vanessa Gibson who is term-limited. Council District 16 covers the neighborhoods of Claremont, Concourse, Concourse Village, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Mount Eden, and Morrisania.
“Althea Stevens has demonstrated throughout her career to be tenacious in the pursuit of service for our communities. She has been an advocate for some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers and is incredibly well equipped to represent Council District 16 in an era where recovery from COVID will be paramount in the future of our city,” said Chairman Jamaal T. Bailey.
“Her work throughout the Bronx has left a positive impact on many young people; notably, those young folks who initially inspired her to run, knowing she had the tools required to lead in such a time. I look forward to the work she’ll accomplish when elected to the New York City Council. Her energy will translate to success for her district, and we are proud to announce our endorsement of Althea Stevens for District 16 from the Bronx Democratic Party,” he added.
“Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that the Bronx stands united to demand an equitable recovery and a better future. I am happy to have the support of the Bronx Democratic Party, I look forward to collaborating with Bronx leaders to uplift and build a better Bronx,” said Althea Stevens
EDITOR' NOTE:
Other candidates in the 16th City Council race are Abdourahamane Diallo, Ahmadou T. Diallo, Yves T. Filius, Uniqua S. Smith, and Eric Stevenson.
One has to wonder why 77th A.D. Male District Leader Yves T. Filius was not endorsed, when the Bronx Democratic Party has endorsed 81t A.D. Male District Leader Eric Dinowitz in the March 23rd Special Election for the 11th City Council race.