Governor Cuomo Announces Protections for Safe Closure of Indian Point Nuclear Power Facility

 

Holtec Agrees to Extensive Monetary Assurances and Administrative Safeguards to Ensure Safe, Rapid, and Complete Dismantling and Cleanup of Nuclear Power Facility

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a joint proposal with Holtec International and its subsidiaries to safely close the Indian Point nuclear power facility in the lower Hudson Valley. The agreement, negotiated by the State of New York, County of Westchester, local governments, Public Utility Law Project, Riverkeeper, Entergy — the owner of Indian Point and Holtec, provides for a transfer of the nuclear power facility to Holtec for a swift, complete and safe decommissioning and site remediation. 

The joint proposal, which is now available for public comment, is slated to be reviewed and considered by the State Public Service Commission during a future session.  

"Since my time as Attorney General I have been deeply concerned with the safety of the Indian Point nuclear power facility given its proximity to the most densely populated area in the country," Governor Cuomo said. "Shuttering Indian Point was, at one time, one of the main progressive causes in New York, and after years of relentless work, we've finally reached an agreement to close it safely and responsibly. This is a victory for the health and safety of New Yorkers, and moves us a big step closer to reaching our aggressive clean energy goals."  

In 2017, Entergy — the owner of Indian Point — agreed with Governor Cuomo to close the two remaining operating units at the site. Unit 2 powered down in April 2020, and Unit 3 is scheduled to cease operations this month. In November 2019, Entergy and Holtec filed an application for license transfer with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and separately filed a petition asking the PSC not to exercise any jurisdiction over the sale of the Indian Point facilities and site. Instead, the State Department of Public Service staff, Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Attorney General, local governments and others worked to ensure that the public's interests were protected, and those agencies secured the financial and administrative provisions contained in the Joint Proposal that will now be presented to the Public Service Commission for its review and consideration. The NRC approved the license transfer without the provisions contained in the joint proposal, and the State of New York filed a lawsuit challenging NRC's decision. This joint proposal to the Public Service Commission will also resolve the federal litigation.  

Decommissioning, the radiological clean-up and dismantling of a nuclear facility, is extremely demanding, both technically and financially. Accordingly, the NRC requires that nuclear facilities establish and maintain funding to pay for facility decommissioning following closure. In the case of Indian Point, portions of its three decommissioning trusts were capitalized by New York ratepayers through electricity bills. Holtec obtained the NRC's approval to use the trust money, not only to conduct the required radiological decommissioning, but also to fund spent fuel management and site restoration. Of the approximately $2.4 billion of aggregated decommissioning trust funds, Holtec estimated that it will spend more than $630 million for spent fuel management alone, which raised concerns whether the remaining funds were adequate to conduct safe and comprehensive decommissioning at a site known to harbor substantial contamination.   

The Joint Proposal to resolve the ongoing PSC proceeding and address the State's concerns is intended to ensure that adequate funds are available to complete the project subject to State oversight. Under the agreement, Holtec is required to adhere to financial and administrative provisions, including:

• Maintaining a minimum balance of no less than $400 million in the Decommissioning Trust Fund for 10 years following the Transaction Closing Date; 
• Maintaining a minimum balance of no less than $360 million in the Decommissioning Trust Fund at partial site release from the NRC for costs related to waste management and radiological cleanup of the site;  
  Requiring Holtec to return 50 percent of the money it recovers from the Department of Energy for spent fuel management costs to the Decommissioning Trust Fund; 
• Conduct site restoration and remediation under an order on consent with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which will oversee the hazardous materials cleanup at Indian Point, including through the use of an on-site monitor; 
• Providing funding towards state and local emergency management and response; and 
• Providing financial and project reporting to the State and the public through a website and other channels to ensure transparency regarding project status and costs. 

Per additional agreement terms, the State of New York, Riverkeeper, the Town of Cortlandt and the Hendrick Hudson School District will withdraw their lawsuits against the NRC that are currently pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Today marks a milestone in the State's sustained efforts to shut down Indian Point. It's a victory for public safety and the millions of New Yorkers living in the shadow of this aging facility. As New York State continues its transition to a safer, renewable green energy future, it's imperative that we work together to ensure the swift and safe dismantling and decommissioning of this facility. I commend everyone who worked to secure this agreement today to advance a comprehensive cleanup of this site." 

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "As the State's nuclear coordinator, NYSERDA has been pleased with the robust stakeholder engagement leading to this joint proposal and that the agreement appropriately addresses both the financial and environmental interests of New Yorkers."

New York City Man Arrested For Carrying Out Hoax Bomb Threat At Manhattan Restaurant

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of a criminal Complaint charging MALIK SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Smooth Sanchez,” with making a hoax threat to detonate a bomb at a restaurant in the Flatiron neighborhood in New York, New York, on or about February 13, 2021.  SANCHEZ was arrested today in Manhattan, and he will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, Malik Sanchez perpetrated a hoax bomb threat at a Manhattan restaurant that frightened innocent victims, sowed chaos, and diverted precious law enforcement resources.  Today’s arrest makes clear that such conduct will not be tolerated.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Whether real or perceived, a threat of violence is a serious action with real-life consequences. In this case, Sanchez’s alleged behavior carries the potential for a federal prison sentence.  Anyone who intends to carry out a similar hoax should know that the FBI’s JTTF is ready and willing to respond.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “Malik Sanchez’s alleged hoax bomb threat, as detailed in today’s federal complaint, disrupted not only the safety and well-being of several innocent restaurant patrons but the fabric of society.  Our NYPD detectives, with our partners in the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York, have zero tolerance for actions like these.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court[1]:

SANCHEZ self-identifies as an “Involuntary Celibate” or “Incel,” which refers to a primarily online group of individuals, mostly men, who believe that society unjustly denies them sexual or romantic attention to which they are entitled.  SANCHEZ has posted multiple videos to social media accounts depicting SANCHEZ harassing, threatening, and in one instance harming individuals whom SANCHEZ encounters in Manhattan, while expressing support for Incel ideology, including for carrying out violence against women in the name of the group.

For example, on or about February 7, 2021, SANCHEZ posted online a video with a caption including “INCEL ARMY RISE UP.”  The video depicts SANCHEZ yelling at two women walking on a street in Manhattan that SANCHEZ has “Incel rage”; that he supports Incel’s unofficial founder, Elliot Rodger, who attacked a sorority house and pedestrians in California in 2014, killing six victims and injuring 14 others; and that Rodger’s victims “deserved to be run over and hit by a truck.  They deserved to be slaughtered.”[2]  On or about March 20, 2021, SANCHEZ posted another video filmed in Manhattan, which depicts SANCHEZ approaching multiple women at an outdoor seating area.  In the video, SANCHEZ again proclaimed his support for Incels and Elliot Rodger, while making hand gestures mimicking pointing a gun.  After multiple individuals attempted to get SANCHEZ to stop, SANCHEZ sprayed pepper spray in the face of one of those individuals.  SANCHEZ was arrested by responding NYPD officers and charged with state offenses, and was thereafter released on bail.  

On or about February 13, 2021, SANCHEZ posted a video that depicts him perpetrating a hoax bomb threat at a restaurant in Manhattan’s Flatiron neighborhood.  The video shows SANCHEZ approaching an outdoor seating area in front of the restaurant and stating:  “Let’s enhance their meal.”  SANCHEZ then positioned himself close to two women seated at one of the tables, and conveyed that he was about to detonate a bomb.  SANCHEZ loudly stated:  “Allahu Akbar.  Allahu Akbar.  Bomb detonation in two, in two minutes.  I take you with me and I kill all you.  I kill all you right now.  And I kill all you for Allah. . . .  I’m gonna do it.  I’m gonna fucking do it for Allah.  I’m gonna do it, for, Allah, Allah, Allahu Akbar, Come on.  I do it, bomb now, bomb now.”  The two women appeared startled, gathered their belongings, and went into the restaurant; approximately four other individuals in the seating area grabbed their belongings and ran away.  SANCHEZ then stated:  “Yo, all of them scattered” and “Holy shit boys.  That was fucking five stars.  That was five stars.”  At least one individual called 911 in connection with the bomb threat, and law enforcement responded to the scene.  By that point, SANCHEZ had left the area.

SANCHEZ, 19, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of conveying false and misleading information and hoaxes, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1038, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum potential penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Kaylan E. Lasky is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Elisabeth Poteat of the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an allegation, 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 herein, constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

[2] Statements discussed and quoted herein are described in substance and in part.

Attorney General James’ Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit Releases Report on Investigation Into the Death of Susan Harrington

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit (SIPU) today released its report on the death of Susan Harrington. SIPU conducted a comprehensive investigation into the car crash that caused Ms. Harrington’s death and determined that there was no criminal conduct on behalf of the deputy from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) who was involved in the incident. After a comprehensive review of surveillance videos, a forensic examination of phone and text message records, and a review of Ms. Harrington’s and the WCSO patrol vehicle’s event data recorders, SIPU concluded that the officer involved fell asleep at the wheel.

In the early morning hours of August 19, 2019, after responding to a call, an officer from the WCSO was returning to the station to conclude an overnight shift that he did not normally work. While driving back, the officer fell asleep and collided with Ms. Harrington’s vehicle. The impact from the collision killed Ms. Harrington immediately.

The liability in this case did not rise to a criminal level. The officer did not engage in any conduct that might increase his risk of crashing, such as texting or using the computer that is provided in patrol vehicles. Toxicology reports also ruled out the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances that might have altered the deputy’s ability to operate the vehicle safely.

Nonetheless, the circumstances surrounding the incident — such as the time of day when it occurred and the fact that the deputy was alone in his vehicle — increased the chances for a sleep-related crash and SIPU has urged the WSCO to take appropriate measures to safeguard against this from happening in the future. SIPU recommends that WCSO, and other law enforcement agencies that frequently require their force to drive alone at night in rural areas, install advanced safety features in their vehicles. This includes additions such as lane departure warning systems that send a signal to the driver when the vehicle veers off course.

“My office takes its duty to investigate these deaths with the utmost seriousness,” said Attorney General James. “After an exhaustive examination of the facts surrounding this incident, we determined that Ms. Harrington’s death was a horrible and unintentional tragedy. In order to prove warrant criminal conduct, the officer involved must have knowingly engaged in behavior that would have caused a substantial risk and threat. More must be done to prevent this from happening in the future, and I urge the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies to take the steps necessary to prevent and safeguard against fatigue at the wheel. Ms. Harrington’s death was untimely and heartbreaking, and I offer my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones.”

Governor Cuomo Announces Lowest COVID-19 Hospitalizations since December 1

 

Hospitalizations Drop to 3,963

886 Patients in the ICU; 559 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate Drops to 2.76%—Lowest Since November 21

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops to 3.05%—Lowest Since November 25

46 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York State dropped to 3,963, the first time under 4,000 since December 1. The statewide positivity rate dropped to 2.76 percent, the lowest since November 21. The statewide 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 3.05 percent, the lowest since November 25. 

"New Yorkers are continuing to practice the right behaviors and follow the state's public health guidance, and they should be commended for that. Even as we make progress vaccinating more New Yorkers every single day and hospitalizations drop to new lows, it's critical for us all to stay vigilant until the infection rate drops and we reach a higher level of immunity," Governor Cuomo said. "Washing hands, staying appropriately socially distanced and wearing masks are important things each of us can do to slow the spread. New York State is opening more vaccination sites and expanding eligibility for the vaccine to get more shots in arms, faster. This has been an incredibly trying time for all New Yorkers, and I know COVID fatigue is setting in, but we can't give up fighting this virus until we reach the light at the end of the tunnel." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 249,103
• Total Positive - 6,884
• Percent Positive - 2.76%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.05%
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,963 (-128)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -459
• Patients Newly Admitted - 492
• Hospital Counties - 53
• Number ICU - 886 (-1)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 559 (-4)
• Total Discharges - 169,267 (+534)
• Deaths - 46
• Total Deaths - 41,347 

A RECOVERY FOR ALL OF US: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO ADVANCE CITY’S FIRST PANDEMIC RESPONSE INSTITUTE

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking partners to launch and operate the Pandemic Response Institute (PRI), a new institution dedicated to preparing New York City for future pandemics and public health emergencies. The Institute is part of an ongoing vision, outlined in Mayor de Blasio’s State of the City address, to make New York City the public health capital of the world.

Supported by a commitment of $20 million in City funds, the PRI will work to make the best aspects of New York City’s response to COVID-19 permanent, while addressing gaps in health infrastructure for the future – especially those that have disproportionately caused harm to communities of color and others facing structural inequities.

 

“New York City is determined to do more than recover from COVID-19. We will become the public health capital of the world – and ensure that no matter what the future holds for us, our city can mobilize immediately to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The PRI will drive innovation, expand our life science capacity, and create job opportunities to drive a recovery for all of us.”

 

"Investing in New York City's public health infrastructure will steel the city against future health emergencies and supercharge our economic recovery," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. "Establishing the Pandemic Response Institute is a core component of this approach, and we look forward to the responses from potential operators of this space."

 

The PRI, which will commence operations this year, will convene and coordinate City agencies, communities, industry, and academia to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from future public health emergencies. It will pursue three main strategies:

Health Solutions and Innovation: Throughout the pandemic, there has been widespread innovation by industry, academia, and community. However, lack of coordination has led to bottlenecks in bringing these innovations to all groups equitably. The PRI will promote research and development into innovations in public health delivery.

Data and Information for Decision Making: Data sources on health are held across multiple organizations and silos, and clear and consistent information has sometimes been difficult for both policymakers and community members to obtain and trust during the pandemic. The PRI will work to gather and integrate health data so all New Yorkers have clear, actionable, and reliable information.

Community and Workforce Capacity Building: COVID-19 demonstrated the importance of local organizations and a culturally and linguistically relevant workforce to reach hard-hit communities. Local CBOs are often best able to overcome trust barriers and reach the most vulnerable. A limited pipeline of workers with specialized skills that require more extensive training in fields like epidemiology and data science has led to an undersupply of labor, especially among people of color. The PRI will form partnerships to support local organizations to help fill these gaps.

 

These strategies are the product of six months of engagement by the City with public health, industry, academic, and community leaders. In December 2020, the City issued a request for information seeking perspectives from community-based organizations and public health leaders to inform the creation of the Pandemic Response Institute. In January, NYCEDC and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) convened leaders across academia, industry, and public health to evaluate lessons learned in the pandemic and assess how the City could become a global leader in research, innovation, and pandemic preparedness and response.

 

The City has held dozens of individual stakeholder meetings with New Yorkers from 55 different neighborhoods and NYCHA developments. Consistent themes of those conversations included the need for improved coordination between levels of government and institutions across society; the importance of developing health innovations and supply chains before and when public health emergencies occur; and the need to embed a racial equity lens in the work of the PRI. 

 

Proposals for the RFP are due on Friday, June 4, 2021. The City is especially interested in responses from parties that represent multiple perspectives related to public health emergency response. Details and submission information can be found online at https://edc.nyc/pandemic-response-institute-rfp.

 

This effort builds on the Administration’s long-term recovery agenda, which places public health and social justice at the center of the City’s recovery.

 

“As we continue to respond and recover from COVID-19, it’s imperative that we prepare for future health emergencies, said NYCEDC Acting President Rachel Loeb. “By taking advantage of the City’s position as a leader in medical research and innovation, the Institute will provide critical insight to address future pandemics and strengthen our capacity to advance health equity for all New Yorkers.”

 

“We always knew that New York City would emerge stronger from the COVID-19 tragedy, and the Pandemic Response Institute is one of those strengths,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. “The PRI will give us critical insight into addressing future pandemics, and it will ensure that there’s an equitable response for all New Yorkers.”

 

“A recovery for all of us aspires to make New York City the public health capital of the world,” said Dr. Jay Varma, Senior Advisor for Public Health. “By investing in a new institute, the City can bring together the best from government, our universities, our biotech and technology sectors, and our civic organizations. Together, they can spur economic development, build a stronger workforce, and ensure New York City can beat back any health threats it faces in the future.”

 

"NYC Emergency Management looks forward to collaborating with the institute as it advises and complements NYC government through all phases of emergencies to create stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient communities supported by innovation and research," said Deanne Criswell, NYC Emergency Management Commissioner.

“Gaps that were created by racism and discriminatory disinvestment drove the disparities of this pandemic,” said Department of Health and Mental Hygiene First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer Dr. Torian Easterling. “As we look forward into the future, centering racial equity, health equity and economic justice will be key to ensuring that the City’s communities of color do not suffer so disproportionately from public health crises.” 

 

262 Days and Counting

 

Don't worry if you wanted just one Johnson and Johnson vaccination in stead of the two other brands, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is no longer being offered due to certain problems at this time. 

Dr. Chokshi gave me the Johnson and Johnson vaccine a month ago, and nothing happened to me. I should be good to go for the rest of the year when my time is up.

Connecticut Army National Guard Soldier And Rikers Correction Officer Charged With Defrauding The United States Department Of Veterans Affairs And The New York City Department Of Correction

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Missal, the Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General (“VA-OIG”), announced that SHAWN PIERRE HOBBS, a soldier for the Connecticut Army National Guard (“Army National Guard”) and a Rikers Island correction officer employed by the New York City Department of Correction (“NYC DOC”), was arrested yesterday in El Paso, Texas, on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.  HOBBS is alleged to have defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and NYC DOC in order to receive financial and other benefits to which he was not entitled.  HOBBS is expected to be presented in federal court in El Paso this afternoon. 

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Shawn Pierre Hobbs, a National Guard soldier and correction officer at Rikers Island, allegedly submitted false certifications to receive veterans benefits for hundreds of hours of work he did not perform. Moreover, Hobbs allegedly forged the signatures of his colleagues to make the fraudulent paperwork appear to be authentic. Hobbs’s alleged conduct certainly does not befit that of a sworn officer of two government agencies, and thanks to the assistance of Veterans Affairs, he is now charged criminally for fraud and identity theft.”

VA-OIG Inspector General Michael J. Missal said:  “The charges unsealed today are the result of the hard work and dedication of the VA Office of Inspector General’s special agents working with our law enforcement partners.  The VA OIG will seek to hold accountable those who perpetrate fraud and steal benefits that are intended for deserving veterans.”

According to the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From at least in or about April 2015, up to and including at least on or about April 8, 2021, SHAWN PIERRE HOBBS served as a soldier in the Army National Guard.  Army National Guard soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend school while maintaining their military training part-time.  The VA provides certain benefits to United States veterans, including Army National Guard soldiers, who work in approved on-the-job training programs (“VA Benefits”).  From at least in or about January 2019, up to and including at least on or about April 8, 2021, HOBBS was employed by NYC DOC as a correction officer at Rikers Island, a VA-approved on-the-job training program.  NYC DOC employees who are members of the military are entitled to paid leave, with certain limitations, while they are engaged in the performance of ordered military duty.

From at least in or about January 2019, up to and including at least in or about March 2021, HOBBS defrauded the VA and NYC DOC in order to obtain VA Benefits and paid military leave from NYC DOC, among other things.  Specifically, HOBBS submitted eight fraudulent military memoranda purportedly from the Army National Guard to NYC DOC in order to obtain paid leave.  The fraudulent military memoranda each bore the seal of the United States Department of Defense and the letterhead of the Army National Guard, and falsely represented that HOBBS had served military duty on hundreds of days on which he, in fact, had not served.  At the same time, HOBBS transmitted by fax 16 fraudulent employment certifications to the VA that were purportedly from NYC DOC and falsely represented that he had worked for NYC DOC for hundreds of hours, which he had not worked.  To effectuate this scheme, HOBBS used the names, identities, and signatures of an Army National Guard Platoon Leader, an Army National Guard Readiness Noncommissioned Officer, and a NYC DOC employee without their knowledge or authorization on the fraudulent military memoranda and employment certifications.

SHAWN PIERRE HOBBS, 34, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison.  The statutory maximum and mandatory penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of VA-OIG.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations.  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 as set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS 18 JUDGES TO FAMILY, CRIMINAL, AND CIVIL COURT AND APPOINTS JUSTICE HELEN E. FREEDMAN (RET.) TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced 18 judicial appointments and reappointments, including two appointments and two reappointments to Family Court; six appointments and five reappointments to Criminal Court; and two appointments and one reappointment to Civil Court. Judges appointed or reappointed to Civil Court sit in either Family or Criminal Court. The Mayor has also appointed retired Justice Helen E. Freedman to the Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.  

“These appointees represent some of the fiercest champions of justice our City has to offer,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “By leading our courts, they will play a critical role in my administration’s effort toward a recovery for all New Yorkers.”

 

Family, Criminal and Civil Court are part of the New York State Unified Court System. Family Court judges hear cases related to adoption, foster care and guardianship, custody and visitation, domestic violence, abused or neglected children, and juvenile delinquency. The City’s Criminal Court handles misdemeanor cases and lesser offenses and conducts arraignments. The two judges newly appointed to Civil Court are presiding in Family Court.

 

The Mayor appointed the following justice to the Advisory Committee on the Judiciary:

 

Justice Helen E. Freedman first served as a Civil Court Judge in 1979, then became an acting Supreme Court Justice beginning in 1984 before being elected to the New York State Supreme Court in 1988. She served on the Supreme Court, Appellate Term from 1995 to 1999.  After being re-elected to the Supreme Court in 2002, Justice Freedman served in the Commercial Division of the New York County Supreme Court prior to her 2008 appointment to the Appellate Division First Department by Governor David Paterson.  After serving over three decades on the New York State bench, Justice Freedman now works for Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (JAMS) conducting mediations, arbitrations, and neutral evaluation matters. In addition, she currently serves as Secretary of the Historical Society of the New York Courts, Editor of its publication Judicial Notice and as Vice Chair of the Pattern Jury Instruction Committee of the Supreme Court Justices Association. Justice Freedman also teaches as an adjunct professor at New York Law School.

 

The Mayor appointed the following judges to Family Court:

 

Judge Ashley Black was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2020 and serves in Family Court. Judge Black began her legal career as an Agency Attorney with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Prior to her appointment, she served with the New York State Unified Court System for 13 years as a Court Attorney and then as Court Attorney Referee. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. 

 

Judge Robert Hettleman was first appointed as a Family Court Judge in December 2013 and served for four years in Bronx County. He began his career as a law clerk to United States Magistrate Judge Roanne Mann, Eastern District of New York, then moved on to the New York County District Attorney’s Office where he served for nearly 12 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and his law degree from New York University School of Law. 

 

The Mayor appointed the following judges to Criminal Court:

 

Judge Deepa Ambekar was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in May 2018 and serves in Criminal Court. Prior to her appointment, Judge Ambekar served with the New York City Council as a Senior Legislative Attorney and Counsel to the Committee on Public Safety, as well as a former Staff Attorney with the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Division. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received her J.D. from Rutgers Law School.

 

Judge Paul McDonnell was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January and serves in Criminal Court. Judge McDonnell served with the New York State Unified Court System for over three decades in various roles, including as the Deputy Counsel of Criminal Justice at the Office of Court Administration. Prior to that, he served as a Principal Court Attorney in Supreme Court, in both New York and Bronx counties. He is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges and received his J.D. from Washington & Lee Law School.

 

Judge Linda Poust Lopez was elected to Civil Court in January 2011 and has been serving in Criminal Court. She was designated as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court in 2017. Prior to her appointment, Judge Poust Lopez served with the Legal Aid Society for nearly 18 years in the Manhattan and Bronx Criminal Defense Practice. In addition to this, she maintained a solo practice focusing on Criminal and Family Court appellate matters. Judge Poust Lopez received her undergraduate degree from Herbert H. Lehman College and her law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

 

Judge Quynda Santacroce was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2019 and has been serving in Criminal Court. Judge Santacroce previously served with the New York State Unified Court System as a Principal Court Attorney in Criminal Court, Queens County in the Integrated Domestic Violence Part/Queens Youth Part. Prior to that, she served with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office in several bureaus. She is a graduate of Cornell University and received her J.D. from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. 

 

Judge Jean Walsh was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in January 2020 and has been serving in Criminal Court. Judge Walsh began her career at the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, where she served in various bureaus for 14 years before joining the United States Attorney’s Office, SDNY, and the the New York State Inspector General’s Office. She then returned to serve as the Executive Assistant District Attorney and Chief of the Investigations Division in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office prior to her appointment to the bench. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and received her J.D. from SUNY Buffalo Law School. 

 

Judge Jay Weiner was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in April 2019 and has been serving in Criminal Court. Judge Weiner formerly worked with Appellate Advocates, served as an Assistant District Attorney in both Queens and Kings counties, and established his own solo practice. Prior to his appointment, he served with the New York State Unified Court System as a Principal Law Clerk in the Appellate Division, Second Department. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. 

 

The Mayor appointed the following judges to Civil Court:

 

Judge Janet McFarland formerly served with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, the Mental Hygiene Legal Service as Principal Attorney at Woodhull Medical Center, and as a Court Attorney Referee in Richmond County Family Court. She is a graduate of Fordham University and received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Judge McFarland is appointed to Civil Court and has been assigned to Family Court.

 

Judge Gigi Parris was formerly a Corporate Associate with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.  After three years, she became a Family Defense Practice Staff Attorney with The Bronx Defenders. She also served as a Supervising Attorney of the Family Defense Team at Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and an Associate Court Attorney to a Bronx Family Court Judge. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she served as Supervising Court Attorney to the Supervising Judge of Queens County Family Court. She received her B.A., cum laude, from Harvard University and her law degree from the University of Virginia, School of Law. Judge Parris is appointed to Civil Court and has been assigned to Family Court. 

 

The Mayor reappointed the following judges to Family Court:

 

Judge Elenor C. Reid Cherry was appointed to the Family Court in January 2018. She was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in June 2017 and served in Family Court. Prior to her appointment, Judge Cherry served with the Office of the Corporation Counsel including the Family Court Division.  She also served as a Court Attorney and Principal Law Clerk for 16 years. She is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and received her J.D. from New York Law School.

 

Judge Valerie Pels was appointed to the Family Court in January 2013. Prior to her appointment, she served with the Legal Aid Society in the Juvenile Rights Division for over eight years. She then joined the New York State Unified Court System and served as Principal Law Clerk in the Youth Part and Integrated Domestic Violence Part of the Supreme Court. She is a graduate of Duke University and Yale Law School.

 

The Mayor reappointed the following judges to Criminal Court:

 

Judge Efrain Alvarado, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was first appointed to the Criminal Court in August 1988. He formerly served as the Administrative Judge for Criminal Matters of the Supreme Court in Bronx County from 2009 to 2013. Prior to this, Judge Alvarado served with the Bronx County District Attorney's Office for 12 years, holding various positions including Chief Assistant District Attorney. He graduated from the University College of Arts and Science, New York University and received his law degree from New York University School of Law.

 

Judge Keshia Espinal was appointed to the Criminal Court in May 2017. She is currently the Supervising Judge of Kings County Criminal Court. Judge Espinal formerly served with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for 16 years in several bureaus, including as a Supervising Assistant District Attorney for the Domestic Violence Bureau. She is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College and received her J.D. from Western New England University School of Law.

 

Judge Gilbert Hong, an Acting Supreme Court Justice, was appointed to the Criminal Court in September 2008. He was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in July 2007 serving in Criminal Court. Prior to his appointment, he was with the New York County District Attorney's Office and served as a Deputy Bureau Chief in New York City's Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Judge Hong received his undergraduate degree from Columbia College and his J.D. from Cornell Law School.

 

Judge Christopher Robles was appointed to the Criminal Court in January 2018. He was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in June 2017 and served in Criminal Court. Judge Robles was in private practice for nearly 18 years with litigation experience in family law, civil practice, and appellate practice. He is a graduate of St. John's University and received his law degree at CUNY School of Law. 

 

Judge Cori Weston was appointed to the Criminal Court in June 2016. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she served as an attorney with the New York County Defender Services for nearly 19 years and The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Division for seven years. She received her undergraduate degree from Hofstra University and her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.

 

The Mayor reappointed the following judge to Civil Court:

 

Judge Jonathan Shim was first appointed as an Interim Civil Court Judge in February 2018 and has been serving in Family Court. Prior to his appointment, Judge Shim worked as an associate at several firms before starting his own practice in family and matrimonial law, which he maintained for nine and a half years. He is a graduate of the SUNY at Albany and received his law degree from Albany Law School.