“R. Kelly” Convicted of All Counts by a Federal Jury in Brooklyn

 

Kelly Found Guilty of Racketeering and Multiple Predicate Acts, Including Illegal Sex with Minors, Sexual Exploitation of Minors, Bribery, Coercion and Forced Labor

 Robert Sylvester Kelly, the R&B singer also known as “R. Kelly,” was convicted today by a federal jury in Brooklyn of all nine counts of a superseding indictment charging him with racketeering predicated on criminal conduct including sexual exploitation of children, forced labor and Mann Act violations involving the coercion and transportation of women and girls in interstate commerce to engage in illegal sexual activity. The verdict followed six weeks of trial before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. 

Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), announced the verdict.

“Today’s guilty verdict forever brands R. Kelly as a predator, who used his fame and fortune to prey on the young, the vulnerable, and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kasulis.  “A predator who used his inner circle to ensnare underage teenage girls, and young women and men, for decades, in a sordid web of sex abuse, exploitation and degradation.   To the victims in this case, your voices were heard, and justice was finally served. We hope that today’s verdict brings some measure of comfort and closure to the victims.”  Ms. Kasulis also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance with the case.

“Robert Kelly is a serial sexual predator who used his fame and musical tours as his personal hunting grounds to find his victims,” stated HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Fitzhugh.  “Mr. Kelly ran a criminal enterprise whose mission was to serve his sexual gratification by setting up a complex organization of enablers and handlers.  When his victims tried to escape, Mr. Kelly and his accomplices silenced them through bribery, intimidation, and physical violence.  The brave survivors who overcame Mr. Kelly’s abuse deserve our upmost respect for telling their stories and bringing an end to his 30-year reign of terror over the young and vulnerable.”

As proven at trial, for nearly three decades, Kelly was the leader of a criminal enterprise (“the Enterprise”) consisting of himself and an entourage of individuals who served as managers, bodyguards, accountants, drivers, personal assistants and runners for the defendant.  As the leader of the Enterprise, Kelly used his fame to recruit women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with him.  Kelly identified these girls and women at concerts, and then directed members of the Enterprise to escort them backstage following his musical performances.  Kelly exchanged contact information with girls and women so that he and other members of the Enterprise could arrange travel and lodging for them to visit Kelly and engage in the charged illegal sexual conduct.  

The evidence at trial included the testimony 45 government witnesses, including more than 10 victims, five of whom are named in the superseding indictment, testimony from employees of the defendant, text messages, video and audio recordings, photographs, phone and travel records, DNA evidence and expert witnesses. 

Kelly issued rules that many of his sexual partners were required to follow, including that the women and girls were to call him “Daddy”; they were not permitted to leave their rooms to eat or visit the bathroom without receiving his permission; they were required to wear baggy clothing when not accompanying Kelly to an event; and they were directed to keep their heads down and not look at or speak to other men.  Kelly also isolated the women and girls from their friends and family and made them dependent on him for their financial well-being.  He required the victims to engage in sex with him and others, and recorded many of the sexual encounters.

Racketeering Act One – Bribery

Kelly bribed a state employee to create an identification card for Jane Doe #1, then 15 years old, so that Kelly could marry Jane Doe #1 because he believed she was pregnant and therefore the marriage could keep him out of jail. 

Racketeering Acts Two, Seven and Ten – Sexual Exploitation of a Child – Jane Doe #2, Jane Doe #4 and Jane Doe #5

Kelly coerced Jane Doe #2, Jane Doe #4 and Jane Doe #5 to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing video recordings.  Over the course of decades, he made these recordings, and other recordings of sexually explicit conduct, using VHS video cameras, Canon camcorders, iPhones and iPads.

Racketeering Acts Six, Eleven and Thirteen – Forced Labor – Jane Doe #4, Jane Doe #5 and Jane Doe #6

Kelly used the threat of physical harm and physical restraint to ensure that his victims, including Jane Doe #4, Jane Doe #5 and Jane Doe #6, performed sexually at his command.  As to Jane Doe #4, he slapped her, choked her and spit on her, before demanding she give him oral sex.  As to Jane Doe #5, over a period of years, he spanked her, viciously assaulted her, confined her for periods of days and otherwise manipulated her, to ensure that she would perform for him sexually, including with other women and a man.  As to Jane Doe #6, he forced her to give him oral sex.  When he did that, there was a gun within Kelly’s reach.

Racketeering Acts Five and Nine – Mann Act Violations – Jane Doe #4 and Jane Doe #5

Between May 2009 and January 2010, Kelly regularly spoke with Jane Doe #4 over the telephone to arrange for Jane Doe #4 to come to his residence in Olympia Fields for the purpose of illegal sexual activity, which was illegal because Jane Doe #4 was too young to consent to sex in Illinois.  Similarly, between September 2015 and October 2015, Kelly transported Jane Doe #5, who was then 17 years old, from New York City to Oakland, California for the purpose of illegal sexual activity, as she was too young to consent to sex in California.

Racketeering Acts Eight, Thirteen and Fourteen – Mann Act Violations – Jane Doe #5 and Jane Doe #6

In April 2015, Kelly arranged for Jane Doe #5 to fly from her home in Orlando, Florida, to Los Angeles, California, for the purpose of illegal sexual activity, which was illegal because Kelly knew he had an incurable sexually transmitted disease (“STD”) and did not inform Jane Doe #5 about the STD prior to engaging in sexual intercourse with her.  In May of 2017 and again in February of 2018, Kelly arranged for Jane Doe #6 to fly from her home in San Antonio, Texas, to La Guardia Airport in Queens, New York, for the purpose of illegal sexual activity, which again was illegal because Kelly failed to disclose that he had an incurable STD and obtain Jane Doe #6’s consent to engage in sexual intercourse under those circumstances.

When sentenced, Kelly faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison.

Nine Contractors Indicted for Allegedly Bribing Superintendents at New York City Housing Authority Developments for “Micro Purchase” Contracts

New York City Department of Investigation began Undercover Probe after NYCHA Employees Reported Allegedly Being Offered Bribes and Unlawful Gratuities 

 Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett, today announced that nine contractors have been variously charged in multiple indictments with bribery, giving unlawful gratuities, offering a false instrument for filing and conspiracy for allegedly offering NYCHA employees bribes in exchange for “micro purchase” contracts. 

 District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly tried to seek favors from NYCHA superintendents by offering them bribes, corrupting a process meant to ensure contracts are fairly awarded. I commend the employees who came forward to report the bribe offers, kicking off this investigation. My Office will continue to work closely with DOI to make sure that bribery schemes and other forms of corruption are investigated and prosecuted.”

 Commissioner Garnett said, “Bribery is one of the oldest and most blatant forms of public corruption. But, as this investigation shows, corruption cannot take root when honest employees step forward and report it. DOI commends the NYCHA employees who embraced the affirmative obligation that all employees of the City of New York have to report wrongdoing to DOI. Their willingness to report helped reveal these vendors’ charged conduct, which placed taxpayer-funded business up for sale to the highest dishonest bidder. This investigation is a prime example of why combatting corruption is so important – it supports equity in this City and defends government’s ability to do its job honestly and place the public interest above personal advantage. DOI thanks the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their partnership on this important investigation and also thanks NYCHA for its cooperation.” 

 The District Attorney identified the defendants as Lakhwinder Kumar, 47, and Kumar Construction Corp., of South Ozone Park, Queens; Charanjit Singh, 58, Satbir Singh, 71, and Fine Touch Construction, of Floral Park, Queens; Davinder Singh, 45, Nishan Singh, 56, Yuvi Development Inc., and NB Builders, of Hicksville, New York; Surinder Singh, 59, Guriqbal Singh, 28, A. Peter Luger Construction, PKG Contracting Corp. and Heera and G. Builders, of South Richmond Hill, Queens; Jaswant Banga Singh, 57, and Khushi Construction Inc., of New Hyde Park; and Bakhshish Chand, 68, and Amar Contracting, of Richmond Hill, Queens. The defendants are variously charged in multiple indictments with third-degree bribery, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, giving unlawful gratuities and fifth-degree conspiracy. They are being arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun and released without bail.

 For larger construction projects and repairs to be performed by an outside vendor, NYCHA generally solicits multiple bids before awarding a contract. For smaller repairs involving contracts up to $10,000, NYCHA implemented the micro purchase process which does not require multiple bids. Instead, the superintendent or assistant superintendent of a housing development has the discretion to choose a vendor and request an estimate. 

 The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, in November 2018 defendant Lakhwinder Kumar allegedly told an assistant superintendent at a NYCHA development in Brooklyn that he appreciated the jobs he received and offered him money. That employee reported the bribe offer to DOI, which then equipped him with audio and video recording devices. A month later the defendant was recorded allegedly handing that assistant superintendent $450 in exchange for a micro purchase job at the development. 

 The following year, in July 2019, in an unrelated incident, defendant Surinder Singh, allegedly handed $600 cash to the superintendent of another NYCHA development in Brooklyn. The employee tried to return the money, but Singh allegedly refused to take it. The superintendent then reported the matter to DOI. A few weeks later, he allegedly left cash in the employee’s office who again reported it to DOI, which then equipped the employee with audio and video recording devices.

 Starting in Spring 2019, DOI placed undercover investigators posing as assistant superintendents at the Red Hook Houses West and Lafayette Gardens in Clinton Hill. Over a period of many months, the undercover at Red Hook allegedly recorded a number of contractors including Charanjit Singh and Satbir Singh, who are partners; Davinder Singh and Nishan Singh, who are brothers; and another contractor, Guriqbal Singh, discussing jobs at the development on numerous occasions and handing the undercover amounts of cash ranging from $500 to $1,000 in exchange for micro purchase jobs.

 The undercover at Lafayette Gardens allegedly recorded Kumar, Charanjit Singh and another contractor also allegedly giving cash bribes to the undercover. 

 As the investigation continued, it expanded to capture recordings of Surinder Singh allegedly paying additional bribes to a NYCHA employee at a NYCHA development in Brooklyn and Jaswant Banga Singh and Bakhshish Chand allegedly giving cash bribes to an employee at a NYCHA development in Queens.

 It is alleged that between December 2018 and May 2021 the defendants paid bribes or unlawful gratuities to NYCHA employees or undercover investigators totaling about $20,000 in cash, in addition to two $500 gift cards and four bottles of Johnnie Walker scotch with a total approximate value of $115 in exchange for various jobs such as tile work, installation of tub enclosures, installation of a chain link fence, and repairing windows. 

 The case was investigated by DOI Confidential Investigator Delcine Doscher, Chief Investigators Enio Bencosme and Louis Vega, and Assistant Inspector General Robin Jacknow, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Gregory DeBoer, Inspector General Ralph Iannuzzi, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Cort.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $61 MILLION FOR CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO EXPAND BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM

 

A Historic $61 Million For CDTA Is On Its Way; Funding Is Multi-Million Dollar Increase Over Previous Funding Levels

Federal Funding Will Be Used To Expand Rapid Transit System, Improving Service And Access For Capital Region

Schumer: Federal Funding Boost Will Keep CDTA – And Capital Region Riders – Rolling Into The Future

 After securing $51,653,331 for the Albany-Schenectady UZA in the American Rescue Plan to address the region’s public transportation needs as New York recovers from the worst of the COVID pandemic, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced a historic $61 million for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) to expand its Albany Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit project. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Capital Investments Grant (CIG) Program, which funds local efforts to expand Bus Rapid Transit routes across the nation.

The Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit line will be the third rapid transit line operated by the CDTA. Schumer helped to secure federal funding for both the Central Avenue Corridor line that connects Albany to Schenectady and the River line that connects Albany to Troy and Cohoes in previous years.

“Coming after a year and a half of hardship and isolation during the COVID pandemic, the $61 million announced today represents hope for a more connected and resilient future,” said Senator Schumer. “The CDTA keeps our community united, the wheels of the regional economy rolling, and serves as a vital lifeline for many Capital Region residents. I’m proud to deliver this historic investment into the CDTA, which will keep our transit moving and pave the way for expanded service.”

CIG funds transit capital investments, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), specifically through the “Small Starts” program. The Albany Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit project would implement bus rapid transit in the Washington/Western corridor that extends from the downtown Albany Bus Terminal, through the State University of New York at Albany and the Harriman State Office Complex, to the Crossgates Mall. The project includes limited stops, 16 uniquely branded buses, transit signal priority, queue bypass lanes, real-time bus arrival information, a one-mile semi-exclusive busway across the University campus, and bus maintenance garage expansion.

Schumer is also currently working to secure implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework into law, which would provide approximately $113.9 million for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) over the next 5 years. CDTA estimates that their annual allotment over the previous 5 years has been $21.2 million and under the bipartisan infrastructure bill that would increase to $27.1 million, roughly a 30% increase. Additionally, the bill includes over $5.6 billion for clean buses. CDTA currently has four electric buses in service, with four more on order, and an ultimate goal of 25% of their fleet.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Senator Schumer so why is New York City cutting its bus service in a time when an increase of bus service as you say is needed? Don't you care about New York City Senator Schumer?

Governor Hochul Announces Increase in Food Benefits for Low-Income New Yorkers

 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households to See Regular Monthly Benefit Increase of About $36 Per Person Starting in October

Boost in Benefits to Bring More Than $1.4 Billion in Additional Federal Funding to New York

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will see their level of benefits increase next month resulting from a federal cost adjustment aimed at providing low-income individuals and families better access to healthy foods. On average, households enrolled in SNAP, which is overseen in New York by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, will see their regular benefits increase by about $36 per person.

"Now more than ever, New Yorkers are seeing their money for food stretched thinner and thinner, which in turn forces them into making food choices that are cheaper, but far less nutritious," Governor Hochul said. "This long-overdue increase in benefits will give households across New York State the purchasing power to buy nutritious foods, which in turn will ultimately result in healthier outcomes." 

The 2018 Farm Bill adopted by Congress required the U.S Department of Agriculture to re-evaluate the plan used to calculate SNAP benefits. Last year, the federal agency conducted a data-driven review of this plan, which resulted in a cost adjustment -the first in more than 45 years -reflecting notable shifts in the food marketplace and consumer circumstance over time.

In New York, a family of four will see their benefits increase from a maximum allotment of $680 to $835 under the new plan. The increase will bring in roughly $1.4 billion in additional federal dollars in Federal Fiscal Year 2022. 

The new plan also adjusted upward the dollar amount of the standard deduction and utility allowances, which are factored into a household's gross monthly income to determine both eligibility and level of benefits. The gross monthly income level was also increased to reflect economic changes over time.   

In adjusting the level of SNAP benefits, the USDA evaluated current food prices nationwide, what Americans typically eat, dietary guidance, and the nutrients in food items. The agency's reevaluation concluded that the cost of a nutritious, practical, cost effective diet is 21 percent higher than the existing maximum level of food benefits for SNAP households.

Nationally, nearly nine out of 10 SNAP participants reported facing barriers to achieving a healthy diet, with the most common barrier being the cost of healthy foods. Likewise, studies have consistently shown that food benefit levels are too low to provide for a realistic, healthy diet, even with households contributing their own funds toward groceries.

Roughly 2.8 million people throughout New York State were enrolled in SNAP as of July. SNAP benefits also help to stimulate the local and state economy, according to federal estimates, with every dollar of SNAP benefits spent resulting in roughly $1.59 in economic activity.

U.S. Attorney Announces Unsealing Of Indictment Charging Six Individuals And One Corporate Entity With Tax Fraud Conspiracy, And Related Guilty Plea

 

Indictment Alleges that Defendants Conspired to Help U.S. Clients Evade Taxes on More Than $60 Million Hidden Offshore

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Stuart M. Goldberg, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and James C. Lee, Chief of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging six foreign individuals and a Swiss financial services company with conspiring to defraud the IRS by helping three high-value U.S. taxpayer-clients conceal more than $60 million in income and assets held in undeclared, offshore bank accounts and to evade U.S. income taxes.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.  One of the charged defendants was recently arrested in Spain.

Ms. Strauss, Mr. Goldberg, and Mr. Lee also announced today the unsealing of the guilty plea of Wayne Franklyn Chinn, one of the U.S. taxpayer-clients who participated in the tax fraud scheme.  The case against CHINN is assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.  Through a related civil forfeiture action, the Government forfeited approximately $2.2 million in CHINN’s untaxed funds and repatriated these funds from Singapore to the United States.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, the individual defendants and the Swiss firm Allied Finance conspired to defraud the IRS by assisting U.S. taxpayers in avoiding their tax obligations.  They allegedly did this through an elaborate scheme that involved concealing customer assets at a Swiss private bank through nominee bank accounts in Hong Kong and elsewhere, with funds returning to the private bank in the name of a Singapore firm.  One such U.S. customer, Wayne Chinn, pled guilty to his participation in the so-called ‘Singapore Solution,’ forfeited more than $2 million to the United States, and awaits sentencing for his admitted crime.”

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg said: “Prosecuting offshore tax evasion remains one of the Tax Division’s highest priorities.  Taxpayers contemplating hiding money abroad – and the foreign bankers, attorneys and finance professionals who design and execute strategies to assist their evasion – should know that the Tax Division and IRS have the investigative resources and expertise to unravel even the most elaborate schemes.”

IRS-CI Chief James C. Lee said: “The defendants allegedly helped their clients conceal more than $60 million in income and assets in an attempt to evade their U.S. tax responsibilities. Through the hard work of IRS-CI and the cooperation of our law enforcement partners, we were able to uncover the massive fraud allegedly being perpetrated by these individuals and hold them accountable for their actions. We are also proud to recognize the guilty plea of Mr. Wayne Chinn. His actions demonstrate complete disregard for the United States tax laws, but thanks to the commitment of our agents, we were able to unravel his scheme and bring him to justice.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today[1]:  

From in or about 2009 to in or about 2014, Ivo Bechtiger, Bernhard Lampert, Peter Rüegg, Roderic Sage, Rolf Schnellmann, Daniel Wälchli, and Allied Finance Trust AG of Zurich, Switzerland (“ALLIED FINANCE”), the defendants, defrauded the IRS by concealing income and assets of certain U.S. taxpayer-clients with undeclared bank accounts located at Privatbank IHAG Zurich AG (“IHAG”), a Swiss private bank in Zurich, Switzerland,[2] and elsewhere.  In order to assist the U.S. taxpayer-clients, the defendants and others devised and implemented a scheme dubbed the “Singapore Solution” to fraudulently conceal the bank accounts of the U.S. taxpayer-clients, their assets, and their income from U.S. authorities.  In furtherance of the fraudulent scheme, the defendants and others conspired to transfer more than $60 million from undeclared IHAG bank accounts of three U.S. taxpayer-clients through a series of nominee bank accounts in Hong Kong and other locations before returning the funds to newly opened accounts at IHAG in the name of a Singapore-based asset-management firm.  The U.S. taxpayer-clients paid large fees to IHAG and others to help them conceal their funds and assets and evade taxes. 

On or about August 16, 2021, defendant PETER RÜEGG, 61, of Switzerland was arrested in Spain.  As alleged in the Indictment, RÜEGG was a member of IHAG’s management and a relationship manager for one of the U.S. taxpayer-clients who participated in the Singapore Solution scheme.  RÜEGG is alleged to have helped the U.S. taxpayer-client conceal approximately $50 million in undeclared assets at IHAG through the Singapore Solution. 

If convicted, the individual defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and ALLIED FINANCE faces monetary penalties.

The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Also unsealed today was the guilty plea of Wayne Franklyn Chinn, one of the U.S. taxpayer-clients who participated in the Singapore Solution scheme.  According to statements made during CHINN’s plea proceeding, and related court filings:

From at least in or about 2001 through at least in or about January 2019, CHINN concealed approximately $5 million in undisclosed and untaxed income for tax years 2001 through 2018.  During this period, CHINN held offshore accounts at IHAG in nominee names.  Beginning in 2010, CHINN and others transferred funds from these offshore accounts at IHAG through nominee accounts outside of Switzerland, including in Hong Kong, before returning them to newly opened accounts at IHAG held in the name of a Singapore-based trust company purportedly on behalf of two foundations created by a co-conspirator.  They did so to continue to conceal CHINN’s income and assets from U.S. authorities.  CHINN subsequently transferred the funds out of Switzerland to undeclared accounts in Singapore.  CHINN did not file any tax returns or disclose his offshore bank accounts during the years at issue.  

CHINN, 79, of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and San Francisco, California, pled guilty on December 19, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox to one count of tax evasion for the calendar years 2001 through 2018, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  CHINN also consented to the civil forfeiture of 83% of the funds held in five accounts at two Singapore banks, which resulted in the successful forfeiture and repatriation to the United States of approximately $2.2 million.  The civil forfeiture proceeding is United States of America v. Certain Funds on Deposit in Various Accounts, 20 Civ. 3397 (LJL). 

CHINN is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Marrero on November 19, 2021.

The maximum potential sentences set forth above are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court.

Ms. Strauss and Mr. Goldberg praised the outstanding work of IRS-CI.  Ms. Strauss thanked the Department of Justice’s Tax Division for their partnership on this case.  Ms. Strauss, Mr. Goldberg, and Mr. Lee also thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the Singapore Attorney-General’s Chambers, and the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force for their assistance in this matter.

This prosecution is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Department of Justice’s Tax Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Olga I. Zverovich of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis and Trial Attorney Sean Green of the Tax Division are in charge of the prosecution.

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

[2]  In November 2015, IHAG entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice, paid a penalty of approximately $7.4 million, and agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

 45,701 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

31 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"New Yorkers are still getting infected with COVID-19 every day, and the key to ending this pandemic for good is to increase our vaccination rate," Governor Hochul said. "We're moving mountains to get the vaccine into our communities—particularly those that have low vaccination rates—and to the 12 to 17 age group. However, every eligible New Yorker should take the vaccine, and that's how we'll restore our state's economy to full strength and build prosperity for everyone." 

  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 134,915 
• Total Positive - 4,114
• Percent Positive - 3.05%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.65%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,363 (+22)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 241
• Patients in ICU - 568 (+4)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 311 (-5)
• Total Discharges - 200,186 (+190)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 31
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,463

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 55,674

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 25,112,936
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 45,701
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 367,356
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 81.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 73.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 68.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 61.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 71.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 63.5%

Man Convicted Of Murder In Manhattan Federal Court For June 2000 Fatal Shooting

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that RALPH BERRY was found guilty by a unanimous Manhattan jury for the murder of Caprice Jones in the vicinity of 751 East 161 Street, Bronx, New York.  BERRY will be sentenced before the Honorable U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan, who presided over the jury trial.  

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “In June of 2000, Caprice Jones was senselessly gunned down, the unintended victim of drug-dealer Ralph Berry and a co-defendant, who tragically missed their mark when trying to murder a rival dealer. Instead, their bullet struck Jones, who died after suffering a years-long spinal injury.  This case typifies the inherent danger of the drug trade, which oftentimes leaves innocent victims in its wake. I commend the career prosecutors and agents of this Office in their partnership with the outstanding detectives of the NYPD for their determination in bringing closure in the cold case.”

According to the Indictmentand other evidence presented at trial in federal court:

In the summer of 2000, BERRY was the head of a violent drug crew that operated in the McKinley Housing Development in the Bronx, New York.  On June 21, 2000, BERRY ordered one of his subordinates to shoot a rival drug dealer with whom BERRY had been feuding over drug territory.  That subordinate followed BERRY’s order and fired multiple shots into a Father’s Day barbecue being held on the McKinley Houses basketball courts. Caprice Jones, an innocent bystander who was not involved in the drug dispute, was struck in the spine by one of the bullets. The gunshot injury Jones sustained that day left him paralyzed from the waist down and ultimately caused his death in November 2010, at the age of 42.

BERRY, 54, was convicted of murder through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, murder in connection with a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, and murder in aid of a racketeering enterprise, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.  

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

 Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the New York City Police Department and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. 

Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study - Next Stop: Hunts Point & Co-op City!!

 

Remote Open House for Hunts Point & Co-op City is open to all!   The Bronx Metro-North Study (BMNS) Team and the Department of City Planning (DCP) invites you to engage with us through our Remote Open House!   Since May 2021, we launched the Remote Open House for the station areas around Parkchester/Van Nest and Morris Park. This week we are excited to announce that the Hunts Point and Co-op City station areas are open!  Since launching our remote engagement: 1,000+ visitors who have accessed our Remote Open House 90+ Station-Area Surveys have been completed 70+ Community Members have participated in our Remote Workshops Make sure to get on-board and stop at our Hunts Point and Co-op City stations and tell us what you want to see and what your needs and concerns are for the planned new station-areas by taking the survey or booking office hours with one of our planners!    Engage with the BMNS Team via our Remote Open House    Remote Open House Only have a few minutes? Take our Surveys! Be sure to complete the surveys for the Hunts Point and Co-op City station areas, by choosing a station below to let us know what your vision is for the neighborhoods around these new planned stations!    Surveys for these station areas will be available until end of Fall 2021!

Hunts Point Station Area Survey           Co-op City Station Area Survey