Former New York City Department of Education Senior Official and Three Others Charged with Extortion Conspiracy and Bribery

 

Eric Goldstein, the former CEO of the Office of School Support Services, Allegedly Solicited and Accepted Bribe Payments from Co-Defendants

 A complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Eric Goldstein, the former Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Department of Education’s (“NYC DOE”) Office of School Support Services (“OSS”), Blaine Iler, Michael Turley and Brian Twomey with conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right and solicitation and giving of bribes relating to programs receiving federal funds.  Goldstein was arrested this morning, made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Lois M. Bloom and was released on a $150,000 bond.  Turley was arrested in Arkansas this morning and will make his initial appearance in the Western District of Arkansas tomorrow.  Iler and Twomey will make their initial appearances in the Northern District of Texas this afternoon.   

Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests and charges.

“Goldstein is alleged to have abused his position as a senior executive with the Department of Education by soliciting and accepting thousands of dollars in bribes for pure financial gain.  In exchange, Goldstein’s co-conspirators obtained lucrative contracts to provide food services that consisted of substandard products that were served to students, teachers and staff in public schools.” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kasulis.  “This Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring integrity in government contracts, and will not tolerate corruption that compromises the quality of food that is served in New York City public schools.”

“As alleged, Goldstein used his position within the DOE to help promote a business in which he had a financial interest, which is not only illegal, but also doesn’t allow for a fair bidding process between competing interests. As a result of this scheme, Goldstein—and his coconspirators—learned a lesson of their own today in what not to do with taxpayer money,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

As alleged in the complaint, from 2008 to 2018, Goldstein was the Chief Executive Officer of OSS.  In that role, Goldstein was the NYC DOE senior executive in charge of overseeing the management, budget and operations of several NYC DOE departments, including the Office of Food and Nutrition Services, also known as SchoolFood, which is responsible for managing the food service operations for all New York City public schools.  Iler, Turley and Twomey were the founders and operators of a food services company (the “Food Service Company”) that sold food products to retail and food service markets, including schools.   

Between 2015 and 2016, Goldstein, while he was head of OSS, together with Iler, Turley and Twome, formed and operated a grass-fed beef importation business called Range Meats Supply Co., LLC (“RMSCO”).  During the same time, between 2015 and 2016, Goldstein used his official position within SchoolFood to ensure that the food products promoted and sold by the Food Service Company would be purchased by SchoolFood and served in New York City public schools.  In exchange, Iler, Turley and Twomey transferred tens of thousands of dollars to RMSCO for Goldstein’s benefit, including a payment of $7,000 to Goldstein’s personal divorce lawyer and a $3,000 wire transfer to a close relative of Goldstein.

In one instance alleged in the complaint, in October 2016, SchoolFood stopped serving the Food Service Company’s chicken tenders after a NYC DOE employee choked on a bone that had not been removed from a chicken tender supplied by the Food Service Company.  Goldstein, who had final approval as to whether and when the chicken tenders would be allowed back in schools, delayed approving the reintroduction of the tenders until Iler, Turley and Twomey agreed to transfer the Food Service Company’s ownership interest in RMSCO to Goldstein as well as to transfer $66,670 to a bank account in RMSCO’s name that Goldstein had opened and controlled.  Following weeks of negotiations, on November 29, 2016, Iler, Turley and Twomey agreed to pay the bribe Goldstein was soliciting and one day later, on November 30, 2016, Goldstein approved reintroduction of the Food Service Company’s chicken products in schools.  The products were served in schools until April 2017 when, following repeated complaints from students and staff that the chicken tenders continued to contain foreign objects, including plastic, metal and bones, SchoolFood decided to remove all of the Food Service Company’s food products from New York City public schools.

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Governor Hochul Announces Availability of $20 Million in Stabilization Funding to Support Addiction Service Providers in New York State

 

Funding Will Help Cover Expenses and Revenue Loss during COVID-19 Pandemic 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has secured $20 million in federal funding through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant program to assist addiction service providers with loss of revenue and operating expenses incurred as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.  

Prevention, treatment, and recovery providers overseen by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports will receive this funding to address fiscal and programmatic stabilization needs as they continue to deal with the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.  

"As addiction providers continue to deal with the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, this funding will greatly help them recover from the financial stress on their operating costs and infrastructure." Governor Houchul said. "This funding will also ensure that they continue providing uninterrupted and crucial addiction services to all New Yorkers in need." 

Funding will address both fiscal and programmatic gaps and can be used for program operating costs, debt relief, equipment, minor renovations, personnel costs, and other costs related to operational and infrastructure modifications made as a direct result of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.  

Approximately 350 providers are eligible for funding. Eligible providers will receive notification from OASAS as to the amount available and required next steps to secure the funding.  Providers can review the scope of work for this funding opportunity here.

Over the past several years, New York State has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, and recovery services. To combat this epidemic, the state has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment, and mobile treatment and transportation services. 

Governor Hochul was a member of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force, which in 2016, recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live. 

OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, "As we continue to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are doing all that we can to support our community-based providers who are facing unprecedented challenges. These providers are vital to the mission of OASAS to reach all New Yorkers in need, and with this funding they will be able to continue to provide uninterrupted services to those affected by addiction and their families."

Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Senator Pete Harckham said, "Governor Hochul's securing of major federal funding for Substance Use Disorder treatment providers across New York to help stabilize operations and programming is great news. Providers are still trying to bounce back from disruptions to service caused by the Covid-19 pandemic while the need for treatment services increases. More resources for treatment providers mean more lives saved—it's that simple."

Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Assemblymember Phil Steck said, "Thank you, once again, to Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of funding on every level of addiction treatment.  I am pleased to partner with OASAS in promoting and advocating for these important resources; especially during COVID and beyond."   

New Yorkers struggling with 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).  

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.   

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov. 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Second Former Mechanic at State Police Garage Pleads Guilty to Felony

 

Civilian Mechanic Charged Thousands of Dollars' Worth of Auto Parts and Tools to State Police Account

 State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Madison County District Attorney William Gabor and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen today announced that former state police mechanic Jeffrey Rapasadi has pleaded guilty to corrupting the government in the third degree, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor.  At the time of his plea, he paid back $12,865 in restitution and was placed on interim probation.

This is the second guilty plea that has resulted from their joint investigation.    

"Mr. Rapasadi betrayed the taxpayers by stealing resources meant to protect the public to fund his personal interests,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to our partnership with the New York State Police and the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, he has been brought to justice.”

“This person was entrusted with maintaining a fleet of patrol vehicles used by State Troopers, but our investigation uncovered that he was using State Police resources for personal use including operation of a side business,” said Superintendent Bruen. “Integrity is a core value of our agency, and any employee found to be breaking the law will be held fully accountable.”

Rapasadi, 57, of Canastota was one of two non-sworn civilian employees responsible for maintaining police vehicles for the Troop D headquarters based in Oneida. Rapasadi was convicted of ordering auto parts and tools for personal use on the state police-paid account at United Auto Supply.

DiNapoli’s analysis of thousands of United Auto Supply invoices found that between April 2015 and October 2020, there were over $54,000 in inappropriate purchases on the state police account.

David Relyea, 64 also of Canastota pleaded guilty in early September to felony corrupting the government in the third degree and was sentenced to interim felony probation.  As part of his plea, Relyea paid back $20,000. He is due back in court for sentencing in December.

State police said they recovered more than $4,800 worth of state funded auto supplies, tools and parts at Rapasadi’s home.

Rapasadi retired during the investigation and was not employed with the state police at the time of his arrest. Rapasadi retired from state service on Nov. 12, 2020. He was employed by the state police for at least 30 years.   

Rapasadi appeared before Judge Patrick O’Sullivan in Madison County Court. He is due back in court on Dec. 2.

The Ali Forney Center - 11/5, save the date for We Are Family!

 

SAVE THE DATE, NOVEMBER 5TH! Save the date, November 5th! We Are Family is an evening of affirmation for our homeless LGBTQ+ youth that there is family in our community and that people care about them. This is an event to raise funds for the Ali Forney Center’s meal program, which served over 378,000 meals in 2020 across our 17 sites in New York City. During the pandemic, while families from across the country and around the world were gathering to share meals and find safety, togetherness, and love, our youth were not offered that. The goal of this event is to not only fund our meal program, but also demonstrate for our young people that in spite of what their families believe they are worthy of being loved and they are worthy of having a family. Join us with a special celebrity guest, the director of our meal program, and a young graduate of our culinary internship for a night of food and love to celebrate and protect the most vulnerable of our LGBTQ+ youth. We Are Family is an in-person and virtual hybrid event, and we welcome you to join the celebration on November 5th. MORE INFORMATION

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

 

54,192 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

38 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

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

"Wear a mask, wash your hands, get your vaccine - it's that simple to keep your community safe from the spread of COVID-19," Governor Hochul said. "The vaccines are readily available, free and effective in keeping the virus at bay. Though we've made exceptional progress in our fight against the pandemic, we need to remain vigilant in doing what we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy." 

  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 283,866
• Total Positive - 4,744 
• Percent Positive - 1.99%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.58% 
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,270 (-78) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 270 
• Patients in ICU - 530 (-11) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 292 (-15) 
• Total Discharges - 200,771 (+325) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 38 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,550 

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 - 56,752 

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 - 24,231,422 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 54,192 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 384,915 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 81.6% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 73.5% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 84.0% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.3% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 69.0% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 62.0% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 71.2% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 63.6% 

BRONX WOMAN INDICTED IN RENT SCAM THAT NETTED NEARLY $100,000

 

Defendant Allegedly Promised 16 People Rent-Stabilized Apartments, Likely Defrauded Dozens More, Preyed on Dominican Community 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx woman has been indicted for stealing approximately $99,000 from 16 people in a scheme promising rent-stabilized apartments to low-income individuals. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “For months, in the middle of the pandemic, the defendant, Eligia Estrella, allegedly stole thousands of dollars from hard-working people who entrusted her with their savings to attain rent-stabilized apartments. She has been indicted for defrauding 16 people of about $99,000, but it is believed she victimized as many as 63 people, stealing a total of approximately $300,000.

 “The victims, who include a grandmother and granddaughter, paid hefty deposits believing they would soon live in better conditions. To further gain the victims’ trust, the defendant allegedly told them she had connections with the city’s Housing Preservation and Development, the Housing Development Corporation, NYC Housing Authority and City Councilman Ruben Diaz, Sr. I thank DOI for assistance in this case. I would also like to thank Telemundo Channel 47 for directing victims to our Investigations Division.”

 New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett said, “This defendant exploited the great need for affordable housing in this City and twice victimized 16 New Yorkers seeking affordable housing -- charging about $99,000 in unnecessary broker fees without any ability to provide housing, leaving the victims poorer and still housing-insecure, according to the charges. If an affordable housing program uses brokers, it will be disclosed in the marketing materials. If you suspect you have been defrauded we urge you to call DOI at (212) 825-3502. DOI thanks the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD for their partnership in exposing and stopping this fraud and HPD and HDC for their cooperation in this investigation.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Eligia Estrella, 59, of East 172nd Street, the Bronx, was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Efrain Alvarado on a 66-count indictment charging third-degree Grand Larceny, third-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Petit Larceny, fifth-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, first-degree Scheme to Defraud, and second-degree Scheme to Defraud. She is due back in court on December 14, 2021.

 According to the investigation, between March 2020 and November 2020, Estrella told a friend that she could get her a rent-stabilized apartment, and allegedly said she had connections with organizations and city agencies, as well as Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr.’s office. The defendant said the cost to obtain the apartment was $8,000 and that the victim had to pay $4,000 up front and pay the remainder when the keys and lease were turned over.

 Believing the defendant was helping her, the victim--who, like Estrella, is of Dominican heritage--told her friends and family members that Estrella was getting her a rent-stabilized apartment. They reached out to Estrella, trusted her, and told others about her as well. As charged in the indictment, 16 people had given Estrella deposits ranging from $3,000 to $16,000 for the apartments. After the victims paid the deposit, the defendant allegedly kept the money and the victims were never given the apartments.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked the NYPD Bronx Grand Larceny Squad, specifically Detective David Lee. District Attorney Clark thanked DOI Special Investigator and Forensic Auditor Lana Wong, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Michael Morris and Senior Inspector General Jessica Heegan, for their assistance in the investigation.

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

MTA Metro-North Penn Station Access - Finding of No Significant Impact

 

Faster Commutes. Expanded Service. Regional Connections.

Direct Metro-North service from the Bronx, Westchester, and Connecticut to Penn Station and Manhattan’s thriving west side is one step closer to reality. With four new ADA-accessible passenger rail stations in the East Bronx and significant improvements to railroad infrastructure, Penn Station Access will support economic development and attract regional talent by increasing accessibility to underserved areas, cutting current commute times, and introducing reverse commuting opportunities. It will bring Amtrak's Hell Gate Line into a state of good repair and improve reliability and on-time performance for intercity passengers. By improving reliability for our riders and expanding transit options, we are transforming our regional transportation system.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has completed its review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Section 4(f) Evaluation, dated May 2021, for the Penn Station Access Project. Based on the review of the EA and responses to agency and public comments received, the FTA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on September 24, 2021, concluding the FTA environmental review process for the project. The FONSI was issued in accordance with the FTA and Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23 CFR Part 771) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1500).

 

MTA has published a summary of comments and responses on the EA and Section 4(f) Evaluation received during the public comment period. To read the FONSI and response-to-comments document, and learn more about the Penn Station Access Project, visit www.pennstationaccess.info.

 

Procurement is underway to award a design-build contract to construct this project, which will add four new accessible passenger rail stations in the East Bronx with direct Metro-North service to Penn Station, Westchester, and Connecticut.

 

Sincerely,

The Penn Station Access Project Team

Governor Hochul Announces 20 New #VaxtoSchool Pop-Up Sites

 

120 Sites to Be Established Statewide Over 12 Weeks to Increase Vaccination Rates Among School-Aged New Yorkers

New Sites to Be Announced Weekly Over The 12-Week Period; Full List of Sites Will Be Updated Weekly Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced 20 new #VaxtoSchool pop-up vaccination sites to increase vaccination rates among school-aged New Yorkers. On September 21, Governor Hochul announced a total of 120 sites will be established over a 12-week period statewide. The Department of Health is working with localities, community-based organizations, and healthcare centers on-the-ground to establish these sites in all regions of the state. Partners, host sites, and outreach efforts are tailored to the communities they are built to serve. New locations are established on a rolling basis, and more sites will be announced each week over the 12-week period.

"Parents and guardians—don't wait to get your child vaccinated," Governor Hochul said. "The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and the best way to keep eligible school-aged New Yorkers and our school communities protected from the virus. As part of our broader #VaxtoSchool effort, these new pop-up sites will bring the vaccine to communities across the state to make sure it's accessible to all New York families."

This announcement builds on New York State's commitment to making the health and well-being of students, teachers and families a top priority. As of September 29, 60.4 percent of 12 to 15-year-olds and 70.1 percent of 16 to 25-year-olds have received at least one vaccine dose.

Operational days for each of the #VaxtoSchool pop-up vaccination sites for school-aged New Yorkers are below. The full list of #VaxtoSchool sites is available here and will be updated weekly over the 12-week period to include new sites when they are announced. New locations are established on a rolling-basis, and more sites will be announced each week over the 12-week period.

BRONX SITES -

Mosholu Montefiore Community Center

3450 Dekalb Avenue
Bronx, NY 10467

Open: Friday, October 1; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Vaccine Type: Pfizer-BioNTech; Second shot POD

St. James Park

2550 Jerome Ave

Bronx, NY 10468

Open: Saturday, October 2; 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Vaccine Type: Pfizer-BioNTech

Tracey Towers - 40 W. Moshulu Parkway Building #20

Bronx, NY 10468

Open: Saturday, October 9; 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Vaccine Type: Pfizer-BioNTech

Children aged 12 to 17 can take the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is available under Emergency Use Authorization for children ages 12 to 15 and is fully approved for those age 16 and older. The other COVID-19 vaccines are not yet authorized or approved for this age group. If you are a parent or guardian of a school-aged New Yorker, you can also visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a vaccine location closest to you. Make sure that the provider offers the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and school-aged children, New Yorkers can visit our dedicated website ny.gov/vaxtoschool or follow @VaccinateNY on Instagram.

Parents are encouraged to make sure their child is up to date on all recommended and required vaccinations. Please visit the Department of Health website for more information on recommended childhood and adolescent immunizations.