NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT TO BEGIN GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

 

 "This year, Gun Violence Awareness Month begins as this uniquely American epidemic is dominant in our headlines and our hearts, in the wake of several mass shootings in the last weeks. At the same time, that violence and the devastation it delivers is not confined to these high profile attacks. Over Memorial Day weekend, nearly as many people were shot in our city alone as had their lives stolen in Buffalo and Uvalde. We are aware of gun violence, we are hurting, we are grieving, and across the country, we are in desperate need of solutions.

"While we push for change on a federal level, against the NRA and its active and implicated allies, we can enact change in New York City and State today. Funding gun violence prevention, especially at its root causes, is essential in the last days of the state legislative session and in the coming city budget, and the state must strengthen existing programs such as red flag laws while also passing new legislation including microstamping.

"There are no excuses, and no time to delay. It’s time to move from awareness to action."

Attorney General James Reaches Agreement with Verizon to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced today that she has reached an agreement with Verizon to ensure that the company takes swift and comprehensive action to prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease in New York state. Legionnaires’ disease is often deadly and can be spread by poorly monitored or operated building cooling towers. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that since 2017, there were at least 225 alleged violations of city and state laws at 45 of Verizon’s cooling tower locations throughout the state, with the company failing to conduct testing, address positive test results, and clean and inspect the cooling towers by required deadlines. As part of the agreement, Verizon will adopt official policies and procedures to ensure full, ongoing compliance with the law and pay a $118,000 penalty for the violations, which will be used by OAG to address the health impacts of air pollution.

“Legionnaires’ disease remains a deadly presence in areas across our state, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color,” said Attorney General James. “It is essential that companies such as Verizon are taking the necessary actions to avoid the spread of this preventable and lethal disease. This agreement will protect New Yorkers' public health and slow the spread of Legionnaires' disease.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a harmful form of pneumonia that is contracted by inhaling water droplets that contain Legionella bacteria. Symptoms of the disease include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, and muscle aches, and presents greatest risk for people 50 years of age or older, current or former smokers, and those with a chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems. Rooftop cooling towers, which are part of some buildings’ cooling systems, are considered a significant source of public exposure to Legionnaires’ disease. If not maintained and monitored properly, they can provide an ideal environment for the growth of Legionella and can expose and infect nearby communities due to the mist of water emitted into the air.

Between 200 and 800 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are diagnosed in New York state each year, although the actual number of infections may be higher as many go undiagnosed or unreported. New York City has seen a series of lethal outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in recent months, with 24 people infected in the Bronx, leading to two confirmed deaths and several hospitalizations. The Bronx previously experienced an outbreak in 2015 that sickened 120 people and led to at least 12 deaths. Following the 2015 outbreak, both the state and city adopted laws designed to prevent Legionella growth in cooling towers and required building owners to adhere to a suite of safety, maintenance, and reporting requirements related to their cooling towers, with civil penalties for non-compliance. 

In 2019, OAG began an investigation into several owners of cooling towers in New York state, including Verizon, that appeared to have significant gaps in reporting requirements under state law. The investigation revealed that since 2017, approximately 225 alleged violations of state and city cooling tower laws had occurred at approximately 45 buildings throughout New York state with cooling towers owned by Verizon. The company maintains and manages its cooling towers within the state through contractors and vendors. The violations identified at Verizon-owned buildings included alleged failures to timely test water samples from cooling towers for Legionella and other bacteria, failures to properly take corrective action in response to positive test results, and failures to timely complete cleaning, disinfection, and inspection of cooling towers. The OAG found several causes for the alleged violations, including disorganized accountability, communication and tracking failures, and a lack of central policies and procedures within the company. 

Under the agreement, Verizon must establish a range of practices and procedures that will increase accountability and tracking, including:

• Ensuring that building managers, whether Verizon employees or third-party contractors, report to and are accountable to environmental health and safety compliance personnel with regard to cooling tower compliance responsibilities;
• Maintaining a centralized tracking system for cooling tower compliance deadlines, including corrective action deadlines as they may arise;
• Notifying senior Verizon management about any violation at a cooling tower, or when any laboratory report is received showing Legionella or other bacteria test results above specified concentrations; and
• Performing an annual audit for compliance with these policies and procedures.

Additionally, the agreement requires Verizon to pay a penalty of $118,000 to be used by OAG to fund projects that prevent, abate, mitigate, or control air pollution or its health impacts.

The OAG’s investigation into other cooling tower owners in New York state for compliance with anti-Legionnaires’ disease laws is ongoing.

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR SHOOTING PATIENT AT BRONX HOSPITAL

 

Defendant Charged with Attempted Murder

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for shooting at a man multiple times, wounding him, inside the emergency room waiting area of NYC Health + Hospitals Jacobi.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly opened fire near patients including a mother and her baby, as well as emergency healthcare professionals, who ran for their lives. We are thankful that the shooter was swiftly apprehended, due to hospital cameras capturing the attack.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Keber Martinez, 25, of 1241 Beach Avenue was arraigned June 1, 2022 on Attempted Murder in the second degree, two counts of first-degree Assault, two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, two counts of seconddegree Assault, first-degree Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, thirddegree Assault, second-degree Menacing, second-degree Reckless Endangerment, two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of Ammunition before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. He was remanded and is due back August 24, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on January 25, 2022, the defendant was inside the hospital emergency room and allegedly shot at the victim four times, striking him once in the left arm. Patients, including a woman who was holding her baby, ran for their lives to escape the gunfire. Martinez allegedly fled the hospital after the shooting and was arrested in Harlem. The attack was captured on hospital surveillance video, and the alleged shooter also identified himself to healthcare workers before the attack

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Robinson Martinez of the 49th Precinct and Detectives from Bronx Homicide, as well as NYPD Officers and Detectives from throughout the Bronx who responded to the scene.

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

North Dakota Man Convicted Of Laundering Over One Million Dollars From Schemes Targeting Victims Across The United States Perpetrated By Ghana-Based Criminal Enterprise

 

Defendant Received Over $1 Million Dollars into Several Bank Accounts He Controlled and Through Coconspirator Cash Deliveries in the Bronx, New York, Which Primarily Consisted of Proceeds of Romance Schemes Targeting Elderly Victims

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SADICK EDUSEI KISSI was convicted today of three criminal counts he was charged with for his participation in a conspiracy based in the Republic of Ghana (“Ghana”) involving the theft of more than one million dollars.  KISSI was convicted after a jury trial before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty which lasted approximately one week.  KISSI was previously arrested on February 5, 2021.  

As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

From in or about 2014 through in or about February 2020, a criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in Ghana committed a series of romance scams against individuals and businesses located across the United States, including in the Southern District of New York.  The Enterprise conducted the romance scams by using electronic messages sent via email, text messaging, or online dating websites that deluded victims, many of whom were vulnerable older men and women who lived alone, into believing the victim was in a romantic relationship with a fake identity assumed by members of the Enterprise.  Once members of the Enterprise had gained the trust of the victims using the fake identity, they used false pretenses to cause the victims to wire money to bank accounts the victims believed were controlled by their romantic interests, when in fact the bank accounts were controlled by members of the Enterprise like KISSI. 

KISSI received money sent by victims of the Enterprise under false pretenses into personal bank accounts located in the Bronx, New York.  The defendant also received criminal proceeds from other U.S.-based members of the Enterprise by cash deliveries.  Once KISSI received these funds, he took out a percentage fee and then withdrew, transported, and laundered those criminal proceeds to other members of the Enterprise, in order to send those funds abroad to Ghana. 

From in or about 2015 through in or about 2020, KISSI controlled more than eight bank accounts that had deposits that totaled over approximately $1 million during that time period.  A substantial portion of the deposits consisted of large wire transfers and check or cash deposits from U.S.-based individuals and entities that were victims of schemes of the Enterprise.   

KISSI, 25, of Dickinson, North Dakota, was convicted by a jury of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  KISSI was also acquitted of one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud.

KISSI will be sentenced before Judge Crotty at a later date.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JUNE 2, 202

 

Statewide Cases, Hospitalizations and Admissions All Down

Cases Down 30 Percent Over Last Week Versus Prior Seven Days

7-Day Average Case Rate Consecutively Dropped Over Past 16 Days, Continue to Decline Across All Regions

COVID-19 Admissions Down 18 Percent Over Last Week Versus Prior Seven Days

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

"While numbers are heading in the right direction, we remain vigilant against this virus and continue to boost our preparedness for any potential surges later this year," Governor Hochul said. "I encourage New Yorkers to keep using the tools we have available to us to keep each other safe and healthy. Be sure to get fully vaccinated and keep up to date with booster doses to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness and hospitalization. Test often, especially if you are experiencing symptoms, and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about available treatments." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:     

• Cases Per 100k - 29.74
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 30.32
• Test Results Reported - 98,261
• Total Positive - 5,812
• Percent Positive - 5.78%**  
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.73%**
• Patient Hospitalization -  2,409 (-50)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 425
• Patients in ICU - 219 (-19)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 80 (-5)
• Total Discharges - 308,012 (+412)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 20
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,128  

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.     

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.      

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.  

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,655       

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 - 38,956,967
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 16,490
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 108,338
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.6%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.4%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.7%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.6%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.1%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.5%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.6%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.4%  

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:   

Borough	Monday, May 30, 2022	Tuesday, May 31, 2022	Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Bronx	4.01%	4.15%	4.07%
Kings	5.59%	5.80%	5.28%
New York	6.46%	6.49%	6.51%
Queens	6.03%	6.09%	6.20%
Richmond	6.43%	6.36%	6.11%

Affordable Housing Lottery Launches For 1985 Honeywell Avenue In West Farms, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1985 Honeywell Avenue, an eight-story mixed-use building in West Farms, The Bronx. Designed by Fred Geremia Architects & Planners and developed by Durgaj Properties, the structure yields 33 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 10 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $60,000 to $187,330.

Amenities include assigned parking spaces, bike storage, elevator, digital intercom system, a shared laundry room, and storage. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are two studios with a monthly rent of $1,750 for incomes ranging from $60,000 to $138,840; six one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,850 for incomes ranging from $63,429 to $156,130; and two two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,000 for incomes ranging from $68,572 to $187,330.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 21, 2022.

MAYOR ADAMS, ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS CELEBRATE PASSAGE OF NYCHA PUBLIC HOUSING PRESERVATION TRUST IN ALBANY .

 

  New York City Mayor Eric Adams today celebrated the state Legislature’s passage of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Public Housing Preservation Trust legislation, A7805D/S9409A. The bill passed the New York State Senate today on 38-25 vote, after passing the Assembly yesterday on a 132-18 vote.

 

“For decades, NYCHA residents have been promised repair after repair that never materialized, but, with the Public Housing Preservation Trust, we will finally deliver on those promises and offer NYCHA residents the dignity and safe, high-quality, affordable homes they deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “My administration fought tirelessly alongside residents and our partners in Albany to pass this bill that will unlock critical resources, with legal protections, to keep residents at the center of the process of improving their homes. NYCHA residents deserve a menu of options to choose the approach and the tools that they think will best deliver the quality of life they deserve, and, with Governor Hochul’s signature, the Public Housing Trust will be a major addition to that menu. Thank you to all of our partners in Albany for making real change for tens of thousands of New Yorkers and to the NYCHA residents who stood up to ‘Get Stuff Done.’”

 

“This is an incredible moment for the residents of NYCHA and New York City as a whole. Through the Trust legislation, NYCHA residents are the only people who will decide the future of their homes going forward — they finally have choices and the power to drive the conversation on how their homes are preserved,” said New York City Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “NYCHA housing is our most vital affordable housing stock, and the NYCHA Preservation Trust will allow us to ensure these homes not only exist long into the future but also remain permanently affordable for thousands of families. After years of relying on the whims of Congress, NYCHA residents will finally get the repairs they deserve and homes they can be proud of once again. We anchored the rights of public housing residents at the heart of this bill to ensure that while New Yorkers see their quality of life vastly improved through the Trust, they are not sacrificing any of their rights. This is a long-term, permanent solution for NYCHA. Thank you to our allies in Albany and, most importantly, the NYCHA residents who have advocated for themselves, their families, and their communities to preserve public housing in New York City.”

 

“This is a momentous event in the history of public housing — in New York City and across the nation,” NYCHA Chair and CEO Gregory Russ. “The passage of the Public Housing Preservation Trust gives NYCHA the ability to raise billions of dollars in capital funds to invest in its properties and residents a true voice in the future of their homes. With the support of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, NYCHA residents, community leaders, and advocacy partners, the New York State Senate and Assembly have led the way with the vision and courage necessary to put an end to decades of disinvestment and the status quo and, most importantly, to transform the quality of life for public housing residents. NYCHA is profoundly grateful to bill sponsors Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz and Senator Julia Salazar, as well as the New York State Legislature and all of our partners for making possible real change and lasting solutions for public housing residents in New York City.”

 

The Preservation Trust would be a new, entirely public entity that would unlock billions of dollars in federal funding to accelerate repairs and make long-overdue investments for tens of thousands of NYCHA residents across all five boroughs. The legislation would keep NYCHA residents at the center of the Trust’s implementation process, preserving all resident rights and protections, including a guarantee that no NYCHA resident will have to pay more than 30 percent of their income towards rent. NYCHA needs over $40 billion to fully restore and renovate all its buildings.

 

The legislation also includes over a dozen changes recommended by resident leaders, including:

• A first-in-the-country resident opt-in voting process, under which residents will have the right to vote on any proposed changes to their development;
• Resident participation in vendor selection; and
• Resident representation on quality assurance committees.

 

Passage of the Trust would allow NYCHA to double the amount of federal subsidy it receives while remaining entirely public by switching to project-based Tenant Protection Voucher funding. It will also provide NYCHA with improved procurement rules that would reduce costs, speed up construction timelines, and allow faster responses to resident requests. NYCHA would continue to own all residential complexes and the land on which they are built, with NYCHA employees continuing to manage the properties. The Trust would have a publicly appointed nine-member board, which includes four resident members.