THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | DECEMBER 8, 2022

Photo Courtesy of ASPCA

Queens DA Melinda Katz said Thomson was arraigned Tuesday on a 90-count complaint for allegedly abusing and neglecting dachshund-like dogs and puppies living in Thomson’s one-family residence on East 9th Road.

Broad Channel Man Facing Animal Cruelty Charges after 45 Dogs Rescued from Home

By Forum Sta

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Tuesday announced that Fred Thomson has been charged with failure to provide proper care to animals for al legedly keeping more than 45 dogs and puppies in unsanitary conditions in his Broad Channel home.

Thomson, 69, was arraigned Tues day on a 90-count complaint charging him with 45 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal and 45 counts of overdriving, tor turing, and injuring animals/failing to provide sustenance.

According to the charges, on Nov. 16, NYPD officials and ASPCA em ployees conducted a court-authorized search of Thomson’s of East 9th Road home and found 45 dachshund-like dogs and puppies living in Thomson’s one-family residence, where there was feces and urine on the floors, walls, and various pieces of furniture. The animals were found covered in feces and urine, with dirty haircoats, overgrown nails, and presenting with gum disease. They also found multiple white mattresses almost entirely stained brown from excrement and completely chewed through. The officials believed the ani

mals were without sufficient food and water.

According to the complaint, a strong smell of ammonia, associated with urine, emanated from within the residence. Because the home lacked proper ventilation, responding person nel required masks, respirators, and other personal protective equipment to safely remove the animals from the residence.

The rescued animals are now in the care of the ASPCA, where experts are conducting veterinary forensic exams and providing the dogs with ongoing medical care, behavioral treatment, and

enrichment to prepare them for adoption as appropriate.

“Once we became aware of the ex tremely poor conditions these dogs were in, we mobilized quickly to stop their suffering and provide them with expert medical and behavioral care,” ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said. “This case reflects the lifesaving impact of our partnership with the NYPD, and we thank them and the Queens District Attorney’s Office for their continued support in protecting vulnerable animals across New York City.”

If convicted, Thomson faces up to one year in jail.

Jeffries Hears Support from City Following Election to House Democratic Leader for 118th Congress

By Michael V. Cusenza

Congressman Hakeem Je ries (DQueens and Brooklyn) has been elected House Democratic Leader for the 118th Congress—and his fellow pols back home are elated.

“A barrier has been broken and today we start a new chapter in our nation’s history with the election of Congressmember Ha keem Je ries as House minority leader — the rst Black lawmaker to lead a political party in Congress,” Mayor Eric Adams said of Je ries, who represents Howard Beach in Washington. “New York City will have a champion in our nation’s capital while we continue to ght for our fair share of federal funding and a multitude of other priori ties that will support New Yorkers. I look forward to continuing to partner with my good friend and Brooklyn’s native son.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (DFlushing) said, “I have known Hakeem since I entered the New York State Legisla ture in 2009. Early on, I came to view him as a friend and big brother. From the As

sembly to Congress, I have always valued his advice – whether on moving legislation, or how to best support constituents.

“Hakeem is an outstanding public ser vant and wonderful human being. He is a natural and steady leader on whom Brook lyn families have come to rely on in both

high and low moments. I am so proud of Hakeem, and I was honored to help sec ond his historic nomination as our Caucus unanimously elected him to become the new Democratic Leader in the House.

“He is studious, smart, and does not seek headlines for himself. Instead, he self lessly goes out of his way to make sure that colleagues are recognized for their work, and shine in the spotlight. He is a collabor ative leader who will seek out and include as many voices as possible. He sees the strengths in each of our colleagues, and will work to ensure that these talents are fully recognized and utilized.

“I am con dent in the direction of House Democrats with Hakeem at the helm. I know he will keep us uni ed as one team as we retake the House Majority in 2024, and I am excited to partner with him in his new role. Congratulations to my friend and fellow New Yorker!”

As for Je ries, here’s what the Brooklyn native had to say: “Today, with immense pride, I stood in front of the House Demo cratic Caucus as a candidate for Democrat

ic Leader, and I am eternally grateful for the trust my colleagues placed in me with their votes. It is a solemn responsibility that my self, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar are inheriting, and we will lean in hard and do the work with the seriousness and solem nity the moment requires. We stand on the shoulders of historic individuals, including our iconic Speaker Nancy Pelosi, our reso lute Leader Steny Hoyer and our historic Majority Whip James E. Clyburn.

I am particularly humbled to be accept ing this honor alongside my friends and partners in leadership, incoming Demo cratic Whip Katherine Clark and incom ing Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar. Katherine represents another important crack in the glass ceiling, a trailblazer in the tradition of Speaker Pelosi. She makes all of us feel seen and heard and will work tirelessly to support our Democratic Caucus. I have watched how Pete brings people together to get things done, rolling up his sleeves as only a former Mayor can do. Katherine, Pete and I will work closely together ght ing hard for everyday Americans.”

Photo Courtesy of ASPCA

e rescued animals are now in the care of the ASPCA, where experts are conducting veterinary forensic exams and providing the dogs with ongoing medical care, behavioral treatment, and enrichment to prepare them for adoption as appropriate.

Photo Courtesy of Google Cops and ASPCA personnel conducted a court-authorized search of omson’s of East 9th Road home and found 45 dachshund-like dogs and puppies living in omson’s one-family residence.

Photo Courtesy of Rep. Je ries Congressman Hakeem Je ries

By Forum Sta

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently announced a sweeping package of accessibility upgrades that will make nine more City Subway stations accessible, replace and up grade elevators at another five subway stations, and make seven Long Island Rail Road stations in Queens and Nassau and Suffolk Counties fully accessible for the first time while replacing eleva tors at two additional LIRR stations. The eleva tor upgrades will bring to 116 the number of the LIRR’s 125 stations that are accessible to all, or 93 percent.

New York City Subway

e MTA Board approved two contracts to ad vance Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades in the NYC Transit system.

is includes a bundle of stations to be deliv ered under a Public-Private Partnership (P3) deliv ery model that will add 21 elevators to make eight stations newly accessible and replace of 14 existing elevators at ve others.

P3 Stations Receiving New Elevators:

Church Av B, Q

Sheepshead Bay Station B, Q

Rockaway Boulevard Station A

Kings Highway Station F

Woodhaven Boulevard Station M, R

Steinway Street Station M, R

Junius Street Station 3

Mosholu Parkway Station 4

P3

tors:

Stations Receiving Replacement Eleva

34th Street-Penn Station A, C, E

Euclid Avenue Station A, C

161st Street-Yankee Stadium Station B, D

161st Street-Yankee Stadium Station 4

3rd Avenue-149th Street 2,5

is contract is the rst in MTA history to be awarded using the P3 project delivery model. is model requires that the developer nances a por tion of the project with equity that is only repaid if the project is built and maintained to MTA stan dards.

In a separate contract, the Borough Hall Sta tion 2, 3, 4, 5 in Brooklyn will also be made fully accessible along with investments address stateof-good-repair needs and renew the station. While the 2 and 3 train platforms are already accessible, a new elevator to bring customers from street lev el to the 4 and 5 train mezzanine and two others between the mezzanine level and the northbound and southbound 4 and 5 train platforms will be added. Accessible boarding areas will be created and the platform edges will be reconstructed to serve the northbound and southbound 4 and 5 trains at the Borough Hall Station. Station floors, walls, roof and ventilator structures will all be re paired.

Long Island Rail Road

Within the current Capital Program, MTA Construction & Development is moving forward with ADA upgrades at nine Long Island Rail Road stations.

New elevators and upgrades are scheduled to be installed at Amityville, Copiague, Laurelton, Lindenhurst, Locust Manor, Massapequa Park and St. Albans.

e existing accessibility components at Au burndale and Valley Stream stations will also be upgraded.

ese upgrades will provide new elevators be tween the street and platform level, modi cation of canopies, new sidewalks and curb ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to MTA o cials.

Also, MTA Construction & Development is bundling all nine stations into a single design-build contract. With this package moving to award, con struction is expected to begin next year.

Design has also been initiated to make four more stations fully accessible: Forest Hills, Hollis, Douglaston, and Cold Spring Harbor.

Photo Courtesy of Google

e Rockaway Boulevard A train station is set to get new elevators.

Hochul Signs Legislation to Crack Down on Unwanted Telemarketing Calls

Yorkers from continuous unwanted calls.

“We are dialing up our efforts to give New Yorkers a break from unsolicited telemarketing calls,” Hochul said. “For too long, New Yorkers have dealt with these nuisance calls, not knowing they can avoid these interactions by being added to a telemarketer’s do-not-call list. This new legislation will protect New Yorkers from receiving frustrating, unwanted calls by better providing information on do-not-call lists.”

“ is new legislation will protect New Yorkers om receiving ustrating, unwanted calls by be er providing information on do-not-call lists,” Gov. Hochul said.

By Forum Staff

Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday signed legislation to crack down on unwanted telemarketing calls. Legislation requires telemarketers to give customers the option to be added to the company's donot-call list at the outset of certain telemarketing calls. The new legislation will help to safeguard New

The new law requires telemarketers to give customers the option to be added to the company's donot-call list at the outset of certain telemarketing calls, right after the telemarketer's name and solicitor's name are provided. Under current law, telemarketers are required to inform individuals that they may request to be added to their company's do-not-call list. However, consumers usually hang up before a telemarketer or recording has mentioned the do-not-call list, allowing telemarketers to continue calling them again and again. By giving consumers the do-not-call list information at the onset of telemarketing calls, this legislation will ensure that New Yorkers are

protected from incessant, unwanted calls.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney added, “Since the frequency of nuisance calls continues to rise, we are going further to safeguard New

Yorkers from continuous unwanted calls. For too long telemarketers have taken advantage of the opportunity to bury no-call list sign up options at the end of scripts; that stops now.

Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA

File Photo

e new law requires telemarketers to give customers the option to be added to the company's do-not-call list at the outset of certain telemarketing calls.

City to Open More Sites for Asylum Seekers

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)

Commissioner Manuel Castro re cently announced an additional eight Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation sites that will be opened across the five boroughs, in an effort to con tinue supporting newly arrived indi viduals and families seeking asylum.

Eight community-based organiza tions have been chosen and granted $2.1 million to run these sites that will build on the ongoing work of the city’s first Asylum Seeker Re source Navigation Center, operated by Catholic Charities of New York.

“The city’s first Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center has served nearly 7,000 individuals since opening a few short months ago, and I’m proud to expand the footprint of this important work across all five boroughs to support the asy lum seekers arriving in our city ev ery day,” Adams said. “In partnership with these eight community-based organizations, these additional cen ters will help support the more than 26,000 asylum seekers who have ar rived here in New York City with a range of services including legal as sistance, medical care, and school enrollment. New York City will con tinue to do all we can to meet our moral and legal mandates and wel come and support asylum seekers ar riving here, and these sites will play an important role delivering critical services directly to families and indi viduals who need them.”

The selected organizations will provide individuals and families with in-person support — in Spanish and in other languages — including a variety of supplemental services, comprehensive case management, and immigrant rights workshops:

• Aid for Aids International

• African Communities To gether (ACT)

• Catholic Charities Commu nity Services, Archdiocese of New

York

• Catholic Charities Neighbor hood Services Brooklyn & Queens

• Coalicion Mexicana

• La Colmena

• Mercy Center

• Mixteca Organization

• New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE)

The city’s first Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center — lo cated at the American Red Cross of Greater New York headquarters — will continue to operate on week days from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and provide individuals and families with in-person support. Services at the navigation center and Catholic Charities sites will be available by appointments and walk-ins are ac cepted in all other locations. Ap pointments can be made by commu nity-based partners and certain city agencies, including city shelter staff. Since this humanitarian crisis began, the city has — largely on its own — taken fast and urgent action, manag ing the arrival of a rapidly increas ing number of buses across New York City with virtually no coordination from states sending them — opening 57 hotels as emergency shelters and three humanitarian relief centers al ready.

“Expanding access and resources for those seeking asylum is impor tant as we work to ensure newly ar rived immigrants are welcomed with dignity and respect,” said Beatriz Diaz Taveras , executive director, Catholic Charities Community Ser vices. “Catholic Charities of New York is excited that we can continue our partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and ex tend our reach through 11 impactful organizations that will help to sup port this incoming population. As an extension of our work at the Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center, these satellite sites will help to pro vide much-needed on-the-ground case management services in all five boroughs.”

WHEN THE SWELLING GETS TOUGH--DEALING WITH EDEMA

Many people su er from swelling of the feet and ankles, a painful and di cult chronic condition.

While there are many reasons for such swelling, some of them can be treated through the use of compression socks and/or medications and supplements, while others could signal serious medical problems involving the heart, lungs, kid neys or thyroid.

Make sure you investigate the source of the edema you are facing and work with your doctor and your pharmacist to relive the swelling and prevent it from recurring.

Swollen feet can be caused by exces sive accumulation of uid in the tissues, generally painless, usually found in older people, overweight persons, pregnant women or a consequence of long periods in standing or si ing position.

Here are some of the actions that you can take to reduce the swelling: --Put a pillow under your legs when resting to keep the feet in a higher posi tion than the rest of the body

--Wear elastic stockings that your phar macist can help you choose according to measurements and degree of compression --Do not spend too much time seated or staying in the same position --Exercise can reduce swelling of the

legs. Blood ows naturally from the legs to the heart. Exercises stimulates normal blood circulation.

--Raising the legs above the heart-promotes blood circulation to the brain

--Weight loss-obesity slows blood cir culation in the entire body. Losing weight helps blood to circulate be er and can re duce in ammation in the extremities.

--Reduce salt intake and adopt a bal anced diet

Finally you can try these two fairly suc cessful home remedies:

Applications with vinegar – alterna tion, one hot, another cold is an alterna tive treatment for leg swelling. Mix two equal parts of water and vinegar soak a towel, and apply for 7-10 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times.

--Boil 250 ml water, 1 / 2 tablespoon molasses 1 tablespoon anise. Keep it boil ing until only a half of the mixture will re main. Drink this mixture in three or four rounds during the day as it can reduce swelling of the feet, provided it is not trig gered by a chronic disease.

Remember if the swelling persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or any discomfort in the chest, seek medical help immediately.

For your family’s prescription needs, please call CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

Addabbo Constituents Come through for Disadvantaged Women

At the end of last month, Isabella Geroux of Bo omless Closet visited State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr.’s (D-How ard Beach) Howard Beach o ce to pick up the clothing donated by his constituents during his combination Holiday Food and Clothing Drive.

According to Addabbo, Bo om less Closet is an organization that gives disadvantaged women the help they need to re-enter the workforce by providing them with free professional a ire, shoes and accessories. ey also host free workshops to help their tran sition into the workforce, as well as re sume help and interview prep.

“ e holidays are a time for giving, and I am humbled by the generosity of my constituents across my district for donating to this drive and helping the fantastic Bo omless Closet,” Add abbo said. “ e food we collected also went to our local food pantries to help those in need during the holiday season. ank you to everyone who donated, and I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season.”

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

Photo Courtesy of Mayoral Photography O ce Mayor Adams said he’s “proud to expand the footprint of this important work across all ve boroughs to support the asylum seekers arriving in our city every day.”

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

One-in-Four Homeless Shelter Clients with Serious Mental Health Issues Not Placed in Proper Shelter: Audit

By Michael V. Cusenza

e City Department of Homeless Ser vices (DHS) is falling short in meeting the needs of homeless New Yorkers, particular ly those with mental health and substance abuse issues, according to a scathing audit released ursday by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

DHS is the primary agency responsi ble for providing transitional housing and services for eligible homeless families and individuals in the City and for providing scal oversight of the homeless shelters. Governed by a “right to shelter” mandate, the City provides temporary emergency shelter to every eligible person who re quests services. When a single adult arrives at an intake/assessment shelter, sta work to identify the individual’s needs and the type of shelter that would best facilitate their transition to more permanent hous ing. During the intake/assessment process, clinical providers conduct a comprehen sive medical examination and obtain de mographic information by interviewing clients. is is followed by a standardized mental health and substance abuse screen ing (psychosocial) assessment, which should be conducted within 48 hours of the client’s arrival, as well as a comprehen sive psychiatric behavioral health assess ment, as needed. e screening results are entered into DHS’ electronic case manage ment system, Client Assistance and Re housing Enterprise System (CARES), by the assigned caseworker. At the end of the process, the caseworker recommends the type of shelter in which the client should be placed, a case manager con rms the appro priateness of the proposed shelter assign ment, and the client is generally placed into a general or specialized homeless shelter within 21 days of their initial assessment.

Specialized homeless shelters include mental health, substance abuse, employ ment, and elderly population shelters. On average, DHS provided emergency shelter to 18,000 single adults daily for City Fiscal Year 2021.

e audit examined DHS’ assessment and placement of clients and found that far too o en the assessments were insu cient in assessing when they had mental illness or substance abuse issues and individuals were placed in a shelter that could not give them the help they needed. Although the audit did not establish a causal relationship between individuals’ shelter placements and outcomes, it found that appropriate placement in a specialized facility may low er the risk to individuals inside and outside of the shelter system.

As part of DHS’ intake process, clients are assessed to help determine which of its ve types of shelter best meet their needs: General, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Employment and Senior. General shelters do not o er specialized sta ng or services,

while the other options o er specialized sta ng and services or amenities.

DiNapoli’s audit found issues with DHS’s complex assessment process:

• Reliance on self-reporting of men tal health and substance abuse issues: DHS does not utilize all data available, and cli ents’ self-reported answers do not always reveal the true situation. As a result, case workers’ judgement factors heavily into screening and assessment results.

• Lack of standardization in the as sessment process: Auditors found instanc es where clients were assessed and placed in shelters that did not match the informa

were not placed in a mental health shelter.

In several cases, some individuals with known mental health diagnoses who were placed in a general population shelter rath er than in a specialized shelter caused injury or death to themselves or others. In one in stance, a client was diagnosed with schizo phrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite being recommended for a mental health shelter, the client was placed in a general health shelter and subsequently transferred to three other non-mental health shelters fol lowing violent incidents. A er multiple psychotic and violent incidents, the client le a shelter and was charged with murder

Placement in a specialized shelter may not eliminate the risk of a client harming themselves or others, but the presence of quali ed, licensed sta on-site, and special ized services can lower the risk. Especially in the case of clients with serious mental illness, placements should be at sites that o er the highest level of supervision, ser vices, and mental health sta , including psychiatrists and social workers, but too o en this is not the case, DiNapoli’s audit found.

Placements were also an issue in senior shelters. A large percentage of homeless se niors, 43 percent, were placed in general, non-senior shelters. DHS o cials a rib uted this, in part, to a small number of beds available in senior shelters. However, audi tors found that beds in senior shelters were not being reserved for seniors — 103 of the 368 beds (28 percent) were given to clients who were younger than 65.

Auditors also found weaknesses in DHS’ oversight of clients once they are placed in a shelter and that the agency does not utilize its option to remove clients who pose a threat to themselves and/or others.

DiNapoli’s recommendations included that DHS:

• Create and implement standard operating procedures to ensure individu als are diagnosed, placed in, and/or trans ferred to the most suitable shelter.

• Analyze client data to help identi fy clients who potentially may bene t from services that could best be provided in spe cialized shelters, helping to reduce the risk of clients causing harm to themselves and others.

• Review current client placements; consider transferring clients into shelters that be er serve their needs, as warranted.

tion documented by caseworkers. ere were also insu cient records documenting the rationale for placing clients in general shelters instead of specialized facilities.

• Delays in client placement: DHS’ informal policy says clients should be placed within 21 days of being assessed. Auditors found that in the fall of 2021, 83 of the 359 clients staying at assessment shelters had been waiting over three weeks for placement.

To try to understand the impact that shelter placements can have on clients’ out comes, auditors looked at the background information of the 17,244 homeless indi viduals who were in DHS’ Client Demo graphic Report and examined their current shelter/program assignment, length of stay at current facility, assessment screening scores (e.g., mental health, substance abuse, alcohol abuse) and medical diagnosis. Of these, auditors found 3,022 who were di agnosed with serious mental illnesses that should have quali ed them for a mental health shelter. However, 26 percent (795)

ing a person in a robbery about six weeks later.

Another client, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was found dead from probable suicide months a er being placed in a general shelter. Prior to his death, he su ered multiple psychotic episodes and was found to not have taken his medica tion, but there was no change in his shelter placement.

Auditors also found that clients with known substance abuse issues were rou tinely placed in shelters that did not have specialized sta ng and services. Out of the 1,061 clients identi ed as having alcohol or substance abuse issues, 90 percent (956 of 1,061) were not placed in a substance abuse shelter. In one case, a client assessed with alcohol dependence had 60 separate drug- and alcohol-related incidents while in general shelters in 2021, including one in which he threatened a roommate with a box cu er while intoxicated. Despite the incident, the client remained in a general shelter.

• Consider what actions to take for clients who may cause danger to themselves or others and are likely to substantially in terfere with the health, safety, welfare, care, or comfort of other residents.

In its response, DHS o cials generally disagreed with the ndings of the report, at tributed some negative impacts to precau tions implemented during the pandemic, and asserted that there is not a causal factor between shelter placement and client out comes. e complete response is available in the audit.

“The Department of Social Services must do a better job helping some of the city’s most vulnerable people,” said Di Napoli. “My latest audit shows that too often the department did not properly place homeless individuals with special ized needs in appropriate shelters where they could receive the support they need to get back on their feet and on the path to stable housing. DHS’ shortcomings can have serious implications. It’s my hope that DHS uses the audit findings and recommendations to improve its op erations.”

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/ omas Good/NLN “ e Department of Social Services must do a be er job helping some of the city’s most vulnerable people,” State Comptroller DiNapoli said.

Man Convicted of Bribing Correction Officers to Smuggle Contraband into Rikers Island Jail

By Forum Sta

A Brooklyn federal jury on Friday con victed James Albert of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances while he was incar cerated at the George R. Vierno Center at Rikers Island (GRVC) as part of a scheme to bribe correction o cers to smuggle ille gal drugs and other contraband into the jail for sale to other inmates.

As proven at trial, Brooklyn U.S. A or ney Breon Peace said, Albert, 45, while he was incarcerated at GRVC between Febru ary and June 2019, orchestrated a scheme to bribe at least two o cers to bring mari juana, suboxone strips, and other contra

band into GRVC for sale and distribution to other inmates. Albert also enlisted his wife, co-defendant Celena Burgess, to re ceive money from inmates and pay thou sands of dollars in bribes to the correction o cers on the defendant’s behalf using the electronic money-transfer platform Cash App.

The government’s evidence included testimony from Patrick Legerme, a for mer City Correction officer who accept ed bribes from Albert to smuggle mari juana into the jail and described how he smuggled drugs into the jail. Legerme pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept bribes and is awaiting sentencing. The government’s evidence also included

testimony from Burgess that she man aged the Cash App transactions for the defendant and received payments from other inmates for the items that Albert had sold them. Burgess testified as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the government. In addition to financial and phone records and expert testimony, the jury heard recorded telephone calls in which inmates used coded language in their conversations. For example, “Oak land Raider jerseys” referred to mari juana, “oranges” was code for suboxone strips, and “Pink Panties” referred to a correction officer.

“Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for conspiring with corrupt

correction o cers to facilitate his lucrative drug-selling business from which he gener ated tens of thousands of dollars from his Rikers Island jail cell. Such lawless conduct by the defendant and his co-conspirators undermines the orderly running of the in stitution and endangers the safety of other incarcerated individuals and Department of Correction personnel,” Peace said.

When sentenced, Albert faces a maxi mum of 15 years in prison.

1: While he was incarcerated at GRVC between February and June 2019, Albert orchestrated a scheme to bribe at least two o cers to bring contraband into the jail for sale and distribution to other inmates.

File Photo

While he was incarcerated at GRVC between February and June 2019, Albert orchestrated a scheme to bribe at least two o cers to bring contraband into the jail for sale and distribution to other inmates.

Photo Courtesy of the U.S. A orney’s O ce, Eastern District of NY Peace said that Albert’s “lawless conduct undermines the orderly running of the institution and endangers the safety of other incarcerated individuals and Department of Correction personnel.

Task Force Takes Down Ghost Gun Trafficking Ring

By Forum Staff

State Attorney General Tish James and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force on Thursday announced a 438-count indictment, charging three individuals from a gun traffick ing operation that illegally sold 47 firearms, including ghost guns which were shipped to New York and Penn sylvania from various online retailers before being assembled.

The indictment, unsealed in Queens Supreme Court on Thursday, charges Devon Smith-Martin, 26, of Suffolk County; Fritz Pierre-Louis, 46, of Suffolk County; and Hakeem Solo mon, 26, of Sumter, S.C., with traffick ing numerous ghost guns — weapons without serial numbers or other iden tifying markers — including assault weapons, machine guns, and semiau tomatic pistols. The gun trafficking operation also sold rapid-fire modifi cation devices, silencers, high-capaci ty magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. In total, the investiga tion led to the recovery of 57 firearms, 51 of which were ghost guns.

Thursday’s takedown was the re sult of a six-month joint investigation between the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the New York City Police Depart ment (NYPD), New York State Police (NYSP), and the U.S. Drug Enforce ment Administration (DEA).

The investigation revealed that Dev on Smith-Martin and Fritz Pierre-Lou is ordered ghost gun components and accessories from out-of-state online firearm retailers and often had them shipped to an address in Pennsylvania. Devon Smith-Martin then trafficked the firearm components and accesso ries to New York for assembly and sale. As a result of the interstate “Polymer” pipeline trafficking, the investigation was named “Operation Ghost Run ner.” The investigation, which led to the recovery of 57 illegal firearms, in cluded hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance, court-autho rized wiretapping of numerous target phones, and undercover operations.

OCTF and its partners executed search warrants today at Smith-Mar tin’s residence and Pierre-Louis’s resi dence, both in Suffolk County as well as Pierre-Louis’ job site in Queens County. Recovered during today’s search warrants were 3 Polymer 80 9mm ghost guns, including 1 equipped with a rapid fire modification device, numerous high-capacity magazines, including ones designed for AR-15 as sault rifles, silencers, firearm compo nent parts, including AR-15 and 9mm “lower receivers” and “upper receiv ers,” threaded barrels, drill kits, Poly mer 80 and AR-15 “molds”, assembly

tools, pistol jigs, and additional am munition.

The three defendants were charged with various counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm, Criminal Sale of a Ghost Gun, Criminal Possession of a Weap

a few illegal, but serialized, firearms from other individuals for resale. Dev on Smith-Martin and Hakeem Solo mon also worked together to sell fire arms.

Intercepted communications re

Nine 5.56-milimmeter semi-auto matic AR-15 style assault weapons

Two .40-caliber semi-automatic pistols

One .45 caliber revolver

Eighteen firearms outfitted with rapid fire modification devices, mak ing them fully-automatic machine guns

Forty-six high-capacity ammuni tion feeding devices, including one 100 round drum magazine

Three silencers

Over 800 rounds of ammunition

The 438 count indictment — un sealed Thursday before Queens County Supreme Court Judge Peter F. Vallone Jr. — charged the three individuals with multiple crimes, in cluding Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First, Second, and Third Degrees, Criminal Sale of a Ghost Gun in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Rapid-Fire Modification Device, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, among other charges. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum of 25 years in prison.

“I will not allow our streets to be flooded with ghost guns, assault rifles, or other weapons of war,” James said. “Giving criminals easy access to ille gal and untraceable guns is a threat to all New Yorkers and a danger that my office will not tolerate. High-capacity ammunition magazines and rapid-fire modification devices can easily turn firearms into mass-murder machines. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their support and coordination as we work to protect the safety and wellbeing of all New Yorkers.”

on, and Conspiracy for their participa tion in the illegal gun trafficking op eration.

According to the indictment, Dev on Smith-Martin acted as the main point of contact for the sale of fire arms to an undercover officer. Devon Smith-Martin would communicate with Fritz Pierre-Louis, who ordered ghost gun components and kits from various online firearm retailers and had the packages shipped to his Suf folk County residence, as well as a residence in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Working together with Fritz PierreLouis, Devon Smith-Martin traveled to the Allentown residence to retrieve the packages containing the firearm components and related accessories. Fritz Pierre-Louis would then assem ble the ghost guns at both his Suffolk County residence and his place of em ployment in Queens County. Devon Smith-Martin would outfit several of the firearms with rapid-fire modifica tion devices which turned the firearms into fully-automatic machine guns. Devon Smith-Martin also purchased

vealed that Devon Smith-Martin and Fritz Pierre-Louis often discussed how many completed firearms they had available to sell, counting the “tops” and “bottoms” they had on hand. “Tops” were a reference to upper receivers, comprised of the slide and barrel, and “bottoms” were a reference to lower receivers, the frame comprised of the trigger and firing mechanisms. Specialty firearms included AR style rifles as well as the addition of rapid-fire modification devices, often referred to as “switches” which convert a semi-automatic firearm to fully-au tomatic. Discussions also included adding high-capacity magazines, or “clips”, with some having the capac ity to hold 30, 50, or 100 rounds of ammunition.

The investigation resulted in the recovery of the following firearms and ammunition from the defendants:

57 firearms, 51 of which were ghost guns

38 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistols

Postal Inspector in Charge of the New York Division Daniel B. Brubak er added, “I would like to thank New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the members of her Organized Crimes Task Force Bureau for their outstanding work in this investigation. Today, collaboration between our law enforcement partners is how crimes get solved and people are kept safe. No truer words can be spoken with the unsealing of today’s indictments.

Fritz Pierre Louis, Devon Smith-Mar tin, and Hakeem Solomon conspired to use the U.S. Mail to obtain ‘ghost gun’ parts. Once received, they man ufactured illegal guns and then sold these un-serialized weapons to line their pockets. This type of greed puts people’s lives in jeopardy and fuels the cycle of violence that we are trying to eradicate from our society. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service. Our proud mission is to pro tect our employees, infrastructure, and customers from criminal attack. Any time the U.S. Mail is used in fur therance of a crime, Postal Inspectors will be there to ensure that criminals are held responsible for their actions.”

Photo Courtesy of AG James

Fi y-seven rearms, 51 of which were ghost guns, were recovered.

Photo Courtesy of AG James

Over 800 rounds of ammunition were also found.

By Forum Sta

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced that Jofre Ortega pleaded guilty on Tuesday to grand larceny and other crimes for conning people eager to join the Mason Tenders Local 79 Union by o ering memberships for cash.

As part of the plea, the defendant is re quired to pay restitution in the amount of $18,000 to the 14 victims. At the behest of the district a orney, Local 79 held an infor

mational session for victims and their fami lies on legitimate ways to join the union.

Ortega, 58, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree and petit larceny. As a condition of the plea agree ment, Ortega is required to pay back the money he pocketed from 14 victims who thought they were paying for a union membership.

According to the original charges, be tween September 2019 and March 2021, the defendant promised at least nine in

dividuals that he could get them into the Mason Tenders Local 79 Union – but only if they paid him between $500 and $1,500 each. Some of the victims, both men and women, met with the defendant at various locations throughout the borough, where the defendant collected the funds from each of the victims.

Since the launch of the investigation, and the subsequent prosecution of this case, an additional ve victims have come forward to report being scammed by the

defendant, bringing the total number of complainants to 14 individuals.

“More than a dozen individuals – labor ers who sought to earn be er pay for their hard work – were conned by this defen dant, who took advantage of his position to line his pockets,” Katz said. “I want to thank the union’s leadership for bringing this case to our a ention and helping my O ce hold the defendant accountable.”

Ortega was never authorized to grant union memberships to any of the victims.

Adams, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

By Forum Sta

Mayor Eric Adams and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) on Monday announced a new partnership — as a result of a $44 million investment by ACLM — to provide every City health care practitioner with free introductory train ing in nutrition and lifestyle medicine, en abling practitioners to integrate evidencebased content into their clinical practice to treat certain health conditions.

According to Adams, the initial phase will include practitioners at 20 hospitals and health systems that serve millions of New Yorkers. e $44 million investment from ACLM will cover training for up to 200,000 doctors, nurses, nurse practitio ners, dietitians, and other health care pro fessionals in New York City and is the larg est lifestyle medicine training rollout in the world.

Lifestyle medicine is a medical special ty that uses evidence-based, therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary modal ity to treat chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes. Clinicians certified in lifestyle medicine are trained to apply evi dence-based, prescriptive lifestyle change to treat and, in some cases, achieve remis sion of certain common chronic condi tions. Applying the six pillars of lifestyle medicine — a healthful plant-predomi nant eating pattern, physical activity, re storative sleep, stress management, avoid ance of risky substances, and positive

social connections — also provides effec tive prevention for many common chronic conditions.

Adams is a fervent believer in plantbased dieting.

“A plant-based diet restored my eye sight, put my Type 2 diabetes into remis sion, and helped save my life,” said Adams. “Our administration has invested in ex panding lifestyle medicine programming and plant-based meals at NYC Health + Hospitals, and now, we’re bringing this evidence-based model to all of New York City’s health care workforce. anks to a massive $44 million investment from the

American College of Lifestyle Medicine, foundational trainings will be available for free to 200,000 health care workers in New York City. Once again, we’re se ing the standard for the rest of the nation, giving practitioners new tools to combat chronic disease and health disparities, and invest ing in a healthier city for generations to come.”

e initial group of participating hospi tals and hospital systems includes:

• NYC Health + Hospitals

• BronxCare Health System

• e Brooklyn Hospital Center

• Calvary Hospital

• Episcopal Health Services

• Hospital for Special Surgery

• Maimonides Health

• MediSys Health

• Memorial Sloan Ke ering Cancer Center

• Monte ore Health System

• Mount Sinai Health System

• NewYork-Presbyterian Health care System

• Northwell Health

• NYU Langone Health

• One Brooklyn Health System

• Richmond University Medical Center

• e Rockefeller University Hos pital

• SBH Health System

• SUNY Downstate Health Sci ences University – University Hospital at Downstate

• Wycko Heights Medical Center

“ e city’s partnership with ACLM is major step toward providing widespread access to a holistic and traditional medi cal approach to all New Yorkers,” said City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park). “Many of the hospitals who will be participating in this initial program are safety net hospitals who have already been implementing outreach e orts to educate the consumer about the bene ts of life style and nutritional changes for diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. Now, through this generous program, they will be able to grow their specialties and out reach e orts.”

Photo Courtesy of Department of Buildings

Since the launch of the investigation, and the subsequent prosecution of this case, an additional ve victims have come forward to report being scammed by the defendant, bringing the total number of complainants to 14 individuals.

Photo Courtesy of Google Local 79 o ces on 8th Avenue.

Photo Courtesy of Mayoral Photography O ce

Mayor Adams said a plant-based diet “saved my life.”

HOWARD BEACH

HOWARD BEACH

HOWARD BEACH

SOLD

Hi-Rise Condo 3rd Heritage House, 5 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 new bths, huge terr, hardwd rs, new kit, totally renovated, Call Now !

HOARD BEACH

Corner 97 St &162 Ave, vacant land, 40x100, zoned for 1 family Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

2 Fam det, 10 rms, 5 bedrms, 1 car gar pvt dr, updated kit & bath, lg yard, Call Now !

5 rm, garden co-op, 2 bedrms, 1 bth, just painted, move in cond, 2nd , Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

Hi-Rise 2nd , 5 rm, 2 bedrm, 2 bth, formal ding rm, updated kit & bth. Call Now !

WOODHAVEN

Excel Cond, 4 bedrm Colonial, wood burning replace, pool w/deck, gar & pvt drive, perfect for entertaining, Call Now!

Low Ranch, 6 rms, 3 bedrms, full basement, private drive, Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

1 fam, det raised ranch, 8 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 bths, pvt drive, full bsmt, Call Now !

Legal Notices

A Notice of Formation of Jin Xin Re alty LLC, Art. of Org. led Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/1/2022. O ce lo cation: Queens County. SSNY Designat ed as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: e LLC, 27-13 Uto pia Pkwy, Flushing, NY 11358. Purpose: any lawful activity.

CAVALIERE 6617 LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/20/22. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designat ed as agent of the LLC upon whom pro cess against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 6906 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Middle Village Enterprises, LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/13/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom pro cess against may be served & shall mail process to Eric Faulkner, 6430 69th Pl., Middle Village, NY 11379. General Pur pose

104-14 118 STREET LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/25/2022. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Kevin Kaly an, 86-30 108th Street, Richmond Hill, NY 11418. Purpose: Any Lawful Pur pose.

49 NORTHERN BLVD. LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/30/22. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it maybe served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 91-10Metropolitan Avenue, Rego Park,NY 11374. Purpose: Any law ful purpose.

AHAA Management LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 8/24/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom pro cess against may be served & shall mail process to Aaron Ivatorov, 211 Beach 148th St., Neponsit, NY 11694. General Purpose

e Kidz Campus LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/27/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 134-01 89th Ave., 2nd Fl., Richmond Hill, NY 11418. General Purpose

W & C PLAZA LLC filed Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/27/2022. O ce located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of pro cess and shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 10867 Roos evelt Ave Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: any lawful act.

B HARRIS CONSULTING LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/26/2022. O ce loc: Queens Coun ty. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: BRYAN HARRIS, 6861 YELLOW STONE BLVD, APT 615, FOREST HILLS, NY 11375, USA.. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of CONNEX ION 8 LLC. Arts of Org led with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/3/22. Of ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of pro cess against LLC to: 77 Bowery, 6th Fl., NY, NY 10002. Purpose: any lawful act..

MATERNAL HEALTH COACH ING LLC led w/ SSNY on 10/10/22. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: THE LLC, 118-35 QUEENS BLVD, SUITE 400, FOREST HILLS, NY,11375 USA Purpose: any lawful..

WALLFLOWER MU L COMPA NY LLC led Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/06/2022. O ce located in Queens County. SSNY has been des ignated for service of process and shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to WALLFLOWER MU L COMPANY, 83-35 139TH STREET, #3N, BRIARWOOD, NY, 11435, USA. Purpose: any lawful act.

Flushing 162 LLC led w/ SSNY on 9/29/22. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY des ignated as agent for process & shall mail to: P.O. Box 610026, Bayside, NY 11361. Purpose: any lawful..

Notice of Formation of 6801 NORTHERN LLC Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/02/22. O ce location: Queens County. Princ. o ce of LLC: c/o Citi zens Development Co., 111-15 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. o ce. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

HOSSEN MEDICAL CARE OF NY PLLC, a Prof. LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/17/2022. Of ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e PLLC, 132-12 85th St., Ozone Park, NY 11417. Purpose: To Practice e Profession Of Medicine.

Area 8 LLC led w/ SSNY 9/26/22 O . in Queens Co. SSNY desig. as agt. of LLC whom process may be served & shall mail process to the LLC, 239-60 Oak Park Dr, Douglaston, NY 11362. e reg. agt. is United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave, Ste. 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Any lawful purpose.

154-33 BROOKVILLE BLVD., LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/28/2022. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e LLC, 14-26 136th Street, College Point, NY 11356. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

SOLO BUDIN LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/21/22. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the SOLO BUDIN, 3505 28TH ST. Basement, Astoria, NY 11106, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

CLARUS HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/03/22. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designat ed as agent of the LLC upon whom pro cess against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o S & E Azriliant P.C., 501 Fi h Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

135 MCCZ LLC, Arts of Org. led SSNY 09/22/22. O ce: Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served & mail to c/o Michael A. Capasso, 54-08 Vernon Blvd., Queens, NY 11101. General pur pose..

31-46 35TH STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/16/22. O ce: Queens County. SSNY desig nated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 61-22 231st Street, Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

GLAZED BY A. MARIE, LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 01/17/2020. O ce loc: Queens Coun ty. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ANN COATES, 135-35 243RD STREET, ROSEDALE, NY 11422 Purpose: ANY LEGAL PURPOSE