THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | MAY 19, 2022

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 18 • MAY 19, 2022

HIGH ANXIETY Boroughs Prep as City COVID Cases Continue to Surge

See story on page 2 Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 18 • MAY 19 2022 | 1

City Set to Enter High COVID-19 Alert Level

By Michael V. Cusenza With the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reporting the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the five boroughs since January, City officials on Saturday indicated that they expected NYC to soon enter the High COVID-19 Alert Level.

Mayor Eric Adams this weekend announced the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services announced the distribution of an additional 16.5 million at-home COVID-19 tests and 1 million high-quality masks that will take place over the next month to 1,600 New York City public schools and the over 1,000 community organizations, libraries, cultural institutions, houses of worship, and elected offices participating in the city’s At-Home Test Distribution Program. The distribution effort joins other measures to blunt the worst impacts of the current wave, including the distribution of 35,000 COVID-19 courses of treatment to date, which have prevented nearly 2,000 hospitalizations in the city so far.

The city has also distributed 20 million at-home tests to schools and participating community organizations to date — meaning this additional surge of tests will bring the total distributed at-home tests to over 36 million as the city prepares to potentially hit a high-alert level in the coming days — ensuring free at-home testing is

widely accessible to New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Additionally, eligible New Yorkers are encouraged to take advantage of free, at-home delivery of COVID-19 treatments.

New Yorkers can find an at-home test distribution pick up location most convenient to them and their hours of operation by visiting the city’s COVID-19 testing page: nyc.gov/covidtest. New Yorkers with a disability who need assistance or have questions regarding at home test kits should call 311. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language can call via video phone at 646396-5830.

New Yorkers who test positive using an at-home test can call 212-COVID19 to be connected to resources like free meal and care package delivery. Care packages contain personal protection equipment for a household of three to quarantine, two rapid antigen at-home tests, and other necessities to help New Yorkers safely isolate.

Multiple COVID-19 treatments are available for people ages 12 and older, and can be delivered to New Yorkers’ homes for free. For more information on COVID-19 treatments, please call 212-COVID19 and press 9 or visit nyc.gov/health/covidtreatments. Calling 212-COVID19 provides New Yorkers an immediate connection to a clinician who can refer them to monoclonal antibody treatment or prescribe antivi-

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“Regular home testing and wearing masks indoors, especially while cases rise, is the best way to keep yourself, those around you, and your community safe,” the City’s Dr. Ashwin Vasan said.

ral medications, like Paxlovid, and arrange to have it delivered to their home that same day for free.

DOHMH will also put out a Health Advisory that urges all residents to use high-quality masks — such as KN95 and KF94 masks and N95 respirators — when indoors and in a public setting, including at grocery stores, building lobbies, offices, stores, and other common or shared spaces where individuals may interact, such as restrooms, hallways, elevators, and meeting rooms. The advisory notes particular im-

portance for people who are at high risk of severe illness and death, namely those who are over 65 or who are unvaccinated.

“Regular home testing and wearing masks indoors, especially while cases rise, is the best way to keep yourself, those around you, and your community safe,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “I advise all New Yorkers to mask up indoors, even if you have a negative test and especially if you are unvaccinated, have not had your booster, or are in a high-risk category.

Pheffer Amato Hosts Free COVID-19 Test Giveaway

By Forum Staff

Ozone Park Library

Queens Public Library at Peninsula

Photo Courtesy of Google

Photo Courtesy Google

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Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) is hosting a districtwide COVID-19 test distribution event.

The Assemblywoman will be giving away free at-home COVID-19 tests to the residents of the 23rd Assembly District on Friday, May 20. In recent days, virus rates have skyrocketed throughout the five boroughs with a “high level alert” being issued.

In response to the increase in cases, Pheffer Amato, through a partnership with Gov. Kathy Hochul, will distribute Covid-19 tests at three different district locations: • Ozone Park Library: 92-24 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Wavecrest Shopping Center

• Queens Public Library at Peninsula: 92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• Wavecrest Shopping Center: 239 Beach 20th St., Far Rockaway from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

“As the numbers increase we must continue to be vigilant and careful. Testing is a simple way to ensure we do not spread COVID-19 and keep our loved ones and community safe. We have the tools to keep ourselves healthy and I am working to ensure they are properly utilized,” Pheffer Amato said.

Pheffer Amato noted that if a person cannot make the test distribution, they can always reach out to the assemblywoman’s district office at (718) 945-9550.

Photo Courtesy Google

Woman Carrying Ammunition Stopped at JFK Checkpoint

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Let us begin helping you with a free consultation.

Photo Courtesy TSA

Boxes of ammunition that were removed from a woman's carry-on bag by TSA officers at JFK International Airport on May 10.

By Forum Staff Transportation Security Administration officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport last week stopped a Nassau County woman from carrying nearly 400 bullets onto her flight, according to TSA officials.

The variety of bullets were packed in nine boxes and included ammunition for shotguns and handguns including 12 gauge, .308 caliber, .223 caliber and 9 mm.

TSA officers notified the Port Authority Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the ammunition and issued the woman a citation.

The woman, a resident of Hicksville, N.Y., told officials that the ammunition belonged to her son and that she grabbed the wrong bag when she headed to the airport for her flight. That quantity of ammunition carries quite a bit of weight and

nine boxes take up a significant amount of space in a carry-on bag.

“This is an excellent opportunity to remind travelers that it is always best to start with a completely empty bag when packing for a flight to ensure that you don’t have any prohibited items inside,” said John Bambury, TSA’s Federal Security director for JFK International Airport. “Not only is it important to know that you have not packed anything prohibited or illegal into your luggage, it is just as important to know which bag is yours to ensure you are familiar with its contents.”

The woman now faces a Federal civil penalty for bringing ammunition to the security checkpoint. TSA has information on the proper way to transport firearms and ammunition for a flight at tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition.

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“This is an excellent opportunity to remind travelers that it is always best to start with a completely empty bag when packing for a flight to ensure that you don’t have any prohibited items inside,” said John Bambury, TSA’s Federal Security director for JFK International Airport.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 18 • MAY 19 2022 | 3

Federal Monitor Releases Action Plan to Reform Rikers Island

By Michael V. Cusenza The federal monitor assigned to come up with a plan to bring Rikers Island out of its latest circle of hell finally released that plan on Monday.

“The current state of affairs in the jails presents an unprecedented challenge and, as such, there is no fail-safe path forward,” wrote Steven J. Martin, monitor, and Anne Friedberg, deputy monitor, wrote in a letter to the Hon. Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain.

The plan includes six core components: Section A: Initiatives to Address the Immediate Risk of Harm. This section includes initiatives that must be undertaken immediately in order to begin to address the immediate risks of serious harm to people in custody and DOC staff, to revamp the Department’s leadership structure, to improve the supervision of Department staff at all levels, and to improve staff utilization in the short term (both by returning staff to work and by prioritizing assignments to housing units).

Section B: Citywide Initiatives to Support Reform. This section includes initiatives to ensure that the City brings all its resources to bear and removes potential bureaucratic obstacles. This includes strategies to improve the functioning of certain aspects of adjacent City agencies—such as those involved in recruiting for particular

positions, hiring practices, and expediting case processing—that directly impact the Department’s ability to reform its practices.

Section C: Staffing Practices. This section requires the Department to appoint a Staffing Manager who must develop and implement a staff management system that maximizes staff

able, available workforce. The Department also is also working to create an electronic system to track staff assignments and their status (e.g., vacation time, sick leave, etc.).

Section D: Security Practices. This section requires the Department to retain an individual with deep expertise in correc-

The federal monitor has said that the current state of Rikers Island “presents an unprecedented challenge…”

availability and proper deployment in the long-term. The particular components of the system will need to be appropriately prioritized and sequenced so that the Department can effectively facilitate the assignment of staff to housing units and develop a depend-

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File Photo

tions who must direct a variety of security initiatives that correct long-standing deficiencies in the approach to securing facility spaces and responding to incidents. The individual who will serve as the Security Operations Manager has been selected and

began working on May 16, 2022. Section E: Managing People in Custody. This section includes the appointment of a Classification Manager who must develop and implement initiatives to properly classify incarcerated persons according to their risk of institutional misconduct, to broadly disperse SRG affiliates among the housing units to disrupt their concentration of power, to decrease Intake processing time, and to effectively manage those who engage in serious violence while in custody. The individual who will serve as the Classification Manager has been selected and will begin work this summer.

Section F: Staff Accountability. This section requires additional resources for the Trials Division, expeditious resolution of cases involving egregious conduct, a reduction in the disciplinary backlog, and efforts to streamline the OATH process. It also includes requirements to revise Command Discipline procedures and to impose discipline for those who abuse the Department’s policies regarding various type of leave and restricted duty.

Section G: Assessment of Compliance and Reporting. This section describes the Monitoring Team’s shift to more frequent reporting on this more narrow scope of issues, so that the Parties and the Court are fully informed about the intricacies of each initiative.

City Celebrates 520 Miles of Waterfront

By Forum Staff Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick on Sunday announced a series of free events for May to celebrate New York City’s 520 miles of waterfront and the NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan released late last year, including nature walks along the Bronx River and a brass band performance near the South Street Seaport. These activities, several of them scheduled for Friday, May 20, will help New Yorkers connect with the past, present, and future of the city's shoreline.

After going remote for 2020 and 2021, this year marks a return to in-person events with two self-guided tours you can go on all month long and several tours and showcases taking place exclusively on May 20.

DCP has coordinated these events with our sister agencies and community partners, including DEP, NYC Parks, New York City Economic Development Corporation, which runs NYC Ferry, Billion Oyster Project, the Bronx River Alliance, Culture Push, and Works on Water.

The two self-guided tours for May are: • NYC 520 Waterfront Journey with NYC Ferry – This experience will lead you on up to 10 unique adventures along NYC Ferry routes. Take in the great views from the ferry, visit waterfront neighborhoods, learn about the waterfront’s history, and more. Each photo posted from any of the 10 adventures provides a chance to win great prizes provided by NYC ferry. The more adventures you visit, the more chances to win.

One winner will get Skyline Drive-In tickets, and another will get lessons from Manhattan Kayak. Both winners will also

receive two 30-day ferry passes. Check out @NYCFerry or @NYCWaterfront on Instagram to learn more.

• Newtown Creek Nature Walk – This Greenpoint, Brooklyn event takes New Yorkers along Newtown Creek and Whale Creek between Brooklyn and Queens. Richly planted with native trees, shrubs, and other flora, the walk traverses a previously inaccessible industrial shoreline now remade for public use as a waterfront promenade.

“With more than 500 miles of shoreline, much of which is here in Queens, our city has a duty to ensure our waterfronts are healthy, resilient, and benefit all New Yorkers,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. “I encourage all Queens residents to take part in one or more of these events and to become familiar with the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, which details what we need to do to preserve, protect, and expand access to our waterfronts.”

Councilman Ari Kagan (D-Brooklyn), chairman of the Committee on Resiliency and Waterfronts, added, “As a city of many islands, with over 520 miles of waterfront, it is crucial that we invest into the improvement of our waterfront infrastructure. From Coney Island to Jamaica Bay, to Pelham Bay and Arthur Kill, waterfront resilience across all five boroughs must be strengthened to ensure our City is protected against disasters, while also focusing on the upkeep and preservation of beaches, parks, and boardwalks to celebrate the beauty of our great City. As chair of the Committee on Resiliency and Waterfronts, I applaud the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan as a key investment into the future of New York City.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

TAKING LYME DISEASE SERIOUSLY: Some things you should know...

May is Lyme Disease Month and although this disease does not share the health care spotlight like cancer, heart disease, diabetes or other killers, Lyme is a prolific disease that affects more than 300,00 people in the United States every year and destroys their life as they know it.

As a tick borne illness that is exceedingly hard to diagnose it can have debilitating and devastating effects on its victims.

Lyme has been left in the shadows of medical research for diagnosis, treatment and curative measures for more than 40 years.

Many current Lyme treatments are not covered by insurance and are so expensive most people simply can't pay for them.

Because the symptoms vary so much from patient to patient , mainstream practitioners have an increasingly hard tome in establishing a firm diagnosis.

The summer months, when most cases are contracted, find us outside more and in tick infested areas.

Studies show that over 95% of all cases of Lyme come from just 14 states, of which New York is one. And June and July bring on the largest percentage of those cases.

Lyme is no different than many other illnesses in the sense that prevention is by far, the best cure.

To protect yourself, know where to expect ticks–grassy, brushy or wooded areas. Treat your clothing with products

containing 0.5% permethrin. Use EPA registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and others but ask your pharmacist to help you choose.

Always walk in the center of trails.

After coming indoors check clothing.

Wash and dry in very high temperatures.

Remember the ticks pets carry can attach to people later. Always shower right after you come in.

Conduct full body checks on you and your children. Focus on the following areas: under arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind knees, in and around the hair, between legs and around waist.

Look for early signs: fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes. About 80% of people will develop Erythema migrans (EM) rash which will begin 3 to 30 days after the bite. The rash may feel warm but is rarely itchy or painful.

Days to months after the bite you may experience headaches and neck stiffness, heart palpitations, severe joint pain and swelling, dizziness, nerve pain, shooting pain, problems with short term memory.

We cannot impress upon you the seriousness of this illness and what it can do to the lives of patients and their loved ones. If you have questions or concerns about Lyme please ask your pharmacist for help. You can also find many reliable resources online.

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.

Street Co-Naming for Beloved Richmond Hill Resident

By Michael V. Cusenza

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Postdlf

The Newtown Creek Nature Walk is part of the City’s celebration of its 520 miles of waterfront.

The corner of 114th Street and 85th Avenue (pictured) will be co-named in a ceremony next Monday, May 23, 11 a.m. for beloved Richmond Hill resident Ivan Mrakovcic, The Richmond Hill Historical Society, which Mrakovcic co-founded in 1997, announced Monday.

According to the society, Mrakovcic was an architect, preservationist, and community leader. An advocate for preservation of Richmond Hill, Mrakovcic worked hard to maintain its historic character and charm. His perseverance resulted in the establishment of the Historic District in North Richmond Hill on the New York State and National Historic registers in March 2019. Involved in many area organizations, Mrakovcic served as treasurer for the Forest Park Trust and was chairman of Community Board 9 from 2002 through 2007. He was also a founding board member of the Friends of QueensWay park advocacy group.

“Ivan loved this community and worked tirelessly in so many ways to preserve its historic character and charm,” the historical society said in a Facebook post, adding that, “He was a dear friend to many and will be greatly missed. We will never forget his quirky humor, great Halloween costumes and above all his friendship.”

Mrakovcic died in 2020.

Photo Courtesy of The Richmond Hill Historical Society

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 18 • MAY 19 2022 | 5

City Calls on ATF to Revoke License of Nation’s Largest Supplier of Ghost Guns

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams, City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, and Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund recently called on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to revoke the federal firearms license of Polymer80, the largest source of ghost guns used in crimes, citing the company’s willful violation of federal gun laws.

Ghost guns have been a growing contributor to gun violence and gun-related homicides in New York City. Since January alone, the NYPD has already taken approximately 200 ghost guns off the streets, up from 148 in 2020. NYPD also reports that approximately 90 percent of ghost guns year after year include Polymer80 parts.

Polymer80, a Nevada based company, is, by far, the largest source of ghost guns used in crimes and recovered by law enforcement nationally, accounting for over 86 percent of the 1,475 ghost guns entered into ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network database in 2019.

Last month, President Joseph Biden announced the finalization of a new ghost guns rule, which confirms that gun-building kits and their core components are subject to the same firearms regulations as fully functional firearms — including the requirements of serialization and background checks when sold by a federal firearms licensee.

In last week’s letter, Adams and Everytown for Gun Safety cited substantial evidence of the connection between Polymer80’s reckless business practices and gun violence in communities not only in New York, but across the country. For example, the number of untraceable ghost guns recovered by the Los Angeles Police Department saw a leap from 813 recoveries in 2020 to 1,921 recoveries in 2021 — and of those 1,921, Polymer80 supplied 90 per-

NYPD reports that approximately 90 percent of ghost guns year after year include Polymer80 parts.

cent. In Philadelphia, the police reported recovering 571 ghost guns, compared to 95 in 2019 and 250 in 2020.

The letter also cites evidence from ATF’s own search warrant application of numerous examples of Polymer80 violating federal firearms laws. As outlined in that application, Polymer80 never affixed serial numbers to the frames sold as part of its Buy Build Shoot kits and failed to run background checks on purchasers of these kits — despite the ATF chief counsel’s determination that those all-inclusive kits are firearms and require serialization and background checks. Additionally, even though ATF has also concluded that the Buy Build Shoot kits are handguns under federal law, there is no indication that Polymer80 ever included storage or safety

Photo Courtesy of Polymer80

devices with these kits that it sold, in apparent violation of the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005. Polymer80 also allegedly sold Buy Build Shoot ghost gun kits to minors and felons, and broke California law by allegedly shipping illegal largecapacity magazines into the state.

Polymer80 is currently facing numerous lawsuits for its alleged contributions to gun violence. Two Los Angeles sheriffs’ deputies who were shot and wounded with a Polymer80 ghost gun are suing the manufacturer, as is the city of Los Angeles. Polymer80 is also being sued by the Washington, D.C. attorney general.

“We must get ghost guns out of our communities, and those that manufacture them must be shut down,” Adams said.

Reputed Gang Member Convicted of Attempted Murder in 2020 Shooting saving aid to the victim and the identification and apprehension of the shooter, Moore.

Katz said video surveillance from the location allegedly depicts Moore with a silver firearm, pointing it in the direction of the victim and firing multiple shots striking him in the leg.

The Dix McBride Apartments in Far Rockaway

By Forum Staff A reputed member of the Redfern Rowdy Gang has been convicted by a jury of attempted murder and other crimes for a gang-related shooting on May 17, 2020 in the Dix McBride Apartments, also referred to as Pinkfern in Far Rockaway, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced.

Otis Moore, 32, was convicted last Tuesday by a jury following a nine-day trial before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michelle Johnson. The jury found the defendant guilty of attempted murder in the

“Holding individuals to account when they use firearms to cause misery in our communities will remain a top priority for my Office,” Katz added. “This defendant will now face a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.”

As a persistent felon, Moore faces up to life in prison.

Photo Courtesy Google

second degree, attempted assault in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree. Johnson set sentencing for June 8.

According to court testimony, on May 17, 2020, between 11:40 p.m. and 11:45 p.m., the 20-year-old victim was leaving a residence on Dix Avenue when Moore was observed standing partially inside the neighboring building with a silver firearm.

As the victim began to exit the building, he heard gunshots and was struck by gunfire. The rapid response of patrol officers, detectives and emergency medical techni- “Holding individuals to account when they use firearms to cause misery in our communities will remain a top cians resulted in the administration of life- priority for my Office,” DA Katz said.

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Area Pol Touts PostMastectomy Bill

Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato

“Our State is standing up and saying a woman can choose how her body will look after a mastectomy,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said.

By Forum Staff A groundbreaking bill that would provide coverage and information on chest wall reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy or partial mastectomy, commonly known as “aesthetic flat closure,” has passed the Assembly by unanimous vote, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), who introduced the legislation, recently announced.

According to Pheffer Amato, currently, breast reconstruction is covered by insurance and while many women pursue reconstructive surgeries women also choose to "stay flat" and pursue aesthetic flat closure. Women who forgo breast reconstruction are most often done in one surgery, but about one in four will require revision to produce an acceptable aesthetic result (an aesthetic flat closure). Too often, these women are told that their revision surgery is “cosmetic” and therefore will not be covered by insurance. With this new bill, not only would breast reconstruction be covered by insurance, but so would flat closure. This change in the law gives women a choice in how they want their post-mastectomy body to look.

“Roughly one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and the effects are life altering, to say the least. There are too many cases where women have been forced into a decision that they may not have wanted—but no more. Our State is standing up and saying a woman can choose how her body will look after a mastectomy,” the assemblywoman added.

The bill is now in the State Senate where it is being carried by Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing).

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Elmhurst, Queens Hospital Center Help Launch New Doula Program for Pregnant People

By Forum Staff NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, also known as Queens Hospital Center, and the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have launched the HoPE Doula Program for pregnant people.

The HoPE Program, or Helping Promote Birth Equity through CommunityBased Doula Care, provides communitybased doula support, free-of-charge, to any pregnant person seeking care at either Elmhurst or Queens Hospitals. Doula care has been associated with better birth outcomes for parents and babies. Patients at the two hospitals will be matched with a doula for the duration of their pregnancy and post-partum care. The program is an integral part of the public health care system’s response to addressing the disparities in maternal mortality among people of color.

Derived from the Greek word meaning “woman servant or caregiver,” a doula is employed by the parent(s)-to-be as their continuous caregiver during the pregnancy and birth. The role of the doula is to be there the whole time to provide emotional support as well as to inform and empower the parent.

File Photo

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is one of the two borough hospitals participating in the new doula program.

According to officials, the doulas affiliated with Elmhurst and Queens Hospitals’ HoPE Program are from two wellestablished community-based doula organizations: Ancient Song Doula Services and Caribbean Women’s Health Association. There will be 20 Queens-based doulas in the program. These doulas will be matched with patients based on neighborhood, language, and ethnicity. Once matched, that doula will remain engaged with their client through prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care. Patients will be referred for doula services by their clinical

providers, including social work providers and the maternal medical home coordinator. Doulas are compensated based on the time they spend with each client.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst worked closely with a specially-convened Community Advisory Board comprised of postpartum women, local communitybased organizations, stakeholders from Elmhurst and Queens Hospitals, and from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, to shape the development, implementation, and evaluation of the HoPE Doula Program. Discussions included tak-

ing into consideration the community’s needs, design and evaluation of the HoPE Program, publicizing the program to the community, and accountability systems for the program. The Community Advisory Board will conduct monthly two-hour workshops through the remainder of 2022.

Doula care has been associated with better birth outcomes for parents and babies, such as shorter labor, fewer Cesarean sections, the promotion of breastfeeding, and an overall positive birth experience.

Specifically, community-based doula care is even better suited to reduce maternal and infant health disparities by connecting birthing parents with local resources and providing ongoing social and emotional support. Doulas are trained to provide non-clinical emotional, physical and informational support for people before, during, and after labor and birth.

The HoPE Doula Program is a collaborative effort led by NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst and Queens, the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Ancient Song Doula Services, Caribbean Women’s Health Association, and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The work is being funded in part through a $455,000 grant from Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting philanthropy.

L.I. Man Indicted for Stealing Thousands of Dollars from Employees in Kickback Scheme of dollars in kickbacks from each complainant under the threat of termination.

“The victims worked hard for their money and, as alleged, the defendant demanded they kick some of it back to him or face termination. This kind of exploitation is illegal. The prevalence of such schemes is the reason I created the Housing & Worker

Protection Bureau, to make sure that employees are protected from unlawful actions,” Katz said. “My Office will not relent in our efforts to investigate and prosecute those who seek to take advantage of our workforce.”

If convicted, Singh faces up to seven years in prison.

Photo Courtesy Google

The SCA project on which the victims were working during the scheme was located at PS 71 in Ridgewood.

By Forum Staff A Long Island man has been charged with taking thousands of dollars in kickbacks from employees working on a School Construction Authority project at PS 71 in Ridgewood, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber announced Thursday.

Komal Singh, 52, was arraigned Wednesday on a grand jury indictment charging him with three counts of grand larceny in the third degree, three counts

of grand larceny in the fourth degree and violation of New York Labor Law section 198(b).

From March of 2019 through February of 2020, Singh was the foreman at the PS 71 job site and had authority to hire and fire workers. During this time, he allegedly hired the workers with the understanding that each was to pay him $50 per day for each day worked. When the victims complained or stopped paying, they were allegedly fired by the defendant or informed Photo Courtesy DA Katz that there was no more work for them. As a “This kind of exploitation is illegal,” DA Katz said. “My Office will not relent in our efforts to investigate and result, Singh was able to extort thousands prosecute those who seek to take advantage of our workforce.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 18 • MAY 19 2022 | 9

City Transit Workers Pension Fund a Victim in ‘Historic’ Fraud Scheme

By Forum Staff The chief investment officer and co-lead portfolio manager for a series of private investment funds managed by Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC has been indicted in connection with a scheme to defraud investors, including the pension fund for bus drivers and subway conductors in NYC, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

According to the allegations in the indictment and the agreement unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, Gregoire Tournant, 55, was the Chief Investment Officer of a set of private funds at AGI known as the Structured Alpha Funds. These funds were marketed largely to institutional investors, including pension funds for workers all across America. As alleged, Tournant and his co-conspirators misled these investors into believing that the funds were protected from a sudden stock market crash with particular hedges. But in late 2015, as the cost of those promised hedges increased, Tournant decided to lie and secretly buy cheaper hedges that provided much less protection to investors. As alleged, Tournant and his co-conspirators also provided investors with altered documents that were sent to investors to hide the true riskiness

of the funds’ investments, including that they were buying cheaper hedges.

In March 2020, following the onset of market dislocations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the funds lost in excess of $7 billion in market value, including over $3.2 billion in principal, faced margin calls and redemption requests, and ultimately were shut down. More than 100 institutional investors, representing more than one hundred thousand individuals, were victims of this scheme. These institutional investors included, among others, pension funds for teachers in Arkansas, laborers in Alaska, bus drivers and subway conductors in New York City, as well as religious organizations, engineers, and other individuals, universities, and charitable organizations across the United States.

The scheme alleged was an egregious, long-running, and extensive fraud that went undetected for years. It occurred at a very profitable component of AGI – one that accounted for 25 percent of AGI’s revenue in recent years, which amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars. As alleged, one of the ways Tournant carried out the fraud was by marketing the fact that he worked for a well-respected financial institution, AGI, which is a part of the Allianz

SE family. Allianz is one of the world’s largest financial services companies and one of the world’s largest insurance companies.

Tournant touted the protections provided by the funds’ position within the global Allianz corporate structure, calling Allianz a “master cop” that would ensure that Tournant followed the risk guidelines promised to investors.

Despite Tournant’s claim that Allianz acted as a “master cop” looking over his shoulder, no one at AGI or Allianz was verifying that Tournant and his colleagues were actually adhering to the investment strategies promised to investors. No risk or compliance personnel at AGI verified, attempted to verify, or were responsible for verifying that Tournant and his colleagues were purchasing hedging positions within the range that was represented to investors.

Much of this historic fraud was made possible because AGI’s control environment was not designed to verify that Tournant and his co-conspirators were telling investors the truth. Because AGI, a registered investment adviser, failed to provide meanPhoto Courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern ingful oversight, Tournant and his coDistrict of NY conspirators were able to deceive investors Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern about the risks they were taking with their District of New York, helped to announced the indictment on Tuesday. money.

Two Men Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms after Gunning down Victim in Jackson Heights Bodega DeJesus-Garcia approached the 31-yearold victim from behind and shot him three times. Flores-Pineda was shot in the face and chest.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died from the injuries.

“This was an execution in a busy com-

The shooting took place outside of the 5 de Mayo bodega in Jackson Heights.

By Forum Staff A Corona man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted at trial of killing a man in a bodega in Jackson Heights in March 2018, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.

Fabian DeJesus-Garcia, 32, was found guilty of murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and unlawful possession of pistol ammunition following a trial in March. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michelle Johnson, who presided at trial, sentenced this defendant Friday to 25 years

mercial area with the defendants ambushing the victim. While one distracted the target, the other walked up from behind and shot him without provocation,” Katz said. “My Office will not stand for brazen acts of violence on the streets of Queens.”

Photo Courtesy Google

to life in prison.

A second defendant, Gamaliel Desiderio-Sanchez, also 32, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in March and has been sentenced to 18 years in prison to be followed by five years’ post-release supervision.

According to court records, on March 22, 2018, the two defendants went to the 5 de Mayo Deli on Roosevelt Avenue around 8 p.m. Desiderio-Sanchez handed DeJesus-Garcia a .32-caliber pistol upon arriving at the bodega. When Seferino Flores-Pineda arrived at 5 de Mayo, Desiderio-Sanchez engaged him in conversation. As the two talked,

10 | MAY 19, 2022 • Number 18 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Photo Courtesy Google

“This was an execution in a busy commercial area with the defendants ambushing the victim,” DA Katz said.

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12 | MAY 19, 2022 • Number 18 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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Legal Notices GEM HUNTING TRADING LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY)4/15/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to GEM HUNTING TRADING LLC, 88-04 CORONA AVE, 1 FL, ELMHURST, NY, 11373, USA**. General Purpose.

CTSQ Asset LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/14/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 3636 Main St., #CS, Flushing, NY 11354.

General Purpose.

SAPPHIRE CDS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 2/10/22. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Daniel Sosa, 7849 221st St., Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

86-13 94th Street LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/18/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Warner Wai Jit Moy, 86-17 94th St., Woodhaven, NY 11421. General Purpose.

SIKDER TAXI 2 LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 4/18/2022. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 88-39 HOLLIS COURT BLVD, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY, 11427. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

THE WALKER GROUP VENTURES, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 03/08/22.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to WAYNE BROWN, 130-16 228TH STREET, LAURELTON, NY, 11413, USA. General Purpose.

JANEL CAMPBELL NP IN FAMILY HEALTH, PLLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/18/21. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to THE PLLC, 112-16 176TH STREET, JAMAICA, NY, 11433, USA. General Purpose.

Notice of formation of EIGHT NYC HOLDINGS LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/21/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to:4148 68th St., 3/F, Woodside, NY 11377.

Purpose: any lawful act.

Easy Movements L.L.C., Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/6/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Imran Imtiaz Khan, 111-34 130th St., South Ozone Park, NY 11420. General Purpose

Notice of formation of Young Ambitious Enterprise LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 04/07/2022. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 240-17 143rd Ave Rosedale NY 11422. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

Notice of formation of EE GLOBAL LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 04/25/2022. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY Shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to JOSE FARJARDO, 15021 107TH AVE., FL-1, JAMAICA, NY, 11433. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of AI-TOP LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 07/25/2021. Office located in Queens.

SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY Shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 1335 Bell Blvd Bayside, NY 11360. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

DONCH LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 03/15/22. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: TJorge Meneses, 45-18 Pearson Street, Long Island City, New York, 11101. Purpose: to engage in any lawful activity.

14 | MAY 19, 2022 • Number 18 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

MMJ Homes LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 04/21/22. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 133-12 84th St, Ozone Park, NY 11417. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

32-52 45TH STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/26/22.

Office: 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 LLC, 31-16 30th Avenue, Suite 304, Astoria, NY 11102. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ALL RED BLUE MECHANICAL LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/18/22. Office: 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 LLC, 31-37 102nd Street, 1 FL, East Elmhurst, NY 11369, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Benelli Properties LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/1/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 155-28 102 St., Howard Beach, NY 11414. General Purpose.

15849 Owners LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/25/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Dragisa Fljankovic, C/O Ragno & Ragno, Esqs., 95-09 101st Ave., Ozone Park, NY 11416. General Purpose.

Notice of formation of ANGESSY HOME IMPROVEMENTS LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/23/22. Office in Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 9608 42ND AVE CORONA, NY, 11368. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

CONFIDENT KIND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT ZONE PT AND OT, PLLCLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/21/21.

Office: 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 Heather Hurley-Cook, 34 Sherman Ave., Rockville Center, NY, 11570, USA Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of limited liability company (LLC) Peanut Loves Bug LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on May 13, 2022. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. Address to which SSNY shall mail a copy of process: 46-30 Center Blvd., Unit 901, Long Island City, NY 11109

POOLSIDE EATS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/10/22.

Office: 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 LLC, 30-53 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11103.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 18 • MAY 19 2022 | 15

16 | MAY 19, 2022 • Number 18 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP