THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | OCTOBER 12, 2023

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 39 • OCTOBER 12, 2023

CHRIS CROSS Howard Beach Marks Columbus Day with Boulevard Bash

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Led by City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) and the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation, Howard Beach celebrated its Italian heritage on Columbus Day with an all-day affair on Cross Bay Boulevard between 158th and 159th avenues.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

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Howard Beach Marks Columbus Day with Cross Bay Boulevard Celebration

By Michael V. Cusenza City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) on Sunday partnered with the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation to bring a Columbus Day celebration to Howard Beach.

From noon to 8 p.m., revelers enjoyed traditional Italian food, music,

games, and more along Cross Bay Boulevard between 158th Avenue and 159th avenues.

“Howard Beach has always been a vibrant community, with many Italian-Americans contributing to the development and success of the area,” said Mario Faulisi, president of the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation. “I am proud to be able to

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Celebrants enjoyed traditional Italian food, music, games, and more at Sunday’s event.

bring this celebration back to the neighborhood once again, so we can remember our heritage and remember where we came from.”

“Today we remember not only the explorer Christopher Columbus, but also the struggle of Italian-Americans to find their place in the New World,” Ariola said. “We often forget that Italian immigrants were

Councilwoman Ariola addresses the crowd gathered on Cross Bay Boulevard.

Area residents flocked to Howard Beach to celebrate their Italian heritage.

the victims of intense prejudice when they first arrived here, but with the first Columbus Day back in 1892, they made the first real steps towards acceptance into the wider fabric of American society. Today, let's honor the struggle of the Italian immigrants in the United States, and remember the many amazing contributions of ItalianAmericans towards this nation's history!”

Forum Photo by Eddie Earl

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

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Local leaders led revelers in the Columbus Day celebration.

Forum Photo by Eddie Earl

Your problems are our job.

Let us begin helping you with a free consultation.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

Continued collaboration among various agencies and community leaders will be essential to achieving meaningful and sustained change in the area, Sen. Addabbo said.

Pol Launches Overhaul of Richmond Hill Trestle

By Forum Staff For decades, the 0.3-mile stretch that constitutes the Babbage & Bessemer Street train trestle from 84th Avenue to Hillside Avenue in Richmond Hill has caused numerous safety and quality-of-life concerns for the residents who live nearby, including illegal dumping, loitering, vagrancy, illegal parking under the bays, and more.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) noted on Thursday that his office has launched a multi-agency effort to address each of the pervasive problems that have plagued the area.

Addabbo has conducted at least three walkthroughs of the site, both alone and with agency and community leaders, and residents, to monitor the conditions under, and alongside, the trestle. One such walkthrough took place on Aug. 23, 2023, with the following representatives in attendance; Nick Fasano of the MTA, Helen Day of the Richmond Hill Historical Society, Nick Salamone and Scott Adelman, Community Affairs Officers with the 102nd Precinct, John Matarazzo of the MTA Police Department, and James McClelland of Community Board 9, who has been in constant communication with the City Department of Sanitation. Representatives from the DOT were not present at that time.

Although the numerous improvements needed could take years to complete, progress has already started, Addabbo said on Thursday.

The DSNY recently conducted a cleanup of the area.

The City Department of Transportation has performed a survey to determine what signage and traffic calming devices are needed alongside the trestle with Addabbo putting in specific requests for speed bumps, new traffic signals, stop signs, street signs, no traffic left signage repair, do not enter signs, no left turn signs, street

markings and crosswalks. The DOT’s street lighting unit is actively investigating the trestle at 84th Avenue.

The MTA, which owns the property and is responsible for the maintenance of the trestle, is proposing overhead lighting be installed under the bays to improve safety. The MTA is working to secure funding and a timeline for the installation of fencing along the entirety of the trestle. The NYPD is in support of fencing.

In the interim, all involved parties are on board with the installation of planters and are actively working to procure the funding for planters using a group that meets MTA’s insurance liability requirements for maintenance under the trestle.

The installation of planters and fencing aims to prevent cars from illegally parking under the bays. Addabbo is working with the MTA on these proposals to determine the costs and timelines.

The MTAPD has inspected the entirety of the trestle to determine what signage on the trestle needs to be replaced, refabricated and installed such as no parking and no trespassing signs.

The NYPD is increasing patrols alongside the trestle corridor working with the MTAPD who would handle enforcement underneath the trestle.

Addabbo has committed to funding security cameras for the trestle using next year’s budgetary allocations.

“When this area became a part of my district, I was determined to reverse the neglect and disrepair that had caused this trestle to fall by the wayside and become a blight on the community,” Addabbo said. “I want to thank the constituents who brought these issues to my attention and to the agencies who have been cooperating with me in an effort to create real and sustained change.”

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 39 • OCTOBER 12, 2023 | 3

Pols Urge State Department to Help Bring Back Americans Seeking to Return from Israel

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Ori

With airlines cancelling most commercial flights out of Israel due to the unprecedented, heinous attack by Hamas, many Americans who are in the country are unable to book a return trip home.

By Forum Staff On Tuesday, U. S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and Nicole Malliotakis (RBrooklyn, Staten Island) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the State Department to use all tools at its disposal help get Americans out of Israel and back home to the United States.

The letter, which is signed by a total

of 146 Members of Congress (including Meng and Malliotakis), asks for charter flights and military aircrafts to be considered as options to help bring U.S. citizens.

With airlines cancelling most commercial flights out of Israel due to the unprecedented, heinous attack by Hamas, many Americans who are in the country are unable to book a return trip home.

The correspondence follows a letter that

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The letter was signed by a total of 146 Members of Congress.

Meng sent to Blinken on Monday urging him to assist constituents with returning to Queens.

“So many Americans in Israel continue to fear for their safety and want to return home immediately,” Meng said. “As we support our ally Israel with the necessary security assistance it needs in the coming days and weeks, we must also do everything possible to bring Americans back to the U.S. who are looking to do so. I urge the State Department to make their safe and

Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng

swift return a top priority. I await Secretary Blinken’s response to our letter.”

“If other countries like Poland have military planes on the ground and conducting evacuations, there's no reason why the U.S. is not doing the same,” said Malliotakis.

“We need immediate action from President Biden, the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense to take swift action to get commercial, charter and military planes on the ground to get Americans home as quickly as possible.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

STAYING HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

“[W]e stand side by side with Israel every day,” Mayor Adams said.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Ralf Roletschek

Pols Rally around Israel

By Michael V. Cusenza Borough, city, and state representatives this week commented on the terrorist attacks on Israel.

“Prayed for Israel at the Howard Beach Judea Center with Rabbi and Zeldi Richter,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said on Tuesday. “Their strength and words of faith were inspiring.”

“So let our words, and our passion, and our unwavering support of Israel go forth from New York City, and may it touch and illuminate the hearts of those oblivious to the cancer of antiSemitic hatred and violence and inspire them to join us in our righteous mission. This is our long-term hope; this is our prayer,” said City Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Hillcrest).

“But at this moment, there is a war against Hamas that needs to be won, and a clear message that needs to be sent through the destruction of the aggressors to deter future aggression.

We unwaveringly support Israel in its righteous imperative to do all that is necessary to defend itself and swiftly win this war.”

“The images out of Israel this weekend are horrific beyond words. There is absolutely no justification for the brutality on display against innocent Israeli families, and Queens unequivocally condemns Hamas’ vicious invasion,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Our thoughts are with all those mourning the loss of a loved one or fearing for the future of their family, both in Israel and here in Queens. This savage violence must end immediately for the sake of the safety of innocent families on either side of the Israel-Palestine border.”

Mayor Eric Adams added on Friday, “New York City has the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel, and we stand side by side with Israel every day — but we do so with extra resolve today in light of Hamas’ unprovoked terrorist attacks directed at the country and its people. I was on the ground in Israel less than two months ago and personally saw those of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths living in peace sideby-side. Today’s attack, coming at the end of what is supposed to be a celebratory time at the end of the Jewish High Holy days, is nothing more than a cowardly action by a terrorist organization seeking to undo that peace and divide us into factions. That won’t happen. “ We have resources on the ground in Israel gathering intelligence, and we are continually monitoring multiple channels to identif y any potential threats, both here and abroad.

I am also communicating directly with Police Commissioner Caban and Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Weiner about the situation. W hile there is no credible threat to New York City at this time, our administration is in touch with Jewish leaders across the five boroughs, and we have directed the NYPD to deploy additional resources to Jewish communities and houses of worship citywide to ensure that our communities have the resources they need to make sure ever yone feels safe. “ We extend our sincerest condolences for all the innocent lives lost in these attacks, and hope that not another family has to experience the pain of losing a loved one.”

Let’s face it…summer is gone and all of a sudden the holidays are upon us.

Stores all over are not only sporting Halloween displays, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are on display as well. There's no better advice about maintaining your holiday health than to avoid stress. It impedes your health and interferes with having a great time.

Arguably, it's the hardest time of the year to keep things down to a low roar.

Hectic schedules, social events and family gatherings to attend, shopping ventures and decorating.

At a time when you want to be at your best, stress can interfere. Holidays can have psychological consequences for some people and chronic stress can lower immunity and cause excretory, digestive and reproductive systems to stop working properly. Stress also may cause you to eat unhealthy snacks to cope, leading to unwanted weight gain.

Stress is not the only potential health hazard that can arise around the holidays.

Parties can expose you to an abundance of foods and drinks you're not used to, and that can lead to a lot of mindless eating.

Weight gained now is difficult to shed come January, with colder temperatures challenging many peoples’ motivation to exercise.

Also, social settings put you in close contact with a greater number of people,

potentially increasing your exposure to germs.

You can still feel your best during the holidays. Follow these tips for maintaining a healthy mind and body.

• Get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine can protect you against various strains of the flu. Get a flu shot so you are ready for cold and flu season.

• Carry disinfecting wipes. Germs can linger on surfaces long after an infected person has come and gone. Wipe down surfaces with disinfecting wipes. This can help you avoid coming into contact with germs.

• Balance your activities. Don't over book. Leave days open to relax and do things you want to do.

• Keep up an exercise routine. Early morning is a good time to exercise because you may have to free up other time later in the day for shopping or parties. Exercise also can improve energy levels and relieve stress.

• Don’t focus on food. Focus more on enjoyable activities. Save indulgences for holiday treats and eat sensibly otherwise.

• Talk to someone. If the holidays have you feeling blue, talk to a friend or family member. If you need more professional support, find a social worker or psychologist that can help you work through stress and other feelings.

Until next week...

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 Safety Measures Set to Take Hold in Howard Beach PS/MS 207 students, staff, and parents this week marked the arrival of longawaited street safety signage near the Rockwood Park school.

“For safer crossings, our office requested that NYC DOT place a crosswalk, stop sign line and the word STOP at the new stop signs at 159th Avenue and 88th Street. The safety measures are being implemented [Tuesday]. Parks will be out to trim the tree as well,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said this week.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Joann Ariola

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City Unveils Strategy to Containerize Trash at Nearly all Residential Buildings

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams and City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Wednesday opened up a new front in the Adams administration’s war on rats, launching a plan to containerize waste at approximately 95 percent of residential properties across the five boroughs. Beginning in the fall of 2024, buildings with nine or fewer residential units will be required to place all trash in secure containers, and in specific, official NYC Bins beginning in the summer of 2026. The official NYC Bins will be available from a vendor through a request for proposal process that begins today, with prices capped substantially lower than they would be in retail stores.

The new residential garbage containerization rule will cover all 765,000 New York City buildings with nine or fewer units, continuing the Adams administration’s work to move towards containerization of all waste citywide. It follows Adams and Tisch’s expansion of containerization rules to get all commercial trash bags off city streets.

Between the commercial containerization effort and these sweeping new residential

Photo Courtesy of NYC

This new, multi-phase strategy will get black bags off of New York City streets, reclaim public space, and improve quality of life for all New Yorkers, Mayor Adams said.

rules, 70 percent of the city’s trash is headed into containers. As a result of the Adams administration’s efforts in recent months, this past summer, 311 calls about rat activity dropped by 20 percent citywide from the previous summer and 45 percent in Rat Mitigation Zones.

“Our administration is winning the war on rats, and we are keeping up the fight,” said Adams. “With this new plan to put residential trash in containers, 70 percent of trash in our city will be off our streets and out of

rat buffet lines. We are moving aggressively to execute our ambitious vision and deliver the clean, safe city New Yorkers demand and deserve.”

The official NYC Bins will be designed for mechanized collection. DSNY will retrofit or replace hundreds of collection trucks, adding mechanical tippers compatible with the new bins. This upgrade will speed up collection and minimize the possibility of street mess from manual collection. It also brings New York City in line with other world-class

cities that have abandoned the practice of throwing bags from the curb into a truck by hand in many or all cases.

NYC Bins will be available from one authorized concessionaire, which will be selected through a process beginning Wednesday, Oct. 11. DSNY has mandated that the concessionaire produce the bin in multiple sizes to accommodate different types of buildings and to match a number of specifications around aesthetics, rat resistance, ease of use by sanitation workers, and compatibility with mechanized collection.

In most major U.S. cities — where bins are required for trash — property owners pay a fee for sanitation service that covers the cost of the bin. Because New York City provides free, unlimited residential waste collection, property owners are responsible for purchasing the bin, but DSNY has set a maximum price far below what one would pay at a retail store. The request for proposals states that official NYC Bins, which will be designed to last at least 10 years, will start at no more than $50 for the most common size — and the competitive vendor selection process may bring the price down even further.

Mobile Sports Betting Adds to State Revenue, But Calls to Problem Gambling Hotline Rise: Report

By Forum Staff State collections from the taxes on mobile sports betting totaled $727.4 million in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 20222023 and have continued to grow in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, according to a report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. With the legalization of mobile sports betting, the New York State Gaming Commission noted a 26% increase in problem gambling-related calls to the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) from 2021 to 2022.

From SFY 2011-12 to 2022-23, state revenues from lottery sales and taxes on gaming revenues increased by 69.5%, growing from $2.8 billion to $4.8 billion.

The increase is primarily from the implementation of new forms of gaming rather than from increased consumption of existing ones. New York is now among eight states that offer the most forms of gaming nationwide.

State revenues from video lottery terminal (VLT) facilities, casinos, and tribal-state compacts in SFY 2020-21 were less than half of those collected in SFY 2019-20 due in large part to gaming facilities being closed for five months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, collections from the taxes on gaming revenues of the commercial casinos

File Photo

State collections from the taxes on mobile sports betting totaled $727.4 million in State Fiscal Year 2022-2023.

have yet to return to SFY 2019-20 levels.

In addition, New York’s gaming industry has not recovered from 2020 losses of approximately 3,400 jobs. Employment in 2022 was nearly 20% lower than its prepandemic level.

In SFY 2022-23, the state’s $4.8 billion in gaming revenues comprised 3.6% of total state operating funds spending. While nearly 95% of the revenues were used for education purposes, they averaged just

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over one dollar of every eight state dollars spent on education over the past 12 years.

Mobile sports betting in New York was authorized in the SFY 2021-22 Enacted Budget and went live in January 2022. With a tax rate of 51% on gross gaming revenues, New York joins Rhode Island and New Hampshire in levying the highest rate in the nation. In SFY 2021-22, mobile sports betting generated $360.7 million for the state, far more than

the $99 million initially projected. The $727.4 million in collections for the first full year of mobile sports betting in SFY 2022-23 was double the projection of $357 million. The higher collections were due primarily to the number of licenses issued to mobile sports wagering providers and the higher tax rate imposed subsequent to initial projections. Revenues in the first quarter of the current fiscal year have continued to grow, although the state Division of the Budget projects collections will level out, increasing by 6.9% over the next four fiscal years.

Since DiNapoli’s 2020 gaming report, OASAS spending on problem gambling services has increased from about $5.7 million in SFY 2019-20 to over $9.6 million in SFY 2022-23, according to OASAS testimony to the state Legislature.

The legislation authorizing mobile sports betting required 1% (about $1.6 million) of the tax on mobile sports betting revenues to be set aside for problem gambling services in SFY 2021-22. For each successive state fiscal year, problem gambling services will receive $6 million from those revenues.

Research indicates higher rates of gambling problems occur among individuals wagering with a mobile device, enabled by the accessibility, privacy and ease of smartphone use.

City Correction Officer Charged with Salary and Overtime Fraud

By Forum Staff A criminal complaint was recently unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging City Department of Correction (DOC) officer James Internicola with federal program fraud.

Internicola has been a correction officer with the DOC since January 1996. In 2019, he began working at a warehouse at Rikers Island which manages supplies for the jail facility, as well as facility garbage and recycling. Currently, Internicola is primarily responsible for all recycling operations at Rikers Island.

According to the complaint, Internicola fraudulently obtained more than $171,000 in salary and overtime pay by lying about the hours he worked from at least July 2021 to January 2023. During this time period, Internicola claimed to work large amounts of overtime nearly every week.

In fact, based on license plate reader data, E-Z pass toll records and cell site location information, Internicola frequently showed up to work more than two hours late and left work several hours early. In many instances, Internicola claimed to be at work when he actually never showed up to Rikers Island at all, including when he was at his home on Staten Island, visiting the

File Photo

According to the complaint, Internicola fraudulently obtained more than $171,000 in salary and overtime pay by lying about the hours he worked from at least July 2021 to January 2023.

Jersey Shore or vacationing in Aruba. In total, Internicola claimed to have worked more than 2,250 hours in a period of approximately 18 months and he fraudulently received the equivalent of more than a year of his base salary.

“As alleged, the defendant defrauded

the people of New York City and the New York City Department of Correction by claiming to work significant amounts of hours, including overtime, that he did not actually work,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “Instead of being at work, the defendant was often at home

File Photo

“Instead of being at work, the defendant was often at home or even on vacation,” Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Peace said.

or even on vacation. Correction officers who steal tax dollars by fraudulently obtaining compensation should take note of today’s arrest and know that this Office is working with our law enforcement partners to root out corruption at Rikers Island.”

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Two Borough Residents Plead Guilty to Multiple Fraud Schemes

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia

Nerik Ilyayev and Mukhiddin Kadirov admitted to their respective roles in HIV medication fraud, no-fault automobile insurance fraud, and money laundering schemes totaling over $6 million.

By Forum Staff Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, recently announced the guilty pleas of Nerik Ilyayev and Mukhiddin Kadirov for their respective roles in HIV medication fraud, no-fault automobile insurance fraud, and money laundering schemes totaling over $6 million. Ilyayev pled guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud for using two different pharmacies to defraud Medicare and Medicaid in connection with HIV medication claims and to defraud no-fault

automobile insurance providers in connection with other medication claims. Kadirov laundered several million dollars in fraud proceeds in connection with the HIV fraud scheme.

According to the Complaint, Information, and statements made in open court: From approximately February 2021 through March 2022, Ilyayev owned and operated a pharmacy in Manhattan (“Pharmacy-1”). Ilyayev used Pharmacy-1 to pay illegal kickbacks to low-income HIV patients to recruit them to fill prescriptions for expensive HIV medications at Pharmacy-1

File Photo

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York

and to obtain HIV medications from unlawful sources. Ilyayev, on behalf of Pharmacy-1, then submitted fraudulent insurance claims to Medicare and Medicaid to cover the cost of the HIV medications. In order to conceal his role in the fraud scheme, Ilyayev used the identity of another person (“Individual-1”) and pretended to be Individual-1 to own and operate Pharmacy-1 using Individual-1’s identity. Medicare and Medicaid collectively paid approximately $5.2 million in fraudulent claims for HIV medications to Pharmacy-1.

After shutting down Pharmacy-1, Ily-

ayev took control of another pharmacy in Queens(“Pharmacy-2”). Again, to conceal his role in the fraud, Ilyayev used the identity of another person (“Individual-3”) and pretended to be Individual-3 to own and operate Pharmacy-2. Pharmacy-2 submitted fraudulent insurance claims to no-fault automobile insurance providers. Pharmacy-2 defrauded the no-fault automobile insurance providers of approximately $1.2 million. In addition, Pharmacy-2 unlawfully sold pharmaceuticals to other pharmacies that Ilyayev had obtained from illegitimate sources.

Kadirov participated in a money laundering network that primarily launders healthcare fraud proceeds (the “Money Laundering Network”) that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) has been investigating since approximately 2020. Members of the Money Laundering Network typically deposit checks from healthcare companies that represent healthcare fraud proceeds into New York-based bank accounts held by shell companies. The shell companies often purport to be wholesale companies and use terms like “wholesale” in the company name to make the check deposits from the healthcare companies appear less suspicious to banks and law enforcement. The conspirators controlling the shell companies collect cash typically from U.S.-based individuals who want to remit funds, often to Uzbekistan, through unlicensed channels.

MTA Avoided a Fiscal Crisis, now it has to Convince Riders to Come Back: DiNapoli

By Forum Staff

Dedicated state taxes provide more than 44% of MTA’s revenue in 2024, up from 37% in 2019, making up for the drop in ridership revenue brought on by the pandemic. Fares (26%) and tolls (13%) will combine to make up 39% of the MTA’s revenue in 2024, well below 2019 when they brought in more than half of the total.

Farebox revenue exceeded the MTA’s

expectations by $36 million through August, fueled by ridership gains which could provide budget relief if the trend continues.

MTA’s increased spending, rising an average of 4% annually from 2023 through 2027 is partially driven by an 8% increase in health and welfare costs for active employees and retirees. As in past years, personnel costs, including payroll, health, and other

In a turnaround from the fiscal crisis it faced a year ago, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority today stands on firmer financial ground, largely because the state budget provided dedicated sources of revenue to close projected budget gaps, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s annual report on the MTA’s fiscal outlook.

With this improved financial picture, the burden is now on the MTA to improve the region’s transit system and win riders back, while keeping its budget balanced, DiNapoli’s analysis concludes.

At the start of 2023, the MTA faced a $600 million budget shortfall for the year with gaps of more than $1 billion in 2024 that could have ballooned to $1.6 billion in 2026. With new funds made available by the state and city, particularly the addition of over $1 billion annually from an increase in the Payroll Mobility Tax on large New York City employers, the MTA has balanced budgets throughout its five-year financial plan through 2027.

MTA projects its overall revenue will increase by 4.4% annually over the five-year plan, largely fueled by rising tax revenue, File Photo which the MTA expects will increase an av- With an improved financial picture, the burden is now on the MTA to improve the region’s transit system and win riders back, while keeping its budget balanced, Comptroller DiNapoli’s analysis concludes. erage of 6.6% annually.

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benefit costs, are the greatest expense, comprising 60% of the MTA’s 2024 spending.

The greatest potential fiscal risk to the MTA would be a recession that the MTA estimates could reduce its dedicated tax revenue by anywhere from $250 million to $750 million a year and reduce ridership. MTA is also relying on revenue from planned downstate casinos to provide $500 million in each of 2026 and 2027. Any delay in the casinos’ approval could throw the Authority’s budget off-track.

In addition to the risks that the MTA has identified, OSC projects that other risks could increase the MTA’s budget gaps by as much as $594 million in 2027.

For example, the MTA has yet to identify how it will achieve all of the $500 million in annual savings by 2025 that is built into its budget. DiNapoli’s report urges MTA to finalize those savings plans before the end of 2023 and explain to riders what impact the savings may have on service.

Overtime costs in 2023 will likely be $200 million higher than planned, with the risk declining to $75 million above the MTA’s projections in 2027. Potentially offsetting this cost over the plan period is the hiring of operational and maintenance positions, which has exceeded separations in 20 of the last 25 months.

Cybercrime in New York Rises 53 Percent: Report

By Forum Staff Cyberattacks in New York State increased 53 percent between 2016 and 2022, jumping from 16,426 incidents in 2016 to 25,112 in 2022. The number of attacks targeting critical infrastructure in New York State nearly doubled to 83 in the first half of 2023 compared to 48 during the entirety of last year, according to a report recently released by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

Estimated losses in New York from cyberattacks in 2022 totaled over $775 million, while losses nationwide totaled $10.3 billion.

Relative to other states, New York had the third highest number of ransomware attacks (135) and corporate data breaches (238) in 2022, trailing only California and Texas for ransomware attacks and California and Florida for corporate data breaches. New York also had the fourth-highest number of cybercrime victims in the nation in 2022 with losses skyrocketing 632 percent since 2016.

The two most attacked critical infrastructure sectors through ransomware and data breaches in New York were Healthcare and Public Health (9) and Financial Services (8). Commercial Facilities and Government Facilities (7) tied for third.

Securing critical infrastructure from cyberattacks will require sustained investment, coordination and vigilance. In

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Colin

New York had the fourth-highest number of cybercrime victims in the nation in 2022 with losses skyrocketing 632 percent since 2016.

2022, the governor appointed a state chief cyber officer to lead cross-agency efforts to combat cyber threats and improve the state's critical infrastructure assets’ cybersecurity. The cyber chief leads a newly created Joint Security Operations Center, a multi-agency cybersecurity coordination hub linking New York State, New York City, local and regional governments and critical infrastructure stakeholders and federal partners for information sharing, cyber threat detection and incident response. In August, the Governor released the first statewide cybersecurity strategy, which will allow the state to access new federal funding.

The federal Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022, for which rules and regulations are being developed, will require cybersecurity reporting for critical infrastructure sectors.

The creation of a centralized repository of data breach reports from across the critical infrastructure sectors would also aid in identifying new attack-vectors or exploits before they become widespread, and for coordinated responses to emerging cyberthreats. Encompassing local governments in this database would be important.

DiNapoli’s cybersecurity audits of state agencies and public authorities have found several common technical weak-

nesses and risks across its audits, such as entities’ misunderstanding of security risks, unsupported applications, unknown data on systems, poor access controls and a lack of monitoring of changes to systems, among others. Recommendations are provided to each agency to enable them to begin corrective actions immediately to strengthen their networks.

DiNapoli also released a report on the cybersecurity challenges facing New York’s local governments and school districts. In New York, cyberattacks have impacted local governments and schools both large and small, including reported attacks at counties including Albany, Chenango, Erie, Nassau, Schenectady, Suffolk, and Schuyler; cities including New York, Albany, Buffalo, Yonkers, Long Beach, and Olean; and towns including Brookhaven, Ulster, Canandaigua, and Moreau.

In 2019, a ransomware attack on the Syracuse City School District froze the district out of its own systems, crippling the website, email system, phones, and back-end functions like payroll and student management. Other attacks on local governments have had far reaching impacts. The September 2022 ransomware attack on Suffolk County, the ramifications of which the county is still dealing with, required the county to disable important computer systems and move many of the county’s functions back to pen and paper for months.

Santos Facing New 23-Count Superseding Indictment

By Forum Staff A 23-count superseding indictment was filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging U.S. Rep. George Santos with one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of making materially false statements to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), two counts of falsifying records submitted to obstruct the FEC, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of access device fraud, in addition to the seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the United States House of Representatives that were charged in the original indictment.

As alleged in the superseding indictment, Santos, who was elected to Congress last November and sworn in as the U.S. Representative for New York’s Third Congressional District on Jan. 7, 2023, engaged in two fraudulent schemes, in addition to the multiple fraudulent schemes alleged in the original indictment.

During the 2022 election cycle, Santos was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in New York’s Third Congressional District. Nancy Marks, who pleaded guilty on October 5, 2023 to related conduct, was the treasurer for his principal congressional campaign committee, Devolder-Santos for Congress. During this election cycle, Santos and Marks conspired with one another to devise and execute a fraudulent scheme to obtain money for the campaign by submitting materially false reports to the

Rep. George Santos

File Photo

FEC on behalf of the campaign, in which they inflated the campaign’s fundraising numbers for the purpose of misleading the FEC, a national party committee, and the public.

Specifically, the purpose of the scheme was to ensure that Santos and his campaign qualified for a pro-

gram administered by the national party committee, pursuant to which the national party committee would provide financial and logistical support to Santos’s campaign. To qualify for the program, Santos had to demonstrate, among other things, that his congressional campaign had raised at least $250,000 from thirdparty contributors in a single quarter.

To create the public appearance that his campaign had met that financial benchmark and was otherwise financially viable, Santos and Marks agreed to falsely report to the FEC that at least 10 family members of Santos and Marks had made significant financial contributions to the campaign, when Santos and Marks both knew that these individuals had neither made the reported contributions nor given authorization for their personal information to be included in such false public reports. In addition, understanding that the national party committee relied on FEC fundraising data to evaluate candidates’ qualification for the program, Santos and Marks agreed to falsely report to the FEC that Santos had loaned the campaign significant sums of money, when, in fact, Santos had not made the reported loans and, at the time the loans were reported, did not have the funds necessary to make such loans.

These false reported loans included a $500,000 loan, when Santos had less than $8,000 in his personal and business bank accounts.

Through the execution of this scheme, Santos and Marks ensured that Santos met the necessary financial benchmarks to qualify for the program administered by the national party committee. As a result of qualifying for the program, the congressional campaign received financial support.

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Legal Notices 229 UPTOWN HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/21/23. 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, 73-18 30th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11370. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

CLEAR BRIDGE SOLUTIONS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/27/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 14219 Barclay Ave, Apt 2A, Flushing, NY 11355. Reg Agent: Jonathan Pazmino, 14219 Barclay Ave, Apt 2A, Flushing, NY 11355.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Anna Sobel, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 7/18/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 24-45 27th St., Apt. 2B, Astoria, NY 11102. General Purpose SHEEP TECH LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/19/2023.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ELIJAH FARRELL, 162-16 144TH AVE, JAMAICA, NY,11434. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

LOUD MOUTH PRODUCTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/25/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: LOUD MOUTH PRODUCTIONS, LLC 10620 70TH AVE, UNIT 5C, FOREST HILLS, NY, 11375, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Maxim Equity LLC filed w/ SSNY on 9/15/23. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 35-35 149th St., #204, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful.

V.M.A ENTERPRISE LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/19/2023. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 5425 Flushing Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378. Reg Agent: Camelia Popa, 5425 Flushing Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of 10827 QB LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/23/23. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Cord Meyer Development LLC, 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. office.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice is hereby given that a License, number 1356473 for liquor, wine, beer, and cider, has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, wine, beer, and cider, at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at PUEBLA PUEBLA BAR RESTAURANT, 42-18A Junction Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373 for on premises consumption.

Notice of Formation, 53 Ave Condo Holding LLC Art. of Org. were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/11/2023. Office Location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 141-07 20th Avenue Suite 303, Flushing, NY 11357v Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

LLC EIGHT PILAR CANDLES Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/11/23. 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 THAMAR ESTHER LOUISSAINT, 4240 212TH STREET, APT. 1 B, BAYSIDE, NY, 11361, USA. PURPOSE: Any lawful purpose.

LLC EIGHT PILAR CANDLES Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/11/23. 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 THAMAR ESTHER LOUISSAINT, 4240 212TH STREET, APT. 1 B, BAYSIDE, NY, 11361, USA. PURPOSE: Any lawful purpose.

EXFIFA, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/11/23. 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, 2814 215th Street, Bayside, NY 11360.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

QUICK WHEELS COURIERS LLCArts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/11/19. 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 QUICK WHEELS COURIERS LLC, 1306 LORING AVE. #4C, BROOKLYN, NY 11208. PURPOSE: Any lawful purpose.

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BEST & FAST HEATING, PLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/11/19. 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 BEST & FAST HEATING, PLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING LLC 106-21 97TH STR., OZONE PARK, NY, 11417, USA. PURPOSE: Any lawful purpose.

GMP CONSULTING SERVICES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/11/19. 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 GLORIANNA MAE PLANAS, 8237 212TH STREET, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY, 11427, USA.. PURPOSE: Any lawful purpose.

FLUSHING

INTRODUCING A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY IN A PRIME LOCATION! THIS 2-BEDROOM, 1-BATH CO-OP OFFERS THE PERFECT CANVAS TO CREATE YOUR DREAM HOME. WITH A BIT OF TLC, YOU CAN TRANSFORM THIS COZY SPACE INTO YOUR PERSONAL HAVEN. LOCATED IN A HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER AREA, YOU'LL ENJOY ALL OF THE CONVENIENCES THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS TO OFFER. DON'T MISS OUT ON THE CHANCE TO MAKE THIS PROPERTY YOUR OWN AND U N L O C K I T S F U L L POTENTIAL. EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITY!

BROOKLYN

THIS PROPERTY BOASTS THREE DISTINCT LIVING SPACES, MAKING IT IDEAL FOR BOTH HOMEOWNERS AND INVESTORS. TWO OF THESE UNITS ARE COZY ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS, PERFECT FOR INDIVIDUALS OR COUPLES SEEKING A COMFORTABLE, PRIVATE SPACE. THE THIRD UNIT IS A SPACIOUS TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENT. ONE OF THE STANDOUT FEATURES OF THIS PROPERTY IS THE ACCESS TO A FULL AND FINISHED BASEMENT. THIS ADDITIONAL SPACE CAN BE USED FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES. THIS PROPERTY INCLUDES A TWO-CAR GARAGE. WITH ITS MULTIPLE LIVING OPTIONS, FINISHED BASEMENT, AND TWO-CAR GARAGE, THIS PROPERTY OFFERS VERSATILITY, COMFORT, AND PRACTICALITY FOR ITS RESIDENTS. DON'T MISS OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT YOUR OWN.

OLD HOWARD

INTRODUCING A BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT PROPERTY ON 95TH STREET FOR SALE IN THE HEART OF HOWARD BEACH. THIS STUNNING 2 FAMILY HOME HAS 3 FLOORS. THE FIRST FLOOR HAS ONE BEDROOM A BATH WITH VERCECE TILE. A EAT IN KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM ENTRY TO THE MOST MAGNIFICENT VIEW. 2ND FLOOR HAS A ONE BED ONE FULL BATH OVERSIZED FAMILY ROOM A LARGE EAT IN KITCHEN WITH A BAR AREA LEADING TO A BEAUTIFUL SUNROOM ALSO LEADING TO BACKYARD SPACE. FINALLY THE 3 FLOOR HAS A LARGE PRIMARY BEDROOM WITH A HALF OF BATH WITH PLENTY OF CLOSETS. THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL BACKYARD AREA OVERLOOKING THE WATER WITH AN OUTDOOR DECK FOR LOUNGING AND BOAT DOCK. THERE IS PLENTY OF SPACE FOR ENTERTAINING ALSO FULL GARAGE AND OUTDOOR SHED FOR STORAGE.

HOWARD BEACH

SHOW STOPPING CENTER HALL COLONIAL HOME LOCATED ON A BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED 100X100 PROPERTY. THIS 6 BDRM, 6.5 BATH STUNNER HOME OFFERS ALL THE TECHNOLOGY FOR TODAY'S MODERN LIVING. THIS MAGNIFICENT COLONIAL IS AN ENTERTAINER'S DELIGHT, FEATURING OVER 5,000 SQ FT OF LIVING SPACE. THE MAIN LEVEL HAS A GREAT FLOW OFFERING A SPACIOUS LR WITH A FULL BAR AND A GAS FIREPLACE. A DEN DOUBLES AS A HOME OFFICE WITH BUILT IN SHELVES THRU OUT. MOST IMPRESSIVE IS THE FABULOUS KIT. THAT DELIVERS THE 'WOW' FACTOR. THE DESIGNER KIT. HAS A HUGE CENTER ISLAND, VIKING STOVE, MULTIPLE SUBZERO FRIDGE UNITS, 2 BOSCH DISHWASHERS AND RADIANT HEAT THROUGHOUT. THE KIT. FLOWS DIRECTLY INTO A FDR WITH A WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE, WITH LARGE WINDOW AND GLASS SLIDERS OVERLOOKING AN OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE WHICH FEATURES AN INGROUND POOL, HOT TUB, POND, FULL KIT. AND SOUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEM. UPSTAIRS HAS A LARGE PRIMARY BDRM AND 5 OTHER BDRMS AND 5 BATHS. RADIANT HEAT, 9 FOOT CEILING IN BASEMENT AND MUCH MORE

HOWARD BEACH

WELCOME TO YOUR DREAM HI-RANCH HOME! DISCOVER THE PERFECT BLEND OF STYLE, SPACE, AND COMFORT IN THIS STUNNING HI-RANCH GEM! LOCATED IN A DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD, THIS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED HOME IS YOUR TICKET TO ELEVATED LIVING. IT FEATURES 4 BEDROOMS 2 BATHS AND 1 OVERSIZED CAR GARAGE. AS YOU STEP INSIDE, YOU'LL IMMEDIATELY FEEL THE WARMTH AND CHARM OF THIS RESIDENCE. THE FIRST FLOOR OFFERS A SPACIOUS BEDROOM, A MODERN KITCHEN, A COZY LIVING ROOM, A FORMAL DINING ROOM, AND A CONVENIENT FULL BATHROOM. WHETHER YOU'RE HOSTING A FAMILY DINNER OR ENJOYING A QUIET EVENING IN, THIS FLOOR HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR COMFORTABLE LIVING. THE SECOND FLOOR BOASTS AN EXPANSIVE LIVING AREA, PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING GUESTS OR SIMPLY RELAXING IN STYLE. THE FORMAL DINING ROOM SEAMLESSLY CONNECTS TO THE EAT-IN KITCHEN, MAKING MEAL PREP AND GATHERINGS A BREEZE. SLIDING GLASS DOORS PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO THE BACKYARD, WHERE YOU'LL FIND AN OVERSIZED SHED FOR STORAGE AND A FENCED-IN YARD FOR PRIVACY. WITH A TOTAL OF THREE MORE BEDROOMS ON THIS FLOOR, THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR A GROWING FAMILY OR GUESTS. A SECOND FULL BATHROOM ADDS TO THE CONVENIENCE, ENSURING EVERYONE'S NEEDS ARE MET.NOTABLE FEATURES: CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING (CAC), ROOF UNDER 5 YEARS OLD, SPACIOUS 35X109 PROPERTY SIZE, ONECAR GARAGE, PERFECT FOR PARKING AND STORAGE. THIS HOME IS A TRUE STANDOUT, COMBINING MODERN CONVENIENCE WITH TIMELESS APPEAL. DON'T MISS THE CHANCE TO MAKE IT YOURS! SCHEDULE YOUR SHOWING TODAY AND EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLE UPGRADE YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR.

WOODSIDE L-SHAPED STUDIO APARTMENT. OPEN FLOOR PLAN. 263 SHARES. BASE MAINT: $553.07, ENERGY SURCHARGE: $21.91, 1 AC: $25.00= $599.98.

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