(South Farmingdale, NY) Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) outgoing President Gary Brosnan of South Farmingdale Water District was honored by newly elected NSWCA President Howard Abbondondelo of Albertson Water District during a recent NSWCA meeting sponsored by Roslyn Water District Commissioners William Costigan, Michael J. Kosinski and Dr. Sanford E. Klein held at Mim’s Restaurant Lounge of Roslyn.

Mr. Brosnan received an honorary plaque in recognition of his 2013 term as President of the NSWCA. During his tenure, Mr. Brosnan was responsible for directing NSWCA’s co-sponsorship of Long Island’s first-ever Groundwater Symposium and supervising the organization’s participation in the New York Water Event and Expo, New York State’s largest conference devoted to drinking water. He also headed NSWCA’s Educational Seminars Program and helped create a special forum regarding the proposed Long Island Aquifer Commission.

Currently serving as a South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner and Secretary as well as a North Massapequa Fire Department member, Mr. Brosnan will continue to be active in NSWCA.

NSWCA is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. The association is dedicated to communication, efficiency and best practices among Long Island’s water districts. As part of its mission, NSWCA holds monthly educational meetings sponsoring experts on various topics that include law, cost efficiencies, rules and regulations, as well as other issues germane to water utilities.

For further information, please contact Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association President Mr. Howard Abbondondelo phone at (516) 621-3610 or via email at awd11577@optonline.net.

Agency Contact Information:  Mr. Jamie Stanco, Progressive Marketing Group, Inc., phone: 631-756-7160, email: jpstanco@pmgstrategic.com.

Says Land Could Have Been Donated to the Village to Construct New Homes for Returning Troops Overseas

(Islip, NY) Mayor Allan M. Dorman, Village of Islandia, says he is disappointed in the Suffolk County Water Authority’s decision to sell a tract of land to a developer rather than donate the land to the village, which would have used the property to build new houses for combat veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

On February 24, the SWCA announced it has sold 7.8 acres of land along the Long Island Expressway corridor in Islandia for $1.56 million to Exit 58 Islandia LLC, which is owned by Crane Neck Co. LLC. In addition, the authority granted the developer full-access easements for another 0.786 acre, totaling 8.6 acres.

“The Suffolk County Water Authority had the chance to take home the gold; instead they took the money,” Mayor Dorman said. “This land would have provided affordable single-family homes for our returning Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans, most of them with disabilities. How sad is that? The one-party-controlled Executive Staff and Board Members of the SCWA showed their true colors, which are not red white and blue.”

On December 16, 2013, Mayor Dorman attended a SWCA meeting with approximately 50 Veterans and pleaded with the authority to transfer this property over to Long Island Home Builders Care (LIHBC), a nonprofit home-building organization, which would build 16 to 20 homes at cost. The veterans would then pay for the homes at a low rate.

“We were received with cold faces and no response from the board members and the executive staff,” said Mayor Dorman, a former Marine and a Vietnam War veteran. “We told every one of these appointees that they would never get a chance like this again to make such a difference in so many lives. With that said, still no response.”

Mayor Dorman asked that the SCWA donate the land but the authority said that it is not allowed by law to transfer the property. New York State Senator Lee Zeldin offered to present an amendment to the law that would have allowed the SCWA to transfer the property to the village, but the Suffolk County Water Authority refused.

The SCWA said the proceeds from the sale would prevent future rate hikes, although the authority held a public hearing on a proposed 4.2% rate hike effective April 1 on the same day the sale was announced.

“The Suffolk County Water Authority proudly praised itself for saving Suffolk County taxpayers $3.00 on their water bill,” Mayor Dorman said. “This appeared to be a major success story for them. I guess that certainly justifies paying the executive staff over $1.2 million a year in salaries. The CEO, Jeffrey Szabo, and its Chairman of the Board, James Gaughran, should be ashamed of themselves.”

For more information, call 631-348-1133, or visit www.newvillageofislandia.com.

Incorporated in 1985, the Village of Islandia is home to over 3,000 residents and over 1,300 businesses. The village’s proximity to New York City and the North and South shores of Long Island make Islandia an attractive destination for residents and businesses who may be thinking of relocating to Long Island.  For more information, please visit www.newvillageofislandia.com.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a man in Deer Park Monday evening.

Daniel Garcia and Jani Martinez were passengers in a 2002 Hyundai Sonata that was traveling eastbound on Grand Boulevard when the vehicle struck a Volvo 18-wheel tractor trailer, driven by Christopher Bertovich at 11:43 p.m.

Garcia, 20, and Martinez, 33, were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip. Garcia, of North Babylon, was listed in serious condition and Martinez, of Bay Shore, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Bertovich, 49, of Pennsylvania, was not injured in the crash.

The driver of the 2002 Hyundai fled the scene on foot prior to the arrival of police.

The tractor trailer was inspected by Suffolk County Motor Carrier Safety Unit. The Hyundai was impounded for a safety check.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the First Squad at 631-854-8152 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

(Long Island, NY) The Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County Crime Stoppers have released additional surveillance photos of a man wanted with the Robbery of the Bank of America, located on 378 Jericho Tpke., Syosset, NY. The incident took place on Monday, February 24, 2014, at 2:15pm.

The Nassau County Police Department Robbery Squad is looking for any information which could lead to an arrest and ask that anyone with any information at all or who recognizes the subject shown in surveillance images to call 1-800-244-TIPS (8477).

The suspect is described as a white male, in his 40’s, 5’10”-6’ tall with a medium to stocky build wearing denim jacket, dark wool cap, jeans, brown hooded sweatshirt. Nassau County Police ask that anyone with any information or who recognize the subject shown to call 1-800-244-TIPS (8477).

According to the report, the suspect, described as a white male, in his 40’s, 5’10”-6’ tall with a medium to stocky build entered the bank and approached a female teller, demanded money, and threatened her with a gun. The subject who was further described as wearing denim jacket, dark wool cap, jeans, brown hooded sweatshirt as shown retrieved money and fled the scene.

The Nassau County Police Department Robbery Squad is looking for any information which could lead to an arrest and ask that anyone with any information at all or who recognizes the subject shown in surveillance images to call 1-800-244-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers up to a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest. You do not have to reveal your identity to help solve this crime. All calls will remain anonymous.

(Hauppauge, NY ) The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC) announces a $2,000 scholarship with optional internship for college juniors/seniors or post graduate students who are studying Journalism, Marketing/Communication, or Healthcare Administration.  (The scholarship is not for clinical-based study.)  The Ann Marie Brown Memorial Scholarship honors the late Ann Marie Brown, who served as vice president for government and public relations for the Hospital Council from 1983 to 1993.  The scholarship is administered by the Hospital Council’s Communications Committee.  Filing deadline is May 16, 2014.  Recipient is expected to attend the award luncheon on June 6, 2014.

For more information and an application go to www.nshc.org and click on programs or call 631-963-4156.

The NSHC represents the not-for-profit and public hospitals on Long Island.  Its goal is to enhance health care for all Long Islanders through its advocacy with lawmakers, regulatory agencies, the media, and the public.

(Long Island, NY) A former teacher and coach at Bellport High School was acquitted of rape and criminal sexual act charges yesterday, February 25th, 2014 and convicted of one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child. Jury deliberations began in Suffolk criminal court one day prior.

Jonathon Elsalam, 28, faces one year in jail when he is sentenced May 9.

The indictment alleged Elsalam had sexual relations with a teenage female between December 2011 and May 8, 2012.

The trial began February 10.

The South Country Central School District removed Elsalam from his classroom and coaching duties in October of 2012.

The jury acquitted Elsalam of six charges: two counts of rape in the third degree and four counts of criminal sexual act in the third degree, all class “E” felonies punishable by one and one-third to four years in prison.

According to CBS News, the student involved filed a $10 million federal lawsuit against the Bellport teacher and the South Country Central School District.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Doshi Diagnostic Imaging Services, P.C., And Diagnostic Imaging Group, LLC, To Repay $2.9M For False New York Medicaid Billings; Settlement Involves Allegations Of Kickbacks; Schneiderman: My Office Will Remain Vigilant To Ensure Precious Taxpayer Dollars Meant For Our Most Vulnerable Citizens Are Safeguarded 

(NEW YORK) On Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that New York, New Jersey and the United States had entered into a $15.5 million settlement agreement with Doshi Diagnostic Imaging Services, P.C., and Diagnostic Imaging Group, LLC, to resolve allegations that the radiology practice, which is headquartered on Long Island, submitted false claims to the Medicaid and Medicare programs for diagnostic outpatient imaging services that were not specifically ordered by a treating physician and not medically necessary. The agreement also resolves allegations that the companies engaged in a kickback scheme which violated federal and state laws.

New York’s Medicaid recovery will be $2,915,217. That money will be returned to the state Medicaid program. Of the total funds, $12,394,399 million will be returned to the federal Medicare program, and New Jersey’s program will recover $190,384.

“Fraud committed by medical practices costs New York taxpayers millions of dollars every year. My office will find those who cheat the system, cheat New York taxpayers and cheat our most vulnerable patients,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “In addition to other fraud, these companies were suspected of paying kickbacks. This illegal behavior must – and will – stop.”

Doshi Diagnostic Imaging Services, P.C., is a radiology medical practice headquartered in Hicksville, NY, with 21 locations in New York City and Nassau County. Diagnostic Imaging Group, LLC, also headquartered in Hicksville, provides management and support services for the practice locations.

As outlined in the settlement papers, in New York, between 1999 to 2010, the companies submitted false billings for expensive imaging services, included retroperitoneal ultrasounds, Doppler scans, transrectal ultrasounds and pelvic x-rays. In the case of 3D multiplanar reconstructions, claims were submitted to New York Medicaid for tests that were not medically necessary and that were not ordered and not even performed. The 3D imaging is often used in orthopedic, cardiovascular and neurologic imaging, including to visualize complex fractures, tumors in the lungs or soft tissues, and cardiac issues. More than 4o,000 false claims were submitted to the New York Medicaid program for the various imaging services.

The agreement resolves allegations that the radiology practice, in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Physician Self-Referral Law and analogous New York state laws, submitted false claims for nuclear stress tests to New York Medicaid from October 5, 2001, to July 22, 2012, that were fraudulent because the radiology practice had service agreements with the referring physicians under which the physicians were paid more than fair market value for supervision of the nuclear stress tests.

Doshi Diagnostic Imaging Services, P.C., and Diagnostic Imaging Group, LLC, have entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

The settlement is based on three whistleblower lawsuits brought by private individuals in 2009 and 2010 pursuant to state and federal false claims acts filed in the U.S. District for New Jersey and the Eastern District of New York.

Attorney General Schneiderman thanks the whistleblowers, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of New York and the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General for their assistance and cooperation throughout this investigation.

The investigation was conducted by Special Auditor Investigator Tatum Serfilippi and Supervising Special Auditor Investigator Stacey Millis.

This matter was handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Gerri Gold of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The unit is overseen by Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney, MFCU Acting Director Amy Held and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police today arrested two people for possessing a significant quantity of heroin with their infant in the car.

Fourth Precinct detectives, responding to specific community complaints of drug activity in Ronkonkoma, observed a vehicle committing numerous traffic infractions.

Upon approaching the vehicle on Expressway Drive North, the detectives noted a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The passenger in the vehicle indicated that he had just smoked marijuana. Further investigation revealed that the parents were in possession of a large quantity of heroin and their 5-month-old son was in the car.

Nicholas Hernandez, 21, of Juniper Street, Islip, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th Degree, two counts of Criminal Contempt and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

The woman was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Criminal Impersonation 2nd Degree and numerous traffic violations. The woman’s name is being withheld as she is the victim of domestic violence.

The infant was released to family members. Suffolk County Child Protective Services was notified.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Photos Showcase Work of Team Rubicon’s Military Veterans in Disaster’s First Days

(NEW YORK) The Philippine Consulate General in New York will host a photography exhibit, Operation Seabird, Team Rubicon in the Philippines, showcasing the veteran-led disaster relief organization’s response to the Philippines, following Super Typhoon Haiyan last November.

Elana Duffy, a decorated Army veteran from New York, was one of the first Team Rubicon volunteers to arrive in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. Images like this are being featured in a photo exhibit now on display to the public at the Philippines Consulate in New York, through March 4. Team Rubicon photo by Kirk Jackson.

The public is invited to its launch at the Philippines Center, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. A free forum will be held to discuss the response, featuring remarks from Philippines Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Col. Christopher Starling, U.S. Marine Corps, and Lourdes Tiglao, Team Rubicon.

Also in attendance will be Team Rubicon volunteers from New York who responded in the immediate aftermath of the deadly storm. Team Rubicon, which unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, was one of the first nonprofit organizations to arrive in the Philippines.

Team Rubicon deployed 18 members, from multiple states, to the Philippines within 48 hours of Haiyan’s landfall. More followed over the next few weeks, 86 in all. Volunteers performed search and rescue, medical triage, surgical support, and other relief. More than 2,000 patients were treated or vaccinated during the response, before long-term medical care was transitioned to a larger organization.

The images captured by Team Rubicon members offer not only a glimpse of the devastation caused by the typhoon, but the tireless work of American volunteers, and the resiliency of the Philippine people.

The free exhibit will be open to the public on weekdays through March 4, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The exhibit was originally unveiled at the Philippines Embassy in Washington, and will travel to consulates across the country. The Philippines Center is located at 556 Fifth Ave, Manhattan (between 45th and 46th Avenues). To RSVP for the opening, please email events@newyorkpcg.org.

Team Rubicon was founded in the wake of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake with a dual mission: to apply the skills of military veterans to disaster response; and to help ease the reintegration of veterans through continued service at home. Since then, it has conducted 53 operations, including Superstorm Sandy, tornadoes in Moore, Ok., and most recently, ice storms in Pennsylvania and Georgia.

To learn more about Team Rubicon’s mission, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.

About Team Rubicon Team Rubicon (TR) unites the skills and experience of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. TR offers veterans a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.

(Hempstead, NY) T he Long Island Volunteer Center is recruiting “highly skill-based” volunteers as part of Governor Cuomo’s statewide collaborative disaster response and preparedness initiative which aims to recruit “highly-skilled” volunteers to assist in ongoing Sandy recovery efforts and to develop a network of volunteers who will be able to respond in future disasters.

As part of this initiative, the Long Island Volunteer Center is joining two other Regional Volunteer Centers and two Office for New Americans Opportunity Centers working in New York City, Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson Region to recruit and engage professionals, students and apprentices that include tradespeople, plumbers, electricians, contractors, engineers, attorneys, social workers, accountants, insurance experts, translators and other individuals who have specialized skills that could help a community recover from a disaster to volunteer  for projects in the communities affected by Sandy.

According to Diana O’Neill, Executive Director of the Long Island Volunteer Center, “The need for volunteers, especially skill-based for many disciplines, is urgent.  Essential resources to support storm victims, many of whom have yet to seek help with their recovery, is still upon us even 16 months later.  The storm’s impact is still being felt by the most vulnerable, at risk people struggling to make their way back.  Volunteers have led the way and continue to lift up the process.”  To register or for more information, please go to www.longislandvolunteercenter.org< or e-mail: disastervolunteer@longislandvolunteercenter.orgor call: (516) 564-5482.

About Long Island Volunteer Center (LIVC)
The Long Island Volunteer Center is the resource center for volunteerism and community service initiatives throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.  Established in 1992, LIVC operates year round and its services are provided free of charge.  The LIVC collaborates with corporations and community organizations to address the needs of Long Islanders.  LIVC is an affiliate of the HandsOn Network since 2008, connecting agencies seeking volunteers with individuals and groups looking for ways to serve their communities.  In 2011, the LIVC was designated by New York State as the Regional Volunteer Center for Long Island.  A member agency of the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, LIVC has taken the lead on volunteer engagement and coordination in support of Superstorm Sandy relief and recovery efforts.