From The Richard & Mary Morrison Foundation

(Long Island, NY) The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (LICADD) was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Richard & Mary Morrison Foundation for theBuilding Unique Dynamic and Diverse Youth (BUDDY) program.

The highly successful BUDDY (Building Unique, Dynamic, and Diverse Youth) Mentoring Program was established in 2009 with $150,000 in competitive federal grant funding from the Administration for Children and Families, BUDDY addresses the critical needs of the most vulnerable members of our community, children whose parents have been incarcerated due to substance abuse. Despite the elimination of federal funds, LICADD has not only maintained, but grown BUDDY into a robust program that has to date, successfully matched 75 at-risk children with screened/trained adult mentors. Enrollment in the program has quadrupled over the last three year with 61% of matches recommitting to a second year in the program.

LICADD’s BUDDY Mentoring Programprovides children with a positive adult-child relationship on a stable and predictable basis. The BUDDY Program’s goals are to enhance the protective factors in children of parents incarcerated by helping them to create predictable and attached relationships with one or more adults; promote and facilitate participation by underserved youth in educational and cultural activities that enhance their academic, cultural and social competency skills, build self-esteem and develop self-confidence.  These activities provide opportunities for our children to learn respect for diverse cultures, avoid unsafe and destructive behaviors including gang participation, bullying and experimentation with drugs and alcohol and to ensure that young people’s risk factors are identified and addressed promptly through direct service provision and/or referrals to ancillary services.

This programfurther facilitates the delivery ofa wide range of support services to at-risk children of incarcerated parents helping to break the multi-generational cycle incarceration frequently fueled by addiction.

“We are so grateful to the Richard & Mary Morrison Foundation for supporting this important program. LICADD will continue to work with partner agencies to bring about increased support for these most vulnerable children.”says Executive Director Steve Chassman.

For over 60 years, LICADD has successfully delivered evidence-based programs designed

to prevent and treat substance abuse and addiction.  LICADD offers crisis intervention, screenings,brief interventions, referrals to treatment and several family education workshops to help Long Islanders struggling with the effects of addiction. Through our Open Arms, EAP Program, LICADD has provided targeted solution-focused support to companies all along the East Coast, serving over 60,000 employees and their families.

For more information please call (516) 747-2606 or visit us on the web at www.licadd.org and Facebook.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), the Long Island Association  (LIA) and Suffolk County Legislator William Lindsay III met with more than 30 executives, business leaders and stakeholders from the pharmaceutical industry last week to discuss the current state of the local economy as well as the County’s economic development plan and its impact on the biotechnology sector.  Thirteen pharmaceutical companies who are located in the region and employ thousands of Long Islanders were in attendance.

“Sharing our economic development plan and vision for an innovation economy and soliciting feedback from the biotech industry is essential to continue to move our region forward,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “Long Island has a life science cluster that is already ranked in the top 10 in the country, but the sector still has a lot more potential to grow.  Our goal is to continue to implement programs and initiatives which will support the growth pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals within Suffolk County and our region.”

“The Suffolk IDA has seen tremendous growth in the pharmaceutical/nutraceutical sector over the last several years,” said Anthony Catapano, Executive Director of the Suffolk County IDA.  “We have worked with a number of the companies that were in attendance and were pleased to help convene the meeting.  These companies are creating the kind of high-skill, high-paying jobs that will fuel Long Island’s economy into the future, so it is important to know what they need in order to continue their growth.  We look forward to continuing the conversation and supporting this important sector in any way we can.”

“The biggest obstacle to growing a company is having access to young professionals and a mass transit system,” Legislator William Lindsay III. “This has been my main area of focus since I got into the Legislature and I am confident that combining innovation from the biotech industry and the pool of young educated talent we have here in Suffolk County that the economy will expand rapidly.”

Kevin S. Law, President & CEO of the Long Island Association stated, “Long Island’s economic future is tied to the success of our growing industry in biotechnology and life sciences, and thus we commend County Executive Bellone for his efforts to support these companies and the newly established LI Bio Committee of the LIA.”

County Executive Bellone discussed the concept of the Long Island Innovation Zone. The “I-Zone” plans to connect existing and planned transit-oriented downtowns – such as New Village in Patchogue, the Meadows at Yaphank and the Ronkonkoma Hub – to the region’s world-class research institutions in order to create an attractive destination for employers and millennials who have been leaving Long Island in record numbers.

The executives and business leaders then provided feedback on a variety of issues currently affecting the region, including the challenges of attracting qualified employees, affordable housing for employees, lack of mass transportation along the north-to-south corridor, and the need to further utilize the region’s institutions of higher learning.

The forum also provided the opportunity for county officials from the Department of Labor, Department of Economic Development and Planning and Department of Health Services to provide information to the attendees on the various services the departments provide and the resources available to assist in attracting more employees and businesses to the region.

Members of the LIA were also in attendance.  The LIA recently announced the creation of “LI Bio,” a new committee that will serve as a platform to help expand biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and life science companies and work on projects that benefit the industry’s growth in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

County officials and business executives agreed to hold a follow up discussion on the various initiatives that were addressed with additional input from colleges and universities on Long Island.

For more information on the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry roundtable event or for the County’s Long Island Innovation Zone plan in Suffolk County, log on to www.suffolkcountyny.gov, www.facebook.com/stevebellone and www.suffolkida.org.

(Long Island, NY) Recently, Majority members of the New York State Assembly’s Education Committee voted to block Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci’s (R,C,I-South Huntington) “Learn for Work” program from leaving committee – the latest example of partisan politics preventing the passage of common-sense legislation that would help New York’s young adults and small businesses.

“It is troubling that New York’s young scholars and small business owners will suffer as a result of partisan politics,” said Lupinacci. “This legislation would not only ease the burden of skyrocketing higher education costs, but would have helped to develop relationships between small business owners and individuals entering the work force.”

“Assemblyman Lupinacci has offered legislation that would be extremely useful for preparing our high school seniors post-graduation,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra (R,C,I-Franklin Square), the Ranking Minority member on the Education Committee. “The option of working in their field of choice gives them the opportunity to test the waters before fully pursuing that field. This legislation also gives them the chance to earn credit hours should they change their mind about that career path.”

Under the “Learn for Work” program, which is designed to enhance career readiness, New York high school students would be offered apprenticeships and enhanced professional degrees. The legislation would also create a $1,500 per apprentice tax credit for businesses which accept apprentices.

“This program will benefit thousands of people in our community, and have a direct and positive impact on our economy as well as education in our schools,” said Lupinacci. “I will continue to fight for New York’s youth and offer ways to make their college dreams a reality.”

(Long Island, NY) Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, hosted a press conference today at Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook to announce that he introduced bipartisan legislation in Congress (H.R. 2460) to expand disabled veterans’ access to Adult Day Health Care; a daily program for disabled veterans who need extra assistance and special attention in their day to day lives. Congressman Zeldin also announced that in just two weeks, on April 20, 2016, the House Veterans Affairs Committee will be holding a legislative hearing on his bill.

Service members who are 70% or more disabled from a service connected injury often require significant assistance from others in order to carry out basic everyday tasks. Many times the burden falls on family members of disabled veterans; some veterans may even need to reside in institutionalized facilities to receive the daily assistance of a trained medical professional. Both of these options can create financial and emotional hardships. One program that is currently available to help disabled veterans is Adult Day Health Care, which can be offered at State Veteran Homes across the United States. Adult Day Health Care programs provide disabled veterans and their families with a high quality alternative to nursing home care.

Congressman Lee Zeldin hosted a press conference today at Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. Photo Credit: U.S. Congress.

However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not currently cover the cost of participation in this program at state veteran homes and the expense of the program is put directly on the veteran and their family, which significantly limits the number of veterans who can enroll. The program is also only currently offered at three facilities in the United States; one being the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook.

In an effort to expand veterans’ access to this type of care on Long Island and across the country, Congressman Zeldin introduced H.R. 2460 to ensure that severely disabled veterans, those who are 70% or more service connected disabled, are able to receive Adult Day Health Care at no cost to them. The bill would define the Adult Day Health Care program as a reimbursable treatment option through the VA, which would guarantee that all severely disabled veterans are able to access Adult Day Health Care. The bill would help expand this program, which could be offered at any of the 153 State Veterans Homes (SVH) across the country.

H.R. 2460 has strong bipartisan support in Congress, with already over 45 cosponsors, including the entire Long Island Congressional Delegation.

Zeldin announced that he introduced legislation to expand disabled veterans’ access to Adult Day Health Care. Photo Credit: U.S. Congress.

Congressman Lee Zeldin said, “It must always be a top priority of Congress to ensure that all veterans receive the proper treatment and care they deserve after fighting for our country. My bill, which has strong bipartisan support in Congress, with over 45 cosponsors including the entire Long Island Congressional Delegation, is just one more way that we can expand care for veterans. By providing disabled veterans with access to Adult Day Health Care programs, we can ensure that all veterans receive the best and most efficient outpatient services to provide them with the assistance and special attention that they need in their day to day lives, while still allowing them to maintain their independence. Adult Day Health Care allows the veteran to lead a much more fulfilling life, and also helps keep families together and strong. I will continue the fight in Congress to expand Adult Day Health Care for our disabled veterans.”

“I applaud Congressman Zeldin for leading the way to advocate for severely disabled veterans at the federal level by introducing this legislation that will expand access to the Adult Day Health Care services for disabled military personnel across the country. The Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook is one of only two facilities to offer these services, and the premier services they have offered to disabled veterans should be replicated in an effort to reach as many veterans as possible,” stated New York State Senator Tom Croci, Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Veterans, and Military Affairs.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “Congressman Zeldin has a solid record of support for our veterans and those who are currently in the armed forces. I commend his efforts to make sure that the men and women who bravely served our country get the best possible care in their time of greatest need. This bill certainly eases the economic and emotional burden that many veterans and their families must bear.”

Dr. Kenneth Kushanksy, Dean on the School of Medicine and Senior Vice President of Health Sciences at Stony Brook University said, “Stony Brook Medicine wants to acknowledge Congressman Zeldin for submitting this legislation on behalf of veterans and their families. Providing funding for a long term care alternative, like medical model adult day healthcare, will give our veterans and their families much deserved choice. Stony Brook Medicine serves as a model for the rest of the nation as it relates to long term care for our nations heroes, and we are proud to be a part of this initiative.”

Fred Sganga, Director of the Long Island State Veterans Home said, “Since the original legislation to provide no cost skilled nursing care to our veterans who are 70% or more service connected disabled was passed into law in 2006, those veterans who could possibly be served by an alternative like medical model adult day healthcare have been shortchanged of this wonderful opportunity. Congressman Zeldin had the resolve to recognize this issue and bring an appropriate fix not only for the Long Island State Veterans Home, but for the other 152 State Veterans homes across the country.”

Dr. Frank Cervo, Medical Director for the Long Island State Veterans Home said, “As a board certified Geriatrician, I certainly recognize the value of allowing an individual to age in their own home. Our medical model adult day healthcare program affords veterans  the opportunity to receive comprehensive medical and nursing services during the day while continuing to reside in the community.  This commonsense legislation will benefit our heroes and we are proud to stand with Congressman Zeldin in support of this essential measure.”

Mike Pascal, Former State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars said, “As a combat veteran who proudly served our country during Vietnam, I recognize the plight of veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their military service.  The VA has acknowledged that nearly 40% of Vietnam veterans fall into the category of 70% or more service connected disabilities. Common illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and neuromuscular issues plague many of our veterans on Long Island. As Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Board at the Long Island State Veterans Home, I am so proud that Stony Brook Medicine provides this valuable service that will meet the needs of our ailing veterans, and I thank Congressman Zeldin for his leadership on this issue.”

(Long Island, NY) Friday, April 16, 6:30-8:30pm, LAB at Queens Council on the Arts presents “Works in Progress” with Queens World Film Festival.” Hosted by Katha and Don Cato, co-founders of the Queens World Film Festival, this LAB presentation will provide the opportunity for filmmakers to screen 3-7 minutes of works-in-progress followed by a facilitated feedback session with other filmmakers and film professionals. Join us as we discuss what is next on the horizon for independent filmmakers.

Don and Katha Cato. Photo Credit: QCA.

Don and Katha will also share insights on many of the facets of film production from concept development to script writing and promotion. This will be a great opportunity for professionals in filmmaking to network and learn what film festival producers are looking for in new works. Attendees will be able to participate in a facilitated discussion with other filmmakers and film professionals. QCA is located at 37-11 35^th Avenue, in Astoria. RSVP on QCA’s calendar HERE.

ABOUT DON & KATHA CATO
Don and Katha Cato are the founders of the Queens World Film Festival (QWFF). Katha serves as Executive Director and Don serves as Artistic Director of the Queens World Film Festival.QWFF includes an annual multi-day festival, youth-oriented initiatives, and year round screening opportunities for filmmakers. Each year the festival includes submissions from all over the world including Cuba, Spain, Korea, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Belgium, Finland, and the UK.

Saturday, May 7, 2016 at East Wind, Wading River, NY

(Long Island, NY) East End Arts is thrilled to announce its ARTworks 2016 Spring Gala, to be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, at East Wind in Wading River, NY. The celebratory evening will honor Bank of America for its ongoing support of East End Arts. In addition, East End Arts is delighted to announce that Nile Rodgers – multiple Grammy-winning composer, producer, guitarist, co-founding member of the band Chic, and co-founder/chairman of the We Are Family Foundation – will serve as honorary chair and will give a keynote address. The gala evening – proceeds of which support the future of the arts on the East End – will feature:

• Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres;
• Dinner and dancing featuring One Love from New York, NY;
• Keynote address by Nile Rodgers;
• Live and silent auctions with Nicholas Dawes, VP of Special Collections at Heritage Auctions and frequent appraiser onAntiques Roadshow, featuring local artists’ works and exclusive East End and NYC experiences.

Funds raised at ARTworks 2016 support East End Arts’ mission to build and enrich the community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.

Bank of America has been a generous supporter of the organization, naming East End Arts a Neighborhood Builder in 2011, a prestigious national honor presented to only 90 nonprofit organizations per year. Bank of America defines Neighborhood Builder award recipients as an outstanding organization focused on local neighborhood priorities; and included with this honor was a two-year grant and executive training for East End Arts’ leadership. Bank of America continues their support of East End Arts, annually.

“Providing arts access is key to building a thriving local community,” says Bob Isaksen, Long Island president, Bank of America. “East End Arts lifts and educates the community through the arts, and Bank of America is proud to be a supporter.”

Honorary chair Nile Rodgers comments about this special relationship with East End Arts: “I am so glad to be partnering with East End Arts and their mission of community enrichment through the arts and education. One universal language unites us all, and that is, The Arts. That is why East End Arts is a prime example of what I believe and stand for. Join me in supporting this wonderful organization and together, through the arts, we can make our world a better place.”

Tickets start at $200 per person, and the deadline to reserve is April 25, 2016. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Last year’s event sold out in advance of the deadline, so we encourage everyone to reserve sooner than later.

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit: http://www.eastendarts.org/programs/gala.html.

East End Arts invites members of the press to attend and cover this event. Please notify East End Arts if you are available during cocktail hour, opening remarks and keynote address (6:00 PM to approximately 8:00 PM) by emailing Marketing & PR Director Stephanie Israel at sisrael@eastendarts.org by May 3.

The lead sponsor for the ARTworks 2016 Gala is Bank of America, with additional support from Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, Içim and Mark Miller of Miller Environmental Group, Hotel Indigo East End, Peconic Landing, Dan’s Papers, northforker, Empire National Bank, Farrell Fritz Attorneys, Long Island Game Farm, Hamptons Art Hub, Long Island Pulse, Eugene and Ann Burger, Cardona & Company, Emilie and Michael Corey, Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid, P.C., and Mona and Jim Lennon.

Thank you to all ARTworks Gala 2016 Committee Members: Lorraine Aycock (co-chair), Robert Ward (co-chair), Jonathan Berdinka, Irma Giambone, Gregg Giangrasso, Jim Lennon, Eileen McGuire, Melinda Novak, Kristen Reyes, Rob Salvatico, Tom Sullivan, Mario Ticas.

Last year’s hugely successful gala honored long-time supporters Suffolk County National Bank. ARTworks 2016 Spring Gala will continue the tradition of fun and fundraising in support of East and Arts!

More Information about Honorary Chair: Nile Rodgers

In addition to the ARTworks Gala, East End Arts is thrilled to be working closely with Grammy-winning music legend Nile Rodgers on a variety of upcoming projects and events in the Spring and Summer of 2016 that will greatly impact the music scene and the community of the East End of Long Island. Through a connection that has blossomed into a strong partnership, the legendary “hitmaker” and the community arts organization have worked closely to:

• Offer new music scholarship opportunities to minority youth on the East End with a generous donation to the scholarship fund at the East End Arts School by Nile Rodgers Productions.
• Support the selection of a local band and a solo artist to perform on the Main Stage at the FOLD Music Festival to be held August 12-14 at Martha Clara Vineyards on the North Fork, as well as including visual artists participation in the festival.
• Present a “Master Class” with Nile Rodgers to the public, where the community will learn about songwriting, guitar playing and the music industry directly from the “hitmaker”, which will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 3:00 PM at the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, NY. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://eastendartsorg.presencehost.net/school/classes.html/event/2016/05/07/nile-rodgers-master-class/119579.
• Offer Nile Rodger’s wisdom on the music industry and his experiences with a Keynote Address at East End Arts ARTworks Gala which will also be held on Saturday, May 7 at 6:00 PM at the East Wind in Wading River, NY. For more information, visit http://www.eastendarts.org/events/gala.html.

For more information about each of these programs, visit www.eastendarts.org.

The career of Nile Rodgers is one of the most enduring and prolific in music. Among music legends, Nile Rodgers is truly exceptional. He amplifies his legacy as a Grammy-winning composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist by constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music. As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good Times,” distinguished CHIC as the “most sampled band in history” (The Guardian, 2011), won CHIC ten Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations, and generated groundbreaking pop hits like “Le Freak,” which was inducted into the 2015 Grammy Hall of Fame. His career-defining productions for David Bowie (Let’s Dance), Madonna (Like A Virgin), Diana Ross (diana), and Sister Sledge (We Are Family), plus his work with artists like Duran Duran, INXS, Mick Jagger, Grace Jones, Steve Winwood, Peter Gabriel, The B-52s, and Michael Jackson, have sold over 200 million albums and 50 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Disclosure, and Sam Smith reflect the vanguard of contemporary music. Additionally, Nile is the Chairman and Founder of the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF).

For more information about Nile Rodgers, please contact Fran DeFeo PR at frandefeopr@gmail.com.

For more information, contact East End Arts at 631-727-0900.

East End Arts, established in 1972, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization, and operates a School of the Arts, an Art Gallery, and presents a variety of events and programs to promote the arts year-round. Proceeds from all events, sales, classes, donations, and memberships benefit the mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police have arrested a Ronkonkoma babysitter after attempting to sign out a child from school without permission from the child’s parents and for trespassing at her former employer’s home.

Casey Evans was employed as a babysitter for a 4-year-old Sayville boy between August 2015 and November 2015. After being terminated by the child’s parents, Evans attempted to sign out the boy from school on March 30 and, later that day, illegally entered the family’s residence to leave a gift for the child.

Suffolk County Police have arrested Casey Evans, 29, a Ronkonkoma babysitter, for stalking and tresspassing at her former employer’s home. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Evans, 29, of Ronkonkoma, was charged with Stalking 4th Degree and Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree. Evans was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on April 3.

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.

(Long Island, NY) One hundred percent of New Yorkers live in counties affected recently by weather-related disasters according to an interactive, online map released today that crunches data from the federal government. Scientists say global warming is already exacerbating some extreme weather events and their impacts.

“From massive floods to severe storms, like Hurricane Sandy, dangerous weather is already hitting close to home,” said Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York. “And without action to stop climate change, scientists say these extremes—and their impact on New Yorkers—will only get worse.”

Environment New York researchers, who created the online map, Hitting Close to Home, found that since September 2010, New York experienced 11 weather- disasters, including severe storms, tornadoes, floods, tropical storms, snow and ice storms, and droughts.

Scientists predict unchecked global warming will increase the severity or the frequency of many extreme weather events. Hurricanes such as Hurricane Sandy, for example, are likely to be more powerful and deliver more rainfall because of warmer temperatures and sea level rise.

In addition to statistics for recent weather-related disasters, the map includes personal stories from Americans impacted by extreme weather events across the country, including New Yorkers.

“The week before Sandy hit, we worked for hours trying to barricade the perimeter of the house,” began the story from Joe from Baldwin, New York. “As it started to get dark, we could see the water slowly coming. Within a ten minute period, we lost electricity and heard water swishing around beneath us.”

The map reveals that nationwide, more than 57 million Americans live in counties that were affected by more than five weather disasters over the last five years, while counties housing 97 percent of the population experienced declared disasters at least once.

The analysis comes as the New York State Legislature raided funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a key program limiting global warming pollution from power plants. These funds are meant to accelerate New York’s transition to clean sources of energy that do not contribute to global warming.

“More and more entrepreneurs are seeing real-life impacts to their businesses and their bottom lines from climate change and the extreme weather events it creates, and they want something done to help curb those effects,” said Erik Rettig, Mid-Atlantic Outreach Manager for Small Business Majority. “Policymakers should embrace smart clean energy policies that would help mitigate climate change and prompt innovation—which would create opportunities for small businesses and boost the economy.”

“Let’s keep RGGI dollars focused on accelerating our transition to clean energy. And beyond that, let’s strengthen the program across the region. We should aim for reducing power plant pollution across all of the RGGI states by more than half in the next 15 years, capping emissions at less than 40 million tons of carbon dioxide per year by 2030.”

Since the pre-industrial era, average global temperature has increased by nearly a degree Celsius. In December, nearly 200 nations reached a global accord to limit warming to no more than another degree – a benchmark scientists say is critical to avert even more severe and frequent weather disasters.

“To meet our commitment in Paris and avoid the most dangerous climate impacts,” concluded Leibowitz, “ultimately we need to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.”

Environment New York is a state-wide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working for clean air, clean water and open space.

J.A.M. Construction Corp. Shortchanged Workers On A Chelsea Affordable Housing Project

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a settlement with J.A.M. Construction Corp. (“JAM”), a subcontractor that performed carpentry work at a Manhattan affordable housing project.  JAM, based in Rockville Centre, failed to pay required prevailing wages to eight workers at the Selis Manor Affordable Housing complex located at 135 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.  In an Assurance of Discontinuance with the Attorney General’s Office, JAM agreed to pay over $80,000 in underpayments, as well as a penalty of $10,000.

“We will not allow employers to get away with ripping off their workers,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We will remain vigilant in protecting the rights of New York’s working men and women, and will continue to use monitors where appropriate to ensure ongoing compliance with the law.”

Between December 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015, JAM paid far less than the required prevailing wage for carpentry work on the Selis Manor project, and failed to pay supplemental benefits required by law.  Federal and state prevailing wage laws seek to ensure that government contractors pay wages and benefits that are comparable to the local norms for a given trade, typically well above the state and federal minimum wage.  The project included in the settlement with JAM was developed by New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development and was subject to prevailing wage requirements.

The Attorney General’s Office learned of the violations by JAM through an independent monitor imposed upon a general contractor as part of a prior Assurance of Discontinuance.  In March 2013, public-works General Contractor Procida Construction Corp. settled a prevailing wage case with the Attorney General’s Office.  In addition to paying $980,000, Procida was required to submit to independent monitoring of its own labor practices and those of its subcontractors, with unannounced on-site inspections by the monitor.  The monitor discovered the prevailing wage violations by JAM and reported them to the Attorney General’s Office for further action.

The case was handled by Section Chief Richard Balletta, led by Labor Bureau Chief Terri Gerstein and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice Alvin Bragg.

UPDATE: The operator of vehicle two, defendant Bonifacio Enriquez, 34, of College Point, NY is charged with Manslaughter 2nd Degree, Vehicular Manslaughter 2nd Degree and DWI.  The defendant was transported to a local hospital and will be arraigned as soon as medically practical. 

(Long Island, NY) The Homicide Squad reports the details of a Fatal Vehicular Accident that occurred at 2:05am on Thursday, April 07, 2016 in Jericho.

According to Detectives, Nassau County Police are investigating an accident that occurred on the Long Island Expressway in the eastbound lanes just west of exit 41 in Jericho.

Nassau County Police reports the details of a Fatal Vehicular Accident that occurred on Thursday, April 07 in Jericho. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The male operator of a Toyota Camry travelling eastbound in the HOV lane struck the median and stepped outside of his car to tie up his bumper when he was struck by vehicle two, a silver colored Ford SUV. The male was then struck by vehicle three, a blue colored Nissan Altima.

The male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced on scene by a Nassau County Police Medic.

The male operator, 34, of vehicle two was placed into custody for a Driving While Intoxicated investigation and charges are pending. The male operator of vehicle three remained on scene and no charges have been filed at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

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.