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WPCNR, courtesy of  the White Plains League of Women Voters presents the 8 candidates running for three seats on the Board Of Education in the School Board Budget and Elections May 21. They will be appearing at the Candidates Form at 7 PM  for the Forum, to be held May 9 in the  White Plains High School Library. The Forum will be zoomed and retelecast on FIOS Channel 46 and Optimum Channel 77. The information is published as received from the League and there may be some errors in fonts. Addresses and contact information excluded for privacy. 

Information Sheet for Board of Education Candidates 

Name:             Cayne Letizia 

Address:          14 Gedney Circle White Plains New York 10605

Email address: Cayne.Letizia@gmail.com

Education:       BA, MSed, & PhD

Profession:       Educator. High School English Teacher HGHS Chappaqua, NY

Questions

1. Do you currently have children in the White Plains Schools or have you had children in the schools in the past?

I have three children in the White Plains City School District that  all attended Mamaroneck Avenue School. Currently I have one child at White Plains High  School, one child at Highlands and one child at Eastview.

2. There are many ways individuals can serve the community. Why have you chosen to run for the school board?

As the Vice President of the WPCSD School Board, I’ve witnessed  the significant strides we’ve made during my last three terms. I am eager to continue  this momentum into another term. From making bussing free for all students at WPHS  to air conditioning all classrooms to the consistent fiscal responsibility of delivering  reasonable budgets under the 2% Tax Cap. Furthermore, as a parent with three children  in the district, I bring a crucial perspective on how our decisions directly impact  students. Our White Plains community’s growth and stability are intricately tied to the  strength of our school system. A robust public education system that caters to the needs  of all students is fundamental to fostering a thriving community.

3. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a school board member? In what school or district activities have you been involved?

With 26 years as a teacher in  diverse settings from the Bronx to Westchester, I have a deep understanding of  educational needs across a broad spectrum. My active involvement in various district  committees—including Human Resources, School Safety and Security, Health and  Wellness, and Curriculum & Instruction & Audit and Finance—equips me with a  comprehensive perspective on school governance. Additionally, I serve on the Board of  Directors for the Westchester Putnam School Board Association, which supports local  boards with training and resources. My recent appointment to the Westchester County  Youth Advisory Board further enhances my ability to contribute to youth-focused  initiatives and programs. As a member of the PTA at my children’s schools, I am directly  engaged with the grassroots of educational community involvement.

4. What do you think is the most important role of a school board member?

I view my  most important role as being a steward of our community’s educational values and  resources, dedicated to both current and future students and families of White Plains  Schools. Effective governance requires balancing the differing needs and perspectives of  various groups, always with a primary focus on student success. This involves actively  engaging with the community to understand their concerns, collaborating with fellow  board members to establish strategic priorities, and ensuring that district leadership is  held accountable for achieving measurable outcomes. This holistic approach  underscores my commitment to fostering an educational environment that supports and  enhances the development of every student.

5. What are 2-3 strengths of which the White Plains Public Schools can be proud? The White Plains Public Schools are distinguished by four key strengths.

First, our district  benefits from stable and consistent leadership, providing a steady foundation that  contrasts with the instability observed in neighboring areas. Second, the remarkable  diversity of our student body enhances our educational environment, bringing a rich  variety of perspectives and experiences that enrich learning for all. Third, our success is  bolstered by robust collaboration with local organizations such as The White Plains Youth  Bureau, The BID, The YWCA, Centro Hispano, and PTA branches, alongside families,  students, and the broader community. Finally, our commitment to innovation positions  us uniquely in Westchester through distinctive programming and proactive recruitment  strategies. These pillars—Stable Leadership, Student Diversity, Collaboration, and  Innovation—define our district’s strengths.

6. What are the White Plains Schools’ greatest challenges?

The greatest challenges facing  White Plains Schools are captured in two critical areas: Achievement and Growth. The  city of White Plains, though part of a larger societal tapestry, is home to diverse students  from varied backgrounds—children of long-standing residents, newcomers from NYC,  and families in temporary housing. All converge daily in our schools, creating a unique  educational environment. Our responsibility is immense: to educate every student  effectively, ensuring they lay a strong foundation for future community contributions.  The challenge intensifies as we address disparities in access to resources like food and  language acquisition barriers. Despite these hurdles, our commitment remains to uphold  high educational standards while recognizing and nurturing the distinct talents of each  student. This approach is essential for their personal growth and academic achievement,  ensuring they measure up both locally and nationally.

7. At the end of your term on the School Board, what would you hope to have been the accomplishment you are most proud of!

That I left the White Plains City School District  better than I found it for future BOE members, community members, family members  and most importantly our City’s children.

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WPCNR, courtesy of  the White Plains League of Women Voters presents the 8 candidates running for three seats on the Board Of Education in the School Board Budget and Elections May 21. They will be appearing at the Candidates Form at 7 PM  for the Forum, held in the  White Plains High School Library. The Forum will be zoomed and retelecast on FIOS Channel 46 and Optimum Channel 77. The information is published as received from the League and there may be some errors in fonts. Addresses and contact information excluded for privacy. 

Information Sheet for Board of Education Candidates

Name:                         Donna Giambalvo

Education:      Master’s Biomedical Engineering & Industrial Pharmacy

Profession:      VP of Sales

Questions

1. Do you currently have children in the White Plains Schools, or have you had children in the schools in the past?

Presently, I am proud to have two daughters enrolled in the White Plains School District. They are currently thriving in the 4th and 5th grades, each embarking on their unique educational journeys.

1. There are many ways individuals can serve the community. Why have you chosen to run for the school board

I have chosen to run for the school board because I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and stresses faced by families and friends within the school system. This personal insight has inspired me to step up and advocate for meaningful change. My decision is driven by two primary motivations. Firstly, I am committed to being a voice for all students, parents, and community members, ensuring that their concerns and aspirations are heard and addressed. Secondly, I am dedicated to fostering an exceptional school system where every child has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. By contributing to the improvement of our public schools, I hope to create a nurturing environment that rivals the quality of private institutions, thus providing my own children and countless others with the best possible education and prospects.

1. What skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a school board member? In what school or district activities have you been involved?

My role as Vice President of Sales has given me key skills like leadership, planning, and managing finances, which are crucial for good governance. Leading teams has taught me how to collaborate well with different people and make smart choices. Managing complex problems every day has made me adaptable and good at thinking on my feet. With my focus on engaging with the community and making ethical decisions, I am ready to bring valuable contributions to the school board, helping to improve our schools for everyone’s benefit.

4. What do you think is the most important role of a school board member?

The main job of a school board member is to make sure students are safe and successful. This means making rules that help students do well in school, providing enough support for them to learn and grow, and creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels included. A school board member also helps build trust between teachers, parents, and administrators by working together. By listening to what the community wants, making choices that match the district’s goals, and focusing on what is best for students, school board members show their dedication to the students they represent.

5. What are the 2-3 strengths of which the White Plains Public Schools can be proud?

When reflecting on the strengths of the White Plains Public Schools, White Plains Public Schools in Westchester have much to be proud of. Their diverse community brings cultures together, making learning more exciting and inclusive. This prepares students for the diverse world they will face beyond school. Plus, the school has amazing teachers and staff who work hard to help every student succeed. They give personalized support to make sure each student reaches their potential. With such a supportive community and dedicated team, White Plains Public Schools offer a great environment for students to learn and grow.

6. What are the White Plains Schools’ greatest challenges?

When considering the greatest challenges facing the White Plains Schools, two significant factors come to mind. Firstly, the diversity within our schools presents both opportunities and challenges. While diversity enriches our educational environment and fosters cultural understanding, it also requires careful attention to ensure that all students receive equitable opportunities and support. Secondly, allocating and managing financial resources effectively is crucial for addressing various needs within the district, from maintaining quality education to providing necessary resources and support services. By addressing these challenges thoughtfully and collaboratively, we can work towards ensuring that all students receive the high-quality education they deserve.

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DR. JOSEPH RICCA ON THE 2024-25 SCHOOL BUDGET

DR.ANN VACCARO-TEICH

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS

WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE 2024-25 BUDGET

WHAT’S NEW

THE VOTE IS COMING UP MAY 21 12 NOON TO 9

THE NEW CAPITAL RESERVE PROPOSITION  SAVING FOR THE FUTURE WHY A CAPITAL RESERVE WORKS!

THE NEW DIRECTOR OF MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

THE NEW DIRECTION IN CURRICULUM

HOW STUDENTS OPTING FOR NEW TECHNICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES WILL OPERATE IN THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT

AND MORE

TONIGHT AT 8 SATURDAY AT 7 AND ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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$2 BILLION IN ILLEGAL TRANSFERS $100 MILLION IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDS ALLEGED

WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, April 29, 2024:

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Thomas Fattorusso, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”); and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging KEONNE RODRIGUEZ, the Chief Executive Officer and a co-founder of Samourai Wallet (“Samourai”), and WILLIAM LONERGAN HILL, the Chief Technology Officer and also a co-founder of Samourai, with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

  These charges arise from the defendants’ development, marketing, and operation of a cryptocurrency mixer that executed over $2 billion in unlawful transactions and facilitated more than $100 million in money laundering transactions from illegal dark web markets, such as Silk Road and Hydra Market; a web-server intrusion; a spearphishing scheme; and schemes to defraud multiple decentralized finance protocols.

RODRIGUEZ was arrested this morning and is expected to be presented today or tomorrow before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania.  HILL was arrested this morning in Portugal based on the U.S. criminal charges.  The United States will seek HILL’s extradition to stand trial in the United States.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

In coordination with law enforcement authorities in Iceland, Samourai’s web servers and domain (https://samourai.io/) were seized. 

Additionally, a seizure warrant for Samourai’s mobile application was served on the Google Play Store. 

As a result, the application will no longer be available to be downloaded from the Google Play Store in the United States.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:

“As alleged, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill are responsible for developing, marketing, and operating Samourai, a cryptocurrency mixing service that executed over $2 billion in unlawful transactions and served as a haven for criminals to engage in large-scale money laundering.  Rodriguez and Hill allegedly knowingly facilitated the laundering of over $100 million of criminal proceeds from the Silk Road, Hydra Market, and a host of other computer hacking and fraud campaigns.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to relentlessly pursue and dismantle criminal organizations that use cryptocurrency to hide illicit conduct.”

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso said: “$2 billion in transactions with an unlicensed money transmitter means $2 billion flowed without any oversight, from whomever to wherever.  Because of the company’s disregard for regulation, it’s alleged that Samourai Wallet laundered more than $100 million in criminal proceeds.  Special Agents with IRS:CI New York and IRS:CI LA’s Cyber units worked with our federal and international law enforcement partners to not only arrest the founders and CEO, but to also seize their domain.  Samourai Wallet is now closed for business.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Threat actors utilize technology to evade law enforcement detection and create environments conducive to criminal activity.  For almost 10 years, Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill allegedly operated a mobile cryptocurrency mixing platform which provided other criminals a virtual haven for the clandestine exchange of illicit funds, the facilitation of more than $2 billion in illegal transactions, and $100 million in dark web money laundering.  The FBI is committed to exposing covert financial schemes and ensuring no one can hide behind a screen to perpetuate financial wrongdoing.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal Court:[1]

Background on Samourai

From about 2015 through February 2024, RODRIGUEZ and HILL developed, marketed, and operated a cryptocurrency mixing service known as Samourai, an unlicensed money transmitting business from which they earned millions of dollars in fees.

Samourai unlawfully combined multiple unique features to execute anonymous financial transactions valued at over $2 billion for its customers.  While offering Samourai as a “privacy” service, the defendants knew that it was a haven for criminals to engage in large-scale money laundering and sanctions evasion.

Indeed, as the defendants intended and well knew, a substantial portion of the funds that Samourai processed were criminal proceeds passed through Samourai for purposes of concealment.  During the relevant period, Samourai laundered over $100 million of crime proceeds originating from, among other criminal sources, illegal darkweb markets, such as Silk Road and Hydra Market; various wire fraud and computer fraud schemes, including a web-server intrusion, a spearphishing scheme, and schemes to defraud multiple decentralized finance protocols; and other illegal activities.

RODRIGUEZ and HILL began developing Samourai in or about 2015.

Samourai is a mobile application that users can download onto their cellphones, and the application has been downloaded over 100,000 times. 

After users download Samourai, they can store their private keys for any BTC addresses they control inside of the Samourai program.  These private keys are not shared with Samourai employees, but Samourai operates a centralized server that, among other things, supervises and facilitates transactions between Samourai users and creates new BTC addresses used during the transactions.  Samourai is used by customers all over the world, including customers located in the United States and in the Southern District of New York.

RODRIGUEZ and HILL designed Samourai to offer at least two features intended to assist individuals engaged in criminal conduct to conceal the source of the proceeds of their criminal activities. 

First, Samourai offers a cryptocurrency mixing service known as “Whirlpool,” which coordinates batches of cryptocurrency exchanges between groups of Samourai users to prevent tracing of criminal proceeds by law enforcement on the Blockchain.

Second, Samourai offers a service called “Ricochet,” which allows a Samourai user to build in additional and unnecessary intermediate transactions (known as “hops”) when sending cryptocurrency from one address to another address.

This feature similarly may prevent law enforcement and/or cryptocurrency exchanges from recognizing that a particular batch of cryptocurrency originates from criminal activity.  Since the start of the Whirlpool service in or about 2019, and of the Ricochet service in or about 2017, over 80,000 BTC (worth over $2 billion applying the BTC-USD conversion rates at the time of each transaction) has passed through these two services operated by Samourai.  Samourai collects a fee for both services, estimated to be about $3.4 million for Whirlpool transactions and $1.1 million for Ricochet transactions over the same time period.

RODRIGUEZ and HILL’s Knowledge and Intent for Criminal Proceeds to be Laundered by Samourai

RODRIGUEZ and HILL operated Twitter accounts that encouraged and openly invited users to launder criminal proceeds through Samourai.  For example, in or around June 2022, Samourai’s Twitter account — operated by RODRIGUEZ — posted the following message regarding Russian oligarchs seeking to circumvent sanctions:

Similarly, in a private message on or about August 27, 2020, HILL — using a Twitter account with the username “Samourai Dev” — discussed the use of Samourai by criminals operating in online black markets such as Silk Road in private messages with another Twitter user (the “Twitter User”) (emphasis added):

Twitter User:             Silk Road is why I first found Bitcoin and the desire to keep engaging in those types of markets is one reason that I want to defend/strengthen those use cases . . .

Samourai Dev:          No, not at all. We probably have different views on some basic tenets of bitcoin, you and I – so to each his own so to speak. At Samourai we are entirely focused on the censorship resistance and black/grey circular economy. This implies no foreseeable mass adoption, although black/grey markets have already started to expand during covid and will continue to do so post-covid. . . .

Additionally, in response to Europol highlighting Samourai as a “top threat” to the ability of law enforcement to trace the proceeds of criminal activity, HILL posted a message in or around March 2021 suggesting that Samourai would not change its practices in response to allegations that Samourai was being used for money laundering:

Similarly, RODRIGUEZ and HILL possessed and transmitted to potential investors marketing materials that discussed how Samourai’s customer base was intended to include criminals seeking privacy or the subversion of safeguards and reporting requirements by financial institutions.  For example, in Samourai’s marketing materials, RODRIGUEZ and HILL similarly acknowledge that the individuals most likely to use a service like Samourai include individuals engaged in criminal activities, including “Restricted Markets.”

In the below excerpt from Samourai’s marketing materials, RODRIGUEZ and HILL acknowledge that its revenues will be derived from “Dark/Grey Market participants” seeking to “swap their bitcoins with multiple parties” to avoid detection:

In Samourai’s marketing materials, RODRIGUEZ and HILL promoted Samourai’s Wallet and its “Mixing Service” as a “Premium Privacy Service” for transactions involving the proceeds of goods and services that include, among other things, “Illicit Activity.”

*                *                *

RODRIGUEZ, 35, of Harmony, Pennsylvania, and HILL, 65, a U.S. national who was arrested in Portugal, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of IRS-CI and the FBI.  He also acknowledged the assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.  Mr. Williams also thanked Europol, the Portugal Judiciary Police, the Icelandic Police, the FBI Field Office in Pittsburgh, the FBI’s International Operations Division, and the IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office for their assistance in the investigation of this case.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit and Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Chan and David R. Felton are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

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Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – April 29

APR 29

READ IN APP

Welcome to the Northeastern edition of Outbreak Outlook! It is only available to paid subscribers. If you wish to become a paid subscriber and access region-specific information, please click the Subscribe now button below. Thanks for reading! -Caitlin

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Respiratory Diseases

ILI

Flu season continues to wind down. Things have really quieted down with influenza in the Northeast. Most states are now well below the national baseline of 2.9% of outpatient visits for ILI that roughly marks the end of flu season.

Northeast Region: ILI Activity

Percent of doctors visits for ILI symptoms

Only New Jersey remains above it, at 3.4%; its numbers declined this week and I expect them to continue to decline over the next few weeks.

Northeast Region: Change in ILI Activity

Percent of doctors visits for ILI symptoms

Emergency department visits for influenza have reached near-zero levels, with all states reporting that <1% of ED visits are for flu. Hospitalizations continue to decline as well, and are hovering between 1 and 2 admissions per 100,000 population across the region. As we enter summer, I expect to see these rates to get at or near zero (that is, <1).

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COVID-19

Very quiet week for Covid-19. Wastewater concentrations are minimal in the Northeast. Visits to the emergency room for Covid-19 are extremely low across the Northeast: every state is reporting that <0.4% of ED visits were for Covid.

Northeast Region: New COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Average rate per 100,000 population

Hospitalizations are continuing to decline in the Northeast, and there are now 2 or fewer new admissions per 100,000 population in every state in the region. Rhode Island and Maine both reported slight upticks, but their rates remain <2.

Northeast Region: Change in New COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Weekly new hospitalizations per 100,000

Note: The x axis in the plot above is quite stretched out. Updated visualization for this newsletter is on my roadmap.

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Stomach Bugs

Test positivity for norovirus declined slightly this past week, but remains quite elevated. Late spring is when we tend to see a sharp drop-off in stomach bugs, so hopefully any week now I will have better news.

Northeast Region: Norovirus Activity

Test Positivity, Percentage

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Food recalls

The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items:

New

• None

Previously reported:

• Basil from Trader Joe’s (more info)
• Trader Joe’s 50% Less Salt Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews (more info)
• If you have food allergies, you may wish to review these FDA safety alerts and USDA alerts for foods with undeclared allergens.

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In other news

• In Massachusetts, the Sharon Health Department has reported the first human case of Powassan virus in the town, urging residents to be vigilant against this tick-borne disease. The virus is endemic in the state, but is reported only rarely. Similar to Lyme disease, Powassan is transmitted by infected ticks and can lead to severe illnesses such as meningitis and encephalitis, though many who are exposed do not show symptoms. Symptoms, which appear between one week and one month after a tick bite, include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, and seizures. To prevent infection, residents should use tick repellents, wear protective clothing, stick to trails, and conduct thorough tick checks after spending time in tick-prone areas.