Ralph Lauren Clothing Agrees to Pay Penalty for Bribing Argentine Officials

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. Special to WPCNR from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. April 22, 2013:


Ralph Lauren Corporation (RLC), a New York-based apparel company, has agreed to pay an $882,000 penalty to resolve allegations that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by bribing government officials in Argentina to obtain improper customs clearance of merchandise, announced Mythili Raman, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, and Loretta E. Lynch, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.


According to the agreement, the manager of RLC’s subsidiary in Argentina bribed customs officials in Argentina over the span of five years to improperly obtain paperwork necessary for goods to clear customs; permit clearance of items without the necessary paperwork and/or the clearance of prohibited items; and on occasion, to avoid inspection entirely.


RLC’s employee disguised the payments by funneling them through a customs clearance agency, which created fake invoices to justify the improper payments. During these five years, RLC did not have an anti-corruption program and did not provide any anti-corruption training or oversight with respect to its subsidiary in Argentina.


In addition to the monetary penalty, RLC agreed to cooperate with the Department of Justice, to report periodically to the department concerning RLC’s compliance efforts, and to continue to implement an enhanced compliance program and internal controls designed to prevent and detect FCPA violations. If RLC abides by the terms of the agreement, the Department will not prosecute RLC in connection with the conduct.


The agreement acknowledges RLC’s extensive, thorough, and timely cooperation, including self-disclosure of the misconduct, voluntarily making employees available for interviews, making voluntary document disclosures, conducting a worldwide risk assessment, and making multiple presentations to the Department on the status and findings of the internal investigation and the risk assessment.


In addition, RLC has engaged in early and extensive remediation, including conducting extensive FCPA training for employees worldwide; enhancing the company’s existing FCPA policy; implementing an enhanced gift policy and other enhanced compliance, control, and anti-corruption policies and procedures; enhancing its due diligence protocol for third-party agents; terminating culpable employees and a third-party agent; instituting a whistleblower hotline; and hiring a designated corporate compliance attorney.


In a related matter, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today announced a non-prosecution agreement with RLC in which RLC agreed to pay $$734,846 in disgorgement and prejudgment interest.


The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Daniel S. Kahn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Sarah Coyne, Chief of the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the Eastern District of New York. The case was investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office. The department acknowledges and expresses its appreciation for the assistance provided by the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.

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Police Press on to Binding Arbitration on any New Contract with City

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. April 22, 2013:


The President of the White Plains Police Benevolent Association told the CitizeNetReport today that the police union, currently without a contract with the city since 2009-10, entered binding arbitration with the City of White Plains last Friday.


Officer Robert Riley told WPCNR that the union presented their positions to the arbitrator Friday, and they would have two more meetings, after which the arbitrator would present his or her findings that the city and the police would have to abide by.


Riley said the union chose to take their chances in arbitration rather than forgo  pay increases voluntarily in contract years 2009-10 and 2010-11 as they White Plains Professional Firefighters chose to do last week.


The firefighters union, according to its President, Joseph Carrier approved a five year contract last week.

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Mathew Anthony Solano, 1916-2013

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WPCNR MILESTONES. From Mary Ann Solano. April 21, 2013:

 

My Dad is Matthew Anthony Solano. He was born a full term twin at 2 pounds in Mount Vernon, New York on February 18, 1916. He grew in Mount Vernon and received a college scholarship for art. His step father would not allow such frivolity and sent him to work instead.

 

Following his marriage to my beautiful Irish mother,Catherine Patricia McCauley,who he met at work, and two sons later (Matthew Anthony Junior and Edward John), my dad lost his right hand in a printing press machine. He was to tell me many years later that two weeks after his accident a young woman at the plant lost her hand as well.



My grandmother is quoted as saying, “you had four hands between you and now you have three!” My then family moved to Queens Village where they owned & operated the corner stationary store, “Matty’s Candy Store” on the corner of Springfield Blvd. where my younger sister Kathryn Ellen and I were born. My mother worked evenings as a waitress as well as in the store. She washed all our clothes by hand and we enjoyed a home cooked meal every evening, except Mondays when my Dad took my sister and I to the local diner for a treat.



Although there were arguments about what words were acceptable in scrabble or which car was more practical, I never heard my mother or my father complain about life.



We moved to Patchogue, Long Island and upon my mother’s passing my Dad moved to Franklin Avenue in White Plains. He could be seen at various city events, shopping, watching the buildings rise in White Plains and enjoying the people and life here in the city. The Senior Center may remember a police escort to accompany my Dad home from Atlantic City to meet the bus (he thought it was an overnight trip) or the Police Chief warning seniors not to allow strangers to accompany them to their residences, (my Dad at 86 years overpowered someone on his doorstep who dared this ruse).



Last year his health necessitated a move to Ridgefield Nursing Facility where he passed on Saturday morning at 97 years. He referred to his residence as a hotel and treated that professional staff accordingly. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I know that Kenny and, Dillon Jefferies, Peter and Alice Dobrie will carry his inspiration and his gifts.



As for me, I imagine he and my mother slipping away as they did on rare evenings from the store in Queens to an adventure away in Coney Island, their idea of heaven. God bless you, Dad.

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White Plains Firemen Settle Contract Before Arbitration Begins. 2% Raises Next 2

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WPCNR LABOR NEWS. April 20, 2013:


The President of the White Plains Professional Firefighters, Joseph Carrier announced to the Journal News in the Sunday edition that the firefighters without a contract for two and a half years have settled with the city on a five year contract.


Carrier told The Journal News the union settled for no raises in the contract years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2% raises in the current year, 2012-13, and 2% raises in 2013-14, 2014-15. Carrier told the newspaper in an article by Reporter Richard Liebson firefighters active and retired also agreed to pay 15% of their health care insurance


The deal came, according to Liebson just before arbitration between the city and the union was about to begin.


The White Plains Police union has yet to settle.


 

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Washington To WP Work on Getting More Minority Students Into Advanced Courses

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. Special to WPCNR From the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. April 19, 2013:


The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced Thursday that it has entered into a resolution agreement with the White Plains, N.Y., Public Schools. The agreement commits the district to ensuring that all students, including African American, Hispanic and English Language Learner (ELL) students, are provided with equal opportunity and equal access to challenging classes and programs that will put students on a pathway for success in college and careers.


(Editor’s note: At no time before yesterday did the Board of Education ever announce publicly the district was under scrutiny by the Office of Civil Rights. Several Board members recently have made public statements about the need to focus on the brighter students in the district as well as those not doing as well.)


Under the agreement, the district will, as necessary:



  • Expand criteria to determine eligibility and selection for enrollment in programs and courses.
  • Expand student, parent, and community outreach about the available courses and programs; and
  • Make improvements to the academic counseling services at the middle and high school levels and training for relevant district and school site administrators and personnel.

These changes will be based on recommendations from an expert consultant, feedback from students, parents and staff, and a comprehensive self-assessment.


“Every student, regardless of his or her race, color, or national origin, must have an equal opportunity to participate in rigorous programs and courses that will put them on the right track toward being ready for college and careers,” said Seth Galanter, acting assistant secretary for civil rights. “I applaud the steps the White Plains Public Schools have agreed to take to help ensure their compliance with Title VI.”


OCR initiated a compliance review at White Plains under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to assess whether the district discriminated against minority students by establishing and implementing policies and procedures that resulted in their exclusion from enrichment programs, advanced/honors courses and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.


Because the district begins identifying students for its enrichment program as early as the end of second grade, it is critical that the process, criteria and communication about entry to the enrichment program ensure an equal opportunity for all students to access and participate in the program. These types of programs frequently serve as a path to advanced/honors courses and AP courses at the high school level. African American, Hispanic and ELL students had disproportionately lower enrollment in all those program and courses.


The district worked closely with OCR and voluntarily entered into a resolution agreement prior to the completion of the investigation.


As a result, OCR made no findings on lack of compliance. The office’s investigation revealed, however, that a disproportionately low number of minority students were participating in the district’s high school Honors and AP high school courses and in earlier enrichment programs and advanced courses at the elementary and middle school levels.


For example, during school year 2011-2012, African American students represented 18 percent of the high school student enrollment, but less than 10 percent (37 of 395 students), of the Honors and AP enrollment.


That same year, Hispanic students represented 47 percent of the high school student enrollment, but only 31 percent (122 of 395) of the Honors and AP enrollment; and ELL students represented 9 percent of the high school enrollment, but only 3 percent (10 of 395) of the Honors and AP enrollment. If minority students were provided equal opportunities to participate in enrichment programs in their earlier years, they would have been more likely to participate in Honors and AP classes proportionate to their high school enrollment; over 100 additional minority students would have been enrolled in Honors and AP.


A copy of the resolution letter is posted at: http://www2.ed.gov/documents/press-releases/white-plains-school-district-letter.doc, and the agreement at: http://www2.ed.gov/documents/press-releases/white-plains-school-district-resolution.doc.


OCR’s mission is to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the nation through the vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination by educational institutions on the basis of disability, race, color, national origin, sex, and age, as well as the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001.


For more information about the Office for Civil Rights, see http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. For details on how OCR handles civil rights cases, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintprocess.html.

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NY Public Service Commission Approves Canada to Queens Transmission Line

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. From the NYS Public Service Commission. April 18, 2013:


The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved the construction and operation of a 1,000 megawatt (MW) transmission line stretching 330 miles from the Canadian border to Astoria, Queens, primarily through Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, with some segments on land, primarily in railroad or state highway rights-of-way.



The line would terminate at a converter station located in Consolidated Edison’s Astoria annex. From there, one high voltage, alternating current (HVAC) circuit will connect, via underground conduit, to the nearby substation of the New York Power Authority (NYPA). From the NYPA substation, another set of HVAC cables would be located under the streets for about three miles to Con Edison’s Rainey substation.











The transmission line, estimated by the developer to cost $2 billion, would be built either underwater or underground along the entire length of the route, avoiding or minimizing visual and other potential environmental impacts.



“With this order, we grant the developer a certificate to construct and operate a transmission project known as the Champlain Hudson Power Express Project,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. “The certificate will adopt most of the terms and conditions presented to us in a joint proposal and in stipulations that have the full or partial support of a wide range of parties to this case.”



A critical factor in the Commission’s decision to approve the project is the fact that the financial risk to ratepayers is minimized since ratepayers will not be required to assume the financial risks to build the project; ratepayers will be protected from construction and operation costs.



While the Commission’s decision represents a major step to build the privately funded transmission line, it is not the final step; project developers still need to obtain several Federal permits, as well as secure private financing. The project owners, Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. and CHPE Properties, Inc., applied for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need for the siting of major utility transmission facilities to construct and operate the high voltage, direct current transmission line under Article VII of the Public Service Law. The regulatory review of the project under Article VII was rigorous and complete.



In addition to providing renewable energy and shielding ratepayers, the project offers other significant benefits:




  • The facility would provide substantial annual air pollutant emissions benefits;
  • Bringing hydroelectric power to New York City would enhance fuel diversity as New York City currently relies significantly on gas- and oil-fired generation, which raises both fuel diversity and electric reliability concerns. The energy imported could amount to more than 10 percent of the energy consumption in the city, a significant amount of added capability that would enhance energy security by providing another source of power;
  • The interconnection with the Quebec, Canada regional transmission system would provide stronger transmission ties into New York City, one of the most congested load pockets in the state;
  • The new power line would help reduce strain on the gas transportation system by allowing imports of electricity from outside the city. Demand for natural gas use is increasing in New York City due to increased use of gas for electric generation and the gas conversion needs resulting from New York City’s phase out of use of #4 and #6 oils for home and business heating purposes. The increase in gas demand could strain the gas transportation system into and within New York City;
  • The addition of a major new supplier would help reduce the ability of various players to exercise market power. New York City is an area with pivotal suppliers having the ability to exercise market power, but suppliers are constrained by federal market rules.; and
  • There would be significant environmental enhancements. While negative environmental impacts are minimal, the applicants have agreed to create and fund a $117.15 million trust for the enhancement of aquatic habitats and fisheries resources in Lake Champlain and the Hudson, Harlem, and East rivers and their tributaries.


The proceeding began with an application filed March 30, 2010 and, after several supplements, ultimately deemed compliant as of August 11, 2010. Negotiations among the parties resulted in the joint proposal filed in February 2012 and further stipulations in June, July and October 2012.



The joint proposal used as the basis for the Commission’s decision was supported by several state agencies, the cities of New York and Yonkers, Consolidated Edison, and several environmental organizations, including Riverkeeper, Inc. and Scenic Hudson, Inc. Changes in the route from what was initially proposed helped reduce environmental impact.



Full evidentiary hearings were conducted on the joint proposal in July 2012, followed by post-hearing briefs. There were two rounds of public statement hearings conducted along the route of the project, both early in the case and following the submission of the joint proposal, and members of the public have submitted written comments as well.



The Commission’s decision today, when issued, may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 10-T-0139 in the input box labeled “Search for Case/Matter Number.” Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.


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County Local Development Agency Swings Into Action, Approves 4 Non-Profits forT

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WPCNR COUNTY-CLARION LEDGER. From the Westchester Department of Communications. April 18, 2013:


County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced Tuesday that the county’s newly approved Local Development Corporation (LDC) has already approved low-cost and tax-exempt financing for four Westchester non-profits to help with projects the four are undertaking or have undertook. The approvals come approximately 13 hours after the Board of Legislators, in a 16-1 vote, ratified Astorino’s creation of the LDC.


“The LDC can save non-profits a great deal of money in financing costs, and it can do so at no risk, and at no cost, to taxpayers. By any measure, this is a win-win for Westchester and judging by the four projects approved today, there is a great and growing demand for this tremendous resource,” said Astorino.


The four projects approved were:





  • Kendal on Hudson, a continuing care facility (Sleepy Hollow) – $64,330,000 to refinance existing debt and use some of the savings to make capital improvements to the existing facility. This transaction will result in $100,000 annual savings for the next 30 years.
  • Northern Westchester Hospital (Mt. Kisco) – $43,000,000 in low-cost financing to design, construct and equip the expansion of a surgical suite. Improvements include six new state-of-the-art operating suites and 13 pre/post anesthesia care unit beds.
  • Phelps Memorial Hospital (Sleepy Hollow) – $16,000,000 in low-cost financing for the construction, renovation and equipping of an approximately 20,000 square-foot surgical suite on the third floor of the existing Medical Services Building. The financing will also be used for the acquisition, construction and equipping of a 200-foot long by 9-foot wide enclosed corridor constructed as a bridge connecting the surgical suite to the third floor of the main hospital building.
  • Iona College (New Rochelle) –$5,000,000 in low-cost financing to pay down existing debt that was used for the acquisition and improvements to five faculty residences.

“This is only one day and we already have $128 million in low-cost and tax-exempt financing to help our non-profits create jobs and improve services, all at no cost and no risk to taxpayers. This is just the beginning,” said Astorino.


Astorino established the county LDC in January of 2012 to fill a void that has existed since January 2008, when the state’s Industrial Development Agencies, including Westchester’s, lost the power to authorize bonds on behalf of non-profit organizations.


Created under the state’s Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, the LDC consists of a board that reviews requests from non-profits seeking tax-free bonds and other financial incentives. The board consists of seven individuals, four of whom are appointed by the county executive, one by the legislative majority conference, one by the legislative minority conference and a representative from labor.


Through the LDC, non-profits are able to access tax-exempt bonds in the bond market to help pay for their projects or to refinance. There is no financial risk to the county. The obligation for repaying the debt rests solely with the non-profit organizations. The LDC acts as a conduit to enable the non-profits to receive tax exempt status.


“The LDC provides a way to preserve and expand services without any financial obligation to county taxpayers,” said Stephen Hunt, Chairman of the Local Development Corporation (LDC). “As a lifelong resident of Westchester County I am proud to be part of such a valuable financial tool to help strengthen our community.”


Any non-profit organization looking to access the low-cost and tax-exempt project financing made available through the LDC should contact Jim Coleman, executive director of the LDC, at (914) 995-2963 or jcoleman@westchestergov.com.

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City Council Fails City Financially.

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THE LETTER TICKER


APRIL 18, 2013


CITY COUNCIL FAILS CITY FINANCIALLY








 

White Plains is in need of a new direction. The present administration has not represented all that reside in our city. Transparency is non-existent and with a council that rubber stamps all legislation. We cannot continue this downfall effect that is causing taxes to rise with less services for our residents.

The administration has failed to create a new source of revenue stream for our city. Our Public Safety Department is at its lowest levels in decades and making our city vulnerable for any attacks from the evil that live among us! We must maintain a strong and efficient Public Safety to combat the criminal element that wants to inflict harm to innocent citizens. I can no longer standby and watch our city self destruct.

Our close in neighborhoods are constantly reaching out for a better and more improved quality of life. I have many suggestions that that will improve our city and would like to implement them. The present partisan administration has failed! It is impossible for a administration made up of all Democrats or Republicans to implement ideas that would benefit our city. We need a voice from different perspectives and debate the issues that will lead to a more precise and thought out legislation for the City of White Plains.


Mayor Roach and the Council will increase taxes to almost 5%…and that does not include school taxes.

We can no longer but the burden on our residents with tax increases for unnecessary spending which our administration has done in the past. We have the best city workers that are second to none. The moral is down and it continues to plummet. We need a stronger and more passionate leader one who understands the common issues that our residents are experiencing. Wake up White Plains and let your voices be heard!

Augie Zicca
Past Candidate for White Plains Common Council

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Foreclosures up in Westchester in First Quarter: County Clerk

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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. From the Westchester County Clerk. April 17, 2013:


 


The number of foreclosure filings in the first quarter of 2013 jumped eighty percent (80%) from the first quarter of 2012,” reported Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni who serves as Clerk of the Westchester County Supreme Court where foreclosure actions are heard.  “These first quarter filing numbers are the largest we’ve seen since historic highs in 2008,” continued Idoni.  The Office of the Westchester County Clerk reported six hundred and eighty three (683) foreclosure actions started between January 1st and March 31th of this year, as compared with three hundred and seventy nine (379) during the same period last year. 


 



























































Year

January

February

March

Total


2006

100

119

159

378


2007

146

132

252

530


2008

243

231

285

759


2009

124

154

210

488


2010

260

181

222

663


2011

133

145

144

422


2012

105

131

143

379


2013

209

200

274

683


 


Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO), a non-profit housing agency with offices in White Plains and Mount Vernon, conducts Mortgage Default Orientation sessions most Tuesdays in their White Plains Office.  Trained counselors are available to help at (914) 428-4507 or by visiting www.wroinc.org.  For more information on the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, please visit WestchesterClerk.com or call (914)995-3081.

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Only 1 White Plains Student Misses Assessment Test.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. April 17, 2013:


Amid reports that dozens of students in Rockland County and Putnam County had boycotted state required assessment tests being administered this week in grades 3 through 8, White Plains today reported only student missed their test.



Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Jessica O’Donovan issued this statement to WPCNR today: “I’m only aware of one student whose parent raised a concern, so he came late today, but will take a make-up.”

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