$488 MILLION DISTRIBUTED FROM MADOFF RELIEF FUND TO VICTIMS OF Historical MADOFF PONZI SCHEME.

Posted on December 12, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. December 12, 2020:

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Additional Distribution Of More Than $488 Million To Victims Of Madoff Ponzi Scheme

Payments Are the Sixth Distribution in a Series of Payments That Together Will Constitute the Largest Payment of Forfeited Funds in the History of the Department of Justice’s Victim Compensation Program

Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Attorney General Bill Barr, Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that the Madoff Victim Fund established by the Department of Justice began its sixth distribution to victims of funds forfeited to the United States Government in connection with the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (“BLMIS”) fraud scheme. The distribution will include approximately $488 million in additional funds, bringing the total distributed to date to almost $3.2 billion. The funds will be sent to nearly 37,000 victims worldwide, the sixth payment to victims that will bring their total recovery from all sources of compensation to 80.05% of their losses. The Madoff Victim Fund will ultimately return to victims more than $4 billion in assets that have been recovered as compensation for losses suffered by the collapse of BLMIS, following the largest fraud in history. Another $5 billion in assets recovered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office are being separately paid to Madoff victims through the BLMIS Customer Fund administered by the Securities Investor Protection Act Trustee.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “This Office continues its efforts to seek justice for victims of history’s largest Ponzi scheme. Today’s additional payments of more than $488 million by this Office and the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section represent the sixth in a series of distributions that will leave victims with compensation for more than 80 percent of their losses. That is an extraordinary level of recovery for a Ponzi scheme—but our work is not yet finished, and the Office’s tireless commitment to compensating the victims who suffered as a result of Madoff’s heinous crimes continues.”

Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt said: “With the $488 million distributed today, the department has now returned almost $3.2 billion to Madoff’s victims, allowing them to recover more than 80 percent of what they lost. This exceptional work – and there is more to come – has been made possible by the department’s steadfast commitment to the pursuit of the proceeds of fraud through civil forfeiture.”

Since the early 1970s, BERNARD L. MADOFF (“MADOFF”) used his position as Chairman of BLMIS, the investment advisory business he founded, to steal billions from his clients.

On March 12, 2009, MADOFF pled guilty to 11 federal felonies, admitting that he had turned his wealth management business into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, benefitting himself, his family, and select members of his inner circle.

On June 29, 2009, United States District Judge Denny Chin sentenced MADOFF to 150 years in prison for running the largest fraudulent scheme in history. Judge Chin ordered MADOFF to forfeit $170,799,000,000 as part of MADOFF’s sentence.

The Madoff Victim Fund is funded through recoveries by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in various criminal and civil forfeiture actions, and is overseen by Richard Breeden, the former Chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, in his capacity as Special Master appointed by the Department of Justice to assist in connection with the victim remission proceedings.

Of the approximately $4.05 billion that will be made available to victims through the Madoff Victim Fund, approximately $2.2 billion was collected as part of the civil forfeiture recovery from the estate of deceased MADOFF investor Jeffry Picower.

An additional $1.7 billion was collected as part of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. for MADOFF-related Bank Secrecy Act violations.

Additional funds were collected through criminal and civil forfeiture actions against MADOFF and his co-conspirators, and certain MADOFF investors.

Ms. Strauss praised the work of the FBI and the Madoff Victim Fund, and thanked the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division for their assistance.

For more information about the Madoff Victim Fund, compensation to victims of BLMIS, eligibility criteria, and payment information, please visit www.madoffvictimfund.com.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Louis A. Pellegrino is in charge of the case. The remission of these forfeited funds is being handled by the Office and the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.

THREE Salon Owners CHARGED WITH $13 MILLION COVID-19 AID FRAUD

Posted on December 12, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation December 12, 2020:

The FBI announced Friday the arrests of NGOC MANH NGUYEN, a/k/a “Peter Nguyen,” VICTORIA DIEUY HO, a/k/a “Vicky Ho,” and DAT TAT HO for a fraudulent scheme to obtain over $13 million in Government-guaranteed loans designed to provide relief to small businesses during the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

In connection with loan applications for COVID-19 relief available from the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) of the SBA, the defendants falsely and grossly overstated the number of employees and payroll at their nail salons and other businesses through fraudulent and doctored payroll and tax records in order to obtain larger loans. The defendants were arrested yesterday morning. VICTORIA HO will be presented Saturday in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. NGUYEN and DAT HO will be presented in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in connection with these and other unrelated charges.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, these defendants conspired to rip off the SBA’s COVID-relief small business loan program and financial institutions by lying about how many people they employed in their family business and how much they paid those employees. They allegedly exploited a program designed to provide vital funding for small businesses that are legitimately struggling in the midst of the pandemic. Thanks to the combined efforts of the SBA, the FBI, and IRS-CI, the defendants face prosecution.”

SBA-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite said: “Falsifying documents to fraudulently gain access to SBA program funds is unconscionable. OIG and its law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr said: “The benefits offered by the CARES Act for PPP loans were established to help small businesses survive during the pandemic. Unfortunately, the owners of Victoria Nails & Spa saw this program as their own personal piggy bank. Allegedly misrepresenting the number of employees on their payroll to obtain the funding, they deposited this money into accounts controlled solely by them. When the bank froze the funds, they froze as well, conducting Internet searches for topics related to PPP fraud. Today’s Internet search for ‘PPP Loan Fraud Arrests’ will certainly produce an unwanted result – one that includes the name of their company leading the headlines.”

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen said: “In this difficult time when many Americans are struggling financially, it is repugnant that there are those who would fraudulently take advantage of relief efforts offered. IRS-Criminal Investigation remains dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that these types of fraud are investigated and the offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the SBA’s PPP. Pursuant to the CARES Act, the amount of PPP funds a business is eligible to receive is determined by the number of employees employed by the business and their average payroll costs. Businesses applying for a PPP loan must provide documentation to confirm that they have previously paid employees the compensation represented in the loan application.

NGUYEN, VICTORIA HO, and DAT HO are members of a family that owns a chain of over 15 nail salons called “Victoria Nails & Spa” and other companies (the “Victoria Companies”) in or around the New York metropolitan area, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Long Island. From at least in or about April 2020 through at least in or about June 2020, NGUYEN, VICTORIA HO, and DAT HO engaged in a scheme to submit online applications to at least two financial institutions for a total of over $13 million in government-guaranteed loans for the Victoria Companies through the SBA’s PPP. In connection with these loan applications, the defendants falsely and grossly overstated the number of employees at the Victoria Companies and wages paid to those employees in order to obtain larger loans. In order to support the false representations in the loan applications about the number of employees at, and the wages paid by, the Victoria Companies, the defendants submitted fraudulent and doctored payroll and tax records. In addition, the defendants falsely listed the same employees in applications for different nail salons to support the loan amounts applied for, and some purported employees were listed as employees of as many as seven different nail salons during the same time period.

Based on the fraudulent PPP loan applications submitted by NGUYEN, VICTORIA HO, and DAT HO, a total of more than $13 million in PPP loans were approved for the Victoria Companies and approximately $7.8 million in loan proceeds were disbursed into bank accounts controlled by NGUYEN, DAT HO, and other family members. After the defendants learned that a hold was placed on bank accounts of the Victoria Companies that received PPP loans issued by one financial institution due to suspicion of fraudulent activity, one of the defendants conducted Internet searches for “PPP Fraud,” “PPP Loan Fraud Arrests,” and “How to get rid of a PPP Loan.” The defendants thereafter withdrew the applications for and/or repaid the PPP loans for the Victoria Companies issued by that financial institution.

* * *

NGUYEN, 44, and VICTORIA HO, 31, both of Hicksville, New York, and DAT HO, 33, of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of major fraud against the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to make false statements, 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.

Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the SBA-OIG, FBI, and IRS-CI, and noted that the investigation remains ongoing. Ms. Strauss also thanked Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their assistance with the investigation.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael C. McGinnis and Sagar K. Ravi are in charge of the prosecution.

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

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

SATURDAY MORNING BLACK COFFEE WITH “WHITE PLAINS WEEK” THE WPTV DEC. 11 EDITION OF THE CITY NEWS ROUNDUP ON YOUTUBE RIGHT NOW INSTANTLY! JOHN BAILEY ON THE DECLINE IN CITY FINANCES, THE NEW SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER GREEN RATE, WESTCHESTER OUT OF CONTROL COVID NUMBERS

Posted on December 11, 2020 by John Bailey

TO SEE THE FRIDAY EVENING DEC, 11 EDITION OF WHITE PLAINS WEEK WITH JOHN BAILEY ON THE WESTCHESTER-OUT-OF-CONTROL-CORONA VIRUS SPREAD 18 DAYS, 10,000 CASES; COUNCILPERSON NADINE HUNT-ROBINSON ON CITY $$$ REVENUES, THE MAYOR ON WASHINGTON AID, THE NEW GREEN ENERGY ELECTRIC RATE, ON VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IN WHITE PLAINS, STEPHEN ROLANDI ON THE SUPREME COURT DECISION CLICK ON THE YOUTUBE LINK BELOW
**SEE IT NOW, WHITE PLAINS**.

ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD: WPTV’S ANNUAL REPORT ON SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER ON THE GROWTH OF GREEN ENERGY ON YOUTUBE INSTANTLY

Posted on December 10, 2020 by John Bailey

JOHN BAILEY OF WHITE PLAINS TV’S PEOPLE TO BE HEARD INTERVIEWS NINA ORVILLE OF COMMNUNITY SOLAR

**AND DAN WELSH DIRECTOR OF WESTCHESTER POWER**

ON THE GROWTH OF GREEN ENERGY IN THE LAST YEAR –SUBSTANTIAL

THE SPREAD OF COLLECTIVE PURCHASING OF GREEN ENERGY…INCLUDING YONKERS AND TUCKAHOE

THE PUSH FOR COMMUNITY OWNED SITES FOR SOLAR ENERGY

HOW THE STATE GETS TO 70% GREEN ENERGY SUPPLY IN 9 YEARS

SEE IT ANYTIME ON

www.wpcommunitymedia.org

JUST SCROLL DOWN THE VIDEO WALL TO PEOPLE TO BE HEARD THE DEC. 10 SHOW

Analysis of the Texas Attorney General’s Challenging Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia Results Filed with the Supreme Court

Posted on December 10, 2020 by John Bailey

Stephen Rolandi analyzed the Presidential Election for WPCNR predicting a Joseph Biden victory. Here is Mr. Rolandi’s view of the results as of Thursday evening, which are solely his own opinion and do not reflect the views of his employers, Pace University and City University of New York.

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. News & Comment by Stephen Rolandi December 10, 2020:

I don’t believe this case will be successful.

I read much of the 200+ page legal motion/application that the Texas Attorney General filed with SCOTUS, challenging the states of PA., Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia. Since the time that the Texas AG filed his motion, 17 state AGs have joined in the motion as friends of the court, all from “red” states. PA./Michigan/Wisconsin/Georgia have until today to respond to the Texas Supreme Court challenge.

States may challenge other states & have their case heard directly by the Supreme Court. In such disputes, the states must have what is called “standing to sue,” that is they must show some direct impact or how they might be impacted.

For example, the Supreme Court heard a challenge some years back when NJ and NY both claimed the land under which the Statue of Liberty stands.

In the Texas application, many legal scholars don’t see how Texas is impacted by the election results in those 4 states. Texas’ argument is that those states did not follow their state election procedures – that is a matter of STATE law, not Federal. Also, Texas has made many claims that are not supported by facts or evidence.

The Trump campaign team has filed approximately 65 legal challenges to the election results in those 4 states & others; they have lost over 95% of them. Earlier this week, Justice Alito and a unanimous SCOTUS dismissed a challenge in a PA. case.

Trump would need 4 Supreme Court judges to agree to hear the Texas case, and I don’t see which 4 are wiling to do this, given how the courts — Federal & state — have turned down nearly every legal challenge so far.

Several prominent Republicans, including former U.S. Senator Lowell Weicker and former NJ Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and 15 other conservative Republicans have filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) motion urging the US Supreme Court to reject the Texas application.

SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIRES REQUEST FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION BY APRIL 1

Posted on December 9, 2020 by John Bailey

New York State Education Law §3635 requires parents to make a written annual

request by April 1^st if they are requesting transportation to a non-public school within the City

of White Plains, in accordance with the District’s mileage limits.

The required form is available at www.whiteplainspublicschools.org under the

Transportation Department, or by calling the Transportation Department Office at 914-422-2110.

Failure to submit this form by April 1^st may result in denial of transportation.

GOVERNOR CUOMO HOSPITAL AWARENESS

Posted on December 9, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR GOVERNOR CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. December 9, 2020:

As we continue to see the number of COVID cases rise in New York and across the nation, it’s critical that we not only remain tough and practice safe behaviors to limit viral spread, but that we also do everything in our power to ensure hospitals are prepared to handle a growing number of patients.

As I announced Monday, New York has instituted a number of measures to help prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed including a directive to expand capacity by 25 percent. Everyone must do their part to slow the spread of the virus and stop the uptick in hospitalizations. If we work together and stay New York Tough, we can manage this pandemic until the vaccine is here.

Photo of the Day: New Yorkers stop by to view the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Here’s what else you need to know today:

1. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,835. Of the 162,464 tests reported yesterday, 9,335, or 5.74 percent, were positive. There were 906 patients in ICU yesterday, up 34 from the previous day. Of them, 493 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 74 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. Driver’s license expiration dates have been pushed back to January 1, 2021. If you have a New York State Driver’s License or permit with an expiration date after March 1, 2020, it is still valid until January 1, 2021. This extended an Executive Order that granted people whose licenses expired during the pandemic more time to renew.

3. SUNY Upstate Medical University received the number one ranking by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its COVID-19 saliva test. The saliva test developed by Upstate Medical and New York startup Quadrant Biosciences, called Clarifi COVID-19, detects the virus in its earliest stages. The FDA also cited the test as being among the most sensitive tests regardless of type. SUNY’s COVID-19 saliva test is cost-effective and easy to use, which has been instrumental in helping SUNY campuses test students and staff and pinpoint cases.

4. In the second round of the program, Nourish NY has so far spent $2.4 million to help New Yorkers in need. So far, over 2.6 million pounds of raw milk has been turned into dairy products and distributed by food banks, along with 750,000 pounds of produce. Over one million households in need have received products sourced from New York farms.

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Major Wooten of Alabama was recently hospitalized with COVID-19 but overcame the virus just in time to celebrate his 104th birthday last week. Wooten, who served in World War II repairing damaged trains in France, left Madison Hospital in a wheelchair adorned with birthday balloons as hospital workers sang “Happy Birthday.”

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

WESTCHESTER CORONA VIRUS CASES SWARM BACKTO 6.6% INFECTION RATE—610 NEW CASES – 5,104 NEW POSITIVE CASES IN 7 Days (Averaging 729 new cases a day)

Posted on December 8, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER CORONAVIRUS SURVEILLANCE REPORT. From the Workbook NY Covid-19 Tracker. December 8, 2020:

The Coronavirus continues to spread in Westchester County at an average of 729 New Persons testing positive per day.

Today at 2 PM, the New York State Covid-19 Tracker reported 6.6% of 9,280 persons. 610 persons tested positive for corona virus in tests conducted Monday. This shot the daily infection Rate to an average of 729 persons a day coming down with coronavirus in the 7 days Monday through Friday, November 30 through December 7.

MAYOR TOM ROACH’S MONDAY COVID BRIEFING

Posted on December 7, 2020 by John Bailey

The COVID-19 infection rate continues to increase, with 7,925 active cases in Westchester County right now. This is more than 5 times the number of cases than was reported just 1 month ago. Also within the past month, the County has seen the COVID hospitalization rate increase fourfold.

The cumulative number of people who have tested positive in White Plains since testing began is 2,888. The County estimates there are currently 437 active cases in White Plains, 47 more than Friday, the last time we were provided with numbers.

(Editor’s Note: the 47 person increase in hospitalizations is a 12% increase in a week.)

NY State, Westchester County and the City of White Plains have all clearly entered the “second wave” that was predicted. We are continuing to see a steady increase in COVID cases. However, we have all learned a great deal since March. In March we had no idea how long the pandemic would last or certainty regarding whether a vaccine could be produced. Vaccines have been produced. The pandemic will end. We need to carry on the adaptive habits we have come to know. As has been repeatedly shown, wearing a mask is a vital component of our strategy to temper the spread of the virus. It has become second nature to most of us and we must continue the pattern we have established. We have all heard it many times. Wash your hands, wear your mask!

In today’s press conference Governor Cuomo indicated that it is estimated that 70% of new cases are the result of so called “small gatherings”, illness contracted from a friend or relative, someone you know well. It is only natural to relax when with people we feel close to, people we have known for a long time. Unfortunately our close relationship does not protect us. Keep your guard up for a few more months! Wash your hands! Wear your mask!

La tasa de infección por COVID-19 continúa aumentando, con 7.925 casos activos en el condado de Westchester en este momento. Esto es más de 5 veces el número de casos que tuvimos hace solo 1 mes. También durante el último mes, el condado ha visto cómo la tasa de hospitalización por COVID se ha multiplicado por cuatro.

El número total de personas que han dado positivo en White Plains desde que comenzaron las pruebas es de 2.888. El condado estima que actualmente hay 437 casos activos en White Plains, 47 más que el viernes, la última vez que recibimos los números

El estado de Nueva York, el condado de Westchester y la ciudad de White Plains han entrado claramente en la “segunda ola” que se había predicho. Seguimos viendo un aumento constante de casos de COVID. Sin embargo, todos hemos aprendido mucho desde marzo. En marzo no teníamos idea de cuánto duraría la pandemia ni teníamos certeza sobre si se podría desarrollar una vacuna. Ahora hay vacunas y la pandemia terminará. Necesitamos seguir los protocolos de prevención. Como se ha demostrado en repetidas ocasiones, el uso de una mascarilla es un componente vital de nuestra estrategia para disminuir la propagación del virus. Ya se nos ha hecho un hábito seguir estos protocolos. Todos lo hemos escuchado muchas veces. ¡Lávate las manos y usa tu mascarilla!

En la conferencia de prensa de hoy, el gobernador Cuomo indicó que se estima que el 70% de los casos nuevos son el resultado de pequeñas reuniones sociales, contagio por medio de un amigo o familiar, o alguien cercano. Es natural relajarse cuando estamos con personas con las que nos sentimos cercanos, personas que conocemos desde hace mucho tiempo. Lamentablemente, nuestra estrecha relación con ellos no nos protege. ¡Mantén la guardia alta por unos meses más! ¡Lávese las manos! ¡Usa tu mascarilla!

Nuestra próxima llamada está programada para el lunes 14 de diciembre. Hasta entonces y recuerde, estamos más juntos al mantenernos más separados.

LETTER FROM GOVERNOR CUOMO

Posted on December 7, 2020 by John Bailey

WPCNR GOVERNOR’S EVENING CORONAVIRUS REPORT. DECEMBER 7, 2020:

I was honored to have Dr. Anthony Fauci join us at today’s COVID briefing. I asked Dr. Fauci when we might see a peak in the expected COVID spread. He thinks that the effect of Thanksgiving will likely become clearer in the coming days and that with Christmas and Hanukkah coming up, we could see a “surge upon a surge.”

“Without substantial mitigation, the middle of January can be a very dark time for us,” he warned. In order to manage hospital capacity during this expected surge, New York State will begin implementing our “surge and flex” protocol.

As part of this strategy, all hospitals must begin expanding their bed capacity by 25 percent. Hospital systems must also balance patient loads within their system to make sure no one hospital is overstressed. (In Spring, there was an issue with individual hospital overload, but not system-wide overload.)

As we approach the height of the holiday season, we are prepared. Make sure you are too. Please continue to follow our health guidelines and act with caution.

Photo of the Day: Today, Dr. Anthony Fauci joined my press briefing to hear New York’s plan for COVID. Here’s what else you need to know tonight:

1. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,602. Of the 152,287 tests reported yesterday, 7,302, or 4.79 percent, were positive. There were 872 patients in ICU yesterday, up 22 from the previous day. Of them, 477 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 80 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. We are calling on all retired doctors and nurses to return to service if they are able to do so. Hospitals were previously asked to identify retired staff as part of New York’s COVID Winter Plan in order to help avoid or mitigate any potential staffing shortage. The State will automatically renew registrations at no cost to help streamline the process.

3. Regions that reach “critical hospital capacity” will be designated as a Red Zone under New York’s micro-cluster strategy. Critical hospital capacity is defined as 90 percent of hospital capacity (in other words, 90 percent full). Following the implementation of the State’s “surge and flex” protocol, if a region’s 7-day average hospitalization growth rate shows that the region will reach 90 percent hospital capacity within the next three weeks, the region will become a Red Zone.

4. Additional restrictions will be applied to indoor dining if hospitalization rates don’t stabilize in the next five days. If the hospitalization rate does not stabilize in New York City in the next five days, indoor dining will be suspended; if the rate does not stabilize in regions outside New York City, capacity restrictions will be reduced to 25 percent.

5. The Finger Lakes region currently has the highest percentage of hospitalizations. The Finger Lakes, where Rochester is located, is followed by Western New York and Central New York.

In a reversal from Spring, we now have lower rates of hospitalizations as a percentage of population downstate than we do upstate.

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Syracuse-native and Seattle Storm basketball player Breanna Stewart has been named one of Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year. Stewart is being recognized by the magazine for her work as an “Activist Athlete” alongside Naomi Osaka, Patrick Mahomes, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and LeBron James. “[Our Sportsperson of the Year award goes to five men and women who in 2020 were champions in every sense of the word: champions on the field, champions for others off it,” the publication wrote. Congrats to New York’s own Breanna Stewart!

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo