WHITE PLAINS WEEK TONIGHT THE AUGUST 9 REPORT 7:30 PM EDT ON FIOS 45 WPOPTIMUM CH 76 AND WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Posted on August 9, 2024 by John Bailey

HEAT WAVE ENDS AFTER CON ED RATES AND RESIDENTS USAGE TURN THE MONEY HEAT ON

THE COUNTY SURGE IN COLORECTAL CANCER IN ADULTS UNDER 40–FREE SCREENING TESTS URGED CLIPS FROM THE LATIMER AND HEALTH COMMISSIONER REPORTS–MUST SEE

WESTCHESTER DODGES DEBBY

COUNTY DOWN IN NEW CASES OF COVID BUT ON TRACK FOR 4,000 CASES FOR MONTH OF AUGUST. WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL STILL SEEING 50% OF ADMISSIONS TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID

HOW AIR CONDITIONING AFFECTED YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

HOTEL TAX RELIEF FOR LONG TERM HOTEL RESIDENCIES RECEIVING COUNTY ASSISTANCE

CRACK DOWN ON CORPORATE LONG TERM LEASES REQUIRING THEM TO PAY HOTEL TAX.

FBI CONTINUES TO CRACK DOWN ON BUSINESS FRAUD

WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS THIS WEEK EVERY WEEK

ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK FOR 23 YEARS

AUGUST 8 — YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST ON STATE OF AFFAIRS USA– COVID UP UP AND UP!

Posted on August 8, 2024 by John Bailey

From Covid-19 Peaks to New Viral Threats: What You Need to Know

State of Affairs: August 6

By Dr. KATELYN JETELINA (Reprinted with permission)

Happy August! I’m back from summer vacation. My little family explored all three gorgeous national parks in Washington State, which required much-needed unplugging.

The YLE team is refreshed and ready for the fall season! I hope you are, too. Let’s dive into the state of affairs.

Covid-19: Up, up, and away

We are knee-deep in a substantial Covid-19 infection wave. Wastewater levels—a good indicator of community spread—remain high and continue to increase, especially in the South and the West, where levels are coming close to last winter’s.

Thankfully, immunity keeps our hospitals from overflowing at this point, but severe disease trends continue to mirror infections. For example, in California, hospitalizations this summer are as high as last winter.

This pattern—2024 summer rates reaching winter rates— is not unique to the U.S. Covid-19 hospitalizations in the U.K., Spain, and Australia all show similar trends.

**Covid-19 hospitalizations trends across the globe**

The height of this summer wave is surprising to me, as we would hope that summer waves get smaller and smaller over time. So, three unanswered questions are top of my mind:

Why is this happening? I don’t know. The newest subvariant doesn’t have so many mutations that I would predict this would happen. Vaccination rates are about the same as last year, which also wouldn’t explain it. Could this be due to the CDC changing its isolation guidelines to be more relaxed in February? Probably not, given similar patterns in other countries.
Will we have a milder winter? We can hope that the immunity we have built up will lead to a milder winter, which would be a welcome reprieve to health systems.
Are biannual waves the future? Many (including me) hypothesize Covid-19 will eventually become a winter virus, like flu. But clearly Covid-19 is still unpredictable and will likely take another decade to find a rhythm.

Other updates

Epidemiologists are monitoring these other viral outbreaks. You have nothing to do, but here is an update so you can follow the scientific discovery ride.

H5N1 (bird flu): Continues to spread

We are keeping an eye on H5N1 because of the potential for it to become a pandemic.

H5N1 continues to spread among animals. USDA has reported 171 dairy cow herds in 13 states with confirmed H5N1 infection.

Four big developments have occurred since the last YLE update.

More humans have been infected, but no onward spread. This year a total of 13 people have been infected with bird flu: four from sick dairy cows and nine from poultry. This is a lot of cases, considering U.S. had 1 H5N1 human case last year and zero before. The human tally recently increased thanks to a big outbreak in Colorado, when several workers got sick after culling (killing) infected poultry. As far as we can tell, this outbreak wasn’t because the virus mutated; instead, it was the environment—it was over 100 degrees at the farms, so workers didn’t wear PPE (understandably), and massive industrial fans to cool the area spread feathers (and virus). So far, cases have been mild (red eye and respiratory symptoms), and there is no ongoing human transmission.
We are missing human cases. Given our limited human (and animal) testing, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we are likely missing human cases. In Texas, scientists tested the blood of 14 previously symptomatic farm workers and found 2 workers had antibodies. This could be evidence that they had H5N1 at one point. (However, it’s also possible because of the type of test used that these antibodies reflect infections from seasonal flu [H1N1]). We don’t think there is an asymptomatic spread. Another study in Michigan tested the blood of 35 workers who were exposed to infected herds but never had symptoms, and none were positive.
There are no signs of it “burning out.” The genetic sequences of bird, cow, and human cases suggest the U.S. has created a new reservoir of H5N1 that can spill over into poultry and humans all year round.
All eyes are on the upcoming seasonal flu. If one of these farm workers gets infected with H5N1 while sick with seasonal flu, the risk of a pandemic skyrockets, as the virus can easily swap genes to become more adaptable to human spread. CDC is funding an extensive seasonal flu vaccine campaign for farmworkers to prevent a nightmare.

We still don’t have an updated CDC risk assessment of an H5N1 pandemic (called iRAT), which is surprising. (The last iRAT was published in April 2023 after minks were infected in Spain. They rated the pandemic risk as “moderate.”) The U.K. recently raised their risk assessment (from 3 → 4) given the U.S. outbreak.

Mpox (Monkeypox): Surging in Africa

The WHO is considering naming the ongoing mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Case counts continue to explode in Africa, with over 37,000 cases and 1,400 deaths. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the epicenter, accounting for over 96% of this year’s cases and deaths. The vast majority of deaths (85%) are among children. The Africa CDC has heightened its monitoring and declared the risk “high.”

In a surprising turn of events, mpox has mutated. Mpox is primarily divided into two clades (types): Clade I and Clade II. Clade I, found predominantly in Central African countries, tends to be more severe. The new strain, called Clade 1b, is severe and can be transmitted human to human.

Unfortunately, many patients in Africa lack the resources that can keep mpox at bay, like vaccinations, treatments, and access to care. In the United States, for example, where only Clade II—the less severe strain—is spreading, cases are far lower than in 2022. Even if the more severe strain landed in the U.S., we don’t think it would be as detrimental as it is in Africa.

Mpox cases in the United States; Graph by YLE

Bottom line

Covid-19 infections are surging this summer. There are things you can do—stay up to date on vaccines, mask indoors and in crowded areas, and get that indoor air flowing. Concurrently, H5N1 continues to march into the upcoming flu season, increasing the risk of another pandemic, and WHO is considering another mpox emergency. As always, we’ll keep you updated as things change.

Love,

The YLE Team

WESTCHESTER POWER VS CON EDISON JULY 2024. CON ED RATES TILL LOWER

Posted on August 7, 2024 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. AUGUST 7, 2024:

The Town of Greenburgh participates in a Community Energy Program known as Westchester Power. Everyone is enrolled in the ESCO unless you opt out. Once you opt out you are never enrolled back in unless you ask to re-enroll.

Con Ed rates have continued to be lower than the ESCO this month. If you want to opt out you should e mail westchesterpower@sustainablewestchester.org or call Sustainable Westchester at 914-242-4725 ext 111. If you are having difficulty opting out please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com

This electricity supply program is managed by the local nonprofit Sustainable Westchester on behalf of the 29 participating municipalities in Westchester County.

The program empowers the county and its residents to actively work towards a vision for a healthy and sustainable future by supporting renewable energy. Residents benefit from the fixed price program model that provides cost control assurance on their electric supply charges.

Westchester Power Contract – July 2024 Rate Comparison

The Westchester Power program offers two supply options for 100% Renewable and Standard. These rates are fixed until 10/31/2024. The rates are going down after October.

As of November 1 Greenburgh is participating in a 50% renewable energy option. The monthly rate will be 12.18 cent /kWh from November 1, 2024 through November, 2025. Con Ed rates change each month. The ESCO rates can’t change.

July 2024 Residential Rates

Average Con Edison 11.50 cent kWh

Standard Rate 13.685 cents kWH

WP 100% Renewable 15.449 cent kWh

Below is an approximate electricity cost comparison for a hypothetical Greenburgh

resident in July who consumed 500 kWh of electricity for the month. For information on

how to find the cost comparison for your electricity usage, click here.

– For a Greenburgh resident on the ConEd supply, that customer would have been

charged roughly $57.50 for their electricity supply

– For customers enrolled in Westchester Power under the 100% Renewable fixed

rate, the charge would have been roughly $77.24

– All Westchester Power Standard user’s charge would have been $68.42

Westchester Power is the cornerstone of regional climate action

In 2023 alone, program participants Greenburgh residents, in particular, have mitigated approximately 24,900 metric tons of carbondioxide, equivalent to 5,900 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.

Westchester Power Program Benefits

1. Fixed Rates provide a price cap and insurance against volatile energy market spikes, unlike variable monthly utility rates

2. 100% Renewable Energy at rates competitive to other comparable ESCO products

3. Without Westchester Power, consumer choices are limited to the utility (primarily fossil-fuel-based energy at variable rates), or an ESCO, which can be difficult to navigate and engage in predatory practices.

To learn more about the program, visit sustainablewestchester.org/wp/conedterritory

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

AUGUST 7 — COUNTY EXECUTIVE LATIMER GIVES PRESTORM BREIFING

Posted on August 7, 2024 by John Bailey

Westchester County Executive George Latimer Holds Weather Briefing on Incoming Storm

Watch the News Conference Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoSb0If_3EU

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer held a press briefing to address the incoming storm set to impact the region. County emergency responders recommend residents set aside several days’ worth of non-perishable food, water and medicine, and keep other critical supplies on hand like flashlights and batteries in case they are stuck in their homes without power. Residents should also have a “go-bag” ready in case they are asked to evacuate on short notice during an emergency.

Commissioner Richard G. Wishnie of the Department of Emergency Services recommended that residents create an emergency preparedness kit that includes a:

Gallon of water per person per day;
Three-day supply of canned, packaged or other shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food

foods that can be stored, including ready-to-eat canned meats and fish, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal and granola, peanut butter, nuts, crackers and canned fruit or juice;

Manual can opener and eating utensils;
Flashlights and batteries;
First aid kit;
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

Westchester County Health Department Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “Before any major storm hits, residents should make a list of their medications, charge their cellphones and laptops, and fill their vehicle gas tanks, too. Residents with oil tanks at home should top off their tanks and tighten the cap to prevent spills. Above-ground tanks should also be strapped to a secure fixture to prevent tipping in case of flooding.”

Amler said food and generator safety are essential during and after any power outage or emergency. The Westchester County Health Department suggests the following tips:

Before a storm hits, set your refrigerator to the coldest setting to keep food fresh longer if you lose power.

Keep your refrigerator closed as much as possible. Do not assume refrigerated foods are safe.
Foods that are fully frozen are safe to use.
Foods that have warmed to room temperature for more than two hours or have come into contact with flood waters should be discarded. When in doubt, throw it out.
During a prolonged outage, discard these foods if they were not kept below 45 degrees Fahrenheit: meat, poultry, seafood, cold cuts, hot dogs, eggs, cream, sour cream, yogurt, milk, custards, puddings, soft and shredded cheeses, cut fruit, cooked vegetables, pasta, casseroles, unbaked cookie and bread dough, gravy, creamy salad dressings, fish sauces, hoisin sauce, opened spaghetti sauce and garlic in oil.
After disposing of spoiled food, disinfect the refrigerator to avoid further contamination.
Discard any cans of food that are rusted, dented or open.
If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again.
Storm clean-up can produce a great deal of garbage, which invites insects and rodents. Store your garbage in watertight, rodent/insect-proof containers with tight-fitting covers.

Commissioner Terrance Raynor of the Department of Public Safety reminded motorists to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary during severe weather. Flash-flooding can quickly swamp vehicles and put motorists in significant danger.

Raynor said: “Over the years, County Police officers have responded to rescue numerous motorists who have been stranded in rising water when their cars have stalled on flooded roadways. In addition to likely damaging your vehicle, you may also be putting your life at risk.”

Residents and business owners with generators are reminded of the following safety tips:

Never run a generator in a basement, garage, porch or carport. Generators produce carbon monoxide that can quickly be lethal indoors. Only operate a generator outdoors and away from open windows.
Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Overloading your generator can damage it and any appliances connected to it. Fire may result.
If your generator has a detachable fuel tank, remove it before refilling. If this is not possible, shut off the generator and let it cool before refilling.

If you lose power, call Con Edison or NYS Electric and Gas directly. The phone numbers are: Con Ed power outage or gas and electrical service problems: (800) 75-CONED; NYSEG electricity power outage: (800) 572-1131; NYSEG gas power outage: (800) 572-1121.

Wishnie said families should also consider what additional preparations to make for people with special needs or who care for the elderly, infants or pets. Family members also should plan for how they will communicate if local phone service is not available or is overwhelmed by high demand.

Practical tips on these and other topics can be found at: https://emergencyservices.westchestergov.com/severe-weather

or https://www.ready.gov/

AUGUST 6 — BROOKLYN BUSINESS OWNER CONVICTED OF OPERATING AN UNLICENSED MONEY TRANSMITTING BUSINESS, BANK FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING AND OTHER FELONY CHARGESY

Posted on August 6, 2024 by John Bailey

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York

Defendant Maintained Shell Accounts to Conceal $55 Million Used to Purchase Jewelry, Luxury Vehicles and Renovate His Penthouse Apartment on the Upper East Side

A federal jury in Brooklyn today convicted David Motovich of perpetrating a years-long scheme to establish and conceal a massive illegal check-cashing operation.

Motovich was found guilty on 16 counts of an indictment charging him with operating an illegal money transmitting business, failure to file currency transaction reports, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. The verdict followed a three-week trial before United States District Judge William F. Kuntz, II. When sentenced, Motovich faces up to 30 years in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announced the verdict.

“Taken behind the façade of a seemingly legitimate lumber business in Brooklyn, the jury followed the trail of evidence to find an infestation of crimes,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Motovich operated an illegal money transmitting business that funneled millions of dollars to himself to get rich, evade taxes and fund a lavish lifestyle of luxury cars, jewelry and a spectacular penthouse apartment. With today’s verdict, the defendant finds there is a very high price to pay for his blatant disregard for the law.”

“David Motovich developed an illicit scheme using his family’s business to launder more than $55 million through construction companies to finance lavish purchases. For seven years, Motovich funneled his proceeds through falsely named bank accounts to conceal the profits and evade authoritative oversight. Despite his efforts to disrupt our investigation into his unlawful activity, today’s verdict highlights the FBI’s tireless dedication to apprehending criminals who employ fraudulent tactics to fund expensive lifestyles,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Curtis.

“Motovich made millions from his back office deals, cashing checks for clients who paid more in fees just to know their transactions were hidden from the government. But we found out. And although his shady business allowed him to lease a high-end apartment with expensive renovations and luxury cars, today’s verdict will ensure that his next lease is only for a prison cell, no renovations required,” said Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of IRS CI New York.

As proven at trial, Motovich used his family-run business in the Midwood section of Brooklyn as a front for an illegal, unlicensed check-cashing operation.

From the second floor of Midwood Lumber on Coney Island Avenue, Motovich offered his services primarily to the owners and operators of construction companies, cashing millions of dollars in checks to fund off-the-books payrolls for those businesses.

Motovich’s customers paid a higher fee to Motovich than the fees charged by licensed check cashing businesses because the customers understood that Motovich would not file Suspicious Activity Reports or Currency Transaction Reports for cash transactions in amounts greater than $10,000, as required by federal anti-money laundering statutes.

Motovich supplied his check cashing customers with fraudulent documents that they could use to disguise the transactions as payments by the customers for materials and/or subcontracting work if the customers were audited by the New York State Workers Compensation Board or tax authorities.

In furtherance of his scheme, Motovich created shell companies for the sole purpose of facilitating his illegal check cashing business and instructed his customers to issue checks drawn against their business accounts and make the checks payable to one of the companies.

Motovich then deposited the checks into bank accounts that he created at several financial institutions. To conceal his control and ownership of the funds in the accounts, and to avoid detection of his scheme, Motovich opened the accounts in the names of other individuals.

In total, between 2012 and 2019, Motovich deposited more than $55 million into the accounts that he had opened in the names of other individuals and used the funds to purchase real estate; pay personal and corporate credit card accounts; purchase luxury items, including millions of dollars of diamonds, watches, jewelry and clothing; make lease and purchase payments for Porsche and Lexus luxury vehicles; pay premiums on multi-million dollar life insurance policies for himself, his wife and others; renovate his penthouse apartment in Manhattan to include a swimming pool; and to fund other business ventures.

Motovich’s co-defendants Marina Kuyan, Kemal Sarkinovic, and Joshua Markovics, all previously pleaded guilty to various charges in connection with the scheme. They are awaiting sentencing.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Polemeni, Erik Paulsen, Andrew Grubin and Matthew Skurnik are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Eastern District of New York Special Agent George Dietz and Paralegal Specialist Kavya Kannan.

The Defendant:

DAVID MOTOVICH
Age: 49
New York, NY

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-497 (WFK)

FOUNDER OF GPB CAPITAL AND CEO OF ASCENDANT CAPITAL CONVICTED OF FRAUD CHARGHES

Posted on August 6, 2024 by John Bailey

Thursday, August 1, 2024

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York

Defendants Raised More Than $1 Billion from Investors

A federal jury in Brooklyn convicted David Gentile, the founder, owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPB Capital Holdings, LLC (GPB) and Jeffry Schneider, the owner and CEO of Ascendant Capital LLC (Ascendant Capital), on all counts of an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and securities fraud; Gentile was also convicted on two counts of wire fraud.

The charges related to a years-long scheme to defraud more than 10,000 investors by misrepresenting the source of funds used to make monthly distribution payments and the amount of revenue generated by three of GPB’s investment funds. The verdict followed an eight-week trial before United States District Judge Rachel P. Kovner. When sentenced, Gentile and Schneider each faces up to 20 years in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“The jury found that the defendants lied to investors about the health of their funds and the source of fund distribution payments, all while they were fraudulently making those distribution payments with investor capital to maintain the appearance of successful portfolio companies,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office has a proud history of prosecuting fraudsters who abuse the trust of investors, and we will continue to vigorously protect the integrity of the financial markets.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York City Business Integrity Commission and the New York City Police Department for their valuable assistance with the case.

GPB, founded in 2013 by Gentile, was a New York-based investment advisor registered with the SEC. GPB was the general partner of several investment funds that raised and invested capital in a portfolio of private equity investments. GPB worked with Ascendant Capital, a marketing firm founded by Schneider, to market the GPB funds to investors. Gentile and Schneider worked closely together on the operation and marketing of GPB funds, receiving regular updates as to the funds’ performance.

As proven at trial, between August 2015 and December 2018, the defendants engaged in a scheme to defraud investors and prospective investors in several GPB funds through material misrepresentations and omissions.

Specifically, Gentile and Schneider, both individually and through employees at Ascendant Capital, represented to investors that the funds would make a monthly distribution payment that would be fully covered from operations, meaning that the companies purchased by the funds would be sufficiently profitable for the payments to be made from the companies’ cash flow, without drawing from capital raised by investors.

In reality, when the funds’ performance lagged, the defendants tried to disguise the shortfall with fraudulent, back-dated documents and paid investor distributions out of investor capital.

Ultimately, investor capital was used to pay for a significant portion of the distributions made to investors.

Gentile and Schneider were aware that the GPB Funds were underperforming and authorized the fraudulent distribution payments.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Business & Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Artie McConnell, Jessica K. Weigel, Nicholas M. Axelrod and Kate Mathews are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Madison Bates and Allison Henry.

The Defendants:

DAVID GENTILE
Age: 57
Manhasset, New York

JEFFRY SCHNEIDER
Age: 55
Austin, Texas

AUGUST 6 — FOUNDER OF BITCLOUT DIGITAL ASSET CHARGED WITH FRAUD IN CONNECTION WITH SALE OF BITCLOUT TOKENS

Posted on August 6, 2024 by John Bailey

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York

Nader Al-Naji Defrauded Investor of Approximately $3 Million

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the arrest of NADER AL-NAJI, the founder and promoter of the “BitClout” token.

AL-NAJI was charged with defrauding a “BitClout” purchaser by making false and misleading representations disclaiming control over the use of the investment funds. AL-NAJI was taken into custody on Saturday, July 27, 2024, and was presented JULY 29 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in California.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:

“BitClout may have been a new token, but Nader Al-Naji’s alleged fraud was nothing new. He allegedly lied to get access to millions of dollars, then gave the money away to family and friends. Today’s arrest signifies this Office’s commitment to holding to account people who use deception to enrich themselves.”

FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis said:

“Nader Al-Naji, founder of the BitClout protocol, allegedly lied to investors and misappropriated investments in the protocol for personal expenses and gifts. Failing to properly disclose the use of invested funds disrupts the integrity vital to investing and can breed distrust for future opportunities. The FBI does not tolerate individuals who use false promises and half-truths to exploit well-intended investors of their funds.

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]

AL-NAJI is the founder of BitClout, a social media and cryptocurrency trading platform that purportedly allowed users to purchase BitClout tokens using Bitcoin, ostensibly through a decentralized protocol without any centralized issuer, for the purpose of trading BitClout tokens in connection with the social media profiles of other BitClout users.

BitClout held itself out as a “cross between a financial app and a social app.” Specifically, BitClout was touted as “a social network built from the ground up as its own custom blockchain. It’s not a company, it has no employees—it’s just code and coins . . . . [W]e refer to BitClout as a ‘protocol’—it is ultimately nothing more than an open-source piece of code running on machines all over the world. No company, just code and coins.”

In or about January 2021, AL-NAJI contacted representatives of a prospective investor (“Investor-1”) to discuss the BitClout project and provided Investor-1 with BitClout’s marketing material. On or about January 18, 2021, AL-NAJI met with representatives of Investor-1 and stated, in substance and in part, his intent to use the Bitcoin raised from selling BitClout to develop the BitClout protocol. As part of negotiations with Investor-1, AL-NAJI claimed, in substance, that the role played by his entity was merely to purchase BitClout tokens from the protocol, and that he did not have any control over the funds after the purchase was complete.

In fact, contrary to AL-NAJI’s representations to Investor-1, AL-NAJI did maintain control over the proceeds provided by Investor-1 and used them for, among other things, personal expenses and gifts to AL-NAJI’s family members. After inducing Investor-1 to invest approximately $3 million, AL-NAJI routed the funds through multiple accounts for the ultimate benefit of himself and family members.

* * *

Al-NAJI, 32, of Los Angeles, California, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI and also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a civil enforcement action against the defendant, for its assistance in the investigation.

The case is being overseen by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Mortazavi and Nicholas Folly are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

AUGUST 6– NEWS CONFERENCE ON COLON CANCER. WHY RESIDENTS 45 AND OLDER NEED TO GET SCREENED, FOLLOWED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE LATIMER BRIEFING ON UPCOMING STORM AT 2:30.

Posted on August 6, 2024 by John Bailey

Tuesday, August 6

2 p.m.

BRIEFING ON UPCOMING STORM 2:30 PM

Watch Live:

https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/

· County Executive George Latimer introduces the importance of colorectal cancer screening.

· Westchester County Health Department Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, to join to encourage everyone 45 years and older to get screened and urge others to do the same.

· Northwell Health Regional Chief of Colon & Rectal Surgery Parul J. Shukla, MD and other partners to join to explain screening options and access.

AUG 5 12 NOON:—COUNTY CLOSES MAMARONECK, RYE, NEW ROCHELLE BEACHES DUE TO HIGH BACTERIA LEVELS FROM WEEKEND RAINS

Posted on August 5, 2024 by John Bailey

EACH CLOSURE NOTIFICATION DUE TO ELEVATED BACTERIA LEVELS

(White Plains, NY) – iSSUED 12 NOON The Westchester County Health Department has closed the following beaches as a precaution because of high levels of rainfall in the past 24 hours which may lead to elevated bacteria levels. If excessive rainfall does not occur in the next 24 hours, beaches may reopen on August 6, 2024.

MAMARONECK:

- Harbor Island
- Beach Point Club
- Orienta Beach Club
- Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club

RYE:

- Coveleigh Club

NEW ROCHELLE:

- Hudson Park Beach
- Davenport Club
- Greentree Club
- Surf Club

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the Westchester County website for the latest updates on beach closures and reopening schedules. The County remains committed to maintaining high standards of environmental health and safety across its recreational facilities.

AUG 5–FEINER: STATE, LOCAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON ” DROP OFF VOTING BOXES”

Posted on August 5, 2024 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. August 5, 2024:

I have been calling on the Board of Elections to place voting drop voting boxes outside convenient locations in Westchester County for over four years.

These drop voting boxes enable voters to conveniently drop off their ballots 24 hours a day at convenient and secure locations. The voting drop off boxs are in use around the country –even in Red states that discourage voting participation.

The State Legislature authorized these voting boxes to be placed around the state –providing local Board of Elections with the option to use them or not.

I can’t understand why these voting drop off boxes have not been used in Westchester and around NYS and why NYS is so backwards in offering voters this convenient tool.

Turnout in the Latimer-Bowman primary earlier this summer would have been even higher if these drop off voting boxes would have been placed around the congressional district.

With interest in the 2024 elections expected to be very high – I would like to strongly encourage the Westcheser County Board of Elections to purchase drop voting boxes and to place them in front of municipal buildings, fire houses, libraries, supermarkets, post offices and schools.

Early voting has been a big success. But, placing voting drop boxes at key locations throughout the county will result in more voter participation. Let’s provide voters with no excuses not to vote. These voting boxes should be used for all elections- Presidential, Governor, State, county, local elections, school and fire district elections and special referendums.

A link to an article on drop boxes is below: https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/ballot-drop-boxes-guide/

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor