THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS
May 26 to May 30, 2014
TOP HEADLINES
Schneiderman’s COP Program To Fund Equipping Of NYPD Officers With Life-Saving Heroin Antidote
Joined by NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, Attorney General Schneiderman announced that the NYPD – the largest police force in the United States – has joined his Community Overdose Prevention (COP) Program, which will provide the force with $1,170,000 funding to equip 19,500 police officers with the extremely effective heroin antidote, naloxone. The COP Program uses funds seized from drug dealers and other criminals to reimburse local police departments for the cost of naloxone kits.
The Attorney General also announced that, in less than two months since the COP Program was launched, more than 150 law-enforcement agencies have applied to the COP Program, with several dozen more in the process of completing necessary steps. The COP Program has now approved the distribution of approximately 25,000 kits to 150 police departments across the state.
Schneiderman Busts International Cocaine Pipeline In “Operation Snowfall”
Attorney General Schneiderman dismantled a “quick-delivery, high-volume” cocaine pipeline allegedly operating between New York City and the Dutchess County town of Wappingers Falls. According to an indictment unsealed this week, cocaine was packaged and sold out of two apartment buildings in Washington Heights, with deliveries made several times a week to Wappingers Falls, where drugs were also distributed out of a local deli. The ring allegedly funneled the proceeds of its sales to the Dominican Republic.
As a result of the investigation, known as “Operation Snowfall,” eight people have been charged with a combined 140 counts related to the trafficking and possession of cocaine and a ninth person was arrested on drug-related charges. One of the defendants includes a member of a prominent Wappingers Falls family. During the bust, the Attorney General’s Office also seized nearly $10,000 in cash and almost three kilos of cocaine, which has a street value of approximately $200,000.
Schneiderman Applauds Assembly’s Passage Of Land Banks Bill
Attorney General Schneiderman commended the New York State Assembly for passing legislation, sponsored by Assemblymember William Magnarelli, to increase New York’s number of land banks from 10 to 20, doubling the availability of this critical tool to help communities plagued by vacant and abandoned properties recover from the housing crisis. The Attorney General’s Office is already funding eight land banks, from Long Island to the Hudson Valley to Central and Western New York, and more funds will be available in this year. Learn more about this initiative here.
Schneiderman Praises Consumer Credit Fairness Act’s Passage
The Attorney General also applauded the passage of the Consumer Credit Fairness Act in the New York State Assembly, and thanked Assemblymember Helene Weinstein for her leadership on this issue. This bill would protect consumers when debt collectors attempt to collect on debt by using the judicial process, ensuring notice is provided when a suit is filed and requiring collectors to prove that the debt is legally owed to them. Similar to Chief Judge Lippman’s proposed reforms to the legal process for consumer credit cases – which the Attorney General praised last month – this legislation will promote an overall fairer system for thousands of New Yorkers.
Schneiderman Arrests Broome County Nurse For Endangering Nursing Home Resident And Falsifying Records
Attorney General Schneiderman announced the arrest and arraignment of a Broome County nurse who allegedly failed to follow nursing home policy after a resident fell and injured himself, lying to the facility about what happened. The Attorney General restated his commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers can trust their loved ones will be appropriately cared for in nursing facilities.
Upcoming Events
The Mid-Hudson Valley Community forum originally scheduled for June 9 has been rescheduled to Thursday, July 17 at 6pm. See the flyer below for complete details.
En Español
In Other News…
The Attorney General’s Office secured another guilty plea in its case against employees of Rochester’s Blossom North nursing home, who are accused of neglecting an elderly patient.
Attorney General Schneiderman expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Trooper Christopher Skinner, who was killed in the line of duty in Binghamton.
Attorney General Schneiderman on the passing of author, educator and activist Maya Angelou.
A letter published in the Buffalo News called on the State Senate to pass the Attorney General’s microbeads ban.
The Attorney General congratulated Brooklyn veteran Danylo Rakowsky – a supporter of his TRAMS Act proposed last year – on his induction to the State Senate Veteran’s Hall of Fame
Contact Us
Visit our website at ag.ny.gov, where you can learn more about the office’s various initiatives. You can also contact us here.
