THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS
September 22 to September 26, 2014
TOP HEADLINES
Schneiderman Secures Nearly $1 Million Settlement For Underpaid J.F.K. Airport Skycaps
Joined by Public Advocate Tish James and members of union 32BJ SEIU, Attorney General Schneiderman announced his settlement with Alstate Maintenance LLC, a contractor operating at Terminal One of John F. Kennedy International Airport, for paying nearly 40 skycaps at an hourly rate far below minimum wage – as little as $3.90 per hour. The $925,000 settlement consists of about $625,000 in restitution and another $300,000 in damages, all of which will be distributed to workers. The Attorney General was also joined for this announcement by Jeffery Young, one of the underpaid skycaps who will benefit from this settlement.
During Climate Week, Attorney General Schneiderman Urges State & Local Action On Climate Change
One day after marching in the historic People’s Climate March last Sunday, Attorney General Schneiderman delivered the keynote address during a panel hosted by the New York City Bar Association in which he urged state and local governments to take action to combat Climate Change and its extreme weather effects, compensating for ongoing Washington gridlock. The Attorney General also emphasized the need for action in his op-ed on The Huffington Post and El Diario La Prensa.
Schneiderman Launches Initiative With State Education Department To Combat Student Bullying
Attorney General Schneiderman and NYS Education Department Commissioner John B. King, Jr. announced their joint initiative on student bullying and harassment. As part of this initiative, their offices issued a survey to all 700 school districts in New York seeking information on steps and actions they have taken to implement core provisions of the Dignity for all Students Act, New York’s first comprehensive statewide anti-bullying legislation. The results of the survey will be used to identify how schools are combatting bullying, and it will help ensure that students are provided with safe school environments free from harassment and discrimination.
Schneiderman Requires Health Care Company That Provided Substandard Service To Jail Inmates To Make Needed Reforms
Attorney General Schneiderman reached an agreement with Correctional Medical Care (CMC), which holds over $32 million in state contracts to provide medical services in jails in 13 upstate counties. The agreement comes on the heels of an investigation by the Attorney General’s office that found CMC understaffed facilities and shifted work hours from physicians and dentists to less qualified and lower-wage staff. The settlement agreement requires that an independent monitor oversee that CMC meets its obligations to provide medical care in New York jails, and requires the company to pay restitution and penalties.
Schneiderman & DiNapoli Indict Former Highway Superintendent In Public Corruption Case
Attorney General Schneiderman and Comptroller DiNapoli announced the indictment of Roger Burlew, former Highway Superintendent for the Town of Erin, for alleging stealing more than $50,000 in taxpayer dollars for parts for his CAT Loader. This is just the latest public integrity action taken by this historic joint initiative by the Attorney General and the Comptroller: Since 2011, they have prosecuted over 50 individuals in corruption cases, including a sitting state senator, a current member of the New York City Council, and elected officials from both parties across New York State.
Schneiderman Issues Consumer Alert On Ticket Scams
In time for Derek Jeter’s final Major League Baseball games earlier this week, Attorney General Schneiderman issued tips to help consumers avoid potential scams, including potentially purchasing counterfeit tickets. Historically, major sporting events and concerts have seen spikes in scams aimed at duping consumers. Attorney General Schneiderman’s consumer protection tips should also be used to help New Yorkers avoid scams when they purchase tickets for major events secondhand.
Schneiderman Announces Arrest Of Two Buffalo Nursing Home Employees On Charges They Neglected Disabled Resident
Attorney General Schneiderman announced the arrest of two employees of a Buffalo nursing home, following an investigation into their treatment of a nursing home resident. The investigation, which relied on a hidden camera placed in the patient’s room, revealed an alleged pattern of neglect.
Schneiderman Arrests Long Island Psychiatrist For Allegedly On Selling Prescriptions To Undercover Investigators
Attorney General Schneiderman’s Office arrested a Suffolk County-based psychiatrist on charges she unlawfully sold prescriptions for controlled substances in the course of her professional practice, without a legitimate medical purpose. The arrest follows an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, during which the defendant allegedly offered prescription narcotics to undercover Attorney General investigators posing as patients who sought the drugs for illegitimate purposes.
In Other News…
Attorney General Schneiderman encouraged all New Yorkers to participate in Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a national effort to help families safely dispose of unneeded medications in their home medication cabinets. The Attorney General also reminded that year-round medication drop boxes are also available across our state.
This week, Gary Brown, head of the Attorney General’s Westchester Office, trained 55 police cadets from across Westchester County how to identity and protect seniors from con artists.
And in Watertown, his office’s Charities Bureau Chief Jim Sheehan held a workshop for nonprofits in Watertown and across the North Country on ensuring transparency and compliance with New York laws.
On National Voter Registration Day, Attorney General Schneiderman celebrated democracy by urging all those eligible to register to vote.
The Attorney General also wished a Shana Tova all New Yorkers celebrating Rosh Hashanah.
This week’s Throwback Thursday: Farewell Captain.
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.
