Baker-Polito Administration Awards $6.7 Million in Shannon Grants to Combat Youth Gang Violence

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $6.7 Million in Shannon Grants to Combat Youth Gang Violence

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Dan Bennett announced the release of $6.7 million in competitive grant funds to communities and local partners to bolster their efforts to combat gang violence. The awards, made to 15 communities and 10 Local Action Research Partners (LARPs) through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, are available specifically for the purpose of combatting gang violence in the Commonwealth.

“The cities and local partners selected for these grants have demonstrated commitment and creativity in combatting the gang violence that threatens the safety and well-being of the residents of their communities,” said Governor Baker. “By using a multidimensional approach that employs a full range of diverse and effective techniques these communities have empowered themselves to make a serious impact on youth violence and gang activity.” 

The $6.3M awarded to the CSI sites provides funding to communities that demonstrate high levels of youth violence and gang problems, a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners, and a commitment to coordinated prevention and intervention strategies. Funded strategies include social intervention and opportunity provision programs, as well as gang task force personnel costs and overtime.

“This funding will allow cities and local partners to further enhance community outreach to at-risk youth and provide them with positive opportunities that divert them away from gang activity and toward a brighter future,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “This effort is coupled with programming that provides education, training, and employment direction for young people at high risk for either youth violence or involvement in a gang.”

“Monitoring the activity of gang-involved youth and other high impact players by police, prosecutors, probation officers, and other officers of the court can result in significant disruption of criminal activity,” said Secretary Bennett.

"This funding has been a critical component to the City's strategy in addressing youth, gun and gang violence in Boston,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans. “With this funding we can provide involved youth with direct services through all our local partners," said Commissioner Evans. "I thank Governor Baker and Secretary Bennett for continuing to support the great work being done in Boston and across Massachusetts."

Shannon CSI Grant Sites	Award Amount
Boston	$1,365,434.46
Brockton	$425,692.00
Fall River	$450,754.68
Fitchburg (incl. Gardner, Leominster)	$169, 274.72
Haverhill (incl. Methuen)	$111,788.51
Holyoke (incl. Chicopee)	$479,594.20
Lawrence	$254,271.69
Lowell	$563,778.45
Lynn	$194,519.69
Metro Mayors Coalition (incl. Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Winthrop)	$343,991.69
New Bedford	$496,192.66
Pittsfield	$95,191.29
Springfield	$717,569.13
Taunton (incl. Attleboro, Norton)	$89,746.37
Worcester	$506,992.66

Local Action Research Partners assist the funded Shannon Community Safety Initiative sites by providing strategic, analytic, technical, and research support. These partners received grants totaling $470,000.

Local Action Research Partners (LARPs)	Award Amount
City of Brockton	$46,600.00
Clark University	$59,999.60
Community Resources for Justice	$59,474.20
North Shore Community College	$45,683.00
Roger Williams University	$45,243.80
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	$43,721.80
University of Massachusetts, Boston	$58,425.50
University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Haverhill/Methuen Site)	$16,110.80
University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lawrence Site)	$16,110.80
University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lowell Site)	$59,996.20
Westfield State University	$18,032.10

BULGER COMPANION PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMINAL CONTEMPT CHARGE

BULGER COMPANION PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMINAL CONTEMPT CHARGE

 

BOSTON – Catherine Greig, the longtime companion of convicted killer James “Whitey” Bulger, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with her refusal to testify before a federal grand jury.  The investigation centered on whether others assisted her and Bulger during the 16 years they were fugitives from justice. 

 

Ms. Greig, 64, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt.  U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV scheduled sentencing for April 28, 2016. 

 

Greig is currently serving an eight year sentence for her 2012 conviction of identity fraud and harboring James J. Bulger. 

 

The charge of criminal contempt provides for a sentence or no greater than life in prison to be served subsequent to her current eight-year prison sentence and a fine.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

 

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary B. Murrane of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit. 

哈佛中國論壇2016 首辦創業大賽

已有18年歷史，預定今年（2016）4月8日至10日舉行的哈佛中國論壇（Harvard China Forum），儼然呼應中國大陸的“大眾創業，萬眾創新”，將首次舉辦“哈佛中國論壇創業大賽（Harvard China Pitch）“，邀請創業團隊分成健康醫療及消費品，科技及媒體，社會影響及非牟利等分三大類，在麻州波士頓市的海恩斯會議展覽中心（Hynes Convention Center）競比。 首輪評審包括真格基金合夥人徐小平，隆領投資創辦人蔡文勝，空中網技術長楊寧，瑞峰資本合夥人李豐，梅花天使創投合夥人吳世春等人。 etc.3月1日截止報名，查詢詳情可上網www.harvardchina.org/pitch。

Interested in developing a startup business related to China?  Looking for personal advice and investment from top VCs and entrepreneurs? Want to win attractive prizes for presenting your startup ideas?   Register for Harvard China Pitch NOW!

About Harvard China Forum Founded in 1998, Harvard China Forum (HCF) is the leading student-organized conference in North America on the challenges, trends, and issues impacting China. We engage leaders from business, academia, and politics in discourse that offers insight and generates new ideas. For 18 years, HCF has provided an unrivaled platform for leaders to debate and address questions that will shape the future of China. This year's Pitch Competition will take place during Harvard China Forum held at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center on April 8–10, 2016.

Pitch Categories   Examples Consumer Goods and Healthcare Products and services for consumers Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease Healthcare delivery and data analysis Technology and Media Software: web, mobile, online platforms, etc. Hardware: devices, appliances, robotics, etc. Information systems and content delivery Social Impact and Non-Profit Poverty alleviation and economic development Sustainable solutions to social issues These categories are intended only to organize the entries and will be interpreted broadly, so do not worry if your idea does not perfectly fit into one category.

Eligibility Each entry must fit one of our categories and relate to China in a specific way. Participants must have legal rights to the ideas and technologies they propose. Each team must have at least two members (the contest does not require members to be students). Each person can be part of only one entry.

How to Participate If you are eligible, register at www.harvardchina.org/pitch. You will submit a written proposal in either English or Chinese to explain your idea (see below for guidelines). The judges will provide feedback to all contestants and select up to eight finalists to pitch in either English or Chinese at HCF 2016. The judges may also invest directly in any proposals they find compelling.

Guidance on Written Proposals   Proposals must meet the following requirements: Clearly state team members’ names in English (and Chinese if applicable) Contain at most four typed pages (in either English or Simplified Chinese) Additional pages will not be read, and teams that violate these requirements may be disqualified. The following sections are intended to guide your thinking, but they are not strictly required. Please structure your proposal in the way that best presents your idea and addresses the most important issues: Overview Problem Statement Solution and Technology Customer Profile Competition  Sales and Marketing Organization and Management Finance and Investment

First-round Judges Xu Xiaoping 徐小平 Founder, ZhenFund Cai Wensheng 蔡文胜 Founder and Partner, Longling Capital Yang Ning 杨宁  Chairman, CTO, Kongzhong.com      Sheng Xitai  盛希泰 Partner, Angel Plus Li Feng 李丰  Founding Partner, FreesFund Wu Shichun 吴世春 Partner, PlumVentures etc. Xu Xiaoping at HCF 2015

Tentative Schedule February 1, 2016   Registration opens March 1, 2016   Submission deadline March 21, 2016   Finalist announcement April 9, 2016   Finalist pitches at HCF 2016   HCF 2015

Tentative Prizes 1st Place    US$3000 + tickets to HCF 2017 + tickets to HCF 2016 VIP Dinner 2nd Place  US$2000 + tickets to HCF 2017 3rd Place   US$1000 + tickets to HCF 2017 *All teams will receive feedback from the judges. Finalist teams will have the opportunity to connect directly with potential investors, partners, and mentors at HCF 2016. Most importantly, any proposal (both finalists and non-finalists) may receive significant investment from our judges.

Co-sponsor: Discovery Investment Group                                  The founding members of Discovery Investment come from Goldman Sachs, UBS, Startup-Bootcamp, etc. It aims to discover the most promising start-up companies and assist them to be the game changers for this era. Past investors that Discovery Investment has worked with include: Xu Xiaoping, Shen Nanpeng, Li Feng, etc.

Contact Us Please contact us at pitch@harvardchina.org if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at HCF 2016!

If you would like to attend Harvard China Forum 2016, you can register for the conference at harvardchina.org/register. Tickets will be released in March. It is not necessary to attend the forum to enter the first round of the pitch competition.

2016 新英格兰华人专业人士春节联欢晚会及社区论坛 2/13

2016 新英格兰华人专业人士春节联欢晚会及社区论坛

2016-01-03 NECPN新英格兰华人专业人士春晚

2016新英格兰华人专业人士春节联欢晚会及社区论坛由包括16个专业行业组织共同承办，行业范围覆盖高新科技、生物制药、医疗健康、法务法律、金融会计、高等教育，摄影等领域。届时超过500位各行业从业人员与行业精英将汇聚一堂，共同庆祝新春佳节。

时间: 2月13日(星期六), 1:00 PM-10:00 PM

地点: Boston Marriott Burlington, one  Burlington Mall Road , Burlington, MA 01803

活动一览:

社区论坛: 1:00 - 5:30pm - 投资与创业、青少年教育与大学申请、职场沟通技巧培训、文化沙龙 - 新春交友

社交及注册：5:30 - 6:30pm

新春晚会：6:30－10:00pm

嘉宾演讲 - 中国新年晚餐-专业团体演出 - 娱乐活动 - 幸运抽奖  - 儿童爱心募捐活动

新春晚会票价:

Early Bird ticket: $60  (截止至1月31日)

Regular ticket: $75 （1月31日以后)

Student ticket: $40  (限量学生折扣票)

相关内容与在线购票，

请浏览本活动网站: www.cpnweb.org 

或者点击底部的阅读原文（Read More）进入购票链接

敬请关注官方微信平台：

CPNWEB (Chinese Professionals Networking Web) is an online platform established by a group of volunteers aiming to bridge the Chinese professional community in the Boston area. We provide platform for Chinese professional organizations to reach their targeted audience for professional & entertainment activities, especially those events co-organized by multiple organizations.

Baker-Polito Administration to Increase Affordable Access to Clean and Efficient Energy

Baker-Polito Administration to Increase Affordable Access to Clean and Efficient Energy

Initiative Aims to Expand Energy Choices for Low- and Moderate-Income Residents

LOWELL – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the launch of a new initiative and $15 million in funding to help low- and moderate-income Massachusetts residents access cost-saving, clean and efficient energy technologies. The Affordable Access to Clean and Efficient Energy Initiative will focus on coordinating the agencies that serve the energy and housing needs of the Commonwealth’s low- and moderate-income residents and identify the most effective strategies to direct funding. The initiative will include an inter-secretariat working group and a $15 million commitment for clean energy programs to expand opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.

“Everyone in Massachusetts should have affordable access to the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The working group will ensure that we have streamlined strategies for broadening the availability of clean energy through existing and new programs.”

“This initiative will increase the collaboration of state and local agencies and connect a variety of cost-saving resources with those who need them most,”said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Helping all Massachusetts families afford clean and efficient energy technologies will allow them to save money, heat more effectively and improve their environment.”

The inter-secretariat working group will review the barriers to clean energy investment for the state’s low- and moderate-income residents and suggest improvements in policies and programs to increase their impact. Clean energy programs through the initiative will be funded by a $10 million commitment from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and $5 million from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). These programs will help address challenges related to high-cost, high-emissions heating fuels, complex financing, and expensive up-front costs of clean energy projects.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to delivering proven and new cost-effective ways for low- and moderate-income Massachusetts residents to use less energy and enjoy the benefits of healthier, more comfortable homes,”said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.“Through this new initiative and funding, we also hope to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support our vibrant clean energy industry.”

“I am thrilled to work with our partners Energy and Environment to increase affordable energy for the Commonwealth’s families,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay. “Access to reliable, affordable energy is vitally important as we work with families to improve quality of life and access to economic opportunity.”

Massachusetts’ energy efficiency programs have delivered building improvements and high efficiency lighting and appliances to low income residents for decades. During the next three years, new initiatives that target moderate-income households, renters and multi-family assisted housing will be implemented through Mass Save®, a utility-led program that provides a wide range of energy efficiency services to help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs.  This initiative will build on the foundation of the energy efficiency plans, developed through the work done by the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, the Program Administrators of Mass Save®, the Low Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN), DOER, DHCD and organizations that finance and support low- and moderate-income housing.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is going to make it easier for low and moderate income residents to access affordable energy efficiency and renewable energy options,” said DOER Commissioner Judith Judson. “We can make clean energy more equitable by marshalling a variety of new and existing programs.”

“We’re looking forward to putting clean energy technologies in the homes of those they’ll help most,” said MassCEC Interim CEO Steve Pike.

“This is great news,” said State Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “I applaud the Baker Administration on their initiative and look forward to working with them to bring the clean energy economy home to Lowell.  The Boott Cotton Mills served as a center of economic progress for Massachusetts during the Industrial Revolution, the site will once again take the lead as we advance the Commonwealth's clean energy revolution.”

“This initiative will ensure that the benefits of solar energy are available to all citizens of the commonwealth, including residents of affordable housing developments like Boott Mills,” said State Senator Eileen Donoghue (D-Lowell). “A few years ago, Boott Mills stood as a reminder of Lowell’s innovative past. Now, reinvented as mixed-income housing and powered by solar installations, it’s a symbol of the city’s present-day spirit of innovation.”

“The solar panel initiative at the Boott Mills is one more positive step toward making Lowell a greener community which is something that the Lowell City Council and the City Administration has been interested in for several years,”said Lowell Mayor Ed Kennedy.

“I'd like to thank Governor Baker, Secretary Beaton, Undersecretary Kornegay, Commissioner Judson, and Interim CEO of MassCEC Steve Pike for being here today and working collaboratively on this project,” said State Representative Randy Mom (D-Lowell). “By working together to leverage their individual projects and departmental resources we're going to be able to put into place solar services to continue to revitalize these historic buildings.”

“By implementing the Affordable Access to Clean and Efficient Energy Initiative, this Initiative will not only help reduce environmental impact, but also keep rising energy costs down,” said State Representative David Nangle (D-Lowell).

The Baker-Polito Administration is addressing the cost of energy for ratepayers in a number of ways, including the filing of hydropower and solar legislation, that strengthen the clean energy economy in Massachusetts and help meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements set forth under the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA).

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON 1ON1, A NEW CITY HALL TO GO ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON 1ON1, A NEW CITY HALL TO GO ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE

Pilot Initiative Encourages New Residents to Meet One on One with City Hall to Go Staff

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a new pilot City Hall to Go initiative, Boston 1ON1. This program will allow new Boston residents or a resident moving to a new neighborhood the opportunity to meet one on one in their new neighborhood with a staff member from the Mayor's City Hall to Go team. "The City of Boston has many great resources available to residents, and through the City Hall to Go truck we are able to bring these services directly to people in the neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh. "With the new Boston 1ON1 initiative, our hope is that by having in-person conversations with new residents, we are able to make people feel welcome in their new neighborhood and provide them with the services they need to get acquainted in their new home." This meeting will serve as a one stop shop for new residents to take care of their City related business and learn about their new neighborhood.  Examples of the services that can be conducted during the meeting include: Applying for a resident parking permit Receiving recycling and trash stickers Downloading City apps Learning about BPS school registration Getting a dog license To sign up for a one on one meeting please visit  http://cityhalltogo.weebly.com. Meetings will take place at different locations throughout the City including libraries, community centers and local coffee shops.

“老鷹想飛”有意訪波 尋求支持者

一群住在波士頓的熱心人，有意把一部拍了23年，闡述環境保護，記錄高中生物老師梁振中了解到台灣老鷹只剩175隻後，辭去教職，全心守護的記錄片，帶到波士頓放映，並邀請導演梁皆得親自出席，刻正公開募集活動經費。
有意資助者，可洽康麗雪 lisatarheel@gmail.com。

以下為有關“老鷹想飛”一片的概略資料。
「老鷹想飛」主角之一:老鷹(Black Kite 黑鳶 麻鷹) 雙翼展開長約150~160 cm，中大型猛禽
食性:動物屍體、魚類、小型兩生爬蟲類、人類垃圾等肉雜食性 棲息環境 :山地到平地、農田到都市區、漁港

全世界分布

台灣狀況:
(1863 史溫侯)全台南北各地普遍可見 (1960年代)台灣 鄉村仍可見成群飛翔
(1980以後)族群 銳減 (1991中華鳥會普查)僅基隆與屏東有分布,全台 175隻 農委會公告「珍貴稀有野生動物」

台灣的老鷹去哪裡了?

「老鷹想飛」主角之二:沈振中 老師

1991年,高中生物老師 沈振中 因緣際會立誓為老鷹立傳。他辭掉教職,簡樸度日,於 1992~2012,38歲 至58歲,花費一生最精華的時光,自力守護台灣老鷹 20年。
影片紀錄工作者 梁皆得 導演默默陪伴,記錄了沈振中 20年行腳足跡。

「老鷹想飛」主角之三:受沈老師感動影響的人

香港,台灣面積的 3%,卻是全球老鷹密度最高的地區。超過 2000隻老鷹棲息,使香港又被稱為 麻鷹 之城(老鷹港名麻鷹)。
香港觀鳥會 受沈老師影響創立 「麻鷹研究小組」 ,持續研究保育香港老鷹。 並於2007年起每年舉辦「香港麻鷹節」 (連結)進行研究交流與保育教育推廣,至 2016年1月已是第 10届。(香港麻鷹報導連結)

追隨沈老師,台灣接棒的新生代,屏東科技大學 林惠珊 [就算只當工友,也要做老鷹研究]連結

「老鷹想飛」主角之四、五、六:來看電影的你 我 他

所以,台灣的老鷹去哪裡了?為什麼有人願意為老鷹畢生奉獻?
誠摯邀請您來看「老鷹想飛」找答案,透過 23年的拍攝鏡頭,會看到台灣土地風貌的變遷,看到台灣與國外老 鷹的差別待遇,看到台灣老鷹岌岌可危的生存奮鬥,更看到研究人員堅毅努力的行動付出。這部片,不是單一 種鳥或某一個人的記錄,它更訴 說了土地與情感;是一個發始於渺小的鳥與人之間的誓言,進而成就大願,現 在要靠大家接力進行下去的動人故事。

一部拍了23年的電影 ~「老鷹想飛」

「老鷹想飛」

★「老鷹想飛」新聞稿 『這個地球上唯有生命可以感動生命』 (連結)
★梁皆得 導演談拍片與後製過程『 這是我第一次拍「有人」的紀錄片 』(連結)
★台灣最真情的歐吉桑 吳念真 無償旁白配音 ★2013年金馬獎最佳原創電影音樂奬得主 林強 演唱主題曲並配樂

★於全世界112國共1800部作品中脫穎而出, 獲得2015年第12届世界自然 野生生物影像祭 <<環境保護獎>>

★影評推薦:『二十年?那是一個怎樣的生命跨度呀!』 (連結)
★觀眾推薦: 『激動落淚 ...』『適合帶小孩一起去看 ...』 『思考我們該還給土地什麼 ...』『謝謝一群可愛又可敬的傻子與瘋子 ...』(連結)

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates School Choice Week in Massachusetts

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates School Choice Week in Massachusetts

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement in recognition of School Choice Week in Massachusetts and the importance of ensuring all children, regardless of their zip code, are able to access high-quality, affordable education.

“Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in education with schools and teachers that are preparing our children for a successful future,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By continuing to expand access to high-quality education, we can provide our parents and students across the Commonwealth with excellent choices and opportunities regardless of their zip code.”

Proclaimed by the Governor, School Choice Week in Massachusetts coincides withNational School Choice Week, which spotlights educational opportunities for children, including public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.

“National School Choice Week is an opportunity to recognize all our schools, whether traditional, charter, public, private, vocational-technical, parochial or otherwise, and the opportunities for success they provide our families,” said Education Secretary Jim Peyser. “We are committed to ensuring, whatever a parents’ choice, the highest academic quality is available to all Massachusetts families.”

This week, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito proposed increasing Chapter 70 education funding by $72.1 million as part of the administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget legislation. In addition, the governor has proposed adding over $20 million for a revised charter school reimbursement formula.

Governor Baker and his Workforce Skills Cabinet recently announced a series of new initiatives to support career vocational technical education, including $83.5 million to be proposed between the FY 2017 budget recommendation and new capital grant funding which was filed this week in the governor’s “Opportunities for All” economic development legislation.

BTBA 1/31 談製藥發展

Dear Friends of BTBA,

We are pleased to invite Irene Lau, Strategy and Business Analysis Manager at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to share with us how businesses make strategic decisions along the drug development process. Please see details below.

Title: Drug Development - How it all comes together

Time: January 31 (Sun) 3:00-4:00pm

Location: MIT 56-154 (http://whereis.mit.edu/?go=56)

Free. No registration needed.

Add to Google Calendar

生技產業與製藥的發展一定要有好的Science 來支撐，但只有技術在市場競爭上是絕對不夠的。好的生技公司在實驗室的背後一定要有最專業的團隊來進行精確的市場分析與決策，每一筆決策都攸關公司未來的發展。

這個月的workshop BTBA 邀請目前在Alnylam Pharmaceuticals 擔任Strategy and Business Analysis Manager的Irene Lau 給我們一個深入了解。有商業背景想要進入生技產業決策核心的朋友不能錯過；在第一線研究的Scientist更不能錯過這個機會了解你的心血是如何經由最專業的決策分析最終進入到市場喔! 

Speaker: Irene Lau 

Manager in Strategy and Business Analysis - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

Irene joined Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in 2015 and supports the head of product development strategy. Most recently, Irene served at Goldman Sachs as an associate on the large-cap biotech research team. Prior to GS, Irene worked at boutique/mid market investment banks including Leerink, Oppenheimer and Thinkequity with an emphasis on the biotech sector. Irene graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in microbiology.

Hope to see you there!

Best,

BTBA

COCKTAIL NAPKIN INSIDER TIP LEADS TO FEDERAL CONVICTION

COCKTAIL NAPKIN INSIDER TIP LEADS TO FEDERAL CONVICTION

 

BOSTON – Following a three-day trial, a Boston-area real estate developer was convicted today of engaging in insider trading for buying – and later selling – shares of Wainwright Bank & Trust Company (“Wainwright”) based on a tip that Wainwright would be acquired.  Prior to the acquisition, shares of Wainwright traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

Robert H. Bray, 78, of Watertown, was convicted by a jury of one count of securities fraud.   He was acquitted of a separate count of conspiracy.  U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for May 4, 2016.

 

Bray is the owner of R&B Construction, a construction and real-estate development company that operates in the Cambridge and Watertown area.  As the government proved at trial, in June 2010, Bray was tipped by a friend who was an executive at Boston-based Eastern Bank Corp. (“Eastern Bank”) that Wainwright would be acquired.  The tip – more than two weeks before the acquisition was publicly announced – was passed on a napkin slipped to Bray over drinks at a country club bar in Watertown where both men are members.  On Monday, June 14, 2010, Bray called his broker to ask how he could buy 25,000 shares of Wainwright stock, which he acknowledged “kinda sounds crazy,” given how thinly the stock traded.  Bray ultimately purchased a total of 31,000 Wainwright shares over the next two weeks, at prices between $8.85 and $9.90 per share, single-handedly accounting for some 56 percent of the total trading volume in Wainwright shares during that period.  On June 29, 2010, Eastern Bank announced its agreement to acquire Wainwright for $19 per share in cash, a premium of nearly 100% over the stock’s prior closing price.  Bray ultimately sold his shares for a profit of approximately $300,000.

 

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Harold Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. 

 

“Today’s conviction underscores our commitment to making sure that there is a level playing field for all securities investors – and that those who would pass on confidential corporate information on napkins at bars, in whispered conversations on golf courses or in any other way, are held accountable for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Ortiz.

 

“Mr. Bray thought he could engage in a back-door deal to get rich quick.  By capitalizing on insider information, he cheated the system established to protect hard-working investors.  Financial fraud is not a victimless crime and the FBI will do everything it can to identify those individuals who are trying to undermine the integrity of the financial market,” said Special Agent in Charge Shaw. 

 

The maximum sentence under the statute is 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of up to five million dollars.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

 

The United States Attorney’s Office received valuable assistance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the course of investigating this case.  The case was prosecuted by Stephen E. Frank and Eric P. Christofferson of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.

RHODE ISLAND WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO $800,000 IMMIGRATION SCAM

RHODE ISLAND WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO $800,000 IMMIGRATION SCAM

 

BOSTON – A Woonsocket woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Worcester to federal wire fraud charges in connection with a scheme to defraud immigrants that netted over $800,000.

 

Patria Zuniga, 53, of Woonsocket, R.I., pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud.  U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for May 24, 2016. 

 

From 2009 through 2012, Zuniga targeted immigrant victims telling them that she worked for US immigration authorities and could assist them in lawfully obtaining permanent resident immigration status.  The victims typically had no lawful status or temporary legal status in the United States.  Zuniga’s services were initially offered for $8,000 to $14,000; however, after the victims made the payments, Zuniga extorted additional funds by, among other things, threatening to have them deported if they refused to pay. 

 

Victim payments were initially made in cash, but later in the scheme Zuniga accepted money via cash deposits made directly into designated bank accounts (including accounts owned by her daughters), money orders, and bank and Western Union wire transfers.  In total, victims paid more $800,000 over the course of the fraud.

 

In furtherance of her scheme, Zuniga employed a variety of tools to create the appearance of legitimacy in front of the victims.  For example, in order to prove that she could in fact deliver the promised immigration benefits, Zuniga showed her victims photocopies of immigration documents with their names and photographs on them, which she had forged.  Zuniga also routinely arranged for victims to travel to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Offices in Boston purportedly to take receipt of the  of the immigration documents.  Upon arrival, victims waited for hours only to have Zuniga contact and cancel the non-existent appointment. 

 

Zuniga’s daughters, Alba Peña and Indranis Rocheford, have also been charged in connection with the fraud.  They are scheduled for trial in April 2016. 

 

Zuniga faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 per count of wire fraud.   Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

 

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Jordi de Llano of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.