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星期二, 9月 20, 2016
SBA針對婦女及少數族裔推出新飲食業創業計畫
WALTHAM MAN ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN $150,000 FOR UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF IMMIGRATION LAW
WALTHAM MAN ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN $150,000 FOR UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF IMMIGRATION LAW
Defendant Held Himself Out as an Immigration Attorney and Unlawfully Charged Massachusetts Residents for Legal Advice
BOSTON – A Waltham man and his company have been ordered to pay more than $150,000 for the unauthorized practice of immigration law, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.
Suffolk Superior Court Judge Peter Lauriat last week ordered Gerson Barahona and his company, Gerlatin Modeling and Legal Sub-Contractor Co. LLC, to pay $155,760 in restitution to victims, civil penalties, and attorney’s fees.
Barahona knowingly defrauded hundreds of Massachusetts residents by falsely holding himself out as an attorney specializing in immigration law, unlawfully charging his victims hundreds or thousands of dollars for legal advice and services, and purporting to represent individuals in immigration proceedings without authorization or accreditation.
“This defendant deceived vulnerable people who trusted him to help them with sensitive immigration matters, resulting in significant personal and financial harm,” AG Healey said. “Our office will continue to advocate for immigrants and other vulnerable populations by prosecuting those who try to take advantage of them.”
The AG’s Office sought and was granted a preliminary injunction in December 2014 that ordered Gerson to stop engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and to stop providing any services related to immigration matters.
In a complaint filed by the AG’s Office, also in December 2014, the AG’s Office alleged that Barahona charged fees for services that were of no benefit to his victims, including helping them to apply for programs or benefits when he knew or should have known that they were never eligible.
According to the complaint, Barahona is commissioned as a notary public, but he is not a licensed attorney, as he represented to numerous residents. Barahona is also not an “Accredited Representative,” a special designation given by the federal government to a small number of non-lawyers who have special knowledge and experience in immigration law and are permitted to represent clients in immigration proceedings.
The unauthorized practice of immigration law is a widespread problem in Massachusetts and throughout the country. The AG’s Office issued an advisory regarding the unauthorized practice of immigration lawthat has helpful tips for consumers to consider before hiring someone to provide legal advice or representation in connection with immigration matters.
The AG’s Civil Rights Division encourages consumers who think they have been victimized by an unauthorized immigration law scheme – including by Gerson Barahona – to call (617) 963-2917 or file a Civil Rights E-Complaint.
This matter was handled by Division Chief Genevieve C. Nadeau and Paralegal Neel Mehrotra of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division and Shannon Roark of the AG’s Civil Investigations Division, with assistance from U. S. Citizenship & Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection & National Security in Boston.
USDA Designates Massachusetts Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
USDA Designates Massachusetts Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Farms in Designated Counties Now Eligible for Financial Assistance
BOSTON – September 20, 2016 – Under a recent declaration made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 11 Massachusetts counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas and three counties as contiguous natural disaster area counties due to crop losses, particularly of tree fruits like peaches, caused by frost and freeze occurring between February and May. The counties with primary disaster designation are Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester. The counties named as contiguous disaster counties are Dukes, Nantucket and Suffolk. This disaster designation makes farms in designated counties eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans.
“Massachusetts’ diverse agricultural industry has long been a vital part of the Commonwealth’s economy, creating good jobs and providing healthy, local food for residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We appreciate the United States Department of Agriculture taking steps to assist farms across the Commonwealth. I encourage farmers adversely impacted by this year’s extreme weather conditions to explore the USDA programs and the state’s Emergency Drought Loan Fund.”
“This year’s weather has been a great challenge to Massachusetts farmers; first with the winter freeze and now with a severe drought,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.“Despite that, our farmers have done a remarkable job at getting high-quality, nutritious food to market, and I urge Massachusetts residents to buy local to support our hardworking farmers.”
In addition to the designation as primary and contiguous natural disaster areas, the same 11 counties became eligible for the USDA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) as the result of the ongoing drought. The LFP program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on pasture land.
“Our livestock and dairy industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, contributing over $70 million dollars annually. We appreciate USDA implementing a program to address this specific sector,”said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux. “In addition to seasonal harvests, consumers have year-round access to top-quality, Massachusetts-produced dairy and meat products.”
Farmers in the designated counties are urged to contact their local FSA county offices for more information on the available programs.
Earlier this month, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of the Massachusetts Drought Emergency Loan Fund, which has the capacity to provide up to $1 million in micro-loans to family farms and other small businesses affected by widespread drought conditions in Massachusetts.
WESTPORT USED AUTO DEALERSHIP AND OWNER ORDERED TO STOP SELLING UNSAFE VEHICLES TO CONSUMERS
WESTPORT USED AUTO DEALERSHIP AND OWNER ORDERED TO STOP SELLING UNSAFE VEHICLES TO CONSUMERS
Order Comes After AG’s Office Sued Company After Receiving More Than 100 Consumer Complaints
NEW BEDFORD – A Westport used auto dealership and its owner have been ordered to stop selling unsafe and unreliable vehicles to consumers in an enforcement action filed by Attorney General Maura Healey.
A request for emergency injunctive relief was granted in New Bedford Superior Court against F&R Auto Sales, Inc. (F&R Auto) in Westport and owner Francis Correiro of Assonet.
The AG’s Office sued the dealership and Correiro on Sept. 13 after receiving more than 100 consumer complaints since 2012 about their alleged unfair and deceptive practices, including the routine sale of defective vehicles and the failure to provide proper transactional documents to consumers.
“These defendants not only took advantage of consumers, they also put the safety of the public at risk by knowingly allowing unsafe vehicles onto the roads,” said AG Healey. “We will not allow companies to use abusive practices to reap illegal profits from vulnerable Massachusetts consumers, including those who have been stuck with defective cars and debt because of this company.”
The injunction, effective immediately, prohibits the defendants from selling unsafe and defective vehicles and refusing to repair them and also requires them to supply consumers with the statutorily required transactional documentation.
According to the AG’s complaint, F&R Auto and Correiro violated the state consumer protection laws by using unfair and deceptive acts in the sale of used motor vehicles in Massachusetts.
The AG’s Office conducted an investigation into the dealership in cooperation with the Westport Police Department and the Westport Board of Selectmen. During a series of inspections of the dealership in 2015 and 2016, Westport Police found vehicles in decrepit conditions and evidence of shoddy repair work being performed. They also found piles of documents containing sensitive personal consumer information, including Social Security and financial account numbers in an open dumpster on the site.
Based on complaints against F&R Auto, the AG’s lawsuit alleges that the defendants frequently misrepresented to buyers that vehicles were safe and reliable in order to make sales. The AG’s Office examined inspection reports of recently purchased vehicles that revealed significant safety issues, including defects in suspension, emissions, airbags, directional lights, and brakes.
The AG’s investigation also found that consumers would often drive away from the dealership and the check engine light would come on or the car would fail a safety and emissions test after they purchased it. When consumers discovered issues with their cars, the dealership would allegedly frequently dismiss them or refuse to make repairs. In one case, a consumer was quoted nearly $16,000 in repairs needed on a car he got from the dealership – a price that far exceeded what he paid for the car.
The dealership and Correiro also failed to provide consumers with statutorily mandated purchase transactional documents, including Motor Vehicle Purchase Contracts (MVPC), Retail Installment Sales Contracts (RISC), odometer statements and title documents, thereby interfering with consumers’ ability to fully exercise their legal rights.
The lawsuit further alleges that F&R Auto and Correiro illegally disclaimed warranties on the vehicles and failed to properly execute assignment and warranty of title on vehicles they sold.
AG Healey’s complaint against the defendants seeks injunctive relief and restitution for consumers, as well as penalties, costs, and attorneys’ fees. Consumers who believe they have been harmed by F&R’s sales practices should call AG’s the dedicated hotline at (508) 742-4514. For other tips or questions about the auto industry, consumers may call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office.
The matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Lizabeth Lagarto Marshall and Consumer Advocate Diane Lopes Flaherty of Attorney General Healey’s Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Office, with assistance from Deputy Chief Shennan Kavanagh and Assistant Attorney General Samantha Shusterman of the AG’s Consumer Protection Division, Stephen Marshalek, Chief of the AG’s Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Office, and Investigator Colleen Frost.
貝爾蒙特華人協會慶中秋
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| 圖片由貝爾蒙特華人協會提供。 |
貝爾蒙特華人協會（Belmont Chinese American Association，簡稱BCAA）經過半年多的籌備，已於今年七月正式在麻州政府註冊，取得501(C)3免稅資格的成為非牟利組織，並從年初起，已陸續舉辦過幾次大型活動，包括春節晚會，高中畢業生講座，獨立日Natickerson State 公園露營，小鐵人比賽及慶功會，勞動節白山遊等。
日前，該會趁中秋佳節，發函祝賀全體成員中秋快樂，總結匯報成立以來概況。
成立华协的想法由来已久，在组织今年年初春晚的过程中十几个一直以来积极参与社区活动的人终于走到了一起。几次“抛妻（夫）弃子（女）”的马拉松会议都开到了后半夜，总算在组织宗旨，结构，人员组成，活动安排上达成了共识。咱们贝尔蒙特华人终于有自己的组织啦！
华协宗旨：说白了就是费劲巴拉成立这么个组织究竟为嘛？答案呢很简单，就以下几点。
(1) 把本塘华人团结起来。（麻绳理论应该就不用再费劲解释了：D）;
(a) 通过各种活动让大家互相了解，说白了就是在吃喝玩乐中把不认识的变成认识的，把本来就认识的变成知己闺蜜酒肉朋友。：P 俗话说远亲不如近邻。
(b) 建立一个信息交流的平台，互相借鉴一下育儿经，修房经，投资经，种菜经。
(2) 提高本塘华人的社会地位。我们希望能够改变华人各家自扫门前雪，闷声发大财的传统形象。
(a) 鼓励大家走出去，发出自己的声音。粗略估算本塘华人占全塘10%左右，作为这么可观的一股力量我们却很少能在社区政治中听到自己的声音。我们希望通过华协的努力能够让大家更加积极的参与到包括选举，学校事务，社区规划等等各方面的社区政治中。我们不能再继续在这条taxation
without representation的悲催道路上大踏步地走下去了!
贝尔蒙特华人协会(Belmont
Chinese American Association，簡稱BCAA）幹部包括：會長趙剛，王瑾，副會長謝眺，書記王健，財政彭健等五人組成的執行委員會，另分教育，活動，宣傳，外展，總務等小組，各組負責人為，教育:Chair -- 郭晓燕;Deputy Chair-- 蔡靓;活動：Co-chairs 叶迎春&王星晨;Chief Media Director -陈大鹏;宣傳：Chair-- 周霞;外展：Chair-- 许方敏；Deputy Chairs-- 孙文泱
& 谷牧青；總務：Chair--赵勇。
CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES EARLY VOTING WEBSITE AND ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE
CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES EARLY VOTING WEBSITE AND ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE
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'Vote Early Boston' website will help voters find early voting locations
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BOSTON - Monday, September 19, 2016 - Boston election officials today launched the "Vote Early Boston" website (boston.gov/early-voting) which provides voters with important information about the City of Boston's new early voting initiative. "Vote Early Boston" begins Monday, October 24 and runs through Friday, November 4. During that time, registered voters will be able to cast their ballots for the November 8 Election.
"Ensuring all Boston voters are able to vote conveniently, and on their own schedule, is paramount to ensuring voter turnout," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Voting is core to our democracy, and I encourage Boston voters to take advantage of all the resources the City provides during this election season."
"We expect that the 'Vote Early Boston' website will serve as an important resource for all voters interested in casting their ballots during the early voting period," said Boston Elections Chairman Dion Irish. "Early voting polling locations will be open at City Hall and throughout the nine city council districts allowing voters to vote at the most convenient location and times."
Voters may also request an early voting ballot by mail, and may return them in person at City Hall or by mail. Unlike Absentee Voting, an explanation is no longer needed to vote early. Any Boston voter who wishes to vote early may.
During the early voting period, City Hall will be Boston's main early voting site, with voting daily during normal business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). City Hall will also be open on five evenings for early voting.
Polling locations will also be available throughout the city on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, during the early voting period. Those locations will be open from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. On Saturday October 29, there will be nine early voting locations open simultaneously in each city council district from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.
For a full schedule, voters are encouraged to visit boston.gov/early-voting.
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羅德島大學孔子學院辦中國民俗舞蹈週
羅德島大學孔子學院9月19日起舉辦“中國民俗舞蹈週”，邀請來自廣西藝術學院的孫健老師，做示範教學，包括一場講座，以及9月20日到23日的4場工作坊。
19日下午，孫健以“中國民族舞動作分析”為主題，先示範中國蒙古舞，新疆舞的一個個手勢變化，再介紹中國各民族的服飾，地域，以及中國舞的發展及功能。
在講解過程中，孫健還展示了扇子舞等其他經典舞蹈的動作，已讓人更直接感受到中國舞蹈的特別魅力。
在接下來的一週內，孫健將每天下午在羅德島大學校內主持中國少數民族和漢族舞蹈教學工作坊。 （圖由羅德島大學孔子學院提供）
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