AG HEALEY’S FISCAL YEAR 2017 RECOVERIES AND SAVINGS EXCEED $800 MILLION FOR STATE, TAXPAYERS

AG HEALEY’S FISCAL YEAR 2017 RECOVERIES AND SAVINGS EXCEED $800 MILLION FOR STATE, TAXPAYERS

AG’s Office Recovered More Than $17 for Every Dollar Invested in the Office

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that her office brought back more than $800 million in recoveries and savings for the state and taxpayers in fiscal year 2017, including more than $79 million to the General Fund. The AG’s Office recovered more than $17 for every dollar invested in its work in fiscal year 2017. 

“My office saves hundreds of millions of dollars each year for state agencies, cities and towns, businesses and residents,” said AG Healey. “We are deeply committed to putting money back in the pockets of Massachusetts families through our work. In the last year, we also recovered more than $79 million for the General Fund to support the state and our taxpayers.”

The AG’s Office is organized into various bureaus and divisions, each committed to advocating for the interests of Massachusetts and its residents. The following highlights some notable recoveries and savings from certain bureaus and divisions within the AG’s Office.

            Government

The AG’s Government Bureau represents the state, its agencies and officials in a broad range of civil litigation. Cases include employment disputes, eminent domain and land cases, constitutional challenges to state action and laws, and litigation involving key state policies and millions of dollars in taxpayer funds. For example, in fiscal year 2017 the Administrative Law Division successfully represented the Department of Mental Health in a health care case that resulted in an estimated $7 million in savings for the first year. The AG’s Trial Division saved Massachusetts $260 million in nationwide arbitration proceedings after tobacco manufacturers decided to drop their challenge to the state’s enforcement of its escrow statutes against non-settling tobacco companies.

Ratepayer Advocacy

Through the Energy and Telecommunications Division, the AG’s Office serves as the statutory Ratepayer Advocate in proceedings on behalf of consumers. In fiscal year 2017, the Division’s work yielded approximately $227 million in savings to ratepayers and customers.

Insurance & Financial Services

AG Healey’s Insurance & Financial Services Division represents consumers and the state in civil matters involving the insurance, securities and lending industries. In fiscal year 2017, the Division brought back more than $136 million in recoveries and savings to the state. The Division reached a first-in-the-nation settlement with Santander for $22 million, including relief for more than 2,000 affectedMassachusetts car buyers who were set up with unfair, high-rate auto loans. The Division houses the AG’s Student Loan Assistance Unit, which fielded more than 4,000 hotline calls, handled more than 1,000 requests for assistance, held 14 student loan workshops, and generated $2.4 million in savings and recoveries for student loan borrowers.

False Claims

Created in 2015 by AG Healey to expand upon the office’s existing false claims initiative, the False Claims Division investigates alleged false statements used to obtain government contracts or funds. In fiscal year 2017, the Division recovered more than $46 million for the state, its agencies and political subdivisions, including $5.5 million from CDM Smith Inc. to resolve allegations it failed in its obligations to adequately oversee construction of Plum Island’s water and sewer systems.

Consumer Advocacy

In fiscal year 2017, the AG’s Consumer Protection Division recovered more than $41 million, including $27 million in student loan debt relief for students taken advantage of by for-profit college America Career Institute as well as $3 million in refunds to students. The AG’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division provided more than 8,000 consumers with mediation, consumer assistance services, or loan modification assistance.

Environment

In its work to enforce state environmental laws, the AG’s Environmental Protection Division recovered more than $21 million in civil penalties and other payments in fiscal year 2017. Volkswagen and related entities paid $20 million to Massachusetts, which is the largest civil penalty ever obtained in an environmental enforcement case brought by the state, for implementing engineering cheats designed to conceal the illegally high nitrogen oxide emissions of its passenger diesel vehicles. 

Medicaid Fraud

AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of fraud against the state’s Medicaid program, known as MassHealth. In their efforts to root out fraud and recover taxpayer dollars, the Division recovered more than $8 million to MassHealth in fiscal year 2017 as well as $700,000 towards the office’s Youth Opioid Prevention grant program from settlements with Walgreens and CVS over their opioid dispensing practices. Last week, AG Healey announced that the Division recovered more than $45 million for MassHealth in calendar year 2017.

Health Care

The AG’s Health Care Division recovered $4.6 million in its efforts to promote the interests of Massachusetts health care consumers in fiscal year 2017, including $930,000 from Johnson & Johnsonover its marketing of certain drugs and $400,000 from Bristol-Myers Squib for its unlawful marketing of Abilify, an anti-psychotic, to children and the elderly. The Division secured $2.8 million for Massachusetts policyholders of United Life Insurance who were unlawfully sold inadequate health insurance.

Fair Labor

The AG’s Fair Labor Division works to create a level playing field in Massachusetts by educating employers about our laws and protecting vulnerable workers from wage theft. In fiscal year 2017, the Division recovered nearly $3.5 million in restitution and penalties for violations of our state labor laws. In March 2017, for example, a Lowell reusable bag factory paid nearly $1.2 million to resolve numerous wage and hour law violations and for retaliating against employees. Since October 2016, the AG’s Office has also held free, monthly Wage Theft Clinics to provide legal assistance to workers in need. More than 230 workers have received assistance through those clinics and more than $65,000 in wages were recovered last fiscal year. 

            Criminal Enforcement

AG Healey’s Criminal Bureau recovered more than $4 million as a result of criminal forfeitures in fiscal year 2017. The Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division, which targets criminal enterprises using sophisticated investigative techniques, seized more than $1 million in cash and the Gaming Enforcement Division seized approximately $3 million in laundered proceeds. An additional nearly $250,000 was recovered by the Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit, which investigates and prosecutes cases of fraud against insurers and against the state unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation system. 

中華專業人員協會歡迎頂大學人 商討來年計畫 (圖片)

紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長蕭蔚(左)，新任會長彭淑敏(前右)主持會議。(周菊子攝)

數學教授蘇信豪發言。(周菊子攝)

出席者分組討論。

中華專協榮譽顧問蔣宗壬(左起)，史美芳夫婦，李小玉醫師都出席活動。(周菊子攝)

中華書法會揮毫迎春 中華公所飄墨香

 中華書法會迎春揮毫，與嘉賓合影。前排右起，吳紹營，謝如鍵，經文處副處長陳銘俊，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，
書法會會長林卓培，以及黃鏡明。後排右起，莫潔華，軟洪燦，書法會會長黃周麗桃，林蘭詩，嘉賓，周樹昂，
經文處教育組組長陳幗珍，周文熙，張洋，王又衡，池元山，潘樹仁。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(佐四)也與嘉賓合影，(周菊子攝)

                                (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 中華書法會2月4日中午在紐英崙中華公所大樓”揮毫迎春”，以墨香祈願新的一年”福壽康寧”。

               隨著時代的演進、變遷，以及電腦及手機的普及，許多人在生活中幾乎已完全不用紙筆，更遑論毛筆，在英文更為重要的美國，還需要用手拿筆沾墨才能寫的中國傳統書法，似乎也變成只有藝術家才敢秀的功夫。

波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)出席，黃周麗桃(左)
特地寫個福字送給他。(周菊子攝)

               今年出席中華公所迎春揮毫活動的人，就只有書法家吳紹營，中華書法會會長林卓培，黃周麗桃，前書法會會長池元山，北美藝術家協會前會長黃鏡明，周文熙，以及周文熙的兒子張洋，已練得一手草篆體的西人林蘭詩，在扇面上書寫了”蘭亭序”的王又衡等人，真的拿著毛筆，一筆一筆的寫出恭賀新禧，福到等喜慶字句。

               駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，經文處教育組組長陳幗珍，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊，昭倫公所主席謝如鍵，波士頓亞裔房東會會長潘樹仁，波士頓詩人朱紹昌等人雖然也來到會場，大都只顧著與出席者寒暄，互祝新春吉祥，有的更笑說自己那筆字，還是別獻醜的好。

出席眾人即席揮毫寫春聯。(周菊子攝)

               黃周麗桃今年照例請義工幫忙，為出席者準備了麵包，蛋塔等點心。她透露，這陣子流感盛行，許多人怕傳染給其他人，所以沒出席。                                                                     波士頓新科市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)倒是在紐英崙中華公所前主席阮鴻燦陪同下，也來沾沾中國年的喜氣，還已經學會說中文的”恭喜發財”。

中華書法會會長黃周麗桃(右起)歡迎中華公所主席陳家驊，經文處
副處長陳銘俊出席。(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左)謝謝中華書法會黃周麗桃響應
揮毫迎春活動。

中華書法會共同會長林卓培(右)送給第一次出席書法會活動的經文處
教育組組長陳幗珍一幅字。(周菊子攝)

  

中國體操小將洛杉磯首秀獲佳績

轉載
中國體操小將洛杉磯首秀獲佳績 華人體育世家喜迎迓
前來參加在千橡市舉辦的第三屆”吳國年經典體操賽”的中國國家男子體操隊，在2月3日、4日兩天的比賽中獲得十級的團體冠軍，以及多項個人冠軍。中國男子體操隊的新秀們給美國體操界留下極為深刻的印象。
這次來洛杉磯參加比賽的中國男子體操隊由孫赫然領隊, 兩名優秀青年教練王冠寅和程然, 五名青年隊員分別是蘇煒德、蒙志偉、戴智雄、謝晨屹、駱毅杰。
兩名教練都是原中國體操隊隊員，教練王冠寅是天津人，2009年獲得世錦賽雙槓冠軍； 程然是北京人，2014年體操世錦賽團體冠軍。
據教練王冠寅介紹，這次來參加比賽的隊員中，除了蘇煒德已經是國家體操隊的正式隊員，其他的小隊員都是剛剛進入國家隊的青年運動員，也是他們第一次代表中國隊出國比賽。雖然在比賽中遇到了一些不同的困難，但是這些年青運動員的意志都非常堅強，基本上都表現出了平時的訓練水平。參加這樣的國際比賽，每個隊員都有自己不同的收穫。特別是他們都非常享受這次比賽，表現出了良好的心理素質。
曾經在泰國曼谷2017年亞洲體操錦標賽亞青賽中獲得男子自由體操冠軍、山東淄博的蘇煒德在這次比賽中獲得十級別自由體操、鞍馬、跳馬和單槓等四個項目的冠軍。以及多個項目的亞軍，表現出個人技術的全面性。
已經是一級運動員、廣西柳州的蒙志偉在本次比賽中獲得九級的鞍馬、單槓、吊環的三項冠軍。曾經在 “李寧杯”全國少年體操比賽中獲得團體、吊環、跳馬三項冠軍的駱毅杰是廈門人, 他在這次比賽中獲得了九級的全能、自由體操、雙槓的三項冠軍。
曾經在全國少年體操總決賽獲男子12歲組單槓比賽冠軍的戴智雄，陝西人，在本次比賽中獲得自由體操亞軍、吊環銅牌、跳馬銅牌。曾經在全國少年體操總決賽中獲第二名的浙江小伙子謝晨屹，在本次比賽中獲得了吊環、單槓和雙槓的銅牌。
比賽結束後，在全美華裔體育界知名的體操世家國氏家族，邀請中國國家體操隊和韓國國家女子體操隊的隊員們到自己的家中聯歡。
國氏家族的原中國奧運選手國林顯說:"今天是當教練30年最開心的時光，中國徒弟、世界冠軍王冠寅帶著青年運動員來洛杉磯參加吳國年盃體操比賽大放異彩。韓國徒弟、韓國全運會冠軍Dongzong帶領韓國國家女子青年體操隊來洛杉磯參加集訓，正好可以歡聚一堂相互交流。
加州華人體育家協會會長高勝說，這次來洛杉磯參加比賽的年青隊員，有國內這些國際一流教練們的指導，普遍表示技術紮實、全面。下一屆奧運也正好是他們運動生涯中黃金時代的開始，只要堅持努力，都有可能成為未來的世界冠軍。
國氏家族的老父親國書增曾經在59年全運會上獲得全能冠軍，妻子索惠琪，兒子國林生、國林顯、女兒國林紅、兒子國林躍都曾先後進入中國體操隊，並在國際大型比賽中獲得國多項冠軍。他們的下一代也正在參加當地體操俱樂部的訓練。他們兄妹在洛杉磯開辦的大型體操俱樂部更是桃李滿天下。
說起這次中國體操隊來參加的“吳國年經典體操邀請賽”，也是在美國本土唯一的一個以中國人名字冠名的體操比賽。吳國年中國體操國家隊期間多次曾獲得國內比賽的鞍馬、跳馬冠軍。多次代表中國隊參加國際比賽並奪得團體冠軍及自由體操、鞍馬和跳馬的金牌。
吳國年創造的兩個難新動作被國際體聯(FIG)命名：一個是鞍馬項目上的: 隔環轉體720度同時移三位。俗稱: “吳國年大爬”，E組難度。另一個是自由體操中的：直體後空翻一周半轉體180度接前滾翻，俗稱：“吳國年空翻”，為D組難度。該動作幾乎已經成為每名高水平運動員在比賽中必做的一個難度動作。吳國年98年來美國創辦大型體操俱樂部。 （AACYF洛杉磯訊）

燕京圖書館鼓勵學者使用館藏做研究 19獎助待申請

The Harvard-Yenching Library is pleased to announce its Travel Grant Program for the 2017-2018 academic year. The purpose of the grant is to assist scholars from outside the Boston metropolitan area in their use of the Harvard-Yenching Library’s collections for research. There will be nineteen grants of $600 each (seven in Chinese studies, seven in Japanese studies, and five in Korean studies) to be awarded on a merit basis to faculty members and to graduate students engaged in dissertation research. Priority consideration will be given to those at institutions where there are no or few library resources in the East Asian languages and no major East Asian library collections are available nearby. Please note that the awards must be used by September 30, 2018.

Applications for the travel grant, including a letter with your mailing address, a brief description of the research topic, and an estimated budget should be addressed to the following. You can send in your application either in paper form or as an email attachment.

The deadline for receiving applications is extended to February 15, 2018.

Note: Independent scholars and all levels of graduate students are also welcome to apply.

Contact Info:
James K. M. Cheng
Librarian
Harvard-Yenching Library
Harvard University
2 Divinity Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Contact Email:
jkcheng@fas.harvard.edu
URL:
http://hcl.harvard.edu/…/harvard-y…/travel_grant_program.cfm

羅州克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑父親辭世

           (Boston Orange) 羅德島州克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑(Allan Fung)的父親馮廣運，2月3日傍晚因帕金森併發症辭世，享年89歲，訂2月7日(週四)下午4到8點，在克蘭斯頓市的Nardolillo 殯儀館(1278 Park Avenue)舉行追悼會。

                        馮偉傑刻正再次參選羅德島州州長，已於2月3日在臉書上告訴親友這一消息，他的競選團隊今(5)日正式公告，指馮廣運的一生有如美國夢的縮影，他教育一子二女時，以簡潔的”天道酬勤”為座右銘。

                     馮廣運生於中國廣東，青少年時移居香港，做了幾年焊工後，和勞台萍相戀成婚，為了下一代有更好的生活，1969年移民來美，定居羅德島州，1970年開了自己的餐館，持續經營35年。

                     馮偉傑表示，二年前他偕妻赴中國大陸，參觀了幾個父親鍾愛的地方，包括香港馬會，體會了一下父親喜愛的賽馬。

           他父親是為了美國夢才於1969年和他母親一起移民到羅德島州的。那時他母親懷有幾個月的身孕，稍後才在羅德島州普域敦斯市老舊的Lying-In 醫院生下他。後來也在那醫院生下他的兩個妹妹，Anna 及 Arlene。當他父母開了”廣運餐廳”後，那餐廳就成了他們的第二個家。放學後，他父親會堅持要他先在角落餐桌把功課做完，才開始端菜，洗碗，招呼客人。那些年他跟在自己視為英雄的父親身邊，也學會了做菜。

           開餐廳35年之後，他父母才終於退休了。在他剛得帕金森症的那幾年，為了保持身體健康，每天早上人們都會看到他和女兒Arlene在花園城市裏散步。鄰居們也會揮手和他們兩人打招呼。但病了幾次以後，他需要有人24小時照顧。

           馮偉傑說，他父母從來只是要成功的機會，而他們知道，在美國，只要努力工作就有無窮盡的機會。幾十年來，他們不眠不休，一週七天的工作。他為他們一生的故事，他們的勇敢，以及他們為確保子女有更好生活所做的奉獻感到非常驕傲。

           馮偉傑在公開信中說，父親在這週末辭世，只加深了他想要重振羅德島州的心意。這是他們選擇在美國展開新生活，給下一代機會的地方。為紀念父親，他要更加奮鬥，重振父親的精神，使羅德島州成為人們想要來實現美國夢的地方。

           馮偉傑和家人感謝各界人士在他父親過世後給出的感言，讚語。星期三下午4到8點，在克蘭斯頓市1278 Park Avenue的Nardolillo殯儀館，將舉行追思會。星期四早上9到10點，也會在殯儀館內接待來悼念的人，然後在Johnson的高地紀念公園舉行葬禮。

Many of you remember my father, Kwong Wen, from the days of our family's restaurant. His lesson to me and my two sisters was simple - hard work makes your dreams come true. My father was the epitome of the American dream.

Born in Canton, China, he made his way to Hong Kong as a teenager, and spent his early years working as a welder. He fell in love and married my mom Tan Ping. When I traveled to China about two years ago with my wife, we went to several of his favorite places - including the Hong Kong Jockey Club to enjoy his beloved horse races.

But my father dreamed about the promise of America, and immigrated to Rhode Island with my mom in 1969. I was practically a stowaway as my mom was several months pregnant. I was born at the old Lying-In Hospital in Providence, and would be followed by my sisters Anna & Arlene.  When my parents opened up their restaurant, Kong Wen, it became our second home. After school, my dad would insist I do my homework in the corner booth before I began work bussing tables, washing dishes, & waiting on our customers. Over the years, I learned to cook at the side of my hero, my father. 

After owning the restaurant for over thirty five years, my parents finally retired. To stay healthy during his early years battling Parkinson's, he would be seen walking all over Garden City, every morning, with his adored daughter Arlene. Neighbors would wave and look out for them both. After several illnesses, he required around the clock care at The Cedars, where the love and attention he received was second to none.

All my parents ever asked for was for the opportunity to succeed. They knew that in America, the options were endless, & the only requirement was hard work. They worked tirelessly seven days a week for decades. I am so proud of their story, their bravery, and their devotion to ensuring their children had a better life.

His passing this weekend only hardened my resolve to reinvigorate this state, which they chose to start their new life in America, as the land of opportunity for the next generation. In his memory, we fight harder & recommit this movement to make Rhode Island the place that people want to come to in order to live out their American dream.

My family and I appreciate the overwhelming kind words of support so many of you have sent since his passing on Saturday. A public remembrance and wake will take place at Nardolillo Funeral Home on 1278 Park Avenue in Cranston on Wednesday, from 4-8 PM. We will also be receiving visitors Thursday morning from 9-10 AM at Nardolillo Funeral Home, followed by a procession and graveside service in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston.

Thank you for your support,

Allan Fung

假冒中領館電話詐騙 一僑胞損失140餘萬美元

中國駐紐約總領事館領事馬超(右起)在許照惠廣東話翻譯下，向僑胞
說明假冒中領館電話詐騙事件。旁為黃氏公所主席黃國瀚，黃仁噢，
以及黃氏公所的黃光野。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓整理報導) “中國總領事館絕不會用電話索要個人信息，要求轉帳”。 駐紐約中國總領事館2月3、4兩日在波士頓舉辦了兩場說明會，提醒僑民，接到電話別輕信，已有人被騙了140餘萬元。

               有人冒用中國駐紐約總領事館名義，打電話詐騙的事情，早從2017年，就已在網上頻傳，但今年12月起，又陸續發生十幾起民眾受騙案件，紐約領館因此特地安排，在波士頓，紐約，費城等三地舉辦說明會。

               1月27日晚，中領館紐約僑務領事朱家耀在波士頓京津同鄉春節聯歡晚會上，已就此做了簡短說明。

中國駐紐約總領事館領事王軍請僑胞入座。(周菊子攝)

               波士頓地區由駐紐約總領事館的馬超，王軍兩位領事，再於2月3日及4日，先後在波士頓的黃氏宗親會五樓，以及華森市的劍橋中國文化中心舉辦了兩場說明會，詳細解說歹徒行騙手法，提供識別是否詐騙的方法，並提醒民眾謹慎小心，凡是要求轉帳的電話，極可能就是詐騙電話。

               馬超敘述的第一個案例就是一名張姓女士，由於歹徒冒充總領館及中國公檢法工作人員，不斷編造訊息威嚇脅張女士，竟導致張女士被騙140多萬美元。

右起，黃氏公所元老黃國威，以及司徒宗達，關麗莎等人出席聆聽。
(周菊子攝)

               另一案例是留學生小張，被歹徒編造的訊息騙倒後，小張照歹徒要求，拍攝並發送了一張自己被綁起來，嘴也被貼上膠布的照片，歹徒拿到後立即轉傳給小張在中國的家人，以這虛構的綁架案，騙走幾萬美元。

               馬超指出，這些電話詐騙，通常都是三虛一實，也就是歹徒會假冒中領館，或中國公檢人員等的身分，然後利用網路，電話，虛構各種接電話者可能涉及洗錢，身分遭人盜用，犯有案件，需要澄清等等情節，來套取受害者真實的個人護照號碼，銀行帳號等資料，最終目的都是要受害者轉帳，給錢。

中領館製作的解說幻燈片。

               由於歹徒使用無差別電腦自動撥打，用網路改號軟件把來電顯示訊息，改成中領館或其ㄙ他正式機構的電話號碼，才讓許多受害者因此誤信了歹徒。馬超建議僑胞們採行三不政策，不聽，不信，不轉帳。他也說明，中領館絕不會主動要求僑胞辦理護照，提供證件資料，更不負責處理個人財務，包括銀行卡或包裹。他鼓勵僑胞與總領館保持密切聯繫，關注總領館為信 chinaconsulate_ny，登陸總領館網站http://newyork.china-conslate.org，或撥打總領館的24小時領是保護與協助專線212-695-3125。

               中國總領館也提醒僑胞，凡是在電話中聽到”不要與家人、朋友聯繫，以保證安全”等不合理的要求或建議，應該立即掛斷電話。接到陌生人來電，通知有親友遭遇交通意外，或是親人意外身亡，最好通過其他渠道核實後再處理。由於年長，獨居者或年輕的學生最容易受騙，中領館也籲請僑胞提醒身邊親友不要輕易上當。               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓整理報導) “中國總領事館絕不會用電話索要個人信息，要求轉帳”。 駐紐約中國總領事館2月3、4兩日在波士頓舉辦了兩場說明會，提醒僑民，接到電話別輕信，已有人被騙了140餘萬元。

               有人冒用中國駐紐約總領事館名義，打電話詐騙的事情，早從2017年，就已在網上頻傳，但今年12月起，又陸續發生十幾起民眾受騙案件，紐約領館因此特地安排，在波士頓，紐約，費城等三地舉辦說明會。

               1月27日晚，中領館紐約僑務領事朱家耀在波士頓京津同鄉春節聯歡晚會上，已就此做了簡短說明。

               波士頓地區由駐紐約總領事館的馬超，王軍兩位領事，再於2月3日及4日，先後在波士頓的黃氏宗親會五樓，以及華森市的劍橋中國文化中心舉辦了兩場說明會，詳細解說歹徒行騙手法，提供識別是否詐騙的方法，並提醒民眾謹慎小心，凡是要求轉帳的電話，極可能就是詐騙電話。

               馬超敘述的第一個案例就是一名張姓女士，由於歹徒冒充總領館及中國公檢法工作人員，不斷編造訊息威嚇脅張女士，竟導致張女士被騙140多萬美元。

               另一案例是留學生小張，被歹徒編造的訊息騙倒後，小張照歹徒要求，拍攝並發送了一張自己被綁起來，嘴也被貼上膠布的照片，歹徒拿到後立即轉傳給小張在中國的家人，以這虛構的綁架案，騙走幾萬美元。

               馬超指出，這些電話詐騙，通常都是三虛一實，也就是歹徒會假冒中領館，或中國公檢人員等的身分，然後利用網路，電話，虛構各種接電話者可能涉及洗錢，身分遭人盜用，犯有案件，需要澄清等等情節，來套取受害者真實的個人護照號碼，銀行帳號等資料，最終目的都是要受害者轉帳，給錢。

               由於歹徒使用無差別電腦自動撥打，用網路改號軟件把來電顯示訊息，改成中領館或其他正式機構的電話號碼，才讓許多受害者因此誤信了歹徒。馬超建議僑胞們採行三不政策，不聽，不信，不轉帳。他也說明，中領館絕不會主動要求僑胞辦理護照，提供證件資料，更不負責處理個人財務，包括銀行卡或包裹。他鼓勵僑胞與總領館保持密切聯繫，關注總領館為信 chinaconsulate_ny，登陸總領館網站http://newyork.china-conslate.org

，或是撥打總領事館的24小時領事保護與協助專線212-695-3125。

               中國總領館也提醒僑胞，凡是在電話中聽到”不要與家人、朋友聯繫，以保證安全”等不合理的要求或建議，應該立即掛斷電話。接到陌生人來電，通知有親友遭遇交通意外，或是親人意外身亡，最好通過其他渠道核實後再處理。由於年長，獨居者或年輕的學生最容易受騙，中領館也籲請僑胞提醒身邊親友不要輕易上當。

                         中領館領事表示，從去年十二月迄今，已發生十幾宗案件，被騙金額總數約二百餘萬美元，麻州還無人報案，但有不少僑胞接到過這假的中領館電話，甚至有美籍朋友也接到這電話，只是對方一聽是英語回答，馬上就掛斷了。

AG HEALEY FIGHTS FOR RULE TO LET WORKERS KEEP THE TIPS THEY EARN

AG HEALEY FIGHTS FOR RULE TO LET WORKERS KEEP THE TIPS THEY EARN Joins Coalition of AGs in Submitting Comments to the U.S. Department of Labor

BOSTON – Joining a coalition of 17 attorneys general, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today expressed her opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind a rule that allows employees to keep the tips they earn. 

The attorneys general today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) regarding its plan to repeal a 2011 rule clarifying that gratuities are the sole property of employees, and that employers cannot retain any portion of an employee’s tips. Under the Trump Administration’s proposed rule change, employers would be allowed to pocket tips earned by employees who are paid the federal minimum wage.

            “When customers pay tips, they expect that money to go to workers,” said AG Healey. “This proposed rule change allows employers to keep all the tips for themselves, tricking customers and depriving low-wage workers of the wages they earn.”

According to the Economic Policy Institute, repealing the rule could result in employers taking up to $5.8 billion of workers’ earned tips. USDOL, which is spearheading the rule change, reportedly decided to shelve an economic analysis that highlighted the billions in gratuity earnings that workers could lose.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are required to pay their employees the federal minimum wage. Employers can meet this requirement either by paying employees the full federal minimum wage – currently $7.25 per hour – or by paying a lower cash wage, no less than $2.13 per hour, and making up the difference with the tips that the employee earns. The latter practice is known as a “tip credit.” The Trump Administration’s proposed rescission of the 2011 rule would allow employers who pay employees $7.25 per hour to claim the employees’ tips for any purpose.

Massachusetts law does not permit employers to share any portion of an employee’s tips, and the proposed change will not legally impact the rights of Massachusetts service employees.  However, the rule may cause confusion among employers and employees alike and may result in improper tip retention by employers.

AG Healey’s Fair Labor Division is responsible for enforcing the prevailing wage, minimum wage, payment of wages, overtime, tip pooling, child labor, and Sunday and holiday premium pay laws.

The Division regularly enforces the Massachusetts tip payment statute. Since January 2015, the Division has taken enforcement action against 19 employers for violating the state’s tip payment law. In all, employers were cited more than $700,000 in restitution and penalties. Last year, the Division cited aCohasset inn for inaccurately reporting tip amounts on payroll records and for failing to pay the correct service rate to at least one employee. In 2016, the AG’s Office cited a Worcester restaurant owner for illegally retaining tips that should have been distributed to the service staff. 

Workers who believe that their rights have been violated in their workplace are encouraged to file a complaint at www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor. For information about the state’s wage and hour laws, workers may call the Office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465 or go to the Attorney General’s new Workplace Rights website www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor for materials in multiple languages.

The attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia sent today’s joint letter. 

波士頓台灣人運動協會打乒乓聯誼 帶"臺灣動起來"

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪鼓勵運動協會舉辦更多不同比賽。
(周菊子攝)

        (Boston Orange 周菊子牛頓市整理報導) 波士頓臺灣人運動協會2月4日在波士頓僑教中心聯誼打乒乓球，特地邀駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪夫婦擔任開球嘉賓，作該會推廣「臺灣動起來」的啟動儀式。

該會副會長陳盈杰表示，波士頓臺灣人運動協會是今年1月才成立的大波士頓最新僑團之一，將視僑教中心的場地使用情況，計畫每週三下午5點至8點，以及每週六下午2點至5點為練球，聯誼時間，歡迎會員出席。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉致詞。(周菊子攝)

陳盈杰說明，該會的成立目的就是要透過運動加強來自臺灣鄉親的聯繫、交流。經創會成員們討論議決，將以會員制模式運作，每年繳費取得會員資格者，才能參加該會所規劃辦理的各項活動。不同活動將視性質，另外酌收相關費用。該會非常歡迎鄉親踴躍加入。

楊義煌(中)捐贈了一個計時器。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪在會上為「臺灣動起來」致詞，直指運動是最好的健身，聯誼活動。他表示這是繼去年四月，辦事處成立一支只准輸不准贏的壘球隊之後，再一次希望藉著體育活動，能促進年輕世代的彼此交流，認識，為僑社注入新的活力，如果成效不錯，希望運動協會在打乒乓球之外還能舉辦更多比賽活動，例如網球賽，羽毛球賽等等。賴銘琪還特地感謝楊義煌捐贈了一個計時器，笑說那是提醒僑胞們，要適時休息，不要過度運動。

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦開球，運動協會
副會長陳盈杰(右)做球判。(周菊子攝)

                      波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉表示，舉辦體育型活動是促進僑胞聯繫交流的新方向，也能鼓勵青年世代更加瞭解僑務工作，進而認同與支持服務僑社的工作，希望將來有更多人能加入僑務志工行列。他也藉機會轉達了僑委會委員長吳新興博士對與會僑胞鄉親的問候與祝福。

              2月4日下午，出席開球儀式的貴賓包括紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長彭淑敏、中華民國同學會聯合會顧問張重華、頂大學人計畫訪問學者蒙志成教授、成功大學校友會顧問李鎮日等各界喜好運動人士。他們在賴銘琪夫婦開球之後，也輪流上場小試身手，現場歡笑聲不斷。(部分文稿內容由波士頓僑教中心提供)

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO EXPLORE LITIGATION AGAINST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES INVOLVED IN OPIOID CRISIS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO EXPLORE LITIGATION AGAINST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES INVOLVED IN OPIOID CRISIS

BOSTON - Monday, February 5, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a Request for Information (RFI) to inform the City of Boston's approach to potential litigation against pharmaceutical companies and other entities contributing to the opioid crisis. The City seeks to gather information from qualified law firms, universities, think tanks, hospitals, governmental entities, researchers, and any other interested parties to help inform the City's approach for developing best practice legal and other strategies to recoup public money in the form of damages arising from the City's use of its public services to combat the resulting opioid crisis. The RFI asks that interested applicants evaluate the financial, social, and other costs caused by the reckless dissemination of opioids and the misleading information about the safety and purpose of their use. "The pharmaceutical industry is the main offender and sustainer of the opioid crisis," said Mayor Walsh. "They were irresponsible in their practices and turned their heads the other way to increase profits, causing irreversible devastation to our families and significant damages to cities nationwide. In Boston, we are addressing the opioid crisis from every angle, from creating the first municipal recovery office to investing in more services and building a state-of-the-art recovery facility on Long Island. We, like so many towns and cities across the country, have invested the time, money and resources. Now is the time to finally hold the pharmaceutical industry responsible." Based upon the responses received, the City may enter into an agreement for legal services with a qualified attorney or law firm. The City may also choose to explore other contracts, projects and remedies to address this growing public health crisis. The goals of any litigation or other endeavor shall be to recoup public money in the form of damages arising from the City's use of its public services to respond to the opioid epidemic; and create long-term solutions including rehabilitation services and support networks for all impacted residents of the City of Boston and their families. Having been in recovery for over 20 years, Mayor Walsh understands firsthand how easily addiction can take hold and how difficult it can be to recover. In his first term, Mayor Walsh made expanding access to recovery services in Boston a priority by creating the Office of Recovery Services to study substance use in Boston and lead the city's strategy around substance use disorders, addiction and recovery. This is the first and only municipal recovery office in the nation. In addition, Mayor Walsh mandated the life-saving medication naloxone (Narcan) be carried in every public safety vehicle in the city in his first two weeks in office and launched a new 24/7 hotline through 311 to help people struggling with addiction access all levels of recovery services. Continuing these efforts into his second term, Mayor Walsh announced in his inaugural speech earlier this month that his Administration will rebuild the Long Island Bridge and invest in a comprehensive, long-term recovery facility on Long Island. These new services will offer a continuum of care, from harm reduction, to detox, to residential treatment, to transitional housing and ongoing peer support, and equip people with the opportunity to rebuild a life. All responses or questions to the RFI should be submitted to John Natoli at John.Natoli@boston.gov. The City shall accept responses up to noon EST on March 12, 2018.