ALBANY, NY (05/17/2012)(readMedia)– Since the beginning of the state’s economic recovery in November 2009, New York State has added 335,100 private sector jobs and regained all of the private sector jobs it lost during the recession, the State Labor Department reported today. New York State’s economy added 100 private sector jobs in April 2012. The state’s private sector job count now stands at 7,319,600 – an all-time high. Only five states – including New York – have more private sector jobs today than they did before the recession.

Although the state’s unemployment rate of 8.5% remained unchanged from March to April 2012, the number of unemployed New Yorkers declined by 3,000 from 810,700 in March to 807,700 in April 2012. In order to have achieved a decline in the unemployment rate from 8.5% to 8.4%, the number of the unemployed would have required a decrease of 4,500.

“The statistics show New York grew and continues to grow jobs in the private sector, and we are seeing that growth reflected in the number of job seekers returning to work. In April, the number of unemployed state residents fell by 3,000,” said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, Deputy Director of the Division of Research and Statistics.

Note: The data above are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are valuable in year-to-year comparisons of the same month; for example, April 2011 versus April 2012.

1) Unemployment rates (seasonally adjusted):

The state’s unemployment rate for April 2012 held steady at 8.5%. The number of unemployed New Yorkers decreased over the month — from 810,700 in March to 807,700 in April 2012.

Unemployment Rates (%)*

*Data are preliminary and subject to change, based on standard procedures outlined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

See State and Area Jobs Data

See Labor Market Overview

See Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet

For the complete report, please see the attached NYSDOL May 17, 2012 Job Numbers Report.

Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced today the indictment of Martin S. Kimber, 59, of Ruby, New York. Kimber is charged in three counts with violations of the chemical weapon statute (counts one and two), which prohibits individuals from possessing, stockpiling, or using a toxic chemical as a weapon; and with a violation of the consumer product tampering statute (count three).

The indictment alleges that in December 10, 2010 and December 23, 2010, Kimber received medical care at the Albany Medical Center and that on January 24, 2011, he wrote to complain about having to pay for his treatment. It further alleges that on February 22, 2011, the Albany Medical Center Associate Medical Director wrote back to explain why the bills were appropriate and discussed the outcome associated with the defendant having provided inaccurate information about his injury and his decision not to complete the care proscribed by his treating physician.

The indictment alleges that on March 2, 2012, Kimber spread mercury, a known toxic substance, throughout various areas of the Albany Medical Center cafeteria, including in and around food served to customers, and on and around heating elements use in food preparation. It further describes three previous instances, March 28, 2011, April 11, 2011, June 23, 2011, where mercury was spread around the hospital on days when New York State toll records establish the defendant traveled from his home in Ruby, New York and exited at the get-off for the Albany Medical Center. The indictment alleges that on March 2, 2012, Kimber’s activities were captured on hospital video surveillance cameras in the Albany Medical Center cafeteria— where mercury was subsequently found —including on food consumed by at least one patron. Canisters of mercury were subsequently found by law enforcement officers in Kimber’s home and car. The person who ate the contaminated food was subsequently treated in the hospital’s emergency room. An emergency chemical response team at the Albany Medical Center responded promptly to the mercury contamination on each occasion and removed it from the premises.

The defendant was arrested on April 25, 2012 and is in jail, being held in pretrial detention. On March 2, 2012, following a detention hearing, United States Magistrate Judge Andrew T. Baxter determined that Kimber poses a serious danger to the community and that no combination of release conditions could be established to permit him to be released without continuing to pose a danger to the community.

A complaint filed in support of an arrest warrant was unsealed on April 26, 2012. It alleged that a search warrant was executed at Kimber’s house and automobile. Besides the seizure of two canisters of mercury, the complaint further alleged that approximately 21 guns were removed from Kimber’s residence. Literature reflecting sympathy for domestic terrorism (The Turner Diaries) was observed during the search, which states on the cover page, “This book contains racist propagnda” and “The FBI said it was the blueprint for the Oklahoma City bombing. Searching officers further observed a Nazi swastika on a wall of Kimber’s home.

The two chemical weapons counts each contain a maximum possible term of life in jail and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross loss to any victim. The consumer product tampering charge contains a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in jail and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross loss to any victim.

Mercury is a known hazardous substance that has been very well-studied. Among other things, mercury is a human neurotoxin that kills nerve cells, can result in brain and lung damage, respiratory failure, ataxia, speech impairment, constriction of the visual field, hearing loss, and somatosensory change. Mercury is readily absorbed through unbroken skin, by intestinal absorption after ingestion, and by inhalation of vapors. It accumulates in the body and can cause damage to internal organs including kidneys.

The allegations in the Indictment and criminal complaint are mere accusations and all persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is being investigated by special agents of the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistance has been provided by the Towns of Albany and Ulster Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig Benedict. Questions may be directed to AUSA Benedict at 315-448-0672.

ALBANY—United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Clifford C. Holly, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division, announced that Leonard M. Gaines, age 55, of Albany, New York, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Albany before District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino to one count of distributing child pornography.

Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Gaines admitted that on December 19, 2011, while using a file sharing program, he distributed, via the Internet, multiple still images containing child pornography. Gaines also admitted that following the March 2, 2012 execution of a federal search warrant at his Albany residence, investigators recovered additional electronic still images and videos of child pornography.

Sentencing was scheduled by Judge D’Agostino for September 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in U.S. District Court in Albany, New York. Gaines faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years’ imprisonment, up to a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. Gaines was released pending his sentencing.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Announce Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest and Conviction of the Person(s) Responsible for the Recent Mailings of White Powder Letters in the North Texas Area

PITTSBURGH—A resident of Allegheny County has been sentenced in federal court to 14 years in prison to be followed by 10 years’ supervised release, as well as paying a $25,000 fine, on his conviction of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry imposed the sentence on John A. Brownlee, III, 62.

According to information presented to the court, beginning on November 1, 2010, and continuing thereafter until May 12, 2011, Brownlee used facilities and means of interstate and foreign commerce, specifically a computer, the Internet and the telephone, to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Brownlee.

Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.