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Tag: Andrew Cuomo

  • Governor Cuomo Makes Low-Cost Broadband Mandatory

    Governor Cuomo Makes Low-Cost Broadband Mandatory

    Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill that would force companies to make broadband access available to low-income families for $15 a month.

    Internet access is more important than ever, as employees work from home and children learn remotely as a result of the pandemic. Unfortunately, standard broadband plans are out-of-reach for many low-income families.

    New York has taken a major step toward ensuring everyone has access to broadband, by capping the cost for low-income families, according to The Washington Post. A basic broadband plan will be capped at $15 per month, while upgraded plans would be capped at $20.

    Eric Schmidt, former Alphabet CEO, was on-hand with Cuomo at a briefing and was supportive of the new legislation.

    “Internet is no longer optional,” Schmidt said. “Think of the generation that we could be creating that are not learning because we didn’t give them Internet access.”

  • Sandra Lee Receives Blessing from Pope Francis

    Sandra Lee, the Food Network star who recently underwent her second surgery for cancer, received a special blessing for her continued good health (she is now cancer free) from Pope Francis.

    The pope was blessing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, when he offered up a blessing to his girlfriend Sandra Lee. He even said Andrew Cuomo’s father, the late Mario Cuomo, was a “great man.”

    “The pope gave Sandra a special blessing for her health and her recovery and Cuomo asked the pope to say a prayer for his ­father,” a source tells the New York Post.

    “The pope told him . . . that his father was a great man and he would keep him in his prayers.”

    Mario Cuomo died this past January. He argued back in 1984 that Catholic politicians could “oppose abortion while fighting laws that would restrict it.”

    Sandra Lee recently underwent a double mastectomy in her fight against breast cancer.

    “Sandra Lee and the governor were extremely grateful for his kindness,” an aide to Governor Cuomo told the New York Daily News.

    Pope Francis was making his way out of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City when he stopped to greet the governor and Sandra Lee, and to offer these blessings for them and the governor’s late father.

  • David Sweat: Inmate Escapee in Critical Condition Following Shooting, Capture on Sunday

    David Sweat: Inmate Escapee in Critical Condition Following Shooting, Capture on Sunday

    David Sweat, one of two escaped inmates from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York, was shot and captured in a farm field, less than two miles from the Canadian border on Sunday. He is now in critical, but stable, condition in an Albany hospital.

    CBS News reports that David Sweat was shot twice in the torso right before his capture.

    New York State Police Sergeant Jay Cook is credited with capturing David Sweat. Cook was alone when he noticed a man walking down the street. A double-take assured the state trooper it was Sweat. David Sweat took off running for a tree line–a great way to escape capture–so Cook shot him twice to prevent that from taking place.

    New York Governor Mario Cuomo told CBS on Monday morning that David Sweat had a bag with him at the time of his capture. In it were maps, bug repellant, tools, and Pop-Tarts.

    Sweat didn’t escape alone from the Clinton Correctional Facility. His partner in crime–Richard Matt–was captured and killed by authorities on Friday. Sources say Matt was sick and drunk when he was captured. Investigators discovered his soiled underwear prior to finding him, and determined he was no doubt ill from consuming either bad food or water.

    The capture of David Sweat will hopefully help law enforcement officials learn exactly how he and Richard Matt escaped from prison. It may also help them determine if there were any other insiders at the prison who helped facilitate their escape.

    Joyce Mitchell, an instructor at the prison tailor shop, and Gene Palmer, a corrections officer, are both in jail for assisting in the escape.

    Surely David Sweat will return to prison once physicians determine he is able to leave the hospital in Albany. What sort of plan do you suppose might be put into place to assure prison officials he doesn’t escape again?

  • Sandra Lee: Celebrity Chef Released From Hospital After Double Mastectomy, Calls It ‘An Exciting Day’

    Sandra Lee was released from the hospital Monday after undergoing a double mastectomy as part of her treatment in a battle with cancer, called the day “exciting.

    Sandra Lee, 48, celebrity chef and wife of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, shared a photo Monday to tell her followers that she is headed home, surrounding by family.

    The post showed a photo of Lee in her hospital bed.

    “Today is an exciting day! Sandra is going home to [Lily] Pond with her sister Kimber and Governor Cuomo,” she captioned the photo. “She is most excited to sleep in her own bed – and see Phoenix and Halo when she wakes up!”

    Sandra Lee went under the knife Tuesday and has been recovering in the hospital. Her partner of 10 years, Governor Andrew Cuomo stayed by her side throughout.

    Perhaps to help her heal and certainly to provide encouragement to others, Sandra Lee has been documenting her cancer journey with Facebook and Twitter videos and posts.

    On Saturday, she said in a video update posted to her Facebook page that fighting cancer is far more difficult than she ever dreamed.

    “Both Rita [Wilson] and Christina Applegate told me I was not gonna be as strong as I thought I was gonna be, and they’re right,” she said of her actress friends, both breast cancer survivors. “It’s really throwing me for a loop.”

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Sandra Lee.

  • Sandra Lee Doing Well After Double Mastectomy

    Sandra Lee has just faced down one of ths scariest things many women say they could face. The television chef just underwent a double mastectomy for DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ.

    Sandra Lee told the world about her diagnosis on Good Morning America last week. Tuesday, her boyfriend — who also happens to be the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, released a statement about her condition after surgery.

    Sandra Lee is “as well as can be expected,” Governor Cuomo said.

    “Around 8 a.m. this morning, Sandy underwent surgery that concluded just before 1 p.m. I am happy to report that she is doing as well as can be expected and has begun the post-surgery recovery process.

    “On behalf of Sandy and myself, I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers over the last few days. Your support has meant the world to us.”

    Last week, Sandra Lee told Robin Roberts that she had been shocked by the sudden diagnosis.

    “I just was still. I didn’t even cry, I was stunned,” Sandra Lee said. “And that’s how fast life turns, it turns on a dime.”

    Like many women, Sandra Lee considered a lumpectomy to remove the cancer, but her doctors advised a more radical approach.

    “Both the radiologist and the doctor said, ‘You’re a ticking time bomb,’ and they both said, ‘I would just get them both done.’”

    Sandra Lee is famous for her Food Network show Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee, as well as Sandra’s Restaurant Remakes and Sandra Lee’s Taverns, Lounges & Clubs.

    She popularized the “semi-homemade” cooking concept that recognizes how busy many people are. The idea is for the average recipe to use 70 percent pre-packaged products, but 30 percent homemade ingredients.

  • Sandra Lee Diagnosed With Breast Cancer, Food Network Star to Undergo Double Mastectomy

    Sandra Lee, the Food Network star known for her ‘Semi-Homemade’ cooking concept, has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo a double mastectomy later this week. Lee has DCIS–which stands for ductal carcinoma in situ. It is a common noninvasive cancer contained within the milk ducts. It can become invasive over time if left untreated.

    People magazine reports that Sandra Lee went in for what she expected to be a routine mammogram and wound up with the cancer diagnosis.

    Lee has dated New York Governor Andrew Cuomo since 2005, and he says he plans to be by her side throughout the entire ordeal. That includes being by her side when she has the surgery.

    “This is about her feeling secure and loved,” he says.

    “My doctor called me a poster girl for mammography,” Sandra Lee says.

    She is definitely glad she didn’t wait until age 50 to get her first mammogram, as new guidelines recommend. She is 48.

    “I am in good health. I have no family history. I tested negative for both [breast-cancer-causing genes] BRCA1 and BRCA2. I had no warning sights–no feeling of being tired, no pain and no lump–nothing,’’ she shared in her very emotional tweet.

    “Had I not gone for a routine annual mammogram, I would never have known I was in danger,” she adds

    Andrew Cuomo is incredibly proud of Sandra Lee for sharing her story in the media.

    “We’re hopeful that she’s going to have surgery at the end of this week and that everything turns out well,’’ he said.

    “To me, it’s just another reminder,’’ the governor added. “One phone call could change your life, and sometimes you get caught up in the day to day and all these little nuances that we think are so important at the time, and then you get a phone call that actually reminds you of what’s really important. I lost my father in January, this situation with Sandy, it just reframes everything for you.”

    Lots of prayers will no doubt be said for Sandra Lee this week as she undergoes the double mastectomy that will save her life from breast cancer. Fans will be anxiously awaiting word from Andrew Cuomo on the outcome of her surgery.

  • Sandra Lee, Food Network Chef and Girlfriend of NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, Reveals She Has Breast Cancer

    Sandra Lee revealed to Good Morning America Tuesday that she is battling breast cancer.

    The Food Network star, Sandra Lee, said she was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), a common noninvasive cancer contained within the milk ducts that can become invasive over time if left untreated. She said she was diagnosed after a routine mammogram.

    According to People magazine, Sandra Lee will undergo a double mastectomy this week.

    “Life can turn on a dime,” she told People about the diagnosis.

    Although treatment is normally a lumpectomy followed by radiation or a mastectomy, Sandra Lee has chosen to undergo a double mastectomy because she did not want to go through six to eight weeks of daily radiation.

    Sandra Lee, who had a mammogram before the recommended age of 50, said she also chose the more aggressive treatment partially out of fear of a recurrence.

    “I never want to go through this again,” she said.

    After her mammogram, Lee had a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, and underwent testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, the genes that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

    She tested negative, then consulted several doctors to help her make her choice of treatment.

    Sandra Lee’s boyfriend of 10 years, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, will be by her side in the operating room.

    “This is about her feeling secure and loved,” he told People.

    “My doctor called me a poster girl for mammography,” Sandra Lee said.

    The ordeal has taught the chef much and she says she plans to help others in the future.

    “Girls in 20s and their 30s just have to know. And I don’t want women to wait. And that’s why I’m talking … If it saves one person, and makes one more person go get a mammogram, and if they’re sitting down right now watching this, don’t watch this TV. Go pick your phone up, and call your doctor and get your rear end in there and get a mammogram right now,” Sandra Lee told fellow cancer survivor Robin Roberts.

  • Buffalo Bills: New Owner May Be Announced in July

    The Buffalo Bills may have a new owner. Although nothing will be announced until a few months from now, a deal is in the works with an interested party.

    Through an anonymous source, the Associated Press reported that the Buffalo Bills could be sold as soon as July. A major sales group has toured Buffalo, New York, for new stadium locations. Since the sale has not been finalized, anonymity has been preserved for the source and the potential buyer.

    Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has sped up the New York State government’s involvement with the sale. He plans to hire a consulting firm to advise owners to preserve the current location of the team or at least keep the team in New York State. “The governor wants to be prepared if there are any earlier offers to buy the team,” Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy said, “Our team is looking at sites now in Erie County, Buffalo, Niagara County. We’re just being prepared because we don’t know who the next owner will be. We’re not sure what the goals and the objectives of the next ownership team will be.”

    Lots of names have been passed around for the potential new owner of the Bills. Bon Jovi, the New Jersey rock and roll musician expressed an interest in November. The musician was a primary owner of an Arena Football League team, and he has been proactive in meeting with NFL leadership.

    Donald Trump has been in the mix too. He received an endorsement from retired player Herschel Walker. If Trump doesn’t decide to buy the Bills, he may run for New York State Governor instead.

    Since the death of long time Bills owner Ralph Wilson in March, many more names have come up as interested parties. The Wire published a list which included billionaire New York City real estate developer Howard Milstein, former Hall of Fame Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, and NHL’s Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs.

    Image via Buffalo Bills, Twitter

  • Netflix’s Marvel Shows To Film In NYC

    Netflix’s Marvel Shows To Film In NYC

    Netflix, The Walt Disney Company, Marvel and NY Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that Netflix’s upcoming live-action Marvel shows will be filmed in New York, beginning this summer. The projects are expected to create at least three thousand jobs in the state, including up to 400 full time jobs.

    The results will be sixty one-hour episodes focused on “Defenders” Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, as Netflix announced in November.

    Marvel shares some quotes:

    “New York is where the entertainment industry started, and this unprecedented commitment from Disney and Marvel is further evidence that we’re bringing it back bigger and better than ever before,” said Governor Cuomo. “And when the entertainment industry thrives, it fuels dozens of other industries and businesses. The competition for these projects is fierce and Disney could have chosen to film these shows anywhere, but they knew that shooting in New York means getting to work with the best in world. These shows bring New York’s super heroes home where they belong–along with hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in new business.”

    “Since 2008 Disney has directly contributed almost half a billion dollars to New York’s economy through television and film production, along with approximately 9,000 jobs for New Yorkers,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “The Governor’s policies make this great state a more affordable and attractive location, opening the door for even greater economic investment and job creation for New Yorkers. Our Marvel series for Netflix will inject millions directly into the local economy and create hundreds of new jobs.”

    “We thank the Governor and the great state of New York for helping us create the ultimate backdrop to this epic series. Setting our production in New York City truly underscores the authenticity and excitement we plan to bring to The Defenders and their ‘flawed heroes of Hell’s Kitchen’ stories,” said Alan Fine, President, Marvel Entertainment.

    In December, Marvel announced that writer/director Drew Goddard (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Lost,” “Cloverfield,” “Cabin in the Woods,” “World War Z”) will serve as showrunner on the Daredevil series, which will be the first to premiere.

    Image via Marvel

  • Sean Hannity is Leaving New York Over Pro-Life Slam

    After New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that pro-life conservatives don’t belong in New York, radio and television host Sean Hannity says he is ready to pack his bags and move. Cuomo made his disparaging comments about “extreme conservatives” during an interview with Susan Arbetter on The Capitol Pressroom radio show on Friday. Cuomo is a well-known pro-choice supporter and backed a bill last year that would have allowed for more third trimester abortions had it passed.

    Cuomo was discussing the problems in Washington when he made his comments about extreme conservatives. “Their problem is not me and the Democrats; their problem is themselves,” Cuomo said. “Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are and they’re the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.”

    In a poll taken last year, roughly 55 percent of New Yorkers identified as pro-choice while 41 percent identified as pro-life. The New York governor’s comments did not sit well with many New York conservatives, especially Sean Hannity. Hannity announced his plans to leave the state on his radio show on Monday.

    “Now I want to tell you something–I was born and raised in New York,” Hannity said. “I want you to know that and I can’t wait to get out of here. I really can’t. I don’t want to pay their 10-percent state tax anymore. I live in the second-highest property taxed county in the entire country in Nassau County. I can’t wait to sell my house to somebody who wants it. I can’t wait to pay no state income tax down in Florida or Texas. I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning Florida because I like the water and I like to fish.”

    Just in case it wasn’t clear that Hannity plans to take his money and leave, he also directed a comment at Cuomo. “Gov. Cuomo, I’m going to leave and I’m taking all of my money with me–every single solitary penny. And by the way governor, because I work here–there’s a whole bunch of people that work for me and benefit because I do two shows. And I guess maybe some of them will be out of work, governor. I’m sure you’ll take care of them.”

    Hannity plans to discuss Cuomo’s comments about pro-life conservatives during On the Record on Tuesday night.

    Image via Facebook

  • Donald Trump Considering Running for NY Governor

    “You’re fired” are the words billionaire developer Donald Trump may be able to say to current New York governor Andrew M. Cuomo, if he runs for the position himself.

    Trump revealed on Friday, January 10, that he would run for governor of New York if he had the Republican Party behind him.

    “If we could have a unified party with everybody backing properly, I would do it and I think I’d win,” Trump said in an interview. “I am giving it very, very serious consideration, and if everything falls into place I would do it.”

    Trump claims that Cuomo is politically vulnerable on a variety of issues, including the state’s high tax policy, and a massive bridge construction project that Trump thinks is too expensive.

    This isn’t the first time Trump has become involved in politics: he has been very vocal in his disbelief that President Barack Obama was indeed born in the United States. He has also stated his possible intentions of running for president.

    Many Republicans and Democrats believe Trump is simply trying to get publicity by talking about running for political office. And although the developer says he loves his professional life, he believes his children are now old and experienced enough to take over his many ventures, which would allow him to take on the responsibility of becoming governor.

    “They assume maybe I won’t want to do this,” Trump said of those who don’t believe he will actually run for office. “At the same time, I love this state, and I see where it’s going. We’re going to be another Detroit.”

    Trump promises tax cuts if he becomes governor.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • New York State Will Loosen Marijuana Laws

    New York State Will Loosen Marijuana Laws

    New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that he is planning an executive action that would allow limited use of marijuana legally in the state. Cuomo, who had long resisted legalizing medical marijuana, seems to be coming around as other states are also loosening their laws, with Colorado being the first state to sell marijuana legally starting January 1st.

    The New York Times reports that usage will be limed to only 20 hospitals across the state, and only prescribed to those with serious illnesses, such as cancer and glaucoma. The official statement will come Wednesday at Cuomo’s annual State of the State address. NY Times suggests that the change of heart is an effort to boost popularity – which will most likely work. It’s an election year for the governor, and polls show that 82% of New Yorkers support medical marijuana.

    This new plan of action also arrives as advocates have been strongly criticizing New York’s strict marijuana laws, which in the last ten years, has led to 450,000 misdemeanor charges. Instead of waiting on legislation, Cuomo plans on utilizing a provision in NY public health law known as the Antonio G. Oliveri Controlled Substance Therapeutic Research Program. This program allows for the controlled use of marijuana for cancer and glaucoma patients — a law that has already been in place in the state for 30 years.

    It’s still too early to say when exactly marijuana will be available to patients, but the state hopes to have the infrastructure in place later this year. There’s much to be done before the program is operational – for one, participating hospitals will need to be chosen. And an even bigger hurdle: federal law prohibits growing marijuana in New York, even for medicinal purposes, so the state will have to find an outside source to supply its program. Who ever thought that the entire state of New York would have to find itself a pot dealer?

    Image via News Distribution Network

  • New York Gun Control Laws Upheld In Court

    A federal judge has upheld most of New York’s gun control laws. Judge William M. Skretny said in today’s ruling that the restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines was in line with the “state’s important interest in public safety,” hence the law is constitutional.

    However, Judge Skretny struck down the part of the law that restricted the number of bullets that can be loaded in a gun to 7, terming it “an arbitrary restriction” that was not in line with the Second Amendment. The 7-bullet restriction took effect in April when Governor Andrew Cuomo passed the legislation despite complaints by gun owners that seven round magazines are not readily available for sale. Though the 7-bullet restriction was lifted, the judge determined that gun magazines must now be limited to 10 bullets — which is a standard number of bullets for a magazine to hold — not 7.

    Together with lawmakers, Gov.  Cuomo passed the legislation that restricted sale of rifles in January. The legislation was passed partly in reaction to the mass shooting that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last December. The law is one of the most restrictive gun control laws in the United States. Today’s ruling comes in response to a suit filed by New York State Rifle and Pistol Association as well as other groups that oppose Coumo’s law.

    Several gun rights groups have sharply criticized the law. Despite many recent mass shootings pro-gun advocates  still believe the law violates their constitutional rights and they have vowed to continue their opposition.

    Reaction on the streets when the law was first passed.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Metro-North Train Derailment Possibly Caused By Fast Speeds

    On Sunday, December 1st, 2013, a New York Metro-North commuter train unexpectedly derailed in The Bronx, killing four passengers and leaving many others injured (according to a CNN exclusive). New data compiled by the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has concluded that excessive speed may have been a factor in the cause of Sunday’s derailment.

    According to a new report from CNN, the NTSB has finalized a preliminary report that fast speeds may have been a possible factor in the Metro-North train’s derailment this past Sunday. Event recorders taken from the locomotive of the train (as well as another car) communicated to the NTSB that the train was traveling 82 mph as it entered the 30 mph designated curve.

    William Rockefeller, the engineer aboard the Metro-North train, stated to investigators that the breaks were applied; however, the train did not slow down. According to MSN, Earl Weener of the NTSB stated that the breaks were applied “very late in the game” for a train going as it fast as it was. MSN also reports that Rockefeller’s cellphone is also being examined to see if the engineer was distracted during the time of the derailment.

    Weener was also asked by various reporters if faulty breaks or human error were the cause of Sunday’s derailment. His response to that inquiry was “The answer is, at this point in time, we can’t tell.”

    MSN also states that the NTSB has been urging railroads for quite some time to “install technology that can stop wrecks caused by excessive speed or other problems.” In 2008, Congress required many railroad companies (including Metro-North) to install these facilities by 2015.

    According to CNN, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo exclaimed in a statement that the information from the event recorders “makes clear that, as we suspected, extreme speed was a central cause of this crash.” Cuomo also stated that “when the investigation concludes, we will make sure that any responsible parties are held accountable. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of the victims of yesterday’s crash.”

    [Image source: USA Today Video (0:05)]

  • Donald Trump Could Take Andrew Cuomo’s NY Spot

    New York Governor Andrew Cuomo better watch his back. The Donald may be ready to point the finger of doom and tell the governor, “You’re Fired.”. Trump has some pretty serious backers already in a campaign that he just found out about, himself.

    This article in the New York Post was the first that Donald had heard of it, but some GOP big bosses, including state GOP Chairman Ed Cox, are ready for Trump to step up and take the reigns in New York.

    The article says,

    “So far, Trump, who only recently learned of the effort, which is backed by state GOP Chairman Ed Cox and other party leaders, hasn’t said a flat ‘no.’
    Asked for comment by The Post, Trump left open the possibility of entering the race and blasted Cuomo, and even Cuomo’s dad, ex-Gov. Mario Cuomo, for their records in office.”

    What does the Donald think about all this new found attention? Speaking on “Fox and Friends” on Monday, Trump said, “Well, I think my initial reaction is I haven’t even thought about it. It’s a first. It would be very interesting. I mean, New York has some very serious problems. We have taxes that are through the roof; we have energy sitting in our ground that we are not getting. We have a lot of problems, but it’s not something that is of great interest to me.”

    What does Trump think about sitting Governor Andrew Cuomo?

    “I like him,” Trump said, according to USA Today. “He’s got probably the dumbest attorney general in the United States. He’s driving business out of New York state like crazy. I think Cuomo’s a nice guy, but the problem is people are leaving New York. The taxes are way too high.”

    Better watch your back, Cuomo. The Donald is on the loose. Wait. I thought he was going to run for President?

    Image via youtube

  • NY AG Calls On Kids Websites To Add More Protections

    New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said today he is calling on social networking sites at aimed at children to provide more protections against the threat of sexual predators.

    Cuomo said that the Electronic Securing and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP) law he authored has now resulted in the removal of accounts associated with at least 4,336 registered sex offenders from major social networking websites in the U.S.

    At the end of 2009, Cuomo announced that Facebook and MySpace removed 5,385 accounts linked to 3,533 sexual predators from their rolls. Cuomo today announced that an additional 6,336 online profiles linked to 803 additional New York state registered sex offenders have been removed from popular social networking site.

    Andrew Cuomo
    Andrew Cuomo

    "New York is once again leading the way in ensuring that social networking Web sites use the data that is now available, thanks to the e-STOP law, to keep kids safe," said Attorney General Cuomo.

    "So far, thousands of sexual predators who had opened thousands of accounts have been purged from social networking sites. I am now taking this important protection a step further. I am calling on sites that specifically cater to children to screen users to reduce the threat posed by dangerous sexual predators."

    The sites Cuomo is asking to use e-STOP information include:

    AllyKatzz, BarbieGirls, Build-a-Bearville, Club Penguin, Girlsense, Neopets, Secretbuilders, Stardoll, Supersecret, Teen Second Life, Toontown, Tootsville, Webkinz, Whyville
     

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  • Barnes & Noble Says It Does Not Share Data With Discount Clubs

    Barnes & Noble has acknowledged it has received a subpoena from New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for information concerning an investigation into online retailers who link customers to discount clubs that charge hidden fees.

    The world’s largest bookseller said it wants to stress to customers it is not one of the retailers who turns over personal or credit or debit card information to discount clubs.

    William-Lynch "We welcome the Attorney General’s review because it will show that Barnes & Noble does not, nor has it ever, shared customer debit or credit card information with discount clubs," said William Lynch, President, of Barnes & Noble.com.

    "Customers should be reassured that their personal information, including credit and debit card information is not and never has been shared with discount clubs."

    Barnes & Noble said it has had a relationship with Webloyalty since 2005. The company said it has never provided Webloyalty with any customer credit and debit card information.

    When a customer completes a transaction on Barnes & Noble.com they see a Webloyalty ad offering a discount. The customer has to click through the ad, at which time the customer is informed they are leaving Barnes & Noble.com and will be subject to Webloyalty’s terms and conditions. Once on Webloyalty’s website, the customer would have to register and provide their personal information to Webloyalty.

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  • NY AG Investigating Online Discount Clubs

    New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said today his office is investigating 22 online businesses that deceptively link consumers to fee-based membership programs that charge unauthorized fees for discount offers.

    The investigation found online shoppers are unknowingly directed to a membership program seller’s website that is separate from the online retailers site. Information about joining the membership program and its consequences, including the fact that the consumer is agreeing to transfer their credit or debit card information, is buried in the fine print and cluttered text.

    Cuomo said his office has reached an agreement with online movie ticket retailer Fandango to end similar practices.
    Andrew-Cuomo
    "This online scheme has impacted the finances and tried the patience of tens of millions of consumers nationwide. Well-known companies are tricking customers into accepting offers from third party vendors, which then siphon money from consumers’ accounts," said Attorney General Cuomo.

    "I commend Fandango for doing the right thing by ending the practice of sharing consumers’ financial information with these discount club sellers. I expect the other businesses to follow Fandango’s lead and adopt these reforms to protect consumers who shop online."

    Cuomo has sent subpoenas to 22 businesses that have deals with the three major companies that offer these discount programs: Webloyalty, Affinion/Trilegiant and Vertrue.

    The subpoenas seek information about retailers’ practices of sharing consumers’ account information with membership program companies; their knowledge of any deceptive solicitations; and compensation from the membership companies. The merchants being investigated include: Barnes & Noble, Orbitz.com, Buy.com, Ticketmaster.com, MovieTickets.com, FTD.com, Shutterfly.com, 1-800Flowers.com, Avon.com, Budget, Staples.com, Priceline.com, GMAC Mortgage, Classmates.com, Travelocity, Vistaprint, Intelius, Hotwire.com, Expedia/Hotels.com, Columbia House, Pizza Hut and Gamestop/EB Games.

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