[EXTERNAL] Re: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2023-836-00688 Closed - Mayor Eric Adams and Bitcoin

Fri Dec 22 12:53:07 PST 2023

Dear Dara:

Thank you for your email.

Have a nice weekend.

Thanks & Regards,

Gunnar

Gunnar Larson
917-580-8053
xNY.io - Bank.org

On Fri, Dec 22, 2023, 3:46 PM FoilAppeals (DOF) <FoilAppeals at finance.nyc.gov>
wrote:

> Dear Gunnar Larson,
>
>
>
> I received your appeal email below regarding FOIL 2023-836-00688, which
> was submitted on July 16, 2023, and acknowledged by DOF on July 21, 2023.
> After informing you of extensions, on December 15, 2023, DOF’s Records
> Access Officer sent the response below informing you that “a diligent
> search for records responsive to your request did not locate any such
> records. Accordingly, your request is denied.” On December 15, you sent
> this appeal.
>
>
>
> I have reviewed your appeal. DOF’s FOIL office conducted a diligent search
> for responsive records of the New York City Department of Finance.  As the
> December 15 email explained, the search did not identify any responsive
> records of the Department of Finance.  To further address your question
> below, DOF’s Records Access Officer did not withhold or redact any
> responsive records.  As a result, I affirm the determination of the DOF
> Records Access Officer.
>
>
>
> Pursuant to Public Officers Law §89(4)(b), a denial of a FOIL appeal may
> be appealed to the Supreme Court in a proceeding for review pursuant to
> CPLR Article 78.
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Dara
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dara Jaffee
>
> FOIL Appeals Officer
>
> Assistant Commissioner, Legal Affairs
>
> NYC Department of Finance
>
> 375 Pearl Street, 30th Floor
>
> New York, NY 10038
>
> FoilAppeals at finance.nyc.gov
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Gunnar Larson <g at xny.io>
> *Sent:* Friday, December 15, 2023 3:11 PM
> *To:* FOIL <DOF-FOIL at finance.nyc.gov>; FoilAppeals (DOF) <
> FoilAppeals at finance.nyc.gov>
> *Cc:* cypherpunks at cpunks.org; Harris, Adrienne A (DFS) <
> Adrienne.Harris at dfs.ny.gov>; letitia.james at ag.ny.gov; Corey Johnson <
> district3 at council.nyc.gov>; Reader, Shaun <sreader at curtis.com>;
> PressOffice at cityhall.nyc.gov
> *Subject:* [EXTERNAL] Re: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2023-836-00688
> Closed - Mayor Eric Adams and Bitcoin
>
>
>
> You don't often get email from g at xny.io. Learn why this is important
> <https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification>
>
> *CAUTION:* This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not
> click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
> the content is safe.  Forward suspect email to phish at oti.nyc.gov as an
> attachment (Click the More button, then forward as attachment).
>
>
> Dear Department of Finance (DOF):
>
>
>
> xNY.io - Bank.org kindly elects to appeal this response.
>
>
>
> xNY.io - Bank.org aims to understand if DOF is suggesting no New York City
> records are available. Or, if DOF has redacted in part or withheld due
> diligence records in entirety concerning "Mayor Adams to Receive First
> Paycheck in Cryptocurrency... Paycheck to Be Automatically Converted Into
> Bitcoin and Ethereum" quoted by NYC.gov.
>
>
>
> From our research, there are several New York City records available. For
> example:
>
>
> https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/041-22/mayor-adams-receive-first-paycheck-cryptocurrency
>
>
>
> Furthermore, New York City's press office has said "Cryptocurrencies are
> at the forefront of Web3innovations and can bring greater accessibility to
> financial services."
>
>
>
> Mayor Eric Adams also touted New York City's approach to digital asset
> innovation on Bloomberg radio:
>
>
> https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-03/mayor-elect-eric-adams-to-explore-nyc-coin-similar-to-miami-s?embedded-checkout=true
>
>
>
> According to Bloomberg, "New York City Mayor-Elect Eric Adams said he
> wanted to turn New York into a crypto-friendly city and wagered a “friendly
> competition” with the mayor of Miami, who was the first to set up a
> so-called CityCoin cryptocurrency.
>
>
>
> “He has a MiamiCoin that is doing very well -- we’re going to look in the
> direction to carry that out,” Adams said in a Wednesday interview on
> Bloomberg Radio. He vowed to “look at what’s preventing the growth of
> Bitcoin...""
>
>
>
> As a matter of urgency, xNY.io - Bank.org kindly requests DOF's response
> by December 31, 2023.
>
>
>
> Warm regards,
>
>
>
> Gunnar
>
>
>
> Gunnar Larson
>
> --
>
> Gunnar Larson - xNY.io - Bank.org
>
> MSc - Digital Currency
>
> MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip)
>
>
>
> G at xNY.io
>
> +1-917-580-8053
>
> New York, New York 10001
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 15, 2023, 12:23 PM <donotreply at records.nyc.gov> wrote:
>
> The Department of Finance (DOF) has *closed* your FOIL request
> FOIL-2023-836-00688
> <https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-836-00688> for
> the following reasons:
>
>    - A diligent search for records responsive to your request did not
>    locate any such records. Accordingly, your request is denied.
>
>
>
> You may appeal the decision to deny access to material that was redacted
> in part or withheld in entirety by contacting the agency's FOIL Appeals
> Officer: foilappeals at finance.nyc.gov
> <foilappeals at finance.nyc.gov?subject=FOIL-2023-836-00688%20-%20Appeal>
> within 30 days.
>
>
>
> Please find the attached memo with reference footnotes.
>
>
>
> --
>
>
>
> March 10, 2023
>
>
>
> BY ELECTRONIC MAIL
>
>
>
>
>
> Ms. Camille Joseph Varlack
>
> Office of the Mayor of New York City
>
> City Hall Park, 260 Broadway
>
> New York, NY 10007 United States
>
> PressOffice at CityHall.NYC.gov
>
>
>
> Re: Mayor Eric Adams NYCCoin Touting
>
>
>
> Dear Ms. Joseph Varlack:
>
>
>
> Today’s memo is to kindly submit xNY.io - Bank.org's inquiry into Mayor
> Eric Adams' promotion of NYCCoin.
>
>
>
>
>
> The federal securities laws are clear that any celebrity or individual who
> promotes digital assets must disclose the nature, source and amount of
> compensation they received in exchange for the promotion.
>
>
>
> As a matter of ethics, risk and compliance associated with digital asset
> innovation, xNY.io asks if NYCCoin promotion by the Mayor of New York City
> damaged the market for the xNY digital asset (by, for example, devaluing it
> through parody or sealed via embossed criticism).
>
>
>
> xNY.io - Bank.org concerns made above have evidentiary support to
> interlocking director and officer conflicts recognized by the Department of
> Justice as potential threats that stifle individual and corporate freedom.
>
>
>
>
>
> Ms. Joseph Varlack, as a matter relating to working at one of the world's
> most ethical companies, famous for risk management and corporate
> governance, and as an internationally recognized Blockchain Scholar, I must
> adhere to federal securities laws.
>
>
>
>
>
> As such, I classify Mayor Adams as an individual who promoted the digital
> asset NYCCoin and must disclose the nature, scope, and amount of
> compensation associated.
>
>
>
>
>
> A failure to disclose this information may violate the anti-touting
> provisions of the federal securities laws. Mayor Adams' making these
> endorsements may also be liable for potential violations of the anti-fraud
> provisions of the federal securities laws, for participating in an
> unregistered offer and sale of securities, and for acting as unregistered
> brokers.
>
>
>
>
>
> xNY.io - Bank.org respectfully requests the Office of the Mayor of New
> York City to respond to this request by Wednesday March, 15 2023 by Noon
> EST.
>
>
>
>
>
> Respectfully yours with appreciation,
>
>
>
>
>
> Gunnar Larson - xNY.io - Bank.org
>
> MSc - Digital Currency
>
> MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip)
>
> G at xNY.io +1-917-580-8053
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>
> From: <donotreply at records.nyc.gov>
>
> Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2023, 10:22 AM
>
> Subject: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2023-836-00688 Acknowledged
>
> To: <g at xny.io>
>
>
>
>
>
> The Department of Finance (DOF) has acknowledged your FOIL request
> FOIL-2023-836-00688.
>
>
>
> You can expect a response on or about Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
>
>
>
> Additional Information:
>
> Hello, we are extending your request because our office needs more time to
> fulfill your request. We are finding and reviewing your requested records
> and you should hear from us by the date indicated above. We appreciate your
> patience as we subject each page of each record to legal review while
> processing other FOIL requests.Thank you for your continued patience.
>
>
>
> Please visit FOIL-2023-836-00688 to view additional information and take
> any necessary action.
>
>
>
> Your request FOIL-2023-836-00688 has been successfully submitted to the
> Department of Finance (DOF). The details of your request are shown below.
>
> Request Title: Mayor Eric Adams and Bitcoin
>
>
>
> Request Description: Dear Madam or Sir: Mayor Adams announced paychecks
> will automatically be converted into cryptocurrency via Coinbase, a secure
> online platform for buying, selling, transferring, and storing digital
> currency.
> https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/041-22/mayor-adams-receive-first-paycheck-cryptocurrency
> xNY.io kindly requests access to records concerning the payment structure
> related to this payment vehicle. Additionally, we would like any records
> concerning the City’s due diligence of the online payment platform's
> compliance to New York State investigation. Thank you, Gunnar Larson
> 917-580-8053
>
>
>
> Requester's Contact Information
>
>
>
> Name:
>
> Gunnar Larson
>
> Title:
>
> Not provided
>
> Organization:
>
> Not provided
>
> Email:
>
> g at xny.io
>
> Phone Number:
>
> Not provided
>
> Fax Number:
>
> Not provided
>
> Street Address (line 1):
>
> 406 West 25th Street
>
> Street Address (line 2):
>
> Not provided
>
> City:
>
> New York
>
> State:
>
> NY
>
> Zip Code:
>
> 10001
>
> You can view the request and take any necessary action at the following
> webpage: https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/view/FOIL-2023-836-00688
>
>
>
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