The Milwaukee Post

4 • Milwaukee County Post • April 13, 2018 DATCP warns consumers of Apple services scam MILWAUKEE — A number of Wisconsin residents are reporting telephone calls that falsely claim to be from Apple Inc., saying there is a problem with the recipients' iCloud or Apple ID accounts, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. In many instances, consumers have reported that the caller ID information has been spoofed to make it appear as if the call is coming from the Apple Store at the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa. In at least one other instance, the number provided was that of an Apple Store in Los Angeles. In one reported scenario, a consumer pressed a button during a robocall to speak with a representative, and she was asked about the number and types of computers she owns. She granted the scammer remote access to her computer, who asked over more than two hours asked her about her online shopping habits and requested $100 iTunes gift cards from Walgreens or Target to "fix" each of her three Apple devices. In another reported incident, a consumer received a call from a scammer claiming to be with Apple support, who said the consumer's Apple ID was being used overseas and warned that the consumer would not be able to shop online or use his passport until the issue was resolved. The caller asked the consumer to run a Google search in order to reach an online support website, which DATCP said would likely have allowed the caller to gain remote access to the consumer's computer. For additional information on consumer protection issues, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128. WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST County gets $250K grant for Sherman Park hub MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County has received a $250,000 state grant to support con- struction of The Sherman Phoenix, an entrepreneurial and wellness hub in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood. According to a news release Tuesday, the Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will help fund the transforma- tion of a fire-damaged bank on West Fond du Lac Avenue into an innovative commercial development that will house 20 businesses, most owned by people of color. "The Phoenix will not only provide Milwaukee's entrepreneurs and innovators with affordable space to pursue their dreams, but it will help revitalize the entire neighbor- hood," said Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who joined county, city and community leaders in announcing the grant Tuesday. "This will become a gathering place for the community and will enhance the cultural and social vibrancy of Sherman Park." "Sherman Park has historically been an incredibly vibrant sec- tion of Milwaukee County," said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, who also attended the grant announcement. "The Sherman Phoenix project positions this neighborhood once again to showcase our community's strengths: diversity, entrepreneurship, opportunity and growth. The incredible support from WEDC will help ensure the success of this important project." The Phoenix is being built on the site of the former BMO Harris Bank that was damaged in a fire in the summer 2016. It will house small businesses offering a variety of goods and services, including prepared foods, wellness services and arts and cultural activities. The building will also have a food hall with an outdoor patio and gathering spaces to fos- ter community building. The Phoenix will also offer business support through mentorship, business coaching and networking. The project is expected to create more than 75 jobs. Construction is underway and expected to be completed in the fall. "The Sherman Phoenix is a response to the call from the community to create more equitable economic opportunities for entrepreneurs of color," said Juli Kaufmann, co- developer of the project, adding it was a critical part of the funding package. "It is a gift to be able to walk this journey with so many inspirational entrepreneurs who are bringing their products and services to The Sherman Phoenix," added co-devel- oper JoAnne Sabir. The WEDC funding is a matching grant and will help offset construction costs. The $1.8 million project is also being supported by business leaders, community organiza- tions and the Wisconsin Preservation Fund. The city of Milwaukee also is providing $215,000 in tax incremental financing support for the project. Donovan: Mayor needs to address reduced city health care services amid announced St. Joseph's cuts MILWAUKEE — In a letter sent Monday to Mayor Tom Barrett, Alderman Bob Donovan urges him to come forward with a plan to address the exodus of health care providers from Milwaukee's inner city. Donovan, chairman of the Public Safety and Health Committee, cites Acension's announcement that it will downsize its operation at St. Joseph Hospital, 5000 W. Chambers St., from 1 million square feet to 300,000 square feet. Donovan called the downsizing and significant cuts in health serv- ices "yet another blow" to Milwaukee's central city. "The tale of two cities sadly continues here in Milwaukee," Donovan said. "While we are seeing good things happening down- town, with cranes in the air and construction taking place at multiple sites, our inner city continues to suffer. Where is the mayor when he's needed there?" "The time has come for your administration to step forward with a plan to address the withdrawal of health care providers from the cen- tral city. Frankly, it is past time. I ask you to respond to this issue with the urgency it deserves," Donovan wrote in the letter. He said he understands Ascension is a business. "But the non-prof- it status of institutions like St. Joseph could reasonably be construed to confer an obligation to act at least occasionally in the public inter- est," Donovan wrote. Other health providers are withdrawing when public health concerns are rising, including the AIDS/STD cluster revealed in the city and the lead contamination in city water, Donovan said. Independently of the letter to the mayor, he also expressed concern over the fate of St. Francis Hospital, 3237 S. 16th St., and that Ascension is looking at downsizing there. "It would be great if Ascension opens up and engages the community and city leaders if it is indeed looking next at cuts at St. Francis. Will that happen? I'm not holding my breath," said Donovan, adding the effects would be "catastrophic for the area." Milwaukee man gets prison for Pewaukee liquor thefts WAUKESHA — A Milwaukee man was sentenced to prison April 5 after a series of liquor thefts in Waukesha County last year. John Stehberger, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of felony retail theft in a plea agree- ment that saw two others dismissed, and was sentenced to serve 16 months in prison and two years of extended supervision, concurrent with his present prison sentence, and was granted 129 days credit for time served. He was ordered to maintain absolute sobri- ety, have no contact with the Pick 'n Save stores in Pewaukee, and repay $3,397 in resti- tution. Bayside man pleads guilty in online sex sting WAUKESHA — A Bayside man has pleaded guilty after he traveled to Oconomowoc last year to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl who instead turned out to be a police officer. Mark Fairfield, 49, pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. According to the plea agreement, the state will recommend he serve five years in prison and five more on supervision when he is sentenced April 23. Milwaukee woman charged with tax evasion MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee woman was charged with defrauding the state of Wisconsin $9,106 in income taxes over a three-year period. Lamyra S. Tavarez, 38, told a Department of Revenue agent that a friend said if she inflated her withholdings, she would get money back, according to a complaint filed April 3. The felony fraud counts include $3,902 for her 2014 return, $2,224 for her 2015 return and $2,980 for her 2016 return, the complaint showed. She worked for Rockwell Automation at the time, and said in the complaint that she needed the money because she had three dependent children. If convicted on all three counts, she faces a maximum penalty of up to 18 years in prison and $30,000 in fines. Her initial appearance in Milwaukee Circuit Court is May 15. Donovan Abele

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