VR 7-11

Statement of Robert “Rip X” Grigonis 

March 14th 2026

Please excuse any errors or omissions on my part. I am a person with developmental disabilities, and I've tried my best to keep everything in chronological order. This incredibly long process has been unnecessarily painful, draining, time-consuming, confusing, and just really difficult for me, my family, and my care team.

I started on this mission on 11/08/2024 with the primary goal of receiving help because my mother showed me genuine concern for my well-being after the absolutely intentional destruction of my psyche by Lisa Spinelli and her friend Flow.

In the first meeting that I had with Cheryl Henry, I told her the situation between myself, Joseph, and Lisa Spinelli (I'll briefly tell that story now. It's all about how I drove cross-country twice for them with the promise of the growth of a business called JBats RC, only for Joey to tragically die under questionable circumstances in Italy. When Lisa finally came home, she asked me to stay on as her personal executive assistant, property manager, and dog trainer. Only to be used, abused (verbally and emotionally being asked if I was and then called a fucking retard for sending a letter with the purpose of what I considered as defending myself, my disability and my emotional state and being fired for it and then continue to be used for months, refused payment and as an attempt to devalue my credibility accused me of theft without filing a police report and spreading rumors to mutual acquaintances.).

I told Ms. Henry about the work that I've done in the past and some of what I truly love doing. I showed her my extensive resume, my book of certificates and accomplishments. Miss Henry's reaction and response were impressively blank, cold, and callous to the fact that I was still quite clearly in a state of crisis and disarray. My pain was quite clearly evident. I could barely get through explaining everything that had happened, where I've been in my life, and where I want to go for the rest of my life. Cheryl Henry tried to convince me to get my therapist, Julissa Joseph, to change her confidential psychiatric disability medical report ( VR-119 (1/11)) evaluation of my current mental status. She implied that a more positive and encouraging report would be advantageous for the program. She essentially ignored everything and said something to the effect of, well, the next step is to go through testing. This was the first meeting, and a giant red flag for me.

During the testing process it was discussed that the things that I had hoped might be possible in the ways of recouping the losses related to Joey, Lisa spinelli and JBats RC (on behalf of myself “Rip X Arts”), pursuing my license through OCM for cannabis extraction with Alpha Level Extracts or help with grant writers for Rip X Arts with Access VR might not be possible. At which point I was taken aside and was attempted to be dissuaded from continuing testing by the supervisor at South Oaks on the basis that Access VR would probably refuse to help me. I told South Oaks that I need help and I would like to continue testing. I explained that even if they couldn't help with a specific item, I still needed to do the testing to get help. They agreed to this, and testing continued. 

On the second-to-last day of testing, there was an incident where another participant came in smelling of marijuana. The staff at South Oaks acknowledged the aroma by circling me with a behavior that could only be described as the furthest thing from inconspicuous sniffing! They were clearly trying to decide whether it was me who smelled like marijuana or somebody else. This behavior continued for about 10 minutes or so before I got up and went to one of the counselors from South Oaks and said, “Hey, I know what you're doing! I understand that given my background. But the smell is not me! I have too much on the line, and I'm not willing to jeopardize anything.” I explained that their behavior was weird and made me uncomfortable, and that I needed to take some time because of the situation. I then took about a 10-minute walk to decompress and document the situation. I then returned to testing. The other participant was asked to leave. 

(Which opens a whole other list of questions like, was that participant a medical marijuana card holder, and if so, what legal grounds did they have to ask him to leave? Or what other generalized legal grounds for somebody who only smells like marijuana to be asked to leave a state program in a state where recreational cannabis is legal and contributes almost a billion dollars to state tax revenue? Especially when legally, odor is no longer grounds for search, and does a human sniffing other people constitute a search by someone who is not law enforcement?) 

Issues then continued during the review process of my testing results. Cheryl Henry couldn't bother to show up in person at South Oaks, but "appeared" by phone or Zoom (via South Oaks laptop). During this meeting, I was told that my self-direction didn't matter, and I would need to take an entry-level position, working for somebody else, in a field that wouldn't necessarily be of interest to me. Mary Anne Bisesi literally laughed in my face. Telling me that my goals of a six-figure salary are unrealistic and that she doesn't even make that much money. (In my head, I screamed WTF! That's your issue!) At that point, I had about enough of Cheryl Henry and Mary Anne. I then ended that meeting with the understanding that the work that I've done for myself and humanity was just a joke to them both. 

After that meeting, I followed up with HempsteadWorks. After talking to Marie Lombardi, I learned that I needed to specifically ask for a self-employment plan, which I did. Cheryl Henry made it clear that if I wanted to progress with a new counselor, I needed to contact her supervisor, Karen Richter. I was given the self-employment plan and no other meaningful resources. 

I was meeting with my counselor, Christopher DeRita, at HempsteadWorks. He had asked me if I had reached out to any public officials about the situation, and at the time, the answer was no, but I did reach out to all of them almost immediately after that meeting. It also started the cogs turning in my head. At this point, as a pattern recognition expert / creative problem solver with a bit more than a touch of the tism, I started realizing the writing on the wall, the ultimate stance that Access VR was going to be taking, and how to potentially mitigate their reluctance to change their beliefs in outdated, prejudicial internal policies. As well as its clear and chilling belief that the only people who are allowed to actually benefit from the system are the people running the system itself. Not the people that the system is tasked and empowered to help. I knew the path I needed to start down, to start a non-profit organization to help people with disabilities defend their rights in situations like the one I find myself in. 

And that was the start of the Marijuana Advocacy Group! The name does not dictate the activities we are interested in or our primary purpose. On the contrary, we are a civil rights organization (813311)! I chose this name specifically because of the ridiculous obsession and prejudices that Access VR surrounds the term marijuana or cannabis. The name is merely the catalyst that started me on this path. I've done many things in my life because of my incredible intellect and unusual ability as an autistic to pivot. I brought many other options to the table for Access VR that didn't involve cannabis, but they chose to ignore them and only focus on that one thing. Did I lean into their obsession and want to hang them with their own words, possibly? Again, to be abundantly clear, marijuana advocacy group Inc. does not handle, manufacture, or do anything physically or otherwise with cannabis. The majority of our clients have zero interest in the industry. They came to us for help, asserting their rights as people with disabilities in their own work environment.

I had a feeling that with Access VR taking an automated blanket stance without producing any evidential facts (despite repeated requests), they would automatically reject my request based on the name alone without actually reviewing anything. This stance is inaccurate, prejudicial, ableist, and quite probably racist. Based on their own wording, one way that they probably couldn't say no to me is as if the organization that I started didn't actually handle, produce, or do anything physically with cannabis. We are only an advocacy organization for people with disabilities. I had a feeling that choosing a name they would automatically take issue with could potentially work to my benefit, given that our stated mission is just to assist people with disabilities in their own work endeavors. The fact that equal cannabis access is one thing that we happen to be passionate about is not our sole preoccupation. My personal work endeavor issues happened to be in cannabis, where the majority of our clients don't have anything to do with the cannabis industry at all!

After submitting my self-employment plan for the Marijuana Advocacy Group Inc. to Cheryl Henry, she again referred me to her supervisor, Karen Richter, who denied my self-employment plan and referred me to the due process forms and to CAP.

Only after trying to collect more evidence (HIPAA release request from South Oaks and freedom of information requests with the state about Access VR) was I then contacted by Karen Richter again. This time by phone, after I made it clear that I wanted communication in writing. Karen Richter made an attempt to pacify me, and when that didn't work, she escalated to threats of terminating services. This time, I laughed in her face! And explained that she was literally violating the due process that she referred me to. As an additional and final attempt to pacify me, she asked for, and I agreed to a meeting to discuss everything at South Oaks. 

I had reached out to CAP and informed them of everything that had happened thus far, and they assigned me, Julio Cedeno. I had requested Julio's presence at the meeting with South Oaks, but he refused to attend, even by Zoom, stating that he was unavailable. 

During a brief meeting with him by phone, I quickly became overwhelmed by the fact that his questioning seemed interrogative and slightly antagonistic. I requested that we stop and potentially resume with my service coordinator, Angelica Shoenfeld. He agreed. I later emailed him, requesting whatever questions he had in writing because that would be significantly easier and more comfortable for me. He ignored this request and insisted on a Zoom meeting that he did not have the ability to create. 

The meeting at South Oaks was a complete fallacy and an engineered attempt to cause me distress and force a reaction. (See letter to Karen Richter on South Oaks meeting for full meeting description)

After the meeting, I informed Julio of everything, and I requested that he send the letter to Karen Richter. Again, he refused to assist. Stating that disability rights New York does not represent me. I reiterated the fact that I was requesting assistance, and according to the stated purpose of disability rights New York, that is the whole point of their organization.

On February 19th 2026, Julio met with Angelica Schoenfeld without my presence and without informing me that he was going to meet with her. This ex parte meeting was an attempt to persuade Angelica to get me to drop this pursuit. Essentially saying it was a moot point. He claims that at most it would be a complaint, and again, after multiple attempts to refer her and me back to Access VR's internal processes. Angelica is a wonderful, trusting human, and once upon a time, I was very much similar to her before all of this. That's why Angelica informed me of this and did in fact try to dissuade me. I definitely felt betrayed by her for this and for not listening to me about Julio not being trustworthy. I almost instantaneously messaged Julio. Explaining my disgust, disappointment, and demanded clarification. 

Last communication with Julio was on February 20th 2026.

He responded by email, stating that he had discussed my case with Angelica. The purpose of the meeting was to explain the status of my case and discuss next steps. He said regarding my other concerns, he will speak to his director and ensure follow-up so my questions are answered. 

I then followed up with him two more times with absolutely zero response. Angelica also reached out and received no response from him.

On February 4th 2026, Karen Richter contacted me, stating that she was unable to talk to me when we met at South Oaks recently. She provided some documentation and paperwork to my mother, but she wanted to ensure she put this in writing. “Access VR is open to assisting you with exploring jobs that suit your interests, abilities, and limitations. However, due to federal regulations, we cannot help you with a job that is related to the cannabis field, including a non-profit business. Let me know if you are open to exploring other job options”, she then reiterated the fact that Access VR cannot assist me and attached a letter from her boss stating the same thing. She then stated that Access VR is currently unable to provide services, and we need to move forward with a viable employment plan to keep my case open.

On February 21st 2026, I responded to Karen Richter's February 4th email. 

I thanked her for her email and acknowledged the receipt. I acknowledged their refusal and their reliance on federal regulations. I then made it clear that I had requested Julio's assistance in handling communications because I did not feel safe communicating directly with her after the incident at South Oaks. I provided her with my letter, which I asked Julio to deliver on my behalf. I then noted the significant delays and barriers in obtaining CAP assistance of representation in this matter. I called into question the cross-agency potential of collusion. I requested specific written authority and policies that they are relying on for the denial. Then went on to say that I would be working on a new self-employment plan for Rip X Arts with Angelica. But my vocational goal is not to make Access VR comfortable. If anything, the mission in building a non-profit that represents people with disabilities was to create oversight, accountability, and pressure where it is clearly needed. The disproportionate salaries and the horrifying lack of compassion towards the people the agency is supposed to serve are beyond unacceptable. That even under corrosion, I'm still willing to work with Access VR to strengthen and expand my artistic and consulting income and self-employment development through Rip X Arts. I made it clear that this does not mean I will stop pursuing the fact that my rights have been continuously violated in this matter. I will continue documenting and pursuing all appropriate remedies. I've asked her to remove all other email addresses except for my personal email address, Grigonis.robert@gmail, and restricted communication to third parties only in my presence.

On February 25th 2026, I received two emails from Karen Richter. One stating that she had received my email indicating that I would be working on a new self-employment plan for Rip X Arts, as Access VR could not assist with my “cannabis advocacy plan”. She then provided a few recommendations for help in developing my self-employment plan, which included Score Long Island, Department of Labor (HempsteadWorks), and Long Island Small Business Development Center (Farmingdale State). She said, “Since we are required to move your case forward, as with any access VR participant, I would like a date from you indicating when this new self-employment plan would be submitted. This is all the information I can provide. Please respond”.

The second email was sent to Ripxarts@gmail.com

This was a very short email. Only saying that one of her colleagues found a program through the Department of Labor. It looks interesting. Apparently, they may be able to help me with my cannabis business with a link to the Cannabis workforce development through the Department of Labor.

On March 2nd 2026, I responded to Karen Richter 

Thanking her for her emails on February 25th. 

And then went on to say.

“First, your most recent message was sent to ripxarts@gmail.com instead of grigonis.robert@gmail.com. Please update your records so my primary case communications are sent to grigonis.robert@gmail.com going forward.

Second, I need to address the substance. Your responses acknowledge a very small piece of what I wrote, but they do not answer the questions I asked. We cannot move forward until ACCES VR provides valid reasoning in writing and responds to the questions in my prior messages.

Third, the Department of Labor referral you provided is completely inconsistent with the position that federal involvement makes assistance categorically impossible. ACCES VR has asserted that it cannot assist with my cannabis related vocational goal due to “federal guidelines.” Yet on February 25, you recommended a cannabis workforce development program funded through the Department of Labor and stated it may be able to help with my cannabis business. If federal involvement is truly the determining factor, then a referral to another federally funded program directly contradicts that rationale. This inconsistency must be addressed with a clear written explanation and the exact controlling authority ACCES VR is relying on.

For the record, please respond in writing to the following, with citations.

1. The exact legal authority you are relying on to deny support for my cannabis related vocational goal connected to Alpha Level Extracts and Marijuana Advocacy Group Inc., including the specific statute, regulation, policy directive, RSA guidance, or other controlling authority, with section numbers and citations.

2. A clear written statement identifying whether ACCES VR is issuing a full denial of services or a partial denial limited to a specific vocational goal, including what services remain available and what services are being refused.

3. Where my case currently stands and what ACCES VR is requiring from me right now, including any deadlines you believe apply, what actions ACCES VR intends to take if those deadlines are not met, and what ACCES VR plans to do next.

4. The specific individualized determination you are making about me, as opposed to a general reference to federal guidelines, and the supporting documentation in my record that you believe justifies that determination.

In addition, I am again requesting the complete written record for my case communications and related documentation. This includes, but is not limited to:

A. All correspondence and communications between ACCES VR and South Oaks, including emails, letters, referrals, authorizations, requests, reports, scheduling communications, and any notes describing the purpose, scope, or conclusions related to South Oaks involvement.

B. All correspondence and communications between ACCES VR and any other provider, partner agency, evaluator, contractor, or third party connected to my case, including HempsteadWorks, SCORE, any Small Business Development Center, and any other organization referenced or contacted.

C. All internal ACCES VR communications regarding my case, including emails, case notes, supervisory discussions, internal messages, and any documentation reflecting agency reasoning about my vocational goal, the “federal guidelines” rationale, and any decision-making related to denial or limitation of services.

D. A complete copy of my ACCES VR case file, including application materials, eligibility determinations, IPE documents, amendments, progress notes, service authorizations, service denials, vendor and payment records, call logs, meeting notes, records of attempted contact, and any notices of action or rights information provided to me.

This complete communication record is necessary to rule out collusion or improper coordination between ACCES VR and outside providers or partners regarding my case, particularly where agency decision-making and provider involvement appear to be intertwined.

Finally, I want to be clear about priorities. My primary focus at this time is defending my vocational rights and requesting due process clarity regarding Alpha Level Extracts and Marijuana Advocacy Group Inc. The self-employment plan for Rip X Arts is a separate track, and it cannot move forward until the initial issue is addressed with valid written reasoning and full answers to my questions.

Thank you. I look forward to your written response and confirmation that my correct email address is on file.”

On March 5, 2026, I received an email from Karen Rector. She said 

“I provided all the information that I was able to give. I do not have any other documentation, as you request.

 You have two options, Robert. You can appeal the decision to not support your cannabis advocacy business, or you can move on and develop a new self-employment plan (which will be reviewed by a self-employment committee if deemed to be a viable plan).  

 As for a due date, 2 months is sufficient to create a self-employment plan, utilizing the resources provided or not. So, ACCES-VR expects you to submit your self-employment plan no later than May 8th, 2026. If we do not receive your plan by that date, we will begin outreach to inform you that ACCES-VR is required to move your case forward. If you are unable or unwilling to complete or decide on what you want, we will move the case toward closure. ACCES-VR is an employment program, and we expect that all participants will cooperate and, in your case, provide your self-employment plan, which you are creating without ACCES-VR assistance. The case cannot just sit and wait until you deem yourself to be ready to create a new self-employment plan.

 I understand you are requesting a complete copy of your file. I will get back to you regarding this request as it will take some time.”

This was the last contact that I've had with Access VR and disability rights New York until today, Pi Day! The numerology connected to my work and this case is unbelievably metaphysical! March 14th 2026. The day after one of the three Friday the 13ths in 2026! I received a large package from Access VR containing my full case file, including case notes. At this point, I will be submitting VR 7-11 as it currently stands and then continuing to review the entirety of my case file according to AccessVR until an impartial hearing can be arranged.

Let's be real here, this is about significantly more than just one retard's right to have access to education and work in the New York State legal cannabis industry. Utilizing the systems that have been in place to help people with disabilities gain meaningful self-directed employment. 

My case shows an alarming and deeply troubling level of interagency collusion and inconsistencies in how the state and its organizations are operating. I know I'm looking at setting a precedent that they do not want set. This also has to do with the historical disproportionate aspect of the war on drugs, drug scheduling, and the continuation of the vilification of cannabis use and the communities that have historically partaken. 

This is more than just about my fight to access education, work resources, representation, and just generalized help as a person with disabilities. Access VR's stance on assisting the clientele they are tasked to assist is essentially non-existent, even if the client's goal has nothing to do with cannabis at all.

Obviously, based on everything that has occurred thus far. I am incredibly skeptical that the next portion of this process is going to be any more impartial or trustworthy than the portions prior. Moving forward with form VR 7-11 without the help of DRNY seems like a bit of a joke, especially since Access VR pays for the “impartial judicator”. Personally, I don't find that to be impartial in the slightest bit. I think that I would be happier, and this will ultimately end in a Supreme Court room. Historically, it’s been the only platform for disability rights enforcement. My goal is now to carry on the modern-day work of Judy Heumann or Mark Bookman! 

Robert “Rip X” Grigonis