This week on Talking Politics - Did President Trump make peace with China or start World War III, how much later will the state budget be, Anthony talks about the City budget, and our guest is Mr. Sirio Guerino of Guerino's Against Graffiti, plus lots more live at 12 PM or any time on YouTube at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya4P1uwPOF8
Comptroller DiNapoli estimated the potential Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike could cause up to $61 million in lost economic activity each day, based on prior analysis from his office, inflation and ridership trends.
“A LIRR strike will be felt far beyond the tracks, triggering the loss of millions of dollars per day in lost economic activity, disrupting thousands of riders and throwing the region’s transit service into chaos and gridlock,” DiNapoli said. “I urge the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its union partners to expedite reaching a reasonable settlement so we can avoid the widespread disruption of a strike.”
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In a joint letter to SpaceX executives, Comptroller DiNapoli, along with California Public Employees’ Retirement System CEO Marcie Frost and New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, raised objections to the reported proposed governance structures of SpaceX, as it prepares for its initial public offering, which would leave shareholders with virtually no recourse over how the company conducts business. The investors hold combined assets under management exceeding $1 trillion for millions of working and retired public servants, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and their beneficiaries.
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The Common Retirement Fund votes by proxy on all director nominees, advisory votes, and shareholder proposals at annual and special meetings for each of the domestic companies in the Fund’s public equity portfolio, as well as those of select non-U.S. companies. Because of Amazon’s inadequate response to significant concerns from investors about its deficient workforce management practices and its excessive executive salaries, NY state’s pension fund will be voting against its board directors and its proposed pay packages at the annual meeting on May 20, 2026.
"The $124.7 billion New York City Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and Financial Plan lays a path towards a stronger fiscal picture that does not come at the cost of making the city less affordable. The FY 2027 budget removes actions that would broadly increase the property tax burden or weaken the city’s ability to withstand an economic downturn. However, the choices made to balance the FY 2027 budget highlight fiscal stresses that still exist and will require proactive steps to achieve budget balance over the course of the four-year financial plan."
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New York's 106 local Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) reported 4,183 active projects with a total value of over $140 billion in fiscal year end 2024, an increase of 3.5% from the prior year, according to an annual report released by Comptroller DiNapoli.
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Comptroller DiNapoli and Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that a New Windsor couple pled guilty in Orange County Court to Grand Larceny in connection with a scheme wherein two Medicaid transportation companies stole from the New York State Department of Health by fraudulently billing for Medicaid transports that either did not occur at all, or did not occur in the manner that demands for payment indicated. At the time of the plea, the couple admitted $3,434,730 was stolen from New York State’s Medicaid program pursuant to this fraudulent billing scheme.
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Comptroller DiNapoli and Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that the Town of Greenburgh's paramedic supervisor was charged with numerous felonies in relation to his alleged forgery of 22 medical certification cards and unlawful retention of certification fees.
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New York State Birding Trail Has More Than 400 Locations That Connect New Yorkers to Birding Hotspots
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released the latest episode of “DEC Does What?!”, the agency’s podcast that features conversations with DEC experts covering wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Episode 34—“For the Birds”— continues the feathered fun from last week’s World Migratory Bird Day observation by discussing ways the State monitors bird and mammal diversity and helps connect New Yorkers with nature through birding activities.
With peak spring bird migration season underway, hosts DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar talk with DEC wildlife biologists Abby Valachovic and Meghan Oberkircher about the science and biology behind annual migration patterns of more than 450 native bird species, how DEC tracks bird species and protects local habitats across the State, and tips for New Yorkers to protect birds living in their community.
The episode also features Tom Collins, environmental program specialist with DEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, who shares how the New York State Birding Trail and I BIRD NY program areis helping New Yorkers “Get Offline and Get Outside.” as part of the I BIRD NY Challenge.
All episodes of “DEC Does What?!” are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms.
For more information on "DEC Does What?!," visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast
Episode Title: For the Birds
Episode Description: This week, we explore DEC’s work monitoring bird and mammal diversity and helping connect New Yorkers with nature through birding activities.
Episode Notes:
With peak spring bird migration season underway, hosts Adriana Espinoza and Sean Mahar talk with DEC wildlife biologists Abby Valachovic and Meghan Oberkircher about the science and biology behind annual migration patterns of more than 450 native bird species, how DEC tracks bird species and protects local habitats across the State, and tips for New Yorkers to protect birds living in their community.
The episode also features Tom Collins, environmental program specialist with DEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, who shares how the New York State Birding Trail and I BIRD NY program areis helping New Yorkers “Get Offline and Get Outside.” as part of the I BIRD NY Challenge.
About:
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that GÖKÇE GÜVEN, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Kalder Inc. (“Kalder”), pled guilty to one count of securities fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the investors in Kalder, a technology startup. As part of her plea, GÜVEN agreed to forfeit nearly $7 million in proceeds from her illegal scheme. GÜVEN pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.
“Gökçe Güven defrauded more than a dozen venture capital investors through material misrepresentations about Kalder’s revenue and brand partners, then lied to obtain an immigration benefit,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “In our startup markets, ambition is not a substitute for honesty. If you lie to investors in any market—public or private; venture or late-stage growth; fintech; biotech; energy; financial services; industrial; etc.—you will be held accountable.”
As alleged in the Superseding Information and other public filings in this case:
GÜVEN was the founder and CEO of Kalder, a New York-based technology startup focused on business loyalty and rewards programs. GÜVEN promoted Kalder as a “fintech-marketing platform” that brands could use to create and monetize customized reward programs. In April 2024, GÜVEN began raising Kalder’s “seed round,” soliciting investments from dozens of venture capitalists. GÜVEN provided prospective investors with false statements, misleading claims, and fabricated documents regarding Kalder’s revenue and brand partners. GÜVEN transmitted to potential investors a pitch deck that misrepresented, among other things, that Kalder had 26 brands “using Kalder” and 53 brands in “live freemium” (that is, using basic Kalder services free of charge). As to some brands, Kalder had only entered into pilot programs to provide services for a limited time period and typically at a heavily discounted price. Other brands had no agreement with Kalder whatsoever—not even for free services. Kalder’s pitch deck also falsely reported that Kalder’s recurring revenue had steadily grown month over month since February 2023 and that by March 2024, Kalder had reached $1.2 million in annual recurring revenue. GÜVEN concealed the true financial condition of the company from multiple investors by maintaining two sets of books—one internal set containing Kalder’s accurate monthly and annual financial information that was prepared by Kalder’s outside accounting firm, and a second set with false and inflated numbers that was transmitted to investors and prospective investors. GÜVEN also transmitted to prospective investors a forged contract between Kalder and a purported brand partner to further deceive her investors. Through these lies and misrepresentations, GÜVEN raised approximately $7 million from more than a dozen investors.
GÜVEN, a citizen of Turkey, also made false statements and fabricated documents as part of a visa application. Following the expiration of her student visa, GÜVEN caused Kalder to sponsor her for an O-1A visa, which is typically issued to individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics. GÜVEN’s application repeated the same sorts of misrepresentations that GÜVEN had provided to Kalder’s investors. GÜVEN also supplied letters of support and reference purportedly signed by business executives but that, in fact, GÜVEN had digitally signed herself without the executives’ knowledge or consent. GÜVEN was ultimately issued an O-1A visa in the fall of 2025.
GÜVEN, 26, of New York, New York, and Turkey, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. GÜVEN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan on September 17, 2026.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Mr. Clayton also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Nichols and Alexandra N. Rothman are in charge of the prosecution.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam and Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Brooklyn woman was charged with attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance and forgery for allegedly sending falsified oxycodone prescriptions to a pharmacy to obtain the pills while she was working at an assisted living facility in 2025.
Tianah Allen a.k.a Tianah Eusebe, 34, was arraigned before Judge William Bodkin on charges of two counts of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a C felony); three counts of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (a D felony); and Forgery in the Second Degree (a D felony).
Tianah Allen a.k.a Tianah Eusebe pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on May 26, 2026. If convicted, she faces up to 1 to 5 ½ years in prison.
“This arrest of Tianah Allen aka Tianah Eusebe, who was employed as a medication supervisor at a health care facility, who has been charged with falsifying oxycodone prescriptions in patients’ names, including a former patient who was deceased, is deeply troubling” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “Healthcare professionals and caregivers are entrusted with protecting those in their care, not exploiting them for personal gain. The DEA and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying and holding accountable anyone responsible for fueling the ongoing opioid crisis.”
“The defendant used her position managing medications at an assisted living facility to allegedly steal powerful narcotics using residents’ names,” said DA Donnelly. “When people place their parents or grandparents into long-term care, they should only have to worry about their loved ones’ comfort and well-being. The defendant’s alleged actions are a complete breach of that trust. My office seeks to hold anyone accountable who violates the professional conduct our community deserves.”
A Donnelly said that, according to the investigation, the defendant had been working as a medication supervisor at Island Assisted Living in Hempstead since August 12, 2024.
On or about March 3, 2025, the facility’s administrator initiated an internal investigation into claims that some residents’ prescriptions were being mishandled by medication staff.
Following the internal investigation, the defendant was fired and the administrator contacted the Hempstead Police Department.
Shortly thereafter, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Enforcement Division’s Long Island SPEAR Team launched an investigation, which included the NCDA, the New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), and the Nassau County Police Department’s Narcotics Vice Squad.
The joint investigation revealed that, on February 25, 2025, while working at Island Assisted Living, the defendant allegedly submitted two prescriptions to a pharmacy without authorization. The prescriptions were each for ninety 10mg oxycodone pills.
One of the prescriptions was written for a resident who had a drug abuse history and therefore no recent narcotics prescriptions. The other prescription was written for a resident who passed away before the medication was delivered to the facility.
Surveillance video obtained as part of the investigation captured the defendant sorting through a recent delivery of residents’ medications at the facility. The defendant was seen on surveillance video allegedly placing oxycodone pills into a brown paper bag, carrying it out of the office, and taking it to her vehicle.
At a later date, surveillance video again captured the defendant sorting through a recent delivery of residents’ medications at the facility. The defendant was seen on surveillance video allegedly placing oxycodone pills into an envelope, putting the envelope into her purse, and carrying her purse out of the office to her car.
Subsequently, on March 1, 2025, surveillance video captured the defendant allegedly forging a prescription for herself for ninety 10mg oxycodone pills and submitting the prescription to the facility’s pharmacy.
The defendant was arrested by NCDA detective investigators on May 14, 2026.
NCDA thanks the DEA New York Enforcement Division's Long Island SPEAR Team, BNE, the Hempstead Police Department, and NCPD Narcotics Vice Squad for their partnership in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Pharmaceutical Diversion and Cybercrimes Unit Chief Heather Kalachman of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Patrick Brand, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. The defendant is represented at arraignment by Christopher Cox of the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald announced 16 new municipalities will receive free technical assistance to help protect public drinking water sources through the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2). The multi-agency initiative, led by DEC and DOH in collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and State (DOS), empowers municipalities to take critical actions to improve and protect public drinking water sources and the environment.
“With the success of the Drinking Water Source Protection Program, New York under Governor Hochul is helping more communities across the state receive free technical assistance that protects public drinking water and conserves water supplies for future generations,” DEC Commissioner Lefton said. “DEC and our partner agencies’ are commitment to delivering critical programs like this one aimed at protecting drinking water at its source.”
“Technical support through the Drinking Water Source Protection Program enables municipalities to navigate the planning process for critically important projects that will safeguard the health of their community,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “We are proud to offer this assistance at no cost, and we thank our partners for their collaborative leadership in protecting drinking water sources and public health.”
In addition, to better assist communities, DEC and DOH completed revisions on the latest version of the Drinking Water Source Protection Program Framework 2025,a guidance document that technical assistance providers will use to help each community create and implement a local drinking water source protection program. The Framework is publicly available on the official DWSP2 website.
Communities enrolled in the program will work with technical assistance providers to develop and initiate implementation of a unique drinking water source protection program at no cost to the participating municipalities.
The program is designed to build off previous work, help align priorities, and fill gaps within a municipality’s current and future source water protection efforts.
Participating municipalities receive free technical assistance in assessing modern day vulnerabilities and engaging in preventative actions to protect drinking water sources from contamination, identifying effective actions to address potential contaminant sources, and implementing source water protection actions.
The program helps ensure meaningful collaboration during plan development and initial implementation between municipalities, members that represent the source water and their technical assistance providers. The 16 new municipalities include the cities of Dunkirk, Elmira, Glen Cove, Little Falls and Saratoga Springs, the towns of Cazenovia, Keene and Saugerties, and the villages of Chester, Fonda, Middleburgh, Saugerties, Voorheesville, Woodbury, Delhi, and Montgomery. A full list of participating communities can be found on the DWSP2 website.
In addition to the development of a plan, each community will initiate implementation activities focused on preventing and minimizing pollution of source waters. Municipalities have many tools available to reduce the likelihood of pollutants reaching the source water area for their public water supply.
For example, a municipality may:
During implementation, DWSP2 communities continue working with their technical assistance provider to address priority issues outlined in the DWSP2 plan. The municipality’s Program Management Team and works alongside their technical assistance provider to implement and prioritize the community’s source water protection needs. Implementation of a community’s program is just as critical as developing their plan and is one of the more rewarding aspects of DWSP2.
DWSP2 has achieved significant advances in protecting drinking water resources across New York State since launched in 2021. Including today’s announcement, 117 municipalities are working on proactive protection of source water. Municipalities can learn from examples set by the City of Ithaca), Town of Bethlehem,) and Village of Athens.
Communities interested in learning more about the Drinking Water Source Protection Program can visit the DWSP2 webpage or contact source.water@dec.ny.gov. If interested in participating in the program, please fill out this Interest Form to set up a community-specific presentation detailing ways DWSP2 can help you protect your source waters.
New York's Commitment to Water Quality
New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, with a total of $6 billion invested in water infrastructure since 2017. Governor Hochul’s 2026–27 Executive Budget proposes a record $425 million for the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. The Executive Budget also includes a historic $3.75 billion five-year commitment to clean water infrastructure.
This funding is in addition to other substantial water quality investments, including the voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. These investments will create jobs, strengthen community resilience, and improve environmental sustainability. By taking these steps, Governor Hochul is ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.
