Mayor Mamdani Announces Additional Knicks Watch Party Location at Bryant Park

 

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced that Bryant Park will serve as an additional Knicks watch party location for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, giving thousands more New Yorkers the opportunity to come together and support the Knicks during their historic Finals run.

The Bryant Park watch party was added by Mayor Mamdani after the U.S. Secret Service and the NYPD determined that a watch party could not be held outside Madison Square Garden due to the heightened security requirements associated with President Trump's attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

“These watch parties have become a celebration of New York City itself,” said Mayor Mamdani. “From every borough and every neighborhood, this city has come together to cheer on the Knicks and share in a moment that belongs to all of us. That’s why we’re adding Bryant Park as an additional watch party location, so even more fans can be part of this incredible Knicks Finals run. Whether you join us in Bryant Park, Central Park or at Brooklyn Bowl, we invite New Yorkers to come together and support our team. Let’s go Knicks.”

The Bryant Park watch party is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The event will have a maximum capacity of 5,000 attendees.

In addition to Bryant Park, Knicks watch parties will also be held in Central Park and at Brooklyn Bowl, giving fans across the city multiple opportunities to watch the game together and celebrate this historic moment for New York basketball. 

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - You're Invited to a Brunch Fundraiser!

 

Come to the Bronx River Art Center on Sunday, June 14th at 12pm for a brunch gathering celebrating community, creativity, and the future of interdisciplinary arts education in the Bronx. 

Enjoy some light brunch bites, mimosas and more!

All proceeds will support the ongoing work and mission of the Bronx River Arts Center.

Admission to the Brunch Gathering also includes admission to the final show in this year's Bronx River Sounds Festival, a dance performance by Argelia’s Hope Made Bread.

Purchase Brunch Gathering Ticket

DEC ANNOUNCES $18 MILLION FOR CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE

 

Funding for Communities Supports Local Climate Action to Reduce Emissions, Improve Air Quality, and Increase Resilience

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced at least $18 million now available under the Climate Smart Communities Grant program to help municipalities take action to address climate change. Eligible projects help reduce flooding and protect critical infrastructure, support decreasing transportation emissions through cycling and walkability projects, reduce emissions from food waste and landfills, and undertake feasibility studies to advance climate projects. The funding is part of the millions of dollars now available through the Consolidated Funding Application recently announced by Governor Kathy Hochul for more than 20 programs to facilitate projects that advance regional strategic plans and State priorities. 

“DEC’s Climate Smart Communities grants, made possible thanks to funding from the Environmental Protection Fund and Environmental Bond Act, support municipal investments and projects to reduce harmful pollution, protect the environment, and improve community resilience,” Commissioner Lefton said. “State and local partnerships are critical to advance New York’s efforts to ensure climate equity, save costs for consumers, and transition to more affordable and efficient clean energy alternatives.” 

Funding for the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program is supported by the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the State's Environmental Protection Fund. Since the CSC Grant program's inception in 2016, DEC has awarded more than $109 million to municipalities in support of local climate mitigation and adaptation projects. 

Applications for CSC grants are submitted via the Consolidated Funding Application; see DEC’s website for more details. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026. Applications will not be accepted after that date and time. 

As part of the program, municipalities are required to provide a local match of 50% of the total costs for most projects. For communities that meet the criteria for financial hardship or for projects that are located in disadvantaged communities, the match may be lowered to 20%.  

At least $17 million is available for grants of between $35,000 and $2 million for implementation projects related to the following topics, among others:

• Reducing vehicle miles travelled (VMT)
• Reducing food waste in landfills
• Reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from refrigeration and cooling equipment
• Increasing natural resiliency through restoration or preservation of natural features
• Reducing future flood risks, including by relocating or retrofitting critical infrastructure
• Preparing for extreme heat and extreme weather events
• Renewable energy projects in municipal facilities
• Engineering feasibility studies for flood risk reduction, refrigerant management, and smart growth analysis.  

In addition, up to $1 million is available for grants of between $10,000 and $200,000 for planning, inventory, and assessment projects that are aligned with certain Climate Smart Communities Certification actions in the areas of greenhouse gas mitigation, transportation, climate adaptation, and land use. 

Updates to CSC Grant Program

DEC recently announced revisions expanding the number of entities eligible to receive grants under Climate Smart Community Projects, including local public authorities, local public benefit corporations, and Indian Nations, consistent with the Environmental Conservation Law. Expanded eligibility will allow for additional entities to apply for funding and help to ensure increased participation among disadvantaged communities. Visit DEC’s website for more information. 

CSC Program

The Climate Smart Communities Grant program is one component of the larger interagency CSC Program established in 2009. To date, more than 470 local governments representing about 18 million New Yorkers have committed to mitigating and adapting to climate change by adopting the CSC pledge. This interagency effort is jointly sponsored by DEC, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York Power Authority, Department of State, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Service, and Division of Homes and Community Renewal. 

Since 2014, DEC has managed the CSC Certification program with the support of these partner agencies. Starting in 2016, the CSC Grant program has funded projects that help municipalities earn points under the CSC Certification program. To date, there are 185 local governments that have gone above and beyond the CSC pledge to achieve certification. DEC also provides free technical assistance to local governments through the regional CSC coordinators. Find out more on the Climate Smart Communities Certification webpage. 

During Earth Week, DEC announced 23 municipalities across the state certified under the Climate Smart Communities Certification program, including New York City and Erie County that were certified and recertified, respectively, as silver, the highest level of the program. Also, in October, DEC announced a total of $5 million for electric vehicle chargers and $585,000 for electric or hybrid vehicles for municipal fleets under the ZEV Grants program. Awards are expected to be announced in late summer. 

2026-2027 Enacted Budget Highlights

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the 2026-27 Enacted Budget includes another record $1 billion investment in the Sustainable Future Program, reinforcing New York’s historic commitment to clean energy and greenhouse gas mitigation. The 2026-27 Budget also reaffirms New York’s commitment to environmental leadership by appropriating $425 million to the Environmental Protection Fund, using $25 million from the Sustainable Future Program to provide a record $450 million for important environmental programs. The Budget also amends DEC’s Municipal Zero Emissions Vehicle Program to raise the maximum cap on rebates per-vehicle to $30,000 (up from $7,500), helping spur additional local investments in cleaner transportation. 

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 40 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. The State is also working to disburse the historic $2 billion Sustainable Future Program, which will deliver targeted funding to lower emissions, reduce household energy costs, and spur green job growth. 

About the Consolidated Funding Application

The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the Consolidated Funding Application.

Governor Hochul Announces $146 Million in Major Paving and Bridge Projects Beginning This Month on Long Island

Major Work Beginning on Long Island Expressway, Sunrise Highway, Heckscher State Parkway and Three South Shore Bridges

Work Completed Ahead of Schedule on $18.5 Million Project Along a Busy Section of the Northern State Parkway

Major Investment in Building Stronger Highway Infrastructure And Enhancing Safety Across Long Island

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of $146 million in bridge and paving projects across Long Island, including major pavement renewal work on the Long Island Expressway, Sunrise Highway, Heckscher State Parkway and three bridge rehabilitation projects that connect Long Islanders with South Shore beaches and shorefront communities in Nassau County. Additionally, the Governor announced that an $18.5 million pavement renewal project on the Northern State Parkway has been completed ahead of schedule, just in time for the summer season.

“Investing in Long Island’s bridges and highways means investing in safety, economic opportunity and improving the stability of vital roadways while building a dependable transportation system that Long Islanders need,” Governor Hochul said.“Through our historic capital plan, we are doing projects of all shapes and sizes across Long Island, rebuilding our transportation network today to meet the needs of tomorrow.”

Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495)

An estimated 175,000 tons of asphalt will be used on a $52.3 million project to renew 193 lane miles of the expressway’s three main travel lanes, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, shoulders and entrance/exit ramps within Nassau County. Stretching from one end of the county to the other, this project also includes cleaning and maintaining more than 1,100 storm drains to mitigate roadway drainage and prevent flooding conditions.

Major paving work on this project is expected to be completed this fall.

A separate, $3.6 million project is also starting in Suffolk County focusing on sealing pavement cracks and other minor imperfections. If left untreated, these cracks can expand due to heavy traffic and freeze-thaw cycles, leading to potholes, more extensive damage and potential travel delays. This work spans 293 lane miles between the Nassau-Suffolk County line and Exit 64 at State Route 112 as well as the North and South Service Roads between Commack Road (County Route 4) and Wicks Road, which were resurfaced in 2022, and is expected to be completed in spring 2028.

Additionally, repairs to the expressway’s wooden noise barriers in Suffolk County are continuing. Since work began last fall, more than 360,000 linear feet of wood, or the equivalent of more than 540 football fields, have been replaced and rehabilitation is expected to continue through the end of 2027 in an effort to reduce highway noise in nearby residential neighborhoods.

More than 190,000 vehicles travel the Long Island Expressway each day, approximately 10% of which are commercial trucks, placing significant wear and tear on the roadway. As a vital east-west route for commuters, tourism, freight movement and bus service, maintaining the expressway is essential to Long Island’s mobility and economic strength.

To minimize disruptions to motorists, major construction activities will take place during off-peak and overnight hours and will be coordinated with other paving projects across Long Island this year.

Sunrise Highway (State Route 27)

More than 140 lane miles of Sunrise Highway encompassing all of Nassau County and into western Suffolk County are set to undergo pavement renewal as part of a $59.7 million highway resurfacing project.

From the Queens-Nassau border to North Monroe Avenue, near Babylon Town Hall, in Suffolk County, crews will install an estimated 224,000 tons of new warm-mix asphalt. More than 1,600 storm drains will be cleaned, maintained, and, if needed, upgraded to improve resiliency during severe weather events. Traffic signals will be modernized with new vehicle detection software to improve their operations and mobility. More than 550 sidewalk ramps will be upgraded for accessibility to meet the latest standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Another 20 lane miles along Sunrise Highway’s North and South Service Roads between State Route 109 and Udall Road in Suffolk County will also be resurfaced with 30 sidewalk ramps being upgraded for ADA compliance.

These pavement renewal projects are scheduled for completion this fall.

Sunrise Highway was originally a major water conduit serving New York City, which used water from Long Island ponds. Today it is a major trucking highway for the South Shore, connecting local communities, downtown business districts, national retailers, multi-family housing developments and key commercial destinations. It also runs adjacent to the Long Island Railroad and offers access to JFK Airport, making it an important transportation link for residents and businesses.

Saltwater Bridges

A $16 million project to rehabilitate three key parkway bridges to enhance safety, strengthen infrastructure resiliency and extend the service life of the structures for at least another 20 years is beginning. All three crossings span saltwater channels that connect Long Islanders with South Shore beaches and shorefront communities in Nassau County.

A new concrete riding surface will be installed on the Loop Parkway bridge over Reynolds Channel and the Meadowbrook State Parkway bridges over Fundy Channel and False Channel, all within the Town of Hempstead, to improve rideability.

Crews will also be performing maintenance to the bridge decks, replacing bridge joints to strengthen the overall structural integrity, replacing the bridge railings to enhance motorist safety and installing new navigation lighting to improve visibility for maritime traffic.

Major work is beginning this month and is expected to be fully complete by the end of 2028. Motorists should anticipate periodic daytime and nighttime closures during construction. Significant closures will be coordinated with local officials to minimize community impacts. No daytime lane closures will occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day to help accommodate peak summer travel to Jones Beach State Park and surrounding coastal destinations.

The Meadowbrook State Parkway serves as a critical transportation link for motorists and buses to Jones Beach State Park and the Loop Parkway provides an essential connection between Long Beach barrier island communities and Long Island’s historic parkway system.

Heckscher State Parkway

A $15 million concrete pavement restoration project in the Town of Islip, Suffolk County, is beginning, which will enhance safety, improve travel conditions, and extend the lifespan of this important roadway for the more than 45,000 motorists who use it each day. The project is now beginning along a six-mile corridor between the Sagtikos State Parkway and Sunrise Highway (State Route 27) and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Workers will replace worn sections of concrete pavement with new, high-strength concrete designed to better withstand heavy daily traffic and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Crews will also clean and seal cracks and pavement joints to prevent water and debris which can cause further deterioration. Reflective pavement markings will be refreshed to improve visibility and enhance safety for motorists.

As part of the work, the pavement will also be restored using diamond grinding, which consists of equipment fitted with closely spaced diamond-tipped blades, that removes a thin layer from the concrete surface. This process smooths uneven pavement, restores ride quality, improves skid resistance and reduces roadway noise.

The project also includes cleaning and repairing drainage structures, as warranted, to ensure proper drainage during storms. This will help to extend the life of the pavement and reduce the need for future repairs.

The Heckscher State Parkway is a continuation of the Southern State Parkway from the Sagtikos State Parkway to Heckscher State Park, a popular Long Island destination offering beaches and water recreation along the Great South Bay, as well as campgrounds, a golf course and year-round outdoor amenities. It also provides connections to local and federal courthouses as well as Fairfield Properties Ballpark, home of the Long Island Ducks.

To minimize impacts to travelers and parkgoers, the majority of the construction will be staged during off-peak and overnight hours, consistent with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, to reduce commuter disruptions and avoid conflicts with events at the state park.

Northern State Parkway

Major pavement resurfacing work has been completed ahead of schedule along a busy section of the Northern State Parkway in Nassau and Suffolk counties. With completion coming earlier than expected on this $18.5 million project, motorists will now enjoy construction-free driving to their summertime destinations. The project renewed approximately 50 lane miles of pavement in both directions, enhancing safety and travel for the nearly 100,000 motorists who rely on the roadway each day while generating approximately 240 jobs.

When eastbound pavement renewal started earlier this spring, it was originally expected to be completed this summer. But work progressed faster than expected as the workers diligently moved from the Wantagh State Parkway interchange at Exit 33 in the Village of Westbury east towards the New York Avenue overpass near Exit 40 in the Town of Huntington.

New reflective pavement markings were also installed to improve visibility for drivers and more than 50 sidewalk ramps located at parkway entrance and exit ramps were upgraded to meet the latest standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enhancing accessibility for pedestrians.

With the completion of the westbound lanes this past fall and now the eastbound lanes, the parkway’s entire riding surface has been resurfaced with previous sections being completed in 2020, 2023, and 2024.

The Northern State Parkway is a busy and scenic roadway on the North Shore of Long Island, stretching from central Suffolk County west to the New York City borough of Queens. The parkway provides access to numerous popular destinations along the way, including state parks, beaches, museums, sports venues and LaGuardia Airport.

Mayor Mamdani Announces “Winners” of New York City’s 2K for 2-K Event

 

Ready, Set, Go; more than 1,000 runners joined Mayor Mamdani to encourage families to apply for 2-K by the June 26 deadline

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, hosted the 2K for 2-K event in Fort Tryon Park to celebrate New York City’s first-ever 2-K program and encourage families to apply before the June 26 deadline.

The Mayor and participants aged 2 and older laced up their sneakers to run and walk 2-kilometers (1.2 miles), highlighting the City’s effort to make child care more affordable and accessible for working families. The free family event also featured on-site enrollment specialists, youth dashes and activities celebrating the historic program, which will provide free child care seats for 2,000 two-year olds this fall.

“New York City’s two-year olds are the real winners of today's race, because applications are now open for families to access free, full-day, full-year 2-K,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, working families have had to run circles to navigate impossible costs and endless waitlists just to find child care. We’re changing that. With 2-K, families can rest assured that their kids will get the running start they deserve.”

"Today's 2K for 2-K event combined movement, community, and connection—reminding New Yorkers of all ages that it's never too early to take that first step and experience the transformative power of running," said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. "We're proud to partner with the City of New York throughout the year to create accessible, inclusive opportunities for families to be active, connect, and build lifelong healthy habits together."

Hitting the ground running, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul announced the historic launch of 2-K just eight days after the Mayor took office. Families can apply for 2-K seats in School Districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27 until June 26, 2026, with offers released in August. Applications can be submitted through MySchools, by calling 718-935-2009 or by visiting one of the City’s Family Welcome Centers.

New York Road Runners produces 60 adult and youth races annually, including the TCS New York City Marathon, and provides free year-round youth and community programming through programs like  Rising New York Road Runners. The nonprofit’s running-based youth program serves 200,000 students nationwide, including 100,000 in New York City. Throughout the year, NYRR hosts more than 20 free Rising New York Road Runners youth events, including its marquee event, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff.

The 2K for 2-K event builds on the administration’s efforts to address New York City’s child care affordability crisis. In February, Mayor Mamdani launched a 2-K request for information, and in April announced that most 2-K seats would operate on a full-day and full-year schedule. Last month, the Administration also partnered with Bronx-born rapper Cardi B to host a 2-K jingle contest, with the winning entry set to be announced later this month.

Stericycle Resolves Criminal and Civil Investigations with over $56 Million Agreement for Long Running Failures in Handling Controlled Substances Bound for Disposal

 

Stericycle stored unlawfully controlled substances mislabeled as toxic and hazardous waste

Stericycle Inc., an international waste management company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, has agreed to pay more than $56 million to resolve parallel criminal and civil investigations into its improper handling of controlled substances between 2015 and 2020, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced.

Stericycle collected, transported, and disposed of pharmaceutical waste for hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other health care providers across the United States and abroad. 

“Stericycle has accepted responsibility for handling controlled substances in a manner that was insecure, unsafe, and unlawful,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Despite being warned by the DEA that it needed to correct its deficient handling procedures, the company operated an insecure transportation network, relied on multiple unregistered facilities, and failed to notify the DEA of diversions and significant losses as required by law. This resolution demonstrates the Justice Department’s continuing commitment to ensuring that all registrants safely and securely handle controlled substances so that dangerous drugs are not diverted into the community.”

“DEA will hold organizations accountable who violate the Controlled Substances Act and improperly handle controlled substances. Stericycle’s actions were far more troubling than a simple reporting error,” said Bob P. Beris, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, San Francisco Field Division. “These drugs did not merely go unaccounted for, employees and others stole them, used them, or diverted them into the community. Such conduct endangers public safety, fuels addiction, and undermines the integrity of our regulatory system. The DEA remains committed to ensuring that every registrant fulfills their obligations to protect the public from exactly these kinds of risks.”

“Controlled substance regulations are designed to keep dangerous and addictive medications out of the wrong hands. Stericycle ignored those responsibilities, resulting in expired medications being stolen and sold illegally on the street,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue pursuing those who endanger the public through negligence or criminal conduct.”

Criminal charges filed allege that Stericycle conspired to defraud the United States by failing to report thefts and significant losses of controlled substances to the DEA. On four separate occasions, the company offered justifications for failing to file required Form 106s that were unsupported by federal regulations. As part of a one‑year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Department of Justice, Stericycle will pay a $19.08 million criminal penalty.

Separately, Stericycle has agreed to pay $37.81 million to resolve civil liability for repeated violations of the CSA.

Because of the risk that prescription drugs can be diverted or misused, the handling of controlled substances is tightly regulated under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

According to court documents, Stericycle was registered with the DEA as a “reverse distributor,” allowing it to receive unwanted, unusable, or expired controlled substances from hospitals, pharmacies, and other registrants. As a reverse distributor, Stericycle was subject to strict recordkeeping, reporting obligations, security requirements, and regular DEA inspections of its registered facilities, including the duty to promptly notify the local DEA Field Division Office in writing of any theft or significant loss.

As admitted by the company, Stericycle circumvented these requirements by using temporary storage facilities that were not registered with the DEA and thus not subject to regular inspection. Security was inadequate at many locations, including at the company’s former facility in Rancho Cordova. In some instances, controlled substances were stored in unlocked trailers within fenced yards. Though some facilities had security cameras, several cameras were non‑operational.

Stericycle conspired to defraud the DEA by avoiding the filing of reports that would have alerted the agency to thefts and significant losses of controlled substances in its care. Multiple Stericycle managers and executives were aware that the company lacked a reliable system for tracking packages across its transportation network or auditing packages received in Indianapolis, creating opportunities for diversion.

Under the DPA, Stericycle has agreed to continue cooperating in any ongoing or future criminal investigations related to this conduct. The company also agreed to enhance its compliance program, including measures for independent oversight, training, internal investigations of reported misconduct, and compliance reporting to the Department of Justice for the remainder of the agreement’s term. The resolutions do not include the criminal release of any individuals.

The government reached this resolution based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of Stericycle’s conduct, its knowing and willful decisions not to report thefts or significant losses, its use of unregistered facilities to store controlled substances, and the company’s divestiture of the business component at issue in April 2020 to a non‑affiliated company that brought the business segment into compliance. The remaining business was acquired by another company in November 2024. Stericycle also enhanced its compliance program and committed to continuing improvements to meet the minimum requirements set forth in the DPA. The company received credit for accepting responsibility for its criminal conduct.

Three Arrested in Kansas and California, Charged with Plot to Support ISIS

 

Three U.S. Citizens Allegedly Discussed Violent Attacks and Tried to Develop a Cryptocurrency Scheme to Buy RPGs and Drones to Attack U.S. Servicemembers

The FBI arrested three men in Kansas City, Kansas, San Diego, and Sacramento, California, on charges that they conspired to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California, were  arrested on a complaint filed in the District of Kansas for conspiring to provide material support to terrorism after collectively providing over $2,000 to an individual they understood to be a member of ISIS. As detailed in the complaint, in various messaging exchanges, Ghafoor exclaimed it would be “sick” if his name could be written on the drone used in an attack on Americans. Dzayee suggested that targets of drones should include U.S. Special Forces. In other exchanges, Shamsaldeen expressed a desire to stab and injure a U.S. servicemember.  Ghafoor said he has always wanted to kill a female soldier by beheading, and added, “I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans.” 

“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks — anywhere. Thanks to the vigilance of the FBI, their alleged scheme was dismantled and further acts of violence against U.S. service members were prevented.”

“These subjects allegedly swore allegiance to ISIS, plotted multiple attacks, and even targeted U.S. service members — but this FBI stopped them cold,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The success of this op shows once again this FBI’s continued record of stopping terrorist attacks before they happen, simply the best way to defend the homeland — and shows we’ll stop at nothing to defend Americans from those who seek to do us harm. I want to thank our teams in Kansas City, San Diego, Sacramento, Newark, and Richmond, and the Counterterrorism Division for their outstanding efforts on this investigation and commitment to mission.”

“According to the complaint, these defendants conspired to support ISIS, a ruthless terrorist organization, with the intent, among other things, to fund plans to kill American servicemembers abroad,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Thanks to the work of the FBI, their plans to betray their country in the gravest way lies in ruin. Instead, these defendants will face justice in our courts.”

“For years, the Department of Justice has been encouraging Americans that if they see suspicious activity, they should report it to law enforcement. That’s because long gone are the days where terrorist threats and attacks are incidents that only take place far away on foreign soil,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas. “Unfortunately, we must face the reality of bad actors living within our borders clandestinely conspiring on ways to create fear and havoc. The only way to root out and prevent terrorism plots is through collaboration among all levels of law enforcement and across jurisdictions. Collaboration is what facilitated the arrests of these three suspects.”

According to the complaint, filed in the District of Kansas, beginning by at least February 2025 to about June 2026, the individuals communicated about several plans to support ISIS, including through the provision of personnel, services, and money. Through Discord chats, voice calls, and other messaging platforms, the coconspirators pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader. The defendants exchanged messages in social media groups promoting violence in furtherance of ISIS.

The defendants collectively provided over $2,000 to an individual they believed to be an ISIS member. Ghafoor’s name was written on the projectile of one of the rocket-propelled grenades purportedly to be used in an attack overseas to kill U.S. servicemembers. Shamsaldeen provided financial resources for the purpose of purchasing drones, which, in turn, were to be used to attack and kill U.S. servicemembers deployed overseas.

The defendants and others communicated their desires to travel outside the United States to fight on behalf of ISIS. In some of these communications, they expressed a willingness to die on behalf of ISIS.

The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in the Kansas City Field Office, the San Diego Field Office, and the Sacramento Field Office investigated the cases, with assistance from FBI Field Offices in Richmond and Newark.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Michelle MacFarlane for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and Jay Rezai of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of California and the Southern District of California.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Manhattan-Based Investment Analyst Charged With Insider Trading

 

Jianqing Li, a/k/a “JQ,” Made More Than $350,000 Trading While in Possession of Material, Non-Public Information He Received Through His Employment

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging JIANQING LI, a/k/a “JQ,” an analyst at an asset manager specializing in biomedical and healthcare investments, with two counts of securities fraud. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield. 

“Jianqing Li allegedly turned confidential information into more than $350,000 in illegal trading profits,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Insider trading is unfair and it’s illegal.  It harms our markets and our investors.” 

“Jianqing Li’s alleged exploitation of sensitive trading information betrayed his employer and established an unfair financial advantage over the unknowing public,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr.  “The FBI maintains its steadfast pursuit of those who abuse their positions to generate unlawful profits.”

As alleged in the Indictment:

LI made more than $350,000 in illicit profits by trading in stock and options based on material, nonpublic information he misappropriated from the investment fund where he worked. LI was an analyst at a Manhattan-based asset manager specializing in biomedical and healthcare investments, which routinely received nonpublic information from investment banks in connection with its evaluation of investment opportunities in public companies.  Rather than honor restrictions on the use of that information, LI repeatedly used inside information to trade securities for his own profit, in violation of his duties to his employer and to the sources of the information.  In particular, LI used nonpublic information about upcoming announcements that he expected would increase a company’s stock price to purchase securities for his brokerage accounts—or in the case of information he expected to negatively affect the stock price, to sell short—and then unwound his position soon after the public announcement, in each case for a profit.  To conceal his trading, LI violated his employer’s insider trading policies and code of ethics, including by not seeking preclearance for his illegal trades, not disclosing his trading or profits, and falsely certifying his compliance with those policies annually.

LI, 40, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of securities fraud under Title 15, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of securities fraud under Title 18, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI.  Mr. Clayton further thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  

This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle A. Wirshba is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitutes only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.