Mayor Mamdani Declares Wednesday, June 10 “Wear Blue and Orange Day”

 

City workers and public school students invited to wear blue and orange in honor of the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks ahead of Game 4 of the NBA finals  

  

The Knicks’ blue and orange are an homage to New York City’s official colors  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced today that Wednesday, June 10, will be recognized across City government offices and New York City public schools as Wear Blue and Orange Day in honor of the New York Knicks. Students, educators and City employees are invited to wear blue and orange ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals.   

  

The Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks have worn blue, white and orange throughout the team’s history. The colors pay tribute to the official colors of the City of New York.  

  

“Nothing says ‘let’s go Knicks’ like blue and orange,” said Mayor Mamdani. “As our Knicks continue this historic run, we’re inviting New Yorkers to show their pride, wear the city’s colors and stand behind a team that has brought all of New York together. We’re so glad to have them back to Madison Square Garden in front of the best fans in the world.”   

  

The Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. New York currently holds a 2-1 lead in the series.  

DHS Directs ICE to Deport Aliens Who Vote in American Elections

 

The Immigration and Nationality Act directs the removal of aliens who illegally vote in American elections

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after DHS General Counsel James Percival directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce stricter penalties, including deportation, for aliens who illegally vote in American elections.

In a letter to ICE leadership, DHS points out that the Immigration and Nationality Act directs the removal of aliens who illegally vote or make a false claim to U.S. citizenship, which often go hand-in-hand. These provisions even allow for the removal of aliens legally in the U.S. if they illegally participate in our elections. A criminal conviction is not required to invoke these provisions.

“The importance of free, fair, and honest elections is without question. Echoing the words of President Trump, ‘the right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election,’” said DHS General Counsel James Percival. “Illegal voting by aliens dilutes the votes of American citizens and undermines our democracy. It must have consequences.”

This directive will help to further implement policies like those that President Donald J. Trump enacted with Executive Order 14248, Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, signed on March 25, 2025. That order directs actions across the federal government, including with regard to verifying voter eligibility, grant administration, information-sharing, enforcement of federal integrity laws, improving voting systems, and criminal prosecution of unlawful voting by aliens.

Buffalo Man Sentenced to Prison on Cocaine Charge

 

Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam and Northern District of New York U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Rodney Pierce, 38, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

In February 2020, investigators with the Erie County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit identified Pierce as an individual who delivered cocaine for co-defendant David Burgin. Law enforcement then set up a controlled purchase of cocaine from Pierce, at which time he was arrested. A subsequent search of his vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,250 grams of cocaine. Investigators then searched a Grimes Street residence associated with the drug dealing activities, seizing four firearms and ammunition, approximately two kilograms of cocaine, approximately 45 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 17.5 pounds of marijuana, approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, approximately $260,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. 

David Burgin was previously convicted and sentenced.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

U.S. Extradites to Ghana Former Ghanaian Official Convicted of Stealing and Misappropriating More Than $6M

 

Former Agency Head Failed to Return for Trial and Now Faces a 10-Year Prison Sentence in Ghana

On June 8, the United States extradited Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu, also known as “Sedina Sharon Christine Acolatse,” a Ghanaian citizen, to serve a 10-year prison term in Ghana for convictions on more than 70 criminal counts that include charges of stealing, conspiracy, causing financial loss to the State and to public property, money laundering, and other offenses. 

Attionu, 60, has been convicted in the Republic of Ghana for exploiting her role as Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to steal and misappropriate approximately $6 million. MASLOC is a Ghanaian agency set up to assist small and medium-scale businesses by providing them with low interest loans. As MASLOC’s CEO from November 2013 to January 2017, Attionu was responsible for the overall supervision and management of MASLOC, as well as the day-to-day administration of its affairs and funds. Attionu was convicted of repeatedly abusing her position to enrich herself through a variety of schemes, including directly stealing funds remitted to MASLOC, pocketing public funds that were earmarked to be spent on outreach, training, and disaster relief programs, using public funds to buy cars and cellphones at grossly inflated prices, and making extra, unearned payments to herself and her co-conspirator.

After attending trial in Ghana through the prosecution’s presentation of its witnesses, Attionu obtained the Ghanaian court’s permission to travel to the United States for medical treatment, but Attionu never returned to Ghana. The court issued a warrant for her arrest, concluded her absence was unjustified, and proceeded with her trial. On April 16, 2024, the court found Attionu guilty on all charges and sentenced her to 10 years in prison.

Ghana then requested Attionu’s extradition and, in December 2025, the United States obtained a warrant for Attionu’s arrest based on Ghana’s request. Attionu was arrested on Jan. 6, in Nevada. Following her detention and extradition hearings, a U.S. magistrate judge in the District of Nevada certified Attionu’s extradition to Ghana on April 9. The Secretary of State then authorized her surrender to Ghanaian authorities. On June 8, the U.S. Marshals Service surrendered Attionu to Ghanaian authorities for transportation to Ghana. Attionu’s extradition is now complete.

Attorney General James Secures More Than $3.9 Million from Xponential Fitness for Misleading Franchise Owners

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has secured its largest ever financial settlement related to violations of New York’s Franchise Sales Act. Following an OAG investigation, California-based fitness studio company Xponential Fitness, Inc. (Xponential) and its current and former subsidiaries will pay $3,971,250 for illegally misleading small business owners. The investigation found that Xponential and its subsidiary brands, which own thousands of fitness studios across the country, misled prospective franchise owners about the timeline for opening a new location while selling them franchise licenses. Xponential’s subsidiaries included a group of fitness brands that sell franchises of their boutique exercise studios, including AKT, Body Fit Training, Club Pilates, CycleBar, Pure Barre, Rumble, StretchLab, and YogaSix.

“New Yorkers who take the risk of opening a local franchise should be able to trust that the companies they are going into business with will treat them fairly,” said Attorney General James. “Xponential misled small business owners with false promises and caused them to lose significant amounts of money. My office has secured restitution for the business owners who were misled by Xponential, and I will continue to enforce the law to ensure small businesses in New York have a fair shot at success.”

Small business owners who want to open a franchise location depend on a clear timeline from the franchising company to forecast costs, take out loans, and anticipate revenue. Franchisors are required to provide Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) with accurate information about their franchise offering to prospective franchisees. These FDDs must also be filed with OAG.

From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2024, Xponential and its subsidiary brands filed approximately 33 FDDs with OAG that represented estimated studio opening times of three to six months. However, OAG’s investigation determined that, on average, these fitness studios took more than 13 months to open from the date the franchisees executed their agreements.

Xponential knew the timelines reported to OAG and franchisees were misleading because they reported substantially longer time periods in annual reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In those reports, Xponential disclosed that it would take up to 12.2 months in 2022, 10.5 months in 2023, and 15 months in 2024, all far beyond the three to six months reported in the FDDs filed in New York. Xponential’s misleading timelines led to significant financial losses for some franchisees, while others were ultimately never able to open their locations.

As a result of OAG’s investigation and settlement, Xponential is required to pay $3,971,250 into a restitution account that will be distributed to impacted franchisees. $3,000,000 will be distributed to 70 franchisees who were harmed by longer-than-disclosed opening timelines. 25 franchisees who never opened a studio will receive $971,250 as compensation for franchise and transfer fees they had paid to Xponential. Franchisees eligible for restitution under this settlement will be contacted directly by Xponential.

Mayor Mamdani Launches Summer Welcome Corps to Welcome the World to NYC

 

First-of-its-kind volunteer partnership will mobilize New Yorkers across all five boroughs to assist millions of visitors during FIFA World Cup 2026™, America250 and Sail4th 250  

 

No experience necessary — individuals 18 years and up can sign up online  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced the launch of the NYC Summer Welcome Corps, a first-of-its-kind volunteer partnership between NYC Service, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and New York Cares that will deploy volunteers at high-traffic locations citywide to welcome and assist the millions of visitors expected during a historic summer of sports events and celebrations.  

  

No prior experience is required to serve in the Summer Welcome Corps. Individuals must be 18 years or older and successfully complete a background check to participate. Volunteers commit a few hours of their time and a readiness to help. Once deployed, they will give directions and help visitors navigate the city, point the way to shade and water during periods of heat, support visitors with accessibility needs and look out for one another’s safety throughout each shift.   

 

Individuals interested in volunteering with the Summer Welcome Corps can sign up at https://www.nycservice.org/welcomecorps to support events throughout the summer.  

  

“For New Yorkers, this is light work — we’re used to pointing visitors to the nearest subway station or answering questions from the millions of people who visit our beautiful city every year. But this summer, we’re supercharging our efforts by launching the NYC Summer Welcome Corps, a first-of-its-kind partnership to welcome the world to our five boroughs,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Whether you grew up here or recently made the decision to call NYC your home, all New Yorkers are welcome to sign up and be a part of this historic summer.”     

  

“As the summer brings back-to-back historic events, we are excited to launch the Summer Welcome Corps, which will allow New Yorkers to volunteer a helping hand to connect and support the millions of visitors expected in our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “In partnership with NYC Service, NYCEM and New York Cares, this program will provide a unique opportunity for New Yorkers to celebrate these citywide events while also creating meaningful connections with neighbors and newcomers alike.”  

 

“New Yorkers show up for each other throughout the year — and the best of our city will be on full display with the Summer Welcome Corps,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Laura Rog. “In partnership with NYC Emergency Management and New York Cares, volunteers will play a critical role in the success of citywide celebrations from the World Cup to Sail4th, showing all visitors that service to others and welcoming people from all over the globe is what it means to be a New Yorker.”   

   

“The Summer Welcome Corps was inspired by and grew out of our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), New Yorkers who have spent years training to take care of their neighbors,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “CERT volunteers will be a key part of our response this summer, serving alongside their fellow Welcome Corps members. As the world arrives for the World Cup and other summer events, the Welcome Corps takes what CERT has built and amplifies it, giving every New Yorker a way to show up for their city and welcome the millions of visitors joining us.”  

   

“Every day, New Yorkers generously lend their time and talents to help their neighbors and communities thrive,” said New York Cares Executive Director Sapreet Saluja. “We are excited to be a part of the Summer Welcome Corps, which will harness that same energy, commitment and pride in the city we love as we support citywide celebrations, engage New Yorkers and welcome millions of visitors who will call New York home for these iconic events.” 

  

About NYC Service

NYC Service is a division of the Mayor’s Office, providing meaningful access, opportunity and resources for communities to come together and answer the call to serve NYC. We envision a city where New Yorkers are united by service and together build a culture where New Yorkers uplift one another and take responsibility for the success of our city. Learn more at nyc.gov/service.    

About NYCEM

New York City Emergency Management helps New Yorkers prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. The agency coordinates the City’s response to incidents of every scale and type, operates Notify NYC, the City’s official free emergency alert system available in multiple languages and runs the CERT program, which trains volunteers across all five boroughs in disaster preparedness, basic fire safety, search and rescue, traffic management and first aid. Learn more at nyc.gov/em.  

   

About New York Cares  

New York Cares is the city’s largest volunteer network. This past year, over 60,000 New Yorkers made their city more resilient by volunteering in New York Cares programs at over 350 nonprofits and schools across all five boroughs — improving education, meeting immediate needs and revitalizing public spaces. For more information, visit newyorkcares.org.  

  

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Warns New Yorkers to Beware of Scams Leading Up to 2026 FIFA World Cup

Scammers Capitalize on These Events to Steal Personal Information and Money

World-Wide Events Attract Unsuspecting Consumers Eager to Attend and Willing to Pay Higher Prices for Popular International Events 

Secretary Mosley said: “As the FIFA World Cup is ready to start, millions of soccer buffs are ready to create memories that last a lifetime, and the Division of Consumer Protection reminds New Yorkers and visitors alike to follow these tips to enjoy this great world-wide event away from bad actors attempting to steal your money or personal information.”

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning sports fans to stay vigilant and beware of scammers leading up to the FIFA World Cup. Major events attract sports fans worldwide and they also attract scammers. Common scams include fake tickets, counterfeit ticket sales, phishing attempts, travel scams, fake merchandise stores, fake giveaways aimed at stealing personal data, and fake streaming websites. 

“As visitors descend from around the world with plenty of enthusiasm for their favorite team, it is also a time to be aware that scammers are looking to get ahead of the game and get easy money from unsuspecting fans, willing to pay higher prices,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “As the FIFA World Cup is ready to start, millions of soccer buffs are ready to create memories that last a lifetime, and the Division of Consumer Protection reminds New Yorkers and visitors alike to follow these tips to enjoy this great world-wide event away from bad actors attempting to steal your money or personal information.” 

TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS: 

Pay attention to phishing attempts: Phishing attempts and digital scams often surge around major sporting events as scammers exploit heightened public interest, urgency, and emotional engagement. Phishing emails, calls, websites or texts often masquerade as official organizers to steal personal information, login credentials, or banking details. Scammers use phishing communications that commonly feature fake ticket sites, fake travel deals, malicious streaming services and promises of a fake prize, sweepstakes or lottery wins. To avoid phishing, always verify the source and never click suspicious links, download unexpected attachments, or provide personal information in response to unsolicited requests. 

Buy event tickets from official sources: Check out the official major sporting organization’s website (FIFA) for information on how to buy tickets. Scammers may also create fake websites that look like official ones, so always check if it’s a legitimate website by reviewing the URL, the company’s contact information, and the website’s privacy policy. Scammers often use misleading characters and arrangements in their URL to resemble legitimate looking websites. Remember to confirm that the website’s URL matches the company’s name and that there are no unusual spellings.  

Watch out for fake tickets: Scammers deceive unsuspecting consumers with nonexistent tickets that are promoted on social media, fake websites and online marketplaces like Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace and Instagram. They may even send you convincing looking screenshots, barcodes or confirmation emails. Watch out for resellers who request payment from outside an official ticket platform. 

Only buy resold tickets through official platforms: Many official ticket sales agents now offer resale options as well. Reputable ticketing platforms have built-in systems that allow resellers to list and transfer digital tickets within the platform, as well as facilitate payment transfers. Unverified sources can be risky.  

Verify the seller: Research the seller and check for reviews and their reputation online. Check for a physical address and phone number. A legitimate seller will have a real address and a phone number where you can contact them. Also, verify the ticket details. Ensure the ticket details, such as the event name, date, and time, match the official event information. If you are not buying directly from the venue, check to see if the seller is a licensed ticket reseller by visiting our website. Licensed ticket resellers are required to disclose they are licensed on their website.  You can also look up the seller on VerifiedTicketSource.com to confirm you are buying from a National Association of Ticket Brokers member resale company, which requires its members to guarantee that every ticket sold on their websites is legitimate.

Beware of low prices and added fees: Don’t let the excitement of finding a good deal on a ticket cloud your judgment. Federal law prohibits unfair and deceptive junk fees for tickets and short-term housing. Scammers may set up fake travel booking services, hotel websites, and group packages that take advantage of high demand for accommodation. Use only reputable, official channels to book your travel, scrutinize suspiciously low prices, and avoid direct wire transfers to unknown individuals. Make sure to research the average prices being charged for the event and surrounding hotels and be careful to ensure that no extra fees are added during your transaction. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. To report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, visit ReportFraud.FTC.gov. 

Consider paying with a credit card: Credit cards generally offer more protection than other payment methods like debit cards and payment apps if you ever need to dispute a charge. Scammers often want you to pay with payment apps, prepaid gift cards or cash since these payment methods are untraceable and may not allow you to stop payment or reverse a transaction.

Transportation: The high cost of public transportation to and from MetLife Stadium is a prime opportunity for scammers to take advantage of fans looking for a lower price. If you see a deal on public transportation ticket prices, it could be a scam. Always be sure to buy your transportation tickets from official NJ Transit sources or through the NYNJ FIFA World Cup Host Committee’s shuttle service. Fans with valid match tickets are encouraged to take advantage of this low cost option to travel to the NYNJ Stadium while tickets are available by purchasing shuttle tickets here.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook. 

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Extending Hours for Bars and Restaurants During 2026 FIFA World Cup

A.11564/S.9990A Allows Bars and Restaurants To Operate Until 4 a.m. From June 11 Through July 20, 2026

Builds on Governor’s World Cup One-Day Permit Allowing Event Organizers To Host Off-Site Activations and Expanded Outdoor Activations

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation A.11564/S.9990A which temporarily extends permissible hours for bars and restaurants during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The new law allows on-premises licensees to sell alcoholic beverages until 4 a.m. from June 11, 2026 through July 20, 2026. This change will help bars, restaurants and other on-premises establishments meet increased demand during one of the world’s largest sporting events, while maintaining an orderly and time-limited framework for alcohol service. The new law builds on the Governor’s World Cup One-Day Permit through the State Liquor Authority allowing event organizers to host off-site activations and expanded outdoor activations.

“The World Cup is coming to New York and I want every New Yorker and local business to be part of the action and celebration, no ticket required,” Governor Hochul said. “From the first kick to the last whistle, bars and restaurants across our state can stay open throughout the tournament, bringing New Yorkers together to cheer on every goal and supporting small businesses across the state.”

Key provisions of the new law include:

• From June 11, 2026 through July 20, 2026, on-premises consumption licensees may sell or offer for sale alcoholic beverages until 4 a.m., notwithstanding more restrictive county-adopted hours.
• The temporary change does not apply where the State Liquor Authority has imposed more restrictive hours as a condition of a license.
  The law takes effect immediately and expires and is deemed repealed on July 21, 2026.

The legislation builds on Governor Hochul’s broader efforts to help local businesses, municipalities and communities prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Earlier this year, the Governor announced the State Liquor Authority’s World Cup One-Day Permit to support off-site fan events, public watch parties and expanded outdoor activations during the tournament.

Together, these efforts are intended to help New York’s hospitality industry, local communities and visitors safely enjoy World Cup festivities across the state.