Mayor Mamdani Delivers More Than $100 Million for Delivery Workers Since January

New report shows workers are on pace to earn $184 million more in tips annually following aggressive City enforcement against deceptive Big Tech app practices  

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine released a new report showing the City’s crackdown on deceptive tipping practices by app-based delivery platforms has secured an estimated $104 million in additional tips for delivery workers since January.  

  

Since the City began enforcing new tipping protections on January 26, 2026, tips have doubled, and the city’s approximately 70,000 app-based delivery workers are on pace to earn an additional $184 million annually in tips, or about $2,287 more each year for the average worker.  

  

“For years, delivery apps buried the tip button to pad their own bottom line, and delivery workers paid the price,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We changed the law, enforced it, and it's working: $104 million has gone back into the pockets of the workers who keep this city fed, rain or shine. New York will not allow billion-dollar tech companies to boost their profits by taking money from working people.”  

  

“When a customer leaves a tip, that money belongs to the delivery worker, not to the app,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “It belongs to the worker who carried our food up four flights of stairs or biked through the rain to make sure dinner arrived at your door. Since January, delivery workers across New York City have earned $104 million more because we made these companies play by the rules. We're not done. We'll keep enforcing this law and keep going after any platform that tries to shortchange its workers.”  

  

“New York is a city that tips—and I don’t just mean OG Anunoby’s game winner at the Garden. The data is clear: allowing consumers the clear ability to tip hardworking deliveristas benefits our workers and strengthens our economy,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “I said it when DCWP blew the whistle on delivery apps’ design tricks in January, and I’ll say it again: under Mayor Mamdani, the biggest corporations in the world will no longer be able to rake in record profits on the backs of New Yorkers.”  

  

The report highlights the impact of the Mamdani administration’s efforts to enforce New York City’s Delivery Worker Laws and curb industry practices that reduced delivery workers’ earnings by an estimated $550 million in tips. It also demonstrates that stronger worker protections can increase earnings while maintaining consumer demand for food delivery.  

Protecting Delivery Workers’ Tips  

When New York City’s historic minimum pay standard for 70,000 app-based delivery workers took effect in December 2023, major tech platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash responded by hiding tipping menus. DCWP estimates those changes cost workers an estimated $550 million in tips. Since January 26, 2026, delivery apps operating in New York City have been required to provide customers with a clear tipping option at checkout, including a selectable 10% tip, a custom tip amount, or the option to leave no tip.  

  

Report Highlights

Tips per Delivery at Restaurant Delivery Apps Before and After DCWP Tipping Law:

  

•    During the four weeks before the law took effect, deliver workers earned an average of $1.18 per delivery. During the four weeks after implementation, average tips increased to $2.29 per delivery, an increase of $1.11 per trip.  

•    The new tipping requirements had no measurable impact on demand for food delivery. Customers continued placing record-high numbers of orders on apps, with 3.3 million orders placed each week. That is 700,000 more weekly orders than in December 2023, when the City first began enforcing the minimum pay standard.  

•    Since December 2023, delivery workers’ total hourly earnings -- including pay and tips -- have increased from $10.48 per hour to $27.32 per hour, an increase of $16.84 per hour, or 161%.  

•    To date, New York City’s minimum pay standard has resulted in more than $2 billion in additional earnings for delivery workers.    

  

Delivery workers can learn more about their rights under Delivery Worker Laws at nyc.gov/deliveryapps. Delivery workers who believe a restaurant or grocery delivery app has failed to pay the required minimum rate of $22.13 per hour, excluding tips, for time spent preparing or making deliveries are encouraged to file a complaint at nyc.gov/workers.  

    

Housing Lottery Launches for 2838-2840 Webb Avenue in Kingsbridge, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2838-2840 Webb Avenue, two four-story residential buildings in Kingsbridge, The Bronx. Designed by Badaly Architects and developed by Eric Delafraz under the Webb Avenue 1 LLC, the structures yield 16 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 11 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $106,903 to $238,160.

Amenities include gated access, virtual doorman, and doorstep recycling collection. Residences are equipped with air conditioning, hardwood floors, energy-efficient appliances, intercoms, smart controls for heating and cooling, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Tenants are responsible for electricity including stove and heat.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are seven one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,954 for incomes ranging from $106,903 to $198,510, and four two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,187 for incomes ranging from $116,812 to $238,160.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than August 17, 2026.

Former Senior Bank Executive, Edward Gene Smith, Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Sexual Assault, Child Pornography, And Obstruction Of Justice Offenses

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that EDWARD GENE SMITH was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to 30 years in prison for drugging a female victim (“Victim-1”) with the intent to rape her, enticing another female victim (“Victim-2”) to travel to New York where SMITH drugged and sexually assaulted her, receipt of child pornography, and obstruction of justice.  SMITH also admitted to additional conduct relating to other victims.  

“Edward Gene Smith is a sexual predator and a serial rapist,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “He spent years hiding behind wealth, education, and status while he committed egregious sexual crimes.  He drugged and raped women, documenting his crimes with extensive notes planning how he would torture and punish his victims, and surreptitiously photographing them, while they were nude and unconscious.  The defendant also obtained and maintained a trove of thousands of files of child sexual abuse material.  The defendant took steps to hide his crimes, and, when he was caught, obstructed the investigation by compelling a victim he had drugged and raped to sign a false letter of support.  He is now where he belongs, in prison.  Every New York family is safer with the defendant off the streets.” 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in public court proceedings:

Between approximately 2015 and June 2024, SMITH, who was during that approximate time period a senior executive of major financial institutions, planned to drug, attempted to drug, and/or drugged numerous women with the intent to incapacitate them and/or render them unable to consent to sexual activity.  SMITH did, in fact, engage in sexual activity with multiple of these women, and, in at least some cases, surreptitiously took videos or photographs of his criminal sexual activity. 

At least on or about April 23, 2023, SMITH drugged and raped Victim-1 in his Central Park South residence.  Specifically, unbeknownst to Victim-1, SMITH gave Victim-1 one or more alcoholic beverages that he had laced with Klonopin, a controlled substance.  After Victim-1 consumed the drugged drink, SMITH physically restrained Victim-1, and raped her while she was unconscious.  While Victim-1 was still unconscious, SMITH also took a video of himself sexually assaulting Victim-1, and then shared that video with others via an encrypted messaging platform, on a channel that was dedicated to sharing depictions of incapacitated or unconscious women in sexually exploitative positions.

Previously, between in or about 2019 and in or about 2020, SMITH repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted Victim-2. SMITH met Victim-2 in 2019 when Victim-2 was a college student and persuaded Victim-2 to relocate to New York City, which she did.  SMITH thereafter controlled Victim-2’s finances, social life, and activities, and repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted Victim-2 over the course of several months.  During this time period, SMITH caused Victim-2 to engage in sexual activity through coercion and force, including threatened and physical assault and physical restraint.  Additionally, SMITH informed Victim-2 of one or more firearms that he possessed and showed Victim-2 at least one such firearm.

In or about the Fall of 2021, SMITH communicated with another victim (“Victim-3”), who was then 17 years old.  SMITH followed a similar pattern with Victim-3.  While Victim-3 was still 17 years old, SMITH solicited explicit photographs from Victim-3.  Shortly after Victim-3 turned 18 years old, SMITH caused Victim-3 to travel to New York City, attempted to drug Victim-3, and then physically and sexually assaulted her. In or about October 2023, SMITH caused Victim-3 to travel to New York City again, which she did, and drugged and sexually assaulted her.  Around this time, SMITH also posted Victim-3’s photographs and personal contact information to a website advertising prostitution services, without Victim-3’s knowledge. 

Between approximately 2012 and June 2024, SMITH also received via the internet and possessed a large volume of images and videos on his personal devices that depicted children, including prepubescent children, being sexually abused.

In or about August 2024, after a search warrant was executed at SMITH’s residence, revealing that SMITH possessed child pornography on his electronic devices, SMITH paid Victim-1 thousands of dollars to sign a false document in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.  Also in or about August 2024, SMITH solicited other individuals to sign false documents in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.

If you have been victimized by SMITH in any way or have any additional information about his illegal behavior, please call the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

In addition to the prison term, SMITH, 50, of New York, New York, was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI.

Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of a Controlled Substance

 

A Sioux Falls man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison on July 23, 2026.

Courtney Richmond, 49, faces time in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund as announced by U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons.

Richmond was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in November of 2024. He was found guilty following a 4-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls. The verdict was returned on April 10, 2026.

Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations started investigating Richmond late in 2022 and the DEA started looking into him in the Fall of 2023. Investigators discovered that Richmond was sourcing methamphetamine to at least one other person who was then reselling it to others. They observed text and Facebook messages between the two that confirmed their drug-related dealings. Eventually, investigators obtained warrants for Richmond’s person, residences, and vehicles. On December 14, 2023, investigators stopped Richmond in a vehicle that had his company’s BBQ food truck logo on the side. They searched the vehicle and found approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded pistol. They then searched his home and found an additional 216 grams of methamphetamine and another loaded firearm. Richmond is not allowed to possess firearms due to four prior felony convictions from the state of Minnesota. The investigation into Richmond and his associates resulted in the seizure of approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Brookings Police Department, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

Richmond was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Ex-Wife of Cartel Leader Pleads Guilty to Criminal Violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act

 

The ex-wife and current partner of a leader of the Mexican drug trafficking organization known as Los Cuinis pleaded guilty to willfully violating counternarcotic sanctions. Los Cuinis is closely aligned with the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which the State Department designated as a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative.

According to court documents, Wendy Dalaithy Amaral Arevalo, 45, of Mexico, committed criminal violations of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Act (Kingpin Act) by engaging in transactions and dealings in property with IMG Academy, a preparatory school and athletic training facility headquartered in Bradenton, Florida, that Amaral’s child attended. On Aug. 19, 2015, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Amaral Arevalo for assisting the international narcotics trafficking activities of Los Cuinis, a sanctioned drug cartel. Despite Amaral Arevalo’s OFAC designation, which prohibited her from engaging in transactions or dealings within the U.S. financial system, Amaral Arevalo entered into contracts with IMG Academy for her child to attend the school and arranged for $504,497.48 in tuition payments.

On July 21, 2023, Amaral Arevalo’s ex-husband and current partner, Gerardo Gonzalez Valencia, was sentenced to life in prison for conspiring to distribute tonnage quantities of cocaine for importation into the United States. On Feb. 12, 2026, OFAC announced a $1.72 million settlement with IMG Academy for entering into yearly tuition agreements with Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) sanctioned for their ties to a sanctioned Mexico-based drug cartel and receiving and processing payments pursuant to those agreements.

“Wendy Dalaithy Amaral Arevalo willfully violated U.S. counternarcotic sanctions by funneling over half a million dollars in illicit drug proceeds as tuition payments through IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, despite being prohibited from engaging in transactions within the U.S. financial system,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Kingpin Act exists to cut off foreign narcotics traffickers, their businesses, and their operatives from engaging in transactions within the U.S. financial system, and prevents them from using American institutions to receive or move drug money. The Criminal Division will use every tool available to dismantle drug cartels, protect the American people, and ensure financial transactions in the United States are free of sanctioned drug proceeds.”

“Wendy Dalaithy Amaral Arevalo exploited a school and training facility — a place families trust to invest in their children’s futures — as a vehicle to funnel millions in illicit drug proceeds for CJNG, one of the Western Hemisphere’s most violent and destabilizing drug cartels,’’ said Administrator Terrance C. Cole of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Her guilty plea exposes the calculated audacity and sophisticated reach of cartel financial networks operating inside the United States. DEA, alongside our law enforcement partners, remains committed to pursuing the leaders, financiers, and enablers who sustain these terrorist enterprises.”

Amaral Arevalo faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10 million. Sentencing has been set for Dec. 2.

The DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit Los Angeles is investigating the case. The Department of Justice thanks OFAC for its support and contributions to the case. 

Chief Kaitlin Sahni of the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Unit (NDDU) and Trial Attorneys Lernik Begian, Douglas Meisel, and Nicole Lockhart of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) are prosecuting the case.

MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.

MNF’s NDDU investigates and prosecutes the top command and control elements of international drug cartels, drug trafficking organizations and related transnational criminal organizations.

This case is part of the 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 U.S. 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. 

DHS Highlights Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Deported

 

80% of Americans support our commonsense efforts to deport criminal illegals from our communities

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the deportation of some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, including gang members and criminal illegal aliens convicted for homicide, sexual assault, arson, drug trafficking, and assault. 

“Every day, ICE is deporting more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country. We deported murderers, sexual assailants, arsonists, drug traffickers, and gang members,” said Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE has been unleashed to arrest and deport these dangerous criminals. Fire up the deportation planes!” 

The deportations include:

Diego Cardona, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala and 18th Street gang member, whose criminal record includes a conviction for homicide.

Andres Gonzalez Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and Paisas gang member, whose criminal history includes convictions for sexual assault, burglary, robbery, assault, and larceny.

Francisco Matos Izquiedo, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, whose criminal history includes convictions for aggravated assault – non-family – weapon, cocaine – sell, and assault, and arrests for aggravated assault – weapon, domestic violence, drug possession, and resisting an officer.

Junior Gabriel Arcentales Villavicencio, a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador, whose criminal history includes a conviction for drug trafficking.

Jose Manuel Ibarra Sanchez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, whose criminal history includes convictions for arson and domestic violence.

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - You can sit by me - park benches in VCP

 

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance is proud to introduce our new Bench Program, offering two meaningful ways to leave a lasting legacy in the park:

Adopt an Existing Bench by adding a personalized plaque to a bench that’s already in the park. Honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone, recognize a favorite pet, or share a message that will inspire park visitors for years to come.

Adopt a New Bench and create a place for people to rest and connect with nature. Your gift expands seating throughout the park, improves accessibility, and helps make Van Cortlandt Park more welcoming for everyone. (New bench locations are limited. Talk to us!)

Best of all, your contribution directly supports Van Cortlandt Park. Through this new program, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance will care for your bench for the next 10 years, while your gift helps sustain the park's trails, natural areas, free community events, and volunteer stewardship projects.

Learn more about the Bench Program

Ready to get started?

Complete our short interest form

We look forward to helping you establish a place where memories are made for years to come.

Warmly,

The VCPA Team

Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org

New Yorkers for Parks welcomes new Board Chair Ellen Gustafson and Board Member Mark Minkley

 

Welcome new NY4P Board Chair Ellen Gustafson and Board Member Mark Minkley!

New Yorkers for Parks is thrilled to welcome Ellen Gustafson as our new Board Chair and Mark Minkley as our newest Board Member.  

Ellen M. Gustafson, Of Counsel at Greenberg Traurig, advises clients on legislative, public policy, and regulatory matters, with a particular focus on the New York City budget. Drawing on years of experience in the City Council and a deep understanding of New York City's policymaking process, she helps organizations in the nonprofit and hospitality fields effectively negotiate and navigate the complexities of city government. Ellen’s local park is Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria, where she enjoys weekly walks with her senior rescue dog Teddy.

Mark Minkley is a Principal at Cumming Group with more than three decades of experience leading the planning, design, and construction of civic, educational, public realm, and private development projects. A Registered Landscape Architect in New York and California with experience in nonprofit governance, site logistics and phasing, he is known for building strong, collaborative partnerships, engaging communities, and guiding complex projects from vision to completion. Mark's favorite park is Fort Tryon Park in Inwood.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Paul Gottsegen for his exceptional leadership as NY4P Board Chair over the past six years. His stewardship has helped shape the organization during a pivotal period, and we're delighted he'll continue contributing his expertise as a member of our Board. 

We look forward to the leadership, experience, and passion that Ellen and Mark bring to NY4P as we continue working toward a greener, more equitable NYC!