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.

Permits Filed for 3219 Barnes Avenue in Olinville, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a five-story residential building at 3219 Barnes Avenue in Olinville, The Bronx. Located between Burke Avenue and South Oak Drive, the lot is near the Burke Avenue subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Floriand Lulaj is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 44-foot-tall development will yield 21,498 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 32 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 671 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, basement, and six open parking spaces.

P. Georgopoulos Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association June 9th Meeting

 

Join The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association for their June General Meeting to meet and engage with NYS Assembly Member for District 80 John Zaccaro Jr. and NYC Council Member for District 13 Shirley Aldebol. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with your local representatives and discuss important and urgent community matters that require immediate attention..

This event will be held on Tuesday, June 9 at 7 pm sharp. Event will be at Bronx House 990 Pelham Parkway South. 

Partnerships for Parks - Tree Care Workshops and More

 

Willow oak on Steinway Street in Queens. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks.

Tree Guards: Protecting Street Trees Webinar and DIY Installation Workshop

Did you know tree guards can improve the health and longevity of NYC’s street trees? These physical barriers discourage people and pets from walking over tree beds, reduce waste, and prevent both root damage and soil compaction. Join a virtual workshop to understand the role tree guards play in protecting street trees and how to get them installed plus a hands-on workshop to see what it’s like to install a tree guard yourself!  

Part 1: Protecting Street Trees
We’ll review DIY and professionally-installed options, the permitting process, and how to source and pay for materials, along with a Q&A with urban forest experts. Featured speakers will include James Kaechele, program manager at NYC Parks Tree Time; Maric Kusinitz, Tree Planting program coordinator at Big Reuse; and Anneliese Zausner-Mannes, Tree Team program director at Big Reuse. There will be a prize raffle for those who attend! 

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Virtual

Part 2: DIY Installation Demo

Join this workshop to see what it’s like to install a tree guard yourself! Our Urban Forest team will demonstrate installation using materials from Big Reuse. We’ll review tool safety and all the steps from start to finish. Attendees will participate in tree care afterwards. We'll also have coffee, snacks, and a toolkit giveaway!

Saturday, June 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
East 153rd St. & Walton Ave in Franz Sigel Park
Bronx, NY 10451

REGISTER NOW

Vital Parks for All

Help us build a robust community engagement map! NYC Parks is working to develop a comprehensive inventory of our park partner groups for our online Volunteer Group Directory. You'll be listed in the directory so New Yorkers seeking volunteer opportunities, elected officials, and potential funders or collaborators can know you exist. 

Add your group here with your preferred contact information: Group Update Form : NYC Parks. Your group will also get included in our comprehensive map of park partner groups in the Vital Parks Explorer, which elected officials and other decision-makers use to see where there is engagement with community partners. This information will also help support the Urban Design Forum’s Public Space Partners Survey to showcase the power of civic and public realm partners across the region. Use #ParkPartnerPower on social media to help spread the word!

ADD YOUR GROUP NOW

Partnerships for Parks is a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people and organizations with the skills and tools needed to ensure these spaces are dynamic community assets.

DEC ANNOUNCES NEW YORK'S THIRTEENTH ANNUAL INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK BEGINS JUNE 8

Free Public Events Scheduled Across New York State to Engage and Educate the Public About Invasive Species Issues

The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Agriculture and Markets (AGM) announced that the State's 13th annual Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) will run from Monday, June 8, through Sunday, June 14. Free public events, including webinars, hands-on workshops, and guided hikes and paddles will be offered online and across the state to encourage New Yorkers to learn more and participate in the fight against the negative impacts of invasive species. 

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity to engage and mobilize the public to protect local ecosystems, agricultural, and public health from the threats of invasive species. These harmful invaders outcompete native wildlife, damage recreational spaces, and cause economic harm. Through collaboration among State and local governments, environmental organizations, researchers, industry partners, and the public, we can strengthen our efforts to detect, manage, and prevent invasive species. Whether you’re hiking, boating, gardening, or simply enjoying the outdoors, everyone has a role to play in safeguarding our environment for future generations.” 

AGM Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Combatting the spread of harmful invasive species like the box tree moth, Asian longhorned beetle, and spotted lanternfly is critical to protecting our agricultural industry. We’re fortunate to have strong collaborations with our partners at DEC in advancing our shared mission of addressing these pests and their threat to New York agriculture and our natural resources. Together, we are working to educate farmers, plant growers and dealers, and the public about the impact of invasive species and how to preserve the health of New York’s farms, environment, and economy.” 

To participate in an ISAW event, visit the NY Invasive Species Awareness Week 2026 page on the NY Invasive Species Clearinghouse website to find a complete list of offerings. Registration information and full event details can be found by clicking on the individual events. 

Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are not native to an area and cause harm to the environment, agriculture, economy, or public health. New York is particularly vulnerable to these pests due to its role as a center for international trade and travel. 

DEC leads a comprehensive program to research, manage, and combat the effects of invasive species across New York State. This includes tackling aquatic invasive species like hydrilla, water chestnut, and northern snakehead and forest pests such as southern pine beetle, laurel wilt, and hemlock wooly adelgid. DEC works with numerous partners and oversees eight NYS Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), which educate residents and visitors about how everyone can protect their lands, water, and forests from invasive species. 

AGM works to control and eradicate various invasive species, such as the spotted lanternfly, European pepper moth, and European cherry fruit fly, which can harm New York’s agricultural crops, particularly grapes, hops, strawberries, peppers, and fruit trees. Staff conduct annual surveys for these pests, and inspect the state’s nearly 9,000 greenhouses, retail markets, and nursery growers and dealers for compliance with invasive plant regulations. Horticultural inspectors also monitor for invasive pests and diseases, such as Asian longhorned beetle and boxwood blight that are harmful to New York’s trees and popular landscape shrubs. Learn more about the invasive species that are a concern for New York agriculture at agriculture.ny.gov/plant-industry/plant-health. 

In the recently enacted 2026-27 State Budget, Governor Hochul 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. EPF funding is 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 budget includes a renewed $18.5 million in funding to manage invasive species. 

ISAW educates New Yorkers to work together to spread the word, not the species. Everyone can make a difference in the fight against invasives by helping to locate and map infestations (leaves DEC's website), using only local firewood, properly cleaning watercraft before and after boating, cleaning dirt off boots after hiking, or removing invasive species from the yard. To learn more about invasive species and how to get involved, visit DEC's website.

Permits Filed for 2603 Sedgwick Avenue in University Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 2603 Sedgwick Avenue in University Heights, The Bronx. Located between West Kingsbridge Road and Bailey Avenue, the lot is closest to the Kingsbridge Road subway station, served by the 4 train. Petrit Grishaj of Peter G Construction is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 60-foot-tall development will yield 16,806 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 25 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 672 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a penthouse, cellar, and a 40-foot-long rear yard.

Badaly Engineering is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.