Governor Hochul Launches Affordable Summer Recreation Initiative for New York Families

New York State Beaches and Pools Opening This Weekend for the Memorial Day Holiday

The Great New York State Fair Offering Reduced Ticket Prices From Memorial Day Weekend Through Fourth of July Weekend

Hudson Link Buses Launch Shuttle Service for Cyclists and Pedestrians

Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to get offline and get outside by enjoying state parks, beaches, trails, and historic sites across New York this Memorial Day weekend. She announced the opening of state park pools and beaches, the launch of the brand-new Star-Spangled Savings ticket sale promotion ahead of the 2025 Great New York State Fair and the reopening of the Hudson Link's free weekend shuttle bus servicing the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge shared-use path.

“This Memorial Day weekend, we are working to make it more affordable for New Yorkers to come together at various parks, beaches and attractions across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage residents and visitors to get to unplug and take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy all the unique recreational activities that New York has to offer.”

The Governor's new Unplug and Play initiative earmarks $100 million for the construction and renovation of community centers through the Build Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS); $67.5 million for the Places for Learning, Activity and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative helping New York communities construct new playgrounds and renovate existing playgrounds; and an additional $90 million for the continuation of the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative including $50 million for a competitive grant program supporting municipalities in the renovation and construction of swimming facilities and $40 million for other swimming-based investments. Additionally, “Get Offline, Get Outside,” is an initiative launched by Governor Hochul to promote physical and mental health by encouraging kids and families to put down their screens, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and the outdoors, and put their mental and physical health first.

Public Swimming Areas Open for the Season

Swimming beaches, pools and spraygrounds at 24 State Parks throughout the state are opening this Memorial Day weekend. Hours vary by park. Please check the status of the State Parks website here. Many are open weekends only until mid-June. Additional swimming facilities will open later in June. The following are scheduled to open this weekend:

Long Island

• Jones Beach
• Robert Moses
• Hither Hills
• Sunken Meadow

New York City

• Gantry Plaza (mist fountain)
• Riverbank (pool open normal hours)

Mid-Hudson

• Fahnestock
• Lake Tiorati Beach
• Lake Welch Beach
• Rockland Lake pool

Capital District

• Grafton Lakes
• Lake Taghkanic
• Moreau Lake
• Saratoga Spa Victoria Pool
• Taconic SP (Copake)

Mohawk Valley

• Delta Lake
• Glimmerglass
• Gilbert Lake
• Verona Beach

Southern Tier

• Chenango Valley

Central New York

• Green Lakes
• Fair Haven

Western New York

• Beaver Island
• Woodlawn

The 2025 FourLeaf Air Show

The 2025 FourLeaf Air Show will take place at Jones Beach Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s event features the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as headliners, as well as many other incredible performers. The family-friendly event highlights the nation’s armed services, which will celebrate several milestone anniversaries in 2025, including the 250th anniversary of the United States Army (Continental Army), Navy, and Marines as well as the 110th anniversary of the US Coast Guard and 78th anniversary of the Air Force. More information is available here. 

State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “Whether you’re looking to swim, camp, hike, picnic, or get immersed in our nation’s history, New York State Parks has a bunch to explore this Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to a strong investment in outdoor recreation by Governor Hochul, our state parks are primed to welcome people for healthy, active recreation. Our staff looks forward to helping New Yorkers enjoy a summer of fun in these excellent facilities.”

Jones Beach East Bathhouse Pool and Splashpad

State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is partnering with the Office of General Services to oversee construction of the $100 million project to revitalize the 1930 Jones Beach East Bathhouse. The first phase – which included abatement and demolition of non-historic patio and picnic areas and associated pavilions – is now complete. Work has now begun on phase 2, which will convert the abandoned pool complex into a destination splashpad and incorporate a unique Learn to Swim swimming pool feature to help children and inexperienced swimmers stay safe in a smaller, controlled environment. Rehabilitation of the historic main bathhouse, including installation of bathrooms, changing rooms, and concessions area. Existing historic elements will be preserved, and historic elements that were once removed will be re-installed. The revitalized facility is scheduled to open in summer 2026. 

Star-Spangled Savings Ticket Sale Promotion of the 2025 Great New York State Fair

The promotional sale will officially start on May 23 at 9 am and closes July 6 at midnight. Tickets will be sold for a total of $6.28 each, which includes the price of the ticket, $6, ticket fee, $0.14, and credit card processing fee, $0.14. Each user may purchase a maximum of 12 tickets. Tickets must be purchased online by visiting The Great New York State Fair’s website. Parking, which is separate from admission, and tickets for the Fair’s famous Midway will go on sale in the coming weeks and is not part of the sale. Regular admission tickets will go on sale on July 7. 

The Fair starts Wednesday, Aug. 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Regular admission tickets are $8 for adults, while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.

In total, The Fair’s 2025 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22 and 29 at Chevy Court. As concerts are announced, Fair staff will continue to update schedules on The Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest state fair in the United States, and consistently ranks among the Top Five state fairs in the country.

Free Weekend Shuttle Bus for Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Path

The shuttle buses will run every 20 minutes between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on weekends, allowing for easy access to the landings on both sides of the recreational path. Additional dates added for 2025 include Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Due to the popularity of the shuttle, new stops were added at Burd Street and Artopee Way. The shuttle now serves six stops and travels both eastbound and westbound to support usage of the shared-use path.

The six stops include:

• Palisades Center - Lot J
• Burd Street in Nyack (eastbound)
• Artopee Way in Nyack (westbound)
• Path’s Rockland County landing in South Nyack
• Path’s Westchester County landing in Tarrytown
• Tarrytown train station

If the primary landing parking lots on each side are full, visitors can find additional parking in Westchester at the Tarrytown Train Station and in Rockland at Palisades Center–Lot J. Visitors can also take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Tarrytown. The path’s parking lots feature a four-hour time limit and fill up quickly on weekends. Visitors are strongly encouraged to check the bridge’s X, formerly known as Twitter, account (@GMMCB) for updates on parking lot status and weather conditions. More information about the path is also available on the bridge’s website, mariomcuomobridge.ny.gov.

The Rockland Landing is located at 1200 Route 9W in South Nyack, at Interchange 10 of the New York State Thruway. The path is accessible to residents and cyclists via a spur that also connects to the Esposito Trail, local sidewalks and State Bicycle Route 9. The Westchester Landing is located at 333 South Broadway in Tarrytown, NY. A side path extends south along State Route 9 (South Broadway), providing direct off-street access to historic Lyndhurst and the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, as well as connectivity to the Empire State Trail.

All Hudson Link buses contain features and equipment that allow all riders to board, ride, and exit the vehicles easily and comfortably. Each Hudson Link bus has a bike rack that can accommodate three adult-sized bicycles and follows ADA accessibility guidelines. After a fun-filled day on the path, the shuttle bus takes visitors back to their cars or the train station.

At 3.6 miles, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge features one of the longest shared-use paths in the United States. Located on the northern side of the bridge’s westbound span, cyclists and pedestrians encounter six scenic overlooks-each designed in partnership with the community, interpretive signage, and works of public art as they cross the Hudson River. Food, restrooms, and other amenities are available at landings in Westchester and Rockland counties.

Former President of Asphalt Paving Company Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging

 

A former senior executive of a Michigan asphalt paving company was sentenced to six months in prison and a $500,000 fine for his role in a multiyear conspiracy to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in Michigan.

Daniel L. Israel, former president of Pontiac-based Asphalt Specialists LLC (ASI), pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiring with Al’s Asphalt Paving Company Inc. (Al’s Asphalt), and employees from those companies, to rig bids in each other’s favor. Israel is one of seven individuals that have been charged as part of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the asphalt paving services industry. Three companies also have been charged as part of the investigation, which to date has resulted in over $8.2 million in criminal fines.

“Economic crime — like bid rigging — is no less harmful than violent crime,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Both inflict deep, lasting harm on our communities and disenfranchise those who believe in the American dream. As the defendant admitted, he conspired to eliminate competition to further enrich himself and his accomplices. The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that individuals who cheat and deprive the public of the benefits of competition are incarcerated.”

“This sentencing marks an important milestone in holding accountable those responsible for this flagrant bid rigging scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Licari of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Midwestern Region. “We remain committed to working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who undermine fair competition and violate federal antitrust laws.”

“The Postal Service maintains thousands of competitively bid contracts with private vendors to support its massive operation,” said Tammy Hull, U.S. Postal Service Inspector General. “Criminal activities such as bid rigging are a serious offense that undermine the principles of fair competition and harm our communities. This type of behavior will not be tolerated. We will aggressively investigate and bring to justice any vendor that attempts to defraud the Postal Service.”

According to court documents, the co-conspirators coordinated each other’s bid prices so that the agreed-upon losing company would submit intentionally non-competitive bids. These bids gave customers the false impression of competition when, in fact, the co-conspirators already had decided among themselves who would win the contracts. Israel participated in the conspiracy from March 2013 through November 2018.

Israel’s former employer, ASI, and another former ASI executive also pleaded guilty in January 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy with Al’s Asphalt. Al’s Asphalt and two of its executives previously pleaded guilty in January and October 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy. ASI was sentenced in August 2024 to pay a fine of $6,500,000.

The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office, DOT-OIG, and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case

The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office is prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

Georgian National Extradited from Moldova to Face Charges for Soliciting Hate Crimes and Planning Mass Casualty Attack in New York City

 

Leader of White Supremacist Group ‘Maniac Murder Cult’ Recruited Others to Bomb and Poison the Jewish Community and Racial Minorities 

Defendant Allegedly Planned Scheme to Distribute Poisoned Candy on New Year’s Eve

Georgian national Michail Chkhikvishvili, also known as Mishka, Michael, Commander Butcher, and Butcher, 21, of Tbilisi, was extradited to the United States from Moldova on May 22, and will be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn today. Chkhikvishvili was arrested in Chișinău, Moldova, in July 2024 in connection with a four-count indictment returned in the Eastern District of New York charging him with soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence in New York City.

According to court documents, Chkhikvishvili is a leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, also known as Maniacs Murder Cult, Maniacs: Cult of Killing, MKY, MMC and MKU, an international racially-motivated violent extremist group. As alleged in the indictment, Chkhikvishvili recruited people to commit violent acts in furtherance of MKY’s ideologies, including planning and soliciting a mass casualty attack in New York City.

“This case is a stark reminder of the kind of terrorism we face today: online networks plotting unspeakable acts of violence against children, families, and the Jewish community in pursuit of a depraved, extremist ideology,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate hate-fueled violence, and we will pursue those who threaten innocent lives wherever they may be.”

“The defendant is accused of recruiting others to kill Jewish people, kill racial minorities, and of providing instructions on how to commit other lethal attacks — even targeting children around the holidays by poisoning candy,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “These allegations are despicable, and thanks to the work and partnership of the FBI and the authorities in Moldova, Michail Chkhikvishvili has been brought to the United States to face charges in our justice system.”

“As alleged, the defendant, a white supremacist, recruited others to participate in a violent campaign of hatred against racial minorities and the Jewish community and to engage in the mass killing of children and others in these communities using poison, suicide bombs, firearms, arson fires, and vehicle explosions. Today’s extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Protecting our homeland, city, district, and country from violent extremists will always be one of the top priorities of the Justice Department and my office.”

Chkhikvishvili’s MKY adheres to a neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology and promotes violence against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems “undesirables.” MKY members share a common goal of challenging social order and governments via terrorism and violent acts that promote fear and chaos. MKY has members in the United States and abroad.

Since approximately September 2021, Chkhikvishvili has distributed a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook” to MKY members and others. The Hater’s Handbook encourages people to commit acts of mass violence. In the Hater’s Handbook, Chkhikvishvili states that he has “murdered for the white race” and encourages and instructs others to commit acts of mass violence and “ethnic cleansing.” For example, the Hater’s Handbook encourages its readers to commit school shootings and to use children to perpetrate suicide bombings and other mass killings targeting racial minorities. The Hater’s Handbook describes methods and strategies for committing mass “terror attacks,” including, for example, using vehicles to target “large outdoor festivals, conventions, celebrations and parades” and “pedestrian congested streets.” The Hater’s Handbook specifically encourages committing attacks within the United States.

In June 2022, Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn. As alleged, beginning at least as early as July 2022, Chkhikvishvili repeatedly encouraged others, primarily via the encryption-enabled mobile messaging platform Telegram, to commit violent hate crimes and other acts of violence on behalf of MKY. This included conspiring to solicit violent acts with the leader of a separate violent extremist neo-Nazi group, and soliciting acts of mass violence in New York from an individual who claimed to be a prospective MKY recruit, but who, unbeknownst to Chkhikvishvili, was actually an undercover FBI employee (the UC).

In a September 2023 conversation, the UC messaged Chkhikvishvili asking whether there was an application process to join MKY. The defendant responded, “we ask people for brutal beating, arson/explosion or murder vids on camera.” Chkhikvishvili further stated that “[p]oisoning and arson are best options for murder,” and suggested also considering a larger “mass murder[]” within the United States. Chkhikvishvili advised the UC that the victims of these acts should be “low race targets.”

Beginning in approximately November 2023, Chkhikvishvili solicited the UC to commit violent crimes, such as bombings and arsons, for the purpose of harming racial minorities, Jewish individuals and others. Chkhikvishvili provided detailed plans and materials such as bomb-making instructions and guidance on making Molotov cocktails to facilitate carrying out these crimes. In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili began planning a mass casualty attack in New York City to take place on New Year’s Eve. The scheme involved an individual dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out candy laced with poison to racial minorities.

In January, the scheme evolved and Chkhikvishvili specifically directed the UC to target the Jewish community, Jewish schools, and Jewish children in Brooklyn with poison. Chkhikvishvili drafted step-by-step instructions to carry out the scheme and shared detailed manuals about creating and mixing lethal poisons and gases with the UC. He also instructed the UC on methods of making ricin-based poisons in powder and liquid form, including by extracting ricin from castor beans. Chkhikvishvili sent materials linked to radical Islamist jihadist groups and designated foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS. 

Chkhikvishvili wanted the planned attack to be a “bigger action than Breivik,” referring to Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian neo‑Nazi who killed 77 people in a bombing and mass shooting in Norway in 2011. Meanwhile, Chkhikvishvili told others of his plan and claimed to have previously committed other hate crimes while living in Brooklyn in 2022. Chkhikvishvili boasted to others that he was “glad I have murdered,” and that he would “murder more” but “make others murder first.”     

Chkhikvishvili’s solicitations of violence have resulted in multiple attacks and killings around the world. In August 2024, an individual livestreamed himself stabbing approximately five people outside of a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, wearing a tactical vest adorned in Nazi symbols. A manifesto attributed to the attacker included explicit references to Chkhikvishvili and to violent statements made by him. Before the attack, the attacker also distributed a link to the Hater’s Handbook, authored by Chkhikvishvili, and other violent propaganda.

If convicted, Chkhikvishvili faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for solicitation of violent felonies (including hate crime acts and transporting an explosive with intent to kill or injure); five years in prison for conspiring to solicit violent felonies; 20 years in prison for distributing information pertaining to the making and use of explosive devices and ricin poison; and five years in prison for transmitting threatening communications.

The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Department of State, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agents provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Chkhikvishvili from Moldova.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Andrew D. Reich for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Paralegal Specialists Wayne Colon and Rebecca Roth. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has also provided assistance.

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

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News - Memorial Day: Remembering and Honoring

 

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Guide to Federal Funding in New York

A new online resource released by Comptroller DiNapoli details the vast array of services that federal funding supports amid the continued uncertainty in Washington over potential cuts for states, including funds for Medicaid and other health programs, education, social welfare, transportation, public protection, environment and other vital programs. 

“Actions taken in Washington to cut health care, food assistance, infrastructure and other critical programs will harm New Yorkers,” DiNapoli said. “Major cuts will reduce the services the state provides that simply cannot be replaced by state taxpayers. Understanding how New Yorkers are served by federal dollars will be essential in seeing how future changes to federal spending will impact our residents and communities."

Read More

Access the Guide

Comptroller DiNapoli Report Tracks MTA's Shifting Revenue Streams

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority pays for its operating budget from a wide variety of sources, but the decline in paid ridership since the pandemic and economic changes have contributed to significant shifts in those streams of income, a new report from Comptroller DiNapoli details.

Read More

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Report on State Spending to Implement Raise the Age Law

New York State has appropriated $1.71 billion through State Fiscal Year 2025 to help counties implement the provisions of the “Raise the Age” law enacted in 2017, with $658.8 million disbursed so far, according to a report released Comptroller DiNapoli.

Read More

Former Hannibal Fire Chief Pleads Guilty to Stealing From Fire Company

The former Hannibal Fire Chief pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny for stealing from the town’s fire company and agreed to pay $9,838 in restitution, Comptroller DiNapoli, Oswego County District Attorney Anthony J. DiMartino, Jr., and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced.

Read More

Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $22,000 in Pension Checks Sent to His Deceased Mother

A Syracuse man pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $22,000 in pension payments sent to his deceased mother, Comptroller DiNapoli, Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced. The defendant was arrested in January 2025 following an investigation by Comptroller DiNapoli’s office.

Read More

Municipal Audits

• Fairview Fire District
• Town of Saugerties
• Rhinecliff Fire District
• City of Amsterdam
• City of Middletown
• Town of Philipstown
• Town of Pleasant Valley
• Village of Leicester
• Caledonia Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

_{Note: Some news links may require a paid subscription.} 

• The Capitol Connection - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli
  
  
• New York State Comptroller launches new online resource, outlining essential services
  
  
• State comptroller: New Yorkers have $20 billion in unclaimed funds
  
  
• Report finds less than 40% of Raise the Age funds have been spent
  
  
• New Yorkers have more to complain about, according to data
  
  
• Former Oswego County fire chief admits pocketing money from department, pays back $9,000

Post of the Week
Office of the NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli