Long Island Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Nearly $12 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

Defendant Also Admits to Bilking the Small Business Administration Out of Nearly $1 Million in Fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program Loans 

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Damaris Beltre, a former tax preparer in Freeport, New York, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Sanket J. Bulsara.  When sentenced, Beltre faces a maximum sentence of 53 years’ imprisonment, as well as restitution of approximately $12 million. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI New York) announced the guilty plea.

“Beltre brazenly defrauded the government and callously put her clients in jeopardy to line her own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s guilty plea should serve as a warning to anyone who, like this defendant, views federal programs and the federal treasury as their own personal piggybanks, that you will be arrested and vigorously prosecuted.”

Mr. Nocella also expressed his appreciation to the United States Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office, the Freeport Police Department, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for their assistance on the case.

“Beltre was a shady tax preparer with a complete disregard for U.S. law or the American public she failed when she fraudulently claimed tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19-related tax credits.  She hoarded funds meant for those with a legitimate need just to fatten her own pockets.  With today’s plea, she can move forward with facing the full consequences of her actions,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.

As set forth in court filings and at today’s guilty plea proceeding, Beltre owned and operated multiple corporate entities offering tax preparation and other financial services in Freeport, New York. From approximately January 2021 through April 2024, Beltre personally prepared, and supervised employees in the preparation of, false and fraudulent individual income tax returns, and associated schedules and forms, for her client-taxpayers, which were submitted to the IRS.

The tax returns that Beltre prepared and caused to be prepared for her clients listed false dependents and fraudulently claimed tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19-related tax credits and motor fuel income tax credits to directly reduce tax liability and provide substantial refunds to which her clients were not entitled.  Beltre’s clients paid over $1 million in fees for her services preparing these false returns, which included a percentage of any tax refund issued.  For example, in April 2023, a federal agent acting in an undercover capacity (the UC) hired Beltre to prepare his individual income tax return.  If prepared accurately, the UC would have owed the IRS approximately $205.  By contrast, the defendant prepared an income tax return for the UC which contained false and fraudulent statements and baseless tax credits, and which thereby claimed a refund of over $14,243.  Beltre charged the UC $2,200 in fees to prepare and submit the fraudulent tax return.  As a result of this years-long scheme, the IRS improperly issued nearly $11 million in tax refunds to the defendant’s clients, and failed to collect several million dollars as a result of fraudulently reduced tax liabilities.  

In a separate Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme, from approximately April 2020 through July 2022, Beltre filed and caused to be filed false payroll reports and income tax returns with the IRS on behalf of her corporate clients to fraudulently obtain PPP loans from the SBA, totaling approximately $1 million.  Beltre used these proceeds, and those generated from the tax preparer fraud scheme described above, for personal expenses, including paying personal debts, to fund a home in the Caribbean, and to purchase a car and jewelry.

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on January 8, 2026 in the confines of the 78th Precinct

 

The NYPD is today releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on January 8, 2025, in the confines of the 78th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras, which provide transparency into police activity and serve as an independent account of interactions between the NYPD and the citizens they serve. 

You can find the video here

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on January 8, 2026 in the confines of the 6th Precinct

 

The NYPD is today releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on January 8, 2026, in the confines of the 6th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras, which provide transparency into police activity and serve as an independent account of interactions between the NYPD and the citizens they serve.

You can find the video here

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Murder-for-Hire Plot and Stalking a Journalist and Prominent Critic of the Iranian Government

 

Today, convicted murderer Carlisle Rivera, also known as “Pop,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his participation in a murder-for-hire plot directed by the Government of Iran targeting Masih Alinejad, a journalist, author, and human rights activist. Rivera previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and one count of conspiracy to commit stalking before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman for the Southern District of New York, who imposed today’s sentence.

“Today’s sentence underscores the consequences of conspiring with a regime that relies on violence and intimidation to survive,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work tirelessly with its partners to detect and protect against such plots and to hold accountable those who try to achieve the vile ends of the Iranian regime.”

“The Iranian government repeatedly targeted a journalist and human rights activist living in New York, but thanks to the good work of the FBI and our partners those efforts failed,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. “Today's sentencing sends a strong message that anyone who conspires with foreign powers to harm people living in the United States will be held accountable.”

“The Government of Iran, a sponsor of terrorism, assassination, and espionage around the globe, has engaged in a campaign of assassination plots in the United States and abroad targeting those who oppose the regime,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “The Government of Iran hired Rivera through an associate living in Iran to locate and murder Masih Alinejad in cold blood, right here in New York City. The Government of Iran has long sought to murder Ms. Alinejad, a U.S. citizen residing in New York City, because of her efforts to stand up to the Iranian regime and expose its discriminatory treatment of women, corruption, and human rights abuses. Today’s sentence should be a warning to anyone who would cast their lot with the brutal Iranian regime and seek to do their murderous bidding, especially on American soil: You will be stopped, you will be arrested, and you will be brought to justice.”

“The Iranian government enlisted a convicted killer to stalk and murder an American journalist and activist, Masih Alinejad, in an effort to forever silence her vocal criticism of its regime,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “Carlisle Rivera served as a hired gun to facilitate the political assassination attempt ordered by an international adversary. May today’s lengthy sentence reflect the FBI’s unwavering stance against any domestic or foreign actor seeking to target our nation’s residents for nefarious agendas.”

As reflected in the charging instruments, other public filings, and statements in public court proceedings, in 2024, Rivera was hired by his criminal confederate, Farhad Shakeri, to murder Masih Alinejad on instructions from high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is a military and intelligence organization that directly reports to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is the Government of Iran’s primary instrument for providing financial and lethal aid to proxy terror groups in the Middle East. Among its activities, the IRGC plots and conducts attack operations outside Iran targeting, among others, U.S. citizens residing abroad and in the United States.

Alinejad is one of the IRGC’s principal targets. The IRGC and the Government of Iran’s intelligence services have long sought to kidnap or murder Alinejad because of her efforts to promote gender equality and civil liberties in Iran and to expose the regime’s corruption, oppression, and terrorism to the international community. In 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap Alinejad in the U.S. for rendition to Iran; then, in 2022, the IRGC hired powerful, violent members of the Russian Mob to murder Alinejad. After those efforts failed, the IRGC turned to Shakeri, who hired Rivera to kill Alinejad.

Rivera and Shakeri were incarcerated together in the New York State prison system after Rivera’s 1994 conviction for murder and Shakeri’s 1991 conviction for manslaughter. In 2024, Shakeri was living in Iran and was an IRGC asset. Shakeri offered Rivera $100,000 to locate and kill Alinejad, and Rivera agreed. Rivera then recruited his friend, co-defendant Jonathon Loadholt, to assist him in the murder plot. Using money sent by Shakeri, Rivera and Loadholt purchased a firearm and “burner” cellphones. The two men then spent several months attempting to find and kill Alinejad, including by following her to a public speaking event and repeatedly stalking the Brooklyn house where Shakeri and the IRGC believed Alinejad lived.     

During their efforts to locate and kill Alinejad, Rivera and his co-conspirators shared messages about their progress and photographs relating to their murder plot. For example, in or about February 2024, Rivera and Loadholt messaged about an incoming payment from Shakeri, and then traveled to Fairfield University, where Alinejad was scheduled to appear, and took photographs on campus. In April 2024, Rivera and his co-defendants exchanged a series of voice notes discussing their efforts to locate and kill Alinejad. In one voice note, Rivera told Shakeri that Alinejad was “hard to catch, bro. And because she hard to catch, there ain’t gonna be no simple pull up, unless there[’s] the luck of the draw.” In a subsequent voice note, Rivera referred to the “slammer,” meaning a firearm he had obtained to kill Alinejad.

On Nov. 7, 2024, before he could complete his plan to kill Ms. Alinejad, Rivera was arrested. At Rivera's residence, law enforcement agents recovered, among other things, a firearm with a partially obliterated serial number.

In addition to the prison term, Rivera, 50, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

In January 2026, Loadholt pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit stalking and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Loadholt is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Liman in April 2026. Shakari remains at large.

Investigative work in this case was conducted by the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents and analysts from the FBI’s New York and Washington Field Offices and detectives from the New York City Police Department. The Department of Justice’s National Security Division (NSD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, and the New York State Police provided assistance.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Shelton Ennis

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Shelton Ennis, who died on June 26, 2025 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Manhattan.

At approximately 9:52 p.m., NYPD officers engaged with Mr. Ennis in the vicinity of 137th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan. Mr. Ennis ran from the officers, and the officers pursued Mr. Ennis on foot. An officer apprehended Mr. Ennis, and both Mr. Ennis and the officer fell to the ground. Mr. Ennis was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a knife at the scene.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

Warning: These videos contain content that viewers may find disturbing. 

Governor Hochul Announces $43 Million to Expand Inpatient and Emergency Psychiatric Services for New Yorkers In Crisis

State Providing $23 Million in Funding to Establish New or Expand Existing Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs

Up to $20 Million in Capital Funding Also Available to Increase Inpatient Capacity at Community-Based Hospitals Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of funding to expand comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs and to increase inpatient capacity statewide. The state Office of Mental Health has made available $23 million to develop new or expand existing comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs – also known as CPEPs – in addition to $20 million to help community-based and psychiatric hospitals increase bed capacity.

“Part of our efforts to strengthen our mental health care system is ensuring any New Yorker in crisis can access treatment services whenever and wherever they need them,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding psychiatric emergency programs and building more inpatient capacity, we can ensure that anyone who experiences a mental health crisis can get the timely, comprehensive care they can rely on to begin their journey toward recovery.”

OMH is making $20 million in capital funding and $3 million in start-up funding available for new CPEPs to serve children or for existing adult programs to add capacity for youth. Existing programs can also apply for funding to increase the number of extended observation beds, improve unit safety, or expand the footprint of treatment, waiting or group activity areas.

Comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs serve as an entry for individuals in need of crisis treatment in a safe and comfortable environment and can admit patients for up to 72 hours if they need extended observation. These programs provide a full range of psychiatric services to New Yorkers experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including individuals with mental health disorders as well as co-occurring substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and medical conditions.

In a separate funding opportunity, OMH made $20 million in capital available to expand inpatient capacity. This is comprised of up to $7 million for two facilities it licenses to each undertake capital projects to establish inpatient mental health units supporting individuals dually diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This includes funding for one unit to serve adults in New York City, and funding for one unit to serve children in areas outside of New York City, excluding the five-county Central New York region, which is now served by a new 29-bed unit for children dually diagnosed with serious emotional disorders and intellectual or developmental disabilities and opened by SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse in 2024.

Additionally, up to $5 million will be available for two capital projects statewide to expand or renovate inpatient units serving adults or adolescents. Pending available funding after the inpatient expansion awards, existing facilities licensed by OMH can apply for capital funding to add up to four new beds to an existing unit, renovate a unit to incorporate outdoor space, or increase the footprint of non-bedroom space.

New York State now funds 31 CPEPs statewide, following a $39 million investment to establish nine new programs in 2024. State-funded CPEPs received more than 110,000 visits between October 2024 and September 2025, admitting nearly 14,800 patients to extended observation beds during that time.

New York State has also expanded inpatient capacity under Governor Hochul’s leadership, having now added 1,000 psychiatric beds, including 642 beds at article 28 hospitals and 358 beds at state-operated psych centers. The Office of Mental Health is also developing 75 beds at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens to double the size of the successful Transition to Home program, which is helping to successfully treat and stabilize chronically homeless individuals living with mental illness in New York City. 

Governor Hochul also secured $160 million in the FY 2026 Enacted Budget to construct 100 new forensic inpatient psychiatric beds to help restore justice-involved individuals to competency to stand trial in New York City. An additional $28.3 million was allocated to increase staff-to-patient ratios at the agency’s forensic hospitals, which will be completed over the next two years.  

Mayor Mamdani Details “Adams Budget Crisis”

 

Adams’ staggering fiscal mismanagement left a $12 billion hole in NYC budget for the next two fiscal years 

TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani outlined the “Adams Budget Crisis,” a fiscal emergency driven by years of staggering mismanagement under former Mayor Eric Adams that left New York City facing a $12 billion budget shortfall over fiscal years 2026 and 2027. 

 

Speaking at a press conference, Mamdani said the crisis stemmed from a pattern of underbudgeting essential services that New Yorkers rely on every day including rental assistance, shelter operations, and special education. For example, Adams budgeted $860 million for cash assistance in fiscal year 2026, even though current projections put the cost at nearly $1.7 billion, almost double what was budgeted. 

Under the Adams administration, budget gaps were consistently and intentionally understated. In some programs, the true shortfall is nearly double what was publicly disclosed. Mamdani also pointed to a longer pattern of disinvestment driven by the state. During more than a decade under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York City sent far more revenue to Albany than it received in return. In 2022 alone, New York City sent $68.8 billion in revenue to Albany – and received just $47.6 billion back.

“That imbalance has hollowed out our city’s finances and left us with a chasm that can no longer be sustained,” Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said. 

 

Mayor Mamdani said his administration will not allow working New Yorkers – who did not cause the crisis – to become victims of its solution. He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to balancing the preliminary budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 on Feb. 17 and renewed his call to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations in New York, while rooting out waste and inefficiencies in city government. 

 

Find Mayor Mamdani’s “Adams Budget Crisis” PowerPoint HERE.

 

Transcript below:

 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani: Good morning. I want to speak directly to New Yorkers, who have for too long been misled and misinformed about the true state of our City's finances. I will be blunt: New York City is facing a serious fiscal crisis. There is a massive fiscal deficit in our City's budget to the tune of at least $12 billion. We did not arrive at this place by accident. This crisis has a name and a chief architect. In the words of the Jackson 5, it's as easy as A-B-C. This is the Adams Budget Crisis.  

 

In 2025, under the banner of what he called the Best Budget Ever, former Mayor Eric Adams handed the next administration a poisoned chalice. He systematically under-budgeted services that New Yorkers rely on every single day. Rental assistance, shelter, and special education, while quietly leaving behind enormous gaps for the future. And knowing his time in office was likely coming to an end, Mayor Adams chose political self-preservation over fiscal responsibility. This is not just bad governance. It is negligence.  

 

And now, the responsibility falls upon us to protect working New Yorkers from paying the price. We expected for months that when we entered City Hall, we would likely inherit a grim fiscal situation. Many of the journalists here reported about an imbalance during the Adams years. Yet, once we looked under the hood, the full picture was staggering. However, Eric Adams is not the only reason we are here. For over a decade, as he governed from Albany, former Governor Andrew Cuomo extracted our City's resources, using our revenue to address state-level holes, while withholding from the City what it was owed. The result is a stunning fiscal imbalance. New Yorkers contribute 54.5 percent of state revenue and receive only 40.5 percent back.  

 

No part of this state gives more and gets less in return than New York City. While we did not create this crisis, we will solve it. And we will do so, without balancing the budget on the backs of working people. Now I want to walk New Yorkers through the nuances of this crisis that we must contend with. Here, you can see former Mayor Adams projected budget gaps, as well as the projections prepared by City Comptroller Lander and Levine as well as State Controller DiNapoli.  

 

These projections were formed independently, but they tell the same story. We are still reviewing the City's fiscal health ourselves, but our early analysis is in line with their findings. And the story that those findings tell is clear. The Adams administration dramatically and intentionally understated the problem. The budget gaps are twice as high year after year. Notably, Mayor Adams underestimated known budget expenses so he could show FY26 was balanced. These are not differences in opinion between accountants. They are measured to the tune of more than $7 billion beyond what he published.  

 

We are dealing with vast figures and statistics that can often feel intangible. I want to place them into a historical context, so that the scale of the crisis is clear to New Yorkers. For reference, the budget gaps we are facing today are higher than they were at the height of the Great Recession. And when compared to the pre-pandemic 10-year average, some of these projected deficits are over 300 percent higher. This is not business as usual. This is a historic challenge and it demands an honest response.  

 

Time and again, Adams kicked the can of responsibility down the road. Last year, when he laid out his January and May financial plans, he not only failed to budget sufficiently; he ignored projections that indicated major expenses [that] would rise in years to come. These expenses not only totaled nearly $8 billion, they're on an upward trajectory. And still, former Mayor Adams refused to incorporate them, leaving a massive $3 billion hole in FY26. The budgetary choices he made in the past, have consequences that we reckon with today, with ripple effects extending into the years to come.  

 

Former Mayor Adams made the repeated, deliberate choice to under-budget. It was a pattern. He budgeted $860 million for cash assistance this fiscal year, but current estimates are $1.625 billion, nearly double what he had accounted for. He budgeted $1.47 billion for shelter costs this fiscal year, but current estimates reflected an additional, unaccounted for, $500 million. He budgeted paltry fractions of what was actually required, undermining the city's ability to fulfill its promises. These are not optional services. They are critical responsibilities of City government. Let's talk about the state and City imbalance.  

 

In FY22, New York City sent $68.8 billion in revenue to Albany and received $47.6 billion back. That is more than a gap. It is a $21.2 billion chasm, and it can no longer be sustained. It is measured in city schools that could have more teachers, parks that could have more staff, playgrounds that could be built across the five boroughs. That $21.2 billion gap occurred because over the decade Governor Cuomo was in office, the state saw our city as a place from which wealth could be extracted without recognizing the needs of that same place. New York City is the economic engine of this state.  

 

While we contribute the majority of state revenue growth, we do not receive the same proportion of state funds. From FY2010 to FY22, a period where Andrew Cuomo served as governor for almost the entire duration, state revenue grew by $48 billion. New York City alone generated 64 percent of that growth, or $31 billion. But when expenditures increased by $36 billion, New York City received only 42 percent, or $15 billion. Annually, that is an $8 billion shortfall of what our city was owed.  

 

Our city is one of multitudes, containing both incredible affluence and tremendous needs. And for too long, only half of that equation has been met. Each of these slides, and the numbers they contain, tell a clear story. It is the story of a city that is economically powerful and central to the success of the entire state, if not the entire country. And it is the story of a city that has been failed by its leaders of the past. Together, let us tell a new story. As we approach the preliminary budget, City Hall will do what the law requires.  

 

We will deliver a balanced budget over two fiscal years. We will also do, however, what former Mayor Adams never did. We will be clear and direct about our needs with Albany. Working people did not cause this crisis, and they cannot be made the victims of its solution. In my inaugural address, I made a promise. I said that we would overcome every moment of adversity, together. And we would meet every moment of fiscal challenge with ambition, not austerity. That promise stands.  

 

We will not shrink from this moment. We will not succumb to small ideas. We will meet this crisis with the bold solutions it demands. That means recalibrating the broken fiscal relationship between the state and the city. And it means that the time has come to tax the richest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations. This is the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, and yet we have allowed one in four New Yorkers to live in poverty. It doesn't need to be that way.  

 

We will remain in constant conversation with Governor Hochul and legislative leaders, and we will do something that too many New Yorkers have learned not to expect from City Hall. We will be honest, transparent, and we will communicate the decisions we're making and why we're making them. We have inherited a crisis from the past New York, but it need not define our future. We will overcome this moment of hardship and chart a new course for our city. It will be difficult, but anything worth doing always is. Thank you.  

 

New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Warns New Yorkers to Beware of Scams Leading Up to 2026 Major World Sporting Events

 

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: “With so many ticket selling venues going mostly digital, we’ve seen a rise in digital scams, phishing attempts and fake merchandise ads. That’s why the NYS Division of Consumer Protection is offering these tips to help sport buffs be on the winning side during international sporting events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics and the World Soccer Cup.”

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 upcoming major sporting events. 2026 is an historic year featuring several major world sporting events including the FIFA World Cup, Winter Olympics, and Superbowl LX. These 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.  

“World-wide sporting events not only attract fans looking to have a good time while enjoying their favorite sport, but they also attract scammers looking for unsuspecting avid fans willing to pay higher prices to have great life experiences,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “With so many ticket selling venues going mostly digital, we’ve seen a rise in digital scams, phishing attempts and fake merchandise ads. That’s why the NYS Division of Consumer Protection is offering these tips to help sport buffs be on the winning side during international sporting events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics and the World Cup.” 

TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS AROUND MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS:

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 win. 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 websites (NFL, Winter Olympics, and 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 travels, 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 becareful 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. 

Use a strong password: Many stadiums and venues only accept digital tickets accessed through an app. Be sure to use a strong, unique password and enable two factor authentication to ensure a scammer can’t hack into your account and steal your ticket.

Beware of fake merchandise shops: Sporting fans are prime targets for fraudulent merchandise scams, especially during major events. Scammers often create unofficial online stores that mimic official shops to sell counterfeit, low-quality, or non-existent merchandise. To avoid these scams, purchase only from official partner retailers, check for holograms on packaging, avoid deals that seem too good to be true and never pay with wire transfers or prepaid cards.

Avoid fake streaming websites or apps: With a surge in demand to stay updated on these major sporting events, scammers may offer malicious websites and apps that claim to offer free live streams, live updates, scores or exclusive content but are designed to install malware or steal personal information. To avoid this, watch from official platforms, broadcasters and streaming services from well-known established brands.

Stay alert for public Wi-Fi risks: Scammers often target sports fans at venues and surrounding locations by setting up unsecured public Wi-Fi networks designed to intercept personal data. To protect your information, avoid visiting sensitive websites, banking, shopping, or logging into apps on public networks. Instead, use a Virtual Private Network, mobile data, or wait for a secure network.

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.

Permits Filed for 1240 River Avenue in Concourse, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 17-story mixed-use building at 1240 River Avenue in Concourse, The Bronx. Located between East 167th Street and East 168th Street, the lot is steps from the 167th Street subway station, served by the 4 trains. Spencer Orkus at L+M Development Partners is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 185-foot-tall development will yield 364,454 square feet, with 223,550 square feet designated for residential space and 140,904 square feet for community facility space. The building will have 328 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 681 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 60-foot-long rear yard, and 68 enclosed parking spaces.

Andrew Bernheimer of Bernheimer Architecture is listed as the architect of record.

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

Governor Hochul Announces $8.5 Million Available to New York’s Agricultural Industry to Support Food and Fiber Processing

Launched as Part of Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State Initiatives

Designed To Help Support New York’s Local Sourcing Initiatives

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability of $8.5 million through the new Food and Fiber Processing Grant program – the first of its kind in the state. The program provides funding to New York agricultural operations to expand food and fiber processing capacity, bring more local products to the marketplace, and help the State to meet the demands of local sourcing initiatives, such as the Governor’s groundbreaking Executive Order 32, the State’s Farm-to-School program, and Nourish NY. The program, first announced in the Governor’s 2025 State of the State, will position New York as a regional leader in the food and fiber industry.

“At the heart of New York’s economy is our agricultural industry and investing in food and fiber processing is essential to New York's agricultural future,” Governor Hochul said. “This new funding opportunity will empower our farmers and processors to innovate, grow, and build resilient, sustainable communities across the state. Together, we are cultivating opportunity and ensuring that New York remains an agricultural leader for generations to come."

The Food and Fiber Processing Grant Program, administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, supports the scaling of existing and new products produced and harvested in New York State. Funding is available for the construction and renovation of facilities, as well as the purchase and installation of equipment. Priority will be given to projects that expand processing for fruits, vegetables, grains and beans for human consumption; plant and animal fibers.

Eligible applicants may apply for awards ranging from $250,000 to $2.5 million. Of the $8.5 million available, $1 million is reserved for projects that use plant and animal fiber. Processed products developed through the grant must contain a minimum of 51% raw agricultural ingredients grown or raised in New York State.

Funding priorities include:

• Early/initial stage processing for plant and animal fibers including retting, degumming, decortication, scouring, carding, and combing
• Edible fruits, vegetables, grains and beans for human consumption
• Projects focused on products that support the Nourish NY, Farm-to-School, and NYS 30% Initiative, or Executive Order 32
• Processed products containing large majority of New York State grown/harvested ingredients
• Further geographic diversity of New York State food processing capacity

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Expansion of food and fiber processing and processed product creation
• Aggregation and storage, as part of a larger processing expansion project
• Operational efficiency improvements
• Improving food safety standards for processing facilities

The deadline to apply for funding is April 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. All applications must be submitted via the SMA system. Additional program details and the application are available at the Farm and Food Growth Fund website.

The Food and Fiber Processing Grant program is a part of Governor Hochul’s commitment to strengthen New York’s food supply chain, develop a more resilient local food supply, and bolster demand for local agricultural products. This includes the Governor’s Executive Order 32 directing State agencies to increase the percentage of food sourced from New York farmers and producers to 30 percent of their total purchases within five years.

It is one of a number of recent programs that work to increase processing capacity to further fuel the supply of diverse products for New York’s many local purchasing programs, such as the New York State Grown & Certified Infrastructure, Technology, Research, and Development (NYS G&C ITRD) grant program, The Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program, and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant Program.

In addition, grants provided through The Fashion Innovation Center, created and funded through Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), seeks to expand the use of renewable animal, plant and bio-manufactured fibers in the fashion industry, and bolster a resilient farm-to-fashion ecosystem throughout New York State, fostering innovation and sustainability in the sector.

The mission of the Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) is to create employment and safe affordable housing, capital access opportunities for low and moderate income individuals, families and communities with a focus on farm and food-related industries located in the Northeast Foodshed encompassing parts of the greater Hudson Valley, western Connecticut, western Massachusetts, southern Vermont and eastern Pennsylvania by stimulating economic vitality through technical assistance services, community development and increasing the flow of capital. 

BRAC Innovators Virtual Info Sessions!

BRAC INNOVATORS VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS Thursday, January 29, 2026 Tuesday, February 3, 2026 6 - 7pm

Drop into an information session for the Bronx River Art Center's new BRAC Innovators afterschool initiative! 

 

Learn about our MSCreate and Teen Project Studio programs and how they will guide participants in exploring all the ways that science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics combine and relate to each other to fuel creative new ways of thinking.

WHAT TO EXPECT 

•   Program Registration 

•   Application Assistance 

•   Q & A session about the program in English and Spanish!

BRAC Innovators consists of:

MSCreate | Ages 10–14

A middle school program focused on creativity and STEAM through hands-on projects.



•   Meets 5 days a week after school
•   One Saturday per month
•   Create and explore with BRAC teaching artists

Teen Project Studio (TPS) | Ages 14–19 Work and create alongside Bronx graffiti artist KayLove, build your skills, collaborate with peers, and express your own artistic voice.    Meets 2 days a week after school   Tuesday & Thursday   Special Programming on Fridays   One Saturday per month

RSVP for Virtual Info Session