DHS, USDA, and CDC Conduct Exercise to Strengthen America’s Food Security

 

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Security, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) convened a two-part New World Screwworm simulation exercise earlier this month to strengthen national readiness and improve coordination for emerging animal and public health threats.

The event featured 80 in-person attendees and over 170 virtual attendees, including decision-makers from federal, state, local, and tribal authorities.

The New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasite that infests animals – including livestock and birds – and humans by burrowing into living flesh and laying eggs. This can cause serious tissue damage and presents a serious economic risk if livestock is affected.

The exercise went over three different possible scenarios for domestic New World Screwworm spreading: Illegal cattle smuggling, via wild animals, and by way of a human with an infested wound.

“Food security is national security. I want to thank Secretary Rollins and Secretary Burgum for recognizing that and taking action to protect the American people,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “A country that cannot feed itself and provide for itself cannot defend itself. We need to protect America’s food supply to protect the American homeland.” 

“This is the first exercise of its kind,” said Dr. Sean Conley, Acting DHS Chief Medical Officer and Acting Director of the Office of Health Security. “The sessions provided participants with a shared operational baseline and an opportunity to test coordination and identify decision points critical to an effective government response.”  

“Because New World screwworm can affect any warm-blooded animal, as well as birds and people, a coordinated Federal, state, and local One Health response is critical to strengthening our preparedness efforts,” said Rear Admiral Michael Schmoyer, Associate Administrator for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and New World Screwworm Directorate Director. “Though this exercise is only one small part of our overall preparedness efforts, it allowed us to identify gaps and strengthen collaboration to ensure we are ready should New World screwworm reach the United States.”

“The Department of the Interior is grounded in our responsibility to protect and manage America's precious national resources,” said Dr. Jenifer Chatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. “A New World screwworm incursion threatens our native species as well as livestock and we welcome the opportunity to engage in preparedness activities with our partners at USDA and DHS.”

U.S. Law Enforcement Assists Bulgarian Law Enforcement in Taking Down Three of the Largest Piracy Sites in The European Union

 

The Three Websites Were Allegedly Operated from Bulgaria and Offered Thousands of Copyrighted Movies, Television Shows, and Other Content Without Authorization

The U.S. government executed seizure warrants against three U.S.-registered internet domains of commercial websites allegedly engaged in the illegal distribution of copyrighted works.

The coordinated law enforcement operation targeted online services that provided illegal copies of copyrighted works—many belonging to U.S. companies and individuals—including movies, television shows, video games, software, e-books, and other content.

According to the affidavits in support of the seizure warrants, the three domains receive tens of millions of visits a year, offer thousands of infringed works, and result in millions of downloads of those works, the retail value totaling millions of dollars. The three domains are among the most popular in Bulgaria—one is often ranked as one of the top 10 most visited domains in Bulgaria —and, given the huge internet traffic they receive every day, seem to make considerable money from advertisements.

The seized domains are in the custody of the United States government. Visitors to the sites will now find a seizure banner that notifies them that federal authorities have seized the domain names and that informs them that willful copyright infringement is a crime. The domain are zamunda.net , arenabg.co and zelka.or. 

The Justice Department is grateful for its Bulgarian partners at the National Investigative Service, the Ministry of the Interior’s General Directorate Combating Organized Crime, the State Agency for National Security, and the Prosecutor’s Office, and its domestic partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) New Orleans Field Office, and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center). The Justice Department also acknowledges the critical role of Europol, the HSI Athens office, and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Sofia office in coordinating efforts and providing technical assistance.

The Justice Department is providing intellectual property and cybercrime technical assistance to foreign law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial partners in other countries, including Bulgaria, through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program. Learn more about the Criminal Division’s ICHIP Program, jointly administered by the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section through partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, here.

The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government’s key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. The IPR Center uses the expertise of its member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, and coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public’s health and safety, the U.S. economy and the war fighters. To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of the HSI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

HSI is investigating the matter.

Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Meyers for the Southern District of Mississippi are handling the case. The ICHIP based in Bucharest, Romania provided significant assistance.

Principals Of ‘Pre-IPO’ Funds Plead Guilty To Defrauding Investors

 

Mario Gogliormella, Steven Lacaj, and Karim Ibrahim Defrauded Investors of $185 Million by Selling Shares in Non-Public Companies at Arbitrarily Inflated Prices and by Pocketing Hidden Markups

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that MARIO GOGLIORMELLA, STEVEN LACAJ, and KARIM IBRAHIM, a/k/a “Chris Hayes,” pled guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges in connection with their management of L & G Capital Corp., Legend Venture Partners LLC, and a related series of funds.  GOGLIORMELLA and LACAJ pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick and IBRAHIM pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo.  The defendants will be sentenced before Judge Broderick at a later date. 

“Our pre-IPO markets are important to investors, entrepreneurs, and our economy,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Their integrity is critical to our continued leadership in technology, healthcare, energy, and other key industries.  The defendants used high-pressure sales tactics, false and misleading disclosures, and hidden exorbitant fees to defraud retail investors seeking to invest in private companies that had not yet had initial public offerings.  The women and men of our Office and our law enforcement partners continue to focus on our pre-IPO markets and our listed small-cap markets.  Our message is clear: marketing and trading in securities of new and smaller companies does not give you a pass to commit fraud.” 

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, public filings, and statements made in court:

GOGLIORMELLA, LACAJ, and IBRAHIM engaged in a scheme to defraud investors in a group of related private funds known generally as the “StraightPath Funds” and the “Legend Funds.”  The defendants, and others working at their direction, used “boiler room”-style call centers to market the funds to non-professional investors by promising an opportunity to invest in privately held companies expected to go public in the near future (“pre-IPO companies”).  The defendants purported to offer investors the chance to acquire shares in pre-IPO companies at favorable prices in advance of an anticipated public offering, at which time, they claimed, the shares would be worth significantly more.  The defendants also claimed there were no upfront fees or commissions, and that they would not get paid until their investors got paid.

These representations that the defendants made to investors were lies.  In fact, the defendants sold shares to investors at arbitrarily inflated and excessive prices without disclosing to investors the nature or extent of the markup.  The defendants’ fraudulent misrepresentations about the operation of their funds allowed them to raise approximately $185 million from hundreds of investors.  Based in large part on the excessive and undisclosed share price markups they charged to investors, the defendants were able to divert nearly $28 million in investor funds to themselves.  They also used investor funds to pay their sales representatives at least $17.5 million in fees and commissions, despite making explicit representations to investors that fees were not being charged.  In addition to misrepresentations about fees and markups, the defendants also misled investors regarding the nature of their investments and hid the involvement of GOGLIORMELLA and IBRAHIM, who had previously been disciplined by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, in the management of the Funds.

In order to generate interest in the Funds among retail investors, GOGLIORMELLA, LACAJ, and IBRAHIM used finders, or “referral agents,” to pitch prospective investors and thereafter to serve as the investors’ primary point of contact.  The defendants used “boiler room”-style call centers wherein salespeople cold-called potential investors, many of whom were not experienced investors, and gave aggressive sales pitches using notes and pitch scripts.  The defendants referred to their pitch scripts as “The Bible.”  Contrary to the defendants’ claim that they and their agents did not make money unless and until investors received a profit on their investments, the defendants paid referral agents a commission, typically a 10 to 15 percent front-end fee based on the amount of the investment that agents were able to draw to the Funds, plus a portion of the carried interest when the Funds exited their position in a particular company.

At first, the defendants operated this scheme as a marketing arm for StraightPath Venture Partners, Inc. (“StraightPath”).  In approximately 2021, multiple individuals associated with StraightPath received subpoenas from the SEC, and in approximately February 2022, StraightPath ceased operations.  In approximately February 2022, when StraightPath ceased operations, GOGLIORMELLA, LACAJ, and IBRAHIM began conducting the scheme under the corporate entity Legend Venture Partners, LLC (“Legend”), where they continued to run the same scheme that StraightPath had started.  The three principals of StraightPath —Michael Castillero, Francine Lanaia, and Brian Martinsen—were also prosecuted by this Office and convicted at a trial before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman in November 2025.

GOGLIORMELLA, 48, of Manhasset, New York, STEVEN LACAJ, 28, of New York, New York, and KARIM IBRAHIM, 36, of Queens, New York, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and investment adviser fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of investment adviser fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five 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 defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a parallel civil action.

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE COMMUNITY

WEATHER ADVISORY

Due to severe weather conditions, the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) declared a Code Blue for New York City and the Tri-State area this past week. Last weekend, our area experienced heavy snowfall and dangerous temperatures. Additional snow is expected this upcoming weekend, so we want to ensure that the constituents of the 33rd District have the necessary information and resources they need to stay warm and safe during these cold conditions.

If you or someone you know are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing no heat or unsafe weather conditions, call 311 for most up to date resources and information.

Stay warm, stay safe!

Places to Go for Warmth in NYC Warming Centers + Buses Safety precautions from the FDNY

DSS Announcements and Resources

Subscribe to Notify NYC, and receive information about emergency alerts and important City services.

This week, Senator Rivera visited the Teens for Food Justice's DeWitt Clinton Educational Campus Farm. Thank you to Danna Creager for making this visit possible, and to the members of the DeWitt Clinton Educational Farm for providing a tour of the facility. 

This educational hydroponic farm is one of nine operated by Teens for Food Justice, an initiative dedicated to feeding hundreds of students and community members through local food pantries and school cafeterias. The DeWitt Clinton Educational Campus, through the effort of students and staff who operate the farm, produce over 7,000 pounds of produce each year!

This week, the Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC) met with Senator Rivera and his team to discuss securing affordable childcare for families across the state. The group got a bilingual tour of the Senator's Albany office. Childcare is not a luxury and Senator Rivera is committed to securing universal access for all New Yorkers!

This week, the Senate Health Committee held their first meeting of this legislative year and passed 17 bills including 5 sponsored by Senator Rivera:

S.1913: Prevents discriminatory practices against 340B providers, ensuring drug savings benefit vulnerable communities.

S.614: Enrolls individuals in Medicaid prior to release and require local social services or health districts to provide facilities with the necessary enrollment documentation.

S.1619: Allows a licensed pharmacist to order and administer certain tests.

S.428A: Requires chain restaurants to label menu items that have a high content of added sodium.



S.7457B: Permit the use of cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for individuals who die without financial resources or surviving relatives.

As of January 1, 2026, health insurance plans must limit out-of-pocket cost for EpiPens to $100 a year! As the sponsor of this bill, I’m so grateful that the Governor signed it into law. New York families can now access two EpiPen devices at a reasonable cost. Life-saving medications should not be treated as a luxury, and neither should your healthcare. Let’s pass the NY Health Act next.

Code Blue & Outreach Support: The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) activates Code Blue when temperatures drop to 32°F or below (including wind chill) between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM. During Code Blue:

• People can call 311 for information on shelter, warming centers, and assistance
• Calls to 311 related to Code Blue are routed to 911 so first responders can reach people quickly
• Outreach teams are intensifying efforts citywide to connect people to shelter and lifesaving support
• All DHS facilities, shelters, Safe Havens, stabilization beds, and drop-in centers, have an open-door policy. Please seek help in any of these locations.
• Intake procedures are relaxed, and outreach teams can directly place people into Safe Havens and stabilization beds.

Warming Centers (Open until further notice): The City has opened warming spaces and buses in all five boroughs to provide safe, heated indoor spaces. They will remain open throughout the period of cold weather. 

A regularly updated list of warming center locations and hours can be found HERE.

BRONX:

Warming Spaces

All locations below have warm spaces and food:

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Belvis

545 East 142nd Street 

Open 7PM-7AM

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania

1225 Gerard Avenue

Open 7PM-7AM

Warming Buses

Warming vehicles are parked outside the following locations:

Dewitt Clinton High School

100 Moshulu Parkway

Open 24/7

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

1400 Pelham Parkway South

Bus is in front of building #6. Open 7PM-7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln

234 East 149th Street

Building open 24/7, Warming Center 7 PM - 7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

3424 Kossuth Avenue

Bus is in front of main entrance. Open 7PM-7AM.

For the latest warming center updates, please visit the dedicated webpage and/or sign up for Notify NYC alerts.

The Bronx Defenders invites anyone who lives, works, or studies in the Bronx to step into your power by applying to the Bronx Changemakers Institute—an 8-week transformative experience rooted in organizing, policy, and hands-on engagement in the heart of the Bronx from February 23 - April 20.

This hybrid program (in-person and virtual) is designed to help you discover your voice, strengthen your skills, and shape public life with purpose and clarity. 

With limited spots available, applicants will go through a short interview process. All participants will receive a certificate of completion. 

Applications close February 15. There are no age or educational requirements!

Please email communityengagement@bronxdefenders.org if you have any questions.

2026 SYEP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! UNTIL 2/27/26

Applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program are open. Apply here: nyc.gov/syep. The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026.

 

You can also refer any potential SYEP employers to nyc.gov/hirenycyouth.

ATTENTION PARENTS! APPLICATIONS TO 3-K AND PRE-K ARE NOW OPEN!

Fall 2026 Admissions Timeline:   

Wednesday, January 14, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Open 

Friday, February 27, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Close 

Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Pre-K Offer Release 

Tuesday, May 19, 2026: 3-K Offer Release 

Attorney General James Urges Airline Travelers to Know Their Rights When Flying During Winter Weather

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert urging airline passengers to know their rights following widespread flight disruptions caused by Winter Storm Fern and in anticipation of continued winter travel challenges. Attorney General James urges all New Yorkers to file complaints online to potentially receive compensation if their travel plans are disrupted. 

“Winter storms are unpredictable, but travelers’ rights are not,” said Attorney General James. “If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you may be entitled to a refund. Airlines must follow the law, and all New Yorkers deserve clear answers, fair treatment, and the refunds they are owed.”

Winter Storm Fern caused thousands of flight cancelations and delays nationwide, including at major airports serving New York, leaving many travelers stranded or facing unexpected travel changes. With additional winter storms forecast in the coming weeks, and many customers potentially still owed refunds following the recent storm, Attorney General James is reminding New Yorkers to understand their rights:

• If a flight is significantly delayed, canceled, or if a traveler is denied boarding despite purchasing a ticket, they may be entitled to compensation. Travelers can submit complaints online and should have the following documents and materials available to provide with their complaint:
  • Booking details, such as their ticket, itinerary, and invoice;
  • Flight details, such as dates, flight numbers, and city pairs; and
  • Any supporting documentation, such as a copy of the complaint filed with the airline or ticket agent, if available.
     
• Travelers are eligible to receive a full refund on their ticket within 24 hours of purchasing it and if the ticket is purchased more than seven days before the flight. However, most discount fares are non-refundable.
   
• Travelers are entitled to a refund if an airline cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel or accept travel credits, vouchers, or other forms of compensation offered by the airline.
   
• Airlines are required to adhere to the promises that they make in their customer service plan, including commitments to care for travelers in the event of controllable delays or cancelations. Travelers should consult the DOT’s airline cancelation and delay dashboard to see what amenities and compensation airlines have committed to provide passengers in the event of a controllable delay or cancelation.  
   
• If a flight is scheduled to depart within seven days, airlines are required to provide status updates within 30 minutes of the airline becoming aware of a change. The flight status information must, at a minimum, be provided on the airline's website and telephone reservation system. The airline must also update all flight status displays and other sources of flight information at U.S. airports that are under the airline's control within 30 minutes of the airline becoming aware of the problem.
   
• If an airline has overbooked a flight and not enough passengers have volunteered to give up their seat to fly on a different flight, they may select passengers to bump off the flight. Passengers who are bumped may be entitled to compensation and must receive a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the airline decides who gets bumped.
   
• Travelers are entitled to refunds of their checked bag fees if their baggage: 
  • Has been declared lost by the airline;
  • Is not delivered within 12 hours after the flight has arrived if it is on a domestic flight;
  • Is not delivered within 15 hours after the flight has arrived if the flight is international and shorter than 12 hours; or
  • Is not delivered within 30 hours after the flight has arrived if the flight is international and longer than 12 hours.   

While airlines may voluntarily offer amenities such as meal vouchers or hotel accommodations, federal law generally does not require airlines to provide meals, lodging, or ground transportation for delays or cancelations caused by weather. Travelers should review their airline’s customer service commitments to understand what assistance may be available.

Attorney General James encourages airline passengers to take the following steps when traveling during winter weather:

• Check flight status frequently. Check airline websites or mobile apps before leaving for the airport, as weather-related changes can occur quickly.
   
• Know your options before accepting rebooking or credits. Passengers are not required to accept travel credits or vouchers and may request a cash refund instead if they choose not to travel after a cancelation or significant delay.
   
• Save documentation. Keep copies of booking confirmations, cancelation notices, and any receipts related to travel disruptions.
   
• File a complaint if necessary. If an airline refuses to provide a refund required by law or engages in misleading practices, travelers may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

New Yorkers who encounter flight disruptions due to winter weather can file a complaint online or call OAG at 1-800-771-7755.