Brothers Sentenced to More Than 35 Years Combined for Manufacturing and Distributing Machineguns Intended for ISIS

 

Moyad Dannon, 25, of Fishers, Indiana, was sentenced today to 200 months, equivalent to 16 years and eight months, in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support or resources, namely, firearms, to a designated foreign terrorist organization. His brother, Mahde Dannon, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in October 2021, after pleading guilty to the same charges.

“The defendants in this case fused together two grave threats to Americans’ security by attempting to support a brutal terrorist organization through the illicit manufacture of ghost guns,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Just as we’ve done in the fight against terrorism, the Justice Department is committed to prevention — stopping gun violence before it happens by cracking down on the illegal production and trafficking of ghost guns.”

“The defendant showed an absolute disregard for the rule of law and is being held accountable for his actions,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “Working with his brother, the defendant produced large caches of privately made firearms and attempted to place them in the hands of ISIS members overseas to be used against U.S. service members and allies. The FBI and our partners worked tirelessly to prevent the weapons from reaching their intended destination, and ensured these defendants faced justice for their attempts to support a foreign terrorist organization. We will continue to aggressively investigate anyone who tries to help terrorists and endangers the lives of others.”

“Violent extremists inspired by events abroad continue to pose a threat to our local communities and to our national security. Indiana is not immune from the poison of radicalization, fueled by terrorist propaganda available online,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “For nearly a year, these defendants worked persistently to arm murderous terrorists with deadly, illegal weapons. Cases like this demonstrate the need for law enforcement agencies to use all available lawful means to identify, disrupt, and prosecute national security threats here at home. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Fishers Police Department, these dangerous men have been held accountable for their actions and our communities will be safe from them for many years.”

According to court documents, in June 2018, the Dannon brothers devised a scheme to deliver stolen firearms to a convicted felon who was cooperating with the FBI.

Between July 2018 and December 2018, the Dannon brothers sold a number of illegally obtained firearms to the cooperating individual. Around the same time period, the Dannon brothers also began to manufacture untraceable “ghost guns” by purchasing firearms parts online and assembling those parts into fully-functioning, .223 caliber semi-automatic rifles, which they sold to an FBI undercover agent.

In late 2018, the Dannon brothers began manufacturing untraceable, fully automatic, .223 caliber rifles, using much the same process they used to manufacture the semi-automatic rifles, and selling those to the undercover agent and confidential informant (CI).

Shortly thereafter, Moyad Dannon accompanied the undercover agent to a location near the U.S. southwest border in an effort to market that rifle, and additional fully-automatic rifles, to a potential buyer who was also cooperating with the FBI. During that trip, Moyad Dannon learned that the potential buyer sought to ship the weapons to a location in the Middle East, where they would be used by ISIS. ISIS is a designated foreign terrorist organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Despite learning of the ultimate destination of the weapons, the Dannon brothers agreed to manufacture and sell at least 55 additional fully automatic “ghost guns” to the buyer from the American southwest border, believing those weapons would be shipped to the Middle East, to ISIS and its members. 

On May 15, 2019, the Dannon brothers manufactured five untraceable, fully automatic, .223 caliber rifles from parts they had purchased online. At that time, the Dannon brothers were fully aware that the plan was to send the five automatic rifles overseas to ISIS. After building the fully automatic rifles, the Dannon brothers sold all five weapons to undercover FBI agents posing as employees of the buyer from near the southwest border. The Dannon brothers were arrested immediately thereafter by the FBI.

Between February and May of 2019, Moyad Dannon had numerous and extensive conversations with an undercover agent who he believed was a member of ISIS then fighting in Syria. During those conversations, Moyad expressed his desire to travel from Indiana to ISIS-controlled areas of Syria, where he sought to utilize his knowledge of firearms and other skills to provide direct military assistance to ISIS in its fight against the United States and Syrian government. 

In a search following his arrest, FBI agents located a flash drive on Moyad’s keychain containing approximately 16 gigabytes of ISIS propaganda, including graphically violent videos depicting ISIS fighters beheading civilians and hostages, and ISIS snipers killing U.S. military personnel. Identical ISIS propaganda videos were discovered on a laptop computer.

The FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Fishers, Indiana, Police Department investigated the case.

Governor Hochul Announces Holiday Season “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Initiative

 Additional Troopers will be Deployed on NYS Roads Looking for Impaired Drivers this Holiday Season

Construction Related Lane Closures Limited Over Christmas and New Years Weekend

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Police will participate in the national enforcement initiative to crack down on impaired driving this holiday season. The New York State Police will participate in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which runs from Wednesday, December 13, 2023, through Monday, January 1, 2024.

"Impaired driving is reckless, dangerous and illegal, and we have zero tolerance for it on New York's roadways," Governor Hochul said. “We’re sending a clear message this holiday season that those in violation of our vehicle and traffic laws will be ticketed or face criminal charges.”

In addition to the DWI checkpoints and patrols, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” which requires motorists to exercise extreme caution when passing emergency vehicles that are stopped in or on the side of the road. State Police will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide.

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento said, "We wish you all a wonderful Holiday season and a Happy New Year! We will be doing our part to ensure the holidays remain safe. Our members will remain vigilant upon your roadways to prevent needless tragedies that result from reckless and impaired driving. Please think twice before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been drinking. If you have had a drink, there are numerous options available that will provide safe passage to your destination. Together, let’s make safety on our roadways a priority this holiday season.”

These traffic enforcement campaigns are funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), which promotes and supports participation of law enforcement agencies at the state, county and local levels in high-visibility enforcement efforts. Grant funding is intended to provide for supplemental traffic enforcement and engagement during those times of the year, like the holidays, when there is greater potential for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs to be on the road.

New York State DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Getting together with family and friends to celebrate the holidays brings great joy, and it is incumbent on all of us to make sure that we are keeping ourselves and others safe in the process. Have a plan if you know that your celebrations will involve alcohol. It only takes a moment to figure out how to get home safely, and it will spare many moments of heartache and difficulty down the road if you haven’t made that plan.”

The Have a Plan app can help. The free app from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation allows you to designate a driver, call a cab or ride share, and to review the consequences of impaired driving. You can even use the app to report a drunk or drugged driver. The app is available for Apple, Android, and Windows smart phones.

In an effort to ease travel during the busy holiday weekends, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended beginning Friday, December 22 at 6 a.m. through Tuesday, December 26 at 6 a.m. Construction will also be suspended from Friday, December 29 at 6 a.m. through Tuesday, January 2 at 6 a.m. to ease travel for motorists.

Motorists are advised that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers for emergency repairs. The construction suspension aligns with New York State’s Driver’s First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.

Text stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops, service areas and parking areas along state highways support the state’s effort to reduce distracted driving. The New York State Thruway Authority will also continue its tradition of offering free coffee and hot tea to travelers along the Thruway from 11 p.m. New Year’s Eve through 7 a.m. New Year’s morning to promote safety and alert driving.

The Thruway Authority reminds motorists that 12 service areas are closed and under construction as part of the $450 million private investment and modernization project. Fuel services remain open at all locations. Motorists can view the service areas and plan their stops on the Thruway Authority’s website and on the free mobile app.

During the enforcement campaign, Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe distracted driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

During last year’s crackdown, as reported by the GTSC, law enforcement statewide issued 94,372 tickets. Of those tickets 18,222 were for speeding, 3,028 were for distracted driving, 2,684 were for seatbelts, 472 for the “Move Over Law” and 3,139 individuals were arrested for impaired driving. 66,827 motorists were ticketed for other infractions.

If you drive impaired and break the law, you will face consequences and be held accountable. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services data shows that felony and misdemeanor arrests for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs result in a conviction in approximately 90 percent of cases.

The New York State Police and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also offer these tips to make the holidays safer for all:

• Plan a safe way home before the celebrating begins;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi or ride sourcing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• Use your community’s sober ride program;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES FIRST PHASE OF 10TH AVENUE UPGRADE WITH EXTRA-WIDE PROTECTED BIKE LANE

 

Safety Upgrades Include 10-Foot-Wide Bike Lane, Among Manhattan’s Widest, Better Accommodating E-Bikes on Popular Street for Delivery Workers

 

Concrete Pedestrian Islands, Intersection Safety Upgrades, and Bike Parking Will Enhance Safety for All Road Users

 

Adams Administration on Track to Complete Record Number of New Protected Bike Lane Miles in 2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today celebrated the first phase of the Adams administration’s new safety upgrades to Manhattan’s 10^th Avenue. The upgrades — installed between West 38^th Street and West 52^nd Street in Hell’s Kitchen — feature a 10-foot-wide northbound bicycle lane to improve safety with a growing number of cyclists, e-bike riders, and users of other micromobility modes. The administration also built new concrete pedestrian islands, redesigned intersections to slow turning vehicles, and installed new bicycle corrals — making the street safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The Adams administration is on track to complete a record number of new protected bike lane miles for New York City in 2023.

 

“As New Yorkers change how they use our streets, we need to change our streets with them — and on 10^th Avenue and across the city, we’re doing just that,” said Mayor Adams. “The upgrades we have completed will make 10^th Avenue safer for everyone, and the extra-wide bike lane will make it easier for cyclists to feel comfortable riding through the neighborhood. We are proud to partner with the Hell’s Kitchen community to deliver a better experience for residents and visitors alike, and we look forward to continuing on down 10^th Avenue.”

 

“As biking grows in popularity, our infrastructure must grow alongside it. A 10-foot lane on 10^th Avenue will enable e-bikes and traditional bikes to coexist, creating room for faster vehicles to pass and promoting safe behavior on the road, while supporting our growing cargo bike delivery industry,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “We are grateful to DOT for its vision and advocacy in making this a reality.”

 

“The 10^th Avenue redesign proves that when we reimagine our streets to be safer for cyclists and pedestrians, all road users see the benefits,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “This project brings essential safety upgrades to Hell’s Kitchen and represents just one way we are upgrading our infrastructure to support legal micromobility options. We thank the elected officials — especially Councilmember Bottcher — and the advocates for their partnership in making this happen.”  

 

 

The new, extra-wide bike lane on 10th Avenue. Credit: New York City Department of Transportation

 

The new, extra-wide bike lane and other cycling safety improvements on 10^th Avenue deliver on commitments in Mayor Adams’ “Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan.” Released in March 2023, the plan highlights the importance of adapting street designs to accommodate the growth of e-bikes and other micromobility devices on city streets.

 

Following conversations with Manhattan Community Board 4 in 2022, DOT widened the proposed bike lane to 10 feet for most of the project, maintained a three-foot buffered space between parked cars and the bike lane, and quadrupled the original number of pedestrian islands included in the project. DOT continues to develop wider lane designs for projects across the city. Protected bike lanes improve safety for all road users by shortening crossing distances for pedestrians at intersections, calming vehicle traffic, and improving visibility for those walking, driving, and riding a bike or e-mobility device. These designs have reduced deaths and serious injuries among all road users by 18.1 percent, with a 29.2 percent decline for pedestrians. 

 

At West 41^st and West 42^nd Streets near the Lincoln Tunnel, where many vehicles make turns, DOT will install left-turn lanes with dedicated signal timing to give pedestrians a head start crossing the street. Known as leading pedestrian intervals, these treatments have been shown to reduce pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by almost 35 percent. DOT also installed protected intersections, known as “offset crossings,” at West 39^th, West 43^rd, West 45^th, West 47^th, and West 49^th Streets. These intersections feature painted pedestrian space designed to improve visibility between cyclists and drivers and naturally slow driver turns. DOT installed 10 bicycle corrals across the 14 blocks of the project to provide additional bike parking and further protect the space.

 

DOT plans to implement the second phase of this project — from West 14^th Street to West 38^th Street — with a similar design in 2024.

 

Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, New York City has launched and completed significant bike infrastructure and greenway projects across all five boroughs. After winning a $7.25 million federal grant, Mayor Adams launched an effort to add 40 miles of new greenways in five outer-borough corridors. The Adams administration is also undertaking a groundbreaking effort to expand the Harlem River Greenway seven miles into the Bronx — delivering critical public space in a community too often left behind. Additionally, the administration has launched and completed major bike infrastructure projects in East New York in Brooklyn, on Soundview Avenue in the Bronx, and on Third Avenue in Manhattan, among other locations.

 

“HYHK has supported a bike lane on 10^th Avenue for many years as a way to connect the far West Side with the existing bike network in the neighborhoods of Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, Midtown, and beyond,” said Robert J. Benfatto, president, Hudson Yards Hell's Kitchen (HYHK) Alliance. “Transit infrastructure, such as dedicated bike lanes, allows bikers safer access to city streets. We also love the opportunity for additional greenery the bike lane has created in areas of the district where there was none. We look forward to working with the community to advocate for future bike corridors on the West Side.”

 

“Worker’s Justice Project and Los Deliveristas Unidos applaud the mayor and DOT Commissioner Rodriguez on the completion of these transformative transportation upgrades on 10^th Avenue,” said Gustavo Ajche, leader, Los Deliveristas Unidos. “These enhancements mark an important step in the efforts to foster a safer urban environment for all — including delivery workers who navigate these streets.”

 

“By widening protected bike lanes and implementing innovative safety features at intersections, the 10^th Avenue redesign project will at once encourage the use of micromobility options — which is exactly what we need to reduce climate-damaging emissions from our transportation sector — and make for a safer journey for everyone, including pedestrians,” said Alia Soomro, deputy director for New York City policy, New York League of Conservation Voters. “The New York League of Conservation Voters is thrilled to see the swift completion of phase one of this project and we applaud Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez for their commitment to creating a safer and greener New York City.”

 

Venezuelan National Carlos Orense Azocar Convicted After Trial On Drug Trafficking And Weapons Charges

 

Carlos Orense Azocar Conspired with High-Ranking Venezuelan Officials and Members of the Venezuelan Military and Intelligence Agencies to Distribute Tons of Cocaine to the United States

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict against CARLOS ORENSE AZOCAR yesterday on all three counts in the Indictment, which contained cocaine-importation and weapons charges.  The defendant was found guilty following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “For more than a decade, Carlos Orense Azocar worked with some of the largest narcotics traffickers in the world to send tons of cocaine to the United States.  He partnered with corrupt high-ranking government and military officials in Venezuela and employed an arsenal of high-powered weapons to protect his cocaine distribution organization.  For years, Orense Azocar shipped mountains of poison to this country and made millions of dollars in drug money.  But no more.  A jury in this district has unanimously held Orense Azocar responsible for his crimes, and now he will face a possible life sentence behind bars.” 

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said: “Orense Azocar and his drug trafficking organization used every means available, including high-powered weaponry, government corruption, and bribery, to safeguard his expansive operation and traffic hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.  Today’s verdict is another example of the dangerous and vital work DEA does every day across the globe and our relentless pursuit of justice for those responsible for causing harm to the American people.”

As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

Beginning in or about 2003, ORENSE AZOCAR and his drug trafficking organization distributed tons of cocaine destined for importation into the United States.  ORENSE AZOCAR helped transport, receive, and distribute loads of cocaine ranging from hundreds to thousands of kilograms from Venezuela to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere, using air and maritime routes.  ORENSE AZOCAR operated fincas, or ranches, in Venezuela, where he stored his cocaine in underground tanks, stored hundreds of deadly weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition, and which had clandestine landing strips from which he dispatched airplanes loaded with cocaine.  ORENSE AZOCAR also loaded cocaine on “go-fast” boats that sped from the Venezuelan coastline to intermediate delivery points in the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic and close to Puerto Rico.  To aid in his cocaine distribution, ORENSE AZOCAR worked with and paid bribes to high-ranking officials throughout the Venezuelan government, including military generals and army officials, national police commissioners, and high-ranking officials in the Venezuelan intelligence agencies.  ORENSE AZOCAR’s corrupt Venezuelan government connections secured access to military-grade weaponry, protection from military and law enforcement raids, safe passage for ORENSE AZOCAR’s cocaine convoys through checkpoints, and fraudulent airplane transponder codes to permit ORENSE AZOCAR’s cocaine-laden aircraft to freely depart Venezuela en route to Central America and Mexico.  ORENSE AZOCAR similarly partnered with armed guerilla forces operating in Colombia and Venezuela to source cocaine and secure safe passage for his cocaine shipments.  ORENSE AZOCAR distributed hundreds of tons of cocaine and made tens of millions of dollars through his narcotics trafficking.

To protect and expand his cocaine trafficking organization, ORENSE AZOCAR employed high-powered weaponry.  He had armed security teams that guarded his finca; traveled in armored vehicles with armed security; and used armed security, military forces, and police to protect his convoys of cocaine.  Among other weapons, ORENSE AZOCAR employed automatic rifles, submachine guns, handguns modified to operate as machine guns, and a 50-caliber mounted machine gun. 

ORENSE AZOCAR, 68, of Venezuela, was convicted on three counts: (i) conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential sentence of life in prison; (ii) using and carrying machine guns during, and possessing machine guns in furtherance of, the cocaine-importation conspiracy, which carries a mandatory consecutive minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and maximum potential sentence of life in prison; and (iii) conspiring to use and carry machine guns during, and to possess machine guns in furtherance of, the cocaine-importation conspiracy, which carries a maximum potential sentence of life in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit, OCDETF New York Strike Force, and SDNY Digital Forensics Unit, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.

Attorney General James Issues Statement on the Completion of Trial Against Donald Trump

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following statement after her office rested its case against Donald Trump and the Trump Organization for years of financial fraud: 

Today, after 11 weeks of trial, we rested our case against Donald Trump and the Trump Organization for years of financial fraud. While the judge already ruled in our favor and found that Donald Trump engaged in years of significant fraud and unjustly enriched himself and his family, this trial revealed the full extent of that fraud — and the defendants’ inability to disprove it. We look forward to presenting our closing argument on January 11. 

Governor Hochul Signs Four New Laws to Protect Consumers from Price Gouging, Medical Debt and Unfair Business Practices

 

Legislation S.608C/A.5653B Prohibits Selling Medicine for an Unconscionably Excessive Price During a Drug Shortage

Legislation S.4907A/A.6275A Prohibits Hospitals, Health Care Professionals and Ambulances from Reporting Medical Debt to Credit Agencies

Legislation S.5941B/A.3245D Requires Companies to Notify Customers of Automatic Subscription Renewals and to Provide Clear Instructions for Canceling

Legislation S.1048A/A.2672B Clarifies that Merchants Must Post the Highest Price a Consumer Might Pay for a Product Regardless of Payment Methods

Governor Hochul today signed legislation to protect New York consumers from medicine price-gouging and ongoing financial consequences related to medical debt. Additionally, the Governor signed bills what will curb predatory subscription services, and confusion over the price of many goods and services. Legislation S.608-C/A.5653-B prohibits the sale of medicine for an unconscionably excessive price throughout a drug shortage. Legislation S.4907A/A.6275A prohibits hospitals, health care professionals and ambulances from reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Legislation S.5941B/A.3245D requires companies to notify customers of automatic subscription renewals and to provide clear instructions for canceling said services. Legislation S.1048A/A.2672B clarifies that merchants must post the highest price a consumer might pay for a product, regardless of payment methods.

“As costs and inflation continue to creep up, consumer protection is one of the ways that our state is giving New Yorkers more purchasing power and keeping hard-earned money in their pockets,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation will help to protect individuals struggling with medical debt, unwanted subscriptions, and confusion over prices at the register. No one should have to jump through hoops to protect their finances and today we’re taking steps to help New Yorkers on their journeys toward financial freedom.”

Legislation S.608C/A.5653B prohibits the sale of medicine for an unconscionably excessive price during a drug shortage (as declared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Generally, an “unconscionably excessive price” may include a gross disparity between the price being charged by the seller during the abnormal disruption of the market, and the price charged immediately prior.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE REVEALS 2023 WORST LANDLORD WITH MOST VIOLATIONS IN HISTORY

 

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the 2023 ‘Worst Landlord Watchlist’ today, an annual list which spotlights and shames the most egregiously negligent property owners in the city. The worst landlords are determined by the number of widespread, persistent, dangerous housing violations in their buildings. 

Violations, as compiled and categorized by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, can include issues such as heat and hot water outages, rodent infestation issues, and deteriorating infrastructure. The impact of unchecked safety and code violations was made clear earlier this week, as a portion of a Bronx residential building collapsed. 

The 2023 worst landlord in the city retains the title from 2022. Johnathan Santana, the designated head officer for Daniel Ohebshalom amassed the most open violations in the list’s history last year with 2980, and this year surpassed that record with a staggering 3293 open violations across 306 units in buildings on the list. Daniel Ohebshalom is an infamous owner with neglected, dilapidated buildings across the city. Since Santana topped last year’s list, Ohebshalom has faced increased legal scrutiny, and has settled three separate lawsuits with the city in recent months, totaling $4.2 million dollars, over failures to rectify dangerous conditions at a range of buildings. 

"Johnathan Santana and Daniel Ohebshalom may be shameless in their negligence and predatory practices, as is clear in their record violations, but it’s clear that spotlighting and shaming them and other worst landlords in the city can have meaningful impact,”said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams in releasing the list. “Through tenant organizing, legal battles, and legislative initiatives, we can hold bad actors to account and deliver relief for New Yorkers facing unlivable conditions and declining unaffordable rents. We need to ensure other landlords on the list that accountability and change go beyond the top spot to landlords throughout the list and the city."

While Johnathan Santana and Daniel Ohebshalom had the most violations by a wide margin, over a dozen landlords with properties throughout the city averaged over 1000 open violations in their buildings on the list. The top five worst individual landlords of 2023 are: 

• Johnathan Santana and Daniel Ohebshalom, with an average of 3293 HPD open violations
• David Tennenbaum, with an average of 2416 HPD open violations
• Larry Hirchfield, with an average of 1394 HPD open violations
• Sima Abdavies, with an average of 1372 HPD open violations
• Alfred Thompson, with an average of 1341 HPD open violations

HPD lists Yonah Roth as the head officer for 1915 Billingsley Terrace, the Bronx building which partially collapsed on Monday. Records show Roth's portfolio is affiliated with Jacob Zanger, who ranks #50 on this year's list. 

View the full list of the 100 Worst Landlords, as well as the worst buildings in each borough, here. 

To unveil the list, the Public Advocate rallied with tenants today outside of 410 W. 46th Street in Manhattan, a building that for years was in Johnathan Santana’s name and portfolio under Daniel Ohebshalom. Tenants there have been engaged in a years-long court battle to remedy unsafe conditions in the building, and just weeks ago, successfully saw their property placed under the control of an outside administrator through the 7A program. Administrators are appointed by the Court to operate privately owned buildings that have conditions that are dangerous to the tenants' life, health and safety. The rehabilitation program is designed for extreme circumstances, and allows for vital repairs to be made.

Budget Cuts Make Buildings Dangerous

This year’s list comes amid ongoing, deep, damaging budget cuts to city agencies which threaten the vital services that the HPD provides. Enforcement against the worst landlords in the city is only possible with adequate funding and resources directed toward those efforts. Prior cuts through the administration’s PEGSs (Programs to Eliminate the Gap) have already impacted HPD’s budget, and new cuts announced by the administration will only further weaken the city’s ability to hold bad landlords accountable.

In May, the administration reported a vacancy rate of 15% at HPD, with 115 inspector positions unfilled. In September, the Mayor's Management Report indicated that response times to "non-emergency" violations had slowed due to these vacancies. Progress such as the recent victories against Daniel Ohebshalom will become much more difficult, with tenants left to suffer the consequences of cuts.  

“I’m glad that the city has been able to bring some consequences for landlord negligence in the last year. Delivering greater accountability for tenants will require the resources to conduct inspections and to enforce against the worst landlords in our city,” added the Public Advocate. “Widespread budget cuts to city services and agencies like HPD are dangerous and will weaken our ability to make buildings safe and make landlords pay.”

Chronic underfunding is a key feature of the ongoing worst overall landlord citywide, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). This year, as tenants in some developments have begun to vote on new ways to address the ongoing shameful conditions at these city-run buildings. NYCHA has 596,000 open work orders as of October 2023, and recent estimates suggest that nearly $80 billion dollars will be needed to address current conditions. While funding shortfalls are largely state and federal responsibility, the perpetual mismanagement of NYCHA makes the city itself the worst overall landlord for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. 

Legislating the Worst Landlords

This is the fifth Worst Landlord Watchlist from Public Advocate Williams, who is pursuing legislative solutions to the issues present by the list. This year, the city Council passed his Worst Landlord Law, which will help prevent fraudulent repairs by repeatedly negligent or dishonest landlords, and increase penalties for failure to correct hazardous violations. A second bill, which is yet to pass, would require HPD to more quickly respond to and perform inspections of hazardous violations. Successful implementation of these laws will require full funding of the agency in order to employ more inspectors and hold landlords to account. 

At the launch, the Public Advocate directed New Yorkers to LandlordWatchlist.com, as well his office’s Text Line, 833-933-1692, to learn about whether their landlords are featured on the list, how to report violations, and access resources for tenants to organize and seek relief

Private landlords on the Worst Landlord Watchlist are ranked objectively according to data obtained by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Landlords are ranked based on the average number of housing code violations open per month on their buildings on the watchlist, using data from November 2022 to October 2023. More on the methodology is available here.

View the full Worst Landlord Watchlist, and check to see if your address is owned by a 2023 worst landlord, by visiting LandlordWatchlist.com.

MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS BILL TO CREATE FAIR HOUSING FRAMEWORK FOR MORE EQUITABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION

 

Intro. 1031-A Establishes Housing Production Targets for Each Community District, Assessment of Community Housing Needs 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today took another action to create and maintain more affordable housing across the five boroughs by signing legislation that establishes a “Fair Housing Framework.” The new law helps to ensure that every neighborhood plays an equitable role in addressing the city’s housing crisis through community district-level housing production targets and an assessment of unique community housing needs. The bill was sponsored by New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and will be a critical tool in the administration’s continued efforts to combat the housing and affordability crisis, as well as to address systemic inequities in housing production.  

  

“For far too long, government has let restrictive laws and zoning rules keep us from building the housing New Yorkers need,” said Mayor Adams. “I am proud to stand side-by-side with Speaker Adams to fight the factors that have contributed to housing discrimination and inequality — together with our ‘City of Yes’ plan, the Fair Housing Framework will help right some of the great wrongs of our city’s history. I look forward to our continued partnership with Speaker Adams and the City Council to fight the city’s untenable housing and affordability crisis.” 

 

“Today is a historic day, with my Fair Housing Framework being signed into law, providing another tool to help the city confront our housing crisis through bold and equitable solutions that ensure every community contributes to housing production,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “My Fair Housing Framework legislation will help create a plan that is a foundation for building and preserving housing, prioritizing affordability, and improving access to neighborhood investments and resources. By setting the expectation that every community must help address the housing crisis, the law will establish an important tool of transparency and accountability for solving our housing crisis. I thank my council colleagues, advocates, and labor unions for their strong support of this critical legislation, and Mayor Adams for signing it into law.” 

 

“This legislation recognizes a simple truth: To build the housing we need, every community must do its part,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Delivering on the promise of this bill will require bold action at every level of government. But with the leadership of Mayor Adams, Speaker Adams, and our partners in the City Council, we can meet this generation-defining challenge.” 

  

“Mayor Adams’ and Speaker Adams’ leadership in getting the Fair Housing Framework bill across the finish line demonstrates our strong alignment and commitment to tackling the housing crisis with fairness and equity front and center,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner (HPD) Adolfo Carrión Jr. “By pairing the fair housing assessment plan and strategic equity framework for each community district with the mayor’s proposed zoning changes aimed at adding new housing everywhere across the city, we will ensure every neighborhood is part of the solution to our affordable housing crisis.”  

 

“New York’s uneven and insufficient housing production has failed to meet New Yorkers’ needs for too long, increasing housing costs and displacement pressure in some neighborhoods while others produce virtually no housing,” said New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “I commend Mayor Adams, Speaker Adams and the City Council on their commitment to addressing this pressing issue and look forward to working with them as we continue to advance zoning and land use solutions to create a more affordable, integrated city.” 

 

“NYCHA understands the importance of affordable housing in New York City,” said New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We applaud the work that our city partners are doing as they continue to expand housing opportunities for low- and middle-income New Yorkers and build more inclusive communities throughout the distinct and diverse neighborhoods that comprise the five boroughs.” 

 

Intro. 1031-A requires HPD and DCP to work with other relevant agencies to create a citywide fair housing assessment and strategic equity framework every five years, exploring the obstacles the city must overcome to achieve housing stability and reach the city’s fair housing goals. The city will produce an assessment of long-term citywide housing needs, five-year housing production targets for each community district, and a strategic equity framework that will report on the obstacles and strategies for achieving them. The plan will also focus on the production and preservation of affordable housing, anti-displacement resources, and neighborhood investments for underserved communities.     

  

The Fair Housing Framework builds on the administration’s robust efforts to promote fair housing practices, such as HPD’s elimination of credit checks for New Yorkers selected for affordable housing and progress in executing its comprehensive “Where We Live NYC” fair housing plan, which is expected to be updated in 2025. In September, the administration also released a historic “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal to build “a little more housing in every neighborhood” through the most significant pro-housing reforms in the history of the city’s zoning code.  

 

“Every community across the five boroughs should allow the development of affordable housing, and we applaud the council and mayor for codifying this principle in law,” said Jolie Milstein, president and CEO, New York State Association for Affordable Housing. “This is an important milestone in the effort to get binding, pro-housing legislation passed at the state level.”  

 

“We are pleased that the city has enacted the Fair Housing Framework. We look forward to working with the City Council and agencies to ensure that tangible steps are taken to affirmatively further fair housing and to eliminate the pervasive housing discrimination that continues to exist, including elimination of blanket bans that exclude individuals with a criminal legal history,” said Elizabeth Grossman, executive director, Fair Housing Justice Center, Inc.