MAYOR ADAMS, SPEAKER ADAMS CELEBRATE PASSAGE OF ZONING CHANGES THAT FIGHTS CLIMATE CHANGE BY OPENING DOORS TO CLEANER AIR, LOWER ENERGY COSTS

 

“City of Yes” Initiative Will Deliver Clean Energy, Lower Emissions, More Convenient EV Charging to New Yorkers 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick today celebrated the New York City Council’s approval of the “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” proposal, a historic set of citywide zoning changes that will facilitate climate action, clean energy, and resiliency by removing barriers to greener and more efficient energy systems, buildings, transportation, and water and waste systems. The updates to the zoning code will help reduce New York City’s operational carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050, in accordance with the Paris Climate Accords. This initiative is the first of three “City of Yes” proposals to update New York’s zoning for the 21^st century and foster a more sustainable, prosperous, and equitable city. Its passage comes as the next two proposals — “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” and “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” focused on economic opportunity and housing, respectively — undergo public and environmental review.

“New York City is a ‘City of Yes,’ and this historic proposal will pave the way for a more sustainable future,” said Mayor Adams. “By modernizing our city’s zoning code, we have taken a bold step forward in fighting climate change, while delivering cleaner air, lower energy costs, smarter waste management, and better access to EV technologies to New Yorkers across the city. We are grateful to our partners in the New York City Council for their support on this once-in-a-generation initiative and look forward to working together to advance our next two ‘City of Yes’ proposals to build a more equitable economy and combat the housing crisis.” 

"Removing barriers to creating a greener, more sustainable city is vital to fighting climate change and preparing our city for the long-term future,” said Speaker Adams. "By approving citywide zoning changes that facilitate more energy efficient buildings, transportation, and green infrastructure, the Council is equipping our city and New Yorkers with the tools to create lasting change for our communities. This initiative is critical to New York City’s success, and I thank my colleagues and the administration for their partnership.”

“Our city — and our world — is facing a climate emergency, and these urgent reforms show that the city is rising to meet the moment,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “New York is a ‘City of Yes,’ and that means yes to solar panels, energy storage, and green infrastructure in every neighborhood. We are grateful to Speaker Adams and her colleagues in the City Council for their partnership on these historic reforms.” 

“We all have a part to play in ensuring New York leads the way in fighting climate change. We can make meaningful progress towards climate neutrality with the help of the people and institutions building and maintaining New York’s infrastructure,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Zoning changes within the ‘City of Yes’ are the special sauce that will make our ambitious goals possible. Thank you to our partners in the New York City Council for putting the environment first.”

“This is the most ambitious, far-reaching initiative in the history of New York’s zoning to combat climate change,” said DCP Director Garodnick. “From solar panels to energy storage and EV charging to building retrofits, these changes will unlock a massive increase in green infrastructure in all corners of our city. This puts us on a path for a more sustainable future for ourselves, our children, and generations to come.” 

“One of the most significant changes to zoning in New York City history, the passage of the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality is critical to the city and state reaching our ambitious climate and emissions reduction mandates,” said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “When we drew up the plans to green our buildings, we also committed to providing New Yorkers with the tools they would need to comply with those mandates, and the changes approved by the City Council today are how we are ‘Getting Sustainability Done.’ The fulfillment of this PlaNYC commitment is how we, New Yorkers, are taking the deliberate steps necessary to meet the challenge of the climate crisis.” 

“Modernizing our aging infrastructure network is critically important to build a stronger and more resilient system and minimize the impacts we face year after year due to extreme weather events,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Today’s achievement is a key element of what Mayor Adams’ administration is undertaking for New York City — by prioritizing greener, more efficient energy, transportation, and water systems for New Yorkers.” 

“Ambitious and modern solutions are what New York City needs to create a smarter and healthier city for future generations — that is exactly what we see here today in the ‘City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality,’" said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “With these citywide zoning changes, New Yorkers can expect a greener, more resilient, more prosperous, and more affordable city, with energy efficiency in our buildings, in our transportation systems, and throughout our neighborhoods.”

“The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality will drive both meaningful climate action and economic growth by facilitating clean and green infrastructure investments throughout the five boroughs,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “NYCEDC is thrilled that the City Council approved this measure, and we look forward to seeing its positive sustainable impact on our future projects.” 

“Electrifying transportation is key to meeting the city’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. City of Yes will help ensure every New Yorker will be living within 2.5 miles of a fast charger by 2035 — boosting electric vehicle adoption and expanding charging infrastructure to where for-hire vehicle drivers live and work,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We thank Mayor Adams, our sister agencies, and the City Council for their support of this holistic approach to achieving carbon neutrality.” 

“The vote for City of Yes is a big step towards addressing the increasing threat of climate change and will help create a healthier, safer, and more sustainable city for all of us,” said Fire Department of the City of New York Commissioner Laura Kavangah. “Our first responders have seen the increasingly destructive impact of natural disasters on our city, and this initiative will help protect our communities throughout the five boroughs.” 

“In just a few short weeks, the Local Law 97 carbon emission caps for our city’s largest buildings go into effect — and planned energy efficiency retrofits needed to meet those limits are often hindered by conventional zoning restrictions,” said New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo. “This administration has been clear that in order to meet our city’s ambitious climate goals, we must provide support to property owners as they undertake this necessary work. The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality plan brings innovative updates to our city’s zoning regulations — removing regulatory barriers for building owners looking to implement green building retrofits and smoothing their path on the road to comply with Local Law 97.” 

“With today’s actions, Mayor Adams and DCP continue to set the course for a more sustainable city — making critical investments that will accelerate New York’s path towards carbon neutrality,” said New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll. “Landmark-designated buildings can and should become more climate resilient and energy efficient, and the plan passed today demonstrates the strength of this administration’s commitment to sustainability, providing new pathways for New Yorkers to retrofit their homes, and helping unlock the potential of our landmark buildings as they evolve to meet modern environmental standards and needs.” 

“Updating New York City’s old zoning rules is an important step in the transformation into a more climate-ready future and assists us with ensuring no one is left behind in this transition away from fossil fuels,” said New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah M. Hutchinson. “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality will help us advance our commitment to cut transportation emissions in half, support access to local clean energy, and make our homes, businesses, and even waste streams much cleaner. Reducing regulatory burdens can bring needed housing, quality jobs, and healthier communities in the areas of New York City that need it most.” 

With today’s approval, “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” will go into effect within five days. The initiative updates outdated regulations that created major roadblocks for New Yorkers who hoped to retrofit their homes for energy efficiency or resiliency, install heat pumps or solar panels, switch to electric vehicles, or compost and recycle — all critical steps for New York City to reach its ambitious environmental goals. Among others, its 17 policies include: 

• Facilitating a Renewable Energy Grid: Removing zoning obstacles that severely limit how much rooftop space can be covered by solar panels, unnecessarily slowing the city’s shift towards renewable energy sources. This policy makes it easier to install energy storage infrastructure needed for solar energy and facilitate standalone, grid-supporting solar and community microgrids — particularly in low-income communities — that are currently banned in residential areas. These changes will open over 8,500 acres of parking lots across the city for potential use of solar panels. If fully built out, these solar panels could power more than 130,000 homes. 
• Creating Cleaner Buildings: Lightening onerous restrictions on the height and thickness of walls that restrict building electrification and retrofits for greater efficiency. This policy will add flexibility, making these modifications possible while maintaining the look and feel of the city’s neighborhoods. These changes will facilitate environmentally-friendly retrofits for over 50,000 buildings, including more than 1 million homes where retrofits are currently infeasible and restricted by city zoning. 
• Supporting Electric Vehicles and Micromobility: More than doubling commercially-zoned land where electric-vehicle charging facilities can be located. This policy also clarifies regulations and facilitates safe bicycle and e-mobility parking. These changes mean that electric vehicle charging is now possible in more than 400 million additional square feet of space throughout the city. 
• Modernizing Water, Compost, and Recycling Regulations: Expanding the use of permeable pavement and rain gardens will cut red tape and eliminate uncertainty for recycling and composting and encourage rooftop food production. These changes will help divert the 34 percent of New York City’s residential waste — and as much as 45 percent of all solid waste — that is organic material from landfills to beneficial use. 

In the lead-up to the City Council’s approval, “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” received positive recommendations from 25 Community Boards, as well as from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens borough presidents, and the Bronx and Manhattan Borough Boards. It also received an 11-1 vote in support at the City Planning Commission. “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” is the first component of Mayor Adams’ three-part “City of Yes” plan, comprised of three bold, citywide zoning text amendments that will modernize the city’s zoning to foster a greener, more affordable, more prosperous city — instead of allowing outdated zoning rules to hinder the city’s goals and growth. The second, “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity,” entered the formal public review process last month and is currently being reviewed by the city’s Community Boards, borough presidents, and Borough Boards. The third, “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” is undergoing environmental review and will be referred for public review in spring 2024.

“The City Council took a big step in the fight against climate change today by passing the ‘City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality’ zoning amendment, a top NYLCV priority. Simplifying the process to implement green technologies and retrofit buildings for clean energy solutions will mean fewer emissions and better air quality, and it is absolutely essential to meeting the city’s ambitious climate goals,” said Alia Soomro, deputy director, New York City policy, New York League of Conservation Voters. “We applaud Mayor Adams, DCP Director Dan Garodnick and the City Council for coming together to get this climate friendly measure over the finish line,”

“Urban Green applauds these comprehensive, common sense zoning measures that will accelerate decarbonization in NYC,” said John Mandyck, CEO, Urban Green Council. “We were proud to partner with DCP to facilitate stakeholder input to guide and support this outcome. This package is a reminder that the boldest climate action requires detailed implementation to be successful, and we’re grateful that implementation is underway in NYC.”

"The future of New York City and the entire region faces unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. We applaud Mayor Eric Adams, NYC DCP Director and CPC Chair Dan Garodnick, and the entire Adams administration for boldly addressing these problems and striving for a carbon-neutral city,” said Maulin Mehta, New York director, Regional Plan Association. “Modernizing and streamlining our zoning code through reforms that will encourage adding solar trellises, heat pumps, EV charging stations, and more green retrofits across the city are particularly critical to help us act to counter the difficult reality ahead, and we look forward to helping them be swiftly implemented.”

"Today, NYC took a major step forward towards meeting our emission reduction goals by removing existing barriers and expanding opportunities for decarbonization projects," said Jesse Lazar, executive director, American Institute of Architects, New York. "AIANY commends Mayor Adams, the City Council, and DCP on working to make the goals in the ‘City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality’ zoning text amendment both ambitious and achievable. These changes will be pivotal for decarbonizing building stock, deploying renewables, and enabling New Yorkers to access a wide variety of low-carbon transportation options.”

“NYSERDA is pleased to see the passage of ‘City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality’ adopting citywide zoning changes. This initiative will expand access to solar and energy storage in New York City, accelerate building modernization and deployment of electric vehicle charging stations while helping to create a healthier city for all,” said Susanne DesRoches, vice president of clean resilient buildings, New York State Research and Development Authority.

“’City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality’ will facilitate efforts by government and the private sector to address the rapidly shifting demands that climate change is placing on the city, its residents, and businesses,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO, Partnership for New York City.

Governor Hochul Unveils Vibrant, Community-Strengthening Vision for Underutilized Creedmoor Campus in Eastern Queens

Comprehensive Master Plan Envisions Over 2,800 Units of Housing, Including Affordable Housing, and Fulfills Other Local Needs and Priorities Such as Community Facilities, Open Space, and Much-Needed Amenities

Plan Reflects Extensive Community Visioning Process Led in Partnership with Queen Borough President Donovan Richards

Complements Governor Hochul’s Bold Vision to Address New York State’s Housing Crisis Through Executive Action – Including Initiative to Repurpose State-Owned Sites as Housing

Read the Creedmoor Master Plan Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled the Creedmoor Community Master Plan, a community-driven framework for redeveloping underutilized land at the 125-acre Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus in Eastern Queens. The plan seeks to transform approximately 58 acres of the State-owned Creedmoor campus from surface parking lots, overgrowth, and vacant buildings into a vibrant new community with homes, recreational spaces, greenery, and neighborhood retail. It is the result of a six-month collaborative planning process led by Empire State Development and the Queens Borough President's Office, facilitated with help from the Metropolitan Urban Design Workshop. The plan, which was released today at a meeting with community stakeholders, is available here.

“Creedmoor represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Yorkers to reimagine State land and plan for the emerging needs of tomorrow,” Governor Hochul said. “Working together in productive partnership with the community – and thanks to the leadership of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards – we can build more housing, create more jobs, and strengthen Eastern Queens for the next generation.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, “The potential before us on the Creedmoor campus is limitless, as the new Creedmoor Master Plan boldly outlines. From thousands of units of housing to historic homeownership opportunities to school seats to community facilities to retail, this plan represents the single largest investment in Eastern Queens in generations, and I could not be more excited for the work ahead. It’s taken decades to get to this moment, and I’m deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, Empire State Development and the residents of Eastern Queens for their tireless dedication and partnership in developing this community-centric proposal from the ground up. We’re making history every day in Queens, and this project is yet another example of our borough’s bright future.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “After decades of unrealized promises about Creedmoor, today Governor Hochul, ESD, and Borough President Donovan stand together in partnership with the community to support this comprehensive plan to strengthen Eastern Queens. This vision represents a new opportunity for the neighborhoods around Creedmoor to finally move forward on local priorities and prepare for the community’s emerging needs.”

The Creedmoor Community Master Plan introduces over 2,800 units of new housing, with more than 55 percent designated as homeownership. This would represent the area’s single largest new investment in housing since the 1950s and its largest single expansion in homeownership opportunities in nearly 50 years. The Plan also introduces a mix of affordable rental options for seniors and families, and continues a nearly 80-year history of veteran housing in Eastern Queens by offering individuals who have served in the armed forces preferential access to a portion of the project’s units. In addition, the Plan designates approximately 14 acres for open space and sets aside locations for amenities such as a recreation center, daycare facility, school, and neighborhood retail.

The Plan’s development involved an extensive six-month community engagement process which included in-person and virtual workshops that identified priorities like a need for community gathering spaces, diverse housing options, neighborhood retail, and improved transit. Following the Plan's release, Empire State Development (ESD) will form the Creedmoor Community Advisory Committee to provide ongoing guidance on implementation. The next steps include commencing an environmental review process in 2024. ESD will also create a General Project Plan and will release requests for proposals (RFPs) to find development partners who will implement the Plan in phases.

Repurposing State Land for Housing

Governor Hochul announced a package of executive actions earlier this year to promote housing growth as part of an ongoing commitment to increasing the housing supply and addressing New York's housing crisis. As part of that package, the Governor directed state agencies to review lands in their ownership and control and determine whether those sites can be used for housing.

Yesterday, Governor Hochul unveiled a proposal to transform the former Lincoln Correctional Facility in New York City into a vibrant, mixed-use development with 105 units of affordable housing. The Governor has also announced requests for proposals to redevelop the former Bayview Correctional Facility and Javits Center's Site K in Manhattan and the former Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill with an emphasis on housing.

 

MAYOR ADAMS NAMES LEILA BOZORG AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HOUSING, LAUNCHES HOUSING-AT-RISK TASK FORCE TO SAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS

 

Task Force Will Help Keep Projects on Schedule to Rescue at Least

5,000 Safe, High-Quality, Affordable Homes for New Yorkers

At the New York Housing Conference’s annual awards ceremony, New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Leila Bozorg — a national affordable housing expert — as the city’s new executive director of housing, part of the expanded housing, economic development, and workforce team under Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. To further his administration’s commitment to accelerating the production and preservation of affordable housing, Mayor Adams also launched the “Housing-at-Risk Task Force” to save projects that are in jeopardy due to the expiration of the “Affordable Housing New York” 421-a tax abatement program.

 

Created through an executive order signed by Mayor Adams today, the “Housing-at-Risk Task Force” will bring together city agencies and external project management support to help ensure the thousands of affordable units at risk of losing their financing will be delivered as safe, high-quality, affordable homes for New Yorkers. The task force will work to ensure up to 50 projects will stay on schedule to deliver at least 5,000 affordable units before the deadline in 2026.

 

“We are not waiting to move forward on our ambitious housing agenda,” said Mayor Adams. “We are doing everything we can to combat the housing and affordability crisis for New Yorkers now. And today’s appointment of Leila Bozorg as our new executive director of housing and the launch of the Housing-at-Risk Task Force underscore our urgency and will deliver new tools and support in our fight against this crisis.”

 

“New York is enormously lucky to have Leila as the executive director for housing. Leila is a first-class public servant with decades of experience in housing in New York and Washington, D.C. Her talents, work ethic, and compassion are unmatched and will benefit New Yorkers across the five boroughs as we work to combat our city’s housing crisis,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “With the launch of the ‘Housing-at-Risk Task Force,’ we are showing once again that this administration is laser-focused on ‘Getting Stuff Built’ and delivering homes for New York families.”

 

“Every New Yorker deserves dignified housing they can afford. Delivering on this fundamental vision for the world’s greatest city demands clear-eyed commitment and action from each of us — from the capitol to the council, from each of our neighbors to the community boards that so intimately know each borough, block, and lot,” said incoming Executive Director of Housing Bozorg. “I’m honored that Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer have charged me with leading the housing agenda, and I acknowledge all those whose shoulders I stand on and amongst, as we continue to tackle the affordability crises head-on together. I intend to bring my two decades of experience in housing policy, city planning, and promoting equity to the task, and look forward to working with partners across agencies and sectors in the effort. Every part of life in New York City begins with a safe place to call home, and everyone deserves the opportunity to build and sustain their lives here.”

 

As executive director for housing, Bozorg will be charged with using every tool at the city’s disposal to preserve existing housing — including at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) facilities — as well as protect renters and homeowners and build more housing across the five boroughs. Bozorg will partner with relevant staff, agencies, and offices focused on housing, including the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation, NYCHA, and the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations.

 

While the 421-a tax abatement for affordable housing projects expired as of June 15, 2022, projects that began before its expiration can still receive the tax benefit as long as they are complete by June 15, 2026. To help these projects reach completion, the new task force will convene the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Fire Department of the City of New York, New York City Department of Transportation, and HPD, as well as local authorities and external parties. Through an application process and proactive outreach, the task force will lead affordable projects through a “boot camp” process to establish a clear schedule for permitting and inspections to help the projects obtain sign-off to welcome residents. The application to enter the program is available online.

 

This new initiative builds on the Adams administration’s efforts to cut red tape and combat the city’s housing and affordability crisis. In December 2022, Mayor Adams released “Get Stuff Built,” a comprehensive, three-pronged effort to rapidly accelerate the pace of housing production with a “moonshot” goal of meeting the need for 500,000 new homes over the next decade. In September 2023, Mayor Adams unveiled his “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal to create “a little more housing in every neighborhood” through historic, pro-housing zoning reforms.

 

“Red tape can’t be the reason these housing projects slip away and become stalled construction projects,” said “Get Stuff Built” Executive Director Rob Holbrook. “Regular communication with permitting agencies following a clear schedule is the best way to build confidence that the construction process will be delivered on time.”

 

“I’m excited about working with Leila in her new role as executive director of housing at this critical time in our city’s history,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Leila is a creative, thoughtful, and proven leader and an innovative urban planner. She served as deputy commissioner at HPD, and our team can tell you firsthand that she is the kind of leader who is deeply committed to tackling New York’s most intractable challenges. In her key leadership roles, she has promoted racial equity and worked to eliminate bureaucracy — a key focus of our administration. Leila is the consummate professional with the perfect track record in the housing arena at HUD, at HPD, and in a variety of other key roles. I look forward to our collaboration as we rally our partners in government and the private sector to address New York City’s housing affordability crisis.”

 

“On behalf of NYCHA, I’d like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Leila Bozorg on her new appointment,” said NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Leila has a wealth of housing experience, and we truly look forward to working alongside her to provide New Yorkers with affordable housing and the quality of life they deserve.”

 

“With her extensive background in affordable housing, neighborhood planning, and community engagement, Leila Bozorg is well positioned to serve as the new executive director for housing,” said New York City Housing Development Corporation President Eric Enderlin. “Having held senior positions at multiple levels of government, Leila has both the experience and temperament to lead a coordinated interagency effort to tackle the city’s housing crisis.”

 

“Leila Bozorg is an incredibly dedicated public servant, and we are lucky to have her in this new role,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “She has been a thoughtful and collaborative member of the City Planning Commission, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue working with her as executive director for housing to deliver the housing that New Yorkers need.”

 

“If we don’t take action now, thousands of affordable homes for New York families could be lost,” said DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo. “I commend Mayor Adams for creating this new task force, which is focused on breaking down silos between agencies and providing the government support needed to get these housing projects across the finish line.”

 

“I am thrilled to be able to ‘Get Stuff Done’ alongside Leila Bozorg, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in housing and city planning,” said Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations Executive Director Rudy S. Giuliani. “Leila’s deep expertise and passion for shaping vibrant, resilient communities make her a standout addition, and I look forward to working with her to ensure all New Yorkers have safe and resilient homes.”

 

About Leila Bozorg

 

Leila Bozorg is a committed public servant with two decades of experience improving equitable access to opportunity in housing and education. She rejoins the City of New York after serving as the chief of strategy and policy at NYC Kids RISE, where she helped facilitate the citywide expansion of the Save for College program. In 2021, Bozorg was appointed by the Manhattan borough president to the New York City Planning Commission.

 

From 2014 to 2020, Bozorg served in multiple roles at HPD, including as chief of staff to the commissioner, and later as the deputy commissioner for neighborhood strategies, where she managed teams with over 300 staff in overseeing HPD’s Housing Choice Voucher program, as well as the agency’s land use, predevelopment, and neighborhood planning strategies. While at HPD, Bozorg was the 2019 recipient of the Citizen Housing and Planning Commission’s Ibo Balton Award for Community Planning. 

 

Prior to her work at HPD, Bozorg served at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for four years during the Obama administration, concluding her federal service as a senior policy advisor in the Office of Affordable Housing Preservation.

 

Bozorg also worked in Ahmedabad, India as a fellow with the American India Foundation. She was named a 2022 “40 under 40 Rising Star” by City & State magazine, a 2023 “Notable LGBTQIA+ leader” by Crain’s New York, and a 2023 “Pride Power 100” by City & State.

 

She holds a B.A. in Government Studies from Wesleyan University and a Master of City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Bozorg will report to Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer.

 

Sixty Foreign Nationals Charged with International Drug Trafficking

 

Eight indictments were unsealed in the District of Columbia, Southern District of California, Central District of California, and Northern District of Illinois charging 60 Mexican and foreign nationals with international heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana trafficking.

The unsealing of the indictments comes at the same time that the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against 12 of the defendants linked to the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO).

“The eight indictments unsealed today charging 60 defendants are the latest installments in the Justice Department’s relentless pursuit of drug trafficking organizations that smuggle illicit narcotics into the United States,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Together with our partners — across the U.S. government and around the world — we will use every tool at our disposal and target every link in the supply chain to dismantle the organizations that flood our communities with deadly narcotics.”

One defendant, Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe, aka Salgado and Musico, 49, is indicted in the District of Columbia, Southern District of California, and Northern District of Illinois. As alleged in court documents, Gastelum Iribe coordinated deliveries of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin into the United States and deliveries of millions of dollars of cash narcotics proceeds from customers in the United States for the BLO.

District of Columbia

Three indictments were unsealed in the District of Columbia charging five Mexican nationals with international drug trafficking.

As alleged in the indictments, Jose Gil Caro Quintero, aka Pelo Chino and El Chino, 55, conspired to import large quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the United States from 1994 to January 2022. Francisco Abraham Flores Ortiz, aka Panchito, 46, and two now-deceased co-conspirators, allegedly conspired to import large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana from Mexico into the United States for distribution from January 2008 to January 2018. Gastelum Iribe allegedly conspired to import large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States for distribution from January 2009 to December 2015.

Caro Quintero, Flores Ortiz, and Gastelum Iribe are all charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for unlawful importation into the United States. Gastelum Iribe is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. If convicted, Caro Quintero and Flores Ortiz face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Gastelum Iribe faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego Field Office for the investigation of Caro Quintero.

Trial Attorneys Kate Naseef and Samantha Thompson of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the cases, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Martin for the Southern District of California for the prosecution of Caro Quintero.

Southern District of California

Three indictments were unsealed in the Southern District of California charging 29 individuals with international drug trafficking offenses.

“These indictments have neutralized dozens of alleged maritime traffickers and prevented addictive, harmful, and increasingly often deadly drugs from reaching American shores and streets,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California. “Cases like this are critical for disrupting, disabling, and dismantling the sinister and deadly operations of foreign drug trafficking organizations in the United States.”

The first indictment returned in September 2019 charges Gastelum Iribe, Servando Lopez Lopez, 49, and another individual with allegedly conspiring to distribute cocaine knowing it would be imported into the United States and a maritime drug conspiracy. If convicted, they each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The second indictment returned in April also charges Juan Pablo Bastidas Erenas, 43, Bogar Soto Rodriguez, aka Ricardo Colmenarez, 49, Juvenal Leon Rodriguez, 47, Mario German Beltran Araujo, 31, Ulises Franco Figueroa, 36, Oscar Aleman Meza, 61, and 17 others with conspiring to distribute cocaine knowing it would be imported into the United States and a maritime drug conspiracy. If convicted, they each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The third indictment returned in April charges Josue De Jesus Estrada Gutierrez and two others with conspiring to import cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. If convicted, they each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum penalty of life in prison.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Coast Guard Investigative Service is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua C. Mellor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison B. Murray for the Southern District of California are prosecuting the cases.

Central District of California

An indictment was unsealed in the Central District of California charging Amberto Beltran, aka Amembertito, 34, for allegedly conspiring with 26 co-conspirators to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine, at least five kilograms of cocaine, and at least one kilogram of heroin.

“International drug traffickers profit off the suffering of others and, in the process, devastate families and undermine communities,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Our office is committed to bringing to justice those who cause so much pain to our people.”

Beltran is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison on each count and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The DEA investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher C. Kendall and Skyler F. Cho for the Central District of California are prosecuting this case.

Northern District of Illinois

An indictment unsealed in the Northern District of Illinois charges Gastelum Iribe for allegedly conspiring with others to traffic distribution quantities of cocaine and heroin into Chicago in 2007 and 2008. As part of the conspiracy, Gastelum Iribe allegedly acted as a logistical coordinator for Arturo Beltran Leyva’s drug trafficking organization, coordinating deliveries of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin into the United States from Mexico.

“The charges announced today make clear that the Department of Justice remains focused on dismantling transnational criminal organizations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “We will continue to investigate and hold accountable members of drug cartels who seek to traffic narcotics in our communities.”

“This joint effort is emblematic of the federal government’s commitment to combatting the scourge of illegal narcotics in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) Chicago Field Office. “We understand that combatting drug trafficking requires a multifaceted approach and IRS:CI is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners in this endeavor.”

If convicted, Gastelum Iribe faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. The indictment also seeks $885 million in forfeiture from Gastelum Iribe.

The DEA Chicago Field Division, IRS:CI Chicago Field Office, and Chicago Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erika Csicsila and Andrew Erskine for the Northern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.

The cases in the District of Columbia, Southern District of California, Central District of California, and Northern District of Illinois are supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.  

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

Attorney General James Announces Arrest of Manhattan Fentanyl and Gun Trafficker

 

Attorney General James and New York State Police Indict Man who Allegedly Sold Deadly Fentanyl, Heroin, and Guns in Rockland County and Manhattan

Investigation Recovers Firearms and Over $140,000 Worth of Drugs

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a 94-count indictment charging Rafael Figueroa of Washington Heights, Manhattan with the sale of fentanyl, heroin, and firearms. The investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) seized more than 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl and over 75 grams of heroin worth approximately $142,000, three loaded handguns, a loaded assault rifle, and three high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.

“Drug and gun traffickers put New Yorkers in danger and my office will continue to prosecute those who flood our communities with deadly weapons and narcotics,” said Attorney General James. “This takedown successfully removed dangerous opioids and firearms from our streets. I want to thank our partners in law enforcement for their assistance throughout this investigation.” 

Firearms recovered by the investigation

As alleged in the indictment, from August 2022 to January 2023, Rafael Figueroa engaged in 11 separate sales of drugs and four separate sales of firearms. The year-long investigation, which began with sales of fentanyl in New York County, spread to Rockland County and eventually included additional sales of heroin and firearms. The investigation included hundreds of hours of physical surveillance, covert cameras, and undercover operations.

The indictment, unsealed before a Rockland County Court, charged Figueroa with 94 crimes. These include various counts of A and B-Felony level Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, B, C, and D-Felony level firearms crimes, and Conspiracy to commit those crimes. 

The charges against the defendant are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The investigation was led by OCTF Detectives Zylona Silva and Luis Flores, under the supervision of OCTF Detective Supervisor Bradford Miller, OCTF Assistant Chief Ismael Hernandez, and OCTF Deputy Chief Andrew Boss, along with investigators with the New York State Police (NYSP) Special Investigations Unit. The Attorney General’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes. 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR FATALLY SHOOTING MAN NEAR PLAYGROUND IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

 

Defendant Convicted by Jury of Murder and Weapon Possession

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for killing a man in a hail of gunfire near a NYCHA playground on a Sunday morning.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant opened fire on a Sunday morning near the Monroe Houses, shooting at the victim seven times, striking him twice. This is another example of a callous shooter, and with its verdict a Bronx jury has decided our community has had enough.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jameel Campbell, 45, last of 800 Soundview Avenue, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for second-degree Murder and 15 years in prison with five years’ post-release supervision for second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon which will run concurrently, by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Guy Mitchell. The defendant was convicted of the charges after a jury trial that lasted over a month.

 According to the investigation, on September 13, 2020, at approximately 9:15 a.m. near 1770 Bruckner Boulevard, the defendant shot at Ezequiel Rivera, 27, seven times, two of those bullets stuck the victim leading to his death. Campell fled to Atlantic City, NJ and was apprehended by authorities in February 2021.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Trial Preparation Assistants Jonathan Campa Pantaleon, and Jazmine Pagoada of the Homicide Bureau as well as NYPD Detectives Colin Higgins of Bronx Homicide and Jennifer Nicalek, now of the Intelligence Bureau Executive Protection Unit, for their work on the investigation.

BROOKLYN DAY CARE CENTER OWNER CHARGED WITH SUBMITTING A FRAUDULENT CPR CERTIFICATE

 

Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the arrest of the Educational Director of a Brooklyn day care center on charges of submitting an altered Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (“CPR”) Certificate to the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (“DOHMH”). DOI began its investigation after DOHMH reported discrepancies in a CPR Certificate submitted by the defendant in March 2023. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. 

ANGELINA STASYUK, 40, of Staten Island, N.Y., is charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony; Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony; and Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree and Misrepresentation by a Child Day Care Provider, both class A misdemeanors. Upon conviction, a class D felony is punishable by up to seven years in prison, a class E felony is punishable by up to four years in prison, and a class A misdemeanor by up to a year’s incarceration.

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “As charged, the defendant, an educational director of a childcare program in New York City, altered a CPR certificate so that it would appear active. This certification, which confirms current training in critical, life-saving skills, is required to operate a childcare facility. The charged conduct violates the trust parents and caregivers placed in this business. I thank the sharp-eyed Department of Health employee for reporting this matter to DOI, and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in our efforts to ensure that City childcare facilities comply with all safety-related requirements.

According to the criminal complaint, group childcare facilities in New York City must receive a DOHMH permit in order to operate, and each facility must designate an educational director, who must have certain qualifications. Since 2013 the defendant has worked as the Educational Director for Elite Kids Services, which does business as Brooklyn Tots Academy and is located at 2211 Coney Island Ave. in Brooklyn.

As charged, on February 23, 2023, DOHMH closed Brooklyn Tots Academy after a routine inspection. On March 27, 2023, following a site visit, DOHMH determined that the facility could be re-opened once the defendant obtained an active CPR certification. DOHMH received an email from the defendant on March 27, 2023, containing a copy of the defendant’s CPR certification purportedly issued on January 17, 2023, by a certified CPR Instructor. In fact, as alleged, the defendant did not take a class provided by the Instructor on that date and the issue date on the CPR Certificate had been altered. The defendant has acknowledged that she altered the date on her expired CPR Certificate and has stated that she regrets doing so. 

On March 29, 2023, the defendant obtained proper recertification for CPR and submitted proper documentation to DOHMH. The day care re-opened on March 30, 2023.

Commissioner Strauber thanked Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and his staff for the prosecution of this matter, which is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Tamara Edelstein, and DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan and his staff for their assistance. 

A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.  

Governor Hochul Welcomes the 2024 Belmont Stakes to the Saratoga Race Course

 

Four Day Belmont Festival Coming in June, No Changes to Saratoga’s 40-Day Summer Meet

Modernization of Belmont Park Continues

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga Race Course in 2024 to allow for the uninterrupted construction of a new and re-imagined Belmont Park, the Long Island home of the third leg of the Triple Crown.

“As part of the exciting modernization of Belmont Park, Saratoga now adds to its storied history by hosting the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown,” Governor Hochul said. “It’s a win for horseracing and for the Capital Region to have the excitement and the ability to host the four-day Festival in June at America’s most historic track. As I said during the 2023 Saratoga Meet, ‘Let’s do it.’”

Highlighted by the 156th edition of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will begin on Thursday, June 6 and continue through Sunday, June 9. The four-day Festival at Saratoga Race Course will include 23 stakes races in total with purses totaling $9.7 million, the highest purse levels and number of stakes offered since the launch of the multi day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014.

An American tradition inaugurated in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack and moved in 1905 to Belmont Park, the Belmont Stakes has provided fans with some of the most exciting moments in sports history. From Secretariat’s spellbinding 31-length victory in 1973 to American Pharoah successfully ending a 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015, the Belmont Stakes captures the attention of the sports world every June.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will increase the purse of the Belmont Stakes from $1.5 million to $2 million in 2024, which is the first significant increase since 2014. In addition, pending the approval of the North American Graded Stakes Committee, the Belmont Stakes will be contested at 1 1/4 miles in 2024 rather than the traditional 1 1/2 miles due to the configuration of Saratoga’s main track.

Earlier this year, Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget included a proposal for NYRA to build new thoroughbred racing facilities at Belmont Park, the FY2024 Enacted Budget granted that approval. This project will upgrade the 117-year-old track, bringing the modern hospitality offerings fans expect while generating $1 billion in construction-related impacts, 3,700 construction jobs, $155 million in annual economic activity, and 740 new full-time jobs. Upgrading Belmont will also secure the future of the sport of horse racing, which sustains 19,000 jobs across the state and a $3 billion annual economic impact. The new Belmont Park will also dramatically expand the amount of open space available to fans and the surrounding community.

Following the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, the NYRA circuit will return to Aqueduct Racetrack for the remainder of the spring meet before racing shifts to Saratoga for the annual 40-day summer meet beginning Thursday, July 11. Prior to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the Belmont spring/summer meet will be conducted at Aqueduct. The fall meet customarily held at Belmont Park will again be shifted to Aqueduct Racetrack in 2024 while construction of a new Belmont Park continues.

While 2024 will mark the first time the Belmont Stakes unfolds at Saratoga, the race was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack from 1963-1967 when Belmont Park last underwent significant renovations. Traditionally run at the “Test of the Champion” distance of 1 ½ miles, the distance has been adjusted throughout history and as recently as 2020 when the Triple Crown was modified because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional information and details on hospitality offerings, ticket packages and pricing for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course will be available in early 2024.