Qakbot Malware Disrupted in International Cyber Takedown

 

Qakbot Malware Infected More Than 700,000 Victim Computers, Facilitated Ransomware Deployments, and Caused Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Damage Worldwide

The Justice Department today announced a multinational operation involving actions in the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Romania, and Latvia to disrupt the botnet and malware known as Qakbot and take down its infrastructure. The Qakbot malicious code is being deleted from victim computers, preventing it from doing any more harm. The Department also announced the seizure of approximately $8.6 million in cryptocurrency in illicit profits.

The action represents the largest U.S.-led financial and technical disruption of a botnet infrastructure leveraged by cybercriminals to commit ransomware, financial fraud, and other cyber-enabled criminal activity.

“Cybercriminals who rely on malware like Qakbot to steal private data from innocent victims have been reminded today that they do not operate outside the bounds of the law,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Together with our international partners, the Justice Department has hacked Qakbot’s infrastructure, launched an aggressive campaign to uninstall the malware from victim computers in the United States and around the world, and seized $8.6 million in extorted funds.”

According to court documents, Qakbot, also known by various other names, including “Qbot” and “Pinkslipbot,” is controlled by a cybercriminal organization and used to target critical industries worldwide. The Qakbot malware primarily infects victim computers through spam email messages containing malicious attachments or hyperlinks. Once it has infected a victim computer, Qakbot can deliver additional malware, including ransomware, to the infected computer. Qakbot has been used as an initial means of infection by many prolific ransomware groups in recent years, including Conti, ProLock, Egregor, REvil, MegaCortex, and Black Basta. The ransomware actors then extort their victims, seeking ransom payments in bitcoin before returning access to the victim computer networks. These ransomware groups have caused significant harm to businesses, healthcare providers, and government agencies all over the world.

“The FBI led a worldwide joint, sequenced operation that crippled one of the longest-running cybercriminal botnets,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “With our federal and international partners, we will continue to systematically target every part of cybercriminal organizations, their facilitators, and their money – including by disrupting and dismantling their ability to use illicit infrastructure to attack us. Today’s success is yet another demonstration of how FBI’s capabilities and strategy are hitting cyber criminals hard, and making the American people safer.”

The victim computers infected with Qakbot malware are part of a botnet, which is a network of compromised computers, meaning the perpetrators can remotely control all the infected computers in a coordinated manner. The owners and operators of the victim computers are typically unaware of the infection.

“An international partnership led by Justice Department and the FBI has resulted in the dismantling of Qakbot, one of the most notorious botnets ever, responsible for massive losses to victims around the world,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Qakbot was the botnet of choice for some of the most infamous ransomware gangs, but we have now taken it out. This operation also has led to the seizure of almost 9 million dollars in cryptocurrency from the Qakbot cybercriminal organization, which will now be made available to victims. My office’s focus is on protecting and vindicating the rights of victims, and this multifaceted attack on computer-enabled crime demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our nation from harm.”

As part of the takedown, the FBI was able to gain access to Qakbot infrastructure and identify over 700,000 computers worldwide, including more than 200,000 in the United States, that appear to have been infected with Qakbot. To disrupt the botnet, the FBI was able to redirect Qakbot botnet traffic to and through servers controlled by the FBI, which in turn instructed infected computers in the United States and elsewhere to download a file created by law enforcement that would uninstall the Qakbot malware. This uninstaller was designed to untether the victim computer from the Qakbot botnet, preventing further installation of malware through Qakbot.

The scope of this law enforcement action was limited to information installed on the victim computers by the Qakbot actors. It did not extend to remediating other malware already installed on the victim computers and did not involve access to or modification of the information of the owners and users of the infected computers.

Valuable technical assistance was provided by Zscaler. The FBI has partnered with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Shadowserver, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, the National Cyber Forensics and Training Alliance, and Have I Been Pwned to aid in victim notification and remediation.

The FBI Los Angeles Field Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) conducted the operation in close cooperation with Eurojust. Investigators and prosecutors from several jurisdictions provided crucial assistance, including Europol, French Police Cybercrime Central Bureau and the Cybercrime Section of the Paris Prosecution Office, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police and General Public Prosecutor’s Office Frankfurt/Main, Netherlands National Police and National Public Prosecution Office, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, Romania’s National Police, and Latvia’s State Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Milwaukee Field Office provided significant assistance.

Additional information and resources, including for victims, can be found on the following website, which will be updated as additional information and resources become available: www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/divisions/national-security-division/qakbot-resources.

Attorney General James Secures Critical Improvements to Proposed Multibillion Dollar Settlement with 3M for Contaminating Drinking Water with Toxic PFAS

 

New Agreement Will Ensure 3M Is Liable for Dangerous Pollution, Not Taxpayers

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that the 3M Company (3M) has agreed to make significant changes to improve the terms of a proposed $10.5 to $12.5 billion settlement for its role in contaminating millions of Americans’ drinking water with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — commonly referred to as “PFAS” or toxic “forever chemicals.” Last month, Attorney General James joined a bipartisan coalition of 22 attorneys general in objecting to 3M's proposed settlement with public water systems, flagging critical issues such as a provision that could have left taxpayers liable for future damages as a result of 3M’s pollution. After negotiations between the coalition of attorneys general and 3M co-led by the Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG), the revised settlement announced today will address those issues and substantially increase the value of the settlement for participating water systems.

“Corporate polluters like 3M should not be able to duck responsibility for contaminating our waters with toxic ‘forever chemicals’ that have caused devastating health problems,” said Attorney General James. “I am proud to have helped secure a better deal for the communities across New York and the nation affected by this pollution. This new agreement will ensure 3M is held accountable and I will continue to use the full force of my office to fight for New Yorkers’ right to clean drinking water.”

PFAS chemicals resist degradation in the environment and accumulate in the body. Health effects associated with exposure to PFAS include kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, immune system effects, and other conditions. According to the New York State Department of Health, PFAS have been detected in almost 40 percent of public drinking water supplies in the state, including 60 percent of systems serving more than 10,000 people. To date, New York has spent tens of millions of dollars on PFAS cleanup-related costs.

Among other things, 3M’s initial proposed settlement would have required eligible public water systems to waive their legal claims against 3M without knowing what settlement funds they could receive, and in many cases, before knowing the extent of contamination in their water supplies and the ongoing cost of remediating a “forever chemical.” Most critically, the settlement contained provisions that would have required water providers to assume future liability, potentially leaving taxpayers to cover the costs of damages caused by 3M’s pollution.

The new settlement will incorporate several critical changes that are reflected in a proposed consent order filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina:

• The uncapped indemnity in favor of 3M, which could have left water systems liable for damages well beyond their expected recovery from the settlement, is removed in its entirety, significantly increasing the value of the settlement to participating water systems;
• The deadline for eligible water systems to review the settlement and determine whether to opt-out is extended to 90 days;
• The establishment of a settlement-specific website with information that will allow water systems to derive a good-faith estimate of what they may receive under the 3M settlement agreement if they participate in it (although actual settlement awards will depend on data that is not yet available); and
• Claims by states and the federal government are expressly carved out of the agreement, allowing for future action and additional settlements against 3M.

Joining Attorney General James in withdrawing opposition to the proposed settlement are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Attorney General James has consistently sought to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for their pollution and protect New Yorkers' access to clean water and a clean environment. She led multistate coalitions calling on leaders in Congress to strengthen public health and environmental protections against PFAS chemicals in November 2021. Attorney General James also led a coalition in July 2019 urging Congress to pass legislation that would help states address and prevent future PFAS pollution. This past March, Attorney General James led a lawsuit with Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos against 29 New York companies for illegally dumping waste. In May 2022, Attorney General James brought a lawsuit against three New York City bus companies for violating city and state bus idling laws and causing significant air pollution. In May 2020, Attorney General James led a coalition of nine attorneys general to sue the Trump administration for limiting enforcement of environmental protection laws. In 2018, she filed a suit against manufacturers of PFAS, including 3M.

MANHATTAN MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON IN FATAL SHOOTING OF TEEN BYSTANDER, WOUNDING OF A MAN

 

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to First-Degree Manslaughter

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Manhattan man was sentenced to 15 years in prison in a 2016 drive-by shooting that killed a 17-year-old boy and critically wounded a man who were innocent bystanders.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant admitted driving a stolen car from which a gunman opened fire on a street corner and shot a teen and a man who were not the targets. Dontae Gordon, just 17 years old, was killed. Anyone who contributes to deadly mayhem on our streets will be held accountable.”]

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Adrian Medina, 26, of White Street, Manhattan was sentenced on August 28, 2023 to 15 years in prison and five years post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter on June 7, 2023.

 According to the investigation, on August 17, 2016, at 9:15 p.m., the defendant was driving a stolen livery cab and as he neared College Avenue near East 170th Street in Claremont Village, his passenger fired multiple shots. Dontae (Tae) Gordon, 17, was shot in the stomach and died at Lincoln Hospital. His 21-year-old friend was wounded. Medina was arrested in 2019. The shooter has not been apprehended. 

 District Attorney Clark thanked Trial Preparation Assistant Jazmine Pagoada of the Homicide Bureau and Intelligence Analyst Daniel Walker of the Crime Strategies Bureau. District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives James Fleming of the 44th Precinct and Patrick Flatley of the Bronx Homicide Squad, and members of the Bronx District Attorney’s Squad.

Following Reports of New Variant, Governor Hochul Announces New Steps to Keep New Yorkers Protected Against COVID-19 as Summer Hospitalizations Rise

 

World-Renowned Wadsworth Lab Is Monitoring Samples For New BA.2.86 Variant, Not Yet Detected In New York State

Department Of Health Contacted Nursing Home Providers To Remind Them Of Responsibility To Keep Residents Protected

State Continues to Make High-Quality N-95 Masks and Test Kits Available to State and County Officials by Request

All New Yorkers – Especially Those In High-Risk Groups – Are Encouraged to Talk to Their Primary Care Doctor About Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Coming This Fall

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new steps the State of New York is taking to protect individuals from COVID-19 following reports of a new variant, BA.2.86. These steps come after COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York increased as the summer progressed. As a reminder, an updated COVID-19 vaccine tailored to guard against certain variants is expected to arrive in pharmacies and doctor’s offices this Fall.

“While New Yorkers might want to be done with COVID-19, COVID-19 isn’t done with us,” Governor Hochul said. “With the increase in hospitalizations and reported cases this summer, I strongly urge everyone to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their communities. To keep New Yorkers safe, my administration will continue to monitor this situation, share information on the new boosters as soon as it’s available, and continue to make N-95 masks available statewide.”

Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration advised vaccine manufactures to develop a new COVID-19 vaccine to target Omicron variants. The new shot is expected to be released by the three major COVID-19 vaccine producers in September 2023. Governor Hochul encourages New Yorkers to monitor the CDC and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) websites frequently for information on updated COVID-19 vaccine administration recommendations.

To protect all New Yorkers, DOH and the Wadsworth Center continue monitoring for and analyzing samples of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as reports emerge of new strains. The ongoing dual surveillance strategies of wastewater surveillance and laboratory clinical analysis, conducted with partners at Syracuse University and across the state, have proven vital to New York State's ability to understand variant spread and the potential impact on public health. In response to identifying the new BA.2.86 variant, the Wadsworth Center immediately enhanced early detection efforts in New York State. In conjunction with the collaborators at Syracuse University, analysts searched wastewater data from the last six months to confirm the new strain was not detected in New York. This process will continue to be used to help monitor for the variant in new wastewater samples. Additionally, Wadsworth Center is coordinating with numerous health care professionals across the state and collaborating laboratories to expand the pool of clinical COVID samples submitted for analysis to increase the opportunity for detecting BA.2.86, should it enter the state.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "The Department of Health remains vigilant for changes to the virus that could further threaten our public health. We continue to monitor as new strains have emerged, with a particular focus on BA.2.86, the most genetically different strain we have seen since the original Omicron variant. These significant changes are important to note as mutations may allow the virus to evade prior immunity. Remember, COVID is now a treatable disease and tests are both easy and highly accurate. Antivirals such as Paxlovid are most effective when started within five days of the onset of symptoms."

As students begin to return to school for the next academic year, Governor Hochul and DOH recommend that schools review current CDC school guidance for COVID-19 prevention and work with their local health department to implement effective and feasible public health measures.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends schools:

• Promote vaccination and testing;
• Encourage students, teachers, and faculty to stay home if they are sick and exhibiting symptoms;
• Optimize ventilation and maintain improvements to indoor air quality to reduce the risk of germs and contaminants spreading through the air; and
• Teach and reinforce proper handwashing and hygiene practices.

Schools that experience outbreaks should work with their local health department for timely outbreak response support. More guidance for schools is available here.

All individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 should immediately get tested. If a test is positive, consult a health care provider about treatment, as it's important to begin treatment soon after the onset of symptoms to ensure the utmost effectiveness. Individuals who do not have a regular health care provider can find locations for treatment here. Those with COVID-19 should follow CDC guidance to avoid transmitting it to others, including isolating for 5 days after the onset of symptoms, as well as masking and avoiding contact with those who may be at higher risk of negative outcomes.

At-home tests are available at many local pharmacies statewide, and New York continues to make high-quality N-95 masks and test kits available to state and county officials by request. New Yorkers should contact their respective county health department or local emergency management office for more information.

The New York State Department of Health recently contacted nursing home providers statewide to alert them of the increase in COVID-19 infections reported over the past several weeks, and to remind facilities of measures that can be taken to help reduce transmission among vulnerable populations.

Individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are behind on booster doses can find the current COVID-19 vaccine sites here.

MAYOR ADAMS, NYPD COMMISSIONER CABAN TAKE HISTORIC STEP TO EMBRACE ADHAN, MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER CITYWIDE

 

Under New Legal Guidance, Mosques and Masjids Can Broadcast Call to Prayer Every Friday and Throughout Ramadan

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Edward A. Caban today launched a new NYPD initiative to support and facilitate the Islamic call to public prayer at regularly prescribed times each Friday and during the holy month of Ramadan. The effort represents a historic step forward in Mayor Adams’ continued efforts to foster a city that respects all faiths and allows people to practice their traditions safely and free from harassment.

 

“For too long, there has been a feeling that our communities were not allowed to amplify their calls to prayer,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are cutting red tape and saying clearly that mosques and houses of worship are free to amplify their call to prayer on Fridays and during Ramadan without a permit necessary. We want our brothers and sisters of Muslim faith to know that they are free to live their faith in New York City because, under the law, we will all be treated equally. Our administration is proud to finally get this done.”

 

“This important work, being led by our NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, is a fundamental service to the ideas of religious freedom, understanding, and sustained peace and prosperity for all,” said NYPD Commissioner Caban. “Our hardworking police officers know that our diversity — our rich blend of varying backgrounds and experiences — is what often makes us stronger. The NYPD’s proud embrace of this idea is at the heart of our robust community outreach, our crime-fighting efforts, and our ongoing public safety mission.”

 

The Adhan, also spelled Azan, is a succinct message — usually broadcast publicly over the speakers or public address system of a house of worship — summoning members of the Muslim faith for prayer. The NYPD’s new legal guidance clarifies for mosques and masjids that the call to prayer is allowed in New York City and not prohibited despite sound restrictions in city neighborhoods.

 

Under the new guidance, a mosque or masjid can broadcast the call to prayer every Friday between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM as well as during the sunset prayers every evening during Ramadan — a holy, month-long period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community observance that arrives in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

 

The NYPD Community Affairs Bureau and Muslim faith leaders will work collaboratively in every neighborhood with mosques and masjids to communicate the new plans for Adhan to local community leaders and stakeholders. They will work to ensure that any sound device used to broadcast an Adhan is set at appropriate decibel levels and in accordance with the rules of the noise code within the city’s administrative code.

 

“As someone who grew up in Egypt and hearing the call of prayer my entire life, I truly missed its beauty and peaceful reminder to take a moment and appreciate what you have,” said Imam Abdullah Salem, Muslim Community Center of Brooklyn. “I am so grateful to be able to hear it again here in my own city.”

 

“As a principal of an Islamic school, I see my students struggling to maintain their identity as a Muslim. Many are afraid to share it, and the rest are hesitant,” said Somaia Ferozi, principal, Ideal Islamic School. “For them to hear the call of prayer in public during our holiest days will affirm to them that this is their city, and they have the right to worship like everyone else.”

 

HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH STEALING GIFT CARDS MEANT FOR HIV & AIDS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

 

Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the arrest on Friday, August 25, 2023, of a City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (“DOHMH”) Program Planner, charged with stealing 23 gift cards that were purchased to distribute to HIV prevention program participants. DOI began its investigation following an anonymous complaint about gift card fraud and investigated this case with the Office of Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz, which is handling the prosecution. 

STEPHANIE HUBBARD, 40, of New York, N.Y., is charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, and Official Misconduct, a class A misdemeanor. Upon conviction, 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. HUBBARD was arrested Friday and released on her own recognizance following her arraignment in Queens Criminal Court. Her arrest is the third in the past week involving gift card fraud.

On Tuesday, August, 22, 2023, MAHBOOB BARI KHAN, 63, of New York, N.Y., a former DOHMH Deputy Director of Fiscal Administration and LISA BURGESS-THOMAS, 58, of Bronx, N.Y, a Fiscal Analyst at DOHMH, were both arraigned on the same charges related to gift card thefts and released on their own recognizance. Here is the link to the prior arrests: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doi/press-releases/2023/August/32Khan.BurgessThomas08.22.2023.pdf 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “This defendant is accused of lining her pockets at the expense of programs dedicated to preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. She, and two previously charged co-defendants will be held to account. I want to thank the Department of Investigation and the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for their work on this case.” 

DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said, “The Health Department will work with our colleagues at the Department of Investigation and the Queens District Attorney’s office to ensure that resources are used as intended. If any misuse is uncovered, those responsible will be held accountable.”DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “This defendant, as charged, stole nearly two dozen Amazon gift cards that were intended for members of the public who participate in the City’s HIV-prevention programs. I thank DOHMH for cooperating in this investigation and the Queens District Attorney for its partnership in our efforts to protect public resources so that they reach the intended recipients.”

According to a criminal complaint, HUBBARD worked in HIV Prevention, part of DOHMH’s Division of Disease Control, Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (“BHHS”). Gift cards ordered by DOHMH’s HIV Administration were distributed to HIV Prevention for the purpose of encouraging members of the public to participate in BHHS programs. DOHMH employees are not permitted to take gift cards for their personal use. 

On November 17, 2017, BHHS purchased 24 physical Amazon gift cards with a value of $50 each. A review of Amazon records revealed that the value of 23 of those cards, $1,150 in total, were uploaded to an Amazon account in HUBBARD’s name, with a phone number and billing address matching the information in HUBBARD’s DOHMH personnel file. The Amazon account was used for purchases between September 22, 2019, and January 4, 2020. 

HUBBARD has worked for DOHMH since April 2016 and receives an annual salary of approximately $127,682.

Commissioner Strauber thanked Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, and the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, which is prosecuting this case, specifically Deputy Bureau Chief Christine Oliveri, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Khadijah Muhammad-Starling. Commissioner Strauber also thanked DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan and his staff for their cooperation in this investigation.

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

Justice Department Secures Agreement with American Bank of Oklahoma to Resolve Lending Discrimination Claims

The Justice Department announced a settlement agreement today to resolve allegations that American Bank of Oklahoma engaged in a pattern or practice of lending discrimination by redlining in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The affected area includes the historically Black neighborhoods that were the site of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This resolution is part of the department’s nationwide Combating Redlining Initiative launched by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in October 2021.

Redlining is an illegal practice in which lenders avoid providing credit services to individuals living in communities of color because of the race, color or national origin of the residents in those communities. 

“Providing equal access to credit is essential in every community, but the painful history of Tulsa makes this agreement particularly poignant because the redlined areas include historically Black neighborhoods that have endured the legacy of racial violence and the continuing effects of segregation and discrimination,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will help expand investment in Black communities and communities of color in Tulsa and increase opportunities for homeownership and financial stability. Remedial provisions in the agreement will open up opportunities for building generational wealth while focusing on neighborhoods that bear the scars of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The Justice Department will continue to combat redlining and ensure equal access to credit for all Americans.”

“American Bank of Oklahoma engaged in the illegal practice of redlining and failed to serve the diverse members of our Tulsa community as they attempted to purchase homes,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma. “These practices are often hard to identify and prosecute and I want to thank the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division for taking measures to correct these abhorrent business practices.”

The complaint filed in federal court today alleges that, from 2017 through at least 2021, American Bank of Oklahoma failed to provide mortgage lending services to majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Tulsa metropolitan area. Specifically, the department alleges that all of American Bank of Oklahoma’s branches and loan production offices were located in majority-white neighborhoods, that the bank designated a service area that excluded all majority-Black and Hispanic-census tracts in the metropolitan area and that the bank failed to appropriately monitor and address fair lending risk.

As a result, the bank’s loan officers did not serve the credit needs of Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in and around Tulsa, and the bank’s actions reinforced and perpetuated segregated housing patterns because of race, color, or national origin. The complaint also alleges that bank employees, including executives and loan officers, sent and received emails on their work email accounts containing racial slurs and racist content.

Under the proposed consent order, which is subject to court approval, American Bank of Oklahoma has agreed to invest over $1.15 million to increase credit opportunities in neighborhoods of color in the Tulsa metropolitan area. The bank will invest at least $950,000 in a loan subsidy fund for residents of majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Tulsa area; $100,000 for advertising, outreach and consumer education; and $100,000 for development of community partnerships to provide services that increase access to residential mortgage credit. The bank will also open a new community-oriented loan production office in the historically Black area of Tulsa; ensure at least two mortgage loan officers are dedicated to serving majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in and around Tulsa; host at least six consumer financial education seminars per year, with translation and interpretation services in Spanish; and will employ a full-time director of community lending, who will oversee the continued development of lending in neighborhoods of color in the Tulsa area.

The department opened its investigation into American Bank of Oklahoma’s lending practices after receiving a referral from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The bank cooperated with the department’s investigation and worked with the department to resolve these allegations.

In October 2021, the department launched its Combating Redlining Initiative as a coordinated enforcement effort to address this persistent form of discrimination against communities of color. Since the initiative was launched, the department has announced eight redlining cases and settlements and secured $89 million in relief for communities of color that have been victims of lending discrimination across the country.

More information about the department’s fair lending enforcement can be found at www.justice.gov/crt/fair-lending-program. Individuals may report lending discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291 or submitting a report online. 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO THE FIVE YEAR PERMIT AGREEMENT FOR MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

 

"Madison Square Garden will soon be permitted under its shortest timeline to date – an indicator of how seriously the city should take the issues caused by the facility, to say nothing of concerns about the practices of its owners. While I agreed with the local Community Board that a three year permit would be preferred, I am grateful the City Council committees approved five years rather than the proposed ten. 

"We cannot wait five years before engaging again on this issue and developing a plan; we need to seize the moment and work now to develop a sustainable strategy for the region, and for the train station beneath it.  Transit needs to be at the center of all plans for the area, and Penn Station needs to become the modern, nation-leading transit hub it has the opportunity to be. All of this work needs to be done with, rather than to, the surrounding community.  

"If in the five years to come, we cannot ensure that critical transportation infrastructure updates can be made to Penn Station, Madison Square Garden itself will have to be transported to a new location, and the station rebuilt from the ground up."