Five Men Charged With Murder In Connection With Failed Robbery Attempt That Left Two Dead

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and David Gibson, the Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department, announced the arrest of ILARIO CONTRERAS, JERPI DIAZ-FELIZ, a/k/a “Jorge Diaz-Feliz,” JHOAN DIAZ-FELIZ, VICTOR JIMENEZ, and JOSEPH PEREZ.  The defendants are charged with murder in connection with an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon warehouse that sells various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products.  Two individuals — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.  The defendants were arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the Complaint, these five defendants carried out a violent armed robbery that left two dead in Mount Vernon.  The dedication, bravery, and expertise of our law enforcement partners led to the swift arrest of this dangerous crew.  This was an outstanding coordinated effort to uphold the law and keep the public safe.  This Office is determined to ensure that these defendants now face justice.” 

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “These five subjects allegedly orchestrated an attempted armed robbery of a warehouse that sells to smoke shops, which quickly turned deadly as a shootout ensued, culminating in the death of both an employee and one robbery crew affiliate.  The defendants’ alleged brazen actions demonstrated extreme disregard for public safety and posed a significant threat to the community.  The FBI will not cease its relentless pursuit of those who choose violence, especially using firearms, to further their criminal behavior.  We urge the public to contact us at 1-800-Call-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov with any additional information related to this case.” 

Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Gibson said: “I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York Police Department for their partnership, assistance, and continued support in this investigation.  I would also like to thank the Westchester County Police Department and the Westchester Real Time Crime Center for their vital assistance and teamwork.  The Mount Vernon Police Department and the Patterson-Howard administration takes crime in our City seriously.  We want to send a message to those who seek to commit heinous crimes in our community.  We will partner with local, state, and federal partners to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. ”

As alleged in the Complaint filed today in White Plains federal court:[1] 

On or about March 19, 2024, ILARIO CONTRERAS, JERPI DIAZ-FELIZ, JHOAN DIAZ-FELIZ, VICTOR JIMENEZ, JOSEPH PEREZ, and others known and unknown attempted to rob at gunpoint a warehouse in Mount Vernon that sells various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products.  As employees of the warehouse were assisting customers, approximately 10 to 15 people, including the defendants, approached the employees and customers with weapons and forced them back into the warehouse at gunpoint.  A still image from video surveillance outside the warehouse is depicted below:

Shortly after the defendants and others approached the employees and customers with firearms, a gunfight between the warehouse employees and defendants broke out.  As a result, one of the employees and one of the robbers were killed.

If you have any information about this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.

CONTRERAS, 23; JERPI DIAZ-FELIZ, 25; JHOAN DIAZ-FELIZ, 23; JIMENEZ, 35; and PEREZ, 26, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of conspiracy to engage in drug trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, one count of possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and murder through the use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Mount Vernon Police Department.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Westchester County Police Department, the New York City Police Department, and the Westchester Real Time Crime Center for their invaluable assistance.  

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared D. Hoffman and Justin L. Brooke are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NYS Private Sector Employment Up 3,200 Jobs in February 2024

 

Unemployment Rate Down 0.1 Percentage Point Over the Month

 According to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 3,200, or less than 0.1%, to 8,332,000 in February 2024. The number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.2% in February 2024.

     New York State's private sector jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 91,200, or 1.1%, over the year in February 2024, which was less than the 1.6% increase in the number of private sector jobs in the U.S.

     New York State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.5% in January to 4.4% in February 2024. At the same time, New York State's labor force (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 3,400. As a result, the statewide labor force participation rate held steady at 61.4% in February 2024.

     The number of private sector jobs in New York State is based on a payroll survey of New York businesses conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Monthly payroll employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision as more complete data become available the following month. The BLS calculates New York State’s unemployment rate based partly upon the results of the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) of approximately 3,100 households in the State.

Note: Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are valuable in year-to-year comparisons of the same month – for example, February 2023 versus February 2024.

Statewide Industry Employment

February 2024 – Seasonally Adjusted

• On a net basis, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the state increased by 100 over the month, while private sector jobs increased by 3,200 in February 2024.
• At the same time, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the nation increased by 275,000, while private sector jobs increased by 223,000.

NYS Trailed Nation in Job Growth

Over-the-Month % Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, January 2024 – February 2024

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs Increased in February 2024

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs (in 1000s), January 1990 – February 2024

Statewide Unemployment

February 2024 – Seasonally Adjusted

• The statewide unemployment rate decreased from 4.5% in January to 4.4% in February 2024.
• New York City’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.2% to 5.1%. Outside of New York City, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.0% to 3.9% in February 2024.
• The number of unemployed New Yorkers decreased over the month by 8,700, from 439,000 in January to 430,300 in February 2024.

NYS Unemployment Rate Decreased Over the Month

Labor Force Statistics, February 2023, January 2024 – February 2024

Labor Force and Number of Unemployed Decreased in February

Total Labor Force & Number of Unemployed, January 2009 – February 2024

Unemployment Rate Decreased in NYS, Increased in US Unemployment Rate, NYS & US, January 2009 – February 2024 Unemployment Rate Decreased in NYC, Decreased in Balance of State Unemployment Rate, NYC & BOS, January 2009 – February 2024 Substate and Industry Employment  February 2024 – Not Seasonally Adjusted New York State Gains Private Sector Jobs Over the Year Over-the-Year Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, February 2023 – February 2024 Note: The sum of sub-state area job estimates will usually differ from the New York State total. This is because the State total is calculated separately from the sub-state areas and is estimated based on an independent sample. Leisure & Hospitality Jobs Increased by 4.5% Over the Year Over-the-Year Change in Jobs by Major Industry Sector, February 2023 – February 2024 *Government includes public education and public health services. Note: The responsibility for the production of monthly estimates of state and metro area nonfarm employment by industry moved from the NYS Department of Labor’s Division of Research and Statistics to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), starting with the March 2011 estimates. More detailed information on the change is available on the BLS web site. Many economic data series have a seasonal pattern, which means they tend to occur at the same time each year (e.g., retail jobs usually increase in December). Seasonal adjustment is the process of removing seasonal effects from a data series. This is done to simplify the data so that they may be more easily interpreted and help to reveal true underlying trends. Seasonal adjustment permits comparisons of data from one month to data from any other month. In New York State, payroll jobs data by industry come from a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data are preliminary and subject to revision. Jobs data by industry do not include agricultural workers, the self-employed, unpaid family workers, or domestic workers in private households. Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s unemployment rate is based partly upon the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York each month.  Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release. State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Advantage of Regression Model Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities). Benchmarking of Estimates Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.” Changes in Methodology Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates. In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others. Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem. Jobs Data Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, has a sample size of 18,000 establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available. The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

DEC Releases for Public Review and Comment Draft Eligibility Guidelines for Water Quality Improvement Project Program Grants for Municipal Stormwater Projects

 

Draft Guidelines Now Available for Public Comment Through April 19, 2024

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released for public review and comment draft eligibility guidelines to support projects funded through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program under the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act). This action delivers on elements of Governor Kathy Hochul’s clean water and resiliency plan to protect New Yorkers from extreme weather driven by climate change. The guidelines specifically address funding eligibility for Bond Act opportunities that will be made available for municipal stormwater projects, one of several focus areas of the WQIP program.

 

“Properly functioning stormwater infrastructure is vital to ensuring the health and safety of our communities during and after weather events,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Projects funded through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act will increase the ability of more New York communities to better withstand flooding and severe weather events, and DEC encourages comments on these draft guidelines to help shape the future of New York’s stormwater systems.”

 

WQIP grants implement projects that directly improve water quality or aquatic habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. The guidelines support funding for construction or implementation projects that fit designated criteria for municipal stormwater projects.

 

The full eligibility guidelines are available in this week’s Environmental Notice Bulletin.

 

Public comments on the draft guidelines will be accepted until Friday, April 19, 2024, at 5 p.m. and can be submitted in writing: by mail to Stephanie June, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12223; and by email to Stephanie.June@dec.ny.gov (Place “Bond Act” in the subject line). Questions can be directed to (518) 402-8179.

Disadvantaged Communities 

The Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than 35 percent, with the goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds ($4.2 billion). Disadvantaged communities are those identified by the Climate Justice Working Group, pursuant to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Consistent with this Bond Act requirement, DEC will aim to prioritize 40 percent of grant awards benefit disadvantaged communities.

 

New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 

On Nov. 8, 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act. State agencies, local governments, and partners will be able to access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change.

Since the Bond Act passed, an inter-agency working group comprised of multiple state agencies has been implementing a transparent and collaborative process to identify needs for environmental funding across the state to help develop program logistics. In the last year, the state announced a $200 million funding investment toward the state’s existing Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs, $100 million available for zero-emission school buses, $100 million available for Clean Green Schools, $13.1 million to support construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail, and State-administered forestry projects to plant 25 million trees by 2033. Find more Bond Act-related information and sign up for progress updates.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF NYC'S WORST LANDLORD, DANIEL OHEBSHALOM

 

"I've long said that the only two ways to stop the abuses and negligence of the worst landlords in our city were to arrest them or take their buildings away -- and now, Daniel Ohebshalom has experienced both. He has spent years at the top of our Worst Landlord Watchlist, hiding behind other associates, but now his actions, and the harm he has caused, are clear. 

"I commend the city for this decisive action -- accountability is the best route to improving landlord practices and the conditions at their buildings. We can’t stop at one building or owner – we need to change the systems that have permitted putting profit over people for too long, and impose severe consequences for severe negligence."

Justice Department Sues Apple for Monopolizing Smartphone Markets

 

Apple’s Broad-Based, Exclusionary Conduct Makes It Harder for Americans to Switch Smartphones, Undermines Innovation for Apps, Products, and Services, and Imposes Extraordinary Costs on Developers, Businesses, and Consumers

The Justice Department, joined by 16 other state and district attorneys general, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Apple illegally maintains a monopoly over smartphones by selectively imposing contractual restrictions on, and withholding critical access points from, developers. Apple undermines apps, products, and services that would otherwise make users less reliant on the iPhone, promote interoperability, and lower costs for consumers and developers. Apple exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others. Through this monopolization lawsuit, the Justice Department and state Attorneys General are seeking relief to restore competition to these vital markets on behalf of the American public.

“Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly. The Justice Department will vigorously enforce antitrust laws that protect consumers from higher prices and fewer choices. That is the Justice Department’s legal obligation and what the American people expect and deserve.”

“No matter how powerful, no matter how prominent, no matter how popular — no company is above the law,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Through today’s action, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to that principle.”

“When corporations engage in anticompetitive conduct, the American people and our economy suffer,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Today’s action against Apple sends a strong signal to those seeking to box out competitors and stifle innovation — that the Justice Department is committed to using every tool available to advance economic justice and root out anticompetitive practices, wherever they arise.”

“For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of “Whac-A-Mole” contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold Apple accountable and ensure it cannot deploy the same, unlawful playbook in other vital markets.”

As alleged in the complaint, Apple has monopoly power in the smartphone and performance smartphones markets, and it uses its control over the iPhone to engage in a broad, sustained, and illegal course of conduct. This anticompetitive behavior is designed to maintain Apple’s monopoly power while extracting as much revenue as possible. The complaint alleges that Apple’s anticompetitive course of conduct has taken several forms, many of which continue to evolve today, including:

• Blocking Innovative Super Apps. Apple has disrupted the growth of apps with broad functionality that would make it easier for consumers to switch between competing smartphone platforms.
• Suppressing Mobile Cloud Streaming Services. Apple has blocked the development of cloud-streaming apps and services that would allow consumers to enjoy high-quality video games and other cloud-based applications without having to pay for expensive smartphone hardware.
• Excluding Cross-Platform Messaging Apps. Apple has made the quality of cross-platform messaging worse, less innovative, and less secure for users so that its customers have to keep buying iPhones.
• Diminishing the Functionality of Non-Apple Smartwatches. Apple has limited the functionality of third-party smartwatches so that users who purchase the Apple Watch face substantial out-of-pocket costs if they do not keep buying iPhones.
• Limiting Third Party Digital Wallets. Apple has prevented third-party apps from offering tap-to-pay functionality, inhibiting the creation of cross-platform third-party digital wallets.

The complaint also alleges that Apple’s conduct extends beyond these examples, affecting web browsers, video communication, news subscriptions, entertainment, automotive services, advertising, location services, and more. Apple has every incentive to extend and expand its course of conduct to acquire and maintain power over next-frontier devices and technologies.

For over a century, the Department has enforced the antitrust laws against illegal monopolies, deploying the Sherman Act to unfetter markets and restore competition. As alleged in the complaint, the Department is seeking equitable relief on behalf of the American public to redress Apple’s long-running, pervasive anticompetitive conduct.

Apple Inc. is a publicly traded company incorporated in California and headquartered in Cupertino, California. In fiscal year 2023, Apple generated annual net revenues of $383 billion and net income of $97 billion. Apple’s net income exceeds any other company in the Fortune 500 and the gross domestic products of more than 100 countries.  

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: NYC Immigrant Workforce Below 2015 Peak

 

Federal Policies Still Weighing on City's Labor Force

The size of New York City’s immigrant workforce was flat over nearly a decade, according to a new report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Through 2023, the foreign-born labor market grew 18.5% since 2015 nationally, while New York City’s declined 0.6%, according to data analyzed from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Still, in 2023, New York City’s 1.8 million foreign-born workers made up 44.3% of its total labor force, more than double the national share of 18.6%.

“New York City’s labor market and economy greatly benefit from the contributions of immigrant workers,” DiNapoli said. “Many industries rely on foreign-born workers to keep businesses going, but we’ve seen a decline in this workforce when compared to the city’s peak in 2015. There are still many barriers for individuals who come to the U.S. looking for work and a better life. Federal immigration policy must be reformed to ensure that the economic prosperity that foreign-born workers have helped fuel in New York City can continue.”

Last year, New York City was down about 10,000 immigrant workers compared to 2015. Many industries in the city depend on these workers, including construction, where foreign-born workers made up almost 70% of all workers, while 65% worked in transportation and utilities, and nearly 55% worked in manufacturing last year. Compared to the city, the U.S. has a lower share of immigrant workers in these industries and others with 29% in construction, 21% in transportation and utilities and nearly 20% in manufacturing.

The foreign-born labor force in the city is also concentrated in industries that pay less than the private sector as a whole, such as health care and social assistance and accommodation and food services. Still, foreign-born workers contributed nearly $383 billion to the city’s economy in 2022. A diminished foreign-born workforce could hurt businesses and lead to less entrepreneurship and fewer jobs.

DiNapoli’s report notes federal immigration policies and the COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to the lack of growth in the city’s foreign-born workforce.

Pre-Pandemic Immigrant Labor Force Decline

Prior to the pandemic, several federal immigration policies may have disproportionately impacted the immigrant workforce in New York City. In 2017, a more stringent deportation policy was implemented. As a result, there was a 165% increase in immigrants living in New York City being sent back to the country from which they emigrated. The number of deportations grew from a low of 1,037 in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2016 to a high of nearly 2,800 in FFY 2019. During that time, fewer people obtained temporary or permanent visas to legally live and work in the U.S.

Also, federal changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) likely played a role in slowing the city’s immigrant labor force recovery. TPS allows people from other countries to live and work in the U.S. legally if fleeing war or a natural disaster, but in late 2017, the federal government ended the program for people coming to the U.S. from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Nepal and Honduras.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Immigrant Labor Force

The pandemic halted visas and travel generally to the U.S. In addition, many industries that involve face-to-face contact employ a larger share of immigrant workers. Workers not born in the U.S. faced a higher unemployment rate than native-born New Yorkers in 2020, and by 2023, the portion of these foreign-born workers who were not U.S. citizens still had double the unemployment rate than in 2019.

Post-Pandemic Recovery Remains Uneven

Previous reports by the Comptroller show young workers are experiencing the highest unemployment rates in New York City when compared to older workers. In 2023, the unemployment rate was 15% for 16-to-24-year-old immigrant workers, which was up from 10% in 2019. Older adults born outside the U.S., however, have seen improved unemployment rates since the pandemic and have found work at a greater rate than older native-born New Yorkers.

More Immigrant Workers Pursuing Self-Employment

The number of people self-employed since 2019 increased in New York City, surpassing the national average in 2023 with more than 10% of the workforce becoming new entrepreneurs. Foreign-born workers in the City made up nearly 49% of the self-employed population whereas nationally, they made up only 23% in 2023.

DiNapoli recommended:

• The city do more to support all younger workers, including immigrants, by advertising and uplifting the Summer Youth Employment Program, which is open to residents 14 to 24 with work authorization.
• The state Department of Labor improve how it evaluates and reports which employers hire asylum seekers and which jobs are accepted.
• The city make business ownership easier for foreign-born workers by eliminating language, literacy and technological barriers along with increasing financial education and eliminating bureaucratic red tape.
• City agencies provide necessary and timely resources for residents to succeed in the workforce.
• The federal government speed up court processing and work permits and increase aid to the state and city for asylum seekers.

Report

New York City’s Uneven Recovery: Foreign-Born in the Workforce

One Page Summary: Foreign-Born in the Workforce in NYC

Other related work

New York City’s Uneven Recovery: An Analysis of Labor Force Trends

New York City’s Uneven Recovery: Youth Labor Force Struggling

New York City's Uneven Recovery: Mothers in the Workforce

Attorney General James Announces Election Protection Hotline Ahead of April Presidential Primary

Voters Experiencing Problems Can Consult Frequently Asked Questions, Call (866) 390-2992, or Request Assistance Online

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will make its Election Protection Hotline available for the April 2, 2024 presidential primary election and during New York’s early voting period, which runs from Saturday, March 23 through Saturday, March 30. The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including issues voting by absentee ballot, early mail ballot, or in-person at their polling place. A guide addressing frequently asked questions is also currently available to assist voters with, among other things, the absentee and early mail ballot process and voter registration issues.

“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and my office will always ensure every New Yorker is able to make their voice heard,” said Attorney General James. “Our election protection hotline will once again be available to voters throughout this primary election to help address any challenges and provide helpful guidance, no matter how they choose to cast their ballot.”

New Yorkers are protected from voter intimidation, deception, suppression, and obstruction under state and federal law. 

Attorney General James urges voters experiencing election-related problems to call the OAG hotline at (866) 390-2992 or submit a complaint online to request assistance. The telephone hotline will be open between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM during early voting (Saturday, March 23 through Saturday, March 30), and between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, April 2. The hotline will also be available on the days before and after Primary Election Day, Monday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 3, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Written requests for assistance may be submitted at any time through the online complaint form. Hotline calls and written requests for assistance are processed by OAG attorneys and staff.