United States Reaches Agreement with COBB Tuning Products for Clean Air Act Violations

 

Company Will Stop Selling Defeat Devices and Pay $2.9M Civil Penalty

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement agreement with COBB Tuning Products to resolve claims relating to the manufacture and sale of automotive emission defeat devices in violation of the Clean Air Act. The settlement requires COBB to pay a civil penalty of just over $2.9 million, based on the company’s limited ability to pay, and to stop the manufacture and sale of defeat devices.

COBB is an automotive aftermarket parts manufacturer and retailer based in Austin, Texas, which formerly sold its parts in Plano, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Fountain Valley, California. In the complaint filed with the settlement agreement, COBB is alleged to have manufactured and sold defeat devices prohibited under the Clean Air Act that, when installed, bypass or disable EPA-approved emission controls and harm air quality.

“COBB created software that allowed users to disable emissions controls, increasing pollution and violating the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are committed to enforcing the Clean Air Act, which remains one of our most important tools in helping to secure and maintain a clean environment.”

“Defeat devices significantly increase air pollution from motor vehicles, particularly in communities that already are overburdened by pollution,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Use of illegal defeat devices has gone on for far too long. EPA will use all of its enforcement tools to hold polluters like COBB Tuning accountable until these illegal practices stop.”

COBB manufactured or sold over 90,000 of these aftermarket defeat devices since January 2015. COBB’s actions resulted in substantial excess emissions of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Today’s settlement requires the company to stop manufacturing and selling aftermarket defeat devices. COBB may continue to sell tuners and software tunes which the California Air Resources Board determined do not increase emissions above allowable levels. This enforcement action will prevent additional excess emissions that would have resulted from the continued sale of these illegal products.

In addition to requiring COBB to pay a civil penalty of more than $2.9 million, the settlement agreement requires the company to:

• Remove delete features from its software,
• Destroy violative products still in its inventory,
• Cease providing technical support or honoring warranty claims for previously sold violative products,
• Revise its marketing materials,
• Notify the customers that purchased the subject parts that the products at issue violate the Clean Air Act, and
• Conduct compliance training for its employees and contractors.

Defeat devices, which are often sold to enhance engine performance, work by disabling a vehicle's emission controls, causing air pollution. As a result of enforcement efforts, some of the largest manufacturers of defeat devices have agreed to pay penalties and stop the sale of defeat devices.

More information on this settlement is available on the COBB Tuning Performance Settlement Agreement web page.

The proposed consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, is subject to a 30-day comment period and final court approval. Information on submitting comment and access to the settlement agreement is available on the Justice Department’s website: www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

Two Former High-Ranking FDNY Officials Charged With Bribery, Corruption, And False Statements Offenses

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging ANTHONY SACCAVINO and BRIAN CORDASCO, two former chiefs of the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”) Bureau of Fire Prevention (“BFP”) with bribery, corruption, and false statements offenses.  SACCAVINO and CORDASCO were arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco abused their authority as chiefs of the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Prevention to line their pockets in a pay-to-play bribery scheme.  By allegedly selling priority access to the BFP’s services, which are vital to preventing New York City businesses and homes from fire-related incidents, Saccavino and Cordasco undermined the public trust and put their own greed above the interests of the taxpayers they swore to serve.  This Office and our partners at the DOI and FBI will continue to ensure that City officials who put themselves over the public interest will be held accountable.” 

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said: “When senior City officials provide special treatment in exchange for money, they abuse their authority, fail to serve New Yorkers fairly and equitably, and undermine confidence in the integrity of City government.  As alleged, two senior leaders of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, responsible for fire safety approvals and inspections, and facing a significant backlog, fast-tracked dozens of projects in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments.  I thank the FDNY for referring allegations of possible criminal conduct to DOI, prompting this investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI for working with us to pursue this important case.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “The FDNY officials charged today allegedly took bribes to expedite the inspection process, undermining the fairness and integrity that are fundamental to our system.  By doing so, they not only compromised public safety but also eroded the public’s trust in those who are sworn to protect us.  Additionally, they damaged the trust of the overwhelming majority of New York City firefighters who are honest, hardworking public servants who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, often putting themselves in harm's way to ensure our safety.  These men and women embody the highest standards of integrity and service.  The actions of a few should not overshadow the dedication and bravery of the many who wear the badge with pride and honor.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

SACCAVINO and CORDASCO repeatedly abused their positions of trust as high-ranking officials in the FDNY from at least in or about 2021 through in or about 2023 by soliciting and accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments in exchange for providing preferential treatment to certain individuals and companies with matters pending before the BFP.

SACCAVINO and CORDASCO were at relevant times Chiefs of the BFP, which is responsible for overseeing and approving the installation of fire safety and suppression systems in commercial and residential buildings in New York City.  The BFP ensures that these systems comply with fire safety regulations by, among other things, reviewing and approving design plans and conducting on-site inspections of installed systems.  In many cases, BFP approvals are required before a building can be occupied or opened to the public.  As Chiefs of Fire Prevention—and, ultimately, the top two ranking members of the BFP—during the relevant period, SACCAVINO and CORDASCO supervised the BFP personnel who conducted these plan reviews and inspections.  For nearly two years, SACCAVINO and CORDASCO misused their authority as Chiefs for their private financial gain.

Specifically, SACCAVINO and CORDASCO solicited and accepted bribes from a retired FDNY firefighter, Henry Santiago Jr., who ran an unsanctioned “expediting” business (the “Santiago Company”).  Acting in large part at the direction of SACCAVINO and CORDASCO, Santiago promised his customers that he could “expedite”—or fast-track—their plan reviews and inspection dates with the BFP, in exchange for payment.   Santiago made this claim even though the BFP generally addressed applications on a first-come, first-served basis, and notwithstanding the significant wait times that BFP applicants generally faced during the relevant period. 

Behind the scenes, after a customer had hired the Santiago Company, SACCAVINO and CORDASCO directed BFP personnel to prioritize that customer’s plan review or inspection request in exchange for bribe payments from Santiago and/or the Santiago Company.  In carrying out their official duties as Chiefs, SACCAVINO and CORDASCO justified the priority requests within the FDNY by lying to their BFP subordinates about the basis for their directions to prioritize certain projects over others.   Santiago was paid by the customers of his company for this “expediting” and, in turn, Santiago made bribe payments to SACCAVINO and CORDASCO to obtain preferential treatment by the BFP for the Santiago Company’s customers. 

Collectively, SACCAVINO, CORDASCO, and Santiago received more than $190,000 in payments in connection with this scheme.

As part of the investigation into this bribery scheme, in or about February 2024, SACCAVINO and CORDASCO each participated in voluntary interviews with the FBI.  During those interviews, SACCAVINO and CORDASCO each repeatedly made false statements in an effort to conceal their involvement in the bribery scheme.

If you believe you have information related to bribery, fraud, or any other illegal conduct by FDNY or BFP employees, please contact tipline@doi.nyc.gov or (212) 825-2828.  If you were involved in such conduct, please consider self-disclosing through the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program at USANYS.WBP@usdoj.gov.

SACCAVINO, 59, of New York, New York, and CORDASCO, 49, of Staten Island, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of solicitation and receipt of a bribe, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Santiago, 46, of Staten Island, New York, pled guilty on September 10, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  His case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, Santiago agreed to cooperate with the Government.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the DOI and FBI.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Greenwood, Matthew King, and Daniel H. Wolf are in charge of the prosecution.

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

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Brooklyn

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Gerardo Santiago De Los Santos, who died on September 13, 2024 following a vehicle collision involving a member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn. 

In the early morning hours of September 13, Mr. Santiago De Los Santos was riding his bicycle traveling westbound on the eastbound side of the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. An off-duty NYPD officer was driving eastbound on the Belt Parkway when he struck Mr. Santiago De Los Santos with his vehicle. Mr. Santiago De Los Santos was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.   

Ahead of National Voter Registration Day, Governor Hochul Encourages All Eligible Voters to Register and Reminds New Yorkers That State and County Election Officials Are Trusted Sources of Election Information

Eligible New York Voters Have Until October 26 To Register To Vote in the General Election on November 5

As the November General Election Approaches, Voters Should Make Sure They Are Receiving Accurate Information About Voting and Elections

New Yorkers Should Contact the New York State Board of Elections or Their County Board of Elections for Accurate and Trustworthy Election Information 

As people and organizations around the state and across the country prepare to help members of their communities register to vote as part of National Voter Registration Day celebrations on September 17, Governor Kathy Hochul encouraged all eligible New Yorkers to register to vote so that they can make their voices heard in our democracy. Governor Hochul also reminded New Yorkers to look to state and county election officials as the trusted sources of election information in New York State. This reminder comes as New Yorkers begin preparing to cast their ballots in the General Election this November.

“National Voter Registration Day is an important opportunity to foster engagement in our democracy,” Governor Hochul said. “Our democratic institutions are only as strong as the voters who participate in them, and I encourage every eligible New Yorker to make their voice heard.”

Eligible New Yorkers can register to vote online, in person, or by mail. Information about voter registration eligibility requirements, as well as links to the online voter registration portal and downloadable registration forms, can be found on the State Board of Elections website.

To be eligible to vote in the General Election on November 5, eligible New Yorkers must register to vote by October 26. Additional detail regarding important election and voting deadlines is available from the State Board of Elections.

Voters who are unsure of whether they are already registered to vote can check their registration status at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

New York State elections are administered by bipartisan county boards of elections across the state and supported by the bipartisan New York State Board of Elections. The State Board of Elections and the county election commissioners across the state are the best sources for factual information about elections and voting in New York State.

New Yorkers can visit the New York State Board of Elections online to find important information about New York’s election calendar, deadlines for registering to vote and requesting or returning absentee or early mail voting ballots, robust measures ensuring election security and integrity and more.

New Yorkers can also follow the New York State Board of Elections on X @NYSBOE, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for timely updates and important information about elections this November and throughout the year.

Contact information for county boards of elections across New York State can be found online.

Election Day this fall will take place on November 5. Early voting will take place from October 26 through November 3. Voters can find their early voting and election day polling locations online.

If voters require an absentee ballot or an early vote by mail ballot, they can apply online, by mail, or in person at their County Board of Elections. Such ballots must be requested by October 26 and can be returned with the included postage paid return envelope or in person at any early voting or Election Day poll site. Absentee ballots and early vote by mail ballots must be returned to the board of elections no later than Election Day. If an absentee ballot or early vote by mail ballot is postmarked by Election Day, the ballot must arrive at the board of elections within 7 days of Election Day. To learn more about or apply for an absentee or early vote by mail ballot, visit the State Board of Elections website.

The New York State Board of Elections also helps ensure that registering to vote and casting a ballot are accessible to eligible voters with disabilities. Voters have multiple methods of completing the voter registration process, and voters with a print disability requiring a ballot with accessible features may apply for an accessible ballot using the State Board of Elections’ online Accessible Ballot Application portal. Additional information about accessible voting is available from the State Board of Elections.

New Yorkers can become more involved in our elections by becoming a poll worker. Information about becoming a poll worker is available here.

Anyone who has questions or sees incorrect election information being distributed should contact the New York State Board of Elections at info@elections.ny.gov or (518) 474-1953.

FY24 MAYOR’S MANAGEMENT REPORT: ADAMS ADMINISTRATION HAS DRIVEN MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY, AFFORDABILITY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today celebrated another year of making New York City safer, cleaner, and more affordable for hardworking New Yorkers, as indicated by the latest   (MMR) for Fiscal Year 2024 — a report assessing city agency performance for all of Fiscal Year 2023, from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The report shows significant improvements in the areas New Yorkers care about most — public safety, housing, affordability, and quality of life.

“New Yorkers elected this administration because they wanted a safer, more affordable city, and this year’s MMR shows that we’re continuing to deliver exactly that,” said Mayor Adams. “We are moving full-speed-ahead on our initiatives to get illegal guns, illegal mopeds, and black trash bags off the streets; breaking housing record after housing record; and helping put billions of dollars back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers — and residents of the five boroughs are seeing the results. New York City isn’t just coming back, and it’s not just back — thanks to our administration, it’s better than ever.”

“The latest MMR highlights the significant strides we’ve made in making New York City safer, more affordable, and a better place to live,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “This year, we’ve seen unprecedented reductions in crime, and groundbreaking improvements in housing and affordability. I am proud to be a part of an administration that remains focused on delivering results that enhance the quality of life for every New Yorker.”

“Our North Star has always been building a safer, more affordable city, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Chief Advisor Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin. “We, however, are not resting on our laurels: building more housing — and not just housing but affordable housing — creating more jobs, initiating programs such as ‘Money in Your Pocket’ to do exactly that, and so much more.”

“We are committed to data-driven strategies that ensure efficient, effective, and timely services for all New Yorkers. Every day, this administration works to address the issues that matter most, striving to make the city safer, more affordable, and more inclusive” said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “We’ve increased availability to affordable housing, had greater participation in youth programs, invested in public health programs, and so much more. We've made significant progress, but the work doesn’t stop. We’re going to continue to show up for New Yorkers, every single day.”

“This administration dedicates itself, among many other things, to safe, quality, affordable housing; getting New Yorkers into quality jobs with family-sustaining wages; support for small businesses; putting money in New Yorkers' pockets, and this MMR proves again that we’re surpassing our goals,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “We have to improve life for New Yorkers on every possible level, and we're doing what the mayor has always directed us to do: get stuff done.”

“As individuals and families continue to navigate life, they expect their government to work. Over the last year, we continue to do that work and deliver across our portfolios,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “In the health arena, we’ve enrolled more people in NYC Care and in Medicaid, both foundational supports to give more people access to the health care they need. Additionally, we moved 13 percent more single adults and 42 percent more families with children from shelter to permanent housing. Over the coming year, we will continue to build on efforts across the administration to help every New Yorker thrive.”

“Investment in shared streets and parks is more than just nice to have; it is proof that our city cares about your lived experience no matter your zip code,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “From planting record numbers of trees to installing more safety infrastructure on our streets and keeping our parks and public bathrooms in working shape for working people, we’re delivering a better, safer, cleaner city for all New Yorkers.”

“New York City is safe and continues to move in the right direction,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “People are safe and feel safe. From major crime to the ever-important quality of life issues, like illegal cannabis shops and ghost cars, the city is making significant progress. Jails are safer for not just the people in custody but for the officers and visitors. We are better prepared for emergencies. We thank all New Yorkers who work hand-in-hand with this administration and will continue to work together as one team to deliver on safety.”

“Every young person in our city, and their families, deserve access to high-quality, inclusive support. I am committed to ensuring our policies and programs embody this commitment,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “As New York City advances in revitalization, our administration is dedicated to equipping young people with essential tools and resources. Our achievements this year, including improved and increased access to child care and a strong summer youth employment program, underscore our commitment to valuing investment in our youth, which is the future of our city.”

“When we came into office, we committed to building a safer, more affordable city for all New Yorkers. Over two-and-a-half years later, the MMR confirms that we continue to do just that,” said Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy. “We’ve brought overall crime down, including double digit decreases in homicides and shootings, helped connect more families to afford child care, shattered affordable housing records, helped put money back into the pocket of New Yorkers, and so much more. We’ve worked across agencies and mayoral offices to keep New Yorkers safe, make our city more affordable, and deliver every day for working-class people.”

“We have partnered with our elected officials at every level of government to deliver for working-class New Yorkers,” said Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and External Relations Tiffany Raspberry. “The victories we achieved in Washington, DC, Albany, and locally have helped us build a safer, more affordable New York City.”

“Public schools are the foundation of both this city and our administration's priorities. From enhancing literacy to creating pathways for rewarding careers to investing over $1.5 billion in our schools, we are committed to providing the resources and support necessary for a world-class education,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “With the collective dedication of 140,000 staff members, New York City Public Schools are united in driving this mission forward and elevating all of our schools.”

“The men and women of the NYPD are tirelessly working to prevent crime, resulting in significant reductions in serious offenses. They remain dedicated to decreasing acts of violence and disorder, while also improving the quality of life in every neighborhood of New York City,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon. “Since the beginning of this mayoral administration, NYPD officers have successfully removed more than 18,300 guns from our streets. Today, they continue to create a safer and more secure environment for all the people we serve.”

“Each year since 1977, the Mayor’s Management Report gathers and publishes essential metrics from city agencies, allowing the public to assess the city’s performance in its wide range of functions and responsibilities,” said Mayor’s Office of Operations Director Dan Steinberg. “This year, the Mayor’s Office of Operations concluded a reassessment of the performance goals and metrics in the MMR as directed by the mayor, to make sure that we’re measuring what New Yorkers want our agencies to be doing. As a result, agencies introduced over 20 new goals and nearly 350 new indicators, enhancing transparency, accountability, and public insight into service delivery as the administration continues to build a safer, more affordable city for working-class New Yorkers.”

Highlights of this year’s MMR include:

Keeping New Yorkers Safe:

• Overall major felony crime decreased again this fiscal year, driven by a 15 percent decrease in murders and an 18 percent decrease in shootings.
• The NYPD continued to increase its level of enforcement, with a 10 percent increase in major felony crime arrests, 34 percent increase in summonses for quality-of-life infractions, and 25 percent increase in summonses for transit infractions.
• The New York City Department of Transportation installed 27 percent more protected bike lanes and 73 percent more bike parking spaces — both the second most ever built in a year — and 94 percent more speed reducers, the most on record.
• Public safety agencies seized more than 20,000 illegal mopeds and scooters — nearly four times more than in the previous fiscal year.
• New York City’s jails were safer, with fewer stabbings and slashings, fewer injuries due to assaults on staff or violent incidents among people in custody, and fewer weapons recovered than in the previous fiscal year.
• There were fewer fires, 27 percent fewer civilian fire fatalities, and 26 percent fewer firefighter injuries requiring leave — driven by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and Mayor Adams’ E-Micromobility Task Force’s work on lithium-ion batteries.
• The FDNY, the New York City Department of Buildings, and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) all completed more inspections than in the previous fiscal year.
• HPD issued 24 percent more violations and responded to emergency problems 10 percent faster than in the previous fiscal year.
• The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) abated 54 percent more units for lead, part of Mayor Adams’ commitment to prioritize NYCHA residents.
• The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) planted approximately 42,000 trees — a 35 percent increase from the previous fiscal year, and the most trees planted since FY17 — to protect New Yorkers from extreme heat.
• The New York City Department of Environmental Protection cleared obstructed catch basins 24 percent faster than in the previous fiscal year.

Helping Put Money in New Yorkers’ Pockets:

• 25 percent more families signed up for subsidized child care — now less than $5 per week for a family making $55,000 per year, down from $55 per week — than in the previous fiscal year. More families used MyCity to submit their applications for subsidized child care, increasing by 382 percent.
• NYCHA placed 19 percent more youth in jobs through its on-site jobs programs and partnerships with the New York City Department of Community and Youth Development.
• More young New Yorkers than ever participated in free Summer Rising, Summer Youth Employment, recreation center, and NYC Parks youth programming — programs expanded and protected by the Adams administration.
• New York City set a new all-time high jobs record.
• The New York City Department of Small Business Services helped 19 percent more businesses open, served nearly 25,000 customers and businesses overall, and helped 13 percent more jobseekers register through the Workforce1 system for the first time.
• 20 percent more New Yorkers without insurance enrolled to receive low-cost or no-cost health services through NYC Care, and 5 percent more New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid through the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA).
• HRA increased enrollment in Fair Fares by 15 percent, helping New Yorkers with low incomes manage their transportation costs
• The New York City Department of Consumer and Workforce Protection provided financial counseling to 32 percent more New Yorkers, including 38 percent more first-time clients. Financial counseling helped reduce clients’ debt by 15 percent more and helped clients save 14 percent more than the previous fiscal year.
• Certified more firms as minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBE), recertified more reapplying firms as M/WBEs, and informed more M/WBE vendors about available city contracts.
• Issued 5 percent more IDNYC cards to help New Yorkers access benefits and other financial supports.

Building More Housing:

• Total affordable housing starts increased by 4 percent to 25,266, while supportive unit starts increased 9 percent to a record high of 2,155.
• A record 58 percent of housing units started by HPD were new construction, those 14,739 units represent the most new construction starts in the city’s history, and a 16 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.
• HPD created and preserved 60 percent more affordable units for seniors.
• HPD moved 70 percent more homeless households into a newly constructed unit and 17 percent more into a re-rental unit.
• HPD started 15 percent more units for homeless individuals and families.
• There was a 6 percent increase in units of supportive housing available to people with mental health and substance abuse.
• HPD approved 5 percent more applicants for affordable housing through the lottery, while speeding up the approval process.
• HPD increased contract awards to M/WBE affordable housing contractors through the Build Up program by 248 percent.
• HPD produced 2,130 homeownership units, more than twice as many as the previous fiscal year.
• The New York City Department of Social Services placed 13 percent more single adults and 42 percent more families with children from shelter into permanent housing overall, fueled by 22 and 25 percent increases in subsidized placements for singles and families, respectively.

Improving Quality of Life:

• The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) diverted nearly 130 tons of organic waste from landfill, marking a 23 percent increase from last year and making it the nation’s largest organic waste program.
• Utilization of DSNY Smart Composting bins increased by 300 percent, ahead of the city’s expansion of free, pain-free weekly curbside composting to every borough this fall.
• 21 percent more New Yorkers were members of NYC Parks recreation centers, fueled by Adams administration investments in marquee projects like the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in East Flatbush and the Brownsville Recreation Center.
• The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services increased its electric vehicle (EV) fleet by 12 percent and its EV charging ports by 21 percent — work which will likely accelerate further, as the administration recently won a $15 million federal grant to build the nation’s largest municipal curbside EV charging program.

 

Suspect at Trump International Golf Course Charged with Firearms Offenses

 

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, has been charged by a criminal complaint in the Southern District of Florida with firearms charges related to an incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15.

Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession and receipt of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Ryon M. McCabe in the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach. A detention hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 23. The investigation remains ongoing.

According to allegations in the criminal complaint, a Secret Service agent walking the golf course perimeter saw what appeared to be a rifle poking out of the tree line. After the agent fired a service weapon in the direction of the rifle, a witness saw a man later identified as Routh fleeing the area of the tree line. Routh was later apprehended by officers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

The complaint alleges that in the area of the tree line from which Routh fled, agents found a digital camera, a backpack, a loaded SKS-style rifle with a scope and a black plastic bag containing food. The serial number on the rifle was obliterated.

According to the complaint, Routh was convicted of felonies in North Carolina in December 2002 and March 2010.

The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Secret Service are providing assistance.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case. 

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

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FATALLY SHOOTING COLLEGE STUDENT IN CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY

 

Defendant Was a Teenager When He Committed 2021 Killing

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison and five years post-release supervision for fatally shooting a 21- year-old college student. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant took the life of a promising young man, devastating the family. The defendant was only 17 years old when he senselessly killed someone, and now he will be in prison for many years. He picked up a gun and threw his own life away.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Steven Mendez, 20, of Grand Avenue, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Gayle Roberts to 19 years in prison and five years post release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty on March 5, 2024, to first-degree Manslaughter.

According to the investigation, at approximately 8:50 pm on October 24, 2021, Mendez, acting in concert with five others, walked for several blocks looking for someone when they spotted Saikou Koma, 21, and his friend on Ryer Avenue in Fordham Heights. Mendez and one of his accomplices fired multiple shots. Koma was struck and killed. There was no connection between him and the defendant.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Sasha Brugal of the Bronx 

Governor Hochul Announces Applications Now Open for Income Eligible Homeowners to Apply for Emergency Repair Grants for July and August Extreme Weather Events

 

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Chautauqua, Madison, Erie, Oneida, Essex, Saratoga, Lewis and Warren Counties for July 10 – 16, 2024 Severe Weather Events

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Allegany, Oswego, Delaware, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Steuben and Jefferson Counties for August 9 - 10, 2024 Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Nassau and Suffolk Counties for August 18-19, 2024 Severe Weather Events

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that applications are now available for income eligible homeowners affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred in New York State in July and August 2024. Under this program, administered by Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), emergency home repair assistance may be available to impacted homeowners who reside in the impacted counties below. Funding up to $50,000 may be used for emergency housing repairs necessary to make the home safe, sanitary and habitable. Grants will be available on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted. Applications will be accepted until October 7, 2024.

“After extreme weather events caused major damage across New York State, we are providing emergency assistance for impacted residents to make necessary repairs to ensure their homes are safe and habitable,” Governor Hochul said, “My administration remains committed to assisting homeowners affected by these storms so they can continue to recover from these devastating events.”

Funds are available to eligible homeowners for their primary residence where flood or insurance coverage or other forms of disaster recovery funds are not sufficient to return the home to a safe and habitable condition. The program will be administered by non-profit organizations and serve the following counties:

July 10 – 16, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Chautauqua, Madison, Erie, Oneida, Essex, Saratoga, Lewis, Warren

August 9 - 10, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Allegany, Oswego, Delaware, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Steuben, Jefferson

August 18-19, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Nassau and Suffolk

More information on the program, including guidelines, administrators and income requirements is available by storm on HCR's website. Homeowners that previously completed the online homeowner inquiry form will be contacted by their respective administrator.