Statement from NYGOP Chair Ed Cox on Hochul's Push for Congestion Pricing Ahead of President Trump's Inauguration

"Governor Hochul’s sudden move to implement congestion pricing in New York City is a blatant bait-and-switch on hardworking New Yorkers. Just months ago, she hit the brakes on this misguided plan — clearly hoping to avoid political backlash during an election year. But now, with the election behind her, she’s racing to burden New Yorkers with yet another tax.

 

“The congestion pricing scheme ignores the real reasons for the MTA’s financial troubles:  hundreds of millions lost each year due to fare evasion and millions more lost because citizens are afraid of riding subways and buses because of crime.  Hochul and Democrats still haven’t gotten the message with their lax criminal justice policies.  Only a new Republican governor in 2026 will fix these problems.”

BROOKLYN MAN CHARGED WITH STAGING CAR CRASH ON BELT PARKWAY IN ROSEDALE

 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Maikel Martinez was charged with staging a motor vehicle accident, reckless endangerment and other crimes after being in a car that allegedly cut off another driver on the Belt Parkway, forcing that driver to come to a stop. The car the defendant was in then reversed into the victim’s car.

DA Katz said: “The defendant and others allegedly staged a crash on a busy highway and rammed an unsuspecting driver with their vehicle after they forcibly stopped her in the left lane of the Belt Parkway. Countless lives were jeopardized due to this incredibly reckless conduct. This investigation is very much ongoing, and I encourage anyone who suspects that they may have been a victim in a staged car crash to call the NYPD Office of Fraudulent Collision Investigation Squad at 718-822-5403.”

Martinez, 28, of 14th Avenue in Dyker Heights, was arraigned last night on charges of staging a motor vehicle accident in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, conspiracy in the fifth degree and insurance fraud in the fifth degree. Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece ordered him to return to court on January 7, 2025.

If convicted, he faces up to 2 1/3 years to seven years in prison.

According to the charges, on October 16, 2024, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Asphia Natasha was driving north in the left lane of the Belt Parkway in Rosedale near the Nassau County border. The woman’s vehicle was equipped with both a front and rear dashboard camera.

At that time, a silver Honda Civic cut in front of Natasha’s vehicle and then came to a stop. The victim was forced to step on her brakes to avoid a collision. The Honda then quickly backed into Natasha’s vehicle, damaging both her car and the Honda. The occupants of the Honda held up what appeared to be a plastic tarp in the rear window area of the car that partially obstructed the victim driver’s view inside the Honda, and the occupants of the vehicle switched their seating arrangement within the Honda.

After the collision, four people exited the car including a woman who got out of the driver’s side and a man who identified himself as Maikel Martinez and said the purported driver was his wife. Another woman and man who exited the vehicle are presently unidentified.

The footage surrounding the crash showed a red Kia Sport following Natasha’s car. After the crash, the Kia stopped in front of the Honda and the fourth occupant of the Honda exited that car and entered the Kia, which then left the scene.

Martinez was apprehended Thursday after arriving in New York on a flight from Ecuador.

The investigation is ongoing.

Justice Department Sues Mississippi State Senate for Race Discrimination

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the Mississippi State Senate for discriminating against a Black former staff attorney in its Legislative Services Office (LSO). The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, alleges that the Senate paid her about half the salary of her white colleagues in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).

Title VII is a federal statute that prohibits racial discrimination in compensation and other forms of employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or religion.

“Discriminatory employment practices, like paying a Black employee less than their white colleagues for the same work, are not only unfair, they are unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Black employee at issue in this lawsuit was paid about half the salary of her white colleagues in violation of federal law. This lawsuit makes clear that race-based pay discrimination will not be tolerated in our economy. Our work to eliminate race-based pay disparities is about promoting compliance with the law and promoting equity and fairness for all workers.”

The department alleges in the complaint that the Senate discriminated against Kristie Metcalfe by paying her significantly less than every other LSO attorney, all of whom were white. The complaint further alleges that Ms. Metcalfe and these other attorneys had substantially the same job responsibilities and yet she was paid less than these attorneys throughout her eight-year tenure. The LSO is a non-partisan office that provides legal services, such as drafting bills, for all members of the Senate. In the 34 years prior to Ms. Metcalfe’s hire, the LSO employed only white attorneys.

The complaint alleges the pay gap between Ms. Metcalfe and her white colleagues began when she was hired and was perpetuated in several additional discriminatory pay actions. In 2011, Ms. Metcalfe was paid a starting salary significantly lower than any LSO attorney in over 30 years. Just one month after her hire, every attorney but Ms. Metcalfe was given a substantial raise, further widening the pay gap and leaving her with a salary less than half of what her white colleagues were earning. In the following years, the Senate consistently paid Ms. Metcalfe many times less than her white colleagues. Finally, near the end of Ms. Metcalfe’s tenure, the Senate hired a white attorney with no previous legislative experience and a similar number of years of legal experience as Ms. Metcalfe at a salary significantly higher than Ms. Metcalfe’s. At a meeting with Senate officials responsible for setting LSO salaries, Ms. Metcalfe complained about the pay disparity with the new hire, but the Senate denied her request for comparable pay.

Through this lawsuit, the department is seeking back pay and compensatory damages for Ms. Metcalfe, in addition to injunctive and other appropriate relief.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Jackson Area Office investigated and attempted to resolve Ms. Metcalfe’s charge of discrimination before referring it to the Justice Department for litigation. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov.

The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Employment Litigation Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/ and www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section. 

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul Re: Death due to Wildfire

 

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of our New York State Parks employees while responding to a wildfire in Orange County yesterday. My prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines. New York is battling multiple wildfires due to the dry conditions we are currently facing. Our State employees are working around the clock to protect our communities and we are keeping them close in our thoughts as they put their lives on the line to stop the spread of these wildfires.”

UPDATED AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY ISSUED

 

In Effect for Sunday, Nov. 10, for the New York City Metro Region, Lower Hudson Valley and Upper Hudson Valley Regions

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an updated Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, for the New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley and now Upper Hudson Valley regions.

 

The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter

 

The advisory will be in effect 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.

 

he Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of: New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties, Lower Hudson Valley, which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, and Sullivan counties and Upper Hudson Valley, which includes Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington counties.

 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

 

Fine Particulate Matter

 

Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

 

Exposure can cause short-term health effects, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.

 

When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high. Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website.

In New York, dry conditions across the state are resulting in a "high" fire danger rating in several regions including New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. A high fire danger means all fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes, including unattended brush and campfires. Fires may become serious and controlling them difficult unless attacked successfully while still small. The remainder of New York State is at a moderate level of fire danger.  An updated fire danger map is available on the DEC website. While the statewide burn ban is no longer in effect, brush burning should only be done when absolutely necessary. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.

 

Open burning is prohibited in New York, with these exceptions:

• Campfires or any other outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
• Small cooking fires are allowed.
• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed, if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
• Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
• Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.

 

For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.

 

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (leaves DEC website). To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up for DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service.

 

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

Housing Lottery Launches for The Vordonia Towers at 34-46 Vernon Boulevard in Astoria, Queens

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for The Vordonia Towers, a 17-story residential building at 34-46 Vernon Boulevard in Astoria, Queens. Designed by Panagis Georgopolous and developed by Davidson Equities, the structure yields 404 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 112 units for residents at 60 to 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $40,800 to $218,010.

Residences are equipped with hardwood floors, tall ceilings, washers and dryers, private outdoor spaces, and open kitchens with custom cabinetry, stone countertops, large-format tile floors, and GE stainless steel appliances. Amenities include 24-hour attended lobby, a package room, fitness center, business center, on-site garage parking, and an outdoor pool. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

The Vordonia Towers in Astoria, Queens via NYC Housing Connect

At 60 percent of the AMI, there are three studios with a monthly rent of $1,190 for incomes ranging from $40,800 to $74,580; 16 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,271 for incomes ranging from $43,578 to $83,880; and three two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,518 for incomes ranging from $52,046 to $100,620.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are 19 studios with a monthly rent of $2,523 for incomes ranging from $86,503 to $161,590; 56 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,700 for incomes ranging from $92,572 to $181,740; and 15 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,235 for incomes ranging from $110,915 to $218,010.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than January 9, 2025.

Bitcoin Fog Operator Sentenced for Money Laundering Conspiracy

 

Operator of Notorious Darknet Cryptocurrency “Mixer” Laundered $400M in Cryptocurrency since 2011

A dual Russian-Swedish national was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for his operation of the longest-running bitcoin money laundering service on the darknet.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2011 through 2021, Roman Sterlingov, 36, was involved in operating Bitcoin Fog, the darknet’s longest-running cryptocurrency “mixer.” Over the course of its decade-long operation, Bitcoin Fog gained notoriety as a go-to money laundering service for criminals seeking to hide their illicit proceeds from law enforcement and processed transactions involving over 1.2 million bitcoin, valued at approximately $400 million at the time the transactions occurred. The bulk of this cryptocurrency came from darknet marketplaces and was tied to illegal narcotics, computer crimes, identity theft, and child sexual abuse material.

In March 2024, after a one-month trial, a jury found Sterlingov guilty of money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, and money transmission without a license in the District of Columbia.

In addition to his term of imprisonment, Sterlingov was sentenced to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $395,563,025.39, and forfeiture of seized cryptocurrencies and monetary assets valued at approximately $1.76 million. In addition, Sterlingov was ordered to forfeit his interest in the Bitcoin Fog wallet, totaling approximately 1,345 bitcoin and currently valued at more than $103 million.

“Roman Sterlingov ran the longest-running bitcoin money laundering service on the darknet, and today he paid the price,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “In the deepest corners of the internet, he provided a home for criminals of all stripes, from drug traffickers to identity thieves, to store hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds. Today’s sentence reflects the Department’s determination to dismantle the criminal networks that enable criminal actors to flourish and ensure consequences for the criminals operating them.”

“Roman Sterlingov laundered over $400 million in criminal proceeds through Bitcoin Fog, his cryptocurrency ‘mixing’ service that was open for business to criminals looking to hide dirty money,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Through his illicit money laundering operation, Sterlingov helped criminals launder proceeds of drug trafficking, computer crime, identity theft, and the sexual exploitation of children. This sentencing underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to holding those who facilitate criminal activity fully accountable for their crimes. I am especially proud of the dedicated investigators and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to unmask and prosecute the Bitcoin Fog scheme.”

“As proven at trial, Roman Sterlingov created and used an online tool to process hundreds of millions in illegal transactions, enabling darknet drug dealers and those who sell child sexual abuse material, to operate,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “This sentence sends an unmistakable message: those who help criminals with online payments for their illegal activities will face serious penalties. This prosecution also provides more proof that we have the skilled investigators and talented prosecutors needed to hold those who operate these darknet sites accountable.”

“The prosecution of Roman Sterlingov and the sentence imposed should serve as a warning to cybercriminals,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI. “The FBI will not hesitate to use all tools at its disposal and will leverage our extensive partnerships to disrupt the cybercriminal ecosystem and the individuals who provide the key services that facilitate criminal activity.”

The IRS-CI District of Columbia Cyber Crime Unit and FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and FBI’s Virtual Asset Unit provided invaluable assistance. Additional assistance was provided by Japanese, Swedish, Danish, Romanian, and UK authorities, as well as Europol.

U.S. Court of Appeals Affirms Justice Department’s Victory Protecting Airline Competition

 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts’ ruling in favor of the Justice Department and the Attorneys General of six states and the District of Columbia in their civil antitrust lawsuit to stop the Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue.

“This decision is a hard-won victory for the millions of Americans who count on competition between airlines to fly affordably, whether to visit family, to go on vacation, or to travel for business,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The airline industry — like every industry — must comply with the antitrust laws that protect consumers and prohibit anticompetitive coordination.”

“This decision is yet another litigation victory for the Antitrust Division and American travelers who depend on competition for lower airfare and higher quality,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “I am incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication of the Antitrust Division staff that investigated and litigated this case, and to the state law enforcement partners who brought this case with us.”

The court’s opinion followed a judgment by the district court upholding the Justice Department’s challenge to American Airlines and JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance in May 2023. The Northeast Alliance was a series of agreements between American Airlines and JetBlue through which the two airlines consolidated their operations in Boston and New York City. The district court ruled that JetBlue and American Airlines’ decision to stop competing in Boston and New York, where they are major players, violated Section 1 of the Sherman Act because it eliminated competition for American travelers in many domestic markets for scheduled air passenger service, and the court of appeals affirmed that decision.