MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES EARTH DAY BY ANNOUNCING COMPLETION OF $42 MILLION FLOOD PREVENTION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT TO REDUCE ROADWAY FLOODING, BOLSTER SAFETY IN EAST FLATBUSH AND CANARSIE

 

New Rain Gardens, Infiltration Basins Will Capture More Than 122 Million Gallons —Enough to Fill 184 Olympic Swimming Pools — of Stormwater Annually, Keeping East Flatbush and Canarsie Residents Safe 

223 New Trees Planted to Clean Air, Reduce Effects of Hotter Summers on Heat-Vulnerable Neighborhoods in New York City

In celebration of Earth Week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the completion of a $42.3 million safety project in East Flatbush and Canarsie, Brooklyn, that will reduce street flooding and keep New Yorkers safe during rainstorms. Nearly 1,200 new flood-fighting assets will keep excess rainwater off the streets and out of the sewers. This includes 906 infiltration basins and 291 rain gardens, which will capture approximately 122.5 million gallons of stormwater annually — enough to fill 184 Olympic-sized swimming pools.. 

“Protecting New Yorkers from the clear and present danger to life and property that flooding poses is critical to keeping New Yorkers safe on Earth Day and every day,” said Mayor Adams. “These investments in Canarsie and East Flatbush will capture enough water annually to fill 184 Olympic swimming pools — keeping residents safe and reducing flooding. Our administration continues to focus on creating a safer, more affordable city, and with climate change continuing to produce more intense and more frequent extreme weather, investments like these are a key part of our public safety and affordability strategies.”

"Stronger and more frequent storms are felt more acutely with every passing year. This Earth Day, one thing is clear: We need to bring every resource we have to bear to protect communities from the water that laps at our shores and inundates us from above," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth. "Delivering rain gardens and infiltration basins may seem minor, but in aggregate, they offset tens of millions of gallons of rainwater, saving property and, most importantly, lives." 

Locations of new flood mitigation public safety infrastructure in East Flatbush (left) and Canarsie (right).

Credit: New York City Department of Environmental Protection

Rain gardens resemble typical curbside tree beds, but are engineered to capture and store up to 2,500 gallons of rainwater that then percolate into the ground, preventing flooding. Infiltration basins are similarly designed to store and absorb rainwater, but at sidewalk level they have a walkable surface that blends into the surrounding conditions.

As part of the project, the city planted 223 trees across East Flatbush and Canarsie, which have historically been two of New York’s most heat-vulnerable neighborhoods. The trees provide shade, improve air quality, and relieve the urban heat island effect. Cared for by NYC Parks, the new trees build on the record number of trees planted by NYC Parks in FY24.

“Every storm is a reminder that climate change is here and hitting New York City hard,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This new green infrastructure in East Flatbush and Canarsie will soak up stormwater to ease flooding and reduce pollution. Green infrastructure like this can be delivered to New Yorkers quickly and with little construction disruption.”

"These trees will help to cool some of the city’s hottest neighborhoods, including Canarsie, one of our Climate Strong Communities,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “As that program has shown us, so many of our residents are at risk of multiple climate threats. Today’s announcement is a perfect example of how we’re going to have to think holistically to keep our communities safe from climate hazards as the city gets hotter and wetter."

“Bringing green infrastructure to East Flatbush and Canarsie, Brooklyn as part of these two projects is just one way we are celebrating Earth Week at DDC,” said New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We are completing other projects like these all over the city, and have a team working hard every day to find engineering and architectural solutions to make our infrastructure and public buildings stock greener while also combating the effects of climate change. We thank our partners at City Hall, DEP, and the New York City Department of Transportation for working with us on these important upgrades that help curb flooding and beautify streets.”

“Investments in resilient infrastructure are vital to keeping our city and New Yorkers safe,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “We are proud to work with our partners at DEP and DDC to build significant green infrastructure such as infiltration basins and rain gardens that will help protect Brooklyn from street flooding and water pollution, resulting in cleaner and greener neighborhoods."

Today’s announcement builds on investments the Adams administration has made to protect New Yorkers from stormwater flooding. Since the start of this administration, $12.3 billion has been planned for stormwater infrastructure — ranging from traditional sewer upgrades to innovative green infrastructure solutions and more — through the city's Ten Year Capital Plan.  Across the nation, similar investments in anti-flooding infrastructure have been shown to prevent seven times as much damage as the original investment.

Last fall, Mayor Adams celebrated milestones in five major public safety projects, including the completion of major sewer upgrades that tripled drainage capacity in College Point and doubled it in Maspeth, the installation of the 200^th flood sensor in Corona, Queens, and breaking ground on the first Cloudburst project at the New York City Housing Authority’s South Jamaica Houses, which will keep nearly 3.5 million gallons of stormwater out of the sewer system each year.

Walgreens Agrees to Pay Up to $350M for Illegally Filling Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions and for Submitting False Claims to the Federal Government

 

The Justice Department, together with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), today announced a $300 million settlement with Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co., and various subsidiaries (collectively, Walgreens) to resolve allegations that the national chain pharmacy illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and then sought payment for many of those invalid prescriptions by Medicare and other federal health care programs in violation of the False Claims Act (FCA). The settlement amount is based on Walgreens’s ability to pay. Walgreens will owe the United States an additional $50 million if the company is sold, merged, or transferred prior to fiscal year 2032.

The government’s complaint, filed on Jan. 16 and amended April 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that from approximately August 2012 through March 1, 2023, Walgreens, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, knowingly filled millions of unlawful controlled substance prescriptions. These unlawful prescriptions included prescriptions for excessive quantities of opioids, opioid prescriptions filled significantly early, and prescriptions for the especially dangerous and abused combination of three drugs known as a “trinity.” Walgreens pharmacists allegedly filled these prescriptions despite clear red flags indicating a high likelihood that the prescriptions were invalid because they lacked a legitimate medical purpose or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice. 

The complaint further alleges that Walgreens pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly and without taking the time needed to confirm that each prescription was lawful. Walgreens’s compliance officials also allegedly ignored substantial evidence that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions and even intentionally deprived its own pharmacists of crucial information, including by refusing to share internal data regarding prescribers with pharmacists and preventing pharmacists from warning one another about certain problematic prescribers.

In light of this settlement, the United States has moved to dismiss its complaint. Walgreens will also move to dismiss a related declaratory judgment action filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

“Pharmacies have a legal responsibility to prescribe controlled substances in a safe and professional manner, not dispense dangerous drugs just for profit,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice is committed to ending the opioid crisis and holding bad actors accountable for their failure to protect patients from addiction.”

“This settlement resolves allegations that, for years, Walgreens failed to meet its obligations when dispensing dangerous opioids and other drugs,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those entities and individuals whose actions contributed to the opioid crisis, whether through illegal prescribing, marketing, dispensing or distributing activities.”

“Importantly, Walgreens’s agreements with the DEA and HHS-OIG provide swift relief in the form of monitoring and claims review that will improve Walgreens’s practices immediately,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that opioids are properly dispensed and that taxpayer funds are only spent on legitimate pharmacy claims.”

“This landmark civil settlement is the largest Controlled Substances Act resolution in our district’s history and once again confirms the high priority our office has placed upon confronting those responsible for the opioid crisis here,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “We are grateful for the energy and collaborative spirit brought to this effort by our colleagues in the DEA, the Department of Justice Civil Frauds Section and Consumer Protection Branch, and the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of Illinois, District of Maryland, Eastern District of New York, and Eastern District of Virginia.” 

“With the power to dispense potentially harmful substances comes the responsibility to ensure that every prescription is legitimate before it is filled,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “When pharmacies fail that responsibility, this office will work with others across the country to hold accountable those who put patients and communities at risk.”

“This settlement holds Walgreens accountable for failing to comply with its critical responsibility to prevent the diversion of opioids and other controlled substances,” said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. “The settlement also underscores our office’s continued commitment to ensure that all persons and businesses that fill controlled-substance prescriptions adhere to the requirements of the Controlled Substances Act that are designed to prevent highly addictive medications from being used for illegitimate purposes.”    

“Strict compliance with the law is essential to safeguarding the public, who rely on carefully considered and limited prescriptions for their health and wellbeing,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Those companies and individuals authorized to provide controlled substances have a professional responsibility to ensure that the prescriptions they fill are within the course of professional practice and regulations. Medically unnecessary prescriptions are a cost ultimately borne by the taxpayers and consumers. As we continue to address the opioid crisis here in Virginia and across the nation, we are determined to ensure pharmacies and pharmacists operate within the law.”

In addition to the monetary payments announced today, Walgreens has entered into agreements with DEA and HHS-OIG to address its future obligations in dispensing controlled substances. Walgreens and DEA entered into a memorandum of agreement that requires the company to implement and maintain certain compliance measures for the next seven years. Walgreens must maintain policies and procedures requiring pharmacists to confirm the validity of controlled substance prescriptions prior to dispensing controlled substances, provide annual training to pharmacy employees regarding their legal obligations relating to controlled substances, verify that pharmacy staffing is sufficient to enable pharmacy employees to comply with those legal obligations, and maintain a system for blocking prescriptions from prescribers whom Walgreens becomes aware are writing illegitimate controlled substance prescriptions. Walgreens has also entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG, which further requires Walgreens to establish and maintain a compliance program that includes written policies and procedures, training, board oversight, and periodic reporting to HHS-OIG related to Walgreens’s dispensing of controlled substances. 

“Pharmacies have an obligation to ensure that every prescription for highly addictive controlled substances is legitimate and issued responsibly in compliance with the Controlled Substances Act,” said DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz. “When one of the nation's largest pharmacies fails at this obligation, they jeopardize the health and safety of their customers and place the American public in danger. The DEA remains committed to protecting all Americans from unscrupulous practices that prioritize profit over patient safety.”

“Pharmacies that neglect their legal duties and their critical role in delivering safe and appropriate medications to enrollees of federal health care programs, and instead exploit these programs for market advantage, squander taxpayer dollars and put patient safety at risk,” said Acting Inspector General Juliet T. Hodgkins of HHS-OIG. “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will use every tool in our arsenal to prevent these outcomes. This settlement and corporate integrity agreement reflect HHS-OIG’s commitment to ensuring compliance, correcting failures in oversight, and protecting the foundation of federally-funded health care.”

“In the midst of the opioid crisis that has plagued our nation, we rely on pharmacies to prevent not facilitate the unlawful distribution of these potentially harmful substances,” said Norbert E. Vint, Deputy Inspector General Performing the Duties of the Inspector General at OPM OIG. “We applaud our investigative staff, law enforcement partners, and partners at the Department of Justice for their hard work and unwavering commitment to protecting patients from harm.”

The civil settlement resolves four cases brought under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA by former Walgreens employees. The FCA authorizes whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the United States and receive a share of any recovery. It also permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it did here. The relators will receive a 17.25% share of the government’s FCA recovery in this matter.

The United States’ pursuit of this matter underscores the government’s commitment to combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to HHS-OIG, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The DEA, HHS-OIG, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Health Agency (DHA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General, FBI Chicago Field Office, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Colorado, Southern District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Eastern District of Washington, Southern District of Alabama, Southern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, District of Arizona, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, District of Puerto Rico, and Eastern District of Louisiana provided substantial assistance in the investigation.

The United States is represented in this matter by attorneys from the Justice Department’s Civil Division Consumer Protection Branch (Assistant Director Amy DeLine and Trial Attorney Nicole Frazer) and Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section (Assistant Director Natalie Waites and Trial Attorney Joshua Barron), as well as from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern District of Illinois (Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie R. Raedy), Middle District of Florida (Chief of the Civil Division Randy Harwell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Tapie), District of Maryland (Chief of the Civil Division Thomas Corcoran), Eastern District of New York (Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot M. Schachner) and Eastern District of Virginia (Assistant U.S. Attorney John Beerbower). Fraud Section senior financial analyst Karen Sharp provided support for the matter.

The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Additional information about the Fraud Section of the Civil Division and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/fraud-section.  

For information about the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, visit:

• Middle District of Florida, www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl;
• Northern District of Illinois, www.justice.gov/usao-ndil;
• District of Maryland, www.justice.gov/usao-md;
• Eastern District of New York, www.justice.gov/usao-edny; and
• Eastern District of Virginia, www.justice.gov/usao-edva.

For information about the federal agencies involved in this investigation and their work to combat the opioid crisis and federal healthcare fraud, visit:

• DEA at www.dea.gov;
• FBI at www.fbi.gov;
• HHS-OIG at www.oig.hhs.gov

Albanian National Charged with Conspiring to Smuggle Illegal Aliens into the United States

 

Defendant Arranged to Smuggle Undercover Agent Across U.S.-Canada Border

In federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Fatjon Shytani, an Albanian national and resident of the Bronx, New York, with a scheme to smuggle illegal aliens from Canada into the United States for financial gain.  Shytani was arrested and was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom.

John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and indictment.

“As alleged, Shytani conspired to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States to benefit himself financially, but was thwarted by the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “These types of schemes represent a significant threat to our national security and will not be tolerated.  This case demonstrates our Office’s continued dedication to protect our border security and the integrity of the immigration process.”

Mr. Durham also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the New York City Police Department, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Albanian State Police for their valuable assistance during the investigation.

"Fatjon Shytani, an Albanian national, allegedly facilitated the illegal entry of foreign nationals into the United States in exchange for cash payments.  This alleged conspiracy established unauthorized border access designed to circumvent proper protocols and evade authorities.  The FBI remains dedicated to apprehending any individual who profits from violating the borders and security of our nation," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.

As alleged in court filings, Shytani and his co-defendants conspired to smuggle foreign nationals to enter the United States via illegal border crossing at the U.S. border with Canada.  During the course of the investigation, Shytani accepted cash from an undercover agent (UC-1) in exchange for arranging to have the agent’s significant other, who purportedly was from the Republic of Kosovo, smuggled across the Canadian border into the United States.  In reality, the agent’s significant other was another undercover law enforcement agent (UC-2).  Between March 12, 2024 and March 13, 2024, Shytani and UC-1 exchanged phone calls and text messages during which they agreed to meet in person on March 14, 2024, at a coffee shop on Long Island, New York.  On March 14, 2024, Shytani met UC-1 at the agreed-upon location where they discussed details regarding UC-2’s illegal crossing from Canada into the United States. At the conclusion of the meeting, UC-1 paid Shytani $14,000 in cash for the planned smuggling service.  On March 16, 2024, Shytani’s co-conspirators then attempted to smuggle UC-2 and two other aliens from Canada into the United States before being apprehended and later released by Canadian law enforcement.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of alien smuggling and transportation conspiracy, Shytani faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Assistant United States  Attorneys Andrew Roddin, Stephanie Pak, and Kate Mathews are in charge of the prosecution.  

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood.

To Kick Off Earth Week, Governor Hochul Announces $4.85 Million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grants Awarded to Municipalities

Funding for Electric Vehicle Chargers Across New York State Helps Improve Air Quality and Reduce Pollution

Part of $3 Billion in Ongoing Statewide Investments to Electrify the Transportation Sector

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $4.85 million in grants is being awarded to municipalities across the state to support the installation of electric vehicle chargers as part of the State’s Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Grants program. The funded projects support New York’s ongoing efforts to advance clean transportation, expand publicly available electric vehicle chargers, and help reduce pollution including greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner and greener environment.

“My Administration is committed to advancing the transition to a cleaner and healthier future for our environment benefitting all New Yorkers,”  Governor Hochul said.  “Our continued investments in electric vehicle infrastructure encourages more drivers to switch to electric, reducing pollution and emissions across the State and improving the health and well-being of our residents and communities.”

The Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Grant program administered by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) prioritizes clean transportation investments in communities most affected by pollution and climate change. The program includes a variable local match requirement based on the municipality’s median household income (MHI) and whether the ZEV infrastructure is located in a disadvantaged community, based on the  disadvantaged communities criteria  developed by the State’s Climate Justice Working Group. Of the awards announced today, approximately $885,000 were granted to municipalities located in disadvantaged communities in New York State.

 2024 Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grant Awards include:

Capital Region

• City of Rensselaer - $233,000 for one DCFC pedestal

Finger Lakes

• Village of Brockport - $188,825 for 10 Level 2 charging ports and one DCFC pedestal
• Village of Dundee - $24,200 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Town of Farmington - $225,620 for 24 Level 2 charging ports and one DCFC pedestal
• Town of Huron - $43,200 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Village of Interlaken - $124,470 for one DCFC pedestal
• Village of Le Roy - $20,605 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Village of Oakfield - $24,380 for four Level 2 charging ports
• County of Ontario - $309,100 for 14 Level 2 charging ports and two DCFC pedestals
• Village of Palmyra - $222,250 for two DCFC pedestals
• Village of Warsaw - $148,500 for one DCFC pedestal
• Village of Waterloo - $238,900 for 12 Level 2 charging ports

Long Island

• Town of Huntington - $326,000 for four Level 2 charging ports and six DCFC pedestals
• City of Long Beach - $296,080 for four Level 2 charging ports and two DCFC pedestals

Mid-Hudson

• Town of Hyde Park - $32,480 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Town of Orangetown - $46,352 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Town of Putnam Valley - $29,822 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Town of Shawangunk - $26,587 for two Level 2 charging ports
• Village of South Blooming Grove - $250,000 for three DCFC pedestals

North Country

• Town of Colton - $76,318 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Village of Constableville - $21,222 for two Level 2 charging ports
• Town of Diana - $159,150 for one DCFC pedestal
• County of Essex - $55,008 for four Level 2 charging ports
• Town of Jay - $206,403 for two Level 2 charging ports and one DCFC pedestal
• County of Lewis - $298,728 for two DCFC pedestals
• Village of Lowville - $93,312 for 12 Level 2 charging ports
• Village of Saranac Lake - $482,164 for 30 Level 2 charging ports

Southern Tier

• Town of Danby - $11,400 for two Level 2 charging ports

Western New York

• City of Dunkirk - $53,400 for 14 Level 2 charging ports
• Village of Springville - $248,000 for one DCFC pedestal
• Town of Tonawanda - $285,007 for 16 Level 2 charging ports and one DCFC pedestal
• Village of Wilson - $49,648 for two Level 2 charging ports

More information about the DEC Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grant program, as well as the DEC Municipal ZEV Rebate program, is available on  DEC’s website. For questions about the Municipal ZEV program, email  ZEVrebate@dec.ny.gov  or call DEC's Office of Climate Change at 518-402-8448.

New York State’s nearly $3 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector has supported a range of initiatives aimed to increase access to electric vehicles (EVs) and charging while improving air quality and health outcomes for all New Yorkers. These programs include today’s Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Program grants and many other programs, including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, Charge Ready NY 2.0, the Drive Clean Rebate, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, the New York School Bus Incentive Program, and the Direct Current Fast Charger program. The State invests in charging infrastructure and EVs to benefit all New Yorkers, and its efforts have been successful at increasing the number of EVs and charging stations across all regions of New York - with, over 280,000 EVs on the road statewide and over 17,000 public chargers- more public chargers than any other state except for California. Additionally, there are more than 4,000 semi-public charging stations at workplaces and multifamily buildings across the state.

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

Attorney General James Stops Predatory Landlord from Violating Albany College Students’ Housing Rights

 

Asaf Elkayam and Jerusalem Management Overcharged Tenants, Allowed Workers to Enter Apartments without Notifying Tenants, and Provided Misleading Leases

New York Attorney General Letitia James stopped a landlord who primarily rents units to University at Albany students from unlawfully taking advantage of tenants with illegal fees and misleading leases. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Asaf Elkayam and his company Jerusalem Management, LLC (Jerusalem Management), violated state laws and tenants’ rights by overcharging tenants on application fees, charging unreasonable cleaning fees and unlawful late fees, and allowing workers to enter apartments without prior notice to tenants. As part of a settlement with OAG, Elkayam must pay $8,000 in penalties, remove all deceptive or misleading provisions from future leases, provide notice to tenants before entering their apartments, provide predetermined fees for damages or legal costs, and take other actions to protect tenants’ rights.

“Asaf Elkayam took advantage of his tenants, many of whom were college students and first-time renters,” said Attorney General James. “No New Yorkers should have to fear that their landlord may enter their home unannounced, or worry about paying outrageous fees just to rent an apartment. My office will always take action to protect New York tenants from unfair housing practices and hold all those who violate the law accountable.”

Elkayam is the owner of Jerusalem Management, which owns and manages 85 buildings with over 200 rental units in Albany. Except for one property, all of Jerusalem Management’s apartment units are located near the University at Albany campus and are primarily rented by students.

The OAG opened an investigation into Jerusalem Management in 2022 after the City of Albany referred complaints to OAG alleging unlawful, deceptive, and unfair leasing and management practices. Throughout the investigation, OAG found multiple instances of unlawful or misleading lease provisions. These included charging over $20 per application in violation of state law and charging tenants excessive fees such as a $100 cleaning fee for the fridge, a $100 fee for the oven, and a $75 fee for every day a tenant stayed in the unit past the expiration of the lease. The leases also allowed the landlord to enter tenants’ apartments at all hours without prior notice or consent. One tenant described a maintenance worker repeatedly entering her apartment with no warning as early as 8:00 AM.

As a result of OAG’s investigation, Elkayam will pay $8,000 in penalties and must fully comply with New York’s housing laws, including by removing any deceptive and unfair terms or provisions in future leases, providing notice to tenants before entering their apartments, and only collecting application fees within the legal limits. Elkayam must also provide new and current tenants seeking to renew their lease a copy of OAG’s Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide. 

Attorney General James has consistently taken action to fight housing discrimination and protect low-income tenants. This month, Attorney General James stopped Capital Region landlords Greg and John Karian from discriminating against low-income renters. In February, Attorney General James announced $970,000 in grants to support and expand fair housing testing and enforcement in New York’s Capital Region. In August 2024, Attorney General James made Shamco Management Corp. pay $400,000 to low-income tenants in New York City for illegally denying housing opportunities. In February 2024, Attorney General James announced an agreement with real estate broker Pasquale Marciano and his companies to stop illegal policies that denied housing opportunities to low-income renters.

Up to $5 Million Reward Offered for Capture of Archaga Carías, a Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive and Leader of Foreign Terrorist Organization MS-13

 

U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization MS-13 leader Yulan Andony Archaga Carías, also known as “Alexander Mendoza” and “Porky,” 43, is the highest-ranking member of MS-13, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), in Honduras and was previously charged in 2021 in a superseding indictment in the Southern District of New York with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses. Archaga Carías, a Honduran national, was subsequently placed on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, the DEA’s Most Wanted Fugitives List, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)’s Most Wanted Fugitives List. The Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is offering a reward under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction in any country.

“This terrorist leader can no longer be allowed to live free as MS-13’s evil devastates communities in America and throughout the western hemisphere,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “If you can contribute information leading to his arrest – come forward now.”

Archaga Carías remains at large. If you have information, please contact the FBI by email at archaga-carias_tips@fbi.gov, or via WhatsApp at +1-832-267-1688. If you are outside the United States, you may also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are in the United States, you may also contact the local FBI, DEA, or HSI office in your city. Only tips sent to U.S. Government will be considered for reward.

“Dismantling and ultimately eliminating MS-13 continues to be one of the FBI's highest priorities, and we're not stopping until that mission is complete,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Alongside our dedicated law enforcement partners, the FBI will find Archaga Carías — a terrorist whose reign of terror at the helm of MS-13 is coming to an end.”

“With MS-13 now officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the rules have changed — and so has the mission,” said DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz. “Archaga Carías isn't just a fugitive — he's a foreign terrorist waging war on innocent Americans through murder, trafficking, and terror. Let me be clear: under this Administration, we will dismantle MS-13 piece by piece—and anyone protecting him will fall with him. A $5 million is on the table. Turn him in. End this threat.”

A co-defendant, David Campbell, aka “Viejo Dan” and “Don David,” a Honduran national, is currently in custody in the United States facing the charges contained in the superseding indictment. In addition to Archaga Carías and Campbell, the superseding indictment charges three other MS-13 leaders, Juan Carlos Portillo Santos also known as “Juancy;” Victor Eduardo Morales Zelaya also known as “Cuervo;” and Jorge Alberto Velasquez Paz also known as “Chacarron,” with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses. Portillo Santos, a Honduran national, is in custody in Honduras serving a lengthy prison sentence. Morales Zelaya and Velasquez Paz, both Honduran nationals, remain at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Gregory H. Woods for the Southern District of New York.   

“MS-13 remains one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world, and the recent designation of MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization underscores this reality,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky for the Southern District of New York. “This Office, working closely with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate, prosecute and track down MS-13’s leadership, no matter where in the world they may be hiding.”

As alleged in the superseding indictment previously unsealed in Manhattan federal court, Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13 is a transnational criminal and foreign terrorist organization that engages in acts of violence, including murders, kidnapping, and assaults, extortion, and large-scale drug importation and distribution throughout Central America and the United States. Archaga Carías is the highest-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras. As the leader and highest-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras, Archaga Carías is in charge of, among other things, the gang’s drug trafficking operations, ordering and coordinating acts of violence, including numerous murders, and the laundering of drug proceeds. MS-13’s drug trafficking operations led by Archaga Carías include the processing, receiving, transporting, and distributing of multi-ton loads of cocaine shipped through Honduras and into the United States.

“President Trump has been very clear — we will not allow criminal groups and their members like Porky to threaten Americans,” said Senior Bureau Official F. Cartwright Weiland of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. “We will work with our international partners to find these criminals wherever they may be hiding.”

Archaga Carías and other MS-13 members and associates acting at his direction also provided protection to drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) engaged in transporting multi-ton loads of cocaine through Honduras and destined for the United States. Archaga Carías contracted out members of MS-13 as “Sicarios,” or hit men, to DTOs for payment. Members of MS-13 committed numerous murders for hire for DTOs trafficking cocaine through Honduras to the United States. Archaga Carías and MS-13 also supplied DTOs with firearms, including machineguns, that were received from El Salvador, Nicaragua, and elsewhere. Archaga Carías also ordered multiple murders of rival gang members and drug trafficking competitors in Honduras, as well as other members of MS-13 whom Archaga Carías believed had been disloyal to the gang.

Campbell was one of the principal suppliers of cocaine and weapons, including machineguns, to MS-13. As an associate of MS-13 and close confidant of Archaga Carías, Campbell planned and coordinated retaliatory acts of violence with Archaga Carías, and assisted MS-13 and Archaga Carías in establishing businesses to launder the gang’s drug proceeds. Campbell and MS-13 used businesses they owned or controlled to launder drug proceeds, including through banks in the United States.

Morales Zelaya was a national leader of MS-13 in Honduras and a close associate of Archaga Carías. Morales Zelaya coordinated the gang’s drug trafficking business, acts of violence (including murders) against rivals, and the movement of proceeds from the gang’s illicit activities.

Portillo Santos was a high-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras who reported to Morales Zelaya. Portillo Santos was responsible for leading MS-13 in one of the largest sectors in Honduras, which included the distribution and movement of large shipments of cocaine, acts of violence (including murders and kidnappings) of rival gang members, and contract murders carried out against rival drug dealers. Campbell, 58, of Honduras, is currently in Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) custody facing the charges in the superseding indictment. Portillo Santos, 36, of Honduras, is currently in custody in Honduras on local charges. Archaga Carías, 43, and Morales Zelaya, 50, of Honduras, remains at large.

If convicted, Archaga Carías faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in prison. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV) and the Southern District of New York’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit are handling the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Robles and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Eason, and Trial Attorney Jacob Warren of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are in charge of the prosecution.

This case was brought by JTFV, which was created in 2019 to destroy MS-13 and now expanded to target Tren de Aragua and is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern District of New York; Eastern District of New York; the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the District of Massachusetts; the Eastern District of Texas; the Southern District of Florida; the Eastern District of Virginia; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; the District of Alaska; and the District of Columbia, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI; DEA; HSI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the FBOP have been essential law enforcement partners and spearheaded JTFV’s investigations.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America and an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal aliens, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The charges contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

NYC Comptroller Lander’s Audit Exposes Racial Gaps in Building Code Enforcement Based on 311 Complaints

 

Audit finds that homeowners in Black and Hispanic, low- and moderate-income neighborhoods face the highest fines for DOB code violations

In a new audit of the Department of Buildings (DOB), Comptroller Brad Lander exposes significant racial disparities in the enforcement outcomes for one- and two-family homeowners. The audit found that in the 10 community districts with the highest assessed penalties, homeowners in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods faced high fines for building violations. Homeowners in these communities often faced fines for illegal conversions and default judgments as a result of DOB’s over-reliance on anonymous 311 complaints and DOB’s failure to account for systemic inequities in its enforcement practices.

“The Department of Buildings’ lack of strategic enforcement and overreliance on anonymous 311 calls directly contributed to inequitable levels of fines in New York City’s communities of color. We need a process that protects communities from overenforcement while also supporting compliance and safety, not arbitrary enforcement that unfairly impacts Black and Hispanic homeowners,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

While auditors acknowledge DOB’s mandate to inspect all 311 complaints, the report urges the agency to reform its handling of anonymous 311 complaints by collaborating with the Office of Technology and Information to monitor complaint sources and implement safeguards to protect vulnerable communities and homeowners from targeted complaints.

Findings

Disproportionate Impact 

• The ten community districts with the highest accumulated fines (penalties of $20,000 or more) were disproportionately located in lower income communities: The districts include Queens Districts 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13, and Brooklyn Districts 3, 12, 15, and 18.

• District 12 in Queens – encompassing the neighborhoods of Hollis, Jamaica, Jamaica Center, North Springfield Gardens, Rochdale, South Jamaica and St. Albans – had the most properties with accumulated penalties over $20,000.

Lagging Review Times 

• Comparing the first quarters of 2022, 2023, and 2024, the DOB’s review time increased by 80% citywide. In Q1 of 2024 alone, the average approval time for major alterations in one- and two-family homes exceeded 5.5 months. To address unnecessary fine accruals caused by lagging review times, the Comptroller’s Office recommended establishing fair compliance timelines and halting “Failure to Comply” summonses while violation remediation plans were under DOB review. DOB rejected the recommendation, stating that time targets are already part of its MMR/PMMR metrics and that it lacks full control over the entire review process.

Homeowner Relief Programs 

• Despite the DOB’s efforts to create initiatives like the Homeowner Relief Program (HRP), to help small property owners navigate city code requirements and resolve issues without incurring violations, the agency provided little evidence of these programs’ effectiveness. Under HRP, eligible owners can receive a Request for Corrective Action (RCA) instead of an Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) summons for violations. The program would help owners who correct issues within 60 days of receiving the RCA avoid an OATH summons. To qualify, property owners must not have received a DOB-issued OATH summons in the past five years, and the violation cannot be a Class 1 (Immediately Hazardous) offense, such as illegal conversions or conditions linked to death or serious injury. However, like other initiatives, the DOB has not established performance metrics or conducted studies to evaluate HRP’s impact.

Additional recommendations include reinstating public reporting of plan review timelines and launching outreach campaigns in high-impact neighborhoods to educate residents on the safety risks of illegal conversions and the consequences of default judgments from unresolved violations.

“DOB’s enforcement practices risk targeting the same communities most impacted by the subprime mortgage crisis, decades of discriminatory housing and lending practices, and the current wave of deed theft,” Comptroller Lander continues. “Reforming the DOB’s enforcement process isn’t just about fairness—it’s about ensuring code enforcement doesn’t strip wealth from the communities that need it most.”