Governor Hochul Announces Expanded Access to Affordable Education for Veterans

New Enhancements to New York State Veterans Tuition Awards Program Broaden Eligibility and Flexibility, Empowering Veterans To Pursue Brighter Futures

In honor of Memorial Day, Governor Kathy Hochul announced key enhancements to the New York State Veterans Tuition Award that expand access to college financial aid for more veterans. This expansion now allows veterans who served at least four years on active-duty to qualify for full-tuition awards, even if they did not serve in combat or a specific combat theater. Prior to this historic expansion, only veterans who served in combat or a specific combat theater were eligible to receive the Veterans Tuition Award. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025. The changes underscore Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to support veterans, active-duty service members, and their families by ensuring access to the tools they need to achieve a brighter future.

“Memorial Day is a sacred day to honor America’s courageous heroes who gave everything in defense of our freedoms. When we reflect on the magnitude of their sacrifices, we are also reminded of the need to take meaningful action to honor all who served,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State is proud to expand access to the Veterans Tuition Award program, ensuring that those who served our country have the tools they need to succeed in building a brighter future for themselves and their families. This initiative reflects our steadfast commitment to supporting veterans with opportunities for higher education and career success.”

Expansion of the Veterans Tuition Award

The Veterans Tuition Award, administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, provides eligible veterans with up to the full cost of SUNY undergraduate tuition at approved colleges and vocational training programs across New York State. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the program will now serve even more veterans by broadening eligibility and increasing flexibility.

Program Highlights Include:

• Broadened Eligibility: Veterans with a minimum of four years of active-duty service or those who served in combat or the combat theaters of Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, or Afghanistan, and were honorably discharged can now qualify.
• Flexibility for Full-and Part-Time Studies: Veterans pursuing either full- or part-time education can now benefit, providing greater flexibility.
• Coordinated Benefits: Veterans can maximize federal financial aid and GI Bill benefits and state support, as awards are not reduced by Montgomery GI Bill benefits or Pell Grants.
• Year-Round Applications: Applications accepted year-round, offering greater flexibility for veterans planning their education.

For more information or to apply, visit the VTA website.

Additional Opportunities for Veterans and Their Families

New York’s commitment to veterans and military families extends further with robust educational and financial support programs, including:

• Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute (MERIT) Scholarship – Provides scholarships for tuition, fees, and room and board for dependents of New York State residents who were severely disabled or lost their lives during military service.
• Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans – Provides annual awards to eligible undergraduate students whose parents served during wartime and suffered severe disabilities or death.
• Veterans Education (Vet Ed) – Supports approved education and training programs for GI Bill® use, ensuring eligible beneficiaries can maximize their federal education benefits.

For more information about the Veteran’s Tuition Award and other New York State financial aid programs, visit hesc.ny.gov.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Acts to Sustain Support for Statewide Transition to Cleaner Vehicles

 

Following Federal Actions, State Issues Updated Enforcement Discretion to Counter Legal Uncertainty for Manufacturers

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) took action to help provide much-needed certainty to manufacturers following unprecedented federal actions that challenge implementation of clean vehicle requirements.

“The poor precedent set this week by some members of Congress compounds the Trump administration’s efforts to strip away New York’s legal right to implement environmental laws and initiatives that protect air quality and help safeguard communities from pollution,” DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “New York strongly believes in the importance of states’ authority under the Clean Air Act and, more specifically, clean vehicle programs that continue to be supported by consumers. Despite the Senate’s vote to revoke the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s order granting California’s waiver and with it the authority of New York and other states to act in the best interests of residents, New York will continue supporting the transition to electric vehicles. 

“Car and truck manufacturers need certainty amidst the recent supply chain and other production challenges driven by the instability of recent federal policies and pronouncements. DEC is issuing additional enforcement discretion to help promote ongoing clean vehicle sales and ensure that we have a workable program. We will also continue collaborating with other states, car and truck manufacturers, labor, and other partners through the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition and other initiatives that invest in charging infrastructure and increase use of electric cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles across all sectors of New York’s economy. We will continue to show the leadership necessary to promote market stability, economic certainty, and prevent pollution – leadership that is lacking at the federal level,” Acting Commissioner Lefton continued.

Amidst uncertainties stemming from federal actions, New York State issued enforcement discretions that ease manufacturers’ near-term compliance with the State’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) requirements. The enforcement discretion aims to provide clarity to consumers while working to keep New York on track to achieve its clean transportation goals and the many health and environmental benefits communities will see from the increased deployment of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and reducing pollution.

To sustain New York State’s progress, DEC’s enforcement discretion actions for ACT and ACC II will pause penalties associated with any shortfalls of ZEV sales during the first two years of implementation of each program – for ACT model years 2025 and 2026, and for ACC II model years 2026 and 2027. 

To sustain New York State’s progress in the transition to cleaner vehicles and making sure consumers have the ability to purchase EVs, enforcement discretion for ACT and ACCII will be provided to manufacturers that show good faith efforts in working toward the sales requirements. This will include keeping records of vehicle sales and reporting vehicle supply conditions, and discourage the practice of ‘ratio-ing’ internal combustion engine vehicles for EVs to dealerships, which has caused hardships among car and truck dealers.

The enforcement discretions are the latest step in helping promote the ongoing adoption of electric vehicles in New York State. Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul joined 10 other states as part of the U.S. Climate Alliance’s launch of the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition (ACCC). The initiative was launched by a group of governors whose states have chosen to use their authority under the Clean Air Act to adopt and implement clean vehicle programs.  

ACCC will sustain America’s transition to cleaner and more affordable cars, support U.S. automotive manufacturers and workers, and preserve states’ clean air authority. Alongside the launch, the Alliance announced the availability of resources to help states tackle vehicle pollution and lower barriers for consumers to more affordably own, drive, charge, and maintain cleaner cars. For more information, visit the U.S. Climate Alliance website. 

State Investments in Electric Vehicles 

To date, New York State’s nearly $3 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector has supported a range of initiatives aimed to increase access to EVs and charging while improving air quality and health outcomes for all New Yorkers. These programs include 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, the Direct Current Fast Charger program, and the Municipal ZEV and ZEV Infrastructure grant programs.  

New York is also incentivizing new ZEV purchases, and last month, Governor Hochul announced $30 million is now available for consumers to lease or purchase new EVs in New York through the State’s Drive Clean Rebate program, which provides point-of-sale rebates for more than 60 new EV models. This program has issued more than 190,000 rebates to consumers since 2017, contributing to the more than 280,000 EVs on the road statewide.

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on April 29, 2025 in the confines of the 69th Precinct

The NYPD is releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on April 29, 2025, in the confines of the 69th Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras, which provide transparency into police activity and serve as an independent account of interactions between the NYPD and the citizens they serve. 

You can find the video here 

Five Individuals Indicted in Insider Trading Scheme

 

Five individuals were charged in a 19-count indictment for their participation in a scheme to trade securities on the basis of material nonpublic information about the merger between two companies that resulted in profits of over $600,000.

According to court documents, between May and June 2023, Rouzbeh “Ross” Haghighat, 61, of West Newbury, Massachusetts, Behrouz “Bruce” Haghighat, 60, of Laguna Niguel, California, Kirstyn Pearl, 35, of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Seyedfarbod “Fabio” Sabzevari, 31, of North Hollywood, California, and James Roberge, 70, of Westford, Massachusetts, allegedly profited more than $600,000 by unlawfully purchasing the securities of a biopharmaceutical company in Seattle, Washington (Company-1), where Ross Haghighat served as a director. As alleged, the defendants traded securities based on material nonpublic information about another pharmaceutical company’s (Company-2) proposed acquisition of Company-1. The indictment alleges that, in May 2023, Company-2 made a confidential proposal to acquire Company-1 at a price per share above the then current market value. The two companies then negotiated an agreement for the acquisition, which was announced in June 2023, causing the share price to spike.

“The defendants were charged for allegedly trading on inside information and reaping hundreds of thousands in illicit profits,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Securities fraud and insider trading distort our financial markets and disadvantage Americans who play by the rules. These charges demonstrate that the Criminal Division is committed to maintaining the integrity of markets by holding accountable all those who defraud investors.”

“Our office is committed to protecting the integrity of the market and holding accountable those who attempt to gain unfair advantages through trading on insider information,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey.

“This case makes one thing clear: if you think you can game the system using insider information, think again,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations Group. “Ross Haghighat and his associates thought they were above the law and colored outside the lines for financial gain, but yesterday’s indictment proves no one is above the law. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will not hesitate to pursue and bring to justice anyone who tries to corrupt the integrity of our financial markets.”

In his position as a director on the board of Company-1, Ross Haghighat allegedly obtained material nonpublic inside information about its acquisition, including sensitive deal terms. He then purchased securities, and tipped others — including Bruce Haghighat, Pearl, Sabzevari, and Roberge — for personal benefit with the expectation that they would purchase securities, which the defendants allegedly did.

Ross Haghighat was charged with one count of securities fraud, 16 counts of insider trading, and two counts of conspiracy. He was previously charged with one count of conspiracy to commit insider trading.

Bruce Haghighat was charged with one count of securities fraud, one count of insider trading, and one count of conspiracy. 

Pearl was charged with one count of securities fraud, one count of insider trading, and one count of conspiracy.

Sabzevari and Roberge were both charged with one count of securities fraud and seven counts of insider trading.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on the securities fraud charge and 20 years in prison on each of the insider-trading charges. If convicted of conspiracy, Ross Haghighat, Bruce Haghighat, and Pearl face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney John J. Liolos of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mezzanotte for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

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

New Audit: Comptroller Finds Over a Third of Eligible Mental Health Calls Did Not Get a B-HEARD Team Response for Untracked Reasons

 

Comptroller Lander re-ups “Safer for All” plan to overhaul 911 so every mental health call is met with an EMS, peer, or mental health professional triage

In a new audit, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander exposed that tens of thousands of mental health calls were never routed to the Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD) pilot program, as they were supposed to be. Rather than sending police officers to a scene with an emotional distressed person without weapons or imminent risk of harm, B-HEARD is a program designed to better connect individuals in crisis to mental health services: a Health and Hospitals (H+H) mental health professional alongside two Fire Department of New York (FDNY) paramedics. In Fiscal Years 2022-2024, 911 assessed 37,113 calls as eligible for a B-HEARD response. Of these calls, 13,042 calls deemed eligible for B-HEARD (35%) failed to receive program services, with no reason provided. In addition, B-HEARD was not dispatched to 14,200 eligible calls that came in overnight between 1 a.m. to 9 a.m.  

“Tens of thousands of New Yorkers experiencing mental health crises needed help that the Adams Administration promised to provide, but failed to deliver,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “Despite claiming this was a public safety priority, the Adams Administration consistently failed to connect B-HEARD teams to people in crisis or track the program’s outcomes. Without better management, capacity, and rigorous evaluation, New York City’s public safety will remain off track, endangering the lives of people in crisis, officers, families, and neighborhoods.” 

Launched in 2021, B-HEARD is a “heath-centered” response designed to respond to 911 mental health calls with two FDNY EMTs and a H+H mental health professional to reduce use of police resources, increase connection to community-based care, and reduce unnecessary transport to hospitals, for individuals with no imminent risk of harm to self or known weapons involved, with the goal to route these calls to a B-HEARD team. B-HEARD teams currently operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. in certain parts of Manhattan, the Bronx, South Brooklyn and Western Queens, covering a total of 31-of-78 police precincts, including subway stations. 

Of the 96,291 mental health calls from within the pilot areas and hours of operation between FY22-24, 59,178 calls (over 60%) were considered “ineligible” for a B-HEARD response because calls were considered potentially dangerous, were ineligible because a mental health professional was already at the scene, or were unable to be triaged because FDNY EMS did not take the call or all necessary information could not be collected about the person in distress. Some calls deemed ineligible for B-HEARD might have been eligible calls. Of the remaining 37,113 calls assessed as eligible for a B-HEARD response, 24,071 (65%) resulted in 911 dispatching a B-HEARD team, but over 13,000 calls did not result in a dispatched B-HEARD team. In addition, 14,200 eligible calls came in outside the program’s hours of operation. While participants rated their experience highly when asked, the audit found a troubling lack of data collection and performance measurement records—creating critical barriers to assessing the effectiveness of the pilot program in both the short- and long-term. 

Other findings: 

1. During FY22, only 55% of the calls that B-HEARD teams responded to resulted in a mental health assessment of the patient, then decreased to 31% in FY23 and 25% in FY24. 

1. During FY24, B-HEARD made contact with patients during just 50% of the calls B-HEARD teams attended. The decreasing assessments show B-HEARD is not meeting one of their program standards. Program administrators attributed the infrequency of contact to the fact that patients leave the scene or refuse contact. But administrators did not track this data and therefore the Comptroller’s Office cannot confirm. 

1. Despite the program goal of limiting unnecessary transports to hospitals, the auditors’ review of data published by the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH) found a decline in the percentage of patients transported to community based care—from 10% between July 1 and December 31, 2022 to 6% between January 1 and June 30, 2023—and an 8% increase in the number of people taken instead to a hospital over the same period. 

In January, Comptroller Lander released Safer For All: A Plan to End Street Homelessness for People with Serious Mental Illness in NYC, an in-depth look at the crisis of people with serious mental illness cycling between the city’s streets, subways, hospitals, and jails—including the B-HEARD program. The Comptroller re-upped calls to rethink the City’s mental health crisis response framework, incorporating best practices from the CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Oregon. Operating 24/7 for over 30 years until last month, CAHOOTS provided a citywide response to mental health crises, handling 100% of 911 calls related to mental health with police joining the response team in cases where individuals present an immediate danger (which comprise less than 1% of cases in Oregon). CAHOOTS focused heavily on serving vulnerable populations with approximately 60% of its calls involving unhoused individuals and 30% addressing serious mental illnesses. Unlike B-HEARD, CAHOOTS was the default response, deploying civilian crisis workers, such as mental health practitioners and EMTs in every case, and limiting a police co-response to situations that involve a weapon or imminent threat. This approach significantly increased the likelihood that individuals will be connected with mental health services and reduced the likelihood of law enforcement escalation during mental health crises, saving the local government an average of $8.5 million each year. 

The Comptroller also backed advocates’ calls for a baseline allocation of $4.5 million to improve compensation and resourcing for Peer Specialists to increase the capacity and reach of the City’s mental health crisis response teams including the B-HEARD staff. Today’s audit findings underscore the calls from advocates to properly staff and resource the B-HEARD program to address the critical gap in the mental health professional staffing. 

Read the full audit here: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/audit-of-the-behavioral-health-emergency-assistance-response-divisions-effectiveness-in-responding-to-individuals-with-mental-health-crises-and-meeting-its-goals/

Governor Hochul Launches Affordable Summer Recreation Initiative for New York Families

New York State Beaches and Pools Opening This Weekend for the Memorial Day Holiday

The Great New York State Fair Offering Reduced Ticket Prices From Memorial Day Weekend Through Fourth of July Weekend

Hudson Link Buses Launch Shuttle Service for Cyclists and Pedestrians

Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to get offline and get outside by enjoying state parks, beaches, trails, and historic sites across New York this Memorial Day weekend. She announced the opening of state park pools and beaches, the launch of the brand-new Star-Spangled Savings ticket sale promotion ahead of the 2025 Great New York State Fair and the reopening of the Hudson Link's free weekend shuttle bus servicing the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge shared-use path.

“This Memorial Day weekend, we are working to make it more affordable for New Yorkers to come together at various parks, beaches and attractions across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage residents and visitors to get to unplug and take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy all the unique recreational activities that New York has to offer.”

The Governor's new Unplug and Play initiative earmarks $100 million for the construction and renovation of community centers through the Build Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS); $67.5 million for the Places for Learning, Activity and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative helping New York communities construct new playgrounds and renovate existing playgrounds; and an additional $90 million for the continuation of the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative including $50 million for a competitive grant program supporting municipalities in the renovation and construction of swimming facilities and $40 million for other swimming-based investments. Additionally, “Get Offline, Get Outside,” is an initiative launched by Governor Hochul to promote physical and mental health by encouraging kids and families to put down their screens, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and the outdoors, and put their mental and physical health first.

Public Swimming Areas Open for the Season

Swimming beaches, pools and spraygrounds at 24 State Parks throughout the state are opening this Memorial Day weekend. Hours vary by park. Please check the status of the State Parks website here. Many are open weekends only until mid-June. Additional swimming facilities will open later in June. The following are scheduled to open this weekend:

Long Island

• Jones Beach
• Robert Moses
• Hither Hills
• Sunken Meadow

New York City

• Gantry Plaza (mist fountain)
• Riverbank (pool open normal hours)

Mid-Hudson

• Fahnestock
• Lake Tiorati Beach
• Lake Welch Beach
• Rockland Lake pool

Capital District

• Grafton Lakes
• Lake Taghkanic
• Moreau Lake
• Saratoga Spa Victoria Pool
• Taconic SP (Copake)

Mohawk Valley

• Delta Lake
• Glimmerglass
• Gilbert Lake
• Verona Beach

Southern Tier

• Chenango Valley

Central New York

• Green Lakes
• Fair Haven

Western New York

• Beaver Island
• Woodlawn

The 2025 FourLeaf Air Show

The 2025 FourLeaf Air Show will take place at Jones Beach Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s event features the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as headliners, as well as many other incredible performers. The family-friendly event highlights the nation’s armed services, which will celebrate several milestone anniversaries in 2025, including the 250th anniversary of the United States Army (Continental Army), Navy, and Marines as well as the 110th anniversary of the US Coast Guard and 78th anniversary of the Air Force. More information is available here. 

State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “Whether you’re looking to swim, camp, hike, picnic, or get immersed in our nation’s history, New York State Parks has a bunch to explore this Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to a strong investment in outdoor recreation by Governor Hochul, our state parks are primed to welcome people for healthy, active recreation. Our staff looks forward to helping New Yorkers enjoy a summer of fun in these excellent facilities.”

Jones Beach East Bathhouse Pool and Splashpad

State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is partnering with the Office of General Services to oversee construction of the $100 million project to revitalize the 1930 Jones Beach East Bathhouse. The first phase – which included abatement and demolition of non-historic patio and picnic areas and associated pavilions – is now complete. Work has now begun on phase 2, which will convert the abandoned pool complex into a destination splashpad and incorporate a unique Learn to Swim swimming pool feature to help children and inexperienced swimmers stay safe in a smaller, controlled environment. Rehabilitation of the historic main bathhouse, including installation of bathrooms, changing rooms, and concessions area. Existing historic elements will be preserved, and historic elements that were once removed will be re-installed. The revitalized facility is scheduled to open in summer 2026. 

Star-Spangled Savings Ticket Sale Promotion of the 2025 Great New York State Fair

The promotional sale will officially start on May 23 at 9 am and closes July 6 at midnight. Tickets will be sold for a total of $6.28 each, which includes the price of the ticket, $6, ticket fee, $0.14, and credit card processing fee, $0.14. Each user may purchase a maximum of 12 tickets. Tickets must be purchased online by visiting The Great New York State Fair’s website. Parking, which is separate from admission, and tickets for the Fair’s famous Midway will go on sale in the coming weeks and is not part of the sale. Regular admission tickets will go on sale on July 7. 

The Fair starts Wednesday, Aug. 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Regular admission tickets are $8 for adults, while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.

In total, The Fair’s 2025 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22 and 29 at Chevy Court. As concerts are announced, Fair staff will continue to update schedules on The Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest state fair in the United States, and consistently ranks among the Top Five state fairs in the country.

Free Weekend Shuttle Bus for Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Path

The shuttle buses will run every 20 minutes between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on weekends, allowing for easy access to the landings on both sides of the recreational path. Additional dates added for 2025 include Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Due to the popularity of the shuttle, new stops were added at Burd Street and Artopee Way. The shuttle now serves six stops and travels both eastbound and westbound to support usage of the shared-use path.

The six stops include:

• Palisades Center - Lot J
• Burd Street in Nyack (eastbound)
• Artopee Way in Nyack (westbound)
• Path’s Rockland County landing in South Nyack
• Path’s Westchester County landing in Tarrytown
• Tarrytown train station

If the primary landing parking lots on each side are full, visitors can find additional parking in Westchester at the Tarrytown Train Station and in Rockland at Palisades Center–Lot J. Visitors can also take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Tarrytown. The path’s parking lots feature a four-hour time limit and fill up quickly on weekends. Visitors are strongly encouraged to check the bridge’s X, formerly known as Twitter, account (@GMMCB) for updates on parking lot status and weather conditions. More information about the path is also available on the bridge’s website, mariomcuomobridge.ny.gov.

The Rockland Landing is located at 1200 Route 9W in South Nyack, at Interchange 10 of the New York State Thruway. The path is accessible to residents and cyclists via a spur that also connects to the Esposito Trail, local sidewalks and State Bicycle Route 9. The Westchester Landing is located at 333 South Broadway in Tarrytown, NY. A side path extends south along State Route 9 (South Broadway), providing direct off-street access to historic Lyndhurst and the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, as well as connectivity to the Empire State Trail.

All Hudson Link buses contain features and equipment that allow all riders to board, ride, and exit the vehicles easily and comfortably. Each Hudson Link bus has a bike rack that can accommodate three adult-sized bicycles and follows ADA accessibility guidelines. After a fun-filled day on the path, the shuttle bus takes visitors back to their cars or the train station.

At 3.6 miles, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge features one of the longest shared-use paths in the United States. Located on the northern side of the bridge’s westbound span, cyclists and pedestrians encounter six scenic overlooks-each designed in partnership with the community, interpretive signage, and works of public art as they cross the Hudson River. Food, restrooms, and other amenities are available at landings in Westchester and Rockland counties.

Former President of Asphalt Paving Company Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging

 

A former senior executive of a Michigan asphalt paving company was sentenced to six months in prison and a $500,000 fine for his role in a multiyear conspiracy to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in Michigan.

Daniel L. Israel, former president of Pontiac-based Asphalt Specialists LLC (ASI), pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiring with Al’s Asphalt Paving Company Inc. (Al’s Asphalt), and employees from those companies, to rig bids in each other’s favor. Israel is one of seven individuals that have been charged as part of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the asphalt paving services industry. Three companies also have been charged as part of the investigation, which to date has resulted in over $8.2 million in criminal fines.

“Economic crime — like bid rigging — is no less harmful than violent crime,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Both inflict deep, lasting harm on our communities and disenfranchise those who believe in the American dream. As the defendant admitted, he conspired to eliminate competition to further enrich himself and his accomplices. The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that individuals who cheat and deprive the public of the benefits of competition are incarcerated.”

“This sentencing marks an important milestone in holding accountable those responsible for this flagrant bid rigging scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Licari of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Midwestern Region. “We remain committed to working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who undermine fair competition and violate federal antitrust laws.”

“The Postal Service maintains thousands of competitively bid contracts with private vendors to support its massive operation,” said Tammy Hull, U.S. Postal Service Inspector General. “Criminal activities such as bid rigging are a serious offense that undermine the principles of fair competition and harm our communities. This type of behavior will not be tolerated. We will aggressively investigate and bring to justice any vendor that attempts to defraud the Postal Service.”

According to court documents, the co-conspirators coordinated each other’s bid prices so that the agreed-upon losing company would submit intentionally non-competitive bids. These bids gave customers the false impression of competition when, in fact, the co-conspirators already had decided among themselves who would win the contracts. Israel participated in the conspiracy from March 2013 through November 2018.

Israel’s former employer, ASI, and another former ASI executive also pleaded guilty in January 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy with Al’s Asphalt. Al’s Asphalt and two of its executives previously pleaded guilty in January and October 2024 for their participation in the conspiracy. ASI was sentenced in August 2024 to pay a fine of $6,500,000.

The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office, DOT-OIG, and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case

The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office is prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

Georgian National Extradited from Moldova to Face Charges for Soliciting Hate Crimes and Planning Mass Casualty Attack in New York City

 

Leader of White Supremacist Group ‘Maniac Murder Cult’ Recruited Others to Bomb and Poison the Jewish Community and Racial Minorities 

Defendant Allegedly Planned Scheme to Distribute Poisoned Candy on New Year’s Eve

Georgian national Michail Chkhikvishvili, also known as Mishka, Michael, Commander Butcher, and Butcher, 21, of Tbilisi, was extradited to the United States from Moldova on May 22, and will be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn today. Chkhikvishvili was arrested in Chișinău, Moldova, in July 2024 in connection with a four-count indictment returned in the Eastern District of New York charging him with soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence in New York City.

According to court documents, Chkhikvishvili is a leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, also known as Maniacs Murder Cult, Maniacs: Cult of Killing, MKY, MMC and MKU, an international racially-motivated violent extremist group. As alleged in the indictment, Chkhikvishvili recruited people to commit violent acts in furtherance of MKY’s ideologies, including planning and soliciting a mass casualty attack in New York City.

“This case is a stark reminder of the kind of terrorism we face today: online networks plotting unspeakable acts of violence against children, families, and the Jewish community in pursuit of a depraved, extremist ideology,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate hate-fueled violence, and we will pursue those who threaten innocent lives wherever they may be.”

“The defendant is accused of recruiting others to kill Jewish people, kill racial minorities, and of providing instructions on how to commit other lethal attacks — even targeting children around the holidays by poisoning candy,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “These allegations are despicable, and thanks to the work and partnership of the FBI and the authorities in Moldova, Michail Chkhikvishvili has been brought to the United States to face charges in our justice system.”

“As alleged, the defendant, a white supremacist, recruited others to participate in a violent campaign of hatred against racial minorities and the Jewish community and to engage in the mass killing of children and others in these communities using poison, suicide bombs, firearms, arson fires, and vehicle explosions. Today’s extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Protecting our homeland, city, district, and country from violent extremists will always be one of the top priorities of the Justice Department and my office.”

Chkhikvishvili’s MKY adheres to a neo-Nazi accelerationist ideology and promotes violence against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems “undesirables.” MKY members share a common goal of challenging social order and governments via terrorism and violent acts that promote fear and chaos. MKY has members in the United States and abroad.

Since approximately September 2021, Chkhikvishvili has distributed a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook” to MKY members and others. The Hater’s Handbook encourages people to commit acts of mass violence. In the Hater’s Handbook, Chkhikvishvili states that he has “murdered for the white race” and encourages and instructs others to commit acts of mass violence and “ethnic cleansing.” For example, the Hater’s Handbook encourages its readers to commit school shootings and to use children to perpetrate suicide bombings and other mass killings targeting racial minorities. The Hater’s Handbook describes methods and strategies for committing mass “terror attacks,” including, for example, using vehicles to target “large outdoor festivals, conventions, celebrations and parades” and “pedestrian congested streets.” The Hater’s Handbook specifically encourages committing attacks within the United States.

In June 2022, Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn. As alleged, beginning at least as early as July 2022, Chkhikvishvili repeatedly encouraged others, primarily via the encryption-enabled mobile messaging platform Telegram, to commit violent hate crimes and other acts of violence on behalf of MKY. This included conspiring to solicit violent acts with the leader of a separate violent extremist neo-Nazi group, and soliciting acts of mass violence in New York from an individual who claimed to be a prospective MKY recruit, but who, unbeknownst to Chkhikvishvili, was actually an undercover FBI employee (the UC).

In a September 2023 conversation, the UC messaged Chkhikvishvili asking whether there was an application process to join MKY. The defendant responded, “we ask people for brutal beating, arson/explosion or murder vids on camera.” Chkhikvishvili further stated that “[p]oisoning and arson are best options for murder,” and suggested also considering a larger “mass murder[]” within the United States. Chkhikvishvili advised the UC that the victims of these acts should be “low race targets.”

Beginning in approximately November 2023, Chkhikvishvili solicited the UC to commit violent crimes, such as bombings and arsons, for the purpose of harming racial minorities, Jewish individuals and others. Chkhikvishvili provided detailed plans and materials such as bomb-making instructions and guidance on making Molotov cocktails to facilitate carrying out these crimes. In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili began planning a mass casualty attack in New York City to take place on New Year’s Eve. The scheme involved an individual dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out candy laced with poison to racial minorities.

In January, the scheme evolved and Chkhikvishvili specifically directed the UC to target the Jewish community, Jewish schools, and Jewish children in Brooklyn with poison. Chkhikvishvili drafted step-by-step instructions to carry out the scheme and shared detailed manuals about creating and mixing lethal poisons and gases with the UC. He also instructed the UC on methods of making ricin-based poisons in powder and liquid form, including by extracting ricin from castor beans. Chkhikvishvili sent materials linked to radical Islamist jihadist groups and designated foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS. 

Chkhikvishvili wanted the planned attack to be a “bigger action than Breivik,” referring to Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian neo‑Nazi who killed 77 people in a bombing and mass shooting in Norway in 2011. Meanwhile, Chkhikvishvili told others of his plan and claimed to have previously committed other hate crimes while living in Brooklyn in 2022. Chkhikvishvili boasted to others that he was “glad I have murdered,” and that he would “murder more” but “make others murder first.”     

Chkhikvishvili’s solicitations of violence have resulted in multiple attacks and killings around the world. In August 2024, an individual livestreamed himself stabbing approximately five people outside of a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, wearing a tactical vest adorned in Nazi symbols. A manifesto attributed to the attacker included explicit references to Chkhikvishvili and to violent statements made by him. Before the attack, the attacker also distributed a link to the Hater’s Handbook, authored by Chkhikvishvili, and other violent propaganda.

If convicted, Chkhikvishvili faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for solicitation of violent felonies (including hate crime acts and transporting an explosive with intent to kill or injure); five years in prison for conspiring to solicit violent felonies; 20 years in prison for distributing information pertaining to the making and use of explosive devices and ricin poison; and five years in prison for transmitting threatening communications.

The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Department of State, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agents provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Chkhikvishvili from Moldova.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Andrew D. Reich for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Paralegal Specialists Wayne Colon and Rebecca Roth. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has also provided assistance.

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