Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

This week, Senator Rivera joined The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign (RAPP), Center for Community Alternatives, Vocal-NY, and other advocacy organizations to call for the passage of a number of bills to reform our archaic sentencing laws and parole system. These include:

• Fair and Timely Parole (S.159)
• Earned Time Act (S.342)
• Second Look (S.158)
• Elder Parole (S.454)
• The Challenging Wrongful Conviction Act (CWCA, S.6319)

"I believe in redemption but our State’s broken parole system & sentencing laws do not. Instead they unjustly condemn New Yorkers," said Senator Rivera.

Watch a reel here.

This week, Senator Rivera joined a virtual press conference with Protect Our Care New York Coalition and Congressmember Dan Goldman to condemn House of Representatives members, especially those from New York, who voted for Trump's "Big, Beautiful" bill, which would enact significant cuts to Medicaid.

"Congressional Republicans should be ashamed for voting for Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which includes devastating cuts to Medicaid and food stamps to fund huge tax breaks for the ultrawealthy. Millions of Americans rely on these life-saving programs for their healthcare and to feed their families. This is the MAGA agenda— cruelty is the point. New York Representatives who voted for this disaster must be held accountable for this disastrous vote," said Senator Rivera.

To watch a reel of Senator Rivera's remarks at the press conference, click here.

SENATOR RIVERA CELEBRATES PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY'S NEW DEVELOPER AND THE NORTHWEST BRONX COMMUNITY CLERGY COALITION

This week, Senator Rivera joined colleagues and community members at a press conference to celebrate the agreement reached by the Kingsbridge Armory's new developer, 8th Regiment Partners LLC, and the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC). This is an important achievement were the community will have a say in the Armory's future. 

 

"This project is the culmination of a decades-long effort to make the Armory the vibrant space that it was always meant to be. I'm committed to maintaining a watchful eye to ensure that the new project fosters economic growth, leads in sustainability, generates good-paying union jobs, and keeps our community at the center," said Senator Rivera.

Thank you to Steven Ochoa-Camacho, District Deputy Manager from Bronx Community Board 7, for joining Senator Rivera in outreach efforts around the district ahead of the second Kingsbridge Armory Public Hearing last Tuesday. 

Click here to see more pictures.

"To all of my Muslim neighbors in the Bronx and across New York, I wish you peace, harmony, happiness, good health, and prosperity for those celebrating Eid. Eid al-Adha Mubarak to you, my friends!"

Last week, Senator Rivera started Pride Month celebrating the 4th Annual Riverdale Pride Event at Riverdale Neighborhood House! It was a wonderful event that brings all of us together and brings awareness to LGBTQIA+ issues in Riverdale.

With the federal government actively persecuting LGBTQ+ Americans, we must remain as committed as ever to ensure New York’s LGBTQ+ communities feel supported and loved.

Thank you Laura Levine-Pinedo for hosting this event!

This week, Senator Rivera taught a civics class to a group of 9th graders at In-Tech Academy! They learned about how state government works, the state budget process, and the importance of being civically engaged.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

SENATOR RIVERA VISITED THE BRONXDALE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCHOOL'S GENERATION CITIZEN PROGRAM

This week, Senator Rivera visited the Bronxdale High School in Pelham where 12th grade students participating in the school’s Generation Citizen program presented their final projects about a number of issues affecting our borough.

They spoke about the importance of being civically engaged and how their advocacy efforts are crucial to improve our communities’ future.

Thank you all for the invitation and warm welcome!

LOCAL HIRING: GROWNYC MORRIS HEIGHTS FARMSTAND

SUNDAY 06/15: NORWOOD PRIDE 2025 AT WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL PARK

DHS and Idaho Team up in Joint Immigration Enforcement Operation

 

Idaho is helping DHS keep America safe 

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Idaho Governor Brad Little announced that the state of Idaho has signed a new agreement to support President Trump’s deportation agenda.

Idaho State Police will be working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to send hundreds of criminal illegal aliens in Idaho jails to ICE detention facilities for deportation. This agreement was made under the 287g authority of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

“287(g) is critically important to our strategy of having the enforcement that we need to really address the criminal activities that we’ve seen out on the ground," said Secretary Noem. "It has been wonderful to see people jump in and be a part of it to make sure that we have not just the authorities that we need to go out there and to work, but also to have the local knowledge and the people in the community that really want to be a part of the solution. We are looking for more agreements like that across the country, and we will continue to build on it."

Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS has expanded enforcement cooperation with state and local law enforcement to historic levels. Since President Trump took office, ICE has signed hundreds of new agreements, bringing the current total to 649.

Announcing the agreement, Governor Little said: “Idaho is stepping up to help the Trump administration transport illegal immigrants with criminal histories out of our jails and to ICE facilities, where they will be deported out of our country. These criminals here illegally have committed crimes such as domestic violence, robbery, driving under the influence, and other dangerous activities that threaten Idaho families, but in counties across our state they are being released back into our communities after arrest. This is unacceptable. Idaho has taken many steps to increase our coordination with the Trump administration in the enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws, and I want to further strengthen our state’s partnership with President Trump to help address the national emergency posed by years of reckless border policies under the Biden-Harris administration.”

"I’m really encouraged to see Idaho making its communities safer by signing on with our 287(g) program,” said Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons. “You have to remember that we’re talking about criminals — and often, they won’t take an arrest sitting down — so when local jails are allowed to turn them over to ICE in a safe setting, we don’t need to send dozens of federal law enforcement officers into the public to make arrests. Partnerships like this one keep offenders out of communities and protect our families, friends and neighbors."

DHS has recently conducted several successful 287g operations with its partners, including:

• Operation Tidal Wave in Florida, which arrested nearly 1,200 criminal illegal aliens.
• An operation in Nashville, TN that arrested nearly 200 criminal illegal aliens.
• An operation in Salt Lake City, UT that arrested 52 criminal illegal aliens.

CITY OF NEW YORK TAKES ACTION TO PROTECT OVER $820 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE

 

Coalition Files Amicus Brief Outlining Why Non-Profits Must Have Federal Public Safety Grants Restored  

 

Continues Adams Administration’s Work To Ensure New Yorkers Get Every Dollar They Are Entitled to at Every Level of Government 

The City of New York — as part of a coalition of cities, counties, elected officials, and prosecuting attorneys from around the nation — took action to protect congressionally-appropriated funding for public safety organizations by filing an amicus brief in the case of Vera Institute of Justice, et al. v. U.S. Department of Justice, et al. This brief strongly supports litigation against the unlawful April 2025 decision by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to immediately terminate more than 270 multi-year grants, awarding more than $820 million in essential funding to non-profit organizations serving to strengthen public safety in communities across the country, including in New York City.  

 

“These grant funding cuts by the U.S. Department of Justice represent yet another example of a massive overreach by this federal administration,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “As detailed in the brief, the nearly billion dollars in funding cuts to our longstanding non-profit partners not only violate the intent of Congress but undermine public safety and vital social services for our communities.”    

 

“These cuts to service providers will have a significant impact on New Yorkers,” said Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan. “The organizations impacted provide critical public safety services to our community, including resources that support victims and lower recidivism. They also provide tools to make our courts more efficient and vital services for individuals transitioning back into the community. New York is the safest big city in America and these cuts undermine its ability to maintain that safety.” 

 

Several organizations that are contractors or sub-contractors with New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice have lost out on more than $18 million in grants in total after the OJP terminated the grants. As the brief lays out, New York City and other localities rely on these and other public safety partners, and if the funding is not restored, New Yorkers and other Americans would bear the impact of reduced services or increased costs, and public safety could be undermined. 

 

Many of the terminated grants support programs that appear to be aligned with OJP’s stated goals for violence reduction, law enforcement efforts, victim services, child protection, and other public safety and justice functions. More specifically, New York City and the other jurisdictions that joined the brief rely on non-profit partners to provide these services, including, among many others, maintaining correctional facilities, improving safety in prisons, updating law enforcement and emergency responses, providing invaluable support for victims of crime, and training and assisting law enforcement and police officers, correctional facilities staff, prosecutors, judges, and amici’s own staff on a variety of issues and services involving mental health, homelessness, substance use treatment, and gun and gang violence intervention. 

 

In the brief, the coalition asks the court to support the plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction. 

 

The amicus brief was prepared by the Public Rights Project and was joined by the City of New York, along with the cities of Sacramento and Santa Monica, California; Chicago, Illinois; Baltimore, Maryland; Kansas City, Missouri; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Newark, New Jersey; as well as Santa Clara County, California; Montgomery County, Maryland; Washtenaw County, Michigan; Shelby County, Tennessee; King County, Washington; and Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Also joining are elected officials and prosecuting attorneys representing Santa Clara County, California; Ridgway, Colorado; Marrion County, Indiana; Kalamazoo County and Washtenaw County, Michigan; Jackson County, Missouri; Hood River and Wasco County, Oregon; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Shelby County, Tennessee; Travis County, Texas; Chittenden County, Vermont; Norfolk, Virginia; and Winnebago County, Wisconsin. 

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York, and Western New York Regions

 

In Effect for Sunday, June 8

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald are issuing an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter on Sunday, June 8, 2025, for the Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York, and Western New York regions due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada.

The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter

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

The Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of: Upper Hudson Valley, which includes Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington counties, Adirondacks, which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties; Eastern Lake Ontario, which includes northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego, and Wayne counties; Central New York, which includes Allegany, Broome, southern Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, southern Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates, and Western New York, which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming 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 (PM) 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

Additional information on PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC’s website or by PDF download. 

Rhode Island Man Sentenced for Setting Fires Around the Exterior of a Church and Assaulting Federal Officers

 

Kevin Colantonio, 36, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to malicious damage by means of fire, obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs, and two counts of assault on a federal officer. He was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr., to more than six years in federal prison. He intentionally set multiple fires around the exterior of a predominantly black church in North Providence, RI, in February 2024, and assaulted two federal correctional officers while detained at a federal detention center following his arrest.

“This defendant acted with disdain against people of faith and complete disregard for law enforcement officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously prosecute anti-Christian bias in the United States and ensure Americans are free to worship without fear.”

Colantonio previously admitted to a federal judge that on Feb. 11, 2024, he used gasoline and a lighter he purchased minutes earlier at a gas station within walking distance of Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries, to ignite five fires around the exterior of the church. The fires were quickly extinguished by North Providence officers, but not before the church sustained some damage.

During a Feb. 15, 2024, court-authorized search of Colantonio’s residence, an accelerant detection canine indicated a positive reaction on several items of seized clothing. These items matched the clothing Colantonio was wearing on the night of the arson, based upon surveillance footage. Colantonio admitted to setting the fires and assaulting the corrections officers.

Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom for the District of Rhode Island and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Roklan for the District of Rhode Island and Taylor Payne of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

The fires set at the Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with members of the North Providence, RI, Police Department and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office. The assault of the federal officers was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Executive At Investor Relations Firm And Two Associates Plead Guilty To Insider Trading Scheme

 

Robert Yedid, Andrew Kaufman, and Mark Jacobs Admit to Illegal Trading in Several Health Care Company Clients of Investor Relations Firm

Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that ROBERT YEDID, ANDREW KAUFMAN, and MARK JACOBS pled guilty to participating in a five-year insider trading scheme to reap illegal profits from stock and options trading based on inside information about several health care company clients of the investor relations firm where YEDID was employed.  Together, YEDID, KAUFMAN and JACOBS made more than $500,000 in illicit gains through this scheme.  JACOBS pled guilty today before U.S. Chief District Judge Laura Taylor Swain.  YEDID and KAUFMAN pled guilty before Chief Judge Swain on May 29, 2025. 

“Robert Yedid betrayed the trust of his employer and its clients by stealing confidential information and passing it to two friends, Andrew Kaufman and Mark Jacobs, to make unlawful, profitable trades based on inside information,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “This Office is committed to prosecuting securities fraud and ensuring that insiders and their friends can’t cheat their way to profits.  With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to police the financial markets and hold those accountable who misuse nonpublic information for personal gain.” 

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Robert Yedid abused his authority as a former investor relations director and provided his friends with material nonpublic information to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit profits.  By betraying the trust placed in his position, Yedid established an unlawful financial advantage for his insular social circle that was not afforded to all investors.  May today’s plea serve as a deterrent to any individual who exploits confidential trading information for personal benefit.”

According to the allegations contained in the Information and statements made in public filings and in public court proceedings:

Between 2019 and 2024, YEDID, KAUFMAN, and JACOBS engaged in a scheme to trade in stocks and options based on material nonpublic information about several publicly traded health care companies, in violation of the duties of trust and confidence that YEDID owed to his employer, an investor relations firm, and to the companies.

YEDID was a director at an investor relations firm that provided public relations services to health care companies, including BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (“BDSI”), CinCor Pharma (“CinCor”), Inotiv (“Inotiv”), Inspire Medical Systems (“Inspire”), Nano-X Imaging Ltd. (“Nano-X”), and OncoCyte Corp. (“OncoCyte”).  In this role, YEDID had access to the content of upcoming press releases, which often contained highly sensitive, non-public, and potentially market-moving news, such as earning reports, regulatory approvals, clinical trial results, and merger and acquisition announcements.  YEDID owed a duty of trust and confidence to his employer and its clients and was prohibited from misusing or disclosing the firm’s confidential information for personal gain or to benefit others.

Beginning in 2019, YEDID knowingly and willfully tipped his friends, KAUFMAN and JACOBS, with valuable, nonpublic information of upcoming corporate announcements involving at least six client companies.  That confidential information included advanced notice of an upcoming merger for BDSI; clinical trial results for healthcare products being developed by OncoCyte and CinCor; and quarterly earnings announcements for Inspire, Nano-X, and Inotiv.

YEDID understood and intended that the information he provided to KAUFMAN and JACOBS would be used to execute securities trades before the information became public.  As expected, KAUFMAN and JACOBS executed trades based on YEDID’s tips.  In many cases, KAUFMAN and JACOBS traded aggressively in the securities of the companies, often purchasing shares or options just days before major announcements were made.  Together, KAUFMAN and JACOBS traded in stocks and options on at least 17 different occasions based on YEDID’s tips.  KAUFMAN generated profits of more than $480,000, and JACOBS generated profits of more than $35,000. In exchange for the tips, KAUFMAN shared half of his illegal profits with YEDID by giving him cash in envelopes during various meetings in New York City.

In November 2024, FBI agents approached YEDID, KAUFMAN, and JACOBS as part of this investigation.  Shortly after being contacted by the FBI, KAUFMAN intentionally deleted spreadsheets he maintained that listed the illegal profits he made through trading based on YEDID’s tips.  KAUFMAN deleted these records in order to impede and obstruct the FBI’s investigation.

YEDID, 67, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

KAUFMAN, 68, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison; and one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

JACOBS, 77, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

YEDID is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge Swain on September 12, 2025, at 2:30 p.m; KAUFMAN is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge Swain on September 18, 2025, at 11 a.m; and JACOBS is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge Swain on September 19, 2025, at 11 a.m.

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

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its cooperation and assistance in this investigation.