Governor Hochul Speaks Regarding the Arrest of Brad Lander

Governor Hochul: “This is a sorry day for New York and our country. I was literally walking the streets of Little Haiti, to try and bring some comfort to a community that's under siege with a travel ban and losing their legal status. The streets were empty, people were scared, businesses are concerned about their future, and that's when I got word of what happened to my colleague in government, our comptroller Brad Lander.”

Hochul: “We're also concerned about those—that are walking out this courthouse, taken away from their families. They don't have the attention, they don’t have the lawyers and that's why the State of New York is providing fifty-million dollars to cover legal services for people who are finding themselves in this situation. We continue to do what we can to support the communities and the immigration coalitions and thank them for their work they're doing at this time.”

Earlier today, Governor Hochul spoke at a press conference following the release of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander following his arrest earlier this afternoon. The Governor also highlighted the state’s investment of $50 million dollars to support immigrant legal services.

Good afternoon — this is a sorry day for New York. This is a sorry—excuse me, we need to deal with this — excuse me — please everyone, we need to deal with this situation.

This is a sorry day for New York and our country. I was literally walking the streets of Little Haiti, to try and bring some comfort to a community that's under siege with a travel ban and losing their legal status. The streets were empty, people were scared, businesses are concerned about their future, and that's when I got word of what happened to my colleague in government, our comptroller Brad Lander.

The video is shocking — I knew I needed to come down here immediately and check on his whereabouts, and do what I could to intervene. I'll let Brad speak about his experience, but to my knowledge the charges — there are no charges, the charges have been dropped. He walks out of there a free man. While that is a positive outcome in a very high profile case. We're also concerned about those — that are walking out this courthouse, taken away from their families.

They don't have the attention, they don’t have the lawyers and that's why the State of New York is providing fifty-million dollars to cover legal services for people who are finding themselves in this situation. We continue to do what we can to support the communities and the immigration coalitions and thank them for their work they're doing at this time.

It's hard to see these people, to know their stories, to hug them, to know they've been separated from loved ones. I just want to say — we're a better country than this. We are a far better country than what we’re experiencing.

This is New York–this is New York! The land of immigrants, we're proud of them. As I stood in the hallway upstairs from the ninth door waiting to know the whereabouts of my friend, almost everyone I spoke to who worked there, in security and otherwise — they came from other countries. They are immigrants themselves, don't forget that — don’t forget that. Ladies and gentleman, I present our Comptroller Brad Lander.

 

Attorney General James Announces Arrest and Arraignment of NYPD Officer on Manslaughter Charge

 

Officer Kevin Richmond Was Off-Duty When He Struck and Killed Nidia Nieves  

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest and arraignment of former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officer Kevin Richmond, 43, of Highland Mills, New York, on the charge of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree. The felony complaint alleges that on July 27, 2023, Officer Richmond drove his personal vehicle while intoxicated and in a manner that caused the death of Nidia Nieves. Officer Richmond was off duty at the time.

Officer Richmond was arraigned today before Judge Paul Trachte at Newburgh City Court. Judge Trachte set bail at a $50,000 bond, or a $100,000 partially secured bond, with a $20,000 cash alternative. Officer Richmond posted the $20,000 cash bail. Officer Richmond is due back in court on August 6, 2025. The maximum sentence on a Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree charge is 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison. The complaint also charges Officer Richmond with two counts of misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), for which he could receive up to one year in jail.

Shortly after midnight on July 27, 2023, Officer Richmond allegedly collided with a motorcycle driven by Nidia Nieves, who was traveling northbound on I-87 in the Town of Cornwall. Officer Richmond was allegedly intoxicated at the time. Ms. Nieves was thrown from the motorcycle, suffered traumatic injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Richmond was off duty at the time. 

Pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 70-b, the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. Criminal charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty at trial or by plea.

Governor Hochul Celebrates Completion of $45 Million New York State Regional Food Hub in the Bronx

Hunts Point-Based Food Hub Will Improve Access to Healthy Foods for Underserved Populations

First-of-Its-Kind Facility Will Increase Food Distribution by 600 Percent, Creating Jobs and Supporting Local Agriculture

60,000 Square-Foot Cold Storage Facility Connects Upstate Farms to Downstate Markets

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the New York State Regional Food Hub, a $45 million cold-storage facility that will transform food access across New York. The first-of-its-kind 60,000 square-foot facility, operated by GrowNYC in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx, will enable a 600 percent increase in locally-sourced food distribution — from approximately 3 million pounds to 20 million pounds annually by 2034 — while creating over 200 new jobs and providing a critical economic lifeline to New York farmers. The facility, supported by $19 million from New York State, as recommended by the New York City Regional Economic Development Council, represents a joint State and City investment designed to strengthen the local food economy, support New York farmers, and improve access to healthy and affordable foods for low-income communities.

“The New York State Regional Food Hub is a game-changer for families and farmers across New York,” Governor Hochul said. “From the streets of the Bronx to the farms of Batavia, the Empire State has so much to offer. That's why we invested in this massive GrowNYC facility to expand access to fresh, local food while creating new economic opportunities for our agricultural producers.”

The Food Hub will enable GrowNYC to quadruple its aggregation and distribution square footage, dramatically expanding wholesale distribution capacity to make fresh, local foods accessible to underserved New Yorkers. The facility will serve wholesale buyers including institutions and restaurants while strengthening innovative partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Building on GrowNYC's current work distributing free produce through New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets New York Food for New York Families program — which unites a network of 20 community partners including Graham Windham and The POINT to serve the Hunts Point community and beyond — the expanded Hub will significantly scale these vital food access efforts. Additional funding was provided by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the New York City Council, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Bank of America, and others.

The facility addresses a critical need identified during the COVID-19 pandemic, when food insecurity in New York City grew from 1.4 million residents to approximately 2 million. By sourcing food directly from regional farms and creating new jobs, the Hub will support New York State farmers — particularly small- and mid-sized operations — while increasing food distribution capacity and enhancing access to New York City's wholesale marketplace. The processing facility will assist upstate producers and processors in targeting institutional and private sector procurement opportunities, offering a significant boost to New York's agricultural economy while building a more resilient food supply chain.

 The New York State Regional Food Hub was first developed as the result of the New York State-New York City Regional Food Hubs Task Force, which created a roadmap to build a Regional Food Hub System. The goal was to enhance the connection between upstate food producers and the downstate market, increase access to fresh food for underserved populations, boost in-state food production and consumption, and create new job opportunities in the growing sector of food manufacturing. As a high priority in the task force's final action plan, this facility now serves as a national model for creating sustainable, self-sufficient food systems that safeguard local food supplies.

Attorney General James Condemns ICE Arrest of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the federal courthouse at 26 Federal Plaza: 

“This is profoundly unacceptable. Arresting Comptroller Lander for the simple act of standing up for immigrants and their civil rights is a shocking abuse of power. No one should face fear and intimidation in a courthouse, and this is a grotesque escalation of tensions. The administration’s rampant targeting of New Yorkers only makes our communities less safe.”  

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON ICE DETAINING COMPTROLLER LANDER

 

"ICE appears to have detained a citywide elected official, an American citizen. I demand the Comptroller’s immediate release – he was working to ensure that New Yorkers’ dignity, rights, and humanity were upheld. With Donald Trump and his allies working to disappear our immigrant neighbors, we all have a moral obligation to act against immorality. 

 

"ICE’s conduct is appalling, and the Comptroller’s is inspiring. We need leadership that will use the power and voice they have – standing up for the most vulnerable people in our city against oppression and harm. Every leader of conscience should speak out against this attempt by ICE to silence dissent and deny human and legal rights." 

BREAKING: Comptroller Brad Lander detained by ICE

 

City Comptroller Brad Lander was detained inside a Lower Manhattan immigration court building Tuesday morning by masked federal agents as he attempted to escort a man from his court appearance.  

Moments ahead of his detention, Lander had linked arms with the man leaving an immigration courtroom on the 12th floor, refusing to let go as masked federal agents pushed into the crowd, attempting to pull the man away. 

In the chaotic scene at around noon, Lander asked the agents repeatedly to show a judicial warrant. 

https://x.com/i/status/1935016805099016236

Video of the arrest.

Merchants Capital Secures $231M For Eastchester Gardens PACT Renovation In The Bronx

 

Merchants Capital has secured $231 million in financing for the renovation of Eastchester Gardens, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) project located in The Bronx. The $391 million redevelopment spans 10 residential buildings and includes 877 housing units. Eastchester Gardens, one of the oldest public housing developments in New York City, will undergo a rehabilitation led by MDG Design + Construction, Infinite Horizons, and Wavecrest Management.

The financing package includes a $221.7 million, 30-year Freddie Mac CME permanent loan. All units will be reserved for households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). Construction will leverage federal historic tax credits, as Eastchester Gardens will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Planned upgrades include heating and cooling systems, plumbing, LED lighting, electrical systems, kitchens and bathrooms, and improvements for ADA compliance. Enhancements to shared and outdoor spaces, as well as the Community and Senior Centers, are also part of the plan.

The PACT development team will work with resident leadership to rehabilitate all units and campus infrastructure. BronxWorks will provide new on-site supportive services, including case management, mental health referrals, benefits assistance, job training, and nutrition programs.

Permits Filed for 2184 Muliner Avenue in Pelham Parkway, The Bronx

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 2184 Muliner Avenue in Pelham Parkway, The Bronx. Located between Pelham Parkway South and Lydig Avenue, the lot is near the Morris Park subway station, served by the 5 train. Endrit Durgaj
of AAA Durgaj Properties Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 60-foot-tall development will yield 19,372 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 28 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 691 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a 20-foot-long rear yard.

John Backos of GRID Drafting and Consulting LLC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in December 2024 for the two-story structure on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.