Fatal Hit-and-Run in PA: ICE Nabs Illegal Alien from Guatemala Who is Suspected of Killing a 61-year-old Pedestrian

 

Biden administration used prosecutorial discretion to allow this illegal alien to remain in the country 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Mario Guzman-Vasquez, an illegal alien from Guatemala, is in custody following a deadly hit-and-run crash killing a 61-year-old victim in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.  

According to local law enforcement, Guzman-Vasquez is the prime suspect in a hit and run that occurred on August 3, 2025. Guzman-Vasquez is suspected of striking a male pedestrian with his vehicle and fleeing the scene, leaving the dead victim. Upon discovering Guzman-Vasquez was an illegal alien, local police contacted ICE. ICE arrested him and took him into custody on August 4.  

   

“Mario Guzman-Vasquez had no right to be in this country in the first place. Now, a family has lost a loved one. Guzman-Vasque callously fled the scene of a deadly crash, leaving the victim he killed,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Sadly, the Biden Administration released this criminal illegal alien into American communities. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, DHS is restoring law and order and putting America first by removing illegal aliens from American communities.”  

Guzman-Vasquez illegally entered the United States on November 6, 2016. The Biden Administration used prosecutorial discretion to dismiss his immigration case and allow this illegal alien to remain indefinitely in the U.S.

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers To Prepare for Multiple Days of Extreme Heat

‘Feels-Like’ Temperatures in the Mid to Upper 90s Expected in Western New York, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Finger Lakes and North Country Regions Starting Sunday

Air Quality Health Advisory for Ozone for New York City Metro Region for Sunday

High Temperatures Expected Throughout Most of the State Monday Through Wednesday

Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for multiple days of high temperatures across the State beginning on Sunday and continuing through Wednesday. ‘Feels-Like’ Temperatures in the mid to upper 90s are expected in the Western New York, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Finger Lakes and North Country regions starting on Sunday. Heat will continue in most of the State on Monday and Tuesday, most notably in Western New York, the Finger Lakes and the North Country. Humidity levels will also rise on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, feels-like temperatures in the upper 90s will continue throughout most of the state and near 100 in parts of the Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island Regions. Rain and thunderstorms are expected across the State Tuesday into Wednesday.

“As extreme temperatures once again sweep across our state, I’m closely monitoring our forecasts and working alongside partners in government to ensure New Yorkers are protected,” Governor Hochul said. “Extreme heat is the most dangerous weather event we face, and I ask all New Yorkers to please take proper precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

Extreme heat is dangerous and is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke (sun stroke), heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Learn more about heat-related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

New York State agencies are taking the actions and making recommendations to respond to the forecasted heat. These include:

 Hiking Safety

Hiking in the heat is always risky. New Yorkers and visitors should review the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

• Slow your pace.
• Drink water and rest often.
• Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight.
• Bring at least two liters of water for any hike.
• Bring a water filter, especially for longer hikes.
• Bring salty snacks to keep your electrolytes in check.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Leave your pets at home — the heat is harder on them, especially walking on hot rocks.
• Consider staying home yourself and rescheduling for another day when weather conditions improve.

Even if the weather is forecast to be high heat all day, there’s always a chance of hypothermia due to a sudden storm or drop in temperatures. This can increase dramatically if you’re sweating and not wearing sweat-wicking clothing (made of fabrics like wool or polyester). Many cases of hypothermia are in the summer when people least expect it.

Whether you are hiking, mountain biking or paddling, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

Air Quality

DEC is monitoring air quality in real time across the state and issues air quality health advisories as necessary with the Department of Health (DOH). Visible smoke and hazy skies are likely for New York State and may see temporary spikes in Air Quality Index (AQI) values on Sunday. DEC and DOH issued an air quality health advisory for ozone for the New York City Metro region for Sunday, Aug. 10. New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

Extreme Heat

DEC recently released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage and posted at New York State Urban Heat Islands website. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the state.

The New York State Department of Labor has released comprehensive guidance to help employers better protect outdoor workers during extreme heat and advises workers and employers to engage in extreme heat best practices such as:

• Ensure access to clean drinking water at no cost to workers, available at all times and as close to the worksite as possible.
• Provide shade and paid rest when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and more frequent rest breaks once the heat index exceeds 90 degrees.
• Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) so long as it does not interfere with safety equipment, including sunscreen, cooling vests, wide-brim hats and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

More information on best practices for working in extreme heat can be found here.

For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Hispanic Heritage Month - Pioneer Award - Save the Date

 

Office of the New York State Comptroller Dinapoli - Rural Counties Face Shortage of Health Professionals

 

Rural Counties Face Shortage of Health Professionals

A new report by Comptroller DiNapoli examined healthcare professional shortages in 16 rural counties in New York state and found alarming shortfalls in primary care, pediatric, and obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) doctors, dentists and mental health practitioners, with several counties having no pediatricians or OBGYN doctors at all. The shortage of mental health practitioners in New York’s rural counties may be the most severe, with all counties designated by the federal government as areas having professional shortages.

“Having access to health care is an essential quality of life issue and helps people live healthier lives,” DiNapoli said. “Addressing gaps in the rural healthcare workforce to alleviate current shortages and plan for future demand will not only positively impact the health of people living in less populated areas of New York, but could also create new jobs and bolster our rural economies.”

Read More

State Faces $34.3 Billion Cumulative Budget Gap Through State Fiscal Year 2029

The state’s Financial Plan shows a growing structural budget deficit with a cumulative three-year budget gap of $34.3 billion, as forecasted by the Division of the Budget. When accounting for recent federal actions, the gaps as a share of spending reach levels not seen since the Global Financial Crisis of 2009, according to Comptroller DiNapoli’s report on the State Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget and First Quarterly Financial Plans.

The $34.3 billion gap is up $7 billion since the January release of the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget Financial Plan, and is attributable to downward revisions to the economic forecast and projected revenues, as well as increases in projected spending.

“The Financial Plan paints a challenging picture for the state that will only grow more problematic with the incoming federal cuts from the reconciliation bill signed by the President,” DiNapoli said. “This is likely just the beginning; the relationship between the federal government and the states is being restructured, and state governments will be facing drastic reductions in federal aid that could force difficult decisions about state revenue and spending priorities. There is an urgent need to formulate a fiscal response to the federal reconciliation bill and support New York’s safety net.”

Read More

MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL AUDITS

• Town of Oxford – Financial Condition
• Village of Penn Yan – Water Treatment Plant Overtime
• Cuba-Rushford Central School District – Cafeteria Purchases
• Southwestern Central School District – Claims Audit
• Cheektowaga-Maryvale Union Free School District – Lead Testing and Reporting
• Indian Lake Central School District – Lead Testing and Reporting
• Glen Cove City School District – Lead Testing and Reporting
• City of Poughkeepsie Industrial Development Agency – Audit Follow-Up

A L S O   I N   T H E   N E W S

• Comptroller: Rural N.Y. faces health professionals shortage
• N.Y. faces cumulative state budget cap of $34.3B through FY 2029
• Sales tax trend encouraging for region’s counties
• New York Comptroller’s audit ‘Highlights Opportunities for Improvement of State Apprenticeship Programs to Enhance Their Value & Reach’
• New audit reveals gaps in prison tablet program
• Comptroller: NY returning over $2M in unclaimed funds daily

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P O S T   O F   T H E   W E E K

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $300 Million to Strengthen Access to High-Quality Health Care Across New York State

Over 50 Projects Funded Through Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV

Statewide IV Projects To Expand Access for Inpatient, Primary, Behavioral Health and Long-Term Care Services

Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $300 million in new state funding to support health care transformation projects across New York. The awards, made through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV, will support more than 50 projects aimed at expanding access to inpatient, primary, behavioral health and long-term care services.

“This targeted investment will help ensure that every New Yorker — regardless of ZIP code — can access safe, high-quality health care,” Governor Hochul said. “By supporting providers that serve vulnerable and underserved populations, we’re strengthening the foundation of our health care system and building a healthier future for all.”

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “These awards will help providers deliver more effective, modern, and patient-centered care. We are focused on expanding access and improving outcomes while ensuring the sustainability of vital health services across the state.”

This funding prioritizes projects that:

• Improve access to primary, inpatient, behavioral health, and long-term care services;
• Support financially distressed and community-based providers;
• Expand patient-centered models of care; and
• Modernize critical infrastructure.

Awardees include hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, behavioral health organizations, and long-term care providers in every region of the State.

A full list of awardees, project descriptions, and award amounts is available here. Funds are administered by the New York State Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).

This investment builds on Governor Hochul’s continued efforts to strengthen New York’s health care delivery system. In 2023, the Governor announced over $650 million in transformation funding through earlier rounds of the program. Since 2017, the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program has awarded more than $4.7 billion to providers working to improve access, equity, and quality of care across New York.

The State will make additional funding awards for Health Care IT projects under Statewide IV and V, and for additional projects under the Safety Net Transformation Program.

 

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Settlement with Greystar, the Largest U.S. Landlord, to End Its Participation in Algorithmic Pricing Scheme

Decree Would Prohibit Algorithmic Coordination and Exchanging Competitively Sensitive Data with Competitors 

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a proposed settlement to resolve the United States’ claims against Greystar Management Services LLC as part of its ongoing enforcement against algorithmic coordination and other anticompetitive practices in rental markets across the country.

Greystar, the largest landlord in the United States, manages almost 950,000 rental units across the country. As alleged in Plaintiffs’ complaint, Greystar and other landlords, including five co-defendants, shared competitively sensitive data to generate pricing recommendations using RealPage’s algorithms, which also included anticompetitive rules that aligned competitors’ pricing. In addition, Greystar and other landlords discussed competitively sensitive topics — including pricing strategies, rents, and selected parameters for RealPage’s software — directly with each other.

“American greatness has always depended on free-market competition, and nowhere is competition more important than in making housing affordable again,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will continue to vigorously pursue President Trump’s pro-consumer agenda.”

“The Trump-Vance Administration is committed to promoting competition to help working class Americans pay for life’s necessities — including rent,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Whether in a smoke-filled room or through an algorithm, competitors cannot share competitively sensitive information or align prices to the detriment of American consumers.”

If approved by the court, the proposed consent decree would require Greystar to:

• Refrain from using any anticompetitive algorithm that generates pricing recommendations using its competitors’ competitively sensitive data or that incorporates certain anticompetitive features;
• Refrain from sharing competitively sensitive information with competitors;
• Accept a court-appointed monitor if it uses a third-party pricing algorithm that is not certified pursuant to the terms of the consent decree;
• Refrain from attending or participating in RealPage-hosted meetings of competing landlords; and
• Cooperate with the United States’ monopolization claims against RealPage.

As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any interested person should submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days following the publication to Danielle Hauck, Acting Chief, Technology and Digital Platforms Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW, Suite 7050, Washington, DC 20530. At the conclusion of the public comment period, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.

Greystar is a residential property manager headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ghanaian Nationals Extradited For Roles In Criminal Organization That Stole More Than $100 Million Through Romance Scams And Other Fraud

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Christopher G. Raia, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging four Ghanaian nationals, ISAAC ODURO BOATENG, a/k/a “Kofi Boat,” INUSAH AHMED, a/k/a “Pascal,” DERRICK VAN YEBOAH, a/k/a “Van,” and PATRICK KWAME ASARE, a/k/a “Borgar,” for their roles in an international criminal organization that stole more than $100 million from victims via romance scams and business email compromises.  They further announced Ghana’s extradition of BOATENG, AHMED, and VAN YEBOAH, who arrived in the U.S. on August 7, 2025, and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.  ASARE remains at large.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.  

“As alleged, Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, Derrick van Yeboah, and Patrick Kwame Asare led and participated in an international fraud ring that engaged in a massive conspiracy to defraud vulnerable people and steal from businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Offshore scammers should know that we, the FBI, and our law enforcement partners will work around the world to combat online fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.” 

The defendants have been brought to the United States to be held accountable for their alleged roles in scamming companies and vulnerable Americans out of over $100 million,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia.  “Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances is not merely appalling but illegal.  The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

BOATENG, AHMED, VAN YEBOAH, and ASARE were high-ranking members of a criminal organization based in Ghana that committed romance scams and business email compromises against individuals and businesses located across the U.S.

Many of the conspiracy’s victims were vulnerable older men and women who were tricked into believing that they were in online romantic relationships with people who were, in fact, fake identities assumed by members of the conspiracy.  Once members of the conspiracy had gained the trust of their victims, they deceived those victims into sending their money to the enterprise or into helping them launder funds from other victims.  The conspirators also committed business email compromises to trick and deceive businesses into wiring funds to the enterprise.  In total, the conspiracy stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims.

After stealing the money, the fraud proceeds were then laundered to West Africa, where they were largely funneled to individuals called “chairmen,” who directed the activities of other members of the conspiracy.  BOATENG and AHMED were considered chairmen of the organization.

BOATENG, 36; AHMED, 40; VAN YEBOAH, 40; and ASARE, 39, each of Ghana, are charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

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

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI. He also thanked Ghana and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance. 

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the International Cooperation Unit of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ghana to secure the extraditions to the United States.  Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, and Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau all provided significant assistance to ensure the success of these extraditions.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

MONDAY: Back to School Giveaway at Zimmerman Playground!

 

Dear Neighbors,  

The start of the new school year is right around the corner and Team JZ has got you covered! Together with my partners in government we are giving away FREE backpacks!!

 

Details as follows: 

 

Where: Zimmerman Playground

When: Monday, August 11th

Time: 3pm - while supplies last

 

Please remember that this is a first come/first served event and every adult must have their child present to receive a free back-to-school backpack while supplies last. 

 

In Gratitude,

John Zaccaro, Jr