Reward Offered for Information Leading to the Arrest of High-Ranking Member of Los Choneros, a Violent Foreign Terrorist Organization

 

The U.S. State Department’s Narcotics Reward Program (NRP) announced the offering of a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ecuadorian fugitive Francisco Manuel Bermúdez Cagua, also known as “Churron,” a leader of Los Choneros, a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) based in Ecuador that is responsible for significant drug trafficking into the United States, firearms trafficking from the United States and acts of extreme violence.  Bermúdez Cagua is charged in a superseding indictment in the Eastern District of New York with international cocaine distribution conspiracy, international cocaine distribution, and use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.  The charges were brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.  The superseding indictment was unsealed in June 2025.

In July 2025, co-conspirator José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito,” a citizen of Ecuador and the principal leader of the Los Choneros organization, was extradited to the Eastern District of New York from Ecuador to face international drug trafficking and firearms charges. Another co-conspirator charged in the superseding indictment, Darío Javier Peñafiel Nieto, also known as “Topo,” is currently in custody in Ecuador.

“As alleged, Bermúdez Cagua is a top lieutenant within the leadership of Los Choneros, an extremely violent foreign terrorist organization responsible for pumping drugs into the United States, causing harm to our communities, and wreaking havoc in his homeland of Ecuador,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr.  “The significant reward being offered by the State Department underscores our resolve to bring Los Choneros’s leadership to justice in a U.S. courthouse and eradicate such organizations.”

“We will use every tool in our arsenal to stop the brutal criminals who are trafficking deadly drugs into our country,” stated Senior Bureau Official Chris Landberg of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.  “We are offering a reward of up to $5 million under the Narcotics Rewards Program for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Bermúdez Cagua.”

“Bermúdez Cagua is a high-ranking narco-terrorist whose actions have fueled the flow of cocaine into the United States and sown chaos in Ecuador,” stated Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terrance Cole.  “The DEA is resolute in its mission to turn up the pressure and bring this dangerous individual to justice. Today’s announcements reaffirm our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks, holding those responsible for violence and illicit trade accountable, and protecting communities from the devastating impact of these crimes.”

“ATF remains committed to hold leaders of foreign terrorist organizations accountable for the violence they inflict on our communities”, stated Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Deputy Director Rob Cekada.  “Bermudez Cagua’s network of criminals saturated our neighborhoods with dangerous drugs and used firearms to protect and expand their criminal enterprise. The substantial reward announced by the Department of State sends an unmistakable message to all narco-terrorists: their days of poisoning our citizens and profiting off the American people are over.”

As alleged in the superseding indictment, Los Choneros was one of Ecuador’s most violent transnational criminal organizations. Los Choneros operated a vast network responsible for the shipment and distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America, through Central American and Mexico, to the United States and elsewhere.  The defendants directed and ordered acts of violence to achieve the goals of the organization.  In September 2025, the U.S. State Department designated Los Choneros as an FTO. 

Anyone with information about Bermúdez Cagua’s whereabouts should contact the DEA at Ecuadortips@dea.gov or +593988292235 (text/WhatsApp/Signal).  All information will be kept strictly confidential.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on November 13, 2025 in the confines of the 19th Precinct

 

The NYPD is releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on November 13, 2025, in the confines of the 19th 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

NYC Council Announces $2 Million Investment to Renovate Wyckoff Heights Medical Center’s Neonatal Care Suite

 

Council has delivered $5.8 million to Wyckoff’s project to renovate its facilities supporting mothers and babies

The New York City Council joined Wyckoff Heights Medical Center’s President & CEO Vali Gache and leadership team to announce the Council’s $2 million investment towards the hospital’s expansion and upgrade of their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The capital funding secured by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Member Nurse in the City’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget, will help ensure high-quality care for mothers and babies receiving services in the NICU. This investment advances the third phase of a multi-phase transformation project to renovate the medical center’s 11th floor (Maternity/Postpartum) and 12th floor (Labor & Delivery).

“Our historically diverse, women-majority City Council has consistently championed efforts to improve maternal health and confront the longstanding inequities facing our mothers and families,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “We’re proud to have secured $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to modernize the NICU at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and $5.8 million overall to transform a vital part of this community institution. These are the needed investments to sustain and bolster safety net hospitals that care for underserved communities, while advancing progress to end maternal mortality. I thank Council Member Nurse, Council Gutierrez, and the entire team at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for their hard work to deliver for our communities.”

The 5,000-square-foot NICU suite will fit 15 incubators, three nursery rooms, including one isolation room, a breastfeeding room, family waiting areas, hallways, storage and utility rooms, nurses’ station, and clinical staff offices and lounge. Between FY24 and FY25, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center received a total of $3.8 million in capital funding from Speaker Adams and Council Member Nurse to support the first and second phases of the transformation project. With the funding received this year, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center will be able to continue its renovations on the 11th floor and modernize the newborn care facilities.

High-Level Colombian Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

 

A Colombian national was sentenced to 14 years in prison for conspiring to send more than 450 kilograms of cocaine into the United States.

According to court documents, Alejandro Parra Bustamante, 45, was a high-level member of the Shottas and Clan de Bustamante, the leading drug trafficking organizations operating out of Buenaventura, Colombia, one the country’s main seaports and a primary hub for cocaine being transported out of Colombia to Central America, Mexico, and the United States. Between around March 2019 and March 2021, Parra Bustamante led a conspiracy to sell 500 to 1,000 kilograms of cocaine to U.S. buyers during which approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine samples were sent to Tucson, Arizona.

Parra Bustamante was indicted in May 2021 and extradited to the United States in August 2023. Parra Bustamante pleaded guilty to one count of cocaine trafficking conspiracy on Feb. 6 before a federal judge in the District of Columbia. Jorge Eliecer Florez Alvarez, Parra Bustamante’s co-conspirator, was sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment on Oct. 16.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) in Arizona made the announcement.

HSI investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Colleen King and Roger Polack of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section prosecuted the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Colombia to secure the arrest and extradition of Parra Bustamante.

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

Sanctuary State Refuses ICE Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Who Caused a Multi-Car Pile Up Involving a School Bus While Driving a Semi-Truck on a Washington Highway

 

This criminal illegal alien has a criminal history of multiple DUIs, possession of a controlled substance, and two prior removals from the U.S. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer for Juan Hernandez-Santos, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico who is accused of causing a wreck while driving an 18-wheeler that slammed into another vehicle, causing a six-car pile-up, including with a school bus on the morning of December 4, 2025, in Lacey, Washington. Local authorities did not honor the ICE detainer due to sanctuary policies, and he was subsequently released from custody.

The crash reportedly resulted in three individuals being hospitalized.

According to local reports, state authorities say Hernandez-Santos did not possess a commercial driver’s license, yet was operating a semi-truck when he caused the pile-up.

“This dangerous illegal alien has a criminal history including multiple DUIs, possessing a controlled substance, and two prior removals from the U.S. He was a walking public safety threat and illegally was driving a massive 18-wheeler when he caused a six-car pile-up involving a school bus on the highway in Washington,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thankfully, no children were in the bus. This story could have had a very different tragic ending. The sanctuary politicians in Washington failed once again to protect American citizens by refusing to honor our ICE arrest detainer.”

On February 24, 2005, United States Border Patrol (USBP) removed Hernandez-Santos to Mexico. He illegally re-entered—a felony—and was removed again from the U.S. June 7, 2006.

On an unknown date, and at an unknown place, he re-entered the United States for a third time.

His previous criminal history includes:

• On May 24, 2008, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office arrested Hernandez-Santos for driving without a license.
• He was arrested again just one month later, on June 7, 2008, in California for driving under the influence and a hit-and-run with property damage.
• On November 2, 2018, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
• On February 24, 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested Hernandez for driving under the influence

In recent months, we’ve seen a disturbing pattern of criminal illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles on American roads, directly threatening public safety and resulting in senseless loss of life.

DHS law enforcement has arrested hundreds of illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles despite having no legal status in the U.S. In October, Secretary Kristi Noem announced that a successful 287(g) operation resulted in the arrest of 146 illegal alien truck drivers. ICE also arrested 91 illegal aliens driving 18-wheelers in Indiana in October.  

In November, ICE arrested Akhror Bozorov, a criminal illegal alien from Uzbekistan wanted in his origin country for belonging to a terrorist organization, in Kansas. He was working as a commercial truck driver despite no legal status in the U.S.

In August, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for a criminal illegal alien—Harjinder Singh—following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida.

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

Joint NYC Council, State Investigation into Growing Industry of Medical Spas Finds Violations of State Law, Threatening New Yorkers’ Health and Safety

 

Unlicensed medical procedures, lack of liability insurance, unhygienic conditions, and mislabeled products revealed at inspected locations

Today, the New York City Council released a report detailing the preliminary results of a joint city-state investigation into the operations and practices of 15 medical spas (medspas) operating in the five boroughs that found health and safety violations of state law. Coordinated by the Council’s Oversight and Investigations Division (OID) in partnership with New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE) and Bureau of Investigation (BI), Department of Education (NYSED), and Department of State (DOS), the investigation assessed a rapidly expanding industry in the city and nation with their compliance with regulations related to licensing, hygienic practices, proof of insurance, and use of controlled substances. Violations were revealed and issued at every inspected business, posing dangers to the New Yorkers purchasing their services. These spanned from conducting medical procedures without appropriate licensing and oversight to missing liability insurance, maintaining unhygienic conditions and tools, using unlabeled products, and failing to display proper licenses.

The full report, entitled Moving the Needle, can be found here.

“Every New Yorker must be able to trust that city businesses they visit comply with state legal regulations to protect consumers’ health and safety,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Yet, this joint investigation revealed that too many medspas are openly disregarding the law and endangering their customers. The systemic issues revealed through this critical investigation warrant strict enforcement and further examination to protect New Yorkers. I commend the Council’s Oversight and Investigations Division and our state partners for spotlighting harmful practices in a growing but overlooked industry.”

Following the inspections between June and September 2024 that led to the issuance of violations, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against all inspected locations by DOS’ Licensing Division. Thus far, four businesses have lost their licenses and the ability to legally operate. Proceedings against the other 11 businesses are ongoing. An outline of some of the issued violations and their prevalence across the inspected locations include:

• Offering medical procedures without the legally required licensure and oversight (100%)
• Failing to properly display their licenses (93%)
• No medical oversight during procedures (73%)
• Chemical or fire safety violations (66%)
• Lack of liability insurance (60%)
• Sanitation or hygiene issues (53%)
• Labeling issues with products being used (46%)
• Relying on unlicensed employees or those whose licenses had expired (26%)

Medspas are businesses that often blur the line between a spa and doctor’s office, offering both appearance enhancement and medical services. They have grown by thousands of locations across the nation over the past 15 years, becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry. Under New York state law, esthetic, cosmetology, and nail businesses require Appearance Enhancement Business (AEB) licenses issued by DOS, while the authority to conduct medical procedures like Botox, fillers, and IV therapy require licensed medical professionals.

“New Yorkers deserve to know that the services they’re paying for are safe, legal, and provided by trained professionals,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Investigations. “This investigation makes clear that locations across the city may be cutting corners, putting people at risk, and operating far outside the bounds of the law. I thank the Oversight and Investigations Division and our state partners for their rigorous work uncovering these violations. We need stronger oversight, more transparency for consumers, and real public education so that every New Yorker can make informed decisions about their health and safety.”

“The rise in safety violations at unlicensed medical spas and beauty enhancement clinics, as outlined by the Council’s Oversight and Investigations Division, is a serious threat to public health and consumer safety,” said Council Member Julie Menin, Chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. “It is unacceptable for unlicensed individuals to perform procedures that put New Yorkers at risk. I thank Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Member Gale Brewer and the Oversight and Investigations Division for their recommendations to strengthen enforcement, improve transparency in professional licensing, and expand outreach so patrons can make informed decisions about services being offered.”

To ensure the health and safety of New Yorkers seeking medspa services, the Council recommends the following steps:

Legislative

• State lawmakers should consider legislation that would require AEBs to prominently post a standardized notice stating that they are not licensed to perform medical procedures. The notice should include a list of common services that cannot be legally provided.

Enforcement

• The relevant state agencies should conduct regular, standardized inspections of medspas modeled on this initiative to ensure compliance with licensing, sanitation, insurance, and medical requirements.

Education

• New York State should launch a launch a coordinated multi-media education campaign to help New Yorkers recognize unlicensed or unsafe facilities, understand the medical risks associated with certain procedures, and know their rights.

Governor Hochul Announces $269 Million to Make Local Water Infrastructure Projects Affordable Across New York State

Low-Cost Financing and Grants Minimize Ratepayer Burden for Critical Improvements Statewide

Funding to Help Pay for Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement in Poughkeepsie and Troy

New York City Resiliency Project Advances with Environmental Bond Act Funding

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $269 million was made available to help communities across the State affordably undertake water and sewer infrastructure improvement projects. The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved low-cost financing and State and federal grants that empower local governments to advance crucial upgrades — such as replacing lead service lines and removing emerging contaminants from drinking water — without passing high costs on to ratepayers. These investments protect public health and the environment, reduce future risks, and support good-paying jobs.

“This investment is about making essential water improvements more affordable for communities across New York,” Governor Hochul said. “By lowering costs for local governments, we are helping ensure New Yorkers can rely on safe, clean water without facing added financial pressure. These upgrades also strengthen our long-term resilience, ensuring our water systems can withstand future challenges and remain sustainable for decades to come.”

The funding approved today includes investments for the Cities of Poughkeepsie and Troy from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Governor Hochul’s Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation (LIFT) grant program. These investments are part of the $535 million Statewide effort to help communities pay for lead service line inventory and replacement projects. These loan forgiveness grants help cover costs not fully paid for by federal grants, minimizing the financial burden on local ratepayers.

EFC’s Board approved funding from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds — New York’s primary mechanism for financing sewer and water infrastructure. These funds, supported by both State and federal sources, offer low-interest financing to help communities afford essential projects. IIJA funding for water infrastructure is administered through the State Revolving Funds.

Fully funded State Revolving Funds are necessary for New York to be prepared to meet the ongoing need for communities to repair, rehabilitate, and modernize aging infrastructure in the future. The State Revolving Funds deliver over $1 billion annually to New York communities and have been significantly bolstered by IIJA funding. By making clean water financing more accessible, these programs help ensure New Yorkers have access to safe drinking water, prevent infrastructure failures that threaten the environment, and avoid costly rate increases.

EFC also approved previously awarded grants from the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Green Resiliency Grant programs, including five grants funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. Board approval is a critical step in the funding process. It allows communities to enter into an agreement and access these dollars for project implementation.

The investment strategy of leveraging federal and State funds ensures every dollar goes further in protecting public health and modernizing aging infrastructure across the State.

Funding was approved for projects in the following regions:

Capital Region

• Albany Municipal Water Finance Authority, funding for two projects:
  • $3.6 million in State and federal grants and interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of sewer separation around Washington Park Lake and Thurlow Terrace to reduce combined sewer overflows in the City of Albany.
  • $18 million in federal grant and interest-free financing for the design and construction of sewer collection system improvements within the City of Albany.
• Town of Rotterdam, funding for two projects:
  • $17.8 million in State grant and low-cost financing for the construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements. The State grant is funded by the Environmental Bond Act.
  • $34 million in low-cost financing for high priority drinking water distribution system improvements and well field improvements in Water District No. 5.
• City of Troy, $16.7 million in State and federal grants and interest-free financing, including a loan forgiveness LIFT grant, to replace 1,110 lead service lines.
• Village of Whitehall, $2.9 million in federal grant and low-interest financing for the planning, design, and construction of disinfection and other upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant.

Finger Lakes

• Village of Avon, $4.7 million in State grant and low-interest financing for upgrades and rehabilitation of drinking water storage tanks, installation of mixing systems, and upgrade of a valve vault and valves within the distribution system.
• Village of Dresden, $6.6 million State grant and low-cost financing for the replacement of approximately 20,000 linear feet of aged and undersized asbestos-cement piping. The State grant is funded by the Environmental Bond Act.
• Village of Penn Yan, $6.2 million in interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of improvements at the Cherry Street Pump Station and a new force main from the pump station to the wastewater treatment plant.
• Village of Phelps, $12.7 million in State grant and interest-free financing for the design and construction of upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant.

Long Island

• Town of Hempstead, $5 million State grant for the construction of a new advanced oxidation process, granular activated carbon, and green sand filter treatment systems to remove 1,4-dioxane and iron from East Meadow Water District Well No. 10.
• Locust Valley Water District, $4.9 million federal grant for the installation of two granular activated carbon adsorption treatment systems and associated appurtenances at Well 9 to treat PFOA contamination.
• Town of Smithtown, $998,200 federal grant to extend the boundaries of the Smithtown Water District service area to provide water to residences with private wells contaminated with PFAS.
• Suffolk County Water Authority, six State grants totaling $5.5 million for the following projects:
  • Construction of new advanced oxidation process treatment systems to remove 1,4-dioxane from Hawkins Road Well No. 2, North Washington Avenue Well No. 1, and Kings Park Road Well No. 2A.
  • Construction of new granular activated carbon absorption vessels to remove PFAS from Blue Point Road Well No. 4A, Boyle Road Well No. 2, and Foxcroft Lane Well No. 2.

Mid-Hudson

• Village of Nyack, $7.2 million in State and federal grants and low-cost financing to upgrade a surface water treatment plant to install two sets of granular activated carbon filter vessels.
• City of Poughkeepsie, funding for two projects:
  • Interest-free financing and a loan forgiveness LIFT grant totaling $906,600 for exploratory work required to create a drinking water service line material inventory, with emphasis on locating lead or galvanized pipe.
  • $6.2 million in federal grant and interest-free financing for the design and construction of a stormwater management project.

Mohawk Valley

• Town of Frankfort, $700,000 State grant for the creation of the Center and Zolad Roads Water District.
• City of Utica, $24.1 million in State and federal grants and interest-free financing for various combined sewer overflow improvement projects.

New York City

• New York City Housing Authority, $6.9 million for the Jefferson Houses Cloudburst Project to manage, store, and filter stormwater runoff at a public housing development in East Harlem. The project will install a subsurface retention system, porous concrete pavers, and two synthetic turf fields. In addition to stormwater capture, these green infrastructure practices will reduce the urban heat island effect while providing residents access to outdoor recreation space.

North Country

• Village of Dexter, $2 million in State and federal grants and low-cost financing for the design and construction of disinfection facilities at the sewage treatment plant.
• Village of Gouverneur, $2 million in State and federal grants and interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of a sanitary and storm sewer separation project.
• Town of Keene, $7.2 million in State grant and low-cost financing for the installation of a new drinking water production well, rehabilitation of the existing treatment building, installation of water meters and installation of all required appurtenances to connect the new well to the treatment building and distribution system.
• City of Ogdensburg, $2.6 million in State and federal grants and interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of sanitary and storm sewer improvements. The State grant is funded by the Environmental Bond Act.
• Town of Peru, $25.6 million in State grant and low-cost financing for the planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements.
• Town of St. Armand, $2 million in low-cost financing for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater disinfection improvements.

Southern Tier

• City of Binghamton, $7.7 million for the planning, design and construction of a new force main and pump station to replace the existing 6th Ward interceptor sewer and Delevan Pump Station.
• Town of Cohocton, $3.6 million in State grant and low-cost financing for the installation of approximately 6,800 linear feet of new drinking water main, hydrants and valves on Wayland Street, Beecher Street, and University Avenue. The State grant is funded by the Environmental Bond Act.
• City of Elmira, $6 million in State and federal grants and interest-free financing for drinking water main replacement at Water Street, the High Reservoir, and the Chemung River crossings at Harmon and Lake Streets.

Western New York

• Village of Cattaraugus, $10.5 million in State grant and interest-free financing for a new groundwater well, rehabilitation of the existing well, drinking water treatment plant upgrades, replacement of 28,200 linear feet of water main, and water storage tank upgrades.

Refinancing Completed Projects Will Achieve Long-Term Debt Service Savings

The Board also took action to help ensure continued, long-term affordability of existing projects. Short-term financing provides capital for project design and construction. Once construction is completed, the short-term financing is typically refinanced to long-term financing for up to 30 years, saving municipalities significant interest expenses versus financing on their own.

The Board approved long-term interest-free financing for projects undertaken by communities in the following regions:

Mohawk Valley

• City of Rome, $12.7 million in long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of the Railroad Street interceptor sewer project.

Southern Tier

• Village of Wayland, $2 million in long-term interest-free financing for the design and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements.

Based on current market conditions, these long-term financings are projected to save local ratepayers an estimated $18.8 million in interest payments over the life of the financings.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $3.4 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2025 alone.

With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard. 

Two Men Sentenced for $17M COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud

Two Cordele, Georgia, men were sentenced today for their participation in a scheme to defraud the Georgia Department of Labor (GaDOL) out of millions of dollars in benefits meant to assist unemployed individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malcolm Jeffrey, 34, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $16,958,372 in restitution. Gerard Towns, 34, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $365,066 in restitution.

“The defendants orchestrated an egregious scheme to steal $17 million of unemployment insurance payouts using stolen identities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These defendants exploited a government program designed to alleviate economic hardship to line their own pockets. The sentencings today demonstrate that the Criminal Division will hold accountable fraudsters who steal from the public fisc.”

“Malcolm Jeffrey, Gerard Towns, and their co-conspirators participated in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme that targeted the Georgia Department of Labor,” said Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) Southeast Region. “The conspirators submitted fraudulent UI claims using the stolen identities of identity theft victims to obtain debit cards loaded with UI benefits. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who attempt to exploit these vital U.S. Department of Labor programs.”

“Exploiting pandemic relief programs meant to help Americans at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic for personal enrichment is unconscionable,” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari Ph.D., of The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG). “DHS-OIG will continue to prioritize pandemic-related fraud investigations and work with our law enforcement partners to bring perpetrators to justice.”

“Today’s sentencings emphasize our dedication and commitment to holding individuals accountable who exploit federal relief programs for personal gain, “said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). “As proven in this case, our criminal investigators along with our law enforcement partners will work together and diligently pursue anyone who attempts to exploit programs created to help legitimate people and businesses affected by the global pandemic.”  

“IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are continuing finding and holding accountable criminals who defrauded COVID-19 programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office. “With the passage and signing of bills in 2022 establishing 10-year statute of limitations for those who defrauded the COVID-19 programs, I want to put those who stole from the taxpayers on notice that it is only a matter of time before IRS-CI special agents and our law enforcement partners uncover their crimes and bring them to justice.”

Jeffrey and Towns are the last of 12 defendants sentenced in connection with Operation Cordele Partial, one of the largest domestic unemployment insurance (UI) fraud investigations in the history of the DOL. Operation Cordele Partial uncovered multiple massive schemes based in central Georgia that defrauded the GaDOL of over $45 million and involved over 20 states unemployment insurance programs.

According to court documents and evidence presented in court, from March 2020 through November 2022, Jeffrey, Towns, and their co-conspirators caused more than 2,500 fraudulent UI claims to be filed with the GaDOL, resulting in at least $17 million in stolen benefits.

To execute these schemes, the defendants and their co-conspirators created fictitious employers and fabricated lists of purported employees using personally identifiable information (PII) from thousands of identity theft victims and filed fraudulent UI claims on the GaDOL website. The co-conspirators obtained PII for use in the scheme from a variety of sources, including by paying an employee of an Atlanta-area health care and hospital network to unlawfully obtain patients’ PII from the hospital’s databases, and by purchasing PII from other sources over the internet. Using victims’ PII, the co-conspirators caused the stolen UI funds to be disbursed via prepaid debit cards mailed to various locations in Georgia.

In June 2025, Towns pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. In August 2025, Jeffrey was convicted at trial of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

DOL-OIG, DHS-OIG, IRS-CI, USPS-OIG, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Lyndie Freeman, Siji Moore, and Kyle Crawford of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.