Mayor Zohran Mamdani Nominates Nadia Shihata as Commissioner of the Department of Investigation

 

Former federal prosecutor led major public corruption and civil rights cases 

  

If confirmed, Shihata will advance administration’s plan for transparency and accountability 

TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his nomination of Nadia Shihata as Commissioner of the Department of Investigation (DOI).   

  

The DOI serves as the city’s independent oversight agency, investigating corruption, waste, fraud and abuse in city government and promoting transparency and accountability. Its authority extends to any city agency, officer, elected official or employee, as well as individuals and entities that do business with or receive benefits from the city. Under the City Charter, the City Council must confirm the DOI commissioner.  

  

Shihata served more than 11 years as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY). As chief of the Organized Crime and Gangs Section, she supervised complex racketeering and violent crime investigations and prosecutions. She also served as deputy chief of the Office’s Public Integrity Section, overseeing public corruption cases involving bribery, fraud, theft of government funds, money laundering and drug trafficking by correctional officers.   

  

Among other cases, Shihata led the investigation and prosecution of R&B musician Robert Sylvester Kelly, known as R. Kelly, who was convicted in federal court in Brooklyn of racketeering and related offenses and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The case marked the first time Kelly was held criminally accountable following decades of allegations.   

  

She also led an extensive investigation into the sexual abuse of female inmates by federal correctional officers at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, resulting in the arrests and convictions of two lieutenants and a correctional officer on civil rights and sexual abuse charges.  

  

Most recently, Nadia was a founding partner at Shihata & Geddes LLP, now known as Corva Law LLP, a woman-owned law firm in New York City focused on civil rights and sexual misconduct matters, internal investigations, wrongful convictions and criminal defense.   

  

“For years, scandal in City Hall chipped away at New Yorkers’ trust in government. Our administration is turning the page on the politics of corruption, demonstrating what a transparent and focused government can deliver for New Yorkers. As a federal prosector, Nadia took on the powerful and rooted out corruption wherever she found it. If confirmed, she will help usher in a new era of accountability as we build a government that New Yorkers can trust,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.  

  

“I am deeply honored by this nomination and excited at the prospect of returning to public service in the city I love and call home. The Department of Investigation plays a vital role in rooting out and preventing corruption and waste in city government, helping to ensure that city agencies operate with integrity, accountability, and fairness for all New Yorkers – no matter their background, economic status, or proximity to power. If confirmed by the City Council, I look forward to leading the dedicated professionals at DOI who do this essential work every day,” said Nadia Shihata.  

  

The DOI is one of the city’s oldest law enforcement agencies. The department is staffed by inspectors general, investigators, attorneys, forensic auditors and computer forensic specialists. Its jurisdiction includes criminal and civil investigatory authority over more than 45 mayoral agencies, as well as numerous other city entities, commissions and authorities.   

  

Once available, official photos from this announcement can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nycmayorsoffice/. 

Statement from NYS DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton on the U.S. EPA’s Dismantling of the Federal Government’s Obligation to Reduce Pollution-Causing Climate Change

 

Today’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding made it clear that the political leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency is untethered to facts or science. The decision is a gift to polluters at the expense of Americans. If it stands, it will raise costs for families and communities and jeopardize the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.   

New York will continue to fight every day to protect New Yorkers from the impacts of climate change and deliver a safer, cleaner, and healthier future.  

Attorney General James Secures $1.3 Million From Albany Pediatric Nursing Home for Years of Resident Neglect

 

St. Margaret’s Center Failed to Properly Care for Residents, Endangering Chronically Ill and Disabled Children

Nursing Home Will Pay $1.3 Million to Medicaid and Submit to Oversight by Federal Monitor for Five Years

New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured $1.3 million from the Center for Disability Services Holding Corporation d/b/a St. Margaret’s Center (St. Margaret’s), a not-for-profit pediatric skilled nursing facility in Albany, after an investigation revealed years of resident neglect and repeated failures to comply with federal and state nursing home laws. St. Margaret’s provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to chronically ill and disabled children and other residents insured by Medicaid. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York (NDNY) revealed that from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023, St. Margaret’s fraudulently certified it was meeting state and federal nursing home standards while failing to provide adequate care to the children and other residents living there. The facility was consistently understaffed and neglected its young residents, jeopardizing their health and safety. Under a settlement with OAG and NDNY, St. Margaret’s will pay $1.3 million to Medicaid and be monitored by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) for five years.

“New York nursing home residents, especially children and their families, always deserve high-quality care and attention,” said Attorney General James. “For years, St. Margaret’s failed to follow the law and endangered vulnerable children with poor staffing and care. Our laws set clear standards to protect the health and dignity of nursing home residents, including youth, and I will not hesitate to take action when nursing homes violate these laws.”

Under New York law, owners of nursing homes have a “special obligation” to ensure the highest possible quality of life for residents, and to have enough staff to provide adequate care to all residents. Federal New York state laws also require Medicaid providers like St. Margaret’s to have an effective compliance program to ensure they are providing care as the laws require.

The investigation revealed that St. Margaret’s consistently failed to meet federal and state standards of care, endangering its vulnerable residents, including children. St. Margaret’s was not adequately staffed, and one inspection conducted by the New York Department of Health (DOH) found that the facility had failed to supervise three children, immediately jeopardizing their health and safety. In other instances, St. Margaret’s residents did not receive appropriate respiratory care and suffered from medication errors. For example, St. Margaret’s twice failed to administer a resident’s anti-seizure medication. 

Based in part on DOH’s findings, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily placed St. Margaret’s into its Special Focus Facility program, signifying it was among the poorest performing nursing homes in the country.

St. Margaret’s also failed to maintain an effective compliance program to ensure it was following the law and meeting its legal obligations to provide high-quality care. As a result, St. Margaret’s consistently failed to meet federal and state standards for care, yet it submitted false claims to Medicaid for payment certifying compliance with these standards.

Under the settlement announced today, St. Margaret’s admits wrongdoing and will pay $1,300,000 to Medicaid, of which $707,200 will go directly to New York state. The remaining $592,800 will be paid to the federal government. The HHS-OIG will monitor St. Margaret’s Center for five years, overseeing the care and conditions of the facility.

The OAG and NDNY began this investigation after whistleblowers filed a complaint under the qui tam provisions of the New York False Claims Act and the federal False Claims Act in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. The New York False Claims Act allows individuals to file actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.

This is the fifth nursing home that Attorney General James has held accountable for resident mistreatment and neglect. Attorney General James has been investigating nursing homes throughout New York based on concerns of patient neglect and other conduct that endangers the health and safety of residents and employees, both before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In August 2025, Attorney General James secured $12 million and major reforms from the Van Duyn nursing home. In November 2024, Attorney General James secured $45 million from four nursing homes affiliated with Centers for Care, LLC, including similar reforms to those made in Van Duyn. In March 2024, Attorney General James secured $8.6 million and significant reforms to the Fulton Commons nursing home on Long Island. In February and December 2023, Attorney General James and NDNY secured more than $7.8 million from the Saratoga Center for Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Care, a former nursing home in Ballston Spa, and its owners, unlicensed operators, and landlord for years of fraud and resident neglect. In December 2022, Attorney General James sued Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation for diverting millions in government funding from resident care, causing widespread resident neglect and abuse, and in March 2024, the court found evidence of wrongdoing and appointed an independent health care monitor. In November 2022, Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, a nursing home in Albion, New York, for years of financial fraud that resulted in significant resident neglect and harm.

Attorney General James encourages anyone with information or concerns about alarming nursing home conditions, or resident abuse or neglect to file a confidential complaint online or call OAG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) hotline at (833) 249-8499.

The MFCU investigation was conducted by Detective Katelyn Matousek and Detective Supervisor John Benshoff, under the supervision of Deputy Chief, Commanding Officer Ronald Lynch, with Principal Auditor-Investigator Nathaniel J. Wood, under the supervision of Regional Chief Auditor Sarah Finning and Chief Auditor Dejan Budimir, and with assistance from Medical Analyst Stephanie Keyser, R.N.

New York MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 is $70,793,651. Of that total, 75 percent, or $53,095,240, is awarded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $17,698,411 for FY 2026, is funded by New York State.

Governor Hochul Announces PSC Proceeding on Her Plan to Ensure Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share for Energy Grid Upgrades

Proceeding Advances Governor Hochul’s Energize NY Development Initiative

Plan Will Protect Ratepayers While Modernizing How Large Energy Users Connect To The Grid

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) instituted a proceeding to advance the Energize NY Development initiative she unveiled last month as part of her State of the State policy agenda. The proceeding will review interconnection processes, cost-allocation mechanisms and tariff structures relating to the integration of large loads with the State's transmission and distribution systems. The goal of this initiative is to support State economic development objectives without adversely impacting ratepayers

“New York will continue to lead in attracting new technologies, but we must also grow responsibly, ensuring affordability comes first and those profiting from data growth pay their share,” Governor Hochul said. “To prevent rising costs for everyday consumers, the state will enforce a simple standard: these industries must cover the costs of their expansion as it relates to utilities — just the same way it works for everyday consumers.”

Governor Hochul is driving New York’s clean energy transition through major investments, including investments in renewable projects and for building emissions reductions. Key initiatives focus on affordability, such as utility bill relief and expanding the EmPower+ program to help low-income households upgrade to energy-efficient, electric systems.

Unlike other sectors, data centers consume massive amounts of finite resources and place an unprecedented strain on the electric grid without creating many jobs in the process. Governor Hochul is taking action to ensure every day New Yorkers do not subsidize this energy intensive industry. To stop planning uncertainty caused by duplicative interconnection requests and prevent rising costs for everyday consumers, the State will enforce a simple standard: these industries must pay more; if they do not, they must supply their own energy.

To attract responsible new businesses and give them the certainty they need to invest in New York, Governor Hochul tapped the Department of Public Service (DPS), the staff arm of PSC, to launch a new initiative, Energize NY Development, with the goal of modernizing how large energy users connect to the grid, making it faster and more predictable, but with strict conditions to protect ratepayers. This effort will streamline interconnection rules and improve transparency around grid upgrades while explicitly requiring that projects driving exceptional demand without exceptional job creation or other benefits cover the costs they create. By accelerating responsible development and requiring data centers to shoulder their own burden, Energize NY Development will support job creation, industry growth and economic investment across the State while sparing ratepayers additional pressure on utility bills.

New York, like other states, is experiencing a rapid increase in large load requests. As of January 2026, the New York Independent System Operator or NYISO interconnection queue included 48 projects representing a combined total of over 11 gigawatts of new large load. Many of these requests are related to energy intensive industries such as data centers. These large loads potentially impose costs on rate payers in terms of the upgrades needed for their interconnection and the impact it will have on reliability and electric supply.

The saturation of these projects in the interconnection queue, without clarity as to which projects will actually proceed to construction, increases uncertainty and complicates electric system planning and investment decisions. The proceeding will explore possible modifications to interconnection rules, cost allocation structures, and tariffs that would address the impacts of large loads on ratepayers. In terms of next steps, DPS staff will solicit stakeholder comments, hold a technical conference, and develop a white paper outlining recommendations for PSC’s consideration. 

NYC Council Approves Legislation to Improve Transparency and Accountability in City Contracting Process

 

Council also passes resolution calling for respect of history at National Park Sites, including Stonewall National Monument

Today, the New York City Council voted to reform the city contract procurement system, strengthening protections against false information on the qualifications of bidders for city contracts and increasing accessibility of critical information for vendors. The Council also passed a resolution calling on the United States Congress to respect the history of national park sites, including the Stonewall National Monument. This comes after a ⁠letter from Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez to the National Park Service (NPS) denouncing the Trump Administration’s removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument.

Reforming City Contract Procurement System to Increase Transparency

New York City operates the largest municipal procurement system in the nation, with the City procuring $42.45 billion in goods and services in Fiscal Year 2025 alone. However, the system has long been characterized by inefficiencies, transparency gaps, and vulnerabilities to corruption. The following legislation seeks to reform the process by increasing penalties for providing false information in city contract bids and ensuring the creation of a searchable and publicly access online interface for large city procurements.

Introduction 5-A, sponsored by Speaker Julie Menin, would increase penalties for providing false information on the qualifications of any bidder for city contracts. A new violation, punishable by monetary penalties, would also be created for providing false information by a subcontractor. In both instances, the penalties would fall within a $1,000 to $25,000 range. The bill requires the Mayor and City Comptroller to keep certain information on the identity of subcontractors who perform work on city contracts, and the information would be compiled into a computerized database.

“Honest contracting is non-negotiable,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “This legislation strengthens accountability by increasing penalties for bidders and subcontractors who submit false information to secure city contracts. By closing gaps in oversight and strengthening enforcement, we are protecting taxpayer dollars by stopping double dipping and ensuring a fair and competitive procurement process.”

Introduction 510-A, would require the City Chief Procurement Officer (CCPO) to ensure that at least one searchable and publicly accessible online interface provides information about city procurements that exceed the small purchase limits. The interfaces would need to provide information at key stages of the procurement process, including anticipated requirements, solicitation summaries, contract award details, and total expenditures upon completion of the contract. The information would be required to be published within 30 days of the procurement event, and pre-solicitation information would be required to be published at least 15 days prior to the release of a solicitation document.

Calling on Congress to Respect History of National Park Sites, including Stonewall National Monument

This week, the Trump Administration removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument, a national park site paying homage to the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969. In a letter to the NPS, Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez, Co-Chairs of the Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus, denounced the removal and urged the Trump Administration to immediately return the Pride flag to the monument. In addition to removing the Pride flag, the Trump Administration also removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth as free admissions days from the NPS calendar.

Resolution 269, would call on the United States Congress to respect the true history and significance of national park sites, including the Stonewall National Monument.

Implementing a Pilot Program for Power Washing Machines on Sidewalks

Introduction 18-A, would require the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to implement a pilot program on using power washing machines to clean and remove odors and spills from sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors by April 1, 2027. DSNY would be required to select a pilot program location in each borough that is 5-blocks long and accessible to mass transit and high pedestrian traffic. The bill also requires DSNY to report on the program by December 1, 2027.

Providing Guidance for Child Care Program Permitting

Introduction 437-A, would require the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to provide guidance on the Health Code to prospective child care programs applying for a permit. The guidance would include a visual representation of the permitting process and include information relating to any required license, approval, or permit from DOHMH or another agency. The guidance must be posted online and available in designated citywide languages.

Land Use

78-08 Linden Boulevard Rezoning – will facilitate the development of an 11-story, 100% affordable building with approximately 267 affordable and senior housing units in Council Member Joann Ariola’s district.

247-56 90th Avenue Rezoning – will allow the development of a new two-family home in Council Member Linda Lee’s district.

Ethyl’s Alcohol & Food – The Council will approve an application for revocable consent to operate a sidewalk cafe in Speaker Julie Menin’s district.

Finance

A Transparency Resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.

Appointments

The Council approved the Mayor’s appointment of Steven Banks to the position of Corporation Counsel.

Former NYPD Official And Florida Businessman Charged With Bribery Offenses

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., Acting Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), Christopher Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Harry T. Chavis, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Office of Inspector General (“FDIC-OIG”), Patricia Tarasca, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging former Commanding Officer of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) School Safety Division (“SSD”) KEVIN TAYLOR and Florida businessman GENO ROEFARO with bribery and related offenses.  TAYLOR was arrested this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.  ROEFARO was also arrested this morning and was presented in the Southern District of Florida.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick.   

“The NYPD is the greatest police force in the world, including because it invests wisely and honestly in resources,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “The NYPD procurement process is not for sale.  As alleged in the indictment, in 2023 and 2024, Kevin Taylor engaged in a corrupt relationship with Geno Roefaro—a Florida businessman who paid tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of bribes to Taylor—in exchange for Taylor agreeing to use his power and influence within the NYPD to enrich Roefaro’s company.  As alleged, Taylor also used his influence within the NYPD to attempt to extort at least two other businessmen for payments.  Corruption will not be tolerated from those, like Taylor, who are entrusted to keep New York City’s children and teachers safe.” 

“Former NYPD Commanding Officer Kevin Taylor allegedly accepted bribes to steer city contracts to a co-defendant, Geno Roefaro, and attempted to extort another company,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr.  “His alleged actions corrupted the city's contracting process and manipulated high-level executives.  While this alleged misconduct is exceedingly rare among NYPD officials, the FBI will not tolerate those who abuse their authority for personal gain.”

“When public servants choose to ignore their responsibility to follow the rules and promote fairness and integrity in what they do, they compromise the very fabric of good government and people’s faith in it,” said Acting DOI Commissioner Christopher Ryan.  “As charged, the former Commanding Officer of the NYPD’s School Safety Division allegedly monetized his authority and influence for personal gain, promising to advise and pressure others in City government to award contracts to a Florida businessman in return for tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts, including luxury hotel lodging, a helicopter tour, and Broadway tickets.  In a second alleged corrupt scheme, the NYPD official used his position to try and extort money from employees of a second company with an NYPD contract, threatening economic harm to the company in an attempt to obtain the payments.  I thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and our federal law enforcement partners for working with DOI to protect the City’s integrity.”

“Kevin Taylor is accused of leveraging his role as Commanding Officer of the NYPD School Safety Division to solicit bribes and extort employees,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr.  “By offering lavish vacations and high-end dining, Geno Roefaro allegedly exploited his illicit relationship with Taylor to secure government contracts.  Following today’s arrests, they will now face the repercussions of their alleged misappropriation of City funds.”

“We are pleased to join our law enforcement partners in announcing this indictment,” said FDIC-OIG Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca.  “These charges reinforce the FDIC-OIG’s commitment to investigating all allegations of financial misconduct, including bribery offenses, as we seek to maintain and preserve the integrity of the banking sector.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

From at least in or about July 2023 through in or about February 2024, TAYLOR repeatedly abused his authority and considerable influence as the Commanding Officer of the NYPD SSD by soliciting or demanding bribes in two corrupt schemes.

First, TAYLOR solicited and received bribes from ROEFARO in exchange for promises by TAYLOR to advise and pressure others in the New York City government to award ROEFARO millions of dollars’ worth of contracts. 

At all relevant times, ROEFARO was the founder, majority owner, and chief executive officer of a company (“Company-1”) that markets and sells cellphone-based tipline applications to school districts and police departments.  In or about summer 2022, ROEFARO began attempting to sell his products to the New York City government through seemingly legitimate means.  When those legitimate efforts did not progress to ROEFARO’s liking, ROEFARO chose to bribe TAYLOR on multiple occasions to achieve the results he wanted.  ROEFARO bribed TAYLOR with multiple cash payments and paid for TAYLOR’s vacations, entertainment experiences, and dining at high-end restaurants.  In exchange, TAYLOR advised and pressured others, including other high-ranking officials at the NYPD and the City Council of New York, to procure goods and services from Company-1.

Second, TAYLOR solicited and attempted to extort as much as $75,000 from two employees (“Individual-1” and “Individual-2,” respectively) of a second company (“Company-2”) that had contracted with the NYPD to outfit the SSD’s members with ballistic vests.  TAYLOR sought these payments in exchange for TAYLOR’s official acts facilitating and not disrupting Company-2’s contract with the NYPD.  TAYLOR also threatened economic harm against Company-2 as a means to obtain the payments. 

Specifically, in summer 2023, TAYLOR signed a contract with an event space (the “Event Space”) in Manhattan so that TAYLOR could host a holiday party for the SSD at the Event Space in December 2023.  Through that contract, TAYLOR was personally liable to pay the Event Space more than $100,000 for the holiday party.  In an attempt to satisfy that personal liability, TAYLOR repeatedly solicited payments from Individual-1 and Individual-2 in exchange for TAYLOR facilitating Company-2’s contract with the NYPD, and TAYLOR otherwise threatened Company-2 with economic harm to obtain those payments.  Despite TAYLOR’s efforts, Individual-1 and Individual-2 never made the bribe payments solicited by TAYLOR.

TAYLOR, age 52, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; two counts of bribery, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and two counts of extortion, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

ROEFARO, age 39, of Pompano Beach, Florida, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

The statutory maximum penalties in this case 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 investigative work of the FBI, the Special Agents and Task Force Officers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, DOI, IRS-CI, and FDIC-OIG.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau, Group 25 for their assistance with this investigation. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Greenwood, Matthew J. King, and Daniel H. Wolf 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 Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Twenty Free Money Gang Members and Associates Arrested on Racketeering, Murder, Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges

 

An 18-count superseding indictment was unsealed yesterday in the Southern District of Texas charging 20 defendants – all alleged Free Money gang members and associates from Houston – with federal crimes, including racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, murder and attempted murder in aid of racketeering, Hobbs Act Robbery, and related firearm and drug offenses.

According to court documents, members and associates of Free Money, a violent, Houston-based street gang, used violence and intimidation to control their territory and retaliated against rival gang members, including by conducting numerous drive-by shootings, and raised money through drug trafficking and robberies.

“This twenty-defendant indictment alleges that the Free Money gang terrorized the streets of Houston with drive-by and calculated shootings, often in public places like grocery store parking lots, putting countless lives in danger,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These brazen tactics show the wide-ranging danger posed by violent gangs. The Criminal Division will continue to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of violent gang members so that innocent Americans get what they deserve – their communities restored and their lives unencumbered by the fear and carnage that these gangs perpetuate.”

“The indictment unsealed yesterday alleges that the Free Money gang engaged in a campaign of robbery, drug trafficking, and armed violence to intimidate their rivals and terrorize the people of Houston,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX). “That ends now. Houstonians should be able to live their lives without fear of either themselves or their loved ones being robbed, maimed, or caught in the crossfire of gang warfare. SDTX’s message on this point is clear and unmistakable: if you’re thinking of engaging in violent, criminal conduct on a Houston street, think again.  The Southern District has your number.”

“The sheer number of murders and shootings these individuals are suspected of freely carrying out for years, and the level of indiscriminate violence they’re accused of executing is alarming,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson of the FBI Houston Field Office. “Yesterday’s coordinated arrests across Houston are the result of years-long investigations by our FBI Houston team and our partners. We hope the residents of the Houston neighborhoods they terrorized can rest a little easier knowing that these individuals are free no more.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 24, 2022, in broad daylight, surveillance video captured defendants Terry Ardoin, 24, and Travonte Ardoin, 28, as they followed a Chevrolet Equinox into a shopping center parking lot. The driver of the Equinox entered a nearby store while the passenger remained in the vehicle. When the driver returned, the video showed the Ardoins exiting their vehicle wearing masks and opening fire on both individuals. Multiple rounds struck the Equinox’s passenger compartment, killing the passenger. 

Surveillance Video of Defendants

Free Money members hunted for rival gang members throughout Houston and were indiscriminate when they attacked. For instance, on Aug. 3, 2022, defendant Shakeil Anderson, 23, and other Free Money members allegedly drove past and shot repeatedly into the home of the grandmother of a perceived rival gang member.

The gang allegedly financed the buying of guns and provided money to jailed fellow gang members through robberies and drug sales. For example, on June 3, 2024, defendant Walter Tolbert, 21, and other Free Money members allegedly stole jewelry, Sony PlayStations, and money from a pawn store, robbing the store employees at gunpoint.

The gang also targeted rival gangs for robberies. On Aug. 14, 2022, Free Money members and associates attempted to rob a rival gang member’s drug stash house and kill the inhabitants. Defendants Joci Barley, 26; Terrel Davis,28; Walter Tolbert; Shakeil Anderson; Jakobe Anderson, 24; Chase Franklin-Williams, 21; Terry Adroin; Travonte Ardoin; Deandre Thompson, 22; Emery Goodley, 26; Jymonte McClendon, 28; and Maurkael Brown, 31, allegedly planned the robbery of the drug stash house while at a Free Money meeting during which they avowed to “kill and do everything they needed to do” to rob the drugs and money they believed were in the house even knowing that the house was likely occupied. Luckily, law enforcement was able to stop the home invasion while the robbers were driving to the stash house location. During the police chase, Travonte Ardoin threw a gun out of his car window.

The gang allegedly also trafficked in crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. As alleged, defendant Orlando Calloway, 52, supplied crack cocaine to the gang by cooking cocaine the gang ordered.

FBI and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Texas Department of Public Safety.

Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Brown for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Houston. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas have partnered, along with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes gang members and associates have committed through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute violent offenders and prevent further violence.

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

Senator Gustavo Rivera on NYSNA’s Contract Ratification with Montefiore Health System

 

Last night, NYSNA nurses voted almost unanimously to ratify a new 3-year contract with Montefiore, ending a historic, month-long strike.

“I want to thank the NYSNA nurses and Montefiore leadership for working together to reach this now ratified 3-year contract. It was not an easy process, but I believe that both parties understood that ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both patients and nurses were paramount. 

When I visited the nurses at the picket line, I was struck by their energy even in the bitter cold. It was also very clear to me that instead of marching outside, these nurses would much rather be in their units doing what they love: dutifully caring for their patients. 

This hard fought contract is a victory for the healthcare needs of The Bronx, nurses in our City, and our State’s labor movement.”