Takeshi Ebisawa Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Conspiring To Traffic Nuclear Materials, Narcotics, And Firearms

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Terrance Cole, and Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John A. Eisenberg, announced today that TAKESHI EBISAWA, a Japanese national, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon for his participation in a conspiracy to traffic nuclear materials, including uranium and weapons-grade plutonium, from Burma to other countries, as well as his participation in international narcotics trafficking, weapons, and money laundering crimes.  EBISAWA previously pled guilty to six counts for those offenses before Judge McMahon. 

“The illicit trafficking of nuclear materials is an existential threat to every New Yorker and every American,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Takeshi Ebisawa tried to sell uranium, thorium, and plutonium to fuel a purported nuclear weapons program, along with deadly drugs destined for U.S. streets.  In exchange, Ebisawa hoped to procure battlefield weapons for insurgent groups and profit for himself.  This case is a testament to the extraordinary efforts of our law enforcement partners, who worked across three continents to stop Ebisawa and bring him to justice in the United States.”  

“National security and public safety are the very tenets of DEA’s mission, and this case demonstrates our ability to dismantle the world’s most dangerous criminal networks,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole.  “Today’s sentence should send a clear message: threatening the United States by trafficking nuclear materials, narcotics, and military-grade weapons will trigger an uncompromising response.  DEA will hold conspirators accountable—no matter the distance, no matter their allegiance.”

“Thanks to the exceptional work of the DEA and our DOJ prosecutors, Takeshi Ebisawa has been held accountable for his crimes, including an attempt to sell weapons-grade plutonium to Iran and to flood New York with deadly narcotics,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.  “The National Security Division will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle criminal networks that seek to profit from the illicit trade in deadly weapons and substances.”

As reflected in the Complaint, the Superseding Indictment, and other filings and information in the public record:

From in or about 2019 until EBISAWA’s arrest on or about April 4, 2022, the DEA investigated EBISAWA in connection with the large-scale trafficking of narcotics, weapons, and nuclear materials.  During the investigation, EBISAWA unwittingly introduced an undercover DEA agent (“UC-1”), posing as a narcotics and weapons trafficker, to EBISAWA’s international network of criminal associates, which spanned Japan, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, and the United States, among other places, for the purpose of arranging criminal transactions.  Over the course of three years, EBISAWA and his associates negotiated four sets of transactions with UC-1.

First, EBISAWA attempted to broker the sale of nuclear materials in exchange for military-grade weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, for an ethnic insurgent group in Burma.  EBISAWA intended to sell this nuclear material to UC-1’s associate, who was posing as an Iranian general in charge of Iran’s nuclear weapons program (the “General”). After initially offering uranium, EBISAWA proposed to supply the General with “plutonium” that would be even “better” and more “powerful” than uranium for Iran’s use.  In or about February 2022, EBISAWA and two co-conspirators met with UC-1 in Thailand, where one of the co-conspirators showed UC-1 samples of the nuclear materials (the “Nuclear Samples”).  With the assistance of Thai authorities, the Nuclear Samples were seized and subsequently transferred to the custody of U.S. law enforcement.  A U.S. nuclear forensic laboratory examined the Nuclear Samples and determined they contained detectable quantities of uranium, thorium, and weapons-grade plutonium.

Second, EBISAWA attempted to broker the sale of methamphetamine and heroin to UC-1 in exchange for heavy weapons for another ethnic insurgent group in Burma.  EBISAWA planned for the heroin and methamphetamine to be distributed in the New York market, and he understood the weapons to have been manufactured in the United States and taken from U.S. military bases in Afghanistan.  In or about February 2021, EBISAWA traveled to Denmark to inspect some of the purported weapons, including anti-tank rocket weapons, machine guns, and automatic rifles.

Third, EBISAWA conspired to sell, in a separate transaction, approximately 500 kilograms of methamphetamine and 500 kilograms of heroin to UC-1 for distribution in New York.  In furtherance of that transaction, in or about June 2021 and September 2021, one of EBISAWA’s co-conspirators provided samples in Thailand of approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine and approximately 1.4 kilograms of heroin.  The methamphetamine had a purity of approximately 98%, and the heroin had a purity of approximately 86% to 87%.

Finally, EBISAWA laundered $100,000, which UC-1 described to EBISAWA as narcotics proceeds, from the United States to Japan, in exchange for a 15% commission.  In or about November 2021, the DEA transferred $100,000 to U.S. bank accounts controlled by one of EBISAWA’s co-conspirators, and EBISAWA then delivered the Yen equivalent of approximately $85,000 in cash in Tokyo.

In addition to the prison term, EBISAWA, 61, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the DEA Tokyo Country Office, DEA Bangkok Country Office, DEA Chiang Mai Resident Office, DEA Jakarta Country Office, DEA Copenhagen Country Office, DEA New York Field Office, DEA New Delhi Country Office, the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and our law enforcement partners in Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, and the Kingdom of Thailand for their assistance.

The case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaylan E. Lasky, Alexander Li, and Kevin T. Sullivan are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from the Counterterrorism Section.

Three Sales Executives Plead Guilty to $500 Million Investment Fraud Scheme

 

Defendants Lied to Investors About Hidden Markups and Fees and Stole Millions of Dollars in Investor Funds for Themselves

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, the defendants Raymond John Pirrello, Jr. and Joseph Passalaqua pleaded guilty to all three counts of an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Co-defendant Robert Cassino pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy on February 18, 2026.  The proceedings were held before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto.   When sentenced, Pirrello and Passalaqua face a maximum sentence of 45 years’ imprisonment and Cassino will face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the guilty pleas.

“For years, the defendants brazenly lied to investors all over the country about the fees associated with their investments,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “The defendants diverted millions of dollars in undisclosed mark-up fees to pay themselves and their coconspirators.  Our Office will vigorously prosecute those who lie to innocent investors and deprive them of their hard-earned money to benefit themselves.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), New York Regional Office for their work on the case.

As detailed in the superseding indictment and other court filings, Pirrello, Passalaqua, Cassino and their coconspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud investors and prospective investors in securities offered by the company Late Stage Management, LLC (Late Stage).  Late Stage was a New Jersey-based manager of investment funds that offered investors “no fee” opportunities to invest in “Pre IPO” stocks, i.e., shares of stock in companies that anticipated an initial public offering (IPO) in the near term.  Late Stage worked with several sales offices throughout New Jersey, New York and Florida to market the investments, including Prior2IPO and Pre IPO Marketing, Inc.

Pirello, also known as “Ray John,” held no official title at Late Stage or any of the sales offices, but worked as a partner to the leadership of Late Stage.  Due to his long disciplinary history with multiple regulators, which included a permanent bar issued against him by the SEC, Pirrello intentionally kept his name out of Late Stage’s business, purposefully withholding his identity from relevant documents and representations made to investors regarding the firm’s leadership.  Passalaqua worked alongside Pirrello at Prior2IPO as the Chief Executive Officer. Cassino led operations at Pre IPO Marketing, Inc.  Pirrello and his co-conspirators directed the heads of the sales offices on how to market Late Stage to investors. 

Pirrello, Passalaqua, Cassino and the other heads of the other sales offices then made material misrepresentations and omissions to investors and potential investors in Late Stage relating to, among other things, the existence and amount of fees paid by investors in stock offered by Late Stage and how the defendants would be compensated. For example, they claimed that the only time Late Stage profited was on exit, when the company made its IPO or sold to a larger company, in which case it would be entitled to a 20% share of the investor’s profits.  In reality, however, Late Stage charged fees in the form of upfront markups ranging from 10-100% of each investment.  The upfront revenue generated by the inclusion of these markups was then used to pay the principals of Late Stage, including Pirrello, Passalaqua, Cassino and the employees of the sales offices.  In total, between approximately March 2019 and July 2022, sales offices working on behalf of Late Stage raised approximately $528 million from investors and diverted approximately $88 million in undisclosed upfront markups.

Attorney General James Reminds New Yorkers of SNAP Work Requirements

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement as new federal work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients take effect in New York:

“SNAP is a vital safety net that helps millions of New Yorkers put food on the table. The federal government’s new policies risk pushing more families and individuals into food insecurity at a moment when the cost of necessities remains high.

“Anyone who receives SNAP should keep an eye out for communications from state or local SNAP officials and contact their local social services office if they believe they qualify for an exemption or need help meeting the requirements.

“My office will continue to work with local partners, community organizations, and state agencies to ensure that New Yorkers know their rights and responsibilities under the law, and that vulnerable residents are not left without critical food assistance.”

New federal SNAP requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) took effect in New York on March 1, after the expiration of a longstanding statewide waiver. Under the new rules, certain New Yorkers aged 18 to 64 without a child under 14 – who are not pregnant or caring for a person who cannot care for themselves, and who do not have a disability that prevents them from working – are now required to meet work or activity requirements to continue receiving SNAP benefits beyond three months in a three-year period.

Tips for Impacted New Yorkers

• Notify Your Local SNAP District Office of Work Activities: To remain eligible for SNAP, you may need to complete at least 80 hours per month of paid work, volunteer service, or other approved training activities.
• Explore Possible Exemptions: If you earn at least a certain income level (for example, over $217.50 per week), you may be exempt from the ABAWD rules without 80 hours of work. You may also be eligible to claim an exemption if you have health barriers, caregiving responsibilities, or other circumstances that affect your ability to meet the work requirement. Contact your local district to discuss your situation and provide any required documentation.
• Use Available Resources: SNAP Employment & Training programs, job centers, and community organizations can help you find work, training, or volunteer opportunities that count toward your hours.

For assistance and more information, New Yorkers can contact their local SNAP district office or visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s website.

Governor Hochul Announces Department of Motor Vehicles Saved Consumers More Than $13.6 Million in Recovered Stolen Vehicles, Titles, Parts and Services

More Than 384 Stolen Vehicles Recovered in 2025 Worth $10.4 Million

Additional $3.2 Million Recouped in Titles, Repairs and Refunds

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the DMV helped New Yorkers recover more than $13.6 million in stolen vehicles, titles, parts and services during 2025. That number is an increase from $11 million in 2024. These recoveries help crack down on organized vehicle theft and fraud operations that take advantage of New Yorkers.

“When consumers are ripped off, New York will stand up for them and take on bad actors,” Governor Hochul said. “Most auto repair shops and dealers in our state do excellent work, but when fraud or theft takes place, state government will do everything in its power to make things right. The DMV does so much more than many New Yorkers realize, and this is a great example of the work they do every day to protect consumers.”

Governor Hochul has prioritized taking action against car theft. The governor has also made reducing the cost of auto insurance a key part of her 2026 agenda. Today, New Yorkers pay among the highest auto insurance rates in the nation. Stolen vehicles and organized fraud are two factors in those rising costs. By advancing commonsense reforms, Governor Hochul’s proposal will make New York’s streets safer and bring needed relief to millions of drivers. Learn more about the Governor’s initiatives.

DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Our employees and leadership are very proud of the work they do to assist consumers. If you’re sold a lemon, given a shoddy repair or not given a title to a vehicle you buy, our staff can help. We try to work out differences between customers and businesses first, but we will not hesitate to use our enforcement tools to protect consumers as needed.”

As part of her focus on affordability for all New Yorkers and tackling increasing auto insurance costs, Governor Hochul is reinvigorating the New York State Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board. As part of this board, DMV will partner with fellow agencies and industry stakeholders to implement new approaches to curb vehicle thefts and thwart fraud to lower insurance costs for millions of New Yorkers.

The agency recovered 384 stolen vehicles valued at more than $10.4 million and an additional 18 stolen parts worth $76,778. New Yorkers are reminded to be wary of online car sales on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other similar websites. Often these vehicles have altered Vehicle Identification Numbers and forged titles, leaving the innocent victims out money and without a vehicle when they learn they unintentionally purchased a stolen car.

In addition, the DMV assisted 604 consumers in recouping vehicle titles, services and refunds valued at more than $3.2 million from dishonest auto dealers and repair shops.

After investigating consumer complaints, the DMV took action against car dealers and repair shops for selling vehicles without disclosing significant defects to the buyer, for charging consumers for repairs that were never completed or completed unsatisfactorily, or charging consumers for repairs they did not need. Through this work, DMV assisted 538 consumers in recovering a total value of $1,604,460 from dealerships and repair shops. The breakdown includes $882,131 in refunds, $459,979 worth of vehicles repurchased, and $252,655 in redone work.

The DMV also assisted New Yorkers when car dealerships abruptly closed or otherwise did not provide vehicle titles to consumers. DMV recovered 66 titles totaling $1,589,983. Without a title, a vehicle owner is unable to transfer ownership, remove a lien or provide proof of ownership necessary to take out a loan on the vehicle or file an insurance claim.

The DMV urges consumers to deal only with registered dealers and repair shops. Both dealers and repair shops are required to have a sign on the outside of their buildings notifying the public that they are registered with the DMV. These signs also include the DMV-issued facility number. The repair shop sign is green with white lettering. The dealer sign is red with white lettering.

Customers who believe they have faced unfair charges or poor work can file a complaint about a DMV-regulated business.

For businesses, DMV provides information on their rights if faced with a complaint in the  Guide for Facilities. DMV also provides guidance when bringing a vehicle in for repairs.

An online guide to finding a DMV-regulated business is also available on the DMV website.

 

Permits Filed for 1612 Poplar Street in Morris Park, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story residential building at 1612 Poplar Street in Morris Park, The Bronx. Located between Jarrett Place and Williamsbridge Road, the lot is near the Westchester Square–East Tremont Avenue subway station, served by the 6 train. Gjergj Bujaj is listed as the owner behind the applications. 

The proposed 67-foot-tall development will yield 23,294 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 36 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 647 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a 15-foot-long rear yard. 

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

Demolition permits were filed in September 2025 for the two-story structure on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - JOIN US: Bronx Iftar Celebration

 

NYS Inspector General - Oswego County Resident Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud for Concealing Employment While Collecting Workers’ Compensation Benefits

A Central Square, NY man who claimed he could not work because of an ankle injury sustained in the course of his work as a painter, admitted in court today that he was, in fact, back on the job — painting properties — while collecting over $10,000 in workers’ compensation wage replacement benefits. The defendant, Christopher Cronk, 58, made the admission as part of his plea in Onondaga County Court before the Hon. Gordon Cuffy to Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree (N.Y. Penal Law § 176.20), a Class D felony, following an investigation by the Office of New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General Lucy Lang.

Cronk was injured in March 2021 while employed by Cutting Edge Painting in Webster, NY, and began receiving wage replacement benefits through the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board shortly thereafter, benefits that are intended to support injured workers who cannot earn a paycheck while they recover. But by March 2022, Cronk had resumed paid painting work at private properties and businesses – surveillance footage captured him working, witness statements confirmed it, and bank records reflected payment.

Even as he worked, Cronk continued to certify to his insurance carrier — the New York State Insurance Fund — that he had not engaged in any employment. On official work activity forms submitted in April and May 2022, he falsely answered “No” when asked whether he had performed any work for pay since his injury. Those misrepresentations allowed him to collect benefits through August of 2022, totaling $10,494 to which he was not entitled.

“Workers’ compensation exists to protect injured workers during recovery — not to underwrite undisclosed employment or serve as a second paycheck,” said Inspector General Lang. “When someone chooses to collect benefits while secretly working, they erode trust in a system that depends on honesty. Today’s plea reinforces that accountability matters.” 

MAYOR MAMDANI AND GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCE FIRST FOUR COMMUNITIES TO RECEIVE FREE 2-K SEATS

 

With Support from Governor Kathy Hochul, Four Communities Will Receive 2,000+ Free Child Care Seats for Two-Year-Olds this Fall

TODAY, in a major step toward universal child care from six weeks to five years old, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced the first four communities that will receive free 2-K seats this fall. 

The four communities are:

• School District 6: Washington Heights, Inwood and Hamilton Heights as well as parts of Manhattanville
• School District 10: Fordham, Belmont, Norwood, Marble Hill, Morris Heights, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Van Cortlandt Village and Kingsbridge as well as parts of Kingsbridge Heights, Bedford Park, Mount Hope, Claremont- Bathgate & East Tremont 
• School Districts 18 and 23: Canarsie, Rugby-Remsen Village, Brownsville and Ocean Hill as well as parts of East Flatbush- Farragut and Prospect Lefferts Garden-Wingate
• School District 27: Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Howard Beach and Rockaways as well as parts Lindenwood and Springfield Gardens North 

First announced on day eight of the Mamdani administration alongside Gov. Kathy Hochul, 2-K is a cornerstone of the Mayor’s universal child care initiative. The program will provide free child care for two-year-olds in New York City to any family who needs it, regardless of zip code, income or immigration status.  

The program will launch with 2,000 free seats this fall and expand to full universality within four years. 

Earlier this year, Gov. Hochul committed more than $1.2 billion to support early childhood care and education in New York City, including $73 million to fund the first set of free 2-K seats. That investment will grow to $425 million next year. By fall 2027, 2-K is expected to serve approximately 12,000 children across all five boroughs, with the goal of reaching every two-year-old in the city at full implementation. 

“Raising a child takes a village – and it takes a city government willing to step up and tackle the child care crisis head-on,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “On day eight, we moved closer to making universal childcare a reality. This fall, 2,000 New York City two-year-olds will have a brighter future because of it. Launching free 2-K in these four neighborhoods is just the beginning of our work to put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, strengthen our entire economy and help more families build their lives here.”  

“Raising a family in New York shouldn’t feel like a luxury, and today we’re taking another significant step to deliver universal child care,” said Governor Hochul. “Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani and I stood together to announce the state’s historic investment in New York City’s 2-K program, delivering free child care for two-year-olds across the City. This is how we make New York the best place to start a family and build a future – and we’re just getting started.”

“The launch of 2-K reflects our commitment to reaching families with the greatest need and building a system that grows to serve every child in every community,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “We are opening the doors for thousands of two-year-olds and their families, delivering free, full-day care and early learning and paving the way for bright futures from our students' earliest ages."

“This initial launch of 2-K in neighborhoods across the city is a critical next step toward full universal child care, and I thank Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani for their leadership in moving this forward. Together with the City Council, we are expanding opportunity for our youngest New Yorkers and delivering real support for working families across our city,” said Speaker Julie Menin.“I have long championed universal child care as essential to making New York more affordable and equitable. From advancing the Council’s Universal Childcare Act in 2022 to advocating for the opening of a new early education center on the East Side of Manhattan, we are laying the groundwork to lead the nation on childcare.”

The initial four communities were selected based on economic need, projected child care demand, existing access gaps, provider capacity and readiness. These first 2,000 seats are designed to serve families in high-need neighborhoods while ensuring programs launch responsibly and sustainably, with inclusive access for children with disabilities and families in temporary housing, including shelters. 

Services will begin in September 2026, with rolling enrollment throughout the fall to accommodate children turning two at different points in the year. In the coming days, the City will begin planning efforts with child care centers and family child care providers in these four communities. Additional details on participating providers will be released in the weeks ahead.