ICE Arrests Trio of Criminal Illegal Aliens Convicted of Child Sex Crimes in Minnesota in One Day

 

Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we will not allow criminal illegal aliens to rape and sexually abuse children

Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents arrested three criminal illegal aliens convicted of sex crimes against children in Minnesota in one day.

“In one day, ICE law enforcement arrested THREE CONVICTED CHILD PREDATORS in Minnesota,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “These sickos can no longer prey on innocent children. No one should want these dirtbags in their communities. President Trump and Secretary Mullin are putting the safety of children first.”

The three arrests on April 14, 2026, of convicted pedophiles included:

HSI special agents arrested Rene Rosario-Miranda, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala convicted of third-degree aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, in Worthington, Minnesota. 

HSI special agents also arrested Axel Javier Martinez-Castillo, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, in Worthington, Minnesota. Martinez-Castillo's criminal history includes the sexual assault of a 7-year-old.

HSI agents additionally arrested Rene Flores-Lue in Luverne, Minnesota. Flores-Lue, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, is a convicted rapist of a 5-year-old.

The public can report crimes and criminal aliens like Rosario-Miranda, Martinez-Castillo, and Flores-Lue by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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STATEMENT FROM MOIA COMMISSIONER FAIZA N. ALI ON YEMEN TPS

 

Today, Commissioner Faiza N. Ali released the following statement in response to the oral argument for Abdo Doe v. Noem in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case is on behalf of seven Yemenis with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or pending applications, who represent a class of 3,235, challenges the Trump administration’s termination of TPS for Yemen.  

 

Behind the name Abdo Doe v. Noem are thousands of Yemeni individuals and families – many of whom call New York City home – who are now being told that their lives here are temporary, that their contributions do not matter, and that their safety is negotiable.  We cannot accept this, and that’s why we must fight back during this critical time.

 

TPS is not just a designation—it's a lifeline. It has allowed people to work, support their families, to contribute to their communities, and to begin rebuilding their lives after unimaginable hardship.  TPS holders are essential to the fabric of our city. They are small business owners, workers, caregivers, and neighbors. They contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and play a vital role in our economy and our communities.

 

Today, we stand with the plaintiffs and thousands of Yemeni New Yorkers whose futures hang in the balance.  We call on the Court to act with urgency, to preserve TPS protections while this case proceeds, and ensure that people are not forced to return to the dire conditions that threaten their safety and their lives.

Mamdani Administration Unveils First-of-its-Kind Insurance Program to Reduce Operating Cost of Housing Across New York City

 

City-backed insurance program will reduce premiums for approximately 100,000 homes by 2030, specifically affordable and rent-stabilized housing  

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced a first-of-its-kind insurance program that will reduce the cost of property and liability insurance for affordable housing and rent-stabilized housing, a key step in tackling New York City’s housing and affordability crisis. An interagency working group comprised of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Housing Development Corporation (NYCHDC), and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will manage the selection and partnership of the insurance program, which aims to issue new insurance policies for 20,000 homes next year and 100,000 homes by 2030. The program will be self-sustaining over time and will help the City subsidize more affordable housing and support housing and property owners with rising costs by addressing a major cost driver: the price of insurance has more than tripled since 2017.

As New York City faces an unprecedented housing crisis, the Mamdani administration is using every tool at its disposal to drive down the cost of housing. The skyrocketing cost of insurance has hit affordable and rent-stabilized housing particularly hard, and every $100 increase in insurance costs requires $1,200 more in City capital in new transactions – meaning the new proposal will also drive down City spending per home in its affordable housing programs. To address these rising costs, broaden the reach of the City’s affordable housing subsidy, and help building operators make repairs, the City will hire independent actuarial experts to design and launch a new insurance program that will begin offering coverage in 2027.

“We cannot take on the housing crisis without confronting one of the fastest-growing costs facing New Yorkers: insurance. That’s why we’re creating the first city-backed insurance program -- to help New Yorkers stay in their homes, give building owners the support they need to make repairs, and build a city that New Yorkers can actually afford,” said Mayor Mamdani.

“The skyrocketing cost of insurance is putting affordable, rent-stabilized housing at risk and risks setting back our efforts to build a more affordable city. This groundbreaking effort will use the City’s purchasing power to lower insurance premiums, helping our own investments in affordable housing go farther and reducing operating costs for owners of rent stabilized housing. This is just one step in how we’re working to bring down housing costs across the board,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“To make New York more affordable, we have to go after the structural costs driving up the price of housing. Insurance is one of those costs, and it has been rising far too fast for affordable and rent-stabilized housing to absorb. This new approach will help preserve homes, stretch scarce public resources, and protect the stability of neighborhoods across the city,” said Julie Su, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice.

This announcement, made during an address to the housing policy group the Citizens Housing and Planning Council, begins the multi-step process to launch a City-backed insurance program:  

• This week, HDC will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an actuary or risk consultant that will provide expertise to design the program. 
• This summer, NYCEDC will issue a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) to solicit proposals for how best to structure and operate this insurance program. 
• By 2027, the City expects to lower cost of insurance policies for the first 20,000 homes.  
• By 2030, new insurance policies are poised to be available to 100,000 homes. 

“Soaring insurance costs are putting affordable and rent-stabilized housing at risk—this is a market failure that has gone uncorrected for too long, and it falls to government to step in. When we can lower the cost of running a building, that savings flows through to tenants,” said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy. “This effort is exactly the kind of bold, innovative response New Yorkers need to have access to affordable housing.”

"By investing in a city-backed insurance program, we will be tackling the housing crisis from a new and creative angle,” said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “At NYCEDC, we are looking to use every tool in our toolbox to deliver affordable housing and are thrilled to partner with HPD and HDC to carry out this vision and make New York City more affordable.”

“Rising insurance premiums have placed increasing strains on the housing market nationwide,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Today’s announcement represents an important step toward delivering an innovative solution that will help ease the burden of insurance costs and protect the long-term financial stability of the city’s affordable and rent-stabilized housing stock.”

Another Operation Sweet Silence Defendant Convicted at Trial

 

30 Georgia Men Have Pleaded Guilty or Were Convicted at Trial

Fernando Brown, also known as “Nino,” 33 of Columbus, Georgia, a repeat offender, was convicted today by a federal jury of distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana while armed. A total of 30 defendants have now either been convicted at trial or pleaded guilty to drug charges resulting from Operation Sweet Silence, a multi-agency law enforcement effort in and around Columbus, Georgia, as part of Operation Take Back America, the Department of Justice’s nationwide effort cracking down on criminal organizations and cartels.

Following a four-day trial, the jury found Brown guilty of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, cocaine, and more than 100 pounds of marijuana and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. The defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22. There is no parole in the federal system.

“This defendant was responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in the Columbus, Georgia area,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His crimes fueled violence and harmed the community until federal, state, and local law enforcement worked together to dismantle this criminal organization. The Department of Justice remains committed to prosecuting those who traffic dangerous drugs and threaten the safety of our communities.”

“Although this case closes a significant chapter in Operation Sweet Silence, our commitment to dismantling armed drug trafficking organizations is unwavering,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes for the Middle District of Georgia. “Together, law enforcement and prosecutors will continue to pursue those who threaten the safety of the communities we serve and bring them to justice.”

“Criminal Street gangs were responsible for a wave of violent crime in and around Columbus,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Richard Bilson of the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office. “Columbus is a safer place now that the FBI and our partners have effectively dismantled this armed drug trafficking organization. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to keep our streets safe.”

“This investigation represents the very best of law enforcement collaboration,” said Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Federal, state, and local partners worked side by side for years to uncover the full scope of this criminal enterprise and ensuring every individual responsible faces justice. With the conviction of this defendant, we are getting closer to holding all individuals involved accountable. Our communities are safer today because of the dedication and teamwork of the investigators and prosecutors, and we are committed to bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”

According to court documents and statements referenced at trial, federal and local law enforcement conducted Operation Sweet Silence from August 2022 until May 2024, an extensive investigation into the illegal activities of the Zohannon criminal street gang involving armed drug trafficking. Agents discovered that Brown, who is not a member of the Zohannon organization, was working with others to dominate the illegal drug market in Columbus by supplying methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine.

Trial evidence revealed that Brown was captured on a wiretap discussing the distribution of methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine. During the execution of search warrants at Brown’s drug trap house on 10th Street and his residence on Rosewood Street, both in Columbus, law enforcement seized methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and seven firearms.

Cocaine hidden under a sink and seized at trap house.

Semi-automatic pistol and ammunition seized at trap house.

Other defendants, all from Columbus unless otherwise indicated, were indicted across nine separate indictments and have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial, with some already sentenced by the court. Operation Sweet Silence defendants are:

Freddie Bowens, also known as Profit, 27, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for the illegal possession of a machine gun.

LaBrandon Brown, 31, was sentenced to four years in prison for using a phone to facilitate a drug offense.

Jantzen Carter, 40, of Waverly Hall, GA, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Ulises Cervantes, 33, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Anthony Champion, 46, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Trenton Clemons, 48, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Dequindre Dawson, 33, was sentenced to 90 months in prison for drug possession with intent to distribute.

Nicholas Fitzpatrick, 30, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Terry Gash, 54, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Undrae Hayes, 37, was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Roderick Hicks, 59, was sentenced to 140 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Christopher Hill, 36, was sentenced to two years in prison for using a phone to facilitate a drug offense.

Marquez Holloway, 32, was convicted at trial of drug conspiracy and drug distribution and is awaiting sentencing.

Darius Jenkins, 24, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Jeffrey Kimbrough, 29, was sentenced to three years of probation for drug conspiracy.

Hykeem Lomax, 33, pleaded guilty to using a phone to facilitate a drug offense and is awaiting sentencing.

Quadarius Lusk, 30, pleaded guilty to using a phone to facilitate a drug offense and is awaiting sentencing.

Aundray Morgan, 39, pleaded guilty to using a phone to facilitate a drug offense and is awaiting sentencing.

Tommie Mullins Jr., also known as TJ, also known as Bo, also known as Mini, 31, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Javonta Paden, 25, was sentenced to 71 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Adrian Palmer, also known as AP, 25, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug possession with intent to distribute.

Adrian Pleasants, 29, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Derrick Porter, 54, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Dahvontay Richardson, 28, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Trenton Thomas, also known as Bubble, 25, was sentenced to 135 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Juan Carlos Torres-Arzapalo, 41, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Corey Turner, also known as Lito Red, 33, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Jhy’Keith Williams, 24, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for illegally possessing a machine gun.

Malik Williams, 27, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for drug possession with intent to distribute.

Leonard Campbell, 36, of Columbus, is charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He is facing a maximum penalty of life in prison.

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 (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Muscogee County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office with critical assistance from the Harris County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; the Russell County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office; the Coweta County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; and the Muscogee County District Attorney’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Attorney General James Announces Indictment of Former Board Member For Stealing More Than $3.8 Million from Manhattan Church

 

Olof Olsson Used Swedish Seamen’s Church Donation Money for Personal Expenses, Including Risky Investments

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment of Olof Olsson, 45, of Manhattan for allegedly stealing more than $3.8 million from the Manhattan-based Swedish Church of New York – also known as the Swedish Seamen’s Church (the Church) – while he served as a member of the Church’s board of directors and as a financial advisor to the Church. As a licensed securities broker and Church board member, Olsson was responsible for safeguarding the Church’s donations and bequests. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Olsson abused his position and funneled the Church’s money into bank accounts he controlled, and then spent the funds on risky investments and personal expenses. The 24-count indictment, unsealed in New York County Supreme Court before Judge Althea Drysdale, charges Olsson with stealing at least $3.8 million from the Church over a six-year period.

“When churchgoers donate money, they expect their generous contributions will be used to support their church and its mission,” said Attorney General James. “Olof Olsson took advantage of his role as a trusted member of the Swedish Church of New York to steal millions of dollars from his fellow churchgoers. My office will always seek to hold those accountable who take advantage of hard-working, charitable New Yorkers.”

Olsson served as a member of the Church’s board for seven years from 2016 to 2023. During the same time, Olsson also worked as a licensed securities broker at a financial institution that held the Church's assets, where he was responsible for overseeing and protecting the Church’s charitable donations and bequests, which made up a significant portion of the Church’s assets. Olsson used his role as a financial advisor to steal millions of dollars, including by making unlawful transfers from Church accounts to a bank account he opened in the name of the Church, but that he alone controlled. Olsson was able to accomplish this theft without the Church board’s knowledge by creating forged financial statements that concealed and omitted his unlawful withdrawals, leaving the Church to believe its investments remained intact and secure.

The OAG opened an investigation into Olsson in December 2025 after uncovering evidence of Olsson’s wrongdoings. The OAG’s Public Integrity Bureau (PIB) found that between July 2018 and December 2025, Olsson engaged in an elaborate scheme to forge account statements from several major financial institutions where the Church had invested its money. Olsson then used the stolen Church funds for personal expenses, including an investment in a risky and failed venture. Olsson also falsified the Church’s financial records to overstate the value of its investments in the yearly ledgers and conceal his theft.

The 24-count indictment charges Olsson with two counts of Grand Larceny in the First Degree (a Class B felony), one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a Class C felony), 18 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a Class D felony), and three counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (a Class E felony). If convicted of the top count, Olsson faces a sentence of up to eight and one-third to 25 years in jail.  

The charges against Olsson and the description of such charges are merely allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

NYC Comptroller Mark Levine Launches the NYC Housing Investment Initiative, A $4 Billion Commitment to Finance Housing Across Five Boroughs

 

Commitment will double pension funds’ housing investments while ensuring strong risk-adjusted returns for pensioners

Today, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine unveiled a $4 billion commitment to strategic investments in affordable housing production and preservation through a new initiative titled the NYC Housing Investment Initiative. The investments respond to the City’s worsening housing crisis, which is driven in part by limited access to financing.

“Too many New Yorkers are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads,” said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. “Solving this crisis takes action on all fronts. We’ve advanced critical zoning changes, but without financing, housing doesn’t get built. The NYC Housing Investment Initiative is about closing that gap, delivering the homes New Yorkers need, and making sound investments for the New York City retirement systems.”

The NYC Housing Investment Initiative will commit roughly $1 billion per year over the next four years to housing investments, and address the affordability crisis through:

• financing the creation of new mixed-income, workforce and affordable housing;
• preserving existing affordable housing before it is lost;
• supporting office-to-residential conversions that can add homes at scale;
• and using pension capital responsibly to generate risk-adjusted returns while addressing a critical city need.

As part of today’s announcement, Comptroller Levine unveiled the first round of investments and commitments that will be made as part of the NYC Housing Investment Initiative:

• Direct the Bureau of Asset Management to bring $750 million in investments to the boards for approval to create new mixed-income affordable housing; preserve existing affordable homes; and support office conversions that can add housing supply.
• Expand the Public Private Apartment Rehabilitation (PPAR) program through a new $500 million investment to support the construction, preservation and rehabilitation of housing across New York City and surrounding counties. The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) will serve as the program administrator and servicer. In addition, Comptroller Levine is announcing a new 36-month rate lock and 40-year amortization for preservation and new construction.
• Recommend additional investment for approval in the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) to finance large scale multifamily and affordable housing projects in New York City using union labor.

“For our members who have residency requirements, affordable housing is the single most important issue impacting their quality of life and ability to survive in this city,” said Henry A. Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37 AFSCME and Trustee of the NYCERS Board. “We need to put our money where our values are, and that means investing our pension dollars into workforce housing that directly benefits the very people who make this city run.”

“Comptroller Levine’s $4 billion commitment represents a historic step in mobilizing the pension funds to address New York City’s housing crisis. This initiative sets a powerful model for how public capital can drive real impact by significantly expanding investment in the creation and preservation of our city’s housing stock,” said Rafael E. Cestero, CEO of The Community Preservation Corporation. “When the PPAR program was launched in 1984, it was groundbreaking in both its approach and the volume of new capital it brought to the City’s neighborhoods. The Comptroller’s modernization of the program, along with a $500 million infusion of new capital, will ensure it remains an important tool that delivers the resources our communities need to preserve and protect our housing stock. My thanks to the Comptroller and his team for their longstanding partnership and commitment to investing in a more affordable and equitable New York City.”

The NYC Housing Investment Initiative will more than double the size of the Big Apple’s five public pension funds’ housing investment exposure. As of the end of 2025, the system’s residential portfolio totaled approximately $2.8 billion. These investments are spread across a diverse range of housing types and programs, including the PPAR program, the AFL-CIO HIT, the RBC Capital Access program, multi-family housing, student and senior housing, and more.

The Comptroller’s Office oversees the five pension funds’ investments in housing and real estate. The program is aimed at achieving strong returns for members and beneficiaries while preserving and expanding the City’s housing supply stock. Since the early 90s, these investments have helped to create or preserve 199,000 units of housing. Since inception, the pension funds’ Economically Targeted Investments portfolio has exceeded the actuarial rate of return requirement.

NYC DOC CAPTAIN, 10 CORRECTION OFFICERS INDICTED FOR CORRUPTION AND GRAND LARCENY

 

Defendants Allegedly Submitted Phony Timesheets, Were Paid Nearly $230,000 for Hours They Didn’t Work

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a NYC Department of Correction Captain and ten correction officers were indicted on corruption, grand larceny and related charges for allegedly submitting signed timesheets for hours that they did not work. 

District Attorney Clark said, “These defendants are accused of submitting fake timesheets resulting in them being paid more than $228,000 that they did not earn. They are veteran civil servants who abused the public trust.” 

Acting DOI Commissioner Christopher Ryan said, “Despite a critical correctional staffing shortage in 2023, as charged, these defendants —a Department of Correction Captain and 10 Correction Officers—submitted handwritten timesheets, claiming over $228,000 in regular and overtime hours they did not work by arriving late, leaving early or engaging in ‘no-show’ shifts. This charged misconduct was billed to the taxpayers and undermines public trust and operational safety. I thank DOC for its strong collaboration and commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation, and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its continued partnership in holding accountable those who steal City funds.”

District Attorney Clark said the defendants were variously charged in a 93- count indictment with Corrupting the Government, Grand Larceny, Defrauding the Government and Official Misconduct. They were arraigned today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Laurence Busching and are due back in court on August 4, 2026. 

According to the investigation, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, DOC Captain William Newlin, 51, and Correction Officers Raymond Espino, 37, Jason Miller, 44, Raymond Lastra, 55, Odiney Brown, 54, Clifford Compton, 44, Odelle Adams, 54, Jason Catalanotto, 43, Kenyatta Johnson, 59, Katrina Thomas, 45 and Katricia Chandler, 54, were working at the Donald Cranston Judicial Center on Rikers Island. They allegedly submitted handwritten, signed timesheets that indicated they were working regular hours or overtime, when in fact they were not at work.

The total allegedly stolen by the defendants is $228,989.23. The amounts allegedly stolen by each defendant are as follows: William Newlin: $50,083.46 Raymond Espino: $30, 817.17 Jason Miller: $24,689.80 Raymond Lastra: $24, 4334.53 Odiney Brown: $22,369.50 Clifford Compton: $17,140.42 Odette Adams: $15,967.43 Jason Catalanotto: $12,625.12 Kenyatta Johnson: $12,350.72, Katrina Thomas: $10,088.67 Katricia Chandler: $8,242.41

District Attorney Clark thanked New York City Department of Investigation Investigator Gregory Mangini, under the overall supervision of Inspector General Marissa Carro, and Acting Commissioner Christopher Ryan, and NYC Department of Correction Payroll Director Lawanda Hinds-Charles for their work in the case. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Governor Hochul Announces $43 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 Replacement in Utica

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $43 million to help communities statewide afford 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, treating harmful emerging contaminants and modernizing aging systems — without passing high costs on to local ratepayers. These investments protect public health and the environment, reduce future risks and support good-paying jobs.

“This funding means communities don’t have to choose between clean water and affordable rates,” Governor Hochul said. “Stronger infrastructure, safer water, lower costs — that’s our commitment to New Yorkers.”

EFC’s Board approved low-cost financing and previously announced grants through New York’s premier water infrastructure investment programs that help communities avoid costly rate increases. Board approval is a milestone in the funding process and allows communities to enter into agreements and access these funds for their projects.

Funding is provided through:

The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds: A mix of State and federal dollars that delivers over $1 billion in low-cost financing and grants annually to New York communities.

Governor Hochul’s Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation grants: Loan forgiveness grants to help communities pay for lead service line replacement by covering costs not fully paid for by federal grants. The Board approved this grant for a project in the City of Utica.

The State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Grants: Proven vehicles for affordability that have saved over $7.2 billion for ratepayers statewide since 2015.

Combining federal and State funding ensures every dollar goes further in modernizing aging infrastructure across the state, protecting public health and the environment. Fully funded State Revolving Funds are necessary for New York to meet the ongoing need for communities to affordably repair, rehabilitate and modernize aging infrastructure in the future.

Funding was approved for projects in the following regions:

Finger Lakes

• Town of Parma – $3.4 million in State grant and low-cost financing for the formation of Water Improvement Benefit Area No. 1, including the installation of approximately 30,000 linear feet of watermains, valves, hydrants, and appurtenances.
• Town of Sheldon – $2.6 million in State and federal grants and low-cost financing for the replacement of approximately 6,500 linear feet of watermains, hydrants, valves, and appurtenances along Route 98, Route 20A, and School Street, and the replacement of a well pump house.
• Town of Stafford –$318,000 State grant for the formation of Water District No. 14, including installation of approximately 2,500 linear feet of watermains and appurtenances including hydrants, valves, and service meters.

Long Island

• Greenlawn Water District – $3.2 million federal grant for the installation of four granular activated carbon pressure vessels to remove PFAS, PFOS, and other volatile organic compounds from Well Nos. 10 and 15.

Mohawk Valley

• Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Finance Authority – federal grant, interest-free financing, and a State loan forgiveness grant for a $12.7 million project to replace 1,388 lead service lines in the City of Utica.
• Town of Vernon – $2.2 million State grant for the construction of a pump house, a 154,000-gallon elevated storage tank, and approximately 33,000 linear feet of watermains and related appurtenances to extend public water to 178 properties for the new Vernon Center Water District.

North Country

• Village of Castorland – $549,000 State grant for the construction of a 150,000-gallon storage tank, installation of system communications improvements, and installation of emergency backup power supply at the water treatment plant.
• St. Regis Mohawk Tribe– $9.9 million State grant to replace the wastewater treatment plant.

Western New York

• Town of Friendship – $8.3 million in State grant and interest-free financing for the installation of standby power facilities for Well Nos. 4 and 5, the development of a new groundwater supply facility, and blending of water supplies.

New York State continues to increase its historic investments in water infrastructure. Governor Hochul set the national standard with a transformational $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment plan, which would bring total clean water investments to $10 billion since 2017.

EFC is currently accepting applications for $5.5 million in grants through the Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant and SECURE cybersecurity grant programs. Municipalities and eligible entities can find more information and apply on EFC’s website. The Community Assistance Teams are available to provide one-on-one consultations to help municipalities understand funding options and prepare strong applications.

New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.