ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Illegal Alien Charged for Incest and Child Sex Crimes in South Carolina

 

South Carolina cooperates with ICE law enforcement so this child predator will NEVER be released into American communities

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer for an illegal alien from Mexico who has been arrested for incest and three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a child in South Carolina.

According to reports, Luis Armando Argueta Montejo, a 43-year-old-criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested days after a minor was found giving birth in the parking lot of Oconee Memorial Hospital. Based on evidence from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Montejo had engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, who is allegedly between the ages of 11 and 14.

Montejo told ICE he first entered the country in 2006, and he has no previous criminal history in the U.S.

On April 17, ICE lodged a detainer on Montejo to ensure that he is transferred to their custody after he faces the American justice system.

“This sicko should NEVER have been in our country to prey on children in the first place,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “He now faces charges for incest and multiple child sex crimes. Prior to these horrific crimes, this illegal alien lacked a criminal record in the U.S. Under Secretary Mullin, ICE lodged an arrest detainer with South Carolina to ensure this monster is never loose in our communities again. Thankfully, South Carolina cooperates with ICE law enforcement. This is why we need cooperation from state and local partners, so together we can keep criminals off our streets and make America safe again.”

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

Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty To Role In Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Involving Cocaine, MDMA, Ketamine

 

A Cranston, R.I., man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston in connection with his role in distributing cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.

Lengsy Prum, a/k/a, “Leon,” 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2026. Prum was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025.

In June 2024, Prum was identified as a Rhode Island-based distributor of cocaine, MDMA and ketamine. On three occasions between July and August 2024, Prum distributed ketamine to undercover law enforcement – personally delivering the ketamine in the parking lot of a home improvement store in Attleboro, Mass. In total, Prum distributed 3.2 kilograms of ketamine to undercover law enforcement. During an August 2024 search of Prum’s residence in Cranston, six kilograms of ketamine, 6.6 kilograms of cocaine and 4.2 kilograms of MDMA were recovered.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Walpole Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Two Gang Members Sentenced to Prison for Armed Carjackings on Long Island and in Queens

 

Members of Bronx-based 5zzly Crew Used Threats and Violence to Terrorize Multiple Victims

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jaquell Blackwell was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment for committing three armed carjackings.  On December 18, 2025, another defendant, Abdoul Azika, was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment for his participation in a carjacking with Blackwell and two other armed carjackings.  Both proceedings were held before United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.

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 sentencings.

“For more than a year, the defendants and their co-conspirators engaged in a pattern of armed carjackings targeting hardworking New Yorkers,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Their sentencings demonstrate that our Office will not tolerate gang violence and will bring these criminals to justice.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Nassau County Police Department and the Garden City Police Department for their work on the case.

“The defendants repeatedly terrorized and harmed unsuspecting New Yorkers during a series of armed carjackings. The FBI's Safe Streets Task Force continues to protect our communities from senseless gang violence,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

Azika and Blackwell were members of the violent “5zzly” crew of the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang that has engaged in a string of armed carjackings and robberies across New York City and on Long Island.  Both gang members pleaded guilty to a carjacking in the early morning hours of March 19, 2023, during which they snuck up on a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood in Garden City, opened the doors of a vehicle, pointed a knife and a gun at the driver’s face, and told him to “get the f--- out of the car.”  The driver complied and the defendants stole the vehicle.

In connection with his guilty plea, Azika also admitted to committing two additional armed carjackings on June 5, 2022. During the first of those carjackings, which happened in South Farmingdale, Azika and his co-conspirators pulled the victim out of his vehicle at gunpoint, beat him, and stole his vehicle. During the second carjacking in Massapequa, Azika and his co-conspirators entered the victim’s vehicle, brandished a gun, assaulted the victim, pulled him out of his vehicle, and stole the vehicle.

In connection with his guilty plea, Blackwell also admitted to committing armed carjackings on June 26, 2022, and June 7, 2023.  During the June 2022 carjacking, which happened in Garden City, Blackwell and his co-conspirators got into the victim’s vehicle at gunpoint, pulled him out of the vehicle and beat him, and then put him back in and drove him around to ATMs while forcing him to try to withdraw funds.  At one point during the ride, one of the co-conspirators said they should “just shoot” the victim because they “don’t need him.”  During the June 2023 carjacking, which happened in Elmont, Blackwell and his co-conspirators opened the victim’s door, grabbed the victim and threw him to the ground, punched and kicked the victim, and then stole his vehicle.

MS-13 Members Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Brutal Murders Committed at Direction of Gang Leaders in El Salvador

 

Eight illegal aliens and members of the violent transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, have been sentenced for participating in a racketeering conspiracy that included witness tampering and multiple murders of individuals as young as 14.

“These defendants, acting on behalf of a transnational criminal gang, carried out brutal murders, killing victims with machetes, baseball bats, and their bare hands, and then glorifying their violent acts by sending photos of their carnage to MS-13 leaders in El Salvador,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Department commends the brave law enforcement officers and those who came forward to help law enforcement to resolve these cases. The lengthy sentences imposed send an unmistakable message that MS-13 and its accompanying violence are not welcome in the United States. The Criminal Division will relentlessly pursue MS-13 and hold those accountable who bring MS-13 violence to American communities.”

“Today’s sentences send a clear message – those who carry out violence for transnational criminal organizations will be held accountable, no matter where the orders come from,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “These defendants used brutality to advance within their criminal enterprise, and now they face the consequences. The Southern District of Texas will diligently continue working to dismantle violent criminal gangs that threaten our community.”

“This case centers on when MS-13 violence was at its peak in Houston. These gang members are among the most ruthless and violent criminals we’ve seen. They made our communities their killing fields,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson of the FBI Houston Field Office. “Today’s hefty sentences should send a message to other violent terrorist organizations that the rule of law and justice will eventually catch up to you. This investigation, and today’s sentences, would not have been possible if it weren’t for our partnerships with the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and our law enforcement partners in El Salvador.”

“All eight of these MS-13 gang members illegally entered the country – including Aguilar Ochoa who illegally entered the U.S. four times – and went on to reign terror on our local communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Burke of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. “Working in conjunction with our partners, we were able to bring an end to the lawlessness that they’ve spread and hold them accountable for their depraved actions.”

Today, Edgardo Martinez-Rodriguez also known as Largo, 35, was sentenced to 50 years in prison and Wilman Rivas-Guido also known as Inquieto, 30, was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Six other MS-13 members have been sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment in connection with this case: Miguel Angel Aguilar-Ochoa also known as Darki, 40, Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia also known as Discreto, 30, and Walter Chicas-Garcia, 28, each received 50-year sentences. Marlon Miranda Moran, 26, was ordered to serve 35 years in prison, while Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, 34, and Carlos Garcia-Gongora, 28, were ordered to serve 45 years in prison. All have been and will remain in custody.  

All are El Salvadoran nationals illegally present in the United States. They previously pleaded guilty, admitting to being members of MS-13 and participating in a criminal enterprise responsible for murders, extortion, drug trafficking, robbery and obstruction of justice in and around the Houston area from 2017 through 2018. In February 2025, the U.S. State Department designated MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. MS-13 engages in violent criminal activity across the United States, including in Texas, Virginia, Maryland, New York and California, and throughout the countries where it operates, such as El Salvador and Honduras. MS-13 routinely uses intimidation and violence, including murder and assault with deadly weapons like machetes, baseball bats, firearms, and ligature strangulation, all to maintain power, reputation and territory.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Martinez-Rodriguez and Rivas-Guido, who were sentenced today after admitting to involvement in murder ordered and approved by high-ranking MS-13 leaders in El Salvador, who at times monitored executions by phone. Members carried out the murders to increase or maintain rank within the gang and targeted individuals believed to be rival gang members, law enforcement cooperators or people working against MS-13’s interests. After the murders, members sent photos of the victims’ bodies to leadership in El Salvador as proof of the executions and in an effort to rise in rank, sometimes further mutilating or dismembering the bodies before sending the photos. Martinez-Rodriguez was a high-ranking leader in the conspiracy and initiated numerous murders ordered and approved by MS-13 leaders in El Salvador.

FBI and HSI conducted the investigation with assistance from police departments in Houston and Galveston, Texas, and Prince George’s County in Maryland; Sheriff’s offices in Harris and Liberty Counties in Texas; Texas Department of Public Safety; University of North Texas Center for Human Identification; U.S. Marshals Service and Texas Office of the Attorney General.

Trial Attorneys César S. Rivera-Giraud and Ben Tonkin of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Keri Fuller and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Britni Verdeja for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted this case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force nationwide initiative, which is a White House directed, interagency effort to integrate federal, state, and local partners in targeting transnational criminal organizations, and led by the prosecutorial Joint Task Force Vulcan.

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

Attorney General James Sues Coinbase and Gemini for Running Illegal Gambling Platforms in New York

 

Coinbase and Gemini’s Prediction Markets Are Unlicensed Gambling Operations That Put New Yorkers at Risk

New York Attorney General Letitia James today sued Coinbase Financial Markets, Inc. (Coinbase) and Gemini, Titan LLC (Gemini) for illegally running gambling operations in New York through their so-called “prediction market” platforms. Both Coinbase and Gemini offer users the ability to bet on events, including sports, entertainment, and elections, in violation of New York laws. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Coinbase and Gemini are running prediction markets that constitute illegal, unlicensed gambling operations. These illegal operations expose New Yorkers – including those under the legal gambling age of 21 – to serious financial and personal risk. Attorney General James is seeking court orders requiring Coinbase and Gemini to pay fines, forfeit illegal profits, and pay restitution to customers.

“Gambling by another name is still gambling, and it is not exempt from regulation under our state laws and Constitution,” said Attorney General James. “Gemini and Coinbase’s so-called prediction markets are just illegal gambling operations, exposing young people to addictive platforms that lack the necessary guardrails. My office is taking action to protect New Yorkers and stop these platforms from violating the law.”

Coinbase and Gemini opened prediction markets available to New Yorkers over the age of 18. Prediction markets allow users to bet money on the outcome of a wide range of future events, from sports games to elections to award shows. Because the outcomes of these events are uncertain and outside the control of the bettor, or hinge on a game of chance, these prediction market platforms fit the legal definition of gambling in New York.

Coinbase and Gemini have failed to obtain a license from the New York State Gaming Commission, sidestepping their obligation to pay taxes like licensed casinos and mobile sports gambling platforms do. This tax revenue funds public schools, sports programs for underserved youth, and problem gambling education and treatment. Coinbase and Gemini’s prediction markets are also available to users between the ages of 18-20, even though New York law states that a person must be at least 21 years old to participate in mobile sports betting.

Exposing young people to online gambling can have damaging effects on their mental and financial wellbeing. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health found that early exposure to gambling increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and financial stress. Further, a study by the American Psychological Association found that 32 percent of those with a gambling disorder experience suicidal ideation.

Attorney General James’ lawsuits also allege that Gemini and Coinbase are violating New York laws that forbid any betting on games in which New York college teams participate.

In her lawsuits filed today, Attorney General James is asking the court to require Coinbase and Gemini to forfeit illegal profits, distribute restitution to consumers who were harmed, and pay fines equal to three times the profits the companies made through their illegal actions.

Today’s lawsuits are the latest actions in Attorney General James’ continued efforts to enforce New York laws in the crypto and gambling industries and protect New York consumers. Attorney General James has issued multiple consumer alerts warning New Yorkers about the hazards of gambling, and has issued industry alerts to encourage compliance with state laws. Attorney General James has also taken action to prevent illegal gambling in New York. In January of 2026, she sued Valve, a video game developer, for illegally promoting gambling through video games popular with children and teenagers. In June 2025, Attorney General James announced that OAG stopped 26 illegal online sweepstakes casinos that offered slots, table games, and sports betting using virtual coins that could be exchanged for cash and prizes.

Attorney General James urges New Yorkers to ensure gambling platforms are registered with the New York State Gaming Commission and report any misconduct or gaming fraud to OAG by filing a complaint online, which can be done anonymously, or calling 1-800-771-7755.

Former Commercial Real Estate Vice President Convicted At Trial Of Fraud And Identity Theft Offenses

 

Attorney for the United States, Sean S. Buckley, announced today that JARED SOLOMON, a former vice president of leasing at the commercial real estate company Vornado Realty Trust, was convicted of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and bank fraud, in connection with a years-long scheme to defraud his former employer, forge signatures, and lie to banks.  The defendant was found guilty following a one-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska.  

“Jared Solomon engaged in a decade-long scheme to defraud his former employer of over $9.5 million,” said Deputy U.S. Attorney Sean S. Buckley.  “Solomon submitted fake invoices and agreements for work never performed, concealing his identity behind forged signatures and sham businesses he set up to receive the payments.  Using the fraudulent proceeds, Solomon purchased real estate and other luxury goods.  This Office is committed to holding accountable those who seek to defraud, deceive, and victimize others through lies, misrepresentations, and identity theft.” 

According to the Indictment, statements made in public court proceedings and filings, and the evidence at trial:

Beginning in 2009, SOLOMON, a Vornado leasing agent, created fake commercial real estate broker companies. Over approximately the next fourteen years, SOLOMON lied to his then-employer, Vornado Realty Trust, by claiming that brokers were owed broker fees or construction reimbursement expenses on certain commercial real estate deals that he worked on.  In fact, no work had been performed on those deals, and the payments were sent to bank accounts that SOLOMON controlled in the names of his fake businesses.  SOLOMON spent the fraud proceeds on a $4.5 million house in Purchase, New York; an apartment in the Upper East Side; a country club membership; and a Porsche, among other luxury expenses.  SOLOMON also forged the signatures of real people on the fake agreements that he submitted to his employer, provided a fraudulent business certificate to a bank to open a business bank account, and provided false information and a doctored bank statement to a mortgage lender to obtain an $850,000 mortgage loan. SOLOMON made approximately $9.5 million from his scheme to defraud Vornado.

SOLOMON, 48, of New York, New York, was convicted of one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison, and two counts of bank fraud, which each carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2026.

Mr. Buckley praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

NYC Schools Make Gains on Composting but Lag Behind on Food Waste, Comptroller Finds

 

Recommends More Centralized Approach to Boost Effectiveness of and Participation in Programs 

A review by the Office of the New York City Comptroller released today found that while the public school system has made progress in composting food, only about one-third of waste is currently collected and diverted from landfill. The review offered a series of recommendations for New York City Public Schools to maximize composting by centralizing its program and setting clear targets.

“Providing nearly a million meals to New York City public school students every day is a massive and often underappreciated undertaking by city government,” said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. “But the scale of that effort makes it even more important to get food waste right. With a more centralized approach to data collection, program assessment, and communication, we can cut emissions, strengthen sustainability efforts in our schools, and potentially save money in the school food budget.”

NYC Schools provides guidance on preventing waste through its food prevention plan, among other resources, which aim to improve sustainability practices in schools. These include strategies like batch cooking, meant to reduce leftovers which may need to be discarded, the “offer vs. serve” method, allowing students to select only some of the food offered, and guidance for school food managers and mandatorily appointed sustainability coordinators, who respectively train kitchen staff and engage students and staff. NYC Schools has made progress in reducing waste, but a review by the Comptroller’s Office identified areas for the initiatives to improve.

Key Takeaways:

• Zero Waste Schools Program Has Improved Participation. The number of schools reportedly participating in the Zero Waste Schools program increased from 725 in FY17 to all 1,715 schools in FY24. The amount of compostable waste collected nearly quadrupled over that same period of time, increasing from 6,278 to 24,477 tons.

• Limited Capture of Compostable Material. Food scraps made up about one-third of all waste generated by schools in FY23. Yet only 37% of those scraps were captured for composting. Additionally, 28% of compostable materials (food scraps, food-soiled paper and compostable packaging, and yard waste) in one analysis were contaminated — meaning they included materials unsuitable for composting, such as paper and plastics — far exceeding the City’s overall organics contamination rate of 4%.

• Food Donation Programs Lacked Clear Goals. In FY25, only 4% of the system’s 1,319 school buildings donated food to outside organizations, despite State legislation that permits and encourages schools to establish means for donating unused food that cannot be saved for future school meals. In contrast, 59% of schools during the 2025 school year said they had a food sharing table for the purpose of collecting food to be donated.

• No Aggregate Measure of Success. Whereas the report was able to obtain some data on food waste reduction practices, NYC Schools does not collect or analyze schools’ effectiveness at minimizing food waste on an aggregate level.

• Staffing, Training and Communication Shortfalls. In order to better understand the causes of these systemic issues in food waste prevention programs, the Comptroller’s Office review team conducted a survey of public schools. The results pointed to shortfalls in adequate staffing and training, as well as knowledge of where to find guidance on program implementation.

To improve their food waste prevention efforts, the review urged NYC Schools to pursue the following recommendations:

• Set Clear Program Goals. Establish system-wide targets for participation in composting, food donation and other programs established to reduce food waste.

• Broaden Data Collection. Compile system–wide data to support the assessment of progress against such targets.

• Comprehensively Assess Program Success. Conduct, and publish the results of, centralized assessment of progress – by school and by program – identify barriers to progress, and develop strategies for improvement.

• Develop system-wide training and outreach programs to: Increase participation in all of food waste reduction programs; Encourage information and idea sharing, and create opportunities for collaboration, amongst sustainability coordinators across the school system; Improve the percentage of food waste that is captured as potential compost, and; Reduce contamination to ensure that what is captured is compostable.

• Identify and Support Schools with Lagging Implementation. Identify schools that do not have appointed sustainability coordinators, ensure these positions are filled and provide strong support to the new coordinators.

You can read the Comptroller’s full report here: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/review-of-schools-food-donation-and-composting-efforts/ 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Audit Identifies Improvements Needed by NYC DOB to Help Ensure Building Owners Achieve Climate Mobilization Act Goals

 

An audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found that while the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) made efforts to ensure compliance by private building owners with the city’s Climate Mobilization Act (CMA), its hands-off approach to monitoring its service providers’ outreach efforts and building owner compliance with certain requirements provided no assurance that owners would be in compliance with requirements to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the mandated deadlines. The audit covered the period from November 2019 to June 2025.

“New York state and the City of New York are leaders in combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” DiNapoli said. “Despite these efforts, my audit found the oversight and monitoring by the New York City Department of Buildings to track compliance with the city’s Climate Mobilization Act needed significant improvement to ensure that its important policy goals are achieved. I’m pleased that, under the new administration, the agency agreed with most of our recommendations and has reported already moving forward with implementing them.”

New York City enacted the CMA in 2019 to reduce GHG emissions by establishing building emissions limits and reducing emissions from the city’s largest buildings by 40% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. DOB is required to establish and engage in outreach and education efforts to inform private building owners of CMA requirements, and relies in part on third party service providers to ensure compliance with the Act.

The New York City Department of Finance compiles a Covered Building List identifying the buildings required to comply with the Act. As of April 2024, the list contained 27,976 buildings, which are placed by DOB into one of six compliance pathways. The audit examined buildings in the first compliance pathway, which contained 13,269 buildings and required owners to submit their 2024 GHG emissions report by May 1, 2025, and each year thereafter.

DiNapoli’s audit found that DOB reported sending outreach letters to 602 private building owners, but only 150 of these (25%) were listed on the Covered Building List, providing no assurance that all covered building owners were made aware of the Act’s requirements. Also, DOB’s phone call log revealed that only 8% of the buildings covered by the first compliance period had been contacted. DOB officials cited staffing limitations.

Covered building owners must annually measure their energy consumption by inputting their energy and water usage data into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager online benchmarking tool, which calculates a building’s annual GHG emissions.

Auditors reviewed data for a random sample of 151 covered buildings and found that 13 of the 151 (9%) were above the carbon emissions limits for the first reporting period, which could result in penalties of nearly $2 million absent remedial action. There was no documentation that DOB contacted the owners of five of these 13 buildings to advise them on how to reduce their carbon emissions. DOB officials said they rely on their contracted service provider and the Help Center for most outreach efforts, but did not provide evidence that it took steps to ensure these efforts were effective.

Auditors examined DOB’s phone logs and determined that 631 building owners were referred to the service provider. From a sample of 53 of these owners, 43% were still at risk of not meeting the requirements, with an estimated potential penalty of $2.4 million. DOB officials indicated that they do not follow up on referrals made to their service provider.

DOB’s service provider maintains a website that includes a sustainability map, allowing users to search for any building address within New York City to access information about its energy usage, verify compliance status, and review penalty projections. Building owners that may be fined in 2025 for not meeting 2024 requirements are highlighted in red on the website.

Auditors selected a sample of 46 buildings with projected penalties of $13,392,900 and found that 23 (50%) were not contacted by DOB according to its phone log. For the 23 buildings DOB did contact, only 12 were referred to the service provider for further assistance. DOB did not follow up on all buildings at risk of non-compliance, and did not ensure the owners were made aware of the requirements and available resources.

DOB officials questioned the reliability of the data found on their service provider’s website, but did not explain why they allowed the posting of unreliable data by the vendor they rely on for outreach, reflecting another indication of inadequate monitoring.

The law also requires covered buildings to post DOB-issued energy efficiency labels in publicly visible areas. Auditors found that 13 (24%) out of a sample of 55 buildings did not have the required labels posted. Of the 42 buildings that had labels posted, 31% were not displayed in a conspicuous area visible to the public.

DiNapoli’s audit included several recommendations, including that DOB:

• Contact building owners, especially those in jeopardy of not meeting the CMA’s GHG emissions requirements, document this contact and inform them of the requirements and available resources such as education and referrals for financing.
• Create a system to track DOB referrals to the service provider and use it to maintain information about services and assistance provided to the building owners, and follow up on buildings that are in jeopardy of not meeting GHG emissions requirements.
• Inform building owners of the CMA’s requirements for posting the energy efficiency labels, and inspect buildings to verify that they are posted as required.

DOB generally agreed with the audit recommendations, but indicated that the timing of the audit overlapped with their build-out of outreach and implementation efforts, and that their engagement rate with covered properties has significantly improved.

Audit

New York City Department of Buildings: Implementation of Selected Aspects of the Climate Mobilization Act

Related Audits

Public Service Commission/New York State Energy Research and Development Authority: Climate Act Goals - Planning, Procurements, and Progress Tracking (2022-S-4)