Former NYC Mayoral Chief-Of-Staff and Three Others Charged in Bribery Scheme Related to NYC Migrant Shelter Contract

 

Former Chief of Staff Frank Carone Allegedly Accepted Bribes in Exchange for Steering a Multi Million Dollar Municipal Migrant Shelter Contract to a Long Island Businessman

A 13-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Anthony J. Carone, Frank V. Carone, Crystal Chen, and Yan Po Zhu, also known as “Andy Zhu,” for their roles in a bribery scheme that capitalized on funding meant to address New York City’s migrant crisis. The charges include fraud, bribery, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and tax fraud.  All four defendants were arrested today and will be arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry. 

Michael Considine, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service‑Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI New York); and Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants exploited the unprecedented migrant crisis in New York City for their own personal gain,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Considine. “The defendants engaged in a bribery scheme to secure a migrant shelter contract worth millions of dollars from a city agency funded in part by billions of federal dollars.  Frank Carone and his brother Anthony Carone are also charged with evading taxes on the proceeds of that scheme.  This case demonstrates the Office’s commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars, and holding accountable those who misuse public funds for private gain.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle: “The alleged conspiracy resulted in a massive betrayal of the American taxpayers’ trust by steering millions of dollars in funding for asylum housing in exchange for illegal bribe payments, which were then funneled to cover personal expenses.”

“Today’s charges show how these defendants chose greed over integrity, exploiting a humanitarian crisis and siphoning taxpayer funds intended to support vulnerable migrant families.  IRS Criminal Investigation worked alongside our law enforcement partners to unravel the financial maneuvers used to conceal bribe payments and evade taxes. Our mission in this case was simple—follow the money, expose corruption, and protect taxpayer funds,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.

“The conduct charged in this indictment is the epitome of corrupt self-dealing. The former chief of staff in the prior mayoral administration allegedly used his connections and the influence afforded to him by his public office to push through a multimillion dollar, publicly funded contract to personally enrich himself. By allegedly engaging in this criminal scheme, as charged, all four defendants used the plight of migrants for their own profit, resulting in the inefficient use and approval of a shelter location that could house fewer people than more appropriate locations and required the City to expend additional resources to make up the difference. That two of the defendants are attorneys who allegedly violated their ethical duty to act with honesty and integrity underscores the seriousness of these charged offenses. DOI thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the New York Offices of the FBI and the IRS for their steadfast partnership on this joint investigation, which highlights the need to protect the integrity of City processes and public funds, particularly during a crisis,” stated DOI Commissioner Shihata. 

As alleged in court filings, beginning in approximately 2022, Anthony Carone and Frank Carone—who are brothers and attorneys both admitted to practice in the State of New York—Crystal Chen, and Yan Po Zhu, devised and executed a scheme to exploit the City’s migrant crisis for their personal profit. 

In 2022, New York City experienced an unprecedented influx of migrant asylum seekers.  New York City was a “right to shelter” city, meaning the City was legally required to provide shelter to all homeless individuals who sought it.  Because the volume of migrant asylum seekers who needed housing outpaced the City’s existing shelter system, the City instituted a process for contracting with local hotels to house migrant asylum seekers (the Emergency Shelter Contracts). Through the Emergency Shelter Contracts, the City agreed to rent entire hotels for one year or more and utilize the hotels as emergency shelters to house migrant asylum seekers. 

To identify and evaluate sites for potential Emergency Shelter Contracts, employees from the City’s Department of Social Services (DSS) solicited and reviewed proposals from local hotels. Following its own due diligence, DSS recommended to City Hall that the City enter into Emergency Shelter Contracts with certain local hotels.  To fund the Emergency Shelter Contracts and other asylum services, the City received over approximately $1.8 billion of federal grant money in 2022.

As the City’s migrant crisis reached its peak in 2022, Frank Carone accepted a series of bribe payments from Zhu and Chen to steer a multi-million-dollar shelter contract to the Microtel, a hotel in Long Island City, Queens, which allowed the Microtel to operate as an emergency migrant shelter.  Zhu, a wealthy businessman, owned the Microtel, and Chen was Zhu’s business manager. 

Repeatedly throughout 2022, DSS rejected the Microtel as a suitable location to be run as a migrant shelter. Frank Carone, however, used his official position as Chief of Staff to intercede on the Microtel’s behalf in exchange for $120,000 of bribe payments from Zhu and Chen.  Despite DSS’s prior independent assessment that the Microtel was not a suitable location for a temporary shelter, the Microtel was ultimately awarded an Emergency Shelter Contract due to Frank Carone’s directive to DSS to consider the Microtel for such a contract.  The Microtel ultimately received an Emergency Shelter Contract worth $6,825,000, which inured to the financial benefit of Zhu and Chen. 

To conceal the criminal nature of the bribe payments, Zhu and Chen directed the bribe payments to a bank account controlled by Anthony Carone in the name of his law firm (the Law Firm Account).  The bribe payments were commingled with legal fees from other clients that Frank Carone referred to Anthony Carone while Frank Carone served as Chief of Staff.  Anthony Carone then steered the majority of the funds paid into the Law Firm Account to Frank Carone, including by paying Frank Carone’s personal credit card bills while Frank Carone served as Chief of Staff.  Anthony Carone also used the funds paid into the Law Firm Account to write checks payable to Frank Carone.  In addition, Anthony Carone, Zhu, and Chen executed a sham retainer agreement to make the bribe payments to Frank Carone appear to be legitimate legal fees paid to Anthony Carone’s law firm.  Notably, Anthony Carone did not inform his law firm partners that Zhu had allegedly retained Anthony Carone or the law firm, nor did Anthony Carone inform his law firm partners that he was facilitating cash payments from the Law Firm Account to Frank Carone including while Frank Carone was Chief of Staff. 

The sham retainer agreement called for Zhu and Chen to make bribe payments totaling $120,000.  After those payments were made, Chen emailed Anthony Carone and requested to terminate the sham retainer agreement.  Despite the fact that the payments outlined in the sham retainer agreement had been made, Anthony Carone responded seeking additional payments.  After no further payments were made, Frank Carone communicated with Zhu and expressed that he was “not happy” and would “not discuss[] [any future deals] until past is worked out.”  In response, Zhu stated that he had “asked my partners to pay you for a year.”  

Neither Frank Carone nor Anthony Carone reported their income from the criminal scheme to the IRS in their initial 2022 tax filings.  Nor did Frank Carone report this outside income to the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board as required.  In 2025, however, after learning there was a federal investigation into his finances, Anthony Carone amended his 2022 personal and law firm tax filings to declare as income the client fees he received in the Law Firm Account. 

Similarly, in July 2024, after Frank Carone and Anthony Carone became aware of the federal investigation, they obstructed justice by fabricating evidence to create the false impression that the payments from the Law Firm Account to Frank Carone’s personal credit card were personal loans instead of a conduit to conceal bribe payments. Specifically, Frank Carone and Anthony Carone created and executed a document purporting to be a promissory note, which they backdated to January 2022, and subsequently provided to federal investigators.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charges, the defendants each face up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section and the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sara K. Winik, Adam R. Toporovsky, and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Johnson Peow and Daniel Arakawa.  

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division).  The Fraud Division is focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. 

Chemours Agrees to $450M Landmark Settlement Agreement for Releases of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey

 

Settlement Includes $22.5M Civil Penalty and $90M in Funding for Programs to Control PFAS Discharges and Remove PFAS from Drinking Water

Today, the Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) announced a multi-state settlement with The Chemours Company under the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substance Control Act, and West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act. The settlement covers four Chemours facilities — located in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey — that use or produce PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are synthetic “forever chemicals” used to make products resistant to water, grease, and stains. Chemours also manufactures PFAS for various industrial and military applications, including those where substitutes are not readily available. This is the first comprehensive settlement by the federal government to resolve enforcement claims over pollution by a manufacturer of forever chemicals.  

Under the agreement, Chemours will pay a civil penalty of $22.5 million for alleged violations and conduct a multi-year, $90 million program to mitigate PFAS discharges. Chemours will also install PFAS pollution controls for surface water discharges and air emissions at its facility in West Virginia, at an estimated cost of $60 million, supply clean drinking water for more than a decade to communities that surround its facilities in West Virginia and New Jersey at an estimated cost of $280 million, and evaluate options and implement corresponding controls to reduce releases of PFAS and other toxic chemicals from its facility in North Carolina. Combined, the cost of the penalty and injunctive relief programs are estimated to exceed $450 million. The settlement allows Chemours to continue manufacturing PFAS for critical commercial and military applications while preventing future contamination and protecting communities from that contamination.

“This landmark settlement shows the Administration’s commitment to protecting the public from harmful pollution,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Through this commitment, Chemours will better control PFAS at its plants, allowing the company to continue its manufacturing operations while protecting communities in North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey from PFAS exposure. This agreement ensures that the company will manufacture these critical materials in a responsible manner.”

“This first comprehensive federal settlement against a major PFAS manufacturer delivers on the Trump Administration’s promise to make polluters pay and stop PFAS contamination at the source,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “By appropriately employing the full suite of existing legal authorities, we can greatly reduce PFAS contamination of water, land, and air and even begin to mitigate past harm. This settlement brings Chemours into compliance with the law and holds it fully accountable.”

“As Attorney General, my office investigated Chemours and took crucial steps needed to reach this settlement and position the state to reach justice for West Virginians — we will continue to ensure that every company complies with our laws,” said West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. “This settlement is an encouraging first step, but it addresses only one piece of a much larger issue. We remain actively engaged in discussions to reach a comprehensive resolution for the Washington Works facility that protects our citizens and ensures West Virginia's communities have confidence that these issues are being addressed for the long term. We look forward to continuing those discussions and achieving an outcome that serves the best interests of the Mountain State.”

The complaint alleges that three of the facilities that Chemours operates in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey discharged PFAS into the Ohio River, Cape Fear River, and Delaware River, in violation of permits required by the Clean Water Act and the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act. Also, Chemours was allegedly not complying with legal requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act at all four facilities. These alleged violations continued for over a decade. The facilities were previously owned for many decades by DuPont, and today’s settlement does not resolve DuPont’s liability for forever chemicals.

As a result of the alleged violations, people living around these facilities were exposed to illegal PFAS. PFAS are widely used and found around the world, with scientific studies showing that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

To remedy the alleged violations, the consent decree calls for 14 specified projects to reduce PFAS in wastewater, stormwater, and groundwater from the West Virginia plant, such as treatment systems using granulated activated carbon. And for people drinking water near the plants in West Virginia and New Jersey, Chemours will test the drinking water and provide treated or alternative clean water. Also, Chemours will be required to control releases of the chemical compound GenX — used to aid in making plastics called fluoropolymers — from each facility at an efficiency of at least 99%. Additionally, Chemours will implement controls at its North Carolina facility to mitigate releases of PFAS and other toxics based on recommendations from a third-party engineering firm. These programs will last for 15 years.

Chemours will also implement enhanced Leak Detection and Repair programs to reduce emissions of PFAS. Finally, Chemours must certify compliance with respect to its storage of hazardous waste.

Attorneys with ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section lodged the consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The consent decree is subject to a public comment period and is available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

The EPA investigated the case with assistance from WV DEP. More information on the settlement is available on EPA’s Chemours Settlement Summary – June 2026 webpage.

Attorney General James and Comptroller DiNapoli Announce Takedown of $9 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme in New York City

 

Investigation Uncovered Alleged Network of Fraudulent Eye Care Clinics Billing Medicaid Millions for Fake Eye Surgeries

Stolen Funds Used to Buy Jewelry, Luxury Cars, and New Jersey Mansion

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli today announced the indictment and arrest of Maksim Grinberg, 53, of New York City for an alleged years-long fraud scheme that stole over $9 million from Medicaid. Grinberg and his eight companies, which operate under the name EyePic, were charged with 15 crimes for operating eye care clinics throughout New York City that falsely charged Medicaid for eye surgeries that never happened.

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and the Office of the New York State Comptroller (OSC) found that Grinberg used credentials from ophthalmologists that were previously affiliated with his businesses to submit false claims for eye surgery procedures, fraudulently collecting millions of dollars in payments from managed care organizations funded by New York’s Medicaid program. Grinberg allegedly spent the stolen funds on expensive purchases such as a mansion in New Jersey, jewelry, international travel, and luxury cars including an Audi, a Bentley, a Porsche, and a Lamborghini. 

“Scammers who steal from Medicaid are corrupting our health care system and taking funds meant to support our state’s most vulnerable residents,” said Attorney General James. “Our investigation shut down a shameless scheme that stole millions of dollars from taxpayers and took advantage of doctors without their knowledge. We will not tolerate Medicaid fraud in New York, and I am grateful to Comptroller DiNapoli for his partnership.”

"Despite being caught once before, Grinberg allegedly brazenly tried to cheat the healthcare system again out of millions of dollars meant for those in need," said Comptroller DiNapoli. “Rooting out Medicaid fraud is a top priority of mine, and I will continue my partnership with Attorney General James to eliminate any such attempts. My thanks to Attorney General James for her partnership to hold Grinberg accountable.”

While Grinberg is not a medical professional of any kind, he allegedly set up eye care clinics in Manhattan and Brooklyn in the names of doctors to bill Medicaid for fake procedures. From January 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, Grinberg submitted thousands of claims falsely stating that four doctors performed surgeries to remove scars on patients’ eyelid linings due to infection. However, the businesses Grinberg ran were merely optical shops for fitting eyeglasses and the surgeries he billed for never occurred. Grinberg allegedly instructed his staff to use the doctors’ credentials to bill three managed care organizations operated by New York’s Medicaid program, Fidelis Care New York (Fidelis), Healthfirst PHSP (Healthfirst), and Molina Healthcare of New York (Molina). The false claims for these fake surgeries allowed him to steal more than $9 million from Medicaid.

Grinberg allegedly used the stolen Medicaid funds to pay restitution owed from a 2017 bank fraud conviction prosecuted by the Brooklyn District Attorney and to fund his lavish lifestyle. His expenses allegedly included gambling, expensive jewelry, fine dining, caviar, high-end fashion, international and domestic travel, and private school tuition for family members. Grinberg also spent the stolen funds on rent for a penthouse apartment in Battery Park City, mortgage payments for a six-bedroom mansion with a swimming pool and three-car garage in New Jersey, and luxury cars, including an Audi, a Bentley, a Porsche, and a Lamborghini. 

Grinberg’s businesses under his EyePic brand that were indicted include:

• Family Eye Care Ophthalmology, P.C.; 9th Street Vision Care, Inc., and Parkslope Eye Care, Inc., which all operated out of the same address at 334 9ththStreet in Brooklyn
• Flatbush Eye Care, Inc. at 1054 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn
• Graham Eye Care, LLC at 102 Graham Avenue in Brooklyn
• Harlem Eye Care, Inc. at 2249 2nd Avenue in Manhattan
• MGBK Management, LLC at 326 9th Street in Brooklyn 

Grinberg was arraigned before Judge Danny Chun of Kings County Supreme Court. Grinberg and his businesses are charged with 15 crimes, including Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Health Care Fraud in the First Degree, Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree. If convicted on the top count, Grinberg faces a maximum sentence of eight and a third to 25 years in prison.

These charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The OAG thanks OSC, the New York State Department of Health, and the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General for their assistance in this investigation. The OAG also thanks Fidelis, Healthfirst, and Molina for their cooperation.

The MFCU’s investigation was led by Detectives Mohammad Rahman and Gregory Nealon who were assisted by Detectives Aleksandr Lipkin, Daryl Sims, and Senior Detective Larry Williams, under the supervision of Detective Supervisor James Briscoe and Deputy Chief Ronald Lynch. The audit investigation was conducted by Senior Auditor Investigator Michael Di Mascio with the assistance of Auditor Investigator Andrea Lombeyda and Principal Auditor Investigator Kizzy-Ann Waldropt, under the supervision of Regional Chief Auditor Jonathan Romano. Data Analysis was performed by Senior Research Analyst Elise Roche, under the supervision of Chief Auditor Dejan Budimir.

MFCU is led by Deputy Attorney General Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Thomas O’Hanlon. MFCU is part of the Division for Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

New York MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 is $70,793,651. Of that total, 75 percent, or $53,095,240, is awarded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $17,698,411 for FY 2026, is funded by New York State. New York MFCU has recovered $627,812,108 for the Medicaid program through its criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions from federal fiscal years 2019 through 2025. 

Governor Hochul Announces Registration for Free Tickets to New York State United: The 2026 World Cup Final Watch Experience

Families and Fans from Across the Hudson Valley and New York State Invited to Attend Free Public Viewing Event

Request Your Free Tickets Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that free ticket registration is officially open for the New York State United — 2026 World Cup Watch Experience in Westchester County. This free, large-scale public viewing event will take place on July 19 at Kensico Dam Plaza and will give thousands of New Yorkers the opportunity to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup Final together. Families, soccer fans and communities across New York can now request free tickets to attend.

“At a time when the cost of entertainment and family activities continues to rise, New York is making sure that every family has the opportunity to be part of the excitement of the 2026 World Cup,” Governor Hochul said. “I am grateful to Westchester County for partnering with us to create this free community celebration and help bring the energy of the World Cup Final directly to New Yorkers. Together, we're creating an experience that is accessible, affordable and memorable while continuing to invest in the future of youth soccer across our state.”

Kensico Dam Plaza will transform into a free, family-friendly destination where New Yorkers can gather to partake in the largest sporting event in the world. The event will feature a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Final at 3 p.m. Doors will open at 12 p.m. with interactive soccer experiences, entertainment, local food and beverage offerings, and community-focused programming that celebrates the energy, diversity and community spirit of Westchester County and the Mid-Hudson Region.

The World Cup Watch Experience at Kensico Dam Plaza is the second of New York State's flagship World Cup Watch Experiences, following the successful Long Island event at Stony Brook University on June 12. Registration is free and required for entry. For more details on the ticket registration process and event information, please visit the New York State United website.

The World Cup Watch Experience in Westchester County is one of several public viewing experiences that are part of Governor Hochul's statewide initiative to create unprecedented opportunities for New Yorkers to participate in the 2026 World Cup.

For more information, including how to sign up to be notified of future announcements related to this World Cup Watch Experience, visit the I LOVE NY website.

Mayor Mamdani and NYC DOT Bring World Cup Fever to More Neighborhoods with Five New “Soccer Streets” Watch Parties

 

More than 100 free watch parties across all five boroughs will bring New Yorkers together to celebrate the world's game in public spaces citywide

 

New Yorkers can find watch parties and other World Cup events here 

 

New Yorkers gather at NYC DOT’s World Cup watch party at Paseo Park/34th Avenue Plaza for the Group Stage match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Credit: NYC DOT  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced five additional “Soccer Streets” World Cup watch parties in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, expanding a citywide initiative that will bring more than 100 free public watch parties to neighborhoods across the five boroughs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.  

  

Hosted by NYC DOT, Soccer Streets transforms streets and plazas into vibrant public gathering spaces where New Yorkers and visitors can watch matches together, enjoy live performances and celebrate the cultures and communities that make New York City the soccer capital of the world.

 

“One of the greatest joys of this World Cup has been watching New Yorkers turn our streets into places of celebration, connection and community,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “From Corona to Kensington, these watch parties are bringing neighbors together across languages, cultures and backgrounds to share in the world's game. As we welcome the world to our city, we're making sure every New Yorker has the chance to be part of this historic moment close to home.”  

  

“It has been incredible to see neighbors and their families come together on our streets and plazas to enjoy the World Cup,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “With celebrations underway across the city, we’re thrilled to add more watch parties to help make this summer one to remember. Please join us to watch matches and enjoy programming that will highlight the incredible diversity of our city.”  

  

Details on the five additional NYC DOT watch parties are below and available on NYC DOT’s website. For a full list of City-hosted watch parties and other World Cup events, visit the NYC Tourism website.  

  

Osborn Plaza, Brooklyn  

When: June 26, 2 p.m.

Where: Osborn Plaza (Osborn Street from Belmont Avenue to the dead end)

What: Live performance by Fogo Azul at 2 p.m., followed by the Norway vs. France match at 3 p.m. Programming provided by Hive Public Space, The Horticultural Society of New York and more. Attendees can also join a guided bike ride with Black Girls Do Bike, departing from and returning to Osborn Plaza before kickoff. Register in advance here.   

  

Johnny Hartman Plaza, Manhattan  

When: July 2, 2 p.m.

Where: Johnny Hartman Plaza (Hamilton Place from West 143 Street to Amsterdam Avenue)

What: Live performance by Sambuco Tribe at 2 p.m., followed by the 1H vs. 2J match at 3 p.m. Programming provided by Hive Public Space, Drip Sweat, The Horticultural Society of New York and more.   

  

Kensington Plaza, Brooklyn  

When: July 7, 3 p.m.

Where: Kensington Plaza (Beverley Road from Church Avenue to East Second Street)

What: Live performance by ADVANCE/MORE Opera at 3 p.m., followed by the W85 vs. W87 match at 4 p.m. Programming provided by Hive Public Space, The Horticultural Society of New York and more.   

  

Brooklyn Bridge Arches Plaza, Manhattan  

When: July 10, 2 p.m.

Where: Brooklyn Bridge Arches Plaza (Rose Street from Avenue of the Finest to Frankfort Street).

What: Live performance by Fogo Azul at 2 p.m., followed by the W93 vs. W94 match at 3 p.m. Programming provided by Hive Public Space, Equity Design, Get Women Cycling, The Horticultural Society of New York and more. Bike valet service will be provided by Transportation Alternatives.  

  

Corona Plaza, Queens  

When: July 15, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Corona Plaza (Roosevelt Avenue from National Street to 104th Street)

What: Live performance by Queensboro Dance Festival at 1:30 p.m., followed by the W99 vs. W100 match at 3 p.m. Programming provided by Hive Public Space, The Horticultural Society of New York and more. 

Criminal Illegal Alien Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Raping Corpse on New York Subway

 

DHS calls on Governor Hochul and New York sanctuary politicians to not release this criminal from jail following his prison sentence and instead turn him over to ICE to be removed from the country

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after a criminal illegal alien was sentenced to 5 years in prison for raping a corpse on a New York City subway last year.

On June 17, 2026, Felix Jeronimo-Rojas, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced after pleading guilty to robbing and raping the corpse of a man who had died on the subway in April of 2025.

The defendant: Felix Jeronimo-Rojas

According to local reporting, the victim was 37-year-old Jorge Gonzalez, who boarded the R train near Whitehall Street station before losing consciousness and dying on a bench in the subway car. About three hours later, Jeronimo-Rojas boarded the car and, upon noticing that Gonzalez was unconscious, began sexually assaulting his corpse while rummaging through his pockets.

The victim: Jorge Gonzalez, 37

Jeronimo-Rojas turned himself in to the authorities three weeks after the crime, after surveillance footage of the incident was circulated. He was initially charged with rape and grand larceny. ICE lodged a detainer for Jeronimo-Rojas on April 30, 2025.

Jeronimo-Rojas had previously illegally entered the country FOUR times in 1998 and 1999, voluntarily returning to Mexico each time after he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol. He then illegally entered the country for a FIFTH time at an unknown date and location.

“This sicko robbed and raped the corpse of a dead man on a New York City subway," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “ICE lodged a detainer asking Governor Kathy Hochul and New York sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien after his prison sentence. We need cooperation from sanctuary politicians to ensure depraved criminals like this are not released into our communities.”

As of December 1, 2025, New York’s failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 6,947 criminal illegal aliens since January 20. The crimes of these aliens include 29 homicides, 2,509 assaults, 199 burglaries, 305 robberies, 392 dangerous drugs offenses, 300 weapons offenses, and 207 sexual predatory offenses.

As of December 1, 2025, 7,113 aliens in the custody of a New York jurisdiction have an active detainer. The crimes of these aliens include 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drugs offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory offenses.

Justice Department Files Complaint Challenging New York Mask Ban and Identification Requirements for Federal Officers

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of New York, Governor of New York Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Assistant Attorney General in Charge, Buffalo Regional Office, challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers by criminally prohibiting federal officers from wearing masks, requiring individual identifiers, and banning cooperative 287(g) agreements with numerous local law enforcement agencies dedicated to helping enforce this nation’s laws.  

Not only is the law an illegal attempt to regulate the federal government, but, as alleged in the complaint, the law threatens the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedented wave of harassment, doxing, and even violence. Threatening officers with prosecution for simply protecting their identities and their families also chills the enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive law enforcement operations.

"Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and they do not deserve to be doxed or harassed simply for carrying out their duties," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "New York’s anti-law enforcement policies regulate the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand."

"Governor Hochul cannot tell Federal officers how to do their job,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. "And she certainly cannot prohibit them from ensuring their own safety in conducting Federal law enforcement operations. Our suit stops New York’s unconstitutional efforts."

"The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect the privacy and safety of law enforcement from unconstitutional state laws like New York’s," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

Acting Attorney General Blanche has instructed  the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. This lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in Virginia, New Jersey, and California. 

Registered Sex Offender Charged With Drugging And Sexually Abusing Minors

 

Andrew Wilkinson Used the Instagram Account “@tattzbysteppa,” Among Others, to Allegedly Lure in Minor Victims and Then Film His Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the return of a 10-count Indictment charging ANDREW WILKINSON, a/k/a “Steppa,” with convincing and enticing three minor female victims to engage in unlawful sexual activity with him, filming a sexually explicit video of a 15-year-old girl (“Minor Victim-1”), and drugging and sexually assaulting 17-year-old and 16-year-old girls (“Minor Victim-2” and “Minor Victim-3,” respectively).  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.  WILKINSON was arraigned on the Indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.

“As alleged, Andrew Wilkinson, a registered sex offender and serial predator, used social media to target vulnerable girls so he could drug them, sexually assault them, and film his abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Thankfully, Wilkinson’s illicit conduct was brought to light, and he will now have to answer to these serious charges.  Our Office, along with our federal partners and the NYPD, are making a whole-of-government effort to rid our streets of sexual predators.  That is what New Yorkers want.  That is what we are delivering.  The sexual assault of minors and the production and distribution of child pornography are too prevalent.  I urge all New Yorkers to assist us in ridding our streets of predators.  If you have been a victim of the alleged sexual abuse perpetrated by Wilkinson—or if you know anything about his alleged crimes or think you’ve experienced something similar—we encourage you to contact usanys.wilkinson-case@usdoj.gov or 212-637-0076.”

“This defendant, who is already a registered sex offender, allegedly used social media to lure underage girls to an unlicensed business for free tattoos and then drugged, raped, and recorded sexually explicit videos of them,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “This horrific behavior—especially the abuse of minors—has no place in our city, and thanks to the relentless work of our NYPD investigators and law enforcement partners, this predator is being held accountable.  We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to protect survivors of sexual assault and ensure justice is served in this case.” 

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in Court:(1)

WILKINSON drugged, sexually assaulted, and recorded sexual encounters with minor female victims. WILKINSON, who was 34 years old and a registered sex offender, operated and advertised an unlicensed tattoo service and used his tattoo service as a means by which to gain access to minor victims to sexually abuse.  WILKINSON met and communicated with his victims primarily on social media platforms and utilized those platforms to convince his victims to travel to an apartment in the Bronx where he drugged, sexually assaulted, and filmed sexually explicit videos of them.  WILKINSON drugged a 16-year-old girl and sexually abused her while she was physically incapacitated.

Between at least in or about December 2024 and May 2025, WILKINSON repeatedly sent promotional messages offering free tattoos to Minor Victim-1, who was 14, and tried to convince Minor Victim-1 to meet him in person.  On or about January 27, 2025, after Minor Victim-1 turned 15, WILKINSON convinced Minor Victim-1 to visit him, where he used a cellphone to record a sexually explicit video depicting Minor Victim-1. 

In or around May 2025, WILKINSON met a second victim, who was 17 years old, and convinced Minor Victim-2 to travel from Long Island to the Bronx to obtain a tattoo.  While in the Bronx, WILKINSON drugged and sexually assaulted Minor Victim-2.

On or about July 23, 2025, WILKINSON persuaded a third victim, who was 16 years old, to travel to the Bronx where WILKINSON told Minor Victim-3 that he would provide a free tattoo if she played and won three card games.  WILKINSON provided psilocin psychedelic mushrooms, methamphetamine, and an unidentified beverage to Minor Victim-3, causing her to lose consciousness.  While Minor Victim-3 was impaired and unconscious, WILKINSON raped and sexually assaulted Minor Victim-3.

If you have been victimized by WILKINSON, who utilized the Instagram account “@tattzbysteppa,” among others,  or have any additional information about his alleged illegal behavior, or if you’ve seen something similar, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 212-637-0076 or reach out to us at usanys.wilkinson-case@usdoj.gov and reference this case.

WILKINSON, 36, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison; three counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; three counts of committing a felony offense involving a minor as a registered sex offender, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison which must run consecutively to the other sex offenses; one count of distribution of a controlled substance, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of distribution of a controlled substance with intent to commit rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. 

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, the Special Agents, Task Force Officers, the Digital Forensics Unit, and the Complex Analytics and Social Media Enhancement Team at the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut State’s Attorney Office for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford, the Derby Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Dana R. McCann is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitutes only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.