New York City Council Announces Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta to Publicly Testify Under Oath for First Time Since Recent Incident Reports

 

Speaker Menin issues rare subpoena to Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI to compel public testimony

Committee of the Whole hearing will also feature testimony from leading national AI experts and review major legislative proposals to safeguard New Yorkers

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin today announced that the Council had secured the first public testimony under oath from major AI firms — including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta — regarding the potential dangers of AI technology and to seek their input on potential legislative solutions.

Aside from Meta, the companies only confirmed their attendance following the Council’s explicit threat of subpoena. Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI has still not responded to the Council’s inquiry, and as such, Speaker Menin issued a subpoena earlier today compelling the company to appear at the hearing.

The testimony will occur at a rare Council Committee of the Whole hearing next Monday, October 5, which will convene all 51 members of the City Council to examine potential risks posed by rapidly developing artificial intelligence technologies. The hearing comes after weeks of serious warnings from whistleblowers and AI executives, and reports that rogue AI agents have already inflicted damage to government databases.

“Leading experts and AI executives themselves are warning about the potentially grave risks of rapidly advancing AI, and governments have a responsibility to act,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “That is exactly what the New York City Council is doing. Given the high stakes, these firms owe it to the public to come before the Council, answer our questions, and provide input on our proposed legislation under oath.”

Between September 15 and 17, Speaker Menin sent letters to the five companies requesting that they voluntarily participate in the hearing and provide public testimony before the Council. Meta subsequently responded to the Council and confirmed that a member of its senior leadership would appear. The Council provided a response deadline of Friday, September 25, at which point both Google and Anthropic declined to appear.

On Friday, September 25, after these declinations, Speaker Menin authorized the Council to issue subpoenas to all of them as of 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28. The Speaker, through counsel, sent a subsequent email to the four remaining companies warning that they would receive a subpoena Monday.

On Sunday, both OpenAI and Google agreed to appear before the Council. Anthropic confirmed late Sunday night that it would participate, just hours before the subpoena was due to be served.

The Council has also secured testimony from leading national experts in AI safety, technology, and consumer protection. The hearing will examine both the potential risks facing New Yorkers and a slate of legislative proposals the City can enact to establish stronger safeguards and accountability, including a first-in-the-nation whistleblower incentive program, a private right-of-action for New Yorkers harmed by AI agents, and independent third-party validation requirements, among other bills.

Pursuant to Section 29 of the New York City Charter, the Council is authorized to investigate matters relating to the property, affairs, and government of New York City, including the power to require attendance and take testimony under oath from individuals it deems necessary. Council Rule 7.150 further authorizes the Council to issue subpoenas in exercising this authority.

If SpaceXAI fails to comply with the subpoena, the Council may seek judicial enforcement in New York State Supreme Court.

Attorney General James Announces Arrest of Queens Dentist Who Stole Over $300,000 from Medicaid

Suleman Nasimi Billed Medicaid for Invasive Dental Procedures That Never Happened, Preventing New Yorkers in Need from Getting Treatment 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest of Queens dentist Suleman Nasimi for stealing more than $300,000 from Medicaid by billing for hundreds of dental procedures he never performed. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) found that Nasimi, 46, of Hicksville, Nassau County, allegedly submitted false claims to Medicaid for dental procedures he never performed, even billing Medicaid for procedures conducted on the same days he was on vacation in Europe. The OAG’s investigation alleges that from January 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024, Nasimi, through his practice Tooth Fresh Meadows, claimed that he performed hundreds of procedures, including root canals and porcelain crown installations, even though none of them ever happened. As a result, several of his patients were allegedly unable to get the dental treatment they needed because Medicaid records reflected that they had already received the procedure that Nasimi billed for but never performed. Nasimi was arrested and charged today with 40 crimes.

“Fraudsters who steal from Medicaid with fake billing schemes put vulnerable New Yorkers at risk by making it harder for them to get the care they need,” said Attorney General James. “All New Yorkers deserve quality dental care, and my office will not tolerate dentists who put personal greed before their patients. We will continue to ensure that Medicaid fraudsters are held accountable and criminally prosecuted when they break the law.”

The OAG charged Nasimi for submitting false claims for dental procedures that were never performed on at least 35 Medicaid recipients between January 2020 and August 2024. In July 2022 alone, Nasimi is alleged to have billed for over $140,000 worth of procedures during periods when his office was closed and he was away on vacation in England, France, and Greece. This false billing scheme allowed Nasimi, through his Tooth Fresh Meadows practice, to steal more than $300,000 from Medicaid.

Several of Nasimi’s patients were unable to receive the dental care they needed because Medicaid had accepted Nasimi’s false claims for procedures that he never performed. When these patients went to other dentists for procedures, they were denied prior approval for their dental care because Medicaid had already paid Nasimi for those procedures.

Nasimi and Tooth Fresh Meadows were arraigned today on two separate 40-count felony complaints before Judge Jennifer Saint-Preux. Both Nasimi and his company were charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, two counts of Health Care Fraud in the Second Degree, two counts of Health Care Fraud in the Third Degree, and 35 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. If convicted on the top count, Nasimi faces a maximum sentence of five to fifteen years in state prison on the top count.

The charges against the defendant are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The OAG thanks the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG), for its valuable assistance in this investigation. The OAG also thanks DentaQuest for its assistance. 

Governor Hochul Signs Bills to Support NYPD Officers and Strengthen Pension Benefits

S.5053B / A.8178B Allows Experienced NYPD Officers To Continue Serving Until Age 65

S.7808A / A.8322A Expands Eligibility for Pension Parity to More NYPD Officers

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two pieces of legislation to support members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) by allowing experienced officers to serve longer and strengthening pension benefits for officers who have dedicated their careers to keeping New Yorkers safe.

“New York needs our police officers, and when experienced officers want to continue serving, we want them to stay on the job,” Governor Hochul said. “I'm signing these bills to give our officers the opportunity to serve longer while ensuring their retirement benefits reflect their commitment to New York City. Their service is essential to the safety of our communities, and these bills recognize everything they do for New Yorkers.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said, “To have a safe city, we must have the best and most experienced police officers who are committed to public service. When this department was facing a staffing shortage, we worked with our partners across government to open more pathways for talented people to join and stay on the job. This legislation will help improve retention and ensure our officers get what they deserve for their years of sacrifice and hard work. I thank Governor Hochul for continuing to support the NYPD.”

S.5053B/A.8178B raises the mandatory retirement age from 63 to 65 for eligible Tier 2 and Tier 3 NYPD officers. The change allows experienced and highly-trained officers who would otherwise be required to retire to continue serving.

S.7808A/A.8322A allows Tier 2 officers who began service on or after July 1, 2000 to base their pension on either their final 12 months of pay or the average of their three highest-earning years, whichever is higher. Previously, only Tier 2 officers who began service before July 1, 2000 were provided with that option. 

REVOLUTIONARY RESISTANCE AT PELHAM BAY

 

Come learn how the Battle of Pell's Point/Pelham Saved Washington's Army & the Fight for American Independence

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026, 10:00AM-1:00PM

SUNY Maritime College

Free! Everyone invited!

SPEAKERS:

Friederike Baer, Lloyd Ultan, Nick Dembowski

The entire Maritime College campus was the 'landing site' and camp for 4,000 British soldiers who disembarked from British boats in the East River - in October 1776, 250 years ago.

John Glover and his small group of 'volunteer merchant mariners' held off these British soldiers and allowed the American Army to escape to relative safety in Westchester.

Glover just happened to own a fleet of five fishing vessels in Massachusetts, and 'signed up' all five crews for the Continental Army as soon as the fighting broke out.

Ten weeks later (Christmas night) these same merchant mariners ferried George Washington and his entire Army across the Delaware River.

The Symposium will start with a 10:00 am presentation by Nick Dembowski, Executive Director of the Kingsbridge Historical Society and continue with a presentation by the former Bronx historian Lloyd Ultan. After lunch our third historian, Friederike Baer, who was recently featured in THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Ken Burns, will present. After the program ends at 1 pm there will be a casual tour of the campus, the actual site of the landing and encampment of 4000 British soldiers in October of 1776.

SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE

Mess Deck/Vander Clute Hall

Special Events Room

6 Pennyfield Avenue

The Bronx, NY 10465

FREE REGISTRATION: BRONXHISTORY.ORG/SYMPOSIUM

This is the kick-off event for REVOLUTION ON THE SOUND...a month-long series of events in Sound Shore communities from Pelham Bay in The Bronx to Rye in Westchester. More events info at RW250.org/revolution-on-the-sound

MTA Announces Design Award for Hudson Line Resilience Project

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded a $19.7 million contract for the design phase of a resilience project to protect the Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line from the effects of climate change. The work will fortify the line against future stormwater runoff, tidal floods, and other risks between Spuyten Duyvil, The Bronx, and Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County. The design phase will be carried out as a joint venture between STV and WSP.

The award marks a major step forward in a flagship $800 million resiliency effort for the Hudson Line in the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan, and construction is expected to begin in 2029.

The $270 million project targets assets that manage water flow and drainage, stabilize the right of way, and are in poor condition along a segment of the lower Hudson that is highly vulnerable to extreme weather. The scope includes the fortification of retaining walls and slopes, the expansion of culverts and drainage along slopes and track, shoreline structure rehabilitation, and flood protection measures for tracks where possible. The project will also develop a resilient design blueprint to guide future investments along the entirety of the line.

The corridor’s geography is the root of its exposure. Located directly on the banks of the Hudson River, the Hudson Line is vulnerable to flooding from stormwater runoff during extreme rain and from coastal flooding, both heightened by climate change. The segment between Spuyten Duyvil and Hastings-on-Hudson sits between the Hudson River on the west and several steep slopes on the east, and has experienced numerous recent floods and mudslides. The resulting service disruptions affect a portion of the line used by 25,000 Metro-North riders each weekday, along with Amtrak and freight rail.

The award joins a broader body of work along the line. After Superstorm Sandy, the MTA completed more than $400 million to improve power, communications, and signal systems along a 30-mile portion of the Hudson Line from The Bronx to Croton-Harmon. The agency is also implementing a project to stabilize vulnerable, steep slopes and improve stormwater infrastructure between Glenwood and Greystone stations in Yonkers, funded by $20 million in the FY 2025 state budget secured by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. That project is currently in design.

Permits Filed for 53 West Fordham Road in University Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a ten-story mixed-use building at 53 West Fordham Road in University Heights, The Bronx. Located at the intersection of West Fordham Road and Grand Avenue, the lot is steps from the Fordham Road subway station, served by the 4 train. Israel Tishler of Revamp NYC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 105-foot-tall development will yield 39,836 square feet, with 35,478 square feet designated for residential space, 3,935 square feet for commercial space, and 423 square feet of community facility space. The building will have 62 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 572 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 21-foot-long rear yard.

Mohammad Ahead is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet for the single-story commercial building on the iste. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Mayor Mamdani Unveils $128 Million Brownsville Multi-Service Center, Delivered Two Years Early and $10 Million Under Budget

60,000-square-foot, all-electric center will provide space for community-based organizations and Brooklyn Community Board 16

State-of-the-art facility features commercial kitchen, gardens, offices, community rooms and public artwork by Brooklyn artist Jazmine Hayes  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Paul A. Ochoa, Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Erin Dalton and Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Diya Vij today unveiled the new $128 million Brownsville Multi-Service Center, a four-story, state-of-the-art facility that will provide space for community-based organizations serving residents across Brooklyn.

The 60,000-square-foot center features 10 office spaces, three flexible conference rooms that can be combined into a large meeting center, a commercial kitchen, a 1,600-square-foot outdoor community garden, green roofs and public artwork. The all-electric building was designed to meet the City’s climate resilience standards and includes solar panels across three floors and large windows that maximize natural light. The project is expected to meet or exceed LEED Gold certification.

“City government should deliver beautiful, sustainable public buildings that serve working people and the communities they call home,” said Mayor Mamdani. “And we delivered this one two years ahead of schedule and $10 million under budget. Brownsville deserves investment that is built with care, and that’s exactly what this center represents.”

The center will be operated by the Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs (NAICA) and will house a range of organizations serving Brownsville, including the offices of Brooklyn Community Board 16.

DDC managed the project for DSS using the design-build method of project delivery, reducing construction time by at least two years and saving the City $10 million. The design-build team was led by Gilbane Building Company and Marvel. Approximately 11,000 tons of material were removed during demolition, with 85% diverted to recycling facilities.

“It’s hard to build a community without building enough community space, and DDC is proud to deliver this amazing $128 million center for the residents of Brownsville,” said DDC Commissioner Paul A. Ochoa. “This four-story center will soon be home to community-based organizations that will offer programming and services to thousands of neighbors. We built a kitchen, community garden, meeting spaces and other areas that will allow residents of all ages to participate in classes, workshops, cultural activities and more. By bringing organizations, services and residents under one roof, the center will create so many new opportunities for connection, learning and community engagement, while also giving local organizations a dedicated place to serve Brownsville.”

“We’re proud to unveil the brand-new Brownsville Multi-Service Center which creates a state-of-the-art home for local organizations to provide services and resources that engage and support the community,” said DSS Commissioner Erin Dalton. “We are grateful to our agency partners at DDC for developing this sustainable, high-quality building with great efficiency and DCLA for working with an artist that has roots in the community to give this space more meaning. We are excited to open the doors of this resource to the community in the coming months.”

“Public art not only has the power to transform the appearance of a space, but the ways we experience it,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij. “Commissioned by our Percent for Art program, the powerful three-dimensional mural ‘I Am Protected’ by artist Jazmine Hayes is both an amulet and a vision for a just future, infused with input from Brownsville youth, where the surrounding community is honored and held high from now on. This is the promise of public art — to be both a marker of time and a map for times ahead.”

The center also features a series of installations commissioned through the Department of Cultural Affairs’ (DCLA) Percent for Art program by Brooklyn-based artist Jazmine Hayes, who was born and raised in East New York. Titled “I Am Protected,” the project includes four works placed throughout the building and community garden.

Many of Hayes’ works incorporate images of braids, cowry shells and repeating patterns that reflect the cultures and histories of Brownsville while exploring themes of protection, reclamation and healing. In 2025, the project received the NYC Public Design Commission’s 43rd Annual Award for Excellence in Design.

The four works featured in “I Am Protected” include:

• “In my mothers’ garden,” which depicts a person planting a seed while a deity pours water back into the land. Behind the figures, a map of patterned designs replicates an aerial view of architectural structures of NYCHA’s Brownsville Houses. 
• “I am divinely guided,” which features a suspended spiral installation from 444 cowry shells. Once used as currency across Black and Brown diasporas, the shells are rendered in resin, with 111 incorporating upcycled plastics, evoking connections through water and environmental justice. 
• “Like the seeds in my cornrows,” which draws on histories of storytelling and braid maps. It includes braid pattern motifs designed by Brownsville youth, layered over panels replicating the mapping used in the community garden.
• “I shall grow tall to the skies,” which features a massive mural of a Moko Jumbie, a stilt walker rooted in West African and Caribbean traditions regarded as a protector.

Since 1982, New York City’s Percent for Art law has required that one percent of the budget for eligible City-funded construction projects be dedicated to public artwork. Managed by DCLA, the program has commissioned hundreds of site-specific works integrated into public spaces across the five boroughs.

“There are many themes in each work that honors the history, the now and the tomorrow of Brownsville, Brooklyn and communities alike. With each design at an entry point across the Multi-Service Center, my intent is that every visitor and youth of the Brownsville community is met with an affirmation of curiosity, care and imagination,” said artist Jazmine Hayes. “May this space be a resourceful and united place of activity and programming for the children, families and people to come. I am truly grateful to have been a part of this phenomenal accomplishment and team.”

Macon Man Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl and Meth with a Machine Gun

 

Defendant Found Guilty of 21 Federal Charges, Faces Maximum Life in Prison

A federal jury found a Macon resident guilty of armed drug trafficking, including distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine while in possession of a machine gun, resulting from an Operation Take Back America investigation.

“This conviction holds a repeat offender accountable for distributing dangerous drugs,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities, and removing drug distributors from our streets is an important part of protecting the public. This case also demonstrates what can be accomplished through joint police work and cooperation among law-enforcement agencies. Together, we remain committed to working toward a Fentanyl Free America.”

“Families in our country are suffering from the tragic loss of loved ones due to fentanyl and drug overdoses. Brazen, armed criminals pushing the deadliest drugs into our communities will be found and brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “These cases are saving lives, and I am proud of the unwavering commitment of prosecutors and law enforcement at every level to disrupt the flow of these deadly drugs and ensure traffickers are held accountable.”

“This conviction holds accountable an armed repeat offender who continued trafficking dangerous drugs, despite already facing federal drug charges. Drug trafficking doesn’t just affect those who use drugs; it impacts families, neighborhoods, and entire communities,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This case began with a tip from a community member, demonstrating the important role the public plays in helping law enforcement identify and disrupt criminal activity. The GBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to investigating those who threaten the safety of our communities and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”

“This conviction sends a clear message that those who bring dangerous drugs and illegal firearms into our community will be held accountable. Fentanyl, methamphetamine, and gun violence have taken far too much from too many families, and every time we remove these drugs and weapons from our streets, we have an opportunity to prevent another tragedy,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “I’m proud of the work of our investigators and grateful for the strong partnership we share with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. By working together, we are not only enforcing the law, but we are also protecting lives and making our community safer.”

“This case reflects the power of collaboration, especially as we continue to confront the threat of fentanyl that endangers countless lives,” said Warner Robins Police Chief Wayne Fisher. “The Warner Robins Police Department is steadfast in our commitment to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to protect the safety of our community.”

Tony Jermaine Reese, 46, of Macon, was found guilty of one count of distribution of fentanyl; four counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; three counts of distribution of methamphetamine; three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; one count of possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of illegal possession of a machine gun; two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Reese faces a mandatory minimum of 40 years, with a maximum of life in prison. The trial began on Monday, September 21, and concluded on Wednesday, September 23, before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell in Macon. The Court will schedule the sentencing hearing for a later date. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to the filed indictment, court documents, and statements made in court, an anonymous community member tipped off Macon Crimestoppers in June 2023 about Reese dealing drugs from a shed located at Dottie Court in Macon. Working with a confidential source, law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Reese, who had multiple firearms in the shed and a camera surveillance system. Agents executed a search warrant in August 2023, finding methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with firearms.

On Aug. 24, 2023, Reese was taken into custody in Peach County in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and other illegal drugs, along with a loaded Glock 17 handgun with an extended magazine and a switch converter attached, making the firearm an automatic weapon, or a machine gun. Agents found cellphones, unused plastic baggies and syringes, a digital scale, and $11,262 in the truck he was traveling in.

Despite state charges for the 2023 crimes, investigators learned in 2025 that Reese was continuing to traffic drugs from his shed on Dottie Court. Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Warner Robins Police Department, and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation in June 2025, purchasing methamphetamine and fentanyl from Reese at his shed. 

On June 18, 2025, Reese was under surveillance during a suspected narcotics resupply trip to metro Atlanta, where he was seen meeting with an individual at an apartment complex and receiving a large green bag. On his return trip to Macon, Reese was taken into custody with nearly three kilograms of methamphetamine found in the green bag. Officers executed a search warrant at the three sheds on Dottie Court the same day. Officers found more methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, blue pills, and other substances. 

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 DEA, the GBI, the Warner Robins Police Department Narcotics Intelligence Unit, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).