Attorney General James Takes Action to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence

 

AG James and Coalition File Amicus Brief Urging Court to Stop Trump Administration from Restricting Violence Against Women Act Funding

New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a coalition of 21 other attorneys general in defending critical funding from the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for organizations that provide services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. In an amicus brief filed with the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) new requirements that these organizations certify they will not use funding for services that don’t align with the Trump administration’s political agenda are illegal and will endanger vulnerable people. The Trump administration’s targeting of VAWA programs jeopardizes resources for both survivors and law enforcement that have helped dramatically reduce domestic violence since the law took effect in 1994.  

“For decades, the Violence Against Women Act has helped protect domestic violence survivors and bring their abusers to justice,” said Attorney General James. “This administration’s illegal attempt to play politics with its funds will put the most vulnerable members of our communities in danger. I will continue to fight any reckless policy that puts New Yorkers at risk and makes it harder for our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”

For the past 30 years, Congress has dedicated funds under VAWA to support training for law enforcement and provide medical care, hotlines, shelters, and services for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other similar crimes. Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, more than $11 billion has been distributed under VAWA, which has helped dramatically reduce domestic violence by 64 percent.

As Attorney General James and the coalition note in the brief, VAWA programs have changed the way law enforcement responds to domestic violence by spurring investments in new forensic tools and victim advocates that have helped increase convictions and protect survivors. Every year, VAWA programs help train more than 600,000 professionals – including police officers, prosecutors, judges, and advocates – and provide more than two million individual services to survivors.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed new conditions on VAWA funds to prohibit organizations that receive these funds from providing vaguely defined “out-of-scope” services, including those that promote so-called “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs” and “gender ideology.” As Attorney General James and the coalition argue in the brief, these conditions will severely undermine public safety by threatening VAWA-funded organizations with prosecution for operating programs that serve the most vulnerable people. Congress has mandated that VAWA funds provide assistance to the LGBTQ community and other vulnerable groups like immigrants without legal status. As Attorney General James and the coalition argue, DOJ’s new conditions contradict Congress’ updates to VAWA that prevent discrimination in its programs. The brief also argues the conditions will affect public safety by making it harder for those in need to get help and inhibiting law enforcement from bringing abusers to justice.

Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the court to grant a preliminary injunction preventing DOJ’s new guidelines on VAWA funding from being enforced.

Joining Attorney General James in filing the brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

CEO of an Iranian Engineering Company Arrested for Allegedly Shipping Sophisticated Electronics from the U.S. to Iran in Violation of U.S. Sanctions

 

An Iranian national and U.S. lawful permanent resident has been arrested on a four-count federal indictment charging him with unlawfully exporting electronics used in railway signaling and telecommunications systems from the United States to Iran, in violation the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).

Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, 66, a resident of Santa Monica and Tehran, Iran, was arrested Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.

Ostovari is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and three counts of violating the IEEPA.

According to the indictment unsealed today, Ostovari is the founder and CEO of a Tehran-based engineering company – identified in the indictment as “Company A” – that supplied signaling and communications systems to Iran and its government, including on projects for the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. From at least May 2018 to July 2025, Ostovari and his co-conspirators obtained and shipped sophisticated computer processors, railway signaling equipment, and other electronics and electronic components to Company A in Iran. Many of these items were controlled under federal regulations, and their export to Iran without a license was prohibited.

To perpetrate his illegal export scheme, Ostovari used two front companies he controlled in the UAE – MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE – as conduits. Ostovari directed co-conspirators at these front companies to acquire the electronics and electronic components for Company A. Ostovari and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from electronics suppliers in the United States and elsewhere that the goods were destined for Iran, falsely stating that MH-SYS and Match Systech in the UAE were the end users when in fact the true end user was Company A in Iran. Ostovari then directed his co-conspirators to arrange to ship the goods from the UAE to Company A in Iran.

After he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in May 2020, Ostovari continued to export, sell, and supply electronics and electrical components to Company A in Iran.

As alleged, Ostovari knew of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, mentioning them in emails to co-conspirators and directing one co-conspirator to provide false information to a federal export control officer regarding the end use of U.S.-origin goods they had shipped to Company A in Iran.

The IEEPA and the ITSR impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, re-export, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

At no time did Ostovari, his companies, or his co-conspirators apply for or obtain authorization from OFAC to export, sell or supply goods and technologies from the United States to Iran.

If convicted, Ostovari faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security are investigating this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Lachman and Colin S. Scott for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorney Kathryn DeMarco of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MAYOR ADAMS LAUNCHES “BENEFITS ON YOUR BLOCK,” BRINGING CITY RESOURCES TO THE DOORSTEPS OF NEW YORKERS, AS “WE OUTSIDE SUMMER” CONTINUES

 

Adams Administration Will Bring Jobs Opportunities, Benefits Enrollment, Housing Support, and Public Safety Resources Directly to New Yorkers Throughout Summer 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today launched “Benefits on Your Block,” a summer-long initiative to bring New York City services directly to the doorsteps of New Yorkers. Led by Chief Engagement Officer Crystal Price, and with the participation of dozens of city agencies, Benefits on Your Block will encompass a range of events, including quality-of-life walk-throughs to address resident concerns, benefit information forums at Older Adult Centers, pop-up resource stations offering job training, small business help, and more. As part of this effort, the Adams administration will also boost its presence at existing summer events, including New York City Housing Authority Family Days, Summer Streets, and other public events so New Yorkers can ask questions about city services all at once, but in multiple locations, and get connected to assistance immediately. The new program continues Mayor Adams’ “We Outside Summer,” a new initiative that will include a series of announcements, events, investments, and new programming across the five boroughs to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, enjoyable summer outside.

Benefits on Your Block will be anchored by 12 Saturday resource fairs, starting this Saturday, July 12 in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Led by the Public Engagement Unit (PEU), in partnership with the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), the fairs will help New Yorkers enroll in city-run and city-administered benefits from program specialists on-site. From public assistance and health care to tenant support and job resources, these events aim to make it easier for New Yorkers to learn about and more easily apply for services in their own neighborhood. To promote the fairs and share information about how to best prepare documents, PEU outreach staff will proactively conduct community outreach through peer-to-peer texting, door-to-door canvassing, flyer posting, and literature drops.

“We’re bringing government straight to the block, and connecting New Yorkers to the resources they need,” said Mayor Adams. “‘Benefits on Your Block’ will help New Yorkers stay safe, manage the rising cost of living, and access real opportunity as they connect to services through dozens of city agencies. This effort builds on the work our administration has delivered to make it easier for New Yorkers to access their benefits, from free broadband for NYCHA residents to helping relieve medical debt to receiving hundreds of millions in tax relief and more, this is how we make New York City safer, more affordable, and the best place to live and raise a family.”

“The ‘Benefits on Your Block’ initiative will allow us to show up where it matters and connect New Yorkers to invaluable resources and information on the spot,” said Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack. “This administration has been committed to leveraging innovative tools to establish a tangible presence in underserved communities and proactively address the challenges our neighbors face. Our approach consistently prioritizes community-led initiatives because we recognize that no one better understands the issues of a neighborhood than its residents. We will use every tool at our disposal to ensure New Yorkers have access to the vital programs they need.”

“‘Benefits on Your Block’ is a clear example of how government can meet people where they are — by showing up in neighborhoods and making everyday support easier to access,” said Chief Engagement Officer Crystal Price. “With the help of our partner agencies, this initiative delivers real support to communities and connects New Yorkers to resources that empower them.”

“Too often, the people who need support the most face the biggest hurdles,” said PEU Executive Director Adrienne Lever. “‘Benefits on Your Block’ is about meeting people where they are and making it easier for every New Yorker to connect with the resources they deserve.”

“We’re breaking down barriers to benefits by not only making it easier and more convenient to apply, but by bringing these resources straight to New Yorkers all summer long through the ‘Benefits on Your Block’ initiative,” said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “New York City offers a robust range of benefits that help New Yorkers stay healthy, housed, and fed, and we’re proud to increase awareness about these resources and even help New Yorkers apply for benefits on the spot so they can access the supports to which they are entitled.”

Multilingual staff and translated materials will be available to ensure language is not a barrier to accessing support. From public assistance and health care to tenant support and job resources, Benefits on Your Block will make it easier for New Yorkers to learn about and apply for services at multiple locations, but all at one time and right in their own neighborhood.

A full schedule of upcoming Benefits on Your Block events and additional information about available benefits and services are available online.

KRVC - TOMORROW is Sunset on the Hudson River Evening!

TOMORROW EVENING

Sunset on the Hudson! 

Music & Movie Night by the River

 

Statement from Ed Cox on Blake Gendebien's Sexist Deepfake Attack

Calls on Gendebien to apologize, Hochul, Gillibrand to Condemn 

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox today issued the following statement condemning the deeply offensive and sexist deepfake video targeting Congresswoman Elise Stefanik by Democratic congressional candidate Blake Gendebien:

 

"Blake Gendebien's AI-generated attack video against Congresswoman Stefanik represents a new low in political discourse and a blatantly sexist assault on one of New York's most accomplished public servants. This digitally manipulated video, which depicts Representative Stefanik in demeaning scenarios, is misogynistic political theater designed to objectify and diminish a serious legislator.

 

"When deepfake technology is weaponized to perpetuate sexist stereotypes and reduce a powerful woman to a caricature, it crosses every line of decency and respect. This attack would never have been made against a male politician.

 

"I call on Blake Gendebien to immediately apologize to Congresswoman Stefanik, remove this offensive content from all platforms, and pledge that his campaign will conduct itself with the dignity and respect that New York voters deserve. I further call on Governor Hochul and Senator Gillibrand, who claims to be a fierce defender of women in the public arena, to condemn this sexist attack and make clear that such tactics have no place in New York politics."

Today on Talking Politics with Robert Press

 

([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tin-ykOuFO0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tin-ykOuFO0...))

Today, President Trump visits flood torn Texas, the RCV results and what the numbers mean, a federal takeover of NYC, where's NY1 on Optimum cable, special sesion in Albany, who can beat Mamdani in November, and more live at 12 pm or anytime on YouTube at the link above.