MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MAYOR’S OFFICE TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM

 

At a time of rising antisemitism, Mamdani appoints Phylisa Wisdom to lead citywide efforts to confront hate and protect Jewish New Yorkers.    

TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of Phylisa Wisdom as executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, advancing the administration’s commitment to confronting antisemitism and all forms of hate across New York City.  

  

“I am thrilled to welcome Phylisa Wisdom as executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism,” Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said. “Phylisa is a respected leader and powerful voice in the fight against antisemitism in New York City, Albany and across the country. Day in and day out, across all five boroughs, we will work together to root out antisemitism and build a New York City where Jewish New Yorkers are safe, respected, and free.”

  

“I am honored and humbled to take on this role in Mayor Mamdani’s administration at a truly pivotal moment for the Jewish community,” said Phylisa Wisdom, incoming Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism. “New York City has long been a beacon of hope for the Jewish community. We will continue to ensure that Jewish safety and belonging remains at the core of this administration’s vision for a more livable city. In a time of rising hatred and fear, I look forward to embracing this solemn responsibility—both to represent the diverse array of Jewish voices to City Hall in this critical moment, and to demonstrate the power of pluralistic democracy in the greatest city in the world.” 

   

Wisdom most recently served as the executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda, where she led advocacy efforts to advance the values of Jewish New Yorkers in state and local policy, politics, and public discourse. In that role, she successfully advocated for legislation in Albany to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate and testified before the New York City Council in support of increased funding for hate crime prevention. She has also worked in advocacy through the Union for Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center. 

  

Her leadership in New York’s civic and political landscape includes service as a staff member, board member, and adviser, as well as volunteer work on local and national political campaigns. She is a former elected member of the Brooklyn Democratic County Committee.  

 

Wisdom brings extensive experience in education policy and advocacy, including work on educational equity, literacy intervention in public elementary schools, addressing COVID-era learning loss, and advancing educational equity for students in nonpublic schools. 

  

Wisdom began her career as an educator, working with students with special educational needs, and helped establish educational intervention centers in Melbourne, Australia, and Tokyo, Japan. She later worked in public affairs at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, supporting youth anti-violence initiatives and efforts to improve LGBTQ+ public health outcomes. Wisdom attended California State University and King’s College London, where she earned a master’s degree in public policy. 

 

Convicted Felon Charged with Armed Drug Trafficking and Illegal Possession of Firearm

 

Scott D. Oranje, 52, of Mary Ester, Fla., was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.

Oranje appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Fla. Jury trial is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.

If convicted, Oranje faces a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment up to 40 years’ imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl count, a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the possession of a firearm in furtherance count, and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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, human and drug trafficking.

Gambino Crime Family Soldier Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Related Charges

 

James Laforte is the Last of 10 Defendants Indicted for Various Offenses Committed by Members and Associates of the Gambino Organized Crime Family

In federal court in Brooklyn, James Laforte, also known as “Jimmy,” an inducted member of the Gambino organized crime family, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo to racketeering conspiracy, Hobbs Act extortion and Hobbs Act extortion conspiracy, witness retaliation, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

LaForte is the last of 10 defendants charged in a 2023 indictment in connection with various offenses committed by members and associates of the Gambino crime family— including extortion, money laundering conspiracy and witness retaliation—to plead guilty or be convicted at trial.  On October 17, 2025, seven members and associates of the Gambino crime family pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in proceedings held before United States District Judge Frederic Block.  Those defendants are Gambino crime family captain Joseph Lanni, also known as “Joe Brooklyn” and “Mommino;” Gambino soldiers Diego “Danny” Tantillo and Angelo Gradilone, also known as “Fifi;” U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia member and Gambino associate Vito Rappa, also known as “Vi;” U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia associate and Gambino associate Francesco Vicari, also known as “Frank” and “Uncle Ciccio;” and Gambino associates Kyle Johnson, also known as “Twin,” and Vincent Minsquero, also known as “Vinny Slick.”  In August 2025, Salvatore DiLorenzo pleaded guilty to theft from employee benefits plans.  In December 2025, a federal jury convicted defendant Robert Brooke of one count of Hobbs Act extortion.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., 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), Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General of the United States Department of Labor (DOL-OIG), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the guilty pleas and trial conviction.

“The prosecution of these members and associates of the Gambino organized crime family has dealt a significant blow to that violent criminal enterprise,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Their efforts to take over and infiltrate legitimate businesses by means of intimidation threatened hardworking New Yorkers and terrorized their victims.  Our Office will continue to hold accountable those who seek to use violence and fear to enrich themselves.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the New York City Business Integrity Commission, the New York Waterfront Commission, and the Office’s law enforcement partners in Italy, including the Prosecutor of Palermo, the Polizia di Stato, the Servizio Centrale Operativo, and the Squadra Mobile of Palermo.

“These ten Gambino members and associates orchestrated a campaign of violent assaults and property destruction to collect debts and intimidate those employed by competing companies,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.  “Their collective actions terrorized New York residents and businesses to generate an illegal revenue stream.  The FBI maintains its commitment to coordinating with our local and international law enforcement partners in the fight against organized crime.”

“These defendants used fraud, intimidation, and violence in an attempt to seize control of New York City’s demolition industry, including schemes targeting labor unions and their employee benefit plans,” stated DOL Inspector General D’Esposito.  “DOL-OIG will continue working shoulder to shoulder with our law-enforcement partners to root out labor racketeering and eliminate the influence of organized crime from the labor industry. Accountability is non-negotiable.”

As set forth in court filings, members and associates of the Gambino crime family used violent extortion, fraud, theft and embezzlement schemes to infiltrate the carting and demolition industries to enrich themselves and the Gambino crime family, including by laundering criminal proceeds.  For example, during a financial dispute between Tantillo and the owners of a demolition company (Demolition Company 1), Tantillo and Johnson coordinated a violent hammer assault on an employee of Demolition Company 1, which left the employee bleeding and seriously injured.

Extortions Related to the Carting and Demolition Industries

Tantillo, Rappa, Vicari and Johnson engaged in a violent extortion conspiracy relating to the demand and receipt of money from an individual (John Doe 1) who operated a carting business in the New York City area.  The extortion scheme involved threatening John Doe 1 with a bat, setting fire to the steps to John Doe 1’s residence, attempting to damage John Doe 1’s carting trucks, and violently assaulting an associate of John Doe 1. After John Doe 1 ultimately made a payment of $4,000 to Vicari, Vicari and Rappa met and sent Tantillo a photo of Vicari raising a small champagne bottle, as in a toast.

As proven at Brooke’s trial, in the fall of 2019, Brooke engaged in a violent extortion scheme against the owners of a demolition company (John Does 2 through 4) over purported debts owed to Tantillo and a company that was co-operated by Tantillo and Brooke.  On December 18, 2019, one of the victims was walking to work when he was ambushed and attacked by Brooke at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue in midtown Manhattan. The victim suffered a fractured cheek bone, black eye and contusions to his face.  In the weeks after the beating, Tantillo reached out to the victims who are brothers and told them to pay Brooke and to drop the criminal charges against Brooke.  Fearing for the safety of themselves and their employees, the owners of the demolition company paid $50,000 to Tantillo and $40,000 to the company co-operated by Tantillo and Brooke.

Extortion and Assault of a Borrower

In 2020 and 2021, LaForte extorted a person who owed money to an associate of LaForte (John Doe 5).  After failing to pay LaForte’s associate on time, John Doe 5 was introduced to LaForte, who asked John Doe 5 to run an illegal poker game and a craps game for LaForte.  When John Doe 5 asked LaForte after the craps game for John Doe 5’s share of the earnings from running the game, LaForte hit John Doe 5 in the face, knocking John Doe 5 backward and giving him a black eye.  LaForte later contacted John Doe 5’s father to force John Doe 5 to pay what LaForte said was John Doe 5’s debt.  In text messages exchanged in November 2020, shortly after John Doe 5’s loan, the person who had lent John Doe 5 the money wrote that “[t]his other punk [John Doe 5] is playing games,” and “Might ride up to his house Saturday with one of my guys from down here.” Another party to the conversation responded, “I took him up to c jimmy made it clear” and later added, “We’ll get it. He’s scared to death of jimmy.”

Witness Retaliation and Assault

On February 17, 2021, LaForte and Minsquero assaulted a person who they believed had previously provided information to law enforcement about members and associates of organized crime (John Doe 6), while Lanni sat nearby.  That evening LaForte and Minsquero approached John Doe 6 inside a restaurant.  LaForte called John Doe 6 a “rat” and hit John Doe 6 in the face with a bottle.  LaForte and Minsquero also flipped John Doe 6’s table, sending drinks and shattered glass everywhere. 

Frauds and Union-Related Crimes in the Carting and Demolition Industries

Various defendants also committed a series of crimes to steal and embezzle from unions and employee benefit plans and rigged bids in the demolition and carting industries.  As part of one such scheme, DiLorenzo provided Rappa with a “no-show” job at DiLorenzo’s demolition company so that Rappa could receive paychecks and union health benefits, among other benefits.  Similarly, Tantillo arranged for Gradilone to receive a “no-show” job at a construction company with which Tantillo was associated, which enabled Gradilone to receive paychecks and union health benefits to which he was not entitled. Tantillo and Johnson also conspired to secure a “no-show” job for Johnson, so that Johnson could similarly receive union health benefits.

Justice Department Opens Investigation into Baltimore City Health Department for Racially Segregated Training

 

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division launched an investigation into the Baltimore City, Maryland, Health Department (BCHD) to determine whether it engages in employment practices that discriminate against, or limit, segregate, or classify, employees because of their race, color, and national origin in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

“Separating employees into training groups based on their race is discriminatory, illegal, and un-American. Such practices are divisive and foster a racially hostile work environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Racial segregation of employees is deeply offensive to the American guarantee of equal rights under the law, and it will not be tolerated.”

Public reporting indicates that BCHD segregates its employees into groups based on race, color, and national origin for “racial equity training.” These groups include the “white caucus” and the “people of color caucus.” BCHD describes the “white caucus” as a “group of white people who meet for the purpose of building analysis, awareness, stamina, and strategy to challenge systemic racism and internalized white supremacy.” BCHD further states that “[w]hite affinity groups allow us to examine our racial conditioning without relying on people of color for answers or subjecting them to our process.”

The Civil Rights Division has not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigation. You can read the notice letter here.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Dmitry Zass

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released footage from nearby security cameras and two body-worn cameras that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Dmitry Zass, who died on January 8, 2026 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Manhattan.

At 10:52 p.m. on January 8, a man flagged down NYPD officers and pointed out a car stopped in traffic that had been involved in a motor vehicle collision. As the NYPD officers approached the stopped car, the driver, Mr. Zass, got out of the car and pointed what appeared to be a gun at the officers. Officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Zass. Mr. Zass was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A pellet pistol was recovered at the scene.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

Warning: These videos contain content that viewers may find disturbing. 

Historic 9th Straight Month of Zero Releases at the Border

 

January numbers 93% below historic average, marking a decline for four straight months

Today in Nogales, Arizona, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced that one year into the Trump administration, DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are continuing to set new records for border security. Preliminary January data shows both CBP overall encounters and U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions remain at historic lows, with January marking the fourth consecutive month of declining border crossings.

“In President Trump’s first year back in office, we have delivered the most secure border in American history – and we did so in the immediate aftermath of the worst border crisis in history,” said Secretary Noem. “President Trump’s leadership and bold action have given this country a secure border that keeps breaking historic records. January 2026 marked the fourth consecutive month of decline in the number of Border Patrol apprehensions at the southwest border, with just over 6,000, and the ninth month in a row that Border Patrol has released ZERO illegal aliens into the interior of the country.”

“Our agents and officers are delivering unprecedented results, with border crossings and apprehensions at levels not seen in CBP history,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. “The men and women of CBP are demonstrating the impact of effective enforcement and unwavering commitment, ensuring the safety and security of our nation’s borders every single day.”

Standout Stats

• Lowest encounters ever for a month of January
  • 34,631 total nationwide encounters in January—87% lower than the monthly average under the previous administration (230,849/month, February 2021–December 2024).
  • CBP total encounters Fiscal Year to-date are 126,234, 12% lower than October 2024.
• Historic decline in Southwest border apprehensions
  • U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions along the Southwest border in January: 6,073. This is the fourth consecutive month of decline, and 93% lower than the monthly average observed from FY1992–FY2024 (83,065/month).
  • 90% of all apprehensions were single adults; 71% were aliens from Mexico.
  • 56% of Southwest border apprehensions were first-time apprehensions.
• Nine straight months of zero releases
  • For the ninth consecutive month, U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into the United States. Every individual apprehended was processed according to law - a milestone unmatched in modern border history.
• Daily average apprehensions on the Southwest border in January
  • 196 per day—eight per hour.
  • 96% lower than the daily average under the last administration (5,110/day, February 2021–December 2024).
  • In January, 42% fewer illegal aliens were apprehended per day than in a single hour during the height of the last administration (336/hour in December 2023).
• Record drug seizures in January
  • Fentanyl seizures: 816 pounds (98% seized along the Southwest border).
  • Methamphetamine seizures: 12,241 pounds (93% seized along the Southwest border, 97% by Office of Field Operations).
  • Cocaine seizures: 5,386 pounds (40% increase from last month; 43% seized along the Southwest border).
  • Marijuana seizures: 17,639 pounds (22% increase from last month; 89% conducted by OFO).

Final numbers will be released in the coming weeks. DHS remains committed to delivering results that safeguard the nation, secure the border, and uphold the rule of law.

Ryan Wesley Routh Sentenced to Life in Prison for Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump and Assault of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer

 

Today, Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was sentenced to life plus 84 months in federal prison for the attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and related violent and firearms offenses. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon for the Southern District of Florida imposed the sentence following Routh’s conviction by a federal jury on all five counts charged in the indictment.

“Ryan Routh’s heinous attempted assassination of President Trump was not only an attack on our President — it was a direct assault against our entire democratic system," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Thanks to our prosecutors in the National Security Division and the Southern District of Florida, Routh will never walk free again.”

“Routh’s plan to kill a major presidential candidate, President Donald Trump, was a despicable attack on our democratic system,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Thanks to the work of the FBI and our Justice Department partners, he will pay a high price for his actions. Today’s sentencing demonstrates the justice system will not tolerate such heinous attacks.”

“Routh attempted to assassinate President Trump and thereby cast our Nation into what would have been one of its darkest periods,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Today’s sentence is a resounding rejection of political violence and a clear reminder that we resolve our differences through civil discourse, democratic elections, and lawful protest, not by force.”

“This life sentence reflects a fundamental truth: political violence is un-American and will never be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “An attempted assassination of a presidential candidate is an attack on our democratic process and the rule of law itself. This assassination attempt was stopped by the courage and professionalism of U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Robert Fercano, whose decisive actions protected lives and prevented a national tragedy. Today’s life sentence ensures the defendant will never again threaten public safety and sends a clear message that those who choose violence to advance their beliefs will face swift, certain, and decisive justice.”

“Political violence is unacceptable in the United States, and this sentence is commensurate with the gravity of Routh’s actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “The investigation was immense and left no stone unturned. The FBI worked shoulder to shoulder with the Secret Service, ATF, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The FBI covered leads across the country and around the globe using all the tools and techniques at our disposal to include FBI Laboratory analysis, the Computer Analysis Response Team and the Cellular Analysis Survey Team. I commend our law enforcement partners and investigative team for their tireless work which led to today’s result.”

In September 2025, after a two-week trial in Fort Pierce, Florida, a jury found Routh guilty of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assault of a federal law enforcement officer, and multiple firearms offenses.

According to evidence presented at trial, then-U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Robert Fercano was patrolling one hole ahead of President Trump at the Trump International Golf Club when he observed Routh pointing what appeared to be an AK 47-style rifle at him from a sniper’s hide concealed in a fence line bordering the golf course. Fearing for his life and the life of President Trump, Special Agent Fercano fired at Routh, who fled the scene.

Rifle Behind Fence Line

Law enforcement officers later recovered a Norinco SKS rifle equipped with a scope, a loaded magazine containing 19 rounds of ammunition and one round in the chamber, steel armor plates, and a camera affixed to the fence and pointing at the sixth green of the golf course where President Trump was about to play golf.

A civilian witness reported seeing Routh run across a roadway and enter a black Nissan Xterra. Based on that information, Routh was apprehended while traveling northbound on I-95 by officers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

A search of Routh’s vehicle revealed multiple mobile phones and a list of international flights along with directions to Miami International Airport. Cell phone records showed that between Aug. 18 and Sept. 15, 2024, Routh’s phone accessed cell towers located near Trump International Golf Club and the President’s residence at Mar-a-Lago on multiple occasions.

Testimony at trial also established that Routh had dropped off a box at a witness’s residence in April 2024 after making another trip to the area near the golf course. Inside the box was a handwritten letter addressed “Dear World,” in which Routh stated, among other things, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.”

Routh Handwritten Letter

FBI Miami investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and Martin County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with this case.

BRONX MAN INDICTED IN UNPROVOKED FATAL STABBING OF BRONX FATHER

 

Victim Stabbed Multiple Times

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man was indicted on second-degree Murder and first-degree Manslaughter for allegedly fatally stabbing a father of two who was on his way to work. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This is a truly horrific case where an innocent man’s life was taken for apparently no reason. The defendant is accused of stabbing the victim repeatedly causing his death. We will get justice for this family.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Sean Jones, 38, the Bronx, was arraigned on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, on second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter, and fourthdegree Criminal Possession of a Weapon by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goldsmith. Remand is continued. His next court appearance is March 17, 2026. 

According to the investigation, on January 5, 2026, at approximately 1:55 p.m., in the vicinity of Third Avenue between East 157th and East 158th Street, the defendant approached 53- year-old George Ennin and allegedly stabbed him with a knife numerous times in the head, face and torso. The victim was rushed to NYC Health + Hospitals Lincoln where he died. One of the stab wounds was to the victim’s heart which led to his death.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Ivan Luciano and Brian Destefano of the 40th Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Patrick Curran of the NYPD Bronx Homicide Unit, Police Officers Bernardo Tejeda, Juan Lopez Villalona, Julianna Kutasi and Marc Segarra of the 40th Precinct for their work in the investigation.

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