Attorney General James Wins Court Order Preventing Shutdown of Hudson Tunnel Project

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after a federal judge granted her motion for a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from shutting down work on the Gateway Program’s Hudson River Tunnel project: 

“This is a critical victory for workers and commuters in New York and New Jersey. I am grateful the court acted quickly to block this senseless funding freeze, which threatened to derail a project our entire region depends on. The Hudson Tunnel Project is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the nation, and we will keep fighting to ensure construction can continue without unnecessary federal interference.” 

Attorney General James and New Jersey Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport sued the administration on February 3 to prevent a work stoppage resulting from the Trump administration’s monthslong Hudson Tunnel funding freeze. The lawsuit warned that, without court intervention, construction could be forced to shut down completely as early as February 6, threatening thousands of jobs and leaving a crucial transit corridor in dangerous disrepair.  

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from continuing to withhold project funding for now. 

Permits Filed for 2441 Morris Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx

 

2441 Morris Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx via Google Maps

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 2441 Morris Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located between East 184th Street and East Fordham Road, the lot is near two Fordham Road subway stations, served by the B, D, and 4 trains. Kristjan Marashi is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 77-foot-tall development will yield 12,432 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 23 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 540 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Jakov Saric of Node Architecture, Engineering, Consulting PC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in November 2025. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Ohio Man Charged for Threatening to Kill the Vice President of the United States

 

While investigating the alleged threats, federal agents discovered multiple files of child sexual abuse materials in the defendant’s possession

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a 33-year-old man with threatening to kill the Vice President of the United States during his visit to the Northwest Ohio region in January.

Shannon Mathre, of Toledo, is accused of making a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, a successor to the presidency, in violation of Title 18 U.S. Code Section 871(a). In the indictment, he allegedly stated, “I am going to find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him.” Mathre was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents Feb. 6.

The grand jury further charges that from about Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 21, 2026, Mathre was also engaged in the receipt and distribution of images that visually depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, in violation of Title 18 U.S. Code Section 2252(a)(2). While investigating the threats allegedly made against the vice president, federal agents discovered multiple digital files of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) in Mathre’s possession.

“Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”

“While arresting this man for allegedly threatening to murder the Vice President of the United States, a serious crime in and of itself, federal law enforcement discovered that he was also in possession of child sexual abuse materials,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Thank you to federal, state and local partners in working together to bring justice twofold to this depraved individual.”

“Hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our District,” said David M. Toepfer, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “Anyone threatening this kind of action will face swift justice and prosecution. We commend the actions of our local and state law enforcement who collaborated with U.S. Secret Service to take this individual into custody.”

Mathre made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio Feb. 6. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 11.

If found guilty as charged, Mathre faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 for threating the life of the vice president. Mathre faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 if found guilty of the CSAM charge.

U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio and the U.S. Secret Service Toledo and Cleveland Field Offices made the announcement.

An indictment is merely an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

The United States Secret Service leads the investigation, with valuable assistance from the Toledo Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Leader Of Criminal Tow Truck And Auto Repair Company Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison For Murder

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that CHRISTIAN LUGO, a/k/a “Coco,” was sentenced to 19 years in prison for LUGO’s leadership role in a racketeering conspiracy that used fraud and violent intimidation to run a tow truck and auto repair shop known as Certified Auto.  On February 7, 2022, LUGO allowed and encouraged a co-conspirator who worked for him at Certified Auto to shoot at members of a rival tow truck company, which resulted in the death of Gloria Ortiz.  In August 2025, LUGO pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses, while admitting to his role in the murder, before U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho, who imposed this sentence. 

“As Christian Lugo has now admitted, his rivalry with other tow truck companies set in motion a deadly chain of events, which caused a broad daylight shooting, killing Gloria Ortiz,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Lugo used a gun to further his tow truck business, itself part of a criminal enterprise.  His actions led to the murder of a woman.  He is now where New Yorkers want him—off the streets and in prison.” 

According to the indictment, public court filings, and statements made at court proceedings:

LUGO, along with others, corrupted the operations and activities of Certified Auto, which was a company that provided towing and auto repair services to vehicles damaged in car accidents.  LUGO and his co-conspirators used Certified Auto to commit wire, mail, and insurance fraud and to assert control over the towing and auto repair industry in their territory in the Bronx, New York, using violence and threats of violence.

LUGO had a rivalry with a nearby tow truck shop owned by Gloria Ortiz.  On February 7, 2022, one of Lugo’s tow truck drivers got into a minor car accident while driving one of LUGO’s pickup trucks (illegally used as a tow truck) with a passenger vehicle in Ortiz’s shop’s claimed territory, resulting in a physical dispute with workers for that shop over the right to tow the passenger vehicle. LUGO then contacted another subordinate member of Certified Auto (“CC-1”) to pick up the driver, after which they all met up with LUGO.  At that meeting, LUGO allowed and permitted CC-1 to shoot at members of the rival company. Specifically, during that conversation, LUGO told CC-1 “are you going to take care of it or am I?” and CC-1 stated that CC-1 would do so.  CC-1 then drove to Certified Auto, where Gloria Ortiz and her workers had gathered. CC-1 opened fire, causing the death of Gloria Ortiz and nonfatal injuries to two other people outside of the Certified Auto shop.

In addition to the prison term, LUGO, 38, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to six years of supervised release. 

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force and the New York City Police Department.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation. 

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE COMMUNITY

WEATHER ADVISORY

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch for New York City for this weekend. Code Blue is still in effect, and we want to ensure that the constituents of the 33rd District have the necessary information and resources you need to stay warm and safe during these cold and frigid temperatures.



If you or someone you know experiences a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing no heat or unsafe weather conditions, call 311 for most up to date resources and information.

Stay warm, stay safe!

Places to Go for Warmth in NYC Warming Centers + Buses Safety precautions from the FDNY

DSS Announcements and Resources

Heat or Hot Water Complaints in a Residential Building

Subscribe to Notify NYC, and receive informationabout emergency alerts and important City services.

Last weekend, Senator Rivera attended the appointment ceremony of Dr. Alister Martin as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new Commissioner for Health and Mental Hygiene. He also celebrated the appointment of several commissioners for the Mamdani administration.

As Chair of the Health Committee, Senator Rivera looks forward to working together with Commissioner Martin and the Mamdani administration to champion sound public health measures that will make our healthcare system more equitable and accessible to all New Yorkers.

Last weekend, Senator Rivera joined the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Park East Synagogue. The event gathered elected officials, community and institutional leaders, and members of New York’s Jewish community who came together to celebrate and talk about the issues that matter most to our city. 

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS SAR'S 57TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Last weekend, Senator Rivera joined Principal Rabbi Binyamin Krauss and the Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy (SAR), to celebrate their 57th anniversary, where he had the honor of meeting Natan Sharansky, an author, human rights activist, and hero in the Jewish community. Thank you Rabbi Krauss for the kind invitation! 

Senator Rivera joined several nurses including Nancy Hagans, President of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), at Montefiore’s Weiler campus to stand with them in solidarity as they enter their fourth week of strike. 

 

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Montefiore Health System cut health benefits for those nurses on strike. 

 

Senator Rivera urges all parties to come to the table and find a resolution that will provide nurses with a fair contract, uphold our State’s safe staffing laws, and ensure patients in The Bronx receive the care that they deserve. 

This week, the Senate Health Committee held their second meeting of this legislative year and passed all 16 bills including 6 sponsored by Senator Rivera:

S.1618: Enacts the “New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act,” which will allow New York State to enter into partnerships resulting in the production or distribution of generic prescription drugs in order to make them more affordable to private and public consumers.

S.8902: Provides School Based Health Centers with a managed care model by making the carve-out permanent.

S.353: Requires the New York Medicaid Director to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

S.427: Requires chain restaurants to label menu items that have a high content of added sugars.



S.1918: Establishes a specialized health home program to serve certain individuals with physical disabilities

S.355A: Allows individuals who have comparable coverage to a Medicare Part D plan to also be eligible for EPIC if they otherwise qualify.

Watch Senator Rivera’s remarks about his New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act, one of his legislative priorities for this session, here.

Next Tuesday February 10, the Legislature will hold its annual public hearing on the health budget proposal. Senator Rivera invites New Yorkers to submit written testimony about the healthcare issues that you want legislators to address in the state budget.

Whether you are a member of a union, a nonprofit worker, an advocate, or a New Yorker, you are encouraged to participate! Send your testimony to financechair@nysenate.gov by February 10 at 5PM.

FEBRUARY 2026: SENATOR RIVERA OFFERS FREE IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE!

ADDITIONAL COLD BLUE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND SUPPORT

Code Blue & Outreach Support: The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) activates Code Blue when temperatures drop to 32°F or below (including wind chill) between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM. During Code Blue:

• People can call 311 for information on shelter, warming centers, and assistance
• Calls to 311 related to Code Blue are routed to 911 so first responders can reach people quickly
• Outreach teams are intensifying efforts citywide to connect people to shelter and lifesaving support
• All DHS facilities, shelters, Safe Havens, stabilization beds, and drop-in centers, have an open-door policy. Please seek help in any of these locations.
• Intake procedures are relaxed, and outreach teams can directly place people into Safe Havens and stabilization beds.

Warming Centers (Open until further notice): The City has opened warming spaces and buses in all five boroughs to provide safe, heated indoor spaces. They will remain open throughout the period of cold weather. 

A regularly updated list of warming center locations and hours can be found HERE.

BRONX:

Warming Spaces

All locations below have warm spaces and food:

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Belvis

545 East 142nd Street 

Open 7PM-7AM

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania

1225 Gerard Avenue

Open 7PM-7AM

Warming Buses

Warming vehicles are parked outside the following locations:

Dewitt Clinton High School

100 Moshulu Parkway

Open 24/7

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

1400 Pelham Parkway South

Bus is in front of building #6. Open 7PM-7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln

234 East 149th Street

Building open 24/7, Warming Center 7 PM - 7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

3424 Kossuth Avenue

Bus is in front of main entrance. Open 7PM-7AM.

For the latest warming center updates, please visit the dedicated webpage and/or sign up for Notify NYC alerts.

The Bronx Defenders invites anyone who lives, works, or studies in the Bronx to step into your power by applying to the Bronx Changemakers Institute—an 8-week transformative experience rooted in organizing, policy, and hands-on engagement in the heart of the Bronx from February 23 - April 20.

This hybrid program (in-person and virtual) is designed to help you discover your voice, strengthen your skills, and shape public life with purpose and clarity. 

With limited spots available, applicants will go through a short interview process. All participants will receive a certificate of completion. 

Applications close February 15. There are no age or educational requirements!

Please email communityengagement@bronxdefenders.org if you have any questions.

Applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program are open. Apply here: nyc.gov/syep. The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026.

 

You can also refer any potential SYEP employers to nyc.gov/hirenycyouth.

ATTENTION PARENTS! APPLICATIONS TO 3-K AND PRE-K ARE NOW OPEN!

Fall 2026 Admissions Timeline:   

Wednesday, January 14, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Open 

Friday, February 27, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Close 

Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Pre-K Offer Release 

Tuesday, May 19, 2026: 3-K Offer Release