Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 15 Defendants for Over $90M in Fraud

 

National Fraud Enforcement Division announces expansion of Health Care Fraud Section to investigate Medicaid fraud nationwide

The Justice Department today announced the Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 15 defendants, including owners of child care centers and various Medicaid providers, for their alleged participation in various fraud schemes involving over $90 million in intended loss, including the two largest Medicaid fraud cases ever charged in the District and first-of-their kind charges involving additional Medicaid programs. The Justice Department also announced a major investment in combatting Medicaid fraud through a significant expansion of the Division’s Health Care Fraud Section, allocating funding to permit the hiring of 15 new Trial Attorney positions to combat Medicaid fraud across the United States.

“Today, we are holding scammers accountable who ripped off the American taxpayer and harmed those deserving legitimate assistance from these programs,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “These alleged con artists stole taxpayer dollars while providing substandard care for children and abandoning at least one Medicaid recipient as they passed away. The DOJ Fraud Division, along with the White House’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, will dismantle illegal schemes from coast-to-coast, just as they did today in Minnesota. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Driven by data showing a significant increase in Medicaid fraud across the country, the 15 additional prosecutors will serve as a force multiplier for our existing Strike Forces to combat this critical new threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s Fraud Division. “The Fraud Division is committed to supercharging the Health Care Fraud Strike Force program with the resources it needs to tackle the pervasive fraud in the health care industry and protect the vulnerable beneficiaries of these programs, including children and those suffering from chronic ailments.”

“Today’s arrests mark the largest autism fraud bust in American history,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, this Administration is carrying out the most aggressive anti-fraud effort in modern American history. These criminals exploited vulnerable children, stole taxpayer dollars, and diverted critical autism care and resources away from families who truly need support, and we will continue rooting out fraud to protect children and restore integrity to America’s public health programs.”

“As alleged, the defendants in this case not only attempted to steal public healthcare funds paid for by hardworking American taxpayers – but stole critical resources from families who truly needed them,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This FBI and our interagency partners have a mandate to investigate and systematically dismantle this exact kind of public fraud in America, which grossly abuses and mismanages money from working Americans, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Today’s indictment is a massive moment in this effort and we’re not slowing down.”

Autism Fraud

In the largest Medicaid autism fraud case ever charged by the Department, two defendants were charged in connection with an approximately $46.6 million scheme to defraud the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) program, a publicly funded Minnesota Health Care Program that offers medically necessary services to people under the age of 21 with autism spectrum disorder. In 2017, Minnesota became one of the first states to offer Medicaid coverage for EIDBI services. EIDBI claims skyrocketed from over $600,000 in 2018 to over $400 million by 2025.

As alleged, the defendants paid kickbacks to parents who brought their children to autism centers, diagnosed children with autism regardless of medical necessity, and billed for autism services that were not actually provided, depriving children who did need assistance of needed care.

"We continue to accelerate the pace at which we are identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those that stole billions of dollars from under the nose of Minnesota's government, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel Rosen.” We have more fraud prosecutors and law enforcement officers on the task than ever before. Stay tuned."

Integrated Community Supports Fraud

In the first criminal prosecution involving fraud in Minnesota’s Integrated Community Supports (ICS) program, one defendant was charged with a $1.4 million scheme to bill for services that were not provided as represented. ICS is a Minnesota Medicaid benefit designed to fill a gap in the service continuum between a person living in their own home and more restrictive settings such as group homes and assisted living. ICS was designed to help people live more independently in the community—as opposed to an institutionalized setting—with daily one-on-one help with health, safety, and household tasks so that qualifying individuals can live in the community. The defendant in the prosecution announced today submitted claims for vulnerable recipients who required 24-hour care, one of whom was found deceased a day after being billed for services he did not receive.

After paying out a total of approximately $4.2 million when the ICS program began in 2021, the cost has grown to more than $183 million in 2025. In all, claims data shows that the Medicaid system has paid out more than $460 million for ICS services since 2021. A failure to provide ICS services to vulnerable Medicaid recipients who are dependent on the care to live can have deadly consequences, like those described in the charging document.

“Medicaid dollars are meant to support vulnerable Americans—not bankroll luxury cars and real estate empires for fraudulent providers who exploit people with disabilities,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “These prosecutions put Medicaid fraudsters on notice—the gravy train is over. We will cut you off, shut you down, and lock you up. They also send a clear message to the patients who depend on Medicaid and the taxpayers who fund it—this administration has your back.”

“The scope of the frauds alleged in the charges announced today is staggering, not only in the amount of loss, but in the reach of the impacted programs,” said FBI Co-Deputy Director Christopher Raia. “These programs, funded by the American taxpayer, were designed to help some of the most vulnerable members of our society. As alleged in these charges, instead of helping those in need of support, the defendants took millions of dollars for their own benefit. These frauds were uncovered thanks to dedicated work by the FBI and our law enforcement partners, and we look forward to continuing to partner with the United States Attorney's Office to reign in the rampant fraud in these programs.”

“Today’s takedown underscores a simple truth: Medicaid is a lifeline for vulnerable individuals, and we will not allow criminals to exploit it for personal gain. These schemes did more than steal taxpayer dollars — they robbed children with autism, adults with disabilities, and other at‑risk citizens of the essential care they rely on,” said Inspector General T. March Bell of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “HHS‑OIG, working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those who prey on these critical programs. We will use every tool available to uncover fraud, hold offenders accountable, and safeguard the integrity of the benefits millions of families depend on.”

Individualized Home Supports Fraud

In the first criminal prosecution involving fraud in Minnesota’s Individualized Home Supports (IHS) program, two defendants were charged in connection with an over $22 million scheme in which they acquired over 20 separate residences and concealed their ownership interest from Medicaid. IHS was designed to help adults with disabilities such as brain injury to live independently in their own homes. Despite Medicaid prohibiting program providers from having direct or indirect financial interest in the beneficiaries’ housing, the defendants offered housing that they owned to vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries in order to obtain Medicaid beneficiary information that they used to bill for services that were not provided as represented. Defendants used the proceeds of the scheme to acquire more real estate and further the fraud, as well as purchasing luxury automobiles and expensive jewelry. After paying out over $100 million in 2018, the IHS program grew to cost more than $700 million in 2025.

Housing Stabilization Services Fraud

Charges were brought against eight defendants for defrauding Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) of approximately $15.7 million. Some defendants were residents of Pennsylvania who engaged in fraud tourism, traveling to Minnesota for lucrative opportunities to commit fraud. In July 2020, Minnesota became the first state in the country to offer Medicaid coverage for HSS. The HSS Program was a Medical Assistance (that is, Medicaid) benefit designed to help people with disabilities, including seniors and people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders, find and maintain housing. By design, the HSS Program had low barriers to entry and minimal records requirements for reimbursement that combined to make the Program susceptible to fraud.

Before the HSS Program’s inaugural year, DHS predicted the HSS Program would cost about $2.6 million annually.  In 2021 alone, the HSS Program paid out more than $26 million in claims.  That figure ballooned in the following years to over $104 million in 2024. On October 31, 2025, Minnesota shuttered HSS due to fraud, illustrating how fraudulent schemes can result in the cessation of necessary programs and deprive beneficiaries of needed care.

“The defendants in the Feeding Our Future case cared little about feeding people in need amidst a global pandemic, and instead used taxpayer dollars to line their pockets,” said IRS-CI Acting Chief Gary Shapley. “Today's law enforcement actions and sentencing make it clear that IRS-CI is prioritizing investigations of fraud that permeate public service programs intended to serve the most vulnerable.”

Child Care Fraud

The Department announced charges against two defendants in connection with defrauding state and federal programs designed to subsidize child care. One defendant was charged with a $425,000 fraud on the state-funded Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program (GSCSPP), which reimburses for in-classroom hours provided by teachers in staff. Another defendant was charged with a $4.6 million fraud on the federally funded Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which reimburses child care centers for actual child care provided.

“The scale of fraud uncovered in Minnesota is alarming. HSI is fully committed to dismantling these criminal schemes and holding offenders accountable,” said Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Minnesota. “These cases demonstrate our unwavering resolve to work with federal and state partners to root out fraud and protect those in need.”

Medicaid Fraud Enhancement and Expansion of the Health Care Fraud Strike Force

In connection with the Takedown, the Department announced the funding of 15 new prosecutors and associated support staff to combat Medicaid fraud across the country. Data show that Medicaid is a vital government benefit program increasingly targeted by criminals. The exposure of widespread fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid program illustrates the insufficient nature of state enforcement alone, and the necessity of a whole-of-government approach. In the past year, the Health Care Fraud Section has surged prosecutors not only to Minnesota, but also to prosecute an over $650 million Medicaid fraud scheme in Arizona and over $270 million Medicaid fraud scheme in California.

These new prosecutors will be deployed by Acting Health Care Fraud Chief Jacob Foster and Acting Principal Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan to districts where the threat of Medicaid fraud is the greatest, including existing Strike Forces in California, Florida, New York, and Texas, as well as deployed across the country through participation in the National Rapid Response Strike Force. In addition, the Department, along with its partners from HHS-OIG and FBI, announced today the expansion of the Midwest Strike Force to include the District of Minnesota. The Midwest Strike Force previously was based in Detroit and Chicago.

Health Care Fraud Assistant Chief Shankar Ramamurthy and Trial Attorney Sara Porter, along with Fraud Chief Rebecca Kline and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Murphy for the District of Minnesota, led and coordinated the cases charged in today’s Takedown, together with the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, HHS-OIG, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, as well as state and local law enforcement partners. Trial Attorneys Matthew Belz, Brant Cook, Jody King, Benjamin Smith, Charles Strauss, and Sara Woodward from multiple Strike Forces are prosecuting the cases charged in the Takedown. The Health Care Fraud Section’s Data Fusion Center used cutting-edge data analytics to identify and support the cases charged today.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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

Attorney General James Shuts Down Predatory Law Firm That Targeted New York City Tenants Facing Eviction

 

Tenants Counsel Network Trapped Vulnerable Tenants in Legal Agreements and Forced Them to Pay Monthly Fees for Services Not Rendered

Tenants Who Were Misled by TCN’s Deceptive Marketing Will Receive More Than $172,000 in Refunds

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has secured an agreement to close the predatory law firm Tenants Counsel Network (TCN) for taking advantage of New York City tenants facing eviction. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation found that TCN targeted tenants facing eviction and used deceptive marketing tactics to trap them into binding legal agreements that required a monthly subscription fee. After trapping tenants in these agreements, TCN failed to provide adequate legal counsel, including failing to show up to eviction court proceedings. As a result of OAG’s intervention, TCN and its Founding Partner Aryeh Weber must dissolve their firm, refund $172,257 to former clients, and pay $35,000 in penalties to New York. The OAG will oversee the refund process to ensure all clients are contacted and refunds are distributed.

“When tenants seek legal counsel, they should be able to trust that their lawyers are going to help them,” said Attorney General James. “Housing is a stabilizing force for New York families, and this law firm preyed on New Yorkers who stood to lose it. Today, my office is putting hard-earned money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and making sure that this law firm cannot harm any tenant again.”

TCN began advertising as a for-profit law firm in December 2023. The OAG opened an investigation into TCN in May 2024 after receiving complaints from tenants, advocates, and the legal community. TCN’s website claimed the firm was a “specialty practice” with “a comprehensive and nuanced command of New York City’s housing laws,” and claimed “thousands of dollars of overcharges recovered” for tenants. In reality, TCN, at its inception, did not employ any attorneys with expertise in landlord-tenant law. TCN’s website also featured fictional testimonials from fake customers to further the deception.

To find clients, TCN improperly obtained a list of tenants facing eviction in New York City and sent 35,569 solicitation letters to those tenants offering legal services from “experienced attorneys.” Over 1,100 of these letters were signed by an attorney who does not exist. In some cases, the letter from TCN arrived before the court papers and was the first notice the tenant received about their possible eviction. TCN further attempted to solicit clients by calling tenants facing eviction numerous times a day. The so-called client managers who made the calls and spoke to tenants falsely claimed TCN could offer subsidized legal services, leading some clients to potentially believe that TCN was a non-profit legal services provider, which it was not. Client managers denied tenants the ability to speak to an attorney before signing their agreement and misrepresented the number of attorneys TCN had on staff.

Tenants who were successfully persuaded to retain TCN as their legal counsel faced numerous issues with their representation, including a lack of communication in advance of court dates and, in numerous cases, failure to show up for court dates. In one instance, a tenant whose TCN attorney did not show up to court was not able to reach anyone when she called TCN and never even received a call back, despite being a paying client. The OAG’s investigation revealed dozens of instances in which TCN attorneys missed court appearances. In many cases, tenants entered into agreements with TCN and never once had a meaningful conversation with an attorney.

Under the settlement, TCN will immediately close and stop representing current clients by July 31, 2026. TCN will provide at least a 60-day written notice to all existing clients with active court cases that they will be closing. TCN will also be required to pay $172,257 in full or partial refunds to former identified clients, with some clients receiving more than $3,000. The firm will also pay $25,000 in penalties to New York state. Aryeh Weber, TCN’s President, will also be required to close his law office, pay $10,000 in penalties to New York state, and resign from practicing law in New York.

Governor Hochul Announces Opening of New Buffalo Harbor State Park Sprayground

Sprayground, Accessible Playground And Signature “Buffalo” Sculpture Highlight New Offerings

Project Creates Affordable New Opportunities To Get Outside On Buffalo’s Outer Harbor Waterfront

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of transformative improvements to Buffalo Harbor State Park, including a new sprayground, buffalo art sculpture and fountain, enhanced accessible playground, café/retail space, public restrooms and park office. The improvements expand affordable recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike and add further energy to Buffalo’s Outer Harbor waterfront.

“The new and improved Buffalo Harbor State Park boasts new features that will help every member of the family to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ in a fun, welcoming and accessible environment,” Governor Hochul said. “The only State Park in the City of Buffalo is a world-class destination to experience the beauty of our Lake Erie waterfront, and I encourage visitors throughout Western New York and beyond to come out and enjoy it this summer.”

The 6,700-square-foot sprayground provides children of all ages an engaging, active play experience and safe way to cool off during Buffalo’s warmer summer months. Designed with multiple zones for different age groups, the sprayground features 162 water elements — including spray jets, misting arches and a dumping bucket. The sprayground includes a number of sustainable design elements, including a specially designed concrete to minimize heat accumulation on play surfaces and will treat and recirculate 11,000 gallons of water per minute to reduce the amount discharged into the city wastewater system. The sprayground will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily weather permitting.

New York State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Governor Hochul’s vision for a state-of-the-art waterfront destination has come to life with new opportunities for the public to get outside, cool off, relax and connect with Buffalo’s incredible shoreline. Investments like these strengthen Buffalo Harbor State Park as a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors and expand access to affordable recreation for all.”

The centerpiece of the project is the signature buffalo sculpture by artist Ai Qiu Hopen. The sculpture is composed of 2,000 individual stainless-steel birds representing 15 bird species native to New York State. Together, the birds form an open stainless-steel buffalo, measuring 18 feet wide and 13 feet tall. The unique artwork symbolizes how individual acts of compassion and connection come together to create collective strength — and reflects the shared humanity that unites communities. The sculpture is expected to become a featured attraction and popular gathering point along Buffalo’s waterfront.

Additional improvements include:

• An expanded playground including universally accessible elements, featuring swinging, spinning and zip-line elements
• Dedicated space for food trucks
• A fully electric café and retail space, park office with public restrooms and multi-use space
• Native plantings throughout the park
• Updated park furnishings, including pergola swings overlooking the harbor

The project was designed by WSP, Architectural Resources, Fisher Associates and Aquatix, and construction work was performed by Mark Cerrone Inc., Danforth, Fry Electric, Burgio and Campofelice and many others. Construction management was by LiRo-Hill.

The improvements build on Governor Hochul’s commitment to expanding green spaces and creating more opportunities for children and families to get outside, unplug and play. The FY 2026-27 Executive Budget includes $340 million for OPRHP to continue enhancing and improving state parks across New York.

The upgrades to Buffalo Harbor State Park also advance Governor Hochul’s broader vision for Buffalo’s Outer Harbor by expanding waterfront access, enhancing recreation, and supporting year-round activity. These improvements build on the successful 2024 opening of Terminal B and complement plans to welcome Great Lake cruise ships to Buffalo, further strengthening tourism and economic activity along the waterfront district. 

Mamdani Administration Recovers More Than $9 Million in Unpaid Amazon Idling Fines

 

Amazon had most outstanding fines from NYC idling laws 

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York City Department of Finance (DOF) Commissioner Richard Lee, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia today announced that the City has successfully recovered more than $9 million from Amazon after the company’s delivery vehicles accrued fines due to idling violations.

“Amazon is worth $2 trillion. Yet, it did not deign to pay the millions of dollars it racked up in unpaid fines as its’ trucks illegally polluted our air and forced New Yorkers to breathe in their exhaust. We are going to collect every dollar they owe the people of this city,” said Mayor Mamdani. “These laws exist for a reason: cleaner air, healthier communities, and a city where corporations are held to the same standard as everyone else. Today we are making clear that no company – no matter how large or powerful – is above the law.”

“As part of the Mayor’s directive to ensure fairness, collaboration, and accountability in our agency’s service to New Yorkers, the Department of Finance is committed to collecting debts owed to the City and supporting enforcement efforts that protect New Yorkers’ quality of life,” said DOF Commissioner Richard Lee. “The successful collection effort led by DOF Deputy Commissioner Annette Hill and her team, demonstrates the effectiveness of this administration working collaboratively with companies to ensure compliance, holding entities accountable for meeting their financial obligations to the City, and assisting companies like Amazon to prevent accumulating debt.”

“I applaud Mayor Mamdani and the Department of Finance for securing more than $9 million in illegal idling fines from Amazon, which has long been among the top worst idling offenders in the city,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “Through the Citizens Air Complaint Program, New Yorkers can report idling with a video upload — helping us cut air pollution and improve quality of life.”

Earlier this year, at Mayor Mamdani’s direction, DOF’s Collections Unit launched a targeted effort to address the huge number of unpaid idling summonses connected to vehicles operating within Amazon’s delivery network. Since then, the Collections Unit has worked collaboratively with Amazon.com, Inc. and its contracted transportation vendors to recover the outstanding debt.

The enforcement effort focused on idling violations associated with vehicles operating through Amazon Logistics, which relies on a network of third-party transportation contractors. As a result of these efforts, DOF collected $6.88 million in ECB judgment violations and an additional $2.15 million in pre-judgment ECB violations.

New York City’s anti-idling laws are designed to reduce harmful air pollution, improve public health and combat climate change. Under City law, most vehicles may not idle for longer than three minutes while parked, standing, or stopped.

New Yorkers can report idling vehicles anonymously through 311, by filing a complaint online, or by participating in DEP’s Citizens Air Complaint Program. The Citizens Air Complaint Program has seen a 1,700 percent increase in submissions since it launched in 2009. So far in 2026, it has received 62,680 complaints — putting the program on track for its biggest year yet. Idling violations may also be issued directly by DEP inspectors. For more information about New York City’s idling laws and enforcement is available through NYC Department of Environmental Protection.  

DEC ANNOUNCES SUITE OF ACTIONS TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE USE OF STATE LANDS

 

'Love Our New York Lands' Campaign Continues Encouraging Responsible and Respectful Recreation in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve and Other High-Use Areas

Efforts Encourage New Yorkers and Visitors to “Get Offline, Get Outside” and Enjoy State Lands 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced new and continued efforts for the 2026 outdoor recreation season to protect public safety and promote sustainable recreation in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve. DEC's actions are designed specifically to improve Adirondack and Catskill visitor safety and build on ongoing wilderness protection support strategies to improve safety, sustainability, and equitable access for those enjoying the outdoors during the upcoming warm weather months.

"Visitors from all across the world are drawn to experience New York State’s great outdoor spaces like the Adirondacks and Catskills," Commissioner Lefton said. "Working with our State and local partners, DEC is encouraging everyone to bring their friends and families on an outdoor adventure, but also to do it respectfully, responsibly, and sustainably to make the outdoors welcoming to all, prevent damage to natural resources, and avoid jeopardizing the safety of our first responders."

Visitation to State Forest Preserve lands is typically highest during the summer months. In partnership with State agencies, local municipalities, and private entities, DEC is working to protect public safety, improve the visitor experience during the busy season, and safeguard sensitive ecosystems. Using recommendations outlined by the High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group (HPAG) and Catskills Strategic Planning Advisory Group (CAG), as well as input from local and community partners and outdoors enthusiasts, New York State continues to implement strategies and adaptively manage the ongoing safety and resource needs of both Forest Preserve regions.

Protecting Public Safety

Pedestrian safety continues to be a significant concern, particularly in the Route 73 corridor of the Adirondack High Peaks and on Route 23A in the Catskills. DEC works closely with New York State Police, the State Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement to address pedestrian traffic, illegal parking, and roadside stops.

• Parking Restrictions: There is no parking allowed on the roadside in unsafe sections of Route 73 in the Adirondack High Peaks or on Route 23A in the vicinity of Kaaterskill Falls and several other Catskill destinations.

• Fawn’s Leap Restrictions: DEC continues working with the town of Hunter, community stakeholders, and other local partners to help address increased use in areas such as the Kaaterskill Clove Riparian Corridor along Route 23A. DEC is prioritizing strategic investments in health and safety upgrades at locations throughout the Kaaterskill Wild Forest, including increased Forest Ranger patrols and implementing restricted area regulations as appropriate. DEC previously installed and continues to maintain restricted area signage in the Kaaterskill Clove Riparian Corridor at a location known as Fawn’s Leap that warns the public against entering within 15 feet of cliff edges. The signage posted at the site indicates the boundary of the limited restricted area.
• Hiring 19 Assistant Forest Rangers: DEC is hiring 19 Assistant Forest Rangers (AFR) to assist Forest Rangers and provide on-the-trail stewardship in areas of high use, including in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Zoar Valley and other high-use DEC areas. DEC continues to its commitment to helping keep Assistant Forest Rangers and others spending time in the backcountry safe. Recent changes include updated communication requirements from the back country to a Forest Ranger on duty, deploying satellite communications devices, requiring AFRs to start and end their shifts at a trailhead, and acquiring a new Computer Aided Dispatch System to assist in tracking Forest Rangers, AFRs, and other DEC staff.
• "Your Speed Is" signs and delineators installed along Route 73: Signs and delineators are in addition to ongoing parking enforcement by DEC, New York State Police, and local law enforcement; and
• Continued closure of the Molly Smith parking area on Route 23A in the town of Hunter to improve visitor safety: DEC recommends visitors access Kaaterskill Falls by parking at the Laurel House Road, Schutt Road, or South Lake parking areas. Visitors are advised that the Laurel House Road and Schutt Road parking areas fill up early during the summer and are encouraged to plan accordingly and follow posted signs in the area denoting parking restrictions. 

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Every year more people discover and rediscover, the beauty of the Adirondacks and the Catskill Mountains, and the State Department of Transportation, working with our state and local partners, works to provide a safe and efficient travel experience to these gems of the Empire State. To optimize travel and enhance safety on the roads and on the trails, we encourage visitors to drive sober and alert, park in designated areas, be courteous to one another, pack out your trash, and be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists. We want everyone to be able to enjoy these treasured natural wonders safely this summer.” 

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “With summer upon us, we encourage everyone to take advantage of all the natural landscape that the Adirondacks and Catskills have to offer. While doing so, we ask that all enjoy in a safe and considerate manner for themselves others and to preserve the environmental character that makes New York unique. I want to thank the DEC and our State and local partners for providing resources that will help protect citizens and our State lands.” 

Acting New York State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “As the summer season begins, we join DEC and our outdoor recreation partners in encouraging visitors to enjoy New York’s parks, public lands and open spaces safely and responsibly. By taking simple steps to minimize our impact, we can help protect these special places and ensure future generations can enjoy the same incredible outdoor experiences.” 

Catskill Center Executive Director, Jeff Senterman said, “The Catskill Center is proud to partner with DEC to match record visitation in the Catskills with the stewardship and safety it requires. From Catskills Stewards at Kaaterskill Falls and Peekamoose Blue Hole to our Catskills Visitor Center and fire tower programs, we see every day that smart investment, visitor education, and thoughtful visitor use management make a real difference for public safety, local communities, and the long term health of the Forest Preserve. These new Visitor Use Management reports and the continued ‘Love Our New York Lands’ and ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ efforts show New York State taking the right steps to ensure that record visitation comes with record stewardship, so the Catskills remain forever wild and welcoming for everyone."

Open Space Initiative President and CEO, Erik Kulleseid, said, “New York’s exceptional public forest preserves and parks belong to all of us, and it is imperative that we all do our part to care for these cherished places. OSI’s long partnership with DEC has successfully expanded and enhanced public lands and made the outdoors more welcoming for everyone, and we thank visitors for respecting these guidelines. This Memorial Day weekend and all summer long, we are excited for everyone to put down their phones, step into nature, and safely and responsibly enjoy the forests, mountains, and waterways of the Catskills, Adirondacks, and beyond.” 

Visitor Education

Both the High Peaks and Catskills advisory groups identified increased visitor education as a critical component of sustainable visitor use management. Including those listed above, DEC implemented the following education and awareness efforts in 2025 and will continue efforts in 2026:

• 'Love Our New York Lands' campaign: Launched in 2021 in response to the steady increase in the number of visitors to State lands, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the decade prior, Love Our New York Lands includes helpful educational information for the thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from other states and countries eager to experience the State’s public lands in a safe and responsible way. For details and more information, visit the Love Our New York Lands page on DEC's website and follow DEC’s social media @NYSDEC;
• 'Get Outdoors & Get Together Day': On Saturday, June 13, 2026, events at more than 20 locations across New York State will bring together people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds for fun, healthy activities. A highlight of the State’s ongoing efforts to broaden the diversity of users and ensure inclusivity of access to State lands, DEC and State Parks, in partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Veterans' Services, Office of the Chief Disability Officer, Office of Mental Health, and Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs will host free events to connect people to nature and provide increased access to the outdoors;
• High Peaks Hiker Information Station program: This successful DEC initiative is entering its seventh year with five seasonal Environmental Education Assistants, a new record. Visitors to the High Peaks can find educators Thursdays through Mondays from 8 a.m. -4 p.m. at the Cobble Hill trailhead and Mt. Van Hoevenberg trailhead in Lake Placid. Rotating locations include Ampersand Mountain Parking Area, Baker Mountain, and multiple locations along the Adirondack Rail Trail that will be announced on a weekly basis on the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpage. In addition to a full staff of Educators, DEC’s Mobile Education Center will be onsite at Cobble Hill throughout the season. The shuttle bus hosts information and resources for hiker safety and visitor use to further enhance hiker education at various locations during the summer hiking season in High Peaks. In 2026, DEC Environmental Education Assistants will be stationed at key front-country access points and trailheads between Memorial Day weekend and the October 12 holiday weekend; 
• Trail steward programs in the Catskills: To assist in educating the public who visit several of the region's most frequently visited trails, the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development will station trailhead stewards at Kaaterskill Falls (Kaaterskill Wild Forest) and Peekamoose Blue Hole (Sundown Wild Forest). Catskill Mountainkeeper will station stewards at the Neversink Fishing Access Site in Claryville, Beaverkill Covered Bridge and Campground, and Big Pond (Delaware Wild Forest). The Catskill 3500 Club will station volunteer stewards at the Slide Mountain trailhead and Woodland Valley Day Use Area. In addition, New York New Jersey Trail Conference stewards will be working in the Catskill High Peaks. There will also be Catskill Center Fire Tower Stewards at Overlook, Hunter, and Balsam Lake Mountain fire towers on weekdays, complemented by volunteers for weekends;
• Continuing trailhead steward program at popular trailheads in the Adirondack High Peaks: In partnership with Adirondack Mountain Club and the Adirondack 46ers, stewards will assist in educating the public at more frequently visited trailheads to further support hiker safety and preparedness along Route 73;
• Fire tower steward programs in the Adirondacks and Catskills: This program supports “friends” groups at fire towers on 10 Forest Preserve summits where stewards answer questions and provide information about the history and purpose of the towers, educate the public on outdoor skills and ethics, rules and regulations, and provide information about local recreational opportunities; and
• Continuing valuable Environmental Education (EE) Center Programming: DEC operates two fully staffed EE Centers and two EE Centers operated by Friends groups with staff offering classes and programs on environmental awareness around New York State. Other year-round educational programming and resources are available to help residents and visitors become better stewards of the environment.

Visitor Use Management

New York State continues to implement HPAG and CAG recommendations to encourage sustainable use in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. In addition, DEC is enhancing its actions to improve the user experience and prevent trash and other human impacts on State lands, including:

• Visitor Use Management (VUM) Reports: Two reports prepared by planning firms DJ&A and Otak for the central Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness (Essex County) and Kaaterskill Clove region of the Catskill Park (Greene County) were recently released for public comment through June 1, 2026. The public feedback process will inform next steps DEC may take to further enhance the visitor experience and protect the incredible natural resources in both the High Peaks Wilderness and Kaaterskill Wild Forest.  
• Draft Visitor Use Management Plan for the formerly trail-less Catskill High Peaks: Last year, DEC released the draft Visitor Use Management Plan to protect unique habitats and sensitive species that are being impacted by informal, user created trails. DEC is currently reviewing public comments and developing a final VUM Plan;
• Permit required for visitors to the Peekamoose Blue Hole and Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor: DEC requires use permits for the Blue Hole and Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor along Rondout Creek in the Catskills from May 15 to September 15 each year. DEC will also have stewards at these locations to support enhanced public education efforts. Major upgrades to the Blue Hole parking and access, which will improve the visitor experience and safety, are nearing completion; and 
• Portable toilets in high-use areas: DEC funds portable toilets at popular Adirondack and Catskill locations to help reduce waste in the environment. In areas where portable toilets are not available, visitors are encouraged to learn more about how to dispose of human waste outdoors to prevent negative impacts on the environment and public health.

DEC encourages all visitors to be prepared and Hike Smart by staying on designated trails and wearing proper gear and attire, including footwear appropriate for trail conditions.

Sustainable Trail Development

To ensure New Yorkers and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the State's Forest Preserve for generations to come, DEC is once again increasing the size of the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)-funded primitive trail maintenance and development contract for the Adirondacks and Catskills. The State's ongoing trail building efforts will protect public lands through trail maintenance and similar stewardship activities that encourage responsible use of the State's lands and waters.

Historic State Investments  

Many of these projects and other initiatives to bolster sustainable use are funded through the record $425 million for the EPF, a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. To learn more about the many EPF supported recreational opportunities DEC offers to people of all ages and abilities, including information about camping, hunting, picnicking, fishing, boating, hiking and nature viewing, visit DEC’s Accessible Recreation webpage.  

Governor Hochul also recently announced the “These Lands Are For Everyone” accessibility and inclusivity initiative in the 2026 State of the State and launched the “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative in 2024 to promote physical and mental health by helping New York’s kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings. To ensure New York’s open spaces are accessible and inclusive, “These Lands Are For Everyone” is investing in inclusive, sensory friendly and accessible experiences, including tactile exhibits, sensory trails and inclusive nature centers, ensuring all children and adults can enjoy New York’s natural treasures.

4PM Thursday, 5/21: Mayor Mamdani Launches “Talk With The People,” Becoming First U.S. Elected Official to Host Recurring Multiplatform Stream

 

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced the launch of “Talk With The People,” a new streaming series native to Twitch and simulcast across Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, Bluesky and podcast platforms — making him the first elected official in the United States to host a regularly recurring, interactive cross-platform stream.

In 1942, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia spoke directly to New Yorkers through his radio program “Talk to the People,” using the most cutting-edge technology of his era to break through traditional gatekeepers and connect with working people across the city. Today, Mayor Mamdani is building on that legacy for a new generation.

In an increasingly fragmented media landscape, “Talk With The People” is designed to make City government more accessible, transparent and responsive by meeting New Yorkers where they already are: online. Through streams and real-time audience questions, the series will create a direct line between City Hall and the people it serves, especially younger New Yorkers too often shut out of political conversation.

The series reflects Mayor Mamdani’s broader vision for a more open and participatory City government.

“With the launch of ‘Talk with the People,’ we’re bringing City Hall directly to the platforms where New Yorkers already spend their time,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By hosting the country’s first recurring cross-platform stream led by an elected official, where New Yorkers can ask questions live on Twitch, we’re opening up a new conversation between government and the people it serves, especially younger generations who have too often been ignored.”

Viewers will be able to submit questions for the Mayor through the Twitch Stream. Each episode will also be available afterward across social media platforms and podcast services.

What: Mayor Mamdani Launches Streaming Series “Talk With The People”

When: Thursday, May 21st at 4 p.m.

Where to watch:  

• Twitch: twitch.tv/nyc_mayor  
• Instagram: instagram.com/nycmayor/  
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nycmayor  
• Facebook: facebook.com/NYCMayor/  
• X: x.com/NYCMayor 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/klvp_T4HXHk    

Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels Announce Expansion of NYC Solves and NYC Reads

 

Expansion represents a $17.3 million investment from the Mamdani administration   

  

NYC Solves will expand to middle schools in 10 additional districts and, for the first time, to elementary schools in four districts, bringing high-quality, academically rigorous math instruction to more than 102,000 new students.

 

NYC Reads will expand to middle schools in 11 additional districts and, for the first time, to high schools in four districts, bringing high-quality, academically rigorous literacy instruction to more than 104,000 new students  

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels joined students from PS/MS 194 and city leaders for a math competition to announce a major expansion of NYC Solves and NYC Reads following a $17.3 million investment from the Mamdani administration. The expansion marks a major step toward ensuring every student learns to read confidently and graduates with the math skills they need to succeed.  

“In the wealthiest city in the richest country on Earth, it is unacceptable that so many students have been left behind. This administration is investing in what works: rigorous instruction, strong support for teachers and a public school system that doesn’t give up on anyone,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This expansion will help make sure every student, in every neighborhood, succeeds.”

“Every New York City Public Schools student deserves to be in a classroom that is both academically rigorous and deeply supportive, and expanding NYC Solves and Reads moves us closer to that goal,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels. “As a Superintendent I saw firsthand the transformative impact of these initiatives and remain committed to their success as Chancellor. The strong academic gains we’ve seen underscore what’s possible when we invest in evidence-based instruction and support. As we build on this momentum next school year, we're committed to giving our schools the tools, training, and resources they need so every student can thrive.”

For the first time, NYC Solves will expand into elementary schools, bringing high quality, problem-based math instruction to students in grades K-5. By building a strong foundation early, the program will help students become confident mathematicians and problem-solvers throughout their academic journey. As in upper grades, participating districts will use a singular curriculum across schools.

The following elementary school districts will participate:   

• Manhattan District 5: i-Ready Mathematics Classroom 
• Bronx Districts 11 and 12: Illustrative Mathematics 
• Queens District 25: Amplify Desmos Mathematics 

NYC Solves will also expand to middle schools in the following districts: 

• Manhattan: District 3 
• The Bronx: District 9 
• Brooklyn: Districts 16, 21, 22 and 23 
• Queens: Districts 24, 27, 28 and 30 

NYC Solves will continue to support all High School Districts this fall with a focus on core instruction and supplemental supports to ensure every student can succeed in rigorous, meaningful mathematics coursework.

Building on last year’s expansion, NYC Reads will expand to middle schools in the following districts:   

• Manhattan: Districts 2 and 4  
• The Bronx: Districts 8 and 10  
• Brooklyn: Districts 14, 18, 20 and 32  
• Queens: Districts 26 and 29  
• Citywide: District 75   

Beginning in September, NYCPS will expand in-school educator support for implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) in middle schools across these districts. MTSS is a framework that helps schools identify student needs and provide targeted academic instruction and classroom supports for students at every level. High schools participating in the expansion will also receive MTSS support.

Middle schools in Districts 2 and 18 will begin implementing the Wit & Wisdom curriculum as part of core instruction. 

ICE Asks Governor Gavin Newsom and California Sanctuary Politicians to Not Release Illegal Alien Truck Driver Who Killed Two People in Crash

 

Allowing illegal aliens, many of whom do not know English, to obtain CDLs to operate 18-wheelers and transport hazardous materials on America’s roads is reckless and incredibly dangerous to public safety

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer asking California sanctuary politicians to not release an illegal alien who killed two people in a crash while he was behind the wheel of a semi-truck.

On May 19, 2026, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrested Manvir Singh, a criminal illegal alien from India, after he caused a fatal multi-vehicle crash near Lodi, California. According to local reports, Singh was driving a semi-truck that veered off the road and hit a guardrail, triggering a crash that involved three other vehicles and instantly killed two people. Singh tried to flee on foot before he was apprehended by police.

The aftermath of the crash

The suspect: Manvir Singh

Singh now faces charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit and run resulting in death or injury, and obstructing/resisting a police officer.

“This criminal illegal alien from India should never have been behind the wheel of a semi-truck and allowed to kill two innocent people in a multi-vehicle crash in California,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “He is now charged with vehicular manslaughter, hit and run resulting in death or injury, and resisting a police officer. This is yet another example of why illegal aliens should not be operating trucks on American highways. We need Congress to pass Dalilah’s Law to prohibit states from granting illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses.”

Singh came into the country illegally in Arizona in July of 2023 and was RELEASED by the Biden Administration.

Tragically, this is not the first instance where American lives have been taken by illegal aliens behind the wheels of semi-trucks on America’s roadways.

• In April, ICE arrested an illegal alien semi-truck driver issued a CDL by California who killed a pair of honeymooners on November 24, 2025, in Oregon. Sanctuary politicians in Oregon refused to cooperate with ICE and released him back onto the streets before ICE arrested him.
• In February, ICE arrested an illegal alien semi-truck driver issued a CDL by Pennsylvania who killed four innocent people on February 3, when he swerved into oncoming traffic and struck a van in head-on collision.
• In December, DHS and the Department of Transportation announced that an American was tragically killed due to a Chinese national with a CDL who failed the English proficiency test after the crash. DHS has now confirmed the driver investigators say caused the crash illegally entered the United States from Mexico in 2023.
• In August, DHS announced ICE lodged an arrest detainer for criminal illegal alien Harjinder Singh following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, on August 12, 2025, Harjinder Singh attempted to make an illegal U-turn through an “Official Use Only” access point in St. Lucie County. By blocking all lanes of the highway with his truck, Singh caused a brutal wreck, instantly killing three innocent people.

Dalilah’s Law is a proposed federal law that would bar any state from granting commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to illegal aliens. It is named after Dalilah Coleman, a young girl who was tragically injured and sustained life-changing injuries after a crash caused by an illegal alien.