Attorney General James Wins Court Decision Upholding $4.3 Million Judgment Against Wayne LaPierre

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced she secured another court victory in her case against the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its former leadership. After winning her case at trial against the NRA, its former Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, and other top executives, Attorney General James secured a judgment in December 2024 requiring LaPierre to pay $4.3 million back to the organization and banning him from serving as an officer or director of the NRA for 10 years. The Appellate Division, First Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court rejected an attempt by LaPierre to overturn the judgment against him.

“Wayne LaPierre and other senior NRA leaders broke the law by funneling millions of dollars in lavish perks to themselves and their families,” said Attorney General James. “After we successfully proved our case to a jury, LaPierre was ordered to pay $4.3 million and was barred from serving as an NRA officer or director for a decade. This decision upholds the jury’s verdict and is another victory in our efforts to ensure that LaPierre is held accountable for his illegal self-dealing.”

Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against the NRA and the organization’s other current and former senior officers in August 2020 for violating the law by mismanaging the organization’s funds and contributing to the loss of tens of millions of dollars. On the eve of the first stage of the trial in January 2024, LaPierre abruptly announced his retirement as Executive Vice President and CEO of the NRA, a role he had held for more than 30 years. In February 2024, Attorney General James won the first stage of a two-part trial when the jury found the NRA, LaPierre, Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips, and former General Counsel and current Corporate Secretary John Frazer violated state laws. The jury found that the NRA failed to properly administer charitable funds and protect whistleblowers, that the NRA and Frazer made false regulatory filings, and that LaPierre and Phillips, together, caused the organization $7.4 million in monetary harm.

In December 2024, following a bench trial, Attorney General James secured a court judgment ordering the NRA to significantly reform its governance and requiring LaPierre to pay the $4.35 million and Phillips to pay the $2 million ordered by the jury plus nine percent interest per year. LaPierre was also banned from serving as an officer or director of the NRA or any organization under the NRA’s direct control for 10 years. The First Department rejected LaPierre’s attempt to overturn the court judgment.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli - Upstate Bus Services Needs Better On-Time Performance

 

A new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli analyzed on-time performance of the four major upstate New York transportation authorities and found inconsistent results. Only the Rochester region exceeded its target for on-time bus performance. Bus services in the Buffalo area and Capital Region showed mixed results in meeting goals, while Central New York does not publish an on-time performance metric.

“Getting to work, school and appointments on-time is essential for New Yorkers who rely on bus service every day,” DiNapoli said. “Tracking timeliness of bus service is the first step toward improving performance for these critical public transportation systems. Each of the authorities should examine their metrics, identify where performance is falling short and understand the causes of buses arriving too early or late. Many New Yorkers count on this service and deserve reliable buses.”

On-time Standards and Goals

Three of the four major transportation authorities publicly report on-time performance goals. Targets range from 88% for the Rochester Genessee Regional Transportation Authority’s (RGRTA) to 80% for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) sets a goal of 84%, while the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CENTRO) does not appear to have a publicly stated goal.

Definitions of “on-time” differ among the agencies. RGRTA considers a bus on-time if it arrives up to six minutes late, compared to five minutes for CDTA and four for NFTA.

RGRTA serves eight counties in the Finger Lakes Region, with an estimated population of almost 1.4 million residents. The authority has 10 subsidiaries, but 95.6% of its ridership comes from Regional Transit Service which provides transportation in the City of Rochester and the surrounding area. While its performance has some variability, it is consistently above 89%, with a low of 89.6% in 2016 and a high of 93.6% in 2015.

NFTA, which provides transportation to the 1.8 million residents of Erie and Niagara counties in Western New York, met its 84% on-time goal only twice between 2015 to 2024, dropping since the pandemic to 81.2% in 2024. The authority tracks performance improvements year-over-year and met its alternative goal in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023.

CDTA provides transportation to seven counties, with an estimated population of almost 1.4 million residents, and reports on-time bus performance data on a monthly basis over a 24-month period. Historical data is not available, and long-term service trends cannot be evaluated as a result. From July 2023 through January 2026, results ranged from 66.7% to 77.7%, below its 80% target and lower than the other systems analyzed.

CENTRO operates in five counties in Central New York and serves almost 1.1 million residents, the fewest of all the systems. The authority recently provided limited route specific on-time bus performance data for individual routes as part of a study evaluating the system. On-time performance ranged between 61.9 to 91.4%.

Ten-Year Ridership Trend

During the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation authorities faced significant challenges when their operations were disrupted, ridership plummeted and revenues were severely reduced, as documented in a previous report by DiNapoli. While all four authorities increased ridership since 2021, only CDTA surpassed its pre-pandemic ridership levels through 2024. Prior to the pandemic, ridership for the transportation authorities was already in decline. By 2024 CENTRO provided almost 7.3 million trips, about 77% of its 2014 ridership. NFTA and RGRTA had recovered roughly 60% of their 2014 ridership.

Funding

The four transportation authorities are heavily reliant on public funding. The state provides the largest share, between 48.7% (NFTA) to 63.3% (CENTRO). After state funds, NFTA and RGRTA are more dependent on local government support (more than 24.4% each) while CDTA and CENTRO rely on fares and other directly generated funds as their second largest source of funding. Federal subsidies/grants account for between 9.1% to 15.2% of total revenues.

While overall operating revenue has increased, led by state investment, the larger budgetary picture is uncertain for some of the authorities. With the expiration of pandemic-era federal relief aid and ridership still lagging pre-pandemic levels, some of the authorities have been experiencing financial shortfalls. CDTA closed a $2.7 million budget deficit in 2025 through service cuts and reduced frequency on certain bus lines (even as its ridership levels have recovered). In 2025, RGRTA warned that without additional state support or the ability to bring in additional local revenues, it would have to resort to service cuts to its least utilized routes.

DiNapoli’s report found that riders would benefit from improvements in how information is shared by the authorities. Being more transparent and timelier with data could give residents a better sense of their performance and whether the services being provided are effectively meeting their needs.

Report

Waiting for the Bus: Upstate Transportation Systems’ On-time Bus Performance

Related Reports

Upstate Transportation Authorities Suffer Revenue Plunge

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides Tips for Consumers to Avoid Funeral Fraud and End-of-Life Identity Theft

 

Fraud Could Include Identity Theft, Credit Card Theft, and Fraudulent Loan Applications

Scammers Rely on Emotional Manipulation to Convince Grieving Family Members to Quickly Send Money or Personal Information

Scammers May Create Donation Websites to Steal Money from Surviving Family and Friends

Secretary Mosley said: “It could be overwhelming for family members to plan the details or costs of a funeral, which is why the Division of Consumer Protection offers some tips to manage end-of-life responsibilities and avoid scammers who seek to exploit. Keeping certain precautions in mind can prepare you and your loved ones to avoid fraud while navigating end of life concerns.”

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning consumers of funeral fraud and end-of-life identity theft, sometimes called “ghosting” or obituary scams. This type of fraud encompasses a wide range of deceptive practices, including theft of a deceased individual’s personal information to wrongfully open credit cards, apply for loans, commit crimes, and take other fraudulent actions; overcharging or upselling services; and impersonating funeral businesses or donation websites to steal money from surviving friends and family.

“Grieving families and friends should never have their time, money, or personal information stolen by fraud.” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “It can be overwhelming for family members to plan the details or costs of a funeral, which is why the Division of Consumer Protection offers some tips to manage end-of-life responsibilities and avoid scammers who seek to exploit. Keeping certain precautions in mind can prepare you and your loved ones to avoid fraud while navigating end of life concerns.”

York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) Director Greg Olsen said, "According to the Consumer Federation of America, scams and fraud cost consumers $119 billion annually. The tragic and shocking reality is that scammers will take advantage of every opportunity, including the recent death of a loved one, when a would-be victim may be vulnerable or susceptible to deceptive practices. While scammers are sophisticated, preventing scams is relatively easy if you know what to do. Protect yourself by utilizing the services of only trusted organizations, and watch for the warning signs of a scam, especially when a business or individual pressures you to act quickly when your guard may be down. NYSOFA has developed tools and resources to help you protect yourself and to understand the common scams that are out there. In addition, Governor Hochul has charged NYSOFA in this year’s budget with developing training and outreach material on scams and how to prevent them as well as what to do if you are a victim of a scam. Those resources will be available very soon."

AVOID FUNERAL SCAMS AND END-OF-LIFE IDENTITY THEFT:

Funeral Fraud Red Flags:

• Fake websites: Scammers create realistic-looking fake websites that look identical to a real funeral home or other real businesses. Some may also steal or create fake obituaries to get grieving loved ones to send scammers money for flowers, donations, or memorial items which don’t exist. Always carefully check website URLs and instructions from those planning the funeral services. Watch out for suspicious pop-ups and advertisements.
• Lack of price transparency: Under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Funeral Rule and New York State Law, funeral homes are required to provide price information. By law, every funeral home is required to keep a General Price List updated and available to consumers. Avoid funeral homes that don’t answer your questions or don’t provide an itemized price list. For more information about your consumer rights under the FTC Funeral Rule, please click here. For more information on your rights under New York State law or to file a complaint with the New York State Attorney General’s Office, please click here.
• Pressure on family members to act immediately: Scammers often rely on emotional manipulation to convince grieving family members to quickly send money or personal information. Never work with any business that guilts or pressures you into a decision. When in doubt, ask a trusted friend or family member for their thoughts on the situation.
• No license information: Funeral directors must be licensed by the New York state Department of Health (DOH). Check this list of licensed funeral directors with active registrations on the DOH website.
• Aggressive or deceptive sales tactics: Funeral homes should not try to force you to buy services or products you don’t want. Watch out for additional fees when considering package deals. A funeral home cannot require you to buy a casket from them, so you can consider buying a casket or urn from a local store or online. For more information on what to expect from a funeral home, please see the NYS Department of Health’s Consumer Guide for planning a funeral.

Protect Your Loved Ones’ Identity:

• Keep obituaries brief: Scammers can pull information and context clues from obituaries coupled with information on the dark web to steal identities. Be mindful about including personal information in obituaries, such as addresses, birth dates, maiden names, or family members’ full names which can be used to fuel identity theft.
• Watch out for unexpected bills or debt collections: Unexpected bills or collection notices may be signs of identity theft, so always make sure that any debt owed by a deceased loved one was really theirs. Make sure you are in contact with all parties involved and financial institutions to know the full details of any debt.
• Notify the credit bureaus, government, and banks of your loved one’s passing: Funeral homes are only required to notify the Social Security Administration of a death. You will need to notify other entities, including the state Department of Motor Vehicles, the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Transunion), and the IRS along with any banks or financial institutions. These agencies can all close an individual’s file upon learning of their death, protecting their identity from fraud.
• Monitor your loved one’s credit report: Many steal the identities of deceased individuals under the assumption that nobody will be monitoring their credit report after death. Keep an eye on your loved one’s credit report for any new debts or collections as signs of identity theft.

NYS Office for Aging’s scams-prevention webpage has resources and tips to stop scams, including a video series on some of the most common scams. There you can also learn about trusted scam-prevention tools that have been vetted and endorsed by NYSOFA, including SilverShield, EverSafe, and Lifespan of Greater Rochester's Fraud Awareness Network. These resources provide peer-to-peer support for scam victims and help you detect any suspicious transactions or digital communications.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

 

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

USCIS Reveals Rampant Fraud Among Juvenile Immigrant Claims

 

From Fiscal Year 2013 through 2025, nearly 19,000 Special Immigrant Juvenile petitioners had criminal arrest records

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after DHS General Counsel James Percival asked state court judges to take greater steps to combat rampant fraud in the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) process run by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The SIJ classification provides a pathway to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, and ultimately naturalization, for illegal alien minors under the age of 21 who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by either one parent or both parents.

However, the SIJ system is at great risk of fraud that, if not properly policed by state court judges, can allow dangerous criminals into our country. A recent report by the USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), covering SIJ data from Fiscal Years 2013 through 2025, discovered that nearly 19,000 SIJ petitioners had criminal arrest records, including 120 for murder. At least 200 approved SIJ petitioners were convicted of sex offenses, while more than 500 were known or suspected members of MS-13 and more than 100 were known or suspected members of the 18th Street gang.

Some examples include:

• The leader of a New York chapter of MS-13, who later pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in connection with his participation in EIGHT murders in New York. 
• A Trinitarios gang member who participated in a drive-by shooting that killed two people and wounded five others. This individual also participated in previous shootings of rival gang members in Lynn, Massachusetts in February and May of 2023. His SIJ petition was approved in June of 2023, AFTER he had committed these crimes. 
• Four members of the same MS-13 clique in Virginia, who were indicted in 2023 and 2024 for their participation in racketeering conspiracies involving multiple murders, including the murder of a 19-year-old woman who was shot 16 times for insulting the gang on social media. 

“While the SIJ program advances important congressional objectives, it is at significant risk of fraud,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival. “Frequently, there is no underlying child protective services or similar investigation into the child’s circumstances. Instead, aliens who wish to remain in the United States forever can obtain these orders without meaningfully demonstrating that they meet the requirements because judges are unaware of the need to vet the claims. The failure of state court judges to police the requirements of the SIJ process leads to tangible harm. It allows criminals, gang members, and even suspected terrorists to obtain lawful status while eroding trust and diverting resources away from genuinely vulnerable children.”

Much of the fraud that occurs in the SIJ program is only possible because state court judges who are not aware of the risks grant predicate orders in a non-adversarial and pro forma fashion. In some jurisdictions, judges issue SIJ predicate orders without even holding a hearing.

By eliminating fraud in this system, the SIJ program can return to its original purpose of only admitting those who have legitimate claims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Rigorous judicial review practices can help ensure that SIJ projections reach the children the law was designed to protect, while preventing misuse by those who pose risks to public safety.

Large-Scale Counterfeit Pill Manufacturer Sentenced To 13 Years In Federal Prison

 

Defendant sought to import kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. and obtained $40,000 in fraudulent PPP loans

A Cambridge, Mass. man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston in connection with an investigation of large-scale manufacturing of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Defendant communicated directly with illegal chemical supplier in China.

Schuyler Oppenheimer, a/k/a “SK,” a/k/a “Michael Sylvain,” 35, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 13 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In January 2026, Oppenheimer pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud. In July 2025, Oppenheimer was arrested and charged. He was subsequently indicted in August 2025.

Oppenheimer was technically skilled in the chemical processes used in the synthesis of fentanyl, the compounding of controlled substances for distribution and the manufacturing of counterfeit pills. During the investigation, recipes, pill press molds used in the manufacturing process, documents and invoices demonstrating that Oppenheimer purchased numerous pill presses and parts for pill presses from online vendors were seized. Multiple packages shipped from China to Oppenheimer, and various female associates of Oppenheimer, that contained pill press parts, were also seized during the investigation.

Based on the review of orders and invoices from companies selling powders and other substances used in the pill manufacturing process since 2019, Oppenheimer obtained over 200 kilograms of these filler powders and manufacturing materials. According to the recipes recovered during the investigation, when manufactured into counterfeit pills, 200 kilograms of filler powder equates to millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Additionally, Oppenheimer communicated directly with an illegal chemical supplier based in China and inquired about the availability of controlled substances and fentanyl precursor chemicals and sought to import kilogram quantities of these substances. Fentanyl precursor chemicals are substances that can be used to synthesize raw fentanyl in a laboratory setting.

During a search in Cambridge on July 18, 2024, over five kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and a loaded firearm were recovered. Based on prior felony convictions, Oppenheimer is prohibited from possessing firearms.           

Lastly, Oppenheimer obtained over $40,000 through two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications that were submitted in April 2021. Oppenheimer submitted false statements concerning his income through self-employment for the 2019 tax years and provided false tax return documents substantiating that income. 

Wave Hill Weekly Events (Jun 4 – Jun 11) | The Time for Arts Is In & Everyone's Invited!

 

The time for arts is in — and it’s free! Wave Hill is proud to host two special community events this June. Celebrate Juneteenth with an afternoon of live performances, hands-on artmaking, dance workshops, complimentary ice cream, and family-friendly activities on the Great Lawn. Later in the month, join us for a Pride celebration featuring TONEWALL, the acclaimed a cappella ensemble from the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, presented in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Pack a blanket, gather your friends and family, and enjoy unforgettable performances in one of the Bronx’s most beautiful outdoor settings.

Nature & Wellness

Yoga in the Garden

Sun, Jun 7, 10:15AM – 11:15AM  
Advanced registration encouraged.   

Root your feet in the grass and look out upon our vistas as you enjoy a gentle yoga class led by Susie Caramanica. All levels welcome; this is a beginner level class that can be modified.

Garden Highlights Walk

Sun, Jun 7, 1:00PM – 1:30PM 

Free with admission to the grounds    
Registration not required.   

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide; each walk varies with the Guide leading it.

Art

Public Gallery Tour

Thu, Jun 4, 2:00PM – 3:00PM

Sat, Jun 6, 2:00PM – 3:00PM 
Free with admission to the grounds     
Registration not required.   

Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture, and site. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden.  

Meet the Artist: Sujin Lim

Sat, Jun 6, 3:00PM – 4:00PM 
Free with admission to the grounds     
Registration not required.   

Save the date and join us for a conversation between exhibiting artist Sujin Limand Wave Hill Curator of Visual Arts Rachel Raphaela Gugelberger. The discussion will focus on Lim’s Sunroom installation Memories in Red and the artist’s use of materials that carry their own histories—such as tidal flat mud, extracted oil, and artificial blooms. The conversation will be followed by a hands-on workshop with the artist using Rosa rugosa as material.  
  

Family

Family Art Project: Blooming Tie Dyes

Sat, Jun 6, 10:00AM – 1:00PM  

Sun, Jun 7, 10:00AM – 1:00PM   
Free with admission to the grounds     
Registration not required.

Focus on friends with fins, especially the goldfish swimming in Wave Hill’s Aquatic Garden. Turn colorful paper bags into fantastic 3-D fish that can swim through the air and flutter home with you. At 11:30am families can enjoy a storytime in the Gund Theater.  

HOURS STARTING MARCH 15: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday  
Shuttle Service free from Subway and Metro-North, Saturday–Sunday

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.