Attorney General James Reminds New Yorkers That Federal Agents Cannot Police the Polls

 

AG James Outlines Legal Protections Against Armed Federal Officers, Intimidation, and Interference at New York Poll Sites

New York Attorney General Letitia James reminded New Yorkers that military troops and armed federal officers, including agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are not allowed at polling places under state and federal law. Early voting is underway across New York and runs through Sunday, November 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Attorney General James is urging New Yorkers to vote with confidence and to report any intimidation or interference to the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Election Protection Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or electionhotline.ag.ny.gov. 

“No eligible New Yorker should stay home on Election Day because of fear,” said Attorney General James. “I want New York voters to know the law is on their side. Armed federal agents are not allowed at polling places, and no one can use a badge, a weapon, or a threat to stop you from voting. Voting in New York is safe, and my office will make sure every eligible voter can cast their ballot and be heard.”

Under federal law, it is a crime to order, bring, or keep troops or armed federal officers, including ICE, CBP, and FBI agents, at a poll site. Members of the U.S. armed forces may not use force, threats, or intimidation to stop anyone from voting, and government officials may not use their official authority to interfere with or influence a federal election, including the 2026 General Election. In addition, no person, including a government officer, may intimidate, threaten, or coerce anyone for voting or attempting to vote.

New York law adds another layer of protection. Under state law, local governments and their employees may not grant immigration enforcement officers access to a polling location for immigration enforcement purposes unless the officers present a valid judicial warrant or court order. Anyone who believes they have witnessed illegal collaboration between local officials and federal immigration enforcement officials can submit a complaint to OAG’s Office of Immigrant Trust.

Attempts to scare people away from the polls are a form of voter intimidation. Spreading rumors that voting will lead to arrests, immigration enforcement, or other negative consequences can violate federal and state law. Voters who hear claims like these should know that they are false and designed to keep them from voting, and they should report them to OAG.

No one at a poll site may demand to see a voter’s identification or proof of citizenship. New York voters are never required to show photo ID to vote. First-time voters who did not provide identification when registering may be asked for ID. This does not have to be a photo ID – it could also be a current utility bill, a bank statement, a paycheck, a government check, or another government document with their name and address. First-time voters without any of these documents can still cast an affidavit ballot, but will need to follow up with their local Board of Elections to confirm their ID at a later date.

Voters who need help because of a disability or because they have difficulty reading or writing English can bring someone to assist them. That person does not need to be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, or an adult, and can help throughout the entire voting process, including inside the voting booth. The only exceptions are a voter’s employer or union officer, or their agents.

Every voter’s ballot is private. Election inspectors must keep everyone at least three feet away from a voter using a privacy booth, ballot scanner, or ballot marking device, and no one may ask a voter to show their completed ballot. Firearms are banned at polling places, and no one may campaign, display political signs, or urge a voter to vote a certain way within 100 feet of a polling place entrance.

Poll watchers can observe and report problems, but they cannot interfere with voters. A political party, independent body, candidate, or ballot proposal committee must appoint poll watchers in writing, and they must deliver the certificate to the election inspector. Each organization may have no more than three poll watchers per election district at a time, and only one may be inside the guard rail where election inspectors work. Poll watchers may challenge a voter's eligibility in appropriate circumstances, but they may not:

• Solicit votes or wear, carry, or hand out campaign literature, buttons, posters, or banners;
• Tamper with election materials, including posted signs or results tapes;
• Protest an election inspector's ruling on a voter challenge; 
• Make repeated, pretextual challenges to voters’ eligibility; or
• Follow a voter to the privacy booth, ballot scanner, or ballot marking device. 

A poll watcher who blocks voters from reaching the voting booths can be ordered to remain seated and removed if they refuse.

Attorney General James notes that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced plans to send monitors to polling places during the November election and may send monitors to New York. This is a normal, expected process. Under the law, DOJ monitors may not demand identification, challenge voters, direct or interfere with poll workers, or campaign or otherwise engage in any political activity. DOJ monitors typically coordinate with local election officials regarding their deployments in advance, and poll workers who encounter someone identifying as a DOJ monitor without prior notice should contact their county election officials.

Earlier this month, OAG issued an election advisory to election officials and law enforcement partners across the state outlining these protections. The OAG continues to work with state and local boards of elections and law enforcement to swiftly address any incident of voter intimidation or harassment.

Attorney General James urges anyone who experiences or witnesses voter intimidation, interference, or improper requests for identification to contact OAG’s Election Protection Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or electionhotline.ag.ny.gov. Anyone who witnesses potentially dangerous conduct should contact local law enforcement immediately. 

Reno Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

 

A northern Nevada man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 188 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine. The government recommended life in prison.

“This defendant chose to flood our communities with pure poison for profit, completely indifferent to the lives he ruined and the families he tore apart,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “A sentence of 188 months ensures that his career as a poison peddler is officially over, and it serves as a stark warning to anyone else thinking they can operate a drug conspiracy: we will hunt you down, dismantle your network, and lock you away where you can no longer harm the public.”

“Methamphetamine and fentanyl remain at the forefront of the drug crisis devastating Americans,” said David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which covers Nevada. “Drug criminals continue to exploit our communities for profit despite the severe harm they cause. This sentencing reinforces our unyielding commitment to holding offenders accountable and securing justice. DEA stands united with our federal partners to protect the health and safety of our communities.”

According to court documents, from December 16, 2022, to June 19, 2023, Max Vaneeten operated a drug trafficking organization based in Fallon, Nevada. He conspired with co-defendants Tasia Ratti and Chace Young to possess and distribute large quantities of crystal methamphetamine through the greater Nevada area. On June 18, 2023, Vaneeten was stopped in California. Law enforcement found methamphetamine, cocaine, and cash. In total, about one pound of cocaine and about 35 pounds of methamphetamine were distributed during the drug trafficking conspiracy. 

Vaneeten pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 

Ratti was sentenced to 97 months in prison and Young was sentenced to 87 months in prison. 

The DEA investigated the case. 

Governor Hochul Requests Major Disaster Declaration to Secure Federal Assistance for Long Island Communities Impacted by September Nor’easter

If Granted, Declaration Would Provide Federal Assistance for Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Governor Kathy Hochul requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Trump to support the recovery efforts of communities impacted by a nor’easter that produced coastal flooding, heavy rainfall and strong winds across downstate regions on September 26 and 27, 2026. If granted by the federal government, this declaration would provide federal recovery funding for Nassau and Suffolk Counties as they continue to recover from the storm.

“September’s coastal storm was just the latest in a series of severe weather to impact downstate, and I thank our first responders and emergency management officials for their efforts to keep New Yorkers safe throughout the storm,” Governor Hochul said. “I will always fight for every resource available to help our communities recover and rebuild following a storm, and that is why I’m requesting a Major Disaster Declaration to secure federal assistance for Nassau and Suffolk Counties."

A Major Disaster Declaration secures financial assistance from the federal government, primarily through FEMA's Public Assistance Program, to provide funding to eligible local governments and eligible non-profits for debris removal, protective measures, and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools, parks and other facilities.

Following a disaster, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' (DHSES) Office of Disaster Recovery Programs works directly with counterparts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and impacted local governments to assess damages caused by, and costs related to, the disaster. Once these assessments are complete, FEMA validates whether the State and impacted counties have reached the required federal damage thresholds for a Major Disaster Declaration. FEMA and DHSES concluded the Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) and FEMA validated the damages are above the State threshold for requesting Federal Assistance.

September’s nor’easter produced gale force winds over 80 mph, causing major coastal flooding, downed trees and power lines, beach erosion and infrastructure damage, particularly on Long Island and in New York City. The coastal storm, which coincided with a full moon, produced more than three feet of flood inundation in several areas during multiple high tide cycles. The low-pressure system’s slow movement across the area caused pounding waves to strip vulnerable shorelines of sand across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens. Portions of Long Island’s coast lost four feet or more of sand. Widespread rainfall of two to four inches, and in some locations over six inches, caused flash flooding in low-lying areas and exacerbated the coastal flooding and wind impacts. The severe weather brought down more than 1,150 trees and 580 large branches which took down utility poles and electric wires across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on X, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

Get real time emergency and weather alert texts delivered directly to your phone. Text your county or borough of residence to 333111 to enroll now. Learn more at dhses.ny.gov/emergency-alerts. 

Personal Assistant Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Massive Fraud Scheme Targeting Her Elderly Employers

Defendant Exploited Her Position of Trust to Steal Nearly $10 Million Which She Spent on Luxury Goods from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Cartier 

Catalina Corona was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to 48 months’ imprisonment for wire fraud in connection with a long running scheme to defraud her elderly employers.  As part of her sentence, Corona was also ordered to pay $9.6 million in forfeiture. Corona pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2026.   

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence. 

“This sentence holds the defendant accountable for a calculated scheme to steal nearly $10 million from her elderly employers who had entrusted her with their financial affairs for many years,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “With complete control over the victims’ accounts, the defendant was able to siphon large amounts of money at will, and on a breathtaking scale.  Our Office will vigorously prosecute those who exploit vulnerable elderly victims for personal gain.”

"Catalina Corona will face justice for her calculated and callus fraud scheme. She swindled nearly $10 million from the elderly couple she was entrusted to assist. Let this be a warning to others that think they may fly under the radar with similar schemes, the FBI will follow the money, and criminals will be found,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

According to court filings and statements in court, Corona began her professional relationship with Victim-1 in the early 2000s when she served as a secretary for Victim-1’s company.  After Victim-1 passed away in May 2022, Corona continued to work as a personal assistant for Victim-1’s wife, Victim-2 (collectively, the “Victims”).  While working as a personal assistant to the Victims, Corona repeatedly deposited hundreds of checks written out to cash—made payable to herself—from the Victims’ bank accounts without their knowledge or consent.

In total, Corona stole nearly $10 million, which she used to pay her credit card bills and to purchase luxury items.  Specifically, the investigation revealed that Corona had used approximately $1,117,000 of stolen funds to purchase merchandise at Louis Vuitton, approximately $125,500 to purchase merchandise from Cartier, nearly $300,000 in stolen funds to purchase merchandise at Gucci, and approximately $305,000 in stolen funds to purchase merchandise from Apple. 

Corona concealed the whereabouts of the high-end luxury items purchased with the stolen funds by renting out two storage units.  Law enforcement obtained search warrants for the defendant’s residence and the two storage units, and estimated that there were over 300 luxury items stashed in the units.

Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Narcotics Trafficking

 

Donelfert Monterroso Vasquez, 51, a Guatemalan national, pleaded guilty to conspiring to import more than 450 kilograms of cocaine into the United States. 

According to court documents, Monterroso Vasquez coordinated the movement of multi-hundred-kilogram quantities of cocaine from Colombia through his location in Guatemala and on to Mexico. A network of associates further transported the cocaine into the United States, where the distribution of the cocaine would generate the highest profit. The defendant and his co-conspirators communicated over an encrypted platform. At one point, Monterroso Vasquez sent an image of a brick of cocaine with “USA” stamped on it, indicating it was destined for the United States. 

Monterroso Vasquez was arrested upon landing at an airport in the United States in June 2026 and has remained in custody since then.

Monterroso Vasquez is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 26, 2027, and faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Theophani K. Stamos for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Louisville Field Division made the announcement.

DEA Memphis investigated the case, with assistance from DEA’s Special Operations Division; DEA’s offices in Guatemala and Colombia; and the Guatemalan National Police. 

Trial Attorney Claire Galasso of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo J. Rodriguez and Christopher M. Carter for the Eastern District of Viriginia are prosecuting the case.

MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.

MNF’s Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit investigates and prosecutes sophisticated money laundering schemes involving financial facilitators, gatekeepers, and other individuals and entities laundering criminal proceeds, and litigates complex civil forfeiture cases to recover assets on behalf of victims.

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - A FREE musical masterclass, open jam & concert on November 5th at BRAC!

 

Do you LOVE Music?

Do you WANT to JAM?



Come to BRAC Thursday November 5th!

5PM Afro-Venezuelan drumming masterclass and open jam

7PM Free Concert featuring Latin Grammy nominee Gabriel Chakarji and Caracas Trio

FREE EVENT - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

Experience the premiere of Tambor en NYC, a new suite of compositions by Venezuelan pianist and composer Gabriel Chakarji, written for the Latin GRAMMY-nominated Caracas Trio. This genre-bending ensemble brings together the richness of Venezuelan musical traditions with contemporary jazz, improvisation, and bold musical experimentation.

Featuring Gabriel Chakarji (piano/keybass), Juan Diego Villalobos (vibraphone/keybass), and Daniel Prim (drums/percussion), Caracas Trio is dedicated to exploring and reimagining the musical heritage of Venezuela. Their debut album, Folklore, earned a nomination for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album at the 2026 Latin GRAMMY Awards, recognizing the trio's distinctive approach to blending tradition with innovation.

The evening will begin at 5:00 PM with an interactive masterclass and jam exploring Afro-Venezuelan drumming traditions, followed by a concert at 7:00 PM, featuring the premiere of Chakarji's new compositions.

5PM Interactive Masterclass and Jam

Led by Caracas Trio, this interactive masterclass will introduce participants to the rich traditions of Afro-Venezuelan drumming and explore how these rhythms influence the trio's compositions, improvisation, and contemporary jazz language. The first half will feature live demonstrations of traditional percussion patterns, their cultural significance, and the creative ways the ensemble incorporates them into its music. In the second half, students will be invited to participate in a hands-on percussion workshop, learning and playing the rhythms themselves. The session will conclude with an open jam led by Caracas Trio, welcoming musicians from the community to join in a collaborative musical exchange celebrating Venezuelan traditions and creative expression.

7PM Concert: Tambor en NYC

Tambor en NYC is a new suite of original compositions rooted in Venezuelan musical expressions such as sangueo, culo e' puya, and joropo. These traditions carry deep cultural significance, serving not only as musical forms but also as expressions of celebration, community, and identity. Enjoy the trio's adventurous musical journey in this unique concert.

Get Your FREE Ticket for Tambor en NYC

Comptroller Investigation Finds More than Half of Restaurants in Outdoor Dining Program Waited Over 19 Months for Permits, Delays Deprive Businesses of Much-Needed Revenue

 

Wait times far exceeded DOT’s estimated eight-month timeline for approvals; inadequate data tracking hinders agency management of program

A Comptroller’s Office investigation of the City’s Dining Out NYC program found that more than half of restaurants that have received outdoor dining permits since the program’s launch in March 2024 waited over 19 months for approval. This far exceeds the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) eight-month timeline for approvals. Of the nearly 5,000 applications submitted from 2024 through mid-June 2026, just 28.6% had been approved, and only 1 of 388 submitted in 2026 had been approved as of June 15, when the investigation was conducted.  

The investigation also found that, while DOT has significantly increased application approvals since June, the agency lacks an adequate system-of-record for tracking applications through the stages of the process, limiting its ability to identify bottlenecks, measure delays, and ensure timely approvals. 

“Outdoor dining has become a staple of New York City’s streetscape and a lifeline for small businesses,” said City Comptroller Mark Levine. “Unfortunately, the permitting process is a maze of approvals that takes far too long, depriving restaurants, bars, and cafes of expanded capacity and sorely needed revenue. Restaurant owners deserve a faster, simpler, and more predictable permitting process, so they can focus on serving New Yorkers and contributing to the vitality of our neighborhoods.” 

In May, the Office began an investigation into the persistent delays leading up to DOT’s filing of applications for registration. The Comptroller’s Office registers permits in an average of 7.9 days, and since September 2024 has authorized DOT to allow restaurants to participate immediately upon filing for registration.   

The share of the City’s approximately 27,000 restaurants participating in outdoor dining has dropped sharply since the Covid-19 pandemic, down from a peak approaching 13,000 to just under 2,500.  With the passage of Local Law 135 this August, granting roadway cafes the ability to operate year-round, restaurants could face fewer barriers to participation by avoiding seasonal construction, dismantling and storage costs.  

Other key findings in the report include: 

• Fewer than twenty applications had been approved within DOT’s estimated eight-month approval timeline as of June 15, 2026. 

• Restaurants often engage in monthslong dialogue with DOT staff to complete preliminary application documentation requirements, including highly technical information well beyond the reasonable capacity of small business owners.  

• There has been an increase in the volume of applications submitted to the Comptroller’s Office since the start of this review. An additional 1,092 applications have been submitted to the Office of the Comptroller for registration between June 15, 2026 and October 21, 2026. As of June 15, 2026, however, 2,115 applications were still pending with DOT. 

• DOT was not able to demonstrate that it tracks how long applications spend at each stage of the process, or that it has a system to track reasons for permit denials.  

• The absence of meaningful and complete data significantly hinders DOT’s ability to understand the causes of delays and how to fix them. 

The New York City Commission on Government Efficiency proposed a charter amendment aimed at reducing application delays by shortening or eliminating certain external review requirements, including public hearings and City Record publication timelines. Independent of whether the proposed charter amendment is adopted, DOT should take additional steps to streamline the application process.  

To that end, the Comptroller’s Office offered several recommendations, including: 

• Develop better data management and tracking. Producing and publishing routine management reports showing processing times, pending workloads, and stage-specific performance will help identify bottlenecks. 

• Develop performance targets. Each stage of the process, internally at DOT and externally, should be assigned a target for processing time and tracked against such targets. A target should also be established for clearing the backlog, and a plan implemented to comply with the 2-month approval timeline under consideration by voters on the November ballot. 

• Enhance User Experience. DOT should develop a tool capable of automatically populating certain geospatial information based on basic information restaurants provide. DOT should also develop a user-friendly sketching tool to propose outdoor furniture placement. 

• Support more flexible design standards. A broader range of street furniture features, including all-season furniture, could help lower upfront capital costs for restaurants.  

You can read the full report here: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/investigation-of-processing-times-in-dots-dining-out-nyc-program/

Secretary Mullin Meets with Coast Guard’s Elite Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron

 

United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin met with U.S. Coast Guard personnel at the Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) in Jacksonville, where he was shown several demonstrations of the Coast Guard’s elite airborne use of force capabilities.

Secretary Mullin was accompanied on his tour by Capt. Kent Reinhold, commanding officer of HITRON; Cmdr. Jon Magin, chief of personnel and support for HITRON; Cmdr. Chuck Arena, operations officer for HITRON; and Master Chief Travis Greenwood, command master chief for HITRON.

During his tour, Secretary Mullin participated in a demonstration of HITRON’s Airborne Use of Force (AUF), displaying tactics, techniques, and procedures for intercepting non-compliant vessels engaged in illicit narcotics trafficking. He then witnessed an Offshore Live-Fire Gunnery Exercise, showcasing the precision aviation weapons systems that deliver disabling fire against targets of interest.

“The patriots of the United States Coast Guard are on the front lines of protecting our borders at sea and in the air,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “During my visit to HITRON in Jacksonville, I got to see firsthand the world-class training and equipment that our Coasties use to interdict drug vessels trying to smuggle dangerous drugs to our shores. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, our borders are stronger than ever before – by land, by sea, and by air. And it wouldn’t be possible without the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard.”

Secretary Mullin meets with Coast Guard personnel at Coast Guard Air Station Jacksonville.

 

Secretary Mullin participates in a demonstration of HITRON’s Airborne Use of Force.

Secretary Mullin addresses Coast Guard personnel 

Last week, Secretary Mullin toured the Coast Guard’s Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) and Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.