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New York. 70 NYCHA Employees Convicted in Massive Bribery and Corruption Scheme

Federal prosecutors have announced the conviction of 70 current and former New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) employees in a sweeping bribery and corruption case involving “micro-purchase” construction and repair contracts. Investigators found that staff routinely demanded cash kickbacks from contractors in exchange for awarding or speeding up small housing projects, diverting millions of dollars and further undermining public trust in New York City’s public housing system.

All 70 NYCHA Employees Charged In February 2024 Sweep Convicted Of Bribery, Fraud, Or Extortion Offenses

Less Than 22 Months After the Arrests—Which Were the Largest Number of Federal Bribery Charges on a Single Day in Department of Justice History—All 70 Charged Defendants Have Pled Guilty or Were Convicted at Trial for Accepting Cash Payments

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), Jocelyn E. Strauber, Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (“HUD-OIG”), Brian D. Harrison, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), Jonathan Mellone, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Harry T. Chavis, announced that all 70 employees of the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) who were arrested and charged in February 2024 have now been convicted of bribery, fraud, or extortion offenses.

Of the 70 defendants charged in February 2024 with accepting bribes in exchange for awarding NYCHA repair contracts, three defendants were convicted after jury trials, 56 defendants pled guilty to felony offenses, and 11 defendants pled guilty to misdemeanor offenses. Sentencings are ongoing, but sentences imposed to date range up to 48 months in prison. The defendants were collectively responsible for accepting over $2.1 million in bribes in exchange for awarding NYCHA contracts worth over $15 million. As a result of the convictions, the defendants will collectively pay over $2.1 million in restitution to NYCHA and will forfeit over $2 million in criminal proceeds.

“Today’s plea of the 70th and final NYCHA pay-for-play contracting scheme defendant marks an important milestone in one of the largest single-day corruption cases in the history of the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “All 70 charged defendants have now been convicted for attempting to criminally leverage the contracting process of work for affordable housing for New Yorkers to line their own pockets. NYCHA residents deserve better. New Yorkers deserve better. This broad and swift action demonstrates our Office’s commitment to combatting corruption in our nation’s largest public housing authority—home to 1 in every 17 New York City residents.”

“Today, the last of the 70 NYCHA employees charged with bribery and extortion in connection with the awarding of micro-purchase contracts pled guilty, closing the chapter on an investigation in which DOI and our federal partners exposed widespread corruption that touched almost one-third of NYCHA’s 365 developments in each of the five boroughs,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “All the defendants, many of them supervisors, now have taken responsibility for separate schemes that, in total, involved more than $15 million in no-bid contracts, awarded in exchange for the payment of more than $2.1 million in bribes to employees who chose to serve themselves instead of the residents of NYCHA, driving up costs of maintenance and improvements in a public housing system dependent on scarce resources. To date, approximately $2 million in restitution to NYCHA and nearly $2 million in forfeiture has been ordered. Equally important, DOI’s 14 recommendations to improve controls with respect to NYCHA’s micro-purchase contracting have been implemented – three of which were similar to DOI’s 2021 recommendations that were rejected by NYCHA. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and our federal law enforcement partners for their commitment to thwart corruption that drains public housing resources, and NYCHA for the implementation of much-needed contracting reforms.”

“Today’s final guilty plea is an important milestone in bringing to an end the egregious pay-to-play bribery scheme that wasted millions of dollars that should have benefited HUD tenants in New York and raised serious questions about the integrity of NYCHA operations,” said HUD-OIG Acting Inspector General Brian D. Harrison. “All 70 of the NYCHA employees who failed to uphold the basic duty of not stealing from public housing have now admitted guilt or been found guilty at trial within two years of indictment, a testament to the investigative excellence of HUD OIG and its law enforcement partners. We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its support and prosecutions in this case and know that this sends a clear signal to corrupt public officials that they will be held accountable.”

“Nearly two years ago, HSI New York and our law enforcement partners announced a sweeping investigation that uncovered a brazen corruption and extortion scheme that marked the largest number of federal bribery charges in a single day in history,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “Today’s guilty plea is the latest step in exposing a scheme that exploited NYCHA’s operations, shortchanged its communities, and siphoned trust and resources from NYCHA residents—New Yorkers who deserve better. Working in lockstep with our federal, state, and local law enforcement counterparts, HSI will keep pressing forward to protect New Yorkers and ensure that anyone who attempts to jeopardize their well-being faces decisive consequences.”

“An important part of the mission of DOL-OIG is to investigate fraud and other federal crimes involving matters within the jurisdiction of the Office of Inspector General,” said DOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone. “The seventy convictions obtained in this investigation send a clear message that public corruption will not be tolerated. We are committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who exploit governmental programs and the American workers.”

“IRS-CI will continually use its unique expertise in tax and finance to find leverage in assisting with complex investigations,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis. “We are proud to build on our law enforcement partnerships to continue to bring criminals to justice.”

According to information contained in court filings and public court proceedings, including as proven at trial:

NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in the country, providing housing to 1 in 17 New Yorkers in 335 developments across the City and receiving over $1.5 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development every year. When repairs or construction work require the use of outside contractors, services must typically be purchased via a bidding process. However, at all times relevant to the cases referenced above, when the value of a contract was under a certain threshold (up to $10,000), designated staff at NYCHA developments could hire a contractor of their choosing without soliciting multiple bids. This “no-bid” process was faster than the general NYCHA procurement process, and selection of the contractor required approval of only the designated staff at the development where the work was to be performed.

The defendants, all of whom were NYCHA employees during the time of the relevant conduct, demanded and received cash in exchange for NYCHA contracts by either requiring contractors to pay up front in order to be awarded the contracts or requiring payment after the contractor finished the work and needed a NYCHA employee to sign off on the completed job so the contractor could receive payment from NYCHA. The defendants typically demanded approximately 10% to 20% of the contract value—between $500 and $2,000 depending on the size of the contract—but some defendants demanded even higher amounts.

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Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of DOI, HUD-OIG, HSI, DOL-OIG, and IRS-CI, which work together collaboratively as part of the HSI Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, as well as the special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Clayton also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support of NYCHA’s senior executive leadership.

These cases are handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry J. Fang, Jacob R. Fiddelman, Meredith Foster, Catherine Ghosh, and Justin Horton are in charge of the prosecutions, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Deininger, Jane Kim, Benjamin Burkett, Matthew J. King, and Amanda C. Weingarten also handled individual cases.

Contact

Nicholas Biase, Shelby Wratchford
(212) 637-2600

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York
Public Corruption Press Release Number: 25-244

Sources: Justice.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
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#NYCHA #BriberyCase #NewYorkCity

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

November 29, 2025
White House. Thanksgiving 2025: Lower Gas Prices and Cheaper Dinners as Trump Administration’s Inflation Fight Brings Relief

As Americans prepare for Thanksgiving 2025, families across the country are seeing signs of economic relief that the Trump Administration credits to its efforts to unleash American energy, cut regulations, and fight inflation, following what it describes as the worst inflation crisis in 40 years under Joe Biden and the Democrats. Local reports from states including Colorado, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and others show gas prices falling—often below $3 per gallon and in some places nearing $2—just in time for holiday travel, while multiple Farm Bureau surveys reveal that the cost of a classic 10-person Thanksgiving meal has dropped, with notable savings on turkeys and other staples and some states like Louisiana and Michigan coming in well below the national average. While emphasizing that this is not “mission accomplished” and that Americans are still paying too much after years of what it calls reckless Democrat spending and regulation, the Trump Administration frames these lower gas and grocery prices as early evidence that its push for bold, structural economic changes is beginning to deliver tangible savings for American families.

More Relief on the Way as Economic Wins Bring Savings to Gas Pump, Thanksgiving Table

As millions of American families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, they’re seeing a dose of the economic relief President Donald J. Trump is fighting to deliver. After inheriting the worst inflation crisis in 40 years from Joe Biden and Democrats, the Trump Administration’s actions to unleash American energy, slash regulations, and crush inflation are translating into lower gas prices in many states and a decrease in the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.

Make no mistake: this is not “mission accomplished.” Americans are still paying far too much after four years of reckless Democrat spending and regulation — and that’s why the Trump Administration is relentlessly fighting to deliver the bold, structural changes that will bring lasting relief to all American families.

Here’s what local news outlets are reporting as those signs of change start to appear:

KDVR-TV (Denver, CO): Cheapest gas prices in Denver hit less than $2 Sunday ahead of Thanksgiving weekend
Gas prices in Denver are trending down just in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend, with one station in the city even hitting less than $2 on Sunday, according to GasBuddy. Just in the last week, gas prices in Denver have fallen 14.5 cents per gallon, hitting a $2.47 per gallon average Monday morning, GasBuddy reported. That number is lower than the national average of $3.03 per gallon, and it is even nearly 30 cents lower than Denver’s average prices a year ago.

KIMT-TV (Des Moines, IA): Lower Turkey Prices Bring Thanksgiving Savings to Iowa
Iowans can look forward to saving on their Thanksgiving meals this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s survey reveals the average cost of a classic 10-serving holiday meal is $55.18, down 5% from last year. In the Midwest, the average is slightly lower at $54.38. The survey highlights a decrease in frozen turkey prices as a major factor in the overall savings. Items like a 16-pound turkey, fresh cranberries, and dinner rolls have all seen price drops, attributed to lower wheat prices.

KSAT-TV (San Antonio, TX): San Antonio gas prices set to hit pandemic-era lows for Thanksgiving
San Antonio drivers may have noticed some interesting movement at the pump this week… Thanksgiving travelers are still expected to see cheaper gas at the pump compared to last year.

The Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI): Ingredients that go into Preparing a Thanksgiving Meal to Cost Less this Year
In Michigan, those making the holiday meal will pay even less, $51.80 for a meal serving 10 people, Theresa Sisung, industry relations specialist for the Michigan Farm Bureau, told the Free Press.

WBIW Radio (Bloomington, IN): Indiana gas prices drop sharply ahead of holiday travel
Hoosier drivers are getting a break at the pump just in time for the busy holiday travel season, with average gasoline prices in Indiana falling 12.3 cents per gallon in the last week.

WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, New York): The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner is Down for the Third Year in a Row
The American Farm Bureau Federation says the average price for a 16-pound turkey in the U.S. is $21.50. That’s down more than 16 percent from last year.

WKYC-TV (Cleveland, OH): Gas prices plummet in Northeast Ohio
Gas prices have gone down in Northeast Ohio within the last week, bringing the average cost in Akron and Cleveland below $3 per gallon. Akron saw the biggest drop, falling 38.1 cents within the last week.

WMUR-TV (Manchester, NH): Lower gas prices expected for Thanksgiving travelers this year
Anyone who plans to hit the roads for Thanksgiving travel this year will likely see the cheapest gas prices in the past few years. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in New Hampshire are expected to be the lowest they have been for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2021.

KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh, PA): Gas prices in the Pittsburgh area on the decline ahead of Thanksgiving travel
One small consolation for your trip is the price of gas… We are on a downward trajectory. We should see some solid relief in Pittsburgh over the next few weeks in terms of falling gas prices.

WLUK-TV (Green Bay, WI): Gas prices drop ahead of busy travel week
Average gasoline prices in Green Bay have fallen 5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.75/g today, according to GasBuddy… GasBuddy forecasts a national average price of gas of $3.02 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day, matching last year and marking one of the cheapest holiday averages since 2021.

The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, LA): Thanksgiving Dinner with Turkey is Bargain in Louisiana, Where Costs Are Below U.S. Average
A Thanksgiving family feast to feed 10 people in Louisiana this year is more affordable than any other state in the U.S. except for Arkansas, according to the annual American Farm Bureau cost survey. The cost for 11 market basket items including a whole frozen turkey in Louisiana in 2025 is $44.70. That’s more than $10 cheaper than the national average of $55.18.

WAND-TV (Decatur, IL): Illinois Farm Bureau: Turkey Prices have Dropped Around 16%
Thanksgiving dinner prices in Illinois are going down. The Illinois Farm Bureau said that turkey prices have dropped around 16%, just over a dollar per pound. Other Thanksgiving staples like stuffing and pie crusts are also getting cheaper.

KJZZ Radio (Phoenix, AZ): Arizona Thanksgiving Meal Prices are Down 21 Cents from Last Year, Farm Bureau Says
If you’re already preparing for next week’s Thanksgiving celebration, you might have noticed slightly lower food costs. A traditional Thanksgiving — we’re talking turkey and all the fixings plus desert for an Arizona family of 10 — will cost $53.17 or roughly $5.31 per person, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau.That’s down 21 cents from last year.

WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids, MI): Thanksgiving Dinner Will Cost Less This Year With Michigan Families Getting Bigger Savings
Good news is coming to Michigan dinner tables this Thanksgiving as families will spend less on their holiday feast compared to last year. According to the Michigan Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving dinner survey, the average cost for a traditional meal serving 10 people has dropped to $51.80 in Michigan — nearly $4 below the national average of $55.12.

The White House

November 24, 2025

Sources: White House , Midtown Tribune news

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

November 24, 2025
WHITE HOUSE. JOINT STATEMENT ON UNITED STATES-UKRAINE MEETING

On 23 November 2025, representatives of the United States and Ukraine met in Geneva for discussions on the U.S. peace proposal. The talks were constructive, focused, and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace.

Both sides agreed the consultations were highly productive. The discussions showed meaningful progress toward aligning positions and identifying clear next steps. They reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace. As a result of the discussions, the parties drafted an updated and refined peace framework.

The Ukrainian delegation reaffirmed its gratitude for the steadfast commitment of the United States and, personally, President Donald J. Trump for their tireless efforts aimed at ending the war and the loss of life.

Ukraine and the United States agreed to continue intensive work on joint proposals in the coming days. They will also remain in close contact with their European partners as the process advances.

Final decisions under this framework will be made by the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States.

Both sides reiterated their readiness to continue working together to secure a peace that ensures Ukraine’s security, stability, and reconstruction.

Office of the First Lady

The White House

November 23, 2025

Sources: WH.gov , Midtown Tribune

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

November 24, 2025
Upper Darby Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Defrauding a Religious Organization and a Political Organization

United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Willie Jordan, 68, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to one year in prison, one year of supervised release, $142,991 in restitution, and forfeiture of $142,991 by United States District Judge Harvey Bartle III for two separate fraud schemes Jordan conducted.

The defendant was charged by information with two counts of wire fraud and pleaded guilty in July of this year.

As detailed in court filings and statements made in court, Jordan was a deacon and trustee for Religious Organization #1, located in Philadelphia, Pa. Jordan was responsible for managing and overseeing various financial matters involving Religious Organization #1, including collecting funds for the organization, depositing those funds in the organization’s bank accounts, and paying the organization’s expenses.

Religious Organization #1 placed Jordan in a position of trust and allowed him to exercise almost total control over its funds. The defendant did not receive a salary from Religious Organization #1. Rather, he received his salary from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where he was a Director of Operations for a state senator.

From at least in or about January 2020 through at least in or about January 2024, Jordan exploited Religious Organization #1 for his personal financial benefit. On a regular basis, the defendant improperly issued checks to himself from Religious Organization #1’s business checking account, and made it appear that such checks were to reimburse him for expenses that he incurred on behalf of Religious Organization #1. In fact, Jordan did not incur those expenses and simply issued those checks for his personal benefit. The defendant engaged in this activity fraudulently and without the knowledge or permission of Religious Organization #1, its trustees, or members.

As part of this scheme, Jordan issued approximately 82 fraudulent checks to himself totaling approximately $57,384, resulting in significant losses to Religious Organization #1.

As presented in court filings and statements, Political Organization #1 was one of 66 wards in Philadelphia and a subdivision of Political Organization #2, which represented the interests of a political party in the City of Philadelphia.

From in or about 1996 through in or about April 2025, the defendant was the elected leader of Political Organization #1 and controlled and managed the organization’s finances. Jordan did not receive a salary from Political Organization #1.

From at least in or about January 2020, through at least in or about January 2024, Jordan exploited Political Organization #1 for his personal financial benefit. He opened two bank accounts in name of Political Organization #1, made himself the sole signatory on the accounts in the name of Political Organization #1, and obtained, for both accounts, debit cards that he controlled.

On a regular basis, the defendant improperly conducted financial transactions, through debit card charges, checks, and ATM cash withdrawals, using Political Organization #1’s bank accounts to transfer the funds of Political Organization #1 to himself or others, for his personal benefit.

Jordan used Political Organization #1’s funds for personal purchases at airlines, car dealerships, furniture stores, grocery stores, and other retail establishments. He also used those funds to pay his personal credit card bills, utility bills, and cellular telephone bills. In or about the summer of 2023, Jordan used the funds of Political Organization #1 to pay more than $12,500 in expenses for a family member’s funeral. The defendant engaged in these personal financial transactions without any benefit flowing to Political Organization #1 and without the knowledge or permission of any of its members.

As part of this scheme, Jordan defrauded Political Organization #1 and its members of at least $85,607.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen and Special Assistant United States Attorney James E. Price.

Sources: Justice.gov , Midtown Tribune

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

November 19, 2025
Telemarketing Company Operators Sentenced for Roles in Genetic Testing Fraud Scheme

Two men from Texas and Florida were sentenced today to four years and two years in prison, respectively, for their roles as leaders of a marketing company that solicited Medicare beneficiaries for medically unnecessary genetic testing. The Florida man received an additional two years in prison, to be served concurrently, for his role in falsifying the ownership information in Medicare enrollment documentation for a clinical laboratory.

According to court documents, Paul Wexler, 56, of Spring, Texas, and Paul Bleignier, 64, of Seminole, Florida, operated a telemarketing company that recruited Medicare beneficiaries for cancer genetic (CGx) testing that was medically unnecessary. CGx testing uses DNA sequencing to detect mutations in genes that could indicate a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers in the future. It is not a method of diagnosing whether an individual presently has cancer, and Medicare covers CGx testing in limited circumstances. Further, Wexler, Bleignier and their co-conspirators solicited and received kickbacks in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries for CGx testing that was not eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Through the scheme, Wexler and Bleignier caused Medicare to be billed $17.3 million, and they were paid $5.2 million.

While the criminal case for genetic testing fraud was pending, Bleignier opened a clinical laboratory and enrolled it in Medicare. Medicare requires a certification listing anyone with 5% or more ownership interest, but Bleignier used other people’s identities to disguise his involvement. The claims related to that laboratory were further tainted by kickbacks. Bleignier and his co-conspirators billed Medicare for $3,012,156 in claims that were ineligible for reimbursement, and they were paid $916,106.

In April 2024, Wexler pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. In November 2022, Bleignier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive kickbacks, and in November 2024, he pleaded guilty to making false statements related to health care matters. At sentencing the two were ordered to pay $1.2 million in forfeiture each and $5.2 million in restitution. Bleignier was ordered to pay an additional $916,106 in forfeiture for his role in falsifying the ownership information in Medicare enrollment documentation.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Charles D. Strauss of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. 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.

Updated November 13, 2025

Office of Public Affairs

Sources: Justice.gov , Midtown Tribune News

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

November 13, 2025
Five MS-13 Members Found Guilty of Committing String of Six Grisly Murders to Advance Their Standing in the Criminal Street Gang
– Five members of the transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) were found guilty by a jury today of committing six murders to advance their standing in the gang – killings in which the victims varyingly were strangled, shot, stabbed with knives or a machete, beaten with a baseball bat, then, in some cases, had their bodies thrown off a cliff or down a hill in the Angeles National Forest.

At the conclusion of a nine-week trial, a jury found the following defendants guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act:
- Walter Chavez Larin, 26, of Panorama City;
- Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, 30, of Baldwin Park; and
- Edwin Martinez, 28, of Cypress Park.
Chavez and Corado also were found guilty of two counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder. Martinez was found guilty of three counts of VICAR murder. Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias, 28, of South Los Angeles, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder. Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias, 27, also of South Los Angeles and who is Bryan Rosales’s brother, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder.

“The horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying MS-13 and putting its depraved members behind bars,” said United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump, MS-13 can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: We will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims.”

“We thank the jury for returning swift guilty verdicts against these MS-13 criminals who engaged in horrific acts of violence and murder,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “I thank and commend our law enforcement partners for their work in removing members of this terrorist organization from our streets. MS-13 is a violent brutal gang that must be eliminated from the United States, and we will not stop until we succeed in our mission.”

“Cases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The defendants in this case carried out barbaric attacks on their victims to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. I’m proud of the hard work that went into this trial by agents and prosecutors which resulted in a guilty verdict and a measure of justice for the victims, and which will effectively remove murderers and terrorists from Los Angeles communities.”

“The brutality of these crimes is a stark reminder of the importance of our shared mission: to protect the people of Los Angeles from those who seek to do harm,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “I thank every investigator, prosecutor, and law enforcement professional who contributed to this case. Their dedication has brought justice to the victims and sent a clear message — we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our city. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to stand against gang violence in all its forms.”

“These convictions send a powerful message that criminal gang violence and intimidation have no place in Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “These violent individuals terrorized our communities and tore families apart to further their criminal network. Through the tireless efforts of our local and federal partners, we have brought justice to the victims’ families and held these individuals accountable for their brutal crimes.”

“MS-13 has inflicted unimaginable suffering on victims and their families in our communities,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “These guilty verdicts for crimes related to murder, extortion and drug trafficking against five members of MS-13’s leadership demonstrate the relentless and fearless partnership between local and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.”

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants murdered their victims who either were – or perceived to be – members of the 18th Street gang, a rival of MS-13, or had violated MS-13’s rules.

The trial focused on MS-13 Los Angeles cliques that implemented gang rules that required its members to use murder and extreme violence to rise within its ranks.

The charges relate to machete, knife, and baseball bat killings in the Angeles National Forest and several other areas in remote, mountainous locations in Los Angeles County. Those six murders – which included murders committed in the mountains near Malibu, in a remote area of the Santa Clarita Valley, and two in Van Nuys – are also charged as violent crimes committed in aid of racketeering (VICAR). Those six counts allege that the victims were killed “for the purpose of gaining entry to and maintaining and increasing position in MS-13 Los Angeles.”

In June 2017, one victim – who claimed he had a leadership role in MS-13– was taken to the Angeles National Forest then stabbed and hacked to death by his killers, including Chavez. Several of the assailants unsuccessfully tried to decapitate him then left his body behind.

In October 2017, another victim – rumored to be an 18th Street member – was lured to his death by two teenage girls. He was kidnapped, strangled, beaten with a baseball bat then fatally stabbed with a large hunting style knife. Before his body was thrown off a cliff in the Angeles National Forest. This victim’s assailants included Corado and Bryan Rosales.

In July 2018, a third victim – also rumored to be an 18th Street member – was lured to Malibu hills under the auspices of smoking marijuana and drinking beer with several other people. While the victim stood at a scenic overlook, Corado shot him in the back of the head. Corado gave the gun to Erick Rosales, who shot the victim before passing the gun to other MS-13 members who took turns shooting him. This victim’s body ultimately was thrown off the edge of a road down a hill.

Martinez murdered three victims – one of them was shot to death in December 2018 after returning from the gym and was mistaken for an 18th Street gang member, another was an MS-13 associate addicted to methamphetamine (a violation of MS-13 rules) who was shot to death on January 13, 2019, and the third was a homeless man who was fatally shot on January 14, 2019 for having a tattoo believed to be related to 18th Street. Chavez participated in the January 13 murder.

Sentencing hearings before United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II are scheduled for July 2026, at which time each of the defendants will face a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison.

Prosecutors have secured 25 convictions so far in this case. Several other MS-13 members and associates are scheduled to go to trial in April 2026 in connection with racketeering conspiracy and gang murders.

The FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Sara B. Vargas of the Major Crimes Section, Benedetto L. Balding of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, William Larsen of the Criminal Appeals Section, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Siddall are prosecuting this case.

Updated November 10, 2025

Monday, November 10, 2025 Office of Public Affairs

LOS ANGELES

Office of Public Affairs Department of Justice

Sources: JUSTICE.gov , Midtown Tribune News

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York
November 13, 2025
New York Invests $550K in SUNY Community College Food Pantries to Fight Student Hunger
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced nearly $550,000 in emergency state funding to restock food pantries at SUNY’s 30 community colleges as students and families struggle with food insecurity tied to the nation’s longest federal government shutdown. The new money builds on more than $106 million the state has already fast-tracked to fight hunger, including $40 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, $25 million for the Nourish NY farm-to-food-bank initiative, and $41 million for food banks, pantries and soup kitchens. Hochul’s administration has also mobilized SUNY’s Empire State Service Corps, hosted a statewide Day of Hunger Action, and required campuses to share basic-needs information with students. SUNY leaders praised the governor, saying the investment will help community colleges support students’ basic needs so they can stay in school and succeed.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an emergency investment of nearly $550,000 in assistance for SUNY community college food pantries and related efforts to help campuses address the ongoing food insecurity crisis as a result of the longest federal government shutdown in United States history. The emergency assistance announced by Governor Hochul will help the food pantries located at each of SUNY’s 30 community colleges restock supplies and support students in need.

“As the consequences of the longest federal government shutdown in history drag on, millions of New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet and facing a food insecurity crisis,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will continue to take action and use all of the tools and resources at our disposal to protect New Yorkers and ensure they receive the food support they need and deserve.”

As the nation faces the ongoing consequences of the longest federal government shutdown in history, millions of New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet and enduring a food insecurity crisis. Governor Hochul has taken repeated action to address this crisis, including declaring a state of emergency and directing the SUNY Empire State Service Corps members to take action and help support New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. Governor Hochul has allocated and fast-tracked the expenditure of more than $106 million to address the hunger crisis impacting New York State, including the allocation of:
- $40 million in new funding for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides emergency food relief and nutrition services to food-insecure populations. HPNAP works in partnership with a network of about 2,700 Emergency Food Providers (EFPs), including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.
- $25 million in new funding for Nourish NY, which supplies surplus agricultural products (e.g., milk, apples, cheese, yogurt, cabbage, squash) to populations who need them through the State’s network of food relief organizations (i.e., regional food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and community-based organizations that provide food for free to persons experiencing food insecurity).
- $41 million in state funds to support food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and more to provide emergency food assistance to New Yorkers.
To build on these efforts, Governor Hochul has now announced an additional nearly $550,000 in emergency state funding to support State University of New York (SUNY) community college food pantries.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY thanks Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to helping New Yorkers address the hunger crisis facing our state. From our hundreds of Empire State Service Corps members who answered the call and stepped up to take action against food insecurity, to this investment in our community college food pantries throughout the state, SUNY is proud to support our students and all New Yorkers.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “We have community colleges spread throughout New York State, and these engines of upward mobility recognize that meeting students’ basic needs is essential to student success. We have been proud to support every SUNY community college and their vital mission, and we are grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued investment in our campuses and in the New Yorkers who rely on them.”

The nearly $550,000 food support investment announced by Governor Hochul is part of SUNY’s ongoing efforts to take action against hunger and to support students struggling with food insecurity. These actions include:
- Deploying the SUNY Empire State Service Corps to support local food banks.
- Enacting a statewide Day of Hunger Action where all SUNY Empire State Service Corps students were encouraged to assist food pantries throughout the state.
- Allocating $1 million in ongoing operating expenses each year to support initiatives to address food insecurity on all State-operated campuses.
- Generating a guide to support adult students with children access to SNAP.
- Requiring, through SUNY Board of Trustee action, that information on how to access food and other basic needs resources be included at orientation and on websites for SUNY students, faculty, and staff. This includes encouraging SUNY faculty to voluntarily include basic needs statements on syllabi.
- Hosting a first-of-its-kind Basic Needs Summit, to improve access to essential resources.
About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.

Sources: Governor.ny.gov Big New York news BigNY.com
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November 12, 2025
City of New York Urges Court to Free Student Detained After Immigration Check-In

The City of New York on Tuesday filed an amicus brief in federal court backing the immediate release of E.J.C.C., a 16-year-old Bronx public school student detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a routine Oct. 23 check-in, arguing that detention should be a last resort for children who pose no flight or safety risk. The brief, submitted in the Southern District of New York, says the student—who lives with a family member, attends Gotham Collaborative High School with perfect attendance, and is described by teachers as responsible and engaged—has already missed three weeks of classes and faces irreparable educational harm. Mayor Eric Adams called public schools “safe, nurturing places” and said the city is “proud to support his petition for justice,” while Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant contended that the Trump administration had not met the “very high bar” for detaining the minor. The filing asserts that if the government intended to deport the teen despite his Special Immigrant Juvenile status and deferred application, it could have allowed legal challenges while leaving him in family care; instead, it detained him without warning at an appointment he “faithfully attended.” City officials said they have taken similar legal steps for other detained students in recent years.

– The City of New York today took action in support of E.J.C.C., a New York City Public Schools student who was detained on October 23, 2025, after attending a mandatory, routine immigration check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, by filing an amicus brief in support of E.J.C.C.’s petition for immediate release from custody.

E.J.C.C., a 16-year-old who lives with a relative chosen by his mother, is a student at Gotham Collaborative High School in the Bronx. An average of 93 percent of students graduate from Gotham Collaborative High, and E.J.C.C., who has a 100 percent attendance record, is described by his teachers as a committed and responsible student. He is a leader in his college and career readiness class, showing his dedication to building a successful future.

“Our public schools should be safe, nurturing places where any child can get the best education and the tools they need to succeed,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “E.J.C.C. is a hard-working student, dedicated to his school work and future, who followed the proper immigration process. We are proud to support his petition for justice, just like we have done with the many other New York City Public School students who have been detained during routine immigration proceedings.”

“As detailed in this brief, the unnecessary detainment of children who pose no flight or safety risk causes irreparable harm to their schooling and to the educational system as a whole,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “The Trump administration has not met the very high bar for detaining this minor student who is better served remaining in the community with his family.”

The brief — filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York — argues that “detention should always be a last resort. In cases like this, where the child has been living with a family member and undisputedly poses no flight or safety risk, children should remain in their communities, allowing them to access city schools and services while their immigration issues are being resolved.” E.J.C.C. has already missed three weeks of class as a result of his detention.

The detainment will only further derail his education, and “given the passage of so much time, E.J.C.C.’s release will not be ‘prompt,’ as the law requires. Only his immediate release can prevent further harm.”

The brief further argues that “if the federal government wished to deport [E.J.C.C.] and believed his Special Immigrant Juvenile status and deferred application were no obstacle, it could have informed him that it planned to do so, allowed his lawyer to make any relevant legal challenges, and left him in the care of his family and school in the meantime. Instead, it chose to detain him without warning at the appointment he faithfully attended. The City of New York has a strong interest in ensuring that immigrant minors are not unnecessarily detained, and the city prides itself on offering a free and robust education to all children regardless of immigration status, ensuring that the city’s schoolchildren grow up prepared for civic life.”

The City of New York has taken similar legal action in support of other New York City Public School students, including Dylan Lopez Contreras, Jose Luis, and Derlis Snaider, who were all arrested in Manhattan courthouses after attending mandatory, routine immigration hearings.

November 11, 2025 NEW YORK CITY HALL

SOURCES: NYC.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com

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November 11, 2025
NOVEMBER 11 VETERANS DAY
Quick facts for November 11:
- What it is: A U.S. federal holiday honoring all who served in the Armed Forces. It marks the Armistice ending WWI (11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).
- Today’s date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (observed the same day since it’s not a weekend).
- What’s open/closed:
  • Federal offices & USPS: Closed; no regular mail delivery.
  • Banks: Generally closed.
  • Schools/DMV: Often closed (varies locally).
  • Markets: U.S. stock markets open; bond markets closed.
- Flag etiquette: Fly the U.S. flag at full staff (Memorial Day is the half-staff one until noon).
- Ways to observe (simple & meaningful):
  • 11:00 a.m. moment of silence.
  • Thank a veteran directly or donate to a reputable veterans’ charity.
  • Attend a local parade or ceremony.
  • Support veteran-owned businesses.
Here’s what’s happening in New York City for Veterans Day (Tue, Nov 11, 2025):
- NYC Veterans Day Parade (America’s Parade)
  • Opening ceremony: ~11:00 a.m. at Madison Square Park (Eternal Light Flagstaff) with wreath-laying. Madison Square Park Conservancy
  • Step-off: 12:30 p.m. on 5th Ave at 26th St, marching up to 47th/48th St; runs to about 3:30 p.m. New York Post+2CBS News+2
  • Grand marshals (2025): Suni Williams (Navy), Clinton Romesha (Army), Stephen Peck (USMC). UWVC
  • How to watch: Livestream/TV via local outlets (e.g., ABC7). ABC7 New York
- Street closures (Manhattan, at NYPD discretion):
  • Route: 5th Ave 25th–48th St.
  • Formation/Dispersal & misc. closures: Broadway (Flatiron area), cross streets around 23rd–29th, 45th St between 6th Ave & Madison Ave, and nearby segments. Plan for delays in Flatiron–Midtown. FOX 5 New York+2CBS News+2
- Transit notes:
  • PATH runs a weekday schedule on Veterans Day. Port Authority NY-NJ
  • MTA subways/buses generally run normal weekday service; allow extra time near the parade zone due to detours. (City traffic advisories note event-related closures along 5th Ave.) New York City Government
- What’s open/closed locally:
  • NYC government offices & courts: Closed today. New York City Government+1
  • USPS: Closed; no regular mail. (Private carriers may operate.) NBC New York+1
Today and everyday, we’re grateful to the men and women who have put on the uniform of our great country. To those who have served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Coast Guard, thank you, you are the best of us.

Sources : House Republicans , Midtowm Tribune news ,

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November 11, 2025
White House. Trump Touts Nine-Month Record on ‘60 Minutes,’ Urges Democrats to Reopen Government
See President Donald J. Trump's FULL interview on @60Minutes — all 73+ minutes, without the network's edits and cuts.

WATCH IN FULL: pic.twitter.com/i95cQ3Gqei
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 3, 2025

In a wide-ranging “60 Minutes” interview, President Donald J. Trump cast the first nine months of his term as historically successful, citing record stock market gains, global peace efforts, and a hard line on law and order while pressing Democrats to end the government shutdown and work with him on health care. He criticized Obamacare as costly and fixable with bipartisan talks once the government reopens, backed stricter immigration enforcement with legal reentry pathways, and said tariffs helped lift markets and 401(k)s. Trump endorsed ending the Senate filibuster to pass reforms, described the Gaza cease-fire as “very solid,” warned misbehavior by Hamas would be met “immediately,” and said the U.S. must address nuclear testing and remain vigilant on China and Venezuela. He argued crime in Democrat-run cities may warrant federal intervention but said he has held back so far.

President Trump on 60 Minutes: “Greatest Nine Months in the History of the Presidency”

Marking the most accomplished nine months of any presidency in history, President Donald J. Trump used his powerhouse interview on 60 Minutes to showcase record stock market gains, global peace breakthroughs, and his unwavering commitment to law and order. Highlighting these remarkable successes, President Trump made clear to Democrats: reopen the government and work with him to keep America on the path to even greater prosperity and security.

Here the top moments you may have missed:
- On ending the Democrat Shutdown: “We keep voting. I mean, the Republicans are voting almost unanimously to end it — and the Democrats keep voting against ending it… They’ve lost their way.”
- On Obamacare: “Obamacare is terrible. It’s bad healthcare at far too high a price. We should fix that. We should fix it, and we can fix it with the Democrats. All they have to do is let the country open, and we’ll fix it. They have to let the country open and I’ll sit down with the Democrats and we’ll fix it.”
- On healthcare: “We can make it much less expensive for people and give them much better healthcare — and I’d be willing to work with the Democrats on it, [but] the problem is they want to give money to prisoners, to drug dealers, to all these millions of people that were allowed to come in with an open border from Biden, and nobody can do that. Not one Republican would ever do that.”
- On negotiating with Democrats: “We can fix [healthcare]… but I’m not going to do it by extortion. I’m not going to do it by being extorted by the Democrats who have lost their way… It’s going to get solved. Eventually, they’re going to have to vote — I think they have to. And if they don’t vote, that’s their problem. I think we should do the nuclear option… it’s called ending the filibuster.”
- On illegal immigration: “The policy has to be ‘you came into the country illegally; you’re going to go out.’ However, you’ve also seen, you’re going to go out, we’re going to work with you, and you’re going to come back into our country legally.”
- On the next three years: “We have been acknowledged as having the greatest nine months in the history of the presidency — so if I can keep that going, I’ll be very happy.”
- On the Supreme Court’s tariffs case: “Because of tariffs, we have the highest stock market we’ve ever had. Because of tariffs, 401(k)s are at the highest level — and this is millions of people — than we’ve ever had… I think it’s the most important subject discussed by the Supreme Court in 100 years.”
- On “retribution”: “It’s the opposite. I think I’ve been very mild mannered. You’re looking at a man who was indicted many times and I had to beat the rap otherwise I couldn’t have run for President. They tried to get me not to run for President by going after me and by indicting me!”
- On nuclear weapons testing: “We have more nuclear weapons than any other country. I think we should do something about denuclearization… we’re the only country that doesn’t test — and I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test.”
- On the ceasefire in Gaza: “It’s very solid. You hear about Hamas, but Hamas could be taken out immediately if they don’t behave. They know that. If they don’t behave, they’re going to be taken out immediately.”
- On crime in Democrat-run cities: “If you had to send in the Army or send in the Marines, I’d do that in a heartbeat… but I haven’t chosen to do it because I haven’t felt we need it.”
- On China: “It’s like everybody else. We’re a threat to them, too… This is a very competitive world, especially when it comes to the China and the U.S. We’re always watching them and they’re always watching us. In the meantime, I think we get along very well, and I think we can be bigger, better, and stronger by working with them as opposed to just knocking them out.”
- On Venezuela: “They’ve been treating us very badly — not only on drugs, they’ve dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our country that we didn’t want. People from prisons; they emptied their prisons into our country. They emptied their mental institutions and their insane asylums into the United States of America.”
The White House

November 3, 2025

Sources : The White House , TV503com
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November 3, 2025

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