Politics

Former Bronx NYCHA Super Convicted of Bribery and Extortion Offenses at Trial

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In the second trial following a 70-person takedown in February 2024 and the largest single day bribery/extortion case in federal history, Bronx man, Hector Colon, a former New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) superintendent, was convicted on Friday, Nov. 22, of bribery and extortion for accepting cash from NYCHA contractors in exchange for awarding contracts.

Former Bronx Resident Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS & Sharing Info on Homemade Explosives

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Federal prosecutors announced on Friday, Nov. 22, that a former 33-year-old Bronx resident, Erald Alimehmeti, was arrested in connection with a complaint charging him with allegedly attempting to provide material support to ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham) and allegedly distributing instructional information regarding the making of explosives. Alimehmeti appeared in federal court Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron and was ordered detained.

UPDATE Bronx CB7 Neighborhood Planning Study to Begin in 2025 as Deal Struck on “City of Yes” for Housing Opportunity

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Neighborhood planning studies will begin in 2025 for Bronx Community District 7 after the Adams administration, the governor, and the New York City Council struck a $5 billion deal on Thursday, Nov. 21, to move ahead with a revised housing plan that aims to address the citywide housing shortage and affordability crisis by building a little more housing in every City neighborhood. Similar neighborhood planning studies are also due to take place in 2025 for Bronx Community District 12 and Brooklyn Community Districts 12, 14, and 17.

City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus Co-Chairs Release “Pride in Policy” Plan to Protect LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers

By SÍLE MOLONEY
City Council Members Tiffany Cabán (C.D. 22) and Erik Bottcher (C.D. 3) gathered with other elected officials, advocates, and LGBTQIA+ community members on Wednesday, Nov. 20, on Transgender Day of Remembrance for the introduction of Pride in Policy: the New York City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus’s updated policy report on “how New York City must uplift and protect the LGBTQIA+ community from the incoming incursions of the Trump administration.”

Mayor Appoints Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch as Next Police Commissioner

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the appointment of the current commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Jessica Tisch, as the next commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), effective Monday, Nov. 25, replacing interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon in the role.

UPDATE Bronx Man Gets 13 Years for Romance Scam & Trump Replaces Prosecutor Overseeing Mayor’s Campaign Finance Probe

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A Bronx man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in a criminal enterprise that defrauded individuals and businesses across the U.S. out of millions of dollars, federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday, Nov. 19. They said Bashiru Ganiyu was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to receive stolen money, and receipt of stolen money in April following a jury trial.