EFTA Document EFTA01656324

From: NY III=IME> To: Undisclosed recipients:; Subject: SITREP and Green is the Color of the Day for Friday, July 25, 2025 Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000 Importance: Normal Inline-Images: Outlook-5521pflcv.jpg FE ERAL It I REAU OF INVESTIGATION Go to New York Field Office News and Info] Follow this site to get updates in your newsfeed. NEWLY LISTED EVENTS Nothing to report. ICE ERO OPERATIONS Daily Teams Channel for ICE Operations: 07.25.2025 ICE ERO Operations I M365.,NY•OPERATIONS I Microsoft Teams COLOR OF TIIE DAY Green AIR QUALITY INDEX As of 7am (AQI) Value of Index = 55 OZONE = 35 Daily AQI Color = Yellow Reference: AirNow.gov NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Sunny with a high of 95. SIGNIFICANT NEWS EVENTS DOJ Expected to Interview Epstein Associate Ghislaine Maxwell In Florida on Thursday The New York Times (07/24, Thrush, Feuer) reported that Justice Department officials interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's associate, in a Florida prison as part of an effort to address criticism over the handling of Epstein's case. According to the article, Maxwell answered all questions posed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who will meet with her again, and her responses will be shared at a later time. The interview is related to the department's attempt to quell criticism over the concealment of details about Epstein's crimes and interactions with high•proflle figures, including President Trump. The Washington Times (07/24, Ferrechlo) reported that AG Bondi informed President Trump in May that his name was among hundreds of people identified in the Jeffrey Epstein files that the president's MAGA base and Democrats want released to the public. The news, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, fueled accusations by Democrats that Trump is concealing the files to protect himself. The article stated that Trump told reporters on July 15 that AG Bondi did not tell him his name was in the files. "Trump told the press he was not informed that his name was in the Epstein files. Now we learn that this was a lie; Sen. Adam B. Schiff, California Democrat, posted on /L AG Bondi indicated that Trump's name, among many others, was not the focus of any criminal investigation and was not associated with wrongdoing. She said the files contained "unverified hearsay about many people, including Trump, who had socialized with Epstein in the past," an unnamed official told the newspaper. ABC News (07/24, O'Brien, Pecorin, et al.) reported that Senate Republicans are facing pressure to address President Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein after recent reports highlighted their past friendship. Several GOP senators, including Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley, are calling for transparency and the release of Epstein files, with Graham advising Trump to "get it all out". Democrats, such as Senator Richard Blumenthal, are also pushing for the release of files and demanding that AG Bondi testify about her discussions with Trump regarding the Epstein case. Raw Story (07/24, Pengelly) reported that Epstein believed Trump was the "rat" who informed the FBI about his activities, leading to his 2006 arrest. According to Trump biographer Michael Wolff, Epstein thought Trump used his knowledge of Epstein's actions against him after they fell out over a money laundering scheme in 2004. The article highlighted that on Wednesday, Wolff repeated his description of compromising photographs of Trump and Epstein with young girls, which he says Epstein showed him and which Wolff says would presumably have been confiscated by the FBI in 2019. Additional reporting on the story was provided by BBC (07/24, Halpert), The Guardian (07/24, Betts), Al Jazeera (07/24, Staff Writer), CNN (07/24, Collins, Shelton), CNBC (07/24, Mangan), USA Today (07/24, Bagchi) (2), The Hill (07/24, Fields), ABC News (07/24, Katersky, Hill, et al.), Newsweek (07/24, Bickerton), CBS News (07/24, Rosen, Quinn), The Independent (07/24, Rissman), and United Press International (07/24, Stark). DOJ Forms Russiagate 'Strike Force' to Investigate Declassified Obama•Era Evidence Fox News (07/24, Singman) reported that the DOJ has formed a "strike force" to investigate declassified evidence related to the origins of the Trump•Russia collusion narrative, which suggests that Obama administration officials "manufactured" intelligence to support the claim. According to the article, the investigation will review evidence declassified by Director of National Intelligence Tuts! Gabbard, including documents that allegedly show Obama•era officials laying the groundwork for the Trump•Russia probe after the 2016 election. The article noted that the DOJ's National Security Division will be involved in the investigation, which will examine potential wrongdoing by former Obama officials, EFTA01656324 Including John Brennan, James Comey, and others, with AG Bondi stating that the DOJ will "Investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice". The article highlighted that Director Patel has opened an investigation into Brennan and Comey. The full scope of the criminal investigations into Brennan and Comey is unclear, but two sources described the FBI's view of the duo's interactions as a "conspiracy," which could open up a wide range of potential prosecutorial options. The Associated Press (07/24, Tau, Richer) reported that DNI Gabbard declassified documents claiming to prove an "anti•Trump conspiracy by the Obama administration, but the documents do not support her claims. The declassified emails and reports actually affirm the conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to sow chaos and influence public opinion, with the goal of helping Donald Trump and denigrating Hillary Clinton. The article noted that Gabbard's claim that the Steele dossier was used as the basis for the FBI's investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia is incorrect, as the justice Department's inspector general found that the dossier was not the basis for the investigation, and that the FBI primarily relied on a CIA human source close to the Kremlin for its conclusion that Putin wanted to help Trump and hurt Clinton. The article explained that although the Steele dossier was used in part to obtain surveillance warrants to eavesdrop on the communications of a former Trump campaign adviser, many of Steele's claims have since been discredited or denied, and the FBI's reliance on the dossier has been criticized, with then•CIA Director John Brennan objecting to its inclusion in the classified version of the intelligence community assessment The New York Times (07/24, Thrush, Barnes) reported that Gabbard's actions have put AG Bondi in a difficult position, as she must investigate the claims without committing to a potentially unpredictable and politically charged investigation. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Washington Times (07/24, Ferrechio, Picket), The Guardian (07/24, Tait), CBS News (07/24, Gazis), Fox News (07/24, Heavey), The Hill (07/24, Beitsch), The Daily Beast (07/24, Brancolini), New York Post (07/24, Christenson), and MSNBC (07/24, Benen). Trump Administration Sues New York City Over 'Sanctuary City' Policies The Wall Street Journal (07/24, Morphet) and the Washington Times (07/24, Dinan) reported that the DOJ has filed a lawsuit against New York City Mayor Eric Adams over the city's sanctuary policy, which limits cooperation with federal deportation authorities. According to the articles, the policy bars city officials from holding migrants for pickup or notifying ICE before release, resulting in a drop in cooperation between city law enforcement and ICE. The articles noted that the lawsuit claims that the policy has led to the release of thousands of criminals, including violent offenders, and seeks to shut down the city's sanctuary policies. The Washington Post (07/24, Jacobs) quoted a statement from AG Bondi announcing the lawsuit: "New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law•abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies; Additional reporting on the story was provided by Associated Press (07/24, Staff Writer), ABC News (07/24, Mallin), Fox News (07/24, Casiano), The Hill (07/24, Crisp), Just the News (07/24, Severi), Law360 (07/24, Varona), New York Law journal (07/24, Lee), The National Desk (07/24, Tedesco), Axios (07/24, Habashian), NBC News (07/24, Atkins, Kosnar, Egwuonwu), New York Times (07/24, Nerkar, Ferr&•Sadurni), New York Post (07/24, King, Troutman), Bloomberg (07/24, Wang, Vilensky), Washington Examiner (07/24, Hallas), Salon (07/24, Galbraith), Courthouse News (07/24, Pullano), Daily Caller (07/24, Hopkins), Reuters (07/24, Stempel, Hesson), Politico (07/24, Wendler, Coffin, et al.), and Newsmax (07/24, Thomas). Woman Learns Fate After DOJ Guilty Plea Admitting She Helped North Korean Tech Workers Infiltrate U.S. Companies Fox News (07/24, D'Abrosca) reported that Christina Marie Chapman, a 50•year•old Arizona woman, has been sentenced to 102 months in prison for helping North Korean tech workers infiltrate U.S. companies. According to the article, Chapman's scheme, which generated over $17 million, involved stealing the identities of 68 Americans and helping North Korean residents pose as U.S. citizens to get remote IT Jobs at 309 American companies. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and will also forfeit $284,556 and pay a judgment of $176,850. "The North Korean regime has generated millions of dollars for its nuclear weapons program by victimizing American citizens, businesses, and financial institutions," stated FBI Assistant Director of Counterintelligence Roman Rozhaysky. "However, even an adversary as sophisticated as the North Korean government can't succeed without the assistance of willing U.S. citizens like Christina Chapman, who was sentenced today for her role in an elaborate scheme to defraud more than 300 American companies by helping North Korean IT workers gain virtual employment and launder the money they earned. Todays sentencing demonstrates that the FBI will work tirelessly with our partners to defend the homeland and hold those accountable who aid our adversaries." The press release quoted FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Janke: "The sentencing today demonstrates the great lengths to which the North Korean government will go in its efforts and resources to fund its illicit activities. The FBI continues to pursue these threat actors to disrupt their network and hold those accountable wherever they may be." Bloomberg (07/24, Ratliff) also reported on the story. New Haven Attorney Gives Up Law License After Passing Synthetic Cannabis To Clients In Rhode Island Prison The Stamford Advocate (07/24, Ikramuddin) reported that a New Haven attorney who federal officials say provided synthetic cannabis to clients in a Rhode Island detention center, then lied to corrections officers, has agreed to surrender his license to practice law in order to avoid prosecution. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Sara Miron Bloom said in a news release on Thursday that Jonathan Einhorn was charged with willfully and knowingly making a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation. Einhorn has entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement which includes an understanding that he will not seek to renew his law license for 10 years. Bloom said Einhorn visited with several clients who were detained at the Wyatt Detention Center on May 21st, 2023, and, as he entered the facility, he signed a document that certified he was aware that he was not allowed to bring contraband into the facility or to pass any contraband to a detainee. When asked if he would be passing anything to a detainee by a correctional officer, Einhorn responded, "No, not today." The Wyatt's Professional Standards Unit saw Einhorn pass paperwork to at least two detainees, and officials who seized the documents found that eight pages were discolored and "highly stained!' Bloom stated, 'The paperwork was sent to an FBI Laboratory for testing and was shown to be contaminated with synthetic cannabinoids." New York Individual Pleads Guilty In Connecticut To Child Exploitation Charge WTIC (FOX•61) (07/24, Zbierski) reported that an individual from New York waived the right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on Thursday. A report from the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut said that 24•year•old Pelham, New York, resident Sasha May, who used to be known as Owen May, pleaded guilty to possession and access with intent to view child pornography. On October 16th, May could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Court statements and documents note that between December 2023 and May 2024, May participated in online conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer on the messaging platforms Kik and Whisper. During those conversations, May expressed sexual interest in children in detail and distributed child pornography. May was arrested on a criminal complaint on August 26th, 2024, EFTA01656325 and was released on a $100,000 bond. The case has been investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, the Greenwich Police Department, and the Pelham Police Department in New York. Wrongfully Imprisoned Maryland Man Who Spent 32 Years Behind Bars Sues Former Authorities The Associated Press (07/24, Witte) reported that John Buffington, a 62-year-old Maryland man, is suing former law enforcement officials after being wrongfully imprisoned for 32 years for a double murder he did not commit. According to the article, Buffington was pardoned by former Gov. Larry Hogan in 2023 due to prosecutorial misconduct and received 52.9 million in compensation. The article noted that the lawsuit names several defendants, including former officials who have since passed away. The article highlighted that questions about evidence in the case arose when The Washington Post uncovered an FBI report in 2011 that found the FBI agent who analyzed hair evidence in Iluffington's case may not have used reliable science, or even tested the hair at all. The Washington Post (07/24, Jackman) and The Baltimore Banner (07/24, Davis) also reported on the story. TRAFFIC Al EBT Nothing to report. 26 Federal Plan 23rd Floor Gym Closure Srhedulr• Facilities will close the 23rd floor Gym every Tuesday evening from 3:30 pm-12:00 am for cleaning. Men's and Women's locker room will be cleaned out the first Tuesday of the month and all items left in the locker room will be disposed of. Please direct arty questions to Facilities at extension x3900. Federal Bureau of Investigation New York Division 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278 Phone: D1/KN EFTA01656326