NYC Comptroller Brad Lander rejects plea deal with feds over 26 Federal Plaza episode, will risk jail time

Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News on Nov 18, 2025

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NEW YORK — City Comptroller Brad Lander on Tuesday chose to proceed to trial — and risk a possible jail stint — following his arrest for trying to inspect conditions under which the Trump administration is detaining migrants at 26 Federal Plaza.

Following several hours of mediation talks at Manhattan federal court Tuesday, prosecutors agreed not to pursue cases against elected officials arrested alongside Lander in September, provided they are not arrested on federal property over the next six months.

The comptroller declined the offer, choosing to fight the case at a trial.

The pols were arrested on low-level charges on Sept. 18 after attempting to view the 10th floor at the lower Manhattan facility, where migrants have reported being treated like “dogs” in squalid and cramped conditions.

“I believe the crime is not what we were doing. The crime on that day was on the other side of the 10th floor door, where ICE agents are keeping our neighbors in cruel detention conditions,” Lander said outside the courthouse.

Lander is charged with a misdemeanor alleging he blocked access to entrances, foyers and other areas at the facility that houses ICE and other federal agencies. If convicted, he could serve up to 30 days in prison.

Charged in addition to Lander were Assembly members Marcela Mitaynes, Emily Gallagher, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Claire Valdez, Tony Simone, Robert Carroll and Steven Raga and state Sens. Julia Salazar, and Gustavo Rivera.

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