Letter to the New York City Law Department Re: Legal Action to Recover SSP Funds

Muriel Goode-Trufant
Corporation Counsel of the City of New York
New York City Law Department
100 Church Street
New York, NY 10007

Urgent Action Required – Legal Proceedings to Recover SSP Funds

Dear Corporation Counsel Goode-Trufant,

On February 12, 2025, my office, along with the New York City Department of Finance, discovered the unilateral reversal of $80 million in Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funds by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which were previously allocated to the City of New York. We subsequently learned that these funds were debited at the direction of the Trump administration on February 11, 2025, without notice or justification, from one of the City’s accounts. This action not only jeopardizes the City’s budget, but also critically undermines the City’s ability to deliver essential services to our residents.

Given the gravity of this situation, I formally request that the Law Department promptly initiate litigation to secure the immediate return of these funds. I request that you provide immediate confirmation of your intent to file suit, along with the anticipated filing date, no later than 5PM today, February 14, 2025.

Should the Law Department be unable or unwilling to proceed with legal action, I request immediate authorization for the Comptroller’s Office to engage external legal counsel to represent the City in this matter. Recouping these funds is imperative to maintain the financial stability and service delivery that our residents depend upon. Given the urgency and significance of this issue, I expect a response to this request by 10AM on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Recovering the SSP funds is vital to maintaining our City’s budget and ensuring the continued delivery of essential services. I look forward to your prompt response and decisive action on this critical issue.

Sincerely,

Brad Lander