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DOJ charges 10 Southern California defendants in largest federal healthcare fraud crackdown in US history
Federal authorities on Tuesday charged 10 Southern California defendants in a series of healthcare fraud schemes, including one case involving nearly $270 million in fraudulent Medi-Cal claims and another that allegedly defrauded Medicare out of approximately $27 million.
The charges were part of the Justice Department's broader "2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown," which resulted in charges against 455 defendants nationwide in schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in alleged fraud.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the operation as "the greatest combined federal and state effort in combating healthcare fraud in history."
"Fraudsters can no longer rip off American taxpayers," Blanche said during a news conference announcing the initiative. "If you seek to harm or cheat Americans, we will find you, seize any assets and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."
FBI ADDS 2 FUGITIVES TO 'MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS' LIST AMID HISTORIC $6.5B HEALTHCARE TAKEDOWN: PATEL
In the Central District of California, federal prosecutors brought criminal charges against 10 defendants accused of defrauding government-funded healthcare programs or abusing their positions as medical professionals to illegally prescribe controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said five individuals were arrested in the greater Los Angeles area for allegedly participating in a scheme that involved submitting nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal for expensive prescription drugs.
Among those charged was Christina Mareik, 61, also known as Christina Marie Sanchez Hernandez, of Whittier.
HOSPICE FRAUD USES STOLEN IDENTITIES FOR FAKE PATIENTS
Prosecutors allege Mareik helped facilitate fraudulent prescriptions that generated nearly $270 million in claims to Medi-Cal, which ultimately paid out more than $178 million.
According to prosecutors, the claims involved expensive drugs containing low-cost generic ingredients that were either not medically necessary or were never provided to the purported recipients.
Authorities said Mareik also sent thousands of fraudulent prescriptions to a co-conspirator and caused the submission of fraudulent prescriptions under her own name.
Mareik was arrested June 17 and charged with healthcare fraud.
The charges also include a San Fernando Valley man accused of operating hospice care companies that fraudulently billed Medicare approximately $27 million, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors also charged Oren David Shachar, 59, of Van Nuys; Abraham Shin, 66, of Corona; and Jeannie Choi, 57, of Torrance.
The three defendants face a 16-count indictment alleging they conspired to defraud Medicare out of approximately $27 million.
The charges include conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, aggravated identity theft, monetary transactions involving criminally derived property exceeding $10,000, and violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
Top Dem beats progressive who likened himself to Bernie Sanders in closely watched race
Bill Ferguson, Maryland's Democratic Senate president, beat back a surprisingly serious challenge from a progressive candidate who goes by the social media moniker "Captain Bobby" in what became the state's most closely watched race.
Though state Senate races rarely garner much national attention, Ferguson’s challenger, activist Bobby LaPin, drew outsized attention for his offbeat online presence, where he repeatedly accused Ferguson of being too establishment.
LaPin, an Army veteran, charter boat owner and social media personality, pitched himself to voters by saying, "I’m a Bernie Sanders" while calling Ferguson "a Chuck Schumer," according to News From the States.
On Tuesday night, Ferguson fended off LaPin's challenge, winning 56.6% of the vote to LaPin’s 43.4%. Ferguson’s primary victory in deep-blue Maryland Senate District 46, which is centered in Baltimore, all but guarantees he will retain his seat.
MARYLAND LT GOV REJECTS TRUMP'S CORRUPTION CLAIMS OVER MAIL-IN VOTING ERROR: 'IT HAPPENS'
LaPin took particular issue with Ferguson’s opposition to a redistricting bill that would have eliminated Maryland’s sole Republican congressional seat. LaPin’s campaign website ripped Ferguson, saying he "single-handedly prevented Maryland from answering Trump’s assault on democracy by preventing redistricting efforts championed by the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. Congress, the Maryland State Senate, and Governor Wes Moore."
As Maryland Senate president, Ferguson rebuffed a push by Moore and national Democratic leaders to redraw Maryland’s congressional districts. Ferguson reportedly called the proposed map "objectively unconstitutional," according to The Washington Post. He also stated that "the legal risks are too high, the timeline for action is dangerous, the downside risk to Democrats is catastrophic," according to WTOP.
The move drew heavy criticism from many Democrats. Questions were raised when Maryland Gov. Wes Moore conspicuously declined to endorse Ferguson despite Ferguson serving as one of the state's most powerful Democrats.
Despite the controversy and buzz, Ferguson held a clear money advantage over LaPin.
SOCIALIST SURGE: MAMDANI FLEXES GROWING POLITICAL MUSCLE AS HE TAKES ON DEM ESTABLISHMENT
At age 43, Ferguson has held the state Senate seat since 2011. He was just 27 when he was first elected, becoming the youngest state senator in Maryland history. In 2020, he was unanimously elected president of the Maryland Senate, making him the second-youngest person to hold that office in state history. Ferguson's background is in education, and he earned a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.
'Party of Zohran': Mamdani emerges as Democratic kingmaker after socialist allies sweep NYC primaries
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani cemented his status as a political kingmaker after all three Democratic Socialist candidates he backed won their primary races.
Major upsets unfolded in New York City on Tuesday night as Mamdani-backed candidates Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Reps. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., and Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., respectively.
And in the open 7th Congressional District, Democratic Socialist Claire Valdez won in spite of outgoing incumbent Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., endorsing another candidate.
The victories for the Mamdani-backed candidates have sparked questions about where the Democratic Party is headed is headed and whether the traditional party establishment’s influence is waning.
MAMDANI DISCOURAGES HAKEEM JEFFRIES PRIMARY CHALLENGER, TELLS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO 'FOCUS' ON NYC
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., alleged that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., cut a deal with Zohran Mamdani to ensure New York City Council member Chi Ossé did not challenge him, claiming Jeffries feared he would lose if Ossé entered the race.
"Tonight’s results in New York City prove one thing, @RepJeffries cut a deal with @ZohranKMamdani to save himself and threw everyone else under the bus," Lawler wrote on X, alleging that Ossé would have primaried Jeffries.
"The Democrat party has officially become the party of Zohran, AOC, & Bernie," Lawler continued.
SOCIALISTS CHEER ‘SHOCKWAVE’ PRIMARY NIGHT AS DSA-BACKED CANDIDATES WIN, ADVANCE ACROSS THE MAP
Bad Hombre, a conservative social media account on X, claimed that the Democratic Party now belonged to Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., pointing to far-left progressive pickups also in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania primary races.
"If you’re John Fetterman, switching to the GOP never looked better," Bad Hombre wrote. If you’re Chuck Schumer, you’re drafting your retirement speech and learning how to grill a burger. AOC is coming for that Senate seat.
Jeremy Carl, a senior fellow at Claremont Institute, argued that the outcomes reflected broader ideological and demographic shifts within New York City, warning that the city had become a "post-American city" and predicting similar changes nationwide.
REPUBLICANS RELENTLESSLY USE MAMDANI AS SOCIALIST CUDGEL TO BASH VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS
"The radicalism of these soon-to-be Congressmen is going to be a headache for Democrat leadership in the House and a gift to the GOP," Carl wrote.
"The future of the Democrat party is radical and post-American in it's (sic) orientation. Since all of these candidates are in the world's media capital, they are going to get tons of attention," Carl continued. "That isn't going to play well for the Dems in 2026 and 2028."
Jason Rantz said that the wins for Mamdani Tuesday could work in Republicans' favor as they work to paint the Democratic Socialists as the new direction of the Democratic Party.
"Republicans are very obviously going to take advantage of this, and it's going to hurt the Democrats nationwide," Rantz said on CNN. "You could win in New York, you could win in Seattle, you can win in Portland, in Los Angeles. But that's where you're going to win.
"And if we're able to define the Democrats who have tried to run away from this label of being socialist, being open borders, being, you know, pro-crime or anti-Israel, if that's the goal of the Democratic Party to run from that. Yeah, you're not going to be able to do that anymore," Rantz continued.
Biden appointee crushes comeback bid by billionaire wine mogul David Trone
Former Rep. David Trone, D-Md., fell short in his comeback bid to return to Congress after pouring millions of his personal fortune into the race to unseat an incumbent Democrat.
Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md., defeated Trone on Tuesday in a bruising primary battle for a gerrymandered House seat in western Maryland, according to The Associated Press.
The intraparty contest was one of the costliest primaries of the 2026 cycle, with more than $32 million spent between both candidates, who had considerable wealth at their disposal to boost their respective campaigns.
It is unclear whether total spending eclipsed the Kentucky primary battle that resulted in the defeat of Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., which recently earned the title of the nation's most expensive House primary.
DHS FIRES BACK AFTER DEM BILLIONAIRE DAVID TRONE CLAIMS ICE IS ‘EXECUTING PEOPLE’
Trone, the billionaire founder of the alcohol retailer Total Wine & More, put more than $25 million of his wealth into the race. Delaney, a freshman lawmaker who served in the Biden administration, spent at least $7 million of her own money to fend off Trone’s primary challenge for a second House term.
She previously served in the Biden administration as a political appointee in the Commerce Department.
Though both candidates had few policy differences, Trone sharply criticized Delaney for voting for the GOP-authored Laken Riley Act in early 2025. Delaney later said she regretted supporting the law, which requires the detention of illegal immigrants accused or convicted of certain crimes.
Delaney also denounced Trone for touting support from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in an advertisement focused on his defense of abortion rights, despite not receiving a formal endorsement.
Trone, who represented the district for three terms, previously bankrolled a failed 2024 Senate bid with more than $60 million of his fortune, losing to now-Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md. He notably endorsed Delaney to succeed him in Congress.
FROM WASSERMAN SCHULTZ TO GOLDMAN, DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS ARE FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL
Maryland’s Democratic establishment rallied around Delaney’s campaign in a notable display of unity against Trone’s insurgent campaign. Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and former House Minority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., endorsed Delaney’s re-election campaign.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also backed Delaney’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Trone touted the endorsement of the state’s largest teachers union.
Neither Delaney nor Trone reside in the district, which stretches from the rural, Republican-leaning northwestern corner of the state to the heavily Democratic and suburban Montgomery and Frederick counties. Both Democrats live in the affluent Potomac, Md., suburb near Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump came within six points of winning the Democratic-leaning district in 2024, but national Republicans do not view the seat as a top pickup opportunity.
Delaney's husband, John Delaney, previously represented the seat from 2013 to 2019 before launching a failed campaign for president in 2020.
Trump advisor, ex-NFL player Cody Campbell warns Protect College Sports Act is final chance to restore order
The FIFA World Cup has transformed North America into the center of the soccer world.
For nearly two weeks and counting, fans from around the globe have poured into the United States, Canada and Mexico, filling stadiums, fan festivals and watch parties across the 16 host cities.
Former Texas Tech and Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Cody Campbell joined Fox News Channel’s "The Will Cain Show" on Tuesday. During the wide-ranging conversation, Campbell expressed optimism about the way international visitors have embraced some of the best the United States has to offer during the World Cup.
"It's great to have everybody here. And I've loved the comments on social media from people from around the world just saying how nice and how surprised they were with how great the United States is. Because I don't think we're portrayed that way in international media. So it's a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the whole country."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Campbell, who advises President Donald Trump on college sports issues, was asked about the Protect College Sports Act and its path to the Senate floor as the legislation continues to move forward.
"The Protect College Sports Act is the first viable college sports bill that has made it out of committee in either house. At this point, it's our far and last and only chance to restore some measure of order and stop the chaos in [the] college sports landscape. You're going to look at the high (level) things, limiting transfers, limiting eligibility, finding ways to get actual control over (the) ability to enforce rules. But it does a lot more than that, it thinks about the future of college sports and how those look. We know how much it's changed over the last decade or so and so the bill has built into it provisions that will allow us to actually address what happens next."
Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., have spearheaded the Protect College Sports Act. The legislation would grant the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption, allowing the governing body to enforce restrictions on athlete compensation.
The bill also addresses eligibility and transfer rules across college athletics.
The proposal could pave the way for colleges and universities to consolidate their media rights under a single entity, replacing the current conference-by-conference structure.
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Helmet-style cockpit vision system aims to change how pilots see in low visibility
Dror Yahav, a former commercial pilot and now CEO of Universal Avionics, said he often flew approaches in low-visibility conditions where runways did not appear until late in the landing sequence. Now, he's helping bring a cockpit vision system to market for commercial aircraft.
AerSale developed the system, AerAware, in partnership with Universal Avionics and has received Federal Aviation Administration certification for the Boeing 737 Next Generation.
The system uses a nose-mounted enhanced vision camera and a wearable head display that overlays flight data and imagery into the pilot’s field of view.
PILOTS TEST FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND-COCKPIT ALERT SYSTEM THAT DETECTS POSSIBLE COLLISIONS ON RUNWAYS
Yahav said the system reflects his experience with low-visibility night approaches.
"You turn your head up and look outside, and there’s just nothing — pitch black or foggy," he said.
He said the system combines sensor data and imagery to support situational awareness during takeoff and landing.
AerAware departs from traditional head-up displays and instead equips both pilots with a dual wearable system that delivers the same information to each cockpit seat.
Yahav said the concept draws from military helmet-mounted displays used in aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II.
The FAA has certified AerAware for Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft.
Regulators continue to focus on runway safety, and FAA data shows there were 1,636 runway incursions in fiscal year 2025, down from 1,758 in 2024 and 1,760 in 2023. Pilot deviations accounted for 62% of incursions from 2021 through 2025.
The installation process takes about two to three days per aircraft, followed by pilot training under an approved program, Yahav said.
DEADLY B-52 CRASH PUTS FOCUS ON ENGINES, CONTROLLABILITY AS INVESTIGATORS HUNT FOR ANSWERS
He said airline interest has increased alongside continued focus on runway incursions and low-visibility operations.
Jacqueline Carlon, senior vice president of marketing and communications for AerSale, said airlines evaluating the system focus on certification, installation downtime and integration into existing operations.
"It takes about a two- to three-day installation per aircraft, followed by an approved training program," she said.
Carlon said safety and operational efficiency drive interest as airlines evaluate upgrades for Boeing 737 fleets.
Knicks parade attendee who dumped trash on sidewalk identified as JPMorgan Chase DEI exec, promptly fired
The New York Knicks winning the NBA Finals was a tremendous accomplishment for the organization and its players, while also bringing a joyous end to the team's long championship drought for fans.
It was also an excuse for those same fans to engage in some, well, typically New York behavior in the aftermath and celebrations. Particularly during the celebratory parade that went down the city's "Canyon of Heroes" corridor on June 18.
Fans climbed atop cars, garbage trucks and just about any elevated surface for a better view. But nobody attracted more attention than a woman who spotted a Knicks-colored trash can and promptly dumped its contents onto the street.
It exemplified everything wrong with sports fans being unable to behave themselves during celebrations and parades. And it turns out the woman responsible exemplifies everything wrong with corporate diversity, equity and inclusion culture.
On Tuesday night, the New York Post reported that the woman had been identified as Angie Baez, a 40-year-old financial industry executive. Seriously. The Post's report identified her LinkedIn profile, listing her as "Executive Director of Community and Industry Engagement for Card and Connected Commerce at JPMorgan Chase."
Her previous work included serving as "Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" at The Infatuation, a website which reviews restaurants and neighborhood activities. Chase purchased the site in 2021 to grow its portfolio of lifestyle-based content for cardholders.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
The Post then contacted JPMorgan Chase, which confirmed that Baez had been fired, saying in a statement, "This employee is no longer with the company."
Her bio on The Infatuation's website originally stated that her "efforts have helped position [The Infatuation] as a trailblazer in the pursuit of a more equitable and relatable food media industry." It has since been removed from the site.
"As a vibrant mosaic of Dominican heritage, Bronx roots, and a passion for storytelling, creativity, and culture, Angie continues to lead the way towards a more inclusive and equitable future for food media," it read, per the Post. She also had prior work experience in similar capacities at Squarespace and Saks Fifth Avenue.
This is the perfect example of the contradictions of DEI. Her job is supposedly to promote equity and tolerance. In her personal life, she acts like this. Dumping trash out on the sidewalk for someone else to deal with, because she wanted to steal public property. It's not equity, it's entitlement. And now she's been punished for it. Though knowing how the industry works, she'll be back to lecturing others on inclusion and equity in no time.
Kelsey Grammer sends message to Trump detractors obsessed with Reflecting Pool, shares prayer for country
Actor Kelsey Grammer shared a message for Americans dissatisfied with the country as some critics obsess over President Donald Trump’s allegedly botched $14.8 million restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
"There is a virus that has infected a very small number of people, I think, who just want to tear things down. They've been consumed by hatred, and of course, hatred ends up basically destroying you," he told "Jesse Watters Primetime" on Tuesday.
"I pray for them. I pray for everyone to find a decent sentiment in their hearts about this country about the people who run it these days."
Grammer’s remarks come amid widespread scrutiny towards Trump’s renovation of the Reflecting Pool over large amounts of algae and peeling paint floating in the water. The president has said vandals damaged the recently renovated attraction and that six people have been arrested in connection to the alleged vandalism.
CNN PANEL ERUPTS OVER TRUMP'S $13M LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL RENOVATION AFTER DOGE-ERA CUTS
The dissatisfaction comes at the same time as soccer fans from around the world visit the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and share positive impressions of the country, its hospitality and culture – a sentiment Grammer wants more Americans to share.
"It's worth loving, and it's great that we've been given this chance to see [the United States] in the eyes of so many of our European fellows and South American fellows," Grammer said.
The "Frasier" star, who plans to spend America’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C., shared a prayerful wish for the nation’s future ahead of its milestone birthday.
BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY
"On the 250th anniversary, I want to be with my family, and I want to see a few fireworks, but my real prayer is for the future, for 251 and what happens after that," the actor told host Jesse Watters.
Grammer also revealed details about the non-profit he is working to create that he hopes will bolster patriotism among Americans.
"We're working on this nonprofit thing called the American Revelation…," the actor explained. "We're trying to point the way to a process by which you could actually fall in love with your country. And that's a very important thing to me."
KELSEY GRAMMER WARNS AMERICA COULD LOSE 'EXTRAORDINARY GIFT' IF WE FORGET WHO WE ARE
Grammer, who hosts several Fox Nation programs focused on American history, said he is consistently "moved to tears" when he talks about the country.
The actor explained how key figures in his childhood helped instill in him a deep reverence and love for the United States at an "early age."
"My grandparents raised me, and they loved the country… my granddad fought in World War II, he was 28 months in the South Pacific," Grammer shared.
"I was lucky enough to have some pretty good teachers who felt like they were on a first-name basis with our Founding Fathers. And I carry that with me," he continued. "I respect these people so much and the fact that they did this for me. And I want to just do something to pay them back."
Grammer hosts Fox Nation’s six-part series "The Patriot War," which chronicles America’s fight for independence through the lives of pivotal Revolutionary-era figures, including George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.
"I think we've done a really nice job following their passions and their heartbeats and their dedication and their sacrifice to see that we had a better shot at the world, and I'm very happy with the program," he said.
"The Patriot War" is streaming now exclusively on Fox Nation, with new episodes premiering on Sunday.
Phillies shock rival Nationals, score 8 runs with 2 outs in miraculous ninth-inning comeback
The Philadelphia Phillies went into the top of the ninth inning down 8-6 to the Washington Nationals after Orion Kerkering gave up a three-run home run to blow the lead late in the game.
All momentum was washed away, and that was even more the case when the first two batters for Philadelphia struck out to begin the ninth inning. Trea Turner, the team’s trusty veteran shortstop was down to his final strike, as it appeared the Phillies were going to fall to their NL East rival.
But the fat lady wasn't singing at Nationals Park for the Phillies. In fact, Trea Turner kept the game alive with a single to center field.
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What ensued wasn’t just a rally to tie the game. Brandon Marsh did that in the next at-bat with a two-run homer. Instead, Marsh’s bomb opened the flood gates for the Phillies to score eight runs in the top of the ninth inning to absolutely stun the Nationals and its home crowd in a miraculous 14-9 victory on Tuesday night.
It was the Phillies' highest-scoring ninth inning since Sept. 27, 2015, when they also scored eight runs against these same Nationals. What made this rally especially remarkable, however, was that every run came with two outs.
BRYCE HARPER HITS FOR CYCLE, KYLE SCHWARBER BLASTS THREE HOMERS IN PHILLIES BLOWOUT WIN OVER METS
After Marsh’s home run, Bryce Harper kept the rally alive with a single, as the Phillies looked to take the lead. Then, Derek Hill added a single, which brought up Bryson Stott with the chance at accomplishing that goal for the first time since the top of the eighth when Philadelphia scored three.
Stott couldn’t have been more clutch in the moment, smashing a ball down the left-field line and leaning to his left in hopes that it would stay on the right side of the foul pole. It did exactly that, and Stott’s three-run home run took the air out of the crowd, as the Phillies went up 11-8.
But the onslaught wasn’t done. The Phillies couldn’t stop rallying, as Edmundo Sosa drove in two more runs to make it 13-8, and Turner got to bat again where he singled home Sosa.
Finally, Marsh struck out to end the inning, but the Nationals and its fan base were completely dejected entering the bottom of the ninth. Luis Garcia Jr. hit a solo home run to pad his own stats, but the Nationals fell after a dramatic collapse they will wish to forget very quickly.
The Nationals allowed 10 consecutive batters to reach base, eight of them via hits, including three extra-base hits and the two pivotal home runs. J.T. Realmuto and Justin Crawford also drew walks during the rally.
While it is still early in the season, it was a pivotal game in terms of NL East standings, as the Phillies now sit 43-36, six games out of first place, which is held by the Atlanta Braves. However, the Nationals are not too far behind, sitting only 2.5 games back of the Phillies at 41-39. The Miami Marlins hold the same record as Washington.
Baseball is a game of momentum, but what the Phillies showcased in the nation’s capital was much more than that. They took the "not until the last out" mantra and ran with it for a crazy eight-run ending the team will be talking about for quite some time.
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Mamdani-backed socialist with history of anti-American rhetoric wins vicious Dem primary race
A controversial socialist who once called the United States "a f-----g disgrace" and was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, ousted a five-term Democratic incumbent in New York's 13th Congressional District.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, 32, is a community organizer who studied at Columbia University where she was known for leftist agitation and her membership in a group called Columbia University Apartheid Divest that would later post "Death to America" on its social media. She defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. on Tuesday.
Avila Chevalier, who positioned herself further to the left than powerful progressives including former Vice President Kamala Harris, has faced scrutiny for her stance on private property, police, borders and calls to nationalize large swaths of the private sector in now-deleted posts from 2018 to 2022.
In a 2021 repost, Avila Chevalier said that abolishing borders, prisons and police is "possible, necessary, and the only moral way forward," and later echoed posts that said "all deportation is wrong" and, "Yes, literally abolish the border," according to one report.
FROM WASSERMAN SCHULTZ TO GOLDMAN, DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS ARE FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL
"This country is a f-----g disgrace," she said in a post.
"I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me," she reportedly said in yet another.
She reportedly called former President Joe Biden a "rapist" and "war criminal," chastised Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for his "liberal Zionism," and said "F--k Kamala Harris."
Despite this, with Mamdani's backing and an increasingly left-leaning voter bloc in New York, Avila Chevalier secured the Democratic nomination.
In a recent debate with Espaillat, who came to the United States illegally before becoming a naturalized citizen and running for office, Avila Chevalier doubled down on her belief that no illegal aliens should be deported from the U.S., even if they have committed violent crimes and served prison or jail time.
She also once blasted Black and Arab men for "fetishizing ugly colonizer women," referring to white women.
Despite the controversy, Mamdani, who first endorsed Avila Chevalier in May, stuck by his endorsement and tested his socialist coattails.
"When it comes to Darializa's campaign, I had not seen those tweets and what I've heard from her and what I know a lot of others in the district that have heard from her is that her views have evolved and that the campaign she is running on is reflective of what she's going to be fighting for," Mamdani said when confronted by the candidate's controversial comments.
"And frankly, when I see a candidate who has a record like she does of freeing New Yorkers who are unjustly detained by ICE, of standing up for the working person who has often been left out of our politics, especially in a district that has so many of the same themes that we're speaking of today — a fear of displacement, a fear of being pushed out of a place you helped to build — I think that she would be an incredible champion for that district and for the city as a whole," he continued.
Under its geographic boundaries, NY-13 encompasses Upper Manhattan and part of the West Bronx.
The district has never been represented by a Republican, and Avila Chevalier is all but guaranteed to win November's general election now that she's clinched the Democratic nomination.