Federal Investigation of New Rochelle: Extortion of Masons, Carnegie Library, 550 Immigrants on former CNR Campus

DUBLIN, IRELAND (August 23, 2024) — Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund have told the U.S. Department of Justice they believe they are the victim of an extortion scheme by a senior New Rochelle official.

In their complaint, the Trustees allege a demand was made coupled with a threat — an improper quid pro quo to link zoning changes sought by the Masons for the former College of New Rochelle campus to the unrelated $3.5mm purchase of the Carnegie Library on Main Street as well as a New York State proposal to house 550 immigrants at the campus.