Feds charge Albany woman with attempted Capitol attack

Your afternoon must-read briefing informing the daily conversation among knowledgeable New Yorkers.

Key points

• A spot in the "VIP Roundtable Discussion" cost $3, 500 a head, with other tiers at $1, 000 and $250 per person, according to the invite.
• The state Office of Victim Services notified organizations that applied to the Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Program early last month.
• The public defender assigned to Bowie's case did not immediately respond to a request for comment. – Joe Anuta, Nick Reisman and Josh Gerstein.
• The allegations come five months after an alleged ISIS-inspired attack at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City Mayor.
• As first documented by POLITICO on Monday, 1, Mount Sinai halted offering primary and specialty care appointments to new patients on specific EmblemHealth and Fidelis Care insurance aims.

ISIS ALLEGATIONS: Federal prosecutors charged a 35-year-old Albany woman today with providing material backing to a terrorism organization over an alleged plot to bomb the New York State Capitol, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.

Jessica Bowie, who the FBI remarked converted to Islam and pledged her allegiance to ISIS, hoped to place an explosive device disguised in a DoorDash food delivery bag inside the state Capitol building to kill at least 100 residents before escaping to Syria, according to the affidavit.

"I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting, " Bowie allegedly wrote to a confidential source of the FBI on July 29. "I want them to lose alot of important documents as well."

In a series of conversations with confidential sources of the FBI, Bowie allegedly mused regarding bombing the White House and, if she were able to successfully escape, returning to the states to target large-scale events like New Year's Eve in Time Square and "all kinds of good stuff that could be done in the future."

Bowie appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon, where she was formally informed of the felony material backing for terrorism charge filed against her by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. At that hearing, Bowie created a brief appearance wearing handcuffs and leg shackles. She did not speak beyond answering routine questions from Judge Daniel Stewart.

Bowie is believed to be a U.S. Citizen and has been living in Albany "for some time, " according to federal law enforcement authorities. Investigators remarked Bowie appears to have been "radicalized online" through unspecified social media platforms.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone in a subsequent news conference did not divulge details beyond those spelled out in the criminal complaint.

He continued, though, that Bowie's arrest should deter others from similar alleged plots.

"This serves as a chilling effect to anybody who is out there for anybody who is plotting and our enemies as well, " Sarcone remarked at the news conference alongside FBI, State Police and Albany city police office-holders.

Notably, the allegations come five months after an alleged ISIS-inspired attack at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City Mayor. And news of the foiled plot prompted a reaction from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

"I'm grateful to the FBI for leading this investigation and to the New York State Police for their work to apprehend this dangerous individual, " she remarked in an official note. "Earlier this year, against the backdrop of a rise in political violence and threats against public office-holders, we took steps to strengthen security at the State Capitol and throughout state administration. While there is no immediate threat at this time, we will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe."

As part of a number of interactions with confidential FBI sources, Bowie allegedly provided surveillance photos of her intended target and accompanied two confidential sources to a Home Depot where, with $200 provided by the sources, she purchased materials for what she thought was an explosive device built with nails, electrical tape, a 9-volt battery and acetone.

"I hope the nails are big enough." Bowie allegedly remarked after returning from the store. "Because the nails work as shrapnel, right?"

She allegedly disclosed that she would kill her roommate with a knife if intends of the attack were discovered. And, during their final session, Bowie allegedly purchased a handgun from the confidential sources – she had allegedly requested it to potentially kill responding police officers – and then walked off with both the firearm and an inert explosive device that the sources had informed her was created with the materials she had purchased. FBI agents apprehended her shortly afterward.

Security has tightened in Albany's Capitol complex in the years since the Jan. 6 riot in Washington. The State Police have taken a more visible presence on the days the Legislature convenes and access to some hallways is limited.

Nevertheless, the Legislative session concluded in early June. And state lawmakers are not scheduled to return to the capitol until January.

Meanwhile, the public defender assigned to Bowie's case did not immediately respond to a request for comment. – Joe Anuta, Nick Reisman and Josh Gerstein.

CEASE AND DESIST: EmblemHealth sent the Mount Sinai Health System a cease-and-desist letter Wednesday ordering it to stop refusing new patients on specific insurance intends.

Meanwhile, the letter accuses Mount Sinai of breaching their contract by declining to book doctors' appointments for new patients covered by Medicaid, the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus through EmblemHealth, according to a copy reviewed by POLITICO.

EmblemHealth was unaware of the change until POLITICO contacted the insurer last week with a request for comment on Mount Sinai's policy, spokesperson Alex Gomez previously remarked.

"Mount Sinai has contrived a policy that denies access to Medicaid, the Essential Plan and other public program members, " Gomez remarked in an official note. "They cannot discriminate against any members, as contract provisions apply to all products."

As of Aug. As first documented by POLITICO on Monday, 1, Mount Sinai halted offering primary and specialty care appointments to new patients on specific EmblemHealth and Fidelis Care insurance aims. As most of the intends subject to Mount Sinai's policy are government-subsidized and have income caps to qualify, the decision largely affects low-income patients.

State health authorities are closely reviewing the matter, Department of Health spokesperson Cadence Acquaviva stated in an official note this afternoon.

"The New York State Department of Health is deeply troubled by these reports and the potential impact on patient access to care, " Acquaviva remarked in the statement.

RIGHTING A WRONG: Gov. Hochul remarked to journalists today that she is working to find solutions for rape crisis centers, domestic violence service providers and child advocacy centers that were notified of funding cuts on a crucial grant last month.

Meanwhile, the state Office of Victim Services notified organizations that applied to the Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Program early last month. While some organizations that applied to the grant program for the first time received new funding, plenty of that had been long-time recipients were shocked to see their award slashed or, in some cases, denied altogether.

In practice, a spokesperson for OVS attributed the cuts for some providers to an growth in applicants, prompting the organization to spread the $126.5 million in state and federal dollars throughout more organizations than previously. The pot of funds was climbed by $2.1 million over last year.

Long-time recipients of the grant say that new groups should have access to funding, but demand that Hochul find a solution that continues crucial funding for those that experienced cuts. A number of organizations cautioned earlier this week that if the state doesn't step up, they will probable have to lay off staff or cut back on services.

When asked regarding the problem on Thursday, Hochul noted to journalists that providing resources for domestic violence and crime victims is a priority for her administration, but more than 100 new organizations applied for the grant.

"I want to make sure know I support their mission, I believe in it, and we're going to be there for them, " Hochul remarked. "But, it was not a funding cut, just more individuals want the resources. So that's been a challenge for us, but we are addressing it."

Notably, a Hochul spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding what sort of backing or action they are considering. – Katelyn Cordero.

BROOKLYN BATTLE: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries isn't a fan of Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn's proposed plan to expand the number of members on the executive committee from 42 to "more than 68."

"Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not met with or spoken to Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn about the upcoming organizational meeting, " Jeffries spokesperson Justin Chermol informed Playbook in an official note. "He was surprised by yesterday's announced plan to expand the executive committee of the Kings County Democratic Party and does not support it."

Bichotte Hermelyn remarked the move would create a more inclusive committee. But against the backdrop of a challenge to her leadership, her opponents were quick to decry it as a maneuver to protect her role.

"Brooklyn Democrats are not interested in replacing one gatekeeper with another, " Bichotte Hermelyn remarked in an official note Thursday. "We want a party where more Democrats participate, more communities are represented, and more individuals have a vote. That is what grassroots democracy looks like." – Madison Fernandez.

KNOCKING LAWLER: House Speaker Mike Johnson held a fundraiser for Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in Westchester today, according to an invitation of the affair obtained by Playbook.

In practice, the Hudson Valley Republican is up against Army veteran Cait Conley in one of the most closely-watched House races this year, and Lawler has so far outraised Conley $8.1 million to $4.3 million this cycle.

Meanwhile, a spot in the "VIP Roundtable Discussion" cost $3, 500 a head, with other tiers at $1, 000 and $250 per person, according to the invite.

POLITICO first documented last month that Johnson was scheduled to visit the Empire State today, including headlining a New York City fundraiser with former New York Yankees star Mark Teixeira, who's running for Congress as a Republican in Texas. Johnson was additionally slated to visit Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi's Long Island district and fundraise for his GOP challenger, Mike LiPetri.

For now, feds charge Albany woman with attempted Capitol attack remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.