By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh & Fern Sidman
Southern Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) is asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation to probe a compound in his district which he says may be home to Kremlin spies. As reported by the NY Post, the first term Democratic Rep. says the FBI should unveil the mysteries of the cryptic compound at 355 West 255th St., and expel any enemy spies, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“As Russia continues its unjust and unprovoked war against Ukraine, I believe the U.S. must take every action possible to protect our nation from potential Russian espionage operations,” Torres, 34, said in a letter on Monday, which was obtained by The Post. The politician added that some of his constituents have reached out to his office with worries that they may be living among Russian spies. “If these allegations are true, I believe we must take steps to protect our homeland and ensure these Russian spies are expelled from the United States,” he wrote. “That is why I call on you and your agency to consider opening an investigation into the Russian Diplomatic Compound.”
The 20-story Riverdale building in suspicion, is in the residential neighborhood of the Bronx, but sticks out like a sore thumb and has come under question since Russia began its war on Ukraine. The compound, which is zoned for 240 residential units, was built in 1975, during the cold-war era. Earlier in the month, residents gathered outside the building to protest Russia’s invasion and to call for an end to the war.
“Since its first brick was installed, the Russian Compound has been shrouded in secrecy. It’s time to lift the veil and uncover what is going on behind those walls,” Rep. Torres told the Post in a statement. It has long been rumored in an “open secret” that members of Russian’s foreign intelligence service or military intelligence are living in the eyesore of a compound. Torres, formerly a NYC councilman, added that in 2011 when a small fire broke out in the building, even the fire department did not dare enter to put out the flames. As per the Post, rumor has it that the building has a school for the children of Russian-speaking diplomats on the first four to five floors.
On Monday, Rep Torres also announced that he will introduce new legislation known as the “Reveal Risky Business in Russia Act,” that would require U.S. companies to publicly disclose if they have business ties to Russia or any other country that has invaded a sovereign nation. The legislation aims to hold companies accountable for refusing to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and to disincentivize countries from engaging in amoral business practices with oppressive governments.
Ukrainian President Zelensky in his recent address to Congress requested that companies exit Russia and cease cooperating with the Russian government. This bill puts added pressure on American companies to make a decision to either support Putin’s Russia or stand with Ukraine and its people. While 400 companies have withdrawn from Russia, according to the Yale School of Management, many companies are refusing to do so.
The bill would require a public company to disclose in periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission:
- Whether the company does business in Russia or in a country that has invaded another country, or has annexed the territory of another country,
- Report if the company does business with the Russian government or the government of another country that has invaded or annexed the territory of another country.
“The investing public has a right to know which corporations are doing business in Russia, which has become a dangerous place to operate. Corporate America must send a message of zero tolerance for the kind of aggression Russia has shown. We have to isolate Putin’s regime as a pariah state, and we have to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” said Rep. Torres.
Rep. Torres was joined by New York City Councilmember Shaun Abreu, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Federal and State Legislation, in support of the legislation announcement.
“It is our responsibility and our obligation to deny Vladimir Putin the materials and resources he needs to perpetuate this cruel conflict,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “That’s why I am proud to stand here today in support of Congressman Ritchie Torres’s federal bill requiring public companies to report their dealings with the Russian government and any government that commits aggressive annexation and invasion. The days of American companies doing back door deals with dictators, invaders, and autocrats are over. We are demanding that public companies be transparent about who they are working with and in what capacity. New Yorkers and Americans deserve to know.”
