The NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney have launched a preliminary criminal investigation into a Midtown high-rise following reports of buckling columns and potentially falsified safety records.
The New York Police Department and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office have opened a preliminary criminal investigation into the structural integrity of a 37-story Midtown high-rise. The inquiry follows the emergency evacuation of the building after engineers discovered buckling columns, visible cracks, and sagging floors. A “frozen zone” remains in place around the site as officials reassess the stability of the tower. According to preliminary reports, the investigation is centered on potential building code violations and the possibility of falsified inspection records. Investigators are currently reviewing design, construction, and inspection documentation to determine if developer liability exists. The scope of the inquiry includes a forensic audit of structural calculations and safety certifications to identify any instances of negligence or fraud.
Legal experts indicate that the investigation could lead to charges ranging from reckless endangerment to more serious counts if evidence of willful misconduct is uncovered. At this stage, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is prioritizing the recovery of primary source documents from the construction and permitting phases to verify the accuracy of the building’s original safety filings. This focus on the paper trail is intended to determine if engineers or developers knowingly bypassed safety standards during the high-rise’s development. While the criminal probe is in its early stages, city officials have not yet released specific names of the developers or inspection firms currently under scrutiny, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
In a separate international inquiry, Albanian authorities have expanded a money-laundering investigation into a luxury resort area frequently promoted in connection with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. The probe is scrutinizing land purchases and banking flows, with investigators tracing potential cross-border transfers from suspected cocaine networks into development vehicles. While the Albanian investigation involves allegations of forged documents and political pressure regarding permits, no formal charges have been filed against American entities as of July 11, 2026. The investigation is particularly focused on the financial vehicles used to acquire coastal property and whether these entities were used to obscure the origins of illicit capital. This transnational financial inquiry now involves a deep dive into forgery and corruption among local officials allegedly facilitating the resort-related transactions.
In the United Kingdom, Devon and Cornwall Police are continuing a murder investigation following the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. Widdecombe was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor Vale on July 9. A 26-year-old man remains in custody. Police officials have stated that, based on current evidence, there is no indication of a political or terror-related motivation behind the killing. Residents of the small village of Haytor Vale, which houses fewer than 200 people, remain in shock as police conduct door-to-door inquiries and appeal for CCTV and dash-cam footage to reconstruct Widdecombe’s final movements.
While these investigations proceed, other sectors report record-breaking developments and legislative shifts. At the Calgary Stampede, reigning world champion barrel racer Kassie Mowry set a new arena record aboard Force The Goodbye. In the United States, legislative activity concluded with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act becoming law on July 11, despite the absence of a presidential signature due to ongoing disputes over election legislation. Additionally, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed property tax reform on July 10 to protect homeowners from tax foreclosure, while the Mars Impact Fund committed $1 million to World Central Kitchen for earthquake relief in Venezuela. Each of these developments underscores a period of significant administrative and legal activity across multiple jurisdictions.
Ben Taylor serves as the Senior Correspondent and Investigations Lead for Just Right News, where he anchors the network’s commitment to government transparency and institutional accountability. With a career defined by a relentless pursuit of the facts, Taylor spearheads the acclaimed feature series “The Paper Trail,” a deep-dive investigative column that prioritizes primary source documentation over political rhetoric. Based in the heart of the nation’s capital, he has earned a reputation as one of the most formidable investigative journalists in Washington, D.C., known specifically for his mastery of public records and the Freedom of Information Act.
Taylor’s approach to journalism is deeply rooted in his upbringing in Kansas City, Missouri. Growing up in the “Show Me State,” he developed a healthy skepticism of centralized power and a profound respect for the common-sense values of the American heartland. This Midwestern foundation informs his reporting today, as he bridges the gap between the complex machinations of federal bureaucracy and the everyday concerns of citizens across the country. For Taylor, investigative reporting is not about chasing headlines; it is about ensuring that the government remains answerable to the people it serves.
As an African American man working within the conservative media landscape, Taylor brings a principled perspective to his beat. He views the Constitution and the right to information as the ultimate equalizers in a free society. His work often highlights how bureaucratic overreach and lack of transparency disproportionately affect individual liberties. By focusing on the “paper trail,” Taylor strips away the spin of partisan talking points, instead providing Just Right News readers with the raw data and internal communications that reveal how their tax dollars are spent and how policy decisions are actually made.
In his role as Investigations Lead, Taylor oversees a team dedicated to uncovering the stories that mainstream outlets often overlook. Whether he is auditing federal spending, investigating regulatory overreach, or exposing inefficiencies within the administrative state, his methodology remains consistent: follow the evidence wherever it leads. His presence in Washington, D.C., allows him to maintain a constant watch over the halls of power, yet he remains steadfastly connected to his roots, ensuring his reporting reflects the clarity and directness of his Missouri home.
Throughout his tenure at Just Right News, Taylor has become a vital voice for those who demand integrity in public office. He believes that a well-informed electorate is the strongest defense against government overreach, and he has dedicated his career to providing the public with the tools they need to hold their leaders accountable. Through “The Paper Trail” and his broader investigative work, Ben Taylor continues to set the standard for rigorous, document-driven journalism that champions the values of transparency, individual responsibility, and the rule of law.