Russian Spies Could Be Living In NYC High-Rise, Lawmaker Wants FBI Investigation

KEY POINTS

Rep. Ritchie Torres said he plans to make a pitch to FBI Director Wray on Tuesday about opening an investigation
The building in question is home to Russian diplomats believed to be working as intelligence operatives
The Democrat also said he would introduce the 'Reveal Risky Business in Russia Act' to Congress

A Democratic lawmaker has asked the FBI to launch an investigation into a high rise in the city of New York, citing concerns over Russian spies possibly living in the building.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., said the FBI must take the actions necessary to ensure that Russian spies are not hiding in plain sight. The first-term Democrat said authorities should investigate the 20-story cryptic compound at 355 West 255th St. in Riverdale, which is home to some of Russia’s most powerful diplomats and officials. Some of the Russians living in the Cold War-era high rise are believed to be working in the U.S. as intelligence operatives.

“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 said in a letter obtained by the New York Post.

“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,” he said.

The Democrat said he plans to make a pitch to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday about opening an investigation. Torres also announced he would introduce the “Reveal Risky Business in Russia Act” to Congress. The bill would require companies in the U.S. to publicly disclose if they have any business ties to Russia or any other country that invaded a sovereign nation.

Torres’ calls for an investigation come two weeks after Elena Branson, an alleged spy of the Kremlin, was charged with acting and conspiring to act in the U.S. illegally as an agent of the Russian government.

Manhattan prosecutors said Branson aimed to spread Russian propaganda in the U.S. and accused her of corresponding with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the effort, court filings showed.

The prosecutors also alleged that, from at least 2011, Branson coordinated meetings where Russian officials could lobby U.S. political figures and entrepreneurs. They also cited a series of emails from March 2016 with an unnamed Russian minister who had previously asked her to set up a meeting with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Branson currently remains at large.