New York marshal orders seizure of JCE assets over US$982,261 debt
New York.- The Central Electoral Board (JCE) faces the seizure and possible auction of furniture, computers and other assets from its Manhattan office over an unpaid judgment that, including interest and expenses, has reached US$982,261.88.
The seizure was ordered by New York City Marshal Martin A. Bienstock and notified on September 6 through a Notice of Attachment and Sale under file M 373516. The assets are located at the JCE office at 1501 Broadway, Suite 410, Manhattan.
A public auction is scheduled for October 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., unless the debt is paid in full at least 72 hours before the scheduled sale.
The property listed in the seizure notice includes computers, printers, office equipment, electronic devices, tables, chairs, televisions, furniture, artwork and other fixtures.
Why is the JCE facing the seizure?
The legal dispute dates back to October 30, 2023, when the JCE signed a US$1 million agreement with Latin Events, LLC to provide services for a voter registration campaign targeting Dominicans living in New York and neighboring states.
The agreement was connected to activities surrounding the Águilas Cibaeñas and Tigres del Licey baseball series at Citi Field in November 2023. According to court documents, the contract included US$600,000 for printing 15,000 game tickets, providing 20,000 lunches and an advertising campaign.
Latin Events claims that it received only US$230,000, leaving US$770,000 outstanding, plus interest and other costs.
The dispute subsequently moved to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, in case 1:25-cv-02830-PKC.
On November 26, 2025, the court issued a judgment ordering the JCE to pay US$838,337.50 to Latin Events.
According to attorney Julio Cury, who represents Latin Events in the Dominican Republic, the amount has since risen to US$982,261.88 due to accumulated interest, surcharges and expenses, with daily interest continuing to accrue.
The judgment was later registered with the New York County Clerk’s Office on August 20, 2026, while the obligation remained unpaid.
Latin Events also seeks enforcement in Dominican Republic
The dispute has also reached the Dominican Republic’s courts.
Latin Events initiated proceedings to have the U.S. judgment recognized in the Dominican Republic through Order No. 036-2026-SAUT-00294. The JCE appealed that decision and continues to pursue its legal options in the country.
Latin Events has also maintained a garnishment process involving JCE funds deposited at Banco de Reservas.
Cury said the seizure of the JCE’s Manhattan assets followed unsuccessful efforts to obtain voluntary payment.
“We have exhausted all possible avenues to achieve voluntary payment,” Cury said, arguing that the company was forced to pursue enforcement proceedings in both the United States and the Dominican Republic.
The JCE has not publicly responded to the latest seizure notice.
