New York Airport News published a follow-up investigative report examining newly unsealed state indictments tied to bribery and money laundering inside Delta cargo operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport. These developments emerged months after the outlet first raised questions about misconduct within the same operation.
In November 2025, New York Airport News published an article detailing unresolved questions surrounding the departure of Mike Rizzo, a former Delta Cargo executive, and the alleged influence of an intermediary figure referred to by sources as "Dr. Ray." The full investigative article, along with the original November report, is available at https://newyorkairportnews.com.
In December, the New York Attorney General announced indictments describing a multi-year bribery and money laundering scheme involving Delta cargo vendors at JFK. The filings outlined how bribes were allegedly disguised as consulting fees, rent, and fabricated invoices, and referenced a "Delta employee" with authority over cargo contracts. That employee was not publicly named.
The indictments did identify Ray Kayume, aligning with earlier reporting that described "Dr. Ray" as an intermediary operating behind the scenes in cargo contracting circles. One vendor tied to the case agreed to forfeit one million dollars.
The newly published article connects the indictments to its earlier reporting, raising questions about whether the unnamed Delta employee referenced by prosecutors is the same former executive previously reported on by the outlet, and whether cooperation with law enforcement may explain the absence of charges to date.
The follow-up report also examines broader accountability issues facing Delta Air Lines, including how alleged corruption tied to a major international cargo hub could persist for years inside a publicly traded company without public disclosure or apparent internal intervention. While no allegation has been made that senior leadership, including CEO Ed Bastian, had knowledge of or involvement in the alleged schemes, the article explores why shareholders and industry observers are now asking questions about oversight, compliance, and governance risk.
This story matters because it highlights potential systemic failures in corporate governance and compliance at a major airline operating a critical international cargo hub. The persistence of an alleged multi-year scheme raises significant questions about internal controls and oversight mechanisms within publicly traded companies, particularly in regulated industries like aviation. For shareholders, the implications include potential financial and reputational damage, while for the industry, it underscores vulnerabilities in contracting processes at major airports. For the public, it reveals how corruption can potentially inflate costs and undermine fair competition in essential infrastructure operations. New York Airport News has consistently reported on airport governance, contracting, and accountability issues affecting major U.S. airports, often months or years before official actions brought those issues into the public record.
