No information seems to be given over who's running the operation in New York but it's packed with surveillance tech, and we've seen a person in the series before who's all about monitoring. I wonder if Windom Earle left an endowment to continue the research on paranormal activity. The reason I bring this up is not just the similarities with what ends up happening, but also the simple presence of a bonsai tree on the table next to Sam's loveseat.

False lead, coincidence, or clue?