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Blog

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul on “The Kelly Clarkson Show”

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” The Governor spoke with Kelly Clarkson about the distraction-free schools policy she championed in the FY 2026 Executive Budget. The statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban is set to take effect this fall for the 2025-26 academic year, making New York the largest state in the nation to ban smartphones in K-12 public schools — additional details can be found here.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Kelly Clarkson: We are at the end of the hour, but before we say goodbye, we have one more important story — this is, “ What I’m Liking.” As the parent of two elementary kiddos, one of my toughest issues is screen time. I know I’m not alone — just about every family struggles with this problem. It’s hard to know the balance and each family is different, but I think one place where we all agree that kids need to put their phones down is school. It’s funny you even have to say that, but apparently we do.

    Fortunately, a lot of states, though, are stepping up and Florida’s cell phone use is now restricted during instructional time. This year, Utah actually passed a similar law and many other states are exploring their own legislation. Here in New York — where my kids go to school — Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed one of the toughest cell phone bans in the country. She joins us, dialed in from New York City. Please welcome Governor Hochul. Welcome to the show.

    Governor Hochul: Hi Kelly, how are you?

    Kelly Clarkson: Oh, thank you so much for joining us. You actually say this legislation came from the students, right?

    Governor Hochul: Well, what I did as Governor, I traveled the state for about a year because I also knew, as New York’s first Mom Governor, that kids should not be on their cell phones during the classroom hours. So I went around — I convened students, high school kids, younger kids, parents, superintendents of schools, principals — and I started having conversations about what it’s like in the classroom, what it’s like in the cafeteria, and you know what I heard, Kelly? Is that there’s silence — the kids aren’t even talking to each other anymore.

    They’re not developing interpersonal skills, they’re not making friends in person. They’re so addicted to just staring at their hand all day during a time when they should still be children.

    Kelly Clarkson: Yeah.

    Governor Hochul: The kids should be able to come to school — a distraction-free environment, which is what we are guaranteeing in New York now as a result of this law— and this is a tough law. I’m not just talking about during instruction time — you cannot have your cell phone from bell-to-bell the second that school day starts until it ends, and we’re the largest state in the nation to go that far, because I heard from kids that they’re making friends again — the ones who have this ban in place already, and a few school districts do, they’re totally changed.

    There’s less pressure on them, they’re more liberated and teachers can finally teach again — 74 percent of teachers across our country were surveyed. They said, “We’re tired of competing. The kids aren’t even paying attention to us. They’re watching TikTok dance videos and not listening to their instructions.”

    So there’s a thousand reasons why this is a good idea. I sincerely hope that every other state will adopt this because this is for our children’s mental health, your little ones, but also as they grow into teenagers and a lot of distractions, a lot of pressures. But, let’s help them get through this tough time in their lives and just let them be kids again.

    Kelly Clarkson: Oh, absolutely. So what does the legislation do?

    Governor Hochul: Every school can set up their own system, they can have their own discipline, but we don’t want children suspended if they’re in violation of this policy. We want our kids in school, we want them learning —

    Kelly Clarkson: Yeah.

    Governor Hochul: — but I’ll leave that up to the districts. But basically, from bell-to-bell, every second of that day, they’ll have their hands away from that device: smart watches, earbuds, cell phones — it’s all over starting in the fall. So parents, start having phone-free times at home so your kids are not having shock or withdrawal pains when they get to school. But I will tell you, you will not recognize your children — after a few months, they’ll be more alive, they’ll be more engaged, they’ll feel like kids again —

    Kelly Clarkson: More creative.

    Governor Hochul: — and we owe that to them. So that’s what a Mom Governor does, and I’m really proud. It was tough to get done; a lot of opposition to this. For every state to do this, we have to start thinking of our children first.

    Kelly Clarkson: Absolutely. I can’t even believe there’s opposition, seems like a no-brainer, but that’s from a kid who obviously — we didn’t have cell phones in school, so. But it seems like a no-brainer to do. It is really important. Thank you so much, Governor Hochul. I’m liking your post right now.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Court Appointments Announced

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced 17 appointments to the New York State Court of Claims, 5 appointments to the Supreme Court and 2 appointments to Family Court.

    “Our judicial system works best when we have talented, qualified jurists on the bench,” Governor Hochul said. “These 24 individuals have the experience and knowledge to serve as members of the judiciary, and will play a critical role in the fair and impartial dispensation of justice across New York.”

    As Judges of the Court of Claims:

    Monica Wallace

    Monica Piga Wallace was first elected to the Assembly in 2016. Wallace worked her way through college and law school, earning her undergraduate degree with honors from SUNY Binghamton, and her J.D., cum laude, from SUNY Buffalo Law School. Before her election to the Assembly, Monica spent much of her legal career as a law clerk in federal court, where she helped ensure that justice was served and that laws were applied equally to all parties appearing before the court. Monica also served on the faculty at her alma mater, SUNY Buffalo Law School, teaching students how the law can be used as a vehicle for positive social change.

    Gregory McCaffrey

    Gregory McCaffrey served as the District Attorney of Livingston County, New York; a position he held from May 2012 until December 2024. McCaffrey oversaw a team of legal professionals prosecuting serious criminal cases including homicides, violent felonies, and child sex offenses. Prior to this role, he practiced at Jones and Skivington Law Firm, focusing on litigation, municipal law, and criminal defense, and served as Town Attorney for Conesus, New York.

    Earlier in his career, he was an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County, where he handled a progression of increasingly complex felony cases. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Nazareth College of Rochester. McCaffrey was born and raised in Livingston County where he resides with his family.

    John Bringewatt

    John Bringewatt currently serves as the Monroe County Attorney. In that role, he oversees a team of attorneys responsible for all of the County’s civil legal work. He previously maintained a wide-ranging litigation practice at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP. Early in his career, he served as a Law Clerk to Judge Susan L. Carney of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

    He holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from Colgate University.

    Abby Perer

    Abby Perer has served as in-house counsel for Syracuse University for nearly 10 years. In that role, she oversees all litigation and regulatory compliance matters. Before joining the University, Perer was a litigation associate for DLA Piper LLP, where she represented corporate and individual clients in commercial litigation, as well as civil and criminal investigations.

    Perer was once a Legal Intern for the Office of NYS Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. She attended Brooklyn Law School for her JD, and Hamilton College for her BA. She is a resident of Fayetteville, New York.

    Noel Mendez

    A native New Yorker, Noel Mendez was born and raised in the Bronx. He attended Lehman College and graduated with a degree in theater. Before attending the University at Buffalo School of Law, Noel worked as a police officer in the NYPD. Since graduating from law school, Noel obtained a Master of Laws in securities regulation from Georgetown University Law Center and subsequently moved to the Capital Region, where he worked as a court attorney for the New York State Court of Appeals. He later became a law clerk to the Honorable Jenny Rivera.

    Noel has held a variety of legal positions in the Capital Region since then. Most notably, he worked as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York and briefly as a prosecutor at the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Most recently, Noel served as counsel to New York State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey.

    Noel lives in Albany County with his wife, Marlene and daughter, Annabelle.

    Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista

    Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista serves as the General Counsel for the NYS Department of State. In this role, Natacha oversees the Office of General Counsel, which provides legal advice and support to the New York Secretary of State and the diverse programs, divisions, boards, and commissions housed within the Department.

    Previously, Natacha served as Assistant Secretary for Labor & Workforce for New York State, leading the Statewide implementation of groundbreaking initiatives, including New York’s Paid Family Leave. Natacha also served as Senior Deputy Counsel and the Executive Deputy Superintendent for Operations at the NYS Department of Financial Services and Deputy Director at the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board.

    Prior to joining State government, Natacha was a senior associate at BakerHostetler, serving as counsel to the SIPA Trustee for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS). Natacha served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. Elizabeth S. Stong of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D.N.Y. and the Hon. Arthur J. Gonzalez, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, S.D.N.Y.

    Natacha is a graduate of Fordham Law School and Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

    Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster

    Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster is the Executive Director of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, a permanent statewide commission dedicated to promoting racial and ethnic fairness in the court system. The Williams Commission, chaired by Hon. Shirley Troutman, Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, and Hon. Troy K. Webber, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, strives to make the court system more responsive to the concerns of people of color and works to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession and the court system. The Commission’s namesake, Ambassador Franklin H. Williams, a distinguished attorney and civil rights leader, was a visionary and trailblazer who devoted his life to the pursuit of equal justice. The Commission stands as a testament to his life and legacy as the Commission pursues its mission to ensure justice and equity for all in the courts.

    Prior to this position, Nicolas-Brewster, a former Village Judge with the Village of Spring Valley, served as Court Attorney-Referee for the New York State Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District, and as a Hearing Officer for the Office of Court Administration. Nicolas-Brewster also held multiple positions at the Office of the Westchester County Attorney, including Associate County Attorney, Senior Assistant County Attorney, and Assistant County Attorney. She has also served as Assistant Solicitor General for the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Senior Appellate Court Attorney for the New York State Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, and Pro Se Law Clerk with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She has also been a member of the adjunct faculty at SUNY-Rockland Community College in the Legal Studies Department.

    Ms. Nicolas-Brewster obtained a J.D. from the New York University School of Law in 1992 and a B.A. in Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University, SUNY, in 1989.

    Erin Guven

    Erin Guven brings over 20 years of experience as an attorney dedicated to public interest to her new role as Court of Claims judge. In her most recent role as Westchester Family Court Support Magistrate, she conducted child support, spousal support and paternity hearings in a high-volume court. Erin has also held many other vital positions during her tenure including Court Attorney-Referee in the Supreme Court, 9th JD, Pro Bono Director & Staff Attorney at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and Small Claims Assessment Review Hearing Officers. She is an active member of her legal and local communities and holds and undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a JD from Brooklyn Law School.

    Menachem Mirocznik

    Menachem “Mendy” Mirocznik has served as a Court Attorney to the Hon. Orlando Marrazzo, Jr. in various Civil Courts since 2009. Since 2020, he has supported Justice Marrazzo in presiding over Richmond County’s Supreme Court, Civil Term. He conducts legal research and analysis, reviews cases, and drafts decisions. Between 2001 and 2008, he supported various Housing Court Judges for New York City’s Civil Court. He began his career in 1997 as a Legal Intern for Main Street Legal Services, representing indigent clients in cases regarding public assistance benefits and benefit termination.

    Mirocznik is a graduate of Touro College, from which he obtained a Political Science B.A. He received his J.D. from CUNY School of Law and was the President of the Jewish Law Students Association. He has been an active member of Community Board 2 since 2010, a board member of the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island since 2014, and President of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island since 2012.

    Jay Kim

    Jay Kim is currently the Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Dena E. Douglas, a New York State Supreme Court Justice in Kings County, Criminal Term. He started his career in public service in 2008 as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Tort Division of the New York City Law Department. He subsequently served as a Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Theodore T. Jones (Dec.) and the Hon. Jenny Rivera, Associate Judges of the New York State Court of Appeals, from 2010 to 2013. After his Court of Appeals clerkship, he served as a Senior Counsel in the Labor & Employment Division of the New York City Law Department from 2013 to 2015 and as an attorney within the Office of Legal Services of the New York City Department of Education from 2015 to 2018. Kim obtained his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and his B.A. in Sociology from New York University.  He is a member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York.

    Denis Reo

    Denis Reo began his career in the Unified Court System in 2004, working as a Secretary to the Honorable Carol Edmead. He then went to work for the Honorable George J. Silver in January 2005 and served as Judge Silver’s Court Attorney, Senior Court Attorney, Principal Court Attorney and Principal Law Clerk from 2005 through 2017. During this time, he was assigned to Civil Court, Kings County; Family Court, Bronx County; and Supreme Court, Civil Term, New York County. In July 2017 Judge Silver was appointed Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts and Denis was named a Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge. He was promoted to Chief of Staff to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge in January 2019. In August 2019 he was appointed Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court, Civil Term, New York County where he assisted the Administrative Judge overseeing daily court operations as well as managing 350 non-judicial personnel within the court. Since December 2024 he has served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Adam Silvera, assisting Judge Silvera in overseeing the trial courts within New York City.

    Denis is a graduate of Sacred Heart University and St. John’s University School of Law. He resides in Farmingdale, NY with his wife and two children.

    Ilene Fern

    Ilene P. Fern is the Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable Lee A. Mayersohn of the 11th Judicial District of the New York State Supreme Court, a position she has held since 2021. Prior to that, Fern was the Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable Martin J. Schulman of the 11th Judicial District of the New York State Supreme Court from 1995-2020. From 1992 to 1994, Fern was the Senior Court Attorney to the Honorable Robert J. McDonald of the 11th Judicial District in the New York City Criminal Court. From 1989 to 1991, Fern was the Court Attorney to the Honorable Arnold N. Price in the New York City Civil Court. Fern was the President of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association from 1998-1999. She is currently a member of the Executive Board of the Brandeis Association. Fern obtained a J.D., from Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro University in 1985, where she was a Senior Editor of the Law Review, and a B.A., from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1981.

    Darlene Goldberg

    Darlene Goldberg is a Principal Law Clerk for Hon. Caryn R. Fink with the NYS Unified Court System. Alongside Judge Fink, Goldberg researches and analyzes legal issues, advises on court proceedings and sentencing matters, drafts opinions, conducts discovery and pre-trial conferences, and leases with the Office of Court Administration. She previously operated her own criminal defense law firm for 13 years, specializing in major felonies through Nassau County’s indigent defense panel. She covered criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to violent felonies and led counsel in both jury ad non-jury trials. She was also a Trial Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County. She managed criminal cases from inception through disposition.

    Goldberg volunteered with the Moreland Shelter and Birthday Wishes of Long Island, which she coordinated tutoring services for the homeless children residing at the shelter as well as temporary to permanent housing transitioning. Goldberg is a graduate of Fordham University’s School of Law and Boston University for her undergraduate degree. She resides in Melville with her family. Her husband is also a lawyer.

    Gordon Cuffy

    Gordon Cuffy was appointed by Governor Hochul in June 2025 to serve as an Acting Supreme Court Justice. Cuffy previously served as a Court of Claims Judge in Onondaga County Court, where he presided over felony criminal cases. He was appointed to the bench in 2017 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, becoming the first African-American judge to oversee felony matters in Onondaga County. Prior to his appointment, he served as Onondaga County Attorney under County Executive Joanie Mahoney and also worked as a prosecutor and as General Counsel to New York State Thruway Authority. He previously ran for County Court Judge in 2012.

    James Ferreira

    James H. Ferreria was appointed to the Court of Claims by Governor George E. Pataki on June 16, 2006 and confirmed by the Senate on June 21, 2006. Judge Ferreira was reappointed to the Court of Claims for a full nine year term by Governor Eliot Spitzer on April 30, 2007 and confirmed again by the Senate on June 19, 2007. One June 10, 2016 Judge Ferreira was reappointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Senate confirmed Judge Ferreira to an additional nine year term on June 15, 2016. Judge Ferreira was additionally designated as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court in 2014 in the Third Judicial District. Judge Ferreira presides over civil actions pending in the Court of Claims, Albany County Supreme Court and Schoharie County Supreme Court.

    Judge Ferreira graduated from Cornell University in 1984, Syracuse University College of Law in 1989, cum laude, and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 1989.

    In 1989, Judge Ferreira began his legal career as a law clerk at the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department. He then went on to work at the law firm of Harris Beach LLP as an associate in 1991. In 1995, he joined the New York State Attorney General’s office as a Deputy Bureau Chief in the Environmental Protection Bureau. He then worked between 1999 and 2006 at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in various capacities, including as Assistant Commissioner in the Office of Hearing and Meditation Services and as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel.

    Rhonda Tomlinson

    Judge Rhonda Ziomaida Tomlinson, a Brooklyn native raised by her Panamanian mother, was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims in June 2021. She earned her B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and her J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law. Prior to her appointment, she served as Chief Administrative Law Judge for the NYS Board of Parole, overseeing statewide adjudications and participating in the Harlem Reentry Court.

    Her legal career includes roles as a principal court attorney, administrative law judge, Legal Aid defense attorney, and private practitioner in criminal and family law. She has been active in bar association committees and initiatives related to parole, sex trafficking, and the effects of incarceration on families. Judge Tomlinson has also taught legal and multicultural studies at CUNY School of Law, John Jay College, and St. John’s University. She is an engaged member of St. Gregory the Great R.C. Church, serving as a scout leader, lector, and school board member.

    Cheryl Joseph

    Judge Cheryl Joseph serves as Supervising Judge of the Matrimonial Parts in the Suffolk County Supreme Court and has been a Judge of the New York State Court of Claims since 2015. Appointed as an Acting Supreme Court Justice, she previously served for nine years as a Support Magistrate in Bronx and Suffolk County Family Courts.

    Judge Joseph earned her J.D. from NYU School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from NYU, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She has also taught family law and civil litigation as an adjunct professor at Touro Law Center, where she was named Adjunct Professor of the Year twice.

    As Interim Supreme Court Justices:

    J. David Sampson

    Judge John David Sampson was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims in 2015 by Governor Andrew Cuomo and serves as a Court of Claims Judge and as an Acting Supreme Court Justice. He previously served as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (2011–2015) and as Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs in the New York Attorney General’s Office (2008–2010). Earlier in his career, he spent over 25 years in private practice, including as a partner at Underberg Kessler LLP.

    Judge Sampson earned his J.D. from Albany Law School (1982) and his B.A. in Economics from Canisius University (1977). He is based in the Buffalo/Niagara area.

    Denise Hartman

    Hon. Denise Hartman was first appointed to the Court of Claims in 2015, and has served as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Albany County for the last 10 years. She handles a full civil docket, including proceedings against governmental agencies, personal injury and contract actions, matrimonial cases, commercial litigation, and more. She also presides over the statewide Litigation Coordinating Panel.

    Prior to her judicial appointment, she was an Assistant Solicitor General in the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 1985 to 2015. There she briefed and argued many, many appeals in the New York State Appellate Divisions, Court of Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court. She was formerly a Confidential Law Clerk at the Appellate Division, 4th Department, and was once a Law Assistant at Langan, Grossman, Kinney & Dwyer, PC.

    She obtained a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University, and her JD from Syracuse University School of Law.

    Walter Rivera

    Judge Walter Rivera was appointed to the New York State Court of Claims by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017 and served one term as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in the 9th Judicial District. A native of Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, he is a graduate of Columbia College (1976) and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (1979).

    He began his legal career as a law clerk at the New York State Court of Appeals and later served as an Assistant Attorney General before entering private practice. Rivera was elected Town Justice in Greenburgh, NY, serving from 2011 until his Court of Claims appointment. He was an adjunct professor at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University for six years, past president of the Latino Judges Association, and a co-founder of the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association.

    Michael Kitsis

    Michael Kitsis is an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, serving since 2021. He has also served as a Judge in the Criminal Court of the City of New York since 2016. Prior to his judicial appointments, he spent over three decades as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office from 1983 to 2016.

    He holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

    Jonathan Svetkey

    Jonathan Svetkey is currently an Acting Supreme Court Justice sitting in Manhattan, Criminal Term. His first appointment was to the New York City Civil Court in 2019 and a year later he was re-appointed to serve as a New York City Criminal Court Judge. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Svetkey was the Court Attorney for the Honorable Joanne B. Watters from 2017 to 2019. Before that he spent twenty years in private practice as a criminal defense attorney with the law firm of Watters & Svetkey, LLP. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office Appeals Bureau from 1990 to 1995. His first job out of law school was with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Svetkey received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and graduated from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in 1984.

    As Interim Family Court Judges:

    Tonia Ettinger

    Tonia M. Ettinger was appointed by Governor Hochul in June 2025 to serve as a Family Court Attorney for Monroe County. Ettinger most recently served as the Principal Court Attorney for Honorable Fatimat O. Reid in the 7 th Judicial District (Monroe County Family Court), a position she has held since 2019. A dedicated and experienced family law attorney, Ettinger has spent her career advocating for children and families throughout Monroe County. She served for nearly a decade as an Attorney for the Child at the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, representing children in Monroe County Family Court (2009-2018).

    A graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law (magna cum laude) and SUNY Geneseo (cum laude), Ettinger has been recognized as one of the Top Women in Law by the Daily Record. Ettinger is equally dedicated to embracing and uplifting the Rochester community, actively participating in events under the 7th Judicial District’s “Embracing Our Community” initiative. With 21 years of legal experience—16 years dedicated exclusively to Monroe County Family Court—she has demonstrated a deep and consistent commitment to justice, particularly for vulnerable youth and families navigating the family court system.

    Jessica Wilcox

    Jessica R. Wilcox serves as a Principal Law Clerk for the Honorable James H. Ferreira of the New York State Court of Claims, and previously served under Honorable Glen T. Bruening of the New York State Court of Claims from 2011-2022. Before that, she was the Principal Law Clerk for the Honorable John C. Egan Jr. of the Appellate Division of the Third Department for the New York State Supreme Court from 2007 to 2011. Wilcox was a Senior Associate at Barclay Damon f/k/a Bouck, Holloway, Kiernan, and Casey from 2000 to 2007 and an Associate Attorney at Rowley Forrest, O’Donnell & Beaumont from 1999 to 2000. From 1998 to 1999, Wilcox was an Associate at Brennan, Rehfuss, and Ligouri P.C.

    Wilcox obtained a J.D. from Albany Law School in 1997 and a B.A., cum laude, in Philosophy and German from Wells College in 1993.  She was found HQ by the Statewide Judicial Department Screening Committee on March 28, 2022.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Republicans Vote to Ban Noncitizens from Voting in D.C. Elections

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    House Republicans Vote to Ban Noncitizens from Voting in D.C. Elections

    Washington, June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after House Republicans voted to overturn the D.C. City Council’s resolution allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. 148 House Democrats voted to allow noncitizens and even foreign adversaries to cast ballots in our nation’s capital.

    “Only American citizens should decide the outcome of American elections. Yet the D.C. City Council has made it clear they actually want noncitizens and even foreign actors to have an equal say in choosing a mayor and other local public officials in our nation’s capital. As the constitutional authority overseeing the District, House Republicans stand firm against this un-American decision which undermines the rule of law and the core principles of our republic.

    “This should have been a decisive and bipartisan vote to overturn the Council’s reckless resolution and reaffirm a basic principle that the vast majority of American voters support: to ensure only American citizens can vote in American elections. Instead, 148 House Democrats voted to invite foreign influence in our elections, cancel out the legitimate votes of American voters, and weaken the foundation of our democratic process. That’s not just wrong — it’s dangerous.

    “House Republicans are taking decisive steps to protect the integrity of American elections, through the recent passage of the SAVE Act, and I encourage the Senate to act swiftly to send this bill to the President’s desk.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: REP LIEU DENOUNCES ‘PROVOCATIVE AND INFLAMMATORY’ ACTIONS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN LOS ANGELES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

    WASHINGTON – Today, House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) joined House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene for a press conference. During the press conference, Congressman Lieu denounced looters and violence exacerbated by President Trump federalizing the National Guard and deploying Marines to Los Angeles.

    Read the transcript of Congressman Lieu’s opening remarks:

    “Peacefully protesting is an American right. It’s part of the rich tradition of our country. Burning cars, looting, and destroying property are crimes, and anyone who takes advantage of this situation and engages in those crimes should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    “State and local law enforcement have repeatedly said they have the resources necessary to handle the situation. It is completely un-American and needlessly provocative for Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Southern California. So, I want to talk about the National Guard first. Their legal authority Trump is using is 10 U.S.C. Section 12406. I encourage all of you to read it. It very specifically says the only way he can do this is through the orders of the Governors of the states. Governor Newsom clearly has not given this order; the National Guard troops are following unlawful orders. I ask every National Guard person who is under this order to read the order, to see if it came from Governor Newsom and then to read the law and then decide for themselves if they are following unlawful orders.

    “It also turns out that when Secretary Hegseth ordered this deployment, and in carrying out those orders, he put all these troops into Southern California without federal funding for food, water, fuel, equipment. They were sleeping on the floor. They were sleeping on each other. It is a complete mess. Secretary Hegseth’s repeated incompetence is next level. He needs to resign.

    “And in terms of the Marines deployment, we should not be deploying Marines against Americans. Marines are trained to kill the enemy. What are they going to do at this protest? They’re going to shoot protesters? What exactly is their role? They are not trained to do crowd control. They are not trained to handle these kinds of situations. They are not trained for law enforcement. So I asked the President to rescind his orders. He’s being needlessly provocative and inflammatory.”

    WATCH THE FULL REMARKS HERE

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Slams 23andMe for Exploitation of Customers’ DNA, Demands Protection of Sensitive Private Data

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    “People trusted you with their most personal information. Show them you respect them. They do not need your apologies anymore, and they don’t need your sympathy. What they need is legal protection.”

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – Today, in a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) slammed 23andMe for exploiting people’s DNA and private information following a severe data breach and bankruptcy – allowing more than 15 million people’s personal and genetic data to be sold off. The Congresswoman demanded 23andMe require the explicit, informed consent of each of their customers before including their data in any bankruptcy sale.

    A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below, and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley Slams 23andMe for Exploitation of Customers’ DNA, Demands Protection of Sensitive Private Data

    House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

    June 10, 2025

    REP. PRESSLEY: Ms. Wojcicki, you claimed that 23andMe is all about consumer empowerment. But most people ended up actually exploited, not knowing that they signed up to have their genetic data auctioned off to the highest bidder.

    And we’re not talking about email addresses. We’re talking about names, birthdates, genetic lineages – literal DNA. Data that implicates entire families, not just the person who gave the sample.

    Ms. Wojcicki, can genetic data – even if de-identified – be linked back to individuals?

    MS. WOJCICKI: I appreciate that question – could genetic data be linked back to individuals? You would – you can link back. Your DNA is your DNA. If I have a way of matching it to something that potentially connects to you, then you can potentially identify.

    REP. PRESSLEY: So, the answer is yes. The answer is yes. The genetic data – even if de-identified – can be linked back to individuals, just the science.

    MS. WOJCICKI: Well, no. If I had your sample – essentially, if I know what your picture looks like and I see another picture, I can connect those. But just having your DNA alone – if I just went to the subway and I swabbed it and I looked at samples, I would not be able to identify who’s there.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Let me reclaim my time, because I don’t have much of it and there’s a lot of ground to cover here – and I want a more direction question here, so I’m going to go to Ms. Hu.

    Is de-identified genetic data truly anonymous, or can it be traced back to individuals, Ms. Hu?

    MS. HU: Thank you so much, Congresswoman. I’m not a scientific expert on that exactly, but there has been research on the limits of de-identification and also the risks of re-identification.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Alright, fair enough. Yes – it absolutely can. With just a few pieces of additional information – like zip codes, gender, or 23andMe’s find your relative feature – it becomes easy to re-identify people and expose their personal health information.

    23andMe’s privacy agreement talks about anonymous data, but DNA can never truly be anonymous. That is the point.

    Now, Ms. Wojcicki – you said a limited number of customers were compromised by the data beach. But the truth of the matter is that out of the 15 million people who trusted this company, half of them – 7 million – had their data exposed.

    So that’s not inconsequential. It’s deeply consequential.

    And now, that same data could be sold off to a for-profit pharmaceutical company, so you can understand why people are rushing to delete their accounts.

    But the thing is when people have tried to log in and delete their data, they received error messages and then the website crashed. That is not okay. Your company is preventing people from deleting their information.

    Mr. Selsavage, it’s time to put people first. Will you contact each of your customers seeking consent for 23andMe to continue holding their data? Yes or no? It should be a simple opt-in communication that you send out before any bankruptcy sale – I want to really underscore that.

    MR. SELSAVAGE: Congresswoman, we first have sent a notice out to all of our customers via email, notifying them of the sale and that we – a second email is currently going out this week, notifying –

    REP. PRESSLEY: Reclaiming my time. Please just answer the question yes or no, okay? Will you commit to contacting each of your customers seeking consent for 23andMe to continue holding their data? This should be a simple opt-in communication that you send out before any bankruptcy sale. Yes or no?

    MR. SELSAVAGE: Congresswoman, it’s not that simple. We believe we’ve already –

    REP. PRESSLEY: Why not? People are deserving of this, these assurances and this insurance – they’ve been violated in so many ways.

    Ms. Wojcicki, will you amend your bid to commit to a similar consent requirement then?

    MS. WOJCICKI: I don’t believe I can talk extensively about my bankruptcy – about the bid – but I can say in the past, for example, when we did the GSK partnership, we proactively communicated with all customers.

    REP. PRESSLEY: I know that, I know that, I know that, I know that. It’s not good enough, it’s not good enough. It is just not good enough.

    People trusted you with their most personal information. Show them you respect them.

    They do not need your apologies anymore, and they don’t need your sympathy. What they need is legal protection.

    So if you are not able to protect the 15 million people and their families who trusted you, this company should not exist. The breach of data. The breach of civil liberties. The confusion this has caused for millions.

    It might just be time to give it up.

    I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gomez, Sen. Schiff, Rep. Barragán Lead Bicameral Effort Demanding President Trump Withdraw National Guard and Marines from LA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44), and 39 other California Delegation Representatives are demanding President Doanld Trump immediately withdraw the National Guard and U.S. Marines from Los Angeles, California. In a bicameral letter sent today, the lawmakers condemn the deployments as an unlawful overreach that bypassed state and local authority and urge the immediate withdrawal of the National Guard and Marines.

    “We are writing to express grave concern regarding the deployment of the National Guard and the activation of 700 Marines to Los Angeles. These actions were taken without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom and over the objections of local law enforcement. It constitutes a clear violation of constitutional principles and law, and a grave overreach of executive authority,” wrote the lawmakers.

    “This deployment does not appear to be motivated by any public safety emergency that could not be dealt with successfully by local authorities. Instead, it coincides with a broader federal enforcement escalation involving mass ICE raids, militarized immigration tactics, and the use of tear gas and riot control methods in civilian areas. These actions undermine civil liberties, destabilize communities, erode public trust in government institutions, and violate the law,” continued the lawmakers.

    On June 7 and June 9, Rep. Jimmy Gomez was illegally denied access to the Roybal Federal Building, where ICE is reportedly detaining migrant families—including moms and kids—under inhumane conditions. Rep. Gomez called for a formal DHS investigation and submitted a written inquiry demanding answers and accountability from Secretary Kristi Noem. As protests erupted in Los Angeles in response to the raids and detentions, the Trump administration escalated the situation by authorizing the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines—without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom and over the objections of local elected and community leaders. They argue the legal authority Trump cited doesn’t apply—making the deployment plainly unlawful.

    “As federal officials we must prioritize de-escalation and adherence to the constitutional principles that govern the balance of power between federal and state and local governments. For these reasons, we urge you to immediately withdraw the National Guard and U.S. Marines from Los Angeles and to refrain from further deployments of any military personnel in circumstances that violate constitutional boundaries and escalate domestic tensions,” concluded the lawmakers.

    In addition to Representative Gomez, Senator Schiff, and Representative Barragán, the bicameral letter was signed by Representatives Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Ami Bera (CA-6), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros Jr. (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-8), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jared Huffman (CA-2), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-7), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-4), Norma Torres (CA-35), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).

    You can read the full letter HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Holding a mirror up to the mental health and addiction system

    Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

    “Our new system performance monitoring report highlights the need for faster improvements to address declining mental health and wellbeing,” said Karen Orsborn, CEO of Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.
    The System Performance Monitoring Report released today by Te Hiringa Mahara outlines progress toward improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for New Zealanders and shows the need to speed up much needed improvements across the system.
    “Efforts to improve the system over the past six years have shown some early positive movement however these changes are not yet extensive enough to drive improvement at the scale and pace we need,” said Karen Orsborn.
    “It has been 7 years since the landmark He Ara Oranga report in 2018. Our report shows that while there are pockets of positive change, the system has got a significant way to go to achieve the outcomes people expect.”
    “Peer support services for example have seen an increase since 2018 with greater investment in the peer and lived experience workforce. There has also been an increase in kaupapa Māori specialist mental health and addiction services since 2018, but this has yet to reach representation of Māori accessing specialist services overall”.
    “There have been gains, with significant improvements to access for people seeking mental health and addiction support through a GP or other primary care services, however we are very concerned about the continued downward trend in the number of people being seen by specialist mental health and addiction services over the last few years”.
    “There continues to be significant unmet need for professional help for mental health among young people, Māori, Pacific peoples and disabled adults.”
    “As the independent monitor of mental health and wellbeing we have provided a shared view of what a good mental health and addiction system looks like. The system shifts that are needed to achieve the vision of He Ara Oranga are clear”.
    “This will rely on having meaningful lived experience leadership, services meeting the highest needs, respect for human rights, along with achieving both equitable access and outcomes from services to name a few”.
    “What we need to see is improvement toward these shifts across the whole system. We are calling for an acceleration of collective efforts with the whole sector working towards the same

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – No pregnancy warning labels on alcohol

    Source: Alcohol Healthwatch

    – 34% of alcohol products have no pregnancy warning label, shows new report.
    – 16% of alcohol products with the correct label have it hidden on the bottom of the packaging where it is less likely to be seen.
    Every baby deserves the best possible start in life. But new report by Alcohol Healthwatch of New Zealand’s first audit of pregnancy warning labels on alcohol products, suggests that the low presence of correct labelling might be undermining this.
    The report has some worrying findings, chief among them that over a third of alcohol products still do not have the correct pregnancy warning label. Just under half (44%) of the 400+ products audited either had no label, or had the label hidden on the bottom of the packaging.
    The Government-mandated pregnancy warning label became compulsory from August 2023, following over twenty-years of advocacy by public health professionals and communities. Pregnancy warning labels are an important tool to share the information that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume when pregnant. Exposure of alcohol in-utero can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a lifelong disability characterised by cognitive, emotional, and functional deficits. FASD comprises over half of the estimated $9.1 billion dollars in alcohol harm felt in New Zealand annually.
    “Communities have been fighting for a pregnancy warning label for twenty years,” says Sarah Sneyd, lead study author and Senior Health Promotion Advisor at Alcohol Healthwatch. “People tell us all the time that if they pick up a bottle of wine, they expect that it will have the pregnancy warning label on it. But what we’ve found is that even a year after being mandatory, there’s a good chance it won’t have the message.”
    Spirits was the least likely to have the pregnancy warning label on it, with only 48% of spirits audited showing the warning label. This is likely due to its longer shelf life, as the law only states that alcohol manufactured from 31 July 2023 is required to have a warning label, not all alcohol sold. Wine was the next least likely to show the label, with only 57% showing the warning label.
    “Spirits are some of the strongest alcohol you can buy, and wine is very popular among women,” says Sneyd. “And they’re the least likely to show a pregnancy warning label! It’s just not good enough – this is a massive loophole that needs to be closed.”
    There is no requirement for any other health or warning label on alcohol products, such as the fact that it causes cancer. Furthermore, unlike almost every other consumable food or drink item, alcohol products (apart from RTDs) do not have to provide an ingredient list. Like Big Tobacco tactics, Big Alcohol has an incentive to delay or sidestep labelling requirements for as long as possible, to protect profit margins at the expense of health.
    However, the audit revealed much higher rates of industry-designed labels, with 78% of products having an industry-designed label, including urges to “drink responsibly”. Often this messaging was located next to or near the pregnancy warning label, and may confuse viewers. This highlights the urgent need for a range of rotating health warnings to meet consumer rights for information. These labels must be prominent (i.e. not located at the bottom of packaging).
    Sneyd believes that in order for consumers to make informed decisions, they need the information. “We’re talking about preventing babies being born with brain damage; it goes without saying that this is an important message. If we can get communities the information they are entitled to, then we’re one step closer towards every baby having the best possible start in life.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Presses VA to Reinstate Contract Helping Veterans with Cancer Care in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    June 10, 2025

    Senator: “Cancelling this contract is mindless and cruel in equal measure for America’s veterans who deserve far better in return for their service to our country.”

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reverse its recent decision unilaterally ending a contract for the Cancer Registry Services to provide staffing and resources essential to maintain and operate VA’s Cancer Registry database services in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. 

    “This database is key to spotting trends across cancer patients, and allows our medical community to develop better guidelines to diagnose, treat, and beat cancer,” Wyden wrote in his letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Cancelling this contract is mindless and cruel in equal measure for America’s veterans who deserve far better in return for their service to our country.  The VA must use every tool at its disposal to support our veterans battling cancer, and I call on the VA to reinstate this contract immediately.” 

    Wyden’s letter following up on concerns he raised in February about the VA recklessly ending hundreds of contracts notes that cancer registries help capture the complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for cancer patients across the United States. 

    “Approximately two million cases of cancer are likely to be diagnosed in the United States this year alone, and our veterans experience certain types of cancer at higher rates than the general population due to toxic exposures in military service,” Wyden wrote. “In fact, more than 16% of new cancer diagnoses in veterans are rare cancers, and more than 450,000 veterans are receiving cancer care at a VA hospital or facility.”

    The senator added that the Cancer Registry Services contract was part of Congress’ direction to the VA to increase cancer reporting and collaboration with states.

    “The contractor you have terminated so rashly was responsible for the monthly review of disease and pathology reports, radiology reports, treatment logs, and other computerized methods to identify reportable cancer cases,” Wyden wrote. “By terminating this contract, you have prevented the VA cancer registry from reporting accurate and timely data that would help cancer surveillance and shape our medical community’s response to veterans battling cancer.  Interruptions in data collection and reporting will delay our medical community’s ability to recognize emerging cancer trends and treatment gaps, which will worsen outcomes for veterans and Americans battling cancer nationwide. 

    The entire letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Urges Trump to Stop Plan to Eliminate Funds that Target Fentanyl Trafficking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    June 10, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today urged Donald Trump to stop his administration’s plans to eliminate funds used by law enforcement to crack down on fentanyl trafficking and dismantle major criminal organizations in Oregon and across America. 

    For more than three decades, the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) has been a vital law enforcement entity to counter organized crime and major drug trafficking by coordinating among dozens of agencies. Despite the critical role the OCDETF plays in providing investigatory and prosecutorial support, coordination, and information sharing  to local, state, and federal law enforcement to stop transnational criminal organizations, including those using the Interstate 5 corridor in Oregon and the West Coast to smuggle fentanyl into U.S. communities, Trump has proposed zeroing out funding for OCDETF in his fiscal year 2026 budget request. 

    In a letter to Trump, Wyden said, “Defunding law enforcement in this manner will make it easier for major drug trafficking organizations to continue to transit fentanyl, methamphetamine, counterfeit prescription medication, and other illicit drugs into Oregon communities.”

    Earlier this month, a drug trafficking leader in Lane County, Ore., was sentenced to federal prison for possessing 384 pounds of methamphetamine in a case the OCDETF successfully investigated. This follows the 2020 success of a OCDETF investigation that led to the dismantling of a major transnational drug trafficking and money laundering organization active in the Portland metropolitan area, as well as significant arrests and drug seizures as transnational criminal organizations use the Interstate 5 corridor as a primary route to traffic drugs like fentanyl into communities.

    “OCDETF-led interagency coordination is critical to unite federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to effectively disrupt the operations of major transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels that have expanded operations across the country in recent years. Given this record of success, it is astonishing that you have proposed zeroing out funding for this crucial law enforcement entity,” Wyden said in the letter. “

    “OCDETF provides critical support to our public safety mission by bringing together agencies and resources to help protect our communities from cartel-driven drug dealing organizations,” said Stephen Gunnels, Deschutes County District Attorney. “It is extremely important that we keep the pressure on these deadly criminal enterprises.”

    “OCDETF is a critical funding mechanism for large multi-agency, multi-state cases and allows for collaboration with local law enforcement that would otherwise not be possible,” said Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler. “Losing this funding would severely hamper many drug teams, including ours at the Bend Police Department, and prevent us from doing large scale investigations necessary to protect the public.” 

    The text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Calls for Clearer Crypto Regulations Following Discussion with the Honorable Brian Quintenz

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with President Trump’s nominee to be Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Brian Quintenz. They discussed how both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the CFTC share enforcement responsibilities but lack clear jurisdictional boundaries, which has created confusion for innovators and entrepreneurs. While the SEC determines which products fall under its purview, the CFTC has mainly focused on fraud cases involving crypto. Senator Tuberville and Mr. Quintenz agreed that Congress must provide clearer regulatory guidance to foster compliant innovation and protect investors in the digital asset space.

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Quintez, thank you for being here today.”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you, Senator.”

    TUBERVILLE: “It’s good to see you and your family. Thank you for your willingness to serve. You know, for the last four years, the Biden administration led an attack on cryptocurrencies and digital assets. It was obvious to all of us—I think you know that better than anybody. One of the ways they did this was by attacking leaders in the digital asset industry, like yourself. I’m glad to see that today we live in a new world with the most pro-crypto President and administration that we have seen. I’m eager to see you lead the CFTC as we enter the Golden Age of American innovation and prosperity, and I look forward to supporting your nomination.

    When you came by my office prior to this hearing, we discussed how you were debanked because of your leadership and stance on digital assets. For years, my Democrat colleagues said that this was not happening. Obviously, it was. You were even sent a letter informing you that you were being debanked. 

    Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask for unanimous consent that the letter dated July 7, 2023, from UBS to Mr. Quintenz be entered into the record. Thank you. Mr. Quintenz, would you like to discuss this letter and the broader Biden administration attack on crypto?”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you very much, Senator. I was very disappointed to receive that. First of all, I’d like to say that the relationship manager and financial advisor mentioned in that letter is a trusted family friend, and I don’t hold this against him at all. I think the only reason why this would happen is because of pressure from the regulators to debank a disfavored industry. You know, these were accounts that were set up for my children to receive $100 worth of stock from their grandparents for Christmas, so I don’t want to also overemphasize the pain that this caused me. But I think it is endemic of what happened during the last administration that I do not think represented American values. And I know from personal experience that there were investments that our firm was trying to make into small teams. And our firm couldn’t even send them a check because they couldn’t open a bank account because they were in the crypto industry. I believe legal businesses deserve access to legal services, and I’m glad that is starting to change.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. That was a pretty tough time, and I understand what you were going through. We’re all curious about the growth of prediction markets. Can you talk about the benefits of the markets and how various businesses and industries can use them for risk management when they otherwise may not have access to appropriate hedging tools?”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you, Senator. When I was at the Commission, I read the law, and the law was clear: the Commodity Exchange Act recognizes that an event posing financial, commercial, or economic consequences is a commodity. I think the reason The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000—which was passed into law by President Clinton—did that was because it recognized that events posed risks to individuals, small businesses, and large firms in the same way that exposure to physical commodity prices does. These risks have been hedged in various capacities for a long time, but traditionally it’s been through large Wall Street firms using very complicated products where there isn’t much transparency about how they operate or a clear market trading mechanism to create clarity around that. With the way this innovation is evolving, there are going to be many new methods for individuals to hedge risks they otherwise couldn’t. The innovation can be targeted to a specific event, so they don’t have to rely on some other generic form of hedging that may not correlate to that risk.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Can you discuss the regulatory and enforcement clarity between the SEC and the CFTC as it relates to crypto, and what further congressional actions need to be taken?”

    QUINTENZ: “Thank you, Senator. From my experience at the CFTC and afterward, the agencies either share jurisdiction over the crypto spot markets or enforce markets through enforcement actions. However, it has really been the SEC’s decision to determine which products or securities they carve out and take into their own jurisdiction. Unfortunately, I believe there has been a lack of clarity offered to the marketplace, innovators, and entrepreneurs about how they could build something that complies with the law or how to build something within the SEC’s jurisdiction that follows the rules. Both agencies have experience in crypto enforcement, but for the CFTC, it has mostly confined itself to fraud cases—standard Ponzi schemes, which aren’t necessarily about people using cryptocurrency but rather about using cryptocurrency as a tool for investments and then stealing people’s money. So, to the extent that new clarity can be added to enable innovators and entrepreneurs to build compliantly, I think that is a critical issue for Congress to consider.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey to File Amendment to Strip Republican Proposal to Ban AI Regulation by States from Reconciliation Package

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (June 10, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today announced plans to file an amendment to the Senate reconciliation bill to block Republicans’ attempt to prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for the next 10 years.

    “Despite the overwhelming opposition to their plan to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade, Republicans are refusing to back down on this irresponsible and short-sighted provision,” said Senator Markey. “I plan to file an amendment to strip this dangerous provision from Republicans’ ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ Republicans should be prepared to vote on this outrageous policy and explain to their constituents why they are preventing their state leaders from responding to the harms caused by this new and evolving technology.”

    Last week, Senator Markey convened a virtual roundtable with advocates to discuss the impacts this ban would have on communities across the country. On June 3, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate floor opposing the provision in the House-passed reconciliation bill that would prevent states from regulating AI for the next ten years. Senator Markey is the author of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Civil Rights Act, the most comprehensive AI civil rights legislation introduced in Congress. The legislation would put strict guardrails on companies’ use of algorithms for consequential decisions, ensure algorithms are tested before and after deployment, help eliminate and prevent bias, and renew Americans’ faith in the accuracy and fairness of complex algorithms.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: King: Modern, Cost-Effective Weapons Systems Should be Deployed in Red Sea, Future Conflicts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), spoke with Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and raised the importance of properly funding cutting-edge directed energy programs — the class of weapons systems that use electromagnetic energy, such as high-energy lasers. Calling it the “weapon of the future,” he received commitment from Secretary Phalen to advocate for an increase in the directed energy budget.  

    “It’s unclear in the budget where the directed energy money is if it’s in there. Those missiles that we’re using in the Red Sea to knock down $20,000 Yemen drones cost $4 million apiece. Directed energy is an incredibly important priority. The prior administration grossly underfunded it. I hope this administration will pay attention. This is cost-effective and it’s the weapon of the future. Mr. Secretary, are you going advocate for directed energy and see an increase in that budget,” asked Senator King.

    “Yes, senator. I think it’s very important. Our capability, and as you mentioned, it’s a cost-effective one. We continue to be working very hard with the one system we have been testing live right now that appears to be working well, so we continue to work on that. So, yes,” replied Secretary Phelan.

    Senator King also touted Bath Iron Works’ (BIW) role in helping construct the U.S. Navy’s Guided-Missile Destroyer (DDG) ships. Earlier in their exchange, Senator King thanked Secretary Phelan for his visit earlier this year to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) to discuss the strategic value of developing a strong workforce and expanding shipbuilding in the U.S. to stay ahead of foreign adversaries.

    “I want to thank you for your visits to the Portsmouth naval shipyard and Bath Iron Works, particularly for the time you took to talk with the men and women on the deck plates, the people who are out there doing the work. It meant a lot to those people, it meant a lot to the workforce, and the fact that you took the time to do that, I think is exemplary. The other thing I want to note at the beginning, we always get in these hearings and there’s a lot of criticism and harsh questions. I want to compliment the Navy for the performance in the Red Sea. It’s the longest protracted naval battle since World War II, and the Navy has performed extraordinary well. I’ve had briefings both in this committee and the Intelligence Committee about the work that has been done under very difficult circumstances, so I think that should be acknowledged in a hearing like this. I should also note some of the workhorses in the Red Sea are DDGs, which are — I visited a government facility some years ago that had a spot on the map of the whole world of all the U.S. Assets, and DDGs were all over that map. Truly the workhorse of the Navy,” said Senator King.

    As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues. Senator King has previously spoken up about the emerging threats of Russia and China’s development of “nightmare weapon” hypersonic missiles, which he has described as “strategic game-changers.” He previously urged the Department of Defense (DoD) to take advantage of private sector technologies or risk losing access to innovative defense technologies and encouraged the (DoD) to reevaluate its acquisition process of defense technologies. Additionally, Senator King has been a steady voice on the need to address the growing nuclear capacity of our adversaries.

    The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) is a key economic driver in Maine, supporting thousands of jobs integral to America’s national security. After calls from Senators King and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the U.S. Department of Defense exempted the shipyard workforce from the civilian hiring freeze. The Senators, alongside Sena too Susan Collins (R-ME), once again called on the Administration to process PNSY civilian hires to support the work of the Shipyard. Earlier this year, Senator King visited the Shipyard with Navy Secretary Phelan to highlight the Shipyard’s role in supporting U.S. national security and the need to bolster the Shipyard’s workforce to meet workload demand.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Meets With Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce in his Washington office to discuss economic development and infrastructure investment in Central Illinois.  During the meeting, Durbin and the local leaders spoke about the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, which Durbin has helped secure more than $247 million in federal funding to complete.  Durbin also responded to the organization’s concerns that the Trump Administration will continue to delay or slash federal grants that have helped support the state’s education programs, airport renovations, and infrastructure upgrades for waterlines, emergency services, and the electric grid.

    “Rightfully, local leaders with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce are concerned about the future of federal funding for local projects and priorities in Central Illinois,” said Durbin.  “While the Trump Administration is a force of chaos and uncertainty, I will continue to be a voice for Illinoisans and securing the resources our state needs to thrive.”

    Photos of the meeting are available here.

      

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Charleston Native Joins Boozman’s Washington Staff

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON—River Valley residents who contact U.S. Senator John Boozman’s Washington, D.C. office may now wind up interacting with an acquaintance from their own community. Charleston native Katie Gage recently joined the senator’s staff on Capitol Hill as a press assistant.

    “It is an honor to join Senator Boozman’s team and contribute to the work he is doing on behalf of Arkansans. I’m excited to support the senator’s communications efforts and help share the stories and priorities that matter most to the people of our state,” Gage said.

    “Katie has already shown her strong commitment to public service during her time as an intern, and I am excited to have her back on the team. Her energy and passion for Arkansas will be a great asset to my staff as we reflect Natural State priorities and values in the nation’s capital,” Boozman said. 

    Senator Boozman welcomes Charleston High School graduate to his Washington team.

    In the press assistant role, Gage supports the senator’s communications efforts by assisting with media outreach, drafting press materials and helping develop messaging that highlights Senator Boozman’s priorities and legislative work. She also contributes to internal communications.

    Gage is a 2021 graduate of Charleston High School and a 2025 graduate of the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in legal studies. She is the daughter of Misty Hiatt and Trey Gage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scotland to host UK’s national supercomputer as Chancellor confirms £750 million investment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Scotland to host UK’s national supercomputer as Chancellor confirms £750 million investment

    Scotland will become home to the UK’s most powerful supercomputer, with up to £750 million for the project confirmed in the Spending Review.

    Scotland to host the UK’s most powerful supercomputer.

    • Up to £750 million for a new supercomputer in Edinburgh will be confirmed by the Chancellor at Spending Review – giving scientists across the UK access to compute power found in only a handful of other nations.
    • Commitment follows the Prime Minister committing an extra £1 billion of funding to ramp up the UK’s AI compute power twenty fold as he opened London Tech Week.
    • AI Research Resource coming into operation soon, as Isambard supercomputer named one of the most powerful in the world.

    Scotland will be home to the UK’s most powerful supercomputer to drive forward innovations that grow our economy and ensure people are better off, putting Edinburgh at heart of the UK’s plans to unlock a decade of national renewal through artificial intelligence.

    The news comes after the Prime Minister kicked off London Tech Week by unveiling £1 billion of extra funding to scale up the country’s AI compute power twenty-fold. Following that announcement, the Chancellor has now confirmed up to a further £750 million to build the UK’s new national supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh, strengthening Britain’s position as an AI-maker and research power, with researchers and start-ups backed to deliver new waves of innovations and discoveries.

    Edinburgh’s new supercomputer will give scientists from across the UK the compute power they need for cutting edge research and making the next big breakthrough – whether that’s personalised medical treatments, making air travel more sustainable, or modelling climate change. This will form part of the Chancellor’s commitment to investing in Britain’s renewal at the Spending Review today (Wednesday), ensuring the British people are better off – from better health to economic growth.

    The supercomputer will work alongside the AI research resource, a network of the UK’s most powerful supercomputers that were built to bolster scientific research. The AI Research Resource, which is due to come into operation soon, is already being used to research Alzheimer’s vaccines and treatments for cancer by simulating how drugs work inside the body and ‘testing’ millions of potential drugs virtually to speed up the creation of new medicines. 

    Ahead of that moment, the Isambard system has this week been ranked in the top ten globally and top 5 in Europe for publicly available supercomputers. According to the latest Top500 rankings, it also ranks as a leader in terms of efficiency, setting a clear benchmark of how the UK government is delivering on its AI ambitions while driving forward its mission to become a clean energy superpower.

    UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle said:

    From the shipyards of the Clyde to developments in steam engine technology, Scottish trailblazers were central to the industrial revolution – so the next great industrial leap through AI and technology should be no different.  

    Basing the UK’s most powerful supercomputer in Edinburgh, Scotland will now be a major player in driving forward the next breakthroughs that put our Plan for Change into action.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    We are investing in Scotland’s renewal, so working people are better off. 

    Strong investment in our science and technology sector is part of our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth, and as the home of the UK’s largest supercomputer, Scotland will be an integral part of that journey.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

    This is a landmark moment and will place Scotland at the forefront of the UK’s technological revolution. The £750 million investment in Edinburgh’s new supercomputer places Scotland at the cutting edge of computing power globally.

    This will see Scotland playing a leading role in creating breakthroughs that have a global benefit – such as new medicines, health advances, and climate change solutions. This is the Plan for Change – delivering real opportunities and economic growth for communities across Scotland.

    Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson said: 

    This significant investment will have a profoundly positive impact on the UK’s global standing, and we welcome the vast opportunities it will create for research and innovation.

    Building on the University of Edinburgh’s expertise and experience over decades, this powerful supercomputer will drive economic growth by supporting advancements in medicine, bolstering emerging industries and public services, and unlocking the full potential of AI. We look forward to working alongside the UK government and other partners to deliver this critical national resource.

    The new supercomputer will vastly exceed the capacity of the UK’s current national supercomputer, ARCHER2. 

    The government will set out more details about the system in our upcoming Compute Roadmap, which we will publish this summer. It will outline the government’s strategic approach to building world-class compute infrastructure in the UK – which will include the new national supercomputer in Edinburgh and our investment to expand the AI Research Resource by at least 20 times by 2030. 

    DSIT and UKRI will work to ensure that the Edinburgh supercomputer’s system size represents value for money on our investment and meets the needs of the diverse user groups of the UK’s compute infrastructure.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

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    Published 11 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ecuadoran smugglers plead guilty to trafficking nearly 400 kilograms of cocaine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NORFOLK, Va. – Two Ecuadoran nationals pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine on board a vessel.

    According to court documents, on Jan. 16, a helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Waesche located a go-fast vessel (GFV) that appeared to be dead in the water with two people on board in international waters approximately 544 nautical miles south of Mexico. The GFV displayed no indicia of nationality.

    A small boat from the USCG Cutter Waesche approached the GFV and the crew observed Adan Bolivar Arcentales Anchundia, 57, and Frowen Antonio Alcivar Muentes, 56, cutting lines connecting the GFV to bundles of bails in the water. USCG personnel boarded the vessel and conducted tests of the contents of one package taken from the water. The contents tested positive for cocaine. USCG personnel gathered additional contraband from the water around the GFV. In total, ten bales containing approximately 397.9 kilograms of cocaine were recovered.

    Arcentales Anchundia pled guilty on May 28 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 30. Alcivar Muentes plead guilty today and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9. Both defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Christopher Heck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller accepted the plea.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin M. Comstock and Eric M. Hurt are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:25-cr-59 (Arcentales Anchundia) and  2:25-cr-69 (Alcivar Muentes).

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Legislation to Protect SBA Workers in Sanctuary Cities, Remove Offices Out of Sanctuary City Jurisdictions

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Brad Finstad’s (R-Minn.) legislation to relocate U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offices out of sanctuary city jurisdictions.

    His legislation, H.R. 2931 – Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, ensures that SBA employees are not put at risk by violent illegal aliens. It would relocate SBA offices into jurisdictions which do not limit their cooperation with federal agencies charged with immigration enforcement.

    House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Rep. Finstad issued the following statements:

    “Sanctuary cities should not be rewarded for violence and unlawful behavior,” Chairwoman McClain said. “It’s telling that 195 Democrats opposed a bill to protect SBA employees. Democrats have stooped so low that they now even prioritize illegal aliens over the federal bureaucrats they have vowed to defend.”

    “By circumventing federal law and encouraging illegal immigrants to come into our communities, failed sanctuary city policies have created a growing public safety crisis,” Rep. Finstad said. “Today, my legislation, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, passed on the House Floor. This important legislation codifies two of President Trump’s pro-business executive orders that protect SBA employees and safeguard our entrepreneurs by relocating SBA offices out of sanctuary cities. In doing so, it ensures that communities which uphold the rule of law will have access to the resources they need to better serve small business owners. I am proud that my House colleagues passed this legislation, and I look forward to supporting it through the legislative process.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Legislation to Block Taxpayer-Funded SBA Assistance from Going to Illegal Aliens

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) issued statements after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to require proof of citizenship for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance applications.

    Specifically, the bill – H.R. 2966 – ensures SBA support goes to legal, eligible applicants.

    “The American people are tired of illegal aliens taking advantage of taxpayer-funded programs. House Republicans just voted to stop this insanity while 190 Democrats voted to continue these wasteful practices. We will keep putting Americans first and keep putting Democrats on the record defending the misuse of taxpayer dollars,” Chairwoman McClain said. “Thank you to Rep. Van Duyne for leading this common-sense legislation.”

    “By passing my American Entrepreneurs First Act, House Republicans have, once again, come together to support common sense reforms protecting America’s hard earned tax dollars from being lost to waste, fraud, abuse, and theft by hostile foreign actors,” Rep. Van Duyne said. “The American Entrepreneurs First Act ensures Small Business Administration funds are directed to American businesses and not accessible by individuals or businesses with foreign or undocumented ownership and verifies the age of all recipients. I urge our Senate colleagues to quickly pass this important measure which is supported by President Trump and SBA Administrator Loeffler as a vital verification step to confirm American tax dollars are being spent to strengthen American small businesses.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairwoman McClain Condemns Antisemitic Attacks in Colorado and Across the U.S., Thanks Law Enforcement Officers for Keeping Americans Safe

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) voted today in favor of two House Resolutions—H. Res. 481 and H. Res. 488—to denounce antisemitic attacks, reaffirm her commitment to confronting antisemitism across the United States, and express appreciation to law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for keeping Americans safe.

    H. Res. 481, sponsored by Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-N.J.), expresses that Congress fully condemns the rise in antisemitic attacks across the United States, including the June 1, 2025, terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, the May 21, 2025, attack against two Israeli embassy staffers, and the April 13, 2025, attempted assassination of Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family.

    H. Res. 488, sponsored by Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), also denounces the antisemitic terrorist attack that occurred in Boulder, Colorado. The attacker shouted “Free Palestine,” an antisemitic slogan that calls for the destruction of the state of Israel and the Jewish people. The resolution also expresses appreciation for the law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, for keeping Americans safe.

    Chairwoman McClain released the following statement: 

    “American Jews have a target on their back. They should not have to be scared to go to school, a synagogue, or simply be Jewish. It doesn’t have to be this way. But so long as Democrats collectively refuse to denounce, condemn, or even agree that this is problematic, the Jewish community will continue to have to live in fear. Things have got to change, and House Republicans are committed to being part of the solution,” Chairwoman McClain said. “House Republicans stand with law enforcement officers, and, unfortunately, House Democrats voted against thanking ICE, too.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Havre man sentenced to 14 years in prison on drug charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS – A Havre man who possessed fentanyl was sentenced today to 168 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Isaiah Starr Standingrock, 33, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that on August 26, 2023, Standingrock attempted to evade law enforcement, leading to a high-speed pursuit on and off the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. During the pursuit, Standingrock called 911 several times, threatening to shoot officers and/or himself. Officers watched Standingrock throw various items out of his car window throughout the pursuit, including what appeared to be a gun (which was never recovered) and a blue Nike backpack (which was recovered and later searched). Standingrock later threw a pistol holster at officers during a brief standoff. Ultimately, Standingrock was taken into custody without incident.

    In a search incident to arrest, officers seized $430 in various denominations of cash, as well as various empty syringes and a plastic bag. Officers observed what appeared to be fentanyl pills in plain view in the vehicle.

    Officers then located a .40 caliber S&W round and a .38 caliber SPL +P round, as well as a syringe and tin foil in the blue Nike backpack. They recovered suspected fentanyl pills and fentanyl powder, a tube containing powder residence, a digital scale containing white powder, a flip phone and a gold iPhone from the vehicle search.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, and the Hill County Sheriff’s Office.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairwoman McClain Backs Law Enforcement Officers, Votes to Reverse Biden-era ‘Defund the Police’ Policies

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) voted in favor of Rep. Andrew Garbarino’s (R-N.Y.) bill—H.R. 2096, Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act—to reverse Biden-era ‘defund the police’ policies and equip law enforcement officers with the resources they need to do their jobs.

    Chairwoman McClain and Rep. Garbarino issued the following statements after the U.S. House passed H.R. 2096:

    “The violence we are seeing in Los Angeles and around our country is a clear example of why we need to support our law enforcement in all capacities. They are putting their lives on the line to protect us,” Chairwoman McClain said. “The Biden administration’s, efforts to defund the police have led to more violence and rising crime rates in places like Washington, D.C. In contrast, House Republicans are committed to supporting our brave law enforcement officers and addressing workforce and retention challenges. I thank Rep. Garbarino for leading this crucial effort to reverse harmful ‘defund the police’ policies.”

    “The House’s passage of my bill, the Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act, is a critical step toward restoring law and order in Washington, D.C. The Metropolitan Police Department is facing a public safety crisis brought on by reckless policies that have stripped officers of basic protections and left the force dangerously understaffed,” Rep. Garbarino said. “This legislation helps right that wrong by giving MPD the tools and support they need to recruit, retain, and protect. Congress has a duty to ensure our nation’s capital is safe, and today’s vote sends a clear message: we back the badge, and we refuse to let violent crime take over D.C.”

    H.R. 2096 reverses provisions of D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Specifically, it restores the Metro Police Department officer union’s ability to bargain on disciplinary matters and re-establish clear timelines for carrying out discipline for alleged officer misconduct.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairwoman McClain and Rep. Pfluger’s Statements after the U.S. House Passed a Bill to Prohibit Noncitizens from Voting in D.C. Local Elections

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    Chairwoman McClain and Rep. Pfluger’s Statements after the U.S. House Passed a Bill to Prohibit Noncitizens from Voting in D.C. Local Elections

    Washington, June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. August Pfluger’s (R-Texas) H.R. 884, which prohibits non-U.S. citizens from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, a D.C. law.

    House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Rep. Pfluger released the following statements:

    “House Republicans passed legislation to restore trust in our election system, particularly in our nation’s capital. Unlike Democrats, we will not allow illegal immigrants to dilute the votes of actual Americans. Only Americans should be able to vote in U.S. elections. It’s as simple as that,” Chairwoman McClain said.

    “Free and fair elections are a prerequisite for a healthy republic. The radical DC Council’s decision to allow noncitizens—including illegal aliens and foreign agents—to vote in local elections dilutes the voting power of the citizen voter. That power must be defended, and I am thrilled House Republicans took action today to do so. Anyone who voted against this legislation, voted for the transfer of political power away from legal voters. With the House passage of my legislation today, we are one step closer to restoring the sanctity of the voting process to ensure that only American citizens are voting in our nation’s capital,” Rep. Pfluger said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Detroit arrests a convicted arsonist and a convicted murderer in the same day

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    DETROIT – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Detroit arrested two criminal aliens in Detroit June 10. Ahmad Fareez Thabateh, 49, a Palestinian, and Kassim Saleh Wasil, 70, a Yemeni , who will remain in ICE custody pending removal from the United States.

    Thabateh has a final order of removal and has a previous conviction of arson in Pontiac, Michigan.

    Wasil also has a final order of removal and has a criminal history to include 2nd degree murder, assault, resisting or obstructing an officer, and cruelty to a dependent adult.

    “A convicted murderer and an arsonist are just some of the many public safety threats and immigration violators that our officers work to take off the streets every day,” said acting Detroit Field Office Director Kevin Raycraft. “I’m proud of their efforts to safeguard communities across Michigan and Ohio.”

    Members of the public can report immigration crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE Detroit’s mission to increase public safety in our Michigan and Ohio communities on X at @ERODetroit and @HSIDetroit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pennsylvania Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Laundered Over $800,000 of the Proceeds of a Business Email Compromise Scheme that Defrauded a Cedar Rapids Church

    An accountant and adjunct business instructor who laundered over $800,000 of the proceeds of a multi-state business email compromise scheme was sentenced today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

    Margo Ann Williams, age 63, from Scranton, Pennsylvania, received the prison term after a September 12, 2024, jury verdict finding her guilty of one count of bank fraud, three counts of money laundering, three counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

    The evidence at trial showed that, between December 2022 and July 2023, five victims—a Cedar Rapids church, two businesses, a non-profit, and an individual—had their electronic payments misdirected due to hacked email accounts.  The email accounts were hacked while the victims were in the process of making large wire and automatic clearinghouse (“ACH”) transactions to others.  The victims received “spoofed” emails that falsely appeared to come from legitimate and trusted sources.  The fraudulent emails contained instructions to change the routing information for the wire and ACH transactions.  Unbeknownst to the victims, those accounts listed in the new instructions belonged to Williams.  After receiving “spoofed” emails, the victims instructed their banks to wire the funds according to the new payment instructions.  Williams received the funds into bank accounts she controlled, and then she rapidly transferred the stolen money to other bank accounts that she controlled.  Williams eventually transferred stolen funds to two national cryptocurrency exchanges and an individual in Florida.

    For example, in June 2023, a Cedar Rapids church was engaged in a $7 million renovation of its campus.  The hackers compromised the email account of the project’s architect and caused the church to receive “spoofed” emails in which the email domain of the project’s general contractor was slightly changed.  As a result, the church representatives thought they were engaged in email correspondence with the project’s general contractor when, in truth, unknown individuals were impersonating the general contractor’s employees.  As a result, the church unwittingly wired over $466,000 to Williams’s shell corporation, “MBCI & Evercorp, LLC.”  Other victims in the business email compromise scheme included a hotel manager in Colorado, a large non-profit in Washington state, a self-employed homebuilder in Montana, and a general commercial contractor in Pennsylvania.

    During the scheme, Williams repeatedly opened bank accounts at major national banks, including one in the name of her shell corporation.  As the banks discovered the fraud and closed the accounts, Williams continued to open new accounts at other banks in an effort to continue to perpetrate the fraud.  Williams claimed at trial that she was doing so at the direction of a famous British actor with whom she had formed a romantic relationship.  Williams earned approximately $25,000 from the scheme.  Williams made many personal purchases with the stolen money, including an Apple Watch and a Louis Vuitton handbag.

    Williams was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Williams was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment.  She was ordered to make $594,037.41 in restitution to her victims.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy L. Vavricek and Kyndra A. Lundquist and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Williams was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 23-CR-64.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waco Man Federally Indicted After Allegedly Shooting Police K9 with Machine Gun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WACO, Texas – A federal grand jury in Waco returned an indictment today charging a Waco man with one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.

    According to court documents, Darrin King allegedly fled from Waco Police officers, who were dispatched to a civil disturbance involving a firearm on May 28. A police K9 was deployed in pursuit of King, who allegedly produced a firearm and fired multiple shots at the dog, striking the K9 twice in the neck and once in the chest. King was subsequently taken into custody and the firearm was recovered. The firearm was allegedly equipped with a machinegun conversion device (MCD), also known as a “Glock switch,” allowing the firearm to fire as a fully automatic weapon. MCDs are defined as machineguns under the National Firearms Act, even when not installed.

    The injured K9 survived his life-threatening injuries but, due to the extent of the injuries, will be medically retired.

    King faces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waco Police Department are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Blanton is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. Reports May 2025 Assets Under Management

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MILWAUKEE, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE: APAM) today reported that its preliminary assets under management (“AUM”) as of May 31, 2025 totaled $170.9 billion. Artisan Funds and Artisan Global Funds accounted for $83.4 billion of total firm AUM, while separate accounts and other AUM1 accounted for $87.5 billion.

    PRELIMINARY ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT BY STRATEGY2    
         
    As of May 31, 2025 – ($ Millions)    
    Growth Team    
    Global Opportunities   $19,683  
    Global Discovery   1,825  
    U.S. Mid-Cap Growth   10,615  
    U.S. Small-Cap Growth   2,719  
    Franchise   778  
    Global Equity Team    
    Global Equity   355  
    Non-U.S. Growth   14,263  
    China Post-Venture3   117  
    U.S. Value Team    
    Value Equity   4,960  
    U.S. Mid-Cap Value   2,486  
    Value Income   16  
    International Value Group    
    International Value   49,518  
    International Explorer   746  
    Global Special Situations   20  
    Global Value Team    
    Global Value   31,590  
    Select Equity   326  
    Sustainable Emerging Markets Team    
    Sustainable Emerging Markets   1,792  
    Credit Team    
    High Income   12,377  
    Credit Opportunities   318  
    Floating Rate   88  
    Developing World Team    
    Developing World   4,650  
    Antero Peak Group    
    Antero Peak   2,138  
    Antero Peak Hedge   254  
    International Small-Mid Team    
    Non-U.S. Small-Mid Growth   5,660  
    EMsights Capital Group    
    Global Unconstrained   930  
    Emerging Markets Debt Opportunities   1,070  
    Emerging Markets Local Opportunities   1,617  
         
    Total Firm Assets Under Management (“AUM”)   $170,911  

    1 Separate account and other AUM consists of the assets we manage in or through vehicles other than Artisan Funds or Artisan Global Funds. Separate account and other AUM includes assets we manage in traditional separate accounts, as well as assets we manage in Artisan-branded collective investment trusts, and in our own private funds.
    2 AUM for Artisan Sustainable Emerging Markets and U.S. Mid-Cap Growth Strategies includes $116.7 million in aggregate for which Artisan Partners provides investment models to managed account sponsors (reported on a lag not exceeding one quarter).
    3 The China Post-Venture strategy is currently in the process of being wound down.

    ABOUT ARTISAN PARTNERS
    Artisan Partners is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of high value-added investment strategies to sophisticated clients around the world. Since 1994, the firm has been committed to attracting experienced, disciplined investment professionals to manage client assets. Artisan Partners’ autonomous investment teams oversee a diverse range of investment strategies across multiple asset classes. Strategies are offered through various investment vehicles to accommodate a broad range of client mandates.

    Investor Relations Inquiries: 866.632.1770 or ir@artisanpartners.com
    Source: Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP Announces Release of 2024 Schedule K-3

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OMAHA, Neb., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On June 10, 2025, Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP (NYSE: GHI) (the “Partnership”) announced that investor information on 2024 Schedule K-3 reflecting items of international tax relevance is available online. Unitholders requiring this information may access their Schedules K-3 at www.taxpackagesupport.com/greystone.

    A limited number of unitholders (primarily foreign unitholders, unitholders computing a foreign tax credit on their tax return and certain corporate and/or partnership unitholders) may need the detailed information disclosed on Schedule K-3 for their specific tax reporting requirements. To the extent Schedule K-3 is applicable to your federal income tax return filing needs, we encourage you to review the information contained on this form and refer to the appropriate federal laws and guidance or consult with your tax advisor.

    To receive an electronic copy of your Schedule K-3 via email, unitholders may call Tax Package Support toll free at (833) 608-3512.

    About Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP

    Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP was formed in 1998 under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act for the primary purpose of acquiring, holding, selling and otherwise dealing with a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds which have been issued to provide construction and/or permanent financing for affordable multifamily, seniors and student housing properties. The Partnership is pursuing a business strategy of acquiring additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments on a leveraged basis. The Partnership expects and believes the interest earned on these mortgage revenue bonds is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Partnership seeks to achieve its investment growth strategy by investing in additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments as permitted by its Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated December 5, 2022, taking advantage of attractive financing structures available in the securities market, and entering into interest rate risk management instruments. Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP press releases are available at www.ghiinvestors.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Information contained in this press release contains “forward-looking statements,” which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks involving current maturities of our financing arrangements and our ability to renew or refinance such maturities, fluctuations in short-term interest rates, collateral valuations, mortgage revenue bond investment valuations and overall economic and credit market conditions. For a further list and description of such risks, see the reports and other filings made by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The Partnership disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    CONTACT:
    Andrew Grier
    Senior Vice President
    402-952-1232

    The MIL Network –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. Declares Quarterly Common Stock Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE:ARI) today announced the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock, which is payable on July 15, 2025 to common stockholders of record on June 30, 2025.

    About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.
    Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: ARI) is a real estate investment trust that primarily originates, acquires, invests in and manages performing commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. The Company is externally managed and advised by ACREFI Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc., a high-growth, global alternative asset manager with approximately $785 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2025.

    Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.apollocref.com. Please note that our URL address has changed.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company’s control. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When used in this release, the words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, plan, continue, intend, should, may or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: higher interest rates and inflation; market trends in the Company’s industry, real estate values, the debt securities markets or the general economy; the timing and amounts of expected future fundings of unfunded commitments; the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; the Company’s ability to deploy the proceeds of its capital raises or acquire its target assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements, and other risks, uncertainties and factors are based on the Company’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    CONTACT: Hilary Ginsberg
    Investor Relations
    (212) 822-0767

    The MIL Network –

    June 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Pelican Acquisition Corporation Announces the Separate Trading of its Ordinary Shares and Rights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pelican Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: PELI, the “Company”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, announced that holders of its 8,625,000 units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the ordinary shares and rights included in the units, commencing on or about June 12, 2025.

    Any units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the symbol “PELIU,” and the separated ordinary shares and rights are expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “PELI” and “PELIR,” respectively. Holders of units will need to have their brokers contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co., the Company’s transfer agent, in order to separate the units into ordinary shares and rights.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Pelican Acquisition Corporation

    Pelican Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company’s efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

    Contact

    Robert Labbe
    Chief Executive Officer
    Email: admin@pelicanacq.com
    Tel: (212) 612-1400

    The MIL Network –

    June 11, 2025
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