NewzIntel.com

Category: Department of Justice

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout: Attorney General Bondi Briefed on National Security, Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts at Port of Tampa

    Source: United States Attorneys General 6

    Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi toured the Port of Tampa Bay – the largest port in Florida – and received a briefing from the Port’s CEO, Paul Anderson.

    Attorney General Bondi and Port Leadership discussed the Port’s important role in safeguarding Floridians and the American people as a key port of entry into this US. They also discussed the vital role that government plays in helping protect national security at ports.

    Other topics discussed included Port Tampa Bay’s advancements in protecting against foreign threats to physical and cyber security infrastructure, securing the Panama Canal, and ongoing coordination with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC).

    Attorney General Bondi closed the briefing by thanking all in attendance for their important work on protecting the American people, safeguarding our national security, and encouraging the flow of commerce.

    Attorney General Bondi concluded by stating “Our ports are often the first line of defense in protecting Americans from national security threats like human trafficking, drug smuggling, and cybercrime. It was an honor to spend time with Paul Anderson and his team, who are collaborating closely with government partners and doing incredible work to protect Floridians and our Nation in my hometown of Tampa.”

    Participants:

    Paul Anderson, President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay

    Charles Klug, Principal Counsel of Port Tampa Bay

    Ken Washington, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Port Tampa Bay

    Mark Dubina, Vice President of Security of Port Tampa Bay

    Laura Lenhart, Vice President of Government Affairs of Port Tampa Bay

    Sue Bai, Assistant Deputy Attorney General for National Security

    Catharine Cypher, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Justice

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKSAR Government confiscated criminal proceeds of absconders endangering national security in accordance with the law

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Court of First Instance yesterday (February 17), upon application by the Department of Justice (DoJ), issued the confiscation order under section 9 of Schedule 3 of the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Implementation Rules), concerning the confiscation of proceeds Hui Chi-fung obtained from committing offences endangering national security. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has noted the unfounded smear and malicious attacks online regarding the actions taken by the Court in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government strongly condemned and opposed this, and it is necessary to rebuke and to set out the following facts to set the record straight.

         An HKSAR Government spokesman stressed, “Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. Amongst others, it is a common and effective practice to make an application to the Court for a confiscation order to prevent offenders from benefiting from their criminal acts. In fact, laws and mechanisms for confiscation of crime proceeds are common around the world. They cover the crime proceeds from commission of any serious offence, including offences endangering national security.”

         “Hui Chi-fung has committed numerous heinous crimes, with a number of criminal charges being laid against him. He conspired with foreign politicians in 2020 to forge documents and deceive the court with false information in order to obtain the court’s permission to leave Hong Kong while he was on bail, and jumped bail and absconded overseas. Afterwards, Hui Chi-fung was suspected to have committed offences endangering national security overseas. On August 12, 2021 and June 21, 2023, two magistrates issued warrants against Hui Chi-fung for allegedly committed crimes of ‘inciting secession’, ‘inciting subversion of state power’, and ‘colluding with foreign or external forces to endanger national security’. Hui Chi-fung is currently a wanted person with reward notice by the Police, and specified as relevant absconder by the Secretary for Security under sections 89(1) of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.”

         The spokesman stressed, “The application for and issuance of the confiscation order must comply with the strict conditions specified in Schedule 3 of the Implementation Rules, including that the Court must first be satisfied that the absconded defendant could have been convicted of the relevant offence and must determine whether the defendant has benefited from that offence. The Court must also ascertain the value of the proceeds of the offence endangering national security and the amount that might be realised at the time the confiscation order is made. Therefore, there is absolutely no situation in which private property could be ‘confiscated at any time’ or ‘arbitrarily’. ”

         The spokesman pointed out, “Before and after Hui Chi-fung absconded from Hong Kong, he transferred nearly $2.5 million Hong Kong dollars in personal assets as gifts to his mother and wife. The Court is also satisfied with the relevant transaction evidence submitted by DoJ.”

         According to the law, if a defendant benefits from committing an offence endangering national security and makes a gift at any time from six years before the date of prosecution onwards, the property held by the recipient of the gift may be regarded as the defendant’s realisable property and confiscated. Mechanisms are in place worldwide to prevent criminals from transferring their criminal proceeds to others to evade confiscation.

         “The value of the criminal proceeds ordered for confiscation by the Court is determined strictly based on evidence and in accordance with the law. The value of the criminal proceeds attributed to Hui Chi-fung was calculated based on the relevant evidence to establish a reasonable value.”

         The spokesman reiterated that endangering national security is a very serious crime. The HKSAR Government will do everything possible and use all legal means to pursue and combat criminals who endanger national security as well as to hold them accountable, thereby safeguard national security.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney’s Office Announces Departure of Darcie N. McElwee as U.S Attorney

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    First Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig M. Wolff is now Acting U.S. Attorney

    PORTLAND, Maine: The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine announced today the departure of Darcie N. McElwee as U.S. Attorney following termination by the new administration.

    Under the Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig M. Wolff is now the Acting U.S Attorney for the District of Maine. As Acting U.S. Attorney, he is the chief federal law enforcement official in the state of Maine.

    Wolff is a career prosecutor who became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2002. He has served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel, and prior to joining the District of Maine he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland for four years.

    Wolff received an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Before joining the Department of Justice, he clerked for U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz in the District of Maryland and worked as an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of an international law firm.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Wins Come All Day Under President Donald J. Trump

    Source: The White House

    It was another week filled with endless wins for the American people under President Donald J. Trump.

    Here are only a few of the many victories from the past week:

    • President Trump brought home an American citizen wrongfully detained in Russia and another American detained in Belarus — the tenth and eleventh hostages freed since he took office.
      • Michael McFaul, U.S. Ambassador to Russia under President Obama, reacted to Marc Fogel’s release and said: “Hallelujah! Fantastic news! Praise be to President Donald Trump … This is just fantastic news for anybody who cares about patriotic Americans.”
    • President Trump restored a 25% tariff on steel imports and elevated the tariff to 25% on aluminum imports to protect these critical American industries from unfair foreign competition.
      • The Steel Manufacturers Association released a statement applauding “President Trump for putting the American steel industry and its workers first by imposing a 25 percent tariff on all steel imports. President Trump understands that America’s steel industry is the backbone of our economy. A thriving domestic steel industry is critical to U.S. national, energy and economic security.”
      • The president of the Aluminum Association said: “We appreciate President Trump’s continued focus on strong trade actions to support the aluminum industry in the United States.”
      • Colorado Springs-based, family-owned Western Steel, Inc., praised the move: “What we hope that the tariffs will bring is some sort of stability to U.S. pricing. It allows a little bit more money to be made … on the intermediate level like us.”
    • President Trump unveiled a plan for fair and reciprocal trade, making clear to the world that the United States will no longer tolerate being ripped off.
      • The Renewable Fuels Association said: “The Brazilian tariff on U.S. ethanol now stands at 18 percent and has virtually eliminated all market access for U.S. ethanol producers. We thank President Trump for taking this action and hope this reciprocal tariff will help encourage a return to free and fair ethanol trade relationship with Brazil.”
    • President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in pursuit of finally securing peace.
    • President Trump hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who announced the Kingdom will accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza “as quickly as possible.”
    • President Trump joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce new deals between the two countries on immigration, trade, energy, and artificial intelligence.
    • The Department of Energy approved the first liquefied natural gas project since the prior administration banned LNG exports last year.
    • President Trump declared all foreign policy must be conducted under the President’s direction, ensuring career diplomats reflect the foreign policy of the United States at all times.
    • President Trump paused enforcement of the overregulation of American business practices abroad, which negatively impacted national security.
    • Hamas agreed to free additional Israeli hostages after President Trump declared “all hell is going to break out” if the terrorist group delayed.
    • Taiwan pledged to boost its investment in the United States amid President Trump’s tariffs.
    • President Trump received his highest ever approval rating in a CBS News poll — with 70% of Americans agreeing he is keeping his promises.
    • President Trump attended Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, becoming first sitting President to do so and bringing back tradition of pre-Super Bowl interviews.
    • Illegal border crossings have hit lows not seen in decades.
    • Hundreds of illegal aliens from Venezuela were repatriated back to their own country on Venezuelan-owned planes.
    • Illegal aliens have started turning around in droves amid the Trump Administration’s crackdown on dangerous illegal immigration.
    • The Department of Homeland Security “clawed back” tens of millions of dollars in funds paid by rogue FEMA officials to house illegal aliens in luxury New York City hotels.
    • President Trump instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to stop production of the penny, which costs 3.69 cents to make.
    • Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins were confirmed by the Senate — continuing the Trump Administration’s rapid pace of confirmations.
    • President Trump signed an executive order barring COVID-19 vaccine mandates in schools that receive federal funding.
    • President Trump established the National Energy Dominance Council to advise on achieving energy dominance.
    • President Trump established the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which redirects the national focus to promoting health rather than simply managing disease.
    • President Trump signed an executive to end the use of paper straws.
    • President Trump shut down the Biden-era “Climate Corps” work program.
    • President Trump secured the resignations of 75,000+ federal workers, or approximately 3.75% of the federal workforce, in an effort to eliminate inefficiency at taxpayer expense.
    • President Trump commenced his plan to downsize the federal bureaucracy and eliminate waste, bloat, and insularity — including an order that agencies hire no more than one employee for every four employees who leave.
    • The Trump Administration ordered the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — the brainchild of Elizabeth Warren, which funneled cash to left-wing advocacy groups — to halt operations.
    • President Trump ended the wasteful Federal Executive Institute, which had become a training ground for bureaucrats.
    • President Trump ordered the immediate dismissal of the Board of Visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard following years of woke ideologies infiltrating U.S. service academies.
    • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth restored Fort Liberty, North Carolina, to “Fort Bragg,” in honor of a World War II hero.
    • President Trump instructed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to terminate Biden-era regulations restricting water flow and mandating inadequate lightbulb standards.
    • President Trump proclaimed “Gulf of America Day” after the Department of the Interior officially changed the name on its mapping databases.
      • Google Maps and Apple Maps both updated their apps to reflect the new name.
    • The Department of Justice filed suit against the State of New York and its elected officials over their willful failure to follow federal immigration law.
    • The Environmental Protection Agency canceled tens of millions of dollars in contracts to left-wing advocacy groups and announced an investigation into a scheme by Biden EPA staffers to shield billions of dollars from oversight and accountability.
    • The Department of Education announced an investigation into the Minnesota State High School League and California Interscholastic Federation for violation of federal anti-discrimination law by allowing men to compete in women’s sports.
    • The Federal Bureau of Investigation discovered 2,400 additional records on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which were never provided to the board tasked with reviewing and disclosing the documents. The discovery happened due to President Trump’s executive order calling for the declassification of JFK assassination documents.
    • The Department of Veterans Affairs implemented a new flag policy to promote the prominence of the American flag and ensure consistency among its facilities.
    • President Trump was unanimously elected as Chairman of The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees and fired a slew of the Center’s board members over their obsession with perpetuating radical ideologies.
    • U.S. crude oil stockpiles continued to rise, which they have done every week since President Trump took office.
    • Chicago Lurie Children’s Hospital paused sex change surgeries for minors in response to President Trump’s executive order ending the radical practice.
    • Taxpayer-funded PBS closed its DEI office and Disney dropped two of its DEI programs after President Trump’s executive order reining in such discriminatory practices.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Once on FBI’s Most Wanted Fugitives List Appears in Court in St. Louis

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – Donald Eugene Fields II, who was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list until his arrest on January 26 in Florida, pleaded not guilty Friday to child sex charges in U.S. District Court in St. Louis.

    Fields, now 60, was originally indicted on Dec. 7, 2022. He now faces a child sex trafficking charge and a charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

    Fields was arrested during a traffic stop by police in Lady Lake, Florida after officers learned that he was on the Most Wanted list.

    Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    “Donald Fields II will finally answer federal charges thanks to the outstanding work by the Lady Lake Police Department,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “We applaud the bravery of the alleged victims, who showed up in court today to face the defendant for the first time since he became a federal fugitive more than two years ago. The FBI will continue to provide victim services to support their emotional journey through the legal process.”

    The case was investigated jointly by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Metairie Man Guilty of Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that KEVIN LILLIS (“LILLIS”), age 51, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, pled guilty today, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, to distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), in violation of   18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2).

    According to court documents, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents executed a search warrant at LILLIS’s residence in March 2024.  During the execution of the warrant, agents seized and searched electronic devices belonging to LILLIS.  These devices contained files depicting the sexual victimization of children and obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.  Specifically, the items seized included more than 600 images and 6 videos, 1 of which was almost 12 minutes long, depicting the sexual victimization of children, as well as dozens of other images and videos depicting obscene visual representations.  Among the files LILLIS searched, downloaded, stored, and distributed, were images of newborn infants engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and files portraying violent sadistic or masochistic conduct.  LILLIS distributed the files numerous times between January 2024 and March 11, 2024.  Agents also discovered conversations LILLIS had with other individuals on encrypted messaging applications during 2023-2024, in which LILLIS admitted having hands-on sexual contact with multiple young prepubescent minors over the past two decades.

    LILLIS faces a mandatory minimum of five (5) years in prison up to a  maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, as to each of Counts 1, 2, and 3.  LILLIS also faces at least five years, and up to a lifetime, of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine per count.  Additionally, he faces payment of a $300 mandatory special assessment fee.  LILLIS may also be required to register as a sex offender.  Sentencing before Judge Milazzo has been scheduled for May 14, 2025.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Releases Draft Bill to Secure Americans’ Communications Against Foreign Surveillance Demands

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    February 14, 2025
    Bill Fixes Loopholes in Flawed U.S. Law Used to Demand Apple Build Backdoors for iCloud Accounts, Putting Americans’ Security at Risk
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released a discussion draft of the Global Trust in American Online Services Act to secure Americans’ communications against abusive foreign demands to weaken the security of communications services and software used by Americans.
    The bill reforms the CLOUD Act, which permits foreign governments to make surveillance demands directly of U.S. companies rather than going through the U.S. legal system.
    “Foreign governments shouldn’t get a cheat code to undermine the security of American technology,” Wyden said. “My bill would fix the loopholes in the CLOUD Act, and modernize the law so American allies can request the information they need to investigate serious crimes without sacrificing the security of Americans’ communications services.”
    According to news reports, the United Kingdom issued a secret order to Apple last month, directing the company to weaken the encryption protecting its iCloud backup service. The U.K. was apparently able to secretly issue the order to Apple, rather than seeking assistance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) because of the CLOUD Act. Wyden and Representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., urged Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to demand the U.K. withdraw its order in a letter on Thursday.
    The CLOUD Act, enacted in 2018, enables foreign countries to obtain data directly from U.S. firms, bypassing the U.S. legal system once they enter into an agreement with the Justice Department. However, the CLOUD Act failed to require foreign countries to adopt the same due process requirements long guaranteed under U.S. law, enabling foreign governments to demand that U.S. technology companies weaken the security of products used by Americans and putting global trust in U.S. firms at risk.
    The Global Trust in American Online Services Act addresses serious flaws in the CLOUD Act, to ensure that U.S. technology companies can continue to maintain the trust of their international customers, and that the U.S. can compete globally as a safe place for data. The legislation would:
    Prevent foreign governments from using the CLOUD Act to require U.S. providers to adopt specific designs for products, reduce the security of a product, or deliver malware to a customer.
    Allow U.S. providers to challenge foreign CLOUD Act orders in U.S. federal court.
    Require Congressional approval of CLOUD Act agreements rather than the current disapproval mechanism, and enable oversight by requiring that each agreement sunset after five years rather than lasting indefinitely.
    The draft bill is available here. A one-page summary of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Arrests, Charges, and the Dismantling of a Sacramento-Area Brothel Operation

    Source: US State of California

    Friday, February 14, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrests and filing of felony charges against four individuals for allegedly operating two residential brothels in Sacramento County, laundering money, conspiracy, and tax evasion. During the operation, six survivors were offered resources and services. An extensive investigation was conducted by special agents from the California Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team and White-Collar Investigation Team, with support from the newly formed Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistance was also provided by the Bureau of Gambling Control, the United States Department of State, the United States Department of Homeland Security, Sacramento County Code Enforcement, the California Franchise Tax Board, and the Employment Development Department through the TRUE Task Force.

    “Every single day, our dedicated prosecutors and special agents strive to protect the most vulnerable Californians from exploitation. This case is an example of the California Department of Justice’s continued dedication to dismantling these criminal networks and standing with survivors on their path to recovery and justice,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Through collaboration with our partners, we are able to leverage our collective resources across the state to keep our communities safe and hold people accountable for their crimes. I take immense pride in what we can achieve through collaboration, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who played a crucial role in achieving this significant outcome.”

    “By working closely with our law enforcement partners, we have taken down a dangerous operation that exploited individuals to simply line their pockets,” said HSI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “HSI is committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions and dismantling criminal networks that prey on vulnerable populations.”

    The suspects ran two residential brothels from April 2022 until February 13, 2025, utilizing homes in residential areas. They recruited women to engage in commercial sex at these locations, promoted their prostitution services on various websites, and collected payments from clients who visited to buy sexual services.

    The case will be prosecuted by DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section. Charges against the suspects include conspiracy, pimping, pandering, money laundering, tax evasion, mortgage fraud and criminal profiteering. Arraignment for the defendants is set for Tuesday, February 18 before the Sacramento County Superior Court.  

    It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

    A copy of the complaint can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Filed Against Former Kern County Supervisor

    Source: US State of California

    Friday, February 14, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    KERN COUNTY – California Attorney General Bonta today announced charges filed against former Kern County Supervisor, Zachary Scrivner. After an extensive investigation, the California Department of Justice charged Scrivner with three felony counts of Penal Code section 273a, subdivision (a), alleging child abuse, and two felony counts of Penal Code section 30605, subdivision (a), alleging possession of assault weapons. Charges were filed in Kern County Superior Court. 
     
    “No one is above the law,” said Attorney General Bonta. “At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to fight for the people of California and hold those who break the law accountable.”
     
    It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

    A copy of the complaint can be found here. 
     

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Suburban Chicago Medical Device Company To Pay $1 Million To Resolve Federal Fraud Investigation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago medical device company has agreed to pay a $1 million fine to resolve a federal criminal investigation into the alleged selling of misbranded products imported from overseas.

    Mokena, Ill.-based ADVANCED INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, INC. admitted in a Statement of Facts filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago that the company imported medical products from international distributors at cheaper prices than what it would have paid to U.S. distributors.  Once the products arrived in the U.S., company employees – under the direction of its sole owner and Chief Executive Officer, ANTHONY IADEROSA, 52, of Mokena, Ill. – used a hair dryer to remove labels that had cautioned the products were only available for resale in a specified country and not in the United States. The company then re-sold the products to customers in the U.S. at a substantial markup, resulting in profit margins of 35% to 50%.  In total, AIM admitted that it made profits of approximately $500,000 by employing this tactic.

    The investigation of AIM and Iaderosa is being resolved with deferred prosecution agreements, under which the company and Iaderosa admitted that the tactic rendered the products misbranded under the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  The company and Iaderosa further admitted that they deliberately concealed the tactic from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and caused false statements to be submitted to customs agents.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a one-count criminal information charging AIM and Iaderosa with misbranding of a medical device with the intent to defraud.  Under the agreements, the government will defer prosecution on the charge against AIM for three years and the charge against Iaderosa for one year, and then seek to dismiss the charges if the company and Iaderosa abide by certain conditions.  Among other things, the company agreed to pay a $1 million fine to the Department of Justice and implement a new compliance and ethics program designed to prevent violations of federal food and drug laws, as well as provide annual reports to the government regarding remediation and implementation of the program.  If AIM or Iaderosa fail to completely fulfill each of their obligations during the terms of the agreements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office can initiate prosecution of the charged offenses.

    The charges and the deferred prosecution agreements were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Ronne Malham, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FDA, Office of Criminal Investigations.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hasten.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Undocumented Immigrant Indicted on Child Pornography Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A undocumented immigrant living in St. Charles County, Missouri was indicted Thursday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis and accused of receiving images containing child sexual abuse material.

    Francisco J. Ocana-Talamantes, 46, was indicted on one count of receiving child pornography. The indictment accuses him of receiving those images via the internet between Feb. 11, 2020, and March 14, 2024.

    Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    Ocana-Talamantes is already in custody.

    A motion seeking to have him held in jail until trial says that Ocana-Talamantes is in the country illegally.

    “The FBI and our local law enforcement partners had been investigating Franscisco Ocana-Talamantes for his alleged crimes against children,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Because this defendant had entered the country illegally, the FBI was able to expedite his federal indictment and arrest by leveraging our assistance to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement action.”

    The charge carries a potential penalty of at least five years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years.

    The FBI, the St. Charles Police Department and the St. Charles County Cyber Crime Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case. 

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: A Former International Antitrust Fugitive Discusses His Experiences

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Yeh Fei “Jim” Chu discusses his experience being charged with an antitrust crime by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division and living as a fugitive for approximately five years before pleading guilty to resolve his case. 

    Note: This video contains excerpts from an interview Mr. Chu recorded as part of his community service obligations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lexington Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Offense

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Adam Pursifull, 40, was sentenced on Friday, by U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 124 months, for possession of a firearm as a prohibited person.  

    According to his plea agreement, on April 23, 2024, law enforcement received information leading to the arrest of Adam Pursifull on an outstanding parole warrant.  During the arrest and a search, officers located a loaded firearm in Pursifull’s possession.  Pursifull had previously been convicted by the Fayette Circuit Court of trafficking in a controlled substance first degree, in May 2014, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

    Under federal law, Pursifull must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence.  Upon his release from prison, Pursifull will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years. 

    Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; AJ Gibes, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Jeremy Honaker, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Commissioner Cookie Crews, Kentucky Department of Corrections, jointly announced the sentence.

    The investigation was conducted by ATF, U.S Marshal’s Service, and the Kentucky Department of Corrections.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

    This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities.  It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts.  In the Eastern District of Kentucky, Acting U.S. Attorney McCaffrey coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

    — END —

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Georgia Poll Worker Pleads Guilty to Bomb Threat of Voting Location

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Wrote Threatening Letter Following Altercation with Voter; Posed as Voter in Letter

    MACON, Ga. – A former Georgia poll worker pleaded guilty to mailing a letter that threatened to bomb a Jones County precinct and harm poll workers and admitted to lying to the FBI during the investigation.

    Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to conveying false information about a bomb threat and making hoaxes before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on Feb. 14. Wimbish faces a maximum of five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 13. There is no parole in the federal system.

    “Bomb hoaxes and similar threats create grave and unnecessary disruptions in our communities, pulling vital law enforcement resources and terrifying people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Our office and law enforcement partners take these types of threats seriously and will pursue federal prosecution when warranted.”

    “The FBI takes all threat-to-life matters very seriously,” said Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Robert Gibbs of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. “This arrest demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to hold accountable anyone who tries to intimidate a public official or interfere with the elections process.”

    According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Wimbish was employed as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office in Gray, Georgia, on Oct. 16, 2024, when he had a verbal altercation with a voter. Later that evening and into the early hours of Oct. 17, 2024, Wimbish conducted relevant online research and then drafted a letter posing as the voter threatening to bomb the polling place. Wimbish mailed the threatening letter to the Jones County Elections Superintendent from a “Jones County Voter” on Oct. 17, 2024. It arrived at the election office on Oct. 22, 2024.

    Wimbish admitted he intended the letter to appear as if it came from the voter and added details to make it seem like the voter was targeting Wimbish and other poll workers. For example, it said, “Yesterday I had your young liberal woke idiot Nicholas Wimbish give me hell,” that “he tries to influence peoples votes in line,” and that “I researched a newspaper article about Nicholas Wimbish and other woke liberal fraudsters impostering to be patriots.” The letter threatened that Wimbish and others “should look over their shoulder,” that “I know where they all go,” that “I know where they all live because I found home voting addresses for all them,” that “the liberal young men will get beatdown if they fight me,” that “they will get the treason punishment by firing squad if they fight back,” and that “they should watch every move they make looking over their shoulder.” Further, the letter threatened to “rage rape” the “ladies” and warned them to “watch every move they make and look over their shoulder.” Below the typewritten letter, Wimbish wrote a note by hand, “PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe.” Wimbish admitted he knew that a “boom toy” was a term for an explosive device. Wimbish also acknowledged that he lied to FBI agents investigating the mailed threat and falsely stated that he believed the Jones County voter sent the letter and that he had not conducted online research on himself. The letter was found on Wimbish’s computer.

    The FBI Atlanta Field Office investigated the case.

    Deputy Criminal Chief William R. “Will” Keyes and Trial Attorney Madison Mumma of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) are prosecuting the case for the Government with assistance from Senior Counsel Ryan Dickey of the DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Admits To Defrauding COVID-19 Programs While On Supervised Release

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty yesterday to carrying out a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $137,000 from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL).

    Kelly Ann Mogavero, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2025, before United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva.

    “Kelly Mogavero, a convicted felon recently released from prison, fraudulently collected unemployment insurance (UI) benefits intended for American workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “Yesterday’s guilty plea highlights our strong collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the UI system and secure justice for the American taxpayer.”

    According to court documents and admissions made in court by Mogavero, from June 3, 2020, to June 23, 2001, she devised and carried out a scheme to defraud Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR), the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), and the Small Business Administration (SBA) in an attempt to fraudulently obtain $137,600 in relief benefits from the PUA, PPP, and EIDL programs.

    As part of the scheme, while she was under United States Probation’s supervision, Mogavero fraudulently filed for unemployment insurance in both Nevada and Arizona and submitted at least two fraudulent applications for EIDLs and one fraudulent application for a PPP loan. Mogavero submitted materially false and fraudulent information, including that she was the sole proprietor of several companies which did not in fact exist, for which she stated false revenue amounts, and—for one of the EIDL applications—a false number of employees. Mogavero also submitted falsified tax documents in support of each application. As a result of her scheme, Mogavero successfully obtained more than $44,000 in relief benefits to which she was not entitled.

    In October 2016, Mogavero was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Nevada and she was sentenced to 46-months in custody followed by five years of supervision.

    At sentencing, Mogavero faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence of each defendant after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division, and Special Agent-in-Charge Quentin Heiden, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) made the announcement.

    The FBI, DOL-OIG, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations – COVID Fraud Unit, Office of Inspector General U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Office of Inspector General Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is prosecuting the case.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit Justice.gov/Coronavirus and Justice.gov/Coronavirus/CombatingFraud.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Criminal Defense Attorney Indicted For Bribery Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging DAVID MACEY, a criminal defense attorney based in Florida, with bribery of a public official, conspiracy to bribe a public official, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, for a scheme in which MACEY paid tens of thousands of dollars to a senior Special Agent (“Agent-1”) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), in exchange for Agent-1 providing sensitive law enforcement information to MACEY to assist MACEY in recruiting and representing clients.  MACEY will be presented before Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron later today.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Reardon.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said:  “As alleged, David Macey provided secret payments to a senior DEA special agent in exchange for access to sensitive information that Macey could use to enrich himself, including information regarding sealed indictments and impending arrests.  This prosecution underscores this Office’s commitment to combatting bribery – especially bribery that compromises law enforcement’s duty to protect and serve the public.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “David Macey, a criminal defense attorney, allegedly bribed a senior federal agent with tens of thousands of dollars for confidential information from law enforcement databases. Macey allegedly breached an expectation of privacy and received unlawful advantageous details to unjustly benefit his practice. The FBI will never tolerate those who engage in corrupt practices with public officials and cheat the investigative nature of our criminal justice system.”

    According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

    MACEY is a criminal defense attorney based in Coral Gables, Florida.  From in or about October 2018 through in or about January 2020, MACEY and a private investigator that worked with MACEY (“Investigator-1”) paid bribes to Agent-1 with the DEA in return for Agent-1 providing non-public, confidential DEA information in breach of Agent-1’s official duties.  MACEY and Investigator-1 paid the bribes to Agent-1 using methods designed to conceal MACEY’s own connection to the bribe payments, including by using EDWIN PAGAN III, a former DEA Task Force Officer, as an intermediary.  In return for the bribe payments, Agent-1 provided nonpublic, confidential DEA information to MACEY and Investigator-1 so that MACEY and Investigator-1 could use that information in furtherance of MACEY’s legal practice, including to recruit and represent criminal defendants.

    Among the benefits paid by MACEY and Investigator-1 to Agent-1 were a $2,500 payment made in November 2018, shortly after Investigator-1’s retirement from the DEA, which was funneled to Agent-1 through a company owned by a close family member of Agent-1. At the same time that this payment was made, MACEY and Investigator-1 began asking Agent-1 to run searches in the DEA’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System (“NADDIS”), a database that contains confidential information about individuals who are or have been under investigation by the DEA.  Following that initial payment, MACEY and Investigator-1 continued to provide benefits to Agent-1, including $50,000 that was paid to Agent-1 for Agent-1’s purchase of a condominium in January 2019 and tens of thousands of dollars that were funneled from Investigator-1 through a company created by PAGAN.

    In return, Agent-1 continued to provide nonpublic DEA information to MACEY and Investigator-1, including information about the timing of forthcoming indictments, information about DEA arrest plans of particular targets, and non-public information about arrests of criminal defendants.  Agent-1 also continued to search NADDIS for names of particular individuals requested by MACEY and Investigator-1, doing so on dozens of occasions during the scheme. In addition, during the scheme, MACEY and Agent-1 discussed Agent-1’s efforts to influence subjects of DEA investigations to retain MACEY as their attorney.  

    *                *                *

    MACEY, 54, of Coral Gables, Florida, and PAGAN, 52, of Miami, Florida, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum term of five years in prison, and one count of receiving or paying a bribe, respectively, which carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison. MACEY and PAGAN are also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud, each of which counts carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.  PAGAN is also charged with four counts of perjury in connection with false testimony that he provided in a related criminal trial in November 2023.  The charges against PAGAN were unsealed in November 2024.

    The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, and thanked the DEA’s Office of Professional Responsibility for its support in this matter.

    The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Deininger and Mat Andrews are in charge of the prosecution. 

    [1] The entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raleigh Man Sentenced to Over 10 years in Prison for Drugs and Guns

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Raleigh man was sentenced to 152 months in prison for wire fraud, conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  On September 16, 2024, and November 4, 2024, Cory Sean Heard, age 47, pled guilty to the charges.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, on February 8, 2021, Heard was pulled over by the Raleigh Police Department for a routine traffic stop. During a search of Heard’s car, officers located a 9mm pistol, a bag of heroin, and a digital scale. Further investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that between 2019 and 2021, Heard sold over 100 grams of heroin.

    While investigating Heard for drug distribution, the FBI learned that in March 2020, Heard submitted a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) application and IRS Form Schedule C for a fake business. As a result of this fraudulent EIDL application, Heard received a cash advance. Further investigation revealed that Heard also received PPP funds for an alleged car washing business. As part of the resolution of this case, Heard agreed, and was ordered to pay, $140,000 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Raleigh Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation  investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Labresh prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 5:21-CR-178-M and 5:23-CR-388-M.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Starr County felon sentenced for illegally possessing multiple firearms

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    McALLEN, Texas – A 46-year-old man has been ordered to prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Rosvel Gonzalez pleaded guilty Nov. 21, 2024.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Gonzalez to serve 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.

    On Sept. 5, 2024, an undercover law enforcement officer engaged in a controlled sale of a firearm to Gonzalez, a convicted felon. Authorities arrested him following the sale. A subsequent search of Gonzalez’s home revealed eight additional firearms and several amounts of ammunition.

    The investigation revealed Gonzalez was previously convicted of felony possession of marijuana. He also had a prior felony conviction for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law. 

    Gonzalez has been and will remain in custody pending his transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: McAllen felon sentenced for possessing multiple firearms

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    McALLEN, Texas – A 34-year-old man has been ordered to prison for possessing firearms while a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    David Michael Saenz pleaded guilty Nov. 21, 2024.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Saenz to serve 60 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.

    On Sept. 11, 2024, law enforcement stopped Saenz for a traffic violation, at which time they also smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Saenz admitted he was in possession of firearms.

    A search revealed two handguns in his waistband and two additional firearms in his vehicle. Authorities also found meth and marijuana in the vehicle.

    Further investigation revealed Saenz was previously convicted of aggravated robbery in 2021. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law. Saenz also admitted to possessing one of the firearms to protect himself while engaging in drug dealing.

    Saenz has been and will remain in custody pending his transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration and Rio Grande City Police Department conducted the joint investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: As Tax Season Ramps Up, Warren, Cassidy Renew Effort to Simplify IRS Error Notices for Taxpayers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 14, 2025

    Bill Text (PDF) | Bill One-Pager (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) reintroduced the Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help (IRS MATH) Act, a bill to improve math error notices — an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) authority used to quickly adjust taxpayers’ returns. 

    Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) recently reintroduced the bill in the House, and the bill passed unanimously out of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee during markup on February 12, 2025.

    Each year, the IRS sends millions of Americans math error notices, expedited adjustments to tax returns that contain simple math or clerical errors. These “vague and confusing” notices often list several potential errors that may have been made rather than specifying the exact issue leading to a refund being reduced. The notices also fail to explain that taxpayers have only 60 days to challenge the IRS’s position and fail to explain how taxpayers can contest these notices, causing many taxpayers to forfeit their right to challenge the adjustments.

    The lawmakers hope to improve this unworkable system to help taxpayers, especially low-income and non-English speaking Americans, who cannot afford lawyers to help them navigate the complicated correspondence process. The Math ACT was included in the Senate Finance Committee’s discussion draft of bipartisan legislation that aims to reform IRS administration and procedure. 

    “IRS communications to taxpayers should be clear and easy to understand,” said Senator Warren. “This bipartisan bill will reform notoriously confusing error notices so that hardworking Americans can get the money they’re entitled to quickly and fairly.”

    “Taxes are already complicated, and the last thing Americans need is more confusion,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We’re making sure the IRS does its part to inform taxpayers when they correct inevitable errors made on tax returns.”

    “If the IRS finds a mistake on a tax return, this agency should be required to clearly communicate that error to the taxpayer and explain why a tax refund is higher or lower than expected. That’s why I’m glad to introduce legislation to ensure that the IRS clearly spells out errors on tax forms and helps taxpayers not only understand the mistake but also challenge it if they see fit,” said Representative Feenstra. “Filing taxes is already burdensome and time-consuming. We can improve customer service by instituting open and transparent communication between the IRS and the taxpayer when a tax error is identified.”

    Senators Warren and Cassidy initially introduced the bill in 118th Congress. 

    The IRS MATH Act reforms the math error process by:

    • Directing the IRS to improve notices of math or clerical errors, requiring that notices:  
      • Identify the line item the IRS is changing; 
      • Explain the reason for the change, and; 
      • Clearly list the taxpayer’s required response date.
    • Requiring that the IRS notify the taxpayer of abatement determinations.
    • Requiring the Treasury Secretary to provide additional procedures for requesting an abatement of a math or clerical error adjustment, including by telephone or in person.
    • Creating a pilot program coordinated by the IRS and National Taxpayer Advocate to determine the benefit of sending math or clerical error notices by certified or registered mail.

    Senator Warren has, throughout her career, advocated for low-income taxpayers and for improved IRS procedures: 

    • In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led over 135 members of Congress in writing to Treasury Secretary-Designate Scott Bessent and Internal Revenue Services’ (IRS) Commissioner-Designate Billy Long, urging them to maintain and expand the IRS’ Direct File program. 
    • In October 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Representative Katie Porter (D-Calif.) wrote to the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service urging the agencies to make the Direct File tax filing program more secure and accessible by ending reliance on ID.me, which uses a flawed facial recognition software.
    • In April 2024, following the 2024 tax filing deadline, at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned IRS Commissioner Daniel I. Werfel, on the IRS’s use of Inflation Reduction Act funds to successfully pilot a Direct File program, a first-of-its-kind option for Americans in twelve states to be able to file their taxes online directly with the IRS, easily and for free.
    • In April 2024, Senator Warren and colleagues applauded the success of Direct File’s Pilot during the 2024 tax filing season, highlighting rave reviews, millions of dollars in refunds claimed and filing fees saved.
    • In April 2024, Senator Warren sent a letter to Chair Lina M. Khan of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), blasting Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, for continuing to relentlessly upsell TurboTax users despite numerous FTC and state lawsuits and settlements. Senator Warren applauded the FTC’s oversight of Intuit, and urged the Commission to continue to take action to protect taxpayers from tax preparation companies that pile junk fees onto users.
    • In March 2024, Senator Warren celebrated the successful launch of the IRS’s Direct File pilot.
    • In March 2024, Senator Warren highlighted the positive feedback that the IRS’s Direct File pilot in 12 states has received from taxpayers and asked Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to commit to expanding and extending the program in 2025 if positive feedback continues, which Yellen agreed to. 
    • In February 2024, Senators Warren, Blumenthal, Sanders, and Representative Porter sent a response to Intuit, blasting the company for its failure to answer basic questions the lawmakers asked in their January 2, 2024 letter seeking an accounting of the expenses underlying the company’s massive federal research tax breaks.
    • In January 2024, Senators Warren, Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representative Katie Porter (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Intuit requesting a full accounting of the expenses underlying the company’s massive federal research tax breaks by January 16, 2024. Intuit disclosed that it received $94 million in federal research tax credits in 2022, while simultaneously spending millions lobbying against the establishment of a free program for Americans to file their taxes online. 
    • In October 2023, Senators Warren, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Representative Porter sent letters to five tax preparation companies—H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, Ramsey Solutions, and Intuit—that recently received notices of penalty offenses from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the misuse of taxpayer’s sensitive and confidential information. 
    • In October 2023, Senators Warren and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Representatives Porter, Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), and Don Beyer (D-Va.) released a statement supporting the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) joint announcement of their 2024 pilot of Direct File, a program that allows Americans to file tax returns digitally and free of charge. The lawmakers acknowledged the Inflation Reduction Act’s role in the program’s development, and stated their intention to support the IRS’s efforts to develop and expand the Direct File pilot. 
    • In August 2023, Senator Warren and Representative Porter sent a letter to the Free File Alliance, the American Coalition for Taxpayer Rights, Intuit, and H&R Block admonishing the companies’ relentless lobbying against the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) direct free filing tool. 
    • In July 2023, Senators Warren, Wyden, Blumenthal, Duckworth, Sanders, and Whitehouse and Representative Porter released a report revealing the outrageous, extensive, and potentially illegal sharing of taxpayers’ sensitive personal and financial information with Meta by online tax preparation companies. The lawmakers also sent a letter to the IRS, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Justice highlighting their key findings and calling on these departments to fully investigate this matter and prosecute any company or individuals who violated the law.
    • In June 2023, Senators Warren and Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Representatives Sherman, Porter, and Beyer, led a coalition of 99 Democratic lawmakers in a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo, applauding the IRS’s announcement of a pilot of a free tax filing tool next year.
    • In May 2023, Senator Warren’s call for a Free E-File Program was finally answered by the IRS through the Inflation Reduction Act .
    • In April 2023, Senators Warren and Carper led 29 other senators in a letter to the IRS Commissioner, urging the agency to simplify the tax process and broaden access to free e-filing options.
    • In April 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Warren questioned the IRS Commissioner about the agency’s failed Free-File partnership with private tax preparation software companies and called on the agency to implement a direct E-File program. 
    • In December 2022, Senators Warren and Wyden and Representatives Porter and Sherman sent letters to tax preparation companies H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer, plus big tech firms Meta and Google, amid reports that the tax preparation companies have been secretly transmitting individual taxpayers’ sensitive financial information to Meta and Google
    • In August 2022, Senator Warren highlighted key priorities she secured in the Senate’s Inflation Reduction Act, including establishing an IRS task force to look into developing and running an IRS-run free direct E-File tax return system, based on Senator Warren’s Tax Filing Simplification Act. 
    • In July 2022, Senator Warren led 22 lawmakers to introduce the Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2022, legislation that would direct the IRS to develop its own free online tax preparation and filing service that would simplify the tax filing process for millions of Americans. 
    • In June 2022, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen agreed with Senator Warren on the need to create a free tax filing system that actually works for Americans. 
    • In June 2022, Senator Warren and Representatives Porter and Sherman sent a letter to Richard K. Delmar, Acting Treasury Department Inspector, General, J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Andrew Katsaros, Acting Inspector General at the Federal Trade Commission, regarding troubling reports of Intuit’s abuse of the revolving door and the company’s hiring of former federal regulators and influence-peddlers to defend its shady business practices. In the letter, which is a follow up to the prior April 2022 letter, the lawmakers call out Intuit for forcing American taxpayers into paying for services that should be free, and request an in-depth investigation into the company and its use of the revolving door to influence policy decisions at those agencies. 
    • In April 2022, Senator Warren and Representatives Sherman and Porter sent a letter to Intuit regarding the company’s unethical use of the revolving door to hire former regulators to defend their shady business practices that scam taxpayers out of billions of dollars. In June 2022, the lawmakers sent a follow-up.
    • In February 2022, Senator Warren and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) sent a letter to the Acting Inspector General of the Department of Treasury and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, calling on them to open an investigation into the unethical revolving door between the world’s largest accounting firms and the Treasury Department and IRS. 
    • In February 2022, Senator Warren made the case for increased funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through the Build Back Better Act and called on the administration to create the simplified filing tools proposed in her Tax Filing Simplification Act. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Acting Chairman Pham Announces Brian Young as Director of Enforcement

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Commodity Futures Trading Commission Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham today announced Brian Young will serve as the agency’s Director of Enforcement. Young has been serving in an acting capacity since January 22, and previously was the Director of the Whistleblower Office. He is a distinguished federal prosecutor with nearly 20 years of service at the Department of Justice, including Acting Director of Litigation for the Antitrust Division and Chief of the Litigation Unit for the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division, and has successfully tried some of the most high-profile criminal fraud and manipulation cases in the CFTC’s markets. 
    “Brian exemplifies the best of what we stand for at the CFTC,” said Acting Chairman Pham. “He is a fearless leader that will build an even more impressive enforcement program that will stay true to the CFTC’s mission to protect the American public from fraudsters and scammers. I am confident that under Brian’s leadership, the CFTC will expand and scale our resources to help more victims than ever before and ensure the integrity of our markets in the name of justice. Brian has hit the ground running and I look forward to seeing his continued impact to strengthen the Division of Enforcement and deliver results.” 
    “I want to thank Acting Chairman Pham for her confidence in me and for her commitment to continuing the CFTC’s aggressive efforts to protect our global commodity markets from fraud, manipulation, and other abusive practices,” said Young. “As former Director of the Whistleblower Officer, I worked closely with the talented and dedicated staff of the Division of Enforcement, and I look forward to working with this highly motivated group to help bring justice for victims, protect those who cannot protect themselves, and root out misconduct and wrongdoing.”
    Brian Young, Director of Enforcement
    Young joined the CFTC in 2024 as the Director of the Whistleblower Office following nearly 20 years at the Department of Justice. During his first year as the Director of the Whistleblower Office, Young oversaw a team that achieved a record high number of annual dispositions of whistleblower award applications. His most recent role at DOJ was as the Acting Director of Litigation for the Antitrust Division, where he served as the highest-ranking career official in the Antitrust Division’s litigation program. There, he oversaw criminal prosecutions brought under the Sherman Act as well as civil merger and antitrust conduct litigation. 
    Before his time at the Antitrust Division, Young served in various roles in the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division, culminating in his appointment as Chief of the Fraud Section’s Litigation Unit. While at the Fraud Section, Young tried several of the most significant white collar crime matters in the past decade, including prosecutions of the first individuals tried in the United States on charges of manipulating the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR); the former head of HSBC Bank’s Foreign Exchange (FX) desk in connection with a scheme to “frontrun” a client on a $3.5 billion FX trade; and two former London and Singapore-based Deutsche Bank precious metals traders arising from a scheme to “spoof” the futures markets by placing over $1 billion in non-bona fide orders on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. 
    Young joined the DOJ through the Attorney General’s Honors Program and began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable Alice M. Batchelder of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. During his time at DOJ, Young received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, three Assistant Attorney General’s Awards for Exceptional Service, and an Outstanding Service Award from the Washington Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF File New Charges Against Albuquerque Man

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man, already in custody awaiting trial on federal charges, now faces additional allegations of drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

    According to court documents, on or about March 7, 2020, Kyle Majedi, 45, allegedly possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. On the same day, Majedi is accused of possessing with the intent to distribute heroin.

    The indictment further alleges that Majedi knowingly possessed a firearm in connection with these alleged drug trafficking activities. Majedi, who was previously convicted of possession for sale of a controlled substance, is prohibited from possessing firearms.

    Majedi is currently in custody, awaiting trial on separate charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Trial is scheduled to begin on April 7, 2025. If convicted, Majedi faces up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    If convicted on the new charges, Majedi faces not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, followed by five years and up to life on supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Justice. Assistant United States Attorney Natasha Moghadam is prosecuting both cases.

    The indictment is the result of a newly formed Firearms Trafficking Task Force. The New Mexico ATF Firearms Trafficking Task Force works with State and local law enforcement partners, including the New Mexico Department of Justice, the Albuquerque Police Department, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, the Bernalillo Police Department, and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office to identify, deter, disrupt, and dismantle Firearms Trafficking Organizations (FTOs) supplying firearms to individuals and groups engaged in our community’s most egregious acts of violence, as well as any associated, violent offenders.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: After Trump Shutters White House Office, Murphy, Frost Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation To Establish Office Of Gun Violence Prevention

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    February 13, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) on Thursday reintroduced the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act, legislation to establish a permanent office focused on gun violence prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice.
    “The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention played a huge role in implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, helping drive down the number of gun deaths by 12 percent last year. It was wildly successful, so of course President Trump shut it down. This legislation would make the Office permanent at the Department of Justice to help state, local, and federal agencies work together to enforce gun safety laws and fund local gun violence prevention programs,” said Murphy.
    “Today we are reintroducing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act because we will not let the critical, life-saving work and the love and support that this office has offered countless communities no longer exist,” said Frost. “Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress would rather side with the gun lobby than protect our people. But the truth is that leaders like that aren’t just ignoring the gun violence crisis— they are enabling it. But here’s what this Administration doesn’t understand is that we don’t give up. The gun lobby? The politicians who’d rather send “thoughts and prayers” than actually save lives? We outwork them. We out organize them. And we rise above them. We are reintroducing this bill because when innocent lives are on the line, we refuse to back down.”
    “GIFFORDS is proud to support the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act introduced today by Senator Murphy and Congressman Frost. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention wasn’t just a name—it was a proven force for safer communities that brought together law enforcement, public health experts, and community leaders to implement real solutions. We cannot allow this vital work to be undone with each change in administration. By making this office permanent through legislation, we send a clear message that protecting American lives from gun violence isn’t a temporary commitment—it’s a national priority that transcends partisan politics,” said GIFFORDS Vice President of Government and Political Affairs Vanessa N. Gonzalez.
    “The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was more than just a policy decision. It was the first time we had a dedicated team inside the White House giving this crisis the attention it deserves,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “We need leaders like Senator Murphy and Representative Frost—along with popular, common sense solutions—driving change to end gun violence in our communities. Our movement isn’t letting up. We’ll keep organizing, not just to protect our progress, but to push it forward.”
    “The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention showed us what’s possible with a whole-of-government approach to fight gun violence. This office helped make a real difference in the fight to keep Americans safe, from driving historic drops in homicides to coordinating urgent resources for communities devastated by senseless acts of gun violence. The shuttering of this office, alongside Trump’s attack on gun safety measures, makes his priorities crystal clear: gun industry profits over American lives. Rep. Frost and Sen. Murphy understand what’s at stake – American lives. Their bill would ensure this vital work continues regardless of who sits in the Oval Office. Congress must act to restore this office and the communities it served,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady.
    “Over 1.2 million Americans have been shot since the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy and guns are the leading cause of death for American children and teens. The Biden Administration’s White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention was a landmark achievement. It saved lives by strengthening background checks, cracking down on ghost guns, promoting safe storage, and funding community-based solutions,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. “Homicide rates have declined because of these efforts. But just weeks into his second term, Donald Trump has declared war on these protections. His executive order doesn’t just dismantle progress—it actively puts American lives at risk. That is why we need Congress to step up to support the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act. The safety of our communities should never depend on who sits in the Oval Office.”
    “The Office of Gun Violence Prevention made real, tangible progress — it saved actual human lives. That’s a fact. But it was also a powerful symbol to survivors and young people across the country who yearn for a world where we don’t have to live in terror and fear of being shot anymore,” said Madelyn Cobb, March For Our Lives Policy Manager and a student at George Washington University. “That’s why we called for it back in 2019 at a Democratic Presidential forum, to be a clarion call while Trump callously ignored our pleas for safety in his first term. We’re incredibly happy that Rep. Frost and Sen. Murphy’s bill to codify this office into law is being introduced once again, in the shadow of its unceremonious closure under Trump. At a time when Trump is making it easier for gun violence to metastasize, it is the beacon of hope we need.” 
    Specifically, the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention would:
    Convene an Advisory Council of senior DOJ officials, survivors, community violence intervention providers, public health officials, medical professionals who provide trauma care, mental health clinicians, state and local public health department officials, teachers, members of student groups, and veterans.
    Coordinate gun violence prevention efforts across federal agencies.
    Identify gaps in data needed for gun violence prevention research, policy development, and strategy implementation, and develop a plan to collect and analyze the data.
    Make policy recommendations.
    Educate the general public about federal laws, regulations, and available grant programs, including awareness campaigns directed at firearm owners, parents and legal guardians of minors, and gun violence prevention professionals, that include education related to safe storage of firearms and suicide prevention.
    Work to optimize the administration of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
    Annually report information to Congress on gun violence in the United States, recommendations for policy initiatives to reduce gun violence, and a description of the Director’s activities.
    Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Truck driver pleads guilty to smuggling 36 illegal aliens in trailer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 33-year-old Alamo resident has admitted to charges of human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    On Dec. 13, 2024, Eusebio Cavazos drove a tractor-trailer into the primary inspection lane at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita. Upon initial inspection, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of humans in the trailer.

    Authorities referred him to secondary where they discovered 36 illegal aliens in the back of the trailer and nothing else.

    A total of 15 were from Guatemala, 10 from Honduras, eight from Mexico and three from El Salvador. All were illegally present in the United States, five of whom had allegedly been previously removed and have pending charges for illegal re-entry.

    Cavazos admitted someone had hired him to drive all 36 illegal aliens from a point near Donna to Houston.

    He expected to receive $1,000 per alien he was transporting.

    “As we have unfortunately seen in prior instances, smuggling of people via a tractor trailer is extremely dangerous and can lead to mass casualties,” said Ganjei. “As the Department of Justice works to secure the border and bring down demand for smugglers, we simultaneously expect to see a decrease in the number of people transported through such means.”

    U.S. District Judge David Morales will impose sentencing May 15. At that time, Cavazos faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 possible fine.

    Cavazos has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

    Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: 02.13.2025 Sen. Cruz Introduces the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act to Protect Border Patrol Agents, Local Law Enforcement, and Border Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act. The bill makes it a crime to flee from agents or officers in the performance of their duties. Named in honor of Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez, Jr., who died in the line of duty while pursuing a group of illegal aliens near Mission, Texas, it ensures those who endanger law enforcement are held accountable.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “This legislation honors the sacrifice of Agent Raul Gonzalez, Jr., who lost his life pursuing individuals evading capture. It sends a clear message that if you endanger American lives, you will face serious consequences. This bill is a critical step toward protecting our communities and ensuring criminals can no longer exploit past failures.”
    This bill is cosponsored by Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
    Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.-06) and passed in the House.
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    Sen. Cruz previously introduced the legislation in 2023.
    On December 7, 2022, Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez, Jr. died in the line of duty after his ATV crashed while he pursued illegal aliens who were fleeing capture. Agent Gonzalez honorably served his country for over a decade.
    The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act would permanently prohibit any illegal alien who flees from Border Patrol from ever receiving any legal immigration status in the United States. Additionally, any person who flees from Border Patrol, or law enforcement assisting Border Patrol, would face up to two years in prison. If someone is injured during pursuit, the sentencing range would increase to 5 to 20 years. Finally, if death results from the pursuit, the defendant could face up to life in prison.
    The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act also requires the Department of Justice to report to Congress about how often they are prosecuting illegal aliens for violating the proposed Act.
    Senator Cruz, Senator John Cornyn, and Congresswoman De La Cruz also introduced legislation to honor Agent Gonzalez by naming a post office after him in McAllen, Texas.
    The National Border Patrol Council, which represents the men and women of Border Patrol, has endorsed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 02.13.2025 Sen. Cruz Reintroduces Officer John Barnes Act to Eliminate Delays for Law Enforcement Officer Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reintroduced the Officer John Barnes Act. The bill eliminates delays officers and their families experience in the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program (PSOB), which hinder the timely distribution of benefits, and requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to process and decide on benefit claims within 270 days of submission.
    Upon reintroduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Across the country, our nation’s law enforcement officers selflessly serve as the front line of defense for our communities. Every single day, they put their lives on the line for their fellow Americans, and in times of crisis these heroes deserve to access the benefits they have earned without red tape getting in the way. We owe it to our law enforcement officers, like Officers Barnes who has waited for far too long, to eliminate these bureaucratic barriers hindering their access to benefits. I am proud to reintroduce the Officer John Barnes Act to ensure our men and women in blue receive the prompt support they deserve.”
    The legislation was co-sponsored by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), and James Lankford (R-Okla).
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    The legislation is named in honor of Officer John Barnes, who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the Santa Fe, Texas shooting tragedy, suffering a disabling shotgun blast in the process. Despite applying for PSOB benefits, Officer Barnes and his family have experienced an excruciating six years-long wait for a determination from the DOJ since the 2018 shooting.
    The PSOB Program provides crucial support, including death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, as well as disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty.
    Sen. Cruz previously introduced the Officer John Barnes Act in June 2024.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: California DOJ Is Ready to Defend Reproductive Rights at Tomorrow’s Hearing on Providence St. Joseph Hospital Lawsuit

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    Thursday, February 13, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement in advance of tomorrow’s hearing on Providence St. Joseph Hospital’s (Providence) attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit alleging that the hospital violates multiple laws by, as a matter of policy, denying pregnant patients the emergency abortion care they need. 

    “At the California Department of Justice, we are fully committed to protecting reproductive rights. Whether threats to those rights are coming from Washington D.C. or within California, we will not back down,” said Attorney General Bonta. “As we have made clear in our briefs, Providence is in the wrong. There is no legal basis to dismiss our case. Denying emergency abortion care to pregnant patients who need it is unlawful under multiple laws, and we are looking forward to making our case at tomorrow’s hearing.” 

    BACKGROUND

    On September 30, 2024, Attorney General Bonta announced a lawsuit against Providence in Eureka, California. Filed in Humboldt County Superior Court, the lawsuit alleges that the hospital violated California’s Emergency Services Law (the state level analogue to the federal EMTALA statute), the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and the Unfair Competition Law. One particular patient, Anna Nusslock, had her water break when she was 15 weeks pregnant with twins on February 23, 2024. Despite the immediate threat to her life and health, and her pregnancy no longer being viable, Providence refused to treat her. She had to travel to a small critical access hospital called Mad River, 12 miles away, where she was actively hemorrhaging by the time she was on the operating table. In October 2024, Mad River Community Hospital closed its labor and delivery unit — leaving Providence the only available option for women in Humboldt County. The next person in Anna’s situation will face the agonizing choice of risking a multi-hour drive to another hospital or waiting until they are close enough to death for Providence to intervene. 

    On October 29, 2024, Attorney General Bonta announced securing a stipulation from Providence that will ensure the hospital follows California law while the case proceeds.

    A copy of the People’s Opposition to Defendant’s Demurrer — or Providence’s attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit — can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn: Bondi & Patel Will Restore Trust in Our Justice System

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) commended U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel for their commitments to restore trust in our justice system and end the weaponization and politicization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that took place under the Biden Administration. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “One of President Trump’s most important pledges during the campaign was to end the politicalization and the weaponization of the Department of Justice, including the FBI.”

    “Attorney General Bondi and soon-to-be Director Patel are going to have a huge task ahead of them.”

    “My goal for the Department of Justice and the FBI is to restore the nonpartisan functioning of our country’s chief law enforcement agencies. The American people deserve an FBI and a Department of Justice that they can trust.”

    “President Trump’s Attorney General will have a chance to turn the page from Merrick Garland’s failures by reversing the partisan hackery that has been a part and parcel of President Biden’s Department of Justice.”

    “Pam Bondi can serve President Trump and the nation well by enforcing the law that’s on the books and ending the weaponization of political enemies.”

    “Similarly, Kash Patel has an opportunity to turn the page from the abuses and the lack of accountability that we’ve seen at the FBI in recent years. So, I look forward to working with Ms. Bondi and Mr. Patel in their noble endeavor to restore trust in our nation’s justice system and, by doing so, to restore the trust of the American people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Violent Bridgeport Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 22 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KEISHAWN DONALD, 23, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 270 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in a violent Bridgeport street gang and his murder of a rival gang member in 2018. 

    Today’s announcement by Marc. H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.

    According to court documents, statements made in court, and the evidence presented during a month-long trial, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Donald has been a member of the “East End gang,” which began as a local street gang based in the East End of Bridgeport, but currently has members and associates who are either incarcerated or living throughout Bridgeport and surrounding towns.  The East End gang has been aligned with other groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, the East Side gang and 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.  These groups were aligned against rival organizations in Bridgeport, including the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”) and the “Greene Homes Boyz,” (“GHB/Hotz”), based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End.

    Due to the level of gun violence Bridgeport was experiencing, the investigation commenced shortly before East End members shot and killed Myreke Kenion and shot and attempted to kill D’Andre Brown, both members and associates of the GHB/Hotz gang, on January 26, 2020.  The next day, in retaliation for these shootings, GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. members attempted to kill East End gang members and associates in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a state courthouse on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport that resulted in four victims being shot while sitting inside a car.

    Donald and other East End members distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; used and shared firearms; and committed at least six murders and other acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals.  East End members celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube, and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.

    On January 30, 2018, Donald shot and killed Eric Heard, also known as “Fetti,” a member and associate of the GHB/Hotz gang.  On October 17, 2019, Donald and others attempted to kill Joshua Gilbert, a member and associate of the O.N.E. gang, in a drive-by shooting.

    On December 5, 2023, a jury found Donald and three associates guilty of conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.

    Donald has been detained since October 17, 2019, when he was arrested on state charges after being found with a firearm shortly after the attempted murder of Joshua Gilbert.

    Approximately 47 members and associates of the East End, O.N.E. and the GHB/Hotz gangs have been convicted of federal offenses stemming from this investigation, which has and solved eight murders and approximately 20 attempted murders.

    This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick, and Karen L. Peck.

    This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

    PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.  If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington joins landmark multistate lawsuit to stop Elon Musk’s unconstitutional power grab

    Source: Washington State News

    OLYMPIA — Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown today joined 13 other attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful delegation of executive power to Elon Musk — the world’s richest man who is unelected, unconfirmed and upending the federal government.

    The lawsuit argues that President Trump has violated the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution by creating a new federal department without congressional approval, and by granting Musk sweeping powers over the entire federal government without the advice and consent of the Senate or accountability to the people of the United States. 

    “Elon Musk has amassed — or simply taken for himself — unaccountable power to walk into any federal agency, fire people, eliminate programs authorized by Congress, and access confidential personal and national security information without regard for the consequences,” Brown said. “Washingtonians will not stand by while their safety and freedoms are threatened by a lawless administration intent on shredding the Constitution line by line.”

    “Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration is unconstitutional,” said Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson. “If the President wants Musk or any other powerful billionaire to have a significant role in running our government, he can and should appoint them as the Constitution requires.”

    The lawsuit highlights how, with the president’s approval, Musk has unraveled federal agencies, accessed sensitive data, and caused widespread disruption for state and local governments, federal employees, and the American people. The complaint further asserts that Musk’s actions violate the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which ensures that executive appointments are subject to congressional oversight and Senate confirmation.

    Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency has targeted federal agencies that provided over $20 billion in federal grants to Washington last year alone. Among other unlawful acts, he effectively shut down USAID, which provides grants that Washington State University and Washington farmers rely on to study and prevent deadly livestock diseases, protect Washington against disease outbreaks in other parts of the world, and strengthen food security. In the past days, he has threatened to close the Department of Education, which provided $2.5 billion to Washington last year for special education programs, school lunches, and academic assistance to students.

    “Musk’s seemingly limitless and unchecked power to strip the government of its workforce and eliminate entire departments with the stroke of a pen, or click of a mouse, is unprecedented,” the lawsuit states. “The sweeping authority now vested in a single unelected and unconfirmed individual is antithetical to the nation’s entire constitutional structure.”

    Defendants’ actions threaten the financial and operational stability of the states by disrupting billions of dollars in federal funding essential for law enforcement, healthcare, education, and other critical services. State agencies depend on federal funds and cooperative agreements, and the termination of these partnerships would result in severe budget shortfalls, staffing crises, and the potential loss of key programs. Similarly, the proposed elimination of the U.S. Department of Education would strip away federal civil rights oversight in schools, leaving states with uncertain legal authority to address discrimination cases involving students with disabilities and enforce Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and disability protections.

    Beyond financial and regulatory harms, the reckless expansion of DOGE’s authority endangers cybersecurity and erodes public trust. DOGE operatives have reportedly accessed federal financial databases containing sensitive state tax records and banking information without proper oversight, increasing the risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and foreign exploitation.

    The manipulation of federal IT infrastructure by unauthorized individuals threatens not only state financial security but also the integrity of critical national systems. As reports of unauthorized access to Treasury databases emerge, citizens have expressed growing fear that their private financial data is at risk, leading to a chilling effect on participation in state-administered federal programs. The plaintiff states are now forced to contend with both immediately.

    Washington and its partner states seek a court ruling declaring Musk’s actions unconstitutional and invalidating them, and issuing an injunction barring him from issuing further unlawful orders.

    The New Mexico Department of Justice leads this lawsuit with Arizona and Michigan as co-leads. Washington also joins New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Vermont.

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