NewzIntel.com

Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI USA: Three Members of a Prolific Chinese Money Laundering Organization Plead Guilty to Laundering Tens of Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds

    Source: US State of California

    Two Chinese nationals and a California man, all members of a prolific Chinese money laundering organization (CMLO), pleaded guilty yesterday to money laundering charges involving drug trafficking proceeds.

    According to court documents, Maoxuan Xia, 29, of China, Shao Neng Lin, 58, of Baldwin Park, California, and Zhou Yu, 42, of China, were members of the CMLO that laundered over $92 million in illicit funds, including proceeds from the importation and distribution of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico. Xia was one of the most active members of the Organization, traveling throughout the United States to collect drug trafficking proceeds from U.S.-based drug traffickers and deposit those illicit funds, using both real and fake identities, into shell company bank accounts registered by other members of the CMLO, such as Lin and Yu.

    Xia and Yu each pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy, one count of money laundering to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the illicit proceeds, and one count of monetary transactions involving criminally derived property greater than $10,000. Lin pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy, two counts of money laundering to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the illicit proceeds, and two counts of monetary transactions involving criminally derived property greater than $10,000. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Xia admitted that he was personally responsible for laundering more than $30 million of illicit funds, including drug trafficking proceeds, in less than two years. Xia further admitted that he knew funds laundered in the conspiracy included drug trafficking proceeds or funds intended to promote drug trafficking. Pursuant to their respective plea agreements, Lin and Yu both admitted that they each received, through the shell company bank accounts that they created and operated for the CMLO, approximately $20 million in illicit funds, including drug trafficking proceeds. Lin and Yu both admitted that the total amount of illicit funds laundered in the conspiracy for which they had actual knowledge and involvement was approximately $40 million.

    The defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the conspiracy and money laundering counts and a maximum of 10 years in prison on each of the monetary transactions counts. A federal district court judge will determine their respective sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina, Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division, and Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Charlotte Field Office made the announcement.

    The DEA Charlotte District Office and the IRS-CI Charlotte Field Office are investigating the case.

    Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Mingda Hang, Acting Deputy Chief Melanie Alsworth, and Trial Attorney Jayce Born of the Justice Department’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alfredo De La Rosa and Seth Johnson for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Washington Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Donald Eugene Griffin, Jr., age 43, to 144 months in prison on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material. Judge Rice also imposed a lifetime of supervised release. Griffin will also be required to register as a sex offender.

    According to court documents and information presented in the sentencing hearing, in November 2019, the FBI developed information that Griffin was in possession of images of children being sexually abused.

    In March 2020, the FBI executed a warrant at Griffin’s home and seized Griffin’s electronic devices. Investigators found multiple images of child sexual abuse material on those devices, and Griffin admitted to using online platforms to access and obtain child sexual abuse material. Griffin also admitted to discussing having sex with a child and to distributing and receiving images of children being sexually abused.

    Agents investigated Griffin’s online accounts and uncovered chats between Griffin and individuals who appeared younger than 18. On several occasions, Griffin sent child sexual abuse material or solicited it, from those individuals. Griffin also consistently spoke to others about having sex with minors.

    In early 2024, a civilian contacted investigators and said they had been posing as an 11-year-old girl on Instagram and chatting with Griffin. Griffin sent naked photos of himself to this person he believed was a child and discussed having sex with her.

    “Mr. Griffin’s conduct was predatory and depraved. He not only trafficked in images of children being sexually abused – he actively sought out opportunities to engage with minors online in ways that were both explicit and dangerous,” said Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker. “I’m grateful to the FBI and AUSA Rebecca Perez for their outstanding work on this case and for bringing Mr. Griffin to justice.”

    “Not only did Mr. Griffin possess and distribute disturbing images depicting child sexual assault, but he was even engaging in sexually explicit chats with someone he believed to be a minor.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “It is apt this sentence is being handed down on the final day of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Protecting and finding justice for child victims remains a priority of the FBI, both in the State of Washington and nationwide.”

    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 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca R. Perez.

    2:24-cr-00065-TOR

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 71-Unit Affordable Housing Development Completed in Brooklyn

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of The Rise, a 71-unit affordable and supportive housing development in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The $50 million project includes 47 supportive apartments, a community hub, and rooftop farm. The seven-story building is located on “Site J” of New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative — the State’s comprehensive community development initiative aiming to address social, economic and health disparities in Central Brooklyn. In the past five years, HCR has financed nearly 8,400 affordable homes in Brooklyn. The Rise continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    “Individuals and families in Brownsville deserve access to housing they can afford and the services that provide the support they need to thrive,” Governor Hochul said. “The Rise builds on our commitment to Central Brooklyn and will provide affordable housing opportunities, social services, and the types of amenities that can strengthen the entire community.”

    Apartments at The Rise are available for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Designed to appeal to families of different sizes, the development features studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. As part of the Vital Brooklyn initiative, The Rise will also bring economic and community development benefits to Brownsville. Programming will be available to building residents and the Brownsville neighborhood in the community hub and will include workshops focused on critical thinking, conflict resolution, health, and women’s empowerment. Using the building’s rooftop farm, residents and members of the surrounding community can also participate in programming such as fresh food cultivation and workforce development in farming.

    The 47 supportive apartments are reserved for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. On-site supportive services including trauma-informed case management, mental health and substance use services, employment and educational services, life skills, and wellness support groups will be available to eligible tenants.

    The project is developed by Xenolith Partners, LLC. Women’s Prison Association and The Osborne Association are providing onsite supportive services for eligible tenants, Community Capacity Development will provide the community programming, and Project Eats will operate the rooftop farm.

    The Rise is an all-electric building that offers cost-effective amenities to reduce energy consumption, improve health, and build resilience. Energy-efficiency features include solar panels for on-site energy generation and a Variant Refrigerant Flow heating and cooling system that captures and repurposes heat already in the environment. The hot water system utilizes heat pumps, there are electric dryers and cooktops, energy recovery ventilation for improved indoor air quality, and LED lighting. The project was awarded a Buildings of Excellence Award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

    The project is supported by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program which generated $21 million in equity, $5 million from its Supportive Housing Opportunity Program, $4.5 million from HCR’s Low-Income Housing Trust Fund, and $4 million from its Federal Housing Trust Fund. Additional support includes $10 million from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, nearly $1.3 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) New Construction Program, and federal solar energy tax credits that generated $84,000 in equity. The Community Preservation Corporation provided pre-development and other financial support for the project through its Equity Investing platform and has also committed to providing long-term permanent financing. Operating funding for the supportive units is being provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, administered by OTDA, and Project-Based Section 8 vouchers provided by HCR.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “This $50 million investment represents an important step in our Vital Brooklyn Initiative. It brings 71 new affordable homes to Brownsville and will provide support for eligible tenants. Importantly, The Rise makes community development a priority through its programming and activities available for residents and the entire neighborhood. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for continuing to invest in this important initiative and the ongoing support of our partners in Brooklyn for ensuring this development came to life.”

    New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “We are grateful to Governor Hochul for making landmark investments to expand supportive housing across New York State, recognizing that stable housing is the foundation for healthier lives and stronger communities. The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program’s investment in The Rise will provide formerly incarcerated individuals and their families with safe, affordable, energy-efficient apartments they can call home and onsite access to essential support services to help them remain housed and prosper for years to come.”

    New York State Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “The Rise affordable housing development creates a healthy, modern living experience for residents in Central Brooklyn while helping to accelerate the state’s equitable transition to a more sustainable economy. It is important that we continue to invest in projects like this, which not only transform the way New York’s buildings are constructed but also enhance the quality of life for those in the communities they serve.”

    Assemblymember Latrice Walker said, “The Rise addresses two critical needs for the Brownsville community – affordable housing and re-entry services. In addition to providing secure housing, I am excited about the availability of job training, legal assistance, referrals to mental health and substance abuse services, and other resources that will help formerly incarcerated people succeed. These services benefit families, strengthen communities and help to reduce recidivism. This project should serve as a blueprint for developers and service providers throughout the state, but especially in New York City where the needs are most dire. I applaud everyone involved and officially extend an enthusiastic welcome to the community of Brownsville where I was born and raised.”

    Xenolith Partners Principal Andrea Kretchmer said, “Xenolith Partners is excited to celebrate the ribbon cutting of The Rise, our supportive housing project for justice-involved individuals and their families. We are thrilled to be part of HCR’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative and to deliver a gorgeous, sustainable, 71-unit building that embodies its principles of health, affordable housing, economic empowerment, and resilience. We hope that the State, City, and Brownsville community are as proud of this achievement as we are.”

    Women’s Prison Association CEO Meg Egan said, “Community-based infrastructure like The Rise is, ultimately, a public safety solution. We know from research and experience that providing safe and stable housing is essential to reducing recidivism and helping communities thrive. This is not just a building but a home. A place where the women we work with have access to the full spectrum of support services, providing them and their families with the opportunity to have bright and fulfilling futures.”

    Osborne Association President & CEO Jon Monsalve said, “Osborne Association is grateful for this partnership with Women’s Prison Association and Xenolith Partners to expand supportive housing options for people returning to New York City from incarceration. With decades of experience in reentry support, Osborne is expanding its residential portfolio in response to the alarming housing shortage and the proven success of programs that meet the unique needs of people reentering the community after incarceration. Thanks to this investment by the Governor and HCR, together we are creating a community asset that will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity.”

    The Community Preservation Corporation Senior Vice President of Equity Investing Tell Metzger said, “Today’s celebration of The Rise reflects the important role that exceptional developers and community-driven entrepreneurs play in shaping a stronger, more robust City for us all. Xenolith has once again demonstrated their commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful projects; The Rise stands as both a model of sustainable development and of housing stability for those who need it most. We are honored to have partnered with Xenolith, HCR, NYSERDA, the City of New York, and all those whose vision and dedication brought this project to life.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

    Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain state-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on state-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. Nearly 60,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro-Housing certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. Currently, nearly 300 communities have been certified, including the city of New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: .50 caliber straw purchaser convicted in relation to firearms destined for Mexico

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

    HOUSTON – A federal jury has convicted a 49-year-old Houston man of making a false statement in the purchase of firearms and purchasing firearms knowing they were to be exported to Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    The jury deliberated for less than 20 minutes before finding John Castellano guilty following a three-day trial. 

    On or about Dec. 16, 2019, Castellano lied to a federal firearms licensed dealer. He falsely claimed he was purchasing two Barrett .50 caliber rifles for himself, each valued at approximately $8,000 each. In reality, they were intended for others and ultimately destined for Mexico.

    The jury heard evidence that Castellano purchased the rifles with approximately $17,000 in cash from Jacinto Zuniga.

    Evidence revealed Castellano had picked up the firearms from a federal firearms licensed dealer with a friend and previously convicted felon.

    The jury also heard he was attempting to obtain additional Barrett .50 caliber rifles before authorities’ interdiction.

    Experts provided testimony regarding the regulations and various licensing requirements necessary for exporting firearms to Mexico. The jury also had the opportunity to view the Barrett .50-caliber rifles Castellano had straw purchased.

    The defense attempted to convince the jury that the accusations were false and that he was wrongfully accused. Castellano took the stand and told the jury the incriminating text messages between him and the codefendant were lies, and that he was just making up a fictional story.  

    They did not believe those claims and found Castellano guilty as charged.

    U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein presided over the trial and set sentencing for July 25. At that time, Castellano faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

    Castellano was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

    Zuniga, 44, Houston, previously pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme.  

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and Department of State. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts are prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Agents Arrest San Antonio Man for Alleged Child Pornography Charges

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was arrested Tuesday in San Antonio on criminal charges related to his alleged possession of child pornography.

    According to court documents, Zaid Mashhour Haddad allegedly streamed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from his computer to a TV mounted on the bedroom wall of his apartment. One of the videos that allegedly depicted child pornography was displayed on Haddad’s TV as the FBI executed a search warrant on his apartment. The video was allegedly being streamed from a link Haddad received through Telegram. Agents reviewed and documented the contents of the link, which allegedly contained 181 different videos.

    The complaint alleges that the investigation into Haddad’s activity showed Haddad received links containing CSAM from direct message threads on Telegram, which were stored in the Telegram application on his phone. Details in the complaint allege that the links often led to virtual Zoom meetings where CSAM would be live streamed using content from a separate file sharing application.

    Haddad is charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of knowingly accessing with intent to view any material that contained an image of child pornography. If convicted, Haddad faces up to 20 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, an additional restitution amount, and the requirement to register as a sex offender. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The FBI is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson 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 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.justice.gov/psc.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan’s Real GDP Reaches Record High $80.5 Billion in 2024

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 1, 2025

    Province’s GDP Growth Rate Second Highest in Canada

    Today, new figures from Statistics Canada show that Saskatchewan remains a national leader in economic growth. Real GDP data shows Saskatchewan is second among Canadian provinces for growth in 2024. 

    Real GDP rose by 3.4 per cent from 2023 to 2024, well over the national average increase of 1.6 per cent. Saskatchewan’s real GDP value remains at an all-time high of $80.5 billion, beating 2023’s record of $77.9 billion. This is a provincial record.

    “Saskatchewan continues to see record growth within our provincial economy and today’s Statistics Canada data shows more people are choosing to live, work and raise families in our province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “Saskatchewan exports bring food and energy security not only to North America, but around the world. The result of this is more high-paying jobs for Saskatchewan residents, more services and a high quality of life for all who call our province home.” 

    Many sectors contributed to this growth, including construction, up 13.2 per cent, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, up 7.8 per cent and mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction, up 5.6 per cent.

    GDP measures the value of goods and services produced within a prescribed geographic region over a specific period of time. 

    This announcement continues to highlight the strength of the provincial economy. Private capital investment in Saskatchewan increased last year by 17.3 per cent to $14.7 billion, ranking first among provinces. Private capital investment is projected to reach $16.2 billion in 2025, an increase of 10.1 per cent over 2024. This is the second highest anticipated percentage increase among the provinces.

    The Government of Saskatchewan recently unveiled its new Securing the Next Decade of Growth – Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy. This strategy combined with Saskatchewan’s trade and investment website, InvestSK.ca, contains helpful information for potential markets and solidifies the province as the best place to do business in Canada. 

    For more information visit: investSK.ca.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 IAM Scholarship Winners

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM is pleased to announce the 2025 Scholarship winners. An impartial committee of educators selected 16 recipients for this year’s awards. We congratulate the winners and thank all those who participated in the competition.

    Kendall Alexander Jackson, Local 2198Beatrice Richer, Member, Local 712Matthew Morgani, Local 2323Carson Poe, Local 1943Skylar Wiley, Local 804Cynthia Benzel, Local 1947Alexander Urban, Local 701Makena Blalock, Local 709Jaycee Williams, Local 2003MilesJacob Wood (Vo-Tech), Local 2003Steven Sergenti (Member), Local 2766Boni Jo Boser (Member), Local 463Noah Jimenez – ROMAN MAYFIELD WINNER, Local 1930Kaylee Henry, Local 289Conner Wilson, Local T491Honorable Mentions


    Kendall Alexander Jackson
    College: Sam Houston State University
    Major: Criminal Justice/Forensic Science
    Parent: Stacey Jackson
    Lodge: 2198 Company: United Airlines
    Territory: Air Transport

     Beatrice Richer
    College: McGill University
    Major: Physics/Mathematics
    Parent: Frederic Richer
    Lodge: 712 Company: Bombardier
    Territory: Canada

    Matthew Morgani
    Parent: Francesco Morgani
    College: University of Toronto
    Major: Engineering
    Lodge: 2323 Company: Air Canada
    Territory: Canada
    Carson Poe
    Parent: William Poe
    College: The Ohio State University
    Major: Biomedical Engineering
    Lodge: 1943 Company: Cleveland Cliffs
    Territory: Eastern

     Skylar Wiley
    College: University of Louisville
    Major: Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Med
    Parent: Jason Wiley
    Lodge: 804 Company: UPS
    Territory: Eastern

     Cynthia Benzel
    College: Moraine Park Technical College
    Major: Registered Nurse
    Parent: Benjamin Benzel
    Lodge: 1947 Company: Mercury Marine
    Territory: Midwest

     Alexander Urban
    College: Marquette University
    Major: Finance/Economics
    Parent: Russell Urban
    Lodge: 701 Company: Arnie Bauer Buick Cadillac HMC
    Territory: Midwest

     Makena Blalock
    College: University of Georgia
    Major: Agriculture Communications
    Parent: Chris Blalock
    Lodge: 709 Company: Lockheed Martin
    Territory: Southern

     Jaycee Williams
    College: Troy University
    Major: Exercise Physiology Pre-Health
    Parent: Chad Williams
    Lodge: 2003 Company: M1 Support Services
    Territory: Southern

     Miles Bailess (Vo-Tech)
    College: Hallmark University
    Certificate: Aircraft Mechanic
    Parent: Katie Gamez
    Lodge: 2916 Company: Amentum
    Territory: Southern

     Jacob Wood (Vo-Tech)
    Parent: Thomas Wood
    College: Alabama Aviation College
    Certificate: Airframe and Powerplant Certification
    Lodge: 2003 Company: M1 Support Services
    Territory: Southern

     Steven Sergenti (Member)
    Lodge: 2766 Company: Boeing
    College: University of Alabama – Huntsville
    Major: Aerospace Engineering
    Territory: Southern

     Boni Jo Boser (Member)
    Lodge: 463 Company: Nova Technologies
    Trade School: Nutritional Therapy Association
    Major: Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
    Territory: Southern

     Noah Jimenez – ROMAN MAYFIELD WINNER
    College: University of Oregon
    Major: Political Science/Latino Studies
    Parent : Ana Jimenez
    Lodge: 1930 Company: City of Long Beach
    Territory: Western

     Kaylee Henry
    College: Graceland University-Lamoni
    Major: Forensic Psychology
    Parent: Nathan Henry
    Lodge: 289 Company: SSA Terminals
    Territory: Western

     Conner Wilson
    College: Alfred State
    Major: Welding Technology
    Parent: Scott Wilson
    Lodge: T491 Company: CSX Intermodal
    Territory: Rail Division

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    CategoriesEmployment Issues, MIL-OSI, Scholarships, US GOIAM Union, US Unions

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raytheon Companies and Nightwing Group to Pay $8.4M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Non-Compliance with Cybersecurity Requirements in Federal Contracts

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Raytheon Company (Raytheon), RTX Corporation, and Nightwing Group LLC, and Nightwing Intelligence Solutions LLC (collectively, Nightwing), have agreed to pay $8.4 million to resolve allegations that Raytheon violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in contracts or subcontracts involving the Department of Defense (DoD). Raytheon is a subsidiary of Arlington, Virginia-based defense contractor RTX Corporation (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation). In March 2024, RTX Corporation sold its Cybersecurity, Intelligence, and Services business, which since became part of Dulles, Virginia-based Nightwing. The settlement resolves conduct that allegedly occurred between 2015 and 2021, prior to Nightwing’s acquisition of the business.

    The settlement was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service Cyber Field Office, Special Agent in Charge William W. Richards of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross, NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office.

    “Cyber threats have grown in size and reach in recent years, leaving no room for complacency among those in the public sector, private sector, or even among private citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia. “Government contractors must comply with the cybersecurity rules that govern their performance and be candid about their compliance. This settlement reflects the Government’s commitment to pursue contractors that fail to live up to those expectations.”

    “As cyber threats continue to evolve, it is critical that defense contractors take the required steps to protect sensitive government information from bad actors,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue our efforts to hold contractors accountable when they fail to honor their DoD cybersecurity commitments.”

    The settlement resolves allegations that Raytheon and its then-subsidiary Raytheon Cyber Solutions, Inc. (RCSI), failed to implement required cybersecurity controls on an internal development system that was used to perform unclassified work on certain DoD contracts. The United States alleged that Raytheon and RCSI failed to develop and implement a system security plan for the system, as required by DoD cybersecurity regulations, and failed to ensure that the system complied with other cybersecurity requirements contained in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-21. FAR 52.204-21 requires federal contractors to apply basic safeguarding requirements to information systems that process or store federal contract information. DFARS 252.204-7012 requires contractors to provide adequate security for information systems that process or store covered defense information. The settlement resolved allegations that Raytheon used its noncompliant internal system to develop, use, or store covered defense information and federal contract information during its performance on 29 DoD contracts and subcontracts.

    “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General, is steadfastly committed to upholding the integrity of all business systems used to process and store defense information,” said Special Agent in Charge DeChellis of the DCIS Cyber Field Office. “DCIS, along with our investigative partners, will continue to protect our service members and military technological edge by ensuring defense contractors strictly adhere to their cyber security contractual obligations.”

    “Failure to implement cybersecurity requirements can have devastating consequences, leaving sensitive DoD data vulnerable to cyber threats and malicious actors,” said Special Agent in Charge William Richards of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Procurement Fraud Office, Andrew AFB, Md. “AFOSI, alongside our investigative partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to combat fraud affecting the Department of the Air Force and hold those accountable that fail to properly safeguard sensitive defense information.”

    “This settlement further demonstrates the resolve of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and our law enforcement partners to protect and defend the assets of the United States Army,” said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office.”

    “Strict compliance with contractual cybersecurity requirements is of dire importance to adequately safeguard sensitive information from sophisticated adversaries, assure the safety of our warfighters, and maintain our military’s competitive edge,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross, NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our federal partners remain committed to investigating entities that do not responsibly protect critical information entrusted to them.”

    The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery.  The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, Branson Kenneth Fowler, Sr., a former Director of Engineering with Raytheon, to receive a $1,512,000 share of the settlement amount.  The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Doe v. Raytheon Co. et al., No. 21-cv-2343 (D.D.C.).

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Air Force Materiel Command, AFOSI, DCIS, NCIS, and Army Criminal Investigation Division.

    The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez of the District of Columbia and Senior Trial Counsel Kimberly Friday of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Members of a Prolific Chinese Money Laundering Organization Plead Guilty to Laundering Tens of Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Two Chinese nationals and a California man, all members of a prolific Chinese money laundering organization (CMLO), pleaded guilty yesterday to money laundering charges involving drug trafficking proceeds.

    According to court documents, Maoxuan Xia, 29, of China, Shao Neng Lin, 58, of Baldwin Park, California, and Zhou Yu, 42, of China, were members of the CMLO that laundered over $92 million in illicit funds, including proceeds from the importation and distribution of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico. Xia was one of the most active members of the Organization, traveling throughout the United States to collect drug trafficking proceeds from U.S.-based drug traffickers and deposit those illicit funds, using both real and fake identities, into shell company bank accounts registered by other members of the CMLO, such as Lin and Yu.

    Xia and Yu each pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy, one count of money laundering to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the illicit proceeds, and one count of monetary transactions involving criminally derived property greater than $10,000. Lin pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy, two counts of money laundering to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the illicit proceeds, and two counts of monetary transactions involving criminally derived property greater than $10,000. Pursuant to his plea agreement, Xia admitted that he was personally responsible for laundering more than $30 million of illicit funds, including drug trafficking proceeds, in less than two years. Xia further admitted that he knew funds laundered in the conspiracy included drug trafficking proceeds or funds intended to promote drug trafficking. Pursuant to their respective plea agreements, Lin and Yu both admitted that they each received, through the shell company bank accounts that they created and operated for the CMLO, approximately $20 million in illicit funds, including drug trafficking proceeds. Lin and Yu both admitted that the total amount of illicit funds laundered in the conspiracy for which they had actual knowledge and involvement was approximately $40 million.

    The defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the conspiracy and money laundering counts and a maximum of 10 years in prison on each of the monetary transactions counts. A federal district court judge will determine their respective sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina, Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division, and Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Charlotte Field Office made the announcement.

    The DEA Charlotte District Office and the IRS-CI Charlotte Field Office are investigating the case.

    Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Mingda Hang, Acting Deputy Chief Melanie Alsworth, and Trial Attorney Jayce Born of the Justice Department’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alfredo De La Rosa and Seth Johnson for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raytheon Companies and Nightwing Group to Pay $8.4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Non-Compliance with Cybersecurity Requirements in Federal Contracts

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – Raytheon Company (Raytheon), RTX Corporation, and Nightwing Group, LLC, and Nightwing Intelligence Solutions, LLC (collectively, Nightwing), have agreed to pay $8.4 million to resolve allegations that Raytheon violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in contracts or subcontracts involving the Department of Defense (DoD). Raytheon is a subsidiary of Arlington, Virginia-based defense contractor RTX Corporation (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation). In March 2024, RTX Corporation sold its Cybersecurity, Intelligence, and Services business, which since became part of Dulles, Virginia-based Nightwing. The settlement resolves conduct that allegedly occurred between 2015 and 2021, prior to Nightwing’s acquisition of the business.

    The settlement was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service Cyber Field Office, Special Agent in Charge William W. Richards of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross, NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office.

    “Cyber threats have grown in size and reach in recent years, leaving no room for complacency among those in the public sector, private sector, or even among private citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Martin.  “Government contractors must comply with the cybersecurity rules that govern their performance and be candid about their compliance.  This settlement reflects the Government’s commitment to pursue contractors that fail to live up to those expectations.”

    “As cyber threats continue to evolve, it is critical that defense contractors take the required steps to protect sensitive government information from bad actors,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Roth. “We will continue our efforts to hold contractors accountable when they fail to honor their DoD cybersecurity commitments.”

    The settlement resolves allegations that Raytheon and its then-subsidiary Raytheon Cyber Solutions, Inc. (RCSI), failed to implement required cybersecurity controls on an internal development system that was used to perform unclassified work on certain DoD contracts. The United States alleged that Raytheon and RCSI failed to develop and implement a system security plan for the system, as required by DoD cybersecurity regulations, and failed to ensure that the system complied with other cybersecurity requirements contained in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-21. FAR 52.204-21 requires federal contractors to apply basic safeguarding requirements to information systems that process or store federal contract information. DFARS 252.204-7012 requires contractors to provide adequate security for information systems that process or store covered defense information. The settlement resolved allegations that Raytheon used its noncompliant internal system to develop, use, or store covered defense information and federal contract information during its performance on 29 DoD contracts and subcontracts.

    “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General, is steadfastly committed to upholding the integrity of all business systems used to process and store defense information,” said DCIS Cyber Field Office Special Agent in Charge DeChellis. “DCIS, along with our investigative partners, will continue to protect our service members and military technological edge by ensuring defense contractors strictly adhere to their cyber security contractual obligations.”

    “Failure to implement cybersecurity requirements can have devastating consequences, leaving sensitive DoD data vulnerable to cyber threats and malicious actors,” said Special Agent in Charge William Richards of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Procurement Fraud Office, Andrew AFB, Md.  “AFOSI, alongside our investigative partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to combat fraud affecting the Department of the Air Force and hold those accountable that fail to properly safeguard sensitive defense information.”

    “This settlement further demonstrates the resolve of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and our law enforcement partners to protect and defend the assets of the United States Army,” said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office.”

    “Strict compliance with contractual cybersecurity requirements is of dire importance to adequately safeguard sensitive information from sophisticated adversaries, assure the safety of our warfighters, and maintain our military’s competitive edge,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross, NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our federal partners remain committed to investigating entities that do not responsibly protect critical information entrusted to them.”

    The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery.  The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, Branson Kenneth Fowler, Sr., a former Director of Engineering with Raytheon, to receive a $1,512,000 share of the settlement amount.  The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Doe v. Raytheon Co., et al., No. 21-cv-2343 (D.D.C.). 

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Air Force Materiel Command, AFOSI, DCIS, NCIS, and Army Criminal Investigation Division.

    The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez of the District of Columbia and Senior Trial Counsel Kimberly Friday of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Largest joint immigration operation in Florida history leads to 1,120 criminal alien arrests during weeklong operation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    MIAMI — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with law enforcement partners from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the state of Florida, led a first-of-its-kind statewide operation April 21 to April 26 that netted 1,120 criminal illegal alien arrests — the largest number in a single state in one week in ICE’s history. Sixty-three percent of those arrested had existing criminal arrests or convictions.

    Arrests included 378 criminal illegal aliens with final orders of removal issued by an immigration judge. Officers arrested various violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives from justice and those who pose significant public safety threats. Arrests include members of several different notoriously violent foreign terrorist organizations such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Brown Pride Aztecas, Barrio Azteca, Surenos (sur-13) and 18th Street Gang.

    The countries of origin of those arrested include the following: 

    • 437 from Guatemala
    • 280 from Mexico
    • 153 from Honduras
    • 48 from Venezuela
    • 24 from El Salvador
    • 178 from elsewhere

    Those arrested who have final orders of removal or returned to the United States illegally after being deported are subject to immediate removal from the country. The remaining aliens are in ICE custody awaiting due process before an immigration judge or pending travel arrangements for removal.

    “Last week’s operational success of arresting more than 1,100 criminal illegal aliens was truly a collaborative whole-of-government effort by our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Florida,” said ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan. “Every day, our officers take to the streets and put their lives on the line to apprehend and remove dangerous criminal aliens, transnational gang members and foreign fugitives who have illegally entered the U.S. We are united in our determination to restore integrity to our nation’s immigration system and enhance public safety for all Americans.”

    The state of Florida leads the nation with 287(g) partnerships. This force-multiplying program is named for Section 287(g)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes ICE to delegate specified immigration officer functions to state and local law enforcement officials under the agency’s direction and supervision.

    “I’ve insisted that Florida be the tip of the spear when it comes to state support of federal immigration enforcement. The success of Operation Tidal Wave is proof of our commitment,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Florida is proud to work closely with the Trump administration and help deliver on the 2024 mandate from America that our borders be secured and our immigration laws be followed. We will continue to engage in broad interior enforcement efforts. Thank you to DHS, ICE, CBP, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida National Guard, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, and everyone involved for your contributions to this effort.”

    “Dangerous criminals have no place in our country. We will apply CBP’s collective intelligence and operational capabilities to target those here illegally who endanger our citizens and the American way of life,” said Miami Sector Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Dinise. “Collaborative enforcement efforts such as Operation Tidal Wave, with our DHS and state of Florida law enforcement partners, leverages each of our unique authorities to protect against threats. We look forward to continuing the vital partnership with the State of Florida as we all work toward our shared goal of keeping our communities safe and our nation secure.”

    During the operation, federal, state and local partners helped arrest criminal illegal aliens around Florida. ICE used field office resources, alongside federal partners, to identify priority targets for enforcement action. Law enforcement partners included ICE Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, the DEA, the ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service.

    The state of Florida, under DeSantis’ direction, provided significant assistance during the statewide operation from multiple agencies.

    In addition, the following sheriff’s offices also provided significant assistance to ICE during the operation: 

    • Alachua County.
    • Baker County.
    • Brandford County.
    • Brevard County.
    • Clay County.
    • Hernando County.
    • Hillsborough County.
    • Indian River County.
    • Orange County.
    • Pinellas County.
    • St. John’s County.
    • Sumter County.
    • Volusia County.

    Many of the criminal aliens arrested during the operation have illegally entered and been removed from the U.S. numerous times and been convicted of multiple criminal offenses. A few of the most egregious examples include:

    • Ciro Ramon Castaneda Perez, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, and known member of the violent gang Tren de Aragua, was arrested at his residence in Holly Hill. On April 12, the Port Orange Police Department pulled over Castaneda-Perez for a traffic violation and found cocaine residue and paraphernalia in his vehicle. Castaneda-Perez has a final order of removal issued by an immigration judge.
    • Carlos Eduardo Perez Perez, a criminal illegal alien and suspected associate of the gang Tren de Aragua, was arrested April 25 at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Tampa field office. On July 19, 2024, Perez was first encountered and arrested by U.S. Border Patrol at a checkpoint near Sierra Blanca, Texas, after he illegally entered the U.S. without parole or inspection. An immigration judge ordered Perez removed to Venezuela Aug. 26, 2024.
    • Rafael Juarez Cabrera, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala and documented MS-13 gang member, was arrested after being convicted of illegal reentry by a previously removed alien. He has been removed three times prior. He will remain in custody pending prosecution for illegal reentry after deportation
    • Luis Melito Gonzalez Arrellanno, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico and active member of the Brown Pride Aztecas gang, was arrested with a criminal history that includes armed carjacking, firing a weapon, fraud and a conviction for illegal reentry after deportation. He has a final order of removal.
    • Aron Isaak Morazan Izaguirre, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, is an active known or suspected terrorist as a member of the 18th Street Gang. Izaguirre is a two-time illegal reentry and will remain in custody pending removal.
    • Miguel Rodriguez Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, is an active member of the Barrio Azteca gang. His criminal history includes assault, burglary, possession of marijuana, fraud and a conviction of illegal reentry after deportation. He will be held in custody pending his removal from the country.

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and bolster public safety, national security and border security in Florida, follow us on X at @EROMiami.

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

    Video b-roll of immigration enforcement action can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FIVE PEOPLE SENTENCED FOR FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT TARGETING ELDERLY RETIRED FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Five defendants who were convicted of a conspiracy scheme to defraud the retirement accounts of elderly and retired Florida school district employees have been sentenced after three defendants pleaded guilty and two defendants were found guilty by a federal jury. Michelle Spaven, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentences of the following defendants:

    • Lambert Aguebor, 33, of Miramar, Florida, has been sentenced to 71 months in federal prison after previously being found guilty by a federal jury of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
    • Floyd Bostic, 42, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison after previously being found guilty by a federal jury of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, three counts of Wire Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, 16 counts of Money Laundering, and Operating an Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business.
    • Grace Aguebor, 36, of Miramar, Florida, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.
    • Ronald Vargas, 38, of Osteen, Florida, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
    • Sarina Levy, 34, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, has been sentenced to 6 months and 1 day in federal prison, to be followed by 6 months of home detention, after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.

    “Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly,” said Acting United States Attorney Spaven. “With the assistance of our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating and aggressively prosecuting those who seek to steal the hard-earned savings of our senior citizens.”

    Evidence presented at trial and court records show that Vargas worked as a Retirement Specialist at a Tallahassee-based company that administers a retirement 401(k) savings program whose participants are comprised largely of Florida school district employees or prior employees. Between January 2022, and March 2022, Vargas conspired with siblings Grace Aguebor and Lambert Aguebor to steal the retirement funds from the accounts of elderly retired school district employees—some of whom were deceased. Through his position, Vargas had access to the retired employees’ personally identifiable information (“PII”) and oversaw the processing of withdrawal requests from the 401(k) accounts. Vargas provided Grace and Lambert with PII of elderly 401(k) participants whose retirement accounts appeared to be dormant so the PII could be used to prepare fraudulent withdrawal request forms for these accounts.

    The fraudulent withdrawal request forms were then faxed to the company where Vargas worked so he could process them. Grace and Bostic personally faxed some of the fraudulent withdrawal request forms; in other cases, the fraudulent forms were given to other conspirators, including Levy, to fax. Once Vargas processed the forms, the stolen retirement funds were transferred to bank accounts controlled by Grace, Bostic, and other conspirators. In total, the conspirators withdrew and attempted to withdraw retirement funds from 25 different 401(k) accounts, resulting in a net total of $1.1 million actually being stolen.

    Evidence presented to the jury showed that Bostic also served as a money launderer who received over half of the stolen funds into his personal bank accounts and those of his Tallahassee-based music promotion businesses. Bostic then transferred some of the stolen funds between his various bank accounts in an effort to conceal or disguise its nature, location, source, or ownership. Evidence also showed that Bostic used some of the stolen funds to purchase a residence and pay for his personal and business expenses. Bostic also withdrew over $400,000 worth of stolen funds in cash at various banks and ATMs in Tallahassee and central Florida. The jury also saw evidence which showed that Bostic communicated and coordinated with Lambert Aguebor about the transfer of the stolen funds and to arrange meetings in central Florida.

    In addition to their prison sentences, the defendants were ordered to pay restitution totaling approximately $1,000,000 to the victims. The defendants’ imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release.

    This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.

    “Motivated by sheer greed, these individuals conspired to take advantage of Florida’s public servants, and their punishments mark an important step in holding these fraudsters accountable,” said FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Carley. “Fraud and corruption pose a fundamental threat to our national security and our way of life, and the FBI and our partners will continue to identify and bring to justice anyone who takes advantage of hardworking Americans, and especially educators who dedicate their lives to supporting our children.”

    “As law enforcement professionals, it is our duty to protect our community, especially our most vulnerable members, from those who seek to exploit them for personal gain,” said Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department. “This case is a clear example of how greed can drive individuals to harm others, and we remain committed to working alongside our federal partners to ensure those who commit such crimes are held accountable.”

    If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

    More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.gov.

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Charges Newburgh Man For Using Discord Platform To Extort Sexually Explicit Material From A Minor Victim

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging CARSEN MANSFIELD with extortionate interstate communications.  MANSFIELD was arrested on Tuesday, April 29 in Newburgh, New York, and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged Carsen Mansfield used Discord to track down and exploit the minor female victim.  Protecting our children is central to our mission, and we will prosecute those who victimize them to the fullest extent of the law.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Carsen Mansfield allegedly extorted and threatened a minor in another state to provide sexually explicit images.  Mansfield’s alleged actions violated a vulnerable victim’s privacy to satiate his personal disturbing desires.  The FBI remains committed to protecting any minor from those who wish to inflict sexual harm, regardless of where they are located.”

    As alleged in the Complaint:[1] 

    On or about August 4, 2024, MANSFIELD, using the communication platform Discord, contacted a minor female victim (“Victim-1”) and sent her a series of photographs that Victim-1 recognized as nude photographs of her that she had taken previously.  MANSFIELD proceeded to threaten to send the nude photographs of Victim-1 to her friends and family if she did not send him more nude or otherwise sexually explicit materials, writing “Well I have these pictures and if you don’t send me more I’m going to send them to your friends and family . . . Your [sic] my slut now Andy [sic] failure to make me happy will end up exposed to your friends and family.” 

    Any individuals with information concerning CARSEN MANSFIELD and any individuals who may have encountered someone using the Discord username “noname45.#0” or the X (formerly Twitter) username “expogirlsss” please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.

    *                *                *

    MANSFIELD, 23, of Newburgh, New York, is charged with one count of extortionate interstate communications, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of two years in prison.

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

    Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and Detroit Field Office, as well as the Town of Newburgh Police Department.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret N. Vasu is in charge of the prosecution.

    The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: CSW Industrials Completes Previously Announced Accretive, Synergistic Acquisition of Aspen Manufacturing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CSW Industrials, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSWI) (the “Company” or “CSW”) today announced the Company has completed the previously announced acquisition of Aspen Manufacturing for approximately $313.5 million in cash, utilizing cash on hand and borrowings under the existing $500 million revolving credit facility while maintaining sufficient liquidity and a strong balance sheet. The purchase price is approximately 11x Aspen Manufacturing’s 2024 adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $28.5 million.

    This strategic acquisition expands CSW Industrial’s HVAC/R product offering with the incorporation of Aspen Manufacturing’s market leading evaporator coils and air handlers. By leveraging CSW’s deep experience in the HVAC/R market, strong distribution channels, successful go-to-market strategy, and demonstrated track record of industrial manufacturing, this acquisition is expected to drive market and customer share of wallet gains, while providing an enhanced service offering and maximizing channels to market.

    Aspen Manufacturing’s current product suite includes a vast range of high-quality residential and light commercial evaporator coils, blowers, and air handling units for single-family, multi-family, and manufactured homes. Based in Humble, TX, all of Aspen’s products are designed, engineered, and assembled in the United States.

    Joseph B. Armes, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of CSW Industrials, commented, “We are pleased to have consummated the Aspen Manufacturing acquisition and to welcome approximately 350 new colleagues to the CSW Industrials family. By adding Aspen Manufacturing, CSW expects to further drive above-market growth through the expansion of our highly profitable and resilient HVAC/R product portfolio thereby enhancing long-term value for all of CSW’s shareholders.”

    For additional information about CSW Industrials’ acquisition of Aspen Manufacturing, please visit the previously released transaction documents, including the March 18, 2025 press release and investor presentation, which are both available on the Company’s website at https://cswindustrials.gcs-web.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “could,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “predicts” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which include, without limitation, earnings forecasts, effective tax rate, statements relating to our business strategy and statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies and anticipated developments concerning our industry, business, operations, and financial performance and condition.

    The forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on our current expectations, projections, estimates, and assumptions. These statements are only predictions, not guarantees. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from what is forecast in such forward-looking statements, and include, without limitation, the risk factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    This press release contains estimated results of Aspen Manufacturing for the calendar year 2024 (the “estimated results”). The estimated results are forward-looking statements based on Aspen Manufacturing’s management’s preliminary, unaudited results as of the date hereof, and Aspen Manufacturing’s actual results may be materially different from the estimated results. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other factors. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the estimated results. Our independent registered public accounting firm has not audited, reviewed or performed any procedures with respect to the estimated results and does not express any opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

    All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as may be required by law.

    About CSW Industrials
    CSW Industrials is a diversified industrial growth company with industry-leading operations in three segments: Contractor Solutions, Specialized Reliability Solutions, and Engineered Building Solutions. The Company provides niche, value-added products with two essential commonalities: performance and reliability. The primary end markets we serve with our well-known brands include: HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical, general industrial, architecturally-specified building products, energy, mining, and rail transportation. For more information, please visit www.cswindustrials.com. 

    Investor Relations

    Alexa Huerta
    Vice President, Investor Relations, & Treasurer
    214-489-7113
    alexa.huerta@cswindustrials.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Attends White House ‘Invest in America’ Event

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Attends White House ‘Invest in America’ Event

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement celebrating the strength of Nebraska’s business community after attending President Donald Trump’s ‘Invest in America’ event at the White House.

    “Bragging about Nebraska is the best part of my job, and I’m proud to highlight our hard-working agriculture, construction and manufacturing industries, as well as our dynamic small business owners and growing tech ecosystem. People around the country, and around the world, know that Nebraska is a special place for businesses to invest, build and grow because of our people.

    President Trump’s vision for fixing trade and championing an ‘Invest in America’ policy is critical to our economy and our national security.”

    During this afternoon’s event President Trump welcomed top executives from multiple companies pledging significant new U.S.-based investments.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Billings Man Arraigned on Child Pornography Charges

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of distributing child pornography appeared today for arraignment, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    The defendant, Kole David Kuntz, 41, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with 2 counts of distribution of child pornography.  If convicted of the charges contained in the indictment, Kuntz faces a mandatory minimum 5 years to 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years to lifetime of supervised release.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Tim Cavan presided. Kuntz was released pending further proceedings.

    The indictment alleges that in November 2024, the defendant knowingly distributed a visual depiction using any means or facility of interstate commerce, including by computer and the internet, the production of such visual depiction involved the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and the visual depiction was of such conduct.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.

    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 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 Justice.gov/PSC.

    The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    PACER case reference. 25-40.

    The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wolf Point Residents Arraigned on Murder Charge

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    GREAT FALLS – Two individuals accused of murdering a man on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation were arraigned today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Abrianne Lillian Deserly, 24, and Calvin Florin Lester, 35, both of Wolf Point, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging both defendants with second degree murder. If convicted of the charge contained in the indictment, the defendants each face a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston presided. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings.

    The indictment alleges that on February 26, 2025, near Wolf Point, the defendants unlawfully and with malice aforethought, that is recklessly with extreme disregard for human life, killed John Doe, and aided and abetted the same.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI, BIA, Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law & Justice, and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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

    The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    PACER case reference. 25-45.

    The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lame Deer Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    BILLINGS – A Lame Deer man who distributed methamphetamine on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 24 months in prison to be followed by 6 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Shannon Tyrone Seminole, 50, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

    U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that in the spring of 2022, law enforcement received reports that Shannon Seminole was selling methamphetamine on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Agents arranged two controlled purchases from Seminole, one in December 2022 and the other in September 2023. Following the second buy, agents executed a search of Seminole’s residence. During the search, agents seized an airsoft pistol and an AR-15 upper receiver and bolt.

    In an interview, Seminole admitted to providing methamphetamine to the many drug users that helped him with his work. He admitted selling methamphetamine starting when he was released from jail three years prior. His source provided him with a regular supply of meth that he would sell. Seminole also admitted he carried firearms when selling drugs.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case, and the investigation was conducted by the FBI.

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

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Owner of Kansas City Health Care Company Sentenced for Bankruptcy Fraud

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Stillwell, Ks., man was sentenced in federal court on April 29, 2025, for bankruptcy fraud related to his healthcare company.

    William L. Said, 62, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 21 months in prison without parole.  The court also ordered Said to pay $85,000 in restitution, which was paid at the time of sentencing.

    On Oct. 1, 2024, Said plead guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud.  Said admitted that he fraudulently transferred and concealed assets in a bankruptcy case.

    Said was the owner, president, and officer in charge of Restorative Brain Clinic, Inc., which provided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation services.  Restorative Brain Clinic, Inc. filed a voluntary bankruptcy case in July 2021.  A debtor-in-possession account was established as part of the bankruptcy.  Restorative Brain Clinic’s operating funds were stored in the debtor-in-possession account and Said was the only authorized person who had access to the account.

    In Sept. 2021, the United States Trustee for Region 13, which includes the Western District of Missouri, filed a motion to convert Restorative Brain Clinic’s bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 liquidation case based on gross mismanagement of the estate and a continuing loss or diminution of assets of the estate.  On Oct. 14, 2021, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis R. Dow presided over an evidentiary hearing on the conversion motion.  At the conclusion of evidence, Judge Dow granted the motion to convert the case to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and found there was mismanagement of assets, self-dealing, and inadequate corporate controls, among other issues.  Judge Dow ordered the United States Trustee to appoint a Chapter 7 trustee to identify assets to pursue for unsecured creditors. The hearing concluded at 4:12 p.m.

    Minutes after the conversion hearing, where Said was displaced as the fiduciary of the bankruptcy estate and the Bankruptcy Court ordered that Said no longer had control over Restorative Brain Clinic’s assets, Said initiated several wire transfers of money from the debtor-in-possession account. At 4:16 p.m., Said wired $5,000 to his own bank account from the debtor-in-possession account.  At 4:25 p.m., Said initiated a wire transfer for $12,400 from the debtor-in-possession account to the bank account of a shareholder in Restorative Brain Clinic.  Said also wired $16,300 to a medical staffing company and attempted to wire $5,760 to Restorative Brain Clinic’s landlord.  The debtor-in-possession account was frozen before the funds to pay the landlord left the account.

    Said also admitted to selling leased medical equipment. Restorative Brain Clinic leased medical equipment manufactured by AB Sciex, LLC in 2018.  Said was also the owner of Cox Scientific, which sold medical equipment.  In 2019, Cox Scientific agreed to sell AB Sciex medical equipment to a California company.  Said sent an electronic invoice to the owner of the California company.  The invoice contained a description of the equipment Said was selling along with an itemized list of the equipment’s components, which included a unique serial number for each component.  The list of components Said sent to the California company were the same components leased by Restorative Brain Clinic.  Said admitted that he scratched out and altered serial numbers on the AB Sciex equipment to conceal he was selling equipment through Cox Scientific that was being rented by Restorative Brain Clinic, Said.  Then, Said used the altered serial numbers on the invoice to the California company.

    The California company paid $85,000 for the AB Sciex equipment that Said sold to them and which Said did not own.

    This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley Cooper and Adam Miller. It was investigated by the FBI and the United States Trustee for Region 13. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jemez Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Minors

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Jemez man pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor.

    According to court documents, Tyler Chinana, 35, an enrolled member of the Jemez Pueblo, admitted that in 2012, he engaged in unlawful sexual contact with a minor victim who was under the age of 12 at the time. In a separate incident, Chinana also admitted that in November 2022, he engaged in similar unlawful sexual contact with a second minor victim who was also under the age of 12.

    At sentencing, Chinana faces up to life in prison followed by no less than five years and up to life of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Jemez Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meg Tomlinson and Timothy Trembley are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Zuni Couple Sentenced for Violent Assault

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni Pueblo couple has been sentenced for a brutal assault in which they attacked a man in his home, prevented him from seeking help, and continued the assault in the presence of a witness and two minor children.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court records, on September 3, 2023, Shannon Concho, 47, and LouAnn Johnson, 29, both enrolled members of the Pueblo of Zuni, assaulted John Doe at his residence on the Zuni Pueblo. The incident began as a verbal dispute and rapidly escalated when Johnson repeatedly slapped the victim. Concho and Johnson then prevented the victim from calling for help by seizing his phones and attempting to access a bedroom where a witness and two minor children were present.

    Concho continued the assault on John Doe by striking him over the head with a chair, nearly rendering him unconscious. Concho then instructed Johnson, who was wearing boots, to kick John Doe in the head. After Johnson complied, Concho continued the attack until Johnson alerted him that a witness had contacted law enforcement. Concho and Johnson fled the scene and remained at large until their subsequent apprehension in Arizona.

    Concho was sentenced to 57 months in prison, and Johnson was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Upon their release, Concho and Johnson will be subject to three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Shiprock Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Violent Assault

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man was sentenced to 4 years in prison for a brutal attack that left the victim with life-threatening injuries.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, on January 1, 2024, Tyrell Jordan Benally, 26, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted Jane Doe at a residence in Shiprock, New Mexico. Benally repeatedly struck Jane Doe with a closed fist and strangled her until she lost consciousness. As a result, Jane Doe suffered serious bodily injury, including life-threatening injuries from the strangulation.

    Upon his release from prison, Benally will be subject to three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Release wave brings hundreds of updates to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Release wave brings hundreds of updates to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform

    The next wave of innovation for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform starts today. This morning, at the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event, we are officially launching the 2025 release wave 1, a six-month rollout of new and enhanced capabilities that will be rolled out between April 2025 and September 2025.

    This release wave comes at an exciting moment, in a year marked by rapid advancements in AI. Microsoft Copilot and agents are at the heart of this release wave, promising to transform how we all work and to help elevate organizations into AI-first companies. New Copilot and agent capabilities showcased at today’s event will help you to improve business processes, enhance customer engagement, and empower your workforce to automate tasks.

    Watch the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event to hear directly from product teams as they share demos and real customer stories that showcase the newest features in action. Companies like Eneco, Intralox, Apollo Travel, Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply, Pro Refrigeration Incorporated, and State Farm are leveraging these features to drive transformation.

    Explore the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event

    Create your own autonomous agents with Microsoft Copilot Studio

    In this release wave, Copilot and agents take center stage with even more functionalities to help organizations transform their operations and deliver exceptional customer experiences. At the event, we are showcasing custom agents that can autonomously conduct a range of processes across sales, service, finance and supply chain functions.

    Explore agents pre-built for you in Microsoft Copilot Studio

    Read the blog

    Microsoft Copilot Studio serves as the foundation for agents, making it easy to customize and build your own customer and internal facing agents using your data and workflows. In addition, upcoming pre-built agents for Dynamics 365 are ready to customize and launch, accelerating your time to value. Stay tuned for blog updates and deep dives about Copilot and agent capabilities during this release wave.     

    Transform customer experiences with AI agents

    AI is transforming every aspect of customer experience, from rethinking user experience and business processes to the way apps are built and maintained. The 2025 release wave 1 features Dynamics 365 customer experience apps designed to help you deliver connected and personalized experiences for customers.  

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales brings the power of AI to help sellers meet their targets while boosting seller productivity. Copilot and agents enhance performance and simplify tasks to help grow your pipeline, sharpen strategies, and accelerate deals. A re-imagined user experience ensures sellers never miss the best move to close a deal. And automated research, ongoing follow-ups, and prioritized tasks provide continuous guidance—allowing you to focus on the right actions to drive success and grow your business. 

    Dynamics 365 Sales introduces new Copilot and agent capabilities to research and prioritize inbound leads, initiate sales conversations, and develop personalized sales engagements. These features help your teams to simplify tasks to help grow your pipeline, sharpen strategies, and accelerate deals.

    During the launch event, we showcase how Intralox, an industry leader in complex conveyance solutions, is leveraging the sales qualification agent in Dynamics 365 Sales to help qualify leads, build stronger relationships with customers, and close deals faster.

    New functionalities for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center include Microsoft Teams phone integration, which helps to reduce telephony complexity, proactive conversational journeys, and three agents that work in concert to create an autonomous contact center. These agents automate intent determination, manage the case lifecycle from creation to closure, and convert cases and related conversations into knowledge articles to support your contact center operations.

    Learn how Apollo Travel, a subsidiary of European travel leader Dertour Group, is using Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Copilot, and agents to automate a range of processes—from generating hotel descriptions to developing chatbots for case summarization. In addition, using Dynamics 365 Contact Center with Dynamics 365 Customer Insights, Apollo Travel can now leverage custom-built agents to proactively reach out to customers with personalized recommendations, adding value to the customer’s travels and opportunities for upselling additional services. This experience is enabled through new proactive engagement activities such as SMS or phone calls, helping to create personalized journeys in real-time.

    Explore the release plans for:

    Optimize workflows with autonomous ERP

    Today’s launch also showcases innovation across ERP solutions that is leading organizations into a new era of autonomous operations—where humans and agents work together to drive increased efficiency across business processes.

    To support autonomous financial operations, Dynamics 365 Finance introduces the Account Reconciliation Agent, along with a new financial task workspace to help teams manage and track recurring processes like period close with greater structure and visibility.

    In Dynamics 365 Project Operations, new capabilities will simplify time, expense, and approvals; accelerate scenario planning with what-if analysis; and improve planning accuracy with customizable task details. Dynamics 365 Human Resources will add AI-powered candidate assessment to help hiring teams identify top applicants faster by comparing resumes to job requirements, and a new onboarding agent that guides new hires through personalized onboarding journeys directly within Microsoft Teams.​

    In Dynamics 365 Commerce and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, we’re delivering new tools to enhance pricing strategy and procurement efficiency. Unified pricing management enables organizations to centralize omnichannel pricing across segmentation, channel-specific rules, and price trees. At the launch event, we showcase how Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply is using the new Supplier Communications Agent in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management to reduce manual vendor follow-ups and improve purchase order accuracy.​

    We also feature how Pro Refrigeration Incorporated is using the Sales Order Agent in Dynamics 365 Business Central to process customer orders faster and improve responsiveness. Business Central also adds the integration with Dynamics 365 Field Service, new Copilot summarization capabilities and Scope 3 emissions tracking to help organizations meet sustainability goals.

    Updates include Copilot-first experiences in Dynamics 365 Finance to streamline complex tax and compliance management and automate account and bank reconciliations using intelligent agents. Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management introduces integrated AI, analytics, and automation features to improve operational efficiency, enhanced supplier communication, demand planning accuracy, and intelligent manufacturing features that align production data to real-world processes.

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central also adds the integration of Field Service with service management, as well as the ability to enhance purchase order line matching with Copilot.  

    Explore the release plans for:

    Redefine development: AI-first innovation in Microsoft Power Platform

    Microsoft Power Platform continues to empower everyone to build their own AI-powered solutions through low-code or no-code tools with new features. Microsoft Power Apps is changing how software solutions are built with plan designer, enabling makers to build an end-to-end solution plan from simply describing their business problems, generating business requirements, data tables, and suggested solution architecture. 

    Microsoft Copilot Studio brings together the best AI innovations into a single low-code agent platform so that you can build amazing things. New capabilities like Agent Flows and Deep Reasoning expand the frontier of agents you can build, while new text and generative AI tools give you the ability to direct agents in specialized ways. The general availability of triggers and generative orchestration enables new categories of autonomous agents to transform business processes. We also are introducing more tools to optimize your agents including new diagnostics, testing, and performance analytics.

    Explore the release plans for:

    Watch the virtual Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event

    Watch the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event to discover the latest in Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform. You’ll get access to in-depth demos of new autonomous agents and other capabilities designed to optimize your workflows and streamline operations.

    Don’t forget to review the detailed release plans for Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform. Stay updated on the latest features and upcoming enhancements, and create your personalized release plan using the release planner to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge needed to maximize on this new release wave.

    We look forward to seeing how capabilities in this release wave enhance your business processes and bring new levels of efficiency and customer success.  

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Security Federal Corporation Announces Increase in First Quarter Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AIKEN, S.C., May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Security Federal Corporation (the “Company”) (OTCBB: SFDL), the holding company for Security Federal Bank (the “Bank”), today announced earnings and financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    The Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $2.6 million, or $0.81 per common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $1.8 million, or $0.54 per common share, for the first quarter of 2024. The increase in net income available to common shareholders was primarily due to increases in net interest income and non-interest income, as well as a decrease in the provision for credit losses, which were partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense, provision for income taxes and the payment of preferred stock dividends during the first quarter of 2025.

    First Quarter Financial Highlights

    • Net interest income increased $1.2 million, or 12.5%, to $11.2 million as interest income increased and interest expense decreased.
    • Total interest income increased $514,000, or 2.7%, to $19.2 million while total interest expense decreased $733,000, or 8.4%, to $8.0 million during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter in 2024. The increase in interest income was the result of a $1.6 million increase in interest income from loans, which was partially offset by a decrease in interest income from investments and other interest-earning assets. Interest expense decreased during the first quarter of 2025 due to lower market interest rates and the payoff of outstanding borrowings with the Federal Reserve, which resulted in a lower balance of average interest-bearing liabilities compared to the first quarter of 2024.
    • Non-interest income increased $122,000, or 5.3%, to $2.4 million during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter in the prior year primarily due to a $60,000 increase in rental income and $62,000 gain on sale of land held for sale. During the first quarter of 2025, we purchased a multi-tenant property resulting in an increase to rental income. The property is intended to be the future site of a full-service branch.
    • Non-interest expense increased $205,000, or 2.1%, to $9.8 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same quarter in the prior year primarily due to a $256,000 increase in salaries and expenses for employee benefits, which was partially offset by a decrease in expenses for advertising and depreciation and maintenance of equipment.
      Quarter Ended
    (Dollars in Thousands, except for Earnings per Share) 3/31/2025   3/31/2024
    Total interest income $ 19,233     $ 18,719  
    Total interest expense   8,004       8,737  
    Net interest income   11,229       9,982  
    Provision for credit losses   –       335  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   11,229       9,647  
    Non-interest income   2,443       2,321  
    Non-interest expense   9,840       9,635  
    Income before income taxes   3,832       2,333  
    Provision for income taxes   826       580  
    Net income   3,006       1,753  
    Preferred stock dividends   415       –  
    Net income available to common shareholders $ 2,591     $ 1,753  
    Earnings per common share (basic) $ 0.81     $ 0.54  
                   

    Credit Quality

    • The Bank recorded no provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2025 compared to $300,000 in provision for credit losses on loans and $35,000 in provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments, resulting in a total provision for credit losses of $335,000 for the first quarter of 2024.
    • Non-performing assets were $7.3 million, or 0.46% of total assets, at March 31, 2025, compared to $7.6 million, or 0.47% of total assets, at December 31, 2024.
    • The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross loans was 1.99% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.98% at December 31, 2024.
               
    At Period End (dollars in thousands): 3/31/2025
    		   12/31/2024
    		   3/31/2024
    Non-performing assets $ 7,264     $ 7,636     $ 6,635  
    Non-performing assets to total assets   0.46%       0.47%       0.44%  
    Allowance for credit losses $ 14,005     $ 13,894     $ 12,842  
    Allowance for credit losses to gross loans   1.99%       1.98%       1.95%  
                           

    Balance Sheet Highlights and Capital Management

    • Total assets were $1.6 billion at March 31, 2025, a year-over-year increase of $65.8 million, or 4.3%, and a $27.7 million, or 1.7% decrease from the prior quarter.
    • Cash and cash equivalents decreased $45.2 million during the first quarter of 2025 to $133.1 million at March 31, 2025 primarily because of the repayment of borrowings with the Federal Reserve.
    • Total loans receivable, net was $689.1 million at March 31, 2025, an increase of $2.0 million, or 0.3%, since December 31, 2024.
    • Investment securities increased $13.7 million, or 2.1%, during the quarter to $674.6 million at March 31, 2025, purchases of investment securities exceeded maturities and principal paydowns.
    • Deposits increased $21.5 million, or 1.6%, during the first quarter to $1.3 billion at March 31, 2025.
    • Borrowings decreased $53.6 million, or 57.6%, during the quarter to $39.4 million at March 31, 2025, primarily due to the repayment of borrowings with the Federal Reserve Bank.
    • Common equity book value per share increased to $32.57 at March 31, 2025, from $31.21 at December 31, 2024.
               
    Dollars in thousands (except per share amounts) 3/31/2025   12/31/2024
    		   3/31/2024
    Total assets $ 1,584,027     $ 1,611,773     $ 1,518,214  
    Cash and cash equivalents   133,080       178,277       92,775  
    Total loans receivable, net   689,111       687,149       646,007  
    Investment securities   674,569       660,823       691,554  
    Deposits   1,345,548       1,324,033       1,205,879  
    Borrowings   39,391       92,964       125,383  
    Total shareholders’ equity   186,738       182,389       174,569  
    Common shareholders’ equity   103,789       99,440       91,620  
    Common equity book value per share $ 32.57     $ 31.21     $ 28.41  
    Total risk based capital to risk weighted assets (1)   20.16%       19.96%       19.27%  
    CET1 capital to risk weighted assets (1)   18.90%       18.71%       18.01%  
    Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (1)   10.58%       9.88%       9.91%  
    (1) – Ratio is calculated using Bank only information and not consolidated information
         

    Security Federal has 19 full-service branches located in Aiken, Ballentine, Clearwater, Columbia, Graniteville, Langley, Lexington, North Augusta, Ridge Spring, Wagener and West Columbia, South Carolina and Augusta and Evans, Georgia. A full range of financial services, including trust and investments, are provided by the Bank and insurance services are provided by the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, Security Federal Insurance, Inc.  

    Forward-looking statements:

    Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding the Company’s mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety or range of factors including, but not limited to: potential adverse impacts to economic conditions in our local market area or other aspects of the Company’s business, operations or financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of employment levels, labor shortages and the effects of inflation, a potential recession or slowed economic growth; economic conditions in the Company’s primary market area; demand for residential, commercial business and commercial real estate, consumer, and other types of loans; success of new products; competitive conditions between banks and non-bank financial service providers; changes in the Community Development Capital Initiative (CDCI) Program; changes in management’s business strategies, including expectations regarding key growth initiatives and strategic priorities; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect the Company’s business, including the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules; the ability to attract and retain deposits; the availability of resources to address changes in laws, rules, or regulations or to respond to regulatory actions; adverse changes in the securities markets; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; technology factors affecting operations, including disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems or on the third-party vendors who perform critical processing functions for us; pricing of products and services; environmental, social and governance goals and targets; the effects of climate change, severe weather events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events on our business; and other risks detailed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. These factors should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake any responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BexBack Launches Game-Changing 100x Leverage, No KYC, and $100 Trading Bonus for New Traders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the cryptocurrency market experiences increased volatility, BexBack, a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform, is offering traders unparalleled opportunities to maximize their profits. With Bitcoin surging to new highs, reaching $95,000, BexBack is at the forefront, helping both new and experienced traders capitalize on the market’s fluctuations. The platform provides up to 100x leverage, no KYC, and exclusive bonuses, redefining the way crypto trading is done.

    Why Choose BexBack?

    BexBack is designed to offer more than just a simple trading platform. Its innovative features empower traders to take control of their investments with enhanced flexibility, safety, and profitability. Key advantages of the platform include:

    1. No KYC Requirement: Users can start trading immediately without undergoing complicated identity verification processes, ensuring maximum privacy.
    2. 100x Leverage: BexBack provides up to 100x leverage on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more, allowing traders to open larger positions with smaller capital and maximize profit potential in volatile market conditions.
    3. Exclusive Bonuses:
      • $100 Trading Bonus: New users who deposit at least 0.01 BTC or 1000 USDT and complete their first trade will receive a $100 bonus, helping them get started with trading and offset potential losses.
      • 100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds with a 100% deposit bonus, which can be used as margin for increased trading power. While this bonus is non-withdrawable, it can significantly amplify profits by allowing traders to open larger positions.
    4. Zero Deposit Fees: There are no deposit fees on the BexBack platform, giving traders more freedom to manage their investments without worrying about additional costs.

    How Does 100x Leverage Work?

    100x leverage allows traders to open positions much larger than their initial investment, enabling them to profit from even small price movements in the market. For example, if the price of Bitcoin rises by $5,000, a trader using 100x leverage can earn up to 5 BTC from a 1 BTC investment, resulting in a 500% return. However, traders should be cautious, as higher leverage also increases the risk of liquidation.

    Global Access and 24/7 Support

    BexBack is accessible to users across the globe, including in the United States, Canada, Europe, and many other regions. The platform is available via both web and mobile applications, offering users a feature-rich, seamless trading experience wherever they are. Additionally, BexBack offers 24/7 customer support to assist traders with any questions or issues they may encounter.

    The Future of Crypto Trading

    BexBack continues to innovate, offering traders the tools they need to succeed in the ever-changing world of cryptocurrency. The platform’s commitment to providing high-leverage trading, a user-friendly interface, and robust customer support has quickly earned it a reputation as a trusted platform in the global crypto community.

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    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform that offers 100x leverage on BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and XRP futures contracts. It is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. It holds a US MSB (Money Services Business) license and is trusted by more than 500,000 traders worldwide. Accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe. There are no deposit fees, and traders can get the most thoughtful service, including 24/7 customer support.

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: Ændring i midlertidig forhøjelse af emissionstillæg og indløsningsfradrag

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Vi skal herved oplyse, at bestyrelsen i Investeringsforeningen Maj Invest d.d. har besluttet at nedbringe den midlertidige forhøjelse af emissionstillæg og indløsningsfradrag for de nedenfor nævnte afdelinger gældende fra den 2. maj 2025.

    Beslutningen er en opfølgning på forhøjelsen gældende fra den 10. april 2025.

      Normal   Gældende fra 10. april 2025   Gældende fra 2. maj 2025
    Afdelinger/Andelsklasser Emission Indløsning   Emission Indløsning   Emission Indløsning
    Danske Obligationer 0,05 0,10   0,15 0,20   0,10 0,15
    Globale Obligationer 0,10 0,15   0,25 0,35   0,15 0,25
    Globale Obligationer Akk. 0,10 0,15   0,25 0,35   0,15 0,25
    Grønne Obligationer 0,10 0,15   0,25 0,35   0,15 0,25
    High Income Obligationer 0,25 0,35   0,55 0,75   0,35 0,50
    Pension 0,15 0,20   0,35 0,40   0,20 0,25
    Big Picture 0,20 0,20   0,40 0,40   0,25 0,25

    Når afdelingerne igen vender tilbage til emissionstillæg og indløsningsfradrag i henhold til prospektet, vil der blive givet meddelelse herom.

    Eventuelle spørgsmål til denne meddelelse kan rettes til direktør i foreningens investeringsforvaltningsselskab, Lise Bøgelund Jensen, på tlf. 33 28 28 28.

    Med venlig hilsen

    Investeringsforeningen Maj Invest

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Britt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Refocus National Hydrology Research, Boost Flood Resiliency Bill would make permanent the hydrology research center at UVM

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) this week reintroduced the bipartisan Water Research Optimization Act of 2025, legislation to streamline hydrological forecast modeling within the National Weather Service. The Senators’ legislation would place America’s 13 River Forecast Centers under the supervision and oversight of the Office of Water Protection and solidify existing hydrology work conducted through the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), the United States’ first-ever center for water forecast operations.  
    CIROH has evolved into a revolutionary, collaborative hub between the public and private sector for research and development. The Water Research Optimization Act of 2025 would make CIROH’s research center at the University of Vermont (UVM) permanent and align UVM’s hydrology work with the National Weather Service to boost flood resiliency research.  
    “Investing in hydrology modeling and prediction is crucial to boosting flood resilience across the country, from Vermont to Alabama. That includes supporting important hydrology research and programs at the University of Vermont that improve hydrologic forecasting, such as the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will strengthen and align current hydrology research at the National Weather Service with vital research at UVM to foster flood resilience and help communities rebuild better after natural disasters.”  
    “The National Water Center has been instrumental to NOAA’s efforts to strengthen America’s water forecasting capabilities, improve weather-preparedness, and modernize water research technologies,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud of the Center’s world-class capabilities, and I have no doubt this legislation will further enhance critical research and applied sciences that benefit our entire nation. I’m grateful to Senator Welch for his support and leadership through our bipartisan bill.” 
    “We are grateful to Senators Welch and Britt for their leadership in introducing pivotal legislation to support CIROH. Funding for these efforts allows the University of Vermont to continue vital research on water that impacts the quality of life of Vermonters and communities across the country. We are proud to be able to contribute to this work,” said Kirk Dombrowski, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University of Vermont. 
    CIROH’s national coalition of academic, industry, and non-profit partners includes the University of Vermont, which functions closely alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Water Center to support stakeholders with hydrological data and important weather-related forecasts and warnings. This legislation would place CIROH Centers under the supervision and oversight of the National Weather Service’s Office of Water Protection and codify the National Water Center’s authority to lead the transition of water resources research.  
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Signs Bills Strengthening Georgia Workforce Development

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) leadership, and members of the Georgia General Assembly signed legislation strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline at the TCSG Leadership Summit. Building on recent measures that connect Georgians with career opportunities, each of the bills signed by the Governor further opened pathways for learners of all ages to receive the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

    “As the No. 1 state for business, Georgia has seen record-breaking jobs and investment come to communities in every part of the state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “With the bills I signed today, we’re taking further steps to prepare Georgians to walk through those open doors. I’m proud to sign these bills with so many of the men and women whose work every day is building the workforce of tomorrow.”

    Governor Kemp signed three pieces of legislation included below:

    HB 217, sponsored by Representatives Soo Hong and Chuck Martin and carried in the Senate by Senator Bo Hatchett, is TCSG agency legislation that reforms the Dual Achievement Program and extends the pilot an additional five years. It also includes Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) agency legislation on granting the agency the ability to use DOR’s data to verify income for Promise Scholarship applicants and a fix on the enrollment count reference date for the school board elections nepotism clause. The Governor is also grateful for the leadership of Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier, and GSFC Presidents Lynne Riley and Chris Green on this legislation.

    SB 180, sponsored by Senator Clint Dixon and carried in the House by Representative Matt Dubnik, enables apprenticeship sponsors in addition to employer sponsors to participate in the High Demand Apprenticeship Program and receive funding for the successful completion of apprenticeships.

    SB 193, sponsored by Senator Matt Brass and carried in the House by Representative Houston Gaines, establishes an adult workforce high school diploma program within TCSG to award diplomas to individuals between the ages of 21 and 40.

    Governor Kemp extends his appreciation to all of those whose diligent work and efforts led to him being able to sign these bills today.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Bank of Canada announces 2024–25 scholarship recipients

    Source: Bank of Canada

    The Bank of Canada is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of its scholarship awards for students with disabilities, Indigenous students, LGBTQ2S+ students, francophones and students who identify as a woman or as a member of a racialized group. We know that the inclusion of diverse identities and ideas fosters innovative thinking and better policy outcomes for Canadians. It’s core to our success as a leading central bank. That is why our scholarships are designed to encourage Canadians from diverse backgrounds to further their education and consider employment in fields related to the work of the Bank.

    The 2024-25 award recipients are as follows:

    • Abigail Meloche, pursuing a Bachelor of Economics at Carleton University
    • Allison Tsypin, pursuing a Bachelor of Mathematics at McGill University
    • Andy Duan, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Princeton University
    • April Quill, pursuing a Bachelor of Science with major in Statistics at University of Manitoba
    • Wendy Liao, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science and business at Western University
    • Elliot Thordarson, pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at I.H. Asper School of Business (University of Manitoba)
    • Katherine Brennan, completed a bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics at University of Toronto, with plans to pursue a master’s degree in economics
    • Katherine Karapetrovic, pursuing a Bachelor of International Economics at University of British Columbia
    • Laila Virani, pursing a bachelor’s degree in business at University of British Columbia
    • Linda Nidale-Sadeck, pursuing a Bachelor of Economics at Carleton University
    • Manahil Malik, completed a bachelor’s degree in economics at University of Toronto, with plans to pursue a master’s degree in economics
    • Manuel Fernandez, pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce, Management, Economics and Finance at University of Guelph
    • Melody Johnson, pursuing a college diploma in Protection, Security and Investigation at Conestoga College
    • Rand Al-Nauimi, pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce with option in Business Technology Management at Telfer School of Management (University of Ottawa)
    • Rosana Gao, pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science at University of Toronto
    • Simeon Muepu, pursuing a Bachelor of Finance at Université de Montreal
    • Xavier Desroches Borelly, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Western University
    • Yeo Eun Chi, completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration with specialization in finance at University of Toronto, with plans to pursue a master’s degree in economics

    The 2024–25 recipients of the Bank’s Scholarship Award for Post-Secondary Students receive Can$8,000. The award is intended to assist the following students with tuition at an accredited academic institution:

    • students with disabilities
    • Indigenous students
    • LGBTQ2S+ students
    • francophones
    • students who identify as a woman
    • students who identify as a member of a racialized group

    Successful candidates may be offered a work opportunity at the Bank, with mentorship by a Bank employee.

    Recipients of the Master’s Scholarship Award for Women in Economics and Finance must have completed or be in the final two years of an undergraduate degree at a Canadian university and self-identify as a woman. In addition to the award of Can$10,000, successful candidates may be offered a work opportunity at the Bank, with mentorship by a Bank employee.

    For more information on all opportunities for students, please visit our webpage.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: APPlife Digital Solutions, Inc. Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Sugar Auto Parts, Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — APPlife Digital Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: ALDS) (“APPlife” or “the Company”), a business incubator and portfolio manager specializing in e-commerce and cloud-based solutions, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement (“Agreement”) to acquire Sugar Auto Parts, Inc., a Nevada corporation.

    The acquisition is anticipated to close in May 2025, subject to customary closing conditions outlined in the Agreement. Shareholders and interested parties can find comprehensive details regarding the transaction in the Company’s forthcoming 8-K filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, expected within the next five business days.

    ABOUT APPLIFE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
    APPlife Digital Solutions Inc., with offices in San Francisco, CA., and Shanghai, China, is a business incubator and portfolio manager that creates and invests in e-commerce and cloud-based solutions. The Company invests in and develops solutions for work, home life, recreation, and research that make users more productive and efficient, whether at work, home, or traveling the world. APPlife’s cloud-based businesses are designed to provide easy-to-use life solutions, often to address everyday issues and needs. They include a wide array of topics and needed services to cover the full marketplace across the spectrum. For more information, visit www.applifedigital.com.

    Contact Information:
    APPlife Digital Solutions
    Investor Relations
    Tel: (585) 232-5440
    Email: jody@applifedigital.com

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things our plans, strategies, and prospects — both business and financial. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, acquisitions, intentions, or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated,” and “potential,” among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents that we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to APPlife Digital Solutions, Inc. or a person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary language.

    The MIL Network –