NewzIntel.com

Category: Finance

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

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    *                *                *

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On recognizing exchange bond programs as invalid and canceling their registration

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    In accordance with the Listing Rules of Moscow Exchange PJSC, in connection with the receipt of the relevant application, the Chairman of the Management Board on February 14, 2025 made the following decisions:

    to declare the exchange bond programs invalid; to cancel the registration of the exchange bond programs:

    Name of the Issuer Limited Liability Company “Sovcom Finance”
    Name of the program Series 001P Exchange Bond Program
    Program registration number 4-00548-R-001P-02E dated 08/07/2020

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Darknet Drug Trafficking Couple From Las Vegas Sentenced in D.C. to Federal Prison Terms

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

    WASHINGTON—Rushan Lavar Reed, 47, and Celeste Nicole Reed, 28, both of Las Vegas, Nevada, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 51 months and 37 months in federal prison, respectively, for participating in a long-term sophisticated drug trafficking conspiracy that illegally distributed “pharmacy grade- not homemade pressed pills” nationwide across seven online darknet markets.

    The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Phoenix Division, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Schwartz of the Las Vegas Field Office, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division.

    Rushan Reed, aka “Double R,” and Celeste Reed, aka “Calileone,” each pleaded guilty October 22, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine. In addition to the prison terms, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered the couple to serve three years of supervised release.

    According to court documents, for six years the married couple operated an online storefront called “MrsFeelGood” to illegally distribute a variety of narcotics across the United States, including the District of Columbia. They used darknet markets that included Monopoly, Versus, ASAP, AlphaBay, Wall Street, Archetyp, Bohemia, Empire, Dream, and White House. In addition to oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamines, they also sold and distributed MDMA, codeine, Vyvanse, Dilaudid, and marijuana. Operating on the darkweb made it possible for the Reeds to hide their identities, hide the location of their computers, and hide their illegal sales. In addition, they used cryptocurrency to launder their money so that the illegal proceeds of their drug trafficking would be difficult to trace.

    On October 11, 2023, law enforcement executed arrest warrants at the couple’s Las Vegas home and arrested them both. Officers recovered, among other things: multiple pills in prescription bottles, packaging materials; gloves; black Ziploc bags; and empty prescription pill bottles with the names of the defendants and other uncharged coconspirators. Officers also recovered an assortment of electronic devices and an AR-15 firearm. The laptop was set up to use an operating system designed to access the darknet and protect against surveillance.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, the USPIS Washington Division, and USPIS Phoenix Division.

    The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter V. Roman with valuable assistance provided by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Isabelle Sun, former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Crosby, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Wang.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgetown Woman Sentenced to 18 Years for Lying to FBI During Brittanee Drexel Investigation

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

    CHARLESTON, S.C. — Angel Cooper Vause, 57, of Georgetown, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to lying to federal investigators about her role in the 2009 kidnapping and murder of Brittanee Drexel.

    According to evidence presented in court, Vause concealed the truth of what happened to Brittanee and her involvement for more than 13 years. Vause told investigators that Brittanee willingly joined her and Raymond Moody, that she left Moody and Brittanee at the Pole Yard Boat Landing near Georgetown, and that she did not take Brittanee’s cell phone with her, when in reality, she participated in Brittanee’s abduction and was complicit in her rape and murder. On the night of Brittanee’s disappearance in April 2009, Vause assisted Moody in luring the 17-year-old into their vehicle, promising her a ride to her hotel. Vause left Brittanee alone with Moody at the site of her rape and murder taking her cellphone, her only chance of survival, with her. The judge noted during the sentencing hearing that Vause was a “key participant in this tragedy, facilitating the kidnapping of a child.”

    “For more than a decade, Brittanee’s loved ones were left to imagine the worst possible scenario in Brittanee’s disappearance while Vause withheld the truth,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “We hope Brittanee’s loved ones can now have both the closure and a measure of justice that comes with this sentence. May she rest in peace knowing that her mother Dawn was relentless in her pursuit of justice.”

    “The FBI is committed to following the evidence to uncover the truth,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia field office. “This sentence underscores the gravity of lying during an investigation. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will always investigate the facts and hold accountable anyone who distorts the truth to obstruct justice.”

    United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Vause to 216 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Winston Holliday and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Indictment in Chicago Charges Two Chinese Companies and Four Individuals with Conspiring to Unlawfully Possess Trade Secrets

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

    CHICAGO — Two related Chinese companies conspired with former employees of an Illinois facility operated by Philips Medical Systems to unlawfully possess Philips’ trade secrets, according to an indictment returned in federal court in Chicago.

    Philips owned and operated a facility in Aurora, Ill., that engaged in the research, development, and manufacture of X-ray tubes used in computed tomography (CT) medical imaging machines.  The company spent years developing its proprietary X-ray technology and selling devices incorporating this proprietary technology to medical facilities. According to the indictment, China-based KUNSHAN GUOLI ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. and a Kunshan GuoLi vice president, XIAOQIN DU, 63, of Suzhou, China, helped form a rival X-ray tube development company and headquartered it in Aurora.  In 2017, Kunshan GuoLi and Du recruited and hired for the new company three engineers from Philips’ Aurora facility, CHIH-YEE JEN, 69, of Mequon, Wisc., FINCE TENDIAN, 56, of Aurora, Ill., and VLADIMIR NEVTONENKO, 76, of Arlington Heights, Ill.

    The indictment alleges that before the end of his employment at Philips, Jen copied, without authorization, Philips’ X-ray trade secret information from internal Philips databases.  Jen stole the proprietary information on behalf of Kunshan GuoLi and Du, the indictment states. Jen used the stolen information in connection with his work developing X-ray tubes at the rival X-ray tube development company for Kunshan GuoLi and a related Chinese company, KUNSHAN YIYUAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., the indictment states.  Jen then shared the information with Tendian, who used it in her work for the new company, the indictment states.  Nevtonenko also allegedly possessed and used the stolen information in his work there.

    The indictment charges the two Chinese companies and the four individuals with conspiracy to unlawfully possess trade secrets.  Jen is also charged with an individual count of possession or attempted possession of a stolen trade secret.  Jen, Tendian, and Nevtonenko pleaded not guilty during their arraignments in federal court in Chicago.  Arraignments for the companies have not yet been scheduled, and an arrest warrant has been issued for Du.  A joint status report on the case will be submitted to U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang by March 31, 2025.

    The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kavitha Babu, Vikas Didwania, and Ramon Villalpando.

    The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: Mysterious Drug Pricing Needs a Dose of Sunshine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    Q: What are pharmacy benefit managers?
    A: Iowans may not know exactly what pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are, but they do know they’re fed up with sticker shock at the pharmacy counter. Six decades ago, PBMs started out processing drug claims. Then, they evolved into an intermediary between pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies and third-party payers, including health insurance companies, self-insured employers, unions and government programs. Eventually, a complex system emerged, expanding PBMs’ influence and profits instead of driving down costs and improving patient services. For example, PBMs’ business models incentivize purchasing brand name drugs over lower-priced generic drugs. Today, just three PBMs control nearly 80 percent of the prescription drug market. These conglomerates operate out of the view of regulators and consumers, setting prescription drug costs, deciding which drugs are covered by insurance plans, determining how they’re dispensed and pocketing unknown sums that might otherwise be passed along as savings to consumers. What’s more, they undercut local independent pharmacies. Things need to change.
    For the better part of a decade, I’ve been laser-focused on shining a spotlight on PBMs. In 2019, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I called the top executives from major PBMs to testify about drug pricing in America. I teamed up with Senator Ron Wyden to conduct a two-year bipartisan investigation into insulin price gouging.  And I requested the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look into potential anticompetitive practices occurring in the industry. Three bills I co-sponsored have been signed into law, including the CREATES Act, Right Rebate Act and Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act. In 2023, the Judiciary Committee passed five of my bipartisan bills to boost competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve patient access to more affordable prescription medicines.
    At my annual 99 county meetings, I hear regularly from Iowans who struggle to afford their medications and want to know why getting a prescription filled is so unnecessarily complicated, from mail-order options to confusing coupons and rebates. They also want to know why Americans pay more for the identical prescription medications than patients in other countries. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recent data show nearly 50 percent of Americans used at least one prescription drug in the previous month, nearly 25 percent used three or more prescription drugs and 13.5 percent used five or more. Tens of millions of Americans rely on pharmaceutical therapies to manage chronic conditions, particularly those diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis and cancer. This is a matter of life and death for loved ones in families across the country. In 2023, the U.S. health care system spent $449.7 billion on retail prescription drugs, more than any other country. American taxpayers and patients aren’t getting the most bang for the buck.
    Q: What are you doing in this Congress to hold PBMs accountable?
    A: Returning as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, lowering drug prices is among my top legislative and oversight priorities. That includes building on my efforts to shine a bright light on PBMs. To that end, I’m pushing the FTC to finish its work. While I’ve welcomed a couple of its interim reports, it’s time to get the job done. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, and I have teamed up to reintroduce a pair of bipartisan bills to combat the high cost of prescription drugs and pull back the curtain on PBMs. Transparency brings accountability. The Prescription Pricing for the People Actwould require the FTC to finish its study in a timely manner and provide policy recommendations to Congress to improve competition and protect consumers. The Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act would ban deceptive and unfair pricing schemes and require PBMs to report to the FTC how much they make through spread pricing and pharmacy fees. Spread pricing is the difference between what PBMs charge a health plan and what they pay to a pharmacy for a certain drug. This practice is costing patients and taxpayers while curtailing access to affordable prescription drugs. I’m committed to bringing sunshine and fairness to the prescription drug marketplace. Learn more about my work to lower prescription drug prices here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Permanently Repeal the Death Tax

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and 44 senators in reintroducing legislation to permanently repeal the federal estate tax, commonly known as the death tax. The Death Tax Repeal Act would end this purely punitive tax that can hit family-run farms, ranches and businesses as the result of the owner’s death.

    “After a farmer or business owner puts a lifetime of work into a family business, the death tax slaps the next generation with an unaffordable burden upon the passing of a loved one. It’s an outdated measure that’s keeping family farms and businesses from where they’re supposed to be; in the family. Our legislation would end this tax so that family farms can keep their money, invest in the rural communities and create new opportunities,” Grassley said.

    “Family farms and ranches play a vital role in our economy and are the lifeblood of rural communities in South Dakota. Losing even one of them to the death tax is one too many. It’s time to put an end to this punishing, burdensome tax once and for all so that family farms, ranches and small businesses can grow and thrive without costly estate planning or massive tax burdens that can threaten their viability,” Thune said.

    Additional cosponsors are Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

    Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa).

    Find bill text HERE.

    Background:

    Grassley has long opposed the death tax, he welcomed the Senate’s attempt to repeal the death tax while Congress considered the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017. Although the final version of the TCJA did not repeal the death tax, the law effectively doubled the individual estate and gift tax exclusion to $10 million (approximately $13.9 million in 2025 dollars) through 2025, which prevents more families and generationally-owned businesses from being affected by this tax. The increased exclusion expires at the end of 2025, which increases uncertainty and planning costs for family-owned businesses, farms and ranches.

    The Death Tax Repeal Act is supported by more than 190 members of the Family Business Coalition and more than 105 members of the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition, which includes the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Restaurant Association, the National Association of Home Builders and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Who Escaped Federal Prison Camp in Colorado, Evaded Capture for Five Years, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

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

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Allen Todd May, age 60, was sentenced to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud, one count of escape, and one count of aggravated identity theft. May’s sentence is to be served consecutive to the approximately seven years he must serve on a sentence imposed in the Northern District of Texas, which he was serving when he escaped. May was also ordered to serve three years on supervised release after completion of his prison sentence and to pay $9,113,375.49 in restitution, and forfeit the fraud proceeds and assets he obtained during the scheme.

    According to the plea agreement, between mid-2016 and December 2018, while serving a 20-year sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Englewood, Colorado, May devised a scheme to falsely and fraudulently claim that he and entities controlled by him were entitled to oil and gas royalties that had not yet been claimed by the true owners.  May was able to participate in this scheme through an unlawfully obtained iPhone he purchased from a fellow inmate at the Federal Prison Camp. Throughout the course of this scheme, May obtained more than $700,000 in royalties to which he was not entitled.

    At the Federal Prison Camp, May worked as a facilities clerk where he drove vehicles on prison grounds. On December 21, 2018, May drove off the Federal Prison Camp Compound and eluded capture by federal law enforcement for nearly five years. While on the run, May engaged in the same fraudulent oil and gas royalties scheme and netted $8 million in funds to which he was not entitled and used these funds to support his extravagant lifestyle. He stole the identities of inmates serving long sentences, presented himself as those individuals, and conducted his fraud in their names.

    The United States Marshals Service arrested May in August of 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he had been living under an alias.

    “The people of Colorado and Florida are safer today because Allen Todd May is back behind bars,” said Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “The Federal Government will not rest when it comes to pursuing fraudsters and fugitives.”

    “This repeat offender demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law. While in federal prison, he orchestrated a $700,000 fraud scheme, audaciously escaped, and continued to victimize unsuspecting Americans while on the run for five years,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “Thanks to the tireless work of the U.S. Marshals Service, he was apprehended, and his criminal activities were stopped. The defendant’s actions leave no doubt that he is a threat to society and deserves to remain incarcerated.”

    “On behalf of the U.S. Marshals, I want to recognize and thank the anonymous tipster for the information they provided that directly led to the arrest of this unorthodox fugitive,” said District of Colorado U.S. Marshal Kirk Taylor. “I would also like to thank and recognize the incredible tenacity of the Deputy U.S. Marshals who pursued every lead over the years in the District of Colorado, culminating in the arrest in the Southern District of Florida.  Their relentless pursuit of this fugitive and the coordination of the agencies involved is a true testament to the U.S. Marshals Service.”

    United States District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the sentencing.

    The United States Marshals Service and the FBI Denver Field Office handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Martha Paluch and Tonya S. Andrews handled the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Springville Teacher Going to Prison for 10 Years Following Child Pornography Conviction

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

    BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Frank E. Noeson III, 47, of Holland, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison and 30 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that Noeson, who was then a 5th grade teacher at a local elementary school, engaged in sexual communications with a minor female (Victim) using Snapchat. The Victim was 16 years old when the communications began. During the communications, Noeson persuaded the Victim to create sexually explicit images and videos and send them to him. Noeson also  engaged in sexual communications with another minor female victim, who was 15 years-old, using Snapchat. During these communications, the victim sent numerous images and videos of child pornography.

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Buffalo Office Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the FBI Miami Field Office, and the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.     

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Calian Reports on the Election of Directors Voting Results 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The following matter was voted upon at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Calian® Group Ltd. (TSX:CGY), held on February 13, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. This and other matters voted upon are described in greater detail in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Management Proxy Circular dated December 30, 2024.  

    Detailed results of the vote for the election of directors are set out below.    

      
    Name of Nominee      		   
    Votes For      		   
    % Votes For      		   
    Votes Against     		   
    % Votes Against 
    George Weber   6,474,389 82.99% 1,327,223 17.01%
    Josh Blair 7,786,162 99.80% 15,450 0.20%
    Kevin Ford   7,788,179 99.83% 13,433 0.17%
    Lisa Greatrix 7,781,072 99.74% 20,540 0.26%
    Lori O’Neill  7,630,438 97.81% 171,174 2.19%
    Young Park   7,634,699 97.86% 166,913 2.14%
    Jo-Anne Poirier   7,635,858 97.88% 165,754 2.12%
    Royden Ronald Richardson   7,633,263 97.84% 168,349 2.16%
    Valerie Sorbie  7,638,974 97.92% 162,638 2.08%

      
    For more details, including the outcome of other matters that came before the Meeting, please see the report of voting results filed at www.sedarplus.ca.   

    About Calian

    www.calian.com

    We keep the world moving forward. Calian® helps people communicate, innovate, learn and lead safe and healthy lives. Every day, our employees live our values of customer commitment, integrity, innovation, respect and teamwork to engineer reliable solutions that solve complex challenges. That’s Confidence. Engineered. A stable and growing 40-year company, we are headquartered in Ottawa with offices and projects spanning North American, European and international markets. Visit calian.com to learn about innovative healthcare, communications, learning and cybersecurity solutions.

    Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    Media inquiries:

    media@calian.com

    613-599-8600

    Investor Relations inquiries:

    ir@calian.com

    —————————————————————————–

    DISCLAIMER

    Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, please see the Company’s most recent annual report and other reports filed by Calian with the Ontario Securities Commission. Calian disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No assurance can be given that actual results, performance or achievement expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements within this disclosure will occur, or if they do, that any benefits may be derived from them.

    Calian · Head Office · 770 Palladium Drive · Ottawa · Ontario · Canada · K2V 1C8
    Tel: 613.599.8600 · Fax: 613-592-3664 · General info email: info@calian.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ITC bars importation of power modules and unlicensed computing systems that infringe Vicor patents

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vicor Corporation (NASDAQ: VICR) today announced that, on February 13, the International Trade Commission (“ITC”) issued a Notice of Final Determination in its Investigation No. 337-TA-1370 (“In the Matter of Certain Power Converter Modules and Computing Systems Containing the Same”), confirming that Vicor U.S. Patent Nos. 9,516,761 (“’761 patent”) and 9,166,481 (“’481 patent”) are valid and infringed, and that unlicensed computing systems containing infringing power modules should be barred from importation into the United States.

    The ITC issued a Limited Exclusion Order against all Respondents and Cease and Desist Orders against Respondents Delta Electronics (Americas) Ltd., Quanta Computer USA Inc. and Quanta Computer Inc., FII USA Inc., and Ingrasys Technology USA Inc.

    Following the determination, for a mandatory 60-day presidential review period, Respondents may import infringing power modules and computing systems upon posting a bond. The ITC set the bond amount for the computing systems at 100% of the system’s value. Following the expiration of the presidential review period, Respondents would be prohibited from importing infringing power modules and computing systems.

    The Final Determination reversed a prior finding that Foxconn Respondents did not have a license to Vicor patents and instead found that two Foxconn affiliates—FII USA, Inc. and Ingrasys Technology, Inc.—have a license to the ’761 patent, based on boilerplate clauses in these entities’ purchase orders for Vicor components. Vicor intends to appeal this finding to the Federal Circuit.

    “As expected, Respondents are now subject to exclusion and cease and desist orders, exposing their unlicensed customers to severe consequences,” stated Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patrizio Vinciarelli. “Mindful of the risk of AI and computing systems being barred from importation into the U.S., certain OEM and non-OEM customers of infringing contract manufacturers have taken licenses. We look forward to additional steps to protect Vicor IP, including a trial in the Eastern District of Texas, where Vicor seeks monetary damages for willful infringement.”

    For more information on Vicor and its products, please visit the Company’s website at www.vicorpower.com.

    About Vicor

    Vicor Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets modular power components and complete power systems based upon a portfolio of patented technologies. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Vicor sells its products to the power systems market, including enterprise and high performance computing, industrial equipment and automation, telecommunications and network infrastructure, vehicles and transportation, aerospace and defense. www.vicorpower.com

    Vicor is a registered trademark of Vicor Corporation.

    Contact

    James F. Schmidt
    Chief Financial Officer
    Office: (978) 470-2900
    Email: invrel@vicorpower.com

    The MIL Network –

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

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 14, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The IRS MATH Act reforms the math error process by:

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

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nevada Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Seeking Nearly $100M in COVID-19 Employment Tax Credits

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Nevada woman pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the United States by making claims for refunds of false COVID-19 related employment tax credits.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit (ERC) and paid sick and family leave credit. From around June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed approximately 1,227 false tax returns for her businesses and others claiming these refundable credits.

    In total, these claims sought refunds of over $98 million, of which the IRS paid approximately $33 million. McCoy personally received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds and was paid about $800,000 from those on whose behalf she filed fraudulent returns. McCoy knew that these returns were fraudulent. Neither she nor the others for whom she filed them were eligible to receive the refundable credits in the amounts claimed. McCoy used the proceeds for her personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury cars, gambling at casinos, vacations and other luxury goods.

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, Congress authorized the ERC for small businesses to reduce the employment tax owed to the IRS. Congress also authorized the IRS to give a credit against employment taxes to reimburse businesses for the wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. This credit was equal to the wages the business paid the employees during the sick or family leave, subject to a maximum amount.

    McCoy is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2026. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Spokane Valley Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Production and Attempted Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Spokane, Washington – On February 13, 2025, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Nicholas James Thieschafer, age 31, of Spokane Valley, Washington, to 25 years in federal prison on charges of production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material. Judge Rice also imposed a life term of supervised release and restitution of over $63,000, to be paid to Thieschafer’s victims.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, a minor disclosed in February 2023 that Thieschafer had been sexually abusing the minor and had at times used his phone to take pictures.  When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Theieschafer’s home and seized several electronic devices, investigators located 3,300 image and video files of child sexual abuse material, including 877 files depicting the child who made the initial disclosure. Investigators located several videos in which Theischafer was readily identifiable as the person sexually abusing the child.

    “Those who prey on innocent children will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker.  “Protecting Eastern Washington communities—especially our most vulnerable among us—is a top priority. Our incredible team of prosecutors and support staff will continue to work tirelessly with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served.”

    “Thanks to the relentless efforts of our special agents, criminal analysts, and law enforcement partners, Mr. Thieschafer will be held accountable for his heinous crimes,” said ICE HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy. “This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for HSI to stay vigilant in our mission to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Our commitment to the victims of these crimes is resolute, and we will continue to collaborate closely with our partners to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security, Washington State Patrol, and the Spokane Police Department, which make up the Eastern Washington Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), a Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) affiliate. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann T. Wick.

    2:23-cr-00129-TOR

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Seeks Candidates for Membership on the Investor Advisory Committee

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking candidates for appointment as members of the SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee, which was established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to help protect investors and improve securities regulation. Candidates will be considered for open at-large membership positions on the committee, as well as for a position as the member who is representative of the interests of senior citizens, as provided in the Act.

    The purpose of the Investor Advisory Committee is to advise the Commission, protect investor interests and promote the integrity of the securities marketplace. Committee members represent the interests of investors, are knowledgeable about investment issues, and have reputations for integrity.

    The committee advises and consults with the Commission on:

    • Regulatory priorities of the Commission;
    • Issues relating to the regulation of securities products, trading strategies, fee structures, and the effectiveness of disclosure;
    • Initiatives to protect investor interests; and
    • Initiatives to promote investor confidence and the integrity of the securities marketplace.

    “We look forward to receiving candidates who want to serve on the Investor Advisory Committee,” said SEC Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda. “Obtaining a variety of investor views helps the SEC to fulfill our mission on behalf of American issuers and investors.”

    Members of the public interested in serving on the committee in either of the above capacities should promptly email a letter of interest to iac-candidates@sec.gov with applicable information about their relevant experience. The letter of interest should indicate whether the person submitting the letter seeks to serve as one of the at-large committee members or as the committee member representing the interests of senior citizens. The deadline for submission of a letter of interest is March 15, 2025. Those who have previously applied for membership on the committee must re-apply to be considered at this time.

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nevada Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Seeking Nearly $100M in COVID-19 Employment Tax Credits

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Nevada woman pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the United States by making claims for refunds of false COVID-19 related employment tax credits.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit (ERC) and paid sick and family leave credit. From around June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed approximately 1,227 false tax returns for her businesses and others claiming these refundable credits.

    In total, these claims sought refunds of over $98 million, of which the IRS paid approximately $33 million. McCoy personally received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds and was paid about $800,000 from those on whose behalf she filed fraudulent returns. McCoy knew that these returns were fraudulent. Neither she nor the others for whom she filed them were eligible to receive the refundable credits in the amounts claimed. McCoy used the proceeds for her personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury cars, gambling at casinos, vacations and other luxury goods.

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, Congress authorized the ERC for small businesses to reduce the employment tax owed to the IRS. Congress also authorized the IRS to give a credit against employment taxes to reimburse businesses for the wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. This credit was equal to the wages the business paid the employees during the sick or family leave, subject to a maximum amount.

    McCoy is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2026. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Warwick Man Sentenced for Traveling with the Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE, RI – A Warwick man who previously admitted to a federal judge that he traveled to a local hotel via a commercial rideshare provider with the intent to have sex with a person he thought to be 13 years old was sentenced today to six years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

    Zachary Q. Baker 39, admitted that on March 10, 2023, he responded to an online advertisement for escorts that contained images of what appeared to be two young females being offered for a “short visit” and a “little fun.” Baker engaged in a lengthy series of text messages with a person he believed was offering a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old for sex in exchange for a fee.

    According to information presented to the court, after several hours of text messaging, Baker traveled to a local hotel via a rideshare where he met with the person he believed was arranging for a sexual encounter with one or both of the girls. The person with whom Baker was communicating and with whom he met was, in fact, a Homeland Security Investigations agent.

    Baker was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Senior Judge William E. Smith to 72 months of incarceration to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release. Baker pleaded guilty on July 9, 2024, to a charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

    The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Charges One Oak Capital Management and Michael DeRosa with Breaching Fiduciary Duties to Clients

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed settled charges against New York-based registered investment adviser One Oak Capital Management LLC, and former One Oak investment adviser representative, Michael DeRosa, for misconduct related to advisory services provided to their retail clients.

    According to the SEC’s order, from approximately June 2020 through October 2023, One Oak and DeRosa recommended that DeRosa’s customers at an unaffiliated broker-dealer, at which he was simultaneously employed, convert more than 180 brokerage accounts to advisory accounts at One Oak. Most of these customers were elderly and had been long-time customers of DeRosa’s at the broker-dealer, which charged the customers on a commission basis. According to the order, One Oak and DeRosa ignored their fiduciary duty and failed to adequately disclose that the conversions from brokerage accounts to advisory accounts would result in significantly higher fees for the clients and increased compensation for DeRosa; nor did they disclose the resulting conflict of interest. The order finds that the change in fee structure resulted in significantly increased costs, but the clients generally received no additional services or benefits. The order further finds that One Oak and DeRosa failed to adequately consider whether it was in their clients’ best interests to convert their brokerage accounts to advisory accounts, and in fact, many of the accounts were not suitable to be advisory accounts.

    “We remain committed to holding accountable investment advisers who breach their fiduciary duties at the expense of retail clients,” said Tejal D. Shah, Associate Regional Director in the New York Regional Office. “One Oak and DeRosa converted brokerage accounts to advisory accounts when it benefitted them through higher fees, but that conversion was not in their clients’ best interests.”

    The SEC’s order finds that One Oak and DeRosa willfully violated the antifraud provisions of Section 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and that One Oak also violated the compliance rule provisions of the Advisers Act. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, One Oak consented to an order requiring it to pay a civil penalty of $150,000 and to retain an independent compliance consultant to review certain of its policies and procedures related to its retail business. Without admitting or denying the findings in the order, DeRosa agreed to a civil penalty of $75,000 and to a nine-month industry suspension.

    The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Alexander M. Levine, Hermann A. Vargas, and Liora Sukhatme under the supervision of Ms. Shah, all of the New York Regional Office. The SEC appreciates the assistance of Thomas Strafaci, Stephanie A. Morena, David Jaffe, and Jennifer A. Grumbrecht of the Division of Examinations in the New York Regional Office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Inside the FBI Podcast: Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores Added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

    On this episode of Inside the FBI, learn about Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores, who is accused of flooding the U.S. with deadly drugs and other crimes.
    —————————————————
    Subscribe to Inside the FBI wherever you get your podcasts:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2d3cg…
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
    Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0…
    More ways to follow us: https://inside-the-fbi.transistor.fm/…

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    X: https://twitter.com/fbi
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFvV0cqymKY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two Free Weekends Announced for Out-of-State Snowmobilers

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced two free snowmobile weekends for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers to rev their engines and explore what New York has to offer. New York State will waive registration fees for out-of-state snowmobilers February 28-March 2 and March 7-9, 2025, encouraging out-of-state visitors to come ride the more than 10,000 miles of snowmobile trails in New York State.

    “New York is home to more than 10,000 miles of snowmobile trails, making it the perfect place to explore everything from snow peaked mountains and endless forests to pristine valleys and the Great Lakes,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of the beauty our state has to offer, and we’re making it easier with free snowmobiling weekends for adventurers to see it for themselves.”

    During the weekends, the registration requirement in New York is waived for already properly registered and insured out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts. Participants in these free snowmobiling events must operate a snowmobile that is registered in their home state/province and must carry any applicable insurance as required. Outside of this promotion, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers are required to register their snowmobiles with New York State before hitting the State’s trails — from the Hudson Valley to the North Country to Western New York.

    These free snowmobiling weekends, February 28-March 2 and March 7-9, 2025, help boost tourism for State and local economies, and reinforce New York’s commitment to the industry. New York State has made an ongoing commitment to snowmobile trail maintenance and our local grants program is funded by snowmobile registration fees collected by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and deposited into the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund. County and municipal governments distribute the grants to about 230 snowmobile clubs across the State, which in turn groom and maintain the trails.

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “New York State is fortunate to have many snowmobile clubs, counties, and municipalities who do great work to groom and maintain our trail network, ensuring a smooth ride and a safe, enjoyable journey for all. Our trails offer a thrilling escape into winter wonderlands—winding through pristine forests, across snowy fields, and offering breathtaking views at every turn. It’s not just a ride, it’s an adventure leaving visitors eager to return again and again and explore more of what the Empire State has to offer.”

    Empire State Development President CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York’s free snowmobiling weekends are the perfect time for visitors to explore the state’s picturesque winter landscape and its vast network of snowmobile trails. Tourism is crucial to our regional economies, and opportunities like this help to welcome guests who stay, dine and shop in our vibrant communities, supporting local jobs and small businesses.”

    New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Our state is enjoying an exceptional snowmobiling season, and these free weekends are the perfect opportunity for non-New Yorkers to experience all that we have to offer. Remember that visitors who snowmobile here outside of designated free weekends must obtain a temporary snowmobile registration, while New Yorkers must renew their snowmobile registrations annually online. The registration fees go toward maintaining our beautiful trail network, which all snowmobilers must enjoy safely and responsibly. That means always wearing a helmet and never riding while impaired.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “New York’s network of snowmobile trails provides extraordinary winter recreation for residents and visitors alike. I encourage the public to take advantage of these free weekends to enjoy some of the thousands of miles of trails the state has to offer and to ride safely and responsibly to protect themselves and others.”

    New York State Snowmobile Association President Rosanne Warner said, “The New York State Snowmobile Association and all of its member clubs would like to thank the Governor for promoting snowmobiling as an important part of the winter tourism economy. In-state snowmobilers as well as out-of-state visitors enjoy riding our trail system and are always pleased with the diversity of riding opportunities New York State has to offer. Snowmobilers are very important contributors to our local winter economy and we appreciate the support and recognition of Governor Hochul.”

    New York State reminds riders to observe trail conditions and safety procedures while snowmobiling. Trail conditions vary depending on snowfall amounts and other factors. Snowmobilers, fishermen, skiers and snowshoers should put safety first and to proceed with extreme caution before venturing on ice- or snow-covered bodies of water. Historically, the two leading causes of snowmobile injuries in New York State are excessive speed and operator intoxication.

    Top safety recommendations include:

    • INSPECT and properly maintain your snowmobile; carry emergency supplies
    • ALWAYS wear a helmet with DOT-certified standards and make sure you wear appropriate snowmobile gear including bibs, jackets, boots, and gloves to withstand the elements
    • ALWAYS ride with a buddy or group and tell a responsible person where you will be riding and your expected return time
    • SLOW DOWN. Ride within your ability
    • STAY ON MARKED TRAILS. Respect landowners and obey posted signs
    • NEVER drink alcohol or use drugs and ride
    • FROZEN BODIES OF WATER are not designated trails; if you plan to ride on ice, proceed with caution and be aware of potential hazards under the snow. If you choose to ride on ice, wear a snowmobile suit with flotation built-in and carry a set of ice picks as a precaution.

    Check the websites of area snowmobile clubs for information on trail conditions, including the status of grooming. Individuals operating a snowmobile should be familiar with safe riding practices and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The New York State Snowmobile Association website provides information about snowmobiling and snowmobile clubs. Maps of the State snowmobile trail network are available on New York State Parks’ website.

    More information on planning a great snowmobile getaway and other ways to enjoy winter in New York State is available at iloveny.com/winter.

    The DMV reminds New York riders that snowmobile registrations must be renewed annually. DMV allows snowmobilers to renew registrations online on the DMV website, by mail or in person at a DMV office. Snowmobile registration costs $100 but is decreased to $45 if the snowmobiler is a member of a local snowmobile club.

    Non-New Yorkers who wish to use a snowmobile in New York State before or after this promotional weekend can use the NYS Registration for Out-of-State Snowmobile service to get a 15-day registration and operate their snowmobile here immediately. DMV will send a permanent registration in the mail.

    The free snowmobile weekend complements Governor Hochul’s efforts to encourage outdoor recreation. The FY26 Executive Budget proposes $200 million for State Parks to invest in and aid the ongoing transformation of New York’s flagship parks and support critical infrastructure projects throughout the park system. The Governor’s new Unplug and Play initiative also earmarks $100 million for construction and renovation of community centers through the Build Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), $67.5 million for the Places for Learning, Activity and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative helping New York communities construct new playgrounds and renovate existing playgrounds; and an additional $50 million for the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative supporting municipalities in the renovation and construction of swimming facilities.

    For information on snowmobiling, visit parks.ny.gov. Visit the DEC website for more information on snowmobiling on State lands.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Battleford — Battlefords RCMP: woman missing after armed robbery

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On February 14, 2025 at approximately 5:00 a.m., Battlefords RCMP received a report of an armed robbery on Railway Avenue E in North Battleford, SK.

    Officers responded immediately and determined an adult male, who was armed with a firearm, approached a vehicle with two adult females inside. The adult male threatened the vehicle occupants and stole the vehicle. One of the females, 33-year-old Leanna Frenchman, was reportedly still inside. Based on initial investigation and the report made, Battlefords RCMP has not located Leanna and therefore are considering her missing. Investigators are concerned for her wellbeing and continue to actively investigate.

    The second adult female exited the vehicle and reported no physical injuries to police.

    Initial investigation indicates Leanna Frenchman may be in the presence of an adult male, who was reportedly armed. Initial investigation has determined Leanne and the adult male are not known to one another. It is unknown where they are travelling to, but they were last seen driving in the City of North Battleford in a red 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix with Saskatchewan license plate 186 NSA.

    Leanna Frenchman is described as approximately 5’6″ tall and 105 lbs. She has brown eyes and brown hair.

    We are working to obtain further descriptors of the suspect.

    If you have seen Leanna Frenchman, the red Pontiac Grand Prix, or have information about this investigation, contact your local police at 310-RCMP immediately or 911 in an emergency. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Public Offering of the Icelandic State’s Share in Íslandsbanki

    Source: Government of Iceland

    The Icelandic Government is preparing to sell its remaining stake in Íslandsbanki, approximately 42,5% of the bank’s shares, over the coming months. The sale will be conducted in accordance with Act no. 80/2024 and grants individuals priority in the offering.

    The offering process will be guided by the principles of objectivity, cost-efficiency, equity and transparency. Following expert consultation, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has identified opportunities to enhance the offering’s structure. As outlined in a draft bill currently open for consultation, the proposed changes include the addition of a third order book (Order Book C). 

    Order Book A: Reserved exclusively for individuals, allowing bids up to ISK 20 million. The price per share will be fixed, based on the average closing price of Íslandsbanki hf. shares over the 15 trading days preceding the publication of the offering prospectus, or the last recorded closing price, with a discount of up to 5%. Allocations in Order Book A will not be reduced due to demand in other order books. In the event of oversubscription, shares will be allocated proportionally, ensuring that individuals receive the lowest price and priority access.

    Order Book B: Open to both individuals and legal entities, with a minimum bid of ISK 2 million. Allocations will be price-based. The price will be decided via a dutch auction process but will not fall below the fixed price established for Order Book A. Order Book B allocations will not be affected by allocations in Order Book C.

    Order Book C: Designed for large, regulated institutional investors submitting bids of at least ISK 300 million. The price of the shares in Order Book C will be the same is in Order Book B. Eligible participants must manage total assets of at least ISK 70 billion.

    These adjustments ensure participation across all investor groups. The revised structure maintains the lowest price and priority access for individuals, establishes transparent price formation in Order Book B that is also applicable to Order Book C, and provides institutional investors with a more conventional allocation process. Additionally, the updated approach is expected to facilitate the sale of a greater volume of shares.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local businesses urged to take part in Freebie Fortnight

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Local small and medium-sized businesses can now apply to take part in a new city centre promotion designed to drive more people into the area – Freebie Fortnight.

    The promotion will run next month in co-ordination with local retail and hospitality businesses to boost city centre footfall, visitor numbers, and local spend.

    Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “I’d urge local eligible businesses – particularly those near the current construction works at Union Street Central and the new market building – to apply and take part in the Freebie Fortnight promotion.

    “This initiative will help towards providing a truly vibrant city centre which attracts locals, visitors, residents and tourists to the area.”

    Finance and Resources Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The Freebie Fortnight will be a help to local shops, cafes, and restaurants, in the city centre to further develop and diversify their offering to customers while taking part in a fun promotion.

    “Shifts in consumer behaviour, pandemic recovery, and rising energy and living costs have all had an impact on why and how often people visit their local high street. Promotions such as Freebie Fortnight will help to attract people into the city centre.”

    The Freebie Fortnight is to take place from 10 March to 23 March, dates which would avoid existing key events such as Aberdeen Restaurant Week and Mother’s Day.

    Each retailer will be asked to select an in-store offering of value up to either £5 or £10, to be made available to a set number of customers per day over the period, for free. Customers will need to use a verbal code to access the offering.

    The expectation around free in-store offerings, for up to £5, could be a hot drink or baked good for example. For up to £10, could be a lunch deal with soft drink in a restaurant, or a free gift in a retail setting. Participating businesses will have an opportunity to devise their own deal based on stock and deliverability.

    A variety of offerings will be ensured, from ‘grab and go’ options which may attract workers and commuters, to sit-down or browsing options which may attract visitors and increase dwell time spent in the city centre.

    Customers will be required to use a verbal code to access the offering will avoid cannibalisation of regular sales for the participating business. There is also the likelihood of additional spend, with customers purchasing extra items to ‘complement’ the free offering, ie a cake with a coffee. In a retail setting, it will be suggested that the free offering is attached to a minimum spend, ie customers spending £10 will receive a £10 voucher to spend next time they return.

    There will be a supporting marketing campaign to accompany the ‘Freebie Fortnight’ for participating retailers alongside support from Aberdeen Inspired, Business Gateway, Opportunity North East, Our Union Street, and the Federation of Small Businesses. 

    There will be a particular emphasis on targeting businesses near the current construction works at Union Street Central and the new market building.

    It is expected that funding will support up to 20 businesses to take part, and criteria will be set around these being local SMEs, with fewer than three stores, rather than national chains. Care will be taken to ensure that the participating businesses are representative of multiple sectors.

    Funding from UK Government administered by Aberdeen City Council will meet the cost of the promotion by reimbursing each participating business.

    The deadline to apply is 21 February or once all funds have been allocated. More information and how to apply is at Freebie Fortnight | Aberdeen City Council

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Exploring New Opportunities in Vietnam and Singapore

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on February 14, 2025

    Mission focuses on natural resources, agriculture, education and more.

     Minister of Trade and Export Development Warren Kaeding is leading a delegation to Vietnam and Singapore to maintain and grow trade opportunities, increase investment attraction, encourage collaboration in higher education, and showcase Saskatchewan’s capacity to support nations around the world to meet food and energy security needs. A portion of the mission will also be dedicated to labour and immigration recruitment efforts.

    “Vietnam and Singapore are two vitally important markets for Saskatchewan as we continue to build relationships abroad,” Minister Kaeding said. “The ASEAN region is an area where we’ve seen rapid growth, and we want to continue to build on that positive momentum. Strengthening international trade relationships and diversifying our export markets are more important than ever as we look to promote our sustainable food and energy security to the world.”

    The mission will cover many of Saskatchewan’s main sectors, including mining, critical minerals, energy, and agri-value.

    One of the highlights of the mission will be attending the Canada in Asia Conference. The conference brings together key stakeholders and decision makers from across Canada and Asia for discussions and sessions on agri-foods, food security, clean technology, and energy transitions.

    Provincial exports to the ASEAN region totaled $1.5 billion in 2024. Of that, $130.6 million and $10.3 million worth of goods were exported to Vietnam and Singapore respectively.
    Saskatchewan currently operates trade and investment offices in both Vietnam and Singapore. Saskatchewan’s trade offices work with industry partners and support the province’s engagement efforts across the ASEAN region.

    Last year, the Government of Saskatchewan 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.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defendant Convicted in Bank Fraud Conspiracy Case Receives Sentence in Federal Court

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Elijah D. Brown, 24, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Brown was sentenced to 63 months in prison, to run consecutive to a 42-month federal prison sentence he is currently serving for illegal possession of a machine gun, for a total of 105 months (8 years, 9 months) in prison. In addition, Brown was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,254,790.

    In April 2024, a federal grand jury in Shreveport returned an indictment charging 21 defendants in connection with a federal bank fraud case in the Shreveport area. All of those defendants have now entered guilty pleas or entered into pretrial diversion agreements. A summary of the 20 remaining defendants and their status is as follows:

    Defendant Name

    Conviction/Sentence

    Destane Glass, 23,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 3/27/25

    Sharmaine Jackson, 26,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 6/5/2025

    ZarRajah Z. Watkins, 23,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 4/24/2025

    Arazhia R. Gully, 24,

    Bossier City, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 2/20/2025

    Eric D. Loud, 24,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 3/20/2025

    Maya L. Green, 24,

    Bossier City, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

    Olivia M. Deboe, 23,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation and ordered to pay $34,261.81 in restitution

    Donte N. Larrimore, 24,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentenced to 3 years supervised probation

    Shamaya S. Pouncy, 27,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentenced to 9 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,317.50

    Precious Wilbert, 25,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentenced to 3 years of supervised probation

    Cynthia R. Bryant, 22,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 4/10/2025

    Trameka McGinty, 25,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

    Shaquentalas B. McGinty,

    26, Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 6/5/25

    Javonte J. Lejay, 28,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

    Octavia L. Mitchell, 33,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 3/20/2025

    Shmarrian J. Taylor, 27,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud
    • Sentencing set for 3/27/2025

    Rakeydra S. Shepherd, 28,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Pleaded guilty to possession of a counterfeit security
    • Sentencing set for 2/20/2025

    Tina Marie Bryant, 43,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Entered into Pretrial Diversion Agreement

    Lakysa S. Barfield, 26,

    Shreveport, LA
    • Entered into Pretrial Diversion Agreement

    Kyra D. Washington-Bates,

    24, Shreveport, LA
    • Entered into Pretrial Diversion Agreement

    This scheme to defraud began in January 2021 and continued through October 31, 2022. The defendants admitted to their involvement in the conspiracy to defraud banks including USAA Savings Bank (“USAA Bank”), Navy Federal Credit Union, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Bank of America. 

    Arazhiah Gully, Maya Green and ZarRajah Watkins worked at Teleperformance, a multinational company that provided business services including a call center in Shreveport. The call center provided customer service to USAA Bank. Gully, Green and Watkins all had access to USAA Bank customer information including names of customers, their ages, account balances, and account numbers. These three defendants admitted to conspiring with Destane Glass, Elijah Brown, Sharmaine Jackson, and others to defraud USAA Bank. Gully, Green and Watkins improperly obtained account holder information so that it could be used by others to create counterfeit USAA Bank checks, and they were paid to provide the account information. Counterfeit checks traced to accounts that these defendants accessed totaled over $4 million.

    Glass, Brown and Jackson used social media and other methods to recruit individuals in the Shreveport area with bank accounts to use their accounts to deposit the counterfeit checks to make money. The co-defendants involved in the scheme would open accounts at various financial institutions under their own names and then provide their access cards and login information to other co-defendants. Counterfeit checks were then provided to these co-defendants to be deposited into their own personal bank accounts, and they were instructed to withdraw the funds in various ways, including making withdrawals at local casinos, through ATMs, Apple Cash payments, and PayPal payments. After withdrawing the money, the defendants would meet Glass, Brown, Jackson and other co-defendants in various places, including casino parking lots, and give the funds to them, with a portion of the proceeds going to the one who made the withdrawal. Activity in the casinos were captured by the surveillance cameras at those locations which helped solve the case. The counterfeit checks that were deposited were in varying amounts ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. 

    “The defendants involved in this conspiracy shamelessly targeted vulnerable elderly victims, stealing their personal identifying and bank account information and using it to take advantage of them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “We urge everyone to make a habit of checking your bank accounts regularly to avoid becoming a victim of this type of fraud. If you see suspicious transactions, report it to your bank immediately.”

    This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: El Salvadoran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – An El Salvadoran national living in Methuen, Mass. pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to illegal reentry.

    Agustin Landaverde-Romero, 57, pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S.  District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2025. Landaverde-Romero was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024.

    On or about July 13, 2020, Landaverde-Romero was found in the United States without having received express consent of the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Landaverde-Romero was previously removed to El Salvador on Oct. 7, 1999.  

    The charge of illegal reentry provides for sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of an imposed sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Estonian Nationals Plead Guilty in $577 Million Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme

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

    Scheme Victimized Hundreds of Thousands of People in United States and Abroad 

    Two Estonian nationals pleaded guilty yesterday for their operation of a massive, multi-faceted cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that victimized hundreds of thousands of people from across the world, including in the United States. As part of the defendants’ guilty pleas, they agreed to forfeit assets valued over $400 million obtained during the conspiracy.

    According to court documents, Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turõgin, both 40, sold contracts to customers entitling them to a share of cryptocurrency mined by the defendants’ purported cryptocurrency mining service, HashFlare. Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computers to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, for profit.

    Between 2015 and 2019, Hashflare’s sales totaled more than $577 million, but HashFlare did not possess the requisite computing capacity to perform the vast majority of the mining the defendants told HashFlare customers it performed. HashFlare’s web-based dashboard, which purported to show customers their mining profits, instead reflected falsified data. Potapenko and Turõgin used the proceeds of the fraud conspiracy to purchase real estate and luxury vehicles and maintained investment and cryptocurrency accounts. Potapenko and Turõgin have agreed to forfeit assets worth, as of the date of the plea, more than $400 million. The forfeited assets will be available for a remission process to compensate victims of the crime. Details about the remission process will be announced at a later date.

    Potapenko and Turõgin each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They are scheduled to be sentenced on May 8 and each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Justice Department thanks the Cybercrime Bureau of the Estonian Police and Border Guard for its support with this investigation. The Estonian Prosecutor General and Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs provided substantial assistance with the extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided extensive assistance to the investigation and the extradition of the defendants.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller for the Western District of Washington, Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington of the FBI Seattle Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Seattle Field Office investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Adrienne E. Rosen and David Ginensky of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Friedman and Sok Jiang for the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jehiel Baer for the Western District of Washington is handling asset forfeiture aspects of the case.

    Individuals who believe they may have been a victim in this case should visit www.fbi.gov/hashflare.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.5 (EPT/RI)- Amendment of Dowlais Group plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI) Amendment

    Amendment Section 2(a)

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
    Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)        Name of exempt principal trader: Investec Bank plc
    (b)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Dowlais Group Plc        
    (c)        Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected: Investec is Broker to Dowlais Group Plc
    (d)        Date dealing undertaken: 05th February 2025
    (e)        In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received Lowest price per unit paid/received

    Ordinary shares

    Purchases

    1,501,500

    69.575

    68.75

    Ordinary shares

    Sales

    1,343,410

    69.6

    68.75

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    N/A N/A N/A N/A

    3.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
    None
    Date of disclosure: 14thFebruary 2025
    Contact name: Priyali Bhattacharjee
    Telephone number: +91 9768034903

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –