NewzIntel.com

Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 3277, a bill to amend the Marine Debris Act to reauthorize the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 3277 would reauthorize the appropriation of $15 million annually through 2028 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to operate the Marine Debris Program. The program supports efforts to remove plastics, discarded fishing gear, and other harmful materials from the marine environment. Under current law, the program was authorized through 2023; in 2024, NOAA allocated $6 million for the program. The agency also received $30 million annually from 2022 through 2026 to operate the program from advance appropriations in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Those amounts were designated as an emergency requirement. 

    Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that reauthorizing the Marine Debris Program would cost $60 million over the 2025-2029 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Founder and Former CEO of Artificial Intelligence Start-Up SKAEL Charged with Securities Fraud and Wire Fraud

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

    Defendant Allegedly Raised Over $40 Million While Misrepresenting Financial and Sales Information

    SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury indicted Baba Nadimpalli, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of SKAEL, Inc. (SKAEL), with securities and wire fraud for defrauding investors and misleading them about the company’s revenue, annual recurring revenue (ARR), and other financial and sales information.

    According to an indictment filed Jan. 17, 2024 and unsealed Sept. 23, 2024, Nadimpalli, 41, a citizen of Australia who resided in San Francisco, Calif., founded SKAEL in 2016 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2016 until July 2022.  SKAEL was a San Francisco-based, software-as-a-service (“Saas”) company that claimed to provide its corporate clients with artificial intelligence and automation software to assist customers with mundane, time-intensive tasks by building “Digital Employees,” which SKAEL claimed could connect databases, synthesize large amounts of information, provide information and insights, and perform tasks.  SKAEL earned revenue by charging implementation fees for the building of Digital Employees and subscription fees for the use of the Digital Employees once they were built.

    The indictment alleges that from January 2020 until about February 2022, SKAEL raised over $40 million in three rounds of financing. To induce prospective and existing investors to invest, Nadimpalli allegedly made false claims regarding SKAEL’s revenue and ARR (a measure of total revenue expected per year from committed customers with signed contracts, an important metric for investors), as well as customer and sales information.  For example, in or around 2021, Nadimpalli allegedly provided materially false information to investors in advance of their investments in SKAEL, including representing that SKAEL was receiving ARR from certain companies that did not subscribe to SKAEL’s software and services; overstating ARR from certain customers who were SKAEL customers; and representing that customers who had terminated their SKAEL subscriptions were current customers with ARR.

    The indictment further alleges that in or around February 2022, SKAEL raised approximately $30 million in a Series A preferred stock offering which valued SKAEL at approximately $230 million after closing. In connection with the stock offering, Nadimpalli allegedly directed the creation of an electronic data room for potential investors that contained (1) a spreadsheet that Nadimpalli maintained that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR and customers; (2) a materially false profit and loss statement; (3) a financial metrics spreadsheet that contained materially false subscription revenue and ARR amounts; and (4) an investor presentation that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR, revenue, and customer adoption.

    As described in the indictment, in furtherance of the scheme, Nadimpalli provided an investor and a financial employee false bank account information that included purported customer payments that had not actually been deposited.

    Nadimpalli is charged with three counts of securities fraud and seven counts of wire fraud.  If convicted of securities fraud, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $5,000,000.  If convicted of wire fraud, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.

    The case is being handled by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Stern and Ilham Hosseini are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Mark DiCenzo. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI thank the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which announced today a parallel civil enforcement action against Nadimpalli in the Northern District of California.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven People Charged with Over $40 Million in Medicare and Medicaid Fraud

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

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Ronald King, 51, formerly of Berlin, New Hampshire, and now residing in Bangor, Maine, Victor Roiter, 55, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Tina Wellman, 51, of Mayfield, New York, Adam Shorr, 55, of Dunedin, Florida, Robert O’Sullivan, 55, of Lake Sherwood, California, Bradley Edson, 66, of Mesa, Arizona, and John Gautereaux, 59, of Temecula, California were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to defrauding Medicare and Colorado Medicaid.

    According to the indictment, the defendants were involved together through a variety of corporate entities including as owners of Tesis Labs, LLC, a parent company that owned and operated genetic testing labs, including Claro Scientific Laboratories, Inc., based in Lafayette, Colorado, and 303 Diagnostics LLC, based in Aurora, Colorado. The indictment alleges that defendants King, Roiter, Wellman, and Shorr conspired to defraud Medicare and Colorado Medicaid through several means, including by paying kickbacks and bribes to purported marketing companies for referrals for fraudulent and medically unnecessary genetic testing. These referrals in turn led to more than $40 million in false and fraudulent claims paid by Medicare and Colorado Medicaid to the laboratories for the genetic testing claims.  The indictment alleges that all seven defendants participated in a conspiracy to offer and pay illegal bribes and kickbacks in connection with health care benefit programs, including Medicare, Colorado Medicaid, and private health insurance plans.  The defendants agreed to pay kickbacks and bribes to individuals and entities they identified as “marketers” to solicit patients, including elderly Medicare beneficiaries, to participate in unnecessary genetic testing and to obtain doctors’ signatures on testing order forms for these patients. Many of these kickback recipients used call centers to target elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Finally, the indictment alleges that defendants King, Roiter, and Wellman conspired to launder the proceeds of the first two conspiracies described above.

    Defendants King, Wellman, Shorr, O’Sullivan, Edson, and Gautereaux made initial appearances in Denver, Colorado, between August 26 and September 5, 2024, in front of Magistrate Judge Susan Prose.

    The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges unless and until proven guilty.

    The case is being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Field Division, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Anna Edgar.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Garcia Leads Los Angeles County Delegation in Support of Metro’s Southeast Gateway Line Project

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) led a letter with 11 colleagues to ask Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Director of Office Management and Budget Shalanda Young to include funding for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) Southeast Gateway Line Project in the Fiscal Year 2026 President’s Budget Request. The Southeast Gateway Line will provide historically underserved communities across Southeast Los Angeles and the Gateway Cities with long-overdue access to high-quality public transit. The full letter can be found here.

    “We need to ensure that underserved communities throughout Southeast Los Angeles and the Gateway Cities have access to the high-quality public transit they deserve,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “Metro’s Board has made the Southeast Gateway Line Project its top priority and has lined up the necessary local funding to support it. Now, we need a federal funding commitment to keep this project moving forward. Our communities, which have often been overlooked, are counting on us to provide safe and reliable transportation for years to come.”

    Metro’s Board of Directors has chosen the Southeast Gateway Line Project as their top priority and is using local funding from voter-approved sales taxes to support it. Thanks to teamwork with the FTA, the project is advancing in the Project Development phase. In April, the Metro Board approved a 14.5-mile light rail line from the Slauson A Line Station to Artesia and finalized the Environmental Impact Report. The FTA completed its review in August 2024.

    The Southeast Gateway Line Project aims to improve transit access for disadvantaged communities in Southeast Los Angeles County and the Gateway Cities. The letter requests $100 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to help with ongoing design, engineering, and other necessary work. Metro has also submitted required information to the FTA and expects a positive rating to move the project forward into the Engineering Phase.

    The following are co-signers of the letter: Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

    Congressman Garcia has always fought to improve transportation infrastructure. In August, Congressman Garcia led a bipartisan letter to secure funding for Los Angeles and Long Beach to ensure a safe, clean, and effective transit system for the 2028 Olympics. In May, Congressman Garcia and Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which aims to provide $500 billion over ten years to update and electrify public transportation and rail systems across the country. In March, Congressman Garcia led 128 Representatives in a letter supporting full funding for transit Capital Investment Grants. Last year, he introduced the People Over Parking Act to eliminate minimum parking space requirements near transit hubs, encouraging more housing and walkable urban areas. As Mayor of Long Beach, his Measure A initiative started the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation, creating good jobs for union workers.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CISA Releases Anonymous Threat Response Guidance and Toolkit for K-12 Schools

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    New Resources Will Help K-12 Schools and Law Enforcement Entities Create Tailored Approaches to Addressing Anonymous Threats of Violence

    WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies.

    Social media-based and other types of anonymous threats of violence against K-12 institutions are common. These threats can erode trust that schools are safe places, contribute to losses in learning and instruction time, overwhelm school and law enforcement resources and have lasting psychological impacts on school communities.

    “K-12 schools across the country are experiencing a scourge of anonymous threats of violence. School leaders need scalable solutions to navigate these ever-evolving and burdensome threats,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “The K-12 Anonymized Threat Response Guidance provides step-by-step approaches to help schools better assess and respond to these threats, as well as take action to mitigate future risks in coordination with their law enforcement and other community partners.”

    “Families, students and educators should not have to question whether they’re safe when they walk into a classroom,” said FBI Office of Partner Engagement Assistant Director, Robert Contee. “In the face of these ongoing school threats, the strategies the FBI and our partners at CISA put together will hopefully prepare our educators and administrators to maneuver through difficult challenges. The more parents, teachers and administrators know, the more likely we are to keep our kids safe. The FBI is dedicated to safeguarding schools and communities who are impacted by anonymous threats, but we also want to urge parents to talk with their children about the consequences that come with making these threats. We all need to work together.”

    The K-12 Anonymized Threat Response Guidance was developed to provide K-12 stakeholders with information to both protect school communities and limit the disruption and trauma that can be caused by anonymous threats of violence. By providing guidance to inform decision-making about the urgency and credibility of individual threats, school and public safety leaders may be able to more effectively balance the full range of risks faced by K-12 organizations.

    The toolkit emphasizes six key strategies for schools to consider when addressing anonymous threats:

    • Build awareness about reporting to detect threats early and deter future threats.
    • Develop a partnership structure that will help address threats. This includes school administrators, law enforcement personnel and mental health professionals.
    • Engage law enforcement to manage threat situations and decide when to scale response actions up or down.
    • Balance initial response steps to ensure the campus is safe. Most critically, treat each threat as credible, and from there, work with necessary partners to determine how to approach an immediate response.
    • When appropriate, tap into multidisciplinary threat assessment teams to support interventions and expedite response if the subject who made the threat becomes known.
    • Take steps throughout the school year to prepare for threats. Establish a response protocol and practice other types of emergency management activities, such as training exercises for staff.

    Today’s release also includes a supplemental reference guide that provides streamlined information for K-12 stakeholders to understand and utilize some of the best practices from the full toolkit. Both products were developed to support the diverse range of K-12 school settings across the United States and are based on current practices of K-12 organizations and law enforcement agencies.

    The new toolkit and guide were announced at CISA’s 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security, an annual event that brings together K-12 school leaders and practitioners to discuss and share actionable recommendations that enhance safe and supportive learning environments.

    To learn more and access the K-12 Anonymized Threat Response Guidance, please click here. 

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    About CISA 

    As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

    Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rhode Island to Receive $500,000 to Improve DNA Evidence Processing & Bring Justice to Victims of Cold Cases

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

    WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to help Rhode Island’s law enforcement community close cases on violent crimes that, in many cases, have been left unsolved for decades, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced that the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha will receive a $500,000 federal grant for the office’s cold case unit of investigators and prosecutors.

    The federal funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program. The Attorney General’s Office will utilize the funds for its “Closure Project” to strengthen the state’s DNA analysis capabilities and search capacity, better inventory cold cases, and review and select cases that have developed DNA suspect profiles to assist investigators in prosecuting suspects. The Rhode Island Department of Health will also receive funding from the grant, which will help provide additional capacity for DNA analysis in cold cases.

    “This federal funding for Attorney General Neronha and his skilled team of prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement personnel will help make Rhode Island safer and will bring justice to victims of violent crimes and their families who have gone too long without answers and deserve closure,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “Modern technology is constantly adding new tools that are incredibly useful to investigators. By strengthening Rhode Island’s ability to efficiently process and inventory DNA evidence, we’re making a smart investment in public safety, reducing violent crime, and bolstering our ability to pursue justice.”

    “No victim of a violent crime should have to wait decades for justice to be served,” said Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former U.S. Attorney and Rhode Island Attorney General.  “This federal investment will strengthen the state’s ability to process DNA evidence and prosecute violent cold cases, bringing justice and closure to victims and their families – a high priority of Attorney General Neronha’s.”

    “We must always remain dogged in the pursuit of justice for victims of violent crime and their loved ones,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “This federal funding will be used to help identify suspects through modern forensic analysis, make Rhode Island safer by holding offenders accountable, and bring closure to families who have been waiting for answers.” 

    “Justice delayed should never be justice denied for victims of violent crime and their loved ones,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “As technology advances and techniques improve to help identify perpetrators, I support investing in our state’s forensic capabilities to pursue cold cases and protect public safety. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in announcing that this grant will support the tireless efforts of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s ‘Closure Project’ initiative.”

    “Cold cases tend to be unique in their complexity, and yet they all have at least one thing in common: delayed justice for victims and their loved ones,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “New scientific and investigatory advancements have reignited hope in the hearts of those waiting years, sometimes decades, for answers. Since the creation of our Cold Case Unit, a talented team of investigators, prosecutors, and analysts has been working diligently to solve these cases, and already seeing results. I want to thank Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Representatives Amo and Magaziner for their support, and to Rhode Island House Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio for helping to fund this important work on behalf of Rhode Islanders.”

    The DOJ Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program provides resources and support for the prosecution of violent cold cases where a suspect of the crime, known or unknown, has been identified through DNA evidence and analysis. Funding from this program can also be used to support investigations and crime and forensic analyses when a DNA profile has been attributed to a known or unknown suspect.

    Last year, Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha launched a new Cold Case Unit within the Office to advance investigations that could benefit from the application of modern DNA analysis. The Unit is comprised of two prosecutors, four investigators, an intelligence analyst, and a Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) employee currently in training at the University of New Haven for Forensic Genealogy.  Since its inception, the Unit has worked with more than 12 municipalities in actively investigating 18 cold cases. These federal funds announced today will assist the unit in strategically improving its ability to identify potential cases ready for prosecution, and when DNA profiles of suspects have been established, can also help to advance investigations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: A sustainable enhancement of shoreline in Hiawatha First Nation

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Hiawatha First Nation, Ontario, September 25, 2024 —Hiawatha First Nation has received over $430,000 through the Natural Infrastructure Fund to restore more than 3 kilometers of shoreline along Rice Lake to protect wildlife and reduce shoreline erosion.

    By working with nature, the Hiawatha First Nation is supporting and protecting biodiversity and human well-being. This restoration project incorporates native plants to reduce further shoreline erosion, while creating a protected habitat for various frog and fish species, as well as wild rice, a cultural keystone species. A medicine garden, walkway, pier, and benches will also increase access to nature, boost community use of shoreline for conducting cultural practices, and create a welcoming and relaxing space for the community.

    Hiawatha First Nation is working to restore the land to not only ensure a more sustainable future, but also create a peaceful place for community members to enjoy nature and ensure the land and wildlife is protected for many generations. 

    Quotes

    “I am honoured to support this investment with the Hiawatha First Nation to restore the shoreline of Rice Lake. Investing in infrastructure, like this shoreline restoration project, is vital for the sustainability of our environment. It will support biodiversity through the restoration of the natural habitats of plants and animals and with the addition of the medicine garden, create a healthy, sustainable and welcoming environment for all community members.”

    The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “Restoring the shoreline with native species is vital for many reasons. Firstly, it is our responsibility, as given to us by the Creator, to take care of the waters, and when we restore lakeshores with native plants, we improve the health of our lakes. Shoreline restoration helps to improve water quality by removing pollutants and nutrients from run-off.  Also, by restoring our shoreline with native species, we in turn will have healthy and stable ecosystems that leads to strong habitats and food chains. Shoreline restoration is about taking care of water, lands and all living creatures.”

    Laurie Carr, Chief, Hiawatha First Nation 

    Quick facts

    • The federal government is committed to making our communities more livable, sustainable, and resilient by investing in the protection and restoration of natural environments.

    • The federal government is investing $437,500 in this project through the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF).

    • NIF supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to increase resilience to climate change, mitigate carbon emissions, protect and preserve biodiversity and wildlife habitats, and promote Canadians’ access to nature.

    • Examples of natural infrastructure include urban forests, street trees, wetlands, living dikes, bioswales, and naturalized coastal restoration.

    • Hybrid infrastructure incorporates elements of engineered grey infrastructure to enhance or support natural infrastructure and/or the use of ecosystem processes. Examples of hybrid infrastructure include green roofs and walls, and naturalized stormwater ponds.

    • A minimum of 10% of the overall program envelope will be allocated to Indigenous-led projects.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Communications Advisor
    Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    Sofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
    613-960-9251
    Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
    Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    Hayley Vogler
    Capital Projects Manager
    Hiawatha First Nation
    705-295-4421
    capitalmanager@hiawathafn.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Billings Man Admits Arranging for Commercial Sex with Minor Girl in Undercover Investigation

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

    BILLINGS — A Billings man accused of texting with undercover law enforcement to arrange for sex with a minor girl and showing up at an agreed-upon location admitted to a racketeering crime today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Christopher Lynn Cliburn, 60, pleaded guilty to use of facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering as charged in a superseding information. Cliburn faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Cliburn was detained pending further proceedings.

    In court documents, the government alleged that on Nov. 16, 2023, law enforcement placed an ad on a website depicting a fictious 14-year-old girl. The ad suggested that the “girl” was willing to engage in sexual conduct for money. On Nov. 19, 2023, a phone number, later connected to Cliburn, responded to the ad. Cliburn and an undercover officer then engaged in a series of text communications in which the parties discussed meeting for commercial sex, potential sexual acts that the “girl” would perform and how much money Cliburn had. On Nov. 20, 2023, Cliburn indicated he was at the agreed-upon location in Billings and confirmed his presence by sending law enforcement a photograph.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.

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

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Browning Man Admits Assaulting Woman with Belt on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

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

    GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of beating and then using a belt to assault a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Briar Joseph Crawford, 29, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Crawford faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    Chief U.S District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Jan. 29, 2025. Crawford was detained pending further proceedings.

    The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 6, 2023, Crawford went to Twin Lakes go fishing with the victim, identified as Jane Doe. They got into an argument, and Crawford began to severely beat Doe over several hours as they traveled from Twin Lakes to the East Glacier Cut Across Road. At one point, Crawford removed his belt, wrapped it around Doe’s neck, grabbed it and lifted her weight off the ground until she blacked out. Doe suffered numerous injuries from the prolonged assault.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Sustainable Riverbank Improvements in Hiawatha First Nation

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French

    Press release

    Hiawatha First Nation, Ontario, September 25, 2024 — Hiawatha First Nation has been allocated more than $430,000 through the Natural Infrastructure Fund to restore more than 3 kilometres of shoreline along Rice Lake to protect wildlife and reduce shoreline erosion.

    By working with nature, Hiawatha First Nation supports and protects biodiversity and human well-being. This restoration project involves integrating native plants to reduce shoreline erosion while creating protected habitat for various frog and fish species, as well as the culturally significant wild rice. A medicinal plant garden, boardwalk, pier and benches will also provide easier access to nature, promote use of the shoreline for community cultural practices, and create a welcoming and relaxing space for the community.

    Hiawatha First Nation is working to restore the land not only to ensure a more sustainable future, but also to create a peaceful place where community members can enjoy nature and ensure the land and wildlife are protected for many generations to come.

    Quotes

    “I am honoured to support this investment in the shoreline restoration of Rice Lake in partnership with Hiawatha First Nation. Investing in infrastructure, such as this shoreline restoration project, is essential to ensuring the sustainability of our environment. This project will support biodiversity through the restoration of natural habitats for plants and animals and, through the development of a medicinal plant garden, will create a healthy, sustainable and welcoming environment for all members of the community.”

    The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “Restoring shorelines with native species is essential for many reasons. First, it is our Creator’s responsibility to care for our waters, and when we restore lakeshores with native plants, we improve the health of our lakes. Shoreline restoration helps improve water quality by removing pollutants and nutrients from runoff. Additionally, restoring shorelines with native species creates healthy, stable ecosystems, which strengthen habitats and food chains. Shoreline restoration is about caring for the water, the land, and all living creatures.”

    Laurie Carr, Chief, Hiawatha First Nation

    Quick Facts

    The federal government is committed to making our communities more liveable, sustainable and resilient by investing in the protection and restoration of natural environments.

    The federal government is investing $437,500 in this project through the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF).

    The Natural Infrastructure Fund supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to increase resilience to climate change, reduce carbon emissions, protect and preserve biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and promote Canadians’ access to nature.

    Examples of natural infrastructure include urban forests, street trees, wetlands, living seawalls, biological seawalls, and naturalized coastal restoration.

    Hybrid infrastructure incorporates elements of artificial grey infrastructure to enhance or support natural infrastructure and/or the use of ecosystem processes. Examples of hybrid infrastructure include green roofs and walls, and naturalized storm basins.

    A minimum of 10% of the overall program envelope will be allocated to projects led by Indigenous people.

    Related links

    Contact persons

    For further information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia OuslisCommunications AdvisorOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and CommunitiesSofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada613-960-9251Toll free: 1-877-250-7154Email:media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us onTwitter,Facebook,InstagramAndLinkedInWebsite:Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    Hayley Vogler Manager, Capital ProjectsHiawatha First Nation705-295-4421capitalmanager@hiawathafn.ca

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Port Man Sentenced to 70 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Videos

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

    Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Raul Colon-Ocasio (32, North Port) to 70 years in federal prison for production and possession of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. Colon-Ocasio was also sentenced to a term of supervised release for life and ordered to register as a sex offender. A federal jury found Colon-Ocasio guilty on June 5, 2024.

    According to court documents, between December 2021 and May 5, 2022, Colon-Ocasio used two minors to produce numerous videos of sexual abuse. 

    In 2022, a parent of Minor Victim 1 reported her daughter missing to law enforcement in Charlotte County. While investigating, law enforcement uncovered communications on social media between Colon-Ocasio and the child that were sexual in nature. In October 2022, an FBI Task Force Officer assumed the social media account of Minor Victim 1 and began communicating with Colon-Ocasio. On October 18, 2022, instead of Colon-Ocasio meeting Minor Victim 1, he encountered law enforcement. Colon-Ocasio’s cellphone was seized. Subsequent to a search warrant for his cellphone, law enforcement located sexually explicit videos that Colon-Ocasio had produced of Minor Victim 1.

    Additionally, law enforcement located numerous videos that Colon-Ocasio had produced of another child engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Subsequent to further investigation, Minor Victim 2 was located by law enforcement. 

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with includes the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office that assisted with this investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Armed Robbery of a Check-Cashing Business

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

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two men have been sentenced to prison for the armed robbery of a check-cashing business in Chantilly.

    According to court documents, on Nov. 18, 2023, Antonio Chester Lewis, 49, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, and Al Gibran Taylor, 42, of Reston, entered the store intending to rob it of its cash. Lewis had entered the store previously to survey it. Lewis was armed with a .223/5.56 mm caliber semi-automatic rifle, which he pointed at customers and ordered them to put their hands in the air. Taylor attempted to open a cashier booth, which contained the store’s register and safe. When Taylor found the booth locked, Lewis identified the store’s cashier, grabbed her by the neck, and brought her to the cashier booth. The cashier opened the booth, and Taylor removed a large amount of cash from the store’s safe.

    Lewis was arrested on March 26. That day, law enforcement conducted a search of Lewis’ residence and recovered the rifle used during the robbery as well as a privately made firearm with no serial number, a shotgun, and ammunition. On April 4, law enforcement also searched Lewis’ vehicle and recovered a handgun and additional ammunition.

    On June 13, Lewis pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. Lewis was sentenced on Sept. 3 to 15 years and eight months in prison.

    On June 21, Taylor pled guilty to use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Taylor was sentenced today to 25 years in prison.

    Both Lewis and Taylor have multiple prior convictions. On Aug. 9, 1994, Lewis was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On May 30, 1997, he was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine while armed. On Oct. 20, 2005, Lewis was convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base. As a previously convicted felon, Lewis cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

    Taylor previously was convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia on Dec. 21, 2006, of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence during which the firearm was discharged. On June 30, 2006, Taylor was convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia of possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.

    Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David E. Geist, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after Taylor was sentenced by U.S. District Chief Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel K. Amzallag prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Cases No. 1:24-cr-139 and 1:24-cr-130.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Independence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking, Illegal Firearm

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

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and for illegally possessing a firearm.

    Wiser Key, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

    On March 27, 2024, Key pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

    Key admitted that he engaged in drug transactions with an undercover law enforcement officer. In one transaction, for example, the undercover officer paid Key $8,500 in exchange for 1,000 counterfeit oxycodone tablets, which contained fentanyl. In another transaction, an undercover officer paid Key $6,000 in exchange for 750 counterfeit oxycodone pills, which contained fentanyl.

    On April 30, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Key’s residence. Officers found multiple plastic bags that contained tablets, approximately 8 kilograms of suspected THC wax, approximately 39 grams of suspected cocaine, multiple bags of suspected marijuana, an FN handgun, a loaded Glock .40-caliber handgun, a loaded Springfield 9mm handgun, a loaded Sig Sauer .40-caliber handgun, a Harrington and Richardson 20-gauge shotgun, and $24,676 in cash.

    According to court documents, Key distributed at least 120,000 counterfeit pills, which contained fentanyl, during the conspiracy. He and a co-defendant purchased 4,000 to 5,000 pills at a time from sources in Mexico.

    Key is the first defendant to be sentenced in this case. Co-defendants Nilolas Albright, 30, of Cameron, Mo., and Demasjiay Cruse, 25, of St. Joseph, Mo., have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and await sentencing.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen A. Brackett, Stephanie C. Bradshaw and John C. Constance. It was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department; the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department; and the St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department.

    Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Champaign, Illinois, Woman Sentenced to 324 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

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

    URBANA, Ill. – A Champaign, Illinois, woman, Malaia A. Turner, 36, was sentenced on September 23, 2024, to 324 months in prison, to be followed by eight years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

    At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Turner was a leader in a conspiracy responsible for obtaining large quantities of ice methamphetamine and other drugs from suppliers in California, Texas, and Illinois and transporting those drugs to the Central District of Illinois. After hearing that evidence, U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce concluded Turner was a leader of the conspiracy and faced heightened penalties due to her leadership role.

    Turner was convicted following a four-day jury trial in May 2024. She has been in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since her arrest in August 2022.

    At sentencing, Turner faced statutory penalties of ten years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $10 million, and not less than a five-year term of supervised release upon her release from custody.

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; Illinois State Police East Central Illinois Task Force; and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel E. Ritzer and Timothy J. Sullivan represented the government in the prosecution.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor- led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fayette County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

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

    BECKLEY, W.Va. – John Gray, 39, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty today to distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2023, Gray sold approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Oak Hill. Gray admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling approximately 848 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Oak Hill on May 1, 2023.

    Gray also admitted to selling 3 grams of fentanyl on May 3, 2024, and another 3 grams of fentanyl on May 6, 2024, each time to a confidential informant in Oak Hill. During a March 1, 2024, interview with law enforcement officers, Gray admitted that he had been distributing approximately 3 grams of fentanyl three times per week from April 2023 until his arrest in March 2024.

    Gray is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.

    United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Central Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

    United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-31.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 108 Months in Prison for Receipt of Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

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

    PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of the Western District of Pennsylvania has been sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by ten years of supervised release on his federal felony conviction pertaining to his receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

    United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Shawn Michael Hoffman, age 41, following his guilty plea to this violation of federal law. In imposing the sentence, Judge Hardy emphasized the extremely serious nature of this federal offense and the harm the defendant caused to the minor victim.

    The one-count Information named Shawn Michael Hoffman, age 41, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

    According to the information presented to the court, in September 2019, Hoffman initiated online communications and solicited sexually explicit visual depictions of the minor. Hoffman also received visual depictions of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct using the internet and cellular phone.

    Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Repeat Offender Imprisoned for Having Over 6,000 Child Pornography Images

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

    McALLEN, Texas – A 43-year-old McAllen resident has been sent back to prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

    Rene Javier Sarmienta pleaded guilty March 20, 2023.

    U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Sarmienta to serve 120 months in federal prison. In handing down the prison term, the court noted it was unfortunate Sarmienta relapsed and needs therapy. Sarmienta was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to each of 12 victims and will serve five years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. The court also noted his previous conviction of possessing child pornography in 2002 and that he would be spending another significant amount of his life in prison.

    The investigation began when law enforcement discovered Sarmienta had been purchasing child pornography using a PayPal account. He also failed to report having several social media accounts to local authorities as required due to status as a sex offender.

    A forensic examination of Sarmienta’s cell phone revealed 6,300 images of child pornography. Several of the images included prepubescent minors and sadomasochistic conduct.

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the McAllen Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Alexis Garcia and Tyler Foster prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Thompson — Update – Thompson RCMP respond to shooting

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP have identified one of the suspects involved in the shooting and are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him.

    Tyrell Malique Porter, 21, from the Waterloo, Ontario area is described as 5’6′ tall and 132 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

    Porter is wanted on a warrant for multiple firearms offences and is considered armed and dangerous.

    Police believe that the female suspect also involved in the incident is still in the company of Porter.

    If you have information, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

    On September 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle motor vehicle collision that occurred on Perch Avenue in Thompson. While en route to the call, police were informed that a possible gun shot was heard.

    When officers arrived on scene, a 47-year-old male was found injured. Officers immediately provided emergency care. The male was transported to local hospital, where he was treated and has since been released.

    Investigation determined that the male had been driving a pickup truck that was in a collision with a SUV. The SUV followed the victim to a residence and a male suspect exited the SUV, produced a firearm, and shot at the victim. A neighbouring residence was also struck by projectiles from the firearm, but nobody inside was physically injured.

    After the shooting, the SUV fled the scene and was located soon after by police on Pike Crescent. The male suspect and a female suspect were seen by witnesses going into the residence. The residence was surrounded, and three individuals were taken into custody. However, none of the three individuals were determined to have been involved in the incident and were released. The two suspects were not located inside the residence.

    Thompson RCMP continue to look for the two suspects involved in the shooting. At this time, police do not have confirmed descriptions to provide.

    If you have information, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casey Introduces Suite of Bills to Expand Access to Community College

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Pennsylvania Bob Casey
    Casey’s bills would make community college programs more accessible and valuable for students
    Bills would spur investment in new and existing community college infrastructure in underserved areas, make it easier for college students to receive degrees when they have completed requirements
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced a suite of bills to strengthen American community colleges and make their programs more accessible and valuable for students. Two of the bills would spur investment in new and existing community college infrastructure in underserved areas. The package also includes the Correctly Recognizing Educational Achievements to Empower (CREATE) Graduates Act, which would resolve an issue preventing some community college students from receiving degrees for which they have completed the requirements.
    “Community college programs help young Americans compete for jobs, earn higher wages, and build brighter futures,” said Senator Casey. “I introduced these bills to expand access to community college and ensure students can fully take advantage of the benefits these programs have to offer. I will always fight to make sure every young American has access to the education they need to reach their full potential.”
    More than two-thirds of jobs in the modern economy require some education and training beyond high school, but many Americans lack access to affordable, quality postsecondary education. Approximately 35 million people, or 10 percent of the country’s population, live in education deserts: areas with zero or only one public broad-access college nearby. The legislative package Casey introduced today would invest in new community college infrastructure in these areas, while also bolstering existing programs around the country.
    The Funding Community College Infrastructure Act would create a $10 billion grant program within the Department of Education to invest in expanding community college access. Existing community colleges, states, local governments, and municipalities would be eligible for grant funding to establish or expand community colleges and programs to underserved areas, as well as address infrastructure needs at existing community colleges to help them serve students.
    The Community College Infrastructure Financing Act would create a bond program to provide interest-free financing for community colleges, which will allow existing community colleges, States, local governments, and municipalities, to issue “Qualified Community College Bonds” to establish or expand community colleges and programs to underserved areas, as well as address existing infrastructure needs to help them serve students. The bond’s interest would be covered through a federal tax credit to the bondholder in lieu of an interest payment by the municipality.
    Each year, thousands of community college students transfer to four-year institutions before receiving a degree. These students complete additional courses at those institutions, which if taken at a community college, would have earned them an associate degree. However, if these students leave the four-year university before graduation, they are left with nothing to show for their hard work, even though they have fulfilled the requirements for a shorter degree. The CREATE Graduates Act will help students receive the degrees that they have already earned by creating incentives for institutions of higher education to establish “reverse transfer” programs, or initiatives to transfer back credits from a four-year institution to the community college where a student without a degree was initially enrolled. As a result, this bill will allow eligible students to obtain the associate degree that they have earned and, consequently, be more competitive when they enter the job market and ready to succeed.
    Read more about the Funding Community College Infrastructure Act and the Community College Infrastructure Financing Act here. Read more about the CREATE Graduates Act here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Al Green Emphasizes How Better Capitalization Would Prevent Bank Runs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

    (Washington, D.C.) — On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, questioned witnesses on the panel in a Financial Services Committee Hearing entitled, “Regulatory Recipe for Economic Uncertainty: The Endless Basel Endgame and an Onslaught of Hurried Rulemaking Undertaken by the Administration.”

    You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s questions here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Administrator Guzman Announces $20M in Grants for States to Boost Small Business Exports

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s more than 34 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced $20 million in State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants have been awarded to 43 state and territory international trade agencies to provide financial support to small businesses in growing the volume and value of exports. States may start to solicit applications from small businesses now, and funding will become available to small businesses beginning Sept. 30.

    “With 95% of the world’s consumers based outside of the United States, our small businesses need access to markets abroad to grow and create good jobs in America. Through SBA’s STEP funding to states, small businesses can get grants to export to new markets and grow their revenues through marketing, trade missions and more,” said Administrator Guzman. “STEP delivers against the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to increase exports and helps ensure that we can strengthen our small businesses, ensure our economy is more resilient and increase our global competitiveness.”

    “Small businesses build the economic future of the Granite State by tapping into international markets and growing exports at a record pace thanks to programs like STEP. I urge small businesses interested in exporting to take advantage of STEP funding that will help them expand international sales and grow their local economies,” said New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “As Governor, I led the first overseas trade mission from New Hampshire – and when I got to Congress, I worked to create STEP in 2010 to help small businesses start and grow their exports. I’m proud to see STEP’s critical impact across the nation. In the Granite State, it has helped small business owners attend the Farnborough International Air Show and supported the creation of the Export Accelerator program that helps newer small businesses get started in exporting and connect with federal resources. I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for working to provide the programs and resources that small business owners need to compete abroad.”

    “The STEP program supports initiatives for small businesses to access global markets seamlessly,” said Dan Krupnick, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of International Trade. “It helps them understand the ins and outs of exporting, provides opportunities to participate in international trade shows, and assists in creating websites that are tailored to attract and engage foreign buyers. Small businesses are key to supporting global supply chains and STEP continues to make them more resilient.”

    These 43 awardees were selected after a competitive application process to STEP. New grants will help local entrepreneurs enter and thrive in the global marketplace by providing small businesses with the information and tools they need to succeed in export-related activities. Qualifying exporting activities include participating in foreign trade missions and market sales trips, designing international marketing campaigns, participating in export trade show exhibits, and attending training workshops.

    Since its creation in 2010 as part of The Small Business Jobs Act, STEP has awarded $255 million in grants and recorded over $6.8 billion in exports with more than 18,000 small businesses receiving grants to fund their export opportunities and increase their footprint in over 100 countries. Last year, for every $1 in funding for STEP, businesses benefited from $27 in export sales. As states improve their exporting skills, the returns on investment keep improving.

    Individual STEP awards are managed at the local level by state government organizations. To find out if your state or territory has earned an award, and to apply for funding opportunities, please visit: www.sba.gov/STEP. To explore how small business counseling can help inform your export strategy, connect with your local SBA district office and our network of resource partners.

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    About the SBA’s Office of International Trade

    The SBA’s Office of International Trade (OIT) works in cooperation with other federal agencies and public- and private-sector groups to encourage small business exports and to assist small businesses seeking to export. Through U.S. Export Assistance Centers, SBA district offices and a variety of service-provider partners, OIT directs and coordinates SBA’s ongoing export initiatives in an effort to encourage small businesses going global. For more information on the resources available for small business international trade development and to find local Export Finance Managers, visit https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices/office-international-trade.

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) is pleased to announce partnership opportunities to Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PENSACOLA, Fla., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The telecommunications industry is advancing at a rapid pace, driving innovation with cutting-edge technologies that now carry unprecedented amounts of confidential data. As equipment becomes more sophisticated, the need for secure disposal of these data-rich devices is more critical than ever.

    As new equipment is introduced to meet growing demands, outdated devices and systems need to be disposed of responsibly. Unfortunately, this critical step is often overlooked, leaving sensitive assets vulnerable to data breaches or improper handling.

    Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR), a recognized leader in electronics recycling and secure asset disposal, offers telecommunications manufacturers the expertise, resources, and certifications necessary to manage decommissioned devices safely. By partnering with ATR, manufacturers can provide their clients with secure and compliant end-of-life solutions, protecting their brands while also ensuring environmental responsibility.

    A Call to Action: Manufacturers Must Play an Active Role

    Telecommunications manufacturers have a unique opportunity to play an active role in securing the disposal of outdated equipment. It’s not enough to simply supply customers with upgraded systems; manufacturers must also take steps to ensure that decommissioned devices are handled securely. ATR is calling on manufacturers to engage with us, so we can work together to identify critical components and areas where sensitive or confidential information may reside, helping to define best practices in asset management and disposal.

    Telecommunications equipment, such as routers, switches, and servers, often contains sensitive customer data or proprietary information. In addition, certain components may be subject to stringent regulations, such as International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Without proper disposal, these assets could end up in the wrong hands, exposing manufacturers and their clients to serious risks, including data breaches, regulatory violations, and damage to corporate reputations.

    By collaborating with ATR, manufacturers can customize disposal solutions to meet the specific needs of their clients, ensuring that these sensitive assets are disposed of securely, compliantly, and sustainably.

    ATR’s Industry-Leading Expertise and Credentials

    ATR is proud to hold the highest certifications in the industry, including R2v3 and RIOS, which guarantee that its recycling and disposal processes meet the strictest standards for environmental and data security. ATR is also approved by the U.S. State Department for handling ITAR-regulated devices, ensuring that telecommunications equipment used in aerospace and defense communications is managed with the highest level of security and compliance.

    Moreover, ATR’s work with key federal agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has helped to define “best practices” for the industry as a whole. ATR has provided these agencies with valuable insights into the proper handling of sensitive materials, as well as comprehensive facility tours to demonstrate our state-of-the-art disposal processes. ATR has also provided operational insights to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), showcasing our expertise in secure asset disposal.

    Comprehensive Solutions and Customized Security

    ATR’s ability to offer telecommunications manufacturers customized solutions is a critical part of our service model. Every client has unique needs, and one-size-fits-all approaches often fall short when it comes to secure asset disposal. By working closely with manufacturers, ATR develops customized plans that address the specific challenges and regulatory requirements of their customers.

    • Identifying Hidden Data Risks: Telecommunications manufacturers are encouraged to work with ATR to identify critical components and areas within outdated equipment where sensitive data may reside. ATR’s team of experts will then develop tailored strategies to mitigate risks and ensure the secure destruction of these assets.
    • Proprietary Logistics and Chain of Custody: ATR operates its own fleet of vehicles, equipped with advanced tracking systems and video surveillance. This ensures an unbroken chain of custody for every asset, providing full transparency and peace of mind. Manufacturers can trust that their clients’ equipment is handled securely from pickup to final destruction.
    • ITAR Compliance and U.S. State Department Approval: For clients in aerospace, defense, and other regulated industries, ATR’s ITAR-approved processes guarantee compliance with strict government regulations. This expertise is especially important for telecommunications manufacturers working with federal or defense-related contracts.
    • GSA Discounts for State and Federal Agencies: ATR’s services are available at discounted rates through the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule, making it easy for state and federal agencies to access our secure disposal services.

    The Risks of Ignoring Secure Disposal

    Failing to provide a secure disposal solution for decommissioned telecommunications equipment is more than just an oversight—it’s a serious risk to both manufacturers and their clients. Devices that are not properly disposed of can easily find their way into secondary markets or, worse, be accessed by malicious actors. This can lead to data breaches, regulatory fines, and significant damage to a company’s reputation.

    In today’s world, data security is paramount, and companies that fail to safeguard their clients’ information will pay the price. ATR’s services eliminate these risks, ensuring that all decommissioned telecommunications devices are securely destroyed or responsibly recycled.

    A Partnership That Benefits All Parties

    ATR is not just a service provider—we see ourselves as a partner to the telecommunications manufacturers we work with. By forming a partnership with ATR, manufacturers can ensure that they are working together in the best interest of their clients, the environment, and the broader industry. ATR’s extensive experience with federal agencies like the FCC and FAA means that we understand the regulatory landscape and can help manufacturers navigate complex compliance requirements.

    Together, we can ensure that telecommunications manufacturers are not only providing their clients with the latest technology but also safeguarding their data, protecting their brands, and reducing their environmental impact.

    Contact ATR for Customized Solutions

    Telecommunications manufacturers interested in partnering with ATR are encouraged to contact us to discuss how we can customize a solution to meet their clients’ specific needs. Our expertise, industry credentials, and commitment to secure, compliant disposal make us the ideal partner for manufacturers looking to offer their customers a full lifecycle management solution.

    Conclusion

    The telecommunications industry is at a pivotal moment, where secure and sustainable asset disposal is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) is ready to help manufacturers take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their equipment, offering customized, secure, and compliant solutions that protect both their clients and their brands.

    By partnering with ATR, manufacturers can take an active role in defining best practices and ensuring that they are aligned with the highest standards for security, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance. For more information or to schedule a consultation with our telecommunications liaison contact Stacy Jackson-Marsh for additional details.

    About ATR
    Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) is a Certified Woman Owned, US Based, Nationwide Company formed in 2002 with 7 locations to meet the growing needs of Business-to-Business customers seeking transparent, compliant ITAM/ITAD solutions providing one of the industry’s most comprehensive electronic recycling service portfolios. Visit  ATReCycle.com for additional information.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leessa Augustine, Former Sewerage & Water Board Special Agent and New Orleans Police Officer, Indicted for Multiple Fraud Schemes

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

    NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LEESSA AUGUSTINE (“AUGUSTINE”), age 46, was indicted on September 20, 2024 for her involvement in multiple fraud schemes while employed as a Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (“S&WB”) Senior Special Agent, a position tasked with investigating the alleged misconduct of other Sewerage & Water Board employees.

    In one alleged scheme, AUGUSTINE, who was also a New Orleans Police Department reserve officer, billed a police detail customer for hours not actually worked.  It is alleged that during some of the times AUGUSTINE was supposed to be working the police detail for the Downtown Development District, she used her S&WB-issued computer to conduct a second fraud scheme, that involved obtaining a mortgage loan and federally funded assistance for low-income homebuyers.  In that home-purchase scheme, AUGUSTINE allegedly created fake documents, including a fake W-2 form, fake pay stubs, and fake bank statements.  In a third alleged scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded unemployment benefits by concealing her Senior Special Agent income. Finally, in a fourth alleged scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded emergency rental assistance from the City of New Orleans, by submitting a fake lease and a termination letter from a fictitious employer.  At various times during the schemes, AUGUSTINE allegedly provided her S&WB-issued cellphone number as a contact number for three different persons she impersonated.

    AUGUSTINE is charged with four counts of Wire Fraud (one count per each fraud scheme).  AUGUSTINE is also charged with two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft for allegedly misusing two persons’ identities.  Finally, AUGUSTINE is charged with making False Statements for allegedly lying to investigators.

    The wire fraud charge related to the police detail is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The other three wire fraud charges are each punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment due to enhanced penalties for fraud related to emergency benefits and fraud affecting a financial institution.  Each aggravated identity theft charge is punishable by two years’ imprisonment.  The false statement charge is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.  Each count may include a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and the payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

    U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    U.S. Attorney Evans thanked the New Orleans Office of Inspector General and the New Orleans Police Department for their valuable assistance in this case.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Green Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen Oversight of Big Banks and Protect Consumers

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

    Bill Summary (PDF) | Text of Bill (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Vice Ranking Member of the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee on the House Financial Services Committee, and Congressman Al Green (TX-09), Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, reintroduced The Greater Supervision in Banking Act (GSIB), legislation to strengthen Congressional oversight of the country’s largest banks, protect consumers, and end deceptive behavior.

    “Time and again – due to lax financial oversight – the negligence and greed of large financial institutions, that don’t have our best interests in mind, put consumers at risk and exacerbate economic disparities. Congressional oversight and accountability are paramount to prevent harm and enhance transparency,” said Rep. Pressley. “Consumers deserve to make informed decisions about their finances, and this bill, which requires big banks to disclose their approach to protecting consumer data, cases of misconduct, and environmental harm, as well as other risk factors, is a step in the right direction. Congress must pass The Greater Supervision in Banking Act without delay.”

    “This legislation would bring much-needed transparency to our financial system,” said Rep. Green. “The largest banks in our nation have tremendous influence over the livelihoods of American consumers and businesses. From discrimination litigation to gross mismanagement, some of the largest banks have repeatedly shown that they cannot or will not regulate themselves. Congress must exercise heightened oversight of these institutions. The public deserves transparency into the largest banks’ activities, as well as their progress on diversity initiatives and climate change. I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Pressley on this important legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it into law.”

    Limited oversight and transparency have allowed the banking industry to prioritize profits over people, with policies harming its own workers, communities of color, and the planet. For example, bank tellers and other frontline employees are denied a living wage while CEOs rake in million-dollar bonuses. Systemic injustices like the stark racial wealth gap, where white households hold a disproportionate share of wealth compared to Black households, are furthered by policies like modern-day redlining denying Black people opportunities to build wealth and achieve financial prosperity. Additionally, major banks continue to finance fossil fuel expansion and projects that exacerbate climate change, despite the urgent need for a transition to clean energy, further jeopardizing vulnerable communities and future generations.

    The Greater Supervision in Banking Act would conduct oversight of the eight U.S.-based Globally Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs), which include JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, State Street, and Bank of New York Mellon. Collectively, the banks hold more than $15 trillion in assets in 2024 – nearly half of all domestic banking assets.

    Specifically, the legislation:

    • Requires G-SIBs to submit annual reports to the Federal Reserve Board;
    • Mandates detailed disclosure of:
      • G-SIBs’ size, complexity, subsidiary structure, and branch distribution;
      • Enforcement actions against the company, including labor and consumer protection violations;
      • Information on employee dismissals for misconduct, including executives;
      • Capital market activities, including trading desk structures and Volcker Rule compliance;
      • Compensation policies, including executive pay, employee wage distribution, and minimum wage practices; and
      • Diversity initiatives, cybersecurity approaches, whistleblower complaints, and climate risk actions;
    • Ensures public availability of these reports through the Federal Reserve Board’s website.

    The bill is endorsed by Public Citizen, Americans for Financial Reform, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, American Economic Liberties Project, Fight Corporate Monopolies, California Reinvestment Coalition, Action Center on Race and the Economy, Sierra Club, Center for American Progress, and Fair Finance Watch.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here and a summary is here.

    Congresswoman Pressley, Vice Ranking Member of the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee on the House Financial Services Committee, has been a vocal advocate for consumer protections, closing the racial wealth gap, and ensuring that the U.S. banking system works for everyday Americans.

    • In August 2024, Rep. Pressley called on the five largest banks in America to provide a detailed update on the racial equity commitments the institutions made following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. 
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-47), and dozens of lawmakers in introducing legislation to repeal Republicans’ rollback of critical banking protections in 2018 and restore Dodd-Frank protections.
    • In February 2023, she and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the American Opportunity Accounts Act, legislation that would create a federally-funded savings account for every American child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every child and help close the racial wealth gap. 
    • Rep. Pressley has also been a leading voice in Congress urging President Biden to cancel student debt. Following years of advocacy by Rep. Pressley—in partnership with colleagues, borrowers, and advocates like the NAACP—the Biden-Harris Administration announced a historic plan to cancel student debt that stands to benefit over 40 million people.
    • In September 2022, Rep. Pressley introduced the Payment Modernization Act – legislation requiring a more reasonable timeline for the Federal Reserve’s faster payments system and prioritizing consumer protection and wellbeing in the development process. 
    • In  June 2021, Rep. Pressley and then-House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced the Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2021, bold legislation to help address the U.S. racial wealth and homeownership gaps by providing $100 billion toward downpayment and other financial assistance for first-generation homebuyers to purchase their first home.
    • In May 2020, she introduced the Saving Our Street Act with then-Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) to provide economic relief to small businesses with less than 10 employees, with a specific focus on Black and brown-owned businesses.
    • In April 2019, she questioned G-SIB CEOs about discriminatory lending practices during their first appearance before Congress in over a decade.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Levies More Than $3.8 Million in Penalties in Sweep of Late Beneficial Ownership and Insider Transaction Reports

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced settled charges against 23 entities and individuals for failures to timely report information about their holdings and transactions in public company stock. Two public companies were also charged for contributing to filing failures by their officers and directors and failing to report their insiders’ filing delinquencies as required.

    The charges announced today stem from SEC enforcement initiatives focused on Schedules 13D and 13G reports and Forms 3, 4, and 5 that certain corporate insiders are required to file. Schedules 13D and 13G provide information about the holdings and intentions of investors who beneficially own more than five percent of any registered voting class of public company stock. Forms 3, 4, and 5 are reports used to provide information about public company stock transactions by corporate officers, directors, or certain investors who beneficially own more than 10 percent of the stock. These reporting requirements apply irrespective of whether the trades were profitable and regardless of a person’s reasons for the transactions. SEC staff used data analytics to identify the charged individuals and entities as filing required reports late.

    Without admitting or denying the findings, all of the entities and individuals agreed to cease and desist from committing and causing violations of the respective charged provisions and to pay civil penalties.

    The firms charged in connection with beneficial ownership of publicly traded companies and their respective penalties are:

    • Sunbeam Management, LLC – $40,000;
    • TALANTA Investment Group, LLC – $45,000;
    • Grays Peak Ventures LLC – $65,000;
    • Stilwell Value LLC – $75,000;
    • BSC, LP – $75,000;
    • Bain Capital Credit Member, LLC – $130,000;
    • FIG LLC, which conducts business under the name Fortress Investment Group – $200,000;
    • Adage Capital Management, L.P. – $200,000;
    • Essex Woodlands Management, Inc. – $225,000;
    • The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. – $300,000;
    • Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. – $375,000;
    • The Bank of Nova Scotia – $375,000; and
    • Alphabet Inc. – $750,000.

    Alphabet was also charged with failing to timely file Forms 13F, reports institutional money managers are required to file regarding certain sizeable securities holdings.

    The Individuals charged who were officers, directors, and/or beneficial owners of publicly traded companies, and the civil penalty each will pay, are:

    • Mitchell P. Rales, of Potomac, Maryland – $10,000;
    • Scott B. Stevens, of Bedford, New York – $20,000;
    • Michael Winterhalter, of Dana Point, California – $20,000;
    • Pedro C. Gonzalez, of St. Petersburg, Florida – $25,000;
    • Curtis Drew Hodgson, of Addison, Texas – $30,000;
    • Kenneth E. Shipley, of Levelland, Texas – $30,000;
    • Peter M. Thomas, of Las Vegas, Nevada – $77,000;
    • Howard S. Jonas, of Easton, Pennsylvania – $90,000;
    • David L. Kanen, of Parkland, Florida – $109,000; and
    • Jack W. Schuler, of Lake Bluff, Illinois – $200,000.

    The public companies charged that contributed to filing failures and failed to report delinquencies, and the civil penalty each will pay, are:

    • Legacy Housing Corporation – $200,000; and
    • Celsius Holdings, Inc. – $200,000.

    “To make informed investment decisions, shareholders rely on, among other things, timely reports about insider holdings and transactions and changes in potential controlling interests,” said Thomas P. Smith, Jr., Associate Regional Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “Today’s actions are a reminder to large investors that they must commit necessary resources to ensure these reports are filed on time.” 

    The SEC previously charged corporate insiders for failing to timely report transactions and holdings, and several issuers for contributing to their insiders’ failures in September 2023.

    The SEC’s investigations were conducted by Eric C. Kirsch and Bari R. Nadworny, of the New York Regional Office, Christine Chen and Gary Zinkgraf of SEC Headquarters, Cassandra Arriaza and Dahlia Rin of the Boston Regional Office, Jennifer Miller of the Philadelphia Regional Office, and Douglas Dykhuizen of the Atlanta Regional Office. Beth Groves, Howard Kaplan, and Alexander C. Lefferts of the Division of Enforcement’s Office of Investigative & Market Analytics and Michael Pessin of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis also provided assistance. The teams worked in close collaboration with Anne M. Krauskopf and Nicholas P. Panos in the agency’s Division of Corporation Finance. The investigations were supervised by Wendy Tepperman and Mr. Smith of the New York Regional Office and Jeffrey Weiss, Armita Cohen, and Mark Cave of SEC Headquarters.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Viper Energy, Inc., a Subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc., Schedules Third Quarter 2024 Conference Call for November 5, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDLAND, Texas, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Viper Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: VNOM) (“Viper”), a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback”), today announced that it plans to release third quarter 2024 financial results on November 4, 2024 after the market closes.

    In connection with the earnings release, Viper will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the third quarter of 2024 on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Access to the live webcast, and replay which will be available following the call, may be found here. The live webcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via Viper’s website at www.viperenergy.com under the “Investor Relations” section of the site.

    About Viper Energy, Inc.

    Viper is an oil and gas company formed by Diamondback to own, acquire and exploit oil and natural gas properties in North America, with a focus on oil-weighted basins, primarily the Permian Basin in West Texas. For more information, please visit www.viperenergy.com.

    About Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas.  For more information, please visit www.diamondbackenergy.com.

    Investor Contact:
    Adam Lawlis
    +1 432.221.7467
    alawlis@viperenergy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Diamondback Energy, Inc. Schedules Third Quarter 2024 Conference Call for November 5, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDLAND, Texas, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback”), today announced that it plans to release third quarter 2024 financial results on November 4, 2024 after the market closes.

    In connection with the earnings release, Diamondback will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the third quarter of 2024 on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. CT. Access to the webcast, and replay which will be available following the call, may be found here. The live webcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via Diamondback’s website at www.diamondbackenergy.com under the “Investor Relations” section of the site.

    About Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. For more information, please visit www.diamondbackenergy.com.

    Investor Contact:
    Adam Lawlis
    +1 432.221.7467
    alawlis@diamondbackenergy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Amalgamated Bank Issues Annual Environmental, Social and Governance Report for 2023

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amalgamated Bank, a subsidiary of Amalgamated Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: AMAL), today announced the publication of its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report. The annual report provides a comprehensive overview of Amalgamated Bank’s performance in its approach to addressing ESG risk as a part of delivering value for clients and investors.

    “Amalgamated Bank’s unwavering commitment to operating with the best interest of our clients in mind is a cornerstone of our mission. We take pride in partnering with companies who prioritize environmental stewardship, champion social justice, and demonstrate exemplary corporate governance,” said Priscilla Sims Brown, Amalgamated Bank’s President and CEO. “And we continue our commitment to using our financial resources and corporate influence to advance economic, social and environmental change.”

    Highlights of the report include:

    Business Impact: Redefining Success

    In 2023, Amalgamated Bank achieved B-Corp recertification with a score of 155.3, almost double the score needed to qualify and over three times the score of an ordinary business; setting a new standard for corporate responsibility. Its funding to climate solutions totaled more than $2 billion representing more than 39% of its lending portfolio and Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) assessments. Nearly 70% of Amalgamated Bank’s lending portfolios are high-impact and 100% mission aligned.

    Climate Action: Leading the Charge on Sustainability

    Amalgamated Bank is also committed to aligning all of its business practices with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. While growing its total amount of loans and investments, Amalgamated Bank reported a fifth consecutive year of increasing the share dedicated to climate solutions. In 2023, Amalgamated Bank reported an industry leading emissions intensity of 14.7 tons of CO2e per million dollars invested and supported clean energy projects that resulted in 243,010 tons of avoided emissions.

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Workforce that Reflects Our Values

    For the second year in a row, its pay equity analysis showed substantial parity in pay for women and minorities. Based on last year’s pay equity analysis, the Bank earned an “A” on Arjuna Capital’s Racial and Gender Pay Scorecard, the highest score in the financial sector. The Bank received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Index. The Bank’s workforce diversity data reveals that its commitment to building a diverse and vibrant workforce that reflects the communities it serves remains intact. In addition to EEO-1 aligned reporting, the Bank also discloses industry leading, workforce-related data on hiring, promotion, and departures.

    “We continue to develop financial products that prioritize environmental and social benefits alongside financial returns,” said Ivan Frishberg, Amalgamated Bank’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Every product and service we offer is designed with more than the bottom line in mind, ensuring our impact extends far beyond financial success. We are proud to lead by example and set new standards for what it means to be a responsible and forward-thinking financial institution.”

    About Amalgamated Financial Corp.

    Amalgamated Financial Corp. is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Amalgamated Bank. Amalgamated Bank is a New York-based full-service commercial bank and a chartered trust company with a combined network of five branches across New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, and a commercial office in Boston. Amalgamated Bank was formed in 1923 as Amalgamated Bank of New York by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, one of the country’s oldest labor unions. Amalgamated Bank provides commercial banking and trust services nationally and offers a full range of products and services to both commercial and retail customers. Amalgamated Bank is a proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and is a certified B Corporation®. As of June 30, 2024, our total assets were $8.3 billion, total net loans were $4.4 billion, and total deposits were $7.4 billion. Additionally, as of June 30, 2024, our trust business held $34.6 billion in assets under custody and $14.0 billion in assets under management.

    Investor Contact:
    Jamie Lillis
    Solebury Strategic Communications
    shareholderrelations@amalgamatedbank.com
    800-895-4172

    Source: Amalgamated Financial Corp.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Improving resilience on State Highway 63 in Marlborough

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    New resilience work is about to get underway on State Highway 63 in Marlborough, on the Blenheim side of The Wash Bridge.

    New resilience work is about to get underway on State Highway 63 in Marlborough, on the Blenheim side of The Wash Bridge.

    Contractors will be on-site from Monday, 7 October, with work expected to continue until early December.

    They will raise the height of the road by 1.5 meters to minimise future flooding and carry out culvert improvements as well.

    Mark Owen, Regional Manager Wellington/Top of the South, says this section of state highway between Blenheim and St Arnaud is prone to flooding.

    “Making these improvements and increasing the highway’s resilience will help keep the road open in bad weather, and ensure people, products, and places remain connected.”

    “It means the transport network will be stronger and better prepared for any future disruption,” Mr Owen says.

    During the work, one lane of the highway will remain open under stop/go temporary traffic management. A 30 km/h temporary speed limit will also be in place. Road users can expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

    Mr Owen says the work is funded by the Transport Resilience Fund.

    “The fund is about covering the cost of resilience improvements on the state highway network and minimising damage from future weather events.”

    “Marlborough residents know only too well how big an impact floods can have. Investments like this can make a big difference,” Mr Owen says.

    Other resilience works are planned for Marlborough. They include State Highway 6 Canvastown at Racecourse Bridge, State Highway 6 Rai Saddle and State Highway 1 at Dashwood. More information about these projects will be shared before they get underway. 

    Works Schedule: 

    • Stop/Go temporary traffic management in place from Monday. 7 October to Friday. 6 December, 7:30 am – 5 pm – No work on Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays.
    • The road will reopen to two lanes outside of work hours.
    • A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will be in place at the site 24/7.
    • Expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

    More Information: 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Woman Sentenced for Conspiring to Destroy the Baltimore Region Power Grid

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

    Sarah Beth Clendaniel, 36, of Catonsville, Maryland, was sentenced today to 18 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for conspiring to damage or destroy electrical facilities in Maryland and a concurrent sentence of 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    “Those who seek to attack our country’s critical infrastructure will face the full force of the U.S. Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Sarah Beth Clendaniel sought to ‘completely destroy’ the city of Baltimore by targeting five power substations as a means of furthering her violent white supremacist ideology. She will now spend the next 18 years in federal prison. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively counter, disrupt, and prosecute those who seek to launch these kinds of hate-fueled attacks that target our critical infrastructure, endanger entire cities, and threaten our national security.” 

    “The defendant plotted to disable the power grid around the entire Baltimore region and cause harm to thousands of people in pursuit of a racially motivated violent extremist agenda,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Her plan failed thanks to the great work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners. Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning to others that you will be held accountable if you attempt to carry out violent attacks on our infrastructure or threaten the safety of those in our communities.”

    “Such cowardice, designed to disrupt and endanger the lives of Maryland’s citizens, will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland. “My office remains committed to protecting the security and well-being of the community by prosecuting such conduct to the full extent of the law.”

    According to her plea agreement and other court documents, in 2018, Clendaniel became acquainted with Brandon C. Russell, a Florida resident, who is currently charged with conspiracy to damage or destroy electrical facilities in Maryland and is awaiting trial. Clendaniel and Russell espouse a white supremacist ideology and advocate a concept known as “accelerationism.” To “accelerate” or to support “accelerationism” is based on a white supremacist belief that the current system is irreparable and without an apparent political solution, and therefore violent action is necessary to precipitate societal and government collapse.

    According to court documents, from at least December 2022 through February 2023, Clendaniel conspired with Russell to damage energy facilities involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity and to cause a significant interruption and impairment of the Baltimore regional power grid. The intended monetary loss associated with the planned attacks would have exceeded $75 million.

    As set forth in her plea agreement, Clendaniel admitted that she communicated and planned over encrypted communication applications (ECA) to carry out attacks against energy facilities. Russell and Clendaniel communicated their plans to commit an attack on the Baltimore region power grid to a confidential human source (CHS-1).

    Their plans began to coalesce on Jan. 12, 2023, when CHS-1 and Russell discussed the planned substation attack in Maryland with a goal of working with Clendaniel to “maximize impact” and “to coordinate to get multiple [substations] at the same time.” Later that same day, Clendaniel, using the moniker “Nythra88,” sent a message to CHS-1 on ECA confirming her support of the attack.

    In the ensuing conversation, which continued through Jan. 14, 2023, Clendaniel told CHS-1 that she lived near Baltimore. She also stated that she was a felon, and had previously, but unsuccessfully, attempted to obtain a rifle. She asked CHS-1 to purchase a rifle for her, stating that she wanted to “accomplish something worthwhile” and that she wanted the rifle “within the next couple of weeks” to “accomplish as much as possible before June, at the latest.” On Jan. 18, 2023, on ECA, Clendaniel told CHS-1 that she had identified a few potential locations to target in her attack. CHS-1 stated that CHS-1 would have to be the “driver” and Clendaniel would have to be the “shooter” in the attack. Clendaniel confirmed that she was “determined to do this” and stated she would have done something earlier on her own if she had not lost her rifle “a few months ago.” The conversation continued with CHS-1 and Clendaniel discussing the specifics of the desired rifle and agreeing that Clendaniel would send CHS-1 a “wish list,” which she did the following day.

    At various times from Jan. 21, 2023, through Jan. 29, 2023, CHS-1 exchanged encrypted messages, separately with Clendaniel and with Russell, in which they discussed in detail the rifle and specific firearms accessories that Clendaniel wanted and potential targets for their attack.

    On Jan. 29, 2023, Clendaniel told CHS-1 that the five substations she planned to target included “Norrisville, Reisterstown, and Perry Hall.” Clendaniel described how there was a “ring” around Baltimore and if they hit a number of them all in the same day, they “would completely destroy this whole city.” She added that they needed to “destroy those cores, not just leak the oil . . . ” and that a “good four or five shots through the center of them . . . should make that happen.” Further, she stated that: “[i]t would probably permanently completely lay this city to waste if we could do that successfully.” When CHS-1 asked if it would accomplish a “cascading failure,” Clendaniel replied, “[y]es . . . probably” and that the attack targets are all “major ones.” Clendaniel also said that the most difficult target that they would have to do together has “fire walls on three sides.”

    During that conversation, Clendaniel sent CHS-1 five links to the “Open Infrastructure Map” which showed the locations of five specific Baltimore, Gas and Electric (BGE) electrical substations in Maryland. BGE is an energy company that utilizes substations, like the five targeted sites, to produce, convert, transform, regulate and distribute energy. Three of the five substations were located near the towns of Norrisville, Reisterstown, and Perry Hall. The remaining two substations were in the vicinity of Baltimore City. Each location is a BGE substation with significant infrastructure.

    On or about Jan. 31, 2023, Russell discussed with CHS-1 the attack of the targeted substations on ECA, including how to “make sure it’s done right,” how “it has been studied,” and how to make it “cascading” so as to maximize damage. Russell and Clendaniel believed that attacking these five electrical substations in the greater Baltimore area would serve accelerationism.

    On Feb. 3, 2023, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Clendaniel’s residence in Catonsville, Maryland. During the search, law enforcement agents recovered from Clendaniel’s bedroom various firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Federal law prohibits Clendaniel from possessing these items because she is a convicted felon, including convictions in Cecil County, Maryland, for robbery in 2006 and robbery and attempted robbery in 2016.

    The FBI investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and Michael Aubin for the District of Maryland prosecuted the case with valuable assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland is a partner in the Justice Department’s United Against Hate community outreach program. The United Against Hate initiative seeks to directly connect federal, state, and local law enforcement with traditionally marginalized communities in order to build trust and encourage the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents. Attorney General Garland announced the nationwide launch of the initiative and its expansion to all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

    MIL Security OSI –