NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prepare for Extreme Heat and Severe Storms

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today directed State agencies to prepare for severe weather including thunderstorms and extreme heat starting on Thursday in the eastern part of the State. Wet weather will continue Friday and Saturday in parts of the State followed by a statewide period of high heat and humidity that could exceed feels-like temperatures over 100 degrees starting Sunday. Extreme heat could continue through next week. Governor Hochul also recently announced a suite of actions to help New Yorkers stay cool during extreme heat events this summer.

    “With severe storms and dangerous heat expected across the state, I’m urging all New Yorkers to take precautions — stay indoors when possible, vote early, stay hydrated, and check on your fellow New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will be closely monitoring the weather over the next week, and I encourage all New Yorkers to stay weather aware, watch their local forecast, and follow all local guidance.”

    Thursday is expected to be the hottest day this year so far in the eastern parts of the State, and there is the threat of severe thunderstorms containing heavy rain, high wind gusts and large hail across much of the state. Temperatures are expected to peak Thursday afternoon and early evening for parts of New York City, as well as the Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions with “feels-like” temperatures in the high 90s. Potentially severe storms on Thursday for areas north and west of Albany could include up to one inch of rain, wind gusts up to 58 mph, and large hail.

    Friday will likely bring rain throughout most of the State on Friday with the heaviest storms expected in the North Country. Heavy rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected again late Saturday, primarily in the North Country and Central New York regions.

    Heat and humidity are expected to begin on Saturday with feels like temperatures in the 90s on Saturday and approaching 100 on Sunday throughout much of the State. Above normal temperatures are expected to continue Monday and Tuesday and could remain high with feels-like temperatures as high as 105 degrees during the day and overnight lows between 70 – 85 degrees statewide through much of next week.

    Voters in New York City, Albany, Syracuse, and elsewhere can expect high temperatures on Primary Election Day, Tuesday June 24. To beat the heat, take advantage of early voting or request an early mail ballot in person at your local county board of elections office.

    Residents of New York City can find information on cooling centers and options here.

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

    The Office of Emergency Management is in regular contact with county emergency managers to ensure cooling centers are available, and to offer support and advise on extreme heat risks. In addition, the agency is facilitating preparations and coordinating guidance and communications with State agency partners. Information on how to manage extreme heat can be found online. To receive real time weather and emergency alerts, New Yorkers are encouraged to text the name of their county or borough to 333111.

    New York State Department of Public Service

    DPS is tracking electric system conditions and overseeing utility response to any situations that may arise as a result of this week’s extreme heat and potential thunderstorm activity. DPS has been in direct contact with utility leaders to ensure they are preparing their systems for the extreme heat and will be tracking system conditions throughout the event. New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available, as necessary, to engage in damage assessment, response, repair, and restoration efforts across New York State, for this heat event. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    During heat waves, increased usage of electric devices such as air conditioners place a considerable demand on the state’s electricity system and instances of low voltage or isolated power outages can result. The record for such usage was set on July 19, 2013, when it reached 33,956 MWs (one megawatt of electricity is enough to power up to 1,000 average-sized homes). The peak load forecast for today is 22,550 MW. Yesterday’s peak load was 19,028 MW. There are no operational problems on the transmission system and there is sufficient generation scheduled to meet today’s peak load.

    Department of Health

    The State Health Department is taking a number of steps to promote the safety of all New Yorkers in periods of extreme heat, especially those most at risk. The Department has distributed guidance to all hospitals and nursing homes and will issue additional guidance to hosts of any scheduled public events with over 5,000 people in attendance. The Department will engage community-based organizations and other funded providers in an attempt to increase access to cooling centers and safe spaces during this extreme heat. Resources can be found at the CDC’s extreme heat website and the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

    Learn more about heat related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Department of Health website here.

    The New York State Department of Health’s interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard allows the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their area and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.

    Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to  locate cooling centers can be found on DOH’s Extreme Heat website.

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    Many New York State Park beaches and pools are open for the season. Prior to making a trip, potential visitors should call ahead to the park they plan to visit or check https://parks.ny.gov/parks/ for park hours and operations. Changes in weather and water conditions may affect swimming status. Park status updates are also available on the free New York State Parks Explorer mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

    NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

    The agency has compiled important information, including preventative measures, to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat on farm workers and farm animals. The Department will also be working closely with partners at The New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) at Cornell University to monitor any potential impacts of the extreme heat expected this week. NY EDEN is also a resource for farmers and farm workers during a heat wave, and additional information can be found at https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/natural-hazards/heat-wave/.

    Department of Environmental Conservation

    The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    Unpredictable weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, mud, and warmer temperatures to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

    Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information.

    Hiking Safety

    Hiking in the heat is always risky. New Yorkers and visitors should review the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

    • Slow your pace.
    • Drink water and rest often.
    • Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight.
    • Bring at least 2 liters of water for any hike.
    • Bring a water filter, especially for longer hikes.
    • Bring salty snacks to keep your electrolytes in check.
    • Wear sunscreen.
    • Leave your pets at home– the heat is harder on them, especially walking on hot rocks.
    • Consider staying home yourself and rescheduling for another day when weather conditions improve.

    Even if the weather is forecast to be high heat all day, there’s always a chance of hypothermia due to a sudden storm or drop in temperatures. This can increase dramatically if you’re sweating and not wearing sweat-wicking clothing (made of fabrics like wool or polyester). Many cases of hypothermia are in the summer when people least expect it.

    Whether you are hiking, mountain biking, or paddling, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    Air Quality

    DEC is continuing to monitor air quality across the State and will issue air quality health advisories as necessary. New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

    Extreme Heat

    DEC recently released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage and posted at nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the state.

    The New York State Department of Labor has released comprehensive guidance to help employers better protect outdoor workers during extreme heat and advises workers and employers to engage in extreme heat best practices such as:

    • Ensure access to clean drinking water at no cost to workers, available at all times and as close to the worksite as possible.
    • Provide shade and paid rest when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and more frequent rest breaks once the heat index exceeds 90 degrees.
    • Wear proper PPE so long as they do not interfere with safety equipment, including sunscreen, cooling vests, wide-brim hats, and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

    More information on best practices for working in extreme heat can be found here.

    Thruway Authority maintenance crews will be conducting standard daily operations during times where temperatures are lowest and will enhance patrols monitoring the highway. Motorists are reminded and encouraged to take breaks at one of 26 service areas or three Welcome Centers located on the Thruway system.

    Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct most outdoor work during morning hours and follow established hydration and rest protocols to help mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures.

    Office of Children and Family Services

    The agency is taking a number of actions to ensure activities at residential centers, detention programs and congregate care programs are conducted in a safe manner during the heat. This includes checking cooling equipment, ensuring proper amounts of water are available and consumed, rescheduling activities and meetings, and identifying staff and clients who may be affected by heat. They are also providing guidance to child care programs and groups associated with the Commission for the Blind statewide.

    New York State Office of Mental Health

    In advance of the hot conditions, New Yorkers should be aware of the impact high heat may have on individuals receiving antipsychotic medications, who are at particular risk of heat stroke and neuroleptic malignant syndrome during periods of extreme heat, which is more likely in poorly ventilated areas. Children and the elderly are at increased risk.

    In addition to monitoring individuals at risk, such conditions are best prevented by a heightened attention to hydration, particularly those at high risk, including individuals taking antipsychotic medications, the elderly, children and those with poor fluid intake. Also, individuals at high-risk should remain in cooler areas; be monitored for temperature elevations; avoid direct exposure to sunlight and wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Anticholinergic medications may interfere with sweating and should be minimized.

    Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

    The agency is reminding local departments of social services and emergency homeless shelter operators of the need to provide fans to help maintain reasonable air circulation during times of extreme heat and humidity. Also, shelter providers should provide a cooling room in the facility for residents, if feasible.

    Metropolitan Transportation Authority

    To reduce potential impacts to service and reduce response times to heat-related events, NYC Transit will implement heat patrols to proactively increase track inspections and stage extra personnel in key risk areas including power substations, machine rooms, generators, cables, and connections. To ensure functioning air conditioning, subway railcars and buses will be inspected before being placed in service. Paratransit service providers are reminded vehicles must have functioning air-conditioning. Buses and operators will be on standby for any support needed with subways or emergency service. NYC Transit also completes a continuous welded rail watch when rail temperatures exceed 100 degrees to be vigilant of rail kinks or other issues.

    Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad crews will be staged at key locations to be able to respond quickly to weather-related issues. The railroads will monitor rail temperatures, deploy heat patrols to inspect the rails for any kinks, and stage additional Power Department personnel to protect power substations and overhead aerial lines. Train crews have been instructed to report any rail conditions that need attention.

    In response to Thursday’s severe storms which may include wind gusts of up to 50 mph, Bridges and Tunnels will be implementing a preemptive ban on empty tractor-trailer and tandem vehicles at all bridges. The ban will go into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, and is anticipated to be in effect until approximately 9:00 p.m.

    The Port Authority Office of Emergency Management coordinates with facility teams to monitor weather conditions and operational impacts and maintains communication with regional partners to support response readiness during periods of elevated temperatures.

    For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Firearms Violation

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Douglas Wayne Cornett, 58, of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two federal hate crimes charges involving attempts to kill and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

    According to court documents, on the evening of Feb. 28, 2024, Cornett followed a box truck driven by a victim with the initials O.G., an adult Latino male, into the Sheetz gas station along Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Cornett then asked a victim with the initials J.M., an adult Latino male and a friend of O.G., how long O.G. had been present in the United States.

    Upon learning that O.G. had arrived within the last two years, Cornett drew handgun and fired six rounds, striking O.G. three times and J.M. once. Cornett later confessed to a Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy to shooting the victims because of his perception of their national origin.

    “Hate crimes driven by bias against national origin or any other protected characteristic are a direct assault on the principles of equality and justice that define our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorously prosecuting such acts of violence to secure a just outcome.”

    “Crimes like Douglas Cornett’s, acts of hate motivated violence, victimize not just the individual, but harm families, communities, and groups by robbing them of their sense of security,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Every person has a right to live free of the fear of violence and the menace of hate, and my office is committed to eliminating both.”

    “Hate crimes not only harm individuals but undermine the fabric of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “FBI Richmond is steadfast in its dedication to investigating these violations thoroughly and swiftly to ensure justice for the victims and to protect the American people.”

    Cornett faces a mandatory 10-year sentence on the firearms violation and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the two hate crimes. His final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 13.

    Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; G. Ryan Mehaffey, the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement.

    The Richmond Field Office of the FBI investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Firearms Violation

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Douglas Wayne Cornett, 58, of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two federal hate crimes charges involving attempts to kill and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

    According to court documents, on the evening of Feb. 28, 2024, Cornett followed a box truck driven by a victim with the initials O.G., an adult Latino male, into the Sheetz gas station along Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Cornett then asked a victim with the initials J.M., an adult Latino male and a friend of O.G., how long O.G. had been present in the United States.

    Upon learning that O.G. had arrived within the last two years, Cornett drew handgun and fired six rounds, striking O.G. three times and J.M. once. Cornett later confessed to a Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy to shooting the victims because of his perception of their national origin.

    “Hate crimes driven by bias against national origin or any other protected characteristic are a direct assault on the principles of equality and justice that define our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorously prosecuting such acts of violence to secure a just outcome.”

    “Crimes like Douglas Cornett’s, acts of hate motivated violence, victimize not just the individual, but harm families, communities, and groups by robbing them of their sense of security,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Every person has a right to live free of the fear of violence and the menace of hate, and my office is committed to eliminating both.”

    “Hate crimes not only harm individuals but undermine the fabric of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “FBI Richmond is steadfast in its dedication to investigating these violations thoroughly and swiftly to ensure justice for the victims and to protect the American people.”

    Cornett faces a mandatory 10-year sentence on the firearms violation and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the two hate crimes. His final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 13.

    Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; G. Ryan Mehaffey, the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement.

    The Richmond Field Office of the FBI investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Firearms Violation

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Douglas Wayne Cornett, 58, of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two federal hate crimes charges involving attempts to kill and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

    According to court documents, on the evening of Feb. 28, 2024, Cornett followed a box truck driven by a victim with the initials O.G., an adult Latino male, into the Sheetz gas station along Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Cornett then asked a victim with the initials J.M., an adult Latino male and a friend of O.G., how long O.G. had been present in the United States.

    Upon learning that O.G. had arrived within the last two years, Cornett drew handgun and fired six rounds, striking O.G. three times and J.M. once. Cornett later confessed to a Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy to shooting the victims because of his perception of their national origin.

    “Hate crimes driven by bias against national origin or any other protected characteristic are a direct assault on the principles of equality and justice that define our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorously prosecuting such acts of violence to secure a just outcome.”

    “Crimes like Douglas Cornett’s, acts of hate motivated violence, victimize not just the individual, but harm families, communities, and groups by robbing them of their sense of security,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Every person has a right to live free of the fear of violence and the menace of hate, and my office is committed to eliminating both.”

    “Hate crimes not only harm individuals but undermine the fabric of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “FBI Richmond is steadfast in its dedication to investigating these violations thoroughly and swiftly to ensure justice for the victims and to protect the American people.”

    Cornett faces a mandatory 10-year sentence on the firearms violation and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the two hate crimes. His final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 13.

    Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; G. Ryan Mehaffey, the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement.

    The Richmond Field Office of the FBI investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nineteen Members or Associates of the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang Charged in Murder Conspiracy Targeting a Well-Known Rapper

    Source: US FBI

    Nineteen members or associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a well-known rapper, popular on social media, for perceived infractions against the Mexican Mafia.

    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force have been investigating the Mexican Mafia’s attempts to locate, and murder, an intended victim, a conspiracy that began in approximately December 2022.

    The conspiracy to murder the victim is alleged to have been coordinated by a member of the Mexican Mafia and several high-ranking associates of the Mexican Mafia.  The coordination of the murder conspiracy occurred in the Los Angeles County area, within the California prison system, and from inside the Los Angeles County Jail.

    “The defendants engaged in a criminal conspiracy to murder an individual by acting as rogue judges, juries and executioners,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s successful operation resulting in state charges is just the latest blow to the Mexican Mafia hierarchy that operates within the prison system and which threatens jail workers, fellow inmates and spills over into the streets of our communities. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.”

    According to investigators and deputy district attorneys who filed the case being announced, a Mexican Mafia member referred to by co-conspirators in coded language as “The Elegant One,” placed the victim on the “green-light” list, meaning the victim was marked for death.  An armed Mexican Mafia associate is alleged to have gone to the residence of the victims’ family in efforts to find and kill him after another Mexican Mafia associate followed the victim on social media, learning of his location.

    “This investigation highlights the far-reaching and violent influence of criminal gang organizations operating behind bars to orchestrate attacks that endanger the safety of those in our custody and in our communities,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “The relentless efforts of our Major Crimes Bureau, Operation Safe Jails, along with the dedicated local and federal law enforcement partners helped prevent further violence and disrupt a murder conspiracy. We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.” 

    During the investigation, a Mexican Mafia associate learned that the victim was arrested and incarcerated as an inmate in the Los Angeles County Jail.  Mexican Mafia inmates – known as “shotcallers” – in leadership positions for the Mexican Mafia, are alleged to have called Mexican Mafia shotcallers in a California Prison and associates on the streets to confirm the green-light status of the victim.  When the green-light status was confirmed, Mexican Mafia associates within the Los Angeles County Jail—known as “Sureños” or “soldiers”—attacked the victim, using a weapon.  The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. When Mexican Mafia shotcallers learned the victim survived the attack, they are alleged to have begun a new plan to find, and kill, the victim.  The victim was released from jail days later before he could be attacked again.

    “We will not tolerate organized crime using our jails and prisons as a haven for violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “When individuals on the outside conspire with those inside to carry out attacks, they threaten the safety and integrity of our correctional system. That criminal activity may scale over prison walls, but I will make it my mission to ensure it ends at the front door, with an arrest. Every person in custody should be able to serve their time without fear of being targeted. I commend our Prison Crimes Division for their outstanding work in protecting lives and upholding justice.”

    After being released from Los Angeles County Jail, Mexican Mafia associates are alleged to have continued to try to find, and kill, the victim.  The Mexican Mafia associates continued to follow the victim on social media to find his location.

    The following defendants charged in this case were taken into custody on June 18, 2025, at their place of residence:

    • Manuel Quintero, 49, of Paramount
    • Patricial Esquivel, 45, of Palmdale
    • Dominga Gonzalez, 66, of Bellflower
    • Jude Valle, 48, of Pomona
    • Carl Brown, 31, of Gardena
    • Glendy Orozco-Lechuga, 29, of Gardena
    • Sanjuana Macias, 26, of Los Angeles

    The following eleven defendants charged in this case are currently incarcerated on unrelated charges:

    • Guiseppe Leyva, 34, of La Puente
    • Jacob David, 39, of Coachella
    • Manuel O’Campo, 40, of Compton
    • Jonathan Quevedo, 43, of Los Angeles
    • Onesimo Gonzalez, 44, of Paramount
    • Michael Ortiz, 29, of Norwalk
    • Andrew Shinaia, 24, of Los Angeles
    • Adrian Bueno, 33, of San Fernando
    • Larry Sanchez, 31, of Gardena
    • Juan Meza, 53, of Compton
    • Jorge Zavala, 31, of Norwalk

    One defendant, Joshua Euan, 37, of Paramount, is considered a fugitive and is being sought by Task Force members. His photo is being made public. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nineteen Members or Associates of the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang Charged in Murder Conspiracy Targeting a Well-Known Rapper

    Source: US FBI

    Nineteen members or associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a well-known rapper, popular on social media, for perceived infractions against the Mexican Mafia.

    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force have been investigating the Mexican Mafia’s attempts to locate, and murder, an intended victim, a conspiracy that began in approximately December 2022.

    The conspiracy to murder the victim is alleged to have been coordinated by a member of the Mexican Mafia and several high-ranking associates of the Mexican Mafia.  The coordination of the murder conspiracy occurred in the Los Angeles County area, within the California prison system, and from inside the Los Angeles County Jail.

    “The defendants engaged in a criminal conspiracy to murder an individual by acting as rogue judges, juries and executioners,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s successful operation resulting in state charges is just the latest blow to the Mexican Mafia hierarchy that operates within the prison system and which threatens jail workers, fellow inmates and spills over into the streets of our communities. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.”

    According to investigators and deputy district attorneys who filed the case being announced, a Mexican Mafia member referred to by co-conspirators in coded language as “The Elegant One,” placed the victim on the “green-light” list, meaning the victim was marked for death.  An armed Mexican Mafia associate is alleged to have gone to the residence of the victims’ family in efforts to find and kill him after another Mexican Mafia associate followed the victim on social media, learning of his location.

    “This investigation highlights the far-reaching and violent influence of criminal gang organizations operating behind bars to orchestrate attacks that endanger the safety of those in our custody and in our communities,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “The relentless efforts of our Major Crimes Bureau, Operation Safe Jails, along with the dedicated local and federal law enforcement partners helped prevent further violence and disrupt a murder conspiracy. We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.” 

    During the investigation, a Mexican Mafia associate learned that the victim was arrested and incarcerated as an inmate in the Los Angeles County Jail.  Mexican Mafia inmates – known as “shotcallers” – in leadership positions for the Mexican Mafia, are alleged to have called Mexican Mafia shotcallers in a California Prison and associates on the streets to confirm the green-light status of the victim.  When the green-light status was confirmed, Mexican Mafia associates within the Los Angeles County Jail—known as “Sureños” or “soldiers”—attacked the victim, using a weapon.  The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. When Mexican Mafia shotcallers learned the victim survived the attack, they are alleged to have begun a new plan to find, and kill, the victim.  The victim was released from jail days later before he could be attacked again.

    “We will not tolerate organized crime using our jails and prisons as a haven for violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “When individuals on the outside conspire with those inside to carry out attacks, they threaten the safety and integrity of our correctional system. That criminal activity may scale over prison walls, but I will make it my mission to ensure it ends at the front door, with an arrest. Every person in custody should be able to serve their time without fear of being targeted. I commend our Prison Crimes Division for their outstanding work in protecting lives and upholding justice.”

    After being released from Los Angeles County Jail, Mexican Mafia associates are alleged to have continued to try to find, and kill, the victim.  The Mexican Mafia associates continued to follow the victim on social media to find his location.

    The following defendants charged in this case were taken into custody on June 18, 2025, at their place of residence:

    • Manuel Quintero, 49, of Paramount
    • Patricial Esquivel, 45, of Palmdale
    • Dominga Gonzalez, 66, of Bellflower
    • Jude Valle, 48, of Pomona
    • Carl Brown, 31, of Gardena
    • Glendy Orozco-Lechuga, 29, of Gardena
    • Sanjuana Macias, 26, of Los Angeles

    The following eleven defendants charged in this case are currently incarcerated on unrelated charges:

    • Guiseppe Leyva, 34, of La Puente
    • Jacob David, 39, of Coachella
    • Manuel O’Campo, 40, of Compton
    • Jonathan Quevedo, 43, of Los Angeles
    • Onesimo Gonzalez, 44, of Paramount
    • Michael Ortiz, 29, of Norwalk
    • Andrew Shinaia, 24, of Los Angeles
    • Adrian Bueno, 33, of San Fernando
    • Larry Sanchez, 31, of Gardena
    • Juan Meza, 53, of Compton
    • Jorge Zavala, 31, of Norwalk

    One defendant, Joshua Euan, 37, of Paramount, is considered a fugitive and is being sought by Task Force members. His photo is being made public. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Man Sentenced for Attempted Church Shooting

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Virginia man was sentenced today in Alexandia for his attempt to carry out a mass shooting at a Haymarket, Virginia church, for carrying a gun during that attempt, and for transmitting threats over the internet. Rui Jiang, 36, of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Jiang was previously convicted by a jury in March 2025.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Jiang began posting online threats against the Park Valley Church on the evening of Sept. 23, 2023, which made clear his intention to kill congregants. The next morning, police searched for Jiang in response to a concerned citizen’s call. Officers located Jiang at the church while Sunday services were underway. Jiang was armed with a semiautomatic handgun, two magazines of ammunition, and two knives. He had additional ammunition, knives, and a canister of bear spray in his nearby car. During a search of Jiang’s apartment, police discovered copies of a manifesto, signed by Jiang, which read in part, “I am here deny (sic) the love lives blessed by God to these lucky men, by taking out these men . . .To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do (sic).”

    “This was the closest of calls. But for the determination of a concerned citizen; the exceptional police work by the Anne Arundel, Fairfax, and Prince William County Police Departments; and the steadfast vigilance of the church security team, this would have ended in unimaginable tragedy,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will relentlessly investigate and prosecute attacks on our nation’s houses of worship.”

    “The freedom to worship without fear is one of the bedrock principles of our Nation,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Rui Jiang set out to violate that principle by entering a church during a religious service armed with the intent to murder innocent parishioners. This unspeakable act, only thwarted by brave law enforcement officers and civilians, has no place in our Republic and will always be a priority of my office.”

    “The church shooting that was thwarted because of the vigilance of concerned citizens is a reminder that when communities and law enforcement agencies work together, we can prevent targeted acts of violence.” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI Washington Field Office.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Prince William County and Fairfax County Police Departments. The Anne Arundel County Police Department also assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas A. Durham and Troy A. Edwards Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips Members and Associates Indicted, Including Murder, Robbery, Fentanyl Distribution and Firearms Offenses

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A twelve-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging nine members of the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC) violent street gang with crimes including a drug conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and  a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiring to distribute large quantities of pressed fentanyl pills, narcotics trafficking, identity fraud, and the illegal use and straw purchasing of firearms.

    According to the indictment, the RTC is a subunit or “set” of the Crips national street gang. The indictment alleges RTC members and associates committed numerous violent acts on behalf of the RTC, including a June 2022 murder in Alexandria, Virginia; a July 2021 attempted shooting of several individuals in the District of Columbia; an August 2021 armed robbery and pistol whipping of an individual in Hollywood, Florida; and a January 2021 attempted murder of two individuals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. To finance and promote the RTC’s criminal activities, the indictment alleges that RTC members and associates obtained and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of pressed fentanyl pills. The indictment also alleges that, as part of the gang’s criminal activity, the RTC recruited children and encouraged them to commit crimes on behalf of the gang, including acts of violence and drug trafficking.

    “As alleged, RTC members unleashed a wave of violence across three states and the District of Columbia, extending down the East Coast to Florida,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their commission of brutal, indiscriminate acts over perceived slights on social media reflects a particularly dangerous form of gang activity. The Criminal Division remains firmly committed to prosecuting menacing gangs and ensuring the safety of our communities.”

    “The offenses alleged in this indictment represent the spectrum of danger presented by nationwide criminal enterprises,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Any of these elements alone – from violence to illegal drugs to identity theft – is enough to destroy communities and lives, and these organizations employ them without compunction. Through coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are determined to eradicate criminal gangs and protect our citizens from the detriment they bring.”

    “DEA is committed to protecting Americans by investigating and taking down major violators of drug laws who operate within the United States and around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Ibrar Mian of the DEA Washington Field Division. “As demonstrated by today’s indictment, drug trafficking, firearms, and violence are undeniably connected, which is why we continue to address these threats with the full force of the federal government. The tenacious and hard-working men and women of DEA are combatting the illicit manufacture and distribution of drugs, removing illicit firearms from American streets, helping to put public threats in jail, and restoring safety in our communities.”

    “Today’s announcement indicates a significant step towards making it even more clear that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with our partner agencies are committed to protecting our communities from violent crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the ATF Washington Field Division. “There just isn’t a place for criminal behavior in our neighborhoods. Although this is very early on in the judicial process, we remain optimistic that all of those involved will be held accountable for their actions.”

    If convicted, the defendants face penalties including: up to life in prison or the death penalty for murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death; up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and use of a firearm during or in relation to drug trafficking; up to 25 years in prison for straw purchasing of firearms; up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; and Arlington County Police Department are investigating the case with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; United States Postal Inspection Service; FBI; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Fairfax County Police Department; Prince William County Police Department; Prince William County’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney; Prince William County Parks and Recreation; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office; Stafford County Sherriff’s Office; Manassas Park Police Department; George Mason University Police Department; Chesterfield County Police Department; Del City, OK, Police Department; Valley Brook, OK, Police Department; Tonto Apache Police Department; Sumter County, SC, Sheriff’s Office; Hollywood, FL, Police Department; Nash County, NC, Sheriff’s Office; Winston-Salem, NC, Police Department; and Nebraska State Patrol.

    Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo J. Rodriguez and Ryan B. Bredemeier for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

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

    An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Appoints Doele as District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Appoints Doele as District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Jason S. Doele of Norfolk as district court judge in the Fifth Judicial District. That district consists of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York counties.

    Doele has been a partner in the law firm of Stratton, DeLay, Doele, Carlson, Stover & Stratton in Norfolk since Feb. 2010. Before that, He was with the firm of Jewell, Collins, DeLay, Gray and Flood, also in Norfolk.

    Doele is licensed to practice in both Nebraska and South Dakota. He has held a variety of positions with the Nebraska State Bar Association and served on a variety of committees. Doele is also a member of the Madison County Bar Association where he previously served as president. He is a board member of Faith Regional Health Services and the Lutheran Community Hospital Board. He continues to assist as a mock trial coach through the Nebraska State Bar Foundation.

     Doele attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law.

    The vacancy in the Fifth Judicial District was due to the appointment of Justice Jason M. Bergevin to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: First Bank Announces Completion of $35 Million Subordinated Debt Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, N.J., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: FRBA) today announced the closing of a $35.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The Bank plans to use the proceeds to redeem its outstanding $30.0 million of subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes.

    The notes have a maturity date of June 30, 2035, and carry a fixed rate of interest of 7.125% for the first five years. Thereafter, the notes will pay interest at a floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 343 basis points. The notes may be redeemed at the option of the Bank, without penalty, on or after June 30, 2030. The notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

    President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the offering: “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated debt offering. This new capital will allow us to retire our existing subordinated notes at a lower interest rate and enhance our capital base to support our continued growth without the dilutive impact of issuing additional shares of common stock. Furthermore, the tax-deductible nature of the instrument, combined with low interest rate, makes the overall cost of capital quite attractive.”

    Piper Sandler & Co. served as sole placement agent for the private offering. First Bank was advised by Luse Gorman, PC and Piper Sandler & Co. was advised by Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP.

    About First Bank
    First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 27 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Fairfield, Flemington, Hamilton, Lawrence, Monroe, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset, Trenton, Williamstown, Morristown and Summit, New Jersey, Doylestown, Trevose, Warminster, West Chester, Paoli, Malvern, Coventry, Devon, Lionville, Media, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach, Florida. With $3.88 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, First Bank offers a traditional range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses mainly throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market exchange under the symbol “FRBA”.

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond First Bank’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include those listed under Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31 2025, many of which are out of our control. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if First Bank’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what First Bank anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

    Contact
    Andrew Hibshman, Chief Financial Officer
    (609) 643-0058, andrew.hibshman@firstbanknj.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: First Bank Announces Completion of $35 Million Subordinated Debt Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, N.J., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: FRBA) today announced the closing of a $35.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The Bank plans to use the proceeds to redeem its outstanding $30.0 million of subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes.

    The notes have a maturity date of June 30, 2035, and carry a fixed rate of interest of 7.125% for the first five years. Thereafter, the notes will pay interest at a floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 343 basis points. The notes may be redeemed at the option of the Bank, without penalty, on or after June 30, 2030. The notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

    President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the offering: “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated debt offering. This new capital will allow us to retire our existing subordinated notes at a lower interest rate and enhance our capital base to support our continued growth without the dilutive impact of issuing additional shares of common stock. Furthermore, the tax-deductible nature of the instrument, combined with low interest rate, makes the overall cost of capital quite attractive.”

    Piper Sandler & Co. served as sole placement agent for the private offering. First Bank was advised by Luse Gorman, PC and Piper Sandler & Co. was advised by Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP.

    About First Bank
    First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 27 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Fairfield, Flemington, Hamilton, Lawrence, Monroe, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset, Trenton, Williamstown, Morristown and Summit, New Jersey, Doylestown, Trevose, Warminster, West Chester, Paoli, Malvern, Coventry, Devon, Lionville, Media, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach, Florida. With $3.88 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, First Bank offers a traditional range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses mainly throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market exchange under the symbol “FRBA”.

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond First Bank’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include those listed under Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31 2025, many of which are out of our control. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if First Bank’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what First Bank anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

    Contact
    Andrew Hibshman, Chief Financial Officer
    (609) 643-0058, andrew.hibshman@firstbanknj.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget 2025–26: supporting primary health care

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

    You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Demands Answers from Verizon on Worker Exposure to Toxic Lead

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Letter Text (PDF)
    Washington (June 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today wrote to Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, following the publication of a health evaluation from the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) showing extremely high concentrations of toxic lead at Verizon worksites and elevated levels of lead in workers’ blood. In 2023, an extensive Wall Street Journal investigation documented a sprawling nationwide network of legacy lead-sheathed cables that telecommunications companies—including Verizon—installed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and left underground, underwater, and overhead.
    In the letter the Senator writes, “It is Verizon’s responsibility—both moral and legal—to safeguard the well-being of its workers and the communities in which it operates. The exposure of telecom workers in Massachusetts to lead-laced environments, including manholes where sediment contained lead concentrations as high as 30,000 parts per million—150 times the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) current safety limit—demands the highest level of attention from Verizon. Verizon must act swiftly to eliminate lead exposure from its operations, remediate affected environments, and commit to full transparency and accountability moving forward.”
    Senator Markey continues, “Most recently, NIOSH completed a Health Hazard Evaluation confirming serious occupational exposures among Verizon workers in Massachusetts; we understand a copy of the final report has been provided to Verizon. NIOSH found that these workers were repeatedly exposed to lead because inadequate safety procedures in place failed to protect them. NIOSH also reviewed past blood-level testing by workers, which found examples of workers with elevated blood lead levels according to federal safety guidelines; this suggests recent worker exposure at unsafe levels of lead. Additionally, NIOSH hygienists found lead on workers hands, boots, and in their trucks, suggesting many may be unknowingly carrying home a substance that could endanger their families. Children are particularly sensitive to lead, with even low levels of exposure resulting in developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues.”
    Senator Markey requests responses by July 9, 2025, to questions including:
    What is the status of Verizon’s efforts to compile a comprehensive inventory, including geographic mapping, of all known and suspected lead-sheathed cables it owns or for which it is responsible?
    What steps has Verizon taken since the publication of the Wall Street Journal investigation to:
    (a) Identify and monitor worker exposure to lead from lead-sheathed telecommunications cables?
    (b) Notify and protect workers performing duties in or near areas with lead-sheathed cables?
    (c) Inform the public, especially in environmental justice communities, about risks posed by lead-sheathed cables, and field and respond to concerns?
    (d) Test for and remediate environmental contamination around legacy infrastructure?
    (e) Provide medical monitoring, treatment, or compensation for lead-exposed workers?
    What is the status of any investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the EPA, or OSHA into Verizon’s handling of its lead-sheathed cables?
    Will Verizon commit to fully implementing all the NIOSH recommendations, including conducting routine BLL testing and retrofitting hygiene and PPE protocols across all affected facilities? Which recommendations, if any, has Verizon already implemented? What is the status of recommendations not yet implemented?
    Has Verizon conducted its own personal air sampling at work sites containing lead-sheathed cables? If so, please provide the results by year and location of the tests.
    (a) Does Verizon have an explanation for the personal air sample tested by NIOSH that exceeded OSHA limits?
    (b) How did Verizon previously determine whether to conduct a personal air sampling test?
    Has Verizon conducted its own manhole-soil-sediment testing at worksites containing lead-sheathed cables? Does Verizon have an explanation for the bulk sediment sampled that exceeded 30,000 ppm for lead?
    Why was Verizon not providing its workers in Massachusetts with lead removal wipes prior to the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation? Why did Verizon start to provide them—in place of wet wipes—between the first and second NIOSH site visits?
    What internal accountability measures is Verizon adopting to ensure executive leadership is fully informed and responsive to worker safety concerns related to lead exposure from legacy telecommunications cables?
    In February 2024, Senator Markey hosted a roundtable event in Chicopee, Massachusetts, along with state and local elected officials, public health leaders, and occupational safety and environmental experts, to discuss the environmental, public health, and occupational safety concerns posed by lead-sheathed telecommunications cables.
    In July 2023, Senator Markey, author of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, wrote to the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) demanding answers to questions raised by the Wall Street Journal investigation, which found detectable levels of lead contamination in water and soil samples collected near lead-sheathed cables across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: John Pucin Appointed to Board of Directors of NSTS Bancorp, Inc. and North Shore Trust and Savings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WAUKEGAN, Ill., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NSTS Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), the holding company for North Shore Trust and Savings (the “Bank”), announced today that Mr. John S. Pucin has been appointed to the Board of Directors of both the Company and the Bank. Mr. Pucin was appointed to fill the vacancy in the class of directors whose term expires at the Company’s annual stockholder meeting in 2027.

    Mr. Pucin currently serves as Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel for Caine & Weiner Company, Inc. and the managing partner of the Law Office of John S. Pucin, P.C. He graduated from Xavier University with a B.S.B.A./Finance and from the Capital University Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. Mr. Pucin has been a member of the Commercial Law League for over twenty years and is a past chair of the Midwest Region.

    “We are excited to have Mr. Pucin join our board. Mr. Pucin’s legal and management experience makes him a valuable resource and a qualified addition to the Company,” said Mr. Stephen G. Lear, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

    About NSTS Bancorp, Inc. and North Shore Trusts and Savings

    NSTS Bancorp Inc. is the holding company of North Shore Trust and Savings. As of March 31, 2025, North Shore Trust and Savings had approximately $282.7 million in assets and operates from its headquarters and main banking office in Waukegan, Illinois, as well as two additional full-service branch offices located in Waukegan and Lindenhurst, Illinois, respectively. For over 100 years, North Shore Trust and Savings has served the local communities where it operates and has deep and longstanding relationships with its businesses and retail customers as well as local municipalities.

    Contact:

    Stephen G. Lear
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
    slear@northshoretrust.com 
    (847) 336-4430

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: John Pucin Appointed to Board of Directors of NSTS Bancorp, Inc. and North Shore Trust and Savings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WAUKEGAN, Ill., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NSTS Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), the holding company for North Shore Trust and Savings (the “Bank”), announced today that Mr. John S. Pucin has been appointed to the Board of Directors of both the Company and the Bank. Mr. Pucin was appointed to fill the vacancy in the class of directors whose term expires at the Company’s annual stockholder meeting in 2027.

    Mr. Pucin currently serves as Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel for Caine & Weiner Company, Inc. and the managing partner of the Law Office of John S. Pucin, P.C. He graduated from Xavier University with a B.S.B.A./Finance and from the Capital University Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. Mr. Pucin has been a member of the Commercial Law League for over twenty years and is a past chair of the Midwest Region.

    “We are excited to have Mr. Pucin join our board. Mr. Pucin’s legal and management experience makes him a valuable resource and a qualified addition to the Company,” said Mr. Stephen G. Lear, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

    About NSTS Bancorp, Inc. and North Shore Trusts and Savings

    NSTS Bancorp Inc. is the holding company of North Shore Trust and Savings. As of March 31, 2025, North Shore Trust and Savings had approximately $282.7 million in assets and operates from its headquarters and main banking office in Waukegan, Illinois, as well as two additional full-service branch offices located in Waukegan and Lindenhurst, Illinois, respectively. For over 100 years, North Shore Trust and Savings has served the local communities where it operates and has deep and longstanding relationships with its businesses and retail customers as well as local municipalities.

    Contact:

    Stephen G. Lear
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
    slear@northshoretrust.com 
    (847) 336-4430

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor awards $1M for disaster-relief jobs, training for Kentucky residents affected by severe storms, flooding

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $1 million in grant funding to support disaster-relief jobs and employment and training services for Kentucky residents suffering from the aftermath of severe storms. 

    Beginning Feb. 14, 2025, through March 7, 2025, a severe weather system generated heavy torrential rain, flash flooding, and landslides that damaged public infrastructure, utility distribution systems, and private property in Kentucky. This followed severe weather and multiple disasters in the state that led to widespread destruction and numerous fatalities in 2024 and 2025 that impeded recovery efforts. The concurrent disaster events led to significant economic losses and challenges in rebuilding and recovery efforts and the state is assessing the full impact across the affected areas.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration, enabling Kentucky to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in the 67 counties of Adair, Allen, Ballard, Barren, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Carlisle, Clay, Crittenden, Cumberland, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Franklin, Green, Greenup, Hancock, Harlan, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Livingston, Magoffin, Marshall, Martin, McCreary, McLean, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Nicholas, Ohio, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Russell, Spencer, Trigg, Union, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe counties. 

    This Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training to provide residents with temporary jobs focused on cleanup and recovery efforts, as well as offer employment and training services to eligible participants in affected communities. 

    Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Fort Hood soldiers sentenced to federal prison for alien smuggling as result of ICE El Paso investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ALPINE, Texas — A former U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Hood was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos, Texas, to 33 months in prison for aiding and abetting the transportation of illegal aliens for financial gain.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case with the assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Central Texas Field Office.

    “The sentencing of these individuals underscores the serious consequences of engaging in human smuggling,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens of ICE Homeland Security Investigations El Paso. “Recruiting fellow soldiers to participate in illegal activities, culminating in a reckless high-speed chase with law enforcement, is a blatant betrayal of duty and public trust. HSI alongside our law enforcement partners, remain committed to dismantling smuggling networks and ensuring those responsible face justice.”

    According to court documents, Enrique Jauregui, 26, organized a smuggling event in 2024, recruiting fellow soldiers Angel Palma, 21, and Emilio Mendoza-Lopez, 22. Jauregui provided Palma and Mendoza-Lopez with the location information to pick up illegal aliens to smuggle, supported them with encouraging messages and instructions, and intended to pay the two co-conspirators after they dropped off the illegal aliens.

    On Nov. 27, 2024, Palma and Mendoza-Lopez drove from Fort Hood (known at the time as Fort Cavazos) to Presidio, Texas, to pick up three illegal aliens before leading Border Patrol agents on a high-speed chase. At one point, the defendants hit a marked Border Patrol vehicle with an agent inside, causing injuries. Palma and Mendoza-Lopez, along with the three illegal aliens, fled the vehicle on foot. All were apprehended except for Palma, who was located at a hotel in Odessa, Texas, and eventually arrested.

    All three co-defendants pleaded guilty in early 2025. Palma and Mendoza-Lopez were each sentenced in May to 24 months in federal prison. In addition to their imprisonment, Palma, Mendoza-Lopez, and Jauregui were also sentenced to three years of supervised release. Jauregui was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. U.S. District Judge David Counts presided over the hearings.

    “These three individuals turned their backs on their values in a way that put our nation at risk, and put at risk the lives of others, including the lives of law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “Everyone in this district, regardless of whether you wear the uniform or not, should take note: if you seek to enrich yourself by moving illegal aliens into or through this country, you will face the consequences of federal prosecution and will likely find yourself in federal prison.”

    “This sentencing demonstrates the strong partnership between Army CID, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Border Patrol,” said Special Agent in Charge Lane Allen of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Central Texas Field Office. “Maintaining the readiness and integrity of our fighting force remains our top priority.”

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Cayton prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin: Instead Of Conducting Critical Oversight, Judiciary Committee Republicans Are Holding Partisan Hearing Armchair Diagnosing Former President Biden

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    June 18, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, slammed Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans for holding a partisan hearing today where they plan to armchair diagnose former President Biden. In his opening remarks, Durbin called out the lack of oversight the Committee has conducted so far under the Trump Administration, despite the numerous, critical challenges facing the nation that are under the Committee’s jurisdiction.

    By this date in Durbin’s first year as Chair, the Committee had already held two major oversight hearings with Biden Administration agency heads, including one with FBI Director Wray on domestic terrorism threats. So far, the Republican majority on this Committee has not held a single oversight hearing.

    “This Committee has oversight responsibility over the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security. We have a constitutional duty to hold these agencies accountable with public hearings,” Durbin said. “In the last week alone, several events have demanded this Committee’s immediate attention: the horrific assassination in Minnesota, the treatment of our colleague Senator Padilla by federal agents in Los Angeles, and President Trump’s unprecedented deployment of the U.S. military in Los Angeles.”

    Durbin continued, “We should hear without delay from Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel about what they are doing to address the unacceptable political violence in our country, including threats to Article III judges and justices, as well as members of Congress. And we need to hear from Homeland Security Secretary Noem about the treatment of our colleagues, Senator Padilla, and this Administration’s mass deportation campaign against immigrants. But instead of exercising this constitutional oversight duty, my Republican colleagues are holding this hearing. Apparently, armchair diagnosing former President Biden is more important than the current issues of grave concern that I have mentioned.”

    Durbin went on to note just a few examples of issues that the Senate Judiciary Committee should be addressing.

    “The Trump Administration has removed dozens of senior career prosecutors and FBI officials with decades of national security expertise, leaving our nation more vulnerable to terrorism and other national security threats. This should be explained to this Committee,” Durbin said. “The Justice Department has diverted hundreds of law enforcement agents away from combatting cartels, drug trafficking, and gun violence to participate in President Trump’s mass deportation campaign. This should be addressed in an open hearing of this Committee.”

    Durbin continued, “The Justice Department is also turning a blind eye to corruption. The Administration has gutted the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, which oversees political corruption cases, just as the President’s shameful crypto scheme unfolds. And the Administration has removed the Department of Justice’s career ethics officials and shut down the office charged with investigating misconduct by DOJ attorneys.”

    Durbin then called out how his Republican colleagues are eager to discuss President Biden’s pardons, but are ignoring the actual pardon crisis of President Trump’s “pay-to-play” scheme. Durbin highlighted the story of Paul Walczak, whom President Trump pardoned after Walczak pleaded guilty in 2024 to withholding more than $7 million of taxes from his employees’ paychecks and failing to pay the IRS.

    “What warranted Mr. Walczak’s swift pardon by President Trump? His pardon application explicitly cited millions of dollars his mother raised for President Trump’s campaigns and other efforts to support the President. But that was not enough,” Durbin said. “It was three weeks after Mr. Walczak’s mother attended a $1 million a person Trump fundraiser in April of this year that Mr. Walczak was miraculously receiving his pardon—and now he no longer must pay $4.4 million to the taxpayers of this country. That’s one example of the many pardons granted to President Trump’s wealthy donors and political supporters.”

    Durbin continued, “And, of course, these pay-to-play pardons are in addition to the more than 1,500 January 6 rioters who received blanket pardons from President Trump, including 169 who violently assaulted law enforcement officials.”

    Durbin concluded, “If my colleagues are truly interested in issues of presidential succession and disability under the 25th Amendment, I would suggest they embark on this constitutional journey with a proposed amendment, not today’s political adventure.”

    Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act Now Fully Enforceable After Lawsuit Dismissal

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act Now Fully Enforceable After Lawsuit Dismissal

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador today announced that challengers have dismissed their lawsuit against Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act. The joint dismissal of Poe v. Labrador ends all court injunctions and allows full enforcement of Idaho’s law protecting children from harmful, life-altering gender transition drugs and surgeries.
    “No one has the right to harm children. For two years, my office defended Idaho’s common-sense law that protects kids from experimental procedures with lifelong, irreversible consequences,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act recognizes that children suffering from gender dysphoria need love, support, and medical care rooted in biological reality—not life-altering drugs and surgeries. With this lawsuit now dismissed, Idaho can fully enforce our law protecting children, families, and biological reality.”
    Idaho’s Vulnerable Child Protection Act, passed in 2023, protects Idaho’s children by prohibiting doctors from providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transition surgeries to children under 18 to alter their appearance or affirm their “gender identity” when that identity differs from their biological sex. The law makes providing these procedures a felony, recognizing that children cannot consent to experimental treatments with permanent consequences.
    In June 2023, activists and two families sued to block the law from taking effect. A federal district judge initially sided with the challengers, issuing a court order that prevented Idaho from enforcing the law statewide while the case proceeded. This meant doctors could continue performing these procedures on children across Idaho despite the state law.
    Attorney General Labrador immediately appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. In April 2024, the Supreme Court granted Idaho’s request, ruling that the lower court had overstepped by blocking the law for everyone in the state. The Court narrowed the injunction to apply only to the two families who sued, allowing Idaho to enforce its child protection law for all other children statewide.Now, the challenger families have dismissed their lawsuit entirely. The dismissal ends the remaining injunction, allowing Idaho to fully enforce its protections for all children.
    The dismissal of the Poe v. Labrador case coincides with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 18, 2025, decision in United States v. Skrmetti, which upheld the State of Tennessee’s similar law protecting children from these harmful practices.
    Attorney General Labrador worked with Alliance Defending Freedom to defend Idaho’s law at every level of the federal court system. Idaho continues leading the nation in protecting vulnerable children and supporting parents in their obligation to guide and love their children.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada officials to hold technical briefing on Part 14 and 4 of The Strong Borders Act: Timely Access to Data and Information, and Canada Post Corporation Act

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 18, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada

    Government of Canada officials will hold a virtual technical briefing for media to provide information and answer questions related to Part 14 and Part 4 of The Strong Borders Act.

    The briefing will provide information on proposed amendments to the Timely Access to Data and Information (Part 14) and Canada Post Corporation Act (Part 4).

    Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
    Time: 11:00 a.m. EDT
    Location: Virtual, via the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery

    Notes for media:

    • Media who would like to participate need to contact the Press Gallery at pressres2@parl.gc.ca to get a link.
    • Participation in the question and answer portion of this event is via Zoom, and is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Juneteenth, Momentum Grows for H.R. 40, Pressley’s Historic Reparations Legislation

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

    Bill Would Form Commission to Develop Reparations Proposals for African American Descendants of Enslaved People

    Legislation Now Has Support of Over 100 National and Grassroots Organizations

    H.R. 40 Press Conference | H.R. 40 Bill Text | H.R. 40 Briefing Photos | H.R. 40 Briefing One-Pager

    WASHINGTON – Today, ahead of the Juneteenth holiday and a national celebration of Black joy and emancipation, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) affirmed the strength of the reparations movement and announced growing support for H.R.40, legislation that she is championing to address the harmful legacy of slavery and establish a federal commission to develop reparations proposals for African American descendants of enslaved people. The legislation now has the support of more than 100 national and grassroots organizations and 85 members of Congress.

    In February, during Black History Month, Rep. Pressley and Senator Cory Booker reintroduced H.R. 40, serving as a powerful counterweight to the unprecedented onslaught against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Trump Administration and a call to action to address the systemic oppression of Black people. Last week, Rep. Pressley hosted a briefing on H.R. 40 to provide congressional staffers and their offices an expanded look into the bill, its 36-year legislative journey – led by Congressman John Conyers and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee – and its vital role in the reparative justice movement.

    “The state of our reparations movement is strong and in this moment of heightened anti-Blackness in America, we are more resolved than ever,” said Congresswoman Pressley, lead House sponsor of H.R. 40. “H.R. 40 is racial justice, economic justice, and a moral imperative, and it is deeply necessary to confront America’s damning history of systemic racism head-on. I’m proud of the growing, broad, and intersectional support behind our bill and I am grateful to our grassroots organizations for their partnership in pushing to get this critical legislation over the finish line.”

    Support for reparations has grown nationwide, with state and local officials taking action, including in Massachusetts, Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina and Oklahoma. H.R. 40 now has endorsements from over 100 national and grassroots organizations.

    “We are delighted that Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has picked up the torch from Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee and Cong. John Conyers, Jr. to continue the historic push to achieve long overdue reparations for African Americans.” – National African American Reparations Commission

    “At this pivotal moment in the United States’ existence and identity, we proudly stand with Rep. Ayanna Pressley in the reintroduction of H.R. 40, which if enacted will provide concrete ways to implement reparations,” said Dreisen Heath, Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Coalition. “Providing reparations is a routine practice by the federal government from providing remedy in perpetuity to Holocaust survivors to providing free healthcare to 9/11 victims and veterans exposed to toxic waste waters. By embracing what H.R. 40 legislation will produce, we are not only educating the public on the truth but also energizing a strong movement towards reflection and accountability. While states and cities advance their own reparative efforts, the federal government can no longer neglect and obscure its responsibility to do right by Black Americans, and by extension the rest of the country.

    “The National Urban League, for over a century, has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of systemic racism on countless lives. We have championed social and economic justice for Black Americans, striving to overcome the enduring legacy of slavery. For too long, we have avoided a full and honest reckoning with this history. A federal commission to study the vestiges of slavery, from the harrowing experiences of enslaved people to the ongoing struggles of their descendants, is not just overdue, it is essential. This examination is not about dwelling on the past but about better understanding the present. By understanding how the lingering effects of slavery continue to shape our society and policies, we can finally create a level playing field and unlock the full potential of our nation,” said the National Urban League. “The National Urban League fully supports H.R. 40, a bill establishing a commission to study and develop reparations proposals for Black Americans, as it represents a crucial step towards reconciliation and redress. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this vital legislation. The time for inaction is over. The time for justice is now.”

    “Eradicating poverty requires understanding its root causes and the economic injustices that plague Black communities today can be directly traced to the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow laws,” said Margaret Huang, President and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center. “This commission would be an important step toward grappling with how our country failed to support so many Americans after slavery and segregation ended. We need to take an honest look at the ugly history of racial discrimination that has denied so many Black and Brown families, particularly in the Deep South, economic opportunities to sustain their families.”

    “This legislation is not symbolic, it’s structural,” said Ebonie Riley, Senior Vice President of Policy & Strategic Partnerships at the National Action Network. “In a moment where the very language of equity is under assault, this bill confronts the unfinished business of this nation: the deliberate extraction of wealth, labor, and life from Black Americans. Under the leadership of Rev. Al Sharpton, NAN has consistently called for federal action that reflects the scale of harm inflicted. Reparations are a matter of economic policy, legal obligation, and historical accountability.”

    “The NAACP has supported the creation and passage of HR. 40/S.40 from its introduction by Congressman John Conyers (MI) through its reintroduction by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX) and Senator Cory Booker (NJ) continue to support the passage of this crucial legislation in the 119th Congress,” – NAACP

    “The United Methodist Book of Resolutions and the General Board of Church and Society strongly support HR 40 being reintroduced at a time when truth is under attack,” – United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society

    “Black people have been the backbone to the growth and wealth of this nation and of the global economy, and justly, should be recipients of its fruits. Black people can’t achieve equity without the United States acknowledging the historical past and materially addressing past and present harms. Reparatory justice is a must,” –Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice

    “The Council on American-Islamic Relations strongly supports the reintroduction of H.R. 40, recognizing it as a vital measure to confront America’s legacy of slavery and systemic racism head-on. We stand in solidarity with Congresswoman Pressley, Senator Booker, and their colleagues in calling for truth, accountability, and meaningful reparative actions that honor and protect the dignity of Black American communities,” – Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

    “As a church, we understand that the truth shall set us free. We have committed to and embarked on undertaking the work of truth-telling and reconciliation ourselves. H.R. 40/S. 40 would offer the opportunity for our country to begin a process to understand our own history and would present a path forward for repairing historical harms done to African Americans,” – The Episcopal Church

    “It has been nearly 40 years since Japanese Americans received redress for being incarcerated unjustly during WWII. Many of us in the Japanese American community recognize that our own experience of institutionalized racism at the hands of our government is part of a pattern that began with chattel slavery since our country’s inception as a British colony. Although slavery ended formally with the Civil War, its legacy persisted through Jim Crow policies well into the 20th century. Mere words of regret and apology for our history of slavery and Jim Crow do nothing to repay the unfulfilled promise of 40 acres and a mule.” – Japanese American Citizens League

    “We’re making historic progress advancing reparative justice in local communities nationwide.  We stand together in support of HR40, the most promising and just opportunity to repair the harm of the institution of slavery and its uninterrupted legacies to date. The outcomes of the HR40 Commission can result in a comprehensive and tangible portfolio of remedies that transform this nation,” – First Repair

    The full list of endorsing organizations include: AjabuSpeaks, All Souls Movement, Alliance of Baptists, American Humanist Association, Amnesty International USA, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Black Music Action Coalition, Black Veterans Project, Blackroots Alliance, BLIS Collective, California Black Power Network, Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (CLEAR), Colombia Acuerdo de Paz NGO, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), DC Justice Lab, DC Reparations Coalition, Democrats Abroad Reparations Task Force, Disciples Center for Public Witness (Disciples of Christ), Empowerment Temple, Reparation Education Project, Episcopal City Mission, FirstRepair, Freedom Road Consulting, LLC, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Get Free, Human Rights Watch, Humanity2020 Group LLC, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, Japanese American Citizens League, Johnson & Klein Law, Justice for the 110, KC Reparations Coalition, Loc Community Association, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Anti Racism Center (LARC), Make It Plain, Marijuana Justice, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Media 2070, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Movement for Black Lives, NAACP, National Action Network Education Team, National African American Reparations Commission , National Black Justice Collective, National Council of Churches, National Council of Jewish Women, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, National Urban League, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, New Yorkers 4 Reparations, Northampton Reparations Study Commission, Not In Our Town, Princeton, NP/NCRR – Nikkei Progressives & Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Pax Christi USA, RebuildingTheCommun7ty, Reparation Generation, Reparations Finance Lab, Reparations Interfaith Coalition of Massachusetts, Reparations United, Reparations4Slavery, San Francisco Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, Sanctuary of Hope, SCOPE LA, Showing Up for Racial Justice, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team, South Bend Reparations Working Group (SBRWG), State of Loc Nation Global Public Benefit Corp, Terence Crutcher Foundation, The Episcopal Church, The Southern Poverty Law Center, The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, Tsuru for Solidarity, Tulsa African Ancestral Society, Union for Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, United By Equity, United Church of Christ, USTRHT, Virago Strategies, Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Coalition, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Young LLC.

    Co-sponsors of H.R. 40 include: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-06], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [D-NY-14], Rep. Jasmine Crockett [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. “Hank” [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McGovern, Jim [D-MA-02], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. David Scott [D-GA-13], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    The full text of the bill is available here.

    Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has championed policies to address the harmful legacy of slavery and support the true liberation of Black America, including Baby Bonds, a People’s Justice Guarantee, student debt cancellation, addressing the Black maternal morbidity crisis, supporting Black-owned microbusinesses, promoting anti-racist public health policy, and more.

    In April 2025, Rep. Pressley met with Northeastern University’s Center for Law, Equity, and Race to discuss efforts and further action in a shared push for reparative justice.

    Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of the People’s Justice Guarantee (PJG) – her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system. 

    Last year, Rep. Pressley and House Oversight Ranking Member Jamies Raskin introduced the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act and the Equity in Agency Planning Act to codify racial equity across federal agencies and improve government services for underserved communities.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wasserman Schultz, Frost Introduce Legislation to Expose Human Rights Abuses in Immigration Detention System

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

    “I just saw inhumane, overcrowded conditions inside Krome Detention Center in Miami, where detainees recently died. Yet ICE refuses to release data on who is being held and why,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Nearly half the people in Krome have no criminal record. Now, Trump wants to cram hundreds of thousands of lawful TPS and humanitarian parole recipients into these facilities while DHS shuts out essential watchdogs that defend civil rights and due process everyone deserves. I’m proud to help lead this legislation to restore transparency and humanity to Trump’s lawless policies that tear apart families and terrorize our communities.”

    SOUTH FLORIDA — Today, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY),introduced the Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act, legislation that would expose widespread human rights violations in America’s immigration detention system and shine a light on the secretive practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Across the country and in Florida, ICE detention centers have become synonymous with secrecy, abuse, and due process violations. From documented toxic exposures and medical neglect at Glades County Detention Center, to whistleblower-confirmed racial harassment and excessive force at Baker County, to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions at Krome North — a disturbing pattern has emerged: human beings are being subjected to cruelty and neglect, often without public knowledge or legal transparency.

    “I just saw inhumane, overcrowded conditions inside Krome Detention Center in Miami, where detainees recently died. Yet ICE refuses to release data on who is being held and why,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Nearly half the people in Krome have no criminal record. Now, Trump wants to cram hundreds of thousands of lawful TPS and humanitarian parole recipients into these facilities while DHS shuts out essential watchdogs that defend civil rights and due process everyone deserves. I’m proud to help lead this legislation to restore transparency and humanity to Trump’s lawless policies that tear apart families and terrorize our communities.”

    “Donald Trump and Republicans have turned our immigration system into a taxpayer-funded kidnapping operation,” said Rep. Frost. “People are being disappeared into a system that operates in the shadows — without public accountability, without basic human dignity, and often without legal justification. The SUDEM Act is about pulling back the curtain. This bill won’t fix everything, but if Donald Trump and his allies think these policies are defensible, then they shouldn’t be afraid to tell the public exactly what they’re doing. If they’re proud of it, they’ll report it. If they’re ashamed, they need to end it.”

    The SUDEM Act would require all ICE-operated and ICE-affiliated facilities to publicly disclose key data, including:

    ●      Who is being detained — where, when, and why.

    ●      The legal authority and evidence behind each detention.

    ●      Demographic data — age, nationality, and legal status.

    ●      Facility-wide reporting on use of force, disciplinary actions, transfers, and deportations.

    The bill has been endorsed by Public Citizen, CASA, LULAC, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC), HOPE Community Center, Orlando Center for Justice, and the Hispanic Federation.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unexplained death, Riccarton

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Christchurch Police are continuing to make enquiries after a woman was found with critical injuries in a Riccarton car park yesterday afternoon.

    Emergency services were called to the car park at around 4.40pm.

    Tragically the woman passed away while being transported to hospital.

    Her death is currently being treated as unexplained and a scene guard is in place at the car park where she was found.

    Police are aware of speculation in the community that this may be related to missing woman Elisabeth Nicholls – we can confirm that is not accurate. The search for Elisabeth remains ongoing.

    ENDS

    Please note: An earlier statement from Police advised the woman had been found deceased in the car park – this was incorrect and we apologise for the error.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Tyler joint investigation leads to life in federal prison for Cherokee County man convicted for sex trafficking teens

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    DALLAS — A Jacksonville, Texas man has been sentenced to life in federal prison for sex trafficking violations, announced U.S. Immigrations Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard and acting U.S. Attorney Eastern District Texas Jay R. Combs.

    Desnique Deshawn Herndon, 28, was sentenced to seven life sentences by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker June 18. In 2023, Herndon was convicted by a jury of six counts of sex trafficking of children and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children following a five-day trial.

    “Sex trafficking is one of the most appalling crimes in our society, exploiting the most vulnerable among us. HSI remains committed to identifying traffickers, dismantling their criminal networks, and providing critical support to survivors,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “Through our victim-centered investigations, we will spare no resource to protect communities and seek justice for those victimized by this modern-day slavery.”

    According to court testimony, beginning in 2019, Herndon trafficked multiple teenage girls for commercial sex acts. Herndon recruited the girls by social media, deceived them by promising riches, and placed them in hotels in the Tyler area. He then posted advertisements on sex trafficking websites showing explicit photos of the girls, offering commercial sex acts. Some of Herndon’s victims were as young as 13 years old. During trial, jurors heard testimony that Herndon used co-conspirators to continue to run his operation while in jail so the victims could earn money to pay his bond.

    “Victimizing children through commercial sex trafficking is reprehensible and will be prosecuted vigorously in East Texas,” said acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “We will not stand by and watch the lives of young people ruined by predators like Herndon to satisfy the wanton interests of commercial sex customers. Herndon’s life sentence demonstrates our society’s intolerance for such callous disregard for others. I want to thank our many law enforcement partners for their diligent work on this case.”

    Three of Herndon’s co-conspirators previously pled guilty for their roles in the offenses. Malcolm Kadeem Roberts, 29, of Tyler, was sentenced Nov. 16, 2023, to over 12 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children. Roberts was also sentenced to 75 years in state prison in Smith County District Court for aggravated sexual assault of a child charges in relation to one of the minor victims in this case. Tavarus D. Watkins, 29, of Jacksonville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Nov. 16, 2023, for interstate transport of a minor for illegal sexual activity. Patrick Lamont Cross, Jr, 28, of Palestine, pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2022, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children. Cross is scheduled to be sentenced July 10.

    This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations Tyler Resident Agent in Charge, supported by the North Texas Trafficking Task Force, FBI Tyler Resident Agent in Charge, Texas DPS Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Unit, Tyler Police Department, Henderson County Sherriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sherriff’s Office, Jacksonville Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Panola County Sheriff’s Office, Palestine Police Department, Abilene Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Locker and Alan Jackson, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Jiral.

    Learn more about HSI Dallas’ mission to preserve public safety on X at @HSI_Dallas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chicago Lab Owner Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison in Connection with $14M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of California

    The owner of a Chicago laboratory has been sentenced today to seven years in prison for his role in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme.

    According to court documents, Zishan Alvi, 46, of Inverness, Ill., owned and operated a laboratory in Chicago that performed testing for COVID-19. In 2021 and 2022, Alvi caused claims to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for COVID-19 tests that were either not performed at all or not performed correctly. As part of the scheme, the laboratory released negative test results to patients, even though the laboratory either had not tested the specimens or the results were inconclusive because Alvi had diluted the tests to save on costs, rendering the tests unreliable. Alvi knew that the laboratory was releasing negative results for tests that were not performed or were inconclusive but still caused the laboratory to bill HRSA for those tests. Alvi also lied to laboratory directors to conceal his fraud. As a result of the fraudulent claims, HRSA paid the laboratory more than $14 million.

    Alvi pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on September 30, 2024. At sentencing, he was also ordered to pay $14,199,217 in restitution, and forfeit approximately $6.8 million in cash, a 2021 Range Rover HSE, and over $630,000 from an E-Trade account.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Chicago Field Office, and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

    The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Claire Sobczak Pacelli of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hasten for the Northern District of Illinois prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyle, Schatz, Smith Introduce New Legislation to Reduce Economic Inequality and Make Wall Street Pay Its Fair Share

    Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    June 18, 2025

    The Wall Street Tax Act aims to disincentivize dangerous, risky investments that threaten the stability of the U.S. economy

    For Immediate Release: June 18, 2025 

    EUGENE, OR – Today, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) introducedThe Wall Street Tax Act (H.R. 4035), which would deliver hundreds of billions of dollars back to the American people by making Wall Street pay its fair share. The bill would create a progressive tax aimed at reducing the risky trading practices that threaten our economic stability while generating revenues that can be reinvested towards services for working people. Once fully implemented, the bill is projected to raise $750 billion over 10 years. 

    “While Republicans push another tax break for billionaires that would blow up the deficit, we’re offering a smarter path. The Wall Street Tax Act puts a price on the risky, high-speed trading that benefits Wall Street and leaves working families behind,” said Rep. Hoyle. “This small, targeted tax will raise hundreds of billions from those who can afford it and reinvest it in things that actually help people—like schools, housing, and infrastructure. Working families shouldn’t have to pay for Wall Street’s gambling.”

    “Wall Street routinely cashes in on high-risk trades that add no real value to our economy. It’s long past time we curbed this dangerous trading to reduce market volatility and encourage investment that actually helps our economy grow,” said Senator Schatz. “Republicans are racing to enrich billionaires and corporations by ripping regular people off. We’re doing the opposite: raising new revenue from Wall Street to reinvest in our communities.”

    “It’s past time for the wealthiest to pay their fair share, which is why I’m proud to support the Wall Street Tax Act, which targets high-risk trades that create high volatility and instability in the markets,” said Rep. Smith. “I’ll continue to fight for a fairer economy that works for everyone and reflects the values of the communities I serve.”

    “Instead of the proposed heartless cuts to services that help vulnerable communities and everyday people—like Medicaid and nutrition assistance—that Congress is currently debating, there is another route that lawmakers can and must pursue: raising taxes on corporations and the super-rich—including Wall Street high rollers,” said Susan Harley, managing director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division. “The Wall Street Tax Act would generate hundreds of billions of dollars that could be used to expand programs that improve the lives of Americans and it has the simultaneous benefit of reducing harmful high-speed trading that hurts investors and increases risk in our markets.”

    This bill is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Frost (D-FL), Jayapal (D-CA), McGovern (D-MA), Pingree (D-MN), Schakowsky (D-IL), Tlaib (D-MI), Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

    The Wall Street Tax Act is currently endorsed by 32 organizations, including:Affordable Homeownership Foundation, AFL-CIO, American Family Voices, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Financial Reform, Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF), Blue Future, Chicago Political Economy Group, Child Labor Coalition, Citizens for Tax Justice, Coalition on Human Needs, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Consumer Action, Food & Water Watch, Greenpeace USA. Groundwork Collaborative, Institute for Policy Studies, Global Economy Project, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy Medical Mission Sisters(Unit North America), National Consumers League, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Our Revolution, Oxfam America, Public Citizen, Public Justice Center, Responsible Wealth, RootsAction, Take on Wall Street, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, United for a Fair Economy, United Church of Christ, and United Steelworkers International Union (USW).

    The Bill

    The Wall Street Tax Act will levy a 0.1% tax – phased in over five years–on the sale of stocks, bonds, and derivatives to discourage risky and unproductive trading practices and gives those profits back to the people. The tax would apply to the fair market value of assets. Initial public offerings (IPOs) and short-term debt would be exempted from the tax. 

    Background

    High frequency trading (HFT) is a type of asset trading that uses supercomputers and specialized algorithms to make large, high-volume trades in a fraction of a second. HFT allows corporations and the ultra-wealthy to benefit from minor fluctuations in stock prices by allowing them to buy and sell in large volumes to make larger profits off of small differences. These practices create undue market volatility, which overwhelmingly hurts everyday investors who are unable to trade as quickly.

    In addition, these speculative, high-volume trading practices add little to no real value to the U.S. economy because the gains from them are centralized within the hands of a wealthy few. However, these high stakes games do have a real impact, as their asset prices react to the trades. The volatility these trades causecan even lead to a “Flash Crash,” where such volatility prompts mass selloffs across the stock market. This volatility can affect the retirements, pensions, and investments of working people.

    The Wall Street Tax Act is considered a progressive tax, meaning lower income earners pay a lesser percentage of their income in taxes compared to those with higher incomes. 

    The full text of the bill can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $11 Million Wastewater Treatment Project Completed

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced construction is complete on an $11 million wastewater collection and treatment facilities improvement project in the Village of Waddington, St. Lawrence County, funded through the State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). The wastewater treatment collection system and treatment plant are owned and operated by the Village of Waddington. The project brings the aging infrastructure in compliance with current standards, protecting public health and promoting potential economic growth.

    “New York State is committed to building stronger, more resilient shoreline communities along the St. Lawrence River and across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “Through the REDI program, we are delivering smart, forward-looking solutions that help communities thrive in the face of climate challenges. These investments not only safeguard public health and infrastructure, but they also support long-term sustainability and environmental resiliency.”

    Due to its proximity to the St. Lawrence River, the wastewater treatment infrastructure was negatively impacted by high water levels and flooding, creating infiltration and inflow issues which were worsened by the lack of storm sewers in the Village of Waddington. The project implements flood resiliency measures designed to reduce the impact of future high water events.

    Resiliency measures for this project included:

    • Replacement and rehabilitation of the existing 100-year-old clay tile sewer main collection system with new and relined sewer mains and manholes to reduce ground water infiltration and inflow associated with high water levels;
    • Construction of new storm sewers and catch basins adequately sized to convey surface runoff and inflow from sump pumps, roof drains and area drains, to reduce unwanted storm flows into sanitary system;
    • Pump replacements and controls, new meters, new alarms, and new windows, doors and roofs at all seven pump stations throughout the collection system;
    • Upgrades to the main pump station in the collection system including a new permanent emergency generator with automatic transfer switch; and
    • Improvements to the treatment plant to replace or repair aging infrastructure designed to protect critical wastewater treatment systems from flooding events, including complete outfall pipe replacement of over 700 feet of piping and new disinfection system.

    This project was completed with oversight by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Grant funding was administered through the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).

    Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and REDI Commission Co-Chair Amanda Lefton said, “The critical investment in Waddington’s wastewater infrastructure is a powerful example of how the State’s REDI Program strengthens community resilience while safeguarding water quality and public health. By addressing vulnerabilities worsened by flooding, this project ensures long term environmental protection and supports sustainable growth in the North Country.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Today’s announcement is a testament to Governor Hochul’s commitment to providing real solutions that position shoreline communities for growth, prosperity, and resiliency in the face of increased fluctuation in water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The dozens of completed REDI projects are strengthening local economies, protecting public health, improving habitat, and safeguarding vital infrastructure. The communities that have benefited look forward to improved sustainability and growth.”

    New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities, the Village of Waddington now has modern wastewater infrastructure that’s built to withstand future flooding — and it came at minimal cost to local ratepayers. By funding these critical upgrades through REDI, we’re not only safeguarding public health and the environment, but also ensuring long-term affordability while preparing for the challenges of extreme weather.”

    New York Power Authority President and CEO and St. Lawrence County REDI Commissioner Justin E. Driscoll said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, and through the Resiliency and Economic Development, New York State continues to partner with Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River shoreline communities to harden, upgrade, and protect vulnerable infrastructure against high water conditions and flooding. This $11 million investment in the wastewater treatment collection system and treatment plant in Waddington will protect public health and ensure residents in the region benefit from the replacement of aging water and sewer infrastructure.”

    St. Lawrence County Chairman David Forsythe said, “The completion of the $11 million REDI wastewater infrastructure project marks a significant investment in the future of Waddington and St. Lawrence County. This project strengthens our environmental resilience, supports economic growth, and protects the health of our communities for generations to come. We are proud to see this vision realized.”

    Village of Waddington Mayor Mike Zagrobelny said, “On behalf of the Village of Waddington, I would like to thank Governor Hochul and the REDI Commission for funding this vital project. This upgrade completes half of the needed improvements to sewer and stormwater treatment within the Village. While the project helps to mitigate effects of changing water levels in the St. Lawrence, it also upgrades century old infrastructure and promotes retail and housing growth within the Village. As Mayor, I’m grateful for the many programs that the State of New York has provided Waddington that recognize the significance of our past and the bright promise of our future.”

    In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, New York State established REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, composed of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. Through REDI, the State has committed up to $300 million to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

    Since the creation of the State’s REDI program in the Spring of 2019, 134 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 16 projects in the design phase, 7 projects in the construction phase, and 111 projects completed. All ten of the projects awarded in St. Lawrence County are complete.

    For additional information, project profiles and REDI news, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: US Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against $225M in Crypto Investment Fraud Money Laundering

    Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)

    The Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against more than $225.3 million in cryptocurrency. According to the complaint, law enforcement used blockchain analysis and other investigative techniques to determine that the cryptocurrency is connected to the theft and laundering of funds from victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes, commonly referred to as “cryptocurrency confidence scams.”

    Members of the public who believe they are victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud and other cyber-enabled crime should contact the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. If you believe you may be a victim of one of the scams alleged in the government’s complaint, add the code “BT06182025” in the narrative of your complaint, and if you have previously filed a related complaint, make note of the prior complaint in the narrative.

    Related: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-files-civil-forfeiture-complaint-against-225m-funds-involved-cryptocurrency

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIcFRqCvsbE

    MIL OSI Video –