NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI USA: Drug Maker Teva Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay $450M in False Claims Act Settlement to Resolve Kickback Allegations Relating to Copayments and Price Fixing

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (Teva USA) and Teva Neuroscience Inc. (collectively, Teva) have agreed to pay $450 million to resolve two matters that allege Teva violated the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and the False Claims Act (FCA). Teva, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is the largest generic drug manufacturer in the United States. The settlement amount was based on Teva’s ability to pay.

    “Kickbacks designed to induce referrals or purchases of healthcare goods or services distort physician and patient decision-making, thwart competition and bypass controls put in place to protect federal health care programs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department is committed to pursuing those who engage in kickback violations, including drug manufacturers, to ensure that federal health care programs continue to serve the interests of taxpayers and program beneficiaries.”

    The settlement encompasses two alleged kickback schemes. First, Teva has agreed to resolve allegations in a complaint the United States filed in the District of Massachusetts in August 2020 that Teva violated and conspired to violate the AKS and FCA by paying Medicare patients’ cost sharing obligations (copays) for the multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone from 2006 through 2017, while steadily raising Copaxone’s price. In particular, the United States alleged that Teva coordinated and conspired with multiple third parties, including a specialty pharmacy and two allegedly independent copay assistance foundations, to ensure that purported donations to the foundations were used specifically to cover the copays of Medicare Copaxone patients, which Teva knew was prohibited by the AKS, and that Teva thereby caused the submission of false claims to Medicare.

    Second, Teva USA has agreed to resolve separate allegations that it conspired with other generic drug manufacturers to fix prices for pravastatin, a drug widely used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as two other generic drugs, clotrimazole and tobramycin. Teva USA previously entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division to resolve related criminal charges. Teva USA paid a criminal penalty of $225 million and admitted to conspiring with three other generic drug companies to fix prices on certain generic drugs. Under the civil settlement announced today, Teva agreed to resolve allegations that the benefits it received under its price fixing scheme constituted illegal kickbacks.

    Teva will pay collectively $450 million to resolve the two kickback schemes. This payment is in addition to the criminal penalty paid by Teva USA under its deferred prosecution agreement. 

    “Kickback arrangements by pharmaceutical companies escalate the costs for critical drugs used by our citizens and federal health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “My office is proud to work with the rest of the Department of Justice and our investigative partners to enforce federal laws prohibiting kickback arrangements. We will continue to take action to lower the drug costs for our country and its health care programs supporting senior citizens, our military service members and others.”

    “For far too long, Teva gamed the charitable foundation process by paying kickbacks through two foundations, and with the aid of a specialty pharmacy. Those kickbacks undermined the purpose of the Medicare co-pay system and violated the Anti-Kickback Statute,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts. “This office has taken the leading role in cracking down on these highly lucrative schemes that drive up the cost of essential drugs by bringing multiple enforcement actions that have returned more than $1 billion to the Medicare system. We will continue to pursue these actions to ensure that all pharmaceutical companies play by the rules and to protect the American taxpayers.

    “The Medicare program’s copay structure serves as a safeguard against the artificial inflation of drug prices. When a pharmaceutical company manipulates drug prices through collusion, or disguises kickbacks as charitable donations to subsidize copays for its own drugs, the integrity of the Medicare program is jeopardized,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Adam Globerman of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This type of conduct is unacceptable, and HHS-OIG remains committed to thoroughly pursuing allegations of price fixing and kickbacks that put the Medicare program at risk.”

    “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, seeks to protect the integrity of TRICARE, the healthcare system for U.S. military members and their dependents,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of DCIS Northeast Field Office. “When pharmaceutical corporations artificially inflate prices, they place an unnecessary financial burden on the TRICARE program. The settlement agreement announced today demonstrates our commitment to partner with investigative agencies and the Department of Justice, including the Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to combat healthcare fraud.”

    Since 2017, the United States has collected over $1 billion, in addition to today’s settlement, from pharmaceutical companies that allegedly used third-party foundations as conduits to unlawfully pay patient copays. The department has also reached settlements with four foundations and a specialty pharmacy pertaining to those allegations. Today’s resolution with Teva is the largest of these settlements to date. The settlement of Teva’s price fixing conduct is the seventh pertaining to allegations of price fixing involving generic drugs, with total recoveries exceeding $500 million.

    The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates the department’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800‑HHS‑TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The resolution of the patient copay matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, with investigative support from HHS-OIG and the FBI.

    Attorneys Douglas Rosenthal and Nelson Wagner of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abraham R. George, Diane Seol and Evan Panich for the District of Massachusetts handled the matter.

    The civil resolution of the price fixing matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with investigative support from HHS-OIG, the Defense Health Agency Program Integrity Office, DCIS and Office of Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Senior Trial Counsel Jennifer L. Cihon and Senior Litigation Counsel Laurie A. Oberembt of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Landon Y. Jones III, Rebecca S. Melley and Anthony D. Scicchitano for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handled the matter. Fraud Section financial analyst Sheryl Paynter provided support for both matters.

    The civil action in Massachusetts is captioned United States v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. et al., No. 20-cv-11548 (DMA).  

    DMA Settlement

    EDPA Settlement

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug Maker Teva Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay $450M in False Claims Act Settlement to Resolve Kickback Allegations Relating to Copayments and Price Fixing

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (Teva USA) and Teva Neuroscience Inc. (collectively, Teva) have agreed to pay $450 million to resolve two matters that allege Teva violated the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and the False Claims Act (FCA). Teva, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is the largest generic drug manufacturer in the United States. The settlement amount was based on Teva’s ability to pay.

    “Kickbacks designed to induce referrals or purchases of healthcare goods or services distort physician and patient decision-making, thwart competition and bypass controls put in place to protect federal health care programs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department is committed to pursuing those who engage in kickback violations, including drug manufacturers, to ensure that federal health care programs continue to serve the interests of taxpayers and program beneficiaries.”

    The settlement encompasses two alleged kickback schemes. First, Teva has agreed to resolve allegations in a complaint the United States filed in the District of Massachusetts in August 2020 that Teva violated and conspired to violate the AKS and FCA by paying Medicare patients’ cost sharing obligations (copays) for the multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone from 2006 through 2017, while steadily raising Copaxone’s price. In particular, the United States alleged that Teva coordinated and conspired with multiple third parties, including a specialty pharmacy and two allegedly independent copay assistance foundations, to ensure that purported donations to the foundations were used specifically to cover the copays of Medicare Copaxone patients, which Teva knew was prohibited by the AKS, and that Teva thereby caused the submission of false claims to Medicare.

    Second, Teva USA has agreed to resolve separate allegations that it conspired with other generic drug manufacturers to fix prices for pravastatin, a drug widely used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as two other generic drugs, clotrimazole and tobramycin. Teva USA previously entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division to resolve related criminal charges. Teva USA paid a criminal penalty of $225 million and admitted to conspiring with three other generic drug companies to fix prices on certain generic drugs. Under the civil settlement announced today, Teva agreed to resolve allegations that the benefits it received under its price fixing scheme constituted illegal kickbacks.

    Teva will pay collectively $450 million to resolve the two kickback schemes. This payment is in addition to the criminal penalty paid by Teva USA under its deferred prosecution agreement. 

    “Kickback arrangements by pharmaceutical companies escalate the costs for critical drugs used by our citizens and federal health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “My office is proud to work with the rest of the Department of Justice and our investigative partners to enforce federal laws prohibiting kickback arrangements. We will continue to take action to lower the drug costs for our country and its health care programs supporting senior citizens, our military service members and others.”

    “For far too long, Teva gamed the charitable foundation process by paying kickbacks through two foundations, and with the aid of a specialty pharmacy. Those kickbacks undermined the purpose of the Medicare co-pay system and violated the Anti-Kickback Statute,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts. “This office has taken the leading role in cracking down on these highly lucrative schemes that drive up the cost of essential drugs by bringing multiple enforcement actions that have returned more than $1 billion to the Medicare system. We will continue to pursue these actions to ensure that all pharmaceutical companies play by the rules and to protect the American taxpayers.

    “The Medicare program’s copay structure serves as a safeguard against the artificial inflation of drug prices. When a pharmaceutical company manipulates drug prices through collusion, or disguises kickbacks as charitable donations to subsidize copays for its own drugs, the integrity of the Medicare program is jeopardized,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Adam Globerman of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This type of conduct is unacceptable, and HHS-OIG remains committed to thoroughly pursuing allegations of price fixing and kickbacks that put the Medicare program at risk.”

    “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, seeks to protect the integrity of TRICARE, the healthcare system for U.S. military members and their dependents,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of DCIS Northeast Field Office. “When pharmaceutical corporations artificially inflate prices, they place an unnecessary financial burden on the TRICARE program. The settlement agreement announced today demonstrates our commitment to partner with investigative agencies and the Department of Justice, including the Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to combat healthcare fraud.”

    Since 2017, the United States has collected over $1 billion, in addition to today’s settlement, from pharmaceutical companies that allegedly used third-party foundations as conduits to unlawfully pay patient copays. The department has also reached settlements with four foundations and a specialty pharmacy pertaining to those allegations. Today’s resolution with Teva is the largest of these settlements to date. The settlement of Teva’s price fixing conduct is the seventh pertaining to allegations of price fixing involving generic drugs, with total recoveries exceeding $500 million.

    The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates the department’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800‑HHS‑TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The resolution of the patient copay matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, with investigative support from HHS-OIG and the FBI.

    Attorneys Douglas Rosenthal and Nelson Wagner of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abraham R. George, Diane Seol and Evan Panich for the District of Massachusetts handled the matter.

    The civil resolution of the price fixing matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with investigative support from HHS-OIG, the Defense Health Agency Program Integrity Office, DCIS and Office of Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Senior Trial Counsel Jennifer L. Cihon and Senior Litigation Counsel Laurie A. Oberembt of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Landon Y. Jones III, Rebecca S. Melley and Anthony D. Scicchitano for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handled the matter. Fraud Section financial analyst Sheryl Paynter provided support for both matters.

    The civil action in Massachusetts is captioned United States v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. et al., No. 20-cv-11548 (DMA).  

    DMA Settlement

    EDPA Settlement

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Concurs with Federal Trade Commission’s Changes to Premerger Notification Form Used in Merger Review

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Final Rule Modernizes Premerger Notification Procedure to Help Streamline Merger Review Process

    The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division announced today its concurrence with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s unanimous vote to finalize changes to the premerger notification form and associated instructions, as well as to the premerger notification rules implementing the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act.

    The final rule, which was adopted after a rigorous public comment process, marks the first large-scale material update to the HSR form since it was first established in 1978. The rule will address critical gaps in the information available to the Justice Department and the FTC (the Agencies) when they review merger filings, making the Agencies’ initial review more efficient and effective. In response to public comment on the proposed rule, the final rule contains many changes aimed at reducing the burden on parties while still improving the information the Agencies receive to help streamline initial merger review.

    “Access to better information at the beginning of the merger review process ensures that the antitrust agencies can devote our resources to the most important issues and reduces the burden on filers, third parties, and other market participants,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “I’m grateful to the Commissioners who have worked diligently to evaluate the public comments to develop the excellent rule.”

    Under the HSR Act, parties to certain mergers and acquisitions are required to submit premerger notification forms that disclose certain information about their proposed deal and business operations. The Agencies use this information to conduct a premerger assessment in the short time allowed under the HSR Act, typically 30 days, to determine which transactions may violate the antitrust laws, and thus require additional review.

    The requests added to the HSR form reflect the dramatic changes over the past four decades in global markets and in how mergers and acquisitions are conducted. These additions include:

    • Requiring parties to submit transaction-related documents prepared by or for the supervisory leader of the deal team;
    • Requiring parties to describe their principal categories of products and services as reflected in the parties’ ordinary course business documents;
    • Requiring disclosure of additional information about the buyer’s officers, directors, and investors, including those with management rights over the firm; and
    • Ensuring the Agencies have access to translations of all documents submitted in a language other than English.

    This additional information will enable the Agencies to streamline their initial reviews and make decisions more quickly. In some circumstances, it will allow the Agencies to evaluate a merger without opening a preliminary investigation or seeking additional information through a second request. In this way, the final rule complements the FTC’s decision to lift its temporary suspension on early termination of HSR filings. When additional information is necessary to review a merger, the final rule will enable the Agencies to issue more targeted requests, reducing the time and effort required to respond. Under the prior form, the Agencies routinely had to rely on third parties, many of whom were small businesses, to fill in informational gaps. By helping to fill some of these gaps, the final rule can alleviate the burden on third parties as well.

    The new information required by the final rule is already within the possession of the filing parties. The rule was carefully structured to provide the Agencies with important additional factual and documentary information that is readily available to the merging parties. Moreover, the Agencies carefully reviewed the hundreds of public comments filed in response to the proposed rule and made substantial changes to reduce the burden on merging parties. The final rule differs from the proposed rule in many ways, including among other things, eliminating the requirements to:

    • Submit preliminary drafts of deal-related documents;
    • Collect and produce ordinary course documents from people who report directly to the CEO;
    • Provide information about employees’ commuting zones and occupation classifications;
    • Report prior acquisitions that are more than five years old or involve entities with less than $10 million in sales or revenue; and
    • Certify that the filer took steps to preserve documents.

    These changes eliminated substantial costs to filing parties while ensuring that the Agencies will receive the additional information they require to more effectively and efficiently review merger filings.

    The final rule will be effective 90 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ohio Man Sentenced for Creating and Distributing Videos Depicting Monkey Torture and Mutilation

    Source: US State of Vermont

    An Ohio man was sentenced today to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release in connection with his involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.

    According to court documents, Ronald P. Bedra, of Etna, conspired with others to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against baby and adult monkeys. The conspirators used encrypted chat applications to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to commit the requested acts of torture on camera. Bedra also mailed a thumb drive containing 64 videos of monkey torture to a co-conspirator in Wisconsin.

    According to a statement of facts signed by defendant Bedra, the videos in question included depictions of monkeys having their digits and limbs severed and monkeys being forcibly sodomized with a heated screwdriver. Bedra pleaded guilty in April.

    “Defendant Ronald Bedra commissioned grotesque videos of torture of juvenile and baby monkeys,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Such appalling conduct has no place in our society. The Justice Department stands ready to prosecute individuals engaging in this activity to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “We will punish participants of sadistic conspiracies like this one no matter their role in the crime,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio. “As this case shows, even if you do not commit the torture firsthand, you will be held accountable for promoting this obscene animal abuse.”

    “The torture of animals in this case is disturbing, cruel and illegal,” said Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola of FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will continue to work to protect defenseless animals and investigate those who intentionally harm them.”

    “Today’s sentencing underscores the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s unwavering commitment to combating the exploitation of wildlife in any form,” said Assistant Director Edward Grace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement. “These monstrous crimes are indefensible. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who harm animals protected under federal and international laws and treaties will face serious consequences. We continue to work diligently with our partners to identify and prosecute individuals engaged in these cruel activities to the fullest extent of the law.”

    The FBI and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the case. Homeland Security Investigations provided critical assistance.

    Trial Attorney Mark Romley and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Pakiz for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: TD Bank Pleads Guilty to Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Conspiracy Violations in $1.8B Resolution

    Source: US State of Vermont

    WASHINGTON — TD Bank N.A. (TDBNA), the 10th largest bank in the United States, and its parent company TD Bank US Holding Company (TDBUSH) (together with TDBNA, TD Bank) pleaded guilty today and agreed to pay over $1.8 billion in penalties to resolve the Justice Department’s investigation into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering. 

    TDBNA pleaded guilty to conspiring to fail to maintain an anti-money laundering (AML) program that complies with the BSA, fail to file accurate Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs), and launder money. TDBUSH pleaded guilty to causing TDBNA to fail to maintain an AML program that complies with the BSA and to fail to file accurate CTRs.

    TD Bank’s guilty pleas are part of a coordinated resolution with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), as well as the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    “By making its services convenient for criminals, TD Bank became one,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today, TD Bank also became the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures, and the first US bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. TD Bank chose profits over compliance with the law — a decision that is now costing the bank billions of dollars in penalties. Let me be clear: our investigation continues, and no individual involved in TD Bank’s illegal conduct is off limits.”

    “For years, TD Bank starved its compliance program of the resources needed to obey the law. Today’s historic guilty plea, including the largest penalty ever imposed under the Bank Secrecy Act, offers an unmistakable lesson: crime doesn’t pay — and neither does flouting compliance,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Every bank compliance official in America should be reviewing today’s charges as a case study of what not to do. And every bank CEO and board member should be doing the same. Because if the business case for compliance wasn’t clear before — it should be now.”

    “For nearly a decade, TD Bank failed to update its anti-money laundering compliance program to address known risks. As bank employees acknowledged in internal communications, these failures made the bank an ‘easy target’ for the ‘bad guys.’ These failures also allowed corrupt bank employees to facilitate a criminal network’s laundering of tens of millions of dollars,” said Principal Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “U.S. financial institutions are the first line of defense against money laundering and illicit finance. When they participate in crime rather than prevent it, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” 

    “TD Bank prioritized growth and convenience over following its legal obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “As a result of staggering and pervasive failures in oversight, it willfully failed to monitor trillions of dollars of transactions – including those involving ACH transactions, checks, high-risk countries, and peer-to-peer transactions – which allowed hundreds of millions of dollars from money laundering networks to flow through the bank, including for international drug traffickers. The bank was aware of these risks and failed to take steps to protect against them, including for two networks prosecuted in New Jersey and elsewhere – one that dumped piles of cash on the bank’s counters and another that allegedly withdrew amounts from ATMs 40 to 50 times higher than the daily limit for personal accounts.”

    According to court documents, between January 2014 and October 2023, TD Bank had long-term, pervasive, and systemic deficiencies in its U.S. AML policies, procedures, and controls but failed to take appropriate remedial action. Instead, senior executives at TD Bank enforced a budget mandate, referred to internally as a “flat cost paradigm,” requiring that TD Bank’s budget not increase year-over-year, despite its profits and risk profile increasing significantly over the same period. Although TD Bank maintained elements of an AML program that appeared adequate on paper, fundamental, widespread flaws in its AML program made TD Bank an “easy target” for perpetrators of financial crime.

    Over the last decade, TD Bank’s federal regulators and TD Bank’s own internal audit group repeatedly identified concerns about its transaction monitoring program, a key element of an appropriate AML program necessary to properly detect and report suspicious activities. Nonetheless, from 2014 through 2022, TD Bank’s transaction monitoring program remained effectively static, and did not adapt to address known, glaring deficiencies; emerging money laundering risks; or TD Bank’s new products and services. For years, TD Bank failed to appropriately fund and staff its AML program, opting to postpone and cancel necessary AML projects prioritizing a “flat cost paradigm” and the “customer experience.”

    Throughout this time, TD Bank intentionally did not automatically monitor all domestic automated clearinghouse (ACH) transactions, most check activity, and numerous other transaction types, resulting in 92% of total transaction volume going unmonitored from Jan. 1, 2018, to April 12, 2024. This amounted to approximately $18.3 trillion of transaction activity. TD Bank also added no new transaction monitoring scenarios and made no material changes to existing transaction monitoring scenarios from at least 2014 through late 2022; implemented new products and services, like Zelle, without ensuring appropriate transaction monitoring coverage; failed to meaningfully monitor transactions involving high-risk countries; instructed stores to stop filing internal unusual transaction reports on certain suspicious customers; and permitted more than $5 billion in transactional activity to occur in accounts even after the bank decided to close them.

    TD Bank’s AML failures made it “convenient” for criminals, in the words of its employees. These failures enabled three money laundering networks to collectively transfer more than $670 million through TD Bank accounts between 2019 and 2023. Between January 2018 and February 2021, one money laundering network processed more than $470 million through the bank through large cash deposits into nominee accounts. The operators of this scheme provided employees gift cards worth more than $57,000 to ensure employees would continue to process their transactions. And even though the operators of this scheme were clearly depositing cash well over $10,000 in suspicious transactions, TD Bank employees did not identify the conductor of the transaction in required reports. In a second scheme between March 2021 and March 2023, a high-risk jewelry business moved nearly $120 million through shell accounts before TD Bank reported the activity. In a third scheme, money laundering networks deposited funds in the United States and quickly withdrew those funds using ATMs in Colombia. Five TD Bank employees conspired with this network and issued dozens of ATM cards for the money launderers, ultimately conspiring in the laundering of approximately $39 million. The Justice Department has charged over two dozen individuals across these schemes, including two bank insiders. TD Bank’s plea agreement requires continued cooperation in ongoing investigations of individuals.

    As part of the plea agreement, TD Bank has agreed to forfeit $452,432,302.00 and pay a criminal fine of $1,434,513,478.40, for a total financial penalty of $1,886,945,780.40. TD Bank has also agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor for three years and to remediate and enhance its AML compliance program. TD Bank has separately reached agreements with the FRB, OCC, and FinCEN, and the Justice Department will credit $123.5 million of the forfeiture toward the FRB’s resolution.

    The Justice Department reached its resolution with TD Bank based on a number of factors, including the nature, seriousness, and pervasiveness of the offenses, as a result of which TD Bank became the bank of choice for multiple money laundering organizations and criminal actors and processed hundreds of millions of dollars in money laundering transactions. Although TD Bank did not voluntarily disclose its wrongdoing, it received partial credit for its strong cooperation with the Department’s investigation and the ongoing remediation of its AML program. TD Bank did not receive full credit for its cooperation because it failed to timely escalate relevant AML concerns to the Department during the investigation. Accordingly, the total criminal penalty reflects a 20% reduction based on the bank’s partial cooperation and remediation.

    IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. The Morristown Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and New York City Police Department provided substantial assistance.

    Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea R. Rooney of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Pesce and Angelica Sinopole for the District of New Jersey prosecuted the case.

    MLARS’ Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system. Since its creation in 2010, the Bank Integrity Unit has prosecuted financial institutions for violations of the BSA, money laundering, sanctions, and other laws, imposing total penalties of over $25 billion.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for Breaking into Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University and Destroying Property

    Source: US State of Vermont

    A New Jersey man pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal hate crime for breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and destroying property.

    “This defendant is being held accountable for Islamophobic-fueled acts of hate, interfering with the religious freedom of university students and staff during a sacred holiday for those of the Islamic faith,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department stands ready, along with our state and local partners, to hold accountable people who use force, or threats of violence, in order to intimidate people from exercising their religious beliefs. Islamophobic hate crimes have no place in our society today. We will continue to enforce the laws that make it safe for people of all faiths to engage in religious observance, including at educational institutions.”   

    “The free exercise of religion is a fundamental right of all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “Jacob Beacher admitted he intentionally broke into the Center for Islamic Life during the holy Eid-al-Fitr holiday and damaged and destroyed religious artifacts because of the Islamic faith of those associated with the facility. This office will not tolerate the use of force or threats to intimidate people and put them in fear of worshipping as they see fit.”

    “When we learned of this vandalism back in April, we immediately engaged with our law enforcement partners and Rutgers University,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado of the FBI Newark Field Office. “Within days, we tracked down and arrested Beacher. We want our actions and the speed with which we responded to illustrate our commitment and resolve to protect houses of worship in New Jersey. We all have the right to practice whatever religion we choose, without fear of hate marring the physical and spiritual place where we do it.”

    According to court documents, on or about April 10, at approximately 2:39 a.m., during the Eid- al-Fitr holiday, video surveillance footage showed Jacob Beacher, 24, walking toward the rear door of the CILRU. Soon after, at approximately 2:41 a.m., an intruder, later determined to be Beacher, forcibly entered the CILRU through its back door. Specifically, Beacher broke a glass pane on the door, pushed through a piece of plexiglass that was affixed to the interior side of the door and then manually opened the door from the inside by reaching through the broken glass to unlatch a deadbolt lock.

    Once inside the CILRU, Beacher damaged the CILRU’s property, including several religious artifacts, such as Turbah prayer stones and numerous items that contained holy language from the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred scripture. Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and at least one charity box belonging to the CILRU.

    A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date. Beacher faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Newark Field Office, Branchburg Resident Agency, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Rutgers University Police Department-New Brunswick Division and New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Levin and R. Joseph Gribko for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Concurs with Federal Trade Commission’s Changes to Premerger Notification Form Used in Merger Review

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division announced today its concurrence with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s unanimous vote to finalize changes to the premerger notification form and associated instructions, as well as to the premerger notification rules implementing the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act.

    The final rule, which was adopted after a rigorous public comment process, marks the first large-scale material update to the HSR form since it was first established in 1978. The rule will address critical gaps in the information available to the Justice Department and the FTC (the Agencies) when they review merger filings, making the Agencies’ initial review more efficient and effective. In response to public comment on the proposed rule, the final rule contains many changes aimed at reducing the burden on parties while still improving the information the Agencies receive to help streamline initial merger review.

    “Access to better information at the beginning of the merger review process ensures that the antitrust agencies can devote our resources to the most important issues and reduces the burden on filers, third parties, and other market participants,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “I’m grateful to the Commissioners who have worked diligently to evaluate the public comments to develop the excellent rule.”

    Under the HSR Act, parties to certain mergers and acquisitions are required to submit premerger notification forms that disclose certain information about their proposed deal and business operations. The Agencies use this information to conduct a premerger assessment in the short time allowed under the HSR Act, typically 30 days, to determine which transactions may violate the antitrust laws, and thus require additional review.

    The requests added to the HSR form reflect the dramatic changes over the past four decades in global markets and in how mergers and acquisitions are conducted. These additions include:

    • Requiring parties to submit transaction-related documents prepared by or for the supervisory leader of the deal team;
    • Requiring parties to describe their principal categories of products and services as reflected in the parties’ ordinary course business documents;
    • Requiring disclosure of additional information about the buyer’s officers, directors, and investors, including those with management rights over the firm; and
    • Ensuring the Agencies have access to translations of all documents submitted in a language other than English.

    This additional information will enable the Agencies to streamline their initial reviews and make decisions more quickly. In some circumstances, it will allow the Agencies to evaluate a merger without opening a preliminary investigation or seeking additional information through a second request. In this way, the final rule complements the FTC’s decision to lift its temporary suspension on early termination of HSR filings. When additional information is necessary to review a merger, the final rule will enable the Agencies to issue more targeted requests, reducing the time and effort required to respond. Under the prior form, the Agencies routinely had to rely on third parties, many of whom were small businesses, to fill in informational gaps. By helping to fill some of these gaps, the final rule can alleviate the burden on third parties as well.

    The new information required by the final rule is already within the possession of the filing parties. The rule was carefully structured to provide the Agencies with important additional factual and documentary information that is readily available to the merging parties. Moreover, the Agencies carefully reviewed the hundreds of public comments filed in response to the proposed rule and made substantial changes to reduce the burden on merging parties. The final rule differs from the proposed rule in many ways, including among other things, eliminating the requirements to:

    • Submit preliminary drafts of deal-related documents;
    • Collect and produce ordinary course documents from people who report directly to the CEO;
    • Provide information about employees’ commuting zones and occupation classifications;
    • Report prior acquisitions that are more than five years old or involve entities with less than $10 million in sales or revenue; and
    • Certify that the filer took steps to preserve documents.

    These changes eliminated substantial costs to filing parties while ensuring that the Agencies will receive the additional information they require to more effectively and efficiently review merger filings.

    The final rule will be effective 90 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Justice Department’s Executive Office for U.S. Trustees announced today the appointment of three Assistant U.S. Trustees to offices in Missouri, Ohio and Washington.

    Source: US State of Vermont

    The Justice Department’s Executive Office for U.S. Trustees announced today the appointment of three Assistant U.S. Trustees to offices in Missouri, Ohio and Washington.

    Jill Parsons was appointed in September as the Assistant U.S. Trustee for the Kansas City office, which serves the Western District of Missouri (Region 13). Before joining the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP), Parsons served as a chapter 7 panel trustee since 2009 and practiced bankruptcy law, representing both creditors and debtors in Kansas City for over 20 years. Parsons received her bachelor’s degree in English from Weber State University and her law degree with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

    Angela Abreu was appointed in August as the Assistant U.S. Trustee for the Cleveland office, which serves the Northern District of Ohio (Region 9). Abreu joined the USTP after several years in private practice specializing in creditors’ rights and chapter 7 bankruptcy practice. Most recently, Abreu was a corporate vice president and loss mitigation manager at a regional bank. Abreu received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and general administration of justice from Saint Vincent College and her law degree cum laude from Duquesne University. 

    Hilary Mohr was appointed in August as the Assistant U.S. Trustee for the Seattle office, which serves the Western District of Washington and the District of Alaska (Region 18). Mohr joined the USTP as a trial attorney in the Seattle office in January 2016 after working as a partner at a Seattle law firm focused primarily on creditors’ rights litigation and bankruptcy matters. Mohr received her bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Washington, worked in the nonprofit sector and received a law degree summa cum laude from Seattle University.

    The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders – debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 89 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at http://www.justice.gov/ust. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Suit for Unpaid Duties and Penalties for Alleged Misclassification and Failure to Pay Duties on Imported Chinese Solar Panels

    Source: US State of Vermont

    The Justice Department has filed a civil lawsuit against Paul Bakhoum, who was the Vice President for Operations for Ecosolargy Inc., a California Corporation that imported Chinese-manufactured solar panels into the United States. The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Bakhoum made false statements to customs officials and, as a result, avoided paying harmonized tariff schedule (HTS), antidumping and countervailing duties owed on the imported solar panels.

    At the time merchandise is entered into the United States, the importer is responsible for providing all information necessary to enable Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assess the applicable duties owed on the goods, including any HTS, antidumping and countervailing duties applicable to the merchandise. The HTS sets duties based on the category of the product (for example, solar cells), while antidumping and countervailing duties are trade remedies that help protect domestic industries from unfair trade practices by foreign businesses and countries, such as government subsidies or below market sales.

    The United States’ complaint contends that Bakhoum caused Ecosolargy to falsely classify solar panels imported from China as LED lights. In particular, the United States alleges that Bakhoum negligently misrepresented to CBP the imported solar panels’ HTS code and value and failed to identify both the proper antidumping duty and countervailing duty rates applicable to the panels.  

    “The Justice Department is committed to pursuing those who evade customs duties or otherwise engage in unfair trade practices that harm U.S. manufacturers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to employ all of our available tools to ensure that U.S. manufacturers are competing on a level playing field.”

    “CBP takes its trade mission of protecting the U.S. economy very seriously as we strive to maintain fair trade and preserve American jobs from predatory practices,” said Executive Director Susan Thomas of CBP’s Cargo and Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations. “These civil penalties should serve as a warning to those who attempt to do harm to our economy and American businesses.”

    The complaint seeks the recovery of almost $300,000 in import duties and almost $800,000 in civil penalties.

    CBP’s Electronics Center of Excellence and Expertise investigated the case. CBP and Homeland Security Investigations are the agencies responsible for enforcing U.S. laws related to the importation of merchandise into the United States, including the collection of duties and assessment of penalties.

    Trial Counsel Daniel Hoffman of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, National Courts Section, handled the case.

    The case, which is filed in the Court of International Trade, is captioned United States v. Paul Bakhoum No. 24-00188.

    To combat trade fraud, including avoidance of import duties, the Justice Department created a Trade Fraud Task Force. The Task Force partners with CBP and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with United States trade laws.

    The claims in the complaint are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer’s Participation in OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General (PDASG) Benjamin C. Mizer traveled to Ottawa, Canada, on Oct. 8-9, to represent the United States at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OCED) Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice. The roundtables are a forum for the exchange of practices and lessons learned and provide an opportunity for policymakers to share experiences on improving access to justice for all, including from the perspective of people and businesses. PDASG Mizer provided remarks on behalf of the United States at the OECD Roundtable’s High-Level Dialogue.

    On the sidelines of the dialogue, PDASG Mizer met with a range of stakeholders, including representatives from ministries of justice and civil society organizations from around the world. During the roundtable, the Office for Access to Justice moderated a workshop with Department of Justice Canada on people-centered approaches to administrative justice and participated in panel discussion on inclusive justice strategies.

    High-Level Dialogue at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OCED) Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: TD Bank Pleads Guilty to Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Conspiracy Violations in $1.8B Resolution

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    WASHINGTON — TD Bank N.A. (TDBNA), the 10th largest bank in the United States, and its parent company TD Bank US Holding Company (TDBUSH) (together with TDBNA, TD Bank) pleaded guilty today and agreed to pay over $1.8 billion in penalties to resolve the Justice Department’s investigation into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering. 

    TDBNA pleaded guilty to conspiring to fail to maintain an anti-money laundering (AML) program that complies with the BSA, fail to file accurate Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs), and launder money. TDBUSH pleaded guilty to causing TDBNA to fail to maintain an AML program that complies with the BSA and to fail to file accurate CTRs.

    TD Bank’s guilty pleas are part of a coordinated resolution with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), as well as the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    “By making its services convenient for criminals, TD Bank became one,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today, TD Bank also became the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures, and the first US bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. TD Bank chose profits over compliance with the law — a decision that is now costing the bank billions of dollars in penalties. Let me be clear: our investigation continues, and no individual involved in TD Bank’s illegal conduct is off limits.”

    “For years, TD Bank starved its compliance program of the resources needed to obey the law. Today’s historic guilty plea, including the largest penalty ever imposed under the Bank Secrecy Act, offers an unmistakable lesson: crime doesn’t pay — and neither does flouting compliance,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Every bank compliance official in America should be reviewing today’s charges as a case study of what not to do. And every bank CEO and board member should be doing the same. Because if the business case for compliance wasn’t clear before — it should be now.”

    “For nearly a decade, TD Bank failed to update its anti-money laundering compliance program to address known risks. As bank employees acknowledged in internal communications, these failures made the bank an ‘easy target’ for the ‘bad guys.’ These failures also allowed corrupt bank employees to facilitate a criminal network’s laundering of tens of millions of dollars,” said Principal Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “U.S. financial institutions are the first line of defense against money laundering and illicit finance. When they participate in crime rather than prevent it, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” 

    “TD Bank prioritized growth and convenience over following its legal obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “As a result of staggering and pervasive failures in oversight, it willfully failed to monitor trillions of dollars of transactions – including those involving ACH transactions, checks, high-risk countries, and peer-to-peer transactions – which allowed hundreds of millions of dollars from money laundering networks to flow through the bank, including for international drug traffickers. The bank was aware of these risks and failed to take steps to protect against them, including for two networks prosecuted in New Jersey and elsewhere – one that dumped piles of cash on the bank’s counters and another that allegedly withdrew amounts from ATMs 40 to 50 times higher than the daily limit for personal accounts.”

    According to court documents, between January 2014 and October 2023, TD Bank had long-term, pervasive, and systemic deficiencies in its U.S. AML policies, procedures, and controls but failed to take appropriate remedial action. Instead, senior executives at TD Bank enforced a budget mandate, referred to internally as a “flat cost paradigm,” requiring that TD Bank’s budget not increase year-over-year, despite its profits and risk profile increasing significantly over the same period. Although TD Bank maintained elements of an AML program that appeared adequate on paper, fundamental, widespread flaws in its AML program made TD Bank an “easy target” for perpetrators of financial crime.

    Over the last decade, TD Bank’s federal regulators and TD Bank’s own internal audit group repeatedly identified concerns about its transaction monitoring program, a key element of an appropriate AML program necessary to properly detect and report suspicious activities. Nonetheless, from 2014 through 2022, TD Bank’s transaction monitoring program remained effectively static, and did not adapt to address known, glaring deficiencies; emerging money laundering risks; or TD Bank’s new products and services. For years, TD Bank failed to appropriately fund and staff its AML program, opting to postpone and cancel necessary AML projects prioritizing a “flat cost paradigm” and the “customer experience.”

    Throughout this time, TD Bank intentionally did not automatically monitor all domestic automated clearinghouse (ACH) transactions, most check activity, and numerous other transaction types, resulting in 92% of total transaction volume going unmonitored from Jan. 1, 2018, to April 12, 2024. This amounted to approximately $18.3 trillion of transaction activity. TD Bank also added no new transaction monitoring scenarios and made no material changes to existing transaction monitoring scenarios from at least 2014 through late 2022; implemented new products and services, like Zelle, without ensuring appropriate transaction monitoring coverage; failed to meaningfully monitor transactions involving high-risk countries; instructed stores to stop filing internal unusual transaction reports on certain suspicious customers; and permitted more than $5 billion in transactional activity to occur in accounts even after the bank decided to close them.

    TD Bank’s AML failures made it “convenient” for criminals, in the words of its employees. These failures enabled three money laundering networks to collectively transfer more than $670 million through TD Bank accounts between 2019 and 2023. Between January 2018 and February 2021, one money laundering network processed more than $470 million through the bank through large cash deposits into nominee accounts. The operators of this scheme provided employees gift cards worth more than $57,000 to ensure employees would continue to process their transactions. And even though the operators of this scheme were clearly depositing cash well over $10,000 in suspicious transactions, TD Bank employees did not identify the conductor of the transaction in required reports. In a second scheme between March 2021 and March 2023, a high-risk jewelry business moved nearly $120 million through shell accounts before TD Bank reported the activity. In a third scheme, money laundering networks deposited funds in the United States and quickly withdrew those funds using ATMs in Colombia. Five TD Bank employees conspired with this network and issued dozens of ATM cards for the money launderers, ultimately conspiring in the laundering of approximately $39 million. The Justice Department has charged over two dozen individuals across these schemes, including two bank insiders. TD Bank’s plea agreement requires continued cooperation in ongoing investigations of individuals.

    As part of the plea agreement, TD Bank has agreed to forfeit $452,432,302.00 and pay a criminal fine of $1,434,513,478.40, for a total financial penalty of $1,886,945,780.40. TD Bank has also agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor for three years and to remediate and enhance its AML compliance program. TD Bank has separately reached agreements with the FRB, OCC, and FinCEN, and the Justice Department will credit $123.5 million of the forfeiture toward the FRB’s resolution.

    The Justice Department reached its resolution with TD Bank based on a number of factors, including the nature, seriousness, and pervasiveness of the offenses, as a result of which TD Bank became the bank of choice for multiple money laundering organizations and criminal actors and processed hundreds of millions of dollars in money laundering transactions. Although TD Bank did not voluntarily disclose its wrongdoing, it received partial credit for its strong cooperation with the Department’s investigation and the ongoing remediation of its AML program. TD Bank did not receive full credit for its cooperation because it failed to timely escalate relevant AML concerns to the Department during the investigation. Accordingly, the total criminal penalty reflects a 20% reduction based on the bank’s partial cooperation and remediation.

    IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. The Morristown Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and New York City Police Department provided substantial assistance.

    Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea R. Rooney of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Pesce and Angelica Sinopole for the District of New Jersey prosecuted the case.

    MLARS’ Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system. Since its creation in 2010, the Bank Integrity Unit has prosecuted financial institutions for violations of the BSA, money laundering, sanctions, and other laws, imposing total penalties of over $25 billion.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Justice celebrates West Virginia’s Paranormal Trail being met with great interest

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    CHARLESTON, WV — Gov. Jim Justice announced today that West Virginia’s new Paranormal Trail is already seeing tremendous popularity with more than 4,300 people signed up to chase infamous haunts throughout the state.

    An accompanying digital passport allows visitors to check in at haunted locations, earning points and unlocking exciting prizes along the way. Nearly 800 spook-seekers have already checked in on digital passports.

    To experience the haunts of West Virginia and uncover chilling tales, travelers can register to participate in the West Virginia Paranormal Trail online and instantly receive the digital passport via email or text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Applauds Additional $25 Million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Clean Drinking Water

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a lead negotiator of the water provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), celebrated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of $24,898,000  in new funding for New Hampshire for drinking water infrastructure, including to identify and remove lead pipes. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was negotiated by Senators Shaheen and Hassan, and which the full New Hampshire Congressional delegation supported. Along with the funding, EPA announced plans to replace lead pipes across the country within a decade.
    “Every Granite Stater, regardless of where they live, should have clean water running from their taps,” said Senator Shaheen, “That’s why I was proud to help lead negotiations on the water infrastructure provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—the largest single investment in water ever made by the federal government. I’m glad to see more funding headed to New Hampshire from this historic law to benefit drinking water systems in communities throughout the state.”
    “Every Granite Stater deserves access to safe, clean drinking water, and that will be possible for more families now thanks to nearly $25 million in federal funding coming to New Hampshire to replace lead pipes,” said Senator Hassan. “I helped negotiate and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to enable projects like these, which allow our communities to thrive, and I am glad to see that the bipartisan infrastructure law continues to deliver for New Hampshire.”
    “Lead exposure poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of Granite State communities—particularly kids’ growth and development,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “With these resources made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New Hampshire will be able to remove dangerous lead pipes and ensure more homes, schools, and businesses have access to safe, clean drinking water.”
    “Lead pipes are harmful to the health of New Hampshire families and children, and addressing them in a targeted and comprehensive manner will ensure that everyone can access safe, clean drinking water,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “I helped pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to deliver federal resources to our communities to modernize our infrastructure and safeguard public health, and these funds will do that. I’ll keep fighting to address contaminants in drinking water and protect the well-being of Granite Staters.”
    The New Hampshire Congressional delegation has championed work to ensure every Granite Stater has access to clean, safe drinking water no matter where they live. As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen spearheaded the water infrastructure provisions with Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), securing record funding to upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, address PFAS contamination and replace lead pipes. The nearly $25 million announced this week adds to the more than $265 million that New Hampshire has received for water infrastructure from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law since its enactment in 2021.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – “Extermination” in Gaza – Where are you Christopher Luxon? Winston Peters? David Seymour? – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Thousands will march for Palestine across Aotearoa this weekend as UN investigators accuse Israel of deliberately targeting Gaza’s health facilities and killing medical personnel.

     

    In a landmark human rights ruling on Gaza, the investigators have said Israel is 

     

    “committing war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities”

     

    If this were happening anywhere else in the world the government would act decisively.

     

    It’s long past the time to expel the Israeli ambassador… 

     

    But where are our political leaders? 

     

    The dozens of events across the motu for this week are on the PSNA Facebook events page here with the basic details given below.

     

     

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    North Island
    Opononi
    Sunday 13 October
    Nothing this weekend – watch this space
     
    Kerikeri – Rally
    Saturday 12 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Whangarei – Rally
    Saturday 12 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Auckland – Say Hi to Judith Collins at Dinner
    Thursday 10
    6:30 pm
    Annabelles Restaurant, 409 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers, Auckland
     
    Auckland – Picket 
    Friday 11 October
    No Picket this week
     
    Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!
    Every Saturday
    8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
     
    Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau
    Saturday 12 October
    10:00 am
     
    Auckland – Rally
    Saturday 12 October
    2:00 pm
    Te Komititanga – Britomart Square, Tamaki Makaurau
     
    Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
    (Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice – Hauraki)
    First Saturday of the month
     
    Tauranga – Flag Wave & Mural Painting
    Sunday 13 October
    11:00 am
    Coronation Park, Mouth Manganui
     
    Hamilton – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 12 October
    1:00 pm
    Civic Square, Hamilton
     
    Raglan
    To be advised
     
    Cambridge – Rally for Palestine
    Every Saturday
    11:00 am
    Cambridge Town Hall
     
    Rotorua – Rally for Palestine
    Every Thursday
    4:00 pm
    Rotorua Lakes Council, Haupapa Street (Sir Howard Morrison Corner)
     
    Gisborne – Farmers Market – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
    Every Saturday
    9:30 – 11:30 am
    Gisborne Farmers Market
     
    Whakatāne – Snap Rally for Palestine
    Wed 9 Oct
    12 – 1pm
    49 Kakahoroa Drive (outside the Library)
     
    Napier – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 12 October
    11:30 am
    Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
     
    Hastings – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 13 October
    1:00 pm
    Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
     
    Palmerston North – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 13 October
    2:00 pm
    The Square, Palmerston North
     
    New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge
    Friday 6 September
    4:30 pm
    Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth
     
    New Plymouth – Vigil
    Saturday 12 October
    1:00 PM
    Hatchery Lawn- Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
     
    Whanganui – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 12 October
    11:00 am
    Riverside Market, Whanganui
     
    Carterton – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Tuesday
    12:00 midday
    Memorial Square.
     
    Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine
    Every Wednesday
    11:00 am
    The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
     
    Masterton – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Sunday
    9:30 am
    Town Hall Lawn, Masterton
     
    Featherston – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Saturday
    11:00 am
    The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
     
    Wellington – Vigil for Palestine (by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)
    Every Friday
    6:00 pm
    In front of Wellington Hospital
    49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
     
    Wellington – Flags on the Bridge
    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
    Every Friday
    7:15 – 8:15 am
    Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
     
    Wellington – Boycott Obela rally
    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
    Saturday 12 October
    1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Opposite Chaffers New World and next to the Bowlzilla Skatepark
     
    South Island
    Nelson – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 12 October
    10:30 am
    1903 Square, Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson
     
    Blenheim – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 12 October
    11:00 am
    Blenheim Railway Station
     
    Christchurch- Flag Waving for Palestine
    Friday 11 October
    4:00 pm
    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
     
    Christchurch – Otautahi stands with Lebanon
    Saturday 12 October
    1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
     
    Timaru
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Dunedin – Rally and March
    Saturday 12 October
    1:00 pm
    Otago Museum Reserve (marching to the Octagon)
    Queenstown
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Invercargill – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 13 October
    1:00 pm
    Wachner place Invercargill.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) Introduces New Bill at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, MI to Remediate & Redevelop More Disused Manufacturing Space Across U.S.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

    PONTIAC, MI – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the RESTART Communities Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and hosted a press conference about the legislation at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, MI with Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, M1 Concourse CEO Tim McGrane, and RACER Trust Deputy Redevelopment Manager and Director of Government Relations Patricia Spitzley. U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan (D-IN) co-sponsored this legislation.

    The Revitalization Efforts for Sustainable Transformation and Remediation for Thriving Communities Act or the RESTART Communities Act aims to enhance interagency collaboration at the Federal level to empower local communities with the resources and practices needed to redevelop shuttered manufacturing sites requiring environmental remediation. This legislation will authorize the Federal government to create and disseminate best practices, streamline funding opportunities, provide other essential technical resources, and promote revitalization and remediation stakeholder collaboration to give manufacturing facilities and their surrounding communities a second chance at sustainable economic growth. By simplifying Federal support activities, the RESTART Communities Act empowers local communities to create new economic opportunities and protect the public health.

    “The RESTART Communities Act represents a significant step forward in unlocking incredible economic opportunities for shuttered manufacturing sites across the country, especially those that feature harmful environmental pollution,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “By bringing together local, state, and federal partners,  we can clean up our communities and create new, high-quality jobs in the communities that need them most.”

    “In Northwest Indiana and in manufacturing regions across the country, we must ensure communities have the full and efficient support of the federal government for remediation programs,” said Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN). “I am proud to join Rep. Stevens in supporting this outstanding initiative to promote streamlined processes and success for revitalizing local economies.”

    “Representative Stevens has long been a forward-thinking national leader on the need to support collaborative economic revitalization in communities affected by both job losses and environmental concerns,” said Elliott P. Laws, Administrative Trustee, RACER Trust. “The RESTART Communities Act of 2024 provides important tools to promote community-focused solutions on a national scale, including training and educational programs to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills they will need to carry these initiatives in the future. As a member of the White House staff at the time, Representative Stevens was a key figure in building the framework of RACER Trust and has watched as RACER’s application of its mandate has resulted in tens of thousands of new jobs and significant reductions in risks to human health and the environment. We are pleased to support Representative Stevens in her efforts and urge members of Congress to pass the RESTART Communities Act of 2024.”

    “We are grateful for Congresswoman Stevens’ continued bipartisan leadership to support economic development and community revitalization,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO and Michigan Strategic Fund President and Chair. “The RESTART Communities Act supports the core vision of Team Michigan’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on People, Places and Projects by empowering communities to breathe new life into outdated, shuttered manufacturing sites. When we strengthen a community’s ability to create more vibrant places and welcome the businesses that employ their residents, it’s a win for them. By streamlining and simplifying access to essential federal support through this act, more of our friends and neighbors will ‘Make It’ in Michigan.” 

    “Too many communities in Michigan and across the country are dealing with legacy pollution from contaminated sites left behind by industry, and we need more tools for remediation and cleanup,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “We appreciate Congresswoman Stevens’ leadership with the introduction of the RESTART Communities Act, which will make sure that as many resources as possible can go toward remediation and revitalization of contaminated vacant sites. Local communities need all levels of government to be working together to better protect health, and the collaboration created by the RESTART Communities Act will help prevent the public’s exposure to pollution, attract reinvestment for new businesses, and ensure that taxpayer resources are used effectively in the cleanup process.”

    Full text of the legislation can be found here. 

    A complete recording of the press conference and accompanying photos can be found here.

    The RESTART Communities Act is endorsed by the RACER Trust, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Oakland County, United Wholesale Mortgage, and Mayor of Pontiac Tim Greimel. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sykes, Evans Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Corporate Investors Buying Up Local Homes, Driving Up Housing Prices

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dwight Evans (2nd District of Pennsylvania)

    Legislation Would Restrict Tax Breaks for Private Equity Firms and Other Large Outside Investors that Buy Up Homes in Local Communities

    U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Dwight Evans (PA-03) introduced the Stop Predatory Investing Act to restrict tax breaks for big corporate investors that buy up homes, often driving up local housing prices and rents. This legislation would prohibit an investor who acquires 50 or more single-family rental homes from deducting interest or depreciation on those properties. The bill restricts tax breaks for private equity and large investors that currently give them an advantage in the market for affordable single-family homes, and helps make homeownership a reality for more families across the country.

    “With home prices reaching record highs, many Ohioans are struggling to afford homeownership and some are being priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve lived in all of their lives. It’s unfair for homeowners to have to compete with deep-pocketed investors who are adding to their real estate portfolios, meanwhile they drive up rents and reduce the housing supply while receiving generous tax breaks,” said Rep. Sykes. “My bill would prevent corporate landlords from driving up local home prices and restore power to working people who want to buy a home to live and raise their families in.” 

    “As a member of the Ways and Means Committee that oversees tax legislation, I appreciate Representative Sykes’ leadership on this issue and I’m proud to co-lead this bill,” said Rep. Evans. “I think the federal government shouldn’t be subsidizing large investors’ mass buying of single-family homes, just like we don’t want to subsidize mass purchasers buying up concert tickets. Working people deserve a fair chance at buying affordable homes, and this bill would be an important tool to add to the housing toolbox!”

    Private equity and other Wall Street-backed outside investors are a growing problem in local housing markets, and contribute to pushing home ownership further out of reach for many working families. In 2021, 16% of homes in Cleveland were purchased by investors, with one zip code reaching 70%. In Cincinnati, they bought 15% of homes, reaching nearly 50% of homes in some communities. On one street, a single company bought 29 homes. Large investors use technology and all-cash offers to outcompete individual buyers. And because investors often target the same types of affordable starter homes as first-time homebuyers, they push families out of the housing market.

    The Stop Predatory Investing Act is endorsed by Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), and National Housing Law Project (NHLP). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New West Wyalong key worker accommodation set to welcome health staff

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: New West Wyalong key worker accommodation set to welcome health staff

    Published: 10 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional Health

    Healthcare workers in West Wyalong can now access modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation, with three new units completed at West Wyalong Health Service, delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Key Worker Accommodation (KWA) Program.

    The three units are located on the hospital grounds, and will provide a safe, modern and comfortable place for healthcare workers who have relocated to West Wyalong and are still establishing themselves in the community.

    The pre-manufactured units were delivered in August, with the connection of services, furnishing, fencing and landscaping now complete. 

    Each unit is fully furnished and self-contained, and features a screened verandah, light-filled living and dining area, modern kitchen, bedroom with ensuite, and internal laundry.  Parking spaces and secure access are also provided.  

    West Wyalong Health Service is expecting the first occupants to move into the accommodation units shortly. 

    The Murrumbidgee Local Health District is one of three regional local health districts to benefit from the NSW Government’s $45.3 million investment to deliver accommodation for health workers under the KWA Program. 

    New accommodation units are also being delivered at Finley, Leeton and Narrandera, with units expected to be delivered to these sites before the end of the year.  

    Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park: 

    “It’s exciting to see these units fully established on the West Wyalong Health Service site after being manufactured offsite and delivered on the back of trucks only two months ago.

    “Ensuring these units are available removes a barrier to finding accommodation for healthcare workers wanting to work at West Wyalong Health Service, meaning recruiting and retaining staff will be easier.

    “Recruitment is one of the biggest challenges facing rural and regional hospitals across Australia, which is why we are committing a further $200.1 million to increase key health worker accommodation in the state.”

    Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence MLC: 

    “Affordable, accessible accommodation is a key factor in attracting and retaining health workers and I am looking forward to the West Wyalong community welcoming the first workers into the units and the health service.

    “Investments like this underpin the Minns Labor Government’s focus on strengthening and supporting our highly skilled health workforce to ensure NSW’s regional and rural communities have access to high quality healthcare close to home.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce Nearly $35.2 Million in Federal Funding to Replace Lead Pipes in Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, both D-VA, announced an estimated $35,159,000 in federal funding for Virginia to identify and replace lead pipes and create good-paying water infrastructure jobs. The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped pass and is being allocated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after the Biden-Harris Administration issued a rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to replace lead pipes within the next ten years.
    “Every Virginian should have access to safe, reliable drinking water,” said the senators. “We’re thrilled this funding will eliminate dangerous lead exposure in the tap water of homes and schools across the Commonwealth, all while creating good-paying jobs. We’re glad to have helped pass the legislation that made this investment possible and will continue to do all that we can to keep Virginians safe.”
    The EPA estimates that as of 2023, there are 187,883 lead services lines in Virginia, which can lead to significant long-term health risks for those exposed. In children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development, slow down learning, and irreversibly damage the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer. If someone is impacted by lead exposure, there is no known antidote, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This funding will combat these risks by accelerating the lead pipe removal process.
    The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them.
    Warner and Kaine have long advocated for clean drinking water for Virginians. In September 2024, Warner and Kaine announced nearly $2 million in federal funding for Lee and Wise counties and the Town of Clintwood to support infrastructure projects that will improve and extend waterline and sewer systems to additional homes. In February, they announced over $2.8 million in federal funding to improve water quality and increase access to safe drinking water in Wythe County and to assess the public health risk from harmful chemicals in local landfills in rural communities across Virginia. Last year, they announced $4,352,000 in federal funding for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRLF).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Rises to 5th in RiskTech100 Global Ranking Following Launch of Financial Technology Division

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Announcement comes ahead of the first anniversary of Nasdaq’s acquisition of Adenza

    Nasdaq also wins two awards for its financial crime management and regulatory reporting technology

    NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced it has jumped to 5th place in Chartis’ annual RiskTech100® global ranking and has won two awards for its financial crime management and regulatory reporting technology. The news comes less than a year after Nasdaq’s acquisition of Adenza and the establishment of its Financial Technology division. Today, as a scaled platform partner Nasdaq draws on deep industry experience, technology leadership and cloud managed services to help 3,500+ banks, brokers, regulators, central banks, financial infrastructure operators, and buy-side firms solve their most complex operational challenges across risk, compliance, and trade management.

    Chartis’ annual RiskTech100® awards and ranking is widely regarded as the most comprehensive independent study of the world’s major players in risk and compliance technology. In 2023 Nasdaq ranked #18 while Adenza placed #10, with this year’s position reflecting the combined power of its technology offering.

    “This is a remarkable achievement less than one year into the integration,” said Tal Cohen, President of Nasdaq. “The financial services industry faces a series of challenges through increased regulatory scrutiny, ongoing market reforms, and ever more sophisticated financial crime, alongside accelerated technology innovation. Our customers consistently tell us that they value the opportunity to partner with brands that they trust, that are highly regulated themselves and can offer insight and expertise beyond the platforms they provide. We welcome the opportunity to support our clients at such a pivotal moment for the industry, and I’m proud to see our achievements recognized by Chartis.”

    Sid Dash, Chief Researcher at Chartis Research, added: “Nasdaq’s acquisitions, individually and collectively, provide comprehensive coverage of the transaction lifecycle, and are appropriately supported with a strong technology and service framework. Indeed, the breadth of its capabilities has moved it into the top five in the risk technology space.”

    A comprehensive portfolio of mission-critical technology

    Nasdaq’s Capital Markets Technology is deeply embedded into client workflows and serves as the backbone of the capital market operations it underpins, serving as one of the world’s largest market infrastructure technology providers to more than 130 financial market operators globally, including over half of the world’s largest exchanges. In addition, Nasdaq Calypso is a truly global front-to-back trade management, multi-asset class platform – spanning trading, clearing, risk management and post-trade processing – with particular strength in OTC products.

    Nasdaq’s Regulatory Technology solutions play a critical role in protecting trust and integrity across the global financial system, helping clients efficiently and effectively comply with an extensive range of regulatory requirements in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving environment.

    Nasdaq AxiomSL is a comprehensive regulatory reporting and compliance platform, helping clients comply with requirements across 55 countries and 110 regulators. Nasdaq’s market and trade surveillance technology helps firms detect and prevent market abuse across an extensive network of regulators, exchanges, digital assets marketplaces and market participants. Its cloud-based anti-financial crime technology, Nasdaq Verafin, integrates, resolves, and enriches data from hundreds of data sources and thousands of institutions representing more than $9 trillion in collective assets, to help firms more effectively detect fraud and combat criminal activity.

    With Nasdaq’s technology used by 97% of global systematically important banks, half of the world’s top 25 stock exchanges, 35 central banks and regulatory authorities, it touches a significant portion of the global financial system daily.

    Nasdaq’s ranking also included an assessment of their Nasdaq Boardvantage® board management software, Nasdaq Metrio™ sustainability reporting platform, and Sustainable Lens™ ESG AI Research and Benchmarking solution. More details on the products and services can be found here.

    Nasdaq wins two awards for financial crime and regulatory reporting technology

    Alongside the RiskTech100 ranking, Chartis announced Nasdaq has won two industry awards for Managed Services: Financial Crime and Regulatory Reporting: Markets and Securities.

    The award for Managed Services: Financial Crime recognizes Nasdaq Verafin’s leadership in financial crime management, emphasizing its comprehensive suite of anti-money laundering and fraud detection solutions for a large client base. Its unified platform combines financial crime solutions into one service, with scalable architecture serving a broad range of banks.

    The Regulatory Reporting: Markets and Securities award highlights Nasdaq’s leadership in regulatory reporting through AxiomSL, noting its extensive multi-jurisdictional, multi-market reporting, and expertise in adapting to complex regulatory requirements.

    About Nasdaq

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at http://www.nasdaq.com.

    Nasdaq Media Contact: 
    Andrew Hughes 
    +44 (0)7443 100896 
    Andrew.Hughes@nasdaq.com  

    -NDAQG-

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:  

    Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “can” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the benefits of Nasdaq’s Financial Technology solutions. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Whangārei Police deal blow to core group of offenders

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have made further arrests over a recent spate of offending across the Kaipara and Whangārei regions.

    Four recent arrests will see offenders held to account over the majority of recent aggravated robberies and burglaries at various businesses.

    Combined efforts between frontline staff and the Tactical Crime Unit have resulted in dozens of charges being laid, Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom says.

    “Late on Saturday night, frontline staff stopped a vehicle a Te Kamo petrol station forecourt which was sought in connection with an earlier road rage incident in Auckland.

    “The occupants were arrested without further incident and a firearm was located following a search of the vehicle.”

    A 17-year-old in the vehicle was sought in connection with an aggravated robbery at an Otaika dairy in early July.

    He will face the Whangārei Youth Court for that offence, as well as charges for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

    “The Tactical Crime Unit has also charged him over numerous burglaries and theft of motor vehicles across the region between late June and July,” Inspector Nordstrom says.

    This follows an arrest made by local Dargaville staff days earlier of a prolific offender.

    Inspector Nordstrom says the 44-year-old man is allegedly responsible for some 20 offences across the Dargaville and Whangārei areas over the past month.

    “Our staff located a stolen vehicle travelling near Tangowahine, and later arrested the man.

    “He’s since had an initial appearance in the Whangārei District Court on burglary charges where he allegedly targeted clothing, food and jewellery.”

    Police successfully opposed the man’s bail, and he has been held in custody until next appearance on 21 October.

    “Dargaville staff have been working incredibly hard in investigating these offences, and it was a great result for the community that he is remanded in custody.”

    Late last month Police also caught up with a 15-year-old male who had also committed offending alongside another youth, who was arrested in late August.

    Police colleagues in Hutt Valley spoke with the male, and he has since been referred to Youth Aid over a series of aggravated robberies and burglaries.

    “I acknowledge the dedication of our staff working right across this region, who have diligently been piecing together the offences leading to arrests,” Inspector Nordstrom says.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Click Holdings Limited Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Hong Kong, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Click Holdings Limited (“CLIK” or the “Company”), a Hong Kong-based human resources solutions provider primarily focusing on talent sourcing and the provision of temporary and permanent personnel to customers including accounting and professional firms, Hong Kong listed companies, nursing homes, individual patients, logistics companies and warehouses, today announced the closing of its previously announced initial public offering of an aggregate 1,400,000 Ordinary Shares (“the Offering”) at a price of $4.00 per share (“the Offering Price”) to the public, for a total gross proceeds of $5.6 million to the Company, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

    The Ordinary Shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 9, 2024, under the symbol “CLIK.”

    R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc. (“Lafferty”), a full-service broker/dealer, acted as the primary underwriter for the Offering. Revere Securities LLC (“Revere”), a full-service broker/dealer, acted as the co-manager for the Offering. Dorsey & Whitney LLP, David Fong & Co, Beijing Dacheng Law Offices, LLP (Shenzhen) and Ogier are acting as U.S., Hong Kong, PRC and BVI legal counsel to the Company, respectively. Wei, Wei & Co., LLP is acting as the independent accountants of the Company. VCL Law LLP is acting as the U.S. legal counsel to Lafferty and Revere for the Offering.

    The Offering is being conducted pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-280522), as amended, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 30, 2024. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, which forms part of the registration statement. Copies of the final prospectus related to the Offering may be obtained, when available, from R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc., 40 Wall Street, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10005, by phone at +1 212 293 9090 or by email at offering@rflafferty.com; or Revere Securities LLC, 560 Lexington Ave 16th floor, New York, NY, 10022, by phone at +1 212 688 2350 or by email at contact@reversesecurities.com. A copy of the final prospectus relating to the Offering can be obtained via the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

    Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more information about the Company and the Offering. This press release has been prepared for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall such securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Click Holdings Limited
     Click Holdings Limited is a human resources solutions provider, specializing in offering comprehensive human resources solutions in three principal sectors, namely (i) professional solution services, (ii) nursing solution services, and (iii) logistics and other solution services. We are primarily focused on talent sourcing and the provision of temporary and permanent personnel to customers. Our primary market is in Hong Kong and our diverse clientele includes accounting and professional firms, Hong Kong listed companies, nursing homes, individual patients, logistics companies and warehouses. We specialize primarily in placing professional accountants and company secretaries, registered nurses and healthcare workers, as well as other blue-collar workers, for direct hire and contract staffing roles. For more information, please visit our website https://clickholdings.com.hk.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    Certain statements contained in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected trading commencement and closing dates. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the public offering on the anticipated terms or at all, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Luda Technology Group Limited specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    For more information, please contact:

    offerings@rflafferty.com
    Equity Capital Markets
    R. F. Lafferty & Co., Inc.
    40 Wall Street, 27th Floor, 
    New York, NY 10005
    212.293.9090

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police catch up with gang members after driving dangerously

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A group of Tribesman gang members face charges after being observed driving dangerous across south Auckland last night.

    Five arrests were made, infringements issued, and six prized motorbikes have been impounded and are now off the road for six months.

    Earlier on Thursday evening, Police observed a group of gang members speeding on State Highway 1 near Pōkeno at around 6pm.

    “They were driving dangerously at high speeds and intimidating over road users with their reckless behaviour,” Counties Manukau Road Policing Manager, Inspector Tony Wakelin, says.

    “The Police Eagle helicopter was deployed and provided commentary to ground units, as the group exited the motorway at East Tāmaki Road.”

    Inspector Wakelin says Police units had gathered to intercept the group and signalled for the riders to stop.

    “Disappointingly the group disregarded this, and they fled from Police towards Ōtara, travelling at well over twice the legal speed limit and through a red light.”

    Eagle followed the group to an address on Berrett Place, before Police entered the address to conduct further enquiries.

    “We were then able to identify some the motorbikes and the alleged riders involved in the earlier offending.”

    As a result, three patched members aged 24, 28 and 38, have been summoned to appear in the Manukau District Court at a later date for failing to stop and dangerous driving.

    Two youths at the address were arrested over breaching of bail conditions and obstructing Police.

    “Further enquiries are continuing to locate the other motorbikes and riders involved,” Inspector Wakelin says.

    “This was great work from Police staff to manage a potentially volatile situation and bring it to a safe and satisfying conclusion.

    “Other road users should not expect to have their safety put at risk as it was last night. The behaviour of these gang members was completely unacceptable.”

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister of Justice joins OECD Global Roundtable on promoting democracy and equal access to justice

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    October 10, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada

    Access to justice is a fundamental value of the Canadian justice system, in line with our country’s respect for the rule of law. Justice Canada remains committed to playing a leadership role in advancing a people-centred approach to justice and the law, including through its international relationships.

    The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) joined delegates from around the globe as Justice Canada co-hosted, in collaboration with Canada’s International Development Research Centre, the 2024 OECD Global Roundtable of Access to Justice.

    The two-day roundtable included more than 100 delegates from OECD member and partner countries, academia, and civil society as well as representatives from international, regional, and legal academic organizations. Discussions supported the implementation of the 2023 OECD Recommendation on Access to Justice and People-Centred Justice Systems and its core components, which include: building a purpose and culture in the justice sector that puts consideration of the individual at the heart of justice responses; designing and delivering people-centred justice services; establishing an enabling governance infrastructure; empowering people to be informed and to participate; and committing to evidence-based planning, monitoring, evaluation and accountability.

    The Global Roundtable on Access to Justice is part of a series for knowledge-sharing on people-centered justice at the highest level of government. As part of the OECD Reinforcing Democracy Initiative, the 2024 OECD Roundtable seeks to advance people-centred justice, to strengthen democracy and public trust, to foster prosperity and to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. Building on the momentum of the previous Roundtables, this event explored measures and strategies to bring justice closer to communities in practical, inclusive and compassionate manner. To achieve this, participants shared experiences and challenges related to the implementation of different justice pathways and innovation to reach people and enable them to resolve their everyday justice problems.

    Quotes

    “Access to justice is a fundamental element of any healthy justice system, and an important pillar of democracy. This Roundtable helps advance our understanding of the role of justice and the rule of law in advancing these key principles. Canada will continue to focus on making our justice systems more responsive and more inclusive, while ensuring the justice sector can respond to global challenges. We are moving in the right direction to achieve our access to justice goals, including the full realization of Sustainable Development Goal 16.”

    The Honourable Arif Virani, P.C., M.P.
    Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

    “The discussions over the past two days reaffirmed the critical importance of the rule of law and people-centred justice, of which Canada is a champion, particularly in the context of increasing pressures on democracy. The OECD, notably through its Reinforcing Democracy Initiative, has been instrumental in supporting countries to make justice systems more responsive, accessible, and people-centred. The outcomes from this Roundtable will inform the development of a toolkit to help policymakers implement the OECD Recommendation and will contribute to global efforts, including the forthcoming OECD Global Forum on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy and the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum, as we work towards creating a future where justice serves everyone.”

    Elsa Pilichowski,
    Director for Public Governance, OECD

    Quick facts

    • The annual OECD Roundtable is the premier international meeting of governments, justice sector stakeholders and partners to share information and insights in justice globally.

    • The OECD Recommendation on Access to Justice is an important tool to support countries in their efforts to promote transparent, responsive and inclusive justice systems. The efforts that flow from their work will promote justice-related commitments and peer learning to advance open government, open justice and equal access to justice.

    • Following the adoption of the Recommendation in 2023, the OECD and its partners are developing practical tools, including concrete examples of initiatives and promising practices, that countries could use in support of their implementation of the Recommendation on access to justice.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information, media may contact:

    Chantalle Aubertin
    Deputy Director, Communications
    Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
    613-992-6568
    Chantalle.Aubertin@justice.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Department of Justice Canada
    613-957-4207
    media@justice.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Statement on Passing of Ethel Kennedy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Boston (October 10, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today on the passing of Ethel Kennedy.

    “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ethel Kennedy, a woman of true grace and grit, a dedicated matriarch, and a supportive friend. Ethel Kennedy’s generosity of spirit transcended politics, and her dedication to her family and her husband’s legacy were a driving force. 

    “When Ethel started the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in 1968, she ensured that her husband’s life’s work would continue. She transformed her personal tragedy into a lasting legacy of public service and global leadership. Her mission will forever be felt beyond the shores of her beautiful home in Hyannis to the far reaches of the world where her fight for human rights lives on. 

    “A true force for social change in her own right, Ethel Kennedy worked to address society’s greatest injustices, fighting for equity, inclusion, compassion, and lasting change. The country has lost one of our greatest advocates for American exceptionalism, and the world has lost an irreplaceable champion of humanity. Ethel Kennedy was a woman whose vision was fueled by her boundless heart and goodwill, and she will be remembered forever. The entire Kennedy family is in my prayers.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Secures New Investment To Replace Lead Service Lines In Youngstown

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced a new investment to replace lead service lines in Youngstown. Brown advocated for this much-needed investment, which will result in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarding $1.2 million to the City of Youngstown for its Lead Service Line Replacement Program.
    “Families shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not the water coming out of the faucet is safe for their children to drink,” said Brown. “I fought for this investment so that the City of Youngstown can replace old lead pipes, creating jobs while ensuring that Ohioans in the Valley have access to safe and reliable drinking water.”
    Brown secured this investment in the 2024 government funding law, which provides key funding for water infrastructure projects. These investments complement the resources allocated by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Brown helped write and pass.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI San Francisco Releases Local Data from 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report

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

    With Cybersecurity Awareness Month in full swing, the FBI urges the public to stay vigilant

    The FBI’s 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report reveals that California experienced the highest cryptocurrency-related losses in the nation, totaling $1.15 billion. Within the FBI San Francisco Field Office’s territory, losses amounted to $260,313,902, with 1,226 victims across 15 counties, including Alameda, San Francisco, and Santa Clara. Nationally, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 69,000 complaints from the public regarding cyber-enabled crime and financial fraud involving the use of cryptocurrency, with over $5.6 billion in reported losses.

    Criminal actors exploit cryptocurrencies for all schemes, to include tech support, confidence and romance, investment and government impersonation scams. Investment fraud was the most reported cryptocurrency scheme in 2023, and also saw the most reported losses, with about $3.9 billion lost.

    “Cryptocurrency’s rapid adoption has made it a prime target for fraudsters,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “We urge the public to stay vigilant and to report any suspected fraud to the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.”

    FBI San Francisco encourages the public to submit reports of fraud, or suspected fraud, through ic3.gov, even if a financial loss did not occur.

    Below are some tips to protect yourself from cryptocurrency schemes:

    • Criminals will seek to instill a sense of urgency and isolation.
    • When receiving an unsolicited call by an unknown caller claiming to work for a well-known company or government agency, hang up, independently research the company or agency’s publicly published phone number and call it to confirm authenticity of the original call.
    • No legitimate law enforcement or government official will call to demand payment via a cryptocurrency kiosk.
    • Never give personally identifying information to anyone without verifying the person is who they say they are.
    • Verify the validity of any investment opportunity strangers or long-lost contacts offer on social media websites. If you have never met an individual in real life, be very cautious of accepting investment advice or opportunities.
    • Be on the lookout for domain or website names that impersonate legitimate financial institutions, especially cryptocurrency exchanges.
    • Fraudulent businesses often use website addresses that mimic real financial institutions, but are often slightly different, to convince people the fraudulent website is legitimate.
    • Do not download or use suspicious-looking apps as a tool for investing unless you can verify the legitimacy of the app.
    • If an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Be cautious of get-rich-quick schemes.

    If you believe you are a victim of fraud or someone you know—regardless of financial loss—and you are not under imminent threat, please report the fraud to FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov or call FBI San Francisco at (415) 553-7400.

    View the full 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report. 

    For more information or media inquiries, email Media.sf@fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Life-saving Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Bill Reaches Critical Milestone in House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after securing the support of a bipartisan majority for the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8702) with over 218 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation would improve care for seniors by streamlining and standardizing the way Medicare Advantage (MA) plans use prior authorization and increasing oversight and transparency.

    “With over 33 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage, modernization of the prior authorization process is long overdue. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, hundreds of health care organizations, and Americans from all corners of the country agree – streamlining this process will allow our Nation’s seniors to receive the care they are entitled to more efficiently. As champions of this legislation, we are grateful to our bipartisan majority of House colleagues for their support and look forward to working with them to get this critical bill signed into law.”

    BACKGROUND

    Prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services. However, the current system often results in unconfirmed faxes of a patient’s medical information or phone calls by clinicians which take precious time away from delivering quality and timely care. Prior authorization continues to be the number one administrative burden identified by health care providers, and three out of four Medicare Advantage enrollees are subject to unnecessary delays due to prior authorization. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raised concerns after an audit revealed that Medicare Advantage plans ultimately approved 75% of requests that were originally denied. More recently, HHS released a report finding that MA plans incorrectly denied beneficiaries’ access to services even though they met Medicare coverage rules.

    Health plans, health care providers, and patients agree that the prior authorization process must be improved to better serve patients and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens for clinicians. Additionally, leading health care organizations released a consensus statement to address some of the most pressing concerns associated with prior authorization.

    Specifically, the bill would:

    • Establish an electronic prior authorization process for MA plans including standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
    • Increase transparency around MA prior authorization requirements and its use.
    • Clarify CMS’ authority to establish timeframes for electronic prior authorization requests including expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
    • Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
    • Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the electronic prior authorization process.

    The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act unanimously passed the House in the 117th Congress and was cosponsored by a majority of members in the Senate and House of Representatives. 

    This bill is supported by over 440 national and state organizations representing patients, physicians, MA plans, hospitals, and other key stakeholders in the health care industry. To see the list, click here.

    The full text of the legislation can be found here. A section-by-section summary can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Donating, Volunteering amid the New Mexico Fires and Floods

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Donating, Volunteering amid the New Mexico Fires and Floods

    Donating, Volunteering amid the New Mexico Fires and Floods

    After every major disaster — no less after the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding — people come together to help. A couple of popular ways to do this is to make a donation and to volunteer your time. To make the most of your contributions and your valuable time, it’s important for New Mexicans to follow guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly,  

    Cash is Best 

    Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, if possible, purchase through businesses local to the disaster, which supports economic recovery. 

    Cash, check or online donations offer voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources. Many charities specialize in providing relief in disaster areas, yet they face significant financial barriers to getting their staff, equipment, and supplies into impacted areas. 

    Your donation helps put experienced disaster responders on the ground and gives them the tools they need to help New Mexico residents recover. 

    More than $2 million has been donated to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County that’s being used to assist residents impacted by the fires and floods with immediate needs. In addition, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has raised more than $1 million and has already distributed more than $350,000 to non-governmental organizations and communities in Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties including the Mescalero Apache Reservation. These funds will provide financial resources to support immediate and long-term recovery needs. 

    Monetary donations can be made to the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico by visiting their website  Greatest Needs Impact Fund for Lincoln & Otero (fcsuite.com). In addition, donations can be made to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County by visiting their website, The Shelter Fund | Community Foundation Of Lincoln County | Ruidoso (cfolc.org). 

    Beware of Bogus Solicitations  

    Unscrupulous solicitors for phony scam charities may play on your sympathy for your New Mexico neighbors whose homes and property have been damaged in the fires and floods. Be wary of any solicitation that may come to you by phone, letter, email or a face-to-face visit.

    Under New Mexico law, charitable organizations existing, operating, or soliciting in the state must register with the New Mexico Department of Justice and file annual reports with the Attorney General’s office. You can check to see if a charity is registered with the state by visiting https://secure.nmag.gov/CharitySearch/.

    In-Kind Donations 

    Yes, many kinds of donated items are needed. However, without thoughtful planning, donated goods can further burden a community that is already in crisis. Knowing what is needed, where it is needed and getting it there at the right time are the keys to successful donating. Critical needs change rapidly. Before collecting, confirm the need:

    • Not everything is needed. Used clothing is never needed.  
    • Bulk donations are best. Pallet loads of a single item, sorted, and boxed. 
    • Timing is important. Too soon or too late and no one wins. 
    • Transportation needs to be worked-out. How will it get to where it is needed? 

    If you have questions about in-kind donations or to make an in-kind donation, email fema-ruidoso-wildfires-val@fema.dhs.gov and nmvoad@nvoad.org. 

    Voluntary Agencies Active in New Mexico

    FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) in New Mexico serve as an important link between FEMA programs and community partners. They have engaged with nearly 200 affiliates of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs), non-profits, government, faith-and community-based organizations to identify survivor resources, unmet needs, and provide critical information on FEMA and it’s programs. The VALs have also identified more than 170 survivor resources being provided from local, state, national VOADs as well as faith- and community-based organizations and government entities. 

    The VALs have also been working with State Disaster Case Management (DCM) to assist with identifying survivor resources in Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba, San Juan counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, as well as connections to other agencies to assist with unmet needs. Lastly, the FEMA VALs have been coordinating with the Village of Ruidoso and local stakeholders in Lincoln County to develop a Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD) and Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) that will help assist with long-term recovery efforts for individuals and households with disaster-related, unmet needs. 

    The numerous operations VALs have coordinated in this disaster include:

    • The American Red Cross sheltered nearly 800 New Mexicans and distributed 17,331 meals and 18,846 snacks to people. They also distributed 7,983 clean-up kits and other emergency supply items to 588 households.
    • Twenty-six donation centers and points of distribution (PODs) in Lincoln County, Mescalero, and surrounding counties were identified. The Salvation Army assisted with more than 11 donation centers and PODs in areas affected by the fires and floods. It also managed donation warehouses in Roswell and Ruidoso Downs and distributed more than 130,000 relief items and supplies to impacted families. 
    • More than 5,100 individual volunteers affiliated with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) such as the American Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, Team Rubicon, and Southern Baptists Disaster Relief have contributed more than 110,000 hours to the response and recovery. Nearly 30 local, regional, state, and national organizations have reported volunteers and volunteer hours to FEMA and the Village of Ruidoso. 
    • Samaritan’s Purse, Team Rubicon, Southern Baptists Disaster Relief, and other local faith-based groups assisted nearly 400 households with flood and fire cleanup, content recovery, debris removal, etc. 

    How to Volunteer 

    Volunteers can expect to be called on to work in a variety of disaster relief situations. Nonprofits and volunteers often distribute bottled water and nonperishable food; help demolish homes and businesses damaged in the disaster, and clear out fallen trees and other debris. 

    Rule Number One: Do Not Self-Deploy 

    Do not just “show up” to volunteer. Trusted organizations operating in New Mexico’s affected areas know where volunteers are needed. Depending on the current phase of the fires and flooding, volunteers can be extremely helpful to ensure citizens can return to their new normal. By working with an established nonprofit organization, the appropriate safety, training and skills are considered. 

    And remember, recovery lasts a lot longer than media attention. There will be volunteers needed in parts of New Mexico for many months — perhaps many years. 

    Here’s How You Can Help 

    If you have items to donate, time to volunteer in support of a nonprofit, or cash to give and have questions, email fema-ruidoso-wildfires-val@fema.dhs.gov and nmvoad@nvoad.org. 

    FEMA wants to help you help others. 

    To find a list of trusted organizations, additional information on donations, volunteering and other resources, visit National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. 

    angela.ambroise

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Do recent class actions against ‘flex commission’ car loans mean consumer voices are getting stronger?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne

    Gatot Adri/Shutterstock

    It’s been more than five years since the banking royal commission, but its findings continue to have an impact on the financial services sector.

    Law firm Maurice Blackburn recently announced it had settled with ANZ in a class action over allegedly unlawful “flex commissions” built into car loans made by Esanda between 2011 and 2016.

    ANZ agreed to settle the proceedings for $85 million on a “no admission of liability” basis. However, two further flex commission class actions – against Westpac & St George and Macquarie Leasing – remain on foot and will be heard this month.

    Class actions are a growing trend in the ways consumers seek to access justice. Many cases are simply too small to be pursued individually.

    On top of this, a recent High Court ruling could see organisations come under greater scrutiny over the systems they put in place. Could all of this mean consumers are getting a stronger voice?

    What are flex commissions?

    Many car dealers offer to provide financing for prospective car buyers as an alternative to getting a loan directly from a bank. But dealers typically don’t have their own huge reserves of funds to lend out.

    This financing usually comes from a finance company or bank lender through what is sometimes called a “white label” product.

    Many car dealers offer financing arrangements directly to customers.
    Tikhomirov Sergey/Shutterstock

    Dealers will usually be paid a commission on the loans they arrange by the lender. Prior to 2018, some lenders offered these car dealers arranging loans what is called a “flex commission”.

    Flex commissions allowed car dealers to set the interest rate on car loans above an agreed base rate.

    Higher interest rates meant a greater commission for the car dealer, but were not always in the interests of the borrower.

    Banned and heavily criticised

    Flex commissions were formally banned by Australia’s corporate watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), in November 2018.

    ASIC had been concerned that borrowers were paying excessively high interest rates on dealer-arranged car loans, and that the commissions were not fair or transparent.

    The watchdog’s own research found about 15% of customers were being charged an interest rate that was 7% or more above the base rate.

    Their main concern was that many car dealers weren’t increasing rates in line with actual credit risk, but rather opportunistically to target inexperienced or vulnerable consumers.

    Shortly after the ban, the final report of the banking royal commission didn’t mince words. Commissioner Kenneth Hayne noted a lack of transparency and a misplaced trust:

    Many borrowers knew nothing of these arrangements. Lenders did not publicise them; dealers did not reveal them. […] To the borrower, the dealer might have appeared to be acting for the borrower by submitting a loan proposal on behalf of the borrower. The borrower was given no indication that in fact the dealer was looking after its own interests.

    Why were class actions needed?

    Neither ASIC’s ban nor the criticisms of the banking royal commission guaranteed any redress for borrowers subject to loans with flex commissions.

    ASIC suggested flex commissions may have contravened the National Consumer Credit Protection Act by being unfair, or the ASIC Act by being misleading. But it is difficult and expensive for individuals to pursue such claims themselves in court.

    ASIC itself can seek compensation on behalf of borrowers, or require redress to be paid as part of other enforcement action. The watchdog has already gone down this road in some of the especially egregious instances of misconduct identified by the royal commission, such as fees for no service.

    Where individual action is too hard or regulator action lacking, consumers’ best option for redress may lie in a class action – taken on a no-win, no-fee basis. The likelihood of a good result may be increased in instances where the class action “piggybacks” on an adverse report from the regulator.

    Corporations may face increasing scrutiny

    It’s reasonable to ask why upstream lenders are being targeted in “flex commission” class actions when it is the car dealers who allegedly wronged borrowers.

    The ongoing class actions do not allege the lenders themselves misled borrowers or treated them unfairly. However, in this context that may not matter.

    In each of the class actions, Maurice Blackburn has argued the car dealers were acting as the representatives of the lenders, which they say makes the lenders responsible for the car dealers’ alleged misconduct.

    A recent High Court ruling may mean corporations have to take greater responsibility for the systems they oversee.
    Shutterstock

    Moreover, in these and similar cases, a recent High Court ruling that centred on “systemic unconscionable conduct” could make it harder for such upstream entities to argue their distance from alleged wrongdoing in systems they put in place.

    Better access to justice

    There has been a rise in consumer protection class actions in recent years, supported by changes in rules of procedure in several jurisdictions.

    Justice Bernard Murphy of the Federal Court of Australia has argued these changes promote the important value of access to justice:

    The important thing to remember is that class actions are critical in ensuring that people can obtain redress for mass civil wrongs. Laws which are not, in fact, readily capable of enforcement by ordinary Australians are little more than an illusion.

    This trend is important. Dishonest or unfair conduct has long been prohibited in the National Consumer Credit Protection Act, but this hasn’t been used much to date.

    Given the current flex commission actions closely follow the findings of ASIC, we should watch the regulator closely for hints of any future actions in other areas. Many could spark discussions that ultimately lead to stronger protection for consumers.

    But when they are successful, we also need to keep an eye on the actual payout to borrowers and hope it takes place without undue delay.

    Jeannie Marie Paterson has previously received funding from the Australian Research Council, DFAT and the Menzies Foundation.

    – ref. Do recent class actions against ‘flex commission’ car loans mean consumer voices are getting stronger? – https://theconversation.com/do-recent-class-actions-against-flex-commission-car-loans-mean-consumer-voices-are-getting-stronger-240795

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police acknowledge IPCA findings into serious crash – Christchurch

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police acknowledge the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority which found that a Christchurch dog handler was justified in signalling a stolen vehicle to stop moments before it was involved in a serious crash.

    The incident occurred in the early hours of 22 October 2022. Three stolen vehicles were travelling in convoy in the CBD area. The police dog handler was looking for them, travelling slowly along Stanmore Road, when one of the stolen cars drove out of a side street without stopping, colliding with the front of the dog van.

    The stolen car continued at speed and the dog handler immediately activated his lights and sirens to signal the vehicle to stop. However, due to the speed and erratic manner of driving, the handler made the quick decision to deactivate his lights and sirens, slow down and pull to the left.

    The stolen vehicle continued at high speed through a red light at the intersection with Gloucester Street, crashing into a vehicle travelling on a green light.

    One of the passengers of the stolen vehicle sustained serious injuries. Thankfully, the driver of the innocent vehicle did not suffer any injuries, and the driver and two other passengers of the offending vehicle were able to get out of the car and walk to the footpath.

    The entire incident from when the dog handler had his vehicle hit to the stolen vehicle crashing lasted just 24 seconds.

    Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill says the officer made the right call to both signal to the vehicle to stop and to then to try and de-escalate the situation.

    “The dog handler made quick decisions based of the circumstances in front of him, all in a period of 24 seconds. That’s how unpredictable and dangerous these types of events can be.

    “It is unfortunate that the driver of this stolen vehicle showed little regard for anyone else, putting the lives of a member of the public, their own passengers and a police officer at risk,” says Superintendent Hill.

    “This is an example of the fast-moving and dynamic situations our officers are placed in every day, and I want to acknowledge this dog handler for his agile and decisive decision making during this incident.”

    Following the incident Police arrested four people aged between 10 and 15, and through Youth Court and Youth Aid, they each faced varying consequences for their actions.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –