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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio, Rosen, Colleagues to Blinken: Designate Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Rubio, Rosen, Colleagues to Blinken: Designate Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
    Nov 1, 2024 | Press Releases

    The Houthis, backed by the Iranian regime, continue to escalate their attacks in the Middle East. Redesignating the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) would impose meaningful costs on them and limit their ability to commit acts of terrorism.
    U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and colleagues led a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to redesignate the Houthis as a FTO after the Biden-Harris Administration foolishly removed that designation.
    “We therefore urge you to immediately restore the designation of the Houthis as an FTO, which would enable the United States to better target the group’s assets and financial support and hold the group accountable for committing terrorism against the United States, Israel, and our partners and allies throughout the region.”
    Joining Rubio and Rosen were Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). 
    The full text of the letter is below. 
    Dear Secretary Blinken: 
    We write to request that you redesignate the Houthis, also known as Ansarallah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Since the misguided revocation of the Houthis’ FTO designation in 2021, the Houthis, backed by the Iranian regime, have only escalated their efforts to destabilize the Middle East. These actions include firing drones and missiles against Israel that have killed civilians, disrupting international shipping by targeting commercial vessels, directly attacking U.S. forces, and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Yemen. While we recognize that your administration has listed the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), that designation is nowhere near as impactful as an FTO listing. Designating the Houthis as an FTO would impose meaningful costs on the Houthis and degrade their ability to commit acts of terrorism. 
    The Houthis, whose longstanding call to arms includes the phrase “death to America, death to Israel, curse on the Jews,” are a key actor in Iran’s terrorist proxy network. As the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, Tehran has fueled the conflict between Yemen’s internationally-recognized government and the Houthis by providing the group with a wide array of advanced weapons, including ballistic, surface-to-air, and cruise missile components, unmanned aerial vehicles, and small arms. According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, the U.S. and its partners have interdicted at least 20 Iranian smuggling vessels destined for the Houthis since 2015. By providing the Houthis with advanced capabilities, the Iranian regime has allowed the group to expand its aggression well beyond Yemen’s borders, including by repeatedly firing drones and missiles at Israel. These attacks include a drone strike on Tel Aviv in July 2024 using an Iranian-made drone that killed one person and wounded 10 others. 
    Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, the Houthis began targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, posing a significant threat to the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. These attacks have employed anti-ship ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. These actions not only threaten the security of our partners in the region, but also disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen and other conflict areas, endanger global energy markets and supply chains, and increase shipping costs.
    Additionally, following the U.S.-led coalition’s launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 18, 2023 to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Houthis have launched multiple attacks on U.S. military forces. Despite coalition strikes in Yemen intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Houthis, the group has been able to continue committing acts of terrorism. We should not wait for U.S. casualties to take further action to impose costs on the Houthis. 
    Relisting the Houthis as an FTO would make individuals or entities providing material support to the group liable for criminal prosecution and considered Tier III terrorists subject to sanctions and a travel ban, open up economic tools to target the Houthis’ weapons procurement networks and manufacturing capabilities, provide a legal right of action to U.S. victims of Houthi terrorism, and ban Houthi members from obtaining a visa or entering the United States. Moreover, relisting the Houthis as an FTO would not inherently disrupt the delivery of international aid to Yemeni civilians. 
    We therefore urge you to immediately restore the designation of the Houthis as an FTO, which would enable the United States to better target the group’s assets and financial support and hold the group accountable for committing terrorism against the United States, Israel, and our partners and allies throughout the region. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to your response.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rubio Joins Kudlow

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
    U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Kudlow to discuss the October jobs report, the influence of illegal immigration on the workforce, and the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic policy failures. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and Rumble.

    On job losses among native-born Americans:

    “All the net jobs in the last three and a half years, they’ve all gone to people not born in the United States. Now, some of them are U.S. citizens, they’ve been here a while, but a significant percentage of that is being driven by migrants coming into the country that Biden and Harris have allowed in. What the numbers tell us is that there are people that have lived here most, if not their entire lives, who have lost jobs. Meanwhile, some of those jobs are being taken, or the new jobs are being taken by people that are coming from overseas, and we know a large number of them, nine, ten, 11 million that have come in just the last three years because of the open border.” 

    On the October jobs report:

    “Look, this is probably, the worst jobs numbers, the ones we got in October. And what really bothers me is the way every one of these now, I think 14 of the last 16 massive down[ward] adjustments, they come back and they revise the numbers, but they get the headline. The media runs with the headline, ‘oh, look at these great numbers for Biden and Harris. The economy is turning around.’ Then they come back and revise them. When I said that last month, they said I was lying. Biden himself said I was lying from the podium at the White House. And here we get the revisions now for August and September. Another downward revision, a combined 112,000 jobs less than what they said had been created.” 

    On the failure of the Biden-Harris economic policies:

    “People feel it in their lives. This is an enormous disconnect between the people talking about finance. I don’t think there’s any doubt that in the last week we have seen a disinformation campaign by major media outlets in this country to influence this election that has no precedent. … They go out there and they say, ‘Oh, the economy is doing great.’ They have spent months trying to convince people that our economy is doing phenomenally well and they point to things like the unemployment number, which doesn’t tell you and doesn’t account for the millions of people that you just cited that have stopped looking for work or basically are working off and on as they need, but not really the kind of work that people want in order to start a family and build communities and get ahead in life. But, that disconnect in people’s real lives, they feel it, they see it, they feel this every single day and that’s why an overwhelming number of Americans are not happy with the direction of our country.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: CIIE marks China’s commitment to opening up, says Zambian expert

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A screen promoting the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is pictured at the entrance of National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the CIIE, in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) highlights China’s commitment to global openness and willingness to engage in trade with countries worldwide, a Zambian economic expert has said.

    Bernadette Deka-Zulu, founder of Shaping Futures Zambia, a non-governmental organization supporting youth involvement in policy, described China’s move to embrace opening up as a significant step toward fostering a global environment conducive to free trade among nations.

    “The CIIE has offered itself as a leading example to bring about different countries and companies representing various regions, and this is offering an openness. China is saying we are ready to trade with anyone, it also shows that China is open for business,” she told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday.

    She noted that the CIIE not only contributes to China’s economic growth but also serves as a gateway for emerging economies to access an open market, allowing them to display their products and tap into China’s demand for diverse commodities.

    As a former executive director of the Policy Monitoring and Research Center, Deka-Zulu emphasized that the CIIE will also offer a valuable platform for China to learn from other nations and for other countries to observe China’s industrialization progress.

    She further emphasized that China’s commitment to globalization through events like the CIIE has set a benchmark for global economic integration, ensuring equal participation for all countries regardless of economic size — a move critical for enhancing global livelihoods.

    In an era marked by protectionist policies, China’s openness creates a strategic advantage for emerging economies in global trade, she said, praising China’s zero-tariff policy for all least-developed countries with diplomatic relations, calling it a tangible example of its commitment to fair trade.

    She expressed optimism that this initiative would boost exports and elevate economies in these countries. Additionally, she noted that nine Zambian companies have so far registered for this year’s expo, marking a notable increase from previous years and paving the way for more participation in future events.

    Scheduled from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai, the annual CIIE has, since 2018, supported international procurement, investment promotion, cultural exchange, and cooperative partnerships.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Finnish trade minister to attend China CIIE in Shanghai

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This photo shows a view of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Finland’s government announced on Friday that Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.

    “China is an important trading partner for Finland, so it is useful to support export promotion and trade in sectors that benefit Finnish businesses. This is the fourth time that Finland has a national pavilion at the CIIE,” Tavio stated in a press release.

    The release also noted that Shanghai hosts the largest cluster of Finnish businesses in China.

    According to the release, Tavio will lead a Finnish trade delegation in China from Nov. 4 to 8. Following engagements in Shanghai, he and the delegation will travel to Shenzhen in southern China, with the visit ending in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

    The seventh China International Import Expo is scheduled in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Board appointments to foundations for relations with China and Japan

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    I am pleased to announce appointments to the boards of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and the Australia-Japan Foundation board.

    The Honourable Mark McGowan AC has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

    Mr McGowan brings a wealth of relevant experience having served as Premier of Western Australia. Prior to his election to the Parliament of Western Australia, Mr McGowan served as a legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy.

    The Advisory Board guides the Foundation in its efforts to promote and coordinate enhanced cooperation between Australia and China, in support of Australia’s national interests.

    The Foundation is focused on strengthening risk-informed engagement with China and reinforcing social cohesion by partnering with Chinese-Australian communities and showcasing their contributions.

    I am also pleased to announce a new appointment and two reappointments to the Australian-Japan Foundation board.

    Professor Shiro Armstrong, Director of the Australia-Japan Research Centre and Professor of the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, will join the Australia-Japan Foundation Board in February 2025.

    Professor Caroline McMillen AO FAHMS and Ms Yuki Nakamura have been reappointed for a second three-year term from October 2024. Professor McMillen is the former Chief Scientist for South Australia and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, with an extensive academic and scientific background. Ms Nakamura is the Executive Director of Nakamura Chocolates. She focuses on business in Japan and female entrepreneurship.

    I would like to thank Mr Adam Liaw, for his exceptional contribution to the Australia-Japan Foundation over the past six years, including as acting Chair in 2024. Mr Liaw will finish his second term on 1 February 2025.

    The Australian-Japan Foundation is Australia’s oldest cultural council and underpins our Special Strategic Partnership with Japan. It advances Australia’s foreign and trade policy interests with Japan by supporting partnerships in economic security, the arts, education, science, technology and sport.

    To find out more, see Australia-Japan Foundation and National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese carmaker BYD launches premium brand DENZA in Thailand

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Workers operate at an assembly line of BYD’s new plant in Rayong province, Thailand on July 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese carmaker BYD officially launched its premium brand DENZA in Thailand on Friday in a move to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian country’s upscale automotive market.

    Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of the Thailand Board of Investment, emphasized in his opening speech the importance of the entry of the DENZA brand into the Thai market, which marks a milestone in the development of Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) industry.

    Narit noted that the debut of the DENZA brand not only reflects the confidence of international brands in the Thai market, but will also inject new impetus into Thailand’s economic development. Thailand will continue to support the development of the EV industry and provide a good investment environment for enterprises.

    Thailand has long been a regional automotive manufacturing and export hub. With the government’s investment promotion efforts, the nation aims to convert 30 percent of its annual auto production into EVs by 2030.

    Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia Pacific auto sales division, said BYD has currently sold 56,000 EVs in the Thai market, adding that the introduction of the DENZA brand is another important strategic plan for BYD after it opened its Thailand factory this year.

    As an automotive industry center in Southeast Asia, Thailand has a mature luxury car market. Liu believed that the DENZA brand which combines luxury and sustainable technology will be recognized by Thai consumers.

    As a world-leading automobile manufacturer and a pioneer in China’s EV industry, BYD has vigorously expanded overseas markets in recent years.

    BYD’s EVs are currently sold in 88 countries and regions around the world. In addition to Thailand, BYD also has production bases in Brazil, Hungary, Uzbekistan and other countries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Senior CPC official stresses efforts for deepening reform

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Cai Qi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Friday called on the Party’s principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels to enhance their efforts in the country’s comprehensive reform initiatives.
    Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at the closing ceremony of a study session for these officials held at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance).
    The session was themed on implementing the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which rolled out a new package of comprehensive reforms for the country.
    Cai urged the attendees to raise their political consciousness and fully implement the guiding principles of the plenary session, thereby creating a strong impetus for advancing Chinese modernization.
    The officials should enhance their capability of planning for and promoting reform, addressing challenges facing the reform, and leveraging all available resources to create a powerful collective force to realize the reform goals, he said.
    Cai also urged efforts to accomplish the Party’s plans for this year and ensure a good start for the upcoming year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong optimizes admissions schemes for global talent

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    An aerial photo taken on May 29, 2022 shows a view of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in south China’s Hong Kong. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday allowed graduates of 13 more universities to apply for its Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), among other measures to sweeten its invitation to talents worldwide.
    The addition included nine universities from the Chinese mainland, as well as four overseas specialized institutions on the QS World University Rankings in the discipline of “Art and Design”. The number of universities eligible under the TTPS came to 198.
    The HKSAR government also extended the validity period of the first visas of Category A applications under the TTPS from two years to three years to help applicants plan for moving their families to Hong Kong.
    Category A applicants are those with an annual income reaching 2.5 million Hong Kong dollars (321,471 U.S. dollars) or above in the year immediately preceding the date of application.
    For the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the HKSAR government scrapped the annual quota and streamlined the application and selection process.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Building safety symposium held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    More than 400 building professionals, property management practitioners, government officials and academics today attended the Building Safety Symposium, organised by the Buildings Department, to discuss the application of innovative technologies to enhance safety at buildings and in construction works.

    Speaking at the symposium, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said the Government is conducting a comprehensive review of the Buildings Ordinance, with three aims in mind: encouraging owners to expedite building repairs; rationalising enforcement against unauthorised building works (UBWs); and regulating the quality and safety of building works.

    Stressing that the main approach of the review is to increase penalties, lower prosecution thresholds and rationalise enforcement priorities, Ms Linn said the Government expects a public consultation on specific proposals to be launched by the end of this year, with legislative amendment proposals being submitted in the first half of 2026.

    In addition, she highlighted that the Government has adopted innovative technologies to enhance enforcement and work efficiency, including using new technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence to speed up building inspections, thereby strengthening enforcement against UBWs and defective signboards, and enhancing site safety.

    The Government will also put forward elderly-friendly building design proposals to tie in with its “ageing in place” policy. It has announced a roadmap, generally supported by the industry, to make it mandatory for the private sector to adopt Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology by 2029. Ms Linn said the Government will continue to work with the industry to make preparations.

    Director of Buildings Clarice Yu said at the symposium that the department will undertake a consultancy exercise on the full adoption of BIM by the private sector.

    In July, the department introduced mandatory measures requiring the adoption of two alert systems, under the Smart Site Safety System, for superstructure works with an estimated construction cost over $30 million. It is also exploring the feasibility of extending the systems to other types of works.

    The department will continue to apply professional expertise and take an innovative approach, while working together with the industry to create a safer and more sustainable built and living environment, Ms Yu added.

    The symposium was a highlight event of Building Safety Weeks 2024, and featured a number of local experts speaking on topics ranging from elderly-friendly building design to the impact of temperature on building safety.

    The department will hold carnivals on November 9 and 10 at Tuen Mun Town Plaza, and on November 16 and 17 at Olympic City 2. These will feature game booths, allowing the public to acquire building safety knowledge in a fun and engaging way.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Palau newspaper sued by president’s family company ahead of general election

    By Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews

    Palau’s largest newspaper is being sued for defamation by the company of President Surangel Whipps Jr’s father, just days ahead of general elections in the Pacific nation.

    Surangel and Sons alleges “negligence and defamation” by the Island Times and its editor Leilani Reklai for an article published on Tuesday with “false and unsubstantiated allegations,” owner Surangel Whipps Sr said in a press release on Thursday.

    Reklai has rejected the company’s allegations and said the “lawsuit is trying to control how media here in Palau tells a story”, a news article about the case in the Island Times reported on Friday.

    “I feel like we are being intimidated, we are being forced to speak a certain narrative rather than present diverse community perspectives,” said Reklai, who is also a stringer for BenarNews.

    The Micronesian nation of 17,000 people — 650 km north of Papua New Guinea — goes to the polls on November 5. Whipps Jr’s rival is his brother-in-law Tommy Remengesau Jr, who was president from 2001 to 2009 and 2013 to 2021.

    The controversy comes after Palau was top of the inaugural 2023 Pacific Media Freedom Index of 14 island countries that highlighted the region’s media facing significant political and economic pressures, bribes and corruption, as well as self-censorship.

    Island Times editor Leilani Reklai . . . fears the lawsuit could have serious consequences for the media in Palau and bankrupt the newspaper. Image: Stefan Armbruster

    Island Times reported on Friday the suit is seeking compensation and punitive damages and that the company asserts the “monetary awards should be substantial enough to prevent similar conduct from the newspaper and Reklai in future”.

    Surangel and Sons financial details — leaked from the country’s tax office — were posted on social media last weekend, prompting heated online debate over how much it paid.

    A new corporate and goods and services tax system introduced by Whipps Jr’s government is currently being rolled out in Palau and its merits have been a focus of election campaigning.

    The company in a statement said its “privacy rights had been violated,” the tax details were obtained illegally, posted online without consent, and some of the figures had been altered.

    Motivation ‘confusing voters’
    “The motivation behind the circulation of this document is clearly for misinformation and disinformation to confuse voters. In the end Surangel and Sons is not running for office. Unfortunately, it has been victimised by this smear campaign,” the company posted on social media.

    Island Times in a 225-word, front-page story headlined “Surangel & Sons condemns tax report leak as privacy violation” reported the company’s statement on Tuesday. It also quoted financial details from the leaked documents and accompanying commentary.

    Whipps Jr. in a press conference on Wednesday accused the Island Times of publishing disinformation.

    “Island Times continues to print political propaganda, it’s not accurate,” Whipps Jr said, calling for a correction to be published.

    The lawsuit against the paper and its editor was served the next day.

    Whipps Jr’s spokesperson told BenarNews any questions related to the lawsuit should be directed to the parties involved.

    Eightieth birthday celebrations for Surangel Whipps Sr (left) with his son Surangel Whipps Jr in February 2020. Image: Diaz Broadcasting Palau screenshot BenarNews

    Surangel and Sons was founded in 1980 by Whipps Sr, who also served as Palau’s president briefly in 2005 and for two years from 2007.

    Business ‘offers everything’
    The privately-owned business “offers everything from housing design and automotive repair to equipment rentals, groceries, and scuba gear” through its import, sales, construction and travel arms, the company’s website says.

    Previously as CEO, Whipps Jr transformed the company from a family store to one of Palau’s largest and most diversified businesses, employing more than 700 people.

    His LinkedIn profile states he finished as CEO in January 2021, after 28 years in the position and in the month he became president. His spokesperson did not respond to questions from BenarNews about if he still retains any direct financial or other links to the company.

    Surangel and Sons said the revelation of sensitive business information threatens their competitive advantage and puts jobs at risk.

    Palau’s Minister of Finance Kaleb Udui Jr told the president’s press conference on Wednesday an investigation was underway, a special prosecutor would be appointed and apologized for the leak to the company.

    “I would hope the media would make extra effort to help educate the public and discourage misinformation and breaches of privacy of the tax office and any other government office,” Udui said, confirming the tax documents had been altered before being posted on social media.

    He said tax office staff have previously been warned about leaks and ensuring data confidentiality, as breaches negatively impact the confidence of foreign investors in Palau.

    Explanation rather than leak
    Whipps Jr added that the newspaper should have explained the tax system instead of reporting the leaked information.

    He also accused Island Times of failure to disclose a paid advertisement in this week’s edition of the paper for his political opponent.

    “I’m disappointed in the Island Times, because there was an article that was not an article, a paid advertisement,” Whipps Jr said about a colourful blue and yellow election campaign graphic.

    Island Times told BenarNews it was not usual practice to put “Paid Advertisement” on advertisements but it would review its policy for political campaign material.

    Reklai fears the lawsuit could have serious consequences for the media in Palau and bankrupt Island Times, the paper reported.

    “If I don’t stand up to this, it sends a signal to all journalists that they risk facing claims for damages for powerful companies and government officials while carrying out their work,” she said.

    Palau has two newspapers and four radio stations and enshrined in its constitution are protections for journalists, including a guarantee they cannot be jailed for refusing to disclose sources.

    Surangel and Sons said they would no longer sell Island Times through their outlets.

    Copyright ©2015-2024, BenarNews. Republished with the permission of BenarNews.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Legal Week set to open

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 will begin on Monday, with “Hong Kong Common Law System: World-Class Springboard to China & Beyond” as its theme.

    An annual flagship event for the Department of Justice (DoJ), it will run until Friday, and will allow participants to interact with experts, practitioners, government officials and academics on topics including international law, alternative dispute resolution and opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.

    The schedule will begin with the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit, co-organised by the DoJ, and will conclude with the official launch of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy.

    There will also be an exhibition highlighting achievements in the development of China’s rule of law in the modern era, and the role of Hong Kong in contributing to it.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey Resident Pleads Guilty to Helping Russia’s Defense Sector Evade U.S. Export Controls

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics Used in Radar, Surveillance, and Military Research and Development

    Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.

    “This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.”

    “The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.”

    “To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.”

    According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.

    The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.”

    Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.”

    To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.

    Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large.        

    The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case.

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lyft to Pay Civil Penalty to Resolve Allegations of Misleading Drivers About Their Potential Earnings

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today announced that Lyft Inc. (Lyft) has agreed to resolve allegations that it made false and misleading statements about how much Lyft drivers would earn. The settlement includes an agreement to pay $2.1 million in civil penalties and a permanent injunction prohibiting such false and misleading earnings claims.

    Lyft operates a mobile app ride-hailing platform that connects consumers seeking rides with those who provide rides with their own personal vehicles. Through marketing campaigns and advertisements, Lyft recruits drivers. After a driver is hired, Lyft sets the rates the driver charges and collects a portion of the fare for each ride. In a civil complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the government alleges that, as early as 2021, Lyft made false and misleading claims in its advertising and marketing regarding potential earnings and incentives to be earned by drivers who signed up to drive for Lyft. Lyft allegedly continued these practices even after it received a Notice of Penalty Offenses in October 2021 that placed the company on notice that false and misleading earnings claims were unlawful.

    The complaint alleges that Lyft disseminated advertisements promoting specific hourly amounts that drivers throughout the United States could earn. The company, however, did not disclose that the potential hourly amounts were based on the earnings of the top 20% of its drivers. The complaint also further alleges that Lyft also tried to induce drivers to offer more rides by promoting “earnings guarantees,” which guaranteed that drivers would be paid a set amount if they completed a specific number of rides in a certain time. These guarantees allegedly did not clearly disclose that drivers were paid only the difference between what they otherwise earned for the rides and Lyft’s advertised guaranteed amount, rather than receiving the full guaranteed amount in addition to their regular earnings for the rides.

    In the stipulated order entered today by the federal district court, Lyft is required to pay a $2,100,000 civil penalty. The order also enjoins Lyft from making any misrepresentations regarding driver earnings and includes other monitoring and reporting provisions aimed at promoting Lyft’s compliance with the order.

    “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce the law to stop companies from misleading Americans about their potential earnings in the gig economy,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to work with the FTC to stop unfair and deceptive marketing practices.”

    “Lyft drivers deserve accurate information about how much they will be paid for the work they do,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Our settlement with Lyft bans exaggerated earnings claims and underscores the FTC’s commitment to ensuring gig workers are treated fairly.”

    Trial Attorney Paulina Stamatelos and Assistant Director Zachary Dietert of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekta Dharia for the Northern District of California and Abdiel Lewis and Evan Rose of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection handled the matter.

    For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the FTC, visit www.FTC.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Court Permanently Stops Texas Professional and Business from Organizing and Selling “Tax Plans”

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Agreed Order also Bars Professional from Preparing Tax Returns and Business from Preparing Tax Returns Reflecting Certain “Tax Plans”

    The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas entered permanent injunctions today against Charles Dombek and The Optimal Financial Group LLC barring them from promoting any tax plan that involves creating or using sham management companies, deducting personal non-deductible expenses as business expenses or assisting in the creation of “captive” insurance companies. The injunctions also prohibit Dombek from preparing any federal tax returns for anyone other than himself and Optimal from preparing certain federal tax returns reflecting such tax plans. Dombek and Optimal consented to entry of the injunctions.

    According to the government’s complaint, Dombek is a licensed CPA and served as Optimal’s manager and president. Allegedly, Dombek and Optimal promoted a tax scheme throughout the United States to illegally reduce customers’ income tax liabilities by using sham management companies to improperly shift income to be taxed at lower tax rates, improperly defer taxable income or claim personal expenses as bogus business deductions. As alleged by the government, Dombek promoted himself as the “premier dental CPA” in America. The complaint further alleges that in promoting the schemes, Dombek and Optimal made false statements about the tax benefits of the scheme that they knew or had reason to know were false, then prepared and signed tax returns for their customers reflecting the sham transactions, expenses and deductions. The government contended that the total harm to the treasury from the scheme could have been $10 million or more.

    Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    Each year the IRS highlights some of the tax scams that put taxpayers at risk of losing money, personal information, data and more. In the IRS’s most recent list, it specifically warned taxpayers “to beware of promoters peddling bogus tax schemes aimed at reducing taxes or avoiding them altogether.”

    Working with the IRS, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers and tax scheme promoters over the past decade. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department to Monitor Polls in 27 States for Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws

    Source: US State of California

    Civil Rights Division Staff Available to Receive Nationwide Reports Throughout Election Day

    The Justice Department announced today that it plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions in 27 states for the Nov. 5 general election.

    The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country.

    For the general election, the department will monitor for compliance with federal voting rights laws on Election Day in 86 jurisdictions, including:

    • Bethel Census Area, Alaska;
    • Dillingham Census Area, Alaska;
    • Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska;
    • North Slope Borough, Alaska;
    • Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska;
    • Apache County, Arizona;
    • Maricopa County, Arizona;
    • Pima County, Arizona;
    • Yuma County, Arizona;
    • San Joaquin County, California;
    • Broward County, Florida;
    • Miami-Dade County, Florida;
    • Orange County, Florida;
    • Osceola County, Florida;
    • Cobb County, Georgia;
    • DeKalb County, Georgia;
    • Fulton County, Georgia;
    • Gwinnett County, Georgia;
    • Macon-Bibb County, Georgia;
    • Jefferson County, Kentucky;
    • Kenton County, Kentucky;
    • City of Everett, Massachusetts;
    • City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts;
    • City of Leominster, Massachusetts;
    • City of Lowell, Massachusetts;
    • City of Malden, Massachusetts;
    • City of Methuen, Massachusetts;
    • City of Quincy, Massachusetts;
    • City of Salem, Massachusetts;
    • Prince George’s County, Maryland;
    • City of Ann Arbor, Michigan;
    • City of Detroit, Michigan;
    • City of Flint, Michigan;
    • City of Grand Rapids, Michigan;
    • City of Hamtramck, Michigan;
    • City of Warren, Michigan;
    • Hennepin County, Minnesota;
    • City of Minneapolis, Minnesota;
    • Ramsey County, Minnesota;
    • Covington County, Mississippi;
    • Scott County, Mississippi;
    • Warren County, Mississippi;
    • City of St. Louis, Missouri;
    • Blaine County, Montana;
    • Alamance County, North Carolina;
    • Mecklenburg County, North Carolina;
    • Wake County, North Carolina;
    • Bergen County, New Jersey;
    • Middlesex County, New Jersey;
    • Union County, New Jersey;
    • Bernalillo County, New Mexico;
    • Cibola County, New Mexico;
    • Clark County, Nevada;
    • Queens, New York;
    • Cuyahoga County, Ohio;
    • Portage County, Ohio;
    • Allegheny County, Pennsylvania;
    • Luzerne County, Pennsylvania;
    • Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania;
    • City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island;
    • City of Providence, Rhode Island;
    • City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island;
    • Charleston County, South Carolina;
    • Bennett County, South Dakota;
    • Jackson County, South Dakota;
    • Minnehaha County, South Dakota;
    • Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota;
    • Atascosa County, Texas;
    • Bexar County, Texas;
    • Dallas County, Texas;
    • Frio County, Texas;
    • Harris County, Texas;
    • Hays County, Texas;
    • Palo Pinto County, Texas;
    • Waller County, Texas;
    • San Juan County, Utah;
    • Hanover County, Virginia;
    • Henrico County, Virginia;
    • Loudoun County, Virginia;
    • City of Manassas, Virginia;
    • City of Manassas Park, Virginia;
    • Prince William County, Virginia;
    • Town of Lawrence (Rusk County), Wisconsin;
    • City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
    • Town of Thornapple, Wisconsin; and
    • City of Wausau, Wisconsin.

    The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include personnel from the Civil Rights Division, other department divisions, U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management. Throughout Election Day, division personnel will maintain contact with state and local election officials.

    The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.

    On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931.

    Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.

    Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

    More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Compound Ingredient Supplier Medisca Inc., to Pay $21.75M to Resolve Allegations of False and Inflated Average Wholesale Prices for Ingredients Used in Compounded Prescriptions

    Source: US State of California

    The Justice Department announced today that Medisca Inc. (Medisca), has agreed to pay $21.75 million to resolve allegations concerning the establishment of false and inflated Average Wholesale Prices (AWPs) for two ingredients used in compound prescriptions. Medisca’s pricing scheme allegedly caused pharmacies that purchased those ingredients to submit false prescription claims to the Defense Health Agency, which administers the TRICARE Program for the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (federal health care programs).

    “We will not tolerate fraudulent pricing schemes targeting health care programs that support veterans and other federal beneficiaries,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As today’s settlement demonstrates, we will hold accountable not just those who submit false claims, but all who participate in schemes designed to defraud the American taxpayers.”

    Compounding pharmacies purchase ingredients or chemicals from ingredient suppliers, such as Medisca, to prepare and fill compound prescriptions for patients who require a specially made prescription that is not generally available in the marketplace. Medisca knew that compound prescription reimbursement under federal health care programs was based in part on the AWPs it reported to various price listing agencies. The United States alleged that Medisca knowingly inflated the AWPs for resveratrol (NDC No. 38779-2863) and mometasone furoate (NDC No. 38779-2413) in order to increase the reimbursement that its pharmacy customers received from the federal healthcare programs for using those Medisca ingredients.

    Medisca acquired resveratrol from manufacturers for approximately $0.37 per gram. It repackaged and sold resveratrol for under $2 per gram. Medisca reported an AWP for resveratrol at $777 per gram, creating a spread of over $775 for each gram of resveratrol used by a pharmacy customer in a compound prescription reimbursed by the federal healthcare programs. Medisca acquired mometasone furoate from manufacturers for under $8 per gram. It repackaged and sold that ingredient to compound pharmacies for over $1,000 per gram. Medisca reported an AWP for mometasone furoate at over $7,300 per gram, thereby creating a spread of approximately $6,300 for each gram of the ingredient used by a pharmacy customer in a compound prescription reimbursed by the federal healthcare programs.  

    Medisca allegedly used the high AWPs it reported and the resulting profit potential it created for its customers as an inducement to its compound pharmacy customers to purchase those ingredients. Medisca’s alleged fraudulent pricing scheme enabled its pharmacy customers to bill federal healthcare programs inflated amounts – often thousands of dollars per prescription – for compound formulations containing those ingredients.

    “The systems establishing federal reimbursements for compounded pharmaceuticals should not be viewed by companies as an opportunity to artificially inflate reimbursements from federal payors such as TRICARE,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “When companies seek to manipulate the system for their own gain, the Eastern District of Texas will hold them accountable.”

    “When federal healthcare programs are defrauded it hurts all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office is committed to using the False Claims Act (FCA) to hold individuals and companies accountable for the impact their actions have on our critical programs. Taxpayers deserve honest pricing and assurances that the government is never overcharged.”

    “This settlement sends a clear message about the unwavering commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigation Service (DCIS) to protect the integrity of TRICARE, the Department of Defense’s health care benefit program which serves our U.S. military, their family members, and military retirees,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Settle of the Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General, DCIS Southwest Field Office. “Health care providers who use fraudulent means to seek financial gain at the expense of TRICARE and the taxpayer will be diligently investigated and held accountable.”

    The settlement resolves claims brought under the whistleblower or qui tam provisions of the FCA by Doug McMakin against Medisca. Mr. McMakin is a pharmacist who owned and operated a compounding pharmacy that dispensed compounded prescriptions. Under the FCA, private parties may sue on behalf of the government for false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. Mr. McMakin will receive $3,425,625 from the proceeds of the settlement. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. McMakin v. Medisca Inc. (EDTX).  

    The resolution of these matters was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of Texas and the Western District of Texas, with investigative support from the DCIS, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) and the Department of Labor.  

    The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    Senior Trial Counsel Sanjay Bhambhani and Trial Attorney John Deck of the Civil Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kruger for the Western District of Texas and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Gillingham for the Eastern District of Texas handled the matter, with investigative assistance from Special Agents Nicholas Koechig of DCIS and Timothy Jones of USPS OIG.

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

    Settlement

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement with Colorado to Ensure Opportunities for People with Physical Disabilities to Live at Home

    Source: US State of California

    The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement to resolve its lawsuit alleging that Colorado violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. by unnecessarily segregating adults with physical disabilities, including older adults, in nursing facilities.

    The ADA and the Olmstead decision require state and local governments to administer their services to people with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Today’s agreement gives thousands of Coloradans with physical disabilities the opportunity to move out of nursing facilities into the community — or avoid unnecessary nursing facility admission altogether — and receive the services they need at home. Community-based services that can help people live at home include assistance with bathing, dressing, managing medications and preparing meals.

    “People with disabilities should not have to give up their lives in the community and be isolated in nursing facilities to get the services they need,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement agreement sends the message that people with disabilities deserve the same kinds of lives as others, and makes clear that our family members, friends, and neighbors with disabilities add value to our lives and strengthen our communities when they can receive the services they need right inside their own home.”

    “Today’s resolution will give thousands of Coloradans with physical disabilities the information, resources, and opportunity to live in communities rather than being needlessly isolated. The agreement will also save taxpayer money by reducing state-funded institutionalization,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch for the District of Colorado. “We commend our Civil Rights Division colleagues for their dedication and focus on this important issue, and we acknowledge the commitments made by the State of Colorado in this agreement.”   

    The department sued Colorado in September 2023, following a multi-year investigation. The lawsuit alleged that the state failed to provide adults with physical disabilities with the services they need to live at home or avoid moving into a nursing facility. In Colorado, most nursing facility residents and their families are unaware that they can receive services like nursing, personal care and housing assistance in the community. As a result, many move into, or remain in, nursing facilities even though they would prefer to live at home.

    To increase community integration for adults with physical disabilities, the state has made significant commitments in this agreement to:

    • Help thousands of nursing facility residents move back to the community;
    • Identify people at risk of unnecessary nursing facility admission to help them stay in their homes with the services they need;
    • Provide people with the information they need to make an informed choice about whether to live in a nursing facility or receive the services they need at home;
    • Connect people more quickly to Medicaid long-term care services in the community;
    • Increase opportunities for people with disabilities to hire and supervise their own caregivers;
    • Support family caregivers;
    • Facilitate prompt transitions to the community for interested nursing facility residents, by reducing administrative bottlenecks and problem-solving common transition barriers; and
    • Expand and improve services that help people find and keep affordable, accessible housing in the community.

    The parties have agreed that the federal district court will retain jurisdiction to enforce the agreement and that an independent monitor will evaluate the state’s compliance.

    Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

    Members of the public can report possible civil right violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Court Permanently Stops Texas Professional and Business from Organizing and Selling “Tax Plans”

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Agreed Order also Bars Professional from Preparing Tax Returns and Business from Preparing Tax Returns Reflecting Certain “Tax Plans”

    The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas entered permanent injunctions today against Charles Dombek and The Optimal Financial Group LLC barring them from promoting any tax plan that involves creating or using sham management companies, deducting personal non-deductible expenses as business expenses or assisting in the creation of “captive” insurance companies. The injunctions also prohibit Dombek from preparing any federal tax returns for anyone other than himself and Optimal from preparing certain federal tax returns reflecting such tax plans. Dombek and Optimal consented to entry of the injunctions.

    According to the government’s complaint, Dombek is a licensed CPA and served as Optimal’s manager and president. Allegedly, Dombek and Optimal promoted a tax scheme throughout the United States to illegally reduce customers’ income tax liabilities by using sham management companies to improperly shift income to be taxed at lower tax rates, improperly defer taxable income or claim personal expenses as bogus business deductions. As alleged by the government, Dombek promoted himself as the “premier dental CPA” in America. The complaint further alleges that in promoting the schemes, Dombek and Optimal made false statements about the tax benefits of the scheme that they knew or had reason to know were false, then prepared and signed tax returns for their customers reflecting the sham transactions, expenses and deductions. The government contended that the total harm to the treasury from the scheme could have been $10 million or more.

    Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    Each year the IRS highlights some of the tax scams that put taxpayers at risk of losing money, personal information, data and more. In the IRS’s most recent list, it specifically warned taxpayers “to beware of promoters peddling bogus tax schemes aimed at reducing taxes or avoiding them altogether.”

    Working with the IRS, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers and tax scheme promoters over the past decade. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department to Monitor Polls in 27 States for Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Civil Rights Division Staff Available to Receive Nationwide Reports Throughout Election Day

    The Justice Department announced today that it plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions in 27 states for the Nov. 5 general election.

    The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country.

    For the general election, the department will monitor for compliance with federal voting rights laws on Election Day in 86 jurisdictions, including:

    • Bethel Census Area, Alaska;
    • Dillingham Census Area, Alaska;
    • Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska;
    • North Slope Borough, Alaska;
    • Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska;
    • Apache County, Arizona;
    • Maricopa County, Arizona;
    • Pima County, Arizona;
    • Yuma County, Arizona;
    • San Joaquin County, California;
    • Broward County, Florida;
    • Miami-Dade County, Florida;
    • Orange County, Florida;
    • Osceola County, Florida;
    • Cobb County, Georgia;
    • DeKalb County, Georgia;
    • Fulton County, Georgia;
    • Gwinnett County, Georgia;
    • Macon-Bibb County, Georgia;
    • Jefferson County, Kentucky;
    • Kenton County, Kentucky;
    • City of Everett, Massachusetts;
    • City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts;
    • City of Leominster, Massachusetts;
    • City of Lowell, Massachusetts;
    • City of Malden, Massachusetts;
    • City of Methuen, Massachusetts;
    • City of Quincy, Massachusetts;
    • City of Salem, Massachusetts;
    • Prince George’s County, Maryland;
    • City of Ann Arbor, Michigan;
    • City of Detroit, Michigan;
    • City of Flint, Michigan;
    • City of Grand Rapids, Michigan;
    • City of Hamtramck, Michigan;
    • City of Warren, Michigan;
    • Hennepin County, Minnesota;
    • City of Minneapolis, Minnesota;
    • Ramsey County, Minnesota;
    • Covington County, Mississippi;
    • Scott County, Mississippi;
    • Warren County, Mississippi;
    • City of St. Louis, Missouri;
    • Blaine County, Montana;
    • Alamance County, North Carolina;
    • Mecklenburg County, North Carolina;
    • Wake County, North Carolina;
    • Bergen County, New Jersey;
    • Middlesex County, New Jersey;
    • Union County, New Jersey;
    • Bernalillo County, New Mexico;
    • Cibola County, New Mexico;
    • Clark County, Nevada;
    • Queens, New York;
    • Cuyahoga County, Ohio;
    • Portage County, Ohio;
    • Allegheny County, Pennsylvania;
    • Luzerne County, Pennsylvania;
    • Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania;
    • City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island;
    • City of Providence, Rhode Island;
    • City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island;
    • Charleston County, South Carolina;
    • Bennett County, South Dakota;
    • Jackson County, South Dakota;
    • Minnehaha County, South Dakota;
    • Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota;
    • Atascosa County, Texas;
    • Bexar County, Texas;
    • Dallas County, Texas;
    • Frio County, Texas;
    • Harris County, Texas;
    • Hays County, Texas;
    • Palo Pinto County, Texas;
    • Waller County, Texas;
    • San Juan County, Utah;
    • Hanover County, Virginia;
    • Henrico County, Virginia;
    • Loudoun County, Virginia;
    • City of Manassas, Virginia;
    • City of Manassas Park, Virginia;
    • Prince William County, Virginia;
    • Town of Lawrence (Rusk County), Wisconsin;
    • City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
    • Town of Thornapple, Wisconsin; and
    • City of Wausau, Wisconsin.

    The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include personnel from the Civil Rights Division, other department divisions, U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management. Throughout Election Day, division personnel will maintain contact with state and local election officials.

    The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.

    On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931.

    Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.

    Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

    More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Compound Ingredient Supplier Medisca Inc., to Pay $21.75M to Resolve Allegations of False and Inflated Average Wholesale Prices for Ingredients Used in Compounded Prescriptions

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    The Justice Department announced today that Medisca Inc. (Medisca), has agreed to pay $21.75 million to resolve allegations concerning the establishment of false and inflated Average Wholesale Prices (AWPs) for two ingredients used in compound prescriptions. Medisca’s pricing scheme allegedly caused pharmacies that purchased those ingredients to submit false prescription claims to the Defense Health Agency, which administers the TRICARE Program for the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (federal health care programs).

    “We will not tolerate fraudulent pricing schemes targeting health care programs that support veterans and other federal beneficiaries,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As today’s settlement demonstrates, we will hold accountable not just those who submit false claims, but all who participate in schemes designed to defraud the American taxpayers.”

    Compounding pharmacies purchase ingredients or chemicals from ingredient suppliers, such as Medisca, to prepare and fill compound prescriptions for patients who require a specially made prescription that is not generally available in the marketplace. Medisca knew that compound prescription reimbursement under federal health care programs was based in part on the AWPs it reported to various price listing agencies. The United States alleged that Medisca knowingly inflated the AWPs for resveratrol (NDC No. 38779-2863) and mometasone furoate (NDC No. 38779-2413) in order to increase the reimbursement that its pharmacy customers received from the federal healthcare programs for using those Medisca ingredients.

    Medisca acquired resveratrol from manufacturers for approximately $0.37 per gram. It repackaged and sold resveratrol for under $2 per gram. Medisca reported an AWP for resveratrol at $777 per gram, creating a spread of over $775 for each gram of resveratrol used by a pharmacy customer in a compound prescription reimbursed by the federal healthcare programs. Medisca acquired mometasone furoate from manufacturers for under $8 per gram. It repackaged and sold that ingredient to compound pharmacies for over $1,000 per gram. Medisca reported an AWP for mometasone furoate at over $7,300 per gram, thereby creating a spread of approximately $6,300 for each gram of the ingredient used by a pharmacy customer in a compound prescription reimbursed by the federal healthcare programs.  

    Medisca allegedly used the high AWPs it reported and the resulting profit potential it created for its customers as an inducement to its compound pharmacy customers to purchase those ingredients. Medisca’s alleged fraudulent pricing scheme enabled its pharmacy customers to bill federal healthcare programs inflated amounts – often thousands of dollars per prescription – for compound formulations containing those ingredients.

    “The systems establishing federal reimbursements for compounded pharmaceuticals should not be viewed by companies as an opportunity to artificially inflate reimbursements from federal payors such as TRICARE,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “When companies seek to manipulate the system for their own gain, the Eastern District of Texas will hold them accountable.”

    “When federal healthcare programs are defrauded it hurts all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office is committed to using the False Claims Act (FCA) to hold individuals and companies accountable for the impact their actions have on our critical programs. Taxpayers deserve honest pricing and assurances that the government is never overcharged.”

    “This settlement sends a clear message about the unwavering commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigation Service (DCIS) to protect the integrity of TRICARE, the Department of Defense’s health care benefit program which serves our U.S. military, their family members, and military retirees,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Settle of the Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General, DCIS Southwest Field Office. “Health care providers who use fraudulent means to seek financial gain at the expense of TRICARE and the taxpayer will be diligently investigated and held accountable.”

    The settlement resolves claims brought under the whistleblower or qui tam provisions of the FCA by Doug McMakin against Medisca. Mr. McMakin is a pharmacist who owned and operated a compounding pharmacy that dispensed compounded prescriptions. Under the FCA, private parties may sue on behalf of the government for false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. Mr. McMakin will receive $3,425,625 from the proceeds of the settlement. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. McMakin v. Medisca Inc. (EDTX).  

    The resolution of these matters was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of Texas and the Western District of Texas, with investigative support from the DCIS, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) and the Department of Labor.  

    The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    Senior Trial Counsel Sanjay Bhambhani and Trial Attorney John Deck of the Civil Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Kruger for the Western District of Texas and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Gillingham for the Eastern District of Texas handled the matter, with investigative assistance from Special Agents Nicholas Koechig of DCIS and Timothy Jones of USPS OIG.

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

    Settlement

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement with Colorado to Ensure Opportunities for People with Physical Disabilities to Live at Home

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement to resolve its lawsuit alleging that Colorado violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. by unnecessarily segregating adults with physical disabilities, including older adults, in nursing facilities.

    The ADA and the Olmstead decision require state and local governments to administer their services to people with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Today’s agreement gives thousands of Coloradans with physical disabilities the opportunity to move out of nursing facilities into the community — or avoid unnecessary nursing facility admission altogether — and receive the services they need at home. Community-based services that can help people live at home include assistance with bathing, dressing, managing medications and preparing meals.

    “People with disabilities should not have to give up their lives in the community and be isolated in nursing facilities to get the services they need,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement agreement sends the message that people with disabilities deserve the same kinds of lives as others, and makes clear that our family members, friends, and neighbors with disabilities add value to our lives and strengthen our communities when they can receive the services they need right inside their own home.”

    “Today’s resolution will give thousands of Coloradans with physical disabilities the information, resources, and opportunity to live in communities rather than being needlessly isolated. The agreement will also save taxpayer money by reducing state-funded institutionalization,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch for the District of Colorado. “We commend our Civil Rights Division colleagues for their dedication and focus on this important issue, and we acknowledge the commitments made by the State of Colorado in this agreement.”   

    The department sued Colorado in September 2023, following a multi-year investigation. The lawsuit alleged that the state failed to provide adults with physical disabilities with the services they need to live at home or avoid moving into a nursing facility. In Colorado, most nursing facility residents and their families are unaware that they can receive services like nursing, personal care and housing assistance in the community. As a result, many move into, or remain in, nursing facilities even though they would prefer to live at home.

    To increase community integration for adults with physical disabilities, the state has made significant commitments in this agreement to:

    • Help thousands of nursing facility residents move back to the community;
    • Identify people at risk of unnecessary nursing facility admission to help them stay in their homes with the services they need;
    • Provide people with the information they need to make an informed choice about whether to live in a nursing facility or receive the services they need at home;
    • Connect people more quickly to Medicaid long-term care services in the community;
    • Increase opportunities for people with disabilities to hire and supervise their own caregivers;
    • Support family caregivers;
    • Facilitate prompt transitions to the community for interested nursing facility residents, by reducing administrative bottlenecks and problem-solving common transition barriers; and
    • Expand and improve services that help people find and keep affordable, accessible housing in the community.

    The parties have agreed that the federal district court will retain jurisdiction to enforce the agreement and that an independent monitor will evaluate the state’s compliance.

    Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

    Members of the public can report possible civil right violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lyft to Pay Civil Penalty to Resolve Allegations of Misleading Drivers About Their Potential Earnings

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today announced that Lyft Inc. (Lyft) has agreed to resolve allegations that it made false and misleading statements about how much Lyft drivers would earn. The settlement includes an agreement to pay $2.1 million in civil penalties and a permanent injunction prohibiting such false and misleading earnings claims.

    Lyft operates a mobile app ride-hailing platform that connects consumers seeking rides with those who provide rides with their own personal vehicles. Through marketing campaigns and advertisements, Lyft recruits drivers. After a driver is hired, Lyft sets the rates the driver charges and collects a portion of the fare for each ride. In a civil complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the government alleges that, as early as 2021, Lyft made false and misleading claims in its advertising and marketing regarding potential earnings and incentives to be earned by drivers who signed up to drive for Lyft. Lyft allegedly continued these practices even after it received a Notice of Penalty Offenses in October 2021 that placed the company on notice that false and misleading earnings claims were unlawful.

    The complaint alleges that Lyft disseminated advertisements promoting specific hourly amounts that drivers throughout the United States could earn. The company, however, did not disclose that the potential hourly amounts were based on the earnings of the top 20% of its drivers. The complaint also further alleges that Lyft also tried to induce drivers to offer more rides by promoting “earnings guarantees,” which guaranteed that drivers would be paid a set amount if they completed a specific number of rides in a certain time. These guarantees allegedly did not clearly disclose that drivers were paid only the difference between what they otherwise earned for the rides and Lyft’s advertised guaranteed amount, rather than receiving the full guaranteed amount in addition to their regular earnings for the rides.

    In the stipulated order entered today by the federal district court, Lyft is required to pay a $2,100,000 civil penalty. The order also enjoins Lyft from making any misrepresentations regarding driver earnings and includes other monitoring and reporting provisions aimed at promoting Lyft’s compliance with the order.

    “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce the law to stop companies from misleading Americans about their potential earnings in the gig economy,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to work with the FTC to stop unfair and deceptive marketing practices.”

    “Lyft drivers deserve accurate information about how much they will be paid for the work they do,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Our settlement with Lyft bans exaggerated earnings claims and underscores the FTC’s commitment to ensuring gig workers are treated fairly.”

    Trial Attorney Paulina Stamatelos and Assistant Director Zachary Dietert of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekta Dharia for the Northern District of California and Abdiel Lewis and Evan Rose of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection handled the matter.

    For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the FTC, visit www.FTC.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eau Claire Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mario R. Aviles, 27, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced October 30, 2024 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 2 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine. That prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Aviles pleaded guilty to this charge on July 16, 2024.

    The government’s investigation revealed that Hector Jimenez-Sosa was the leader of a methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking organization in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He received large quantities of controlled substances through the mail from his sources in California. Between August and October 2023, law enforcement officers purchased methamphetamine and fentanyl pills from Jimenez-Sosa and his associates on multiple occasions using a confidential informant. The drug sales took place at two workshops operated by Jimenez-Sosa.

    Aviles, Jimenez-Sosa’s nephew, was identified as an important member of Jimenez-Sosa’s organization. Aviles sold drugs himself and was also present when Jimenez-Sosa sold drugs. For example, on September 19, 2023, a confidential informant purchased 60 grams of methamphetamine and 20 fentanyl pills from Aviles at Jimenez-Sosa’s shops in Eau Claire. On October 3, 2023, the confidential informant purchased an additional 20 fentanyl pills from Aviles at one of Jimenez-Sosa’s shops. During that drug sale, the confidential informant and Aviles talked about the prior methamphetamine sale as well as a potential future deal for a larger quantity of methamphetamine.

    On December 8, 2023, Jimenez-Sosa was arrested at his residence and Aviles was arrested at one of Jimenez-Sosa’s shops. Search warrants were executed at Jimenez-Sosa’s residence and shops. Officers located cocaine, marijuana, ammunition, and drug trafficking supplies.

    At sentencing, Judge Conley noted that Aviles’ growing contribution to his uncle’s drug trafficking organization was significant and he arrived at the sentence after weighing Aviles’ conduct against his lack of prior criminal record among other mitigating factors.

    Co-defendant Hector Jimenez-Sosa pleaded guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced by Judge Conley on September 25, 2024, to 10 years in federal prison.

    The charges against Aviles and Jimenez-Sosa were the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, Eau Claire Police Department, Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Postal Inspection Service. The Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: I research sexual perversions and paraphilas – here’s what we’ve learned about them

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mark Griffiths, Director of the International Gaming Research Unit and Professor of Behavioural Addiction, Nottingham Trent University

    Hollywood actor Armie Hammer was accused of sending messages detailing cannibalistic fantasies in 2021. DFree/Shutterstock

    After allegedly sending messages detailing cannibalistic fetishes, Hollywood actor Armie Hammer hopes to relaunch his career with a new podcast and movie.

    Following the 2021 social media cannibal scandal, Hammer was also accused of rape and abuse by various women, but consistently denied any criminal behaviour and was not charged.

    Now, it seems, Hammer is laughing off the cannibalism allegations. Speaking to his first podcast guest, Tom Arnold, Hammer says, “I’m not gonna lie. I’m just like, Hey, I’m a cannibal!”

    But being sexually aroused by the fantasy – or reality – of cannibalism is real. I should know, as it’s one of the subjects I discuss in my latest book Sexual Perversions and Paraphilias: An A-Z

    Paraphilias are uncommon types of sexual expression often described as sexual deviations, sexual perversions or disorders of sexual preference.

    They are typically accompanied by intense sexual arousal to unconventional or non-sexual stimuli such as enemas (klismaphilia), statues (agalmatophilia), teeth (odontophilia) and vomit (emetophilia).

    To many people paraphilias may seem bizarre or socially unacceptable, representing the extreme end of the sexual continuum – and in some cases, such as zoophilia (having sex with animals) and necrophilia (having sex with dead people), may be illegal.

    Paraphilias may be laughed off, dismissed or leave some people disgusted, but there’s a pressing need for more research into uncommon sexual behaviour given how little we know.

    Sexual fantasies and behaviour are a fundamental part of the human experience. What is considered immoral or even illegal changes according to the social and temporal context. But whatever sexual desires are considered illicit or depraved in a particular time and place are also stigmatised.

    Researching paraphilias, even the most distasteful or criminal, is essential to help safeguard vulnerable groups. Research can also help minimise the discrimination faced by those with uncommon sexual interests, helping ensure their access to sexual health care and psychological support, which can be lacking.

    Vorarephilia

    Vorarephilia – or “vore” – refers to being sexually aroused by the idea of being eaten, eating another person or observing this process for sexual gratification.

    Most of the fantasies of vorarephiliacs involve being the ones eaten. Devouring someone could be viewed as the ultimate act of dominance by a predator and the ultimate act of submission by the prey.

    The most infamous vorarephiliac is arguably Armin Meiwes from Germany.

    Meiwes had allegedly been fantasising about cannibalism since his childhood and frequented cannibal fetish websites. He posted around 60 online adverts asking if anyone would like to be eaten by him.

    In March 2002, Bernd Jürgen Brandes responded to Meiwes. They met up only once. Meiwes bit off Brandes’ penis, which the two of them cooked and ate.

    Brandes was videotaped being stabbed to death by Meiwes in his bath. The body was then stored for Meiwes to eat.

    Meiwes was eventually convicted of murder and imprisoned for life. However, it’s worth nothing that although some paraphilias are illegal, most cause no psychological or behavioural problems when they are engaged by consenting adults.

    Dacryphilia

    Dacryphilia is getting sexual arousal from seeing someone cry.

    I have published a number of studies on dacryphilia. One involved interviews with eight dacryphiles: six women and two men, from the US, UK, Romania and Belgium.

    It showed there were sub-types of dacryphilia, even among such a small group. Based on the interviews, I identified three types of dacryphile.

    Compassionate dacryphiles are sexually aroused by the compassion of comforting a crier.

    Dominant or submissive dacryphiles are sexually aroused by either causing tears in a consenting submissive partner or by being made to cry by a consenting dominant partner.

    “Curled lip” dacryphiles are sexually aroused by the curling of a protruded bottom lip during crying.

    Eproctophilia

    Eproctophilia involves being sexually aroused by flatulence.

    In 2013, I published the first case study of an eproctophile. The case concerned a 22-year-old single man, Brad*, an American from Illinois.

    Brad recalled that in middle school he had a crush on a girl who had farted in the class. Brad said:

    This blew my mind [I] knew by simple biology that girls farted, but hearing that the girl I had been fawning over was capable of such a thing sparked a strange interest in me.

    Brad first engaged in an eproctophilic act with a male friend in his mid-teens. Up to that point he had considered himself heterosexual. However, this changed when he heard his male friend fart.

    Brad said it was “appealing in sound” and that he began fixating on it. He set up a bet with the wager being the right to fart in the loser’s face for a week. He continued to lose such bets once every few weeks for about two years.

    Apotemnophilia

    Apotemnophilia refers to being sexually aroused by the fantasy or reality of being an amputee.

    Some apotemnophiles may pretend to be amputees but, for a minority, the behaviour involves obsessive scheming to convince a surgeon to perform a medically unnecessary amputation.

    To most people, this might seem like a type of masochism, but case studies suggest that there is no erotisation of pain – only of the healed amputated stump.

    Salirophilia

    Salirophilia is sexual arousal from soiling or dishevelling someone attractive, which can include tearing or damaging the desired person’s clothing, covering them in mud or filth or messing up their hair or make-up.

    My 2019 case study involved Jeff*, a 58-year-old Australian heterosexual. Jeff recounted that when he was young he wanted to masturbate in strange places such as lying under a cabinet in a dirty garage.

    Jeff said that he engaged in solitary salirophilic practices regularly but very infrequently with female partners because it was difficult to find like-minded women.

    He was also a fan of the television show Fear Factor in which contestants perform revolting tasks for prize money, such as eating rotting food or being submerged in foul fluids. These were a source of sexual arousal for Jeff. He told me: “I just find the defilement of an attractive woman’s body erotic.”

    *The names of case study participants in this article have been changed.

    Dr. Mark Griffiths has received research funding from a wide range of organizations including the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy and the Responsibility in Gambling Trust. He has also carried out consultancy for numerous gambling companies in the area of player protection, social responsibility and responsible gaming.. Views expressed here are his own and not those of these funding bodies.

    – ref. I research sexual perversions and paraphilas – here’s what we’ve learned about them – https://theconversation.com/i-research-sexual-perversions-and-paraphilas-heres-what-weve-learned-about-them-238446

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, a school and kindergarten were built in Yugra

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of NK Kondaneft (part of Rosneft), a new school and kindergarten for 120 children was built in the village of Ushya in the Kondinsky District. The school was built within the framework of a cooperation agreement between PJSC NK Rosneft and the government of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.

    The project is aimed at supporting the education sector in the region, which corresponds to the tasks and national development goals defined by the President of Russia in his Address to the Federal Assembly. Rosneft implements social projects aimed at creating favorable living conditions in the regions of its presence. In particular, it supports the development of educational institutions and initiatives in the field of education of the younger generation.

    The new building in Ushye was erected taking into account modern requirements for children’s educational institutions and the level of comfort. The school-kindergarten is designed for 80 school students and 40 preschoolers. Classrooms are equipped with interactive boards and computers. The school has a spacious assembly hall. The canteen equipment provides a full cycle of hot food preparation.

    All premises are accessible to visitors with limited mobility – the entrance is equipped with ramps, an elevator is installed, and the sanitary rooms are equipped with specialized equipment.

    In the physical education and sports zone in the school yard, verandas and a playground have been built. Schoolchildren can exercise outdoors on a climbing wall and a multifunctional sports complex.

    The implementation of the social project in Ushye made it possible to create conditions for improving the quality of education, as well as comfortable conditions for children and teachers.

    Reference:

    JSC NK Kondaneft, a subsidiary of NK Rosneft, is developing the Kondinsky group of fields – the Kondinsky, Zapadno-Erginsky, Chaprovsky, and Novoendyrsky license areas in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft November 2, 2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi extends sympathy to Spanish king over heavy floods

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of sympathy to Spanish King Felipe VI on Saturday over heavy rainstorms and floods in Spain.

    Xi said he was shocked to learn that severe rainstorms and floods have hit many parts in Spain, causing heavy casualties and property losses.

    The Chinese president, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, expressed deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured.

    Xi also said it is believed that under the leadership of the king and the Spanish government, the people in the flood-hit areas will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese President Xi extends sympathy to Spanish king over heavy floods

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Nov. 2 — Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of sympathy to Spanish King Felipe VI on Saturday over heavy rainstorms and floods in Spain.

    Xi said he was shocked to learn that severe rainstorms and floods have hit many parts in Spain, causing heavy casualties and property losses.

    The Chinese president, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, expressed deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured.

    Xi also said it is believed that under the leadership of the king and the Spanish government, the people in the flood-hit areas will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens call for automatic voter registration in schools 

    Source: Scottish Greens

    02 Nov 2024 Education

    Automatically enrolling young people to vote will get them invested in the future of Scotland, says Ross Greer MSP. 

    More in Education

    As the Scottish Greens spokesperson for Education, Mr Greer has lodged an amendment to the upcoming Elections Bill ahead of its Stage 2 proceedings next week, encouraging the Scottish Government to fund projects which would automatically register high school, college and university students to vote.

    Having led on the Scottish Youth Parliament’s work on lowering the voting age to 16 ahead of the 2014 independence referendum, the Green MSP believes that automatic registration of students would boost engagement with the democratic process and empower young people to help shape Scotland’s future.

    Ross says: “The debates and mock referendums we held in high schools are some of my favourite memories of the independence referendum. 

    “Giving sixteen and seventeen year olds the right to vote in 2014 didn’t automatically mean they were going to use it, so schools across the country stepped up to help students make their voices heard. Teachers and council staff organised registration events, debates and mock votes.

    “As a result, turnout amongst young people was incredibly high and the experience of lowering the voting age was judged so successful that it was made permanent for Scottish Parliament and council elections.

    “Some schools have repeated those efforts in the decade since, as have colleges and universities. That hasn’t been a consistent experience though, and young people’s participation in politics has slipped back from that referendum-era high water mark.”

    “My amendment to the Elections bill would give the Scottish Government and local councils a strong steer towards making similar efforts to those trialled with so much success a decade ago. 

    “Automatic voter registration, for example at the point a young person receives their SQA candidate number, would be far better value for money than just encouraging them to register themselves in their own time.

    “There is also plenty of international evidence that automatic registration boosts participation in elections. Education institutions are an obvious location for these kinds of efforts to take place, so I hope MSPs on the committee next week will see the value of this amendment.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKTE participates in two job fairs offering over 11 500 job vacancies (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) will participate in two job fairs to assist incoming talent in directly matching jobs with employers, facilitating their career development in the city. About 500 companies will take part in these job fairs, offering over 11 500 job vacancies.
     
         To dovetail with national development strategies, “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” includes a specific chapter on building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent with an aim to empower the high-quality development of Hong Kong as well as contribute to the development of new quality productive forces of the country. To this end, HKTE will support talent in pursuing development in Hong Kong by expanding its network of collaborative partners and co-organising job fairs with industries and employer organisations.
     
         HKTE is participating in the Innovating Hong Kong – Global Talent Carnival Autumn 2024 at the AsiaWorld-Expo today and tomorrow (November 2 and 3). The event offers over 10 000 job vacancies for local and incoming talent, covering positions in technical support, business development, customer service, and graduate trainee roles.
     
         Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to assisting talent in pursuing development in Hong Kong. He said that both local and incoming talent will help enrich the city’s talent pool, spur industrial development, and inject impetus for the long-term development of Hong Kong.
     
         HKTE has established a sharing station at the event to invite industry experts to advise on job-seeking strategies and provide consultation services to help incoming talent integrate into the local community.
     
         In addition, HKTE will participate in the Hong Kong Talent Recruitment Exhibition 2024 Autumn at Tsim Sha Tsui Community Hall next Friday (November 8). Participating companies are from various sectors, including real estate development, telecommunications, public utilities, and financial services, with an expected offer of over 1 500 job vacancies.
     
         HKTE will continue to collaborate with industry partners, stakeholders, and government departments to provide comprehensive one-stop support services for talent, including co-organising at least 12 job fairs with the industries and employer organisations in 2025.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The scientific conference “Marine Research and Education” was held with the support of Rosneft

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of Rosneft, the XIII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Marine Research and Education: MARESEDU-2024” was held in Moscow from October 28 to November 1. The event was organized by the Marine Research Center of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, as well as the UNESCO-MSU Educational and Scientific Center for Marine Biology and Biophysics. The main events of the conference were held at the sites of the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    At the conference, Rosneft specialists presented a report on the Company’s new project – the creation of a genomic database of living organisms in the Russian Arctic, which is necessary for long-term planning of the region’s sustainable development and the preservation of its fragile ecosystems. The project is being implemented jointly with the non-governmental development institute Innopraktika and the Center for Full Genome Sequencing. Among the priority works is the assembly of the polar bear’s full genome.

    In addition, as part of the thematic sessions, specialists from the A.N. Severtsev Institute of Ecology and Evolution Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented a report on the study of birds as part of Rosneft’s new biodiversity conservation program, called Tamura. Scientists from Lomonosov Moscow State University told conference participants about a large-scale environmental project in the White Sea, implemented by Rosneft jointly with Innopraktika. As part of the expeditions, the scientists repeated the route of the famous Soviet hydrobiologist Konstantin Deryugin, who studied the White Sea in 1922-1926. The goal of the project is to obtain data on the current state of the White Sea biota and assess the changes in the region’s ecosystems that have occurred over the past 100 years. Rosneft representatives also took part in a round table discussion at the N.A. Pertsov White Sea Biological Station (MSBS). The MSU BBS is a research site for a number of the Company’s geological and environmental projects.

    In total, more than 1,200 specialists took part in the scientific and practical conference. More than 500 reports were presented at sessions on oceanology, ecology, biology, rational use of natural resources, and marine geology. Along with experienced scientists, future specialists – students and schoolchildren – also presented their work. According to established tradition, the best presentations were awarded prizes from Rosneft – ecological atlases of the Company.

    Reference:

    Rosneft pays special attention to environmental issues and the preservation of biodiversity. Caring for the environment is an integral part of the Company’s corporate culture and social responsibility. The protection and preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity is one of Rosneft’s main environmental goals until 2035. Rosneft is implementing the largest Arctic region study program since Soviet times. Over 50 expeditions have been conducted over 12 years, during which scientists have studied the hydrometeorological, geological and biological features of the region. This has allowed us to collect a unique array of information on the climatic features, nature and fauna of the Arctic.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft November 2, 2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –