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Category: Security

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Ban Lavish Gifts for Supreme Court Justices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    October 10, 2024
    In the last two decades, Supreme Court justices have accepted hundreds of gifts valued at nearly $5 million
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is cosponsoring legislation that would ban Supreme Court justices from receiving gifts valued at more than $50, aimed at strengthening the ethical standards of the Court.  
    Senators Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., led the introduction of the High Court Gift Ban Act. In addition to Wyden, Senators Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., cosponsored the bill. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., introduced companion legislation in the House.
    “American democracy can only work if the public has trust in its institutions,” said Wyden, who recently introduced sweeping reforms to restore public trust in the Supreme Court. “With more and more Supreme Court ethics violations being uncovered, the public’s trust in the Court has been shaken to its core. It’s not just unacceptable but morally wrong that those sitting on our nation’s highest court can get away with accepting lavish gifts from just about anybody. Supreme Court justices should be held to the same standards as other federal officials so that faith can begin to be restored in one of America’s most powerful institutions.”
    Under current law, Supreme Court justices are not held to the same restrictions on accepting gifts that apply to members of Congress, federal judges, and other federal officials. A recent analysis by Fix the Court estimated that in the last two decades, Supreme Court justices have accepted hundreds of gifts valued at nearly $5 million.
    The High Court Gift Ban Act does the following:
    Bans Supreme Court justices and all 2,300 lower court judges from receiving gifts valued at more than $50 in a single instance or more than $100 in aggregate in a year;
    Caps gifts of personal hospitality, which are currently unregulated, at a value equal to the tax threshold for personal gifts, currently about $18,000;
    Contains exemptions in line with those for members of Congress;
    Enforces prohibitions by requiring referrals to the attorney general for investigation;
    Aligns civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with the government-wide financial disclosure law, the Ethics in Government Act: 
    Up to $50,000 for civil violations;
    Fines and up to one year in prison for criminal penalties.

    The High Court Gift Ban Act is endorsed by Accountable.US, AFT, Alliance for Justice, American Humanist Association, Center for American Progress, Clean Elections Texas, Common Cause, Courage California, Court Accountability, Courts Matter Illinois, Demand Justice, DemCast USA, Demos Action, End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund, Enough of Gun Violence, Faithful Democracy, Fix the Court, Free Speech For People, FRFF Action Fund, Get Money Out – Maryland, Greenpeace USA, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, Michiganders for Fair & Transparent Elections, MoveOn, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Association of Social Workers, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Ohio Fair Courts Alliance, P Street, People For the American Way, People Power United, Project on Government Oversight, Public Citizen, Reproductive Freedom for All, Secular Coalition for America, Secure Elections Network, Stand Up America, Supreme Court Integrity Project, Take Back the Court Action Fund, True North Research, United Church of Christ, Voices for Progress, and Walking To Fix Our Democracy.
    The text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Senior Defense and Military Official Host a Background Briefing on Russia’s War in Ukraine

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Hey, good afternoon. Can I have a quick comms check? Can you hear me ok?

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Great. All right. Well, good afternoon, everyone. This is Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary. Thanks very much for joining us today for today’s background briefing and update on the situation in Ukraine.

    As you may be aware, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group originally scheduled for October 12th has been postponed, so we’ll provide updates on that in the near future regarding a date and location for the next UDCG session. However, we thought it would still be useful to provide you with an update on where things stand in Ukraine, to include US support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, and we’ll endeavor to host these background briefings on a fairly regular basis since many of you have requested them.

    As a reminder, today’s call is on background attributable to a senior defense official and a senior military official, not for reporting.

    Please note I will call on reporters try to get to as many of your questions as possible in the time we have available. And before we begin, I would ask you to please keep your phones on mute unless you’re asking a question. With that, I will turn it over to our senior defense official, followed by our senior military official for an opening.

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Thanks. Thanks, everyone, for the opportunity to speak with you today. Certainly, I had hoped to brief you ahead of a leader level Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. But as I’m sure everyone understands, President Biden decided to remain in the United States to coordinate the response to Hurricane Milton.

    As you heard during the president’s bilateral meeting with President Zelenskyy on September 26th, the administration remains focused on surging security assistance and taking other steps through the end of the term to help Ukraine prevail. I want to begin with a brief discussion of some of our recent security assistance packages.

    The president exercised his authority on September 26th to ensure the $5.55 billion of remaining presidential drawdown, or PDA, authority did not expire before the end of the fiscal year, ensuring that the United States can continue supporting Ukraine with this authority. Preserving this authority will allow us to continue our steady support with security assistance to Ukraine via these PDA packages.

    In the 66th package announced on September 26th at a value of $375 million, the department will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent battlefield needs, including air to ground weapons, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons.

    President Biden also announced a $2.4 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package. This package will provide Ukraine with additional air defense, unmanned aerial systems, and air to ground munitions as well as strengthen Ukraine’s defense industrial base and support its maintenance and sustainment requirements. Through this package, we will make a significant investment in Ukraine’s drone capability, providing thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles and providing components to enable Ukraine’s domestic production of drones.

    That support has been critical to augmenting Ukraine’s successes on the battlefield. Since February 2022, Ukraine has inflicted more than 600,000 casualties on Russian forces. In September of this year, Russia — Russian forces sustained more casualties in terms of both killed and wounded in action than in any other month of the war. Russian losses, again both killed and wounded in action, in just the first year of the war exceeded the total of all Russian losses — Soviet losses in any conflict since World War II combined.

    Ukrainian forces also have sunk, destroyed or damaged at least 32 medium to large Russian Federation navy vessels in the Black Sea, forcing Russia to relocate its Black Sea fleet away from Crimea. They have also destroyed more than two thirds of Russia’s pre-war inventory of tanks, forcing the Russian military to dig into Soviet era stockpiles and field tanks from World War II.

    And most recently, Ukrainian forces have used indigenously produced drones to strike Russian strategic ammunition depots at Toropets and Tihoretsk, making a serious dent in Russian supply lines. The total tonnage of ammunition destroyed in strikes on these facilities represents the largest loss of Russian and North Korean supplied ammunition during the war, with hundreds of thousands of rounds destroyed. Russian efforts to minimize risk to existing ammunition depots probably will force the Russian military to undertake inefficient adaptations that will slow delivery of ammunition to the front.

    Now, I am not, however, suggesting that Ukraine has an easy path to victory. Russia does continue to devote significant amounts of resources and, as I underscored earlier, lives toward a grinding campaign, redoubling its efforts in the east despite Ukraine’s offensive into Kursk. Russia has also demonstrated time and time again a willingness to do whatever it takes to attempt to force the Ukrainians to capitulate, including purposely targeting Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure.

    Despite these challenges, the United States and our allies and partners remain committed to supporting Ukraine as it defends against Russian aggression. Thank you, and I look forward to the questions.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Thank you very much.

    SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Hey, good afternoon, everyone. Just a couple of things that I’ll start out with and then happy to talk more specifics as we go into question and answer afterwards.

    But broadly speaking, no major changes in the overall strategy on either side. It’s an attritional strategy on the Russian side, and of course the Ukrainians are mounting a strong defense both on the ground and from an air defense perspective.

    For the battlefield itself, the two areas that remain most active are up in the Kursk area and then out in Donetsk. I would say that there have been overall minor changes to where the forward line of troops are on the battlefield in both of those areas.

    Up in Kursk, there have been some limited counterattacks by the Russians, but really no meaningful gains or exchanges of territory in the last several weeks. And then down in Donetsk, while the Russians did make some advances earlier in the summer, those advances have slowed compared to that time period. And again, I’m happy to go into some more specifics on that during question and answer.

    As far as long range strikes, we’ve seen some successful one way attack drone strikes by the — by the Ukrainians against ammo storage points in Russia. We’ve also seen some strikes against fuel facilities down in Crimea. We do think that those will have some impact on the battlefield. As most of you would understand, those sorts of deep targets, when they’re hit, there’ll be a delayed impact on how things are looking on the battlefield, but over time it certainly would manifest. So, we do think that those have been effective, and we’ll see when those effects manifest in a meaningful way on the battlefield.

    And then finally, I’ll just highlight Ukrainian air defense. The Ukrainians do continue to defend their skies with the capabilities that they have. It’s a tough fight, with a large number of attacks coming from the Russians each day, but the Ukrainians are doing a sound job of defending their critical infrastructure and defending at the front — on the front lines as well. We, of course, are keeping a very close eye on their inventories of weapons that they have to defend themselves and working that with our policy counterparts to try to increase the stocks that they have on hand for their — for their defense against those attacks.

    So, I’ll leave it at that as just a broad overview, and then I’d be happy to go into more detail or specifics during question and answer.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Great. Thank you very much to our senior defense official and our senior military official. First question will go to Associated Press, Lita Baldor.

    Q: Hi. Good afternoon and thank you both for doing this. Can you — you know, first of all,  can you address sort of — at the risk of beating a dead horse here, the Ukrainians continue to press for the permission of the US to do longer range strikes into Russia. Do you see a change in US policy on that coming, and/or do you see any shift that the US will give Ukraine something else that will sort of make up for not allowing that?

    And then just quickly, can you give us a sense of sort of how the — both countries are setting up for the winter months and whether one or the other can gain some sort of advantage with this — at this point this year? Thank you.

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Great. So, Lita, on the long range strike issue, we have not changed the position on this. I think I’ve spoken with some of you about this before in terms of how we consider, you know, decisions on capability. We always look at kind of risks and benefits. And in this particular case, we certainly have to look at risks in terms of readiness.

    This is a — you know, a munition that has, you know, finite quantities. And we also, obviously, have to look at risks of escalation. But in terms of effectiveness, we also have to look at whether the quantities that exist, and again, they are limited, whether they would have the strategic effect.

    And we certainly know that many of the capabilities that are of greatest concern, particularly for glide bomb use, for instance, have actually moved out beyond ATACMS range. And we also know that we’ve seen tremendously effective Ukrainian strikes using their indigenously produced capabilities.

    SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Lita, on the question of how they’re setting up for the winter months, I think the way I’d characterize it is I expect more of the same from the Russians. I expect them to continue to try to make incremental gains to try to attrit Ukrainian defenses.

    As I know that you’re aware, that’s a really tall task for them, and that’s why we’ve seen such incremental gains out of the Russians over the last while, despite, you know, a significant force ratio advantage in many places on the front. And so, as a — as the senior defense official mentioned, we do see a large and growing number of Russian casualties as they do this, but I think we’ll see more of the same. It’s kind of the Russian way of war, that they continue to throw mass into the — into the problem, and I think we’ll continue to see high losses.

    On the Ukrainian side, I think it’s a little bit more nuanced. And of course, it’ll be up to the Ukrainians on exactly how this plays out. But in general, I would characterize their thinking as a little bit deeper in time and space, and that they’re thinking certainly of how they defend through the winter months and at the tactical front, you know, where are the most defendable lines where they can impose the most costs on the Russians as the Russians advance.

    But I’d say that, in my estimation, the Ukrainians are thinking forward to the — 2025 and how they set themselves up for battlefield success then. And so, that includes things like ensuring that the additional brigades can come online as they increase their recruitment, as they get better equipment and training, reconstituting brigades that they’re cycling off the front line, and really building up their combat power for the future.

    So, I think that’s how I would characterize the Ukrainian approach. Certainly, they’re focused on how they get through the winter, but they’re thinking a little bit longer term about how they set conditions for success next year.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Thank you both. Next question will go to Washington Post, Missy Ryan. Missy, are you there?

    Q:  Yeah, I’m here, but I actually think Alex Horton is — has a question that he’s going to ask.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Ok. We’ll go to Alex in Ukraine.

    Q: Appreciate that. Yeah, this is for the SDO and Russian losses. You know, this sort of harkens back to Vietnam. It’s very General Westmoreland-ish to sort of characterize Russian casualties as some sort of metric for success. So, I was curious if you could put more meat on the bone on what we’re supposed to exactly take away from that when we know that, you know, in between Bakhmut and down all the way to Vuhledar, they’ve gained more territory than they have in the last two years. So, they are trading for bodies for space, and that seems to be working for them at least in terms of the space aspect. So, what exactly is the body count suggesting that is, you know, something we should take away from?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: So, Alex, thanks, and glad to hear that you’re reporting from Ukraine. I’ll look forward to seeing — to seeing your writing. I think that in terms of, you know, mentioning the Russian casualties is not to suggest that this is a definitive metric for the war, but it is an important factor. And, you know, certainly we do know that, you know, Putin is trying to avoid a mass mobilization because of the effect that would have on, you know, Russia’s domestic population.

    At this point, he has been able to significantly increase the pay of these voluntary soldiers, and he has been able to continue to field those forces without doing a major mobilization. And I think we’re just watching very closely how long that stance can actually be one that he can maintain. And I think it’s an important one for all of us watch very closely.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Thank you very much. Next question will go to New York Times, Eric Schmitt. Eric, are you there? Ok, nothing heard, we’ll go to CBS, Charlie D’Agata.

    Q:  Yes. Thank you. I wanted to actually follow up from what Alex was saying. Those are extraordinary numbers, 600,000 casualties, and I’m more — paying attention to more casualties in September than exceeded any other month of the war. That in itself says something. Where are these casualties happening? Where is the ferocious fighting happening? As was already pointed out, the Russians are making ground. Is this on Russian territory? Is it along concentrated front lines? And is there a reason for an increase, or is just — is this just a spike in ferocity of the fighting in the past couple of months?

    SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah. Charlie, I’ll take the first answer to that and let the senior defense official fill in if she’d like. But I would say, you know, the Russians have been — as Alex mentioned, they’ve been attempting to move on the offensive, and they have had some success with taking minor amounts of terrain.

    And as they — the cost of taking that minor amount of terrain, particularly in Donetsk and down around Pokrovsk and Vuhledar, has been the substantial casualties that they’ve incurred there. So, they have attempted to overcome fires with mass of maneuver. And that, I think, is probably the — that is where I would say most of their casualties have come, is because of that offensive.

    I mean, if you look at the salient around Pokrovsk or pointing toward Pokrovsk, the number of Russian forces in there is astounding. It’s tens of thousands of forces that they’ve put into that very small area. And as you know, when you have that many forces in a very small area, indirect fire of any kind or any — or direct fire, for that matter, it’s a target rich environment. So, that’s what I think is the proximate cause or one of the leading proximate causes of those casualties.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Thank you. Let’s go to —

    Q: Wait. Can I just follow up that? Is this artillery war that we’re seeing? Is this the kind of fight? And more to that point, as the time that I’ve spent in Ukraine, they were begging for more artillery shells. Where’s the equipment pinch if any, at the moment?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: So, I’ll allow the senior military official to talk about kind of the nature of the fight. But we are co-chairing the Artillery Capability Coalition with France to support Ukraine’s artillery needs, both for today but also for the future. And what we have seen in the past six months of assiduous work to both increase production, and the US has really led the way here, with increased production of 155 millimeter artillery shells, but also in terms of, you know, increased procurement, increased donations from stocks, and the Czech initiative, which is really sourcing ammunition from around the world, we have seen a much more steady supply of artillery munitions for the Ukrainian forces, and it really has tangibly changed the situation on the battlefield from what you saw, you know, as much as a year ago in terms of the shortages that were being experienced. But there may be more detail from the SMO.

    SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: I don’t know, Charlie, that I have too much to add except, yeah, there is, as you know, a huge amount of artillery that’s being exchanged back and forth.

    I would just note, and again, this is probably fairly obvious to all, that if you’re undergoing an artillery barrage while you’re on defense, that’s a little bit better than if you’re undergoing an artillery barrage while you’re on the offense and you’re exposed. You have to leave from, you know, the revetments that you’re hiding behind, the berms, etc., and move out across open terrain. So, I think that that — those two factors combine to add up to what we’re seeing in terms of casualty producing effects.

    Q: Thanks to both.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Thanks. Let’s go to Chris Gordon, Air and Space Forces Magazine.

    Q:  Thanks, Pat. And thank you to the officials. For the senior military official, how are Ukraine’s F-16s being used? What sort of missions is Ukraine conducting with its F-16s, and how much are they still reliant on their Soviet era fleet?

    And then secondly for either official, the US announced last month it will train 18 Ukrainian F-16 pilots next year. Where will those pilots be trained? What’s the timeline for that training? What is the experience level of the pilots that will be trained? Could it include newer pilots, if we have any more fidelity on that announcement? Thank you.

    SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Hey, Chris, thanks. I’ll take the first part of the question. You know, I can’t go into a lot of detail on exactly how the Ukrainians are using their F-16s, except to say, you know, it is a different kind of weapon system, as you’re well aware, from the Soviet and Russian technology that they’ve employed in the past, and so there is a bit of a transition there.

    Our — you know, the overall recommendation is, whenever you’re adopting a new technology to make sure that you’re mastering it, you know how to use it, you’ve got the appropriate amount of experience with it before you try to do too much with it. And I’ll just leave it at that.

    You know, as far as how they’re — as far as how they’re employing it, etc., I really can’t go into those details here. But I do think that over time, as they increase their proficiency, as the numbers increase, as the pilots that the senior defense official will give you a little bit of background here on a second increases, you’ll see the battlefield effects that that platform is able to provide increase.

    And, you know, I would also just highlight, you know, the F-16 program, many of us seem to — we tend to think of it as what is its immediate impact going to be. But this is really about the long term security of Ukraine and how we set them up to be — interoperability with Western forces over the longer term and how they can defend their airspace over the longer term. So, some of it certainly is going to apply to the current battle, but I think of this as a much more longer term project.

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Great. And the 18 pilots, this is really just the latest number of pilots that we are pulling into the F-16 training pipeline. As you may recall, the Air Force Capability Coalition is a co-led effort by the Netherlands, Denmark and the United States. And working with the Ukrainians and those allies, we actually work together to identify slots in multiple countries.

    So, the US is hosting some, but there’s other countries that host other pieces of the training pipeline, and that includes everything from, you know, the English language training that is typically necessary at the front end to basic pilot training to the more advanced F-16 pilot training. So, we work together to construct a pipeline that makes sense for the skill level of each individual pilot.

    And it is a mix. Some have been experienced pilots, and we still are, you know, receiving more experienced pilots, but there’s also those that do not have that kind of pilot training and experience.

    Q: Can I just clarify one thing you said there? Of those 18, are those a mix of countries, or are those all in the US?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: It’s — there’s a mix of locations for the different pieces of the training pipeline. And that’s true not just of the 18, that’s true across the board. And I won’t get into the specific details of exactly who is training in which location out of respect for operational security.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Thank you. Let’s go to NBC, Courtney Kube.

    Q:  Hey, I’m sorry. We had some technical problems on our end early, so forgive me if you’ve already addressed this. But can you tell us anything about the South Korean announcement that some North Korean troops may be joining Russia to fight in Ukraine? Have you seen any seen any indications of that, whether it’s individuals or equipment that’s moving in that direction?

    And then on the — on F-16s in general, I wonder has Ukraine I guess briefed you on the F-16 crash from several weeks ago on the cause of that yet? Can you share anything that you’ve learned on that?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: So, I’ll just say on the question about the reports coming out, including the one from South Korea, we don’t have anything additional to add. In the past, we have spoken about the support that North Korea has provided Russia in terms of munitions. But I don’t have anything to add to this latest — this latest news report.

    And in terms of F-16s and the specific investigation, we would refer you to the Ukrainians on anything they may want to offer on that.

    Q: When you say you don’t have anything to add on the North Korea, I mean, do you — does that mean that the US doesn’t have any indications that’s true? Are you — I mean, are you — it’s from South Korea, a close US ally. So, I mean, is it that you just haven’t seen anything of that, or do you not think that it’s actually accurate?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: So, I don’t have any other specific information to add beyond what you have seen in the — in the media reporting.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Ok. Thank you very much. Let’s go to Defense News, Noah Robertson.

    Q: Hey, thank you both for doing this. I have two questions. The first is on the discussion of Ukrainian made drones that you had at the top. As early as this summer, some senior US military officials were saying, including in interviews that I did, about Ukrainian drones are more of a nuisance rather than a capability that could replace some of the precision strikes being provided by the US. I now hear a more positive tone coming from the two officials on this call. I’m wondering if you can describe, A, whether anything has changed with the advanced nature of their capabilities, or B, whether the Ukrainians are just getting better at integrating these capabilities in counter EW operations? And then I have a second question. Thank you.

    SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL Noah, thanks. Thanks for the question. I certainly am more positive than some of that — some of the other officials that you are referencing. I do think the Ukrainian made drones are doing very well. And we’ve seen — you know, there’s clear evidence of that with some of the one-way attack drone. Attacks against the ammo storage points is a very easy example to leverage.

    I think — you know, I would say it’s a little bit of both. I would say that there’s some capability enhancements, and I wouldn’t want to go into the details of those for operational security reasons. But I know, of course, that the Ukrainians are rapidly innovating on the battlefield with their capabilities. The pressure of war will have that effect on any military. And so, there certainly are capability enhancements that have happened very rapidly.

    And also, they are getting just, you know, more sophisticated in their tactics, techniques and procedures. And so, I think it’s a combination of both of those things that have — if there has been an increase of effectiveness, which, again, I think it’s reasonable to say that there has, and that these will continue to improve in effectiveness over time. It’s for those two reasons.

    Q: A second question is on the provision of aid by China. I know to this point US officials in the Pentagon have described this as dual use aid. Kurt Campbell went out publicly and said that it went beyond that last month. Do you have indications that China is providing direct lethal aid, or has that still not changed?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: So, I don’t have any new information beyond what the administration has released previously on China’s support for Russia.

    Q: Is it fair to say that it’s increased at least?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: I think it depends on what time frame you look at. I wouldn’t be able to give you a specific sense of kind of quantitative or even qualitative over time. But certainly, we are concerned about China’s support for Russia in the midst of this horrific war.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Ok, we’ve got time for just a couple more. Let’s go to Fox News, Jen Griffin.

    Q: Thank you, Pat. I wanted to ask about the Ukraine Contact Group and whether the postponement or canceling has anything to do with the fact that it is harder and harder to get donations of weaponry. Anything that you can quantify in terms of difficulties in getting weaponry right now for Ukraine?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Absolutely not, Jen. I would say that this is really just all about the president wanting to take care of his responsibilities here in the United States as Hurricane Milton bears down on US territory, and it has absolutely nothing to do with international support.

    We were really looking forward to a host of countries participating and also making new donation announcements. So, I see continued very strong support from the donor community, both in terms of individual donations but also, increasingly, in terms of participation in these capability coalitions, where you see countries coming together to coordinate how they are making future procurements for Ukraine’s future force and giving Ukraine a better sense of predictability about its weapons supplies over time.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Ok. And last question. We’ll go to Bloomberg, Tony Capaccio.

    Q:  I think Tony just stepped away, so I’m going to take it for us if that’s ok, Natalia Drozdiak. Thanks so much for doing this. I just have two questions. For the SMO on Kursk, are you still confident that Ukraine can hold that territory through the winter, given the likely difficulties they’re going to have in terms of maintaining supply lines?

    And then secondly, for the senior defense official, about the aid package to support Ukraine’s drone production, was that the first time that the US was investing directly in Ukraine’s industrial production? And if so, have there been any sort of conditions set around that, like when it comes to preventing corruption or anything? Thanks.

    SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Hey, thanks, Natalia. On the Kursk question, my assessment is that the Ukrainians will be able to maintain their position in Kursk for some amount of time here into the future, I think several months and potentially beyond. You know, the battlefield is ultimately unpredictable.

    But if I look at the combat power ratios, you know, you mentioned supply issues for the Ukrainians, I haven’t seen a significant supply issue on their side. I would tell you I’ve — I would argue that, because this is not the main area where major Russian combat formations have been operating, they have significant logistical issues on their side in terms of repositioning troops and organizing themselves to go on the offensive, etc.

    So, I still think — as I mentioned, there have been some uneven counteroffensives, some limited counteroffensives by the Russians, but there’s been nothing that would indicate to me that they’re ready to make a major play toward taking Kursk back. And I don’t think they’ll be able to do it anytime soon.

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: So, in terms of your question about kind of investments in Ukrainian defense industry, we have cooperated with Ukrainian defense industry in the past. And I think it’s important to note that, with our Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative authorities, these are contracting mechanisms, so these are procurement mechanisms in which we have contract with companies. So, it’s a very um kind of rigorous way of accounting for the procurement. And we will do the same with this as we would do with any other procurement.

    And I would say that we — the experiences that we’ve had most recently with Ukraine defense industry in the context of the war that have been tremendously successful revolve around our — what we call our FrankenSAM project. So, it’s the project where we combined Soviet type air defense systems with Western technologies and munitions. And we actually partnered US companies with Ukrainian companies and engineers to devise this very creative way forward that has helped Ukraine deal with massive shortages in air defense interceptors and systems. So, from that experience, we took away a very positive sense of the possibilities of cooperating with Ukraine’s defense industry.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: All right. Well, thank you.

    Q: This is Phil Stewart. Is there any way — is there any way we could just clarify, because I think a lot of people are confused, if the senior defense official was confirming that there are North Korean soldiers fighting in — alongside Russia and Ukraine?

    SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Sorry, Phil. No, I am just saying that the only information I have is this open source information, and I do not have additional information to offer.

    MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Right. In other words, we have nothing to corroborate those reports, if that makes sense. Ok. All right.

    Well, again, I want to thank our senior defense official, our senior military official. As a reminder, this discussion today was on background. Thank you for joining us. That’s all the time we have. Out here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Upcoming US Law Webinars – November 2024

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    We are excited about what the changing of the season has brought us so far and with that, the Law Library of Congress is offering more educational webinars in November. The Law Library of Congress’s next offerings will be a Lunch and Learn webinar concerning the use of secondary sources, an Orientation to Legal Research webinar on federal legislative history, and an Orientation to Law Library Collections webinar with a special guest from the Alaska State Court Law Library. We hope you can join us.

    Flyer announcing the Lunch and Learn Webinar titled, “Using Secondary Sources in Legal Research.” The webinar will take place on November 5, 2024 at 1:00 PM EST. Created by Taylor Gulatsi.

    A Lunch and Learn Webinar: Using Secondary Sources in Legal Research

    Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST

    Content: This webinar will provide an overview of secondary sources such as legal encyclopedias, treatises, and dictionaries. In addition, the webinar will provide examples to show how these resources are used in practice. The presentation will demonstrate how secondary sources are an important step in the legal research method and how they can guide researchers to primary sources. Many of the materials and content for this webinar have come from the Law Library’s research guide, Legal Research: A Guide to Secondary Resources.

    Instructors: Olivia Kane-Cruz and Linnea Eberhart. Olivia Kane-Cruz is a legal reference librarian at the Law Library of Congress. Olivia holds a B.A. in political science from Humboldt State University (Cal Poly Humboldt), a J.D. and a master of environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School, and an M.L.I.S. from the University of Washington. Linnea holds a B.A. in international studies and criminology from the University of South Florida Judy Genshaft Honors College, a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and an M.S.I. from Florida State University. She is currently a Librarian-in-Residence at the Law Library.

    Register here. 

    An Orientation to Legal Research Webinar: Federal Legislative History

    Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST

    Content: This entry in the series provides an overview of U.S. federal legislative history resources, including information about the methods of identifying and locating them. In tackling this area of research, the focus will largely be on finding these documents online.

    Instructor: Jason Zarin. Jason is a legal reference specialist at the Law Library. Jason has a B.A. in economics from Tufts University, an M.A. in economics from UCLA, a J.D. from the University of Southern California, an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University, and a Master of Science in information systems from the University of Texas at Austin.

    Register here.

    An Orientation to Law Library Collections Webinar feat. the Alaska State Court Law Library

    Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST

    Content: This webinar is designed for patrons who are familiar with legal research, and would instead prefer an introduction to the collections and services specific to the Law Library of Congress. Some of the resources attendees will learn about include the Law Library’s research guides, digital collections, and the Guide to Law Online, among others. This Orientation to Law Library Collections webinar will feature a special appearance by Susan Falk, State Law Librarian for the Alaska State Court Law Library as part of our 50 State Outreach Program.

    Instructor: Anna Price. Anna is a legal reference librarian at the Law Library. Anna holds a B.S. in communications from Ithaca College, a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, and an M.L.I.S. from the University of Washington iSchool.

    Register here.

    To learn about other upcoming classes on domestic and foreign law topics, visit the Legal Research Institute.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Releases Report Highlighting Senate Record of Plans Passed Into Laws, Fights Won for Massachusetts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 10, 2024
    Senator Warren has beaten special interests, fought for workers and consumers, and worked across the aisle to lift up the middle class in Massachusetts and beyond
    Senator Warren has passed 44 bills into law; 60% of passed bills are bipartisan
    Text of Report (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released a new report detailing her record of fighting — and winning — for consumers and working families in Massachusetts and across the country. The report, titled “From Plans to Law: Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Record of Accomplishments from 2013 – 2024,” provides a comprehensive overview of Senator Warren’s record of success in the Senate, from taking on special interests, to fighting for workers and consumers, to working across the aisle to lift up the middle class. 
    Senator Warren has passed 44 bills into law by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Over 60% of these bills passed into law were bipartisan. In addition to standalone legislation, Senator Warren secured 110 provisions in the annual National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs) signed into law by Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden. Senator Warren has also secured more than $50 billion in federal investments for Massachusetts, including more than $20 billion during the Biden-Harris Administration.
    Senator Warren has attended hundreds of hearings and served as the chair of three subcommittees: the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee’s Economic Policy subcommittee, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Personnel subcommittee, and the Senate Finance Committee’s Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth subcommittee. She has chaired 28 subcommittee hearings over the last three and a half years — including three held in Massachusetts.
    Senator Warren has also aggressively used the power of congressional oversight to fight for working families, writing thousands of oversight letters to government officials and private sector CEOs, and using the information she obtains to effect change by the private sector and by the executive branch, and to inform her legislative work. She has released over 40 investigative reports exposing issues from broken policies in U.S. trade agreements to the failure of big banks to rein in scams to the failure of the pharmaceutical industry to meet its promises to provide lower-cost insulin for patients.
    Key accomplishments include:
    Senator Warren made corporations pay a fairer share — and used the revenue to combat the climate crisis. Senator Warren introduced legislative proposals to make big corporations pay their fair share, and published a report showing how multi-billion-dollar corporations exploit loopholes to pay pennies on the dollar of what they should owe. Congress enacted Senator Warren’s 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, meaning the CAMT helped pay for the largest climate package in U.S. history. It was the first corporate tax increase in three decades.
    This year, Senator Warren worked across the aisle to guarantee automatic cash refunds for canceled flights. Senator Warren worked with Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) to pass a bipartisan amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, requiring airlines to guarantee automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights — defeating airline lobbyists’ efforts to block the provision.
    Senator Warren pushed to get rid of junk pharma patents, paving the way for more generics to come to market. In response to Big Pharma’s abuse of the patent system, which keeps generic competitors from entering the market and lowering costs for consumers, Senator Warren pushed the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and FDA to strengthen their oversight of pharmaceutical companies and close regulatory loopholes that these companies exploit to limit competition. She also pushed the FTC to crack down on junk patents. The FTC’s subsequent enforcement caused multiple companies to remove junk patents from the FDA’s Orange Book and contributed to the overwhelming public pressure on inhaler manufacturers that led them to slash costs for patients from hundreds of dollars to just $35.
    Read the full report here.
    Senator Warren has used her legislative power to score major wins for working people, including:
    Securing $50 billion in federal investment for Massachusetts through the American Rescue Plan Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Chips and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.
    Preventing a collapse in child care infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic by rapidly developing a plan to inject $50 billion in emergency funding into the child care system and leading the Child Care is Essential Act.
    Breaking the hearing aid monopoly in partnership with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), lowering costs for people with hearing loss.
    Securing $100 million to fight the opioid crisis and passing her slate of five bipartisan bills, as part of the SUPPORT Act.
    Safeguarding abortion care for military veterans and servicemembers.
    Protecting servicemembers from blast overpressure with a bipartisan bill (co-led with Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)), many elements of which the Department of Defense later incorporated into its updated blast overpressure policies.
    Defending servicemembers’ rights by requiring the Department of Defense to create the first-ever military housing complaint database and investigate sexual assault and harassment of students in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (JROTC).
    Securing investments in scientific research and development, and passed her bipartisan proposal to increase the inclusion of women participants in medical research, which was adopted as part of the 21st Century Cures Act.
    Passing a bipartisan bill (co-led with Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.)) to help workers and retirees keep track of their retirement accounts across jobs.
    Cracking down on wealthy tax cheats by introducing a bill to increase funding for the IRS — a priority which was later included in the Inflation Reduction Act, which appropriated a historic $80 billion increase in IRS funding over ten years.
    Lowering prescription drug costs by championing key provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that directly reduced the cost of insulin, limited out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs for seniors, and allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers for the first time.
    Senator Warren’s oversight work has reined in corporate abuse, including:
    Pressuring Wells Fargo CEOs John Stumpf and Tim Sloan, as well as members of the Wells Fargo Board of Directors, to resign after cheating consumers..
    Pressuring Zelle to reimburse defrauded customers and change policies to protect consumers.
    Helping to block powerful mergers that would have raised costs, including Jet Blue / Spirit, Choice Hotels / Wyndham Hotels, Aetna / Humana, and Lockheed Martin / Aerojet.
    Securing relief for victims of Corinthian College and other predatory for-profit schools.
    Holding student loan servicers accountable, leading to Navient exiting the federal student loan system.
    Protecting renters by opening an investigation into RealPage, a software that helped corporate landlords engage in apparent price fixing.
    Prompting the delisting of key sham patents in FDA’s Orange Book, paving the way for more generic competition for critical drugs.
    Helping return $16.1 million of taxpayer money to the Department of Defense from military contractor TransDigm.
    Securing ethics commitments from high-level nominees to avoid conflicts of interest and shut the revolving door.
    Senator Warren has influenced executive actions and policy-making to advance key priorities, including:
    Laying the groundwork for regulators to put money back in Americans’ pockets by curbing overdraft fees and credit card late fees.
    Successfully encouraging the FDA to follow the science and reduce barriers to accessing mifepristone, one of two drugs used in medication abortion, including by allowing the medication to be dispensed at certified pharmacies and by mail.
    Helping to ban non-competes, making wages and benefits more competitive for workers.
    Helping establish a program for millions of Americans to file their taxes directly with the IRS, for free.
    Protecting seniors by securing a minimum staffing requirement for nursing homes, which will save over 13,000 lives each year.
    Protecting retirees from bad advice from investment brokers by leading an investigation into conflicts of interest.
    Fighting against the FDA’s discriminatory blood donation ban for men who have sex with men, leading FDA to replace the policy with one that better reflects the most up-to-date science.
    Working to stop Big Tech’s attempt to sneak unfair practices into digital trade agreements.
    Leading the charge to cancel student loan debt for almost 5 million Americans.
    Sounding the alarm about bank consolidation for years, contributing to President Biden’s action to strengthen DOJ bank merger guidelines.
    Read the full report here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Lawmakers Renew Legislative Push to Stop Private Equity Looting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 10, 2024
    Warren, Lawmakers Renew Legislative Push to Stop Private Equity Looting
    The bill would close loopholes and end incentives for private equity pillaging.
    Updated text responds to private equity’s ruinous takeover of now-bankrupt Steward Health Care, preventing a similar collapse from ever happening again.
    Text of Bill (PDF) | Text of One-Pager (PDF) | Text of Section-by-Section (PDF) | Text of Economic Analysis (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – Today, United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.),Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Representatives Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), reintroduced the Stop Wall Street Looting Act, comprehensive legislation to fundamentally reform the private equity industry and level the playing field by forcing private investment firms to take responsibility for the outcomes of companies they take over, empowering workers and protecting investors. This reintroduction comes after private equity firm Cerberus looted Steward Health Care, leaving hospitals, patients, and workers hanging out to dry.
    “Private equity takeovers are legal looting that make a handful of Wall Street executives very rich while costing thousands of people their jobs, putting valuable companies out of ­business, and in the case of health care, is literally a matter of life and death,” said Senator Warren. “Our bill is designed to close loopholes and end incentives for private equity pillaging – and it will make sure what happened at Steward never happens again.”
    “When out-of-state investors buy Wisconsin companies only to turn a quick profit and shutter their doors, it’s Wisconsin workers and communities that suffer. I’m committed to ensuring that when Wisconsin businesses are purchased, Wisconsin families are protected and not left high and dry like we’ve seen in places like Janesville, Green Bay, and Waukesha,” said Senator Baldwin. “Our legislation will help put workers and our community first – protecting them from predatory practices that too often result in devastating job losses for Wisconsin’s working families.”
    “More and more Americans are feeling the presence of private equity in our economy, including in critical sectors like housing and health care,” said Senator Smith. “They arrive promising to revitalize communities and turn around struggling hospitals and companies, but far too often, they extract value for themselves at the expense of workers and ordinary people. This bill will help put an end to their most egregious practices and provide accountability.”
    “The greed of private equity robs too many Americans of stability, security, and prosperity. In Massachusetts, the Steward Health Care crisis is just one example of private equity sacrificing the long-term prosperity of workers, customers, and communities for their short-term profits. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act would finally prevent private equity firms from monetizing productive sectors of the economy and hollowing them out by laying off workers and closing businesses. We need to put in guardrails for private equity to ensure they cannot sacrifice people for profits,” said Senator Markey.
    “It’s long past time for billionaires and big corporations to stop gambling with hardworking Americans’ and their communities’ assets in service of corporate greed,” Representative Pocan said. “In Wisconsin, we’ve seen what happens when private equity firms like Sun Capital raid companies for their wealth and leave workers and communities to pick up the pieces. When Sun Capital took over Shopko – a Wisconsin-based retail chain that had stood strong for more than 50 years – they drained it dry, buried it in debt, pushed it into bankruptcy, and abandoned roughly 14,000 workers. This bill will finally hold these predatory firms accountable and protect workers from being plundered by corporate greed.”
    Since 2020, private equity fund assets have grown exponentially, reaching nearly $8 trillion in 2023 compared to $4.5 trillion in 2020. Private equity funds have purchased companies in nearly every sector of the economy — from nursing homes, to newspapers, to grocery stores — laying off hundreds of thousands of workers and ruining thousands of companies in the process.
    The private equity industry claims to invest in companies while also earning high returns for investors by using their management expertise to make the companies’ operations more efficient, and then selling the companies at a profit. In reality, private equity funds often load mountains of debt on the companies they buy, strip them of their assets, and extract exorbitant fees and dividends, guaranteeing payouts for themselves regardless of how the investment performs. When their debt-ridden investments go belly-up, private equity funds walk away with no responsibility for the mess they create, leaving workers in the lurch and forcing communities to clean up their mess.
    It’s time to level the playing field, protect workers, consumers, and investors, and force private equity firms to take responsibility for the companies they control. This bill does so by closing the loopholes that allow private equity to capture all the rewards of their investments while insulating themselves from risk and liability. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act will:
    Require Private Investment Funds to Have Skin in the Game: Private equity firms, the firm’s general partners, and their insiders will all be on the hook for the liabilities of companies under their control—including debt, legal judgments, and pension-related obligations—to better align the incentives of private equity firms and the companies they own. Liability would not extend to the fund’s limited partners, ensuring that only those that control portfolio firms are on the hook. In order to encourage more responsible use of debt, the bill ends the tax subsidy for excessive leverage and closes the carried interest loophole.
    End Looting of Portfolio Companies. To give portfolio companies a shot at success, the bill limits how much money private equity firms can extract from companies and closes the loophole that private equity firms have used to hide certain assets from bankruptcy courts. Every transaction since Steward Health Care was bought by private equity would be subject to review as part of Steward’s bankruptcy to determine whether it can be clawed back as a fraudulent transfer.
    Protect Workers, Customers and Communities. This proposal prevents private equity firms from walking away when a company fails and protects workers and communities by:
    Prioritizing workers’ pay in the bankruptcy process and amending the laws to increase the priority claims for unpaid earnings and other benefits from $10,000 to $20,000 per worker.
    Creating incentives for job retention so that workers can benefit from a company’s second chance.
    Ending the immunity of private equity firms from legal liability when their portfolio companies break the law, including the WARN Act. When workers at a plant are shortchanged or residents at a nursing home are hurt because private equity firms force portfolio companies to cut corners, the firm should be liable.
    Expanding protections for striking workers by clarifying unfair labor practices and the employer duty to bargain.
    Empower Investors by Increasing Transparency. Private equity managers will be required to disclose fees, returns, and other information about their funds and the corporate loans they make so that investors can monitor their investments. This would have required Cerberus to disclose the terms of its investments in Steward Health Care, which Cerberus continues to withhold from Congress.
    Put Guardrails Around Accessing Public Funds. Firms receiving any funds from a federal or state agency must publicly disclose how the funds are used and will be prohibited from acquiring any company or making a distribution to investors for two years after receipt.
    Drive REITS out of Health Care. Prohibits payments from federal health programs to entities that sell assets or use assets for a loan collateral made to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) d; repeals a rule in the Tax Code that allows taxable REIT subsidiaries to exert influence on the operations of health care entities; and removes the 20 percent pass-through deduction, passed in the 2017 Trump tax cuts, for all REIT investors. Ralph de la Torre executed a sale-leaseback transaction of the Steward properties in exchange for a $1.25B payout from a REIT; this would have banned the hospitals from continuing to receive federal dollars upon executing the property sale—thus likely preventing the sale.
    The bill is supported by Action Center on Race and the Economy, AFL-CIO, American Economic Liberties Project, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Financial Reform, Center for Popular Democracy, Coalition for Patient-Centered Care, Communications Workers of America, Community Catalyst, Economic Policy Institute, Indivisible, Massachusetts Nurses Association, National Employment Law Project, National Nurses United, National Women’s Law Center, Private Equity Stakeholder Project, People’s Action, Public Citizen, SEIU, Strong for All, Student Borrower Protection Center, Take Medicine Back, Take on Wall Street, UNITE HERE, United for Respect, Working Families Party, and Worth Rises.
    “Private equity has an immense impact on the U.S. economy, touching virtually every aspect of life from healthcare to housing to technology to retail and more. Private equity’s extractive playbook harms workers and communities, diminishes access to quality affordable health care, worsens the housing crisis and the climate crisis, and perpetuates systemic racism. Without major changes, a handful of ultra wealthy Wall Street executives will continue getting richer at everyone else’s expense. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act takes important, much needed steps to reign in Wall Street predatory practices and promote a just and sustainable economy,” said Lisa Donner, Executive Director, Americans for Financial Reform.
    “Union busting, pollution, and bankruptcy aren’t side effects of the private equity model: they are the model,” said Porter McConnell, Take on Wall Street. “It’s a smash-and-grab, plain and simple. That’s why we are so pleased to see comprehensive legislation like the Stop Wall Street Looting Act introduced in Congress today. We created the loopholes in the law that allowed the private equity industry to thrive, and we can end them. Our communities, our economy, and our democracy are depending on it.” 
    “As we fight for more public investment in the child care sector, we must also rein in private equity’s ability to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. Building guardrails – such as those in the Stop Wall Street Looting Act – will help put the wellbeing of children and families ahead of private equity’s profits,” said Melissa Boteach, Vice President, Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning, National Women’s Law Center.
    “Private equity firms, which control nearly $15 trillion in assets, routinely prioritize quick, outsized profits, at the expense of workers, patients, renters, and local economies as part of their business model,” said Chris Noble, Policy Director for the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “The Stop Wall Street Looting Act provides an essential check on this opaque industry. By addressing the systemic risks tied to debt-laden private equity buyouts, this legislation prioritizes the long-term health of businesses and communities over short-term profits for wealthy private equity executives.” 
    “Private equity should have no influence over medical treatment decisions made jointly by independent physicians and their patients. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act goes a long way towards ensuring physicians, in consultation with their patients, are able to deliver quality, patient-centered, cost-efficient care without corporate interference,” said Dr. Stephen M. McCollam, Chair, Coalition for Patient-Centered Care.
    “Wall Street private equity firms have proven themselves to be a parasite on workers, our economy, and American retailers by gutting companies for profit and driving mass layoffs. Holding billionaire profiteers accountable for the damage they do to our working families and communities is imperative to addressing growing economic inequality,” said United for Respect Co-Executive Directors Bianca Agustin and Terrysa Guerra in a joint statement. “The Stop Wall Street Looting Act will help close loopholes in our laws that for too long have allowed private equity to pillage companies and amass huge profits while workers lose their jobs and are left with nothing. United For Respect is proud to support this bill — and we need all legislators to join us in protecting workers and putting Wall Street on the hook for the havoc they reap.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Leads Illinois Delegation In Requesting $50 Million In Reimbursements For MWRD’s Work On the Thornton Reservoir

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    10.10.24
    The reimbursed funds would be used to support environmental justice communities in becoming more climate-resilient
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), today sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor urging the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to include $50 million in construction funds in its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Work Plan to reimburse the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago for the work it has completed on the design and construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir.  As the lawmakers noted in their letter, including funding to reimburse MWRD would allow the agency to focus on supporting environmental justice communities.
    “We are writing to request that you include $50 million in Construction funds in the Army Corps of Engineers’ (Army Corps) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Work Plan to reimburse the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago for design and construction work conducted on the Thornton Composite Reservoir,” the lawmakers wrote.
    “This funding will allow MWRD to reinvest in the historically underserved and low-income communities of Robbins, Harvey, Glenwood, Ford Heights, South Holland, Dolton, Calumet City, Lansing, Markham, Dixmoor, and Thornton, Illinois,” the lawmakers continued their letter.
    In 2009, MWRD executed an amendment to its Project Cooperation Agreement with the Army Corps for the design and construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir, enabling MWRD to work on the project while being eligible for federal reimbursement.  Despite the reservoir being in service since 2015 and providing $40 million per year in flood reduction benefits to 14 communities, the Army Corps still owes MWRD approximately $200 million in reimbursements.
    “Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers owes MWRD approximately $200 million in reimbursements for the cost of designing and constructing the Thornton Reservoir, which is needed to support disadvantaged communities struggling with flooding.  For example, Cook County experienced extreme flooding during two storms events in 2023 that led to two major disaster declarations,” the lawmakers wrote.  “Some of these reimbursement funds would be used to match FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant funding for projects to address flood damages in Chicago’s south suburbs.  Including a $50 million reimbursement in the FY2025 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan will ensure that MWRD can work to protect these communities from the next set of disasters driven by the climate crisis.”
    MWRD has preemptively ensured that the reimbursed funds would be used to support environmental justice communities, addressing existing damage and improving climate-resilience.
    “MWRD has applied the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and confirmed that the requested funding will be used to fund stormwater management projects in six Justice40 disadvantaged communities,” the lawmakers wrote.  “These communities include areas that meet both the socioeconomic indicators and the CEQ/Justice 40 Initiative Key Categories, including: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, reduction and remediation of legacy pollution, critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure, health burdens, and workforce development. This reimbursement will help these communities create resilient futures.”
    The lawmakers concluded their letter by emphasizing the necessity of including the reimbursement funds in the FY25 Work Plan to support environmental justice communities.
    “As the Corps determines how to best address its environmental justice obligations, we strongly urge you to include $50 million in Construction funds for reimbursement to MWRD in the FY 2025 Work Plan.  The reimbursement to MWRD will help create a better future for the disadvantaged communities of Robbins, Harvey, Glenwood, Ford Heights, South Holland, Dolton, Calumet City, Lansing, Markham, Dixmoor, and Thornton, Illinois,” the lawmakers concluded the letter.
    Durbin has previously secured additional reimbursements from the Corps for its work on Thornton Reservoir.  In Fiscal Year 2022, Durbin secured $12 million in reimbursement funds in the Army Corps’ FY22 Work Plan.  The following year, Durbin secured $7.2 million in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Construction Spend Plan for the project.  In Fiscal Year 2024, Durbin also secured $20 million in the Army Corps’ work plan for reimbursement.
    A copy of the letter is available here and below:
    October 10, 2024
    Dear Assistant Secretary Connor:
    We are writing to request that you include $50 million in Construction funds in the Army Corps of Engineers’ (Army Corps) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Work Plan to reimburse the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago for design and construction work conducted on the Thornton Composite Reservoir.
    This funding will allow MWRD to reinvest in the historically underserved and low- income communities of Robbins, Harvey, Glenwood, Ford Heights, South Holland, Dolton, Calumet City, Lansing, Markham, Dixmoor, and Thornton, Illinois. It will build on this year’s $20 million in the FY2024 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan; last year’s $7.2 million reimbursement to MWRD inthe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Construction Spend Plan, Summer 2023 Addendum; and the $12 million in the FY2022 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan, allowing MWRD to complete construction of the Robbins Flood Protection Project. 
    In 2009, MWRD executed an amendment to its Project Cooperation Agreement with the Army Corps for the design and construction of the Thornton Composite Reservoir. This enabledMWRD to design and construct the Thornton Composite Reservoir project and allowed it to be eligible for federal reimbursement. The reservoir was put into service in 2015 and now provides an estimated $40 million per year in flood reduction benefits to 14 communities, protecting more than 35,000 structures from flooding. 
    Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers owes MWRD approximately $200 million in reimbursements for the cost of designing and constructing the Thornton Reservoir, which is needed to support disadvantaged communities struggling with flooding.  For example, Cook County experienced extreme flooding during two storms events in 2023 that led to two major disaster declarations.  Some of these reimbursement funds would be used to match FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant funding for projects to address flood damages in Chicago’s south suburbs.  Including a $50 million reimbursement in the FY2025 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan will ensure that MWRD can work to protect these communities from the next set of disasters driven by the climate crisis.
    MWRD has applied the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and confirmed that the requested funding will be used to fund
    stormwater management projects in six Justice40 disadvantaged communities.  The Thornton Reservoir’s service area also is in a census tract considered to be disadvantaged under CEQ’s
    criteria. These communities include areas that meet both the socioeconomic indicators and the CEQ/Justice 40 Initiative Key Categories, including: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, reduction and remediation of legacy pollution, critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure, health burdens, and workforce development. This reimbursement will help these communities create resilient futures.
    As the Corps determines how to best address its environmental justice obligations, we strongly urge you to include $50 million in Construction funds for reimbursement to MWRD in the FY 2025 Work Plan.  The reimbursement to MWRD will help create a better future for the disadvantaged communities of Robbins, Harvey, Glenwood, Ford Heights, South Holland, Dolton, Calumet City, Lansing, Markham, Dixmoor, and Thornton, Illinois.  Thank you for your consideration of our request.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Use of AI in property valuation is on the rise – but we need greater transparency and trust

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Cheung, Senior Lecturer, Business School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    New Zealand’s economy has been described as a “housing market with bits tacked on”. Buying and selling property is a national sport fuelled by the rising value of homes across the country.

    But the wider public has little understanding of how those property valuations are created – despite their being a key factor in most banks’ decisions about how much they are willing to lend for a mortgage.

    Automated valuation models (AVM) – systems enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) that crunch vast datasets to produce instant property values – have done little to improve transparency in the process.

    These models started gaining traction in New Zealand in the early 2010s. The early versions used limited data sources like property sales records and council information. Today’s more advanced models include high-quality geo-spatial data from sources such as Land Information New Zealand.

    AI models have improved efficiency. But the proprietary algorithms behind those AVMs can make it difficult for homeowners and industry professionals to understand how specific values are calculated.

    In our ongoing research, we are developing a framework that evaluates these automated valuations. We have looked at how the figures should be interpreted and what factors might be missed by the AI models.

    In a property market as geographically and culturally varied as New Zealand’s, these points are not only relevant — they are critical. The rapid integration of AI into property valuation is no longer just about innovation and speed. It is about trust, transparency and a robust framework for accountability.

    AI valuations are a black box

    In New Zealand, property valuation has traditionally been a labour-intensive process. Valuers would usually inspect properties, make market comparisons and apply their expert judgement to arrive at a final value estimate.

    But this approach is slow, expensive and prone to human error. As demand for more efficient property valuations increased, the use of AI brought in much-needed change.

    But the rise of these valuations models is not without its challenges. While AI offers speed and consistency, it also comes with a critical downside: a lack of transparency.

    AVMs often operate as “black boxes”, providing little insight into the data and methodologies that drive their valuations. This raises serious concerns about the consistency, objectivity and transparency of these systems.

    What exactly the algorithm is doing when an AVM estimates a home’s value is not clear. Such opaqueness has real-world consequences, perpetuating market imbalances and inequities.

    Without a framework to monitor and correct these discrepancies, AI models risk distorting the property market further, especially in a country as diverse as New Zealand, where regional, cultural and historical factors significantly influence property values.

    Transparency and accountability

    A recent discussion forum with real estate industry insiders, law researchers and computer scientists on AI governance and property valuations highlighted the need for greater accountability when it comes to AVMs. Transparency alone is not enough. Trust must be built into the system.

    This can be achieved by requiring AI developers and users to disclose data sources, algorithms and error margins behind their valuations.

    Additionally, valuation models should incorporate a “confidence interval” – a range of prices that shows how much the estimated value might vary. This offers users a clearer understanding of the uncertainty inherent in each valuation.

    But effective AI governance in property valuation cannot be achieved in isolation. It demands collaboration between regulators, AI developers and property professionals.

    Bias correction

    New Zealand urgently needs a comprehensive evaluation framework for AVMs, one that prioritises transparency, accountability and bias correction.

    This is where our research comes in. We repeatedly resample small portions of the data to account for situations where property value data do not follow a normal distribution.

    This process generates a confidence interval showing a range of possible values around each property estimate. Users are then able to understand the variability and reliability of the AI-generated valuations, even when the data are irregular or skewed.

    Our framework goes beyond transparency. It incorporates a bias correction mechanism that detects and adjusts for constantly overvalued or undervalued estimates within AVM outputs. One example of this relates to regional disparities or undervaluation of particular property types.

    By addressing these biases, we ensure valuations that are not only accountable or auditable but also fair. The goal is to avoid the long-term market distortions that unchecked AI models could create.

    The rise of AI auditing

    But transparency alone is not enough. The auditing of AI-generated information is becoming increasingly important.

    New Zealand’s courts now require a qualified person to check information generated by AI and subsequently used in tribunal proceedings.

    In much the same way financial auditors ensure accuracy in accounting, AI auditors will play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of valuations.

    Based on earlier research, we are auditing the artificial valuation model estimates by comparing them with the market transacted prices of the same houses in the same period.

    It is not just about trusting the algorithms but trusting the people and systems behind them.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Use of AI in property valuation is on the rise – but we need greater transparency and trust – https://theconversation.com/use-of-ai-in-property-valuation-is-on-the-rise-but-we-need-greater-transparency-and-trust-240880

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sorensen Helps Secure Over $22,000 for Illinois State University Police

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    PEORIA, IL – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced that he helped secure over $22,000 for Illinois State University (ISU) Police. The money will be used to improve relations with underserved communities on campus. 

    “We need to make sure Illinois State University police have the tools to keep every student and neighbor safe,” said Sorensen. “That means providing them with the resources to engage with the many diverse communities that exist on campus and across Bloomington and Normal. I was proud to help ISU secure this important grant funding that will make their campus safer for students, university police, staff, and faculty.”   

    “Illinois State University Police is grateful to Representative Sorensen for supporting this effort to engage and uplift marginalized voices on our campus,” said Illinois State University Chief of Police Aaron Woodruff. “This funding will create new training, accreditation, and engagement opportunities that will enrich our student experience and enhance safety for the broader Bloomington/Normal community.” 

    The $22,005 in funding for ISU is coming from the Community Policing Development (CPD) Program under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, which provides funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to implement demonstration or pilot projects that offer creative ideas to advance crime fighting, community engagement, problem solving, or organizational changes in support of community policing.  

    This past May, Sorensen wrote a letter on behalf of ISU to the CPD grant program manager in support of the university receiving this grant. Sorensen also led a group of 24 of his colleagues in calling on Congress to fully fund the COPS program in direct response to roundtable discussions and meetings he has hosted with law enforcement from across Central and Northwestern Illinois.   

    Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sorensen Announces $200,000 for Local Police in Winnebago County to Improve Mental Health

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    ROCKFORD, IL – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced $200,000 for law enforcement in Winnebago County to improve access to mental health and wellness services. 

    “When our police are out keeping our neighborhoods safe, they see and encounter problems that we can’t even imagine dealing with,” said Sorensen. “Making sure they have access to proper mental health care is giving our law enforcement the tools they need to thrive. I am grateful that this funding will have a huge impact on improving the daily lives of our brave men and women in law enforcement. I will continue fighting to bring home more resources from the federal government to support our police in Northern Illinois.”   

    “Law enforcement professionals, police officers, correctional officers, telecommunicators and support staff face unique challenges that can impact their mental well-being, making it essential to provide them with the necessary resources and support,” said Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana. “This grant will enable us to implement comprehensive mental health programs, wellness training, and peer support initiatives. We are committed to fostering a supportive environment where our members can prioritize their mental health, ensuring they can serve the community effectively and safely. We greatly appreciate the support from our congressional partners and the community as we work toward this important goal.”  

    The $200,000 in funding for Winnebago County is coming from the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, which provides funding to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through training and technical assistance, demonstration projects, and implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring programs that are national in scope.  

    This past May, Sorensen led a group of 24 of his colleagues in calling on Congress to fully fund the COPS program in direct response to roundtable discussions and meetings he has hosted with law enforcement from across Central and Northwestern Illinois.   

    Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Celebrates International Day of the Girl and Continues Commitment to Supporting Youth in the U.S. and  Abroad

    Source: The White House

    International Day of the Girl provides an opportunity to celebrate the leadership of girls around the world and recommit to addressing the barriers that continue to limit their full participation. Today, to commemorate International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden will host the second “Girls Leading Change” event at the White House to recognize outstanding young women from across the United States who are making a difference in their communities. This year’s event will honor 10 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.  

    The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that girls can pursue their dreams free from fear, discrimination, violence, or abuse; and to advancing the safety, education, health, and wellbeing of girls everywhere. Investing in young people means investing in our future; and they should have the opportunity and resources they need to succeed.

    That’s why, since day one in office, this Administration has taken action to advance the safety, education, health, and well-being of girls, including:

    • Accelerating Learning and Improving Student Achievement. The American Rescue Plan, the largest one-time education investment in our history, included $130 billion to help schools address the impact of the pandemic on student well-being and academic achievement. To sustain these efforts, the Biden-Harris Administration increased funding and targeting of federal grants to better support academic recovery—from the Education Innovation and Research program to extended-day and afterschool programming through 21st Century Community Learning Centers. And the Administration’s Improving Student Achievement Agenda for 2024 is helping accelerate academic performance for every child in school.
    • Canceling Student Debt. President Biden and Vice President Harris vowed to fix the federal student loan program and make sure higher education is a ticket to the middle class—not a barrier to opportunity. The Biden-Harris Administration has approved nearly $170 billion in loan forgiveness for almost 5 million borrowers through more than two dozen executive actions with the goal of helping these borrowers get more breathing room in their daily lives, access economic mobility, buy homes, start businesses, and pursue their dreams.
    • Cutting Child Poverty Nearly in Half in 2021. President Biden and Vice President Harris believe that no child should grow up in poverty. Their expansion of the Child Tax Credit helped cut child poverty nearly in half in 2021 to a record low of 5.2%. President Biden and Vice President Harris are fighting to restore this expansion, which would lift over a million girls out of poverty and narrow racial disparities. The Biden-Harris Administration has also lifted hundreds of thousands of girls out of poverty by updating the Thrifty Food Plan and creating SunBucks, a new program that helps low-income families afford groceries over the summer when they don’t have access to school meals.
    • Supporting Youth Mental Health. President Biden and Vice President Harris believe that health care is a right, not a privilege, and that mental health care is health care—period. That’s why they invested almost $1.5 billion to strengthen the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and launched the National Mental Health Strategy, with ongoing investments to strengthen the mental health workforce, ensure parity for mental health and substance use care, connect Americans to care, and better protect youth from the harms of social media. The Biden-Harris Administration is also delivering the largest investments in school-based mental health services ever, bringing 14,000 new mental health professionals into schools across the country and making it easier for schools to leverage Medicaid to deliver care.
       
    • Preventing Gun Violence, Including Domestic Violence with Firearms. Gun violence is the leading killer of children and teenagers in the United States. President Biden and Vice President Harris have taken historic executive action to reduce gun violence and violent crime. In 2022, President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), the most significant new gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. The intersection between guns and domestic violence can be especially deadly, and BSCA expanded background checks to keep guns out of the hands of more domestic abusers, narrowed the “boyfriend loophole” so an individual convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against a dating partner is prohibited from purchasing a firearm, and expanded funding for red flag laws that allow for temporary removal of firearms from an individual who is a danger to themselves or others. President Biden established the first-ever Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris. The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic investments in law enforcement and community-led crime prevention and intervention strategies and has announced more executive actions to reduce gun violence than any other administration. Most recently, building on life-saving actions that the Administration has already taken, President Biden signed a new Executive Order in September 2024 to improve school-based active shooter drills and combat emerging firearms threats. The President and Vice President also announced new actions to support survivors of gun violence, promote safe gun storage, fund community violence intervention, and improve the gun background check system, among other actions.
       
    • Launching the American Climate Corps. President Biden launched the American Climate Corps to give a diverse new generation of young people the tools to fight the impacts of climate change today and the skills to join the clean energy and climate-resilience workforce of tomorrow. The American Climate Corps is tackling the climate crisis, including by restoring coastal ecosystems, strengthening urban and rural agriculture, investing in clean energy and energy efficiency, improving disaster and wildfire preparedness, and more. More than 15,000 young Americans have already been put to work in high-quality, good-paying clean energy and climate resilience workforce training and service opportunities through the American Climate Corps—putting the program on track to reach President Biden’s goal of 20,000 members in the program’s first year ahead of schedule.
       
    • Providing Children with Healthier, More Sustainable Environments. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program has awarded nearly $3 billion and funded approximately 8,700 electric and low-emission school buses nationwide, protecting children from air pollution by transforming school bus fleets across America. The Biden-Harris Administration also invested $15 billion toward replacing every toxic lead pipe in the country within a decade, protecting children and schools from lead exposure that can cause irreversible harm to cognitive development and hamper children’s learning. And earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency provided $58 million to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities.
    • Fighting Online Harassment and Abuse. Online harassment and abuse is increasingly widespread in today’s digitally connected world and disproportionately affects women, girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals. President Biden established the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse to coordinate comprehensive actions from more than a dozen federal agencies, and his Executive Order on artificial intelligence directs federal agencies to address deepfake image-based abuse. The Department of Justice also funded the first-ever national helpline to provide 24/7 support and specialized services for victims of online harassment and abuse, including the non-consensual distribution of intimate images; raised awareness of new legal protections against the non-consensual distribution of intimate images that were included in the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022; and funded a new National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals.
    • Keeping Students Safe and Addressing Campus Sexual Assault. The Department of Education restored and strengthened vital Title IX protections against discrimination on the basis of sex for students and employees. The Department of Justice awarded more than $20 million in FY 2024 to support colleges and universities in preventing and responding to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. And the Department of Education—in collaboration with the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services—launched a Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education that has released data on sexual violence at educational institutions and is working to improve sexual violence prevention and response on campus.
    • Supporting Vulnerable Youth. The Biden-Harris Administration has taken action to support the needs of vulnerable and underserved youth—from helping prevent youth homelessness and human trafficking to supporting employment initiatives for youth with disabilities. This includes $800 million in dedicated funding to support students experiencing homelessness through the President’s American Rescue Plan. The Department of Health and Human Services also issued landmark rules to improve the child welfare system, particularly for the most vulnerable children, and to advance the safety and wellbeing of families across the country, including for LGBTQI+ children in foster care. And the Department of Justice has funded programs to help communities develop, enhance, or expand early intervention programs and treatment services for girls who are involved in the juvenile justice system.

    The Biden-Harris Administration has also taken action to support girls around the globe by fighting to advance the human rights of women and girls and promote access to education, health, and safety, including:

    • Promoting Girls’ Education Globally. The United States is investing in girls’ education around the world, which in turn advances health and economic development. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) invested more than $2.5 billion from FY 2021-2023 to increase access to quality basic and higher education, and reached 18.7 million girls and women in 69 countries in FY23 alone to advance gender equality in and through education. The Departments of State and Labor have also supported efforts to promote girls’ education through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs in Kenya and Namibia, as well as technical and vocational education training centers for adolescent girls in Ethiopia. The United States has strongly condemned the restriction of girls’ education in Afghanistan, including by restricting visas for individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, repressing women and girls by limiting or prohibiting access to education.
    • Closing the Gender Digital Divide. Last year, Vice President Harris launched the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (Wi-DEF) to accelerate progress towards closing the gender digital divide. To date, Wi-DEF has raised over $80 million, including an initial $50 million commitment from USAID. Building on the success of the Fund, the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative includes commitments from governments, private sector companies, foundations, civil society, and multilateral organizations that have pledged more than $1 billion to accelerate gender digital equality. This Initiative supports girls’ access to digital learning opportunities, provides employment and educational skills, and helps fulfill the historic commitment of G20 Leaders to halve the digital gender gap by 2030. Since the launch of Wi-DEF, the United States has invested $102 million in direct and aligned commitments to closing the gender digital divide and accelerating gender digital equality.
    • Preventing and Responding to Online Harassment and Abuse Globally. To address the scourge of online harassment and abuse against girls and women, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the 15-country Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, which has advanced international policies to address online safety and supported programs to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Since the Global Partnership was launched in 2022, the Department of State has supported projects in every region to prevent, document, and address technology-facilitated gender-based violence, cultivate safe online use, and respond to survivors’ needs. 
    • Championing Girls’ Leadership in Addressing the Climate Crisis. In 2023, Vice President Harris announced the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative—an over $2 billion public-private partnership to promote women’s access to jobs in the green and blue industries of the future—including by advancing girls’ access to STEM education. Through WISE, the Department of State is investing more than $12 million in programs to benefit girls, including programs that promote girls’ economic skills and opportunities in STEM and that foster girls’ roles in leading, shaping, and informing equitable and inclusive climate policies and actions.
    • Strengthening HIV Prevention Services for Girls. To address key factors that make adolescent girls and young women particularly vulnerable to HIV, the United States launched the DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe) public-private partnership as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2014. Announced in 2023, PEPFAR’s DREAMS NextGen program is the next phase of DREAMS that will take a more nuanced approach that is responsive to the current context within each of the 15 DREAMS countries. PEPFAR has invested more than $2 billion in comprehensive HIV prevention programming for girls through DREAMS—including $1.3 billion since the start of the Administration—and the program reaches approximately 2.5 to 3 million girls annually.
    • Increasing Efforts to End Child Marriage Globally. To address the global scourge of child, early, and forced marriage, USAID and the Department of State invested $86 million in 27 countries to support programs that prevent and respond to this harmful practice, including by equipping girls and young women with education and workforce readiness skills; providing education, health, legal, and economic support; and raising awareness. Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States also made its first-ever contribution to the UNICEF-UNFPA Global Programme to End Child Marriage, which works in 12 countries in Africa and South Asia to promote the rights of adolescent girls, and is contributing more than $2 million in FY 2024 to UNFPA to help reach refugee adolescent girls and prevent child marriages in humanitarian settings.
    • Leading Programs to End Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting. To address the harmful practice of female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), USAID invested in programs to address this issue in Djibouti, Egypt, Mauritania, and Nigeria. The United States is a long-standing donor to the UNICEF-UNFPA Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, and invested $20 million from FY 2020-FY 2023 in this partnership, which has succeeded in advocating for legal and policy frameworks banning FGM/C in 14 of 17 countries and supported more than 6.3 million women and girls with FGM/C-related protection and care services.
    • Promoting Young Women’s Civic and Political Participation. The Biden-Harris Administration has advanced the political and civic participation of women and girls as a pillar of democracy promotion efforts worldwide. The Administration launched Women LEAD, a $900 million public-private partnership focused on building the pipeline of women leaders around the world, including by supporting programs to reach girls and young women. Under this umbrella, the USAID-led Advancing Women’s and Girls’ Civic and Political Leadership Initiative provides more than $25 million to identify and dismantle the individual, structural, and socio-cultural barriers to the political empowerment of women and girls in ten focus countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Kyrgyz Republic, Yemen, and Fiji. Furthermore, the State Department is launching a new $1.25 million program in Africa that will empower and equip young women leaders to take on decision-making roles in democratic transition processes.
    • Protecting Girls in Humanitarian Emergencies. The United States government has increased its support for girls in humanitarian and fragile contexts. Since 2021, USAID has more than doubled the percentage of its humanitarian budget allocated to the protection sector, which includes child protection and gender-based violence activities serving girls. In FY 2023, USAID provided $163 million specifically towards addressing gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies. In 2022, USAID and the Department of State launched Safe from the Start: ReVisioned, which seeks to better address the needs of girls and women from the onset of a conflict or crisis.
    • Combatting Child Trafficking. To combat child trafficking, including trafficking of girls, the Department of State has committed $37.5 million through Child Protection Compacts, building capacity in Jamaica, Peru, and Mongolia, and establishing new partnerships with Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Romania. These partnerships strengthen country responses to child trafficking to more effectively prosecute and convict traffickers, provide comprehensive trauma-informed care for child victims—including girls—and prevent child trafficking in all its forms.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Spain’s failure to comply with the 2019 directive on work-life balance – P-001637/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    On 16 November 2023, the Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union (with Belgium and Ireland) for failing to notify national measures fully transposing EU rights on Work-life Balance for parents and carers .

    Therefore, the case is now before the Court of Justice of the EU (the Court). Since the cases concern the failure to notify transposition measures of a legislative directive, the Commission asked the Court to impose financial sanctions on those Member States[1]. The final amount of the sanctions will be decided by the Court.

    The Commission as guardian of the Treaties monitors the application of EU law in Member States and may open other infringement procedures where necessary.

    The above-mentioned case concerns non-communication of the national measures transposing the directive into national law. Once the transposition is completed, the Commission will check the compliance of the said national measures with the directive; if it considers that the Member State’s legislation doesn’t comply with the requirements of the directive, the Commission may open new infringement proceedings.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_5372
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Suspected violation of human rights through the use of state institutions as a tool for exerting pressure – P-001548/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is following the situation in Bulgaria and is in a constant dialogue with the Bulgarian authorities to promote the rule of law within the framework of the comprehensive annual rule of law cycle.

    The 202 4 Rule of Law Report, published on 24 July 20 2 4 , presents developments and recommendations related to the rule of law in the Member States of the EU and includes a dedicated country chapter on all 27 Member States, including Bulgaria[1].

    In the particular case of Bulgaria, the 2024 report notes that concerns have been raised as to the functioning and independence of certain regulatory and independent authorities in the country.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-communication-and-country-chapters_en
    Last updated: 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Human rights breaches in Türkiye, China and Iraq

    Source: European Parliament

    On Thursday, the Parliament adopted three resolutions on human rights issues in Türkiye, China and Iraq.

    The case of Bülent Mumay in Turkey

    MEPs express their deep concern about the ongoing deterioration of democratic standards in Türkiye, and the targeting of independent journalists, activists and opposition members.

    They condemn the sentence against Bülent Mumay and call on the authorities to drop the charges against him and all arbitrarily detained media workers, political opponents, human rights defenders, civil servants and academics. MEPs deplore a complex web of legislation that systematically silences and controls journalists, and denounce the new “foreign agent regulation” to be introduced by the end of 2024.

    Parliament calls on Turkish authorities to restore judicial independence, respect press freedom and ensure compliance with international human rights obligations.

    The resolution was adopted by show of hands. The full version will be available here (10/10/2024).

    The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas

    China must immediately and unconditionally release Ilham Tohti, 2019 Sakharov Prize laureate, and Gulshan Abbas, as well as all those arbitrarily detained in China, MEPs say. They strongly condemn the human rights violations against Uyghurs and people in Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.

    The resolution demands that all internment camps be closed and denounces abusive policies, intense surveillance, forced labour, sterilisation, birth prevention measures and the destruction of the Uyghur identity, which amount to crimes against humanity and constitute a serious risk of genocide. MEPs welcome the EU’s forced labour regulation and call on businesses operating in China to comply with the human rights due diligence obligations.

    Parliament calls on the EU and member states to adopt additional sanctions against high-ranking officials and entities involved in human rights violations in China, address transnational repression of Chinese dissidents and Uyghurs, and prosecute the individuals responsible.

    The resolution was adopted by 540 votes for, 23 against, and 47 abstentions. The full version will be available here (10/10/2024).

    Iraq, notably the situation of women’s rights and the recent proposal to amend the Personal Status Law

    MEPs urge Iraq’s Parliament to fully and immediately reject the amendments to the Personal Status Law and warn of the consequences of this recent proposal, which violates Iraq’s international obligations on women’s fundamental rights. They praise the women, including Members of the Iraqi Parliament who have condemned the reform, and the NGOs, activists and members of civil society that are fighting to preserve one of the most progressive laws in the region.

    They underline that the penal code does not legally protect women and child victims of domestic violence in the country and deplore the fact that the proposed amendments to the law, if enacted, would lead to an even more radical application of Sharia law.

    The resolution urges Iraq to adopt a national action plan to eliminate child marriage, criminalise marital rape, fight domestic violence and strengthen women’s and girls’ rights, in line with the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

    MEPs call on the EU delegation to Iraq to make development grants conditional on judicial training on sexual and gender-based violence and the establishment of women’s shelters, and demand member states increase their support to women’s and children’s rights defenders in Iraq.

    The resolution was adopted by show of hands.
    The full version will be available here (10/10/2024).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 10/10/2024 Joint statement of the Weimar Triangle foreign ministers on Georgia

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Weimar Triangle countries, we reaffirm our support for the democratic and European aspirations of the overwhelming majority of the Georgian people. We deplore the actions of the Georgian Government, which have de facto led to a standstill in Georgia’s accession process to the European Union, as stated by the European Council in its conclusions of 27 June, representing the Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States. Since then, this negative trend has further worsened, with worrying threats of repression, the entry into force of the so-called “Transparency Law” stigmatising non-governmental organisations receiving more than 20 million foreign funding as pursuing the interests of a foreign power, recently adopted legislative amendments restricting the rights of LGBTI persons, as well as attacks on civil society organisations and independent journalists. Furthermore, we note with growing concern the increase in aggressive rhetoric against the European Union and its Member States. The European Union will not tolerate the spreading of false narratives about the European position and policies by the Georgian authorities. We reiterate our call on the Georgian Government to change course. The scope and level of relations and cooperation between the EU and Georgia are at stake. We expect the Georgian authorities to ensure that the upcoming elections in Georgia are free and fair and in line with the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, including ensuring a free and safe election campaign. We hope that the Georgian Government will recommit to implementing the priority reforms stemming from the EU candidate status. We stand ready to continue supporting Georgian society on its path towards a European future. Our hands remain extended. We remain committed to strengthening and supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

    Annalena BaerbockFederal Minister for Foreign Affairs

    Jean-Noël BarrotMinistro de la expansión europea en Foreign

    Radosław SikorskiMinister of Foreign Affairs

    MILES AXIS

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by DSJ at Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong today (October 10):
     
    Consul General (Consul General of Spain in Hong Kong, Mr Miguel Aguirre de Cárcer), Deputy Commissioner Fang Jianming (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         Good evening. I’m delighted to be here tonight to celebrate the national day of Spain. This is a proud and festive occasion throughout Spain, one of the major economies in the European Union.
     
         A celebration, too, of the growing ties between our two economies.
     
         Less than three weeks ago, the Financial Secretary visited Madrid, leading a high-profile delegation of Hong Kong start-up companies, together with the heads of Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport.
     
         Over three fruitful days, the Financial Secretary and his delegation visited a variety of Spanish start-ups, investors and corporate representatives, such as start-up accelerators IMPACT and Wayra, and Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica, and met with the Director General of CDTI (the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación), which promotes I&T (innovation and technology) co-operation between Spain and other economies.
     
         They also met with Spain Startup President and officials from IE University, the organisers of the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which brings together a world of start-ups, investors, and entrepreneurs each year. The Financial Secretary welcomed the prospect of holding the South Summit in Hong Kong, and for good reasons.
     
         Asia’s super-connector, Hong Kong is at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and its consumer-powered population of more than 80 million people. Technology and innovation will drive the flourishing future of both Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
     
         Hong Kong is also among the world’s leading financial centres – placing third worldwide and topping the Asia-Pacific in the latest Global Financial Centres Index. Also, in the World Bank Group Business Ready 2024 Report which was just published last week, Hong Kong is among the top ten performers among 50 economies covered in that report. 
     
         We are familiar with the common law and we have connection with the Mainland legal system through a number of very important mutual legal assistance arrangements. Hong Kong is also a unique gateway. We can help Spanish start-ups find markets, and fund their expansion in the Mainland China and throughout Asia.
     
         Our legal co-operation with Spain is also well-established. I’m pleased to say that there has been well-established regimes for legal co-operation on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and the co-operation has been smooth and effective.
     
         Our good ties extend to culture and culinary creativity, too. This year’s Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival opens in less than two weeks at Central Harbourfont. And I know Hong Kong will revel in the Festival’s Spanish gourmet delights and featured wine and spirit tastings. They will surely be among the highlights of this year’s Wine & Dine Festival. I’ll see you there.
     
         And now, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast: to the people of Spain.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Resident of New Hampshire Sentenced for Involvement in Online Scheme to Defraud the Elderly

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

    ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Raj Vinodchandra Patel, 34, of New Hampshire, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 51 months in prison for his role in an online scheme to defraud the elderly.  On June 20, 2024, Patel pleaded guilty to one count indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  

    Sometime in September 2023, an elderly resident in Alexandria, Louisiana, saw a “pop-up” message on their computer screen which directed them to call a computer “helpline.” This alleged computer helpline was merely a contact number being operated by one of Patel’s co-conspirators from India. When the victim called this supposed helpline, they were told that criminal activity had been seen on their computer and then transferred them to an alleged special agent working for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. who would assist them further. However, the victim was not actually communicating with a federal agent but in truth and in fact, it was another of Patel’s co-conspirators operating from India. This fake federal agent falsely claimed that the victim’s Social Security number had been compromised, and that their monetary assets were at risk and that the only way to fix it would be for the victim to liquidate their bank account, buy gold bullion, and then transfer that gold bullion to another federal agent who would maintain the gold for supposed safe keeping until the “federal investigation” was completed. When in truth and in fact, there was no federal investigation, but this was an online scam to steal money and property from the victim. 

    Patel worked as a courier in this wire fraud scheme. On October 7, 2023, he flew from Boston to New Orleans, rented a car, and drove to the victim’s residence to retrieve the gold bullion. The victim had been instructed by Patel’s co-conspirator in India to place the gold bullion into the backseat of Patel’s rental car. Unbeknownst to Patel, however, the victim had contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) about the fraud scheme. The FBI set up a sting operation and video recorded Patel retrieving the package from the victim and driving away.

    Troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped Patel and he was placed under arrest. Following his arrest, Patel admitted to his part in this scheme and that he had flown to other places across the United States for gold pickups from other elderly victims. Patel further admitted that as he was being stopped by law enforcement officers, he deleted the “WhatsApp Business” application from his cell phone in order to conceal his communications with co-conspirators. The intended loss amount attributed to this fraud scheme was approximately $514,000.

    “There is a keen federal interest to protect the elderly and prosecute those who take advantage of their vulnerability by using them to commit financial crimes,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This is a transnational crime, spanning from India to central Louisiana, that was investigated because the victim trusted his/her instincts and immediately contacted law enforcement. The Department of Justice is ready, willing, and able to seek justice for the elderly, who are the backbone of our country.”

    “Victims in Louisiana lost nearly $12 million dollars to schemes just like this one last year and those are the people we know about,” said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of FBI New Orleans. “The victim in this case did exactly as we ask the public to do. Trust your instincts. Take a break and call law enforcement. These actors are getting bolder and potential victims are putting their lives at risk with these encounters. We ask the public to report any suspicious activity like this to IC3.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Shannon.

    To report elder fraud, contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311 and visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov.  To learn more about the Department of Justice’s elder justice efforts please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.

    # # #

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alexandria Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine

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

    ALEXANDRIA, La. – Tyrone Donnell Porter, 51, of Alexandria, has been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Dee D. Drell sentenced Porter to 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

    Porter was found guilty of the charge by a jury in Alexandria after a trial in December 2023. Evidence introduced at trial revealed that agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Porter and others during 2021. Law enforcement agents obtained a search warrant for a hotel room which was rented under Porter’s name in Alexandria and where Porter was staying. On September 30, 2021, agents executed the search warrant and found Porter inside the hotel room, along with two other individuals. Inside the room, agents found two bags containing a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue, 2 boxes and 18 loose rounds of ammunition, as well as a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun in a holster loaded with 11 rounds in the magazine.

    In addition, agents found a large black plastic bag with a can which had a vacuum sealed bag containing 492 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Agents were later able to obtain video footage of Porter carrying the black plastic bag which had the can of methamphetamine into the hotel just minutes before law enforcement arrived to execute the search warrant. 

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Nickel and Casey N. Richmond.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Formerly Married Couple Sentenced for Multimillion Dollar Fraud Schemes

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

    Orlando, FL – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Nikesh Ajay Patel (40, formerly of Windermere), and his ex-wife, Trisha Patel, (41, Orlando), for their roles in a financial scheme defrauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and others. On October 8, 2024, Nikesh Patel was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison, which must run consecutive to a 25-year term he is already serving from the Northern District of Illinois. Trisha Patel was sentenced on September 18, 2024, to 51 months in federal prison. Both are required to pay restitution to the USDA and four other financial institutions.

    According to court documents, Nikesh Patel was charged in 2014 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois for a $179 million fraud scheme. He was arrested and released on bond. For the next several years, Nikesh Patel claimed that he was cooperating with authorities and using his business skills to recover funds to repay the victims. In fact, Nikesh Patel had devised a new scheme against the USDA that netted him over $19 million. Nikesh Patel was planning to flee to Ecuador on a private jet and avoid sentencing in the Chicago case. Instead, FBI agents arrested Nikesh Patel at the Kissimmee airport on January 6, 2018, and arrested him for attempting to abscond. Nikesh Patel was subsequently returned to Chicago, where he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on June 6, 2018.

    Thereafter, on December 18, 2019, a federal grand jury in Orlando returned a 13-count indictment against Nikesh Patel for stealing $19 million while he was on federal pretrial release in the Chicago case. On February 28, 2023, Patel pleaded guilty as charged to all counts in that indictment: one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and eight counts of money laundering.

    In the 2019 case, Nikesh Patel fabricated fraudulent loan documents and used a fictitious identity to perpetrate his conspiracy and scheme. He then applied to the USDA to guarantee the fake loans as part of their Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program. Once the USDA agreed to guarantee the loans, Nikesh Patel sold the guaranteed portion to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac) and received $19,342,392. The FBI was able to recover $11,321,931 and Nikesh Patel was ordered to pay the remaining portion as restitution to Farmer Mac.

    While Nikesh Patel was in federal custody for the 2019 case, he recruited Trisha Patel (his wife at the time) to perpetrate a third financial scheme. Between January 2021 and December 2023, Nikesh and Trisha Patel devised a more sophisticated scheme utilizing a commercial pump manufacturer in Houston, Texas. At the direction of Nikesh Patel, Trisha pretended to be a senior representative of the company and falsely claimed to USDA that they wanted to expand their business in rural Puerto Rico. The Patels then created a fake lender to pretend that it was loaning $8,540,000 to the business for the expansion. USDA guaranteed 80% of the fake loan, and the Patels then sold that guarantee to financial institutions and received $7,446,880. The FBI was able to recover $74,545 in currency and a 2022 BMW model X7. The defendants were ordered to pay the remaining portion to USDA and four other financial institutions as restitution.

    For the third scheme, Trisha Patel and Nikesh Patel each pleaded guilty to an Information charging one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on May 21, 2024, and May 22, 2024, respectively.

    These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General. They were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta and United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Goose Creek Man Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material* ChargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Gregory Keith Day, 44, of Goose Creek, S.C., on 13 charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Goose Creek Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Summerville Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations, all also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

     

    Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which led them to Day.  Investigators state Day distributed files of child sexual abuse material.  

     

    Day was arrested on October 9, 2024. He is charged with 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each charge.

     

     

    This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

     

    Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

     

     

     

    * Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant.  Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fort Mill Man Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material* ChargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina


  • MIL-OSI USA: Pelosi Statement on the Passing of Ethel Kennedy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

    Newark, N.J. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the death of Ethel Kennedy:

    “The passing of Ethel Kennedy is a deep personal loss to her many loved ones and friends – and a profound official loss for our nation.  She was the matriarch of a great family and a national treasure.

     

    “After the tragic loss of her husband, Senator Bobby Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy moved forward with grace, dignity and a profound dedication to carrying on their untiring commitment to expanding opportunity, promoting civil rights and building a more peaceful world.  Her deep faith, personal resolve and strength helped America cope with a shared loss as she channeled her energies into establishing the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, which for more than 56 years has worked to educate and inspire leaders, activists and students to transform their communities and expand the blessings of peace.  

    “For Ethel’s lifetime of service, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama in 2014.  Ethel’s faith, fortitude and determination inspired all who had the opportunity to know her.

     

    “Paul and I knew and loved Ethel.  She was funny, she was a compelling storyteller and her integrity inspired hope that will endure for generations to come.  May it be a comfort to her loving children, her darling grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the entire Kennedy family that so many grieve with and pray for them during this sad time.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting cross-border mobility for Indigenous Peoples

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Temporary measures to reunite families across the Canada–US border

    October 10, 2024—Ottawa, unceded Algonquin traditional territory—Colonial borders have had profound impacts on Indigenous Peoples. They have put stress on families, kinship, cultural ties, traditional practices, language preservation and revitalization, governance, and economic opportunities. For some communities separated by the Canada–United States border, these impacts are felt on a daily basis.

    To address these challenges and to further advance reconciliation, as a first step, today the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced temporary measures to help Indigenous people in the United States reunite with their families in Canada and reconnect them with their traditional territories. These measures will allow eligible Indigenous people whose family members live in Canada to:

    • work or study in Canada with some requirements waived
    • extend their stay for up to three years (for those who are already in Canada)

    These temporary measures were implemented to relieve hardship on families while the federal government continues to work toward long-term solutions to address Indigenous border mobility challenges. This work is part of efforts to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) in Canada.

    Indigenous people eligible for these measures can apply as of October 10, 2024. Applicants must apply in advance before they travel to Canada. Those who are already in Canada can also apply from inside Canada. Applications can’t be made at the border (port of entry). Please visit our dedicated web page for details on how the measures work, who is eligible for them and how to apply.

    Quotes

    “First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have long called upon Canada to recognize Indigenous people’s mobility rights across our international borders. Through ongoing consultation and collaboration, Indigenous partners have highlighted how these borders affect their families and communities, limiting connections across their traditional territories. These new measures help us respond more quickly to the urgent needs of families separated by borders, while continuing the work to strengthen and expand Indigenous mobility rights.”

    – The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

    “Reducing the burden of border impacts on Indigenous Peoples, their families and communities is an important part of reconciliation. The Government of Canada is proud to collaborate on these temporary measures with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to address longstanding issues at the border.”

    – The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

    “These measures to bring together First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities on both sides of the Canada–US border are in line with Shared Priorities Measure 52 of the UN Declaration Act Action Plan. They represent an important step in respecting the right of Indigenous Peoples to maintain contact and develop relationships, including for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with members of their own families and communities.”

    – The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

    “For many Indigenous Peoples, borders are not merely lines on a map but daily barriers that disrupt cultural, spiritual and family ties. These new measures for reconnection, have been developed through meaningful engagement and dialogue with Indigenous partners, and will address urgent challenges Indigenous Peoples face at the Canada–US border. Strengthening Indigenous mobility rights and ensuring families can come together are vital steps in advancing reconciliation and our commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan.”

    – The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

    “The announcement made today is another significant step in the right direction. The international border between Canada and the United States continues to separate our families and create hardship for First Nations in many parts of Turtle Island. We will continue to advance our partnership with Canada and advocate for additional reforms that support uniting our people.”

    – Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict and Canadian co-chair of the Jay Treaty Border Alliance

    “The United States–Canada border directly bisects our community, resulting in our members living on both sides of the border and crossing daily to see family, go to work, participate in sports and traditional ceremonies, and much more. After working with the Government of Canada for over two years, we are excited to see the government’s roll out of interim measures that get us one step closer to accomplishing our shared goal of uniting our Mohawk families divided by the US–Canada border. These measures will eliminate some of the barriers our members face while we continue to work on a long-term, permanent solution.”

    – Chief Michael Conners of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and United States co-chair of the Jay Treaty Border Alliance

    “For generations, our Ktunaxa people lived and moved freely across what is now the US–Canada border. We commend the Government of Canada for collaborating in a joint process with our Tribal leaders and taking action to address our inherent rights. These interim measures are a positive first step, but more work remains to fully restore them.”

    – Chairwoman Jennifer Porter of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and United States co-chair of the Jay Treaty Border Alliance

    Quick facts

    • The UN Declaration is an international human rights instrument that sets minimum standards to protect the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) came into force on June 21, 2021, providing a framework for upholding the human rights of Indigenous Peoples and moving forward with reconciliation in a transformational and action-oriented way.

    • The Government of Canada is exploring legislative and policy reforms so Indigenous people separated by Canada’s international borders have the right to enter and stay in Canada. This work is outlined in Shared Priorities Measure 52 (SP52) of the UN Declaration Act Action Plan, which was developed in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people from across Canada.

    • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency held roundtables and discussions with Indigenous communities, governments and organizations from October 2023 to February 2024 to address Indigenous mobility issues through legislative reform. Key takeaways are available in an online report, and any updates will be shared publicly.

    • Officials from the Government of Canada have been working closely with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to ensure that these and future measures are expanded as necessary to address their specific circumstances.

    Related products

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Contacts for media only:

    Aïssa Diop
    Director of Communications
    Minister’s Office
    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
    Aissa.Diop@cic.gc.ca 

    Media Relations
    Communications Sector
    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
    613-952-1650
    media@cic.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Brampton resident pleads guilty for failing to declare over $227,000 USD at Canadian border

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 10, 2024      Niagara on the Lake, Ontario   Canada Border Services Agency/Royal Canadian Mounted Police   

    In early October 2023, two travellers arrived at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Queenston Bridge port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Both travellers declared that they did not have more than $10,000 cash with them. Upon secondary examination, CBSA officers found $227,453 USD concealed in the vehicle. It was determined at the time with the exchange rate to have a value of over $312,200 CDN.

    The CBSA seized the currency under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and detained the occupants for suspicion of smuggling under the Customs Act. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Unit then began a criminal investigation which identified the cash as belonging to the passenger of the car.

    Chandrakant Patel (56) of Brampton was charged with:

    • Fail to declare currency greater than $10,000.00 contrary to Section 12(1) of the PCMLTFA.

    On September 9, 2024, Patel pled guilty to the charge.

    The RCMP is committed to working with its partners to protect the residents and communities of Canada. Collaboration with the CBSA continues to provide positive results for Canada. The RCMP also acknowledges the hard work of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities.

    Additional multimedia

    Quotes

    “The Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Program is committed to working with our partners, the CBSA and FINTRAC, on joint concerns and responsibilities. This investigation highlights our dedication to working together to stop money laundering across our country.”

    ~ Sgt. Lepa Jankovic, Non-commissioned Officer in charge, Niagara-on-the-Lake detachment.

    “Stopping currency obtained through proceeds of crime from crossing borders is part of the commitment of the Canada Border Services Agency to keep our communities safe. This seizure and investigation demonstrates the consequences for smugglers, and those perpetuating the cycle of organized crime.”

    ~ Christine Durocher, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region, Canada Border Services Agency

    Quick facts

    • For the latest enforcement statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.

    • Travelling with CAD$10,000 or more? Sending it by mail or courier? Declare it.

    • The RCMP Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Unit is tasked with the prevention and detection of cross-border smuggling both to and from Canada. This unit supports four CBSA ports of entry and works jointly with the CBSA on larger criminal investigations that start at the port. The unit is also tasked with protecting the border area between the ports from Cobourg on Lake Ontario to Port Burwell on Lake Erie. The members of the unit will often be found in boats ensuring vessels are complying with reporting requirements when entering Canada. 

    • The CBSA works closely in an investigative capacity with its law enforcement partners such as the RCMP, and other domestic and international law enforcement partners, to combat the impact that cross-border criminal activity is having on our communities.

    • If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

    Contacts

    RCMP O Division (Ontario)
    Communications & Media Relations
    media.relations.rcmp-Ontario-relations.medias.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

    Website: RCMP in Ontario
    X: @RCMPONT
    Facebook: RCMP.Ontario
    Instagram: rcmpontario
    YouTube: RCMPGRCPOLICE

    Canada Border Services Agency
    Media Relations
    media@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca 
    1-877-761-5945 or 613-957-6500

    Website:  http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
    X: @CanBorderSOR
    Facebook: CanBorder
    Instagram: CanBorder
    YouTube:  CanBorder

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Company fined for workplace injury

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    O’Reilly Oilfield Services Ltd. pleaded guilty to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to take necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of workers under its supervision. The company was sentenced on Oct. 7 in the Grande Prairie Court of Justice. The Crown withdrew five other charges under OHS legislation against the company. The Crown withdrew 15 charges under OHS legislation against Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. related to the same incident.

    The charges stem from an incident on an oil and gas site near Valleyview on July 7, 2021. One worker was severely burned when liquid from a decommissioned pipeline ignited and overflowed from a portable flare stack.

    O’Reilly Oilfield Services Ltd. was fined $90,000 inclusive of the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge.

    Both the company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.

    Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province. They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers. Charges under OHS laws may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a workplace fatality or serious injury.

    Quick facts

    • Jobs, Economy and Trade does not provide sentence documents. These are available through the Grande Prairie Court of Justice.

    Related information

    • Convictions under OHS legislation
    • Charges under OHS legislation
    • OHS incident investigations

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks Announcing TD Bank’s Guilty Plea for Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Conspiracy Violations in $1.8B Resolution

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

    Thank you, Mr. Attorney General.

    Today, one of North America’s largest banks pleaded guilty to some of the most serious charges a financial institution can face.

    This case should serve as a warning and a reminder that we will hold corporate wrongdoers accountable, no matter their size or stature.

    But this case also highlights the critical importance of maintaining a culture of compliance — and offers a cautionary tale of how bad things can go without one.

    When you put your hard-earned money in a bank – that bank should meet a very basic requirement.

    It should follow the law.

    For financial institutions, that means — among other obligations — adhering to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).

    This law is fundamental — not only for protecting our financial system — but also our national security.

    The BSA requires that banks:

    • Maintain robust anti-money laundering programs;
    • Report suspicious activity; and
    • Train employees to be the first line of defense against money laundering.

    Despite being one of the largest banks in the country, TD Bank failed to meet these requirements and violated the law.

    Even as profits rose, the bank starved its compliance program of the resources it needed to obey the law.

    Time and time again, TD Bank failed to meet its obligations — day after day, year after year.  

    The problems were so widespread — so pervasive — that it was only a matter of time before the bank’s own employees could exploit these failures and engage in money laundering themselves.

    And that’s exactly what happened.

    As TD Bank admitted in its plea today, its anti-money laundering failures spanned nearly a decade.

    Things got so bad that five of the bank’s own employees participated in a scheme that laundered millions of dollars to Colombia, resulting in felony convictions for individuals both inside and outside the bank.

    What makes this even more troubling is that — for years — TD Bank knew of its compliance failures.

    In 2013, federal regulators began penalizing the bank for its lack of money laundering controls.

    But as the light continued blinking red, TD Bank could only see green.

    Every bank compliance official in America should be reviewing today’s charges as a case study of what not to do.

    And every bank CEO and board member should be doing the same.

    Because if the business case for compliance wasn’t clear before — it should be now.

    The Bank Secrecy Act includes a unique penalty provision: the ability to fine a financial institution up to $500,000 for each day it lacks a functional anti-money laundering program.

    The daily fine provision is rarely used.

    In fact, the Justice Department has never before sought this maximum daily penalty against any financial institution.

    Until now.

    The financial penalty under today’s resolution is based on TD Bank’s failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program every single day from the beginning of 2014 to the end of October 2023.

    Today’s guilty plea — and the resulting $1.8 billion penalty — represents the largest penalty ever imposed under the Bank Secrecy Act.

    And it provides an unmistakable lesson: crime doesn’t pay. And neither does flouting compliance. 

    This resolution also sets a new course for TD Bank.

    With today’s guilty plea, TD Bank has agreed to tough new rules.

    • It must overhaul its compliance program;
    • It must retain an independent monitor;
    • It must report misconduct to the government; and
    • It must cooperate in our ongoing criminal investigations into the individuals responsible – up and down the corporate ladder.

    The bank has begun this work, and we will continue to hold its feet to the fire.

    We are putting down a clear marker on what we expect from financial institutions — and the consequences for failure.

    When it comes to compliance, there are really only two options: invest now – or face severe consequences later.

    As I’ve said before, a corporate strategy that pursues profits at the expense of compliance isn’t a path to riches; it’s a path to federal prosecution.

    I want to thank the women and men of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and investigative partners joining us today for their continued work on this matter.

    With that, I’ll pass it to Deputy Secretary of Treasury, Wally Adeyemo.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks Announcing TD Bank’s Guilty Plea for Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Conspiracy Violations in $1.8B Resolution

    Source: United States Attorneys General 2

    Remarks as Delivered

    Good afternoon everyone. Before we get started today, I want to extend my sympathy to the millions of Americans who’ve had their lives turned upside down by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene.

    I know I speak for all of us in expressing my gratitude to the first responders on the ground who are carrying out rescue missions. And I want to thank all of the volunteers who are helping their neighbors get through these storms.

    And now to the subject of today’s announcement.

    Today, TD Bank pled guilty to multiple felonies, including conspiring to violate the Bank Secrecy Act and commit money laundering. TD Bank has also agreed to a $1.8 billion criminal penalty. Combined with civil enforcement actions announced today by other agencies, the United States will be imposing a total [penalty] of approximately $3 billion against TD Bank.

    TD Bank created an environment that allowed financial crime to flourish. By making its services convenient for criminals, it became one.

    Today, TD Bank became the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures and the first U.S. bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    This is also the largest-ever penalty under the Bank Secrecy Act and the first time the Justice Department has assessed a daily fine against a bank.

    As part of the plea agreement, TD Bank will fundamentally restructure its corporate compliance program at its U.S.-based bank, which is the 10th largest in the United States.

    The bank has also agreed to the imposition of a three-year monitorship and a five-year term of probation. While the bank has started its remediation, it will continue to remediate and improve its anti-money laundering compliance program to ensure that the bank operates lawfully and safely moving forward.

    In addition to obtaining today’s corporate felony pleas, the Justice Department has also prosecuted two dozen individuals for their involvement in money laundering schemes that moved over $670 million in illicit funds through TD Bank accounts. So far, the Justice Department has charged two TD Bank employees for their involvement in one of these schemes.

    Pursuant to the plea agreement, TD Bank is required to fully cooperate with the Justice Department’s investigation of the bank and any of its officers, directors, and employees. If the bank fails to do so, it will again be subject to criminal prosecution, in which the statement of facts that are part of the plea agreement may be used as evidence against it.

    Our criminal investigations into individual employees at every level of TD Bank are active and ongoing.

    As is the case in all corporate criminal matters, no one involved in TD Bank’s illegal conduct will be off limits. We will follow the evidence wherever it leads.

    Federal anti-money laundering laws are designed to prevent criminals from using U.S. banks to fuel their crimes.

    Our laws dictate that the narcotics traffickers who flood our communities with deadly drugs cannot use American financial institutions to move their money.

    And our anti-money laundering laws dictate that a bank that willfully fails to protect against criminal schemes is also a criminal.

    That is what TD Bank was, because it failed to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering program between January 2014 and October 2023.

    Over a six-year period, TD Bank failed to monitor $18.3 trillion in customer activity.

    As TD Bank admitted in its plea agreement, this allowed three money laundering networks to transfer over $670 million through TD Bank accounts. At least one of those schemes involved five TD Bank employees.

    The bank maintained an automated transaction monitoring system that was supposed to detect and generate alerts on suspicious transactions and activities. But that system was willfully deficient.

    As the bank admitted in the statement of facts, which it filed today, at various times high-level executives, including the person who became the bank’s chief anti-money laundering officer, knew there were serious problems with the bank’s anti-money laundering program. But the bank failed to correct them.

    Three money laundering networks took advantage of TD Bank’s failed anti-money laundering system.

    First, over the course of a three-year period, a person who TD Bank employees knew as David moved over $470 million in illicit funds through TD Bank branches in the United States.

    David has separately pled guilty to laundering drug proceeds through the bank.

    David had attempted to launder money through numerous financial institutions. But he found that TD Bank had the most permissive policies and procedures and chose to launder most of his funds there.

    He also bribed TD Bank employees with more than $57,000 in gift cards in furtherance of his scheme.

    David’s illegal conduct was obvious, to say the least. On more than one occasion, he deposited more than $1 million in cash in a single day. He then immediately moved the funds out of the bank using official bank checks and wire transfers.

    TD Bank employees at many levels understood and acknowledged the likely illegality of David’s activity.

    In August 2020, one TD Bank store manager emailed another store manager and remarked, “You guys really need to shut this down LOL.”

    In late 2020, another store manager implored his supervisors — several TD Bank regional managers — to act, noting that “[i]t is getting out of hand and my tellers are at the point that they don’t feel comfortable handling these transactions.”

    In February 2021, one TD Bank store employee saw that David’s network had purchased more than $1 million in official bank checks with cash in a single day. The employee asked: “How is that not money laundering.” A back-office employee responded, “oh it 100% is.”

    In a second, separate money laundering scheme, five TD Bank employees conspired with criminal organizations to open and maintain accounts at the bank that were used to launder $39 million to Colombia, including drug proceeds.

    That money laundering organization reused the same Venezuelan passports to open multiple accounts at TD Bank. It sometimes used the same passport to obtain multiple debit cards for a single account.

    Despite significant internal red flags, the bank did not identify that its own employees were conspiring to launder tens of millions of dollars to Colombia, until law enforcement arrested one of them.

    In yet a third scheme, outlined in today’s charges, a money laundering network maintained accounts at TD Bank for at least five shell companies. It used those accounts to move over $100 million in illicit funds through the bank.

    Even though retail employees flagged suspicious activity connected to those accounts, the bank did not file a suspicious activity report until law enforcement alerted the bank to the money laundering network’s activity. By that time, the accounts had been open for over 13 months and had been used to transfer nearly $120 million.

    On multiple occasions, bank employees openly joked about the bank’s enabling of criminal activity.

    In one instance a compliance employee asked a manager what “the bad guys” thought about the bank. The manager replied: “Lol. Easy target.”

    Other employees consistently joked on the bank’s instant messaging platform about the bank’s motto, “America’s Most Convenient Bank.” They linked it to the bank’s approach to combating money laundering.

    For example, a compliance employee asked a colleague why “all the really awful ones bank here lol.”

    The colleague replied: “because … we are convenient.”

    There is nothing wrong with a bank that tries to make its services convenient for its honest customers.

    But there is something terribly wrong with a bank that knowingly makes its services convenient for criminals.

    The Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions like TD Bank to establish and maintain compliance programs that guard against money laundering.

    But TD Bank chose profits over compliance, in order to keep its costs down.

    That decision is now costing the bank billions of dollars in criminal and civil penalties.

    Less than a year ago, the Justice Department secured felony guilty pleas from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and from its founder and CEO. We also obtained one of the largest corporate penalties in U.S. history.

    The Department’s actions against both Binance and TD Bank are a reminder that financial institutions in this country have an obligation to guard against criminals exploiting their services.

    The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute any company that fails to do so.

    I want to express my gratitude to the public servants of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and the DEA for their extraordinary work on this case. We are also grateful to IRS Criminal Investigation, the FDIC’s Office of Inspector General, FinCEN, and our other federal, state, and local partners for their work.

    I am proud of them.

    I will now turn the podium over to Deputy Attorney General Monaco.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri Delivers Remarks Announcing TD Bank’s Guilty Plea for Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Conspiracy Violations in $1.8B Resolution

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

    Thank you, Deputy Secretary Adeyemo. I’m Nicole Argentieri, head of the Criminal Division.

    Today, we are announcing the guilty plea of TD Bank, the 10th largest retail bank in the United States, for Bank Secrecy Act violations and money laundering. Over the course of a decade, TD Bank placed profits over compliance, prioritizing a “flat cost paradigm” that limited spending across the bank — including on the bank’s anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program, despite growing risks — even while profits soared.

    The bank knew it had pervasive and systemic deficiencies in its AML program, including a transaction monitoring system that remained stagnant over the course of 10 years despite warnings from regulators, consultants, and even its own employees.

    AML employees joked that the Bank’s failed AML system made TD an “easy target” and a “convenient” bank for bad actors. And they were right. TD’s failed AML compliance program created vulnerabilities that criminals — including TD’s own employees — used to launder money through the Bank.

    All told, three large money laundering networks, two prosecuted by our partners in the District of New Jersey and the third prosecuted in the District of Puerto Rico, laundered over $670 million through TD.

    And in one of these schemes, five bank insiders helped. These TD Bank employees opened and maintained accounts for money laundering networks and provided dozens of ATM cards that the launderers used to withdraw funds in Colombia, shortly after the money was deposited in the United States. The insiders took kickbacks for their work, sometimes using the very debit cards they issued to the money laundering organization to take their cut. Through the TD accounts these five insiders opened, the laundering networks moved over $39 million in illicit funds.

    That’s why today, TD Bank is pleading guilty not only to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. It’s also pleading guilty to money laundering. Because TD Bank’s inadequate AML program allowed bank insiders to facilitate a significant money laundering scheme. This resolution, in addition to the historic daily BSA fine we have imposed, sends a clear message to U.S. banks — you are the first line of defense. When you criminally fail to protect your own bank from money laundering you put our financial system at risk, and we will hold you accountable.

    But it’s never too late to do the right thing. After TD learned of our investigation, the Bank provided strong cooperation. For example, TD identified additional misconduct and provided evidence of that misconduct to the department. Some of that evidence helped advance our investigation of individuals, including video surveillance footage TD provided after reviewing hundreds of hours of videotape and materials recovered because TD secured the workplaces of employees involved in misconduct.

    What’s more, TD took steps on its own to hold its employees financially accountable. The Bank clawed back bonuses, including for its CEO and other executives, resulting in a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the Bank’s fine of approximately $2 million, consistent with the Criminal Division’s Pilot Program on Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks. Under that pilot program, as of today, 10 companies that have resolved with the Criminal Division have implemented compliance metrics in their compensation system. But today’s resolution marks a first. This is the first time a company has committed to clawing back compensation prospectively. Over the next few months, TD will identify additional compensation it will claw back from its employees. And if the bank is successful during the term of its agreement with the department, the Criminal Division will credit those clawbacks against the fine.

    TD has also started on the path to reform, beginning to remediate its compliance system, committing to additional compliance enhancements, and agreeing to retain an independent compliance monitor. That monitor will closely assess TD’s compliance with our agreement while moving swiftly to ensure that TD makes necessary reforms. Under the close oversight of the department and the monitor, TD can right this ship. While there is a long road ahead, today’s resolution demonstrates that accepting responsibility and cooperating with the department can ensure that even the largest companies can be held accountable for serious crimes, but also choose a different path and successfully move their business forward in full compliance with the law.

    I want to thank our trial attorneys in the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section’s Bank Integrity Unit and our partners in the District of New Jersey, along with our law enforcement partners at IRS-Criminal Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and Drug Enforcement Administration. And now I’ll turn it over to the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Philip Sellinger.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Holly Man Sentenced to 85 Years for Sexually Exploiting Children

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

    DETROIT –A Holly man was sentenced yesterday to 85 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting children, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

    Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit.

    In addition to the 85-year sentence, United States District Court Kay F. Behm sentenced Jeremy McCallum, 48, to 15 years of supervised release upon his release from prison.

    According to court documents, on January 31, 2020, law enforcement searched McCallum’s home for child sexually abusive material. The search resulted in the recovery of hard copies and digital files depicting years-long, horrific sexual abuse of three minor children by McCallum. McCallum abused one minor female for the better part of a decade, documenting his abuse of her on VHS tape, on his cell phone, and in Polaroid pictures. He abused another minor female when she was an infant, recording his sexual abuse of her on VHS tape and on his cell phone. Finally, on a VHS tape, an FBI agent located an instance of sexual abuse that McCallum committed against a minor male.

    Following years of litigation, McCallum pleaded guilty, on June 18, 2024, to all the charges in the indictment, including ten counts of the sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography.

    “This defendant committed monstrous crimes. This prosecution and sentence should send a strong message to child predators: you will suffer severe consequences if you harm our children,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.

    “The despicable acts of sexual exploitation, especially against children, are amongst the most horrific crimes investigated by our office,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The sentencing of Jeremy McCallum is a direct result of the collaborative efforts between the Michigan State Police and the FBI, Oakland County Resident Agency. This sentencing sends a clear and stern warning to those who believe they can prey on our most vulnerable population and evade justice. The successful prosecution by the United States Attorney’s Office of Eastern Michigan is a crucial step in the healing process for those victimized by Mr. McCallum’s deplorable and heinous actions.”

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Michigan State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Rawsthorne and Tara Hindelang.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 254 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has restored its connection to a 150 kilovolt (kV) power line that could be used as a back-up option for the plant, although the supplies of electricity needed for reactor cooling and other essential functions remain fragile, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

    The 150 kV line was reportedly damaged in shelling late last month, further limiting the potential availability of power supplies for the ZNPP as this line connects the site to the switchyard of the nearby Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant. However, the IAEA team stationed at the ZNPP was informed this week that the repairs had been completed and the line was once again available, if needed.

    During the military conflict, the ZNPP has been relying on two power lines – one 750 kV and one 330 kV – for off-site electricity but both have suffered repeated disconnections as a result of the fighting, underlining the potential importance of any additional source of electricity. Before the conflict, the ZNPP had ten power lines available.

    During the past week, the IAEA team has continued to hear explosions, including some blasts close to the ZNPP, although no damage to the plant was reported.

    The IAEA team conducted regular walkdowns across the ZNPP, including by the sprinkler ponds and in the turbine halls of two units, and observed ongoing maintenance activities of one main transformer as well as testing of one emergency diesel generator pertaining to part of the safety system.

    The IAEA teams present at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict, including air raid alarms for several days over the past week.

    At the Rivne NPP, reactor unit 2 has been reconnected to the grid following planned outage. Following an air raid alert, the IAEA team deployed at Khmelnytskyy NPP took shelter in the morning of 7 October.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Salisbury, Moncton — Two individuals charged in connection with September 16 Alert Ready

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Two individuals have been charged in connection with a firearm-related incident that initiated an Alert Ready for the Salisbury and Moncton areas on September 16, 2024.

    On October 9, 2024, 19-year-old Zander Jones was arrested in Waterloo, Ontario. He was transported to New Brunswick where he appeared in Moncton Provincial Court on October 10, 2024, and charged with discharge of a firearm with intent. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on November 13, 2024.

    On October 2, 2024, the 15-year-old boy who was previously arrested appeared in Moncton Provincial Court and was also charged with discharge of a firearm with intent. He was remanded into the custody of the courts, and is scheduled to reappear in court on October 15, 2024.

    The female youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested in Moncton on September 27, 2024. She was subsequently released on conditions.

    Another male youth who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested in Colpitts Settlement on September 16, 2024. He was subsequently released on conditions.

    Police are still trying to locate a fifth individual, 18-year-old Olivia Cotton, from Moncton, in connection with the ongoing investigation. She is described as being approximately five feet six inches (172 centimeters) tall and weighing approximately 97 pounds (44 kilograms). She has brown eyes and brown hair.

    Police also continue to search for a silver 2023 Ford F150 pickup truck. At the time of the incident, it was described as being covered in mud, with possible Nova Scotia licence plate HDC 958.

    Anyone who has information on Olivia Cotton’s whereabouts or the vehicle is asked to contact the New Brunswick RCMP at 888-506-RCMP (7267). Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at http://www.crimenb.ca.

    MIL Security OSI –