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Category: Taxation

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester City Council takes pioneering step to tackle end of life poverty

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester Council and the UK’s leading end of life charity Marie Curie are working together to ensure people in the city who are living with a terminal illness become exempt from paying Council Tax.

    Carried out as part of a larger plan to support the most vulnerable residents in Manchester, the Council has looked at as many ways as possible to help those who know have been struggling over recent years.

    Marie Curie’s recent ‘Dying in Poverty’ report found that in Manchester around 42% of working age and 30% of pension age residents die in poverty. 

    Addressing this profoundly important issue is at the heart of the Council’s strategy, with a number of key changes being made in recent years directed at tackling the root causes of poverty, and ensuring that people do not slip back into it.

    This new proposal sets out a plan for the council to change its Discretionary Council Tax Policy (DCTP) to explicitly include a commitment to support people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

    This form is completed by a clinician which confirms a person has a progressive disease, and consequently their patient is expected to pass away within a 12-month period.

    Using DCTP the Council will make up the difference of any shortfall in CTS so that in any situation where a member of the household qualifies – whether an adult, child or non-dependant – the household will have nothing to pay. The support will then apply to the household’s council tax bill until the date of the persons death.

    The Council will also be working to ensure that a “tell us once” protocol is in place so that, in the event of a claimant’s passing, no undue burden will fall upon their family. Steps will also be in place to retain the discount for the remainder of the financial year in the event of a person’s passing, to provide additional support for their family.

    It is estimated that this scheme would support around 175 residents in Manchester, the majority of which would be of working age.

    In addition to this change in policy, a great deal of work has already been carried out to alleviate the worst of the cost-of-living crisis for Mancunians.

    To date the Council has:

    • Provided free school meals to 46,000 children and young people during the holidays over the past year
    • Directed more than £1m of supplies to community food banks and groups since 2022, spending an additional £155,000 on food-related support for residents
    • Connected with close to 14,000 people via our Cost-of-Living Advice Line since October 2022
    • Distributed more than 2,000 phones, laptops or computers to people who may be digitally excluded, as well as providing more than 7,000 SIM cards since 2020
    • Made £2.6m in grant payments to nearly 2,122 residents to help them stay in their homes
    • Issued £1m in grant funding to 70 voluntary and community organisations who last year were able to help around 54,000 residents
    • The Holiday Activity Fund, which provides free activities as well as a free meal to children during the holidays has seen more than 24,000 children attend during half terms and summer holidays

    Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “The moment when you or your family member gets the devastating news of terminal illness is heartbreaking. The last thing you need to worry about money and bills, but we know for too many people it takes up too much time and stress.

    “Too many people are living in poverty in our city and the council is committed to doing all it can to alleviate it in the short term, and build ways out of poverty in the long term. That’s why we are exempting people with a terminal illness from Council Tax alongside a wider package of support with the cost of living, doing everything in our power to ensure families have one less thing to worry about during such a difficult time.

    “We want to thank Marie Curie for their vital work, and as a Council want to do all we can to ease the burden at the end of someone’s life.”

    Jamie Thunder, Senior Policy Manager for Financial Security at Marie Curie, said: “The end of life should be a time to focus on what really matters – but for too many people, it’s dominated by financial difficulty as their income drops and costs rise.

    “We’re therefore delighted that Manchester City Council are taking this pioneering step, which will make a real difference to people with a terminal illness at the time they need it most. We hope other councils in the North West and across the country will follow suit, and help to ensure that no-one dies in poverty.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Review of the Tobacco Excise Tax Directive – protecting specific production characteristics and Italy’s and Europe’s economic and cultural heritage – E-002391/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002391/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Roberto Vannacci (PfE)

    The Commission intends to revise the Tobacco Excise Tax Directive[1] (Directive 2011/64/EU) to increase minimum rates and extend taxation to alternative products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

    Commissioner Hoekstra’s statements would appear to be paving the way for an increase in tobacco excise duties across the board, with scant regard for the specific production methods, culture-specific features and consumption habits associated with the various categories of tobacco products.

    According to press sources, the revision of the directive will lead to exorbitant increases in excise duties in several Member States (+820% in Hungary, +494% in Luxembourg and +43% in Romania)[2].

    The proposal appears likely to aggravate disparities at European level, raising serious concerns for the single market and particularly penalising countries whose economies are integrated in the supply chain such as Italy – the EU’s leading producer of raw tobacco – which holds a 27% market share as the producer of a total of some 50 000 tonnes/year[3].

    This revision would compromise exports of high-quality Italy-made products, such as Tuscan cigars, by introducing a minimum excise duty of EUR 120 per thousand cigars or 40 % of the retail price.

    Can the Commission therefore say:

    • 1.How it intends to protect Italian and European tobacco producers, safeguarding the competitiveness and economic sustainability of their respective supply chains?
    • 2.What specific steps it will take to ensure that the revision does not compromise the integrity of the single market, avoiding distortions of competition between Member States?

    Submitted: 13.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.eunews.it/2025/05/16/tabacco-hoekstra-annuncia-una-proposta-di-aumento-delle-tasse-sui-nuovi-prodotti/.
    • [2] https://www.monetaweb.it/economia-politica/bruxelles-spegne-il-sigaro-toscano-la-tassa-occulta/.
    • [3] https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3426#:~:text=L%27Italia%20%C3%A8%20il%20primo,Umbria%2C%20il%20Veneto%20e%20la.
    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Clean Industrial Deal – P10_TA(2025)0137 – Thursday, 19 June 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation’ (COM(2025)0085),

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘Action Plan for Affordable Energy – Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans’ (COM(2025)0079),

    –  having regard to the report of 9 September 2024 by Mario Draghi entitled ‘On the future of European competitiveness’,

    –  having regard to the report of April 2024 by Enrico Letta entitled ‘Much more than a market’,

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (COM(2025)0030),

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 19 March 2025 entitled ‘A European Steel and Metals Action Plan’ (COM(2025)0125),

    –  having regard to its resolution of 15 September 2022 on the implementation of the Updated New Industrial Strategy for Europe: aligning spending to policy(1),

    –  having regard to its resolution of 3 April 2025 on energy-intensive industries(2) and the related oral question O-00010/2025,

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640),

    –  having regard to the report of its Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of 13 May 2025 on electricity grids: the backbone of the EU energy system,

    –  having regard to the question to the Commission O-000020/2025,

    –  having regard to Rules 142(5) and 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy,

    A.  whereas the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) aims to bring together climate action and competitiveness under one overarching growth strategy focusing on supporting energy-intensive industries and the clean tech sector; whereas this is much needed, as the transition to a decarbonised and circular economy can only be successful when competitiveness is maintained;

    B.  whereas the Action Plan for Affordable Energy aims to provide affordable clean energy and short-term relief by lowering energy bills while accelerating the implementation of structural reforms and strengthening our energy systems to mitigate future price shocks;

    C.  whereas European industry is currently facing enormous challenges with high fossil-based energy prices, unfair international competition, lost jobs and skills shortages, leading to scaled-back production, delocalisation and closed sites, thereby increasing our dependency on external suppliers and undermining strategic autonomy, while innovation, manufacturing and associated emissions risk being relocated rather than addressed at source;

    D.  whereas European industry is willing to move towards sustainability, contributing to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and a future-proof, decarbonised industrial base can offer significant opportunities, but decarbonisation projects risk being shelved because their business case within Europe no longer adds up;

    1.  Welcomes the Clean Industrial Deal as a long-awaited first step towards strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness and innovation, strategic autonomy, decarbonisation, prosperity and clean growth; urges the Commission to swiftly move from strategy to action and implementation; recognises that the proposed actions must be expanded with further measures; stresses that robust and well-targeted industrial policy is crucial to ensure a strong and sustainable industrial base in Europe and to create and maintain high-quality jobs while decarbonising our economy, reducing pollution and strengthening Europe’s resilience;

    2.  Welcomes the establishment of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank with the aim of mobilising EUR 100 billion in funding, as well as the announced pilot with a EUR 1 billion auction on the decarbonisation of key industrial processes across various sectors supporting industrial decarbonisation and electrification; emphasises the importance of scaling up investment in and access to capital for clean tech manufacturing, including via additional funding through the Innovation Fund; calls for broader participation by the Member States in auction-as-a-service schemes; calls for the adoption of investment criteria based on carbon impact, scalability and security of supply; supports Carbon Contracts for Difference in closing the gap between the carbon price and the cost of industrial carbon management projects for hard-to-abate sectors; considers its establishment as a budget line for deployment of industrial decarbonisation technologies within the governance of the Competitiveness Fund;

    3.  Supports the Action Plan for Affordable Energy and its focus on the implementation of the Electricity Market Design, enhancing tools such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and two-way Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to reduce the influence of fossil fuel prices on electricity prices; welcomes the pilot programme for corporate PPAs via the European Investment Bank and stresses the need to leverage PPAs to expand capacity and achieve genuine decarbonisation; calls on the Commission to introduce de-risking tools to address the main barriers that energy-intensive industries face in signing PPAs, in particular renewable PPAs, as well as CfDs for risk reduction on the demand side for energy users, and to explore how to stimulate the development of hybrid PPAs with matching flexibility products;

    4.  Underlines the need to boost energy infrastructure, especially cross-border, including interconnections, and to complete the Energy Union; calls for the pursuit of an ambitious outcome of the future dialogue on deeper electricity market integration, as the current fragmentation of regulatory oversight and investment planning across all Member States is hampering integration and electrification; calls on the Member States, transmission system operators and the Commission to boost cross-border electricity trading so as to unlock the benefits of market integration and improve reliability of supply for all interconnected parties; urges the Member States to strive to achieve the current 15 % interconnection target, as set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1999(3);

    5.  Highlights the need to finalise work on the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive(4), which aims to align the taxation of energy products with the EU’s energy and climate policy objectives, and to harmonise a design of tariff methodologies for network charges, provided that such measures do not come at the expense of final consumers; calls on the Member States to urgently provide short-term relief to industry and households, for example by reducing electricity taxes and levies and abstaining from unjustified additional requirements (‘gold-plating’ EU legislation) where this distorts the level playing field;

    6.  Encourages the Commission and the Member States to improve the coordination of state aid spending on common European industrial priorities and calls on the Member States to make use of this to support industry on the path towards a clean transition, while taking into account different fiscal capacities; reiterates the need for a level playing field; stresses the need for improved coordination of industrial policy across the Union, both among the Member States and between the Member States and the Commission; supports the deployment of the competitiveness coordination tool to guide and align national efforts; considers that public support should contribute to safeguarding jobs and industrial activity in Europe, and that beneficiaries of such support should commit to safeguarding decent employment and working conditions and engage in social dialogue;

    7.  Endorses simplification and digitalisation to speed up permitting procedures, while respecting environmental safeguards and protecting human health; calls on the Commission to further address permitting bottlenecks for industrial access to energy and industrial decarbonisation in the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, including through the adoption of measures to accelerate judicial and administrative procedures, and to assess criteria for targeted exemptions for construction emissions and depositions for clean and net zero projects, storage and grid projects; urges the Member States to improve their administrative capacities to ensure timely processing of permits and to fully implement the Renewable Energy Directive(5), including the overriding public interest principle, and the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA)(6);

    8.  Calls on the Commission to take into account, in safeguarding both security of supply and affordability, all available technologies that contribute to reaching the EU’s climate neutrality goal for 2050 in a cost-effective way in the pursuit of a cleaner, stable, secure and more independent energy mix; recognises that renewable energy, alongside nuclear energy for those Member States that decide to use it, is essential for a clean and secure energy mix; calls on the Commission to strengthen cooperation on the safe development and production of small modular reactors in Europe and to advance research in nuclear fusion as a future energy technology; welcomes the announced assessment of the possibility of streamlining licensing practices for new nuclear energy technologies;

    9.  Stresses the role of electrification, but notes that significant expansion and modernisation of grids are necessary; calls for an ‘EU strategy on energy flexibility’ with a focus on demand-side response and energy storage; welcomes the intention to update the Heating and Cooling Strategy and Electrification Action Plan; calls on the Commission to recognise the energy efficiency sector as a key strategic sector for industrial decarbonisation and European competitiveness;

    10.  Stresses the important role that renewable and low-carbon hydrogen can play in the decarbonisation of industry; calls for the swift adoption and implementation of a simple, technology-neutral and investment-friendly definition of low-carbon hydrogen in the forthcoming delegated regulation to supplement Directive (EU) 2024/1788(7) by specifying a methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions savings from low-carbon fuels, while ensuring that such a definition is robust, science-based and incentivises hydrogen production and usage to ensure emissions reductions; supports the announcement of a study on the rules for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs); urges the Commission to take into account the outcomes of this study and the concerns of stakeholders and propose, where appropriate, changes to the delegated act on RFNBOs(8) in order to increase renewable hydrogen production and lower its prices for consumers;

    11.  Reiterates the need to develop measures to ensure gas supply at a mitigated cost for those sectors which cannot rely substantially on electrification in the short to medium term; calls for diversified and reliable partnerships in line with the Union’s security, interests and the RePowerEU roadmap;

    12.  Urges the Commission to engage in sectoral dialogues with industries, academia, social partners and relevant stakeholders from clean tech and energy-intensive industries and (cross-border) regional industrial clusters to strengthen their competitiveness and facilitate their transition pathways; stresses that industrial ecosystems are highly interconnected and efficient, where closure of one facility affects the whole cluster; calls for annual monitoring and reporting on the competitiveness and resilience of our industrial ecosystems and on the progress made on the transition pathways, so that instruments can be adapted swiftly with tailor-made support when needed;

    13.  Underlines that the success of the clean industrial transition hinges on a skilled workforce; calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop a coordinated industrial skills strategy aligned with the NZIA and clean technology priorities; supports the swift deployment and expansion of the Net-Zero Industry Academies and Centres of Vocational Excellence; encourages the use of EU instruments such as ESF+, Erasmus+ and the Just Transition Fund to support targeted up- and reskilling in industrial regions undergoing transformation, including rural areas;

    14.  Welcomes lead markets for European-made clean, circular and low-carbon products; underlines the need to stimulate demand through public and private procurement and with the introduction of sustainability and resilience criteria and standards, where appropriate; supports the creation of voluntary carbon intensity labels for industrial products (e.g. for steel and cement), which should reflect carbon performance rather than process bias, and alignment with existing EU legislation, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation(9) and the Construction Products Regulation(10); calls on the Commission to explore other requirements to guarantee demand for clean EU-made products;

    15.  Welcomes the proposed actions powering the circular economy and the bioeconomy by securing access to materials and resources; encourages the inclusion in the Circular Economy Act of measures to increase the use and affordability of strategic secondary materials within the EU, taking into consideration the aims of the Critical Raw Materials Act(11); stresses the need to define those secondary raw materials that are strategic and that should be subject to export monitoring, such as steel and metal scrap, and to tackle any imbalance in their supply and demand, including by exploring export restrictions; insists on the effective enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation(12); calls for a predictable regulatory framework that unlocks circular business models, particularly those based on waste prevention, reuse and high-quality recycling;

    16.  Stresses the need to protect the European market from unfair competition and the dumping of industrial overcapacity from non-EU countries by using trade defence mechanisms to their full extent; calls on the Commission to adopt a systematic, proactive and proportionate use of trade defence instruments, including anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations; demands that the enforcement capacity of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation(13) be strengthened, and regrets that this tool has not yet been activated systematically in key sectors; calls for the Commission to treat industrial overcapacity and strategic dependencies as core competition risks requiring a coordinated EU-level response and appropriate tools; calls on the Commission to ensure that access to the EU internal market or to European industrial projects is not granted to actors contributing to structural market distortions or unfair competition;

    17.  Welcomes the proposed simplification of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in the first omnibus package as an important step to further enhance the effectiveness of the CBAM to address carbon leakage; reiterates its call for a workable export solution to address the risk of carbon leakage for CBAM goods exported from the EU to non-EU countries; asks the Commission to analyse carefully the risks associated with unverified certificates from outside the EU, which could harm fairness and competitiveness; welcomes the Commission’s intention to present an anti-circumvention strategy before the end of the year, and to consider extending the CBAM to additional sectors as part of the upcoming review; underlines the importance of an effective CBAM in the context of phasing out the free allowances in the EU emissions trading system;

    18.  Welcomes, in the context of the implementation of the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy, building the business case for permanent carbon removals into upcoming (reviews of) legislation; recognises that carbon management, including capture, storage, transport and utilisation, may be needed for hard-to-abate sectors; underlines the need to propose a CO2 market framework package for CO2 transport and infrastructure;

    19.  Urges accessible funding for SMEs; welcomes accelerated approval and disbursement in instruments such as the Innovation Fund and the NZIA and stresses that the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) initiative needs to be accessible to SMEs; urges further improvements and harmonisation to simplify funding applications, reduce reporting obligations and fast-track small projects;

    20.  Stresses the importance of sector-specific approaches to effectively implement the Clean Industrial Deal across the full range of industrial ecosystems; welcomes the Industrial Action Plan for the Automotive Sector, the Steel and Metals Action Plan, the announcement of the Chemicals Industry Package, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan and the Bioeconomy Strategy as key building blocks of a coherent industrial transition; calls for the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan to include detailed decarbonisation strategies, reflecting the specific technological and investment needs for the different modes of transport; calls for the inclusion of other sectors, such as the European aerospace sector and alternative fuels, in the framework of the Clean Industrial Deal; calls for a specific action plan on clean tech;

    21.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

    (1) OJ C 125, 5.4.2023, p. 124.
    (2) Texts adopted P10_TA(2025)0065.
    (3) Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1999/oj).
    (4) Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (OJ L 283, 31.10.2003, p. 51, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2003/96/oj).
    (5) Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and Directive 98/70/EC as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources, and repealing Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 (OJ L, 2023/2413, 31.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2413/oj).
    (6) Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj).
    (7) Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, amending Directive (EU) 2023/1791 and repealing Directive 2009/73/EC (OJ L, 2024/1788, 15.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1788/oj).
    (8) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 of 10 February 2023 supplementing Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing a Union methodology setting out detailed rules for the production of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin (OJ L 157, 20.6.2023, p. 11., ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/1184/oj).
    (9) Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, amending Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Directive 2009/125/EC (OJ L, 2024/1781, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj).
    (10) Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 laying down harmonised rules for the marketing of construction products and repealing Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (OJ L, 2024/3110, 18.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3110/oj).
    (11) Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 (OJ L, 2024/1252, 3.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1252/oj).
    (12) Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste, amending Regulations (EU) No 1257/2013 and (EU) 2020/1056 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 (OJ L, 2024/1157, 30.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1157/oj).
    (13) Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market (OJ L 330, 23.12.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2560/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Government 2024-25 Provisional Outturn and 2025-26 Budget Estimates

    Source: Scottish Government

    An Official Statistics Publication.

    The Chief Statistician has released figures on 2024-25 provisional outturn and 2025-26 budget estimates for revenue and capital expenditure on services provided by local authorities.

    In 2024-25, net revenue expenditure on local authority services was provisionally reported as £15,760 million in 2024-25 and budgeted as £16,239 million for 2025-26.

    This is an increase of 6.8% (£1,002 million) in 2024-25, compared to the net revenue expenditure figure of £14,758 million seen in 2023-24. However, much of this increase can be attributed to the baselining of £950.9 million into the General Revenue Grant, which switched this funding away from the category of specific grants. As Net Revenue Expenditure measures general funding and the use of Council’s own reserves, funding more money via the General Revenue Grant leads to a corresponding rise in Net Revenue Expenditure.

    General fund net revenue expenditure is estimated to increase by a further 3.0% (£479 million) in 2025-26.

    Education and Social Work continue to be the services with highest net revenue expenditure in both 2024-25 and 2025-26. These services account for around 81% of general fund net revenue expenditure.

    Local authorities reported provisional general funding of £16,394 million in 2024-25, and budgeted for £17,358 million of general funding in 2025-26.

    General Fund reserves (including Harbour Accounts) at 31 March 2025 were provisionally reported as £2,771 million, and budgeted to be £2,625 million at 31 March 2026. For context, General Fund reserve balances (including Harbour Accounts) were £1,584 million on 31 March 2020. Therefore, whilst reserve balances remain above pre-pandemic levels for Scotland, these are being brought down.

    Capital expenditure across local authorities was provisionally reported as £4,479 million in 2024-25, and budgeted as £5,035 million in 2025-26. An increase of 1.6% in capital expenditure for Education is expected from 2024-25 to 2025-26, reflecting the roll out of the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

    The main sources of capital financing are grants & contributions and borrowing. Borrowing is expected to increase to £2,395 million in 2024-25, and then to £3,021 million in 2025-26. In 2024-25 and 2025-26, in-year borrowing is anticipated to remain as the primary source of capital financing.

    Total external debt was provisionally reported as £22,916 million in 2024-25, and budgeted as £25,696 million in 2025-26, with local authorities continuing to remain under-borrowed.

    Background

    The Local Government 2024-25 Provisional Outturn and 2025-26 Budget Estimates publication summarises the 2024-25 provisional outturn and 2025-26 budget estimates for revenue and capital services provided by local authorities. This data is collected from local authorities annually via the Provisional Outturn and Budget Estimates (POBE) statistical return.

    Further information on Local Government Finance statistics publications and data collections can be found on the Scottish Government website.

    These statistics have been produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Data gaps and demographic change: the end of the NZ census will create big blind spots

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Spoonley, Distinguished Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Ending the New Zealand census as we’ve known it will save money – it was “no longer financially viable”, according to Statistics Minister Shane Reti – but the true cost of those savings could be considerable.

    Of course, it’s no secret the two previous censuses raised major questions about the quality of census data and the process. In 2018, an untested experiment with online returns, and a reduced workforce in the field, saw “an unacceptably low response rate”.

    In 2023, StatsNZ had to apologise again, this time for failing to keep the collected data safe and for another low response rate, especially for Māori. The problems were compounded by low trust in government and an unwillingness to share private information in the wake of COVID-related misinformation.

    It didn’t help that the 2023 census cost NZ$325 million, up from $104 million in 2013 – double the amount per capita, for reasons that remain unclear.

    That was enough. Cabinet papers between March and May last year signalled the government was going to move to an alternative system of data collection. The shift was characterised as “modernising the census” – except there will be no census.

    But the change has been made without any apparent consideration of how the census is used – specifically, that it is crucial to the management of a modern society and economy – and what will be lost in the process.

    Comparison across time

    One of the primary functions of a census is to allow comparison with previous censuses over time. And these go back a long way.

    The first census, in 1851, collected data on Europeans only, although the Native Secretary provided details of Māori from 1849 to 1850. The Census Act of 1858 required that a national census of all Europeans take place every three years. A new act in 1877 introduced the five-yearly census we’ve become used to.

    Data on Māori was collected separately until 1916 when a question on “race” appeared. The 1926 Census and Statistical Act then required all individuals, including Māori, to complete the census forms.

    Depression and war meant there were no censuses in 1931 and 1941, and the 2011 census was delayed because of the Christchurch earthquakes. Otherwise, we have had regular updates from nearly all the resident population on a whole range of aspects of life in New Zealand.

    This comprehensive picture of New Zealanders and the way we live underpins nearly every aspect of political decision-making and policy development. But no more.

    The new approach will use existing administrative data collected by government departments and agencies as part of their normal business. ACC, Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, and Department of Internal Affairs will be key data sources.

    The data gaps will be addressed by asking those departments and agencies to change some of what they collect. But the main change will involve surveys – as yet unspecified in terms of sample size or frame, or the questions and topics to be covered – which will “verify data quality and fill gaps”.

    As well as saving money, the statistics minister says, this approach will provide “more timely insights”. But this all leaves important questions unanswered.

    Inadequate administrative data

    Administrative data is collected for specific purposes and in different ways by government departments and agencies. The coverage is incomplete, there is often no consistency in what is collected, and there are issues about data quality and robustness.

    Moreover, information management is not a particular strength of most public sector agencies (Inland Revenue might be one of the few exceptions). It will be interesting to see whether the government is prepared to fund new technology options and methods to help improve this data collection.

    For example, the Understanding Policing Delivery research project has identified issues with data collection, especially in relation to ethnicity: national intelligence activities collect and hold data on ethnicity, iwi and hapū affiliations, but the process for issuing police infringement notices for offending does not.

    As a StatsNZ exercise which looked at ethnicity data collection across the government sector noted:

    The question asked for ethnicity differs widely across administrative data sources and often differs within each administrative source depending on the mode of collection or the form used.

    Such inconsistencies will need to be rectified if administrative data is to be anything like as comprehensive and consistent as the data provided by the census.

    Major demographic change

    New Zealand is also undergoing major demographic change, including the following trends:

    • fertility has declined and is at sub-replacement levels

    • the population is rapidly ageing

    • the proportion of population living in the top half of the North Island is increasing

    • and immigration has contributed significantly to population growth and diversity.

    I am not convinced the new administrative approach will capture these demographic changes, much less good data on the wellbeing of various communities or the nature of families and households.

    Administrative data, by definition, is partial and suited to the particular activities and concerns of the agency or department in question. But in a modern, complex society, data is key. We have just lost one of the most powerful tools available for understanding this country in the 21st century.

    The author acknowledges Len Cook, former Government Statistician of New Zealand, for his comments and suggestions.

    Paul Spoonley has received funding from MBIE and is associated with Koi Tu.

    – ref. Data gaps and demographic change: the end of the NZ census will create big blind spots – https://theconversation.com/data-gaps-and-demographic-change-the-end-of-the-nz-census-will-create-big-blind-spots-259663

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers call on Minister Watts to rule out yet another tax

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers is calling on the Revenue Minister to rule out yet another tax, this time a controversial Inland Revenue proposal hitting the not-for-profit sector.
    Under the proposal, organisations like Federated Farmers would be taxed on their membership subscription income for the first time.
    “We’re calling on Simon Watts to move quickly and categorically take this off the table,” Federated Farmers board member Richard McIntyre says.
    “This is not a routine tax consultation – this is a significant new interpretation that overturns 20 years of settled practice.”
    Ideally, Inland Revenue would withdraw its draft interpretation but, failing that, the Minister must step in, McIntyre says.
    “This isn’t a minor tweak – it’s a fundamental shift in how the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) interprets the law.
    “It would have serious consequences for New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector.”
    Under current practice, not-for-profits structured as mutual associations – organisations set up to serve their members rather than make a profit – aren’t taxed on income they receive from members.
    This principle, known as mutuality, is based on the idea that a group of people cannot make profit from dealing with themselves.
    However, IRD is proposing that if a not-for-profit is constitutionally prohibited from distributing profits to members, as most are, its member income should be taxed.
    “This would pull the rug out from under about 9000 not-for profits, advocacy groups, professional associations, unions, community organisations, and political parties who rely on membership fees to fund their operations,” McIntyre says.
    “This is not just about Federated Farmers – it’s sector-wide and is creating huge concern.”
    The IRD’s draft relies heavily on an Australian legal precedent – the Coleambally Irrigation case – which found mutuality does not apply when there is a legal bar on profit distribution.
    But Federated Farmers argues this is a poor precedent to import into New Zealand, noting that Australia’s Parliament had to step in and reverse it with legislation after significant backlash.
    New Zealand’s not-for-profit framework is different – but the harm from adopting this interpretation would create exactly the same confusion and harm, McIntyre says.
    Federated Farmers’ submission urges the IRD Commissioner to withdraw the proposal and reaffirm the non-taxable status of genuine mutual income.
    “Ultimately, this is now a political question. The Government cannot allow the Inland Revenue to unilaterally rewrite tax policy that affects thousands of organisations,” McIntyre says.
    “This is why the Minister needs to rule this out publicly. Tax policy decisions of this magnitude belong with elected representatives, not faceless tax officials in Wellington.”
    Federated Farmers has submitted on this consultation draft.
    The submission questions why IRD is pursuing the change now, after more than 20 years of consistent guidance and practice and ecosystem has been allowed to flourish under the existing rules.
    “After two decades of stability, we have to ask: why now? This has the hallmarks of a desperate revenue grab dressed up as a legal interpretation,” McIntyre says.
    “That’s why the Minister needs to make it clear this won’t proceed.”
    Federated Farmers is not alone in its concerns.
    “We’re hearing from a growing coalition of not-for-profits across the country, who are just as alarmed as us about the proposed change and its implications,” McIntyre says.
    “From unions to professional bodies to political parties, the feedback is unanimous: this proposal would be devastating.
    “The mutuality principle has served our country well for decades, and it should be preserved.”
    Federated Farmers’ submission concludes with a stark warning: if the Commissioner proceeds with the reinterpretation, it will become a political issue – one that Ministers and MPs will need to address urgently.
    “The public deserve to know where the Government stands on this. We’re calling on Minister Watts to give that clarity now,” McIntyre says.
    The full submission is available here, and Federated Farmers will continue to engage with the Government, other affected organisations, and the wider public as the consultation process unfolds. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “DONALD TRUMP AND EXTREME MAGA REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he criticized the Rubber Stamp Republicans for not standing up for the American people while Donald Trump unleashes chaos, cruelty and corruption. 

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Good afternoon, everyone. The Trump administration continues to unleash chaos, cruelty and corruption on the American people. Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans have been a complete and total failure domestically and internationally. Donald Trump promised that on day one of his presidency, he would end the war in Ukraine. He promised on day one of his presidency, he would free the hostages to bring about peace in the Middle East. And Donald Trump promised that on day one of his presidency, costs would go down in the United States of America. None of it has happened. Instead, costs in the United States of America aren’t going down, they’re going up. Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans are crashing the economy in real time and driving us toward a possible recession. Donald Trump and House Republicans have not done a single thing to lower the high cost of living in the United States of America. Not a single thing. Instead, Republicans are trying to jam this One Big, Ugly Bill down the throats of the American people.

    The GOP Tax Scam represents the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. It’s an all-out assault on the healthcare of the American people. Children, families, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans will all be hurt by the GOP Tax Scam. Premiums, copays and deductibles will go up for tens of millions of Americans. Hospitals will close. Nursing homes will shut down. Community-based health clinics will be unable to operate, and because more than 16 or so million people in America will lose their healthcare, people in this country will die. That’s what Republican governance has brought to the United States of America. The GOP Tax Scam will also cut nutritional assistance from the American people. Children and seniors and older Americans will literally have food ripped away from them. And this all-out assault on healthcare, this all-out assault on nutritional assistance, is being done by Republicans so they can provide their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks that they don’t need and don’t deserve. The one big, ugly Republican bill will hurt everyday Americans in order to reward billionaires.

    At the same time, Donald Trump and his actions—which do not appear to be consistent with the United States Constitution—takes unilateral offensive military action without seeking the approval of the United States Congress. The use of military force, which is offensive in nature, must be approved by the House and the Senate. That’s according to the Constitution. It’s not optional, Donald. It’s not. The framers of the Constitution actually gave Congress the power to declare war for a reason. So the American people, through their elected representatives, would have the opportunity to debate the issue and make some decisions as it relates to what’s in the best interest and the national security of the American people. Donald Trump and the administration chose to ignore the Constitution. And so they’re going to have to come before Congress and explain their justification for an offensive military strike against Iran.

    Yes, we can never allow Iran to become a nuclear power. And of course, Israel has the right to defend itself, and we’ll support Israel’s security in an ironclad manner. But the Trump administration intentionally decided to ignore the aggressive diplomacy that was available to it, to try to address the Iranian nuclear threat and ignore the requirements of the Constitution, and now they’ve got to explain why. And we expect that justification, not just at the classified briefing behind closed doors tomorrow, but we expect them to explain to the American people the basis of the strike. What were the results in terms of actually thwarting Iran’s capacity to become a nuclear power? And what are the Trump administration’s plans to avoid another potentially disastrous war in the Middle East, with thousands of American lives are potentially at risk? What is your plan to avoid another foreign war, a promise you made, a promise that Donald Trump made to the American people last year? And just like every other major promise that he made on the campaign trail, he’s failed to keep.

    Full press conference can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Champions Opportunities for Future Farmers and Manufacturers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    STORM LAKE, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, led a roundtable discussion on her bipartisan Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA) that will expand opportunities for first-time farmers and small to mid-size manufacturers.
    The legislation will modernize the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) rules for Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) and First-Time Farmer Bonds (Aggie Bonds) and provide new financing opportunities for beginning farmers and small-scale manufacturers. Iowa leads the nation in use of Aggie Bonds, but the rules for IDBs and Aggie Bonds have not been updated in nearly 30 years.
    “It’s time to cut the red tape and give our farmers, small manufacturers, and rural lenders room to grow. My bipartisan MAMBA legislation’s commonsense updates will do that by driving new investment and making it easier for beginning farmers and manufacturers to access capital and grow their businesses,” said Senator Ernst. “Iowa leads the nation in using Aggie Bonds, and I appreciate the folks who joined me to share their insights as I work to get this bill across the finish line.”

    Download photos from the event here.
    Today, Ernst was joined by:

    Tammy Nebola, Ag Development Program Specialist, Iowa Finance Authority
    Jayme Ungs, Iowa Ag Development Division Board Member, Peoples Bank
    Kevin Boyle, Iowa Ag Development Division Board Member, Templeton Savings Bank
    Eric Weuve, Organizer of the Iowa Bankers Association Ag Lending Program, Iowa State Extension
    Makayla Gallentine, Advocacy and Policy Coordinator, Iowa Bankers Association
    Mike Gathman, CEO, Community Bankers of Iowa

    Ernst’s MAMBA legislation has earned overwhelming support:
    “We applaud Senator Ernst for introducing the Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director at the National Young Farmers Coalition. “Access to land–the number one challenge for this new generation of farmers and ranchers–is inextricably linked to credit accessibility. Aggies bonds provide a win-win mechanism that affords tax free interest to private agricultural lenders, on lower interest loans made to beginning farmers. This proposed legislation will make several commonsense updates to this important credit accessibility tool.”
    “We are thrilled that MAMBA has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support. With our country facing great economic opportunity, it has become clear that investments in farmers and manufacturers are necessary to strengthen the United States’ global competitiveness. By updating the 40-year-old rules around agricultural and manufacturing bonds, MAMBA allows for the innovative financing tools necessary to invest in local communities by expanding and growing American manufacturing and farming,” said Toby Rittner, President & CEO of the Council of Development Finance Agencies. “Senators Ernst and Warner have been great champions of farmers and manufacturers and the development finance industry as a whole, and I am thankful for their commitment to those key pillars of the U.S. economy.”
    “The BDA supports the reintroduction of the Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA). This commonsense and bipartisan legislation will embolden small manufacturers and first-time farmers in a time when investment in rural America is needed more than ever,” said the Bond Dealers of America. “It has been over 30 years since these bonds have been modernized, causing stagnation in these respective industries.  We call on Congress to advance this overdue legislation.”
    “The Independent Community Banks of America (ICBA) supports the Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA) and applauds its introduction by Senators Ernst and Warner. This legislation modernizes industrial development bonds and first-time farmer bonds by updating, for the first time in 30 years, the Internal Revenue Code’s treatment of IDBs for small manufacturers and aggie bonds for beginning farmers,” said Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA President and CEO. “These changes allow community banks to better serve these market segments that are vitally important to our local rural economies by providing customers more flexible and larger financing and lower-cost credit options.”
    “MAMBA will support the flow of investment to small and medium-size manufacturing companies across the American heartland, bringing the program of Industrial Development Bonds and Aggie Bonds into the 21st Century,” said Julius Krein, Chair of the Board of Directors of the New American Industrial Alliance. “NAIA encourages the reindustrialization of the American economy at all levels and in all sectors, especially in financing the development of productive capacity.”
    Read the full bill – supported by Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) – here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canadian community foundations rally to support local news, calling it essential to democracy

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Magda Konieczna, Associate Professor of Journalism, Concordia University

    A couple of weeks ago, a neighbour mentioned our son’s school might be moving. I couldn’t find anything about this online.

    But I did find plenty of news from down south. While the erosion of democracy in the United States is something to pay attention to, some news outlets appear to be capitalizing on its sensational aspects.

    When Donald Trump and Elon Musk get into an online fistfight, local news can seem like the less glamorous cousin.

    But there’s really not much we can do about American democracy.

    A poster on a lamp post that says ‘Good News is Coming.’
    Jon Tyson/Unsplash, CC BY

    Still, U.S. media reports have contributed to news burnout. Many Canadians are tuning out from their regular news sources. Forty per cent of Canadians responding to a survey from the 2025 Reuters Digital News Report said they were sometimes or often avoiding the news, as compared to 28 per cent eight years earlier.

    Hearing about problems we can’t do much about is disempowering, according to a study on solutions journalism. Researchers found that readers who were treated as active civic participants rather than passive consumers felt more empowered.

    The news about my kid’s school is something that profoundly impacts my family. And I can do something about it, at least in theory. I can attend public meetings and organize my neighbours to take a stand, in hopes of affecting the outcome of the discussions.

    Local news can help me do that. It’s the very stuff that can help rebuild frayed community ties and mis- and disinformation. Without access to quality local news, malicious entities can more easily step into communities with misinformation designed to sway or mislead.

    Voter turnout is higher in places with more newspapers. Local journalists act as news brokers, ensuring the flow of information, which is essential to fulfilling the information needs of communities. We know that when less local news is present, communities become more polarized, and that polarization leads to increased sharing of misinformation.

    But local news is increasingly in trouble. Local news outlets are closing — 566 across Canada, to be precise, between 2008 and April 2025. That’s compared to the 283 that opened and remain in operation in that same period, according to the Local News Research Project.

    Rallying to support local news

    My recent report for The Canadian Philanthropy Partnership Research Network, “In Defense of the Local: How Community Foundations Across Canada are Supporting Local News” describes an increasingly popular way to support these local news outlets.

    Through case studies, I documented — along with my research assistant, Jessica Botelho-Urbanski, and supported by our research team at OCADU — the early signs of a growing movement of Canadian community foundations supporting local journalism.

    Community foundations across Canada are becoming ever more aware that many of the issues they care about, like building just and sustainable communities, are connected to the availability of local journalism.

    And some communities are starting to fund their local news outlets.

    For example, the Toronto Foundation made a rare, 10-year commitment to support The Local, a non-profit news outlet founded in 2019 that describes itself as “unabashedly Toronto, reporting from corners of the city that are too often ignored or misunderstood.”

    Screenshot of a story on ‘Moss Park’ from the digital news outlet The Local.
    The Local

    Sharon Avery, Toronto Foundation’s president and CEO, says the organization hadn’t spent much time prioritizing journalism because “the dots have not been connected …that a healthy local journalism equals a healthy community.” But she grew convinced of the essential links between local news and democracy, and realized local news is a powerful tool.

    The Winnipeg Foundation has been interested in local news for a while. Most recently, it funded the salary for one reporter, shared between Winnipeg’s The Free Press, a major local newspaper, and The Narwhal, an environmentally focused digital news startup that had been looking to expand its coverage in the Prairies.

    This kind of collaboration can improve the quality of work produced while also increasing the attention garnered by the resulting journalism in a way that is truly a win-win for all partners.

    How to support local journalism

    All of this is happening alongside government support, delivered through solutions like the Local Journalism Initiative, which funds journalists to report on under-covered topics, and the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit, which covers a portion of salaries of eligible journalists.

    Our report also includes recommendations on how place-based foundations can turn these initiatives into a movement to support local journalism. Community foundations could start by getting to know their local news ecosystems. What news organizations exist? What audiences do they serve?

    They should also consider policies to direct some of their ad spending to local media, following the lead of the provincial government in Ontario, which has its four largest agencies allocate at least one-quarter of their annual advertising budgets to Ontario publishers.

    Perhaps the most powerful — and most challenging — of our recommendations includes working with other local players to set up a community news fund.

    This would enable funders to pay into a pool allocated to local news. This approach has generated millions for local news ecosystems in the U.S., Europe and South America.

    Community foundations have the power to promote journalistic collaboration, which can help to combat mis- and disinformation.

    To improve the quality of life and information for Canadians from coast to coast to coast, supporting local journalism is a must.

    The contribution of the research assistant on the report described here was funded by a SSHRC grant obtained by the Canadian philanthropy partnership research network (PhiLab). The work was also supported by the Cultural Policy Hub at OCADU.

    – ref. Canadian community foundations rally to support local news, calling it essential to democracy – https://theconversation.com/canadian-community-foundations-rally-to-support-local-news-calling-it-essential-to-democracy-257873

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Bribe Feeding Our Future Juror

    Source: US FBI

    MINNEAPOLIS – Abdiaziz Farah, who was convicted of fraud after the first Feeding Our Future trial, has pleaded guilty to his role in providing a cash bribe to a juror in that same trial, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

    On April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.  During the trial, Abdiaziz Farah, 36, of Savage, MN, conspired with his co-defendants, Abdimajid Nur and Said Farah, also well as with two other people, Abdulkarim Farah and Ladan Ali, to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict in the trial.

    “The attempted bribery of a Feeding Our Future juror sent shockwaves throughout Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Abdiaziz Farah did what few criminal defendants have ever had the audacity to do—he and his co-conspirators tried to buy a not guilty verdict.  They were thwarted by Juror 52, who could not be bought, and by the excellent work of law enforcement.  Farah and all involved in this despicable scheme will be held to account.”

    “Juror bribery is an attack on the integrity of our justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis.  “Farah’s actions directly undermined the rule of law. In partnership with our law enforcement colleagues, the FBI is unwavering in our pledge to safeguard the incorruptibility of our judicial process and ensure those who threaten that process must answer for their actions.”

    According to court documents, after the conspirators identified and decided to bribe Juror 52, at least one of Farah’s co-conspirators conducted surveillance of Juror 52 at Juror 52’s house. At or around the same time, Ladan Ali was recruited to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. Farah worked with his co-conspirators to gather the funds necessary for the bribe. In the early morning of June 2, 2024, in furtherance of that effort, Farah sent a message to his brother and co-defendant Said Farah using an encrypted messaging app. Abdiaziz Farah told Said Farah to “[p]lease have the money ready by 10 please. It’s very important for everything we have.”

    Later on June 2, 2024, Farah instructed his co-defendant Abdimajid Nur to meet him at Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers, to pick up the bribe money. Abdimajid Nur did so. However, Farah and Said Farah did not fully trust Ladan Ali, and they remained concerned that Juror 52 would not follow through with an acquittal. As such, a co-conspirator directed Abdulkarim Farah to drive Ladan Ali to Juror 52’s house and record a video of her delivery of the bribe money.

    After meeting Ladan Ali not far from Juror 52’s house, Abdulkarim Farah and Ladan Ali drove to a nearby Target store where Abdulkarim Farah purchased a screwdriver to remove the license plate from Ladan Ali’s rental car prior to delivering the bribe to Juror 52 in an effort to avoid detection.

    At approximately 8:50 p.m. on June 2, 2024, Abdulkarim Farah drove Ladan Ali to Juror 52’s house to deliver the bribe. Abdulkarim Farah took a video recording as Ladan Ali approached Juror 52’s house with a gift bag containing the bribe money. Ladan Ali handed the gift bag to a relative of Juror 52 and explained there would be more money if Juror 52 voted to acquit the defendants.

    After Ladan Ali delivered the bribe, Abdulkarim Farah sent the video he had taken to his brother, Abdiaziz Farah. Abdiaziz Farah then forwarded that video to the third Farah brother, Said, in a message that said, “watch and delete.”

    On June 3, 2024, Farah was present in court when prosecutors announced law enforcement’s discovery of the bribe attempt. Minutes later, after being ordered by Judge Nancy Brasel to surrender his phone to law enforcement, Farah conducted a factory reset of his iPhone in order to delete the messages, video, and other evidence of the bribe attempt from his phone.

    Abdiaziz Farah pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025, in U.S. District Court before Judge David S. Doty to one count of bribery of a juror. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Delivers Record Payments and Dividends

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 23, 2025

    Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan’s (LGS’s) 2024-25 Annual Report, released today, shows net income before payments to the province’s General Revenue Fund (GRF) of $358.5 million on revenue of $742.6 million. Payments to the GRF were $135.0 million, resulting in net income after payments to the GRF of $223.5 million.

    The report, covering LGS’s first full year of operations, also shows dividends to LGS’s shareholder, Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), of $190.0 million, which is the largest annual dividend declared by any commercial Crown corporation in CIC’s history.

    LGS delivered this success on behalf of the people and businesses of Saskatchewan in partnership with its four gaming operators – SaskGaming, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC), and Sask Sport.

    “The record payments provided by Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan in 2024-25 delivered a better quality of life for Saskatchewan families,” Minister Responsible for LGS Jeremy Harrison said. “More than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups benefited from $71.9 million in payments and $7.8 million in charitable gaming grants supported over 2,700 non-profit and charitable organizations throughout our province. Historic dividends also enabled our government to make important investments in priority areas including affordability, health care, education and community safety.”

    “These stellar results were driven by increased guest spending in land-based casinos, online gaming, and VLTs resulting from strong economic conditions in the province,” LGS President and CEO Susan Flett said. “LGS also delivered for local businesses across the province this fiscal year with commissions totalling $61.1 million earned by VLT site contractors and lottery retailers.”

    In 2024-25, proceeds from gaming in Saskatchewan were delivered as follows:

    • $190.0 million in total dividends declared by LGS to be paid to CIC (much of this flows to the GRF to help fund government priorities).
    • $81.2 million to the First Nations Trust which distributes proceeds to Saskatchewan First Nations for a range of purposes that benefit communities.
    • $71.9 million to Sask Sport, SaskCulture, and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association to help support more than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups in communities across Saskatchewan.
    • $47.4 million in commissions earned by more than 560 VLT site contractors across the province.
    • $32.7 million to Community Development Corporations which distribute a portion of profits generated by casinos to First Nation and non-First Nation organizations in the communities in which SIGA casinos are located.
    • $13.7 million in commissions earned by about 1,000 lottery retailers across the province.
    • $11.1 million in community sponsorships and exhibition association payments from Saskatchewan’s two land-based casino operators SIGA and SaskGaming.
    • $7.8 million in charitable gaming grants paid by LGS to nonprofit and charitable organizations across the province.
    • $7.2 million to the Community Initiatives Fund which offers financial support to Saskatchewan community projects.
    • $6.7 million from the lottery licensing fee (paid by Sask Sport to LGS) to the GRF to help fund government priorities.
    • $4.2 million to the Clarence Campeau Development Fund which helps support Métis businesses, entrepreneurs and communities.
    • $3.0 million to the First Nations Addictions Rehabilitation Foundation.

    LGS was established in 2023 as the provider of conduct and management for casinos, VLTs, lotteries and online gaming in Saskatchewan, including oversight of PlayNow, the province’s only legal online gaming platform.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Delivering Growth Through Collaboration and Innovation: SaskTel Reports Net Income of $82.2 Million in 2024-25

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 23, 2025

    Today, SaskTel released both its Annual Report and Sustainability Report for the 2024-25 fiscal year, highlighting its financial results and initiatives and best practices driving sustainability, equity and prosperity for the province of Saskatchewan. Financial results for the 2024-25 fiscal year include net income of $82.2 million and operating revenues of $1,364.9 million. These results show SaskTel’s commitment to delivering competitive services and enhancing its world-class networks to enrich everyday life in Saskatchewan.

    “Our government and SaskTel’s commitment to delivering for Saskatchewan remains as strong as ever,” Minister Responsible for SaskTel Jeremy Harrison said. “The significant investments made by SaskTel in 2024-25 will ensure that more families, businesses, and communities across the province have access to the advanced communications networks and technologies that they need to succeed and grow in a developing smart economy.” 

    “In a time of evolution and change in the telecommunications industry, one thing that remains constant is SaskTel’s commitment to empowering Saskatchewan people, organizations and communities to reach their full potential,” SaskTel President and Chief Executive Officer Charlene Gavel said. “Thanks to the substantial investments made in 2024-25, our ongoing progress toward bringing SaskTel’s 5G and infiNET networks to more communities is already driving new economic activity and helping to ready our province for whatever comes next in the tech landscape.”

    SaskTel’s revenue is composed primarily of wireless network services and equipment revenue (49.5 per cent), fixed broadband and data services (23.4 per cent), wireline communication services (10.6 per cent), and maxTV service (7.2 per cent).

    Financial Highlights

    SaskTel’s financial measures focus on shareholder value, revenue and earnings generation and the efficient use of its capital investments. These measures provide insight into its current financial performance and contribute to its long-term financial stability. 

    SaskTel declared dividends of $32.9 million to Crown Investments Corporation during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, while maintaining a debt ratio within industry standards. 

    At the close of the fiscal year 2024-25, SaskTel’s debt ratio increased to 56.5 per cent, an increase of 50 basis points from the previous year. The overall level of net debt increased $99.2 million, primarily to fund continued investment in its fibre and 5G networks through investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

    Revenue for the fiscal year was $1,364.9 million, an increase of $16.4 million reflecting growth in key business segments including wireless network services and equipment, fixed broadband and data services, maxTV service and IT solutions services. The increase in wireless network services and equipment revenue reflects the growth in SaskTel’s wireless retail subscriber base and increased wholesale revenues. Fixed broadband and data services revenue growth was driven by SaskTel’s Rural Fibre Initiative, which continues to expand the company’s fibre footprint resulting in increased customer connections. IT solutions services revenue growth reflects increased adoption of SaskTel’s cybersecurity solutions, data centre offerings and managed IT services. 

    SaskTel invested $398.5 million of capital in 2024-25 to bring SaskTel infiNET service to more homes and businesses and grow the reach of its 5G wireless network. These investments enhance the reliability and resiliency of SaskTel’s networks and position Saskatchewan for success in the smart economy.

    Wireless spending, including 5G, LTE, and Wi-Fi, accounted for $130.1 million of the $398.5 million total, while $108.5 million was invested in SaskTel’s Fibre-to-the-X program (FTTx). These significant investments, along with the rest of the capital expenditures, have enhanced SaskTel’s systems and networks, our provincial economy and will prepare Saskatchewan to thrive and succeed in a developing smart economy.

    SaskTel’s wireless network covers over 99 per cent of the population with more than 1,000 cell towers, over 700 of which are in rural parts of the province. As of March 31, 2025, SaskTel had converted more than 700 wireless sites to the 5G network, serving 88 per cent of the province’s population with 5G. As this network evolves, it will support things such as the development of smart communities and technological innovations in agriculture, virtual health care and immersive education.

    SaskTel’s FTTx program continued to bring infiNET, SaskTel’s fibre optic network, to homes and businesses across the province. infiNET delivers up to gigabit per second speeds, allowing customers to surf, stream and share more content faster than ever before. As of March 31, 2025, the network was available in 111 communities.

    Further, SaskTel’s Aurora Program was launched last summer following an announcement that the company had received funding from the Federal Government’s Universal Broadband Fund. The program encompasses four significant projects to improve connectivity in Northern Saskatchewan and since the Aurora Program was launched, SaskTel has made significant progress in bringing fibre cabling through the Hanson Lake Road area (Highway 106).

    Sustainability Highlights

    In 2024-25, SaskTel also continued to make a social impact in our province through numerous sponsorships and partnerships as well as the generosity of SaskTel employees. SaskTel contributed $3,094,714 to 1,048 non-profit and charitable organizations, community associations, venues, events and partnerships in 260 communities throughout the province during the 2024-25 fiscal year. 

    At a time when charities and non-profits are seeing growing demand for services, SaskTel’s employees showed their dedication by making a positive difference in their communities through volunteer hours and donations. With nearly 3,700 members, including current and retired employees, SaskTel Pioneers contributed over 25,280 volunteer hours and $1,036,620 in donations to non-profit organizations. SaskTel TelCare, the employee-driven charitable donation program, donated nearly $190,000 to 47 charitable and non-profit organizations operating across Saskatchewan, a number which includes SaskTel’s 50 per cent match.

    Additional SaskTel social impact initiatives include:

    Connecting with Community Challenge

    Through the 2025 Connecting with Community Challenge, SaskTel employees, along with the SaskTel Pioneers raised $15,000 for the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation to help fund youth mental wellness programs.

    The Connecting with Community Challenge worked in tandem with Pink Shirt Day and SaskTel Be Kind Online to encourage employees to perform acts of kindness, such as helping colleagues, volunteering, or supporting local causes. Each reported act of kindness counted as a $5 donation toward the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation.

    SaskTel Phones for a Fresh Start

    In partnership with the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, SaskTel Phones for a Fresh Start provided 341 cell phones and $8,000 worth of phone cards to the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) in 2024-25.

    SaskTel Phones for a Fresh Start provides wireless phones and phone cards to PATHS member agencies to assist individuals fleeing domestic abuse as well as youth transitioning out of permanent or long-term care from the Ministry of Social Services. By collecting and recycling old wireless phones, the program aims to minimize Saskatchewan’s environmental footprint while helping those in need. 

    SaskTel’s Annual Report and Sustainability Report provide comprehensive insights into the company’s financial performance, strategic initiatives and commitment to sustainable practices. These reports not only highlight SaskTel’s achievements and growth over the past year, but also underscore its dedication to transparency, accountability and long-term value creation for our stakeholders. By detailing our efforts in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and governance, we aim to foster trust and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to building a sustainable future for our community and beyond.

    For more information, including the full Annual and Sustainability report, please visit: sasktel.com/about-us.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Media Relations

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Crown Sector Delivered Quality Services and Value for Saskatchewan in 2024-25

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 23, 2025

    Crown Investments Corporation (CIC) and its subsidiary Crowns delivered the second lowest utility bundle in Canada and a record infrastructure investment in 2024-25. CIC’s annual report released today highlights the sector’s commitment to reliable and affordable quality services to customers and strong financial management of Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations. 

    ” Saskatchewan’s Crown sector continues to support the continued growth of our province’s economy through buying local, investing in infrastructure, and delivering essential services to families, communities, businesses and industry,” Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our Crown corporations worked diligently in 2024-25 to deliver some of the most affordable utility costs in the country. The Crowns’ record investments in building and maintaining systems continue to support service reliability, local economies and the demand from growth across the province.”  

    On behalf of its subsidiary Crowns, CIC provided strong financial returns to Saskatchewan, contributing $240 million in dividends to the General Revenue Fund, supporting provincial priorities including affordability measures, health care, education and community safety. Improved earnings at SaskEnergy and the Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan contributed to the positive financial result.

    Together, the Crown corporations invested a record $2.2 billion in infrastructure in 2024-25. A large portion of this investment was from SaskPower to support reliable electricity, including the completion of the Great Plains Power Station near Moose Jaw and the construction of the Aspen Power Station near Lanigan. SaskTel continued to strengthen its cellular and fibre optic networks, delivering the fastest internet, Wi-Fi and 5G mobile technologies in Saskatchewan. These capital projects have created an attractive investment environment for the province, provided quality local jobs and supported vendors here at home.

    The sector delivered on Saskatchewan’s priorities – enhancing Indigenous education and employment opportunities, making traffic safety improvements in cities, towns and villages, supporting thousands of non-profit and community organizations and groups, and continuing its contributions to STARS Air Ambulance to provide critical care for seriously ill and injured patients. 

    The 2024-25 Annual Report for Crown Investments Corporation is available online at www.cicorp.sk.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Media Relations
    Crown Investments Corporation
    Regina
    Phone: 306-787-7732
    Email: Communications@cicorp.sk.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Nonprofit Founder and Accountant Charged with Stealing Over $100 Million From Special Needs Victims

    Source: US FBI

    Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  unsealing of an indictment charging Leo John Govoni (67, Clearwater) and John Leo Witeck (60, Tampa) in connection with a fraud scheme that involved stealing more than $100 million from, and ultimately bankrupting, a non-profit organization in Clearwater that managed funds for vulnerable individuals with special needs and disabilities.

    Govoni and Witeck are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Govoni is also charged separately with one count of bank fraud, one count of illegal monetary transaction, and one count of making a false bankruptcy declaration. The bank fraud offense carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Each count of wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and the money laundering conspiracy offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. The illegal monetary transaction count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and the false bankruptcy declaration carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. 

    According to the indictment and court documents, around the year 2000, Govoni co-founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT), a non-profit that managed funds for individuals with disabilities and other special needs, including those who received settlements, court awards, and other payments. CSNT grew to be one of the largest administrators of special needs trusts in the country, with beneficiaries located in Florida and nationwide. As of February 2024, CSNT managed more than 2,100 special needs trusts containing approximately $200 million in assets.

    As alleged in the indictment, from June 2009 through May 2025, Govoni, Witeck, and their co-conspirators solicited, stole, and misappropriated CSNT client-beneficiary funds—which they treated as a slush fund to enrich themselves and others—and concealed their illegal activities through complex financial transactions and deceit, including sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to disabled victims and their families. Govoni allegedly used stolen money to purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits in his personal bank accounts, and pay debts. In February 2024, CSNT filed for bankruptcy and disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts.

    Govoni is also charged with bank fraud related to a $3 million mortgage refinance loan and the alleged laundering of $205,054 of the fraud proceeds to pay off a home equity line of credit on his residence. Govoni is further alleged to have made false declarations to the bankruptcy court related to the CSNT bankruptcy proceedings.

    “Protecting the most vulnerable members of our society is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U. S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable. Due to the diligence and interagency collaboration by our dedicated law enforcement partners, these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The subjects charged are accused of creating a slush fund to divert millions of dollars away from a nonprofit organization helping people with special needs,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Not only were the organization’s resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families. The FBI will not tolerate the exploitation of charitable missions for personal enrichment.”

    “The scale and audacity of the alleged fraud in this case are deeply troubling,” said Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS. “Stealing funds intended to protect and support people with special needs is as cruel as it is criminal. IRS-CI special agents are dedicated to uncovering complex financial schemes, especially those that prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

    “The defendant disrupted access to critical services for individuals with disabilities and defrauded federal health care programs with the sole purpose of financing a life of extravagance,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold those who’s illicit actions seek to assail enrollees and the nation’s federal health care programs fully accountable.”

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Nonprofit Founder and Accountant Charged with Stealing Over $100 Million From Special Needs Victims

    Source: US FBI

    Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  unsealing of an indictment charging Leo John Govoni (67, Clearwater) and John Leo Witeck (60, Tampa) in connection with a fraud scheme that involved stealing more than $100 million from, and ultimately bankrupting, a non-profit organization in Clearwater that managed funds for vulnerable individuals with special needs and disabilities.

    Govoni and Witeck are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Govoni is also charged separately with one count of bank fraud, one count of illegal monetary transaction, and one count of making a false bankruptcy declaration. The bank fraud offense carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Each count of wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and the money laundering conspiracy offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. The illegal monetary transaction count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and the false bankruptcy declaration carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. 

    According to the indictment and court documents, around the year 2000, Govoni co-founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT), a non-profit that managed funds for individuals with disabilities and other special needs, including those who received settlements, court awards, and other payments. CSNT grew to be one of the largest administrators of special needs trusts in the country, with beneficiaries located in Florida and nationwide. As of February 2024, CSNT managed more than 2,100 special needs trusts containing approximately $200 million in assets.

    As alleged in the indictment, from June 2009 through May 2025, Govoni, Witeck, and their co-conspirators solicited, stole, and misappropriated CSNT client-beneficiary funds—which they treated as a slush fund to enrich themselves and others—and concealed their illegal activities through complex financial transactions and deceit, including sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to disabled victims and their families. Govoni allegedly used stolen money to purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits in his personal bank accounts, and pay debts. In February 2024, CSNT filed for bankruptcy and disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts.

    Govoni is also charged with bank fraud related to a $3 million mortgage refinance loan and the alleged laundering of $205,054 of the fraud proceeds to pay off a home equity line of credit on his residence. Govoni is further alleged to have made false declarations to the bankruptcy court related to the CSNT bankruptcy proceedings.

    “Protecting the most vulnerable members of our society is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U. S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable. Due to the diligence and interagency collaboration by our dedicated law enforcement partners, these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The subjects charged are accused of creating a slush fund to divert millions of dollars away from a nonprofit organization helping people with special needs,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Not only were the organization’s resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families. The FBI will not tolerate the exploitation of charitable missions for personal enrichment.”

    “The scale and audacity of the alleged fraud in this case are deeply troubling,” said Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS. “Stealing funds intended to protect and support people with special needs is as cruel as it is criminal. IRS-CI special agents are dedicated to uncovering complex financial schemes, especially those that prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

    “The defendant disrupted access to critical services for individuals with disabilities and defrauded federal health care programs with the sole purpose of financing a life of extravagance,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold those who’s illicit actions seek to assail enrollees and the nation’s federal health care programs fully accountable.”

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Thirteen People Charged in Takedown of a Major Drug Trafficking Network

    Source: US FBI

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thirteen people have been charged and arrested for their roles in a New York City-based drug trafficking ring, with federal agents seizing nearly 500 kilos of cocaine.

    The announcement was made by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, New York Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Craig A. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge, Albany Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Steven G. James, Superintendent, New York State Police (NYSP). 

    On June 12, law enforcement officers, including from the NYSP, DEA and FBI, conducted searches at 24 locations in New York and New Jersey as part of an operation to break up a drug trafficking network that shipped drugs from California to New York City and then Upstate New York.  The searches resulted in the seizure of almost 250 kilos of cocaine, fentanyl pills, other drugs and paraphernalia, a firearm and more than $1 million in cash.  Law enforcement also made arrests in Georgia and Pennsylvania. 

    The searches and arrests on June 12 followed an 18-month-long investigation in which law enforcement seized more than 240 kilos of cocaine, 185 pounds of methamphetamine, and almost 700 pounds of marijuana. 

    United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Using an all-hands-on-deck approach, we have smashed a sophisticated, New York City-based drug trafficking organization that was pumping poison into our Upstate New York communities. This case demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to taking back our communities from the criminal organizations that have proliferated in recent years thanks to weak state laws and even weaker state legislators from New York City.”

    DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino said: “Over the past year and a half, our DEA team, working alongside our dedicated law enforcement partners, have successfully targeted the Abdelhak drug trafficking organization which has plagued and poisoned our communities here in New York and across the Northeastern corridor with illicit narcotics. While these operations have made a significant impact dismantling this drug trafficking network’s criminal enterprise, the DEA’s mission is far from over. The DEA remains steadfast in our commitment to saving lives, and we will continue to pursue the drug cartels and those individuals responsible for flooding our neighborhoods with these poisonous drugs.” 

    FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig A. Tremaroli said: “This network’s reach was expansive – moving drugs from California to sell in communities within the Capital Region, North Country, Central New York, Western New York, and New York City. But the reach of our federal task forces is deeper, and these 13 individuals learned the hard way that the FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will not stand idly by while criminals pedal drugs on our streets.” 

    NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James said: “This investigation and the arrests that followed reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting the public from the violence and devastation drug trafficking brings to our communities. These individuals were responsible for flooding our streets with lethal narcotics, putting countless lives at risk. By taking down this network, we have removed a serious threat to the safety of neighborhoods across New York. I thank our Troopers and all of our law enforcement partners for their tireless work to safeguard our state.”

    According to a criminal complaint, the following people are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances:

    • Samer Abdelhak, aka “Semi,” age 35, of Fresh Meadows, New York;
    • Leon Chen, aka “Don Eladio,” 29, of Long Island City, New York;
    • Michael Harper, aka “Miz,” 38, of Corning, New York;
    • Anthony Medina, aka “Tank” and “Fatboy,” 28, of Painted Post, New York;
    • Broslloyd Campbell, 42, of Hewlett, New York;
    • Anthony Dixon Jr., 41, of Jackson, New Jersey;
    • Chaquill Foster, aka “Lo” and “Gucci,” 31, of Schenectady, New York;
    • Christopher Smith, aka “Boot,” 39, of Fresh Meadows, New York;
    • Jason Hogue, aka “Whispers,” 44, of Lake Placid, New York;
    • Christopher Christman, aka “Free,” “Fremont,” and “Puffy,” 42, of Fresh Meadows, New York;
    • Cesar Ariel Castro-Sanchez, aka “Dom R,” 31, of Palisades Park, New Jersey;
    • Jocelyn Foster, aka “Jozzy,” 29, of Amsterdam, New York; and
    • Mikell Butler, 34, of Schenectady, New York.

    Nearly all of the defendants have been charged with offenses that carry a minimum term of 10 years and up to life in prison.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

    The charges in the complaint are merely accusations.  Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

    The NYSP, the DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force are investigating this case, with assistance from Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Offices in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, and the Police Departments in Colonie, Elmira, Gloversville, Johnstown, Niskayuna, Schenectady, and Amsterdam.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck, Katherine Kopita and Nicholas Walter are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Campaign Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Over $840,000

    Source: US FBI

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria woman pled guilty today to embezzling campaign contributions from three federal candidates for political office and committing tax evasion.

    According to court documents, Katherine Margaret Buchanan, 59,  worked as a political campaign compliance consultant for more than 20 years for various political campaigns and political action committees (PACs). Typically, she held the title of “Treasurer” of the campaign or PAC. Beginning in 2020 and continuing to 2024, Buchanan used the access she had as treasurer to embezzle contributed funds from her clients and converted that money to her own personal use. Buchanan used campaign or PAC funds to make payments to her personal credit cards, used official campaign or PAC credit cards to make personal purchases, used campaign or PAC funds to pay third parties for her own personal enrichment, and transferred funds from campaign or PAC bank accounts into her personal bank accounts.

    Buchanan used the embezzled funds for such personal expenses as dining, landscaping, aesthetic services, a Peloton exercise bike, clothing, airline tickets to Italy, concert tickets and suites, landscaping, chartered yacht tours, and legal fees. Altogether, Buchanan misappropriated at least $840,006.98 in contributed funds from the various campaign committees and PACs for whom she served as treasurer.

    Buchanan also under-reported the income she received from 2017 through 2022 to the Internal Revenue Service to avoid paying taxes on it. This resulted in a total loss of unpaid federal taxes of $671,200.

    Buchanan is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 8 and faces up to five years in prison for each charge. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Emily Odom, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; and Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-150.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mission Accomplished! Artemis ROADS III National Challenge Competitors Celebrate their Achievements

    Source: NASA

    The NASA Science Activation program’s Northwest Earth and Space Sciences Pathways (NESSP) team has successfully concluded the 2024–2025 Artemis ROADS III National Challenge, an educational competition that brought real NASA mission objectives to student teams (and reached more than 1,500 learners) across the country. From December 2024 through May 2025, over 300 teams of upper elementary, middle, and high school students from 22 states participated, applying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills in exciting and creative ways.
    Participants tackled eight Mission Objectives inspired by NASA’s Artemis missions, which aim to return humans to the Moon. Students explored challenges such as:

    Designing a water purification system for the Moon inspired by local water cycles
    Developing a Moon-based agricultural plan based on experimental results
    Programming a rover to autonomously navigate lunar tunnels
    Engineering and refining a human-rated water bottle rocket capable of safely returning a “chip-stronaut” to Earth
    Envisioning their future careers through creative projects like graphic novels or video interviews
    Exploring NASA’s Artemis program through a new Artemis-themed Lotería game

    In-person hub events were hosted by Northern Arizona University, Central Washington University, and Montana State University, where teams from Washington, Montana, and Idaho gathered to present their work, collaborate with peers, and experience life on a college campus. Students also had the chance to connect virtually with NASA scientists and engineers through NESSP’s NASA Expert Talks series.
    “Artemis ROADS III is NESSP’s eighth ROADS challenge, and I have to say, I think it’s the best one yet. It’s always inspiring to see so many students across the country engage in a truly meaningful STEM experience. I heard from several students and educators that participating in the challenge completely changed their perspective on science and engineering. I believe that’s because this program is designed to let students experience the joy of discovery and invention—driven by both teamwork and personal creativity—that real scientists and engineers love about their work. We also show students the broad range of STEM expertise NASA relies on to plan and carry out a mission like Artemis. Most importantly, it gives them a chance to feel like they are part of the NASA mission, which can be truly transformative.” – Dr. Darci Snowden, Director, NESSP
    NESSP proudly recognizes the following teams for completing all eight Mission Objectives and the Final Challenge:

    Space Pringles, 3rd-5th Grade, San Antonio, TX 
    Space Axolotls, 3rd-5th Grade, Roberts, MT 
    TEAM Wild, 6th-8th Grade, Eagle Mountain, UT 
    Pessimistic Penguins, 6th-8th Grade, Eagle Mountain, UT 
    Dwarf Planets, 6th-8th Grade, Eagle Mountain, UT 
    Astronomical Rovers, 6th-8th Grade, Eagle Mountain, UT 
    Cosmic Honeybuns, 6th-8th Grade, Eagle Mountain, UT 
    Houston we have a Problem, 6th-8th Grade, Eagle Mountain, UT 
    FBI Wanted List, 6th-8th Grade, Eagle Mountain, UT 
    Lunar Legion, 6th-8th Grade, San Antonio, TX 
    Artemis Tax-Free Space Stallions, 6th-8th Grade, Egg Harbor, NJ 
    Aquila, 6th-8th Grade, Gooding, ID 
    Space Warriors, 6th-8th Grade, Wapato, WA 
    Team Cygnus, 6th-8th Grade, Red Lodge, MT 
    Maple RocketMen, 6th-8th Grade, Northbrook, IL 
    RGB Hawks, 6th-8th Grade, Sagle, ID 
    The Blue Moon Bigfoots, 6th-8th Grade, Medford, OR 
    W.E.P.Y.C.K., 6th-8th Grade, Roberts, MT 
    Lunar Dawgz, 6th-8th Grade, Safford, AZ 
    ROSEBUD ROCKETEERS, 6th-8th Grade, Rosebud, MT 
    The Cosmic Titans, 6th-8th Grade, Thomson Falls, MT 
    The Chunky Space Monkeys, 6th-8th Grade, Naches, WA 
    ROSEBUD RED ANGUS, 9th-12th Grade, Rosebud, MT 
    Bulky Bisons, 9th-12th Grade, Council Grove, KS 
    The Falling Stars, 9th-12th Grade, Thomson Falls, MT 
    The Roadkillers, 9th-12th Grade, Thomson Falls, MT 
    The Goshawks, 9th-12th Grade, Thomson Falls, MT 
    Sequim Cosmic Catalysts, 9th-12th Grade, Sequim, WA 
    Spuddie Buddies, 9th-12th Grade, Moses Lake, WA 
    Astrocoquí 2, 9th-12th Grade, Mayaguez, PR 
    Big Sky Celestials, 9th-12th Grade, Billings, MT 
    TRYOUTS, 9th-12th Grade, Columbus, MT 
    Cosmonaughts, 9th-12th Grade, Columbus, MT 
    TCCS 114, 9th-12th Grade, Tillamook, OR 
    Marvin’s Mighty Martians, 9th-12th Grade, Simms, TX

    You can see highlights of these teams’ work in the Virtual Recognition Ceremony video on the NESSP YouTube channel. The presentation also features the teams selected to travel to Kennedy Space Center in August of 2025, the ultimate prize for these future space explorers!
    In addition to student engagement, the ROADS program provided professional development workshops and NGSS-aligned classroom resources to support K–12 educators. Teachers are invited to explore these materials and register for the next round of workshops, beginning in August 2025: https://nwessp.org/professional-development-registration.
    For more information about NESSP, its programs, partners, and the ROADS National Challenge, visit www.nwessp.org or contact info@nwessp.org.
     ———–
    NASA’s Northwest Earth and Space Science Pathways’ (NESSP) project is supported by NASA cooperative agreement award number 80NSSC22M0006 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Guatemala: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 23, 2025

    A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

    The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Alexander Culiuc visited Guatemala City during June 10-20, 2025 for the 2025 Article IV consultation. At the end of the visit, the mission issued the following statement:

    • Prudent macroeconomic management has supported Guatemala’s resilience, delivering low inflation, robust policy buffers and a sustained current account surplus. With rising external uncertainty and mounting risks, stronger, more inclusive growth and poverty reduction can be achieved by accelerating reform implementation and enhancing policy coordination.
    • Raising private investment from current low levels requires complementary public inputs—infrastructure, educated and healthy labor force, security—which can only be adequately delivered by simultaneously raising public spending and improving its quality.
    • Improving quality and efficiency of spending entails better budget formulation, targeting, execution and control, and swift implementation of the anti-corruption agenda. We welcome the authorities’ efforts in this regard.
    • In the short term, existing fiscal space enables financing higher levels of spending with debt, with greater reliance on domestic borrowing.
    • In the medium term, raising revenues—primarily via comprehensive tax policy reform—would revert deficits to around 2 percent of GDP to preserve debt sustainability while maintaining priority spending at adequate levels.
    • Other structural and governance reforms pursued by the authorities, including in the financial and labor sectors—particularly urgent in the case of the AML/CFT law—will help support private sector growth. Continued commitment to dialogue and consensus-building can sustain progress on key legislative initiatives.

    Recent Economic Developments, Outlook, and Risks

    Guatemala’s economy remains resilient despite rising external risks and domestic challenges. Real GDP grew by 3.7 percent in 2024, supported by strong private consumption. Inflation has eased significantly, with headline inflation falling to 1.7 percent in May 2025, while core inflation remains near 4 percent, and inflation expectations are well anchored. The current account surplus narrowed to 2.9 percent of GDP in 2024 as imports picked up, while remittances stabilized at 19 percent of GDP and international reserves reached US$27.1 billion. Public debt remains low—under 27 percent of GDP—and Guatemala is now only one notch below investment grade. Banguat kept its policy rate unchanged at 4.5 percent since the 25bps cut in November 2024.

    Guatemala endeavors an investment-biased fiscal expansion. The August 2024 supplementary budget prioritized infrastructure and social spending and targeted a deficit of 2.7 percent of GDP; the realized deficit was significantly lower at 1 percent of GDP. The 2025 budget continues this expansionary approach, with a further increase in infrastructure and social allocations. While the original budget targeted a deficit of 3.2 percent of GDP, a supplementary budget, specifying carryovers from 2024 and one-off pension payments, raised the budget deficit to a notably high 3.8 percent of GDP.

    The outlook for 2025 is encouraging; sustaining the growth momentum over the medium term will require steadfast policy implementation. Real GDP growth is projected at 3¾ percent in 2025, with the fiscal impulse expected to help cushion the effects of softening global demand and high uncertainty. Beyond 2025, growth is projected to slightly exceed 3½ percent, although an acceleration in public infrastructure execution and structural reforms could push both actual and potential growth higher in the outer projection years. Headline inflation is expected to gradually converge toward the monetary policy target, while the fiscal deficit is projected to remain elevated by historical standards at just below 3 percent of GDP through the medium term. The current account surplus is expected to narrow and eventually close, while public debt is projected to climb above 30 percent of GDP in the medium term.

    The balance of risks is tilted to the downside. On the domestic front, there is a risk that ongoing political tensions could impede progress on legislative initiatives. Nonetheless, important progress has been made over the past year—including the approval of the 2025 budget and the competition law—demonstrating the capacity for reform even in a complex environment. Externally, intensified and/or protracted global trade disputes would weigh further on investment sentiment, although Guatemala is somewhat better positioned to weather additional trade shocks than some regional peers. Further changes in U.S. migration policy—including the proposed 3.5 percent excise tax on remittances—could disrupt remittance-supported consumption. On the upside, lower net emigration also offers a window to boost domestic employment if accompanied by targeted efforts to expand job opportunities in the formal private sector.

    Fiscal Policy

    The 2025 expansionary fiscal stance is appropriate, as private demand is projected to soften in the remainder of the year. Structural bottlenecks and recently strengthened anti-corruption controls are likely to limit the execution of capital spending, with the deficit projected at around 2½ percent of GDP, well below the revised budget of 3.8 percent. The historically high (1.3 percent of GDP) transfers to Departmental Development Councils (CODEDEs) require close oversight and monitoring amidst concerns of elevated risks of misallocation and inefficient use. The authorities’ ongoing multi-institutional efforts to strengthen the transparency, accountability, monitoring of CODEDEs transfers and capacity of municipalities are welcome and should be sustained.

    A combination of revenue and expenditure reforms is needed in the medium term. Authorities should seek ways of reverting fiscal deficits closer to historical levels (around 2 percent of GDP) without jeopardizing the much-needed surge in public infrastructure and social spending. The tax authority (SAT) has made commendable steps in strengthening compliance through the rollout of mandatory electronic invoicing, enhanced border enforcement to combat smuggling, and more robust audits of high-income individuals and large corporations. Efforts to improve mobilization—in line with the now-public 2024 TADAT report—should continue and be complemented in the medium term by comprehensive tax policy reforms. On the expenditure side, strengthening institutional capacity for systematic expenditure reviews and embedding the National Development Plan into annual and multi-year budgets would align public spending with strategic priorities. A new Public Procurement law—currently under consideration—could alleviate bottlenecks in the execution of capital spending. Improved targeting in social programs would further increase their effectiveness. Strengthening the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework and multiannual budget planning underpinned by realistic, sector-informed projections will bolster confidence—including of market participants—in fiscal sustainability.

    A well-calibrated financing strategy would help the macro-policy mix. While solid creditworthiness enables the government to borrow externally on favorable terms, greater reliance on domestic financing under a sound medium term debt management strategy (MTDS) would (i) reduce real appreciation pressures (which already weigh on Guatemala’s external competitiveness), (ii) help develop the domestic financial market, (iii) reduce currency risks, and (iv) lower costs of monetary policy operation incurred by Banguat to maintain price stability. The mission also encourages the Ministry of Finance to consolidate domestic issuances, introduce shorter-maturity instruments to help develop the yield curve, and regularly publish the MTDS and annual borrowing plans.

    Monetary and Exchange Policies

    The current monetary policy stance is broadly appropriate, but there is scope to further strengthen monetary policy transmission. The ex-ante real policy rate is at 1 percent, within the estimated range for the neutral real rate (1–2 percent). Given prevailing uncertainty regarding the inflationary impact of recent U.S. tariff measures and potential disruptions to global supply chains, there’s scope in maintaining the current policy stance and waiting for greater clarity before making further adjustments. Estimated passthrough of the policy rate to deposit rates has recently increased. More can be done, including by advancing financial market development and competition and reducing reliance on reserve requirements for liquidity management. These efforts should be underpinned by improvements in the legal framework and market infrastructure supporting monetary policy operations.

    Banguat’s response to large remittances inflows is appropriate and requires closer coordination with MinFin to address ensuing sterilization costs. Banguat’s FX participation rule delivers a reasonable balance between enabling higher consumption and maintaining external competitiveness. The resulting external position is stronger than fundamentals and desirable policies, but this positive current account gap should be closed by raising investment. On the flip side, Banguat’s policy necessarily relies on costly liquidity sterilization operations to keep inflation in check. While recent international financial conditions have been supportive of Banguat’s profitability, these costs could be further reduced through higher reliance on domestic debt to finance the budget, and closer coordination with MinFin on liquidity management. In the long term, ensuring Banguat’s financial strength will require consistent enforcement of legal provisions mandating budget to cover central bank losses.

    Financial Sector

    Maintaining financial stability requires continued close monitoring of the system. Guatemala’s banking system remains sound, with solid capital and liquidity buffers and strong profitability. The authorities have made important progress in bolstering the regulatory and supervisory framework through enhanced credit risk regulations, more robust stress testing, broader regulatory coverage, and the inclusion—on a voluntary basis—of savings and credit cooperatives in the Credit Risk Information System. These efforts should be reinforced by expanding risk-based supervision and strengthening oversight of fintech and digital financial services. Adopting revisions to the 2002 Law on Banks and Financial Groups, transitioning to International Financial Reporting Standards, advancing the draft Secondary Market Law, approving the e-money law and continued implementation of other elements of the financial inclusion strategy are needed.

    Governance and Structural Agenda

    Strengthening governance and advancing structural reforms are critical to fostering inclusive growth and restoring public trust. Key legislative priorities include the adoption of a revised AML/CFT Law aligned with international standards, the Beneficial Ownership Law, the Public Procurement Law and the Law for the Protection of Whistleblowers to ensure secure reporting channels and legal safeguards. With GAFILAT mutual evaluation expected in 2027, further delays with the AML/CFT law could complicate Guatemala’s path to investment grade. Institutional progress—such as the creation of the National Commission Against Corruption and the rollout of probity offices across executive institutions—should be consolidated through a medium-term anti-corruption strategy. Accelerating infrastructure investment through amendments to the law on Partnerships for Development of Economic Infrastructure, and a new law on ports is essential to close persistent gaps and crowd in private investment. Continued efforts to formalize the economy and improve the business environment will help prepare the economy for the impact of lower net emigration on the labor market.

    The mission wishes to thank the Guatemalan authorities for their cooperation and openness in the exchanges throughout our visit and wishes them every success in their efforts to move the country towards a new equilibrium characterized by high, inclusive and sustainable growth.

    Guatemala: Selected Economic Indicators

     

     

    Projections

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

       (Annual percent change, unless otherwise indicated)

    Income and prices

    Real GDP

    3.5

    3.7

    3.8

    3.6

    3.6

    3.7

    3.8

    Inflation (average)

    6.2

    2.9

    2.4

    4.0

    4.0

    4.0

    4.0

    (In percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    External Sector

    		  

    Current Account Balance

    3.1

    2.9

    2.5

    1.7

    1.3

    0.7

    0.2

    Trade Balance (goods and services)

    -15.1

    -15.5

    -15.9

    -15.8

    -15.4

    -15.0

    -14.7

    Remittances

    19.0

    19.0

    18.8

    18.0

    17.1

    16.3

    15.5

    Financial Account (“+” = net lending)

    2.7

    2.5

    2.5

    1.7

    1.3

    0.7

    0.2

    Central Government Finances

    Total Revenues

    12.5

    12.4

    12.4

    12.4

    12.4

    12.4

    12.4

    Tax Revenues

    11.7

    11.8

    11.7

    11.7

    11.7

    11.7

    11.7

    Total Expenditure

    13.7

    13.4

    15.0

    15.1

    15.3

    15.2

    15.2

    Current

    11.2

    11.0

    11.8

    11.7

    11.9

    11.9

    12.0

    Capital

    2.5

    2.4

    3.2

    3.4

    3.4

    3.3

    3.2

    Primary Balance

    0.4

    0.7

    -1.0

    -1.1

    -1.2

    -1.0

    -1.0

    Overall Balance

    -1.3

    -1.0

    -2.6

    -2.8

    -2.9

    -2.8

    -2.8

    Central Government Debt

    Gross Central Government Debt

    27.2

    26.3

    27.1

    28.0

    28.9

    29.6

    30.2

    Source: Bank of Guatemala; Ministry of Finance; and Fund staff estimates and projections. 
    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/23/guatemala-staff-concluding-statement-of-the-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes Bangladesh Combined Third and Fourth Reviews under the Extended Credit Facility, Extended Fund Facility, and Resilience and Sustainability Facility

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 23, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board concluded the combined third and fourth reviews of Bangladesh’s arrangements under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and approved an extension, augmentation and rephasing of access. This decision provides Bangladesh with immediate access to about US$884 million.
    • The IMF Executive Board also concluded the combined Third and Fourth Reviews of Bangladesh’s arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), making available about US$453 million to support the Bangladesh economy’s resilience to climate change.
    • Bangladesh’s program performance has been broadly satisfactory despite the difficult political and economic context and increased downside risks. Advancing the reform agenda is critical to restoring economic stability, protecting the vulnerable, and supporting inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund completed the combined Third and Fourth Reviews of Bangladesh’s arrangements under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The Executive Board also approved an augmentation of SDR 567.19 million (53.2 percent of quota) for the ECF/EFF arrangements and a six-month extension. Completion of these reviews allows the authorities to immediately withdraw SDR 650.5 million (about US$884 million) under the ECF/EFF, and SDR 333.3 million (about US$453 million) under the RSF.[1]

    Further, the IMF Executive Board approved a modification of performance criteria and granted a waiver for the non-observance of the performance criterion related to the non-imposition and non-intensification of exchange restrictions, based on the temporary nature of the non-observance and the implementation of corrective measures.

    Bangladesh’s arrangements under the ECF/EFF/RSF  were approved on January 30, 2023, in an amount equivalent to SDR 2.5 billion (154.3 percent of quota or about US$3.3 billion) under the ECF/EFF and SDR 1 billion (93.8 percent of quota or about US$1.4 billion) under the RSF (PR no. 23/25)

    The augmentation approved by the Executive Board today brings the total financial assistance under the ECF and EFF arrangements to SDR 3,035.65 million (about US$ 4.1billion), alongside concurrent RSF arrangements of SDR 1 billion (about US$1.4 billion). The enlarged enhanced ECF/EFF is aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, promoting inclusive growth, and protecting the vulnerable. The RSF arrangement has secured fiscal space needed to build resilience against climate risks.

    Bangladesh’s macroeconomic challenges have increased since the popular uprising in the summer of 2024, which led to the ouster of the previous government. The timely formation of an interim government has helped stabilize political and security conditions, fostering a gradual return to economic stability. However, the economic outlook has worsened due to persistent political uncertainty, continuation of tighter policy mix, rising trade barriers, and increasing stress in the banking sector.

    Program performance for the third and fourth reviews remains broadly satisfactory despite the difficult political and economic context. The authorities are fully committed to implementing necessary policies under the program and have recently pressed forward with critical reforms to increase exchange rate flexibility and boost tax revenues.

    The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for this consultation.[2]

    Executive Board Assessment[3]

    Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

    “Bangladesh’s economy continues to navigate multiple macroeconomic challenges. Despite a difficult environment, program performance has remained broadly on track, and the authorities are committed to implementing necessary policy actions and reforms. The IMF-supported programs are helping safeguard macroeconomic stability and protect the most vulnerable, while accelerating reforms to support resilient and inclusive growth.

    “Near-term policies should prioritize rebuilding external resilience and reducing inflation. The authorities’ recent steps to implement a new exchange rate regime and include revenue-enhancing measures in the FY2026 budget are welcome. A balanced policy mix—anchored in maintaining a tight monetary policy stance, greater exchange rate flexibility, and revenue-based fiscal consolidation—will support efforts to restore both external and internal balances.

    “Efforts to raise tax revenues and rationalize expenditures—including through subsidy reduction—are critical for creating the fiscal space needed to strengthen social, development, and climate initiatives. Sustained progress in reducing government subsidies to a fiscally sustainable level, along with enhanced public financial management, is essential to improving spending efficiency and mitigating fiscal risks.

    “Financial sector policy should prioritize safeguarding stability and addressing rising vulnerabilities. Developing a comprehensive, sequenced strategy to guide reforms is an immediate priority, followed by the swift implementation of the new legal frameworks to enable orderly bank restructuring while protecting small depositors.

    “Sustained structural reforms are essential for Bangladesh to achieve its goal of attaining upper middle-income status. Key priorities include diversifying exports, attracting greater foreign direct investment, strengthening governance, and enhancing data quality.

    “Building resilience to natural disasters is essential for achieving high and inclusive growth. The RSF’s focus on strengthening institutions and policy coordination as well as on enhancing the efficiency of climate-related spending remains critical, including in helping mobilize climate finance.”

    Bangladesh: Selected Economic Indicators, FY2022-27 1/

     

    FY22

    FY23

    FY24

    FY25

    FY26

    FY27
                 
           

    Projections
                 
                 

    Real GDP

    7.1

    5.8

    4.2

    3.8

    5.4

    6.2

        Consumption

    		            

         Private

    7.5

    2.0

    6.0

    6.0

    5.4

    5.4

         Public

    6.2

    8.5

    9.8

    4.1

    -4.3

    16.1

    Gross Capital Formation

    11.7

    2.2

    3.3

    -0.1

    5.8

    6.8

         Private

    11.8

    2.9

    4.3

    0.3

    3.3

    5.2

         Public

    11.1

    0.0

    -0.2

    -1.3

    14.9

    11.9

    Trade

    		            

         Exports of goods and services

    29.4

    8.0

    -17.1

    5.2

    19.8

    12.7

         Imports of goods and services

    31.2

    -9.8

    -4.6

    5.8

    11.6

    11.9
                 

     

    Prices

    		            

       GDP deflator

    5.0

    6.9

    6.9

    10.3

    6.2

    6.5

       CPI inflation (annual average)

    6.1

    9.0

    9.7

    9.9

    6.2

    6.3

       CPI inflation (end of period)

    7.6

    9.7

    9.7

    8.3

    6.5

    5.9
                 
                 
                 

     

    Central government operations (in percent of GDP)

    Total revenue and grants

    8.9

    8.2

    8.3

    8.7

    9.5

    10.0

    Of which: Tax revenue

    8.0

    7.3

    7.4

    7.7

    8.6

    9.2

    Total expenditure

    13.0

    12.7

    12.1

    12.8

    13.5

    14.5

    Of which: Annual Development Program (ADP)

    4.7

    4.3

    3.8
                 

    Overall balance (including grants)

    -4.1

    -4.5

    -3.8

    -4.2

    -4.1

    -4.5

    (excluding grants)

    -4.2

    -4.6

    -3.9

    -4.3

    -4.1

    -4.6

    Primary balance (including grants)

    -2.1

    -2.5

    -1.5

    -2.0

    -2.0

    -2.2
                 

        Public sector total debt 2/

    37.9

    39.7

    41.0

    40.7

    41.8

    42.1

    Of which: External debt

    15.4

    17.5

    18.6

    18.6

    19.2

    18.6
                 
                 

     

    Balance of Payments (in percent of GDP)

    		            

         Current account balance

    -4.0

    -2.6

    -1.4

    -1.0

    -0.7

    -0.9

              Trade balance

    -8.0

    -4.7

    -5.9

    -5.9

    -5.1

    -5.3

        Capital account balance

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

        Financial account balance

    3.6

    1.5

    1.0

    1.1

    1.4

    1.7

                   Foreign direct investment, net

    0.4

    0.4

    0.4

    0.2

    0.5

    0.6

    Gross international reserves (billions of U.S. dollars)

    33.4

    24.8

    21.7

    23.6

    29.0

            in months of next year’s imports

    5.0

    4.1

    3.3

    3.2

    3.5

    3.7
                 

     

    Monetary and Credit (in percent of GDP)

    		            

    Reserve money

    8.7

    8.5

    8.2

    8.2

    8.9

    9.1

    Broad money (M2)

    52.9

    50.7

    48.4

    45.0

    45.5

    46.4

    Credit to private sector

    36.6

    35.3

    34.5

    32.0

    31.7

    32.2

    Credit to private sector (percent change)

    13.7

    9.1

    8.8

    6.2

    10.7

    14.8
                 

     

    Savings and Investment (in percent of GDP)

    		            

        Gross national savings

    29.3

    29.9

    28.3

    28.7

    28.8

    28.8

        Public

    1.2

    0.3

    0.5

    0.3

    1.4

    1.5

        Private

    28.2

    29.7

    27.9

    28.4

    27.4

    27.2
                 

         Gross investment

    32.0

    31.0

    30.7

    29.6

    29.5

    29.7

         Public

    7.5

    6.8

    6.7

    6.4

    7.0

    7.3

         Private

    24.5

    24.2

    24.0

    23.2

    22.5

    22.4
                 

     

    Memorandum item:

    		            

    Nominal GDP (in billions of taka)

    39,717

    44,908

    50,027

    57,246

    64,116

    72,509
                 

    Sources: Bangladesh authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

    2/ Includes central government’s gross debt, including debt owed to the IMF, plus domestic bank borrowing by nonfinancial public sector and public enterprises’ external borrowing supported by government guarantees, including short-term oil-related suppliers’ credits.

    [1] SDR figures for the disbursed are converted at the market rate of U.S. dollar per SDR on the day of the Board approval.

    [2] Under the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, publication of documents that pertain to member countries is voluntary and requires the member consent. The staff report will be shortly published on the www.imf.org/bangladesh page.

    [3] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chair of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/23/pr-25213-bangladesh-imf-concludes-combined-3rd-and-4th-reviews-under-the-ecf-eff-and-rsf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Mast Applauds House Vote to Defund Biden’s Cash Payments to Taliban

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast issued the following statement after the House voted in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) to ensure no more U.S. tax dollars fall into the hands of the Taliban after the Biden administration paid the terrorist regime millions of dollars following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

    “This bill makes sure not a single penny of American taxpayer money ends up in the hands of the Taliban—not directly, not through back doors, and not via weak-willed foreign governments or shady NGOs,” Chairman Mast said. “If you’re funding the Taliban, you’re no friend of the United States.”

    This issue has been a key focus for House Republicans since last Congress when lawmakers were made aware that weekly cash shipments of nearly $40 million were being sent to Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Central Bank.

    Additionally, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction reported in May 2024 that more than $10 million had been paid to the Taliban in the form of taxes since they took over Afghanistan in August 2021. Secretary of State Antony Blinken later admitted that around $10 million had been paid to the Taliban in the form of taxes after testifying before the committee in December 2024. 

    Republicans, led by Rep. Burchett, introduced H.R. 6586 last Congress to oppose financial and material support from falling into the hands of the Taliban. The measure passed unanimously both in committee and on the House floor, but Senate Democrats refused to bring the bill up for final passage.

    This Congress, Republicans introduced H.R. 260 –  No Tax Dollars for Terrorist Act which builds upon H.R. 6586 to ensure no U.S. taxpayer dollars end up in the hands of the Taliban.

    The bill advanced to the House floor during the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s first full committee markup of the 119th Congress.

    “I would like to thank Chairman Mast and the entire House Foreign Affairs Committee for their tireless work on this legislation,” Rep. Burchett said. “We are one step closer to ensuring that US dollars stop flowing to terrorist organizations.”

    The measure now proceeds to the Senate for final passage.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom honors fallen Los Angeles Police Sergeant

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jun 23, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement regarding the death of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Sergeant Shiou Deng:

    “Jennifer and I are heartbroken by the loss of Sergeant Deng, who dedicated more than 26 years to serving the Los Angeles community with pride and purpose. We join his family, friends, and fellow officers in mourning, and in honoring his memory. May his service never be forgotten.” 

    On June 23, LAPD Sergeant Deng was fatally injured while assisting at a crash on southbound I-405 near Getty Center Drive. After stopping to help, he was struck by another vehicle that collided with the original crash. Despite lifesaving efforts by the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Fire Department, Sergeant Deng succumbed to his injuries. 

    Sergeant Deng, 53, has been with the LAPD for over 26 years. During his career, he spent 17 years in the Mental Evaluation Unit, a specialized team within the LAPD that handles calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. Two years ago, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the West Los Angeles Division.

    He is survived by his wife and parents. 

    In honor of Sergeant Deng, flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space will be flown at half-staff.

    Press releases, Public safety

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taxi fleet thematic job fair to offer one-stop platform to recruit fleet drivers

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Taxi fleet thematic job fair to offer one-stop platform to recruit fleet drivers

    The Transport Department (TD) said today (June 23) that a taxi fleet thematic job fair will be held on June 25 (Wednesday) at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices to enable taxi fleet operators to recruit fleet drivers.

    The job fair is jointly organised by the Labour Department (LD) and three of the taxi fleet operators, namely Big Boss Taxi Company Limited (Big Boss Taxi fleet), CMG Fleet Management Limited (Amigo fleet) and Tai Wo Management Limited (Joie fleet). Job seekers can learn more about the details of job vacancies for fleet drivers, submit job applications on-site, and may also have the opportunity to attend on-the-spot interviews.

    According to the operators, taxi fleets will offer various incentives to fleet drivers, such as a referral bonus for new drivers and safe driving bonuses. They will also provide flexible working hour arrangements. In addition, the operators will offer pre-service training to enhance drivers’ customer service skills. Online hailing platforms, including mobile applications and websites, will be available for passengers to schedule their trips, thereby increasing drivers’ income. Moreover, operators will implement systematic management to support drivers in handling customer enquiries and feedback, creating a better working environment for fleet drivers.

    The TD will continue to introduce different measures to facilitate taxi fleet operations. These include setting up a few dozen designated fleet taxi stopping places at the airport, certain boundary control points such as Heung Yuen Wai Control Point, Shenzhen Bay Port, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station, certain Airport Express stations, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Hong Kong Disneyland, etc, to provide convenience for fleet drivers in picking up passengers with pre-booked trips.

    Different taxi fleet operators participated in the LD’s district job fairs earlier this month and received enthusiastic responses from job seekers. This thematic job fair aims to further enhance job seekers’ understanding of the advantages of taxi fleets and their employment modes, providing a one-stop platform for fleet operators to recruit fleet drivers in parallel.

    The job fair will be held from 2.30pm to 5pm at the Kowloon West Job Centre, 9/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po. Admission is free.

    Ends/Monday, June 23, 2025
    Issued at HKT 18:35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Florida Nonprofit Founder and Accountant Charged with Stealing Over $100M from Special Needs Victims

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    An indictment was unsealed today charging two Florida men in connection with a fraudulent scheme to steal over $100 million from a nonprofit organization that managed funds for people with special needs and disabilities.

    “As alleged, for over 15 years, the defendants conspired to use the funds of special needs clients as a personal piggy bank, stealing $100 million dollars meant for the most vulnerable members of our society to enrich themselves,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s charges reflect the Criminal Division’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting sophisticated fraudsters who abuse the trust of their victims. Thanks to the relentless efforts of our multiagency partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue accountability for perpetrators who exploit Americans out of greed.”

    “Protecting the most vulnerable members of our society is a priority of the U. S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable. Due to the diligence and interagency collaboration by our dedicated law enforcement partners, these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The subjects charged are accused of creating a slush fund to divert millions of dollars away from a nonprofit organization helping people with special needs,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Not only were the organization’s resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families. The FBI will not tolerate the exploitation of charitable missions for personal enrichment.”

    “The scale and audacity of the alleged fraud in this case are deeply troubling,” said Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS. “Stealing funds intended to protect and support people with special needs is as cruel as it is criminal. IRS-CI special agents are dedicated to uncovering complex financial schemes, especially those that prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

    “The defendant disrupted access to critical services for individuals with disabilities and defrauded federal health care programs with the sole purpose of financing a life of extravagance,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold those who’s illicit actions seek to assail enrollees and the nation’s federal health care programs fully accountable.”

    According to court documents, Leo John Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, Florida, co-founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT) in or around 2000 and John Leo Witeck, 60, of Tampa, Florida, worked at CSNT as an accountant. CSNT allegedly was a nonprofit that managed money for people with disabilities and other special needs, including those who received court awards, settlements, and other payments. CSNT grew to be one of the largest administrators of special needs trusts in the country, with beneficiaries located in almost every state. As of February 2024, the indictment alleges, CSNT managed over 2,100 special needs trusts containing approximately $200 million.

    As alleged in the indictment, from June 2009 through May 2025, Govoni, Witeck, and their co-conspirators solicited, stole, and misappropriated CSNT client-beneficiary funds — which they treated as a slush fund to enrich themselves and others — and concealed their illegal activities through complex financial transactions and deceit, including sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to disabled victims. Govoni allegedly used stolen money to purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits into his personal bank accounts, and pay personal debts. In 2024, CSNT filed for bankruptcy and disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds were missing from its trust accounts. Govoni is alleged to have made false declarations to the bankruptcy court related to the CSNT bankruptcy proceedings.

    Separately, Govoni is also alleged to have committed bank fraud related to a $3 million mortgage refinance loan and to have laundered $205,054 of the proceeds to pay off a home equity line of credit on his residence.

    Govoni and Witeck were both charged with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Govoni was additionally charged with bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and false bankruptcy declarations.

    If convicted, both defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy charges. If convicted, Govoni faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the bank fraud charge, 10 years in prison on the illegal monetary transactions charge, and five years in prison on the false bankruptcy declaration charge.

    The FBI, IRS-CI, HHS-OIG, and SSA-OIG are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U. S. Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon for the Middle District of Florida are handling the prosecution.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Thirteen Indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine as well as Illegal Possession of Machine Guns

    Source: US FBI

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Ten Mexican nationals, one Guatemalan national, and two United States citizens have been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine as well as numerous counts of distribution of those controlled substances, illegal possession of machine guns, alien in possession of firearms, felon in possession of firearms, and illegal reentry of removed aliens.

    The investigation began in January of 2024 and continued through June of 2025, during which time investigators seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, and 11 firearms, three of which had been equipped with machine gun conversion devices and functioned as fully automatic weapons.

    A law enforcement operation conducted on June 18, 2025, resulted in nine arrests. Three defendants were already in custody, and one defendant remains at large. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation which also resulted in the seizure of nine additional firearms.

    Uriel Lopez-Farias, 31, a Mexican national; Jesus Adrian Meza-Meza, 42, a Mexican national; Walter Fernandez, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; Carlos R. Lepe-Virgen, 52, a Mexico national; Pedro Ivan Roldan-Minjares, 44, a Mexican national; Joel Armando Guillen-Rodriguez, 31, a Mexican national; Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez, 44, a Mexican national; Jose Aroldo Troches-Reyes, 33, a Guatemalan national; Adalberto Meza-Meza, 37, a Mexican national; Maximiliano Oliva-Verdin, 30, a Mexican national; Osvaldo Chiapas-Aguilar, 38, a Mexican national; Jesus Alvarez-Giron, 23, a Mexican national; and Kenneth Baez, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a forty-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on June 11, 2025.  The federal indictment was unsealed and made public today following the initial appearances of those in custody.

    Lopez-Farias is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machine gun, distribution and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    J. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Fernandez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Lepe-Virgen is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Roldan-Minjares is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Guillen-Rodriguez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Rodriguez-Vasquez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Troches-Reyes is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    A. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Oliva-Verdin is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Chiapas-Aguilar is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Alvarez-Giron is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

    Baez is charged with illegal possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for this charge.

    The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan A. Baker and Heather Siegele.  It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Jackson County Drug Task Force in conjunction with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

    Wednesday’s law enforcement operation included the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Jackson County (MO) Drug Task Force, Johnson County (KS) Drug Task Force, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lee’s Summit Police Department, Sugar Creek Police Department, Wyandotte County (KS) Sheriff’s Department, St. Joseph (MO) Police Department, Buchanan County (MO) Drug Strike Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the District of Kansas.

    The investigation and arrest operation were part of the Kansas City Regional Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) which is dedicated to identifying and prosecuting criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

    Operation Take Back America

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Nonprofit Founder and Accountant Charged with Stealing Over $100M from Special Needs Victims

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    An indictment was unsealed today charging two Florida men in connection with a fraudulent scheme to steal over $100 million from a nonprofit organization that managed funds for people with special needs and disabilities.

    “As alleged, for over 15 years, the defendants conspired to use the funds of special needs clients as a personal piggy bank, stealing $100 million dollars meant for the most vulnerable members of our society to enrich themselves,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s charges reflect the Criminal Division’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting sophisticated fraudsters who abuse the trust of their victims. Thanks to the relentless efforts of our multiagency partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue accountability for perpetrators who exploit Americans out of greed.”

    “Protecting the most vulnerable members of our society is a priority of the U. S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable. Due to the diligence and interagency collaboration by our dedicated law enforcement partners, these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The subjects charged are accused of creating a slush fund to divert millions of dollars away from a nonprofit organization helping people with special needs,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Not only were the organization’s resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families. The FBI will not tolerate the exploitation of charitable missions for personal enrichment.”

    “The scale and audacity of the alleged fraud in this case are deeply troubling,” said Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS. “Stealing funds intended to protect and support people with special needs is as cruel as it is criminal. IRS-CI special agents are dedicated to uncovering complex financial schemes, especially those that prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

    “The defendant disrupted access to critical services for individuals with disabilities and defrauded federal health care programs with the sole purpose of financing a life of extravagance,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to hold those who’s illicit actions seek to assail enrollees and the nation’s federal health care programs fully accountable.”

    According to court documents, Leo John Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, Florida, co-founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT) in or around 2000 and John Leo Witeck, 60, of Tampa, Florida, worked at CSNT as an accountant. CSNT allegedly was a nonprofit that managed money for people with disabilities and other special needs, including those who received court awards, settlements, and other payments. CSNT grew to be one of the largest administrators of special needs trusts in the country, with beneficiaries located in almost every state. As of February 2024, the indictment alleges, CSNT managed over 2,100 special needs trusts containing approximately $200 million.

    As alleged in the indictment, from June 2009 through May 2025, Govoni, Witeck, and their co-conspirators solicited, stole, and misappropriated CSNT client-beneficiary funds — which they treated as a slush fund to enrich themselves and others — and concealed their illegal activities through complex financial transactions and deceit, including sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to disabled victims. Govoni allegedly used stolen money to purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits into his personal bank accounts, and pay personal debts. In 2024, CSNT filed for bankruptcy and disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds were missing from its trust accounts. Govoni is alleged to have made false declarations to the bankruptcy court related to the CSNT bankruptcy proceedings.

    Separately, Govoni is also alleged to have committed bank fraud related to a $3 million mortgage refinance loan and to have laundered $205,054 of the proceeds to pay off a home equity line of credit on his residence.

    Govoni and Witeck were both charged with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Govoni was additionally charged with bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and false bankruptcy declarations.

    If convicted, both defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy charges. If convicted, Govoni faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the bank fraud charge, 10 years in prison on the illegal monetary transactions charge, and five years in prison on the false bankruptcy declaration charge.

    The FBI, IRS-CI, HHS-OIG, and SSA-OIG are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U. S. Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon for the Middle District of Florida are handling the prosecution.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wausau Investment Advisor Charged with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

    Source: US FBI

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Stanley Pophal, 63, Wausau, Wisconsin, with wire fraud and money laundering. Pophal was arrested Saturday and made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday. He was detained pending further proceedings.     

    According to the criminal complaint, beginning in 2019, Pophal solicited investors to purchase promissory notes from him with supposedly guaranteed rates of return. In order to lure investors into the scheme, Pophal falsely represented that he was a wealthy businessman. Between May of 2019 and March of 2025, Pophal received more than $15,000,000 from at least 120 investors.

    The criminal complaint also alleges that Pophal did not actually invest the  majority of the money he obtained from his investors. Instead, Pophal used the money to live an extravagant lifestyle, including the purchase of over 300 snowmobiles. To keep the fraud scheme going, Pophal also used new investor money to make “lulling payments” to previous investors to make it appear as though those investors were earning investment returns.

    The charges against Pophal are a result of an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

    You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in a criminal complaint or indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Fetterman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Making Tax Filing Easier for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.),John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced the Survivors Assistance for Fear-free and Easy (SAFE) Tax Filing Act. This bipartisan bill would work to end economic coercion in abusive marriages by making it easier for survivors of spousal abuse or abandonment to file their taxes.
    “Survivors of domestic violence should not have to worry about contacting their abuser – putting themselves and their children at risk of serious physical harm – just to file their taxes,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help keep Nevada families safe and help survivors on the road to recovery.”
    The SAFE Tax Filing Act allows spousal abuse survivors to file their taxes as if they are unmarried. Currently, laws require survivors to either file their taxes jointly with their abuser or to file as Married Filing Separately, a disadvantageous status that could reduce their tax refund. This bill ends the requirement that survivors must contact their abusers to get the biggest tax refund they’re eligible for to support themselves and their families.
    “The SAFE Tax Filing Act of 2025 is more than tax reform—it’s a lifeline,” said Pamela Jacobs, JD, CEO, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. “It recognizes that survivors of abuse deserve safety, autonomy, and freedom from financial entanglement with those who’ve harmed them. This legislation honors the reality of survivors’ lives and removes another barrier on their path to healing and independence.”
    “There is no safety without economic security. Survivors of domestic violence often face substantial tax liability as a result of their abusive partner, and the act of filing taxes can expose survivors to further risk to their physical safety,” said Erika Sussman, Founder & Executive Director, Center for Survivor Agency and Justice. “The SAFE Tax Filing Act will lift that burden by providing survivors with the chance to attend to their tax responsibilities without subjecting themselves to further economic and physical harm. We owe this to survivors.”
    The SAFE Tax Filing Act is endorsed by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice, Futures Without Violence, and Just Solutions.
    The full bill text is available here.
    Senator Cortez Masto is an outspoken advocate for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She was a cosponsor and vocal supporter of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to help address gender-based violence and provide services and protections for survivors. The reauthorization included Cortez Masto’s bipartisan Fairness for Rape Kit Backlog Survivors Act to require state programs to allow sexual assault victims to file for compensation without being unfairly penalized for delays due to rape kit backlogs. She helped pass the bipartisan Safer Communities Act to narrow the “dating partner” loophole and prevent convicted domestic violence abusers from purchasing and possessing firearms. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Central Ohio Woman Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for $2.8 Million Pandemic Relief Fraud Scheme

    Source: US FBI

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Westerville woman who claimed affiliation with Dayton-area pizza restaurants to obtain nearly $1.9 million in COVD-19 relief funds was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 70 months in prison.

    Lorie A. Schaefer, 63, also assisted a co-defendant in fraudulently receiving more than $980,000 pandemic relief loans in exchange for payment, causing a total of $2.8 million in fraud.

    According to court documents, Schaefer opened new bank accounts in December 2020 prior to registering a fictitious business name with the State of Ohio in March 2021.

    Schaefer fraudulently claimed affiliation with the Flying Pizza restaurants in Dayton, Centerville and Fairborn. When notified that a Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan for nearly $1.9 million had been filed in the name of Flying Pizza, individuals at the family-owned business said their restaurants could not justify such a large loan.

    Schaefer claimed to have 98 employees and submitted altered bank records as part of her application. Schaefer also claimed the business was established in March 2021, even though the original Flying Pizza was established in 1984. Additionally, she claimed not to be under indictment despite having pending theft charges in Meigs County. Schaefer attached multiple fraudulent documents to her PPP application, including a bank statement, tax records, and a letter from the IRS.

    Bank records indicate Schaefer improperly used PPP funds for personal expenses, for example, nearly $26,000 on liposuction, a $10,000 check for a “newborn baby gift,” and more than $900,000 to purchase and renovate a home in Westerville. Schaefer also made purchases at Wayfair, Lamps Plus, Kroger, KFC, Burger King, Arby’s, McDonald’s and Olive Garden. Evidence also suggests Schaefer used the fraud proceeds to purchase vehicles in Ohio and property in Australia.

    After being charged in this case, Schaefer committed new offenses and violated her pre-trial release multiple times, leading to the revocation of her bond.

    She pleaded guilty in July 2024 and twice attempted to withdraw her guilty plea.

    Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Midwestern Region; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Twombly is representing the United States in this case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Central Ohio Woman Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for $2.8 Million Pandemic Relief Fraud Scheme

    Source: US FBI

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Westerville woman who claimed affiliation with Dayton-area pizza restaurants to obtain nearly $1.9 million in COVD-19 relief funds was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 70 months in prison.

    Lorie A. Schaefer, 63, also assisted a co-defendant in fraudulently receiving more than $980,000 pandemic relief loans in exchange for payment, causing a total of $2.8 million in fraud.

    According to court documents, Schaefer opened new bank accounts in December 2020 prior to registering a fictitious business name with the State of Ohio in March 2021.

    Schaefer fraudulently claimed affiliation with the Flying Pizza restaurants in Dayton, Centerville and Fairborn. When notified that a Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan for nearly $1.9 million had been filed in the name of Flying Pizza, individuals at the family-owned business said their restaurants could not justify such a large loan.

    Schaefer claimed to have 98 employees and submitted altered bank records as part of her application. Schaefer also claimed the business was established in March 2021, even though the original Flying Pizza was established in 1984. Additionally, she claimed not to be under indictment despite having pending theft charges in Meigs County. Schaefer attached multiple fraudulent documents to her PPP application, including a bank statement, tax records, and a letter from the IRS.

    Bank records indicate Schaefer improperly used PPP funds for personal expenses, for example, nearly $26,000 on liposuction, a $10,000 check for a “newborn baby gift,” and more than $900,000 to purchase and renovate a home in Westerville. Schaefer also made purchases at Wayfair, Lamps Plus, Kroger, KFC, Burger King, Arby’s, McDonald’s and Olive Garden. Evidence also suggests Schaefer used the fraud proceeds to purchase vehicles in Ohio and property in Australia.

    After being charged in this case, Schaefer committed new offenses and violated her pre-trial release multiple times, leading to the revocation of her bond.

    She pleaded guilty in July 2024 and twice attempted to withdraw her guilty plea.

    Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Midwestern Region; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Twombly is representing the United States in this case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –