Right Side News Reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigations on this week’s top ten stories.
The very heart of FBI operations lies in their investigations-which serve, as our mission states, “to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States.” They currently have jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal law, and you can find the major ones here, grouped within our three national security priorities and our five criminal priorities. Also visit our Intelligence program site, which underpins and informs all our investigative programs.
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FBI Headquarters: Response to Inspector General’s Review of FBI’s Use of Exigent Letters
The Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its report on the FBI’s use of exigent letters during the time period of 2002 to 2006. The report expands on the OIG’s 2007 findings regarding a limited and discontinued FBI practice wherein exigent letters, or other informal requests for telephone records, were made to obtain telephone toll billing records. Full Story
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FBI Headquarters: National Center for Disaster Fraud to Coordinate Haitian Fraud Complaints
The FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud established a telephone hotline to report suspected Haitian earthquake relief fraud. The number is (866) 720-5721. The phone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also e-mail information directly to disaster@leo.gov. Full Story
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Washington Field: Twenty-Two Executives and Employees of Military and Law Enforcement Products Companies Charged in Foreign Bribery Scheme
Twenty-two executives and employees of companies in the military and law enforcement products industry have been indicted for engaging in schemes to bribe foreign government officials to obtain and retain business. Twenty-one defendants were arrested in Las Vegas, and one defendant was arrested in Miami. The indictments stem from an FBI undercover operation that focused on allegations of foreign bribery in the military and law enforcement products industry. The case represents the largest single investigation and prosecution against individuals in the history of DOJ’s enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Full Story
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New York: Three New York Businessmen Charged with Laundering Money Through Iran
Reza Safarha, Nick Mohamey, and Mohammad Soroush Mahalaty were charged with conspiring to launder money from the United States to Iran using the hawala system-a money remittance system operates outside of traditional banking channels. Full Story
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Milwaukee: Former Koss Corporation Executive Charged in $31 Million Dollar Fraud
Sujata Sachdeva, the former vice president of finance, secretary, and principal accounting officer for Koss Corporation, was charged with six counts of wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Sachdeva used her position at Koss to fraudulently obtain more than $31 million from Koss, which she used to purchase personal items and pay for personal expenses. The case is one of the largest embezzlement cases ever brought in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Full Story
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Detroit: Former Mayoral Assistant Indicted on Bribery and Extortion Charges
A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against DeDan C. Milton, charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and extortion and two counts each of bribery and extortion. Milton served as an executive assistant to former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. The charges stem from the federal government’s investigation into bribes and kickbacks involving the sale of City of Detroit owned properties, including Camp Brighton in Livingston County and the Detroit Police Department’s 8th Precinct Station. Full Story
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Indianapolis: Eighteen Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Case
Eighteen individuals from the Indianapolis area were charged with cocaine trafficking. Law enforcement officers arrested 13 of the charged individuals, two were already in state custody, and the remaining three remain at large. During the execution of 11 search warrants related to the investigation, police seized $125,000 in cash, approximately two kilograms of cocaine, seven ounces of crack, two pounds of marijuana, and 12 firearms. The indictment was the result of an investigation involving multiple agencies and directed by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Full Story
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Chicago/Indianapolis: Two Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot
Two DuPage County, Illinois men were arrested after being charged by complaint in a murder-for-hire plot targeting an Assistant United States Attorney and a Drug Enforcement Administration agent assigned to Chicago. Frank Caira and Jack Mann were charged with solicitation to commit a crime of violence, specifically attempting assault or intimidation of a federal officer, and attempting to kill a law enforcement official. Full Story
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Dallas: Former Irving Police Officer Pleads Guilty in HUD Fraud Case
Ramon Anthony Reyes, Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with regard to his participation in HUD’s “Good Neighbor Next Door/Officer Next Door” mortgage program. Full Story
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Cincinnati: Fairfield Man Pleads Guilty to Role in $7.3 Million Investment Scam
Kevin Miller pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of obstruction of an investigation for his role in a real estate investment fraud scheme between 2005 and 2008 that defrauded approximately 80 victims out of approximately $7.3 million. Full Story