TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's JournalGood luck to those owed money from Gov. Justice
Business taxes, fines, services and lawsuit settlements Gov. Jim Justice hasn’t paid have been the subject of numerous reports in this publication and elsewhere.
A story published in Forbes magazine Wednesday on Justice’s finances was headlined “The Deadbeat Billionaire: The Inside Story of How West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Ducks Taxes and Slow-Pays His Bills.”
The Forbes piece also noticed similarities between Justice and President Donald Trump, whom Justice calls a personal friend:
“Both are unabashedly populist billionaires who inherited businesses in cutthroat industries and built those companies into larger empires. Like Trump, Justice has a history of not paying vendors. Like Trump, Justice makes excuses for not putting more than a handful of his bewildering array of companies into a blind trust while serving in public office. Like Trump, Justice says his children — son Jay and daughter Jillean — are running the empire.”
Read more: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/gazette_opinion/editorial/gazette-editorial-good-luck-to-those-owed-money-from-gov/article_e5ab0cb3-7b76-57f0-a918-778387651b68.html
Bernie Sanders relaunches 'Medicare for All' amid 2020 glare
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont will unveil a new version of his "Medicare for All" plan on Wednesday, shaking up the 2020 presidential election by reopening the debate over his call to eliminate private health insurance.
Four of Sanders' fellow senators and rivals for the Democratic nomination are set to sign onto the updated single-payer health care proposal. The bill's reintroduction promises to shine a bright light on Democratic presidential candidates' disparate visions for the long-term future of American health care.
Under fire from President Donald Trump and Republicans for the astronomical price tag of Medicare for All, some candidates who support the plan tout it as one of several ways to achieve more affordable coverage and lower the number of uninsured. And others who don't back it are instead focusing on safeguarding popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act, such as the one that protects coverage of pre-existing conditions.
"Of course, our No. 1 goal should be to make sure we keep in place those protections so people don't get kicked off their insurance," Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who isn't signed onto Sanders' bill, told reporters Tuesday. "Then we also have to see the Affordable Care Act as a beginning and not an end."
Read more: https://www.wacotrib.com/news/ap_nation/headlines/bernie-sanders-relaunches-medicare-for-all-amid-glare/article_5407166f-5199-5820-b746-2644c8e8f8e4.html
(Waco Tribune-Herald)
Texas Senate approves budget bill
AUSTIN—Members of the Senate approved without dissent Tuesday a plan that would spend $116.8 billion in non-dedicated state funds for state services through 2021. The bill sets aside $6.3 billion to cover an across-the-board public school teacher and librarian pay raise and funding to cover education reform. It also earmarks almost $3 billion towards property tax relief, a priority that must be addressed, said the Senate's lead budget writer. "We must take action this session to provide lasting, meaningful property tax relief," said Flower Mound Senator and Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson. "The budget sets aside $2.7 billion for that purpose, and it will conform to whatever solution for tax relief is agreed to this session."
Including federal money, dedicated general state revenue and all other funds, the Senate approved $247.7 billion to cover state expenses for the next two years. "And it does so, all of that, within all constitutional spending limits and it stays within population times inflation," Nelson said. She said the Senate proposal would leave $1.3 billion in the state treasury and $11 billion in the rainy day fund.
Public education, as always, makes up the bulk of state spending, accounting for 55 percent of state general revenue spending in the Senate budget. That includes the $4 billion for the $5,000 teacher pay raise and $2.3 billion to fund the forthcoming Senate education reform bill. Education Committee chair and Friendswood Sen. Larry Taylor led the markup process for the public school budget. Though the details haven't been worked out yet, he says that funding, plus the $2.7 billion for property tax relief, represents a significant investment in improving public education. "We don't often increase anything by $9 billion," Taylor said. "What we're working on this session is landmark."
The final education reform proposal hasn't been heard in committee, but Taylor did offer previews of where he intends that money to go. In addition to more for dual-language and compensatory education, he said there will be more money for early education through third grade. "Up to third grade, kids are learning to read, then from the third grade on they're reading to learn," said Taylor. He said the education reform bill will incentivize reading proficiency for children in prekindergarten through third grade.
Read more: http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/texas/story/2019/apr/10/texas-senate-approves-budget-bill/773579/
Arkansas lawmakers OK $5.7B budget bills
LITTLE ROCK—Arkansas lawmakers have given initial approval to legislation that outlines the state's proposed $5.7 billion budget for the coming year as they prepare to wrap up this year's session.
The House on Tuesday voted 90-5 to approve the proposed Revenue Stabilization Act, which calls for increasing state spending by $124 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1. The Senate unanimously approved an identical version of the bill previously.
The bulk of the spending increases proposed in the legislation would go toward the state's Medicaid program and public schools.
Both chambers are expected to give final approval to the legislation today.
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2019/apr/10/arkansas-lawmakers-ok-57b-budget-bills/773607/
(no more at link)
Rick Perry brushes aside media reports of Homeland Security post
Energy Secretary Rick Perry, a former Texas governor, said Monday that he is not interested in leading the Department of Homeland Security.
Bloomberg News reported late Monday that Perry said, “I’m happy where I am and the president is happy where I am.” Perry made the remarks during a brief interview on Capitol Hill.
Perry was one of three possible replacements mentioned by the Washington Post after Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned abruptly Sunday.
Perry, who was born in Haskell, Texas and grew up in nearby Paint Creek, is a a veteran of the United States Air Force and the longest serving governor in Texas (2000-2015). He has been the secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy since March 2017.
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2019/04/09/rick-perry-brushes-aside-media-reports-homeland-security-secretary/3409042002/
(no more at link)
After recalling the brilliance of Rick Perry, I believe we can consider this as a good thing for our country 
Dirk Nowitzki announces retirement from NBA after 21 seasons with Dallas Mavericks
After a season of speculation, Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has made it official: he is retiring from the NBA.
The future Hall of Famer made the announcement Tuesday night following the Mavericks' regular-season home finale.
"As you guys might expect, this is my last home game," an emotional Nowitzki told the Dallas crowd, which greeted him with a long ovation.
"I'm trying my yoga breathing but it's not really working that well," Nowitzki joked before continuing.
Read more: https://www.caller.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2019/04/09/dirk-nowitzki-announces-retirement-dallas-mavericks/3419646002/
(Corpus Christi Caller-Times)
Standard Chartered Bank Admits to Illegally Processing Transactions in Violation of Iranian Sanction
Standard Chartered Bank Admits to Illegally Processing Transactions in Violation of Iranian Sanctions and Agrees to Pay More Than $1 Billiontandard Chartered Bank (SCB), a global financial institution headquartered in London, England, has agreed to forfeiture of $240 million, a fine of $480 million, and to the amendment and extension of its deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Justice Department for an additional two years for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This criminal conspiracy, lasting from 2007 through 2011, resulted in SCB processing approximately 9,500 financial transactions worth approximately $240 million through U.S. financial institutions for the benefit of Iranian entities.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu of the District of Columbia, Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office, Chief Don Fort of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI), and District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. of New York County made the announcement.
The New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) is also announcing today that SCB has agreed to amend its DPA with DANY and extend for two additional years, and to pay an additional financial penalty of $292,210,160. Under the amended DPA with DANY, SCB has admitted that it violated New York State law by, among other things, falsifying the records of New York financial institutions. SCB has also entered into separate settlement agreements with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve), the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), and the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under which SCB shall pay additional penalties totaling more than $477 million. The Justice Department has agreed to credit a portion of these related payments and, after crediting, will collect $52,210,160 of the fine, in addition to SCB’s $240 million forfeiture.
In connection with the conspiracy, a former employee of SCB’s branch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), referred to as Person A, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia for conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate IEEPA. A two-count criminal indictment was unsealed today in federal court in the District of Columbia charging Mahmoud Reza Elyassi, an Iranian national, 49, and former customer of SCB Dubai, with participating in the conspiracy.
Read more: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/standard-chartered-bank-admits-illegally-processing-transactions-violation-iranian-sanctions
Former Philadelphia Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Ordered to Forfeit Over $653K
Former Philadelphia Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Ordered to Forfeit Over $653,000 in Ill-Gotten GainsPHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Victor Gates, 72 of Philadelphia, PA, a retired 30-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, was sentenced today to serve 40 months in prison, followed by two years’ supervised release, and to pay a $15,000 fine. Gates was also ordered to forfeit $653,319.10 in proceeds from his crimes. The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Wendy Beetlestone of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Gates was convicted at trial of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, fourteen counts of honest services mail fraud, and two counts of lying to federal investigators. The charges arose from Gates’s orchestration of a seven-year bribery scheme during which he paid a Philadelphia Police detective for special access to law enforcement databases in order to build up Gates’ lucrative towing business. The evidence at trial showed that Gates’s business made monthly bribe payments by check since at least May 2008. In total, Gates paid the detective $25,200 to abuse his access to law enforcement databases. The jury also found that during the investigation, Gates lied on two occasions to federal investigators about the corrupt arrangement.
“Through his corruption and criminality, Gates has disgraced himself, embarrassed his former colleagues, and corrupted a former police detective who viewed Gates as a mentor,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The sentence imposed today should send a message that such corruption will be vigorously prosecuted and the offenders held to account, no matter who they are or what position they hold.”
“After 30 years on the force, Victor Gates knew well that bribing a police officer was an egregious crime,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Nonetheless, he stuck with his scheme, ensnaring a former colleague and ignoring all ethical boundaries in order to make a buck. What a shame. Know that the FBI will continue to tenaciously investigate such corruption, and bring those involved to justice.”
Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/former-philadelphia-police-officer-sentenced-prison-fraud-and-ordered-forfeit-over
Former Director Of Financial Aid At New York Graduate School And Two Former Students Sentenced To
Former Director Of Financial Aid At New York Graduate School And Two Former Students Sentenced To Prison For Bribery And Kickback SchemeGeoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that MELANIE WILLIAMS-BETHEA, the former director of financial aid at Teachers College, Columbia University, and two former Teachers College students, MAWULI HORMEKU and CARMEN CANTY, were sentenced to prison terms for their respective roles in illicitly obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars from Teachers College through a years-long bribery and kickback scheme. WILLIAMS-BETHEA was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan, who previously sentenced HORMEKU and CANTY. The defendants received the following sentences:
MELANIE WILLIAMS-BETHEA -- 40 months in prison
MAWULI HORMEKU -- 12 months and one day in prison
CARMEN CANTY -- 3 months in prison
WILLIAMS-BETHEA pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery on October 17, 2018; HORMEKU pled guilty to committing bribery on July 26, 2018; and CANTY pled guilty to committing bribery on July 31, 2018. Two additional students who participated in the scheme, ANNICE KPANA and KYLA THOMAS, also have pled guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “These defendants exploited and stole from an institution of higher learning, taking money that was intended to help provide opportunities for individuals training to teach future generations. They cumulatively pocketed more than $2 million, and their prison sentences reflect the significant harm caused by their conduct.”
Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-director-financial-aid-new-york-graduate-school-and-two-former-students
Florida Executive Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Orchestrating $150M International Ponzi Scheme
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ANTONIO CARLOS DE GODOY BUZANELI, 57, to 240 months in prison for his role in a $150 million investment fraud scheme involving Brazilian factoring. BUZANELI, who entered his guilty plea on April 19, 2018, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. BUZANELI’S co-conspirators, JOSE MANUEL ORDOÑEZ, JR., 48, was sentenced on January 23, 2019, to 120 months in prison and JULIO ENRIQUE RIVERA, 62, will be sentenced on April 16, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “Antonio Buzaneli was the primary architect of a $150 million Ponzi scheme that targeted hundreds of victims worldwide, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable. Some victims lost their retirement savings, others lost the ability to provide a college education to their children or grandchildren. For these egregious crimes, Mr. Buzaneli will spend the next 20 years behind bars. I applaud our law enforcement partners for their steadfast efforts in seeking justice for the victims.”
“No matter how complex the scheme, the FBI is committed to stopping fraudsters like these from preying on people, especially elderly investors who may have lost their life savings in this case,” said Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Division. “We are grateful for our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau for thoroughly investigating this global scheme and bringing these criminals to justice; and we believe this matter further illuminates the need for citizens to be wary of those peddling these kinds of fraudulent business investments.”
“Our securities enforcement unit and the Commerce Fraud Bureau began investigating this scheme after receiving a tip about a suspicious investment opportunity being offered in Minnesota,” said Steve Kelley, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. “We are proud that the Commerce Fraud Bureau collaborated successfully with federal authorities, bringing to justice a far-reaching operation that deceived Minnesotans.”
Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/florida-executive-sentenced-20-years-prison-orchestrating-150-million-international-ponzi
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Gender: MaleHometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
Home country: United States
Current location: Bryan, Texas
Member since: Sun Aug 14, 2011, 03:57 AM
Number of posts: 112,792
