Tag Archives: investigations

Justice Department renews bid to unseal Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury materials

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NEW YORK The Justice Department on Monday renewed its request to unseal grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking cases, arguing they should be made public under a new law requiring the government to open its files on the late financier and his longtime confidante. U. S. Attorney Jay Clayton cited the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress last week and signed into law by President Donald Trump in court filings asking Manhattan federal Judges Richard Berman and Paul A. Engelmayer to reconsider their prior decisions to keep the material sealed. The Justice Department interprets the transparency act “as requiring it to publish the grand jury and discovery materials in this case,” said the eight-page filings, which also bear the names of Attorney General Pam Bondi and her second-in-command, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. The filings are among the first public indications that the Justice Department is working to comply with the transparency act, which requires that it make Epstein-related files public in a searchable and downloadable format within 30 days of Trump signing it into law. That means no later than Dec. 19. The Justice Department asked Berman and Engelmayer for expedited rulings allowing the release of the grand jury materials, which contains testimony from law enforcement witnesses but no victims, arguing that the new law supersedes existing court orders and judicial policies that “would otherwise prevent public disclosure.” In its filing Monday, the Justice Department said any materials made public could be partially redacted to prevent the disclosure of things like victims’ personal identifying information. The transparency act compels the Justice Department, the FBI and federal prosecutors to release the vast troves of material they’ve amassed during investigations into Epstein’s decades-long sexual abuse of young women and girls. The law mandates the release of all unclassified documents and investigative materials, including files relating to immunity deals and internal Justice Department communications about whom to charge or investigate. Berman has previously said that the grand jury transcripts in Epstein’s case amount to about 70 pages, along with a PowerPoint slideshow and call log. The only witness to testify was an FBI agent who “had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case,” Berman noted in his prior ruling. The FBI agent testified on June 18, 2019, and July 2, 2019. The July 2 session ended with grand jurors voting to indict Epstein. He was arrested on July 6, 2019 and found dead in his jail cell on Aug. 10, 2019. The same FBI agent testified before the Maxwell grand jury, which met in June and July 2020 and March 2021, the Justice Department has said. The only other witness was a New York City police detective. The Justice Department first asked Berman to unseal the grand jury material in July, doing so at Trump’s direction as the president sought to quell a firestorm after he reneged on a campaign promise to open up the government’s so-called Epstein files. Engelmayer, who presided over Maxwell’s 2021 sex trafficking trial, ruled first. In an Aug. 11 decision, he wrote that federal law almost never allows for the release of grand jury materials and that casually making the documents public was a bad idea. And he suggested that the Trump administration’s real motive for wanting the records unsealed was to fool the public with an “illusion” of transparency. Engelmayer wrote that after privately reviewing the grand jury transcripts that anyone familiar with the evidence would “learn next to nothing new” and “would come away feeling disappointed and misled.” “The materials do not identify any person other than Epstein and Maxwell as having had sexual contact with a minor. They do not discuss or identify any client of Epstein’s or Maxwell’s. They do not reveal any heretofore unknown means or methods of Epstein’s or Maxwell’s crimes,” the judge said. Berman, who presided over Epstein’s 2019 case, ruled about a week later. He concluded that a “significant and compelling reason” to deny the Justice Department’s request to unseal the Epstein grand jury transcripts was that information contained in them “pales in comparison” to investigative information and materials already in the Justice Department’s possession. Berman wrote in his Aug. 20 ruling that the government’s 100, 000 pages of Epstein-related files “dwarf” the grand jury transcripts, which he said were “merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct.”.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/24/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-grand-jury/

OSP caught in another skewed investigation at MIIF

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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) says two major corruption probes involving the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) programme and the alleged diversion of petroleum products by more than 30 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have reached advanced stages. The Herald’s investigations into the MIIF this year, revealed that MIIF cash, which came from mineral royalties, was used for various purposes beyond the gold deal. It was used for fuel purchases, senseless procurement of mine equipment, bailouts for private mining companies, fixed deposits, outrageous corporate social responsibility (CSR), among others. Interestingly, the OSP led by Kissi Agyebeng, has been fixated on the activities of Goldridge Company Limited, owned by Nana Yaw Duodu, alias “Dr. Sledge”. He and his firm are one of the many companies that had access to the MIFF cash. The Herald had worked on damning details regarding the alleged mismanagement and misuse of Ghana’s mineral wealth under the leadership of Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, the Chief Executive Officer of the MIIF, which oversees the controversial Agyapa Royalties Limited. One of the most shocking revelations is the enormous amount allocated to Dr. Sledge, who has been linked to what seems to be a major financial raid on MIIF under the Akufo-Addo government. His company, Goldridge Ghana Limited, received about US$119 million in two payments. Documents available to The Herald, showed that US$94 million was first paid to Dr. Sledge, a well-known socialite in East Legon, Accra, for a gold trade deal that suffered irregularities. In November 2024, Fidelity Bank Ghana, seized US$25 million of MIIF’s funds due to another financial facility MIIF guaranteed to Goldridge. The OSP initiated this investigation following a series of The Herald publications on events at MIIF. Indeed, the OSP contacted this paper to assist with information on MIIF, but this was declined because similar assistance to the OSP in the US$1. 61 billion Aker-Energy transaction and bribes paid to journalists and Civil Society Organizations in 2021 have been investigated or mentioned by the Special Prosecutor at his public conferences. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Saturday, November 22, the OSP said it continues to push several high-value investigations forward, with rising public interest expected as the cases progress. The Office reaffirmed that its work remains anchored in due process, transparency, and the protection of the public interest. According to the update, the OSP disclosed that, under the MIIF investigation, it has already undertaken key statutory measures, including freezing accounts, seizing assets, and imposing restrictions on the movement of some individuals as part of the ongoing probe. The investigation centres on a gold-trading arrangement between MIIF and Goldridge Company Limited, introduced to support Ghana’s gold-for-oil and reserves programme intended to boost state revenue. In September 2025, the OSP confirmed that Nana Yaw Duodu, the Chief Executive Officer of Goldridge Company Limited, had been invited and subsequently detained after failing to meet bail conditions related to the same matter. Subsequently, on October 29, the Office of the Special Prosecutor raided Dr Sledge’s Trassaco residence and the Goldridge Company Limited offices in East Legon as part of ongoing investigations into the Minerals Income Investment Fund gold trade program. The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), created under Act 978 of 2018 to manage Ghana’s mineral royalties and state mineral investments, introduced its gold-trade initiative to support the government’s gold-for-oil and gold-for-reserves policies through private-sector partnerships. The second investigation involves an extensive fuel-diversion scheme in which more than 30 OMCs are being investigated for allegedly diverting marine gas oil, premix fuel, and diesel. The OSP says the alleged diversions have major revenue implications, and efforts are underway to recover millions of cedis that should have accrued to the state. The Office also mentioned that, beyond these two ongoing cases, several others, including issues involving the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), are already in court. The OSP emphasised that its mandate remains unchanged: to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption, and to ensure the effective recovery and management of state assets as the cases advance toward possible prosecution.
https://theheraldghana.com/osp-caught-in-another-skewed-investigation-at-miif/

Philadelphia man draws prison for role in southeast PA gun trafficking network

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NORRISTOWN A Philadelphia man was sent to prison after he admitted to purchasing eight firearms for the ringleader of a multi-county gun trafficking network who illegally obtained and put nearly 100 guns on the streets. Malik Keyon Rowell-Jernigan, 26, of the 1900 block of East Pacific Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 5 to 10 years in a state correctional institution after he pleaded guilty to charges of corrupt organizations, making false written statements on federal firearms paperwork, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and conspiracy in connection with incidents that occurred between 2022 and 2023. Judge Steven T. O’Neill said gun violence is ravaging communities and that those who put guns in the hands of others who are prohibited from having them are helping to promulgate the violence. “We are in a society that lives in worship of guns. It is particularly troubling that the population gaining access to these guns is getting younger and younger and younger. They are killing members of our community,” said O’Neill, adding a state prison term was appropriate for Rowell-Jernigan. “Protection of the public has to start somewhere.” The five-year sentence was a mandatory term allowable under state law for one of the illegal gun transfers. The judge imposed concurrent five-year sentences for the other seven illegal gun purchases. Rowell-Jernigan did not address the judge before learning his fate and did not comment to a reporter as he was escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs to begin serving the sentence. Rowell-Jernigan was among eight people charged in 2023 with participating in the gun trafficking network led by Larry B. Williams of Philadelphia. Prosecutors said participants used straw purchase schemes to arm the organization. A straw purchase occurs when someone who is legally allowed to purchase a firearm purchases one and then gives it illegally to someone who is not permitted to purchase that firearm. With the charges, detectives specifically alleged Rowell-Jernigan purchased eight firearms “in furtherance of this gun trafficking organization.” The weapons included Taurus 9mm handguns, Glock . 40-caliber handguns and Glock 9mm handguns, according to court documents. “Those eight firearms were then handed over to Larry Williams as part of this overarching organization,” said Assistant District Attorney William Harry Highland III, who sought a mandatory sentence for Rowell-Jernigan. “The danger of these straw purchase cases is that individuals who cannot own or possess firearms are now able to get guns in their hands. “It presents a serious problem on the streets. When people are buying guns for those who cannot have them the ramifications of what could happen are endless,” said Highland, adding some of the illegal guns linked to the organization were used in other crimes. Some of the firearms were recovered during investigations of other crimes including in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and during an October 2021 gunpoint robbery in Wolcott, Conn., according to court documents. Members of the network allegedly purchased 94 firearms and attempted to purchase an additional 23 firearms in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Lehigh, Philadelphia, Columbia, Northampton and York counties. Previous testimony revealed about 52 of the firearms are still on the streets. Authorities said about half of the illegal gun purchases and attempted purchases were completed at gun shows statewide, including at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in Upper Providence Township. Seven of the eight firearms that were purchased by Rowell-Jernigan have been recovered by authorities. Defense lawyer Francis John Genovese was pleased the judge sentenced Rowell-Jernigan to only one five-year mandatory sentence. “He came in early on and admitted to what he had done, took responsibility for it. He was just hoping for the best sentence possible which is what the judge ultimately gave him, the 5 to 10 year mandatory sentences all running concurrently, so he was satisfied with that outcome,” Genovese said on behalf of Rowell-Jernigan. “When he initially got involved in this at the request of Mr. Williams he didn’t realize the consequences that came along with the straw purchases. He did it to make a couple of bucks because he really wasn’t working at that point in time. He made a couple of bucks but obviously it wasn’t worth the ultimate penalty he just paid with a 5- to 10-year prison sentence,” Genovese added. Authorities said Williams was prohibited from buying, owning or possessing firearms because of previous felony convictions for drug crimes, so he recruited other people who lived in Philadelphia to buy firearms for him. The investigation found that oftentimes Williams accompanied the straw purchasers to gun stores and helped choose the weapons or he directed the purchases from afar using text or phone conversations. “Law enforcement identified multiple members of this gun trafficking organization with different roles and responsibilities,” detectives wrote in a criminal complaint. “We know through our training and experience individuals involved in this illegal activity operate in attempt to conceal the true identity of the ultimate possessor of the firearm.” For each purchase made on behalf of the organization the purchasers indicated on the record of sale paperwork that they purchased the firearms for themselves and not another individual, detectives said. “The purpose of this corrupt organization was to illegally obtain and distribute firearms to others,” detectives alleged. In April, Williams, 42, of Jasper Street in Philadelphia, was sentenced to 22½ to 45 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of corrupt organizations, making materially false written statements or illegal transfer of firearms, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and conspiracy. In June 2022, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau initiated an investigation into illegal activities associated with the gun trafficking organization. Members of the county’s Violent Crime Unit followed the multiple purchases of firearms by the defendants through the state’s Electronic Record of Sale (EROS) system and through hard copies of ATF and Pennsylvania State Police forms at gun stores. Detectives used surveillance, interviews, information from law enforcement agencies, call detail records and cellphone downloads, social media analysis, records of cash transfers, inspection of forms used in purchasing firearms and other methods of investigation. Collaboration between law enforcement agencies and increased data sharing through initiatives like Track and Trace aided in uncovering the scale of the widespread operation. The following law enforcement organizations participated in the investigation: the Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force; Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s Violent Crime Unit; Bucks County District Attorney’s Drug Strike Force; U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Pennsylvania State Police; Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole; FBI Bucks Montgomery Safe Streets Task Force; U. S. Marshal’s Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force; New York State Police and multiple police departments including Abington Township Police, Philadelphia Police, Middletown Township Police, Wolcott, Conn., Police, Darby Police, New York City Police and the Pittsburgh Police.
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/2025/11/20/philadelphia-man-draws-prison-for-role-in-southeast-pa-gun-trafficking-network/

Volcanic Ash: Legislators not in any rush to police members’ bribery

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A 92-year-old Honolulu architect was convicted in state court for bribery last week and faces up to 10 years in prison after being recorded in 2022 trying to slip a $20 bill to a city permit officer.

Yet, there have been no charges and conflicting explanations in the 2022 federal case involving a tape of an unnamed state legislator taking a bag containing $35,000.

**Corruption Fighting, Hawaii-Kine**

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura last week finally voiced concern about “the cloud placed over the entire state Legislature,” but her remarks came off as an invitation to the feds to ask her to back off. Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson quickly obliged.

The case stems from federal bribery prosecutions that jailed state Sen. J. Kalani English and state Rep. Ty Cullen. Cullen cooperated with authorities to receive a reduced sentence.

In a 2023 filing, federal prosecutors stated that Cullen recorded “an influential state legislator” accepting a purported $35,000 campaign donation from a person of interest to authorities. They alluded to a “chargeable bribery offense.” However, there has been radio silence since.

Alexander Silvert, the retired federal public defender who spurred federal corruption convictions of Louis and Katherine Kealoha, stirred public attention with a Change.org petition demanding that the Legislature conduct its own investigation of its member’s possible corruption. The petition (change.org/p/restore-public-trust-investigate-the- unknown-hawai%CA%BBi-legislator) had 813 signatures as of Friday.

In a Star-Advertiser commentary, Silvert noted that the statute of limitations on the bribery case is looming in January 2027. “One could assume that the Legislature would want to police its own and investigate,” he wrote. “Particularly when it might prevent a possibly corrupt legislator from continuing to actively participate in voting on new laws, such as anti-corruption legislation or campaign spending limits.”

Representatives Della Au Belatti and Kanani Souza have also agitated for investigations by the Legislature, the Campaign Spending Commission, and the Ethics Commission.

Nakamura initially said a legislative investigation would be inappropriate while the federal probe is ongoing. But feeling the heat, last week she wrote to Sorenson asking if the federal investigation is still active and whether “parallel investigations by state authorities would complement or potentially interfere with your office’s work.”

She also wrote to state Attorney General Anne Lopez “to determine whether any Hawaii state laws may have been violated,” while noting that “my request is not intended to interfere with or duplicate federal efforts.”

Sorenson quickly responded that the federal probe remains active and “a parallel investigation by state authorities would potentially interfere with our investigation.”

In a confusing statement, he said, “the referenced ‘bribery offense’ is unrelated to the $35,000 in the paper bag. Put another way, the so-named ‘influential state legislator’ was not involved in the ‘bribery offense’ alluded to in the filing.”

So, a legislator took a paper bag stuffed with $35,000, and it wasn’t bribery? Then what was the bribery offense?

The cloud over the state keeps getting darker.

Viewing this tap dancing against the $20 handshake, the lesson seems to be: if you want to get away with bribery in Hawaii, bribe big.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/16/hawaii-news/volcanic-ash/volcanic-ash-legislators-not-in-any-rush-to-police-members-bribery/

New Docs Expose Jack Smith’s Direct Connection to Russia Collusion, Clinton Cover Up [WATCH]

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Justice Department officials connected to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s work were involved in blocking an FBI inquiry into whether Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign violated federal campaign finance laws when it funded the Steele Dossier through intermediaries, according to emails released Thursday.

The documents add to a series of disclosures emerging as the Trump Justice Department pursues a sweeping investigation into alleged anti-Trump conduct inside federal agencies dating back a decade.

The emails appear to show DOJ officials advising the FBI against opening a probe into whether the Clinton campaign improperly used cutouts to finance Fusion GPS and former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. The FBI ultimately did not pursue the potential violations. Two officials now tied to Smith’s investigation were linked to the decision.

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### Trump DOJ and FBI Expand Investigation into Alleged Political Conspiracy

The Trump DOJ and FBI have opened a wider inquiry into what investigators describe as an ongoing criminal conspiracy involving years of political activity inside federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Congressional investigators have released information over recent months indicating that the FBI quietly began examining Democratic Party-aligned efforts dating back to the Trump-Russia allegations and extending to Smith’s pursuit of President Donald Trump. Smith was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to lead the Biden Justice Department’s investigations involving Trump.

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### Background on Jack Smith and the Arctic Frost Inquiry

Newly declassified materials connected to the Arctic Frost inquiry describe a broad set of legal actions targeting Trump and his allies beginning in 2022, as Trump considered another presidential run.

Before his selection as special counsel, Smith headed the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section from 2010 until early 2015. During that period, the IRS controversy involving Lois Lerner unfolded, in which her division scrutinized conservative nonprofit groups. Lerner apologized for the conduct but denied political motives.

Records show Smith’s unit engaged with Lerner and the IRS during that time, with the IRS transferring nonprofit tax records to the FBI, although no prosecutions followed.

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### FBI’s Retention of Investigative Documents

Recent disclosures also include the FBI’s discovery of investigative documents kept inside “burn bags” at FBI headquarters. According to court filings connected to the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, the records included materials on the Mar-a-Lago search, the January 6 Capitol breach, the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, and the classified appendix to Special Counsel John Durham’s work.

Just the News reported that more than two dozen Russiagate-related subpoenas are planned, coinciding with new information disclosed in the Comey prosecution. Additional records show that long-standing investigative materials related to Trump had been retained inside the FBI without full disclosure.

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### Federal Election Commission Findings on 2016 Clinton Campaign Payments

The Federal Election Commission ruled in 2022 that there was “probable cause” to believe Hillary for America and the Democratic National Committee violated federal law by misreporting payments connected to Fusion GPS.

– The DNC paid $849,407, and
– The Clinton campaign paid $175,000 to Perkins Coie.

The FEC said the campaign labeled the expenses as “legal services,” and the DNC described them as “legal and compliance consulting.”

Clinton campaign lawyer Marc Elias hired Fusion GPS in 2016, and Fusion in turn hired Steele. Elias testified that he met with Steele during the campaign, knew Steele planned to brief reporters, and provided periodic updates to the Clinton campaign based on Fusion’s research.

Special Counsel John Durham later said campaign officials, Fusion GPS, and Perkins Coie acted jointly in advancing collusion claims during the 2016 race. The FBI declined to open a criminal investigation into the campaign finance matter.

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### Key DOJ Officials Involved in Decision Not to Investigate

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Thursday that emails show the decision was made by Richard Pilger, then a leader in the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, and J. P. Cooney, then with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.

Grassley noted that Pilger later played a key role in approving the launch of Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation, and that Cooney served as Smith’s deputy special counsel.

An FBI communication dated July 2019, released Thursday, showed the bureau sought consultation from DOJ officials regarding “DNC and Fusion GPS FEC violations.” The document indicated the FBI did not move forward after receiving input from Pilger and Cooney.

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### Grand Jury Subpoenas and Expanded Investigations

A federal grand jury is issuing more than 30 subpoenas related to Trump-Russia allegations. Additional subpoenas involve former CIA Director John Brennan and his handling of Steele’s dossier and the 2016 intelligence community assessment. A grand jury in South Florida is overseeing portions of the inquiry.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe sent a referral on Brennan in July, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also delivered declassified evidence to the DOJ describing a “treasonous conspiracy.”

New information indicates Comey expected Clinton to win in 2016 and was aware of intelligence describing a Clinton plan linking Trump to Russia. Records also reference alleged leaks by Comey’s associate Daniel Richman.

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### Phone Records Obtained in Arctic Frost Investigation

Further disclosures show Smith and the FBI obtained phone records from eight Republican senators and one Republican House member during the Arctic Frost investigation.

A 2023 FBI record stated investigators conducted a limited toll analysis involving calls associated with the following members of Congress:
– Senators Ron Johnson, Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Cynthia Lummis, Marsha Blackburn
– Representative Mike Kelly

Lawyers for Smith defended the decision. Grassley released documents showing Smith issued nearly 200 subpoenas seeking information from more than 400 Republican officials and groups.

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### High-Level Approvals and Coordination with White House

Records further show that Attorney General Merrick Garland, then-FBI Director Chris Wray, and then-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco approved the Arctic Frost inquiry.

Emails also show coordination between the Biden White House Counsel’s Office and an FBI agent to transfer phones belonging to former President Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Arctic Frost extended to dozens of Republican officials and organizations, according to documents released earlier this year.

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### Continued Scrutiny of Smith’s DOJ Tenure

Smith’s earlier period at DOJ continues to receive scrutiny. Congressional records show he arranged meetings between DOJ officials and IRS leadership in 2010 and 2013 to discuss campaign finance enforcement.

Representatives Jim Jordan and Darrell Issa sought Smith’s testimony in 2014, citing concerns about DOJ involvement. Smith testified that the Public Integrity Section debated possible investigations but did not open cases.

Senate investigators reported that IRS and DOJ officials exchanged documents and explored potential theories for criminal charges involving tax-exempt organizations. They described follow-up contacts between DOJ officials and IRS leaders, including discussions about 501(c)(4) political activity. An IRS official cautioned DOJ that the agency had not seen conduct warranting criminal investigation.

Senate investigators later described DOJ’s interest as unusually aggressive compared with standard IRS enforcement practices.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/new-docs-expose-jack-smiths-direct-connection-to-russia-collusion-clinton-cover-up-watch/

Cleveland ‘s Luis Ortiz to appear in court over allegations he took bribes to rig pitches

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BOSTON (AP) — Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz is due in court Monday on charges accusing him and teammate Emmanuel Clase of taking bribes to help bettors in their native Dominican Republic win prop bets placed on pitches they threw.

According to the indictment against the two, unsealed Sunday, the highly paid pitchers took several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two unnamed gamblers in their home country win at least $460,000 on bets placed on the speed and outcome of certain pitches, including some that landed in the dirt.

Clase, who was the Guardians’ closer, and Ortiz, a starter, have been on nondisciplinary paid leave since July, when MLB began investigating what it described as unusually high in-game betting activity when the two pitched. Some of the games in question took place in April, May, and June.

Ortiz, 26, was arrested Sunday by the FBI at Boston Logan International Airport. He is expected to appear in federal court in Boston on Monday. Clase, 27, is not in custody, officials said.

Ortiz and Clase “betrayed America’s pastime,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said. “Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us.”

Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, said in a statement that his client is innocent and “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game not for anyone and not for anything.” Georgalis added that Ortiz’s defense team previously documented for prosecutors that the payments and money transfers between him and individuals in the Dominican Republic were for legal activities.

Major League Baseball said it contacted federal law enforcement when it began investigating unusual betting activity and has fully cooperated with authorities. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing,” a league statement said.

In a statement, the Guardians said: “We are aware of the recent law enforcement action. We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.”

Clase and Ortiz are each charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. The top charges carry a potential punishment of up to 20 years in prison.

In one example cited in the indictment, Clase allegedly invited a bettor to a game against the Boston Red Sox in April and spoke with him by phone just before taking the mound. Four minutes later, the indictment said, the bettor and his associates won $11,000 on a wager that Clase would throw a certain pitch slower than 97.95 mph (157.63 kph).

Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, had a $4.5 million salary in 2025—the fourth season of a $20 million, five-year contract. The three-time AL save leader began providing the bettors with information about his pitches in 2023 but did not ask for payoffs until this year, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Ortiz, who earned a $782,600 salary this year, joined the scheme in June and is accused of rigging pitches in games against the Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals.

These charges are the latest bombshell developments in a federal crackdown on gambling in professional sports. Last month, more than 30 people, including prominent basketball figures such as Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in a gambling sweep that rocked the NBA.
https://whdh.com/news/cleveland-s-luis-ortiz-to-appear-in-court-over-allegations-he-took-bribes-to-rig-pitches/

Bongino Announces ‘Conspiracy to Smuggle Biological Materials’ Charges Against 3 Chinese Nationals

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Federal authorities have arrested three Chinese nationals accused of conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States under the guise of academic research. The arrests mark the latest development in a series of investigations into Chinese nationals connected with American university research programs.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino announced the arrests Thursday on X, naming the suspects as Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27, and Zhiyong Zhang, 30.

“An update for you on our efforts to protect the homeland: THREE research scholars from China — Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang — have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and for making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers,” Bongino wrote.

“These are the latest charges in a string of cases stemming from Chinese national students’ criminal activities at university research centers,” Bongino added. “FBI Counterintelligence will NOT tolerate any attempt to exploit American institutions to break the law, and we remain dedicated to protecting our communities and our educational institutions from threats like these.”

According to the Department of Justice, the three researchers were affiliated with the University of Michigan. Their arrests bring to six the number of Chinese nationals linked to the university who have faced criminal charges this year involving smuggling or false statements.

The Department of Justice stated that Bai and Fengfan Zhang were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the country, while Zhiyong Zhang was charged with making false statements to federal agents. The materials involved were related to roundworm research.

Prosecutors allege the defendants received samples from another Chinese national, Chengxuan Han, who had previously been charged with similar offenses and later deported. Han’s case, filed in June 2025, involved the smuggling of biological materials and making false statements to U.S. authorities. His arrest led to a broader federal investigation that identified multiple individuals allegedly involved in the illegal importation of biological substances.

In a related case, two other Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the country, making false statements, and visa fraud. According to court filings, Jian and Liu attempted to bring into the United States a fungus that infects grain crops. Jian allegedly intended to study the fungus in a University of Michigan laboratory. Both were arrested earlier this year.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a statement emphasizing the national security implications of the case.

“Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” Bondi said. “We will remain vigilant to threats like these from foreign nationals who would take advantage of America’s generosity to advance a malicious agenda.”

U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon, Jr. commented on the arrests, suggesting a recurring pattern of activity.

“At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, these three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan. This is a threat to our collective security,” Gorgon stated.

Investigators revealed that after Han’s deportation, Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang refused to cooperate with federal agents and were subsequently terminated by the university. The three later attempted to leave the United States but were stopped before they could flee.

“This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs,” said Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons. “Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation, which can pose risks to national security, as demonstrated in this instance.”

FBI Director Kash Patel affirmed the agency’s commitment to ongoing investigations involving foreign nationals attempting to bypass U.S. law through academic or research institutions.

“These charges show the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable those who violate our laws, and that academic research cannot excuse illegal activity,” Patel said. “The Chinese nationals charged today allegedly were involved in smuggling biological materials into the U.S. on several occasions. The FBI and our partners are committed to defending the homeland and stopping any illegal smuggling into our country.”
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/bongino-announces-conspiracy-to-smuggle-biological-materials-charges-against-3-chinese-nationals/

Seven Arrested After Hours-Long Greeley Standoff

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By North Forty News Staff | NorthFortyNews

For the latest news and updates, visit [greeleypd.com](https://www.greeleypd.com).

Source: Greeley Police Department, Public Information Office.
https://northfortynews.com/category/news/seven-arrested-after-hours-long-greeley-standoff/

Argentina’s Milei Strengthens Political Power Amid LIBRA Scandal

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**Milei’s La Libertad Avanza Party Wins Big in Argentina’s 2025 Midterms Amid Ongoing LIBRA Crypto Scandal**

Argentine President Javier Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), secured a significant victory in the 2025 midterm legislative elections, capturing nearly 41% of the national vote. This impressive win bolsters Milei’s influence in Congress and strengthens his position to advance his reform agenda. However, the triumph comes amid an escalating LIBRA cryptocurrency scandal that continues to erode public trust and intensify legal scrutiny surrounding Milei and his associates.

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### Victory in the 2025 Midterms

La Libertad Avanza emerged as a dominant political force in Argentina’s 2025 midterm elections, making notable gains in key districts such as Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba, and Santa Fe. With approximately 41% of the vote, LLA surpassed the Peronist alliance, which garnered 31.6%.

Following the elections, LLA now holds 101 out of 257 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, a substantial increase that enhances Milei’s legislative leverage. This expanded control is expected to facilitate the passage of Milei’s ambitious reforms in tax policy, labor laws, and pensions.

Reflecting on the victory, Milei stated, “During the first two years, we avoided falling off the cliff. In the next two years, we will continue the reformist path to make Argentina great again.”

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### LIBRA Crypto Scandal Continues to Unfold

Despite his electoral success, Milei’s association with the LIBRA cryptocurrency project has sparked ongoing controversy. The scandal began when Milei publicly endorsed LIBRA, a meme coin that saw a rapid rise in market capitalization.

However, the coin’s value crashed after insiders sold off their holdings, causing significant losses for investors. Although Milei has since distanced himself from LIBRA and denied direct involvement in its operations, the fallout severely impacted his public approval.

A recent Zuban Córdoba survey indicates only 36% of Argentinians still support Milei, while 57.6% express distrust in his leadership. This sharp decline in confidence has led to both criminal and congressional investigations targeting Milei and his advisers.

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### Legal Scrutiny Intensifies

Legal repercussions surrounding the LIBRA scandal have intensified in recent months. In October, an Argentine prosecutor ordered forensic examinations of the phones belonging to President Milei and his close aides as part of an ongoing inquiry into their possible roles in the cryptocurrency project.

Additionally, U.S. legal sources suggest that Milei, along with his brother Karina Milei and promoter Hayden Mark Davis, likely control assets linked to LIBRA. This development has increased pressure on the president’s inner circle, with calls mounting for the detention of two aides implicated in the launch of the token.

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### Struggling to Maintain Credibility

While the 2025 midterm election results increased Milei’s political power, the LIBRA scandal poses a serious threat to his credibility. Accusations of insider trading and market manipulation continue to dominate media coverage, contributing to waning public trust.

Milei faces a delicate balancing act: managing the fallout from the LIBRA scandal while delivering on the reforms that secured his electoral success. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to pushing forward with his policy agenda.

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### Looking Ahead

The coming months will be critical for Milei’s administration as it grapples with legal investigations and public skepticism. Restoring trust may prove essential not only for maintaining political momentum but also in shaping the trajectory of his government ahead of Argentina’s 2027 presidential election.

**Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.**
https://coincentral.com/argentinas-milei-strengthens-political-power-amid-libra-scandal/

H-1B Visas Have Become a Boon for “So-Called American Companies”

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“So-called American companies say they have no choice but to use the H-1B program because they ‘can’t find Americans for these jobs,’” says InvestAzoria CEO James Fishback.

“Here’s the ugly truth,” he writes, “they’re not even looking for Americans. They refuse to interview them. They hide job postings in obscure newspapers to ‘check the box,’ and when no one ‘applies,’ they import another foreign worker—denying yet another qualified American a job, a wage, and the dignity and purpose that come with both. It’s disgraceful. It’s time to finally and fully dismantle the H-1B scam.”

A community note correctly points out that the postings are required by law and are legal, but this does not change the main point. American companies prioritize H-1B visa holders and abuse the program. They aren’t genuinely seeking American candidates.

Currently, several companies are suing against the $100,000 fee per applicant that President Trump imposed. The former president has vowed to fight these legal challenges.

### The Program Is an Exercise in Abuse

The H-1B visa program is often criticized for being exploited by employers to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor, particularly in the IT sector. This practice leads to wage suppression and raises national security concerns.

Originally, the program was designed to fill jobs that are specialized and hard to fill with American workers. However, widespread abuses have undermined the job market for Americans and fueled concerns about its integrity.

Ongoing investigations and regulatory changes aim to address these issues and ensure the program serves its intended purpose without harming U.S. workers.

### Legal Challenges to the $100,000 Fee

The Trump administration is preparing to defend its controversial new H-1B visa policy in federal court, following a wave of lawsuits challenging the $100,000 fee imposed on new visa applicants. The administration argues that this fee hike is necessary to protect American jobs and restore integrity to the skilled worker program.

However, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce contends that the new $100,000 fee is unlawful because it overrides requirements set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Specifically, the litigation asserts that visa fees must be based on the government’s actual costs in processing visas—a benchmark that the six-figure fee drastically exceeds.

In addition to the Chamber’s filing, a broad coalition of unions, employers, educators, and religious groups has filed separate lawsuits in federal courts across Washington, D.C., and California. These groups claim the fee is “arbitrary and capricious” and argue it will ultimately harm critical U.S. industries relying on high-skilled foreign talent.

### Impact on the Tech Sector

The tech sector, including companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, heavily utilizes the H-1B program to fill specialized roles. These legal battles reflect deep divisions over how to balance the needs of American workers with the demand for skilled foreign labor.

Despite these challenges, critics argue that many corporate interests represented by groups like the Chamber of Commerce have little regard for protecting American workers. Instead, their agendas often prioritize access to cheaper foreign labor.

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As debates continue, the future of the H-1B program remains uncertain. Policymakers must carefully weigh the interests of American workers, employers, and national security to craft a fair and effective skilled worker visa system.
https://www.independentsentinel.com/h-1b-visas-have-become-a-boon-for-so-called-american-companies/