News

DJO charges hundreds in $830m Covid fraud crackdown

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

In a major nationwide operation, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has brought criminal charges against 371 individuals involved in a sweeping crackdown on Covid-19 fraud, targeting a staggering $830 million in stolen relief funds, according to an official DOJ statement.

The initiative has already proven successful, with the recovery of $231 million in illicitly obtained funds. Moreover, it has exposed the alarming connection between more than 60 defendants and violent crime as well as transnational criminal networks.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, during a roundtable meeting with law enforcement officials, revealed some shocking details. In one particularly alarming case, 30 members of a street gang in Wisconsin allegedly utilized funds obtained through an unemployment fraud scheme to solicit murder-for-hire, as well as to purchase firearms and drugs.

Another case on the international stage involved four individuals charged with pandemic relief fraud and money laundering with connections to Nigeria.

Applying for assistance

Many of the individuals targeted in this operation are accused of fraudulently applying for assistance through programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These programs were designed to support small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, as outlined in a DOJ press release.

This crackdown comes in response to concerns raised by a government watchdog, which estimated in June that fraudsters could have siphoned off more than $200 billion intended for struggling businesses. This amount accounts for 17% of the total $1.2 trillion disbursed for pandemic relief.

The nationwide operation spanned three months, from May to July, and involved three strike teams in California, Maryland, and South Florida. These teams collaborated with 50 U.S. attorneys and over a dozen law enforcement partners.

Additionally, the DOJ is further bolstering its efforts to recover stolen pandemic relief funds by establishing two new strike teams in Colorado and New Jersey. Deputy Attorney General Monaco emphasized that the DOJ is committed to seeking judicial orders that will compel convicted defendants to return every ill-gotten dollar, with a window of 20 years to achieve these recoveries.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland initiated a task force in May 2021 specifically to target those who had fraudulently obtained Covid-19 relief money. To date, the task force has successfully pressed criminal charges against over 3,000 individuals and seized more than $1.4 billion in stolen pandemic relief funds, according to the DOJ.

News

Epstein hearing explodes over redactions and hidden names

Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.

Published

7 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.

US lawmakers have accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of withholding key names linked to Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery congressional hearing. The confrontation centred on redactions within investigative files that critics argue should have been fully disclosed under federal law.

Representative Thomas Massie pressed the Justice Department over blacked-out sections, specifically questioning references to billionaire Leslie Wexner. Bondi maintained that Wexner’s name was released promptly once flagged, defending the department’s handling of the documents.

Frustration boiled over as lawmakers challenged the extent of the redactions, leading to an extraordinary moment in the hearing as Bondi pushed back and praised President Donald Trump while standing by the department’s review process.

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#EpsteinFiles #PamBondi #USPolitics #Congress #JeffreyEpstein #BreakingNews #PoliticalDrama #TickerNews

News

Angus Taylor moves to challenge Sussan Ley for party leadership

Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.

Published

7 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.

Angus Taylor has resigned from the Coalition frontbench to launch a leadership challenge against Sussan Ley, declaring he lacks confidence in her ability to rebuild support for the Liberal Party. His move sets up a high-stakes internal contest that could reshape the party’s direction.

Supporters of Mr Taylor are expected to push for a meeting by Friday to trigger a potential leadership spill, intensifying pressure on Ms Ley. Moderate MPs are calling on her to demand clear proof of numbers before any ballot takes place.

With the Liberals trailing in the polls and facing mounting questions over strategy, both camps are outlining starkly different visions for the party’s future as tensions rise in Canberra.

#AustralianPolitics #LiberalParty #AngusTaylor #SussanLey #LeadershipSpill #Canberra #AusPol #PoliticalNews

News

Iran buries nuclear site entrances amid rising tensions with the U.S.

Published

24 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Satellite images reveal that Iran has buried all three tunnel entrances at its Isfahan nuclear complex. Analysts say the move mirrors defensive preparations taken before U.S. airstrikes devastated the facility last year, with no vehicle or personnel activity visible around the entrances.

The burial appears aimed at limiting damage from potential airstrikes and complicating any ground raid targeting enriched uranium stored in the underground facility. Experts suggest equipment or materials may have been moved into the tunnels for protection, though this remains unconfirmed.

The fortification comes amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. President Trump has demanded Iran curb its nuclear program, warning of military action, while Tehran insists halting uranium enrichment is unacceptable. Recent indirect talks in Oman showed little progress toward a new deal.