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DJO charges hundreds in $830m Covid fraud crackdown

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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.

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COP28: Global effort to phase out fossil fuels

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World leaders at COP28 have intensified their commitment to combat climate change by embarking on a bold initiative to phase out fossil fuels.

The United Nations climate talks, held in a virtual format due to ongoing pandemic concerns, saw representatives from nearly 200 countries coming together to address the urgent need for action on the climate crisis.

The decision to focus on ending fossil fuel use marks a significant departure from previous climate negotiations.

Countries have traditionally grappled with setting emissions reduction targets, but this year’s conference places a strong emphasis on the need to transition away from the reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas. Experts argue that this shift is critical to limiting global temperature rise and avoiding the most catastrophic effects of climate change.

Key highlights of the COP28 agreement include setting ambitious deadlines for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, promoting renewable energy sources, and encouraging the development of green technologies.

The conference also established a fund to support developing nations in their transition away from fossil fuels, recognizing that these countries often face the greatest challenges in achieving sustainability.

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Russian police raid Moscow gay clubs

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Russian authorities conducted raids on several gay clubs in Moscow, according to reports from various media outlets.

The raids have sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community and have raised concerns about the ongoing crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia.

Eyewitnesses and clubgoers describe a heavy police presence during the raids, with officers reportedly detaining patrons and staff members.

The reasons behind these raids remain unclear, but they have ignited a fierce debate on social media and within human rights organizations.

International LGBTQ+ rights advocates are calling on the Russian government to address these actions and protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in the country.

The raids have also drawn attention to Russia’s controversial “gay propaganda” law, which has been criticized for its potential to fuel discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people.

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UK delays Jeff Zucker’s Telegraph deal for inquiry

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The UK government has decided to put a hold on the proposed acquisition of The Telegraph newspaper by media mogul Jeff Zucker’s conglomerate.

According to a recent report, this decision has been made in order to conduct further investigations into potential regulatory concerns surrounding the deal.

The move comes amidst growing concerns over media consolidation and its impact on media diversity and competition.

The government aims to ensure that the acquisition would not result in a concentration of media power that could potentially stifle independent journalism and diverse voices in the industry.

This decision has sparked debates about the balance between media ownership and the preservation of media plurality in the UK. Supporters of the deal argue that it could lead to much-needed investments in The Telegraph, while critics worry about the potential for Zucker’s conglomerate to wield too much influence over the media landscape.

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