FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Member of Internet Piracy Group "IMAGiNE" Sentenced in Virginia to 23 Months in Prison for Criminal Copyright Conspiracy
A member of the Internet piracy group "IMAGiNE" was sentenced today to serve 23 months in prison, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil H. MacBride and Special Agent in Charge John P. Torres of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Washington, D.C.
Javier E. Ferrer, 41, of New Port Richey, Fla., was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry C. Morgan in the Eastern District of Virginia. In addition to his prison term, Ferrer was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.
On Nov. 29, 2012, Ferrer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement. Ferrer is the fifth member of the IMAGiNE Group who has been sentenced to prison for the copyright conspiracy.
On Sept. 13, 2012, Ferrer was charged in a criminal information for his role in the IMAGiNE Group, an organized online piracy ring that sought to become the premier group to first release Internet copies of movies only showing in theaters. Four other IMAGiNE Group members, including the group’s leader, were indicted on April 18, 2012, for their roles in the IMAGiNE Group.
According to court documents, Ferrer and his co-conspirators sought to illegally obtain and disseminate digital copies of copyrighted motion pictures showing in theaters. Ferrer actively participated in the IMAGiNE Group’s illegal efforts to film copyrighted motion pictures currently showing in theaters as his co-conspirators used receivers and recording devices to secretly capture audio sound tracks of copyrighted movies playing in movie theaters. After the IMAGiNE Group obtained illegal copies of the audio and video portions of copyrighted motion pictures, Ferrer and his co-conspirators also engaged in processing or "encoding" the video files to enhance the picture quality and in synchronizing the audio files with the video files to make completed movies suitable for reproduction and distribution over the Internet, without the permission of the copyright owners.
According to testimony by a representative of the Motion Picture Association of America, the IMAGiNE Group constituted the most prolific motion picture piracy release group operating on the Internet from September 2009 through September 2011.
Co-defendants Sean M. Lovelady, Willie O. Lambert, Gregory A. Cherwonik and Jeramiah B. Perkins pleaded guilty on May 9, June 22, July 11 and Aug. 29, 2012, respectively, to one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, before U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen in the Eastern District of Virginia . Lambert and Lovelady were sentenced on Nov. 2, 2012, to serve 30 months and 23 months in prison, respectively. Cherwonik was sentenced on Nov. 29, 2012, to serve 40 months in prison. Perkins, the leader of the group, was sentenced on Jan. 3, 2013, to 60 months in prison.
The investigation of the case and the arrests were conducted by agents with the HIS Washington, D.C., Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Krask of the Eastern District of Virginia and Senior Counsel John H. Zacharia of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting the case. Significant assistance was provided by the CCIPS Cyber Crime Lab and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs.
This case is part of efforts being undertaken by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force) to stop the theft of intellectual property. Attorney General Eric Holder created the IP Task Force to combat the growing number of domestic and international intellectual property crimes, protect the health and safety of American consumers, and safeguard the nation’s economic security against those who seek to profit illegally from American creativity, innovation and hard work. The IP Task Force seeks to strengthen intellectual property rights protection through heightened criminal and civil enforcement, greater coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement partners, and increased focus on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders.
This investigation was supported by the HSI-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) in Washington. The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. Working in close coordination with the Department of Justice’s IP Task Force, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 21-member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and our war fighters.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN
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| U.S. soldiers provide security in a local village during a patrol in the Khogyani district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, March 28, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jon Heinrich |
Combined Force in Kandahar Arrests Taliban Leader
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, April 11, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained another insurgent in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.
The leader is believed to be in charge of a cell of fighters responsible for improvised explosive device operations against Afghan civilians. He also was involved in obtaining weapons and vehicles for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
In Afghanistan operations yesterday:
-- A combined force detained two insurgents during a search for a senior insurgent leader with ties to both the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Balkh province's Sholgarah district. The leader is the ranking Taliban official in the district and has ties to Taliban officials responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also has a history of collecting illegal taxes to finance the Taliban terrorist network, and he manages the Balkh weapons distribution chain.
-- In Helmand province's Nahr-e Saraj district, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader alleged to be instrumental in acquiring weapons, distributing them to insurgents, and leading them in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is involved in IED research and development, with a history of experimenting with different device configurations. The security force also detained another insurgent.
-- A combined force killed two insurgents during a separate operation in Helmand's Nahr-e Saraj district in search of a senior Taliban leader. The leader has operational control over a cell of insurgents responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. His group is known to use IEDs, vehicle-mounted automatic grenade launchers, rocket-propelled grenades and various other weapons. The leader also is vital in insurgent weapons facilitation throughout Helmand.
In an April 9 operation in Baghlan province's Burkah district, a combined force killed several insurgents during a search for a senior insurgent leader with ties to both the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. The leader is the second-highest-ranking insurgent in the district and was responsible for recruiting and training insurgents and targeting Afghan officials for kidnappings and assassinations. He also has played a significant role in linking Taliban and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan fighters in Baghlan, working as a mediator and coordinating operations between the networks.
THE IRAQ MUSEUM AFTER TEN YEARS OF U.S.-IRAQ COLLABORATION
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| Photo: Iraq Cultural Heritage Initiatives. Credit: U.S. State Department |
Commemorating a Decade of U.S.-Iraqi Collaboration in Renewing the Iraq Museum
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 10, 2013
For ten years, the U.S. Department of State has been working closely with Iraqi counterparts and American academic and nonprofit institutions to protect, preserve, and display the rich cultural heritage of Iraq. Cultural heritage cooperation is a major pillar of the Iraq-U.S. Strategic Framework Agreement, reflecting the high value both nations place on this irreplaceable resource.
A major continuing effort has focused on the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, where looting in April 2003 left the facility physically damaged and an unsafe environment for both staff and the Museum’s collections. In summer 2003, State Department personnel were among the first responders to the museum’s needs, providing replacement photographic equipment, office furniture, and supplies. An assessment in autumn 2003 conducted by experts in museum security, environmental control, conservation, and information technology initiated a 2004 project of major improvements to the museum’s physical plant, IT capabilities, and security.
This assessment also laid the groundwork for the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project, a $12.9 million initiative developed and funded by the State Department, and implemented by the nonprofit International Relief and Development from 2008 to 2011. This project rehabilitated and furnished 11 of the museum’s public galleries, a 3-story collections storage facility, and the conservation labs, as well as providing a new roof and upgraded climate control systems.
Along with physical improvements to the building, the State Department sponsored and organized trainings for museum staff as part of its comprehensive approach to partnering with Iraqis in the preservation of their cultural heritage. In 2004, the Department funded a special five-week "Cultural Heritage Institute" through the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, to bring 22 Iraqi museum staff to the Smithsonian Institution for training in museum management, conservation, and curatorial practices. In 2009-2010, the Department’s Iraq Cultural Heritage Project also provided training for 20 museum professionals from throughout Iraq at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, covering topics from exhibit design and museum education to archaeological site excavation and stabilization.
Funding for these projects was provided through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Cultural Heritage Center and Office of Academic Exchanges, the U.S. Embassy Baghdad, and private foundations.
GEN. HYTEN SPEAKS ABOUT CYBER OPERATIONS AND CHANGE
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| Lt. Gen. John E. Hyten speaks about how cyber operations are a clear catalyst for change in the art and science of modern warfare during the Space Foundation's Cyber 1.3 luncheon April 8, 2013 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Hyten is the Air Force Space Command vice commander. U.S. Air Force photo/Duncan Wood |
Cyberspace: Fundamental to joint fight
by Maj. Christina Hoggatt
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
4/10/2013 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- Cyber operations are a clear catalyst for change in the art and science of modern warfare, Lt. Gen. John Hyten, the Air Force Space Command vice commander, said during the Space Foundation's Cyber 1.3 luncheon here, April 8.
Hyten emphasized the importance of getting back to the basics in cyber, the efficacy and potential sticking points in creating a joint information environment, and the distinctions between cyber operations, information technology, and weapon systems.
"The chief of staff of the Air Force just approved weapons system designation for six of our cyber weapons systems," he said. "We're gaining ground in normalizing cyber operations in the Air Force."
The Air Force is also integrating those cyber capabilities with other joint capabilities to meet combatant commanders' requirements. He noted that all services are endorsing a force presentation model that will build mission ready teams to support both U.S. Cyber Command and combatant command missions.
He went on to speak in support of the joint information environment.
"As the cyber core function lead integrator for the Air Force, we're committed to the goals of the JIE, but we need to make sure we don't reset any of the progress we've made in network defense, network security and cyber normalization," Hyten said.
Though the general believes in the JIE concept, he is concerned that the single security architecture remains undefined, rigorous operational processes have not been put in place or tested, and there are still significant questions about resourcing this endeavor.
"Commercialization can also reduce our need for larger server infrastructures -- they shift the significant operations and maintenance burden onto the commercial sector," he said.
He also pointed out that since cyberspace is such a sophisticated environment, both the Department of Defense and the private sector need to agree on some basic definitions.
"While our Airmen have mastered the ability to communicate through cyberspace, our inability to communicate about cyberspace, the domain, and cyberspace operations in particular, frequently causes confusion and the inability to effectively and efficiently bring cyber capabilities to the fight," Hyten said. "We won't operationalize cyberspace until we operationalize our lexicon."
Using the three recently approved lines of operation for cyber to illustrate his point, Hyten said the key to understanding this new warfighting domain will be to understand the difference between cyberspace operations and information technology.
"Each of these lines of operation is pivotal to maintaining the freedom to operate in and through cyberspace and enable the exchange of information for space and cyberspace operations," he said.
The different areas of cyber all have unique definitions, Hyten said, adding that many times cyberspace and information technology are often confused.
"If we allow these definitions to become more than that, if they become too unwieldy, they lose their meaning and they become weapons in a religious debate between different elements of our force," he said.
The general went on to suggest that by using the foundational definitions found in the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 and Joint Publication 3-12, Cyberspace Operations, the joint force will develop a more clear understanding of cyberspace, cyberspace operations and information technology.
"Despite the changes ahead, one thing remains certain, the cyberspace domain is a priority for this Nation, for the Department of Defense and for the U.S. Air Force," Hyten said. "Our success on the battlefield is one that depends on the timely movement of information. We must be ready to meet any adversary in cyberspace that presents themselves."
57 CHARGED FOR ROLES IN OPERATING ILLEGAL ONLINE SPORTS GAMING BUSINESS
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Fifty-Seven Charged with Operating Illegal Online Sports Gaming Business
Indictment Seeks Forfeiture Money Judgment of $1 Billion
Thirty-four individuals and 23 entities have been indicted and accused of operating an illegal sports bookmaking business that solicited more than $1 billion in illegal bets, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma Sanford C. Coats.
"These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. "Today’s charges demonstrate that we are as determined as ever to hold accountable those involved in facilitating illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates, or where the defendants reside."
"The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries," said U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats. "I thank the IRS and FBI for their diligent work over several years to investigate this billion dollar international gambling enterprise."
According to the indictment, Bartice Alan King, aka "Luke" and "Cool," 42, of Spring, Texas, conspired with others to operate internet and telephone gambling services first from San Jose, Costa Rica and then from Panama City, which took wagers almost exclusively from gamblers in the United States seeking to place bets on sports. Known since 2003 as Legendz Sports, the enterprise allegedly used bookies located in the United States to illegally solicit and accept sports wagers as well as settle gambling debts.
The 34 defendants are alleged to have been employees, members and associates of the ongoing Legendz Sports enterprise. The 23 corporate defendants are alleged to have been used by Legendz Sports to facilitate gambling operations, operate as payment processors, own websites and domain names used in the enterprise, launder gambling funds and make payouts to gamblers.
The indictment alleges that Legendz Sports sought to maximize the number of gamblers who opened wagering accounts by offering both "post-up" betting, which requires a bettor to first set up and fund an account before placing bets and "credit" betting, which allowed the bettor to place a wager without depositing money in advance through face-to-face meetings with bookies or agents.
The indictment alleges that Legendz Sports solicited millions of illegal bets totaling over $1 billion.
"These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. "Today’s charges demonstrate that we are as determined as ever to hold accountable those involved in facilitating illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates, or where the defendants reside."
"The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries," said U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats. "I thank the IRS and FBI for their diligent work over several years to investigate this billion dollar international gambling enterprise."
"Individuals cannot skirt the laws of the United States by setting up illegal internet gambling operations in a foreign country, while living in the United States and enjoying all the benefits of U.S. citizens," said Jim Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. "The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to be diligent in investigating such violations of federal law."
"Combining the financial investigative expertise of the IRS with the skills and resources of the FBI makes a formidable team for combating major, greed-driven crimes," said Andrea D. Whelan, Internal Revenue Service Special Agent in Charge. "This massive indictment is the result of our highly effective law enforcement partnership."
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for racketeering, up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering, up to 10 years in prison for money laundering and up to five years in prison for operating an illegal gambling business.
In addition, the indictment seeks a forfeiture money judgment of at least $1 billion traceable to numerous specific assets that include real estate, bank accounts, brokerage and investment accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, domain names, a Sabreliner aircraft, a gas lease and vehicles.
The public is reminded that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendants are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan Dickerson Cox and William Lee Borden Jr., from the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney John S. Han with the Department of Justice Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Fifty-Seven Charged with Operating Illegal Online Sports Gaming Business
Indictment Seeks Forfeiture Money Judgment of $1 Billion
Thirty-four individuals and 23 entities have been indicted and accused of operating an illegal sports bookmaking business that solicited more than $1 billion in illegal bets, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma Sanford C. Coats.
"These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. "Today’s charges demonstrate that we are as determined as ever to hold accountable those involved in facilitating illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates, or where the defendants reside."
"The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries," said U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats. "I thank the IRS and FBI for their diligent work over several years to investigate this billion dollar international gambling enterprise."
According to the indictment, Bartice Alan King, aka "Luke" and "Cool," 42, of Spring, Texas, conspired with others to operate internet and telephone gambling services first from San Jose, Costa Rica and then from Panama City, which took wagers almost exclusively from gamblers in the United States seeking to place bets on sports. Known since 2003 as Legendz Sports, the enterprise allegedly used bookies located in the United States to illegally solicit and accept sports wagers as well as settle gambling debts.
The 34 defendants are alleged to have been employees, members and associates of the ongoing Legendz Sports enterprise. The 23 corporate defendants are alleged to have been used by Legendz Sports to facilitate gambling operations, operate as payment processors, own websites and domain names used in the enterprise, launder gambling funds and make payouts to gamblers.
The indictment alleges that Legendz Sports sought to maximize the number of gamblers who opened wagering accounts by offering both "post-up" betting, which requires a bettor to first set up and fund an account before placing bets and "credit" betting, which allowed the bettor to place a wager without depositing money in advance through face-to-face meetings with bookies or agents.
The indictment alleges that Legendz Sports solicited millions of illegal bets totaling over $1 billion.
"These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. "Today’s charges demonstrate that we are as determined as ever to hold accountable those involved in facilitating illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates, or where the defendants reside."
"The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries," said U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats. "I thank the IRS and FBI for their diligent work over several years to investigate this billion dollar international gambling enterprise."
"Individuals cannot skirt the laws of the United States by setting up illegal internet gambling operations in a foreign country, while living in the United States and enjoying all the benefits of U.S. citizens," said Jim Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. "The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to be diligent in investigating such violations of federal law."
"Combining the financial investigative expertise of the IRS with the skills and resources of the FBI makes a formidable team for combating major, greed-driven crimes," said Andrea D. Whelan, Internal Revenue Service Special Agent in Charge. "This massive indictment is the result of our highly effective law enforcement partnership."
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for racketeering, up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering, up to 10 years in prison for money laundering and up to five years in prison for operating an illegal gambling business.
In addition, the indictment seeks a forfeiture money judgment of at least $1 billion traceable to numerous specific assets that include real estate, bank accounts, brokerage and investment accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, domain names, a Sabreliner aircraft, a gas lease and vehicles.
The public is reminded that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendants are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan Dickerson Cox and William Lee Borden Jr., from the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney John S. Han with the Department of Justice Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING APRIL 6, 2013
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending April 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 346,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 388,000. The 4-week moving average was 358,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 355,000.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.4 percent for the week ending March 30, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 30 was 3,079,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 3,091,000. The 4-week moving average was 3,079,250, an increase of 5,250 from the preceding week's revised average of 3,074,000.
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 353,973 in the week ending April 6, an increase of 37,025 from the previous week. There were 390,064 initial claims in the comparable week in 2012.
The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.5 percent during the week ending March 30, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 3,266,392, a decrease of 84,488 from the preceding week's revised level of 3,350,880. A year earlier, the rate was 2.7 percent and the volume was 3,470,104.
The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending March 23 was 5,277,512, a decrease of 10,573 from the previous week. There were 6,952,894 persons claiming benefits in all programs in the comparable week in 2012.
Extended Benefits were available only in Alaska during the week ending March 23.
Initial claims for UI benefits filed by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,139 in the week ending March 30, an increase of 30 from the prior week. There were 2,143 initial claims filed by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 192 from the preceding week.
There were 19,791 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending March 23, a decrease of 452 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 38,090, a decrease of 587 from the prior week.
States reported 1,837,554 persons claiming EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits for the week ending March 23, an increase of 37,929 from the prior week. There were 2,794,553 persons claiming EUC in the comparable week in 2012. EUC weekly claims include first, second, third, and fourth tier activity.
The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 23 were in Alaska (5.5), Puerto Rico (4.3), California (3.8), New Jersey (3.8), Rhode Island (3.8), Connecticut (3.7), Pennsylvania (3.7), Wisconsin (3.6), Massachusetts (3.5), and Montana (3.5).
The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 30 were in Pennsylvania (+3,015), New Jersey (+2,409), Illinois (+2,149), Kentucky (+1,718), and Wisconsin (+1,583), while the largest decreases were in Texas (-3,489), California (-2,661), North Carolina (-1,601), Arkansas (-1,221), and Connecticut (-774).
GSA SAYS 2014 BUDGET INVESTS HEAVILY IN PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS
GSA SAYS 2014 BUDGET INVESTS HEAVILY IN PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS
FROM: GENERAL SERVIES ADMINISTRAION
GSA Announces Major Investments in the Nation's Public Buildings as Part of President's Budget
April 10, 2013
Washington, DC -- Today the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini announced major public building construction and repair projects outlined in President Obama's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
The President’s Budget calls for important, common sense investments in the nation’s public buildings managed by the U.S. General Services Administration. These investments enable GSA to properly maintain and improve the real estate assets owned and paid for by the American people.
"By investing in our public buildings, a smaller federal footprint and improved border crossing stations, GSA will not only create savings for the American people, but also assist in providing them with the most efficient and effective government possible," said GSA Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini. "The President’s Budget will ensure that federal agencies can support economic and job growth in communities across this country."
Investing in the Nation’s Public Buildings:
As a result of consecutive years of reduced funding, GSA’s portfolio of facilities have forgone over $4 billion worth of capital improvements including major repairs and maintenance as well as critical additions to the inventory. The President’s Budget restores GSA’s authority to fully use incoming rent funds to meet the urgent needs of its real estate portfolio by investing $1.3 billion in repair and maintenance of federal buildings, including $379 million for basic repairs.
The Budget also identifies important construction projects across the country, including more than $800 million investment in eight construction projects, such as the consolidation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the St. Elizabeth’s campus in Washington, DC. By bringing these agency components into a single campus, DHS will save on leased space and enhance staff collaboration.
Making Federal Real Estate Smaller and More Efficient:
The Budget includes $100 million to further GSA’s efforts to consolidate agencies within existing Federally owned space across the country to improve space utilization, optimize inventory, decrease reliance on leased space, increase energy and water conservation, and reduce the federal government’s footprint. GSA’s consolidation program will save taxpayer dollars by reducing agency dependence on leased space, and reducing the total amount of space occupied by the government.
Investing in Border Infrastructure and Modernization:
The Budget includes two border crossing and inspection projects that will promote economic growth and national security. This includes a $226 million request this year to work on the next phase of the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Southern California, the busiest border crossing in the world.
GSA is also requesting $61 million to expand and modernize the U.S. Land Port of Entry facilities at the Port of Laredo in Laredo, Texas. These investments will increase efficiency, create economic growth, and improve safety and security for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
These are critical investments in infrastructure that will create significant savings by preventing costly emergency repairs in the future and build upon our progress.
Savings from Internal Reforms:
Over the past year, GSA has increased its transparency and accountability and has streamlined the agency’s operations. In just one year as GSA Acting Administrator, Tangherlini has led the agency in delivering more than $73 million in internal savings by implementing common sense reforms. The President’s Budget is an opportunity for GSA to further these efforts.
FROM: GENERAL SERVIES ADMINISTRAION
GSA Announces Major Investments in the Nation's Public Buildings as Part of President's Budget
April 10, 2013
Washington, DC -- Today the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini announced major public building construction and repair projects outlined in President Obama's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
The President’s Budget calls for important, common sense investments in the nation’s public buildings managed by the U.S. General Services Administration. These investments enable GSA to properly maintain and improve the real estate assets owned and paid for by the American people.
"By investing in our public buildings, a smaller federal footprint and improved border crossing stations, GSA will not only create savings for the American people, but also assist in providing them with the most efficient and effective government possible," said GSA Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini. "The President’s Budget will ensure that federal agencies can support economic and job growth in communities across this country."
Investing in the Nation’s Public Buildings:
As a result of consecutive years of reduced funding, GSA’s portfolio of facilities have forgone over $4 billion worth of capital improvements including major repairs and maintenance as well as critical additions to the inventory. The President’s Budget restores GSA’s authority to fully use incoming rent funds to meet the urgent needs of its real estate portfolio by investing $1.3 billion in repair and maintenance of federal buildings, including $379 million for basic repairs.
The Budget also identifies important construction projects across the country, including more than $800 million investment in eight construction projects, such as the consolidation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the St. Elizabeth’s campus in Washington, DC. By bringing these agency components into a single campus, DHS will save on leased space and enhance staff collaboration.
Making Federal Real Estate Smaller and More Efficient:
The Budget includes $100 million to further GSA’s efforts to consolidate agencies within existing Federally owned space across the country to improve space utilization, optimize inventory, decrease reliance on leased space, increase energy and water conservation, and reduce the federal government’s footprint. GSA’s consolidation program will save taxpayer dollars by reducing agency dependence on leased space, and reducing the total amount of space occupied by the government.
Investing in Border Infrastructure and Modernization:
The Budget includes two border crossing and inspection projects that will promote economic growth and national security. This includes a $226 million request this year to work on the next phase of the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Southern California, the busiest border crossing in the world.
GSA is also requesting $61 million to expand and modernize the U.S. Land Port of Entry facilities at the Port of Laredo in Laredo, Texas. These investments will increase efficiency, create economic growth, and improve safety and security for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
These are critical investments in infrastructure that will create significant savings by preventing costly emergency repairs in the future and build upon our progress.
Savings from Internal Reforms:
Over the past year, GSA has increased its transparency and accountability and has streamlined the agency’s operations. In just one year as GSA Acting Administrator, Tangherlini has led the agency in delivering more than $73 million in internal savings by implementing common sense reforms. The President’s Budget is an opportunity for GSA to further these efforts.
RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS
FROM: U.S. NAVY
130409-N-GA424-179 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 9, 2013) Lt. Mary Gresko directs an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Black Knights of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 before a launch from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing 11 are underway for a sustainment training exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)
130410-N-YW024-211 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 10, 2013) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Eightballers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 carries ordnance from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) to the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) during a weapons transfer. John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Katarzyna Kobiljak/Released)
SPECIAL AGENT HOMELAND SECURITY OIG INDICTED FOR RECORDS FALSIFICATION
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Former Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Indicted in Texas for Role in Records Falsification Scheme
A former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) special agent in charge and another special agent were indicted in the Southern District of Texas late yesterday for their roles in a scheme to falsify records and to obstruct an internal field office inspection, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez of the FBI San Antonio Field Office.
The indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Brownsville, Texas, charges Eugenio Pedraza, 49, of McAllen, Texas, with six counts of falsification of records in federal investigations, five counts of obstructing an agency proceeding, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy. The indictment also charges Marco Rodriguez, 40, of Mission, Texas, with two counts of falsification of records in federal investigations, two counts of obstructing an agency proceeding and one count of conspiracy.
DHS-OIG is the principal component within DHS with the responsibility to investigate alleged criminal activity by DHS employees, including corruption affecting the integrity of U.S. borders.
According to the indictment, in September 2011, DHS-OIG conducted an internal inspection of its McAllen Field Office to evaluate whether its internal investigative standards and policies were being followed. At that time, Pedraza was the special agent in charge of the McAllen Field Office, and Rodriguez was a special agent stationed there. According to the indictment, in anticipation of the inspection, Pedraza allegedly directed Rodriguez and other DHS-OIG employees to engage in a scheme to falsify documents in open criminal investigative case files, including numerous investigations in which DHS employees were suspected of participating in the unlawful smuggling of undocumented aliens and/or narcotics into the United States.
More specifically, the indictment charges that at Pedraza’s direction, DHS-OIG employees allegedly created and placed into these investigative files backdated memoranda of activity that falsely reflected investigative activity by agents that had not occurred; backdated case review worksheets that falsely reflected supervisory case reviews that Pedraza had not conducted with his subordinate agents; and backdated, unsent letters that were signed by Pedraza and purported to inform the FBI of the opening of a DHS-OIG investigation.
According to the indictment, the scheme’s purpose was to conceal severe lapses in DHS-OIG’s investigative standards from individuals conducting an internal field office inspection. The scheme was allegedly devised to conceal Pedraza’s failure to ensure that investigations were being conducted promptly and thoroughly, his failure to provide his subordinates with adequate training and supervision, and his failure to ensure that the FBI was being timely notified of DHS-OIG’s investigations.
The indictment also charges Pedraza with allegedly directing two DHS-OIG employees to falsify memoranda of activity on additional occasions, and with obstructing justice by removing the falsified supervisory case review sheets that he had created from DHS-OIG files after becoming aware of the FBI and grand jury investigation into his conduct.
In a related case, on Jan. 17, 2013, Wayne Ball, a former DHS-OIG special agent, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to one count of a multi-object conspiracy to falsify records in federal investigations and to obstruct an agency proceeding for his participation in the scheme. Ball is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2013.
The charge of falsification of records in federal investigations carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of obstructing an agency proceeding carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The charge of obstruction of justice carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Each of these charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Eric L. Gibson and Timothy J. Kelly of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. The case is being investigated by agents of the FBI, San Antonio Division.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Former Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Indicted in Texas for Role in Records Falsification Scheme
A former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) special agent in charge and another special agent were indicted in the Southern District of Texas late yesterday for their roles in a scheme to falsify records and to obstruct an internal field office inspection, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez of the FBI San Antonio Field Office.
The indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Brownsville, Texas, charges Eugenio Pedraza, 49, of McAllen, Texas, with six counts of falsification of records in federal investigations, five counts of obstructing an agency proceeding, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy. The indictment also charges Marco Rodriguez, 40, of Mission, Texas, with two counts of falsification of records in federal investigations, two counts of obstructing an agency proceeding and one count of conspiracy.
DHS-OIG is the principal component within DHS with the responsibility to investigate alleged criminal activity by DHS employees, including corruption affecting the integrity of U.S. borders.
According to the indictment, in September 2011, DHS-OIG conducted an internal inspection of its McAllen Field Office to evaluate whether its internal investigative standards and policies were being followed. At that time, Pedraza was the special agent in charge of the McAllen Field Office, and Rodriguez was a special agent stationed there. According to the indictment, in anticipation of the inspection, Pedraza allegedly directed Rodriguez and other DHS-OIG employees to engage in a scheme to falsify documents in open criminal investigative case files, including numerous investigations in which DHS employees were suspected of participating in the unlawful smuggling of undocumented aliens and/or narcotics into the United States.
More specifically, the indictment charges that at Pedraza’s direction, DHS-OIG employees allegedly created and placed into these investigative files backdated memoranda of activity that falsely reflected investigative activity by agents that had not occurred; backdated case review worksheets that falsely reflected supervisory case reviews that Pedraza had not conducted with his subordinate agents; and backdated, unsent letters that were signed by Pedraza and purported to inform the FBI of the opening of a DHS-OIG investigation.
According to the indictment, the scheme’s purpose was to conceal severe lapses in DHS-OIG’s investigative standards from individuals conducting an internal field office inspection. The scheme was allegedly devised to conceal Pedraza’s failure to ensure that investigations were being conducted promptly and thoroughly, his failure to provide his subordinates with adequate training and supervision, and his failure to ensure that the FBI was being timely notified of DHS-OIG’s investigations.
The indictment also charges Pedraza with allegedly directing two DHS-OIG employees to falsify memoranda of activity on additional occasions, and with obstructing justice by removing the falsified supervisory case review sheets that he had created from DHS-OIG files after becoming aware of the FBI and grand jury investigation into his conduct.
In a related case, on Jan. 17, 2013, Wayne Ball, a former DHS-OIG special agent, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to one count of a multi-object conspiracy to falsify records in federal investigations and to obstruct an agency proceeding for his participation in the scheme. Ball is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2013.
The charge of falsification of records in federal investigations carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of obstructing an agency proceeding carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The charge of obstruction of justice carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Each of these charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Eric L. Gibson and Timothy J. Kelly of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. The case is being investigated by agents of the FBI, San Antonio Division.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
NEW SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE CHAIRMAN TAKES OVER
FROM: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C., April 10, 2013 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Mary Jo White was sworn in this morning as the 31st Chair of the SEC.
Chairman White comes to the SEC with decades of experience as a federal prosecutor and securities lawyer. She was nominated to be SEC Chair by President Barack Obama on Feb. 7, 2013, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 8.
"It is an honor to lead the talented and dedicated SEC staff on behalf of America's investors and markets," said Chairman White. "Our markets are the envy of the world precisely because of the SEC's work effectively regulating the markets, requiring comprehensive disclosure, and vigorously enforcing the securities laws."
Chairman White specialized in prosecuting complex securities and financial institution frauds and international terrorism cases when she served as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1993 to 2002. Under her leadership, the office earned convictions against the terrorists responsible for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the bombings of American embassies in Africa. She is the only woman to hold the top position in the 200-year-plus history of that office.
Prior to becoming the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Chairman White served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and later Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York from 1990 to 1993. She previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1978 to 1981 and became Chief Appellate Attorney of the Criminal Division.
After leaving her U.S. Attorney post, Chairman White became chair of the litigation department at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York, where she led a team of more than 200 lawyers. Chairman White previously was a litigation partner at the firm from 1983 to 1990 and worked as an associate from 1976 to 1978.
Chairman White earned her undergraduate degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from William & Mary in 1970, and her master's degree in psychology from The New School for Social Research in 1971. She earned her law degree in 1974 at Columbia Law School, where she was an officer of the Law Review. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Marvin E. Frankel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Chairman White has won numerous awards in recognition of her outstanding work both as a prosecutor and a securities lawyer. The 2012 Chambers USA Women in Law Awards named her Regulatory Lawyer of the Year. Among other honors she has received are the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, the George W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism, the Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Distinction in Public Service, and the "Women of Power and Influence Award" given by the National Organization for Women.
Chairman White is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International College of Trial Lawyers. She also has served as a director of The NASDAQ Stock Exchange and on its executive, audit and policy committees. Chairman White is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Washington, D.C., April 10, 2013 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Mary Jo White was sworn in this morning as the 31st Chair of the SEC.
Chairman White comes to the SEC with decades of experience as a federal prosecutor and securities lawyer. She was nominated to be SEC Chair by President Barack Obama on Feb. 7, 2013, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 8.
"It is an honor to lead the talented and dedicated SEC staff on behalf of America's investors and markets," said Chairman White. "Our markets are the envy of the world precisely because of the SEC's work effectively regulating the markets, requiring comprehensive disclosure, and vigorously enforcing the securities laws."
Chairman White specialized in prosecuting complex securities and financial institution frauds and international terrorism cases when she served as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1993 to 2002. Under her leadership, the office earned convictions against the terrorists responsible for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the bombings of American embassies in Africa. She is the only woman to hold the top position in the 200-year-plus history of that office.
Prior to becoming the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Chairman White served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and later Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York from 1990 to 1993. She previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1978 to 1981 and became Chief Appellate Attorney of the Criminal Division.
After leaving her U.S. Attorney post, Chairman White became chair of the litigation department at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York, where she led a team of more than 200 lawyers. Chairman White previously was a litigation partner at the firm from 1983 to 1990 and worked as an associate from 1976 to 1978.
Chairman White earned her undergraduate degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from William & Mary in 1970, and her master's degree in psychology from The New School for Social Research in 1971. She earned her law degree in 1974 at Columbia Law School, where she was an officer of the Law Review. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Marvin E. Frankel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Chairman White has won numerous awards in recognition of her outstanding work both as a prosecutor and a securities lawyer. The 2012 Chambers USA Women in Law Awards named her Regulatory Lawyer of the Year. Among other honors she has received are the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, the George W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism, the Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Distinction in Public Service, and the "Women of Power and Influence Award" given by the National Organization for Women.
Chairman White is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International College of Trial Lawyers. She also has served as a director of The NASDAQ Stock Exchange and on its executive, audit and policy committees. Chairman White is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
LABOR UNION PRESIDENT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR STEALING FROM UNION PENSION FUND
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Monday, April 8, 2013
Founder and President of Labor Union Sentenced to 76 Months for Stealing from Union’s Treasury and Pension Fund
The founder and president of the National Association of Special Police and Security Officers (NASPSO) was sentenced to 76 months in prison today for stealing union treasury and pension funds, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Caleb Gray-Burriss, 62, of Washington, D.C., was convicted on Dec. 4, 2012, of six counts of mail fraud, seven counts of theft from a labor organization, one count each of obstruction of justice and criminal contempt, and three counts of union recordkeeping offenses. Gray-Burriss was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts of the District of Columbia and ordered to pay $252,000 in restitution and to perform 100 hours of community service. Because of these convictions Gray-Burris is also now disqualified by federal law from serving as an officer or being employed by a labor union or employee benefit plan until 13 years following his release from prison.
NASPSO represents private security guards assigned to protect federal buildings in the metro Washington area. According to the evidence at trial, from approximately June 2004 through February 2011, Gray-Burriss wrote numerous checks to himself or to other third parties from the NASPSO pension plan checking account. Gray-Burriss spent more than $100,000 of the pension plan funds in this way, while falsely maintaining it was an operational fund that he was properly administering and that was providing benefits to the beneficiaries. The evidence further showed that Gray-Burriss committed criminal contempt of a court order addressing his prior misappropriation of pension and health plan funds after Gray-Burriss resumed his scheme in 2009 to defraud employers and NASPSO members of pension funds.
In addition, the evidence presented at trial showed that Gray-Burriss, while an officer and employee of NASPSO, stole over $150,000 in NASPSO funds consisting of cash withdrawals to himself, unauthorized salary increases and bonuses to himself and another person, fraudulently drawn checks to himself – purportedly for employment taxes on behalf of NASPSO – and unlawfully used NASPSO funds to pay his personal fines in a civil lawsuit.
The jury also found that Gray-Burriss committed obstruction of justice by destroying or concealing NASPSO financial records during a grand jury investigation; failing to file required annual reports on behalf of NASPSO, falsifying those reports, and failing to maintain properly the records of NASPSO.
The investigation was conducted by agents and investigators of the U.S. Department of Labor. Trial Attorney Vincent J. Falvo of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Trial Attorney Tracee Plowell, of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Founder and President of Labor Union Sentenced to 76 Months for Stealing from Union’s Treasury and Pension Fund
The founder and president of the National Association of Special Police and Security Officers (NASPSO) was sentenced to 76 months in prison today for stealing union treasury and pension funds, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Caleb Gray-Burriss, 62, of Washington, D.C., was convicted on Dec. 4, 2012, of six counts of mail fraud, seven counts of theft from a labor organization, one count each of obstruction of justice and criminal contempt, and three counts of union recordkeeping offenses. Gray-Burriss was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts of the District of Columbia and ordered to pay $252,000 in restitution and to perform 100 hours of community service. Because of these convictions Gray-Burris is also now disqualified by federal law from serving as an officer or being employed by a labor union or employee benefit plan until 13 years following his release from prison.
NASPSO represents private security guards assigned to protect federal buildings in the metro Washington area. According to the evidence at trial, from approximately June 2004 through February 2011, Gray-Burriss wrote numerous checks to himself or to other third parties from the NASPSO pension plan checking account. Gray-Burriss spent more than $100,000 of the pension plan funds in this way, while falsely maintaining it was an operational fund that he was properly administering and that was providing benefits to the beneficiaries. The evidence further showed that Gray-Burriss committed criminal contempt of a court order addressing his prior misappropriation of pension and health plan funds after Gray-Burriss resumed his scheme in 2009 to defraud employers and NASPSO members of pension funds.
In addition, the evidence presented at trial showed that Gray-Burriss, while an officer and employee of NASPSO, stole over $150,000 in NASPSO funds consisting of cash withdrawals to himself, unauthorized salary increases and bonuses to himself and another person, fraudulently drawn checks to himself – purportedly for employment taxes on behalf of NASPSO – and unlawfully used NASPSO funds to pay his personal fines in a civil lawsuit.
The jury also found that Gray-Burriss committed obstruction of justice by destroying or concealing NASPSO financial records during a grand jury investigation; failing to file required annual reports on behalf of NASPSO, falsifying those reports, and failing to maintain properly the records of NASPSO.
The investigation was conducted by agents and investigators of the U.S. Department of Labor. Trial Attorney Vincent J. Falvo of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Trial Attorney Tracee Plowell, of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2014 EDUCATION BUDGET
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Obama Administration 2014 Budget Prioritizes Key Education Investments to Provide Opportunities for All Americans
The Obama Administration continued to prioritize education in the 2014 budget released today by proposing key investments in education that would strengthen the middle class, grow the economy and provide opportunities for success to all Americans – especially our nation's most vulnerable children. Without adding to the deficit, the President’s FY 2014 budget invests $71 billion in discretionary funding for the Department, an increase of 4.5 percent over the FY 2013 pre-sequester level.
"We must continue to build on the reforms already transforming classrooms across the country," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Strategic investments in our educational system will not only provide more opportunities for millions of Americans, but they will strengthen our nation's workforce as well."
The cornerstone of the President's education investments will expand high-quality early learning opportunities to all 4-year-olds from low- and moderate-income families. Studies show that these children have less access to high-quality early education and are less likely to enter school prepared for success – creating an educational opportunity gap that can shadow them for the rest of their lives. The President’s budget proposal will not only help close the gap by providing America’s youngest learners a strong start, it will also pay dividends down the road in higher graduation rates, increased employment, better jobs at higher salaries, greater tax revenue, and lower crime and reliance on public assistance.
President Obama's Preschool for All proposal would invest $75 billion over 10 years in separate, fully offset mandatory funding to create new partnerships with states and provide high-quality preschool to more communities, helping ensure that all children enter kindergarten ready to learn. In addition, the 2014 budget provides $750 million in complementary discretionary funds to help states strengthen their early learning systems and prepare to expand access to high-quality preschool. The U.S. Department of Education also will work closely with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to significantly expand and improve services to younger children through Head Start.
"Preschool is one of the smartest and most critical investments we can make," Duncan said. "By getting our children off to a strong start, we not only increase their individual chances for lifelong success, but also ensure our entire nation is on the path to a strong future."
Including Preschool for all, the President's education investments are targeted to strengthen the education pipeline from cradle to career. The President has also proposed to:
Further the K-12 reform agenda by investing in teachers and leaders, school turnaround efforts, and STEM programs, as well as increase investments in what works.
Keep schools and communities safe through an Administration-wide plan to protect our children and neighborhoods from gun violence.
Redesign the high school experience and increase career readiness of high school students, as well as adult learners.
Make college more affordable and improve quality by incentivizing states and institutions to do their part in controlling costs and providing good value.
Provide ladders of opportunity to the middle class through a robust Promise Neighborhoods program and investments in low-income communities.
Further the K-12 reform agenda
Building on the momentum for state-level reform, President Obama has proposed a set of strategic investments to drive change in the nation’s K-12 school systems.
Invest in teachers and leaders: To elevate the teaching profession and strengthen great leaders, the Administration is proposing significant investments, including $5 billion in one-time mandatory funds for the RESPECT initiative to support efforts to transform the teaching profession, as well as $3 billion for the new Excellent Instructional Teams program. The Excellent Instructional Teams program would fund states’ and districts’ efforts to increase the effectiveness of teachers and principals and includes $400 million for a Teacher and Leader Innovation Fund, $98 million for a School Leadership Grant Program and a 25 percent set-aside ($617 million) within the $2.5 billion ESEA Title II State Grants program. A complementary $190 million mandatory investment in Presidential Teaching Fellows would provide scholarships to students in top-tier teacher preparation programs who commit to teaching in high-need schools and subjects.
Turn around low-performing schools: To strengthen educational opportunities for all students, the Administration is proposing to invest $659 million in School Turnaround Grants, including a $125 million increase to support and sustain local efforts to reform the lowest performing schools and expand the School Turnaround AmeriCorps initiative.
Strengthen STEM programs: Only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career, and the nation faces a skills gap in its workforce. The Administration is proposing $150 million for STEM Innovation Networks to create effective strategies for improving STEM education, $35 million to establish a STEM Master Teacher Corps, and $80 million to recruit and train effective STEM teachers for high-need schools.
Expand what works: The President's Investing in Innovation (i3) competition has supported efforts across the country to develop solutions to some of education’s greatest challenges. The 2014 budget increases funding for the i3 program to $215 million in order to expand support for using an evidence-based approach to test new ideas, validate what works, and scale up the most effective approaches in high-need areas.
Keep schools and communities safe
In January, President Obama released his plan to reduce gun violence, make schools safer, and increase access to mental health services. The 2014 request includes new investments in support of that plan’s common-sense proposals. These investments, which would be coordinated with related proposals at the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, will help create safer and more nurturing school climates that help prevent school violence. Key proposals include $50 million for School Climate Transformation Grants, $30 million for improved emergency management planning and $25 million for Project Prevent grants to help districts in communities with pervasive violence to break the cycle of violence.
Redesign the high school experience and increase career readiness
To compete in a global economy, Americans need some form of postsecondary education – whether that’s a 4-year degree, 2-year degree or postsecondary certificate. To help to engage high school students as well as meet the needs of adult learners, the Obama Administration has detailed plans to redesign high schools and career and technical education (CTE) programs, aligning them with the skills and knowledge that employers need. The Administration is also renewing its $1.1 billion proposal for a reauthorized Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program, which would strengthen alignment among secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and businesses.
As previewed in President Obama’s State of the Union address, the Administration is proposing $300 million for a new High School Redesign program, which would fund competitive grants to districts partnering with postsecondary institutions, businesses and non-profits to help ensure that all students graduate from high school with college credit and career-related experience.
Make college more affordable and improve quality
The demand for higher education continues to increase at a time when college costs have continued to escalate. President Obama delivered significant increases in the postsecondary financial aid available to students and families over the first term, but student aid cannot keep pace with rising college costs indefinitely. To address these long-term challenges, the President’s request proposes comprehensive reforms to increase affordability and quality in higher education, including $1 billion for a new Race to the Top-College Affordability and Completion competition that would drive change in state higher education policies and practices; $260 million for a First in the World fund that would make competitive awards to encourage innovation in higher education; expanding and reforming campus-based aid programs; linking student loan interest rates to market rates – before they are scheduled to rise on July 1; and expanding the popular Pay As You Earn repayment option to ensure that loan repayments for all student borrowers do not exceed 10 percent of their discretionary income.
In addition, the 2014 budget would fund Pell Grants for more than 9 million students – an increase of more than 50 percent since 2008 – and support an increase in the maximum Pell Grant from $5,645 in the 2013-14 year to $5,785 in 2014-15.
Provide ladders of opportunity
Too many communities suffer from concentrated poverty, and schools often take on the multiple challenges that face their most vulnerable students. Through "Promise Zones," federal agencies will partner with the leaders of high-poverty communities to break down barriers and coordinate the resources and expertise they need to create jobs, leverage private investments, increase economic activity, reduce violence, and improve educational opportunities. The President’s budget would support Promise Zones through investments in his signature Neighborhood Revitalization programs, including $300 million for the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods.
Together, these investments can continue to close achievement gaps, provide life-transforming opportunities for children, expand educational opportunity, strengthen the middle class and prepare all Americans for the challenges of the 21st century.
Obama Administration 2014 Budget Prioritizes Key Education Investments to Provide Opportunities for All Americans
The Obama Administration continued to prioritize education in the 2014 budget released today by proposing key investments in education that would strengthen the middle class, grow the economy and provide opportunities for success to all Americans – especially our nation's most vulnerable children. Without adding to the deficit, the President’s FY 2014 budget invests $71 billion in discretionary funding for the Department, an increase of 4.5 percent over the FY 2013 pre-sequester level.
"We must continue to build on the reforms already transforming classrooms across the country," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Strategic investments in our educational system will not only provide more opportunities for millions of Americans, but they will strengthen our nation's workforce as well."
The cornerstone of the President's education investments will expand high-quality early learning opportunities to all 4-year-olds from low- and moderate-income families. Studies show that these children have less access to high-quality early education and are less likely to enter school prepared for success – creating an educational opportunity gap that can shadow them for the rest of their lives. The President’s budget proposal will not only help close the gap by providing America’s youngest learners a strong start, it will also pay dividends down the road in higher graduation rates, increased employment, better jobs at higher salaries, greater tax revenue, and lower crime and reliance on public assistance.
President Obama's Preschool for All proposal would invest $75 billion over 10 years in separate, fully offset mandatory funding to create new partnerships with states and provide high-quality preschool to more communities, helping ensure that all children enter kindergarten ready to learn. In addition, the 2014 budget provides $750 million in complementary discretionary funds to help states strengthen their early learning systems and prepare to expand access to high-quality preschool. The U.S. Department of Education also will work closely with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to significantly expand and improve services to younger children through Head Start.
"Preschool is one of the smartest and most critical investments we can make," Duncan said. "By getting our children off to a strong start, we not only increase their individual chances for lifelong success, but also ensure our entire nation is on the path to a strong future."
Including Preschool for all, the President's education investments are targeted to strengthen the education pipeline from cradle to career. The President has also proposed to:
Keep schools and communities safe through an Administration-wide plan to protect our children and neighborhoods from gun violence.
Redesign the high school experience and increase career readiness of high school students, as well as adult learners.
Make college more affordable and improve quality by incentivizing states and institutions to do their part in controlling costs and providing good value.
Provide ladders of opportunity to the middle class through a robust Promise Neighborhoods program and investments in low-income communities.
Further the K-12 reform agenda
Building on the momentum for state-level reform, President Obama has proposed a set of strategic investments to drive change in the nation’s K-12 school systems.
Turn around low-performing schools: To strengthen educational opportunities for all students, the Administration is proposing to invest $659 million in School Turnaround Grants, including a $125 million increase to support and sustain local efforts to reform the lowest performing schools and expand the School Turnaround AmeriCorps initiative.
Strengthen STEM programs: Only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career, and the nation faces a skills gap in its workforce. The Administration is proposing $150 million for STEM Innovation Networks to create effective strategies for improving STEM education, $35 million to establish a STEM Master Teacher Corps, and $80 million to recruit and train effective STEM teachers for high-need schools.
Expand what works: The President's Investing in Innovation (i3) competition has supported efforts across the country to develop solutions to some of education’s greatest challenges. The 2014 budget increases funding for the i3 program to $215 million in order to expand support for using an evidence-based approach to test new ideas, validate what works, and scale up the most effective approaches in high-need areas.
Keep schools and communities safe
In January, President Obama released his plan to reduce gun violence, make schools safer, and increase access to mental health services. The 2014 request includes new investments in support of that plan’s common-sense proposals. These investments, which would be coordinated with related proposals at the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, will help create safer and more nurturing school climates that help prevent school violence. Key proposals include $50 million for School Climate Transformation Grants, $30 million for improved emergency management planning and $25 million for Project Prevent grants to help districts in communities with pervasive violence to break the cycle of violence.
Redesign the high school experience and increase career readiness
To compete in a global economy, Americans need some form of postsecondary education – whether that’s a 4-year degree, 2-year degree or postsecondary certificate. To help to engage high school students as well as meet the needs of adult learners, the Obama Administration has detailed plans to redesign high schools and career and technical education (CTE) programs, aligning them with the skills and knowledge that employers need. The Administration is also renewing its $1.1 billion proposal for a reauthorized Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program, which would strengthen alignment among secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and businesses.
As previewed in President Obama’s State of the Union address, the Administration is proposing $300 million for a new High School Redesign program, which would fund competitive grants to districts partnering with postsecondary institutions, businesses and non-profits to help ensure that all students graduate from high school with college credit and career-related experience.
Make college more affordable and improve quality
The demand for higher education continues to increase at a time when college costs have continued to escalate. President Obama delivered significant increases in the postsecondary financial aid available to students and families over the first term, but student aid cannot keep pace with rising college costs indefinitely. To address these long-term challenges, the President’s request proposes comprehensive reforms to increase affordability and quality in higher education, including $1 billion for a new Race to the Top-College Affordability and Completion competition that would drive change in state higher education policies and practices; $260 million for a First in the World fund that would make competitive awards to encourage innovation in higher education; expanding and reforming campus-based aid programs; linking student loan interest rates to market rates – before they are scheduled to rise on July 1; and expanding the popular Pay As You Earn repayment option to ensure that loan repayments for all student borrowers do not exceed 10 percent of their discretionary income.
In addition, the 2014 budget would fund Pell Grants for more than 9 million students – an increase of more than 50 percent since 2008 – and support an increase in the maximum Pell Grant from $5,645 in the 2013-14 year to $5,785 in 2014-15.
Provide ladders of opportunity
Too many communities suffer from concentrated poverty, and schools often take on the multiple challenges that face their most vulnerable students. Through "Promise Zones," federal agencies will partner with the leaders of high-poverty communities to break down barriers and coordinate the resources and expertise they need to create jobs, leverage private investments, increase economic activity, reduce violence, and improve educational opportunities. The President’s budget would support Promise Zones through investments in his signature Neighborhood Revitalization programs, including $300 million for the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods.
Together, these investments can continue to close achievement gaps, provide life-transforming opportunities for children, expand educational opportunity, strengthen the middle class and prepare all Americans for the challenges of the 21st century.
ASSUMING THE COBRA DANE RADAR MISSION
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| The 21st Operations Group assumed the Cobra Dane Radar mission at Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska, April 1. Eareckson AS is located on the western tip of Alaska's Aleutian islands. The radar has the ability to detect objects about 2,000 miles away, and provides data for the Space Surveillance Network and the Ballistic Missile Defense System. Cobra Dane will continue to be operated by a contract workforce, and no military personnel will be assigned to the unit at Eareckson AS. (U.S. Air Force photo) |
FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Wing adopts new (again) space surveillance mission
by Steve Brady
21st Space Wing Public Affairs
4/5/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Operations Group assumed the Cobra Dane radar mission at Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska, April 1, and takes responsibility for contract and program management Oct. 1.
Eareckson Air Station is located on the western tip of Alaska's Aleutian Islands near the larger island of Attu, and is approximately 1,500 miles southwest of Anchorage. The airport lies on the south side of the two-mile by four-mile island.
The radar is about 120 feet tall, the face is about 95 feet in diameter, and with its ability to detect objects about 2,000 miles away, it provides data for the Space Surveillance Network and the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
"The Cobra Dane radar will support the 21st Space Wing missile defense and space situational awareness missions," said Lt. Col. Paul Tombarge, 21st Operations Group commander. The radar will fall under the oversight of the 13th Space Warning Squadron at Clear AFS, Alaska, and will be designated as 13th SWS, Operating Location-Cobra Dane, he said.
The Cobra Dane radar began operations in 1977. Its space surveillance mission was suspended by the Air Force in 1994 due to budget constraints, but was reinstated as a limited duty contractor operation in 1999 with renewed emphasis on the radar's unique space tracking capabilities for protection of the International Space Station and shuttle orbiter flights, Tombarge said. The radar resumed full-duty operation in 2002 to support increased spacetrack demands. The radar began its missile defense mission as a result of the Cobra Dane Upgrade program in 2004.
In 2012, the deputy secretary of defense directed the Air Force to assume responsibility for Cobra Dane. Given the similarities between Cobra Dane and the wing's upgraded early warning radars, Air Force Space Command directed the 21st SW to assume the Cobra Dane mission, Tombarge said.
Cobra Dane will continue to be operated by a contract workforce, and no military personnel will be assigned to the unit at Eareckson AS.
THE CRITICAL NEED FOR CYBER AIRMAN-DEVELOPMENT
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| Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, Air Force Space Command, Command Chief, discusses the role of Airmen as a strategically critical professional Cyber force for the nation during a panel discussion at Cyber 3.1 in Colorado Springs, Monday. Air Force photo by Duncan Wood |
Cyber Airman-development strategically critical to the nation
by Senior Master Sgt. Dean J. Miller
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
4/9/2013 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Cyber Airman development became the focus of discussion at Cyber 1.3 in Colorado Springs Monday as Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, Command Chief, Air Force Space Command, addressed space and cyber industry leaders at the conference prior to official opening of the 29th National Space Symposium.
Chief Jordan and a civilian aerospace leader were participants in a moderated panel discussion that encouraged audience participation via e-mail. The interactive forum quickly moved through topics including youth interest in an evolving cyber culture, common talent pool recruitment considerations, challenges of long-term development of a professional cyber force, and the critical roles of cyber-trained Airmen.
Chief Jordan, invested in developing cyber Airmen both as command chief for the Air Force major command responsible for the cyber mission and as a father of an Airman in the cyber operations career field, challenged common assumptions that people fall into only the popular categories of digital native or digital immigrant. Chief Jordan offered a third category: the digitally disadvantaged.
"There are demographics in our country where young people, or people of any age, may not have had the opportunity - educationally or economically - to be exposed to technology...to have the opportunity to use and leverage technology," said Chief Jordan. "Just because someone was born into an era, doesn't mean they experienced what that era was all about."
Before cyber professionals, Airmen or civilians, can be recruited and developed, young people must be aware of, interested in and somewhat familiar with the cyber culture. Chief Jordan emphasized the need for a national focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, citing Air Force support of the annual CyberPatriot competition as an example of a positive experience in STEM areas. CyberPatriot is a national high school cyber defense competition designed to inspire high school students to aspire to STEM degrees and cybersecurity careers.
"There is goodness in that type of program (CyberPatriot) for those young Americans, whether they join our team or not, because it exposes them to what the opportunities of the future may be," Chief Jordan said. "More importantly, it reinforces just how critically important STEM is to them as individuals and to us as a nation."
The panelists took questions during the session and one participant asked, "If the demands of the cyber domain are so different compared to traditional military domains, does application of traditional military standards still make sense?". Chief Jordan was quick to respond.
"Airmen are Airmen first. Just like Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, they are military professionals first, regardless of their technical discipline and expertise -- especially in an environment as complex as cyber is for us today. We have to have professionals who are trained to a common level of discipline, standards, understanding and behavior before we can entrust them with the responsibilities and authorities that we do, in an environment as dynamic and complex as cyber," said Chief Jordan.
"The last thing you want is someone who does not have that standard grounding to operate autonomously in that mission area. It can very quickly have national security-level implications. Given our current workforce, we entrust our most junior enlisted Airmen and our most junior company grade officers with some pretty significant responsibilities in this mission area," said Chief Jordan. "Without that fundamental thread of training, discipline, and standards that runs through every Airman, we set ourselves up for failure. Cyber is one of those areas that changes too quickly, is too important and too pervasive to take chances with."
Another question from the panel was about developing the culture and making the mission area 'fun'. Chief Jordan was less interested in making Cyber appear fun than he was about inspiring a sense of service in current and future cyber Airmen, based on the satisfaction they get from positively impacting operations from the tactical to strategic and national levels every day. This led to an opportunity for Chief Jordan to expand on the role of Cyber Airmen deployed to the Combatant Commands.
"These Americans are warriors. Though they may typically serve in an operations center, or some other obscure location, at the end of the day, they are as prone to deploy into harm's way to support national security as anyone else," said Chief Jordan. "As the Combatant Commands around the world continue to learn what cyber warriors bring to the fight, we see more and more requests for forces placing cyber Airmen 'boots on ground' to support combatant commanders. When we talk about cyber and space warriors, we cannot allow ourselves to think that these are Airmen 'removed from the fight'. Regardless of where they sit, more important than anything, are the capabilities that these professionals bring to bear in execution of national security."
GENERAL GARY S. PATTON DISCUSSES NO-TOLERANCE POLICY ON SEXUAL ASSAULT
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Sexual Assault Awareness Begins at Top, Official Says
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
BALTIMORE, April 9, 2013 - To combat and put an end to sexual assault in the military, the Defense Department has designed programs to boost victim medical care, increase assault reporting and hold offenders accountable for their crimes, the director of the Pentagon's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here April 5.
Responding to questions as a member of a panel discussing the 2012 movie "The Invisible War" as part of the End Violence Against Women international conference, Army Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton discussed DOD's no-tolerance policy on sexual assault for an audience that included first responders, prosecutors and criminal investigation department agents.
Charged with positioning the military to "win the war on sexual assault," Patton said he believes that sexual assault cannot be conquered until it is a more visible issue. "The Invisible War" helped with that awareness, he added.
Sexual assaults are terrible crimes that have a "lasting, scary, traumatic effect" on victims, the general said.
The Defense Department works worldwide to prevent and respond to sexual assault, using "five lines of effort," Patton said: prevention, accountability, investigation, victim advocacy and assessment.
Prevention begins with training commanders in best practices and working that effort down to the lowest level, Patton said. Each service branch, he said, has such a program in place.
The interactive training includes scenario-based discussions led by professionals, and also features victim testimony and other issues that "underscore the emphasis and the importance this training has to prevent sexual assault," the general said.
Accountability's aim is to hold sexual offenders appropriately accountable in the military justice system, and to encourage victims to report the crime, Patton said,
Investigation into sexual assault is performed separately from the chain of command via a policy to obtain optimum results, he said.
"We're creating a special victims capability for each of the services," Patton explained, "and will deliver a distinct group of specially trained professionals such as victim witness liaisons, paralegals, and so forth, all united under our common policy framework of standardized training ... to come together and work these important aspects."
Victim advocacy is a way to standardize and offer reporting options to victims, to motivate reporting and enable greater accountability for offenders, Patton said, noting that military sexual assault victims who want to change their units have had a 99 percent success rate.
Assessment includes surveys and reviews for commanders to see how their program is doing in a meaningful and accurate way, from victim intervention to medical care, Patton said.
The general said the Defense Department's efforts to curb sexual assaults will enable culture change. "I believe we can turn this around," he said. "The [department] is firmly committed to changing the culture."
Panelist Russell Strand, chief of family advocacy law enforcement training for the Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., also weighed in on the importance of culture change.
"I've never seen a culture change [happen] so fast, so well and so immediately in the military," said Strand, a former service member. He added that sexual assault is taken seriously in the military.
"We will do whatever it takes to minimize, and eventually eradicate, this scourge upon our military," Strand said.
"We have best military in the world, [and] we have a lot of things we do well and some we don't do so well," he added. "There are hundreds of thousands of people in the military who take this issue as seriously as we do. When we hear or see a story, it breaks our heart, collectively and individually."
Patton said DOD's efforts to combat sexual assault are far-reaching.
"We intend to make the U.S. military a national leader in sexual assault prevention and response," he added.
Sexual Assault Awareness Begins at Top, Official Says
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
BALTIMORE, April 9, 2013 - To combat and put an end to sexual assault in the military, the Defense Department has designed programs to boost victim medical care, increase assault reporting and hold offenders accountable for their crimes, the director of the Pentagon's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here April 5.
Responding to questions as a member of a panel discussing the 2012 movie "The Invisible War" as part of the End Violence Against Women international conference, Army Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton discussed DOD's no-tolerance policy on sexual assault for an audience that included first responders, prosecutors and criminal investigation department agents.
Charged with positioning the military to "win the war on sexual assault," Patton said he believes that sexual assault cannot be conquered until it is a more visible issue. "The Invisible War" helped with that awareness, he added.
Sexual assaults are terrible crimes that have a "lasting, scary, traumatic effect" on victims, the general said.
The Defense Department works worldwide to prevent and respond to sexual assault, using "five lines of effort," Patton said: prevention, accountability, investigation, victim advocacy and assessment.
Prevention begins with training commanders in best practices and working that effort down to the lowest level, Patton said. Each service branch, he said, has such a program in place.
The interactive training includes scenario-based discussions led by professionals, and also features victim testimony and other issues that "underscore the emphasis and the importance this training has to prevent sexual assault," the general said.
Accountability's aim is to hold sexual offenders appropriately accountable in the military justice system, and to encourage victims to report the crime, Patton said,
Investigation into sexual assault is performed separately from the chain of command via a policy to obtain optimum results, he said.
"We're creating a special victims capability for each of the services," Patton explained, "and will deliver a distinct group of specially trained professionals such as victim witness liaisons, paralegals, and so forth, all united under our common policy framework of standardized training ... to come together and work these important aspects."
Victim advocacy is a way to standardize and offer reporting options to victims, to motivate reporting and enable greater accountability for offenders, Patton said, noting that military sexual assault victims who want to change their units have had a 99 percent success rate.
Assessment includes surveys and reviews for commanders to see how their program is doing in a meaningful and accurate way, from victim intervention to medical care, Patton said.
The general said the Defense Department's efforts to curb sexual assaults will enable culture change. "I believe we can turn this around," he said. "The [department] is firmly committed to changing the culture."
Panelist Russell Strand, chief of family advocacy law enforcement training for the Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., also weighed in on the importance of culture change.
"I've never seen a culture change [happen] so fast, so well and so immediately in the military," said Strand, a former service member. He added that sexual assault is taken seriously in the military.
"We will do whatever it takes to minimize, and eventually eradicate, this scourge upon our military," Strand said.
"We have best military in the world, [and] we have a lot of things we do well and some we don't do so well," he added. "There are hundreds of thousands of people in the military who take this issue as seriously as we do. When we hear or see a story, it breaks our heart, collectively and individually."
Patton said DOD's efforts to combat sexual assault are far-reaching.
"We intend to make the U.S. military a national leader in sexual assault prevention and response," he added.
2013 SEA-AIR-SPACE EXPO BEGINS
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| Credit: U.S. Navy |
2013 Sea-Air-Space Expo Kicks Off
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The 48th-annual, 2013 Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition kicked off at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. with an official opening ceremony April 8.
Under the theme, "Maritime Crossroads: Strategies for Action," Sea-Air-Space, the largest maritime exposition in the U.S., showcases demonstrations highlighting the latest maritime-related technologies and solutions and provides an opportunity for Navy policy and operational leadership to interact with industry representatives to discuss and debate common interests and concerns.
"Sea-Air-Space is an absolutely wonderful opportunity for everyone to get together and talk about issues of importance," said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. "It's about talking about our challenges, our opportunities and I think most importantly, our solutions. It's where industry can partner with the military, with the Department of Defense to find real, tangible solutions."
During the first day, the sea services strategic rebalancing of the Asia-Pacific region was highlighted during various roundtable discussions and floor presentations.
"The theme of this conference, Maritime Crossroads: Strategies for Action, is perfect," said Greenert. "It leads you into asking where, and the most important place is the Asia-Pacific. That is the number one area for our future and it's really about rebalancing in a host of ways- force structure, capabilities, homeporting, and intellectual capacity. We're moving 60 percent of our ships to the Western Pacific by the end of this decade. It's really about greater partnerships, greater interoperability with our allies and greater exercises- all in the Asia-Pacific."
This year's Sea-Air-Space features over 190 exhibitors, including 15 military commands as well as 12,000 registrants and representatives of 48 different countries. Also present are top officials from the Department of Defense, Homeland Security and Congress.
Sea-Air-Space is open to active duty and reserve military, federal civilian employees, congressional members and staff, retired U.S. military and Navy League Members. There is no charge to attend the three-day exposition and professional seminars.
COURT ORDERS INJUNCTION AGAINST EGG ROLL MAKER FOR CONDITIONS "INJURIOUS TO HEALTH"
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Monday, April 8, 2013
District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Against Houston-Based Producer of Egg Rolls and Other Foods
Court Also Enjoins Company’s President of Operations and Former Director of Quality Assurance
U.S. District Court Judge Melinda Harmon entered an order of permanent injunction against Chung’s Products LP, a Houston-based producer of egg rolls and other foods, Charlie A. Kujawa, Chung’s president of operations, and Gregory S. Birdsell, Chung’s former director of quality assurance, the Justice Department announced today.
The permanent injunction was issued by the district court along with the court’s opinion and order granting the United States’ motion for summary judgment against the defendants for violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Chung’s products are sold in grocery stores and large retail stores nationwide.
As set forth in the complaint filed by the United States on March 8, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted inspections from 2005 through 2009 at Chung’s facility located in Houston. According to the complaint, the defendants, among other things, violated the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by preparing, packing and holding shrimp egg rolls under insanitary conditions, whereby they may have become contaminated with filth and rendered injurious to health.
In a decision entered on April 4, 2013, Judge Harmon found that the defendants had a long history of violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including producing food under insanitary conditions and failing to control for the risks of Clostridium Botulinum, "the most potent toxin known to man," in their seafood products and a potentially deadly strain of listeria in their manufacturing environment. The court also noted defendants’ numerous refusals to cooperate with the FDA. Based on the evidence before it, the Court concluded there is a reasonable possibility that Chung’s food products were both contaminated with filth and unsafe and injurious to health. The court further found that the defendants’ challenges to FDA testing methods were "frivolous" and "demonstrated [a] wanton disregard of a potential food safety hazard in [Chung’s] products."
"We will continue to take strong action against those who would risk the safety of the American food supply by manufacturing and storing products under insanitary conditions or flouting important food safety rules," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. "The Court’s ruling ensures that these defendants will take appropriate steps to ensure that consumers who purchase their foods will receive products that are prepared, packaged and held under sanitary conditions as required by law."
Pursuant to the injunction issued by the Court, defendants are enjoined from receiving, processing, preparing, packing, holding and distributing food from Chung’s Houston-based facility or any other facility until defendants take the remedial action required by the Court’s order.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Delery thanked the FDA for referring this matter to the Department of Justice. David Sullivan, Trial Attorney at the Consumer Protection Branch of the Justice Department, in conjunction with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Vela Jr. in the Southern District of Texas and Sonia Nath, Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement at FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel, brought this case on behalf of the United States.
Monday, April 8, 2013
District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Against Houston-Based Producer of Egg Rolls and Other Foods
Court Also Enjoins Company’s President of Operations and Former Director of Quality Assurance
U.S. District Court Judge Melinda Harmon entered an order of permanent injunction against Chung’s Products LP, a Houston-based producer of egg rolls and other foods, Charlie A. Kujawa, Chung’s president of operations, and Gregory S. Birdsell, Chung’s former director of quality assurance, the Justice Department announced today.
The permanent injunction was issued by the district court along with the court’s opinion and order granting the United States’ motion for summary judgment against the defendants for violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Chung’s products are sold in grocery stores and large retail stores nationwide.
As set forth in the complaint filed by the United States on March 8, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted inspections from 2005 through 2009 at Chung’s facility located in Houston. According to the complaint, the defendants, among other things, violated the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by preparing, packing and holding shrimp egg rolls under insanitary conditions, whereby they may have become contaminated with filth and rendered injurious to health.
In a decision entered on April 4, 2013, Judge Harmon found that the defendants had a long history of violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including producing food under insanitary conditions and failing to control for the risks of Clostridium Botulinum, "the most potent toxin known to man," in their seafood products and a potentially deadly strain of listeria in their manufacturing environment. The court also noted defendants’ numerous refusals to cooperate with the FDA. Based on the evidence before it, the Court concluded there is a reasonable possibility that Chung’s food products were both contaminated with filth and unsafe and injurious to health. The court further found that the defendants’ challenges to FDA testing methods were "frivolous" and "demonstrated [a] wanton disregard of a potential food safety hazard in [Chung’s] products."
"We will continue to take strong action against those who would risk the safety of the American food supply by manufacturing and storing products under insanitary conditions or flouting important food safety rules," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. "The Court’s ruling ensures that these defendants will take appropriate steps to ensure that consumers who purchase their foods will receive products that are prepared, packaged and held under sanitary conditions as required by law."
Pursuant to the injunction issued by the Court, defendants are enjoined from receiving, processing, preparing, packing, holding and distributing food from Chung’s Houston-based facility or any other facility until defendants take the remedial action required by the Court’s order.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Delery thanked the FDA for referring this matter to the Department of Justice. David Sullivan, Trial Attorney at the Consumer Protection Branch of the Justice Department, in conjunction with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Vela Jr. in the Southern District of Texas and Sonia Nath, Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement at FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel, brought this case on behalf of the United States.
DUNE: AUSTRALIA
FROM: NASA
Great Sandy Desert, Australia
In northwest Australia, the Great Sandy Desert holds great geological interest as a zone of active sand dune movement. While a variety of dune forms appear across the region, this astronaut photograph features numerous linear dunes (about 25 meters high) separated in a roughly regular fashion (0.5 to 1.5 kilometers apart). The dunes are aligned to the prevailing winds that generated them, which typically blow from east to west. Where linear dunes converge, dune confluences point downwind. When you fly over such dune fields—either in an airplane or the International Space Station—the fire scars stand out. Where thin vegetation has been burned, the dunes appear red from the underlying sand; dunes appear darker where the vegetation remains.
Astronaut photograph ISS035-E-9454 was acquired on March 25, 2013, with a Nikon D3S digital camera using a 400 millimeter lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment and Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by the Expedition 35 crew. It has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. Image Credit: NASA
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
FORMER FUGITIVE PLEADS GUILTY TO IDENTITY THEFT AND BANKRUPTCY FRAUD
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Monday, April 8, 2013
Former Federal Fugitive Pleads Guilty in California to Massive Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme in Connection with Nationwide Foreclosure Scam
Defendant Collected More Than $1.2 Million from More Than 800 Distressed Homeowners
A former Los Angeles resident, who fled to Canada and was a federal fugitive for 12 years, pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft and bankruptcy fraud in connection with leading a nearly 15-year foreclosure-rescue scam that fraudulently postponed foreclosure sales for more than 800 distressed homeowners, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California André Birotte Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Melinda Haag, Assistant Director in Charge Bill L. Lewis of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office and Christy Romero, Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP).
Glen Alan Ward, 48, pleaded guilty in connection with three separate sets of charges in the Central and Northern Districts of California, all stemming from Ward’s 15-year fraud. In 2000, Ward became a federal fugitive when he failed to appear in court after signing a plea agreement, which arose out of federal charges in 2000 in the Central District of California related to Ward’s early conduct in the scheme. In 2002, Ward was indicted on multiple counts of bankruptcy fraud in the Northern District of California for continuing the scheme in and around San Francisco. On Aug. 17, 2012, Ward was indicted on mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and additional bankruptcy fraud counts in the Central District of California after fleeing to Canada and continuing his fraud from there. While in Canada, Ward recruited Frederic Alan Gladle, who was indicted in the Central District of California for bankruptcy fraud and identity theft in 2011, and was sentenced in 2012 to 61 months in custody for engaging in similar conduct.
On April 5, 2012, Ward was arrested in Canada by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Waterloo Regional Police Service based on a U.S. provisional arrest warrant. On Dec. 21, 2012, Ward was extradited to the United States to answer all three sets of charges.
"Glen Alan Ward spent years preying on distressed homeowners and stealing the identities of bankruptcy debtors, all to pad his own pockets," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. "Now he faces years in prison for his crimes. This successful prosecution illustrates our commitment to tirelessly pursuing fraudsters and ensuring that sophisticated schemes that prey on vulnerable homeowners will not go unpunished."
"Mr. Ward fled the United States years ago in an attempt to keep his fraudulent foreclosure scheme running," said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. "Today's conviction should serve as a reminder that criminals can run, but they can't hide. The reach of the federal law is long and scammers like Ward, who try to take advantage of distressed homeowners, will be tracked down and prosecuted regardless of their efforts to do otherwise."
According to the plea agreement filed today before U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer in the Central District of California, Ward admitted to engaging in a fraud scheme that took place from 1997 to April 5, 2012, the day he was arrested by Canadian authorities. According to the plea agreement, Ward led a scheme that solicited and recruited homeowners whose properties were in danger of imminent foreclosure. Ward promised to delay their foreclosures for as long as the homeowners could afford his $700 monthly fee. Once a homeowner paid the fee, Ward accessed a public bankruptcy database and retrieved the name of an individual debtor who recently filed bankruptcy. Ward admitted that he obtained copies of unsuspecting debtors’ bankruptcy petitions and directed his clients to execute, notarize and record a grant deed transferring generally a 1/100th fractional interest in their distressed home into the name of the debtor that Ward provided. Then, after stealing the debtor’s identity, Ward faxed a copy of the bankruptcy petition, the notarized grant deed and a cover letter to the homeowner’s lender or the lender’s representative, directing it to stop the impending foreclosure sale due to the bankruptcy.
Because bankruptcy filings give rise to automatic stays that protect debtors’ properties, the receipt of the bankruptcy petitions and deeds in the debtors’ names forced lenders to cancel foreclosure sales. The lenders, which included banks that received government funds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), could not move forward to collect money that was owed to them until getting permission from the bankruptcy courts, thereby repeatedly delaying the lenders’ recovery of their money for months and even years. In addition, if a distressed homeowner wanted to complete a loan modification or short sale, they were left to the mercy of Ward to send them forged deeds, supposedly signed by the debtors, to re-unify their title as required by most lenders.
As part of the scheme, Ward delayed the foreclosure sales of approximately 824 distressed properties by using at least 414 bankruptcies filed in 26 judicial districts across the country. During that same period, Ward admitted to collecting more than $1.2 million from his clients who paid for his illegal foreclosure-delay services, all of which he has agreed to forfeit.
"Today's announcement is the result of a collaborative international effort and the FBI is grateful to our partners with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Waterloo Regional Police for their assistance in the fugitive investigation and apprehension," said Bill Lewis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "Mr. Ward's long-term scheme is an extreme example of calculated fraud based on greed, and I'm proud of the persistence shown by our federal partners at SIGTARP, the Office of United States Trustees, and the United States Attorney's Office, in pursuing this case to its successful end."
"We are committed to pursuing those who defraud the most vulnerable victims of the real estate market," said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson. "This is an excellent example of how closely we work with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to ensure that criminals are brought to justice."
"With today’s plea, justice is served for the victims of Ward’s long-running bankruptcy fraud scheme," said Christy Romero, Special Inspector General for TARP (SIGTARP). "While on the run for 12 years and having fled to Canada to avoid answering for earlier charges of bankruptcy fraud, Ward continued to victimize hundreds of struggling homeowners, steal the identities of unsuspecting U.S. taxpayers involved in bankruptcy proceedings, and exploit civil protections under bankruptcy law to defraud lenders, including numerous TARP recipients. SIGTARP and our law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that those responsible for fraud related to TARP are brought to justice and answer for their crimes."
Each count of bankruptcy fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a two-year mandatory sentence, to run consecutive to any other sentence. Ward will be sentenced on July 29, 2013 before United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, and will continue to be held without bond.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Paul Rosen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Davis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Schmidt is prosecuting the charges in the Northern District of California, which were transferred to the Central District of California for entry of the guilty pleas. The investigation was conducted by SIGTARP and the FBI, which received substantial assistance from the U.S. Trustee’s Office. In addition, the Canadian Waterloo Regional Police Service and Royal Canadian Mounted Police provided exceptional support and assistance in connection with Ward’s arrest and extradition.
This prosecution is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Former Federal Fugitive Pleads Guilty in California to Massive Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme in Connection with Nationwide Foreclosure Scam
Defendant Collected More Than $1.2 Million from More Than 800 Distressed Homeowners
A former Los Angeles resident, who fled to Canada and was a federal fugitive for 12 years, pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft and bankruptcy fraud in connection with leading a nearly 15-year foreclosure-rescue scam that fraudulently postponed foreclosure sales for more than 800 distressed homeowners, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California André Birotte Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Melinda Haag, Assistant Director in Charge Bill L. Lewis of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office and Christy Romero, Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP).
Glen Alan Ward, 48, pleaded guilty in connection with three separate sets of charges in the Central and Northern Districts of California, all stemming from Ward’s 15-year fraud. In 2000, Ward became a federal fugitive when he failed to appear in court after signing a plea agreement, which arose out of federal charges in 2000 in the Central District of California related to Ward’s early conduct in the scheme. In 2002, Ward was indicted on multiple counts of bankruptcy fraud in the Northern District of California for continuing the scheme in and around San Francisco. On Aug. 17, 2012, Ward was indicted on mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and additional bankruptcy fraud counts in the Central District of California after fleeing to Canada and continuing his fraud from there. While in Canada, Ward recruited Frederic Alan Gladle, who was indicted in the Central District of California for bankruptcy fraud and identity theft in 2011, and was sentenced in 2012 to 61 months in custody for engaging in similar conduct.
On April 5, 2012, Ward was arrested in Canada by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Waterloo Regional Police Service based on a U.S. provisional arrest warrant. On Dec. 21, 2012, Ward was extradited to the United States to answer all three sets of charges.
"Glen Alan Ward spent years preying on distressed homeowners and stealing the identities of bankruptcy debtors, all to pad his own pockets," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. "Now he faces years in prison for his crimes. This successful prosecution illustrates our commitment to tirelessly pursuing fraudsters and ensuring that sophisticated schemes that prey on vulnerable homeowners will not go unpunished."
"Mr. Ward fled the United States years ago in an attempt to keep his fraudulent foreclosure scheme running," said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. "Today's conviction should serve as a reminder that criminals can run, but they can't hide. The reach of the federal law is long and scammers like Ward, who try to take advantage of distressed homeowners, will be tracked down and prosecuted regardless of their efforts to do otherwise."
According to the plea agreement filed today before U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer in the Central District of California, Ward admitted to engaging in a fraud scheme that took place from 1997 to April 5, 2012, the day he was arrested by Canadian authorities. According to the plea agreement, Ward led a scheme that solicited and recruited homeowners whose properties were in danger of imminent foreclosure. Ward promised to delay their foreclosures for as long as the homeowners could afford his $700 monthly fee. Once a homeowner paid the fee, Ward accessed a public bankruptcy database and retrieved the name of an individual debtor who recently filed bankruptcy. Ward admitted that he obtained copies of unsuspecting debtors’ bankruptcy petitions and directed his clients to execute, notarize and record a grant deed transferring generally a 1/100th fractional interest in their distressed home into the name of the debtor that Ward provided. Then, after stealing the debtor’s identity, Ward faxed a copy of the bankruptcy petition, the notarized grant deed and a cover letter to the homeowner’s lender or the lender’s representative, directing it to stop the impending foreclosure sale due to the bankruptcy.
Because bankruptcy filings give rise to automatic stays that protect debtors’ properties, the receipt of the bankruptcy petitions and deeds in the debtors’ names forced lenders to cancel foreclosure sales. The lenders, which included banks that received government funds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), could not move forward to collect money that was owed to them until getting permission from the bankruptcy courts, thereby repeatedly delaying the lenders’ recovery of their money for months and even years. In addition, if a distressed homeowner wanted to complete a loan modification or short sale, they were left to the mercy of Ward to send them forged deeds, supposedly signed by the debtors, to re-unify their title as required by most lenders.
As part of the scheme, Ward delayed the foreclosure sales of approximately 824 distressed properties by using at least 414 bankruptcies filed in 26 judicial districts across the country. During that same period, Ward admitted to collecting more than $1.2 million from his clients who paid for his illegal foreclosure-delay services, all of which he has agreed to forfeit.
"Today's announcement is the result of a collaborative international effort and the FBI is grateful to our partners with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Waterloo Regional Police for their assistance in the fugitive investigation and apprehension," said Bill Lewis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "Mr. Ward's long-term scheme is an extreme example of calculated fraud based on greed, and I'm proud of the persistence shown by our federal partners at SIGTARP, the Office of United States Trustees, and the United States Attorney's Office, in pursuing this case to its successful end."
"We are committed to pursuing those who defraud the most vulnerable victims of the real estate market," said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson. "This is an excellent example of how closely we work with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to ensure that criminals are brought to justice."
"With today’s plea, justice is served for the victims of Ward’s long-running bankruptcy fraud scheme," said Christy Romero, Special Inspector General for TARP (SIGTARP). "While on the run for 12 years and having fled to Canada to avoid answering for earlier charges of bankruptcy fraud, Ward continued to victimize hundreds of struggling homeowners, steal the identities of unsuspecting U.S. taxpayers involved in bankruptcy proceedings, and exploit civil protections under bankruptcy law to defraud lenders, including numerous TARP recipients. SIGTARP and our law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that those responsible for fraud related to TARP are brought to justice and answer for their crimes."
Each count of bankruptcy fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a two-year mandatory sentence, to run consecutive to any other sentence. Ward will be sentenced on July 29, 2013 before United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, and will continue to be held without bond.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Paul Rosen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Davis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Schmidt is prosecuting the charges in the Northern District of California, which were transferred to the Central District of California for entry of the guilty pleas. The investigation was conducted by SIGTARP and the FBI, which received substantial assistance from the U.S. Trustee’s Office. In addition, the Canadian Waterloo Regional Police Service and Royal Canadian Mounted Police provided exceptional support and assistance in connection with Ward’s arrest and extradition.
This prosecution is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants.
SECRETARY OF STATE AND ISRAELI PRESIDENT PERES MAKE REMARKS BEFORE MEETING
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| Map: Israel. Credit: CIA World Factbook. |
Remarks With Israeli President Shimon Peres Before Their Meeting
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
President's Residence
Jerusalem
April 8, 2013
Well, Mr. President, thank you very, very much for an extraordinarily generous and warm welcome. It’s really such an honor to be here today to share in Yom HaShoah and to be there at Yad Vashem to lay a wreath on behalf of the American people, but most importantly to simply share in the uniqueness of that expression of sorrow and honor for this remarkable moment in history that we marked.
I was standing there listening to the siren wail and thinking of the stories people have told me of everybody in Israel stopping. If you’re in a car, you get out and you stand at attention. The whole country freezes. And I know it’s one of only two moments when that happens, for Yom HaShoah and for the fallen in battle in struggles. So that wailing had a profound impact on me. It was impressive. And I think the lesson of today is underscored in your comments about the possibilities for peace, the possibilities for people to live together without hatred, and finding the common ground. I believe in that, and I know you believe in that.
You are correct; we have known each other, I think, more than 30 years now. And I’ve had the privilege of watching you lead as a statesman. I’ve had the privilege of working with you in the different hats you have worn in government. And it’s a great privilege for me to be able to be here now representing President Obama and the American people in this effort to try to get us across the line.
We all know it’s not easy. But as you said yourself, it can be done. And it has been expressed by your leaders and others through years that people believe in the possibility of a two-state solution. I am convinced there is a road forward, and I look forward to the discussions with your leaders and yourself regarding how that road could be sort of reignited, if you will, once again setting out on that path.
I would say to everybody I have no illusions about difficulties. We’ve seen them. But you have to believe in the possibilities to be able to get there, and you and I believe in them, and I am convinced that there is a road ahead.
With respect to Iran and other threats, I am very pleased to confirm to you what I know you know, and what I hope the people of Israel know after the historic visit of President Obama here: You have a friend in President Obama. You have friends in this Administration, in the Congress, and in America. We understand the nature of the threat of Iran. And as the President has said many times – he doesn’t bluff; he is serious – we will stand with Israel against this threat and with the rest of the world, who have underscored that all we are looking for is Iran to live up to its international obligations.
No option is off the table. No option will be taken off the table. And I confirm to you, Mr. President, that we will continue to seek a diplomatic solution. But our eyes are open, and we understand that the clock is moving. And no one will allow the diplomatic process to stand in the way of whatever choices need to be made to protect the world from yet another nuclear weapon in the wrong hands.
So I look forward to our conversation, and I’ll look forward to my subsequent conversations while I’m here. And I’m confident, Mr. President, that we will be working together and seeing more of each other over the course of these next months. And thank you again for a very, very generous welcome.
EX-IM BANK SAYS U.S. EXPORTED $186 MILLION GOODS AND SERVICES IN FEBRUARY
FROM: U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
U.S. Exports Total $186 Billion in February;
Exports During Past Year Hit $2.2 Trillion
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States exported $186.0 billion of goods and services in February 2013, an increase from January’s exports of $184.4 billion, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.
"The many successful small- and mid-sized businesses attending last week’s Ex-Im annual conference demonstrated that growing sales and profits in today’s global economy is possible by selling to the 95 percent of the world’s customers located outside the United States", said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. "Export growth remains a vital component of the nation’s economic recovery, and Ex-Im will continue to provide export credit support to American entrepreneurs as they expand their reach to buyers outside our borders."
Hochberg noted that during the first six months of FY 2013 Ex-Im Bank export credit authorizations were strong, amounting to $14.8 billion, supporting over 100,000 U.S. jobs and exceeding the Bank’s authorizations in all of 2008.
U.S. exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.2 trillion, which is 39.7 percent above the level of exports in 2009. Over the last twelve months, exports have been growing at an annualized rate of 11.1 percent when compared to 2009.
Over the last twelve months, among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, occurred in Panama (31.8 percent), Russia (25.1 percent), Chile (24.4 percent), United Arab Emirates (23.6 percent), Peru (23.4 percent), Venezuela (22.5 percent), Argentina (21.9 percent), Hong Kong (20.6 percent), Colombia (20.7 percent), and Turkey (20.3 percent).
U.S. Exports Total $186 Billion in February;
Exports During Past Year Hit $2.2 Trillion
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States exported $186.0 billion of goods and services in February 2013, an increase from January’s exports of $184.4 billion, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.
"The many successful small- and mid-sized businesses attending last week’s Ex-Im annual conference demonstrated that growing sales and profits in today’s global economy is possible by selling to the 95 percent of the world’s customers located outside the United States", said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. "Export growth remains a vital component of the nation’s economic recovery, and Ex-Im will continue to provide export credit support to American entrepreneurs as they expand their reach to buyers outside our borders."
Hochberg noted that during the first six months of FY 2013 Ex-Im Bank export credit authorizations were strong, amounting to $14.8 billion, supporting over 100,000 U.S. jobs and exceeding the Bank’s authorizations in all of 2008.
U.S. exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.2 trillion, which is 39.7 percent above the level of exports in 2009. Over the last twelve months, exports have been growing at an annualized rate of 11.1 percent when compared to 2009.
Over the last twelve months, among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, occurred in Panama (31.8 percent), Russia (25.1 percent), Chile (24.4 percent), United Arab Emirates (23.6 percent), Peru (23.4 percent), Venezuela (22.5 percent), Argentina (21.9 percent), Hong Kong (20.6 percent), Colombia (20.7 percent), and Turkey (20.3 percent).
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