Sunday, September 2, 2012
ALLEGED PONZI SCHEME TARGETS MEMBERS OF DEAF COMMUNITY
FROM: COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSIOINCFTC Charges California Resident Marc Perlman and his company, iGlobal Strategic Management, LLC, with Solicitation Fraud and Misappropriation in Commodity Pool Ponzi Scheme
Defendants charged with fraudulently soliciting and accepting at least $670,000 from members of the public — largely persons from the deaf community
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced the filing of a civil enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charging Marc Perlman of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and his firm, iGlobal Strategic Management, LLC (iGlobal) with operating a commodity pool Ponzi scheme that fraudulently solicited and accepted at least $670,000 from at least 17 people — largely persons from the deaf community. Perlman was a principal and officer of iGlobal, and neither defendant has ever been registered with the CFTC.
Specifically, the CFTC complaint, filed on August 28, 2012, alleges that from at least March 2009 through at least November 2011, iGlobal and Perlman fraudulently solicited individuals to invest in a pooled investment vehicle to trade leveraged off-exchange foreign currency contracts (forex). Perlman furthered his and iGlobal’s fraudulent scheme by playing upon the Christian faith of certain iGlobal investors, using claims about his own faith and references to scripture to obtain the trust of certain iGlobal investors, according to the complaint.
The complaint further charges that less than half of the funds invested by the iGlobal investors, or approximately $305,000, were used to trade forex, resulting in losses that consumed nearly all of the invested funds. The rest of the funds were allegedly used for unauthorized purposes, including 1) payouts of fictitious "profits" to certain iGlobal investors, 2) cash withdrawals of funds that were not re-deposited into the iGlobal trading or bank accounts, 3) charges at department stores, electronic stores, grocery stores, and restaurants, and 4) payment of rent for Perlman’s personal residence. iGlobal and Perlman misrepresented that the iGlobal investors’ funds would be invested in forex and fraudulently omitted and/or concealed that iGlobal and Perlman used and planned to use investor funds for purposes other than forex investments, according to the complaint.
In addition, iGlobal and Perlman allegedly misrepresented that trades executed in connection with the iGlobal investments were profitable and that certain iGlobal investors were earning and were being paid, or would be paid, profits from the trading. iGlobal and Perlman also allegedly issued false written statements that reported profits and listed the respective iGlobal investors’ full principal when, in fact, more than half of the funds had been misappropriated and the trading resulted in net losses.
In its continuing litigation, the CFTC seeks restitution to defrauded investors, a return of ill-gotten gains, civil monetary penalties, trading and registration bans, and permanent injunctions against further violations of federal commodities laws, as charged.
The CFTC appreciates the assistance of the U.K. Financial Services Authority.
CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this case are Laura Martin, Christopher Giglio, Manal Sultan, Lenel Hickson, William Tylinski, Stephen Obie, and Vincent McGonagle.
LT. GENERAL BRADSHAW SAID SUSPENSION OF AFGHAN POLICE TRAINING A PRECAUTION
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
ISAF Deputy: Operations Continue, Relations Remain Strong
From an International Security Assistance Force News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 2, 2012 - Suspension of training for about 1,000 recruits in the Afghan Local Police program while officials re-vet 16,300 Afghans providing security in remote areas of Afghanistan has no operational impact for Afghan police and other security forces, the International Security Assistance Force's deputy commander said today.
In a written statement, Lt. Gen. Adrian J. Bradshaw of the British army called the suspension a precautionary measure taken in response to concerns by Afghan, U.S. and other coalition commanders over recent insider attacks by gunmen in Afghan uniforms against coalition personnel.
"However, it is stressed that effective ALP operations are continuing to deliver significant results against the insurgency and that the working relationships between ALP, U.S. and other coalition partners continue to be strong," Bradshaw said. Some 8,000 commandos and 3,000 Afghan army special operations forces "continue with their normal and highly effective operational activity," he added.
The vetting status of all Afghan commandos and special operations forces also is being checked, but this has no impact on current operations, the general said.
"The measures being applied to [Afghan army] special forces and [Afghan Local Police] personnel reflects the intensive effort to recheck the vetting status of the some 350,000 [Afghan security forces] personnel as part of a number of actions recently instituted to reinforce existing precautions related to the insider threat," he said. "Much of this re-vetting task has already been completed, and numbers of individuals, where vetting status has been found to be in doubt, have been suspended pending further investigation, or removed from the force."
Senior ISAF and Afghan security forces commanders and Afghan security ministers attended a conference yesterday chaired by Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, ISAF commander, "to develop joint solutions to add to the already intensive effort to protect all of our soldiers, Afghan and coalition, from the insider threat, noting that Afghan and ISAF alike have suffered," Bradshaw said.
Participants in the meeting noted that the campaign continues to move forward, with the insurgents under constant pressure and resorting to ever more desperate measures, such as improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings, while the Afghan forces grow stronger and more confident day by day, the general said. "We expressed confidence that the [Afghan forces] will be more than capable of taking over full responsibility for Afghanistan's security in 2014, and will thereafter enjoy strong international support," he added.
The synergy between the Afghan government and military and the coalition already has resulted in several concrete measures to defeat the insider threat, Bradshaw said, noting several new initiatives being implemented:
-- Improvements to the vetting process for new recruits;
-- Increasing the number of counterintelligence teams;
-- Introduction of interview procedures for Afghan soldiers returning from leave;
-- A new warning and reporting system for insider threats;
-- Enhanced intelligence exchange between Afghan security forces and ISAF;
-- Establishment of an anonymous reporting system;
-- Improved training for counterintelligence agents;
-- Establishment of a joint investigation commission when insider threats occur; and
-- Enhanced cultural training that includes visits to coalition home training centers by Afghan cultural and religious affairs advisors, which were authorized by Afghan President Hamid Karzai this morning.
Bradshaw said that on behalf of Allen, who was away from the capital, he attended a meeting this morning of the Afghan government's National Security Council chaired by Karzai. At the meeting, he said, he presented the ISAF views on tackling the insider threat alongside Afghan security ministers and commanders. Karzai reaffirmed his strong support for the extensive measures being taken, Bradshaw said, and impressed upon his ministers and commanders "his absolute determination that we should work together to eradicate this pernicious threat."
"During the meeting, the nature of the strong and enduring partnership that the coalition and Afghan colleagues enjoy was recognized by all," Bradshaw said, "as was the fact that this common threat is serving to bring us ever closer together in our working relationship as we seek to protect the thousands of Afghan and coalition men and women in our combined force, wherever they may be serving in this theater."
EX-IMPORT BANK TOUTS 276,000 SUPPORTED BY FINANCING
Photo Credit: Wikimedia.FROM: U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
Labor Day 2012 Sees More Than 276,000 Jobs Supported by
Export Financing Provided by Ex-Im Bank
WASHINGTON, DC --- As Americans celebrate the unofficial end of summer this Labor Day, more than 276,000 American workers and their families are benefiting from jobs that are being supported by export financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank).
"Export-intensive industries pay higher wages than domestic-oriented industries in large metropolitan areas," said Fred P. Hochberg, chairman and president of Ex-Im. "So this Labor Day Ex-Im Bank is again on track for another record year providing financing for buyers of U.S. goods and services, and in doing so is fulfilling its mission of helping create and sustain American jobs."
As August began Ex-Im Bank had authorized 3,055 separate transactions totaling $25.8 billion, which in turn supported about $39 billion in export sales.
Businesses employing dozens to thousands of Americans are supported by Ex-Im Bank financing. Among the companies benefitting from export financing from Ex-Im are:
· Trench-Tech International, Inc. a small business in Roanoke, Texas is exporting its TT2550 chain trencher to a buyer in Mexico with the support of a $970,000 Ex-Im guaranteed medium-term loan from Citi Commercial Bank.
· Tetra Tech, a small business in Pasadena, Calif. is supplying design and construction services for a desperately-needed water supply system in Sri Lanka because of a $64.9 million Ex-Im Bank direct loan to the Sri Lankan government. The transaction will support approximately 400 American jobs in Denver and Longmont, Colo.; Morris Plains, N.J.; Langhorne, Pa.; and Fairfax, Va.
· The Boeing Co. employed thousands of workers in Washington State and elsewhere to complete and deliver to Ethiopian Airlines the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivered to any airline outside of Japan, which is also the first 787 to be financed by Ex-Im Bank.
TRAINING OF AFGHAN LOCAL POLICE SUSPENDED
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
U.S. Suspends Afghan Local Police Training for Further Vetting
Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan and International Security Assistance Force News Releases
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2012 - In light of a recent rise in insider attacks against coalition forces, U.S. Forces Afghanistan officials have suspended the training of about 1,000 Afghan Local Police recruits, pending re-vetting of current participants in the program.
Officials emphasized that partnered operations with Afghan forces will continue, and that NATO training for the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police are not affected by the suspension of training for the local police program, in which U.S. forces train recruits, in cooperation with Afghanistan's Interior Ministry and provincial police chiefs, to provide security in remote communities.
"While we have full trust and confidence in our Afghan partners, we believe this is a necessary step to validate our vetting process and ensure the quality indicative of Afghan Local Police," Army Col. Thomas Collins, U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman, said in a written statement.
"Special Operations Forces has a strong and trusted relationship with its Afghan partners that has endured more than a decade," Collins added. "Despite the recent rise in insider attacks, they are relatively rare among [special operations] partnered forces. Special operations remains fully committed to a close and productive relationship with our Afghan partners."
Meanwhile, International Security Assistance Force officials announced yesterday that Afghan and Australian troops on a partnered mission in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province had captured a key facilitator who orchestrated an Aug. 29 insider attack that killed three Australian soldiers and wounded two others.
The facilitator also was responsible for the placement of roadside bombs and the kidnapping and murder of Afghan civilians, officials said, adding that the operation was planned and executed in coordination with Afghan officials, including approval by the Uruzgan provincial governor.
Also yesterday, insurgents using vehicle-borne bombs attacked a base shared by Afghan and coalition forces in the Sayed Abad district of Afghanistan's Wardak province.
The attack did not breach the base's perimeter, and there were no follow-on enemy actions, officials said. The explosions caused significant damage to the nearby Sayed Abad district center and killed an undisclosed number of civilians.
"We believe this attack bears the mark of the Haqqani network, which continues to target and kill innocent Afghans and blatantly violates Afghan sovereignty," said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, ISAF commander. "I offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in this horrible attack. I condemn these atrocities in the strongest of terms."
ARMY AND NFL WORK TO IMPROVE AWARENESS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Army, NFL Team Up to Fight Brain Injuries
By David Vergun
Army News Service
WEST POINT, N.Y., Aug. 31, 2012 - The Army and the National Football League are working together to improve awareness of traumatic brain injury and increase research into its causes, prevention and treatment.
The top leaders of both organizations -- Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell -- met at the U.S. Military Academy Aug. 30 to discuss the issue and sign a letter of agreement to continue sharing resources to combat TBI.
They were joined by a panel of soldiers and retired NFL players who have had concussions while serving on the battlefield and the playing field. About 200 cadets also attended, as well as representatives from Army medicine.
Odierno explained how some of the best traits in soldiers can sometimes prevent them from seeking help following concussions.
"Mental and physical toughness, discipline, team over self and stressing the importance of resilience are fundamental to the cultures of both the NFL and the Army," Odierno said. "We have the Warrior Ethos, reinforced by the Soldier's Creed."
These selfless traits, he said, make it "particularly difficult for individuals to come forward and identify physical and mental issues, especially mental.".
"We are seeking to educate both players and soldiers about TBI, to empower them to seek treatment both on the battlefield and playing field," Odierno said.
The Army and NFL are continuing their dialogue and sharing of research on TBI, said Odierno, citing examples of joint efforts at monitoring TBI, including placing special sensors in the helmets of soldiers and NFL players that can detect a possible concussion following trauma to the head.
NFL players and soldiers are now coordinating strategies and using special types of tests to determine if a concussion has occurred, added Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, chair, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington. He expects research to continue to reduce TBI.
The NFL commissioner then addressed the cadets. "You are the future leaders of Army," Goodell said. "Together, we can make a big difference, sharing medical research, and helping players and fighters and bringing a greater awareness to society as well. I believe we can change our cultures, with athletes and soldiers sharing their experiences."
The cultural shift to which Goodell referred is the reluctance of many football players and soldiers to ask for help after receiving concussions.
"A frank conversation needs to take place at the lowest levels, with the people most powerful in soldiers' lives -- not me, but their platoon sergeants and first sergeants," Odierno said. "Soldiers must be made to realize that there will not be retribution of any kind for asking for help."
"Sometimes the NCOs must make the decision for the soldiers and not penalize them," said Army Staff Sgt. Shawn Hibbard, addressing the reluctance of many soldiers to seek help on their own. "When I got blown up I felt like, 'Hey, I'm mentally still in the fight.' That NCO must check those injured and remove them from the fight so they can get better." Hibbard said he suffered concussions himself during recent combat operations, but was reluctant to seek help.
Maj. Christopher Molino, who also suffered a concussion during recent combat operations, agreed that small unit leaders must step in and take charge. "Removing yourself is counterintuitive to soldiers' instincts. That's why good leadership is important."
Former NFL player Troy Vincent said he had a concussion on the football field so severe, that he was unconscious and didn't recall the event. No one got him to seek help, he explained. "They protected me with some play calls and didn't expose my weakness at the time," he said.
"The coach told me that 70 percent of you is better than 100 percent of the second string [players]," meaning that despite losing 30 percent of his ability to play due to concussion, he was still better than many of the uninjured players. Vincent was a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins.
Bart Oates, who also suffered a concussion on the playing field, agreed that the mindset is hard to change. He played center for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
Goodell said that old school mentality of not asking for help will no longer be tolerated. He stressed the importance of accountability. "Myself, the coaches and other members of this organization have a responsibility to make the lives of players better, both on and off the field," he said, adding that he hopes those in other sports -- especially young athletes -- get the message and provide proper leadership and supervision.
"We need to learn to rely on the players to do the right thing; to raise their hand if they need help or ask others to seek assistance," he said. "Someone needs to say 'Hey, you're not feeling too well,' and allow medical personnel to make the call whether to stay in the game. The coaches or players should not make that call. You can play smart as well as tough. Seeking help is playing smart."
The commissioner said he's not satisfied that enough progress has been made. "We're not going to stop; we're going to continue, we're going to make a difference."
Odierno agreed that more has to be done, despite recent policies and directives designed to protect the health of soldiers.
Army Directive-Type Memorandum 09-033, for instance, stipulates that soldiers have a minimum of 24 hours of downtime and get a medical clearance before returning to duty following a blast or vehicle incident.
Maj. Sarah Goldman, program director of Army Traumatic Brain Injury at the Office of the Surgeon General, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Division, emphasized that seeking help more often than not does not take a soldier "out of the fight." She said more than 13,000 service members sustained some form of concussion since 2010 and 95 percent were returned to duty.
Odierno, who played high school football, admitted that he likely would not have sought medical attention for a concussion. "I wouldn't have taken myself out. Someone else would have had to." He added that kind of thinking is wrong.
"I worry about our leaders more than anyone else. They're the ones who feel the burden of leadership and responsibility. They're the ones who won't take themselves out of the fight. I'm asking that leaders look after leaders," he implored. "First sergeants looking after NCOs, sergeants major looking after commanders, senior commanders looking out for junior commanders. We've got to have a bond to take care of each other."
The Army and the NFL have had a close working relationship over the last few years. "It was my honor to visit soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Goodell. "Our cultures are similar in so many ways. We owe it to our players and soldiers [to remove the stigma of seeking help]."
"Having played football and been the senior commander in Iraq for almost five years, I've personally seen the impact of traumatic brain injury," Odierno said. "Roger and I got together on several occasions. He's passionate about taking care of his players. Our organizations make a really good match. I'm excited."
Odierno said he hopes the initiative helps both soldiers and football players.
U.S. MARSHALS TO AUCTION SEIZED AIRCRAFT
FROM: U.S. U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE
U.S. Marshals Preview Seized Aircraft to be Sold at Public Auction
San Juan, PR
–
The U.S. Marshals recently conducted a preview of six aircraft in Aguadilla that will be sold at public auction Sept. 5 in Midland, Texas.
The aircraft were part of a seizure conducted in December 2011 shortly after a search warrant was executed by the Drug Enforcement Administration in relation to the investigation of Santo Seda-Rodriguez.
Seda-Rodriguez, owner and pilot of Jeshua Air Services, was the subject of an investigation by the Dominican National Drug Enforcement authorities as well as a federal investigation in the U.S., after 58 kilograms of cocaine were seized in an aircraft allegedly recorded under his name at the Americas International Airport in the Dominican Republic. The next day Seda-Rodriguez’s body was found in the Dominican Republic by local authorities, allegedly beaten to death.
The auction will take place at the Midland International Airport in the Aeromod hanger at 2506 North Pliska Drive. The U.S. Marshals will sell the aircraft "as is," and reserve the right to pull any aircraft from the auction at any time prior to the sale date without notice.
"The U.S. Marshals Service plays a critical role by managing and selling assets seized and forfeited by federal law enforcement agencies nationwide," said U.S. Marshal Orlando Rivera of the District of Puerto Rico.
Proceeds generated from asset sales are used to compensate victims, supplement funding for law enforcement initiatives, and support community programs.
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS EXTRADITION FROM MEXICO IS A MILESTONE
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEFriday, August 31, 2012
Eduardo Arellano-Felix Extradited from Mexico to the United States to Face Charges
Key Advisor to Arellano-Felix Organization’s Leadership
WASHINGTON - Eduardo Arellano-Felix, 55, one of the alleged members of the Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO), was extradited today by the government of Mexico to the United States to face racketeering, money laundering and narcotics trafficking charges in the Southern District of California.
The extradition was announced by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department?s Criminal Division. Arellano-Felix was arrested by Mexican authorities in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, on Oct. 25, 2008, following a gun battle with a Mexican Special Tactical Team. A final order of extradition to the United States was granted in 2010. After two years of unsuccessful appeals, Arellano-Felix arrived in the United States this afternoon. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in U.S. District Court in San Diego before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Lynn Major.
U.S. Attorney Duffy, whose office secured the indictment against Arellano-Felix, said, "This extradition is a significant step in our effort to bring another key figure in the Arellano Felix Organization to answer, in an American court of law, to very serious charges. We are grateful to the Government of Mexico for its assistance in the extradition."
?Today's extradition is a milestone in our fight against the Mexican drug cartels. I want to thank the Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs for its tireless work in helping to ensure that Eduardo Arellano-Felix and numerous of his alleged co-conspirators face justice in the United States,? said Assistant Attorney General Breuer.
?The extradition of Eduardo Arellano-Felix today marks the end of a 20-year DEA investigation into this vicious drug cartel,? said William R . Sherman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). ?This extradition illustrates that DEA and all its law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue these drug traffickers until they are brought to justice.?
San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Daphne Hearn said, "The FBI is pleased with Mexico's efforts to bring to justice a leader from one of the most violent criminal enterprises in our history. The spirit of cooperation between our two countries is a powerful force in disrupting the criminal activities of these groups that instill fear and threaten the safety of our citizens in the border regions of the United States."
Long-reputed to be one of the most notorious multi-national drug trafficking organizations, the AFO controlled the flow of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs through the Mexican border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali into the United States. Its operations also extended into southern Mexico as well as Colombia.
The seventh superseding indictment charges Arellano-Felix with conducting the affairs of an illegal enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity (RICO), conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine and marijuana, as well as money laundering. The indictment alleges that the leadership of the AFO negotiated directly with Colombian cocaine-trafficking organizations for the purchase of multi-ton shipments of cocaine, received those shipments by sea and by air, in Mexico, and then arranged for the smuggling of the cocaine into the United States and its further distribution throughout the U.S. The indictment also alleges that the proceeds of the AFO's drug trafficking, estimated by law enforcement to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, were then smuggled back into Mexico.
Brothers and former leaders of the AFO, Benjamin Arellano-Felix and Francisco Javier Arellano Felix, are currently serving sentences in the United States following their convictions for racketeering, drug trafficking and money laundering charges.
This case is being investigated by agents from the DEA, the FBI, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted in the Southern District of California by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Green, James Melendres and Dan Zipp. The Criminal Division=s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in the extradition. The investigation of Arellano-Felix was coordinated by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program was created to consolidate and coordinate all law enforcement resources in this country's battle against major drug trafficking rings, drug kingpins, and money launderers.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
ROAD PATROL ROBBER SENTENCED TO PRISON
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICETuesday, August 28, 2012
Former Alabama Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Money and Property from Highway Motorists
Jessie Alan Fuller, 25, of Pensacola, Fla., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge W. Keith Watkins to 37 months in prison and two years supervised release, the Justice Department announced. Fuller pleaded guilty on April 26, 2012, to one count of conspiracy against rights, a felony, and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, a misdemeanor. These charges stemmed from Fuller’s stealing money and property from motorists on Interstate 65 in central Alabama while he was a police officer with the Fort Deposit Police Department.
During his plea, Fuller admitted that he and another former Fort Deposit police officer agreed to pull over vehicles under the guise of legitimate law enforcement activity and to steal cash from drivers and passengers. Fuller further admitted that between May and June 2009, he and the other officer committed numerous thefts together, including thefts of $200 each from two separate victims and $120 from a third victim. In each of these incidents, Fuller and the other officer worked together, acting with each other’s knowledge and cooperation, and shared the stolen money. In each incident, the two officers used a marked patrol car, wore police clothing and carried a firearm. Fuller also admitted to stealing a GPS device from a driver whom he pulled over and arrested on March 14, 2009.
"This defendant abused his power as a law enforcement officer for his own financial gain. He violated not only the law, but also the public trust," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Division. "The Department of Justice is committed to holding those who abuse their authority and prey on members of the community accountable for their illegal actions."
"It is terrible to see those sworn to uphold the law, break the law and prey on the public," stated George L. Beck, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. "While it is always difficult to prosecute a member of our law enforcement community, my office is dedicated to protecting the community and seeking justice for all."
On June 12, 2012, an eight-count indictment was unsealed charging Carlos Tyson Bennett, of Greenville, Ala., as the other officer. Bennett was charged with one count of conspiracy against rights, four counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, and three counts of obstruction of justice. An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Trial is scheduled to begin in Bennett’s case on Sept. 10, 2012.
This case is being investigated by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation; the Butler County, Ala., Sheriff’s Office; and the Lowndes County, Ala., Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gray Borden for the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Chiraag Bains from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
NAVY SEAL CENSURED FOR NON-DISCLOSURE VIOLATIONN
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEPentagon Censures Ex-Navy Seal Following Non-disclosure Breach
By Amaani LyleAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2012 - The Defense Department has sent an advisory letter of material breach and non-disclosure violation to a former Navy Seal who authored a book about his participation in the Osama bin Laden raid, Pentagon officials said here today.
In the book "No Easy Day," the author, using the pen name "Mark Owen," divulges information Navy SEALs used during the raid, which Pentagon officials said may contain classified information, putting military members at risk in future operations.
"The letter ... is intended to put on record our very serious concerns about what we believe was a material breach of [a] non-disclosure agreement with the Department of Defense," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. "We take these agreements and we take our obligation to protect classified information very seriously."
In a letter sent to the publishing company and dated Aug. 30, DOD General Counsel Jeh Charles Johnson explained that Owen signed two separate non-disclosure agreements on Jan. 24, 2007, and that the author has an obligation to "never divulge" classified information.
Owen also signed a "Sensitive Compartmented Information Debriefing Memorandum" following his departure from the Navy in April 2012, and that commitment remains in force even upon leaving active duty, according to the DOD letter.
Since Owen elected to forgo pre-publication review with the department before publishing the book, the DOD is "weighing its options," in terms of what legal actions it will pursue, Little said.
"The Department of Defense has obtained and reviewed an advanced copy of the book ... In the judgment of the Department of Defense, you are in material breach and violation of the non-disclosure agreements you signed," the letter said. "Further public dissemination of your book will aggravate your breach and violation of your agreements."
"The Department is considering pursuing against you, and all those acting in concert with you, all remedies legally available to us in light of this situation," the letter added.
Little said that commendable actions or current status do not indemnify Owen or any other past and present DOD employee from punitive action should they violate the terms of non-disclosure agreements.
"I would ... applaud anyone who participated in one of the most successful military and intelligence operations in history," Little said. "But even those who participated in such a mission have a serious and enduring obligation to follow the process and to help protect classified information."
NATIONAL GUARD SERVING VALIANTLY DURING HURRICANE ISAAC DISASTER
Soldiers prepare to depart the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 28, 2012, to support potential emergency operations arising from Hurricane Isaac. The soldiers are assigned to the Louisiana National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tarell J. Bilbo
National Guardsmen Serving 'Admirably' During Isaac
By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2012 - As Tropical Depression Isaac bounds northward into the Mississippi River valley, National Guardsmen continue to provide critical support to local emergency officials and citizens throughout the Gulf states, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a briefing here today.
"Even through the storm has moved up from the Gulf, there's still work to be done," Little said. "There are still more than 3,600 National Guard personnel on duty in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama."
Little said Louisiana-Mississippi National Guardsmen are "serving admirably during the storm," and have already rescued or evacuated more than 3,400 citizens during ongoing search and rescue operations.
In addition to delivering pallets of generators, water and supplies to key facilities throughout the state, guardsmen have also set up distribution sites to provide meals, ready-to-eat, water and ice, Little said.
Military aircraft evacuated from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Duke Field, Fla., Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., have returned to base or are in the process of returning to base, Little added.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
THE INTERIOR OF MARS
FROM: NASA
Mars Interior
Artist rendition of the formation of rocky bodies in the solar system - how they form and differentiate and evolve into terrestrial planets.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
U.S.-TAIWAN ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENTStrengthening the U.S.-Taiwan Economic Relationship
Remarks
Jose W. Fernandez
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
American Chamber of Commerce
Taipei, Taiwan
August 5, 2012
I. Introduction
Thank you. This is my first trip to Taiwan and I continue to marvel at the numerous cultural and economic ties that bind our people. One of our ties was illustrated to me as I read the paper this morning. I enjoyed seeing that Jeremy Lin’s visit took top billing in the newspaper, and the meeting between President Ma and I drew a little less attention.
Let me give you just one example that is illustrative of the larger U.S. – Taiwan relationship. It is a great American tradition to start new companies in a home garage. In an Irvine, California garage in 1988 Linksys was born. The creators of this now ubiquitous line of home computer networking devices were Taiwan immigrants Janie and Victor Tsao. At the time they founded Linksys, they were also working as consultants specializing in pairing U.S. technology vendors with manufacturers in Taiwan. That pairing has become emblematic of the U.S. – Taiwan economic relationship. The latest numbers show that two-way trade between the United States and Taiwan in electrical machinery hovers around $23 billion per year.
II. Strategic Rebalancing Toward Asia
While Taiwan has been exemplary as one of the so-called "Asian Tigers," I want to put our economic relationship with Taiwan in the larger Asian context before discussing Taiwan specifically. That larger context is our work on the Trans Pacific Partnership, and the Select USA initiative.
As you know, the global economic crisis of the past few years has pushed us in the United States to pursue our own economic recovery. This is a two-sided coin, with an eye toward regional trade liberalization on one side, and concerted efforts to attract more foreign investment to the United States on the other. At all levels of the U.S. government, we are broadening and deepening our economic relationships throughout the Asia Pacific region. We are acutely aware that reinvigorating our economy at home goes hand in hand with partnering on economic growth abroad.
The United States has long been involved in developments in the Asia Pacific region. We are proud that our contributions to regional security here helped create the conditions that brought more people out of poverty faster than anywhere else in history. That engagement continues today and the futures of the United States and the Asia Pacific are inextricably linked. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has highlighted, we are not just a diplomatic or military power here. We are an economic force as well. In 2010 alone, our exports to the Pacific Rim were over $320 billion, supporting 850,000 American jobs.
But our work is not finished. One of our country’s great challenges in this century will be to establish a stronger network of trade links and practices around the Pacific Rim. Our recently enacted Free Trade Agreements with South Korea and Colombia, and our commitment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, are clear demonstrations that we are here to stay.
I am proud to note that the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) has been a very active promoter of these efforts. In fact, they have been so successful in working to promote America’s economic relationship with Taiwan that I was able to personally congratulate the former Director, Bill Stanton, on winning my award for export promotion in 2011. He also received the State Department’s coveted Cobb award for global trade promotion efforts. That’s two awards in the same year to one man, something that doesn’t happen very often in the State Department. The AIT team in Taipei and Kaohsiung ("GOW shung") is carrying on that tradition and I expect great achievements from the incoming leadership team here in Taipei.
All of these individual efforts fit into our larger work toward regional trade liberalization. Also supporting this effort is our commitment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Looking ahead to the next generation of trade agreements, we are aiming at crafting an agreement that addresses new and emerging trade issues and challenges. The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, includes the United States, along with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. It is a high-standard, broad-based regional agreement. We see the TPP as the most credible pathway to broader Asia-Pacific regional economic integration.
The agreement will include core issues traditionally found in trade agreements, such as industrial goods, agriculture, and textiles as well as rules on intellectual property, technical barriers to trade, labor, and the environment. But it will also address cross-cutting issues not previously found in trade agreements, such as making the regulatory systems of TPP countries more compatible so U.S. companies can operate more seamlessly in TPP markets. It will also help innovative, job-creating small- and medium-sized enterprises participate more actively in international trade. Equally important is addressing new emerging trade issues, such as trade and investment in innovative products and services, and ensuring that state-owned enterprises compete fairly with private companies and do not distort competition in ways that put U.S. companies and workers at a disadvantage.
The United States is participating in the TPP as the best vehicle to advance our economic interests and to promote economic growth and development in the critical Asia-Pacific region. Expanding U.S. exports is critical to our economic recovery and to the creation and retention of high-quality jobs in the United States. With its rapid growth and large markets, there is no region with which expanding our trade is more vital than the Asia Pacific.
The TPP countries recently announced the addition of Mexico and Canada to the negotiations. Late last year Japan also formally expressed interest in beginning consultations with TPP member countries with a view to possibly joining the negotiations. Candidate countries for TPP must demonstrate through their actions and through bilateral consultations with each TPP country their readiness to meet the standards and objectives of the agreement. Once those bilateral processes are concluded, the current TPP partners must decide by consensus before a new member can participate. In short, we are excited by the possibilities created in the Asia-Pacific by the TPP, and are working very hard to make it a reality by the end of this year.
Let’s move on to another program we just started, Select USA. So one side of the coin of economic recovery is expanding opportunities for U.S. companies to do business effectively abroad. The other side of that coin is the work that we do at home to encourage investment in the United States. The United States consistently ranks at the top of most major indicators for its attractive business and investment climate. In fact, from 2006 through 2010, the United States received more FDI than any other country. The FDI flow into the United States in 2010 - $228 billion - was more than double the flow into any other country in the world, and despite economic difficulties of the time, 49 percent greater than the FDI flow into the United States in 2009. At the same time, total Taiwan direct investment flow in the United States was over $5 billion in 2010, an increase of 14.7% from 2009.
Under a program called SelectUSA, the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State engage partners around the world, as I am doing here, to promote investment into our dynamic economy. SelectUSA showcases how the United States is the world’s premier business location and provides easy access to federal-level programs and services related to business investment.
Why do I say that the United States is the world’s premier business location? Because we are the world’s largest economy; we consistently rank at the top of most major indicators for our attractive business and investment climate; our own investment in research and development makes us the world’s center for innovation; and our leadership in protecting intellectual property with a transparent and predictable legal system makes doing business in the U.S. both cost-efficient and secure. Also, one of the strongest reasons will always be the quality of our higher education, particularly in science and engineering. Taiwan people in the United States are well aware of this: 80 percent have achieved some level of higher education, particularly in these fields and in medicine. I understand that the U.S. regulatory environment can be daunting to some investors, but through our hardworking representatives at the American Institute in Taiwan, and SelectUSA and other U.S. government partners back in Washington, we can help connect investors with the business counseling and training they may need to comply with applicable regulations.
We can also direct you to the different states’ economic development agencies, making sure you get connected to the right partners for your investment selection process.
III. U. S. – Taiwan Economic Relations
Where does Taiwan figure into this picture? How can Taiwan partner with us and benefit from this wealth creation? Today, Taiwan is our 10th largest trading partner and our 15th largest export market. It would surprise many people but the United States actually trades more with Taiwan than with France; and Taiwan-U.S. trade is at near the same level as India-U.S. bilateral trade. The United States is Taiwan’s largest foreign investor, and Taiwan companies have made significant investments in the United States. Historically, the United States has been the strongest champion of Taiwan’s participation in global trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization and the APEC forum. Our strong economic relationship covers more than six decades. Taiwan has been an invaluable partner in influencing others to embrace reform and strive for economic growth.
In recent years, however, this immensely valuable relationship has hit some bumps in the road that hinder our partnership and progress. We can’t afford these bumps and need to make sure that they do not detract from efforts to make full use of our potential. We were pleased to see that the Legislative Yuan recently took action that will clear the path for Taiwan to establish a maximum residue limit for ractopamine in beef, eliminating a serious impediment to U.S. beef imports. U.S. trade agencies will be monitoring implementation of the regulatory measures needed to allow U.S. beef imports to resume. These steps will be important in helping to rebuild confidence in our bilateral trade relationship.
We know from our own experience that adhering to bilateral and multilateral trade commitments is not always easy, but it is essential to maintaining the credibility that serves as the foundation of what has long been a positive, constructive relationship between trading partners.
Of course our bilateral economic relationship goes well beyond this particular issue and we have continued to engage Taiwan at the working level and via our capable colleagues at AIT on the full range of important bilateral trade and investment issues. For example, the United States worked for many years in support of Taiwan’s candidacy to join the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. These joint efforts were rewarded when Taiwan acceded to the Agreement in 2009. Taiwan has already made many reforms to its procurement practices, and we stand ready to assist as Taiwan continues to harmonize its measures with global best practices with regard to transparency, contract terms, and licensing.
Taiwan has made tremendous progress over the years in improving intellectual property rights protection and enforcement, and the United States has carried out significant bilateral cooperation activities on intellectual property rights—IPR—issues. Still, challenges remain, including with regard to online infringement and the theft of trade secrets. During my time here in Taiwan I have visited companies that have had their technology stolen and heard their stories. For U.S. firms the protection of IPR is so vital because so many of our exports derive from IPR. A recent study estimated that 75% of U.S. exports involve IPR. Taiwan aspires to be an economy based on innovation, and together our unceasing efforts will ensure that Taiwan’s IPR enforcement regime meets the highest standards. Improved protection of trade secrets in Taiwan will help both foreign and domestic firms be competitive and innovative in today’s knowledge-based economy. The bottom line: we have made major progress over the years on many critical issues when both sides have been prepared to work together. The United States sincerely desires a reinvigorated trade relationship with Taiwan. It’s already generally good, but we can do better.
Like the United States, Taiwan is also pursuing trade liberalization. We understand the Ma Administration has indicated a desire to be considered for the TPP in eight years. As a gold standard for future trade agreements in the region, the TPP requires members to embrace ambitious and comprehensive liberalization and open their markets to competition. We commend President Ma for recognizing the importance of trade integration, and for his expressed determination to push forward liberalization measures that would help Taiwan make its case as a possible candidate for future trade agreements.
Change will not be easy, but the benefits of liberalization are clear: stronger and more competitive firms, better services, wider availability of products at lower prices, greater efficiency, and smoother integration into the world marketplace. More comprehensive economic liberalization will be an essential component for securing Taiwan's economic future. Real liberalization will demonstrate Taiwan's commitment to trade integration and potential inclusion in various trade arrangements. This includes comprehensive, bilateral FTAs—such as Taiwan's ongoing negotiations with Singapore—which is an important first step. As Taiwan's leaders implement meaningful market liberalization measures and pursue new trade agreements, firm resolve and commitment to free market principles as a responsible WTO member are essential attributes to live by. We look forward to deepening our trade and economic interaction with Taiwan. We will support Taiwan as it embraces these fundamental prerequisites to effective and meaningful trade integration. Everyone in this room is an important element of what we hope to do.
IV. Next Steps & Conclusion
Just as Janie and Victor Tsao understood when they founded Linksys nearly 25 years ago, trade between Taiwan and the United States is vital to the prosperity of both. The United States and Taiwan have a long and positive history of cooperation and many shared interests in the region. We are hopeful that the positive recent steps Taiwan has taken to address the beef issue are a demonstration of the sustained commitment that will be needed to reenergize our bilateral trade dialogue. To be sure, Taiwan, like any democracy, will face tough choices in order to live up to its international obligations and to put its long-term economic interests above domestic politics. Taiwan is a part of the Asia-Pacific region’s economic future. We look forward to working with Taiwan as it builds cooperative and credible partnerships throughout the region, including with the United States.
PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS/VETS
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Obama: Improve Mental Health Access, Care for Military, Vets
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2012 - President Barack Obama today signed an executive order that provides increased access to mental health services for service members, military families and veterans.The order, signed as Obama left Washington for a visit to Fort Bliss, Texas, directs the Defense Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other key federal departments to expand suicide-prevention strategies and to take new steps to meet the demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services, White House officials said.
The president is expected to share details about the new initiative today during a private roundtable discussion with soldiers and their families at Fort Bliss and during an address to the troops.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the new provisions underscore the U.S. government's commitment to strengthening the health of the military force and providing additional support to combat "two unseen wounds" of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
The executive order:
-- Strengthens suicide-prevention efforts across the force and in the veteran community;
-- Enhances access to mental health care by building partnerships between the Department of Veterans Affairs and community providers;
-- Increases the number of VA mental health providers serving veterans; and
-- Promotes mental health research and development of more effective ways to prevent, identify and treat PTSD, TBI and other related injuries.
More than 2 million service members have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001, serving tours of unprecedented duration and frequency, White House officials noted in announcing the new executive order.
"Long deployments and intense combat conditions require optimal support for the emotional and mental health needs of our service members and their families," they said.
The executive order builds on efforts already under way within the Defense Department, VA and other federal agencies to ensure veterans and active, Guard and Reserve service members and their families get the support they deserve, officials noted.
In terms of suicide prevention, the executive order directs VA to increase the capacity of its veteran crisis line by 50 percent by the year's end. It also calls on VA to ensure that no veteran who reports being in crisis should have to wait more than 24 hours to be connected to a mental health professional or trained mental health worker.
VA also will work with the Defense Department to establish a national, 12-month suicide prevention campaign focused on connecting veterans to mental health services, officials reported.
To ensure veterans have access to these services, the executive order also calls on VA and the Department of Health and Human Services to establish at least 15 pilot sites where VA can partner with local mental health providers. This initiative, officials said, will help ensure services are available in regions where VA has had trouble hiring or placing providers.
The order also directs VA and HHS to develop a plan to increase access to mental health care in rural communities.
In addition, VA will hire 800 peer-to-peer support counselors to help veterans support each other and ensure that their mental health needs are met.
That's on top of VA's ongoing effort to hire 1,600 new mental health care professionals by June 2013. VA has hired more than 3,500 mental health professionals since 2009, and the new executive order includes recruiting incentives to build on that momentum.
The new order rallies interagency support in confronting mental health and substance abuse support for veterans, service members and their families. It establishes an interagency task force to recommend new strategies, and calls on DOD, VA, DHHS and the Department of Education to devise a national plan to improve PTSD and TBI diagnosis and treatment. A comprehensive study included in that plan will delve into better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these and other mental health challenges, officials said.
RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS
FROM: U.S. NAVY
120826-N-KB563-346 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 26, 2012) An AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 approaches the flight deck during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed amphibious assault group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell/Released)
120830-N-KB563-091 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 30, 2012) AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 sit on the flight deck aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at sunset off the coast of White Beach Naval Facility. Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell/Released)
U.S. ARMY MASTER SGT. PLEADS GUILTY TO TAKING BRIBES IN IRAQ
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
U.S. Army Master Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Defrauding U.S. Government
WASHINGTON – A U.S. Army master sergeant pleaded guilty today to accepting thousands of dollars in gratuities from contractors during his deployment to Iraq as a field ordering officer at a forward operating base in Iraq, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina William N. Nettles.
Julio Soto Jr., 52, of Columbus, Ga., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Chief Judge Margaret B. Seymour in the District of South Carolina to a criminal information charging him with one count of conspiracy to accept illegal gratuities.
According to court documents, Soto was a master sergeant in the U.S. Army, deployed to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Hammer in Iraq, as a field ordering officer (FOO), a public official. FOO funds are used to purchase miscellaneous items and supplies such as paint, lumber and plywood from local vendors. It is a violation of federal law for field ordering officers to accept gratuities from contractors dependent upon them for contracts.
In or about March 2007 through October 2008, Soto, along with an alleged U.S. Army co-conspirator, was involved with the construction of a government building at FOB Hammer by local Iraqi contractors. Soto and his alleged co-conspirator unlawfully sought, received and accepted illegal gratuities for helping Iraqi contractors gain U.S. government contracts, and then purchased U.S. Postal money orders with the illegal proceeds and mailed them back to the United States.
At sentencing, Soto faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain or loss, and up to three years of supervised release. As part of his plea agreement, Soto agreed to pay $62,542 plus interest in restitution to the United States.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Trial Attorney Mark Grider of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, on detail from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean A. Eichelberger of the District of South Carolina. The case is being investigated by SIGIR, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Major Procurement Fraud Unit of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
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