The FBI arrested its founder,
Anatoly Legkodymov, on Jan.
17 in Miami.
Today, the Department of Justice has dealt a significant blow to the crypto crime ecosystem, General Lisa Monaco, Deputy Attorney General, via statement .
U.S. officials allege that the crypto exchange processed
over $700 million in illegal funds by not having a proper anti-money laundering program in place.
The Justice Department and Treasury Department officials also allege that Bitzlato was aware of some of this criminal activity.
Bitzlato was particularly active in
facilitating illicit activity, but it is
ultimately part of a larger, larger ecosystem
of cyber criminals that are allowed to
operate with impunity within Russia, Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Treasury Secretary, via statement.
'The Hill' reports that a large part of the criminal complaint centers on Bitzlato's relationship with a Russian-based darknet market known as Hyrda Marketplace.
According to the complaint, a
"substantial portion" of the crypto billions Hydra received came from Bitzlato wallets.
'The Hill' reports that Legkodymov resides in China.
Hate Crimes in the US , Increased in 2021, FBI Says.
CNN reports that according to new FBI data, documented hate crimes in America rose 11.6% to 9,065 in 2021.
64.5% of hate crime victims that year were targeted over their race or ethnicity.
15.9% were targeted due
to their sexual orientation.
14.1% were victimized
because of their religion.
However, according to the FBI,
many law enforcement agencies
don't accurately submit hate crime reports,
so the number of cases could be much higher.
We will not stop here: We are continuing to work with state and local law enforcement agencies across the country to increase the reporting of hate crime statistics to the FBI, Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General, via statement.
Hate crimes and the devastation they cause communities have no place in this country. , Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General, via statement.
The Justice Department is
committed to every tool and resource
at our disposal to combat bias-motivated violence in all its forms, Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General, via statement.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) says it has prosecuted over 70 people in more than
60 hate crime cases since January 2021.
The DOJ has also created
grant opportunities for individual states
to create hate crime reporting hotlines
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Dan Snyder Is Under Investigation , Over Line of Credit Taken Out by Commanders.
According to ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., federal prosecutors have made a "secret" $55 million loan the "primary focus" of their investigation.
According to ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., federal prosecutors have made a "secret" $55 million loan the "primary focus" of their investigation.
FBI and IRS agents are involved
in the criminal inquiry.
FBI and IRS agents are involved
in the criminal inquiry.
The loan was reportedly included in the team's
April 2020 financial report as a footnote. .
The note revealed a $55 million credit line
the team had taken out 16 months earlier without the knowledge and required approval of Snyder's minority partnersāthe three billionaires who owned 40 percent of the franchise, according to documents
obtained by ESPN. , Van Natta, via Bleacher Report.
Snyder's former partners, Fred Smith, Dwight Schar and Robert Rothman, reportedly "demanded" that the NFL should look into where Snyder got the loan.
Smith, Schar and Rothman claim Snyder treated
the Commanders as his "personal piggy bank.".
The former minority owners were bought out when the NFL approved Snyder's bid to acquire their 40.5% stake for $875 million. .
A source told Van Natta that the league
"had no interest in finding out what happened.".
Neither the NFL's arbitrator nor
Roger Goodell looked into the matter.
Neither the NFL's arbitrator nor
Roger Goodell looked into the matter.
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight also recently found Snyder had perpetuated "sexual harassment, bullying and other toxic conduct" within the organization.
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight also recently found Snyder had perpetuated "sexual harassment, bullying and other toxic conduct" within the organization
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
British number one Emma Raducanu is out of the Miami Open after losing to Canada's Bianca Andreescu in a thrilling battle between two former teenage US Open.. BBC Sport
Def Leppard Drummer Thanks Fans , for Support After Being Attacked in Florida.
Def Leppard Drummer Thanks Fans , for Support After Being Attacked in Florida.
'The Guardian' reports that Rick Allen,
the one-armed drummer for rock band
Def Leppard, was attacked on March 12.
The 59-year-old was smoking outside of a hotel
when he was beaten and knocked to the ground.
19-year-old Max Edward Hartley
has been charged with battery.
Allen took to Instagram on March 20 to
thank everyone for their support as he heals.
Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Your love and prayers are truly helping. My wife Lauren was thankfully not with me
at the time of the incident. , Rick Allen, via Instagram.
To all of the fans, veterans, and first responders in our global community we are thinking of you all. Together with love, we can all get through these difficult times, Rick Allen, via Instagram.
'The Guardian' reports that last weekend, Miami Beach officials initiated a curfew as two deadly shootings occurred among spring break crowds.
'The Guardian' reports that last weekend, Miami Beach officials initiated a curfew as two deadly shootings occurred among spring break crowds.
Mayor Dan Gelber said that the crowds and guns "created a peril that cannot go unchecked.".
We donāt ask for spring break in our city. We donāt want spring break in our city. Itās too rowdy, itās too much disorder and itās
too difficult to police, Dan Gelber, Miami mayor, via statement.
We donāt ask for spring break in our city. We donāt want spring break in our city. Itās too rowdy, itās too much disorder and itās
too difficult to police, Dan Gelber, Miami mayor, via statement.
It's not clear if Allen's attacker
was on spring break.
It's not clear if Allen's attacker
was on spring break.
Allen was in Fort Lauderdale
to play a Def Leppard show in celebration
of their 40th anniversary as a band
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Jeff Thomas, a model with a big social media following, has died after cops received a call that he had taken his own life ... TMZ has learned. Law enforcement.. TMZ.com
DOJ and SEC Launch Investigations , Into SVB Collapse.
Last week, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation shut down Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and made the FDIC its receiver.
Last week, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation shut down Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and made the FDIC its receiver.
NBC News reports that on March 14,
the U.S. Justice Department opened an investigation into the bank's demise.
According to two sources with knowledge of the matter, part of the DOJ's probe will seek to determine whether bank executives unloaded any stock ahead of the collapse.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a separate investigation. .
According to the FDIC, SVB's collapse marked the second-biggest on record after Washington Mutual.
According to the FDIC, SVB's collapse marked the second-biggest on record after Washington Mutual.
NBC News reports that on March 12, the FDIC, Federal Reserve and Treasury Department said SVB deposits would be backed in excess of the federally-insured cap of $250,000.
The fall of SVB prompted Signature Bank customers to withdraw over $10 billion in deposits out of fear on March 10, ultimately leading to the bank's collapse as well.
The fall of SVB prompted Signature Bank customers to withdraw over $10 billion in deposits out of fear on March 10, ultimately leading to the bank's collapse as well.
President Biden attempted to
reassure the public that America's
banking system is safe on March 13.
Thanks to the quick action of my administration over the past few days, Americans can have confidence that
the banking system is safe. , President Joe Biden, via statement.
Your deposits will be there
when you need them, President Joe Biden, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Announces , New Round
of Sanctions , on Russia.
Fox News reports that the United States is hitting Russia
with a fresh round of sanctions aimed at undermining the country's ability to continue its war on Ukraine.
Fox News reports that the United States is hitting Russia
with a fresh round of sanctions aimed at undermining the country's ability to continue its war on Ukraine.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced
the new sanctions on Feb. 24, which include Russia's metals and mining sector. .
G7 partners and other allies aim to hinder Russia's access
to the funds, resources and technology that its
military relies on to sustain its invasion of Ukraine.
G7 partners and other allies aim to hinder Russia's access
to the funds, resources and technology that its
military relies on to sustain its invasion of Ukraine.
Fox News reports that the sanctions
target over 200 individuals
and entities linked to Russia. .
The sanctions apply to producers of
carbon fiber, a crucial material for
the production of defense systems.
Also targeted by the new sanctions is Russia's technology
and electronics sectors, specifically producers and
importers of specialized or high-tech equipment.
As the Ukrainian people continue to valiantly
defend their homeland and their freedom,
the United States is proud to support
Ukraine through economic, security,
and humanitarian assistance, Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, via Fox News.
Over the past year, we have taken actions
with a historic coalition of international
partners to degrade Russiaās
military-industrial complex and reduce
the revenues that it uses to fund its war. , Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, via Fox News.
Our sanctions have had both short-term
and long-term impact, seen acutely in
Russiaās struggle to replenish its
weapons and in its isolated economy. , Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, via Fox News.
On February 24, the Defense Department also announced
a new $2 billion aid package for Ukraine, including artillery
ammunition and equipment to bolster air defenses.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
The Cureās Robert Smith Says , Heās āSickenedā by Ticketmaster Fees.
On March 14, Smith shared that the band would use Ticketmaster's "Verified Fan" system to help more fans get tickets to their shows.
On March 14, Smith shared that the band would use Ticketmaster's "Verified Fan" system to help more fans get tickets to their shows.
He also said that The Cure declined to utilize dynamic pricing and "Platinum" tickets because it's "a greedy scam.".
But fans are still complaining about
the fees Ticketmaster collects.
Smith took to Twitter to respond.
Meanwhile, Ticketmaster is facing a
Senate hearing over its inability to provide tickets for Taylor Swift's upcoming tour.
Meanwhile, Ticketmaster is facing a
Senate hearing over its inability to provide tickets for Taylor Swift's upcoming tour.
lawsuits from fans, and "unprecedented' ticket fraud at Bad Bunny's Mexico City concert.
lawsuits from fans, and "unprecedented' ticket fraud at Bad Bunny's Mexico City concert.
The Justice Department launched an antitrust investigation into Live Nation Entertainment last year
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
US Government Files Lawsuit , Against Rite Aid for Contributing to , the Opioid Crisis.
On March 13, the United States government sued Rite Aid Corp,
claiming that the pharmacy chain missed "red flags" while filling
hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances.
On March 13, the United States government sued Rite Aid Corp,
claiming that the pharmacy chain missed "red flags" while filling
hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances.
NBC reports that the complaint filed by the Department of Justice alleges that prescriptions were filled that were medically unnecessary.
NBC reports that the complaint filed by the Department of Justice alleges that prescriptions were filled that were medically unnecessary.
The complaint also alleges that these prescriptions
for controlled substances, including opioids,
were filled between May of 2014 and June of 2019.
The Justice Department is using
every tool at our disposal to confront
the opioid epidemic that is killing
Americans and shattering
communities across the country, Merrick Garland, United States Attorney General, via NBC.
According to the lawsuit, Rite Aid pharmacists ignored obvious signs of abuse and intentionally deleted
internal warnings regarding suspicious prescribers.
According to the lawsuit, Rite Aid pharmacists ignored obvious signs of abuse and intentionally deleted
internal warnings regarding suspicious prescribers.
One of the nation's largest
pharmacy chains, Rite Aid, operates
over 2,330 stores across 17 states.
'NYT' reports that the Justice Department also accuses
the pharmacy chain of violating the federal False
Claims Act in regard to government healthcare programs.
Along with Rite Aid, the Justice Department has also filed
lawsuits against Walmart Inc and drug distributor
AmerisourceBergen Corp for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis.
Along with Rite Aid, the Justice Department has also filed
lawsuits against Walmart Inc and drug distributor
AmerisourceBergen Corp for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis.
Between 1999 and 2020, over 500,000 people
died of drug overdoses in the United States. .
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, in 2020 alone,
over 90,000 people died from overdoses
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Goldman Sachs' Big Payout , From Silicon Valley Bank Collapse, Raises Questions.
Goldman Sachs' Big Payout , From Silicon Valley Bank Collapse, Raises Questions.
'The New York Times' reports that Silicon Valley Bank
(SVB) adviser Goldman Sachs is expected to make
over $100 million following the collapse of the bank.
'The New York Times' reports that Silicon Valley Bank
(SVB) adviser Goldman Sachs is expected to make
over $100 million following the collapse of the bank.
In the days leading up to SVB's
demise, Goldman Sachs reportedly
purchased $21.4 billion of the bank's debt. .
'NYT' reports that SVB was warned
that it faced a possible downgrade
by Moody's in early March. .
At the time, SVB called on
Goldman Sachs for advice on
shoring up the bank's books.
Ultimately, Goldman's two-part plan
for SVB to raise capital and sell off its
debt failed, and the bank collapsed.
According to the 'NYT,' questions have been
raised regarding Goldman Sachs' compensation
and how it managed its relationship with SVB.
According to the 'NYT,' questions have been
raised regarding Goldman Sachs' compensation
and how it managed its relationship with SVB.
The government's extraordinary measures to
safeguard the bank's depositors are expected
to come with increased regulatory scrutiny.
The government's extraordinary measures to
safeguard the bank's depositors are expected
to come with increased regulatory scrutiny.
Meanwhile, prior to opening its investigation
into the bank's collapse, the Justice Department
unveiled a new pilot program to hold
executives responsible for corporate wrongdoing.
Lawmakers have called for clawbacks of bonuses that
were paid to executives by the bank in addition to profits
made from selling off stock in SVB's final days.
Lawmakers have called for clawbacks of bonuses that
were paid to executives by the bank in addition to profits
made from selling off stock in SVB's final days.
'NYT' reports that SVB's failure to raise capital prior
to Goldman Sachs' purchase of its debt ended up spooking
the markets and ultimately led to the bank's collapse.
'NYT' reports that SVB's failure to raise capital prior
to Goldman Sachs' purchase of its debt ended up spooking
the markets and ultimately led to the bank's collapse
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published