Prelude To Detroit: Andy Arena Is Back!

Hiya Andy!

Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up.

We have much stuff to do.

So sayeth me.

Former Detroit FBI head fears there may be more plots like Whitmer kidnapping

FOX 2 - Former Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Andy Arena, admits that after Thursday's stunning arrest of 13 men who authorities said were plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the next few weeks are going to be rocky.

"I'm nervous over the next three or four weeks (about)  what we're going to see," he said.

Former Detroit FBI head says weeks leading to election will be rocky

Andy Arena spoke about the agitated political atmosphere saying he was not surprised at the plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer.

The 13 men from two different militias are accused of plotting to kidnap the governor from her home in Michigan. The FBI was aware of the plot for months and the governor was moved to protect her family, attorney Dana Nessel disclosed to "CBS This Morning" on Friday.

Arena is concerned there may be more.

"There's just so much agitation out there right now, all over the political spectrum that I'm not shocked that we're seeing stuff like this," he said. "I think from a law enforcement standpoint, you really can't fixate on one side or the other. 

"I think you've got to look at anarchists, you've got to look at white supremacists,  you've got to look at these outside fringe militia groups and you've got to look outside. You've got to look at ISIS and radical groups like that. It would be a perfect time to hit us."

Many extremist groups are using the internet to recruit and radicalize, but it's sometimes difficult to know when it crosses the line from free speech to something far more serious.

"When you're talking about a threat to the governor, that's a threat to all of us and you have to take is seriously," Arena said. "You've got to make sure that this does not happen."

He's been in a similar situation before. It involved the Hutaree Militia out of Adrian, which was accused of surveilling law enforcement and attempting to build explosive devices. Federal authorities had recordings and undercover agents and informants but in 2012, a federal judge dismissed the most serious charges against them, ruling it was free speech and not domestic terrorism.

"When this gets to the court, they're going to (ask the) question 'Is this just a bunch of knuckleheads sitting around, tough talk, or do these people have the wherewithal to actually do this?'" 

Arena says the FBI can't just spy on these extremist groups so people need to say something if they suspect it's gone beyond First Amendment free speech to criminal activity.

"As U.S. citizens we don't want our government spying on us," he said. "But if you see something that may be enough for the FBI to take a look at it, who knows what it's going to lead to."

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Cocktails & Popcorn: Will "The Girls" Charge "The Boys" With Infantcide - Flint Water Crisis Due Over

Pastis must always be served with water

I believe someone knows something about stuff.

After "The Girls" have finally achieved their clowning glory of restarting the investigation and controlling the narrative.

"The Girls" want to know what is in those phones and hard drives.

I believe "The Girls" are going to go after the Madame, Maura Corrigan, and her prayer groups because this all took place under the reign of the Emergency Manager.

That would be a great way of diverting attention away from the financial fraud schemes of the contracts, the gerrymandering, the campaign financing, and all the other nasty things associated with the water and authorities of Detroit.

This new investigation could be protracted for years, or, it could be an opportunity to address that pesky "attorney-client privilege" immunity when it comes to a public capacity, particularly if you are elected into office as a county prosecutor, because we are dealing with Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, which has its own, illustrious history under Mike Duggan.

It will be interesting to see if "The Girls" are going to pick up on infant mortality charges that are the latest rage in abortion laws being elevated to the national agenda.

Force abortion through an intentionally manufactured crisis is not just forced migration, but murder, and "The Girls" could bring criminal charges against "The Boys" who were behind the contracts.

Charging christian pro lifers with infantcide!

Now, that is what I call a legal, manufactured crisis.

How this proceeds, I can only say at this time that I would recommend a nice pastis, as we are dealing with water because we have ourselves a federal investigation going on, but hey, what do I know?

Attorney General Nessel explains decision to halt Flint Water Crisis Investigation, start over.

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Cocktails & Popcorn: Matt Schneider Said "At Least"- Where is Bob Ficano, Turkia Mullin, Brendan Dunleavy, Raymond Wojtowicz??

I truly hope we did not forget about Bob Ficano.

I wonder what Bob is up to these days.

I wonder what Turkia Mullin is doing.

Where is Brendan Dunleavy?

Where is Raymond Wojtowicz?

We should talk to Kwame Kilpatrick.

Someone should invite them for a lovely evening of cocktails & popcorn and livestream the interviews.

Guilty Detroit Metro airport boss gasps at verdict in $5M bribery case

James Warner

Detroit — A former Detroit Metropolitan Airport official faces the longest corruption crime sentence in U.S. history after being convicted Wednesday of receiving more than $5 million worth of bribes.

James Warner, 52, of Commerce Township, gasped and arched his eyebrows as the jury forewoman said "guilty" 10 times for charges that included bribery, theft and money laundering conspiracies, and obstruction of justice, a charge that carries a possible 20-year prison sentence.

Warner could be sentenced to more than 30 years in federal prison. The sentence would eclipse the current record, a 28-year federal prison sentence being served by former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Warner will be sentenced Oct. 8 by U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts.

"The government is going to come at him guns blazing and seek the maximum sentence," said Peter Henning, a Wayne State University law professor and former federal prosecutor. "Whether Judge Roberts gives that to him is an open question."

Advisory sentencing guidelines call for 24-30 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider, who was in the courtroom Wednesday, said his office will pursue a sentence within the guideline range, "at least."

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said, "at least".

Roberts has broad discretion and can ignore the guideline range.

Henning does not expect a record-setting sentence even though Warner was accused of receiving five times as much money as Kilpatrick.

"Being an elected mayor versus an airport official, I’m not sure they’re exactly comparable even though (Warner) took much more money," Henning said.

Prosecutors wanted Warner taken into custody Wednesday, calling him a flight risk and a danger to himself, citing what they believe was a suicide attempt in 2017.

More than $1 million remains unaccounted for and the money could bankroll a flight from justice, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown told the judge.

Warner’s lawyer Robert Harrison disagreed. All of Warner’s assets have been frozen or seized, Harrison said, adding that Warner is not suicidal.

The judge read letters from Warner’s doctor before deciding to let Warner remain free until October. The letters convinced the judge Warner was not suicidal and she was satisfied he does not have money to fund an escape.

Warner and his lawyer declined comment.

Jurors deliberated for about four hours before reaching the verdict following a trial that lasted parts of three weeks. In a rare move, Warner testified in his own defense.

Warner, an airport manager and field inspector who also worked for West Bloomfield Township, is the rare indicted public official to stand trial on corruption charges and risk a decades-long federal prison sentence.

Kwame Kilpatrick and Dean Reynolds

Two of the most recent politicians to stand trial in federal court —Kilpatrick and Clinton Township Trustee Dean Reynolds — were convicted and sentenced to double-digit prison sentences.

Kwame Kilpatrick, left, and Dean Reynolds.

Warner's alleged appetites distinguish him from the dozens of public officials who have been accused or convicted of corruption-related crimes in the last decade in Metro Detroit. He fabricated invoices, overcharged the airport for work performed by contractors and received more than $5 million worth of kickbacks during a four-year period, prosecutors said.

The alleged bribery conspiracy outlined by prosecutors started in May 2010 when Warner was working as a field inspector at the airport approving maintenance and repair contracts. He headed three related schemes involving Metro Detroit contractors, including Romulus businessman William Pritula, 70, whose company William Pritula & Sons held facilities and maintenance contracts at the airport, prosecutors said.

Warner drafted and submitted inflated invoices for work Pritula was hired to perform at the airport, according to the government. The payments totaled more than $18 million.

In return, Warner received approximately half of the profits from the contracts, or more than $5 million, according to the indictment.

Pritula pleaded guilty to bribery last year and could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison in September. He agreed to forfeit $5.4 million to the government.

Federal court records describe Warner as a greedy, potty-mouthed felon.

"If it weren't for me, your ass would be out," Warner told one airport contractor, according to the indictment.

That contractor, authorities allege, was Gary Tenaglia, 65, of Rochester, who was charged last year and accused of defrauding the Wayne County Airport Authority of $1.5 million.

Warner allegedly gave Tenaglia inside information so the contractor's company, Envision Electric, could win contracts. In return, Warner received 10 percent of each invoice, prosecutors said.

During one dinner, Warner and Tenaglia discussed contracts and kickbacks, prosecutors said.

"During the meal, James Warner wrote '5k,' a proposed kickback amount, on a napkin," prosecutors wrote in the indictment. "He folded it and slid it across the table to Gary Tenaglia. After Gary Tenaglia acknowledged the meaning of the writing on the napkin, James Warner retrieved the napkin and ate it."

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Cocktails & Popcorn: Let It Rip Rolls Out The Mueller Report In Detroit - Rashida Sat Next To Andy

FUN FACT! PREET BHARARA WAS THE FIRST TO USE THE OPEN SOURCE METHOD FOR ORIGINAL SOURCE DOCUMENTATION

Sometimes, you can be a whistleblower on yourself.

#sayhisname

Mueller report finally released - does it change anything?

(FOX 2) - The Mueller report is the big topic tonight.

After nearly two years and $25 million dollars, hundreds of pages and hundreds of redactions, we're finally seeing the Mueller report.

President Trump is declaring victory but the report does not exonerate him of everything.

We'll break down what it says and doesn't say with our panel of insiders including the congresswoman who once said she wanted to impeach Trump -- although she used another word.

On the panel:

• Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), who made history as one of 2 Muslim women sworn into Congress.
• Andy Arena, former head of Detroit's FBI office, head of Detroit Crime Commission.
• Attorney Jeffrey Collins, former judge, the former U.S. attorney for this region.
• Jamie Roe, consulting firm co-founder, Grand River Strategies.

Part 2: What next?

We look ahead to what comes next.  Is this end of the investigation - or will the investigators end up being investigated themselves?

Three consultants with an inside knowledge of media and politics join the discussion.

On the panel: 

• Tori Sachs, Republican strategist 
• Karen Dumas, Detroit political insider and public relations expert
• Greg Bowens, public relations expert, Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods NAACP president.

Part 3: On The Road

Charlie Langton asks metro Detroit about the Mueller report.

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Cocktails & Popcorn: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Replaces Special Prosecutor Flint Water Crisis Team - Federal Is Out - Wayne County Prosecutors In

Flint cocktails for "The Poors"
(always said with clinched teeth)

Why is Dana Nessel, the brand new Michigan Attorney General is "firing" the Special Counsel for the Flint Crisis?

First, she targeted Wayne County Prosecutor's Office legend Todd Flood with inference of replacing him, as a consultant, with the current Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy.

Then, she brings in Fadwa Hammoud, another former Wayne County Prosecutor to take over the investigation.

Now, she is getting rid of Andy Arena, former FBI Special Agent in Charge, who made a public declaration to go after the generational public corruption with the creation of a conjugal collaborative in Michigan governments.

Keep in mind that Matt Schneider, former Michigan Deputy Attorney General for Bill Schuette, is back as the Michigan Easter District U.S. Attorney and Barbara McQuade is on the Governor "The Gretch" Whitmer's transition team.

Dana does not look like she is being very nice playing in the conjugal collaborative.

It looks like she is trying to redirect the scope of the investigation, but hey, what do I know?

I know Andy falls under the FBI Enhanced Protection Whistleblower Act of 2017 and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office used to be headed up by Mike Duggan, the current Mayor of Detroit.

I also know Dana does not want to talk about the 2016 and 2018 elections because she refuses to #sayhisname or that #perkinscoiesucks.

Based upon the following facts, I am going claim Dana Nessel as being a "Legal Genius" (trademark pending).

There is even an investigation in the U.S. Congressional Oversight Committee, led by Elijah Cummings, on the Flint Water Crisis, particularly what has happened to the lives Flint children, yet, Dana is more focused on pleasuring the women in her life, than the trafficking of tiny humans in Michigan.

Priorities.

FUN FACT! DANA USED TO PROSECUTE CHILD ABUSE CASES IN WAYNE COUNTY, BUT NEVER CHILD ABUSE IN FOSTER CARE

All I can say is that it is very, conveniently considerate, to lump all the former Wayne County Prosecutors, all in one office.

People profited from the Flint Water Crisis because it was intentional.

How do I know?

I know because you measure the ethics of officeholders based upon how they treat the children.

Right now, in Michigan, child poverty and infant mortality is increasing.

Let us see how this new Wayne County Prosecutor's Office gurls crew proceeds because the reasons for the replacement are quite questionable to being a cover up.

Hey, Bill...Smooches.

Andy Arena replaced as chief investigator in Flint water crisis

The chief investigator leading the state’s inquiry into the Flint Water Crisis will be replaced by a team member, who is a former Dearborn Heights police officer.

Andy Arena, the FBI Detroit office’s former director, was relieved of his assignment as head of the investigative team earlier this week, according to a statement from Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.

Bill & Andy.
(This picture is art.)

Jeff Seipanko, a three-year member of the attorney general’s investigative team in Flint, will replace Arena.

Arena did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The decision comes roughly two weeks after solicitor general Fadwa Hammoud was appointed to take the lead on the state’s criminal cases related to the Flint water crisis. Nessel said Hammoud’s role in the case allowed Nessel to avoid conflicts of interest by not taking a direct role in either the criminal or civil cases.

Flint Special Prosecutor Todd Flood, who along with Arena, were part of the Flint investigation and appeared with former Attorney General Bill Schuette in June 2017 to make the announcement of the criminal charges in the case. Flood could not be reached for comment.

“There is nothing more important to Attorney General Dana Nessel and to me than to bring these cases home,” Hammoud said in a statement Tuesday.

Seipanko has served as the officer in charge in all of the charged cases in Flint and is the “only certified law enforcement officer” on the team, an attribute Hammoud stressed as important in the statement announcing Seipanko’s promotion.

Since the preliminary hearings began in Flint over the water crisis, Seipanko has been a fixture in the courtroom, often times in the back or in private rooms and in constant contact and communication with the special prosecution team.

In January 2018, Seipanko testified at the preliminary hearing of Nick Lyon, the then-chief of the state Health and Human Services department, that he retrieved Lyon’s iPhone for information extraction. Lyon faces trial in the Flint water crisis case on charges, among others, of involuntary manslaughter.

Seipanko testified about a July 22, 2015, meeting in Lansing with Gov. Rick Snyder’s chief of staff Dennis Muchmore, urban policy adviser Harvey Hollins and Flint residents talking about the lead-in-water problem. A screenshot of a note from Lyon’s phone confirmed the meeting.

“Jeff Seipanko possesses the institutional knowledge and experience required to manage and direct all future investigative assets to bring these cases to conclusion,” said Hammoud.

Seipanko served with the Dearborn Heights Police Department for 29 years and retired from the department as a captain of the investigative services division.

In early January, Nessel asked Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to review the Flint criminal cases, and Worthy was expected to make recommendations regarding the future of the prosecution, including Flood's future as special prosecutor. That review is ongoing.

Michigan v. Veolia LAN Comp... by on Scribd

Solicitor General Hammoud Selects Internal Chief Investigator for Flint Criminal Cases 

LANSING – Weeks after taking the lead on the Flint water crisis criminal cases, Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud has selected a career law enforcement officer as the team’s new chief investigator. Jeff Seipenko, a member of the Attorney General’s Flint investigative team for three years, replaces Andy Arena, who had been appointed by former Attorney General Bill Schuette as chief investigator in the Flint Water Investigation. 

Hammoud relieved Arena of his assignment earlier this week. Seipenko has been imbedded as the only certified law enforcement officer with the Flint Water Investigative Team since its inception.

During that time, Seipenko has served as the Officer in Charge of all currently charged cases. “Jeff Seipenko possesses the institutional knowledge and experience required to manage and direct all future investigative assets to bring these cases to conclusion,” said Hammoud.

“It is important that we strengthen our internal team with certified law enforcement officers from within our department as we move forward with criminal prosecutions.” Special Agent Seipenko has more than 32 years of law enforcement experience, including 29 years with the Dearborn Heights Police Department. He retired there with the rank of Captain, leading the Investigative Services Division.

During his career, Seipenko has successfully led narcotic and surveillance teams, detective units, special operations and internal affairs investigations. Seipanko has decades of specialized investigative experience where he has managed and directed complex criminal investigations.

“We are committed to bringing justice to the people of Flint,” said Hammoud. “There is nothing more important to Attorney General Dana Nessel and to me than to bring these cases home.”

Michigan Kids Count Data Bo... by on Scribd

Data in this book are dirtier than a glass of Flint tap water.

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Former Detroit Public Schools Executive, Several Others Named in Superseding Indictment

Former Detroit Public Schools Executive, Several Others Named in Superseding Indictment

Stephen Hill, a former executive director of the Risk Management Department of the Detroit Public Schools, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges of extortion, program fraud, conspiracy to commit those offenses, and money laundering conspiracy, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Special Agent in Charge, Erick Martinez, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

The nine-count superseding indictment names eight individuals and charges that between 2005 and 2006, Hill, aged 59,demanded and accepted kickback payments on over $3.3 million in fraudulently inflated invoices submitted to DPS from a local contracting vendor during that time period. The superseding indictment further alleges that Hill accepted kickbacks from other vendors in the form of a brand new Mustang GT convertible in 2005 and a brand new Dodge Durango SUV in 2006.

Also named in the conspiracy to commit program fraud count are Sherry Washington (aged 54), her sister Gwendolyn Washington (aged 67), Marilyn White (56), and Sally Jo Bond (61), who were partners in an entity doing business as “Associates For Learning.” The superseding indictment alleges that Associates for Learning contracted with Hill at DPS to facilitate a wellness program for DPS employees, the original proposal for which totaled $150,000.

The superseding indictment charges that Associates For Learning thereafter in 2005 and 2006 submitted three inflated, fraudulent invoices to DPS, each for approximately $1 million, which DPS paid. It is further alleged that Hill thereafter was paid five percent cash kickbacks by members of Associates For Learning. The superseding indictment charges Hill and Sherry Washington with a money laundering conspiracy designed to conceal the kickbacks.

The original indictment, returned on April 18, 2010, had also named former DPS Risk Management executive Christina Polk-Osumah, who died of natural causes on September 2, 2010. The superseding indictment also names Thomas Ray Taylor (56), and Polk-Osumah’s sister, Valerie Polk (53), and brother, Duane Polk (51), who are all charged with conspiring to commit program fraud by submitting fraudulent invoices to DPS for services and thereafter participating in making kickbacks to Hill, including the purchase of the new Mustang for Hill in 2005 and the new Dodge Durango for him in 2006.

Valerie Polk is also charged with paying for two private parties for her mother with funds received fraudulently from DPS. Hill is charged with conspiring to use DPS funds to pay for his $40,000 retirement party when he temporarily left DPS in September 2005.

"These charges demonstrate the commitment of federal law enforcement to attacking public corruption," McQuade said. "Public officials who abuse taxpayer funds for their personal benefit will be brought to justice."

"Laundering public funds is a serious threat to our communities," said Martinez. "IRS Criminal Investigation will use our financial expertise to expose any public official who thinks that the normal course of doing business involves false invoices and kickbacks."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena stated "Detroit Public School officials have been entrusted to act in the best interest of their students. The FBI continues to vigorously investigate elected/appointed officials, as well as those who do business with the Detroit Public Schools, who abuse the public trust. We would like to thank the Detroit Public School Inspector General's office for their assistance in this matter."

The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and IRS with the assistance of Detroit Public Schools, Office of Inspector General. The case is being investigated and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Michael Buckley and Pamela Thompson of the Public Corruption Unit.