Prelude To Detroit: Trump Launches Operation Legend - DHS Goes To Chicago After Mass Shooting At Funeral Of Another Mass Shooting

Contrary to what local mayors and governors bemoan as an encroachment upon their sovereign powers to govern, the purpose of the government is to protect its most precious treasures, the heirs of perpetuity, or, more intuitively recognized as children.

When children are beaten, drugged, raped, tortured, lab ratted, and murdered by gun violence, you have a breach of the fiduciary duty, to protect the posterity of the children's trust, in a blatant breach of oath to the public and private office held, where the parental right to keep and bear the arms of that body corpus can be terminated.

 DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services.

In the DeShaney v. Winnebago County, SCOTUS rendered its decision to the question:

Does a state's failure to protect an individual against private violence constitute a violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

"No. The Due Process Clause does not impose a special duty on the State to provide services to the public for protection against private actors if the State did not create those harms. "The Clause is phrased as a limitation on the State's power to act, not as a guarantee of certain minimal levels of safety and security; while it forbids the State itself to deprive individuals of life, liberty, and property without due process of law, its language cannot fairly be read to impose an affirmative obligation on the State to ensure that those interests do not come to harm through other means."

The Rehnquist Court demonstrated a severe lack of awareness in the parens patriae doctrine in DeShaney v. Winnebago County , because, that defendant did in fact violate the Due Process clause to protect the child, as child protection had been placed under Trade and Commerce Law back in 1976, federally funded by CAPTA in 1974, solidifying the basis of the initial argument that it was the inherent right of the state to protect its heir in perpetuity. Therefore, the state violated federal anti-commerce law and the due process contained within of 15 U.S.C. 15 (c), obfuscated within child welfare policies.

Learn more: BEVERLY TRAN: Dead Kids Have No Civil Rights http://beverlytran.blogspot.com/2015/12/dead-kids-have-no-civil-rights.html#ixzz6StYfQU5E
Stop Medicaid Fraud in Child Welfare

I sit here, listening to the gunshots, as I post.

#maytheheavensfall

Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Launch of Operation Legend

LeGend Taliferro, a four-year-old boy who was shot and killed on
 June 29th in Kansas City, MO

Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Operation Legend, a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative across all federal law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight the sudden surge of violent crime, beginning in Kansas City, MO.  Operation Legend was created as a result of President Trump’s promise to assist America’s cities that are plagued by recent violence.

Operation Legend is named after four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City, the latest in a string violence to plague Kansas City in recent weeks.  Kansas City has already reached 100 homicides this year, a 40 percent increase from last year.

“President Trump has made clear: the federal government stands ready and willing to assist any of our state and local law enforcement partners across the nation responding to violent crime.  Operation Legend will combine federal and local resources to combat the disturbing uptick in violence by surging federal agents and other federal assets into cities like Kansas City, a city currently experiencing its worst homicide rate in its history,” said Attorney General Barr.  “The Department’s Operation Legend is named in honor of one of Kansas City’s youngest victims, four-year old LeGend Taliferro who was shot in the face while sleeping in his bed.  LeGend’s death is a horrifying reminder that violent crime left unchecked is a threat to us all and cannot be allowed to continue.”

As part of Operation Legend, Attorney General Barr directed federal agents from the FBI, U.S. Marshal Service, DEA and ATF to surge resources to Kansas City in the coming weeks to help state and local officials fight the surge of violent crime.  They will be working alongside state and local law enforcement agencies. Department of Justice assets will include over 100 FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, DEA agents, and ATF agents.

In addition, Timothy A. Garrison, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri will be surging additional resources from his office to ensure he is able to handle an anticipated increase in prosecutions.

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

DOJ: Head of Chicago Non-Profit Organization Charged With Fraudulently Pocketing State Grants Intended for Economic Development Projects - Gerrymandering - A Prelude To Detroit

AH HA!

Now, I know how the Detroit Land Bank Authority was cashing checks with TSI/Title Source, Inc./Amrock/Rock Financial/Quicken Loans....or not, but, hey, what do I know?

I know if you do a universal replacement of "Chicago" with "Detroit", and change the names of individuals and organizations, MIED has their Detroit Land Bank Authority, Detroit Economic Club, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation template.

CHICAGO — The head of a Chicago not-for-profit organization fraudulently converted or misappropriated at least $200,000 in State of Illinois grants intended to develop suburban commercial properties and fund a job training program, according to a 15-count federal indictment.

YESSE YEHUDAH operated the not-for-profit organization Fulfilling Our Responsibilities Unto Mankind, also known as FORUM.  From 2013 to 2016, Yehudah, on behalf of FORUM, applied for and received three grants totaling approximately $575,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.  Two of the grants were intended to develop commercial properties in south suburban Dolton, while the third was meant for FORUM to operate a weatherization jobs training program.  The indictment alleges that Yehudah fraudulently converted substantial quantities of the grant funds by making materially false statements and submitting false documents to the DCEO.  The indictment describes several of the alleged false statements, including when Yehudah represented to the DCEO that FORUM had spent almost all of a $100,000 grant on construction work, when, in fact, no actual construction work had begun.

The indictment was returned Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  Yehudah, 71, of Chicago, is charged with eight counts of bank fraud and seven counts of wire fraud.  Arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI; and Teri Donaldson, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Inspector General.  The DCEO provided valuable assistance during the investigation.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean J.B. Franzblau.

In addition to the alleged fraud in obtaining the DCEO grants, the indictment accuses Yehudah of scheming to defraud a bank.  After FORUM received similar development grants from the DCEO and other federal and local agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Yehudah issued checks from FORUM and another entity he controlled to various subcontractors, the indictment states.  Yehudah then forged the subcontractors’ signatures – without their knowledge – to endorse the checks over to himself, the indictment alleges.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  Each count of bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, while each count of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

State pork to Obama's district included allies, donors

State of Illinois business entity search results: https://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/CorporateLlcController

Doing Business As: Forum
Division: Not listed
CAGE Code: 5ZT26
Website: http://www.forumdigital.org
Contacts: Yesse Yehudah
E-Business - Alternate: Donna Newman
Executive Administrator
Primary NAICS Category: 813410
Registration Date: May 06 2010
Expiration Date: Jan 03 2021
Entity Structure: Corporate Entity (Tax Exempt)
SBA Certified Business Types: Not listed
Self Certified Business Types: Minority Owned Business Non-Profit Organization Black American Owned
Location: 200 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619, USA

_________________________________________________

[OS] Vice President Biden to Travel to Detroit on Sunday
Released on 2012-10-12 10:00 GMT

Email-ID 1973908
Date 2011-11-11 20:09:56
From noreply@messages.whitehouse.gov
To whitehousefeed@stratfor.com
[OS] Vice President Biden to Travel to Detroit on Sunday

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 11, 2011

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Vice President Biden to Travel to Detroit on Sunday

Washington, D.C. - On Sunday, November 13th, Vice President Joe Biden will
travel to Detroit, Michigan. At 6:30 PM, the Vice President will deliver
keynote remarks at the annual Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Dinner. The Vice
President's remarks will be POOLED for TV, and OPEN to correspondents and
photographers. Media details are below.

WHAT: Vice President Biden to speak at Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah Dinner in Detroit, Michigan

WHEN: Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Press Arrival Time: 5:00 PM-6:00 PM

Final Press Access Time: 6:00 PM

Vice President Biden's Remarks Begin: 6:30 P

WHERE: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center;
Detroit, Michigan

Press Entrance: Visit registration table on the 4th floor for directions
to the press entrance.

Press Parking: Beaubien Parking Garage, Beaubien St. between Jefferson
Ave. and Atwater St.

CONTACT: Adam Blanck, 248-891-2169, ablanck@gmail.com

RSVP: The Vice President's remarks are POOLED for
TV, and OPEN to correspondents and photographers. Media must RSVP with
the NAME, POSITION, MEDIA OUTLET, PHONE and EMAIL for each person planning
to cover the event to press@ovp.eop.gov by Saturday, November 12th at 7:00
PM ET. At the event, you will be required to wear your outlet's media
credential at all times, either around the neck or pinned to clothing.

###

Yesse Yehudah Indictment - ... by Beverly Tran on Scribd

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Trump & Law Enforcement In Chicago For Partnerships & Indictments

Remember, it is all about the psyoptics and timing.

Did someone say Rahm Emanuel?

Feds allege state Rep. Luis Arroyo caught on undercover recording paying $2,500 bribe. ‘This is the jackpot.’

State Rep. Luis Arroyo, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Oct. 28, 2019. Arroyo has been charged for allegedly agreeing to pay a state senator $2,500 a month in bribes in exchange for the senator’s support on legislation involving video gambling sweepstakes games that would benefit one of Arroyo’s lobbying clients.

State Rep. Luis Arroyo was supposed to be with his fellow lawmakers in Springfield on Monday for the first day of the busy fall veto session.

Instead, the Chicago Democrat was ducking reporters as he left the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, where he was the latest elected official to be charged in what’s become a sprawling federal public corruption investigation.

Arroyo, 65, an assistant majority leader who has been in office since 2006, was charged with one count of federal program bribery alleging he agreed to pay a state senator $2,500 a month in kickbacks in exchange for the senator’s support on legislation involving video gambling sweepstakes games that would benefit one of Arroyo’s lobbying clients.

The 13-page criminal complaint, made public Monday, revealed that the undisclosed state senator allegedly targeted by Arroyo first began cooperating with the FBI in 2016 but was terminated as a confidential source after it was revealed he had filed false income tax returns.

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The senator later agreed to cooperate with the FBI again in the hopes for a break at sentencing on expected tax fraud charges, according to the complaint.

The senator was wearing a wire when Arroyo delivered the first of the promised $2,500 checks at a restaurant in Skokie on Aug. 22, the charges said.

“This is, this is the jackpot,” the complaint quoted Arroyo as telling the senator as he handed over the check.

Additional monthly $2,500 payments were expected to be made over the next six to 12 months, federal authorities alleged.

The charge against Arroyo marked the latest in a series of ongoing federal probes that have rocked political circles from Chicago to Springfield. Arroyo is the third elected official to be charged so far, joining longtime Chicago Ald. Edward Burke and state Sen. Thomas Cullerton.

Records show the FBI is also investigating state Sen. Martin Sandoval, Cook County Commissioner and McCook Mayor Jeff Tobolski, Lyons Mayor Chris Getty, Chicago Ald. Carrie Austin and officials in the suburbs of Summit and Cicero.

A separate probe delving into the lobbying practices of utility giant Commonwealth Edison has led to FBI raids on current and former lawmakers and political operatives, including several who are close confidants of House Speaker Michael Madigan.

None of those officials has been charged.

Arroyo, meanwhile, made his initial appearance in federal court Monday morning on one count of federal program bribery.

Clad in a gray suit with his hands folded in front of him, Arroyo answered “Yes” in a low voice when U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez asked if he understood his constitutional rights.

Arroyo, who was released on his own recognizance, was ordered to have no contact with anyone involved in the charges, including the senator and an undisclosed business owner whom Arroyo was allegedly trying to assist in the scheme.

Arroyo left the downtown courthouse without comment Monday afternoon, hurrying past reporters and cameramen into a waiting SUV that sped off down Dearborn Street. His lawyer, Michael Gillespie, also had no comment.

Arroyo’s court appearance came not long before the state House convened in Springfield for the first day of the fall veto session.

Madigan, the powerful Chicago Democrat, and House GOP leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs both called on Arroyo to step down or each vowed to begin the process to remove him from office under House rules. Madigan said he’d been told by Arroyo’s attorney that the legislator planned to resign as chair of the House Appropriations-Capital Committee.

“The actions today go to the heart of public trust in state government,” Durkin said. “Today begins the process of cleaning up this chamber.”

Madigan issued a statement calling for the strengthening of state ethics and lobbying laws. As he left a meeting Monday of the House Democratic caucus, a reporter asked about federal investigators seeking information about Madigan in a subpoena and search warrant served on the City Club of Chicago as part of a probe into whether ComEd hired politically connected lobbyists to curry favor with lawmakers in exchange for favorable action at the Illinois Capitol.

“I’m not a target of anything,” Madigan said.

According to the charges unveiled Monday, the undisclosed state senator told the FBI that Arroyo had approached him about "the passage of sweepstakes-related legislation” during the House’s spring session.

Arroyo is a manager of a lobbying firm called Spartacus 3 LLC, which includes as a client the owner of a company involved in video sweepstakes machines, according to the complaint.

In early August, Arroyo texted the senator asking to meet at a restaurant in Highland Park, according to the complaint. Also at the meeting was the company owner, identified only as Individual A, as well as one of the owner’s associates.

During the meeting, Arroyo said he was going to introduce a “trailer bill” in the veto session expanding the use of sweepstakes games and offered to make periodic payments to the senator in exchange for his support, according to the complaint. Arroyo told the businessman during the conversation that he wouldn’t be able to enlist the senator’s support unless it was legal.

“I cannot work as a legislator with somebody if it’s illegal,” Arroyo was quoted as saying. “I just can’t. ... I cannot be part of something illegal. That’s just like being part of the mob or being part of a gang that’s selling drugs.”

Arroyo then asked the senator to “carry the bill,” explaining that he doesn’t “have nobody in the Senate.”

After the senator told Arroyo to send him some language for the proposed bill, the two politicians left the table to speak privately, carrying on their conversation outside the restaurant as FBI agents conducted surveillance, according to the complaint.

“This is you and I talkin’ now. Nobody else," the senator said, according to the complaint.

“Whatever you tell me stays between you and me,” Arroyo allegedly responded. “That’s my word.”

During their purportedly private talk, the senator told Arroyo he was “in the twilight” of his career and was “looking for something" to bolster his income. Arroyo said he would “make sure that you’re rewarded for what you do, for what we’re gonna do moving forward,” the complaint alleged.

“Let’s be clear ... my word is my bond and my, my reputation,” Arroyo allegedly said.

Three weeks later, on Aug. 22, Arroyo and the senator met at the Skokie restaurant, the complaint alleged. Arroyo made the “jackpot” comment as he handed over the $2,500 check — written to a third party to disguise the purpose for the payoff, according to the charges.

“I’m not too happy about doing this, but I’m doin’ it for ya," the senator said near the end of the conversation.

“I know you’re not,” Arroyo allegedly replied.

Born in Puerto Rico in 1954, Arroyo migrated to New York with his family at age 5 and moved to Chicago as a teen, according to the biography on his district website. He began his career in public service as an employee with the city’s water department before being appointed to his House seat in 2006 and winning election two years later.

In recent years, Arroyo has fought former Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios for political control on the city’s Northwest Side.

Arroyo backed Milly Santiago in 2015 for alderman of the 31st Ward, Berrios’ original base. She defeated longtime incumbent Ray Suarez, a close ally of Berrios. Santiago also was backed by Cook County Commissioner Luis Arroyo Jr., the representative’s son.

Earlier this year, Felix Cardona Jr., who worked under Berrios at the Cook County assessor’s office, defeated Santiago to become 31st Ward alderman.

The father and son also backed Ald. Gilbert Villegas in his first run in 2015. He beat a Berrios-backed candidate in that 36th Ward race.

When Berrios stepped down as Democratic Party chairman after losing his primary bid for another term as county assessor, the elder Arroyo initially ran for party chairman, pulling out of that contest when it became clear Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, a Berrios’ ally, would win.

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

FBI Sandoval Raids Continue In Illinois

It seems the Illinois FBI will be busy, busy, busy for quite some time.

Federal Agents Raid Village Halls In McCook, Lyons 

LYONS, Ill. (CBS) — Federal agents raided the village halls in southwest suburban McCook and neighboring Lyons on Thursday, the FBI confirmed.

The FBI also raided Getty Insurance on Ogden Avenue in Lyons, which according to the Village of Lyons website is owned by the family of Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty. The mayor serves as president of the agency.

It was unclear Thursday afternoon whether Getty was personally a target of the investigation.

The FBI Chicago office confirmed agents were “conducting an authorized law enforcement action” at the McCook and Lyons village halls, but declined further comment.

The FBI also confirmed they were at the Summit Village Hall for investigative activity Thursday afternoon. The agency characterized their visit to Summit differently from those to Lyons, McCook, and the insurance agency.

As night fell Thursday, there was still no clarity on what the FBI was looking for or if the raids were connected, CBS 2’s Chris Tye reported.

Jeff Tobolski is the mayor of McCook and is also a Cook County commissioner, but it’s unclear if the investigation is tied directly to him. CBS 2 has confirmed that Mayor Tobolski called in sick and bought everybody lunch on Thursday.

The raids in McCook and Lyons come two days after federal agents raided Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval’s office at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield and his home in the Gage Park neighborhood on Tuesday.

McCook and Lyons are part of Sandoval’s district, but it is unclear of the two investigations are related.

However, the Sandoval, Getty, and Tobolski are political allies who have contributed to each other’s campaigns for elected office.

Campaign finance records show, since 2010, Sandoval has donated at least $2,000 to Tobolski’s campaign fund, Friends of Jeffrey Tobolski.

Since 2009, Tobolski has made at least eight donations totaling $17,250 combined to Sandoval’s campaign fund, Friends of Martin A. Sandoval; and the campaign fund for Sandoval’s daughter, Angie, who ran for the county board in 2018.

Since 2010, Tobolski had made at least 10 donations to Getty’s campaign fund, Citizens for Christopher Getty, totaling $10,750.

Getty donated $250 to Sandoval’s campaign in 2011, and has made at least 12 donations to Tobolski’s campaign fund since 2010, totaling $4,050.

The politicians’ donating to each other’s campaigns is completely legal, but they demonstrate the political support between them.

The FBI told CBS 2 that no more raids were expected Thursday night.

CBS 2 also reached out to all the key players mentioned in this report. None returned our calls.

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Illinois Senator Sandoval Gets Raided By FBI & IRS

FUN FACT! THE CHICAGO FEDERAL RESERVE IS IN DETROIT

Federal agents raid Springfield, Cicero offices of Illinois Sen. Martin Sandoval, source says

Federal agents on Tuesday raided the Springfield and Cicero offices of longtime Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval as well as his family’s Southwest Side home as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

Investigators are looking into allegations Sandoval used his official position to steer business to at least one company in exchange for kickbacks, a source with knowledge of the case told the Chicago Tribune.

No criminal charges had been filed. Sandoval, who has been in office for 17 years and chairs the influential Senate Transportation Committee, could not be reached on Tuesday, and calls to his office were not returned.

In what has become a familiar scene in Illinois, FBI and IRS agents spent hours behind closed doors in Sandoval’s offices in the state capitol, where an agent stationed in a nearby hallway turned back a Tribune reporter seeking comment.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., at least eight men left the Senate Democratic offices carrying cardboard boxes, two brown bags labeled “evidence” and what appeared to be a desktop computer wrapped in plastic. News cameras rolled as the agents left the building, loaded the material into two SUVs and drove off.

At about the same time nearly 200 miles away, agents executed search warrants at Sandoval’s district office in the 5800 block of West 35th Street in Cicero, as well as his longtime family home in Gage Park, sources told the Tribune.

A man who answered the door at Sandoval’s brick, three-story building Tuesday said the legislator was not home. Later, two officials with duty belts and handcuffs came out of the home to get wheeled hand trucks, taking them inside. One identified himself as from the IRS criminal division.

An FBI spokesman confirmed that agents were at the capitol conducting “authorized law enforcement activity,” but declined to comment further.

The raids marked the latest in a slew of ongoing public corruption probes that have sent shock waves from City Hall to Springfield over the past 10 months.

In November 2018, the FBI took over the City Hall offices of longtime Ald. Edward Burke, who at the time was the powerful chairman of the Finance Committee, and papered over windows with brown butcher paper before leaving down a back staircase with computers and files. Burke has since been indicted on sweeping racketeering charges alleging he used his clout to steer business to his private law firm. He has pleaded not guilty.

In June, a similar scene played out when agents executed search warrants at the Far South Side ward office of influential Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th, the second longest-serving active member of the City Council. Austin has not been charged.

Sandoval is also the second state senator to come under the cloud of a federal investigation.

Last month, his colleague Sen. Thomas E. Cullerton of Villa Park was indicted on embezzlement charges alleging he pocketed almost $275,000 in salary and benefits from the Teamsters union despite doing little or no work. Cullerton has pleaded not guilty.

Editorial: Assassinating civility: The knucklehead factor in Illinois politics »

Born in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the city’s South Side, Sandoval, 55, first won election to the Senate in 2002 with the support of former Mayor Richard M. Daley and the now-defunct Hispanic Democratic Organization, a patronage army that crumbled amid a federal investigation into hiring practices at City Hall.

Controversy has often dogged Sandoval’s political career. In 2011, Sandoval was among a handful of lawmakers whose legislative scholarship records were reviewed by federal authorities after state education officials sent them over. The centuryold scholarship program, long riddled with abuse, eventually was abolished.

Last month, Sandoval faced national criticism after photos showing a man pointing a fake gun used as a novelty beverage dispenser at someone wearing a mask depicting President Donald Trump were taken at a political fundraiser hosted by the senator and posted on social media.

Sandoval apologized, said he wasn’t aware of the incident when it occurred and blamed it on a vendor hired to provide music and entertainment.

Sandoval currently makes $80,038 as a legislator, including a stipend of $10,574 for his committee chairmanship, state records show.

He serves a Southwest Side district that shares half of its territory with powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat who has worked with Sandoval over the years on a variety of legislative issues but also been at odds with the senator at times.

In the March 2018 Democratic primary, Sandoval supported the candidacy of his daughter, Angie Sandoval, for the county board seat vacated by Jesus “Chuy” Garcia when he ran for Congress. Madigan’s 13th Ward organization, however, went with the victorious Alma Anaya, who was supported by Garcia.

As Senate transportation chairman, Sandoval was positioned to play a key role in implementing the massive $45 billion construction program pushed through the General Assembly and signed into law by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this year.

But his position on the committee has also drawn criticism. In 2015and 2016, Sandoval interceded on behalf of a campaign donor that stood to make millions off red light cameras at an intersection straddling Oak Brook and Oakbrook Terrace, the Tribune has reported.

The Illinois Department of Transportation originally said the intersection was too safe to need cameras, but Sandoval asked IDOT to change its mind. At one point, Sandoval told IDOT he wanted to help the agency but “wasn’t getting the type of cooperation on his issues that he would like to see,” according to emails uncovered by the newspaper.

IDOT then approved Oakbrook Terrace’s application.

Meanwhile, Safespeed, the company that had lobbied for the cameras, and its owners collectively donated tens of thousands of dollars to Sandoval’s campaign coffers, including one contribution for $10,000 in September 2016 that at the time was the largest single donation the firm had given anyone.

Oak Brook later passed an ordinance complaining the cameras were part of a process that sought to "corrupt local law enforcement” and enrich political leaders, but the village eventually dropped a lawsuit seeking to ban the cameras from the corner.

Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Tony Ragucci told the Tribune on Tuesday that the village has not received any requests for information from federal authorities related to the camera controversy.

The chief critic of the deal — Oak Brook council member Michael Manzo — said he still believes the cameras should be taken down. When asked if he’s spoken with the FBI, he declined comment.

More recently, Sandoval was named in a federal lawsuit alleging the senator used his influence as Transportation Committee chairman to get his son a job in 2016 as a community relations representative at Pace Suburban Bus Service.

The plaintiff, Lawrence Gress of Dowers Grove, alleged he was subjected to a “sham interview” and passed over for the job in favor of Sandoval’s son, Martin Sandoval II, who is some 40 years younger and vastly less experienced.

Pace has denied the allegations, which include a civil racketeering conspiracy. An attorney for Sandoval could not be reached immediately.

With Tuesday’s raids, Sandoval became the latest political associate of Madigan to face federal scrutiny.

In mid-May, the FBI raided the homes of former lobbyist Mike McClain of Quincy, a longtime Madigan confidant, and ex-23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski.

The information the FBI was seeking included records of communications among Madigan, McClain and Zalewski related to attempts to get ComEd lobbying work for Zalewski, the Tribune has reported.

Sandoval’s daughter, Angie, works for ComEd as a senior account representative.

Also in mid-May, the FBI raided the Chicago home of Ald. Marty Quinn’s brother, Kevin Quinn, a political and government operative Madigan parted ways with last year amid sexual harassment allegations. One source told the Tribune the federal government showed an interest in computers in Kevin Quinn’s home.

Last month, the Tribune disclosed that a Cook County grand jury has subpoenaed election records regarding the reelection bid of Madigan’s handpicked Ald. Marty Quinn, who serves in the Southwest Side ward where Madigan has reigned as committeeman for decades.

Sandoval’s political connection to Madigan was solidified in 2011, when his Senate district was redrawn following the census to overlap with Madigan’s House district.

Under the mapmaking, which Madigan oversaw with Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago — a distant cousin to Thomas Cullerton — the speaker was placed in a growing Latino district on the Southwest Side.

At the time, Sandoval embraced the move.

“The Irish and the Latinos have had a long history of shared immigrant values, hard work ethic and religious faith,” Sandoval told the Tribune in 2011. “We’re both White Sox fans, and now we’ll share a majority Hispanic district. I look forward to having the Madigans over for a traditional home-style Mexican barbecue."

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Cocktails & Popcorn: What Do A Special Prosecutor, Jussie Smollet, Bobby Rush, Hillary Clinton & Rahm Emanuel Have In Common?

Q: What do a special prosecutor, Jessie Smollet, Bobby Rush, Hillary Clinton & Rahm Emanuel have in common?

A: The Children's Defense Fund.

Dem Rep. Bobby Rush Defends Handling Of Smollett Case: "Police Sworn Enemy Of Black People"

Special prosecutor named to look into Jussie Smollett case

CHICAGO (AP) — A judge appointed a special prosecutor Friday to look into why the Chicago state's attorney's office abruptly dropped the case against Jussie Smollett, leaving open the possibility that the former "Empire" actor could yet face charges in what police say was a phony attack on himself that he staged to get attention.

Smollett, who is black and gay, maintains that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in January. But if the special prosecutor, former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb, determines that the charges shouldn't have been dropped, he could recommend that they be reinstated or that new charges be brought.

Webb, who was appointed by Cook County Judge Michael Toomin during a Friday hearing, told reporters afterward that he would move the investigation along as quickly as possible. Such probes typically include impaneling a special grand jury, issuing subpoenas, taking witness statements and a final report.

"I intend to expedite everything. But the facts will take me where they take me," Webb said. "I'm going to start fresh and see where it goes."

The Cook County state's attorney's office charged Smollett in February with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly staging the attack and lying about it to investigators. However, it dropped the charges a month later with little explanation, angering city officials and the police.

Webb, who served as U.S. attorney in Chicago during the 1980s before going on to become arguably the city's most high-profile defense attorney of the last few decades, has been tapped to serve as a special prosecutor on five previous occasions. His list of high-profile clients has included former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, tobacco company Philip Morris and, more recently, Ukrainian energy oligarch Dymitro Firtash.

As a special prosecutor in 2012, Webb was asked to reopen the investigation into the death of David Koschman, who died after being punched in 2004 by then-Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's nephew. After an investigation of more than a year that included testimony from nearly 150 witnesses, Webb determined that charges were warranted.

Toomin said the 73-year-old Webb wasn't the first person he considered for the Smollett case. The judge was required by law to first see if the state attorney general, the appellate prosecutor or a state attorney from elsewhere in Illinois wanted the job. During Friday's hearing, he suggested few expressed interest in leading an investigation whose outcome will inevitably spark outrage in some quarters.

"I might say that the responses were less than enthusiastic, as you might expect," Toomin told the courtroom.

A former state appellate judge, Sheila O'Brien, petitioned for a special prosecutor earlier this year in what many believed was a long-shot to reopen the case. But in a surprise decision, Toomin ruled in June that a special prosecutors was, in fact, called for, citing "unprecedented irregularities" in how the case had been handled.

A Smollett spokeswoman declined to comment Friday. But in court filings last month, Smollett's attorneys sharply criticized Toomin's decision to appoint a special prosecutor with broad powers, calling the process a "travesty of justice."

Smollett, now 37, told police he was walking home early on Jan. 29 when two masked men approached him, made racist and homophobic insults, beat him and looped a noose around his neck before fleeing. He said his assailants, at least one of whom he said was white, told him he was in "MAGA country" — a reference to President Donald Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again."

Several weeks later, authorities alleged that Smollett had paid two black friends $3,500 to help him stage the attack because he was unhappy with his salary as an actor on "Empire" and wanted to drum up publicity for his career.

In his June ruling, Toomin suggested that the county's state's attorney, Kim Foxx, mishandled the case by appointing a top aide to oversee it after she recused herself.

Foxx had been in contact with a Smollett relative and was approached by former first lady Michelle Obama's one-time chief of staff on behalf of Smollett's family. Foxx explained at the time that she was recusing herself to avoid "even the perception of a conflict" of interest.

Foxx has said that Smollett was treated no differently than thousands of other defendants in low-level cases whose charges have been similarly dropped. She also publicly wondered if her being black had anything to do with the criticism she received.

She released a statement Friday pledging her office's "full cooperation" with Webb's investigation.

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/135001/amp?fbclid=IwAR0zVILtuT6b1kqe1c_ZRKxJzEyz6xe1YyYZy2Rh6fEXBncJ5jY96_h0eUY

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Cocktails & Popcorn: Will Trump Pardon Rod Blogojevich & Kwame Kilpatrick As Whistleblowers?

Now, why would Illinois seek to disbar Blogojevich so many years later.

It is all about the timing.

In this scenario, I believe he was installed into office as possible collateral damage when it comes to throwing "The Elected Ones" under the bus, strictly for business purposes of stealin'.

Blogojevich may just come out to tell his story, and it should be quite an interesting one.

I bet Kwame Kilpatrick's story is better.

But, alas, we shall never know for the time being, as Trump keeps obstructing justice by refusing to pull that IG Report from his backpocket.

#sayhisname

State seeks to disbar ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich from practicing law more than 8 years after conviction

Rod Blagojevich

Convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who has never really been considered a giant in the legal profession, used to joke that he’d spent more time frolicking on the beach at his law school in Malibu, Calif., than he did cracking books.

When he did buckle down and read, it was often history books, not case law, he said.

“I had a man crush on Alexander Hamilton,” Blagojevich testified at his corruption trial in 2011 about why he almost flunked out of Pepperdine University.

Now, as Blagojevich awaits word at a Colorado federal prison on whether President Donald Trump will commute his 14-year sentence, the Illinois panel that licenses and disciplines attorneys has quietly moved to finally take Blagojevich’s law license away permanently.

Earlier this month, the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a formal complaint citing Blagojevich’s conviction on an array of federal corruption charges and requesting a hearing before a disciplinary panel, online ARDC records show.

In what some might construe as a vast understatement, the complaint said the crimes for which Blagojevich was convicted — including trying to sell an appointment to the U.S. Senate, shaking down the owner of a children’s hospital and lying to the FBI — “adversely reflect on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer.”

The complaint, dated Aug. 1, comes eight years after the Illinois Supreme Court suspended Blagojevich’s law license indefinitely after his conviction at a second trial on counts of wire fraud, bribery and attempted extortion.

James Grogan, the ARDC’s deputy administrator and chief counsel, said the complaint was served on one of Blagojevich’s attorneys on Aug. 7 — the same day Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he was seriously considering commuting Blagojevich’s sentence, a decision that would spring him from prison about five years early.

Grogan said the delay in moving to disbar Blagojevich came because, by Illinois law, regulators have to wait until all appellate options are over before moving to permanently revoke a lawyer’s license.

In April 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the former governor’s appeal, marking the end of a decadelong legal road.

“Unless you agree to essentially disbar yourself, we have to wait," Grogan said.

Blagojevich has until Aug 28 to respond, Grogan said. If nothing is filed, he likely would be found liable by default and automatically disbarred.

Even if the complaint did eventually go to a hearing, it would essentially be a formality, Grogan said, since the only evidence against Blagojevich is his criminal conviction — something he’s not allowed to relitigate before the disciplinary board.

Blagojevich, 62, who served as Illinois governor from 2003 until his impeachment and removal from office in early 2009, is currently scheduled to be released from the low-security federal prison camp outside Denver in March 2024.

He graduated from law school at Pepperdine in 1983 and was admitted to the Illinois bar a year later, records show. His only legal experience came as a young assistant Cook County state’s attorney, where he was assigned to a traffic courtroom years before entering politics.

On the ARDC website, Blagojevich still lists his home address in Chicago’s Ravenswood Manor neighborhood as his registered business address.

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DOJ: Charity Executives, Former Arkansas State Senator Indicted for Embezzlement and Public Corruption Scheme - Happy Child Abuse Propaganda Month

Medicaid fraud in child welfare.

Gotta fund those political campaigns.

Happy Child Abuse Propaganda Month

Two former executives of a Springfield, Missouri-based charity and a former Arkansas state senator have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a multi-million-dollar public corruption scheme that involved embezzlement, bribes and illegal campaign contributions for elected public officials in Missouri and Arkansas, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison of the Western District of Missouri.

Bontiea Bernedette Goss, 63, her husband, Tommy Ray Goss, aka “Tom,” 63, both residents of Springfield, Missouri, and Boulder, Colorado, and Jeremy Young Hutchinson, 45, of Little Rock, Arkansas, were charged on March 29, 2019, in a 32-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield, which was unsealed today.

The indictment alleges that the Gosses, who were high-level executives at Preferred Family Healthcare Inc. (formerly known as Alternative Opportunities Inc.), and Hutchinson, who is an attorney and served as a state senator in the Arkansas Senate from 2011 to 2018, along with others, participated in a conspiracy from 2005 to November 2017 to embezzle and misapply the funds of a charitable organization that received federal funds, to pay bribes and kickbacks to elected officials (including Hutchinson), and to deprive the citizens of Arkansas of their right to the honest services of those elected officials.  According to the indictment, in exchange for the bribes and kickbacks offered by the Gosses and other co-conspirators, Hutchinson and other elected officials allegedly provided favorable legislative and official action for the charity, including directing funds from the state’s General Improvement Fund (GIF).

The indictment also alleges that the Gosses and others defrauded the charity, and the governmental entities that funded the charity, by embezzling and misapplying charity funds for their personal benefit, including, but not limited to:

• causing the charity to pay for chartered air flights for the Gosses to commute between their home in Colorado and their work at the charity’s office in Springfield;
• providing millions of dollars in interest-free loans to their for-profit companies;
• charging the charity inflated prices to lease vehicles from their for-profit companies;
• renting charity-owned commercial real estate to one of their for-profit companies at below-market rates or, in some instances, for free; and
• using charity funds to pay for personal services for themselves, including child and pet care, housekeeping and cleaning their personal residences, picking up and delivering groceries, and shoveling snow, among other personal services paid for by the charity.

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the Gosses and Hutchinson to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the proceeds of the alleged offenses.

The charity was known as Alternative Opportunities Inc. from its founding in 1991 until its 2015 merger with Preferred Family Healthcare.  The charity, which is cooperating with federal investigators, provided a variety of services to individuals in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, including mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, employment assistance, aid to individuals with developmental disabilities and medical services.

An indictment contains only allegations.  A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the Offices of the Inspectors General from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  This is a combined investigation by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Western District of Arkansas and the Eastern District of Arkansas.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Marco A. Palmieri of the Public Integrity Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich of the Western District of Missouri, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff of the Western District of Arkansas and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Mazzanti of the Eastern District of Arkansas.

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Even Police Have Voting Rights: Chicago police union announce no confidence vote on Smollett prosecutor Kim Foxx

This is what democracy looks like, a journey back to the public square, the first step of due process.

Police have powers of the vote, to transfer their voices, to bear witness to the public, by bearing their arms of the Fraternal Order of Police.

This is just getting started.

Suburban police chiefs, FOP give Kim Foxx no-confidence vote in latest fallout over Jussie Smollett case

A group of suburban police chiefs joined with the Chicago Fraternal Order of Policeto give Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx a vote of no confidence Thursday in the latest fallout over her office’s abrupt dismissal of charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett.

FOP President Kevin Graham and some 30 suburban police leaders from across Cook County took it a step further at a news conference, calling on Foxx to resign from her elected office.

“People standing around me can give you countless examples of how Ms. Foxx’s lack of prosecution has cost our members and police officers … an enormous amount of problems,” Graham told reporters. “Not to mention the fact that the people in Cook County are depending on prosecutors to put people in jail and charge them accordingly.”

Foxx’s office issued a brief statement on her behalf that defended her record and hinted that she would not resign and planned to seek re-election.

“I was elected by the people of Cook County to pursue community safety, prevent harm, and uphold the values of fairness and equal justice,” Foxx said in the statement. “I’m proud of my record in doing that, and I plan to do so through the end of my term and, if the people so will it, into the future.”

At the news conference at FOP headquarters, Jack Touhy, president of the South Suburban Chiefs of Police Association, said it was “pretty unheard of” for the north, west and south suburban police associations to join “so tightly” together on one issue.

Steve Stelter, first vice president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police who also serves as police chief in west suburban Westchester, said Foxx has let down Cook County residents, suggesting she has not fulfilled campaign promises, including “rebuilding public trust, promoting transparency, (being) proactive in the safety of our communities.”

A letter from the North Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police cited the Smollett case but attacked Foxx on a broader front for what it alleged was her office’s failures to more generally “hold offenders accountable.”

“It appears your strategy to address non-violent crime in Cook County is to decriminalize or ignore it, regardless of any collateral cost which is born overwhelmingly by individual communities and their police agencies,” said the letter from the group representing more than 30 police departments in the north and northwest suburbs.

Foxx has faced a firestorm of criticism after her office dismissed a 16-count felony indictment against Smollett without the actor acknowledging guilt during an unannounced court hearing last week.

Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself in downtown Chicago, did a victory lap, claiming he was wrongfully accused all along and saying the city of Chicago owed him an apology.

Kim Foxx: I welcome an outside review of how we handled the Jussie Smollett case »

With Foxx stumbling over her handling of the Smollett case, the police chiefs — and others — are clearly seizing on an opportunity.

The clash with police chiefs who favor a tougher stance on nonviolent crime is not surprising since the African-American state’s attorney won election in 2016 as a reform candidate, unseating incumbent Anita Alvarez in the Democratic primary with promises of sweeping change.

Her office has backed reform of the cash bond system to ensure nonviolent detainees who can’t post small amounts of money don’t languish in jail, moved to deprioritize certain nonviolent crimes such as shoplifting and halted prosecutions of people accused of driving on licenses that have been suspended or revoked for financial reasons — such as failure to pay child support, tolls or parking tickets.

In its letter to Foxx addressed Monday, the north suburban chiefs group criticized the policy changes on shoplifting and traffic offenses as well as the office’s more recent decision not to prosecute marijuana cases.

“These decisions add to the continuing resource burden on police agencies,” said the letter, written by Duane Mellema, the group’s president and the deputy police chief of Park Ridge. “We continue, as we are required, to investigate and make arrests for these offenses for which accountability and deterrence are greatly diminished.”

The letter went on to suggest that Foxx’s policies are affecting officers’ ability “to reduce and deter criminal activities.”

“The fact that you and your staff have made these decisions without consultation with our departments undermines any statement you have made that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office is working with us to maintain safe, crime free communities.”

Mellema called the Smollett case “the latest and most egregious example” of Foxx failing to hold criminals accountable for their actions.

Chicago police “diverted significant resources, and a substantial portion of a limited overtime budget to build this case with your staff,” he wrote. “To have the charges dismissed with no explanation and a sealed court file shows a lack of respect for the professionals you work with.”

The letter also criticized the felony review process — when assistant state’s attorneys work with police to decide whether charges should be brought — under Foxx, saying prosecutors often give “contradictory guidance” to suburban police departments and are often not responsive to their questions.

As a result, the letter said, “Our officers must explain your decisions not to prosecute to our local victims.”

Smollett, who is African-American and openly gay, has said he was walking from a Subway sandwich shop to this apartment in the 300 block of East North Water Street about 2 a.m. Jan. 29 when two men wearing masks attacked him, shouted racial and homophobic slurs and placed a noose around his neck.

Chicago police initially began a hate crime investigation but eventually said their investigation showed Smollett, 36, staged the attack.

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Jesuits Throw More Nasty Priests Under The Bus - Still No Trafficking Of Tiny Human Contract False Claims

We want the foster care and adoption secret financial records of the States Children's Trust Funds and we are going to get them because it just gets darker, and darker, in the name of the tax exempt god when it comes to trafficking tiny humans.

This is the residual of the peculiar institution.

#Time2AuditGod

That is why we are going to SCOTUS.

Jesuits release list of 89 US priests accused of sex abuse

Add caption

Chicago (AFP) - Jesuit authorities for 20 US states on Monday released the names of 89 priests with credible allegations of child sexual abuse dating as far back as 1950.

The disclosures by the Jesuit provinces of Maryland and USA Midwest are the latest chapter in the ongoing sexual abuse scandal roiling the Catholic Church and come after 153 Jesuits were publicly identified by two other provinces earlier this month.

Maryland released 24 names with allegations dating back to 1950 and USA Midwest released 65 names dating back to 1955. Many of the individuals are deceased, and some were previously publicly known to be accused of sexual assault.

"On behalf of the Midwest Jesuits, I apologize to victim-survivors and their families for the harm and suffering you have endured. Many of you have suffered in silence for decades," Brian Paulson, head of the USA Midwest province, said in an open letter.

Jesuits are the largest male religious order in the Catholic Church, with some 16,000 members worldwide. They operate 30 colleges and 81 schools in the United States and Canada.

The names made public Monday included dozens of priests with multiple allegations of abuse who served in educational institutions.

- Decades of abuse, errors dating to 1930s -

The priest with the most recent allegations was Donald McGuire, who died in federal prison in 2017 while serving a 25-year sentence. His was among the names that had been previously publicized.

Numerous men have accused McGuire of molesting them when they were boys. The first allegations dated to the 1950s, when he worked at a Jesuit private high school in Chicago, and went as late as 2005.

"Most of the Jesuits on our list entered religious life from the 1930's through the early 1960's. In retrospect, our evaluation of candidates, as well as the training, formation, and supervision of Jesuits, was not adequate," Paulson said.

He added that the organization had learned from its mistakes, and has improved training for Jesuits and was holding them accountable if abuse allegations are made.

The latest revelations came as religious orders are starting to face similar scrutiny to the rest of the Catholic Church and are embarking on efforts at transparency.

- Lists 'incomplete' -

Earlier this month, provinces overseeing Jesuits in more than 20 western, southern and central US states released lists of 153 members accused of child sexual abuse.

The Maryland province's leader, who is known as the provincial, said Monday's release was meant to provide transparency and accountability, and that an external audit of the organization's files would be conducted "to ensure that our previous reviews were both accurate and complete."

"We are deeply sorry for the harm we have caused to victims and their families," the provincial, Robert Hussey, said in an open letter published on the organization's website.

"We view the disclosure today of our shameful history as part of our commitment now to preventing abuse."

A victim's advocacy group welcomed the disclosures, but noted that they came only after sustained public pressure, including from prosecutors.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) criticized the Jesuit order for keeping accused priests' names secret for decades and called for an independent investigation by law enforcement.

"Too often, lists are released that are incomplete or carefully curated by church officials, and so by inviting an independent investigation, Jesuit officials can demonstrate to parishioners and the public their commitment to transparency and healing," SNAP said in a statement.

"Such an investigation would be the only way to determine who knew what, when they knew it, and what they chose to do with that information."

The Catholic Church has been hit by a series of child abuse scandals in recent years, with widespread allegations of cover-ups.

In August, a devastating US report on child sex abuse claimed more than 300 "predator" priests abused more than 1,000 minors over seven decades in the state of Pennsylvania.

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FinCEN: The Original Detroit GTO Model Of Corporate Shape Shifting Races For LLC Property Titles

I bet the Corporate Shape Shifters over there at Title Source/Amrock/Quicken Loans/Bedrock/Jack Entertainment whatever the TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY flavor of the week it is for Dan Gilbert is most certainly glad that Detroit was not identified in these new Geographic Targeting Orders (GTO), but, then again, Detroit was the original model.

The Original Detroit GTO model of corporate shape shifting

Title Source Has Been Anointed As A $706 Million Corporate Shape Shifter

GEOGRAPHIC TARGETING ORDER The Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) hereby issues a Geographic Targeting Order (“Order”) requiring TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY to collect and report information about the persons involved in certain residential real estate transactions, as further described in this Order.

Now, this is how you target populations.

Karma.

FinCEN Reissues Real Estate Geographic Targeting Orders and Expands Coverage to 12 Metropolitan Areas

Purchase Threshold Lowered to $300,000 and Virtual Currencies Included

WASHINGTON—The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today announced the issuance of revised Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs) that require U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used in all-cash purchases of residential real estate. The purchase amount threshold, which previously varied by city, is now set at $300,000 for each covered metropolitan area. FinCEN is also requiring that covered purchases using virtual currencies be reported.

Previous GTOs provided valuable data on the purchase of residential real estate by persons implicated, or allegedly involved, in various illicit enterprises including foreign corruption, organized crime, fraud, narcotics trafficking, and other violations. Reissuing the GTOs will further assist in tracking illicit funds and other criminal or illicit activity, as well as inform FinCEN’s future regulatory efforts in this sector.

Today’s GTOs cover certain counties within the following major U.S. metropolitan areas: Boston; Chicago; Dallas-Fort Worth; Honolulu; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; San Antonio; San Diego; San Francisco; and Seattle.

FinCEN appreciates the continued assistance and cooperation of the title insurance companies and the American Land Title Association in protecting the real estate markets from abuse by illicit actors.

Any questions about the Orders should be directed to the FinCEN Resource Center at FRC@FinCEN.gov 

Frequently asked questions regarding these GTOs are available here.

U.S. Treasury FinCEN Real Estate Geographic Targeting Order - 11-15-2018 by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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