Tag Archives: crime

From the Justice Department: Louis LaPolla, age 78, of Utica, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Syracuse to mail fraud for soliciting and then stealing donations intended for a scholarship fund in his late wife’s name. In pleading guilty, LaPolla admitted that he set up a scholarship fund in honor of his late wife, Andrea LaPolla, after …

NBC News reports:  Federal authorities said Friday they charged Fat Brands and its chair, Andy Wiederhorn, of committing a brazen scheme that netted him $47 million in bogus loans from the restaurant company that owns Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Twin Peaks. Wiederhorn, who was convicted two decades ago in a criminal case that involved similar conduct, was separately criminally charged …

Politico reports: Federal prosecutors have charged former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry in Washington for allegedly lying to investigators in connection with a campaign finance probe of a foreign billionaire’s political contributions. Fortenberry (R-Neb.) was convicted of the same charges by a jury in Los Angeles in 2022, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the conviction, determining that the …

From the Justice Department: An indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging seven men with racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in connection with their alleged participation in a large-scale gas pump skimming device organization. According to court documents, the defendants, led by Eduardo Rodriguez, also known as Ogbe Bara, 40, …

Las Vegas’s CBS affiliate reports: A man allegedly shot at his neighbors for being gay, saying in part, “I hope you [expletives] die,” according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Monday. Larry Walraven, 75, faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon with a hate crime enhancement, records said. On April 25, Walraven allegedly shot at his …

Bloomberg reports: The Swiss Army Knife, the iconic, more than century-old fold-up tool used by whittlers, soldiers and even astronauts, will soon be available without a blade. Victorinox, the company behind the quintessentially Swiss product, is responding to tighter regulations around weapons around the world, Chief Executive Officer Carl Eisner told the Blick newspaper on Monday. Instead, it plans to …

Miami’s NBC affiliate reports: Two teens are facing felony charges after a viral video showing boaters dumping trash in the ocean off Boca Raton sparked outrage, officials said Friday. The teens — 15 and 16 years old — turned themselves in to police Friday, FWC officials said. The viral video, which was posted on the Instagram account Wavy Boats, shows …

From the Justice Department: A Massachusetts woman pleaded guilty today to multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses, including assaulting law enforcement during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Her actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. …

Miami’s ABC affiliate reports: One day after a video went viral showing a group of teens dumping trash just off the Boca Inlet, the public has responded with outrage. “It’s shocking, disheartening, a lot of anger, and honestly, the thing that was most shocking to me is the age of the people on the boat,” said Madeline Kaufman of Debris …

Florida Politics reports: Lake Alfred City Commissioner Charles Lake has been arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. An arrest affidavit shows Polk County Sheriff’s deputies served a warrant at Lake’s home. Lake, documents show, confessed to police that he was in possession of child pornography, including many images kept on a “Patriot” USB drive. The Lake Alfred Republican now …

The CBC reports: Three men accused by the Crown of helping lead and coordinate the COVID-19 protest blockade at Coutts, Alta., in 2022 have been found guilty of mischief. Jurors deliberated for three hours Tuesday night before finding Alex Van Herk, Marco Van Huigenbos, and George Janzen guilty of one count each of mischief over $5,000. The three were on …

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports: O.J. Simpson’s longtime lawyer and executor of his estate said Friday that he will fight to prevent the payout of a $33.5 million judgment awarded to the families of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Attorney Malcolm LaVergne, who had represented Simpson since 2009, told the Review-Journal in a phone interview …

Houston’s ABC affiliate reports: Multiple people suffered what were described as “serious injuries” Friday when a commercial vehicle crashed into a DPS Office in Brenham, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Six people were hospitalized, according to Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who is from Brenham. She said of the six, three were taken to nearby hospitals by helicopters. The …

The Daily Mail reports: OJ Simpson died owing his murder victim’s family more than $100 million – and they say they’re still going after the money. Simpson, who died in Nevada on Wednesday age 76, was found liable in civil court for $33.5 million for the murders of Ron Goldman and Nicole Simpson in 1997. An attorney for Ron’s father …

Los Angeles’s ABC affiliate reports: Orenthal James Simpson, also known as O.J. Simpson, has died, ABC News has confirmed. He was 76 years old. His family announced that he passed away on Wednesday after battling cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren, the family said. “During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their …

Gothamist reports: Mayor Eric Adams, who called package theft a “New York nightmare,” pledged to end it on Wednesday by opening parcel storage lockers at seven locations throughout the city. “We want to send a message to the porch pirates that your days are over of sailing away with our packages,” the mayor said, noting that 90,000 packages are reported …

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports: A Republican candidate for state House of Representatives in Northern Kentucky was arrested and booked for strangulation Monday night. According to Kenton County Jail records, Brian Ormes was arrested by a Fort Wright police officer and booked into Kenton County Jail at 11:02 p.m. Monday on three charges — first-degree strangulation, menacing and fourth-degree assault with …

The Associated Press reports: Police in Vermont are seeking a suspect who allegedly started a fire Friday outside the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The small blaze caused minor damages but no injuries. Authorities say an unknown male suspect sprayed what they described as a possible accelerant on the office door, set it on fire and fled. They said …

Miami’s NBC affiliate reports: A man who climbed a cell tower in Miami early Wednesday without safety gear, causing major damage and a service outage as he spent hours up on the structure before coming down, has been arrested, police said. The bizarre incident began when Miami Police said the man started climbing the cell tower at 29th Street and …

Law & Crime reports: The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday arrested 25-year-old Brad Markey-Perez after he allegedly shot his pal by mistake, authorities said. Deputies found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the jaw. Markey-Perez told deputies he and the victim like to have “drills” where they “practice with each other the importance of being vigilant of …