EFTA00160275.pdf

From: To: "FBINewsBriefing" ce. Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - FBI Daily News Briefing - January 29, 2024 Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 11:10:03 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation January 29, 2024 Seal Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • Three U.S. Troops Killed in Drone Attack in Jordan • Shooting Hoops, Changing Perceptions: D.C. Students Face off vs. FBI • Feds To Dispatch More Resources To Fight Washington's Violent-Crime Surge • Feds Announce Drug Enforcement Task Forces Arrest Nearly 200 Suspected Drug Traffickers • Justice Department Finds Cuomo Sexually Harassed Employees And Settles With New York State • Nikki Haley Targeted in 'Swatting' Incident at Her Home • Pelosi Wants FBI to Investigate Pro-Palestinian Protesters • House GOP Unveils Mayorkas Impeachment Articles Despite Lack of Evidence • Ex-FBI Official Who Shut down Hunter Biden Lines of Investigation Violated Hatch Act With Anti- Trump Posts COUNTERTERRORISM • Ex-FBI Officials Warn Congress of 'New and Imminent' Border Danger • Man Charged in 20-Plus Calls of False Threats in U.S., Canada Pleads Guilty • Police Arrest Teen Said to Be Linked to Hundreds of Swatting Attacks • Last of NY 'Newburgh Four' Bomb Plot Co-defendants Set to Leave Prison • FBI Probes Antisemitic Comments Directed at Connecticut Common Council • Opinion: As Iran-Backed Militias Attack Americans, Biden Tries to Save Tehran Terrorists • Opinion: Predator or Prey? Undercover Federal Agents Target Vulnerable Teens COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Chinese Music Student Convicted of Stalking Pro-Democracy Activist at Berklee • FBI Scrambles to Review 22 Years of High-Level Cases Over Fears of Compromise by Convicted Spy Charles McGonigal EFTA00160275  • The Pentagon Tried to Hide That It Bought Americans' Data Without a Warrant CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Former Los Angeles Council Member Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For Pay-To-Play Corruption Scandal • A British Painting Stolen by Mobsters Is Returned to the Owner's Son — 54 Years Later • Sexual Assaults Hit New High in 2023 For Cruise Passengers Says FBI • Russian Man Who Flew on Los Angeles Flight Without Passport or Ticket Found Guilty of Being Stowaway • Cross Burning In South Carolina Stirs Debate Over Hate-Crimes Laws • Man Who Ran Dogfighting Ring With More Than 50 Dogs Training at His Property Sentenced • Colorado Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Aiming Laser Pointer at Denver Police Helicopter • Two Women Tried to Expose Jeffrey Epstein Three Decades Ago. Why Didn't the FBI Stop Him? • Couple Working as Chauffeurs Accused of Stealing $34M From Oregon Publishing Giant in Exaggerated and Bogus Charges • Insider Trader Who Made $1 Million on Merck's Pandion Deal Gets Five Months • Ex-Gang Leader Who Spent Years in Witness Protection Charged in Fire That Killed Kids, Pregnant Women • Republican State Senator Asks Possibility of Reopening AG Paxton Impeachment Case • Arkansas Squatters Stake Claim on Land, Says It Belongs to Them Since They Are Part of Exclusive Group • FBI Searching for "Fledgling Bandit" Wanted for Robbing Four Banks in Colorado CYBER DIVISION • Sextortion Training Materials Found on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, According to New Report • FBI Dismantles Blackcat, Triggering Strong Reaction CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS • Supreme Court Is Urged to Rule Trump Is Ineligible to Be President Again Because of the Jan. 6 Riot • Peter Navarro Decries Contempt of Congress Charges Violates Constitution's Separation of Powers • Judge 'Shocked' by Efforts to 'Rewrite History' of Jan. 6 Attack, Those Who Label Perpetrators 'Hostages' • Illinois Hearing Officer, Ex-G.O.P. Judge, Says Trump Engaged in Insurrection • Houston Man Charged After Found Taking Seines and Videos in Capitol During Jan. 6 Siege • Milwaukee Man Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Capitol Police With Chemical Spray During Jan. 6 • Cheney Recirculates Stefanik Jan. 6 Statement After She Reportedly Deletes It OTHER FBI NEWS • 23andMe Breach Targeted Jewish and Chinese Customers, Lawsuit Says • International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Saturday • FBI Springfield Urges Identity Theft Protection • Last Victim of Maui Wildfires Identified Months After Disaster • Opinion: Sam Altman Says OpenAl Has a Plan to Combat Election Misinformation EFTA00160276 INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Kim Jong Un Supervised Tests of Cruise Missiles Designed to Be Fired From Submarines, North Korea Says • U.N. Says Gaza Aid Is at Risk as Nations Pause Relief-Agency Funding • Iran Launches 3 Satellites Into Space That Are Part of a Western-Criticized Program as Tensions Rise • Two Masked Attackers Kill 1 in Shooting at Istanbul Church • After Two Years of Bloody Fighting, Ukraine Wrestles With Conscription • This Ambush Shows How Ukraine Is Holding the Line • Houthi Attacks Disrupt Shipping, Draw U.S. Into Direct Conflict • Israel Struggles to Destroy Hamas's Gaza Tunnel Network • After Help From Kenyan Police Is Blocked, Haitians Ask: What Now? • Finland's Presidential Election, First Since Joining NATO, Heads to Runoff OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Donald Trump Must Pay An Additional $83.3 Million To E. Jean Carroll In Defamation Case, Jury Says • Biden Calls Regional Partners Ahead of CIA Chief's Meeting in Push for Another Gaza Hostage Deal • Texas Attorney General Refuses To Grant Federal Agents Full Access To Border Park • U.S. Condemns Ban on Venezuelan Opposition Leader's Candidacy and Puts Sanctions Relief Under Review • Don't Delete Slack Or Signal Chats, U.S. Agencies Warn Companies • GOP Lawmaker Moves To Defund 'Sanctuary' Cities, Slams 'Hypocrisy' As They Seek Federal Aid For Migrant Crisis • U.S. Court Skeptical of Florida Challenge to Biden 'Catch and Release' Border Policy • Many Black Men Wonder What Biden Has Done For Them • A Drug Test Cost a D.E.A. Agent His Job. He Sued, and Got It Back. • U.S. And China To Hold High-Level Talks Aimed At Curbing The Fentanyl Crisis • FIFA Convictions Are Imperiled by Questions of U.S. Overreach • Palestinian Americans' Lawsuit In Oakland Seeks To Halt U.S. Support For Israel • U.N. To Investigate Claim That Employees Participated In Oct. 7 Attack • Investigators Sought Jeff Bezos' Tax-Return Leaker; They Stumbled Upon Donald Trump's • Trump's $50 Million Mystery Debt Looks Like 'Tax Evasion' BIG PICTURE • New York Times • Wall Street Journal • Washington Post • Financial Times • ABC News • CBS News • NBC News • Fox News WASHINGTON SCHEDULE EFTA00160277 IN THE NEWS Three U.S. Troops Killed in Drone Attack in Jordan The Associated Press (01/29, Miller, Baldor) and the Wall Street Journal (01/28, Gordon) reported that three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 were injured in an Iran-backed militia's drone strike on a base in northeast Jordan, according to U.S. officials on Sunday. A U.S. official stated that the attack took place overnight at Tower 22, a small outpost near the Syrian border. The reports mentioned that the drone struck the living quarters of the troops; the president and secretary of defense said the U.S. would retaliate. Biden said in a written statement that the United States "will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing?' Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, "We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests?' Based on the information, Iran-backed fighters in east Syria began evacuating their posts, fearing U.S. airstrikes. The story was also reported on by ABC News (01/29, Crawford, Parks, Farrow), BBC (01/28, Staff Writer), CBS News (01/28, Becket, Hubbard), CNN (01/28, Britzky, Bertrand, Liebermann), Fox News (01/28, Wallace, Friden, Tomlinson), The Guardian (01/28, Wintour, Luscombe), The Hill (01/28, Fortinsky), NBC News (01/28, Kube, Kenny, Alsharif), the New York Times (01/28, Baker), Politico (01/28, McLeary, Seligman), Reuters (01/29, Stewart, Holland, Ali), USA TODAY (01/25, Brook, Meyer), and the Washington Post (01/28, Horton, Olorunnipa, Lamothe). Shooting Hoops, Changing Perceptions: D.C. Students Face off vs. FBI The Washington Post (01/28, Stein) reported that to build relationships with local communities and inspire potential future recruitment, Director Wray and other FBI officials participated in a basketball game against D.C. high school students. According to the article, Director Wray, who cheered on the students from the sidelines, commented on the game's competitiveness and the advantage of youth, saying, "The longer the game goes on, the more youth is likely to triumph." The event, which included speeches from FBI employees, a tour of FBI facilities, and interactive learning about the agency's work, aimed to change perceptions of the FBI, especially in light of its historical tensions with Black communities. The article noted that Director Wray addressed the students after the game, expressing his hope to see them again, possibly at FBI training headquarters in Quantico, receiving their FBI credentials. The article explained that this interaction highlighted the FBI's efforts to present a more approachable and diverse face to the community. Feds To Dispatch More Resources To Fight Washington's Violent-Crime Surge The Wall Street Journal (01/26, Gurman) reported that the Justice Department will commit more federal prosecutors, agents, analysts, and other resources to fighting gun crime in Washington, D.C., where police have struggled to curb violence even as many other U.S. cities have seen double-digit declines in homicides. According to the article, officials said Friday they would provide new tools to enable more federal investigations and prosecutions of violent crime and take particular aim at carjackings, which nearly doubled in the nation's capital last year, frustrating law enforcement and leaving residents on edge. The article explained that the effort in Washington is part of the Biden administration's emphasis on combating violent crime, which voters have cited as a top concern heading into the 2024 election, even as federal data suggest it is falling nationwide. Killings were down about 15% in the 10 largest cities last year compared with 2022, and that includes a 20% drop in both Philadelphia and Houston and 16% in Los Angeles. The article highlighted that in Washington, homicides rose 35% in 2023 compared with the year before, to 274 from 203, according to police department data. The article specified that robberies increased 67%, to 3,470 last year from 2,076 in 2022. Attorney General Merrick Garland said, "We saw an encouraging decline in violent crime in many parts of the country, but there is much more work to do, including here in the District of Columbia." The article indicated that led by the FBI, officials said they would use data to open new federal investigations into shootings and carjackings, while more prosecutors, including some from the Justice Department's Criminal Division, would focus on those cases. Officials, the article elaborated, blame a number of factors for the increase in DC's violent crime. The article noted that D.C.'s U.S. attorney, Matthew Graves, has pointed to what he described as overly lenient criminal-justice laws in the district that allow judges to sentence young defendants to shorter prison sentences, as opposed to longer mandatory minimum prison terms. Graves, speaking at a Police Executive Research Forum conference on Thursday, said that of 182 people charged with armed carjackings in Washington in 2023, 139 were juveniles, and of the 43 adults charged, 31 were age 24 or younger at the time of the offense, making them eligible for shorter sentences under the local law. Fox News (01/26, Gibson, Spunt) noted that DOJ officials said the rise in carjackings has been particularly concerning. The new resources, the article explained, include moving more prosecutors to investigate cases and a EFTA00160278 multi-component Gun Violence Analytic Cell (GVAC) to help identify additional federal investigations that should be opened in the district. The article detailed that to help with court cases, federal prosecutors from the Justice Department's Criminal Division will work on violent crime cases alongside the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C. According to the article, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves is moving new prosecutors to focus specifically on carjacking and both lethal and non-lethal firearms cases. The article added that AG Garland said, "This surge in law enforcement resources will build on the department's efforts to target the individuals and organizations that are driving violent crime in the nation's capital. The Justice Department will not rest until every community in our country is safe from the scourge of violent crime." The Washington Post (01/26, Hermann) added that Matthew M. Graves, the U.S. attorney for D.C., whose office prosecutes nearly all local adult criminal offenses in the District, said in an interview that the new Gun Violence Analytic Cell, led by the FBI with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration, will help identify new leads and new avenues for prosecution in crimes such as carjackings, and fatal and nonfatal shootings. Graves, the article detailed, said that team might analyze a string of 911calls for sounds of gunshots, even if no one was struck, to see where precisely they occur, how often and at what times of day because "All those things can be really informative of some problem brewing, that wasn't previously on law enforcement radar." In addition, the article continued, Graves said some street crews and carjacking operations have grown sophisticated, requiring investigators to seek information from cell towers, break into encrypted cellphones and collate data from various electronic devices. According to the article, he said the analytics team can help with those leads "to start building out connections and unraveling these networks." USA Today (01/26, Mayes-Osterman) noted that Justice Department spokesperson Peter Carr declined to say whether the announcement came in response to the wave of violent crime, but he said the initiative is part of a departmentwide strategy launched in May of 2021to address the pandemic-era spike in violent crime, and builds on similar initiatives in Houston and Memphis, Tennessee. The article explained that U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves faced a maelstrom of criticism after internal reports showed his office pressed charges in just one-third of arrests in 2022. The office's prosecution rate, the article highlighted, rose to 44% in fiscal year 2023 after officials scrambled to contain the outcry. Reuters (01/26, Chiacu), The Hill (01/26, Suter), UPI (01/26, Cunningham), and Washington Examiner (01/26, Villalovas) also reported on the story. Feds Announce Drug Enforcement Task Forces Arrest Nearly 200 Suspected Drug Traffickers Fox News (01/26, Gibson, Spunt) reported that the Justice Department announced nearly 200 people have been arrested and charged in a series of law enforcement actions targeting large-scale drug-trafficking organizations throughout the country. According to the article, the cases in question led to the arrests of defendants in 10 states across the nation, including Alaska, netting nearly SO kilograms of fentanyl and over 70 kilograms of meth. The article indicated that Attorney General Merrick Garland commented, "These cases represent just a fraction of the work our agents and prosecutors are doing every day to target, disrupt, and dismantle the cartels and drug trafficking organizations that are poisoning the American people." DOJ, the article continued, said all of these cases and arrests are part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operations, which aim to, "identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks." WTRF (ABC-7) (01/26, Baker) quoted AG Garland as saying "Over just three days and across 10 states, the Justice Department has charged nearly 200 individuals for their alleged roles in major drug trafficking operations," and "These cases represent just a fraction of the work our agents and prosecutors are doing every day to target, disrupt, and dismantle the cartels and drug trafficking organizations that are poisoning the American people." The article detailed that Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said, "Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die from illicit drugs trafficked into our communities, including fentanyl and other synthetic opioids," adding, "This wave of indictments and arrests — stretching from Alaska to Mississippi and from Nebraska to West Virginia — shows the reach of the Justice Department and our partners across the country and around the world when it comes to disrupting narcotics trafficking?' The cases announced this week, the article detailed, were brought by federal law enforcement in four districts, leading to the arrest of defendants from 10 states that cover crime rings operating in the Eastern, Southern, and Midwest regions of the U.S. and throughout Alaska. The article noted that officials say these efforts are all part of a Department-wide Violent Crime Reduction Strategy implemented under Attorney General Garland to leverage the resources of the Department's federal prosecutors, agents, investigators, criminal justice experts, and grant programs to combat violent crime. Every U.S. Attorney's Office, the article specified, has worked with state and local partners to implement district-specific violent crime reduction strategies. EFTA00160279 The article added that these cases represent the ongoing, targeted efforts by U.S. Attorney's Offices to seize deadly drugs and to prosecute those whose actions bring violence in communities. Reuters (01/26, O'Brien) and UPI (01/26, Hughes) also reported on the story. Justice Department Finds Cuomo Sexually Harassed Employees And Settles With New York State The Associated Press (01/26, Izaguirre) reported that a settlement announced Friday confirmed allegations from the damaging misconduct probe that led to the Democrat's resignation. According to the article, the U.S. Justice Department concluded former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed more than a dozen state employees. The article indicated that the settlement between New York and the Justice Department resolves the federal agency's sexual harassment investigation of Cuomo and outlines additional steps the state will take to change how it handles misconduct complaints. Cuomo, once a rising star in the Democratic party, the article continued, left office in 2021after a report by Attorney General Letitia James concluded he sexually harassed at least 11women. The article noted that he has denied wrongdoing and argued James' report was driven by politics, intended to force him from office so she could run for governor. The Justice Department investigation, the article detailed, found a similar pattern of sexual misconduct by Cuomo and said he subjected at least 13 state employees to a sexually hostile work environment. The report, the article elaborated, said Cuomo's staffers failed to adequately report allegations and retaliated against four women who raised complaints. The article added that the agency did not release a full report detailing its investigation but instead published a list of its findings. Politico (01/26, Reisman) detailed that the announcement was made as part of a civil rights settlement with his successor. The article detailed that the agreement concluded the governor's office under Cuomo violated federal Title VII rules against discrimination and retaliation between 2013 and 2021.The justice department, the article specified, found Cuomo "repeatedly subjected" women in his office to non-consensual sexual contact, ogling and gender- based nicknames, while top Cuomo staff "were aware of the conduct and retaliated against four of the women he harassed." The article highlighted that Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general in the agency's civil rights division, said in a statement, "The conduct in the Executive Chamber under the former governor, the state's most powerful elected official, was especially egregious because of the stark power differential involved and the victims' lack of avenues to report and redress harassment:' CNN (01/26, Lybrand, Cole) noted that the department said the agreement "memorializes" many of the reforms enacted by Cuomo's successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul, "as well as additional reforms aimed at preventing sexual harassment and retaliation in the Executive Chamber." The article explained that the reforms include the governor's office creating a new "process for complaints against senior officials" so that individuals lodging complaints can have "confidence that their complaints will be handled as independently as possible," the Justice Department said. The governor's office, the article elaborated, will also have to build an "anti-retaliation monitoring policy" to help shield complainants from reprisal. The article added that Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement, "With this settlement agreement, the Executive Chamber under Governor Hochul is undertaking additional actions that will address system failures of the past while helping prevent the recurrence of systemic sexual harassment and retaliation in the future." The Washington Post (01/26, Paybarah, Dawsey) highlighted that in announcing the settlement, the Justice Department also acknowledged Hochul's efforts to correct what it said had gone awry under her predecessor, with U.S. Attorney Breon Peace of the Eastern District of New York saying in a statement, "We appreciate the Governor's stated determination to make sure that sexual harassment does not recur at the highest level of New York State government." Bloomberg (01/26, Strohm) quoted an attorney for Cuomo, Rita Glavin, who said he "did not sexually harass anyone" and that the Justice Department investigation was based entirely on a "deeply flawed, inaccurate, biased and misleading report" in 2021 by New York Attorney General Letitia James. CNBC (01/26, Breuninger) highlighted that Cuomo's spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, suggested in a statement that Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney who signed off on the agreement, had a conflict of interest because he was the law partner of Joon Kim, who led the New York attorney general's 2021 investigation of Cuomo. The New York Times (01/26, Ashford) added that a person briefed on the Justice Department's process said the investigation included a review of the attorney general's report and public statements, as well as new interviews that turned up new victims. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Reuters (01/26, Harte), Wall Street Journal (01/26, Vielkind), The Hill (01/26, Polus), Rolling Stone (01/26, Bort), Axios (01/26, Habeshian), Politico (01/26, Reisman), Fox News (01/26, Casiano), New York Post (01/26, Golden), The Guardian (01/26, Pengelly), and Salon (01/26, McClure). Nikki Haley Targeted in 'Swatting' Incident at Her Home ABC News (01/28, Kerr) reported that Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, revealed that her parents were the victims of a "swatting" hoax in December at their home EFTA00160280 on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The article explained that during the incident, law enforcement officers, misled by a false 911call, had their guns drawn on Haley's parents. Highlighting the dangers of such incidents, Haley quoted, "It put the law enforcement officers in danger, it put my family in danger," and referred to the episode as an "awful situation." According to the article, this event is part of a broader context of threats against public figures, as noted by Attorney General Merrick Garland, who mentioned a "deeply disturbing spike" in threats, including those against FBI agents and other officials, underscoring the escalating tensions and risks in the current political climate. Additional reporting on the story was provided by NBC News (01/28, Concepcion, Roman), Reuters (01/27, Ulmer, Eisler, So), New York Times (01/27, Vigdor), Fox News (01/27, Pandolfo), USA Today (01/27, Kuchar), The Hill (01/27, Timotija), The Guardian (01/27, Aratani), New York Post (01/27, Levine), HuffPost (01/27, Murdock), Politico (01/27, Alafriz), SaltWire (01/27, Ulmer, Eisler, So), The Messenger (01/28, Leeman), Newsweek (01/27, Dobkin), and NBC Nightly News (01/27, Video). Pelosi Wants FBI to Investigate Pro-Palestinian Protesters CNN (01/28, Graef) reported that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced criticism for suggesting that some pro- Palestinian protesters are connected to Russia, a claim she made on CNN's "State of the Union." Pelosi mentioned, "Some, I think, are connected to Russia. And I say that having looked at this for a long time now, as you know," but clarified, "I don't think they're plants." She also expressed a desire for an FBI investigation into the financing of these protests, saying, "I think some financing should be investigated, and I want to ask the FBI to investigate that." According to the article, this statement was met with backlash from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, with its head Nihad Awad calling Pelosi's suggestion for an FBI investigation "downright authoritarian." Additional reporting on the story was provided by the New York Times (01/28, Guo), Rolling Stone (01/28, Wade), Reuters (01/28, Singh), The Hill (01/28, Sforza), NPR (01/28, Bowman), Daily Mail (01/28, Richter), The Daily Beast (01/28, Yen), NBC News (01/28, Concepcion), Daily Wire (01/28, Staff Writer), The Messenger (01/28, Leeman), UPI (01/28, Schrader), Fox News (01/28, Panreck), and Washington Times (01/28, Touchberry). House GOP Unveils Mayorkas Impeachment Articles Despite Lack of Evidence The New York Times (01/28, Demirjian) reported that House Republicans released two articles of impeachment against Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, accusing him of failing to uphold immigration law and breaching public trust. According to the article, the charges, set to be approved by a House committee, stem from Mayorkas's handling of migration at the U.S.-Mexico border and are part of the Republicans' critique of President Biden's immigration policies. The articles allege that Mayorkas willfully flouted laws requiring migrant detention and lied to Congress about border security, with Representative Mark Green stating, "These articles lay out a clear, compelling and irrefutable case for Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas's impeachment." The article explained that despite the charges, Democrats and legal experts argue they amount to a policy dispute rather than high crimes, with Representative Bennie Thompson dismissing the investigation as "fact-free." The article noted that the impeachment is unlikely to succeed in the Democratic-led Senate, but it highlights the political tensions surrounding immigration policy. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Associated Press (01/28, Santana), ABC News (01/28, Owen), NBC News (01/28, Stewart, Lebowitz), NPR (01/28, Staff Writer), Washington Post (01/28, Alemany), The Guardian (01/28, Luscombe), The Independent (01/28, Bowden), UPI (01/28, Moran), The Daily Beast (01/28, Bolles), Vanity Fair (01/28, McCordick), Fox News (01/28, Hagstrom), Axios (01/28, Kight), CNN (01/28, Fossum, Alvarez, Grayer), The Hill (01/28, Bertsch), CBS News (01/28, Hubbard), Politico (01/28, Carney), NBC Nightly News (01/28, Video), and MSNBC (01/28, Video). An opinion piece by the Wall Street Journal (01/28, Chertoff) was also posted. Ex-FBI Official Who Shut down Hunter Biden Lines of Investigation Violated Hatch Act With Anti-Trump Posts Fox News (01/28, Singman) reported that the U.S. Office of Special Counsel determined that former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault violated the Hatch Act with his political posts on social media, following allegations of partisanship affecting FBI investigations, including actions related to Hunter Biden and former President Trump. According to the article, whistleblowers had claimed that Thibault's decision to shut down investigations into the Bidens and influence an investigation into Trump was approved by Director Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The article explained that the Hatch Act Unit's chief, Ana Galindo-Marrone, concluded that Thibault's retweet from the Lincoln Project constituted a violation of the Hatch Act, stating, "Mr. Thibault has been warned that if in the future he engaged in activity prohibited by the Hatch Act while employed in a Hatch Act-covered position, OSC would consider such activity to be a willful and knowing violation of the law that EFTA00160281 could result in disciplinary action." The article noted that Senator Chuck Grassley, who referred Thibault for investigation, emphasized the need for non-partisanship in federal law enforcement, asserting, "It's up to the bureau to restore that trust through transparency and cooperation with congressional oversight." The Epoch Times (1/27, Steiber) also reported on the story. Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Ex-FBI Officials Warn Congress of 'New and Imminent' Border Danger The New York Post (01/27, Vincent, Levine) reported that a group of former FBI officials warned that the Biden administration's border policy poses an "imminent danger" to the US, citing the influx of "military-aged men" from various global regions, potentially including those not friendly to the US. According to the article, these officials, including former Terrorist Screening Center Director Timothy Healy and former FBI assistant directors Kevin Brock and Chris Swecker, expressed concerns in a letter sent to congressional leaders. They highlighted the risk of terror attacks similar to the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, emphasizing the vulnerability due to the current border situation. The letter stressed the urgent need to address this security threat, especially considering the significant number of migrant encounters reported by Customs and Border Protection. The article noted that Republican leaders have also criticized the administration's border policies, linking them to national security concerns and the ongoing crisis of drug smuggling. Man Charged in 20-Plus Calls of False Threats in U.S., Canada Pleads Guilty The Associated Press (01/26, Staff Writer) reported that Ashton Garcia, a 21-year-old from Washington state, pleaded guilty to making over 20 "swatting" calls across the US and Canada, including fake bomb threats and other emergency situations. According to the article, these calls, often using voice-over-internet technology to conceal his identity, led to emergency responses, with law enforcement entering homes with guns drawn and detaining individuals. Garcia's actions, which included extortion and threats of explosives, prompted a federal investigation, leading to his indictment on 10 felony counts. Prosecutors have recommended a four-year prison sentence as part of his plea agreement, with sentencing scheduled for April. The article noted that the case underlines the serious nature of such hoaxes, highlighted by a 2017 incident where a police officer killed a man while responding to a similar hoax call. The press release noted that the case is being investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from numerous local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and in Canada. The New York Times (01/27, Schmall) also reported on the story. Police Arrest Teen Said to Be Linked to Hundreds of Swatting Attacks WIRED (01/28, Mehrotra) reported that a 17-year-old from California, known by the handle Torswats, was arrested and is being extradited to Florida to face four felony charges related to his involvement in a nationwide "swatting" campaign. According to the article, the FBI had been tracking Torswats, who is alleged to have made hoax calls that led to emergency police responses, including threats to mosques and schools. The article explained that private investigator Brad Dennis, who had been aiding the FBI's investigation, gathered crucial evidence leading to the teenager's arrest. The FBI's Seattle field office, which oversaw the investigation, declined to comment on the case. The article noted that this arrest comes as part of a broader effort to combat the surge in swatting incidents across the US, with the FBI launching the National Common Operation Picture — Virtual Command Center to track such activities in real time. Last of NY 'Newburgh Four' Bomb Plot Co-defendants Set to Leave Prison Gothamist (01/26, Venugopal) reported that James Cromitie, convicted in 2010 of plotting to bomb Jewish sites and military aircraft, was granted "compassionate release" by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon, who criticized law enforcement for entrapment. According to the article, McMahon's release order highlighted that Cromitie, a small-time criminal, was coerced into the plot by the FBI's informant, Shaheed Hussain, who offered incentives like expensive cars and money. The article added that the plot, deemed a "manufactured terrorist plot" by the FBI for counterterrorism success, was extensively covered by the media, with McMahon and others condemning the FBI's tactics as exploitative and creating a terrorist where none existed. The article noted that Cromitie's release follows similar orders for his co-defendants, and the case has been cited as an example of government overreach in counterterrorism efforts. EFTA00160282 FBI Probes Antisemitic Comments Directed at Connecticut Common Council Connecticut News (01/28, Krosnowski) reported that the Norwalk Common Council members received antisemitic postcards and experienced similar comments during a Zoom meeting, leading to police and FBI investigations. According to the article, the postcards, postmarked from California, contained discriminatory messages similar to those expressed in the disrupted meeting, and were seized by the police for investigation. Councilor Lisa Shanahan mentioned adjusting security for future meetings, focusing on better identification and control of attendees. The article noted that the incident, described as a blatant display of hatred, has prompted discussions about stronger measures to prevent such occurrences and ensure the safety of council members during virtual meetings. Opinion: As Iran-Backed Militias Attack Americans, Biden Tries to Save Tehran Terrorists An opinion piece written by John Bolton for the New York Post (01/28, Bolton) criticized the Biden administration for sharing intelligence about a potential terrorist attack with Iran, despite Tehran's active efforts against American interests, including directing assassination campaigns against current and former US officials. According to the article, Bolton, who has personally received FBI warnings about Iran's attempts to assassinate him, views this decision as an unforced error and a failure of judgment. He argued that the duty-to-warn policy, originating from the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, should not apply to states like Iran that threaten American citizens, and called for a strengthening of the policy in light of these circumstances. Bolton assessed that the Biden administration's approach has been misguided and that Washington should learn from this mistake to better protect American interests. Opinion: Predator or Prey? Undercover Federal Agents Target Vulnerable Teens An opinion piece from the Denver Post (01/26, Marshall) discussed the worrying trend of undercover federal agents targeting vulnerable teenagers, including those with intellectual disabilities, in counterterrorism operations. In the article, undercover federal agents, particularly from the FBI, were highlighted for engaging minors online in counterterrorism operations. According to the article, the agents reportedly targeted teens, some with intellectual disabilities, and coaxed them into planning acts related to terrorism. The cases of Humzah Mashkoor, Davin Daniel Meyer, and Mateo Ventura, all arrested after turning 18, exemplify this approach. These operations involved extensive interaction with the targets, including face-to-face meetings and detailed planning. The article explained that the FBI used informants to establish close connections with these minors, discussing specific logistical details like travel and equipment for joining terrorist groups. The article criticized the FBI for this method, arguing that it preys on vulnerable individuals without considering alternative, more constructive interventions that involve family and community support. The author raised ethical concerns about this practice, questioning whether the FBI's actions are leading impressionable youths to commit crimes they otherwise would not have contemplated. Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Chinese Music Student Convicted of Stalking Pro-Democracy Activist at Berklee UPI (01/26, Coote) reported that Xiaolei Wu, a 26-year-old Chinese national studying at the Berklee College of Music, was convicted of threatening and cyberstalking a fellow student who supported democracy in China. According to the article, Wu's criminal activities included sending threatening messages on WeChat and Instagram, and he even contacted China's public security agency, implying a threat to the victim's family. Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Division emphasized the gravity of Wu's actions, stating, "What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party of China is not only criminal but completely against our country's democratic values. Today's conviction upholds one of our most fundamental rights — freedom of speech -- and the FBI will ensure that anyone who tries to infringe on this right using threats or harassment will face the same fate as Mr. Wu." FBI Scrambles to Review 22 Years of High-Level Cases Over Fears of Compromise by Convicted Spy Charles McGonigal Daily Mail (01/27, Woodfield) reported that Charles McGonigal, a former head of counterintelligence in New York for the FBI, has caused a major internal review of his past investigations due to his conviction for conspiring with a sanctioned Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, and hiding a bribe from an Albanian intelligence official. According to the article, the FBI is scrutinizing sensitive cases dating back to McGonigal's tenure as a special agent, fearing his actions may have compromised their integrity. The article explained that McGonigal, already sentenced to over EFTA00160283 four years for his dealings with Deripaska, faces additional sentencing for the Albanian case, highlighting the gravity of his betrayal of his role in national security and counterintelligence. The article noted that the review of McGonigal's past cases indicates the depth of concern within the FBI about the potential impact of his actions on key investigations over his 22-year career. The Pentagon Tried to Hide That It Bought Americans' Data Without a Warrant WIRED (01/26, Cameron) reported that the Pentagon has been revealed to have purchased Americans' phone location data and Internet metadata without a warrant, an activity that was kept hidden until Senator Ron Wyden delayed the appointment of a new NSA director. According to the article, this disclosure brought to light that the Defense Intelligence Agency, the NSA, and other intelligence agencies, including the FBI, were acquiring location data from private companies, circumventing the warrant process. Wyden's intervention has sparked a broader debate on surveillance reform, with a focus on legislation like the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act, which seeks to stop these warrantless data purchases. The article noted that the debate is intensifying in Congress, with conflicting views on the need for surveillance warrants and the reauthorization of Section 702, a key surveillance authority. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Former Los Angeles Coundl Member Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For Pay-To-Play Corruption Scandal The Associated Press (01/26, Staff Writer) reported that a former Los Angeles City Council member was sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison for a pay-to-play bribery scandal involving real estate development projects. Jose Huizar, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered him to pay $443,905 in restitution to the city and $38,792 to the IRS. Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Huizar chose "to place his own lust for money and power above the rights and interests of the people he was elected to serve." The article added that prosecutors said that from 2013 to 2017, Huizar masterminded a $1.5 million scheme tied to the approval of downtown high-rise developments while he chaired the city's powerful Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Huizar was accused of giving favorable treatment in exchange for cash, casino gambling chips, luxury stays in Las Vegas, expensive meals, prostitution services, flights, concert and sports tickets, political contributions, and funds to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit. A DOJ press release quoted Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, who said, "This years-long investigation uncovered one of the most audacious public corruption cases in this city's history, this case would not have been possible without the dedication of agents and prosecutors — and importantly— the cooperation of many citizens who were fed up with rampant malfeasance by public officials. Mr. Huizar ignored the needs of his constituents and instead, served his own interests by accepting bribes and a wide assortment of luxury perks from wealthy real estate moguls and others who could afford Huizar's political favors at the taxpayer's expense. My hope is that this case brings more citizens forward to the FBI when they suspect corrupt practices and foreign influence." The Hill (01/26, Irwin), Court House News (01/26, Pettersson), KTLA (CW-5) (01/26, Kiszla), Los Angeles Times (01/26, Smith, Zahniser), LA ist (01/26, Stoltze), Daily News (01/26, Shuster), California Globe (01/26, Symon), LA Weekly (01/26, Rocha), and the Los Angeles Magazine (01/26, McPhee) also reported on the story. A British Painting Stolen by Mobsters Is Returned to the Owner's Son — 54 Years Later The Associated Press (01/26, Brown) reported that an 18th-century British painting stolen by New Jersey mobsters in 1969 has been returned more than a half-century later to the family that bought it for $7,500 during the Great Depression, the FBI's Salt Lake City field office announced Friday. The article added that the 40-inch-by-50-inch (102-cm-by-127-cm) John Opie painting — titled "The Schoolmistress" — is the sister painting of a similar work housed in the Tate Britain art gallery in London. Authorities believe the piece was stolen with the help of a former New Jersey lawmaker, and then passed among organized crime members for years before it ended up in the southern Utah city of St. George. A Utah man had purchased a house in Florida in 1989 from Joseph Covello Sr. — a convicted mobster linked to the Gambino family — and the painting was included in the sale, the FBI said. The article noted that when the buyer died in 2020, a Utah accounting firm that was seeking to liquidate his property sought an appraisal for the painting and it was discovered to likely be the stolen piece, the FBI said. The article quoted FBI Special Agent Gary France, who worked on the case, who said, "This piece of art, what a history it's had, it traveled all through the U.K. when it was first painted, and owned by quite a few families in the U.K. And then it travels overseas to the United States and is sold during the Great Depression and then stolen by the mob and EFTA00160284 recovered by the FBI decades later. It's quite amazing." The Daily Beast (01/26, Olmsted), and ABC News (01/26, Deliso) also reported on the story. Sexual Assaults Hit New High in 2023 For Cruise Passengers Says FBI Fox News (01/27, Eberhart) reported that the number of reported rapes and sexual assaults on cruises hit a new high in 2023, according to stats compiled by the FBI. There were 131 reported incidents in 2023 compared to 87 in 2022 and 101 in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic crippled the industry for about two years. The article added that the actual number of incidents is likely much higher, experts warn. Nationally, two out of three sexual assaults go unreported, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, and the 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act doesn't protect non-U.S. citizens. According to the article, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act doesn't require cruises to report crimes against non-U.S. citizens, and there's a narrow definition of rape that cruise line management companies use to "significantly" underreport incidents to the FBI. The article mentioned that the FBI said in an emailed statement that the bureau works closely with the Department of Transportation to remain in accordance with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act. The article quoted the FBI, which said, "The CVSSA prescribes security and safety requirements for most cruise ships that embark and disembark in the U.S., and mandates reporting to the FBI of missing persons and certain alleged criminal activity occurring on board applicable cruise vessels,". Russian Man Who Flew on Los Angeles Flight Without Passport or Ticket Found Guilty of Being Stowaway The Associated Press (01/26, Craig) reported that a Russian man who flew on a plane from Denmark to Los Angeles in November without a passport or ticket is guilty of being a stowaway on an aircraft, a federal jury found Friday. The article added that Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 4 via Scandinavian Airlines flight 931 from Copenhagen. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer could not find Ochigava on the flight's manifest or any other incoming international flights, according to a complaint filed Nov. 6 in Los Angeles federal court. The article mentioned that after a three-day trial, the court's jury found Ochigava, 46, guilty of one count of being a stowaway on an aircraft. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison when he is sentenced Feb. 5, the DOJ said in a statement. KNBC (NBC-4) (01/27, Soto) reported that the FBI and CBP along with assistance from Copenhagen Airport Police investigated the case. The New York Post (01/27, McEntyre), and the Los Angeles Times (01/27, Leon) also reported on the story. Cross Burning In South Carolina Stirs Debate Over Hate-Crimes Laws The Washington Post (01/26, Craig) reported that Monica and Shawn Williams, both Black veterans of the U.S. Army, thought they had bought a retirement home in a neighborhood that lived up to South Carolina's slogan: "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places." But within hours of moving into their three-bedroom house near Myrtle Beach in 2021, the Williamses said their next-door neighbors, a White couple, started scowling at them. The uncomfortable stares eventually led to racial slurs and a bitter two-year dispute. Then, on the day after Thanksgiving, they discovered a cross set on fire just outside their yard. The article stated that the FBI is investigating what happened t