Month: June 2022

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Security News: Pine Ridge Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Source: United States Department of Justice News

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

McKinley Two Bulls-Hunter, age 24, was indicted on May 19, 2022.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on June 15, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.  The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, at least five years, up to life, of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between April 2021 and July 2021, in Pine Ridge, Two Bulls-Hunter knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor female.  The charge is merely an accusation and Two Bulls-Hunter is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Blair is prosecuting the case.   

Two Bulls-Hunter was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set of August 23, 2022. ###

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Security News: Federal Indictment Charges CPA With Securities Fraud

Source: United States Department of Justice News

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte has returned a criminal indictment charging Mac Wayne Billings, 48, of Raleigh, N.C., with securities fraud, for defrauding at least 19 victims of more than $3.6 million, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. 

Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, between 2012 and 2019, Billings engaged in securities fraud through his company, Alpha Finance Company (ALPHA), located in Sparta, North Carolina. The indictment alleges that Billings fraudulently obtained more than $3.6 million from at least 19 victims throughout Alleghany, Wilkes and Surry Counties, by soliciting them to invest in ALPHA via “debenture notes.” A debenture note is a type of debt instrument typically not backed by a collateral. As alleged in the indictment, Billings, who is a licensed North Carolina CPA, falsely promised ALPHA’s victim-investors that their money would be used to make high interest consumer loans from which the investors would receive interest payments. Contrary to his promises, Billings used little, if any, of the investors’ funds to make new consumer loans. Rather, Billings used some of the investors’ money to make payments to other investors and to pay himself over $1 million in salary and distributions from ALPHA.

The indictment further alleges that Billings used investment statements, emails and meetings to mislead and deceive victim-investors into believing that ALPHA was a profitable company and that the victims’ investments were safe. In this regard, Billings allegedly failed to disclose material information concerning ALPHA’s financial and business troubles to victim-investors, including that he had sold or mortgaged most of ALPHA’s assets to hard money lenders. Based on the fraudulent information provided by Billings, many of the victim-investors renewed and/or made additional investments with ALPHA, causing them to incur further financial losses.

Finally, lawsuits brought by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office alleged that Billings failed to comply with North Carolina laws governing consumer finance and retail installment loans.  Billings defaulted on these lawsuits. Consequently, the NCCOB revoked ALPHA’s license due to non-compliance with North Carolina’s Consumer Finance Act. Courts in Alleghany and Wake Counties declared ALPHA’s loan null and void, leaving the investor-victims with no assets to recoup their losses.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The securities fraud charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a $5 million fine. Billings’ initial appearance will be scheduled in federal court in Charlotte.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI for their investigation of the case and thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks, and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office for their cooperation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in   Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

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Security News: Former Tallahassee Mayor And Gubernatorial Candidate And Associate Charged With Conspiracy, Wire Fraud, And Making False Statements

Source: United States Department of Justice News

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury has returned a twenty-one count indictment against Andrew Demetric Gillum, 42, and Sharon Janet Lettman-Hicks, 53, both of Tallahassee, Florida. The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The Indictment alleges that between 2016 and 2019, defendants Gillum and Lettman-Hicks conspired to commit wire fraud, by unlawfully soliciting and obtaining funds from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used for a legitimate purpose. The Indictment further alleges the defendants used third parties to divert a portion of those funds to a company owned by Lettman-Hicks, who then fraudulently provided the funds, disguised as payroll payments, to Gillum for his personal use. Both defendants are charged with 19 counts of wire fraud. Gillum is also charged with making false statements to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The initial appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 2:00 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee in the Magistrate Judge’s Courtroom on the main floor.

The maximum terms of imprisonment for the offenses are as follows:

  • 5 years:  Making False Statements
  • 20 years: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
  • 20 years: Wire Fraud

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen M. Kunz and Andrew J. Grogan.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

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GSA Announces New Pollinator Initiative

Source: United States General Services Administration

June 22, 2022

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced its new Pollinator Initiative that supports the federal government’s commitment to protect pollinators. Saving bees and other pollinators from the risks they face is an important part of a sustainable future because pollinators are critical to agriculture and food production – contributing to the national economy by more than $20 billion each year. This is just the latest step in GSA’s agency-wide commitment to advancing sustainability and confronting climate change.

GSA has established policies and practices to support pollinator habitat through the design, construction, and maintenance of federal properties nationwide. In support of these efforts, GSA has installed honeybee hives at 11 GSA facilities across the country as part of a data-driven yearlong pilot that aims to identify location-based best practices in landscaping and planning for pollinators. The GSA pilot will inform a more efficient and effective design policy to create and maintain habitats that can be modeled by other federal agency partners, builders, and property managers.

“By using data-producing honey bee hives at GSA-controlled facilities to help inform updates to these directives and policies, we can promote sustainability and enhance urban habitats,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “I look forward to how this pilot can uncover new strategies to help promote the health of our local pollinators and to set the foundation for other GSA facilities to expand placement locations and integrate into their sustainability efforts.”

GSA’s Center for Urban Development is managing the pilot program through its Good Neighbor Program with a contract awarded to The Best Bees Company, a major U.S. beekeeping service. Best Bees Company will maintain the hives over the course of a year, analyze honey production from each hive, and identify the plants and landscapes that are specifically beneficial to local pollinators. This information is expected to help guide GSA’s future pollinator-friendly landscape design and maintenance policies and practices.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

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GSA Announces First Cohort of 40 U.S. Digital Corps Fellows

Source: United States General Services Administration

June 21, 2022

A diverse class of technologists serving across 13 federal agencies

WASHINGTON — Today, the Biden-Harris Administration welcomed 40 U.S. Digital Corps fellows who will serve at 13 agencies across the federal government. Over the next two years, they will help shape a more equitable, effective, and secure digital government for the public.

The U.S. Digital Corps launched last year to recruit early-career technologists to work on priority projects in five skill tracks: software engineering, data science and analytics, product management, design, and cybersecurity. Fellows will work on projects in a wide range of areas, including health, immigration, customer experience, and equity.

The program and the fellows’ work strongly aligns with Priorities 1 and 2 of the President’s Management Agenda, as well as executive orders on cybersecurity; customer experience; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the federal workforce.

“The Biden Administration is committed to making it easier for talented technologists across America to serve the public,” said Robin Carnahan, the Administrator of GSA. She met with the group today and officially swore the fellows into federal service. “From a pool of over 1,000 applicants, we’re thrilled to welcome such a high-caliber cohort to help government deliver better for millions of Americans.”

Housed within GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS), 40 fellows were selected from a pool of over 1,000 applicants from 19 states and territories, and 37 academic institutions. This first cohort of fellows includes veterans; technologists who have reskilled from other fields; and recent graduates from certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs. Eighty-three percent of fellows are first-time federal employees.

“TTS is proud to be the home of the U.S. Digital Corps,” said Dave Zvenyach, TTS Director. “We are dedicated to supporting and mentoring these early-career technologists as they work to increase trust in government through simple, seamless, secure, and equitable experiences. This cohort will deliver important services to the public, as well as enable public servants to better serve the public.”

The two-year fellowship offers unique benefits, including a dedicated learning and development curriculum, mentorship, a cohort-based community, as well as the opportunity for permanent career positions in federal service when fellows successfully finish the program.

“As an immigrant and a veteran, I experienced government services firsthand and understand how difficult they can be to navigate. I want to use my skills and experiences to make government services more accessible and equitable, and the U.S. Digital Corps is the perfect pathway for a new civic technologist like me,” said Jenny Wang, an incoming fellow slated to work on a project at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“This impressive cohort of next-generation digital leaders will be key to advancing technological innovation and effective technology policy across government,” said Dr. Alondra Nelson, who leads the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. “Their work will bolster key administration priorities such as sustaining the economic recovery, preventing the next pandemic, and advancing equity.”

The U.S. Digital Corps is a whole-of-government effort led by GSA in collaboration with the White House Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Personnel Management, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The program received startup funding from the Federal Citizen Services Fund as part of the American Rescue Plan that President Biden signed into law.

Applications for the second cohort of fellows will open later this year, and GSA anticipates a larger cohort to meet significant demand from additional agencies across the federal government.

Learn more about the inaugural class of U.S. Digital Corps fellows.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.