Another imposter scam hits Capitol Hill
The impostor contacted to Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Missouri) and disgraced New York GOP congressman George Santos via the popular messaging app Telegram and directed them to install a special 'Phoner App' so more information could be shared with them about the alleged project, according to both Burlison and Santos.
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Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
DOJ urges Supreme Court to turn away Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal
The Department of Justice on Monday urged the Supreme Court to turn away an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with and aiding Epstein in his sexual abuse of underage girls. Maxwell, 63, had urged the court earlier this year to review her case, arguing that an unusual co-conspirator's clause in Epstein's 2007 non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida barred her subsequent prosecution in New York. A district court and a federal appeals court previously rejected that argument, and the DOJ today urged the high court to do the same. "That contention is incorrect, and petitioner does not show that it would succeed in any court of appeals," wrote U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer. At the core of Maxwell's petition for SCOTUS review is her contention that the language of Epstein's non-prosecution agreement (NPA) specifically limited his protection to the Southern District of Florida, whereas the language of the co-conspirator clause should have been read to prohibit her prosecution in any federal district. The co-conspirator clause stated that if "Epstein successfully fulfills all of the terms and conditions of this agreement, the United States also agrees that it will not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein, including but not limited to" four of Epstein's assistants. Maxwell was not among the four women named. MORE: Timeline: Jeffrey Epstein memo causes controversy among MAGA base "Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein," her attorneys wrote in their petition to SCOTUS in April. The DOJ, however, argues in their response that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Florida -- then led by R. Alexander Acosta -- did not intend to bind other federal districts and had no authority to do so without the approval of those districts or the Criminal Division of the DOJ. "And there is no indication here that anyone involved in negotiating Epstein's NPA obtained the necessary approval for binding other USAOs or thought it was necessary," the DOJ's brief states. The DOJ also contends that – even if the co-conspirators clause could be read to apply nationwide as Maxwell claims - there is no evidence that the parties who negotiated the NPA intended for the co-conspirators clause to benefit Maxwell, who the government describes as "at most, an incidental third-party beneficiary of the agreement." "The government was not even aware of [Maxwell's] role in Epstein's scheme at that time," Sauer wrote, and urged the justices to deny Maxwell's petition for certiorari. In a statement Monday, an attorney for Maxwell hinted at the swirling controversy surrounding the Trump administration's decision not to release any further records related to investigations of Epstein. "I'd be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal. He's the ultimate dealmaker—and I'm sure he'd agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it. With all the talk about who's being prosecuted and who isn't, it's especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke," wrote David Oscar Markus. MORE: Trump supporters angry over Justice Department's Epstein memo Sigrid McCawley, an attorney who has represented hundreds of alleged Epstein victims, including one of the trial's key witnesses against Maxwell, told ABC News in a statement that Maxwell should stay behind bars. "After two-plus decades of recruiting and abusing young girls trapped in Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking enterprise, Ghislaine Maxwell has again attempted to escape accountability by trying to hide behind the non-prosecution agreement. Maxwell does not deserve any protection, and she should remain in prison for the horrific crimes she committed," wrote McCawley, a managing partner at Boies Schiller Flexner. Maxwell -- who pleaded not guilty to all the criminal charges against her -- was convicted by a jury in 2021 on five of six counts, including conspiracy, sex trafficking of a minor, and transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Prosecutors alleged that Maxwell played a "key role" in a multi-state sex trafficking scheme in which she allegedly "befriended" and later "enticed and groomed multiple minor girls to engage in sex acts with Epstein" and was also, at times, "present for and involved" in the abuse herself. "A unanimous jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable -- facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children," then-U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement following the verdict.
CNN
22 minutes ago
- CNN
Four apprehended after drone video shows them subway surfing in New York City
While conducting anti-subway surfing operations, an NYPD transit drone team caught four individuals riding on top of an express train. The four males ranging in age from 12 to 16 were apprehended.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jackson County Executive Frank White pitches Gov. Kehoe adjusted approach to sales tax extension
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. wrote a letter to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe last week, proposing that the county renew its 3/8-cent sales tax. The sales tax was originally approved by voters in 2006 to fund improvements to Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. If renewed, the sales tax would focus on the following three priorities: Modernizing and improving Arrowhead Stadium Restoring and upgrading public safety infrastructure Investing in public health Kansas City man arrested, charged after high-speed boat chase at Lake of the Ozarks 'With the passage of Senate Bill 3, Missouri now has a powerful tool to play a significant role in attracting and retaining professional sports teams—most notably the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals,' White wrote in the letter. Not only would the sales tax go toward modernizing and improving Arrowhead Stadium, White said it would also help the county invest in public health, as well as restore and upgrade the county's public safety infrastructure. Funds from the sales tax would also go toward modernizing the county's juvenile detention facility, according to White. 'The impact of these improvements will be felt well beyond county lines,' White wrote. In the letter, White also addressed the controversy surrounding the Royals' potential relocation: 'I also want to be clear about the Royals: I fully support keeping them in Jackson County. Since the April 2024 vote, the City of Kansas City has taken the lead on identifying a new site and working with the team, and I've respected their desire to do so. At the same time, I've made it clear to the Royals that Jackson County is ready to support the city's efforts and is willing to step back in should the team present a proposal for us to consider or express interest in reengaging. To date, the Royals have not done so.' Kauffman Stadium, which currently benefits from the 3/8-cent sales tax, would not be included as a beneficiary of the renewed sales tax, according to White's letter. White released the following statement Monday afternoon: 'First, it's important to remember that these teams are for-profit, multi-billion dollar businesses. They're always going to look for the best deal for themselves and I can't blame them for that. But my job isn't to work for the teams; my job is to get the best deal for the people of Jackson County. 'Out of respect for the City of Kansas City's publicly stated desire to take the lead in conversations with the Royals, much of our engagement has focused on the Chiefs. At the same time, we remain open to discussions with all parties to ensure Jackson County's interests are fully represented. 'Last and most importantly, Jackson County taxpayers have long carried the overwhelming share of public funding for these teams, historically providing more than 90% of the investment, which currently amounts to over $50 million every year. As we look ahead, our priority is to ensure any new agreement is fair, transparent and reflects the significant commitment our residents continue to make.' The Jackson County executive said he believes this proposal could generate between $500 million and $700 million. He said it offers a clear path to retain the Chiefs, protect taxpayers and deliver long-term public benefit. White also proposed that the sales tax be presented to voters as one ballot question instead of three. He said this would clarify that the renewed tax may be used for more than one related purpose. White also asked the governor to confirm with the director of the Department of Economic Development and the commissioner of the Office of Administration that the sales tax meets the requirements stipulated in Senate Bill 3. The 3/8-cent sales tax is currently set to expire in 2031, which is when the Chiefs' and Royals' leases end. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
