Federal

Federal executive with top-secret clearance created a fake classified program and diverted $145 million into luxury property and gold; after FBI found 298 gold bars, he pleaded guilty to a $193.6 million fraud

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Federal executive with top-secret clearance created a fake classified program and diverted $145 million into luxury property and gold; after FBI found 298 gold bars, he pleaded guilty to a $193.6 million fraud

Federal executive created fake program, diverted $145M; FBI found 298 gold bars in $193.6M fraud (Image Credit: USAO EDVA) A former senior federal employee with a top-secret security clearance has pleaded guilty to defrauding the US government of approximately $193.6 million, allegedly using fabricated government authorities to obtain money for himself. According to the US … Read more

Federal appeals judges don’t reveal how they’ll rule on Saudi Arabia’s effort to end 9/11 litigation

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Federal appeals judges don't reveal how they'll rule on Saudi Arabia's effort to end 9/11 litigation

NEW YORK — Family members of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks packed a federal appeals courtroom in New York City on Wednesday as three judges heard arguments over whether legal claims against Saudi Arabia can proceed. Federal appeals judges don’t reveal how they’ll rule on Saudi Arabia’s effort to end 9/11 litigation The … Read more

California couple says county entered their property for road-safety work, they spent $300,000 fixing alleged damage and then received a $676,703 bill; fresh federal court order keeps part of fight alive

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California couple says county entered their property for road-safety work, they spent $300,000 fixing alleged damage and then received a $676,703 bill; fresh federal court order keeps part of fight alive

Rubin and Stein said they spent more than $300,000 repairing hazardous conditions they alleged were caused by the county (Representational AI photo) A California couple who say Santa Clara County damaged their property while trying to deal with a landslide threatening a public road have been allowed to continue parts of their legal fight. The … Read more

In 1993, Bob Hope sold his 2,308-acre California ranch to the National Park Service for $16.7 million; the deal turned his former property into federal parkland and expanded protected land to about 20,400 acres

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In 1993, Bob Hope sold his 2,308-acre California ranch to the National Park Service for $16.7 million; the deal turned his former property into federal parkland and expanded protected land to about 20,400 acres

Bob HopePhoto: Wikimedia Common In 1993, comedian and entertainer Bob Hope sold his 2,308-acre Jordan Ranch in eastern Ventura County to the National Park Service for $16.7 million. The acquisition added the rugged, oak-dotted property to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, bringing the park service’s holdings in the recreation area to about 20,400 … Read more

Federal prosecutors say a Louisiana group rented homes, insured them and caused about 13 residential fires between 2019 and 2026, then filed claims for fabricated losses; seven people have now been charged

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Federal prosecutors say a Louisiana group rented homes, insured them and caused about 13 residential fires between 2019 and 2026, then filed claims for fabricated losses; seven people have now been charged

​All seven defendants face wire fraud and arson-related federal charges. (FBI photo) Federal prosecutors in Louisiana charged seven people on Tuesday, in an alleged insurance fraud and arson scheme involving about 13 residential fires between 2019 and 2026. Authorities say the group rented homes, obtained insurance policies and then allegedly caused fires at the properties … Read more

Flock cameras and the Fourth Amendment: What did the federal judge rule on police searches? Privacy concerns explained

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The Oklahoma ruling raises new questions about police access to vehicle tracking data and privacy protections under the Fourth Amendment. (Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)

A federal judge in Oklahoma has raised new Fourth Amendment concerns over how law enforcement uses Flock Safety’s license-plate data. The ruling focused on one police search, but it has broader implications for privacy and surveillance. TechCrunch The Oklahoma ruling raises new questions about police access to vehicle tracking data and privacy protections under the … Read more

After Donald Trump’s second-term climate cuts scrapped billions in research grants and left thousands of federal workers jobless, Climate Reserve stepped in with new roles for 50 climate experts

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After Donald Trump’s second-term climate cuts scrapped billions in research grants and left thousands of federal workers jobless, Climate Reserve stepped in with new roles for 50 climate experts

Donald Trump’s climate cuts left thousands of federal workers jobless, prompting a new response. (Photo: Reuters) The United States’ climate science community faced a dramatic upheaval after President Donald Trump began his second term, with his administration cutting billions of dollars in research funding and firing thousands of federal employees across agencies including the Environmental … Read more

Federal panel gives final approval to new design for White House security screening center

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Federal panel gives final approval to new design for White House security screening center

A federal panel has approved final design and building plans for an underground facility to screen visitors to the White House, the latest advancement in the Trump administration’s efforts to amp up security while also reshaping the aesthetics of the complex. Federal panel gives final approval to new design for White House security screening center … Read more

In 2011, Stephen King and Tabitha’s foundation gave $120,000 to help heat Maine homes, as their radio fundraiser brought in $241,820 for residents facing a winter with reduced federal aid

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In 2011, Stephen King and Tabitha’s foundation gave $120,000 to help heat Maine homes, as their radio fundraiser brought in $241,820 for residents facing a winter with reduced federal aid

Photo: Stephen King/ Instagram In December 2011, international bestselling author Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha, helped Maine families facing a difficult winter by donating $120,000 to a home-heating fundraiser organised through the author’s radio station. The campaign eventually raised $241,820, surpassing its original goal as residents confronted higher heating costs and reduced federal assistance. … Read more

Alabama has cleared a $2.52 billion federal loan for its largest infrastructure project ever; the new Mobile River bridge aims to end a decades-old bottleneck and reroute hazmat trucks

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Alabama has cleared a $2.52 billion federal loan for its largest infrastructure project ever; the new Mobile River bridge aims to end a decades-old bottleneck and reroute hazmat trucks

A $2.52 billion federal loan has been approved to build the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, clearing the way for the largest infrastructure project in Alabama’s history. US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the approval of the low-interest loan, which provides key funding for the $4.15 billion project aimed at fixing … Read more