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☆ Over 27,000 student-loan borrowers are getting $4.1 million in payments in the mail after debt relief companies 'lured' them into 'fake loan forgiveness claims,' a federal consumer agency says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThousands of student-loan borrowers are getting checks in the mail after paying companies accused of scamming them for debt relief services. The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday announced it would be sending over $4.1 million in refunds to 27,584 borrowers who gave money to South Dakota corporations Mission Hills Federal and Federal Direct Group. According to the press release, the FTC said the companies "lured consumers with fake loan forgiveness claims and pocketed their money." Advertisement"Moreover, because Defendants have failed to apply most or any of consumers' payments to their student loans, many consumers have accrued additional capitalized interest on the balance of their loans," the complaint said. Those with questions about the payments can contact JND Legal Administration — the company overseeing FTC's refunds — at 844-566-0108, or seek information through the FTC's refund information website.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Federal Trade Commission, Wednesday, Mission Hills Federal, Federal Direct Group, Business, FTC, Court, Central, Central District of, —, Consumer Financial, Education Department Locations: South Dakota, Central District, Central District of California, California, reportfraud.ftc.gov

☆ A California man charged with smuggling greenhouse gases hints at the revival of a decades-long black market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But there's also a blooming black market in greenhouse gases. HFCs are commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners, but they're also potent greenhouse gases. There's been a thriving black market for climate-altering refrigerant chemicals since the 1990s, at times as lucrative as selling cocaine. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesThe black market "comes with the territory" of regulation, Doniger said. At the height of the CFC black market, many cars still used those refrigerants for their air conditioners.

Persons: there's, hydrofluorocarbons, they're, Adrees Latif, Michael Hart, Tara McGrath, There's, Hart, Carlo Allegri, David Doniger, HFCs, Avipsa, Victor Molina, KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI, Mahapatra, Doniger Organizations: Service, Department of, Business, Facebook, Department of Justice, Reuters, Natural Resources Defense Council, NASA, Environmental Investigation Agency, Getty, EPA, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, DOJ, US Attorney's, Southern, of, New York Times, CFC Locations: San Diego, Mexico, Port of Miami, Montreal, Elk Grove Village , Illinois, AFP, United States, of California, HFCs, Europe

☆ Ex-Google Engineer Charged With Stealing A.I. Secrets for Chinese Firm
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Glenn Thrush | Nico Grant | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Chinese citizen who recently quit his job as a software engineer for Google in California has been charged with trying to transfer artificial intelligence technology to a Beijing-based company that paid him secretly, according to a federal indictment unsealed on Wednesday. Prosecutors accused Linwei Ding, who was part of the team that designs and maintains Google’s vast A.I. supercomputer data system, of stealing information about the “architecture and functionality” of the system, and of pilfering software used to “orchestrate” supercomputers “at the cutting edge of machine learning and A.I. technology.”From May 2022 to May 2023, Mr. Ding, also known as Leon, uploaded 500 files, many containing trade secrets, from his Google-issued laptop to the cloud by using a multistep scheme that allowed him to “evade immediate detection,” according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of California. Mr. Ding was arrested on Wednesday morning at his home in Newark, Calif., not far from Google’s sprawling main campus in Mountain View, officials said.

Persons: Linwei Ding, Ding, Leon Organizations: Google, Prosecutors, Northern, Northern District of Locations: California, Beijing, Northern District, Northern District of California, Newark , Calif, Mountain View

☆ Ex-Google software engineer charged with stealing AI technology while working with Chinese companies
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A former software engineer at Google has been charged with stealing artificial intelligence technology from the company while secretly working with two companies based in China, the Justice Department said Wednesday. "The theft of innovative technology and trade secrets from American companies can cost jobs and have devastating economic and national security consequences." Within weeks of the theft starting, prosecutors say, Ding was offered the position of chief technology officer at an early-stage technology company in China that touted its use of AI technology. The indictment says Ding traveled to China and participated in investor meetings at the company and sought to raise capital for it. Three days later, Google officials learned that he had presented as CEO of one of the Chinese companies at an investor conference in Beijing.

Persons: Linwei Ding, Ding, General Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, Lisa Monaco, Wray Organizations: Google, Justice Department, American Bar Association Conference, Department, Technology, Force, Northern District of, supercomputing, Prosecutors Locations: China, Newark , California, San Francisco, People's Republic of China, United States, Northern District, Northern District of California, Beijing

☆ He’s Accused of Smuggling, but Not Drugs or Guns: It’s Greenhouse Gases
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Monday, a California man became the first in the nation to be arrested and charged with smuggling the powerful gases into the United States, a felony offense, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. Mr. Hart then posted the refrigerants for sale on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace and other sites, and sold them for a profit, federal agents say. Mr. Hart pleaded not guilty. He faces charges of conspiracy, importation contrary to law and sale of merchandise imported contrary to law. Attempts to reach lawyers for Mr. Hart were unsuccessful.

Persons: Michael Hart, Hart Organizations: Craigslist, United States Attorney’s Office, Southern, Southern District of, Facebook Locations: California, United States, United, Southern District, Southern District of California, San Diego, coolants, Mexico

☆ Man charged with smuggling greenhouse gases from Mexico into US in first-of-a-kind prosecution
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A California man was arrested and charged Monday with allegedly smuggling potent, planet-heating greenhouse gases from Mexico, marking the first such prosecution in the US, according to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. He is then alleged to have sold them for a profit on sites including Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. These greenhouse gases are short-lived in the atmosphere, but powerful — some are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide in the near-term. “The illegal smuggling of hydrofluorocarbons, a highly potent greenhouse gas, undermines international efforts to combat climate change,” said David M. Uhlmann, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. In 2016, nearly 200 nations including the US agreed to the Kigali Amendment to reduce planet-heating pollution from these greenhouse gases.

Persons: Michael Hart, Hart, Todd Kim, HFCs, ”, David M, Tara McGrath, ” Hart Organizations: CNN, US, Office, Southern, Southern District of, Facebook, Justice Department’s, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA’s, UN Environment, AC, Department of Justice Locations: California, Mexico, Southern District, Southern District of California, San Diego, United States, Kigali

☆ Former Twitter execs sue Elon Musk over severance payments
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Brian Fung | Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —A group of former Twitter executives sued Elon Musk on Monday in a bid to recover more than $128 million in severance that they allege Musk has not paid since he acquired the company, now called X, more than a year ago. The executives include former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, former CFO Ned Segal, former Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde and former General Counsel Sean Edgett — all of whom were fired within hours after Musk took control of Twitter. Monday’s lawsuit is just the latest legal action brought by former Twitter employees related to Musk’s acquisition. The company has also been accused of failing to pay annual bonuses to employees laid off after Musk’s takeover. Musk and X have also faced lawsuits from vendors, landlords and business partners who claim the company has failed to pay what they are owed.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, Parag Agrawal, Ned Segal, Vijaya Gadde, Sean Edgett —, “, ”, Agrawal, Gadde, Segal Organizations: New, New York CNN, Twitter, Court, Northern, Northern District of Locations: New York, Northern District, Northern District of California, Delaware

☆ Former Twitter Executives Sue Elon Musk for $128 Million
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Kate Conger | More About Kate Conger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Four former Twitter executives sued Elon Musk on Monday, accusing the billionaire of withholding severance payments worth $128 million after he fired them from the company during his 2022 takeover. When Mr. Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion, he fired Parag Agrawal, its chief executive; Ned Segal, its chief financial officer; Vijaya Gadde, its head of legal and policy; and Sean Edgett, its general counsel. Mr. Musk later renamed the company X. In the event of an involuntary termination, Mr. Agrawal was entitled to a so-called golden parachute payment of $60 million, according to a Twitter securities filing. Under those same circumstances, Mr. Segal would receive $46 million and Ms. Gadde $21 million, according to the filing.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, Parag Agrawal, Ned Segal, Vijaya Gadde, Sean Edgett, Agrawal, Segal, Gadde Organizations: Twitter, Northern, Northern District of Locations: U.S, Northern District, Northern District of California

☆ Prison inmate led scheme swindling U.S. out of $550 million in Covid tax credits, feds say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A California prison inmate locked up on a gang-related murder conviction led a scheme that defrauded the U.S. government out of more than $550 million in Covid-era federal tax credits, prosecutors said. Five other people were charged with Thomas in the alleged drug trafficking scheme. The employee retention credits became a refundable federal tax credit for employers during the Covid-19 pandemic to encourage businesses to retain workers. "But that apparently was not enough: he also conspired to pursue over half a billion dollars in federal tax credits that were meant to help struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic," Talbert said. DEA agents intercepted those calls and also intercepted text messages showing Thomas communicating about the tax fraud scheme, prosecutors said.

Persons: Kristopher Thomas, Thomas, Kettisha Thompson, Dozier, Charmane Dozier, Sharon Vance, Philip Talbert, Talbert Organizations: Main Street Mafia, Attorney's, Eastern, Eastern District of, Drug Enforcement Administration Locations: California, Covid, Kern Valley, Waldorf , Maryland, Hawthorne , California, Los Angeles, Eastern District, Eastern District of California, Las Vegas, U.S, Delano , California, Hawaii

☆ Woman Sues Tomato Company, Saying Those Weren’t San Marzanos in the Can
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Amanda Holpuch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

San Marzano tomatoes are prized by chefs around the world for their intense flavor and are routinely recommended by recipe writers, but one woman in California said that her effort to make a sauce from these rich and balanced tomatoes was upset by a misleading label. Simpson Imports, a Pennsylvania tomato seller, has for years sold Roma tomatoes in cans and boxes, but the California woman, Andrea Valiente, said in a lawsuit filed last year that the company had used “highly misleading tomato packaging to trick consumers into believing that they are purchasing genuine San Marzano tomatoes, at San Marzano prices.”Simpson Imports sought to dismiss the lawsuit, but Araceli Martínez-Olguín, a U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of California, said in an order on Tuesday that some of Ms. Valiente’s claims could move forward. Simpson Imports said in an emailed statement that it “strongly disputes that reasonable consumers could have been deceived” by the label since “San Marzano” does not appear on it.

Persons: Andrea Valiente, ” Simpson, Araceli, Valiente’s, ”, San Marzano Organizations: Simpson Imports, U.S, Northern, Northern District of Locations: California, Pennsylvania, San, Northern District, Northern District of California

☆ Indicted ex-FBI informant admitted Russian intelligence officials passed along the Hunter Biden bribery story, prosecutors say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Smirnov said Russian intelligence passed along the story of the bribery claims, per a court filing. The memo also indicates that Smirnov met with Russian intelligence officials as recently as December of 2023. What this shows is that the misinformation he is spreading is not confined to 2020," the prosecutor's memo in favor of detention reads. "He is actively peddling new lies that could impact US elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November. Impact of Smirnov's indictmentSmirnov's indictment and arrest may have an impact on unrelated gun charges facing Hunter Biden.

Persons: Biden, Alexander Smirnov, Smirnov, —, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Obama, General, Harry Reid, David Weiss, Smirnov's, Weiss Organizations: Burisma Holdings, Service, ex, FBI, GOP, White, Business, Ukrainian, Biden, Burisma, Public, Harry, Harry Reid International, Government, Central District of, CNN, Lawyers Locations: Ukrainian, Las Vegas, Central District, Central District of California, United States

☆ The operator of Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid is being sued over claims it made them addictive and puts profit over love
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe operator of dating platforms Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid is being sued over claims it makes its apps addictive and puts profit over love. Match Group did not immediately reply to Business Insider’s request for comments. Speaking to the outlet, a spokesperson for Match Group denied the allegations, saying the case was "ridiculous and has zero merit." Match Group owns the largest global portfolio of popular online dating services, including Tinder, Match.com, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, OurTime, and other dating brands, per its website . The group has hundreds of millions of reported users across its platforms, per its latest business overview, published in August 2023.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Court, Northern, Northern District of, Business, NPR, Match Group Locations: Northern District, Northern District of California

☆ TikTok, Facebook and YouTube sued by New York City for alleged harm to kids' mental health
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The suit alleges that Meta , Snap , ByteDance and Google (whose parent company is Alphabet ) knowingly "designed, developed, produced, operated, promoted, distributed, and marketed their platforms to attract, capture, and addict youth, with minimal parental oversight." They claim that New York's school districts and various health and social services have been severely impacted by children who have suffered negative mental health consequences stemming from their use of popular social media apps. "In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we've built services and policies to give young people age-appropriate experiences, and parents robust controls." New York's lawsuit echoes similar allegations made against Meta, Snap, TikTok and Alphabet in litigation filed in 2022 in the Northern District of California. Meanwhile, a coalition of over 40 attorneys general filed a joint federal lawsuit against Meta alleging that its products are addictive and harm mental health.

Persons: Eric Adams, Adams, we've, Meta, it's, Snapchat, Mark Zuckerberg, Shou Zi Chew, Evan Spiegel Organizations: York City, Facebook, YouTube, Google, Meta, Northern District of, Social Locations: York, TikTok, U.S, New York, Los Angeles, California, Northern District, Northern District of California

Stuck in dating app loop with no date in sight? A lawsuit filed Wednesday against Match Group claims that is by design. Tinder, Hinge and other Match dating apps are filled with addictive features that encourage “compulsive” use, the proposed class-action lawsuit claims. This, the suit claims, turns users into “addicts” who purchase ever-more-expensive subscriptions to access special features that promise romance and matches. It was filed by six dating app users and seeks class action status.

Persons: —, ”, “ Organizations: Match Group, Northern District of, Dallas, Facebook Locations: Northern District, Northern District of California

☆ Squishmallows and Skoosherz Plush Toys Face Off in Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Lola Fadulu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

What is the difference between Squishmallows and Skoosherz? Don’t fret if you couldn’t come up with an answer. The companies behind the colorful plush toys are in a court battle this week over what actually makes the toys distinct from each other. Kelly Toys, which said it released the Squishmallows plush toys in 2016, filed a lawsuit on Monday against Build-A-Bear over its Skoosherz line, which launched last month in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. Build-A-Bear filed its own lawsuit against Kelly Toys.

Persons: Kelly Toys, ”, Kelly, “, ” Kelly Toys Organizations: Kelly Toys, Central, Central District of Locations: Central District, Central District of California

☆ Ex-Apple engineer sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to stealing trade secrets about self-driving car project
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A former Apple engineer was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to stealing trade secrets. Apple accused him of planning to sell trade secrets from when he worked on a car project from 2015 to 2018. AdvertisementFormer Apple employee Xiaolang Zhang has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to all charges of stealing trade secrets in August 2022. Apple's "Project Titan" autonomous car effort is years in the making and has faced numerous delays and pivots. An Apple car was initially rumored to come out in 2021, with speculation surrounding secret labs in Berlin and California.

Persons: Apple, —, Xiaolang Zhang, Zhang, Tim Cook didn't, wouldn't Organizations: Apple, Service, Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology, US, Office, New York Times, Northern, Northern District of Locations: Guangzhou, Berlin and California, Northern District, Northern District of California

☆ A man accused of stealing missile-tracking secrets had applied to 'talent programs' run by the Chinese government, DOJ says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A man in California was charged with stealing trade secrets from a defense contractor. The Justice Department said the secrets involved information on missile-tracking technology. The man had previously applied to serve the Chinese government, prosecutors said. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Gong, a native of China, is a resident of San Jose and has been a US citizen since 2011, the DOJ said.

Persons: —, Chenguang Gong, Gong, Martin Estrada, Breon Organizations: Justice Department, Service, DOJ, US Department of Defense, Central, Central District of, FBI, Eastern, of, Department of Justice Locations: California, China, San Jose, Malibu , California, Central District, Central District of California, People's Republic of China, Iran, of New York, of Iran

☆ American Airlines stole more than 1 million reward miles from AAdvantage members, fliers say in new lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

American Airlines was sued by two fliers who alleged it stole 1.1 million bonus miles from them. The plaintiffs say their AAdvantage accounts were closed after they opened credit cards offering sign-up miles. American Airlines was sued by the California residents in a proposed class action suit. American Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider on Tuesday. "AA's decision to terminate AAdvantage accounts entirely was improper and denied AAdvantage members the benefits they had accrued through previous purchases," the suit says.

Persons: —, Ari, Shanna Nachison, it's Organizations: Airlines, Service, American Airlines, Court, Northern, Northern District of, Citibank, Barclays, Business, AAdvantage, AA, Citi Locations: California, Northern District, Northern District of California

☆ Russian man who flew from Denmark to LAX without a ticket or passport is found guilty of being a stowaway
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Tina Burnside | Paradise Afshar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A Russian man who flew from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Los Angeles International Airport without a ticket, passport or visa has been found guilty of being a stowaway on an aircraft, authorities said Friday. The case unfolded last November after Ochigava arrived at LAX on a Scandinavian Airlines flight, according to the attorney’s office. Ochigava – who held both Russian and Israeli passports – was arraigned on December 5 and pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to the attorney’s office. The following day, Ochigava passed through the boarding gate undetected and stowed away aboard the Scandinavian Airlines flight to Los Angeles, the release stated. Scandinavian Airlines flight crew members said most of them noticed Ochigava “because he wandered around the plane and kept changing his seat.

Persons: Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava, Ochigava, “, Ochigava –, –, ”, hadn’t Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles International, US, Office, Central District of, LAX, Scandinavian Airlines, Customs and, FBI, Copenhagen Airport Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, Central District, Central District of California, United States, Los Angeles, Russia

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Texas man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 13-year-old girl who was rescued in Southern California when a passerby saw her hold up a “Help Me!” sign in a parked car. A statement Friday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California said Steven Robert Sablan, 62, of Cleburne, Texas, admitted in a plea agreement that he sexually assaulted the victim while driving her from Texas to California. Sablan, who has been in federal custody since July 2023, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, prosecutors said. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesIn July, Sablan was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Sablan will face a mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life.

Persons: —, Steven Robert Sablan, Sablan Organizations: ANGELES, Attorney’s, Central District of, FBI Locations: Southern California, Central District, Central District of California, Cleburne , Texas, Texas, California, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Antonio

☆ A 13-year-old used a ‘Help Me!’ sign to escape after being abducted. A Texas man has now pleaded guilty to kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Taylor Romine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Steven Robert Sablan, 62, abducted the girl at gunpoint on or about July 6, 2023, in San Antonio and “engaged in sexual activity” with her while driving her to Long Beach, California, the plea agreement states. The child was rescued on July 9, 2023, after Sablan went into a laundromat in Long Beach, California, and the girl held up a “Help Me!” sign from inside Sablan’s parked vehicle. A good Samaritan called 911 after spotting the sign, and Long Beach police officers said at the time the girl was “visibly emotional and distressed” when they arrived. Sablan faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, the US Attorney’s office said in the news release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender when released from prison, the plea agreement says.

Persons: CNN —, Steven Robert Sablan, “, Sablan Organizations: CNN, US, Office, Central, Central District of, “, Long Beach Locations: Texas, San Antonio, Southern California, Central District, Central District of California, Long Beach , California

LOS ANGELES — Hunter Biden, the last surviving son of President Joe Biden, pleaded not guilty to nine tax-related charges during his arraignment in federal court on Thursday. Follow along for live updatesThe arraignment came just over a month after Hunter Biden was indicted in the Central District of California on allegations that he failed to pay his taxes. That charge, which federal authorities have used as a catch-all charge against domestic extremists, is facing court challenges. On Wednesday, Hunter Biden made a surprise appearance at a circus-like hearing on the day that Republicans formally recommended that the House hold him in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena for testimony. Hunter Biden has said he would testify publicly, but House Republicans have demanded that he testify behind closed doors.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Biden, Mark C, Scarsi, Donald Trump, David Weiss, General Merrick Garland, Weiss, Abbe Lowell Organizations: Capitol, U.S, District, Central District of, Prosecutors, Trump, Republicans Locations: Washington , U.S, Los Angeles, Central District, Central District of California, Delaware

☆ California YouTuber sentenced to prison after intentionally crashing plane
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jake Piazza | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A California man was sentenced to six months in federal prison on Monday for allegedly lying to federal authorities when they were investigating an airplane he intentionally crashed to make a YouTube video. The man, former Olympic snowboarder Trevor Daniel Jacob, filmed the YouTube video stunt to promote a wallet from a company that sponsored him, according to the plea agreement filed in the Central District of California. He pled guilty to destruction and concealment of a tangible object with intent to obstruct a federal investigation. Jacob took off on a solo flight on Nov. 24, 2021, in Santa Barbara County, California, and parachuted out of the plane with a video camera and selfie stick. Jacob allegedly agreed to inform the NTSB of the location, but lied multiple times when investigators asked over the next two months.

Persons: Trevor Daniel Jacob, Jacob Organizations: Olympic, YouTube, Central District of, Los Padres National Forest, National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, U.S . Department of Transportation's, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S, Attorney's, CNBC PRO Locations: California, Central District, Central District of California, Santa Barbara County , California, Los, Santa Maria , California

☆ An Airbnb host's son secretly filmed a guest in the shower, then tried to blackmail her into sending him a sex video: prosecutors
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A man living in his mother's Airbnb home secretly filmed a guest naked and then tried to blackmail her, prosecutors allege. Prosecutors say Strutz admitted to hiding a cell phone camera in a basket on the bathroom counter. AdvertisementThe son of an Airbnb host was sentenced to prison in connection to allegations that he secretly filmed a guest in the shower and tried to blackmail her into sending him an explicit video. The graphic messages continued for several months until Strutz sent her a nude image of herself from when she showered in the Airbnb bathroom, prosecutors allege. Strutz admitted he filmed the guest using a cell phone he had hidden in a basket on the bathroom counter, prosecutors allege in the complaint.

Persons: Kevin Strutz, Strutz, —, cyberstalking, Airbnb Organizations: Prosecutors, Service, Eastern, Eastern District of California, FBI, CBS News, Attorney's, Eastern District of Locations: Ceres , California, Eastern District, Strutz's, Airbnb, Eastern District of California

☆ An influencer pilot who crashed his plane for his YouTube channel has been sentenced to 6 months in prison, prosecutors say
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

YouTuber Trevor Jacob has been sentenced to six months in prison, prosecutors said. Jacob intentionally crashed a small plane in California on 2021 for a YouTube video. Two days later, Jacob informed the National Transportation Safety Board of the plane crash, and said he would help them locate the crashed plane, prosecutors said. When pleading guilty in June, Jacob said he'd agreed to advertise a sponsor's product — a wallet — in his YouTube video, prosecutors said. AdvertisementJacob did not address why he had pretended the plane lost power in his 2021 video and his aircraft accident incident report.

Persons: YouTuber Trevor Jacob, Jacob, he'd, —, Trevor Jacob, he's, John F, Walter, Jacob didn't, He'd, YouTubers Organizations: Service, Los Padres National Forest, US, Central, Central District of, National Transportation Safety, Federal Aviation Administration, YouTube, Padres, FAA, Business Locations: California, Central District, Central District of California, Lompoc, Mammoth

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