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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, who ascended to office vowing sweeping reforms to the criminal justice system and then faced intense criticism over public safety issues, lost his bid for re-election, The Associated Press projected. In office, Gascón quickly got to work implementing his reformist agenda. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin was recalled from office in 2022 after his critics assailed him as a soft-on-crime progressive. He then was the assistant attorney general for the U.S. Justice Department’s tax division under former President George W. Bush. Gascón, 70, previously was San Francisco attorney general — a job once held by Vice President Kamala Harris before she won the state attorney general’s office.

Persons: George Gascón, Gascón, Nathan Hochman, Erik, Lyle Menendez, George Floyd, Jeff Gritchen, Chesa Boudin, Hochman, “, ” Hochman, people’s, —, ” Gascón, George W, Bush, Kamala Harris Organizations: Angeles, Associated Press, Netflix, MediaNews, Getty, California . San, Hochman, Republican, Central, Central District of, U.S . Justice Locations: Angeles County, Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Buena Park, Calif, California, California . San Francisco, Angeles, County, Gascón, U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Francisco, Los Angeles, Mesa , Arizona, San Francisco

☆ JPMorgan begins suing customers who allegedly stole thousands of dollars in 'infinite money glitch'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

JPMorgan Chase has begun suing customers who allegedly stole thousands of dollars from ATMs by taking advantage of a technical glitch that allowed them to withdraw funds before a check bounced. A Houston case involves a man who owes JPMorgan $290,939.47 after an unidentified accomplice deposited a counterfeit $335,000 check at an ATM, according to the bank. “On August 29, 2024, a masked man deposited a check in Defendant’s Chase bank account in the amount of $335,000,” the bank said in the Texas filing. The infinite money glitch episode highlights the risk that social media can amplify vulnerabilities discovered at a financial institution. JPMorgan prioritized cases with large dollar amounts and indications of possible ties to organized crime, they said.

Persons: JPMorgan Chase, “, Defendant, hasn’t, they’re, Drew Pusateri, “ We’re, Chase, ” Organizations: JPMorgan, Global, Chase, Central, Central District of, CNBC Locations: Houston, “, Defendant’s Chase, Texas, Miami, California, Central District, Central District of California

☆ Elon Musk's SpaceX sues California commission who blocked launches, accusing it of 'unconstitutional overreach'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

SpaceX has sued the California Coastal Commission. Legal experts said Musk will need to prove the commission would have granted the flights, if not for Musk's politics. In the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, Musk's SpaceX accused the commission of '"unconstitutional overreach" after members criticized his political leanings during a meeting about whether to approve more frequent SpaceX launches off the California coastline. "But if a court concludes that it's more likely than not that the result would have been different but for Musk's speech, then there would be a violation," said Volokh. AdvertisementNeither SpaceX nor the California Coastal Commission immediately responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Elon Musk, Gretchen Newsom, Musk, Caryl Hart, Eugene Volokh, David Driesen, Driesen, Volokh, Sarah Kreps, Kreps Organizations: SpaceX, California Coastal Commission, Service, Court, Central, Central District of, US Space Force, Vandenberg Space Force, UCLA, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Syracuse University, Tech, Institute, Cornell University, California Coastal, Business Locations: California, Central District, Central District of California

☆ Stellantis sues UAW in US federal court over strike threats
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Chrysler parent Stellantis filed a federal lawsuit against the United Auto Workers, saying the union has violated its contract by threatening to strike over the company’s delays in planned investment. The automaker filed the suit on Thursday asking the US District Court in the Central District of California to declare the decision by UAW Local 230 in Los Angeles to take a strike authorization vote violates terms of the contract reached last fall. Stellantis seeks to hold the UAW and the local union chapter liable for any potential revenue loss and other damages resulting from lost production due to any strike. On Thursday, a supermajority of UAW members at Stellantis’ Los Angeles Parts distribution center voted to request strike authorization if the company and union can’t settle a grievance over planned company investments. “The UAW acted in bad faith by disregarding this language, filing sham grievances, and calling a strike authorization vote to pressure Stellantis to proceed with planned investments,” the company said in the lawsuit.

Persons: Stellantis, Shawn Fain, Fain, ” Fain, Carlos Tavares, “ Organizations: CNN, Chrysler, United Auto Workers, Court, Central District of, UAW Local, UAW, Los Angeles Parts, can’t, Stellantis, The Energy Department, Plant Locations: Central District, Central District of California, Los Angeles, Belvidere , Illinois, Belvidere, Indiana, Kokomo

☆ Stellantis files federal lawsuit against UAW union over strike threats
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A supermajority of UAW members at Stellantis' Los Angeles Parts Distribution Center voted to request strike authorization from the International Executive Board if the company and union can't reconcile, the union said Friday morning. The lawsuit argues that if the union does strike, the court "should award Stellantis monetary damages" that result from a breach of contract. UAW President Shawn Fain has routinely said the union will strike if needed, however Stellantis has argued that would be unlawful under the contract. The lawsuit came the same day Fain and union members held their latest rally against Stellantis in suburban Detroit. Stellantis, in the lawsuit, called the grievances a sham designed to "justify mid-contract strikes against Stellantis that otherwise would violate the [contract's] no strike clause."

Persons: Carlos Tavares, Tobin Williams, Stellantis, Shawn Fain, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Fain, it's, it's Stellantis Organizations: Stellantis NV, UAW, Parts Distribution, International, North, DETROIT, United Auto Workers, Atlantic, CNBC, U.S, Democratic, Central District of, Stellantis Locations: Sochaux, France, Los, North America, California, Romulus , Michigan, U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Detroit

☆ ‘Baby Reindeer:’ Judge allows defamation lawsuit against Netflix over show to proceed
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A Scottish woman accused of stalking “Baby Reindeer” creator and star Richard Gadd can proceed with her defamation lawsuit against Netflix, after a federal judge in California refused to dismiss all of the claims. In a ruling published on Friday, Judge R. Gary Klausner wrote that while Fiona Harvey’s “purported actions are reprehensible,” the differences in how the show depicted these “could produce a different effect on the mind of a viewer.”Richard Gadd created and starred in "Baby Reindeer." The show topped most-watched lists worldwide after its debut in April, generating headlines and speculation about the characters and who inspired them. Jessica Gunning won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Martha in "Baby Reindeer." Ed Miller/NetflixIn the lawsuit, Harvey alleges “several key differences” between herself and the character Martha, who stalked Gadd’s character Donny Dunn.

Persons: CNN —, Richard Gadd, R, Gary Klausner, Fiona Harvey’s “, ” Richard Gadd, Ed Miller, Klausner, Gadd, “, Richard Gadd’s, Harvey, sleuths, Martha Scott, ”, Jessica Gunning, Martha, Donny Dunn, ” “, Gadd …, Klaussner, ” Klausner Organizations: CNN, Netflix, Court, Central, Central District of, Guardian, Times Locations: California, Central District, Central District of California

☆ Miley Cyrus is sued for allegedly copying a Bruno Mars song: Explaining the lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Anna Kaplan | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Lawrence co-wrote “When I Was Your Man” with Mars, Ari Levine, and Andrew Wyatt. Mars is not named as a plaintiff in the suit, and a representative for the singer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. More than two dozen other companies accused of distributing the song were also named in the lawsuit. A representative for Cyrus did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. “It is undeniable based on the combination and number of similarities between the two recordings that ‘Flowers’ would not exist without ‘When I Was Your Man,’” the lawsuit said.

Persons: Miley Cyrus, “, ” Cyrus, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, ’, Lawrence, Ari Levine, Andrew Wyatt, Mars, Cyrus, Bruno Mars ’, Miley Cyrus ’, ”, Cyrus ’, ” Tempo, “ Flowers ” Organizations: Central, Central District of, Investments, NBC News, NBC, Tempo Music Investments Locations: U.S, Central District, Central District of California

☆ Passenger arrested after trying to choke flight attendant and saying plane ‘is going down’ on California flight, DOJ says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Paradise Afshar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A California man is facing federal charges after he allegedly tried to choke a flight attendant and “said he was going to kill everybody” while on board a Frontier Airlines flight to San Francisco that had to be diverted on Monday, authorities said. “Flight attendants investigated and discovered that Salva had his hand in the overhead compartment,” the US Attorney’s Office said. During the incident, Salva yelled obscenities at flight attendants and allegedly said, “We are all going to hell,” and “This airplane is going down,” the release said. The flight attendants did not feel safe trying to put Salva back in his seat, and the flight was diverted to Ontario International Airport, the release said. The single highest individual penalty, $40,823, was issued to a traveler who brought their own alcohol on board, was intoxicated, attempted to smoke marijuana in the lavatory, and sexually assaulted a flight attendant – all in a single flight.

Persons: “, ”, Charles Angel Salva, Fermont, Salva, – Organizations: CNN, Frontier Airlines, US, Office, District of, Attorney’s, “, Ontario International Airport, US Marshals Service, FBI, Ontario Police Department, US Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Justice Locations: California, San Francisco, District, District of California, Orange County , California, Ontario, United States

☆ 4 former officers accused of staging sham raid to extort nearly $37 million from California man
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Antonio Planas | Antonio Planas Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

According to prosecutors, the victim and his business partner had a yearslong dispute over their ownership in the rubber chemical manufacturer. In December 2018, the unindicted co-conspirator allegedly contacted Turbett to help with her business dispute. Turbett and Hart flew from Australia to Los Angeles, where they met with Cozart and Lankford to plan out the sham raid, prosecutors said. During the hoax raid, the defendants forced the victim and his family into one room. The unindicted co-conspirator paid Turbett’s company about $419,813 and emailed Turbett to thank him for a “very good job,” prosecutors said.

Persons: ”, Steven Arthur Lankford, Glen Louis Cozart, Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, Matthew Phillip Hart, Lankford, Hart, Martin Estrada, Turbett, Cozart Organizations: Attorney’s, Central, Central District of, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Crime Information Locations: California, Irvine, U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Jiangsu Sinorgchem, Country , California, Upland , California, Australia, United Kingdom, Los, Santa Clarita, Angeles, China, Atlanta, Jiangsu, —, Los Angeles

The same Chinese brokers who were laundering fentanyl proceeds were now heavily involved in marijuana trafficking across the U.S. as well. Over the past decade, Chinese organized crime groups in the U.S. quietly became the dominant money launderers for Mexican cartels. Since 2023, federal prosecutors have charged at least 31 people linked to Chinese groups accused of laundering cartel drug money. In the ensuing months, the team began to understand for the first time how the Chinese became the Mexican cartels’ go-to money launderers. The Chinese money brokers then arrange for the cartels to receive the equivalent amount in pesos or cryptocurrency in Mexico.

Persons: Ray Donovan, Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman, Guzman, Donovan, ”, Michael Mezner, ‘, I’ve, El Chapo, ” Donovan, “, Christopher Urben, “ They’ve, Dennis Wilder, ” Wilder, Urben, ” Urben, Bill Bodner, Vanda Felbab, Brown, ’, They’re, Xi Jinping Organizations: Attorney’s, Central, Central District of, U.S, Division, CIA, Ministry of State Security, U.S ., National Intelligence, National Security Council, Los, Singapore —, Brookings Institution, Operations Division, DEA, Citibank Locations: U.S, East, China, El, Sinaloa, Pasadena, Calif, Central District, Central District of California, Virginia, United States, CJNG, propping, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, Asia, Australia, Singapore, New York, Chicago, Miami, Mexico, Los Angeles County . U.S, Guangzhou, America

“TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids’ privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a release. In 2019, the government sued Musical.ly, the company that later became TikTok, for alleged COPPA violations. There are 170 million American TikTok users. In 2020, Trump signed an executive order that would ban TikTok, which was struck down in court. In March, Trump said he no longer intended to ban TikTok if re-elected.

Persons: ByteDance, TikTok, “ TikTok, Lina Khan, Musical.ly, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Trump Organizations: U.S . Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, TikTok, CNBC, FTC, COPPA, Central, Central District of, U.S Locations: U.S, Central District, Central District of California, American

☆ Former bookie embroiled in ex-Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal to plead guilty to running illegal sports betting business
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Cindy Vonquednow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Mizuhara was one of Bowyer’s clients, placing at least 19,000 bets with Bowyer’s illegal gambling business from September 2021 to January 2024, according to prosecutors. Bowyer would increase Mizuhara’s betting limits even as Mizuhara had total losing bets of at least $182,935,206, leaving the former interpreter owing about $40,678,436, the plea agreement states. Bowyer’s other clients include “Individual B,” a professional baseball player for a Southern California-based baseball team, and “Individual C,” a former minor-league baseball player, the plea agreement states. In his plea agreement, Bowyer admitted to falsely reporting his taxable income to the IRS on his tax return for 2022. That year, Bowyer reported $607,897 in total income, while his unreported income from his illegal gambling business was $4,030,938, officials said.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani’s, Ippei Mizuhara, Matthew Bowyer, Diane Bass, ” Bowyer, Ohtani, Mizuhara, Bowyer, “, Martin Estrada, ” Organizations: CNN, Dodgers, Justice Department, US, Office, Central, Central District of, Los Angeles Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Major League Baseball, Bowyer Locations: Central District, Central District of California, Los Angeles, Orange, Las Vegas, Ohtani, Costa Rica, Southern California

☆ California School Official Who Embezzled $16.7 Million Gets Nearly 6 Years in Prison
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Eduardo Medina | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A former California public school official who embezzled more than $16 million from a school district and used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle was sentenced to nearly six years in prison this week, according to the Justice Department. A federal judge on Thursday sentenced Jorge Armando Contreras, 53, who worked for the Magnolia School District in Orange County, to 70 months and ordered him to pay $16,694,942 in restitution. Mr. Contreras, of Yorba Linda, Calif., had pleaded guilty in March to one count of embezzlement, theft and intentional misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal funds, the U.S. attorney’s office said. He used the money to buy a range of luxurious products like Louis Vuitton bags and $2,000 tequila bottles, according to the Justice Department. About $7.7 million in personal and real property traced to the scheme have been seized, officials said.

Persons: Jorge Armando Contreras, . Contreras, Martin Estrada, ” Mr, Contreras, Louis Vuitton Organizations: Justice Department, Magnolia School, Central, Central District of Locations: California, Orange County, Yorba Linda, Calif, U.S, Central District, Central District of California

☆ Popular app banned from hosting young teens in a groundbreaking settlement
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The regulators wrote that the app billed itself as a “safe space” for teens but, in reality, preyed on them. The app, known as NGL, had been downloaded millions of times, according to the complaint. NGL deceptively hooked teens into subscribing to its premium service by sending them fake, anonymous messages and then promising to reveal the sender after they paid, said the complaint. Highlighting the groundbreaking nature of the NGL settlement, FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson described Tuesday’s action as a “novel” use of the agency’s legal powers. But, he argued, the public should not interpret the lawsuit to mean that it is illegal in general to market any anonymous messaging app to teens.

Persons: ”, Lina Khan, ” NGL, NGL, Joao Figueiredo, ” Figueiredo, “ I’ve, Figueiredo, Khan, Andrew Ferguson, ” Ferguson, Kristin Bride, Bride, Carson, Fairplay Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Los Angeles, Attorney’s, US, Court, Central, Central District of, FTC, Meta, Epic Games, Facebook Locations: Central District, Central District of California, New York, Arkansas, Florida , Louisiana

☆ US announces major bust as efforts to crack down on Chinese money launderers working with drug cartels ratchet up
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

A US-based lawyer who has represented accused Chinese money launderers said the tempo of law enforcement operations against the alleged launderers has increased in recent weeks as federal agents close in on “bigger fish” among Chinese money launderers in the US. None of the federal law enforcement agencies involved in tracking Chinese money launderers agreed to be interviewed on the record. Grassley and Whitehouse have each introduced legislation they say is key to closing loopholes in US law that are actively exploited by the cartels’ money launderers. Elaborate networksRecent court documents illuminate how far-flung and elaborate US-based networks of alleged Chinese money launderers are. Mirror TransactionsExperts say the Chinese money launderers have mastered the art of so-called mirror transactions, which involve a series of deposits at multiple bank accounts to conceal the drug money.

Persons: ”, Anne Milgram, surveil, “, Don Im, Biden, HSI, Ricardo Mayoral, William Kimbell, ” Kimbell, launderers, —, Sen, Sheldon Whitehouse, ” Whitehouse, Treasury Department —, Whitehouse, Christopher Wray, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Republican Sen, Charles Grassley, Enhua Fang, Li Pei Tan, Tan, Joe Habachy, Matthew Rothbeind, Fang, Chaojie Chen, Chen, Greg Hunter, ” David Luckey, JPMorgan Chase Organizations: CNN, Drug, Administration, Sinaloa Cartel, US Court, Central, Central District of, DEA, IRS, “, Centers for Disease Control, Federal, Homeland Security, Treasury, Treasury Department, Treasury’s, Network, Homeland Security Investigations, DHS, Financial Crimes, Rhode Island Democrat, intel, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Senate, ” CNN, White, Office of National Drug Control, Service, Biden, Republican, Grassley, Rand Corporation, of, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Organization Locations: California, Mexican, China, Mexico, Los Angeles, Sinaloa, Central District, Central District of California, Colombia, America, Oregon, Virginia, South Carolina, Washington, DC, North, Central America, —, Iowa, North Carolina, Belize, Chinese, Georgia, Chicago, Tulsa, East Coast, Detroit , Chicago, Ohio, Western, of North Carolina, Wells Fargo

☆ Hollywood trainer Tracy Anderson's famous 'method' is 'uncopyrightable,' a judge ruled
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Katie Warren | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewIn a blow to celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, a federal judge ruled this week that the fitness pioneer's famous exercise "method" is "uncopyrightable." The high-profile fitness guru said in the lawsuit that Roup copied her signature workout, the "Tracy Anderson Method" or "TA Method" — a dance-based workout routine. The order added, "And because the TA Method is uncopyrightable, the Court need not reach the issues of whether the TA Method could be considered choreography and if TAMB [Tracy Anderson Mind and Body] actually owns the copyrights." "We are pleased with the Court's ruling unequivocally rejecting Tracy Anderson's copyright claim, finding that the TA Method is not copyrightable, full stop," Bach said. AdvertisementAnother former trainer said that while she was still working at Tracy Anderson, she was reprimanded by management for merely liking former instructors' Instagram posts.

Persons: —, Tracy Anderson, Philip Gutierrez, Anderson, Megan Roup, Roup, Gutierrez, Anderson's, Gina Durham, Durham, Nathaniel Bach, Tracy, Bach, Megan, Samuel Eric Anderson Roup, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham Organizations: Service, Central District of, Business, Roup, Pop Locations: Central District, Central District of California

☆ YouTuber faces federal charge over a video of women shooting fireworks from a helicopter at a moving Lamborghini
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A YouTuber was arrested over a stunt involving fireworks, a helicopter, and a Lamborghini. The 24-year-old is accused of causing fireworks to be shot out of a moving helicopter. Police believe he directed it without permits and used fireworks that were illegal in California. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA 24-year-old YouTuber could face up to 10 years in prison after being accused of directing a social media stunt involving two women illegally shooting fireworks out of a helicopter at a Lamborghini.

Persons: YouTuber, —, Suk Min Choi, Alex Choi Organizations: Lamborghini, Police, Service, US, Office, Central, Central District of California, Business Locations: California, Central District

☆ ‘Baby Reindeer:’ Netflix to fight Fiona Harvey’s $170 million damages claim
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“Baby Reindeer” has topped most-watched lists worldwide since its debut in April, generating headlines and speculation about the characters and who inspired them. Her complaint lists Netflix and Netflix Worldwide Entertainment as defendants. The document alleges that the defendants and Gadd told the “biggest lie in television history” by claiming the story is true. In an essay for Netflix, he said the situation was “messy” and “complicated,” but he believed the story needed to be told. In the complaint, Harvey said within a few days of the show airing she began to receive messages, including death threats, identifying her as Gadd’s alleged stalker.

Persons: ” Fiona Harvey, Richard Gadd, Harvey, sleuths, Martha Scott, ”, Piers Morgan, Gadd, Donny Dunn, “, …, Richard Gadd’s, ” Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Ed Miller, Scott, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Netflix, Court, Central, Central District of, YouTube, Entertainment, Edinburgh Fringe, Guardian Locations: Scottish, Central District, Central District of California, London

☆ Parent of CycleBar, Pure Barre fitness studios sees shares whipsaw after CEO ousted, federal probe disclosed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Brandon Gomez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Xponential Fitness , the parent company of CycleBar and Pure Barre fitness studios, bounced around in trading Monday after the company announced late Friday that CEO Anthony Geisler would be suspended indefinitely and would become an inactive member of the board. Xponential Fitness, which owns more than 3,000 boutique fitness and wellness studios globally, also said it received notice last week of a probe by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Piper Sandler maintains a hold rating on Xponential Fitness stock, but lowered its price target to $9 from $12. Xponential Fitness' leadership had previously disclosed an SEC investigation in December, which alleged that the company provided false and/or misleading information to investors, including unit volume metrics and franchise closures. "The Company intends to continue cooperating with the SEC and intends to cooperate with the USAO," Xponential Fitness said in a press release announcing the executive changes.

Persons: Anthony Geisler, Brenda Morris, Korinne Wolfmeyer, Piper Sandler Organizations: U.S, Attorney's, Central, Central District of, SEC, Fitness Locations: CycleBar, Barre, Central District, Central District of California

☆ A judge has ordered the owners of get-rich-on-Amazon startup Wealth Assistants to have their assets frozen
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Clients paid upfront fees ranging from $35,000 to more than $100,000 to have their stores run by Wealth Assistants. AdvertisementThe complaint also alleges that Carroll — who was Wealth Assistants' founder and CEO — and the Days violated securities laws because the business opportunity they sold through Wealth Assistants could be considered unregistered securities. Related stories"Plaintiffs' evidence shows that each of the Individual Defendants made intentional misrepresentations in connection with Wealth Assistants' services," the order reads. It follows another lawsuit that was brought against Wealth Assistants in California Superior Court in San Bernardino County in January. Wealth Assistants claimed that the digital bank froze its accounts without warning or explanation in October and is still withholding its funds.

Persons: —, — Ryan Carroll, Max K, Michael Day —, Max O, Carroll —, Judge Wesley Hsu, Carroll, Nico Banks Organizations: Service, Court, Central, Central District of, Wealth, Business, Washington, Banks Law Office, Bank Locations: Central District, Central District of California, DC, California, San Bernardino County, Tennessee, mstone@insider.com

☆ Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter surrenders to authorities on bank fraud charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Diana Dasrath | Antonio Planas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mizuhara is charged with bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Mizuhara committed "massive fraud" against Ohtani to satisfy an "insatiable appetite for illegal sports gambling," Estrada said. Mizuhara, who did not bet on baseball, is "linked to an illegal gambling operation," Estrada said. The transfers from the bank account were made from devices and IP addresses associated with Mizuhara, federal prosecutors said in a statement. During this time, the contact information on Ohtani's bank account allegedly was changed to connect the account to Mizuhara's phone number and to an anonymous email address linked to Mizuhara, prosecutors said.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Martin Estrada, Ohtani, Estrada, Mizuhara's Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Dodger, Major League Baseball, Central, Central District of, Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels, NBC News Locations: Los Angeles, Newport Beach , California, U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Anaheim, Southern California

☆ Ippei Mizuhara: Shohei Ohtani’s ex-translator expected to turn himself in after allegedly stealing $16 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Holly Yan | Cindy Von Quednow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ippei Mizuhara faces a federal charge of bank fraud after making unauthorized transfers from Ohtani’s bank account from November 2021 until January 2024, US Attorney Martin Estrada said Thursday. “We expect that the court will order Mr. Mizuhara released on bond,” Mrozek said in a written statement. Ippei Mizuhara, left, the then-interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, leave a news conference on March 16. But “over time, Mr. Mizuhara’s bets became more and more frequent. Major League Baseball issued a statement Thursday in response to news about Mizuhara’s federal charge.

Persons: Ohtani, Ippei, Martin Estrada, Mizuhara, Thom Mrozek, ” Mrozek, “, ”, Ohtani –, ” Estrada, –, Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani, Lee Jin, Estrada, Mizuhara’s, Mr, “ Mr, “ Ohtani, CNN’s Nick Watt Organizations: CNN, US, Office, Central, Central District of, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, MLB, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Major League Baseball Locations: Central District, Central District of California, Los Angeles, Japan, United States, South Korea

☆ Prosecutors Say Ohtani’s Interpreter Stole $16 Million From Star
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Tim Arango | Michael S. Schmidt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Federal prosecutors released a detailed complaint on Thursday that claimed Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, orchestrated a sprawling scheme over years to steal $16 million of the baseball star’s money to feed his gambling addiction. The money that Mizuhara took from Ohtani came directly from an account where Ohtani’s baseball salary was paid, the authorities said. “There’s no indication Mr. Ohtani authorized the $16 million from his account to the bookmakers,” said E. Martin Estrada, the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. The authorities charged Mizuhara with bank fraud, for which the maximum penalty is 30 years in prison. The complaint contains a message sent by Mizuhara in which he admits to a bookmaker that he stole the money from Ohtani.

Persons: Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani, Mizuhara, Ohtani, “, ”, Martin Estrada Organizations: Central, Central District of, Mizuhara Locations: U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Ohtani

☆ Kim Kardashian sued over promotion of 'knockoff' versions of an artist's iconic table and chairs
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe foundation representing 20th Century artist Donald Judd is suing Kim Kardashian and her designers over a set of "knockoff" tables and chairs. "The tables and chairs shown in the Kardashian Video are not authentic Donald Judd pieces fabricated by Judd Foundation but were instead unauthorized knockoffs that were produced by Clements Design," the complaint said. "If you guys are furniture people — because I've really gotten into furniture lately — these Donald Judd tables are really amazing and totally blend in with the seats," she said. AdvertisementThe filing also includes alleged invoices from Clements Design showing line items for two tables and 24 chairs made of plywood "in the Style of Donald Judd." Donald Judd died in 1994, and his namesake foundation now manages his legacy and intellectual property.

Persons: —, Donald Judd, Kim Kardashian, Kardashian, Kardashian's, I've, Clements, Judd Organizations: Service, Central District of, Judd, Business, Judd Foundation, Clements Design, YouTube, Foundation Locations: Central District, Central District of California, Texas

☆ 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

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