Rams finally ran the ball well in New Orleans, and it kept them in the playoff raceNBA Best Bets: Bulls vs. Hornets Picks for December 30ABUJA – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a scathing rebuke of former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, accusing him of engaging in sycophancy and lacking the integrity expected of an elder statesman. Wike’s remarks came during a special thanksgiving service organised by the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, held at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Port Harcourt on Sunday. The FCT minister in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, criticised Odili for his recent comments, praising the current Rivers State governor as having surpassed the achievements of all previous governors, including Wike himself. Wike dismissed the comments as insincere and politically motivated. “How can an elder statesman, someone who is supposed to be a father figure, reduce himself to a sycophant and a trader?” Wike asked. “Must you be a trader all the time? After serving as governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?” Wike claimed that Odili’s statements were inconsistent with his earlier positions, highlighting past instances where Odili praised Wike’s administration. “When I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heaven,” Wike recalled. “He said all past governors combined did not achieve what I did. Now, barely a year into a new administration, he’s already saying this governor has done more than all past governors. What kind of elder talks like this?” Wike also detailed his contributions to Odili’s legacy, including state sponsorship of students at PAMO University, a private institution linked to Odili. “Rivers State sponsored 100 students per session, each paying nothing less than N5 million. People attacked me for it, but I stood firm because I believed in supporting him,” Wike explained. He added, “I personally called Julius Berger to build him a mansion. He was taking people around, saying, ‘Look at what Wike has done for me.’ Now, because of a Christmas Carol, he’s singing a different tune. Why reduce yourself to a laughing stock?” Wike further criticised Odili’s political inconsistencies, accusing him of neglecting his late elder brother’s son for a political appointment. “It was his nephew, his late senior brother’s son, that was recommended for commissioner. But what did he do? He took the slot and gave it to his own daughter. Is that the mark of an elder statesman?” He also accused Odili of sycophantic behaviour towards the current Rivers State governor. “When I was plotting who would be governor after me, was he there? Then, he said this governor couldn’t speak in public. Now, he’s organising Christmas Carols for him,” Wike said. Wike questioned the values Odili was passing on to younger generations. “When your children ask you, ‘Is this not the same man you praised before?’ What will you tell them? An elder must be consistent and uphold integrity,” he stated. Wike concluded by urging Odili and others to focus on unity and sincerity in governance rather than divisive politics. “We have left the government. We are managing. You’ve taken the Assembly money; they are not dying of hunger, and they will not die of hunger. But all these sycophancies will not elevate you to the level I have attained,” Wike said. The minister’s remarks highlight ongoing tensions within the Rivers State political landscape, raising questions about the conduct and integrity of its key players.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said.CHICAGO (AP) — Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn each had a goal and two assists, and the Dallas Stars beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 on Sunday night. Jason Robertson, Evgenii Dadonov and Wyatt Johnston each had a goal and an assist for Dallas, which had lost three of four. Jake Oettinger made 24 saves. Chicago dropped its fourth consecutive game. It lost three of four in its season series against Dallas. Connor Bedard scored his 10th goal for the Blackhawks, and Arvid Soderblom made 26 stops. Next up for Bedard and company is the Winter Classic on Tuesday against St. Louis. Dallas grabbed control after Chicago forward Tyler Bertuzzi was ejected 8:11 into the second period. Bertuzzi was sent off for elbowing Stars forward Colin Blackwell in the face. Robertson made it 2-1 when he converted a wrist shot from the right circle at 8:23. It was Robertson's first goal since Dec. 14 and No. 8 on the season. Dadonov got a slick pass from Duchene and scored his 10th goal with 5:14 left in the second. Stars: Miro Heiskanen added two assists as the Stars used their superior depth to control much of the game. Blackhawks: Once again, not enough offensive opportunities. It has been a recurring problem for the Blackhawks for much of the season so far. Johnston's stick broke right before he scored his eighth goal 10 seconds into the third period. Duchene's pass went off Johnston and past Soderblom, giving the Stars a 3-1 lead. The Stars are 12-3-0 against the Blackhawks since the 2021-22 season. Dallas opens a three-game homestand on Tuesday night against Buffalo. Chicago plays St. Louis on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Now that the Winnipeg Jets' first losing streak of the season is over, the NHL's points leaders will aim to extend a new winning streak when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. Winnipeg's second and third defeats of the season came in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 14 and a 5-0 shutout to the Florida Panthers on Nov. 16. The Jets got a chance at immediate revenge against the Panthers on Tuesday, and capitalized with a 6-3 victory on home ice. "We didn't like the way we played in Florida. So it's just a sign of a lot of good character in this room that we wanted to bounce back," said Mark Scheifele, who had a hat trick on Tuesday. "We wanted to have a good game in front of our home crowd before we go on the road for what feels like forever." Friday marks the start of a six-game road trip for the Jets, who are 7-2-0 in away games this season. The Penguins are 1-2-2 in their last five games, and have been struggling to either gain or hold leads. In the first two games of their five-game homestand, the Penguins almost blew a three-goal lead in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the San Jose Sharks, and then lost a two-goal lead in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Lightning. Pittsburgh is 4-5-2 when scoring first in games, the lowest winning percentage (.364) of any team in the NHL when taking the early lead. "We like parts of our game but I think we've just got to get more comfortable and just got to put 60 minutes together ... We have the leads in the game, we're right where we want to be and we let it slip," Penguins forward Rickard Rakell said. Keeping leads is always difficult with a leaky defense, and the Penguins have allowed the most goals (81) in the NHL. Pittsburgh's skaters have a combined -127 plus-minus rating, and goaltenders Alex Nedeljkovic, Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist have a cumulative 3.62 goals-against average. Defenseman Kris Letang is questionable for Friday's lineup after missing Pittsburgh's last three games due to illness. It adds up for a great opportunity for the scorching Jets offense to keep lighting the lamp. Winnipeg is among the league leaders with an average of 4.21 goals per game. Since the Penguins host the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday, Nedeljkovic and Jarry figure to split the back-to-back starts in some order. The Jets are also playing consecutive games, as the team faces the Predators in Nashville on Saturday. Backup goalie Eric Comrie might be likelier to face Pittsburgh, as starter Connor Hellebuyck may be saved to face Winnipeg's Central Division rivals. Sidney Crosby could achieve another milestone Friday, as the Penguins star is sitting on 599 career NHL goals. Still a potent force in his 20th NHL season, Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists). Scheifele and Kyle Connor share the Jets' team scoring lead with 24 points apiece. Both players have an even 12 goals and 12 assists. In the first meeting between the two teams this season, the Jets collected a 6-3 win over the Penguins in Winnipeg on Oct. 20. --Field Level MediaIt was during the first months of the pandemic that human figures first began appearing in Russell Leng’s usually abstract paintings. Since then, the TWU Art + Design faculty member transitioned from abstraction to figuration art, and he is now displaying these latest works in an exhibit at the university leading up to Christmas. Leng said "Thru u," his exhibition of new paintings that opened on Wednesday, Nov. 20, invites viewers to contemplate "our interconnectedness." In 2020, his work shifted towards figuration and the intricate web of relationships that hold us together. Admittedly, this is a highly personal body of work represents a new direction for Leng. As people gazes at his new paintings, figures emerge from the highly textural surfaces – a hand, a head, a boot, a figure within a figure. These indistinct and abstract figures surface and dissolve, intertwine and merge speaking to society's fundamental interconnectedness, said the sessional assistant professor, who joined TWU in 2015 – the same year he was shortlisted for the RBC Painting Prize. Leng explains that these paintings “explore where we begin and end in relation to one another” and invite the viewer to contemplate “the significance of the many subtle connections we share.” Less representations of actual bodies and more symbolic messenger figures, Leng hopes his abstracted bodies gesture to a more gentle and supportive way of being together. "Amidst the tensions of global conflict, domestic politics and rising inequality," Leng’s wants the figures to offer a vision of "interconnection and interdependence that is a balm to our contemporary sense of alienation." Gallery coordinator Alysha Creighton has been a fan of Leng's work for some time, and anxious to display his lastest creations. “I’ve been watching this body of work develop for several years," she said. "I’m so excited to be able to present this soulful and visually rich body of work at the SAMC Gallery.” Leng’s exhibition, named for one of his first new pieces "Thru u," is on view at the School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC) Gallery on Trinity Western University’s Langley campus until Dec. 21. The exhibition and events are free and open to the public from Mondays to Thursdays 7:45 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 1:30 to 5 p.m. There is also a Gallery coffee break being held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
WASHINGTON — Weeks before leaving office, President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden on federal felony gun and tax convictions in two cases. The Democratic president previously said he wouldn't pardon his son or commute his sentence. The pardon came weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges. The pardon also comes less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House for a second term. Before leaving office for the first time in 2020, Trump issued close to 200 pardons and commutations in his final days as president. With the controversial pardon of his son from Biden, here's a look back at who Trump pardoned at the end of his first term. RELATED: Read: All 143 Trump pardons, commutations announced on his final day as president RELATED: A look at the 29 people President Donald Trump pardoned or gave commutations to Former Rep. Duncan Hunter of California Hunter was sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter’s birthday party. Former Rep. Chris Collins of New York Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse Trump to be president, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed. Rep. Phil Lyman of Utah Utah state Rep. Phil Lyman was serving as a county commissioner in 2014 when he led a protest of about 50 ATV riders in a canyon home to Native American cliff dwellings that officials closed to motorized traffic. Government contractors Four former government contractors were pardoned after being convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone. Supporters of Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard, the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide, had lobbied for pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted by problems and withheld exculpatory evidence. All four were serving lengthy prison sentences. Russia investigation Trump also announced pardons for allies ensnared in the Russia investigation. One was for George Papadopoulos, his 2016 campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump’s presidency for nearly two years. He also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan, a Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to 30 days in prison for lying to investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. Van der Zwaan and Papadopoulos are the third and fourth Russia investigation defendants granted clemency. By pardoning them, Trump once again took aim at Mueller’s probe and pushed a broader effort to undo the results of the investigation that yielded criminal charges against a half-dozen associates. Michael Flynn, former national security adviser Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and months earlier commuted the sentence of another associate, Roger Stone, days before he was to report to prison. Former U.S. Border Patrol agents Two former U.S. Border Patrol agents were also pardoned, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, convicted of shooting and wounding a Mexican drug smuggler near El Paso, Texas, in 2005. Dentist, convicted drug criminals, moonshiner Others on the list included a Pittsburgh dentist who pleaded guilty to health care fraud, two women convicted of drug crimes, and Alfred Lee Crum who pleaded guilty in 1952 when he was 19 to helping his wife’s uncle illegally distill moonshine. Crum served three years of probation and paid a $250 fine. The White House said Crum has maintained a clean record and a strong marriage for nearly 70 years, attended the same church for 60 years, raised four children and regularly participated in charity fundraising events. Paul Manafort Manafort was Trump’s former campaign chairman and was among the first people to be charged in Mueller’s investigation, which examined possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election campaign. He was released from a low-security federal prison in May 2020 to serve his sentence on home confinement due to concerns about the coronavirus. Prior to his release, he had been jailed since June 2018 and was serving more than seven years in prison following his conviction. Manafort was prosecuted in two federal courts and was convicted by a jury in federal court in Virginia in 2018 and later pleaded guilty in Washington. He was sentenced March 2019 and was immediately hit with state charges in New York after prosecutors accused him of giving false information on a mortgage loan application. A New York judge threw out state mortgage fraud charges, ruling that the criminal case was too similar to one that already landed Manafort in prison. Prosecutors appealed that ruling last month. Roger Stone Stone has been a longtime friend and ally of Trump. He was also convicted in Mueller’s investigation for lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. Trump commuted his sentence just days before he was scheduled to report to federal prison. Then, he issued Stone a full pardon. Pardoning Manafort and Stone underscores the president-elect's lingering rage over Mueller’s investigation and is part of a continuing effort by Trump to rewrite the narrative of a probe that shadowed his presidency for two years. Charles Kushner Kushner is the father of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. The two knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. Trump issued him a full pardon. Kushner, who is from New Jersey, pleaded guilty to 18 counts that also included witness tampering and was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison, but emerged to resume his career in real estate and his company Kushner Cos. purchased the famed Watchtower complex along the Brooklyn Bridge, the former headquarters for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Kushner was also a major Democratic donor, and agreed to pay $508, 900 to the Federal Election Commission after he violated contribution regulations by failing to obtain an OK from partners to whom more than $500,000 in campaign contributions were attributed. But, he donated more than $100,000 to Trump’s 2015 campaign. Margaret Hunter Hunter is the wife of former U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, who Trump pardoned. Along with her husband, she was also convicted of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds and was sentenced to three years of probation. Her husband, a Southern California Republican, had pleaded guilty to stealing about $150,000 from his campaign funds to pay for a lavish lifestyle, from vacations to outings with friends, private school tuition and his daughter’s birthday party. John Tate and Jesse Benton The men were top staffers on Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign and convicted in 2016 of causing false records and campaign expenditure reports to be filed to the Federal Election Commission. Prosecutors said Tate, Benton and a third campaign official tried to hide $73,000 in payments to former Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson for his endorsement of Paul. They argue that they broke no laws when they concealed the payments through a third-party campaign vendor. The White House said the pardons were supported by a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission and by Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky who is also the son of Ron Paul. Stephanie Mohr The former Maryland police officer was convicted in 2001 of violating a homeless man’s civil rights by letting her police dog attack him even though he had surrendered. Prosecutors said after the man had surrendered, Mohr released her police dog and the canine bit into the man’s leg, requiring ten stitches. Mohr, the first canine handler in the Prince George’s County police force, served 10 years in prison. She was convicted of violating the man’s civil rights under the color of authority; another officer who faced trial in the case was acquitted. Gary Brugman The former U.S. Border Patrol agent was convicted of striking and violating the civil rights of a man who had crossed the U.S. border illegally. Court records said Brugman and other Border Patrol officers had stopped a group of people who crossed the border illegally and during the encounter, he struck one of the men with his foot, pushing him to the ground and then hit the man with his hands. The man later filed a complaint when he was in custody at a Border Patrol station. Brugman had worked as a Border Patrol agent for four years in Eagle Pass, Texas. He served 27 months in prison. The White House said his pardon was supported by several Republican members of Congress and conservative media personalities, including Laura Ingraham, Sara Carter, Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs, along with former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik, who also was convicted of a federal crime and pardoned by Trump. Mary McCarty McCarty, a former county commissioner in Palm Beach County, Florida, was issued a full pardon. She was convicted of a federal criminal charge for honest services fraud. When she was convicted, prosecutors said she had misused her position as a county commissioner to “personally enrich herself, her husband, and their associates through a series of municipal bond transactions” and by receiving gifts and gratuities from people doing business with the Board of County Commissioners. The White House said her pardon was supported by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax Media. Mark Siljander The former Southwest Michigan congressman was convicted of obstructing justice and failing to register as a foreign agent. He was sentenced to serve more than a year in prison after being accused of accepting stolen funds on behalf of a Missouri charity with alleged terrorism ties. Prosecutors said an associate had conspired to hire Siljander to lobby for the charity’s removal from a government list of charities suspected of funding international terrorism. The charity closed in October 2004 after being designated a global terrorist organization by the U.S. government Christopher II X, formerly Christopher Anthony Bryant The prominent community leader in Louisville, Kentucky, was issued a full pardon for his conviction on federal drug charges. He was also issued a pardon by Kentucky’s governor for state offenses in 2019. The White House said he has been a “powerful example of the possibility of redemption,” pointing to his struggle to overcome drug addiction and his work with nonprofit and community groups in Kentucky. Robert Coughlin Coughlin worked in the Justice Department and was convicted of a conflict of interest charge for his role in the influence peddling scandal surrounding former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He admitted in court in 2009 that he provided assistance to Abramoff’s lobbying team and its clients while accepting free meals and drinks and tickets to sporting events and concerts from Abramoff lobbying partner Kevin Ring. He was issued a full pardon. Joseph Occhipinti Occhipinti was an agent with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service when he was convicted in 1991 of conspiracy to violate civil rights under the color of law and making false statements. Authorities charged that he illegally detained and searched Hispanic store owners in New York City and then made false statements to cover-up those activities. His sentence was commuted after seven months in prison by President George H.W. Bush. The White House said he had earned 76 commendations during his career, including from three attorneys general. Rickey Kanter Kanter founded a company known as Dr. Comfort, selling special shoes and inserts for diabetics, and was convicted of mail fraud tied to illegal Medicare reimbursements. He was sentenced to serve a year and a day in federal prison. He had also paid a multimillion-dollar civil fine. Federal prosecutors said his diabetic shoe inserts did not meet Medicare requirements, but they were sold to Medicare beneficiaries and the company was reimbursed by the federal government. Daniela Gozes-Wagner The Houston woman was convicted in a $50 million health care fraud scheme in 2017. Federal prosecutors said she conspired with others to falsely bill Medicare and Medicaid for millions of dollars’ worth of medical tests that were either unnecessary or just never performed. She received a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay $15.2 million in restitution. The president commuted her sentence; the White House said the commutation was supported by several former U.S. attorneys general. Mark Shapiro and Irving Stitsky Trump commuted Shapiro and Stitsky’s sentences after they were convicted in federal court in New York of defrauding more than 250 people in a $23 million real estate scam. Both men were convicted and sentenced to serve 85 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said Stitsky and Shapiro also diverted millions of dollars of investor funds for their own benefit. The White House said the men had been offered plea deals to serve no more than nine years but had turned them down and chose instead to go to trial. A White House news release praised the men as “model prisoners,” who had earned support and praise from other inmates. Topeka Sam Sam, now a criminal justice advocate who helped work on a bipartisan criminal justice overhaul that Trump often touts, was convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and served three years of a more than 10-year prison sentence. She was in the White House when Trump signed the overhaul measure, known as the First Step Act, into law. Sam posted a video on Twitter shortly after the pardon was announced, thanking Trump, and saying, “this is all so surreal.” Her case had been championed by other criminal justice reform advocates like Alice Marie Johnson, whose life sentence Trump commuted in 2018 at the urging of reality TV star Kim Kardashian West. James Batmasian Batmasian is a real-estate investor and runs property management companies in South Florida. He pleaded guilty to cheating the federal government out of more than $250,000 by failing to pay federal taxes for employees at his company. He was an influential developer and at the time was one of the largest landowners in Boca Raton, Florida. He served an eight-month prison sentence. Cesar Lozada Lozada was convicted of conspiring to distribute marijuana and served a 14-month prison sentence. He was granted a full pardon. The White House said Lozada is an immigrant from Cuba who started a pool cleaning business near Miami, Florida, and employs dozens of people. Joseph Martin Stephens Stephens pleaded guilty in 2008 to being a felon in possession a firearm, a federal offense. He has previously been convicted of a felony offense in 1991, when he was 19 years old, the White House said. He served 18 months in prison and was issued a full pardon. Andrew Barron Worden Wordon, who runs an investment firm and a solar energy company, was convicted of wire fraud in 1998. The White House said he “made mistakes in running an investment firm he founded.” Records from the Securities and Exchange Commission show Worden was accused of defrauding several brokerage firms out of more than $130,000. He was issued a full pardon. The White House said Worden had begun to repay his victims before criminal charges were filed. John Boultbee, Peter Atkinson The two men were senior executives at Hollinger International and associates of media tycoon Conrad Black. Boultbee and Atkinson were found guilty of three counts of mail fraud and each served a year in prison. Black was a co-defendant in the case and was also convicted; Trump previously pardoned him. Rebekah Charleston Charleston was arrested in 2006 for tax evasion, and the White House said she is a victim of sex trafficking who was forced into prostitution. Officials said she volunteers to help sex trafficking victims and her pardon was also supported by a law enforcement agent who arrested her. William J. Plemons Jr. The White House said Plemons was convicted of various financial crimes in the late 1990s and early 2000s and served 27 months in federal prison. Officials said he served in the Air Force and supported several charitable organizations. James Kassouf Kassouf pleaded guilty in 1989 to a federal tax offense. The White House said that since his convicted, he has been devoted to his church, fire department and works with charitable organizations. Christopher Wade The White House said Wade was convicted of multiple cyber-related offenses and has “shown remorse and sought to make his community a safer place.” He was issued a full pardon. Russell Plaisance Trump granted a posthumous pardon for Plaisance, who was convicted of conspiracy to important cocaine from a 1987 case, which the White House said stemmed from “one conversation in which he participated.” A White House news release cited the judge who presided over his sentencing saying that the actions were inconsistent with Plaisance’s life history and character. Officials said he has built a tugboat business that has seven vessels and employs 50 people. The White House said the prosecutors involved in his case did not object to the pardon. Todd Boulanger President Trump granted a full pardon to Todd Boulanger, according to the White House. In 2008, Mr. Boulanger pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Boulanger is a veteran of the United States Army Reserves and was honorably discharged. He has also received an award from the City of the District of Columbia for heroism for stopping and apprehending an individual who assaulted an elderly woman with a deadly weapon on Capitol Hill. Abel Holtz President Trump granted a full pardon to Abel Holtz, the White House said. In 2020, Holtz was 86 years old. In 1995, he pled guilty to one count of impeding a grand jury investigation and was sentenced to 45 days in prison. Holtz has "devoted extensive time and resources to supporting charitable causes in South Florida, including substantial donations to the City of Miami Beach," the White House said. Rep. Rick Renzi of Arizona President Trump granted a full pardon to Representative Rick Renzi of Arizona, the White House said. In 2013, Renzi was convicted of extortion, bribery, insurance fraud, money laundering, and racketeering. He was sentenced to 2 years in Federal prison, 2 years of supervised release, and paid a $25,000 fine. Before his conviction, Mr. Renzi served three terms in the House of Representatives. Kenneth Kurson President Trump granted a full pardon to Kenneth Kurson. Prosecutors have charged Mr. Kurson with cyberstalking related to his divorce from his ex-wife in 2015. In a powerful letter to the prosecutors, Mr. Kurson’s ex-wife wrote on his behalf that she never wanted this investigation or arrest and, “repeatedly asked for the FBI to drop it... I hired a lawyer to protect me from being forced into yet another round of questioning. My disgust with this arrest and the subsequent articles is bottomless...” This investigation only began because Mr. Kurson was nominated for a role within the Trump Administration, the White House said. Casey Urlacher President Trump granted a full pardon to Casey Urlacher, the White House said. Urlacher has been charged with conspiracy to engage in illegal gambling. Carl Andrews Boggs President Trump granted a full pardon to Carl Andrews Boggs, the White House said. In 2013, Mr. Boggs pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy. Jaime A. Davidson President Trump commuted the sentence of Jaime A. Davidson, the White House said. In 1993, Mr. Davidson was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in relation to the murder of an undercover officer. Although Mr. Davidson has been incarcerated for nearly 29 years, the admitted shooter has already been released from prison, the White House said. James E. Johnson, Jr. President Trump granted a full pardon to James E. Johnson, Jr., the White House said. In 2008, Johnson pled guilty to charges related to migratory birds. Johnson received 1 year probation, was barred from hunting during that period, and a $7,500 fine was imposed. Tommaso Buti President Trump granted a full pardon to Tommaso Buti, an Italian citizen and businessman, the White House said. More than 20 years ago, Mr. Buti was charged with financial fraud involving a chain of restaurants. He has not, however, been convicted in the United States, according to the administration. Bill K. Kapri, aka Kodak Black President Trump granted a commutation to Bill Kapri, more commonly known as Kodak Black. Kodak Black is a prominent artist and community leader, according to the White House. Kodak Black was sentenced to 46 months in prison for making a false statement on a Federal document. Jawad A. Musa President Trump commuted the sentence of Jawad A. Musa. In 1991, Musa was sentenced to life imprisonment for a non-violent, drug-related offense. Mr. Musa’s sentencing judge and the prosecutor on the case have both requested clemency on his behalf. He was 56 years old in 2020. Adriana Shayota President Trump commuted the sentence of Adriana Shayota. She was convicted of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, commit copyright infringement, and introduce misbranded food into interstate commerce. Glen Moss President Trump granted a full pardon to Glen Moss. After pleading guilty in 1998, Mr. Moss has been a vital member of his community, the White House said. Anthony Levandowski President Trump granted a full pardon to Anthony Levandowski. Levandowski pled guilty to a single criminal count arising from civil litigation. Aviem Sella President Trump granted a full pardon to Aviem Sella, who was indicted in 1986 for espionage in relation to the Jonathan Pollard case. Michael Liberty President Trump granted a full pardon to Michael Liberty. In 2016 Liberty was convicted for campaign finance violations and later was indicted for related offenses. Greg Reyes President Trump granted a full pardon to Greg Reyes. Reyes was the former CEO of Brocade Communications. Mr. Reyes was convicted of securities fraud. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, threw out his convictions, finding prosecutorial misconduct. He was later retried, convicted, and sentenced to 18 months in Federal prison. Ferrell Damon Scott President Trump commuted the sentence of Ferrell Damon Scott. Scott served nearly 9 years of a life imprisonment sentence for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Jerry Donnell Walden President Trump commuted the sentence of Jerry Donnell Walden. Walden has served 23 years of a 40-year prison sentence. Jeffrey Alan Conway President Trump granted a full pardon to Jeffrey Alan Conway. Benedict Olberding President Trump granted a full pardon to Benedict Olberding, who was convicted on one count of bank fraud. Syrita Steib-Martin President Trump granted a full pardon to Syrita Steib-Martin. Steib-Martin was convicted at the age of 19 and sentenced to 10 years in prison and nearly $2 million in restitution for the use of fire to commit a felony. After her release from prison, she became an advocate for criminal justice reform and founded Operation Restoration. Michael Ashley President Trump commuted the sentence of Michael Ashley. Ashley was convicted and sentenced to 3 years in prison for bank fraud. Lou Hobbs President Trump commuted the sentence of Lou Hobbs. Hobbs had served 24 years of his life sentence in 2020. Matthew Antoine Canady President Trump commuted the sentence of Matthew Antoine Canady. Mario Claiborne President Trump commuted the sentence of Mario Claiborne. Claiborne was serving life imprisonment and had already served more than 28 years in prison. Rodney Nakia Gibson President Trump commuted the sentence of Rodney Nakia Gibson. In 2009, Mr. Gibson was convicted of trafficking drugs. Mr. Gibson was a first-time, non-violent offender who has been a “model inmate” for more than 11 years in custody. Tom Leroy Whitehurst President Trump commuted the sentence of Tom Leroy Whitehurst from life to 30 years. Mr. Whitehurst led a conspiracy to manufacture at least 16.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and possessed numerous firearms during the course of the conspiracy. Monstsho Eugene Vernon President Trump commuted the sentence of Monstsho Eugene Vernon. Mr. Vernon served over 19 years in prison for committing a string of armed bank robberies in Greenville, South Carolina. Luis Fernando Sicard President Trump commuted the sentence of Luis Fernando Sicard. Mr. Sicard was sentenced in 2000 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. DeWayne Phelps President Trump commuted the sentence of DeWayne Phelps. He served 11 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Isaac Nelson President Trump commuted the sentence of Isaac Nelson. He was serving a mandatory 20-year sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. Traie Tavares Kelly President Trump commuted the sentence of Traie Tavares Kelly. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Javier Gonzales President Trump commuted the sentence of Javier Gonzales. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine in 2005. Eric Wesley Patton President Trump granted a full pardon to Eric Wesley Patton. Mr. Patton was convicted of making a false statement on a mortgage application in 1999. Robert William Cawthon President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert William Cawthon. Cawthon was convicted in 1992 for making a false statement on a bank loan application and was sentenced to 3 years’ probation, conditioned upon 180 days’ home confinement. Hal Knudson Mergler President Trump granted a full pardon to Hal Knudson Mergler. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in 1992. He received 1 month imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution. Gary Evan Hendler President Trump granted a full pardon to Gary Evan Hendler. In 1984, Mr. Hendler was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances and served 3 years’ probation for his crime. John Harold Wall President Trump granted a full pardon to John Harold Wall. Mr. Wall was convicted of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 1992. He completed a 60-month prison sentence with 4 years’ supervised release. Steven Samuel Grantham President Trump granted a full pardon to Steven Samuel Grantham. Mr. Grantham was convicted in 1967 for stealing a vehicle. He received 18-months imprisonment, and 2 years’ probation. Clarence Olin Freeman President Trump granted a full pardon to Clarence Olin Freeman. Freeman was convicted in 1965 for operating an illegal whiskey still. He received 9 months imprisonment and 5 years’ probation. Fred Keith Alford President Trump granted a full pardon to Fred Keith Alford. He was convicted in 1977 for a firearm violation and served 1 year’s unsupervised probation. John Knock President Trump commuted the sentence of John Knock. This commutation is supported by his family. Mr. Knock was a 73 year-old man in 2020, a first-time, non-violent marijuana only offender, who has served 24 years of a life sentence. Kenneth Charles Fragoso President Trump commuted the sentence of Kenneth Charles Fragoso. Mr. Fragoso is a 66-year-old United States Navy veteran who has served more than 30 years of a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense. Luis Gonzalez President Trump commuted the sentence of Luis Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez is a 78-year-old non-violent drug offender who has served more than 27 years of a life sentence. Anthony DeJohn President Trump commuted the sentence of Anthony DeJohn. Mr. DeJohn has served more than 13 years of a life sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Corvain Cooper President Trump commuted the sentence of Mr. Corvain Cooper. In 2020, he had served more than 7 years of a life sentence for his non-violent participation in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Way Quoe Long President Trump commuted the sentence of Way Quoe Long. Mr. Long is a 58-year-old who has served nearly half of a 50-year sentence for a non-violent conviction for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Michael Pelletier President Trump commuted the sentence of Michael Pelletier. Mr. Pelletier is a 64 year-old who has served 12 years of a 30 year sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Craig Cesal President Trump commuted the sentence of Craig Cesal. Mr. Cesal is a father of two, one of whom unfortunately passed away while he was serving his life sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Darrell Frazier President Trump commuted the sentence of Darrell Frazier. Mr. Frazier is a 60-year-old who has served 29 years of a life sentence for non-violent conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Lavonne Roach President Trump commuted the sentence of Lavonne Roach. Ms. Roach has served 23 years of a 30-year sentence for non-violent drug charges. Blanca Virgen President Trump commuted the sentence of Blanca Virgen. Ms. Virgen had served 12 years of a 30-year sentence. Robert Francis President Trump commuted the sentence of Robert Francis. Mr. Francis has served 18 years of a life sentence for non-violent drug conspiracy charges. Brian Simmons President Trump commuted the sentence of Brian Simmons. Mr. Simmons has served 5 years of a 15-year sentence for a non-violent conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Derrick Smith President Trump commuted the sentence of Derrick Smith. Mr. Smith is a 53-year-old who has served more than 20 years of a nearly 30-year sentence for distribution of drugs to a companion who passed away. Raymond Hersman President Trump commuted the sentence of Raymond Hersman. Mr. Hersman is a 55-year-old father of two who has served more than 9 years of a 20-year sentence. David Barren President Trump commuted the sentence of David Barren. He served 13 years of his life sentence in addition to 20 years for a non-violent drug conspiracy charge. James Romans President Trump commuted the sentence of James Romans. Mr. Romans is a father and a grandfather who received a life sentence without parole for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Jonathon Braun President Trump commuted the sentence of Jonathan Braun. Mr. Braun has served 5 years of a 10-year sentence for conspiracy to import marijuana and to commit money laundering. Michael Harris President Trump commuted the sentence of Michael Harris. Mr. Harris is a 59 year old who has served 30 years of a 25 year to life sentence for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Kyle Kimoto President Trump commuted the sentence of Kyle Kimoto. Mr. Kimoto is a father of six who has served 12 years of his 29 year sentence for a non-violent telemarketing fraud scheme. Chalana McFarland President Trump commuted the sentence of Chalana McFarland. Ms. McFarland has served 15 years of a 30-year sentence. Though she went to trial, Ms. McFarland actually cooperated with authorities by informing them of a potential attack on the United States Attorney. Her co-defendants who pled guilty, however, received lesser sentences ranging from 5 to 87 months. Eliyahu Weinstein President Trump commuted the sentence of Eliyahu Weinstein. He was serving his eighth year of a 24-year sentence for real estate investment fraud. John Estin Davis President Trump commuted the sentence of John Estin Davis. He spent 4 months incarcerated for serving as Chief Executive Office of a healthcare company with a financial conflict of interest. Alex Adjmi President Trump granted a full pardon to Alex Adjmi. In 1996, Mr. Adjmi was convicted of a financial crime and served 5 years in prison. Elliott Broidy President Trump granted a full pardon to Elliott Broidy. Mr. Broidy is the former Deputy National Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee. Broidy was convicted on one count of conspiracy to serve as an unregistered agent of a foreign principal. Stephen K. Bannon President Trump granted a full pardon to Stephen Bannon. Prosecutors pursued Mr. Bannon with charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project. Douglas Jemal President Trump granted a full pardon to Douglas Jemal. In 2008, Mr. Jemal was convicted of fraud. Noah Kleinman President Trump commuted the sentence of Noah Kleinman. He served 6 years of a nearly 20-year sentence for a non-violent crime to distribute marijuana. Dr. Scott Harkonen President Trump granted a full pardon Dr. Scott Harkonen. Dr. Harkonen was convicted of fraud based on a misleading caption in a press release with respect to a treatment for a disease, the White House said. Johnny D. Phillips, Jr. President Trump granted a full pardon to Johnny D. Phillips, Jr. In 2016, Mr. Phillips was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Dr. Mahmoud Reza Banki President Trump granted a full pardon to Dr. Mahmoud Reza Banki. In 2010 Dr. Banki was charged with monetary violations of Iranian sanctions and making false statements. The charges related to sanctions violations were subsequently overturned by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Tena Logan President Trump commuted the sentence of Tena Logan. Ms. Logan served 8 years of a 14-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. MaryAnne Locke President Trump commuted the sentence of MaryAnne Locke. She served roughly 11 years of a nearly 20-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. April Coots President Trump commuted the sentence of April Coots. Ms. Coots served more than 10 years of her 20-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Caroline Yeats President Trump commuted the sentence of Caroline Yeats. Ms. Yeats was a first-time, non-violent drug offender who has served nearly 7 years of a 20-year sentence. Jodi Lynn Richter President Trump commuted the sentence of Jodi Lynn Richter. Ms. Richter has served 10 years of a 15-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Kristina Bohnenkamp President Trump commuted the sentence of Kristina Bohnenkamp. She served more than 10 years of a 24-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Mary Roberts President Trump commuted the sentence of Mary Roberts. She served 10 years of a 19-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Cassandra Ann Kasowski President Trump commuted the sentence of Cassandra Ann Kasowski. She served more than 7 years of a 17-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Lerna Lea Paulson President Trump commuted the sentence of Lerna Lea Paulson. She served nearly 7 years of a 17-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Ann Butler President Trump commuted the sentence of Ann Butler. Ms. Butler has served more than 10 years of a nearly 20-year sentence for a non-violent offense. Sydney Navarro President Trump commuted the sentence of Sydney Navarro. She served nearly 8 years of a 27-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Tara Perry President Trump commuted the sentence of Tara Perry. She served nearly 7 years of a 16-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. John Nystrom President Trump granted a full pardon to John Nystrom, who, other than this conviction, was described by his sentencing judge as a “model citizen.” Over 10 years ago, while working as a contractor on a school reconstruction project, Mr. Nystrom failed to alert the proper authorities when he learned that a subcontractor was receiving double payments for work performed, the White House said. Mr. Nystrom took full responsibility for this oversight and even tried to pay the Crowe Creek Tribe, who was paying for the work, restitution before he pled guilty. Gregory Jorgensen, Deborah Jorgensen, Martin Jorgensen President Trump granted full pardons to Gregory and Deborah Jorgensen, and a posthumous pardon to Martin Jorgensen. In the 1980s, Gregory and his father, Martin, gathered a group of South Dakota cattle producers to market and sold processed beef. The Jorgensen’s marketed their beef under the Dakota Lean brand and sold the premium product as heart-healthy and antibiotic- and hormone-free. When demand outstripped supply, Gregory, Deborah, and Martin mixed in inferior, commercial beef trim and knowingly sold misbranded beef. Jessica Frease President Trump granted a full pardon to Jessica Frease. She was 20 years old when she was convicted after converting stolen checks and negotiating them through the bank where she worked as a teller. Upon her arrest, however, she immediately relinquished the stolen funds to the authorities. After serving her two year sentence, she was granted early termination of her supervised release. Robert Cannon “Robin” Hayes President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Cannon “Robin” Hayes. The former North Carolina Congressman was serving a 1-year term of probation for making a false statement in the course of a Federal investigation. Thomas Kenton “Ken” Ford President Trump granted a full pardon to Ken Ford, a 38-year veteran of the coal industry and currently the General Manager of a coal company. Twenty years ago, Mr. Ford made a material misstatement to Federal mining officials. Mr. Ford pled guilty and served a sentence of 3 years’ probation. Jon Harder President Trump commuted the sentence of Jon Harder, former President and CEO of Sunwest Management Inc., who served nearly 5 years of a 15-year prison sentence. Mr. Harder was serving as president and CEO of Sunwest Management Inc., a large management company overseeing residential senior care facilities when he misused investment funds during the real estate crisis. Scott Conor Crosby President Trump granted a full pardon to Scott Conor Crosby. In 1992, Mr. Crosby made a “‘spur of the moment’ poor decision” to participate in a co-worker’s plan to commit a bank robbery. Chris Young President Trump commuted the remaining sentence of Chris Young. He served over 10 years of a 14-year sentence for his role in a drug conspiracy. Adrianne Miller President Trump commuted the remaining sentence of Adrianne Miller. She served 6 years of a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a List I chemical. Lynn Barney President Trump granted a full pardon to Lynn Barney. He was sentenced to 35 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, after having previously been convicted for distributing a small amount of marijuana. Joshua J. Smith President Trump granted a full pardon to Joshua J. Smith. Since his release from prison in 2003 for conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to distribute, Mr. Smith has dedicated his life to his faith and to his community. Amy Povah President Trump granted a full pardon to Amy Povah, the founder of the CAN-DO (Clemency for All Non-violent Drug Offenders) Foundation. In the 1990s, Ms. Povah served 9 years of a 24-year sentence for a drug offense before President Clinton commuted her remaining prison sentence in 2000. Dr. Frederick Nahas President Trump granted a full pardon to Frederick Nahas. In the 1990s, Dr. Nahas became aware of a Federal investigation into his billing practices. Although the 6-year investigation uncovered no underlying billing fraud, Dr. Nahas did not fully cooperate and ultimately pled guilty to one count of obstructing justice in a health care investigation. Dr. Nahas spent 1 month in prison in 2003. David Tamman President Trump granted a full pardon to David Tamman. Tamman was a partner at a major American law firm when he doctored financial documents that were the subject of a Federal investigation. These actions were done at the behest of a client who was perpetrating a Ponzi scheme upon unsuspecting investors. Mr. Tamman was convicted of his crimes following a bench trial and completed his seven-year sentence in 2019. Dr. Faustino Bernadett President Trump granted a full pardon to Dr. Faustino Bernadett. In approximately early 2008, Dr. Bernadett failed to report a hospital kickback scheme of which he became aware. Paul Erickson President Trump has issued a full pardon to Paul Erikson. His conviction was based on "the Russian collusion hoax," as the Trump administration described it. He was charged with a "minor financial crime" and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment. Kwame Kilpatrick President Trump commuted the sentence of the former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick. Mr. Kilpatrick had served approximately 7 years in prison for his role in a racketeering and bribery scheme while he held public office. Fred “Dave” Clark President Trump commuted Dave Clark’s remaining term of incarceration after serving over 6 years in Federal prison for a first-time, non-violent offense. Todd Farha, Thaddeus Bereday, William Kale, Paul Behrens, Peter Clay President Trump granted full pardons to Todd Farha, Thaddeus Bereday, William Kale, Paul Behrens, and Peter Clay, former executives of a healthcare maintenance organization. In 2008, Messrs. Farha, Bereday, Kale, Behrens, and Clay were criminally prosecuted for a state regulatory matter involving the reporting of expenditures to a state health agency. The expenditures reported were based on actual monies spent, and the reporting methodology was reviewed and endorsed by those with expertise in the state regulatory scheme. David Rowland President Trump granted a full pardon to David Rowland. Mr. Rowland’s asbestos removal license had lapsed when he agreed to remove asbestos found in an elementary school. He completed the work in compliance with all other regulations but received 2 years’ probation for a violation of the Clean Air Act. Randall “Duke” Cunningham President Trump granted a conditional pardon to Randall “Duke” Cunningham who was released from prison in 2013. Mr. Cunningham, a former California Congressman, was sentenced to over 8 years’ imprisonment for accepting bribes while he held public office. William Walters President Trump commuted the sentence of William Walters. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for insider trading. Since his conviction, Mr. Walters has served nearly 4 years of his prison sentence and has paid $44 million in fines, forfeitures, and restitution. In addition to his established reputation in the sports and gaming industry, Mr. Walters is well known for his philanthropic efforts and was previously named Las Vegas’ Philanthropist of the Year. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., aka Lil Wayne President Trump granted a full pardon to Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as “Lil Wayne.” Mr. Carter pled guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, owing to a conviction over 10 years ago. Stephen Odzer President Trump granted a conditional pardon to Stephen Odzer. This pardon is supported by former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, Sigmund “Sig” Rogich, Jason Greenblatt, Michael Steinhardt, Wayne Allyn Root, Salvador Moran, the Aleph Institute, and numerous members of Mr. Odzer’s religious community. Mr. Odzer pled guilty to conspiracy and bank fraud, for which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Numerous individuals testify to his substantial philanthropic and volunteer activities. His philanthropic endeavors include providing personal protective equipment to front-line workers in New York City hospitals; visiting sick children in hospitals; and donating religious materials to prison inmates and U.S. Service Members around the world. He has also dedicated resources to support and build synagogues in memory of his late cousin who was kidnapped and killed by Muslim terrorists while in Israel. The pardon requires Mr. Odzer to pay the remainder of his restitution order. James Brian Cruz President Trump commuted the remaining sentence of James Brian Cruz. He served approximately half of a 40-year sentence for a drug crime. Steven Benjamin Floyd President Trump granted a full pardon to Steven Benjamin Floyd. Floyd joined the United States Marines Corps at age 17 and earned a combat action ribbon in Iraq. He pled guilty to one count of bank robbery by extortion. Joey Hancock President Trump granted a full pardon to Joey Hancock. He was convicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. David E. Miller President Trump granted a full pardon to David E. Miller. In 2015, Mr. Miller pled guilty to one count of making a false statement to a bank. James Austin Hayes President Trump granted a full pardon to James Austin Hayes. Nearly 10 years ago, Mr. Hayes was convicted of conspiracy to commit insider trading. Drew Brownstein President Trump granted a full pardon to Drew Brownstein, who, other than this conviction, was described by his sentencing judge as someone who “goes out of his way to help people that are less fortunate.” Mr. Brownstein was convicted of insider trading and has since paid his fines and forfeitures in full, the White House said. Robert Bowker President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Bowker. Nearly 30 years ago, Mr. Bowker pled guilty to a violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking in wildlife, when he arranged for 22 snakes owned by Rudy “Cobra King” Komarek to be transported to the Miami Serpentarium. Amir Khan President Trump granted a full pardon to Amir Khan. Mr. Khan pled guilty to wire fraud. Shalom Weiss President Trump commuted the sentence of Shalom Weiss. Mr. Weiss was convicted of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice, for which he has already served over 18 years and paid substantial restitution. He was 66 years old in 2020 and suffered from chronic health conditions. Salomon Melgen President Trump commuted the sentence of Salomon Melgen. Dr. Melgen was convicted of healthcare fraud and false statements. Patrick Lee Swisher President Trump granted a full pardon to Patrick Lee Swisher. Mr. Swisher was convicted of tax fraud and false statements. Robert Sherrill President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Sherrill. Mr. Sherrill was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Dr. Robert S. Corkern President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert S. Corkern. Dr. Corkern was convicted of Federal program bribery. David Lamar Clanton President Trump granted a full pardon to David Lamar Clanton. Mr. Clanton was convicted of false statements and related charges. George Gilmore President Trump granted a full pardon to George Gilmore. He was convicted for failure to pay payroll taxes and false statements. Desiree Perez President Trump granted a full pardon to Desiree Perez. Ms. Perez was involved in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Robert “Bob” Zangrillo President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Zangrillo. He was charged in connection with the Varsity Blues investigation. Hillel Nahmad President Trump granted a full pardon to Hillel Nahmad. He was convicted of a sports gambling offense. Since his conviction, he has lived an exemplary life and has been dedicated to the well-being of his community. Brian McSwain The President granted a full pardon to Brian McSwain. Since serving his 18-month sentence for a drug crime committed in the early 1990s, Mr. McSwain has been gainfully employed and has been passed over for several promotion opportunities due to his felony conviction, according to the White House. John Duncan Fordham President Trump granted a full pardon to John Duncan Fordham. Mr. Fordham was convicted on one count of health care fraud. A judge later dismissed the conspiracy charge against him. William “Ed” Henry President Trump granted a full pardon to William “Ed” Henry of Alabama. He was sentenced to 2 years’ probation for aiding and abetting the theft of government property and paid a $4,000 fine. In addition, the White House said President Trump commuted the sentences to time served for the following individuals: Jeff Cheney, Marquis Dargon, Jennings Gilbert, Dwayne L. Harrison, Reginald Dinez Johnson, Sharon King, and Hector Madrigal, Sr. The Associated Press and TEGNA's Travis Pittman contributed to this article.
No evidence of trauma in missing Valparaiso woman's death, coroner saysUndocumented Minnesotans continue to apply for state driver’s licenses even as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House in January and deliver on promises to increase deportations. Minnesota’s Driver’s License For All law went into effect last October , making Minnesota the 21st state or U.S. territory to allow undocumented people to legally operate a vehicle. Many immigrants at a recent class about how to apply for a license said they’re taking a wait-and-see approach to the Trump administration. They’re aware of his anti-immigrant rhetoric and his plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants but say it’s still speculation at this point. Without permanent legal status, they say, they’re always at risk in the United States, no matter who is in the White House. The licenses are also available to people who are in the country legally but don’t have permanent residency, such as immigrants who have been granted Temporary Protected Status. “We think that if we are on a good path, it won’t affect us,” Mayreli, a Venezuelan immigrant, said of Trump’s plans. Mayreli, who is being identified by her first name only because of her immigration status, said most immigrants from her country are professionals who just want to work, and that obtaining a driver’s license and identification card are important steps. Trump’s campaign promises are scary, she said, but she believes he’ll mostly target criminals. She took the driver’s license exam a week after the election. The state does not share information about licensed drivers with federal immigration authorities without a court order, the Minnesota Drivers and Vehicle Services (DVS) office said in a statement to Sahan Journal. “We only share data as allowed or required by law,” the statement said. “We will only share information if required by a state or federal judge order after exhausting all legal means.” The first year of Driver’s License for All saw a 500% spike in driver’s license tests taken in Spanish . The test is offered in nine languages, including Dari, French, Hmong, Karen, Pashto, Russian, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. Minnesota issued 25,223 driver’s licenses to people using foreign birth certificates or passports as documentation this year as of Nov. 13, according to DVS. The department noted that using a foreign document to obtain a license does not necessarily correlate with an applicant’s immigration status, and that details of who used such documentation is not public information or available to law enforcement. Licenses issued through the law are indistinguishable from other licenses, though non-permanent residents are not eligible for the federally accepted Real ID, DVS said. Having a driver’s license prevents undocumented people from ending up in the court system for small traffic violations, which can trigger deportation processes, experts say. Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Accion Latina (COPAL) hosts driver’s license classes and written exams in south Minneapolis. Exactly a week after the election, a group of 15 attended the early afternoon exam. The group, including Mayreli, sat through an hour-long class on Minnesota driving rules before taking the test. Attendees included recent arrivals from Venezuela and El Salvador. They see a license as a path to driving and the higher earning potential that comes with it, and as a way to obtain a legitimate form of identification. Sahan Journal is identifying attendees by first name only due to their immigration status. Manuel, an attendee from Venezuela who has lived in Minnesota for about a year, said Trump’s calls for more deportations and for ending programs like Temporary Protected Status that allow people fleeing certain countries to stay in the U.S. hasn’t changed his feelings about living in the U.S. He said he wants a license because life is much more difficult without a car. Juan Carlos and his family came to Minnesota a year ago to provide a better life for his three daughters. Juan Carlos worked as a chauffeur in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, and wants to be able to drive here. He’s looking forward to having a local ID. “It’s really important,” he said. Juan Carlos believes people from countries in distress like his will continue to immigrate to the U.S. no matter who is president. They have an obligation to their children to pursue a better life, he said. Minnesota’s Driver’s License for All law has safeguards, including data protections, so that law enforcement officers who check a driver’s license during a traffic stop cannot access immigration data. Federal immigration authorities like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are barred from accessing immigration data through driver’s licenses unless they obtain a warrant, according to DVS. Fears about the federal government using driver’s license information to access details about immigration status arose in the first Trump administration. In late 2019, after New York and New Jersey allowed undocumented residents to obtain licenses, Trump’s Department of Homeland Security sent a memo requesting a study on how those laws affected enforcement efforts . ICE has used state driver’s license databases while attempting to identify people in photos in Utah, Vermont and Washington, the Washington Post reported in 2019 . The paper reported on a similar practice in Maryland in 2020 . Minnesota has protections against federal immigration officials using driver’s license data, but they don’t necessarily safeguard against the federal government violating the law, said Julia Decker, policy director of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. “The reality is that anytime that we as residents are providing our information to any government entity,” Decker said, “there is a non-zero possibility that information could fall into another government entity’s hands.” About the partnership This story comes to you from Sahan Journal , a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering Minnesota’s immigrants and communities of color. Sign up for a free newsletter to receive Sahan’s stories in your inbox.
An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionZach Kittley finalizing agreement to take over as Florida Atlantic coach, AP source says
ATLANTA — The U.S. government’s premier research body has made an important discovery that could help create new drugs to lower “bad” cholesterol, and hopefully prevent heart attacks and stroke. But the interesting part of that story isn’t just the discovery itself, but the technology responsible for it: a relatively new type of microscope that essentially froze LDL cholesterol molecules, allowing researchers for the first time to get a detailed view of the structure of LDL and find new ways to approach stopping LDL buildup into body. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
( MENAFN - GetNews) Airflow Heating & Air Conditioning launches enhanced Indoor Air Quality services in Skokie, IL, providing solutions like air filtration, duct cleaning, and ventilation for healthier living. Skokie, IL - As concerns about health and wellness rise, Airflow Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to announce enhanced services dedicated to improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) for homeowners and businesses across Skokie, IL, and surrounding areas. With a focus on health, comfort, and energy efficiency, the company offers cutting-edge solutions to ensure your indoor spaces are clean, safe, and conducive to a healthier lifestyle. The Growing Importance of Indoor Air Quality According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Poor IAQ is linked to respiratory issues, allergies, and long-term health concerns. 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With a focus on education and cutting-edge technology, we help our clients understand the importance of air quality and offer tailored solutions to meet their unique needs." Why Choose Airflow Heating & Air Conditioning? Airflow Heating & Air Conditioning brings years of expertise and a customer-first approach to every project. Licensed and insured, the company guarantees reliable, efficient service that prioritizes client safety and satisfaction. Contact Airflow Heating & Air Conditioning Today At Airflow Heating & Air Conditioning , we're dedicated to providing top-notch HVAC solutions. From air quality improvements to reliable system maintenance, our team ensures your comfort year-round. Call us today at (877) 538-1584 to schedule your service or visit us online at to explore our full range of services. Stay comfortable with Airflow Heating & Air Conditioning – your trusted HVAC partner! MENAFN27122024003238003268ID1109035977 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.UFC superstar Conor McGregor sparked a chaotic scene at Bellator 187 and attempted to get into a fistfight with referee Marc Goddard. Conor McGregor ‘s excitement for his SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward’s buzzer-beating knockout at Bellator 187 turned into a chaotic scene inside the cage. McGregor, just weeks removed from his professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather Jr., sat cage-side as Ward faced John Redmond at Bellator 187 in Dublin. With seconds remaining in the opening round, Ward blitzed Redmond with a punch-filled firestorm that finished his opponent by TKO. As Ward celebrated his performance, McGregor jumped over and sprinted across the cage to celebrate the win with his teammate. He tackled Ward to the ground as Goddard was attempting to restore order in the cage. After Goddard told McGregor to leave the cage, McGregor followed Goddard as the referee checked in on Redmond after the TKO blows. McGregor shoved Goddard and verbally assaulted the veteran referee before security personnel eventually separated them. It was a terrible look for McGregor while he was at the peak of his fame. McGregor also slapped a Bellator employee after his initial removal from the cage after allegedly trying to re-enter. READ MORE: Brock Lesnar went to crazy lengths to avoid ‘jitters’ in UFC debut: ‘It’s a different game’ Conor McGregor and Marc Goddard were involved in an all-out melee at Bellator 187 In a statement uploaded to Facebook just a few days after the incident, Goddard explained his version of events at Bellator 187. “I was talking only to Charlie Ward at this point and you will see me put my arms between him and Conor McGregor, trying to separate and restore order to notify him to go back to his corner and continue the rest period, I was trying to communicate with Charlie Ward and then trying to tell Conor to leave, it wasn’t done yet,” Goddard posted. “This is when Conor McGregor began firstly his verbal assault in my direction. My only thought at this point was to notify Charlie Ward, and his corner team, of my decision at the time and restore order to the fighting area. “Of course the ensuing mêlée and confusion had completely prevented that from happening, that is the result of the actions of one man.” The UFC punished McGregor for the incident by removing from a planned December 30th booking at UFC 219. He was originally expected to face eventual heated rival then-interim lightweight champ Tony Ferguson in the main event. READ MORE: Dakota Ditcheva debut footage shows ‘absolute masterclass’ performance kickstarted million-dollar MMA career Conor McGregor and Marc Goddard had issues before the UFC star’s ascent Before their Bellator 187 blowup, McGregor and Goddard had some history, dating back to when McGregor submitted Dave Hill at Cage Warriors 47 in 2012. McGregor scolded Goddard on social media for ‘horrendous’ and ‘crazy’ behavior linked to a mid-fight confrontation with presiding referee Neil Hall. McGregor and Goddard haven’t shared the cage since the incident. After a three-plus years hiatus from the UFC, McGregor’s planned Octagon comeback remains uncertain. McGregor has been linked to a potential boxing match with either Jake or Logan Paul for his combat sports return next year. He recently announced that he’s in ‘preliminary agreements’ to face Logan in the ring next year, although Jake is reportedly in the mix as well. Goddard has become one of the top referees in MMA today and is largely respected by fighters, pundits, and fans. He’s a significant reason for the rise of MMA in the UK. McGregor and Goddard may never see eye-to-eye, and their incident at Bellator 187 could’ve been a lot worse. But seven years later, things likely aren’t cordial between McGregor and Goddard. READ MORE: Sean O’Malley believes that Conor McGregor vs Logan Paul is a more ‘competitive fight’ than fans realize
Synopsys Delivers Thin Guidance. The Stock Is Down.
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Media Contact Company Name: Paradise Pros Pressure Washing Contact Person: Justin Smudde Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=removing-deck-moss-and-restoring-deck-beauty-with-paradise-pros-pressure-washing ] City: St. Petersburg State: Florida Country: United States Website: http://www.paradiseprowash.com This release was published on openPR.Darnold gives Vikings another gem with career-high 377 yards in 27-25 win over Packers MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings hung on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25 for their ninth consecutive victory. The Vikings are 14-2. They set up a final-week showdown in Detroit for both the division title and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs in the NFC. Jordan Love’s only touchdown pass for the Packers came with 2:18 left to pull the Packers within two points. Darnold responded with two completions for first downs to seal the game. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing as Eagles beat Cowboys 41-7 to clinch NFC East PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. NFC's No. 1 seed comes down to Vikings-Lions showdown at Detroit in Week 18 The NFC’s No. 1 seed will come down to the final week when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings. The winner takes the NFC North and gets a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser gets the No. 5 seed and must play on the road in the wild-card round. The Vikings held on for a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers to set up the high-stakes showdown in Week 18. The Lions visit the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Win, lose or tie, they have to beat the Vikings for a second time this season. Bills clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the New York Jets. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record. Thompson-Herro fight leads to ejections of multiple players and coaches in Heat's victory in Houston HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward Amen Thompson threw Heat guard Tyler Herro to the floor to trigger an altercation that resulted in six ejections in the closing minute of Miami’s 104-100 victory over Houston on Sunday. Thompson and Herro became entangled with Miami about to inbound the ball leading 99-94 with 35 seconds left. Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and tossed him, with referee Marc Davis describing it as Thompson “body slams Herro.” Herro, Thompson, and Udoka were ejected, as were Heat guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Rising Sun Devils: Arizona State looks to pull off another big surprise at the Peach Bowl ATLANTA (AP) — As they prepare for Arizona State’s biggest game in nearly three decades, the guys who made it happen aren’t the least bit surprised to be rated a nearly two-touchdown underdog in the College Football Playoff. That’s a familiar position for the Sun Devils. They've been an underdog most of the season. Of the eight teams still vying for a national championship, there’s no bigger surprise than 11-2 Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 3-9 a year ago and were picked to finish dead last in their first season in the Big 12 Conference. Now, they're getting ready to face Texas in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day. Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Franklin made the suggestion Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday. The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri before the playoff. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times. Penn State's polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it’s usually a backhanded compliment. They say he’s a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn’t try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here’s the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that’s hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. The polarizing Allar has another chance to quiet his critics on Tuesday, when Penn State plays Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl. Crosby breaks Lemieux's Penguins career assists record in 3-2 victory over the Islanders PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby broke Mario Lemieux’s Pittsburgh franchise career record for assists on Michael Bunting’s power-play goal and the Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-2 on Sunday night. Crosby has 1,034 assists, good for 12th in NHL history. Only three players — Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman — have more assists with a single team. The 37-year-old Crosby has played 1,310-regular-season games. Lemieux played 915. Evgeni Malkin added the deciding power-play goal in the third for Pittsburgh, which has 14 goals with the man advantage in its last 13 games. Anthony Beauvillier also scored to help the Penguins win for the seventh time in their last eight home games. Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves in his first start since Dec. 17.
NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire , New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf, Tisch said. The shooter, who wore a jacket, face mask and large backpack, fled through Midtown on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, police said. The assailant remained at large Wednesday afternoon, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and dogs. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., said in a statement. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.” Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the man pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle. Minutes before the shooting, he stopped at a nearby Starbucks, according to additional surveillance photos released by police on Wednesday afternoon. They offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive. The killing shook a part of New York City that's normally quiet at that hour, happening about four blocks from where tens of thousands of people were set to gather for Wednesday night’s tree lighting. Police promised extra security for the event. The hotel is also a short walk from other tourist sites, including the Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall, and is often dense with office workers and visitors on weekday mornings. Many security cameras are nearby. “We’re encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert,” NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. They were also searching Thompson's hotel room, interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and reviewing his social media, Kenny said. Police said the e-bike that the shooter used to ride into Central Park came from the city’s bike-share program, CitiBike. A spokesperson for Lyft, which operates the program, said police had not yet contacted the company. Health care giant UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual meeting with investors to update Wall Street on the company's direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson's death. “I’m afraid that we — some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” a company official told attendees, according to a transcript. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today. ... I’m sure you’ll understand.” Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on the social platform X that the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.” “This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” the Democrat wrote. Associated Press writers Tom Murphy in Indianapolis, Steve Karnowski in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this story.From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn
Report: Israel and Lebanon tell US they're committed to ceasefire
A California jury found Walmart defamed a driver with false claims of workers' compensation fraud, and now the company must pay the former worker more than $34 million in damages. Filed in the California Superior Court in San Bernardino County , the two-part verdict filed this week said Jesus Fonseca should receive $25 million in punitive damages and $9.7 million in actual damages from the supermarket giant. Fonseca worked for Walmart for 14 years before being fired by the company, his lawyer David deRubertis said in a statement to USA TODAY. According to a complaint obtained by USA TODAY, Fonseca was forced by Walmart to tell prospective employers that he committed fraud and violated integrity policy. “We believe the evidence at trial showed that Walmart’s defamation of Jesse was part of a broader scheme to use false accusations to force injured truckers back to work prematurely or, if not, terminate them so that Walmart can cut down workers’ compensation costs,” deRubertis said in a social media post. What happened? Fonseca was injured while working when a semi-truck was rear-ended by another truck, deRubertis said. He then filed a workers’ compensation claim in which Fonseca told the company he was under doctors' orders which restricted his driving at work. Walmart then fired him, citing surveillance work that showed him driving a personal car and seeing Fonseca "bending for a matter of minutes", according to deRubertis. “The notion that someone possibly performing daily activities outside of their work restrictions amounts to fraud is preposterous,” the complaint said. “Yet, even if an employee with work restrictions inadvertently violates them, this does not amount to fraud in the workplace.” Walmart called the jury's decision "outrageous" in a statement to USA TODAY. “This outrageous verdict simply does not reflect the straightforward and uncontested facts of this case. Accordingly, we will pursue all available remedies,” the company said. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.