Saturday, January 28, 2012

Laredo Resident Lands in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud



U.S. Attorney’s OfficeJanuary 27, 2012
  • Southern District of Texas
LAREDO, TX—Jesus Alaniz Jr., 54, of Laredo, has been sentenced to federal prison in relation to a scheme in which he transferred monies from his employer to a fictitious company he created, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. At the sentencing hearing today, U.S. District Judge Nancy F. Atlas sentenced Alaniz to 37 months in prison and further ordered him to pay and ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution.
At the time of his guilty plea on Nov. 10, 2012, Alaniz admitted to utilizing a scheme by which he created a fictitious alter-ego company called Freight Logistics Services Inc. (FLS). As an employee of UTI Worldwide Inc. (UTI)—a publicly traded supply chain management company—Alaniz wrote checks from UTI’s bank account to FLS, which he then converted to his personal use between May 6 and 7, 2010.
The investigation began in December 2010, when UTI informed the FBI that approximately $950,000 had been stolen from UTI’s Laredo division over the course of the previous 10 years. UTI suspected that Alaniz, its former Laredo branch manager, was involved in this theft by creating FLS, a fraudulent company. UTI provided documentation of all UTI checks issued to FLS, including a copy of the fronts and backs of various checks indicating that they were deposited into an account belonging to FLS at a bank in Laredo. Subsequent investigation revealed personal bank accounts belonging to Alaniz, to which he transferred funds from the FLS account.
Alaniz pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, admitting that FLS was his alter ego and that he established FLS as a way to personally profit from UTI.
Alaniz has been permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
This case was investigated by special agents from the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank T. Pimentel.

Weekly Address: President’s Blueprint Includes Renewal of American Values


The White HouseYour Daily Snapshot for
Saturday, January 28, 2012
 
In his weekly address, President Obama discusses the blueprint he put forward this week in the State of the Union Address for creating an economy built to last. After focusing on American manufacturing, American energy, and skills for American workers during each of the last three days, he used his weekly address to highlight his commitment to a renewal of American values. The President is challenging leaders in Washington, DC to follow the model set by our men and women in the military, end the gridlock and start tackling the issues that matter -- without regard for personal ambition.
The Weekly Address
President Barack Obama tapes the weekly address and a  Voice of America 70th Anniversary message in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 20, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
In Case You Missed It
State of the Union: In his third State of the Union Address on Tuesday, the President outlined his vision for “an America that lasts”—one that will bring about a new era of American manufacturing, and promote homegrown and alternative energy sources—and presented ablueprint to achieve that vision. Check out this video that goes behind the scenes as President Obama prepared the speech.
Blueprint for Manufacturing: During his visit to New Hampshire following Tuesday’s State of the Union address, Vice President Biden highlighted the Administration’s plan to help businesses bring jobs back to America through manufacturing. He echoed the President’s message that we need to commit to train workers with the skills they will need to compete in the growing sectors of our economy.
Talking Energy in Las Vegas: From a UPS facility in Las Vegas, the Presidentspoke about the future of American-made energy. “[Even] with all this oil production, we only have about 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves,” the President said, “So we've got to have an all-out, all-in, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every source of American energy—a strategy that is cleaner and cheaper and full of new jobs.”
#WHchat: Throughout the week, more than thirty administration officials have answered questions about President Obama’s State of the Union Address and issues Americans care about through a series of Office Hours on Twitter—addressing queries about everything from the economy to disability policy. Vice President Biden—known in the twitterverse as @VP—answered questions submitted by people across the country in his first-ever Twitter interview from an advanced manufacturing facility in Rochester, New Hampshire.
NHL Champs: On Monday, the President welcomed the Boston Bruins to the White House and congratulated them on their Stanley Cup victory in June—marking the team’s sixth Cup championship, and their first one in nearly forty years. Their triumph, the President said, “proved that teamwork is everything.” After their visit to the White House, the players led a hockey clinic--affirming that being a champion doesn’t end when you hang up your skates.
West Wing Week: This week, the President prepared for and delivered his State of the Union Address, welcomed the Boston Bruins to the White House, and took his message West to Iowa, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado. Check out the video.

Capture of FBI Fugitive Esteban Ramos-Cruz



FBI BuffaloJanuary 27, 2012

Christopher M. Piehota, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Office, announces this morning’s capture of Esteban Ramos-Cruz, 25 years old, a federally indicted member of the 7th Street Gang, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ramos-Cruz has been an FBI fugitive since May 2011. He was recently profiled on an episode of America’s Most Wanted that aired on Friday, January 6, 2012, on the Lifetime Network.
On May 5, 2011, FBI Buffalo’s Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) arrested multiple members of the 10th Street and 7th Street Gangs. Soon after, 7th Street Gang member Ramos-Cruz fled and remained an armed and dangerous fugitive until his capture this morning. Ramos-Cruz was indicted on the following federal charges: murder in aid of racketeering in connection with the murder of a 10th Street member/associate Eric Morrow; use, carry, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and narcotics conspiracy.
Following the profile of Ramos-Cruz on America’s Most Wanted on January 6, FBI Buffalo received a tip from an AMW viewer who relayed information that placed Ramos-Cruz in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. Further investigation by FBI Buffalo revealed a specific location for Ramos-Cruz, and this morning members of the FBI’s Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, which is composed of the Massachusetts State Police, DEA, Hampden County Sheriff, and police from Springfield, Lee, Chicopee, and Pittsfield, along with the U.S. Marshals, arrested Ramos-Cruz.

The Great Singapore Penis Panic and American Mass Hysteria

In The Public Interest .... (You have got to be shitting me) ....




The Great Singapore Penis Panic and American Mass Hysteria According to the "Today Show" (That show that comes on after you have already left for work.).


Infographic illustrating points of opinion

Parody / Humor / FAIL 

Haven't we seen this before? Leroy, NY Commentary

  
(Random Photo taken during Love Canal Crisis, in Niagara Falls, NY)


 Leroy NY: Another Chemical Spill -Gibbs is involved again, Another School is involved, Children harmed, No answers for the parents. Another Cuomo. The Gov. Tells us all to during the budget pitch, .... advised Buffalo, NY to forget the past and focus on the future.... Forget, what? Oh, Love Canal?I would love to know when that speech was written. 

Source: http://tonawanda-news.com/local/x1669703327/Cuomo-outlines-WNY-redevelopment-plan/print

Columbia ParCar Recalls for Repair Golf, Service, Utility Vehicles Due to Crash Hazard

January 26, 2012Alert #12-715 Columbia ParCar Recalls for Repair Golf, Service, Utility Vehicles Due to Crash HazardThe following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.Name of Product: Golf, service and utility vehiclesUnits: About 1,400Manufacturer: Columbia ParCar Corporation, of Reedsburg, Wis.Hazard: The lower steering yoke can loosen where it attaches to the steering rack and pinion, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash.Incidents/Injuries: No injuries were reported.Description: The recalled items are 2009, 2010 and 2011 Columbia ParCar golf carts, low-speed service and utility vehicles. They are 36- or 48-volt electric vehicles manufactured from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011. Vehicles can be identified by their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) located either on the passenger’s side left kick panel, in the driver’s side storage compartment or on the steering wheel beneath the center cap. The following Columbia vehicles are being recalled:Eagle (P4E) Golf Vehicle: 2008 Models VIN Range: P4***-**G0231 through G0562 2009 Models VIN Range: P4***-**H0112 through H0302 2010 Models VIN Range: P4***-**I0101 through I0105 2010 Models VIN Range: P4***-**J0115 through J0420 2011 Models VIN Range: P4***-**K0101 through K0343Shuttle (C6E) Personnel Carrier: 2008 Models VIN Range: TC6**-**G0143 through G0212 2009 Models VIN Range: TC6**-**H0102 through H0129 2010 Models VIN Range: TC6**-**I0101 through I0106 2010 Models VIN Range: TC6**-**J0107 through J0135 2011 Models VIN Range: TC6**-**K0101 through K0106Tram (C10E) Personnel Carrier:2008 Models VIN Range: TC1E4-*WG0142 through WG0206 2009 Models VIN Range: TC1E4-*WH0101 through WH0132 2010 Models VIN Range: TC1E4-*WJ0108 through WJ00112 2011 Models VIN Range: N/ASummit (SM/SUV) Utility Vehicle: 2010 Models VIN Range: SU*F4-4*J0109 through J0116 2011 Models VIN Range: S**F4-4*K0101 through K0106Utilitruck (EU4, EU24) Utility Vehicle:2008 Models VIN Range: U#***-**G0156 through G0253 2009 Models VIN Range: U#***-**H0102 through H0175 2010 Models VIN Range: U#***-**I0102 through I0102 2010 Models VIN Range: U#***-**J0106 through J0154 2011 Models VIN Range: U#***-**K0101 through K0124 (Note: # after U represents either a 2 or a 4.)Scout (S10E) Utility Vehicle: 2008 Models VIN Range: US1E*-*ZG0157 through ZG0241 2009 Models VIN Range: US1E*-*ZH0117 through ZH0178 2010 Models VIN Range: US1E*-*ZI0101 through ZI0103 2010 Models VIN Range: US1E*-*ZJ0104 through ZJ0147 2011 Models VIN Range: US1E*-*ZK0102 through ZK0126Sold by: ParCar dealers from July 1, 2008 to July 31, 2011 for between $5,000 and $12,000.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should contact local ParCar dealer for a free inspection and repair as required.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Columbia ParCar Corp. at (800) 222-4653 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.parcar.comEagleShuttleTramSummit (SM)Summit (SUV)UtilitruckScout---The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.govCPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.