Latest news with #AGO
The Intercept
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Intercept
The Intercept Sues for Records About Arizona's Financial Surveillance Dragnet
The Intercept filed a public records lawsuit on Monday for documents about a financial surveillance program run by the Arizona attorney general's office for more than a decade. For the past year, the attorney general's office has denied multiple requests for records about its relationship with the Transaction Record Analysis Center, or TRAC, a nonprofit organization that runs a massive database containing details about millions of wire transfers sent through Western Union and other companies. The database, which is fueled by administrative subpoenas issued by the Arizona attorney general's office, offers an intimate glimpse into the financial lives of millions of immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. Over the years, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has played an outsized role in TRAC, not just as a top user of the wire transfer data but also as another data pipeline, via subpoenas that alarmed civil liberties watchdogs. 'The public has the right to know about mass government surveillance of its citizens,' said Heather E. Murray, associate director of Cornell Law School's First Amendment Clinic, which is representing The Intercept in the lawsuit, in an emailed statement. 'Because TRAC is indisputably performing a core governmental function, the records that The Intercept seeks must be released by the AGO and TRAC to fulfill their transparency obligations under the Arizona Public Records Law.' Ben Rundall, a partner at Zwillinger Wulkan in Phoenix, is also representing The Intercept in the case, which was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. 'This completely defies the spirit and purpose of the [Arizona public records law].' In response to The Intercept's records request last year, TRAC claimed it is not subject to public records disclosure requirements because of its nonprofit structure. But TRAC was established by the attorney general's office in 2014, and records show close coordination over the years between agency officials and TRAC staff — who sometimes used official government email addresses. For years, one TRAC staff member even helped draft the administrative subpoenas, which she sent to the attorney general's office for official signature before they were served on Western Union and the other money transfer businesses. The attorney general's office previously released hundreds of documents about TRAC's structure and operations to the American Civil Liberties Union. But under Attorney General Kris Mayes, the office now claims it has no obligation to release similar materials because they are in TRAC's possession. 'Stated directly, the AGO and TRAC are engaging in gamesmanship to avoid providing records about their public functions,' reads The Intercept's court filing. 'When a request is made to the AGO, it claims TRAC has the record. When a request is made to TRAC, it claims the AGO has the record. This completely defies the spirit and purpose of the [Arizona public records law].' The attorney general's office also previously disclosed to the ACLU more than 100 copies of subpoenas the agency has sent under the state's racketeering law to more than two dozen companies since 2014. But in response to The Intercept's request, the agency said releasing any more subpoenas would violate the racketeering law itself. 'We are correcting the previous administration's error and following the law,' wrote Richie Taylor, communications director for Mayes's office, in an email last year. An ACLU attorney, Nate Freed Wessler, previously called the agency's argument about disclosing the subpoenas 'wrong and borderline frivolous.' The racketeering law 'has nothing to do with the AGO's responsibility to disclose records,' The Intercept argues in its filing. 'Withholding these records does not comport with any exception to public access provided in Arizona law.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Gun Owners (AGO) to Present at Centurion One Capital 6th Annual LA Summit
Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - May 28, 2025) - American Gun Owners (AGO), the go-to platform for first-time gun buyers saving customers the most time and money, is pleased to announce it will be presenting at the Centurion One Capital 6th Annual LA Summit, held at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel from Monday, June 2nd to Thursday, June 5th , 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Michael Pierce, CEO & Founder, will also be attending investor meetings and participating on a panel discussion. "My team is excited to share upcoming AGO updates, which will revolutionize the first-time gun buyer journey." Centurion One Capital 6th Annual LA Summit Format: Presentations, Panel Discussions and 1 X 1 Investor MeetingsPresentation Dates: Wednesday, June 4th and Thursday, June 5th, 2025Time: 9:00 AM PDT - 5:00 PM PDT Venue: The Beverly Hills Hotel For more information and registration details, please visit: About Centurion One Capital Centurion One Capital ("Centurion One") is the premier independent Investment Banking firm dedicated to fueling the growth and success of growth companies in North America. With an unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive financial solutions and strategic guidance, Centurion One is a trusted strategic partner and catalyst to propel issuers to unlock their full potential. Our team comprises seasoned professionals who combine extensive financial expertise with deep knowledge of various sectors. We take a proactive and results-driven approach, working closely with our clients to develop tailored strategies and execute transactions that maximize value and drive long-term success. Centurion One - Empowering Growth. Driving Innovation. Partnering for Success. For more information about Centurion One, visit American Gun Owners (AGO) Per: Michael Pierce CEO & Founder About AGO The all-in-one platform for first-time firearm owners. Our experts pick the right firearm, a discounted annual subscription for ammo and range access, self-defense insurance, and other accessories, guaranteeing the best prices and an easy experience for new owners. Learn more: Contacts MediaAmerican Gun Owners (AGO)info@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit
CNA
27-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Indonesia probes alleged ‘criminal conspiracy' in education ministry's US$616 million procurement of laptops
JAKARTA: Indonesia has launched a probe into alleged corruption involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops worth about 10 trillion rupiah (US$615.8 million) by the Education Ministry. The laptops were procured from 2019 to 2023 as part of a nationwide digitalisation project during former president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's tenure, and aimed to support public schools, said the Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Monday (May 26). 'Roughly 1,000 Chromebooks had earlier been tested and showed poor performance, yet the procurement went ahead,' said Harli Siregar, head of the AGO's Legal Information Centre, at a press conference in Jakarta, as quoted by news portal Jakarta Globe. Kompas reported that investigators under the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes issued a 'formal investigation' warrant on May 20. The AGO is now summoning government officials and private company representatives involved in the project for questioning. Harli, however, declined to name specific individuals or entities, local media reported. Authorities suspect there was collusion or 'criminal conspiracy' among those involved in drafting studies to justify the procurement. 'There may have been manipulation and forced procurement, leading to significant waste of state funds,' Harli was quoted as saying by Jakarta Globe. He said there was a lack of need for Chromebooks in Indonesia as these laptops largely require internet connectivity, while internet access across the country remains uneven, Kompas reported. 'Spending such a massive sum of public money on devices that do not match the actual needs of students raises serious red flags,' Harli said. While the total financial loss from the project is still being calculated, Kompas reported that the estimated budget allocated to the Chromebook procurement was 9.9 trillion rupiah. The procurement took place during the tenure of Nadiem Makarim, who led the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry from 2019 to 2024 under Jokowi's administration. When President Prabowo Subianto took over in October last year, the ministry was restructured into multiple entities overseeing primary and secondary education, higher education, culture, and research and technology. Other high-level probes have been reported in Indonesia in recent months. In January, the Corruption Eradication Commission said trillions of rupiah channelled by Indonesia's central bank to some lawmakers under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme were allegedly misused. In October last year, former trade minister Thomas Lembong was arrested for suspected involvement in a corruption case involving sugar imports that allegedly caused state losses of about 400 billion rupiah. Thomas served as trade minister between August 2015 and July 2016.
Business Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Indonesia's collapsed textile giant Sritex faces delisting as former executive named suspect in bank loan scandal
[JAKARTA] Indonesia's collapsed textile giant Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex) is facing potential delisting from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) after the Attorney General's Office (AGO) named a former executive as a suspect in a corruption case involving the alleged misuse of bank loan facilities. IDX director I Gede Nyoman Yetna said on Thursday (May 22) that Sritex shares, which have been suspended from trading since 2021, now meet the criteria for delisting and reverting to private status. However, he did not specify when the delisting would take place, saying the exchange is currently coordinating with the Financial Services Authority and a curator on the process. 'Given that Sritex has been officially declared bankrupt, management responsibilities have now been transferred to the court-appointed curator,' Nyoman said in a statement. 'Late (on) Wednesday (May 13), the Attorney General's Office named Iwan Setiawan Lukminto, who served as president director of Sritex from 2014 to 2023, as a suspect in a corruption case involving approximately 693 billion rupiah (S$54.7 million) in unsecured loans issued to the company,' said AGO spokesperson Harli Siregar. Two other suspects were also named: Zainuddin Mappa, former chief executive officer at Bank DKI, and Dicky Syahbandinata, a former executive at Bank BJB. Bank DKI is a regional lender owned by the Jakarta provincial government, while Bank BJB is owned by the West Java and Banten provincial governments. Abdul Qohar, director of investigation at the AGO, said corruption occurred in the disbursement of loans from several state-owned banks to Sritex, with total outstanding debt reaching 3.6 trillion rupiah as at October 2024. He said executives at the regional banks failed to conduct sufficient analysis, and did not comply with procedures and requirements. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up He noted that unsecured loans should only be granted to companies or debtors with an A credit rating, whereas Sritex had been rated BB- by Moody's. Once a textile powerhouse in South-east Asia known for supplying global fashion giants like H&M and Zara, as well as producing uniforms for Nato, Sritex began to unravel during the pandemic. Plummeting orders pushed the company into a spiral of debt and financial distress. The company was declared bankrupt by a court last year after failing to repay debts totalling US$1.6 billion. The Sukoharjo, Central Java-based company halted operations on Mar 1, leading to the dismissal of over 10,000 workers, after rescue efforts initiated by President Prabowo Subianto's administration failed to yield results. The court-appointed curator is reportedly exploring opportunities to attract investors interested in leasing Sritex's assets, as part of ongoing efforts to manage the bankrupt company's remaining resources and potentially revive its operations. Sritex made its stock market debut on IDX in 2013, riding high on its reputation as a textile titan. The Lukminto family, which owns the company, were once among Indonesia's 50 richest, with a fortune estimated at US$515 million on Forbes' 2020 list. Although Sritex shares have been suspended since 2021, they remain priced at 146 rupiah, giving the company a market valuation of nearly three trillion rupiah, with close to 40 per cent held by public investors.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Indonesia's Attorney General's Office arrest CEO of Indonesia's textile giant Sritex
JAKARTA - The president director of bankrupt Indonesian textile giant Sritex has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation, Indonesia's Attorney General's Office said on Wednesday. The AGO confirmed to Reuters that the arrest of Iwan Kurniawan Lukminto was due to alleged irregularities related to a bank loan provided to Sritex. Local media earlier reported the loan was provided by a state bank. Reuters sought comment from Sritex, but they did not immediately respond. The AGO did not provide details on the case, the size of the loan or which lender provided it. Sritex was declared bankrupt at the end of last year as it struggled to service its debts, which reached $1.6 billion in June. It stopped operations on March 1 after failing in its appeal against the bankruptcy ruling. Sritex, which has produced clothes for high street brands like H&M, Rip Curl and Forever 21, as well as military uniforms for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has suffered from weak global demand and cheaper imported fashion. It has been looking for investors to lease its assets to prevent its value from falling. Following the bankruptcy, about 10,000 Sritex workers were facing layoffs, local media reported at that time. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
