Latest news with #Cogan
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Judge Declines to Drop Charges Against Gov. Hochul's Former Top Aide in Chinese Spy Case
A Brooklyn federal judge has ruled against a motion to drop the charges against the New York governor's former aide, who is accused of acting as an agent of the Chinese regime, saying prosecutors had presented sufficient allegations that she knowingly used her position to advance Beijing's interests. On May 5, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan issued an Sun, who also worked under former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was initially The Cogan dismissed the defendants' argument that the superseding indictment 'fails to state several essential elements of a FARA violation and fails to allege a FARA violation as a matter of law.' The judge pointed to several incidents in the superseding indictment, including how Sun allegedly reminded a politician to publicly 'thank the PRC government' for facilitating a donation of ventilators to the Greater New York Hospital Association in April 2020, at the request of a Chinese official. Related Stories 2/12/2025 3/26/2025 Another incident, which took place in 2018, involved Sun being allegedly tasked by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) with arranging for a delegation from central China's Henan Province to the United States to meet another politician. Cogan also cited allegations from the superseding indictment that Sun had used her position to exert influence. For instance, Sun allegedly bragged about her success at preventing the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) from meeting with politicians in written communications. Taiwan's de facto embassy in the United States, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), Sun allegedly also directed a politician's staff to 'decline a request for a meeting' between a Taiwanese mayor and the politician in February 2019, the judge said. He pointed out that Sun knew 'her purported conduct was unlawful under FARA,' contrary to her argument, given that the FBI had warned her about her activities. The judge also didn't throw out the charge of conspiracy to commit FARA against Sun, saying that the defendant conspired with two alleged Chinese agents by carrying out their requests. Additionally, Sun allegedly acted at the direction of four Chinese consulate officials. Cogan stated that he agreed that the Chinese consulate officials couldn't be charged with conspiracy to violate FARA. 'But that does not mean they could not be considered unindicted co-conspirators with Sun,' he wrote. Sun's argument that prosecutors had stretched FARA to criminalize political activities by state officials was also dismissed by Cogan. 'If political and policy activities by state officials, with nothing more, was all that the superseding indictment sought to criminalize, this Court would agree,' the order reads. 'However, that is not what the superseding indictment charges,' it continues. 'The superseding indictment charges Sun with acting as an agent for a foreign principal without registering with the Attorney General, as FARA requires.' In the superseding indictment, prosecutors referenced several unlawful activities, including alleged bribery in the third degree under New York state law and a violation of FARA, to bring the money laundering charges against Sun and Hu. Cogan said Sun's argument contesting the bribery statute had 'some common sense.' However, the judge explained that the statute 'is broad enough to encompass money related to giving a bribe, in addition to receiving one.' The judge dismissed Sun's argument that the superseding indictment 'does not link the alleged violation of FARA with any particular payment that could constitute proceeds under the money laundering statute.' Cogan pointed out that prosecutors had stated that Sun allegedly 'received substantial economic and other benefits from representatives of the PRC government and the CCP,' including travel benefits, tickets to events, employment of Sun's cousin in China, and facilitation of millions in transactions for Hu's business activities in China. Cogan also declined to dismiss charges against Hu, saying that he found 'no arguments or independent basis' for the dismissal of charges against the defendant, even though he had joined Sun's motion. Sun's lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, told The Epoch Times in an email that he was disappointed in the judge's ruling, 'but grateful for the Court's careful consideration of the issues.' 'As the decision noted, dismissing an indictment is an extraordinary remedy that only occurs in extremely limited circumstances,' Schaeffer said. 'But alleging the bare minimum necessary to proceed to trial—the argument that the government has made repeatedly in this case—says nothing about whether those allegations are true based on the evidence, and the Court's decision rightly passed no judgment on whether the government will actually be able to prove what it has claimed. We remain confident in our client and believe that she will prevail at trial.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. police supervisor on leave after driving retired officer facing OUI charge home, police say
Acton police have placed a supervisor on administrative leave in connection with an investigation of a retired police officer from another community who faces an OUI charge, the police department said. At around 12:41 a.m. on Saturday, two Acton police officers went to a liquor store parking lot on Main Street, the department said in a statement. The officers saw a 2024 Toyota Highlander with a severely flat passenger-side front tire running in the parking lot, with two people inside. The officers, who requested that a supervisor meet with them at the parking lot, approached and the driver stepped out of the SUV, police said. The officers noticed the driver, a 64-year-old retired police officer from another community, had the smell of alcohol on his breath and saw an open can of Twisted Tea sitting in the SUV's cup holder. When the supervisor arrived, he took the driver home in Acton, police said. Another officer took the Acton man's passenger, a 55-year-old Acton woman, also to her home. Acton police officials, including Chief James Cogan and Lt. Ed Lawton, decided to file two charges against the Acton man: operating under the influence and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, police said. He was expected to appear in Concord District Court. No criminal complaint was issued. The supervisor was then placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation to look into how the supervisor handled the incident, police said. Cogan said in the statement that the law applies to 'current and former members of law enforcement agencies.' 'Our public rightly demands that we enforce the law evenly, and we will conduct a full and thorough review of the handling of the situation that unfolded early Saturday morning,' Cogan said. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
06-05-2025
- Boston Globe
Acton police supervisor placed on leave after allegedly driving former police official suspected of OUI home
The Acton police supervisor also was not identified. 'The supervisor on duty who responded to the scene that evening has been placed on paid administrative leave . . . pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation into the handling of this matter,' police said in a statement. The supervisor allegedly arranged for the retiree and his female companion to be driven to their homes early Saturday morning after police officers smelled alcohol on the man's breath, Acton police said. Advertisement A police officer and a new officer were training together when they did a check of the liquor store parking lot at 12:41 a.m. Saturday, according to the statement. A 2024 Toyota Highlander was parked in the lot, with its engine running and a flat tire on the passenger's side. The retiree, who owns the vehicle, was seated in the driver's seat. He got out the vehicle when officers arrived, police said. Advertisement The officers noticed an odor of alcohol on the retiree's breath and allegedly saw an open can of Twisted Tea sitting in a cup holder. The officers requested that a supervisor respond to the scene, police said. The supervisor drove the retiree home. They also instructed another officer to take a 55-year-old Acton woman, who was a passenger in the Highlander, home as well. Acton police commanders conducted a review of the incident the next day and decided to issue a court summons to the former official, police said. Acton Police Chief James A. Cogan said that the law will be applied equally to residents and current and former members of law enforcement agencies. 'The Acton Police Department is a modern, state-accredited police department, and the laws we swear to apply to our residents apply equally to current and former members of law enforcement agencies,' Cogan said in the statement. 'Our public rightly demands that we enforce the law evenly, and we will conduct a full and thorough review of the handling of the situation that unfolded early Saturday morning.' Adam Sennott can be reached at
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Acton Police supervisor on leave, retired officer charged in OUI investigation, officials say
An Acton Police supervisor was placed on leave following his handling of a drunk driving investigation involving a retired officer over the weekend, according to authorities. Chief James Cogan says that on Saturday around 12:41 a.m., an Acton Police officer conducting field officer training duties with a new officer checked on a liquor store parking lot on Main Street. A 2024 Toyota Highlander was reportedly running in the parking lot with a deflated passenger-side front tire and a driver sitting in the front seat. The driver, a retired police officer from another town, immediately exited the vehicle. According to officials, officers requested that a supervisor respond to the scene after noting the driver's breath smelled of alcohol and an open can of Twisted Tea was sitting in the cup holder of the car. Authorities say the supervisor responded to the scene and drove the retired officer to his home in Acton, and instructed an Acton officer to drive the man's passenger, a 55-year-old Acton woman, to her home. The incident was reviewed on Sunday by administration, including Chief Cogan and Lieutenant Ed Lawton. The decision was made to file charges and summons the retired police officer, identified only as a 64-year-old Acton man, to Concord District Court on operating under the influence and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. A criminal complaint has not been issued at this time. The supervisor on duty at the time of the call was placed on paid administrative leave. They have not been identified by police. An internal affairs investigation is ongoing and both the office of Middlesex District Attorney and Town Manager John Mangiaratti were both notified. 'The Acton Police Department is a modern, state-accredited police department, and the laws we swear to apply to our residents apply equally to current and former members of law enforcement agencies,' Chief Cogan said. 'Our public rightly demands that we enforce the law evenly, and we will conduct a full and thorough review of the handling of the situation that unfolded early Saturday morning.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Baby killer mum Keli Lane lives it up like a free woman at the BEACH with her boyfriend - as she sports tropical bikini and ankle monitor
Almost 15 years after she was convicted of murdering her newborn daughter, former Olympian Keli Lane has been spotted frolicking in the sunshine with her boyfriend while released from jail for the long weekend. The one-time water polo champion was clearly enjoying a taste of freedom as she soaked up the sun at Fairlight Beach rockpool near Manly in Sydney's northern beaches with long-term partner Patrick Cogan on Good Friday. The 50-year-old, who was sporting a red, tropical print bikini paired with a black electronic ankle monitor, looked almost unrecognisable with her formerly blonde hair now dark. Noticeable on her ring finger was a chunky silver band from Cogan - which she is banned from wearing while serving out her 13.5 year minimum jail sentence at Dillwynia Correctional Centre - but quickly slipped back on for her release. Lane was clearly still conscious of being recognised so close to her old stomping ground as she hid her face behind large sunglasses for much of the outing. The decision to grant Lane weekend day release will undoubtedly shock many who have followed her high-profile case after she was denied parole in a bombshell decision just last year. Lane was found guilty of the 1996 murder of her daughter, Tegan, and was sentenced to a maximum of 18 years in jail with a non-parole period of 13 years and five months. At the time of sentencing she was made eligible for parole in 2024 but her application was denied under New South Wales' 'no body, no parole' laws, introduced in 2022 while she was incarcerated. The laws were introduced following Chris Dawson's high-profile murder trial. Dawson, who like Lane has maintained his innocence, was found guilty of killing his wife Lynette back in 1982. Her body has never been found. Lane's full prison sentence won't finish until December 2028, but a Corrective Services NSW spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they have an 'obligation' to start the release process. 'Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) has a statutory obligation to prepare offenders for release from prison and reintegration into the community, through short periods of external leave,' the spokesperson said. 'Offenders are risk-assessed before being granted external leave and approval is determined on a case-by-case basis. 'CSNSW cannot comment on the circumstances of individual offenders due to privacy legislation.' External leave including work release, education leave, day and weekend leave can be approved for offenders before or following the expiry of their non-parole period. While on her weekend break from her halfway house in, Sydney's western suburbs, Lane wasted no time diving head first into the busy pool, splashing around alongside Cogan. Wrapping their arms around each other, the pair looked smitten as they sunbaked, swam and read together. Cogan is now Lane's sponsor for her weekend jaunts, signing her in and out of jail as well as taking full responsibility for her whereabouts during her time away The couple have known each other since they were teenagers and reconnected just before Lane was arrested in 2009. The father of two has since shown unwavering public support for Lane and is a regular during visiting hours. Cogan is also now Lane's sponsor for her weekend jaunts, signing her in and out of jail as well as taking full responsibility for her whereabouts during her time away. After their day in the sunshine, the couple spent the night at Cogan's $2.6million home before heading back to the beach the following day. It was September 12, 1996, when Lane went to Auburn Hospital in outer western Sydney and delivered baby Tegan in secret. Two days later, having not yet been discharged, Lane snuck out of the ward with Tegan around 12pm and arrived back at her parents' home on the Northern Beaches alone by 3pm. That night, dressed in white, she attended a friend's wedding with her then-partner, former rugby player, Duncan Gillies. Her parents, partner and friends have all since claimed they had no idea she was pregnant, let alone that she'd just given birth that day. It wasn't until a social worker noted inaccuracies in her file as to Tegan's whereabouts and filed a missing person's report that Lane was arrested. Lane has always maintained her innocence and claims she handed the newborn to the biological father, a man called Andrew Morris or Norris. During the trial Lane's bizarre love life came under scrutiny after it was revealed that between the ages of 17 and 24 she'd accidentally fallen pregnant five times. Many of the pregnancies were the result of affairs and kept a secret from the biological fathers. The first two times, Lane terminated her pregnancies. The next three times she carried her babies to term without telling a soul. Two of the babies, born either side of Tegan, were adopted out. However, none of this deterred Cogan from attending the trial and supporting Lane. While the pair hoped Lane would be found not guilty and had planned a future together, they instead continued their relationships via strict prison visits, phone calls and love letters. Clearly weathering the test of time, the pair looked like any other happy couple on Easter Weekend, holding hands and stealing kisses. It was during her incarceration at Dillwynia Correctional Centre in Sydney 's north-west that Cogan's gave Lane the silver ring. During the same time Lane was sexually assaulted on a daily basis by prison guard Wayne Astill. Her key testimony against Astill helped convict him of multiple sexual assaults - but Lane now says that speaking out has put a target on her back. She is suing NSW Corrective Services and the state government for $2million in a civil case alleging other prison officers are now making her life hell. She was behind bars when Astill began forcing himself on her during his 20-year reign of terror at the jail. But Lane alleges that after revealing how Astill raped her in prison offices and storerooms, other guards regularly trashed her cell and revoked her privileges to 'teach her a lesson.' One of those incidents was centred around the ring in which Lane claims she was pinned down while it was forcibly removed. 'My belief is that they were very aware that that was a very precious item for me,' Lane told the court. 'Because obviously you don't have a lot in jail - and that it was from my partner and it was very important to me and I believed that they were trying to remove it to upset me further.' In 2023, Astill was jailed for a maximum of 23 years for abusing his position and assaulting women at the maximum-security facility. Astill was a former prison officer who was promoted to chief correctional officer at the prison before his arrest in 2019. He was found guilty of 27 charges, including aggravated sexual and indecent assault, prompting a state government inquiry into how he escaped justice for decades The inquiry handed down its report in March 2024 and found Astill should 'never have been employed' in the state's prisons. It also stated 'corruption or incompetence' led to Corrective Services NSW hiring him in 1999. In documents lodged with NSW Supreme Court, Lane alleges she was targeted because of her crime, the media interest in the case and for her 'continual fight for innocence.' Lane's ordeal at the hands of Astill was revealed by Greens state MP Sue Higginson who used parliamentary privilege to reveal Lane was a witness in the government inquiry. 'Keli is treated differently than other prisoners and everyone inside knows it,' a prison insider revealed. 'It's been an ongoing issue and she has finally had enough. 'She has just lost all trust in the system and believes she is being singled out because fingers have been pointed at officers who turned a blind eye to Wayne's behaviour for years.' The court also heard that some officers believed her ring was a gift from Astill which is why they were trying to remove it. 'Isn't that an issue in itself that no one even bothered to ask me before they pinned me down and wanted to take it off?' Lane said. She is suing NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong and the state's Corrections Commissioner Leon Taylor, alleging she has faced regular harassment in jail. In documents lodged with NSW Supreme Court, Lane alleges she was targeted because of her crime, the media interest in the case and for her 'continual fight for innocence.' When she appeared via videolink on March 4, she told the court she will make two claims – one for personal damages and the other seeking a judicial review into her case. Keli Lane's timeline to arrest March 21, 1975: Keli Lane is born to surfer, rugby player and police officer Robert Lane and his wife Sandra. November 1992: Lane falls pregnant with her first child, aged 17, to her boyfriend, Aaron Tyack. She has a termination. Mid-1994: Lane falls pregnant for a second time. She was allegedly involved in an affair with a married man, and terminates the pregnancy. Early 1995: 19-year-old Lane gives birth to her first child at King George V Hospital at Camperdown. She had just played in the grand final of a water polo competition. The baby is quietly and lawfully adopted out, and her boyfriend at the time, Duncan Gillies, is named as the father without his knowledge. Early 1996: Lane begins her career as a teacher at a private school and continues her water polo career, representing Australia at the World Championships in Canada, where she receives a silver medal. September 21, 1996: Lane gives birth to her daughter, Tegan, at Auburn Hospital in western Sydney. September 14, 1996: Lane alleges she gave Tegan to her biological father, a man by the name of Andrew Norris (or Morris), with whom she had an affair while dating Mr Gillies. She was seen attending a wedding with the latter that afternoon. February 1999: Lane is 25 weeks pregnant when she attends an abortion clinic in Queensland. They refuse to terminate the pregnancy. Mid 1999: Lane gives birth a third time, after five pregnancies. She tells the social worker it's her first child. 1999: DOCS discover Lane's previous pregnancies. A worker formally files a missing person report for baby Tegan. December 2000: Lane is pregnant again, this time to her new boyfriend. February 2001: An investigation begins into Tegan's disappearance. In her first interview with officers, they do not realise she is seven months pregnant. April 2001: Keli gives birth to a daughter who she kept but cannot be named due to a court order June 20 2005: An inquest into Tegan's disappearance and suspected death begins. February 2006: The Coroner concludes Tegan is most likely dead and the case is referred to the Unsolved Homicide Squad.
