Latest news with #FortWorth
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Glamorous Bollywood couple lands in ICE detention after million dollar secret is revealed
A Bollywood singer and her husband have been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following allegations of his involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee and his wife Sunita, known for their Bollywood-style singing and regular appearances at cultural galas, face first-degree felony theft charges after federal authorities uncovered an elaborate operation that defrauded investors of more than $4 million. Following their June arrest, both Sammy and Sunita posted bond amounts of $500,000, and Sammy was detained by ICE agents. He is currently being held at an ICE detention facility south of Fort Worth. The Mukherjees, who had built a reputation as entertainers in North Texas, have been accused of luring investors into what appeared to be legitimate real estate opportunities. However, authorities claim that the investments were entirely fraudulent, with victims unknowingly funneling money into non-existent projects. 'In [my] 23 years, [Sammy Mukherjee] is probably the most prolific fraudster I've seen,' Detective Brian Brennan of the Euless Police Department told CBS News. The sprawling investigation into the Mukherjees began in 2024, when a couple came forward claiming they had lost $325,000 in an alleged real estate scheme. 'At first, we thought this was a small, civil dispute,' Detective Brennan said. 'But as I dug deeper, we realized this was much larger than initially reported.' As the investigation progressed, Brennan uncovered a series of forged documents, including fake invoices and remodeling contracts purporting to involve the Dallas Housing Authority. Upon verifying the documents, authorities determined they were entirely fabricated. 'All fake,' Brennan said of the shocking amount of forged papers. 'The level of counterfeit documents … it had to be a full-time job for him to do that,' Brennan added. Brennan later sought federal intervention. Forensic accountants, working alongside the FBI, were able to trace the movement of funds, identifying more than $4 million in confirmed losses, CBS News reported. Though just 20 victims have been officially recorded, investigators now believe that more than 100 individuals may have been affected. But, the Mukherjees' fraudulent activities didn't stop at real estate. Following their June arrest, both Sammy and Sunita posted bond amounts of $500,000, and Sammy was detained by ICE agents According to an arrest affidavit, the couple allegedly submitted a false application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan - a financial assistance program created by the U.S. federal government during the pandemic - listing fictitious employees and creating fake company records. During an FBI interview at a McDonald's in Plano, Sammy reportedly denied recognizing the names listed on the payroll form tied to the loan application. Further investigation revealed that the couple also targeted elderly individuals with threatening emails, falsely warning them they would be arrested unless they made immediate payments, according to CBS News. Despite mounting evidence against them, the Mukherjees continued to maintain a public profile. In May 2024, they headlined a cultural gala, hosted by the Indian Traditions & Cultural Society of North America - a nonprofit organization registered at their Plano home. Just weeks later, the couple was arrested at their home and are now facing first-degree felony theft charges, which, if convicted, could amount to sentences ranging from five to 99 years in prison. Investigators say the couple arrived in the U.S. from India seeking asylum, though federal records do not currently indicate their immigration status. The arrest affidavit also references documentation suggesting that Sammy has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai, India, according to CBS News. As for the victims, the chances of recovering their lost funds appear slim. The Mukherjees filed for bankruptcy in 2024, and investigators are continuing to trace the missing money, examining whether it may have been moved offshore or into cryptocurrency accounts. 'I think it's gone,' Brennan said. 'I think they've spent it on cars, their house, and in just living expenses.' Reflecting on his experience 'doing business' with the disgraced couple, Seshu Madabhushi, an alleged victim, said he never would have expected this. 'Looking back, we should have been much wiser in terms of asking questions,' Madabhushi said. 'But we never thought someone would go to that extent.' 'They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople,' Terry Parvaga, another alleged fraud victim, told CBS News. 'But they will take every single penny you have.'
CBS News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
More than 1,000 kids receive free school supplies and resources at Back2School Fest
More than a thousand children will start the school year on the right foot after receiving free school supplies and resources at the Back2School Fest on Saturday at The Potter's House Fort Worth. Many parents may find it hard to believe the school year is right around the corner, but the back-to-school festival helped them get ready with all kinds of resources for the entire family. Students of all grades and their parents got a head start on the school year at the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office and The Potter's House Fort Worth's festival. "We want to be a part of this because they want to be a part of their fabric of their life, to demonstrate to them that law enforcement officers support them, that we're cheerleaders for their success, and we want them to see that today as they go through this program," Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said. Kids received a backpack full of school supplies, in addition to on-site haircuts, vision exams and immunizations to get them ready for the upcoming school year. "I don't have to worry about buying my own things, and I don't have to use any money. It's free for everybody, so I won't have to worry. There's extra resources over here too," said sixth grader Kamiah Irahezagura. The family-friendly event featured face painting, bounce houses, food trucks and more. Adults received free health screenings and learned about educational resources and after-school programs for their children. "This is a great opportunity for us as a ministry to equip and empower not only the parents but the students for a successful school year. We want to not just give them resources, not just give them a book bag and some pencils, but we want to empower them. We want to pour into their mind. We want to pour that into them, into their academic future, and into the parents," said The Potter's House Fort Worth Pastor Julio Hobaish. The Potter's House hosts events like this year-round. Click here for more information.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MP Materials (MP) Soars 40% on Multi-Billio Dollar Deals
We recently published . MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) is one of this week's biggest players. MP Materials climbed by 40.15 percent week-on-week to hit a new all-time high as investors gobbled up shares after clinching a $500-million partnership with technology giant Apple Inc. At intra-day trading on Friday, MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) touched a new 52-week high of $64.51 before a slight profit-taking pulled its shares to end the day at $63.22. The rally followed news from Apple that it committed to gobble up US-made rare earth magnets from MP Materials Corp.'s (NYSE:MP) flagship Independence facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and that it would work with the company to build out a state-of-the-art Texas factory with a series of neodymium magnet manufacturing lines specifically designed for Apple products. The initiative is expected to boost MP Materials Corp.'s (NYSE:MP) overall production. Once built, the produced magnets will be shipped across the country and all over the world. Prior to its partnership with Apple, MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) also sealed a multi-billion-dollar deal and $400 million investment with the Department of Defense (DOD) to ramp up the production of rare earth minerals in the US. While we acknowledge the potential of MP as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Non-profit provides free supplies to displaced Cooper Apartment pet parents
Hundreds of people and their four-legged friends are still without homes almost a month after a historic six-alarm fire tore through the Cooper Apartments in Fort Worth. A local nonprofit is putting its best paw forward to help owners and pets. Karla Carrasco loves her cat Maggie as much as the feline loves the camera. "I don't have any kids," Carrasco said. "She is my kid. She's my baby." The cat mom rushed back to her Cooper apartment in June when she heard the complex was on fire. "She was under the bed hiding, obviously scared because the alarms were loud," Carrasco said. Carrasco rescued her constant companion but lost everything in the fire. "It just felt like my whole world was crumbling, which probably sounds dramatic to some, but nobody leaves their apartment thinking it's going to be the last time that they possibly ever see it," Carrasco said. "I don't have a bed, a mattress, a couch, like anything." One thing Carrasco doesn't have to worry about is having food, litter, toys and a new bed for Maggie. "One of our specific programs is called the Maverick Fund, and it is an emergency response fund that typically works with the American Red Cross of Greater North Texas to put pet comfort kits on their trucks," said Maria Koegl, executive director of Don't Forget to Feed Me. Koegl said the nonprofit opened up the Maverick Fund to provide a helping hand — and paw — to Cooper Apartment pet parents in need. "It's good to know that we are here to help them get through this immediate crisis, because a lot of these individuals don't ever see themselves as being in a position to ever require help from these social services," Koegl said. Koegl said the nonprofit has helped five cats and two dogs from the Cooper Apartments, but it needs help to provide items for the remaining 15 dogs and five cats on the waiting list. It costs about $200 to help each pet. Carrasco said the help means the world to her. "I have to keep going because of her," Carrasco said. "What might seem like a small donation to some, really helps us in the long run. I know that she's being taken care of, so now I can focus on getting a roof over our heads and just kind of what long-term looks like." Don't Forget to Feed Me is hosting a donation and cash drive Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pet Supplies Plus along Chisholm Trail in Fort Worth. You can also reach out for help or donate on their website. Supplies are low after the organization sent 500 pounds of dog food to help Central Texas flood victims.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
M2G Ventures adds hospitality vertical
This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: M2G Ventures launched a dedicated hospitality vertical, the Fort Worth, Texas-based real estate investment and development firm announced Tuesday. Crescent Real Estate exec Chris Hanrattie was named managing director, head of hospitality to lead the effort. The vertical will focus on hospitality projects where the company believes it can drive RevPAR growth and improve operational efficiency, according to the announcement. M2G Ventures co-founder Jessica Essl told Hotel Dive that while the company will continue to pursue investments in its core markets across Texas, M2G is also targeting 'high-growth markets across the Sunbelt as we expand our geographic footprint.' Dive Insight: M2G sees 'opportunities to acquire well-located full-service and select-service hotels in high-growth or emerging markets,' Essl said in a statement. 'M2G's focus on brand, guest-centered design and a deep understanding of customer preferences will play a pivotal role as we expand our hospitality portfolio.' Hanrattie joins from Crescent Real Estate, where he most recently served as senior vice president of investments and head of hospitality in Fort Worth. There, he also oversaw the firm's hospitality vertical, leading hospitality investment strategy, acquisitions and dispositions. Essl told Hotel Dive that Hanrattie's expertise 'sharpens our focus and strengthens our ability to execute our investment strategy across all verticals,' including industrial, mixed-use, retail and hospitality. According to M2G, the firm's new vertical reflects 'significant growth and transformation existing within the hospitality and travel industry.' That growth is evident in the company's home city of Fort Worth, which The Wall Street Journal called America's fastest-growing major city in 2023. The greater Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area has also seen heightened hotel development and investment in recent years. Crescent Real Estate opened The Crescent Fort Worth in 2023, the first luxury hotel in the city's cultural district. Recommended Reading Auberge Resorts Collection taps former Four Seasons exec as CEO Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
