Latest news with #Gambino
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft: The Epidemic Nobody Wants to Talk About
In the trucking industry, fraud and cargo theft are full-blown crises. Maybe this isn't Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese-level organized crime, but make no mistake, organized crime exploits vulnerabilities in our supply chains and it's impacting everyone from small carriers to global shippers. We delve into the realities of freight fraud, the effectiveness of recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration identity checks and how industry initiatives like Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) verification and the Freight Fraud Task Force are reshaping the fight against these crimes. At its simplest, freight fraud is a deception involving carriers, brokers or shippers to steal freight, money or even company identities. Common tactics include double brokering, where fraudulent brokers rebook freight without authorization, often leaving carriers unpaid, and carrier identity theft, in which scammers use legitimate carrier credentials, including MC or DOT numbers, to book and steal freight. Legitimate carriers suffer twice, losing income and getting saddled with compliance violations they didn't commit or lawsuits they had no involvement in. Cargo theft has become sophisticated. Criminal groups arrange fake pickups using forged paperwork, forged credentials and counterfeit identification. Recently, authorities in Los Angeles County alone recovered over $1.3 million in stolen merchandise, ranging from electric bikes and Sony TVs to beauty products and electronics, emphasizing how lucrative and widespread these crimes have become. Part of the blame lies with the agency designed to prevent it, the FMCSA. Existing laws such as MAP-21 (2012) explicitly require the FMCSA to vet brokers thoroughly, yet these requirements, like mandatory knowledge tests and documented experience, remain largely unenforced. Today, anyone with roughly $1,500 (a $300 FMCSA fee, $1,000 down on a surety bond and minimal administrative costs) can become a broker. This ease of entry allows fraudulent brokers to scam shippers, pocket cash and disappear overnight. The FMCSA's own data systems are notoriously muddy and inadequate in highlighting fraudulent activity or clearly detailing limited authority for carriers, especially enterprise carriers, which frequently operate beyond their permitted scope. Recognizing these vulnerabilities, the FMCSA began implementing stringent measures in April to tighten identity verification. Working with Idemia, the FMCSA introduced mandatory facial recognition and government-issued ID checks for all new motor carrier applicants. The immediate impact of this initiative was significant. According to data from CarrierOK, the filed-to-published application approval rate, previously around 60%-65%, plummeted dramatically to roughly 30% after the verification rollout. This sudden drop might mean that the new ID checks are successfully weeding out fraudulent or incomplete applications before they even reach public review, or the agency is so slow in processing applications because of a lack of resources that it's miring down the process. Although the number of total filings remains steady, the sharp decline in published approvals might indicate a crackdown effect, clearly demonstrating that tighter identity controls are effectively curbing fraud at the entry point. Notice I said 'might.' The industry isn't just standing by. It's tired of the crazy. Solutions are emerging to tackle freight fraud proactively, led by innovative platforms like FreightValidate. Founder Dale Prax and partners John Cantera, Jeff Dickinson, Bill Robinson, Claudia Atletts and others (including myself) have established or are part of the Freight Fraud Task Force Inc, to curb industry fraud through education, audits, best practices and accountability at every level. FreightValidate's partnership with AU10TIX has introduced powerful, yet user-friendly verification tools. In under 90 seconds, carriers, drivers and brokers can complete facial recognition and real-time ID checks on any mobile device. This rapid validation ensures that the people handling the freight are exactly who they claim to be, dramatically reducing fraud opportunities before the truck arrives at the loading dock. I have long advocated for a cyberphysical approach to logistics fraud. A year or so ago, I wrote an article on a model for mitigating double brokering through integrated technologies. Leverage blockchain, smart contracts, digital identity verification and real-time tracking to build a trust-driven freight system. I even name-dropped Rich Mason, president and Chief Security Officer at Critical Infrastructure and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) legend, to hopefully draw him into this good time. The idea centers on a blockchain-based reputation system, where carriers, brokers and shippers earn scores based on performance, disputes and reliability. Smart contracts would lock in terms and trigger updates on the blockchain with each completed task. Verified digital identities, powered by facial recognition or biometrics, would restrict access to only authenticated users. Internet-of-things-based shipment tracking and AI-driven analytics could enhance this digital fortress to flag fraud patterns before a single invoice is sent. I believe that fighting fraud requires cybersecurity-level thinking. At the end of the day, our only solution is a solid cybersecurity program and some good CISOs to put it all together for us mere layman transportation folk. Ironically, FMCSA recently launched a costly facial recognition partnership with Idemia. Why spend millions on new systems when we already have proven verification mechanisms with a criminal background element like the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)? What sense does that make? Not much, but maybe the issue is we have such a revolving door at the federal agency that the people running the FMCSA aren't familiar enough with the supply chain to know what we have and what we don't or how to use it practically. TWIC, used extensively in ports, provides biometric verification and comprehensive background checks that go beyond simple identity confirmation. Implementing TWIC requirements for brokers and carriers would significantly strengthen vetting, ensuring that criminals don't just find new ways around superficial security measures. An extra $125 added to the FMCSA's application fee could cover these deeper screenings, bringing significant ROI in fraud prevention without burdening taxpayers. The Freight Fraud Task Force emphasizes practical, actionable steps over mere technology deployment. Real-time, in-person carrier audits at loading docks, comprehensive fraud-awareness training and best practices education form the backbone of its strategy. Companies are encouraged to actively participate, share information and implement robust anti-fraud measures in-house. The Task Force's Risk Assessment Audit Program provides audits, tailored training and certifications to proactively catch fraud early. The mantra here isn't cleanup after the theft, it's prevention before the crime happens. Ultimately, meaningful change requires industrywide accountability and governmental enforcement. As long as laws remain unenforced, cargo theft and fraud will persist, inflating consumer costs and damaging reputable carriers and brokers. FMCSA and the Department of Transportation need to commit fully to vetting carriers, brokers and shippers, enforcing existing laws and cooperating closely with private initiatives that are already making significant strides. The time to act isn't tomorrow, it's now. The freight industry's future, its integrity and its profitability depend on stopping fraud and theft before they happen. Industry leaders, tech innovators, regulators and carriers must unite under a common mission: protecting the lifeblood of our economy by finally enforcing the accountability and integrity this industry deserves. The post Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft: The Epidemic Nobody Wants to Talk About appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Portage Mayor James Snyder seeks dismissal of bribery charge ahead of sentencing on IRS charge
Former Portage Mayor James Snyder would like to see his bribery charge dismissed with prejudice before sentencing on an IRS charge and for the court to bar prosecutors from re-trying the bribery charge at sentencing. If the court does not dismiss the bribery charge, Snyder's attorney Andréa Gambino wrote in a May 23 court filing that the court should grant his Brady motion, which seeks discovery of the Grand Jury record 'so that he can supplement his original motion to dismiss with additional evidence that the government did not seek or ask the grand jurors to return an indictment alleging quid pro quo bribery.' Snyder is scheduled to go to trial for a third time in U.S. District Court in Hammond on a bribery charge involving a $13,000 payment for a garbage truck contract. Currently, the trial is set to begin on Sept. 15, according to court records. Prosecutors filed court documents May 16 stating that after nearly a decade of court proceedings, Snyder 'stands convicted of the felony offense of corruptly obstructing the Internal Revenue Services' administration of the federal revenue laws,' according to court records. 'At this point, the United States believes the interests of justice are best served by proceeding to sentencing on the current count of conviction for Count 4 (the tax conviction), at which time it intends to present evidence of defendant's bribery activities as part of its presentation on the factors to be considered in imposing a sentence,' prosecutors wrote. If Snyder is sentenced on tax conviction, prosecutors will move to dismiss the bribery charge after the judge imposes a sentence. Prosecutors requested the court to set a sentencing date on the conviction charge within the next 90 days. Gambino wrote Snyder objects to the exclusion of time for 90 days under the Speedy Trial Act 'absent pending motions or awaiting a decision by the court.' The condition of dismissing the bribery charge upon sentencing 'holds the defendant (and the court) hostage until the government is satisfied that a sufficient penalty is imposed,' Gambino wrote. 'Apart from pointedly ignoring the Supreme Court's determination that the conduct for which he was convicted was not a crime, this is neither fair nor just,' Gambino wrote. The U.S. Supreme Court's June 26, 2024 decision determined, among other matters, that the payment to Snyder from the Buha brothers, owners of Great Lakes Peterbilt, was a gratuity because Snyder received the money, reportedly for health insurance consulting work, after the business got the garbage truck contracts and not before. Prosecutors don't have more evidence today than 'at the time of the first sentencing in support of its argument that Mr. Snyder should be sentenced as if the alleged gratuity were a bribe.' 'The government's continuing attempt to apply the bribery guideline without obtaining a bribery conviction smacks of vindictiveness,' Gambino wrote. During the trial, prosecutors noted a lack of contracts written between him and the Buhas and said there was no documented proof work was done. After multiple twists, turns and delays since Snyder was indicted on Nov. 17, 2016, in U.S. District Court in Hammond on two bribery counts and one of obstructing the IRS, a jury found Snyder not guilty on a bribery count involving a towing contract and guilty on the other two counts in March 2021. The second bribery conviction, over allegations surrounding a $13,000 payment involving around $1 million in contracts for garbage trucks, stood after two trials, only to get overturned when the Supreme Court ruled that the payment was a gratuity, not a bribe, and criminalizing the payment put even routine campaign contributions at the risk of the federal government's wrath. Overturning Snyder's conviction had a ripple effect on countless other cases, most notably prominent cases in Illinois, including the trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan and the case of the 'ComEd Four' who were convicted of a scheme to bribe him. Federal prosecutors have described Snyder in their filing as 'a thoroughly corrupt public official, twice convicted by a jury of his peers for receiving a $13,000 payoff,' and note there is 'no sound legal basis' for a windfall dismissal because of an omission from jury instructions, which was one of the contentions of Snyder's attorneys. Snyder, a Republican, was first elected mayor in 2011 and reelected in 2015, a term cut short by his federal conviction in February 2019. Snyder received a sentence of 21 months in prison for the bribery and IRS convictions and a year on supervised release from U.S. District Court Judge Matthew F. Kennelly of the Northern District of Illinois. Still, Snyder successfully argued that the start of his sentence should be postponed until his bid to have the Supreme Court hear his case was complete. akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Snyder seeks dismissal of bribery charge ahead of sentencing on IRS charge
Former Portage Mayor James Snyder would like to see his bribery charge dismissed with prejudice before sentencing on an IRS charge and for the court to bar prosecutors from re-trying the bribery charge at sentencing. If the court does not dismiss the bribery charge, Snyder's attorney Andréa Gambino wrote in a May 23 court filing that the court should grant his Brady motion, which seeks discovery of the Grand Jury record 'so that he can supplement his original motion to dismiss with additional evidence that the government did not seek or ask the grand jurors to return an indictment alleging quid pro quo bribery.' Snyder is scheduled to go to trial for a third time in U.S. District Court in Hammond on a bribery charge involving a $13,000 payment for a garbage truck contract. Currently, the trial is set to begin on Sept. 15, according to court records. Prosecutors filed court documents May 16 stating that after nearly a decade of court proceedings, Snyder 'stands convicted of the felony offense of corruptly obstructing the Internal Revenue Services' administration of the federal revenue laws,' according to court records. 'At this point, the United States believes the interests of justice are best served by proceeding to sentencing on the current count of conviction for Count 4 (the tax conviction), at which time it intends to present evidence of defendant's bribery activities as part of its presentation on the factors to be considered in imposing a sentence,' prosecutors wrote. If Snyder is sentenced on tax conviction, prosecutors will move to dismiss the bribery charge after the judge imposes a sentence. Prosecutors requested the court to set a sentencing date on the conviction charge within the next 90 days. Gambino wrote Snyder objects to the exclusion of time for 90 days under the Speedy Trial Act 'absent pending motions or awaiting a decision by the court.' The condition of dismissing the bribery charge upon sentencing 'holds the defendant (and the court) hostage until the government is satisfied that a sufficient penalty is imposed,' Gambino wrote. 'Apart from pointedly ignoring the Supreme Court's determination that the conduct for which he was convicted was not a crime, this is neither fair nor just,' Gambino wrote. The U.S. Supreme Court's June 26, 2024 decision determined, among other matters, that the payment to Snyder from the Buha brothers, owners of Great Lakes Peterbilt, was a gratuity because Snyder received the money, reportedly for health insurance consulting work, after the business got the garbage truck contracts and not before. Prosecutors don't have more evidence today than 'at the time of the first sentencing in support of its argument that Mr. Snyder should be sentenced as if the alleged gratuity were a bribe.' 'The government's continuing attempt to apply the bribery guideline without obtaining a bribery conviction smacks of vindictiveness,' Gambino wrote. During the trial, prosecutors noted a lack of contracts written between him and the Buhas and said there was no documented proof work was done. After multiple twists, turns and delays since Snyder was indicted on Nov. 17, 2016, in U.S. District Court in Hammond on two bribery counts and one of obstructing the IRS, a jury found Snyder not guilty on a bribery count involving a towing contract and guilty on the other two counts in March 2021. The second bribery conviction, over allegations surrounding a $13,000 payment involving around $1 million in contracts for garbage trucks, stood after two trials, only to get overturned when the Supreme Court ruled that the payment was a gratuity, not a bribe, and criminalizing the payment put even routine campaign contributions at the risk of the federal government's wrath. Overturning Snyder's conviction had a ripple effect on countless other cases, most notably prominent cases in Illinois, including the trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan and the case of the 'ComEd Four' who were convicted of a scheme to bribe him. Federal prosecutors have described Snyder in their filing as 'a thoroughly corrupt public official, twice convicted by a jury of his peers for receiving a $13,000 payoff,' and note there is 'no sound legal basis' for a windfall dismissal because of an omission from jury instructions, which was one of the contentions of Snyder's attorneys. Snyder, a Republican, was first elected mayor in 2011 and reelected in 2015, a term cut short by his federal conviction in February 2019. Snyder received a sentence of 21 months in prison for the bribery and IRS convictions and a year on supervised release from U.S. District Court Judge Matthew F. Kennelly of the Northern District of Illinois. Still, Snyder successfully argued that the start of his sentence should be postponed until his bid to have the Supreme Court hear his case was complete.
Black America Web
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Childish Gambino: A Genius Shaped by Diverse Influences
Source: Phillip Faraone/VF24 / Getty Donald Glover, better known by his stage name Childish Gambino, is an artist defined by his versatility and relentless ambition. Whether it's acting, writing, or making music, Gambino's work reflects a complex web of influences that spans genres and generations. From hip-hop legends like OutKast, Eminem, and Kanye West to funk and soul trailblazers such as Funkadelic and Sly & The Family Stone, and even the shimmering beats of LCD Soundsystem, Gambino's artistry is a melting pot of inspirations. This collision of styles and sounds has given birth to some of the most innovative projects in modern music. A standout example of these influences coming to life is his critically acclaimed album Awaken, My Love! , which wears its funk and soul inspirations on its sleeve while offering a distinctly modern twist. The Funkadelic Spark Behind Awaken, My Love! Full albumbelow. Released in 2016, Awaken, My Love! marked a dramatic departure from Gambino's earlier projects, trading sharp raps for soulful crooning and psychedelic funk arrangements. The album channels the raw energy and emotional depth of 1970s funk, heavily inspired by artists like Funkadelic and Sly & The Family Stone. Glover himself has credited these pioneers as integral to the album's creation. RELATED | Childish Gambino Surprise Drops New Album 'Atavista' & Announces World Tour Growing up, his father played records like Funkadelic's Maggot Brain , which Glover described as both 'sexual and scary' in an interview with Billboard . Sly Stone's ability to blend political messaging with groovy, genre-defying sounds also had a lasting impact on Gambino's vision for Awaken, My Love! A prime example of this influence is the track 'Redbone.' Its falsetto vocals and hypnotic bassline evoke Bootsy Collins-era Funkadelic while maintaining a contemporary edge. The haunting yet seductive tone of the song mirrors the visceral feelings Glover recalled experiencing when hearing Funkadelic as a child. Beyond its funk roots, 'Redbone' became a cultural anthem, finding renewed fame in the Oscar-winning film Get Out . See the scene in the movie below where Redbone is playing: One of the most fascinating connections between Gambino and his influences is the thread tying his work to artists like OutKast. Known for their fearless innovation and unapologetic eccentricity, OutKast opened doors for hip-hop to venture into uncharted territories. Their influence is particularly evident in Gambino's commitment to constantly reinventing his sound. Take 'Me and Your Mama,' the opening track of Awaken, My Love! It fuses the operatic grandeur of OutKast's The Love Below with the wild experimentation of vintage funk, proving that Gambino, much like Andre 3000, thrives in defying expectations. Similarly, LCD Soundsystem's electronic landscapes helped shape Gambino's earlier works, particularly in his album Because the Internet . Full album below. Tracks like '3005' incorporate the layered synths and emotional vulnerability reminiscent of James Murphy's best works. The fusion of electronic and emotional storytelling laid the groundwork for the soul-baring moments found later in Awaken, My Love! A Legacy in the Making Childish Gambino's artistry is a testament to how inspiration can be both a tribute to the past and a springboard into the future. By channeling the poetry of OutKast, the rawness of Funkadelic, and the intricacies of LCD Soundsystem, he has created a body of work that feels timeless yet refreshingly original. What makes Gambino's craft so compelling is not just the influences he draws from, but how he transforms them. He doesn't merely mimic; he reimagines. With Awaken, My Love! , the artist took the funk and soul soundscapes of the '70s and introduced them to a modern audience, ensuring that the music that inspired him lives on in new and vital ways. Childish Gambino's evolution proves that no genre or era exists in isolation. Instead, music flows across time, offering endless roots and rhythms to inspire the artists of tomorrow. Take a look below at some of the music from artists Childish Gambino has been influenced by. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
San Francisco Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Fleetwood Mac singer's landscaper dishes on band's potential reunion
Michael Gambino, president of the Simi Valley-based company Gambino Landscape Lighting, shared a photo with the former Fleetwood Mac guitarist last week with a special update. 'He's got a new album coming out in the spring of next year along with a documentary about Fleetwood Mac,' Gambino wrote on May 12, noting that he spoke with the musician, who he claims is a longtime client, for around 30 minutes. He added that founding Fleetwood Mac member Stevie Nicks is also a client and 'asked if there was a possibility that they would ever perform together again.' Buckingham's response, Gambino said: 'that all depends upon Stevie.' It has been four years since Buckingham released a solo album, though the singer has kept himself immersed in the world of music. He was photographed in March in the studio with Mick Fleetwood, working on his former bandmate's upcoming solo album. More recently, he launched a YouTube reaction series with his daughter Leelee, in which they screen modern music videos together. The Fleetwood Mac documentary Gambino is referring to is likely the same feature-length project that was picked up by Apple Original Films last film will be directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Frank Marshall and feature new exclusive interviews, unseen archival footage and tributes to Christine McVie, who died in 2022. A release date for the film has not been announced. Following McVie's death, Nicks and Fleetwood both declared that the band was officially over. Nicks particularly noted that her animosity toward Buckingham, who she attended Menlo-Atherton High School with and dated in the 1970s, would also get in the way. Despite Fleetwood's wish for the two to reconcile, Nicks told Rolling Stone that she has already given Buckingham 'more than 300 million chances.' She also shared that she could only tolerate 'three minutes' of chatting with him during McVie's memorial. Gambino's post seems to confirm that any Fleetwood Mac reunion decisions truly rests with Nicks, who is currently occupied with her next solo project, which she announced last month.
