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Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Arkansas police chief Grant Hardin's prison escape offers unique challenges to searchers: experts
The former Arkansas police chief who escaped prison on Sunday may have an "edge" compared to other escapees due to his past in law enforcement, experts say. Former Gateway Police Department Chief Grant Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison, Sunday afternoon in Calico Rock, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC). Nicknamed the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin was serving decades in prison for murder and rape. Eric Brown, a 24-year U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and CEO of Imperio Consulting, told Fox News Digital that a former police chief like Hardin "has a working knowledge of law enforcement procedures, patrol routines and how search operations are typically structured." "That gives him an initial edge. He knows how law enforcement thinks," Brown told Fox News Digital. 'Devil In The Ozarks' Who Escaped Prison Likely Still In Arkansas Area: Officials Law enforcement officials "will likely lean on geo-fencing, license plate readers, and known associate surveillance," Brown added. Read On The Fox News App "If he's on foot, dogs, drones and thermal imaging tighten the noose," Brown said. "Establishing a perimeter means thinking like the fugitive, assessing terrain, choke points and logical escape routes. Officials are watching for movement: stolen vehicles, property break-ins, supply thefts, even unusual local chatter. The key is pattern disruption." It took less than 30 minutes for prison officials to notice that Hardin had disappeared from prison. Photos that the Stone County Sheriff's Office posted to social media show Hardin wearing an ADC-style uniform during his escape through a sally port, though ADC communications director Rand Champion said the uniform he was wearing was not official. Louisiana Ag Confident Remaining Jailbreak Fugitives Will Be Recaptured After Officials Make 14Th Arrest Angelo Brown, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminology at Arkansas State University, similarly told Fox News Digital that law enforcement officials will likely be using drones and infrared camera technology to search heavily wooded areas in Stone County, where Hardin escaped, which is located just east of the Ozark Mountains. Hardin has ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island and Huntsville, according to the FBI. Angelo Brown said Hardin's police chief experience means he likely has ties to law enforcement officials who may help him, and he will avoid making "simple mistakes that a lot of people on the run make, like going to relatives' homes, using… cellphones, credit cards, things like that." Botched Crime Scene Handling Could Derail Prosecution Of Orleans Parish Jail Escapees, Former Fbi Agent Says "Getting away, that's still very unlikely. Especially now, even if it is state-level corruption… the federal government's involved in this search and investigation, the state police, various agencies are working on this. So, I think law enforcement is doing everything they can to keep people safe," he said, noting, however, that it is impossible to "mitigate the risk completely" with a fugitive on the run. Champion said during a Wednesday news conference that authorities are fairly confident in the route they believe Hardin took when he escaped and his current location. "Based on the information that we have and the experience of our teams, they feel fairly confident that he is still fairly close to this region," Champion said, noting that "all it takes is one vehicle" for Hardin to use to travel elsewhere, though officials have established a perimeter around Stone County. "As of this time, they are still very confident that he is in the area," Champion said. Massive Jail Break In New Orleans 'Impossible' Without Staff Involvement, Says Ex-fbi Fugitive Hunter Champion said the public should assume Hardin is "a very dangerous individual," and there is a risk he may commit more crimes while he is on the run. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years for murder plus additional time for rape. Manhunt Underway After Disgraced Former Police Chief Convicted Of Murder, Rape Escapes Arkansas Prison He pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of James Appleton, 59, a city water employee who was found shot in the face inside his work truck, KNWA reported. While Hardin was being booked into the state prison around that time, officials submitted his DNA sample into a database. His DNA linked him to the rape cold case of a teacher in 1997, the outlet reported. Hardin ended up pleading guilty in that case in 2019, according to KNWA. The former police chief's escape came two days after 10 prisoners escaped a correctional facility in New Orleans, eight of whom have since been recaptured while two remain at large. Hardin is described as a 6-foot White male, weighing approximately 259 pounds. The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to his recapture and is asking tipsters to call 1-800-CALL-FBI with any information concerning the escapee. Fox News' Stepheny Price and Louis Casiano contributed to this article source: Former Arkansas police chief Grant Hardin's prison escape offers unique challenges to searchers: experts
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Former Arkansas police chief Grant Hardin's prison escape offers unique challenges to searchers: experts
The former Arkansas police chief who escaped prison on Sunday may have an "edge" compared to other escapees due to his past in law enforcement, experts say. Former Gateway Police Department Chief Grant Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison, Sunday afternoon in Calico Rock, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC). Nicknamed the "Devil in the Ozarks," Hardin was serving decades in prison for murder and rape. Eric Brown, a 24-year U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and CEO of Imperio Consulting, told Fox News Digital that a former police chief like Hardin "has a working knowledge of law enforcement procedures, patrol routines and how search operations are typically structured." "That gives him an initial edge. He knows how law enforcement thinks," Brown told Fox News Digital. Law enforcement officials "will likely lean on geo-fencing, license plate readers, and known associate surveillance," Brown added. "But every fugitive makes mistakes." "If he's on foot, dogs, drones and thermal imaging tighten the noose," Brown said. "Establishing a perimeter means thinking like the fugitive, assessing terrain, choke points and logical escape routes. Officials are watching for movement: stolen vehicles, property break-ins, supply thefts, even unusual local chatter. The key is pattern disruption." It took less than 30 minutes for prison officials to notice that Hardin had disappeared from prison. Photos that the Stone County Sheriff's Office posted to social media show Hardin wearing an ADC-style uniform during his escape through a sally port, though ADC communications director Rand Champion said the uniform he was wearing was not official. Angelo Brown, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminology at Arkansas State University, similarly told Fox News Digital that law enforcement officials will likely be using drones and infrared camera technology to search heavily wooded areas in Stone County, where Hardin escaped, which is located just east of the Ozark Mountains. Hardin has ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island and Huntsville, according to the FBI. Angelo Brown said Hardin's police chief experience means he likely has ties to law enforcement officials who may help him, and he will avoid making "simple mistakes that a lot of people on the run make, like going to relatives' homes, using… cellphones, credit cards, things like that." "Getting away, that's still very unlikely. Especially now, even if it is state-level corruption… the federal government's involved in this search and investigation, the state police, various agencies are working on this. So, I think law enforcement is doing everything they can to keep people safe," he said, noting, however, that it is impossible to "mitigate the risk completely" with a fugitive on the run. Champion said during a Wednesday news conference that authorities are fairly confident in the route they believe Hardin took when he escaped and his current location. "Based on the information that we have and the experience of our teams, they feel fairly confident that he is still fairly close to this region," Champion said, noting that "all it takes is one vehicle" for Hardin to use to travel elsewhere, though officials have established a perimeter around Stone County. "As of this time, they are still very confident that he is in the area," Champion said. Champion said the public should assume Hardin is "a very dangerous individual," and there is a risk he may commit more crimes while he is on the run. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years for murder plus additional time for rape. He pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of James Appleton, 59, a city water employee who was found shot in the face inside his work truck, KNWA reported. While Hardin was being booked into the state prison around that time, officials submitted his DNA sample into a database. His DNA linked him to the rape cold case of a teacher in 1997, the outlet reported. Hardin ended up pleading guilty in that case in 2019, according to KNWA. The former police chief's escape came two days after 10 prisoners escaped a correctional facility in New Orleans, eight of whom have since been recaptured while two remain at large. Hardin is described as a 6-foot White male, weighing approximately 259 pounds. The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to his recapture and is asking tipsters to call 1-800-CALL-FBI with any information concerning the escapee.
Business Insider
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I help people jump from the public to the private sector. Here's my advice for landing a job at a Big Four.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Brown, the 47-year-old CEO and founder of Imperio Consulting in Orlando. It has been edited for length and clarity. After 25 years in the Special Forces, I was ready for a new challenge. I took everything I learned about leadership, adaptability, and collaboration and created the Green Beret Approach, a method grounded in simplicity, agility, and cohesive teamwork under pressure. Now, I work with professionals who want to move from the public sector to the private sector, specifically those looking to break into or already working at a Big Four consulting firm. I retired as a senior operations officer in 2021 I left a 300-person battalion, where I optimized our operations and grew our international footprint from five to twelve teams. My experience in the public sector also helped me gain the skills to build relationships, liaise with stakeholders, and master problem-solving. I saw an opportunity to translate the skill set I developed as a Green Beret into the business world. Companies often struggle with team dynamics, leadership, and communication — exactly where my experience leading focused teams in tough, high-stakes situations can make a difference. I started Imperio Consulting in 2020 to help organizations and individual clients become adaptable and effective using proven military methods. I've worked with many clients who have switched to the Big Four or felt stuck once they landed their Big Four role and needed coaching. I work with my clients to communicate their strengths, build confidence, and stand out in a competitive crowd. Here's what I tell them. Private sector roles tend to be more flexible than government positions When you move from the public sector to the private sector, you often have more freedom to shape your role. You're more likely to be able to expand your job description based on your unique skills, professional interests, or strategic company needs than in the public sector. Additionally, private firms may reward their employees for their creative thinking and risk-taking, but this is less common in the public sector. Compensation packages can be higher, and career paths can be clearer When you join a team in a private firm, you should have a clear idea of your role, what upward mobility looks like, and what you need to do to start landing the promotions you want very soon into the job. Generally, private sector roles come with a higher salary and performance-based bonuses. In the military, compensation is set by rank and years of service. As a senior Special Forces officer, I made about $120,000. The starting salary in consulting is usually higher, and including bonuses, it increases quickly. Midlevel roles typically pay about $150,000 to $200,000; senior consultants can make $300,000 or more. Be sure to look at the big picture, not just salary and bonuses Private sector roles boast high salaries and bonus structures, but public sector positions often excel in stability and long-term benefits like pensions and healthcare. Before accepting a new role, evaluate the compensation package, including salary, bonuses, benefits, retirement contributions, healthcare quality, and work-life balance. If you make the switch, expect to feel culture shock In the public sector, stability is valued, and positions often include consistent working hours, job security, clearly defined roles, and predictable career progression. There's also a cultural emphasis on reliability and long-term enrollment. This consistency can be very appealing. In the private sector, you may find yourself chasing revenue goals that change quickly, as objectives can shift based on market demands or investor expectations, especially within sales-driven or publicly traded companies. For example, a company may suddenly pivot to prioritize a new product line or market segment to hit quarterly revenue targets. If you love a mission-driven environment, this is when company fit is crucial; be sure the private company's values match yours. You don't want to feel like you've left a clear purpose behind. Understand how success is measured from the beginning When interviewing for a role in a private firm, especially a Big Four, ask them how they measure success and support their staff during busy seasons. You'll gain insights into whether the company culture fits your work style. The public sector is more structured, and you quickly understand what you're getting into, but the position will not be tailored to your strengths. In the private sector, support can be more proactive; you can create your role, or you might have access to professional coaching, but it depends on the company culture. Big Four life moves at a relentless pace, with tight deadlines and long hours Burnout occurs in the public and private sectors, but the culprits differ. In government work, burnout is usually caused by red tape and slow-moving, bureaucratic systems. The private sector is more tied to high pressure, tight deadlines, and nonstop demands. Burnout will be your biggest enemy in the private sector, especially in the Big Four. You might feel like you're always "on call." Ultimately, it's your responsibility to own your time and advocate for yourself to have a healthy work-life within the company's parameters. Balancing personal life and work can be tough, especially during peak seasons, but nobody will do it for you. I spend a lot of time with my clients establishing strategies to manage their stress. This might mean blocking out personal hours on your calendar, building a strong support network, and creating a routine that helps you recharge. The good news is that working for Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG will help you build your résumé quickly. If you can show your chops to these clients, these opportunities can quickly open doors to senior roles elsewhere.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Robert Kiyosaki Says Multifamily Investing Is Key for a Secure Retirement: Here's What Experts Say
While millions of Americans diligently contribute to their employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plans, 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' author Robert Kiyosaki and the Rich Dad Real Estate Team argue they're making a massive financial mistake. The article on the Rich Dad website makes a bold claim: Ditching your 401(k) in favor of multifamily real estate investing could be the key to a truly secure retirement. But is the advice from the controversial financial educator and his team right? Read Next: Learn More: GOBankingRates talked to experts to get the inside scoop on what investment moves and retirement savings plan are right for you. The Rich Dad's argument centers on several key points. First, it challenges the conventional wisdom about employer matches. 'If it weren't for 401(k)s, your employer would have to pay you that money as part of your salary,' Kiyosaki said. In other words, according to Kiyosaki, what many consider 'free money' is actually compensation that would otherwise be paid directly to employees. The Rich Dad article also took aim at the fees associated with traditional retirement accounts. 'A typical 401(k) plan takes 80 percent of the profits,' it explained, leaving investors with just 20% of their potential returns. Additionally, the article points to tax disadvantages, noting that while 401(k) gains are taxed as ordinary income (up to 35%), real estate investors can benefit from more favorable tax treatment. The article also emphasized the lack of control that can come with traditional retirement accounts, unlike real estate, where you can directly influence returns. Find Out: Instead of relying on a 401(k), the Rich Dad article promoted multifamily real estate investing as a superior alternative. Here is some of the reasoning. Leverage: This involves using other people's money to purchase a valuable asset. Appreciation: This is the ability to increase property value through effective management. Control: With real estate, you can have direct influence over income and expenses, unlike market-dependent investments. Tax Advantages: There are significant tax benefits with real estate, including depreciation deductions and capital gains deferrals. 'For many investors, it's short-sided to find only one building and make managing it your job,' the article noted. 'Instead, become an investor and find more great deals that you can purchase and have professionally managed.' Eric Brown, CEO and founder of Imperio Consulting, acknowledged that Kiyosaki and his team raised valuable points about real estate's advantages but suggested the argument against employer matches is oversimplified. 'Robert Kiyosaki's suggestion that employers would otherwise directly pay the match into employee salaries oversimplifies how businesses budget compensation,' Brown explained. 'Typically, these employer contributions are a separate cost — if an employee opts out, it rarely translates into higher direct pay.' Brown said that 401(k)s offer practical benefits for average Americans, including tax advantages, automatic contributions and straightforward investing. However, he agreed with Kiyosaki about their downsides: limited control, fees and exposure to market volatility. Aaron Cirksena, founder of MDRN Capital, took a more critical stance toward the advice from the Rich Dad article, particularly for the average American. 'Saying it's a waste because your employer 'could just pay you the match directly' ignores the huge long-term benefit of compounding in a tax-deferred account,' Cirksena said. 'That match isn't just free money — it's part of your total compensation, and walking away from it is like refusing a raise.' Cirksena also highlighted the practical challenges of real estate investing: 'Getting into multifamily real estate takes capital, credit, time and risk tolerance. You're not just buying a cash-flowing asset — you're managing tenants, repairs, taxes and different market cycles,' he said. Thomas J. Brock, CFA, CPA, an expert with Retire Guide, directly refuted some of the article's most controversial claims. 'Strong 401(k) plans do not take 80% of your profits. This is blatantly false,' Brock said. 'You can keep over 99% of your profits in a quality 401(k) plan that offers a variety of low-cost investment options.' Brock also pointed out that many 401(k) plans actually offer real estate investment options through real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other fund-style vehicles. While Kiyosaki and his team made compelling arguments for real estate investing, most financial experts suggest the either-or proposition might be too simplistic for the average American. For those without significant capital, credit or real estate expertise, abruptly abandoning a 401(k) for multifamily investing could be risky. 'Trying to skip the 401(k) and go straight into multifamily is like skipping college to open a startup — you might crush it, but the odds aren't in your favor,' Cirksena said. Unsurprisingly, the consensus favors a balanced approach that leverages both traditional retirement accounts and alternative investments like real estate. Start with your employer-sponsored plan for tax-advantaged growth and steady contributions, and then gradually incorporate real estate or other alternative investments as your financial situation allows. More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for RetireesHow Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region7 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 202525 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value This article originally appeared on Robert Kiyosaki Says Multifamily Investing Is Key for a Secure Retirement: Here's What Experts Say
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
23andMe money woes could expose killers who escaped justice: expert
The recent bankruptcy filing of genetic testing company 23andMe, which allows users to spit in a tube and send away the sample for a detailed DNA analysis, has sparked the possibility that the data could revolutionize cold-case cracking. "The more data you have, the better that data could help law enforcement in solving cold cases," Eric Brown, the founder and CEO of Imperio Consulting, told Fox News Digital. "Where law enforcement didn't have access to DNA before, the potential sale could provide additional genetic information that authorities did not have access to before." In the past, 23andMe generally resisted law enforcement requests for customer data, but it would comply with valid court orders or subpoenas. The company's Transparency Report noted that it received 15 requests from law enforcement but fulfilled none of them. "The sale of 23andMe could increase the database by millions of records that they didn't have access to before," Brown said. "The least sliver of DNA from a criminal could 100% help law enforcement." Protect Your Genetic Data: Urgent Steps After 23Andme Bankruptcy DNA databases gained public attention in April 2018 when the suspected Golden State Killer became the first person to be arrested through the use of the database and a DNA-and-family-tracing method called genetic genealogy. Read On The Fox News App Former police officer and Golden State Killer Joseph DeAngelo was sentenced to life in prison in a decades-old case of a serial murderer and rapist. DeAngelo was brought to justice after detective work was combined with DNA databases and family trees to identify potential suspects. He was charged with the murder of 13 people, the rape of around 50 women, and the commission of burglaries across California during the 1970s and 1980s. In the infamous 2008 case, 2-year-old Caylee Anthony was found dead in Orlando, Florida, and her mother, Casey Anthony, was accused of murder. DNA evidence from the remains found in a wooded area helped confirm the identity of the body. While the DNA was important, the case also involved contentious debates about evidence. Exclusive: Casey Anthony's Father Seen For First Time After Taking Polygraph Test About Granddaughter's Murder A jury found Anthony guilty of lying to law enforcement but not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse after a trial in 2011. Caylee's death remains unsolved. While Casey Anthony was ultimately acquitted, DNA evidence played a significant role in the investigation. 23andMe announced in a statement this week that it had entered the federal bankruptcy process with the goal of finding a buyer to address its ongoing money troubles. Co-founder Anne Wojcicki stepped down as CEO and said in a post on X that she hopes to purchase the company herself. The board rejected an offer she made this month, according to a press release. Former Duke Football Player Confesses To Killing Ex-real Estate Agent Friend In Her Upscale Townhouse: Police Following the company's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the service's more than 15 million users were left asking: What's going to happen to my data? "The loss of data is really an important point to consider here," Darren Williams, the founder of three technology start-ups and the founder and CEO of BlackFog Inc., a cybersecurity company focused on data security and ransomware prevention, told Fox News Digital. "We really need to ensure that it doesn't get into the wrong hands, because that's where they could easily harvest this data and actually use it for ransom." In 2023, 23andMe saw such a data breach. The breach, outlined in an SEC filing, revealed that hackers were able to access the accounts of roughly 0.1% of its user base, or about 14,000 of its 14 million total customers. The attackers were also able to exploit 23andMe's opt-in DNA Relatives (DNAR) feature, which matches users with their genetic relatives, to access information about millions of other users. "Once the data is gone, you'll never get it back again," Williams said. "I mean, after all, we're dealing with cyber criminals." Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X Eran Barak, CEO of MIND, a data security firm, told Fox News Digital that interest plateaued in DNA testing companies following their growth in the 2010s. Barak said the companies' downfall was due to market saturation, fewer consumers interested in recreational genealogy and rising consumer wariness about how their sensitive data is handled. "When your DNA is compromised, it's not just a password reset. It's permanent," he said. "The breach raised alarm among customers concerned about their privacy and how DNA-testing firms handle their data," Barak said. "Genetic data is arguably the most sensitive form of personally identifiable information (PII). It can reveal predispositions to disease, familial relationships and even be used in criminal investigations." The plateauing interest in recreational genealogy services moved many companies towards monetizing customer data through partnerships with pharmaceutical and research institutions. "The 23andMe bankruptcy isn't just about business mismanagement or market downturns; it reflects growing skepticism around personal genetic data, rising concerns over PHI (Protected Health Information) and PII (Personally Identifiable Information) security, and broader shifts in how consumers engage with biotech and digital health platforms," Barak said. Fox News Digital has reached out to 23andMe for comment. Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this article source: 23andMe money woes could expose killers who escaped justice: expert
