Latest news with #JohnRoche
Finextra
12-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
My Big Coin founder fined for crypto fraud
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a final default judgement against Mark Gillespie of Michigan, John Roche of California, My Big Coin Pay, Inc., and My Big Coin, Inc., both of Nevada. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. The order requires Gillespie, My Big Coin Pay, Inc., My Big Coin, Inc., and Roche to pay, jointly and severally a $19,326,324 civil monetary penalty and $6,442,108 in restitution to defrauded victims in connection with their role in a digital asset fraud scheme. The order also imposes a permanent injunction against the defendants and bans them from trading in any CFTC-regulated markets; entering into any transactions involving commodity interests or digital asset commodities; and registering with the CFTC. Case Background The default order finds from at least January 2014 through June 2017, Gillespie, My Big Coin Pay, Inc., My Big Coin, Inc., and Roche, together with co-defendant Randall Crater, one of the other co-defendants named in the CFTC's amended complaint, operated a digital asset scheme in which they fraudulently offered the sale of a fully-functioning virtual currency, My Big Coin (MBC), a commodity in interstate commerce. The CFTC dismissed its enforcement action against named co-defendant Michael Kruger because of his death. The defendants obtained more than $6 million from at least 28 customers through fraudulent solicitations, including false and misleading claims and omissions about MBC's value, usage, and trade status, and that MBC was backed by gold. Crater misappropriated virtually all the money solicited from customers, using those misappropriated funds wrongfully. The order resolves the claims against Gillespie, Roche, My Big Coin Pay, Inc., and My Big Coin, Inc., in the CFTC's enforcement action. [See CFTC Press Release 7678-18] The court had previously entered a consent order resolving the CFTC's claims against Crater, who is currently imprisoned for his role in the scheme. [See CFTC Press Release 9051-25] The CFTC cautions that orders requiring repayment of funds to victims may not result in the recovery of any money lost because the wrongdoers may not have sufficient funds or assets. The CFTC will continue to fight vigorously for the protection of customers and to ensure the wrongdoers are held accountable. Parallel Criminal Action On January 18, 2022, a grand jury returned an eight-count superseding indictment charging Crater with wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business based on the same conduct alleged in the CFTC's amended complaint. [United States v. Randall Crater, No. 1:19-cr-10063-DJC (D. Mass. Jan. 18, 2022)).] Crater was found guilty of those charges on July 21, 2022, and was sentenced to 100 months in prison and ordered to pay $7,668,317.50 in restitution to defrauded customers and to forfeit $7,668,317.50, which represented the proceeds he received from his violations. The CFTC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, and the FBI. Division of Enforcement staff responsible for this case are Traci Rodriguez, Daniel Ullman II, Chrystal Gonnella, Dmitriy Vilenskiy, Paul G. Hayeck, and former Division staff members Jonah E. McCarthy, Jason Mahoney, John Einstman, Hillary Van Tassel, Patricia Gomersall, and Kyong J. Koh.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Fieldays: Farmers expected to come on board as methane science advances
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Science for Farmers tent at Fieldays. Photo: Eloise Gibson The Prime Minister's new chief science adviser believes farmers will come around to technologies that cut their emissions. Some farming groups oppose inventions like methane vaccines, but John Roche says farmers will accept change once they see the products work. For a long time, one of the main concerns for farmers about tackling climate change was the lack of new technologies to lower emissions, without hurting productivity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon listen to a speech in the Farmers for Science tent. Photo: RNZ / Eloise Gibson Now emissions-cutting products are close to being launched, and some farmers are saying they don't want them. Groups such as Beef + Lamb say methane emissions shouldn't be priced because it would force farmers to use products such as methane vaccines and other technology when they shouldn't have to. Groundswell recently released a survey saying its members did not want to use methane-cutting products (called inhibitors) and didn't believe action on emissions should affect their access to overseas markets. Fonterra, by contrast, has signed up to reduce dairy emissions to secure what it says are higher value exports to customers such as Nestlé. Roche said although there was a noisy segment that still needed a little convincing he was confident most farmers will come round. "New Zealand farmers have always adopted technologies that improve their efficiency, that improve the saleability of their products," he said. "I think it will be the same here, and they will adopt the technologies as they come on board, as they become more affordable and importantly as they see other farmers use them and see that they work." Roche splits his time between his new role as Christopher Luxon's chief science adviser and being the chief science advisor for the Ministry for Primary Industries. John Roche has a split role. Photo: Supplied He helped arrange a tent called Science for Farmers at Fieldays, where farmers could speak to researchers working on scientific innovations, including emissions-cutting products. One stall housed rectangular planter boxes of lush pasture - not your typical ryegrass and clover, but diverse mixtures of up to seven species including the herb plantain. Danny Donaghy from Massey University said these pasture mixtures should better withstand droughts and/or floods, and contribute less to the problem of global heating by releasing less nitrous oxide from the soil and methane from the animals that eat them. Research funding group the Ag Emissions Centre was also there, sharing research showing dairy cow daughters inherit low-methane traits from their fathers. It said that paved the way for lower-methane breeding bulls from late 2026. Less advanced, but moving quickly, was Lucidome Bio's methane vaccine, currently being trialled in Palmerston North. Chief executive David Aitken said the company was aiming for a 20-30 percent reduction in methane from sheep and cattle lasting for about six months - and to have it on farms within five years. "The vaccine stimulates antibodies in the saliva of the ruminant. The antibodies are then transported into the rumen, where they bind onto the methanogens that produce methane, inhibit the growth and reduce the amount of methane." Over time the company hopes to get a productivity gain from the vaccine, since methanogens steal some of the animal's energy. "But at the minimum we are looking at a solution that's neutral on productivity so we get the climate benefits without losing profitability or productivity." At another stall in the tent, farm software company FarmIQ was explaining how its software can estimate changes in profits, production and emissions from changing various aspects of a farm. Chief executive Gavin McEwen said farmers can already reduce emissions by one to five percent through measures like using less nitrogen fertiliser and reducing stocking rates, often without sacrificing production. But bigger-hitting technologies are coming soon, like slow-release boluses that animals swallow to lower emissions. Head of sales Russell MacKay, a fifth generation farmer, says good financial times should help farmers buy new climate tech. "When the farmers are making money that means there more cash more money for fencing off waterways and bringing in new technology to help the environment."
RNZ News
02-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
PM's new science advisor John Roche
Chief science advisor Dr John Roche Photo: Supplied The Prime Minister's new chief science advisor, John Roche, is getting underway with his new job, a year after the position was vacated by his predecessor Dame Juliet Gerrard. John Roche was previously the Chief Science Advisor at the Ministry of Primary Industries.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Chief Science Advisor Needs Courage To Take Honest Look At GE Failures
Press Release – GE Free NZ The new Chief Scientist should recommend aligning research investment with the existing value food chain to preserve New Zealands healthy, high quality food that is GE Free. The Government's newly appointed chief science advisor Mr John Roche, must have the courage to advise and deprioritise investments in New Zealand GE trials that have failed to deliver. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as quoted in the NZ Herald has said 'I also expect them to provide bold and courageous advice about those areas that aren't delivering value for New Zealanders and may need to be deprioritised. It's about making sure we are investing in what will have the greatest impact for New Zealanders.' [1] This points directly to being honest and aware about the poor performance of all New Zealand field trials of genetically engineered / modified organisms. After 25 years and the millions of dollars of public funds given to GE at the expense of other research and development (R&D) sectors, none of the outcomes provide any solutions to help advance farmers productivity. [2] 'The areas that need courageous advice and halting of investment should be focused toward the failure of the NZ GE field trials' said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ 'To date, every New Zealand GE field trial has failed and not delivered on investment. Investing and supporting existing traditional non-GE cultivars that are being used today would have to greatest value, impact and public good for New Zealanders.' New Zealand benefits from diverse farming practices using high performing mixed pastures, grass fed animals and humane husbandry practices with superior animal breeds that are resistant to foot rot and worms. Organic milk produced from grass fed animals with no pesticides used or GE in the product chain is attracting a premium for milk solids of $11.50-$12.50/kg. [3] The new Chief Scientist should recommend aligning research investment with the existing value food chain to preserve New Zealand's healthy, high quality food that is GE Free. Safe, natural food is what the consumers in export markets want and a marketing advantage for New Zealand. This is threatened by deregulation in the Gene Technology Bill. If we lose our export advantage it harms the regional and rural sector economy which currently benefit from the export market and consumer choice for GE-free produce. The concerns about the Gene Technology Bill are reflected in the petition by Lisa Er which closes on 17 June. [4] The Prime Minister has asked for Mr Roche's advice. He should support the recommendations of independent watchdog Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility (PSGRNZ) to set up an inquiry into The Gene Technology Bill and for major changes to the science funding system. [4]
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Chief Science Advisor Needs Courage To Take Honest Look At GE Failures
The Government's newly appointed chief science advisor Mr John Roche, must have the courage to advise and deprioritise investments in New Zealand GE trials that have failed to deliver. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as quoted in the NZ Herald has said "I also expect them to provide bold and courageous advice about those areas that aren't delivering value for New Zealanders and may need to be deprioritised. It's about making sure we are investing in what will have the greatest impact for New Zealanders." [1] This points directly to being honest and aware about the poor performance of all New Zealand field trials of genetically engineered / modified organisms. After 25 years and the millions of dollars of public funds given to GE at the expense of other research and development (R&D) sectors, none of the outcomes provide any solutions to help advance farmers productivity. [2] "The areas that need courageous advice and halting of investment should be focused toward the failure of the NZ GE field trials" said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ "To date, every New Zealand GE field trial has failed and not delivered on investment. Investing and supporting existing traditional non-GE cultivars that are being used today would have to greatest value, impact and public good for New Zealanders." New Zealand benefits from diverse farming practices using high performing mixed pastures, grass fed animals and humane husbandry practices with superior animal breeds that are resistant to foot rot and worms. Organic milk produced from grass fed animals with no pesticides used or GE in the product chain is attracting a premium for milk solids of $11.50-$12.50/kg. [3] The new Chief Scientist should recommend aligning research investment with the existing value food chain to preserve New Zealand's healthy, high quality food that is GE Free. Safe, natural food is what the consumers in export markets want and a marketing advantage for New Zealand. This is threatened by deregulation in the Gene Technology Bill. If we lose our export advantage it harms the regional and rural sector economy which currently benefit from the export market and consumer choice for GE-free produce. The concerns about the Gene Technology Bill are reflected in the petition by Lisa Er which closes on 17 June. [4] The Prime Minister has asked for Mr Roche's advice. He should support the recommendations of independent watchdog Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility (PSGRNZ) to set up an inquiry into The Gene Technology Bill and for major changes to the science funding system. [4] References [2] [3] [4] [5]
