Media Dragon: RIP Tax Watchdog: Scammers used fake ads on Google and X to lead victims to sites that looked like real crypto sites and got access to and drained wallets, stole $59 million

Bloomberg, Longtime Tax Watchdog J. Russell George Dies After Illness:

J. Russell George, who served as a key IRS watchdog for nearly two decades, most notably during the 2013 controversy over groups’ applications for tax-exempt status—died earlier this week after a lengthy illness.

George had served as the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration since 2004, after being nominated by then-President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate. His death was announced Wednesday by Acting Inspector General Heather Hill. ...

In May 2013, George’s office released what became a bombshell report finding that the IRS had subjected conservative groups’ applications for tax-exempt status to extra scrutiny and delays, triggering a political firestorm for the agency and the Obama administration. Democrats criticized George at the time for leaving out the fact that liberal groups also faced extra IRS scrutiny. George said he didn’t know about the scrutiny of progressive groups until after the initial report was released. ...

He grew up in New York City and earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard University and his law degree from Harvard University.

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Acting Inspector General Heather M. Hill Announces Passing of the Honorable J. Russell George, Long-Serving Inspector General for Tax Administration

Omaha World Herald, Creighton Law Professor to Appear on New Fox Game Show:

Earlier this year, Victoria Haneman got on a plane and flew to Ireland to participate in a game show.

The Creighton University law professor knew it was a game show. Beyond that, the details were a mystery.

At 9 p.m. the night before filming started, Haneman learned the show was called “The Floor,” hosted by actor Rob Lowe. It will air on Fox starting Jan. 2 at 8 p.m.

“’The Floor’ is a spectacular battle of the brains in which 81 contestants stand on 81 squares on a massive game show floor, competing for a $250,000 grand prize,” Fox said in a press release.

In the show, the contestants have their own topic of expertise like hip-hop, rock stars, slogans, dogs or popular books. Contestants face someone from another square in a quiz duel. The winner of the duel advances, and the loser leaves the game.

In her job as a law professor at Creighton, Haneman’s expertise is everything related to tax and death. In the show, her expertise was tourist hot spots.

FBI obtains the conviction of 33 spies

India arrests 36 at call center phoning those in the US, pretending to be Bank of America, wanting to increase security measures, and having people buy gift cards