Billionaires Are Bad: Revisiting 50 Shades of Grey in the Age of Mega-Rich Creepers

Two Men Charged For Hacking US Tax Preparation Firms

Victorian woman sentenced for defrauding the ATO of $452,000

 A Victorian woman was sentenced yesterday (20 November, 2024) to three years and six months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 20 months, for defrauding the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) of $452,000 and attempting to swindle a further $245,000 across a 15-month period.

The woman, 44, pleaded guilty to four offences in Ballarat County Court in June, 2024

ATO Deputy Commissioner and Chief of the SFCT John Ford welcomed the sentence.

“Once again, this case demonstrates the SFCT’s ability to deliver a whole-of-government response to target criminal behaviour,, sending a clear message to the community that we bring those who exploit the tax and super system to account for their actions,” Mr Ford 

Mid West cucumber farmer suspected of tax fraud after shocking find during routine stop at airport 

A Mid West cucumber farmer — nabbed at Perth Airport with nearly $700,000 in cash in dual backpacks — has been forced to surrender the money, which authorities believe was being shifted to avoid paying tax.

The 52-year-old first came into the sights of the Australian Federal Police in 2021, when his flights from Adelaide to Perth and then on to Geraldton crossed paths with a routine patrol by an airport canine unit.

What the dog had sniffed out were multiple bundles of $50 and $100 notes — which the man initially claimed were cash payments as part of his vegetable business.

While the money and other documents were seized, he was let go without charge, pending further inquiries.

Those inquiries by the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce honed in on the man’s financial activities amid growing suspicions of significant tax 

 

In an interview with Terry Gross and David Remnick, former Washington Post editor Marty Baron offered a dire warning about Trump and the media

 

Billionaires Are Bad: Revisiting 50 Shades of Grey in the Age of Mega-Rich Creepers Literary Hub

Trump Nominates Corporate Lobbyist and Foreclosure Fraudsters Defender Pam Bondi as Attorney General

Pam Bondi has a terrible record as far as going after corporate misconduct is concerned, which explains Senate enthusiasm for her.

International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Former Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant

After a long delay, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against the open genociders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.

Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, November 16, 2024 – Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex and wide ranging ways technology is used to compromise and diminish our privacy and online security, often without our situational awareness. 

Four highlights from this week: Warning: Hackers could take over your email account by stealing cookies, even if you have MFA; US regulator could impose bank-like state supervision regime on Google; ome of Substack’s Biggest Newsletters Rely on AI Writing Tools; FBI, CISA, and NSA reveal most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023; and Federal CIO focused on cyber, smooth transition in months ahead.

Trump Sends Clowns to Cabinet Confirmation Circus Karl Rove, WSJ

Trump takes Washington by storm: What to make of returning president’s cabinet picks? France24

Gaetz sent over $10K in Venmo payments to 2 women who testified in House probe, records suggest ABC

Police report reveals sordid details of sex assault allegations against Trump defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth Daily Mail

Trump confirms plans to use the military to assist in mass deportations New York Times. November 18

Rand Paul breaks with Trump on using military for mass deportations: ‘Huge mistake’ Politico

Texas offers Trump land for migrant ‘deportation facilities’ BBC

Tom Homan says Trump admin will ‘absolutely’ use gifted Texas land for deportation program The Hill

Los Angeles passes ‘sanctuary city’ ordinance to protect migrants from mass deportation under Trump France24