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Defense Attorney Alleges Undercover FBI Agent Spent $25,000 on Strip Clubs and Prostitutes for Himself and Targets
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com The pre-trial battle continues in a Los Angeles case in which the defense claims an undercover FBI agent spent taxpayer dollars on prostitutes in the Phiippines for himself and three targets of a gun trafficking sting. The latest: Federal defender John Littrell filed a motion Tuesday on behalf of his client…
Feds Seek forfeiture of home of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Accused of Bank Fraud
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com DETROIT — An FBI investigation has prompted the federal government to seek forfeiture of the home of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway on accusations that she and her husband defrauded a bank of $600,000 in mortgage debt, the Detroit News reports U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade ‘s office wrote in a criminal…
Undercover FBI Agent Kept Tabs on Three California Men Accused of Plotting Terrorist Attacks
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Three California men charged with plotting terrorist attacks on Americans and military bases overseas were planning to join the Taliban in Afghanistan and eventually fight for al-Qaida, the FBI said, the Associated Press reports. Little did they know, an undercover agent was recording their conversations. “The main lesson learned is: Don’t underestimate…
FBI Seizes Records at Detroit Library System in Corruption Probe
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com DETROIT — FBI agents seized records and computer equipment from the Detroit Library System to investigate kickbacks involving a top official Tuesday, the Detroit News reports. Agents also raided the home of chief administrative officer Tim Cromer, who is accused of personally profiting from contracts. The raid is just the latest in Detroit,…
FBI: Number of Police Killed Rises Over Year Before
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the U.S. and Puerto Rico rose from 72 in 2011 from 56 the previous year, according to newly released FBI data, the AP reports. Of the 72 fatalities, most involved an officer trying to make an arrest. Most of…
Attorney General Eric Holder to Keep Top Job for Another Year
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Attorney General Eric Holder will stay on the job for another year during President Obama’s second term, Fox News reports. Citing senior administration officials, Fox News said Obama wants to prevent a mass exodus from his administration at the end of his first term. That follows news that Secretary of State Hillary…
Retired DEA Agent Busted in Prostitution Ring in Florida
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A retired DEA agent was arrested on accusations of trying to buy sex from an undercover officer in Palm Bay, Florida, WDBO reports. The former agent, David Costa, 76, was nabbed as part of a sting operation undercover officers posing as prostitutes, WDBO reported. “It just sometimes amazes me how many people…
Editorial: Reno Dispute Between Justice Department and ATF Must End Now
Reno Gazette-Journal Editorial The ongoing dispute between the Reno offices of the U.S. Attorney and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — a dispute that should have been resolved months ago in the interest of effective law enforcement — has gone from the absurd to the downright dangerous. The rift, more than a…