News Story
FBI Busts Menacing Trio in Loan-Sharking Ring in Brooklyn
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com An unlikely alliance between gangsters and the mafia was discovered by the FBI during an investigation of a loan-sharking ring, the New York Post reports. The newspaper wrote that the Brooklyn-based FBI arrested purported Gambino crime family member James Ferrara, alleged Westies gang member Daniel Hanley and reputed Demon Knights motorcycle gangster…
Justice Department Investigates Albuquerque Police Department for Use of Excessive Force
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The Justice Department is launching an investigation of the Albuquerque Police Department following more than two dozen shootings, the New York Times reports. The probe is to determine whether police used excessive force, including unreasonable deadly force, against suspects. “We will peel the onion to its core, and we will leave no…
Terror Suspects Claim FBI Agents Assaulted Them During Interrogation
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Four men accused of killing 76 people who were watching a 2010 World Cup soccer game on TV in Uganda claim FBI agents beat them up during questioning, the Huffington Post reports. The suspects were punched, kicked and ridiculed, according to complaints to the Open Society Justice Initiative, an international rights group….
Retired FBI Agent Mark Stephen Jimerson Dies at Age 59
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Mark Stephen Jimerson, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, died last Thursday at his home in Mitchellville, Md., from a brain-related cancer. He was was 59. In February 1985, Jimerson was assigned to the FBI’s Tampa office, his first posting in the agency. While in Florida, he studied intensive Russian, according…
Feds Shut Down 132 Websites for Selling Knockoff Items
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Federal law enforcement authorities seized 132 domain names worldwide because they were selling counterfeit merchandise online, the Associated Press reports. The Cyber Monday crackdown, which comes during the heaviest online shopping day, was the third annual effort to target knockoff clothes, DVDs and other goods. Authorities seized the sites after confirming authenticity…
Court: FBI Didn’t Entrap Indianapolis City Councilman in Bribery Scheme
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A member of the Indianapolis City Council and former police officer cannot argue he was entrapped by the FBI for accepting bribes from an undercover agent, the 7th Circuit has ruled, Courthouse News Service reports. Lincoln Plowman came under scrutiny after developing a reputation for “questionable use of the power and influence…
Justice Department Takes Over Rep. Michael Grimm Investigation
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The Justice Department is leading an investigation to determine if Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., a former FBI agent, violated the law when he solicited campaign cash from foreign nationals in exchange for helping an Israeli obtain a green card, USA Today reports. The House Ethics Committee voted unanimously to hand the probe…
Twitter, Facebook Help FBI Track Down Next Wave of Securities Fraud
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Agents searching for securities fraud rely heavily on social media such as Twitter and Facebook to find inside traders, Reuters reports. Agents said inside traders use advances in technology and social media to communicate. “I will tell you technology will play a huge part, social media, Twitter. Any kind of technology…