Hadari Oshri sued for copyright infringement in 2017

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: On June 22, 2021, Hadari Oshri –Marc Lubaszka’s business partner– filed a frivolous civil harassment restraining order (CHRO) against Investor News reporter Aitana Vargas to stop the publication of her investigative series “A Special Report: The Harrowing Impunity of White-Collar crime,” and any subsequent installments or future media coverage. On August 3, 2021, Vargas filed an...

Russian government employees charged in historical hacking campaigns targeting critical infrastructure worldwide

Defendants’ Separate Campaigns Both Targeted Software and Hardware for Operational Technology Systems The Department of Justice has unsealed two indictments charging four defendants –all Russian nationals who worked for the Russian government– with attempting, supporting and conducting computer intrusions that together, in two separate conspiracies, targeted the global energy sector between 2012 and 2018. In total, these hacking campaigns targeted...

ACI Optimistic for Growth Potential of USMJ, PURA and PJET from Federal Marijuana Legalization

Dallas (TX), March 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ACI Conglomerated, the majority shareholder of North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (OTC Pink: USMJ), Puration, Inc. (OTC Pink: PURA) and Priority Aviation, Inc. (OTC Pink: PJET) today expressed optimism for the potential impact of federal marijuana legalization on the three holdings. House lawmakers are expected to vote next week on the Marijuana...

Women’s History Month Event: SEC to Host Free Virtual Financial Fraud Webinar

Washington D.C. — On March 29, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET the Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office, in coordination with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Tau Omega Chapter, will celebrate women’s history month with a free investor education panel discussion about staying safe from financial fraud. The panel will feature four women from the SEC’s New York...

SEC Proposes Amendments to Remove References to Credit Ratings from Regulation M

Washington D.C. — The Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to propose changes that would remove the references to credit rating agencies from existing exceptions provided in Rule 101 and Rule 102 of Regulation M, a set of rules designed to preserve market integrity by prohibiting activities that could artificially influence the market for an offered security. "In Section 939A...

FBI crime report released: Victims lost $6.9b to internet-enabled scams in 2021

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has released its annual report. The 2021 Internet Crime Report (pdf) includes information from 847,376 complaints of suspected internet crime—a 7% increase from 2020—and reported losses exceeding $6.9 billion. State-specific statistics have also been released and can be found within the 2021 Internet Crime Report and in the accompanying 2021 State Reports. The top three cyber crimes reported by...

FTC: Reports of romance scams hit record highs in 2021

Online dating can be a great way to find lasting love – or even your next fling. But reports to the FTC suggest it also creates opportunities for scammers. In the past five years, people have reported losing a staggering $1.3 billion to romance scams, more than any other FTC fraud category. The numbers have skyrocketed in recent years,...

SEC Proposes Rules to Enhance and Standardize Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors

Washington D.C., March 21, 2022 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today proposed rule changes that would require registrants to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports, including information about climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business, results of operations, or financial condition, and certain climate-related financial statement metrics...

DTLA residents arrested in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud scheme

Los Angeles – Two downtown Los Angeles residents were arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging they fraudulently obtained more than $300,000 – and attempted to obtain an additional $1 million – in COVID-relief loans for several companies they claimed to own and operate. Sean Schoepflin, 42, a.k.a. “Sean Fitzgerald,” and Erika Leon, 44, a.k.a. “Erika Fitzgerald,” are each charged...

SEC proposes rules on cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance, and incident disclosure by public companies

Washington D.C. — The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed amendments to its rules to enhance and standardize disclosures regarding cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance, and incident reporting by public companies. "Over the years, our disclosure regime has evolved to reflect evolving risks and investor needs," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. "Today, cybersecurity is an emerging risk with which public...