Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday Scams

Phoenix, Arizona - ‘Tis the season for holiday gifting, and many shoppers will go online this time of year to find the best deals on popular items. But the sellers you buy from may not be what they seem. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Arizona ranked 14 out of all 50 states in the number of alleged scam victims reported in 2020, with more than 13,000 consumers claiming a reported total loss of more than $72 million across the state. This year, FBI Phoenix wants local shoppers to enjoy a scam-free holiday season by remaining vigilant against the following schemes.

Thanksgiving Gesture

Omaha, Nebraska - Michelle Kaiser, owner of the Omaha Bakery in Nebraska, says her workers were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and was grateful when a customer decided to show them, he cared, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. 

Panamanian Intermediary Pleads Guilty in Connection with International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme

New York - Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares (Luis Martinelli Linares), 39, a citizen of Panama and Italy, pleaded guilty Thursday in the Eastern District of New York before U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie for laundering $28 million in connection with a massive bribery and money laundering scheme involving Odebrecht S.A. (Odebrecht), a Brazil-based global construction conglomerate.

Governor Ducey, Law Enforcement Leaders Announce Deployment Of Holiday DUI Enforcement Task Force

Phoenix, Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey Thursday kicked off a press conference with state and local law enforcement officials and industry leaders to discuss the dangers of driving under the influence and announce the annual deployment of a DUI enforcement task force.

Barge Company Will Pay Over $15 Million for Injuries to Natural Resources Resulting from Oil Spill in Houston Ship Channel

Houston, Texas - Houston, Texas-based Kirby Inland Marine LP has agreed to pay $15.3 million in damages and assessment costs under the Oil Pollution Act to resolve federal and state claims for injuries to natural resources resulting from an oil spill from a Kirby barge, after a collision Kirby caused.