Matt Gaetz paid 'sex trafficker' Joel Greenberg $900 via Venmo who then forwarded money to three women: Auditors find $300,000 in suspicious or unjustified expenses between the 'arrogant' duo

Matt Gaetz reportedly paid accused sex trafficker Joel Greenberg $900 in 2018

The transactions were made late at night via Venmo, The Daily Beast reported

Early the next morning Greenberg distributed $900 to three women

None of the women were under the legal age of consent

One of the women, 18 at the time, is now working as a porn actress

Gaetz and Greenberg are both connected through Venmo to the woman

Greenberg is being investigated for $300,000 in suspicious expenses

Gaetz's friend is in jail, but is cooperating and will likely take a plea deal

That move will put more legal pressure on the embattled Florida Republican

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9452025/Matt-Gaetz-paid-accused-sex-trafficker-Joel-Greenberg-900-Venmo-paid-three-women-app.html

>>13388078

Lobbyist for Brutal African Dictator Under Consideration for Key Diplomatic Post

Amos Hochstein lobbied for African dictator accused of cannibalism

President Joe Biden is considering tapping a lobbyist who represented a brutal African dictator to serve in a crucial diplomatic position.

On Wednesday, Politico reported that the Biden administration is in talks with Amos Hochstein to lead its efforts to cut off the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a project commissioned by Russian president Vladimir Putin. The project, which is nearing completion, would connect vital oil and gas resources via a pipeline from Russia to Germany.

Before joining the Obama administration in 2011, Hochstein worked for five years at Cassidy and Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm. Hochstein's portfolio included services for Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the president of Equatorial Guinea and Africa's longest serving dictator. Obiang, a former prison administrator, wrestled power from his uncle in 1979 and ordered the execution of his brother in the process. Under Obiang's leadership, Equatorial Guinea touts a record as one of the world's worst human rights abusers.

Equatorial Guinea regularly sees the detention of journalists and violent torture from police forces, placing the country among the least free places in the world, according to the human rights nonprofit Freedom House. Obiang's agents have been accused of urinating on and maiming prisoners. Obiang himself has been alleged to cannibalize his political enemies.

As a vice president at Cassidy, Hochstein led the lobbying firm's work with the Obiang government for a time. According to the 2012 book Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power, Cassidy entered into a contract with the regime after a failed coup attempt, seeing an opportunity to let the regime "break out of Washington's punishment box" for African dictators. Cassidy prepared talking points for the Obiang government in conversations with United States officials, by which Obiang intended to transform his image in Washington foreign policy circles.

Hochstein defended his work with the regime, saying Obiang's government "has taken some serious steps that are moving the country in the right direction" and that his work helped "move the ball forward on human rights" in the country.

"He's convinced me of his deep care for his people," Hochstein told the Washington Post in 2006. "I've seen the changes."

Hochstein declined comment. Cassidy Associates did not respond to a request for comment.

Since 2006, the situation in Equatorial Guinea has arguably gotten worse. In August 2017, Equatorial Guinean authorities arrested two journalists for critical coverage of the regime. A coup attempt also in 2017 led to the extensive torture and jailing of political dissidents.

Hochstein stepped away from the Equatorial Guinea account and initially expressed discomfort with the relationship, according to the 2012 book. Cassidy earned more than $1 million a year for the duration of the contract. Hochstein later left Cassidy to join then-senator Chris Dodd's (D., Conn.) presidential campaign in 2007.

In January, the Biden administration set up stringent rules for hiring personnel. Executive orders on ethics issued by the White House restrict outgoing administration officials' ability to lobby and implement a waiver process for some lobbyists to work in specific government agencies.

Hochstein's potential post comes with high political stakes. Congressional Republicans have been calling for a tougher stance on Russia's pipeline project, as some say the Biden administration has been all talk and no action on cutting Moscow off from such a potentially valuable resource.

The White House did not return a request for comment.

https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/lobbyist-for-brutal-african-dictator-under-consideration-for-key-diplomatic-post/

American Jewish Congress Whines About ‘Attack’ From Torba Despite Smearing Gab First

"We wear Gab founder Andrew Torba’s recent attacks on us with a badge of honor."

The American Jewish Congress picked a fight with Gab, and is now whining about “attacks” from CEO Andrew Torba who dared to respond to their unfounded and disreputable claims.

National File reported on Thursday on a press release from the AJC, which claimed that popular America First Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s use of Gab, the free speech social media network, to raise money from her supporters is a “threat to democracy.” The group claimed, without evidence, that the platform is “favoured by Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and supporters of the anti-Semitic QAnon conspiracy theory movement.”

Andrew Torba, the CEO of Gab, responded to the smears from the AJC yesterday, noting that they have provided “ZERO evidence of ANY ‘incitement to violence’ on Gab that they claim exists here” because the site’s “zero tolerance” policy for threats results in them being removed almost immediately:

If people are discussing other topics that trigger the American Jewish Congress they are going to have to suck it up and deal with it because it’s not getting removed just because they don’t like it. Gab is a force to be reckoned with for the 2022 and 2024 political cycles. [Representative Marjorie Greene] is proof of that, which is why the Oligarchs are going to work even harder to attack Gab and shut us down.

Following Torba’s response to the unfounded smears, the AJC turned around and claimed that Torba and Gab were actually the ones attacking them, not the other way around. “We’re not going to mince words: Gab is a platform populated with Holocaust denying white supremacists and neo-Nazis,” the AJC tweeted. “We wear Gab founder Andrew Torba’s recent attacks on us with a badge of honour.”

“Hilarious and pathetic to play the victim card as THEY attack Gab,” Torba responded in a post on the free speech platform. This is not the first time that Gab has been falsely labelled as anti-Semitic. Texas Governor Greg Abbott had previously slammed the platform as being so, with the Texas GOP later voting to censor themselves and remove their account. However, their Chairman, Allen West pushed back on this decision, and later made a Gab account of his own.

https://nationalfile.com/american-jewish-congress-whines-about-attack-from-torba-despite-smearing-gab-first/

HSI Northern Kentucky investigation results in lengthy federal child exploitation sentence

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As the result of a Northern Kentucky Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigation, a Kentucky man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on Wednesday for production of child pornography.

The announcement was made on April 7, by the acting U.S. Attorney for the eastern district of Kentucky.

“One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization,” said Jerry C. Templet, Jr, special agent in charge, HSI Nashville. “Our agents are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect children from exploitation by predators involved with the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material. This case is a good example of how HSI uses the latest technology to collect evidence and track the activities of the perpetrators who commit these heinous crimes.”

Johnathan Scott Mason, 27, of Paris, Kentucky, pleaded guilty in January 2021. According to his plea agreement, in March 2020, law enforcement officers discovered Mason’s activity on the social media application (app), Kik. On this app, Mason expressed a sexual interest in children and said that he had sexually explicit images of minors, which he had produced. Mason admitted that he knew that the visual depictions were produced and transported using the Internet.

HSI was assisted in the investigation by the Kentucky State Police-Electronic Crimes Branch.

Under federal law, Mason must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life.

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-northern-kentucky-investigation-results-lengthy-federal-child-exploitation

HSI investigates a Michigan man for exploiting children results in 50 year sentence

DETROIT — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigation of a Michigan man suspected of sexually exploiting children resulted in a lengthy federal prison sentence.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge for the Western District of Michigan made the announcement.

Duane Richard Forrest, 48, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, was sentenced to a total of fifty years for photographing and videotaping his sexual exploitation of two boys in their early teens. He was also ordered to pay $10,200 in special assessments.

“HSI special agents have a unique mission of protecting the homeland by targeting criminals that exploit our borders, both physically and virtually,” said Vance Callender, special agent in charge, HSI Detroit. “Child sex abuse is a particularly heinous crime that often is perpetrated online, behind a perceived mask of anonymity. HSI works with its state and local partners to bring a network of international resources and foreign law enforcement counterparts to bare against those who seek to exploit our most vulnerable.”

In 2020, witnesses told law enforcement that Forrest had sexually abused two minors he had befriended. Police obtained a search warrant for Forrest’s home and found sexual pictures and videos of multiple children, including the two minors that witnesses had identified. Federal and local authorities then jointly investigated the full scope of Forrest’s criminal activity.

Forrest was charged federally for producing child pornography and eventually pled guilty. A federal charge related to his possession of child pornography that included images obtained on-line was dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement, but the court could still consider that conduct under federal sentencing guidelines.

U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney sentenced him to 25 years in prison for his exploitation of each of the victims. He ordered that the sentences be served consecutively, meaning Forrest’s total federal sentence is 50 years in prison.

“The trauma of sexual abuse can last decades, even a lifetime,” said Birge. “Mr. Forrest’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the enduring harm caused when offenders record and preserve their abhorrent exploitation of minors in visual media. Thanks to a partnership between Homeland Security Investigations and Chippewa County, Mr. Forrest was caught and will never be able to victimize the young again.”

“The work these officers did brought justice to the young victims of this crime. I am very proud of everyone involved in this investigation. There is nothing more important than keeping our children safe from predators like Mr. Forrest,” said Sheriff Michael D. Bitnar of Chippewa County.

Forrest was also separately charged in state court and has pled guilty to a state criminal sexual conduct offense, which encompasses additional unrecorded abuse. A sentencing hearing on the state charge is scheduled for later this month.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin J. Hakes prosecuted the federal case. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crime and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse and help make the internet a safer place for children.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-investigates-michigan-man-exploiting-children-results-50-year-sentence

HSI investigation leads to 40 years in prison for child exploitation of an infant

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigation resulted in a 480-month federal prison sentence on Wednesday for an individual guilty of committing child exploitation offenses involving a nine-month-old child.

The acting U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Tennessee made the announcement April 7, in Knoxville.

“Each year, millions of children fall prey to sexual predators,” said Jerry C. Templet, Jr, special agent in charge, HSI Nashville. “HSI agents make it a top priority to protect vulnerable children from victimization by working with their law enforcement partners to investigate predators involved with the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material and ensure they are held accountable for their heinous actions. I commend our agents for their tireless efforts in this case, which resulted in a guilty plea and a lengthy federal prison sentence for the offender.”

Anthony Brett Banks, 30, formerly of Kannapolis, North Carolina, previously pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with transportation of child pornography and causing another person to transport and ship child pornography in interstate commerce.

According to court documents, Banks sexually abused his nine-month-old biological daughter, created digital videos of the abuse, and traded several of the images with someone he met in an online room dedicated to sexually abusing animals. The person with whom Banks swapped the images was located in east Tennessee.

Upon his release from prison, Banks is subject to 10 years of supervised release and is required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions.

Hamilton County (Tennessee) sheriff’s office and the North Carolina state bureau of investigation assisted HSI with the investigation.

“The US Attorney’s Office, along with its law enforcement partners, is committed to apprehending child sex predators wherever they operate. Today’s sentence sends a strong message to sexual predators and demonstrates our commitment to protecting the community’s most vulnerable victims,” said Francis M. Hamilton III, acting U.S. attorney.

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-investigation-leads-40-years-prison-child-exploitation-infant

Early vote count shows union defeat at Amazon warehouse in Alabama and liberals are melting down

They were hoping the vote would spark more unionization across the country

A highly anticipated union vote among Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, appeared to be headed toward defeat for the union, and many liberals on Twitter are very angry about it.

The vote count will resume Friday but with half of the votes counted Thursday, only 463 votes supported unionization, while 1,100 votes opposed unionization, more than a 2 to 1 margin.

A total of 3,215 votes were cast in the vote that is being overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.

The unionization effort needs 1,608 votes to win, a "nearly insurmountable climb" according to NBC News.

Some on the left took to Twitter to express their fury and frustration with the failure to unionize Amazon.

"Not surprised at the disappointing Amazon union vote so far," said Nathan Robinson, editor of Current Affairs.

Not surprised at the disappointing Amazon union vote so far. No matter how hard organizers work, when the wealthies… https://t.co/EdjIL5YWuD

— Nathan J Robinson (@Nathan J Robinson)1617920633.0

"No matter how hard organizers work, when the wealthiest man in the world is pulling out all of the stops to terrify workers & lie to them about unions, and actively punishes people for being pro-union, it's hard to win," Robinson said.

"I think a lot of folks really, really want Amazon workers to win, and it's amazing to see, but the reality is that union campaigns are rigged against workers in the best of circumstances, let alone when you're taking on Amazon," replied unionist C.M. Lewis.

"This Amazon union vote is another good lesson on how out of touch online politics is with the realities on the ground. It's like night and day," said another user who identified himself as a "Hillary Clinton Democrat."

"The most likely outcome in these situations is that the employer successfully busts the union by instilling fear and uncertainty into the workers, and even those workers that were initially in favor of organizing into a union get afraid and change their mind," said associate professor Rebecca Givan at Rutgers University.

Despite the apparent defeat in Bessemer, Alabama, unions will likely get a boost from efforts by the Biden administration to pass the "Pro Act," which would force more Americans to pay into unions, and dismantle protections against union intrusion at the state level.

Here's more about the Amazon union vote:

https://www.theblaze.com/news/amazon-union-bessemer-fail

>>13388178

I'll go scrape it, back in 10

>>13388178

#16957

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