Former Labor MP Craig Thomson charged over alleged migration fraud

Former federal Labor MP Craig Thomson has been charged over his alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar migration fraud.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers arrested Mr Thomson, 57, at his Terrigal home on the NSW Central Coast this morning.

It's alleged he was the "prime facilitator" of the scheme.

Mr Thomson was charged with two offences, including providing false documents relating to non-citizens.

If convicted, he faces a maximum 10 years behind bars.

The former member for Dobell allegedly facilitated more than 130 fraudulent visa applications, focusing on food service employees and regional farm workers, over four years.

It's alleged Mr Thomson gained more than $2 million from the scheme.

Police claim the scheme was designed to defraud legitimate visa programs.

The charges were triggered by an Australian Border Force (ABF) investigation into allegations of significant visa and migration fraud, dating back to August 2019.

A total of nine search warrants were executed, including at premises in the Sydney suburbs of Revesby and Rockdale.

ABF Assistant Commissioner Erin Dale said authorities were determined to clamp down on so-called "cash for visa" schemes.

"This investigation demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the ABF and AFP in preventing the exploitation of foreign workers in Australia," she said.

"Cash for visa schemes as they are often known target vulnerable visa holders who may not be aware of Australian laws and workplace entitlements."

Mr Thomson is expected to face Gosford Local Court today.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-17/craig-thomson-charged-over-alleged-migration-fraud/100627382

Maryland Mayor Arrested On 50 Counts Of Distributing Revenge Porn On Reddit

A Maryland mayor was arrested and charged with 50 counts of distributing revenge porn, Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III announced Monday.

Charges were filed against Andrew Bradshaw, the mayor of Cambridge, in the Circuit Court for Dorchester County, according to a statement from Howard’s office.

Bradshaw allegedly created multiple accounts on the public Internet forum Reddit using variations of the name and birthday of a victim with whom he had a previous romantic relationship, according to court documents.

The mayor is accused of having posted nude photographs of the victim to various Reddit and subreddit forums related to sexual activity, humiliation, degradation, race, and other topics, alongside racial slurs and sexually explicit language without her consent or knowledge and with the intent to harm her.

As per court documents, the victim, who is in her 20s, contacted law enforcement on or around May 14, 2020 when she discovered that the nude photographs of her had been posted to Reddit without her consent.

The victim told officers that she had only shared the photographs in question with one person, Bradshaw, when they were in an intimate relationship, but had not given him consent to share them.

His alleged actions are in violation of Maryland’s Revenge Porn Statute, the state prosecutor said.

Under Maryland’s Revenge Porn Statute, an individual may not distribute private images, video footage, or any reproduction of the image of another person that reveals their identity while exposing their intimate body parts or displays them engaged in sexual activity, without their consent and with the intent to harm them.

If convicted, Bradshaw would face a maximum penalty of two years’ in jail and a $5,000 fine for each count.

“Using someone’s private images without their consent is a serious breach of trust and invasion of privacy, and the power and breadth of the Internet makes such a violation even more egregious,” said State Prosecutor Howard.

“Our office is committed to protecting victims from those who abuse their positions of power and trust.”

In a statement posted to Cambridge’s website, the city said it is “aware of the matter involving the Mayor” but that “the business of the City is unaffected.”

“The City is currently gathering information and will cooperate fully with the Maryland State Police and the Office of the State Prosecutor,” the statement said. “As this is an active legal matter, no further comments will be made at this time.”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/maryland-mayor-arrested-50-counts-distributing-revenge-porn-reddit