Crimes and Courts
FBI searches Detroit-area home of UAW president
Published
7 years agoon
DETROIT (AP) — Federal agents on Wednesday searched the suburban Detroit home of the president of the United Auto Workers, apparently another step in a corruption investigation that has netted labor leaders and auto industry officials, and damaged the union’s reputation during contract talks with U.S. car companies.
The UAW criticized the remarkable search of Gary Jones’ home in Canton Township, insisting it has fully cooperated with authorities.
“President Jones is determined to uncover and address any and all wrongdoing, wherever it might lead,” the UAW said in a written statement. “There was absolutely no need for search warrants to be used by the government today.
“The UAW has voluntarily responded to every request the government has made throughout the course of its investigation, produced literally hundreds of thousands of documents and other materials to the government, and most importantly, when wrongdoing has been discovered, we have taken strong action to address it,” the union said.
FBI spokeswoman Mara Schneider confirmed the search but declined further comment. TV stations aired video of agents outside Jones’ home. Agents also searched the Corona, California, home of former UAW President Dennis Williams and the union’s northern Michigan retreat.
“Extraordinary is way overused but this is extraordinary. … There’s a huge amount of information to speculate on. But a lot of it will not be informed until we see much more evidence as to why and what has taken place,” said Harley Shaiken, a labor expert at the University of California-Berkeley.
He said Jones, an accountant who has been president for 14 months, has been an effective leader who has repeatedly declared corruption won’t be tolerated.
Since 2017, eight people have pleaded guilty in an investigation of union officials and Fiat Chrysler executives enriching themselves with money from a job training center in Detroit. The probe appeared to widen two weeks ago when a former UAW official was charged with accepting kickbacks from union vendors. Mike Grimes was associated with a UAW-General Motors training center.
For two years, the union has dealt with unflattering stories about senior leaders turning the UAW-Fiat Chrysler center into a personal piggy bank. The government said General Holiefield, who was responsible for negotiating with Fiat Chrysler on behalf of the union, had a $262,000 mortgage paid off in 2014. He died in 2015.
Norwood Jewell, who moved into Holiefield’s job, was recently sentenced to 15 months in prison. His plea deal listed $60,000 in meals and golf paid with training center credit cards. Credit cards also were used for more than $40,000 in purchases for Jewell and others.
Al Iacobelli , Fiat Chrysler’s chief negotiator against the UAW, also enjoyed the spoils and is serving a 5 ½-year sentence. He was ordered to repay $835,000.
Some blue-collar workers are skeptical about whether the union is representing their interests in current contract talks with GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler. Contracts with the three expire on Sept. 14.
“Profit-laden auto companies stand to benefit from media leaks, false assumptions and political grandstanding,” the UAW said in response to the search warrants. “The sole focus of president Jones and his team will be winning at the bargaining table for our members.”
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Crimes and Courts
Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud
Published
2 weeks agoon
April 15, 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, a multi-agency initiative aimed at strengthening investigations and prosecutions of fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.
As part of the effort, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss has been appointed as special prosecutor to oversee complex, multi-circuit fraud cases and coordinate legal strategies across agencies.
TASK FORCE TO TARGET FRAUD
The task force is designed to provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecutions for state agencies and law enforcement, enhancing Florida’s ability to build strong cases against individuals accused of fraud.
“We are launching this task force to bring accountability and prosecute those who are stealing from Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “Florida is not Minnesota or California, and we will safeguard the taxpayers’ investment in the services meant for the vulnerable.”
MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION
State leaders emphasized the importance of coordination across agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida has continued to identify, address, and prevent fraud,” said Shevaun L. Harris, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. “This multi-agency initiative creates an opportunity to collectively reaffirm that commitment.”
Brad McVay added that protecting taxpayer-funded programs is essential to maintaining public trust.
“Floridians deserve a government that safeguards their taxpayer dollars from fraudsters,” McVay said.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also stressed enforcement.
“If you commit fraud against public assistance programs, you will be held accountable,” Glass said.
ROLE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
The special prosecutor will evaluate and oversee ongoing multi-circuit investigations, assist in developing cases for prosecution, and support law enforcement with legal tools such as warrants and affidavits.
Kathleen Von Hoene said the initiative will strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.
“Our goal is to protect the public, preserve the integrity of the Medicaid program, and safeguard the populations it serves,” she said.
PROGRAMS AND ENFORCEMENT
Florida’s public assistance programs include Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing assistance and reemployment services. Fraud involving these programs can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution and incarceration.
Law enforcement agencies interested in participating in the task force can contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution for more information.
Central Florida News
Orange County Clerk Hosts Operation Green Light to Help Drivers Reinstate Licenses April 15
Published
2 weeks agoon
April 12, 2026
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Clerk of Courts is continuing its efforts to help residents regain their driving privileges by offering year-round assistance to individuals with suspended licenses due to unpaid traffic tickets or criminal fines.
As part of the initiative, the Clerk’s Office will host Operation Green Light on April 15, 2026, with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Orange County Courthouse, Suite 410.
EVENT OFFERS PATH TO LICENSE REINSTATEMENT
During the one-day event, residents can receive in-person assistance to address outstanding traffic tickets and criminal fines, taking the first step toward reinstating their driver licenses.
Officials say eligible customers may have certain collection agency fees waived, enroll in payment plans and restore their driving privileges once all requirements are met. Affordable down payments will be available; however, standard reinstatement fees will still apply.
No appointment or prior registration is required to participate.
STATEWIDE INITIATIVE EXPANDS ACCESS
Operation Green Light is part of a statewide effort running from April 11 through April 25, 2026, aimed at helping thousands of Floridians resolve overdue fines and get back on the road legally.
The program is designed to reduce financial barriers that often prevent residents from addressing court-related debt and driver license suspensions.
YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Residents who cannot attend the April 15 event can still receive assistance year-round through the Clerk’s Compliance Division, located in Suite 410 of the courthouse.
Staff members are available to help individuals set up payment plans and guide them through the license reinstatement process.
Central Florida News
Bodycam Shows Deputy Shoot Suspect After Taser Fails Outside Walmart, Authorities Say
Published
1 month agoon
March 19, 2026By
Willie David
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office released body-worn camera footage from a deputy-involved shooting involving a suspected shoplifter outside a Walmart store nearly a month after the incident.
Deputies Respond to Armed Shoplifting Call
According to investigators, deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2026, to a reported shoplifting incident at the Walmart on East Colonial Drive.
A caller told dispatchers a man wearing a black ski mask was attempting to steal merchandise, appeared to have a knife and was declaring “martial law” as he exited the store with a shopping cart full of items.
Bodycam Shows Confrontation Before Shooting
Deputies said a responding deputy encountered the suspect on Colonial Drive near the store pushing a cart loaded with merchandise.
Body-camera footage shows the deputy giving multiple commands for the man to stop. Authorities said the suspect ignored the commands. The deputy then deployed a Taser, but it had no effect.
Shortly afterward, the deputy can be heard warning the suspect at least three times not to reach. Moments later, the deputy fired his service weapon, striking the man.
Deputies on scene secured the suspect and provided first aid before he was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators said two knives were recovered at the scene.
Suspect Identified; Investigation Underway
Authorities identified the suspect as Jason Anthony Beal, 48. He was charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer with violence.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which will submit its findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
As part of standard protocol, the deputy involved has been placed on temporary paid administrative leave pending the initial FDLE review. The sheriff’s office will also conduct an internal investigation once the state probe is completed.
