Dallas 1963 - Climate of Hatred Leading to Assassination of #JFK

In the months and weeks before the fateful November 22nd, 1963, Dallas was brewing with political passions, a city crammed with larger-than-life characters dead-set against the Kennedy presidency. These included rabid warriors like defrocked military general Edwin A. Walker; the world's richest oil baron, H. L. Hunt; the leader of the largest Baptist congregation in the world, W.A. Criswell; and the media mogul Ted Dealey, who raucously confronted JFK and whose family name adorns the plaza where the president was murdered. On the same stage was a compelling cast of marauding gangsters, swashbuckling politicos, unsung civil rights heroes, and a stylish millionaire anxious to save his doomed city.

Bill Minutaglio and Steven L. Davis ingeniously explore the swirling forces that led many people to warn President Kennedy to avoid Dallas on his fateful trip to Texas. Breathtakingly paced, DALLAS 1963 presents a clear, cinematic, and revelatory look at the shocking tragedy that transformed America. Countless authors have attempted to explain the assassination, but no one has ever bothered to explain Dallas-until now.

With spellbinding storytelling, Minutaglio and Davis lead us through intimate glimpses of the Kennedy family and the machinations of the Kennedy White House, to the obsessed men in Dallas who concocted the climate of hatred that led many to blame the city for the president's death. Here at long last is an accurate understanding of what happened in the weeks and months leading to John F. Kennedy's assassination. DALLAS 1963 is not only a fresh look at a momentous national tragedy but a sobering reminder of how radical, polarizing ideologies can poison a city-and a nation.

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The Chicago Public Library @chipublib Observed the 50th Anniversary of Kennedy's Assassination Today

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon, schoolchildren, and special guests today at the Harold Washington Library Center to observe the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The event celebrated the life and legacy of President Kennedy, as well as his and the Kennedy family’s long standing connection to Chicago.

“President Kennedy challenged all Americans to answer the call of public service, inspiring generations of Americans to serve others and work for the greater good of their fellow humans," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "Today, as we observe the fiftieth anniversary of his tragic death, we remember his life and legacy and the profound impact he had on our nation and our city."

As part of the program, author Ilene Cooper spoke about the Kennedys’ decades-long ties to Chicago, beginning in 1945 when the Kennedy patriarch and President’s father Joseph Sr. purchased the Merchandise Mart, which soon became a trade show mecca known across the country. From that time on, the Kennedy family has played a prominent role in Chicago. Several Kennedy family members have made the Chicago area their home and still play a major role in the operation of the Merchandise Mart.

Jazz musician Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band paid homage to President Kennedy’s love for cultural arts and jazz music. In 1962, the President and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy hosted the first White House jazz concert, starting a tradition that still exists today. The concert featured music selected from that first jazz concert in 1962, along with selections from subsequent White House concerts.

The Chicago Public Library encourages lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults.  For more information, visit chicagopubliclibrary.org or call the Chicago Public Library at (312) 747-4050.

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Official Sneak Preview of #MobCity on TNT

The epic battle between a determined police chief and a dangerous mobster inflames 1940s Los Angeles in TNT's eagerly anticipated television event Mob City (formerly known as Lost Angels). This powerful drama comes to TNT from Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead), who wrote and directed the pilot and serves as executive producer on the series.

Based on the critically acclaimed book L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City, by John Buntin, Mob City opens in post-war Los Angeles, home to glamorous movie stars, powerful studio heads and returning war heroes. But it's also a city caught between a powerful and corrupt police force and an even more dangerous criminal network determined to make L.A. its West Coast base.

Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker (Neal McDonough -- Captain America, Desperate Housewives)) has made it his mission to free the city of criminals like Ben "Bugsy" Siegel (Ed Burns -- Entourage) and Mickey Cohen (Jeremy Luke -- Don Jon), the ruthless king of the Los Angeles underworld. Parker also won't hesitate to go after anyone from his own police force who sells out honor and duty for the sake of a big payout. To carry out his sweep of organized crime, Parker sets up a new mob task force within the LAPD. Headed by Det. Hal Morrison (Jeffrey DeMunn -- The Walking Dead, The Shawshank Redemption), the task force includes Det. Joe Teague (Jon Bernthal -- The Walking Dead), an ex-Marine who holds his cards close to his chest.

Mob City's exceptional ensemble cast also includes Gregory Itzin (24), Robert Knepper (Prison Break), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) and Alexa Davalos (Clash of the Titans, The Mist).

Mob City is produced by TNT Originals, with Darabont, Michael De Luca (The Social Network) and Elliot Webb (Alpha House) serving as executive producers.

Premieres Wednesday, December 4 at 10/9c on TNT.

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14 Charged with Kilogram-Quantity #HeroinTrafficking #Conspiracy

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; George Venizelos, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Ramon Bethencourt, Jr., the Chief of the City of Middletown Police Department; and Joseph A. D’Amico, the Superintendent of the New York State Police, announced the arrest of 14 defendants and the unsealing of an indictment charging a conspiracy to distribute kilogram quantities of heroin in and around Middletown, New York.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “This case is yet another example of this office’s unrelenting efforts at purging the Hudson Valley of alleged violent drug trafficking gangs through the coordinated efforts of the FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos stated, “The arrests today target individuals who allegedly were involved in moving heroin into Middletown. These types of crimes are all too common in this area and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force will continue to work with our partners to eradicate violent gangs and drugs in our communities.”

Middletown Police Department Chief Ramon Bethencourt, Jr. stated, “Along with Mayor DeStefano, I want to praise the work of all of the law enforcement agencies involved. Once again our commitment to working together will have a positive influence on the quality of life for our residents. By ridding our streets of these drugs we are reducing the violent crimes that go along with them, making the city of Middletown a safer community.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico stated, “A significant amount of heroin will not make it onto the streets of Middletown as a result of the dedication and due diligence of local, state, and federal investigators and prosecutors working collaboratively to put a stop to these types of drug operations. It is through this cooperative effort among our partners in law enforcement that we will continue to target and remove from our streets those who choose to engage in this type of illegal and dangerous activity. I thank all of the members of this team for their hard work and dedication to the citizens of New York.”

According to allegations in the indictment unsealed in White Plains federal court:

Fourteen people

• Miguel Margolla, 29 MARGOLLA, 29,
• Jesus Irizarry Nergon, a/k/a/ “Pablo,” 22
• Mario Margolla, 32
• Roberto Margolla, 22
• Carlos Martinez, a/k/a “B-Way,” 33
• Sharlim Omar Morales, a/k/a “Moreno,” 32
• Ricardo Ramos-Mendez, a/k/a “Keeke,” a/k/a “Brian,” 23
• Teddy Rivera, a/k/a “Teddy Guns,” a/k/a “TG,” 20
• Christina Rodriguez, 23
• Johnathan Rodriguez, a/k/a “J-Whispers,” a/k/a “Bigz,” 26
• Manuel Santiago, 28
• Jessica Slocum, 24
• Alex Torres, a/k/a “Broccoli,” a/k/a “Broc,” 28
• Christian Vera Maldonado, 22

are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of heroin. The defendants have operated a large-scale heroin trafficking organization that distributed heroin throughout Middletown, New York, since at least 2007. During the investigation, the defendants unwittingly sold heroin to confidential informants and an agent in an undercover capacity. One defendant and a co-conspirator also discussed the possible murder of two individuals in or around Middletown.

All the defendants charged in the indictment were arrested last night or today or have previously been taken into custody. Twelve of the defendants are to be presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith. One defendant is to be presented in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, and one defendant is to be presented in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the City of Middletown Police Department, the New York State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Town of Wallkill Police Department, and the Town of Ramapo Police Department. Mr. Bharara also thanked the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for its invaluable coordination and continuing support.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gerber is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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A Senior Bank Official at Venezuelan State Development Bank Pleads Guilty to Participating in Bribery Scheme

A senior official in Venezuela’s state economic development bank has pleaded guilty in New York federal court to accepting bribes from agents and employees of a New York-based broker-dealer (broker-dealer) in exchange for directing her bank’s security-trading business to the broker-dealer.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara of the Southern District of New York, and Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos of the New York Office of the FBI made the announcement.

Maria De Los Angeles Gonzalez De Hernandez, 55, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer in the Southern District of New York to conspiring to violate the Travel Act and to commit money laundering, as well as substantive counts of these offenses. Sentencing for Gonzalez is scheduled for August 15, 2014, before Judge Engelmayer.

At all times relevant to the charges, Banco de Desarrollo Económico y Social de Venezuela (BANDES) was a state-run economic development bank in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government had a majority ownership interest in BANDES and provided it with substantial funding.

According to court records, Gonzalez was an official at BANDES and oversaw the development bank’s overseas trading activity. At her direction, BANDES conducted substantial trading through the broker-dealer. Most of the trades executed by the broker-dealer on behalf of BANDES involved fixed income investments for which the broker-dealer charged the bank a mark-up on purchases and a mark-down on sales.

From early 2009 through 2012, Gonzalez participated in a bribery scheme in which she directed trading business she controlled at BANDES to the broker-dealer, and, in return, agents and employees of the broker-dealer shared the revenue the broker-dealer generated from this trading business with Gonzalez. During this time period, the broker-dealer generated over $60 million in mark-ups and mark-downs from trades with BANDES. Agents and employees of the broker-dealer devised a split with Gonzalez of the commissions paid by BANDES to the broker-dealer. E-mails, account records, and other documents collected from the broker-dealer and other sources reveal that Gonzalez received a substantial share of the revenue generated by the broker-dealer for BANDES-related trades. Specifically, Gonzalez received millions in bribe payments from broker-dealer agents and employees.

Additionally, Gonzalez paid a portion of the bribe payments she received to another BANDES employee who was also involved in the scheme.

To further conceal the scheme, the kickbacks to Gonzalez were often paid using intermediary corporations and offshore accounts that Gonzalez and others held in Switzerland, among other places.

Previously, three former employees of the broker-dealer—Ernesto Lujan, Jose Alejandro Hurtado, and Tomas Alberto Clarke Bethancourt—each pleaded guilty in New York federal court to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and conspiring to violate the Travel Act and to commit money laundering, as well as substantive counts of these offenses, relating, among other things, to the scheme involving bribe payments to Gonzalez. Sentencing for Lujan and Clarke is scheduled for February 11, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. Hurtado is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Harold Baer, Jr. on March 6, 2014.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI, with assistance from the SEC and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Assistant Chief James Koukios and Trial Attorneys Maria Gonzalez Calvet and Aisling O’Shea of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant United States Attorneys Harry A. Chernoff and Jason H. Cowley of the Southern District of New York’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force are in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Carolina Fornos is also responsible for the forfeiture aspects of the case.

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