A company with alleged ties to Chicago organized crime has been brought on as a subcontractor for a Park Ridge elementary school construction project.
A green dumpster belonging to D&P Construction recently appeared outside Field School, 707 Wisner St., ahead of an air conditioning, heating and ventilation project slated to occur this summer.
Scott Mackall, Director of Facility Management for Park Ridge-Niles School District 64, said he was told D&P is providing only the dumpster for the project and was subcontracted by Palatine-based Bergen Construction Corporation, which is the company performing the bulk of the work. “We’re writing [Bergen] the checks,” Mackall said.
The Better Government Association reported in 2012 that the FBI believes D&P Construction is run by two brothers with Chicago mob connections: Peter DiFronzo and John “No Nose” DiFronzo. During the 2007 “Family Secrets” mob trial in Chicago, the BGA said John DiFronzo was implicated in the murders of two mob brothers, but was not charged with a crime.
According to a 2008 report by the BGA and the Chicago Sun-Times, D&P “was the focus of a Gaming Board disciplinary case that stopped Emerald Casino Inc. from building a floating gambling barge in Rosemont in 2001.” The report also stated that the Gaming Board “linked D&P to individuals who have been identified as known members of organized crime.”
D&P Construction has been used on projects for a number of Chicago Public Schools, according to a 2011 investigation by the BGA and Fox 32.
Mackall said he was unaware of the allegations of mob ties and D&P Construction. “I’ve never heard that at all,” he said.
A representative from Bergen Construction could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Field School construction project, slated to be complete by Aug. 8, will install air conditioning in the school, in addition to heating and ventilation upgrades and asbestos abatement. Field is the last of the District 64 schools to receive air conditioning.
The project, said Mackall, came in under budget at $4.5 million. The contract awarded in February identified the total cost at $5.33 million.
“The bids came in very competitive. They were quite a bit lower than we anticipated,” Mackall said.
Other building projects slated to occur around the district this summer include security upgrades at each school building costing a total of $337,425. The upgrades consist of security cameras on school property, changes in door access and a system that will run the driver’s licenses or state IDs of building visitors through a registered sex offender database.
Thanks to Jennifer Johnson.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
State Audit Director, Delrice J Augustus, Convicted of Theft
Delrice J. Augustus, age 34, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick to a superseding bill of information charging him with theft from a federally funded entity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A), and forfeiture. Augustus faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, forfeiture of the proceeds of the offense, and up to three years of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
As required by the plea agreement, Augustus has resigned his position as the director of the Bureau of Auditing and Compliance Services for DCFS, a state agency that receives over a billion dollars in federal funding annually. As director, Augustus reported directly to the secretary of DCFS and led the office responsible for safeguarding assets against theft and unauthorized use; ensuring that transactions were properly authorized and recorded properly; and ensuring compliance with management policies, as well as federal and state laws and regulations.
Augustus admitted to using his official position to defraud DCFS out of between $120,000 and $200,000 through the following three schemes.
U.S. Attorney Green stated, “This case is a great illustration of federal and state agencies successfully working together to root out public corruption. Federal funding is often distributed through state and local entities and the integrity of that distribution network and those entrusted to protect it is vitally important. Our office, together with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to aggressively battle public corruption wherever found.”
Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street commented, “The most disappointing thing about this case is the position of high trust held by Mr. Augustus within DCFS. He took full advantage of that trust to steal money from the taxpayers. Today’s guilty plea should send a clear message that the law enforcement community has zero tolerance for this sort of corruption, and will continue working together relentlessly to bring about criminal consequences for it. I want to again acknowledge and thank LSP Colonel Mike Edmonson, U.S. Attorney Walt Green, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson for the outstanding work done by their respective staffs on this case.”
Colonel Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police Superintendent, stated, “There are no boundaries when it comes to federal, state, and local law enforcement working together to fight corruption at any level. The public demands that people in trusted positions are kept to and held to a higher standard of integrity. Violations of the public trust must be dealt with swiftly and directly.”
As required by the plea agreement, Augustus has resigned his position as the director of the Bureau of Auditing and Compliance Services for DCFS, a state agency that receives over a billion dollars in federal funding annually. As director, Augustus reported directly to the secretary of DCFS and led the office responsible for safeguarding assets against theft and unauthorized use; ensuring that transactions were properly authorized and recorded properly; and ensuring compliance with management policies, as well as federal and state laws and regulations.
Augustus admitted to using his official position to defraud DCFS out of between $120,000 and $200,000 through the following three schemes.
- Augustus admitted to fraudulently misusing government purchasing cards to obtain items for personal use for himself and others, including an installed dishwasher, televisions, movies, cameras, wireless audio systems (such as Sonos and Jawbone), gaming devices (such as Xboxes, Wiis, and Leapsters), mobile devices (such as iPads, Kindle Fires, and an iPhone 5), Dyson vacuums, rental vehicles, hotel rooms, and fuel.
- Augustus admitted to misusing and causing others to misuse state travel and gas cards to pay for personal travel and entertainment expenses for himself and others, including gas, rental vehicles, and hotel stays. One such occasion involved purchasing hotel suites in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and the NBA All-Star Game.
- Augustus admitted to engaging in a scheme to create and use fraudulent documents to request and receive reimbursement from the State of Louisiana for official travel that did not occur. Augustus would sign and submit reimbursement claims for expenses he falsely claimed to have incurred as part of his official duties. Augustus would cause the signature of the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services to appear on his fraudulent reimbursement claims as approving such claims, when, in fact, the secretary had neither approved the claims nor authorized her signature to be used in such a manner. Augustus would also create fraudulent documents reflecting that C.P. and K.G., who were employees in the Auditor’s Office, had incurred certain expenses related to official travel. C.P. and K.G. would sign the fraudulent reimbursement requests as the requesting employees, and Augustus would sign as the approving supervisor. The state would pay the requested amount to C.P. and K.G., who would split the proceeds with Augustus.
U.S. Attorney Green stated, “This case is a great illustration of federal and state agencies successfully working together to root out public corruption. Federal funding is often distributed through state and local entities and the integrity of that distribution network and those entrusted to protect it is vitally important. Our office, together with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to aggressively battle public corruption wherever found.”
Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street commented, “The most disappointing thing about this case is the position of high trust held by Mr. Augustus within DCFS. He took full advantage of that trust to steal money from the taxpayers. Today’s guilty plea should send a clear message that the law enforcement community has zero tolerance for this sort of corruption, and will continue working together relentlessly to bring about criminal consequences for it. I want to again acknowledge and thank LSP Colonel Mike Edmonson, U.S. Attorney Walt Green, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson for the outstanding work done by their respective staffs on this case.”
Colonel Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police Superintendent, stated, “There are no boundaries when it comes to federal, state, and local law enforcement working together to fight corruption at any level. The public demands that people in trusted positions are kept to and held to a higher standard of integrity. Violations of the public trust must be dealt with swiftly and directly.”
Ronald Joseph Olah, Jr. Sentenced in Connection with Fraudulent Scheme to Develop Fitness Facility
Ronald Joseph Olah, Jr., age 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James J. Brady to serve eight months’ incarceration in a halfway house and two years of probation for his role in a fraudulent scheme to secure financing for a new fitness facility in Baton Rouge.
The sentence arises from an investigation into fraud in connection with an effort by Olah and others to develop a new gym in Baton Rouge, to be called Powerhouse Gym of Baton Rouge. On May 30, 2013, Olah and a co-defendant, Matthew Scott Bernard, were charged by a federal grand jury with bank fraud, making false statements to a bank, and wire fraud. The indictment alleged that in 2011, while attempting to secure financing for a new gym that they sought to develop, Olah and Bernard made numerous false representations to two local banks regarding their personal financial resources, their incomes, and the financial condition of an existing gym that Olah was operating at the time. The indictment alleged that the defendants obtained loans from two different banks and an out-of-state investor, based on their false statements. Bernard pled guilty to bank fraud on August 14, 2013, and Olah pled guilty to wire fraud on November 5, 2013.
Olah appeared before Judge Brady for sentencing, and was sentenced to serve eight months’ incarceration in a halfway house, two years of probation, to pay restitution in the amount of $575,242.82, and to pay a special assessment of $100. Finally, as part of his sentence, Olah has been ordered to forfeit an additional $325,343 in proceeds from the fraudulent scheme.
Olah’s co-defendant, Bernard, was previously sentenced to serve 41 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme.
The sentence arises from an investigation into fraud in connection with an effort by Olah and others to develop a new gym in Baton Rouge, to be called Powerhouse Gym of Baton Rouge. On May 30, 2013, Olah and a co-defendant, Matthew Scott Bernard, were charged by a federal grand jury with bank fraud, making false statements to a bank, and wire fraud. The indictment alleged that in 2011, while attempting to secure financing for a new gym that they sought to develop, Olah and Bernard made numerous false representations to two local banks regarding their personal financial resources, their incomes, and the financial condition of an existing gym that Olah was operating at the time. The indictment alleged that the defendants obtained loans from two different banks and an out-of-state investor, based on their false statements. Bernard pled guilty to bank fraud on August 14, 2013, and Olah pled guilty to wire fraud on November 5, 2013.
Olah appeared before Judge Brady for sentencing, and was sentenced to serve eight months’ incarceration in a halfway house, two years of probation, to pay restitution in the amount of $575,242.82, and to pay a special assessment of $100. Finally, as part of his sentence, Olah has been ordered to forfeit an additional $325,343 in proceeds from the fraudulent scheme.
Olah’s co-defendant, Bernard, was previously sentenced to serve 41 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme.
The Legendary Voices Collection for Anyone who Loves the All-time Classics
Behind every great song, there's a great singer.
This May,
StarVista Entertainment/Time Life debuts a singular CD set for anyone who loves the all-time classics of the 50s, 60s and 70s performed by the greatest talents of their time: THE LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION.
Never before has one CD collection gathered together the greatest singers of our lifetime singing their biggest hits, but in this timeless set, fans of the era will hear everything from Elvis crooning "Love Me Tender" and Bobby Darin singing "Mack the Knife" to Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind" among many, many others. THE LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION, features 9 CDs, a bonus CD of instrumental favorites, and liner notes, and will be available exclusively.
Featuring 150 unforgettable songs spread over 10 CDs, THE LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION includes artists such as Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Patsy Cline, Perry Como, Andy Williams, as well as selected vocal groups such as The Mills Brothers, The McGuire Sisters, The Righteous Brothers, The Everly Brothers and The Lettermen.
THE
LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION features vocalists and songs including:
This May,
StarVista Entertainment/Time Life debuts a singular CD set for anyone who loves the all-time classics of the 50s, 60s and 70s performed by the greatest talents of their time: THE LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION.
Never before has one CD collection gathered together the greatest singers of our lifetime singing their biggest hits, but in this timeless set, fans of the era will hear everything from Elvis crooning "Love Me Tender" and Bobby Darin singing "Mack the Knife" to Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind" among many, many others. THE LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION, features 9 CDs, a bonus CD of instrumental favorites, and liner notes, and will be available exclusively.
Featuring 150 unforgettable songs spread over 10 CDs, THE LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION includes artists such as Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Patsy Cline, Perry Como, Andy Williams, as well as selected vocal groups such as The Mills Brothers, The McGuire Sisters, The Righteous Brothers, The Everly Brothers and The Lettermen.
THE
LEGENDARY VOICES COLLECTION features vocalists and songs including:- Andy Williams/ "Moon River"
- Ben E. King/ "Stand by Me"
- Bobby Darin/ "Beyond the Sea"
- Bobby Vinton/ "Blue Velvet"
- Dean Martin/ "Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)"
- Dinah Shore with Henri René and His Orchestra/ "Love and Marriage"
- Dionne Warwick/ " I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
- Elvis Presley/ "Love Me Tender"
- Engelbert Humperdinck/ "After the Lovin'"
- Etta James/ "At Last"
- Frank Sinatra/ "Night and Day"
- Frankie Valli/ "Can't Take My Eyes off You"
- Judy Garland/ "Over the Rainbow"
- Lena Horne with Orchestra conducted by Lennie Hayton/ "Stormy Weather"
- Patsy Cline/ "Crazy"
- Peggy Lee/ "Fever"
- Perry Como with Mitchell Ayres and His Orchestra and the Ray Charles Singers/ "Papa Loves Mambo"
- Ray Charles/ "Georgia on My Mind"
- Roger Williams/ "Born Free"
- The Everly Brothers/ "Bye Bye Love"
- The Five Satins/ "In the Still of the Nite"
- The Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts/ "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing"
- The Four Coins/ "Shangri-La"
- The Lettermen/ "The Way You Look Tonight"
- The Platters/ "Only You (And You Alone)"
- The Righteous Brothers/ "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"
- This Ole House/ "Rosemary Clooney"
- Tom Jones/ "It's Not Unusual"
- Tony Bennett with Percy Faith & His Orchestra/"Rags to Riches"
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Jordan S. Gonzalez Admits Attempting to Weaponize Deadly Toxins and Possessing Narcotics Manufacturing Equipment
A licensed pharmacist pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to develop, produce, and possess the potentially deadly toxins ricin and abrin for use as weapons and to possessing equipment for producing illegal narcotics, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Jordan S. Gonzalez, 34, of New York and formerly of Jersey City, New Jersey, entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper in Trenton federal court.
“Jordan Gonzalez admitted today that he worked to manufacture and deploy deadly toxins, stockpiled weapons and body armor, and acquired manuals training him for violent confrontation,” said U.S. Attorney Fishman. “We all have seen the devastation possible when these behaviors go unchecked. With today’s guilty plea, Jordan Gonzalez will face justice and will not be a threat to society.”
“The overriding focus of the FBI’s WMD Directorate and the primary focus of our overall efforts is prevention,” said FBI Newark Division Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford. “To make this happen, we pull together various resources from the FBI and work closely with our law enforcement partners. In this case, the FBI worked swiftly and tirelessly with our partners to prevent and neutralize all threats posed by this defendant.”
Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, said, “The men and women of DEA are dedicated to protecting the citizens of this nation. This investigation reveals how DEA and its law enforcement partners worked together to prevent Mr. Gonzalez from doing harm to the citizens of our communities.”
According documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Even small doses of ricin and abrin are potentially lethal to humans if ingested, inhaled, or injected—causing death within 36 to 72 hours from the time of exposure.
During his guilty plea, Gonzalez admitted that acquiring this knowledge and these materials were substantial steps toward developing ricin and abrin as weapons and that he acquired all the materials—including the firearms, ammunition, and body armor—in anticipation of using them in confrontations with other people in the future.
Gonzalez also acquired manuals for synthesizing controlled substances, including methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as Ecstasy. He bought and had delivered to the Jersey City apartment a three-neck round-bottom flask, gel capsules, and an encapsulating machine, as well as precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of MDA and MDMA. Possession of that type of flask is prohibited if intended for use in the manufacturing of controlled substances.
The toxin charge to which Gonzalez pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of any term of years or life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The narcotics charge carries a maximum potential penalty of four years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is currently scheduled for September 17, 2014.
Jordan S. Gonzalez, 34, of New York and formerly of Jersey City, New Jersey, entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper in Trenton federal court.
“Jordan Gonzalez admitted today that he worked to manufacture and deploy deadly toxins, stockpiled weapons and body armor, and acquired manuals training him for violent confrontation,” said U.S. Attorney Fishman. “We all have seen the devastation possible when these behaviors go unchecked. With today’s guilty plea, Jordan Gonzalez will face justice and will not be a threat to society.”
“The overriding focus of the FBI’s WMD Directorate and the primary focus of our overall efforts is prevention,” said FBI Newark Division Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford. “To make this happen, we pull together various resources from the FBI and work closely with our law enforcement partners. In this case, the FBI worked swiftly and tirelessly with our partners to prevent and neutralize all threats posed by this defendant.”
Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, said, “The men and women of DEA are dedicated to protecting the citizens of this nation. This investigation reveals how DEA and its law enforcement partners worked together to prevent Mr. Gonzalez from doing harm to the citizens of our communities.”
According documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
- From September 18, 2011 through March 19, 2013, Gonzalez purchased thousands of seeds containing ricin and abrin and materials to extract and administer those toxins to others, including filtering equipment, respirators, glass vials, a spraying device, and projectile weapons including a crossbow pistol. Gonzalez also purchased materials for making RDX, an explosive compound used in military and commercial demolition applications. Gonzalez made the purchases through an online third-party vendor marketplace, and all the items were delivered to him at his Jersey City apartment.
- Gonzalez learned how to extract toxins from the seeds and about deployment methods from manuals he acquired. He also kept manuals teaching how to make improvised explosive devices and synthesize explosive compounds, including RDX.
- On November 8, 2013, while living in New York, Gonzalez purchased one kilogram of sodium azide, a toxic, gas-forming compound that can explode at high temperatures and is lethal if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Law enforcement officers intercepted the delivery during the investigation.
- On November 14, 2013, Gonzalez was arrested in Jersey City, and search warrants were executed at three locations he used: apartments in Manhattan and Jersey City and a storage unit in Jersey City. Collectively, material collected through the searches included thousands of seeds containing ricin and abrin; explosive precursor chemicals; manuals related to toxins, explosives, and improvised explosive devices; approximately one thousand rounds of ammunition, handguns, components for assault rifles, and high-capacity magazines; a bulletproof vest; and books and documents related to the collapse of social order and techniques for surviving in a lawless environment. Gonzalez has been in custody since his arrest.
Even small doses of ricin and abrin are potentially lethal to humans if ingested, inhaled, or injected—causing death within 36 to 72 hours from the time of exposure.
During his guilty plea, Gonzalez admitted that acquiring this knowledge and these materials were substantial steps toward developing ricin and abrin as weapons and that he acquired all the materials—including the firearms, ammunition, and body armor—in anticipation of using them in confrontations with other people in the future.
Gonzalez also acquired manuals for synthesizing controlled substances, including methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as Ecstasy. He bought and had delivered to the Jersey City apartment a three-neck round-bottom flask, gel capsules, and an encapsulating machine, as well as precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of MDA and MDMA. Possession of that type of flask is prohibited if intended for use in the manufacturing of controlled substances.
The toxin charge to which Gonzalez pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of any term of years or life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The narcotics charge carries a maximum potential penalty of four years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is currently scheduled for September 17, 2014.
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