Biden announces ban on US imports of Russian oil, warns gas prices will ‘go up further’

Biden announces ban on US imports of Russian oil, warns gas prices will ‘go up further’

President Biden on Tuesday announced a ban on all imports of Russian oil, gas and vitality to the United States, focusing on “the primary artery” of Russia’s economic climate amid President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

Biden, though, warned Americans that the ban would charge American people. People are encountering the maximum gasoline prices considering that the 2008 financial disaster, with the national gas price typical reaching extra than $4 per gallon – the greatest typical to date, according to AAA.

RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: Dwell UPDATES 

“Putin’s war is now hurting American households at the fuel pump given that Putin commenced his navy buildup on Ukrainian borders,” Biden warned. “And with this motion, it’s heading to go up further. I’m going to do almost everything I can to decrease Putin’s price tag hike here at household and coordination with our partners.” 

The president, talking from the White House on Tuesday, reported the ban has “robust bipartisan aid in Congress and, I believe, the nation.”

“Americans have rallied to assistance the Ukrainian folks and designed it crystal clear we will not be element of subsidizing Putin’s war,” Biden stated.

But not all of Europe will be on board with a similar ban for the reason that they deficiency domestic oil creation, Biden claimed.

“The United States provides much much more oil domestically than all of Europe and all the European international locations blended,” he reported, adding that the U.S. is a “web exporter of vitality.” “So, we can choose this stage when some others are not able to, but we are performing intently with Europe and our associates to acquire a long-term system to lessen their dependence on Russian strength as well.”

Russia is the third-largest producer of oil in the entire world, but the impact to U.S. oil imports would be “minimal” in comparison to allies, administration officers instructed Fox News.

Biden

President Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Place of the White Home in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, March 8, 2022.  (Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg through Getty Visuals / Getty Pictures)

HOW TO Locate Inexpensive Fuel Prices IN YOUR Neighborhood

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Monday, termed for “boycotts” of Russian oil imports to the U.S. and European nations around the world.

Russian oil exports account for about one particular-third of Europe’s oil imports, nonetheless, for the United States, Russian exports are just less than 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of U.S. over-all imports.

Biden touted the $1 billion in stability aid to Ukraine, expressing that shipments of defensive weapons are arriving in Ukraine each and every working day from the United States.”

“We are also giving humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian people today, each to those even now in Ukraine and these who have fled safely to neighboring country,” Biden stated, incorporating the administration is functioning with organizations to deliver “tens of thousands of tons of food, drinking water and medical materials into Ukraine.”

Biden also claimed the U.S. and allies are “imposing the most sizeable package deal of economic sanctions in history,” and explained all those sanctions are harming Russia’s economic system.” 

“It has triggered the Russian financial state to, quite frankly, crater,” Biden reported, noting that the Russian ruble is down 50{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} given that Putin announced his war on Feb. 24.

“One particular ruble is now worth much less than 1 American penny,” he claimed, including that the U.S. and allies have also reduce Russia’s most significant banking companies from the international SWIFT economical program, which has “crippled their ability to do business enterprise with the rest of the earth.”

“In addition, we’re choking off Russia’s obtain to know-how, like semiconductors, that sap its economic strength and will weaken its military for many years to arrive,” Biden said.

Pointing to the personal sector, Biden said key companies, like Visa, Mastercard, American Convey, Ford, Nike, Apple are suspending operations and pulling out of Russia “totally, with out even staying requested.”

“The U.S. Stock Exchange has halted trading in several Russian securities, and the non-public sector is united versus Russia’s vicious war of alternative,” Biden claimed.

President Biden sits in the Oval Office of the White House, on March 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

President Biden sits in the Oval Business of the White House, on March 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Patrick Semansky, File / AP Newsroom)

The Biden administration declared this 7 days that it is releasing “60 million barrels of oil from our joint-oil reserves,” with Biden noting that fifty percent of that is “coming from the United States.”

Biden also taken care of that his administration is getting steps to ensure the “trusted source of world electricity,” and is doing the job with “each and every device in our disposal to defend American families and enterprises.”

“We recognize Putin’s war against the individuals of Ukraine is creating rates to rise—we get that,” Biden mentioned, directed at “oil and gasoline companies and the finance corporations that again them.”

“But it is no justification to exercising excessive selling price will increase or padding revenue or any type of effort to exploit this situation or American buyers,” Biden mentioned. “Russia’s aggression is costing us all, and it’s no time for profiting or price gouging.” 

Dwell UPDATES: Stocks REBOUND, Gasoline Costs CLIMB, BIDEN TO BAN RUSSIAN OIL

He warned that he desired “to be obvious about what we will not tolerate,” but also wished to “acknowledge individuals firms and oil and gas industries that are pulling out of Russia and signing up for other firms that are leading by instance.”

“This is a time when we have to do our component and make confident we are not taking gain,” Biden said.

The president, even though, went on to say that it is “basically not legitimate” that his administration or his guidelines “are holding again domestic energy manufacturing.”

“Even amid the pandemic, businesses in the United States pumped far more oil during my to start with 12 months in place of work than they did during my predecessor’s very first yr,” he reported.

“We’re approaching document stages of oil and fuel manufacturing in the United States and we’re on monitor to established a file of oil manufacturing next,” he claimed, adding that in the U.S. “90{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of onshore oil production can take put on land that is not owned by the federal authorities.” 

“And the remaining 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} that happens on federal land, the oil and gas field has hundreds of thousands of acres leased—they have 9,000 permits to drill,” he stated. “Now, they could be drilling suitable now. Yesterday, previous 7 days, last year, they have 9,000 to drill onshore that are now accredited.”

“So allow me be very clear: they are not working with them for generation. That is their selection,” he stated. “These are the specifics. We ought to be trustworthy about the points.” 

Biden went on to say that this “disaster” is a “stark reminder” that, in purchase to “protect our financial state about the lengthy expression,” the United States needs “to turn into vitality unbiased.”

Biden mentioned that he has had “many conversations” with European allies in excess of the last various months “about how they have to wean on their own off Russian oil.”

“It is just not tenable,” he said.

Biden included, though, that the disaster “ought to encourage” the United States to “accelerate the transition to clean up power.”

For American family members, even though, Biden admitted investments in cleanse electricity “will not reduce electrical power selling prices for families,” but claimed that reworking the financial state to “operate on electric vehicles run by cleanse power with tax credits to help American people winterize their properties, and use less vitality, that will support.” 

“If we do what we can, it will suggest that no a person has to worry about the price tag of fuel in the long run,” Biden said. 

“That will mean tyrants like Putin will not be equipped to use fossil fuels as weapons versus other nations, and it will make The usa a environment leader—manufacturing and exporting clear power systems of the long run to countries all close to the globe.” 

GET FOX Company ON THE GO BY CLICKING Listed here

Biden included: “This is the intention we should really be racing toward.”

The president, shifting to the people of Ukraine, stated they have “encouraged the planet” in a “literal feeling.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint news conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on the occasion of their meeting, in Tallinn, Estonia, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Raul Mee)

U.S. Secretary of Condition Antony Blinken speaks all through a joint information conference with Estonian Primary Minister Kaja Kallas on the celebration of their meeting, in Tallinn, Estonia, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (AP Picture/Raul Mee / AP Newsroom)

“They’ve impressed the globe with their bravery, their patriotism, their defiant willpower to dwell absolutely free,” he mentioned, introducing that Putin’s war has “brought about an tremendous suffering and pointless reduction of daily life of women of all ages, little ones, everybody in Ukraine.”

Biden reported that Ukrainian leaders, and leaders close to the planet, have “frequently known as for a ceasefire,” for humanitarian relief, and “for true diplomacy.”

US Gas Selling price Ordinary HITS NEW Report Higher

“But Putin would seem decided to carry on on his murderous path, no make a difference the price,” Biden mentioned.

But the president preserved that “Ukraine will under no circumstances be a victory for Putin,” stating he “may well be capable to acquire a city, but he’ll under no circumstances be in a position to maintain the state.”

vladimir putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a flag boosting ceremony by means of a video backlink at a state residence exterior Moscow. (ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/SPUTNIK/AFP by means of Getty Visuals / Getty Visuals)

“If we do not answer to Putin’s assault on international peace and security these days, the value of freedom and to the American folks will be even better tomorrow,” Biden stated. “So we’re heading to carry on to assistance the brave Ukrainian persons as they fight for their place.” 

Biden called on Congress to move the $12 billion Ukraine support package deal he has requested, stating the Ukrainian folks will “defend their flexibility, their democracy, their lives.”

Click Listed here TO Browse Additional ON FOX Company

Biden reported the United States is likely to proceed “providing security assistance, economic help, humanitarian help,” and will assistance Ukrainians “versus tyranny, oppression, violent functions of subjugation.”

“Putin’s war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the relaxation of the earth stronger,” Biden explained. “And God bless individuals heroes in Ukraine.” 

Russia announces nuclear exercises as fresh Ukraine talks planned

Russia announces nuclear exercises as fresh Ukraine talks planned

Russia will start out nuclear exercise routines to check its ballistic and cruise missiles on Saturday as western powers continue to alert that the Kremlin is thinking about an imminent invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s defence ministry reported on Friday that its air pressure, southern navy district, strategic missile forces and northern and Black Sea fleets would just take portion in the drills, which would take a look at its start crews and staff as well as its nuclear and common weaponry.

The Kremlin said the annual drills — not held in 2020 or 2021 owing to the pandemic — ended up long prepared.

“These exercises and ballistic missile take a look at launches are a really normal training course of action. Numerous countries are educated by way of different channels beforehand and it is all plainly controlled, so it does not give anyone induce for queries and concern,” Dmitry Peskov, spokesman of Russian president Vladimir Putin, instructed reporters.

Putin talked about the tensions around Ukraine, which Russia accuses the west of provoking by providing Kyiv’s army with weapons, at a stability council conference on Friday ahead of talks with Belarus’s strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko, Peskov reported.

Russia has the biggest nuclear forces in the entire world, with just below 4,500 warheads in its stockpile.

The US believes Putin made a decision to maintain the workout routines, which typically get spot in the tumble, this February as a clearly show of toughness amid fears of a renewed invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has massed 150,000 troops at the Ukrainian border in accordance to US estimates, like massive military services physical exercises in Belarus that are set to conclusion on Sunday.

Though Putin mentioned on Tuesday that Russia experienced begun pulling back its forces from the Ukrainian border, western nations around the world have accused Moscow of publishing films of tanks and artillery supposedly heading back to base as a smokescreen for more troop deployments.

US president Joe Biden warned on Thursday that Russia was on the brink of invading Ukraine in just “several days”, indicating Washington thinks the Kremlin is engaged in “a bogus flag procedure to have an justification to go in”. But Ukraine’s defence minister Oleksii Reznikov explained to parliament on Friday that the likelihood of a significant escalation was “low”.

The announcement of nuclear physical exercises came as Moscow claimed it would have interaction in clean talks with western powers in a bid to solve the Ukraine disaster.

Peskov explained there would be “certain contacts on the performing diplomatic degree between overseas ministers” with the US up coming 7 days right after Russia’s foreign ministry sent a reply to the condition department on Moscow’s draft protection proposals on Thursday.

Shortly right after the letter was despatched, US secretary of condition Antony Blinken invited his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to fulfill in Europe up coming 7 days to focus on a achievable substantial-level summit that would resolve “mutual security concerns”.

“Let’s see, correct now it is component of the negotiating approach. But this plan really should hold on likely,” Peskov stated.

The Russian letter expressed Moscow’s openness to talks on difficulties this kind of as arms handle and deconfliction measures but insisted it would only do so as element of a broader discussion of its main stability grievances with Nato.

The foreign ministry complained the US had “not given a constructive response” to its core needs, which integrated contacting on Nato to pledge never to admit Ukraine and to roll again its eastward enlargement, and threatened unspecified “measures of a navy-technological nature” if they were not fulfilled.

Russia also turned down calls to draw down its troops at the Ukrainian border and insisted it had no strategies to invade.

Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s international minister, expressed regret that Russia was not sending any reps to the Munich Security Meeting, an once-a-year gathering of politicians, military services chiefs and diplomats that kicks off on Friday.

“Precisely in the present, really dangerous condition it would have been so vital to fulfill Russian reps in Munich,” she mentioned in a assertion. “It’s a reduction that Russia is not exploiting this option.”

Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists controlling breakaway eastern areas of the place continued on Friday to accuse just about every other of shelling every other’s positions and civilian neighbourhoods immediately after a Thursday flare-up in fighting.

Addressing parliament on Friday, Reznikov claimed 60 ceasefire violations ended up recorded in the previous 24 hrs, including 43 artillery salvos. “It’s most likely that they predicted the Ukrainian facet to retaliate so that they could blame us for escalating the predicament,” the defence minister said, suggesting Russia and their proxies sought to cause a pretext for further aggression.

“The provocations will not stop. Our aim is to continue being amazing headed, react sufficiently but not to be provoked,” Reznikov included. “We estimate the chance of a big-scale escalation as very low.”

Centric Brands Announces Partnership with Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund

NEW YORK–(Business enterprise WIRE)–Centric Models LLC (“Centric” or the “Company”), a leading way of life brand collective, introduced now a new partnership with the Black Expertise in Style & Fashion Fund (BTDF) to give scholarships to fund Black students studying to enter the style and/or footwear business.

The partnership includes Centric furnishing $10,000 in scholarship resources to help the important mission of the BTDF, reinforcing the company’s ongoing attempts to make a a lot more equitable and inclusive workforce.

Alicia Pinckney, Founder of the Black Expertise in Structure & Manner Fund stated, “I am thrilled about the partnership with Centric Brand names. Due to the fact the foundation of my nonprofit, I’ve built mentor relationships with the college students, connected them to persons and prospects, whilst learning about their targets and seeing them develop. On the lookout ahead to the doorways this will open up for the Black Expertise in Layout & Trend Fund recipients not only through scholarship and mentorship, but also by access to internships.”

Data clearly show Black expertise signifies less than 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the manner and style field. The BTDF Fund right supports underrepresented communities in just style and style undergraduate packages to assure they are capable to entire their diploma without pointless roadblocks, together with tuition gaps or a deficiency of obtain to materials and materials required for their specialized schooling. Centric Brands will be sponsoring 20 comprehensive scholarships, collaborating to emphasize BTDF’s local community of talent to make a direct pipeline to internship and early vocation improvement options in Centric Manufacturers, and profiling the BTDF team and the scholarship recipients across Centric Brands’ channels.

“We are incredibly energized to build the partnership with Alicia and the Black Expertise in Design & Style Fund. This partnership will supply us the chance to provide varied best talent into our firm to make their careers listed here at Centric Makes. It will also open new future choices that align with our Range and Expertise priorities,” mentioned Elyse Kretz, VP of Talent & Tradition, Centric Makes.

About Black Expertise in Design & Manner Fund

Black Talent in Layout & Style Fund is an initiative set to specifically fund and assist Black students learning to enter the style and/or footwear market. Studies present Black talent signifies less than 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of such a broad sector. BTDF addresses a option from the root and basis, undergraduate studies, in the endeavours to cultivate and foster pupils getting a degree in which they are technically educated. This fund will assist underrepresented communities within style and layout plans to guarantee they are in a position to full their degree with out roadblocks like not getting equipped to afford elements, supplies or even the semester’s tuition. With a absence of comprehensive money assist, pupils are straight away recommended to contemplate getting a semester off. This advice is not only discouraging but can quickly develop into a detour. BTDF pledges to assistance college students all through their journey by way of scholarship and mentorship, in endeavours to open up a wider pool for organizations to recruit, whilst addressing the absence of range in the trend and footwear industries.

About Centric Brands LLC.

Centric Brand names LLC is a leading life style manufacturer collective that patterns, resources, markets, and sells higher-high-quality items in the young children, men’s and women’s attire, add-ons, elegance, and leisure categories. The Company’s portfolio involves licenses for much more than 100 legendary brands, such as Calvin Klein®, Tommy Hilfiger®, Nautica®, Spyder®, and Underneath Armour® in the kid’s classification Joe’s Jeans®, Buffalo®, Hervé Léger®, and IZOD® in the men’s and women’s attire classification Kate Spade®, Michael Kors®, All Saints®, Frye®, Timberland®, Kenneth Cole®, and Jessica Simpson® in the add-ons group and in the entertainment category, Disney®, Marvel®, Nickelodeon®, and Warner Brothers® amongst several other people. The Enterprise also owns and operates models these kinds of as Zac Posen®, Hudson®, Robert Graham®, Avirex®, and Style Beauty® and operates a joint undertaking manufacturer, Beloved Daughter, with Sara and Erin Foster. The Company’s solutions are marketed largely in North America as a result of major mass-industry suppliers, specialty and office retailers, and on the net. Centric Makes LLC has unparalleled know-how in product or service style and design, advancement and sourcing, retail and digital commerce, marketing and advertising, and manufacturer developing. The Firm is headquartered in New York Town, with U.S. places of work in Los Angeles and Greensboro, and international workplaces in London, Toronto, and Montreal. For more facts about Centric Brand names, remember to pay a visit to www.centricbrands.com.

U.S. Attorney Announces The Arrest Of 13 Individuals For $100 Million Healthcare Fraud, Money Laundering, And Bribery Scheme | USAO-SDNY

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York,  Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Miriam E. Rocah, the Westchester County District Attorney, Kevin P. Bruen, Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), and Keechant Sewell, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of two indictments charging 13 individuals – including an NYPD police officer, licensed physicians, an attorney, and others – in connection with a $100 million automobile insurance fraud scheme. 

Of the 13 defendants, eight are charged in an indictment detailing conspiracies to commit healthcare fraud, money laundering, bribery, and obstruction, making false statements to federal authorities, and aggravated identity theft.  The charges are set forth in United States v. Alexander Gulkarov, et al., 22 Cr. 20 (the “Gulkarov Indictment”), which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Failla.  Five additional defendants are separately charged in United States v. Bradley Pierre, et al., 22 Cr. 19 (the “Pierre Indictment”), which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Torres.

Of those defendants, ten were arrested this morning in New York and New Jersey and are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Barbara Moses in Manhattan federal court later today.  An eleventh defendant, Alexander Gulkarov, was arrested in Miami, Florida, and is scheduled to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Florida later today.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “The thirteen defendants charged in today’s indictments are alleged to have collectively perpetrated one of the largest no-fault insurance frauds in history.  In carrying out their massive scheme, among other methods, they allegedly bribed 911 operators, hospital employees, and others for confidential motor vehicle accident victim information. With this information, they then endangered victims by subjecting them to unnecessary and often painful medical procedures, in order to fraudulently overbill insurance companies. Schemes exploiting no-fault insurance laws – which ironically exist to make insurance more affordable – also result in higher costs, and unfairly burden all consumers in the auto insurance market.” 

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “No-fault accident schemes, like the one alleged today, can cost insurance companies millions of dollars in payouts to doctors and clinics who provide phony or unnecessary services to unwitting accident victims. This cost is almost always passed to consumers of private insurance or subsidized programs established to help those in need. This is a dangerous game in which the penalties include federal criminal charges.”

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah said:  “This case is a perfect example of federal, state and local law enforcement working in partnership to investigate and take down two criminal organizations that allegedly defrauded insurance companies and exploited vulnerable individuals by subjecting them to unnecessary, harmful, and sometimes painful, medical treatments for the sake of greed and profit. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who manipulate the insurance system on which so many people depend, especially when the alleged perpetrators are professionals who allegedly violated the oaths they took to serve and protect.” 

State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said: “These indictments are the result of years of investigative work and could not have succeeded without the collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement.  Our investigation uncovered a large-scale, complex scheme that resulted in millions of dollars of fraudulent insurance claims. This type of fraud impacts the entire system and results in higher costs for companies and policyholders. I commend our members and our law enforcement partners for their work on this case, and we are sending a clear message that we will not tolerate fraud on any level.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said: “Today’s indictments reflect schemes to profit by exploiting victims’ through fraud. I commend the NYPD detectives, FBI agents and prosecutors of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York for their long-term efforts and cooperation in this investigation into alleged healthcare fraud, money laundering and bribery. Together, we will continue to be relentless in fighting crime that impacts the people we serve wherever, and however, it occurs.”

According to allegations contained in the Indictments[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:  

Background of the Investigation

Since 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office have been investigating several criminal organizations involved in a widespread healthcare fraud and bribery scheme that utilized the New York and New Jersey no-fault automobile insurance regime to earn millions of dollars in illegal profits.

New York and New Jersey no-fault insurance laws require a driver’s automobile insurance company to pay automobile insurance claims automatically for certain types of motor vehicle accidents, provided that the claim is legitimate, and is below a particular monetary threshold (the “No-Fault Laws”).  Pursuant to these requirements, insurance companies will often pay medical service providers directly for the treatment they provide to automobile accident victims, without the need to bill the victims themselves.  This process resolves automobile claims without apportioning blame or fault for the accident, thereby avoiding protracted disputes, and the costs associated with an extended investigation of the accident. 

The Gulkarov Indictment

The Gulkarov Indictment charges eight individuals (the “Gulkarov Conspirators”) with participating in a scheme to exploit the No-Fault Laws.  As part of the scheme, the Gulkarov Conspirators fraudulently owned and controlled more than a dozen medical professional corporations – including medical, acupuncture, and chiropractic practices – by paying licensed medical professionals to use their licenses to incorporate the professional corporations (collectively, the “Gulkarov Clinics”).  The Gulkarov Conspirators further defrauded automobile insurance companies by billing insurance companies for unnecessary, harmful, and excessive medical treatments and lying under oath to insurance company representatives.

The Gulkarov Conspirators promoted the scheme through bribery.  The Gulkarov Conspirators paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to co-conspirators (the “Runners”), who used this money to bribe 911 operators, hospital employees, and others for confidential motor vehicle accident victim information.  The Runners then used this information to contact automobile accident victims, lie to them, and induce them to seek medical treatment at, among other places, the Gulkarov Clinics.

The Gulkarov Conspirators laundered the proceeds of the fraud scheme through law firms, check-cashing entities, and shell companies, and used the money to pay for luxury cars, watches, and vacations.  Then, when certain members of the conspiracy learned that they were under federal criminal investigation, they obstructed justice by fabricating documents, lying to law enforcement, and committing perjury before a federal grand jury.

As alleged, the leaders of the Gulkarov Conspirators are non-physicians, including ALEXANDER GULKAROV, a/k/a “Little Alex,” ROMAN ISRAILOV, a/k/a “Roman Matatov,” PETER KHAIMOV, a/k/a “Peter Khaim,” and ANTHONY DIPIETRO.  ROLANDO CHUMACEIRO, a/k/a “Chuma,” and MARCELO QUIROGA are licensed medical practitioners who incorporated medical practices as part of the scheme, prescribed unnecessary and excessive medical treatments, and overbilled insurance companies under the No-Fault Laws.

The Gulkarov Indictment also includes charges against an attorney, ROBERT WISNICKI, Esq., who is the founding partner of two New York-based law firms.  As alleged, WISNICKI laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars of illicit proceeds for the leaders of the Gulkarov Conspiracy and concealed these transfers by fabricating retainer agreements, lying to law enforcement, and committing perjury before a federal grand jury. 

 

Finally, the Gulkarov Indictment includes a charge against an NYPD police officer, ALBERT ARONOV.  As alleged, as part of the scheme, ARONOV logged into NYPD computers during off-hours and searched for confidential motor vehicle accident reports on the NYPD’s servers.  ARONOV then took photos of the reports using a pre-paid “burner” phone and transmitted the photos to the leaders of the Gulkarov Conspiracy using an encrypted messaging application.  The leaders then used the confidential information contained in these reports to contact the motor vehicle accident victims, lie to them, and steer them to the Gulkarov Clinics for medical treatment.  When later questioned by federal agents, ARONOV lied about his involvement in accessing and disseminating the confidential motor vehicle accident reports.

All told, the Gulkarov Conspirators billed insurance companies for more than $30 million in fraudulent medical treatments.

The Pierre Indictment

The Pierre Indictment separately charges five additional individuals (the “Pierre Conspirators”) with participating in a second criminal scheme to exploit the No-Fault Laws.  The Pierre Conspirators fraudulently owned and controlled five medical services corporations – including medical clinics and a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) center – by paying licensed medical professionals to use their licenses to incorporate the professional corporations (collectively, the “Pierre Clinics”).  The Pierre Conspirators further defrauded automobile insurance companies by billing insurance companies for unnecessary, harmful, and excessive medical treatments, falsifying clinical injuries in reports, and lying under oath to insurance company representatives.

The Pierre Conspirators promoted the scheme through bribery.  Like the Gulkarov Conspirators, the Pierre Conspirators also paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Runners, who used this money to pay bribes for confidential motor vehicle accident victim information.  The Runners then used this information to induce victims to seek medical treatment at, among other places, the Pierre Clinics.

The Pierre Conspirators laundered the proceeds of the fraud scheme through phony loan arrangements and shell companies.

As alleged, the leader of the Pierre Conspiracy is BRADLEY PIERRE, who is not a physician.  PIERRE conducted much of the No-Fault Scheme from his physical office located in a law firm owned by a family member (“Law Firm-2”), where, among other things, he monitored the Pierre Clinics using closed circuit TV cameras, communicated with co-conspirators using Law Firm-2’s email domain, and met with doctors in Law Firm-2’s offices.   PIERRE further openly communicated with Law Firm-2 about the scheme, for instance telling his family member, “I’m going to make sure you ALWAYS make your quota.”  Law Firm-2 paid PIERRE over $4 million in connection with the No-Fault Scheme – typically from Law Firm-2’s Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (“IOLA Accounts”) – while maintaining no documentation or ledgers identifying the purpose of these payments.

The Pierre Indictment further charges two licensed medical practitioners with participating in the scheme.  MARVIN MOY is a medical doctor who incorporated a medical practice as part of the scheme and agreed with PIERRE to conduct unnecessary and painful electrodiagnostic testing on patients.  WILLIAM WEINER is a doctor of osteopathic medicine who incorporated a medical imaging facility as part of the scheme and agreed with PIERRE to falsify findings of clinical injuries in MRIs in order to boost patient referrals.

Finally, the Pierre Indictment charges two individuals for conspiring with PIERRE to pay bribes in order to facilitate the scheme.  ARTHUR BOGORAZ is a paralegal and manager at a New York-based personal injury law firm (“Law Firm-1”).  Among other things, BOGORAZ and PIERRE agreed to jointly pay bribes for patient and client referrals to the Pierre Clinics and Law Firm-1.  ANDREW PRIME is a Runner who bribed 911 operators and operated an additional call center as part of the scheme.

All told, the Pierre Conspirators billed insurance companies for more than $70 million in fraudulent medical treatments.

*                *                *

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the work of the FBI, the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Department of Financial Services, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.  Mr. Williams noted that the investigation is ongoing.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, and the White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Mathew Andrews and Louis A. Pellegrino are in charge of the prosecution.

22-007                                                                                                                                                           ###

Gulkarov Indictment

Defendant

Age

Hometown

Charges (Potential Maximum Term of Imprisonment)

ALEXANDER GULKAROV, a/k/a “Little Alex”

 

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Travel Act conspiracy, obstruction conspiracy, aggravated identity theft

(42 years)

 

 

ROMAN ISRAILOV

 

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Travel Act conspiracy, aggravated identity theft

(37 years)

 

PETER KHAIMOV, a/k/a “Peter Khaim”

 

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Travel Act conspiracy, aggravated identity theft

(37 years)

 

ANTHONY DIPIETRO

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Travel Act conspiracy; obstruction conspiracy

(40 years)

ROLANDO CHUMACEIRO, a/k/a “Chuma”

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy

(10 years)

 

MARCELO QUIROGA

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy

(10 years)

 

ROBERT WISNICKI

 

 

 

 

Money laundering conspiracy, obstruction conspiracy

(25 years)

 

ALBERT ARONOV

 

 

 

 

False statements

(5 years)

 

 

Pierre Indictment

 

BRADLEY PIERRE

 

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, Travel Act conspiracy, aggravated identity theft

(37 years)

 

MARVIN MOY

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy

(30 years)

 

WILLIAM WEINER

 

 

 

 

Healthcare fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy

(30 years)

 

 

ARTHUR BOGORAZ

 

 

 

 

 

Travel Act Conspiracy

(5 years)

 

 

ANDREW PRIME

 

 

 

 

Travel Act Conspiracy

(5 years)

 

 

 

 


[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the texts of the Indictments and the descriptions of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Heliogen, Inc. Announces Completion of Business Combination with Athena Technology Acquisition Corp.

Outcomes in about $188 million of gross money proceeds to Heliogen

Accelerates and developments Heliogen’s mission to empower a sustainable civilization with reduced-price solar electricity that makes clear power additional cost-effective than fossil fuels

Heliogen’s shares to start out investing on the NYSE tomorrow, December 31, 2021 less than ticker “HLGN”

PASADENA, Calif., December 30, 2021–(Business WIRE)–Heliogen Inc. (“Heliogen” or the “Organization”), a top service provider of AI-enabled concentrated solar electrical power, right now declared that it has done its earlier announced small business combination with Athena Technological innovation Acquisition Corp. (“ATHN”).

The transaction was unanimously authorized by ATHN’s Board of Administrators and was accepted at a distinctive conference of ATHN stockholders on December 28, 2021. Far more than 91{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the votes cast at the particular meeting were in favor of acceptance of the enterprise mix. THN stockholders also voted to approve all other proposals presented at the special assembly.

Concurrent with the completion of its business enterprise mixture, the put together firm altered its title from “Athena Technologies Acquisition Corp.” to “Heliogen Inc.” Commencing at the open of trading on December 31, 2021, Heliogen Inc.’s Class A widespread stock and Heliogen Inc.’s warrants are envisioned to commence investing on The New York Stock Trade under the symbols “HLGN” and “HLGNW,” respectively.

Company Track record

Started in 2013, Heliogen’s modular, AI-enabled, concentrated photo voltaic ability plants have the prospective to revolutionize the vitality marketplace by assuaging intermittency problems affiliated with renewable resources of energy era. Heliogen’s technologies is designed to flatten the electricity era curve by making use of concentrated photo voltaic power with storage to raise the availability of energy to industrial buyers.

The Company’s proprietary heliostat structure and management system aid concentration of the sun’s rays and have the capability to generate temperatures at the issue of concentrate that can exceed 1,000 levels centigrade. This warmth can then be captured, stored and transformed for industrial use, electric power generation, or to deliver green hydrogen gas, with the intention of providing in the vicinity of-24 hour renewable electricity that could change fossil fuels with concentrated daylight. Heliogen is commencing the commercialization of its AI-enabled, concentrated solar electric power modules with internationally identified buyers in the industrial, mining, and energy sectors.

Considering the fact that saying the organization combination with ATHN on July 7, 2021, Heliogen has declared important professional development which includes:

  • Collaboration with Woodside on a breakthrough solar technology venture to decrease carbon emissions. Heliogen has been granted by Woodside a Restricted Discover To Commence (“LNTP”) to start procurement of critical machines for a 5 megawatt (MW) industrial-scale demonstration facility in California. The proposed facility will use Heliogen’s AI-enabled concentrated photo voltaic engineering.

  • In partnership with Bloom Electrical power, the generation of environmentally friendly hydrogen by integrating the companies’ technologies – Heliogen’s concentrated photo voltaic energy program and the Bloom Electrolyzer. The modern effective demonstration in Lancaster, California made hydrogen and showcased the many gains of combining the companies’ complementary technologies to reach small-cost eco-friendly hydrogen generation.

  • A new technological breakthrough in the production of small-charge renewable electrical power. In field assessments at Heliogen’s Lancaster, California facility, the Business efficiently finished the initially technological demonstration of an autonomous field servicing method, Heliogen’s Installation & Cleansing Autonomous Robotic & Utility Remedy, or ICARUS. By bringing the identical advanced technologies that allow its AI-enabled concentrated photo voltaic electricity methods to the process of setting up and keeping people units, the Company’s most up-to-date innovation is envisioned to drastically minimize the time to deploy its concentrated solar facilities, as effectively as the prices associated with design and ongoing routine maintenance.

  • Finalized a $39 million award from the U.S. Department of Power (“DOE”) to deploy the Company’s breakthrough renewable power know-how in California. Heliogen will use the cash gained from the DOE towards a industrial-scale facility leveraging its AI-enabled concentrated photo voltaic engineering.

  • Collaboration with CarbonCapture to create sustainably-run direct air seize (DAC) services. The companies intend to kick off front-stop engineering for the integration of Heliogen’s concentrated solar electricity and reliable media thermal storage techniques with CarbonCapture’s carbon removing technologies to effectively and price tag-correctly harness the industrial warmth generation abilities of Heliogen methods for use in CarbonCapture DAC programs.

Management Commentary

Bill Gross, Founder and Main Executive Officer of Heliogen, commented: “Powering the earth with renewable strength is not only critical to combating climate change – it is also the greatest economic chance in background. The money elevated in this transaction will fund our accelerated advancement and enable us to globally scale our video game changing AI-enabled concentrated photo voltaic power technologies. We consider we have the likely to remodel the world’s power output and meaningfully tackle local climate adjust, even though providing lengthy-term stakeholder value. With our proficient and devoted group, a entire world-class Board of Administrators, our potent customer and companion interactions, a developing buyer pipeline, and technology that is in large need globally, I couldn’t be additional optimistic about Heliogen’s means to provide on our mission of changing fossil fuels with concentrated daylight.”

Phyllis Newhouse, former CEO of Athena Engineering Acquisition Corp. and member of the Heliogen board of administrators, commented: “We’re very proud to reach this milestone and get started the up coming chapter in Heliogen’s advancement story. Our authentic mission at Athena was to operate with imagined leaders and know-how innovators whose groundbreaking answers will help both industry and culture. With the closing of our business enterprise blend right now, we’re going a person phase nearer to a more healthy environment where by fossil fuels are changed by cleaner resources of energy.”

Transaction Overview

The transaction resulted in roughly $188 million of income to Heliogen’s harmony sheet, comprised of equally cash from ATHN’s former belief account and a private investment decision in community fairness (PIPE). The PIPE is anchored by funds and accounts managed by Counterpoint Worldwide (Morgan Stanley), Salient Companions, Saba Funds, and the XCarb Innovation Fund of ArcelorMittal.

In addition to the proceeds from this transaction, the Corporation has beforehand disclosed the conversion to popular shares of $83.4 million in Safe and sound financing on closing of the organization combination.

Heliogen Inc. will use the proceeds to scale heliostat production, to assist investigate and advancement efforts on following generation heliostat technological innovation, to guidance international challenge development, and to fund the stability sheet.

Management

Heliogen’s current senior management crew will carry on to guide the merged business, including Invoice Gross (Chief Executive Officer Director), Christie Obiaya (Main Fiscal Officer), Steve Schell (Main Engineering Officer and Chief Engineer) and Tom Doyle (Main Business Officer).

Heliogen Inc.’s Board of Directors will be comprised of a the vast majority of unbiased administrators, particularly Phyllis Newhouse, Stacey Abrams, Paddy Padmanathan, Julie Kane, Robert Kavner and David Crane. Heliogen CEO Bill Gross will serve as the only non-independent director.

Advisors

Cohen & Enterprise Money Markets (a division of J.V.B. Fiscal Team, LLC), is serving as economical advisor to Athena. Barclays is serving as economical advisor to Heliogen. Cohen & Firm Money Marketplaces is also serving as placement agent to Athena. DLA Piper LLP (US) is serving as lawful advisor to Athena. Cooley LLP is performing as legal advisor to Heliogen.

About Heliogen

Heliogen is a renewable electricity know-how company targeted on getting rid of the have to have for fossil fuels in hefty sector and powering a sustainable future. The company’s AI-enabled, modular concentrated solar technology aims to charge-efficiently produce around 24/7 carbon-free of charge electrical power in the sort of heat, energy, or environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel at scale – for the initial time in historical past. Heliogen was created at Idealab, the primary engineering incubator launched by Monthly bill Gross in 1996. For additional information about Heliogen, be sure to pay a visit to heliogen.com.

Forward-Seeking Statements

This press launch contains selected forward-looking statements inside the meaning of the “safe and sound harbor” provisions of the United States Non-public Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historic in character, which include the words and phrases “anticipate,” “count on,” “suggests,” “strategy,” “consider,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “tasks,” “really should,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “will,” “forecast” and other similar expressions are intended to establish forward-searching statements. Forward-on the lookout statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are centered on latest expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are issue to challenges and uncertainties. A lot of elements could result in actual long term activities to vary materially from the forward-wanting statements in this press release, including but not constrained to: (i) the means to acquire or keep the listing of Heliogen’s popular stock on the New York Stock Trade next the company mixture (ii) the chance that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and functions as a consequence of the announcement and consummation of the company mixture (iii) the outcome of any authorized proceedings that may be instituted towards Heliogen or other folks following the organization combination (iv) the ability to recognize the predicted benefits of the business enterprise mixture, which may well be afflicted by, among other matters, the capacity of Heliogen to increase and manage expansion profitably, maintain associations with shoppers, contend within just its marketplace and keep its vital personnel (v) expenses similar to the proposed small business combination (vi) variations in applicable legal guidelines or rules (vii) the result of the COVID-19 pandemic on Heliogen’s enterprise (viii) the means of Heliogen to execute its company model, together with marketplace acceptance of its planned items and solutions and obtaining ample production volumes at satisfactory quality ranges and price ranges (ix) Heliogen’s capability to raise cash (x) the likelihood that Heliogen may be adversely impacted by other financial, enterprise, and/or competitive things and (xi) foreseeable future trade and curiosity fees. The foregoing checklist of components is not exhaustive. You should meticulously contemplate the foregoing factors and the other threats and uncertainties described in the “Danger Aspects” portion of the registration statement on Sort S-4, as amended via November 19, 2021, in the definitive proxy assertion / prospectus, dated December 3, 2021 and other paperwork filed by the Firm from time to time with the SEC. These filings establish and deal with other crucial threats and uncertainties that could cause actual occasions and success to vary materially from all those contained in the ahead-on the lookout statements. Ahead-looking statements talk only as of the day they are created. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Heliogen assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, irrespective of whether as a end result of new information and facts, foreseeable future situations, or usually. No assurance is specified that the merged company, will reach its anticipations.

Watch resource variation on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/information/dwelling/20211230005285/en/

Contacts

Athena Technologies Acquisition Corp. Contacts
For Media:
Berns Communications Team
AthenaPR@bcg-pr.com

Heliogen Contacts
For Media:
Push@Heliogen.com

For Buyers:
Caldwell Bailey
ICR, Inc.
HeliogenIR@icrinc.com

NFL announces international home marketing area teams and markets

Following ratification by the International Committee today, the NFL announced that 18 teams have been granted access to 26 International Home Marketing Areas (IHMA) across eight different countries. This ground-breaking, new initiative grants clubs access to international territories for marketing, fan engagement and commercialization as part of an important, long-term, strategic effort to enable clubs to build their global brands while driving NFL fan growth internationally.

“NFL fandom begins with our clubs,” said Christopher Halpin, NFL Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer. “This important initiative enables  NFL teams to develop meaningful, direct relationships with NFL fans abroad, driving fan growth and avidity globally. We were very pleased with the number, creativity and level of commitment of club proposals across the board in this initial application period and look forward to teams launching their efforts early next year.”

As part of the International HMA program, clubs will have access to international markets for at least a five-year term, during which a club will have rights to pursue activities in that international market that are consistent with what they can do in their domestic HMA. This includes in-person and digital marketing, corporate sponsorship sales, fan events and activations, youth football activities, merchandise sales and co-marketing relationships with other sports and entertainment properties in the market.

Clubs can begin to activate in their awarded market(s) on January 1, 2022.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in our efforts to broaden the NFL’s global reach by building long-term relationships with these international markets that will play a large role in the continued growth and expansion of our sport for years to come,” said Joel Glazer, Tampa  Bay  Buccaneers  Owner/Co-Chairman and NFL International Committee Chairman.

“Much of our league success is rooted in the strong connection that our individual teams have built with their fans, and this initiative creates many more avenues for engaging and energizing our international fanbase.” 

Coupled with the League’s commitment to International Games – all 32 clubs will play at least one international game in the next eight seasons – the League will use its best efforts to ensure clubs play their international games in their International HMAs, where possible.

Following the launch  of this initiative, clubs may submit future proposals for International Committee review annually each spring.

Clubs Granted International Home Marketing Areas, by Market:

Australia: Los Angeles Rams

Canada: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks

Germany: Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Mexico: Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers 

Spain: Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins

United Kingdom: Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers