FBI's Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending November 9, 2007
For the Week Ending November 9, 2007

1. Philadelphia: Attempt to Support Al-Qaeda Results in 30 Years’ Imprisonment

Michael Curtis Reynolds was sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda and other related charges. 

2. Boston: Former State House Majority Leader Pleads Guilty

Former Rhode Island House Majority Leader Gerard M. Martineau pleaded guilty to public corruption charges. Martineau used his position to affect the outcome of legislation for companies that he favored. 

3. San Diego: Defense Contractor Found Guilty of Bribing Former Congressman

Brent Roger Wilkes was found guilty of bribing former Congressman Randall “Duke” Cunningham. Wilkes paid the bribes to Cunningham and, in exchange, Cunningham used his public office for nearly a decade to influence the awarding of more than $80 million in defense contracts to Wilkes’ company, ADCS Inc. 

4. Birmingham: Deputy Director with the Department of Army Charged

Douglas Harry Ennis, former deputy director of the Joint Center for Technology Integration, United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, was charged with making false statements on a financial disclosure form. 

5. Los Angeles: Canadian Charged in Lottery Scam

A joint investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Project Emptor Telemarketing Task Force resulted in the arrest of Odowa Roland Okuomose for his involvement in a fraudulent lottery scheme which victimized US residents. 

6. Washington Field Office: Five Arrests in Massive Property Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

Harriette Walters, manager of the D.C. Real Property Tax Administration Adjustments Unit; Diane Gustus, real property program specialist with the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue; and three co-conspirators were arrested for their roles in a scheme to defraud D.C. out of millions of dollars in real estate property tax refunds. To date, the loss has been assessed at over $16 million. 

7. Houston: Owners of Sexually Oriented Businesses Indicted

Ki Sun Park and Man Hui Cho were indicted for conspiracy to commit bribery, visa fraud, and harboring of illegal aliens for immoral purposes. 

8. San Diego: Father and Son Guilty of Theft of Trade Secrets

John K. Norris and his son, Matthew K. Norris, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal trade secrets from the Imperial Group. John Norris is a former employee of the Imperial Group.  (pdf)

9. Los Angeles: Operation Bell Bottom Results in Numerous Arrests for Counterfeiting, Narcotics

A two-year investigation named Operation Bell Bottom focused on the criminal activities of Ali Khalil Elreda, his siblings, and his associates in and around clothing stores. A multi-agency task force made arrests for narcotics trafficking, selling counterfeit goods, and crimes designed to conceal large sums of cash. 

10. FBIHQ: FBI Recovers 15th Century Maps

The FBI recovered two 15th century maps stolen from the Spanish National Library in Madrid, Spain. Director Mueller presented the maps to the Director General of the Spanish National Police and Civil Guard in a ceremony at FBI headquarters.