FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending November 13, 2009

Washington, D.C. November 13, 2009

FBI Headquarters: Investigation Continues Into Fort Hood Shooting

The FBI continues to work closely with the Department of the Army in the joint, ongoing investigation into the tragic events that occurred last Thursday at Fort Hood. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families. With respect to the investigation—the Army Criminal Investigative Division is leading a coordinated criminal investigation with the support of the FBI and other components of the Department of Justice and the Texas Rangers.

Dallas: South Korean Businessman Sentenced for Role in $206 Million Contract Fraud

South Korean businessman Gi-Hwan Jeong was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a bribery conspiracy involving a $206 million telecommunications contract and employees of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

New Orleans: Duo Charged with Stealing Nearly $13 Million in Embezzlement Scheme

Donna White and Daniel Kinney were charged in a one-count bill of information with mail fraud. According to court documents, while White was employed by John W. Stone Oil Distributor, L.L.C., a midstream and dock fueling business in the Port of New Orleans, she and Kinney entered into a scheme to steal nearly $13,000,000 in funds belonging to J.W. Stone, and depositing the funds into their personal bank accounts.

New York: Accomplice of Former UBS Investment Banker Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading

Michael Koulouroudis pleaded guilty to conspiracy and securities fraud as a result of trading based on inside information stolen from UBS.

Miami: FBI and IRS Seeking to Identify Victims of Rothstein Ponzi Scheme

The FBI’s Miami Division and the IRS’s Miami Field Office are seeking information from individuals who have invested in the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment or from individuals who have information that would be helpful to the investigation. Information may be provided via Rothstein.Investment@ic.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI, “Rothstein Option.”

Washington Field: Former Willbros International Consultant Pleads Guilty to $6 Million Foreign Bribery Scheme

Paul G. Novak, a former consultant for Willbros International Inc., a subsidiary of Houston-based Willbros Group Inc., pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to pay more than $6 million in bribes to government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officials from a Nigerian political party.

Dallas: Businessman Admits Causing More Than $50 Million in Losses to Investors

Benny Lee Judah, a businessman from Lubbock, Texas, was remanded into federal custody following his guilty plea to felony offenses stemming from his defrauding at least 250 investors of more than $50 million.

New York: Civil Action Filed Seeking Forfeiture of Alavi Foundation’s Interest in Fifth Avenue Office Building Controlled by Iran

An amended civil complaint was filed seeking forfeiture of the Alavi Foundation’s interest in a 36-story office tower located at 650 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The building is owned by 650 Fifth Avenue Company, a partnership between the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corporation. The amended complaint alleges that the Alavi Foundation has been providing numerous services to the Iranian Government and transferring funds from 650 Fifth Avenue Company to Bank Melli, a bank wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Iran.

Atlanta: International Effort Defeats Major Hacking Ring

Sergei Tsurikov of Tallinn, Estonia; Viktor Pleshchuk of St. Petersburg, Russia; Oleg Covelin of Chisinau, Moldova; and an unidentified individual were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, computer fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Igor Grudijev, Ronald Tsoi, Evelin Tsoi, and Mihhail Jevgenov - each of Tallinn, Estonia - were indicted by a federal grand jury for access device fraud. The charges relate to a scheme to hack into a computer network operated by the Atlanta-based credit card processing company RBS WorldPay, which is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Portland: Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography

Mark A. Hoffman was sentenced to 50 years in prison following Hoffman’s guilty plea to two counts of production of child pornography. The investigation revealed a ring of fathers trading pornography across the Internet.