FBI's Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending September 19, 2008

1. 175 Cartel Members and Associates Arrested

Project Reckoning, a multi-agency law enforcement effort targeting the Gulf Cartel, resulted in the arrest of 175 individuals, the seizure of $60 million and more than 40 tons of illegal drugs.

2. New York: CFO of Tommy Hilfiger Pleads Guilty

Former Chief Financial Officer of Tommy Hilfiger Handbags and Small Leather Goods Inc. Martin S. Bodner pled guilty to the theft of over $19 million from his employer.

3. San Francisco: Sentencing in “9-1-1” Bomb Threats

Devon Craft was sentenced for placing numerous “9-1-1” emergency calls threatening to blow up San Francisco City Hall and the Westfield Shopping Mall in San Francisco.

4. Atlanta: State Representative/Church Pastor Sentenced

Walter Ronnie Sailor, Jr., former state representative and pastor, was sentenced for money laundering and defrauding his church.

5. New York: Genovese Family Captain Indicted

Angelo Prisco, a Captain in the Genovese Organized Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra, was indicted for racketeering, operating an illegal gambling business, robbery and other crimes.

6. Newark: Operation Broken Boards Nabs City Councilman

City of Passaic Councilman Gerardo Fernandez was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with false testimony given during a grand jury investigation.

7. Newark: Union President Sentenced

The former president of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Peter O. Strannemar, was sentenced for his part in a bribery conspiracy. 

8. Detroit: Employees Plead Guilty to Stealing Confidential Business Information for Chinese Competitor

Three former employees of Metaldyne Corporation – Anne Lockwood, her husband, Michael Haehnel, and Fuping Liu – pled guilty in connection with a conspiracy to steal confidential information and using the stolen information to assist a Chinese competitor.

9. New York: Police Officer Found Guilty

Anthony Rypka, Jr., a Tarrytown police officer, was found guilty of child pornography and the possession of an illegal, unregistered fully automatic sub-machine gun. 

10. Washington Field Office: Leader of DC Property Tax Scheme Pleads Guilty

Harriette Monica Walters, a former employee of the District of Columbia’s Office of Tax and Revenue, pled guilty to embezzling over $48 million over 18 years.