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Broward County woman charged in $190.7 million Ponzi fraud scheme targeting investors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

The former Chief Executive Officer of MJ Capital Funding, LLC was indicted on charges of orchestrating an investment Ponzi fraud scheme totaling around $190.7 million from the business. The South Florida federal grand jury indictment accuses Johanna Michely Garcia, 40, of Broward County, of conspiring to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, the Department of Justice said in a news release. MJ Capital Funding, LLC, based in Pompano Beach, offered merchant cash advances (MCAs) to small and medium-sized businesses. The indictment alleges that between October 2020 and Aug. 12, 2021, Garcia, along with Pavel Ramon Ruiz Hernandez and accomplices, fraudulently collected funds from investors under the pretext of financing MCAs. Recruits were also used to attract additional investors, earning a 10% commission.Garcia appeared in U.S. Magistrate Court on Friday, and a subsequent hearing is scheduled for August 28. If convicted, Garcia c...

Car crashes into ice cream shop in Gloucester

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

Emergency crews responded in Gloucester after a car slammed into an ice cream shop on Washington Street Friday. The crash happened at Carl’s Cones at the corner of Washington Street and Grove Street and was caught on camera by nearby surveillance video. The driver was taken to a hospital. The shop, officials said, was closed at the time of the crash because of rainy weather, meaning no one was inside. “That’s good because they’re usually open all the time,” said neighbor Patrick Hunt.Video shared with 7NEWS showed the car involved in this crash first come around a corner before drifting off the road and smashing into the building. Neighbors said they heard a loud bang at the moment of impact and soon saw the car in the front of the shop.“Obviously, it’s pretty insane when the ice cream place right next to you has a car through it,” Hunt said. Gloucester’s Acting Building Commissioner Donald Belanger was on scene with board-up crews around 4 p.m. Friday after...

‘Dune: Part Two’ delayed to 2024 as Hollywood strikes drag on

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

(CNN) — “Dune: Part Two,” the long-awaited sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic “Dune” from 2021, has been delayed, Warner Bros. announced on Thursday.The film, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, was originally slated for release on November 3rd of this year.In an email to CNN on Thursday, the studio confirmed the sequel was being pushed “due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.” (Warner Bros. and CNN are both a part of Warner Bros. Discovery.)Actors in that union, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, have been on strike since July after negotiations with the studios and streaming platforms around a new contract failed.Sticking points in those negotiations include residual payments, transparency with viewership data on streaming platforms, and updated protections against the advent of artificial intelligence within the industry.The actors’ strike came as writers in Hollywood had already been on strike since M...

Orioles newcomer Jacob Webb emerging as a reliable reliever: ‘They picked me up for a reason’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

In a matter of three days, Jacob Webb went from being rejected by a team with a small chance of making the playoffs to being accepted by one with the best record in the American League.The Los Angeles Angels acquired three pitchers at the trade deadline, a collection of moves that bumped Webb out of their bullpen plans. He was designated for assignment and subsequently turned down by 27 other clubs during the waiver process.The lone team in the majors that wanted Webb: the Orioles.The process of being designated for assignment and changing teams in the middle of the season, Webb said, was a “shock.” He grew up an Angels fan and enjoyed his time with the organization playing alongside all-time greats Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.However, the disappointment of being put on waivers quickly turned to excitement once he saw the team that claimed him.“They picked me up for a reason,” Webb said. “It’s nice to have some confidence behind you.”That c...

Healey declines to release emails between top staffers in run up to emergency declaration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey’s office largely declined to release top staffers’ emails associated with a state of emergency declaration earlier this month, keeping secret the conversations they had in the runup to the major decision.Healey declared a state of emergency on Aug. 8 in response to emergency shelters filling up with constantly arriving migrants from other countries and as surging housing costs hurt residents already in Massachusetts.Housing and migrant advocacy groups applauded the move as a way to free up resources and easily clear bureaucratic hurdles to respond to what they have described as a humanitarian crisis.But the online discussions decision-makers in state government had in the months prior have been withheld from public view. The governor is not subject to the public records law in Massachusetts but has, in some cases, released records to the public and media.The Herald requested emails sent or received between May 1 and Aug. 8 by Healey, Chief of Staff Kate...

Lucas: Is Ed Markey’s ‘fat cat’ private jet surtax bill aimed at John Kerry?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

Surely Sen. Ed Markey did not have Climate Czar John Kerry in mind when he filed his bill taxing “fat cats” flying around the world in carbon-polluting private jets.Markey said that one percent of the world’s population is responsible for half of all aviation emissions.“The one percent can’t free ride on our environment and our infrastructure at a discount,” Markey said.Markey last week sent out an email seeking signature support for his bill.It can’t be true about Kerry, though. Markey owes his Senate seat to fellow Democrat Kerry. So, it is unlikely that he would turn on him.But hardly had Kerry finished taking a beating before a Republican-led committee hearing for allegedly flying around the world on private jets, then Markey filed his bill blasting the rich for flying private and polluting the world.Kerry’s explosive hearing before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on oversight — where Republicans were gunning for him — took place Thursday, July 13. Markey filed ...

Holliston High girls cross country star Carmen Luisi puts injury behind her

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

An untimely stress fracture in her foot put Carmen Luisi on the sidelines for the spring track season, but the Holliston High senior is healthy and fit now.And with a summer of consistent mileage under her belt running the back roads of her rural hometown, she’ll look to become the first female cross country runner to capture her third consecutive All-State title since the great Grace Connolly of Natick.Despite her immense accolades and the historic niche she’s already carved out in Massachusetts, Luisi still believes she has something to prove.“I really want to prove to myself that despite my injuries I really want to run some fast times,” she said. “Hopefully the wins will come with them.”The Massachusetts Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2020-21, Luisi knew the track season was a wash. She realized taking her time getting healthy again was paramount.“I wanted to take the time off and not push anything,” she said. “...

7 San Diego-area companies ranked among 'best employers' in US: Forbes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Do you work at one of the greatest organizations in country? There are seven San Diego-area companies that made Forbes' 2023 list of Best Employers in the U.S.In order to determine which work places are at the top, Forbes and market research firm Statista surveyed a total of 70,000 full or part-time employees in each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. Each company considered had 500 or more workers.Participants -- all anonymous -- were asked whether they would recommend their employer to friends and family. They were also asked to evaluate their employer based on criteria, including working conditions, diversity, compensation packages, potential for development and company image. Apple backs California’s ‘Right to Repair’ bill in major policy shift The following San Diego-area companies earned a ranking on Forbes' list during this survey:-- DexCom: This healthcare equipment services organization is based in San Diego and has 4,500 employees.-- ...

County officials update residents on water boil advisory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- During a press briefing Friday, San Diego County officials updated the public regarding an ongoing boil water advisory affecting Coronado's Silver Strand and surrounding areas. The advisory impacts customers of the utility company, California America Water, including portions of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.The advisory went into effect Thursday after E. coli bacteria was detected in the drinking water system. Since then, residents in affected areas have been urged to either boil their water before using it or use bottled water. These schools are closed due to a boil water advisory San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas says the county has been working closely with the state, the water agency and other local agencies in response to this situation. "I wanted to make sure I emphasize that our county emergency operations have been activated and is setting up coordination events with all the city managers," Vargas stated.She says impacted businesse...

Missouri judge says ban on gender-affirming health care for minors can take effect on Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:48 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge ruled Friday that a ban on gender-affirming health care for minors can take effect on Monday, as scheduled. The ruling by St. Louis Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer means that beginning next week, health care providers are prohibited from providing gender-affirming surgeries to children. Minors who began puberty blockers or hormones before Monday will be allowed to continue on those medications, but other minors won’t have access to those drugs. Some adults will also lose access to gender-affirming care. Medicaid no longer will cover treatments for adults, and the state will not provide those surgeries to prisoners.Physicians who violate the law face having their licenses revoked and being sued by patients. The law makes it easier for former patients to sue, giving them 15 years to go to court and promising at least $500,000 in damages if they succeed.The ACLU of Missouri, Lambda Legal, and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner last month sued to overturn the l...