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    Trump Organization Fined in Tax Fraud Case

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

    On Friday, the Trump Organization was fined $1.6 million following its conviction last month for criminal tax fraud.

    It was the maximum penalty former President Trump’s sprawling business organization could face for what prosecutors have described as a long-running scheme to evade taxes by providing perks to company executives.

    Earlier this week, former Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to fives months in prison as well as pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties, and interest, and serve five years of probation for his role in the 15-year tax scheme.

    As Great America News Desk previously reported:

    Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer for the Trump Organization, is expected to be sent to Rikers Island jail in New York after receiving his sentence for his participation in a tax fraud scheme.

    Wesselberg, along with other top executives, pled guilty to running the scheme for the past 15 years where he and others received bonuses and other kickbacks designed to save the real estate company money.

    On Tuesday, the CFO was sentenced to five months in jail as well as pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties, and interest, and serve five years of probation.

    Rikers Island is one of New York’s most well-known jails and has become notorious for violence and drug use.

    This story is developing. Click refresh for the latest details.

    House Speaker Signals Interest in Expunging Trump Impeachment

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    8
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Congressional Republicans are hitting the road running.

    On Thursday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy signaled to reporters that he would consider expunging one or both of former President Trump’s impeachments, according to The Hill.

    “I would understand why members would want to bring that forward,” McCarthy said in response to a question at a press conference on Thursday, before listing off several other key priorities for House Republicans. 

    “But I understand why individuals want to do it, and we’d look at it,” he added.

    Republicans have attempted to expunge the former President’s impeachments before.

    In the last Congress, a group of more than 30 House Republicans led by Rep. Markwayne Mullin (Okla.) put forward a resolution to expunge Trump’s second impeachment.

    A smaller group, again led by Mullin, also introduced a resolution to expunge Trump’s December 2019 impeachment for allegedly attempting to withhold military aid from Ukraine in an effort to pressure the country to investigate the business dealings of President Biden’s son Hunter Biden.

    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Attorney General Appoints Special Counsel to Investigate Biden

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    15
    Chuck Kennedy for The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Things are heating up for Joe Biden.

    New reports indicate a second batch of classified documents has been recovered from President Biden’s garage in Wilmington, Delaware. The first batch of documents dating back to the Obama administration was uncovered inside the Washington offices of the Penn Biden Center think tank.

    “Lawyers discovered among personal and political papers a small number of additional Obama-Biden administration records with classified markings. All but one of these documents were found in storage space in the President’s Wilmington residence garage,” White House lawyers wrote in a Thursday statement. “One document consisting of one page was discovered among stored materials in an adjacent room.”

    The second discovery triggered the Justice Department to escalate to a special counsel investigation from a mere review. In a special press conference, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed former United State Attorney Robert Hur to handle the investigation.

    Fox News reporter Peter Doocy pressed the President over the second batch of documents on Thursday.

    “Classified documents next to your Corvette? What were you thinking?” Doocy asked.

    “I’m going to get the chance to speak on all of this, God willing it’ll be soon, but I said earlier this week — and by the way my Corvette is in a locked garage. It’s not like it’s sitting out in the street,” Biden responded.

    “So the documents were in a locked garage,” Doocy prompted.

    “Yes, as well as my Corvette. But as I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents and classified material seriously,” Biden said. “I also said we’re cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Department’s review.”

    Arkansas Governor Bans Woke Term During First Day on the Job

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    New Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is hitting the ground running.

    One of Gov. Sanders’s first moves was taking on the woke mob directly by signing an executive order banning the use of “Latinx” in government documents because it is “culturally insensitive” to the Latino community, according to The Daily Wire.

    “Ethnically insensitive and pejorative language has no place in official government documents or government employee titles,” Sanders’ executive order stated. “The government has a responsibility to respect its citizens and use ethnically appropriate language, particularly when referring to ethnic minorities.”

    The executive order noted that polling from the Pew Research Center has found that roughly only 2-3% of Latinos even use the word “Latinx” to describe themselves and that the Real Academia Española, a Madrid-based institution that serves as a guide for the Spanish language, has officially rejected the use of “x” as an alternative to “o” and “a” in Spanish.

    “All state offices, departments, and agencies, unless granted an exemption by the Governor, shall review official documents of their respective entities regarding the use of the term ‘Latinx,’ ‘latinx,’ ‘Latinxs,’ or ‘latinxs’ in official state documents,” the order said.

    Sanders, who made history by becoming the country’s youngest governor, is also taking a direct hands-on approach to the controversial Critical Race Theory.

    Sanders also signed an executive order Critical Race Theory, which the order described as “antithetical to the traditional American values of neutrality, equality, and fairness.”

    “It emphasizes skin color as a person’s primary characteristic, thereby resurrecting segregationist values, which America has fought so hard to reject,” the order said. “It is the policy of this administration that CRT, discrimination, and indoctrination have no place in Arkansas classrooms.”

    Sanders was the White House Press Secretary under former President Trump from 2017 to 2019. She is the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who served from 1996 to 2007 and was the state’s lieutenant governor from 1993 to 1996.

    Sanders handily defeated Democrat Chris Jones and libertarian candidate Ricky Dale Harrington.

    Former Trump Org. CFO Sentenced to Notorious Prison

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer for the Trump Organization, is expected to be sent to Rikers Island jail in New York after receiving his sentence for his participation in a tax fraud scheme.

    Wesselberg, along with other top executives, pled guilty to running the scheme for the past 15 years where he and others received bonuses and other kickbacks designed to save the real estate company money.

    On Tuesday, the CFO was sentenced to five months in jail as well as pay nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties, and interest, and serve five years of probation.

    Rikers Island is one of New York’s most well-known jails and has become notorious for violence and drug use.

    The Washington Examiner reports:

    Weisselberg’s sentence comes one month after prosecutors and defense lawyers gave their closing arguments in the criminal tax fraud trial against the Trump Organization, wrapping up the yearslong investigation into the former president’s company and its financial dealings.The former CFO emerged as the prosecutor’s star witness after he testified that he had accepted illegal compensation for his own benefit and hid the payments from the company’s outside accountant. The former CFO continued this practice for years, ending it once Donald Trump was elected president and his company’s business practices came under new scrutiny.

    Weisselberg’s testimony strengthened prosecutors’ accusations that the Trump Organization paid for the personal expenses of several company executives without reporting them as income. These payments included paying for the managers’ rent, car lease payments, and other expenses. Prosecutors also alleged the company partially paid these executives as independent contractors rather than company employees.

    The Trump Organization pleaded not guilty, and defense lawyers sought to point the finger solely at Weisselberg.

    This story is breaking. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    DOJ Subpoenas Rudy Giuliani

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The Department of Justice subpoenaed former President Donald Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani in connection with a probe into fundraising efforts following the 2020 election.

    According to CNN, the DOJ first issued the subpoena in November seeking documents from Giuliani about payments he received during the period when he was filing post-election lawsuits on behalf of the Trump campaign.

    The inquiry to Giuliani came from David Rody, a former top prosecutor in New York who specializes in gang and conspiracy cases and is assisting Smith with examining a broader criminal conspiracy after the election, according to some of the sources.

    In response to being informed of CNN’s reporting on Giuliani’s subpoena and asked for a statement, Ted Goodman, his adviser, said, “The mayor is unaware of the specific claims by this so-called ‘anonymous source,’ and therefore is not in position to respond.”

    Giuliani is already facing fallout, including a preliminary determination from the D.C. bar association that he violated rules of professional conduct in filing the suits, a matter that could eventually result in the loss of his law license.

    This story is breaking. Click refresh for the latest information.

    Pro-Trump Influencer Dead at 51

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    6
    The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Pro-Trump influencer Ineitha Lynnette Hardaway, better known as “Diamond” in “Diamond and Silk” has sadly passed away according to the former president.

    In a message to his TRUTH Social account, Trump announced Diamond’s sudden passing. She was only 51 years old.

    “Really bad news for Republicans and frankly, ALL Americans,” Trump said in a post on social media. “Our beautiful Diamond, of Diamond and Silk, has just passed away at her home in the State she loved so much, North Carolina.”

    “Silk was with her all the way, and at her passing,” the message continued. “There was no better TEAM anywhere, or at any time! Diamond’s death was totally unexpected, probably her big and precious HEART just plain gave out. Rest In Peace our Magnificent Diamond, you will be greatly missed!”

    The Diamond and Silk Twitter account shared a link for people to donate to her funeral. The funds will be received by her sister Herneitha Rochelle Hardaway Richardson, also known as “Silk.”

    The duo were conservative activists who posted live-stream videos talking about politics. The occasionally appeared on conservative news shows and regularly attended rallies for the former president.

    This story is breaking. Click refresh for the latest details.

    Georgia Jury Concludes Trump Criminal Investigation Report

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The special purpose jury in Fulton County, Georgia, has finished its final report on its investigation into alleged criminal efforts by former President Donald Trump and others during the 2020 election.

    The special jury, requested by District Attorney Fani Willis and approved last January, reportedly submitted its final report and will await the ruling of Judge Robert McBurney on whether to make it public.

    A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 24, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Bill Rankin.

    Willis opened the investigation last year after audio surfaced of a call between Raffensperger and Trump, where the former president pushed the secretary of state to “find” 11,780 votes to secure a win in Georgia and overturn his loss in the 2020 election against President Joe Biden.

    The special grand jury was granted the power to help dole out subpoenas and recommend charges, however, it lacks the authority to indict on its own.

    This story is developing. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    MAGA Congressman Threatens to Resign if Republicans Strike Deal with Democrats

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    12
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    As the 118th Congress reconvenes for the fourth day with no Speaker some lawmakers can feel the desperation in the air.

    As House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy heads into what will be the twelfth round of voting one of the more boisterous detractors says he is prepared to resign from Congress if Republicans strike a deal with Democrats to support a more moderate candidate.

    “These 212 Democrats are going to vote for Hakeem Jeffries every single time. He’s a historic candidate. They’re not going to cleave off,” Gaetz told Fox News’s Laura Ingraham on Thursday when asked if he thought centrist Democrats would back McCarthy if they were promised co-control of House committees.

    “If Democrats join up to elect a moderate Republican, I will resign,” Gaetz continued.

    Gaetz, who has voted against McCarthy’s nomination during each round of voting says that no concessions the California Republican offers swill be enough to sway his vote.

    “He’s the masthead of the lobby core. I resent to which Kevin McCarthy utilizes the lobbyists and the special interests to be able to dictate how political decisions are made. How policy decisions are made, how leadership decisions are made. Kevin McCarthy has been in the leadership for 14 years. He’s sold shares of himself to special interests, to political action committees, and that’s why I don’t think he’s right.”

    The Florida Congressman, who cast his vote for Donald Trump for Speaker during Thursday’s round of voting, says that he believes Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) could garner 218 votes if McCarthy withdraws from consideration.

    “If Kevin McCarthy got out of this race, Jim Jordan would get into it,” Gaetz said. “And I believe he would win and invigorate our movement. He’s broadly trusted in every corner of the Republican Party and with a lot of our donors and supporters and activists. That’s the type of option if McCarthy bows out.”

    Thursday evening McCarthy indicated he may have a path to Speaker after all. A new deal has emerged that McCarthy hopes will propel him forward.

    Lawmakers said the framework gives members of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) who have been resisting McCarthy virtually everything they’ve been asking for. That includes a stronger HFC representation on key House committees, guardrails aimed at curbing excessive federal spending, and allowing just a single member of the House to make a motion to replace the speaker, lawmakers familiar with the framework told Fox News.

    GOP Congressman Votes for Donald Trump for House Speaker

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    11
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    During the 118th Congress’ seventh round of voting to determine the next Speaker of the House of Representatives one lawmaker to cast his vote for Donald J. Trump.

    The largely symbolic vote came from Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who has been a prominent figure among the roughly 20 lawmakers to detract from supporting House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy for the role.

    Gaetz has repeatedly floated the idea of Trump becoming speaker, pledging to nominate him since 2021.

    However, Gaetz has admitted to Fox News on Thursday that McCarthy’s win is potentially unavoidable, but argued he would be a speaker with a “straight jacket.”

    “There are only two outcomes here: Either Kevin McCarthy withdraws from the speaker’s race, or he has to wake up every morning and put on the world’s best constructive straight jacket before doing the prayer and the pledge at the beginning of House session,” Gaetz said, adding that several of his colleagues were working to on “how to construct that straight jacket.”

    “Kevin McCarthy has offered everything he can think to offer and everything we can think to ask for due to his current state of desperation, and I can’t tell you whether or not that will be enough to get him there. I doubt it will,” he said.

    Kevin McCarthy recieved 201 votes, Byron Donalds recieved 19 votes, Hakeem Jeffries recieved 212 votes for Speaker during the seventh round of voting.

    This story is breaking. Click refresh for the latest updates

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