Category: Investigations
Trump Says He “Disagreed” With privately funded border wall, So why did his Administration award the builder $1.7 billion in contracts to erect more walls?
President Trump now claims this privately funded border wall — touted as the “Lamborghini” of fences — was built to “make me look bad,” even though the project’s builder and funders are Trump supporters. by Perla…
Supreme Court allows New York prosecutor to subpoena Trump financial records
‘No One Is Above the Law’ A split decision on two separate cases pertaining to the president’s taxes will likely leave the documents out of public view until after the election. by Julia Conley, staff writer…
Trump gets no special protections because he’s president and must release financial records, Supreme Court rules
“[N]o citizen, not even the president, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority opinion. Follow the money. Investigators are…
Eroding private border wall to get an engineering inspection just months after completion
Months after the “Lamborghini” of border walls was built along the Rio Grande, the builder agreed to an engineering inspection of his controversial structure. Experts say the wall is showing signs of erosion that threatens its…
One Federal Agency Was Suing Him for Fraud. Another Paid His Company Millions for Masks.
Court records show the federal government gave $20 million in contracts to a company partly controlled by a man with a history of shady business practices. by J. David McSwane Wednesday, July 8 Desperate to acquire…
The Paycheck Protection Program reveal
by Wade Rathke Tuesday, July 7 New Orleans The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, was a major part of the Congressionally approved stimulus program as part of the CARES Act. After the Treasury…
Trump friends and family approved for millions in small business bailout
Beneficiaries of the PPP included a lettuce farming venture backed by Trump’s son, Kushner companies, and a dentist who golfs with the president. The figures were released after a lawsuit by several news organizations, including ProPublica….
Trump-connected lobbyists have raked in $10 billion in Covid-19 aid for corporate clients
“The crisis offered an especially lucrative opportunity for those lobbyists who enjoy close ties to President Donald Trump and his administration—and they seized it.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, July 7 In yet another sign…
The Indian Health Service wants to return 1 million KN95 masks it bought from a former White House official
The former official, Zach Fuentes, is refusing to take back the masks even though IHS said they did not meet FDA standards. His company’s lawyer says the IHS is trying to cancel the order for “political…
Federal agencies have spent millions on KN95 masks, often without knowing who made them
Government employees at several agencies are relying on KN95 masks that the agencies cannot guarantee offer the most protection. Some agencies have paid little attention to important manufacturing details and been tripped up by shifting regulations….
1,250 former DOJ officials demand investigation into Barr’s involvement in violently dispersing demonstrators near White House
“None of us would ever have considered directing or engaging in such actions to be consistent with our oaths to support and defend the Constitution.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Wednesday, June 10 More than 1,250…
Researchers show hack-for-hire operation targeted groups fighting for climate action and net neutrality
“If the investigation demonstrates that Exxon is behind these attacks, it only shows how far the fossil fuel industry will go to silence critics.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Thursday, June 10 The Canadian digital watchdog…
Ousted IG says State Dept. tried to bully him into dropping Saudi arms probe
“Mr. Linick addressed head-on the shifting justifications that administration officials have provided to the press for his termination.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Thursday, Jun 10 Recently ousted State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was carrying…
AOC, Pressley join probe into Trump use of predator drones to surveil protesters
“This administration has undermined the First Amendment freedoms of Americans of all races who are rightfully protesting George Floyd’s killing.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Sunday, June 7 Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, including Reps….
Mar-a-Lago buddy used “Shadow” sway over the VA to promote his comic book empire
Marvel chief Ike Perlmutter arranged for comic book characters to ring the NYSE closing bell with the VA secretary in 2017, according to a new government audit. Perlmutter has denied benefiting from his role as an…
FBI-group warned of danger of anti-vaccine movement during pandemic in 2019
“Lack of proper government preparation” to the pandemic is a bigger threat to public health. by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Monday, April 27 As the anti-vaccine movement joins right-wing protests against coronavirus social distancing measures and…
Drug rehab ‘skirted compliance with the labor laws’ for financial gain, judge rules
By Shoshana Walter April 21, 2020 In a class-action ruling that could affect work-based rehabs across the country, a federal judge has ordered an Arkansas senator’s company and a drug rehab program to pay former participants…
The White House pushed FEMA to give its biggest coronavirus contract to a company that never had to bid
The Trump administration has rushed through more than $760 million in contracts outside the usual bidding process during its haphazard coronavirus response. It’s highly unusual for the White House to step into FEMA’s supply bidding process….
NC Sen. Burr faces DOJ investigation for selling a fortune in stocks right before the market crashed
The investigation comes after ProPublica reported that the North Carolina lawmaker unloaded a significant portion of his total stock holdings before the coronavirus sell-off in the stock market. by Robert Faturechi March 30, 2020 Federal authorities…
