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FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending December 17, 2010

Washington, D.C. December 17, 2010

FBI National Press Office

1. Portland: Federal Indictment Charges Three in Scheme to Evade Iran Embargo and Defraud the IRS with False Charitable Donations
   A jury charged Hossein Lahiji, Najmeh Vahid, and Ahmad Iranshahi in a two-count indictment for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and to commit money laundering. The defendants allegedly transferred purported donations totaling more than $1.8 million to a Portland charity and invested the funds in Iran, in violation of the Iranian embargo. Full Story
   
2. New York: Three Insiders at Public Companies and One Executive of Expert-Networking Firm Charged with Conspiring to Distribute Inside Information to the Firm's Clients
   James Fleishman was arrested on wire fraud and conspiracy charges for conspiring to provide confidential information, including material, nonpublic information, to the firm's clients, including hedge funds. Three additional individuals were arrested on wire fraud charges. Full Story
   
3. Indianapolis/Headquarters: Seeking Information in Alternate Billing Corporation Matter
   The FBI is seeking information from consumers who believe they were improperly charged on their telephone bill for services neither ordered nor authorized related to Alternate Billing Corp., or any of its affiliated companies or services. Full Story
   
4. Phoenix: Fugitive Extradited from Mexico to Face Trial
   
   Victor Flores was extradited to the U.S. from Hermosillo, Mexico and had his initial appearance. The defendant will be detained until his trial on February 8, 2011. Full Story
   
5. Columbia: "Three Hebrew Boys" Sentenced in $82 Million Ponzi Case
   
   The men who call themselves the "Three Hebrew Boys"—Tony Pough, Joseph Brunson, and Timothy McQueen—were sentenced to the highest fraud sentences in the history of the federal district and ordered to pay $82 million in restitution to those they defrauded. Full Story
   
6. Honolulu: FBI Captures Fugitive Couple in Arizona
   Daphne Hearn, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Honolulu Field Office, announced the arrest of fugitive husband and wife Perry and Rachelle Griggs in Kingman, Arizona. Full Story
   
7. Albuquerque: Former APD Officer Convicted on Obstruction of Justice Charge
   
   Brad Ahrensfield, a former Albuquerque police officer, was convicted on an obstruction of justice charge. He remains out of custody on conditions of release pending his sentencing hearing and faces up to 20 years in prison. Full Story
   
8. San Diego: Reward of $20,000 Offered in "Geezer Bandit" Investigation
   The FBI, local law enforcement, and several local banks are offering a combined reward of $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the "Geezer Bandit." The Geezer Bandit"is believed to be responsible for robbing 12 banks since August 2009. Full Story
   
9. Miami: Alonzo Mourning to Receive the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award
   
   John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Office, announced Alonzo Mourning as the recipient of the 2010 Director's Community Leadership Award at the Overtown Youth Center in Miami, Florida. Full Story
   
10. Minneapolis: Former IRS Agent Sentenced for Soliciting a Bribe
    
    Roger Combs, a former Internal Revenue Service agent, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for soliciting and receiving a $9,700 bribe. Full Story

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