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NEW: Israeli surveillance companies are rushing to turn your car into a spy.
🎥Watching the cameras
🎤Listening to the built-in mics
📍Tracking your movements
And that's just the beginning of how these companies turn your car against you. 1/
Story by @haaretzcom's @omerbenj
🎥Watching the cameras
🎤Listening to the built-in mics
📍Tracking your movements
And that's just the beginning of how these companies turn your car against you. 1/
Story by @haaretzcom's @omerbenj
2/ And other companies are using AI to fuse all the signals coming from your car with other sources of information.
Honestly, the growth of #CARINT shouldn't shock anybody.
Our cars are badly secured & very connected... So it's natural for surveillance merchants to turn up.
STORY haaretz.com/israel-news/se…
Honestly, the growth of #CARINT shouldn't shock anybody.
Our cars are badly secured & very connected... So it's natural for surveillance merchants to turn up.
STORY haaretz.com/israel-news/se…
3/ We got here partly because your car manufacturer really, really doesn't care about your privacy.
And face no serious consequences for doing a bad job with security.
Clearly early days with commercial #CARINT, but the trendline points in a scary direction.
And face no serious consequences for doing a bad job with security.
Clearly early days with commercial #CARINT, but the trendline points in a scary direction.
I'm going to continue posting the rest of the new Epstein videos I've downloaded, starting from the end of the censored thread I posted in the QT. You may have to look at my media tab to see all of them.
EFTA01171785(.)mov
EFTA01171785(.)mov
This is the "red shoes" video I mentioned--Jean Luc Brunel, sitting on a bizarre throne. Q followers believe that certain red shoes are earned by doing something horrible...
EFTA01172558(.)mov
EFTA01172558(.)mov
I'd really like to know where this location is; given its file number, it might somehow be linked to times that Epstein spent with Jean Luc Brunel.
EFTA01172582(.)mov
EFTA01172582(.)mov
"Before the Middle Ages, history reveals no clearcut examples of racism ... in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, many in Europe began associating Jews with the devil and witchcraft. This may have been the first example of racism."
Alrighty
Alrighty
"As time passed and Europeans began coming into contact with darker-skinned people from what are now Africa, Asia, and the Americas, they formed opinions about them."
Oh, they formed opinions about them! Ooooooh, alrighty
Oh, they formed opinions about them! Ooooooh, alrighty
Oh, let's see what the wicked Europeans did next after forming their opinions 🧐
"Some people turned to the Bible to justify enslavement, arguing that the dark-skinned people did not believe in the Christian God or deriding their ancestry."
Oh, alrighty
"Some people turned to the Bible to justify enslavement, arguing that the dark-skinned people did not believe in the Christian God or deriding their ancestry."
Oh, alrighty
Hodges: We are lucky Ukrainians are not against us and want to be on our side I spoke with seven of their soldiers, these are some killers
One was a 25-year-old woman, a drone operator. They have real capability. The US and UK will have to reach their innovation and adaption. 1/
One was a 25-year-old woman, a drone operator. They have real capability. The US and UK will have to reach their innovation and adaption. 1/
Hodges: NATO would be better the day the Ukrainian flag is raised in Brussels. Just as we got better when the Swedish and Finnish flags were raised.
Ukraine brings a strong, resilient society, a robust defense industry, and hundreds of thousands of experienced soldiers. 2/
Ukraine brings a strong, resilient society, a robust defense industry, and hundreds of thousands of experienced soldiers. 2/
Hodges: Ukrainians have identified a theory of victory: destroy Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure and its ability to export energy to China, India, Turkey, and others.
Long-range precision strikes against key refinery components can change the equation. 3/
Long-range precision strikes against key refinery components can change the equation. 3/
I know that article. I am talking about the time years before!
Leon David Black was the "right hand" of Michael Milken, the "junk bond king".
Michael Milken
By the mid-1980s, Milken's network of high-yield bond buyers (notably Fred Carr's Executive Life Insurance Company and Tom Spiegel's Columbia Savings & Loan) had reached a size that enabled him to raise large amounts of money quickly.
This money-raising ability also facilitated the activities of leveraged buyout (LBO) firms such as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR, sic!!!) and of the so-called "greenmailers". Most of them were armed with a "highly confident letter" from Drexel, a tool Drexel's corporate finance wing crafted that promised to raise the necessary debt in time to fulfill the buyer's obligations.
It carried no legal status, but by that time Milken had a reputation for being able to make markets for any bonds that he underwrote. For this reason, "highly confident letters" were considered to reliably demonstrate capacity to pay.[21][22] Supporters, like George Gilder in his book Telecosm (2000), state that Milken was "a key source of the organizational changes that have impelled economic growth over the last twenty years. Most striking was the productivity surge in capital, as Milken ... and others took the vast sums trapped in old-line businesses and put them back into the markets."[23]
Despite his influence in the financial world during the 1980s, (at least one source called him the most powerful American financier since J. P. Morgan),[24] Milken is an intensely private man who shuns publicity; he reportedly owned almost all photographs taken of him.[6][16]
---
Black started out as an accountant at Peat Marwick (which later became KPMG) and with the publisher Boardroom Reports. He also interviewed at Lehman Brothers but was told he did not have the brains or personality to succeed on Wall Street.[3] From 1977 to 1990, Black was employed by investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he rose to managing director and head of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group, and co-head of the Corporate Finance Department.[14] At Drexel, Black was regarded as "junk bond king" Michael Milken's right-hand man.[15]
---
[Benjamin Black
One of their children, Benjamin, runs an investment fund and was nominated by President Donald Trump to run the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.[22][23]]
---
In 1997, he made Epstein one of the original trustees of what is today the Debra and Leon Black Foundation.[43] In his 2020 letter to Apollo investors, Black said that Epstein provided him with "estate planning, tax and philanthropic advice" to his "family partnership and other related family entities".
---
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION APPLICANT: Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC PRINCIPALS: Joseph O’Donnell Richard Fields October 18, 2013
There is a lot missing here...
---
Black disclosed that he has applied for qualification in various gaming jurisdictions, which could include US, tribal and/or international jurisdictions. The Investigators requested verification of certain US non-tribal licenses from the appropriate regulatory agencies as noted in the Scope and Methodology section of this report. The results of those inquiries, which verified the applicant’s disclosure, have been received and no negative or derogatory information is noted.
---
This companies were mentioned as related to Black
Valcour Associates • Valcour II Associates • Rayburn Associates • Cardiff Associates • M-Clift Partners LP • Associated Investors • North Sea LP • Power Investors • Remainderman Investors LLC • Residual Investment Corp. II • Residual Investment Corp. • Residual Investment Corp. III • Residual Investment Corp. IV • BPH Holdings LP • Apollo Co. Investors III LLC • Apollo Co. Investors IV LLC • Apollo Co. Investors V LLC • Apollo Co. Investors VI LLC • Apollo Dif. Co. Investors LLC • Apollo Soma Co. Investors LLC • Apollo Credit Opportunity Fund I • Pillowman NY LLC • Blue Sunshine LLC • Gift Horse Partners LLC • M-Related LLC • North Sea Investment • PAM Centre LP • Pent Holdings Corp.
"n. Media Coverage Research of available online and print media sources did not reveal any derogatory or adverse items relative to Black. He is mentioned numerous times on the Internet, however no adverse information was found regarding this individual. o. Conclusion Based on the investigation there were no known facts that would disqualify Black based on any of the criteria listed in the gaming laws or regulations in Massachusetts."
---
nytimes.com/1993/02/21/bus…
Leon David Black was the "right hand" of Michael Milken, the "junk bond king".
Michael Milken
By the mid-1980s, Milken's network of high-yield bond buyers (notably Fred Carr's Executive Life Insurance Company and Tom Spiegel's Columbia Savings & Loan) had reached a size that enabled him to raise large amounts of money quickly.
This money-raising ability also facilitated the activities of leveraged buyout (LBO) firms such as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR, sic!!!) and of the so-called "greenmailers". Most of them were armed with a "highly confident letter" from Drexel, a tool Drexel's corporate finance wing crafted that promised to raise the necessary debt in time to fulfill the buyer's obligations.
It carried no legal status, but by that time Milken had a reputation for being able to make markets for any bonds that he underwrote. For this reason, "highly confident letters" were considered to reliably demonstrate capacity to pay.[21][22] Supporters, like George Gilder in his book Telecosm (2000), state that Milken was "a key source of the organizational changes that have impelled economic growth over the last twenty years. Most striking was the productivity surge in capital, as Milken ... and others took the vast sums trapped in old-line businesses and put them back into the markets."[23]
Despite his influence in the financial world during the 1980s, (at least one source called him the most powerful American financier since J. P. Morgan),[24] Milken is an intensely private man who shuns publicity; he reportedly owned almost all photographs taken of him.[6][16]
---
Black started out as an accountant at Peat Marwick (which later became KPMG) and with the publisher Boardroom Reports. He also interviewed at Lehman Brothers but was told he did not have the brains or personality to succeed on Wall Street.[3] From 1977 to 1990, Black was employed by investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he rose to managing director and head of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group, and co-head of the Corporate Finance Department.[14] At Drexel, Black was regarded as "junk bond king" Michael Milken's right-hand man.[15]
---
[Benjamin Black
One of their children, Benjamin, runs an investment fund and was nominated by President Donald Trump to run the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.[22][23]]
---
In 1997, he made Epstein one of the original trustees of what is today the Debra and Leon Black Foundation.[43] In his 2020 letter to Apollo investors, Black said that Epstein provided him with "estate planning, tax and philanthropic advice" to his "family partnership and other related family entities".
---
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION APPLICANT: Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC PRINCIPALS: Joseph O’Donnell Richard Fields October 18, 2013
There is a lot missing here...
---
Black disclosed that he has applied for qualification in various gaming jurisdictions, which could include US, tribal and/or international jurisdictions. The Investigators requested verification of certain US non-tribal licenses from the appropriate regulatory agencies as noted in the Scope and Methodology section of this report. The results of those inquiries, which verified the applicant’s disclosure, have been received and no negative or derogatory information is noted.
---
This companies were mentioned as related to Black
Valcour Associates • Valcour II Associates • Rayburn Associates • Cardiff Associates • M-Clift Partners LP • Associated Investors • North Sea LP • Power Investors • Remainderman Investors LLC • Residual Investment Corp. II • Residual Investment Corp. • Residual Investment Corp. III • Residual Investment Corp. IV • BPH Holdings LP • Apollo Co. Investors III LLC • Apollo Co. Investors IV LLC • Apollo Co. Investors V LLC • Apollo Co. Investors VI LLC • Apollo Dif. Co. Investors LLC • Apollo Soma Co. Investors LLC • Apollo Credit Opportunity Fund I • Pillowman NY LLC • Blue Sunshine LLC • Gift Horse Partners LLC • M-Related LLC • North Sea Investment • PAM Centre LP • Pent Holdings Corp.
"n. Media Coverage Research of available online and print media sources did not reveal any derogatory or adverse items relative to Black. He is mentioned numerous times on the Internet, however no adverse information was found regarding this individual. o. Conclusion Based on the investigation there were no known facts that would disqualify Black based on any of the criteria listed in the gaming laws or regulations in Massachusetts."
---
nytimes.com/1993/02/21/bus…
#leondavidblack #Apollo #caesars
Black is the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Apollo Global Management LLC and a Managing Partner of Apollo Management LP. Black founded Apollo Global Management in 1990 to manage investment capital on behalf of a group of institutional investors, focusing on corporate restructuring, leveraged buyouts, and taking minority positions in growth-oriented companies. From 1977 to 1990, Black worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., where he served as Managing Director. Harris is a Senior Managing Director of Apollo Global Management and Managing Partner of Apollo Management LP which he co-founded in 1990. Prior to 1990, Harris was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. Rowan is a Senior Managing Director and Director of Apollo Global Management and Managing Partner of Apollo Management LP, which he co-founded in 1990. Prior to that time, Rowan was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., with responsibilities in high yield financing, transaction idea generation and merger structure negotiation. During the course of this investigation, the Investigators interviewed Caesars Board Member David Sambur and inquired whether he had any involvement in Caesars decision to participate in the Sterling Suffolk Racecourse casino project. He explained that he had been involved in the negotiation process, acting both as a Caesars Board member and as Apollo’s representative on the Board.
Rowan disclosed in his PHDF that he currently holds two active securities licenses, which were issued by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Consultation with FINRA revealed that Rowan is currently registered with a FINRA member firm, Apollo Global Securities LLC, under CRD No. 1410799, and is issued Series 24, Series 7 and Series 79 licenses. Rowan was previously registered by two firms, Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc. and Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated. Rowan is approved as a general securities principal and an investment banking representative. There are no regulatory actions, customer complaints or arbitrations filed against Rowan. Rowan disclosed that he has applied for qualification in various gaming jurisdictions, which could include US, tribal and/or international jurisdictions. The Investigators requested verification of certain US non-tribal licenses from the appropriate regulatory agencies as noted in the Scope and Methodology section of this report. The results of those inquiries, which verified the applicant’s disclosure, have been received and no negative or derogatory information is noted.
---
As of June 1, 2013, the Board of Directors consists of: • Leon Black • Joshua Harris • Marc Rowan • Martin Kelly • Paul Fribourg • Alvin Bernard (commonly “A.B.”) Krongard • Pauline Richards • Michael E. Ducey • Mark Spiker
---
The first significant issue involves a licensing agreement which Caesars entered into, through a subsidiary, Corner Investment Company LLC, with Las Vegas Gansevoort LLC, a subsidiary of Gansevoort Hotel Group (“Gansevoort”). One of the principals of Gansevoort, Arik Kislin, has been the subject of considerable media and law enforcement scrutiny over the past several years for alleged ties to Russian organized crime. Despite these serious allegations, as revealed during Caesars’ due diligence review of the proposed transaction and Kislin’s suitability, Caesars’ Compliance Committee approved the transaction and Caesars ultimately determined to proceed with the license agreement. This issue is addressed in detail in this investigative report. The second significant issue pertains to the hiring of Garber to be the head of Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Caesars’ subsidiary involved in the expanding world of Internet gambling (or “online gaming”). Garber previously headed two companies, PartyGaming LLC and Optimal Payments LLC, each of which entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The non-prosecution agreements called for the forfeiture of substantial sums by each company. In turn, the USAO agreed not to prosecute the companies for any crimes related to their internet gambling businesses with U.S. customers. The third significant issue involves Caesars’ conduct with respect to Terrance Watanabe, a high roller patron at Caesars Las Vegas properties who accrued millions of dollars in unpaid markers in 2006-2007. Watanabe was charged criminally for the unpaid debt, and he sued Caesars civilly, claiming Caesars encouraged him to gamble while intoxicated. The civil suit ultimately settled, and the criminal case was dismissed. The episode touches on numerous concerns, including the lengths to which casino operators will go to cater to high rollers and problem gaming. The episode caused Caesars to review and revise its Compliance Program, as described below. The fourth significant issue relates to Caesars’ financial stability. As the Company acknowledges, it is an extremely highly leveraged entity, with a current debt burden of $23.7 billion. The interest payments on that debt consume virtually of the Company’s current cash flow. Caesars is currently meeting its debt covenant requirements. However, should the economy fail to recover sufficiently or if another downturn occurs, it could become difficult for Caesars to meet its debt service and covenant requirements. Caesars has stated that if cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service their indebtedness, it may reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital, restructure, or refinance its indebtedness. In an effort to address its financial situation, Caesars announced plans to transfer certain assets to a new publicly traded company known as Caesars Growth Venture Partners. Financial analysts have expressed concerns about this component of Caesars’ future operations.
Black is the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Apollo Global Management LLC and a Managing Partner of Apollo Management LP. Black founded Apollo Global Management in 1990 to manage investment capital on behalf of a group of institutional investors, focusing on corporate restructuring, leveraged buyouts, and taking minority positions in growth-oriented companies. From 1977 to 1990, Black worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., where he served as Managing Director. Harris is a Senior Managing Director of Apollo Global Management and Managing Partner of Apollo Management LP which he co-founded in 1990. Prior to 1990, Harris was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. Rowan is a Senior Managing Director and Director of Apollo Global Management and Managing Partner of Apollo Management LP, which he co-founded in 1990. Prior to that time, Rowan was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., with responsibilities in high yield financing, transaction idea generation and merger structure negotiation. During the course of this investigation, the Investigators interviewed Caesars Board Member David Sambur and inquired whether he had any involvement in Caesars decision to participate in the Sterling Suffolk Racecourse casino project. He explained that he had been involved in the negotiation process, acting both as a Caesars Board member and as Apollo’s representative on the Board.
Rowan disclosed in his PHDF that he currently holds two active securities licenses, which were issued by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Consultation with FINRA revealed that Rowan is currently registered with a FINRA member firm, Apollo Global Securities LLC, under CRD No. 1410799, and is issued Series 24, Series 7 and Series 79 licenses. Rowan was previously registered by two firms, Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc. and Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated. Rowan is approved as a general securities principal and an investment banking representative. There are no regulatory actions, customer complaints or arbitrations filed against Rowan. Rowan disclosed that he has applied for qualification in various gaming jurisdictions, which could include US, tribal and/or international jurisdictions. The Investigators requested verification of certain US non-tribal licenses from the appropriate regulatory agencies as noted in the Scope and Methodology section of this report. The results of those inquiries, which verified the applicant’s disclosure, have been received and no negative or derogatory information is noted.
---
As of June 1, 2013, the Board of Directors consists of: • Leon Black • Joshua Harris • Marc Rowan • Martin Kelly • Paul Fribourg • Alvin Bernard (commonly “A.B.”) Krongard • Pauline Richards • Michael E. Ducey • Mark Spiker
---
The first significant issue involves a licensing agreement which Caesars entered into, through a subsidiary, Corner Investment Company LLC, with Las Vegas Gansevoort LLC, a subsidiary of Gansevoort Hotel Group (“Gansevoort”). One of the principals of Gansevoort, Arik Kislin, has been the subject of considerable media and law enforcement scrutiny over the past several years for alleged ties to Russian organized crime. Despite these serious allegations, as revealed during Caesars’ due diligence review of the proposed transaction and Kislin’s suitability, Caesars’ Compliance Committee approved the transaction and Caesars ultimately determined to proceed with the license agreement. This issue is addressed in detail in this investigative report. The second significant issue pertains to the hiring of Garber to be the head of Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Caesars’ subsidiary involved in the expanding world of Internet gambling (or “online gaming”). Garber previously headed two companies, PartyGaming LLC and Optimal Payments LLC, each of which entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The non-prosecution agreements called for the forfeiture of substantial sums by each company. In turn, the USAO agreed not to prosecute the companies for any crimes related to their internet gambling businesses with U.S. customers. The third significant issue involves Caesars’ conduct with respect to Terrance Watanabe, a high roller patron at Caesars Las Vegas properties who accrued millions of dollars in unpaid markers in 2006-2007. Watanabe was charged criminally for the unpaid debt, and he sued Caesars civilly, claiming Caesars encouraged him to gamble while intoxicated. The civil suit ultimately settled, and the criminal case was dismissed. The episode touches on numerous concerns, including the lengths to which casino operators will go to cater to high rollers and problem gaming. The episode caused Caesars to review and revise its Compliance Program, as described below. The fourth significant issue relates to Caesars’ financial stability. As the Company acknowledges, it is an extremely highly leveraged entity, with a current debt burden of $23.7 billion. The interest payments on that debt consume virtually of the Company’s current cash flow. Caesars is currently meeting its debt covenant requirements. However, should the economy fail to recover sufficiently or if another downturn occurs, it could become difficult for Caesars to meet its debt service and covenant requirements. Caesars has stated that if cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service their indebtedness, it may reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital, restructure, or refinance its indebtedness. In an effort to address its financial situation, Caesars announced plans to transfer certain assets to a new publicly traded company known as Caesars Growth Venture Partners. Financial analysts have expressed concerns about this component of Caesars’ future operations.
#apol #caesars #leondavidblack
Caesars Probe Revealed More Than Mob Ties: Gaming Agency
Law360, New York (October 23, 2013, 6:57 PM ET) -- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission revealed Wednesday that an investigation into Caesars Entertainment Corp. raised red flags over alleged Russian mafia ties to a Las Vegas deal, as well as Caesars' $23.7 billion debt, the hiring of its Internet gaming head and a high roller's lawsuit.
MGC's suitability report was publicly released for the first time late Wednesday, though Caesars had ended its involvement in a $1 billion joint venture seeking one of the state's gaming license earlier in the week after being tipped off about the commission's concerns. Sources had told Law360 on Monday that these included alleged mafia ties related to a Las Vegas deal with the Gansevoort Hotel Group.
On top of that concern, however, the MGC's Investigations and Enforcement Bureau said in Wednesday's report that it was also worried about Caesar's hiring of Mitchell Garber to head the company's online gaming unit despite Garber having headed two companies that struck nonprosecution agreements with the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. The MGC further pointed out a lawsuit where a high roller claimed Caesars encouraged him to gamble while drunk and noted the company's high burden of debt, though it ultimately concluded the company was financially able to handle the Massachusetts deal.
"Garber was the CEO of two companies that came under scrutiny by the [U.S. Department of Justice] for illegal Internet gaming operations while he was their CEO. Both companies entered into nonprosecution agreements which included statements that the companies' activities violated prohibitions against Internet gambling in the United States," the suitability report said, noting that Garber's companies paid out a total of $124 million in the settlements.
MGC's investigative arm noted a red flag in a suit from high roller Terrance Watanabe, who sued Caesars after he had to face criminal charges for unpaid debts, claiming he was encouraged to gamble while intoxicated. While Caesars countersued and Watanabe ultimately paid an undisclosed sum to the casino giant, the suit underscored a major issue for the MGC, according to commission documents.
"The Terrance Watanabe incident is a classic example of how casino operators cater to their high rollers and are sometimes tempted to overlook unacceptable behavior by high rollers so that they can maintain their patronage and high level of play," the report said.
Last, the commission made an extensive investigation into Caesar's financial stability, including recent refinancing efforts and plans to spin off some of its assets. "For some time, Caesars has been exploring different options for dealing with its highly leveraged financial status, as it sits perilously close to violating debt covenants," the MGC bureau said, though it ultimately concluded that it believes Caesars has the financial stability to be licensed in the state.
The alleged mob ties, however, were the first concern raised in the report about Caesars. They stem from a branding deal the company struck earlier this year — and ultimately broke off this week — with Gansevoort, who has an investor, Arik Kislin, that has been repeatedly linked to Eurasian organized crime. The MGC arm said it had received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirming those concerns.
"The FBI indicated that historical law enforcement information indicates that Kislin handles large-scale investments within the United States for wealthy members of EOC and that Kislin's activities focus on laundering EOC profits from overseas," the report said.
Both Caesars and Gansevoort, however, have publicly railed against the MGC for allegedly passing judgment based on media speculation about Kislin and for allegedly setting unreasonable and arbitrary suitability standards that conflict with those in other gaming jurisdictions.
“We strongly disagree with the staff recommendation and were prepared to thoroughly address each of the concerns raised by the report. We withdrew our application at the request of and in deference to our partners in the project," Gary Thompson, a spokesman for Caesars, told Law360 Wednesday.
With Caesars bowing out of the gaming license bid, the remaining members of the Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC joint venture that it was a part of are units affiliated with the Suffolk Downs racetrack and the O'Donnell Group Inc., as well as a unit of Vornado Realty Trust.
Earlier this week a source close to the matter told Law360 that the Suffolks Downs racetrack owner and remaining joint venture partner in the casino-resort bid are working to secure a new gaming management partner to continue on with its bid.
The issues with Caesars, however, were not the commission's only concerns about the joint venture, and the report also raised concerns that one of the principals related to the racetrack owner may not be financially stable. "The issue relates to the fact that his net worth valuation is contingent upon the successful awarding of a license to [Sterling Suffolk]," the report noted.
The MGC's scathing suitability report is just the latest bombardment of bad news to hit Caesars in recent days. On Monday, the embattled Caesars also revealed in a regulatory filing that its Las Vegas-based Desert Palace Inc. unit is being investigated by a federal grand jury and the U.S. Department of the Treasury's financial crimes unit over alleged violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. Maryland's gaming authority is also now looking into the allegations raised by the MGC and federal agencies.
--Additional reporting by Emily Atkin. Editing by Katherine Rautenberg.By Natalie Rodriguez
Caesars Probe Revealed More Than Mob Ties: Gaming Agency
Law360, New York (October 23, 2013, 6:57 PM ET) -- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission revealed Wednesday that an investigation into Caesars Entertainment Corp. raised red flags over alleged Russian mafia ties to a Las Vegas deal, as well as Caesars' $23.7 billion debt, the hiring of its Internet gaming head and a high roller's lawsuit.
MGC's suitability report was publicly released for the first time late Wednesday, though Caesars had ended its involvement in a $1 billion joint venture seeking one of the state's gaming license earlier in the week after being tipped off about the commission's concerns. Sources had told Law360 on Monday that these included alleged mafia ties related to a Las Vegas deal with the Gansevoort Hotel Group.
On top of that concern, however, the MGC's Investigations and Enforcement Bureau said in Wednesday's report that it was also worried about Caesar's hiring of Mitchell Garber to head the company's online gaming unit despite Garber having headed two companies that struck nonprosecution agreements with the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. The MGC further pointed out a lawsuit where a high roller claimed Caesars encouraged him to gamble while drunk and noted the company's high burden of debt, though it ultimately concluded the company was financially able to handle the Massachusetts deal.
"Garber was the CEO of two companies that came under scrutiny by the [U.S. Department of Justice] for illegal Internet gaming operations while he was their CEO. Both companies entered into nonprosecution agreements which included statements that the companies' activities violated prohibitions against Internet gambling in the United States," the suitability report said, noting that Garber's companies paid out a total of $124 million in the settlements.
MGC's investigative arm noted a red flag in a suit from high roller Terrance Watanabe, who sued Caesars after he had to face criminal charges for unpaid debts, claiming he was encouraged to gamble while intoxicated. While Caesars countersued and Watanabe ultimately paid an undisclosed sum to the casino giant, the suit underscored a major issue for the MGC, according to commission documents.
"The Terrance Watanabe incident is a classic example of how casino operators cater to their high rollers and are sometimes tempted to overlook unacceptable behavior by high rollers so that they can maintain their patronage and high level of play," the report said.
Last, the commission made an extensive investigation into Caesar's financial stability, including recent refinancing efforts and plans to spin off some of its assets. "For some time, Caesars has been exploring different options for dealing with its highly leveraged financial status, as it sits perilously close to violating debt covenants," the MGC bureau said, though it ultimately concluded that it believes Caesars has the financial stability to be licensed in the state.
The alleged mob ties, however, were the first concern raised in the report about Caesars. They stem from a branding deal the company struck earlier this year — and ultimately broke off this week — with Gansevoort, who has an investor, Arik Kislin, that has been repeatedly linked to Eurasian organized crime. The MGC arm said it had received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirming those concerns.
"The FBI indicated that historical law enforcement information indicates that Kislin handles large-scale investments within the United States for wealthy members of EOC and that Kislin's activities focus on laundering EOC profits from overseas," the report said.
Both Caesars and Gansevoort, however, have publicly railed against the MGC for allegedly passing judgment based on media speculation about Kislin and for allegedly setting unreasonable and arbitrary suitability standards that conflict with those in other gaming jurisdictions.
“We strongly disagree with the staff recommendation and were prepared to thoroughly address each of the concerns raised by the report. We withdrew our application at the request of and in deference to our partners in the project," Gary Thompson, a spokesman for Caesars, told Law360 Wednesday.
With Caesars bowing out of the gaming license bid, the remaining members of the Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC joint venture that it was a part of are units affiliated with the Suffolk Downs racetrack and the O'Donnell Group Inc., as well as a unit of Vornado Realty Trust.
Earlier this week a source close to the matter told Law360 that the Suffolks Downs racetrack owner and remaining joint venture partner in the casino-resort bid are working to secure a new gaming management partner to continue on with its bid.
The issues with Caesars, however, were not the commission's only concerns about the joint venture, and the report also raised concerns that one of the principals related to the racetrack owner may not be financially stable. "The issue relates to the fact that his net worth valuation is contingent upon the successful awarding of a license to [Sterling Suffolk]," the report noted.
The MGC's scathing suitability report is just the latest bombardment of bad news to hit Caesars in recent days. On Monday, the embattled Caesars also revealed in a regulatory filing that its Las Vegas-based Desert Palace Inc. unit is being investigated by a federal grand jury and the U.S. Department of the Treasury's financial crimes unit over alleged violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. Maryland's gaming authority is also now looking into the allegations raised by the MGC and federal agencies.
--Additional reporting by Emily Atkin. Editing by Katherine Rautenberg.By Natalie Rodriguez
A few things about this unprecedented disgrace. One, the United States needs nothing from Hungary that would depend on the outcome of this election, but clearly Donald Trump does. Two, weakening Europe is a hobby for MAGA, but an existential necessity for Putin. 1/2
Rubio is visiting Fico and Orban, who aren’t ideologically aligned but are the most anti-Ukraine, pro-Russia leaders. There is no diplomatic or geopolitical reasoning for the White House to prioritize their success unless directed to do so by the Kremlin. 2/2
PS: To those who like Rubio (I supported him in 2016) in contrast to Trump & Vance, or because he can speak diplomatically, he is still a tool of the Trump admin & is advancing its destructive, pro-Kremlin agenda. Don’t fall for good cop, bad cop. He’s endorsing a corrupt thug.
With heavy heart, I must tell you that Marjorie Morningstar left us. She was 33yo. Quite honestly, I think she just didn't want to be without her soulmate, Violet, who passed a few weeks ago. Their bond ran deeper than I can find the words to describe.
From the moment they met, their hearts entwined and they were never apart. They each took on the role of the other's protector and guarded each other fiercely with a love and respect that is rare in this world.
Marjorie Morningstar & Violet went together like salt and pepper, a needle and thread, a lock and a key. They understood each other for they had both suffered neglect and abuse before being dumped in their thirties in a kill pen.
Sen. Tillis: Putin is a liar and a murderer. He should be expelled from Ukraine.
I’ll accept a peace deal if Zelenskyy wants one, but we must not appease adversaries. Europe must step up. NATO isn’t in decline; claims it is are alarmist.
1/
I’ll accept a peace deal if Zelenskyy wants one, but we must not appease adversaries. Europe must step up. NATO isn’t in decline; claims it is are alarmist.
1/
Sen. Tillis: NATO is the most important alliance in history.
But a $2 trillion defense shortfall over two decades weakened readiness — and limited how much more we could scale up to support Ukraine and modernize its weapons. Congress strongly backs the alliance.
2X
But a $2 trillion defense shortfall over two decades weakened readiness — and limited how much more we could scale up to support Ukraine and modernize its weapons. Congress strongly backs the alliance.
2X
Source:
I am going through Andrew Norfolk's original Grooming Gang articles for The Times and there's some pretty interesting stuff that's come up.
Forgotten grooming gang details 🧵:
Forgotten grooming gang details 🧵:
1. The Times knew that asylum seekers were involved, as reported in the article 'Police Files Reveal Vast Child Protection Scandal' back in 2012. Nevertheless, "Refugee Week" was introduced in many British primary schools in 2020.
2. When the scandal was being broken by Andrew Norfolk, Baroness Casey, and Sarah Champion MP, the response of the Islamic Human Rights Commission was to shortlist them for the "Islamophobe of the Year" award. Leftist academics also published a report calling Norfolk a racist.
Which brain circuits were most affected in this study - and what might that mean in everyday life?
The study shows something fundamental - reduced regulatory capacity of the brain. The problem is coordination, not character🧵
The study shows something fundamental - reduced regulatory capacity of the brain. The problem is coordination, not character🧵
The most affected system was the salience network
(insula + anterior cingulate cortex).
Think of it as the brain’s regulatory switch.
It evaluates what is important, controls attention, and shifts the brain between rest and performance modes.
(insula + anterior cingulate cortex).
Think of it as the brain’s regulatory switch.
It evaluates what is important, controls attention, and shifts the brain between rest and performance modes.
When this network becomes dysregulated, the result is reduced capacity to regulate mental load.
Faster overload, lower tolerance to distraction, increased irritability under fatigue, and difficulty sensing internal limits.
Faster overload, lower tolerance to distraction, increased irritability under fatigue, and difficulty sensing internal limits.
Last week, we reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have carried out a secret campaign to expand ICE’s physical presence across the US. wired.com/story/ice-expa…
Documents show that more than 150 leases and office expansions have or would place new facilities in nearly every state.
This gives us a clear picture of where ICE is going next in the US: Everywhere.
🔗 wired.com/story/ice-expa…
This gives us a clear picture of where ICE is going next in the US: Everywhere.
🔗 wired.com/story/ice-expa…
The pace of change is accelerating, and the implications are far-reaching. Keeping up isn’t easy, but it’s essential. wired.com/newsletter/ICE…
Myroslav, defected Russian soldier: The best motivation in the Russian army is fear.
It's intimidation, it's proving yourself to be much more powerful than you actually are "I've been through a bunch of assaults, killed so many". Killing is their main motivation. 1/
It's intimidation, it's proving yourself to be much more powerful than you actually are "I've been through a bunch of assaults, killed so many". Killing is their main motivation. 1/
Myroslav: There was a conversation about civilians and prisoners of war. If they get caught, just kill them.
Why do you need this burden? You need to take them there and carry them. It’s an additional risk to interrogate them and remove them. 2/
Why do you need this burden? You need to take them there and carry them. It’s an additional risk to interrogate them and remove them. 2/
Myroslav: The Russian army's staff are assholes. I'm far removed from the concepts of the criminal code, but you can really feel it there.
So, let's say you say something, and tomorrow everyone knows it. And they need exactly these kinds of jerks. 3/
So, let's say you say something, and tomorrow everyone knows it. And they need exactly these kinds of jerks. 3/
