Shelitha Robertson, PPP, Atlanta attorney, SBA, ppp loan fraud, lawyer, Juventus Duorinaah, Carlos Moore

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 9, 2024

Former Atlanta Attorney Sentenced 7 Years For Stealing $15M In PPP Loans

Shelitha Robertson was convicted in December.

A judge has sentenced former Atlanta Assistant City Attorney Shelitha Robertson to seven years and three months in prison for stealing approximately $15 million in loans from the government-assisted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced Robertson’s punishment on June 7, 2024. A jury convicted her of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg also sentenced her to three years of supervised release following her prison term.

Robertson was convicted on December 19, 2023.

“Motivated by greed, Robertson deceptively obtained funds that were designated to provide emergency financial relief to struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute criminals who stole pandemic relief funds.”

Robertson used the money she received to buy luxury items, including a 10-carat diamond ring. She and her co-conspirator, Chandra Norton, submitted false tax documents to support the false statements for each of the four companies listed on the application. Robertson also transferred funds to Norton and family members.

“I’m dead broke. My business is gone. My (law) license is gone. My assets are gone. The only thing I have left is my family and my faith in God,” she said in court hours before learning her sentence, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Robertson will serve the sentence minus the six months she has already spent in custody since her December conviction.

PPP was a federal stimulus program authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Authorities have seized over $78 million in cash proceeds from more than 192 fraud defendants in over 121 criminal cases involving fraudulently obtained PPP funds. Numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with these funds were also confiscated.

Chet Walker< NBA, basketball, Chicago Bulls

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 9, 2024

Chicago Bulls Legend Chet Walker Dead At 84

The NBA legend died June 8 after a long illness.

Hall of Fame forward Chet Walker died June 8 after a long illness, according to NBA.com. Walker, a star player for the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls in the 1960s and 1970s, was 84.

The Bulls released a statement on Walker’s death.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chet Walker, a legendary figure in our team’s history. An inductee of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Chet left an indelible mark on the court and in the hearts of fans. During his six seasons with the Bulls from 1969 to 1975, the team never missed the playoffs. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star and an inaugural member of the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor. His skill, dedication, and contributions to the game made a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the city of Chicago.”

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chet Walker, a legendary figure in our team’s history.

An inductee of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Chet left an indelible mark on the court and in the hearts of fans. During his six seasons with the Bulls from 1969 to 1975, the… pic.twitter.com/NKK2x7N6cu

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 9, 2024

Walker is among the Bulls’ all-time leaders in shooting, free throws, field goals made and attempted, total points, and scoring average. Outside of Michael Jordan, Walker scored the most points (56) in a Bulls game. He won an NBA championship in 1967 with the Philadelphia 76ers, widely considered one of the best basketball teams of all-time.

He attended Bradley University where he became the school’s all-time leading scorer and earned the nickname “Chet the Jet.”

Walker was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in 1962. He moved with the team when it was bought and moved to Philadelphia to become the 76ers in 1963. He played there until 1969 when he joined the Bulls.

Walker, who retired in 1975, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 7, 2012. He was also included in the inaugural Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor earlier this year with the likes of Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Phil Jackson.

RELATED CONTENT: Former NBA Player Darius Morris Found Dead At 3

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 9, 2024

Jaguar Wright Arrested For Property Theft, Blames YouTuber Tasha K

The controversial singer allegedly rented a U-Haul truck and never returned the vehicle.

Controversial singer Jaguar Wright, who was arrested in Dallas on June 6, claimed during an online interview that “there’s no charge” for authorities to hold her, according to Vibe.

Wright was arrested for property theft between $30,000 and $150,000 and released on June 7 after a $10,000 bond was posted. She was arrested on an outstanding warrant after she allegedly rented a U-Haul truck and never returned it.

The singer appeared on the Sean Davie Way show on YouTube to discuss the arrest. “Whatever they’re saying it is, it’s not,” she said. “They can’t hold me, there’s no charge.” She also claims that the arrest stems from the controversial interviews she’s been giving.

Baller Alert reported that she blamed YouTuber Tasha K for the latest arrest. “Jaguar is always looking for someone to blame,” Tasha K said on the Sean Davie Way Show. “I had nothing to do with her not returning that U-Haul. She needs to take responsibility for her actions instead of trying to drag others down with her.”

Tasha K posted an interview Wright did with Davie on her X account on June 6.

She also denied that she had any involvement with Wright’s recent brush with the law and stated that Wright is “a real-life schizophrenic.”

“People really don’t know that Jaguar is real-life schizophrenic. Diagnosed, her father was schizophrenic. Her entire family knows. Jag has gotten a check her whole life.”

@seandaviewayshow & #TashaK discuss #jaguarwright blaming Tasha for getting ARRESTED today & her #bipolarschizophrenic history‼️👀
•
•#explore #lockedup #arrest #arrested #theygotya #explorepage pic.twitter.com/1cQpoSm3z6

— Tasha K | UNWINEWITHTASHAK (@unwinewithtasha) June 7, 2024

Wright has been in the news in recent years for her salacious claims against people like Diddy, Jay-Z, and Common. Earlier this year, a video showed Wright being arrested after a domestic dispute. Her husband said that she threw their late son’s ashes out of a car window.

by Daniel Johnson

June 9, 2024

Haiti’s New Prime Minister Hospitalized For ‘Slight Illness’

It's been less than a month since Garry Conille assumed the role.

Garry Conille, Haiti’s newly selected prime minister, was hospitalized late June 8 for an unknown issue a few days after he arrived in the country.

“Following a week of intense activities, the Prime Minister … had a slight illness on the afternoon of Saturday June 8, 2024 and went to the hospital for treatment,” Conille’s office said in a statement, Reuters reported. “His situation is stable for the moment.”

According to the Associated Press, a source close to the prime minister, speaking anonymously due to a lack of authority to address the press, reported that he appeared to have difficulty breathing before being taken to the hospital. The source noted that Conille, who suffers from asthma, sometimes uses an inhaler.

Officials, including Frantz Elbé, Haiti’s national director of police, and Bruno Maes, UNICEF’s Haitian representative, were seen entering the hospital. In addition, several SUVs with tinted windows were seen blocking the street as onlookers gathered.

Following a complicated selection process, Conille was chosen as Haiti’s Prime Minister and faces a difficult set of tasks, including addressing widespread violence initiated by the country’s gangs, whose members have increasingly advocated for a voice in decisions affecting the country. Although the arrival of a Kenyan-led UN peacekeeping force is imminent, The Guardian reports that some are critical of yet another foreign force on Haitian soil.

https://twitter.com/FacesOfHaiti_/status/1799634143082422764?t=-qaAuEhPLTqZXGwxKFfTGg&s=19

Conille, a former UNICEF regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, was previously Haiti’s Prime Minister from October 2011 to May 2012 and also served as a top aide to former President Bill Clinton after Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake.

Conille was voted in as Prime Minister in late 2011 by Haiti’s parliament, but tensions with the president at the time, Michel Martelly, forced Conille to resign, Haitian Times reports.

by Daniel Johnson

June 9, 2024

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul Boxing Match Rescheduled Following Tyson Medical Emergency

The much-anticipated bout is now set for November.

The highly anticipated bout between boxing legend and Boxing Hall of Famer Mike Tyson and YouTuber turned pugilist Jake Paul has now been set for Nov. 15 following a health scare experienced by Tyson. The fight will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys and will also be live streamed on Netflix as originally planned.

As USA Today reports, on May 31, the fight was postponed after Tyson had an ulcer flare-up. Most Valuable Promotions, which Paul co-owns, made an announcement on June 7 that the fight had been rescheduled, which was later confirmed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The co-main event for the card will feature super lightweight champion Katie Taylor and unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano in a rematch for Taylor’s belt. The first match was an instant classic, and Tyson personally endorsed their second match during the initial lead up to the fight.

“Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world,” Tyson told ESPN. “I know they can both put on an incredible show, and I’m thrilled to have them join this card. These remarkable athletes will undoubtedly elevate the event with their global appeal and fan bases. Adding one of the greatest fights in women’s boxing history to this unforgettable event is a true gift to fans.”

Lawrence Kosinski, a Chicago metropolitan area gastroenterologist and American Gastroenterological Association governing board member, approved of the initial decision to postpone the fight in an email to the outlet, “…it indicates Mike Tyson is giving his GI health the respect it deserves,” Kosinski wrote.

The fight has received both anticipation and criticism as many believe the 57-year-old Tyson is too old to fight Paul. Speculation also arose about the set of rules for the fight after some said that the fighters would have to wear headgear and knockouts would not be allowed, but in the now-sanctioned fight, none of those rules apply.

https://twitter.com/ParryPunchNews/status/1775392754094448704?t=C0hBP5SztBpbhvdGodBQNA&s=19

https://twitter.com/Dexerto/status/1795121742496649447?t=v7NM-L_4YfHWQnmsagH2xQ&s=19

The co-owner of MVP Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, told DAZN in a statement, “Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome. Over the past six weeks MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) to sanction Paul versus Tyson and we are grateful that we have gotten to this point.”

Tyson expressed in the news release issued by Netflix on June 7 that he intends to put Paul flat on his back inside the ring. “Although we had to postpone the fight, I will resume training shortly. I am thankful to the medical staff that treated me and to MVP, Netflix, and AT&T Stadium for working diligently to find the best reschedule date for all parties,” Tyson said.

“While we have a new date, the result will be the same no matter when we fight. Jake Paul is getting knocked out.”

by Mary Spiller

June 9, 2024

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Admits Failing To Report Free Trips From GOP Billionaire

Fellow Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disclosed an advance of nearly $900,000 for her upcoming memoir and four tickets to a Beyoncé concert valued at nearly $4,000.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas acknowledged for the first time on June 7 during a financial disclosure filing that he failed to report two different free vacations that he received from Dallas billionaire Republican Harlan Crow.

ABC News reports that the two vacations took place in 2019, one to Indonesia and the other to Bohemian Grove, an all-male luxury retreat in northern California.

ProPublica reported that the admission is unexpected since Justice Thomas argued just last year that he believed he was not required to disclose gifts of that nature.

His lawyer previously said in a statement, “Justice Thomas’s critics allege that he failed to report gifts from wealthy friends. [That’s] untrue.”

In the new financial release filing, Thomas revealed an amendment for his 2019 financial disclosure, claiming that he “inadvertently omitted” the 2019 trips the first time around.

As previously reported by ProPublica, this is not the first time Thomas has failed to disclose some of his luxury vacations and gifts. Crow specifically gifted Thomas with “numerous private jet flights and international yacht cruises, covered private school tuition for Thomas’ relatives, and [once] paid Thomas money in an undisclosed 2014 real estate deal.”

Other justices have also been flagged in the media for shocking monetary reports of received gifts. Fellow Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disclosed receiving an advance of nearly $900,000 for her upcoming memoir and four tickets to a Beyoncé concert valued at almost $4,000.

However, legal experts said that Thomas particularly seems to have broken the law by failing to properly disclose the trips and gifts he received.

In response to Thomas and other justices being found to have a crisis of ethics, polls show public approval of the court as a whole has declined in the past few years.

For the first time last year, the court adopted a code of conduct for gift disclosure, so, by law, “if there is “reasonable cause” to believe a justice intentionally omitted information from a report, the conference is supposed to refer the matter to the attorney general.” However, such a referral has not happened yet.

by Mary Spiller

June 9, 2024

Charlamagne Tha God Says Black Support For Trump Has Been Overstated

Charlamagne tha God called Biden and Trump 'the two worst candidates ever in the history of candidates running for president.'

Radio host Charlamagne tha God has cast doubt on Black voter support for Donald Trump. In an interview with the BBC‘s Americast on June 7, Charlamagne suggested the inference that Black Americans will turn from the Democratic Party this upcoming election to vote for Donald Trump seems to be “overstated.”

In the interview, he said, “Everybody keeps talking about Donald Trump and the inroads he’s making with Black men, but I don’t see it.”

“I don’t know if those polls are accurate,” Charlamagne tha God told BBC. His claims come on the heels of President Joe Biden and Donald Trump attempting to lure in more Black voters as the November White House election draws closer. According to polls, the race is tight, while some prominent swing states have shown that Trump is reportedly gaining slight traction with Black voters.

“I’m sure there are some Black men that support Donald Trump, but that is not the overall sentiment,” Charlamagne, legally named Lenard McKelvey, explained.

A New York Times and Sienna College poll reported that “over 20% of Black voters in key swing states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — would back Trump in November.” But still, a majority of Black voters are leaning toward the Democrats.

Despite what the polls show, the co-host of The Breakfast Club claimed the results are “a little over-overstated.” He did, however, acknowledge that the trends of the Democrats could be due to rising Black voter frustration. “History has shown us that the Democratic Party hasn’t fulfilled a lot of its promises,” he added. “The thing I would always say to the Democrats and President Biden is Black people are always yours to lose.”

Charlamagne also referenced that Trump might choose Tim Scott to win over more African-American voters. He said, “Just because you have Black skin color doesn’t mean that you will be able to energize Black people to run out there and vote for you. And Tim Scott is not gonna move that needle with Black voters.”

Yet Charlamagne called Trump and Biden “the two worst candidates ever in the history of candidates running for president.”

And his vote? He told the BBC, “I’m voting to preserve democracy this year.”

by Daniel Johnson

June 8, 2024

Morgan State University First HBCU To Perform At D-Day Commemoration In Normandy

The band took over 100 members to Normandy, France, to perform at the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

On June 7, Morgan State University became the first HBCU to perform in Normandy, France, at the 80th Anniversary and Commemoration of D-Day. The band took over 100 members to honor the sacrifices of the soldiers who served in World War II.

D-Day, on June 6, 1944, was a crucial World War II operation where Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France, to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. It involved over 156,000 troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations. The successful operation marked a turning point in the war, eventually leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany.

As CBS News reports, Jorim E. Reid Sr., director of Morgan State University’s band, known as the Magnificent Marching Machine, has a personal connection to the D-Day invasion.

“It is bigger than the band,” Reid told CBS affiliate WMZ News. “Our students have been prepared and educated on what this means. Not just HBCU bands but all marching bands come from the military and that’s often forgotten. And the traditions of the syncopated movements, the regimented activities, the discipline, the flair, the dignity has already been attributed to marching bands.”

Reid continued, briefly discussing the impact his grandfather’s survival of the invasion had on him and his family. “I would not be here if he hadn’t survived,” said Reid. “Ten thousand soldiers on that beach where we will be marching on. There’s blood in that sand. We will be marching– as I told the band. On your right, you’re going to see a beautiful beach– this beautiful beach, beautiful scenery. On your left, you’re left you’re going to see bullet holes.”

The students seemed to have grasped the immense importance of their task; they were to perform renditions of “America the Beautiful” and “Taps” while marching through two French towns. In addition, the band was set to perform “Tribute to (Fallen) Americans” at the Normandy American Center and lay a wreath commemorating those who gave their lives during the attack. Band member Dante Travis, a sophomore, told the outlet, “To just be a part of the first HBCUs to do this Normandy D-Day Parade— is a very blessed opportunity.”

Reid, meanwhile, echoed Travis’s sentiments, “Definitely a great opportunity. Our students are grateful. It’s a blessing for our students. Our current students experience something like this.”

As The Spokesman, Morgan State University’s student newspaper, reported, the band was invited to perform during the summer of 2023 by Music Celebrations International and the American Veteran Affairs Center. Reid pointed out to the publication the importance of highlighting Black soldiers’ contributions at a time when some weren’t allowed to fight in service of their country. “Native American…[and] certainly African Americans, they were responsible for cleaning up bodies. In some places, they weren’t even allowed to fight even though they wanted to fight.”

In the press release announcing their selection for the performance, David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University, indicated his gratitude toward the groups for selecting the band to perform and allowing its members to experience history in person.

“When we think of the historic events that have shaped the 20th century and the decades thereafter, the courageous moments that took place on the beaches of Normandy, France nearly 80 years ago, are among them. The opportunity to have our students not only represent our University but also our nation on such a grand world stage in recognition of such a monumental occasion is truly an honor,” President Wilson said. “Our thanks to the event organizers for their recognition of the talented student performers we have at Morgan, and for providing them with this lifetime experience allowing them to touch history.”

Florida, bleach, baby bottle, child abuse

by Mary Spiller

June 8, 2024

Mother Accused Of Filling Baby’s Bottle With Bleach

The Florida woman was charged with child abuse and neglect.

A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with child abuse and child neglect after reports were filed with the police in January that she had allegedly fed her 13-month-old daughter a bottle filled with bleach. According to a press release on June 4, Melissa Barnes was arrested and charged.

Barnes claimed that she just used bleach to rinse the baby bottle. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that a relative made a police report that Barnes and her young daughter were living in a shed with no electricity that was “cold, cluttered, and unsanitary” at the time. When the relative attempted to feed Barnes’ daughter, they realized that the bottle had bleach in it, People reports.

The discovery prompted a police investigation into the home, and ultimately, the Department of Children and Families removed the toddler from Barnes and placed her with a responsible relative.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Florida detective discovered “bleach-based disinfectant and paint” inside the shed. The FBI forensic laboratory confirmed that “chlorine-based bleach” was present in the bottle.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement, “This case is deeply disturbing. No child deserves to be subjected to such dangerous and neglectful conditions.”

The statement continued, “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community’s most vulnerable, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those who harm children are held accountable.”

Barnes was arrested and taken into police custody by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on June 3, following the issuance of arrest warrants for Barnes. She is being held in Highland County jail and is awaiting extradition as the investigation continues.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential.

Tim scott, GOP, Black Jobs, Trump, Black republicans, Black voters

by Daniel Johnson

June 8, 2024

Tim Scott Connected PAC To Spend $14.3 Million For Black Voter Outreach In Support Of Trump

Scott is a VP-shortlister for Trump.

Tim Scott, the Senate’s only Black Republican and a key ally of Donald Trump, suggested to reporters on June 4 that he believes Trump can gain ground with Black male voters. Scott appears willing to lead an outreach campaign targeting Black voters in battleground states. On June 6, Scott-aligned Great Opportunity PAC announced it would spend $14.3 million to encourage voting for Trump and down-ballot GOP candidates.

As CBS News reports, Scott, rumored to be a candidate for the vice presidential nomination from Trump, told reporters, “There’s no doubt that African-American men are wide open for a political shift of partisan shift. If Black voters do two things: some stay home and some come to the Right, there is no way [Democrats can] fill the hole.”

Although a March poll from CBS News showed that Trump’s support from Black voters had increased to 23%, a poll from Pew Research released in May indicated that this figure is likely too high, even though Trump’s support among certain segments of Black voters has increased over the last four years. Even among Black men, their polling indicated that 20% of Black registered voters would vote for Trump if the election were held immediately. Despite this, 72% of Black voters said that Trump was a terrible president, and 65% of Black voters believe he broke the law in an attempt to change the results of the 2020 election.

https://twitter.com/AmeshiaCross/status/1778091491270807680?t=6kqhE71RHOgVghh6UKK0rA&s=19

Yall know good and well Tim Scott doesn't ever talk to Black men. https://t.co/fIAV654HMX
— J Alst bsky.app/profile/soulcitysigma.bsky.social (@SoulCitySigma) March 11, 2024

According to Brookings, the polls indicating that Black voters are moving toward Trump are based on small sample sizes and are not as recent as the Pew Research poll. In addition, Howard University political science professor Marcus J. Board indicated to Brookings that, in general, Black support of Republicans has historically ranged between 8% to 15%, much lower than the 23% figure floated by Scott. In addition, following Trump’s guilty verdict in the Stormy Daniels hush money case, a New York Times survey indicated that the Black people who indicated their support of Trump flipped to Biden, which casts doubt on the narrative that Black people are committing to Trump.

According to the Center for Politics, there is no historical basis for a surge in Black Republican voters based on exit polls. They cite data from the American National Election Studies to make their case. “There is no evidence in the ANES data of any surge in support for Republican presidential candidates among Black voters in recent elections. According to data from the 2020 American National Election Study, Donald Trump received only 7% of the Black vote against Joe Biden, almost identical to the 6% he received against Hillary Clinton in 2016. Nor is there any evidence in the ANES data of a surge in support for Trump among any major subgroup of Black voters.”