• News History

by Daniel Johnson

December 14, 2023

London Breed’s $75 Million In Cuts Eliminates Reparations Office

Breed has never signaled any real support for the reparations plan, the San Francisco mayor has repeatedly said that reparations is an issue to be tackled by the State of California

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s office approved $75 million in budget cuts, which did not eliminate jobs but instead cut unstaffed positions and programs. This includes an office that KTVU reported would have been responsible for creating reparations for Black San Franciscans.

The funds that would have gone towards the Office of Reparations were diverted to programs that already exist, such as the city’s Dream Keeper initiative. Breed sent out a letter to her department heads on Dec. 1, outlining her conservation of funds for her top priorities.

Breed wrote, in part, “The reductions leave intact basic city services and priorities so we can continue making progress on hiring police officers, expanding shelter beds, advancing behavioral health initiatives, and cleaning up our streets.” 

As The San Francisco Examiner reported, the office was founded after years of research that ended with the adoption of a reparations plan earlier this year. Supervisor Shannon Walton told The Examiner, “I understand the importance of cuts to existing programs, but the Black community will continue to pursue justice and equity through reparations here in San Francisco.”

Walton continued, “My hope is that the city’s deficit is eliminated quickly so that we can fund the Office of Reparations and fulfill the commitment made to address the historical injustices and inequities that have persisted for generations for Black San Franciscans.”

The Office of Reparations was seen as an important step in the reparations plan, drafted by the city’s African American Reparations Advisory Committee and accepted by the Board of Supervisors. The $2 million set aside for the program was to be used to hire staff and build out programs that the plan created. The plan also proposed to pay $5 million directly to eligible Black residents, while also allowing for reparations that did not involve cash payments. Breed has never signaled any real support for the reparations plan, the San Francisco mayor has repeatedly said that reparations is an issue to be tackled by the State of California, and not at the local level. As the Examiner reported, the city’s budget deficit is expected to reach $1 billion by 2027, which spurred Breed’s budget cuts that she says are a “down payment” to help cushion the impact down the road. 

According to an email sent to SFGate from Parisa Safarzadehn, Breed’s spokesperson, “The Mayor does not believe we need a new bureaucracy to implement programs to benefit the African American community,” Safarzadehn wrote, “Opening a separate office is not an efficient use of funds. We should be focusing our efforts on programs that impact the community.” 

Safarzadehn also said that the city’s Dream Keeper Initiative, which wants to invest $60 million in San Francisco’s Black community, is already doing that work. 

RELATED CONTENT: San Francisco Clears Out Homeless Population Ahead Of APEC Summit

by Daniel Johnson

December 14, 2023

Mike Tyson’s Cannabis Brand Is Booming And He’s ‘Very Grateful’ For That

Tyson launched his company in Colorado using Colombia Care, a dispensary operator that ran 99 dispensaries across 16 states.

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Mike Tyson’s cannabis brand has been doing the kind of numbers his pay-per-view heavyweight boxing bouts used to do before he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997. According to Fox News, Tyson made an appearance at CONBUD in Manhattan to promote his cannabis brand, Tyson 2.0. Tyson, who has been open about how his use of weed has helped make him a more mellow person, talked with Fox News reporters at a meet-and-greet after the event, telling them, “I had thousands of people text me, FaceTime me, or Instagram [message] me where they’re appreciative that I opened up this business,” Tyson said.

“They’re on the verge of suicide — all the horrific things that happen to people on habitual stuff like that. Cocaine or one of those ego-inflaming drugs. It humbles me. It makes me very grateful I’m participating in the cannabis business.”

Tyson launched a line of ear shaped edibles in 2022 in tandem with the same man whose ear he took a chunk out of. Tyson had already been selling his own line edibles in the shape of ears with a piece missing, calling them Mike Bites. Tyson released a statement to NBC News, saying, “From Mike Bites to Holy Ears, now cannabis fans around the world can experience the same wellness benefits that plant-based products have brought me,” before adding that it was a “privilege to reunite” with his former boxing rival. 

Holyfield also provided a statement, saying “Mike and I have a long history of competition and respect for one another. And that night changed both of our lives. Back then, we didn’t realize that even as power athletes, we were also in a lot of pain,” Holyfield said.

“Now, nearly 20 years later, we have the opportunity to share the medicine we really needed throughout our careers.” 

In 2021, Tyson launched his company in Colorado using Colombia Care, a dispensary operator that at the time ran 99 dispensaries across 16 states. Tyson, however, is not just the name behind the product, according to Tyson 2.0 CEO Adam Wilks. Wilks told CNBC, “He’s not just putting his name on a product. We won’t put product on the market unless Mike approves,” Wilks explained. “Mike actually gets to choose the strains that he prefers, the ‘Sour Diesel’ and ‘The Toad’ being some of his favorite strains.”

Since the launch, Tyson’s profits have steadily rolled in, according to MarketWatch. Tyson estimates his ranch pulls in about $500,000 a month, of which he says he spends about $40,000 on the good green himself. In addition to his collaboration with Holyfield, Tyson has also gotten WWE Hall of Famer and the limousine riding, jet-flying, alligator shoe wearing, kiss-stealing, son of a gun, Ric Flair in on the action. Chad Bronstein, the CEO of Carma Holdings, which is the parent company of Tyson’s cannabis brand, told Fox News that he ran the idea of approaching Flair by Tyson, saying “I called up Mike and I said, hey, Ric Flair is my neighbor. What if we dropped a line called, “Ric Flair Drip,” with Ric? And I walked up to Ric and I said, Ric, I’m gonna start cannabis line with you. And he goes, cannabis line? I said, trust me. It’s gonna, it’s gonna do well. And Ric got you know, very educated in the space and, you know, the brand is really booming.”

RELATED CONTENT: Mike Tyson Travels To Poland To Purchase Pigeons

• News

by Daniel Johnson

December 14, 2023

Harvard Stands With Claudine Gay Amid Republican Criticism

The Harvard Corporation, formally known as the President and Fellows of Harvard College, the most powerful of Harvard University's two governing boards, signaled their trust in Gay

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Amid Republican dissatisfaction with university presidents at some of the nation’s elite college institutions, Harvard faculty elected to stand with Harvard President Claudine Gay as she faced calls from lawmakers and university donors to vacate her position. The position from the Republican legislators is that somehow, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are among the factors for a spike in antisemitism at the nation’s higher education institutions, including Harvard, Penn, and MIT.

According to Roll Call, several Republican lawmakers, including New York Republican Elise Stefanik, believe not enough is being done by Gay to curb anti-semitism and Stefanik has also called for Gay’s removal during the House Committee on Education and The Workforce hearings. 

The Harvard Corporation, formally known as the President and Fellows of Harvard College, the most powerful of Harvard University’s two governing boards, signaled their trust in Gay following a Dec. 11 meeting.

“Our extensive deliberations affirm our confidence that President Gay is the right leader to help our community heal and to address the very serious societal issues we are facing,” the Harvard Corporation announced.

According to the Associated Press, their announcement comes after 600 members of Harvard’s faculty signed a petition asking the Harvard Corporation to keep Gay as university president. 

Stefanik continued her criticism of Gay, writing in a post on Twitter/X, “There have been absolutely no updates to (Harvard’s) code of conduct to condemn the calls for genocide of Jews and protect Jewish students on campus,” Stefanik said. “The only update to Harvard’s code of conduct is to allow plagiarists as president.” 

Stefanik’s loud criticisms of Gay have come into question, however, because of her association with Donald Trump, who has traded in his fair share of antisemitic remarks. As The Hill reported, during an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, challenged Stefanik’s credibility, saying, “Where does Elise Stefanik get off lecturing anybody about antisemitism, when she’s the hugest supporter of Donald Trump, who traffics in antisemitism all the time?”

Raskin continued, saying, “She didn’t utter a peep of protest when he had Kanye West and Nick Fuentes over for dinner,” Raskin explained.

“Nick Fuentes, who doubts whether Oct. 7 even took place because he thinks it was some kind of suspicious propaganda move by the Israelis. The Republican Party is filled with people who are entangled with antisemitism like that.”

On Harvard’s campus, Gay is being supported by professors like Gunduz Vassaf, a visiting professor of psychology, who told The AP he believes the fracas being raised by the House Committee on Education & The Workforce is being taken out of context by Republicans, “I fully support her testimony before Congress. I do believe that the situation has been taken out of context in the emotions of the immediate moment.”

Vassaf added, “As long as there’s no incitement and a call for violence, this falls within the freedom of speech.”

In contrast to professors and students professing their support of Gay, Rabbi Chananel Weiner, the Director of Aish Campus Boston, a pro-Israel group, came to the Harvard Campus in what he says is a show of solidarity with Jewish students at Harvard. Weiner told The AP, “We need to resist the ideas really that are being spread here that are really against the Jewish people.”

“The Jewish people are under attack and we’re under attack from all angles, academia being one of them and this is the heart of academia.”

While much of the focus on the hearings has been on a rise in antisemitism, there has been a rise in Islamophobic attacks and sentiment across the country. Dr. Amer F. Ahmed, a South Asian scholar who also holds multiple Black Studies degrees, and is an expert on Islamophobia, told Diverse Education that the climate following the Oct. 7 attacks has been as bad as it was post-9/11. Ahmed then turned his attention to higher education, saying, “I think that there’s definitely antisemitism on campuses. But I think that we’re not hearing a lot on a number of our campuses about the rising Islamophobia at the same time,” Ahmed said.

“My sense is there’s not been the level of concern or focus that there needs to be to try to mitigate dangerous rhetoric or perceptions that result in violent acts, like we’ve seen here in Burlington.”

Ahmed added, “And so, I really want my colleagues in higher education to really commit to learning and understanding more about how to address Islamophobia on our campuses and why it’s such a critical moment to do so.” 

RELATED CONTENT: 500-Plus Harvard Faculty Members Sign Letter Supporting President Claudine Gay

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 14, 2023

T.D. Jakes Partners With The Largest Black-Owned Real Estate Developer In Miami For Affordable Housing Project

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Bishop T.D. Jakes recently announced his company, T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures is partnering with New Urban Development, “Miami’s largest Black-owned real estate developer,” to create two affordable housing developments in South Florida.

Located in Hallandale Beach and Miami Gardens, managing partner Marcus Dawson said the partnership with NUD is a testament to a sincere effort to revive and stabilize failing communities.

“Florida continues to grow, and the need for more living options is at an all-time high,” Dawson said. “It is our mission to create the necessary alliances that help address the most glaring issues like affordable housing.” He continued by saying that NUD shares similar ideologies of community transformation for seniors and underserved populations, and what they have already developed proves it.

The development in Hallandale Beach will be a multi-family, mixed-income five-acre property featuring 200 units. Set to be located at the center of a historic African-American community with limited affordable housing choices, the ground is scheduled to break in Q1 2024. The development will only host 150 units on seven acres in Miami Gardens. Located adjacent to Miami Gardens Senior Family Center, the property will be the first of its kind as a senior housing complex developed for seniors in the area. With lots to do, the development will also provide a clubhouse and walking trails.

NUD was awarded the land from the City of Miami Gardens in order to correspond with existing senior recreation centers, while Miami-Dade County was awarded funding for the housing development. Oliver Gross, president of New Urban Development, said partnering with T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures has opened many doors to resources they didn’t once have access to. “The relationships and access to funding sources through T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures will help us expand the work we’ve been doing to improve the housing options in overlooked and underserved neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County and surrounding areas,” Gross said.

“We all believe in a holistic approach to community revitalization that values transformation over transactions and incorporates education programs, financial literacy, and other resources to residents.”

South Florida is the latest area to be touched by Jakes and his Dallas-based company. In May 2023, T.D. Jakes Group partnered with Wells Fargo to purchase 95 acres of the former Fort McPherson Army base to turn it into a mixed-use, mixed-income community, according to Atlanta Agent Magazine. The 10-year partnership would be responsible for bringing close to $1 billion in capital financing and grants from the Wells Fargo Foundation, set to go toward reviving underserved neighborhoods.

• Celebrity News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 14, 2023

Driver Testifies Jonathan Majors’ Ex Hit Marvel Actor While In SUV

A driver for Jonathan Majors and his ex, Grace Jabbari, has testified that Jabbari was the aggressor in the incident that prompted the actors' assault trial.

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In a new revelation in the Jonathan Majors assault trial, a driver who chauffeured Major and his ex, Grace Jabbari, testified that Jabbari hit the actor while in the vehicle.

TMZ confirmed the news on Dec. 11, in which, according to the SUV driver’s account, Jabbari initiated the physical fight between her and the Marvel star. He took the stand the day before the news broke, speaking to the jury on his recount of the events in New York when the former couple were in his Escalade. According to the tabloid, the unidentified driver shared that he “had a feeling the girl had hit the boy…because of the way that she was fighting, and the sounds produced.”

His retelling of the March incident also revealed that Jabbari was “very angry” while trying to get the actor’s phone. He claimed that Majors did not further the issue but was “trying to get rid” of his ex-girlfriend. He continued by sharing with the court that despite both leaving his vehicle to keep arguing outside, Majors began “pushing her back into the car” to get her away from him. He also relayed that no blood was found in the car, responding to questioning by Majors’ defense team.

The trial against Majors continues to unfold in the public eye. As recently as Dec. 8, People obtained court documents that exposed texts between Majors and Jabbari that alluded to Majors physically hurting his ex before his March arrest on the same allegations.

“I fear you have no perspective of what could happen if you go to the hospital,” said the 34-year-old in texts sent to the British woman in September 2022. “They will ask you questions, and as I don’t think you actually protect us, it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie, and they suspect something.”

After Jabbari remained adamant that she needed to see a doctor for her pain, Majors began admitting to her that he contemplated suicide, referring to himself as a “monster” and “horrible man” who doesn’t “deserve” love. The 30-year-old responded that she would forgo the hospital if he felt more “safe” with her, promising him that she would “never mention” his name to the doctors.

Majors has yet to take the stand himself as the trial continues.

• Celebrity News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 14, 2023

Atlanta Celebrates T.I. At 20th Anniversary Of ‘Trap Muzik’

T.I. is honored in Atlanta for the 20th anniversary of 'Trap Muzik' and his pioneering of the hip-hop subgenre.

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The city of Atlanta celebrated one of its hip-hop icons and his contributions to the music genre. T.I. was heralded in a surprise event for the 20th anniversary of his album and the Atlanta-based cultural phenomenon, Trap Muzik.

The Dec. 12 event was held at the city’s The Gathering Spot location as T.I. was greeted by local leaders and fellow trap music pioneers to reminisce on the hip-hop subgenre’s origins. His album, released in 2003, was part of a cultural shift in hip-hop as the dawn of trap music permeated the sounds of rap. To recognize his artistic achievement, T.I. was honored with a Congressional Proclamation presented by U.S. Representative Nikema Williams.

“A tribute to Clifford Joseph ‘T.I.’ Harris Jr. and the 20th anniversary of Trap Muzik,” began Rep. Williams as she read the document, now part of the Congressional Record. “Whereas music is a powerful cultural force that has the ability to shape, define, and reflect the experiences of individuals and communities. Trap music, a subgenre of hip-hop, has emerged as a distinct and influential genre over the past two decades, characterized by its gritty beats, compelling storytelling, and resonant lyrics. And this is a testament to the phrase ‘Atlanta does influence everything.'”

The congresswoman continued reading the document, emphasizing T.I.’s founding of the sound that helped define a cultural movement,

“[T.I.] is widely recognized as the founder of trap music, having made pioneering contributions to the genre, and who played a pivotal role in its rise and prominence culminating in the release of the iconic album Trap Muzik in 2003…T.I. has always proclaimed Hip Hop as a form of expression that is reflective of the environment from which the ‘Trap’ narrative comes, once saying ‘if you think the music is harsh, you should spend some time in the environment that inspired [it.]'”

His family applauded the guest of honor, including wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris and their seven children, friends such as fellow trap artists Young Dro and Yung Joc, and the city’s native DJs and media titans. Atlanta, known as the hub of southern rap, gave the influential figure in its rise within the art form substantial praise for his part in music history.

Williams’ office released an additional statement following the historic event, further commemorating T.I. excellence in music amidst this pivotal year for the legacy of rap,

“As we commemorate 50 years of Hip Hop, we have to recognize the profound influence of Trap Music.  20 years ago, T.I. pioneered an unforgettable sound that is a quintessential element of Atlanta’s culture and continues to make an impact on the music industry worldwide.  It was an honor to celebrate the King of the South for his contributions to music, culture, community, and our country.”

• Women

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 13, 2023

Meet The 11-Year-Old Black Girl Mechanic Who Repairs Motorcycles In Ghana

Meet 11-year-old Susanna Adjakie-Apekor, a remarkable young girl from Ghana with a passion for fixing motorcycles.

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Meet 11-year-old Susanna Adjakie-Apekor, a remarkable young girl from Ghana with a passion for fixing motorcycles. Despite her young age, she has already mastered the art of repairing motorcycles, handling tasks like fixing crankshafts and brakes and changing chains and sprockets.

Susanna’s journey into the world of mechanics began at the age of 3, inspired by her father, Amudu. When her father, a busy mechanic, complained about his hectic schedule, she decided to roll up her sleeves and dive into the world of motorcycle repairs. With her mom’s approval, she moved in with her dad to become a skilled mechanic. Now, at age 11, Susanna said she can confidently guide anyone through fixing motorcycles effortlessly, according to BBC News. 

RELATED CONTENT: THAT’S DOCTOR TO YOU—AUTO MECHANIC BECOMES DOCTOR AT 51 YEARS OLD

Initially, her father had doubts about how fast she’d catch on and feared she might just struggle. But Susanna quickly proved him wrong, showcasing her excellent skills and determination to improve where needed.

Despite her busy schedule as a class 3 student, Susanna manages to balance her academic commitments with her passion for mechanics. After school, she heads straight to the workshop to continue honing her skills.

But her ambitions don’t stop at motorcycles. She dreams of tackling bigger vehicles like cars, boats, and even airplanes in the future. She also has her sights set on opening her very own shop someday.

RELATED CONTENT: THIS FEMALE MECHANIC IN NIGERIA IS TEACHING AFRICAN WOMEN HOW TO FIX THEIR CARS

This story was first reported by Blackbusiness.com

• Celebrity News

by Derek Major

December 13, 2023

NBA All-Star Paul George Launches The Pack Productions Company

NBA All-Star Paul George launched The Pack Production Company and announced its first project, a docuseries titled "Amongst the Trees."

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Eight-time NBA All-Star Paul George is launching a TV and film production company called The Pack Productions.

According to Deadline, George is launching The Pack Productions with his sister, Teiosha George, who will serve as an executive producer on the company’s first film, Amongst the Trees, a basketball-themed documentary that follows an upstart men’s basketball program at Copper Mountain College, a tiny community school in the middle of the Mojave Desert in Joshua Tree, California, during the final week of their season as the team makes a push for the playoffs in its second season. The film will be co-directed and co-produced by Trent Urban and Jack Jensen.

“When Teiosha and I decided to launch The Pack, we knew we wanted to start with a story that was close to home,” George said, according to Deadline. “Joshua Tree is just 125 miles from where we grew up in Palmdale, but the hoops story that Trent and Jack tell is universal.” 

“From the very beginning, between the CMC family and Joshua Tree itself, we felt this crazy, unique energy out in the desert that really drove us to this story,” Jensen described. “They were building this amazing team in the middle of nowhere, and their vision for the program and our vision for the film felt connected from the jump. We’re honored they let us into their world to help showcase it and bring our style to the party.” 

George, a 14-year NBA veteran with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers, is a four-time All-NBA defense member, six-time All-NBA member, and 2012-13 Most Improved award winner. He’s averaged 22.6 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and four assists per game in 23 games this season.

He’s also not the only NBA player making moves from the NBA into the TV and film industry. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning are teaming up for an NBA-style docuseries following NBA players during the NBA season that will be much like the current Netflix series Quarterback.

Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul also runs Ohh Dip Productions, whose work includes Why Not Us, a docuseries that follows the Florida A&M University Rattlers football team, which is preparing to play in the Cricket Celebration Bowl, HBCU National Title game against the Howard Bison this weekend.

RELATED CONTENT: Former NBA Champion Andre Iguodala Appointed Acting Executive Director Of NBPA

by Rafael Pena

December 13, 2023

John Amos Shares Love For Daughter Despite ‘Elderly Abuse’ Claims

John Amos, the 83-year-old "Good Times" alumnus, and his filmmaker son, K.C. Amos, are opening up about their relationship with Shannon Amos.

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John Amos, the 83-year-old Good Times alumnus, and his filmmaker son, K.C. Amos, opened up about their relationship with Shannon Amos, John’s daughter, whom the eldest Amos accused of “elderly abuse” earlier this year.

“It is his sibling, that is my daughter, my first child,” John Amos told People. “I love her. K.C. loves his sister. We just have, I guess, what might be best described in the tabloids is an acrimonious relationship, but everything heals in time, and the love is still there.”

He added, “Suffice it to say we are still family, and we love each other, and that’s the bottom line.”

The family controversy emerged in June when Shannon Amos accused her father of elder abuse and financial exploitation. John Amos denied the claims and clarified his well-being in an exclusive statement to People, urging the halt of the GoFundMe campaign initiated by his daughter.

In a video shared by K.C. on Instagram, John Amos said Shannon Amos had “taken advantage” of him. Shannon Amos’s representative responded to the allegations, calling them “false and defamatory statements.”

Despite the family turmoil, John Amos is set to share his life story in an upcoming docuseries, America’s Dad. While a release date is pending, he hopes viewers will find it informative and truthful. K.C. Amos said the title reflects the impact of his father’s role as patriarch James Evans on Good Times.

“Your father was my father,” as many people from diverse backgrounds have approached him with such sentiments,” the younger Amos said.

John Amos also paid tribute to Norman Lear, the influential creator of Good Times and other iconic sitcoms, who died at 101 on Dec. 5. He acknowledged Lear as a master and innovator in television, emphasizing his significant role in shaping the landscape of television production.

RELATED CONTENT: John Amos’ Son Arrested For Sending Sister Threatening Messages Amid Claims of Elder Abuse

• News

by Iman Milner

December 13, 2023

Former Facebook Diversity Executive Admits Stealing Over $4M From Company

Barbara Furlow-Smiles is currently being investigated by the FBI.

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Barbara Furlow-Smiles, a former global diversity executive at parent company Meta’s Facebook, admitted to stealing over $4 million from the company through an elaborate scheme involving falsified vendor information, fake charges, and lucrative cash kickbacks. Charges against the Atlanta native were filed by U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, Fox 5 Atlanta reports.

Furlow-Smiles is currently being investigated by the FBI.

“This defendant abused a position of trust as a global diversity executive for Facebook to defraud the company of millions of dollars, ignoring the insidious consequences of undermining the importance of her DEI mission,” Buchanan said. “Motivated by greed, she used her time to orchestrate an elaborate criminal scheme in which fraudulent vendors paid her kickbacks in cash. She even involved relatives, friends, and other associates in her crimes, all to fund a lavish lifestyle through fraud rather than hard and honest work.” Amongst her crimes was the submission of fake expense reports to Facebook used to cover up proof of Furlow-Smiles’ distribution of company funds to family, friends, and relatives who never rendered services to the tech giant.

According to the Department of Justice, the former lead strategist and global head of employee resource groups linked her Facebook-issued credit cards to PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App accounts. She later used the apps to send money to her loved ones, many of whom claimed they did not know the money was being illegally sent to them from the social networking leader. After receipt of the payments, recipients were allegedly instructed to dole out large portions back to Furlow-Smiles, often in cash or through accounts held in the names of others.

Furlow-Smiles also defrauded Facebook by encouraging the company to bring on vendors she was personally related to; after approving hefty contracts and invoices, she would demand that a portion of the money be returned to her. The DOJ reports that Furlow-Smiles procured a $10,000 payment to an artist for portraits and $18,000 for preschool tuition, amongst other non-work related and profitable false charges made on behalf of vendors who did not pay kickbacks.

“Furlow-Smiles used lies and deceit to defraud both vendors and Facebook employees,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI works hard to make sure greed like this doesn’t pay off and those who commit fraud are held accountable.”

Furlow-Smiles is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, 2024.

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