Trump Administration Quietly Bans Department Of Veteran Affairs From Performing Abortions, Counseling

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 24, 2025

Trump Administration Quietly Bans Department Of Veteran Affairs From Performing Abortions, Counseling

The Biden-Harris administration predicted the agency would provide close to 1,000 abortions per year following the backlash from the 2022 Dobbs decision but data shows the VA has provided 140 per year since.

In another move to erase all Biden-era policies, the Trump administration secretly banned the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from issuing abortions and all related services to veterans and their dependents — including those who are victims of rape and incest, The Hill reports.

In a Dec. 18 memo from Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) Joshua Craddock, the VA was ordered to stop all abortion services under any provision of the law. The memo pulled back on a 2022 policy that permitted abortions for those who became pregnant as a result of rape or incest, or if a pregnancy risked the life of the person seeking an abortion.

The OLC argued that the rule, as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, dissolving Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, overstepped the law.

Craddock called the language “unambiguous,” according to Fox News, after highlighting the Veterans Health Care Act, which makes clear that the VA is restricted to providing abortion services only if the pregnancy carries risks. He highlighted a footnote reading: “life-threatening circumstances, including treatment for ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages.” Veterans Affairs Press Secretary Peter Kasperowicz says the VA is complying immediately.

The Biden-Harris administration predicted the agency would provide close to 1,000 abortions per year following the backlash from the Dobbs decision. Still, data shows the VA has provided 140 per year since 2022. Regardless of the numbers, abortion advocates have slammed the policy change, labeling it an insult to veterans. “Veterans deserve dignity and respect that includes the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions,” Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said, calling the ban “callous and inhumane.”

While half of the U.S. protects the right to abortion, the new VA ban will now apply in those states, as the VA operates dozens of medical centers across the country. Back in 2022, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough called the policy “a patient safety decision” as “pregnant Veterans and VA beneficiaries deserve to have access to world-class reproductive care when they need it most.”

As Craddock may feel the exceptions are helpful, feminist and politics expert Jessica Valenti says expectations “are deliberately crafted to be impossible to use” and used only “to make Republicans seem a little less punishing.”

President and CEO at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Nancy Northup, feels the ban is just another way of President Donald Trump failing to keep his promises. “Veterans risked their lives to defend our safety and freedom–– and now the Trump Administration is taking away theirs,” Northup said. “President Trump said he would leave abortion to the states, but he continues to seize new opportunities to restrict it nationally.”

Christmas Caroling, Baltimore airport, TSA

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 24, 2025

TSA Hits A High Note: Baltimore Airport Agents Go Viral Christmas Caroling

The viral TSA Christmas Carolers are spreading holiday cheer throughout the Baltimore airport.

TSA agents had a pleasant surprise for holiday travelers with a nice display of Christmas caroling.

The unexpected performances went viral as Baltimore airport voyagers stopped to hear the sweet sounds of the security personnel. The rag-tag group came together to perform what many deem the Christmas national anthem, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

The Christmas cheer spread to TikTok, as viewers caught sight of the TSA’s surprising talent, delighting travelers on their way. Videos quickly garnered a million likes as the vocals could be heard in the skies.

@jazsmin30 The best welcome home greeting #baltimore #christmas @Mariah Carey ♬ original sound – ebonee30

While taking a break from duty, with their uniforms still on, the unlikely carolers put on a show that gathered an in-person and online crowd. According to USA Today, the TSA Christmas Carolers take up this tradition every holiday season. The group performed last year as well throughout the Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore.

Commenters noted the immense talent of one of the agents who started off the hit song; many called for her to transition out of airport security to pursue a singing career.

“Oh its time to quit your job baby girl,” wrote one TikTok user.

Another stated, “some of the best voices be so unknown.”

“Oh she got a hidden talent. Clock out [now],” exclaimed one more.

Others encouraged other popular airports, like Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, to create a new competition for the best TSA agents-turned-singers. However, as of right now, Baltimore Airport’s Christmas Carolers reign supreme with their performance.

The TSA Christmas Carolers could expect an even bigger audience this year as holiday travel breaks records. The AAA projects that over 122 million Americans will travel outside their residence this year during the two-week holiday period, beating out last year’s record.

With air travel still on the rise, TSA workers have already overcome an eventful year. The longest-recorded shutdown in history left many without a paycheck for weeks.

Thankfully, the shutdown subsided after 43 days, returning operations to relative normalcy. Now, TSA aims to bounce back and make spirits bright with this fun way to celebrate the holidays.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 24, 2025

Homeless Florida Man Charged With Murder After Fatally Stabbing Elderly Woman At Barnes & Noble Bookstore

Antonio Moore has been charged after stabbing the victim, who he did not know, in the back

A Florida man, Antonio Moore, has been arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder after allegedly stabbing a woman at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Palm Beach Gardens.

According to WPTV, Moore is accused of stabbing 65-year-old Rita Loncharich on Dec. 22, shortly before 8 p.m. The victim was stabbed in the back with a knife and was taken to a local hospital, where she died from the wound.

Moore, who ran out of the store after the incident, was captured shortly after the stabbing and was booked the next morning at approximately 5:30 a.m. and is being held without bond. He was caught in the woods, approximately 1,500 feet from the Barnes & Noble. Police located him after speaking with multiple witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from inside the store.

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Legacy Place, where the bookstore is located, issued a statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a customer following an incident on property. Our hearts are with the victim’s family, friends and all those impacted. Police responded quickly and a suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Safety remains our top priority. We are working closely with local law enforcement, enhancing our on-site security presence and reviewing protocols with tenants.”

Police officers stated that Moore told investigators that he had just arrived in Palm Beach Gardens about a week ago after taking a bus from Georgia, and he also told them that he is homeless. The arrest affidavit said that he admitted that while sitting inside the store charging his phone, he approached Loncharich and stabbed her in the back with a pocket knife.

Moore said he had no motive for the attack and had no prior interaction with her. In the affidavit, Moore reportedly said the attack was an “internal buildup” that triggered a “fight or flight response,” and that the victim was the closest person to him at the time.

He told police officers that he remembered Loncharich saying, “He stabbed me,” and that she was seemingly in shock from the attack.

He was scheduled to make his first appearance Dec. 24 at the Palm Beach County Jail.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 24, 2025

‘First Lady of Football’ And FAMU Alum, Pam Oliver, Inducted Into Sports Broadcasting Hall Of Fame

Oliver's induction marks a feat for Black women in sports journalism.

HBCU Pride has reached new peaks with the latest inductee into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Pam Oliver, a renowned sports journalist and Florida A&M University alumna, is a part of the latest cohort of esteemed broadcasters to enter this coveted group. The NFL news staple was inducted as a Hall of Famer on Dec. 16.

Her current team at Fox Sports congratulated Oliver on her storied career and latest achievement. Oliver has reported for the news network since 1995, marking 30 years.

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A post shared by NFL on FOX (@nflonfox)

“It was just a magical night. I still can’t believe it, my feet have not touched the ground. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Fox for giving me all these years to flourish and grow, that has a big part to do with why I’m in the Sports [Broadcasting] Hall of Fame. Never thought I’d be saying those words, but I’m as pleased as can be.

Upon graduation from her esteemed HBCU alma mater, Oliver began her lofty career in sports broadcasting. She started with roles at local stations before transitioning to national networks, covering the entire NFL season with Fox Sports and previous NBA Playoffs coverage with TNT. Since 2014, she worked as a reporter for Fox Sports’ No. 2 NFL broadcasting team.

With over 30 years at Fox Sports, Oliver has become the longest tenured NFL sideline reporter, marking a tremendous accomplishment for Black women in sports broadcasting. By recognizing her steady presence on NFL game nights, the Hall of Fame sought to honor her years of dedication to the field.

“[Pam Oliver] has long been recognized as one of the premier sports reporters on network television and is the longest tenured NFL sideline reporter. With widespread respect and admiration across the industry, her straightforward and candid interviewing style consistently delivers topical and substantive reports,” shared the Hall of Fame in its statement of her induction, according to HBCU Sports.

FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Design also highlighted the “First Lady of Football.” Before her matriculation to sideline coverage, Oliver was an All-American track & field athlete at the Florida HBCU. The school recognized her impact in HBCU journalism and the sports world, bestowing her with a Production Hall in her name in 2015.

American Basketball Player, Indonesian Prison, Cannabis Gummies,Compassionate Release

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 24, 2025

Vacation Nightmare: Florida Woman Arrested For Felony Abuse After Vile Attack On Child In Luxury Resort Pool

A Florida mother was arrested on felony aggravated child abuse charges after allegedly holding a 6-year-old boy underwater at a resort pool.

A Florida mother was arrested on Dec. 19 after a video captured her allegedly forcing a 6-year-old boy underwater at a resort pool following a dispute involving her son.

Tiffany Griffith, 36, was being held without bond on charges of aggravated child abuse following the incident at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, WESH reports. Osceola County deputies say Griffith entered the pool at the resort and confronted a child as he played in the pool with her 7-year-old son.

Police reports and video footage show Griffith gripping the child by the shoulders and pushing him underwater for several seconds. She told authorities she was trying to protect her nonverbal son, who has autism, and planned to confront the boy’s parents afterward, according to the arrest report. Investigators also noted that alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.

Deputies were called to the resort pool around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 after reports of a child being battered. Witnesses said three children had been playing when the splashing turned rough.

According to the sheriff’s office, Griffith, of Fort Myers, entered the pool and shouted at a 6-year-old boy after he dunked her seven-year-old son underwater. She then grabbed the child by the shoulders and forced him under for several seconds. The boy left the pool visibly upset, with a nosebleed, and told his parents what happened, deputies said. Griffith allegedly yelled at the child’s mother before leaving the area.

On Dec. 23, prosecutors reduced Griffith’s charges to third-degree child abuse but sought to keep her detained without bond. In court, her husband testified that the six-year-old had allegedly dunked their nonverbal son underwater and questioned why the boy’s parents weren’t present when Griffith intervened.

Griffith’s lawyer criticized the felony charges, highlighting her years of work in local law enforcement and her efforts to protect her autistic son. The judge denied prosecutors’ request to keep her jailed and set her bond at $20,000.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 24, 2025

Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s Push For National Guard Deployment To Chicago

The Supreme Court has blocked Trump’s effort to send the National Guard to Chicago, a decision that could complicate similar deployments in other cities.

The Supreme Court has denied President Donald Trump’s request to send the National Guard to Chicago to protect ICE agents, a decision that could jeopardize similar deployments in other cities.

On Dec. 23, the court denied Trump’s deployment request, with conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch dissenting, a rare setback for the administration on the conservative court’s emergency docket, CNN reports.

“At this preliminary stage, the government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois,” the court said in its unsigned order.

Federal law allows a president to federalize the National Guard when “regular forces” are insufficient to enforce U.S. laws. During the case, a debate arose over whether “regular forces” referred to the military or to federal agents, such as those from ICE. In its ruling, the court indicated the term likely refers to the military and noted that the law Trump invoked “likely applies only where the military could legally enforce the laws,” meaning it does not extend to protecting immigration agents.

“Thus, at least in this posture, the government has not carried its burden to show that’ the law at issue in the case, ‘permits the president to federalize the guard in the exercise of inherent authority to protect federal personnel and property in Illinois,” the court said.

The ruling limits Trump’s options for deploying troops to cities, though some remain. He could still potentially invoke the Insurrection Act to send regular forces to Chicago and other areas, but doing so would be politically sensitive, as it challenges the long-standing ban on using the military for domestic law enforcement.

A White House spokeswoman has responded to the court’s ruling, saying the decision will not deter Trump from enforcing immigration laws, protecting federal personnel, or “safeguarding the American public.” The recent ruling follows a federal judge’s October ruling blocking Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Chicago.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Holiday, New York City

by Keka Araújo

December 24, 2025

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Enters Final Weeks Of NYC Holiday Season; 2026 National Tour Announced

Beyond the stage, the organization remains dedicated to founder Alvin Ailey’s mission to “give dance back to the people."

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is entering the final two weeks of its annual holiday engagement at New York City Center, highlighted by special Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve programs.

The residency, which concludes Jan. 4, 2026, offers the public a final opportunity to view this season’s world premieres and the signature masterpiece Revelations before the legendary dance company begins its 2026 national tour.

The schedule for Wednesday, Dec. 24, features two distinct performances designed for holiday audiences. The 2 p.m. “Ailey Classics” matinee showcases a curated selection of founder Alvin Ailey’s repertory, concluding with the timeless Revelations. The 7:30 p.m. “All New” evening program focuses on the season’s latest additions, including The Holy Blues—a collaboration by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Samantha Figgins, and Chalvar Monteiro—and Medhi Walerski’s Blink of an Eye. The evening also includes Judith Jamison’s A Case of You and Fredrick Earl Mosley’s Embrace.

The engagement continues through the new year with nine remaining chances to see Revelations.

A New Year’s Eve matinee is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 2 p.m. To ring in 2026, the company will present an “All New” program on Jan. 1 at 7:30 p.m., featuring four world premieres: Maija García’s theatrical Jazz Island, Matthew Neenan’s Difference Between, Jamar Roberts’ Song of the Anchorite, and an encore of Mosley’s Embrace.

For families, the Saturday, Dec. 27 matinee will feature the season premiere of Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing’s Sacred Songs and Elisa Monte’s Treading.

Following the performance, audience members can participate in a question-and-answer session with the Ailey dancers.

Extending the Legacy Beyond the Stage

The New York City Center performances conclude Sunday, Jan. 4, with two programs showcasing the company’s grace. The 2 p.m. matinee includes Jazz Island and Alonzo King’s Following the Subtle Current Upstream, while the 7 p.m. finale offers a final look at Blink of an Eye and Roberts’ Song of the Anchorite.

Both programs will close with the grand finale of Revelations, a work that continues to anchor the company’s identity.

Beyond the stage, the organization remains dedicated to founder Alvin Ailey’s mission to “give dance back to the people” by making movement accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience level.

Through the “Chance to Dance” initiative, first-time students at Ailey Extension can trade their performance ticket for two free classes at the Joan Weill Center for Dance. The curriculum covers a wide range of styles, from West African and Samba to the company’s signature Horton technique, as seen in its major works.

2026 National Tour and Birthday Honors

On Jan. 5, the celebration continues with a special workshop honoring what would have been Mr. Ailey’s 95th birthday.

Matthew Rushing will lead participants through contemporary movements inspired by Ailey’s most celebrated choreographies, exploring Ailey’s impact on both the dance world and American history. This session serves as the grand finale of a workshop series inviting fans to learn classic steps from current and former company members.

Following the New York residency, the company will embark on a 20-city national tour beginning Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

The tour will visit major cultural hubs, including Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles, before concluding in May 2026 with Mother’s Day weekend performances at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

Complete schedules and ticket information for the remaining New York performances are available at ailey.org.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 24, 2025

Love Match! Venus Williams Says ‘I Do’ Twice With Italy And Florida Weddings

Venus Williams stunned at her lavish Florida wedding to actor Andrea Preti, the pair’s second celebration in an international two-ceremony affair.

Venus Williams is officially a married woman after tying the knot with actor Andrea Preti in West Palm, Florida, following their first wedding ceremony in Italy.

The tennis star wowed in wedding photos that dominated social feeds over the weekend after marrying Preti on Dec. 19. Her equally decorated sister, Serena Williams, took to X on Dec. 23 to celebrate the occasion, sharing glamorous snapshots from the ceremony along with a heartfelt tribute to their sisterhood.

“My sister’s keeper. Venus, where do I even begin? From backyard courts to the world stage, you’ve always led with grace, strength, and heart,” Serena wrote. “Seeing you step into this next chapter so loved and radiant means everything to me. Forever proud to stand beside you.”

https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/2003580121677226360

The Florida nuptials capped off a week of festivities, from a bridal shower and yacht party to a romantic dinner at the Miami members’ club Sopra. In the end, Venus and Preti officially said “I do” in a courthouse ceremony on Dec. 19, with Venus wearing a stunning gown by Morilee New York.

“They always say weddings go so fast, and they do,” Venus told Vogue. “We started on Monday. Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything. We had 10 to 12 of our closest family and friends who were in town on the boat, and we were singing, dancing, gossiping, and just enjoying each other.”

“For me, the courthouse ceremony was very unique, emotional, and deep,” Preti added of his Florida wedding with Venus. “It was the second-best day of my life.”

https://twitter.com/TennisChannel/status/2003521273981268411

The pair first wed on Sept. 18 in Ischia, Italy. Venus explained that they had always dreamed of marrying there, but because she isn’t an Italian citizen, the paperwork would’ve taken about eight months. So, they decided to plan a second ceremony in the States.

The Florida celebration was organized by Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events — the same planner behind Serena’s 2017 wedding to Alexis Ohanian. Preti entered the ceremony with his mother to the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” a tribute to the support she’s always shown Venus, Preti shared. Venus walked down the aisle to Irama’s “Ovunque Sarai,” a song she said reminds her of her grandmother, who passed during COVID.

After exchanging their handwritten vows, the couple exited to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” then shared their first dance to “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos. The evening wrapped with an after-party at Sophia’s Hobe Sound in Hobe Sound, Florida.

Their two ceremonies marked the culmination of a whirlwind romance that began in 2024, after the couple met at Milan Fashion Week at an event neither had originally planned to attend. Engagement buzz kicked off in February after Venus was spotted wearing a ring during a training session in Rome, and by July, she confirmed the engagement in a post-match interview.

“My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing,” she said at the time.

Trump, approval polls, immigration policies

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 24, 2025

Do We Look Like Boo Boo The Fool? DOJ Says Epstein Letter Claiming Trump Had Love For ‘Young, Nubile Girls’ Isn’t Real

One social media user questioned how the department got caught up in the lie - if they were the ones investigating.

The battle between what’s real and fake continues after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) claims an alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to disgraced former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar naming President Donald Trump is fake.

The alleged letter is part of over 29,000 documents released Dec. 23 by the DOJ and has gone viral on social media. In the letter, Epstein claims Trump “shares our love of young, nubile girls,” according to NBC News.

“Dear L.N., As you know by now, I have taken the ‘short route’ home,” the letter read, telling Nassar, “we shared one thing … our love and caring for young ladies and the hope they reach their full potential.”

“Life is unfair.”

But shortly after, the agency announced the letter wasn’t real after investigating its authenticity, pointing out several reasons for the conclusion, such as different handwriting and the letter being postmarked three days after Epstein’s death. The letter was also allegedly sent from Northern Virginia, when the late financier was jailed in New York.

The FBI has confirmed this alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar is FAKE. The fake letter was received by the jail, and flagged for the FBI at the time. The FBI made this conclusion based on the following facts:

-The writing does not appear to match Jeffrey…
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) December 23, 2025

In a statement, the DOJ labeled the claims against Trump as “untrue and sensationalist.” “To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already,” the agency said.

“Nevertheless, out of our commitment to the law and transparency, the DOJ is releasing these documents with the legally required protections for Epstein’s victims.”

Epstein and Nassar have been accused and tried for the abuse of dozens of girls. Nassar was convicted of abusing gymnasts, including Olympic gold medal winners Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, under the guise of giving them medical exams. Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct but never tried except for losing a sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against journalist E. Jean Carroll in 2023.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche doubled down on the false validity and warned the public to “separate fact from fiction.” “Document production is just that. We produce documents, and sometimes this can result in releasing fake or false documents because they are simply in our possession, because the law requires this,” Blanche wrote on X.

“Case in point: the so-called Epstein Nassar letter is clearly FAKE – wrong handwriting, wrong return address, and postmarked three days after Epstein died. Fake videos of Epstein in his cell. Photos with no explanation. Sensational tales and lies by random people. These are not reality. We will continue to produce every document required by law. Let’s not let internet rumor engines outrun the facts.”

There has been lots of sensationalism and even outright lies these past few days about the “Epstein Files.” But let’s separate fact from fiction. Document production is just that. We produce documents, and sometimes this can result in releasing fake or false documents because…
— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) December 23, 2025

However, the letter has been floating around for a few years. Associated Press first reported on the letter’s existence in June 2023 based on roughly 4,000 pages of documents related to Epstein’s suicide. But the contents of the letter remained unopened.

Social media users are side-eyeing how quickly the DOJ found the letter to be false just days after calling for an investigation into former President Bill Clinton to see if he was involved in any of Epstein’s crimes after pictures of the two together in the early 2000s were released to the public. “Sooooo, everything else is factual besides the parts of the files that reference the orange agent? BYE,” @_missmonroe wrote on IG.

Another user questioned how the department got caught up in the lie — if they were the ones investigating.

“The justice department is accusing the justice department of lying?” @otmbeatz317 asked.

Bank of America, employee, disabled client

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 24, 2025

Bank Of America Employee Accused Of Stealing Over $500K From Disabled Client, Could Face Life Sentence

Mario Martinez was arrested for alleged exploitation of a disabled adult to the tune of more than $514,000.

A former Bank of America employee, Mario Martinez, was arrested and faces several charges after a co-worker reported that he was stealing funds from a disabled woman in southwest Miami-Dade County.

According to the Miami Herald, the 40-year-old was accused of stealing over $500,000 from a woman with disabilities who had received a large inheritance. Martinez was charged with several felonies, and if found guilty of tampering with or harassing a witness, victim, or informant, he is facing life in prison. He is also accused of one count of exploitation of a disabled person in an amount over $50,000, one count of organized scheme to defraud $50,000 or more, one count of grand theft over $100,000, and one count of criminal use of personal identification information.

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the charges at a press conference.

“Today, Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and Office of the State Attorney – Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the arrest of Mario Martinez. This investigation was a collaboration between the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Bureau and the State Attorney’s Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Task Force.

“The case involves the exploitation of a disabled adult and more than $514,000 in financial losses. Protecting our most vulnerable residents remains a top priority, and those who abuse positions of trust will be held accountable.”

The unidentified 47-year-old woman has been with Bank of America for about 20 years. She suffers from a chronic condition where she is unable to walk and requires full-time care, according to an affidavit. Martinez learned from the woman that she had inherited a large amount of money and needed help managing her finances. He allegedly told her he was a financial adviser who could help her invest and manage her money. Martinez had known her since 2016; however, he was not a financial adviser.

He began funneling her inheritance funds into his own account from April 2024 to December 2024, and created a joint account in both their names without her permission. He did this after she lent Martinez $120,000 in early 2023 after he told her he had incurred a large debt.

She did not know what he was doing until she received a phone call in December 2024 from a bank investigator.

“Whenever we learn of potential wrongdoing, we promptly investigate, fully cooperate with regulators and law enforcement, and work with the client to compensate them for any harm caused by an employee,” Bank of America spokesperson Bill Halldin said in a written statement.

An investigation was started on Jan. 16, 2025, by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. On that day, Martinez left a gift basket on the woman’s doorstep to persuade her not to report his actions to the police, Rundle said.

Martinez was arrested Dec. 23 and is being held without bond at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correction Center.