Miko Dion Wady, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced late Monday by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg to nine years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay over $30 million in restitution and perform 250 hours of community service. Wady previously pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and five counts of transactional money laundering.

At sentencing Judge Teilborg also ordered that Wady forfeit numerous seized items, and the proceeds from the sale of additional seized items, including a 41 foot Rinker Express Cruiser boat, a Ferrari, over $100,000 held in cash and accounts, jewelry, firearms and recreational equipment including a Weekend Warrior 5th wheel trailer.

“This individual sought to profit by creating a sophisticated money laundering scheme designed to scam investors out of their money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel. “The court’s stiff sentence reflects the seriousness of his crime and this office’s resolve to prosecute individuals who profit from unsuspecting investors.”

In the course of his guilty plea, Wady admitted that he operated and had an ownership interest in various business enterprises that purportedly were engaged in the business of promoting concerts or tours of well known entertainers and artists. The enterprises included Dezert Heat Entertainment, Inc.; Dezert Heat, Inc.; Dezert Heat Worldwide, LLC; NATO Enterprises, LLC; and NATO Entertainment, LLC.

Wady admitted that he and others misled victim investors into believing that Wady entered into performance contracts and other business arrangements with nationally and internationally known entertainers, arranged performance venues throughout the world, and greatly profited by putting on these concert or tour events. Wady, with the assistance of others, falsely claimed during the period 2004 through 2007 to have promoted concerts for at least forty artists and entertainers, including many who were nationally and internationally known.

Through various entities and associates, Wady obtained victim investor funds to finance purported concerts and tours supposedly being promoted by Wady. From at least August 2004 through March 2007, Wady and associates entered into loan and event funding agreements, totaling approximately fifty million dollars, with approximately 250 victim investors. The “investments” were purportedly to finance approximately 150 concerts or concert tours “promoted” by Wady. At the time of Wady’s sentencing, approximately 240 investors and groups of investors were known to have sustained losses totaling $30,040,197.

The “investment” loan agreements victim investors entered into regularly specified that each “investment” loan was for the financing of a particular concert or tour of a designated performer. The “investment” loan terms regularly called for repayment to the victim investors within 30 days after receipt of the net concert proceeds for the designated concert or tour. Victim investors were typically promised interest rates of 4 percent per month for the first two months, and 2.5 percent per month thereafter until the investment loans were repaid.

Upon receipt of victim investor funds by associates of Wady, the associates transferred the funds to Wady for the purported financing of concert or tour events. Because Wady had no association or contractual arrangement with any of the concerts or tours, the investor funds given to Wady by his associates were never actually used as represented to the victim investors. Most of the funds were instead returned by Wady to his associates within a short period of time, typically one or two days, under the guise that these repayments represented the net proceeds from some other concert or tour that was recently completed. In essence, because no actual investments were used for the represented concerts or tours, new victim investor monies were simply used to repay old victim investors. From beginning to end, this was primarily a Ponzi scheme. The Ponzi scheme collapsed in March 2007.

From January 2004 through March 2007, Wady used no less than three million dollars of victim investor funds to pay for his lavish lifestyle. During this period, Wady purchased for himself and others, at least 30 vehicles, including a Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bentley. Wady also purchased a $175,000 luxury boat and $800,000.00 in real estate. All of these purchases were paid from funds Wady obtained from victim investors.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service - Office of Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Mesa Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Frederick A. Battista and Peter Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR 09-1485-PHX-JAT

RELEASE NUMBER: 2011-255(Wady)

Source: FBI - Phoenix, AZ Office

Former Fiesta Bowl Chief Operating Officer Indicted

A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a nine-count indictment yesterday against Natalie Wisneski, 47, of Tempe, Ariz., for making campaign contributions in the name of another, causing false statements to be made to the federal election commission, filing false tax returns and conspiring to commit the above offenses.

The indictment alleges that Wisneski, as an officer and high-paid employee of the Fiesta Bowl, solicited campaign contributions from Fiesta Bowl employees for federal, state, and local candidates for elective office, and arranged to reimburse the employees for their contributions with Fiesta Bowl money.

Reimbursement for federal campaign contributions is prohibited under the Federal Election Campaign Act, and it also causes the political campaigns to file false information with the Federal Election Commission as to the identity of the true donor. The federal campaigns identified in the indictment have cooperated in the investigation, and no evidence suggests that the campaigns knew that the Fiesta Bowl reimbursed its employees.

The indictment also alleges that Wisneski filed false tax returns on behalf of the Fiesta Bowl when she denied in the tax returns that the Fiesta Bowl had any lobbying expenses or political expenditures. Wisneski will be summonsed to appear for her arraignment on Nov. 30, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. The overall investigation continues, and the Fiesta Bowl organization continues to cooperate with the investigation.

A conviction for conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for making campaign contributions in the names of others in an amount greater than $10,000 in a single calendar year is punishable as a felony, and carries a maximum penalty of two years, a $250,000 fine or both; A conviction for making campaign contributions in the names of others in an amount between $2,000 and $10,000 in a single calendar year is punishable as a misdemeanor, and carries a maximum penalty of one year, a $100,000 fine or both.

A conviction for false statements carries a maximum penalty of five years, a $250,000 fine or both, and a conviction for filing false tax returns carries a maximum penalty of three years, a $250,000 fine or both.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation has been conducted by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. Federal prosecutors and agents have also worked with state of Arizona prosecutors and agents who are participating in the continuing investigation conducted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

The federal prosecution is being handled by Frank T. Galati and Gary M. Restaino, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of Arizona’s Phoenix Office.

Source: FBI - Phoenix, AZ Office

Prescription Drug Take Back Day - 4/30/2011

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

In an effort to address this problem, DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, conducted the first ever National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The purpose of this National Take Back Day was to provide a venue for persons who wanted to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. This effort was a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets. There were approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation that participated in the event. All told, the American Public turned in more than 121 tons of pills on this first National Take Back Day.

Due to the overwhelming success of the first event, DEA has scheduled the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the first event or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them.

The closest location to the Phoenix Central Neighborhood is:

DEVONSHIRE SENIOR CENTER
2802 EAST DEVONSHIRE AVENUE
PHOENIX AZ, 85016

Source: DEA

US Attorney's Office-AZ Mortgage Fraud

Dear community members,

Mortgage fraud scam artists know just what to say to give people false hope in saving their homes, especially consumers who are having trouble making their payments. When faced with the possibility of losing a home, anyone can fall prey. Don’t let yourself, or someone you know, be the next victim of a scam.

I am the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona; investigating and prosecuting mortgage fraud is a top priority for my office. My office is the chief federal law enforcement agency in Arizona and is responsible for prosecuting violations of federal law, including mortgage fraud and related fraud. As an example, we recently prosecuted an individual that received a 17-year prison sentence for leading a mortgage fraud scheme that exceeded $9 million dollars.

To raise awareness of these scams, my office is reaching out to the community and civic groups like yours to help us combat mortgage fraud. Our consumer awareness initiative gives groups the information needed to identify these scams and the resources to combat them. Enclosed you will find a brochure that highlights the information you need to get involved in stopping fraud in your neighborhood.

If you need assistance with a mortgage fraud matter. Please contact my Community Outreach Director at (602) 514-7629 or email him at manuel.tarango@usdoj.gov if you have any questions related to this effort.

For more information visit: http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/mortgagefraud.html.

Source:

Dennis K. Burke
United States Attorney for the District of Arizona

City of Phoenix Droid App for Reporting Blight‏

The city of Phoenix is the first municipality in the nation to launch a free Droid application that will allow residents with Droid phones to point, click and send photos of graffiti, over-height weeds, abandoned shopping carts and other blight violations to the city's Neighborhood Services Department.

Droid phone users may download the application for free from the Droid Market by searching for the keyword "myphoenix" and then clicking on My Phoenix. Once installed, users will simply open the application and follow the prompts to take a picture of the violation and then tap “submit.” Using built-in global positioning system technology, the application will attach a location to the picture and send the complaint to the Neighborhood Services Department. Residents also can choose an option to receive updates on the status of their request.

The My Phoenix Droid app follows the June launch of an iPhone app, which was enthusiastically received by residents and neighborhood groups, resulting in more than 400 downloads to date. Phoenix has received calls and e-mails from other government agencies around the nation interested in developing their own applications. “These applications allow us to provide Phoenix residents with convenient mobile options for reporting blight violations in the community to supplement our existing intake options.” said Chris Hallett Neighborhood Services Department Acting Director.

Phoenix residents may also continue to report blight to Neighborhood Services by e-mail at blight@phoenix.gov and by phone at 602-262-7844.

The Droid and iPhone applications were created at no cost to the city by Graffiti Protective Coatings, a graffiti cleanup company that serves government agencies in Arizona.

Neighborhood Services offers a wide range of programs to assist residents, including a graffiti removal program, a free tool-lending program, and classes and events designed to support neighborhood improvements. For more information, residents may visit phoenix.gov/cleanphx or call 602-534-4444, which is dedicated to answering residents’ questions about how to get involved.

Source: City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department

Another Tool To Fight Against Blight

iPhone Application

In June, the city of Phoenix launched a free iPhone app that allows residents to report blight violations to the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) with a simple point, click and send. The iPhone’s built-in global positioning technology allows the user to attach an address to the picture.

iPhone users may download the myPhxAZ application for free from the iPhone App Store by searching for the keyword “myPhoenix” and selecting myPhxAz. Once installed, users will simply open the application and follow the prompts to take a picture of the violation and then tap “submit.”

The “myPhxAz” application was created at no charge to the city by Graffiti Protective Coatings, a graffiti cleanup company that serves Arizona city, county and state agencies.

NSD is receiving an average of 20 iPhone blight reports each week. In the future it hopes to roll out similar applications for residents who use Blackberries and other popular hand-held devices.

Phoenix has received calls and e-mails from other government agencies around the nation who are interested in developing their own iPhone app, ranging from Valley cities to counties and cities in Florida, Texas and California.

Phoenix residents without iPhones can continue to report blight by e-mail at blight@phoenix.gov and by phone at 602-262-7844.

Source: City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department

SHERIFF ARPAIO INTRODUCES A NEW VIDEO BOOK CLUB...

SHERIFF ARPAIO INTRODUCES A NEW VIDEO BOOK CLUB...AIMED AT LESSENING THE PAIN OF SEPARATION BETWEEN INMATE AND CHILD

Separation between parent and child is always difficult but no more so than when the parent is in jail. Visits can be awkward, phone calls are short and costly to the family and letter writing is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Easing some of the pain of separation is the reason behind Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s introduction of a new literacy program called “A.B.C. -Arpaio’s Book Club.”

The program consists of inmates recording a book of their choice on a DVD which is then edited and mailed to the home of the inmate’s child. The inmate could be the father or mother or aunt or grandmother – whoever acts as a primary or secondary caregiver to a child.

Books for the program, Arpaio says, have all been donated from local sources including libraries, book vendors as well as from individuals.

The only costs associated with the program are minimal – the DVDs themselves and postage. The filming and editing are done by detention officers from the Inmate Programs division, a part of the office largely funded by canteen sales, vending machines sales and phone calls made to family and friends by inmates.

Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

planPHX - Big Question #2‏

IMAGINE PHOENIX IN 2050. WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Go to www.phoenix.gov/planphx and go to Events to find a Visioning Workshop during the month of November.

The Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association participates in the Encanto Village group.

Source: City of Phoenix Planning Department

Federal, State, and Local Cooperation Nabs Homicide Suspect‏

The U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of State, Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Phoenix Police Department, members of the Arizona WANTED Task Force arrested Lazar Yousif Lazar as he re-entered the United States . In March 2009 a warrant was issued by the Maricopa County Superior Court for the arrest of Lazar after he failed to appear for court proceedings related to the prior charges of First Degree Murder, Assisting a Criminal Street Gang, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery.

Source: US Marshals

Phoenix General Plan Update available for download

The Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association has requested the City of Phoenix Planning Department to make its presentation about the General Plan Update available online for download.

Click here to download a copy of this presentation.

FYI: It's a 4.6MB pdf.

Source: City of Phoenix

Encanto Village Visioning Workshop

Encanto Village Visioning workshops begin on October 5th.

Activity 1 asks Big Question #1:

What do you value most about Phoenix and why?

Please tell us!

Click here for further details.

Source: City of Phoenix

Seeking Information on the “The Blue Collar Bandit”

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the he "Blue Collar Bandit.” On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, an unknown male entered the Wells Fargo Bank located inside the Fry’s grocery store at 4202 W. Cactus in Glendale.

He approached the teller window and made an oral demand for money. The victim teller provided an undisclosed amount of money. He then demanded more money from another teller and threatened the teller with a semi-auto handgun. The unknown male received an undisclosed amount of money and exited the bank on foot. No vehicle was seen.

The unknown male is described as a Hispanic male, 20 – 30 years, 5’11” to 6’0”, 180 lbs., average build, green plaid long sleeve shirt, beige khaki pants, beige camouflage fishing hat, carrying a silver semi-auto handgun.

The unknown male has allegedly robbed the following additional banks:

Wells Fargo Bank, 8/6/09, 6601 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix
Wells Fargo Bank, 8/11/09, 6965 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale
Sun Bank, 8/20/09, 5010 N. 95th Ave., Glendale
Wells Fargo Bank, 9/3/09, 5115 N. Dysart Road, Litchfield
Wells Fargo Bank, 9/9/09, 20205 N. 67th Ave., Glendale
Wells Fargo Bank is offering a $5,000.00 reward.

Please contact the FBI Phoenix Division at (602) 279-5511, with any information about the identity of “The Blue Collar Bandit” and/or information about the bank robberies.

Source: F.B.I. (Phoenix Office)

New Fugitive Added: Darryl TAYLOR‏

Darryl Taylor is wanted for violations of his Federal Probation. Anyone with information concerning the location of Taylor should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for the ARREST of this fugitive.

Source: U.S. Marshals

New Fugitive Added: Cornelius EWING‏

Cornelius Ewing is wanted for violations of his Federal Probation. Anyone with information concerning the location of Ewing should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for the ARREST of this fugitive.

Source: U.S. Marshals

New Fugitive Added: Kathlen VICTORIAN‏

Kathlen Victorian is wanted for Federal firearms violations and is a convicted sexual offender. Victorian may be in the New Roads area or elsewhere in Pointe Coupee Parish. Anyone with information concerning the location of Victorian should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for the ARREST of this fugitive.

Source: U.S. Marshals

New Fugitive Added: Kelvin DANCY‏

Kelvin Dancy is wanted for violations of his Federal Probation. He also uses the dates of birth of May 6 and May 17, 1981. Anyone with information concerning the location of Dancy should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for the ARREST of this fugitive.

Source: U.S. Marshals

New Fugitive Added: Ron Christopher CAGE

Ron C. Cage is wanted for violations of his Federal Probation. Cage has a long criminal history and should be considered dangerous. Anyone with information concerning his location should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for information leading to the ARREST of this fugitive.

Source: U.S. Marshals

New Fugitive Added: Ismael BALTAZAR-FLORES‏

BALTAZAR-FLORES is wanted by the Milwaukee Police Department for First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety While Armed. He was with Homicide fugitive ALDO FLORES-LOPEZ when he shot and killed two rival gang members outside of a bar in Milwaukee, on 07-17-2004, and drove him away from the scene. BALTAZAR-FLORES is a Brown Pride gang member. He is also wanted for Unlawful Flight To Avoid Prosecution. He may be avoiding apprehension in Mexico.

Contact Randy Smith at 414-221-6743.

Source: U.S. Marshals

New 15 Most Wanted Fugitive: Johnny Mack BROWN

In 1997, BROWN shot an armored car guard three times during a robbery near Athens, Georgia.

He was subsequently apprehended, convicted and sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years. In 1998, BROWN escaped and committed more crimes in three states, including beating an 84 year-old man whose home he had burglarized. On October 13, 2008, BROWN and fellow prisoner Michael TWEEDEL escaped from the state prison in Chatooga County, Georgia. Again, BROWN allegedly broke into a home, kidnapped a woman and forced her to drive him to a location near Athens, GA.

BROWN is a career criminal with a history of violence. He has demonstrated that he is willing to use deadly force against innocent victims to accomplish his crimes and remain at large. He should be considered extremely dangerous.

REWARD: A reward of up to $25,000 is offered for information leading directly to BROWN’s arrest.

NOTICE: Before arrest, verify warrant through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). If subject is arrested or whereabouts known, contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office or call the U.S. Marshals Service Communications center at 1-800-336-0102.

Source: US Marshals

Super Bowl Threats - Tempe Man Sentenced

TEMPE MAN SENTENCED TO 1 YEAR IN FEDERAL PRISON
ON CHARGES RELATED TO SUPER BOWL THREATS

Kurt William Havelock, 36, of Tempe, Ariz. was sentenced on October 27, 2008 to one year and one day in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver. Havelock was found guilty in June 2008 of six counts of Mailing Threatening Communications in connection with an investigation into his threats to injure people in the vicinity of Super Bowl XLII in February 2008.

Havelock mailed threatening letters to various media outlets including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Phoenix New Times, containing threats to kill people in the vicinity of Super Bowl XLII played in Glendale, Ariz. The threatening letters were mailed from a Post Office in Glendale but were intercepted by law enforcement prior to reaching the intended recipients.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Tempe Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Michael T. Morrissey, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (Phoenix Office)