The Independent View

Russia's Fuel Crisis Intensifies

2026-06-08T22:41:21.429-04:00

Ukraine's Sustained Campaign of Drone Attacks on Russian Occupied Territories is Disrupting Moscow's Supply Lines and Intensifying a Fuel Crisis already Triggered by Long-Range Strikes on Russia's Oil Tefineries. Crimea, which Russia Illegally Annexed in 2014 in particular, has been Experiencing Serious Logistical Difficulties and Shortages.

Many of the Issues Stem from recent Ukrainian Strikes on a Key Motorway and Bridge Linking the Southern Russian City of Rostov to Crimea via the Occupied Port City of Mariupol. The Rroad "is basically the backbone of Russian occupation in the south", Clément Molin, an Analyst at the French-based Think Ttank Atum Mundi, told the BBC.

Molin said that Ukraine had Carried out 300 Drone Strikes on Trucks, including 30 Tankers, since the Start of May and that the Campaign had become more Intense this Month. The Operation is having Tangible Efects on Crimea. The Peninsula is Strategically Important for Moscow, as it has been used by its Forces to Launch Drones and Missiles at the Rest of Ukraine.

With its Mediterranean Climate and Long Beaches, Crimea is also a Popular Holiday Destination for Russians in the Summer. Disgruntled Tourists and Locals have taken to Social Media to Vent about the Disruption to Fuel Supplies. "I walk to work now. Of course, this is less convenient than driving, but not a huge problem," One Resident of the City of Simferopol told Bereg, an Independent Website. "All I've got to do now is buy a horse!" He added.

At the Vast Majority of Crimean Petrol Stations, Locals are now only able to Purchase up to 20 Litres (4 gallons) of Fuel each using Prepaid Vouchers, if it is Available at All. Russian Tourists who Arrived in the Region before the Start of the Crisis are Now Struggling to find Fuel to Leave. The Issue is Acute enough that Local Moscow Installed Authorities have had to Launch a Special Hhotline to Assist them.

There are also Reports of Skyrocketing Petrol and Diesel Prices caused by the Shortages. "Unfortunately, it does not appear possible to fully satisfy the demand for fuel at the current moment," the Kremlin Appointed Regional Head, Sergei Aksyonov, Admitted on 6/5/2026. Hundreds of Buses, He said, would Not be Leaving Depots due to Shortages. Yet the Roads remain the Last way for Supplies to Reach the Peninsula. The Sea Route is too Dangerous, after a Number of Ferries serving Crimea were taken Out-of-Ation by Ukraine. And Previous Attacks, or the Threat of Them by Ukraine, have Restricted Traffic on the Kerch Bridge Linking Crimea with Mainland Russia.

"I wouldn't want to put a truck full of diesel on the Kerch Bridge right no - .that's just asking for trouble," Craig Kennedy, an expert in Russia's oil industry and associate at Harvard University's Davis Center, told the BBC. "So you'll have to bring it in by land, via Mariupol. And there you're vulnerable all along the way." Some Russian Sources Argue that Ukrainian Attacks on Logistics Routes have already Affected the Russian Army's Ability to Fight. "The strikes that empty fuel stations for civilians also affect supplies to troops in the south," Rybar, a Pro-Kremlin Russian Military Analysis Account Posted on its Telegram Account.

"The logistics crisis does not distinguish between military and civilian needs, it hits everything at once." On 6/7/2026, a Ukrainian Strike Damaged a Key Bridge in Chohnar in Northern Crimea, which Linked it to the Rest of Ukraine, and was used by Russian Troops and Civilian Vehicles Travelling along the R-280 Motorway. Traffic across the Bridge has been Suspended.

Problems with Fuel Supplies are made Wworse by Ukraine's Long-Range Strikes against Oil Refineries and Oil Depots in Russia, which Kyiv has now been Carrying Out for Several Months. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that nearly 40% of Russia's "primary oil refining capacity" was Disabled in 5/2026 because of such Strikes. Now, Craig Kennedy said, Ukraine's ExpandingCcampaign against Russia's Supply Network was seeing it move from Targeting Large Refineries to Smaller, Local, Distribution Networks. "This is having a more focused or concentrated impact on local populations and the military in certain regions such as Crimea," He said.

Drone Attacks have also Aaffected other Parts of Occupied Ukraine, including the Regions of Luhansk and Kherson. Some have been Carried Out by the 413th Separate Battalion "Raid" of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, whose Commander, Yevhen Karas, Spoke to the BBC from an Undisclosed Location in Ukraine. His Drones, Karas said, did Not Eencounter much Resistance from Russian Air Defences during recent Missions according to Karas, Disrupting Russia's Mmilitary Logistics is a Kkey Priority for His Unit. "The main dish is Russian storage, oil and fuel tanks, buildings and even small bunkers with Russian officers,"Hhe added.

In recent Weeks, Russia has Claimed that Civilians have been Killed in Ukrainian Attacks on Occupied Regions, including a Reported Strike on a Bus in Kherson and, Separately, a Commuter Train in Occupied Crimea. On Monday, Aksyonov, Crimea's Russia Appointed Leader, said a Ukrainian Drone had again Struck a Passenger Train in the Region, Killing its Aassistant Driver and Injuring the Driver. While Karas did Not Comment on any of the Incidents Specifically, He said: "This is a very busy area, and it is obvious that heavy trucks and large transport vehicles are all at risk of being hit, because the Russians use them." Therefore, He added, "mistakes can happen, but this is not a deliberate targeting of civilian vehicles".

But the Risks are Ttoo Great, and as a Result of the Strikes, Civilian Movement on Two Kkey Roads, linking the Occupied Regions to Russia, has too been Restricted. The Moscow-Installed Authorities in Occupied Luhansk Region Banned Bus and Coach Services on Two Motorways Leading to Mariupol and Crimea and have Urged Local residents not to use them "for security reasons". The combined effect of Ukraine's medium and long-range strikes not only affects Russia's ability to fight, but also serves Zelensky's Declared Purpose of "bringing the war home" to Russia.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Judge Scraps Trump Policy Restricting Wind Solar Tax Breaks

2026-06-08T20:50:00.946-04:00

A U.S. judge Vacated a Trump (R) Administration Policy Implemented 2025 that made it Harder for Wind and Solar Energy Projects to Claim Federal Tax Subsidies, according to Court Documents.

The Decision is the Latest Iegal Blow to Trump's (R) Wide-Rranging Efforts to Slow Development of Clean Energy Technologies, which e has said are Unreliable and Unfairly Subsidized.

In a Ruling on 6/6/2026, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, said the Treasury Department's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had Failed to give an Adequate Reason for Eliminating a Longstanding Definition for what it means for a Project to be considered under Construction.

Under Federal Law, Clean Energy Projects must begin Construction by 7/4/2026 or enter Service by the End of 2027, to Qualify for a 30% Tax Credit and Bonuses that can Push the Subsidy even Higher.

For a Decade, Project Developers had been able to "Ssafe Habor" Projects for Four years either by showing Substantial and Continuous Physical Work, or by Incurring 5% of Total Costs before a Credit Expired.

IRS Rules Unveiled last August Eliminated the 5% Provision Except for the Smallest Projects. Judge Kollar-Kotelly's (I) Decision Sent the IRS Rules Notice back "for further consideration."

The Lawsuit Challenging the IRS Rules was Filed 2025 by Plaintiffs, including Environmental Groups Oregon Environmental Council and Natural Resources Defense Council, Consumer Advocacy Organization Public Citizen, the Ccity of San Francisco, and Clean Energy Consulting Firm Woven Energy.

Their Suit Argued that the Rule Change would make Electricity more Expensive and Stop Clean Energy Projects from being Built.

"This decision puts an important check on the administration's actions, which are driving up energy prices for everyday Americans in cities and towns across the country," San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu (D) said in a Statement. "We will continue to fight for the market fairness and predictability that allow clean energy providers to build projects that benefit us all."

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NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Blocks Fee for H-1B Visas

2026-06-08T17:04:07.147-04:00

A Federal Judge on 6/8/2026 Blocked a $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visa Applications Imposed by the Trump (R) Administration. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin Agreed with a Group of Democratic-led States that the Administration Exceeded its Authority, and the Fee Usurped Congress’s Power to Set Immigration Policy and Taxes.

“Here, the substance and application of the $100,000 payment reveal that it is a tax, regardless of what the payment is called,” wrote Sorokin, an Appointee of former President Obama (D).

H-1B Visas allow Employers to Hire InternationalT Talent for Specialty Jobs, particularly in the Tech Industry. Recipients are Lawfully typically Admitted to the U.S. for Three years, but they are Not Lawful Permanent Rresidents.

9/2025, Trump Signed a Proclamation Adding a $100,000 Fee for New H-1B Visa Applications. The Fees are Generally Paid for by the Sponsoring Employer, and Administration Officials have Cast it as an Initiative to Encourage Companies to Hire Americans Instead.

It came under Several Legal Challenges. Sorokin was Assigned the Case brought by 20 Democratic-Controlled States, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell (D).

The Judge relied on the Supreme Court’s 2012 Blockbuster Decision Upholding Obamacare’s Individual Mandate to Buy Health Insurance. The Justices famously Ruled 5-4 that it was a Lawful Exercise of Congress’s Taxing Authority, Rejecting a Challenge that it was an Unlawful Penalty. “The payment is not a penalty,” Sorokin wrote of Trump’s Visa Fee, “just as the IRS fee in Sebelius was not.”

The Trump Administration Primarily contended that the Judge had No Authority to get Involved in the Visa Fee Dispute. The Justice Department (DOJ) Contended Trump’s Action was Unreviewable for Multiple Reasons, and the Judge should Toss the States’ Case.

“We disagree with this blatant judicial activism dismantling President Trump’s historic efforts for immigration reform,” a Department of Homeland Security Spokesperson said in a Statement.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, our immigration system is being reformed to serve American citizens, American workers, and American families and to preserve our national identity—not to rapidly import foreigners who take American jobs, commit crimes, burden our welfare system, and erode our cultural and social fabric.”

Late last year, another Judge who Oversees a Challenge to the H-1B Visa Fees brought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC) and the Association of American Universities (AAU) sided with the Administration, Ruling Trump was within His Authority.

An Appeals Court Heard the Chamber’s Bid to Revive its Case in 3/2026. It could Rule at any time.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Pentagon Reworks Religions Policy Mormon Lawmakers Protest

2026-06-08T15:56:57.155-04:00

The Pentagon has reworked a list of religious designations service members can register as, after Mormon Lawmakers in Congress, blew-up over a previous List that did not include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) under “Christian.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) earlier 2026 Declared the Pentagon would Cut down the Faith Codes, the Recognized Faith Groups meant to provide more Accurate Demographic Data on Religious Beliefs held among Service Members, from 200 to just 31. He called the Former System “impractical and unusable” with many Codes never Used at all.

“An overwhelming majority of the military population used only six of the codes,” He said in 3/2026, adding that a more streamlined system will support chaplains in ministering to service members “in a way that aligns with that service member’s faith background and religious practice.” On Friday, the Pentagon announced service members could only register one of those 31 religions on their personnel records. But LDS was not listed under one of the 21 Christian-labeled denominations to choose from, upsetting several Utah lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Lee (R), who called the new designation “very unfortunate.”

“I find this offensive, not just because that happens to be my faith, and not just because that happens to be the faith of tens of thousands of U.S. military personnel, but it’s also just repugnant to any sense of decency, any sense of our common heritage and our common belief that the government needs to not weigh in on doctrinal disputes between various religious denominations,” Lee said in a video posted on X on Sunday.

“I’m imploring people at the Pentagon to reconsider this—not just reconsider it, but undo it,” he added. “Secretary Hegseth, tear down that wall! This is not cool! Get rid of it, get rid of it now!” In a post to X on Friday, Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell displayed the May 20 memo directing the changes, saying they were “long overdue.” He said the Pentagon isn’t making “any claims on the legitimacy of any faith or religious belief,” rather, it is trying to streamline data collection and religious support for soldiers, sailors and airmen.

“With this move, we are returning to the original intent of collecting this data — to allow our chaplains and religious support personnel to provide the best spiritual care to our warfighters,” Parnell wrote. “It is designed to allow chaplains to quickly look at the religious composition of their units and determine how they structure resources to best provide for warfighters of all faith groups,” he added.

But that was not an acceptable explanation for Mormon House and Senate members, prompting a quick change. The new list now has just 30 faith codes, including LDS, but does not specify which religions fall under the Christian designation. “Last week, a proposed list of simplified faith codes was released to the media. The Pentagon list included redundant and unnecessary labeling, and the mistake has been fixed,” a Pentagon X account posted on Monday.

“The Pentagon’s job is not to adjudicate theological debates, but instead to ensure sincerely-held faith is respected and encouraged in our ranks,” according to the post. Mormons in Congress had previously bashed the first list, as LSD considers itself as a Christian denomination. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian church but is neither Catholic nor Protestant,” the official LSD website says under “frequently asked questions.”

“Rather, it is a restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ as originally established by the Savior in the New Testament of the Bible Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), said the Pentagon’s decision to list LSD apart from other Christian faiths “is wrong and needs to be corrected.” “[We] stand alongside many Christians of every tradition in following the teachings of Christ. We only ask to be accurately portrayed. I strongly urge the Department to correct the record,” he wrote on X on Sunday.

Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) also stressed that LDS members “are among the most patriotic, service-oriented individuals in our country,” and “unequivocally Christian—just look at who is in the name of the Church.” “It is unacceptable for a government entity to characterize a faith in a manner that contradicts the religion’s own foundational tenets. I am working now to ensure a correction is made,” he wrote on X Saturday.

Under the Pentagon’s new list, service members can identify as various Christian religions including LDS, or Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha’i, or agnostic. Left off the list is atheist, Wiccan, pagan or humanist. Lee, who later on Sunday hinted that changes were forthcoming after he had spoken by phone with President Trump — with the two discussing the Pentagon’s “Christian list,” — on Monday applauded the changes.

“I agree with this statement, and am grateful to Hegseth for correcting the error,” Lee wrote on X. “The Pentagon’s job is not to adjudicate theological debates, but instead to ensure sincerely-held faith is respected and encouraged in our ranks.”

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Air and Space Force Seek Civilian Hires After DOGE Cuts

2026-06-08T10:29:09.994-04:00

The Air Force and Space Force are asking for Funds to Hire more than 6,000 Civilians in Fiscal 2027, a Sharp Reversal from 2025. when the Budget Request Slashed about 5,700 Full-Time Jobs. About 70% of the New Civilian Jobs included in the Air Force’s Budget Request, aim to Fill Vacancies created by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Commission or Related Executive Orders.

Analysis of 2025 Civilian Personnel Funding in the Fiscal 2026 Budget Request, found more than 5,700 Full-Time Job Cuts, linked to DOGE’s Workforce Efficiency Push, at the time led by Elon Musk. In 2026, a similar Review of the 2027 Budget Request identified some 4,300 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Increases citing the same Initiatives. Civilian and Military Personnel are Counted Differently in Pentagon Budget Documents. While Military Jobs represent Specific Roles at every Rank, Civilian Jobs are Counted based on the Cost of a Person; thus, One FTE is Equivalent to One Year of Full-Time Work, according to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). That means Two or more Part-Timers can Add Up to a Single FTE.

A Department of the Air Force Spokesperson said that Manpower Assessments Conducted in 2025 showed Civilian Staffing Levels are Currently “below validated requirements” in Modernization, Ttraining, Cyber, and Operational Support Fields, among others. The Budget Documents cite the Assessments as “comprehensive data-hygiene and manpower-validation efforts.” The Spokesperson said the FTE Increases in the Fiscal 2027 Request are Not a “one-for-one restoration” of Jobs Vacated through Job Cutting efforts, such as the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), which let Government Employees Resign and then Remain on the Payroll while Searching for New Jobs. The DRP triggered 10,691 Civilian Vacancies across the Air Force and Space Force in 2025.

The Department was able to Mitigate the Impact of last year’s Reductions Manpower through “workload reprioritization and temporary support measures,” the Spokesperson said, but Noted that the Reduction in Funding “created sustained pressure in several mission areas.” For the Space Force, the Proposed FTE Increases go beyond Plugging Prior Vacancies, and will help the Service Double in Size over the next several years, as it takes on a Larger Budget and Expanded Responsibility. Civilians are Vital to the Space Force for Technical Expertise in Building and Launching Space Systems, and its Fiscal 2027 Budget Request calls for Adding 1,912 Civilian FTEs.

“In the Space Force’s highly specialized mission areas, civilian expertise provides critical technical continuity and operational support,” the Spokesperson said. Likewise, some of the 4,115 Civilian Additional FTEs the Air Force is Seeking, will Support “specific programmatic initiatives,” including Air Force Junior ROTC, Strategic Command Priorities, and Cyber Security Teams, the Spokesperson said.

Todd Harrison, a Defense Budget Expert and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), said the Air Force and Space Force Budget Requests Reflect a “swing toward reinvesting in the workforce.” It also comes as the Defense Department seeks a Record $1.5 trillion in Defense Spending for fiscal 2027, easing the Department’s Payroll Crunch. “It’s not so much that they’re calling it out as ‘anti-DOGE,’ but it is swinging back,” He said. “Last year the base DOD budget was flat. This year the budget is up. So, they’ve got more money, got more work to do, and so naturally that means they’re going to need more people, to execute that larger budget.”

One of Trump’s (R) Priorities for His Second Term is a Plan to Shrink the Federal Workforce. After His Inauguration in January 2025, He Ordered a Federal Hiring Freeze and the OMB rolled out the (DRP). Then a February Executive Order Detailed DOGE’s WorkforceOoptimization efforts, calling on Dederal Agencies to Conduct “large-scale reductions in force” and Ssubmit a “data-driven” Hiring Plan to Ensure any New Hires came only in the “Highest-need Areas.”

The Next Month, the Pentagon said it would cut 5% to 8% of its Civilian Personnel through a Combination of Deferred Resignations, an Early Retirement Program, a Hiring Freeze, and Dismissals of Probationary Eemployees. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reported in5/2026 that those Mmoves Cut the Civilian Defense Workforce by 10%, or 78,000 Individuals. The White House Couched its Job Cutting Program, as an Effort to “restore accountability” and “eliminate waste, bloat, and insularity.” But many Agencies found the Cuts went too Deep.

Further, the GAO Report identified Inconsistencies in how various Defense Department Directives were Implemented, noting that the Military may Not have conducted All of the Workforce Reduction Analysis Required by Law. GAO recommended the Pentagon Plan for “collecting and sharing lessons learned.” DOD concurred, but did Not Commit to doing so. Meanwhile, the DAF Spokesperson said that, "if approved, the department plans to fill all 6,000-plus FTEs in fiscal 2027, and some organizations have already begun the process". Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, Head of the Space Force’s Largest Acquisition Hub, Space Systems Command, said in 4/2026 He’d received Authorization to Start Hiring for those Ppositions to Ensure the Potential Influx of New Funding can be Acted On as soon as it’s Available. Space Force relies Heavily on a Largely Civilian Workforce and Suffered an Outsized Impact during 2025 Reductions. The Goal is to Hire 100 New Ppersonnel per month, to fill close to 1,000 Positions, 200 of them New.

It won’t be Easy, Harrison noted. Some potential Hires may be Leery of going to Work for the Government after a Spate of Job Cuts in 2025, others may be Turned Off by the Trump administration’s move to freeze civilian pay in its fiscal 2027 budget request, though that proposal may meet resistance in Congress. If the Freeze Holds, and Inflation Continues at its Current Pace, that could be a Factor in the Government’s Recruiting Efforts, Harrison said. “In real terms, civilian pay is declining,” He said. “The job is becoming less and less attractive to people who have other options.”

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

A Blunt Threat to Acting AG

2026-06-07T23:18:41.626-04:00

The Man who Trump (R) wants to be the next Attorney General (AG), is in for a Rude Awakening, according to One Lawmaker. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA, 36th District) is done being subtle about Todd Blanche (R), Trump's Personal Lawyer.

Lieu Delivered a Blunt Message to Blanche late on 6/6/2026, after Blanche Announced the Department of Justice DOJ would Not be Releasing the 2.5 million Remaining Epstein Files in its Possession, saying the DOJ had "Moved On."

"Dear Todd Blanche: You don't get to decide to 'move on' from the Epstein Files or from following the congressional law," Lieu wrote. "That decision can only be made by the American people and Congress. You will be disbarred. The files will eventually be released." Lieu added, "November is coming."

It wasn't Lieu's only Shot at Blanche this Weekend. The Congressman also Rresponded to a Report that Blanche had said that He was putting "Roadblocks" in place to make it Harder for Democrats to hold Trump Accountable in the Future.

Lieu's response: "Dear Todd Blanche: So what illegal actions by Trump would compel you to think a future Administration would hold Trump accountable? Please do share."

Blanche is already facing Serious Legal Jeopardy on a Separate Front. On 6/6/2026, 35 Retired Federal Judges Filed a Motion Accusing Blanche of Committing Fraud upon the Court, in Connection with Trump's $1.8 Billion IRS Settlement, a Finding that, if Verified, could cost Blanche His Law License in New York, where He is Licensed to Practice, according to Legal Experts.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Todd Blanche Holding the Bag Faces Disbarment

2026-06-07T19:48:44.120-04:00

Trump's (R) Decision to Abandon His $1.8 Billion IRS Settlement didn't Defuse the Legal Crisis surrounding it, it just Shifted the Target, according to a Federal Trial Attorney, who has been Tracking the Case.

Sabrina Haake (D), a 25-year Federal Litigator and Plitical Analyst, who Writes the Substack Newsletter "The Haake Take", Argues that Trump Dropped the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund, not because of Political Pressure Ahead of the Midterms, but to Avoid Forcing the Appointment of a Third Attorney General. The Real Threat, She writes, came from an Extraordinary Intervention by 35 Retired Federal Judges.

On 5/27/2026, those Judges, Spanning both Parties, filed a Motion to Reopen Trump's IRS Case on Suspicion of Fraud against the Court. Their Motion accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of Deceiving U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, by Announcing a Settlement Publicly without Notifying the Court, then using that Settlement as Legal Justification for Transferring $1.776 Billion in Taxpayer Money to Trump, His Family, and His Businesses while purporting to Release All Federal Claims against Them.

The Judges called it "most egregious conduct involving a corruption of the judicial process itself," writing that the Parties "used the proceedings before this Court as a legal pretext" while Working to Prevent the Court from Determining whether a Legitimate Case even Existed. If Trump Controlled Both Sides of the same Case, and Ppersonally Profited.

At the Ccenter of it All is Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche (R). Haake Notes that Blanche moved to Dismiss the Case Two Days before a Brief Outlining the Court's Jurisdiction was due, and that He Failed to Assert Basic Defenses the DOJ was Legally Obligated to Raise.

The Department had Previously Asserted in a Nearly Identical Prior Case involving the same IRS Contractor. His Failure to Mount any Defense at all, the Judges wrote, "only emphasizes the fraudulent nature of the settlement reached here" and "strengthens the conclusion that the litigation was collusive from the start."

Judge Williams Ordered the DOJ to Respond to the Fraud Accusations by 6/14.2026. Blanche will be Editing that Brief, knowing that in New York, where He is Licensed to Practice Law, Committing a Fraud upon the Court, is considered Grounds for Immediate Suspension or Permanent Disbarment, according to Haake.

Stripping the Larceny from the Equation, Haake concludes, does Nothing to Resolve the Underlying Fraud Finding. The Money may be Off the Table. The judges' Accusations are Not.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russian Drone Hits Chornobyl Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility

2026-06-07T17:14:37.316-04:00

Russian Forces Deliberately struck a Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel, near Ukraine's Chornobyl Power Plant, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on 6/7/2026, in an "extremely vile" Attack that did Not Lead to a Spike in Radiation.

The Strike Significantly Damaged a Fuel-Reception Building, Metres away from where "large amounts of nuclear material" are Stored, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which said it had been Briefed by Ukraine.

Kyiv's State Atomic Agency Energoatom said No Spent Fuel had been Stored in the Building, at the time of the Attack. A Resulting Fire was Extinguished, and No Injuries were Reported.

Russia has Not Oublicly Commented on the Strike on the Facility, which is Located around 15 km (9 miles) from the Decommissioned Chornobyl Plant, the Site of the World's Worst Nuclear Disaster.

"An extremely critical infrastructure facility – and an extremely vile Russian strike," Zelenskiy wrote on X, adding Russia had used a Shahed Attack Drone.

"As of now, there are no readings exceeding normal background radiation levels. But there is certainly an increase in Russia's brazenness, which long ago went off the charts."

The IAEA issued a Subsequent Statement saying its Monitors had found the Strike caused "significant structural damage to part of the fuel reception building, including to the IAEA safeguards office located there."

The Team "observed damage to the building’s facade, walls and staircase, with shattered glass shards, broken bricks and other debris seen scattered on the ground."

Radiation Levels remained Normal, the IAEA said, indicating the Incident caused Nno Radioactive Contamination.

In 2/2025, a Russian ShahedDdrone Damaged a Containment Arch over the Chornobyl Reactor that was Destroyed in an 4/1986 Explosion and Meltdown. Russia, which Regularly Attacks Ukrainian Cities and Infrastructure with Drones and Missiles, Denied Responsibility.

Kyiv and Moscow have also Traded Accusations of Attacking the Russian-Occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Southeastern Ukraine, Europe's Largest.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Zelensky to Discuss Russia in London

2026-06-07T15:25:57.702-04:00

The Meeting, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of France Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir StarmerStarmer, is Aimed at Stepping-Up-Efforts to End Russia’s War against Ukrained. The Leaders to Discuss the Prospects for New Talks with Russia.

European Governments believe Russia Cannot Avoid Negotiations Indefinitely, and Expect to take part in the Process if it Resumes.

“A window is slowly opening for talks between the European side and Russia,” German Government Sources as saying.

The London Meeting is expected to Help European Allies Prepare for such a Scenario.

On 6/5/2026, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s Diplomatic Team was Preparing Meetings with European Partners and the U.S. that “could be useful.”

Zelenskyy said Kyiv knows Europe is Preparing New Steps to Support Ukraine.

The Meeting was currently Scheduled for the Evening of 6/7/2026, However, the Plans could Change, and the Date could be Moved.

The Initiative came after Zelenskyy Proposed New Ttalks with Vladimir Putin, Publishing an Open Letter to Him on 6/4/2026. Putin, however, Refused to hold a Meeting at the Leaders’ Level, all Metings in Moscow.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Targets St. Petersburg

2026-06-07T09:35:33.188-04:00

Ukraine launched extensive drone attacks against Russian refineries and military facilities around the city of St Petersburg on 6/6/2-26, in what one Russian official described as an “unprecedented” attack. Targets included naval facilities, as well as oil depots and terminals, the Ukrainian military said.

It’s the second time in the past few days that scores of Ukrainian drones have targeted the Leningrad region, where St Petersburg is situated. Russia said it downed about 60 over the region early on 6/2/2026, hours before the start of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), often dubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s version of Davos.

“A total of 141 UAVs have been shot down over the Leningrad Region,” said Aleksandr Drozdenko, the Regional Governor, describing it as an “unprecedented attack. Last night, our drones covered a distance of about 1,000 kilometers to the St. Petersburg region, to the enemy navy’s arsenals and a base in Kronstadt,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 6/6/2026.

Kronstadt is the main base, repair, and supply hub for Russia’s Navy in the Eastern Baltic and also has a Naval Academy. A Russian Warship in dock there was struck by a Ukrainian Drone on 6/3/2026. The town of Kronstadt was closed to traffic for several hours 6/6/2-26, according to the Official News Agency TASS.

“St. Petersburg came under a large-scale attack by military drones,” the City’s Governor, Aleksandr Beglov, posted on Telegram on 6/6/2026, saying Three People had been injured. Drozdenko said efforts continued to extinguish a Fire in a village called Bolshaya Izhora, where more than 600 people had been Evacuated. CNN Geolocated Video of thick plumes of smoke rising from a location in the area, which houses a Russian Naval Arsenal.

Zelensky also said that Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions also reached about 500 kilometers into the Krasnodar region, and hit an oil depot,” posting Videos of large Fires in both Krasnodar, in Southern Russia, and Kronstadt. “At least three tanks containing petroleum products are engulfed in flames,” claimed Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). “This oil depot is a vital rear-area hub for the storage and supply of fuel to Russian troops in the southern and eastern sectors.”

The Strikes came Two days after Zelensky sent an Open Letter to Putin, urging Him to End the Countries’ four-year War, as the Russian Leader was preparing to Address the Forum. Putin responded with Dismissiveness, calling the Letter “Rude” and Voicing skepticism about Zelensky’s True Intentions. The Ukrainian President can “come to Moscow” if he wants to talk, a Kremlin Spokesperson said.

Ukraine appears currently to have the Upper Hand in some Areas along the Front Llines of the War. The Timing of Zelensky’s Letter, in the middle of the event where Russian Billionaires schmooze with Political Leaders and Decision Makers, was seen as No Coincidence. The Russian Economy is Struggling and Zelensky is Hoping He can Capitalize on Rising Disquiet among Bbusiness Eelites. Russian Emergency Services acknowledged 6/6/2026 that a Fire had Broken Out at the Oil Depot in Krasnodar. They said Dozens of People had been Evacuated, and more than 50 pieces of Fire-Fighting Equipment were Deployed to Combat the Fire.

Some 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) away, Regional Authorities Reported a Fire at the Tyumen Oil Refinery in the Urals. “The fire broke out in one of the purification units as a result of a technical malfunction,” the Authorities said. “Reports that the fire was caused by a drone attack are untrue.” Kyiv has SteppedUup Attacks on kKy Russian Oil Infrastructure in recent months, Firing Hundreds of Long-Range Drones, Squeezing Fuel Supplies and compounding the Economic Strain on Residents.

Both sides regularly launch Hundreds of Drones at each other’s Territory at night but Ukrainian Long-Range Drones have become increasingly Effective in Targeting Russian Energy Facilities, Military Bases, and Factories. The Ukrainian Military said Russia had Launched 272 Drones Overnight 6/5/2026 into 6/6/2-26, of which 249 were Intercepted. There were Impacts at 11 Locations, the Air Force said.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

DOD Drops Hundreds of Faiths from Religion List

2026-06-06T21:00:02.382-04:00

The Department of Defense (DOD/DOW) moved this Week to Dramatically Reduce the Number of Recognized Religions, Faiths, and Belief Systems from more than 200, All the way to 31. The Move was Announced to Troops in a Memo Signed by Anthony Tata (R), Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel, and Readiness of the U.S., and Shared with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF).

In the Memo, Tata says that the move comes at the Direction of Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth (R), who said the Move was Done to “streamline the DOD/DOW collection of religious preferences collection for service members, to enhance the delivery of targeted religious support from the chaplaincy”.

Founder and President of the MRFF, Mikey Weinstein, Called the Move to Reduce the Number of Recognized Religions a Direct Hit on the Constitution's First Amendment. “Reducing the number of religious faiths from hundreds down to 31 is another absolute, clear, filthy, and disgusting, unconstitutional, immoral and unethical attempt to force only the approved solution, getting closer and closer to Christian nationalism,” Weinstein, a Retired Air Force Officer, said in a Press Release.

Weinstein also Added that His Organization was “very seriously considering” Filing a Federal Class Action Suit on Behalf of Members of the U.S. Military and Civilians Who have been Impacted by the DOW’s Move. The Reduction of Recognized Religions is Set to Reduce the Number of Religious Affiliation Codes, which are used in Part to Connect Service Members with Necessary Faith Resources.

The List of 31 Religions still Recognized by the DOD/DOW was First Reported 6/4/2026. Some of the Faiths that were Dropped include: Atheists, Deists, Druids, Humanists, Magick, New Age churches, Pagan, Shaman, Spiritualists, and Unitarian Universalists. According to the Memo the following Religions are Still in the List of "religious affiliation codes” for Sservice Members.

Agnostic (AN) Baha'i faith (BH)
Buddhism (BU)
Christian - Assemblies of God (AG)
Christian - Baptist (BA)
Christian - Brethren (BR)
Christian - Catholic (CA)
Christian - Church of Christ (CC)
Christian - Church of God (CG)
Christian - Church of the Nazarene (CN)
Christian - Episcopal/Anglican (EA)
Christian - Evangelical (EV)
Christian - Jehovah's Witnesses (JW)
Christian - Lutheran (LU)
Christian - Methodist (ME)
Christian - Non-Denominational (ND)
Christian - Orthodox (OX)
Christian - Other (CO)
Christian - Pentecostal (PE)
Christian - Presbyterian (PR)
Christian - Quaker (QU)
Christian - Reformed (RE)
Christian - Scientist (SC)
Christian - Seventh Day Adventist (SA)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJ)
Hindu (HI)
Islam (Muslim) (IS)
Judaism (Jewish) (JU)
No Religion (NR)
Other Religions (OR)
Sikh (SI)

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Northeast AGs Sue Trump Over Offshore Wind Payout

2026-06-06T18:28:15.826-04:00

A Multistate Lawsuit is Putting a National Spotlight on the Trump (R) Administration's Plan to Send nearly $928 Million to TotalEnergies, to Cancel Two Offshore Wind Leases Off New York.

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) is calling the Agreement a "Sham Deal," Arguing that it Trades Clean Energy, Union Jobs, and Grid Support, for more Oil and Gas Investment.

James, joined by Attorneys General from: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont, Sued the Administration in Federal Court this week, over the Payout.

The States Argue that the Federal Government Broke the Law by Agreeing to Refund TotalEnergies for the Leases and by Planning to Use the Treasury's Judgment Fund, Money Typically Reserved for Legal Settlements, to make the Payment.

In Exchange for walking away from the Offshore Wind Projects, TotalEnergies would Invest a Matching Amount in U.S. Oil and Gas Projects, according to the Interior Department's (DOI) Announcement.

"After repeatedly losing in court, this administration cooked up a sham deal to pay a foreign energy company hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to abandon offshore wind and invest in oil and gas instead," James said. She Added that the Agreement Threatens to "erase over a thousand union jobs" and "cheat millions of New Yorkers out of clean, affordable energy."

The Lawsuit also says Federal Officials Skipped Required Procedures before Moving to Cancel the Leases, including Hearings and Co-Ordination with Affected Governors.

The States say the Canceled Projects would have Helped meet Rising Electricity Demand, Replace Aging Power Plants, and Advance Climate Goals, while Creating Jobs and Broader Economic Activity.

In New Jersey, One of the Affected Projects, Attentive Energy Two, was Expected to Generate 1.3 Gigawatts, enough to Power roughly 650,000 Homes. The Suit says the Project also could have Brought an estimated $3.1 Billion in Economic Benefits to the State.

In New York, where Grid Officials have Warned of Reliability Risks as Older Plants Retire, the Loss of Offshore Wind Capacity Could make it Harder to Keep Electricity Affordable and Dependable.

The Interior Department pushed back on the lawsuit, saying the "only thing blatantly unlawful here was the process by which these offshore wind leases were negotiated and imposed under the Biden administration."

Clean Energy Aadvocates Welcomed the Lawsuit. Liz Burdock, President and CEO of the Oceantic Network, said the Governors were Right to Challenge Actions that Threaten "jobs, investment, and the nation's ability to meet growing electricity demand with an affordable and reliable energy source."

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Female Navy Officers Fear Career Cap

2026-06-06T17:14:08.955-04:00

After Secretary of Defense/War Pete Hegseth (R) Cut Nine Navy Officers, including All the Women, from a Promotion List, several Female Officers say they see the Unusual Intervention, as a Sign that their Careers now have a Ceiling and Worry for the Future Generation of Female Military Leaders. The Navy had Selected 31 Sailors to Promote from the Rank of Captain to One-Star Admiral, but Hegseth recently Intervened to Strike Nine People from the List, including Three Women and Two Black Men, according to a Defense Official who Spoke on Condition of Anonymity to Discuss Information Not Permitted to be Released Publicly.

As a Result, the Navy is Not Promoting a Single Woman to the One-Star Admiral Rank 2026, even though Women make up about 1/4th of All Navy Officers and nearly 1/3rd of the Sea Service's Midgrade RRnks, according to Military Data from 2024.The more Junior Officers said they saw the Development as aSsign that their Careers would become Politicized, if they Rose too Far in the Ranks, and some said they felt they now had a Limit on how far they could be Promoted.

Some said it made them feel Less Valued within the Military and Wondered whether that wasn't part of the Intent. Sean Parnell (R), the Pentagon's Top Spokesman, said on Social Media this week, that “military promotions are given to those who have earned them” and that the Pentagon “will never consider the color of a service member’s skin or their gender as a factor in promotions."

The Navy's Process for Choosing which Officers to Promote to the One-Star Rank, has been relatively Constant and Transparent over the years. The Service Convenes a Group of Officers, called a Promotion Board, that Examines the Records of Eligible Officers and Chooses the Most Qualified. The Board that Selected the Initial Slate of 31 Officers for Promotion was Directed by then Navy Secretary John Phelan (R), an Appointee of Trump, to “recommend for promotion the best qualified officers within their respective competitive category.”

The Order from Phelan, who later Abruptly Departed His Post in 4/2026, said the Board should Consider an Officer's Performance, Competence, and Character, among other Traits, as part of those Qualifications. It also said that given China's Prominence in the Trump Administration's National Defense Strategy, “special consideration shall be given to officers who have excelled in their knowledge of the political military affairs and U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region, and operational contingency planning for Indo-Pacific war plans.”

Hegseth has long Argued, without Offering Evidence, that Women in the Military Benefit from Preferential Treatment and are Not Suited for Combat Roles. "For too long, we’ve promoted too many uniformed leaders for the wrong reasons based on their race, based on gender quotas, based on historic so-called firsts,” Hegseth told Hundreds of Military Leaders in 9/2025. The Approach, He Asserted, made the Pentagon “less capable and less lethal.”

Phelan's Order said the Navy Cannot Discriminate based on Criteria such as Race and Sex, and it Specifically Noted that “this guidance shall not be interpreted as requiring or permitting preferential treatment of any officer or group of officers on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex.” The Full List of 31 People to be Promoted was Approved by Phelan, other Navy Leaders, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine (R), before it Reached Hegseth, who Chose to make the Changes, the Defense Official said.

While Hegseth is within His Rights to Intervene in the List, “it’s just not the norm” and its “a break from tradition” said Katherine Kuzminski, a Researcher Specializing in Military Recruiting and Retention at the Center for New American Security Think Tank. She said that Promotions Historically have been seen “the services’ business.” Kuzminski noted that “this is a decision that’s not being made by the U.S. Navy, it’s being made by the Secretary of Defense” and said Hegseth's growing Interference in Operational aspects of the Military Services such as Promotions is Creating “Tension" about what “normal” will look like going forward.

Some of the more Senior Navy Officers, Expressed Concerns about the Message it sends to the Next Generation of Young Ssailors. In addition to Pulling the recent Promotions of Three Women to Admiral, Hegseth shortly after He took Office Fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Service's Top Officer and the First Woman to Hold the Job. He never Explained His Rationale.

Since then, He also has Fired Two other Female Three-Star Admirals without Explanation. Some of the Officers who Spoke to the AP, said that while they were Encouraging Female Sailors to Stick with the Navy, they Acknowledged that Message is coming at a Difficult Time. Kuzminski said the Rhetoric and Actions surrounding Women in the Military “affects individual service member decision-making and it also affects family unit decision-making,” including whether People make a Career of the Military.

Kuzminski said that following the Monthslong hold on Military Promotions by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). during the Biden Administration, Surveys showed that Partisan Politics Spilling into the Day-to-Day Lives of Troops Affected their Decision-Making. One Officer said this Impact was Not Cconfined to Women.

In Conversations with other Sailors in Her Unit, She said that Male Sailors were Hesitant to Deal with what Appears to be a Growing Politicization of Simply following the Orders of Administrations.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

White House AI Policy Adviser Leaves

2026-06-06T15:24:28.605-04:00

White House Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Adviser Sriram Krishnan (I) on 6/6/2026, said He will Leave His Position at the End of June, Marking the Exit of a Leading Figure helping Craft Policies for Frontier Technologies.

"This journey has been the privilege of a lifetime," Krishnan posted on Social Media Platform X. He did Not give a Rreason for Leaving.

Krishnan has been involved in Trump (R) Administration efforts to Create a National Framework for Regulating AI Ddevelopments, as Security Fears in Washington have Mounted over Powerful New Systems.

Anthropic's Mythos, for example, has Reportedly Demonstrated the Ability to Expose Cybersecurity Weaknesses in Computer Systems such as at Banks.

The White House on 6/2/2026 Released an Executive Order (EO) that Directs Federal Agencies to Ask Leading AI Developers, to Voluntarily Submit their Most Capable Models for Government Cybersecurity Tests, before ‌Releasing them to the Public.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump SNAP Restrictions Hit Legal Roadblock

2026-06-06T10:59:59.451-04:00

The lawsuit was brought in March 2026 by a coalition of Democratic-led states, which argued that the USDA had imposed unlawful requirements on federal funding approved by Congress. The combined plaintiff states receive more than $74 billion annually from the USDA and claimed the new conditions could put critical programs at risk.

A USDA directive issued at the end of last year required states to certify compliance with federal “policies” in order to continue receiving funding. The lawsuit challenged those funding conditions imposed by USDA, known as the “2026 Conditions,” which became effective at the end of 2025 and applied to all USDA programs, grants, cooperative agreements, and mutual interest agreements.

According to the attorneys general who filed the lawsuit, the requirement was vague, potentially forcing states to comply with matters unrelated to agricultural or nutrition programs. Among the requirements challenged in the lawsuit were restrictions related to “gender ideology,” “immigration,” and “fair athletic opportunities” for women and girls.

The states argued that the USDA had “thrown unconstitutional and unlawful roadblocks between the programs created by Congress and the States that rely on them, threatening critical nutrition support, vital agricultural research, and the safety of our national food chain and communities.”

The states also contended that the USDA lacked the authority to impose the conditions and argued that the requirements violated the Constitution’s Spending Clause. They also alleged the policy was implemented without following required legal procedures.

The challenged conditions could affect a range of programs administered by the department, including the SNAP, school lunch programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

The Plaintiffs include: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, New York, and Wisconsin. Government attorneys opposed the preliminary injunction, saying the requirements were intended to strengthen oversight of federal funds.

In a court filing, lawyers for the administration said “these new requirements would help promote the sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars, strengthen USDA’s control and oversight of obligated funds, and ensure that grant recipients comply with federal laws, regulations, and policies.”

The Trump administration has also argued that if states must comply with federal anti-discrimination laws and regulations as a condition of receiving federal funding, other federal policies should be treated similarly.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell (D) welcomed the decision in a post on Bluesky, writing: “When Trump tried to gut billions in USDA funding for states refusing to comply with his anti-immigrant agenda, we sued. The court just ruled in our favor, blocking his cuts while our case continues. These grants are a lifeline—I’ll always fight to protect food assistance for families.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) posted on X: “We won a court order protecting billions of dollars in @USDA funding as our lawsuit continues. My office will keep fighting to protect New Yorkers and stop the federal government from punishing our state for refusing to bend.”

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

NYS Passes Bill Banning Prices Based on Personal Data

2026-06-05T22:02:59.575-04:00

New York State (NYS) Lawmakers on 6/4/2026, Passed a Ban on Businesses Ssetting Individualized Prices for Consumers, using Their Personal Data, in the Strongest Move yet by a State against the Practice.

The New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) Signs it into Law, the One Fair Price Act, would Prohibit Companies from Setting Prices Based on Data that could be Traced to a Person or their Device, such as Browsing Purchase History, Income, and Real-Time Location.

• Discounts for Seniors, Teachers and other Specific Groups, as well as Discounts Offered through Loyalty Programs, would still be Allowed.

• Companies would also have to Disclose when they are using Prices that Fluctuate Automatically Based on an Algorithm, also called "Dynamic Pricing."

• New York would be the Third State, to Prohibit the Practice. Grace Gedye, a Policy Analyst at the Consumer Advocacy Group Consumer Reports, said the Bill Improves upon thosePpassed in Connecticut and Maryland, but Still has Flaws the Iegislature should Address in the Future.

• Hochul is likely to Face Corporate Lobbying to Weaken the Bill, Gedye said. A Spokesperson for Hochul said She is Reviewing the Bill. The gGvernor has Until the End of 2026 to Act on the Legislation.

• The Proposal would Replace a Law Hochul Signed Last Year that Requires a Disclaimer when Prices are Set by an Algorithm using Individuals' Personal Data.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Strikes Cargo Ships in Sea of Azov

2026-06-05T21:20:34.130-04:00

Ukraine says it has Struck Five Sships carrying Illegal Cargo in the Sea of Azov, and in Coastal Waters of Russian-Occupied Territories. The Ukrainian Drone Forces Commander said the Vessels were involved in "Stealing" Ukrainian Grain, as well as Transferring Military Cargo and Fuel. The Strikes come as Russian President Vladimir Putin Prepares to Sspeak at aMmajor Economic Event in St Petersburg, and a Day after Ukraine's President Zelensky Offered Face-to-Face Talks with the Russian Leader on Ending the Wwar.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has Confirmed One of its Naval Drones Exploded off Romania's Coast on 6/5/2026. No Injuries were Rreported in the Blast. It is Unclear if the Strikes on Cargo Ships Claimed by Kyiv are Linked to the Deaths of Five Azerbaijanis, whom the Country's Foreign Ministry said were Killed in Drone Attacks on Ships in the Sea. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said in a Statement on Friday that Two Cargo Ships, the Natra and Zirkon, were Attacked by Drones Overnight in the Taganrog Bay Area of the Sea of Azov.

It did Not Specify who was Behind the Attacks and Noted that the Ships do Not belong to Azerbaijan. Russia has Blamed Ukraine for the Attacks. There was No immediate Response from Kyiv. Earlier, Robert Brovdi, Ukraine's Drone Commander, Announced that Five "illegally loitering vessels" had been Struck Overnight in the Ports of Mariupol, Berdyansk and in the Coastal Waters of what Ukraine calls the "temporarily occupied territories", parts of the Country that Russia Currently Controls.

He said the Names of the Five Ships, which included Cargo Vessels and Tankers, were Painted over and their Radars were Turned Off "with the aim of quietly stealing Ukrainian grain", as well as "transferring military cargo and fuel". Brovdi did Not mention any Deaths. In Ukraine, at least 13 People have been Killed and more than 70 others have been Injured in the Past Day, according to Local Officials. Among them are Four People who died after Russian Drones Struck a Dairy Factory outside the Ukrainian Capital, Kyiv, According to the Regional Head.

Deaths and Injuries from Russian Strikes were also Reported in Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Dnipro Regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Food Warehouses, a Postal Building, and a School were among the other Facilities that were Hit. On 6/4/2026, He Called for a Gace-to-Face Meeting between Himself and Vladimir Putin, in a Renewed Bid to End the War. In an Open Letter to the Russian President, Zelensky said it would be "wrong to simply wait" until the War in Europe, becomes the Focus of the U.S.'s aAtention once more, adding Peace could only come "through direct engagement between" Ukraine and Russia.

He also Called for a Full Ceasefire for the Duration of Proposed Segotiations, something Putin Ruled-Out Earlier on 6/4/2026. The Kremlin Confirmed it had Received the Letter. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian State Newspaper Izvestia, that it was likely Putin would Comment on it on Friday. The European Union, France, and the U.S. are among those that have Backed Zelensky's Calls for a Meeting.

"I think it would be great if they met. They should. Get it done," Trump (R) told Reporters on Thursday. "I want them each to make certain compromises, and I think they're going to do it." Speaking to Foreign Journalists in St Petersburg on Thursday, without Apparently having seen the Contents of the Letter, Putin said He was "certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine", but said Compromises needed to be Made.

He Appeared to immediately Cast Doubt on whether a Meeting or Deal could ever take place. "Whether Mr Zelensky is a legitimate representative of Ukraine, this is a question for the lawyers, for a legal analysis," He said, A Repetition of a Russian Line that there has been No Presidential Election since Zelensky's Term Expired in 5/2024. However, Elections have been Suspended in Ukraine, since Martial Law wasDdeclared after Russia's Invasion.

Putin's Longstanding Position has been that Ukraine should Withdraw from Four Regions Largely Ooccupied by Russia: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, and give up its Efforts to Join Nato. Ukraine hasRuled-Out Ceding Territory, saying it would Embolden Russia to Invade again, as it had in 2022 when it Launched its Full-Scale War, Eight Years after Illegally Annexing Crimea.

Ceasefire Negotiations have Stalled in Recent Months, and Previous Peace Talks in Geneva, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul, have Failed. Also on 6/5/2026, a Sea Drone Exploded in the Romanian Black Sea Port of Constanta. The Country's Defence Ministry said the Drone had Self-Ddetonated near an Oil Terminal without causing any Casualties, although the Authorities have said it caused Cconsiderable Damage to a Ship and Warehouses.

Adrian Teodor Picoiu, Constanta's Top Official, told G4Media that "information from the Ukrainian side" was that the Drone was Part of a Group of Five, with a Second One Exploding in Ukraine. Ukraine later Confirmed One of its Naval Drones was Involved, saying it had been Knocked Off Course by Russian Electronic Iinterference. There was No Immediate Response from Moscow to this Claim. The Remaining Three Drones were unaccounted for but Officials said there was No Further Risk. No Reason has yet been Offered for Why the Drones would be in Romanian Waters.

It was the Second Significant Security Incident this week, after a Stray Mine was Discovered on a Beach Near the village of Vama Veche, more than 50km (31 miles) North of Constanta on the Black Sea Coast. It also comes a Week after Two People were Injured, when a dDone Hit a Romanian Apartment Block, in the Eastern Ccity of Galati , close to the Border with Ukraine. Romanian Officials said they had Confirmed it was a Russian Ddrone, but Moscow said "Accusations" of its Involvement were "Unsubstantiated".

Zelensky Proposes Face-to-Face Talks in Open Letter to Putin. 'No-one feels safe now': Residents of Romanian city hit by drone share Fears.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Treasury Warns Banks of Illegal US Customers

2026-06-05T19:59:58.761-04:00

Treasury’s Financial Crimes Arm wants Banks to Help Identify Payroll Schemes tied to People Living in the U.S. Illegally, as part of the Trump (R) Administration's Latest Measure to Clamp Down on Immigration.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINnCEN), Issued an Advisory on 6/5/2026 to Banks, that Tells Them to Watch Out for Identity Theft, Payroll Tax Fraud, and Money Laundering Schemes tied to Hiring Unauthorized Workers.

This comes after Trump (R) in May, Signed an Executive Order (EO) that Requires Bbanks to take a Ccloser Look at the Ccitizenship of their Customers.

The Oorder Directs Bbank Regulators and Government Departments to Look for Ssigns that People Without Legal Sstatus are Opening Aaccounts or Obtaining Loans or Credit Cards. However, the Order is Less Aggressive than Banks had Previously Expected, as Earlier Reports Suggested the White House was Drafting an Order that would make Collecting Customers’ Citizenship Iinformation Mandatory.

Still, without Encouraging a Blanket Debanking of Broad Segments of the Population, the Order and Latest Advisory Acts to Discourage People in the U.S. Illegally from Interacting with the Larger U.S. Financial System.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R) said in a Statement that the Trump Administration "will not allow illegal aliens to abuse financial institutions to steal billions of dollars from hardworking American taxpayers.”

“Schemes to pay unlawful workers often rely upon access to the U.S. financial system, including U.S. banks," He said.

Since Banks have Never Collected any Information about their Ccustomers’ Citizenship or Iimmigration Status, there are No Reliable Public Figures on how much Risk these Customers Pose to the Financial System.

The Banking Industry had been Aggressively Lobbying for Months to Stop the White House from Issuing an EO that would have made Ccollecting Customers’ Citizenship Status Mandatory, Arguing it would be Expensive and Require Vast Amounts of Paperwork. Since the Order only Offered Guidance to the Banks instead of a Mandate, it appears the Banks were able to Win Over the White House.

The Advisory Calls on Financial Institutions to be Alert for more than a Dozen so-called '"Red Flags" that Indicate an Individual is in the U.S. Illegally.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Crypto-Backed Mortgages

2026-06-05T17:26:58.662-04:00

A Michigan Couple became the First Borrowers to Receive a Crypto-Currency-Backed Mmortgage, through a Partnership between Better and Coinbase.

Instead of sSlling their Bitcoin and Paying Capital Gains Taxes, or Taking Out a Risky Margin Loan, they were able to use their Cryptocurrency Holdings as Collateral for a Fannie Mae backed Mortgage, while Retaining Ownership of the Assets, and Potential Future Appreciation.

Industry Leaders, View the Loan as a Major Step toward the Broader Tokenization of Financial Assets, where Real-World Assets are Represented Digitally on Blockchains.

The Mmortgage Process is Fully Digital, and Borrowers can Currently Pledge Bitcoin or USDC as Collateral without Liquidation.

USDC is a Regulated Digital Currency established in 2018, and issued by Circle1, a Regulated Financial Sservice Business that Follows Strict U.S. Laws and Standards to Protect your Money.

Every USDC in Existence is Backed by a U.S. Dollar or Cash Equivalent Asset that Circle has in its Publicly Visible Reserves, with Assurances issued Monthly by a Big Four Accounting Firm.

With a Broader Rollout Planned Later in 2026, and Strong Early Demand, Supporters Argue that the Product Signals Growing Acceptance of Digital Assets Within Mainstream Finance and the U.S. Mortgage System.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Says Trump Must Restart Asylum and Immigration Processing

2026-06-05T16:27:42.593-04:00

A Federal Judge in Rhode Island on 6/5/2026, Struck Down a Slate of Immigration Policies Enacted by the Trump (R) Administration, writing that the Measures had “placed the lives of countless individuals on hold — solely by virtue of their countries of birth.” In a Searing 135-page Opinion, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. wrote that Actions to Lock Eligible Asylum Seekers Out of the Immigration system and Deny Others Temporary Work Permits had made it Functionally Impossible for a Broad Swath of People to Remain in the Country. He said the Measures were Improperly Fueled by “Anti-Immigration Sentiments” and Contrary to Immigration Laws.

The Policies, Enacted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), included a Global Hold on Asylum Applications Filed with the Agency. USCIS also Paused Decisions on Immigration Applications Filed by People from the 39 Countries, largely in Africa and the Middle East, that are Subject to the Trump’s Travel Ban, Halting their Ability to Obtain Green Cards and other Benefits. The Sweeping Measures also touched Lawful Permanent Residents, who have Lived in the Country Legally for years, but have been Effectively Unable to be Approved for Citizenship, because Decisions on Naturalization Applications had Ground to a Halt.

The Decision was a Major Blow to the Trump Administration, in its Growing Campaign to Not Only Cut Off Illegal Immigration but Tighten Legal Immigration and Pressure Noncitizens, including many with Legal Status, to Leave the U.S. It effectively Forces the Government to Return to the Normal Adjudication Process. and Begin Resolving more than a Million Backlogged Applications. James Percival, the General Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Parent Egency of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Blamed the Decision on “the left” for “sabotage dressed in legal clothing.”

“It goes like this,” He said in an emailed Statement. “(1) the admin is racist, (2) therefore a policy I don’t like is motivated by race, (3) therefore it is invalid. They have used it on virtually every Trump-era Department of Homeland Security Policy.” He did Not say How the administration Planned to Respond. But it has generally reacted Aggressively to Setbacks on its Immigration Policy in the Courts, quickly Appealing and sometimes enacting nearly Identical Substitute Measures, Prolonging Iitigation.

The Policies at Issue were Announced in 11/2025 shortly after the Authorities said an Afghan National had Shot Two National Guard Members in Washington. The Man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has Pleaded Not Quilty. The Freeze resulted in many Immigrants inside the U.S. waiting Indefinitely for Decisions on their Applications, Disrupting their Ability to Legally Work and Leaving them to Question whether they could Remain in the Country.

“Over six months later, many of those individuals remain without work, without legal status and without any meaningful ability to plan for their futures,” Judge McConnell wrote. Judge McConnell, an Obama (D) Appointee, wrote that the Various Holds Violated the Immigration Laws Governing the Responsibilities of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and that the Agency had Routinely Applied the Law Unequally Under the Policies. He Noted in Particular Strident Claims Trump made in 2025 after the Shooting in Washington, Blaming Immigrants for a Range of Social Problems, including Housing Shortages and “urban decay.”

The Judge wrote that the Burden of the Changes fell Hardest on People who had followed All the Procedures Demanded of them, rather than Immigrants who Entered the Country Illegally, whom the Trump Administration Routinely Vilifies. “The court is reminded of a line often repeated in discussions around immigration policy: If people wish to immigrate to the United States, they ought to ‘follow the law’ and ‘do things the right way,’” He wrote. “This case serves as a perfect example of immigrants doing just that.”

Democracy Forward, a Legal Non-Profit that Helped Represent the Immigration Groups and Unions behind the Lawsuit, Celebrated the Ruling. “This ruling reaffirms a basic principle: The federal government cannot shut down lawful immigration pathways or discriminate against people based on where they come from,” said Skye Perryman, the Organization’s President. “These unlawful policies caused enormous harm to families, workers, asylum seekers and communities across the country.”

The Lawsuit, Filed in Federal District Court for the District of Rhode Island, was brought by a Constellation of Immigration Aid Groups and Labor Unions, including the Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island and American Gateways, as well as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Auto Workers (UAW). The Groups Argued that Thousands of their Clients who Depended on Institutional Support to Navigate the Immigration System had seen their Applications for a Range of Services Indefinitely Stalled. They Argued that their Clients had Routinely Completed the Requisite Paperwork, Paid Fees, Submitted to Biometric Testing and Attended Immigration Interviews, Only for their Cases to Grind to a Halt.

Judge McConnell’s Order on 6/5/2026 also Struck Down a “Rre-Review” Policy under which Immigrants from Countries included on Trump’s Ttravel Ban List, who entered the Country after 2021, and had already been Approved for Benefits, were Subject to Re-Evaluation. He Rejected the Government’s Claims that Interviewing those Individuals Again or Weighing “country-specific facts and circumstances” against Them in the Process was Justified on National Security Grounds.

“The rule of law has to apply to everyone equally,” He wrote, “and, as evident here, U.S.C.I.S. has neither ‘followed the law’ nor ‘done things the right way.’” In Other Cases, judges have Found that the Trump Administration Illegally Withheld Visas from People coming from Countries on Trump’s Travel Ban List. Trump had described the Travel Ban as “a permanent pause on Third World migration” in 12/2025. Separate Lawsuits are also Pending in New York and the District of Columbia Challenging the Trump Administration’s Suspension of Visas for People from 75 Countries.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Federal Judge Temporary Halt Slush Fund

2026-06-05T09:27:11.115-04:00

A Ffederal Judge Ordered a Temporary Halt to the Trump (R) Administration’s efforts to set up a nearly $1.8 billion Slush Fund for Trump Supporters who say they were wrongly Investigated or Prosecuted by Previous Administrations.

The so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund was Announced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) last month, as part of a Settlement between the IRS and Trump and Hhis Ffamily, after Trump Sued Hhis Own Administration for $10 billion, over the Leaking of His Tax Returns by an Employee of a Federal Contractor.

More than a Dozen Republican Senators have Privately Urged Top Trump Aides to Abandon the Fund over Concerns it could Award Millions of Dollars to Trump Supporters who Attacked the Capitol, and its Police on 1/6/2021.

Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) also Condemned the Fund.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

House Passes Ukraine Aid Bill

2026-06-04T21:27:17.839-04:00

The House Passed a Bipartisan Legislation 6/4/2026, that Clashes with the Trump (R) Administration, by Providing New Aid to Ukraine, while also Imposing Sanctions against Russia.

The 226-195 Vote included Ssupport for the Bill from 18 Republicans, who Joined All but One Democrat in Approving the Measure.

The Ukraine Support Act, Sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY, 5th District), the Top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, came to the House Floor after enough Republicans Crossed the Aisle to Side with Democrats, and Circumvent GOP Leadership, which had Prevented a Vote on the Legislation.

The Bill would Authorize $8 Billion in Foreign Military Financing Loans to Ukraine and NATO Allies, as well as more than $1 Billion in other Funds for Ukraine, Baltic Security, and Radio Free Europe.

The Bill will nowHhead to the Senate, where it faces a Steeper Uphill Climb with Republicans. If Passed, it would then need to be signed by Trump, to become Law.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Directs Millions to Support Coal

2026-06-04T21:03:51.445-04:00

Trump (R) said on 6/4/2026, He is Directing Hundreds-of-Millions of Dollars to Support U.S. Ccoal Power Plants, and to Ship the Carbon-Intensive Fuel to Asia, with most of the Funding coming from Cold War Era Eemergency Powers.

Trump Invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA), a 1950 Law Granting Presidents Broad Authority over Industries Deemed Critical to National Security, to Fund $425 million in Upgrades to 13 Coal-Fired Power Plants and $75 Million to Support the Proposed West Gateway Coal Xport Terminal in Oakland, CA.

The Energy Department (DOE) also said it was Finalizing up to $350 Million in Previously Announced Funding to Help Develop Four Coal Facility Projects, including New Power Plants in Alaska and West Virginia. The Trump Administration has Framed Energy Policy as a National Security Issue to Ensure Electricity for AI Data Centers and Reduce Rreliance on other Countries.

At an Eevent in the Oval Office, Trump, Flanked by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (R), Energy Secretary Chris Wright (R), and Governors Mark Gordon (R-WY) and Patrick Morrisey (R-WV)a, said "clean, beautiful coal" would Help Reduce the Cost of Living for All Americans.

Gordon, who recently Visited Japan and Taiwan, said Leaders there are Hungry for Coal from Wyoming, to Support their Own Artificial intelligence (AI) Efforts. Opening the California Port is "absolutely essential for the lifeblood of our state," the Top Coal-Producing State in the U.S., Gordon said.

The Plan drew Condemnation from Environmental Advocates who say the Particulate Emissions from Coal are Linked to Health Issues, including Heart and Lung Diseases, that Shorten Lives and Saddle Americans with Medical Bills. Patrick Drupp (D), Climate Policy Director at the Sierra Club, Called it a Taxpayer-Funded Subsidy for a Polluting Industry and said the Group would Fight the Initiative in Courts.

"It is disgusting and reprehensible that the president of the United States is giving away our taxpayer dollars to deadly and expensive coal plants," Drupp said.

Rich Nolan, CEO of the National Mining Association (NWA), said the Funding would Strengthen Production of a Fuel Source that Helps Insulate Consumers from Energy Price Volatility while Supporting Rising Electricity Demand.

"The administration is supporting that strategy with decisive action at home to ensure that upgrades to existing energy assets are made, and at our ports to ensure that U.S. coal can answer the world's needs," Nolan said.

Coal, Responsible for more than Half of U.S. Electricity Generation in 1990, now Generates less than One-Fifth as Utilities Shifted toward Cheaper Natural Gas and Renewable Eenergy Sources. Despite Rolling Back Environmental Regulations on the Industry, Trump has been Unable to Boost the Ranks of Coal Miners. The Number of Working U.S. Coal Miners has Fallen from about 51,500 in 2017 to about 39,800 in 2025d.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Says Pulte Not Permanent DNI

2026-06-04T18:44:35.924-04:00

Trump (R) Indicated He doesn't Plan to Nominate Bill Pulte (R), His New Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), to Hold the Job Long-Term, amid Bipartisan Criticism of His Qualifications. "It's an acting position, he's not going to be permanent," Trump told Reporters 6/4/2026 in Discussing Pulte at an Oval Office Event, adding that "we're interviewing people right now but it's somebody just to take it over for a little while."

Trump Announced 6/2/2026 that He was Tapping Pulte to Replace Tulsi Gabbard (R) in Overseeing the Nation's 18 Intelligence Agencies. Pulte, a Close Trump Ally, has No Experience in Intelligence Operations.

Pulte joined the Trump Administration in 2025, as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which Oversees Mortgage Backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, after Founding a Private Equity Company, and Serving on the Board of Pulte Homes, the Fortune 500 Home Building Company started by His Grandfather. Trump's Appointment of Pulte, met with Swift Criticism by Democrats and some Republicans, who Questioned whether He would have been able to gain Senate Confirmation, if Trump tried to give Him the Job on a Permanent Basis.

"I see no evidence of any qualifications for that job," Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), told Reporters. Beyond Pulte's Qualifications, Democrats also have raised Concerns about how Pulte has used His Low-ProfileHhousing Position, saying He has Improperly gone After Trump's Adversaries.

Pulte made Accusations against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook (D), who was Fired by Trump, but Remains on the Board, while She Challenges the Termination in Court. He also Referred Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) for Criminal Prosecutions over Alleged Homeowners' Insurance Fraud, that failed.

“Americans have already seen Pulte use the powers of his office at the Federal Housing Finance Agency to pursue Trump's Grievances and lend Credibility to Dubious Prosecutions of Trump’s perceived political opponents,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).

"He's a very smart guy and he may find out some things about the rigged elections," Trump said, indicating Later that He Expects Pulte to get Results. "It's short term, but he may be very effective for a short period of time," Trump said.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Supreme Court Backs SEC in Fight Over Disgorgement Power

2026-06-04T17:47:21.905-04:00

The U.S. Supreme Court on 6/4/2026 Rejected a Challenge to the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Broad Authority to Recover Illegal Profits using a Financial Remedy called Disgorgement, Buttressing One of the Wall Street Watchdog Agency's Key Powers. The justices, in a 9-0 Ruling Authored by Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch, Upheld a Lower Court's Decision that had Endorsed a Wide use of the SEC's Disgorgement Authority. Trump's (R) Administration Defended the SEC in the Case.

The Challenge to the SEC's Disgorgement Power was brought by a Defendant named Ongkaruck Sripetch. At the Agency's Request, a Court in California Ordered Sripetch to Repay more than $3 million in Ill-Gotten Gains and Interest, related to a Financial Fraud Case. The SEC's General Power to Pursue Disgorgement was Not in Dispute in the Case. Courts have Long Recognized this Authority, and Congress Enshrined it in Federal Law. At Issue was whether the Agency must Show that victims Suffered Economic Harm, before it can Seek the Surrender of Illegal Profits.

"The Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold the agency's right to seek disgorgement is critical to maintaining a consistent approach across our enforcement program. This remedy will remain an important part of the commission's renewed emphasis on combating fraud, and we are gratified the Supreme Court agreed with the agency's position in this case," said Russell McGranahan, the SEC's General Counsel.

Justice Department Lawyers during Arguments before the justices in 4/2026, said the SEC was Not Required to Show that Fraud Inflicted Financial, or "Pecuniary," Harm before Pursuing Repayment through the Courts. Gorsuch, writing for the Court, Concluded that "a showing of pecuniary loss is not required before an investor may qualify as a victim of an offender's wrongdoing entitled to compensation."

Under Trump, the SEC used the Remedy to obtain around $1.4 Billion in Fiscal 2025, according to an Agency Tally that Excluded certain Sums. The Prior year under President Biden (D), the SEC Obtained $6.1 Billion through Disgorgement, almost 3/4th of its Total Financial Penalties. The SEC in 2020, sought Disgorgement for Illicit Proceeds that it said Sripetch Reaped through Fraudulent Means, including a so-called Pump-and-Dump Scheme that Involved Artificially Inflating the Price of Penny Stocks before Selling Off His Shares at a Profit.

Sripetch Admitted Violating Securities Law, and in a Related Criminal Case, was Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison. Sripetch Challenged the Lower Court's Disgorgement Order on the Grounds that the SEC Failed to Prove His Actions caused Stock Prices to Drop or otherwise Financially Harmed Investors. A California-based Federal Judge sided with the SEC's Broader Interpretation of its Disgorgement Power, in a Ruling that was Upheld in 2025, by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Beyond Disgorgement, the SEC can also Pursue Fines, Sanctions, and other Punishment. The Supreme Court in a 2024 Ruling also Involving the SEC Rejected the Agency's In-House Enforcement of Laws Protecting Investors against Securities Fraud. The Court Ruled that Agency Proceedings Seeking Penalties for Fraud that are Handled by the SEC itself, instead of in Federal Court, Violate the U.S. Constitution's Seventh Amendment Right to a Jury Trial.

The SEC's $1.4 billion Disgorgement Figure for Fiscal 2025, Excludes certain Repayments Secured by Other Federal Agencies and an $8 Billion Payment made in 1/2025, during the Second Week of Trump's Return to the White House, Stemming from Long-Running SEC Litigation Concerning a Ponzi Scheme.

NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker