Bandit Gang Writ Large

Federal Judge Shoots Down IRS Attempt To Regulate All Paid Tax Preparers

"In 2010, the IRS decided to require all paid preparers to register with it and those who weren’t otherwise subject to national standards to pass a minimum competency test. Registration began in 2011 and preparers were supposed to pass the test by the end of this year. But on Friday, in a surprise ruling, Washington D.C. Federal District Court Judge James E. Boasberg blocked the IRS from implementing the new requirements, finding the agency 'unambiguously' lacked authority from Congress to regulate those who simply prepare returns and don’t otherwise 'practice' before the IRS by, for example, representing a taxpayer in an audit." Continue reading →

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12,000 Peaceful People Arrested in Italy for Not Paying Taxes; Police Discover Thriving Black Market

“Italy’s financial police said Thursday they had busted close to 12,000 people last year for evading over 56 billion euros ($74 billion) worth of taxes. Investigators rooted out 8,617 people who had never paid taxes and owed the Italian tax man a total of 22.7 billion euros, the financial police said in a statement. The crack down on tax evaders in Italy intensified when Prime Minister Mario Monti came to power at the end of 2011, as the government attempted to reduce the country’s deficit and debt. The financial police also uncovered over 16,000 people working on the black market, the statement said.” Continue reading →

Continue Reading12,000 Peaceful People Arrested in Italy for Not Paying Taxes; Police Discover Thriving Black Market

The perils of overseas tax disclosure: An immigrant’s story

"When Andrew Winfield applied to become a U.S. citizen in 2011, he realized he owed taxes on accounts he had left behind in his native England. So he paid what he believed he owed — $2,800 in back taxes, plus the estimated interest and penalties - and entered the IRS's overseas disclosure program. But when the IRS assessed its penalty in November, Winfield was stunned to learn that it would be $28,000 — 10 times the amount of tax he owed from 2003 to 2010. Because the penalty is based on balances when the exchange rate favored the British pound, paying that amount would mean giving up virtually everything he now has in the accounts." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe perils of overseas tax disclosure: An immigrant’s story

65% See Gun Rights As Protection Against Tyranny

"The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults think the purpose of the Second Amendment is to make sure that people are able to protect themselves from tyranny. Only 17% disagree, while another 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) Not surprisingly, 72% of those with a gun in their family regard the Second Amendment as a protection against tyranny. However, even a majority (57%) of those without a gun in their home hold that view." Continue reading →

Continue Reading65% See Gun Rights As Protection Against Tyranny

“Gun Control for the Children?” Sorry, No Sale.

"It’s not difficult to see why politicians support 'gun control,' which is more accurately described as 'victim disarmament.' What predator wouldn’t prefer that its prey lack teeth or claws? In Barack Obama’s world, events like the Newtown massacre are a small price to pay for the uncontested ability to do wholesale what Adam Lanza did retail. What’s hard to understand is why we’ve put up with the predator for so long. In the 20th century alone, governments murdered in excess of 260 million people, and that’s an extremely low-end estimate." Continue reading →

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Former Chicago cop gets 19 years in Latin Kings case

"A former veteran Chicago police officer was sentenced to 19 years in prison Friday for stealing drugs, cash and guns for the Latin Kings street gang often while on-duty. Guerrero pleaded guilty in August to taking part in seven robberies or burglaries of Latin King rivals between 2004 and 2006 with Officer Antonio C. Martinez Jr. in Hammond, East Chicago and Highland. Martinez also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Chicago cop gets 19 years in Latin Kings case

Lawsuit Accuses Fired Utah Trooper of Falsifying D.U.I. Arrests

"Corporal Steed was named trooper of the year by her superiors in 2007, her career seemingly heading toward the inevitable promotions. Ms. Steed made a career of pulling over drivers who she claimed were driving drunk or under the influence. There was only one problem. Some of the drivers Ms. Steed arrested had not been drinking, or at least not enough to be reasonably impaired, according to the lawsuit, brought by a group of Utah lawyers on behalf of two plaintiffs. In several cases, those who were arrested did not drink alcohol, said Robert Sykes, one of the lawyers who filed the complaint." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLawsuit Accuses Fired Utah Trooper of Falsifying D.U.I. Arrests

Full Disclosure: Lew Received a Million Dollars in Cash From Citigroup During Bailout

"Jacob J. Lew, President Obama’s presumed choice to lead the Treasury Department, has close ties to Wall Street, receiving more than $900,000 in bonus cash from a division of Citigroup just as the company was getting bailed out by U.S. taxpayers[...] Formerly chief operating officer at Citi Alternative Investments, a division of Citigroup, Mr. Lew received a bonus of $944,578 in January 2009, a payment that came days before he joined the State Department and later surfaced in a government ethics form. The bonus came on top of $1.1 million in other Citigroup compensation he reported receiving during 2008 and the first two weeks of 2009." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFull Disclosure: Lew Received a Million Dollars in Cash From Citigroup During Bailout

Spain Plunders 90% Of Social Security Fund To Buy Its Own Debt

"Spain has been quietly tapping the country's richest piggy bank, the Social Security Reserve Fund, as a buyer of last resort for Spanish government bonds, raising questions about the fund's role as guarantor of future pension payouts. Now the scarcely noticed borrowing spree, carried out amid a prolonged economic crisis, is about to end, because there is little left to take. At least 90% of the €65 billion ($85.7 billion) fund has been invested in increasingly risky Spanish debt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSpain Plunders 90% Of Social Security Fund To Buy Its Own Debt