Patrick Crosby

Patrick Crosby, a former spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, blasted the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco for issuing him a subpoena in a case involving an ATF agent.

Crosby, who now runs an Atlanta-based media relations company, GeorgiaNewsmakers.com, represents controversial ATF agent Vince Cefalu, who has a whistleblower lawsuit against the government for allegedly retaliating against him on the job. Crosby said he and Cefalu got to be friends when Cefalu was an agent in Atlanta.

Crosby said the Civil Division of the San Francisco Office has issued a subpoena in the civil suit and has asked him  to turn over “any and all documents or information of communications between Vince…and me, his friend whose firm does his PR.”  Cefalu currently works in the California-Nevada area for ATF.

“This wide-ranging subpoena in my opinion, goes far beyond a civil case involving a whistleblower and his job, and wastes even more resources. For what?,” Crosby said in a statement. He said he found it highly unusual for the government to go after client communications from a public relations firm.

“Next will the US Attorney’s Office seek cellular taped conversations between Vince and his PR firm? “This is exactly what the Justice Department, where I worked for 15 years, is trying to get away from—wasting the taxpayers money on something that has nothing to do with Justice.

“They’ve actually filed this. This odd and invasive tactic speaks for itself. I can tell you that most communications between Vince and his PR firm are quite boring, and it usually involves Vince not being able to afford to pay his bills.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco declined comment Tuesday when called by ticklethewire.com.

DETROIT — As FBI agents continue searching today for Jimmy Hoffa’s body in Oakland Township, north of Detroit, you can’t help but wonder how ex-mobster Anthony (Tony Z) Zerilli is profiting.

You see, Zerilli, who briefly headed the Detroit mob before being knocked down to a capo (captain) , told the FBI Hoffa is buried in Oakland Township on a property once owned mob boss Jack Tocco. That prompted the FBI to go digging.

Zerilli, who was in prison at the time of Hoffa’s disappearance in 1975, has made no secret of the fact that he wants to profit from a book on Hoffa. He’s got a website where he’s selling a 21-page manuscript on the Hoffa disappearance for $4.99 online and $7.99 if you want it mailed. There’s talk of him eventually writing a book. In his manuscript, he writes that Hoffa was bound and gagged, hit with a shovel and buried alive in a barn on the property.

At 85, he’s not exactly a rock star. But that hasn’t stopped him from trying to sell signed photos.

He writes on his website:

Due to the overwhelming request for his personally autographed photos, Mr. Zerilli is offering the following 8.5″ x 11″ professional color photos for purchase, with the option for a personally signed photo.

He’s selling the photo, which will be mailed, for $9.99. If you want an autograph, that costs $22.99. If you care for a personal message, well that’s another $12. That’s an offer you can’t refuse.

To read more click here.

Two months ago this column discussed the effect that America’s insatiable appetite for drugs was having on two contrasting Central American nations—violent and impoverished Honduras and peaceful and idyllic Costa Rica.

Because of the success of DEA and the U.S. military at interdicting South American drug shipments by sea, the Colombian cartels and the Mexican Mafia now move virtually all drugs from South America by land, transporting it through those two countries. The under-resourced law enforcement systems of Honduras and Costa Rica have proven to be no match for the well-armed smugglers.

The latest evidence of this struggle for control in Costa Rica has been a violent incident resulting in the collision between the cartels and powerful environmental forces, a collision likely to accelerate the enhancement of law enforcement resources in that country in its fight against the smugglers.

During the night of May 30th, a popular young biology student, Jairo Mora Sandoval, along with four female volunteers (three Americans and one from Spain), were patrolling a beach on the Caribbean coast to protect the nests of Leatherhead turtles, whose eggs were constantly subject to poachers in the area. The Leatherhead is an endangered species whose eggs illegally sell for a dollar a piece to buyers who believe them to be an aphrodisiac. They are also a dining delicacy in restaurants and sidewalk cafes.

Mora had been an outspoken advocate for increased law enforcement in the area both against poachers and also drug trafficking in nearby Limon. As reported in the earlier column, Limon was the location where two policemen were recently murdered as part of the increased criminal atmosphere in that district. An atmosphere fueled by the invasion of drug smugglers into this peaceful country.

Costa Rica is one of the most eco-friendly places on the planet. The result is that a sizeable portion of the nation’s GDP comes from eco-tourism. A threat to its abundant natural resources is likely to mobilize thousands of environmentalists, as well as threaten an important source of revenue for this prosperous country. Cries for action from both of these sources shake and shape the government’s policies in all respects.

As the five volunteers traveled along the remote Caribbean beach, they were seized by five armed kidnappers. The women were able to escape from the abandoned house where they had been tied up, but Mora’s body was found the next day, tortured and bludgeoned to death. The murder is believed to be a threat by poachers and smugglers to frighten other environmentalists.

The connection between poaching and the drug smugglers has several facets. The cartels use the same beaches where the turtles lay their eggs, in order to bring their product in from boats off the coast for transport to Mexico and the United States. They employ locals for warehousing and overland shipment and frequently pay them with cocaine. This has created a drug user population that often resorts to smuggling the turtle eggs to feed their habit. The population also spawns the other social problems ancillary to drug activity.

The reaction worldwide by environmentalists to the murder has resulted in a crisis in Costa Rica and has prompted the government to pledge to implement a plan to combat poaching and drug trafficking more aggressively.

(For an excellent report on the policy and environmental intricacies of this incident, check out National Geographic’s story here. Thanks to Caleb in Kansas City for the heads up on this story.)

No one has yet pointed the finger at the wealthy northern neighbor, the U.S., whose lucrative market provides the financial incentive for the smuggling cartels. But it would be hard to deny that we share some responsibility for such violent incidents, as well as countless others that threaten the equanimity of this beautiful country.

Which makes it more than fair that we fully respond to requests for help from the beleaguered law enforcement communities in Costa Rica and Honduras, both with financial and advisory support.

Ross Parker

Two months ago this column discussed the effect that America’s insatiable appetite for drugs was having on two contrasting Central American nations—violent and impoverished Honduras and peaceful and idyllic Costa Rica.

Because of the success of DEA and the U.S. military at interdicting South American drug shipments by sea, the Colombian cartels and the Mexican Mafia now move virtually all drugs from South America by land, transporting it through those two countries. The under-resourced law enforcement systems of Honduras and Costa Rica have proven to be no match for the well-armed smugglers.

The latest evidence of this struggle for control in Costa Rica has been a violent incident resulting in the collision between the cartels and powerful environmental forces, a collision likely to accelerate the enhancement of law enforcement resources in that country in its fight against the smugglers.

During the night of May 30th, a popular young biology student, Jairo Mora Sandoval, along with four female volunteers (three Americans and one from Spain), were patrolling a beach on the Caribbean coast to protect the nests of Leatherhead turtles, whose eggs were constantly subject to poachers in the area. The Leatherhead is an endangered species whose eggs illegally sell for a dollar a piece to buyers who believe them to be an aphrodisiac. They are also a dining delicacy in restaurants and sidewalk cafes.

Mora had been an outspoken advocate for increased law enforcement in the area both against poachers and also drug trafficking in nearby Limon. As reported in the earlier column, Limon was the location where two policemen were recently murdered as part of the increased criminal atmosphere in that district. An atmosphere fueled by the invasion of drug smugglers into this peaceful country.

Costa Rica is one of the most eco-friendly places on the planet. The result is that a sizeable portion of the nation’s GDP comes from eco-tourism. A threat to its abundant natural resources is likely to mobilize thousands of environmentalists, as well as threaten an important source of revenue for this prosperous country. Cries for action from both of these sources shake and shape the government’s policies in all respects.

As the five volunteers traveled along the remote Caribbean beach, they were seized by five armed kidnappers. The women were able to escape from the abandoned house where they had been tied up, but Mora’s body was found the next day, tortured and bludgeoned to death. The murder is believed to be a threat by poachers and smugglers to frighten other environmentalists.

The connection between poaching and the drug smugglers has several facets. The cartels use the same beaches where the turtles lay their eggs, in order to bring their product in from boats off the coast for transport to Mexico and the United States. They employ locals for warehousing and overland shipment and frequently pay them with cocaine. This has created a drug user population that often resorts to smuggling the turtle eggs to feed their habit. The population also spawns the other social problems ancillary to drug activity.

The reaction worldwide by environmentalists to the murder has resulted in a crisis in Costa Rica and has prompted the government to pledge to implement a plan to combat poaching and drug trafficking more aggressively.

(For an excellent report on the policy and environmental intricacies of this incident, check out National Geographic’s story here. Thanks to Caleb in Kansas City for the heads up on this story.)

No one has yet pointed the finger at the wealthy northern neighbor, the U.S., whose lucrative market provides the financial incentive for the smuggling cartels. But it would be hard to deny that we share some responsibility for such violent incidents, as well as countless others that threaten the equanimity of this beautiful country.

Which makes it more than fair that we fully respond to requests for help from the beleaguered law enforcement communities in Costa Rica and Honduras, both with financial and advisory support.

Steve Neavling

At least 27 accused terrorists were prosecuted since 2007 using evidence obtained under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Reuters reports.

The FISA cases vary from murder to an 18-year-old American trying to join an al-Qaeda-linked group in Syria.

As early as today, the U.S. government plans to disclose how many terrorist attacks were foiled under the NSA program, which is another surveillance tool used by feds.

FISA warrants were created in 1978 after congressional hearings revealed the U.S. was illegally spying on its residents, Reuters wrote.

FISA requires approval from a judge.

Steve Neavling

A child rapist and an alleged killer are the most recent additions to the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list, NBC News reports.

They are the 499th and 500th fugitives to be added to a list that has included Osama bin Laden, Ted Bundy, Whitey Bulger and James Early Ray.

“These individuals are a dangerous menace to society,” said Ron Hosko of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division in a news release. “That’s what got criminals on the Top 10 list 63 years ago, and that’s why we put them on the list today.”

The most recent additions were Jose Manuel Garcia Guevara, who is accused of raping and stabbing a 26-year-old woman in front of her child, and Walter Lee Williams, who allegedly molested children.

An aging mobster and star government witness testified Tuesday that his heart was broken after learning that mob boss and friend James “Whitey” Bulger was an FBI informant, CNN reports.

“It broke my heart. It broke all loyalties,” said John Martorano, an alleged hit man who described the people he said he murdered. 

Bulger is accused of killing 19 people during nearly two decades.

Martorano, who lives on Social Security after serving 12 years in prison, testified that he pulled the trigger while Bulger was along to ensure a successful “hit.”

Todd Jones

Ranking Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said “very troubling allegations” have surfaced that suggest B. Todd Jones, who is President Obama’s choice to head the ATF, retaliated against a whistleblower, The Washington Times reports.

The Iowa senator questioned why the confirmation hearings last week weren’t delayed while an investigation of Jones continues. 

When asked about the whistle-blowing complaints, Jones said he wasn’t familiar with the “substance of the complaints” and declined to comment.

“I must say that the allegations in the complaint are extremely troubling,” Grassley said.

Steve Neavling

Authorities are not sure how six U.S. border agents became ill after inspecting a vehicle at a crossing in northern New York, The Associated Press reports.

The officer became ill Saturday morning while examining a 2002 BMW at the Champlain crossing.

The officers, who were decontaminated on site, have been released from the hospital, The AP wrote.

The driver of the car was charged with marijuana and meth possession.

OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST

• Homeland Security Office in Vermont Infested with Bed Bugs
• FBI Searches for Body Connected to Late ‘Goodfellas’ Mobster in New York City
• Airline Passenger Arrested After Screaming Poison Was Aboard Newark-Bound Plane
• FBI, Local Police Bust 22 Female Escorts in Metro Denver
• More than 190,000 Firearms Sold or Lost in 2012, According to ATF

TV trucks and neighbors gathered outside the site.

Oakland Township, Mich -- On Monday morning, almost as quickly as a snap of the finger, a circus broke out at a corner of rural Oakland Township, north of Detroit.

There were no elephants and dancing bears. But there were FBI agents, sheriff’s deputies, farm equipment and lots of TV cameras and reporters, curious neighbors and gawking motorists, some who stopped to snap a photo.

The FBI was digging for James R. Hoffa.

It wasn’t a huge surprise, in some ways.

Ex-Detroit mobster Tony Zerilli had come forward and spoken to the media several months ago, saying Hoffa is buried on property at a property near the corner of Buell and Adams Road. The site once belonged to Detroit’s top mobster Jack Tocco. The FBI was interested.

Zerilli, in a transcript of a partial book offered for sale on his website HoffaFound.com, said mobsters drove Hoffa to the property on July 30, 1975, bound and gagged him, then took a shovel and “cracked Hoffa over the head with it.” A gravesite already had been dug in a barn.

“They threw him in the hole, buried him alive,” Zerilli wrote. “He wasn’t shot, he wasn’t stabbed, nothing like that. A cement slab of some sort was placed on top of the dirt to make certain he was going to be discovered. And that was it. End of story.”

Anthony Zerilli’s partial manuscript — just 21 pages — is being peddled online for $5 as a download or $8 mailed.

Zerilli was at the excavation site for a while Monday morning, but took off. His attorney, David Chasnick, said he may have been a little intimidated by the crowd.

Chasnick gave journalists copies of Zerilli’s 21-page manuscript of his developing book on the disappearance. Zerilli, 85, is broke and has said he wants to make money on all of this.

To read the full story click here.