usatoday--2020-08-07--29-story office tower in Kentucky secretly owned by billionaire Russian oligarchs, feds say

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — Federal prosecutors are suing to seize control of the building in downtown Louisville formerly known as PNC Plaza , alleging it is secretly owned by billionaire Russian oligarchs and used to launder billions of dollars they plundered from a bank they owed in the eastern European country .
In a lawsuit filed this week in Miami , the government says the oligarchs and their operatives in the United States bought the 29-story office tower — as well as property in Dallas and Cleveland — with money “ traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money embezzled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The scheme was run in the United States by Ukrainians operating out of a 55th-floor penthouse office in Miami using companies with some variation of the name “ Optima , ” according to the lawsuit .
The Louisville tower at 500 W. Jefferson St. was purchased in 2011 by Optima Management Group LLC for $ 77 million , but it ran into hard times after the largest tenant , PNC Financial Services , moved out .
The 580,000-square-foot building was purchased out of receivership last year by New York-based Somera Road Inc. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the government ’ s forfeiture suit says 95 % is still owned by an Optima affiliate .
US intel : Russia working to defeat Biden ; China and Iran prefer Trump defeat Jefferson County property records show the owner is listed as 500 West Jefferson Street LLC , and corporate records show the sole owner of the company is Ruairidh Henderson , who works for Somera Road in New York .
But in a telephone interview Friday , Henderson said he had never heard of the building and didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow-up interview , when a reporter pointed out that Somera Road was listed as the buyer in a published account — and that a plaque with its name is posted in the lobby — he declined to comment further .
Louisville attorney Don Cox , whose law firm has been in the building for about 10 years , said he was shocked to learn about the background of its secret owner .
The government said that over the course of more than a decade , billionaires Igor Kolomoisky and Gennadiy Boholiubov used their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars of its funds .
The losses were so great that Ukraine had to bail out the bank by providing $ 5.5 billion to stave off an economic crisis for the country .
In 2017 , Kolomoisky , one of the world ’ s richest men , went into self-imposed exile in Switzerland and then Israel after the government seized his prize asset , Privatbank , and accused him of embezzling billions of dollars , The New York Times reported .
He returned to Ukraine after the comic Volodymyr Zelenskiy , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected president last year .
FBI agents this week raided Optima properties in Cleveland and Miami , according to press reports .
The suit says dozens of Optima entities in the U.S. were managed by a man named Mordechai Korf , also known as “ Motti , ” a Miami-based business associate of Kolomoisky and Boholiubov .
Cox said he saw Korf in the building and he appeared to be managing it .
The government said PrivatBank accounted for about one-fourth of the banking sector in Ukraine and one-third of the individual deposit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boholiubov looted it , it was nationalized in 2016 .
Prosecutors say the basic idea of the scheme was simple .
Kolomoisky and Boholiubov requested money from PrivatBank , which , based on their control and ownership , they always received .
They rarely paid the loans back , except through new loans , the suit says .
The mechanics of the scheme were complex , according to the government .
Kolomoisky and Boholiubov used a substantial collection of companies they owned or controlled to apply for loans from PrivatBank .
An army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processed the loans as if they were legitimate .
A “ special ” credit committee at the bank approved the loans , despite misrepresentations in the applications .
When the loans came due , other loans were used to pay off the old loans , or , in some cases , they were repaid with income from the investment of the misappropriated money , the suit says .
Kolomoisky ’ s Boston-based attorney , Michael Sullivan , did not immediately respond to a request for a comment .

Andrew Wolfson, Louisville Courier Journal

29-story office tower in Kentucky secretly owned by billionaire Ukrainian oligarchs, feds say
Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated the home country of Ihor Kolomoisky and Gennadiy Boholiubov. They are Ukrainian.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Federal prosecutors are suing to seize control of the building in downtown Louisville formerly known as PNC Plaza, alleging it is secretly owned by billionaire Ukrainian oligarchs and used to launder billions of dollars they plundered from a bank they owed in the eastern European country.
In a lawsuit filed this week in Miami, the government says the oligarchs and their operatives in the United States bought the 29-story office tower — as well as property in Dallas and Cleveland — with money “traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money embezzled and fraudulently obtained from the bank.”
The scheme was run in the United States by Ukrainians operating out of a 55th-floor penthouse office in Miami using companies with some variation of the name “Optima,” according to the lawsuit.
The Louisville tower at 500 W. Jefferson St. was purchased in 2011 by Optima Management Group LLC for $77 million, but it ran into hard times after the largest tenant, PNC Financial Services, moved out.
The 580,000-square-foot building was purchased out of receivership last year by New York-based Somera Road Inc., according to an article in Business First, but the government’s forfeiture suit says 95% is still owned by an Optima affiliate.
US intel: Russia working to defeat Biden; China and Iran prefer Trump defeat
Jefferson County property records show the owner is listed as 500 West Jefferson Street LLC, and corporate records show the sole owner of the company is Ruairidh Henderson, who works for Somera Road in New York.
But in a telephone interview Friday, Henderson said he had never heard of the building and didn’t know anything about it.
In a follow-up interview, when a reporter pointed out that Somera Road was listed as the buyer in a published account — and that a plaque with its name is posted in the lobby — he declined to comment further.
Louisville attorney Don Cox, whose law firm has been in the building for about 10 years, said he was shocked to learn about the background of its secret owner.
The government said that over the course of more than a decade, billionaires Igor Kolomoisky and Gennadiy Boholiubov used their control of PrivatBank to steal billions of dollars of its funds.
The losses were so great that Ukraine had to bail out the bank by providing $5.5 billion to stave off an economic crisis for the country.
In 2017, Kolomoisky, one of the world’s richest men, went into self-imposed exile in Switzerland and then Israel after the government seized his prize asset, Privatbank, and accused him of embezzling billions of dollars, The New York Times reported.
He returned to Ukraine after the comic Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a former business partner of the oligarch, was elected president last year.
FBI agents this week raided Optima properties in Cleveland and Miami, according to press reports.
The suit says dozens of Optima entities in the U.S. were managed by a man named Mordechai Korf, also known as “Motti,” a Miami-based business associate of Kolomoisky and Boholiubov.
Cox said he saw Korf in the building and he appeared to be managing it.
The government said PrivatBank accounted for about one-fourth of the banking sector in Ukraine and one-third of the individual deposit accounts, but that after Kolomoisky and Boholiubov looted it, it was nationalized in 2016.
Prosecutors say the basic idea of the scheme was simple. Kolomoisky and Boholiubov requested money from PrivatBank, which, based on their control and ownership, they always received.
They rarely paid the loans back, except through new loans, the suit says.
The mechanics of the scheme were complex, according to the government. Kolomoisky and Boholiubov used a substantial collection of companies they owned or controlled to apply for loans from PrivatBank.
An army of functionaries at PrivatBank then papered and processed the loans as if they were legitimate.
A “special” credit committee at the bank approved the loans, despite misrepresentations in the applications.
When the loans came due, other loans were used to pay off the old loans, or, in some cases, they were repaid with income from the investment of the misappropriated money, the suit says.
Kolomoisky’s Boston-based attorney, Michael Sullivan, did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.
Follow Andrew Wolfson on Twitter: @adwolfson


usatoday--2020-08-07--Air India Express flight skids off runway, leaving at least 16 people dead

An Air India Express flight with 190 people on board skidded off a runway , leaving more than a dozen people dead .
The Associated Press reports that the landing , which split the aircraft in two , took place in heavy rain in southern India and left at least 16 people dead and 123 injured .
Abdul Karim , a senior Kerala state police officer , said the dead included one of the pilots .
He said at least 15 of the injured were in critical condition , and that rescue operations were over .
Rajiv Jain , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said no fire was reported on the Boeing 737 aircraft after it landed and broke into two pieces .
The NDTV news channel said the plane flew from Dubai to Kozhikode , also called Calicut , in the state of Kerala in southern India .
It was a repatriation flight carrying Indian citizens back to the country , officials said .
Regular commercial flights have been halted in India because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Jain said there were 174 adult passengers , 10 infants , two pilots and four cabin crew on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who heads the government 's planning commission , said the runway is on a hilltop with deep gorges on either side , making it difficult to land .
“ The incident happened because of heavy rains and poor visibility .
This is truly devastating , ” he told NDTV .
Kozhikode ’ s 9,350-foot ( 2,850-meter ) runway is on a flat hilltop with deep gorges on either side ending in a 112-foot ( 34-meter ) drop .
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S. Puri said in a statement that the flight “ overshot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down ” the slope , breaking into two pieces upon impact .
An inquiry will be conducted by the ministry ’ s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau , he said .
The airport ’ s runway end safety area was expanded in 2018 to accommodate wide-body aircraft .
The runway end safety area meets United Nations international civil aviation requirements , but the U.N. agency recommends a buffer that is 492 feet ( 150 meters ) ( 492 feet ) longer than what exists at Kozhikode airport , according to Harro Ranter , chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ database .
Dubai-based aviation consultant Mark Martin said that while it was too early to determine the cause of the crash , annual monsoon conditions appeared to be a factor .
“ Low visibility , wet runway , low cloud base , all leading to very poor braking action is what looks like led to where we are at the moment with this crash , ” Martin said , calling for the European Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to assist with the Indian government ’ s investigation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message about the incident .
`` We regret that there has been an incident regarding our aircraft VT GHK , OPERATING IX 1344 DXB CCJ .
We will update as we get the details , '' the tweet reads .
The President of India Rashtrapati Bhavan also tweeted about the incident Friday .
`` Deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane crash of Air India Express flight at Kozhikode , Kerala , '' his statement read .
`` Spoke to @ KeralaGovernor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and inquired about the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , crew members and their families . ''
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “ pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode , ” and that he had spoken to Kerala ’ s top elected official .
The worst air disaster in India was on Nov. 12 , 1996 , when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided midair with a Kazakhastan Airlines Flight near Charki Dadri in Haryana state , killing all 349 on board the two planes .
A similar tragedy to Friday ’ s was narrowly avoided at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Air India Express flight suffered a tail strike upon landing .
None of the 180 passengers of that flight were injured .

Air India Express plane skids off runway in heavy rains, killing 18 people
Show Caption Hide Caption Air India Express plane crash, at least 16 people dead Officials say the repatriation flight was carrying Indian citizens back to the country amid the coronavirus pandemic. USA TODAY
Corrections & clarifications: An earlier version of this report incorrectly identified Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who resides at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
An Air India Express flight with 190 people on board skidded off a runway Friday and split the aircraft in two, killing more than a dozen people.
The death toll rose Saturday to 18, according to media reports, and the majority of passengers were taken to the hospital. Both pilots died in the crash while the four crew members survived, the airline said in a statement.
The crash happened Friday during heavy rain in southern India at Kozhikode Calicut International Airport. The flight “overshot the runway in rainy conditions and went down” the slope, breaking into two pieces upon impact, said India's Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S. Puri in a statement.
The runway is on a hilltop with deep gorges on either side, making it difficult to land, said Amitabh Kant, who heads the government's planning commission.
“The incident happened because of heavy rains and poor visibility. This is truly devastating,” he told NDTV news channel.
The flight departed from Dubai, NDTV reported. Officials said it was a repatriation flight carrying Indian citizens home; regular commercial flights have been halted there since the coronavirus outbreak.
No fire was reported on the Boeing 737 aircraft after it landed and broke into two pieces, said Rajiv Jain, a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Ministry. He said there were 174 adult passengers, 10 infants, two pilots and four cabin crew on board the aircraft.
Reports of how many people were critically injured vary. Puri tweeted that there were three while Abdul Karim, senior Kerala state police officer, said 15 people were in critical condition. He said rescue operations had been completed Saturday.
Investigators have recovered the black box from the crash site. Arun Kumar, head of Directorate General of Civil Aviation, told the Times of India that the recovered transcripts would be opened to international investigators, as well as Boeing.
"Only after conducting a thorough and unbiased probe can we tell exactly what happened," he said Sunday.
The 9,350-foot runway ends is on a flat hilltop with deep gorges on either side ending in a 112-foot drop.
The runway end safety area was expanded in 2018 to accommodate wide-body aircraft. It meets United Nations international civil aviation requirements, but the U.N. agency recommends a buffer that is 492 feet longer than what exists at Kozhikode airport, according to Harro Ranter, chief executive of the Aviation Safety Network online database.
Dubai-based aviation consultant Mark Martin said that while it was too early to determine the cause of the crash, annual monsoon conditions appeared to be a factor.
“Low visibility, wet runway, low cloud base, all leading to very poor braking action is what looks like led to where we are at the moment with this crash,” Martin said, calling for the European Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to assist with the Indian government’s investigation.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted about the incident Friday.
"Deeply distressed to hear about the tragic plane crash of Air India Express flight at Kozhikode, Kerala," his statement read. "Spoke to @KeralaGovernor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and inquired about the situation. Thoughts and prayers with affected passengers, crew members and their families."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode,” and that he had spoken to Kerala’s top elected official.
The worst air disaster in India was on Nov. 12, 1996, when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided midair with a Kazakhastan Airlines Flight near Charki Dadri in Haryana state, killing all 349 on board the two planes.
A similar tragedy to Friday’s was narrowly avoided at the same airport a year ago, when an Air India Express flight suffered a tail strike upon landing. None of the 180 passengers of that flight were injured.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-07--'Dream come true': Everett Fitzhugh, hired by Seattle Kraken, will be NHL's first Black play-by-play

In 102 years of the NHL , no team has had a full-time Black play-by-play announcer .
That will change in 2021 .
The Seattle Kraken , an expansion franchise set to begin play in the 2021-22 season , announced Friday that Everett Fitzhugh would be their play-by-play announcer .
He previously worked with the ECHL 's Cincinnati Cyclones .
In that position , he was the only full-time Black play-by-play announcer in any professional hockey league in North America .
He also called a Washington Capitals preseason game in 2018 .
`` As someone who 's worked in hockey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long-held passion for broadcast hockey , to be named team broadcaster for a brand-new NHL franchise — particularly one with an organization as strong as the Kraken — is a dream come true , '' Fitzhugh told NHL.com .
`` Getting to the NHL has always been my goal .
I look forward to serving as the voice for this incredible team and its fans as well as representing the Kraken organization throughout the greater Seattle community . ''
Diversity has long been a struggle in the NHL .
A January report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color in the NHL — less than 5 percent of the league .
Since so many broadcasters are former players , that lack of diversity extends to broadcasting as well .
The Kraken 's leadership has said it will put a premium on diversity and more than half of its leadership team is female .
“ I think it ’ s about time that we make that a priority in this business – and I ’ m speaking about the sports business overall , ” Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke told Sportsnet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a priority here and in some ways it ’ s not the path of least resistance .
...
I ’ m really proud with the progress we ’ re making .
It ’ s still a work in progress , but I can cite examples of just phenomenal people that have come on our team who represent diversity and who are going to serve us well going forward .
”

'Dream come true': Everett Fitzhugh, hired by Seattle Kraken, will be NHL's first Black play-by-play announcer
Show Caption Hide Caption Paralyzed hockey player learns to walk again Doctors didn't know if Carson would ever walk again after a car accident, but this 16-year-old hockey player is determined to get back on the ice. Sportskind, USA TODAY
In 102 years of the NHL, no team has had a full-time Black play-by-play announcer. That will change in 2021.
The Seattle Kraken, an expansion franchise set to begin play in the 2021-22 season, announced Friday that Everett Fitzhugh would be their play-by-play announcer. He previously worked with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones. In that position, he was the only full-time Black play-by-play announcer in any professional hockey league in North America. He also called a Washington Capitals preseason game in 2018.
"As someone who's worked in hockey for over a decade and who has a long-held passion for broadcast hockey, to be named team broadcaster for a brand-new NHL franchise — particularly one with an organization as strong as the Kraken — is a dream come true," Fitzhugh told NHL.com. "Getting to the NHL has always been my goal. I look forward to serving as the voice for this incredible team and its fans as well as representing the Kraken organization throughout the greater Seattle community."
#SeaKraken have added three new members to the team!
Jonny Greco and Lamont Buford will head up our game presentation while Everett Fitzhugh becomes our first team broadcaster.
Meet the new guys → https://t.co/uMrXXSYD2o pic.twitter.com/HTKfYc6cjv — Seattle Kraken (@NHLSeattle_) August 7, 2020
Diversity has long been a struggle in the NHL. A January report found that there were just 43 players of color in the NHL — less than 5 percent of the league. Since so many broadcasters are former players, that lack of diversity extends to broadcasting as well.
The Kraken's leadership has said it will put a premium on diversity and more than half of its leadership team is female.
“I think it’s about time that we make that a priority in this business – and I’m speaking about the sports business overall,” Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke told Sportsnet in March. “We have made it a priority here and in some ways it’s not the path of least resistance. ... I’m really proud with the progress we’re making. It’s still a work in progress, but I can cite examples of just phenomenal people that have come on our team who represent diversity and who are going to serve us well going forward.”


usatoday--2020-08-07--Oprah Winfrey is demanding justice for Breonna Taylor with 26 billboards in Louisville

Oprah Winfrey is expanding her efforts to bring justice for Breonna Taylor , the young Black woman who was fatally shot by police who stormed into her home on March 13 .
Winfrey 's weekly magazine `` O , The Oprah Magazine '' announced in a statement Friday it will be erecting 26 billboards in Taylor 's honor across her hometown of Louisville , Kentucky .
The magazine is also featuring Taylor on the cover of its September issue .
`` Each billboard—one for each year of her life—features the cover image with a call to action that reads : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna Taylor be arrested and charged .
Visit UntilFreedom.com , ' '' the statement reads .
The September issue marks the first time in 20 years that Winfrey is not gracing the cover of her monthly magazine .
The special issue is focused on anti-racism and white privilege .
It will be available on newsstands Aug. 11 .
According to Lucy Kaylin , editor in chief of `` O '' Winfrey and the O team began discussions about how the brand could raise awareness about police brutality against Black Americans following the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck .
And that 's why she 's dedicating her magazine to Taylor .
Racism in America : Hundreds of Black stars call on Hollywood to quit glorifying police , commit to anti-racist content More : Oprah Winfrey gives $ 12M to ‘ home ’ cities during coronavirus pandemic The special issue examines systematic racism and includes lists of anti-racist actions readers can take , such as which Black-owned businesses they can support , organizations they can donate to , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can read and more , the release states .
In one column , `` Hard White Truths , '' white readers share `` when they were most acutely aware of their white privilege—and what , in the wake of thunderous calls for justice , they are doing to dismantle the status quo . ''
In Winfrey 's column `` What I Know For Sure , '' she writes , `` We ca n't be silent . ''
`` We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice .
And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover of O magazine.
” She continued : “ As a great-great-granddaughter of enslaved people , I know that in a different era my name would have been in someone ’ s ledger .
Those ledgers come to mind when I see the names of Black women who were killed by police .
Breonna Taylor and too many others like her .
I see the names , I think of the ledgers , I feel the connection down the generations : the refusal to value Black women ’ s lives .
And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am these women . ''
So you want to learn about racism ?
: Stream these 20 compelling movies and TV shows The cover image , which features a photo of Taylor in front of a yellow background , was created by Alexis Franklin , a self-trained 24-year-old digital artist .
“ I am so happy to play a small part in this long-overdue , world-changing narrative on racial injustice and police brutality , '' she said .
`` The original photo is one Breonna took herself and has been featured in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I see an innocence , simple but powerful .
It was critical for me to retain that.
” The magazine recently decided to move to a more `` digitally-centric '' platform .
In a statement to USA TODAY last week , a representative the magazine 's publisher said while the brand is here to stay , it is rethinking its print editions .
There will still be monthly print editions through December 2020 , but the future for its print publications remains unclear .
Winfrey did offer another surprise , though : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conversation '' is now streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ for free .

Oprah Winfrey is demanding justice for Breonna Taylor with 26 billboards in Louisville
Show Caption Hide Caption Breonna Taylor featured on the cover of Oprah Winfrey's magazine Breonna Taylor is on the cover of September's "O, The Oprah Magazine." It's the first cover in the publication's history to not feature Oprah Winfrey. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
Oprah Winfrey is expanding her efforts to bring justice for Breonna Taylor, the young Black woman who was fatally shot by police who stormed into her home on March 13.
Winfrey's weekly magazine "O, The Oprah Magazine" announced in a statement Friday it will be erecting 26 billboards in Taylor's honor across her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The magazine is also featuring Taylor on the cover of its September issue.
"Each billboard—one for each year of her life—features the cover image with a call to action that reads: 'Demand that the police involved in killing Breonna Taylor be arrested and charged. Visit UntilFreedom.com,'" the statement reads.
The September issue marks the first time in 20 years that Winfrey is not gracing the cover of her monthly magazine. The special issue is focused on anti-racism and white privilege.
It will be available on newsstands Aug. 11.
According to Lucy Kaylin, editor in chief of "O" Winfrey and the O team began discussions about how the brand could raise awareness about police brutality against Black Americans following the death of George Floyd, the 46-year-old Black man who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.
And that's why she's dedicating her magazine to Taylor.
Racism in America: Hundreds of Black stars call on Hollywood to quit glorifying police, commit to anti-racist content
More: Oprah Winfrey gives $12M to ‘home’ cities during coronavirus pandemic
The special issue examines systematic racism and includes lists of anti-racist actions readers can take, such as which Black-owned businesses they can support, organizations they can donate to, petitions they can sign, articles they can read and more, the release states.
In one column, "Hard White Truths," white readers share "when they were most acutely aware of their white privilege—and what, in the wake of thunderous calls for justice, they are doing to dismantle the status quo."
In Winfrey's column "What I Know For Sure," she writes, "We can't be silent."
"We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice. And that is why Breonna Taylor is on the cover of O magazine.”
She continued: “As a great-great-granddaughter of enslaved people, I know that in a different era my name would have been in someone’s ledger. Those ledgers come to mind when I see the names of Black women who were killed by police. Breonna Taylor and too many others like her. I see the names, I think of the ledgers, I feel the connection down the generations: the refusal to value Black women’s lives. And I feel a personal connection. Because I am these women."
So you want to learn about racism?: Stream these 20 compelling movies and TV shows
The cover image, which features a photo of Taylor in front of a yellow background, was created by Alexis Franklin, a self-trained 24-year-old digital artist.
“I am so happy to play a small part in this long-overdue, world-changing narrative on racial injustice and police brutality," she said. "The original photo is one Breonna took herself and has been featured in the news many times. Looking at it, I see an innocence, simple but powerful. It was critical for me to retain that.”
The magazine recently decided to move to a more "digitally-centric" platform.
In a statement to USA TODAY last week, a representative the magazine's publisher said while the brand is here to stay, it is rethinking its print editions. There will still be monthly print editions through December 2020, but the future for its print publications remains unclear.
Winfrey did offer another surprise, though: a new show, "The Oprah Conversation" is now streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ for free.
More: Oprah Winfrey announces new interview show, rethinks print for monthly magazine


usatoday--2020-08-07--Strong dog performs a wall stand during a workout with her owner

Dog will not be shown up at gym by her strong owner A gym in San Jose , California , @ @ @ @ @ Australian shepherd , to do wall stands with her owner .

Dog will not be shown up at gym by her strong owner
A gym in San Jose, California, welcomed Tesla, a miniature Australian shepherd, to do wall stands with her owner.
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-08-07--How to prepare for hurricane season

How to prepare for hurricane season

How to prepare for hurricane season It 's important to take these steps before hurricane season .

How to prepare for hurricane season
It's important to take these steps before hurricane season.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-08--Ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio loses Arizona race in comeback bid

PHOENIX- Jerry Sheridan has won the GOP nomination in the race for Maricopa County sheriff , beating ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio .
The race has been close , but the latest primary election results released Friday evening showed Sheridan had pulled way ahead of his former boss .
The results are not official yet .
But with fewer than 3,000 votes left to tabulate , it would not be possible for Arpaio to close the 6,000-vote deficit .
This was Arpaio 's second attempt to make a political comeback .
He lost his seat as sheriff to Democrat Paul Penzone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third in a three-way race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate .
Sheridan , who worked in the Sheriff 's Office for 38 years , mostly during Arpaio 's 24 years in office , said Friday he was happy .
He retired as a deputy chief after Arpaio lost his 2016 reelection bid .
Sheridan said he has respect for his former boss .
`` Joe Arpaio did a great job for a long time , '' Sheridan said .
`` He will never be irrelevant , but I think his political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheridan said , he will refocus his energy on the November race against Penzone , who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary .
`` Penzone is very beatable , '' Sheridan said .
Arpaio said he `` gave it a shot , '' but the voters selected somebody else .
`` I 'm a little shocked losing , '' Arpaio said .
`` This will be the last time I run for office . ''
Before the Friday numbers , the race had been deadlocked between Arpaio and Sheridan .
At one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes , with Sheridan ahead .
In 2016 , Penzone easily beat Arpaio .
In 2012 , Penzone had lost to Arpaio .
Before 2016 , Arpaio could easily win elections .
But his dwindling support in this primary and in 2018 shows many conservative voters have been ready to move on from him , political observers have said .
`` There is certainly fatigue in the Republican Party on Arpaio 's legacy , '' Chuck Coughlin , a Phoenix-based Republican consultant , previously told The Arizona Republic .
`` I think in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been convinced he ca n't win a general election .
The common-sense solution is to give someone else a try . ''
While Arpaio has loyal supporters , his tough-on-crime approach and immigration enforcement has turned off many Republican voters .
A federal judge found Arpaio and Sheridan to be in civil contempt of court stemming from a racial profiling case .
Another judge in the racial profiling case had found that deputies under Arpaio racially profiled Latino motorists during immigration raids .
More : What to know about the NY AG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2011 , the judge told Arpaio to stop the raids , but he continued with them .
Sheridan had claimed he was unaware of the judge 's order .
Arpaio was charged with criminal contempt of court , and in 2017 the former sheriff was found guilty of willfully violating a federal judge 's order .
President Donald Trump pardoned Arpaio before his sentencing .
Sheridan was not charged because of the statute of limitations .
Sheridan 'has an uphill fight ' against Penzone Because of the legal tangle and past policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard time in the general election against Penzone , Republican consultants have said .
Barrett Marson , a Republican consultant in Phoenix , said that Sheridan `` has an uphill fight . ''
Marson said that even though Penzone is a Democrat , he has had Republican support .
But with Arpaio out of the picture , out-of-state donors could lose interest in the race .
In 2016 , immigrant rights groups rallied around Penzone to help defeat Arpaio .
And billionaire and philanthropist George Soros gave $ 2 million to Maricopa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped defeat Arpaio .
`` What is unclear right now is whether the liberal groups that spent heavily in 2016 to defeat Joe Arpaio will come to Arizona and spend similar money to defeat a former underling , '' Marson said .
Penzone in a previously released statement said he is looking forward to the general election .
“ As sheriff of Maricopa County , I have removed politics and focused on restoring the office to an ethical , professional , and transparent organization , '' he said .
`` I have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an unwavering focus on public safety . ''
Penzone was elected sheriff with help of immigrant advocates , but he 's been at odds with some of them during his nearly four years in office .
Advocates have wanted him to stop allowing immigration agents in his jails who screen inmates for immigration status .
He has continued to allow them , and pretrial inmates have been deported .
Penzone has defended the policy , saying it 's a public safety measure and not a partisan issue .
Advocates have also criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Arpaio 's racial profiling case .
A recent report found that Hispanic and Black drivers are more likely than white drivers to be held longer or searched by deputies during traffic stops .

Ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio loses Arizona primary race in comeback bid
Show Caption Hide Caption Why voter suppression in the US has increased since 2013 Civil rights experts point to long wait times to vote as a sign of growing voter suppression in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
PHOENIX- Jerry Sheridan has won the GOP nomination in the race for Maricopa County sheriff, beating ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The race has been close, but the latest primary election results released Friday evening showed Sheridan had pulled way ahead of his former boss.
The results are not official yet. But with fewer than 3,000 votes left to tabulate, it would not be possible for Arpaio to close the 6,000-vote deficit.
This was Arpaio's second attempt to make a political comeback. He lost his seat as sheriff to Democrat Paul Penzone in 2016, and in 2018 came in third in a three-way race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.
Sheridan, who worked in the Sheriff's Office for 38 years, mostly during Arpaio's 24 years in office, said Friday he was happy. He retired as a deputy chief after Arpaio lost his 2016 reelection bid.
Sheridan said he has respect for his former boss.
"Joe Arpaio did a great job for a long time," Sheridan said. "He will never be irrelevant, but I think his political career is over."
Now, Sheridan said, he will refocus his energy on the November race against Penzone, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
"Penzone is very beatable," Sheridan said.
Arpaio said he "gave it a shot," but the voters selected somebody else.
"I'm a little shocked losing," Arpaio said. "This will be the last time I run for office."
Before the Friday numbers, the race had been deadlocked between Arpaio and Sheridan. At one point, they were separated by about 400 votes, with Sheridan ahead.
In 2016, Penzone easily beat Arpaio. In 2012, Penzone had lost to Arpaio.
Before 2016, Arpaio could easily win elections. But his dwindling support in this primary and in 2018 shows many conservative voters have been ready to move on from him, political observers have said.
"There is certainly fatigue in the Republican Party on Arpaio's legacy," Chuck Coughlin, a Phoenix-based Republican consultant, previously told The Arizona Republic. "I think in the last election cycle, most Republicans have been convinced he can't win a general election. The common-sense solution is to give someone else a try."
Racial profiling court case
While Arpaio has loyal supporters, his tough-on-crime approach and immigration enforcement has turned off many Republican voters.
A federal judge found Arpaio and Sheridan to be in civil contempt of court stemming from a racial profiling case. Another judge in the racial profiling case had found that deputies under Arpaio racially profiled Latino motorists during immigration raids.
More: What to know about the NY AG's attempt to take down the NRA
In 2011, the judge told Arpaio to stop the raids, but he continued with them. Sheridan had claimed he was unaware of the judge's order.
Arpaio was charged with criminal contempt of court, and in 2017 the former sheriff was found guilty of willfully violating a federal judge's order. President Donald Trump pardoned Arpaio before his sentencing.
Sheridan was not charged because of the statute of limitations.
Sheridan 'has an uphill fight' against Penzone
Because of the legal tangle and past policies on immigration enforcement, Sheridan could have a hard time in the general election against Penzone, Republican consultants have said.
Barrett Marson, a Republican consultant in Phoenix, said that Sheridan "has an uphill fight."
Marson said that even though Penzone is a Democrat, he has had Republican support. But with Arpaio out of the picture, out-of-state donors could lose interest in the race.
In 2016, immigrant rights groups rallied around Penzone to help defeat Arpaio. And billionaire and philanthropist George Soros gave $2 million to Maricopa Strong, a political action committee that helped defeat Arpaio.
"What is unclear right now is whether the liberal groups that spent heavily in 2016 to defeat Joe Arpaio will come to Arizona and spend similar money to defeat a former underling," Marson said.
Penzone in a previously released statement said he is looking forward to the general election.
“As sheriff of Maricopa County, I have removed politics and focused on restoring the office to an ethical, professional, and transparent organization," he said. "I have been committed to a foundation of integrity, with an unwavering focus on public safety."
Penzone was elected sheriff with help of immigrant advocates, but he's been at odds with some of them during his nearly four years in office. Advocates have wanted him to stop allowing immigration agents in his jails who screen inmates for immigration status.
He has continued to allow them, and pretrial inmates have been deported.
Penzone has defended the policy, saying it's a public safety measure and not a partisan issue.
Advocates have also criticized how Penzone has handled court orders related to Arpaio's racial profiling case. A recent report found that Hispanic and Black drivers are more likely than white drivers to be held longer or searched by deputies during traffic stops.
Follow Uriel Garcia on Twitter @ujohnnyg.


usatoday--2020-08-08--Florida's lack of transparency about election security funds aided alleged coverup, watchdog says

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. – A public corruption scandal in a rural Florida elections office just an hour west of the state capital reveals how easily federal dollars meant for election security can be diverted to cover up malfeasance , a government watchdog says .
The former elections supervisor in the panhandle 's Liberty County is charged with using election security funds to hide $ 42,000 in personal spending sprees – a potential accountability problem in any small office where one person holds the purse strings and nobody else is watching , observers said .
The case 's first hearing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exacerbated by a state-mandated nondisclosure agreement supervisors had to sign to get the election security money in the first place , they said .
`` Especially when funds are meant to be used for a certain purpose , there needs to be transparency to let the public know the funds were used for the purpose given , '' said Ben Wilcox , research director for Integrity Florida , a nonprofit government watchdog .
The alleged cover-up of misspent funds in Liberty County occurred around the same time Florida 's elections officials were required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their share of $ 15.4 million in federal Help America Vote Act grants , money Congress approved for enhancing election security in advance of the 2018 mid-terms .
The far-reaching pacts , revealed in February in a USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida investigation , included a nondisclosure agreement that public records experts called bizarre and unenforceable and threatened to make a casualty out of transparency in the Sunshine State .
`` In this case , it ’ s public corruption , '' Wilcox said .
`` Essentially , the only protection we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how public officials are using public funds .
The fact that she wasn ’ t caught until an audit was done on her elections office tells me there might have to be routine audits of election supervisors . ''
'Alarming ' : Experts held 'war games ' on the Trump vs. Biden election .
Congress approved $ 385 million in 2018 to distribute to states to help enhance election security after the Mueller report found evidence of Russian hacking .
One grant was for elections offices to join the nationwide Albert Network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for traditional and advanced network threats .
Another grant came through the federal Help America Vote Act ( HAVA ) for elections officials to buy equipment and software to enhance election security at the local level .
Liberty County received $ 12,556 to join the nationwide Albert Network Monitoring System , and it received $ 55,386 in HAVA funds for enhanced election security measures for the 2018 general election .
Florida 's county elections supervisors had to sign a confidentiality agreement to receive the grant money .
The reason given was that elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security network and too much information would help hackers identify ways to breach the system again .
Through public records requests , USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida asked the 67 supervisors for an accounting of how they spent that money .
About a third of the supervisors , including Liberty 's , failed to reply or refused to comply , citing state and federal exemptions to public records laws .
Nondisclosure agreements `` create opportunities for what happened there in Liberty County , for people to use money other than for what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Wilcox said .
More : Watchdog says Florida is in 'good shape ' for vote-by-mail in November — but adds , 'this is Florida' Patricia Brigham , president of the League of Women Voters of Florida , said her organization supports transparency when it comes to how money is spent on election security .
`` How that money is being used should be made public , '' Brigham said .
`` All registered voters participating in the voting process have the right to know how the money appropriated for election security or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
With fewer than 9,000 people , Liberty County has the smallest population in Florida .
It 's a blue dog Democratic county that tends to vote Republican – 76 % voted for Trump in 2016 .
Its elections office has three full-time staffers to run balloting for its 4,500 registered voters .
Until May , the elections office was run by Gina McDowell , 46 , who was first elected supervisor in 2012 after working in the office for most of her adult life .
An independent audit in 2019 found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election security money to cover up a $ 25,000 spending deficit caused by her and her boyfriends ' use of office funds for personal expenses .
“ These grant funds were effectively ‘ borrowed ’ to cover normal operating expenditures .
The grant funds were ultimately used for allowable purposes after year end , ” the Tallahassee CPA firm of Moran & Smith said in the mandatory state audit .
That and other spending irregularities were shared with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement , which in turn conducted an investigation that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against McDowell and her boyfriend , Nolan Kobe Pigott .
Their investigation uncovered $ 42,000 in what looked like personal expenditures throughout Alabama , Georgia and Florida 's Big Bend over a four-year period .
The money was spent on things like shampoo , razor blades , gift credit cards , cell phones , gift cards , Christmas gifts and two vacations to northern Georgia .
The investigation also found expenses connected to visits to Pigott while he was incarcerated at the Wakulla County Jail in 2017 .
In interviews with the FDLE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged fraud .
“ That was not me , ” she said when questioned about some of the personal expenses .
“ That had to be him.
” If it weren ’ t for the sharp eye of an independent auditor , who shared his findings with FDLE , the discovery of misspent federal elections funds wouldn ’ t be public knowledge .
Acting on a tip from former Deputy Supervisor Mary Strickland in October 2018 , shortly before she was fired by McDowell , CPA Chris Moran discovered a huge increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Capital One credit card – $ 33,000 in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 , 2018 .
That practice continued into the 2019 budget cycle , resulting in another $ 30,000 in questionable expenses .
After reviewing the monthly credit card statements , the auditors concluded that “ the majority of the charges could not be supported as necessary to the operations of the office.
” Based on his preliminary examination , the auditor concluded the charges were for personal use .
The supervisor paid credit card bills with “ office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documentation to support the business purpose served , ” the audit report said .
Other abnormal expenses based on the office history included $ 5,500 in payments to McDowell for travel without supporting documentation and $ 7,056 to McDowell ’ s own Discover Card .
FDLE investigators confirmed that McDowell had sole control of the office credit card , maintained the QuickBooks ledger and approved all payments by the Liberty County Supervisor of Elections office .
The investigation found that the ledgers McDowell submitted to the FDLE were different than those originally examined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how she altered the ledgers to cover up the personal expenditures by claiming they were for election security .
For example , several items charged to her Discover card that were originally classified as office supplies were changed in the FDLE-handed ledgers to read “ cyber security ” and “ election supplies.
” McDowell said the payments to Discover were a mistake caused by a cellphone banking app , an excuse debunked by the investigators .
Likewise , ledgers for fiscal 2018-19 showed payments to the Capital One card “ falsely categorized ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ election supplies ” or “ VR Systems.
” VR Systems is a Tallahassee-based company responsible for the state ’ s online voter registration system as well as electronic polling books , software and training for all 67 Florida counties .
According to the Help America Vote Act financial status report submitted to the Department of State in December 2018 , Liberty County spent $ 55,125 of its federal allotment on election security , leaving about $ 260 unspent .
The grant money came in around August , a month before the close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was spent at the beginning of the 2019 fiscal year , the audit showed .
The status report , signed by McDowell on Dec. 18 , 2018 , shows the county spent $ 3,855 on VR Systems ' Direct Print Ballot On Demand license fee , $ 7,950 on VR Systems direct print computers and $ 15,360 on EVID electronic poll books by VR Systems .
It took staff about two weeks to track down all the items on the status report , said Grant Conyers , the Bristol businessman appointed to replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Gov .
Ron DeSantis .
But Conyers has yet to produce invoices , receipts or other proof of purchase as requested by USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida : “ All of the items have been accounted for and are present in our office inventory , ” said Conyers , who declined an interview request .

Florida's lack of transparency about election security funds aided alleged coverup, watchdog says
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A public corruption scandal in a rural Florida elections office just an hour west of the state capital reveals how easily federal dollars meant for election security can be diverted to cover up malfeasance, a government watchdog says.
The former elections supervisor in the panhandle's Liberty County is charged with using election security funds to hide $42,000 in personal spending sprees – a potential accountability problem in any small office where one person holds the purse strings and nobody else is watching, observers said. The case's first hearing is Monday.
The lack of oversight was exacerbated by a state-mandated nondisclosure agreement supervisors had to sign to get the election security money in the first place, they said.
"Especially when funds are meant to be used for a certain purpose, there needs to be transparency to let the public know the funds were used for the purpose given," said Ben Wilcox, research director for Integrity Florida, a nonprofit government watchdog.
Virtual convention: Democrats unveil details of DNC convention
The alleged cover-up of misspent funds in Liberty County occurred around the same time Florida's elections officials were required to sign a confidentiality pact to obtain their share of $15.4 million in federal Help America Vote Act grants, money Congress approved for enhancing election security in advance of the 2018 mid-terms.
The far-reaching pacts, revealed in February in a USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida investigation, included a nondisclosure agreement that public records experts called bizarre and unenforceable and threatened to make a casualty out of transparency in the Sunshine State.
"In this case, it’s public corruption," Wilcox said. "Essentially, the only protection we have against that kind of corruption is transparency and how public officials are using public funds. The fact that she wasn’t caught until an audit was done on her elections office tells me there might have to be routine audits of election supervisors."
'Alarming': Experts held 'war games' on the Trump vs. Biden election.
Election security spending 'should be made public'
Congress approved $385 million in 2018 to distribute to states to help enhance election security after the Mueller report found evidence of Russian hacking.
One grant was for elections offices to join the nationwide Albert Network Monitoring System, which provides security alerts for traditional and advanced network threats.
Another grant came through the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) for elections officials to buy equipment and software to enhance election security at the local level.
Liberty County received $12,556 to join the nationwide Albert Network Monitoring System, and it received $55,386 in HAVA funds for enhanced election security measures for the 2018 general election.
Florida's county elections supervisors had to sign a confidentiality agreement to receive the grant money. The reason given was that elections systems are considered part of the national security network and too much information would help hackers identify ways to breach the system again.
Through public records requests, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida asked the 67 supervisors for an accounting of how they spent that money. About a third of the supervisors, including Liberty's, failed to reply or refused to comply, citing state and federal exemptions to public records laws.
Nondisclosure agreements "create opportunities for what happened there in Liberty County, for people to use money other than for what it was intended and cover it up," Wilcox said.
More: Watchdog says Florida is in 'good shape' for vote-by-mail in November — but adds, 'this is Florida'
Patricia Brigham, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, said her organization supports transparency when it comes to how money is spent on election security.
"How that money is being used should be made public," Brigham said. "All registered voters participating in the voting process have the right to know how the money appropriated for election security or for putting on elections is being spent."
Elections grants were 'borrowed'
With fewer than 9,000 people, Liberty County has the smallest population in Florida. It's a blue dog Democratic county that tends to vote Republican – 76% voted for Trump in 2016. Its elections office has three full-time staffers to run balloting for its 4,500 registered voters.
Until May, the elections office was run by Gina McDowell, 46, who was first elected supervisor in 2012 after working in the office for most of her adult life.
An independent audit in 2019 found she had used $67,000 in federal election security money to cover up a $25,000 spending deficit caused by her and her boyfriends' use of office funds for personal expenses.
“These grant funds were effectively ‘borrowed’ to cover normal operating expenditures. The grant funds were ultimately used for allowable purposes after year end,” the Tallahassee CPA firm of Moran & Smith said in the mandatory state audit.
That and other spending irregularities were shared with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which in turn conducted an investigation that led to the state filing felony fraud charges against McDowell and her boyfriend, Nolan Kobe Pigott.
Their investigation uncovered $42,000 in what looked like personal expenditures throughout Alabama, Georgia and Florida's Big Bend over a four-year period. The money was spent on things like shampoo, razor blades, gift credit cards, cell phones, gift cards, Christmas gifts and two vacations to northern Georgia.
The investigation also found expenses connected to visits to Pigott while he was incarcerated at the Wakulla County Jail in 2017. In interviews with the FDLE, McDowell blamed Pigott for much of the alleged fraud.
“That was not me,” she said when questioned about some of the personal expenses. “That had to be him.”
Auditor's findings
If it weren’t for the sharp eye of an independent auditor, who shared his findings with FDLE, the discovery of misspent federal elections funds wouldn’t be public knowledge.
Acting on a tip from former Deputy Supervisor Mary Strickland in October 2018, shortly before she was fired by McDowell, CPA Chris Moran discovered a huge increase in the amount paid to the supervisor’s Capital One credit card – $33,000 in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018.
That practice continued into the 2019 budget cycle, resulting in another $30,000 in questionable expenses.
After reviewing the monthly credit card statements, the auditors concluded that “the majority of the charges could not be supported as necessary to the operations of the office.”
Based on his preliminary examination, the auditor concluded the charges were for personal use. The supervisor paid credit card bills with “office funds and was unable to produce the documentation to support the business purpose served,” the audit report said.
Other abnormal expenses based on the office history included $5,500 in payments to McDowell for travel without supporting documentation and $7,056 to McDowell’s own Discover Card.
FDLE investigators confirmed that McDowell had sole control of the office credit card, maintained the QuickBooks ledger and approved all payments by the Liberty County Supervisor of Elections office.
Altered ledgers
The investigation found that the ledgers McDowell submitted to the FDLE were different than those originally examined by the auditor. The changes show how she altered the ledgers to cover up the personal expenditures by claiming they were for election security.
For example, several items charged to her Discover card that were originally classified as office supplies were changed in the FDLE-handed ledgers to read “cyber security” and “election supplies.” McDowell said the payments to Discover were a mistake caused by a cellphone banking app, an excuse debunked by the investigators.
Likewise, ledgers for fiscal 2018-19 showed payments to the Capital One card “falsely categorized” as either “contractual services,” “election supplies” or “VR Systems.”
VR Systems is a Tallahassee-based company responsible for the state’s online voter registration system as well as electronic polling books, software and training for all 67 Florida counties.
According to the Help America Vote Act financial status report submitted to the Department of State in December 2018, Liberty County spent $55,125 of its federal allotment on election security, leaving about $260 unspent.
The grant money came in around August, a month before the close of the 2018 fiscal year, and was spent at the beginning of the 2019 fiscal year, the audit showed.
The status report, signed by McDowell on Dec. 18, 2018, shows the county spent $3,855 on VR Systems' Direct Print Ballot On Demand license fee, $7,950 on VR Systems direct print computers and $15,360 on EVID electronic poll books by VR Systems.
It took staff about two weeks to track down all the items on the status report, said Grant Conyers, the Bristol businessman appointed to replace McDowell after she was suspended in May by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
But Conyers has yet to produce invoices, receipts or other proof of purchase as requested by USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida: “All of the items have been accounted for and are present in our office inventory,” said Conyers, who declined an interview request.
Follow Jeff Schweers on Twitter @jeffschweers.


usatoday--2020-08-07--What to know about the NY AG's attempt to take down the NRA

ALBANY – The National Rifle Association , the nation 's most powerful gun rights organization , is in a battle for its very existence .
A lawsuit filed this week by New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks to formally dissolve the longstanding gun rights organization , alleging a wide array of corruption and fraud that helped the NRA diminish its assets by $ 64 million from 2015 through 2018 .
The legal filing singled out longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre for allegedly using the organization to fund his lavish lifestyle , spending millions on private travel for him and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bahamas that sometimes included the use of a yacht with four staterooms , a jet boat and two jet skis .
If it 's successful , the NRA would be forced to close and distribute its assets to other charitable outlets , including a valuable member list the organization says includes more than 5 million people .
LaPierre and other leaders would be removed and barred from serving other New York-based charities .
The NRA , however , is not giving up without a fight .
The organization launched a counter suit Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat , had labeled the organization a `` criminal enterprise '' before she ever took office and launched an investigation .
How will it all play out ?
Here 's the answer to some frequently asked questions about the battle over the NRA 's future .
What is the NRA accused of ?
A wide array of fraud , corruption and shoddy financial management that saw its leaders live lavish lifestyles at the expense of the organization .
James ' 169-page lawsuit lays out a litany of law-breaking , much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's assets to benefit himself and his family .
( Three other former and current NRA leaders — Joshua Powell , John Frazer and Wilson `` Woody '' Phillips — are also named in the suit . )
• LaPierre is accused of spending millions of NRA dollars on private travel for him and his family , including numerous private flights that sometimes shepherded a niece and other extended family members without him on board .
• He is also accused of making repeated trips to the Bahamas on the NRA or an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was for a `` celebrity retreat '' in December ; Other times , the NRA vendor granted him use of a 108-foot yacht named `` Illusions '' with a full crew , four staterooms and a 16-foot jet boat , which he never disclosed to the NRA .
• LaPierre also secured a post-employment contract worth at least $ 17 million without NRA board approval , guaranteeing him lifetime compensation from the organization even if he 's fired .
LaPierre and the NRA are also accused of hiding spending in a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the NRA 's longtime advertising firm — cover travel and entertainment expenses and billing the organization .
That allegedly fraudulent relationship allowed LaPierre to file false personal tax returns , according to the lawsuit .
More : ICE blocked from civil arrests at New York state courthouses , judge rules What did the NRA do in response to the lawsuit ?
The NRA filed a lawsuit of its own seeking to use James ' own words against her .
In the NRA 's legal filings , the organization pointed to a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run for attorney general .
During her campaign , James was repeatedly critical of the organization , at one point referring to it as a `` criminal enterprise '' before she ever took office and launched an investigation .
`` We need to again take on the NRA , which holds itself out as a charitable organization , '' James told Our Time Press in September 2018 .
`` But , in fact , they are not .
They are nothing more than a criminal enterprise . ''
The lawsuit claims James and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters of gun-control measures and critics of the NRA , are attacking the organization for its political views , violating its First Amendment rights .
`` The NYAG ’ s actions are an affront to democracy and freedom , ” LaPierre said in a statement .
“ This is an unconstitutional , premeditated attack aiming to dismantle and destroy the NRA '' James said her lawsuit is not affected by her position on gun control and will continue on .
`` The facts speak for themselves and our lawsuit will continue undeterred , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directs AG 's Office to review actions during Brooklyn protests of George Floyd death Why is this playing out in New York ?
For that answer , we have to go all the way back to the 19th century .
The NRA 's beginnings date back to 1871 , when a pair of Union soldiers founded the association to promote marksmanship training .
A year later , they opened the Creedmor Rifle Range in what is now Queens , according to the organization .
The NRA was granted a charter in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chartered in New York ever since .
That 's what gave James her opening .
In New York , the Attorney General 's Office oversees charities in New York .
The NRA is a 501c4 charity headquartered in the state , so James is able to investigate and , if necessary , seek sanctions .
`` The attorney general has significant power over New York 's not-for-profit corporations , '' said Ted De Barbieri , an associate professor at Albany Law School .
`` It is entirely within her discretion and power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there a precedent for this ?
In 2018 , then-Attorney General Barbara Underwood filed a lawsuit accusing the Donald J. Trump Foundation of mismanagement , accusing the president and his children of using the charity to illegally promote his presidential campaign .
The Trump Foundation ultimately agreed to a settlement that saw it dissolve and its assets redistributed to other charities .
It 's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison , however .
The NRA is a far larger and more powerful organization than the Trump Foundation .
And the NRA 's actions thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dissolving , as the Trump Foundation was .
Why is n't this in the criminal courts ?
James lawsuit lays out conduct that could be interpreted as criminal — most notably the issues surrounding LaPierre 's allegedly false tax returns .
But James would have to refer her findings to a district attorney or another prosecutor in order for a criminal prosecution .
Asked Thursday about the tax issues uncovered in the investigation , James said she would refer her findings to the IRS .
She also said the investigation is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Manhattan district attorney in the future .
`` If we uncover any criminal activity , we will refer it to the Manhattan district attorney , '' James said .
How long will the NRA 's legal battle take ?
The NRA 's counter lawsuit suggests the organization intends to fight James ' claims every step of the way , which could drag on the legal battle for quite some time .
It has the potential to stretch out for many months , if not years , within state Supreme Court in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbieri said of whether it will take a long time to settle .
`` The complaint has serious allegations based on facts and investigations , and it seeks a remedy that is within the power of the Attorney General 's Office ... because of the allegations of waste and abuse that are in the complaint . ''
President Trump said the NRA should move to Texas .
Is that possible ?
No , according to James .
New York not-for-profit corporations need certain state approvals before they can switch their state of incorporation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation and legal battle , it would n't be possible for it to just pick up and move .
`` To be clear , no charity registered in New York state , including the NRA , can dissolve and relocate to another state without approval of my office or of the Supreme Court of New York , '' James said in a statement Friday .
`` As long as our lawsuit continues , the NRA must stay right where it is and answer for their deep-rooted fraud . ''
Trump on Thursday said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some other state and live a `` very good and beautiful life . ''
Jon Campbell is a New York state government reporter for the USA TODAY Network .
He can be reached at JCAMPBELL1 @ Gannett.com or on Twitter at @ JonCampbellGAN .
We cover the stories from the New York State Capitol and across New York that matter most to you and your family .
Please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription to the New York publication nearest you .
Check out the latest offer .

What to know about the NY AG's attempt to take down the NRA
Show Caption Hide Caption NY attorney general files lawsuit to dissolve the NRA New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a suit seeking to dissolve the NRA following a fraud investigation. USA TODAY
ALBANY – The National Rifle Association, the nation's most powerful gun rights organization, is in a battle for its very existence.
A lawsuit filed this week by New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks to formally dissolve the longstanding gun rights organization, alleging a wide array of corruption and fraud that helped the NRA diminish its assets by $64 million from 2015 through 2018.
The legal filing singled out longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre for allegedly using the organization to fund his lavish lifestyle, spending millions on private travel for him and his family, including eight trips to the Bahamas that sometimes included the use of a yacht with four staterooms, a jet boat and two jet skis.
If it's successful, the NRA would be forced to close and distribute its assets to other charitable outlets, including a valuable member list the organization says includes more than 5 million people. LaPierre and other leaders would be removed and barred from serving other New York-based charities.
The NRA, however, is not giving up without a fight.
The organization launched a counter suit Thursday alleging a political conspiracy, noting James, a Democrat, had labeled the organization a "criminal enterprise" before she ever took office and launched an investigation.
How will it all play out?
Here's the answer to some frequently asked questions about the battle over the NRA's future.
More: NRA, accused of wasting millions, faces shutdown attempt by NY attorney general
What is the NRA accused of?
A wide array of fraud, corruption and shoddy financial management that saw its leaders live lavish lifestyles at the expense of the organization.
James' 169-page lawsuit lays out a litany of law-breaking, much of it centered on LaPierre using the NRA's assets to benefit himself and his family. (Three other former and current NRA leaders — Joshua Powell, John Frazer and Wilson "Woody" Phillips — are also named in the suit.)
Among the highlights:
LaPierre is accused of spending millions of NRA dollars on private travel for him and his family, including numerous private flights that sometimes shepherded a niece and other extended family members without him on board.
He is also accused of making repeated trips to the Bahamas on the NRA or an NRA vendor's dime. Sometimes it was for a "celebrity retreat" in December; Other times, the NRA vendor granted him use of a 108-foot yacht named "Illusions" with a full crew, four staterooms and a 16-foot jet boat, which he never disclosed to the NRA.
LaPierre also secured a post-employment contract worth at least $17 million without NRA board approval, guaranteeing him lifetime compensation from the organization even if he's fired.
LaPierre and the NRA are also accused of hiding spending in a number of ways, including by having Ackerman McQueen — the NRA's longtime advertising firm — cover travel and entertainment expenses and billing the organization.
That allegedly fraudulent relationship allowed LaPierre to file false personal tax returns, according to the lawsuit.
More: ICE blocked from civil arrests at New York state courthouses, judge rules
What did the NRA do in response to the lawsuit?
The NRA filed a lawsuit of its own seeking to use James' own words against her.
In the NRA's legal filings, the organization pointed to a number of statements James made during her 2018 run for attorney general.
During her campaign, James was repeatedly critical of the organization, at one point referring to it as a "criminal enterprise" before she ever took office and launched an investigation.
"We need to again take on the NRA, which holds itself out as a charitable organization," James told Our Time Press in September 2018. "But, in fact, they are not. They are nothing more than a criminal enterprise."
The lawsuit claims James and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both vocal supporters of gun-control measures and critics of the NRA, are attacking the organization for its political views, violating its First Amendment rights.
"The NYAG’s actions are an affront to democracy and freedom,” LaPierre said in a statement. “This is an unconstitutional, premeditated attack aiming to dismantle and destroy the NRA"
James said her lawsuit is not affected by her position on gun control and will continue on.
"The facts speak for themselves and our lawsuit will continue undeterred," she said.
More: Cuomo directs AG's Office to review actions during Brooklyn protests of George Floyd death
Why is this playing out in New York?
For that answer, we have to go all the way back to the 19th century.
The NRA's beginnings date back to 1871, when a pair of Union soldiers founded the association to promote marksmanship training. A year later, they opened the Creedmor Rifle Range in what is now Queens, according to the organization.
The NRA was granted a charter in New York in November 1871. It's been chartered in New York ever since.
That's what gave James her opening.
In New York, the Attorney General's Office oversees charities in New York. The NRA is a 501c4 charity headquartered in the state, so James is able to investigate and, if necessary, seek sanctions.
"The attorney general has significant power over New York's not-for-profit corporations," said Ted De Barbieri, an associate professor at Albany Law School. "It is entirely within her discretion and power to bring regulatory enforcement action."
Is there a precedent for this?
In 2018, then-Attorney General Barbara Underwood filed a lawsuit accusing the Donald J. Trump Foundation of mismanagement, accusing the president and his children of using the charity to illegally promote his presidential campaign.
The Trump Foundation ultimately agreed to a settlement that saw it dissolve and its assets redistributed to other charities.
It's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, however.
The NRA is a far larger and more powerful organization than the Trump Foundation. And the NRA's actions thus far do not suggest it is amenable to dissolving, as the Trump Foundation was.
Why isn't this in the criminal courts?
James lawsuit lays out conduct that could be interpreted as criminal — most notably the issues surrounding LaPierre's allegedly false tax returns.
But James would have to refer her findings to a district attorney or another prosecutor in order for a criminal prosecution.
Asked Thursday about the tax issues uncovered in the investigation, James said she would refer her findings to the IRS. She also said the investigation is "ongoing" and findings could be referred to the Manhattan district attorney in the future.
"If we uncover any criminal activity, we will refer it to the Manhattan district attorney," James said.
How long will the NRA's legal battle take?
The NRA's counter lawsuit suggests the organization intends to fight James' claims every step of the way, which could drag on the legal battle for quite some time.
It has the potential to stretch out for many months, if not years, within state Supreme Court in Manhattan.
"Absolutely," De Barbieri said of whether it will take a long time to settle.
"The complaint has serious allegations based on facts and investigations, and it seeks a remedy that is within the power of the Attorney General's Office ... because of the allegations of waste and abuse that are in the complaint."
President Trump said the NRA should move to Texas. Is that possible?
No, according to James.
New York not-for-profit corporations need certain state approvals before they can switch their state of incorporation.
With the NRA under an ongoing investigation and legal battle, it wouldn't be possible for it to just pick up and move.
"To be clear, no charity registered in New York state, including the NRA, can dissolve and relocate to another state without approval of my office or of the Supreme Court of New York," James said in a statement Friday.
"As long as our lawsuit continues, the NRA must stay right where it is and answer for their deep-rooted fraud."
Trump on Thursday said the NRA should move to Texas or some other state and live a "very good and beautiful life."
Jon Campbell is a New York state government reporter for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at JCAMPBELL1@Gannett.com or on Twitter at @JonCampbellGAN.
Support local journalism
We cover the stories from the New York State Capitol and across New York that matter most to you and your family. Please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription to the New York publication nearest you. Check out the latest offer.


usatoday--2020-08-07--Partisan divide among Americans who believe 'it is safe now' to reopen persists as COVID-19 cases ri

WASHINGTON – The partisan divide between Americans who believe `` it is safe now '' to reopen businesses and vote , and those wishing to `` wait several months '' to resume such activities , persists as the amount of coronavirus cases continues to rise , according to a new survey .
Currently , 32 % of Republicans believe it 's safe now to hold elections where many people vote in-person , according to a survey from the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project .
That is a 6 percentage point drop from June .
Comparatively , only 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold elections .
In June , that number was at 12 % .
When people were asked if it will be safe to hold elections in a couple of weeks , months or more than six months , Republicans tended to be more open to the idea of reopening sooner than Democrats .
For example , 15 % of Democrats believe it will be safe in a couple weeks to hold elections where many people vote in-person , compared to 19 % of Republicans .
When asked about holding elections in several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 % of Republicans say it will be safe to do so .
Are you registered to vote ?
: Check your status or register here The largest divide is among those who say it will be safe in six months or more to hold an election , with Democrats at 29 % and Republicans at 14 % .
Voting is just one of several activities over which Democrats and Republicans are divided , according to the Nationscape Insights analysis , a project of Democracy Fund , UCLA and USA TODAY .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • In the month of July , 26 % of Republicans believed that it 's safe now to reopen schools and universities , compared to 6 % of Democrats .
Thirteen percent of Democrats and 20 % of Republicans say it will be safe several weeks from now .
The largest gap between the two is among those who believe it will be safe to reopen schools in six or more months , with 38 % of Democrats saying it will be safe compared to 19 % of Republicans .
• Twenty-five percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now for officials to reopen businesses like bars and theaters compared to 7 % of Democrats .
The largest divide between the two is those who say it will be safe six or more months to reopen these businesses , with 37 % of Democrats saying it will be safe compared to 20 % of Republicans .
• Twenty-three percent of Republicans think it 's safe right now to allow gatherings of more than 10 people , while only 7 % of Democrats believe it is .
The largest gap between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in six or more months to gather .
Thirty-nine percent of Democrats say it will be safe , compared to 22 % of Republicans .
• Among those who say officials should end `` stay at home '' orders right now , 32 % of Republicans say they should compared to 9 % of Democrats .
The largest divide is those who think it will be safe six or more months from now , with 31 % of Democrats and 16 % of Republicans saying it will be safe .
Lynn Vavreck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that the partisan divide is likely caused by messaging from `` partisan elites , '' such as President Donald Trump .
Vavreck noted separation between Democrats and Republicans was n't as notable in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic .
She said voters began splitting once the president began changing messaging like calling for states to reopen .
`` Once you start to see the two competing messages between the public health community , which most Democrats were on board with and what the President was saying and encouraging , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
The Democracy Fund and UCLA Nationscape Project is a large-scale study of the American electorate designed to conduct 500,000 interviews about policies and the presidential candidates during the 2020 election cycle .
The July poll was conducted July 23 to 29 , surveying 6,558 Americans .
There is a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points .
The June poll was conducted the week of June 18 to 24 , surveying 6,491 Americans .
The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past month among Americans who believe it is safe now to resume these activities due to the increase of coronavirus cases .
Currently , only 15 % of Americans believe it 's safe right now to reopen larger businesses like bars and theaters , which is down 6 percentage points from June .
There has also been changes among those who believe it will be safe to reopen such businesses in several weeks , from 21 % to 16 % .
In addition , those who believe it will be safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points in July to 26 % .
Among those who believe it will be safe in six or more months , there was a 7 percentage point increase to 29 % in July .
`` People over this period when the virus is growing become less willing to say that it 's safe now to do these things , '' Vavreck said as COVID-19 cases continue to spread in different communities .
`` In most of these cases , you 're going to see everybody think that it 's not safe to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing them later . ''
Almost 1 out of 5 Americans ( 19 % ) said that it 's safe right now to hold an election with a lot of in-person voters .
But in June , that number was at 23 % .
Americans did n't show much movement when asked if it will be safe in several weeks ( 16 % in both June and July ) , in several months ( 24 % ) or in six or more months ( 21 % in June and 22 % in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are unsure about when it will be safe to hold an election with a lot of in-person voters did see a slight increase from June to July , from 16 % to 19 % .
• Fifteen percent of Americans think it 's safe right now to reopen schools and universities , a 2 percentage point drop from June .
However , there was an increase among Americans – from 23 % to 28 % – who say it wo n't be safe until six or more months from now .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop to 14 % among Americans who think it 's safe right now to hold a gathering with 10 or more people .
There was also a 6 percentage point increase among those who say it wo n't be safe until six or more months from now , from 25 % to 31 % .
• Only 19 % of Americans believe that it 's safe right now for officials to end stay at home orders , a six percentage point drop from June .
In addition , 24 % of Americans believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more months to end stay at home orders , a 6 percentage point increase from June .

Partisan divide among Americans who believe 'it is safe now' to reopen persists as COVID-19 cases rise, survey finds
Show Caption Hide Caption Noted epidemiologist sees hope and hard lessons in the COVID pandemic Dr. Larry Brilliant, known for his role in helping to eradicate smallpox, says we can defeat COVID-19 — if we can get our wits about us. Jasper Colt, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The partisan divide between Americans who believe "it is safe now" to reopen businesses and vote, and those wishing to "wait several months" to resume such activities, persists as the amount of coronavirus cases continues to rise, according to a new survey.
Currently, 32% of Republicans believe it's safe now to hold elections where many people vote in-person, according to a survey from the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project. That is a 6 percentage point drop from June.
Comparatively, only 10% of Democrats believe it's safe now to hold elections. In June, that number was at 12%.
When people were asked if it will be safe to hold elections in a couple of weeks, months or more than six months, Republicans tended to be more open to the idea of reopening sooner than Democrats.
For example, 15% of Democrats believe it will be safe in a couple weeks to hold elections where many people vote in-person, compared to 19% of Republicans. When asked about holding elections in several months, 27% of Democrats and 21% of Republicans say it will be safe to do so.
Are you registered to vote?: Check your status or register here
The largest divide is among those who say it will be safe in six months or more to hold an election, with Democrats at 29% and Republicans at 14%.
Voting is just one of several activities over which Democrats and Republicans are divided, according to the Nationscape Insights analysis, a project of Democracy Fund, UCLA and USA TODAY.
Here's what else the data found:
In the month of July, 26% of Republicans believed that it's safe now to reopen schools and universities, compared to 6% of Democrats. Thirteen percent of Democrats and 20% of Republicans say it will be safe several weeks from now. The largest gap between the two is among those who believe it will be safe to reopen schools in six or more months, with 38% of Democrats saying it will be safe compared to 19% of Republicans.
Twenty-five percent of Republicans believe it's safe right now for officials to reopen businesses like bars and theaters compared to 7% of Democrats. The largest divide between the two is those who say it will be safe six or more months to reopen these businesses, with 37% of Democrats saying it will be safe compared to 20% of Republicans.
Twenty-three percent of Republicans think it's safe right now to allow gatherings of more than 10 people, while only 7% of Democrats believe it is. The largest gap between the two are those say it will be safe in six or more months to gather. Thirty-nine percent of Democrats say it will be safe, compared to 22% of Republicans.
Among those who say officials should end "stay at home" orders right now, 32% of Republicans say they should compared to 9% of Democrats. The largest divide is those who think it will be safe six or more months from now, with 31% of Democrats and 16% of Republicans saying it will be safe.
Lynn Vavreck, UCLA political scientist and co-creator of Nationscape, said that the partisan divide is likely caused by messaging from "partisan elites," such as President Donald Trump.
Vavreck noted separation between Democrats and Republicans wasn't as notable in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. She said voters began splitting once the president began changing messaging like calling for states to reopen.
"Once you start to see the two competing messages between the public health community, which most Democrats were on board with and what the President was saying and encouraging, then you start to see voters separate," she said.
The Democracy Fund and UCLA Nationscape Project is a large-scale study of the American electorate designed to conduct 500,000 interviews about policies and the presidential candidates during the 2020 election cycle. The July poll was conducted July 23 to 29, surveying 6,558 Americans. There is a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. The June poll was conducted the week of June 18 to 24, surveying 6,491 Americans. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points.
US coronavirus map: Tracking the outbreak
Overall, there was a drop in the past month among Americans who believe it is safe now to resume these activities due to the increase of coronavirus cases.
Currently, only 15% of Americans believe it's safe right now to reopen larger businesses like bars and theaters, which is down 6 percentage points from June. There has also been changes among those who believe it will be safe to reopen such businesses in several weeks, from 21% to 16%. In addition, those who believe it will be safe in several months went up 2 percentage points in July to 26%. Among those who believe it will be safe in six or more months, there was a 7 percentage point increase to 29% in July.
"People over this period when the virus is growing become less willing to say that it's safe now to do these things," Vavreck said as COVID-19 cases continue to spread in different communities. "In most of these cases, you're going to see everybody think that it's not safe to do these things right now we should be doing them later."
Almost 1 out of 5 Americans (19%) said that it's safe right now to hold an election with a lot of in-person voters. But in June, that number was at 23%. Americans didn't show much movement when asked if it will be safe in several weeks (16% in both June and July), in several months (24%) or in six or more months (21% in June and 22% in July.) But the amount of Americans who are unsure about when it will be safe to hold an election with a lot of in-person voters did see a slight increase from June to July, from 16% to 19%.
Other data includes:
Fifteen percent of Americans think it's safe right now to reopen schools and universities, a 2 percentage point drop from June. However, there was an increase among Americans – from 23% to 28% – who say it won't be safe until six or more months from now.
There's been a 6 percentage point drop to 14% among Americans who think it's safe right now to hold a gathering with 10 or more people. There was also a 6 percentage point increase among those who say it won't be safe until six or more months from now, from 25% to 31%.
Only 19% of Americans believe that it's safe right now for officials to end stay at home orders, a six percentage point drop from June. In addition, 24% of Americans believe that it will be safe in six or more months to end stay at home orders, a 6 percentage point increase from June.


usatoday--2020-08-07--Trump administration sanctions Hong Kong chief Carrie Lam over 'Orwellian' crackdown

WASHINGTON – The U.S. imposed a new round of sanctions on Hong Kong 's chief executive Carrie Lam along with 10 other top officials over Beijing 's sweeping national security law aimed at curbing Hong Kong 's autonomy , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced Friday .
`` Today , the Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on 11 individuals for undermining Hong Kong ’ s autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly of the citizens of Hong Kong , '' Mnuchin said in a statement .
The sanctions come hours after the president issued two executive orders aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps , TikTok and WeChat , in 45 days over national security concerns .
U.S.-China relations have deteriorated in recent months as Trump has moved to clamp down on Beijing over everything from a months-long trade war to accusing Chinese officials of allowing the coronavirus to spread into a pandemic .
The sanctions were imposed under an executive order Trump signed on July 14 aimed at punishing China for curtailing Hong Kong 's political freedoms .
Beijing vowed retaliation last month after Trump ended Hong Kong 's preferential trade status and signed legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impose the security law in Hong Kong .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who called the new law an `` Orwellian move , '' said in a statement Friday that Lam and other officials , including Hong Kong 's police commissioner and several political secretaries , of `` have crushed the Hong Kong people ’ s freedoms .
`` The Chinese Communist Party has made clear that Hong Kong will never again enjoy the high degree of autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the Hong Kong people and the United Kingdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More : Trump administration rejects nearly all Beijing 's claims in South China Sea , a move likely to inflame tensions China began imposing its national security law last month , dismissing international pressure to preserve Hong Kong 's semi-autonomous status and its separate legal , political and economic framework , in place since 1997 when the United Kingdom turned over the administration of the city to China .
That policy had enshrined freedoms of speech , press , assembly and an independent judiciary for residents of Hong Kong .
Beijing officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to preserve national security and protect Hong Kong 's prosperity , but critics say it is aimed at cracking down on pro-democracy protests that have roiled Hong Kong for months .
Along with Lam , the U.S. Treasury Department is also sanctioning police commissioner Chris Tang and his predecessor Chris Lo , who led the force until 2019 .
Hong Kong 's Security Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu and Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng were also sanctioned `` for their roles in coercing , arresting , detaining , or imprisoning individuals '' under the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any property or assets the officials have in the U.S. and ban them from traveling to the U.S. , but Lam has previously dismissed concerns about sanctions .
“ I have no assets in the U.S. , and I don ’ t particularly like going to the U.S .
If they won ’ t grant me a visa , then I will just not go there , ” Lam said in an interview with Hong Kong Open TV broadcast last month .
Sen. Ben Sasse , R-Nebraska , a member of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions , calling Lam `` Beijing 's hatchet woman . ''
`` She worked with the Chinese Communist Party to kill Hong Kong 's autonomy and gut the rule of law , '' he said in a statement .
`` These cowards betrayed the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong and deserve to pay a steep price . ''
Sen. Chris Van Hollen , D-Maryland , who co-sponsored the Hong Kong Autonomy Act signed into law by the president last month , tweeted he was glad the administration is holding `` officials accountable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy and freedom in # HongKong . ''

Trump administration sanctions Hong Kong chief Carrie Lam over 'Orwellian' crackdown
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump signs order rebuking China over Hong Kong In Rose Garden remarks, President Donald Trump says he's signed an executive order that will hold China accountable for its oppressive actions against Hong Kong. He also said Democratic rival Joe Biden's entire career has been a “gift" to China. (July 14) AP
WASHINGTON – The U.S. imposed a new round of sanctions on Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam along with 10 other top officials over Beijing's sweeping national security law aimed at curbing Hong Kong's autonomy, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced Friday.
"Today, the Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on 11 individuals for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly of the citizens of Hong Kong," Mnuchin said in a statement.
The sanctions come hours after the president issued two executive orders aimed at banning U.S. transactions with two Chinese-owned apps, TikTok and WeChat, in 45 days over national security concerns.
U.S.-China relations have deteriorated in recent months as Trump has moved to clamp down on Beijing over everything from a months-long trade war to accusing Chinese officials of allowing the coronavirus to spread into a pandemic.
The sanctions were imposed under an executive order Trump signed on July 14 aimed at punishing China for curtailing Hong Kong's political freedoms. Beijing vowed retaliation last month after Trump ended Hong Kong's preferential trade status and signed legislation that sanctions banks and officials who helped to impose the security law in Hong Kong.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called the new law an "Orwellian move," said in a statement Friday that Lam and other officials, including Hong Kong's police commissioner and several political secretaries, of "have crushed the Hong Kong people’s freedoms.
"The Chinese Communist Party has made clear that Hong Kong will never again enjoy the high degree of autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the Hong Kong people and the United Kingdom for 50 years," Pompeo said.
More: Trump administration rejects nearly all Beijing's claims in South China Sea, a move likely to inflame tensions
US, Australia hold high level talks on China Tensions between China and the Western democracies over China's crackdown in Hong Kong, COVID-19 and claims regarding the South China Sea dominated discussions at the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations in Washington, D.C. (July 28) AP
China began imposing its national security law last month, dismissing international pressure to preserve Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status and its separate legal, political and economic framework, in place since 1997 when the United Kingdom turned over the administration of the city to China. That policy had enshrined freedoms of speech, press, assembly and an independent judiciary for residents of Hong Kong.
Beijing officials have argued the new law is necessary to preserve national security and protect Hong Kong's prosperity, but critics say it is aimed at cracking down on pro-democracy protests that have roiled Hong Kong for months.
Along with Lam, the U.S. Treasury Department is also sanctioning police commissioner Chris Tang and his predecessor Chris Lo, who led the force until 2019. Hong Kong's Security Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu and Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng were also sanctioned "for their roles in coercing, arresting, detaining, or imprisoning individuals" under the new national security law.
The sanctions freeze any property or assets the officials have in the U.S. and ban them from traveling to the U.S., but Lam has previously dismissed concerns about sanctions.
“I have no assets in the U.S., and I don’t particularly like going to the U.S. If they won’t grant me a visa, then I will just not go there,” Lam said in an interview with Hong Kong Open TV broadcast last month.
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, welcomed the sanctions, calling Lam "Beijing's hatchet woman."
"She worked with the Chinese Communist Party to kill Hong Kong's autonomy and gut the rule of law," he said in a statement. "These cowards betrayed the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong and deserve to pay a steep price."
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, who co-sponsored the Hong Kong Autonomy Act signed into law by the president last month, tweeted he was glad the administration is holding "officials accountable for the brutal crackdown on those calling for democracy and freedom in #HongKong."
Contributing: John Fritze