usatoday--2020-09-24--Breonna Taylor case updates: At least one cop shot during protest after officials announce charges i

Breonna Taylor case updates: At least one cop shot during protest after officials announce charges in case; FBI SWAT team at scene

LOUISVILLE , Ky. – Two police officers were shot Wednesday night as emotions ran high and protesters took to the streets following a day that brought angry response to a prosecutor 's decision to charge only one of the officers involved in the Breonna Taylor shooting .
Louisville Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder confirmed that two officers were shot and were being treated at area hospitals .
Both are expected to recover .
An FBI SWAT team is on the scene to help with the investigation .
The Louisville Courier Journal , one of USA TODAY 's partners on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot in the abdomen and is in surgery , and a second was shot in the thigh .
One suspect is in custody , but the chief did not identify the suspect .
“ I ’ m very concerned about the safety of our officers .
The safety of our officers and the community we serve is of the utmost importance , ” Schroeder said .
He said the officers were shot after investigating reports of gunfire at an intersection where there was a large crowd .
On Wednesday , a Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers involved in the incident on charges of wanton endangerment for shooting a gun into a neighboring apartment .
Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison is facing three felony charges .
Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove , two other officers involved , were not charged .
Taylor , a 26-year-old ER technician , was killed after officers used a search warrant at her apartment shortly before 1 a.m. on March 13 , looking for drugs and cash as part of a larger narcotics investigation connected to her former boyfriend .
She was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates in the case : • A group gathered in Jefferson Square Park , the heart of the protests for the past 125 days , before the decision was announced .
Protesters have since marched from downtown Louisville .
Some have been arrested after police formed a line , stopping protesters , on Bardstown Road in the Highlands neighborhood .
• Attorney General Daniel Cameron said his investigation determined that Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove were justified in their actions and that they did announce themselves as police officers before the shooting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June , is facing three felony counts and bail was set at $ 15,000 .
A warrant has been issued for his arrest .
• The mayor of Louisville imposed a 72-hour curfew on Wednesday .
Police have cut off access to downtown and set up barricades and fences around buildings .
• Six Louisville police officers – including the three who fired their weapons into Breonna Taylor 's apartment – remain under internal investigation into whether officers broke department policies .
• Last week , the city of Louisville announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's family , which included a host of police reforms .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
To dig deeper on race and identity , subscribe to This Is America , USA TODAY 's newsletter .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Americans `` must continue to speak Breonna Taylor ’ s name '' following the decision by a Louisville , Kentucky grand jury not to indict any of the police officers on homicide charges involved in her March 13 shooting death .
`` In the wake of her tragic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , family , and community and ask ourselves whether justice could be equally applied in America , '' Biden said in a statement issued after a campaign visit to Charlotte , N.C. , with Black business leaders .
`` I know for so many people today ’ s decision does not answer that call . ''
Biden urged protesters to be peaceful and patient as they await the results of an ongoing federal investigation .
Earlier , he told reporters that violent protests threatened to `` sully '' Taylor 's memory .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not directly address the grand jury 's decision but instead quoted Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron ’ s statement that justice “ does not fit the mold of public opinion ” and that “ justice sought by violence ” is not justice but revenge .
“ I think that was a terrific statement , ” Trump told reporters , adding that Cameron , who spoke at the Republican National Convention last month , “ is doing a fantastic job . ''
He ignored questions from reporters seeking more direct comment on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brett Hankison booked in jail , released half an hour later Brett Hankison , the sole Louisville police officer facing charges in the case , was booked at the Shelby County Detention Center and released about half an hour later , the jail confirmed .
Hankison was arrested Wednesday after being indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and booked at 4:30 p.m. , the detention center confirmed .
He was released at 5:02 p.m .
The judge had set a $ 15,000 cash bond for Hankison .
At the youth homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she works as a residential adviser , Taylor 's cousin Tawanna Gordon watched with tears in her eyes as Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that only one of the officers was indicted by a grand jury — but not for killing Taylor .
`` I 'm not surprised , '' Gordon , 45 , told The Courier Journal on Wednesday , minutes after Cameron 's press conference ended .
`` But I 'm mad as hell because nothing 's changing . ''
Taylor 's cousin said the family will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI investigation will reach the same conclusion they 've reached : that Taylor 's civil rights were violated .
`` They failed you , they failed me , '' Taylor 's sister , Juniyah Palmer , wrote on Twitter after Cameron 's announcement .
`` Breonna i am so sorry … i do n't know what to do . ''
Tamika Palmer , Taylor 's mother , left the attorney general 's press conference without talking to media .
And her attorneys said she would have no comment Wednesday .
Gov .
Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday to release evidence from his office 's investigation into the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor online .
`` Everyone can and should be informed and those that are currently feeling frustration , feeling hurt , they deserve to know more , '' Beshear said at a press conference Wednesday .
`` I trust Kentuckians .
They deserve to see the facts for themselves . ''
Beshear also delivered a message to protesters promising to listen as people make their voices heard and be `` a partner moving forward . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in violence noting that militia groups had been spotted walking in downtown Louisville .
“ I will never , ever tell someone not to give voice to their truth or to speak out for what they believe in , '' he said .
`` So , be safe and the eyes of the world are on Louisville .
People will hear . ''
'We are in shock ' : Protesters start marching in Louisville Almost immediately after hearing the charges , protesters began moving together away from Jefferson Square Park , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , toward Broadway .
Several police vehicles trailed closely behind .
The National Guard was also present .
Protesters approached police and yelled at them at Fourth and Broadway but continued their march , moving east on Kentucky Street .
Stachelle Bussey , founder of local nonprofit The Hope Buss , said it took her a minute to come out of shock after hearing the charges against Hankison announced .
`` I thought more was going to come , '' Bussey said .
`` I was like , 'OK , they 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
They turned the live off , and I realized that was it . ''
`` He was just charged ( with ) wanton endangerment — not even for shooting into her apartment , but for shooting into other apartments .
We are in shock . ''
Former cop Brett Hankison indicted , but not for shooting Breonna Taylor Brett Hankison , who was fired in June , was indicted Wednesday on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment .
A wanton endangerment charge is a class D felony and carries a penalty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The charges said that Hankison `` wantonly shot a gun '' into Apartment 3 .
The occupants of those apartments were identified by initials .
None of them were BT — Breonna Taylor .
That means the grand jury did n't find that Hankison wantonly fired into her apartment .
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Wednesday that the grand jury decided homicide charges are not applicable because the investigation showed there was `` nothing conclusive to say '' that any of Hankison 's bullets hit Taylor .
Two officers were justified in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove , two of the three officers who fired their weapons the night Taylor was killed , were justified in their actions , which prevents prosecutors from pursuing criminal charges .
Cameron said his investigation found the officers at Taylor 's apartment knocked and announced that they were police officers before the shooting .
That account was corroborated by an independent witness , he said .
“ In other words , the warrant was not served as a no-knock warrant , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor was shot six times , Cameron said , and the FBI ballistics test determined the fatal round was fired by Cosgrove .
The Kentucky State Police ballistic test was n't able to determine who fired the fatal shot , he added .
Cameron noted that an FBI investigation into potential violations of federal law was continuing .
Cameron said he 'd spoken to Taylor 's family and called this an `` emotional , gut-wrenching case '' and the loss of Taylor 's life is a tragedy .
Protesters say single indictment is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their fight for racial justice .
Around 200 protesters gathered at Jefferson Square Park as the announcement was played on a loudspeaker .
As the decision wrapped up , there was first confusion , then anger from those who had gathered .
`` They 're still working and still getting paid , '' Shemaeka Shaw , a community organizer and affordable housing advocate , recently told The Courier Journal .
`` … That 's a slap in the face to a mourning mother who still has to walk through the city knowing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on LMPD 's payroll .
Protesters have specifically referenced Mattingly , Cosgrove and Hankison , who fired their weapons at Taylor 's apartment , as well as Detective Joshua Jaynes , who swore out the affidavit to get a search warrant for Taylor 's apartment and four other homes the night she was killed .
• The NAACP , the country 's oldest civil rights organization , posted on Instagram that `` the injustice we 're witnessing at this moment can be sensed through the nation .
It is unacceptable that , once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state-sanctioned murder . ''
• Actress Viola Davis shared the NAACP post and wrote `` Bulls -- - decision .
BLACK LIVES MATTER .
Can not be said enough times . ''
• Carl Takei , senior staff attorney with the ACLU ’ s Criminal Law Reform Project , called for `` real systemic change '' and said the decision `` is not accountability and not close to justice . ''
• Ben Crump , the attorney for Taylor 's family and several other high profile victims of police shootings , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women as they continued to be disrespected in America . ''
• None Kentucky 's junior Senator Rand Paul said he hopes that people will accept `` the rule of law . ''
When asked if no-knock warrants mattered at all in the case , Paul replied , “ Sure it does , they got rid of no-knock warrants because of this case.
” Meanwhile , Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams applauded Cameron 's handling of the case , tweeting in part that he believes his fellow Republican `` has shown immense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing of Breonna Taylor ; great diligence in painstakingly running down every lead ; and extraordinary grace under pressure in detailing his findings before the eyes of our country . ''
What 's next for Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove ?
The announcement Wednesday that two Louisville Metro Police Department officers in the March 13 shooting of Breonna Taylor wo n't face criminal charges does n't clear them for street duty .
Louisville police officers Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove still face a Professional Standards Unit investigation to determine if they and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules for their conduct in the aborted search of Taylor 's home , meaning they are not cleared for street duty .
Additionally , the FBI has been conducting its own investigation of the shooting since May that could result in civil rights violations .
The additional officers include three detectives present at Taylor 's apartment – Tony James , Michael Campbell and Michael Nobles – along with detective Joshua Jaynes , who swore out the affidavit to get the warrant for Taylor 's apartment .
Hankison is not under internal investigation because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spurred more than 125 days of protest in the city and set off a national cry for `` justice for Breonna , '' with celebrities and politicians from Joe Biden to Beyonce to LeBron James calling for the arrest of the officers who shot her .
In Louisville , Mayor Greg Fischer announced a 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. curfew on Wednesday and urged people to protest peacefully .
Fischer and the city 's police department declared state of emergencies on Tuesday to free up resources in anticipation of a decision and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna Taylor 's apartment said they knocked on her door and announced their presence .
Taylor 's boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , however , says he and Taylor did n't know who was knocking at the door .
When police broke down the front door of the apartment , Walker fired one shot from his firearm , which police say struck officer Jonathan Mattingly in the thigh , severing his femoral artery .
She died in her hallway .
Police suspected Taylor was receiving drugs and drug money on her ex-boyfriend 's behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found at her apartment , and attorneys for her family have questioned the reliability of the information .
Contributing : Phillip M. Bailey and Nicholas Wu , USA TODAY ; Tessa Duvall , Bailey Loosemore , Hayes Gardner , Matt Mencarini , Darcy Costello and Emma Austin , Louisville Courier Journal ; Bree Burkitt , The Arizona Republic

Breonna Taylor overnight updates: 2 officers shot during Louisville protests expected to recover; indicted cop booked into jail, released
Show Caption Hide Caption Breonna Taylor case: Two officers shot after charges announced A Kentucky grand jury indicted one of three police officers involved in the Breonna Taylor shooting. USA TODAY
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville is dealing with the aftermath Thursday of a grand jury's decision in the Breonna Taylor case and another night of protests left at least 46 people in custody and two police officers wounded.
The officers were shot Wednesday night as emotions ran high and protesters took to the streets following a day that brought angry response to a prosecutor's decision to charge only one of the officers involved in the Taylor shooting.
Louisville Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder confirmed that two officers were shot and were being treated at area hospitals. Both are expected to recover.
Thursday updates: Everything you need to know about the Breonna Taylor decision, reaction
The Louisville Courier Journal, one of USA TODAY's partners on its national network, reports that one officer was shot in the abdomen and is in surgery, and a second was shot in the thigh.
One suspect is in custody, but the chief did not identify the suspect. “I’m very concerned about the safety of our officers. The safety of our officers and the community we serve is of the utmost importance,” Schroeder said.
He said the officers were shot after investigating reports of gunfire at an intersection where there was a large crowd.
Across the nation, other protests brought scores of people. But no other violence was reported as of 10 p.m. ET.
President Donald Trump said he was praying for the injured officers.
Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky. The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help. Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2020
On Wednesday, a Kentucky grand jury indicted one of three police officers involved in the incident on charges of wanton endangerment for shooting a gun into a neighboring apartment. Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison is facing three felony charges. Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, two other officers involved, were not charged.
Taylor, a 26-year-old ER technician, was killed after officers used a search warrant at her apartment shortly before 1 a.m. on March 13, looking for drugs and cash as part of a larger narcotics investigation connected to her former boyfriend. She was shot six times.
What you need to know about the case:
A group gathered in Jefferson Square Park, the heart of the protests for the past 125 days, before the decision was announced. Protesters then marched from downtown Louisville. Some were arrested after police formed a line, stopping protesters, on Bardstown Road in the Highlands neighborhood.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron said his investigation determined that Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove were justified in their actions and that they did announce themselves as police officers before the shooting.
Brett Hankison, who was fired in June, was indicted on three felony counts and bail was set at $15,000. He was booked into jail and released.
Six Louisville police officers – including the three who fired their weapons into Breonna Taylor's apartment – remain under internal investigation into whether officers broke department policies.
Last week, the city of Louisville announced a $12 million settlement with Breonna Taylor's family, which included a host of police reforms.
To dig deeper on race and identity, subscribe to This Is America, USA TODAY's newsletter.
Breonna Taylor: Indictment announcement sparks protests in Louisville Protests resumed in Louisville after a grand jury indicted one of the three police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor. USA TODAY
Biden urges peace following Breonna Taylor decision
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Americans "must continue to speak Breonna Taylor’s name" following the decision by a Louisville, Kentucky grand jury not to indict any of the police officers on homicide charges involved in her March 13 shooting death.
"In the wake of her tragic death, we mourn with her mother, family, and community and ask ourselves whether justice could be equally applied in America," Biden said in a statement issued after a campaign visit to Charlotte, N.C., with Black business leaders. "I know for so many people today’s decision does not answer that call."
Biden urged protesters to be peaceful and patient as they await the results of an ongoing federal investigation. Earlier, he told reporters that violent protests threatened to "sully" Taylor's memory.
At the White House, President Donald Trump did not directly address the grand jury's decision but instead quoted Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s statement that justice “does not fit the mold of public opinion” and that “justice sought by violence” is not justice but revenge.
“I think that was a terrific statement,” Trump told reporters, adding that Cameron, who spoke at the Republican National Convention last month, “is doing a fantastic job." He ignored questions from reporters seeking more direct comment on the grand jury's decision.
– Ledyard King and Michael Collins
Former cop Brett Hankison booked in jail, released half an hour later
Brett Hankison, the sole Louisville police officer facing charges in the case, was booked at the Shelby County Detention Center and released about half an hour later, the jail confirmed.
Hankison was arrested Wednesday after being indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and booked at 4:30 p.m., the detention center confirmed. He was released at 5:02 p.m.
The judge had set a $15,000 cash bond for Hankison.
– Emma Austin
Breonna Taylor's family dismayed by decision: 'I'm mad as hell'
At the youth homeless shelter in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she works as a residential adviser, Taylor's cousin Tawanna Gordon watched with tears in her eyes as Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that only one of the officers was indicted by a grand jury — but not for killing Taylor.
"I'm not surprised," Gordon, 45, told The Courier Journal on Wednesday, minutes after Cameron's press conference ended. "But I'm mad as hell because nothing's changing."
Taylor's cousin said the family will continue to fight for justice while hoping the pending FBI investigation will reach the same conclusion they've reached: that Taylor's civil rights were violated.
"They failed you, they failed me," Taylor's sister, Juniyah Palmer, wrote on Twitter after Cameron's announcement. "Breonna i am so sorry … i don't know what to do."
Tamika Palmer, Taylor's mother, left the attorney general's press conference without talking to media. And her attorneys said she would have no comment Wednesday.
– Tessa Duvall and Jonathan Bullington
Gov. Beshear calls on attorney general to release evidence
Gov. Andy Beshear called on Attorney General Daniel Cameron on Wednesday to release evidence from his office's investigation into the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor online.
"Everyone can and should be informed and those that are currently feeling frustration, feeling hurt, they deserve to know more," Beshear said at a press conference Wednesday. "I trust Kentuckians. They deserve to see the facts for themselves."
Beshear also delivered a message to protesters promising to listen as people make their voices heard and be "a partner moving forward." Still, he urged protesters not to engage in violence noting that militia groups had been spotted walking in downtown Louisville.
“I will never, ever tell someone not to give voice to their truth or to speak out for what they believe in," he said. "So, be safe and the eyes of the world are on Louisville. People will hear."
'We are in shock': Protesters start marching in Louisville
Almost immediately after hearing the charges, protesters began moving together away from Jefferson Square Park, which has been the heart of the protests, toward Broadway. Several police vehicles trailed closely behind. The National Guard was also present.
Protesters approached police and yelled at them at Fourth and Broadway but continued their march, moving east on Kentucky Street.
Stachelle Bussey, founder of local nonprofit The Hope Buss, said it took her a minute to come out of shock after hearing the charges against Hankison announced.
"I thought more was going to come," Bussey said. "I was like, 'OK, they're going to say some other stuff.' ... They turned the live off, and I realized that was it."
"He was just charged (with) wanton endangerment — not even for shooting into her apartment, but for shooting into other apartments. We are in shock."
– Bailey Loosemore and Hayes Gardner
Former cop Brett Hankison indicted, but not for shooting Breonna Taylor
Brett Hankison, who was fired in June, was indicted Wednesday on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.
A wanton endangerment charge is a class D felony and carries a penalty of one to five years in prison. The charges said that Hankison "wantonly shot a gun" into Apartment 3.
The occupants of those apartments were identified by initials. None of them were BT — Breonna Taylor. That means the grand jury didn't find that Hankison wantonly fired into her apartment.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Wednesday that the grand jury decided homicide charges are not applicable because the investigation showed there was "nothing conclusive to say" that any of Hankison's bullets hit Taylor.
Two officers were justified in use of force, Kentucky attorney general says
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, two of the three officers who fired their weapons the night Taylor was killed, were justified in their actions, which prevents prosecutors from pursuing criminal charges.
Cameron said his investigation found the officers at Taylor's apartment knocked and announced that they were police officers before the shooting. That account was corroborated by an independent witness, he said.
“In other words, the warrant was not served as a no-knock warrant," Cameron said about the controversial warrant.
Taylor was shot six times, Cameron said, and the FBI ballistics test determined the fatal round was fired by Cosgrove. The Kentucky State Police ballistic test wasn't able to determine who fired the fatal shot, he added.
Cameron noted that an FBI investigation into potential violations of federal law was continuing.
Cameron said he'd spoken to Taylor's family and called this an "emotional, gut-wrenching case" and the loss of Taylor's life is a tragedy.
Protesters say single indictment is not enough
Protesters vowed Wednesday to continue their fight for racial justice. Around 200 protesters gathered at Jefferson Square Park as the announcement was played on a loudspeaker. As the decision wrapped up, there was first confusion, then anger from those who had gathered.
"They're still working and still getting paid," Shemaeka Shaw, a community organizer and affordable housing advocate, recently told The Courier Journal. "… That's a slap in the face to a mourning mother who still has to walk through the city knowing the men who killed her daughter" remain on LMPD's payroll.
Protesters have specifically referenced Mattingly, Cosgrove and Hankison, who fired their weapons at Taylor's apartment, as well as Detective Joshua Jaynes, who swore out the affidavit to get a search warrant for Taylor's apartment and four other homes the night she was killed.
– Bailey Loosemore and Hayes Gardner
Activists, politicians and celebrities react to indictment
The NAACP , the country's oldest civil rights organization, posted on Instagram that "the injustice we're witnessing at this moment can be sensed through the nation. It is unacceptable that, once again, culpability has eluded those guilty of state-sanctioned murder."
, the country's oldest civil rights organization, posted on Instagram that "the injustice we're witnessing at this moment can be sensed through the nation. It is unacceptable that, once again, culpability has eluded those guilty of state-sanctioned murder." Actress Viola Davis shared the NAACP post and wrote "Bulls--- decision. BLACK LIVES MATTER. Cannot be said enough times."
shared the NAACP post and wrote "Bulls--- decision. BLACK LIVES MATTER. Cannot be said enough times." Carl Takei , senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, called for "real systemic change" and said the decision "is not accountability and not close to justice."
, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, called for "real systemic change" and said the decision "is not accountability and not close to justice." Ben Crump , the attorney for Taylor's family and several other high profile victims of police shootings, called the charges "an insult to Black women as they continued to be disrespected in America."
, the attorney for Taylor's family and several other high profile victims of police shootings, called the charges "an insult to Black women as they continued to be disrespected in America." Kentucky's junior Senator Rand Paul said he hopes that people will accept "the rule of law." When asked if no-knock warrants mattered at all in the case, Paul replied, “Sure it does, they got rid of no-knock warrants because of this case.”
Meanwhile, Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams applauded Cameron's handling of the case, tweeting in part that he believes his fellow Republican "has shown immense courage in taking on the investigation of the killing of Breonna Taylor; great diligence in painstakingly running down every lead; and extraordinary grace under pressure in detailing his findings before the eyes of our country."
What's next for Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove?
The announcement Wednesday that two Louisville Metro Police Department officers in the March 13 shooting of Breonna Taylor won't face criminal charges doesn't clear them for street duty.
Louisville police officers Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove still face a Professional Standards Unit investigation to determine if they and four other officers violated police policy or rules for their conduct in the aborted search of Taylor's home, meaning they are not cleared for street duty.
Additionally, the FBI has been conducting its own investigation of the shooting since May that could result in civil rights violations.
The additional officers include three detectives present at Taylor's apartment – Tony James, Michael Campbell and Michael Nobles – along with detective Joshua Jaynes, who swore out the affidavit to get the warrant for Taylor's apartment.
Hankison is not under internal investigation because he lost his job.
More: Former detective Brett Hankison faces 3 charges after Breonna Taylor shooting
– Matt Mencarini and Darcy Costello
Louisville enacts curfew in anticipation of protests
The shooting has spurred more than 125 days of protest in the city and set off a national cry for "justice for Breonna," with celebrities and politicians from Joe Biden to Beyonce to LeBron James calling for the arrest of the officers who shot her.
In Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer announced a 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. curfew on Wednesday and urged people to protest peacefully.
Fischer and the city's police department declared state of emergencies on Tuesday to free up resources in anticipation of a decision and potential protests downtown.
What happened to Breonna Taylor?
The officers at Breonna Taylor's apartment said they knocked on her door and announced their presence. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, however, says he and Taylor didn't know who was knocking at the door.
When police broke down the front door of the apartment, Walker fired one shot from his firearm, which police say struck officer Jonathan Mattingly in the thigh, severing his femoral artery.
Mattingly, Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison returned fire, striking Taylor.
She died in her hallway.
Police suspected Taylor was receiving drugs and drug money on her ex-boyfriend's behalf, but no drugs or cash were found at her apartment, and attorneys for her family have questioned the reliability of the information.
Contributing: Phillip M. Bailey and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY; Tessa Duvall, Bailey Loosemore, Hayes Gardner, Matt Mencarini, Darcy Costello and Emma Austin, Louisville Courier Journal; Bree Burkitt, The Arizona Republic


usatoday--2020-09-24--'UnJust!!!!' Viola Davis, George Clooney, Alicia Keys, more stars react to Breonna Taylor decision

Celebrities are speaking out following a grand jury 's decision regarding the shooting death of Breonna Taylor .
On Wednesday , Brett Hankison , a former Louisville , Kentucky , police detective , was indicted on felony charges of wanton endangerment for shooting into an apartment next door to Taylor .
The two other officers involved in the shooting , Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove , were justified in their use of force , state Attorney General Daniel Cameron said at a news conference .
Viola Davis wrote on Twitter that the grand jury only indicting one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesser charge , was a `` bulls -- - decision . ''
`` BLACK LIVES MATTER !
!
! ''
the actress continued .
`` Can not be said enough times.
” Oprah Winfrey tweeted that she is thinking of Taylor 's mother during this time .
`` Her mother ’ s child , '' she wrote .
`` My heart goes out to Tamika Palmer , who has to be reminded , again and again , that her 'baby won ’ t be coming through that door . '
`` Kerry Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of voting .
“ Daniel Cameron is on Donald Trump ’ s short list as replacement of # RGB on the Supreme Court , '' she wrote on Twitter .
`` The same man who decided to not charge the officers responsible for killing # BreonnaTaylor .
Vote.
” Alicia Keys tweeted that the news was infuriating .
“ This is is a PRIME example of Rotten to the CORE !
!
! ''
she wrote .
`` UnJust !
!
!
!
Disrespectful and BLATANT DISREGARD !
!
!
!
Infuriated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In an interview with the Associated Press , Queen Latifah said that it was a `` very complicated situation . ''
`` But it ain ’ t right and enough already , '' she continued .
`` Enough already .
It ’ s time for some people to go to jail.
” Latifah also told the AP that everyone should register to vote .
“ Vote early , go hard , we got to go hard , '' she added .
`` This is not a year to take it easy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on us , you know .
And there ’ s no reason that young woman should not be walking around today ; there ’ s no reason her mom should be burying her child.
” Oprah Winfrey is demanding justice for Breonna Taylor with 26 billboards in Louisville Rapper Common tweeted clips of Martin Luther King Jr. , Malcolm X and James Baldwin speaking about racism in America following the news of Taylor 's case .
Comedian W. Kamau Bell also decried the decision on Twitter , saying that it showed that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman . ''
`` Brett Hankison is indicted for shooting into the apartment NEXT to Breonna Taylor & not for KILLING HER , '' he wrote .
`` He 's fired for shooting into BREONNA TAYLOR 'S apartment & not for KILLING HER .
This is systemic racism . ''
Kentucky native George Clooney slammed the decision in a statement to USA TODAY , saying the indictment does not reflect his values .
`` I was born and raised in Kentucky , '' he said .
`` Cut tobacco on the farms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister live in Kentucky .
I own a home in Kentucky , and I was there last month .
The justice system I was raised to believe in holds people responsible for their actions . ''
He continued : `` Her name was Breonna Taylor and she was shot to death in her bed by 3 white police officers , who will not be charged with any crime for her death .
I know the community .
I know the commonwealth .
And I was taught in the schools and churches of Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m ashamed of this decision . ''
Writer-director Aaron Sorkin said in an interview with the AP that he expects the decision to provoke outrage .
`` Of course people are going to get on the street and they ’ re going to show you their pain , they ’ re going to show you their anger , '' he said .
`` And you have to meet that by listening .
You can not meet that by pushing back with what are essentially baseball bats and poison that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes and noses .
But that is what will happen . ''

Breonna Taylor decision: Alicia Keys 'infuriated,' Chris Rock and more stars share reactions
Show Caption Hide Caption Breonna Taylor: Kentucky grand jury indicts 1 officer Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison has been indicted on criminal charges after shooting into the apartment next door to Breonna Taylor. USA TODAY
Celebrities are speaking out following a grand jury's decision regarding the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
On Wednesday, Brett Hankison, a former Louisville, Kentucky, police detective, was indicted on felony charges of wanton endangerment for shooting into an apartment next door to Taylor. The two other officers involved in the shooting, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, were justified in their use of force, state Attorney General Daniel Cameron said at a news conference.
Viola Davis wrote on Twitter that the grand jury only indicting one of the officers, and on a lesser charge, was a "bulls--- decision."
"BLACK LIVES MATTER!!!" the actress continued. "Cannot be said enough times.”
Bulls--- decision!!! BLACK LIVES MATTER!!! Cannot be said enough times. https://t.co/HOrDQzHJ0d — Viola Davis (@violadavis) September 23, 2020
Oprah Winfrey tweeted that she is thinking of Taylor's mother during this time.
"Her mother’s child," she wrote. "My heart goes out to Tamika Palmer, who has to be reminded, again and again, that her 'baby won’t be coming through that door.' "
Yes. Her mother’s child. My heart goes out to Tamika Palmer, who has to be reminded, again and again, that her “baby won’t be coming through that door.” #BreonnaTaylor https://t.co/HZ2AOGjq8G — Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) September 23, 2020
Kerry Washington criticized the Kentucky AG and emphasized the importance of voting.
“Daniel Cameron is on Donald Trump’s short list as replacement of #RGB on the Supreme Court," she wrote on Twitter. "The same man who decided to not charge the officers responsible for killing #BreonnaTaylor. Vote.”
In a video message, Stevie Wonder said: “No amount of money has ever brought a life back. Ask yourself ‘Why so long for Breonna Taylor?’”
Chris Rock opened up about his reaction to the decision in an interview with "Good Morning America."
"Of course I'm upset about the Breonna Taylor verdict," he said. "It seems that not only should the cops have been charged, but it seems like the whole chain of command should have been reprimanded for such a heinous act. A woman's life was lost for absolutely nothing."
.@chrisrock on the Breonna Taylor grand jury decision: “It’s just insane that this is something that we’re all used to.” https://t.co/geCNk1rRl9 pic.twitter.com/2rS7OdC7K4 — Good Morning America (@GMA) September 24, 2020
Busta Rhymes tweeted that "accountability needs to occur in a new way," pleading for the "error" in Cameron's announcement to be corrected.
"It’s like it has taken on new heights with how much it is being put in our face and shoved down our throats with no proper accountability," he added. "There will be a time when that accountability will come back a thousand times fold and I long for that day to come anxiously."
Alicia Keys tweeted that the news was infuriating.
“This is is a PRIME example of Rotten to the CORE!!!" she wrote. "UnJust!!!! Disrespectful and BLATANT DISREGARD!!!! Infuriated!!!!!!!”
This is is a PRIME example of Rotten to the CORE!!! UnJust!!!! Disrespectful and BLATANT DISREGARD!!!! Infuriated!!!!!!! https://t.co/TWVeV8Q3rp — Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) September 23, 2020
In an interview with the Associated Press, Queen Latifah said that it was a "very complicated situation."
"But it ain’t right and enough already," she continued. "Enough already. It’s time for some people to go to jail.”
Latifah also told the AP that everyone should register to vote.
“Vote early, go hard, we got to go hard," she added. "This is not a year to take it easy, because no one has taken it easy on us, you know. And there’s no reason that young woman should not be walking around today; there’s no reason her mom should be burying her child.”
Oprah Winfrey is demanding justice for Breonna Taylor with 26 billboards in Louisville
Rapper Common tweeted clips of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin speaking about racism in America following the news of Taylor's case.
"To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost all of the time." James Baldwin. #BreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/CUcRcEsXCE — COMMON (@common) September 23, 2020
Tamron Hall addressed the Taylor decision on her show Thursday.
"Like so many of you watching right now, I had a sleepless night to be honest with you," Hall said before sharing a short clip of her June interview with Taylor's mother. "Heartbroken that an innocent woman could be killed unarmed in her own bed and so many of us are left asking ‘how is this possible?"
Comedian W. Kamau Bell also decried the decision on Twitter, saying that it showed that "property is worth more than a Black woman."
"Brett Hankison is indicted for shooting into the apartment NEXT to Breonna Taylor & not for KILLING HER," he wrote. "He's fired for shooting into BREONNA TAYLOR'S apartment & not for KILLING HER. This is systemic racism."
Kentucky native George Clooney slammed the decision in a statement to USA TODAY, saying the indictment does not reflect his values.
"I was born and raised in Kentucky," he said. "Cut tobacco on the farms of Kentucky. Both my parents and my sister live in Kentucky. I own a home in Kentucky, and I was there last month. The justice system I was raised to believe in holds people responsible for their actions."
He continued: "Her name was Breonna Taylor and she was shot to death in her bed by 3 white police officers, who will not be charged with any crime for her death. I know the community. I know the commonwealth. And I was taught in the schools and churches of Kentucky what is right and what is wrong. I’m ashamed of this decision."
Demi Lovato wrote on Instagram that "we are still demanding justice" for Taylor and Emmett Till, a teenager whose lynching in 1955 helped catalyze the civil rights movement.
"We will not stop fighting for you," she continued. "I’m sick at what has transpired today. I was at a complete loss of words when I saw the breaking headlines today. We cannot continue this way. WAKE UP!"
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam said in a statement on his band's Twitter that the decision was "egregious and lacking in justice."
"This charge does not value her life and continues to validate the broken system that does not support those most in need, especially communities of color," he added.
Though McCready wrote that he does not agree with violent protests, he added that "deciding what is an appropriate way for communities of color to react is not my place or the place of any other white person."
"What I believe my job as a white man is, is to be an ally to communities of color, work at being antiracist, and listen to help effect change for communities most in need."
Christian hip hop artist Lecrae tweeted the news was "all kind of numbing.
"On one hand it’s like I KNOW I’m not crazy there’s a real problem in our country. On the other I’m sad that everyone doesn’t see it and some don’t want to," he added. "Of course I know God is at work. It’s just tough to process it all."
Writer-director Aaron Sorkin said in an interview with the AP that he expects the decision to provoke outrage.
"Of course people are going to get on the street and they’re going to show you their pain, they’re going to show you their anger," he said. "And you have to meet that by listening. You cannot meet that by pushing back with what are essentially baseball bats and poison that you’re spraying in people’s eyes and noses. But that is what will happen."
Contributing: Louisville Courier Journal and the Associated Press
Breonna Taylor's mom and Beyoncé's mom get emotional talking Heroes Act, voting reform


usatoday--2020-09-24--Pandemic travel collapse exposes booking industry's business secrets

The Grand Palladium resort in Punta Cana was a swank respite in March for Leigh Anne Belcher and her daughter until they got a call to stop by the front desk about a billing question .
Their travel agency , swamped with coronavirus cancellations , had abruptly closed its doors and disconnected its phone lines – and refused to pay the hotel for the room even though Belcher had already paid the agency in full for the trip .
On the spot , Belcher had to come up with thousands of dollars to pay the upscale hotel , which threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front-gate attendants to make sure no one escaped without paying .
When she and her daughter tried to head home to Lexington , Kentucky , they had to shell out more money ; their flight had been canceled and the airline wouldn ’ t allow them to change it since it , too , was booked by Florida ’ s BookIt.com .
The coronavirus has exposed a secret underbelly of the travel business .
Many travel agencies operate Ponzi-style schemes where one traveler 's deposit pays for a previous traveler 's tickets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran smoothly as long as bookings continued to roll in .
The pandemic blurred the already muddy line between business ethics and fraud and has led to not just fried nerves , but official complaints and legal action .
Through public records requests , USA TODAY obtained consumer complaints related to COVID-19 filed with attorneys generals and other agencies in 20 states .
Those documents include more than 5,300 travelers , from New Jersey to Texas and Washington State , who struggled to secure refunds for trips interrupted by the coronavirus – among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 24,000 more have complained to the Federal Trade Commission about travel-related scams , reporting over $ 43.5 million in losses – far above any other category of coronavirus-related fraud complaints on file with the FTC .
Some complaints accuse agencies of exaggerating their own costs , not actively seeking refunds from providers like airlines and hotels – or even receiving refunds that they did not pass on .
BookIt and two educational tour companies – NAWAS and EF Tours – were among the most frequent targets of consumer ire .
“ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vacation and the travel agent just decided not to pay the hotel ?
How was this my problem ?
” Belcher said .
“ I think I went through all the stages of grief in about an hour .
It wasn ’ t until we were wheels-up in Santo Domingo that I felt like I could take a breath .
And then , the anger set in.
” Belcher channeled some of that anger into managing a Facebook group , Scammed by BookIt , for people seeking refunds from the company , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the company ’ s website and phone lines still dead , the group shares tips on how to get credit card companies to cover the charges .
More on refunds : I snagged an airline refund amid the pandemic ; here 's how to get one if you 're eligible Representatives from BookIt did not respond to requests for comment .
In a written statement provided to a Florida television station in July the company 's interim chief financial officer , Ryan Tennyson , said that the company had refunded 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , either online or traditional , often bundle together flights , accommodations and transportation and make money either through commissions or bulk discounts – or both .
Customer deposits are supposed to be passed on to vendors , hotels and tour operators to hold the reservations .
Increasingly , travel experts say companies have lengthened the time between receiving and releasing those funds .
The practice can be buried in the fine-print terms of deposit agreements .
State laws offer little recourse .
Scott Keyes , who runs the website Scott ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ make their money by making commissions of 20 or 30 percent for those activities and car rentals .
They save money by having less customer service which can be a problem if you ’ re caught in limbo like this.
” “ If a catastrophic event happens like a worldwide pandemic , ” Keyes said , “ they ’ re really up a creek.
” Experts note that the practice of stockpiling customer deposits , then holding onto them if things go wrong , is the business model for various kinds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , online booking site Expedia was sued by travelers whose class action lawsuit blames the company for not more aggressively pursuing refunds .
And , following consumer backlash , airline executives followed federal policy and began issuing cash refunds instead of only offering vouchers for future travel .
But discount brokers that operate as middlemen , which lack the financial backing of major companies , play a particularly precarious role .
Some , like educational tour companies , pay upfront fees for group reservations and say they are struggling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WorldStrides , which offered educational travel and group tours , filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July .
The student travel company said it was negotiating with lenders to reduce more than $ 750 million in debt .
“ These agencies were operating on the edge of solvency , ” said John Breyault of the National Consumer League , a nonprofit advocacy group .
“ Suddenly when everything went to hell everyone goes back to these middlemen and they don ’ t have the money to cover refunds.
” Jeff Gayduk , publisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tour companies alike are always at the mercy of the end suppliers – the airlines , hotels and so on – when it comes to issuing refunds .
“ The industry was roaring and had a 10-year run where demand exceeded supply and people got greedy , ” Gayduk said .
“ Now suddenly a crowbar has been stuck in the flywheel and everyone is wrongly holding onto customer deposits.
” Gayduk said a travel industry colleague had packaged Kentucky Derby experiences before officials reversed course and barred fans from the Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t seem to get back the $ 300,000 his company spent on ticket deposits , Gayduk said , leaving him to face angry customers who want their money .
Cruise companies have a slightly different business model , typically selling trips up to 18 months in advance , with perks like drink packages and free Internet for those plunking down early deposits .
Final payments usually are due 90 to 120 days in advance of sail dates .
That cash flow helps keep earlier cruises afloat financially .
In the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the companies are continuing to sell cruises to finance refunds of other recently canceled cruises – despite scant evidence most actually will sail in the near-term .
“ Carnival is essentially running a quasi-Ponzi scheme , ” Walker said .
“ It is collecting money for new cruises , which will probably not take place , to be used to eventually refund fares which Carnival owes to its customers for the past several months.
” Carnival spokesman Roger Frizzell called that accusation “ a ridiculous assertion that could not be further from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Securities Exchange Commission , Carnival executives said about 45 % of its customers have opted for future cruise credits instead of cash refunds .
At the end of August , the company reported it was holding more than $ 2.4 billion in customer deposits .
“ We have an extremely loyal customer base , ” Frizzell said , “ who is anxiously ready to cruise again with our brands , when ready.
” Once every 10 years , the villagers of Oberammergau , Germany , perform a passion play depicting the crucifixion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a centuries-old pact with God to protect the town from the bubonic plague .
But in 2020 , a different pandemic forced the production to be postponed – and thousands of religious travelers from Wisconsin to Florida were out thousands of dollars .
NAWAS , the tour company partnering with their churches , would not release all of their money .
Many customers were particularly upset because trusted leaders at their churches and schools had recruited them for the trips .
“ They ’ re supposed to be a Christian organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken nearly a dozen trips with NAWAS over the years .
“ That ’ s anything but Christian to do that to these people .
Most of these people have scraped together their money for years for these tours.
” More than 400 consumers have complained about NAWAS to the attorney general in Connecticut , where the Christian tour operator is based .
The company works through churches to recruit customers for pilgrimages to the Holy Land , Europe and to see the Oberammergau passion play .
When COVID-19 forced the play to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many elderly and on fixed incomes – wanted refunds .
They were stunned when the company initially refused .
USA TODAY interviewed several of those who filed formal complaints , who agreed to speak only if they could remain anonymous because they settled with the company and signed nondisclosure agreements .
Customers told USA TODAY they had spent up to $ 10,000 on their canceled trips and that NAWAS sought to withhold $ 1,150 per person or to keep their deposits as credits for travel through 2022 .
Some senior citizens said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that long .
NAWAS justified keeping their money through a technicality , they said , maintaining that they had violated the original terms of their contracts by canceling the trip themselves .
With flights canceled and shutdowns worldwide , these customers argued that it was impossible to go on vacation as planned , even if they had been willing to forgo the performance .
“ They said we canceled the trip , ” said Mary Manning of Rockaway , New Jersey .
“ My argument was the whole world was shut down.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manning opted to roll all of the money over for a future trip to see the passion play .
But she says she would have preferred a full refund of her $ 4,000 in deposits .
Jeff Ment , an attorney who represents NAWAS , said unlike cruises or airlines , the tour operator could not provide full refunds because companies farther down the supply chain already had been paid .
NAWAS , he said , did not have the cash on hand .
He cited government red tape in Germany and Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refunds from overseas suppliers .
Ment said NAWAS ended up giving customers refunds they “ usually weren ’ t entitled to.
” All told , the company rescheduled , rebooked or partially refunded some 16,000 customers , Ment said .
“ There are no winners in this ; NAWAS is not a winner for losing its entire year , ” he said .
“ NAWAS did the best it could under extremely difficult circumstances.
” Although it costs tour companies money to coordinate and reserve trips , that didn ’ t justify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Connecticut Attorney General William Tong told USA TODAY .
“ People were not getting their money back , and we were very concerned they were not being treated well , ” Tong said .
“ We are talking about a lot of seniors and people on fixed incomes , and this is a big expense for them.
” The company ultimately reached an agreement with the Connecticut Attorney General to refund all but $ 500 per person , an amount negotiated based on an analysis of consumer deposits and business costs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact NAWAS before Aug. 20 to obtain a refund .
Some , who told USA TODAY they were unaware of the settlements , missed the deadline .
After reporters questioned the state and company about the situation , they received their refunds .
EF Educational Tours has partnered with various school districts across the nation to organize group tours .
When the virus took hold , the company attempted to deny full refunds to parents across the country – until attorney generals got involved .
Lona Lamar and her partner had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as chaperones for her son ’ s class trip .
She spent more than $ 12,000 on the trip , booked through her son ’ s high school in Missouri .
At first , the company offered a voucher for future travel , Lamar said , which she thought made little sense for a school trip .
The company then agreed to refund some of her deposit but wanted to keep about $ 1,000 per traveler – $ 3,000 in all in her case .
Lamar filed a complaint with the attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tour company was based out of Cambridge , the Massachusetts Attorney General negotiated a settlement in May that secured more than $ 1.4 million in partial refunds for nearly 4,200 consumers in the state .
EF Tours agreed to roll out those policies for all customers , including Lamar .
The company kept $ 565 per person .
That leaves Lamar ’ s trio still out more than $ 1,500 for a trip they never took .
“ I thought it was very predatorial of the company , considering it was a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a parent ’ s standpoint , you put your trust in them .
It ’ s just really disappointing.
” Company spokesman Adam Bickelman said that policies evolved as the extent of the pandemic became clearer .
He pointed to global staff overhead and supplier costs to explain why the company could not offer full cash refunds .
Bickelman also noted that the customer disputes mostly related to EF Educational Tours .
The domestic division , EF Explore America , offered different cash refund options because those programs cost less than the overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups opted to accept vouchers for travel redeemable for another trip through Sept. 30 , 2022 , Bickelman said .
“ The health and safety of our travelers and staff have been our top priority for more than 55 years , ” he said .
“ Our singular focus during this time has been to provide our customers with the best and most flexible rebooking and refund options.
” By the time Carol Petrini reached out to EF Tours in late March to explore her options , trips around the world were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cruise ships were getting stuck at sea .
She had been paying for her tour to France through an installment plan , then up to $ 3,000 in all .
The company wanted to withhold $ 1,000 for the cancellation , Petrini said .
Following the settlement with the attorney general in Massachusetts , she , too , got all but about $ 500 back .
She still questions the company ’ s justification for keeping any of her money .
The company “ just kept saying over and over that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Petrini said , “ but there was no evidence that there were reservations for the airlines or hotels or anything.
” BookIt was attractive to blue-collar travelers who could slowly fund their dream vacations through a “ pay delay ” system .
Their angst and anger is palpable on the Facebook group started by Leigh Anne Belcher and in official consumer complaints .
“ I feel so stupid even booking with them .
I don ’ t care about my trip getting canceled .
I just want my money back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote about his months-long battle with his bank , USAA , to refund his canceled $ 3,000 trip to Montego Bay , Jamaica .
“ From what I understand , the BookIt business model was to not pay the resorts or airlines until the last moment of the actual trip beginning , even though I paid in full nearly four months in advance , ” another Wisconsin customer complained to the state ’ s attorney general .
“ American Airlines says I should be talking with the travel agency I booked with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Wisconsin ’ s Attorney General about his canceled trip to Cancun .
“ ( BookIt ) never used the money for the stated purpose , but merely pocketed it to ( their ) personal advantage.
” Andrea Koos , a spokeswoman for American Airlines , confirmed that the company did issue refunds to BookIt.com , but halted them once it received a notice from a travel billing clearing house that the agency had shut down .
Florida ’ s attorney general says more than 800 people have lodged complaints about BookIt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Attorney 's Office , Federal Bureau of Investigation and local police department , which has fielded hundreds of complaints from consumers and vendors , are collecting cases in an online portal to potentially pursue fraud charges .
“ I ’ m not in the travel business , but I just assume when I pay for my vacation it ’ s paid for when I make my purchase , ” said Panama City police Lt. J.R. Talamantez .
“ We ’ re trying to wrap our head around this business concept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a sad and unfortunate situation.
” Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey filed a civil suit against BookIt in June , alleging unfair and deceptive business practices .
BookIt has not responded to the complaint .
Wisconsin ’ s Mikayla Schmidt and her fiancé Jordan Stiefel should have been on their all-inclusive honeymoon in Punta Cana , Dominican Republic , this month , all planned through BookIt .
They were paying for the $ 4,100 trip in installments , with the last payment due in March .
Their first clue came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been debited from their bank account .
“ We had it on a pay delay schedule and… we went to check and the website said everything was canceled , ” Schmidt said .
Schmidt and her fiance joined Belcher ’ s Facebook group and filed complaints with state agencies .
They disputed the earlier payments with their bank but still are short about $ 900 , Schmidt said .
When the couple got married , they instead honeymooned in California .
'Tip of the iceberg ' : Airbnb , VRBO guests fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by customers to USA TODAY show BookIt contacting partner hotels in March to say they wouldn ’ t be making payments for guests , even as some of them arrived .
They warned customers then that they ’ d likely end up paying twice and told them to fight it out with their credit card companies .
“ The resort may be asking to collect the money for your stay directly from you at this time , despite that you have paid in full directly with us , ” a letter from BookIt.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you need to work with your bank directly.
” Today , a front page of the website also instructs past customers to contact credit agencies for refunds .
Belcher says she ’ s developed a guide for disputing charges directly with credit agencies , but members of the Facebook group who booked with debit cards or funds through their credit unions have had more trouble .
In his statement toWMBB-TV in Panama City Beach , Tennyson – the BookIt executive – said that the company continues to operate .
He added that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 , were working to refund customers .
Federal records show the company took between a $ 1 and $ 2 million Payroll Protection Program loan through the Small Business Administration , claiming to have saved 168 jobs .
Tennyson 's statement said that BookIt “ hopes to resume its activities as a full service travel agency once some semblance of order returns to the international travel industry.
” USA TODAY 's Mary Claire Molloy and Taylor Killough contributed to this report .
Nick Penzenstadler and Josh Salman are reporters on the USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached npenz @ usatoday.com or @ npenzenstadler , or on Signal at ( 720 ) 507-5273 .
Josh can be reached at jsalman @ gatehousemedia.com or @ joshsalman , or ( 941 ) 361-4967 .

Nick Penzenstadler and Josh Salman, USA TODAY

Coronavirus has exposed a secret underbelly of the travel business: Ponzi-style schemes to pay bookings
Show Caption Hide Caption 6 travel tips to stay safe while flying Here are 6 tips to know before you book your flight during the COVID-19 pandemic. ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
The Grand Palladium resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, was a swank respite in March for Leigh Anne Belcher and her daughter until they got a call to stop by the front desk about a billing question.
Their travel agency, swamped with coronavirus cancellations, had abruptly closed its doors and disconnected its phone lines – and refused to pay the hotel for the room even though Belcher had paid the agency in full for the trip.
On the spot, Belcher had to come up with thousands of dollars to pay the upscale hotel, which threatened to call authorities and advised the front-gate attendants to make sure no one escaped without paying. When she and her daughter tried to head home to Lexington, Kentucky, they had to shell out more money; their flight had been canceled, and the airline wouldn’t allow them to change it since it, too, was booked by Florida’s BookIt.com.
The coronavirus has exposed a secret underbelly of the travel business. Many travel agencies operate Ponzi-style schemes in which one traveler's deposit pays for a previous traveler's tickets and accommodations, and so on.
Everything ran smoothly as long as bookings continued to roll in.
The pandemic blurred the muddy line between business ethics and fraud and has led to not just fried nerves but official complaints and legal action.
Through public records requests, USA TODAY obtained consumer complaints related to COVID-19 filed with attorneys generals and other agencies in 20 states. Those documents include more than 5,300 travelers, from New Jersey to Texas and Washington state, who struggled to secure refunds for trips interrupted by the coronavirus – among the most common complaints lodged.
More than 24,000 more have complained to the Federal Trade Commission about travel-related scams, reporting more than $43.5 million in losses – far above any other category of coronavirus-related fraud complaints on file with the FTC.
Some complaints accuse agencies of exaggerating their own costs, not actively seeking refunds from providers such as airlines and hotels – or even receiving refunds that they did not pass on. BookIt and two educational tour companies – NAWAS and EF Tours – were among the most frequent targets of consumer ire.
“How could it happen that I paid for a vacation and the travel agent just decided not to pay the hotel? How was this my problem?” Belcher said. “I think I went through all the stages of grief in about an hour. It wasn’t until we were wheels-up in Santo Domingo that I felt like I could take a breath. And then, the anger set in.”
Belcher channeled some of that anger into managing a Facebook group, Scammed by BookIt, for people seeking refunds from the company, which has grown to nearly 3,000 members. While the company’s website and phone lines are still dead, the group shares tips on how to get credit card companies to cover the charges.
More on refunds: I snagged an airline refund amid the pandemic; here's how to get one if you're eligible
Representatives from BookIt did not respond to requests for comment. In a written statement provided to a Florida television station in July, the company's interim chief financial officer, Ryan Tennyson, said the company had refunded 70% of its customers.
Deposit shell game part of modern travel
Travel agents, either online or traditional, often bundle together flights, accommodations and transportation and make money either through commissions or bulk discounts – or both.
Customer deposits are supposed to be passed on to vendors, hotels and tour operators to hold the reservations. Increasingly, travel experts say companies have lengthened the time between receiving and releasing those funds. The practice can be buried in the fine-print terms of deposit agreements. State laws offer little recourse.
Scott Keyes, who runs the website Scott’s Cheap Flights, said online travel agencies “make their money by making commissions of 20 or 30 percent for those activities and car rentals. They save money by having less customer service, which can be a problem if you’re caught in limbo like this.”
“If a catastrophic event happens like a worldwide pandemic,” Keyes said, “they’re really up a creek.”
Experts noted that the practice of stockpiling customer deposits, then holding onto them if things go wrong, is the business model for various kinds of travel companies – and most airlines.
This month, online booking site Expedia was sued by travelers whose class-action lawsuit blames the company for not more aggressively pursuing refunds. After consumer backlash, airline executives followed federal policy and began issuing cash refunds instead of only offering vouchers for travel.
Discount brokers that operate as middlemen, which lack the financial backing of major companies, play a particularly precarious role. Some, such as educational tour companies, pay upfront fees for group reservations and say they struggle to get the money back themselves.
Charlottesville, Virginia-based WorldStrides, which offered educational travel and group tours, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July. The student travel company said it was negotiating with lenders to reduce more than $750 million in debt.
“These agencies were operating on the edge of solvency,” said John Breyault of the National Consumer League, a nonprofit advocacy group. “Suddenly when everything went to hell, everyone goes back to these middlemen, and they don’t have the money to cover refunds.”
Jeff Gayduk, publisher of Leisure Group Travel magazine, said middlemen and tour companies alike are always at the mercy of the end suppliers – the airlines, hotels and so on – when it comes to issuing refunds.
“The industry was roaring and had a 10-year run where demand exceeded supply, and people got greedy,” Gayduk said. “Now suddenly a crowbar has been stuck in the flywheel, and everyone is wrongly holding onto customer deposits.”
Gayduk said a travel industry colleague had packaged Kentucky Derby experiences before officials reversed course and barred fans from the race Sept. 5. That tour operator can’t get back the $300,000 his company spent on ticket deposits, Gayduk said, leaving him to face angry customers who want their money.
Help us report on coronavirus scams Are you a government contract officer? A vendor? A purchasing agent in the private sector? Do you know about a scam tied to coronavirus we should know about? Email us at covidscams@usatoday.com. Email Us
Cruise companies have a slightly different business model, typically selling trips up to 18 months in advance, with perks such as drink packages and free Internet for those plunking down early deposits. Final payments usually are due 90 to 120 days in advance of sail dates.
That cash flow helps keep earlier cruises afloat financially. In the pandemic, maritime attorney Jim Walker, said the companies continue to sell cruises to finance refunds of other recently canceled cruises – despite scant evidence most will sail in the near-term.
“Carnival is essentially running a quasi-Ponzi scheme,” Walker said. “It is collecting money for new cruises, which will probably not take place, to be used to eventually refund fares which Carnival owes to its customers for the past several months.”
Carnival spokesman Roger Frizzell called that accusation “a ridiculous assertion that could not be further from the truth.”
In a filing with the Securities Exchange Commission, Carnival executives said about 45% of its customers opted for cruise credits instead of cash refunds. At the end of August, the company reported it held more than $2.4 billion in customer deposits.
“We have an extremely loyal customer base,” Frizzell said, “who is anxiously ready to cruise again with our brands, when ready.”
Cruise refunds elusive: Some cruise customers waited months for refunds
Scuttled faith-based trips cause grief
Once every 10 years, the villagers of Oberammergau, Germany, perform a Passion play depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It’s part of a centuries-old pact with God to protect the town from the bubonic plague.
In 2020, a different pandemic forced the production to be postponed – and thousands of religious travelers from Wisconsin to Florida were out thousands of dollars. NAWAS, the tour company partnering with their churches, would not release all of their money.
Many customers were particularly upset because trusted leaders at their churches and schools had recruited them for the trips.
“They’re supposed to be a Christian organization,” said one man who has taken nearly a dozen trips with NAWAS over the years. “That’s anything but Christian to do that to these people. Most of these people have scraped together their money for years for these tours.”
More than 400 consumers complained about NAWAS to the attorney general in Connecticut, where the Christian tour operator is based. The company works through churches to recruit customers for pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Europe and to see the Oberammergau Passion play.
When COVID-19 forced the play to pause until 2022, these travelers – many elderly and on fixed incomes – wanted refunds. They were stunned when the company initially refused.
USA TODAY interviewed several of those who filed formal complaints, who agreed to speak only if they could remain anonymous because they settled with the company and signed nondisclosure agreements.
Customers told USA TODAY they had spent up to $10,000 on their canceled trips and NAWAS sought to withhold $1,150 per person or to keep their deposits as credits for travel through 2022. Some senior citizens said they were not even sure they would live that long.
NAWAS justified keeping their money through a technicality, they said, maintaining that they had violated the original terms of their contracts by canceling the trip themselves. Customers argued that canceled flights and worldwide shutdowns made it impossible to go on vacation as planned, even if they had been willing to forgo the performance.
“They said we canceled the trip,” said Mary Manning of Rockaway, New Jersey. “My argument was the whole world was shut down.”
In relatively good health at 69, Manning opted to roll all of the money over for a future trip to see the Passion play, but she said she would prefer a full refund of her $4,000 in deposits.
Jeff Ment, an attorney who represents NAWAS, said unlike cruises or airlines, the tour operator could not provide full refunds because companies further down the supply chain already had been paid. NAWAS, he said, did not have the cash on hand.
He cited government red tape in Germany and Italy that made it more difficult to recover refunds from overseas suppliers. Ment said NAWAS ended up giving customers refunds they “usually weren’t entitled to.”
All told, the company rescheduled, rebooked or partially refunded about 16,000 customers, Ment said.
“There are no winners in this; NAWAS is not a winner for losing its entire year,” he said. “NAWAS did the best it could under extremely difficult circumstances.”
Although it costs tour companies money to coordinate and reserve trips, that didn’t justify the amount of funds NAWAS wanted to withhold, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong told USA TODAY.
“People were not getting their money back, and we were very concerned they were not being treated well,” Tong said. “We are talking about a lot of seniors and people on fixed incomes, and this is a big expense for them.”
The company reached an agreement with the attorney general to refund all but $500 per person, an amount negotiated based on an analysis of consumer deposits and business costs.
There was one catch: Consumers had to contact NAWAS before Aug. 20 to obtain a refund. Some, who told USA TODAY they were unaware of the settlements, missed the deadline. After reporters questioned the state and company about the situation, they received their refunds.
Five-figure student trips only partially refunded
EF Educational Tours has partnered with school districts across the nation to organize group tours. When the virus took hold, the company attempted to deny full refunds to parents – until attorneys general got involved.
Lona Lamar and her partner had planned to head to Spain in June as chaperones for her son’s class trip. She spent more than $12,000 on the trip, booked through her son’s high school in Missouri.
At first, the company offered a voucher for future travel, Lamar said, which she thought made little sense for a school trip. The company then agreed to refund some of her deposit but wanted to keep about $1,000 per traveler – $3,000 in all in her case.
Lamar filed a complaint with the attorney general in Missouri in April. Because the tour company was based out of Cambridge, the Massachusetts attorney general negotiated a settlement in May that secured more than $1.4 million in partial refunds for nearly 4,200 consumers in the state.
EF Tours agreed to roll out those policies for all customers, including Lamar. The company kept $565 per person. That leaves Lamar’s trio still out more than $1,500 for a trip they never took.
“I thought it was very predatorial of the company, considering it was a pandemic,” she said. “From a parent’s standpoint, you put your trust in them. It’s just really disappointing.”
Company spokesman Adam Bickelman said policies evolved as the extent of the pandemic became clearer. He pointed to global staff overhead and supplier costs to explain why the company could not offer full cash refunds.
Bickelman noted that the customer disputes mostly related to EF Educational Tours. The domestic division, EF Explore America, offered different cash refund options because those programs cost less than the overseas excursions.
The majority of 2020 tour groups opted to accept vouchers for travel redeemable for another trip through Sept. 30, 2022, Bickelman said.
“The health and safety of our travelers and staff have been our top priority for more than 55 years,” he said. “Our singular focus during this time has been to provide our customers with the best and most flexible rebooking and refund options.”
This city's empty airport terminal is like nothing you’ve ever seen The Southwest Airlines gates of National Airport are almost completely without flying customers, showing the impact COVID-19 is having on air travel. USA TODAY, Wochit
By the time Carol Petrini reached out to EF Tours in late March to explore her options, trips around the world were being canceled, countries were banning visitors and cruise ships were getting stuck at sea. She had been paying for her tour to France through an installment plan, then up to $3,000 in all.
The company wanted to withhold $1,000 for the cancellation, Petrini said. After the settlement with the attorney general in Massachusetts, she got all but about $500 back. She questions the company’s justification for keeping any of her money.
The company “just kept saying over and over that they had already expended money on these trips,” Petrini said, “but there was no evidence that there were reservations for the airlines or hotels or anything.”
Investigations, lawsuits and charges pending
BookIt was attractive to blue-collar travelers who could slowly fund their dream vacations through a “pay delay” system. Their angst and anger is palpable on the Facebook group started by Leigh Anne Belcher and in official consumer complaints.
“I feel so stupid even booking with them. I don’t care about my trip getting canceled. I just want my money back,” one member of the Facebook group wrote about his monthslong battle with his bank, USAA, to refund his canceled $3,000 trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
“From what I understand, the BookIt business model was to not pay the resorts or airlines until the last moment of the actual trip beginning, even though I paid in full nearly four months in advance,” a Wisconsin customer complained to the state’s attorney general.
“American Airlines says I should be talking with the travel agency I booked with, not American,” Douglas Callies wrote to Wisconsin’s attorney general about his canceled trip to Cancun, Mexico. “(BookIt) never used the money for the stated purpose, but merely pocketed it to (their) personal advantage.”
Andrea Koos, a spokeswoman for American Airlines, confirmed that the company issued refunds to BookIt.com but halted them once it received a notice from a travel billing clearing house that the agency had shut down.
Florida’s attorney general says more than 800 people lodged complaints about BookIt, which is based in Panama City Beach. The U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation and police department, which fielded hundreds of complaints from consumers and vendors, collect cases in an online portal to potentially pursue fraud charges.
“I’m not in the travel business, but I just assume when I pay for my vacation, it’s paid for when I make my purchase,” Panama City police Lt. J.R. Talamantez said. “We’re trying to wrap our head around this business concept and whether it falls into fraud. It’s a sad and unfortunate situation.”
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey filed a civil suit against BookIt in June, alleging unfair and deceptive business practices. BookIt has not responded to the complaint.
Wisconsin’s Mikayla Schmidt and her fiancé Jordan Stiefel should have been on their honeymoon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, this month, all planned through BookIt.
They were paying for the $4,100 trip in installments, and their last payment was due in March. Their first clue came when they noticed the last payment had not been debited from their bank account.
“We had it on a pay delay schedule and … we went to check, and the website said everything was canceled,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt and her fiance joined Belcher’s Facebook group and filed complaints with state agencies. They disputed the earlier payments with their bank but are short about $900, Schmidt said.
When the couple got married, they instead honeymooned in California.
'Tip of the iceberg': Airbnb, VRBO guests fight for refunds after coronavirus cancellations
Documents provided by customers to USA TODAY show BookIt contacted partner hotels in March to say it wouldn’t make payments for guests, even as some of them arrived. It warned customers then that they’d probably end up paying twice and told them to fight it out with their credit card companies.
“The resort may be asking to collect the money for your stay directly from you at this time, despite that you have paid in full directly with us,” a letter from BookIt.com reads. “To get reimbursement, you need to work with your bank directly.”
A front page of the website instructs customers to contact credit agencies for refunds.
Belcher said she developed a guide for disputing charges directly with credit agencies, but members of the Facebook group who booked with debit cards or funds through their credit unions have had more trouble.
In a statement to WMBB-TV in Panama City Beach, Tennyson – the BookIt executive – said the company continues to operate and its 35 remaining staff members, down from 300, were working to refund customers.
Federal records show the company took a $1 million to $2 million Payroll Protection Program loan through the Small Business Administration, claiming to have saved 168 jobs.
Tennyson's statement said BookIt “hopes to resume its activities as a full service travel agency once some semblance of order returns to the international travel industry.”
Contributing: Mary Claire Molloy and Taylor Killough
Nick Penzenstadler and Josh Salman are reporters on the USA TODAY investigations team. Nick can be reached npenz@usatoday.com or @npenzenstadler, or on Signal at (720) 507-5273. Josh can be reached at jsalman@gatehousemedia.com or @joshsalman, or (941) 361-4967.


usatoday--2020-09-24--Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan draw criticism, disparaging Trump comments for video urging voting

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan appear in a new video urging Americans to reject hate speech and to vote in the November election , a stand that is under fire from critics due to its `` political '' nature and that drew disparaging comments from President Donald Trump .
In the `` 2020 Time 100 '' video , commemorating the magazine 's choice of the world 's most influential people , Harry and Meghan discuss the upcoming election and voting , and urged people to be discerning about their online content .
The video , shot on a wood bench @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple 's first since they stepped back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family , and comes six months since they moved to Southern California .
Members of the royal family are politically neutral , and , as Harry points out in the video , do n't vote in U.K. elections .
`` As we approach this November , it 's vital that we reject hate speech , misinformation and online negativity , '' Harry said in the video .
`` This election , I 'm not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
But many of you may not know that I have n't been able to vote in the U.K. my entire life . ''
It 's been 6 months : Harry and Meghan moved to LA post-Megxit : Are they happy now ?
He urged caution over what people consume online and put out on social media .
`` When one person buys into negativity online , the effects are felt exponentially , '' Harry said .
`` Every four years we are told the same thing : that this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Meghan said .
`` But this one is .
When we vote , our values are put into action and our voices are heard .
Your voice is a reminder that you matter , because you do and you deserve to be heard . ''
Piers Morgan , the former `` America 's Got Talent '' host and one-time editor of the British tabloid The Daily Mirror , decried the video as `` unacceptable '' on Twitter , saying that it was a clear attempt to sway voters from President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remove the couple 's royal titles .
`` The brazen disregard for royal neutrality rules to dump on Trump leaves the Queen with no option but to strip them of ALL their royal titles , '' Morgan wrote .
`` He ’ s still a royal , they both are ...
If they drop the titles , they can say what they like .
But the titles bring in their $ $ $ $ $ $ . ''
President Trump addressed the video in a press conference Monday , speaking disparagingly of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fan of hers , '' said Trump .
`` I wish a lot of luck to Harry , he 's going to need it . ''

Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan draw criticism, disparaging Trump comments for video urging voting
Show Caption Hide Caption Meghan Markle, Prince Harry draw criticism for political video Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan drew criticism, including from President Trump, for a video urging Americans to vote. Associated Press, USA TODAY
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan appear in a new video urging Americans to reject hate speech and to vote in the November election, a stand that is under fire from critics due to its "political" nature and that drew disparaging comments from President Donald Trump.
In the "2020 Time 100" video, commemorating the magazine's choice of the world's most influential people, Harry and Meghan discuss the upcoming election and voting, and urged people to be discerning about their online content.
The video, shot on a wood bench amid a sprawling green lawn, is the couple's first since they stepped back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family, and comes six months since they moved to Southern California. Members of the royal family are politically neutral, and, as Harry points out in the video, don't vote in U.K. elections.
"As we approach this November, it's vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity," Harry said in the video. "This election, I'm not going to be able to vote here in the U.S. But many of you may not know that I haven't been able to vote in the U.K. my entire life."
It's been 6 months: Harry and Meghan moved to LA post-Megxit: Are they happy now?
“It’s time to not only reflect, but act.” This #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, join #Time100 alumni Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in taking action for the future. pic.twitter.com/JerXHxiZK3 — ABC (@ABCNetwork) September 23, 2020
He urged caution over what people consume online and put out on social media.
"When one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially," Harry said.
The American-born duchess urged voting participation.
"Every four years we are told the same thing: that this is the most important election of our lifetime,"Meghan said. "But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard. Your voice is a reminder that you matter, because you do and you deserve to be heard."
Piers Morgan, the former "America's Got Talent" host and one-time editor of the British tabloid The Daily Mirror, decried the video as "unacceptable" on Twitter, saying that it was a clear attempt to sway voters from President Trump.
He called for Queen Elizabeth II to remove the couple's royal titles.
"The brazen disregard for royal neutrality rules to dump on Trump leaves the Queen with no option but to strip them of ALL their royal titles," Morgan wrote. "He’s still a royal, they both are ... If they drop the titles, they can say what they like. But the titles bring in their $$$$$$."
Q: "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chimed in on the U.S. election and essentially encouraged people to vote for Joe Biden. I wanted to get your reaction to that."
Trump: "I'm not a fan of hers... I wish a lot of luck to Harry -- because he's going to need it." pic.twitter.com/fSVnTifTqY — The Hill (@thehill) September 23, 2020
President Trump addressed the video in a press conference Monday, speaking disparagingly of Markle.
‘I’m not a fan of hers," said Trump. "I wish a lot of luck to Harry, he's going to need it."