In early January, a Justice Department lawyer informed a Trump transition official, Emil Bove, of an ongoing bribery investigation into Tom Homan. Undercover FBI agents had recorded Homan allegedly accepting $50,000 in exchange for helping contractors secure border enforcement deals. Justice officials worried Homan wouldn’t pass a security clearance. The investigation was subsequently shut down.
On Tuesday, U.S. federal prosecutors moved to drop bribery charges in a long-running international soccer case involving a former Fox executive and the Full Play Group, an Argentine sports marketing company. These charges, part of a wider investigation into corruption within FIFA-affiliated organizations, were dismissed due to a shift in prosecutorial priorities. The move has drawn scrutiny online, especially given its timing shortly after former President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. Though there is no evidence linking the award and the dismissal of charges, the situation has prompted speculation and calls for investigation.
President Trump has pardoned Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, who were indicted on federal charges related to bribery allegations. Trump announced the pardon on social media, claiming the prosecution was politically motivated due to Cuellar’s opposition to certain policies. The charges included accepting bribes from an oil and gas company and a Mexican bank. Cuellar and his wife faced numerous counts including conspiracy and money laundering, but the pardon allows him to move forward.
Former President Donald Trump pardoned Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife in a federal bribery and conspiracy case, citing a “weaponized” justice system. Trump claimed Cuellar was targeted for criticizing President Biden’s immigration policies, despite Cuellar and his wife being charged with accepting bribes in exchange for advancing the interests of an energy company and a Mexican bank. While the couple’s trial was scheduled for April, the pardon, which does not erase a criminal record, was announced via social media. Cuellar, who still faces an Ethics Committee investigation, thanked Trump and stated he could move forward, while the Justice Department has not issued a comment.
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, has been sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison. Gill admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for pro-Russia interviews and speeches, potentially receiving up to £40,000. These payments were connected to his work as a Member of the European Parliament, with the money coming from an individual alleged to have ties to Russian secret services. Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb stated that Gill’s actions abused his position and damaged public trust in democracy.
Nathan Gill, the former Reform UK leader in Wales, has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for accepting bribes to make pro-Russian statements while serving as a UKIP and Brexit Party MEP. Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery, receiving at least £30,000 from Oleg Voloshyn, a former Ukrainian MP and alleged Russian asset. The judge stated that Gill had betrayed the public’s trust by accepting money to influence his statements, which were designed to benefit the Kremlin’s narrative on Ukraine. Following the sentencing, there have been calls for Reform UK to launch an investigation into its party structures and members to ensure any remaining pro-Russian links are rooted out.
During a hearing, Judge Illston indicated she was likely to grant the plaintiff’s motion. She stated that the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management appeared to be disregarding laws during the government spending lapse. Illston believes the plaintiffs will demonstrate that the actions are both illegal, beyond their authority, and arbitrary. The case was brought by the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, representing 800,000 federal workers.
The Supreme Court is poised to dismantle campaign finance restrictions, potentially eliminating limits on donations and hindering bribery prosecutions. A new book, “Master Plan,” details a decades-long conservative strategy to deregulate campaign finance, culminating in the *Citizens United* decision. Two specific cases, including one backed by J.D. Vance, could allow party committees to become conduits for large donations, and weaken anti-bribery laws. These efforts aim to make it increasingly difficult to prosecute public corruption, allowing for influence peddling.
During a Sunday morning interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Vice President JD Vance sparred with host George Stephanopoulos over questions about bribery allegations against Tom Homan, repeatedly deflecting the line of questioning. Frustrated by Stephanopoulos’ focus, Vance criticized the line of questioning, leading Stephanopoulos to abruptly end the interview and cut to a commercial break. Vance then took to social media to express his dissatisfaction, accusing Stephanopoulos of prioritizing a “fake scandal” over more pressing issues. The interaction continues a contentious relationship between the MAGA administration and Stephanopoulos, highlighting previous legal battles and accusations of biased reporting.
Reports from ProPublica and other outlets indicate that former border czar Tom Homan was recorded accepting a $50,000 bribe from an FBI agent in exchange for connecting interested parties with lucrative federal contracts. During an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Vice President JD Vance dodged questions regarding the alleged bribe, resulting in the abrupt end of the interview. The White House has denied that Homan accepted the money, however, Homan himself has indirectly denied the accusations. Democrats in Congress plan to investigate the matter after the Department of Justice dropped the investigation.
John Q. Hosedrinker