All articles tagged with #pandemic aid
A juror in a Minneapolis trial involving $250 million in stolen pandemic aid reported receiving a $120,000 cash bribe with a note promising more if she voted to acquit. The juror notified police, leading to the arrest of all seven defendants. The trial, which involves allegations of stealing funds meant to feed children during the pandemic, will continue with the remaining jurors sequestered.
A juror in the Feeding Our Future fraud trial was dismissed after receiving $120,000 in cash and a promise of more money for acquitting seven defendants accused of stealing over $40 million from a pandemic food aid program. The trial, involving 70 defendants and $250 million in alleged fraud, has led to the detention of the seven defendants and heightened security concerns among jurors.
A juror in a Minneapolis fraud trial was dismissed after reporting that she was offered $120,000 and more money to acquit seven defendants accused of stealing over $40 million from a pandemic food aid program. The trial, involving the first of 70 defendants in a $250 million fraud case, has seen 18 guilty pleas and $50 million recovered. The judge has sequestered the jury to ensure a fair trial.
Childcare costs in the US are soaring, with the average annual cost for licensed day care reaching $16,692 and infant care in a home day care costing $11,960. High inflation is exacerbating the financial strain on families, with childcare costs rising 4.4% in March compared to a year ago. The expiration of pandemic-era funds has led to the closure of childcare centers, putting millions of families in dire need of affordable childcare. In some areas, childcare costs now exceed the price of a college education, and many families are spending a significant portion of their income on childcare expenses. The childcare industry is facing a crisis, with projections of widespread program closures and job losses, leaving millions of children without access to childcare.
The number of homeless people in the United States has reached a record high, increasing by 12% in the past year, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rising rents and the end of pandemic aid programs have contributed to the surge, with over 653,000 people experiencing homelessness. The increase is particularly notable among families with children, veterans, and Asian and Hispanic/Latino individuals. Experts attribute the rise to a shortage of affordable housing, high housing costs, and the impact of migrants in many U.S. cities. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge emphasized the need for urgent support and prevention strategies to address the issue.
Despite economists' positive outlook on the strong job market and "soft landing" of the economy, a new poll reveals that Americans are feeling gloomy about their own economic situations. The majority of respondents described their economic state as "worse" rather than improving. Factors contributing to this sentiment include rising grocery costs, increasing household debt, decreased savings, the end of pandemic aid, and cutbacks on spending. Lower-income households have been hit the hardest, with higher rates of debt and reliance on pandemic aid. Additionally, Americans are planning to spend less on holiday shopping, which could impact the economy further.
Republican Rep. George Santos of New York, who co-sponsored a bill to clamp down on unemployment fraud, has been accused of the same type of fraud. Santos allegedly fraudulently collected pandemic jobless aid from New York state while he was employed, according to charges leveled by federal prosecutors in an indictment that was unsealed on Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include money laundering, wire fraud, and making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. Santos was released on a $500,000 bond and agreed to surrender his passport.