EXCLUSIVE: $1M Theft At Iconic NY Music Store Is More Revenge From Ex-Boss, Owner Says EXCLUSIVE: $1M Theft At Iconic NY Music Store Is More Revenge From Ex-Boss, Owner Says
Exclusive: $1M Theft At Iconic NY Music Store Is More Revenge From Ex-Boss, Owner Says A Long Island music store owner whose father is accused of stealing more than $1 million in rare instruments says the criminal case against him is part of a long-running battle over control of the historic shop. Manuel Alvarez, 61, of East Rockaway, was arrested after Nassau County police say he removed over $1 million in musical instruments and items from Kolstein Music in Baldwin, and transported them to an undisclosed location in Florida, Nassau County Police said. But his son, Manny Alvarez, who has been the owner of the music shop for nearly seven years, tells a different story. “Barr…
FBI Issues Warning About 'Malicious' AI Scam: What To Know FBI Issues Warning About 'Malicious' AI Scam: What To Know
FBI Issues Warning About 'Malicious' AI Scam: What To Know Scammers are using fraudulent text messages and AI-generated voice messages, according to a new warning from the FBI. Since April 2025, malicious actors have been impersonating senior US officials to target individuals, particularly current and former federal and state government officials and their contacts.  Details The fraudsters are using text messages and AI-generated voice messages, known as smishing and vishing, to establish a false sense of rapport before attempting to access personal accounts. One common tactic involves sending a malicious link disguised as a request to tran…
PA Man Faked Landlord Role To Steal $14K In Opioid Scam, Fled To Georgia Before Arrest, DA Says PA Man Faked Landlord Role To Steal $14K In Opioid Scam, Fled To Georgia Before Arrest, DA Says
PA Man Faked Landlord Role To Steal $14K In Opioid Scam, Fled To Georgia Before Arrest, DA Says A Kutztown man posed as a landlord to steal thousands of dollars meant to help recovering addicts get housing, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams announced on Thursday, May 22. Kody A. Kirkland, 32, forged documents, faked pay stubs, and filed phony applications to cash in on the State Opioid Response (SOR) Rental Assistance Program, according to county detectives. The taxpayer-funded program, managed by the Treatment Access and Services Center, Inc. (TASC), was created to help people struggling with addiction keep a roof over their heads. Instead, investigators say Kirkland turne…
Luigi Mangione Musical Is Real, And It's Sold Out Luigi Mangione Musical Is Real, And It's Sold Out
Luigi Mangione Musical Is Real, And It's Sold Out A new musical rooted in true crime and real-world headlines is making waves for its surreal premise — and stranger backstory. The creators of Luigi The Musical, which centers on controversial figure Luigi Mangione, say it will offer a unique blend of comedy and social critique, distancing itself from any glorification of violence. It will premiere on Friday, June 13, in San Francisco, at the Taylor Street Theater. Tickets for all five of its initial performances are sold out, with new dates expected to be announced, according to the show’s website. Mangione, a 27-year-old Maryland native, …
Whistleblower To Get $1M After Tipping Off DOJ About PA Restaurant Chain's COVID Fraud Whistleblower To Get $1M After Tipping Off DOJ About PA Restaurant Chain's COVID Fraud
Whistleblower To Get $1M After Tipping Off DOJ About PA Restaurant Chain's COVID Fraud A whistleblower who alerted the federal government to a restaurant chain’s fraudulent pandemic aid claim will walk away with more than $1.17 million. CoreLife Eatery, which operates restaurants in several states, including New York and Pennsylvania, admitted it falsely claimed to be eligible for Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) money—federal grants meant to help small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s where the whistleblower comes in. The civil case was brought under the False Claims Act, which allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the government if t…
Dead Man’s House Stolen With Help From Pennsylvania Attorney, Now Sentenced To Prison: DOJ Dead Man’s House Stolen With Help From Pennsylvania Attorney, Now Sentenced To Prison: DOJ
Dead Man’s House Stolen With Help From Pennsylvania Attorney, Now Sentenced To Prison: DOJ A Bucks County attorney who took part in a scheme to steal a house from a dead man’s family and filed false claims in federal court is headed to prison, the FBI announced on Tuesday, May 6. Alan Kane, 60, of Jamison, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to US Attorney David Metcalf. He must also pay $160,072 in restitution and a $1,000 fine, as ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson on Monday, April 28. A federal jury convicted Kane in September of two counts of bankruptcy fraud, one count of filing a fals…
Dog, Cash, Perks Traded For $52M In Amtrak Project, Philly Contractor Admits: DOJ Dog, Cash, Perks Traded For $52M In Amtrak Project, Philly Contractor Admits: DOJ
Dog, Cash, Perks Traded For $52M In Amtrak Project, Philly Contractor Admits: DOJ A contractor president conspired to bribe an Amtrak project manager in exchange for millions of dollars in additional work on Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, federal prosecutors announced on Wednesday, April 30. Mark Snedden, 69, of Munster, Indiana, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Federal Program Bribery and Making and Presenting a False Claim before U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone, according to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Snedden was the president and sole owner of a masonry restoration company that had been awarded a $58.4 million…
Fyre Festival 2 Postponed Due To Lack Of Venue Fyre Festival 2 Postponed Due To Lack Of Venue
Fyre Festival 2 Postponed Due To Lack Of Venue Anyone with a craving for a bland cheese sandwich is not going to like this news. Fyre Festival 2, the sequel to the infamous failed music festival that promised luxury but instead delivered tents and stale cheese sandwiches and sent Billy McFarland, a Short Hills native, to prison, has been postponed, organizers said on Wednesday, April 16. The event was scheduled to take place in Mexico at the end of May, only they were unable to find a venue. No musical guests had been announced, though tickets went on sale anyway, starting at $1,400. Top tickets were sold for $1 million with a promise o…
Agent Faked 332 Life Insurance Policies, Laundered $600K In Commissions: PA AG Agent Faked 332 Life Insurance Policies, Laundered $600K In Commissions: PA AG
Agent Faked 332 Life Insurance Policies, Laundered $600K In Commissions: PA AG A Montgomery County life insurance agent forged hundreds of policies using unsuspecting people’s identities to steal more than $600,000 in commissions, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Tuesday, April 15. Dennis Wright, 42, of Glenside, is accused of creating 332 fake life insurance policies between June 2020 and February 2022, forging personal details and signatures — without the victims’ knowledge or consent — to earn sales commissions from National Guardian Life Insurance (NGL), investigators said. Wright then funneled the $603,000 he received through multiple fake b…
Data Breach Exposed Driver's Licenses, Credit Cards Of Hertz Customers Data Breach Exposed Driver's Licenses, Credit Cards Of Hertz Customers
Data Breach Exposed Driver's Licenses, Credit Cards Of Hertz Customers Customers of car rental company Hertz may have had their personal information stolen after a data breach exposed driver's license numbers, credit card details, and other sensitive records. Hertz confirmed the breach involved data stored by Cleo Communications, a vendor used by Hertz for file transfers. Hackers exploited security flaws in Cleo's system in October and December 2024, according to the company. Hertz verified on Monday, Feb. 10, that an "unauthorized third party" accessed customer data. The company completed its investigation on Wednesday, April 2, and began notifying affec…
Seen Her? Woman Behind Alleged $4B Ponzi-Style Scheme Among FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted Seen Her? Woman Behind Alleged $4B Ponzi-Style Scheme Among FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted
Seen Her? Woman Behind Alleged $4B Ponzi-Style Scheme Among FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted She promised the next Bitcoin. What investors got instead was a $4 billion black hole—and a fugitive who hasn’t been seen since 2017. Ruja Ignatova, the woman once known as the “Cryptoqueen,” remains one of the world’s most elusive fugitives and is currently on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list.  The founder of the fraudulent cryptocurrency OneCoin, Ignatova is accused of orchestrating a massive Ponzi-style scheme that duped investors around the globe out of billions. Authorities say the scam began in 2014, when Ignatova launched OneCoin Ltd., a Bulgaria-based company that marketed itself…
Don't Fall For This EZ-Pass Text Scam Don't Fall For This EZ-Pass Text Scam
Don't Fall For This Ez-pass Text Scam Fraudulent text messages pretending to be from E-ZPass are alarming users with false claims of unpaid tolls and directing them to a deceptive payment website.  Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid clicking any links contained in these messages. These fake texts are often sent from an international number and request the consumer to reply with "Y" to receive a link to a counterfeit payment portal in an attempt to steal personal information and funds from unsuspecting individuals. This smishing tactic is designed to steal personal information and funds fro…