Saturday, June 20, 2026

Most Wanted Fraudsters List: Fugitive Who Pled Guilty in $1.2 Billion Medicare Scheme Nabbed in the Philippines

A Chicago native who allegedly ran a $1.2 billion healthcare fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims on Medicare was captured in the Philippines and shipped back to the United States — becoming the second suspect nabbed on the FBI’s new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list.

Herbert Leon Kimble, 60, was arrested in the Philippines where he had evaded authorities for nearly two years, according to federal investigators.

“In just over two weeks, this is the second Most Wanted Fraudster arrested on the FBI’s list led by Vice President Vance and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X Friday.

Kimble was initially charged for his role in the healthcare fraud and kickback scheme and pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States on April 4, 2019. After years of cooperation against other co-conspirators, Kimble failed to appear at his sentencing on October 7, 2024, according to authorities.

According to the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General:

From approximately 2014 until April 2019, Herbert “Herb” Kimble controlled and operated an offshore call center that marketed orthotic braces for pain through advertisements on television and the internet. Once a Medicare beneficiary called a 1-800 number listed in the advertisements, they would be screened for eligibility and then convinced that they needed an orthotic brace, and often upsold on other braces. The call center would then contact a telemedicine company whose physician would often issue a prescription without regard to medical necessity.

Kimble’s charges in 2019 included conspiracy to defraud the United States, healthcare fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, making false claims, and offering kickbacks and bribes.

Kimble becomes the second fugitive to be checked off from the new Most Wanted Fraudsters list, newly created by the U.S. Justice Department as part of the National Fraud Enforcement Division to support President Donald Trump’s “Task Force to Eliminate Fraud,“ which is led by Vice President JD Vance.

Last week, federal officials announced the apprehension of Said Abdullahi Ereg, 47, who was wanted for his alleged participation in a Minneapolis, Minnesota fraud scheme that exploited the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those involved “obtained, misappropriated, and laundered millions of dollars” in program funds that were intended to reimburse the costs of serving meals to children in need, according to authorities.

Vance credited the most wanted list with helping to enable the capture of both fugitives.

“Our message is simple,” Vance wrote in an X post. “If you defraud the American people, we will find you and we will bring you to justice.”

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche also weighed in on Kimble’s capture.

“Instead of facing accountability for his $1.2 billion Medicare fraud crimes in the United States, Kimble fled to the Philippines hoping to escape justice,” Blanche wrote on X. “That plan failed. Under President Trump’s leadership, this FBI has now apprehended two fraudsters from its recently unveiled Most Wanted Fraudster list in just two weeks, with more to come.”

https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2026/06/20/most-wanted-fraudsters-list-fugitive-who-pled-guilty-in-1-2-billion-medicare-scheme-nabbed-in-the-philippines/

It's Cartoon/Meme Time! #485c



A California town bet big on socialism. Is it coming to more American cities?

Anti-business policies, defund the police movement and Israel-Palestinian resolutions alarm critics

 For years, Richmond, Calif., has served as a testing ground in the debate over whether democratic socialist policies can be successful in the U.S. Much of the city's politics have been shaped by the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), a powerful progressive coalition whose members and allies have championed policies associated with the democratic socialist movement.

Supporters say Richmond is demonstrating how ordinary citizens can challenge corporate influence and build a more community-focused government. Meanwhile, critics argue the city has become a laboratory for anti-business policies that risk driving away investment and employers.

"I look at Richmond as an experiment of what they would do if they were, you know, if they had a majority in Congress and had the president," former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt told Fox News Digital.

INSIDE THE CALIFORNIA CITY WHERE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS ARE TESTING THEIR 'ANTI-BUSINESS' AGENDA

Point Richmond California

A view of Point Richmond in California. Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) candidates have repeatedly been endorsed by the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) going back almost two decades. 

Butt argued that Richmond leadership offers a glimpse into what democratic socialists could do if they had power on a larger scale.

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who recently lost his bid for re-election after the RPA backed another candidate, rejected the idea that his city is a political experiment.

"Richmond is not an experiment. It is a shining example of working people recognizing their ability to govern themselves without being beholden to corporate influence or large financial interests," he told Fox News Digital.

Martinez is a member of the RPA and has expressed support for democratic socialism. He said that the coalition served as "an alternative to traditional, business-dominated politics."

"It seeks to empower communities that have historically been marginalized by providing meaningful opportunities for residents to participate in shaping the decisions that affect their lives," the mayor told Fox News Digital.

Richmond's political significance may extend beyond its city limits. As Seattle and New York City elect democratic socialist leaders, and Washington, D.C., is on the verge of electing one as well, some observers have questioned whether the movement's growing success offers a glimpse into the future of the Democratic Party.

SOCIALIST-RUN CALIFORNIA CITY TAKES ON CHEVRON WHILE RESIDENTS WORRY ABOUT LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES

San Francisco GOP Chairman Nicholas Berg

San Francisco GOP Chairman Nicholas Berg says that he is concerned a "wave" of socialism could spread across the United States.  

Nicholas Berg, chairman of the San Francisco Republican Party, said he believes Richmond is part of a broader political shift taking place in California and other major cities.

"I do worry that this is going to be a wave that's going to sweep over major cities," Berg told Fox News Digital. "I think young people are feeling very frustrated with their ability to have the American dream."

"We sold them a lie, and the lie was, if you go to college and you rack up this huge amount of debt, you're going to be able to have the American dream, you're going to be able to buy a house and have a family and not live paycheck to paycheck, and that turned out to not be true," Berg added.

When asked about whether Richmond is a symbol of where the Democratic Party is headed, Butt said he was unsure and described the party as being "factionalized."

"I don't know where the Democratic Party's moving," he said. "They're torn apart by so many factions, but it's hard to characterize what the Democratic Party is and what they stand for."

WILL SOCIALISM SAVE SEATTLE? CITY ADVOCATES STRUGGLE TO FIND SOLUTIONS AS HOMELESS, DRUG ADDICTS FLOOD STREETS

Butt argued that the democratic socialist leaders of Richmond would take over businesses in the city and even get rid of police if they could.

Point Richmond in California

Richmond, California, may be the longest-running experiment in democratic socialism governance in the U.S.

"If they have their way, they would eliminate the police. And they've been anti-police, they've cut the budget, they cut the number of officers, they've done everything they can to dismantle police. And I don't know how they think the world's going to work without police, but that's the way they want it," Butt said.

"I think if they could ban business and make everything run by government, you know, particularly their people in government, that they would do that," he later added.

Mark Wassberg, who recently ran for mayor, also spoke about Richmond leaders' disdain for police.

"I mean, there's always tension between the Richmond PD and the city council," Wassberg told Fox News Digital. "Well, actually, the RPA hates the Richmond PD."

In June 2020, as the country saw riots following the killing of George Floyd, Richmond City Council voted to form the Reimagining Public Safety Community Task Force. In June 2021, the council voted to reduce the police budget by $3 million, some of which went to fund recommendations from the task force, according to The Contra Costa Pulse. The outlet noted that Butt, who was mayor at the time, voted against the measure.

Richmond California police department

Contra Costa County’s Civil Grand Jury released a report in May 2025 finding that the Richmond Police Department has been understaffed since the city diverted $3 million from the department in 2021. 

Despite Wassberg's and Butt's warnings about the tension between local officials and police, Richmond resident Stephen London said that he feels that the city is safe. However, he also acknowledged that candidates running for mayor in the 2026 race had supported the defund the police movement.

"My understanding is that Richmond used to be a much more dangerous place. It doesn't feel very threatening," London said. He later added that "It seems to be going in the right direction. I do know this, that several politicians running now were part of the defund the police movement and that was ridiculous."

The debate extends beyond economics. Critics have also questioned Richmond leaders' involvement in international issues, including resolutions and activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, arguing City Hall should focus more heavily on local concerns.

Days after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel in 2023, the Richmond City Council passed a resolution expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and accusing Israel of carrying out "a campaign of ethnic cleansing and collective punishment."

London, a Jewish Richmond resident, said he believes city leaders have adopted positions commonly associated with democratic socialists.

Richmond, California resident Stephen London

Richmond resident Stephen London said that many candidates running in the city previously supported the defund the police movement.  

"They've adopted a major DSA position," he said, referring to opposition to supplying Israel with arms. "And I'm not happy about that."

While critics expressed concerns about Richmond's leaders getting involved in international issues, Martinez defended the position as a matter of representing his community.

"Regarding international issues, Richmond is a diverse and interconnected community. Global events often affect the families and loved ones of our residents. Recognizing this reminds us how interconnected our world has become and reinforces the understanding that injustices anywhere can contribute to injustices everywhere," he told Fox News Digital.

The debate over whether Richmond serves as a model for grassroots democracy or a warning about the rise of democratic socialism remains ongoing. However, as more democratic socialists see success in America's major cities, the issues that have defined Richmond politics are increasingly becoming part of the national conversation.

https://www.foxnews.com/media/california-town-bet-big-socialism-coming-more-american-cities

Friday, June 19, 2026

It's Cartoon/Meme Time! #485b



New Air Force One takes flight as Trump unveils revamped presidential aircraft

A refurbished Boeing 747-8i donated by Qatar will serve as interim Air Force One 

President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a newly refurbished presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, touting its size, luxury and updated red, white and blue paint scheme as the Air Force prepares the jet for service.

The Boeing 747-8i, donated by the government of Qatar and modified for presidential use, is expected to serve as an interim Air Force One while Boeing continues work on two delayed VC-25B replacement aircraft.

Standing alongside Air Force leaders and service members, Trump said the aircraft's most noticeable feature is its size.

"The biggest difference is the difference in size. It's like virtually double the size," Trump said.

AIR FORCE ONE SCRAPS ICONIC KENNEDY-ERA PAINT SCHEME FOR TRUMP-APPROVED RED, WHITE, BLUE DESIGN

Reporters were later given a brief tour of the aircraft, which featured wood-paneled interiors, gold-toned fixtures and tan-and-gold seating throughout. Spacious cabins, large television screens and polished metallic finishes gave the jet an upscale feel.

Near the front of the aircraft, reporters viewed a private suite with lounge-style seating before passing a conference room featuring a large table, a painting of the Washington Monument overlooking the Reflecting Pool and a decorative bookcase surrounding a television screen.

The aircraft's press cabin spans the width of the rear section of the jet and includes 24 seats arranged across three sections. Each seat is equipped with its own entertainment screen, and the cabin appeared significantly larger than the press area aboard the current Air Force One fleet.

The Air Force said the aircraft will soon begin commissioning flights, a final phase of testing before entering operational service.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO: THE QATAR AIR FORCE ONE JET

US President Donald Trump steps out of the new Air Force One, gifted to him by Qatar, in a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on June 19, 2026. 

"The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority," Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said. "From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission."

Trump said he sought the aircraft after becoming frustrated with delays to Boeing's Air Force One replacement program and growing comparisons between the aging U.S. presidential fleet and newer aircraft operated by foreign governments.

"I asked the Emir if we could use the brand new 747," Trump said, noting the aircraft had relatively few flight hours and describing the current presidential fleet as aging.

"Our country has to be represented properly," he added.

AIR FORCE ONE GLITCH REVIVES REPLACEMENT PUSH AS WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT 'PROVES TRUMP WAS RIGHT AGAIN'

Donald Trump speaks in front of the new Air Force One, gifted to him by by Qatar, in a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on June 19, 2026. White House officials bade farewell on June 18, 2026, to one of the two jets that have been used to transport US presidents for more than 30 years.  

The aircraft features Trump's preferred red, white and dark blue color scheme, replacing the light blue-and-white design that has defined presidential aircraft since the Kennedy administration. Earlier this year, the Air Force confirmed the updated paint scheme would become the standard across the presidential and executive airlift fleet, including the VC-25B aircraft currently under development.

Trump also praised the aircraft's interior craftsmanship and described it as "considered the world's most luxurious plane."

Trump said the aircraft could also play a prominent role in next year's America 250 celebration, predicting it would lead a July 4 flyover over Washington featuring fighter jets and other military aircraft. The president called it "a flyover like no flyover" and said the display could include F-22s, F-35s and other aircraft from across the U.S. military.

The Pentagon accepted the Qatari aircraft last year and has spent recent months preparing it for presidential service. Officials have said the timeline moved more quickly than the broader Air Force One replacement effort because the aircraft's interior required fewer modifications than the VC-25B program.

Trump also praised the more than 250 personnel who worked around the clock to prepare the aircraft for service, saying the jet was transformed into what he called a "flying White House" in roughly 10 months.

The jet is expected to bridge the gap until Boeing delivers two next-generation Air Force One aircraft, which are not expected to be completed for roughly two more years.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-air-force-one-takes-flight-trump-unveils-revamped-presidential-aircraft

It's Cartoon/Meme Time! #485a








Most Wanted Fraudsters List: Fugitive Who Pled Guilty in $1.2 Billion Medicare Scheme Nabbed in the Philippines

A Chicago native who allegedly ran a $1.2 billion healthcare fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims on Medicare was captured in the Phil...