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This is an FBI investigation document from the Epstein Files collection (FBI VOL00009). Text has been machine-extracted from the original PDF file. Search more documents →

FBI VOL00009

EFTA00136558

49 pages
Pages 21–40 / 49
Page 21 / 49
involved in child sex trafficking and making child pornography. United States Attorney Peter McCoy Jr. 
announced the arrests Thursday." McCoy "said Gary Garland, Shannon Garland, Johnnie Wells, Michael 
Skelton, and Duwone Allen, all of Anderson, were charged on a multi-count federal indictment charging 
violations of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography. The case 
involved two underage victims." 
Florida Man Charged With Vandalizing Church With Nazi Symbols. 
The Bradenton (FL) Herald <https://www.bradenton.com/newillocal/crime/article245289700.html> (8/27, 
Young, 123K) reports, "An 18-year-old man has been charged with breaking into a church, stealing property and 
vandalizing it with Nazi symbols. The FBI assisted Bradenton police with the investigation." The Herald adds, 
"According to the arrest report, Noah Turner also stabbed a Bible with a knife and admitted his fingerprints 
would be found on the knife. Turner told detectives that he did it to scare the church goers at Iglesia De Dios 
Nueva Vida Church, 1619 10th Ave. W. Due to the crime involving hate symbols, Bradenton police called in the 
FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and an investigation began Sunday morning" 
"Justice League Dropout" Robber Robs Bank In Texas Walmart. 
The Sugar Land (TX) Sun <https://vvww.chron.corn/neighborhood/sugarland/news/article/Justice-League-
Dropout-robber-targets-15519888.php> (8/27) reports a man in a "gray Superman hat and a menacing skeleton 
face mask," who has been "dubbed the 'Justice League Dropout,' on Wednesday robbed a bank inside a 
Walmart in Stafford, Texas. "According to FBI officials, the suspect entered the" store "just before 2 p.m. and 
proceeded to the First Convenience Bank branch inside the store where he handed a teller a demand note. The 
frightened teller complied and the suspect walked away with an undisclosed amount of money." A man fitting the 
same description "was spotted on security camera video during a robbery at the First Convenience Bank" in 
Houston on Monday. 
FBI Offering $10,000 Reward In Detroit Road Rage Murders. 
WJBK-TV <https://www.fox2detroit.corn/news/fbi-announces-reward-for-information-for-suspects-in-apparent-
road-rage-murders-of-detroit-parents> Detroit (8/27, 103K) reports the FBI is offering a $10,000 reward "for 
information about who shot at a family of five in southwest Detroit on the Fourth of July, hitting all five and 
killing both parents. Maria and Francisco Gonzalez leave behind three boys, 15, 12 and 9 years old." The victims 
"were driving northbound on Homer Street when what was described as a procession of vehicles got behind 
them and got a little too close." Authorities believe the last vehicle "fired the shots into the family's car." 
WDIV-TV <https://wvvw.clickondetroit.com/newillocal/2020/08/27/watch-live-detroit-police-fbi-provide-
update-on-july-fourth-quintuple-shooting-that-killed-1 -injured-4/> Detroit (8/27, Johncox, 460K) reports, 
"Detroit Police Assistant Chief Levally and members of the FBI held a news briefing on Thursday to provide an 
update" on the shooting, at which the FBI announced "a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest 
of the suspect(s) involved." The Detroit News <https://www.detroitnews.corn/stoty/news/local/detroit-
city/2020/08/27/3-kids-parents-detroit-slayings-fbi-10-000-tips/5649336002/> (8/27, 825K) also reports. 
FBI Helping Georgia Police Investigate Racist Letters. 
The Thomasville (GA) Times-Enterprise <https://www.timesenterprise.corn/newillocal_news/fbi-called-in-to-
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help-investigate-racist-letters/article_37e59486-0cd4-568a-9bf2-f2a305e37008.html> (8/27, Dozier, 23K) 
reports police in the Thomasville, Georgia, area "have received dozens of complaints about offensive letters 
mailed to residents. The letter — rife with racial slurs - is in the form of a bogus job application. The Thomas 
County Sheriff's Office has requested FBI assistance in investigating the letters." 
New York Man Faces Attempted Child Enticement Charges. 
The Hudson Valley (NY) Post <https://hudsonvalleypost.com/upper-hudson-valley-man-charged-with-
attempted-child-enticemend> (8/27) reports Thomas Squires of Cairo, New York, was arrested on August 19 for 
"allegedly attempting to entice a child. Between July 27 and August 19, Squires exchanged sexually explicit text 
messages with an undercover investigator who was posing as a child, police say. He allegedly repeatedly asked 
for naked photos of the child and sent photos of his own genitalia and asked to meet the child in person at a pre-
determined location in Cairo to engage in sexual acts in his vehicle.... The case is being investigated by the FBI 
and its Child Exploitation Task Force, with assistance from the Greene County Sheriff's Office." 
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty To Posting Threats On Social Media. 
The Mansfield (OH) News Journal <https://www.mansfieldnewsjoumal.corn/story/news/2020/08/27/mansfield-
man-accused-making-threats-social-media-pleads-guilty/5643819002/> (8/27, 47K) reports Jaywuan Peavy of 
Mansfield, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to "authoring social media posts that called for attacks on stores and a riot." 
Peavy "was arrested in June...one day after Mansfield police and city leaders issued a statement saying they had 
been made aware of social media posts that called for violence." Peavy was arrested "one week after hundreds of 
people gathered at Central Park and marched through the streets to decry the killing of George Floyd and to 
protest police brutality. The threats called for violence in downtown Mansfield on June 5, the same day a protest 
was planned in Ontario." 
Georgia Man Gets 20 Years For Multiple Bank Robberies. 
The Athens (GA) Banner-Herald <https://www.onlineathens.coin/news/20200827/serial-bank-robberrsquo-who-
struck-in-athens-gets-20-years-in-prison?rssfeed=true> (8/27, Ford, 97K) reports Frank Douglas of North 
Augusta, South Carolina, "was sentenced this week to 20 years in prison after a guilty plea in the US District 
Court" in Athens, Georgia, having confessed "nearly three years" ago to robbing three banks. Douglas "went on 
his robbery spree shortly after he was released from a federal prison on Sept. 29, 2017, prosecutors said. The FBI 
charged Douglas with a Nov. 20, 2017, robbery of a BB&T Bank in Conyers, followed by a Nov. 27 robbery of a 
South State Bank in North Augusta, S.C., and a Dec. 5 robbery of Bank of America on Gaines School Road in 
Athens." 
Massachusetts Latin Kings Associate Pleads Guilty To Racketeering Charges. 
The New Bedford (MA) Standard-Times <https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20200827/forrner-new-
bedford-latin-kings-probationary-member-pleads-guilty-to-racketeering-charges> (8/27, 53K) reports according 
to a statement form US Attorney Andrew E. Letting, "A former probationary member of the New Bedford 
Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (`Latin Kings') pleaded guilty today to 
racketeering charges." Emanuel "King Manny" Lopez-Velez "pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise 
affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.... Lopez-
Velez was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was a probationary member of the New 
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Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, the release noted." 
WBSM-AM <https://wbsm.com/new-bedford-latin-kings-associate-pleads-guilty-in-rico-case/> Fairhaven, MA 
(8/27, 771) reports Lopez-Velez, "accused of shooting a man in the back last year pleaded guilty today to a RICO 
charge in federal court in Boston." Lopez-Velez "was arrested back in December 2019 as part of Operation 
Throne Down, a major takedown of the Latin Kings in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. He's the 
ninth defendant to plead guilty in the case that charged 62 individuals, many with New Bedford ties." 
Luchese Family Underboss Sentenced To Life In Prison. 
The Lower Hudson Valley (NY) Journal News <https://www.lohud.coin/stoty/news/crime/2020/08/27/luchese-
family-underboss-steven-crea-sentenced-prison/5645656002/> (8/27, 328K) reports on the arrest in May, 2017, 
of 12 members of the Luchese crime family on "a slew of federal charges, including murder and racketeering." 
The last of those defendants, Steven L. Crea, "second in command of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, 
was sentenced to life in prison" this week. A federal judge "also hit Crea with a $400,000 fine and the forfeiture 
of $1 million as part of his sentence." The piece reports that US Attorney Audrey Strauss "applauded the work of 
the FBI and NYPD," quoting Strauss saying, "Steven L. Crea — the Underboss of the Luchese Family — is the last 
of a dozen men arrested in 2017 to be sentenced for his crimes. For his role in the 2013 murder of Michael 
Meldish and other crimes, Crea will now spend the rest of his life behind bars. Thanks to the outstanding 
investigative work of the FBI and NYPD, we continue our commitment to render La Cosa Nostra a thing of the 
past." 
FBI Asks Public For Help Identifying Suspect In Check Fraud Scheme. 
Clarksville (TN) Online <https://www.clarksvilleonline.corn/2020/08/27/fbi-ask-publics-help-to-identify-
unknown-female/> (8/27) reports the FBI is asking for public help with "identifying an unknown female who 
impersonated an account holder at an area bank in Middle Tennessee. Between August 5th and August 7th, the 
unknown female used the account holder's stolen identification to cash stolen checks from another bank to 
receive cash. The female suspect may be wearing a wig and was seen operating a silver Dodge SUV and a blue 
Hyundai sedan during multiple drive thru transactions." 
Attorney: Dead Fort Hood Sergeant Reported Sexual Abuse. 
The Brockton (MA) Enterprise <https://www.usatoday.corn/story/news/nation/2020/08/27/fort-hood-sgt-elder-
femandes-humiliated-after-sexual-abuse-report/5642379002/> (8/27, Shepard, 52K) reports, "Leaders at the U.S. 
Army's Fort Hood in Texas created an environment that led to the death of Sgt. Elder Femandes, who was 
missing for more than a week before he was found dead Tuesday, his family's attorney said." Fernandes "was 
hanging from a tree in Temple, Texas, about 28 miles from Fort Hood." The Enterprise adds, "Temple police, the 
lead agency investigating because of where Fernandes was found, said foul play is not suspected in his death. 
IChawam said that after Fernandes reported in May that he had been inappropriately touched by a male superior, 
he was transferred, and word spread within the new unit, leading to harassment, belittling, bullying and hazing." 
Financial Crime & Corporate Scandals 
Former UAW President Williams Charged In Corruption Probe. 
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The Detroit News <https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2020/08/27/ex-uaw-boss-ex-uaw-boss-
williams-charged-in-racketeering-scand-williams-charged-racketeering-scandaU5642204002/> (8/27, Noble, 
825K) reports from Detroit, "Retired United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams was charged Thursday 
with conspiracy to embezzle union funds following a years-long investigation into racketeering, bribery and 
other crimes that has pushed one of the nation's most powerful unions to the brink of a federal takeover." 
Williams, 67, of Corona, California, "is the second UAW president charged during an investigation by agents 
from the FBI, Labor Department and Internal Revenue Service during a probe that has led to 14 convictions. It 
has revealed labor leaders and auto executives broke federal labor laws, stole union funds and received bribes 
and illegal benefits from union contractors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV executives. That criminal 
investigation is ongoing, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider told The Detroit News in an interview: `We're not 
done. This is a very significant step and we are going to continue.' 
The Detroit Free Press <http://rssfeeds.freep.corn/—/634614930/0/freep/business—Dennis-Williams-becomes-nd-
exUAW-president-charged-in-corruption-probe/> (8/27, Lawrence, 1.52M) reports, "Dennis Williams preached 
`solidarity together forever' as he gave his farewell address in 2018 as UAW president, but on Thursday, 
Williams became the latest former union leader nabbed in a scandal that has tarnished the image of an 
organization long regarded as the gold standard for clean unions." The Free Press adds, "More distressing to 
rank-and-file members perhaps is that Williams is not the first ex-UAW president charged criminally in a years-
long federal probe. That distinction goes to Williams' successor, Gary Jones, whose agreement to cooperate in 
the investigation put speculation about who would be next to fall squarely on Williams. Prosecutors charged 
Williams...with conspiracy to embezzle union funds." 
Bloomberg <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-27/ex-united-auto-workers-president-williams-
charged-in-scandal> (8/27, Dolmetsch, 4.73M) reports, "Williams was charged just weeks after General Motors 
Co. alleged that he received funds from Fiat Chrysler to place former UAW vice president Joe Ashton on GM's 
board. The accusations came as part of a lawsuit by GM alleging that Fiat Chrysler got better contracts than 
competing automakers by bribing union officials. Ashton has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Williams 
received significant funds in bank accounts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to help increase costs to GM 
through the 2015 collective bargaining agreement and push it into merger talks with Fiat Chrysler, GM said." 
Deadline Detroit <http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/26080/dennis_williams_becomes_second_ex-
uaw_president_to_face_criminal_charges> (8/27, Lengel) reports, "Williams, who headed the UAW from 2014-
18, is the second ex-president to be charged in an ongoing public corruption investigation by the FBI, IRS, 
Department of Labor and U.S. Attorney's Office. Gary Jones pleaded guilty in June to conspiring with other 
high-level union officials to embezzle over $1 million of union dues. Some money went toward lavish expenses, 
including more than $13,000 on cigars for high-level officials. He's cooperating as part of his plea." 
WDIV-TV <https://www.clickondetroit.corn/newillocal/2020/08/27/former-uaw-president-dennis-williams-is-
15th-person-charged-in-corruption-case/> Detroit (8/27, Meloni, Kelly, 460K) reports, "Court documents claim 
more than $22,000 in union money was used to rent a villa for Williams for a four-month period in 2016-17. 
Williams allegedly had taken more that $71,000 in union money. `The level of greed and disrespect and 
treatment of workers like they really don't matter — because you've decided to take their money and use it on 
cigars and booze and airfare and expensive lavish villas - it's disheartening,' US Attorney Schneider said. 
Forbes <https://www.forbes.corn/sites/karenrobinsonjacobs/2020/08/27/second-auto-union-boss-charged-in-
corruption-probe-as-union-seeks-to-bolster-ethical-policies/> (8/27, Robinson-Jacobs, 9.71M) reports, "In a 
statement, the UAW called Thursday a 'sad day for UAW members,' but chose to focus on the future, saying: 
'we are aware of criminal charges filed against former UAW President Dennis Williams,' but adding that it plans 
to 'focus on comprehensively reviewing and strengthening our union's financial and ethical policies and 
controls.' Forbes adds, "A conviction of Williams could be used to pressure the UAW to agree to federal 
oversight aimed at eliminating corruption." 
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US Charges Former Illinois Road Commissioner With Taking Kickbacks. 
The AP <https://www.sfchronicle.corn/news/article/Road-commissioner-took-more-than-280-000-in-
15520557.php> (8/27, Hwang) reports from Chicago, "A suburban Chicago road commissioner was indicted 
Thursday on federal charges alleging he took kickbacks from an excavation company to which he steered 
business over eight years." According to the AP, "The indictment alleges Robert Czerek, 69. the elected head of 
the Bloomingdale Township Road District, knew Bulldog Earth Movers didn't do much of the work for which it 
billed the township. Federal prosecutors allege Czernek took more than $280,000 in kickbacks from excavation 
company owner Debra Fazio, 63, and her employee, Mario Giannini, 58. In return, they said Czernek helped 
steer more than $700,000 from Bloomingdale Township to Bulldog Earth Movers." 
The Chicago Tribune <https://www.chicagotribune.corn/news/criminal-justice/ct-bloomingdale-tovmship-
highway-kickback-charges-20200827-ezzarqhy6bevzck6mhu3wmrq7i-story.html> (8/27, Meisner, 2.65M) 
reports that Czernek "was charged in a 20-count indictment made public Thursday with taking the kickbacks 
from" Fazio, "owner of Bloomingdale-based Bulldog Earth Movers Inc., over a period of more than eight years," 
and "in exchange, Czernek used his official position to approve more than $700,000 in payments for stone 
delivery, dump leveling, and storm sewer invoices submitted by Fazio's company to Bloomingdale Township, 
according to the indictment. Czernek approved the invoices knowing that much of the work and services had not 
actually been performed, the indictment states." 
The Chicago Sun-Times <https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2020/8/27/21404132/robert-czernek-
bloomingdale-road-commissioner-kickbacks-fraud-scheme-federal-charges> (8/27, Seidel, 875K) reports, 
"Czernek, 69, has become the Chicago-area's latest elected official to face federal criminal charges." Czernek, 
Fazio and Giannini "have all been charged with 14 counts of honest services wire fraud. Fazio also faces six 
counts of money laundering." 
Former Ohio House Speaker Accused Of Campaign Violations. 
The Cincinnati Enquirer <https://www.cincinnati.com/stoty/news/2020/08/27/ex-ohio-house-speaker-larry-
householder-and-allies-face-campaign-finance-violations/5648583002/> (8/27, Balmert, 223K) reports, "Former 
Ohio Speaker Larry Householder faces 162 violations of state campaign finance laws in connection with 
allegations of a nearly $61 million bribery scheme." On Thursday, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose 
"referred the alleged violations to the Ohio Elections Commission. Most violations are connected to 
Householder's bid to become speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, helping to elect candidates in 2018 
and 2020." 
The Cleveland Plain Dealer <https://www.cleveland.corn/news/2020/08/firstenergy-wielded-political-might-in-
ohio-statehouse-to-get-favorable-legislation-for-nuclear-bailout-court-records-indicate.html> (8/27, Caniglia, 
895K) reports, "Steve Arndt says he remembers the conversation clearly: A lobbyist for FirstEnergy Corp. told 
Arndt, then a member of the Ohio House, that he needed to sponsor a bill to help a FirstEnergy subsidiary. The 
lobbyist, Amdt said, gave him an ultimatum: Put your name on the bill or your political future is over. Arndt 
refused," and "later, he suffered through a negative campaign, fueled by what he believes was dark money, that 
hit his district of Ottawa and Erie counties with fliers and radio ads, attacking his record as a Republican 
legislator. `They wield a very heavy hand,' Amdt said of Akron-based FirstEnergy and its affiliates. `They have a 
lot of political might. [Former House Speaker] Larry Householder and FirstEnergy are of the same ilk. They'll 
do whatever they have to get the job done.' 
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Coronavirus PPP. 
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Inside NoVa (VA) <https://www.insidenova.corn/headlines/northern-va-man-pleads-guilty-to-defrauding-
coronavirus-paycheck-protection-prograrn/articlej3d6f238-e8a3-11ea-9d82-d7db8d2d2bfd.html> (8/27, 8K) 
reports, "An Ashburn man pleaded guilty Wednesday to defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a 
federal initiative designed to help businesses pay their employees and meet their basic expenses during the 
COVID-19 pandemic." Tank Jaafar, 42, "who lists addresses in both Ashburn and the Occoquan area, conspired 
with his wife, Monika Magdalena Jaworska, to create four shell companies, according to court documents filed 
at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria. The companies conducted no legitimate business and existed solely as a 
means to execute the scheme to defraud, federal prosecutors said. From April 13 to May 6, Jaafar and Jaworska 
applied for 18 separate PPP loans in the names of the four shell companies valued at approximately $6.6 million, 
falsely claiming, among other things, that the businesses had employees and they needed the loans to pay their 
employees' salaries." 
Maryland Man Charged With Plotting To Sell Fake COVID-19 Disinfectant. 
The AP <https://www.startribune.com/man-charged-with-plot-to-sell-fake-coronavirus-disinfectant/572240652/> 
(8/15) reports from Baltimore, "A Maryland man sold unregistered and misbranded pesticides falsely advertised 
as a government-approved disinfectant for the coronavirus, investigators said." Marek Majtan, 35, of Frederick, 
Maryland "was charged Tuesday in a criminal complaint that accuses him of repackaging pesticides with his own 
handmade labels and marketing it on the Internet as a product that `Kills 99.9% Bacterias & Viruses' and `Kills 
Covid 19 & Seasonal Flu.' Majtan, who was not authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to 
manufacture or distribute any pesticides, used a false EPA registration number on his products, according to a 
special agent with the EPA's Criminal Investigation Division." 
Federal Prosecutors: Indiana Mayor, Wife Skimmed $225,000 From Campaign For Gambling Debts, Personal 
Expenses. 
The Times of Northwest Indiana <https://www.nwitimes.corn/news/localnake/whiting-mayor-wife-pulled-255k-
from-campaign-to-fuel-gambling-habit-pay-credit-card-debt/article_b4211e(9-4152-513e-8d4b-
9aabdfflefee.html> (8/27, Cross, 254K) reports according to federal prosecutors, Whiting, Indiana, Mayor Joe 
Stahura "illegally spent $255,000 in campaign money to fuel his and his wife's gambling habits, pay down debts 
and support his adult daughter." US Attorney Thomas Kirsch, said, "Mr. Stahura, an elected official for over 35 
years, illegally used his campaign funds for personal activities and expenditures and lied about it on his publicly 
filed campaign reports and tax returns. He knew his conduct was illegal, yet he persisted in it for over five 
years." 
WLS-TV <https://abc7chicago.corn/whiting-mayor-charged-joseph-stahura-indiana-news/6391722/> Chicago 
(8/27, 391K) reports Stahura "has been charged with wire fraud and filing a false income tax return." Kirsch said 
that Stahura "has entered into a plea agreement, indicating his intent to plead guilty to both charges.... His wife 
Diane Stahura, 64, also of Whiting, entered into a deferred prosecution agreement wherein she acknowledges 
that the government has sufficient evidence to charge her with wire fraud." 
Former South Dakota Tribal Official Pleads Guilty To Federal Bribery Charge. 
The Aberdeen (SD) News <https://www.aberdeennews.corn/courtnews/forrner-tribal-official-pleads-guilty-to-
bribery/article_09eb68d0-e7d5-11ea-9e7b-570aa9ffd55d.html> (8/27, Sand, 44K) reports Daniel Thomas White 
of Peever, South Dakota, a former official with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux tribe, "has admitted to a 
federal bribery charge." White "pleaded guilty at the Aberdeen federal courthouse this week.... At the time of the 
bribery scheme, White served as the director of the Dakota Nations Development Corporation, an entity of the 
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Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe." 
Par Funding Officials Will Not Fight SEC's Demand For Continued Receivership Operation. 
The Inquirer (PA) <https://vvww.inquirer.com/news/laforte-vagnozzi-par-funding-20200827.html> (8/27, 
Distefano, Roebuck, 347K) reports, "Top officials of Par Funding have agreed not to fight the U.S. Security and 
Exchange Commission's demand that a receiver continue to run their Philadelphia lending company until they 
face a civil trial on charges of orchestrating a $500 million fraud." According to the Inquirer, "The firm along 
with the business of King of Prussia financial adviser Dan Vagnozzi, one of several outside salesmen who 
drummed up investors for the company, were put under the control of an outside receiver last month under a 
temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge." The Inquirer adds, "One of the Par Funding officials to 
drop opposition to the receivership was Joseph LaForte, an owner and founder of the company. He is behind 
bars, awaiting trial in an unrelated case — federal authorities have charged him with illegal possession of 
firearms." 
Former Alabama City Official Sentenced For Theft, Money Laundering. 
Alabama Live <https://www.al.com/crime/2020/08/forrner-pritchard-chief-of-staff-gets-year-in-prison-on-
federal-charges.html> (8/27, Thornton, 734K) reports, "A former City of Prichard chief of staff has been 
sentenced in federal court to a year and a day in prison and ordered to pay more than $200,000 in restitution to 
the city." James Antuan Blackman, 33, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced on Thursday by Chief US District 
Judge Kristi K. DuBose after pleading guilty in February "to one count of theft concerning programs receiving 
federal funds and one count of money laundering. According to Blackman's plea, during his time as Prichard 
chief of staff and administrative assistant from November 2016 to January 2018, he used his position to divert 
money and property to himself." Blackman "said he falsified city invoices, deposited city checks to his own 
account, and used his position to divert three pieces of property from the city to his own benefit," and "then, 
Blackman laundered money through a $39,200 wire transfer from a bank account under his control to a title 
company to buy property." 
Cyber Division 
DOJ To Seize 280 Cryptocurrency Accounts "Tied To North Korean Hacks." 
The Hill <https://thehill.corn/policy/cybersecurity/514046-justice-department-moves-to-seize-280-
cryptocurrency-accounts-tied-to> (8/27, Miller, 2.98M) reports the Justice Department filed "forfeiture charges 
Thursday against 280 cryptocurrency accounts for assisting in laundering millions of dollars stolen during two 
North Korean hacking incidents." The US alleges that the "cryptocurrency accounts were used to launder 
$272,000 in cryptocurrency stolen in June 2019 from a virtual currency exchange by a hacker with ties to North 
Korea, with the funds then converted into other forms of cryptocurrency and funneled through some of the 
accounts." An additional 100 cryptocurrency accounts "were allegedly used to launder $2.5 million in virtual 
currency stolen by North Korean hackers during an attack on a U.S. company in September 2019, according to 
the Justice Department." The forfeiture complaint was filed "the day after multiple federal agencies, including 
the FBI, put out an alert warning that North Koreans hackers were targeting banks in several countries as part of 
a scheme to enable ATM withdrawals." The investigation into the "cryptocurrency accounts also involved the 
FBI, U.S. Cyber Command and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)." 
The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/u-s-moves-to-seize-cryptocurrency-accounts-linked-to-
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north-korean-heists-11598564571> (8/27, Talley, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) and Reuters 
<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-northkorea-crypto/u-s-seeks-to-seize-280-cryptocurrency-accounts-tied-
to-north-korean-hacks-idUSICBN25N39F> (8/27, Venkat) also report. 
FBI Seeks Information On Man Accused Of Hacking New York Student's Snapchat Account. 
The Batavia (NY) Daily News <https://www.thedailynewsonline.corn/news/police/fbi-seeking-information-on-
man-accused-of-hacking-into-suny-geneseo-student-s-snapchat-account/article_16ca6206-bba5-55c2-ae8a-
2af9dbe02233.html> (8/28, Leader, 38K) reports from Manhattan, "The FBI is asking for the public's help as it 
continues to investigate a New York City man arrested Thursday on charges of hacking into multiple people's 
Snapchat accounts, stealing nude photos and then sending those photos to other Snapchat users to try to get them 
to send nude photos to him in return." David Mondore, 29, "was arrested in Manhattan Thursday morning on 
charges of unauthorized access to computer systems in furtherance of any criminal act in violation of state law, 
unauthorized access to a protected computer in furtherance of fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to 
the criminal complaint against him, Mondore is accused of hacking into two people's Snapchat accounts — one a 
female student at SUNY Geneseo, the other a male resident of the Northern District of New York, a 32-county 
region that stretches from New York's border with Massachusetts and New Hampshire, west to Cayuga County." 
Musk Confirms "Serious" Cyberattack On Nevada Tesla Factory. 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-cyber/musk-confirms-tesla-nevada-factory-was-target-of-
serious-cyberattack-idUSKBN25O07K> (8/28, Acharaya) reports Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company's 
Nevada factor "was a target of a `serious' cybersecurity attack, confirming a media report that claimed an 
employee of the company helped the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) thwart the attack." Teslarati "said 
that the electric carmaker was the unnamed company in a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on 
Tuesday about a Russian national's arrest, in connection with a planned attack on an unidentified company." But 
the employee "alerted the FBI, who were successful in thwarting the attack, a complaint filed by the FBI's Las 
Vegas Field Office showed." 
Bloomberg <https://www.bloomberg.corn/news/articles/2020-08-27/musk-confirms-tesla-factory-was-target-of-
thwarted-cyberattack> (8/27, Pettersson, 4.73M) reports the Justice Department "said in a statement Tuesday that 
Egor Igorevich Kriuchkov, 27, had tried to recruit an employee at a unidentified company to introduce malware 
in the company's computer system." The malware was "intended to extract data from the network and to seek 
ransom from the company, according to the Justice Department." Kriuchkov promised the employee "he would 
get $1 million after the malware was introduced into the computer network, according to the Justice 
Department." 
Mashable <https://mashable.corn/article/hacker-arrested-nevada-extortion/> (8/27, Morse, 986K) also reports. 
Engadget <https://www.engadget.com/tesla-fbi-ransomware-attack-nevada-gigafactory-141547760.html> (8/27, 
Fisher, 437K) reports the employee "immediately informed Tesla, and the company contacted the FBI, which 
launched a sting operation." Agents arrested Kriuchkov "in Los Angeles as he was attempting to leave the US." 
Engadget says "as Electrek points out, during the sting operation, FBI agents obtained info about previous 
attacks led by ICriuchkov's associates." 
New US Army Cyber Command Deputy Named. 
C4ISR & Networks <https://www.c4ismet.com/cyber/2020/08/27/us-army-cyber-command-to-get-new-
uniformed-deputy/> (8/27, Pomerleau) reports Brig. Gen. Paul Stanton will serve as US Army Cyber 
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Command's "new deputy commanding general of operations, according to an Aug. 27 Department of Defense 
release." Stanton, who is currently "serving as the deputy director of operations, J-3 at U.S. Cyber Command, 
will return to Fort Gordon, Georgia, the new home of Army Cyber Command, where he previously served as the 
commander of the Army's Cyber Protection Brigade." Stanton played a "large role at Cyber Command in 
helping mature and onboard cloud computing systems such as the Big Data Platform, Unified Platform and 
planning tools such as Project IKE, sources have said." 
DHS Election Security "War Room" May Run For More Than A Week In November. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/politics/2020/08/27/cybersecurity-202-dhs-will-nm-
war-room-week-or-more-protect-november-electionk (8/27, Marks, 14.2M) reports a DHS "war room" run on 
the "night of the 2018 midterms where election and campaign officials, social media companies and voting-
machine vendors compared notes about possible cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns." In November, 
"that same war room could be in operation for a week or longer as officials ward off attacks aimed at 
undermining early voting, counting late-arriving mail ballots and knocking back phony rumors that try to erode 
faith in the election's outcome." It will include "in-person meetings in Washington to hash through classified and 
unclassified information and an online `situational awareness room' open to election officials across the nation." 
A senior official at DHS's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said, "That will remain in place, 
frankly, until the election community says, `Okay, you can stand down now. We're in good shape.'" 
Intelligence Officials Say Mail-In Ballots Not Susceptible To Widespread Fraud. ABC News 
<https://abcnews.go.com/US/elections-officials-push-back-voter-fraud-claims/story?id=72657373> (8/27, 
2.97M) reports that as intelligence officials have "concluded that mail-in ballots are not susceptible to 
widespread fraud." A senior FBI official told reporters on a conference call Wednesday, "We're fully aware that 
COVID-19 and the expectation of the increased mail-in ballots has created a new environment for this election 
cycle." However, the official added, "we have not seen to date a coordinated national voter fraud effort during a 
major election. It would be extraordinarily difficult to change a federal election outcome through this type of 
fraud alone, given the range of processes that we need to be affected or compromised by an adversary, at the 
local level." 
Rosen: Foreign Influence Fears "Shouldn't Stop Voters." MeriTalk <https://www.meritalk.com/articles/ag-rosen-
malign-influence-fears-shouldnt-stop-voters/> (8/27, Weingarten) reports Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey 
Rosen urged Americans this week "to participate fully in the democratic process and realize that the fear of 
'malign influence' on elections are as old as the country itself." Speaking at the Center for Strategic and 
International Studies, Rosen said, "Every American can control who they vote for" and explained the "distinction 
between voting infrastructure and the somewhat more elusive malign influence activities." He "said the former, 
which includes polling places and printed ballots, has been well protected historically, and even more so through 
increased security efforts over the past few years." 
Similarly, The Washington Times <https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/27/jeffrey-rosen-says-
media-spreads-disinformation-tr/> (8/27, Lovelace, 492K) reports Rosen on Thursday "accused left-leaning 
news organizations of deliberately spreading `disinformation' about the Trump administration's views of the 
dangers from mail-in voting and foreign influence in the 2020 elections." The resulting confusion has "helped 
create an opening for America's adversaries like Russia and China to exploit, Mr. Rosen told The Washington 
Times." Rosen "said new efforts by the Justice Department, FBI, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 
and other federal agencies have overhauled how the government addresses foreign influence efforts and what it 
makes public." 
Opinion: US Should "Enlist The Security Community" To Safeguard Election. In a piece for SC Magazine 
<https://vvww.scmagazine.com/perspectives/enlist-the-security-community-to-safeguard-our-elections-this-falU> 
(8/27, Camp), ESET security researcher Cameron Camp writes that the US should "enlist security experts - such 
as those at SANS — to focus on election security between now and November." Camp says the security 
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community can help "assume an imminent breach of integrity and develop a meaningful response plan," begin a 
"long-term plan to build a secure election stack," develop training for poll workers, work with voting equipment 
makers, and engage voters. 
Russian Linkedln, Dropbox Hacker Argues Trial Was Flawed. 
Law360 <https://www.law360.conthrials/articles/1304502/russian-linkedin-dropbox-hacker-says-trial-was-
flawed> (8/27, Subscription Publication, 8K) reports a Russian man found guilty of "orchestrating the 2012 
cyberattacks against Linkedln and Dropbox has urged a California federal judge to acquit him on all charges, 
arguing that his conviction rested on unreliable circumstantial evidence." On Tuesday, counsel for "32-year-old 
Yevgeniy Aleksandrovich Nikulin argued that evidence did not support the jury's conviction of computer 
intrusion, identity theft and other charges stemming from the attack that compromised 100 million users' data. 
Nikulin urged a California federal judge to grant him acquittal or, alternatively, a new trial." 
Britain's Cyberintelligence "Targeted By Lockdown Phishing Email." 
The Telegraph (UK) <https://www.telegraph.co.ukJnews/2020/08/27/britains-cyber-spy-chief-targeted-
lockdown-phishing-email/> (8/27, Wright, 956K) reports Britain's cyber spy chief was targeted "by email 
scammers during lockdown, he has revealed, adding that GCHQ has received more than two million reports 
from the public of online crime during that time." Ciaran Martin, who heads the agency's "public-facing branch, 
known as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said he received a phishing email telling him he had to 
pay a £35 fine after he had been spotted breaking lockdown rules." Mr Martin, who is stepping down "from his 
post next month, said the email highlighted how cyber criminals had used the pandemic to try and exploit 
people's fears." 
International Relations 
Canada Offers To Join Lebanon Blast Probe. 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-blast-canada/canada-ready-to-join-lebanon-blast-
probe-if-credible-and-transparent-idUSKBN25N16G> (8/27) reports, "Canada has offered to join Lebanon's 
investigation into the Beirut port explosion on condition that it is credible and transparent, the visiting foreign 
minister said on Thursday." Lebanese President Michel Aoun "initially promised a swift investigation into why 
highly explosive material stored unsafely for years detonated on Aug. 4, killing at least 180 people and injuring 
some 6,000. But he later said the process would take time. Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe 
Champagne said after meeting Aoun that Ottawa was ready to assist under conditions that would be defined." 
Beirut "has said France and the United States' FBI are helping investigate the explosion that wrecked the port 
and swathes of the city, compounding an economic meltdown." 
Other FBI News 
Bethlehem, New York In Talks With FBI Over Proposed Training Facility. 
The Albany (NY) Spotlight News <https://www.spotlightnews.corn/towns/bethlehem/2020/08/27/bethlehem-in-
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talks-with-fbi-over-proposed-1-75m-training-facilityk (8/27, Hallisey, 130K) reports from South Bethlehem, 
New York, "Bethlehem is working with the FBI to upgrade its shooting range into a $1.75 million training 
facility." The Bethlehem Police Department "has used the current shooting range on Old Quarry Road for more 
than 30 years. It was once a stone quarry previously owned by Callanan Industries before it donated the land to 
the town in December 2013. According to a memorandum from Bethlehem Police Cmdr. Adam Hornick, the FBI 
will fund the construction of the new facility. It is to include a new building with classroom space and restroom 
amenities." 
Other Washington News 
Kushner, Ross Praise Administration's Pandemic Response. 
CNBC's Squawk Box <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/68b9ef71084548cf8d68cb9927c220fa? 
pubid=fbi> (8/27, 245K) interviewed White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner about the Administration's 
pandemic response. Kushner said, "The pandemic is in a more controlled state. Hospitalizations [are] down by 
30%. Test positivity [is] down to 5% 30 days ago. Cases are down and the economy is opening up, obviously at a 
prudent pace. ... I do think we're making great progress on the vaccine. The fastest vaccine was 13 months. 
Thanks to Operation Warp Speed, we achieved the first vaccine in four months. In a week, we'll have six trials 
being mass produced, and President Trump is on pace to achieve what is a very ambitious goal of having 100 
million doses by the end of this year." 
Kushner said on Politico Playbook <https://www.politico.corn/video/2020/08/27/playbook-interview-with-jared-
kushner-kenosha-israel-2020-and-the-presidents-love-language-087706> (8/27, 4.31 M) that "people were much 
less critical in the beginning when this was in full-blown crisis mode. You had a lot of, you know, governors who 
were asking for things they didn't need, creating a lot of panic, and quite frankly, we were there every step of the 
way, bailing them out, and getting them the resources they need." 
Commerce Secretary Ross said on Bloomberg Markets: Balance of Power 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/b4018c651d664239be7e8920ae5dIdc6?pubid=fbi> (8/27) that while 
"there is a lot to worry about" in China's "handling of the coronavirus," it is "very clear, on a national basis, that 
incidents of new cases is coming down quite a bit." Ross said, "Every day we're having announcements about a 
potential cure. Every day we're having announcements about a potential vaccine. We're going to get there, and 
we're going to get there pretty quickly. We will get this ugly monster under control." 
Biden: Trump "Seems To Be Incompetent" To Deal With Coronavirus. Joe Biden said on MSNBC's Andrea 
Mitchell Reports <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/110d069e4dde4e56ac59afc6ead2d8b3?pubid=fbi> 
(8/27, 1.25M), "Did you ever see any Administration put so much pressure on the FDA? ... There's no bounds to 
what this guy does and his team does. We should listen to the scientists.... Look, right from the beginning, I laid 
out a plan as to how to proceed — all the way back in January, and then again in March and April...all the way 
down the line.... This guy doesn't believe in science, or at least if he heard it, he doesn't understand it. He just 
seems to be incompetent to deal with these things." 
WTimes Analysis: RNC Message On Virus A Stark Contrast To Democrats. The Washington Times 
<https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/27/rnc-coronavirus-message-stark-contrast-dnc/> (8/27, 
Howell, 492K) reports that "people who watched the Republican and Democratic national conventions a mere 
week apart could be forgiven for thinking they lived in two different countries, each with its own reality." Vice 
President Pence "described a lightning-fast response" to the virus, "one week after Democrats said the effort to 
beat back the coronavirus was a failure across the board." To the Times, "which side the American people see as 
credible could decide the election, as voters take stock of the virus...and the man who is best equipped to lead the 
nation out of the pandemic's shadow." 
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White House Announces $760M Deal To Provide 150M Rapid Tests. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/health/white-house-announces-deal-to-provide-150-
million-rapid-coronavirus-tests/2020/08/27/cb3c4eba-e8ab-Ilea-970a-64c73alc2392_stoty.html> (8/27, 
Bernstein, Kim, 14.2M) reports the White House announced a $760 million deal Thursday with Abbott 
Laboratories to produce 150 million rapid coronavirus tests that will allow users to obtain results in 15 minutes. 
The announcement "came just hours before President Trump was scheduled to deliver his nomination speech at 
the close of the Republican National Convention." White House Press Secretary ICayleigh McEnany tweeted 
<https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1299078320605270016> , "This is a major development that will help our 
country to remain open, get Americans back to work, and kids back to school!" To the Post, the move "is the 
federal government's biggest step into testing." 
FDA Grants Emergency Authorization To Abbott Rapid Test. The CBS Evening News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/de3lbe58471f49a2b465eb312c9f5b6Opubid=fbi> (8/27, story 6, 
1:40, O'Donnell, 4.26M) reported, "There's a new, simple, cheap and fast coronavirus test just approved by the 
FDA and is being hailed as a game changer." CBS' Manuel Bojorquez added, "The FDA gave Abbott's $5 
antigen test emergency approval and results in 15 minutes could help screen who could board a plane or enter a 
classroom. But antigen tests are generally less sensitive than lab tests and that can increase the risk of a false 
negative." 
CDC Clarifies Testing Guidelines Amid Outcry. 
NBC Nightly News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/aece899c95c44014a64be07d025f1d9a? 
pubid=fbi> (8/27, story 7, 1:45, Holt, 5.69M) reported, "The CDC is walking back its new guidelines on who 
should be tested for coronavirus after an outcry from public health officials." NBC's Anne Thompson added, 
"Pummeled by criticism, today the CDC clarifying the new testing guidelines. In a statement, saying testing may 
be considered for all close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients, walking back yesterday's 
recommendation — still on the CDC website — that people exposed to COVID but without symptoms do not 
necessarily need a test." 
On the CBS Evening News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/de3lbe58471f49a2b465eb312c9f5b6c? 
pubid=fbi> (8/27, story 6, 1:40, O'Donnell, 4.26M), Manuel Bojorquez likewise reported that "amid sharp 
criticism," CDC Director Redfield "tried to clarify" the new guidelines, "saying testing those individuals may be 
considered." 
The Hill <https://thehill.corn/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/513946-cdc-director-walks-back-change-in-
coronavirus-testing> (8/27, Wilson, 2.98M) quotes Redfield as saying, "Testing is meant to drive actions and 
achieve specific public health objectives. Everyone who needs a COVID-I9 test, can get a test. Everyone who 
wants a test does not necessarily need a test; the key is to engage the needed public health community in the 
decision with the appropriate follow-up action." 
On ABC World News Tonight 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/f761ac56b0bd48018ea90892bfae1894?pubid=thi> (8/27, story 5, 
2:20, Muir, 6.48M), Steve Osunsami said, "Several states that are finally seeing the good side of their COVID 
numbers say they won't be listening to the CDC and will continue to order tests for anyone who is exposed, even 
if they have no symptoms. ... In a joint statement tonight, the governors of New York, New Jersey, and 
Connecticut say they're not following these guidelines either. They accuse the Administration of substituting 
`sound science-based public health guidance with the President's misinformation,' and say that it's widespread 
testing that has helped them reduce infections." 
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Asked about the decision by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) not to follow the CDC's guidance on KBAK-
TV <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/a8a8318e83834889b415716288463b33?pubid=fbi> Bakersfield, 
CA (8/27, 7K), White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Deborah Birx said, "We are happy when 
governors tailor recommendations. We do see the increased testing in California, we are happy that that is 
happening, we need to see more of that, particularly in the Central Valley." Birx also appeared on KGET-TV 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.com/068647279468403985548a04cb2f3ab9?pubid=fbi> Bakersfield, CA 
(8/27, 15K), KGET-TV <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.com/068647279468403985548a04cb2f3ab9? 
pubid=fbi> Bakersfield, CA (8/27, 15K), KGPE-TV 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corrabf45de65bc14174863b50532626e4ad?pubid=fbi> Fresno, CA 
(8/27, 14K) and KSEE-TV <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/a3b8db61e6234caba67ac8c0e1f44456? 
pubid=fbi> Fresno, CA (8/27, I 1 K). 
WPost: CDC, FDA Allowing Trump To "Undermine" Public Health, "Humiliate" Them. The Washington Post 
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-guardians-of-public-health-are-allowing-trump-to-undermine-
and-humiliate-thern/2020/08/27/fd03fc56-e881-11 ea-970a-64c73a1c2392_story.html> (8/27, Editorial Board, 
14.2M) editorializes that the CDC and FDA "should be at the forefront of public trust in battling the coronavirus 
pandemic. But in the past week, both agencies, and their leaders, allowed themselves to be undermined and 
humiliated by President Trump and his reckless management of the pandemic response." Citing the FDA's 
approval of convalescent plasma and the CDC's revised testing guidelines, the Post argues that "in both cases, 
the core difficulty" is that Trump "clings to wishful notions that the virus will vanish or a miracle cure will 
appear, and these fallacies generate negligence and errors by people who should know better." 
FDA Warns Some Manufacturers Packaging Hand Sanitizers In Food Or Drink Containers. 
The Washington Times <https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/27/fda-warns-consumers-about-
hand-sanitizers-packagedt> (8/27, Tan, 492K) reports the FDA on Thursday issued a warning that "alcohol-based 
hand sanitizers that are packaged in food and drink containers and could put consumers `at risk of serious injury 
or death' if ingested." The FDA said that "some hand sanitizers are being packaged in beer cans, vodka bottles, 
water bottles, juice bottles and children's food pouches," and are sometimes given "food flavors such as 
chocolate or raspberry." FDA Commissioner Hahn said, "Manufacturers should be vigilant about packaging and 
marketing their hand sanitizers in food or drink packages in an effort to mitigate any potential inadvertent use by 
consumers." 
Senators Call For Investigation Of Hydroxychloroquine Use In Nursing Homes. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/business/2020/08/27/senators-call-federal-
investigation-hydroxychloroquine-use-nursing-homes/> (8/27, Cenziper, 14.2M) reports Sens. Bob Casey Jr. (D-
PA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) are calling for an investigation into how 
hydroxychloroquine has been used in nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic. The three senators "are 
calling on federal authorities to determine whether providers improperly treated patients, failed to disclose 
serious side effects or faced any repercussions from regulators responsible for oversight of the industry." 
Scientists Say Parameters For Social Distancing, Time Of Exposure Are Not Certain. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/08/27/coronavirus-social-distancing-6-
feed> (8/27, Guarino, 14.2M) reports, "Public health experts are reevaluating guidelines for safe social 
distancing" contending in an article in the BMJ that six feet is insufficient, and that greater distances are "almost 
always better, especially in poorly ventilated areas indoors." The Post says that six feet is due to 19th century 
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work by German biologist Carl Fliigge. One expert said that the time of exposure is also not clear. He said, 
"People talk about five to 15 minutes, but there's still not enough science to say." 
Pelosi: If Biden Wins, Democrats Will Release Trump's Tax Returns. 
The Washington Times <https://www.washingtontimes.corn/news/2020/aug/27/pelosi-says-democrats-will-get-
trump-tax-returns-i/> (8/27, Mufioz, 492K) reports House Speaker Pelosi on Thursday said that if Joe Biden wins 
in November, House Democrats will request President Trump's tax returns from the new Administration. 
Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/27/pelosi-says-democrats-will-release-trumps-tax-returns-if-
they-win-white-house-403698> (8/27, Faler, 4.29M) reports Pelosi "said Thursday that if Democrats take the 
White House in November, they will unilaterally release" Trump's tax returns. Pelosi told reporters, "When we 
win this election, and we have a new president of the United States in January, and we have a new secretary of 
the Treasury, and Richie Neal asks for the President's returns, then the world will see what the President has been 
hiding all of this time." 
US Detaining More Migrant Children In Hotels. 
The AP <https://apnews.com/ae51966763a7d6ddf6a8a17d78cbc874> (8/27, Merchant, Sanon) reports the 
Administration has "sharply increased its use of hotels to detain immigrant children as young as 1 before 
expelling them from the United States during the coronavirus pandemic." Federal authorities said "detained 577 
unaccompanied children in hotels through the end of July, up from 240 in April, May and June, according to a 
report published late Wednesday from a court-appointed monitor for detained immigrant youth." 
New Unemployment Claims Down Slightly To 1.006M. 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-usa-economy/u-s-labor-market-recovery-slowing-economists-urge-
more-fiscal-stimulus-idUSICBN25N ITS> (8/27, Mutikani) reports on Thursday the Labor Department reported 
that "initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 98,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.006 million for the 
week ended Aug. 22." That was in line with economists polled by Reuters who estimated 1.0 million claims. The 
Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.com/articles/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-08-27-2020-
11598481716ficxrecs_s> (8/27, Chaney, Kiernan, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) also reports claims declined 
but remained high compared to pre-pandemic claims of around 200,000. The Commerce Department reported 
that Q2 GDP fell at a 31.7% annualized rate, lower than the 32.9% earlier reported. 
USA Today <https://www.usatoday.corn/story/money/2020/08/27/unemployment-claims-58-m-apply-
unemployment-less-than-6-months/5624465002/> (8/27, Jones, 10.31M) says "out-of-work Americans 
continued to seek assistance last week, as the economy remained in limbo amid spikes in coronavirus cases," and 
adds "that latest surge means just over 58 million have sought aid for the first time in just 23 weeks." The AP 
<https://apnews.corn/383eb8856eda415ed3a3b17894be035f> (8/27, Wiseman), meanwhile, casts the numbers as 
"a sign that the coronavirus outbreak continues to threaten jobs even as the housing market, auto sales and other 
segments of the economy rebound from a springtime collapse." The New York Times 
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/business/economy/unemployment-claims.html> (8/27, Casselman, 
18.61 M) quotes Julia Pollak, a labor economist at the employment site ZipRecruiter, as saying, "It's devastating 
how stubbornly high initial claims are.... There are still huge numbers of layoffs taking place." 
The AP <https://apnews.com/b4ef99145a36ef0ad562e0ae97de32d3> (8/27, Wiseman) also reports, "Home sales 
are booming. Stocks are setting record highs. Industrial production is clambering out of the ditch it fell into early 
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this year. And yet the economy is nowhere close to regaining the health it achieved...before the coronavirus 
paralyzed the country in March." 
Meadows, Pelosi Resume Talks, But Chances For Aid Deal Remain Slim. 
The AP <https://apnews.comffdaa45cb53fc59f276bffd3836791bcd> (8/27, Mascaro) reports Chief of Staff 
Meadows and House Speaker Pelosi resumed talks Thursday over a coronavirus aid package, but "the outlook 
for any swift resolution appeared bleak as President Donald Trump's team and congressional Democrats have 
been unable to agree on a compromise." Pelosi told reporters she told Meadows that Democrats would "meet 
them in the middle" at $2.2 trillion, which is "a slight reduction from her last proposal before talks collapsed 
earlier this month. The White House, which has stuck with its initial $1 trillion offer, had no immediate 
response." 
The Washington Times <https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/27/nancy-pelosi-democrats-not-
budging-covid-19-relieft> (8/27, Mufioz, 492K) says Pelosi "doubled down on her insistence that White House 
negotiators move their top-line numbers if there's going to be any hope of reaching a comprehensive COVID-19 
relief deal." Reuters <https://wvvw.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-congress/pelosi-white-house-
must-agree-to-more-covid-19-aid-for-talks-to-resume-idUSKBN25N20Y> (8/27, Morgan, Heavey) reports that 
before the call with Meadows, Pelosi "said the White House must agree to spend more money on coronavirus 
aid." She said, "We're not budging. Understand this. They have to move.... They're just going to have to come 
up with more money." 
On its website, CNBC <https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/27/coronavirus-stimulus-update-pelosi-meadows-phone-
call-makes-no-progress.html> (8/27, Pramuk, 3.62M) says the conversation "failed to crack [the] stalemate." CQ 
Roll Call <https://www.rollcall.com/2020/08/27/pelosi-mocks-meadows-in-advance-of-virus-aid-talks/> (8/27, 
Lerman, 154K) says Pelosi and Meadows "spoke by phone for 25 minutes," but "there was no indication after 
the call that either side had given any ground." Pelosi said in a statement, "This conversation made clear that the 
White House continues to disregard the needs of the American people as the coronavirus crisis devastates lives 
and livelihoods. ... The Administration's continued failure to acknowledge the funding levels that experts, 
scientists and the American people know is needed leaves our nation at a tragic impasse." 
Kudlow Says Another Relief Bill Is Not Necessary. Meanwhile, the Washington Examiner 
<https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/larry-kudlow-says-no-further-coronavirus-relief-needed-as-mark-
meadows-seeks-deal-with-pelosi> (8/27, Krishan, 448K) reports NEC Director Kudlow "said on Thursday that 
another pandemic relief package from Congress is not necessary." Kudlow was asked during a virtual event for 
the Republican National Convention "if the economy is strong enough to go without more fiscal stimulus from 
the federal government." Kudlow said, "I think we are." 
Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/27/kudlow-coronavirus-relief-spending-403736> (8/27, 
Oprysko, 4.29M) reports that Kudlow "said...the Trump administration would be willing to compromise with 
Democrats on a new coronavirus relief package, but continued to draw a red line at the multitrillion-dollar price 
tag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pushed for." Kudlow told Politico, "There has to be a limit." He "suggested 
that he thought the economy would scrape by without another relief package." 
White House, Treasury Debate Has Delayed Guidance On Payroll Tax Suspension. The New York Times 
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/us/politics/trump-payroll-tax-coronavirus.html> (8/27, Rappeport, 
18.61 M) reports, "A debate between the White House and the Treasury Department over President Trump's 
payroll tax suspension has delayed crucial information about how the executive order will be carried out, 
according to people familiar with the matter." The White House "wants the Treasury guidance to ensure that 
companies, not workers, are held liable for paying the employee portion of the tax when the tax holiday ends. It 
is unclear why the Treasury Department has not been willing to issue such guidance, but businesses, which have 
been fielding questions from their employees about when the tax cuts will begin, would prefer that Congress 
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legislate any changes to tax policy." The Post adds that it is unclear "that the White House would have the legal 
authority to shift the tax burden in such a manner." 
Much Of $454B Congress Gave To Treasury For Coronavirus Relief Remains Unused. 
The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/454-billion-treasury-fund-goes-mostly-unused-
11598529733> (8/27, Kiernan, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) reports that as talks continue over the next 
coronavirus relief bill, more than half of the $454 billion Congress gave the Treasury Department in March to 
support Federal Reserve lending to businesses and state and local governments is still unused. According to the 
Journal, five months after those funds were approved, $259 billion remains uncommitted. 
WPost: Unemployed Americans "Furious" Congress Let $600 A Week Benefit Expire. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/27/expired-unemployment-benefits-
congress/> (8/27, Al , Rosenberg, Long, 14.2M) reports that Congress "split town in August after letting the 
$600-a-week unemployment bonus that millions of people...have been relying on expire," and "millions of 
desperate Americans, many of whom have never relied on emergency government assistance before, are 
flabbergasted and furious, believing they have been cut loose by a Washington political structure that doesn't 
care about their predicament during the pandemic." The Post "spoke to 20 people who have lost their livelihoods 
in recent months, and all said they felt immense pressure to stay afloat without the extra $600." In addition, 
"every person interviewed said they were furious at Washington policymakers for letting such a critical benefit 
lapse amid the nation's worst economic crisis in a century. Often the anger was directed at Republicans, who 
control the White House and the Senate, although a few credited President Trump for at least trying to take 
action on his own." 
United Airlines Says It Will Furlough 2,850 Pilots Without More Federal Aid. 
The Chicago Tribune <https://vvww.chicagotribune.corn/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-united-airlines-pilot-
furloughs-20200827-45aspiaitfdm7giwr57thv5a5i-story.html> (8/27, Zumbach, 2.65M) reports, "United Airlines 
will furlough 2,850 pilots this fall as it faces a sharp decline in travel because of the coronavirus pandemic." 
United "still hopes furloughs can be avoided if the federal government gives airlines additional funding to help 
cover labor costs," but "'we need to prepare and plan for the future should an extension not be granted,' Bryan 
Quigley, senior vice president of flight operations, said in a message to pilots Thursday." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-health-coronavirus-united-arIns-jobs/united-airlines-to-cut-2850-
pilot-jobs-without-more-u-s-government-aid-idUSICBN25N2T1> (8/27, Rucinski)recalls that "airlines received 
$25 billion in US government stimulus funds in March meant to cover payrolls and protect jobs through 
September," but "as the money runs out without a travel recovery in sight, airlines and unions have lobbied 
Washington for another $25 billion." Fox Business <https://wvvw.foxbusiness.cotn/economy/united-warns-2850-
pilots-could-be-furloughed-by-october-without-federal-aid> (8/27, Manfredi, I.73M) recounts that "furlough 
notices will be mailed via United States Postal Service to affected pilots over the coming days, with effective 
dates ranging from Oct. I to Nov. 30, 2020," and Bloomberg <https://www.bloomberg.cotn/news/articles/2020-
08-27/united-sees-2-850-pilot-layoffs-without-new-aid-echoing-rivals> (8/27, Bachman, 4.73M) that "in a memo 
to pilots, the United chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association called the cuts `devastating news.'" 
Trump To Visit Gulf Coast In Wake Of Hurricane Laura. 
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Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-storm-laura-trump/trump-says-he-will-visit-storm-hit-gulf-coast-
this-weekend-idUSKEN25N2SE> (8/27, Mason) reports President Trump said Thursday he will visit the Gulf 
Coast states of Louisiana and Texas this weekend in the wake of Hurricane Laura. At a briefing at FEMA 
headquarters, Trump "told reporters he would probably visit Texas and Louisiana on Saturday or Sunday and the 
trip could also include an additional stop." 
Coverage of Hurricane Laura led all three networks last night, with a total of 16 minutes of airtime dedicated to 
the storm. NBC Nightly News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/de5c21fe7abb4bIda4187aecac10975f?pubid=fbi> (8/27, lead story, 
2:25, Holt, 5.69M) reported the storm made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 with "150 mile-an-hour 
winds," killing at least six people. According to the CBS Evening News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/3adcda76a6ea44868a318a6ecced23aPpubid=fbi> (8/27, story 2, 
1:45, O'Donnell, 4.26M), among the dead is a 14-year-old girl who was "killed overnight by a fallen tree" in 
Leesville, Louisiana. 
In its lead story, the CBS Evening News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/aala061f8f044894653878320ftb6519?pubid=fbi> (8/27, lead story, 
4:00, O'Donnell, 4.26M) said the storm left "entire towns under water.... Along the coast, the destruction goes on 
for miles. From above you can see what's left of Cameron, Louisiana, where the storm came ashore, sending a 
storm surge more than 10-feet high over homes and businesses." 
ABC World News Tonight <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/47ed5a7198a34bfc8fbaabaalb9042ec? 
pubid=fbi> (8/27, lead story, 4:50, Muir, 6.48M) reported Hurricane Laura was "one of the strongest hurricanes 
ever to strike that part of the country." Across Louisiana, "at least six people now confirmed dead, but with many 
areas hard for rescuers to reach, the full casualty count remains to be seen." 
The AP <https://apnews.corn/45ba32bafe5da3465691544ecb3e5492> (8/27, Herbert, Deslatte, Plaisance) reports 
a "full assessment of the damage...was likely to take days, and the threat of additional damage loomed as new 
tornado warnings were issued after dark in Arkansas and Mississippi" as the storm moves north. Despite the 
damage, Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-storm-laura/hurricane-laura-slams-southwestern-louisiana-
butless-damage-than-forecast-idUSICBN25MIQ1> (8/27, Nouvelage, Scheyder) reports Laura "inflicted...far 
less than what forecasters predicted." The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/hurricane-laura-08-
27-2020-11598502621> (8/27, Al, Bauerlein, Elliott, Findell, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) likewise says the 
damage could have been far worse. 
In a series of interview Thursday, FEMA Administrator Gaynor also suggested the damage caused by Laura was 
less than feared. On ABC's Good Morning America 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/a1968d6ba8b5493db85e3fa6f6cca607?pubid=fbi> (8/27, 2.99M), 
Gaynor said, "As the sun rises this morning, we'll start to do damage assessments. I think we're in a fortunate 
place when we think about surge. I think it was less than we had forecasted, but we'll see significant wind 
damage to buildings and structures and so once it's safe to do so we'll go out and start doing damage 
assessments and getting more situational awareness about the extent of the damage both this Texas and Louisiana 
and obviously as it moves inland, obviously into Arkansas." 
On CBS This Morning <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/b65f3564d2ba4469a990c7757b1302d0? 
pubid=fbi> (8/27, 2.28M), Gaynor said, "We are worried about Cameron Parish. I think that was dead center on 
the track of Laura." The surge is "probably less than ten feet right now, which is a good sign." Gaynor similarly 
told CNN <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.cotn/6f7dfbe55d044e569e564fa4eb3e55af?pubid=fbi> (8/27, 
6I7K), "We're also understanding that the surge is not as bad as we thought it was, which I think is a good sign." 
Gaynor said on Fox News <https://video. foxnews.com/v/6 185044203001?playlist_id=903354961001fisp=show-
clips> (8/27, 896K) that "We've been staged for many days now, so whether it's Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
or Arkansas, we have not only FEMA resources, but great supporters, great partners like DoD, the National 
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Guard, American Red Cross, and many others, Coast Guard, that are out there, ready to do what they do best, 
save lives, minimize the suffering, and then again, start that recovery as soon as we can." 
Acting DHS Secretary Wolf said on KFOX-TV 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/106b48e77c424fd9a2e2f95d84db4c56?pubid=fbi> El Paso, TX 
(8/27, 3K), "We have prepositioned teams not only throughout Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, 
to make sure that we're able to respond as the sun rises today. The next 48 hours are really going to be critical 
from a life safety standpoint. So we have Coast Guard assets, we have CBP...assets...ready to respond, along with 
DoD assets." 
Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said on WFLA-AM 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/2b21056af2a3464dab24ab7381dfcbf6?pubid=fbi> Tampa Bay, FL 
(8/27, 8K) that the Administration "prepositioned 500,000 meals, 200,000 liters of water, and numerous teams to 
be prepared to respond" to Hurricane Laura and "all our teams are in action right now." He said, "The federal 
government are supportive, that's our role, is to support the state and local responses" and "we're prepared to do 
an awful lot of work to help keep folks safe there and to help those communities recover." 
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Fox News 
<https://video.foxnews.corn/v/6185033904001?playlist_id=903354961001fisp=show-clips> (8/27, 896K) that 
"this President's monitoring this closely.... He knows how to respond to hurricanes, he's done it before, and he 
will do the same again with Hurricane Laura as we hold Texas and Louisiana close to our hearts this morning." 
Asked about FEMA's capacity to handle the emergency amid other crises, including the California wildfires and 
COVID-19, she said, "FEMA is up to the task," adding that "they are ready, they are equipped, and they are 
going to be there for both states." 
Biden: "We Weren't Prepared Enough" For Storm. Joe Biden said on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/lf0d069e4dde4e56ac59afc6ead2d8bnpubid=fbi> (8/27, I.25M), 
"Our main concern that we weren't prepared enough for this brutal hurricane and Donald Trump keeps saying 
we're going to be safe, but we'll see. I just hope and pray people get through this." 
Brouilette: Energy Infrastructure Sustained "Very Little Damage." Energy Secretary Brouillette said on 
Newsmax TV <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.com/0c01739eecc140feaed082383a861005?pubid=fbi> 
(8/27) that "we're cautiously optimistic" and that "the actual operations, the energy infrastructure, the operations 
of the refineries" in Louisiana "appear to have sustained just very little damage." 
Many Residents Ignored Evacuation Orders Amid Coronavirus Fears. NBC Nightly News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/66e0ca45067e4lafa5c3ad2e3d8ffdla?pubid=fbi> (8/27, story 3, 
1:45, Holt, 5.69M) reported, "More than 500,000 people were ordered to evacuate" as Hurricane Laura 
approached," but many chose to stay" amid "concerns about coronavirus in shelters." 
Gas Leak Sparks Fire At Lake Charles Chemical Plant. On NBC Nightly News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/10e4a644a7aa4795958c5b83c79bb543?pubid=fbi> (8/27, story 2, 
1:35, Holt, 5.69M), Catie Beck reported, "Hours after Hurricane Laura ripped through Lake Charles, daybreak 
brought another ominous sight: a nearby chemical plant engulfed in a raging fire." The fire poses "a health 
hazard for the thousands who live in the area, all under order to shelter in place." The fire was caused by "a 
chlorine gas leak as the hurricane tore through in overnight hours." NBC Nightly News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/de5c21fe7abb4bIda4187aecac10975f?pubid=fbi> (8/27, lead story, 
2:25, Holt, 5.69M) and the CBS Evening News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/aala061f8f0448941353878320f1b65f9?pubid=fbi> (8/27, lead story, 
4:00, O'Donnell, 4.26M) both briefly reported on the fire in their lead stories. 
AP Analysis: Hurricane Laura Further Strains FEMA. The AP 
<https://apnews.corn/65b148c3987a305c220571fed901085b> (8/27, Fox) reports Hurricane Laura is "testing an 
already-stretched Federal Emergency Management Agency in what is shaping up to be a unprecedentedly 
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disastrous year." In addition to COVID-19, "which prompted emergency declarations for all U.S. states and 
territories for the first time, the agency has deployed personnel to help with the wildfires in the west and the 
damaging series of recent storms in Iowa." Steven Reaves, president of the FEMA employees union, said, "The 
only thing we can liken this to is 2017, which was one of our busiest years in decades. This is far eclipsing 
2017." 
Law Professors Allege Pompeo Committed "Egregious Violation" Of Hatch Act. 
The AP <https://r.bulletinintelligence.corn/9flbedb207614e7884e7ee9f60993fb4> (8/27, Slodysko) reports that 
two law professors have filed a complaint with the State Department's inspector general alleging that Secretary 
of State Pompeo's speech to the RNC was an "egregious violation" of the Hatch Act. The AP says "the speech 
shattered longstanding State Department precedent and even went against the guidance Pompeo issued to 
American diplomats last month." 
WPost Style Column Considers Conway's Use Of "Excuse Me." 
Monica Hesse pens a Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/lifestyle/style/farewell-to-kellyanne-
conway-the-ultimate-woman-for-trump/2020/08/27/5ecd3144-e7ee-Ilea-970a-64c73alc2392_story.html> (8/27, 
I4.2M) "Style" column about Kellyanne Conway's use of "excuse me" to assert herself in interviews and 
appearances. Hesse comments, "She is brilliant. She is terrifying." 
WPost: Trump Organization Has Been Paid More Than $900K By Government. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/politics/trump-company-secret-service-
spending/2020/08/27/9331bd86-de36-11ea-8051-d5 87d73381_story. html> (8/27, Fahrenthold, Dawsey, 
Partlow, 14.2M) reports according to its count, President Trump "has now visited his own properties 270 times as 
president," and has "brought the Trump Organization a stream of private revenue from federal agencies and GOP 
campaign groups." The Post says "taxpayers have paid Trump's businesses more than $900,000 since he took 
office," and "at least $570,000 came as a result of the president's travel." The Post describes the Secret Service is 
"a kind of captive customer, required to follow Trump everywhere." 
Deere Says Administration Compiling "Dossier" Of "False" Articles Published About Trump. The Daily Caller 
<https://dailycaller.corn/2020/08/27/white-house-confirms-dossier-false-reporting-david-fahrenthold-
washington-post/> (8/27, Datoc, 716K) reports Deputy White House Press Secretary Judd Deere told 
<https://vvww.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-company-secret-service-spending/2020/08/27/9331bd86-de36-
Ilea-8051-d5f887d73381_story.html> the Washington Post that the Administration is compiling a "dossier" of 
"false" articles published about President Trump. Asked to comment on a Post story titled "Room Rentals, 
Resort Fees And Furniture Removal: How Trump's Company Charged The U.S. Government More Than 
$900,000," Deere said, "The Washington Post is blatantly interfering with the business relationships of the 
Trump Organization, and it must stop.... Please be advised that we are building up a very large `dossier' on the 
many false David Fahrenthold and others stories as they are a disgrace to journalism and the American people." 
The Daily Caller says when it asked Deere to clarify, he said he had "nothing to add." 
Study Suggests Dropping Old Missile Categories In Favor Of More Precise Descriptions. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/national-security/missiles-are-advancing-so-quickly-
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that-their-names-need-to-change-report-finds/2020/08/27/8776806e-e7cb-Ilea-a414-8422fa3e4116_story.html> 
(8/27, Sonne, 14.2M) reports the Aerospace Corporation has issued a study contending that missile developments 
mean "that the old conventions for naming them no longer suffice" and that "descriptors like cruise, ballistic and 
hypersonic" should be dropped in favor of "a more precise taxonomy for characterizing both U.S. and foreign 
missiles." The Post adds that the study argues that "classification of missiles influences not only arms control 
negotiations with foreign powers but also the U.S. military's missile warning protocols, missile defense systems 
and contingency plans." 
WPost Report: USPS Delivering False Messages To Customers. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/08/27/usps-delayed-packages/> (8/27, 
Zauzmer, 14.2M) reports that the US Postal Service has been alerting package addressees that their packages 
"are being held at a post office 'at the request of the customer' even if they did not make such a request. The 
Post says this is due to "broad changes Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has implemented" and in the case of a 
mail carrier being unable to "deliver a package on the day it was scheduled...the system sometimes generates a 
misleading 'held at the request of the customer' message." But, the Post reports, "the mail carrier will deliver the 
package, sometimes the next day." The Post also says that some said the messages have "undermined their faith 
in mail delivery leading up to the 2020 election." 
Rep. Collins May Have Violated Ethics Rules By Borrowing Official Website Language For Campaign. 
CQ Roll Call <https://www.rollcall.com/2020/08/27/ethics-no-no-doug-collins-senate-campaign-takes-from-
official-page/> (8/27, Marquette, 154K) reports Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), "who is in a tightly contested race" 
against Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), "used exact language describing his anti-abortion position from his official 
House website for use on his campaign page, seemingly a violation of House Ethics rules. Members are allowed 
to use materials originally prepared by the official office for campaigning purposes if those materials have been 
'exhausted, but because Collins' stance on abortion is still laid out on his official House website, it would be 
prohibited from being directly copied for his Senate campaign." 
International News 
Putin Touts Russia's Vaccine As Safe And Effective. 
The AP <https://apnews.com/f505b2fe730b56b558b8f76bf1932af0> (8/27, Litvinova) reports Russian President 
Vladimir Putin on Thursday "praised" his nation's coronavirus vaccine "as effective and safe, a clear bid to 
address international skepticism about the shots that have only been studied for two months in a few dozen 
people." In an interview with the state Rossiya 24 TV, Putin insisted that the vaccine was approved "in strict 
accordance with Russian laws" that are in line with "international practice and regulations." 
Germany Pauses Reopening As Cases Rise. 
The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/germany-hits-pause-on-reopening-amid-rising-covid-19-
infections-11598545067> (8/27, Boston, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) reports Germany has paused its 
reopening because of growth in infections and is seeking to more universally test people coming from elsewhere. 
Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "A lot is open, a lot of things are still possible. But now we know where we have 
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