2015 News Archives

Ruben Rosario: Trafficking victims suffer from congressional backbiting. The rowdy children are out of line again inside the Beltway. A pulling of the ear or a time-out is in order. I’m talking about the dust-up this week over a bill that would greatly benefit human trafficking victims and help prosecute their predators. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, October 28, 2015).

John Choi: Insurance fraud: Time for Minnesota to take a strong stand. Recently, I was proud to stand alongside Democrats, Republicans, law enforcement, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Insurance Federation of Minnesota at the state Capitol to support a bipartisan, common-sense bill that will help combat insurance fraud in Minnesota. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, October 25, 2015).

Minnesota: Hear the case for letting parolees and those on probation vote: Pioneer Press editorial. A remarkable coalition of Minnesotans has formed to support a measure that would restore voting rights sooner to those with felony convictions. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, October 25, 2015).

Five from St. Paul charged in sex trafficking ring. The Ramsey County attorney’s office Tuesday charged five St. Paul adults for their alleged involvement in a multistate sex trafficking ring that involved minor girls, and officials had a strong message for traffickers and johns: “We are coming after you.” (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, October 25, 2015).

Day care provider charged with improperly billing State. One employee told investigators that the defendant maintained a “DHS room” at the center, fully equipped with the toys, books, and learning supplies (required by DHS), to be used by teachers and children only when DHS licensing staff was onsite for an inspection. (RCAO, St. Paul, September 22, 2015).

Twin Cities archdiocese charged with covering up clergy abuse. High-ranking church officials downplayed or ignored reports of a predatory priest and protected clergy at the expense of children, leading to the abuse of at least three young victims, according to criminal charges filed Friday against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, June 5, 2015).

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis charged with 'failing to protect' clergy abuse victims. The charges stem from the archdiocese’s oversight failures regarding former priest Curtis Wehmeyer, who is now serving a prison term. Wehmeyer sexually abused two boys in 2010 — at times plying them with alcohol and showing them pornography — while he was pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in St. Paul. (Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN, June 5, 2015).

Related Documents for June 5, 2015 Press Event on Archdiocese Charges:

Fraud, identity theft taking toll on metro investigators' workloads. Jeff Schmitz placed checks for his daughters’ college savings plans in a mailbox outside his Shakopee home last September, propped up the box’s flag and unknowingly became a target of a St. Paul man’s financial fraud scheme. (Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN, May 30, 2015).

Pedestrian killed in Green Line accident was ‘very safety conscious’. Lynne Thomas rode the Green Line light rail each morning to work at the Minnesota Senate’s office of counsel and research, where she was a receptionist. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, April 30, 2015).

'Clique' gangs vex prosecutors, youth workers. Enrique 'Chacho' Estrada glanced into the crowd, looking for the kid with the bullet in his leg. (MPR News, St. Paul, MN, April 22, 2015).

'Tree Guy,' 'Ellsworth' accused of prostitution with minor. Two more people have been accused of paying for sex with a minor following a recent sex trafficking investigation by the St. Paul Police Department, according to charges filed Tuesday in Ramsey County. (KMSP Fox9, Eden Prairie, MN, April 14, 2015).

Police look to step up battle against sex traffickers. The next big challenge for law enforcement is coming up with the resources to stop the traffickers and bring them to justice. (KARE 11, Golden Valley, MN, April 10, 2015).

'Bride Stealing’ Case Sheds Light On Troubling Tradition. Ramsey County court filings state Xiong yelled at the girl after a violent struggle, telling her: “You will never see your parents again!” (WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN, March 31, 2015).

Forest Lake Couple Charged In Public Assistance Fraud Scheme. Brittany and Eric Vacko had a sad story — no jobs, no savings and a special needs son to care for. But Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said the couple actually earned a good living while they were claiming poverty. (WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN, March 30, 2015).

Pioneer Press editorial: Hear the case for letting parolees and those on probation vote. Lawmakers and citizens should note the diversity of groups -- liberal and conservative and hybrids thereof -- lending their support. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, March 25, 2015).

Ruben Rosario: Trafficking victims suffer from congressional backbiting. Broadly modeled after Minnesota's "Safe Harbor" law, the proposed federal legislation would ban teen trafficking victims from prosecution for prostitution or other crimes and instead provide rehabilitation and other services. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, March 19, 2015).

Five from St. Paul charged in sex trafficking ring. The defendants are charged with seven felonies each, including sex trafficking a minor, sex trafficking an individual and conspiracy to commit felony sex trafficking. (Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, March 3, 2015).

Men and Domestic Violence Prevention. The Hmong Times had an opportunity to sit down with Ramsey County Attorney John Choi for a conversation about domestic violence and what men can do to prevent it. (Hmong Times,  St. Paul, MN, February 23, 2015.)

Minnesota lawmakers want to crack down on insurance scammers. Minnesota lawmakers are taking aim at insurance scammers they say flock to the state because of legal loopholes that result in big cash payouts for bogus medical claims. (Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN, February 13, 2015).

Meth Still A Problem In Minnesota. Brian Fitch Sr. was collecting on methamphetamine debts when he shot and killed Mendota Heights police officer Scott Patrick last July. (CBS Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, February 5, 2015).

Fitch found guilty on all counts in officer's murder. ST. CLOUD - A Stearns County Jury convicted Brian G. Fitch, Sr., on all counts involving the murder of Mendota Heights police officer Scott Patrick, who was shot July 30 during a routine traffic stop on a busy West St. Paul street. (Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN, February 02, 2015).

Felon sentenced to 10 years for crash that injured his children. A Brooklyn Park man was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for crashing his van on a St. Paul street last summer and fleeing, leaving his young son in the crumpled vehicle with a broken leg and his teenage daughter paralyzed. (Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN, January 26, 2015).
 

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