Detroit area doctor charged with fraud after perscribing 2.2 million doses of painkillers

Statute of Justice | Stock photo by William Cho/pixabay

Francisco Patino, M.D., a physician from the Detroit area who was the top prescriber of oxycodone 30 mg in Michigan was charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today. He was allegedly involved in a health care fraud and money laundering scheme that brought in more than $120 million in illicit funds. As part of this plot, he distributed more than the alleged medically unnecessary distribution of over 2.2 million dosage units of controlled substances that were medically unnecessary injections and resulted in patient harm.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Detroit Division and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s Chicago Regional Office made the announcement this afternoon.

Patinowas charged in the superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of money laundering. These charges are in addition to the two counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks that was charged in the initial indictment. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood of the Eastern District of Michigan. Trial is scheduled to begin on April 7 before Judge Hood.

The superseding indictment alleges the laundering of the proceeds of the health care fraud scheme to falsely portray the defendant as a legitimate doctor through the publication of a diet book and plan described as the “next Atkins,” paid-for appearances on a nationally syndicated television show, and the sponsorship of boxers, cagefighters and prominent Ultimate Fighting Championship world champions and hall of famers.     

Patino owned, controlled and operated numerous pain clinics and laboratories in Michigan – including Global Quality Inc., RenAMI, FDRS and Patino Laboratories – and was the top prescriber of Oxycodone 30 mg in Michigan from 2016 to 2017. From 2008 until his arrest, Patino induced patients to come to his clinics by offering unnecessary prescriptions for addictive opioids, of which he ultimately prescribed over 2.2 million dosage units of medically unnecessary controlled substances, including fentanyl, oxycodone and oxymorphone. Patino prescribed these opioids to Medicare beneficiaries, some of whom were addicted to narcotics.

According the indictment, Patino forced patients to submit to unnecessary and sometimes painful back injections and other procedures in exchange for the opioid prescriptions as part of a scheme to defraud Medicare of over $120 million.  The superseding indictment alleges that Patino persisted with these unlawful practices even after Medicare informed him that the injections violated Medicare’s rules and after Patino entered into a consent order with the State of Michigan that his prescription of opioids “constitute[d] a violation of the public health code.”

Patino also ordered unnecessary urine drug testing in exchange for illegal kickbacks, the superseding indictment alleges. Patino was aware that his ownership structure and kickbacks were a violation of law and authored emails acknowledging that such ownership constituted  a “violation of the Stark and Anti-Kickback laws” and attempted to conceal and disguise the ownership structure and scheme in order to keep himself “out of federal prison & having all our assets seized to pay a $15 million fine.”

Patino also allegedly conspired to launder money in connection with the creation and promotion of the “Patino Diet” plan, which Patino described to others as the “next Atkins diet.”  In order to conceal and disguise his illegal health care fraud scheme, Patino allegedly paid for the authorship and publication of a book touting the diet plan, entitled The Age of Globesity, and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to promote the diet plan and appear as the exclusive medical expert on a nationally syndicated television show.

In addition to concealing the scheme by paying money to falsely portray himself as a media personality and a legitimate physician, the superseding indictment alleges, that Patino laundered the healthcare fraud and kickback money by entering into sham contracts or employment relationships to pay others on his behalf to sponsor boxers, mixed martial artists and UFC combatants.

The charges against Patino are related to a broader investigation into the Tri-County Network of pain clinics in Michigan and Ohio, which involves over $300 million in alleged Medicare fraud and the alleged distribution of over 6.6 million dosage units of controlled substances.  In connection with the investigation, 22 defendants, including 12 physicians, have previously pleaded guilty or been found guilty at trial. 

Detroit police complete another week of targeted enforcement

Police officer | Stock photo by Coco Parisienne/Pixabay

The Detroit Police Department has completed a third week of targeted enforcement with the goal of decreasing violent crimes associated with the black market sale and purchase of marijuana and other illegal narcotics. Police precincts across the city began conducting targeted enforcement actions on January 27 in response to a spike in violent crime.

This initiative’s third week ran from February 10 – 17. During this time period, police officers reported the following preliminary results across Detroit:

• 78 felony arrests were made;
• 36 misdemeanor arrests were also made;
• 21 firearms were seized , which includes 16 handguns and five long guns;
• 918 citations were issued;
• 68 vehicles were impounded; and
• Two stolen vehicles were recovered.

Police officers also confiscated a variety of narcotics. This included 54.5 grams of cocaine, 307 pills of various types, 151.5 grams of marijuana, and 18 grams of heroin.

"Our goal is to keep our communities safe, and this effort is to focus on the buyers and sellers who are illegally carrying guns," explained Chief James Craig of the Detroit Police Department. "I am thankful for the good work my officers are doing to rid our streets of illegal weapons associated with the sale of illegal narcotics so law-abiding residents can go about their lives free from fear."

While these operations are by no means confined to the Warrendale neighborhood, it is afterall a citywide operation, the fact that so many felons and firearms are off the streets of Detroit is a promising fact, in my opinion.

As the Detroit Police Department continues this initiative, additional details will be reported on this blog and on its Facebook page.

Former Detroit police officer pleads guilty to accepting bribes

Bribery | Stock photo by Pixabay/Pexels

Former Detroit Police Officer Michael Mosley, age 48, pleaded guilty today before the Hon. George Caram Steeh to bribery for taking $15,000 in cash bribes from a drug trafficker, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider.  The guilty plea announced today is the result of an idictment that this blog reported on last August.

Joining Schneider in the announcement was Steven M. D’Antuono, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mosley was a 19-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department. In April 2019, he was a member of the  Department’s Major Violators Unit.  On April 3, 2019, Detroit police officers, including Mosley, searched a drug trafficker’s house pursuant to a search warrant.  The search uncovered two kilograms of heroin, one kilogram of cocaine, and six firearms.  The drug trafficker confessed to owning the three kilograms of drugs to Mosley, and the trafficker signed a confession.  After the April 3 search, Mosley remained in contact with the drug trafficker in an effort to secure the trafficker’s cooperation concerning other criminal activity.

Subsequently, the drug trafficker offered Mosley a cash bribe of $15,000 in exchange for not pursuing criminal charges based on the three kilogram drug seizure and he agreed to the deal.  On May 2, 2019, Mosley collected $10,000 in cash that the drug dealer left for Mosley in the backyard of an abandoned house in Detroit.  On May 23, 2019, Mosley accepted another $5,000 in cash left for him by the drug trafficker at the abandoned house.  In exchange, he gave the drug trafficker the original copy of his confession. 

In addition to pleading guilty to one count of bribery, Mosley will be forfeiting the $15,000 he took in bribes.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider commended the outstanding work of the FBI in conducting this criminal investigation of a corrupt police officer.

“It’s rare that a police officer commits a crime, but in this case Officer Mosley betrayed his oath as a police officer, and he betrayed the citizens of Detroit and the vast majority of his fellow officers who seek to protect and serve with integrity,” stated Schneider.  “This prosecution demonstrates that we will not tolerate public officials who abuse their authority and seek to use their power to line their own pockets.”

 “The citizens of Detroit deserve better from their public servants. Wrongdoing by police officers undermines the public's trust and confidence in law enforcement officers who are sworn to defend and uphold the law,” said D’Antuono. “The men and women of the Detroit Police Department are dedicated to serving this community and misconduct by one of its officers is not a reflection of the entire force. However, the FBI will do everything in its power to bring corrupt police officers to justice and to restore faith in the integrity of law enforcement throughout the city.”

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Resnick Cohen, David A. Gardey, and Shankar Ramamurthy.

Police search for shooter

Police car | Photo by Gerd Altman/Pixabay

A 35-year old man was fatally shot yesterday afternoon and the Detroit Police Department is asking for the public's help in catching the shooter. The victim was standing in front of a house near Tireman and Pierson Streets at approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday when someone pulled up in a blue Dodge Ram pickup and opened fire on him before speeding away.

Officers from the Detroit Police Department spent several hours yesterday searching for the shooter and the blue pickup that he drove. The shooter was described as a black male wearing all black clothing. While they didn't find him, they did recover shell casings from the weapon he used.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who knows anything about this case is asked to call either the Detroit Police Department's Homicide Unit at (313) 596-2260 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

The name of this victim has not been released at this time. Also, no motive for this murder has been established.

Man wanted for carjacking in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood

Carjacking suspect and his vehicle

According to a statement, officials with the Detroit Police Department are asking for the public's help to identify and apprehend a man wanted for a carjacking that happened this past Saturday in Warrendale. They released surveillance photos of the suspect, which is located above.

This crime happened on W. Warren Avenue, near Stahelin Street at approximately 3:10 pm. A woman was getting out of her black 2016 Dodge Journey when an unknown man approached her. The man produced a handgun, and demanded her personal belongings. The victim complied and the robber took her vehicle and  headed south on Stahelin.

According to police, the license plate for her stolen car is DZC 3891 They also say a black Cadillac followed behind the suspect as he fled the scene.

A nearby Project Green Light camera spotted the robber exiting this Cadillac around the time of the carjacking. The Cadillac is believed to be a 2005-11 model with a sunroof and a missing door handle on the driver’s side.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5'9" with a heavy build, brown eyes, light complexion and freckles. He was seen wearing a mask over his face, with a dark jacket black hooded sweatshirt and armed with a black handgun.

Police ask that anyone who recognizes the suspect, has seen either vehicle involved in the carjacking, or has any information pertaining to this crime, to call the Detroit Police Department's Commercial Auto Theft Unit at (313) 596-2555 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

Mayor of Taylor among those indicted

Mayor Richard Sollars of Taylor - City of Taylor photo

A 33 count indictment was unsealed this afternoon chargingMayor Richard “Rick” Sollars of Taylor, Michigan, Shady Awad, and Taylor Community Development Manager Jeffrey Baum with conspiracy to commit bribery in a scheme spanning from 2015 to 2019, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced.  The indictment also charges Sollars and Awad with seven counts of bribery each, and charges Sollars and Baum with 18 counts of wire fraud.

According to the indictment, Sollars helped Awad’s real estate development company Realty Transition LLC obtain scores of tax-foreclosed properties owned by the city of Taylor.  In return, Awad lavished Sollars with thousands of dollars in cash and over $30,000 in renovations to Sollars’s home, over $11,000 in renovations to Sollars’s lake house, and over $12,000 in new household appliances.  The appliances included a refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher, a $1,600 cigar humidor, a vacuum cleaner, and a clothes washer and dryer.  The free renovations provided to Sollars by Awad include hardwood floors on every level of Sollars’s Taylor residence, hardwood floors at the lake house, a garage door, a new front door, cabinets, and a refurbished lake house deck.  The Indictment also alleges that Jeffrey Baum received bribes from Awad and another developer, in exchange for Baum’s help in obtaining tax-foreclosed properties from the City.

Text messages between Sollars, Awad, and Baum cited throughout the Indictment document the bribe scheme.  In one text, Awad states as follows: “My relationship with Rick is worth $1 million so whatever it takes I’ll pay for it” in telling a contractor to do free work on Sollars’s lake house.  In another text, the Indictment states that Awad told Sollars that Sollars was Awad’s “silent partner” in Awad’s real estate development business.  Sollars, 45, is a resident of Taylor.  Awad, 39, and Baum, 44, are both residents of Allen Park, Michigan. 

The indictment also charges Sollars and Baum with 18 counts of Wire Fraud, alleging that Sollars and Baum defrauded donors to Sollars’s campaign fund in three ways.  First, Sollars would take checks from his campaign account and write them payable to a particular market, purporting to pay for catering for one of Sollars’s events.  Instead, the market owner would cash the campaign checks and give the cash back to Sollars, with no catering provided.  Second, Sollars and Baum would direct Sollars’s supporters to write checks directly to the market for events that never occurred.  Sollars would get cash and scratch-off lottery tickets from the market owner.  Third, Sollars and Baum would solicit and accept thousands of dollars in cash contributions to Sollars’s campaign.  Instead of depositing the funds into his campaign account, Sollars would simply keep the cash and use it for personal expenses.

The Indictment also seeks forfeiture of $205,993 in cash seized from Sollars’s home on February 10, 2019.

Schneider was joined in the announcement by Steven D’Antuono, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“The unearthing of allegedly blatant corruption at the top levels of government in the City of Taylor should disturb every citizen of our state,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider.  “Federal law enforcement will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute any public officials who choose their personal greed over their public oath.”

"Any time an allegation of corruption is brought to our attention, the FBI's Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force will investigate it thoroughly. Public corruption at any level undermines the community's faith in their elected officials and does long-term damage to government institutions," said SAC D'Antuono. "With that in mind, we encourage anyone who believes they have information about corruption to contact the FBI at (313) 965-4545 or tips.fbi.gov."

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dawn Ison and R. Michael Bullotta.

An indictment is only a charging document and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Detroiter charged in child pornography case

Prison cell - Photo by Ichigo121212/Pixabay

A Detroit man was indicted yesterday on charges of production, possession and receipt of child pornography, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin announced earlier today. Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Steven M. D'Antuono of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

Indicted was Wade Preston Streeter, 49 of Detroit. Streeter was arrested on November 21 on a criminal complaint and was held in custody while charges were pending in his case.

According to court records, Streeter is alleged to have sexually assaulted and covertly produced sexually graphic photographs of minor boys as well as engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the minor victims.  This alleged conduct took place both at his home in Detroit as well as on a tugboat that he owns.

The FBI is asking for the public’s help to identify potential victims of Streeter, who would befriend young boys on Facebook and other social media sites and then arrange to meet them privately.

Anyone who may have been victimized by Wade Preston Streeter, or anyone who may have information about his alleged criminal behavior, is encouraged to call (313) 426-3880 or email the FBI at DetroitShipTips@fbi.gov.

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes that it investigates. Identified victims may be eligible for certain services and rights under federal and/or state law. Victims in this investigation can find information about the hearings in this case at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/united-states-v-wade-streeter-docket-19-mj-30602.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys April Russo and Barbara Lanning.

The state of Detroit's real estate market in 2019

The internet is losing its mind - Photo by Mandyme27/Pixabay

I posted an article to this blog yesterday pointing out that a home on Greenview Street was up for sale. This was part of my Featured Place to Live series where I highlight some of real estate opportunities in Warrendale neighborhood in Detroit. The asking price for this home I reported, was $79,900.

And the internet promptly lost its mind.

Within minutes of that article going online, my social media notifications started to blow up as one person or another wanted to comment on how delusional it was for a home in this part of Detroit to command such a price. Even asking for such a price, some individuals argued, was preposterous.

There were a few people who took this news in stride. They may have expressed a healthy amount of skepticism or been cautious in their optimism. What they did not do, though, was argue that homes in Detroit aren’t worth anything, that no one wants to live here, or any other such thing.

At this point, I should say that I had a completely different article planned for today. I was going to talk about some of the best places to go trick-or-treating since we are so close to Halloween at the moment. However, with so many people reacting so strongly to the idea of a home in the Warrendale neighborhood of going on the market with an asking price of $79,900, I felt it best to put original article aside for a moment and focus on this.

In the space below, I will provide some of the various reasons why one person or another was indignant at the such real estate pricing. While my comments are about the Warrendale neighborhood in particular, I feel that most of this applies to much of Detroit as a whole.

The comments in bold below are summary of a point that someone tried to make yesterday. Those comments are followed by my rebuttal.

The neighborhood is nothing like it was at some point in the past.
While it’s true that Warrendale and the other neighborhoods in Detroit have declined since their heyday, it’s also true that there have been substantial improvements in the quality of life here in recent years and that all signs point towards this trend continuing.

To put this in perspective, 20 years ago, a three-bedroom home in Warrendale would go for what in today’s dollars is roughly $140,000. Detroit still had a multitude of problems in the late-1990s and homes in the area were still able to command a six-digit price.

While the area was hit hard during the mortgage crisis of 2007-2008 and hasn’t fully recovered, I have to ask: is it really unreasonable that a house today should command a price of half of what it was prior to the mortgage crisis?

Personally, I don’t think so.

Detroit isn’t as good as [fill in the blank with some other city]
Again, Detroit has its problems. A piece of real estate in much of the city isn’t as valuable as a similar property in other parts of the country or even other parts of Michigan. However, I feel I should point out one key detail: the median selling price of a single-family home in the United States is $240,000, according to the January 2019 edition of Kiplinger.

If the outlying neighborhoods of Detroit were as good of a purchase right now as some of your other communities then that house on Greenview would have an asking price around $240,000; not $79,900.

[Fill in the blank crime] happened recently at a location nearby
First, crime happens everywhere.

Everywhere.

The only communities that don’t have a certain level of crime present are the ones who don’t have a certain number of people present.

Second, while crime is still a very serious issue in Detroit and the city is still one of the most dangerous in the United States, the crime statistics do show a slight slowdown. I would also say that this community’s current levels of crime and poverty are a large part of why that home on Greenview is asking $79,900 and not a figure much closer to national averages.

Warrendale is still a part of Detroit
Yes, it is. And you know what?

This home nine miles away in the Midtown neighborhood that’s selling for $319,900 and this one 11 miles away in downtown that’s selling for $430,000 are both also in Detroit. Oh, and this one eight miles away in the Corktown neighborhood that’s selling for $364,900? Yeah, that one is in the city of Detroit as well.

Does this mean that homes in Warrendale will soon be selling for $300 - $400,000 anytime soon?

Probably not.

It does, however, establish that the mere fact that a home is within the Detroit city limits does not mean that it’s worthless.

Oh, and then there’s my favorite criticism of all. The one that I deliberately saved for last.

It’s just not worth it
There are a thousand or so homes in the Warrendale neighborhood that are currently occupied on a rental basis. The landlords, generally speaking, have relatively little trouble finding people to rent those houses. They have, in fact, been getting around $850 per month for those homes and they’ve been getting that price for several years now.

And here’s why that is important.

If someone bought a home in Detroit for $102,250 and financed it entirely with no money down then, between his or her mortgage payment, property taxes, and homeowners insurance, he or she would pay approximately $850 per month, according to the mortgage calculator at Quicken Loans. It stands to reason, therefore, that home is this area should be selling for somewhere in the vicinity of $102,250.

Screengrab from Quicken Loans by Frank Nemecek

But the purchase of a home in the area for $79,900 is preposterous? I don’t think so.

Time will tell whether or not the home on Greenview really does sell for $79,900. I believe that it’s more than worth it and there are programs out there to help with the financing of such a purchase.

For now, I simply wish that folks were better able at accepting a little bit of good news every once in awhile.

Community meeting next Wednesday

Home in Warrendale - Photo by Frank Nemecek

The City of Detroit will host the community meeting for District 7 next Wednesday, October 9. This event will take place in the Adam Butzel Recreation Center (10500 Lyndon St.) from 6 - 8 p.m. District 7, of course, is the section of Detroit that includes Warrendale and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Items on the agenda for this meeting include the Detroit Water & Sewage Department as well as Halloween in the D. Representatives from all of the other departments in city government will also be on hand. This is an excellent opportunity for residents to express any concerns about city city services because the people you need to talk to will be right there.

I look forward to seeing lots of Warrendale residents at this meeting on Wednesday, October 9.

Body found along Dearborn - Detroit border

Crime scene - Image by Gerd Altman/Pixabay

Police officers found the remains of a 34-year-old deceased woman from Taylor, Michigan at 7:45 a.m. this morning. Her body was discovered in the vicinity of Paul Street and the Southfield Freeway, which is near the border between Dearborn and Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood.

Everyone who lives in that area is asked to check their security cameras for any images that might be useful to the police in their investigation.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to called the Dearborn Police Department at (313) 943-2241.

The identity and exact cause of death of this woman is currently being withheld by police officers, pending notification of her family.

Shooting at Shell gas station

Protesters at the Shell gas station - Photo by Frank Nemecek

As several other outlets have already reported, an attendant at the Shell station at W. Warren Ave. and the Southfield Freeway (17720 W. Warren Ave.) shot a customer last night. He was trying to shoot a different man who was stealing potato chips.

Approximately 50 protesters are at the Shell Station now. They are demanding that the business be closed down after this shooting.

The attendant in question was arrested. As of this morning, he has not been charged with a crime. However, formal charges are expected later today.

The innocent man who got shot is at a local hospital. He is currently in stable condition and is recovering from his wounds.

Officers from the Detroit Police Department are on the scene to ensure an orderly protest.

Update @ 3:09 pm
The protesters are now going through Warrendale distributing a one-page leaflet condemning the shooting. They are also asking residents to shop at one of the four black-owned gas stations in the area instead of this one.

Property values up in Warrendale, according to the Detroit News

Warrendale neighborhood at Christmas - Photo by Frank Nemecek

A report in the Detroit News this morning showed that while crime is still in an issue, the Warrendale neighborhood is on a rebound. Their full article is available online here. In my opinion, there are two key takeaways from this story.

While crime in the Warrendale neighborhood is still higher than in the suburbs of Detroit, it is down in almost every category from where it was a few years ago. I would add that this improvement in public safety has been a fairly consistent one and that there is nothing to suggest that it won't continue to improve.

It's also worth emphasizing that property values in the Warrendale neighborhood have increased by an average of 38% per year over the past five years. This is according to city officials in Detroit who compared MLS data from 2014 with the present day.

Both of these things combine to indicate that the Warrendale neighborhood continues to be an outstanding place to live, work, and invest. Although, for the benefit of any real estate investors who find this page, I remind everyone of what I mentioned about real estate investing in Detroit.

Detroit is a great place for real estate investors. It is, however, a terrible place for real estate speculators. (Please see my post here for more details.)

Worse than rape - apparently

Michael Cohen - Creative Commons photo courtesy of Wikimedia

I know this has little to do with either the Warrendale neighborhood or Detroit, but I still feel a need to comment. And since I run this blog, I'm going to do just that.

President Donald J. Trump's former long-time lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison earlier today. It's worth noting that he will spend more time in jail than:

• Jacob Anderson;
• John Enoch;
• Mark Hulett;
• Brock Turner;
• Austin James Wilkerson;
• David Wise; and
• Sir Young.

All of whom were convicted of rape. Most of them raped either a child or an unconscious woman.

In spite of this, Michael Cohen - a man who illegally paid off women to keep quiet about their consensual sexual affairs with President Trump - will apparently spend more time in jail than all seven of these rapists did combined.

I'm not saying that Michael Cohen deserved a lighter sentence. All that I'm saying is that this is one seriously messed up situation.

Well done, America. Well done.

Shooting at appliance store in Warrendale

There was a shooting at Sammy's Appliances (20101 W. Warren Ave) in the Warrendale neighborhood of Detroit. This is a used appliance store at the western edge of the neighborhood.

The shooting reportedly started after a customer was involved in a dispute with two employees who worked at the store. The unidentified man then returned to the store and opened fire, wounding two employees.

Both of the employees are in stable condition at a local hospital. They are expected to make a full recovery.

WXYZ-TV has more on this story in the video above.

Gabe Leland indicted on bribery charges

Gabe Leland at a Warrendale Community Organization meeting
Photo by Frank Nemecek

According to a published report in The Detroit News, Gabe Leland has been indicted on bribery charges by a federal grand jury. Leland has represented the Warrendale and surrounding neighborhood as a state legislator and city councilman for more than a decade.

Leland allegedly received more than $15,000 in cash and services in exchange for his help with a real estate deal, according to this indictment. The full story is available here.

On a personal note, I have known, trusted, and supported Gabe Leland since the beginning of his political career. I've always found him to be a hard-working public servant who has done much to help the Warrendale neighborhood. I'm both shocked and disappointed by this news.

I will have more on this story as it continues to develop.

FBI warns about cyber risk to students

Cyber-threats - Stock image by Pete Linforth/Pixabay

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a statement recently encouraging public awareness of cyber threat concerns related to K-12 students. The US school systems’ rapid growth of education technologies, which is also known as EdTech. This technology has led to the widespread collection of student data could have privacy and safety implications if compromised or exploited.

EdTech can provide services for adaptive, personalized learning experiences, and unique opportunities for student collaboration. Additionally, administrative platforms for tracking academics, disciplinary issues, student information systems, and classroom management programs, are commonly served through EdTech services.

The types of data that are collected can include personally identifiable information as well as:

• biometric data;
• academic progress;
• behavioral, disciplinary, and medical information;
• Web browsing history;
• students’ geolocation;
• IP addresses used by students; and
• classroom activities.

Malicious use of this sensitive data could result in social engineering, bullying, tracking, identity theft, or other means for targeting children. Therefore, the FBI is providing awareness to schools and parents of the important role cybersecurity plays in the securing of student information and devices.

Sensitive Student Data
The widespread collection of sensitive information by EdTech could present unique exploitation opportunities for criminals. For example, in late 2017, cyber-actors exploited school information technology systems by hacking into multiple school district servers across the United States. They accessed student contact information, education plans, homework assignments, medical records, and counselor reports, and then used that information to contact, extort, and threaten students with physical violence and release of their personal information. The actors sent text messages to parents and local law enforcement, publicized students’ private information, posted student PII on social media, and stated how the release of such information could help child predators identify new targets. In response to the incidents, the U.S. Department of Education released a Cyber Advisory alert in October 2017 stating cybercriminals were targeting school districts with weak data security or well-known vulnerabilities to access sensitive data from student records to shame, bully, and threaten children.

Cybersecurity issues were discovered in 2017 for two large EdTech companies, resulting in public access to millions of students’ data. According to security researchers, one company exposed internal data by storing it on a public-facing server. The other company suffered a breach and student data was posted for sale on the Dark Web.

Inter-connected Networks and Devices
EdTech connected to networked devices or directly to the Internet could increase opportunities for cyber actors to access devices collecting data and monitoring children within educational or home environments. Improperly secured take-home devices (e.g. tablets, laptops) or monitoring devices (e.g. in-school surveillance cameras or microphones), particularly those with remote-access capabilities, could be exploitable through cyber intrusions or other unauthorized means and present vulnerabilities for students.

Recommendations
The increased use of connected digital tools in the learning environment and widespread data collection introduces cybersecurity risks of which parents should be aware.

The FBI recognizes there are districts across the United States who are working hard to address cybersecurity matters in their schools to protect students and their data. For districts seeking assistance, there are numerous online resources, consortiums, and organizations available that can provide support on data protection matters and cybersecurity best practices.

The FBI encourages parents and families to research existing student and child privacy protections of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and state laws as they apply to EdTech services.
Discuss with their local districts about what and how EdTech technologies and programs are used in their schools.

Families should also research parent coalition and information-sharing organizations that are available online for those looking for support and additional resources as well as school-related cyber breaches which can further inform families of student data vulnerabilities. The FBI also recommends that families consider credit or identity theft monitoring to check for any fraudulent use of their children’s identity. Parents should also regularly search the Internet for their children’s information to help identify the exposure and stop it from spreading.

If you have evidence your child’s data may have been compromised, or if you have experienced any of the Internet crimes described in this PSA, please file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Protecting your children from the latest EdTech cyber-risks is your Tip of the Week for the week of September 17.

These tips are brought to you by the Warrendale (Detroit) Blog as part of our semi-regular Tip of the Week feature. Please check back every Monday for more advice on your home, money, and life. In the meantime, please feel free to check out the author, Frank Nemecek, on Twitter and Instagram for more great content as @fnemecek.

How to get a felony removed from your record

Jail cells - Stock photo by TryJimmy/Pixabay

I'm always amazed at how many people - who seem like model citizens at first glance - have a felony conviction on their record. Usually, it's for something that they did in their younger days. Since then, they've learned from their mistakes and have become better people.

It's frustrating, therefore, that these folks are still haunted by something they did years or even decades ago when they were a very different person. They have trouble getting a job, renting a home, or receiving credit because of their criminal history.

Luckily, it is possible to get a felony removed from your record under certain conditions. My advice here is specifically for people who live in Michigan. Individuals in other states should contact an attorney in their home state.

In order to begin the process, an applicant must have completed serving any sentence connected to their felony conviction. This includes probation and parole, if applicable.

Once that is completed, one can submit an application for pardon to the Pardon and Commutation Coordinator at the Michigan Department of Corrections. This application must be completed in full and notarized before sending it in. The form itself is available online here.

These tips are brought to you by the Warrendale (Detroit) Blog as part of our Tip of the Week feature. Please check back next week for more advice on your home, money, and life. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for more great content.

Paintball shooters target Warrendale

A pair of shooters armed with paintball guns have been targetting residents and business owners in the Warrendale neighborhood, according to a report from Fox 2 Detroit. The shooters are described by one victim as two Arabic speaking men, one with long black hair that is tied in a ponytail while the other has blonde hair.

The pair attack from a moving vehicle, often hitting businesses or pedestrians with paintballs. According to one victim who was shot while walking his dog on Plainview Street, the paintballs hit hard enough that he thought he was hit with real bullets at first.

Anyone with information about these shooters is asked to call the Detroit Police Department's 6th Precinct at (313) 596-5600.

South Warrendale Radio Patrol reflects on 2017

Warrendale Radio Patrol
Photo by Frank Nemecek

With 2017 now in the history books, the South Warrendale Radio Patrol released a few figures about their year. This group of neighborhood residents volunteered more than 2,000 hours over the past 12 months and drove 6,839 miles patrolling Detroit.

To put those numbers in perspective, the 6,839 miles that the South Warrendale Radio Patrol drove on their patrols is the equivalent of driving from Detroit, Michigan to Beijing, China - with 198 miles left over.

As if that wasn't enough, the group also issued approximately 50 You Make a Difference certificates as well as:

• 60 Halloween decoration certificates;
• 60 Christmas Decoration Certificates;
• A Halloween trophy;
• Two Christmas trophies;
• Worked hard doing multiple community cleanups/board ups;
• Installed 16 new neighborhood watch signs;
• Posted almost 200 "This house is being watched signs" on vacant houses, and
• Attended more meetings/media events and gatherings than anyone cares to count.

I am extremely proud of the work that this dedicated group of volunteers for our neighborhood as well as all of Detroit.

Cybersecurity tips from the FBI

In conjunction with National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is re-iterating the growing concern of cybercriminals targeting unsecure Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The number of IoT devices in use is expected to increase from 5 billion in 2016 to an estimated 20 to 50 billion by 2020. Once an IoT device is compromised, cybercriminals can facilitate attacks on other systems or networks, send spam e-mails, steal personal information, interfere with physical safety, and leverage compromised devices for participation in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

IoT refers to a network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items (often called “smart devices”) embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity enabling these objects to collect and exchange data. Below are examples of IoT devices:

• Home automation devices (e.g., devices which control lighting, heating and cooling, electricity, sprinklers, locks);
• Security systems (e.g., alarm systems, surveillance cameras);
• Medical devices (e.g., wireless heart monitors, insulin dispensers);
• Wearables (e.g., fitness trackers, clothing, watches);
• Smart appliances (e.g., refrigerators, vacuums, stoves);
• Office equipment (e.g., wireless printers, computer mouse, outlets, interactive whiteboards);
• Entertainment devices (e.g., DVRs, TVs, gaming systems, music players, toys); and
• Hubs (devices that control other IoT devices through a single app).

As more businesses and homeowners use Internet-connected devices to enhance company efficiency or lifestyle conveniences, their connection to the Internet provides new vulnerabilities for malicious cyber actors to exploit. In 2016 and 2017, cyber actors have demonstrated the ease in which IoT device vulnerabilities can be compromised and leveraged. Deficient security capabilities, difficulties in patching vulnerabilities, and a lack of consumer security awareness provide cyber actors with opportunities to exploit these devices.

In September 2016, cyber-actors using the Mirai botnet infected IoT devices—including routers, cameras, and digital video recorders—for the purpose of conducting DDoS attacks. The actors exploited openly accessible devices via the Internet with common default usernames and passwords.

In February 2017, a hacker compromised more than 160,000 printers with open connections to the Internet by scanning for those with specific open ports. The hacker claimed the devices were part of a botnet and sent print jobs to the affected printers.

In August 2017, a cyber actor released a list of over 33,000 usernames and passwords for IoT devices, including cameras, DVRs, and routers. While the majority of these devices were located in Asia and China, many of the devices were also found in the United States. A researcher conducted a test against this list and discovered many of these devices were almost instantly exploited, often taking less than two minutes between discovery and infection.

Unsecured or poorly secured devices provide opportunities for cybercriminals to intrude on private networks and gain access to other devices and information attached to these networks.

Cybercriminals often take advantage of default usernames and passwords to merge IoT devices with others into a large botnet. These botnets can facilitate DDoS attacks against popular Web sites or network resources. These attacks cause Web sites to run slow, prevent users from being able to connect, or potentially take down multiple Web sites associated with the network under attack.

Consumer Protection and Defense
It can be difficult to determine if an IoT device has been compromised. However, there are many reputable resources and tools available that search for vulnerable network devices. The following recommendations can be implemented to help secure IoT devices from cyber attacks.

• Change default usernames and passwords. Many default passwords are collected and posted on the Internet. Do not use common words and simple phrases or passwords containing easily obtainable personal information, such as important dates or names of children or pets.
• If the device does not allow the capability to change the access password, ensure the device providing wireless Internet service has a strong password and encryption.
• Isolate IoT devices on their own protected networks.
• Configure network firewalls to block traffic from unauthorized IP addresses and disable port forwarding.
• Review and implement device manufacturer security recommendations, if available. Consider turning devices off when not in use.
• Research your options when shopping for new IoT devices. When conducting research, use reputable Web sites that specialize in cybersecurity analysis, provide reviews on consumer products, and support consumer advocacy.
• Look for products from manufacturers with a track record of providing security to their Internet-connected products. Look for companies that offer firmware and software updates, and identify how and when these updates are provided.
• Identify what data is collected and stored by the devices, including whether you can opt out of this collection, how long the data is stored, whether it is encrypted in storage, and if the data is shared with a third party. Also, identify what protections and policies are in place in case there is a data breach.
• Ensure all IoT devices are up to date and security patches are incorporated when available.
• Use current cybersecurity best practices when connecting IoT devices to wireless networks and when connecting remotely to an IoT device.
• Invest in a secure router with robust security and authentication.

Most routers will allow users to whitelist, or specify which devices are authorized to connect to a local network. Whitelisting can be used to identify malicious network traffic from unauthorized devices and prevent them from making a connection.

Additional Resources
For additional information on cyber threats to IoT devices, please refer to "Internet of Things Poses Opportunities For Cyber Crime," available at https://www.IC3.gov/media/2015/150910.aspx and "Internet-Connected Toys Could Present Privacy and Contact Concerns for Children," available at https://www.IC3.gov/media/2017/170717.aspx.

Victim Reporting
If you suspect your IoT device(s) may have been compromised, contact your local FBI office and/or file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

These tips are brought to you by the Warrendale (Detroit) Blog as part of our Tip of the Week feature. Please check back next week for more advice for your home, money, and life. Please be sure to check out the rest of our tips by clicking here.