The Renaissance was a child of many fathers—none more important than the three iconic figures whose intersecting lives provide the basis for this astonishing work of narrative history: Leonardo Da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli and Cesar Borgia. Each could not have been more different. They would meet only for a short time in 1502 but the events that transpired, would significantly alter their perceptions—and the course of Western history.
In 1502, Italy was riven by conflict, with the city of Florence as the ultimate prize. Machiavelli, the consummate political manipulator, attempted to placate the savage Borgia by volunteering the services of Da Vinci as Borgia's chief military engineer. That autumn, the three men embarked together on a brief, perilous, and fateful journey through the mountains, remote villages and hill towns of the Italian Romagna—the details of which were revealed in Machiavelli's often-daily dispatches and Da Vinci's meticulous notebooks.
In a book that is at once a gripping adventure story and a trenchant analysis of how men make history, The Artist, the Philosopher and the Warrior limns each man's personality, their interactions, and the forces that shaped their world. Superbly written, meticulously researched, here is a work of narrative genius—whose subject is the very nature of genius itself.
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Friday, August 03, 2012
Eugene Mullins, Former Cook County Official, Indicted on Kickback Charges
A former Cook County official was indicted on federal charges for allegedly fraudulently steering four county contracts, each just under $25,000, to four acquaintances and then soliciting a portion of the contract payments as a kickback from each of them, totaling approximately $34,700, federal and state law enforcement officials announced today. Eugene Mullins, who was director of the Cook County Department of Public Affairs and Communications between March 2008 and November 2010, was arrested today after being indicted on fraud and corruption charges. The four individuals who allegedly received county contracts and returned a portion of the payments to Mullins were each charged with misprision of a felony for allegedly concealing Mullins’ alleged fraud and kickback crimes.
Mullins, 48, of Chicago, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and four counts of soliciting kickbacks in a 12-count indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury yesterday and unsealed today when he appeared in U.S. District Court. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. A status hearing was scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on September 5, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve.
The four co-defendants were not arrested and will be arraigned later on dates to be determined before Judge St. Eve. They are: Gary Render, 43, of Chicago; Michael L. Peery, 51, of Chicago; Clifford Borner, 45, of Chicago; and Kenneth Gregory Demos, 50, of Oak Park. Each was charged with one count of misprision of a felony.
The arrest and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s Attorney; Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Patrick Blanchard, Cook County Inspector General. The charges stem from a joint state and federal corruption investigation that resulted previously in pending state charges against Carla Oglesby, a former Cook County official, who allegedly also illegally steered county contracts under $25,000.
Between January 2010 and January 2011, Mullins allegedly used his county position to submit and cause others to submit false documents to the county to assist the four co-defendants in obtaining professional and managerial service contracts and payment from the county. Mullins then solicited the individuals who obtained contracts for payments from the contract proceeds for his own benefit, the charges allege. Mullins also allegedly steered contracts under $25,000 to two other individuals who later returned the checks they received from the county in full and were not charged.
According to the indictment, county contracts for professional and managerial services under $25,000 required approval only by the county purchasing agent and did not require approval by the county Board of Commissioners. In 2010, Mullins’ public affairs and communications department, as well as other county departments, had access to federal funds and county money to promote awareness and increase response rates by county residents for the 2010 U.S. Census, to promote awareness and assist residents impacted by floods in 2008, and to promote and increase energy efficiency and conservation.
At various times in 2010, the indictment alleges that:
As part of an effort to conceal the scheme in late 2010 and early 2011, Mullins allegedly advised the contract recipients to falsely deny the circumstances surrounding the contracts if questioned by investigators. For example, he advised Peery not to say anything about the cash payment to Mullins and advised Borner to claim ownership of the invoice submitted in support of his census contract, the charges allege.
The indictment seeks forfeiture of approximately $34,700 from Mullins.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay Jenkins, Sarah Streicker, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Blakey, chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison: each count of soliciting kickbacks carries a maximum of 10 years in prison; and misprision of a felony carries a maximum of three years in prison and all counts carry a $250,000 maximum fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mullins, 48, of Chicago, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and four counts of soliciting kickbacks in a 12-count indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury yesterday and unsealed today when he appeared in U.S. District Court. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. A status hearing was scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on September 5, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve.
The four co-defendants were not arrested and will be arraigned later on dates to be determined before Judge St. Eve. They are: Gary Render, 43, of Chicago; Michael L. Peery, 51, of Chicago; Clifford Borner, 45, of Chicago; and Kenneth Gregory Demos, 50, of Oak Park. Each was charged with one count of misprision of a felony.
The arrest and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s Attorney; Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Patrick Blanchard, Cook County Inspector General. The charges stem from a joint state and federal corruption investigation that resulted previously in pending state charges against Carla Oglesby, a former Cook County official, who allegedly also illegally steered county contracts under $25,000.
Between January 2010 and January 2011, Mullins allegedly used his county position to submit and cause others to submit false documents to the county to assist the four co-defendants in obtaining professional and managerial service contracts and payment from the county. Mullins then solicited the individuals who obtained contracts for payments from the contract proceeds for his own benefit, the charges allege. Mullins also allegedly steered contracts under $25,000 to two other individuals who later returned the checks they received from the county in full and were not charged.
According to the indictment, county contracts for professional and managerial services under $25,000 required approval only by the county purchasing agent and did not require approval by the county Board of Commissioners. In 2010, Mullins’ public affairs and communications department, as well as other county departments, had access to federal funds and county money to promote awareness and increase response rates by county residents for the 2010 U.S. Census, to promote awareness and assist residents impacted by floods in 2008, and to promote and increase energy efficiency and conservation.
At various times in 2010, the indictment alleges that:
- Mullins schemed to fraudulently steer a $24,980 disaster grant contract to Render, who returned $9,000 to Mullins;
- Mullins schemed to fraudulently steer a $24,985 energy grant contract to Peery, who returned $12,000 to Mullins;
- Mullins schemed to fraudulently steer a $24,995 census contract to Borner, who returned $5,000 to Mullins; and
- Mullins schemed to fraudulently steer a $24,997 census contract to Demos, who returned $8,700 to Mullins.
As part of an effort to conceal the scheme in late 2010 and early 2011, Mullins allegedly advised the contract recipients to falsely deny the circumstances surrounding the contracts if questioned by investigators. For example, he advised Peery not to say anything about the cash payment to Mullins and advised Borner to claim ownership of the invoice submitted in support of his census contract, the charges allege.
The indictment seeks forfeiture of approximately $34,700 from Mullins.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay Jenkins, Sarah Streicker, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Blakey, chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison: each count of soliciting kickbacks carries a maximum of 10 years in prison; and misprision of a felony carries a maximum of three years in prison and all counts carry a $250,000 maximum fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Robert Grant, Head of FBI in Chicago, Retires to Join Disney
Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today his retirement from government service, effective September 3, 2012, culminating a 29-year career with the FBI.
Mr. Grant has served as the head of the Chicago Office, the FBI’s oldest field office, since January of 2005. He is the longest serving special agent in charge in the history of the Chicago Office, which was first established in 1908. In this role, Mr. Grant has overseen many significant investigations, including the arrest of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges, the racketeering indictment and conviction of numerous high-ranking members of the Chicago Mafia as part of the “Family Secrets” case, and the arrest of two Chicago men on charges related to the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, India.
Mr. Grant entered on duty with the FBI in 1983 and has served in the Memphis, New York, and San Antonio Field Offices, along with several different assignments at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., including Chief Inspector.
In announcing his retirement, Mr. Grant noted the many positive changes and transformation of the FBI during his career. Said Mr. Grant, “I have witnessed the FBI do some amazing things. It has grown and stretched in ways I never thought possible. What I have come to realize is there is almost nothing the FBI cannot do when it sets a proper course and supports its tremendous people. There isn’t a day that goes by where I am not impressed and amazed at the work of the men and women of this organization, who I will miss greatly.”
Mr. Grant has received numerous awards and commendations during his career and was a 2008 recipient of the Presidential Rank Service Award. Under his direction, the Chicago Office has been recognized by numerous civic and community organizations for outstanding investigative accomplishments and service to the community. Mr. Grant has accepted a position with the Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles, where he will be part of their Global Security Team.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Agent Ronald Hosko Named Assistant Director of FBI Criminal Investigative Division
FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III named Ronald T. Hosko assistant director of the Criminal Investigative Division (CID) at FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ). Mr. Hosko most recently served as special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office (WFO) Criminal Division.
Mr. Hosko began his career with the FBI as a special agent in 1984. His first assignment was to the Jackson Division, where he investigated drug-related matters, white-collar crime, and organized crime. In 1988, he was transferred to the Chicago Division, where he investigated white-collar and financial crimes in addition to serving on the SWAT team. He also spent several months working undercover in the Sourmash investigation, which targeted fraudulent commodities trading at the Chicago Board of Trade.
In 1992, Mr. Hosko began serving on the Chicago Violent Crimes Task Force, where he focused on violent crime and fugitive investigations until he was promoted to supervisor in 1995. In this role, he continued to serve on the task force while also leading investigations into various federal crimes.
In 2001, Mr. Hosko reported to the Critical Incident and Response Group, first as supervisor and then as unit chief of the Crisis Management Unit. In this role, he served as deputy to the Joint Operations Center commander during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, and led the FBI in its interagency cooperation during the 2002 sniper shootings in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, Mr. Hosko was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Philadelphia Division, where he was responsible for investigations into criminal matters. While in this role, he led the division’s surveillance and technical operations, and he served as the program supervisor for crisis management. In 2005, Mr. Hosko served as the on-scene commander of FBI personnel deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Later that year, he served as deputy to the senior fellow law enforcement official following Hurricane Katrina.
In February 2006, Mr. Hosko served as deputy on-scene commander for FBI personnel supporting the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He was promoted to inspector in 2007, before being assigned to his most recent post with the Washington Field Office in 2010.
Mr. Hosko earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and criminal justice from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1980. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Temple University in 1984.
Mr. Hosko began his career with the FBI as a special agent in 1984. His first assignment was to the Jackson Division, where he investigated drug-related matters, white-collar crime, and organized crime. In 1988, he was transferred to the Chicago Division, where he investigated white-collar and financial crimes in addition to serving on the SWAT team. He also spent several months working undercover in the Sourmash investigation, which targeted fraudulent commodities trading at the Chicago Board of Trade.
In 1992, Mr. Hosko began serving on the Chicago Violent Crimes Task Force, where he focused on violent crime and fugitive investigations until he was promoted to supervisor in 1995. In this role, he continued to serve on the task force while also leading investigations into various federal crimes.
In 2001, Mr. Hosko reported to the Critical Incident and Response Group, first as supervisor and then as unit chief of the Crisis Management Unit. In this role, he served as deputy to the Joint Operations Center commander during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, and led the FBI in its interagency cooperation during the 2002 sniper shootings in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, Mr. Hosko was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Philadelphia Division, where he was responsible for investigations into criminal matters. While in this role, he led the division’s surveillance and technical operations, and he served as the program supervisor for crisis management. In 2005, Mr. Hosko served as the on-scene commander of FBI personnel deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Later that year, he served as deputy to the senior fellow law enforcement official following Hurricane Katrina.
In February 2006, Mr. Hosko served as deputy on-scene commander for FBI personnel supporting the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He was promoted to inspector in 2007, before being assigned to his most recent post with the Washington Field Office in 2010.
Mr. Hosko earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and criminal justice from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1980. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Temple University in 1984.
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