Washington Free Beacon » theft

Insider Accomplice in DC Dem’s Theft Case

Washington Free Beacon Staff — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:33:28 +0000

A disgraced local Democrat may have enlisted accomplices to steal nearly $350,000 from a youth charity, the Washington Post reports:

Convicted former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. may have had help from someone in city government when he stole nearly $350,000 from a nonprofit, a council report has concluded.

But in the extensive report, to be released Friday, the council’s Committee on Human Services said it did not have enough information to name anyone who could have provided that assistance. The report faults officials at the Children’s Youth Investment Trust Corp. for failing to detect the fraud.

Thomas, a onetime rising star in District politics, pleaded guilty in January to using trust funds intended for youth sports for personal use, including trips and a sport-utility vehicle. He faces 37 to 46 months in prison under federal guidelines when he is sentenced Thursday.

Grease Thefts Rise in Obama Economy

Washington Free Beacon Staff — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:53:24 +0000

President Obama’s green energy initiative, coupled with the precipitous rise in gas prices, has led to a spike in grease thefts.

The Wall Street Journal reports:

There has been a black market for some time for stolen cooking oil, which renderers collect from restaurants and turn into animal feeds and other products. But its use in biodiesel has increased thefts.

At first, it was people pinching it to use in their own converted diesel vehicles. Police in Avondale, Ariz., arrested a Los Angeles punk band named Off! last year for grabbing grease from a barbecue place for their biodiesel tour bus. Police dropped charges, but Off! guitarist Dimitri Coats says the band now makes sure it asks restaurants before obtaining grease.

As used-oil prices doubled in recent years, to more than 40 cents a pound, organized grease-poaching rings struck.

Pennsylvania Democrat found guilty of theft, public corruption

Washington Free Beacon Staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:42:57 +0000

A Democratic state representative from Pennsylvania is facing 9-16 months in prison after being found guilty on five charges related to a public corruption probe.

Rep. Bill DeWeese, a Greene County Democrat, was found guilty on 3 theft charges, conflict of interest and conspiracy to commit conflict of interest.

From WPMT in Pennsylvania:

Prosecutors say DeWeese used state employees and other taxpayer resources for political purposes that included campaigning and fundraising while he was House minority leader from 2001 to 2006.

Of the 25 people arrested so far in the corruption scandal, 11 former legislators and aides in the House Democratic caucus have been convicted or pleaded guilty, including former House whip Michael Veon of Beaver County. Veon is currently serving a state prison term of at least six years.