Commercial and Residential Locksmiths in Acworth

Conspiracy, fraud, and tax crimes connected to consultant’s efforts to obtain advantages for some sellers on Amazon Marketplace

Seattle – Two significant players in a scheme to bribe Amazon employees and contractors pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to various federal charges, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Joseph Nilsen, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit violations of the Travel Act and filing a false tax return. Kristen Leccese, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit violations of the Travel Act. Both are New York residents. Sentencings are scheduled for September 9, 2022, before the Honorable Richard A. Jones.

In all, three of six defendants have now pleaded guilty in a multimillion-dollar scheme to manipulate the Amazon Marketplace.

According to the plea agreements filed in the case, Nilsen, Leccese and their associates conspired to pay bribes to get Amazon employees and contractors to misuse their access to Amazon networks and confidential information. They sought to obtain various unfair competitive advantages for certain merchants on the Amazon Marketplace by, among other things, interfering with Amazon’s ability to monitor the safety and authenticity of goods sold and impairing the accuracy of information posted on the Marketplace. In the two plea agreements, Nilsen and Leccese admit they conspired to pay bribes: to obtain confidential Amazon business information; to get suspended third-party sellers and product listings reinstated on the Marketplace; to circumvent Amazon restrictions and limitations on certain products; to gain access to restricted product categories by misrepresenting the source of goods; to manipulate customer reviews; and to surveil and attack other merchants and product listings.

Nilsen also pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return. In 2018 and 2019 he failed to file tax returns on behalf of his Amazon consulting company, and in 2017 he filed a false tax return significantly underreporting his and his company’s actual taxable revenue. For tax year 2017, he admits the tax loss to the U.S. is $44,178.

Conspiracy to commit violations of the Travel Act is punishable by up to five years in prison. Conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years in prison.

On February 11, 2022, defendant Rohit Kadimisetty was sentenced to ten months in prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine.

Two defendants, Ephraim Rosenberg, of Brooklyn, New York, and Hadis Nuhanovic, of Acworth, Georgia, remain scheduled for trial in October 2022. Defendant Nishad Kunju, of Hyderabad, India, has not been arraigned on the indictment.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), and the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Masada and Nicholas Manheim.

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Two more defendants have pleaded guilty for their role in a multimillion-dollar scheme to manipulate the Amazon Marketplace e-commerce platform.

Six people have been charged in the conspiracy, which federal prosecutors say involved paying bribes to get Amazon employees and contractors to leak confidential data and to use that data to grant certain sellers a competitive advantage on Amazon Marketplace.

Joseph Nilsen, 32, and Kristen Leccese, 33, both of New York, entered their pleas Monday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, acknowledging they paid more than $100,000 in bribes from 2016 to 2020.

Another player, Rohit Kadimisetty, was sentenced in February to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine.

Two other defendants – Ephraim Rosenberg, of New York, and Hadis Nuhanovic, of Acworth, Georgia – are set for trial in October.

The sixth defendant, Nishad Kunju, of Hyderabad, India, has not been brought to the U.S. to face charges.

In their plea agreements, Nilsen and Leccese admitted they conspired to pay bribes to obtain confidential Amazon business information; to get suspended third-party sellers and product listings reinstated on the Marketplace; to circumvent Amazon restrictions on certain products; and to manipulate customer reviews, among other things.

Nilsen and Leccese are scheduled for sentencing in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Sept. 9.

Nilsen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison; conspiracy to violate the Travel Act, which bars interstate or foreign travel in aid of racketeering and is punishable by up to five years; and tax charges that can bring up to three years.

Leccese pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Travel Act.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle agreed to recommend prison terms within guideline ranges for each.

In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson said: “There is no place for fraud at Amazon, and we worked with the Department of Justice to hold these bad actors accountable.”

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David Chastain is running for Cobb County School Board Post 4.

COBB COUNTY, GA — Two candidates are running for Cobb County School Board Post 4 in the May 24 General Primary Election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the primary draws near.

David Chastain is running for Cobb County School Board Post 4.

Name

David Chastain

Campaign website

City or town of residence

Acworth

Office sought

Cobb County School Board Post 4

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

BBA - University of Georgia

Occupation

Analyst

Family

Wife, Lori, three adult children, and four grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

Age

65

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Two terms on Cobb County School Board - Post 4

Why are you seeking this office?

I want to continue to serve the families of Cobb County by supporting the policies and leadership that build on current success.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

recovering from two years of challenges caused by COVID-19. I will support policies and budget provisions that focus on student success, teacher support, and quality facilities.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have over seven years of experience serving our community on the Cobb School Board and my opponent does not.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Keeping the Senior Adult Tax exemption, maintaining district accreditation, monitoring capital improvement (SPLOST) projects, and improving academic performance.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served as chair three times. I respond to constituent inquiries promptly. The Board works as a unit and I have supported that.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My mother always reminded me to never write anything you would not sign your name to. My father always emphasized we should be judged on our integrity.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I already have school board experience. I am a graduate of Cobb County schools. Our three adult children graduated from Cobb County Schools AND their spouses graduated from Cobb County Schools. PLUS our four grandkids are going to Cobb County Schools. I am always available to respond to questions.

ACWORTH, Ga. - It was quite the homecoming for an Acworth family who spent nearly two months in the hospital.

SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENT 'IN STARVATION MODE' AT LICENSED HOME, FAMILY SAYS

Two-year-old Bella was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor in October.

Her mother, Christine Kirby, said Bella started to get back in February.

"We had taken her back and forth to many doctors. Four times to CHOA, four times to Kennestone. Each time it was a new diagnosis or the lasting effects of COVID," she said.

Kirby said doctors were ready to send her home with a feeding tube, after diagnosing her with a disease that affects stomach muscles.

"I told them that we were not leaving and that I wanted them to do a scan of her brain," Kirby said.

It was this persistence that saved her daughter's life.

Doctors diagnosed her with a rare brain tumor.

"She had to have emergency surgery that day to remove the pressure that had built up on her brain. She went to PICU and then had a recession surgery where they were able to remove about 75 percent of it," Kirby said.

Bella underwent several more surgeries, recovery, and rehab.

On Friday, Bella and her parents came home, after more than 50 days in the hospital.

But it was no average homecoming.

While the family was in the hospital, their extended family was busy too.

Members of the South Cherokee Softball Association, where Kirby volunteers as a coach, got together to make some much-needed repairs to the home.

They replaced everything from the front and back porch, flooring, cabinets, appliances, and furniture.

Members of the group are no strangers to helping others.

They regularly help out those in need.

"We're big into paying it forward in the community and it was a no-brainer. That's just what you do," said Ally Venable, a member of the association.

The nonprofit relied on monetary donations from the community as well as donations of appliances and furniture.

"It's been amazing. Just people calling and donating," said Joy Fricks, with the association.

Bella still has a long fight ahead, but she'll be fighting surrounded by support and in a home that was built with love.

"There is not a single inch in this place that has not been touched by their hands," Kirby said. "They came to the rescue at a time of need."

You can help Bella and her family by donating to their GoFundMe.

ACWORTH, Ga. - Tranquil Gardens Assisted Living Facility's staff, residents, and their family members are in disbelief after learning the facility will be permanently closing its doors at the end of the week.

Staff and residents tell FOX 5 they were given a "verbal eviction notice" on Tuesday. They were told the property was being foreclosed on.

"I never thought these people would do this to these residents. There is no name for what they've done to us. Uprooting my mom at 99," said Nellie Garcia.

Jon Fisher is a resident who has been at the facility for about two months. His family was able to find him a new assisted living facility nearby to move into.

Fisher said he was initially angry when he heard the news.

"I can't believe they did not know about this before this week," he said.

Will Riggs said he just moved his father into the facility a couple of months ago. He said he's received no communication from the owners.

"No one is trying to get our money back. We've just put in about $3,500 in this place in the last two months. There's no notice of what's going on," Riggs said.

He said his father will need to undergo medical evaluations before being admitted into a new facility and they are unable to get that done by the end of the week.

Ken Byers's mother was one of the first residents at the facility when it opened its doors.

The 87-year-old recently had surgery and is a part of the memory care program.

"Mom's been here two and half years and tonight will be her last," Byer said.

He, along with other family members, are now scrambling to find their loved ones a new place to stay.

"Janice and Brian Steward, the owners of this property. They've failed us in a big way," Byer said.

Not only are residents and families unsure of the future., so are the staff members, like executive director Tiffany Echols.

"It's so inhumane. How do you do your elderly that way? How do you do your staff that way?" Echols asked.

She was emotional as she recalled her time at the facility. She said her biggest concern is making sure all of the residents have a place they can go when Friday comes.

She's now trying to figure out how to say goodbye to a place filled with people she's called family for the last two and half years.

"I have my staff here that will stick it out with me until Friday. We don't know if we'll get paid but we're going to stick it out for the love of our residents," Echols said.

She said the owners stopped by briefly on Tuesday.

Because some staff members left after getting the news, staff from nearby assisted living facilities are showing up to help with things like food, care, and finding residents new places to stay.

FOX 5 did reach out to the owners but did not head back.

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