Local News

Three Members of Notorious International Cybercrime Group “Fin7” In Custody for Role in Attacking Over 100 U.S. companies

SEATTLE - Three high-ranking members of a sophisticated international cybercrime group operating out of Eastern Europe have been arrested and are currently in custody facing charges filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes for the Western District of Washington and Special Agent in Charge Jay S. Tabb Jr. of the FBI Seattle Field Office.

According to three federal indictments unsealed today, Ukrainian nationals Dmytro Fedorov, 44, Fedir Hladyr, 33, and Andrii Kolpakov, 30, are members of a prolific hacking group widely known as FIN7 (also referred to as the Carbanak Group and the Navigator Group, among other names). Since at least 2015, FIN7 members engaged in a highly sophisticated malware campaign targeting more than 100 U.S. companies, predominantly in the restaurant, gaming, and hospitality industries. As set forth in indictments, FIN7 hacked into thousands of computer systems and stole millions of customer credit and debit card numbers, which the group used or sold for profit.

Three Sentenced in Fresno for Immigration Offenses

FRESNO - Three citizens of Mexico were sentenced on Monday for immigration offenses related to their prior deportations, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. U.S. v. Julio Cesar Delgadillo (1:18-cr-050) Delgadillo, 47, Mexican national residing in Visalia, was sentenced Monday to five years and three months in prison for being a deported alien found in the United States.

He was indicted on March 8, 2018, and pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018. According to court records, Delgadillo was deported on December 1, 2016, following a prior conviction and sentence for being a deported alien found in the Unites States. According to the 2012 indictment, Delgadillo was convicted in Tulare County in 2003 of assault with a firearm and sentenced to three years in prison.

Disneyland Resort Closes Deal With Largest Labor Unions For One of the Highest Minimum Wages in the Country

ANAHEIM - The Disneyland Resort announced today that it has reached agreement with its largest labor unions for a minimum wage rate increase of 40 percent within two years of the agreement. This will put cast members represented by Master Services Council at $15 per hour by 2019, which will be one of the highest minimum wages in the country. This agreement, benefitting more than 9,700 cast members, is one of the most aggressive entry-level offers in the country and demonstrates Disney's commitment to its valued cast members.

"Disneyland Resort has long taken pride in providing an exceptional employee experience, and this agreement sets a new bar with minimum wages that are among the highest in the country. Our unprecedented offer shows our commitment and care for our cast members and is the largest increase in our history," said Josh D'Amaro, president, Disneyland Resort. "Our cast members are at the heart of making our guests' dreams come true and this meaningful pay increase reflects the valuable roles they play at the resort."

Criminal Investigations Uncovers Alleged Fraud Issues in Madera County Fire Department: Whistle-Blower Feels Punished by County

MADERA – While the brave men and women of Cal-Fire fight the Ferguson Fire in Madera, Merced and Mariposa Counties, a criminal investigation conducted by the Madera County Sheriff’s Department was turned over this week to the Madera County Distrcit Attorney’s Office regarding the Madera County Fire Department. The existence of the criminal investigation isn’t being discussed in the open Board of Supervisors meetings but it was confirmed last week to BVN by Madera County Council Regina Garza.

The county, which contracts its county-wide fire services though the State of California, provides office support staff to the state which houses its offices on the first floor of the Madera County Government Center in Madera. Earlier this year the county was informed by a whistle-blower within the department of an employee, who may have access to approve her own hours on the county’s payroll system, had allegedly padded her paycheck with over 100 unearned hours.

Offender Who Walked Away from Bakersfield Reentry Program Apprehended

BAKERSFIELD – A man who walked away from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in Bakersfield on July 15, 2018, was apprehended today in Bakersfield.

Following investigative leads, agents from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Office of Correctional Safety (OCS) located Ronald Brooks, 31, at Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield. He was arrested after a short pursuit on foot. He was taken into custody and transported to North Kern State Prison.