Article: ‘Does the punishment fit the crime?’

Article - Media, Publications

‘Does the punishment fit the crime?’

Tatiana Walk-Morris, 14 April 2021

In 2018, William Thomas C. was caught with 18 pounds of cannabis a few days after returning home from vacation with his grandchildren. He was charged with cannabis trafficking and manufacturing or delivering more than 5,000 grams of cannabis, according to court records. Before then, William, better known as Tom, ran a family farm and a lawn care business in Bloomington, Illinois. Since Tom has been serving a nine-year sentence at Centralia Correctional Center, his sister Tara C. has managed his businesses and talks with him several times a week.

Tara, who asked for her last name to be withheld to preserve her career, said Tom suffered a terrible motorcycle accident several years ago and turned to marijuana to help with his pain management as an alternative to prescription medications. During Tom’s trial, his family had to sell assets to pay for his attorney’s fees. But following his conviction, Tara reached out to the Last Prisoner Project, a Denver-based nonprofit which advocates for the freedom and welfare of people imprisoned for cannabis convictions, to help free Tom. Continue reading “Article: ‘Does the punishment fit the crime?’”

Article: Alliance Man Sentenced for Federal Financial Crime Convictions

Article - Media, Publications

Alliance Man Sentenced for Federal Financial Crime Convictions

News Release, 23 March 2021

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Randall W. Hillman, 70, of Alliance, was sentenced Tuesday in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge Richard G. Kopf for possession of device making equipment and using or trafficking in an unauthorized access device. Hillman was sentenced to 3 years’ probation, $5,500 in fines, $36,566 in restitution, and a $200 special assessment. There is no parole in the federal system. Continue reading “Article: Alliance Man Sentenced for Federal Financial Crime Convictions”

Article: Crown chairman Helen Coonan admits casino ‘facilitated’ money laundering

Article - Media, Publications

Crown chairman Helen Coonan admits casino ‘facilitated’ money laundering

Mostafa Rachwani,  20 October 2020

The Crown Resorts chairman, Helen Coonan, has admitted the company facilitated money laundering at its Melbourne casino but denied it was “turning a blind eye” to criminal activity instead blaming it on “ineptitude”.

The concession was made at the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s inquiry into Crown’s suitability to hold a Sydney casino licence.

Coonan was asked on Tuesday about Crown’s relationship with SunCity, a high-roller junket partner with alleged criminal links. She was challenged on why Crown did not shut down SunCity’s private room in Melbourne after evidence emerged of money laundering. Continue reading “Article: Crown chairman Helen Coonan admits casino ‘facilitated’ money laundering”

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