[PRIVATE] Secure office of MIDA

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In the minister's office, the liquor cabinet has been replaced by a wine cellar, and the royalist trappings have been removed. A large whiteboard (the kind that can print a copy of what has been written) and large bulletin board have been affixed to the walls.

Conversations in this thread are private. Visitors by invitation only.

 

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Loic unlooks the door to his private office, goes in, and calls back the head of the Federal Police
"It me again, as promised. I have some analysis that indicates that the Chateauvallon Argonauts have been throwing some of their football matches, and not in a subtle fashion. I want you to assign a small team to look into this. Check on bettors, any connections to players, any players with money troubles or sudden lack thereof. Please keep me informed of your progress."

 

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Loic sends a message to FLEA Agents Anthony and Kiedis:

I would like to get a briefing on the operation on which PJ Vasquez accompanied you.

 

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The minister sends a message to the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Administration (FLEA).

TO: Director of FLEA
FROM: MIDA de Fourgéres
RE: Akbarsson interrogation

In looking through the files of my predecessor, I came across the following memo. Non-stop interrogation may be illegal. If it is still continuing, stop at once. Do not employ illegal interogation methods, with or without instructions from me. Given the explicit, direct instructions from the former minister, I am inclined to be lenient towards any who may have violated the suspects' constitutional rights, if they cooperate in providing evidence if requested.

At your convenience, I would appreciate a briefing on the results of the interrogation and the status of the case.

-LdF

 

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Loic drafts another memo:

TO: Director of FLEA
FROM: MIDA de Fourgéres
RE: Possible OMNICARE Fraud

The cabinet has requested that an investigation of OMNICARE be undertaken by MESA, which is fine for finding inefficiencies and honest errors, but would not be apt to be very effective in detecting fraud. It is a big budget, and some unscrupulous operators will have no doubt figured out how to milk the gravy train (sorry about the mixed metaphor, but I think you know what I mean).

Specifically, I want to approach this from two directions, with a statistical investigation and sting operations. Work with MESA on the former, at least as far as collecting data, but don't let them know about any suspects, this kind of fraud often has inside connections. Look to see which doctors or clinics provide unusual, meaning much more than average, amounts of particular kinds of care, not invasive surgery, but prescription drugs, psychological therapy, physical therapy, or just examinations. We are looking for the kind of care that could be skipped without anyone noticing, or that a well person wouldn't mind receiving. I assume that the 'patients' are receiving some kind of kickback for receiving these 'treatments' either in cash or prescription drugs. If you find some patients who seem to be getting way to much medical care, check into their situation covertly, using remote surveillance and other legal means, preferably ones that don't require search warrants, to see if they exhibit any of the symptoms for which they are being treated.

For the sting operation, if we can find some doctors or clinics that seem to prone to offer excessive treatment, send an undercover operative. You know the drill better than I. Respect the rules regarding entrapment. We want some nice headlines and some legitmate convictions to scare anyone else who would be thinking about doing this to think twice.

-LdF

 

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Loic calls the director of FLEA
"Have you seen the latest issue of NEWSLINK? Let me read you a bit..."

A similar investigation into OMNICARE appears to have been ordered by new MIDA Loic De Fourgéres’, though officials have refused to confirm or deny the reason for their recent demand for documentation and access to accounting files.

“We hope this is not a sign of things to come,” said one public corporation executive. “We are subject to annual audit by the government, but we are being treated as if we are criminal suspects.”

"This was not the kind of headlines that I wanted. Please drop by the office so we can discuss this and whether you are happy with your role."

 

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Michael Marine Racketeering Dossier

Hawkton Tilly welcomes him to Unity Party.
Amric Al'Aeshir confirms his acceptance.
(ooc: more to come)

 

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Loic contacts the most senior deputy director of FLEA, and arranges to meet in the secure office.
"I don't believe we've met, but I took the liberty of looking over your performance record, which seems fine. The reason I contacted you is that there is a sensitive task that needs to be carried out with discretion, covertly, and legally, as we will have to report to the Commissioner of Justice on the results.

First the background, which is fairly confidential, some shoulder fired anti-aircraft weapons like the American-made Stinger dissappeared from ENDTech, back in Term 8, I believe. Here is a copy of the report you can examine in this office.

This is a relatively cold case, but the information came to MIDA late last term. My immediate predecessor had FLEA try to chase down associates of the presumed thieves, which was the right initial response. However, as that does not seem to have uncovered the weapons, we should sweep the area where they might be used. For the anti-aircraft weapon, that would most likely be near our international airport at New Lancaster City. The weapons have a somewhat limited range, so I made a request for a sealed search warrant from the Commissioner of Justice, which he has approved. The warrant is for dwellings within two kilometers of the ends of the main runways at that airport, but only for those where new residents have moved in within the past 12 months.

It is important that no one get wind of what we are doing, because if someone with one of those weapons hears about it, then he will fire it at the first plane he sees. So we are not doing a house-to-house search. The postal service is part of MIDA, so that is one source to find out which addresses have had residents who have moved out. Don't look for people who have moved in, terrorists aren't anxious to be in the directory. Take that list and find out from standard sources who lives there now. Cross reference it with your list of suspected terrorists just to see if there are any matches. I doubt we will get that lucky, but you never know. Then run covert background checks on the new residents, to see if any of them fit the profile. Hopefully this will weed it down to just a handful of not too likely suspects. If it is six addresses or less that meet the standard of probable cause, then go ahead and conduct those searches simultaneously. If it is more than that, consult with me before proceeding.

Be polite, these are citizens, we work for them, and five out of six or perhaps all six will be innocent. Try not to trash the dwellings or the contents, if we are at all of them at the same time, then we can take our time and be throrough but respectful at the same time. I will even authorize a 50 ducat gift certificate be given to the head of household at each dwelling where the search comes up empty. Unless there is something that makes this urgent, I don't see why the searches should be conducted at night. The weapons may be buried, or under the floor boards, so take metal detection apparatus. Let me know if you need be to facilitate a meeting with someone in the Army or at ENDTech so you can show those who will be searching what they will be looking for. Be sure to pick up a copies of my reuest and approval for the search warrant from the Commissioner of Justice from my admin as you leave, and have copies to show to any residents who are home. Don't take inappropriate risks in order to be polite, employ your usual safety precautions, bullet proof vests, etc.

When you are doing the searches, make sure you are able to quickly contact the air traffic control tower at the airport. That is also under this ministry, so it shouldn't be a problem. You need to be able to give them a code word to abort all takeoffs and/or wave off all approaching aircraft, in case someone figures out what is going on and rushes into action.

Please keep me posted on developments, and prepare a report suitable for the commissioner of justice. He has given us a bit more flexibility than we normally can ask for, it is only due to the particular circumstances that he has approved this request.

I hope I have made myself clear. I assume you willing to take on this assignment, but if you have any questions or reservations, now is the time to speak up. This is a sensitive assignment and if it goes well it will be a feather in your cap. I won't hold it against you if you decide that this isn't your cup of tea."

 

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Note posted on bulletin board:

Bonus offered for speeding tickets or other moving violations on Inter-Provincial Freeway System resulting in a fine or conviction on the following car.

 

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"If Mohammed won't go to the mountain, then the mountain must come to Mohammed." Loic mutters under his breath as he wends his way to the office of the director of FLEA, who didn't get around to coming by the Minister's office, despite the summons. When he arrives he asks, "What are the initial indications from our investigation about corruption or gaming the system for healthcare?"
Loic listens to the summary
"So the annual audit seems to be functioning as an effective control. This is surprising, given human nature, but we will just have to turn our attentions to other areas, perhaps more in the private sector. But before we do that, I wanted to get your opinion of the unfavorable publicity we have been getting. I didn't expect that the instructions I gave would have resulted in that reaction. For the present, I am willing to believe that much of this may have been a product of the environment fostered by the prior Minister, coming from background as a Private Investigator. I gather that there were many 'raids', so my instructions could have been interpreted as more of the same.

To avoid a repeat of this, I think we need to have some education, and I would like you to participate actively in its presentation to all FLEA operatives. Our salaries are paid by the people. We work for them. We need to respect their rights. You can get some help, but I want you to assemble a training presentation on citizens rights, techniques for getting along with residents, and respect within the next fortnight. I will look at preview session, but I want it starting to be presented within a month, and for all our field staff to see it before four months have passed.

I can imagine this isn't your idea of a great assignment, but you can also imagine what the alternative would be if our reputation continues to worsen. People would be calling for someone's head. Therefore, I encourage you to look on this as an opportunity."

 

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As Loic is about to leave the office of the director of FLEA, he turns to say, "Oh, and if I didn't mention it, let's stop the OMNICARE fraud investigation, there seem to be better places for us to try to detect crime. If there are any items that should be followed up, please make sure it is in the written report."

 

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After Loic leaves the Tilapian embassy, he detours to the office, and personally makes three copies of the slip of paper with Vincent's writing giving the cemetary name and plot number of Vasquez's grave. Thinking this is probably a longshot, he checks the list of handwriting analysts on staff and picks one who has been with FLEA since before Vasquez became MIDA, who is male, and doesn't have a Spanish first or last name. He writes a note to him asking to compare the copy to a sample of Vasquez's writing, and to report directly back to him about the results. He includes a separate note that the analyst can provide to his supervisor if needed, saying that he is working on a special project for the Minister, and to call if there are any questions. He includes both notes, a copy of Vincent's note and a copy of some notes in a file left by the former minister in an envelope, seals it, writes PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL and the analyst's name on the outside, and puts that envelope in an interoffice routing envelope, which he drops into the out box. He puts one or the remaining copies in a file, keeps the other, and heads off to call upon Miss Mulhoney, to deliver the original, and to brief her further on recent and future events.

 

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Loic looks up the head of the 'financial crimes' section of FLEA and find that the concept apparently doesn't exist. He does a background sort to find who has the best business / white collar crimes background and contacts that individual.
"You will have read about the abuses uncovered in the mutual fund and insurance sectors in the US, where mutual funds were allowing some hedge funds and other customers to engage in late or 'market timing' trades and/or rapid turnover strategies, which allow those customers to reap practically guaranteed profits, at the expense of other investors, and were bid rigging is practiced by insurance brokers were some insurance companies submit deliberately high quotes, allowing another company to win some business at a higher than normal rate, with a larger than normal commission being paid to the broker who arranged this, and individuals at the other insurance companies receiving kickbacks from the broker. I want you to look into to both of those here. Pull a task force of agents together to do this. The insurance bid rigging would be for business insurance, not the kind provided by Omnicare. Please make sure you follow the new guidelines about conducting these investigations, and keep me informed of developments. If this goes well, you could see this task for may become a section, with you in charge."

 

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Loic calls the FLEA watch commander responsible for Eutopia City.
"If you haven't done so already, please cancel the surveillance at the Beatnik Turtle. The search warrant doesn't seem to be forthcoming and we can't afford to tie up two or three FTE's on something penny-ante like that. Also, unless there is some other developments that I should know about, please make sure that Lamont Rashaad has been released. It would be nice to offer him transportation back to his home or place of business, but I don't think he will want to take us up on the offer."

 

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Loic looks up the head of the 'financial crimes' section of FLEA and find that the concept apparently doesn't exist. He does a background sort to find who has the best business / white collar crimes background and contacts that individual.
"You will have read about the abuses uncovered in the mutual fund and insurance sectors in the US, where mutual funds were allowing some hedge funds and other customers to engage in late or 'market timing' trades and/or rapid turnover strategies, which allow those customers to reap practically guaranteed profits, at the expense of other investors, and were bid rigging is practiced by insurance brokers were some insurance companies submit deliberately high quotes, allowing another company to win some business at a higher than normal rate, with a larger than normal commission being paid to the broker who arranged this, and individuals at the other insurance companies receiving kickbacks from the broker. I want you to look into to both of those here. Pull a task force of agents together to do this. The insurance bid rigging would be for business insurance, not the kind provided by Omnicare. Please make sure you follow the new guidelines about conducting these investigations, and keep me informed of developments. If this goes well, you could see this task for may become a section, with you in charge."

FLEA reports back:

"Sir, all insurance is provided by Omnicare."

- heagarty as NPC
GM Events

 

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After Loic leaves the Tilapian embassy, he detours to the office, and personally makes three copies of the slip of paper with Vincent's writing giving the cemetary name and plot number of Vasquez's grave. Thinking this is probably a longshot, he checks the list of handwriting analysts on staff and picks one who has been with FLEA since before Vasquez became MIDA, who is male, and doesn't have a Spanish first or last name. He writes a note to him asking to compare the copy to a sample of Vasquez's writing, and to report directly back to him about the results. He includes a separate note that the analyst can provide to his supervisor if needed, saying that he is working on a special project for the Minister, and to call if there are any questions. He includes both notes, a copy of Vincent's note and a copy of some notes in a file left by the former minister in an envelope, seals it, writes PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL and the analyst's name on the outside, and puts that envelope in an interoffice routing envelope, which he drops into the out box. He puts one or the remaining copies in a file, keeps the other, and heads off to call upon Miss Mulhoney, to deliver the original, and to brief her further on recent and future events.

The requested analysis is complete:

The handwriting sample submitted is not a reliable match to the sample of Vasquez's writing on file. Alejandro's writing is a lot more fluid and pretty script than Vasquez's. Vasquez has, in the samples on file, relied upon
a blocky print.

It is noted that the two samples feature what appears to be an uncommon "t" slant, but the two cannot be definitively linked.

The technician's report notes that, of course, handwriting can be forged and that even the most gifted analyst can be reach inconclusive results if samples are limited.

The technician has exceeded his charge, however, and has offered to run the sample past any other known samples on file, if the Minister has a specific profile he is trying to match; convicted felons, international dignitaries, etc.

-heagarty as NPC
GM Events

 

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Loic contacts the handwriting analyst, thanks him for his report, and says not to bother with running the sample past any other known samples on file.

 

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Loic contacts the duty officer for Western Eutopia.
"Hi, Loic de Fourgéres here. I just heard about the explosion in Heimdallseye. Why does Newslink persist on calling your province a territory? That's off the subject, sorry. Were any of our agents among the casualties? I understand that you must still be piecing things together. Please let me know if you would like some additional manpower to assist you. I don't mean sending someone up there run things or steal the credit, just trained agents to help you out. Please keep me updated on any significant progress. One leaps to the conclusion that it could be Norse or Topan extremists, but don't rule out any other possibilities. Western Eutopia seems to have more than its fair share of headlines. Could you let me know if you think there is any connection with the gunfight that occured in Eirikshamn some time ago or Olaf Akbarsson's drug ring? Also, we should check to see about whether the explosives used were homemade, commercial or military. If they were made by ENDTech, there will be some tagging agent in the residue that can be identified, so please contact military intelligence to get that checked. If you need me to make a call for you about that, don't hesitate to ask.

Now I know you have a hard job, dealing with grieving relatives, angry protesters and an interested boss. So I apologize in advance for making this even harder by reminding you to follow the new guidelines about respecting citizens rights. It could get quite nasty up there if we are perceived to be taking sides, so please treat everyone in a civil manner, even if they call you a 'nazi' or accuse you of doing something you haven't done.

Let me know what you have now, and then I'll let you get on with it. We are counting on you."
Loic gives the duty officer a chance to provide any local details, and then concludes the conversation.

 

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Loic contacts a drug crimes specialist and public relations officer, both based in Eutopia City.
"We have a warrant to search the Beatnik Turtle Café. The Commisioner of Justice is very concerned that this is done with minimal disruption possible to the business. As we are likely to upset the COJ in some other ways, it doesn't make sense to go against his wishes on this matter. Additionally, the owner, Lamont Rashaad, has some friends in high places, so lets not break anything 'by accident on purpose', and ket's be sure to clean up after ourselves. Keep track of any samples you take, I may want to re-imburse the owner personally if this proves fruitless, although I hear his business has picked up as a result, so maybe he has already been pre-paid. I don't want you to ignore any illegal drugs, but our search warrant is just for that, so if you find an unsantiary condition or other local infraction, feel free to mention it to him, but don't make an issue of it. This is not a fishing expedition. They are probably busiest in the evenings, so try to pick a time when they are less busy. We may have had some agents watching things there for a while, so you should check with them before proceeding. If the owner or an employee wants to observe, let them. You might even want to invite them to do so. I smelt something that matches the descriptions I heard of opium being smoked. He claimed it might have been 'dragon's blood incense' whatever that is. A customer mentioned 'products from Amsterdam' which might mean anything, but could be marijuana or hashish. Please remember your new training in citizens rights, as any infraction is sure to get in the press. Do you have any questions?"
Loic allows them time to ask any questions.

 

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Loic calls the deputy director of FLEA to enquire if their were any searches conducted under the sealed search warrant looking for shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons near the New Lancaster City airport, without putting any time pressure on him, but reminding the deputy director of the necessity of reporting back to the Commission of Justice on this matter, given the unusual degree of lattitude provided by the warrant.