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Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views, 2910 W M-21, Owosso, MI (2025)

11/20/2025

Breaking News — Democrat Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick Indicted in $5 Million FEMA Fraud Case

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends Community News Group, Nov. 19, 2025, 11 pm ET - A federal grand jury in Miami has indicted U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) on charges accusing her of stealing $5 million in disaster-relief funds and diverting it into her 2021 congressional campaign, the United States Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, received a $5 million overpayment in July 2021 through a contract awarded to their family-owned company, Trinity Healthcare Services, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for COVID-19 vaccination staffing.

The indictment alleges the money was routed through multiple accounts to conceal its source, then funneled into campaign contributions — including “straw-donor” transfers — and used for personal benefit.

Additional charges include conspiracy to file a false federal tax return by misclassifying political spending and inflating charitable contributions.

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison according to prosecutors.

Cherfilus-McCormick was first elected to Congress in 2022, representing Florida’s 20th District, which covers parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Her company had already been under scrutiny: in early 2024 the Florida Division of Emergency Management sued Trinity Healthcare Services for overcharging by nearly $5.8 million for pandemic-related services.

The House Ethics Committee reopened its investigation in July after the Office of Congressional Ethics found substantial reason to believe campaign-finance violations may have occurred.

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the alleged scheme “a particularly selfish, cynical crime” noting that “no one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries affirmed Cherfilus-McCormick is “innocent until proven guilty.” Meanwhile, Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) said he will introduce a resolution to remove her from committee assignments and potentially censure her.

The indictment’s unsealing could reveal further details about financing, co-defendants, and scope of the alleged fraud.

Impact on the 2026 primary in Florida’s 20th District: Cherfilus-McCormick is already facing challengers who cite corruption allegations in their campaigns.

The effect on congressional ethics oversight and campaign-finance enforcement, especially for lawmakers with business ties to government contracts.

Whether the Justice Department leverages the case to deter misuse of pandemic and disaster relief funds more broadly.

By: Tom Manke

11/20/2025

Trump Has Signed The Epstein Release Bill....

Washington - Friends Community News Group, November 19, 2025, 10 pm ET -
The Bill is signed and after the redactions and victims identities are scrubbed the files will be released within 30 days. Not all files will be released. Files that maybe needed for prosecutions will be held.

Trump says.... here you are. We need to remember that if there were any smoking guns, Biden would have release it before the election.

11/19/2025

BREAKING NEWS U.S. Treasury Dept.

Treasury Sanctions Former Canadian Olympian and Notorious Narcotrafficker Ryan Wedding.
Friends Community News Group, November 19, 2025, 1 pm ET -
Sanctions Are Part of a Coordinated U.S. Government Action Against Wedding.
Below is the full press release.

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Ryan James Wedding (Wedding), alongside nine individuals and nine entities closely associated with him. Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder for Team Canada, is one of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. He is an extremely violent criminal believed to be responsible for the murder of numerous people abroad, including U.S. citizens. Wedding remains a fugitive from justice, currently hiding in Mexico, where he continues to direct drug trafficking, murder, and other serious criminal activities.

“Today we’re exposing the network of associates and enablers behind Ryan Wedding — one of the most notorious criminals and narcotraffickers still evading justice,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. “Treasury is joining with the FBI and the Department of Justice to cut Wedding and his criminal partners off from the U.S. financial system and help dismantle the network they rely on. Our goal is simple: make it difficult for criminals like this to profit from poisoning our communities.”

Concurrent with Treasury’s action, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is issuing indictments against Wedding and his network. Additionally, Treasury coordinated its action with the Government of Mexico’s financial intelligence unit, the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF). The Department of State has also approved a reward offer increase for Wedding from $10 million to up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.

CO***NE TRAFFICKING AND GLOBAL MURDERS
Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, is responsible for trafficking multi-ton quantities of co***ne through Colombia and Mexico for distribution in the United States and Canada. His criminal organization uses cryptocurrency to move and launder the proceeds of drug trafficking, concealing vast sums of illicit wealth. According to the FBI, Wedding has ordered dozens of murders across the globe, including in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. He employs highly sophisticated methods in both the planning and ex*****on of these killings, demonstrating a level of coordination and ruthlessness that has made him one of the world’s most dangerous fugitives.

Several key associates have enabled Wedding’s criminal enterprise. Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado (Vazquez), also known as “the General,” provides protection for Wedding within Mexico and uses law enforcement sources to locate targets for Wedding. Vazquez is believed to be a former Mexican law enforcement officer with ties to senior Mexican law enforcement officials. Vazquez owns the Mexico-based companies VRG Energeticos S.A. de C.V., Grupo RVG Combustibles S.A. de C.V., and Grupo Ares Imperial S. de R.L. de C.V.

Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno (Castillo) is Wedding’s wife. Castillo launders drug proceeds for Wedding and has helped him conduct acts of violence.

Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez (Valoyes) is a Colombian national who runs a high-end prostitution ring in Mexico. Valoyes assisted Wedding with the murder of a federal witness in January 2025. Valoyes introduced Wedding to his Colombian girlfriend, Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias (Acuna). Acuna has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from Wedding, whom she knew from the beginning of their relationship to live a lifestyle funded by violent narcotics trafficking. She has assisted Wedding in obtaining information on his rivals.

Deepak Balwant Paradkar (Paradkar) is a Canadian attorney who has provided a range of illegal services to Wedding and his drug trafficking organization beyond the scope of a normal attorney-client relationship. Paradkar introduced Wedding to the drug traffickers that have been moving Wedding’s co***ne and has also helped Wedding with bribery and murder. Paradkar violated the trust of his clients and the ethics of his profession by allowing Wedding and his associates to eavesdrop on privileged communications between Paradkar and his other clients, several of whom Wedding wished to murder. Wedding paid Paradkar with luxury watches and additional fees for these illegal services.

Today, Ryan James Wedding was designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado, Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno, Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, and Deepak Balwant Paradkar were designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of Ryan James Wedding.

Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias was designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having knowingly received property or interest in property that she knows constitutes or is derived from proceeds of activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

VRG Energeticos S.A. de C.V., Grupo RVG Combustibles S.A. de C.V., and Grupo Ares Imperial, S. de R.L. de C.V. were designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Edgar Aaron Vazquez Alvarado.

MONEY LAUNDERING THROUGH A TRANSATLANTIC ASSET management NETWORK
Wedding has laundered his illicit profits through an extensive transatlantic network of businesses and associates, channeling drug proceeds into luxury assets such as cars and motorcycles that are concealed around the world. Wedding relies on two chief money launderers to manage his complex financial operations: Canadian jeweler Rolan Sokolovski (Sokolovski) and former Italian special forces member Gianluca

Sokolovski has overseen bookkeeping for Wedding’s organization and laundered its funds through his jewelry business, 2351885 Ontario Inc, which operates under the trade name “Diamond Tsar” and maintains a storefront in Toronto, Ontario. In addition to using his business as a front for laundering, Sokolovski has transferred millions of dollars in drug proceeds using cryptocurrency, concealing the origins of Wedding’s profits.

Tiepolo has worked closely with Sokolovski to procure and manage Wedding’s physical assets, including high-end vehicles, and has held millions of dollars in Wedding’s property under his own name to conceal these assets from authorities. Tiepolo owns two businesses that trade in luxury motorcycles and automobiles: Italy-based Stile Italiano S.R.L. (Stile Italiano) and United Kingdom-based TMR Ltd. He also founded Windrose Tactical Solutions S.R.L.S. (Windrose Tactical), which has operated military-style tactical training camps that have trained many of Wedding’s hitmen.

Italian citizen Cristian Diana (Diana) and United Kingdom (UK) citizen John Anthony Fallon (Fallon) are business associates of Tiepolo. Diana serves as president of the board of directors of both Stile Italiano and Windrose Tactical. Fallon is a director of TMR Ltd. alongside Tiepolo and is also the 50 percent owner and sole director of two UK companies, LMJ Trading Ltd and Made In Italy Motorcycles Limited.

Today, Rolan Sokolovski and Gianluca Tiepolo were designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of Ryan James Wedding.

2351885 Ontario Inc was designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Rolan Sokolovski.

Stile Italiano S.R.L., TMR Ltd, and Windrose Tactical S.R.L.S. were designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Gianluca Tiepolo.

Cristian Diana was designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being or having been a leader or official of Stile Italiano and for being or having been a leader or official of Stile Italiano S.R.L. and Windrose Tactical S.R.L.S.

John Anthony Fallon was designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, TMR Ltd.

LMJ Trading Ltd and Made In Italy Motorcycles Limited were designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or has acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, John Anthony Fallon.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.

11/19/2025

China and India Tech Industries Argue For A 72 Hour Work Week.

Lansing, MI - Friends Community News Group, November 19, 2025, 12:30 pm ET -
China and India’s “9-9-6” Work Culture Draws Global Attention as Debate Over Productivity and Worker Rights Intensifies.

A growing international debate is focusing on the so-called “9-9-6” work schedule—a system in which employees work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, totaling 72 hours per week. The practice, long controversial in China’s technology and manufacturing sectors, is now being increasingly discussed in India’s rapidly expanding tech industry as companies strive for speed, competitiveness, and a global market share.

Though not formally legal in either country, the culture surrounding 9-9-6 persists, revealing tensions between economic ambition and worker protections.

China’s 9-9-6 system gained widespread recognition in the 2010s, coinciding with the rise of giants such as Alibaba, Huawei, and Tencent. Executives argued that longer hours fueled innovation, helped companies scale quickly, and were necessary to compete with Western firms.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma famously called 9-9-6 “a blessing” during China’s high-growth years.

Critics—including the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and Chinese courts—have repeatedly stated that the practice violates labor law, which caps the standard weekly workweek at 44 hours.

Despite legal pushback and high-profile worker deaths, the schedule remains culturally embedded, especially in startups, logistics firms, and manufacturing hubs where fast turnaround is considered essential.

India: A Parallel Debate Amid Explosive Tech Expansion

India does not have the same formalized 9-9-6 label. Still, several major states, including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which are home to large IT and manufacturing hubs, have debated extending work shifts to up to 12 hours in factories and tech operations.

India’s booming tech outsourcing and app-development markets have led some firms to encourage “China-style” hours to match delivery expectations from U.S. and European clients.

The Government has a tendency to look away and even bless the practice, for the Government seeks to become the next major semiconductor and AI manufacturing hub

Then one must add in that, unlike in the West, their younger workforce is willing to take on long hours in exchange for career advancement.

However, Indian worker unions have strongly opposed extended schedules, arguing that productivity gains are often flattened or reversed when workers suffer from burnout.

What about other countries around the world? It helps to compare the 9-9-6 system with typical work weeks worldwide:

United States: Standard: 40 hours, typically 9-5, Monday–Friday. Some industries, like finance, law, and medicine, frequently exceed 50–70 hours

European Union: Workweek legally capped at 48 hours, with strong cultural norms closer to 35–37 hours

France: 35-hour week

Germany: among the shortest, ~34–35 hours on average

Japan: Officially 40 hours, but cultural overtime expectations persist - Government reforms were enacted to address karoshi (“death by overwork”)

South Korea: Historically, one of the longest workweeks; the legal maximum has recently been cut to 52 hours. The government’s attempted proposal to increase the maximum to 69 hours was abandoned after public backlash

Mexico & Colombia: Among the longest legally permitted hours in the OECD (48 hours). Actual hours worked often exceed 50+ weekly

Middle East (GCC Countries): Generally 48-hour workweeks, with shorter summer hours. Public-sector jobs tend to be closer to 35–40 hours

Compared to these systems, 9the -9-6 schedule stands out as one of the most demanding in any major economy.

Why 9-9-6 Is Considered “Economically Important” by Supporters, especially in Communist and Socialist Countries? Because it is not about what is good for the individual, but rather what is good for the country. It is all about rapid industrial scaling – delivering products faster than foreign competitors.

It is all about being on top of Tech innovation cycles – short sprints, immediate deployment, constant iteration. And of course, economic nationalism – building global powerhouses in AI, chips, and electric vehicles. Then we need to consider that if you focus on the product rather than the person making it, you can achieve faster production at a lower cost.

The same concept is equally essential for small companies and startups. Longer hours compensate for small teams and minimal funding

In a Western capitalist mindset, employees require both financial and emotional support.

To employers in the Communist/Socialist system, long hours represent a competitive advantage.

By: Tom Manke
Photo: Software programmers work on computers in Mumbai, India
Kainaz Amaria | Bloomberg | Getty Images

11/19/2025

Breaking: Clash Erupts in Dearborn After Jake Lang Attempts to Burn Quran; Police Intervene, 1 Arrest Reported

DEARBORN, Mich.- Friends Community News Group, Nov. 18, 2025, 11:30 pm ET — A tense street confrontation broke out along Michigan Avenue in Dearborn on Tuesday evening after Jake Lang a right wing nationalist arrived and attempted to burn a Quran, drawing an immediate response from counter-protesters and a heavy police presence, according to on-scene reporting.

Dearborn police formed a perimeter and moved in briefly as tempers flared following the attempted burning; at least one person was seen being arrested outside City Hall later in the evening, local coverage noted. No injuries were reported as of late Tuesday.

Witness accounts and video shared with media indicated Lang also struck the Quran with a slab of bacon before a counter-protester grabbed the book and fled. The confrontation unfolded ahead of a City Council meeting that drew multiple, competing demonstrations near City Hall.

The disturbance came the same day community leaders had urged residents to avoid provocation tied to a previously announced march targeting Dearborn’s Muslim community. The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) publicly asked locals last week to “ignore” the event, calling it an Islamophobic publicity stunt.

A separate, same-day sidewalk “unity” walk involving Republican gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson took place nearby; CAIR-MI said Hudson had recently met with mosque leaders and walked back earlier rhetoric about “Sharia law” in the city. (Fox News reported Lang criticized Hudson online.)

Dearborn has the largest Muslim population in the country. The Muslim residents have stated they do not want to assimilate with non Muslims.

Dearborn’s Mayor made National Headlines last month when he told a Christian Pastor, in the middle of a council meeting, that he the pastor was no longer welcome in Dearborn.

Dearborn held a march in August where over 37,000 Muslims participated with many waving terrorist flags.

By: Tom Manke
Photo: Muslims marching in August in Dearborn.

11/19/2025

BREAKING - Major Sting in Bloomington, Minnesota: 16 Arrests in Underage Solicitation Operation “Operation Creep”

Bloomington, Minnesota — Friends Community News Group, Nov. 14, 2025, 7:30 pm ET - On Tuesday, the Bloomington Police Department (BPD) announced the arrest of 16 men as a result of a three-day undercover operation dubbed “Operation Creep,” targeting individuals attempting to solicit s*x from what they believed to be a 17-year-old girl.

The operation began on November 5, 2025, and spanned multiple days.

The arrests include a civilian employee of the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and an employee of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

BPD Chief Booker Hodges said the men were engaged in communications with undercover officers posing as a 17-year-old female, seeking a meeting for s*xual activity.

One suspect reportedly arrived at a hotel meeting with eight fi****ms and controlled substances, according to Hodges.

The BPD operation involved assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and other area police agencies.

Operations targeting solicitation of minors and trafficking are increasingly prioritized by local and state law enforcement agencies. Chief Hodges emphasized that this case “could be human trafficking” in addition to solicitation.

The fact that employees of state and federal agencies are among those arrested amplifies the gravity and public trust implications of the case.

For the Bloomington community and wider Twin Cities region, this highlights ongoing concerns around online solicitations, trans-regional trafficking networks, and the evolving tactics used by those seeking to exploit minors.

While arrests have been made, criminal charges must still be filed. Some of the 16 are expected to face solicitation of a minor and other related charges.

The BPD indicated this operation may not be fully concluded; further suspects could be identified as investigations continue.

The involvement of ICE and MPCA employees means federal and state internal investigations may run in parallel with criminal proceedings.

BPD and partner agencies may increase outreach to inform parents, schools, and minors about online solicitation risks and how to report suspicious activity.

“Operation Creep” represents a significant law-enforcement action in Bloomington, resulting in 16 arrests for attempting to solicit s*x from a minor. The inclusion of employees from major agencies and the serious nature of the allegations make this a high-stakes case with broad implications for community safety, public trust, and oversight. Local authorities say they will continue to be vigilant in monitoring online-based exploitation and solicitation networks.

By: Tom Manke
Stock photo

11/19/2025

BREAKING - Michigan Company Charged in Federal Indictment for Employing Hundreds of Undocumented Workers

Plymouth Mi - Friends Community News Group, November 18, 2025, 7 pm ET - A Michigan-based plumbing firm, Orduna Plumbing Inc., and its leadership have been charged in a federal criminal complaint alleging they employed hundreds of undocumented workers across multiple states, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The complaint alleges named defendants Moises Orduna‑Rios (36) and Raquel Orduna‑Rios (30), of Plymouth, Michigan, orchestrated a nationwide operation involving the employment of “at least 10 unauthorized aliens within 12 months” and a “pattern or practice of employing unauthorized aliens.”

The defendants are said to be principals of Orduna Plumbing Inc., which conducts operations in Michigan, New York, Ohio, and North Carolina.

Between January 2022 and December 2024, approximately 253 individuals were employed by the company; of those, only six were confirmed to be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The company allegedly collected workers’ passports, housed them in crowded residences, and instructed them on how to stay under law-enforcement radar. A group message on February 1, 2025, included the instruction: “Gentlemen, … drive the speed limit, limit yourselves going to the store, only do minimal running of errands, and do not have any gatherings such as barbeques…”

Prosecutors said in court filings they found nine undocumented men sleeping in a Rochester, New York, house. In the course of executing the search warrant, border patrol agents seized cellphones, mail addressed to "Orduna Plumbing Inc.," company credit cards, and employee badges labeled "Orduna Plumbing

Financial records indicate that the company generated approximately $74 million in customer revenue from January 1, 2022, through August 7, 2025.

The case is being pursued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, and the complaint was filed in the Eastern District of Michigan.

The charges include conspiracy, transporting and harboring unauthorized aliens for commercial advantage, and money-laundering-related counts.

The business and its leadership face severe potential penalties, including heavy fines and prison terms if convicted.

The case signals intensified federal enforcement on employers accused of systematically using undocumented labor in industries such as construction and plumbing.

It may have a regional impact in Michigan’s labor market: undocumented labor is a significant component of specific trades in the Midwest. This case may prompt local firms to review and refine their hiring and compliance practices.

By: Tom Manke
Image: Where the office is supposed to be.

11/18/2025

BREAKING - Democrats join Republicans in the House to Rebuke a Democratic Representative.

Washington - Friends Community News Group, November 18, 2025, 6:15 p.m. ET - In a rare move, Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez forced a vote to rebuke Democratic Rep. Chuy Garcia for a succession scheme.

Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez claimed that Garcia's moves to make his aide the only Democrat in the race for a deep-blue seat amounted to election subversion.

On Tuesday, the House voted to publicly rebuke retiring Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., for trying to handpick his successor to fill his role as congressman from the Chicago area.

Twenty-three Democrats joined almost all the Republicans to pass the resolution.

By: Tom Manke

Photo: Candace Dane Chambers/Chicago Sun-Times - Rep. Chuy Garcia

11/18/2025

BREAKING NEWS - HOUSE AND SENATE VOTE FOR EPSTEIN'S FILES TO BE RELEASED.

Washington- Friends Community News Group, Nov 18, 2025, 6 pm ET — In a dramatic exercise of congressional oversight, both chambers of the U.S. Congress have voted to force the public release of government records related to convicted s*x offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) passed the House of Representatives today by a 427-1 vote.

The Senate simultaneously approved the measure through unanimous consent (or a near-unanimous vote) after the House action, sending it to the President’s desk for signature.

With both houses aligned, the bill now awaits signature by President Donald Trump to become law.

Under the legislation, the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be required to publish all unclassified records, communications, and investigative materials relating to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days of enactment.

The bill allows for redactions to protect victims’ identities and ongoing investigations, but it prohibits withholding material solely for “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”

The direct impetus for the legislation: survivors of Epstein’s abuse, long-standing congressional pressure, and rising revelations of Elective emails and communications tied to Epstein’s circle.

In the House vote, only one lawmaker, Clay Higgins (R-LA), opposed the measure, arguing that it would undermine criminal-justice protections for innocent individuals.

The bipartisan margin of the House vote (427-1) underscores a rare moment of cross-party agreement on one of the most politically charged investigations of recent years.

With the bill now crossing both chambers, the next step is the President’s signature. Once signed, the DOJ will begin its release process.

Victims' rights advocates will closely watch whether promised redaction safeguards are honored or whether significant materials remain withheld under “ongoing investigation” exemptions.

Political analysts expect immediate pressure on the DOJ and the White House to publish a detailed timeline and plan for a searchable online archive of the files.

Depending on how the documents are released, today’s action could spark new investigations or reopen scrutiny of key figures previously shielded from disclosure.

The Epstein case has long been a thorn in Washington’s side: from lawsuits alleging trafficking, flight logs of Epstein’s private jets, to unsealed communications with influential individuals. Today’s vote represents what some observers describe as a watershed moment for transparency in high-profile abuse and trafficking cases.

While the release of documents does not equate to criminal charges or new prosecutions, it dramatically expands public access to material that has been under lock and key for years.

By: Tom Manke

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