🇺🇸 - Five current and former IRS employees have been charged in a scheme to fraudulently collect COVID-19 aid.
According to court documents, the defendants tried to obtain a total of USD 1 million by submitting false applications.
According to the Department of Justice, the defendants used the money for cars, luxury goods and personal travel. Brian Saulsberry of Memphis obtained USD 171 400 and is accused of buying a Mercedes and cushioning a personal investment account.
Tina Humes, also of Memphis, received USD 123 612 according to the DOJ, and is accused of using it to buy jewelry and go on a trip to Las Vegas.
This is part of a larger effort to crack down on COVID-19 fraud schemes that has led to 150 prosecutions and the seizure of USD 75 million dollars.
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🌅 Market News Digest
Sept 4-5, 2026 EST
🔥 Top Stories
• Trump-Iran tensions escalate — U.S. reportedly hits Iranian tanker near Kharg Island; Trump signals possible strike on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, keeping oil/shipping risk elevated
• U.S. jobs data surprises hotter — August hiring rebounded sharply, pushing Wall Street lower and reigniting fears the Fed may keep rates higher for longer
• Russia-Ukraine peace push resumes — U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner landed in Moscow as Russian strikes on Kyiv/Dnipro intensify ahead of talks
• NVIDIA margin outlook disappoints — blockbuster demand remains intact, but guidance suggests gross margins may soften as AI buildout ramps
⛽ Oil & Energy
• Kharg Island incident + Iran war premium — tanker strike reports, explosions near Kharg, and record U.S. diesel prices reinforce supply-risk bid
• Brazil pre-salt auction seen strong — 2027 auction could raise $4.4B; Geopark also inked a Venezuela oil field deal
📊 Markets & Macro
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