EFTA00163870.pdf

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - FBI Daily News Briefing - November 6, 2025 Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:15:11 +0000 Importance: Normal View In Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal November 06, 2025 Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS EFTA00163870 OTHER FBI NEWS • Epstein Claimed Prosecutors Offered His Freedom if He Agreed to Implicate President Trump INTERNATIONAL NEWS EFTA00163871 WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS EFTA00163872 Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM EFTA00163873 Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Judge in Comey Case Scolds Prosecutors as He Orders Them to Produce Records From Probe EFTA00163874 EFTA00163875 EFTA00163876 EFTA00163877 EFTA00163878 EFTA00163879 Back to Top CYBER DIVISION Continued Reporting: US Indicts Three Cyber Pros Who Moonlit for Ransomware Gang Computer Weekly (11/05, Scroxton) reported that US prosecutors have indicted three cyber security professionals, Kevin Tyler Martin, Ryan Clifford Goldberg, and an unnamed individual, for allegedly extorting organizations using the ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware. According to a September FBI affidavit, their cyber crime spree began in May 2023, when the unnamed conspirator obtained an ALPHV/BlackCat affiliate account which he shared with Goldberg and Martin — who is identified in the affidavit as Co-Conspirator 2. They split the profits they made between themselves after paying the gang its 'share. The money was laundered through a mixing service and multiple crypto wallets. The article noted that the indictment highlights the risk of insider threats, with experts emphasizing the importance of rigorous access controls, regular behavioral reviews, and a culture that encourages open communication and wellbeing checks to prevent such incidents. Security Affairs (11/05, Paganini) also reported on the story. Continued Reporting: University of Pennsylvania Confirms Hacker Stole Data During Cyberattack TechCrunch (11/05, Silberling) reported that the University of Pennsylvania confirmed a hacker stole university data during a cyberattack that occurred on October 31. The breach happened due to a social engineering attack, and the university has locked down the compromised systems to prevent further unauthorized access. The article noted that the university will contact individuals whose personal information was accessed by hackers, but has not disclosed the number of people affected or the type of information accessed. Bleeping Computer (11/05, Abrams) added that the University of Pennsylvania says it notified the FBI of the breach and is working with CrowdStrike to investigate the security incident. Three of the Biggest Cybercrime Gangs Around Appear to Be Teaming Up Tech Radar (11/05, Fadilpasic) reported that the three biggest cybercrime gangs, Scattered Spider, Lapsus$, and ShinyHunters, have merged into a federated cybercriminal brand known as SLH, which operates mainly on Telegram and uses Extortion-as-a-Service to target victims and demand ransoms. According to the article, the group's behavior is characterized by a mix of financially motivated cybercrime and attention-seeking tactics, similar to those used by hacktivists, with SLH using dramatic language, polls, and public taunts against law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the NCA, while its main motive remains financial gain rather than ideology. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Continued Reporting: FBI to Help Track Down Barrio 18 Gang Leaders Who Escaped Prison CBS News (11/05, Staff Writer) reported that the US will send an FBI team to Guatemala to help capture escaped Barrio 18 gang leaders. According to the article, the gang members broke out of the Fraijanes II prison near Guatemala City, with only four recaptured so far. The article noted that the FBI's Joint Task Force Vulcan will participate in the operation to track down the escapees, following Guatemala's classification of Barrio 18 as a "terrorist" organization. Additional reporting was provided by Insider Paper (11/05, Staff Writer). Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS EFTA00163880 Country Singer Dating Director Patel Sues a Utah Man for Claiming She Is a 'Honeypot' Israeli Spy The Salt Lake Tribune (11/05, Schreifels) reported that country singer Alexis Wilkins, who is dating Director Patel, has filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against a Utah social media influencer — arguing the man fabricated his claim that she's an Israeli spy and is using his tale as "fund-raising click-bait." According to the article, her federal lawsuit targets Utahn Sam Parker, who once ran for Congress and now frequently posts on social media. He has nearly 100,000 followers on his "BasedSamParker" X account, where he has asked them for financial support. The Tennessee woman alleges in her lawsuit that Parker has repeatedly lied about her online, falsely asserting that she is an Israeli "honeypot" agent who began her relationship with Director Patel to "manipulate and compromise" him in his role as Director. The article detailed that the lawsuit alleges that Parker posted defamatory statements about Wilkins on X that he either knew were false or posted with "reckless disregard for the truth." Director Patel, who has come under fire recently for using an FBI jet to travel to see Wilkins perform, shared a lengthy post on X defending her. "The disgustingly baseless attacks against Alexis — a true patriot and the woman I'm proud to call my partner in life — are beyond pathetic," he wrote. "She is a rock-solid conservative and a country music sensation who has done more for this nation than most will in ten lifetimes. I'm so blessed she's in my life." The Independent (11/05, Cockburn) also reported that four FBI agents had a rollercoaster start to the week after being fired on Monday, rehired later the same day, but then fired again on Tuesday, as Director Patel sought to remove agents who helped investigate Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Director Patel initially fired the agents on Monday, but it is reported that, following pushback from US Attorney Jeanine Pirro of the District of Columbia and others, he reinstated them the same day. But by Tuesday morning, he relieved them of their duties again. Daily Beast (11/05, Thompson) and Daily Mail (11/05, Peterson, Lepore) also reported on the story. Hindustan Times (11/05, Video) provided broadcast coverage on the story. Maryland to Sue Trump Admin Over FBI Headquarters The Baltimore Sun (11/05, Mause) reported that Maryland is suing the Trump administration for abandoning Greenbelt in favor of a new FBI headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C., according to people familiar with the state's plan. According to the article, the lawsuit is a last-ditch effort to save years of work by state officials and lawmakers to land the coveted new headquarters, finally succeeding, only to see the Trump administration dismantle the dream in a matter of months. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks mentioned the possibility of a lawsuit after the Senate voted last week to approve funding for the FBI headquarters to move to the Ronald Reagan Building. The Reagan Building formerly housed the United States Agency for International Development before it was shuttered earlier this year by the administration. The White House referred the reporting outlet to the DOJ. The DOJ did not respond prior to publication. The article explained that Alsobrooks said last week that she believes the administration has violated a 2022 law that designated three potential sites for the new FBI headquarters. Greenbelt was ultimately selected by the General Services Administration, the agency that oversees many federal buildings and properties. Washington, D.C., was not on the list of sites. The Baltimore Banner (11/05, Wood), WJLA (ABC-7) (11/05, Bell), and WBFF (FOX-45) (11/05, Curtis) also reported on the story. Book by Ex-FBI Agent Details Portrait of Indiana Grave Robber Indy Star (11/05, Bongiovanni) reported that former FBI agent Tim Carpenter has written a book called "The Grave Robber" about the case of Don Miller, who stole thousands of cultural artifacts and human remains from Native American graves. According to the article, in 2014, the FBI seized over 5,000 artifacts and 2,000 human bones from Miller's home in Rush County, Indiana, with the remains being stored in moldy and disrespectful conditions. The article noted that Carpenter's book reveals the details of the case and the efforts to repatriate the artifacts and remains to their countries of origin, with about 96% of the seized items having been returned to countries including Peru, Canada, and China. Epstein Claimed Prosecutors Offered His Freedom if He Agreed to Implicate President Trump The New York Post (11/05, Tillett) reported that Jeffrey Epstein claimed New York federal prosecutors told him he could walk free if he agreed to implicate Donald Trump, according to his ex-cellmate. The article detailed that after his arrest on child sex-trafficking charges in July 2019, Epstein was transferred to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan — where he shared a cell with ex-cop Nicholas Tartaglione, who was awaiting trial before being convicted on a quadruple-murder charge. Tartaglione, 57, now claims that Epstein, who died a month after being arrested, told him prosecutors had offered to cut a deal if he'd snitch on Trump, who was then in his first term. "Prosecutors ... told Epstein that if he said President Trump was involved with Esptein's crimes he would walk free," Tartaglione claims in a pardon application filed in July and obtained by the reporting outlet. The filing EFTA00163881 states, "Epstein told me that [lead prosecutor] Maurene Comey said that he didn't have to prove anything, as long as President Trump's people could not disprove it. According to Maurene Comey, the FBI were 'her people, not his [President Trump's]?" The article added that the papers don't specify what crimes Trump would have been implicated in. Tartaglione added in his petition that Epstein told him "President Trump was not involved in Epstein's crimes." K0ST-FM (11/05, Hall) also reported on the story. New Jersey Swears-in New Chief of Police Patch (11/05, Winick) reported that Jeffrey Ackerson has been sworn in as the new Chief of Police for the Holmdel Township Police Department. According to the article, a 27-year veteran of the Holmdel Township Police Department, and a lifelong Holmdel resident, Ackerson is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and an Accredited Command Executive from the NJ Association of Chiefs of Police. The article noted that Ackerson replaces former Chief Frank Allocco, who retired after 39 years of service. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS Trump Expresses Reservations Over Strikes in Venezuela to Top Aides Wall Street Journal Hegseth and Rubio Share Classified Details on Boat Strikes With Congressional Leaders Associated Press Putin Paves Way to Resume Nuclear Testing as Tensions Flare With Trump Wall Street Journal Hamas Returns Last Dead American-Israeli Hostage to Israel Wall Street Journal Typhoon Kalmaegi Death Toll Hits 114 in Philippines; Storm Rebuilds Strength as It Heads to Vietnam Reuters Trump Pressed China's XI to Release Jailed Hong Kong Media Tycoon, Sources Say Reuters Japan Deploys the Military to Counter a Surge in Bear Attacks Associated Press Denmark Eyes New Law to Protect Citizens From Al Deepfakes Associated Press Are Christians Being Persecuted in Nigeria as Trump Claims? The BBC French Police Launch Investigation Into Al Fayed Sex-Trafficking Allegations The BBC Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Court Orders ICE to Clean Up Chicago Detention Conditions Wall Street Journal Economic Anger Once Again Punishes the Party in Power Wall Street Journal Trump's Tough Day at Supreme Court Puts Tariffs in Jeopardy Wall Street Journal US to Reduce Flight Traffic by 10% at 40 Airports Because of Shutdown EFTA00163882 Fox News Trial for 'Sandwich Guy' Presents Test for Jeanine Pirro Following Federal Case Setbacks Washington Examiner Bernie Sanders Crashes Schumer News Conference, Criticizes Democratic Party Leadership Fox News Trump Pressures GOP Senators to End the Government Shutdown, Now the Longest Ever Associated Press Trump Administration Has Revoked 80,000 Non-Immigrant Visas, US Official Says Reuters Mamdani Thinks Trump Threats Are 'Inevitable, but It Won't Stop His Plans to Lower Cost of Living The BBC Trump Says Choice in 2026 Elections Is Between 'Communism and Common Sense' USA TODAY Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Trump • 9:00 AM: In-Town Pool Call Time • 11:00 AM: The President makes an Announcement • 6:00 PM: The President participates in Multilateral Meetings with Central Asian Countries • 7:00 PM: The President participates in a Dinner with Central Asian Countries Vice President Vance • No official presidential schedule released or announced. US Senate • Hearings to examine the nominations of Michael Payne of Virginia to be Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation Alexander Velez-Green of Virginia to be a Deputy Under Secretary and Timothy Dill of Ohio and Maurice Todd of Florida both to be an Assistant Secretary all of the Department of Defense. — 9:30 AM — Host: Armed Services • Hearings to examine reforming financial transparency in higher education. — 10:00 AM — Host: Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions • Hearings to examine the nominations of John DeLeeuw of Texas Richard Kloster of West Virginia and Michelle A. Schultz of Pennsylvania each to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board. — 10:00 AM — Host: Commerce, Science, and Transportation • Business meeting to consider 5.1884 to clarify the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 to appropriately limit the application of defenses based on the passage of time and other non-merits defenses to claims under that Act and the nominations of Robert P. Chamberlin and James D. Maxwell II both to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi Thomas Ferguson III to be United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina James Kruger to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Scott Leary of Mississippi to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi Andrew Duva of Florida to be an Assistant Attorney General Department of Justice EFTA00163883 William J. Crain to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana Alexander C. Van Hook to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana and Ryan Anthony Kriegshauser of Kansas to be United States Attorney for the District of Kansas. — 10:15 AM — Host: Judiciary • Hearings to examine assessing Obamacare. — 1:00 PM — Host: Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs US House of Representatives • No events scheduled. Cabinet Members • Secretary of State Rubio participates in a working breakfast with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Department of State at 8:00 AM. Visitors • No events scheduled. General Events • CSIS: Rep. Adam Smith on Engaging China — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 8:30 AM. Please join the CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security on Thursday, November 6, from 8:30 to 9:30am ET for a discussion with Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, on his experience leading a Congressional delegation to China in late September 2025. Rep. Smith's bipartisan delegation—the first House delegation to travel to China since 2019—pressed for high-level military-to-military dialogue between the world's leading superpowers. What reception did they receive from their Chinese counterparts, what messages did they impart, and how has the dialogue with his colleagues evolved since his return to Washington? What did the trip reveal and how does he expect to see the bilateral relationship evolve—including on key issues such as the debate over fentanyl—into the new year? Following welcoming remarks from John J. Hamre, CSIS CEO and Langone Chair in American Leadership, J. Stephen Morrison, Senior Vice President and Director of the CSIS Global Health Policy Center, will moderate the discussion. • CSIS: MBS in Washington: What's Next for U.S.—Saudi Relations? — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 9:00 AM. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will travel to Washington D.C. and meet with President Donald Trump in the White House on November 18. His visit follows Trump's trip to the Gulf in May 2025. It will be the crown prince's first visit to the United States since 2018. • CSIS: Federal Statistics For Economic Security — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 9:00 AM. Reliable, accurate, and timely data are the foundation of sound policy, business strategy, and public trust. For generations, the U.S. federal statistical system has been the global benchmark, renowned for its credibility, integrity, and capacity for innovation. Yet that system—and the trust it has earned through decades of investment—is now under strain from flat budgets, aging infrastructure, and growing demands for faster, more granular insights. • CSIS: Trump's Deals in Asia: China Korea Japan j The Capital Cable #124 — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. President Trump had a whirlwind trip to Asia last week, with stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea. He met Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time in his second term. He reached trade deals with Cambodia, Malaysia and South Korea, framework agreements with Thailand and Vietnam and a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand. He also met important U.S. allies, including the new Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi for the first time, and was warmly welcomed by South Korean president Lee Jae Myung for their second meeting. What are the key takeaways from Trump's first Asia trip? • Carnegie: The Rise of the Radical Right and the Future of World Order — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 10:00 AM. The emergence of the radical right is among the most consequential developments in contemporary world politics. While its national manifestations differ, radical conservatism is fundamentally an ideological project, dedicated to dismantling liberal globalization and reasserting the EFTA00163884 primacy of national sovereignty, traditional values, and distinctive cultures. In implementing this program, hard-right activists and parties have formed transnational networks to defeat their perceived enemies and advance a new order embodying their convictions. • Carnegie: The World at a Crossroads: Implications of Evolving Nuclear Security — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 12:30 PM. Over the past decade, the global nuclear security landscape has been reshaped by changes in nuclear capabilities, deterrence doctrines, and strategic alliances of the major nuclear powers. As the United States, Russia, and China have modernized and expanded their nuclear arsenals, escalating global conflict, from Ukraine to the Middle East, has shifted the traditional foundations of the nuclear order and deepened regional rivalries. With the U.S. reassessing its global interests under the second Trump administration and concerns of increased coordination between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran growing, policymakers are changing the way they think about nuclear security. • CATO Institute: The Military Balance in the Indo-Pacific with and Without Taiwan — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. The prospect of a Chinese invasion and conquest of Taiwan is a major focus of US—China security competition. Apart from its political, economic, and moral consequences, some US experts argue that Chinese control of Taiwan would compromise the US military position in Asia, bolstering the case that the United States should commit its military to defend Taiwan's autonomy. Jonathan Caverley and Evan Montgomery will discuss the stakes of the US commitment to Taiwan, whether preserving Taiwan's autonomy justifies risking conflict with China, and the relationship between Taiwan and the broader military balance in the Indo-Pacific. • PIIE: Bridges and borders: Economic policy across North America — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 9:00 AM. This conference organized by PIIE and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas examines key policy and economic challenges shaping the future of North American integration, with a focus on labor mobility, remittance flows, and cross-border trade. As the region navigates shifting immigration dynamics and prepares for a pivotal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026, conference sessions explore how policy decisions affect economic resilience, productivity, and regional cooperation. Experts assess the implications for workers, firms, and communities and consider strategies for strengthening economic ties across borders. • Atlantic Council: Representative Adam Smith on how Congress will shape US defense policy — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. On Thursday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council will host an #ACFrontPage conversation with Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, on the future of US defense strategy and the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This event is part of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security's flagship Commanders Series, supported by Saab. • Atlantic Council: Sixth Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) — Thursday, November 6, 2025. Location: Online event, 2:00 AM. The sixth P-TEC Ministerial will convene industry leaders to discuss energy security and affordability, infrastructure projects, and investment opportunities from Athens, Greece. Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. EFTA00163885