Professional Services

Architecture CRM/Customer Service Consulting Government & Policy Human Resources Intellectual Property/Trademark/Patent Law Legal
News Release Digital Asset Direct

Flash Wins California Energy Commission $5.8M Grant for EV Charger ‘Innovation Lab’ in Oakland

Flash Parking

The California Energy Commission (CEC) and Flash, a pioneer in parking + charging solutions, today announced Flash secured a $5.8 million grant from CEC for a large-scale electric vehicle (EV) charger demonstration project in Oakland, California. The first-of-its-kind project will deploy at least 446 low-cost Level 2 EV chargers over a two-year period in convenient, high-density, high-visibility installations in a 1.5-mile area around downtown Oakland. With $24 million in funding from California’s Clean Transportation Program, the CEC grant to Flash and other awardees aims to demonstrate replicable and scalable business and technology models to deploy Level 2 charging infrastructure and improve public awareness of and confidence in Level 2 charging access. The project will also include installation of two Battery Energy Storage Systems that will help safeguard EV charger affordability during periods of peak energy demand. “Bay Area residents’ early commitment to the EV transition uniquely positions this community to serve as an ‘Innovation Lab’ for electrification projects in California and nationwide,” said Matt McCaffree, Vice President of Utility Market Development for Flash. “This collaboration with CEC will not only show what’s possible in high-density smart cities like Oakland but also keep the charging gap for early adopters from becoming a confidence gap for the next wave.” Bay Area EV adoption continues to outpace the national average by a factor of three. By installing reliable, affordable, and convenient public chargers, Flash and the CEC aim to close the charging gap and encourage further EV adoption—particularly among downtown residents, for whom dependable public charging is a prerequisite for ownership in lieu of at-home chargers. The success of the project would establish quality public charging as a standard among the practical, convenient, and environmentally-friendly “smart cities” of the future. “For residents living in downtown areas where at-home charging isn't an option, reliable and convenient public charging is key for continued EV adoption,” said CEC’s Lead Commissioner for Transportation Patty Monahan. “The CEC is looking forward to Flash's deployment of hundreds of Level 2 chargers throughout downtown Oakland to be a model of successful public charging.” The project will also generate invaluable data regarding battery capacities, operating costs, replicable price points, and emergency procedures, as well as insights toward stimulating demand and increasing return on investment. This information can then be used to expand and improve upon the Oakland deployment and inform electrification efforts throughout California and beyond. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations — connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress from driving. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more. Contact Details Flash Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.flashparking.com/

May 02, 2024 08:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Image

NAVEX Announces New Bangalore Office Following International Expansion

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, today announced its expansion into South Asia with the establishment of a new Global Capability Center (GCC) in Bangalore, India. The decision to establish a permanent presence in India is a significant step forward in executing on NAVEX’s strategic goals driven by the company’s ongoing commitment to international growth, talent acquisition, and investment in technology and services. Its proximity to key Asian markets, such as Singapore, Japan, and Australia, also adds fundamental value to business operations. Sean Thompson, CEO at NAVEX, said, “The introduction of our new GCC in India is a game-changer and marks an exciting chapter for NAVEX as we strengthen our global presence and aim for new milestones. This is just our first leap into Asia as we continue to explore opportunities for smart, strategic development in the region. We continue to witness significant expansion globally, driven by the everchanging regulatory environment and increasing customer demand to build cultures focused on creating transparent, safe, and responsible workplaces.” With a presence now across America, Europe, and Asia, NAVEX’s impact spans across the globe; providing over 73 million employees at more than 13,000 organizations with a safer place to work. Due to significant international customer momentum in Europe, the company opened a new London office in 2023. The move follows its growing footprint in Finland, the acquisition of WhistleB in Sweden, and the establishment of its Frankfurt data facility. As a purpose driven company, NAVEX prides itself on creating a people first culture that is meaningful and relatable to each person. In addition to offering a myriad of learning and development programs that support career growth, NAVEX offers a wide array of benefits and resources designed to support healthy living. It is a multi-award-winning employer of choice, most recently named in 2024 as a USA Top Workplace by USA Today. The company has also been recognized by customers and industry experts for its leading culture, products, and services. To ensure NAVEX remains at the forefront of market trends, the GCC will help the business operate with agility while building awareness among companies in India seeking governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) expertise. It will play a pivotal role in accelerating product innovation and building on the company’s legacy. Notably, NAVEX recently introduced to its portfolio the Compliance Assistant AI solution in NAVEX One. Udayakumar Sethu, India Site Leader at NAVEX, adds, “NAVEX is looking forward to recruiting outstanding talent that the Bangalore market offers. We are excited to have a presence in this vibrant city. Our commitment is to empower the global market by providing the necessary tools, guidance, and training to employees and businesses to protect themselves against risks and meet regulatory requirements – all while building stronger organizational cultures.” Learn more about Life at the new NAVEX India GCC on our website. NAVEX is the recognized leader in risk and compliance management software and services, empowering thousands of customers around the world to manage and mitigate risks with confidence. NAVEX’s mission is to help customers promote ethical, inclusive workplace cultures, protect their brands, and preserve the environment through sustainable business practices. For more information, visit our website and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details NAVEX anita.lo@navex.com Company Website https://navex.com

May 02, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AmeriLife Names Juan Carlos Moreno National Sales Director for ACA

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that Juan Carlos (JC) Moreno has been hired as AmeriLife’s national sales director for Affordable Care Act (ACA) products. Reporting to AmeriLife’s Senior Vice President of Managed Care Solutions, Matthew Graham, Moreno will develop the company’s carrier partnerships around ACA and under-65 products and provide sales leadership, education, and training to its principals, marketers, and licensed health insurance agents with the goal of expanding the ACA and under-65 business across AmeriLife’s distribution groups. “I’m thrilled to welcome JC to AmeriLife and the Managed Care Solutions team,” said Graham. “JC is a proven sales leader, motivator, and trainer. His deep knowledge of ACA and under-65 products will be critical to helping us grow our footprint in this expanding market.” “As the health insurance landscape continues to evolve, ACA and under-65 products provide us with a unique opportunity to train agents to meet an entirely new generation of consumers where they are today to better serve their health care needs in their retirement years,” added Scotty Elliott, Chief Distribution Officer for AmeriLife Health. “JC’s addition is a testament to our continued focus to deliver holistic solutions to consumers, and we look forward to his contributions.” Moreno comes to AmeriLife with over 20 years of business and sales experience, most recently at Elite Health Insurance, an ACA-focused health insurer where he served as director of sales and business development. Prior to Elite, Moreno held various business consultant and sales leadership roles, including territory sales manager and general manager for insurance consumer solutions platform Assurance IQ. “I am delighted to start this journey with Amerilife and the Managed Care Solutions team,” said Moreno. “I am eager to contribute my expertise and join their efforts in navigating the ever-changing landscape of ACA and under-65 health insurance.” ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as an industry leader in developing, marketing and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 agents and financial professionals and more than 120 marketing organizations and insurance agencies. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado media@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

May 02, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

TOWER CAPITAL GROUP SPONSORS A GLOBAL INVESTMENT CONSORTIUM

TOWER CAPITAL GROUP

TOWER CAPITAL GROUP, market maker of Generational Health, defines the trillion dollar category as pivotal to evolutionary capacity, country competitiveness, and global health. In a recent publication TOWER reveals that a critical lever for Generational Health is Women’s Health. TOWER states that funding women’s health innovation is a requirement for Generational Health and has committed to support this effort at a global scale. In demonstration of this commitment, TOWER expands its relationship with the Centre for Health and Healthcare at The World Economic Forum, and is the lead champion and sponsor of a first-in-kind global women’s health investment consortium. The Consortium, ”Global Women’s Health Responsible Investment Consortium” is designed to serve the global need for innovation in women’s health. Not only to be a channel of investment, but responsible and sustainable funding for the category. The Consortium serves to: Unite Global Investors with Global Innovators for Women’s Health Outcomes Accelerate and Measure Commitments to Funding and Secure Matching Commitment to select Innovators Leverage The World Economic Forum and Global Alliance for Women’s Health Platform to Curate Investment Outcomes Amplify Tower Capital’s Collective of ~1000+ Innovators Open the Aperture of Women’s Health Through the Lens of Generational Health “There is nothing more important than actualizing innovation and scientific breakthroughs for women, to ensure Generational Health.” Sanskriti Thakur, TOWER CAPITAL GROUP Founder and Chairwoman. “In collaboration with TOWER CAPITAL, we are delighted to launch the First Global Responsible Investment Consortium for Women’s Health. Together, let’s bridge the funding gap and unlock innovation for better health outcomes for all women.“ Shyam Bishen, Head, Centre for Health & Healthcare, The World Economic Forum. About TOWER: Operating across industries, regions and partners, TOWER CAPITAL GROUP and its affiliates deploy expertise and capital to uncover economic value, investment, and innovation within Generational Health and bring it to stakeholders across the globe. Generational Health are those effects passed on genetically, epigenetically, and environmentally, shaping humanity’s evolutionary curve. It represents a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity encompassing critical areas of community, environment, and women’s health. Visit www.towercapital.org for more information on Generational Health, the company, and its mission. Investor Inquiries: Sheri Bailey sheri@towercapital.org Contact Details For Media Inquiries please contact TOWER CAPITAL GROUP contact@towercapital.org Company Website https://towercapital.org/

May 01, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

One Media iP CEO discusses robust 2023 performance and innovations in music rights management

One Media iP Group PLC

One Media iP Group PLC CEO Michael Infante takes Proactive's Stephen Gunnion through the company's 2023 financial performance, describing it as robust and in line with expectations despite a challenging global context. Infante highlighted the resilience and profitability of the business, which has maintained a focus on recurring income from music rights. The company continues to pay dividends and has successfully navigated challenges that have impacted larger firms. Infante also detailed advancements in its technical copyright analysis tool (TCAT) subsidiary, developed to detect music piracy across major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The software, leveraging AI, aids in combating the increasingly complex issue of music piracy. Further, Infante introduced a new desktop application called TCAT Protect, designed to help artists and labels ensure their music tracks on streaming platforms are correctly reported and compensated. This tool is set for launch by the end of May and represents a significant step forward in music rights management. Operational highlights from the year include the acquisition of the licensor's income share of the Entertain Me catalog and the renewal of their distribution deal with The Orchard. Infante also noted the industry's structural trends, mentioning the resurgence of vinyl and its impact on their business strategy. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

May 01, 2024 09:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Florida Governor Signs Bill Increasing Motor Vehicle Exemption in Bankruptcy

Van Horn Law Group, P.A.

The Florida Governor today signed bill SB158 into law, which increases the value of motor vehicles owned by individuals in bankruptcy. The bill raises the motor vehicle exemption from $1,000 to $5,000, enabling more people to keep their cars during bankruptcy proceedings. The previous $1,000 exemption was one of the lowest in the nation. The law was initially put forth during the 2022 legislative session by Rep. Michael Gottlieb and Rep. Christopher Benjamin at the behest of Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy attorney Chad Van Horn. While both the Florida House and Senate approved the bill at the time, it was not signed into law by the governor. At this year’s legislative session, the bill, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Benjamin and co-sponsored by Rep. Gottlieb, Rep. Dotie Joseph and Rep. Johanna Lopez. It was signed into law today by Governor Ron DeSantis. “I pushed for this change because I see hundreds of people each year lose their transportation in bankruptcy proceedings, which makes it harder for them to work and perpetuates the downward spiral into financial insecurity and distress,” said Chad Van Horn, founding partner attorney of Van Horn Law Group. “Although it took two years, I’m still extremely gratified the motor vehicle exemption was approved as it will provide much-needed assistance to individuals in dire financial circumstances.” Van Horn Law Group, P.A. among the top bankruptcy firms in the nation based on number of cases filed in the last 12 months (pacer.gov), is dedicated to restoring peace of mind to individuals in financial distress by providing first-rate, affordable legal services with compassion, understanding and respect. The firm practices in the areas of personal and corporate bankruptcy, student loan consolidation and litigation, foreclosure defense, corporate reorganization, debt negotiation, civil litigation, debt relief, personal injury and consumer law. Van Horn, the author of Everything You Need to Know About Bankruptcy in Florida and The Debt Life, is certified in business and consumer bankruptcy. Van Horn Law Group, P.A. is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with satellite offices in Doral, Miramar and Orlando. For more information about Van Horn Law Group, call (954) 637-0000 or visit www.vanhornlawgroup.com. ### Contact Details Cindy Schutt PR Cindy Schutt +1 954-805-0361 cindy@schutt.com Company Website https://www.vanhornlawgroup.com/

April 26, 2024 05:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time

AmeriLife’s The Senior Resource Group Partners with Bobby Brock Insurance and Camas Prairie Insurance to Transform Medicare Choice

AmeriLife

The Senior Resource Group, (SRG), a leading, national field marketing organization (FMO) for the industry’s leading insurance carriers and an affiliate of AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), announced today that it has entered into a partnership with Bobby Brock Insurance (BBI), a leading national health insurance agency and founding sponsor of MedicareCon, a highly regarded annual Medicare and health insurance conference for licensed and entrepreneurial health insurance agents. In a separate but related deal, SRG also welcomed Camas Prairie Insurance (CPI), a central Idaho-based, family owned and operated health insurance agency and downline partner of Bobby Brock Insurance (which will continue to operate as such). Per both agreements, terms were not disclosed. “We are so excited to partner with the Bobby Brock Insurance and Camas Prairie Insurance teams,” said Shane Souders, co-founder of The Senior Resource Group. “[BBI CEO] Justin is a trusted voice for the Medicare broker community and an incredible business leader, while [CPI owner] Josh Lustig is a great young leader and one of the best sales trainers and motivators in the business today. SRG, BBI and CPI, with the support of AmeriLife, are aligned with complementary skillsets that will make us one of the most dynamic Medicare agency partnerships in the country.” Founded by Bobby Brock in 1992, Bobby Brock Insurance operates as a national brokerage firm and call center that specializes in ACA plans for the under-65 market, Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Part D plans, and Medicare Advantage. In 2014, Bobby Brock’s son and the company’s current CEO, Justin Brock, left the Marine Corps to pursue a career as a licensed Medicare agent. The younger Brock saw a need to breathe fresh air into the marketing, service, and team building aspect of the industry, and quickly established a thriving culture and expanded value proposition for both agents and consumers with the concepts he learned as an Operator in the Marine Corps. Soon thereafter, he acquired his father’s book of business along with a number of other agencies, consolidating them under the Bobby Brock name in honor of his father. Today, Bobby Brock Insurance is setting the industry standard. In 2023, it was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies by revenue in the United States. The company has also won multiple industry awards for its one-stop insurance agency solution, GoGuru, and has become prolific in its use of social media to promote and foster the sharing of information between agents and brokers. “Our industry needs agents and brokers to focus on consumers’ needs first,” said Justin Brock. “If we can work towards an environment that rewards quality outcomes while creating efficiencies that allow our sales representatives to replicate the process often and with ease, we can prove that there is no better distribution model than through licensed life and health insurance agents. We are confident that our synergies with AmeriLife, SRG, and CPI will amplify our ability to achieve that goal.” Camas Prairie Insurance, a family-run, health brokerage established in 1996 by Dominic and Gina Lustig, primarily focuses on the Medicare and health insurance market. The company has experienced rapid growth over the past several years under the leadership of owner and CEO Josh Lustig, building upon a foundation centered on its “just do the next right thing” approach and an intense focus on educating clients on their health care needs. “This partnership is a watershed moment in Camas Prairie Insurance’s history,” said Josh Lustig, who is also the founder of Thrive, a personal and business development seminar program focused on helping agents grow their business. “I truly believe that, together, we are building something incomparable in our space for today’s individual agent and agency owner, and I couldn’t ask for better partners on this journey than Shane, Justin, Bobby Bache and the entire team at AmeriLife.” Now, as part of the AmeriLife family of companies, Bobby Brock Insurance and Camas Prairie Insurance will gain access to one of the industry’s largest independent health distribution platforms and a growing suite of products and solutions that is setting a standard for excellence in the industry. “Today is an incredible day for The Senior Resource Group and AmeriLife,” said Scotty Elliott, Chief Distribution Officer of Health for AmeriLife. “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome two companies of their reputation and caliber to our growing distribution network. Together, our opportunities for growth are limitless.” “One of the reasons I partnered with AmeriLife as an affiliate back in 2020 was for this very reason: to get to work with not only the best people in the industry, but people that have been my friends for years,” added Bobby Bache, vice president of Health Distribution for AmeriLife. “I’m thrilled to welcome Justin and Josh to AmeriLife and look forward to helping grow their respective businesses in new and exciting ways.” Bobby Brock Insurance and Camas Prairie Insurance will continue to operate as stand-alone businesses out of their Tupelo, Miss., and Grangeville, Idaho offices, respectively, under the leadership of Brock and Lustig, who will be supported by Souders. ### About The Senior Resource Group The Senior Resource Group was founded in 2008 by insurance brokers who understand the needs of agents in the field. Today, The Senior Resource Group is a premier field marketing organization for an array of national insurance carriers providing Medicare Supplement policies, Medicare Advantage plans, life insurance, final expanse plans and financial products in 25 states. The team at The Senior Resource Group provides the tools, support, and training necessary for success in the insurance industry. For more information, visit TheSeniorResourceGroup.com. About Bobby Brock Insurance Bobby Brock Insurance is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in the heart of Tupelo, Mississippi. Founded by Bobby Brock in 1992, BBI has always been dedicated to providing top-quality insurance services in the community. The BBI team is made up of experienced, knowledgeable professionals who are passionate about helping clients find the coverage they need at a price they can afford with a personalized approach and commitment to customer service. For more information, visit BobbyBrockInsurance.com. About Camas Prairie Insurance Camas Prairie Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has been and is still devoted to overseeing the insurance needs of Grangeville, Idaho, for over 25 years. Camas Prairie Insurance is connected to a wide selection of carriers offering insurance programs and financial services which are readily available to residents of Grangeville. Camas Prairie is proud to provide insurance producers services to wade through paperwork, clarify policy options, design personalized plans, and supply the best coverage for our members’ needs. For more information, visit CamasPrairieInsurance.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and financial professionals and more than 100 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado media@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

April 25, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Shareholder to Return to Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting One Year After Arrest in Omaha

NLPC

As the annual meeting for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on May 4 in Omaha approaches, National Legal and Policy Center Chairman Peter Flaherty plans a return to the same stage where last year, while presenting NLPC’s shareholder proposal, Warren Buffett cut off his speech and Flaherty was arrested. Trumped-up charges against Flaherty were later dropped. NLPC has another proposal on Berkshire’s 2024 proxy statement and Flaherty is scheduled to speak on the measure for his allotted five minutes. The nonprofit corporate watchdog released a short video that briefly recounts last year’s incident and points out Mr. Buffett’s contradictory positions on how he manages shareholder meetings. The video may be found on NLPC’s website: https://nlpc.org/corporate-integrity-project/video-nlpc-returns-to-berkshire-hathaway-annual-meeting-one-year-after-chairmans-arrest/ The video highlights a past statement Mr. Buffett made to CNBC. Responding to an interviewer’s question about Berkshire allowing investors who attend the popular annual meeting to ask any question they want, Mr. Buffett responded, “We’ve got a partnership feeling toward the people who have given us their money, and we don’t screen ‘em, and they can ask whatever’s on their mind.” However, last year Mr. Buffett made an exception to that principle when Peter Flaherty – during his official remarks presenting NLPC’s shareholder proposal, which was on the meeting agenda – brought up Mr. Buffett’s relationship with billionaire Bill Gates, their shared philanthropic efforts, and Mr. Gates’s troubling relationship with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. At that point, Flaherty’s microphone was silenced, and security and Omaha law enforcement forcibly walked him out of the arena and to a local police precinct, where he was arrested, booked, fingerprinted and held for about three hours. As NLPC argued last year in a report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Berkshire’s identity is inextricably linked with Mr. Buffett’s. As such, his philanthropic activities and personal associations are fair targets for criticism, unlike those of nearly any other corporate Chairman/CEO. NLPC also filed a complaint with the SEC late last year over Berkshire’s inappropriate treatment of Flaherty at the meeting. “Warren Buffett boasts that shareholders can ask questions on any topic they desire, but I guess that doesn’t include questions about Bill Gates or Jeffrey Epstein,” Flaherty said. This year’s shareholder proposal addresses concerns about Berkshire’s risk vulnerabilities over the amount its sales and supply chain depend on China. Subsidiaries such as Duracell and Fruit of the Loom, and significant investments such as Apple and Coca-Cola, substantially depend on access to the communist nation. NLPC also filed a proxy memo with the SEC in support of this year’s proposal. The video released by NLPC concludes by wondering if Mr. Buffett will keep his word, and let all Berkshire investors say “whatever is on their mind.” For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

April 24, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Ukrainian-American Organization Demands Immediate FCC Investigation into SpaceX; Citing Musk’s Meddling in Ukraine, Erratic Behavior, and Illegal Drug Use

Ukrainian Congress Committee of America

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Inc. (UCCA) has filed in opposition to the allocation of additional spectrum to SpaceX, and called for an immediate investigation into the behavior of the company’s largest shareholder Elon Musk in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rulemaking to open the 1.6/2.4 GHz band to new entrants. The non-profit, non-partisan organization called on the FCC to determine if it should place restrictions on Elon Musk’s control, management, or involvement in Starlink, or revoke the company’s license entirely, following erratic behavior and chronic use of illegal drugs that place Musk’s qualifications to operate FCC licensed facilities into question. “At the heart of the matter is the Commission’s responsibility to ensure that any company which is granted the privilege of operating on public airwaves meets certain qualifications and serves the public interest,” said Arthur Belendiuk, UCCA’s lead regulatory attorney. “Musk has used the company’s FCC licenses to support the military of a foreign power that is actively engaged in an illegal war and who has committed countless war crimes. Offering military aid to Russia is just the tip of the iceberg in a pattern of repeated abuse of the Starlink system—behavior which demands an immediate FCC investigation.” As an FCC licensee, SpaceX has the basic statutory duty to conduct its operations in the public interest. As UCCA’s filing outlines, numerous examples show that the company has not met that standard. In Musk’s role as chief apologist for indicted war criminal Vladimir Putin, he has used the Starlink network to illegally meddle in U.S. Foreign Policy: According to reports, Elon Musk refused a Ukrainian Armed Forces request to activate his Starlink satellite network in Crimea's port city of Sevastopol to aid an attack on Russia's fleet (page 3). Disabling the Starlink service and allowing Ukrainian civilians to be murdered by Russian missiles is unconscionable. However, Musk was not done. Despite warnings from U.S. Senators to stop interfering on the side of Russia, Musk has now made the Starlink system available to the Russian military (page 4). This begs the question, why does Musk believe that he has the authority to engage in U.S. foreign policy? Not only is Musk making decisions concerning Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, but he is also engaging with China, often in ways that violate U.S. foreign policy. For example, Musk was recently accused of withholding internet service in Taiwan (page 6). Musk’s chronic use of illegal drugs also places his qualifications as an FCC licensee in jeopardy. Illegal drug use by FCC licensees, “either on or off-station premises,” is historically a matter of grave concern to the Commission. In prior proceedings, if the FCC found that a licensee “continued to deliberately flout Commission rules or was irremediably incompetent,” the regulator has acted to revoke licenses. The filing outlines reports of Musk’s use of mind-altering LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, and psychedelic mushrooms. The group goes on to say, “[w]hen the controlling shareholder is acting erratically, believes he has the authority to set U.S. foreign policy and admits to taking drugs including taking drugs with board members and officers, it is reasonable to conclude that Musk and his management team lack the basic competence to remain FCC licensees.” UCCA’s landmark filing seeks to hold licensees like SpaceX accountable by calling for an immediate FCC investigation into multiple accusations of disqualifying conduct. Until an investigation can be completed, UCCA calls on the FCC to stop processing all Starlink applications and require Musk to step down from any management, control, or decision-making authority concerning the Starlink system. “Why is Musk shilling for Russia? More importantly, why is critical communications and defense infrastructure in the hands of a drug addled conspiracy theorist who thinks he has the power to dictate U.S. foreign policy,” UCCA’s filing concludes. A copy of UCCA’s comment is available here. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Inc., is an umbrella organization that unites nearly 30 Ukrainian-American organizations and represents the interests of approximately two million Americans of Ukrainian descent. UCCA is a non-profit, nonpartisan community-based organization with local all-volunteer chapters across the United States. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://ucca.org/

April 24, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

1 2 3 4 5 ... 119