Latest news with #CAB
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Kinetic Breaks Ground on $8 Million N.C. Fiber Expansion Project
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kinetic, a leading provider in residential and business fiber internet solutions across the Tar Heel State, broke ground on an $8 million investment in high-speed fiber infrastructure in Cabarrus and Stanly counties, marking a major milestone in expanding broadband access in North Carolina. This North Carolina Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) project will enhance connectivity for thousands of households and businesses, fostering economic growth and educational opportunities in the region. 'Thanks to these projects, more rural residents in Stanly and Cabarrus counties will soon have access to high-speed internet, enabling them to work remotely, engage in online education, participate in telehealth services, and contribute to a stronger state economy,' said Teena Piccione, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and state chief information officer. 'By fostering this partnership between the state, counties and Kinetic, we are creating a significant impact for North Carolinians.' In Stanly County, Kinetic will build 78 miles of fiber, providing access to nearly 900 locations. The funding for this effort includes over $910,000 each from Kinetic, $1.1 million from Stanly County, and another $1.1 million from NCDIT. 'Expanding broadband access is vital for the economic prosperity, healthcare, financial literacy and educational advancement of our community as well as statewide,' said Andy Lucas, Stanly County manager. 'This project is a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and ensuring all citizens in Stanly County and across North Carolina have the tools they need to succeed in a world shaped more and more by Internet access.' Similarly, in Cabarrus County, Kinetic plans to place 95 miles of new fiber, making more than 1,000 locations eligible for high-speed internet by the end of construction. The investment includes combined contributions of approximately $1.5 million from Kinetic, over $1.75 million from Cabarrus County, and over $1.75 million from the NCDIT. 'These investments underscore our commitment to connecting communities and empowering them with reliable, high-speed internet,' said Stacy Hale, president of Kinetic's Southeast Region Operations. 'The collaboration between Kinetic, local governments, and NCDIT is a testament to our shared vision for a digitally inclusive North Carolina.' The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2026, ensuring residents and businesses will benefit from enhanced internet services. This expansion is set to provide affordable, fast internet that will be vital for economic development and educational advancement in the area. 'Reliable internet access is crucial for all residents to excel and prepare for the future,' said Sarah Hardin, vice president of government affairs for Kinetic's Southeast Region. 'This initiative not only enhances our educational resources but also opens new opportunities for innovation and learning. We're thrilled to support this transformative project.' Local residents interested in fiber internet can visit to learn more and stay informed about when they can expect to be eligible for the service. Businesses who are interested should visit This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by funds awarded to the State of North Carolina by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. About Kinetic: Kinetic, a Windstream company, offers reliable fiber-based broadband to consumers and small to medium-sized businesses in 18 states. The company's quality-first approach connects customers to new opportunities and possibilities by delivering a full suite of advanced communications services backed by robust security and friendly customer success experts. Kinetic is focused on expanding its fiber network and bridging the digital divide to deliver modern solutions to customers in underserved areas. Additional information about Kinetic is available via our customer portal at or The company also offers managed cloud communications and security services to mid-to-large enterprises, government entities and educational institutions across the U.S. as well as customized wavelength and dark fiber solutions to carriers, content providers and hyperscalers in the U.S. and Canada. Windstream is privately held and headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. Category: Kinetic
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Court rules three Limerick houses tied to son of organised crime figure are proceeds of crime
THE HIGH COURT has ruled that three houses associated with the son of slain Limerick organise crime figure Kieran Keane Sr are the proceeds of crime, as are three cars and over €100K frozen by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). Having accepted garda evidence that Kieran Keane Jnr was a 'driving force' in organised crime, the High Court today appointed receivers to two of the three houses, the cars and €101,000 in an AIB account. The property and bank account were allegedly used by the respondents Kieran Keane Jnr, who is believed to be in Dubai or Spain, and his girlfriend, Laura Flanagan, with an address in Garryowen, Co Limerick. The court found that Keane Jnr had no recognisable source of income and that Flanagan had been saving her social welfare for a period. Keane Jr is the son of Limerick feud gangster Kieran Keane Sr, who was murdered in January 2003, and the nephew of convicted drug-dealer Christy Keane. Mr Justice Alexander Owens said that an application for receivership over a Garryowen home occupied by Flanagan and her family would have to be brought by CAB at the next sitting. The judge said any application for a stay would be considered at that time. Shelley Horan BL, for CAB, told the court that a forensic analysis of the bank account used by Keane Jr and Flanagan revealed trips to Lithuania for cosmetic surgery, travel to Spain, the UK, Dubai and also to Lapland within the period of 2010 to 2019. At the High Court today, Mr Justice Owens found that three Limerick properties that Keane enjoyed the benefit of but had no title on, were the proceeds of crime. Horan had told the judge that 'absolutely nothing is offered for the source of funds for the seven assets subject to this case'. Refurbishment costs Horan said a financial analyst at CAB estimated that one of the three Limerick properties had undergone approximately €289,000 in refurbishments which could not be accounted for. Mr Justice Owens ruled that three cars, an Audi A4 – since sold by CAB – a Skoda Octavia and a VW Amarok were also the proceeds of crime and had been used by Keane Jr. Mr Justice Owens said that, regarding the AIB account, it appeared that they were 'living on fresh air' due to a lack of bank records for everyday regular expenditure. Advertisement The judge said that if Keane was in Dubai for a number of years then he must have money to pay his bills there because otherwise the respondent would be in jail. The judge said he would take into consideration that it would be 'clearly disruptive' to remove Flanagan and her family from their home in Garryowen. Mr Justice Owens said that Keane Jr had lived outside of the jurisdiction for a number of years without any apparent present intention to return, but he 'envisaged' Keane Jr would do so in the future as his partner and children are living here. The judge said he was satisfied from a 'comprehensive' investigation by CAB that all three Garryowen properties were 'derived from the proceeds of crime' acquired in 'cash under the table deals'. The judge said of a separate, fourth property, not involved in the High Court proceedings and since sold by the couple that 'one cannot see where the money for that came from'. The judge said that an accounting analyst at CAB reported that property was bought as a 'shell' after being burned out and that €180K was spent on renovations. 'One can see from the photos it is anything but a shell. It was totally renovated and sold off,' said the judge. Mr Justice Owens said that it had been contended by Keane Jr that the money in the AIB account was from, among other things, the sale of motor cars from his garage but that the firm never made any tax returns. 'It is impossible to see any legitimate source for the working capital,' he said. Mr Justice Owens said that a lifestyle analysis carried out by CAB made it 'clear' that Keane Jr did not have the money to purchase the cars. The judge said he accepted CAB officers' belief evidence on affidavit that Keane Jr had allegedly associated with a number of known criminals and that he was an alleged 'driving force' in organised crime. 'It is likely that this criminal organisation is the source of funds used for all of these properties,' said the judge. Mr Justice Owens awarded costs solely against Keane Jr and noted that neither Keane Jr nor Flanagan were on free legal aid. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Three houses associated with the son of slain Limerick gangster are proceeds of crime
Three houses associated with the son of slain Limerick gangster Kieran Keane Sr are the proceeds of crime, the High Court has ruled. Three cars and more than €100,000 frozen by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has also been deemed the proceeds of crime. Kieran Keane Jr, who is believed to be in either Dubai or Spain, and his girlfriend Laura Flanagan, with an address in Garryowen, Co Limerick, had receivers appointed to two of the houses, the cars, and €101,000 in an AIB account after the High Court found Mr Keane had no recognisable source of income. Mr Keane Jr is the son of Limerick feud gangster Kieran Keane Sr, who was murdered in January 2003, and the nephew of convicted drug dealer Christy Keane. Mr Justice Alexander Owens said that an application for receivership over the Garryowen home property occupied by Ms Flanagan and her family can be brought by CAB at the next sitting of the case when any application for a stay will be considered. Shelley Horan, counsel for CAB, told the court that a forensic analysis of the couple's finances showed that travel expenses from the bank account used by Mr Keane Jr and Ms Flanagan showed expenses that revealed trips to Lithuania for cosmetic surgery, travel to Spain, Dubai, and also to Lapland within the period of 2010 to 2019. At the High Court, Mr Justice Owens found that three Limerick properties, that Mr Keane enjoyed the benefit of but had no title on, were the proceeds of crime. Ms Horan had told the judge that "absolutely nothing is offered for the source of funds for the seven assets subject to this case". Ms Horan said a financial analyst at the CAB estimated that one of the three Limerick properties had undergone approximately €289,000 in refurbishments which could not be accounted for. Mr Justice Owens ruled that three cars, an Audi A4 — since sold by CAB — a Skoda Octavia, and a VW Amarok were also the proceeds of crime and had been in the possession of Mr Keane Jr. Mr Justice Owens said that, regarding the AIB account, it appeared that they were "living on fresh air" due to a lack of bank records for everyday regular expenditure. The judge said that if Mr Keane was in Dubai for a number of years then he must have money to pay his bills there because otherwise the respondent would be in jail. The judge said that Ms Flanagan and her children resided at the family home in Garryowen and that it would be "clearly disruptive" to remove them from their family environment, which he had to take into consideration. Mr Justice Owens said that Mr Keane Jr had lived outside of the jurisdiction for a number of years without any apparent present intention to return but said he "envisaged" Mr Keane Jr would do so in the future as his partner and children were living here. The judge said he was satisfied from a "comprehensive" investigation by CAB that all three Garryowen properties were "derived from the proceeds of crime" acquired in "cash under the table deals". The judge said of a separate, fourth property, not involved in the High Court proceedings and since sold by the couple that "one cannot see where the money for that came from". The judge said that an accounting analyst at CAB reported that property was bought as a "shell" after being burned out and that €180,000 was spent on renovations. "One can see from the photos it is anything but a shell. It was totally renovated and sold off," said the judge. Mr Justice Owens said that it had been contended by Mr Keane Jr that the money in the AIB account was from, among other things, the sale of motor cars from his garage but that the firm never made any tax returns. "It is impossible to see any legitimate source for the working capital," he said. Mr Justice Owens said that a lifestyle analysis carried out by CAB made it "clear" that Mr Keane Jr did not have the money to purchase the cars. The judge said he accepted CAB officers' belief evidence on affidavit that Mr Keane Jr had allegedly associated with a number of known criminals himself and that he was an alleged "driving force" in organised crime. "It is likely that this criminal organisation is the source of funds used for all of these properties," said the judge. Mr Justice Owens awarded costs solely against Mr Keane Jr and noted that neither Mr Keane Jr or Ms Flanagan were on free legal aid.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Victims handed over life savings to Nigerian fraudster at centre of €1.7m CAB case
Noel Patrick Ikponmwonba fled Dublin, leaving his family behind, when the fraud was discovered Ikkonmwomba left his family behind in Ireland and has a new wife in Benin City Victims of an international €1.7m email scam are tracking a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) court bid to seize cash in a frozen bank account. Charity boss Noel Patrick Ikponmwonba managed to scam the money from victims around the world while living in Ireland, according to the bureau. Details of the case were first heard in court in 2017 as CAB sought to have €40,000 and an insurance policy declared the proceeds of crime. Now the bureau has applied to the High Court for an order that will allow the assets to be disposed of, after being frozen for the last seven years. At a recent hearing, a number of victims were represented in court and requested to be put on notice of the proceedings. CAB did not object to the application and the case is listed for hearing again later this month. Charity boss is back in Nigeria It was previously heard Ikponmwonba convinced three identified victims and others to part with hundreds of thousands of euro. He had claimed he was the beneficiary of a huge inheritance but needed help to pay taxes before it could be released to him. He fled Dublin, leaving his family behind, when the fraud was discovered and was living in his native Nigeria, where he has a second wife in Benin City. During one year in Ireland while he was engaged in the fraud, he and his wife Efe claimed €49,750 from the Department of Social Protection. The couple were linked to seven bank accounts and, despite having no legitimate source of income, funds worth €1,737,000 went through them. Ikponmwonba was born in 1983 in Benin in Nigeria and moved to Ireland before 2001, when he met his wife Efe and lived for a time in Ryevale Lawns in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Over the course of his time in Ireland, Ikponmwonba regularly lost his passport, social security cards and other items. He claimed social welfare for more than 10 years, and in 2007 he was convicted of opening a fake bank account in AIB in Crumlin, Dublin. Standing in Nigerian election News in 90 Seconds - June 17 Details of the notorious email scam were heard during the 2017 High Court hearing, showing how fraudsters trick people into parting with their life savings. 'While most people ignore and delete such emails, some will send funds,' said counsel for CAB. In one fraud, Ikponmwonba posed as 'Lucy Morgan', a fictitious Irish woman who claimed to have been left millions by a relative. In unsolicited email exchanges, 'she' convinced a Californian man, named in court as Eric Johnson, to part with €463,000 for tax clearance certificates. The High Court heard that Mr Johnson believed that Ms Morgan was going to move to the US to live with him once she had freed up her legacy with the help of his funds. He had the money as the result of a large inheritance he himself had received, but when he realised he had been swindled he made a complaint to police. A Dutch citizen, Johannes Klaas, fell for a similar tale when he transferred Stg£418,000 to accounts in Ireland. He even flew to Dublin and was shown boxes of cash in a vault, the High Court was told. Klaas communicated with a 'Paul John Boylan' who had claimed he was due a €8.3m windfall after a close relative had died. The money was transferred through a series of accounts in Ireland and as far afield as China. UK national Susan Locke was the third victim named. She also transferred over Stg£400,000 to Ikonmwonba after falling for the email tale. After complaints were received in the US, the Netherlands and the UK, gardaí were contacted and began their own inquiries in this jurisdiction. In 2011 Ikponmwonba, who also goes by the name Noel Osareniye Patrick, was charged before the courts on 12 counts of theft. When he failed to appear a bench warrant was issued for his arrest a year later. Gardaí believe the charity boss and former businessman, who lived in Leixlip with his wife and children, settled down to a life in Benin City. Lawyers for CAB told the court that the 'Laveri Charity' had been directly linked to the Nigerian, which claims to donate funds to orphanages in Africa. Company documents here show that Efe and Noel Patrick registered the business name 'Laveri Enterprises' with the Companies Registration Office in 2008 and listed it as a hair and beauty salon operating from Leixlip. The couple registered the cessation of the business in 2010 – a year before he was charged with 12 counts of theft before the Irish courts. The High Court also heard that an article about Ikponmwonba and his charity work appeared in a Nigerian newspaper further linking him to the charity. Efe Patrick had agreed not to challenge the order to seize €40,000, including an insurance policy in Ireland, on the basis that she wasn't asked to pay costs, it was heard.
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
CAB Volunteers Helping Make Our Communities Stronger
15 June 2025 It's National Volunteer Week | Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu! - Sunday 15 June to Saturday 21 June – and the CAB is taking the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the mahi aroha of all their volunteers around Aotearoa. Kerry Dalton, CABNZ Chief Executive, says 'We are very grateful to have 2,000 people throughout the motu freely giving their time and skills to support, manaaki and empower those who need our help. Our volunteers mean we can provide information, advice and support to the public from over 80 locations around Aotearoa, helping to make our communities stronger.' Ms Dalton says CAB volunteers make a big contribution to NZ society. 'In the past year, our volunteers responded to over 220,000 enquiries from the public and an additional 110,000 clients have been helped by services facilitated through our CABs. Our volunteers assisted people with enquiries about a wide range of topics including employment, tenancy, relationship issues, immigration, consumer purchases, the justice system, and more. That's a lot of community support our volunteers are providing every day.' CAB volunteers can help people with quick and simple queries, such as requests for contact details for other services or help to find a form, or with more in-depth enquiries. 'When a client needs more help, our volunteers will take the time to find out what is happening for them and what they need', says Ms Dalton. 'They will research the issue and talk through the options so the client can decide on their next steps. The one-on-one help and the time our volunteers give to those who need it are things we know people really value.' Ms Dalton says she is proud of the CAB team of volunteers and the impact they make. 'Our people collectively bring a whole variety of different skills and life experience to our CABs and, together with the fantastic training they get as CAB volunteers, and their passion for helping others, it makes them a powerful force for good in our communities.' Throughout June, Ms Dalton says the CAB is collecting stories from their volunteers about why they volunteer with the CAB and what gives them joy in this role, so these stories can be shared with the public. 'We have so many amazing people working quietly away in our CABs helping their communities. We're looking forward to shining a spotlight on them to acknowledge the mahi they do, and to inspire others.' CAB is a great place for volunteering, says Ms Dalton, and she encourages people to get in touch with their local CAB if they are interested in finding out more about being a CAB volunteer. 'We give people training, mentoring and other supports to help them deliver our service to the public. As a CAB volunteer, you get to work for a much-loved organisation and with a team of people who have come together to make a difference in people's lives. It's a special organisation to be a part of.'
