Australian Law Enforcement Investigate Communications of Chinese Officials

Justice Department Watchdog Probing Handling of Stone Sentencing

The Justice Department has launched an internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the handling of the criminal case of Roger Stone, former political adviser to President Donald Trump. The probe by the department’s inspector general will reportedly look into Attorney General William Barr’s February decision to override a sentencing recommendation for Stone made by rank-and-file prosecutors. The prosecutors recommended a sentence of seven to nine years in prison for Stone, but the department later filed another recommendation asking for a lighter sentence. The DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General would not “confirm or deny the existence of any ongoing investigation” to The Epoch Times. Meanwhile, DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told media outlets that they “welcome the review.” She did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment. The revelation…

Australian police were issued warrants to investigate a Chinese consular official and a political advisor’s communication amid ongoing scrutiny of foreign interference in the country.

Search warrants have been issued to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to investigate the Sydney Chinese consulate and Consulate-General Sun Yantao, according to an ABC report published on Sept. 15.

Sun was appointed to the consulate by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, which liaises with Chinese communities outside of China and is under the authority of the United Front Work Department (UFWD).

The UFWD gained notoriety with its connection to billionaire Huang Xiangmo and the downfall of former Senator Sam Dastyari.

The current investigation by the AFP and the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) centre on if the Sydney Chinese consulate conspired with New South Wales (NSW) Labor political staffer John Zhang to infiltrate the NSW branch of the Labor Party in an attempt to influence the party and its political agenda.

Zhang who is currently employed part-time by the NSW Upper House Parliamentarian Shaoquett Moselmane, is under investigation over allegations he breached Australia’s 2018 foreign interference laws.

According to a case lodged against the AFP in聽August聽by Zhang, the AFP and Australian Border Force read and combed through his communications, on his laptop and phone, with diplomats in China and family members.

Moslemane who is also under investigation was the subject of a聽dramatic morning raid聽on his home in June.

The Chinese Consulate in Sydney has rejected the allegations calling them baseless and arguing this is nothing but vicious slander.

This latest incident comes after two Australian journalists were forced to flee China over security concerns after Chinese authorities harassed them.

Chinese state-owned media outlet, and vocal commentator, The Global Times聽claimed聽Beijing’s behaviour towards the two correspondents was retribution for the Australian governments investigation into the Chinese regime activities in Australia.

Included in these ongoing investigation is the聽revelation聽on Sept. 10 that four Chinese nationals were barred from re-entering Australia following alleged raids conducted by the AFP and ASIO.

Currently Australia’s relations with China are experiencing a significant cooling with foreign minister Marise Payne stating on Sept. 8 that Australians should not travel to China.

Focus News: Australian Law Enforcement Investigate Communications of Chinese Officials

Daimler to Pay $2.2 Billion in Diesel Emissions Cheating Settlements

WASHINGTON—Daimler AG will pay $2.2 billion to resolve a U.S. government diesel emissions cheating investigation and claims from 250,000 U.S. vehicle owners, court documents show. The German automaker and its Mercedes-Benz USA LLC unit disclosed on Aug. 13 it had reached a settlement in principle resolving civil and environmental claims tied to 250,000 U.S. diesel cars and vans after the automaker used software to evade emissions rules. Daimler said in August expected costs of settlements with U.S. authorities would total $1.5 billion, settling with owners will cost another $700 million and also disclosed “further expenses of a mid three-digit-million EUR (euro) amount to fulfill requirements of the settlements. Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen said the settlements, which follow a nearly five-year investigation, will “serve to deter any others who may…