SUMMARY: A Cocoa Beach man, Richard Dunlap, lost $2.5 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam that began with a Facebook friend request from a stranger. After months of messaging and moving to WhatsApp, the scammers convinced him to invest, showing fake profits and coaching his trades. Encouraged by initial returns, Dunlap deposited $1.2 million from January to March, emptied his 401(k) and savings, and saw his account balance falsely grow. When he tried to withdraw $395,000, he was blocked, revealing the scam. The FTC reports Americans lost $5.7 billion to investment scams last year. Experts warn against unsolicited investment advice and controlled trading platforms.

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The post Cocoa Beach man loses nearly $2.5M in devastating crypto investment scheme appeared first on www.clickorlando.com

SUMMARY: Florida lawmakers have formed a House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting, chaired by Rep. Mike Redondo, to review the state’s congressional district lines ahead of the 2026 midterms. This move follows a Florida Supreme Court ruling raising questions about the Fair Districts Amendment. Democrats, led by Nikki Fried, criticize the review as a partisan power grab aimed at influencing elections, while Republicans claim it’s a fact-finding effort to address oddly shaped districts and population changes. Governor DeSantis supports potential adjustments. Voting-rights groups warn of legal challenges, emphasizing that districts should not be drawn for partisan reasons. The Senate has yet to form a similar panel.

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The post Republicans say redistricting review is “facts,” Democrats see partisan plot appeared first on www.tampabay28.com

SUMMARY: A Michigan judge dismissed criminal charges against 15 Republicans accused of falsely certifying Donald Trump as the 2020 election winner in Michigan. Judge Kristen Simmons ruled there was no intent to commit fraud, stating defendants “seriously believed” election issues existed and were exercising their constitutional rights. The group faced forgery and conspiracy charges, with potential 14-year sentences. The case, initiated by Democratic AG Dana Nessel over two years ago, marks a setback amid similar stalled prosecutions in Nevada, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Defendants, including former GOP Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock, maintained innocence, calling the case a “malicious prosecution.”

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The post Michigan judge tosses case against 15 accused fake electors for President Donald Trump in 2020 appeared first on www.news4jax.com