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ON THE NET...

http://www.internet-haganah.us/harchives/004469.html
"From Madrid to London: Al-Qaeda Exports the War in Iraq to Europe" by Reuven Paz (July 10, 2005)

http://www.internet-haganah.us/harchives/004457.html
London Calling, Part 1 (July 7, 2005)
http://www.internet-haganah.us/harchives/004468.html
London Calling, Part 2 (July 9, 2005)
http://www.internet-haganah.us/harchives/004470.html
London Calling, Part 3 (July 11, 2005)
http://www.internet-haganah.us/harchives/004482.html
London Calling, Part 4 (July 13, 2005)

DMV Manager Charged With Selling Licenses To Illegitimate Applicants

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0705/242793.html

McLean, Va. (AP) - The manager of the Department of Motor Vehicles office at Springfield Mall was charged Tuesday with selling driver's licenses to illegitimate applicants.

Frank Martinez, 57, of Stafford, was manager at the Springfield location since 2001 and issued more than 40 authentic licenses since January 2004 to people who could not obtain a license legally - mostly illegal immigrants and people with suspended licenses, authorities said.

His clients paid between $2,000 and $3,500 for the licenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alexandria (website - news) , which is prosecuting the case.

Martinez was charged in federal court with conspiracy to commit identification fraud and faces up to 15 years in prison. His wife Miriam Martinez, 56, and another man, Daniel Jose Guardia Lopez, 25, of Alexandria, face an identical charge.

Authorities allege that Miriam Martinez, who had previously worked as a DMV clerk, and Guardia Lopez recruited clients and collected money in the scheme.

DMV spokeswoman Pam Goheen said Frank Martinez is suspended and faces termination if convicted. The illegitimate licenses have been identified and canceled, she said.

Two years ago, federal prosecutors broke up a DMV fraud ring at the Tysons Corner office that had issued more than 1,000 fraudulent licenses.

A similar case last year in suburban Richmond resulted in criminal charges against two DMV employees and revocation of more than 200 licenses.

U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty called Martinez's conduct "reprehensible. As a long-term employee ... Martinez abused his position of leadership and public trust while lining his pockets."

But he said the fact that people are paying up to $3,500 for a fraudulent license shows that efforts to tighten up on ID fraud since the Sept. 11 attacks are paying off.

"A few years ago, one could fraudulently obtain a driver's license for about $100. It now takes up to $3,500 and the involvement of a corrupt clerk," he said.

The arrests stem from a six-month undercover investigation involving special agents from the DMV, FBI (website) and State Department.