A $60-million Toronto-based Holocaust Survivor Scam
Image: WearTV Flickr
First Madoff, and now this? For more than 10 years, $60-million, meant for Holocaust survivors across the globe, has been landing in the wrong pockets.
The FBI discovered a conspiracy to defraud the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, a non-profit that allocates money on behalf of the German government. So far, 30 arrests have been made in the U.S., but perhaps most surprising, is the naming of Toronto’s Luba Kramrish.
Kramrish was responsible for allegedly providing identification documents to survivors, and for filing false claims on behalf of 20 to 25 applicants, including, even, her own mom. According to the FBI documents, Kramrish’s involvement in the scam dates back to 2002.
Abortion to Stay Protected in Canada
Image: Flickr
Take a deep breath and relax, online petitioners. Though a tabled private member’s bill might re-trigger the abortion debate in Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced he would, indeed, vote against the motion.
The bill, which proposes an alteration to the Canadian Criminal Code’s definition of when life begins, was thought to have been introduced by Harper and his party. However, in spite of these allegations, the Prime Minister was quick to dispell these rumours, insisting the Conservatives are not looking to re-open the abortion question in Canada.
Katy Perry’s Coming to the MMVAs!
The multi-hyphenate Katy Perry will return to this year’s MuchMusic Video Awards as a headline musical performer.
Yes, this is big news! Last year, with host Selena Gomez, and musical performances from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, the Black Eyed Peas and Snoop Dogg, MuchMusic hit a broadcast ratings high of over one million viewers. Not bad, especially considering the awards show is meant to honour mostly-Canadian talent, with the added viewership boost of the performances of American musicians. A host for this year’s MMVAs has yet to be named.
Perry last appeared at the MMVAs in 2010, in her California Gurls-era of candy-coated confection. To play up that image, Perry arrived at the show in an ice cream truck, distributing treats to fans. This time around, she’s promoting her new 3D film, Part of Me, so the options for her red carpet entrance are seemingly limitless.
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Joanna Adams writes for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at†@nowstarringTO.
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