Two Other Money Laundering Indictments Unsealed as Part of Operation "Phantom Bank" Federal authorities today arrested 11 defendants named in a sweeping racketeering indictment alleging a series of money laundering schemes that revolved around the former head of Saigon National Bank, based in Westminster, California, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice . But there's no record backing up her claim and a source with knowledge of the matter said she was not part of the "panel," which was a single public roundtable. Our aim is to ensure lessons are being learned, innovation is prioritized, and the true reality of violent extremist situations is being reported rather than political rhetoric and individual agendas. Needless to say, all of this is raising a lot of questions about how exactly the Trump administration goes about vetting job candidates. An NBC News investigation found that Mina Chang, the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations, has inflated her educational achievements and exaggerated the scope of her nonprofit's work. Like Mina Chang , who made a fake cover of herself on time magazine. "Brian was one of approximately 400 to 500 individuals regularly invited to our fundraising events. ". (Video: The Washington Post) Article It is one of the more minor and yet more telling scandals of a scandal-plagued administration: NBC News reports that Mina Chang, the deputy assistant. Dont Miss:Britainy Beshear Wiki,New Kentucky Governor Andy Beshears Wife. Chang was originally being considered for an even more senior government post in which she would have overseen the U.S. Agency for International Development's work in Asia. Chang also claimed to be a graduate of the United States Army War College National Security Seminar, a Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive in National and International Security, and a former International Security Fellow at New America. Chang further claimed to have addressed presidential national conventions in 2016, but that was also found to be false. In fact, Chang attended a short course at Harvard Business School that costs $82,000, although it does allow those who take it to call themselves alumni. But he added that Bulatao had no role in the organization. After the cadet program collapsed, West Point asked Chang's charity to stop using West Point's logo and the logo of the academy's Center on Civil and Military Operations in her materials. The gap between Chang's actual qualifications and her claims appears to be the latest example of lax vetting by the Trump administration, which has become known for its many job vacancies and appointments made without thorough screening. If youre looking for what she included in her inflated rsum, our Mina Chang wiki has all the details and more. In addition to her event production company, she publicly claimed a connection to Vissero Partners LLC, a company that sought investments from wealthy foreign nationals who invest at least $250,000 in U.S.-based projects in exchange for visas through the federal EB-5 program. Chang, who resigned after NBC News revealed holes in her rsum, had ties to two State Department officials and a staffer for Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas. Some required paying a steep fee. But the program she attended was a four-day seminar on national security, according to the college. Chang touted her membership in the Young Entrepreneurs Club and the Forbes Nonprofit Council. The event will featured leaders from government, military, journalism, academia, and the private sector exploring questions of international security and defense, bringing together interdisciplinary experts working to develop new paradigms for understanding and addressing the changing nature of armed conflict and systematic violence.====================================New America is dedicated to the renewal of American politics, prosperity, and purpose in the digital age through big ideas, technological innovation, next generation politics, and creative engagement with broad audiences. . Chang's appointment is the latest administration hire to come under scrutiny since President Donald Trump entered office. Charlotte Greco, Program/Office Manager. He said, "I realized this is 100 percent bulls---. [5] During this time she did volunteer work in relief efforts, which led to her joining the Korea-based nonprofit "Linking the World". The month and date can be found on this Instagram picture published by Chang on her birthday: Last edited on 20 November 2022, at 22:14, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, United States Agency for International Development, United States Ambassador to the Philippines, "Mina Chang on Instagram: "Spent my birthday at Stanford University giving remarks about the importance of resiliency and positive peace. Chang had no apparent ties to President Donald Trump's political campaign, but Brian Bulatao, a former West Point classmate and business partner of Secretary of State Pompeo, was invited to fundraising events for her charity, according to Ian Dailey, the former chief of staff of her nonprofit. "They want to see talented people with integrity appointed to senior positions. 3 credit (s) M, T 10:15am - 11:45am. Ian Dailey, former chief of staff of Linking the World, defended how the organization has presented itself publicly. Join the Observer community and help support Thats absolutely correct, in a year when we were pivoting our organization from extensive programming to becoming a thought-leader that tested cutting-edge technologies. Ari Sen is a freelance journalist and former investigative unit intern at NBC News currently studying at UC Berkeleys Graduate School of Journalism. independent local journalism in Dallas. We are proud and privileged for Akin's support on a pro-bono basis. She is based in Washington. By also researching the history of various regions and what has not worked, has not countered, and has not built resilience against violent extremism in the past, we can create solutions with the greatest probability of success. The spokesman also said that the State Department vetted her background, approved her security clearance along with the FBI, and signed off on her bio for the department's website. So, shame on you Mr. De Luce. Mina Chang, the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations, falsely claims to be a Harvard grad, and exaggerated the scope of her. We believe funding to counter violent extremism must specifically target the root drivers of instability; - Advocating for wide-scale collaboration between diplomatic, political, and military arms of the US government in order to ensure partner governments uphold their commitments and continue to build trust by investing in marginalized and vulnerable communities; - Assisting the US government and lawmakers in updating mandates and priories that are currently in existence in regards to multilateral institutions and platforms that help to counter violent extremism. [19][20], Chang displayed a fake cover of Time magazine to a videotaped January 2017 interview with journalist Mary Sit produced by Houston Community College's show, Global Outlook. "Most administrations are very thorough about that. An NBC News investigation discovered that Mina Chang, who is currently an official with the State Department, not only made some misleading claims in her CV, she also faked a Time magazine cover of herself. MC . That year the organization reported to the IRS that it had only one employee. [5] In a May 2014 interview, Chang claimed to hold a degree in international development from the University of Hawaii, concentrating on mission work and aid practices. In this politicized climate, if this is what we have become, then we have much work to do. In past administrations, White House staff carefully checked a potential appointee's education and work bona fides, as well as any court cases or criminal records that could be damaging, said Pfiffner of George Mason. Mina Chang, the State Department's deputy assistant secretary to the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, has made misleading claims about her education at Harvard Business. But wait, theres more: Chang was originally being considered for an even more senior government post in which she would have overseen the U.S. Agency for International Developments work in Asia. #FakeNews pic.twitter.com/LpEbwxH0xA, Rob Richardson (@RobforOHIO) November 12, 2019, She presents an image of a globetrotting humanitarian with extensive experience in international security and foreign aid. The only educational institute NBC was able to find was not mentioned in Changs government biography, but was mentioned on her LinkedIn account. Reset all filters. https://www.linkingtheworld.org/hill-briefings, Episode On 33voices, Inc. with Moe Abdou, Like all admired leaders, she anticipates that problems in the world will never cease, they will only change; and its how you respond to them that will determine your fate. Chang and her spokesman declined to comment on the role played by the McCaul staffer. However, her LinkedIn profile provides details of her inflated career history. Dont Miss:Chasten Glezman Wiki,Facts About Pete Buttigiegs Husband. As CEO of the NGO, Linking the World, her work expands the globe to alleviate suffering, inspire hope and to break the cycle of poverty thats impacting almost half the worlds population - or over three billion people. WASHINGTON Mina Chang figured out how to work the levers in Dallas and in the nation's capital, making connections with key figures and cultivating an online image, until her overblown. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps. Mina Chang, US State Department deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, has extensive experience in conflict areas such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and New York Law School and previously worked in financial securities compliance and Civil Rights employment law. This . He was fired last year after a Washington Post report brought public attention to his meteoric rise. During the interview, the screen cuts to a shot of the magazine cover with Changs face on it as the interviewer asks her how [the cover] came to be.. Mina Chang, 35, was appointed the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations in April. In May 2013, Chang was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent chemotherapy for a year. at 12:23 pm, Mina Chang attends 2017 Women's Entrepreneurship Day at The United Nations on November 17, 2017 in New York City. Ten years ago, Chang was pursuing a career as a recording artist before she turned to humanitarian work. "One of the great mysteries of life for me has always been the question of why bad things happen to great people? Surely, Im never one to question the work of God, still when I see the obstacles he puts in the path of someone like, Mina Chang, I become even more convinced that each such challenge is a window into a bigger opportunity. Spring 2023 Course. But tax filings for her organization offer no concrete information about overseas projects and show a budget of less than $300,000 with a handful of staff. ISLN: 1000251692. Dont Miss:Ashley Biden Wiki,Facts About Joe Bidens Daughter. Chris Riva Leaving FOX19 NOW: Where Is the Cincinnati Anchor Going? "These jobs aren't a joke there are billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars and the lives of U.S. citizens on the line here.". But according to the university, Chang attended a seven-week course in 2016, and does not hold a. Mina Chang (born October 29, 1984) is an American singer, activist, and former government official. Mina Chang proved anyone can come to the U.S. and create an "American" identity by simply putting a bunch of shit on social media that's sent to a new generation of reporters and government officials who think shit on social media people create about themselves is real. [2][3], Chang, a Korean-American,[4] claims to be the child of two Salvation Army officers and allegedly spent her childhood in Atlanta. New York, NY 10036-6518; Peer Reviews. She has often cited her organization's work with drones in humanitarian relief efforts but four experts in that field said they had not heard of her organization. Dailey, Changs former colleague at the nonprofit, said the group did operate in 40 countries over two decades, including when the organization was registered in South Korea. [9], Prior to 2010, Chang performed as a pop singer, touring internationally and recording albums in both English and Korean. Even a cursory online search would provide evidence of our activities since 2001, and I have summarized 2001 2015 here: https://www.linkingtheworld.org/ltw-brief-history-2001-2015. Chang has denied having any role in creating the magazine cover and her spokesperson said an "enthusiastic fan" created the picture and circulated it online. The report accused Chang of lying about graduating from Harvard, lying about a position she held at the. NBC News was unable to find any record of her or her organization ever testifying before Congress. The organization then chose to cease development of the effort.. Her Instagram account, which has 44,000 followers, was filled with pictures of her with big names in national security and politics like former CIA director and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, retired Gen. David Petraeus and former President George W. Bush's adviser Karl Rove. The Humanitarian UAV Network UAViators does not mention Chang or Linking the World on a list of advisers. For my unconquerable soul. W.E. Those included a former intern and a former senior development adviser for Linking the World, Michael Baker. The nature of our work requires that our analytical and planning processes must encompass a careful evaluation of how governmentlocal, state, federal or internationalcan, should and will impact our desired objectives. "[7] However, she did attend a university in Hawaii called the University of the Nations, an unaccredited Christian educational institution that specializes in International Development or cross-cultural missions. Similarly, the Army War College program she attended was a four-day seminar that does not have any graduates. Both institutions confirmed this. The cover is "not authentic," said a spokesperson for the magazine. Chang's biography says she was part of a panel on drones in humanitarian relief efforts convened by the U.N. Research | Development | Advocacy Data-driven humanitarian initiatives in the context of national security. State Dept. Dailey said the organization did submit its tax forms but that the IRS could not locate them. Tax filings for her nonprofit show an organization with a budget of less than $300,000, and few staff, despite her statements about the vast scope of her group's work. WASHINGTON Mina Chang figured out how to work the levers in Dallas and in the nation's capital, making connections with key figures and cultivating an online image, until her overblown credentials and claims crumbled under scrutiny. 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Shame on you every outlet that picked up this story without doing your own research and merely surmised the erroneous positions of the original. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps. Akin Gump is consistently ranked as one of the top government relations practices in Washington, D.C.both by publications and peersthe public law and policy practice draws on the considerable governmental and bipartisan political experience of their lawyers and advocacy professionals, including former Members of Congress, congressional staff and other lawyers with considerable experience in government service, many of whom also engage in outside political activities. "They could be partnering with another organization, but then they should say that and not claim those accomplishments as their own.". Biography. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our, Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch. Chang resigned last week from a senior State Department post after an NBC News investigation revealed she made misleading claims about her charity work and qualifications including a fake Time magazine cover with her face on it. Chang says in her official biography that she is as an "alumna" of Harvard Business School. However, her LinkedIn profile provides details of her inflated career history. Since this news broke, the Donate button on the site has been turned off and any sign of the fake cover has been taken down. After obtaining our data and analyzing it, we go a step further than a traditional think tank by actively engaging and working with partners on the ground to effectuate long lasting change. The magazine published a short snippet about Changs latest news,saying,She wont be invited back.. Click here to read the latest CNN article. "Here you are on Time magazine, congratulations! The Panel in question was the Expert Panel for Humanitarian UAVs convened on November 14, 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Well, heres a perfect example every article mentions that Mina is married she is not if you cant get that basic fact right, why would we expect them to get anything else right? Heres a glimpse of her approach to solving the worlds most pressing issues. We create broad awareness of Americas unique role in the world. She often asked those who performed work for her to sign nondisclosure agreements, the former associates said. While I share her beliefs and passions, Im far more willing to confront those with naive and ill-informed positions. She also showed up at a 9/11 commemoration that McCaul attended and had coffee with members of the lawmaker's staff, the sources said. Update 11/14: I can imagine an independent person reading this and wondering who is telling the truth, how can these media organizations get it so wrong? Update your Profile ; Education & Credentials. Daily said it is a small nongovernmental organization (NGO) that does not run large-scale programs, and instead tests new technologies including drones and new approaches to humanitarian relief. Linking the World, and specifically Mina Chang attended the meetings on the Hill, to brief about our work, specifically proactive development, and the use of drone technology, you can find the schedule here https://www.linkingtheworld.org/hill-briefings. Apart from her Capitol Hill connection, Chang received support from Marocco at the State Department. [8], She completed a seven-week program through Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program (AMP). This is the world we so desperately need to counteract. Harvard University Affiliated Professors. In its 2015 tax filing, Linking the World reported that it had no staff overseas and no expenditures abroad of more than $10,000, which one expert said was puzzling given the group's descriptions of its international work. For 2015, the organization listed spending just $44,645 on salaries but more than $60,000 on "advertising and promotion" and $50,298 on travel. Our 2015, 990-tax filing indicated $10,000 of overseas spending. She claimed to be an alumna of Harvard Business School, which the school verified as correct, through the completion of a non-degree certificate course. We did file, and copies of those filings have been resent to the IRS. To secure her job at the State Department in April, Chang leveraged social connections to senior officials who could help open the doors to the administration, including Brian Bulatao, a close friend and deputy to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; a State Department official and former defense contractor who she succeeded as deputy assistant secretary, Pete Marocco; and a congressional staffer for key GOP lawmaker Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, multiple sources said. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. She didnt give up singing entirely. [23], Chang's State Department biography remained unchanged following the NBC News report until it was removed on November 18, 2019. She would have been responsible for a budget of more than $1 billion. Show all faculty types. She attended a seven-week course there in 2016, according to the university. She told an audience in 2014 that she worked with world leaders, saying, "Linking the World provides hunger relief medical aid, we have operated schools, we have built schools in places like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Kenya, Haiti. . Brought some attention to it, indeed. It reflects, and has always reflected, that Linking the World operates an in-country volunteer and donation model, that requires minimal U.S. staff and no local offices or employees. "It's just insane she got as far as she did. I am not the radiant light, the forever hopeful and passionate fighter of those who cant defend themselves. The now infamous Time magazine cover. By: Caroline John - Published: November 13, 2019 at 5:43 am | Last Updated: Both groups bestow membership through fees, according to Scott Gerber, the CEO of the Community Company, who manages both organizations. Our belief is that these factors cause nations to weaken all the way down to the community level, which subsequently increases their likelihood of conflict and security challenges. The committee staff "has been forced to dedicate a significant amount of time and resources on vetting this administration's nominees because of the White House's negligence or incompetence," Menendez said. NBC News also found that her claims that she addressed both the Republican and Democratic conventions in 2016 are false. Chang received no compensation from the nonprofit, according to the group's tax filings. So, in advance, I apologize for the length of what follows, but I want to address each point that has been raised, to the best of my ability. She was appointed to the State Department post in the interim. Marocco, who served in the Marine Corps, is now at the Pentagon as senior official overseeing Africa affairs. However, no official record of this exists. Tell me about this cover and how it came to be?" Faculty Type. Briefings on the Hill are not verifiable. Chang's State Department biography page described her as an "alumna of the Harvard Business School," though NBC reported she only took a seven-week course there in 2016. Several policies we are currently focused on promoting are the following: - Winning the hearts and minds of those around the world most at risk to becoming victims of violent extremism. For Chang's current job, her most relevant experience would appear to be her time as CEO of a nonprofit called Linking the World. However, a spokesperson for Time confirmed to NBC News that the cover is not authentic.. In 2015, Chang partnered with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to host cadets for internships at her nonprofit in Dallas. https://www.exed.hbs.edu/advanced-management-program/. At least one trip that yielded pictures of Chang in war-torn Kurdish areas was coordinated by the U.S.-Kurdistan Business Council, according to AMS company documents. Our unique research efforts provide the accurate and tested knowledge necessary to then engage local, state, federal, and international stakeholders to promote our mission and to advocate for policies that will not only make our country safer, but will help lift up vulnerable communities abroad. An old profile on her states that she split time between her pop star life and humanitarian work. Photo blurred by NBC News. In her State Department post, Chang, 35, from Dallas, helps oversee efforts to prevent conflicts from erupting in politically unstable countries. I give out a name to the press, and they vet for me. So happy to be with Mina Trinity Chang and Trinity. Mina Khalil Visiting Fellow. The Trump administration has faced criticism for its lax vetting, inadequate screening, and lack of thorough security clearance investigation of top officials. State Department staffer got job with embellished resume, fake Time magazine cover. [emailprotected]. Minas nomination was not withdrawn by the Administration, or anyone other than herself. Chang hired a succession of public relations consultants to help craft a convincing picture for her non-governmental organization, Linking the World, even though there was not much to go on. You wonder why the media isnt trusted? "But you're part of the vetting process, you know? Mina Chang at Ground Zero event on Sept. 11, 2017. ", In a statement, Chang colleague Dailey said: "Throughout this process I have provided honest answers that have only partially been utilized, or ignored entirely. She apparently is also a civilian graduate of the United States Army War College. The eldest of three daughters born to Salvation Army officers, Chang has Asian roots. Spend a few minutes with her, and you, too will be infected with her zest for life and her determination to not only win her own battles, but more importantly, to turn hope into measurable action. [14], In July 2019, Town & Country and The Philippine Star speculated that Chang may become the next United States Ambassador to the Philippines, although that prediction did not come to fruition. We have at least one geotagged photograph of Linking the Worlds participation on that Panel, along with its working documents. Our research efforts blend together traditional approaches of a think tank with modern and future-leaning tools of a high-tech business intelligence firm. The interviewer in the video told NBC News that Chang brought the fake cover to the interview to illustrate the significance of her work. The administration announced an intent to nominate her in late 2018. I said, 'Pull the interns.'". After crafting a public image as a humanitarian "thought leader" with help from paid media and public relations consultants, she ingratiated herself with prominent Republicans in Dallas and former military officers, former colleagues said. Changs nomination to the USAID job, which would have required Senate confirmation, was withdrawn on Sept. 9 without public explanation, after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations asked her for more documents and details about her nonprofit organization and her work experience. Marocco endorsed her for the job and McCaul wrote her a recommendation letter. At first glance, Changs body of work appears impressive. Anyone that clicked the donate button received a personalized message, that clearly outlined our position, and the IRS regulations about donations under those circumstances, such that donors/supporters were fully informed.