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DOJ reaches plea deal with Dem donor who sought to bribe her way to Kennedy Center seat

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DOJ reaches plea deal with Dem donor who sought to bribe her way to Kennedy Center seat

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A Los Angeles County woman, who served on a presidential advisory committee under the Biden administration and has an extensive history of donating to Democrats, reached a plea agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for making tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to reportedly secure a seat on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, the DOJ announced Wednesday.

Teena Maria Hostovich, 66, was charged Wednesday with making contributions in the name of another aggregating to more than $10,000 in a year, which is a felony, the DOJ reported. 

She revealed in her plea agreement that she carried out the scheme in part to secure a spot on the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, the DOJ stated in the press release. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts serves as the national cultural center of the U.S. and is located in Washington, D.C.

Hostovich is an insurance broker who used the identities of 11 other people, including co-workers and family members of co-workers, to illegally contribute more than $75,000 to political candidates between 2020 and 2023, the DOJ stated in a press release. 

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DOGE SAYS IT’S REFERRED DOZENS OF POTENTIAL VOTER FRAUD CASES TO DOJ

Teena Hostovich at a Hollywood, California, event in 2015. (Getty Images)

“According to her plea agreement, from May 2020 through 2023, Hostovich knowingly and willfully made a total of $75,700 in contributions to federal candidates’ principal campaign committees and federal joint fundraising committees in the names of other people,” the DOJ said in a press release. “For the calendar years 2021 through 2023, Hostovich’s conduit contributions aggregated to more than $10,000 during each of those years.” 

Hostovich agreed in a court filing Wednesday to plead guilty to the federal criminal charge and pay a $43,500 fine. 

Her scheme included contacting co-workers, their family members and other people “who performed personal services for Hostovich and her family” to ask them to make a donation to a political campaign or fundraising committee, according to the press release. She would then use PayPal to reimburse the individual for the contribution or pay them up front before the contribution was made, the Justice Department explained. 

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“To execute these conduit contributions, Hostovich sometimes explicitly stated that she would advance the money for the contribution or pay the person back for that contribution,” the press release outlined. “Other times, the person had an implicit understanding that Hostovich would advance the money or reimburse them based on her history of advancements and reimbursements of political contributions. Hostovich generally advanced or reimbursed these individuals in amounts that exceeded the exact contribution amount but often the amounts were very close to the contribution amount.” 

The Department of Justice announced a plea deal with a California woman accused of carrying out a conduit political donation scheme. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Fox News Digital reviewed a website promoting a book Hostovich wrote in 2024 on climbing America’s corporate ladder, which also touted Hostovich as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, and that former President Joe Biden appointed her to serve on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts. 

“She is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and the White House Historical Association. President Biden recently appointed her to the President’s Advisory Committee for the Arts, and she is the Co-Chair of the Advisory Council to the Kennedy Center’s President and Chairman,” the bio states, which is accompanied by photos of Hostovich with high-profile Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and Biden.  

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Clinton Foundation for comment but did not immediately receive a reply. 

An archived official White House press release from 2023 under the Biden administration detailed Hostovich’s position on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts, including touting her “corporate governance responsibility, political activism, and philanthropic work.”

“She has combined her lifelong passion for the arts, history, and education with her corporate governance responsibility, political activism, and philanthropic work,” the bio states. “In addition to serving on the Board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for over a decade, she has been one of the Chairs (along with her husband and son) of Hollywood Bowl Opening Night many times (including 2023) honoring significant artists and showcasing the LA music community while raising money for Music Matters benefitting music/arts programs in public schools.” 

It is unclear how donations made in other people’s names would bolster her reported efforts to secure a spot on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. The president appoints general trustees to the board, while other members are appointed by Congress. 

CALIFORNIA WOMAN AND MAN CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY STEALING OVER $2 MILLION IN ILLEGAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS

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A representative for Hostovich told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement Tuesday morning that “Teena Hostovich has agreed to plead guilty to one count of making contributions in the name of another, involving five donations of $2,900 each in 2021. In doing so, she is accepting responsibility for her conduct early and swiftly.”

The statement continued that Hostovich’s “mistakes are out of character,” arguing that her “career, accomplishments, and numerous charitable deeds reflect a lifetime of hard work and generosity.”

“Her generosity and commitment to her community led to her involvement in donating and fundraising for causes and candidates that she believed would champion fairness, equality, and improve society,” the spokesperson continued. “She deeply regrets that her ardent support of some candidates led to lapses in judgment in a fraction of the donations she helped to raise and make. She is even more remorseful for the shadow that this investigation may cast on the candidates to whom the donations were made, as they had no knowledge of any wrongdoing.” 

“Throughout this process, Ms. Hostovich has cooperated fully and worked transparently with law enforcement authorities. She is committed to making the appropriate amends.”

A spokesperson said that Teena Hostovich’s “mistakes are out of character,” arguing that her “career, accomplishments, and numerous charitable deeds reflect a lifetime of hard work and generosity.” (iStock)

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The DOJ did not identify in its press release which political party Hostovich favored, though Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reviewed by Fox News show Hostovich made hundreds of donations across the years to Democrat politicians, the Democratic Party and left-wing political action committees. 

Hostovich has nearly 1,000 entries on the FEC’s database regarding donations she made under her own name stretching back to 2008 through the 2024 election cycle. 

The FEC data shows she donated to campaigns and groups such as the Obama Victory Fund, Democratic Party of Virginia, Pasadena, California, area United Democratic Headquarters and Chris Coons for Delaware during the 2008–2012 period.

More recent data from the 2024 election cycle shows she donated to groups such as the North Carolina Democratic Party – Federal, the Wyoming Democratic State Central Committee, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and the Democratic State Committee (Delaware). Searching for donations made to groups or campaigns containing the name “Republican” or “GOP” yielded zero results, Fox News Digital found. 

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The FBI carried out an investigation into Hostovich before she was charged and reached a plea agreement, the DOJ said. The DOJ told Fox Digital on Tuesday that Hostovich is scheduled to appear in court on June 13 in Los Angeles. 

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San Francisco, CA

No tolerance for hate or crime at SF Pride this weekend, officials say

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No tolerance for hate or crime at SF Pride this weekend, officials say


San Francisco city and police officials said Wednesday that they want people to enjoy Pride festivities this weekend — including the popular parade on Sunday — and that they will be on the lookout for criminal activity.

“All of the leaders up here know how important this weekend is, and we are ready,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said while flanked by a host of officials at a news conference at San Francisco police headquarters.

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Lurie said his message is simple: “Look out for one another. Report anything concerning and know that every first responder, city worker and volunteer has one goal: to help everyone celebrate safely.”

Hundreds of thousands expected at SF Pride Parade

What we know:

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The annual Pride festivities and parade on Sunday are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to San Francisco. Police say they’re working with state and federal partners to monitor any potential threats while making sure people enjoy themselves.

“You’ll see many of our officers – including me – wearing Pride patches,” said Police Chief Derrick Lew, gesturing to a multicolored patch on his shoulder. “As always, we’re excited to showcase San Francisco, and our longstanding status as a safe haven for members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

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No tolerance for hate, DA says

What they’re saying:

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins says she and other city leaders will have no tolerance for hate. 

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Just last week, she charged a man with a hate crime for allegedly spray-painting a homophobic message outside a Castro District flower shop and punching a witness.

“There will be accountability if anything like that happens here, and so as much as we want to be joyous, we also have to take this occasion very seriously,” Jenkins said.

Suzanne Ford, executive director of SF Pride agreed, saying, “I think we all have the responsibility of demonstrating that we can work together to make sure that the LGBTQ community is centered for this weekend.” 

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Sheriff Paul Miyamoto said those who don’t behave will go straight to jail. 

“The one mode of transportation we want to make sure all of you avoid this weekend is the party buses that the sheriff’s department will have out there,” Miyamoto said.

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City officials are urging everyone to celebrate responsibly, don’t drink and drive or accept drinks from strangers and to report any suspicious activity. 

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on X @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan

The Source: KTVU reporting, San Francisco police and sheriff, district attorney’s office

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Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets draft Trevon Brazile in the second round of the NBA Draft – Denver Stiffs

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Denver Nuggets draft Trevon Brazile in the second round of the NBA Draft – Denver Stiffs


After making fans wait all through the first round only to trade back, the Denver Nuggets finally get their man as they select with the 35th pick in the draft: Trevon Brazile, the 6’9 combo forward from Arkansas.

So who is Brazile?

Trevon is a freak athlete at 6’9.5 barefoot with a wingspan of almost 7’4 and a 41″ vertical jump. He can fly, with transition dunks that amaze and helpside blocks that astound. He can also hit from behind the arc if you leave him open, and he has soft hands around the rims for lobs and finishes. He can also be a good perimeter defender using that wingspan and his quick feet to get in position and make life tough. As I said about him before the draft: “When he is playing hard and engaged, he looks like a first round talent who can spot up for 3 or kill you at the rim while hounding ball-handlers on the perimeter.”

He is 23 years old already, however, and he still hasn’t found the necessary motor to bring that explosion and game-changing play for the whole time he’s on the court. He only shoots 66% from the charity stripe and doesn’t have much of an in-between game, so if he’s not driving the hoop or taking open threes his creation bag is a little thin. He spent his freshman year at Missouri, the alma mater of both Michael Porter Jr. and Josh Kroenke, so Josh would obviously have some insight into him from early in his college career.

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But Denver has been in dire need of some size and athleticism and they just got both in the same package. Brazile at his best absolutely looks the part of an NBA player who can make an impact at both ends of the floor. Whether he can grow his game in shorter bench stints early in his career is certainly going to be intriguing to watch – and the Nuggets finally have a drafted player to pour some interest and effort into themselves.

Welcome to the Nuggets, Trevon Brazile!



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Seattle, WA

Council eyes street barricades in fight against violence, sex trafficking in north Seattle

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Council eyes street barricades in fight against violence, sex trafficking in north Seattle


The Seattle City Council is expected to vote next week on a plan that would give the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) the authority to close off street access for public safety reasons.

The proposal comes after months of outcry from residents in north Seattle who say sex traffickers and sex buyers are looping through the streets surrounding Aurora Avenue North.

The street-closure proposal passed the council’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday and is expected to be voted on by the full council next week.

“I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say the crime has gotten much worse, much more violent, and much more predator,” said District 5 councilmember Debora Juarez. “I think that we do have the authority to shut down a street for bullets flying and endangering the lives of those who live there.”

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Frustrated neighbors have installed their own homemade barricades after a spate of gun violence between sex traffickers in May.

RELATED | SDOT removes street barricades near Aurora Ave; neighbors doubtful of temporary measures

Councilmember Bob Kettle says street closures will help tamp down sex buying in certain areas, but he emphasizes it must be accompanied by an increase in outreach and enforcement.

“We have to have a sustained effort,” Kettle told KOMO News. “My concern is for every action, there’s a reaction. We need to take this flex and then really attack it … because if we do just a bit and our attention wanders, we could have this conversation three months from now and we’re talking about the same thing.”

A 15-year-old boy was shot near 95th Street and Aurora Avenue North around 10:45 p.m. last night. The teen initially claimed he had been shot while walking down the street, but investigators now say he was shot by a passenger in his car.

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RELATED | Seattle police say ‘drive-by’ on Aurora Ave. was actually passenger shooting teen driver

Kettle credited the city’s Real Time Crime Center cameras with helping investigators quickly piece together the events of the shooting.

“Just as important to finding out what happened, the cameras help police determine what did not happen,” Kettle said.

According to Seattle police data, reports of shootings and shots fired in the north precinct area are at their lowest levels since 2021.

Through the end of May, there were 48 total reports of shootings or shots fired, with one fatal shooting and seven nonfatal injury shootings.

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That’s down from 63 total reports of shootings and shots fired – one fatal and seven injuries – in 2025; and 64 shootings or shots fired reports – one fatal and 17 injuries – in 2024.

At Tuesday’s committee meeting, councilmembers pointed out residents are calling for a new police precinct to be built on Aurora Avenue.

Ten years ago, a new North Precinct building was slated to be built at 130th Avenue and Aurora Avenue North to replace the existing precinct building, which was decades old and did not have enough space for the department’s needs.

Led by former councilmember Kshama Sawant, the “Block the Bunker” movement successfully got the North Precinct replacement project killed in city council.

Kettle said the city’s current financial issues make it essentially impossible to bring back a project similar to the one the previous council defeated.

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“We have to connect the dots back,” Kettle said. “If we want to know why we are where we are today, we have to look at decisions made over the last two councils.”



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