Jodi Vittori
@jodi1994.bsky.social
Professor/scholar of nexus of corruption, illicit finance, conflict, and national security. Military Veteran. Views are my own; likes are not endorsements.
Judge Mark Wolf, one of the leading proponents of an International Anti-Corruption Court—has very publicly resigned as a judge in this morning’s Atlantic Magazine
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why I Am Resigning
A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.
www.theatlantic.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Judge Mark Wolf, one of the leading proponents of an International Anti-Corruption Court—has very publicly resigned as a judge in this morning’s Atlantic Magazine
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
💥 BREAKING 💥
Scottish Government commits to anti-corruption strategy with improved transparency of trust structures (as proposed by Rhoda Grant in parliament).
This is an important commitment that will help prevent kleptocrats and oligarchs investing their ill-gotten gains in Scottish property.
Scottish Government commits to anti-corruption strategy with improved transparency of trust structures (as proposed by Rhoda Grant in parliament).
This is an important commitment that will help prevent kleptocrats and oligarchs investing their ill-gotten gains in Scottish property.
November 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
💥 BREAKING 💥
Scottish Government commits to anti-corruption strategy with improved transparency of trust structures (as proposed by Rhoda Grant in parliament).
This is an important commitment that will help prevent kleptocrats and oligarchs investing their ill-gotten gains in Scottish property.
Scottish Government commits to anti-corruption strategy with improved transparency of trust structures (as proposed by Rhoda Grant in parliament).
This is an important commitment that will help prevent kleptocrats and oligarchs investing their ill-gotten gains in Scottish property.
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS tests free e-filing system that could compete with tax-prep giants
The tax agency has quietly built its own prototype system for filing tax returns digitally and free of charge, according to current and former officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:42 PM
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney has died aged 84. The Republican politician was VP to President George W Bush from 2001-09 and was a key architect in the US ‘war on terror’.
His death was announced in a statement by his family on Tuesday.
His death was announced in a statement by his family on Tuesday.
November 4, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney has died aged 84. The Republican politician was VP to President George W Bush from 2001-09 and was a key architect in the US ‘war on terror’.
His death was announced in a statement by his family on Tuesday.
His death was announced in a statement by his family on Tuesday.
Extremity Care has secretly donated $2.5m toward the construction of a new WH ballroom…The WH publicly released a list of donors last month, but Extremity Care was not included. According to The New York Times, the company was permitted to donate anonymously.
open.substack.com/pub/populari...
open.substack.com/pub/populari...
UPDATE: Medicare freeze beneficiary secretly donates $2.5 million to Trump ballroom
Earlier this year, Popular Information broke the news that Extremity Care – a company that sells bandages to Medicare for thousands of dollars per square inch – donated $5 million to MAGA Inc., Presid...
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Extremity Care has secretly donated $2.5m toward the construction of a new WH ballroom…The WH publicly released a list of donors last month, but Extremity Care was not included. According to The New York Times, the company was permitted to donate anonymously.
open.substack.com/pub/populari...
open.substack.com/pub/populari...
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
Trump family will profit from links w 2x rypto betting firms where people can bet on economic issues/political contests where the Trump family has influence & non-public info 💰
Donald Trump’s Truth Social Is Launching a Polymarket Competitor | WIRED www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Donald Trump’s Truth Social Is Launching a Polymarket Competitor | WIRED www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Donald Trump’s Truth Social Is Launching a Polymarket Competitor
As crypto-based prediction services attract a flood of attention and capital, the US president’s social media platform has announced plans to muscle in.
www.wired.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Trump family will profit from links w 2x rypto betting firms where people can bet on economic issues/political contests where the Trump family has influence & non-public info 💰
Donald Trump’s Truth Social Is Launching a Polymarket Competitor | WIRED www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Donald Trump’s Truth Social Is Launching a Polymarket Competitor | WIRED www.wired.com/story/trump-...
If #SpaceShuttleDiscovery could be moved without destroying it (which seems unlikely), the exhibit would no longer be free for the public to see…instead, the public would have to 💰. Below is the admissions prices for its destination, #SpaceCenterHouston.
October 25, 2025 at 11:59 AM
If #SpaceShuttleDiscovery could be moved without destroying it (which seems unlikely), the exhibit would no longer be free for the public to see…instead, the public would have to 💰. Below is the admissions prices for its destination, #SpaceCenterHouston.
In addition to the clear abuse of public authority for private company gain, many investors to AI data centers include authoritarian regimes (and their sovereign wealth funds) who partner with China.
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
The Air Force wants to put private AI data centers on its bases, raising security, land-use fears
The service will offer upwards of 3,000 acres across five U.S. bases to qualified developers.
www.defenseone.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:38 AM
In addition to the clear abuse of public authority for private company gain, many investors to AI data centers include authoritarian regimes (and their sovereign wealth funds) who partner with China.
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
At end of Trump’s 1st Admin, US passed legislation to end shell companies. At beginning of 2nd Trump Admin, Trump said he wouldn’t enforce those laws and his #FINCEN director said she wants to destroy the shell company database.
National security nightmare
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
National security nightmare
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Russia acquired Western technology to protect its nuclear submarine fleet
Russia secretly used front companies to buy Western technology and erect a surveillance net in the Arctic where its submarines operate, an investigation shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
At end of Trump’s 1st Admin, US passed legislation to end shell companies. At beginning of 2nd Trump Admin, Trump said he wouldn’t enforce those laws and his #FINCEN director said she wants to destroy the shell company database.
National security nightmare
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
National security nightmare
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
“By the time Chow and Davis launched $MELANIA in January, they had refined a “repeatable six-step ‘playbook’ for pump-and-dump fraud,” the investors claim.”
#crypto #kleptocracy
www.wired.com/story/melani...
#crypto #kleptocracy
www.wired.com/story/melani...
Melania Trump Used as ‘Window-Dressing’ in Elaborate Memecoin Fraud, Legal Filing Claims
The first lady of the United States became a pawn in an intricate memecoin scam that resulted in millions of dollars in losses, crypto investors have alleged.
www.wired.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
“By the time Chow and Davis launched $MELANIA in January, they had refined a “repeatable six-step ‘playbook’ for pump-and-dump fraud,” the investors claim.”
#crypto #kleptocracy
www.wired.com/story/melani...
#crypto #kleptocracy
www.wired.com/story/melani...
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
"As of Monday, roughly 8 per cent of American warships deployed globally were in the Caribbean, according to a fleet tracker from the US Naval Institute." ft.com/content/dc10...
The US forces threatening Venezuela
Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to see Nicolás Maduro ousted. Here are the forces he has sent to the region
ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:51 AM
"As of Monday, roughly 8 per cent of American warships deployed globally were in the Caribbean, according to a fleet tracker from the US Naval Institute." ft.com/content/dc10...
#Trump found a loophole so any POTUS can take extraordinary amounts of our tax payments and put it right in his pocket: just have his DOJ approve bogus lawsuits. 💰#kleptocracy #corruption
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Trump has claimed millions from the government. He could order payment.
President Trump has claimed he was damaged by investigations and wants compensation. “It sort of looks bad. I’m suing myself,” he acknowledged.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
#Trump found a loophole so any POTUS can take extraordinary amounts of our tax payments and put it right in his pocket: just have his DOJ approve bogus lawsuits. 💰#kleptocracy #corruption
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
The wildest thing about every Trump pardon and commutation?
“Mr. Santos will also no longer be required to pay more than $370,000 in court-ordered restitution to his victims…”
“Mr. Santos will also no longer be required to pay more than $370,000 in court-ordered restitution to his victims…”
October 18, 2025 at 3:32 AM
The wildest thing about every Trump pardon and commutation?
“Mr. Santos will also no longer be required to pay more than $370,000 in court-ordered restitution to his victims…”
“Mr. Santos will also no longer be required to pay more than $370,000 in court-ordered restitution to his victims…”
This Russian sovereign wealth fund is the RDIF and is considered Putin’s slush fund; it has a history of making deals with tons of red flags for corruption.
The head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund is pitching Elon Musk and his tunneling business on an idea for a “Putin-Trump Tunnel” connecting Russia with Alaska.
Putin envoy pitches Elon Musk on a tunnel connecting Russia and Alaska
President Donald Trump was noncommittal when asked about the idea by a reporter during a lunch Friday at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:17 AM
This Russian sovereign wealth fund is the RDIF and is considered Putin’s slush fund; it has a history of making deals with tons of red flags for corruption.
My alumni association is considering giving Charlie Kirk an honorary membership/degree despite his well-documented history of racist and misogynist comments. (His only ties to USAFA were a few months on the Board of Visitors as a political appointee.)
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
Air Force Academy alumni group’s board considers giving honorary membership to Kirk
A separate motion to award Kirk an honorary degree from the prestigious military institution in Colorado Springs is also being considered.
www.stripes.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
My alumni association is considering giving Charlie Kirk an honorary membership/degree despite his well-documented history of racist and misogynist comments. (His only ties to USAFA were a few months on the Board of Visitors as a political appointee.)
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
"The undertaking aims to install allies of President Trump at the IRS criminal-investigative division...to exert firmer control over the unit and weaken the involvement of IRS lawyers in criminal investigations.... The proposed changes could open the door to politically motivated probes..."
Exclusive | Trump Team Plans IRS Overhaul to Enable Pursuit of Left-Leaning Groups
The effort would install a Trump ally at the IRS’s criminal unit who has drawn up a list of investigative targets.
www.wsj.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:46 AM
"The undertaking aims to install allies of President Trump at the IRS criminal-investigative division...to exert firmer control over the unit and weaken the involvement of IRS lawyers in criminal investigations.... The proposed changes could open the door to politically motivated probes..."
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
The former lobbying registrar, Harry Rich, appeared before the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee this week to give his reflections on the measures the govt should be taking to improve lobbying transparency.
💭 Here’s a few thoughts from us... 🧵
💭 Here’s a few thoughts from us... 🧵
Parliamentlive.tv
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
parliamentlive.tv
October 16, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The former lobbying registrar, Harry Rich, appeared before the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee this week to give his reflections on the measures the govt should be taking to improve lobbying transparency.
💭 Here’s a few thoughts from us... 🧵
💭 Here’s a few thoughts from us... 🧵
Because so many companies pay bribes, citizens of kleptocracy find it is hard to be an ethical consumer.
For example, if you have a Carrier a/c system, it’s not like you can stop using it. Or your Apple phone. Or using Amazon.
Living ethically becomes impossible under state capture
For example, if you have a Carrier a/c system, it’s not like you can stop using it. Or your Apple phone. Or using Amazon.
Living ethically becomes impossible under state capture
Trump is already hitting up these same companies for an arch near Arlington Cemetery. When companies start paying bribes, it doesn’t stop; the bribee simply demands more. 💸 #Lockheed #Carrier #Amazon
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump wants a White House ballroom. These companies are funding it.
Tech, crypto and defense companies are among the donors that have committed millions to help turn Trump’s ballroom dream into a reality, according to the White House.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Because so many companies pay bribes, citizens of kleptocracy find it is hard to be an ethical consumer.
For example, if you have a Carrier a/c system, it’s not like you can stop using it. Or your Apple phone. Or using Amazon.
Living ethically becomes impossible under state capture
For example, if you have a Carrier a/c system, it’s not like you can stop using it. Or your Apple phone. Or using Amazon.
Living ethically becomes impossible under state capture
Trump is already hitting up these same companies for an arch near Arlington Cemetery. When companies start paying bribes, it doesn’t stop; the bribee simply demands more. 💸 #Lockheed #Carrier #Amazon
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump wants a White House ballroom. These companies are funding it.
Tech, crypto and defense companies are among the donors that have committed millions to help turn Trump’s ballroom dream into a reality, according to the White House.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Trump is already hitting up these same companies for an arch near Arlington Cemetery. When companies start paying bribes, it doesn’t stop; the bribee simply demands more. 💸 #Lockheed #Carrier #Amazon
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
How is October 2025 looking an awful lot like October 1929? An analysis from the historian who literally wrote the book on 1929.
(P.S. A lot of these schemes are also used for money laundering.)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/m...
(P.S. A lot of these schemes are also used for money laundering.)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/m...
The Rules of Investing Are Being Loosened. Could It Lead to the Next 1929?
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
How is October 2025 looking an awful lot like October 1929? An analysis from the historian who literally wrote the book on 1929.
(P.S. A lot of these schemes are also used for money laundering.)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/m...
(P.S. A lot of these schemes are also used for money laundering.)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/m...
[Workers on] “H-2A visas…allowing farmers to pay migrant laborers less. It also shifts the burden for paying for worker housing from employer sponsors to migrant workers, with some exceptions.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Trump administration says immigration enforcement threatens higher food prices
U.S. farmers face labor shortages and potential food price hikes due to Trump’s immigration policy, the administration acknowledged in a Federal Registry document.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
[Workers on] “H-2A visas…allowing farmers to pay migrant laborers less. It also shifts the burden for paying for worker housing from employer sponsors to migrant workers, with some exceptions.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
What Thiel is saying about tax havens = what Altman is saying about copyright:
"I can't be rich unless you let me steal from you."
This is how Broligarchs differ from oligarchs of yore: the latter tried to hide their thievery; the Broligarchs trumpet their entitlement to steal as a natural right.
"I can't be rich unless you let me steal from you."
This is how Broligarchs differ from oligarchs of yore: the latter tried to hide their thievery; the Broligarchs trumpet their entitlement to steal as a natural right.
October 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
What Thiel is saying about tax havens = what Altman is saying about copyright:
"I can't be rich unless you let me steal from you."
This is how Broligarchs differ from oligarchs of yore: the latter tried to hide their thievery; the Broligarchs trumpet their entitlement to steal as a natural right.
"I can't be rich unless you let me steal from you."
This is how Broligarchs differ from oligarchs of yore: the latter tried to hide their thievery; the Broligarchs trumpet their entitlement to steal as a natural right.
Note what is being considered so un-essential that Vought/Trump decided they can be permanently fired: those protecting us from cybersecurity attacks, fighting wildfires, elementary education, our financial system.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
Trump Says Federal Layoffs Have Begun During Government Shutdown
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Note what is being considered so un-essential that Vought/Trump decided they can be permanently fired: those protecting us from cybersecurity attacks, fighting wildfires, elementary education, our financial system.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
Reposted by Jodi Vittori
A sports marketing firm has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to narrow an anti-fraud law after it was found guilty of its role in a scheme to bribe South American soccer officials for broadcasting rights.
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
October 4, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A sports marketing firm has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to narrow an anti-fraud law after it was found guilty of its role in a scheme to bribe South American soccer officials for broadcasting rights.
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...