Everett Stern#Criticism of Michael Flynn

Stern was born in New York City to a Jewish family.{{cite news|last1=Frias|first1=Carlos|title=A DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS: Henry Stern is a devoted family man. A radiologist who loves serving veterans. And none of that changes because of cancer.|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20131102/LIFESTYLE/812051222|work=the Palm Beach Post|date=November 3, 2013|access-date=May 24, 2019|archive-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524184955/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20131102/LIFESTYLE/812051222|url-status=dead}} His father was a radiologist who worked for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and his mother was a social worker.{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishexponent.com/2021/04/01/whistleblower-prepares-for-gop-senate-run/|title=Whistleblower Prepares for GOP Senate Run|first=Jesse|last=Bernstein|date=April 1, 2021|accessdate=July 7, 2022|work=Philadelphia Jewish Exponent}} Raised in Wellington, Florida, he graduated from Wellington High School in 2002. He earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2008.{{cite news|last1=Ant|first1=Fire|title=Wellington Whistleblower Busts HSBC for Serving Terrorists, Promotes "Bank War Day"|url=http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/wellington-whistleblower-busts-hsbc-for-serving-terrorists-promotes-bank-war-day-6445001|work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach|date=October 22, 2013}} Stern sought a position with the Directorate of Operations, but was turned down shortly before graduating.Taibbi, Matt, [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/gangster-bankers-too-big-to-jail-20130214 "Gangster Bankers: Too Big to Jail"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216104623/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/gangster-bankers-too-big-to-jail-20130214 |date=February 16, 2013 }}, Rolling Stone, February 14, 2013{{cite news|last1=Quinn|first1=Holly|title=Netflix's 'Dirty Money' exposes HSBC's former New Castle office - Technical.ly Delaware|url=https://technical.ly/delaware/2018/01/30/netflix-dirty-money-hsbc-former-new-castle-office/|accessdate=February 9, 2018|work=Technical.ly Delaware|date=January 30, 2018}} He earned a Masters in Business Administration degree from Stetson University in May 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/business/everett-stern-who-grew-up-in-wellington-says-he-bl/nby9p/#a8a895b9.4014892.735813|title=Everett Stern, who grew up in Wellington, says he blew the whistle on HSBC|author=Jeff Ostrowski|date=November 23, 2013|work=The Palm Beach Post|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924085333/http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/business/everett-stern-who-grew-up-in-wellington-says-he-bl/nby9p/#a8a895b9.4014892.735813|url-status=dead}}

In October 2010 Stern took a position as an anti-money laundering (AML) compliance officer for HSBC in their New Castle, Delaware office where he monitored the bank's Middle Eastern transactions.{{Cite news|url=https://splinternews.com/a-drug-cartel-guide-to-laundering-millions-1793842565|title=A Drug Cartel Guide to Laundering Millions|work=Splinter News|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}} Stern identified many suspicious transactions tied to terrorist groups in the Middle East, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.{{Cite news|url=https://splinternews.com/a-drug-cartel-guide-to-laundering-millions-1793842565|title=A Drug Cartel Guide to Laundering Millions|work=Splinter News|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}} Specifically, he uncovered a multinational money-laundering network that generated millions of dollars for Hezbollah through the Lebanese brothers Ali, Husayn, and Kassim Tajideen through their Gambia-based company, Tajco Ltd.Reuters, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hsbc-launder-sidebar-idUSBRE86C19I20120713 "An African supermarket with a sinister side"], Reuters, July 13, 2012 Stern sent numerous alerts and was repeatedly ignored by his HSBC supervisor. After several such episodes, Stern made contact with the FBI and CIA, which began to investigate HSBC. Self-directed, Stern continued to collect and pass information to the CIA regarding HSBC's blatant abuse and manipulation of wire filters to approve illegal wire transfers. He left HSBC in October 2011.{{Cite news|url=https://bv.world/funding/banking/2018/03/drug-cartels-weapons-banks-and-the-greenback-illicit-trade-continues-former-whistleblower-claims/|title=Drug cartels, weapons, banks and the Greenback — illicit trade continues, former whistleblower claims|work=BV World|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}} By the summer of 2012, the inquiry had broadened to the bank's money laundering operations in the Middle East, Mexico, Iran, Sudan, and North Korea.Silver-Greenberg, Jessica, [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/business/us-said-to-investigate-money-laundering-at-hsbc.html?_r=0 "Cash Moves by HSBC in Inquiry"], New York Times, August 24, 2012{{Cite news|url=https://splinternews.com/a-drug-cartel-guide-to-laundering-millions-1793842565|title=A Drug Cartel Guide to Laundering Millions|work=Splinter News|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://bv.world/funding/banking/2018/03/drug-cartels-weapons-banks-and-the-greenback-illicit-trade-continues-former-whistleblower-claims/|title=Drug cartels, weapons, banks and the Greenback — illicit trade continues, former whistleblower claims|work=BV World|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-documentary-re-examines-hsbcs-881-million-money-laundering-scandal-2018-02-21|title=Netflix Documentary Re-examines HSBC's $881 million Money-laundering Scandal|work=Market Watch|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}}

In February 2013, Stern was first featured as an HSBC whistleblower in Rolling Stone magazine in the article Gangster Bankers: Too Big to Jail.{{cite magazine|last1=Taibbi|first1=Matt|title=Gangster Bankers: Too Big to Jail|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/gangster-bankers-too-big-to-jail-102004/|accessdate=May 24, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 14, 2013}}

In February 2018, Stern was featured as an HSBC whistleblower in the Netflix series Dirty Money.{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-documentary-re-examines-hsbcs-881-million-money-laundering-scandal-2018-02-21|title=Netflix Documentary Re-examines HSBC's $881 million Money-laundering Scandal|work=Market Watch|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}}

Stern reached a resignation agreement from his position with HSBC in October 2011. After being "blacklisted" from the financial community Stern began working at a P.F. Chang's restaurant as a server.{{cite web|url=http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/178_169/hsbs-whistle-blower-presses-for-new-laundering-probe-1061729-1.html|title=HSBC Whistle-Blower Presses for New Laundering Probe|author=Chris Cumming|date=August 30, 2013|work=American Banker}} Stern self-funded and launched the private intelligence agency Tactical Rabbit the following year. In March 2013, Stern and the law firm Berger & Montague submitted evidence collected by Stern to the SEC that HSBC had continued to violate anti-money laundering regulations through October 2011, when Stern's employment with HSBC ended. In August 2013, Stern joined with an Occupy Wall Street working group called Alternative Banking to further publicize his allegations against HSBC.In August 2013, Stern joined with an Occupy Wall Street working group called Alternative Banking to further publicize his allegations against HSBC.{{cite web|url=http://occupywallstreet.net/story/ows-alternative-banking-targets-hsbc-today|title=OWS Alternative Banking Targets HSBC Today|date=August 29, 2013|work=Occupy Wall Street|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810114341/http://occupywallstreet.net/story/ows-alternative-banking-targets-hsbc-today|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jerry-ashton/wall-streets-two-least-fa_b_3817644.html|title=Wall Street's Two Least Favorite Birthdays: OWS and Everett Stern|author=Jerry Ashton|date=August 28, 2013|work=The Huffington Post}} At a protest held on August 29, 2013, in New York City, Stern publicly alleged that HSBC had committed anti-laundering violations through the end of his employment in 2011, and asked that the government re-open the case against HSBC.{{cite news|last1=Halasa|first1=Marni|title=Is Anybody Listening? HSBC Continues to Launder Money for Terrorist Groups Says Whistleblower|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marni-halasa/is-anybody-listening-hsbc_b_3831412.html|accessdate=October 21, 2014|agency=The Huffington Post|date=October 28, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://moneylaunderingworld.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html|title=HSBC still in crosshairs of interest group|author=Michael Hearns|date=August 29, 2013|work=Money Laundering}}

In December 2013, HSBC reached a settlement with the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding funds that had been transferred to financiers of the terrorist organization Hezbollah between December 2010 and April 2011. HSBC was required to pay $32,400. The Treasury department stated that this settlement was "unrelated to the bank's December 2012 agreement."{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/18/hsbc-terrorists_n_4467329.html|title=HSBC Gets Small Fine For Terrorist Transactions|work=The Huffington Post|date=December 18, 2013 }} Stern has continued to speak publicly through the media about his HSBC allegations, especially as they relate to the funding of terrorist groups and activitiesMollenkamp, Carrick; Wolf, Brett (July 13, 2012). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hsbc-compliance-delaware-idUSBRE86C18H20120714 "Special Report: HSBC's money-laundering crackdown riddled with lapses"]. Reuters.

Stern founded Tactical Rabbit with the intention of "exposing wrongdoing" in financial and corporate institutions.{{cite web |title=Everett Stern Founds Tactical Rabbit, Dubbed Wall Street's Private CIA, Uniquely Poised to Shine a Bright Light on the Sometimes Dark Dealings of Corporate America |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/everett_stern_founds_tactical_rabbit_dubbed_wall_street_s_private_cia_uniquely_poised_to_shine_a_bright_light_on_the_sometimes_dark_dealings_of_corporate_america/prweb11883657.htm |website=PRWeb |access-date=December 11, 2019}}

In May 2015, Stern conducted an investigation into the closing of Sweet Briar College. Stern held a press conference on May 9, 2015, at the college and alleged that the company's intelligence operation revealed fraud.{{cite web|url=http://www.c-ville.com/sweet-briar-supporters-hear-conspiracy-talk-whistleblower-turned-pi/#.VcAbAEXb0Q5|title=Sweet Briar supporters hear conspiracy talk from whistleblower turned PI|author=Hawes Spencer|date=May 13, 2015|work=C-Ville.com}} Stern pleaded for the American public and the FBI to get involved. Stern noted that "Saving Sweet Briar is not a Virginia problem, but it is a national problem requiring all Americans to act." In May 2015 Stern issued a public letter to FBI Director James Comey asking for an FBI investigation into his company's findings on the closing of the college.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc29.com/story/29023543/private-firm-investigates-sweet-briar-closure-alleges-fraud|title=Private Firm Investigates Sweet Briar Closure, Alleges Fraud|date=May 9, 2015|work=nbc29.com|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=May 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521045500/http://www.nbc29.com/story/29023543/private-firm-investigates-sweet-briar-closure-alleges-fraud|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.roanoke.com/news/education/higher_education/sweet-briar-college-groups-opposing-its-closing-to-meet-with/article_130ed30b-1d9b-516f-873d-0618efee836c.html|title=Sweet Briar College, groups opposing its closing to meet with Virginia's attorney general's office|work=www.roanoke.com|date=May 5, 2015 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.insightjewels.com/everett-stern-fbi-letter-sweet-briar-college/|title=Everett Stern: FBI LETTER: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE|author=Everett Stern|date=May 11, 2015|work=Influencers Insights|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053055/http://www.insightjewels.com/everett-stern-fbi-letter-sweet-briar-college/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}

In February 2018, Stern sent a notice to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office regarding one of its deputies allegedly posting racist and offensive content on social media accounts dating back to 2013 recommending that deputy be fired.{{Cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article212405964.html|title=This South Florida deputy's social media posts were so offensive that he has been fired|work=miamiherald|access-date=June 27, 2018|language=en}} Subsequently, the Sheriff's Department completed their investigation and the deputy was fired, according to a sheriff's spokesperson.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/the-villager/fl-wf-pbso-deputy-fired-social-media-posts-20180601-story.html|title=Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy fired over social media posts|last=Erblat|first=Austen|work=Sun-Sentinel.com|access-date=June 27, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/pbso-deputy-suspended-for-social-media-posts-again/6fqogbg7bTHVWLA8IYcxXP/|title=UPDATE: PBSO deputy fired for social media posts|work=mypalmbeachpost|access-date=June 27, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144249/https://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/pbso-deputy-suspended-for-social-media-posts-again/6fqogbg7bTHVWLA8IYcxXP/|url-status=dead}}

In 2018, Stern received a tip that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) had paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars in incorrect Medicaid reimbursements over a six-year period because a claims payment system had been disabled. After obtaining internal MDHHS emails through the Freedom of Information Act, Stern discovered that a health agency employee had intentionally turned off the computer program designed to monitor home health care services. The emails show that the agency changed the computer program to "ease the burden on claims processing staff".{{Cite news|url=http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/21507/whistleblower_reveals_medicaid_claims_were_improperly_billed_due_to_mdhhs_error|title=Whistleblower Reveals Medicaid Claims Were Improperly Billed Due To MDHHS Error|work=Deadline Detroit|access-date=March 5, 2019|language=en}}

In the fall of 2013, Stern worked with Representative Maxine Waters on the Holding Individuals Accountable and Deterring Money Laundering Act, which sought to give the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network the authority to litigate on its own, and to stiffen penalties and prison sentences for bank executives involved in money laundering.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2013/10/24/congressional-bill-could-end-too-big.html|title=Congressional bill could end 'too big to jail' for bankers|author=Brian Bandell|work=South Florida Business Journal|date=October 24, 2013}}Ensign, Rachel Louise and Michael R. Crittenden, [https://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2013/10/23/new-anti-money-laundering-bill-targets- bank-executives/ "New Anti-Money Laundering Bill Targets Bank Executives"], Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.politicspa.com/pa-13-three-republicans-fight-for-seat/55843/|title=PA-13: Three Republicans Fight For Seat|author=Brittany Foster|work=Politics PA|date=March 7, 2014}}

In February 2014, Stern announced he was running as a Republican for Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district in the 2014 elections.{{cite web|url=http://www.americanbanker.com/people/hsbc-whistle-blower-launches-congressional-run-1065726-1.html|title=HSBC Whistle-Blower Launches Congressional Run|author=Chris Cumming|date=February 20, 2014|work=American Banker}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hangthebankers.com/hsbc-whistleblower-to-run-for-congress/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221205026/http://www.hangthebankers.com/hsbc-whistleblower-to-run-for-congress/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 21, 2014|title=HSBC Whistle-Blower to run for Congress|date=February 21, 2014|work=Hang The Bankers}} He withdrew from the race before the April 2014 filing deadline.{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Everett_Stern|title=Everett Stern|work=ballotpedia.org}}

In April 2015, Stern announced his candidacy for United States Senate as a Republican candidate from Pennsylvania, challenging incumbent Pat Toomey for the Republican primary in the 2016 election.{{cite web|url=http://www.forwardgeek.com/article/Everett-A-Stern-Tactical-Rabbit-Intelligence-Director-Announces-His-Candidacy-for-United-States-Senate-20150413?article=Everett-A-Stern-Tactical-Rabbit-Intelligence-Director-Announces-His-Candidacy-for-United-States-Senate-20150413|title=Everett A. Stern, Tactical Rabbit Intelligence Director, Announces His Candidacy for United States Senate|date=April 13, 2015|work=Forward Geek}}{{Cite news|url=https://bv.world/funding/banking/2018/03/drug-cartels-weapons-banks-and-the-greenback-illicit-trade-continues-former-whistleblower-claims/|title=Drug cartels, weapons, banks and the Greenback — illicit trade continues, former whistleblower claims|work=BV World|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=en-US}} He again withdrew from the race before the filing deadline.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

{{Main|2022 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania}}

Stern was an early candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2022 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania. He touted himself as a supporter of less federal regulation of business and industry, a backer of the right to bear arms, and a law-and-order candidate who would "fight any effort to scale back or weaken law enforcement in Pennsylvania's communities."{{Cite news |first1=Charles |last1=Thompson |date=February 10, 2021 |title=Everett Stern, witness in international banking case, joins early birds in Pa.'s U.S. Senate race|url=https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/everett-stern-witness-in-international-banking-case-joins-early-birds-in-pas-us-senate-race.html|access-date=November 13, 2022 |work=PennLive Patriot-News |language=en}} He later withdrew from the Republican primary to run as an independent write-in candidate.{{cite news |last1=Rink |first1=Matthew |title=Here are the featured primary races for PA House, governor, U.S. Senate in Erie County |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/05/05/erie-county-primary-features-races-for-pa-house-governor-u-s-senate/65349094007/ |access-date=7 May 2022 |work=Erie Times-News |date=5 May 2022}}

On October 25, Stern withdrew from the race due to low polling numbers. He endorsed Democrat John Fetterman over the Republican nominee, Mehmet Oz, citing Oz's backing by former President Donald Trump as a reason not to vote for him.{{Cite news |last=Kapur |first=Sahil |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Pa. Senate independent candidate drops out, endorses Fetterman |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/live-blog/oz-fetterman-pa-senate-debate-live-updates-rcna53008#rcrd6089 |access-date=October 27, 2022}}

According to Stern, two men by the direction of former U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Flynn asked him in April 2021 to use Tactical Rabbit's resources to find information on Republican officials from Pennsylvania. That information would then be used to convince them to support an audit of the 2020 United States presidential election. Stern referred to the plot as "extortion". He alerted the FBI to the two men's plans and also testified before the House Select Committee Investigating the January 6 Capitol Attack.{{cite news |last1=Roston |first1=Aram |last2=Heath |first2=Brad |last3=Shiffman |first3=John |last4=Eisler |first4=Peter |title=The military-intelligence veterans who helped lead Trump's campaign of disinformation |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-election-military/ |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=Reuters |date=December 15, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Draper |first1=Robert |title=Michael Flynn Is Still at War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/magazine/michael-flynn-2020-election.html |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=February 6, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Peter |title=Michael Flynn allies allegedly plotted to lean on Republicans to back vote audits |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/21/michael-flynn-allies-allegedly-targeted-republicans-back-election-audits |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=January 21, 2022}}

At a February 2022 Republican primary debate, Stern criticized those in the Republican Party who supported "right-wing extremism" and lies about the 2020 presidential election. During the debate, Stern interrupted fellow candidate Kathy Barnette, denouncing her for being supported by Flynn, a "traitor". Stern also told Barnette to apologize for transporting supporters to the Capitol Attack.{{cite news |last1=Dodds |first1=Io |title=Republican candidate denounces Michael Flynn as a 'traitor' during bad-tempered GOP debate |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/michael-flynn-kathy-barnette-everett-stern-b2020977.html |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=The Independent |date=February 22, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=Chris |title=What we learned from a Pa. Republican Senate debate that Oz and McCormick skipped |url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-republican-senate-debate-takeaways-20220222.html |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=February 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}

In May 2022, Flynn sued Stern for his allegations of Flynn being a "traitor" and "helm[ing] a domestic terrorist organization engaged in sedition", according to WUFT.{{cite news |last1=Schuele |first1=Bryce |title=US Senate candidate with Florida ties accused of impersonating a federal agent |url=https://www.wuft.org/news/2022/07/27/us-senate-candidate-with-florida-ties-accused-of-impersonating-a-federal-agent/ |access-date=13 November 2022 |work=WUFT |date=July 27, 2022}}

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• {{official|https://everettstern.com}}
• [https://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Everett_Stern.htm Everett Stern] at On the Issues

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Category:21st-century American businesspeople

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Category:American whistleblowers

Category:Florida Atlantic University alumni

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Category:Politicians from Chester County, Pennsylvania

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