New York -- A 36-year-old employee at a politically connected Brooklyn nonprofit has been arrested on charges of submitting phony receipts for karate instruction, attempting to swindle the city out of $4,080, according to nypost.com.
The man allegedly submitted expense reports showing that a senior citizens center - on 59 dates in 2007 - provided classes in karate to 20 young people. This allowed the center to access an $80,000 anti-gang-violence grant from the City Council.
However, 50 sign-in sheets that were part of the expense report were altered photocopies, authorities said.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Friday, April 02, 2010
Fighting Disability With Taekwondo
Here's an inspirational story from etruth.com about dedication and overcoming obstacles - in effect what martial arts is all about.
I sure need these kind of reminders when I might be tempted to feel sorry for myself or come up with excuses. What about you?
----
Indiana -- 53-year-old Linda Koeppel might not move as quickly or kick as high as others in her taekwondo class. However, the Elkhart woman is using her slower speed to move past a disability that limits her ability to move her legs.
Koeppel battles a condition which causes loss of muscle tone and unpredictable burning, stabbing or dull pain in most of her right leg and some of her left. The condition, called 'reflex symptomatic dystrophy' does that she experiences pain in each step, and some days she doesn't make it out of the house.
She has to sit down and stop exercising every 10 to 15 minutes. "As you can see, my training takes longer than someone who can just come in here and train hard," she said.
Just getting to the gym can be a struggle. She wants other people fighting disabilities to know she feels their pain -- literally -- but that they can still enjoy exercise. "If it takes 20 minutes to put one sock on, that's OK," she said.
Training has helped her ward off the depression that set in shortly after she couldn't move around and drive normally.
I sure need these kind of reminders when I might be tempted to feel sorry for myself or come up with excuses. What about you?
----
Indiana -- 53-year-old Linda Koeppel might not move as quickly or kick as high as others in her taekwondo class. However, the Elkhart woman is using her slower speed to move past a disability that limits her ability to move her legs.
Koeppel battles a condition which causes loss of muscle tone and unpredictable burning, stabbing or dull pain in most of her right leg and some of her left. The condition, called 'reflex symptomatic dystrophy' does that she experiences pain in each step, and some days she doesn't make it out of the house.
She has to sit down and stop exercising every 10 to 15 minutes. "As you can see, my training takes longer than someone who can just come in here and train hard," she said.
Just getting to the gym can be a struggle. She wants other people fighting disabilities to know she feels their pain -- literally -- but that they can still enjoy exercise. "If it takes 20 minutes to put one sock on, that's OK," she said.
Training has helped her ward off the depression that set in shortly after she couldn't move around and drive normally.
Scam Artist Jailed
UK -- After a laborious and complex four-year investigation, a scam-artist has been handed down a three-year jail sentence, according to thisisderbyshire.co.uk.
The man reportedly fleeced a martial arts organisation of more than £180,000, something which in effect left 60,000 amateur fighters uninsured against injuries.
The Chaddesden-based group provided instructors and students in judo, karate and several other martial arts across the country with insurance cover, competitions and grading exams.
The man reportedly fleeced a martial arts organisation of more than £180,000, something which in effect left 60,000 amateur fighters uninsured against injuries.
The Chaddesden-based group provided instructors and students in judo, karate and several other martial arts across the country with insurance cover, competitions and grading exams.
Robbery Gang Busted
India -- Following the arrest of five men, Delhi Police have allegedly solved a large number of cases of robbery, snatching and car theft , according to sify.com.
The gang leader is reportedly a 35-year-old former karate national champion. The gang also includes a 27-years-old MBA graduate from a reputed university in Pune.
The gang leader is reportedly a 35-year-old former karate national champion. The gang also includes a 27-years-old MBA graduate from a reputed university in Pune.
The "Love Master"
Argentina -- A kung fu "master" who was accused of abusing minors was arrested on 15 September, 2009 in La Rioja, according to momento24.com.
A judge has now confirmed his release and acquittal because "after 12 years from the date of the criminal acts, the case prescribed."
One of the man's alleged victim, now 25, denounced him for sexually abusing him and other minors, when he lived in La Rioja and taught kung fu in the boy's house.
The man, nicknamed "Love Master", reportedly told his students that he was God and that they should let him penetrate them with his "divine light".
He allegedly told his young students: "I am the teacher, trust me", and that they shouldn't say anything to their parents, since adult sexuality "was something perverse".
The children eventually stopped attending his classes, but the man reportedly continued living in the house that the young victim shared with his parents.
A judge has now confirmed his release and acquittal because "after 12 years from the date of the criminal acts, the case prescribed."
One of the man's alleged victim, now 25, denounced him for sexually abusing him and other minors, when he lived in La Rioja and taught kung fu in the boy's house.
The man, nicknamed "Love Master", reportedly told his students that he was God and that they should let him penetrate them with his "divine light".
He allegedly told his young students: "I am the teacher, trust me", and that they shouldn't say anything to their parents, since adult sexuality "was something perverse".
The children eventually stopped attending his classes, but the man reportedly continued living in the house that the young victim shared with his parents.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Karate Instructor Charged
Update, November 29 2011:
The karate instructor and founder of the Hawaii Karate Association, has been indicted on an additional sexual assault charge, according to hawaiinewsnow.com.
----
Hawaii -- A 31-year-old Oahu karate instructor has been charged with molesting one of his teenage students, according to hawaiinewsnow.com.
A 17-year-old male karate student told police the instructor sexually assaulted him over a period of two years. Investigators have reportedly been interviewing other possible victims as well.
The karate instructor and founder of the Hawaii Karate Association, has been indicted on an additional sexual assault charge, according to hawaiinewsnow.com.
----
Hawaii -- A 31-year-old Oahu karate instructor has been charged with molesting one of his teenage students, according to hawaiinewsnow.com.
A 17-year-old male karate student told police the instructor sexually assaulted him over a period of two years. Investigators have reportedly been interviewing other possible victims as well.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Karate Coach Not Guilty
UK -- A former karate instructor and champion accused of sexually assaulting two of his former female students was cleared of all charges by a jury on March 12, according to gazettelive.co.uk.
The 40-year-old man, was found not guilty of five counts of indecent assault - charges he always denied.
The 40-year-old man, was found not guilty of five counts of indecent assault - charges he always denied.
Olympics Hopeful Jailed
Australia -- A 33-year-old Olympic martial arts hopeful and long-time friend of (Australian football star) Ben Cousins was recently sentenced to 17 years in jail for his role in conspiring to traffic 44kg of MDMA (a drug used to produce ecstasy).
The Sydney man will serve a minimum 10½ years before being eligible for parole, according to heraldsun.com.au.
The Sydney man will serve a minimum 10½ years before being eligible for parole, according to heraldsun.com.au.
Former Teacher Sentenced
Canada -- A former teacher and judo instructor sexually assaulted five children between 1966-1972 at the former Alberni Indian Residential School. The man has now been given a two-year prison sentence, according to bclocalnews.com.
The children were forcibly removed from their home and families in Hazelton by the authorities and sent to the school.
The victims attended the elementary school where the convicted man was a teacher. The students were either assigned to his class, or got to know him in his capacity as a judo instructor.
The children were forcibly removed from their home and families in Hazelton by the authorities and sent to the school.
The victims attended the elementary school where the convicted man was a teacher. The students were either assigned to his class, or got to know him in his capacity as a judo instructor.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Accused of Molesting Teen Boys
California -- During a recent court hearing, half-a-dozen men testified that a 55-year-old former high school wrestling coach and longtime youth sports volunteer in Albany molested them when they were in their teens.
According to insidebayarea.com, the victims describing how the coach supplied them with alcohol, showed them pornography and molested them during karate tournaments, at a karate school, in his home and in some cases in the victims' homes when their parents were away.
According to insidebayarea.com, the victims describing how the coach supplied them with alcohol, showed them pornography and molested them during karate tournaments, at a karate school, in his home and in some cases in the victims' homes when their parents were away.
Guilty Over Assault
Australia -- A 24-year-old man applied a sleeper hold during a fight at a Melbourne fast food restaurant in July 2009. Recently, a court heard how the man was trained in martial arts and that he would have known the move would knock out his victim.
Three men, aged 22, 24 and 33 and all working as bouncers, pleaded guilty over the assault in Prahran that left a promising footballer with a fractured skull.
The court was told the victim fell to the ground after he was released from the sleeper hold and hit his head, according to foodweek.com.au.
Three men, aged 22, 24 and 33 and all working as bouncers, pleaded guilty over the assault in Prahran that left a promising footballer with a fractured skull.
The court was told the victim fell to the ground after he was released from the sleeper hold and hit his head, according to foodweek.com.au.
Well Deserved Beating?
North Carolina -- In December 2009, Bernard Madoff, the notorious U.S. fraudster was allegedly sent to a prison hospital, according to online.wsj.com.
Madoff was reportedly given a broken nose and received other injuries at the hands of a felon serving time for drug conviction. The attacker was said to have a black belt in judo and believed Madoff owed him money.
Madoff was reportedly given a broken nose and received other injuries at the hands of a felon serving time for drug conviction. The attacker was said to have a black belt in judo and believed Madoff owed him money.
Assault Gives Suspended Sentence
Malta -- A 34-year-old man, said to be "well practised in martial arts" according to independent.com.mt, has been given a two-year imprisonment sentence suspended for four years.
The sentence was handed down after the man was found guilty of causing multiple fractures to a fellow university student's nose caused by a punch. The defendant had reportedly also kicked the victim several times in the leg causing him to fall to the ground.
The incident reportedly took place on May 11 2004, when the defendant physically assaulted his younger fellow student, then 18, on a bus stop.
The sentence was handed down after the man was found guilty of causing multiple fractures to a fellow university student's nose caused by a punch. The defendant had reportedly also kicked the victim several times in the leg causing him to fall to the ground.
The incident reportedly took place on May 11 2004, when the defendant physically assaulted his younger fellow student, then 18, on a bus stop.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Ex-Karate Teacher Charged
UK -- A 40-year-old former karate instructor is on trial accused of sexually assaulting two of his students in Teesside, according to gazettelive.co.uk.
During the 1990s, the man reportedly taught karate to children and adults at venues in Stockton and Middlesbrough.
Two former female pupils, underage at the time, claim the instructor touched them sexually during that decade.
During the 1990s, the man reportedly taught karate to children and adults at venues in Stockton and Middlesbrough.
Two former female pupils, underage at the time, claim the instructor touched them sexually during that decade.
Progress in Small Steps
UK -- Tim is disabled and for this young kid, every tiny progress in movement he can make is considered a victory.
Wheelchair-bound and born with cerebral palsy, the young boy is and has little control of his limbs. But now, through the help of special karate classes, Tim is slowly but surely starting to move more and more.
Read more at thesun.co.uk - inspiring stuff!
Wheelchair-bound and born with cerebral palsy, the young boy is and has little control of his limbs. But now, through the help of special karate classes, Tim is slowly but surely starting to move more and more.
Read more at thesun.co.uk - inspiring stuff!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Mass Arrest
Saipan -- Officials in Saipan recently conducted a mass arrest that resulted in the arrest of a known MMA fighter as well as nine other persons for alleged various offenses, according to saipantribune.com.
The 26-year-old MMA fighter was arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
Another mixed martial arts fighter, 25, was reportedly arrested for assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and criminal mischief.
The 26-year-old MMA fighter was arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
Another mixed martial arts fighter, 25, was reportedly arrested for assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and criminal mischief.
Numb Nuts No More?
Saturday, March 06, 2010
A Guilty Instructor
Oregon -- A Clackamas County martial arts instructor was charged in August 2009 of abusing two minor male students of his sexually. The man has now been found guilty of attempted sex abuse, according to kptv.com.
The incidents occurred at a martial arts studio in Clackamas, according to authorities.
The incidents occurred at a martial arts studio in Clackamas, according to authorities.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Sumo Wedgie
The idea of going up to one of these giant Japanese sumo wrestlers and pulling a totally awesome wedgie on his mawashi (loin cloth/"diaper") somehow makes me chuckle... But then again, I guess I'm kind of an odd ball :-)
Anyhow, here's a thought provoking article about the obvious racism in Japanese sports - including sumo.
Anyhow, here's a thought provoking article about the obvious racism in Japanese sports - including sumo.
En Guarde!
It was reported that one in 20 participants among the fighters at the taekwondo world championships held in Denmark, required hospital admission. The injuries were described as concussion, fractures of the cheekbone and jaw, facial contusion and lacerations.
Control anyone...? Or is this what you can expect when you dance around with your "guard" dangling around your waist?
Control anyone...? Or is this what you can expect when you dance around with your "guard" dangling around your waist?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)