Freshwater dolphins in the Amazon and South Asia have captured hearts around the world with their unusual pink skin and status as some of the world's most threatened mammals. But how did these unusual creatures come to live there? New fossil evidence of a 16.5-million-year-old freshwater river dolphin has helped answer these questions.The skull and other fossils of the ancient river dolphin were found in Rio Napo‚ Loreto‚ Peru in 2018 and date back over 16.5 million years to the Early to Middle Miocene. Named Pebanista yacuruna gen. et sp. nov.‚ the dolphin was thought to have a length of around 3 meters (9.8 feet)‚ making it the largest known of all the freshwater dolphins. Size comparison of different river dolphins. Pebanista yacuruna (top left) is the largest compared to the four other main species.Image credit: Jaime Bran &; Aldo Benites-PalominoP. yacuruna was also thought to have been thickset with a long snout and eyes that would have been extremely small and nearly completely blind. It is thought that the ancient dolphins navigated the muddy waters of the Amazon by using their small forehead melons with echolocation. Looking closely at the skull‚ which features a long snout‚ big teeth‚ and a well-developed forehead‚ the team think this ancient dolphin was fully adapted to freshwater life. The long snout‚ large forehead‚ and tiny eyes suggest that Pebanista yacuruna was fully adapted to freshwater river life.Image credit: Aldo Benites-PalominoThe Amazon river dolphins that are known today evolved from a lineage known as Iniidae. However‚ the South Asian river dolphins‚ known as the Platanistidae‚ have an evolution that is relatively unknown because fossils of these ancient mammals are so scarce. They include living species like the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica)‚ which survives in the waterways of the Ganges river in India. After conducting phylogenetic analysis the team think that the fossil skull remains are the closest relative to the Ganges river dolphin. This‚ coupled with the characteristics of the dolphin that allowed it to be fully adapted to freshwater‚ led the team to believe that this group of platanistids started living in freshwater systems in South Africa and South America before the ancestors of clade Iniidae that gave rise to the modern Amazon river dolphins. “The ­finding of Pebanista in proto-Amazonian layers attests that platanistids ventured into freshwater ecosystems not only in South Asia but also in South America‚ before the modern Amazon River dolphin‚ during a crucial moment for the Amazonian evolution‚” the authors write.When P. yacuruna was alive‚ the Amazon would have consisted of vast areas of mega wetland and freshwater environments with an abundance of food and broad diversity of species‚ leading to its evolution of a greater body size. The study is published in Science Advances.

If you want a quick and easy way of learning just how many curse words a person knows‚ try standing on their foot. Being in pain can do interesting things to our language‚ but could that volley of obscenities actually be helpful? New research suggests that both rude words and gestures could have a pain-reducing effect.The study included 111 students at Kalamazoo College in Michigan‚ 61 percent of whom identified as women‚ with an average age of 19. Pain was inflicted using a well-known experimental method called the cold pressor task‚ in which a person’s hand is immersed in ice water for as long as they can stand it. The study was designed to measure the effect of language and gestures‚ both “neutral” and “taboo”‚ on pain perception. In the language arm of the study‚ participants were asked to say either “fuck” or “flat” over and over while their hand was submerged in the cold water. In the gesture arm‚ they were told to stick either their middle finger (taboo) or index finger (neutral) up and down. The participants were told to tell the experimenter as soon as they felt pain so that the time could be recorded. After the trial‚ they completed a pain rating scale and a word completion task designed to measure feelings of aggression. Based on previous research‚ the scientists hypothesized that either flipping the bird or dropping the F-bomb every second would have an analgesic effect. And that appeared to be the case.“We found that engaging in a taboo act […] enabled participants to withstand the pain in a cold pressor task for significantly longer than engaging in a neutral act‚” the authors write in their paper.More surprising was that there was no significant difference between the gesture or the language. Previous studies have shown that using swear words is linked to pain tolerance‚ and some have even suggested this as a possible reason for the stream of foul language that frequently emanates from labor and delivery suites. But as to why an obscene gesture works just as well‚ the scientists are less sure.One theory the authors propose is that the process of making the middle finger gesture activates the same neural pathways as uttering the word “fuck”. It’s also possible that it evokes similar feelings and emotions without activating the word itself‚ but more research is needed to disentangle this.The authors found no evidence from their study that the analgesic effect of swearing had anything to do with aggression‚ but point out that this could be a flaw in the study design: “we cannot rule out the possibility that aggression might be involved; perhaps our word stem completion and heart rate measures were not sensitive enough to detect changes in aggression.”But there could have been another unintended upside to the inclusion of the word completion task – it seemed to distract the subjects from the actual purpose of the study‚ meaning they were less likely to unconsciously change their behavior to match what they thought the experimenters wanted to see. For this reason‚ the authors recommend including a similar cognitive task in future studies as a bit of a red herring‚ if for no other purpose.Ultimately‚ it’s still not clear why swearing helps reduce pain perception‚ but this study is the latest in a string of investigations that have found this effect – and crucially‚ the authors say it’s the first to demonstrate that flipping someone off can have the same painkilling power as yelling “Fuck!” at the top of your lungs. Worth remembering the next time you stub your toe in a library.The study is published in the journal Psychological Reports.[H/T: Psychology Today]

The Neolithic sailors of the Mediterranean traveled aboard sophisticated vessels that already contained many of the nautical solutions seen on modern boats. The quality and complexity of these prehistoric crafts indicate that several major advances in sailing were achieved during the late Stone Age‚ paving the way for the spread of the ancient world’s most important civilizations.It’s well known that maritime trade links existed in the Mediterranean during the Neolithic‚ although until now it was unclear how adept these early mariners were at handling the waves. Navigating through this uncertainty‚ the authors of a new study have analyzed five dug-out canoes that were discovered at a 7‚000-year-old settlement that now lies at the bottom of an Italian lake.Known as La Marmotta‚ the site is submerged beneath 8 meters (26 feet) of water and a further three meters (10 feet) of sediment‚ approximately 300 meters (985 feet) from the present shoreline of Lake Bracciano‚ near Rome. Thought to have been inhabited between 5700 and 5150 BCE‚ the ancient settlement is described by the researchers as the earliest Neolithic lakeshore village in the central Mediterranean.Of the five canoes found at the site‚ the largest was made from an enormous oak trunk and measured 10.43 meters (34 feet) in length. According to the authors‚ four “transversal reinforcements” on the base of the vessel “would have increased the durability of the hull and protected it‚ as well as improving its handling.”Even more remarkably‚ the researchers found three T-shaped wooden items on the starboard side of the craft‚ each featuring multiple holes. “The characteristics and position of these objects suggest that they might have been used to fasten ropes tied to a possible sail or to join other nautical elements such as a stabilizer or even another boat to create a double hull in the form of a catamaran‚” they write.“Those strategies would have provided greater safety and stability‚ and greater capacity for the transport of people‚ animals and goods.”This prehistoric canoe was carved out of an oak trunk. Image credit: Gibaja et al.‚ 2024‚ PLOS ONE‚ (CC-BY 4.0)The second canoe was made from a hollowed-out alder trunk and contained a “mushroom-shaped” piece of wood with a single hole in it. Noting the similarity between this object and “modern bollards seen in our ports‚” the authors “suggest that its function might have been precisely that‚ to secure the canoe when the water level rose in the lake.”Of the remaining three boats‚ one was shaped from alder‚ one was carved from poplar‚ and one was fashioned from a beech tree. According to the researchers‚ the diversity of wood types used for the boats indicates that the prehistoric builders had a keen appreciation of the different properties of each material.Oak‚ for instance‚ may have been selected for its durability‚ while alder was probably used as it is light and resistant to cracking. “Direct dating of Neolithic canoes from La Marmotta reveals them to be the oldest in the Mediterranean‚ offering invaluable insights into Neolithic navigation‚” said the authors in a statement. “This study reveals the amazing technological sophistication of early agricultural and pastoral communities‚ highlighting their woodworking skills and the construction of complex vessels.”Given the size of the canoes‚ the researchers suspect that they were probably intended for use far beyond Lake Bracciano. They therefore speculate that the boats may have been sailed down the River Arrone - which connects the lake to the Mediterranean Sea - before continuing their voyage to foreign lands.Evidence for these overseas trips can be found in the numerous exotic artifacts uncovered at La Marmotta‚ including Greek and Baltic pottery as well as obsidian tools from the islands of Lipari and Palmarola. The seaworthiness of the vessels has also been demonstrated by a group of experimental archaeologists who built a replica of one of the canoes back in 1998 and sailed over 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Italy to Portugal.The study has been published in the journal PLOS ONE.

An Arizona State University professor filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the school over its "ASU Inclusive Communities" training.The Goldwater Institute filed the complaint on behalf of Owen Anderson‚ who has taught philosophy and religious studies at Arizona State University for more than two decades. According to the legal firm‚ Anderson could face disciplinary action for his refusal to take the university's "discriminatory diversity‚ equity‚ and inclusion" training."I shouldn't be forced to take training and affirm ideas with which I disagree as a condition of employment‚'" Owen stated. "This 'training' is simply racism under the guise of DEI. It goes against my conscience‚ and I want no part of it."Goldwater Staff Attorney Stacy Skankey noted that state law bans taxpayer funds from being used to "teach doctrines that discriminate based on race‚ ethnicity‚ sex‚ and other characteristics.""ASU is essentially forcing its employees to agree to a certain type of speech‚ which violates the Arizona Constitution's broad protections for free speech‚" Skankey said.The lawsuit argues that the ASU Inclusive Communities training teaches the faculty DEI theories‚ "including things like 'how ... white supremacy [is] normalized in society‚' how to 'critique whiteness'; 'white privilege'; 'white fragility'; and the need for 'transformative justice.'" It also addresses land acknowledgments and outlines differences between "equality" and "equity."According to the complaint‚ faculty are required to take an online quiz on the concepts taught in the training. Staff who fail the test will "be reported to their supervising dean‚" the law firm claimed.Anderson reportedly viewed the training but did not complete it.Before filing the lawsuit‚ the Goldwater Institute sent a cease and desist letter to the Arizona Board of Regents demanding the school stop using taxpayer dollars to fund such training. "ASU continues to spend taxpayer money on the ASU Inclusive Communities training and continues to require that public employees take this training‚ in violation of state law. ASU continues to mandate that employees take a quiz following the Inclusive Communities training and attest their allegiance to these principles by selecting 'correct' answers‚ thereby compelling ASU employees' speech‚ in violation of the Arizona Constitution‚" the legal firm stated.Anderson wrote on X Tuesday‚ "When people see the content of this required training they are stunned. It is far beyond learning how to work in a diverse setting. Instead‚ it is about race blame‚ 'whiteness‚' and silencing those who disagree."ASU claims that the training allows the school to maintain a diverse student body‚ and it denies the lawsuit's allegations that the training violates the state's constitution‚ the Arizona Republic reported. Veronica Sanchez‚ a spokesperson for ASU‚ told the Arizona Republic‚ "Arizona State University is committed to the success of each one of its students who come from all 50 states‚ 150 different countries and all socio-economic backgrounds.""To help meet that goal‚ consistent with A.R.S [41-1494]‚ ASU provides its employees Inclusive Communities training which promotes an environment of respect for all backgrounds‚ beliefs‚ and life experiences‚" she added.Sanchez also argued that the quiz at the end of the training is not required.ASU stated that it has yet to receive a copy of the lawsuit.The Board of Regents did not respond to the Arizona Republic's request for comment.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

While Boeing planes continue to malfunction and fall apart mid-air‚ media outlets like Wired are insisting that noticing this alarming trend is just playing into a “far-right” conspiracy theory. However‚ these “far-right” theories are grounded in a very real issue: DEI. It appears that the airplane manufacturer is placing diversity‚ equity‚ and inclusion above skills and safety. Some right-wing influencers have gone as far as claiming it’s being done on purpose‚ but Glenn Beck doesn’t fall into that category. “I don’t think it’s being done intentionally by Boeing‚” Glenn says‚ acknowledging “this is a direct result of DEI.” Stu Burguiere is in agreement. “Go back to old school advertising‚” Stu says. “You’d hear companies say stuff like‚ ‘We are obsessed with quality‚’ ‘All we think about every day is how to make your experience better.’” “Now their commercials are‚ ‘We never think about the product! All we think about is how many vaginas we have employed‚’” he continues‚ adding‚ “It’s pretty freaking natural to think maybe quality isn’t their main focus.” Many of the failing planes have malfunctioned under United Airlines' watch‚ and it just so happens their CEO has recently come under fire for a video of him performing as a drag queen. “Isn’t it interesting that when you have the CEO of United come out in a dress and is like‚ ‘We’re doing transgender strip shows all the time‚ and pilots‚ and stewardesses‚ the mechanics‚ they love it‚’” Glenn says‚ adding‚ “He seems to be so focused on drag shows and DEI.” Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling‚ thought-provoking analysis‚ and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

Former Nickelodeon writer and producer Dan Schneider conducted an interview during which he apologized for inappropriate jokes and behavior while working for the kid-centric network.Schneider‚ who has long been accused of wrongdoing while writing "All That" and "The Amanda Show" starring actress Amanda Bynes‚ was of particular focus in the new documentary series "Quiet on Set."The series focused on misconduct and mistreatment of children who acted on Nickelodeon shows. While multiple Nickelodeon employees were revealed in the show to have been charged with sex crimes related to children‚ Schneider's alleged crimes only amounted to workplace harassment and gender discrimination.Former female writers accused Schneider of paying them less than men and asking them for massages. The producer responded to these allegations in an interview with former Nickelodeon actor Boogie‚ who was on the show "iCarly‚" a kid sitcom created by Schneider."It was wrong‚" Schneider said about the massages. "It was wrong that I ever put anybody in that position. It was the wrong thing to do. I’d never do it today. I'm embarrassed that I did it then. I apologize to anybody that I ever put in that situation. Additionally‚ I apologize to the people who were walking around video village‚ or wherever they happened‚ because there were lots of people there who witnessed it who also may have felt uncomfortable‚ so I owe them an apology as well."As for the writers' salaries‚ two female staff members claimed they were forced to split a salary‚ with one saying her job was threatened when she complained to her union.Schneider said he had "nothing to do with paying writers.""I've never made a writer's deal‚ and of all the writers I've been in a writers' room with‚ I never even knew how much most of them were getting paid‚" he added.Schneider also responded to allegations that jokes he put into his shows were too inappropriate for a children's program. "All these jokes that you're speaking of that the show covered over the past two nights — every one of those jokes was written for a kid audience‚ because kids thought they were funny‚" Schneider explained. He also suggested cutting out scenes if people thought they were inappropriate."Now‚ we have some adults looking back at them 20 years later through their lens‚ and they're looking at them‚ and they’re saying‚ 'You know‚ I don’t think that's appropriate for a kids show.' I have no problem with that. If that's how anyone feels‚ let's cut those jokes out of the show‚ just like I would have done 20 years ago."One scene that has been widely criticized on the internet starred popular actress and singer Ariana Grande. The scene from the show "Victorious" included the actress sucking on her own toe‚ attempting to "juice a potato‚" sticking a finger in her mouth‚ and pouring water on her face while she was upside down.Grande was just 16 years old at the time‚ according to the Independent. Schneider did not directly address this scene.Strangely‚ the day before Schneider's interview was released‚ one of his representatives spoke to Variety and took a different approach to the controversy."Everything that happened on the shows Dan ran was carefully scrutinized by dozens of involved adults‚ and approved by the network. If there was an actual problem with the scenes that some people‚ now years later are 'sexualizing‚' they would be taken down‚ but they are not‚ they are aired constantly all over the world today still‚ enjoyed by both kids and parents‚" the unnamed person stated."Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" is available on HBO Max.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Star quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts Anthony Richardson came to the rescue of a couple who was stranded on the side of the highway while making food deliveries. The couple had their tire blow out after a screw had punctured it.Young couple Parker Suddeth and Zoe Reuter were doing DoorDash deliveries at the time of the tire incident on I-65 near Indianapolis. After trying to change the tire‚ Suddeth had an issue with one of the lug nuts and didn't have the tools to complete the job."I tried to flag people down for like 20 minutes‚ no one wanted to pull over and help‚" the young man told WRTV.All of a sudden‚ Richardson pulled up in a large truck and offered to help the couple with their trouble.The NFL player‚ who stands at 6'4''‚ 244 pounds‚ reportedly offered to drive Suddeth to an auto parts store to get the appropriate tools."I didn't know who he was at first ... he leaned over and gave me this money and said‚ 'You guys should go get new tires‚'" Suddeth recalled.The quarterback and the delivery driver struck up conversation on their way to the auto parts store‚ which is where Suddeth found out who Richardson was."I asked him what he did for a living‚ and he said‚ 'Football‚' and I asked him who he played for‚ and he said‚ 'The Colts‚' and I said‚ 'You're the quarterback for the Colts‚ wow‚ I guess I'm a fan now!'" Suddeth recited. "I guess I'm a Colts fan now." When Parker Suddeth and his girlfriend Zoe had a tire blowout on I-65‚ Colts Quarterback Anthony Richardson stepped up to help. He drove them to an auto parts store and gave them $200. \nFULL STORY >;>;>; https://t.co/AVvMvEBtnS — (@) Richardson reportedly gave the couple $200 and didn't ask for any recognition."For him to just stop and help us‚ give me a ride‚ give me some money so we could get dinner that night‚ new tires‚ that's the world to me‚" the Indiana resident continued. "A lot of people wouldn't do that same thing he did for me‚ not even the money. Just stopping and helping.""It's a little bit life-changing‚" added Reuter. "Because otherwise I would have had to go and spend all the money that I was going to put in my gas tank on the tires."The couple admitted that because of Richardson's kindness they were actually able to take a night off from deliveries‚ which they said is rare for them. Here's our story on Colts QB Anthony Richardson (@GVOaant) helping a stranded driver on the highway‚ giving him a ride to the auto parts store and even money for new tires - all without asking for any recognition. As we already know‚ the @Colts have a good one. @FOX59 @CBS4Indy — (@) Suddeth posted a picture of himself and Richardson to his Instagram page with the caption‚ "I guess I'm a Colts fan now."Richardson replied on the post saying‚ "My guy! Weird way to make a new friend‚ rooting for ya my dude!" Anthony Richardson pulled over to help a stranger stranded on the highway with a flat tire.\n\nClass act. \ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc4f (via parker_p80/IG) — (@) Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

CNN anchor Laura Coates snapped at businessman Kevin O'Leary on Monday for insisting that Donald Trump is being treated unfairly. On Monday‚ Trump's attorneys revealed the former president is unable to post the nearly half-billion dollars required of him to appeal the New York civil fraud ruling against him. New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) — who campaigned on targeting Trump — has repeatedly threatened to seize Trump's assets if he does not pay the outrageous fine. Such a message‚ O'Leary told Coates‚ is "horrible" and uniquely anti-American. "What a great message to send out all around the world. Take a claim where there was no money is lost. There was no fraud here in the context of actually people losing money. Deutsche Bank‚ who made the loan‚ was made whole‚" O'Leary said. "Great message for New York. Great message for America‚" he mocked. "I think that was a statement that would be much better made sometime in Venezuela. I'm not kidding. That's a scary‚ scary message." He continued‚ "There are no half a billion-dollar bonds. Never been done before. Never. This law has never been applied. Forget about Trump. Nothing to do with Trump. Everything to do about America and the New York brand. I love this state. My children live here. A horrible message to everybody around the world watching this. Absolutely horrific." NEW: Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary slams AG Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron seizing Donald Trump's assets 'like in Venezuela or Cuba' during heated CNN shouting match. "This may be great for the attorney general‚ but this is not good for America." "Forget about Trump. You… pic.twitter.com/yzb6YhPKfc — KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) March 19‚ 2024 O'Leary wasn't finished making his point‚ which was that James has not considered the long-term ramifications of targeting Trump. But Coates decided that O'Leary was done‚ and she began interrupting him. "Wait‚ Kevin. Kevin‚ hold on a second‚" Coates interrupted. "Hold on a second." But O'Leary continued speaking and tried to finish his idea‚ leading Coates to declare‚ "I have a wonderful voice‚ and it won’t be talked over!" "What are you doing?" she then asked him. "It's not America‚ but it is the 'Laura Coates Live' show‚ and I am speaking. So‚ that will be the rule. Not Venezuela‚" Coates continued. "It's 'Laura Coates Live.' And hello‚ my name is Laura Coates." O'Leary has been a staunch critic of the ruling against Trump‚ famously declaring that he will never conduct business in New York again because of it. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Corruption is endemic at the highest levels of the United States Capitol Police‚ especially among the special agents and officers who serve in the department’s dignitary protection detail‚ a Blaze Media investigation has found. Internal discipline reports show a pattern of officers failing upward. Proven instances of fraud‚ forgery‚ theft‚ perjury‚ and drunk driving on duty going back to the late 1990s led to promotions rather than dismissals and prosecutions‚ discipline reports obtained by Blaze Media show. High-ranking USCP officials‚ including a present-day deputy chief and an assistant chief‚ were implicated and faced discipline and possible termination in a fraudulent overtime pay scheme that defrauded the government of tens of thousands of dollars‚ according to documents obtained by Blaze Media and a former Capitol Police sergeant. A lieutenant involved in the scam left the Capitol Police and now works for the U.S. Senate sergeant at arms. Suspensions for felonies National Journal first reported on the overtime scheme in July 2014 but did not name the officers involved. The National Journal story relied in part on the account of Rhoda Henderson‚ a retired USCP sergeant and whistleblower. In an exclusive interview with Blaze Media‚ Henderson confirmed that the officers involved were current USCP Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher‚ current Deputy Chief John Erickson‚ and Wendy Colmore‚ who is now director of central operations for the U.S. Senate sergeant at arms. Gallagher was a captain with the dignitary protection detail and the alleged “ringleader” at the time of the payroll scheme‚ while Erickson and Colmore were both lieutenants under Gallagher’s command. Henderson told Blaze Media that the scheme lasted “for at least a year‚” and while she wasn’t involved in the crime’s audit‚ the three officers stole well in excess of $10‚000 from the USCP. She also explained that USCP authorities first doubted her story until she was able to produce the paper trail of the scheme. Blaze Media inquired whether there had ever been any follow-up to this story from any other D.C. media. Henderson explained that her interview with National Journal reporter Bill House was the only other time she had been contacted by a journalist before now. Henderson reiterated to Blaze Media that her disappointment with the USCP’s leadership in how they handled these “felonies” — crimes for which the three officers should have been “terminated” — was her reason for speaking to National Journal‚ adding‚ “They look out for each other‚ the higher rank you go.” She said‚ “To me‚ it’s always been‚ ‘I’ll cover up your sins if you cover up mine.’” Henderson said she “had initially brought the questionable overtime billing by the three supervisors to department officials starting in the summer of 2012. She said that included talking to the Internal Affairs Division (now called the Office of Professional Responsibility) and the Capitol Police Office of Inspector General.” She also provided the department’s officials with all the documentation necessary to support her claims. According to National Journal‚ “Henderson said she began monitoring what appeared to her to be inappropriate ‘time shifting’ by the supervisors of their overtime hours ‘behind my back’ on their biweekly pay records in January 2010.” As a result of the investigation‚ the three officers were suspended‚ documents obtained by Blaze Media show and a source close to the investigation confirmed. “Had this been me or any other officer (those not part of command staff) who would have committed this crime — we would have been fired. There's no doubt in my mind‚” Henderson told National Journal in 2014. “Nor would we have been allowed to sit in our jobs for more than a year without a decision being made.” From forgery to assistant chief In the course of our investigation‚ Blaze Media obtained 22 pages of USCP documents related to the department’s investigations of Gallagher‚ Erickson‚ and Colmore. The details are shocking. A USCP memorandum dated July 11‚ 2013‚ reveals that when questioned by departmental investigators‚ then-Captain Gallagher claimed that the scheme was Colmore’s idea. However‚ Gallagher was the supervisor for both Colmore and Erickson‚ and Gallagher should have been fully aware of the illegality and violation of department rules represented by this scheme. It would have been his responsibility — even if Colmore’s “idea” — to stop the conspiracy in its tracks. Instead‚ he fully engaged in the scheme himself‚ the documents show and a source close to the investigation confirmed. From the memorandum: All three claim that this was not a conspiracy. What was it then? Ask them what they call it when three people all agree to backfill overtime and not inform their chain of command. In fact‚ in the biweekly submission of the overtime pay requests‚ it was Gallagher — as Erikson’s and Colmore’s supervisor — who had to sign off on the fraudulent requests‚ documents show and a source close to the investigation confirmed. The USCP documents reveal even more damning behavior by Gallagher‚ who was promoted to inspector immediately after his three-year disciplinary probation ended in 2016. To keep the “backfilling” of the overtime scheme concealed‚ investigators discovered that Gallagher forged the name of his supervisor‚ Inspector Daniel B. Malloy‚ on his own overtime pay submissions. Investigators noted that Gallagher always used a pen with different-colored ink from that of his own signature when forging his supervisor’s. In a 2012 Office of Professional Responsibility investigation‚ which also involved allegations of forgery‚ Gallagher “claimed that his forgery of his supervisors [sic] signature never resulted in personal gain.” According to USCP standards‚ lying to OPR is itself a “terminable” act. The subject line of another USCP memo‚ dated December 18‚ 2013‚ read: “Penalty Assessment-Captain Gallagher‚ OPR#13-061. From the memorandum‚ and for having defrauded the government of more than $10‚000.” According to the memo: The offense is egregious and absent any mitigating factors‚ warrants nothing less than termination. This offense was willful and frequent‚ occurring on eight occasions. Captain Gallagher misrepresented his times‚ forged his supervisor’s signature on overtime authorization forms‚ falsified pay certification sheets‚ and forged his supervisor’s signature on pay certification sheets to defraud the government for significant personal gain. The same memo refers to a prior OPR investigation of Gallagher in 2012‚ in which he had been disciplined for forging his supervisor’s name on other documents. Yet Gallagher was not fired. Instead‚ he was supposed to be demoted to lieutenant and ordered to reimburse the department for “all the pay he received as a result of his misconduct.” How did Gallagher manage to keep his job? A Capitol Police source close to the investigation who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation said Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine intervened in Gallagher’s case. Dine‚ who retired in 2015 after a contentious three-year tenure‚ reassigned the disposition of Gallagher’s discipline to the very supervisor whose name he had forged: Daniel Malloy. Malloy moved up the ranks quickly following the initial discovery of Gallagher’s crimes in 2010. In 2011‚ Malloy was assigned as inspector of the Uniformed Services Bureau’s Capitol Division. One year later‚ he was promoted to deputy chief and assumed command of the Operational Services Bureau. The anonymous USCP source said to the best of his recollection‚ Gallagher did not even receive the recommended demotion. He remained on the job as a captain‚ was given a 10-day suspension without pay‚ and then was immediately promoted to the rank of inspector when his three-year disciplinary period expired. Gallagher took command of the Dignitary Protection Division in 2018. In October 2023‚ he was promoted to assistant chief of police for uniformed operations‚ where he “oversees all the officers posted at security checkpoints‚ the command center at headquarters‚ and specialized teams‚ including the SWAT and canine teams‚” according to a Roll Call story announcing his new job. From fraud to sergeant at arms According to the USCP documents we obtained‚ the internal affairs investigation found that Lt. Wendy Colmore “defrauded the government of $6‚870” and concluded: “The offense is egregious and absent any mitigating factors‚ warrants nothing less than termination.” In a disciplinary memo dated December 18‚ 2013‚ investigators concluded that Colmore had asked a superior officer about the appropriateness of the overtime backfilling scheme. She was advised that it was against regulations‚ and yet — with this knowledge — only a few weeks later‚ she began taking part in the conspiracy. An internal affairs investigation of Colmore in 2000 resulted in a “sustained charge of conduct unbecoming.” Yet Colmore was not fired in spite of investigators’ conclusion that her offense clearly qualified for termination. In the end‚ she only received a recommendation of demotion to sergeant. According to another unnamed USCP source familiar with the case‚ Colmore resigned from the department soon afterward and eventually took a position with the U.S. Senate sergeant at arms. John Erickson of the U.S. Capitol Police speaks during a House Administration Committee briefing.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty ImagesFrom drunk driving to deputy chief The case of Lt. John Erickson is far more complex and troubling. By the time of his penalty assessment memorandum — also dated December 18‚ 2013 — Erickson had already been promoted to captain. What makes his eventual ascent to deputy chief is confounding to the extreme. The memorandum stated that “Captain Erickson is an outstanding employee.” But other department officers refer to him as “Teflon John‚” the source close to the investigation said. Erickson has an especially checkered disciplinary record yet has somehow managed to continue his ascent in rank and recognition. In July 1997‚ while working on a detail in San Antonio for then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich‚ Erickson was arrested on drunk-driving charges. Deseret News reported that Erickson “was found in a government-rented convertible‚ parked on a roadside at 3:25 a.m. with ‘his head on his chest‚ passed out‚ extremely intoxicated‚’” according to a police report‚ which also noted his slurred speech‚ bloodshot eyes‚ and “strong breath odor of intoxicants.” “He refused to take a breath test and was released after spending several hours in jail‚” the story said. Erickson was given a warning and suspended without pay for 10 days. In 2002‚ Erickson was involved in another alcohol-related car wreck. The Washington Post reported Erickson “crashed his car into a parked Maryland State Police cruiser‚ injuring the trooper.” Erickson was charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and given a “last chance agreement‚ in lieu of termination.” He was also suspended without pay for 30 days. Despite the seriousness of his participation in the overtime fraud scheme — and considering his disciplinary history — Erickson received only a recommendation of a 20-day suspension and was ordered to reimburse the government for an undetermined sum. Once again‚ Dine and Malloy had intervened‚ according to the anonymous source within the Capitol Police. Jim Konczos‚ chairman of the Capitol Police Labor Committee’s executive board at the time of the overtime fraud investigation‚ told National Journal‚ “If these allegations are true‚ this is criminal in nature‚ not administrative by any means.” “This conduct should result in termination‚ nothing less. We can’t have supervisors stealing time and/or money. This conduct‚ besides being criminal‚ impairs the efficiency and reputation of the department‚” Konczos said in a statement. "There is a culture in the department in which supervisors are held to a lower standard‚ even when the conduct is criminal‚ that is completely unacceptable‚" he added. Current USCP Labor Committee Chairman Gus Papathanasiou told Blaze Media that he fully concurs with Konczos’ 2014 statement. 'Traingate' Three former USCP officers who agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity said Gallagher was also involved in a strange internal scandal — though “scandal” may be too strong a word — that came to be known as “Traingate.” A fourth‚ former USCP Captain Eric Keenan‚ was the only officer disciplined as a result of an investigation into the practice. He explained to Blaze Media how more than 400 Capitol Police personnel would receive free rides on the Maryland Area Rail Commuter train and Virginia Railway Express with the understanding they would report suspicious activity and offer their services in response to emergencies. Keenan said it was a “mutually beneficial program” between the two railways and law enforcement. By riding the trains for free‚ the officers enjoyed significant savings in fuel and parking expenses. MARC and VRE even issued laminated rail passes to officers who were willing to engage in basic training on railway security measures and other procedures. Other agencies‚ including the FBI‚ Customs and Border Protection‚ and U.S. Secret Service‚ also participated. Although the practice was well known — some USCP commanders even encouraged lower-ranking officers to take advantage of the cost savings — it technically ran afoul of department regulations. Keenan‚ who left the department in 2020 after 24 years and now works for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Bombing Prevention‚ said the informal program “was going well” in late 2018‚ when an unnamed male officer who did not have a laminated pass flashed his badge to receive a free ride. Flashing a badge to obtain free services of any kind — “whether to receive free train rides‚ lunches‚ coffee‚ or donuts‚” Keenan said — is against policy. Among law enforcement‚ the practice is called “rolling the gold.” A MARC conductor notified USCP’s Capitol Division‚ which then referred the infraction to the Office of Professional Responsibility and‚ in Keenan’s words‚ “set off a firestorm.” As the internal affairs investigation got under way‚ Keenan said he emailed the U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee decrying what he called a “witch hunt” and using other disparaging language directed at investigating officers. Keenan’s email was forwarded by the labor union to then-Chief Matthew R. Verderosa‚ which led to disciplinary action against Keenan for “conduct unbecoming” a USCP officer. He was suspended for three days. Keenan said he was only trying to protect the officers under his command who he believed could be hurt unfairly by Verderosa’s “feigned horror” at a “faux scandal.” Failing upward Traingate ultimately revealed systemic favoritism and corruption within USCP leadership‚ as the investigation found many of senior leadership’s “most favored” officers had received free rides. Two names that Keenan mentioned were former Assistant Chief Yogananda Pittman and current Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher. USCP leadership didn’t wish to punish their more favored high-ranking officers who had participated in the program. Keenan explained that disciplining the lower-ranking officers and not those of higher rank would have created “a real firestorm‚” so USCP leadership issued a general letter of reprimand to everyone involved. Something that shouldn’t have been a scandal in the first place was quietly swept under the rug — except for Keenan‚ who raised objections to the “witch hunt.” Keenan speculated that Traingate received no media attention before now “because it was nothing more than a peer-to-peer program between the railways and the individual officers.” But what seems like a fairly innocuous story reveals something even more telling within the USCP hierarchy‚ especially if we examine the difference between the career arcs of Keenan and Gallagher. Keenan was frank in his assessments of Sean Gallagher’s career with the USCP. He says that from “day one” of Gallagher’s employment with the Capitol Police‚ he became “the golden boy who could do no wrong.” Except Gallagher did many wrongs: multiple forgeries of his supervisor’s signature‚ theft of government funds‚ fraud‚ and lying to internal affairs investigators about his crimes. All “terminable” violations‚ according to USCP policies. All “felonies‚” as described by Rhoda Henderson‚ that should have been referred to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation and prosecution. But Gallagher was never fired. Other than a brief interruption‚ his rise through the ranks continued undeterred. Keenan told Blaze Media that he was also being considered for promotion to inspector in 2016‚ but the department passed him over in favor of Gallagher. At the time‚ Keenan’s record was unblemished — Traingate hadn’t happened yet. Meanwhile‚ Gallagher’s file was thick with felonious scandal. Although promotions from sergeant through captain are vetted through an outside agency‚ Keenan said the process of rising to inspector through assistant chief “is basically a popularity contest‚” which includes the input of Congress members “and the committees they represent.” Gallagher was the “golden boy” who spent years on the dignitary protection detail‚ which gave him access to high-ranking congressional leadership. What kind of leverage did he have within the department and over individual Congress members who would have helped guide his ascent to assistant chief‚ despite his disciplinary record? A 21st-century Praetorian Guard? After dozens of interviews with current and former USCP personnel‚ a pattern of corruption and constant cover-ups begins to emerge. The U.S. Capitol Police are the personal security guards of our nation’s elected legislators. Special agents assigned to the dignitary protection detail are in close contact with their charges. They know all the indiscretions — large and small — of the members they protect. They know who they’re sleeping with and when. They know their preferred but perhaps unstated sexual preferences. They know their drugs of choice. In short‚ the U.S. Capitol Police know “where the bodies are buried” and who buried them. This gives them tremendous power — power even over the outcome of controversial or closely contested legislation. Maybe even power over the ultimate direction of our nation. The Praetorian Guard was a special unit of the Roman army assigned to protect the emperor of Rome. Over time‚ the guards developed the power to overthrow the emperors they were supposed to safeguard and even select their successors. Does history repeat? When I first started investigating the events of January 6‚ 2021‚ I did not know where the trail would lead‚ but the whiff of corruption was strong. In December 2022‚ a colleague introduced me to former Capitol Police Lt. Tarik Johnson. Johnson has been an invaluable source in helping cast light on not only the heroics of that day — including Johnson’s own actions — but also the seemingly deliberate string of failures from the USCP command center. Most importantly‚ Johnson has never lied to me. And yet even though I know Johnson to be a truth-teller‚ I struggled to believe one of his repeated assertions: “You don’t understand how powerful the Capitol Police are.” How could a law enforcement agency that displayed such top-down incompetence on the afternoon of January 6 be so powerful and evoke such fear that even retired officers are reluctant to speak on the record? Because they fear retribution‚ even now. “Steve … I’ve tried to tell you how powerful the Capitol Police are.” I believe Tarik Johnson now. Blaze Media’s investigation into Capitol Police corruption will continue.

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