SEC Watch: September 2, 2026 — SEC Alleges $1 Billion Fictitious-Revenue Scheme at Lugano Diamonds
The Investigative Journal’s daily review of notable filings on the SEC’s EDGAR system, Commission rulemaking, and enforcement actions. Every item below is drawn from public records linked in the text.…
Afternoon Wire: September 1, 2026 — Tankers Struck in Hormuz as U.S.–Iran Fighting Resumes
Two tankers hit in the Strait of Hormuz; Congress returns to a Sept. 30 funding clock; the Supreme Court clears the White House ballroom project; Massachusetts votes.
Sanctions Watch: Week of August 24, 2026 — Treasury Launches “Operation Economic Outcast” Against Iran
Treasury opens a whole-of-government sanctions campaign against Iran with five new sectoral determinations and nearly 60 designations; Syria comes off the State Sponsor of Terrorism list; BIS settles a Russia…
Spending Watch: Week of September 1, 2026 — Pentagon Books $1.3 Billion in Construction Awards in a Single Day
Two $650 million construction awards in one day, a $494 million background-check recompete, $560 million in engine money, and a deficit headed past $2 trillion — this week in federal…
Campaign Finance Watch: August — Dark Money Networks Outpace a Sidelined FEC
A 501(c)(4) network has routed $33.1 million to super PACs, corporate spending hit $517 million, and a new straw-donor complaint landed at a commission that still cannot vote.
Capitol Watch: September 1, 2026 — House Set to Clear Senate Stopgap as Shutdown Clock Ticks
The House returns with four days to pass the Senate stopgap funding bill through Dec. 11, take up contempt and censure resolutions, and restart hearings — today's congressional digest.
Federal Register Watch: September 1, 2026 — White House Declares National Emergency Over Power Grid Security
A national emergency order targets foreign-made grid equipment; plus a 300,000-ton beef quota increase, a ten-rule FRA deregulation package, First Step Act revisions, and FCC comment deadlines.
SEC Watch: September 1, 2026 — SEC and FDA Sign Market-Integrity Pact as Filing-Fraud Sweep Widens
The SEC and FDA sign an information-sharing MOU with direct consequences for biotech disclosure, the SEC charges 38 entities over allegedly fake adviser filings, former Tricolor executives face fraud charges…
Capitol Watch: August 31, 2026 — House Returns to Move FY2027 Stopgap as Shutdown Clock Ticks
The House takes up the Senate-passed FY2027 continuing resolution under suspension of the rules, Rules tees up three bills, and CBO scores export-control and inspector-general legislation.
DOJ Watch: August 31, 2026 — Walmart to Pay $50 Million Over Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions
A $50 million Walmart opioid settlement leads a busy DOJ enforcement cycle: a Russia export-control conviction, Tren de Aragua and sextortion extraditions, a $3.1M laundering sentence, a $1.75M pollution fine,…