The Wolf of Los Angeles-Chapter 387: BlackRock Involved in Espionage Case

[Chapter 387: BlackRock Involved in Spy Scandal]

In the meeting room on the 16th floor of Coastal Building, James Murdoch looked at Hawke with a confident smile.

Hawke appeared enthusiastic, as if the wiretaps involving World News Weekly didn't exist at all.

James's confidence stemmed from the strength of News Corporation.

Moreover, crucially, the other party was unaware of the vast scope of the wiretap incident.

Hawke's calm demeanor arose from News Corporation's absolute desire to prevent the wiretapping scandal from exploding.

"On behalf of World News Weekly, I apologize to you and Twitter for this incident," James claimed with sincerity. "The three reporters involved, along with their supervising editors and the editor-in-chief, will all be fired and held legally accountable. They will face any penalties and compensations necessary."

Hawke listened patiently.

James added, "We are on the same side; we fought together last year to turn California a different color. News Corporation would never betray an ally. World News Weekly will offer Twitter some financial compensation."

In the corporate world, there are no fixed allies; everything is driven by interests. Hawke also considered how to maximize his own benefits.

Would it be worth triggering the wiretapping scandal? Beyond gaining a formidable foe, what benefits would that bring him?

Hawke had pondered these issues the night before and said, "We are allies and fought together, so I will not hide certain matters. This is a major spy case. The FBI has apprehended a series of suspects and found a Russian spy among them. The spies aimed to steal Twitter's crucial next-stage AI development plans and technological achievements. I cannot confirm if your personnel are involved."

James seemed quite surprised. "How is that possible? News Corporation prioritizes safeguarding national interests. While business knows no borders, businessmen have their own countries."

"I have never doubted you," Hawke replied sternly. "The issue is that your subordinates are already involved, doing the same things as the spies."

James understood and, appearing earnest, asked, "I lack experience in this area. Do you have any good suggestions?"

Hawke bluntly stated, "The confirmed Russian spy is from BlackRock, and two executives from BlackRock colluded with him..."

Before Hawke could finish, James interjected, "News Corporation and Twitter are allies and will firmly support Twitter. The media I control will exert maximum effort to publicize the BlackRock espionage incident. Together with Twitter, we believe we can equate BlackRock with the Russian spies in the public's opinion."

Hawke smiled slightly. "Public opinion can kill, but it cannot take down someone like BlackRock. This incident is quite severe and directly threatens national security. I will be heading to Washington next week and hope for your political support in our offensive related to the BlackRock incident."

James thought it over. "I assure you, there will be key figures from the Intelligence Directorate and the National Security Council backing us."

He was also a shark who enjoyed a bloody fight: "If there's an opportunity to divide up BlackRock, I will be at the table."

Hawke remained clear-headed. It was difficult to kill off BlackRock in one blow, and even if it was possible to divide BlackRock, with his strength, he couldn't single-handedly swallow it. "Of course."

James chuckled.

Hawke hadn't finished his thoughts: "This espionage case targets Twitter's Manhattan AI Project. We, together with the Office of Technology Policy, are preparing to push this project in Congress and hope for your support."

James frowned slightly.

Hawke didn't rush him, patiently waiting.

James's gaze swept over Hawke, doubting he knew something. Considering the extensive implications of the wiretap scandal, he said, "AI represents the future, and we certainly need to support that. I can assure you that at least five congressmen will back the Manhattan AI Project."

Hawke got up and shook hands with James; the two had reached an agreement and understanding.

The wiretaps from World News Weekly originated from the spontaneous actions of two editors and three reporters.

These five individuals would pay the price.

---

Meanwhile, at the FBI Los Angeles office, Jennifer Huey received a reply from her superiors.

She told her assistant, "Pass it down; the press conference will proceed as scheduled."

Chick and Bernaldo delivered some evidence and key videos.

Jennifer prepared to head to the press conference venue.

As she reached the first floor, a group hurried in from outside, led by a middle-aged Black man who waved at Jennifer from a distance. "Director Huey, can we chat for a moment?"

Jennifer stopped and instructed her staff to let the man through. "Speak, but I'm very busy."

Townsend, from the Department of Homeland Security and also an LA supervisor, asked, "Have you apprehended a spy? Cases like this fall under our jurisdiction according to the Homeland Security Act enacted in 2002, and we have the right to intervene."

Jennifer scoffed, "What, you want to take the credit?"

Townsend was prepared. "We can collaborate on this case."

"No need," Jennifer rejected him outright. "The Anti-Spy Act clearly states that the FBI has priority in handling these matters, and since the victim reported to the FBI, you have no authority to intervene."

Townsend showed no signs of giving up. "This would benefit both sides."

Jennifer stated, "Have your superior communicate with mine; if my superior formally sends a letter, I will follow orders."

That was impossible; the creation of the Department of Homeland Security had weakened the FBI's authority, and the two sides were not compatible.

Townsend still didn't leave.

Jennifer ignored him and told Chick and Bernaldo, "You both stay here to personally guard the suspects in the spy case. If anyone dares to storm the precinct, I authorize you to fire in self-defense."

Chick and Bernaldo both stayed behind.

In the lobby on the first floor, a swarm of fully armed FBI agents arrived.

Townsend, whose expression was already dark, waved his hand to his subordinates. "We're leaving."

---

Back at Coastal Building, Hawke and James had finalized their talks.

At that moment, Edward knocked and entered, reminding them: "The FBI press conference on the espionage case has started."

"Let's start the projection," Hawke suggested to James. "Shall we watch it together?"

James replied, "Sure."

...

The FBI press conference was set to be live-streamed by Twitter.

At 10 AM, the press conference began on schedule.

With upper management's approval, Jennifer Huey announced that the FBI Los Angeles office had uncovered a severe espionage case that posed a threat to national security, based on intelligence from Twitter, and provided details of the case.

The assistant director of BlackRock Investment Group, a Russian immigrant named Eugene Kropov, had colluded with Chairman Anderson and Vice Chairman Haas to plot a spying operation against a significant technology of Twitter and was swiftly apprehended by FBI agents with solid evidence.

The FBI then showcased a series of pieces of evidence, including correspondence from Eugene to Russia, call logs with Moscow, and a collection of Russian-language books.

While the press conference didn't explicitly state it, all evidence pointed to Russia.

The relationship between the two countries was exceedingly complex.

None of the reporters present raised any objections.

Years of media sentiment, including various films and literary works from Hollywood, painted Russians as America's enemies.

This narrative fit the media's needs, with plenty of controversy and engagement.

Following a straightforward case briefing, the press conference concluded.

...

At Twitter, James departed and called various media heads, instructing them to swiftly follow up with reports framing the story as "BlackRock Involved in Espionage Case."

Subsequently, he called two old friends.

BlackRock, being a supporter of the Democratic Party, had representatives from the Intelligence Directorate and the National Security Council, who were also sympathetic to the Democratic side, indicating they would closely monitor the incident and stand up when necessary.

...

Hawke returned to his office and asked Caroline to release a strong statement.

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This statement directly targeted BlackRock Investment Group.

Richard Wilson, Twitter's legal officer, expressed in a media interview that Twitter would pursue the matter thoroughly.

...

Twitter, along with the print media under News Corporation, had been guiding public opinion.

As the case involved foreign espionage, many left-leaning media outlets reported on it as well.

Countless media outlets across America quickly followed suit, wildly reporting on the incident.

"BlackRock Involved in Russian Espionage Case" soared to the top of the trending news.

...

Hawke dispatched Twitter's head of PR, Hearst, along with two expert consultants, to Washington to get some groundwork done ahead of time.

Twitter's legal team also officially filed a civil lawsuit against the Los Angeles District Court, holding BlackRock accountable for damages incurred due to the exposure of Twitter's key commercial projects.

...

The Los Angeles City Government and the California State Government also expressed their close attention to the incident, stating that they would not permit any individual or group to harm national interests.

During a routine press conference at the White House, the head of the Office of Technology Policy clearly stated that Twitter's Manhattan AI Project had been recorded since January and holds significant importance for America's technological and intelligence development. Originally set to enter the review process in Congress, changes now had to be made.

...

Hawke, the Director of Technology at Twitter, issued a statement indicating that the company had just become aware of the spies' existence and was unclear about the extent of the leaked information, necessitating adjustments for the $35 billion investment in the Manhattan AI Project.

...

Shortly after, personnel from the Intelligence Directorate and the National Security Council also gave interviews, labeling it a serious leak incident that had to be investigated rigorously.

Several congressmen and senators expressed their interest in the case.

Public opinion overwhelmingly favored one side.

...

BlackRock was struggling, as certain individuals from the Department of Homeland Security were seeking to collaborate with the FBI, and some in Washington claimed to have never heard of the so-called Manhattan AI Project. There were even famous Hollywood directors who believed that developing AI would lead to human extinction, among other opinions.

BlackRock Co-President Robert Kapito specifically accepted an interview with CNN.

"BlackRock is closely monitoring the Twitter case and cooperating with the FBI's investigation. I can assure you that BlackRock is a legitimate investment company with no ties to Russia; this so-called wiretapping was the result of individual actions and could not have caused any alleged leaks."

*****

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