The FBI and the U.S. Secret Service have partnered in efforts to safeguard people in the country against fraudulent schemes and other crimes during the COVID-19 crisis.

Federal law enforcement organizations have observed criminal activities such as online scams and cyber threats that prey on coronavirus-related public anxiety, Michael D’Ambrosio — assistant director of the U.S. Secret Service’s investigations office — and Terry Wade — executive assistant director of the FBI’s criminal, cyber, response and services branch — said in a joint statement published Wednesday.

D’Ambrosio and Wade noted that fraudsters are targeting financial aid for individuals, communities and businesses from the 2T stimulus package known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The law enforcement community is working with multiple government agencies, U.S. Attorney offices and private companies to address criminal activities that threaten COVID-19 response efforts.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Communications Commission, Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission stepped up to also prevent crime amid the pandemic.

“We are working aggressively to enforce the law and are devoting unprecedented resources to pursuing those who seek to undermine the nation’s response effort,” D’Ambrosio and Wade added.

Veritone and its subsidiary, Veritone One announced that the companies have received a total of $6.5 million of loans from Sunwest Bank under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) contained within the new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the company announced on Friday.

“Small businesses are vital to the nation’s economy, and we are grateful the CARES Act established a safety net to help companies like Veritone weather the significant disruption and uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chad Steelberg, chairman and CEO of Veritone, said.

With the loan, Veritone will be able to continue operations without salary reductions, layoffs or furloughs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and challenging economic environment. The PPP loan has a term of two years, is unsecured, and is guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The loan carries a fixed interest rate of one percent per annum, with the first six months of interest deferred. Under the CARES Act, Veritone will be eligible to apply for forgiveness of all loan proceeds used to pay payroll costs, rent, utilities and other qualifying expenses during the eight-week period following receipt of the loan.

The eligibility will be contingent upon the company’s maintenance of its employment and compensation within certain parameters during such a period. The forgiven amount will not be included in the company’s taxable income.

“We shifted to working from home in mid-March, and our whole team has rallied together to serve our customers, continue our software development and pursue new business opportunities while reducing our operating expenses. As a result of these efforts, we do not anticipate needing additional funds beyond this PPP loan in the near term based on our business outlook,” Veritone president Ryan Steelberg added.

About Veritone

Veritone (Nasdaq: VERI) is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and solutions. The Company’s proprietary operating system, aiWARE™ powers a diverse set of AI applications and intelligent process automation solutions that are transforming both commercial and government organizations. aiWARE orchestrates an expanding ecosystem of machine learning models to transform audio, video, and other data sources into actionable intelligence. The Company’s AI developer tools enable its customers and partners to easily develop and deploy custom applications that leverage the power of AI to dramatically improve operational efficiency and unlock untapped opportunities. Veritone is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and has offices in Denver, London, New York, San Diego, and Seattle.

Boeing has announced that the company will resume all Commercial Airplanes production in a phased approach at its Puget Sound-region facilities next week, after suspending operations last month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced on Friday.

“This phased approach ensures we have a reliable supply base, our personal protective equipment is readily available and we have all of the necessary safety measures in place to resume essential work for our customers,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and senior executive in the Pacific Northwest.

Boeing has taken additional precautions and instituted comprehensive procedures to keep people safe and fight the spread of COVID-19 at all of the company’s sites. Approximately 27,000 people in the Puget Sound area will return to production of the 747, 767, 777 and 787 programs, supporting critical global transportation infrastructure, cargo services and national defense and security missions.

The company’s practices reinforce enhanced cleaning, employee health and physical distancing in partnership with employees. Aligned with federal and state guidelines, including staggering shift start times to reduce the flow of employees arriving and departing work and visual controls like floor markings and signage to create physical distance.

In addition, employees will be required to wear face coverings at Boeing sites in Washington. The company will provide required personal protective equipment to employees working in areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained for an extended period and Boeing will ask employees to perform self-health checks before coming to work and to stay home if they are ill.

Employee wellness checks at the beginning of every shift and voluntary temperature screening at many manufacturing locations and contact tracing will be implemented when an employee tests positive for COVID-19 to reduce risk to teammates. Boeing will continue virtual meetings and employees who can work from home will continue to do so.

Enhanced measures will continue until conditions allow for a return to regular work and cleaning processes. Boeing will continue to monitor government guidance on COVID-19, assess the impact on company operations and adjust plans as the situation evolves.

About Boeing

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As the top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries.

Boeing employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

Census experts held a telephone briefing to discuss with House Oversight and Reform Committee members the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the 2020 Census and the White House’s call for Congress to delay key aspects of the count.

John Thompson, former director of the Census Bureau, said the bureau must be transparent to Congress “on how they spend their money, on how their recruiting is going, and if they need any change in regulation,” according to the House panel’s news release published Wednesday.

Arturo Vargas, CEO of NALEO Educational Fund; John Yang, president and executive director of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice; and Terri Ann Lowenthal, a leading Census consultant; joined Thompson during the briefing. Lowenthal discussed the delay in the census and its impact on data accuracy, while Yang and Vargas recommended ways to advance self-response options.

“The Committee will carefully examine the Administration’s request for Congress to pass a law delaying Census deadlines, but as these experts all agreed, the Census Bureau must work with Congress to provide a clear and robust plan to ensure that every person in America will be counted, including those in hard-to-reach communities,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.).