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December 30, 2005 |
Federal Judge Bars Arizona Couple From Preparing Federal Tax Returns for Others (05-698)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Justice Department announced today that a federal court
has permanently barred Beverly J. and Darrell J. Hill, of Mesa, Arizona, from
preparing federal income tax returns for others. The permanent injunction
order, entered by Judge David G. Campbell of the U.S. District Court for the
District of Arizona, also requires the Hills to remove from their website all
information advertising their services as tax preparers, to post to the website
a copy of the permanent injunction entered against them, and to give the
government a list identifying their customers and their customers' addresses,
phone numbers, and taxpayer identification numbers.
(Read more) |
December 29, 2005 |
CHIEF IMMIGRATION JUDGE ORDERS FORMER NAZI GUARD
JOHN DEMJANJUK REMOVED TO UKRAINE (05-696)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chief Immigration Judge Michael J. Creppy has ordered the
removal to Ukraine of Ivan Demjanjuk, 85, on the basis of his service during
World War II as an armed guard at a Nazi extermination camp and two
concentration camps in German-occupied Poland, Assistant Attorney General Alice
S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today. (Read more) |
December 28, 2005 |
Former Enron Chief Accounting Officer Richard Causey
Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud (05-695)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Richard A. Causey, the former chief accounting officer at
Enron Corp., has pleaded guilty to a charge of securities fraud, Assistant
Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.
Causey, 44, a resident of The Woodlands, Texas, entered his plea at a hearing in
Houston this afternoon before Judge Sim Lake of U.S. District Court in the
Southern District of Texas. Trial for Causey’s co-defendants, former Enron
chief executive officers Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, is scheduled to begin
before Judge Lake on Jan. 30, 2006. (Read more) |
December 21, 2005 |
STATEMENT OF TASIA SCOLINOS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, IN RESPONSE TO THE FOURTH CIRCUIT’S ORDER REGARDING TRANSFER OF JOSE PADILLA INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: (05-690)
"We are disappointed that the court has denied the unopposed motion to transfer
Jose Padilla to the criminal justice system to face the terrorism charges
currently pending against him. The President's authority to detain enemy
combatants, which the Fourth Circuit has upheld, should not be viewed as an
obstacle to an exercise of the government's undoubted authority to prosecute
federal crimes, including those related to terrorism. The Department is in the
process of reviewing the court's order and will continue to consider all options
with respect to pursuing the criminal charges as expeditiously as possible.” (Read more) |
ILLINOIS ETHANOL FACILITY WILL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE EMISSIONS, PAY CIVIL PENALTY (05-689)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – MGP Ingredients of Illinois, Inc. (MGP)—an ethanol producing
company—has reached a settlement to resolve claims that it violated the Clean
Air Act (CAA), which will result in a reduction of over 1,700 tons of air
pollutants a year at its ethanol production plant in Pekin, Illinois, the
Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the
State of Illinois announced today. With today’s settlement, approximately 83
percent of the ethanol production capacity nationwide will be under consent
decrees requiring new pollution controls. (Read more) |
U.S. ANNOUNCES $94 MILLION CLEAN AIR ACT SETTLEMENT WITH CHRYSLER
OVER EMISSION CONTROL DEFECTS ON 1.5 MILLION JEEP AND DODGE VEHICLES (05-688)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States has reached a settlement with
DaimlerChrysler Corporation (Chrysler) to repair defective emission controls on
nearly 1.5 million Jeep and Dodge vehicles from model years 1996 through 2001,
the Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced
today. The agreement also settles allegations that the company violated the
Clean Air Act (CAA) by failing to properly disclose defective catalytic
converters installed on the affected vehicles. (Read more) |
*******Fact Sheet*******
Consequences Of Letting The USA Patriot Act Expire
(05-687)
If the USA PATRIOT Act is allowed to expire, we will return to a pre-9/11 mode
of information sharing where there are not clear rules governing investigators’
ability to share information with each other, where terrorists and spies can use
technology against us, and where it is more difficult to investigate a potential
terrorist attack that it is to catch a drug dealer, a mobster, or a white collar
criminal. (Read more) |
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY TO PAY U.S. $36 MILLION
RELATING TO OFF-LABEL PROMOTION (05-685)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – American pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company
agreed to plead guilty and to pay $36 million in connection with its illegal
promotion of its pharmaceutical drug Evista, the Justice Department announced
today. (Read more) |
December 20, 2005 |
*******FACT SHEET*******
CIVIL LIBERTIES SAFEGUARDS IN THE USA PATRIOT ACT
CONFERENCE REPORT (05-682)
The Administration has scored a number of key victories in the War on Terror
over the past four years, many as a result of expanded information sharing and
investigative tools provided by the USA PATRIOT Act. On December 31, 2005, 16
key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act will expire unless the Senate acts to
reauthorize them. (Read more) |
President George W. Bush Granted Pardons to the Following 11 Individuals
(05-681)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush granted pardons to the following 11
individuals: (Read more) |
December 19, 2005 |
SHIP COMPANY TO PAY $10.5 MILLION FOR COVERING UP OIL POLLUTION (05-680)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – MSC Ship Management (Hong Kong) Limited—a Hong Kong-based
container ship company—has agreed to plead guilty to charges that it engaged in
conspiracy, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, false statements
and violated the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, the Department of Justice
announced today. Per the terms of a plea agreement that must be approved by the
court, MSC Ship Management will pay $10.5 million in penalties. This is the
largest fine in which a single vessel has been charged with deliberate pollution
and the largest criminal fine paid by a defendant in an environmental case in
Massachusetts history. (Read more) |
December 16, 2005 |
STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO R. GONZALES ON THE SENATE’S REFUSAL TO ALLOW A VOTE ON THE USA PATRIOT ACT: (05-678)
"These provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act are essential to our efforts in the war
on terrorism and their loss will damage our ability to prevent terrorist
attacks. Our Nation cannot afford to let these important counterterrorism tools
lapse. The House of Representatives has already acted, through a bipartisan
vote that renewed the PATRIOT Act's sunsetted provisions while strengthening the
Act's significant civil liberties protections. After 23 congressional hearings,
testimony from more than 60 different witnesses, and months of deliberations, it
is now time for the Senate to act. National security should not be compromised
with procedural delaying tactics. The PATRIOT Act has clear bipartisan majority
support, and the Senate should be allowed to vote up or down on the conference
report. The American people deserve no less." (Read more) |
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, FBI, ANNOUNCE ARRESTS TARGETING CHILD PROSTITUTION RINGS IN PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, AND MICHIGAN (05-677)
WASHINGTON D.C. – In one of the largest coordinated enforcement actions ever
taken against child prostitution rings in the United States, 19 individuals have
been arrested and more than 30 charged in the latest phase of “Innocence Lost,”
an ongoing national investigation into criminal enterprises involved in the
recruitment of children for prostitution, the Department of Justice announced
today.
(Read more) |
PROJECT MANAGER INDICTED FOR ILLEGAL DREDGING OPERATION IN HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA (05-663)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michael L. Hayhurst, Jr. was indicted today by a federal
grand jury and charged with violating the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and
Harbors Act and for covering up illegal discharges of dredged material from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in connection with a dredging operation he
supervised in Calibogue Sound in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Read more) |
December 15, 2005 |
Former RNC New England Regional Director Convicted In
New Hampshire Phone Jamming Case (05-672)
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- After a four-day trial, a jury in Concord, New Hampshire
today convicted James Tobin, the former New England Regional Director of the
Republican National Committee, of charges stemming from a scheme to disrupt
phone service to five Democratic Party offices and a firefighters'
ride-to-the-polls program on Election Day 2002, the Department of Justice
announced today. (Read more) |
Justice Department Announces Agreement with the City of Waukegan, Illinois to Ensure Civic Access for People With Disabilities (05-672)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement
with the City of Waukegan, Illinois to improve access to all aspects of civic
life for persons with disabilities. The agreement is part of "Project Civic
Access," a wide-ranging effort to ensure that cities, towns, and villages comply
with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To date, the Department has
entered into 143 formal agreements with villages, towns, cities, and counties
across the country. (Read more) |
Second U.S. Army Officer Arrested in Case Involving Bribery, Fraud And Money Laundering Scheme in Al-hillah, Iraq (05-671)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve has been
arrested on charges of conspiring to commit bribery, money laundering,
possession of automatic weapons, theft, and wire fraud in connection with a
scheme to defraud the Coalition Provisional Authority - South Central Region
(CPA-SC) in Al-Hillah, Iraq, the Department of Justice announced today. (Read more) |
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SEEKS TO STOP ALLEGED
WASHINGTON STATE TAX SCAM (05-669)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a
lawsuit asking a federal court to bar a Gig Harbor, Washington woman from
marketing an alleged tax-fraud scheme. The complaint in the civil injunction
case—filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of
Washington—alleges that Rita I. Johnson, conducting business as Estate
Preservation Association, falsely advises customers that they can use a
so-called “corporation sole” to avoid paying federal income taxes. (Read more) |
Former Labor Department Official Pleads Guilty To Stealing Government Laptop Computers ( 05-67)
WASHINGTON, DC – A former Supervisory Program Manager for the Employment and
Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor has pleaded guilty
to the theft of government laptop computers, Assistant Attorney General Alice S.
Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today. (Read more) |
December 14, 2005 |
Justice Department Announces Court Decision that Erie, Pennsylvania
Police Officer Test Discriminates Against Women (05-667)
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department announced today that United States
District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin of the Western District of Pennsylvania found
that the City of Erie, Pennsylvania, violated federal law by using a physical
ability test that eliminated the vast majority of female applicants for police
officer positions in the Erie Bureau of Police. The court’s December 13th
ruling followed a four-day trial held in March 2005. (Read more) |
STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO R. GONZALES ON THE HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE USA PATRIOT ACT (05-666)
"The USA PATRIOT Act is an essential part of our Nation's efforts in the war
against terrorism, and I commend the House of Representatives for deciding to
renew these critical sections. Our number-one priority is protecting the
American people from another terrorist attack, and today's bipartisan vote is an
important step toward ensuring that the men and women of law enforcement
continue to have the tools they need keep us safe. I strongly urge the Senate
to act now." (Read more) |
WALNUT, CALIFORNIA RESIDENT INDICTED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES (05-664)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Andrew Anhh Nguyen, a Walnut, California resident, was
charged by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles, California with conspiring to
import plant specimens protected under the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Department of Justice
announced today. Nguyen, who was allegedly conspiring to import into the United
States, specimens of cycads—which resemble palms or tree ferns—was also charged
with eight counts of customs offenses, including smuggling and importing cycads
by means of false declarations and statements, and one count of violating the
Endangered Species Act. (Read more) |
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES TO SHUT DOWN ALLEGED OHIO TAX-FRAUD SCHEME (05-660)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a
civil injunction suit in federal court in Cleveland to stop Ohio twin brothers,
Joseph and Edward Flickinger, from promoting alleged tax-fraud schemes. The
suit also asks the court to permanently bar the Flickinger brothers from
preparing federal income tax returns for others. (Read more) |
HOUSTON-BASED COMPANY TO PAY UNITED STATES $3 MILLION
FOR FRAUD RELATED TO MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM (05-655)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Texas highway construction firm has agreed to pay the
United States $3 million to resolve claims that it knowingly violated the
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contracting requirements on
federally-funded Texas highway construction projects, the Justice Department
announced today. (Read more) |
December 13, 2005 |
FORMER LEWISTON, NEW YORK FINANCIAL ADVISOR
INDICTED FOR TAX FRAUD (05-659)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A federal grand jury in Buffalo, New York indicted tax and
financial advisor Richard A. Muto for his involvement in a tax fraud scheme that
cost the Treasury at least $1.9 million in taxes, the Department of Justice and
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. The two-count indictment
charges the defendant with attempting to obstruct the administration of the
internal revenue laws and filing a false federal income tax return for 1998. (Read more) |
Former Lewiston, New York Financial Advisor
Indicted for Tax Fraud (05-659)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A federal grand jury in Buffalo, New York indicted tax and
financial advisor Richard A. Muto for his involvement in a tax fraud scheme that
cost the Treasury at least $1.9 million in taxes, the Department of Justice and
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. The two-count indictment
charges the defendant with attempting to obstruct the administration of the
internal revenue laws and filing a false federal income tax return for 1998. (Read more) |
December 8, 2005 |
Statement of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales on the Reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act (05-652)
I applaud the House and the Senate conferees for coming together to produce a
comprehensive USA PATRIOT Reauthorization bill. The Department strongly
supports the bill, which reauthorizes all of the sunsetting provisions of the
USA PATRIOT Act, creates a new national security division at the Department of
Justice, helps clarify certain existing authorities, provides additional
protections against the threat of attacks on mass transportation systems and at
our seaports, and grants us additional tools to protect Americans from
terrorism. I urge both houses of Congress to act promptly to pass this critical
piece of legislation. (Read more) |
December 7, 2005 |
Statement of Deputy Assistant Attorney General J. Bruce Mcdonald Regarding Korean Fair Trade Commission’s Decision in its Microsoft Case (05-648)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – J. Bruce McDonald, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the
Antitrust Division, issued the following statement today after the Korean Fair
Trade Commission announced a decision in its antitrust case against Microsoft,
ordering Microsoft to sell in Korea a version of its Windows operating system
that includes neither Windows Media Player nor Windows Messenger functionality,
requiring that Microsoft facilitate consumer downloads of third party media
player and messenger products selected by the Commission, and prohibits
Microsoft from selling in Korea a version of its server software that includes
Windows Media Services: (Read more) |
December 6, 2005 |
Statement of Tasia Scolinos, Director of Public Affairs,
on the Al Arian Case:
(05-647)
"The Justice Department has a strong track record of success in prosecuting
terrorists and those who support terrorist activities, as evidenced by the
convictions in recent weeks in the Abu Ali and Paracha cases. We remain focused
on the important task at hand, which is to protect our country through our
ongoing vigorous prosecution of terrorism cases. While we respect the jury’s
verdict, we stand by the evidence we presented in court against Sami Al Arian
and his co-defendants. Discussions are ongoing as to whether the government will
seek to retry defendants Al Arian and Hatem Fariz on the outstanding charges." (Read more) |
DEFENDANTS RECEIVE MAJOR JAIL SENTENCES, PAY RESTITUTION FOR MAJOR WETLANDS CRIMINAL PROSECUTION (05-644)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In one of the most significant wetlands criminal enforcement
prosecutions in United States history, Robert J. Lucas, Jr.; his daughter,
Robbie Lucas; and M. E. Thompson, Jr.; and two affiliated corporations-Big Hill
Acres, Inc., and Consolidated Investments, Inc.-were sentenced in the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, the Department of
Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. (Read more) |
December 5, 2005 |
Tax Scam Promoter "Judge Rizzo" and Wife Sentenced to Prison (05-645)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tax scam promoters John J. Rizzo and his wife, Carol A.
Rizzo, were sentenced, respectively, to 43 months in prison followed by three
years of supervised release and 24 months in prison followed by three years of
supervised release in connection with a tax evasion scheme, the Department of
Justice and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. In addition to the
prison sentences, each of the Rizzos was issued a fine of $10,000, instructed to
cooperate with the IRS in payment of tax liabilities, and prohibited from
providing tax advice. Both of the Rizzos-who have been in custody since their
arrests in April 2003-were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver in
Phoenix, Arizona.
(Read more) |
Mcwane, Inc. and Company Executives Sentenced
for Environmental Crimes
(05-643)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Cast-iron pipe manufacturer McWane Inc. (McWane) and company
executives James Delk, Michael Devine, and Charles “Barry” Robison were
sentenced today in federal court for environmental crimes connected with the
operation of McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company in Birmingham, Alabama. Judge Robert
Propst sentenced McWane to pay a fine of $5 million and serve a period of
probation for five years. McWane, Inc. is also ordered to perform a community
service project valued at $2.7 million. Judge Propst ordered McWane executive
James Delk to serve probation for three years, including six months of home
detention and a fine of $90,000; Mike Devine received two years of probation,
including three months of home detention and a fine of $35,000; and Charles
Robinson received two years of probation and a fine of $2,500. Additionally,
Robinson will serve 150 hours of community service work. (Read more) |
December 1, 2005 |
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales Highlights Success in the War on Terror at the Council on Foreign Relations
(05-641)
The prevention of terrorist attacks and the prosecution of the war on terrorism
remain the top priorities of the Department of Justice. In the past year alone,
there have been significant convictions in terrorism cases from Virginia to
Texas, following a track record of success over the past four years in previous
cases such as John Walker Lindh, Zacarias Moussaoui and Richard Reid, among
others. (Read more) |
U.S. Army Officer Arrested in Case Involving Bribery, Fraud
and Money Laundering Scheme in Al-hillah, Iraq
(05-639)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve was arrested on
charges of conspiring to commit bribery, money laundering, possession of
automatic weapons, theft, and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud
the Coalition Provisional Authority - South Central Region (CPA-SC) in
Al-Hillah, Iraq, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal
Division announced today. (Read more) |
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