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March 31, 2009
United States Files Civil Lawsuit Against BP Exploration for Oil Spills on North Slope in Alaska (09-287)
The United States has filed a civil complaint against BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (BPXA) alleging that the company violated federal clean air and water laws. ( Read more)
Hitachi Executive Indicted for His Role in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy (09-286)
A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned an indictment today charging an executive at Hitachi Displays Ltd. with participating in a global conspiracy to fix the prices of Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) panels sold to Dell Inc.
( Read more)
Justice Department Files Voting Rights Lawsuit Against Town of Lake Park, Florida (09-285)
The Department filed a lawsuit today to challenge the at-large method of electing the Lake Park, Fla. Town Commission on the ground that it dilutes the voting strength of black citizens in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Miami, alleges that as a result of racially polarized voting patterns in town elections, candidates preferred by black voters are usually defeated. ( Read more)
Disaster Fraud Hotline Available to Report Flood-Related Fraud (09-284)
In response to the Red River flooding in North Dakota and Minnesota and subsequent relief efforts, the National Center for Disaster Fraud is reminding members of the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Members of the public can report fraud, waste, abuse or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations through the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, the Disaster Fraud Fax at 225-334-4707 or the Disaster Fraud e-mail at disaster@leo.gov. Individuals can also report criminal activity to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
( Read more)
March 30, 2009
Rhode Island Machine Shop Owners Convicted of Tax Fraud (09-283)
Bruce Lapierre, of Pascoag, R.I., and Albert Martin and Lorraine Martin, both of Woonsocket, R.I., were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax evasion following 2 hours of deliberations and an 8-day trial before Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi in Providence, R.I.
( Read more)
March 27, 2009
Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Arrested for Violating Civil Rights by Kidnapping (09-291)
Agents with the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Wyoming Department of Criminal Justice arrested Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Franklin Joseph Ryle late yesterday in Douglas, Wyo., on criminal civil rights charges. ( Read more)
Former National Century Financial Enterprises CEO Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison, Co-Owner Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Conspiracy, Fraud and Money Laundering (09-282)
Two former National Century Financial Enterprises (NCFE) executives were sentenced today for their roles in a scheme to deceive investors about the financial health of NCFE. NCFE, formerly based in Dublin, Ohio, was one of the largest healthcare finance companies in the United States until it filed for bankruptcy in November 2002.
( Read more)
Jackson, Miss., Man Convicted of Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography (09-280)
A Jackson, Miss., computer systems administrator was found guilty late Thursday of receiving and possessing images of child pornography on his home computer. Following a four-day jury trial in Natchez, Miss., Joseph McNealy was found guilty of three counts of receiving child pornography through the Internet and one count of possessing child pornography. ( Read more)
March 26, 2009
Hyannis, Mass., Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography (09-279)
Harris Taubman, of Hyannis, Mass., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Boston for receiving and possessing child pornography. Taubman, 48, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for three counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was indicted on those charges on Feb. 6, 2008, and pled guilty on Feb. 11, 2009.
( Read more)
Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in New York Special Congressional Election (09-278)
The Department has reached agreement with New York officials to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to vote in the states March 31, 2009, special election in the 20th Congressional District. ( Read more)
Miami Doctor and Chemist Plead Guilty in HIV Infusion Fraud Scheme (09-277)
Two Miami-area residents pleaded guilty today in connection with a $10 million Medicare fraud scheme involving HIV infusion clinics. Dr. Carmen Del Cueto, 65, and Alexis Dagnesses, 44, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck. Both defendants admitted to working at Midway Medical Center Inc. (Midway), a Miami clinic that purported to specialize in the treatment of patients with HIV.
( Read more)
Former Michigan School Official Sentenced to Serve 46 Months in Jail
for Role in Fraud Scheme (09-276)
A former Michigan school official was sentenced to serve 46 months in jail and to pay $1.34 million in restitution for his role in a fraudulent scheme to obtain millions of dollars from the Detroit-area Ecorse Public School District, the federal E-Rate program and TCF National Bank. Douglas Benit, a former assistant superintendent at Ecorse Public Schools (EPS), was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Detroit today after pleading guilty on Nov. 24, 2008, to one count each of mail fraud and bank fraud. ( Read more)
Justice Department Announces Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination (09-275)
The Department is making grant funding available for public education programs concerning immigration-related employment discrimination. The Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC), a section of the Departments Civil Rights Division, announced the availability of funds for public education programs regarding employees rights and employers obligations under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). ( Read more)
Houstons Methodist Hospital to Pay U.S. More Than $9 Million to Resolve Allegations of Overcharging Medicare (09-274)
Methodist Hospital in Houston has agreed to pay the United States $9.99 million to settle allegations that it defrauded the federal Medicare program. The settlement resolves allegations that Methodist improperly increased charges to Medicare patients in order to obtain enhanced reimbursement from Medicare. ( Read more)
March 25, 2009
Sikorsky Aircraft Pays $2.9 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations (09-273)
Sikorsky Aircraft Company, a division of United Technologies Corporation, has agreed to pay the United States $2,941,000 to resolve fraud allegations in connection with its contract for the manufacture of Black Hawk helicopters for the Army. Sikorsky, located in Stratford, Conn., manufactures the Black Hawk or variations of the Black Hawk for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, as well as for other nations. ( Read more)
Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, Alleging Discrimination Against African Americans in the Hiring of Firefighters (09-272)
The Department has entered into a consent decree with the City of Portsmouth, Va., that, if approved by the court, will resolve the Departments complaint that the City of Portsmouth engaged in a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against African Americans in its hiring of entry-level firefighters, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).
( Read more)
Connecticut Resident Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud Conspiracy (09-269)
A Newton, Conn., resident who was involved in operating three businesses in Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Mariusz Debowksi pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to conspiracy to aid another in filing false tax returns. ( Read more)
March 24, 2009
Puerto Rico Political Consultant Sentenced to Three Months in Prison and Three Months of Home Detention (09-268)
Alberto Goachet, 67, a political consultant and aide to former Puerto Rico Sen. Jorge De Castro Font, was sentenced today to three months in prison, three months of home detention and three years of supervised release. Goachet pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2008, to a one-count information charging him with conspiring with De Castro Font and others to launder money provided by a Puerto Rico businessman to De Castro Font.
( Read more)
California Couple Plead Guilty in Alien Smuggling Scheme in Which Some Were Forced to Work at Elder Care Homes (09-267)
The owner of two elder care homes in Long Beach, Calif., has pleaded guilty on March 23, 2009 to bringing undocumented aliens into the United States and forcing two of them to work at her businesses. Evelyn Pelayo, 53, a resident of Long Beach, pleaded guilty on March 23, 2009 to forced labor and unlawful conduct of holding passports to further forced labor. ( Read more)
Sixth Aegis Company Principal Sentenced in Chicago to Ten Years in Prison for His Part in Firms $60 Million Tax Fraud Conspiracy (09-266)
Edward B. Bartoli, a Clearwater, Fla., resident and former attorney, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles R. Norgle of Chicago. Bartoli is the last of six defendants to be sentenced after they were convicted of various tax crimes in May 2008. Prior to his conviction, Bartoli was a founder of Aegis and its legal director. ( Read more)
Department of Justice Announces Resources for Fight Against Mexican Drug Cartels (09-265)
For more than a quarter century, U.S. law enforcement agencies have recognized that the best way to fight the most sophisticated and powerful criminal organizations is through intelligence-based investigations to target the greatest threats, said Deputy Attorney General David Ogden. The Departments Mexican Cartel Strategy confronts those cartels as criminal organizations. As weve found with other large criminal groups, if you take their money and lock up their leaders, you can loosen their grips on the vast organizations they use to carry out their criminal enterprises. The Department of Justice is committed to taking advantage of all available resources to target the Mexican cartels and to help our Mexican counterparts in their courageous effort to take on these criminal organizations.
( Read more)
Irish Trading Firm and Its Officers Charged in Scheme to Supply Iran with Sensitive U.S. Technology (09-264)
An Irish trading company and three of its officers have been charged with purchasing helicopter engines and other aircraft components from U.S. firms and illegally exporting them to Iran using companies in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Among the alleged recipients of these U.S. goods was an Iranian military firm that has since been designated by the United States for being owned or controlled by entities involved in Irans nuclear and ballistic missile program.
( Read more)
March 23, 2009
Veterans Affairs Official to Plead Guilty to Conspiracy and Wire Fraud (09-263)
The Associate Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy in Hines, Ill., agreed to plead guilty to being part of a conspiracy to defraud the VA and the Small Business Administration (SBA). His wife and the temporary staffing company she founded agreed to plead guilty to participating in the same conspiracy.
( Read more)
Federal Judge Shuts Down Two Dallas Tax Preparers (09-262)
A federal court has shut down two Dallas tax preparers during the height of tax-filing season. Chief Judge Sidney Fitzwater of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas signed a temporary restraining order barring Ethel Washington from preparing any tax returns. The court has also permanently barred Washingtons former employer, Tina Preston, and her firm, The Preston Group & Associates Inc., from preparing federal tax returns. ( Read more)
Two Doctors and Two Medical Assistants Plead Guilty in $10 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme (09-261)
Four Miami-area residents pleaded guilty today in connection with a $10 million Medicare fraud scheme involving HIV infusion clinics. Dr. Roberto Rodriguez, 54; Dr. Carlos Garrido, 69; Gonzalo Nodarse, 38; and Alexis Carrazana, 41; all pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. ( Read more)
MS-13 Member Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Involvement in Rico Conspiracy (09-260)
A member of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release for his participation in a racketeering enterprise. Manuel Marquez, a/k/a Morro, was sentenced in Nashville, Tenn., by Chief Judge Todd J. Campbell of the Middle District of Tennessee. ( Read more)
Former State Department Employee Sentenced for Illegally Accessing Confidential Passport Files (09-259)
A former State Department employee was sentenced today to 12 months of probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service for illegally accessing more than 150 confidential passport application files. Dwayne F. Cross, 41, of Upper Marlboro, Md., was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola in Washington, D.C. ( Read more)
March 20, 2009
Elena Kagan Sworn in as Solicitor General (09-258)
Elena Kagans intelligence, experience and commitment to the rule of law will make her an exceptional Solicitor General, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said. With the addition of Elena Kagan, we are building a strong, effective leadership team to enforce our nations laws.
( Read more)
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Symphony Diagnostic Services Inc., to Enforce the Employment Rights of N.Y. Army National Guardsman (09-257)
The Department today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia on behalf of Frantz Julien, a New York Army National Guard member, against the Symphony Diagnostic Services Inc., doing business as MobilexUSA (Mobilex), alleging violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
( Read more)
March 19, 2009
Third Defendant Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Scheme Involving Bribes for Contracts at Kuwait Army Base (09-256)
The sister of a U.S. Army officer has pleaded guilty for her participation in a money-laundering scheme related to bribes paid for contracts awarded in support of the Iraq war. Carolyn Blake, of Sunnyvale, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy after accepting more than $3 million in bribe proceeds on behalf of her brother, Major John Cockerham. ( Read more)
Attorney General Issues New FOIA Guidelines to Favor Disclosure and Transparency (09-253)
By restoring the presumption of disclosure that is at the heart of the Freedom of Information Act, we are making a critical change that will restore the publics ability to access information in a timely manner, said Attorney General Holder. The American people have the right to information about their governments activities, and these new guidelines will ensure they are able to obtain that information under principles of openness and transparency.
( Read more)
Wisconsin Man Who Participated in 1943 Massacre of 8,000 Jews Is Deported to Austria (09-252)
A former Nazi concentration camp guard who settled in Racine, Wis., after World War II and acquired U.S. citizenship, has been removed to Austria due to his participation in Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution during World War II. Josias Kumpf, 83, served as an armed SS Deaths Head guard at the Nazi-run Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in Germany and at the Trawniki Labor Camp in Poland. ( Read more)
March 18, 2009
Former Memphis Police Officers Sentenced for Conspiracy to Violate Civil Rights (09-251)
Two former Memphis police officers were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Memphis for their roles in a conspiracy to rob drug dealers.
( Read more)
U.S. Sues Union Pacific R.R. for $37 Million for Allegedly Failing to Prevent Use of Rail Cars to Smuggle Narcotics Across Border (09-249)
The government has filed two lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad Company for allegedly failing to prevent the use of its rail cars to smuggle large quantities of narcotics into the United States. The complaints, filed in San Diego and Houston, seek more than $37 million in monetary penalties. The government alleges the rail cars were brought across the border at the ports of entry at Calexico, Calif., and Brownsville, Texas.
( Read more)
Justice Department Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Muskegon County, Michigan (09-248)
The Department has entered into a consent decree today with Muskegon County, Mich., that, if approved by the court, will resolve the Departments lawsuit against the county alleging that a former employee was subjected to sexual harassment that caused a hostile work environment, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ( Read more)
March 17, 2009
Justice Department Settles Allegations of Disability Discrimination Against Town of St. John, Indiana (09-246)
The Department today announced a settlement resolving allegations that the town of St. John, Ind., violated the Fair Housing Act when it denied a petition for a zoning variance based on the disability of a prospective resident. ( Read more)
South Florida Stock Trader Pleads Guilty to Market Manipulation Scheme (09-245)
A stock trader from Jupiter, Fla., pleaded guilty today to engaging in a market manipulation scheme involving several publicly traded companies. Earlier today, Paul M. Gozzo, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham in Miami to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud. ( Read more)
Jury Convicts Two Doctors and Two Medical Assistants in $5.3 Million Medicare Fraud Scam (09-244)
A federal jury in Miami today convicted two physicians and two medical assistants in connection with a $5.3 million Medicare fraud scheme. After a two-week trial in federal court in Miami, a jury found David Rothman, M.D., 66; Keith Russell, M.D., 65; Eda Marietta Milanes, 43; and Jorge Luis Pacheco, 50; guilty on all charged counts, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud and multiple counts of health care fraud for submitting claims to Medicare for unnecessary medications.
( Read more)
Former Accounting Firm Vice Chairman/Board Member Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Related to Tax Shelters (09-243)
Adrian Dicker, a United Kingdom chartered accountant and former vice chairman and board member at a major international accounting firm, pleaded guilty today to conspiring with certain tax shelter promoters to defraud the United States in connection with tax shelter transactions involving clients of the accounting firm and the law firm Jenkens & Gilchrist (J&G). ( Read more)
March 16, 2009
Iranian Man and His Company Charged in International Scheme to Supply Iran with Sensitive U.S. Technology (09-240)
An Iranian citizen and his Tehran business have been charged with purchasing helicopter engines and advanced aerial cameras for fighter bombers from U.S. firms and illegally exporting them to Iran using companies in Malaysia, Ireland and the Netherlands. Among the alleged recipients of these U.S. goods was an Iranian military firm that has since been designated by the United States for being owned or controlled by entities involved in Irans nuclear and ballistic missile program.
( Read more)
U.S. Department of Justice Makes Available $1 Billion in Recovery Act Funds for COPS Program (09-239)
This investment of Recovery Act funds will pump new resources into our communities through a program with a proven track record, said U.S. Attorney General Holder. We will not just create and preserve jobs, but also increase community policing capacity and crime-prevention efforts.
( Read more)
Justice Department Asks Court to Close Georgia Tax Preparation Firms
Allegedly Involved in Fuel Credit Tax Scam (09-238)
The United States has asked a federal court in Savannah, Ga., to permanently bar Ophelia Kelley of Vidalia, Ga., from preparing federal income tax returns for others. According to the government complaint, Kelley operates two return preparation firms in Vidalia Kelley Tax Service, and City and Country Girl Tax Service.
( Read more)
General Maritime Management (Portugal) Fined $1 Million for Enviromental Crimes (09-237)
A federal judge in Corpus Christi, Texas, has sentenced General Maritime Management (Portugal), the operator of a fleet of tanker vessels, and two crewmembers of the motor tanker Genmar Defiance for making false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard and failing to maintain an accurate Oil Record Book designed to prevent pollution of the worlds oceans as required by United States and international law. ( Read more)
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Indianapolis Law Firm
to Enforce the Employment Rights of Indiana Army National Guardsman (09-236)
The Department today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis on behalf of Mathew B. Jeffries, an Indiana National Guard member, against the Indianapolis law firm of Mike Norris & Associates, alleging that the law firm refused to promptly reemploy Jeffries in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
( Read more)
Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Florida Tax Preparer (09-235)
The United States has sued a Fort Richey, Fla., tax preparer, Frank Lighty, and his tax-preparation firm Lighty & Associates Inc. seeking to bar them permanently from the tax preparation business. The civil injunction suit was filed in Tampa with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
( Read more)
March 13, 2009
Department of Justice Withdraws Enemy Combatant Definition
for Guantanamo Detainees (09-232)
As we work towards developing a new policy to govern detainees, it is essential that we operate in a manner that strengthens our national security, is consistent with our values, and is governed by law, said Attorney General Holder. The change weve made today meets each of those standards and will make our nation stronger.
( Read more)
Justice Department Sues West Memphis, Ark.
Landlords for Sexual Harassment (09-231)
The Department today filed a lawsuit against Bobby L. Hurt, the former property manager for numerous mobile homes in and around West Memphis, Ark., alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment. The lawsuit also names Bobby Hurt=s wife, Sue Hurt, as a defendant.
( Read more)
Attorney Indicted for Conspiracy and Wire Fraud in Stock Registration and Manipulation Scheme (09-230)
A securities attorney was charged in an indictment unsealed today with participating in a stock registration evasion scheme involving nine different publicly traded companies and with defrauding investors in a manipulation scheme related to three of the companies.
( Read more)
U.S. Border Patrol Agent Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charge for Assault in Federal Detention Facility (09-229)
A U.S. Border Patrol agent has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Tucson, Ariz., on federal civil rights charges related to an alleged assault on a detainee at a federal detention facility. The two-count indictment, returned on March 11, 2009, alleges that on May 10, 2006, Eduardo Moreno violated the civil rights of a federal detainee by assaulting and causing bodily injury to the individual while Moreno was on duty at the U.S. Border Patrol processing facility in Nogales, Ariz. ( Read more)
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Americraft Carton Inc., to Enforce the Employment Rights of Michigan Army National Guardsman (09-228)
The Department today filed a lawsuit on behalf of David D. Sweatt, a Michigan Army National Guard member currently serving in Iraq, against Americraft Carton Inc. (Americraft), alleging violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
( Read more)
Director of Singapore Firm Pleads Guilty to Illegally Exporting Controlled Aircraft Components to Iran (09-227)
Laura Wang-Woodford, a U.S. citizen who served as a director of Monarch Aviation Pte, Ltd. (Monarch), a Singapore company that imported and exported military and commercial aircraft components for more than 20 years, pled guilty today in federal court in Brooklyn to conspiring to violate the U.S. trade embargo by exporting controlled aircraft components to Iran.
( Read more)
Jury Convicts Former Social Worker of Defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs and Obstructing Justice (09-226)
A former Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) social work associate was convicted yesterday by a jury on four counts of honest services mail fraud, violating the criminal conflict of interest statute and making a false statement to agency officials. ( Read more)
March 12, 2009
Four Arrested in Killings of Eagles and Other Protected Birds (09-225)
Four men have been arrested by special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the result of an undercover investigation into the illegal killing and trade of bald and golden eagles and other protected birds. The men are charged in four complaints with alleged violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Lacey Act.
( Read more)
San Mateo County, California, to Pay U.S. $6.8 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations (09-224)
San Mateo County, Calif., has agreed to pay the United States $6.8 million to resolve allegations that the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) submitted false claims to the United States in connection with payments from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The government alleges that SMMC falsely inflated its bed count to Medicare in order to receive higher payments under Medicares Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) adjustment. ( Read more)
Former Alaska State Representative Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption Charges (09-222)
Beverly L. Masek, a former elected member of the Alaska House of Representatives, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bribery. Masek pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline in Anchorage to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. ( Read more)
March 11, 2009
Attorney General Appoints Officials to Lead Task Force Reviews on Interrogation and Detention Policy (09-221)
These appointments reflect our commitment to develop sound options for handling detainees in the future as well as policies on interrogation and transfer that uphold American values and national security interests, said Attorney General Holder. Having served in critical legal and national security positions over their careers, J. Douglas Wilson and Brad Wiegmann have the experience and judgment necessary to help us carry out these important tasks. ( Read more)
Attorney Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud (09-220)
A securities attorney pleaded guilty today to defrauding investors in stock manipulation schemes involving 19 different publicly traded companies. David B. Stocker, 49, of Phoenix pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., for his participation in a stock manipulation conspiracy known as a pump-and-dump scheme. ( Read more)
Federal Court Shuts Down North Carolina Tax Preparer (09-219)
A federal court has permanently barred Raymond A. Renfrow of Elm City, N.C., from preparing federal income tax returns for others. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina entered the civil injunction order, which also stops Renfrow from promoting a tax fraud scheme that used sham trusts to falsely deduct customers non-deductible personal expenses. ( Read more)
Individual Indicted in Connection with Costa Rica-based Business Opportunity Fraud Ventures (09-218)
A British citizen was charged in connection with the operation of a series of fraudulent business opportunities on March 10, 2009, by a Miami federal grand jury. Sirtaj Mathauda was indicted on charges that he and his co-conspirators purported to sell vending machine, beverage and greeting card business opportunities, including assistance in establishing, maintaining and operating such businesses. The charges form part of the governments continued nationwide crackdown on business opportunity fraud.
( Read more)
U.S. Department of Justice Promotes International Network to Combat Intellectual Property Crime (09-217)
Building upon the successes of earlier efforts, the Department today announced the opening in Bangkok of a regional conference of approximately 100 key law enforcement and industry officials from more than a dozen nations with the goal of strengthening international cooperation in fighting large-scale intellectual property crimes. ( Read more)
March 10, 2009
Five Defendants Sentenced for Participation in International Child Exploitation Enterprise (09-216)
Five U.S. defendants convicted for their activity in a global child pornography trafficking enterprise were sentenced today in the Northern District of Florida. The defendants had pled to multiple charges, including engaging in a child exploitation enterprise; conspiracy to advertise, transport, ship, receive and possess child pornography; advertising child pornography; transporting child pornography; and receiving child pornography.
( Read more)
Shipping Line Pays $1.4 Million for Environmental Crimes (09-215)
Holy House Shipping AB, a Swedish corporation, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Camden, N.J., to pay a $1 million fine, a special assessment of $400,000 in community service payments and serve three years of probation for failing to maintain an accurate oil record book in an attempt to conceal illegal discharges of oil-contaminated waste directly into the ocean from one of its ships.
( Read more)
Mississippi Lawyer Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Failure to File Tax Returns (09-214)
Marshall E. Sanders, an attorney based in Vicksburg, Miss., was sentenced to 18 months in prison for failure to file tax returns by Magistrate Judge James C. Sumner. In addition, Judge Sumner ordered Sanders to pay restitution to the IRS of $1,025,453.
( Read more)
Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography (09-213)
Charles Brown, 54, of Mesa, Ariz., pleaded guilty today to one count of receiving child pornography. During the plea hearing before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Rosenblatt, Brown admitted to receiving child pornography. ( Read more)
Former Alaska State Senator Sentenced on Public Corruption Charges (09-212)
John Cowdery, a former elected member of the Alaska state senate, was sentenced today to three years probation with a special condition requiring him to serve six months of home confinement for conspiring to bribe another Alaska state legislator. U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline for the District of Alaska also ordered Cowdery to pay a $25,000 fine. ( Read more)
Former Congressional Staffer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud (09-211)
A former congressional staffer pleaded guilty today to conspiring with others to commit honest services fraud. Ann Copland, 52, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts in the District of Columbia. ( Read more)
Hitachi Displays Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $31 Million Fine for Participating in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy (09-210)
Japanese electronics manufacturer Hitachi Displays Ltd., agreed to plead guilty and pay a $31 million fine for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices in the sale of Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display panels (TFT-LCD) sold to Dell Inc.
( Read more)
Ali Al-Marri Transferred to U.S. Marshals Service Custody (09-209)
Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, 43, has been released from detention by the Secretary of Defense and is now in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today.
( Read more)
March 9, 2009
Chief Engineer Pleads Guilty to Concealing Vessel Pollution (09-208)
Carmelo Oria, a Spanish citizen, who was the Chief Engineer on the Cyprus-flagged M/T Nautilus, pleaded guilty today to using falsified records that concealed improper discharges of oil-contaminated bilge water from the M/T Nautilus. ( Read more)
Illinois Man Convicted for Production, Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography, as Well as Bank Fraud (09-207)
Carl Courtright III, of Granite City, Ill., was convicted today on child pornography and bank fraud charges in the Southern District of Illinois following a five-day jury trial. The federal jury convicted Courtright of one count of production of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, as well as one count of bank fraud.
( Read more)
Former Lucas County, Ohio, Sheriffs Office Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violations (09-206)
A former corrections officer with the Lucas County, Ohio, Sheriffs Office was sentenced today to four years in prison for violating the civil rights of inmates in his custody at the Lucas County jail, as well as private citizens on the streets of the greater Toledo area. Today in federal district court in Toledo, Ohio, Judge Jack Zouhary also sentenced the former corrections officer, Seth Bunke, to three years of supervised release following the prison term.
( Read more)
Former Department of Energy Employee Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Performance Evaluation for Monetary Award (09-205)
A former U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) employee who falsified his performance evaluation to justify an annual performance award to which he was not entitled pleaded guilty today to one count of making false statements.
( Read more)
March 6, 2009
Two Indicted for Conspiring to Steal Trade Secrets from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (09-204)
An indictment was unsealed today charging Clark Alan Roberts, 46, and Sean Edward Howley, 38, both engineers with Wyko Tire Technology Inc., located in Greenback, Tenn., with conspiring to steal trade secrets from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and scheming to defraud Goodyear of confidential and proprietary information. ( Read more)
60th Felony Conviction Obtained in Software Piracy Crackdown Operation Fastlink (09-203)
The 60th felony conviction from Operation Fastlink, a major Department of Justice initiative to combat online piracy worldwide. Bryan Thomas Black, 30, of Waterloo, Ill., pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit criminal infringement of a copyright for his involvement in a multinational software piracy organization that was targeted by investigators as part of Operation Fastlink, an internationally coordinated 18-month investigation. ( Read more)
Guilty Plea in Case of Cosco Busan Ship Pilot (09-201)
John Joseph Cota, a California ship pilot, pleaded guilty today to negligently causing the discharge of approximately 53,000 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay in violation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, a law enacted in the wake of the Exxon Valdez disaster. Cota, who piloted the M/V Cosco Busan when it hit the San Francisco Bay Bridge on Nov. 7, 2007, also pleaded guilty today to violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the death of protected migratory birds.
( Read more)
United States Joins Suit Against Community Health Systems Inc. and Three of Its Hospitals in New Mexico (09-200)
The United States has intervened in a whistleblower suit filed in the District of New Mexico against Community Health Systems Inc. (CHS) and three of its hospitals in New Mexico: Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell, Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming, and Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas. The suit alleges that CHS and its three hospitals violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by knowingly causing to be presented to the United States false claims for federal matching Medicaid funds.
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Former Staff Member in U.S. House of Representatives Indicted on Corruption Charges (09-199)
A grand jury in the District of Columbia returned a three-count indictment today charging a former staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives with corruption offenses. Fraser C. Verrusio, 39, was charged by the grand jury with conspiring to accept an illegal gratuity, accepting an illegal gratuity, and making a false statement in failing to report his receipt of gifts from a lobbyist and the lobbyists client on his 2003 financial disclosure form. ( Read more)
Two Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to File False Claims for Tax Refunds (09-198)
Odell Folks, a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Tanya Smith, a resident of Waterbury, Conn., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to file false claims for tax refunds. Folks also pleaded guilty to mail fraud and making a false tax return. ( Read more)
Attorney General Holder Announces Recovery Act Allocations for Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (09-197)
This funding is key to helping our states and local governments fight crime and keep our streets safe, said Attorney General Holder. The Department of Justice is moving ahead of schedule to allocate these resources so we can retain police officers, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and ensure that we have the tools and equipment necessary to build safer communities.
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March 5, 2009
Fairfield, Calif., Couple Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charge for Alleged Bias-Motivated Assault (09-195)
A Fairfield, Calif., couple was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Sacramento, Calif., on federal civil rights charges related to an alleged bias-motivated assault on an Indian-American couple. The two-count indictment alleges that on the evening of July 14, 2007, Joseph and Georgia Silva committed a bias-motivated assault on another couple at a public beach in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. ( Read more)
Former U.S. Tax Court Official Sentenced for Engaging in a Conspiracy to Commit Bribery (09-194)
A former official of the U.S. Tax Court was sentenced today in connection with a bribery conspiracy involving contracts at the U.S. Tax Court in the District of Columbia. Fred Fernando Timbol Jr., 43, of Mount Airy, Md., was sentenced by Judge Ricardo M. Urbina of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. ( Read more)
Justice Department Sues Henry County, Ill., for Sexual Harassment of Former Employee (09-193)
The Department today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois against Henry County, Ill., alleging that former employee Michelle Baze was sexually harassed by her supervisor, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or religion.
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Two UK Citizens Charged by United States with Bribing Nigerian Government Officials to Obtain Lucrative Contracts as Part of KBR Joint Venture Scheme (09-192)
Two citizens of the United Kingdom have been charged in an indictment unsealed today in the United States for their alleged participation in a decade-long scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials to obtain engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. The EPC contracts to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities on Bonny Island, Nigeria, were valued at more than $6 billion.
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Justice Department Sues Harrison County, Ind., Sheriff for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation (09-191)
The Department filed a lawsuit against Harrison County Sheriff George Michael Deatrick, in his official capacity, alleging that he discriminated against current employee Deana Decker and former employee Melissa Graham, in the form of sexual harassment that resulted in a hostile work environment, and retaliation, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ( Read more)
U.S. Asks Courts in California & South Carolina to Shut Down Promoters of Allegedly Fraudulent $39.2 Million Tax Refund Scam (09-190)
The United States has sued tax return preparers in Placerville, Calif., and Columbia, S.C., seeking to bar them from preparing federal tax returns for others. According to the government complaints in the two cases, Teresa Marty of Pollock Pines, Calif., and Winston Able of Blythewood, S.C., prepare federal income tax returns for their customers that claim fraudulent tax refunds. ( Read more)
March 4, 2009
Colombian Paramilitary Leader Extradited to the United States to Face U.S. Drug Charges (09-189)
Miguel Angel Mejia-Munera, a/k/a El Mellizo, was extradited today from Colombia to the United States to face narcotics trafficking charges. According to the indictment, Miguel Angel Mejia-Munera, together with his twin brother Victor, led a major Colombian narcotics trafficking organization known as the Twins or Los Mellizos Organization. ( Read more)
Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Stimson Lumber Company to Enforce the Employment Rights of Oregon Reservist (09-188)
The Department announced today that it has entered into a consent decree with Stimson Lumber Company (Stimson) that, if approved by the court, will resolve the Departments complaint, also filed today, that Oregon-based Stimson failed to reemploy Oregon reservist David Eckhardt in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
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Justice Department Sues Large Multi-Family Housing Developer Alleging Disability-Based Housing Discrimination (09-187)
The Department filed a lawsuit today against JPI Construction L.P. (JPI) and six JPI-affiliated companies in U.S. District Court in Dallas for failing to provide accessible features required by the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act at multi-family housing developments in Texas and other states.
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Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Ecolab Inc. to Enforce Employment Rights of Michigan U.S. Army Veteran (09-186)
The Department announced today that it has entered into a consent decree with Ecolab Inc. (Ecolab) that will resolve the Departments complaint, which was filed today, that Ecolab failed to reemploy Michigan veteran Stephen Alasin in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended (USERRA). The consent decree was approved by the court today as well.
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N.J. Industrial Pipes Supply Company and Its Co-Owner Plead Guilty to Fraud at Two N.J. Superfund Sites (09-185)
A Middlesex, N.J., industrial pipes, valves and fittings supply company and its co-owner pleaded guilty today to participating in a fraud conspiracy at two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated Superfund sites in New Jersey. The sites are Federal Creosote, located in Manville, N.J., and Diamond Alkali, located in Newark, N.J.
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March 3, 2009
Kansas Cardiologist to Pay U.S. $1.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations (09-184)
Joseph P. Galichia, M.D. and Galichia Medical Group P.A., a Kansas cardiologist and his practice group, have agreed to pay the United States $1.3 million to settle claims that the physician and his group violated the False Claims Act between 2001 and 2006, by submitting false claims to Medicare. ( Read more)
March 2, 2009
United States Intervenes in Case Against EMC Corporation Alleging False Claims on Sales of Hardware, Software and Technology Services (09-183)
The United States has intervened and filed a complaint in a qui tam suit accusing EMC Corp. of failing to disclose its commercial pricing practices during negotiation of its General Services Administration (GSA) contracts and of providing improper payments and other things of value to Systems Integrators and other Alliance Partners on contracts with government agencies. ( Read more)
United States Files Suit Against Missouri-Based Pharmaceutical
to Block Manufacturing and Shipping of Unapproved Drugs (09-182)
The United States has filed a lawsuit to block KV Pharmaceutical Company, its subsidiaries, ETHEX Corp. and Ther-Rx Corp., and its principal officers from making and distributing adulterated and unapproved drugs. At the same time, KV agreed to the injunction in a consent decree. ( Read more)
Department of Justice Releases Nine Office of Legal Counsel Memoranda and Opinions (09-181)
Americans deserve a government that operates with transparency and openness, said Attorney General Eric Holder. It is my goal to make OLC opinions available when possible while still protecting national security information and ensuring robust internal executive branch debate and decision-making.
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