world news Justice Department Reaches Agreement with First Niagara Bank N.A. and HSBC Bank USA N.A. on Divestitures By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:21:56 EST First Niagara Bank N.A. and HSBC Bank USA N.A. agreed to sell 26 branch offices in the Buffalo, N.Y., area with approximately $1.6 billion in deposits, to resolve the Justice Department's antitrust concerns from the sale of HSBC’s branch network in upstate New York to First Niagara. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Federal Court Bars Eastern Pennsylvania Woman from Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:49:48 EST A federal court in Philadelphia has permanently barred Dorthea Alexander from preparing federal tax returns for others Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Former Arizona Army National Guard Member Charged with Participating in Bribery and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:47:27 EST The 10-count indictment returned today in U.S. District Court in Arizona charges Adalberto Valenzuela, 31, of Tucson, Ariz., with two counts of conspiracy, two counts of bribery, two counts of bribery involving programs receiving federal funds, two counts of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Tenth Person Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Fraudulently Control Condominium Homeowners’ Associations in Las Vegas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:28:20 EST Denise Keser, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro in the District of Nevada to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Keser is the tenth person to plead guilty in connection with the scheme to defraud HOAs in the Las Vegas area. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Justice Department Asks Federal Court to Shut Down South Florida Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:51:12 EST The United States has sued Kenia Marrero seeking to bar her and her business, Kenia Immigration Services, from preparing federal tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Caltrans to Pay $10 Million to Remediate the Presidio’s Mountain Lake and to Re-route Highway 1 Drainage to Avoid Future Contamination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:14:43 EST Federal officials announced a civil settlement with the state of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) resolving claims brought by the Presidio Trust and the U.S. Army resulting from Caltrans’ construction and operation of Highway 1 (also known as Park Presidio Boulevard) through the Presidio of San Francisco. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Pittsburgh Crips Member Sentenced to 88 Months in Prison on Racketeering Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:56:48 EST Aaron Ford, 22, aka “.40 Cal.,” pleaded guilty on July 12, 2011, to one count of conspiracy to engage in a racketeering enterprise before Senior U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Justice Department Announces Dismissal of Case Regarding Conditions at the Dallas County Jail By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:47:54 EST The Justice Department announced today that District Court Judge David C. Godbey has granted the request of the department and Dallas County to end court supervision of a lawsuit concerning conditions at the Dallas County Jail. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Department of Justice Announces Compensation for Servicemembers as Part of Settlement with Bank of America By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:48:39 EST The Justice Department announced today that, as part of its settlement with BAC Home Loans Servicing LP, a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation, servicemembers whose homes were unlawfully foreclosed upon will each receive a minimum $116,785 plus compensation for any equity lost to compensate them for the bank’s alleged violation of the Servicemember Civil Relief Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Statement of Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:51:46 EST "We believe that enacting the SAVE Act will strengthen tribal jurisdiction over crimes of domestic violence, tribal protection orders, and Federal assault prosecutions," said Associate Attorney General Perrelli. Full Article Speech
world news U.S. Attorney General Holder and Dominican Prosecutor General Jiménez Sign Agreement to Share $7.5 Million in Forfeited Assets By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:19:46 EST The agreement represents approximately 20 percent of the estimated $37.5 million in forfeited assets located in the Dominican Republic that stem from a conspiracy led by brothers Carlos, Luis and Jose Benitez, who allegedly defrauded the U.S. Medicare program of approximately $80 million. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Miami-Area Patient Recruiter Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Kickback Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:46:46 EST Isabel Roque, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres in Miami to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Roque was the president of Isa & Yami Inc., which purported to provide patient transportation services in Miami. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder Regarding the Signing of a Forfeited Assets Agreement with the Dominican Republic By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:27:54 EDT In signing this important forfeited asset sharing agreement, Prosecutor General Radhaméz Jiménez Peña and I reaffirm our common values, as well as our ongoing commitment to the goals that the United States and the Dominican Republic share: protecting our citizens, strengthening our borders, improving public safety, reducing recidivism, preventing and combating gang- and drug-fueled crime and violence, and ensuring that criminals do not profit from illegal activity," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
world news Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Eric Holder at the “Progress Through Prosperity” Dinner with President Leonel Fernandez By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:14:14 EST "It is in this spirit of friendship that I have traveled to your beautiful country. And I am grateful, on a very personal level, for this opportunity to help build upon the progress that our nations – and America’s allies throughout the Caribbean region – have made together over the years," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
world news Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Laurie Robinson at the Animal Welfare Institute Albert Schweitzer Awards Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:34:15 EST "The Albert Schweitzer Awards are given in honor of one of the world’s great humanitarians, a man who defined “good” as the preservation and enhancement of life in all its forms. The work that these recipients have done embodies the soul of Schweitzer’s philosophy," said Assistant Attorney General Robinson. Full Article Speech
world news Former Alabama State Legislator Pleads Guilty to Bribery By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:03:23 EST Terry Spicer, a former Alabama state legislator, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama to a one-count criminal information charging him with federal program bribery for accepting cash and other things of value from a businessman and his lobbyist in return for the use of his official position and influence. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Virginia Store Owner Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:45:26 EST Belal Amin Alsaidi, 30, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty today to trafficking in counterfeit goods. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Pennsylvania Man Charged with Copyright Infringement of Sports Broadcasts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:47:57 EST The seven-count indictment alleges that Michael Moore, 44, of Chadds Ford, Penn., infringed the copyright protected works during seven six-month periods between May 2006 and June 2010. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Alabama Tax Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Using Stolen Identities to Obtain Tax Refunds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:04:21 EST Marsha Elmore of Wetumpka, Ala., the owner of a tax preparation business called Community Tax, pleaded guilty today to charges related to her use of stolen identities to fraudulently obtain tax refunds. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Former Bryan County, Okla., Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Indicted for Civil Rights Violations and Obstruction of Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:05:01 EST A federal grand jury sitting in Muskogee, Okla., returned an indictment today charging former Bryan County, Okla., Sheriff’s Lieutenant Kevin Bennett Holt, 48, of Achille, Okla., with federal civil rights violations and related acts of obstruction of justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at the American Lawyer/National Law Journal Summit By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:10:03 EST "Sentencing and corrections policy affects everyone in society, and I am confident that the more people are thinking about it, the easier it will prove to arrive at solutions," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. Full Article Speech
world news Statement of Deputy Section Chief Richard Downing Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:01:18 EST "The Administration has responded to Congress’ call for input on the cybersecurity legislation that our Nation needs, and we look forward to engaging with Congress and, specifically, this Committee as you move forward on this important issue," said Deputy Section Chief Richard Downing. Full Article Speech
world news Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli Speaks at the Federal Bar Association’s Indian Law Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:27:09 EST "The Department is forging ahead, trying not only to uphold the United States’ trust responsibility to American Indian tribes, but also to ensure that every Native American man, woman and child can thrive in a tribal community that is just as safe as any other community in our great nation," said Associate Attorney General Perrelli. Full Article Speech
world news Former Tuscaloosa County, Ala., Sheriff’s Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Tasing Restrained Inmates By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:28:59 EST Former Tuscaloosa, Ala., Sheriff’s Sergeant, Althea Mallisham, 52, pleaded guilty today in a federal court in Birmingham, Ala., to three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon while acting under color of law for wrongfully using a Taser during three separate incidents over a four month period in 2008. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Former Pittsfield, Mass., Entrepreneur Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Financial Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:08:28 EST A former Pittsfield man was sentenced late yesterday in federal court for his role in a series of frauds and attempts to avoid paying taxes, as well as lying to federal authorities and financial institutions about his illegal activities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-Area Assisted Living Facility Manager Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Kickback Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:48:21 EST Ramchand Ramrup, aka Ramy Ramrup, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Marcia G. Cooke in Miami to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Justice Department Opens Investigation into the Miami Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:27:03 EST The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil investigation into allegations of excessive use of deadly force by members of the city of Miami Police Department (MPD), in accordance with the pattern or practice provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news HSBC India Client Indicted for Tax Evasion and Failing to Report Foreign Bank Accounts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:16:56 EST A federal grand jury in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday indicted Ashvin Desai of San Jose on three counts of tax evasion, two counts of willfully aiding the preparation of materially false tax returns and three counts of failing to file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Florida-Based Sea Star Line LLC Agrees to Plead Guilty and Its Former President Is Indicted for Price Fixing on Coastal Freight Services Between the Continental United States and Puerto Rico By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:45:21 EST Sea Star Line LLC has agreed today to plead guilty and to pay a $14.2 million criminal fine for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices in the coastal water freight transportation industry. Additionally, a federal grand jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, returned an indictment against Frank Peake, the former president of Sea Star Line, for his role in the same conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Florida Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for $30 Million Investment Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:11:29 EST David Lewalski, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore. The court also ordered Lewalski to forfeit $29.8 million and numerous computers and computer equipment that are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Justice Department Files Fair Housing Lawsuit Against the Owners and Managers of Rental Homes in Mississippi for Discrimination Against Families with Children By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:07:07 EST The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the owners and managers of 23 rental homes in Magee, Miss., for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against families with children. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Houston Patient Recruiter Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Medicare Fraud Scheme Involving Claims of Hurricane Damage to Power Wheelchairs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:37:57 EST Marion Beverly Metoyer, 57, of Dayton, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gray Miller in the Southern District of Texas. Metoyer was convicted by a jury on May 26, 2011, of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, three counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive health care kickbacks and two counts of receiving kickbacks. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Acting Assistant Attorney General Sharis A. Pozen Speaks at the American Bar Association 2011 Antitrust Fall Forum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:22:49 EST "When the Attorney General announced that he had selected me to serve as Acting Assistant Attorney General, he stated it would be a seamless transition. That is what I am working to deliver—vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws, as well as transparency and certainty for consumers and business," said acting Assistant Attorney General Pozen. Full Article Speech
world news Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson Speaks at the American Society of Criminology Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:24:26 EST "For those of you who’ve followed our work at OJP over the last nearly three years, you know that our work in this Administration to advance criminal justice social science research has been one of my top priorities," said Assistant Attorney General Robinson. Full Article Speech
world news Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Miami Police Department Investigation Announcement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:40:21 EST "Today, I met with the Mayor, Acting Police Chief and City Manager to notify them of our civil investigation into allegations involving the use of excessive deadly force by officers with the City of Miami Police Department," said Assitant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
world news Former Executive Director of the American Samoa Special Services Commission Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Steal More Than $325,000 in Americorps Grant Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:48:49 EST Mine S. Pase, 62, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Alabama Return Preparer Sentenced to 18 Months for Preparing False Income Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:48:36 EST Chiquita Q. Broadnax, a resident of Montgomery County, Ala., was sentenced today to 18 months in prison by Judge Mark Fuller of the Middle District of Alabama for her involvement in a fraudulent tax return perpetration scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Former Washington, D.C., Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Three Years for Preparing False Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:16:54 EST Onuoha “Iggy” Nwokoro was sentenced today in federal district court in Washington, D.C., for willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return for 2004. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Former Alabama Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:24:50 EST The Justice Department announced today that Scottie T. Glenn, 28, a former corrections officer of the Alabama Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Montgomery, Ala., to one count of violating the civil rights of a former inmate and to one count of conspiring with other corrections officers to cover up the incident. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Fifteen Additional Alleged Members or Associates of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation, Including Current and Former Chicago Police Officers, Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy and Other Related Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:56:51 EST The 15-count third superseding indictment returned by the federal grand jury on Nov. 16, 2011, and unsealed today in Hammond includes 15 new defendants who are charged with conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity from August 1989 until the date of the third superseding indictment. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at the 14th Annual Law Enforcement Agency Directors of Western Pennsylvania Awards Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:01:42 EST "Many of you here today are indeed being recognized precisely because of your courage in helping to make our communities safer," Assistant Attorney General Breuer said. Full Article Speech
world news New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty in $670 Million Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:37:44 EST Jorge Luis Castillo, 56, a resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney in the Eastern District of Virginia to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news President Barack Obama Grants Pardons and Commutation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:21:09 EST Today President Barack Obama granted pardons to five individuals and commutation of sentence to one individual. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Justice Department Settles Housing Discrimination Lawsuit in Rolla, Missouri By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:36:59 EST The Justice Department today announced that Roger Harris, Hediger Enterprises Inc., Carroll Management Group, Forum Manor Associates L.P. and Forum Manor LLC have agreed to pay $295,000 in monetary damages and civil penalties to resolve a Fair Housing Act lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, race and sex discrimination, retaliation and intimidation at Forum Manor Apartments, a federally-subsidized apartment complex in Rolla, Missouri. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Statement of U.S. Attorney General Holder on the Passing of Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Jack Keeney By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:49:07 EST "For the last six decades, Jack Keeney served the Department of Justice with dedication, integrity and an unshakeable commitment to the rule of law," stated the Attorney General. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Civil Contempt Sanctions Assessed Against Arizona Company That Allegedly Targeted Fraud Victims By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:05:37 EST A federal judge in Arizona has held Mesa, Ariz.-based Business Recovery Services (BRS) and its owner, Brian Hessler, in civil contempt of court for violating the terms of a preliminary injunction. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news United States Files Complaint Against BestCare Laboratory Services Alleging False Claims for Medicare Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:02:25 EST The United States filed a complaint against BestCare Laboratories, Inc. and its founder and principal, Karim A. Maghareh, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news U.S. Pharmaceutical Company Merck Sharp & By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:56:13 EST American pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharp &. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Department of Justice Challenges Utah’s Immigration Law By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:09:54 EST The Department of Justice today challenged Utah’s immigration law, which comes after recent lawsuits in Arizona, Alabama and South Carolina. Full Article OPA Press Releases
world news Justice Department Signs Agreement with Upshur County, Texas, to Ensure Civic Access for Persons with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:32:23 EST The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Upshur County, Texas, to improve access to all aspects of civic life for people with disabilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases