us Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against the Sheriff of Bryan County, Oklahoma, Alleging Pregnancy Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:59:19 EDT The Department today entered into a consent decree with the sheriff of Bryan County, Okla., that, if approved by the U.S. District Court in Muskogee, Okla., will resolve the Departments employment discrimination complaint against the Sheriff, also filed today with the court. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination by Marion, Alabama, Against Alabama National Guard Member By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:51:56 EDT The Department has entered into a consent decree with the city of Marion, Ala., that, if approved by the U.S. District Court in Mobile, Ala., will resolve the Departments lawsuit filed against Marion on behalf of Cynthia Y. Davis, a member of the states Army National Guard. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Racial Discrimination at Mobile Home Park in Gulfport, Mississippi By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:25:45 EDT The Department today filed a lawsuit against the former owner and managers of Homestead Mobile Home Village, a mobile home park in Gulfport, Miss., for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against black tenants on the basis of race or color. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Intervenes in Americans with Disabilities Act Lawsuit Against Transportation Provider By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:43:59 EDT The Department announced that it has moved to intervene in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Jackson, Miss., challenging inaccessibility in Jacksons public transportation system. The pending lawsuit, filed by 11 residents of Jackson with disabilities and two non-profit organizations that work on behalf of people with disabilities, alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Media Executive John Malone to Pay $1.4 Million Civil Penalty for Violating Antitrust Premerger Notification Requirements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:06:28 EDT Media executive John C. Malone will pay a $1.4 million civil penalty to settle charges that he violated premerger reporting and waiting requirements when he acquired Discovery Holding Co. voting securities. The Departments Antitrust Division, at the request of the Federal Trade Commission, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., against Malone for violating the notification requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act of 1976. At the same time, the Department filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, will settle the charges. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Attorney General Holder’s Remarks for the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice and Congressional Black Caucus Symposium “Rethinking Federal Sentencing Policy 25th Anniversary of the Sentencing Reform Act” By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:29:35 EDT There is no tension between a sentencing scheme that is effective and fair and one that is tough and equitable. We must work toward these twin goals and we must do so now. Full Article Speech
us Florida Man Indicted in Connection with Fraudulent Vending Machine Business Opportunity Venture By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:33:06 EDT A Tampa federal grand jury has charged a Florida man with criminal contempt of a federal court order in connection with the operation of a fraudulent vending machine business opportunity. The criminal charges form part of the governments continued nationwide crackdown on business opportunity fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Files Complaint and Reaches Settlement to Improve Conditions at Texas State Facilities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:42:15 EDT The Department announced a simultaneous lawsuit and settlement with the state of Texas concerning the care given to residents of the states 13 facilities for persons with developmental disabilities. Along with the settlement agreement, the Department will file a complaint initiating a lawsuit against the state in federal court. An independent monitor will be appointed to oversee the states compliance with the settlement agreement and the court will retain ultimate jurisdiction. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Stonescape Pavers LLC to Enforce Employment Rights of U.S. Air Force Reservist By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:10:50 EDT The Department today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas against Stonescape Pavers LLC alleging that the company willfully violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by firing Matthew T. Denning without cause when he returned from active duty. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Former Social Worker Sentenced for Role in Scheme to Defraud Department of Veterans Affairs and Obstructing Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:58:43 EDT A former Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) social work associate was sentenced to three years in prison for her role in a scheme to defraud the United States of her honest services in connection with her work finding suitable housing and daily care for mentally ill and disabled military veterans and then obstructing the VAs investigation into the fraudulent scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us U.S. National Charged with Sexual Abuse While Overseas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:45:38 EDT Andrew Warren, 41, has been charged in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with one count of sexual abuse in Algeria within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Former Promoter of Abusive Trusts Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:22:21 EDT Roderick Prescott, a resident of Orem, Utah, and a former principal of National Trust Services (NTS) in San Jose, Calif., and later Selma, Ore., pleaded guilty today to tax evasion. Prescott admitted to evading at least $550,000 in personal income taxes for 1998 and 1999. Prescott was scheduled to begin trial on July 7, 2009, before Chief U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in Eugene, Ore. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Former Memphis Police Officer Sentenced to Prison Term of Life Plus 255 Years for Civil Rights, Narcotics, Robbery and Firearms Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:45:28 EDT Arthur Sease IV, a former Memphis Police Department officer, was sentenced today to a prison term of life plus 255 years by Chief Judge Jon P. McCalla in Memphis, Tenn. A jury convicted Sease in February 2009 of 44 counts of civil rights, narcotics, robbery, and firearms offenses. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Federal Court Acts to Stop Alleged $30 Million Scam Involving Tax Credits Based on Fictitious Methane Production at Landfills By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:29:41 EDT A federal judge in Tampa, Fla., has permanently barred eight men including five tax preparers and two Certified Public Accountants (CPA) from promoting an alleged tax fraud scheme involving bogus income tax credits. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Files Suit Against Cheese Manufacturer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 18:00:54 EDT The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, filed a complaint seeking injunctive relief against Peregrina Cheese Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., and two of its officers: Javier Peregrina and Isabel Peregrina. The company prepares and processes a variety of cheeses, sour cream, flan and gelatin products and distributes them to specialty grocery stores in northeastern Pennsylvania and in the New York City area. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against City of Milwaukee to Enforce Employment Rights of Member of the Air National Guard By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 14:24:11 EDT The Department filed a lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee alleging it violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by refusing to provide Michael Crivello, then an incumbent Milwaukee police officer, with a make-up promotional examination for detective that he missed while away on active duty military service with the Air National Guard and thereby failing to properly determine his reemployment status as a police officer eligible for promotion to detective. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Houston Computer Administrator Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Hacking Former Employers Computer Network By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:23:10 EDT The former director of information technology for a non-profit organ and tissue donation center was sentenced today to two years in prison for hacking into her former employers computer network. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Attorney General Announces $500,000 Recovery Act Grant for California Transitional Housing Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:20:38 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder today announced that $500,000 in Recovery Act funds have been awarded to the Support for Harbor Area Womens Lives (SHAWL) House, a program of the Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Releases New Fact Sheet on the Rights of Persons with HIV or AIDS to Obtain Occupational Training and State Licensing By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:22:47 EDT The Department released a new technical assistance fact sheet on legal requirements relating to admitting individuals with HIV or AIDS to occupational training schools and granting state licensure in occupations such as barbering, massage therapy and home health care assistance. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Seeks to Close Miami-Area Tax Firm By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:03:33 EDT The United States has sued four Hialeah, Fla., tax return preparers Alberto Alem, Beatriz Sardinas and Pilar Medina and their company, PCPS Corp. seeking to put them out of business. The civil injunction suit was filed in Miami with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. According to the civil injunction complaint, the defendants prepare federal income tax returns with fabricated claims for the federal fuel tax credit. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Georgia Temp Company and Its Owner/President Agree to Plead Guilty to Making a False Statement to the U.S. Small Business Administration By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:51:43 EDT A Georgia temporary staffing company and its owner/president have agreed to plead guilty to making a false statement to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Patriot Services Inc. and its owner/president, Stephanie Blackmon, have each agreed to plead guilty to a one-count charge of making a false statement to the SBA, which was filed today in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Prison Sentence for Cosco Busan pilot By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:24:03 EDT John Joseph Cota, the pilot who caused the Cosco Busan, a 900-foot long container ship, to collide with the San Francisco Bay Bridge and discharge approximately 53,000 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay, was today sentenced to serve 10 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston for the Northern District of California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Department of Justice Announces Palmetto Project to Expand Training and Operations at the National Advocacy Center By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:08:09 EDT Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden today announced plans by the Department of Justice to significantly expand its training and education operations at the National Advocacy Center (NAC), the core training facility for local, state and federal attorneys, law enforcement agents and support personnel. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Hosts Conference Celebrating the 45th Anniversary of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:20:56 EDT The Department’s Civil Rights Division held a conference today titled 2009 Title VI Conference: Celebrating the 45th Anniversary of the Legislation and Exploring Current Issues in Enforcement at the FDIC Conference Center in Arlington, Va. Approximately 400 representatives from federal, state and local agencies, community organizations and advocacy groups gathered to share new ideas and discuss trends in Title VI enforcement. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Racial Discrimination at Apartment Complex in Clanton, Alabama By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:07:51 EDT The Department filed a lawsuit against the owner and employees of Rolling Oaks Apartments, a 72-unit complex in Clanton, Ala., for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating on the basis of race or color in the rental of apartments. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, alleges that the employees, Kenneth R. Scott and Frankie L. Roberson, told white testers that a selling point of Rolling Oaks Apartments was the lack of African American tenants and that they had adopted rental policies intended to discourage African American rental applicants. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Used Motor Vehicle Dealers Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Casper, Wyoming for Odometer Tampering By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:24:38 EDT A federal grand jury in Casper, Wyo., Thursday returned an indictment charging Randy Lee (a/k/a Jimmy Lee) and Jay Lee (a/k/a John Marks, a/k/a Anthony Romero) of Cheyenne, Wyo., with odometer tampering, title fraud, securities fraud, mail fraud and conspiracy to commit these offenses. The indictment alleges that the defendants worked as used car dealers at Lee’s RV’s, Inc., a dealership in Cheyenne. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Signs Agreement with the Village of Midlothian, Illinois, to Improve Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:11:10 EDT The Department announced an agreement with the village of Midlothian, Ill., to improve access to civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This agreement is the 162nd under Project Civic Access. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Signs Agreement with Gregg County, Texas, to Improve Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:15:13 EDT The Department announced an agreement with Gregg County, Texas, to improve access for persons with disabilities to its programs, services, activities and facilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which helps bring localities into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This agreement is the 163rd entered into under Project Civic Access. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Signs Agreement with Niagara Falls to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:18:30 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of Niagara Falls, N.Y., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Requires Divestiture in Sapa’s Acquisition of Indalex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:30:34 EDT The Department has reached a settlement that will require Sapa Holding AB and Indalex Holdings Finance Inc. to divest a North Carolina aluminum sheathing facility in order to proceed with Sapa’s proposed $150 million acquisition of Indalex. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Requires Divestiture in Sapa’s Acquisition of Indalex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:30:56 EDT The Department has reached a settlement that will require Sapa Holding AB and Indalex Holdings Finance Inc. to divest a North Carolina aluminum sheathing facility in order to proceed with Sapa’s proposed $150 million acquisition of Indalex. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Massachusetts Man Convicted on Child Pornography Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:33:36 EDT Johnny Pires, 24, of Middleboro, Mass., was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of attempting to receive child pornography and possessing child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us British Citizen Arrested in Connection with Costa Rica-based Business Opportunity Fraud Ventures By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:20:06 EDT A British citizen charged in connection with the operation of a series of fraudulent business opportunities was arrested Thursday evening in Miami following his indictment by a Miami federal grand jury on June 9, 2009. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Announces Disabled Access Settlement with Developers of Woodbridge, Virginia, Apartment Complex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:45:23 EDT The Justice Department today announced a settlement that, pending court approval, will resolve allegations that those involved in the design and construction of the Summerland Heights Apartments, a 318-unit apartment complex in Woodbridge, Va., discriminated on the basis of disability in the design and construction of the project. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Signs Agreement with Wendell, Idaho, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 13:05:15 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of Wendell, Idaho, to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Signs Agreement with Chautauqua County, New York, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 11:46:17 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Chautauqua County, N.Y., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Boston-Based Bus Company Agrees to $650,000 Penalty for Violating the Clean Air Act and Anti-Idling Regulations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 13:46:14 EDT Paul Revere Transportation LLC, a bus company based in Boston, has agreed to pay a $650,000 civil penalty after being found liable by a jury in June for violating federal and state clean air laws for idling their buses for extended periods of time. The company was found liable on June 8, 2009, after a six-day trial in U.S. District Court in Boston, for 234 separate violations of the Clean Air Act and a Massachusetts anti-idling regulation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Obtains $35,000 in Disability-Based Housing Discrimination Settlement with Apartment Complex in Longview, Washington By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 12:13:10 EDT The Justice Department announced an agreement with the former owners and managers of Valley View Apartments in Longview, Wash., to settle allegations that they violated the Fair Housing Act by intentionally discriminating against an individual with a disability. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Business Owner Sentenced to 100 Years for His Role in Scheme to Defraud Clients of Funds Allegedly Held in Trust By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 16:46:15 EDT Edward H. Okun, the former owner of The 1031 Tax Group LLP (1031TG), was sentenced today to 100 years in prison for his leading role in a scheme to defraud and obtain approximately $126 million in client funds held by 1031TG. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Signs Agreement with Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 13:33:45 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Fayette County, Pa., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Seeks to Bar Couple’s “Asset-protection” Scheme Allegedly Operated from Florida and Bahamas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 15:50:22 EDT The United States has filed a lawsuit to bar a married couple’s alleged nationwide tax fraud scheme involving so-called asset protection. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Husband of Former Army Officer Pleads Guilty to Laundering Money Stolen from Iraq By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 16:04:49 EDT A New Jersey accountant pleaded guilty today to laundering portions of more than $300,000 stolen from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in the Republic of Iraq and brought back to the United States by his wife, a former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Oregon Man Indicted for Dumping Hazardous Waste By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 16:10:58 EDT Dennis Beetham and his company, D.B. Western Inc., have been indicted on both federal and state charges alleging that he illegally dumped hazardous and other industrial waste in Crook County, Ore. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Federal Judge Sentences Defendants Who Perpetrated $10.9 Million Medicare Fraud HIV Infusion Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 16:20:04 EDT Miami physician Keith Russell, 65, and physician’s assistant Jorge Luis Pacheco, 50, were each sentenced to 97 months in prison, and physician’s assistant Eda Marietta Milanes, 43, was sentenced to 63 months in prison, for their roles in fraud schemes that involved billing Medicare for $10,903,509 worth of unnecessary HIV infusion treatments. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Signs Agreement with Port St. Lucie, Florida, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:03:35 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of Port St. Lucie, Fla., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Cosco Busan Operator Admits Guilt in Causing Oil Spill By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:17:22 EDT Fleet Management Ltd., a Hong Kong-based ship management firm, pleaded guilty today to a criminal violation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for its role in negligently causing the discharge of more than 50,000 gallons of fuel oil into San Francisco Bay from the Cosco Busan when the vessel struck the San Francisco Bay Bridge in dense fog on Nov. 7, 2007. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Justice Department Resolves Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against Indiana Provider of Retirement Housing By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:13:33 EDT The operator and manager of the Rathbone Retirement Community in Evansville, Ind., has agreed to pay up to $116,000 to resolve a housing discrimination lawsuit. The November 2008 lawsuit alleged that the defendants violated the Fair Housing Act by prohibiting the use of motorized wheelchairs and scooters in residents’ apartments and in the home’s common dining room during meals. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Massachusetts Man Sentenced in Child Pornography Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:30:20 EDT Michael D. Doyle, 41, of Woburn, Mass., was sentenced today to four years in prison for possessing images of child pornography. Doyle also was sentenced to nine years of supervised release following his term in prison by U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. The court accepted Doyle’s guilty plea to a one-count information charging possession of child pornography, which was filed on April 22, 2009. Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Two Virginia Residents Sentenced for Their Role in Scheme to Defraud Clients of Funds Allegedly Held in Trust By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:55:31 EDT Two former employees of Edward H. Okun, who was sentenced to 100 years in prison on Aug. 4, 2009, after a three-week jury trial, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne for their roles in a scheme to defraud and obtain approximately $126 million in client funds held by The 1031 Tax Group LLP (1031TG). Full Article OPA Press Releases
us Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Business Opportunity Scams By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:50:13 EDT On Aug.11, 2009, two individuals were sentenced in connection with South Florida business opportunity scams. Stewart Pope was sentenced in connection with his participation in fraudulent business opportunity sales at a Miami firm called Global Resources (“Global”). Full Article OPA Press Releases