part U.S. Department of Justice Promotes International Network to Combat Intellectual Property Crime By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:57:51 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Jury Convicts Former Social Worker of Defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs and Obstructing Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:05:02 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Americraft Carton Inc., to Enforce the Employment Rights of Michigan Army National Guardsman By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:05:15 EDT 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). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Sues West Memphis, Ark. Landlords for Sexual Harassment By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:13:28 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Florida Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:31:56 EDT The United States has sued a Fort Richey, Fla., tax preparer, Frank Lighty, and his tax-preparation firm Lighty & 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Indianapolis Law Firm to Enforce the Employment Rights of Indiana Army National Guardsman By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:07:01 EDT 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). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Asks Court to Close Georgia Tax Preparation Firms Allegedly Involved in Fuel Credit Tax Scam By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:46:38 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Allegations of Disability Discrimination Against Town of St. John, Indiana By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:45:09 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Muskegon County, Michigan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:30:10 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Wisconsin Man Who Participated in 1943 Massacre of 8,000 Jews Is Deported to Austria By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:10:58 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Symphony Diagnostic Services Inc., to Enforce the Employment Rights of N.Y. Army National Guardsman By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:04:00 EDT 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). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Former State Department Employee Sentenced for Illegally Accessing Confidential Passport Files By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:03:32 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Sixth Aegis Company Principal Sentenced in Chicago to Ten Years in Prison for His Part in Firms $60 Million Tax Fraud Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:12:49 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, Alleging Discrimination Against African Americans in the Hiring of Firefighters By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:25:46 EDT 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). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Announces Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:18:03 EDT 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). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in New York Special Congressional Election By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:29:37 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Files Voting Rights Lawsuit Against Town of Lake Park, Florida By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:50:06 EDT 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. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Asks Federal Court to Shut Down Iowa Tax Preparation Firm By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 14:38:44 EDT The United States has brought suit in federal court against Gayle Lemmon of Humboldt, Iowa. The lawsuit seeks to bar her and her firm from preparing federal tax returns for others. According to the government complaint in the case, Lemmons firm, Gayles Bookkeeping and Tax Service Inc., prepares federal income tax returns for customers that unlawfully understate tax liabilities by claiming improper deductions for the business use of the home and for non-deductible personal expenses. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part One Current and Two Retired Baltimore City Police Department Officers Indicted on Civil Rights Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 17:10:48 EDT A current Baltimore City Police Department officer and two retired officers were charged in a six-count federal indictment unsealed today with civil rights and obstruction of justice violations stemming from an April 2004 incident during which officers allegedly assaulted a handcuffed and shackled juvenile with a baton and pool stick. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Partner at Major International Accounting Firm Charged with Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 18:12:21 EDT A Newark, N.J., federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Stephen A. Favato, a resident of Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., and a partner at a major international accounting firm, with tax charges for attempting to assist one of his clients evade income taxes. Favato, a partner in the accounting firms Woodbridge, N.J., office, was charged with tax evasion regarding the federal income taxes of Daniel Funsch and his spouse. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Defendant Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Export Military Aircraft Parts to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 13:30:32 EDT Traian Bujduveanu has pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida to a charge of conspiring to illegally export military and dual use aircraft parts to Iran. Bujduveanu appeared on behalf of himself and his now defunct corporation, Orion Aviation, in federal court in Miami today to announce his guilty plea. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Former Jackson Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 17:40:32 EDT Jonathan Haynes, a former police officer with the Jackson Police Department, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Jackson, Miss., to stealing money from a citizen during an off-duty encounter. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Fact Sheet: Department of Justice Efforts to Combat Mexican Drug Cartels By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 18:00:23 EDT The increased efforts and reallocation of personnel recently announced by the Department of Justice builds on the foundation of expertise and experience gained from ongoing efforts to combat Mexican drug cartels in the United States and to help Mexican law enforcement battle cartels in its own country. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Northrop Grumman Corp. Settles False Claims Act Case for Defective Satellite Parts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 16:30:23 EDT Northrop Grumman Corp., its subsidiary Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp., and its predecessor TRW Inc. (collectively, Northrop) have agreed to settle for $325 million, False Claims Act allegations that Northrop provided and billed the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) for defective microelectronic parts, known as Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBTs). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Statement from Department of Justice Regarding Federal Law Enforcement Response to Binghamton, N.Y., Shootings By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 14:49:40 EDT The Department of Justice, through the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is providing federal law enforcement assistance to the Binghamton Police Department in response to the shootings in Binghamton. The FBIs Albany, N.Y., field office has sent hostage negotiators, an evidence response team and command post assistance. ATF is providing seven special agents from the Syracuse and Albany field offices. The Department will continue to provide assistance as requested in response to this rapidly developing situation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Seeks Removal of Pittsburgh-Area Man Who Served as Nazi Concentration Camp Guard By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 16:10:15 EDT The Department of Justice has initiated removal proceedings against a Sharon, Penn., resident who served as an armed SS guard at two Nazi concentration camps in Germany during World War II. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Federal, State Partners Announce Multi-Agency Crackdown Targeting Foreclosure Rescue Scams, Loan Modification Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 11:21:17 EDT As homeowners and communities throughout the country continue to face devastating consequences from the deep contraction in the economy and the housing market, the Obama Administration today announced a new coordinated effort across federal and state government and the private sector to target mortgage loan modification fraud and foreclosure rescue scams that threaten to hurt American homeowners and prevent them from getting the help they need during these challenging times. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department to Monitor Election in Kane County, Illinois By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 14:43:09 EDT The Department announced that on April 7, 2009, it will monitor the election in Kane County, Ill., to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. Under the Voting Rights Act, the Justice Department is authorized to ask the Office of Personnel Management to send federal observers to areas that are specially covered in the act or by a federal court order. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Munitions Dealer Arrested and Charged in Conspiracy to Export Military Aircraft Parts to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 18:04:43 EDT An Iranian national has been arrested and charged, along with ten other defendants, with participating in a conspiracy to export U.S.-made military aircraft parts to Iran. Defendant Baktash Fattahi, an Iranian national and legal U.S. resident, was arrested in California, on April 3, 2009, on charges of conspiring to export military aircraft parts to Iran. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Senior Executives of Auto Parts Retailer Charged with Scheme to Manipulate Corporate Earnings By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 15:59:07 EDT Two former senior executives of CSK Auto Corp. (CSK), have been charged in a 31-count indictment for a scheme to manipulate the companys reported earnings. The indictment, returned on April 7, 2009, by a federal grand jury in Phoenix, charges Martin G. Fraser, 53, of Glendale, Ariz., and Don W. Watson, 53, of Gilbert, Ariz., with conspiracy, securities fraud, mail fraud, false filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), false books and records, and false statements to its auditor. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against the City of Ecorse, Michigan, Alleging Sex Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 15:16:52 EDT The Department has entered into a consent decree with the City of Ecorse, Mich., that, if approved by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Mich., will resolve the Departments complaint against Ecorse filed in July 2008. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department and Fort Bend County, Texas, Resolve Claims Alleging Voting Rights Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 15:43:52 EDT The Justice Department today announced the filing of a lawsuit and the settlement of its claims against Fort Bend County, Texas, alleging violations of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Two Department of Defense Contractors Charged in Bribery Conspiracy Related to DOD Contracts in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 16:50:23 EDT Two Department of Defense (DOD) contractors were charged with conspiracy and bribery relating to their roles involving DOD contracts in Afghanistan. A Lebanese contracting company is also charged with participating in the same conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Former Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arrested on Civil Rights Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 18:47:19 EDT The Department announced the arrest of a former trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety who is charged with depriving multiple Latino motorists of their civil rights. According to the four count indictment returned by a federal Grand Jury in Corpus Christi, Texas, on April 8, 2009, Michael Anthony Higgins violated federal law by willfully stealing money from Latino motorists that he had stopped on the highway while working as a trooper. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Highlights FY 2008 Tax Enforcement Results By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:32:40 EDT The Tax Division announced highlights of its work during the past year to defend and enforce the nation’s tax laws. The Tax Division has assisted the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in tracking down tax cheats who use offshore accounts, combating abusive tax shelters, stopping tax defiers and shutting down tax schemes and scams. During FY 2008, the Tax Division also successfully defended refund suits against the United States representing claims of nearly $803 million, and collected, through affirmative litigation, over $178 million. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Alleging Disability-Based Housing Discrimination at 12 Multifamily Housing Complexes in Louisville, Kentucky By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:23 EDT The Department announced that a federal district court judge in Louisville, Ky., approved a settlement of the Departments lawsuit alleging that those involved in the design and construction of 12 multifamily housing complexes discriminated on the basis of disability. The complexes contain more than 800 units covered by the Fair Housing Acts accessibility provisions. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Six Defendants Sentenced for Participation in International Child Exploitation Enterprise By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:52:50 EDT WASHINGTON and PENSACOLA, Fla. Six U.S. defendants convicted for their activity in a global child pornography trafficking enterprise were sentenced today in the Northern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Rita M. Glavin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Thomas F. Kirwin and FBI Executive Assistant Director J. Stephen Tidwell announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Department of Justice Asks Court to Serve Summons for Offshore Records By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:18:15 EDT The Department today asked a federal court in Denver to approve service of a John Doe summons on First Data Corporation. John Doe summonses allow the IRS to obtain information about United States taxpayers whose identities are not yet known. The information expected in response to the summons will help the IRS identify merchants who use offshore accounts to evade their United States tax liabilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Requests Extension of Microsoft Final Judgment By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:03:50 EDT The Department told the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today that it is necessary to extend the term of certain portions of the Microsoft final judgment by at least 18 months. The Department said that an extension is necessary to ensure the quality of the technical documentation Microsoft provides to licensees. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Philadelphia Regarding Polling Place Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:31:49 EDT The Department announced a settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the city of Philadelphia to greatly improve accessibility for individuals with mobility disabilities at the citys 1,200 polling places. Todays settlement is the first settlement by the Department with a city focused solely on accessible polling places. Under the terms of the settlement, the city of Philadelphia recognizes that accessible polling places are the cornerstone of its voting accessibility program and will make its polling places accessible to persons with disabilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Former Military Official Pleads Guilty to Participating in Bribery Conspiracy Involving $206 Million Telecommunications Contract in Korea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:41:42 EDT A former Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) official pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Columbus, Ga., for his role in a conspiracy to commit bribery involving a multimillion dollar telecommunications contract, and for not reporting the bribes he accepted on his income tax returns. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Grand Forks County, North Dakota, to Enforce the Employment Rights of North Dakota Army National Guard Member By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:55:51 EDT The Department has reached a settlement that will resolve its lawsuit filed against Grand Forks County, N.D., on behalf of Suzanne L. Halverson in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), if approved by the U.S. District Court in Fargo. USERRA prohibits employment discrimination against individuals because of their service in the uniformed services. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Individual Charged with Participating in Scheme to Steal Large Quantities of Fuel from U.S. Army in Iraq By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:21:48 EDT A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Robert Jeffery, 55, with conspiracy and theft of government property in connection with a scheme to steal large quantities of fuel from the U.S. Army in Iraq. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Disability Discrimination by the City of Baltimore, Maryland By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:27:19 EDT The Department filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore alleging that the city of Baltimores zoning code discriminates against individuals with disabilities by requiring substance abuse treatment facilities to go through a burdensome conditional ordinance zoning process in order to locate in any zone. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Korean Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty and Serve One Year in Prison for Participation in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:27:02 EDT A high-level Korean executive from LG Display Co. Ltd. (LG) has agreed to plead guilty and serve a year in jail in the United States for participating in a global conspiracy to fix prices in the sale of Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) panels. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Lawsuit to Enforce N.Y. Army Servicemembers Employment Rights By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:44:08 EDT The Department today has reached a settlement that, if approved by the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, will resolve its lawsuit filed on behalf of Frantz Julien against Symphony Diagnostic Services Inc., doing business as MobilexUSA (Mobilex). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Defendant Sentenced to Life for Participation in International Child Exploitation Enterprise By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:22:12 EDT James Freeman of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., was sentenced to life in prison today for his activity in a global child pornography trafficking enterprise. Freeman, a registered sex offender, was found guilty following a six-day trial in January 2009 of six counts relating to his criminal activities as a member of the child exploitation enterprise. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Sues Nobel Learning Communities Inc. for Discrimination Against Children with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:37:04 EDT The Department has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia against Nobel Learning Communities Inc. (Nobel) alleging the company violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act by excluding children with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities from its schools and programs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Americraft Carton Inc. on Behalf of Michigan Army National Guardsman By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:30:33 EDT The Department announced a settlement that, if approved by the court, will resolve its lawsuit filed on behalf of David D. Sweatt, a Michigan Army National Guard member currently serving in Iraq, against his former employer, Americraft Carton Inc. (Americraft). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Obtains $200,000 in Housing Discrimination Settlement with Lakewood, New Jersey, Apartment Complex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:45:02 EDT The Department announced an agreement with the owners, a manager and a former manager of Cottage Manor Apartments in Lakewood, N.J., to settle allegations of discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin and race. Full Article OPA Press Releases