federal

Occidental Oil Companies to Pay $2.05 Million to Resolve Allegations of Royalty Underpayments from Federal Land

Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, and OXY USA Inc. have agreed to pay the United States $2.05 million plus interest to resolve claims that the companies violated the False Claims Act by knowingly underpaying royalties owed on natural gas produced from federal leases.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Shuts Down Missouri Tax Preparer Who Promoted Tax Scam

A federal court has permanently barred Gerald A. Poynter II of Kansas City, Mo., from preparing federal tax returns for others and from promoting a fraudulent tax scam.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Former Owner of Illinois Technology Company Pleads Guilty in Multi-State Scheme to Defraud the Federal E-Rate Program

A former owner of an Illinois-based technology company has pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the federal E-Rate program.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Shuts Down Three Alabama Tax Preparers

A federal court has permanently barred John Lewis, Artels James and Perry Wright from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission Seek Public Comment on Proposed Statement of Antitrust Enforcement Regarding Accountable Care Organizations

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today issued a joint statement about how the agencies will enforce U.S. antitrust laws in regard to new Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Sign Antitrust Cooperation Agreement with Chile

Christine Varney, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, today signed an antitrust cooperation agreement with the Chilean antitrust agency on behalf of the Department of Justice.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Tax Defendant Indicted for Filing False Liens for Billions of Dollars Against Federal Law Enforcement

Mark D. Leitner has been indicted by a grand jury in the Northern District of Florida for filing false liens against federal law enforcement, corruptly endeavoring to impede and impair the Internal Revenue Service, and public disclosure of another’s Social Security number in the commission of illegal activity.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Arkansas Men Charged with Federal Hate Crime Related to the Assault of Five Hispanic Men

The Justice Department announced today the arrest of Sean Popejoy, 19, and Frankie Maybee, 20, both of Green Forest, Ark., on charges related to a racially-motivated assault on five Hispanic men.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Permanently Bars Texas Man from Operating Businesses Because of Unpaid Payroll Taxes

A federal court in Dallas has barred Arthur Piner Grider III from operating businesses under any name.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Employee Pleads Guilty to Failure to File Federal Income Tax Return

Janet Jaensch, a federal employee, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., to one count of failure to file a 2008 federal income tax return.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Philadelphia Tax Firm and Ownerfrom Claiming First-Time-Homebuyer Tax Credit for Customers

A federal court has barred a Philadelphia tax preparation firm and its owner from preparing federal tax returns claiming first-time-homebuyer tax credits and tax deductions for certain expenses.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Permanently Bars San Antonio Man from Preparing Tax Returns

A federal court has barred Eddie Madrigal of San Antonio and his business, Madrigal Tax Express Inc., from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Colville, Wash., Man Indicted for Federal Hate Crime in Attempted Bombing of the MLK Unity March

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Washington has returned a superseding indictment charging Kevin Harpham, 36, of Colville, Wash., with federal hate crime and weapons violations arising out of the attempted bombing of the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March in Spokane, Wash., on Jan. 17, 2011.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Charges Filed Against Las Vegas Man for Defrauding Distressed Homeowners

A Las Vegas man was arrested yesterday on charges that he defrauded distressed homeowners in Las Vegas who were attempting to refinance or adjust their home mortgages.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Chicago Woman from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

A federal court has permanently barred Rita Augustus from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Jury Finds That Massachusetts Cranberry Growers’ Filling Wetlands Was Subject to Clean Water Act

A federal jury this week found that the Clean Water Act applied to the filling of wetlands and other waters at two properties in Carver, Mass., owned by Charles Johnson, Genelda Johnson, Francis Vaner Johnson, and Johnson Cranberries Limited Partnership.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Colorado Man from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

A federal court has permanently barred George Thomas Gaines of Aurora, Colo., from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Violations

The Justice Department announced today that Johnny Mathis, 47, of Lecompte, La., pleaded guilty to two federal crimes for shooting at the home of three Hispanic men living across the street from him because of the victims’ race and national origin.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Three Men Sentenced on Federal Hate Crime Charges Related to Desecration of Synagogue and Churches in Modesto, California

The Justice Department announced today that Brian Lewis, Abel Mark Gonzalez and Andrew Kerber were sentenced for their roles in violating the civil rights of congregants of several houses of worship in Modesto, Calif.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

UBS AG Admits to Anticompetitive Conduct by Former Employees in the Municipal Bond Investments Market and Agrees to Pay $160 Million to Federal and State Agencies

UBS AG has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve anticompetitive activity in the municipal bond investments market and has agreed to pay a total of $160 million in restitution, penalties and disgorgement to federal and state agencies.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Officials Close the Investigation Involving Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Officers

The Justice Department announced today that it will not pursue criminal charges against three Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers in connection with the events of Jan. 12, 2010, involving former Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) student Jordan Miles.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Houston Federal Jury Convicts Four Defendants in Connection with $5.2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

A federal jury in Houston convicted four defendants today in connection with a $5.2 million Medicare fraud scheme that operated from April 2006 to August 2009, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars North Carolina Man from Promoting Alleged Tax Fraud Scheme

A federal court has permanently barred a North Carolina man from selling an alleged tax fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Illinois Man Admits Plotting to Bomb Federal Courthouse and Is Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison

Michael C. Finton, aka “Talib Islam,” pleaded guilty today to attempting to bomb the federal courthouse in Springfield, Ill., in September 2009 and was immediately sentenced to serve 28 years in prison.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Shell Oil Companies to Pay $2.2 Million to Resolve Allegations of Royalty Underpayments from Federal Lands

Shell Oil Company and other Shell affiliates have agreed to pay the United States $2.2 million to resolve claims that the companies violated the False Claims Act by knowingly underpaying royalties owed on natural gas produced from federal leases.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

California Company, Its Two Executives and Intermediary Convicted by Federal Jury in Los Angeles on All Counts for Their Involvement in Scheme to Bribe Officials at State-Owned Electrical Utility in Mexico

Lindsey Manufacturing Company, an Azusa, Calif., company, two of its executives and a Mexican intermediary today were convicted by a federal jury on all counts for their alleged roles in a scheme to pay bribes to Mexican government officials at the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), a state-owned utility company.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars North Georgia Man from Promoting Form 1099-OID Tax Scheme

A federal court has permanently barred Atlanta-area financial planner T. Michael Haney from promoting the use of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Forms 1099-OID to support false tax withholdings.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Houston-Area Tax Preparers from Preparing Federal Tax Returns for Others

A federal court has permanently barred Houston-area tax preparers Christopher Helton and Marcia Johnson from preparing federal tax returns for others.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime Related to the Assault of Five Hispanic Men

The Justice Department announced today that Sean Popejoy, 19, of Green Forest, Ark., pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of committing a federal hate crime and one count of conspiring to commit a federal hate crime.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Ohio Accountant and Former Business Partner from Promoting Oil-and-Gas Tax Fraud Scheme

A federal court has permanently barred two men from promoting an alleged tax fraud scheme involving interests in purported oil and gas wells.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Arkansas Jury Finds Man Guilty of Federal Hate Crime Related to the Assault of Five Hispanic Men

Frankie Maybee, 20, of Green Forest, Ark., was convicted today by a federal jury today of five counts of committing a federal hate crime and one count of conspiring to commit a federal hate crime.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Arizona Family from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

The court’s preliminary injunction order against Shelia Young, Deane Young and Kennith Defoor will remain in effect while a related criminal case against the defendants proceeds in court.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Chicago Woman from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

A federal court has permanently barred Martha A. Jones of Chicago from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Lufkin, Texas, Man and Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Nacogdoches, Texas, Murders

A Lufkin, Texas, man and woman have been sentenced to federal prison for their part in a double homicide in Nacogdoches, Texas, in August 2007.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Houston Federal Jury Convicts Patient Recruiter of Medicare Fraud Involving Claims of Hurricane Damage to Power Wheelchairs

Marion Beverly Metoyer, a patient recruiter for a Houston durable medical equipment (DME) company, was convicted today by a Houston federal jury of health care fraud related to a power wheelchair fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Shuts Down Georgia Tax Return Preparers

A federal court has permanently barred two women from preparing federal income tax returns for others and from operating their tax preparation business.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Two Iraqi Nationals Indicted on Federal Terrorism Charges in Kentucky

An Iraqi citizen who allegedly carried out numerous Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and another Iraqi national alleged to have participated in the insurgency in Iraq have been arrested and indicted on federal terrorism charges in the Western District of Kentucky.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Deputy Attorney General James Cole Speaks at the Federal Interagency Drug Endangered Children Task Force Event

On behalf of the Federal Interagency Drug Endangered Children Task Force and its members and supporters – and, more importantly, the millions of voiceless children across this Nation who are forced to survive unimaginable home lives – I want to thank you all for coming to this Public Awareness Event.




federal

Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division Speaks at the National Seminar for Federal Defenders

"I know that you are dedicated to your clients, and to defending them as vigorously as you can, while at the same time recognizing the importance of criminal prosecution to society. And in representing clients who would not have the means to defend themselves without you, you are essential to our adversary system."




federal

Federal Court Bars Florida Man from Promoting Alleged “Form 1099-OID” Tax Fraud Scheme

A federal court in Ft. Meyers, Fla., has barred Gregory Boone of Riverview, Fla., from promoting an alleged tax fraud scheme



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Former Owner of Illinois Technology Companies Pleads Guilty in Multi-State Scheme to Defraud the Federal E-Rate Program

A former owner of two Illinois-based technology companies has pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the federal E-Rate program by providing bribes and kickbacks to school officials in Arkansas, Illinois and Louisiana.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Former Senator and Presidential Candidate John Edwards Charged for Alleged Role in Scheme to Violate Federal Campaign Finance Laws

A federal grand jury today returned a six-count indictment against former U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate John Edwards for allegedly participating in a scheme to violate federal campaign finance laws.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Philadelphia Tax Firm and Owner from Preparing Federal Tax Returns

Friday James, who according to the government complaint is from Landsdowne, Pa., and his business agreed to the permanent injunction order without admitting the allegations against them.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

California Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Liens Against Federal Employees

Thanh Viet Jeremy Cao of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., pleaded guilty today in Las Vegas before Judge Kent J. Dawson to six counts of filing false liens against employees and officers of the federal government.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Agencies Announce National Initiative to Combat Immigration Services Scams

This initiative targets immigration scams involving the unauthorized practice of immigration law (UPIL), which occurs when legal advice and/or representation regarding immigration matters is provided by an individual who is not an attorney or accredited representative.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Owner of Illinois Technology Company Sentenced to Serve 12 Months and a Day in Prison for Role in Conspiracy to Defraud the Federal E-Rate Program

An owner of an Illinois-based technology company was sentenced today to serve one year and a day in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to defraud the federal E-Rate program.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

South Florida Corrections Officers Indicted on Federal Civil Rights and Obstruction Charges

South Florida Reception Center (SFRC) officers Alexander McQueen, 30; Guruba Griffin 31; Scott Butler, 32; and Steven Dawkins, 30, were indicted on charges of conspiring to violate the civil rights of inmates at SFRC. McQueen and Dawkins are also charged with obstruction of justice.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Jury Imposes Death Sentence Against Connecticut Drug Dealer Convicted of Murder and Related Charges

A federal jury in New Haven, Conn., today voted unanimously to impose the federal death penalty against Azibo Aquart for his role in the murder of three individuals.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Federal Court Bars Firm with Offices in Pennsylvania and Virginia from Promoting Stock-Loan Tax Scheme

According to court findings, HedgeLender, which maintained offices in Philadelphia and Reston, Va., promoted a scheme purportedly allowing owners of appreciated stock to obtain cash through purported loans without reporting or paying tax on capital gains.



  • OPA Press Releases

federal

Anadarko and Kerr-Mcgee to Pay More Than $17 Million to Resolve Allegations of Royalty Underpayments from Federal and Indian Lands

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Kerr-McGee Corporation and their affiliates have agreed to pay the United States more than $17 million to resolve claims that the companies violated the False Claims Act by knowingly underpaying royalties owed on natural gas produced from federal and Indian leases, and numerous additional administrative claims.



  • OPA Press Releases