ic California Woman Indicted for Allegedly Impersonating a Congressional Aide By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 18:28:49 EDT The indictment charges Susan Tomsha-Miguel, 51. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Settles with Louisiana School District to Ensure Equal Opportunities for All Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 17:54:45 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it entered into a settlement agreement with the Lincoln Parish School Board in Louisiana to ensure the school district reaches full compliance with its longstanding desegregation obligations. The agreement was approved by a judge today and is in the form of a consent order. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at Drug Court Commencement and Phase Progression Recognition Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 May 2012 10:11:58 EDT "My colleagues and I across the Justice Department – and the entire Obama Administration – remain deeply committed to expanding this work through funding grants, training, and other forms of assistance. We’re eager to continue partnering with leading jurists like those who serve this Court, tireless advocates like our allies at the PSA and NADCP, and determined drug court participants like each of you," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
ic Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Texas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 May 2012 09:52:59 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor primary elections on May 29, 2012, in Fort Bend, Harris and Jefferson Counties in Texas, to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federal voting rights statutes. The Voting Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the election process on the basis of race, color or membership in a minority language group. In addition, the act requires certain covered jurisdictions to provide language assistance during the election process. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Miami Man Convicted for Obstruction of Justice and False Statements for Certifying Ships Safe for Sea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 May 2012 12:35:21 EDT Alejandro Gonzalez, 60, of Miami-Dade County, Fla., was convicted by a federal jury in Miami of three counts of making false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard and one count of obstruction of an agency proceeding. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Mid-America Pipeline Company and Enterprise Products Operating to Pay $1 Million for Spills in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 12:01:45 EDT Mid-America Pipeline Company LLC (MAPCO), and Enterprise Products Operating LLC, of Houston, have agreed to pay a civil penalty of more than $1 million to the United States to settle violations of the federal Clean Water Act related to three natural gasoline pipeline spills in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Owner of Hawaii Car Dealerships and Chief Financial Officer Plead Guilty to Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 14:06:10 EDT Charles Alan Pflueger, owner of Pflueger Inc., Randall Kurata, the company’s chief financial officer, and Julie Kam, Pflueger’s executive assistant, pleaded guilty to filing false federal income tax returns before U.S. District Court Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi in Honolulu, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in California By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 13:31:00 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached an agreement with California state officials to help ensure that military servicemembers, their family members and U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in California’s June 5, 2012, federal primary election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Romanian National Extradited to U.S. to Face Charges for Allegedly Participating in Multimillion Dollar Scheme to Hack into and Steal Credit Card Data from U.S. Merchants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 18:16:05 EDT Adrian-Tiberiu Oprea, 28, of Constanta, Romania, was extradited to the United States and appeared in federal court in New Hampshire today, to face federal charges relating to his alleged participation in an international multimillion dollar scheme to remotely hack into and steal payment card data from hundreds of U.S. merchants’ “point of sale” computer systems. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against New Jersey Information Technology Company for Retaliation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 11:05:59 EDT The Justice Department settled a lawsuit today against Whiz International LLC, an information technology staffing company in Jersey City, N.J., regarding allegations that the company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated an employee in retaliation for expressing opposition to Whiz’s alleged preference for foreign nationals with temporary work visas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Settles Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against New York City Transit Authority By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 15:12:10 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) to resolve allegations that the NYCTA is engaged in a pattern or practice of religious discrimination. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Conference of National Black Churches Annual Consultation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 10:24:44 EDT "In so many different ways – in classrooms and courtrooms, in houses of worship and halls of justice, and in your own homes and neighborhoods – you are working to protect the progress that has marked our nation’s past, and to strengthen its future," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
ic Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Major Cities Chiefs Association Summer Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 30 May 2012 16:20:43 EDT "As our nation’s Attorney General, as a prosecutor and former judge, and as the brother of a retired New York-New Jersey Port Authority police officer, I am inspired by your service, and proud to support each of the brave men and women who make up the 'thin blue line' – a line defined by honor, heroism, and valor. Especially today, I am privileged to count the chiefs gathered here as indispensable colleagues and allies," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
ic Minnesota-based St. Jude Medical Pays U.S. $3.65 Million to Settle Claims That It Overcharged for Implantable Cardiac Devices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 11:48:55 EDT St. Jude Medical Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $3.65 million to resolve civil allegations under the False Claims Act that the company inflated the cost of replacement pacemakers and defibrillators purchased by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Justice Department announced today. St. Paul, Minn.-based St. Jude Medical develops, manufactures and distributes cardiovascular and implantable neurostimulation medical devices. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Reaches $21 Million Settlement to Resolve Allegations of Lending Discrimination by Suntrust Mortgage By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 15:07:05 EDT SunTrust Mortgage Inc., the mortgage lending subsidiary of the nation’s 11th-largest commercial bank, has agreed to pay $21 million to resolve a lawsuit by the Department of Justice that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination that increased loan prices for many of the qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers who obtained loans between 2005 and 2009 through SunTrust Mortgage’s regional retail offices and national network of mortgage brokers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Plastics Producer SABIC Agrees to Reduce Harmful Air Pollution from Leaking Equipment to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations in Indiana and Alabama By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 15:05:08 EDT SABIC Innovative Plastics US LLC, and its subsidiary, SABIC Innovative Plastics Mt. Vernon LLC, have agreed to pay an approximately $1 million civil penalty and improve leak detection and repair practices to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at chemical manufacturing facilities in Mt. Vernon, Ind., and Burkville, Ala., the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Las Vegas Casino for Unfair Documentary Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 16:33:36 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it filed a lawsuit against Tuscany Hotel and Casino LLC in Las Vegas, alleging that the company engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination in the employment eligibility verification and re-verification process. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires employers to treat all authorized workers equally during the hiring, firing and employment eligibility verification process, regardless of their national origin or citizenship status. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Former Tuscaloosa, Alabama Police Sergeant Charged with Civil Rights Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 18:28:02 EDT A federal grand jury in Birmingham, Ala., today returned a five-count indictment charging former city of Tuscaloosa Police Sergeant Jason Glenn Thomas with federal civil rights offenses in connection with the aggravated sexual assault of a Tuscaloosa woman in 2011, announced Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and Patrick J. Maley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Birmingham Field Office. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Woman Convicted of Tax Fraud Conspiracy in South Florida Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 31 May 2012 17:44:01 EDT Nasheba Necia Hunte was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and for filing false tax returns, the Justice Department and IRS announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Indicted in Miami for Civil Rights and Abusive Sexual Contact Offenses By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 12:15:39 EDT U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Paulo Morales, 47, was arrested today after having been indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida on charges of deprivation of civil rights and abusive sexual contact. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Settles Lawsuit with Pierce County, Washington, Alleging Employment Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 17:31:33 EDT The Justice Department announced today it has entered into a consent decree with Pierce County, Wash., that, if approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, will resolve allegations that the county discriminated against a female employee by retaliating against her in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII is a federal statute which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or religion and protects employees who file complaints under any of those bases. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Doctors, Therapist and Recruiters from Miami-Area Mental Health Care Corporation Convicted for Participating in $205 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 19:43:15 EDT A federal jury today convicted two Miami-area doctors, one Miami-area therapist and two others for their participation in a Medicare fraud scheme involving more than $205 million in fraudulent billings by American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC), a mental health care corporation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department to Monitor Elections in California, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wisconsin By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 11:15:06 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor elections on June 5, 2012, in the following jurisdictions to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federal voting rights statutes: Alameda, Fresno and Riverside Counties, Calif.; Cibola and Sandoval Counties, N.M.; Shannon County, S.D.; and the city of Milwaukee. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Los Angeles Physician Assistant Found Guilty for Role in $18.9 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 13:19:08 EDT On June 1, 2012, after a two-week trial in federal court in Los Angeles, a jury found David James Garrison, 50, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, six counts of health care fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Arecibo, Puerto Rico, to Upgrade Sewer System to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 14:07:24 EDT A settlement between the United States and the municipality of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, will resolve violations of the Clean Water Act and specifically violations of its Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Former American Samoan Department of Education Employee Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 18:48:44 EDT Gustav Nauer, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra in the District of Hawaii. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Office on Violence Against Women Announces Agreements to Cross-Designate Tribal Prosecutors in Nebraska, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 15:00:16 EDT The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) announced today that four tribes in Nebraska, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota will be awarded cooperative agreements to cross-designate tribal prosecutors to pursue violence against women cases in both tribal and federal courts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Autoliv Inc. and a Yazaki Corp. Executive Agree to Plead Guilty to Price Fixing on Automobile Parts Installed in U.S. Cars By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 10:31:52 EDT Stockholm-based Autoliv Inc. has agreed to plead guilty for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices of seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels installed in U.S. cars to one automobile manufacturer and a separate conspiracy to fix prices of seatbelts to another. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Nevada Lobbyist Harvey Whittemore Indicted for Making Unlawful Campaign Contributions and Lying to Investigators By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 17:54:46 EDT F. Harvey Whittemore, 55, of Reno, Nevada, was charged with one count of making excessive campaign contributions, one count of making contributions in the name of others and two counts of making a false statement to a federal agency. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West and U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter Announce Pilot Initiative to Address Sexual Assault on Montana Reservations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 18:52:22 EDT Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West today joined U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter and Vice-Chairman of the Crow Nation Calvin Coolidge Jefferson to announce a multi-agency collaboration with tribal governments to establish sexual assault response teams (SARTs) in the six Montana reservations under federal jurisdiction. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Testifies Before the Senate Judiciary Committee By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 10:59:41 EDT "As someone who spent over a dozen years as a prosecutor and then nearly twenty more as a defense attorney, I know firsthand the importance that discovery plays in ensuring criminal defendants fair trials. But, at the same time, I am acutely aware of the other critical interests – such as the safety and privacy of witnesses and victims – that our criminal justice system properly takes into account," said Deputy Attorney General Cole. Full Article Speech
ic Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Justice Department’s LGBT Pride Month Celebration By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 11:21:00 EDT "Here at the Justice Department, we can all be proud of the robust efforts that are underway to combat discrimination – in all its forms – in every community, every workplace, and every school," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
ic Texas-based Medical Device Manufacturer Pays U.S. $34 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 13:03:13 EDT Orthofix Inc., a Texas-based manufacturer of medical devices, has agreed to pay the United States $34,234,263 to settle allegations under the civil False Claims Act relating to the company’s sale of bone growth stimulator devices, the Justice Department announced today. The company has also agreed to plead guilty to a felony of obstruction of a federal audit, and to pay a $7,765,737 criminal fine. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Files Complaint Against Forsyth County, North Carolina, Sheriff for Violating the Employment Rights of Army National Guard Soldier By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 17:26:54 EDT The Justice Department announced today the filing of a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina against Forsyth County, N.C., and the county sheriff, William T. Schatzman, for violating the employment rights of North Carolina Army National Guard soldier Michael Russell under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Seeks to Intervene in Lawsuit Alleging Sex Discrimination Against Summit County, Ohio, and Summit County Sheriff By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 18:22:35 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has moved to intervene in Hawkins, et al. v. Summit County, Ohio, et al., a private lawsuit alleging sex discrimination by Summit County, Ohio, and the Summit County Sheriff, as well as other defendants. The United States’ complaint in intervention alleges that the county and sheriff discriminated against twenty female deputy sheriffs who filed charges of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other similarly-situated female deputies because of their sex and engaged in a pattern or practice of sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Four More Defendants Plead Guilty in Indiana to Participating in International Child Pornography Distribution Ring By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 18:47:34 EDT Shaun Kuykendall, 32, of South Carolina; Richard Szulborski, 21, of Pennsylvania; Javahn Algere, 23, of Louisiana; and Jeremy Labrec, 22, of Texas, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Attorney General Eric Holder Testifies Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 09:49:57 EDT " am proud of the work that’s been done – by the Department’s 116,000 employees, as well as our government and law enforcement partners worldwide – to help fulfill the promises that I made before this Committee more than three years ago," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
ic Acting Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery Speaks at the American Bar Association’s Ninth National Institute on the Civil False Claims Act and Qui Tam Enforcement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 14:03:47 EDT "Protecting taxpayer dollars is one of the Attorney General’s core priorities. This includes a commitment to increase our efforts to reduce fraud at the outset," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Delery. Full Article Speech
ic Justice Department Settles Lawsuit with United Airlines to Enforce Employment Rights of Air National Guardsman By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 16:52:22 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with United Airlines Inc., resolving Ten Eyck LaTourrette’s allegation that the airline violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by under compensating his retirement plan during his military service. LaTourrette is currently a major serving in the Colorado Air National Guard and a first officer for United Airlines. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic American Samoa Department of Education Official Sentenced to 35 Months in Prison for Witness Tampering and Obstruction of Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 17:49:00 EDT Paul Solofa, the former chief financial officer for the Department of Education for the government of the U.S. Territory of American Samoa was sentenced today to 35 months in prison following his conviction earlier this year for his efforts to obstruct a federal grand jury and law enforcement investigation into a bribery scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the Assignment of U.S. Attorneys to Lead Investigations of Possible Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 18:47:09 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the assignment of U.S. Attorneys to lead investigations of possible unauthorized disclosures of classified information. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the SEED School of Washington, D.C. 2012 Commencement Ceremony By www.justice.gov Published On :: Sat, 9 Jun 2012 09:35:17 EDT "Yet – if, as they say, what’s past is prologue – and if this class’s record of achievement is any indication – then I believe there is good reason for confidence in the future that your generation will create, and the legacy of progress that each of you will carry forward – and build upon," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
ic Justice Department to Monitor Elections in South Carolina By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:19:54 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor primary elections on June 12, 2012, in Fairfield and Williamsburg Counties in South Carolina to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Miami-Area Resident Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Participating in Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:39:50 EDT Leyanes Placeres, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Seitz in the Southern District of Florida. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the League of Women Voters Convention By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:17:52 EDT "As Attorney General, it is my obligation – and solemn duty – to ensure that the rights of all Americans are protected. And I’m proud that, under this Administration, our Civil Rights Division – and its Voting Section – have taken meaningful steps to ensure integrity, independence, and transparency in our enforcement of the Voting Rights Act," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
ic Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Plyler v. Doe 30th Anniversary Event By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:50:02 EDT "The benefits of Plyler are felt by all of us, wherever we or our ancestors were born. Three decades after Plyler, immigrant students have made and continue to make vast and deep contributions to America’s cultural, civic, and economic landscape," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
ic Haji Bagcho Sentenced to Life in Prison on Drug Trafficking and Narco-Terrorism Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:41:32 EDT Haji Bagcho, an Afghan national and large scale drug trafficker, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle in the District of Columbia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic New York Certified Public Accountant Who Failed to Pay Employment Taxes Sentenced to Two Years in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:03:20 EDT Silford Warren, a resident of Queens, N.Y., was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for failure to pay over employment taxes in connection with his ownership of Silford Warren, CPA PC., the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Judge William F. Kuntz II of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York also ordered Warren to pay $184,263 in restitution to the IRS. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Florida Alleging Violations of the National Voter Registration Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:34:35 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida and the Florida Secretary of State in his official capacity alleging that the state has violated its obligations under Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Full Article OPA Press Releases
ic Former Fort Deposit, Alabama, Police Officer Arrested for Stealing Money from Motorists and Obstructing Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:37:47 EDT Former Fort Deposit, Ala., Police Officer Carlos Tyson Bennett was arrested today on charges of stealing money from motorists on Interstate 65 in central Alabama and subsequently trying to conceal his criminal activity, announced the Justice Department. Full Article OPA Press Releases