part District Court Approves Selection of Arnaldo Claudio as Technical Compliance Advisor to Oversee Critical Reforms of Puerto Rico Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 5 Jun 2014 14:26:19 EDT Today, U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpí approved the selection of Arnaldo Claudio to serve as Technical Compliance Advisor (TCA), overseeing the implementation of sweeping civil rights reforms under the Agreement for Sustainable Reform of the Puerto Rico Police Department. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Florida State University By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 5 Jun 2014 16:09:38 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it has reached a settlement with the Florida State University Board of Trustees, acting for and on behalf of Florida State University (FSU), in Tallahassee, Florida. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department and CNCS Announce New Partnership to Enhance Immigration Courts and Provide Critical Legal Assistance to Unaccompanied Minors By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Jun 2014 14:06:50 EDT The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which administers AmeriCorps, and the Department of Justice today announced “justice AmeriCorps,” a strategic partnership to increase national service opportunities while enhancing the effective and efficient adjudication of immigration proceedings involving certain children who have crossed the U.S. border without a parent or legal guardian. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Concludes That Los Angeles County Jails System Has Made Progress, but Serious Deficiencies Continue By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Jun 2014 14:14:39 EDT The Justice Department today released its latest compliance assessment of mental health services at the Los Angeles County Jails based on a memorandum of agreement designed to protect the constitutional rights of prisoners with serious mental illness at the jails. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Employment Discrimination Allegations Against City of Austin By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:12:23 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it has entered into and filed a consent decree that, if approved by the court, will resolve the department’s allegations that the city of Austin violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against African-American and Hispanic applicants for entry-level firefighter positions at the Austin Fire Department (AFD). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department and Montana Officials to Hold Press Conference Announcing Negotiated Agreements Regarding the Handling of Sexual Assault Cases By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:13:45 EDT Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Jocelyn Samuels, U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Michael Cotter, Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg and Missoula County Commissioner Bill Carey will hold a press conference TOMORROW, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. EDT (11:00 a.m. MDT), to announce negotiated agreements regarding the handling of sexual assault cases Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Officials to Hold Press Call Announcing Negotiated Agreements Regarding the Handling of Sexual Assault Cases By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:15:06 EDT Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Jocelyn Samuels and U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Michael Cotter will hold a press call TOMORROW, TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 at 1:45 p.m. EDT (11:45 a.m. MDT), for reporters who are unable to attend in person the 1:00 p.m. EDT (11:00 a.m. MDT), press conference announcing negotiated agreements regarding the handling of sexual assault cases Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Department of Justice Reaches Landmark Agreement to Improve Missoula County Attorney’s Office’s Response to Reports of Sexual Assault By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 11:11:08 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it has reached a comprehensive agreement with the Missoula County Attorney’s Office, as well as Missoula County, Montana, and the Montana Attorney General’s Office, to resolve the department’s investigation of alleged gender bias in the prosecution of sexual assaults by the Missoula County Attorney’s Office (MCAO). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Urges U.S. Sentencing Commission to Make Certain Individuals Incarcerated for Drug Offenses Retroactively Eligible for Reduced Sentences By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 11:12:54 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder announced Tuesday that the Justice Department would formally support a proposal under consideration by the U.S. Sentencing Commission to allow certain individuals serving time in federal prison for nonviolent drug offenses to be eligible for reduced sentences. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Settles Immigration-Related Discrimination Claim Against Commercial Cleaning Systems By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 11:25:09 EDT The Justice Department reached an agreement today with Commercial Cleaning Systems, a janitorial services company with headquarters in Denver. The agreement resolves claims that the company discriminated against work-authorized non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Reach $169 Million Settlement to Resolve Allegations of Credit Card Lending Discrimination by GE Capital Retail Bank By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 11:57:51 EDT The Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced a settlement to resolve allegations that GE Capital Retail Bank, known as of this month as Synchrony Bank, engaged in a nationwide pattern or practice of discrimination by excluding Hispanic borrowers from two of its credit card debt-repayment programs Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Department of Justice Reaches Settlement with Clay County, Alabama School District to Ensure Equal Opportunities for English Language Learner Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 12:02:36 EDT The Justice Department announced today a settlement agreement with the Clay County School District in Alabama Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Joint Statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Justice on the Declassification of Renewal of Collection Under Section 501 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 12:11:02 EDT The Justice Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released the following joint statement Friday Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Attorney General Holder Vows Justice Department Will Continue to Look at Banks That Help Payment Processors Carry out Consumer Scams, Says More Cases to Be Resolved Soon By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:00:43 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday said that the Justice Department will continue to investigate financial institutions that knowingly facilitate consumer scams, or that willfully look the other way in processing such fraudulent transactions. He acknowledged that multiple investigations were ongoing in this area, and said he expected several of those cases to be resolved in the coming months Full Article OPA Press Releases
part New Jersey School District to Adopt Service Animal Policies and Pay Fine to Resolve Justice Department Investigation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:55:06 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it reached a settlement with the Delran Township School District in New Jersey under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Criticizing Wisconsin’s Voter Id Statute, Attorney General Holder Pledges Aggressive Enforcement of Remaining Parts of Voting Rights Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:43:54 EDT On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act, Attorney General Eric Holder pledged Wednesday that the Justice Department would remain aggressive in using Section 2 of the law—which was left intact by the Court’s decision—to guard against unjust voting restrictions Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department and State of Texas Require Martin Marietta to Divest a Quarry and Two Rail Yards to Proceed with Acquisition of Texas Industries By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:39:00 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it will require Martin Marietta Materials Inc. to divest one Oklahoma quarry and two Texas rail yards in order to proceed with its proposed $2.7 billion acquisition of Texas Industries Inc. Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Department of Justice and Office of the Director of National Intelligence Announce Declassification of Renewal of Collection Under Section 501 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:30:15 EDT The Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) released the following statement Friday Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Denso Corp. Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty to Price Fixing on Automobile Parts Installed in U.S. Cars By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:15:09 EDT An executive of Japan-based Denso Corp. has agreed to plead guilty and to serve one year and one day in a U.S. prison in connection with the Antitrust Division’s investigation into a conspiracy to fix the prices of instrument panel clusters, also known as meters, installed in cars sold in the United States and elsewhere, the Department of Justice announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Sues Los Angeles Pharmaceutical Company Over Feminine Health Drug Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:42:28 EDT The Department of Justice today announced the filing of a civil lawsuit against Laclede Inc. and its president, Michael A. Pellico, seeking to stop the distribution of over-the-counter vaginal drug products that the company makes and sells nationwide Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department and Howard University to Host Program Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act of 1964 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:21:00 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it will be co-hosting the historic program and celebration, “The 50 th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Preserving Progress, Charting the Future,” with Howard University on July 15, 2014. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964, the groundbreaking act outlawed discriminatory voting requirements and segregation in schools, employment and places of public accommodation. Attorney General Eric Holder has made protecting civil rights a top priority of his administration of the Department of Justice Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Department of Justice Announces New Priorities to Address Surge of Migrants Crossing into the U.S. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:49:10 EDT Deputy Attorney General James Cole announced today that the Justice Department will implement a series of steps to help address the influx of migrants crossing the southern border of the United States. These include refocusing immigration court resources to adjudicate the cases of recent migrants; providing support and training to help address violence in Central America; and redoubling efforts to work with other federal agencies and the Mexican government to investigate and prosecute those who smuggle migrants to the United States Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department, Health and Human Services Call for Action to Address Abuse of Older Americans By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:53:44 EDT Today, leaders in the fight against elder abuse announced a framework for tackling the highest priority challenges to elder abuse prevention and prosecution, and called on all Americans to take a stand against the serious societal problem of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Reaches Settlement with the City of Hubbard, Oregon By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:57:27 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it reached a settlement with the city of Hubbard, Oregon, resolving an investigation of the city under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The investigation found that the city’s online employment application asked questions about disabilities in violation of the ADA. The ADA does not permit employers to inquire whether an applicant is an individual with a disability or as to the nature of such disability before making a conditional offer of employment. However, the ADA permits federal contractors subject to affirmative action requirements under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to invite an applicant voluntarily to self-identify as an individual with a disability, consistent with certain requirements. Last month, the department reached a similar settlement agreement with Florida State University Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Departments of Justice and Education Reach Settlement Agreement with Jefferson Parish Public School System Ensuring Equal Access and Non-Discrimination in Schools By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:59:57 EDT The Departments of Justice and Education announced today that they have reached a comprehensive agreement with the Jefferson Parish Public School System in Louisiana (JPPSS) to ensure that all students can enroll in school regardless of their own national origin or immigration status, or that of their parents or guardians. The agreement also resolves complaints regarding JPPSS’ policies and practices for communicating with parents who have limited English proficiency (LEP) and JPPSS’ response to alleged harassment of Latino students based on their national origin Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Department of Justice Provides Update on Gameover Zeus and Cryptolocker Disruption By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:26:46 EDT The Justice Department today filed a status report with the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania updating the court on the progress in disrupting the Gameover Zeus botnet and the malicious software known as Cryptolocker Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Attorney General Eric Holder to Deliver Keynote Address at Justice Department and Howard University Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act of 1964 By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:31:56 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder will deliver the keynote address at the Department of Justice’s 50th anniversary celebration of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Deputy Attorney General James Cole, Associate Attorney General Tony West, Ambassador Andrew Young and Howard University Interim President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick will also deliver remarks at the event co-hosted by Howard University, on TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, to honor the civil rights movement and celebrate the groundbreaking act Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department, Federal and State Partners Secure Record $7 Billion Global Settlement with Citigroup for Misleading Investors About Securities Containing Toxic Mortgages By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:34:56 EDT The Justice Department, along with federal and state partners, today announced a $7 billion settlement with Citigroup Inc. to resolve federal and state civil claims related to Citigroup’s conduct in the packaging, securitization, marketing, sale and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) prior to Jan. 1, 2009 Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Require Divestiture from Sinclair Broadcast Group in Order to Proceed with Its Acquisition of Perpetual Corp. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:39:22 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it will require Sinclair Broadcast Group and Perpetual Corp. to divest their interests in WHTM-TV, an ABC affiliate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in order to proceed with Sinclair’s proposed $963 million acquisition of Perpetual Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Releases Best Practices Guide to Reform HIV-Specific Criminal Laws to Align with Scientifically-Supported Factors By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:44:20 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has released a Best Practices Guide to Reform HIV-Specific Criminal Laws to Align with Scientifically-Supported Factors . This guide provides technical assistance regarding state laws that criminalize engaging in certain behaviors without disclosing known HIV-positive status Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Sues to Stop Chicago Man from Promoting Alleged Tax Scheme and Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:48:38 EDT The United States filed a complaint today to bar Victor M. Crown, individually and through his businesses Crown and Franklin Accounting and Refunds, Crown-Franklin Accounting Inc., Accurate Accounting PV, and Lourdes Theodossis Estate, from promoting two alleged tax fraud schemes and from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Sues to Shut Down Texas Tax Return Preparers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:54:05 EDT The United States has asked a federal court in Waco, Texas, to permanently bar several tax preparers individually and through the business Accounting System Services, doing business as A Kind Bookkeeping and Tax Service, from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Associate Attorney General Tony West Outlines Justice Department’s Approach to Toxic Mortgage Cases By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:46:01 EDT “If an institution is unwilling to admit its wrongful conduct in a statement of facts; or balks at paying a substantial penalty that reflects that conduct; or refuses to do right by those affected, then we will not shrink from litigating as long as we must to fulfill our law enforcement mandate.” Full Article Speech
part Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Orange County Clerk of Courts in Florida to Ensure Equal Access to Court Records for Blind Individuals By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:00:58 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement with the Orange County Clerk of Courts in Florida to remedy violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The settlement resolves allegations that the Orange County Clerk of Courts failed to provide a blind attorney with electronic court documents in an accessible format readable by his screen reader technology, despite repeated requests. Indeed, a motion filed in one of his cases included over 20 exhibits, the majority of which were not provided in an accessible format for over four months Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Violations of Federal Law and Executive Order by Federal Contractor By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:04:56 EDT The Justice Department announced the filing of a lawsuit today against Entergy Corporation for violating Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Los Angeles Area Tax Return Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:16:18 EDT The United States has asked a federal court in Los Angeles to bar Elton L. Barnes Jr. from preparing tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department to Announce Results and Next Steps in Investigation of Newark Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:24:55 EDT The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey will announce the results and next steps following its investigation into the Newark Police TODAY, TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2014, at 12:00 p.m. EDT, at the Newark office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Full Article OPA Press Releases
part President Announces New AmeriCorps Partnerships to Expand Opportunities to Youth By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:26:34 EDT As part of his My Brother’s Keeper initiative, President Obama announced new AmeriCorps partnerships with federal agencies and the private sector to connect young people to mentoring, support networks and job skills to help them reach their full potential Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Reaches Agreement with City of Newark, New Jersey, to Address Unconstitutional Policing in Newark Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:31:58 EDT The Justice Department today announced it has reached an agreement with the city of Newark, New Jersey, to address a pattern and practice of unconstitutional policing by the Newark Police Department (NPD). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Statement by Justice Department Spokesperson on King V. Burwell and Halbig V. Burwell By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:34:50 EDT The Department of Justice released the following statement Tuesday from spokesperson Emily Pierce regarding the ruling in the case of King v. Burwell by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Halbig v. Burwell Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Remarks by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels Announcing the Findings of the Department of Justice’s Investigation of the Newark Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:34:03 EDT "The goal of our civil investigation and our findings today is to ensure that the police department acts in accord with the Constitution, and earns the trust of the public it is charged with protecting, even as it becomes more effective at fighting crime. A key part of our task is to ensure that the hard work of the many men and women of NPD who serve honorably is not overshadowed by the unlawful behavior of others or by institutional deficiencies that make an already difficult job that much harder." Full Article Speech
part Attorney General Holder Delivers Remarks at a Naturalization Ceremony Held at the Department of Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:42:18 EDT I am honored to join you in this pursuit. I congratulate you, once again, on this extraordinary occasion. And I thank you for allowing me to share it with you. Full Article Speech
part Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Delivers Remarks at Department of Homeland Security Press Conference on Human Smuggling Along the Southwest Border By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:43:34 EDT As the Secretary has so poignantly described, the conditions for these migrants en route to the United States are horrible. Human smuggling ventures lead to extremely dangerous circumstances that pose a threat to public safety and are serious humanitarian concerns. We have encountered smuggled aliens that have been, kidnapped, taken hostage, beaten, sexually assaulted, threatened with murder or have died as a result of dangerous conditions. Full Article Speech
part Justice Department Issues Joint Statement of Principles with City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Reform Albuquerque Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:44:44 EDT The Justice Department today announced it has signed a joint statement of principles with the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, that reflects the good-faith intent of both sides to enter into a court-enforceable agreement to reform the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part $80 Million Judgment Entered Against BNP Paribas for False Claims to the U.S. Department of Agriculture By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:49:01 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that an $80 million False Claims Act judgment was entered against BNP Paribas for submitting false claims for payment guarantees issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Announces Proposed Amendment to Americans with Disabilities Act Regulations to Expand Access to Movie Theaters for Individuals with Hearing and Vision Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:50:33 EDT The Justice Department announced today that Attorney General Eric Holder has signed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the Title III regulation for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to require movie theaters to provide closed movie captioning and audio description in order to give persons with hearing and vision disabilities access to movies Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Obtains $80,000 Settlement in Housing Discrimination Lawsuit Against California Landlord By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:55:56 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the owners and operators of Woodland Garden Apartments in Fremont, California, to settle allegations of discrimination against families with children. Under the consent order, which must still be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the defendants are required to pay $77,500 to the victims of their discrimination and an additional $2,500 to the government as a civil penalty Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Sex Discrimination Against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Police By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:05:12 EDT The Justice Department announced the filing of a lawsuit today against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Police, alleging that the defendants are engaged in a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against women in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the lawsuit challenges the state police’s use of two physical fitness tests to screen and select entry-level state troopers Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Extend Public Comment Period for Workshop on Conditional Pricing Practices By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 09:52:40 EDT The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have extended the deadline for submitting comments on their recent Conditional Pricing Practices Workshop from Aug. 22, 2014, to Sept. 22, 2014 Full Article OPA Press Releases
part Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Detroit Area Tax Return Preparers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 09:49:06 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has asked a federal court in Detroit to permanently bar Brandon Lee and Tamika Lee, a husband and wife who do business as Quick Money Tax & tax returns in order to claim false and inflated earned income tax credits (EITC). Full Article OPA Press Releases