to Justice Department Files Fair Housing Lawsuit Against Dalton Township, Michigan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:16:11 EDT The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, charges that the township discriminated against persons with disabilities based on its treatment of a group home for persons recovering from drug and alcohol addiction and its failure to grant a reasonable accommodation or modification to the owner of the group home. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Spokane, Washington, Man Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Charges Related to Threats to Reproductive Health Services Clinic By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:38:36 EDT Donald Hertz pleaded guilty today in federal court in Spokane to one count of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and one count of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Agency Chief FOIA Officers Respond to the President’s and Attorney General’s Call for Transparency By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:02:07 EDT Responding to the President’s and Attorney General’s call for increased transparency, federal agencies across the government have released more documents, made more information available on websites and decreased backlogs in the past year. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Georgia Defense Contractor and Its President to Pay $750,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:54:58 EDT Quantum Dynamics Inc, located in Macon, Ga., and its president, Audrey Price, have agreed to pay the United States $750,000 to settle claims that they fraudulently obtained contracts from the Army. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Northwest Airlines LLC Agrees to Plead Guilty for Fixing Prices on Air Cargo Shipments By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:57:40 EDT Northwest Airlines LLC has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $38 million criminal fine for its role, through Northwest Airlines Cargo, in a conspiracy to fix prices in the air transportation industry. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Louisiana Vessel Company Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oil on High Seas, Will Pay $2.1 Million in Penalties By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:46:37 EDT Offshore Vessels LLC has entered a plea of guilty to knowingly discharging waste oil from one of its vessels, in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Florida Businessman Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Role in Foreign Bribery Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:29:59 EDT A Miami businessman was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to pay bribes to former officials of the Republic of Haiti. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Freight Forwarder Panalpina Pays U.S. $375,000 to Settle False Claims and Kickbacks Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:31:05 EDT Swiss-based freight forwarder Panalpina Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $375,000 to settle allegations that the company paid kickbacks to employees of Kellogg Brown & Root Inc. (KBR). Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:19:19 EDT A Virginia man pleaded guilty today to charges related to his possession and distribution of images containing child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Department of Justice and USDA Announce Registration for August 27 Livestock Workshop in Colorado By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 14:57:23 EDT The Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today additional details for the August 27, 2010, public workshop in Fort Collins, Colo., which will examine competition in the livestock industry. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Owners of “Super Soda Center Stores” in Maryland and Delaware Settle Allegations of Underground Storage Tank Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 15:30:08 EDT The United States has settled alleged violations of federal and state underground storage tank (UST) regulations at 17 gas stations in Delaware and Maryland formerly owned by Duncan Petroleum Corp. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler Speaks at the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction Announcement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 12:08:56 EDT "As the Justice Department brings its fight against child exploitation to a new level today, I am honored to stand with so many incredible colleagues and public servants who have made it their life’s work to protect exploited children and seek justice for the most vulnerable members of our society," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Grindler. Full Article Speech
to Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction Announcement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 12:10:30 EDT "Today marks an important step forward in meeting these responsibilities and taking our fight against child exploitation and sexual abuse to the next level," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
to Founder and Principal Manager of Genesis Fund Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison on Tax Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 10:54:13 EDT John S. Lipton, formerly of Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer in Los Angeles to 70 months in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to North Carolina Businessman Pleads Guilty to Role in Foreign Bribery Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 15:28:33 EDT A former Kyrgyzstan country manager for a U.S. tobacco company has pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to pay bribes to officials of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Fourth Chi Mei Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty and Serve Jail Time for Participating in Global LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 14:00:46 EDT A former executive from Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corporation has agreed to plead guilty and to serve jail time in the United States for participating in a global conspiracy to fix the price of thin-film transistor-liquid crystal display panels. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to Spend Millions to Reduce Commuter Train Emissions in Clean Air Act Settlement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 14:46:07 EDT In response to a federal enforcement action for excessive train engine idling, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR) will spend more than $2 million to reduce diesel locomotive emissions throughout the MBTA’s commuter rail system. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Fourteen Charged with Providing Material Support to Somalia-Based Terrorist Organization Al-Shabaab By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 12:07:57 EDT The Justice Department announced that four separate indictments were unsealed today in the District of Minnesota, the Southern District of Alabama and the Southern District of California charging 14 individuals with terrorism violations for providing money, personnel and services to the foreign terrorist organization al-Shabaab. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 14:00:15 EDT A Bedford, Va., man pleaded guilty today to transporting, receiving and possessing child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to United States Takes Action to Reduce Hazards from Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant in Florida By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 10:17:46 EDT CF Industries Inc. has agreed to spend approximately $12 million to implement facility-wide operational changes to reduce and properly manage hazardous wastes generated at its Plant City, Fla., phosphoric acid and ammoniated fertilizer manufacturing facility. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Alliance One International Inc. and Universal Corporation Resolve Related FCPA Matters Involving Bribes Paid to Foreign Government Officials By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 12:45:32 EDT Two foreign subsidiaries of Alliance One International Inc., a global tobacco leaf merchant headquartered in Morrisville, N.C., pleaded guilty today to violating various provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Operator of Miami HIV Clinic Pleads Guilty for Role in Medicare Fraud Ring By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 14:09:34 EDT Jose Garcia, 55, who was a fugitive for nearly two years, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Miami for his participation in a Medicare fraud scheme involving a Miami-area HIV clinic. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Jury Awards $115,000 to Victims of Housing Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 15:37:08 EDT A federal jury in Detroit today returned a $115,000 verdict against an Ypsilanti, Mich., man for sexually harassing female tenants in his capacity as a property manager. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Estonian Hacker Extradited to the United States to Face Computer Hacking Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 18:12:37 EDT Sergei Turikov, 26, of Tallinn, Estonia, has been extradited to the United States to face charges of hacking into a computer network operated by an Atlanta-based credit card processing company. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to New York Merchant Bank Pleads Guilty to FCPA Violation; Bank Chairman Pleads Guilty to Failing to Disclose Control of Foreign Bank Account By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 18:23:57 EDT – The Mercator Corporation, a merchant bank with offices in New York, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Manhattan, N.Y., to one count of making an unlawful payment to a senior government official of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Statement of Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli on Deepwater Horizon Escrow Fund By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 09:52:09 EDT “Today, the department announced that it had completed negotiations to establish a $20 billion fund to provide the necessary resources to those suffering from the effects of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico," said Associate Attorney General Perrelli. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to New Jersey Landfill Owners Agree to Comply with Clean Air Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 15:33:22 EDT The second of two agreements to resolve longstanding problems with landfill gas emissions and their negative impacts on air quality at the Middlesex County and Edgeboro landfills in New Jersey has been reached to bring them into compliance with the Clean Air Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Justice Department Sues Two California Residents to Bar Them from Promoting Alleged Tax Sham Trusts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 15:47:03 EDT The United States has sued Gwenn Wycoff and Frank Ozak of Los Angeles seeking to bar them from promoting the formation and operation of “common-law” trusts for the purpose of tax avoidance. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Hawaii Man Convicted of Providing Defense Information and Services to People’s Republic of China By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 19:37:10 EDT A federal jury in U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii today found Noshir S. Gowadia guilty of five criminal offenses relating to his design for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) of a low signature cruise missile exhaust system capable of rendering a PRC cruise missile resistant to detection by infrared missiles. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Houston-based Plains Pipeline to Spend More Than $44 Million to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:19:21 EDT Plains All American Pipeline L.P. and several of its operating subsidiaries will spend approximately $41 million over the next three years to prevent and remediate corrosion, improve leak detection practices and capabilities, and enhance pipeline oversight on 10,420 miles of crude oil pipeline operated in the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Settlement Reached with City and County of Honolulu to Address Wastewater Collection & Treatment Systems By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:46:59 EDT A comprehensive settlement has been reached with the City and County of Honolulu that will address Clean Water Act compliance at Honolulu’s wastewater collection and treatment systems. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Detroit-area Clinic Operator Sentenced to 56 Months in Prison for Role in Fraudulent Diagnostic Testing Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:26:08 EDT Carlos Grana, a Miami resident, was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence P. Zatkoff in the Eastern District of Michigan to three years of supervised release following his prison term and was ordered to pay $2 million in restitution. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Alleged International Credit Card Trafficker Arrested in France on U.S. Charges Related to Sale of Stolen Card Data By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:14:06 EDT Vladislav Anatolievich Horohorin, 27, aka “BadB” of Moscow, Russia, was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2009 on charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Former Defense Department Contract Employee Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme Related to Contracts in Support of Iraqi War By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:33:51 EDT A former contract employee of the U.S. Defense Department (DoD) pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to bribe U.S. Army contracting officials stationed at Camp Arifjan, an Army base in Kuwait, and to money laundering conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Arizona Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:58:03 EDT David Ralph Garcia Jr., 38, of Mesa, Ariz., was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in prison for possessing images of child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to New Congressional Funding to Enhance Department of Justice Southwest Border Strategy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:34:20 EDT Today’s passage by Congress of the Border Security Appropriations Bill provides $196 million for the Department of Justice to surge federal law enforcement efforts in high crime areas in the Southwest Border region. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Speaks at the Department of Education’s Bullying Summit By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:50:57 EDT "Our nation’s children deserve a learning environment that allows them to reach their full potential, and no child should be scared to go to school because of bullying," said Associate Attorney General Perrelli. Full Article Speech
to Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler Speaks at the 8th Circuit Judicial Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:45:12 EDT "As I have seen every day at the Department of Justice – in national-security briefings, reviews of case files, and meetings with the leaders of our divisions and task forces – our role as lawyers has evolved," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Grindler. Full Article Speech
to Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:53:16 EDT Ilkham Fazilov pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy for his role in a criminal enterprise that engaged in numerous criminal activities including forced labor, fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, tax evasion and money laundering. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Chicago Tax Return Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:51:04 EDT The civil injunction suit alleges that Charlie Wilson and his Chicago business, CBD Tax Service, claim bogus deductions and credits on customers’ federal tax returns. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Justice Department Issues Guidance Letter to State Courts Regarding Their Obligation to Provide Language Access By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:14:57 EDT The Justice Department today issued a letter to chief justices and administrators of state courts clarifying the obligation of courts that receive federal financial assistance to provide oral interpretation, written translation and other language services to people who are limited English proficient. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Georgia Manufacturer of Food Service Equipment Hardware Pays $3.3 Million Fine for Role in Customer Allocation Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:25:27 EDT A New York corporation, whose principal place of business is Newnan, Ga., was sentenced to pay a $3.3 million criminal fine for conspiring to allocate customers in the food service equipment hardware market, including walk-in refrigeration equipment. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Cheese Manufacturer Sorrento Lactalis to Pay U.S. $315,000 for Exceeding Discharge Levels into Idaho’s Mason Creek By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:15:16 EDT Cheese manufacturer Sorrento Lactalis Inc. will pay the United States a $315,000 penalty for excess discharges in violation of its wastewater permit levels, according to an agreement between the company. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Barclays Bank PLC Agrees to Forfeit $298 Million in Connection with Violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Trading with the Enemy Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:15:29 EDT Barclays Bank PLC, a United Kingdom corporation headquartered in London, has agreed to forfeit $298 million to the United States and to the New York County District Attorney’s Office in connection with violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Trading with the Enemy Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:14:36 EDT Andrew Cole pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy and fraud in foreign labor contracting charges arising from his role in a criminal enterprise that engaged in numerous criminal activities, including forced labor, fraud in foreign labor contracting, visa fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, tax evasion and money laundering. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Detroit-Area Doctor Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:13:05 EDT Farmington Hills, Mich., physician Jose Castro-Ramirez was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for his role in a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program. Castro-Ramirez was also ordered to pay $9.4 million in restitution and sentenced to a three-year term of supervised release following his prison term. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Two Defendants Sentenced to Prison in International Child Pornography Conspiracy Case By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:24:02 EDT Two defendants were sentenced today to prison in connection with a series of superseding indictments charging 26 individuals for their participation in an online child pornography conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Los Angeles Men Arrested for Clean Air Act Asbestos Worker Protection Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:08:53 EDT Charles Yi and John Bostick were arrested Wednesday for violations of the Clean Air Act’s asbestos work practice standards committed during the renovation of a 204-unit apartment building in Winnetka, Calif., in January through February of 2006. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Former U.S. Army Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Bribery in Afghanistan Fuel Theft Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:12:08 EDT A former U.S. Army Sergeant pleaded guilty today to bribery in connection with a fuel theft scheme to solicit more than $400,000 in bribes from a government contractor in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
to Statement on Accused Arms Trafficker Viktor Bout by Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:34:31 EDT “We are extremely pleased that the Appeals Court in Thailand has granted the extradition of Viktor Bout to the United States on charges of conspiring to sell weapons to a terrorist organization for use in killing Americans," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Grindler. Full Article OPA Press Releases