port Department of Justice Reaches Settlement with Virginia School District to Ensure Equal Opportunites for English Language Learner Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 5 Sep 2013 18:27:46 EDT The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has reached a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Prince William County School District in Virginia to improve services for approximately 13,000 students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) and provide language access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents district-wide. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Justice Department Awards $90 Million to Enhance, Support Tribal Justice and Safety By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 16:55:26 EDT The Department of Justice today announced the awarding of 192 grants to 110 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, tribal consortia and tribal designated non-profits. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Southport Bank to Resolve Allegations of Mortgage Lending Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 18:41:29 EDT The Justice Department announced today that Southport Bank of Kenosha, Wis., will pay $687,000 to African-American and Hispanic wholesale mortgage borrowers as part of a settlement to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of race and national origin. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port New Guidance Supports Voluntary Use of Race to Achieve Diversity in Higher Education By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 13:59:11 EDT Today, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education released new guidance that provides colleges and universities with information about the ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas-Austin, and reiterates the Departments’ position on the voluntary use of race to achieve diversity in higher education. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Columbus, Ohio, Tax Return Preparation Firm with Large Portion of Elderly Customers Shut Down By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:21:38 EDT A federal court in Columbus, Ohio, has permanently barred Tobias Elsass and his companies, “Fraud Recovery Group Inc.” and “Sensible Tax Services Inc.,” from preparing federal tax returns, promoting the availability of theft loss deductions, or engaging in any other tax-related business in the future. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Former President of Port Arthur, Texas, Chemical Company Sentenced for Federal Crimes Related to Employee Deaths By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:26:31 EDT The former president of Port Arthur Chemical and Environmental Services LLC (PACES) has been sentenced for occupational safety crimes which resulted in the death of an employee, announced Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and John M. Bales, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Owners and Supervisor of Ambulance Transportation Company Plead Guilty in Los Angeles for Role in Ambulance Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 08:45:17 EDT The owners and supervisor of Alpha Ambulance Inc. (Alpha), a now-defunct Los Angeles-area ambulance transportation company, have pleaded guilty in connection with an ambulance fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Justice Department Requires US Airways and American Airlines to Divest Facilities at Seven Key Airports to Enhance System-wide Competition and Settle Merger Challenge By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:01:45 EST The Department of Justice today announced that it is requiring US Airways Group Inc. and American Airlines’ parent corporation, AMR Corp. to divest slots and gates at key constrained airports across the country to low cost carrier airlines (LCCs) in order to enhance system-wide competition in the airline industry resulting in more choices and more competitive airfares for consumers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port City of Shreveport Agrees to $342 Million Sewer System Upgrade to Comply with Clean Water Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 15:53:48 EST The city of Shreveport, La., has agreed to make significant upgrades to reduce overflows from its sanitary sewer system and pay a $650,000 civil penalty to resolve Clean Water Act (CWA) violations stemming from illegal discharges of raw sewage, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The state of Louisiana, a co-plaintiff in this case, will receive half of the civil penalty. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Ohio-Based Basco Manufacturing Co. to Pay $1.1 Million for Allegedly Falsifying Customs Documents to Evade Import Duties on Chinese Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 12:01:00 EST Ohio-based Basco Manufacturing Co. (Basco) has agreed to pay $1.1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by making false customs declarations to avoid paying duties on products imported from a Chinese manufacturer, and that it has filed a complaint against four other companies and two individuals based on similar allegations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Three Subsidiaries of Weatherford International Limited Agree to Plead Guilty to FCPA and Export Control Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 11:07:59 EST Three subsidiaries of Weatherford International Limited (Weatherford International), a Swiss oil services company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange, have agreed to plead guilty to anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and export controls violations under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Owner of New York Sportswear Distribution Business Sentenced for Tax Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 6 Dec 2013 17:51:19 EST Harry Neuhoff, a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y., was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison and three years supervised release for tax evasion, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Kansas Man Charged in Plot to Explode Car Bomb at Airport By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 14:23:58 EST A man has been charged in federal court with attempting to explode a car bomb at Wichita Mid Continent Airport. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Reno Man Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorism Groups in India and Pakistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Dec 2013 18:27:52 EST A Reno, Nev. man has been charged with providing material support to terrorism groups in India and Pakistan in order to intimidate the Indian government and to harm persons that were not supporting their cause. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Canadian Citizen Arrested for Money Laundering in Connection with Illegal Importation and Trafficking of Narwhal Tusks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Dec 2013 17:08:15 EST A Canadian man was arrested today in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, on an extradition warrant requested by the United States for money laundering crimes related to the illegal importation and illegal trafficking of narwhal tusks. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Justice Department Announces Funding Opportunities for Federally-Recognized Tribes and Tribal Consortia By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Dec 2013 11:19:05 EST The U.S. Department of Justice today announced the opening of a comprehensive grant solicitation for funding to support public safety, victim services, and crime prevention by American Indian and Alaska Native governments. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Dallas-Based Companies Agree to Pay Civil Penalty to Settle Clean Air Act Violations Stemming from Illegal Import of Vehicles By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 12:46:03 EST A Dallas-based group of companies and their owner must either stop importing vehicles or follow a comprehensive compliance plan to settle Clean Air Act (CAA) violations stemming from the alleged illegal import of over 24,167 highway motorcycles and recreational vehicles into the United States without proper documentation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Attorney General Announces $8.3 Million to Support Victims of Boston Marathon Bombings By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 16:30:47 EST The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) today announced a $8,355,648 grant to organizations providing direct support to assist the victims, witnesses and first responders involved in the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Former Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Sentenced for Conspiracy and Bribery By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:59:03 EST A former sergeant of the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office (PSO) was sentenced to serve 15 months in prison today for accepting bribes in exchange for favors and referrals. Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port United States Government Sues Kellogg, Brown & Root Services Inc. and Two Foreign Companies for Kickbacks and False Claims Relating to Iraq Support Services Contract By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:24:38 EST The government has filed a complaint against Kellogg, Brown &s contract with the Army to provide logistical support in Iraq. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Tennessee and Virginia Orthopedic Clinics to Pay $1.85 Million to Settle Allegations of Billing Medicare for Reimported Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 13:40:42 EST Two orthopedic clinics will pay a combined $1.85 million to resolve state and federal False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed state and federal health care programs for reimported osteoarthritis medications, known as viscosupplements. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Joint Statement by Attorney General Eric Holder and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on New Reporting Methods for National Security Orders By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:07:39 EST Attorney General Eric Holder and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released the following joint statement Monday. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Tropical Fish Importer Pleads Guilty in New York Federal Court to Piranha Import Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:48:04 EST Joel Rakower, along with his solely-owned corporation, Transship Discounts Ltd., pleaded guilty today in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., to violating the Lacey Act by mislabeling imported piranhas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Leader of Alleged Sports Betting Ring Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:27:52 EST Joseph Vito Mastronardo Jr., 63, of Meadowbrook, Pa., pleaded guilty today to conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port MPRI Inc. Agrees to Pay $3.2 Million for False Labor Charges on Contract to Support Army in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:21:09 EST MPRI Inc. has agreed to pay $3.2 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false labor charges on a contract to support the Army in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Three Florida Residents Plead Guilty to Fraud Charges Related to Bogus Business Opportunities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 14:30:49 EST Three individuals charged in connection with operating a series of fraudulent business opportunity companies pleaded guilty this week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Mitchell Berman (aka Brian Griffin) of Boca Raton, Fla., and Robert Gallo (aka Bobby Pace, Vincent Pastone, Joe Barone, Bobby Marino, Anthony Russo) of Coconut Creek, Fla., pleaded guilty this morning to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Ganado School District to Ensure Equal Opportunities for English Language Learner Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:31:49 EST The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a settlement agreement with the Ganado Unified School District in Ganado, Ariz., to ensure that its English Language Learner (ELL) students have equal opportunities to participate in its educational programs, as mandated by federal law. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Government Files Enforcement Action Against Four California Companies and Six Individuals to Stop the Importation of Dangerous Children’s Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 11:19:49 EST The government has asked a federal court in California to issue an injunction shutting down the importation and sales activities of four California companies and six individuals in connection with their imports of illegal children’s products containing, among other things, lead, phthalates and small parts inappropriate for children under age three. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Attorney General Holder Urges Congress to Create National Standard for Reporting Cyberattacks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 12:06:16 EST In a video message released today, Attorney General Eric Holder called on Congress to create a strong, national standard for quickly alerting consumers whose information may be compromised by cyberattacks. This legislation would strengthen the Justice Department's ability to combat crime, ensure individual privacy, and prevent identity theft, while also helping to bring cybercriminals to justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Three Philippine Nationals Sentenced for Importing High-powered Weapons into the U.S. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 12:42:11 EST Three Philippine nationals were sentenced in the Central District of California for illegally importing machine guns, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, a mortar launcher and military-grade ballistic vests into the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Portola Valley, Calif., Man Sentenced to Prison for Failure to Report Foreign Bank Accounts Held at UBS By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:52:08 EST Christopher B. Berg of Portola Valley, Calif., was sentenced yesterday to one year and one day in prison to be followed by three years supervised release, announced Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division Kathryn Keneally and U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag for the Northern District of California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port United States Reaches Settlement with Stamford Public Schools to Ensure Equal Opportunites for English Language Learner Students By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:51:38 EST The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut announced that they have entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Stamford Public School District in Stamford, Conn., that requires the district to provide language services and other supports to the more than 2,000 English Language Learner students enrolled in the district’s 20 schools. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Justice Department and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Enter into Consent Decree with Harmony Public Schools Resolving Claims of Retaliation and Pay Discrimination Against Teacher By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 17:53:37 EST The Justice Department and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced today that they have entered into a consent decree that, if approved by the court, will resolve both agencies’ claims against Harmony Public Schools on behalf of Nicole M. Tuchscherer, a former teacher at Harmony Science Academy-Austin. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Two Ocean Shipping Companies to Pay $3.4 Million to Settle Claims of Price Fixing Government Cargo Transportation Contracts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 09:45:36 EST Sea Star Line LLC and Horizon Lines LLC have agreed to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by fixing the price of government cargo transportation contracts between the continental United States and Puerto Rico. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Detroit Tax Preparer Convicted for Filing False Tax Returns, Failing to Report Half a Million Dollars in His Own Income By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:54:32 EDT The Justice Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration announced that Matthew Bender, of Detroit, was convicted today of obstructing the IRS and nine counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal income tax returns following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Environment and Natural Resources Division Releases FY 2013 Accomplishments Report By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 09:48:45 EDT The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) today released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Accomplishments Report detailing its work alongside other federal agencies. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Pennsylvania Firm and Chief Officer Charged with Shipping Machinery to Iran in Violation of U.S. Export License Requirements By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:56:51 EDT A criminal information has been filed against a Pennsylvania firm and its chief officer, charging them with conspiracy to evade export reporting requirements and with attempting to smuggle to Iran a lathe machine in violation of U.S. export regulations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Office on Violence Against Women Announces Two New Grants to Support Prosecutorial and Victim Services in Rural and Tribal Communities in the Bakken Region By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:50:47 EDT The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women announced the release of two grant solicitations to launch a new $3 million special initiative for the Bakken Region. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against the State of Hawaii and the Hawaii Department of Transportation for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 5 May 2014 14:20:13 EDT The Justice Department announced today the filing of a lawsuit against the state of Hawaii and the state of Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports Division (HDOT-Airports) alleging that the defendants discriminated against former employee Sherry Valmoja by subjecting her to sexual harassment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Three Florida Residents Sentenced for Mail Fraud in Connection with Misrepresenting Business Opportunities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 12 May 2014 13:23:25 EDT Three individuals who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with operating a series of fraudulent business opportunity companies were sentenced in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Electrolux Agrees to Pay $750,000 Civil Penalty for Delay in Reporting Oven Hazard By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 14 May 2014 10:50:33 EDT The Justice Department’s Civil Division announced today that Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $750,000 to settle allegations that it knowingly failed to report immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission a safety hazard associated with certain wall ovens sold to consumers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Importing and Selling Counterfeit Intergrated Circuits from China and Hong Kong By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 3 Jun 2014 15:01:18 EDT Peter Picone, 41, of Methuen, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Hartford, Connecticut to importing thousands of counterfeit integrated circuits (ICs) from China and Hong Kong and then reselling them to U.S. customers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
port 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
port 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
port One Year After Supreme Court’s Historic Windsor Decision, Attorney General Holder Issues Report Outlining Obama Administration’s Work to Extend Federal Benefits to Same-sex Married Couples By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:29:52 EDT Following the Supreme Court’s historic decision striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday issued a formal report on the yearlong effort by the Justice Department and other federal agencies to implement the decision smoothly across the entire government Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Attorney General Holder Pledges Support for Legislation to Provide E.U. Citizens with Judicial Redress in Cases of Wrongful Disclosure of Their Personal Data Transferred to the U.S. for Law Enforcement Purposes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:42:23 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the Obama administration, as part of successfully concluding negotiations on the E.U.-U.S. Data Protection and Privacy Agreement (DPPA), would seek to work with Congress to enact legislation that would provide E.U. citizens with the right to seek redress in U.S. courts if personal data shared with U.S. authorities by their home countries for law enforcement purposes under the proposed agreement is subsequently intentionally or willfully disclosed, to the same extent that U.S. citizens could seek judicial redress in U.S. courts for such disclosures of their own law enforcement information under the Privacy Act Full Article OPA Press Releases
port Virginia-Based Move Management Company Pays More Than $500,000 to Settle Overbilling Claims in Connection with Transportation of Personal Property in Relocating Federal Employees By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:40:14 EDT RE/MAX Allegiance Relocation Services, a Virginia-based move management company, has agreed to pay the government $509,807 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overbilling for transportation services, the Department of Justice announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
port U.S. Branch of Canadian Company to Pay $2.5 Million Penalty for Shreveport, La., Wastewater Plant By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:05:16 EDT Houston-based CCS (USA) Inc. and several of its operating subsidiaries will pay a $2.5 million civil penalty relating to operations at its Shreveport, Louisiana, industrial wastewater treatment plant, the Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Louisiana announced today. The settlement will resolve violations of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the hazardous waste law known as RCRA Full Article OPA Press Releases
port 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
port 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