sto 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
sto Justice Department Highlights Efforts to Combat Stolen Identity Tax Refund Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 11:40:54 EST Today, the Justice Department announced the results of its ongoing efforts to combat tax refund fraud that involves identity theft. The Tax Division, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, has prioritized the investigation and prosecution of individuals who engage in stolen identity refund fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Northern California Real Estate Investor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 15:24:07 EST A Northern California real estate investor has agreed to plead guilty for his role in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Northern California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto U.S. Freezes More Than $458 Million Stolen by Former Nigerian Dictator in Largest Kleptocracy Forfeiture Action Ever Brought in the U.S. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 13:54:29 EST The Department of Justice has frozen more than $458 million in corruption proceeds hidden in bank accounts around the world by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and conspirators. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at the African American History Month Celebration Marking the 50th Anniversary of 1964 Civil Rights Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 16:37:25 EST It’s a special privilege to share the stage with Deputy Marshal [Kirk] Bowden, who, as we’ve just heard, stood on the literal front lines of this fight during a critical moment in the Civil Rights Movement – at a time when young students, law enforcement officials, National Guardsmen, and brave citizens risked their lives to integrate historic institutions across the Deep South. Full Article Speech
sto Justice Department Sues to Stop California Tax Return Preparers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 18:44:49 EST The United States filed a civil complaint asking a federal court in Fresno, Calif., to enjoin Ken Mendoza and Alice Mendoza from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Two Northern California Real Estate Investors Charged with Bid Rigging at Public Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:51:01 EDT Two Northern California real estate investors pleaded guilty for their roles in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Northern California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Two Real Estate Investors Convicted for Roles in Bid-rigging Conspiracy in San Joaquin County, Calif. Real Estate Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2015 10:34:32 EDT Following a four-week trial, a federal jury today convicted two real estate investors for conspiring to rig bids at public real estate foreclosure auctions held in San Joaquin County, Calif. One of the investors was also convicted of obstruction of justice for destroying evidence related to the crimes Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Justice Department Seeks Temporary Restraining Order to Stop Ohio Department of Youth Services from Excessively Secluding Boys with Mental Health Needs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:28:24 EDT Today, the Justice Department sought a federal court order temporarily restraining the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) from unlawfully secluding boys with mental health needs in its juvenile correctional facilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Custom Furniture Builders Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 14:40:02 EDT George Despotopoulos and Steve Tepelidis pleaded guilty to tax evasion today in the District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Leader of Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Ring Sentenced to Jail By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 18:06:19 EDT Christopher Davis, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced today to serve 60 months in prison, announced Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at the Department of Justice’s National Women’s History Month Observance Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:12:00 EDT Every March, we pause to honor the extraordinary contributions and innumerable sacrifices that American women have made throughout our history – and that they continue to make today – in order to move our nation, and this Department, forward. Leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Ada Kepley – the first woman to graduate from law school in the United States – have left indelible marks on the fabric of our country. Full Article Speech
sto Houston Man Charged with Threatening to Bomb Synagogues By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:48:47 EDT The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced today that a federal grand jury in Houston returned a six count indictment charging Dante Phearse, 33, with calling in bomb threats to two Houston synagogues, a municipal courthouse and a private business. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Justice Department Files Lawsuit to Stop Las Vegas Man from Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 15:43:30 EDT The Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada to stop Bill Sunga Modina, who allegedly does business as 5M Financial and 6M Financial, from preparing federal tax returns. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Former Alabama Real Estate Investor Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:41:16 EDT A federal grand jury in Mobile, Ala., returned a one-count indictment against a former real estate investor, charging him with conspiracy to commit mail fraud as part of a scheme related to public real estate foreclosure auctions held in southern Alabama. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Stolen Identity Refund Fraud and Firearms Offenses By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 Apr 2014 13:38:05 EDT Deundra Milhouse, an Alabama resident, pleaded guilty today to several charges involving stolen identity refund fraud and firearms offenses. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto As Tax Filing Deadline Nears, Attorney General Holder Calls Stolen Identity Refund Fraud ‘Rising Threat,’ Vows Aggressive Enforcement Against Scams By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 7 Apr 2014 12:00:23 EDT As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, Attorney General Eric Holder warned U.S. tax filers to beware a “rising threat” of scammers seeking fraudulent refunds based on stolen identities, and vowed aggressive enforcement against the practice. Speaking in a recorded video message released on the Justice Department’s website, Attorney General Holder explained that a growing pool of criminals are engaged in the activity, including gangs and drug sellers seeking quick access to cash. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Justice Department Files Lawsuit to Stop Pennsylvania Man from Preparing Federal Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 16:02:59 EDT The United States filed a civil lawsuit today in Pittsburgh federal court to permanently bar Larry E. Snow, of Seward, Pa., from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at the Bridge Drug Court Ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 09:53:05 EDT I know the paths that brought you to this courtroom have been anything but easy. But each of you is here today because you’ve decided not to let past choices – and challenges – define you. You’re working hard to stay on a constructive path. And I am proud of every one of you. Full Article Speech
sto Three Bridgestone Corp. Executives Indicted for Roles in Fixing Prices and Rigging Bids on Auto Parts Installed in U.S. Cars By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:51:02 EDT A Cleveland federal grand jury returned an indictment against one current executive and two former executives of Bridgestone Corp. for their roles in an international conspiracy to fix prices of automotive anti-vibration rubber parts sold in the United States and elsewhere. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Bridgestone Corp. Executive Agrees to Plead Guilty for Fixing Prices and Rigging Bids on Auto Parts Installed in U.S. Cars By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:11:55 EDT A former Bridgestone Corp. executive has agreed to plead guilty and to serve 18 months in a U.S. prison for his role in an international conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids of automotive anti-vibration rubber parts sold in the United States and elsewhere. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Georgia Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 15:30:14 EDT A Georgia real estate investor pleaded guilty today for his role in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Georgia. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Alabama Woman Sentenced for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:59:46 EDT Ivory Bolen, of Dothan, Alabama, was sentenced to serve 42 months in prison today to be followed by three years of supervised release for committing stolen identity refund fraud crimes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto International Community Mobilizes to Recover Stolen Assets for People of Ukraine By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 09:16:39 EDT A high-level international meeting to support the Government of Ukraine in recovering stolen assets begins tomorrow in London. The gathering is a landmark for Ukraine in underscoring the rule of law and international cooperation. The international community and the Government of Ukraine are united in their commitment and determination in returning stolen assets to the people of Ukraine. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Attorney General Holder: Justice Dept. to Collect Data on Stops, Arrests as Part of Effort to Curb Racial Bias in Criminal Justice System By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 12:34:03 EDT Noting that African-American and Hispanic males are arrested at disproportionately high rates, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday that the Justice Department will seek to collect data about stops, searches and arrests as part of a larger effort to analyze and reduce the possible effect of bias within the criminal justice system. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Houston Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Bomb Synagogue By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:26:19 EDT Dante Phearse, 33, has entered a plea of guilty to calling in a bomb threat to Congregation Beth Israel, a synagogue in Houston. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Court Stops San Diego Man from Preparing Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 1 May 2014 15:48:51 EDT A federal judge in California has permanently barred Michael I. Turner, of San Diego, from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Justice Department Sues to Stop Miami Tax Return Preparers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 5 May 2014 14:17:11 EDT The United States has asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami to stop Lazaro Jesus Toyos, Shirley Ester Almazan, Dilma Toyos Garcia and Daniel Almazan, and their companies L. Toyos Tax Service Inc., Toyos Garcia Tax Service Inc., Toyos Tax Service Inc. and Total Income Tax Services from preparing federal income tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Member of Organization That Operated Online Marketplace for Stolen Personal Information Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 15 May 2014 15:12:16 EDT A Phoenix man convicted after a jury trial last December of conspiracy and racketeering offenses for his involvement in a sophisticated cybercrime organization was sentenced today to serve 20 years in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto $20 Million Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Ring Indicted By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 22 May 2014 11:59:30 EDT Tracy Mitchell, Dameisha Mitchell, Latasha Mitchell, Keisha Lanier, Tameka Hoskins, Sharondra Johnson, Cynthia Johnson, Mequetta Snell-Quick, Talarious Paige and Patrice Taylor were indicted for their roles in a $20 million stolen identity refund fraud (SIRF) conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Houston Ambulance Operator Sentenced for Her Role in $2.4 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 11:33:08 EDT The owner and operator of a Houston area ambulance company was sentenced today to serve 97 months in prison for her role in a $2.4 million Medicare fraud scheme Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Houston Man Charged with Biofuels Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 12:06:59 EDT A federal grand jury in Houston, Texas, today indicted Philip Joseph Rivkin, a/k/a Felipe Poitan Arriaga, for offenses involving a federal renewable fuel program that allegedly netted him more than $29 million, the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced. The 68-count indictment against Rivkin, 49, of Houston and most recently, Guatemala City, Guatemala, includes allegations of wire fraud, mail fraud, Clean Air Act false statements, and money laundering Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto 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
sto Owners of Two Houston-Area Home Health Care Companies, Doctor, and Hospital Employee Sentenced for Their Roles in $3 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 12:09:35 EDT Owners of two home health agencies, a doctor, and a hospital employee who sold patient information were all sentenced today for their roles in an $3 million Medicare fraud scheme Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Former Bail Bondsman Indicted in Stolen Identity Tax Refund Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:36:28 EDT Roderick Neal, of Dothan, Alabama, was indicted for stolen identity refund fraud crimes, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald A. Cimino of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama announced today following the unsealing of the indictment Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Houston Man Sentenced for Threatening to Bomb Synagogue By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:20:31 EDT Dante Phearse, 33, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt to serve 33 months in prison for calling in a bomb threat to Congregation Beth Israel, a synagogue in Houston Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Three Indicted in a Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Ring By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:46:25 EDT Robert Walker, Charnesha Alexander and Ladonna Conley were indicted for their roles in a stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald A. Cimino of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama announced today following the unsealing of the indictment Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Alabama Tax Preparer Indicted for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:26:42 EDT Teresa Floyd, of Phenix City, Alabama, was indicted for her alleged involvement in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald A. Cimino of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama announced today following the unsealing of the indictment Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels Speaks at “Celebrating Our History & By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 Jul 2014 14:41:06 EDT "Five decades after its passage, the Civil Rights Act continues to touch the lives of Americans across the country – and to serve as a potent tool for combating discrimination. As we contemplate a half-century of progress—and look to the work that remains—the Civil Rights Division remains committed to its mission to protect, defend and advance civil rights in our nation." Full Article Speech
sto Two Alabama Men Sentenced for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Crimes in Separate Cases By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:42:43 EDT Deundra Milhouse and Fredrick Hill, both residents of Alabama, were sentenced today in separate stolen identity refund fraud (SIRF) cases, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Tamara Ashford of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama. Milhouse was sentenced to serve 81 months in prison and Hill was sentenced to serve 74 months in prison Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto 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
sto 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
sto Alabama Woman Convicted of Stolen Identity Refund Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:55:25 EDT A jury found a Dothan, Alabama, woman guilty of conspiring to defraud the government through the filing of false tax returns, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald A. Cimino of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Jury Convicts Man of Impeding Boston Marathon Bombing Investigation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:22:59 EDT A federal jury in Boston has convicted a friend of alleged Boston Marathon bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, for impeding the bombing investigation Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Historic Clean Water Act Settlement Will Prevent Millions of Gallons of Sewage Discharges into San Francisco Bay By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:01:54 EDT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a Clean Water Act settlement requiring the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and seven East Bay communities to conduct extensive system repairs aimed at eliminating millions of gallons of sewage discharges into San Francisco Bay. Under today’s agreement, EBMUD and the communities will assess and upgrade their 1,500 mile-long sewer system infrastructure over a 21-year period Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Black P-Stones Gang Member Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison on Racketeering Conspiracy and Firearms Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:33:31 EDT Marcellus Williams, aka “Math,” “P-Shooter” and “Manny,” 27, of Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced today to serve 30 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for engaging in numerous gang-related crimes as a ranking member of the Black P-Stones, including shootings of rival gang members, robberies and drug dealing Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto U.S. Forfeits Over $480 Million Stolen by Former Nigerian Dictator in Largest Forfeiture Ever Obtained Through a Kleptocracy Action By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:13:28 EDT The Department of Justice has forfeited more than $480 million in corruption proceeds hidden in bank accounts around the world by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and his co-conspirators Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto United States Files Enforcement Action Against Michigan Cheese Company and Owners to Stop Distribution of Adulterated Cheese Products By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:05:38 EDT A civil complaint was filed today in federal court in Michigan against S. Serra Cheese Company of Clinton Township, Michigan, and its owners, Stefano and Fina Serra, to prevent the distribution of adulterated cheese, announced Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery of the Justice Department’s Civil Division Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Justice Department Sues to Stop Florida Tax Return Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:14:44 EDT The United States has asked a federal court in Tampa, Florida, to stop Octavio Cruz and his company, Advantage Accounting Corp., from preparing federal income tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today Full Article OPA Press Releases
sto Justice Department Sues to Stop South Florida Tax Return Preparer Engaged in Fraud and Earned Income Credit Schemes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:00:30 EDT The United States has asked a federal court in Miami to permanently bar a South Florida man and his two Miami businesses, Ebenezer Tax Services Inc. and Primo Tax Service Inc., from preparing federal income tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. He is alleged to have defrauded the government out of more than $20 million Full Article OPA Press Releases