at

Attorney General Announces Significant Reforms to Improve Public Safety in Indian Country

The new directive is part of a larger Justice Department initiative to create better communication and coordination to fight crime and promote justice in Indian Country.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

U.S. Army Major Charged with Smuggling Cash from Iraq and Making False Statements

U.S. Army Major Charles E. Sublett, 46, of Huntsville, Ala., was arrested today on charges of bulk cash smuggling and making false statements to a federal agency.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department to Participate in Zoning Disability Case in Richmond Township, Michigan

The department filed a brief as a friend of the court in Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center Inc. v. Richmond Township and Richmond Township Planning Commission, a civil rights case regarding the expansion of an addictive disorders treatment facility in Macomb County, Mich.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Speaks at Stalking Awareness Town Hall

"We want to use this year not merely to commemorate an anniversary, but to recommit ourselves to ending violence against women. Our government and this Department have a responsibility to speak out and act on issues of violence against women."




at

Purchasing Official at a New York City Hospital Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging

Freddy Deoliveira, who held various supervisory positions at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Member of the Cherokee Nation Sentenced to Prison for Transporting and Selling Bear Parts

Clement Calhoun, a member of the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in the Western District of North Carolina, to six months in prison for illegally transporting and selling 51 bear gall bladders.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden Announces Francey Hakes as National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

The national coordinator is charged with formulating and implementing a national strategy to combat child exploitation, and with submitting the strategy and relevant reports to Congress.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Asks Federal Court to Bar Nationwide Frivolous Lawsuit Scheme

The Department has sued George K. Pragovich of Clarksville, Tenn., to stop him from promoting an alleged nationwide scheme involving hundreds of frivolous lawsuits filed against the United States.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Two Cincinnati Dentists Plead Guilty to Conspiracy, Tax Evasion on Eve of Trial

Bradley C. Brennecke, a resident of Pleasant Plain, Ohio, and Bruce A. Mrusek, a resident of Maineville, Ohio, pleaded guilty late Tuesday to conspiracy and tax evasion charges before District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett in Cincinnati.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, Country Club Alleging Discrimination

The lawsuit alleges that the Valley Club adopted a racially-discriminatory policy to bar summer camps from using its facilities after a group of predominantly African-American school children visited the facility.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

German National Sentenced for Smuggling Coral from the Philippines

Gunther Wenzek, a German national, was sentenced today to serve three years on probation and pay a criminal penalty of over $35,000 by Judge Anna J. Brown of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon for smuggling coral into the Port of Portland, Ore.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Attorney General Eric Holder Testifies Before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

"We must be vigilant in our efforts to safeguard and strengthen the American economy. Our efforts to fight economic crime are a vital component of our broader strategy - a strategy that seeks to foster confidence in our financial system, integrity in our markets, and prosperity for the American people."




at

Andrew Goldsmith Appointed as National Coordinator of Criminal Discovery Initiatives

The position was established as part of the Department’s ongoing efforts, initiated last year at the direction of the Attorney General, to review and improve its criminal discovery and case management policies and procedures.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Statement by Attorney General Eric Holder on Martin Luther King Day

“Each year, Martin Luther King Day provides an opportunity for all Americans to rededicate ourselves to Dr. King’s dream of racial, social, and economic justice," said Attorney General Holder.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Milwaukee to Enforce the Employment Rights of Air National Guard Member

The Department has reached a settlement in its lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee on behalf of Michael Crivello, a detective in the Milwaukee Police Department, alleging the city violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging HIV Discrimination by RV Resort in Alabama

The Department announced the settlement of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) discrimination lawsuit against Wales West LLC, owner and operator of Wales West RV Resort and Train and Garden Lovers Family Park in Silverhill, Ala.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

National Dental Management Company Pays $24 Million to Resolve Fraud Allegations

The United States alleged that FORBA was liable for causing the submission of claims for reimbursement for a wide range of dental services provided to low-income children that were either medically unnecessary or performed in a manner that failed to meet professionally-recognized standards of care.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

General Reinsurance Corporation Enters into Agreement Resolving Its Role in Fraudulent Reinsurance Transaction with AIG

General Re has admitted that its most senior management engaged in a scheme to falsely inflate AIG’s reported loss reserves, a key indicator of financial health to insurance industry analysts and investors.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

United States Announces Two Major Clean Air Act New Source Review Settlements at 28 Industrial Plants Nationwide

The United States filed two major Clean Air Act settlements to reduce air emissions from container glass and Portland cement plants throughout the country.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

State Department Employee Sentenced for Illegally Accessing Confidential Passport Files

To date, nine current or former State Department employees or contractors have pleaded guilty in this continuing investigation.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Smithfield Foods and Premium Standard Farms Charged with Illegal Premerger Coordination

The settlement requires the companies to pay a total of $900,000 in civil penalties for violating premerger waiting period requirements.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

United States Transfers Two Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Algeria

Two Algerian detainees, Hasan Zemiri and Adil Hadi al Jazairi Bin Hamlili, have been transferred from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the custody and control of the Government of Algeria.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Attorney General Announces $11 Million from Zylon Settlement Set Aside for Bulletproof Vests

“There is nothing more basic, or more important, to our work than keeping our law enforcement officers safe,” Attorney General Holder said.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Louisiana Man Convicted of Civil Rights Violation in Connection with Cross-burning

Daniel Earl Danforth of Minden, La., was convicted by a jury in Shreveport, La., of a civil rights conspiracy, use of fire in the commission of a federal felony, and obstruction of justice in connection with a cross-burning near the home of an interracial couple in Athens, La.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Defense Department Official Sentenced to 36 Months for Espionage, False Statement Charges

James Wilbur Fondren Jr. was sentenced today to 36 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for charges involving espionage and making false statements to the FBI.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Announces Release of New Information Online as Part of President’s Open Government Initiative

As part of the Obama Administration’s Open Government Initiative, and in compliance with the Open Government Directive issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli today announced the online publication of three high-value sets of data not previously made available by the Department of Justice.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Attorney General Eric Holder Addresses the National Sheriffs’ Association’s 2010 Winter Conference

"Over the years, I’ve been privileged to work with many of you, and, today, I’m proud to stand alongside each of you in answering our nation’s call to attain justice," said Attorney General Holder.




at

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 78th Winter Meeting

"Supporting law enforcement operations is vital to fulfilling our missions and responsibilities," said Attorney General Holder.




at

Westar Energy to Spend Approximately $500 Million to Settle Clean Air Act Violations

Westar Energy has agreed to spend approximately $500 million to significantly reduce harmful air pollution from a Kansas power plant and pay a $3 million civil penalty, under a settlement to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

United States Transfers Three Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Slovakia

The United States is grateful to the Government of Slovakia for its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Requires Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. to Make Significant Changes to Its Merger with Live Nation Inc.

The Department will require Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. to license its ticketing software, divest ticketing assets and subject itself to anti-retaliation provisions in order to proceed with its proposed merger with Live Nation Inc.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

United States Transfers Guantanamo Bay Detainee to Switzerland

The Swiss Government, with the support of the Canton of Geneva, accepted an Uzbek national for resettlement and his transfer was carried out according to arrangements between the governments of the United States and Switzerland.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Solicitation of a Kickback in Connection with a Government Contract in Afghanistan

Ryan Scott McMonigle, of Ponca City, Okla., pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme to solicit a kickback in connection with the award of a private security services subcontract to protect U.S. government personnel and contractors in Afghanistan.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans Agrees to Reinstate Program to Improve Sewage System Damaged by Hurricane Katrina

The Sewerage & stalled for several years in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina – to make extensive improvements to reduce or eliminate sewage overflows into the Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain and its storm drainage canal system.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Houston-Area Patient Recruiter Convicted of Health Care Fraud

Sylvia Smith, 64, a retired nurse, was convicted today of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Associate Attorney General Perrelli, Senators Announce Passage of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Resolution

"For the first time, this crime is being commemorated as ‘National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month,’ instead of a week. This is no small feat, and I commend the Senate for its unanimous passage," said Associate Attorney General Perrelli.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Attorney General Holder, Secretary Sebelius Convene National Summit on Health Care Fraud, Unveil Historic Commitment to Fighting Fraud in President’s FY 2011 Budget

“Health care fraud affects all Americans and demands a coordinated, national response,” said Attorney General Holder.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Alleging Disability-Based Housing Discrimination in Davenport, Iowa

The Department announced the settlement of a lawsuit alleging that those involved in the design and construction of two multifamily housing complexes in Davenport, Iowa, violated the Fair Housing Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Texas Attorney Convicted for Role in Pump-and-dump Stock Manipulation Schemes

Phillip Windom Offill Jr., 51, of Dallas, was indicted on March 12, 2009, and today was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit registration violations, securities fraud and nine counts of wire fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Former Willbros International Executives Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in $6 Million Foreign Bribery Scheme

Two former executives of Willbros International Inc. (WII), a subsidiary of Houston-based Willbros Group Inc. (Willbros), were sentenced today for their roles in a conspiracy to pay more than $6 million in bribes to government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officials from a Nigerian political party.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the National Summit on Health Care Fraud

"Today’s summit marks a critical step forward in the work being done by HEAT, our Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team," said Attorney General Holder.




at

Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Speaks at Teen Dating Violence Month Event

"We at the Department share a vision where men, women, boys, girls and communities can live in a world without the fear of violence. Today, we take another step towards raising awareness and the profile of teen dating violence. If we’re going to do this, we are going to have to do it together."




at

Justice Department Files for Immediate Relief Regarding Conditions in Georgia’s Hospitals

The Civil Rights Division has filed a motion for immediate relief to protect individuals confined in seven state-run psychiatric hospitals in Georgia from the imminent and serious threat of harm to their lives, health and safety.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

First Extradition from El Salvador to the United States Brings Salvadoran National Back to Serve Prison Sentence on Texas State Sexual Assault Charges

“Today’s extradition brings a criminal to justice and paves the way forward in our law enforcement partnership with El Salvador,” said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Attorney General Holder Appoints Three New U.S. Attorneys to Advisory Committee

Attorney General Eric Holder today announced the appointment of three new U.S. Attorneys to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC): Sanford Coats of the Western District of Oklahoma; Steven M. Dettelbach of the Northern District of Ohio; and Jim Letten of the Eastern District of Louisiana.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum

"We need this Civil Rights Museum so that we remember our history, however painful it may be," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




at

Man Pleads Guilty to International Child Sex Tourism

Isidro Hinojosa Benavides, 77, a U.S. citizen extradited from Argentina, pleaded guilty today to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Atricure to Pay U.S. $3.76 Million to Resolve Medicare Fraud Allegations

Atricure Inc., a medical device manufacturer, has agreed to pay the United States $3.76 million to resolve civil claims in connection with the alleged promotion of its surgical ablation devices.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Justice Department Enters Agreement with Alameda County, California, Sheriff to Guarantee Effective Communication for Persons Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind

The Department has reached a settlement agreement with the Alameda County, Calif., Sheriff’s Office, under which it will provide sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services to arrestees, detainees, suspects, victims, witnesses, complainants and visitors who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind at two jails.



  • OPA Press Releases

at

Attorney General Letter to Senators on Detention, Interrogation of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter today to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding the detention and interrogation of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.



  • OPA Press Releases