v Attorney General Holder at the COPS Hiring Recovery Program Announcement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:48:36 EDT "These COPS grants we are announcing today help fulfill President Obama and Vice President Biden’s commitment to meet the challenges of our struggling economy with solutions that will keep our country safe and keep us moving forward." Full Article Speech
v Federal Corrections Officer Convicted of Civil Rights Charges Related to Fatal Assault By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:42:49 EDT A federal jury in Orlando, Fla, found Erin Sharma, a Bureau of Prisons corrections officer, guilty today on felony federal civil rights charges related to a fatal assault on an inmate in March 2005. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Signs Agreement with Niagara Falls to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:18:30 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of Niagara Falls, N.Y., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Requires Divestiture in Sapa’s Acquisition of Indalex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:30:34 EDT The Department has reached a settlement that will require Sapa Holding AB and Indalex Holdings Finance Inc. to divest a North Carolina aluminum sheathing facility in order to proceed with Sapa’s proposed $150 million acquisition of Indalex. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Requires Divestiture in Sapa’s Acquisition of Indalex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:30:56 EDT The Department has reached a settlement that will require Sapa Holding AB and Indalex Holdings Finance Inc. to divest a North Carolina aluminum sheathing facility in order to proceed with Sapa’s proposed $150 million acquisition of Indalex. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Helmerich & Payne Agrees to Pay $1 Million Penalty to Resolve Allegations of Foreign Bribery in South America By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:39:34 EDT Helmerich & Payne Inc. (H&P) has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve improper payments by H&P to government officials in Argentina and Venezuela in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Fourteen Motorcycle Gang Leaders and Members Plead Guilty in Detroit to Violent Crime, Drug and Firearms Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:55:36 EDT Fourteen members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club have pleaded guilty in Detroit to charges including violent crimes in aid of racketeering, illegal drug distribution and firearms violations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v New Mexico-based Computer Assets Inc. Agrees to Settle False Claims Allegations Involving the E-Rate Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:58:21 EDT Computer Assets Inc. and its principals, Abraham Salazar and Damon Salazar, have agreed to pay $350,000 over three years and surrender up to $35 million in pending E-Rate applications to settle allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act in connection with the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate program. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former Congressional Chief of Staff Sentenced for Honest Services Fraud Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:19:05 EDT A former chief of staff to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. to three years of probation, including 170 days of home detention, and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Massachusetts Man Convicted on Child Pornography Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:33:36 EDT Johnny Pires, 24, of Middleboro, Mass., was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of attempting to receive child pornography and possessing child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Two Individuals Charged with Attempting to Bribe U.S. Army Contracting Official By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:05:19 EDT Two dual Afghan/U.S. citizens were charged today with conspiracy and bribery in connection with a scheme to offer $1 million in bribes to a U.S. Army contracting official in order to influence the award of a road construction contract in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v British Citizen Arrested in Connection with Costa Rica-based Business Opportunity Fraud Ventures By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:20:06 EDT A British citizen charged in connection with the operation of a series of fraudulent business opportunities was arrested Thursday evening in Miami following his indictment by a Miami federal grand jury on June 9, 2009. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Two Chemical Companies Agree to Resolve Environmental Violations in Ohio By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:44:23 EDT The former and current owners and operators of a chemical facility in Addyston, Ohio, LANXESS Corp. and INEOS ABS USA Corp., have agreed to pay a $3.1 million civil penalty and INEOS will spend up to $2 million to install environmental controls and modify operating procedures to resolve violations of multiple environmental laws. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Announces Disabled Access Settlement with Developers of Woodbridge, Virginia, Apartment Complex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:45:23 EDT The Justice Department today announced a settlement that, pending court approval, will resolve allegations that those involved in the design and construction of the Summerland Heights Apartments, a 318-unit apartment complex in Woodbridge, Va., discriminated on the basis of disability in the design and construction of the project. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Signs Agreement with Wendell, Idaho, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 13:05:15 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of Wendell, Idaho, to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Five Companies Agree to $21 Million Settlement for Environmental Damages in Pennsylvania By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 13:48:20 EDT Five companies have agreed to compensate the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nearly $21.4 million in cash and valuable property to address natural resource damages resulting from decades of zinc smelting operations at the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund site in northeast Pennsylvania. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v U.S. Sues First Choice Armor & Equipment for Providing Defective Bullet-Proof Vests to Law Enforcement Agencies By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 10:07:02 EDT The United States has filed a False Claims Act lawsuit against First Choice Armor & Equipment Inc. and its founder, Edward Dovner, for submitting false claims for bullet-proof vests purchased by the United States for federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Associate Attorney General Perrelli at the D.C. Cops Hiring Recovery Program Announcement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 15:17:54 EDT "I stand here to celebrate the more than $12 million that has been awarded to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to fund the hiring and rehiring of 50 law enforcement officers in the District. These funds will provide 100 percent of the approved salary and benefits for these officers for three years, and all police departments receiving the grants will then be required to retain the grant-funded positions for a fourth year." Full Article Speech
v Aluminum Recycler Agrees to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 11:42:57 EDT Aleris International Inc., one of the nation’s largest aluminum recyclers, and 13 of its subsidiaries have committed to implementing environmental improvements and controls projected to cost $4.2 million at 15 plants located in 11 states. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Signs Agreement with Chautauqua County, New York, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 11:46:17 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Chautauqua County, N.Y., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Boston-Based Bus Company Agrees to $650,000 Penalty for Violating the Clean Air Act and Anti-Idling Regulations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 13:46:14 EDT Paul Revere Transportation LLC, a bus company based in Boston, has agreed to pay a $650,000 civil penalty after being found liable by a jury in June for violating federal and state clean air laws for idling their buses for extended periods of time. The company was found liable on June 8, 2009, after a six-day trial in U.S. District Court in Boston, for 234 separate violations of the Clean Air Act and a Massachusetts anti-idling regulation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Obtains $35,000 in Disability-Based Housing Discrimination Settlement with Apartment Complex in Longview, Washington By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 12:13:10 EDT The Justice Department announced an agreement with the former owners and managers of Valley View Apartments in Longview, Wash., to settle allegations that they violated the Fair Housing Act by intentionally discriminating against an individual with a disability. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former Border Patrol Agent Sentenced for Attempting to Receive Protected Leopard Tortoises By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 12:16:34 EDT Rene Soliz of Alice, Texas, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Corpus Christi, Texas, to serve three years of supervised probation, 250 hours of community service and pay a $1,500 fine for violating the Lacey Act by attempting to receive 15 Tanzanian leopard tortoises that were transported into the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Signs Agreement with Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 13:33:45 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Fayette County, Pa., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former Congressman William J. Jefferson Convicted of Bribery, Racketeering, Money Laundering and Other Related Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 19:21:48 EDT A federal jury today convicted former United States Congressman William J. Jefferson, 62, of New Orleans, La., of using his office to corruptly solicit bribes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Ready-Mix Concrete Producer Agrees to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 12:20:49 EDT Aggregate Industries - Northeast Region Inc., will pay a $2.75 million civil penalty and implement a regional evaluation and compliance program to resolve numerous violations of the Clean Water Act at 23 facilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Union Pacific Railroad Company Agrees to Settle Clean Water Act Violations in Nevada By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 18:23:11 EDT Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) has agreed to settle alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in Nevada by restoring 122 acres of mountain-desert streams and wetlands, implementing storm water controls at its construction sites, and paying a civil penalty. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Two Individuals Plead Guilty to Offering to Bribe U.S. Army Contracting Official in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 12:38:27 EDT Two dual Afghan/U.S. citizens today pleaded guilty for their roles in a scheme to offer $1 million in bribes to a U.S. Army contracting official in Afghanistan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Federal Judge Sentences Defendants Who Perpetrated $10.9 Million Medicare Fraud HIV Infusion Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 16:20:04 EDT Miami physician Keith Russell, 65, and physician’s assistant Jorge Luis Pacheco, 50, were each sentenced to 97 months in prison, and physician’s assistant Eda Marietta Milanes, 43, was sentenced to 63 months in prison, for their roles in fraud schemes that involved billing Medicare for $10,903,509 worth of unnecessary HIV infusion treatments. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Signs Agreement with Port St. Lucie, Florida, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:03:35 EDT The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of Port St. Lucie, Fla., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Leader of Colombian Drug Cartel and Former FBI Top-Ten Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Drug, Murder and Racketeering Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:46:20 EDT Diego Montoya Sanchez, 48, one of the leaders of the Norte Valle Colombian drug cartel and a former FBI Top Ten Fugitive, pleaded guilty today in Miami to drug trafficking, murder and racketeering charges. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Convicted of Stealing Large Amounts of Fuel from U.S. Army in Iraq By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:54:15 EDT Robert Jeffery, 55, was convicted today by a federal jury in Alexandria, Va., for his role in a scheme to steal fuel worth approximately $39.6 million from the U.S. Army in Iraq. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Arizona Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:55:08 EDT Charles Brown, 54, of Mesa, Ariz., was sentenced today to five years in prison and lifetime supervised release following his prison term for receiving child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Exxon-Mobil Pleads Guilty to Killing Migratory Birds in Five States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:54:49 EDT Exxon-Mobil Corporation, the world’s largest publicly traded oil and gas company, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Denver to violating the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in five states during the past five years. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Boeing Company to Pay U.S. $25 Million to Resolve Allegations Related to Defective Work on KC-10 Aerial Refueling Aircraft By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:26:26 EDT The Boeing Company will pay the United States $25 million to resolve allegations that the company performed defective work on the entire KC-10 Extender fleet. The KC-10 Extender is a mainstay of the Air Force’s aerial refueling fleet in the Iraq and Afghanistan war theaters. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Justice Department Resolves Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against Indiana Provider of Retirement Housing By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:13:33 EDT The operator and manager of the Rathbone Retirement Community in Evansville, Ind., has agreed to pay up to $116,000 to resolve a housing discrimination lawsuit. The November 2008 lawsuit alleged that the defendants violated the Fair Housing Act by prohibiting the use of motorized wheelchairs and scooters in residents’ apartments and in the home’s common dining room during meals. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Dynamics Research Corporation to Pay $15 Million to Resolve Allegations of Kickbacks and False Claims Related to Air Force Contracts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:54:17 EDT Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC), a defense contractor based in Andover, Mass., has agreed to pay the United States $15 million plus interest to settle allegations that two of its former executives engaged in a fraudulent kickback scheme in connection with two technical services contracts with the Air Force. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former Tamimi Global Executive Convicted of Witness Tampering Following Reinstatement of Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:58:33 EDT Mohammad Shabbir Khan, the former director of operations in Kuwait and Iraq for Tamimi Global Company, a Saudi Arabian company, has been convicted of witness tampering and conspiracy to commit witness tampering. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Four Puerto Rico Police Officers Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Charges Related to Fatal Assault By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:29:17 EDT A federal jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, found four San Juan Municipal Police Officers guilty today of felony federal civil rights charges related to the fatal beating of Jose Antonio Rivera Robles. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Two Virginia Residents Sentenced for Their Role in Scheme to Defraud Clients of Funds Allegedly Held in Trust By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:55:31 EDT Two former employees of Edward H. Okun, who was sentenced to 100 years in prison on Aug. 4, 2009, after a three-week jury trial, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne for their roles in a scheme to defraud and obtain approximately $126 million in client funds held by The 1031 Tax Group LLP (1031TG). Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Alleged International Hacker Indicted for Massive Attack on U.S. Retail and Banking Networks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:48:04 EDT Albert Gonzalez, 28, of Miami, Fla., was indicted today for conspiring to hack into computer networks supporting major American retail and financial organizations, and stealing data relating to more than 130 million credit and debit cards. Among the corporate victims named in the indictment are Heartland Payment Systems, a New Jersey-based card payment processor; 7-Eleven Inc., a Texas-based nationwide convenience store chain; and Hannaford Brothers Co. Inc., a Maine-based supermarket chain. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Five Sentenced for Forcing Guatemalan Girls and Women to Work as Prostitutes in Los Angeles By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:03:36 EDT Five members of an extended family were sentenced to federal prison late yesterday, all receiving lengthy sentences for their roles in an international sex trafficking ring that lured young Guatemalan women and girls to the Los Angeles area and forced them into prostitution. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Home Development Company Agrees to Settle Federal Lawsuit for Clean Water Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:02:00 EDT Cooper Land Development, Inc., a luxury home development company headquartered in Rogers, Ark., has agreed to pay a civil penalty and implement a storm water compliance program at its construction sites to settle allegations that it violated the Clean Water Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former Taiwanese Executive Indicted in Color Display Tube Price-Fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:52:41 EDT A federal grand jury in San Francisco has returned an indictment against a former executive of a large Taiwanese color display tube (CDT) manufacturing company for participating in a global conspiracy to fix prices of CDTs, a type of cathode ray tube used in computer monitors and other specialized applications. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v U.S. Discloses Terms of Agreement with Swiss Government Regarding UBS By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:35:11 EDT The Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today announced that the agreement with the Swiss government has been finalized. As a result of the agreement, the United States will receive substantially all of the accounts of interest when it initiated the John Doe summons against UBS on June 30, 2008. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former Member of Armed Services Sentenced for Participating in Bribery and Extortion Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:05:50 EDT A former member of the U.S. armed services was sentenced today to 28 months in prison for his role in a widespread bribery and extortion conspiracy that operated from January 2002 through March 2004. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v San Diego Tax Return Preparer Convicted of Tax Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:14:03 EDT Fe S. Garrett, a resident of National City, Calif., was convicted today of filing false individual tax returns, failure to pay taxes, and multiple counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. A federal jury convicted Garrett of 28 counts of the superseding indictment following a nine-day trial before U.S. Judge M. James Lorenz in San Diego. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Swiss Banking Executive and Swiss Lawyer Charged with Conspiring to Defraud the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:36:10 EDT Hansruedi Schumacher and Matthias Rickenbach, both of Switzerland, were indicted today for conspiring to defraud the United States. According to the indictment, Schumacher worked as an executive manager at Neue Zuercher Bank (NZB), a Swiss private bank located in Zurich, Switzerland. Rickenbach worked as a Swiss attorney who provided legal advice and services to U.S. clients. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Two Chief Engineers from Oil Tanker “Georgios M” Indicted for Environmental Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:25:36 EDT A federal grand jury in Houston has returned an indictment charging two crewmembers of the oil tanker Georgios M with making false statements, violating federal law designed to prevent pollution from ships and obstruction of justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
v Former UBS Banker Sentenced to 40 Months for Aiding Billionaire American Evade Taxes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:59:12 EDT Former UBS banker, Bradley Birkenfeld of Weymouth, Mass., has been sentenced to 40 months incarceration by Judge William J. Zloch in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. On June 19, 2008, Birkenfeld pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases