on

Former Illinois Firefighter Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation Charges

A former Rochester, Ill., firefighter was sentenced today to 30 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for child exploitation charges, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois James A. Lewis.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Settlement Will Resolve Clean Air Act Penalties and Repay Portion of Clean up Costs from Danvers, Mass. Explosion in 2006

The United States has reached agreement with the owners and a former operator of an inks and paint products manufacturing facility in Danvers, Mass., that exploded and burned in 2006 the day before Thanksgiving.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Braintree, Mass., Waste Facility Agrees to Spend More Than $1.7 Million to Settle Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations

In a settlement valued at more than $1.7 million, Clean Harbors of Braintree Inc. has agreed to pay a significant penalty and perform additional projects, to settle a complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regarding numerous violations of hazardous waste management and emergency planning laws at the company’s Braintree, Mass., facility.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Nautilus Hyosung Holdings Agrees to Plead Guilty to Obstruction of Justice for Submitting False Documents in a Merger Investigation

Nautilus Hyosung Holdings Inc. has agreed to plead guilty and pay a $200,000 criminal fine for obstruction of justice in connection with a premerger filing and investigation by the Antitrust Division.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Michigan Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Selling More Than $400,000 in Counterfeit Business Software

Jacinda Jones, 31, of Ypsilanti, Mich., also was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge David M. Lawson in Detroit to serve three years of supervised release following her prison term and to pay $441,035 in restitution.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

California-Based Taleo Corp. Agrees to Pay U.S. $6.49 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

Taleo Corp. has agreed to pay the United States $6.49 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly caused false claims to be submitted to the Transportation Security Administration of the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department announced today.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Seeks to Require Iowa Construction Company to Pay Employment Taxes It Withholds from Employees’ Wages

The United States has filed a lawsuit in an Iowa federal court against a Des Moines, Iowa, metro area company, Advanced Underground Construction LLC and its principal, William David Ward II, the Justice Department announced today.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Three Fishermen, Seafood Wholesaler and Associated Employees Indicted for Obstruction of Justice and the Illegal Harvest and Sale of New Jersey Oysters

A 15-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Camden, N.J., was unsealed today following the arrest of six individuals from New Jersey and Maryland, and the seizure or restraint of 10 oyster fishing boats in New Jersey, announced Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, and Paul J. Fishman, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Retired Army Colonel Sentenced to 12 Months in Prison for Bribery Scheme Involving Department of Defense Contracts in Iraq

Levonda J. Selph, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton of the District of Columbia.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Requires Divestitures in Order for Regal Beloit Corporation to Proceed with Its Acquisition of A.O. Smith Corporation’s Electric Motor Business

The Department of Justice announced today that it has reached a settlement that will require Regal Beloit Corporation (RBC) to divest its U.S. business for electric motors for pool and spa pumps to SNTech Inc. and to divest A.O. Smith Corporation’s (AOS) development work and related assets for draft inducers for high-efficiency furnaces to Revcor Inc., in order to proceed with RBC’s acquisition of AOS’s electric motor business.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Four Individuals Convicted in $4.7 Million Louisiana Medicare Fraud Scheme

The owner of a Baton Rouge, La., durable medical equipment (DME) company, a medical doctor and two patient recruiters were each convicted late yesterday for their roles in a $4.7 million Medicare fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Maryland Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Importing and Selling Counterfeit Cisco Computer Networking Equipment

Donald H. Cone, 48, of Frederick, Md., was sentenced today in Alexandria, Va., to 30 months in prison for his role in a sophisticated conspiracy to import and sell counterfeit Cisco-branded computer networking equipment.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Prisoners from Life-threatening Conditions at Erie County, New York, Facilities

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a stipulated order of dismissal to resolve its lawsuit concerning conditions of confinement at the Erie County Holding Center, a pre-trial detention center in Buffalo, N.Y., and the Erie County Correctional Facility, a correctional facility in Alden, N.Y.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Puerto Rican-based Shipping Company Sentenced to Pay $700,000 Penalty for Intentional Cover-Up of Oil Pollution

Epps Shipping Company, a Liberian corporation doing business out of Carolina, Puerto Rico, was sentenced in federal court for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and making false statements to U.S. Coast Guard inspectors.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at a Press Conference Regarding a New Mexico Hate Crimes Case

"Regrettably, as we have seen here in New Mexico and across the nation, the need for aggressive enforcement remains," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




on

Justice Department Opens Investigation into the Antelope Valley Stations of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

The Justice Department has opened a civil investigation into allegations of discriminatory policing by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) members based in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale, Calif.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Antelope Valley Investigation Announcement

"Based on our preliminary review, we have decided to expand our investigation to also focus on allegations that the Lancaster and Palmdale stations of the LASD are engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination on the basis of race or national origin," said Assistant Attorney General Perez.




on

Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Mississippi

The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor primary runoff elections on Aug. 23, 2011, in Bolivar, Noxubee, Tunica and Wilkinson Counties in Mississippi to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Settles Allegations of Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination Against Missouri Pork Producer

The Justice Department today reached a settlement agreement with Farmland Foods Inc., a major producer of pork products in the United States, resolving allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination by imposing unnecessary and excessive documentary requirements on non-U.S. citizens and foreign-born U.S. citizens when establishing their authority to work in the United States.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

High-Ranking Member of Mexican Gulf Cartel Extradited to the United States to Face Drug Conspiracy Charges

Aurelio Cano-Flores, aka “Yankee” and “Yeyo,” a high-ranking member of the Mexican Gulf Cartel, has been extradited to the United States from Mexico to face drug conspiracy charges.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Miami-Area Medical Equipment Company Owners Sentenced to Prison for Medicare Fraud Scheme

Obel Martinez, 39, and Damaris Gil, 30, previously pleaded guilty on May 24, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks in Miami to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Owner of Miami-Area Mental Health Care Corporation Convicted on All Counts for Orchestrating $205 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

After a six-day trial, a jury in the Southern District of Florida found Judith Negron, 40, guilty of 24 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive illegal health care kickbacks, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering and structuring to avoid reporting requirements.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Miami-Area Doctor Pleads Guilty in $25 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

Jose Nunez, 63, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard in Miami to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Three New Jersey Investors Plead Guilty to Bid Rigging at Municipal Tax Lien Auctions

Three financial investors who purchased municipal tax liens at auctions in New Jersey pleaded guilty today for their roles in a conspiracy to rig bids at tax liens auctions held by municipalities.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Importation of Polar Bear Trophy from Canada

Rodger Dale DeVries, 73, a resident of Jenison, Mich., has pleaded guilty to illegally importing a polar bear trophy mount in 2007 from Canada into Michigan in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Google Forfeits $500 Million Generated by Online Ads & Prescription Drug Sales by Canadian Online Pharmacies

Online search engine Google Inc. has agreed to forfeit $500 million for allowing online Canadian pharmacies to place advertisements through its AdWords program targeting consumers in the United States, resulting in the unlawful importation of controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs into the United States.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Florida Woman Charged with Witness Tampering, False Statements and Obstruction of Justice in Relation to Her Husband’s Disappearance

Abby Beard Hogan, 50, was charged with two counts of making false statements to federal law enforcement officials, one count of witness tampering and four counts of obstruction of justice.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Minnesota Transit Constructors to Pay U.S. $4.6 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Liability

Minnesota Transit Constructors Inc. (MnTC), a joint venture comprised of Granite Construction, C.S. McCrossan Inc. and Parsons Transportation Group, as well as a number of subcontractors, have agreed to pay the United States $4.6 million to resolve allegations that they knowingly submitted false claims related to a federally-funded transit construction project in Minneapolis.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Former “Most Wanted” Health Care Fraud Fugitives Plead Guilty to $9.1 Million Detroit Medicare Fraud Scheme

Caridad Guilarte, 54, and Clara Guilarte, 57, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Iowa Company Pleads Guilty to Participating in Ready-Mix Concrete Price-Fixing and Bid-Rigging Conspiracy

An Iowa ready-mix concrete company pleaded guilty today to participating in a price-fixing and bid-rigging conspiracy for the sales of ready-mix concrete.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Vice Lord Gang Members in Tennessee Convicted for Roles in Two Murders and Multiple Attempted Murders

A federal jury has convicted three Vice Lord gang members for their various roles in the murder of two individuals, and attempted murders of additional victims.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Former Department of Defense Employee Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Financial Assistance Funds Intended for Service Members

Tyrone L. Ellis, 56, of Columbus, Ga., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Clay D. Land of the Middle District of Georgia.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Oregon Man Charged with Hate Crime for Arson at Mosque

The Justice Department announced today that a federal grand jury in Eugene, Ore., has indicted Cody Crawford, 24, of Corvallis, Ore., on federal hate crime and arson charges for intentionally setting fire to the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Detroit-Area Clinic Owner Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Medicare Fraud Schemes Totaling More Than $15 Million

Jose Rosario, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen in the Eastern District of Michigan.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on Lawsuit Challenging the Voting Rights Act of 1965

“The Voting Rights Act plays a vital role in our society by ensuring that every American has the right to vote and to have that vote counted," said Attorney General Holder.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Michigan Man Convicted of Obstructing the Internal Revenue Service in IRS Form 1099-OID Schemes and Gun Crime

Karl Herrington of Parma, Mich., was convicted of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the administration of the Internal Revenue laws, of filing false tax forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and of being a felon in possession of six different firearms.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Detroit Occupational Therapist Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud Scheme

Carol Gant pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Michigan to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Luncheon

"Although more than four decades have passed since his tragic death, it is clear that Dr. King’s spirit lives on. It still has the power to bring ordinary people together to accomplish extraordinary things; to inspire acts of courage, compassion, and collaboration; and to embolden people to blaze new trails, to overcome longstanding obstacles, and, of course, to make history."




on

Florida Owner of Construction Business Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Employment Tax Fraud

Richard Rosaire Routhier of Lake Worth, Fla., was sentenced to 60 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,243,574 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Religious Discrimination by City of Lilburn, Georgia, Against Muslim Group

The Justice Department filed a complaint today against the city of Lilburn, Ga., alleging that the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 when it rejected the Dar-E-Abbas Shia Islamic Center’s requests for rezoning to construct a mosque.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Department of Justice Will Not Challenge the Producers Guild of America's Proposed Use of Certification Mark

The Department of Justice announced today that it will not challenge the Producers Guild of America’s proposed use of a voluntary certification system for film producers.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Leader of International Conspiracy Convicted of Defrauding the Military and Smuggling Gold

Roger Charles Day Jr. was found guilty late yesterday of leading an international conspiracy to sell more than $4.4 million in nonconforming and defective parts to the Department of Defense.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Settles Allegations of Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination Against Kinro Manufacturing Inc.

The Justice Department today reached a settlement agreement with Kinro Manufacturing Inc. in Goshen, Ind., resolving allegations that the company engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against work-authorized non-citizens in the employment eligibility verification process.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Bridgeport, Conn., Man Admits to Participating in the Murder of Three Individuals in 2005

Azikiwe Aquart, also known as “Z” and “Ziggy,” pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport, Conn., to three counts of murder in aid of racketeering stemming from his role in the murder of three Bridgeport residents in August 2005.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Barrio Azteca Gang Member Extradited from Mexico to the United States to Face Charges Related to U.S. Consulate Murders in Juarez, Mexico

Miguel Angel Nevarez, aka “Lentes” and “94,” a member of the Barrio Azteca (BA) gang, has been extradited to the United States from Mexico to face a variety of charges including those related to his alleged participation in the March 13, 2010, murders of three individuals with ties to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Requires Divestiture in Order for General Electric Company to Proceed with its Acquisition of Converteam Group SAS

The Department of Justice announced today that it has reached a settlement that will require General Electric Company (GE) to divest Converteam Group SAS’s Electric Machinery Holding Company in order to proceed with its acquisition of Converteam.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Special Master Sheila L. Birnbaum Announces Final Rule to Govern 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

With the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, approaching, September 11th Victim Compensa¬tion Fund Special Master Sheila L. Birnbaum today announced the final rule governing the fund.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Ohio Homebuilder Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Tax Fraud, Bank Fraud, Money Laundering and Obstruction of Justice Schemes

Thomas E. Parenteau of Hilliard, Ohio, was sentenced today to 22 years in prison for conspiring with his wife, his mistress and their accountant, to commit tax fraud and money laundering.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Justice Department Releases Findings of Unconstittuional Conditions at Miami-Dade Jail Facilities

Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department has announced its findings that the Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCR) has engaged in a pattern or practice of constitutional violations in the jail facilities operated by MDCR.



  • OPA Press Releases

on

Nebraska Man Arrested on Wire Fraud and Obstruction of Justice Charges

An Omaha, Neb., man was charged in an indictment unsealed today for allegedly trying to solicit corrupt payments from an individual in return for a promised reduction in the individual’s ultimate prison sentence.



  • OPA Press Releases