on Louisiana Psychiatrist Sentenced to Serve More Than Seven Years in Prison for His Role in $258 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:29:55 EDT A Louisiana psychiatrist was sentenced in federal court in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, today to serve 86 months in prison for his role in a $258.5 million Medicare fraud scheme involving partial hospitalization psychiatric services. He was further ordered to pay $43.5 million in restitution and to forfeit all proceeds from the fraudulent scheme Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Former Investment Company Executives Sentenced for Roles in $18 Million Ponzi Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:28:53 EDT The former Hanover Corporation chief financial officer and a former Hanover salesman were sentenced today to serve 60 months in prison and 70 months in prison respectively, and ordered to pay $14,454,999.19 in restitution, for their roles in an $18 million Ponzi scheme. Hanover’s former chief executive officer was previously sentenced to 14 years in prison and ordered to pay $14,784,983.75 in restitution in this case Full Article OPA Press Releases
on U.S. Citizen Extradited from the Netherlands Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:27:59 EDT A U.S. citizen living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, was sentenced today to serve 35 years in prison for sexually exploiting a minor in California and elsewhere and producing images of that abuse. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Six Former Puerto Rico Police Officers Plead Guilty to Federal Civil Rights, Obstruction of Justice and Perjury Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:24:35 EDT Three Puerto Rico police officers, Erick Rivera Nazario, Angel Torres Quinones and Antonio Rodriguez Caraballo today pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges in connection with the fatal beating of 19-year-old Jose Luis Irizarry Perez, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Civil Rights Division, United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the FBI San Juan Field Office. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Owner of Home Health Care Company Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Prison for Role in $6 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:21:35 EDT A co-owner of Professional Medical Home Health LLC was sentenced today to serve 70 months in prison and ordered to pay $6.2 million in restitution for her participation in a health care fraud scheme involving the now defunct home health care company Full Article OPA Press Releases
on ExxonMobil Pipeline Company to Pay Civil Penalty Under Proposed Settlement for Torbert, Louisiana, Oil Spill By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:19:01 EDT ExxonMobil Pipeline Company (ExxonMobil) has agreed to pay a civil penalty for an alleged violation of the Clean Water Act stemming from a 2012 crude oil spill from ExxonMobil’s “North Line” pipeline near Torbert, Louisiana, the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. Under the consent decree lodged today in federal court, ExxonMobil will pay $1,437,120 to resolve the government’s claim Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Department of Justice Releases Second Report to Congress on Indian Country Investigations and Prosecutions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:17:50 EDT The Department of Justice released today its second report to Congress entitled Indian Country Investigations and Prosecutions, which provides a range of enforcement statistics required under the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, as well as information about the progress of the Attorney General’s initiatives to reduce violent crime and strengthen tribal justice systems Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Associate Attorney General West Announces $3 Million in Grants to Address Violence Against Women in Rural and Tribal Communities in the Bakken Region By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:15:48 EDT Associate Attorney General Tony West today announced $3 million dollars in grants from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to increase local and tribal capacity to prosecute crimes of violence against women and provide services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking in the Bakken Region of North Dakota and Montana Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Remarks by Associate Attorney General Tony West at the Four Corners Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:12:26 EDT Thank you, Carlie for that kind introduction and for hosting this important gathering along with U.S. Attorneys Judge Leonardo from the District of Arizona, John Walsh from the District of Colorado, and Damon Martinez from the District of New Mexico. Full Article Speech
on Philadelphia Political Consultant Pleads Guilty for His Role in Attempting to Conceal Campaign Finance-Related Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:13:33 EDT Political consultant Gregory Naylor, 66, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today to making false statements to federal agents and misprision of a felony in connection with his role in attempting to conceal two campaign finance-related fraud schemes Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Requires Divestiture in Tyson Foods Inc. Acquisition of the Hillshire Brands Company By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:12:15 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it will require Tyson Foods Inc. to divest Heinold Hog Markets, its sow purchasing business, in order to proceed with its $8.5 billion acquisition of The Hillshire Brands Company. The department said that, without the required divestiture, the transaction would have combined companies that account for more than a third of sow purchases from U.S. farmers, thereby likely reducing competition for purchases of sows from farmers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Former Iowa State Senator Pleads Guilty to Concealing Federal Campaign Expenditures By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:08:16 EDT A former Iowa State Senator pleaded guilty today to concealing payments he received from a presidential campaign in exchange for switching his support and services from one candidate to another and to obstructing a subsequent investigation into his conduct. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Employee Retirement Plan Documents to Avoid Contributing to Benefit Plans By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:06:59 EDT An owner of an electrical contracting company pleaded guilty today to falsifying disclosure documents required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), by intentionally under-reporting hours worked by employees to avoid contractually required contributions to employee benefit plans. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Files Suit Against City of St. Anthony Village Over Denial of Permit for Mosque By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:03:51 EDT Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota today announced the filing of a lawsuit against the city of St. Anthony Village for an alleged violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). Specifically, the lawsuit seeks injunctive relief requiring St. Anthony Village to allow the Abu Huraira Islamic Center to maintain a worship space in the basement of the St. Anthony Business Center. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Asks Court to Dismiss Saint Elizabeths Hospital Case After Conditions Improved Under Consent Decree By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:42:04 EDT Today, the Justice Department asked a federal court to dismiss the injunction to address civil rights violations at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., because the District of Columbia and the Department of Behavioral Health have significantly improved the care and treatment of persons confined to Saint Elizabeths Hospital. Saint Elizabeths is the district’s facility for treating individuals with mental health conditions. The reforms, which were implemented following requirements under a court order, have ensured that persons at Saint Elizabeths Hospital are discharged to the community with adequate supports to live in integrated settings. Further, the reforms resulted in important improvements in integrated treatment planning, psychological and psychiatric services, nursing care and protection from assault. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Former Secretary-Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Theft of Union Treasury Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:26:58 EDT The former Secretary-Treasurer of Security Police Fire Professionals of America Local 287 pleaded guilty today to theft from a labor organization in violation of his fiduciary responsibilities as a union officer. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Detroit-Area Man Indicted for Attempting to Conceal Evidence in Connection with Upcoming Trial for $30 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:53:17 EDT A Detroit-area man was indicted today for obstruction of justice in connection with his alleged attempts to conceal evidence relevant to his upcoming trial for an alleged health care fraud scheme with estimated losses exceeding $30 million. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Owner and Seven Employees of Mortgage Company and Two Real Estate Developers Indicted for $50 Million Scam Involving Federally Insured Mortgages By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:14:11 EDT The owner of a Florida mortgage company, seven employees of the company and two real estate developers were indicted in the Southern District of Florida in connection with an alleged $50 million mortgage fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Disc Jockey for High School Parties Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Three Minors By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 17:58:12 EDT Eduardo Santiago-Rivera, 45, admitted that in June and July 2012, he caused at least three minors, who ranged in age from 12 to 15, to engage in sexual activity for the purpose of creating videos. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Louisiana Crane Company Alleging Discrimination Against Work-authorized Immigrants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:04:01 EDT The Justice Department announced today the filing of a lawsuit with the Executive Office for Immigration Review against Louisiana Crane Company LLC (Louisiana Crane), which is headquartered in Eunice, Louisiana. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Manufacturer of Spinal Devices and Surgeon to Pay United States $2.6 Million to Settle Alleged Kickback Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:17:36 EDT Omni Surgical L.P., doing business as Spine 360, a manufacturer of devices used in spinal surgery, and Dr. Jamie Gottlieb, an Indiana spinal surgeon, have agreed to pay $2.6 million to the United States to settle allegations that Spine 360 paid illegal kickbacks to Gottlieb to induce him to use the company’s products. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Detroit Gang Leader Convicted for Planning Armed Robbery by Gang Members By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:48:22 EDT A leader of a street gang that operated on the east side of Detroit was found guilty today by a federal jury of aiding and abetting an armed robbery. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Court Approves Police Reform Agreement in Portland, Oregon By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 16:59:03 EDT Today, the United States won court approval of a settlement agreement to reform the ways in which the Portland Oregon Police Bureau (“PPB”) interacts with individuals with actual or perceived mental illness. The agreement was entered jointly by the United States and the city of Portland, Oregon, with the approval of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform (“AMA Coalition”) and Portland Police Association (“PPA”). The agreement addresses constitutional claims in a civil action filed by the United States pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. In today’s order, the court approved the agreement with the requirement that the parties appear for periodic hearings to provide the court progress on implementation of the agreement. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Former Arthrocare Executives Sentenced for Orchestrating $750 Million Securities Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:27:04 EDT The former chief executive officer of ArthroCare Corporation was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison, and the former chief financial officer was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison today for their leading roles in a $750 million securities fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Settles Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination Claim Against a Restaurant Management Company By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 09:50:33 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with Culinaire International, a catering and restaurant management company headquartered in Houston, Texas, resolving a claim that Culinaire engaged in citizenship discrimination during the employment eligibility reverification process in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Trans Energy Inc. to Restore Streams and Wetland Damaged by Natural Gas Extraction Activities in West Virginia By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 16:49:34 EDT The Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) today announced a settlement with Trans Energy Inc., requiring the oil and gas company to restore portions of streams and wetlands at 15 sites in West Virginia that were polluted by the company’s unauthorized discharge of dredge or fill material. Trans Energy will pay a penalty of $3 million to be divided equally between the federal government and the WVDEP. The Clean Water Act requires a company to obtain a permit from EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to discharging dredge or fill material into wetlands, rivers, streams and other waters of the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Maryland MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty in Violent Racketeering Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 17:41:02 EDT A Maryland MS-13 gang member pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as the La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, and acknowledged his involvement in attempted murder and extortion in furtherance of MS-13. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on United States Settles with Costco to Cut Ozone-Depleting and Greenhouse Gas Refrigerant Emissions Nationwide By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 11:58:06 EDT Costco Wholesale Corporation, one of the nation’s largest retailers, has agreed to cut its emissions of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gases from leaking refrigeration equipment at more than half of its stores nationwide. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Seizes an Additional $500,000 in Corrupt Assets Tied to Former President of Republic of Korea By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 12:28:41 EDT The Department of Justice has seized approximately $500,000 in assets traceable to corruption proceeds accumulated by Chun Doo Hwan, the former president of the Republic of Korea. This seizure brings the total value of seized corruption proceeds of President Chun to more than $1.2 million. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Attorney General Holder Statement on the Planned Departure of Associate Attorney General Tony West By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 15:02:20 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder released the following statement Wednesday on the departure, effective September 15, of Associate Attorney General Tony West: Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Attorney General Holder Statement on Jenny Durkan Stepping Down as U.S. Attorney for Western District of Washington By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 15:19:30 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder released the following statement Wednesday on the resignation of U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan for the Western District of Washington: Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Michigan Man Sentenced for Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy Using Straw Home Buyers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 14:45:28 EDT Peter Allen, of Southfield, Michigan, was sentenced today to serve 21 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release for his participation in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud, the Justice Department announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on U.S. and Indiana Enter into Settlement for $26 Million Cleanup in East Chicago, Indiana By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 16:43:22 EDT Under a proposed settlement reached with the United States and the state of Indiana, the Atlantic Richfield Company and E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Co. will pay for an estimated $26 million cleanup of lead and arsenic contamination in parts of a residential neighborhood in East Chicago, Indiana, announced the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Colombian National Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping and Murder of DEA Agent Terry Watson By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 18:36:17 EDT A Colombian man extradited to the Eastern District of Virginia pleaded guilty today for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent James Terry Watson in Bogotá, Colombia, on June 20, 2013. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting, Visa Fraud and Wage and Hour Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 20:18:36 EDT Acting Assistant Attorney General Molly Moran for the Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today that Reginald Wayne Miller, of Marion, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence to fraud in foreign labor contracting. Additionally, Miller entered a guilty plea to visa fraud and wage and hour violations. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. probation office. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on New England Compounding Center Supervising Pharmacist Arrested at Logan International Airport By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 11:34:18 EDT A Canton, Massachusetts, man was arrested today at Boston's Logan International Airport in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation of New England Compounding Center by the Justice Department’s Civil Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Fraudulent Visa and Payroll Scheme to Facilitate Illegal Immigration By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 13:16:35 EDT A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to orchestrating an eight-year scheme to falsify employment certifications to facilitate the illegal entry of Indian immigrants into the United States and to filing a false tax return. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Attorney General Holder Announces Next Steps to Address Concerns Regarding the City of Ferguson and St. Louis County Police Departments By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 14:37:15 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the Justice Department has launched two initiatives to address concerns about police services in the city of Ferguson and in St. Louis County, Missouri. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Former Virginia Governor and Former First Lady Convicted on Public Corruption Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 16:59:59 EDT A federal jury returned guilty verdicts today against former Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell and former First Lady of Virginia Maureen G. McDonnell for participating in a scheme to violate federal public corruption laws. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Attorney General Holder Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Pattern or Practice Investigation into Ferguson Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 14:39:31 EDT "These anecdotal accounts underscored the history of mistrust of law enforcement in Ferguson that has received a good deal of attention. As a result of this history – and following an extensive review of documented allegations and other available data – we have determined that there is cause for the Justice Department to open an investigation to determine whether Ferguson Police officials have engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of the U.S. Constitution or federal law." Full Article Speech
on Georgia “Sovereign Citizen” Convicted of Filing False Liens Against Federal Officials By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 12:04:26 EDT A federal jury in Omaha, Nebraska, found a Pelham, Georgia, man guilty late yesterday of seven counts of conspiracy to file and filing false liens against two U.S. District Court judges, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska, two Assistant U.S. Attorneys and an Internal Revenue Service special agent. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Participates in Child Cyber Safety Night at Nationals Park, Saturday, September 6th By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 14:13:32 EDT Child Cyber Safety Night at the Ballpark is the latest effort by the Justice Department and its law enforcement and community partners to encourage parents to speak with their children about online and cell phone safety and provide prevention materials. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Two Companies to Pay $3.75 Million for Allegedly Causing Submission of Claims for Unreasonable or Unnecessary Rehabilitation Therapy at Skilled Nursing Facilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 14:14:52 EDT Life Care Services LLC, a manager of skilled nursing facilities based in Des Moines, Iowa, and CoreCare V LLP, doing business as ParkVista, a skilled nursing facility in Fullerton, California, have agreed to pay a total of $3.75 million to the government for causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for unreasonable or unnecessary rehabilitation therapy purportedly provided by RehabCare Group East Inc., a subsidiary of Kindred Healthcare Inc. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Caribbean-Based Investment Advisor Sentenced for Using Offshore Accounts to Launder and Conceal Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 16:47:05 EDT Joshua Vandyk, an investment advisor, was sentenced today to serve 30 months in prison for conspiring to launder monetary instruments, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Owner of Home Heath Care Company Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for $6.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 10:06:37 EDT The owner and operator of a Miami home health care company was sentenced to 75 months in prison today for her participation in a $6.5 million Medicare fraud scheme involving the now defunct home health care company, Nestor’s Health Services Inc. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Attorney General Holder Announces New Drug Take-Back Effort to Help Tackle Rising Threat of Prescription Drug Addiction and Opioid Abuse By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 10:33:26 EDT Calling prescription drug addiction an “urgent and growing threat” to our nation’s public health, Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday announced a new Drug Enforcement Administration(DEA) regulation that would allow pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and other authorized collectors to serve as authorized drop-off sites for unused prescription drugs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Assistant Attorney General Caldwell Announces Sung-Hee Suh to Serve as Criminal Division Deputy Assistant Attorney General By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 10:16:10 EDT Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced that Sung-Hee Suh has been appointed to serve as Deputy Assistant Attorney General overseeing the Appellate, Capital Case and Fraud Sections. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on United States Pursues Claims Against Neurosurgeon, Spinal Implant Company, Physician-Owned Distributorships and Their Non-Physician Owners for Alleged Kickbacks and Medically Unnecessary Surgeries By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 15:26:47 EDT The United States has filed two complaints under the False Claims Act against Michigan neurosurgeon Dr. Aria Sabit, spinal implant company Reliance Medical Systems, two Reliance distributorships—Apex Medical Technologies and Kronos Spinal Technologies—and the companies’ owners, Brett Berry, John Hoffman and Adam Pike. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Former Maryland Resident Sentenced for His Role in $3.7 Million Advance Fee Scheme and Tax Evasion By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 15:55:13 EDT A Corona, California, man was sentenced today to serve six years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release in connection with a fraudulent advance fee scheme and tax evasion. Full Article OPA Press Releases
on Justice Department Files Fair Housing Lawsuit Against Kent State University for Discrimination Against Students with Disabilities in University Housing By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 18:12:14 EDT The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the Kent State University, the Kent State University Board of Trustees and university officials for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against students with disabilities in student housing. Full Article OPA Press Releases