with Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Consolidated Multiple Listing Service Inc. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 4 May 2009 14:19:19 EDT The Department has reached a proposed settlement with Consolidated Multiple Listing Service Inc. (CMLS) that requires CMLS to change its rules to allow low-priced and innovative brokers to compete with traditional brokers in the Columbia, S.C., area. The Department said the rules caused consumers to pay more for residential real estate brokerage services in the Columbia area. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Travel with Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Possession of Child Pornography By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 5 May 2009 16:11:30 EDT Patrick Cochran, 47, of Lake Jackson, Texas, pleaded guilty today to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Swedish National Charged with Hacking and Theft of Trade Secrets Related to Alleged Computer Intrusions at NASA and Cisco By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 5 May 2009 19:21:56 EDT Philip Gabriel Pettersson, aka "Stakkato," 21, a Swedish national, was indicted today on intrusion and trade secret theft charges. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Justice Department Withdraws Report on Antitrust Monopoly Law By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 May 2009 09:40:52 EDT Christine A. Varney, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Departments Antitrust Division, today announced that the Department is withdrawing, effective immediately, a report relating to monopolization offenses under the antitrust laws that was issued in September 2008. As of today, the Section 2 report will no longer be Department of Justice policy. Consumers, businesses, courts and antitrust practitioners should not rely on it as Department of Justice antitrust enforcement policy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Novo Nordisk Agrees to Pay $9 Million Fine in Connection with Payment of $1.4 Million in Kickbacks Through the United Nations Oil-for-food Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 11 May 2009 15:28:20 EDT Novo Nordisk A/S (Novo), a Danish corporation based in Bagsvaerd, Denmark, has agreed to pay a $9 million penalty for illegal kickbacks paid to the former Iraqi government. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Stanford Financial Group Chief Investment Officer Charged with Obstruction of Justice By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2009 14:10:50 EDT A federal grand jury in Houston returned a two-count indictment today charging Laura Pendergest-Holt, the chief investment officer of Houston-based Stanford Financial Group (SFG), with conspiring to obstruct a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proceeding investigating SFG, as well as a substantive count of obstructing the SEC proceeding. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Defense Department Official Charged with Espionage Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 May 2009 10:35:26 EDT A Defense Department official has been charged with conspiracy to communicate classified information to an agent of a foreign government. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Two Former Military Officials Charged with Participating in Scheme to Steal Large Quantities of Fuel from U.S. Army in Iraq By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 21 May 2009 15:58:27 EDT A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging Robert Young, 56, a former captain in the U.S. Army, and Robert Jeffery, 55, a former master chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, with conspiracy and theft of government property in connection with a scheme to steal large quantities of fuel from the U.S. Army in Iraq. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Defense Contractor Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in Connection with the Procurement of a Bullet-Proof Vest Contract in Iraq By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 27 May 2009 12:27:19 EDT A defense contractor has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and has admitted to engaging in other bribery-related conduct in connection with contracts in Iraq. According to the plea agreement filed in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on Dec. 18, 2007, and unsealed today, Diana Bakir Demilta, a U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Eight Uzbekistan Nationals Among 12 Charged with Racketeering, Human Trafficking & Immigration Violations in Scheme to Employ Illegal Aliens in 14 States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 27 May 2009 17:25:19 EDT Twelve defendants, including eight Uzbekistan nationals, have been charged in a 45-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on May 6, 2009, on RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges related to labor racketeering, forced labor trafficking and immigration and other violations in 14 states. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Court Orders Tewksbury, Mass. Employer to Timely Pay Withholding and Unemployment Taxes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 28 May 2009 12:36:32 EDT A federal court in Boston issued a preliminary injunction ordering Excel Home Care Inc. and Diane E. Porter of Tewksbury, Mass., to comply with federal tax withholding requirements and to timely pay all future employment and unemployment tax liabilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Massachusetts Couple Charged with Tax Evasion By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 16:14:37 EDT Frederick Allen and Kimberlee Allen, both of Harwich, Mass., were arraigned today before Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler in Boston on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion and failure to file tax returns. The indictment alleges that the Allens conspired to defraud the United States of assessing and collecting federal income taxes from 1998 through April 2009. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Justice Department Intervenes in Americans with Disabilities Act Lawsuit Against Transportation Provider By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:43:59 EDT The Department announced that it has moved to intervene in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Jackson, Miss., challenging inaccessibility in Jacksons public transportation system. The pending lawsuit, filed by 11 residents of Jackson with disabilities and two non-profit organizations that work on behalf of people with disabilities, alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
with United States Settles Claims Alleging Bid Rigging Conspiracy with Two German Moving Companies By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:48:02 EDT The United States has settled with two German moving companies relating to allegations of bid rigging in violation of the False Claims Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Alabama Resident Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns in Connection with Embezzlement Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:46:04 EDT Sims Lawson Jr., a resident of Killen, Ala., pleaded guilty yesterday to filing false tax returns for years 2002 through 2004. Lawson appeared before Judge R. David Proctor in Birmingham, Ala., and admitted that he failed to pay federal income taxes of $369,038 and state income taxes of $50,938. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Florida Man Indicted in Connection with Fraudulent Vending Machine Business Opportunity Venture By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:33:06 EDT A Tampa federal grand jury has charged a Florida man with criminal contempt of a federal court order in connection with the operation of a fraudulent vending machine business opportunity. The criminal charges form part of the governments continued nationwide crackdown on business opportunity fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Justice Department Files Complaint and Reaches Settlement to Improve Conditions at Texas State Facilities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:42:15 EDT The Department announced a simultaneous lawsuit and settlement with the state of Texas concerning the care given to residents of the states 13 facilities for persons with developmental disabilities. Along with the settlement agreement, the Department will file a complaint initiating a lawsuit against the state in federal court. An independent monitor will be appointed to oversee the states compliance with the settlement agreement and the court will retain ultimate jurisdiction. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with U.S. National Charged with Sexual Abuse While Overseas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:45:38 EDT Andrew Warren, 41, has been charged in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with one count of sexual abuse in Algeria within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Former Virginia Marine Products Company Executive Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging on Contracts with the U.S. Navy and Others By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:32:23 EDT The chief executive officer of a former Virginia marine products company pleaded guilty and has agreed to pay a $100,000 criminal fine and serve time in jail for his role in a conspiracy to rig bids and allocate customers with respect to marine products purchased by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other public and private entities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Justice Department Releases New Fact Sheet on the Rights of Persons with HIV or AIDS to Obtain Occupational Training and State Licensing By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:22:47 EDT The Department released a new technical assistance fact sheet on legal requirements relating to admitting individuals with HIV or AIDS to occupational training schools and granting state licensure in occupations such as barbering, massage therapy and home health care assistance. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Two Cincinnati Dentists Charged with Conspiracy, Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:53:40 EDT Bradley C. Brennecke and Bruce A. Mrusek appeared in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy S. Hogan in Cincinnati on conspiracy and various tax charges. Mrusek and Brennecke, who are both dentists, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury and charged with tax evasion, conspiracy to defraud the IRS and passing fictitious instruments. Mrusek was also charged with filing false business tax returns. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with New Jersey Man Charged with Obscenity Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:05:18 EDT A Jersey City, N.J., producer has been charged by a federal grand jury in Newark, N.J. with distributing obscene DVDs through the mails. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Seven Charged with Terrorism Violations in North Carolina By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:32:19 EDT Seven individuals have been charged with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons abroad. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Justice Department Signs Agreement with the Village of Midlothian, Illinois, to Improve Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:11:10 EDT The Department announced an agreement with the village of Midlothian, Ill., to improve access to 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 full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This agreement is the 162nd under Project Civic Access. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Justice Department Signs Agreement with Gregg County, Texas, to Improve Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:15:13 EDT The Department announced an agreement with Gregg County, Texas, to improve access for persons with disabilities to its programs, services, activities and facilities. The agreement was reached under the Department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which helps bring localities into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This agreement is the 163rd entered into under Project Civic Access. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with 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
with 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
with 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
with Canadian National Charged with Foreign Bribery and Paying Kickbacks Under the Oil for Food Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:23:36 EDT A Canadian citizen has been charged in an indictment unsealed yesterday for his alleged participation in an eight-year conspiracy to defraud the United Nations Oil for Food Program (OFFP) and to bribe Iraqi government officials in connection with the sale of a chemical additive used in the refining of leaded fuel. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with 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
with 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
with 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
with 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
with 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
with 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
with Ohio Edison Agrees to Repower Power Plant with Renewable Biomass Fuel By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:28:31 EDT Ohio Edison Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has agreed in a consent decree to repower one of its coal-fired power plants using primarily renewable biomass fuels. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Business Opportunity Scams By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:50:13 EDT On Aug.11, 2009, two individuals were sentenced in connection with South Florida business opportunity scams. Stewart Pope was sentenced in connection with his participation in fraudulent business opportunity sales at a Miami firm called Global Resources (“Global”). Full Article OPA Press Releases
with San Diego Attorney and Accountant Charged with Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:51:49 EDT Craig Shaber, an attorney from San Diego was arraigned today before Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia in that city on charges of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax evasion for years 2000 to 2002. On Aug. 14, 2009, Steven Wright, an accountant, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jan M. Adler to one count of tax evasion for the 2000 tax year. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with New Mexico Farmer Charged with Tax Fraud, Fraudulently Collecting Farm Subsidies By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:05:15 EDT Bill Melot, a resident of Hobbs, N.M., appeared in federal court today before Magistrate Karen B. Molzen in Las Cruces, N.M., on tax and false statement charges. Melot, a farmer who owns approximately 250 acres in Lea County, N.M., was charged with tax evasion, failing to file tax returns, corruptly impeding the IRS, and making false statements to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with 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
with 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
with Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Microsemi Corp. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:45:48 EDT The Department has reached a proposed settlement with Microsemi Corporation that requires the company to divest all of the assets that it acquired from Semicoa Inc. on July 14, 2008. The Department said that without this divestiture, there would be little or no competition in the development, manufacture and sale of certain semiconductor devices used in military and space programs essential to the security of the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Former Sand and Gravel Subcontractor Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison After Conspiracy and Bribery Conviction in Connection with a Levee Reconstruction Project By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:39:38 EDT A former sand and gravel subcontractor was sentenced today to serve five years in prison and to pay a $5,000 criminal fine by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier after being convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy and bribery in connection with a $16 million hurricane protection project for the reconstruction a New Orleans levee. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with U.S. Court Rejects Efforts by Schering-Plough Corporation to Repatriate $690 Million in Offshore Earnings Without Paying Taxes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:32:52 EDT A federal court in Newark, N.J., denied Schering-Plough Corp. a $473 million refund in connection with two transactions in which Schering-Plough sought to avoid taxation on $690 million in profits it repatriated from offshore subsidiaries into the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Solicit Kickbacks in Connection with Government Contract in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 18:24:09 EDT An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to solicit kickbacks in connection with the award of a private security services subcontract to protect U.S. government personnel and contractors in Afghanistan. Bryan Lee Burrows, 42, of Wagoner, Okla., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Leonie M. Brinkema in the Eastern District of Virginia to one count of conspiracy to solicit a kickback. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Former Pacific Consolidated Industries LP Executive Pleads Guilty in Connection with Bribes Paid to U.K. Ministry of Defense Official By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 18:00:24 EDT The former director of sales and marketing for Pacific Consolidated Industries LP (PCI) pleaded guilty today to charges related to the bribery of a U.K. Ministry of Defense (UK-MOD) official in order to obtain lucrative equipment contracts with the U.K. Royal Air Force, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Justice Department Lawsuit Charges Atlanta Condominium with Discrimination Against Families with Children By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 13:59:58 EDT The Department filed a lawsuit against an Atlanta condominium association, as well as the owner of a unit and the real estate agent who sold it, for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against families with children. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Four Members of Alleged Internet Music Piracy Group Charged with Copyright Infringement Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 17:22:08 EDT Four individuals were indicted today by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia with conspiracy to commit copyright infringement for allegedly obtaining and illegally releasing copyrighted music. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with City of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Agrees to Upgrade Sewer Systems to Comply with Clean Water Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:41:03 EDT The city of Jeffersonville, Ind., has agreed to make extensive improvements to its sewer systems that will significantly reduce the city’s longstanding sewage overflows into the Ohio River in a comprehensive Clean Water Act settlement with federal and state government. Full Article OPA Press Releases
with Texas Man Sentenced to 76 Months in Prison for Travel with Intent to Engage in Sex with Minors By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:30:22 EDT Patrick Cochran, 47, of Lake Jackson, Texas, was sentenced late on Monday in Phoenix to 76 months in prison for travel with intent to engage in sex with minors and possession of child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases