o Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Police Officer Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:16:39 EST A federal grand jury in Providence, R.I., has indicted an officer with the Woonsocket Police Department, charging him with violating the civil rights of a 16 year-old juvenile by physically assaulting him, as well as obstruction of justice. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Statement by Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Joint Study on School Crime and Safety By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:40:59 EST “Eradicating youth violence is a priority of this administration and a priority of both these agencies," said Attorney General Holder and Education Secretary Duncan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Statement of Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli Before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee of Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Entitled "H.r. 1924, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009" By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:55:59 EST "The challenges facing law enforcement in tribal communities are enormous. The basic level of police protection that most Americans take for granted simply does not exist in many parts of Indian Country. We have a duty to change that." Full Article Testimony
o Physical Therapist, Money Launderer and Patient Recruiter Plead Guilty in Connection with Multiple Detroit Health Care Fraud Schemes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:10:53 EST Detroit-area residents Baskaran Thangarasan, Sandeep Aggarwal and Wayne Smith pleaded guilty this week for their roles in connection with several Detroit-area health care fraud schemes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Participating in Scheme to Steal Large Quantities of Fuel from U.S. Army in Iraq By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:52:47 EST Robert Jeffery, 55, a former master chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, was sentenced today to four years in prison for his participation in a scheme to steal approximately 10 million gallons of fuel from the U.S. Army in Iraq, announced Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil H. MacBride. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Ninth Person Pleads Guilty to Illegally Accessing Confidential Passport Files By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:59:38 EST A ninth individual pleaded guilty today to illegally accessing numerous confidential passport application files, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Eric Holder at the Installation Ceremony for Assistant Attorneys General Laurie Robinson and Ronald Weich By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:54:31 EST "Laurie and Ron are not only valued colleagues, they are leaders in the Department and throughout this Administration," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
o North Dakota Executive Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:07:24 EST Micheal Fisher, a former co-owner of Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. Inc. (FSG) based in Dickinson, N.D., was sentenced to 37 months in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Terrorism Defendants Sentenced in Atlanta By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:54:41 EST Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, 23, of Roswell, Ga., and Syed Haris Ahmed, 25, of Atlanta, were sentenced today in federal court following their convictions earlier this year in separate but related criminal trials. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Presidential Task Force on Controlled Unclassified Information Releases Report and Recommendations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:31:49 EST Attorney General Holder and Secretary Janet Napolitano announced two major steps in their efforts to implement reforms to enhance information sharing among federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies and safeguard sensitive information used by the government—designed to expand joint capabilities to protect the United States from terrorist activity, violent crime and other threats to the homeland. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Two Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, Men and Four Police Officers Indicted for Hate Crime and Related Corruption By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:39:01 EST A federal grand jury has returned multiple indictments arising out of a fatal racially motivated beating and related police corruption in Shenandoah, Pa. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Los Angeles Area Tax Preparer Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Violating Injunction By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:07:00 EST James A. Mattatall of Torrance, Calif., was sentenced to six months in prison for violating a permanent injunction. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o University of Phoenix Settles False Claims Act Lawsuit for $67.5 Million By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:03:29 EST University of Phoenix has agreed to pay the United States $67.5 million to resolve allegations that its student recruitment policies violated the False Claims Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Medicare Fraud Strike Force Expands Operations into Brooklyn, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; and Baton Rouge, La. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:16:05 EST Thirty people have been charged in three cities for their alleged roles in schemes to submit more than $61 million in false Medicare claims as part of the continuing operation of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Michigan Tax Preparers Permanently Barred from Preparing Returns for Others By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:18:57 EST Chief District Judge Paul L. Maloney has permanently barred Joyce M. Stone and Charles J. Freed, both of Tipton, Mich., from preparing income tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Senate Employee Charged with $75,000 Wire Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:34:31 EST Ngozi T. Pole, 39, a former office manager in the U.S. Senate, was charged today in a six-count indictment for an alleged scheme to defraud the U.S. Senate of more than $75,000, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Parent Company of Two New Jersey Hospitals to Pay U.S. $7.95 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:00:47 EST Our Lady of Lourdes Health Care Services Inc., the parent company of two New Jersey hospitals, has agreed to pay the United States $7.95 million to resolve allegations that the hospitals defrauded Medicare. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former State Department Employee Sentenced for Illegally Accessing Confidential Passport Files By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:15:55 EST Karal Busch, 28, of District Heights, Md., was sentenced today to 24 months of probation for illegally accessing more than 65 confidential passport application files. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Eric Holder at the Fatherhood Town Hall By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:31:35 EST "I’m honored to be joined here this evening by fellow dads and leaders focused on fatherhood," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
o Virginia Resident Charged with Conspiring to Bribe Former Panamanian Government Officials for Maritime Contract By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:26:52 EST A federal grand jury has charged a Virginia Beach, Va., resident with conspiracy to pay bribes to former Panamanian government officials to secure maritime contracts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, Christine Varney, Issues Statement on European Commission Microsoft Settlement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:01:50 EST “The Antitrust Division commends the efforts of the European Commission and Microsoft Corporation, which have announced that they have reached a comprehensive settlement resolving their disputes under European competition law." Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Retired Army Major Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Role in Bribery Scheme Involving DOD Contracts in Kuwait By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:07:56 EST Christopher Murray pleaded guilty in January 2009 to four counts of bribery and one count of making a false statement. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Reaches Americans with Disabilities Act Settlement with Intellitec Colleges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:35:26 EST The department announced a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Intellitec Colleges in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo, Colo., to ensure access to its technical colleges for individuals with disabilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Signs Agreement with Santa Rosa, California, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:39:14 EST The department announced an agreement with Santa Rosa, Calif., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Credit Suisse Agrees to Forfeit $536 Million in Connection with Violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and New York State Law By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:13:03 EST The forfeiture is the largest ever entered against an entity for IEEPA violations. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former Kansas Businessman Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Role in Scheme to Defraud Federal E-rate Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:51:55 EST Leonard Douglas “Doug” LaDuron also was ordered to pay $238,607 in restitution. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Eric Holder at a Press Conference Announcing the Credit Suisse Resolution By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:15:10 EST "The U.S. financial system is built on trust and transparency. Our banks must know what payments they are processing and for whom. Credit Suisse’s decades-long scheme to flout the rules that govern our financial institutions robbed our system of the legitimacy that is fundamental to it success." Full Article Speech
o Guyanese National Charged with Smuggling Indian Nationals to the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:05:14 EST Annita Devi Gerald, aka Annita Rampersad, 52, was charged in a nine-count indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former FBI Contract Linguist Pleads Guilty to Leaking Classified Information to Blogger By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:08:13 EST Shamai Kedem Leibowitz, aka Samuel Shamai Leibowitz, 39, of Silver Spring, Md., pleaded guilty in federal court in Greenbelt, Md., to a one-count information charging him with knowingly and willfully disclosing to an unauthorized person five FBI documents classified at the "secret" level that contained classified information concerning the communication intelligence activities of the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Three New York City Home Health Agencies Pay $9.7 Million to the United States to Settle False Claims Act Claims By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:44:54 EST The United States and the state of New York have entered into settlement agreements with three home health agencies to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims to the New York Medicaid and Medicare programs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Texas Man Sentenced to 292 Months in Prison for Advertising and Possessing Child Pornography By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:54:49 EST Mark Edwin Cairnes, 51, was sentenced today to 292 months in prison and lifetime supervised release following his prison term for advertising and possessing child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Oklahoma Man Sentenced to 12 Months in Prison for Kickback Scheme Involving Government Contract in Afghanistan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:24:28 EST Bryan Lee Burrows admitted that he conspired with others to solicit kickbacks from private security vendors in return for favorable treatment for those potential bidders in connection with the award of a subcontract. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Three Detroit-Area Residents Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:28:13 EST Jackson, Mich., resident Terrence Hicks and Detroit residents Muhammed Al Mahdi and John Saunders pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan this week for their roles in a $4.2 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Roanoke, Virginia, Neo-Nazi Convicted for Threats, Witness Intimidation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:36:23 EST William A. “Bill” White, the self-proclaimed commander of the neo-Nazi group the American National Socialist Workers Party, was convicted by a federal jury for threatening three individuals and for attempting to intimidate litigants in a federal housing discrimination lawsuit. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o United States Transfers 12 Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Afghanistan, Yemen and the Somaliland Region By www.justice.gov Published On :: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:33:55 EST These transfers were carried out under individual arrangements between the United States and relevant foreign authorities to ensure the transfers took place under appropriate security measures. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo Sentenced for Attempted Extortion and Bribery By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:44:23 EST Former New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe in Albany, N.Y. to 27 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for attempted extortion and bribery, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge John F. Pikus of the FBI’s Albany office announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Duke Energy to Spend Approximately $93 Million to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:48:18 EST “This important settlement resolves lengthy litigation on very favorable terms,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to the Philippines for Sex Tourism By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:58:14 EST Donald Mathias of Davie, Fla., pleaded guilty today to engaging in sex tourism in the Philippines. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Two Former San Juan Municipal Police Officers Sentenced for Using Excessive Force Resulting in Death By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:57:14 EST Elias Perocier Morales received a sentence of 10 years in prison and Eliezer Rivera Gonzalez received a sentence of six and a half years in prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Indiana Man to Spend 42 Months in Prison for Cross Burning By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:25:59 EST This is the fourth Indiana man in two months to be sentenced to prison time for burning a cross. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Settlement Reached at Sutton Brook Disposal Area Superfund Site in Massachusetts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:56:41 EST A settlement estimated worth more than $30 million will ensure that cleanup of the Sutton Brook Disposal Area Superfund Site in Tewksbury, Mass., will move forward, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Oklahoma Hospital Group Pays U.S. $13 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:36:53 EST “The resolution of this matter yielded a substantial recovery for taxpayers, and it underscores our commitment to ensure that services reimbursable by federal health care programs are based on the best interests of patients rather than the personal financial interests of referring physicians,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s Civil Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Visiting Physicians Association to Pay $9.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:58:22 EST Visiting Physicians Association, which is based in Farmington Hills, Mich., will pay the United States and the state of Michigan $9.5 million to settle allegations that the association violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare, TRICARE and the Michigan Medicaid program. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Appoints Gary Grindler Acting Deputy Attorney General By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:57:20 EST “Gary is a great asset to the Department, and I am pleased he has agreed to take on this responsibility,” Attorney General Eric Holder said. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Chevron to Pay U.S. More Than $45 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Claims for Royalties Underpayment By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:47:30 EST Chevron Corporation, Texaco, Unocal Incorporated and their affiliates (the Chevron companies) have agreed to pay the United States $45,569,584.74, to resolve claims that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly underpaying royalties owed on natural gas produced from federal and Indian leases. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department to Participate in Community Integration Case in North Carolina By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:42:52 EST The Department filed a brief as a friend of the court in Marlo M., et al. v. Cansler, et al., a community integration case in federal court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Ohio Attorney Charged with Tax Fraud, Obstruction of Justice for Scheme to Hide Income and Assets Through Trusts and in Foreign Bank Account By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:04:05 EST Aristotle R. Matsa, an attorney in Columbus, Ohio, was charged with tax offenses, obstruction of justice and additional charges in a 20-count indictment unsealed today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Nashville, Tennessee, Woman Sentenced on Sex Trafficking Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:49:43 EST Cristina Andres Perfecto of Nashville, Tenn., was sentenced late yesterday in federal court in Memphis to 190 months in prison for sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of a juvenile and conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Nigerian National Charged with Attempting to Destroy Northwest Airlines Aircraft By www.justice.gov Published On :: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:55:47 EST A 23-year-old Nigerian man was charged in a federal criminal complaint today with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Christmas Day, and with placing a destructive device on the aircraft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Michigan Health Care Provider to Pay United States $669,413 to Settle False Claims Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:37:40 EST “As this case demonstrates, we are committed to vigorously pursuing those who defraud Medicare.” Full Article OPA Press Releases