o U.S./EU Agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Enter into Force By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 11:24:18 EST New agreements regarding extradition and mutual legal assistance between the European Union (EU) and the United States enter into force today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Department of Justice FY 2011 Budget Request By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:08:49 EST “The budget provides the department with the means necessary to protect our national security, bolster our traditional missions, and prevent and reduce crime in tandem with our state, local, tribal and community partners,” said Attorney General Holder. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Six Individuals with Alleged Ties to Aryan Brotherhood Arrested and Charged with Murder of Two People in Nacogdoches County, Texas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:02:42 EST Six alleged members or associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) have been indicted and arrested for their alleged roles in the 2007 murder of two people in Nacogdoches County, Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Redding, Calif., Man Convicted of Child Pornography Offenses By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 17:50:07 EST Elden Ray Cibart, 60, was found guilty of one count of possessing and three counts of receiving child pornography. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Owners of Los Angeles-area Medical Equipment Company Sentenced to Prison for Medicare Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:35:52 EST Gevork Kartashyan, 45, and Eliza Shubaralyan, 42, were each sentenced to serve two years in prison by U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson of the Central District of California. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 11:29:46 EST "We need this Civil Rights Museum so that we remember our history, however painful it may be," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
o Department of Justice Officials, Actress Mariska Hargitay Urge Team Response to End Violence Against Women By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:15:03 EST President Obama’s FY2011 budget request provides $461 million for OVW to provide communities with resources to combat sexual assault and violence against women. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Man Pleads Guilty to International Child Sex Tourism By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 13:52:54 EST Isidro Hinojosa Benavides, 77, a U.S. citizen extradited from Argentina, pleaded guilty today to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Atricure to Pay U.S. $3.76 Million to Resolve Medicare Fraud Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 14:29:21 EST Atricure Inc., a medical device manufacturer, has agreed to pay the United States $3.76 million to resolve civil claims in connection with the alleged promotion of its surgical ablation devices. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Enters Agreement with Alameda County, California, Sheriff to Guarantee Effective Communication for Persons Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 17:14:18 EST The Department has reached a settlement agreement with the Alameda County, Calif., Sheriff’s Office, under which it will provide sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services to arrestees, detainees, suspects, victims, witnesses, complainants and visitors who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind at two jails. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Arlington, Texas, Couple Convicted of Forced Labor and Other Crimes for Holding Nigerian Woman in Domestic Servitude By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:13:50 EST A federal jury has convicted an Arlington, Texas, husband and wife, Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji, of engaging in a nine-year scheme to compel the labor of a Nigerian victim as their domestic servant. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Letter to Senators on Detention, Interrogation of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:28:57 EST Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter today to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding the detention and interrogation of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Obtains $160,000 Settlement in Discrimination Lawsuit Against Atlanta Area Realtors By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 12:22:01 EST Atlanta real estate firms Coldwell Banker Joe T. Lane Realty Inc., Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty Company Inc. and Rodney Lee Foreman, one of their former real estate agents, have agreed to pay $160,000 to settle allegations that they illegally steered prospective homebuyers toward and away from certain neighborhoods based on race and color. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Serial Sex Offender Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison on Sex Tourism and Failure to Register Charges in Delaware By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:39:48 EST Thomas S. Pendleton, 66, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Gregory M. Sleet in Wilmington, Del., to the statutory maximum of 30 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for traveling to Germany to have sex with a minor. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o NFL Players Association Joins Justice Department Effort to Raise Awareness Around Violence Against Women By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:13:56 EST The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has joined its year-long campaign to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of President Bill Clinton signing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) into law. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former UBS Client Pleads Guilty to Hiding $10 Million in Offshore Bank Accounts By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 12:39:08 EST Jack Barouh of Golden Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty today to filing a false tax return. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Taiwan Exporter Arrested on Charges of Exporting Missile Components from the United States to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:43:45 EST Yi-Lan Chen, aka "Kevin Chen," 40, a Taiwan passport holder, was arrested on Feb. 3, 2010, on charges of illegally exporting commodities for Iran’s missile program. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against MasTec Advanced Technologies to Enforce the Employment Rights of Army Reserve Member By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:19:17 EST The Department has reached a settlement in its lawsuit against MasTec Advanced Technologies on behalf of Eugene C. Burress, a U.S. Army Reserve member, alleging that MasTec willfully violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Two New Jersey Executives Each Sentenced to 27 Months in Jail for Roles in Nationwide Scheme to Defraud the Federal E-rate Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 19:08:57 EST Benjamin Rowner and Jay H. Soled, former owners of DeltaNet Inc., were also each sentenced to pay $271,716 in restitution, jointly and severally, to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Submits Views on Amended Google Book Search Settlement By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 19:14:52 EST The Department said that despite the substantial progress reflected in the proposed amended settlement agreement in The Authors Guild Inc. et al. v. Google Inc., class certification, copyright and antitrust issues remain. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Detroit Clinic Manager Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Role in $2.3 Million Medicare Infusion Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:04:34 EST Miami-Dade County resident Dulce Briceño was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for her role in a $2.3 million Medicare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department to Monitor Election in Louisiana By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:32:00 EST The Department it will monitor the Feb.6, 2010, municipal primary election in the city of New Orleans to ensure compliance with the anti-discrimination requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o U.K. Firm Pleads Guilty to Illegally Exporting Boeing 747 Aircraft to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:23:21 EST Balli Aviation Ltd., a subsidiary of the United Kingdom-based Balli Group PLC, pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a two-count criminal information in connection with its illegal export of commercial Boeing 747 aircraft from the United States to Iran. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Resident of India Pleads Guilty in International Online Brokerage “Hack, Pump and Dump” Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:02:30 EST Jaisankar Marimuthu, a native of Chennai, India, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, and to one count of aggravated identity theft. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o New Jersey Man Indicted for Threatening Employees of Latino Civil Rights Organizations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:20:58 EST A federal grand jury in Trenton, N.J., has charged Vincent Johnson of Brick, N.J., with threatening employees of five civil rights organizations that work to improve opportunities for and challenge discrimination against Latinos in the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Virginia Resident Pleads Guilty to Bribing Former Panamanian Government Officials in Connection with Maritime Contract By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:06:35 EST A Virginia resident pleaded guilty today in connection with his role in a conspiracy to pay bribes to former Panamanian government officials. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Canadian Firm and U.S. Subsidiary to Pay $4 Million to Settle Lawsuit in Connection with Sale of Defective Bullet-Proof Vests By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:51:54 EST Lincoln Fabrics Ltd., a Canadian weaver of ballistic fabrics, and its American subsidiary, have agreed to pay the United States $4 million to settle the United States’ lawsuit against Lincoln for violations of the False Claims Act in connection with their role in the weaving of Zylon fabric used in the manufacture and sale of defective Zylon bullet-proof vests. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Announces New Intellectual Property Task Force as Part of Broad IP Enforcement Initiative By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:53:50 EST Attorney General Eric Holder today announced the formation of a new Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property as part of a Department-wide initiative to confront the growing number of domestic and international intellectual property (IP) crimes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Unveils Plan of Action for Consultation and Coordination with Tribes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:09:54 EST The Justice Department’s plan identifies the steps it will take to develop a comprehensive consultation and coordination policy with tribal nations, after robust tribal input. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Second Californian Pleads Guilty to False Tax Refund Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:33:42 EST Ather Ali of Diamond Bar, Calif., pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Eric Holder Addresses the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:49 EST "Let me be clear, we enhance public safety by incarcerating those who harm our neighbors and our communities. This is a fact. But in our work to protect the American people, incarceration cannot be our only law enforcement strategy," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
o Attorney General Holder Welcomes Judge Susan B. Carbon as Director of Office on Violence Against Women By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:11:38 EST “I am pleased to welcome Judge Carbon to the Justice Department and to the Office on Violence Against Women,” said Attorney General Holder. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Federal Officials Close the Investigation into the Death of Sean Bell By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:37:22 EST There is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers involved in the fatal shooting of Sean Bell. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Virginia Doctor Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Involving Undeclared Swiss Bank Account By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:33:22 EST Dr. Andrew Silva of Sterling, Va., pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to impede the United States and to making a false statement, the Justice Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Italian Subsidiary of U.S.-Based Company Agrees to Plead Guilty for Participating in International Price-Fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:26:53 EST Parker ITR S.r.l. has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $2.29 million criminal fine for participating in a conspiracy to rig bids, fix prices and allocate market shares of marine hose. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Settles Fair Housing Lawsuit in Nebraska Against the Latvian Tower Condominium Association and Its Former President By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:10:30 EST The Civil Rights Division reached an agreement with the Latvian Tower Condominium Association Inc. and its former president, Karl Tegtmeyer, to settle allegations of discrimination against families with children. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Announces Streamlined Grant Solicitation for Tribal Communities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:09:01 EST "This is a direct result of what we heard from tribal leaders at the department's listening session. Tribal leaders have made it clear that a single application would significantly improve their ability to apply and receive critical federal funding, which so many of their communities depend on," said Associate Attorney General Perrelli. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Guyanese National Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Indian Nationals to the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:03:45 EST Annita Devi Gerald, a Guyanese national, pleaded guilty today to bringing an alien into the United States for commercial gain. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o West Palm Beach, Florida, Resident Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Cramming Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:23:57 EST Willoughby Farr, 46, of West Palm Beach, Fla., has been charged with perpetrating what is known as a cramming scheme, which was designed to place charges on consumers’ telephone bills for collect calls that were not made, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Miami Field Office announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Home Health Agency Owner Pleads Guilty in Connection with Detroit Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:08:12 EST Detroit-area resident Muhammad Shahab pleaded guilty today for his role in organizing a Detroit-area home health care fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Former U.S. Military Contractor Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme Related to Defense Department Contracts in Support of Iraqi War By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:11:31 EST Former military contractor Terry Hall, 43, of Snellville, Ga., pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to pay more than $3 million in bribes to U.S. Army contracting officials stationed at Camp Arifjan, an Army base in Kuwait, and to money laundering conspiracy. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks at the Federal Bar Association’s Advancement of Social Justice Luncheon By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:11:47 EST "Today, it’s also my pleasure to join you in recognizing Kathleen Straus and in celebrating the example of public service reflected in Wade McCree’s life and career," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
o Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Investiture of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:20:52 EST "Today, we celebrate a milestone in Barb McQuade’s remarkable career," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
o Justice Department Signs a Settlement Agreement with North Carolina Company to Ensure Fair Treatment in the Workplace By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:51:13 EST The Department announced a settlement agreement with Sunlight Inc., doing business as Beauty Smart, of Durham, N.C., to resolve allegations of a pattern or practice of discrimination in recruitment and hiring on the basis of national origin. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Two Former Executives of Video Relay Services Company Plead Guilty to Defrauding FCC Program By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:56:58 EST Irma Azrelyant and Joshua Finkle, the former co-owners of New York and New Jersey-based Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreting Services Inc. (DHIS), pleaded guilty today to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Video Relay Service (VRS) program of more than $7 million. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Settles with Ohio Child Care Center to End Discrimination Against Children with Asthma By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:32:44 EST The Department announced a settlement agreement with The Children’s House Inc. of Broadview Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, to provide services for children with asthma as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Department of Justice and USDA Announce Historic Settlement in Lawsuit by Black Farmers Claiming Discrimination by USDA By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:08:47 EST The settlement agreement reached today, which is contingent on appropriation by Congress, will provide a total of $1.25 billion to African American farmers who alleged that they suffered racial discrimination in USDA farm loan programs. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Alleged Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Extradited from Mexico to United States to Face Federal Drug-trafficking Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:31:49 EST An allegedly high-ranking leader of one of Mexico’s largest drug cartels, whose father allegedly heads a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and is among Mexico’s most powerful drug kingpins, was extradited today from Mexico to face federal narcotics trafficking conspiracy charges in the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o U.S. Army Contracting Official Charged with Bribery and Related Crimes in Off-Post Housing Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:03:02 EST A U.S. Army contracting official was charged today with bribery and unlawful salary supplementation in connection with two schemes to solicit more than $30,000 in bribes from an Egyptian businessman in Kuwait. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Statement of the Department of Justice Antitrust Division on Its Decision to Close Its Investigation of the Internet Search and Paid Search Advertising Agreement Between Microsoft Corporation and Yahoo! Inc. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:31:00 EST "After a thorough review of the evidence, the division has determined that the proposed transaction is not likely to substantially lessen competition in the United States." Full Article OPA Press Releases