o

Attorney General Eric Holder Addresses the Department of Justice National Symposium on Indigent Defense: Looking Back, Looking Forward, 2000–2010

I have every expectation that our criminal defense system can, and will, be a source of tremendous national pride. And I know that achieving this requires the best that we, as a profession and as a people, have to offer.




o

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks Before the Alliance of Concerned Men Town Hall Meeting on Fatherhood and Youth Violence

The plain truth is that youth violence is far-too common. There’s no single cause and no simple solution. But we know one important contributor is the absence of a responsible, loving father. Here in D.C., where half of African-American households don’t include even one grown man, the implications of this fact could not be clearer.




o

Massachusetts Hospital Agrees to Pay U.S. $2.79 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

Mercy Hospital Inc. of Springfield, Mass., has agreed to pay the United States $2,799,462 to settle claims that it violated the False Claims Act between 2005 and 2006 by failing to provide, or failing to document that it provided, the minimum number of hours of rehabilitation therapy required under Medicare guidelines.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Attorney General Holder Announces Creation of Tribal Nations Leadership Council

The TNLC marks the first time a council composed of tribal leaders selected by tribal governments will advise Justice Department leadership on an ongoing basis.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department and FBI Announce Formal Conclusion of Investigation into 2001 Anthrax Attacks

The investigation into the 2001 anthrax attacks, which killed five individuals and sickened 17 others, has formally concluded.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Florida Businessman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering in Foreign Bribery Scheme

The president of a Miami-Dade County, Fla.,-based company pleaded guilty today to engaging in monetary transactions involving property derived from a scheme to bribe former Haitian government officials.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Shipping Firm Sentenced to Pay $10 Million for Causing Cosco Busan Oil Spill and Coverup

Fleet Management Ltd. was ordered to pay $10 million today for its role in causing the Cosco Busan oil discharge and a subsequent cover-up after the ship struck the San Francisco Bay Bridge in November 2007.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Indictment Charging Four Individuals Unsealed in Condominium Asbestos Case

An 11-count indictment was unsealed today charging four individuals with conspiracy, violations of the Clean Air Act, and making false statements for their roles in a scheme to improperly remove and dispose of asbestos from multiple condominiums in Florida.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department Obtains More Than $2 Million to Settle Claims of Housing Discrimination Against Former Owners and Managers of Kansas City Apartment Complex

The combined $2.13 million settlement represents the second largest monetary payment ever obtained by the department in a fair housing case alleging housing discrimination in the rental of apartments.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Attorney General Holder Speaks at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Graduation

"Today, I’m pleased to welcome the 51 new members to our nation’s law enforcement community and to our shared work. Though this community spans every state and county, and across all levels of government, in many ways we are, like this class, one team."




o

Eon Labs Pays U.S. $3.5 Million to Settle Allegations of Submitting False Claims to Medicaid

Eon Labs Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $3.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations relating to the company's drug Nitroglycerin Sustained Release (SR) capsules.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Cummins Inc. Agrees to Pay $2.1 Million Penalty for Diesel Engine Clean Air Act Violations

Cummins Inc., a major motor vehicle engine company based in Columbus, Ind., will pay a $2.1 million penalty and recall 405 engines under a settlement agreement resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda

Among other things, Zazi admitted that he brought TATP [Triacetone Triperoxide] explosives to New York on Sept. 10, 2009, as part of plan to attack the New York subway system.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department Requires KeySpan to Disgorge $12 Million in Profits from Anticompetitive Agreement

The Department announced a settlement with KeySpan Corporation that requires KeySpan to pay $12 million for violating the antitrust laws by entering into an agreement restraining competition in the New York City electricity capacity market.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Unauthorized Recording of Newly Released Motion Pictures in Movie Theater

Keshawn Deron Wilson of Asbury Park, N.J., pleaded guilty today in Tampa, Fla., to federal charges of using a video camera to record then newly-released motion pictures in a New Jersey theater.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department Seeks to Stop South Florida Tax Preparers Who Allegedly Claim False Home Buyer Credits

The United States has asked a federal court to stop two Miami-based tax return preparers from improperly claiming the First-Time Home Buyer Credit.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Department of Justice and USDA Workshops to Explore Competition and Regulatory Issues in the Agriculture Industry to Begin March 12 in Iowa

The goals of the workshops are to promote dialogue among interested parties and foster learning with respect to the appropriate legal and economic analyses of these issues, as well as to listen to and learn from parties with experience in the agriculture sector.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Obstructing DOJ Office of the Inspector General

A federal inmate pleaded guilty today in Kansas City, Mo., to obstruction of justice by making false statements and creating false evidence related to identity theft in an attempt to lessen penalties for charges in an underlying case.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Former Representative of Backfill Subcontractor Sentenced to 33 Months in Jail for Kickback and Fraud Scheme

James E. Haas Jr., a former representative of a New Jersey subcontractor, pleaded guilty in October 2009, to an indictment charging that he engaged in a kickback and fraud conspiracy at the Federal Creosote Superfund site in Manville, N.J.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Fourth Annual National Fusion Center Conference

"I’m proud of what’s been accomplished, in a very short time, by our fusion centers," said Attorney General Holder.




o

United States Transfers Three Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Albania

The United States is grateful to the Government of Albania for its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

United States Transfers Guantanamo Bay Detainee to Spain

The United States is grateful to the Government of Spain for its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Court in Texas Bars 12 Sub-Promoters of Alleged $30 Million Scam Involving Tax Credits Based on Fictitious Methane Production at Landfills

A federal judge in Beaumont, Texas, has permanently barred 12 people from promoting an alleged tax fraud scheme involving bogus income tax credits.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Department of Justice Will Not Challenge Proposed Online Subscription News Service

Based on representations made by MyWire Inc., the department said that the formation and operation of the news service is not likely to reduce competition among Internet publishers and could provide procompetitive benefits to both publishers and consumers.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Georgia Man Sentenced for Transporting a Minor for Illegal Sexual Activity

Mack Gordon Harris Sr., 67, was sentenced today to 121 months in prison for transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force Hosts Mortgage Fraud Summit in Miami

Representatives of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force met in Miami today for the first of a series of Mortgage Fraud Summits.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Former New Orleans Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Cover Up the Danziger Bridge Shootings

Michael Lohman, a former Lieutenant of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), has pleaded guilty to conspiring with fellow NOPD officers to obstruct justice by covering up a police-involved shooting that occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department Requires Divestitures in Order for Bemis Company Inc. to Proceed with Its Acquisition of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas Business

Without the divestitures, the department said the acquisition would lead to higher prices, lower quality, less favorable supply-chain options, reduced technical support and less innovation.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Alleging Disability-Based Housing Discrimination at 21 Multifamily Housing Complexes in Tennessee

The Department announced a settlement of its lawsuit alleging that the owners and developers involved in the design and construction of 21 multifamily housing complexes in Tennessee discriminated on the basis of disability.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Texas Gang Members Found Guilty of Multiple Murder, Narcotics and Firearms Charges

The leader of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN) in Texas and one of his enforcers were found guilty this afternoon on multiple charges related to their participation in a large scale narcotics and firearms trafficking conspiracy.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Rio De Janeiro Prosecutor General’s Office

"I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to meet with my Brazilian enforcement colleagues to discuss the challenges both our countries face in protecting the intellectual property that is so vital to our economic infrastructure and security," said Attorney General Holder.




o

Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in New York to Pay U.S. $2.92 Million to Resolve Fraud Allegations

Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, a Long Island, N.Y.-based hospital, has agreed to pay $2.92 million, plus interest, to settle allegations that the hospital defrauded Medicare.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Two Charged with Terror Violations in Connection with New York Subway Plot

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of New York has returned a superseding indictment charging Zarein Ahmedzay and Adis Medunjanin with terrorism violations stemming from, among other activities, their alleged roles in the plot involving Najibullah Zazi to attack the New York subway system in mid-September 2009



  • OPA Press Releases

o

New York Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Copyright Infringement for Selling Pirated Computer Software Using the Internet

A New York man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., to criminal copyright infringement for selling more than $250,000 worth of pirated copies of popular business, engineering and graphic design software programs.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Medical Device Manufacturer Guidant Charged in Failure to Report Defibrillator Safety Problems to FDA

Medical device manufacturer Guidant LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corporation, was charged today with criminal violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act related to safety problems with some of its implantable defibrillators.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Two Iowa Men Indicted for Clean Air Act Violations

A federal grand jury in Des Moines, Iowa, has returned an indictment charging Robert Joe Knapp, the owner of Equitable L.P.; and Russell William Coco, the supervisor for Knapp, with committing violations of the Clean Air Act while they were overseeing the demolition and renovation of The Equitable Building.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Testifies Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

"We must invest today to improve public safety in tribal communities. The problems in tribal communities are severe: American Indian and Alaska Native communities suffer from violent crime at far higher rates than other Americans."




o

Two Atlanta-Based Nursing Home Chains and Their Principals Pay $14 Million to Settle False Claims Act Case

Atlanta-based Mariner Health Care Inc. and SavaSeniorCare Administrative Services LLC, as well as their principals, Leonard Grunstein, Murray Forman and Rubin Schron, have agreed to pay the United States and several states $14 million.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Mort’s Concrete Inc., and Owner to Enforce Employment Rights of Wisconsin Army National Guardsman

The Department has reached a settlement in its lawsuit filed on behalf of Wisconsin Army National Guardsman Rocco Sylvester Jr., against Mort’s Concrete Inc. and Kevin Mortimer.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against Fresno County, California to Protect Employment Rights of Navy Reservist

The Department has reached a settlement with the county of Fresno, Calif., on behalf of Navy Reservist Porotesano Faapouli.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler on the OPR Investigation into OLC Memoranda

"Although some may disagree with our conclusions, we are confident that the Department followed an appropriate process in reviewing the OPR results and reaching a final resolution of this matter," said the Acting Deputy Attorney General.




o

Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Texas

The Department will monitor primary elections on March 2, 2010, in Fort Bend, Galveston, Gonzales, Williamson, and Wilson Counties in Texas, to ensure compliance with the minority language requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federal voting rights statutes.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

BAE Systems PLC Pleads Guilty and Ordered to Pay $400 Million Criminal Fine

"Today, BAE Systems pleaded guilty to knowingly and willfully making false statements to U.S. government agencies. The actions of BAE Systems impeded U.S. efforts to ensure international trade is free of corruption and to maintain control over sensitive U.S. technology," said Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

San Diego Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud

Fe S. Garrett, a resident of National City, Calif., was sentenced today to 65 months in prison and ordered to pay $377,468 in restitution by U.S. Judge M. James Lorenz in San Diego.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Orange City Landlord and Manager to Pay $100,000 in Civil Penalties as Part of Settlement of Justice Department Housing Discrimination Lawsuit

“Equal access to housing is a basic necessity and a civil right, and the Fair Housing Act guarantees that all individuals can access that right free from discrimination,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Jury Convicts Fresno, Calif., Patient Recruiter of Medicare Fraud in Power Wheelchair Scam

A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted a Fresno woman late Friday after it found that she committed Medicare fraud by recruiting patients for the purpose of receiving unnecessary power wheelchairs.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Three Houston Defendants Plead Guilty in Connection With “Arthritis Kit” Fraud Scheme

Bassey Monday Idiong, Linda Eteimo Ere Kendabie and Modupe Babanumi each pleaded guilty today in connection with their roles in an "arthritis kit" Medicare fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Two Former Executives of Medical Manager Found Guilty in Securities Fraud Scheme

Two former executives of Medical Manager Health Systems Inc., a subsidiary of WebMD Corporation from 2000 to 2005, were convicted today by a federal jury in Charleston, S.C., with participating in a conspiracy to fraudulently inflate the reported earnings of Medical Manager by more than $16.8 million between 1997 and 2003.



  • OPA Press Releases

o

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Delivers Remarks at Naturalization Ceremony for 50 Citizenship Candidates

You are about to become our newest citizens. Hailing from 24 different countries, each of you represents a different culture, a different language, a different way of dress. But you will each now be American.




o

Justice Department Settlement with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Secures $40,000 for Oklahoma Army Reservist

The Department has reached a settlement, in the form of a consent decree, with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company that, if approved by the U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City, will resolve its lawsuit filed on behalf of Michael J. Ellis, a major in the U.S. Army Reserve.



  • OPA Press Releases