o Justice Department Announces Lawsuit to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in Guam By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 09:29:32 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Guam and its election officials seeking emergency relief to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Eighty-Nine Law Enforcement Officers and 44 Others Indicted for Drug Trafficking Crimes in Puerto Rico By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 12:07:38 EDT Eighty-nine law enforcement officers and 44 others in Puerto Rico have been charged in 26 indictments unsealed today and returned by a grand jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the month of September 2010. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Atlanta Jury Convicts Two Members of Group of DVD and CD Counterfeiters and Suppliers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 08:56:41 EDT Mamadou Sadio Barry and Moussa Baradji were convicted today for their involvement in a counterfeit DVD and CD ring. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Operation Guard Shack Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 12:14:29 EDT "Today I’m pleased to be joined by the United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez, and FBI Executive Assistant Director, Shawn Henry, to announce the results of Operation Guard Shack – the largest police corruption investigation in FBI history." Full Article Speech
o Wyoming Used Car Dealer Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Odometer Tampering Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 17:27:03 EDT Jay Lee (aka Michael Smith; John Marks; Ricky Marks; and Anthony Romero) was sentenced today in connection with an odometer tampering scheme that defrauded numerous victims in Wyoming, Colorado and other places, the Justice Department announced. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Four California Police Officers Indicted for Civil Rights Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 18:41:02 EDT A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging former Fresno, Calif., Police Department (FPD) Officers Christopher Coleman, 42; Paul Van Dalen, 44; and Sean Plymale, 41; and current FPD Sergeant Michael Manfredi, 50, with civil rights and obstruction of justice offenses related to the assault of a man in their custody in October 2005. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Department Announces $110 Million for Reentry Programs; Efforts to Reduce Spending on Corrections By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 10:28:30 EDT Speaking at the European Offenders Employment Forum today, Attorney General Eric Holder announced $110 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 funding for the Second Chance Act reentry grants and the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Department Announces Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters from Nevada By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 10:53:26 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement with Nevada officials to help ensure that military service members and U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o North America’s Largest Lead Producer to Spend $65 Million to Correct Environmental Violations at Missouri Facilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 14:45:05 EDT Doe Run Resources Corp. of St. Louis, North America’s largest lead producer, has agreed to spend approximately $65 million to correct violations of several environmental laws at 10 of its lead mining, milling and smelting facilities in southeast Missouri, the Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Foreign National Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Role in International Money Laundering Scheme Involving Online Sales By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 18:31:43 EDT A Bulgarian national was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for his role as a money launderer for a transnational criminal group based in Eastern Europe, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Army Major Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for False Statements Charge Related to Attempt to Smuggle Currency from Iraq to the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 18:43:22 EDT U.S. Army Major Charles E. Sublett, 46, of Huntsville, Ala., was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for making false statements to a federal agency, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Holder Speaks at the European Offenders Employment Forum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 10:31:40 EDT "Today, we have a unique, and critically important, opportunity – the chance to identify and to advance some of the world’s most effective public safety and prisoner reentry strategies." Full Article Speech
o Former U.S. Marshals Service Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft of $104,000 in Government Funds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:24:23 EDT Former U.S. Marshals Service employee, Sno H. Rush, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Washington to stealing $104,000 in government funds. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Announces Lawsuit to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in New York By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:40:48 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has filed a lawsuit against the state of New York seeking relief to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election and future federal elections. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Owner of Two Houston Health Care Companies Pleads Guilty in Connection with Schemes to Defraud Medicare of $6.3 Million By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:01:37 EDT Princewill Njoku, 51, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Gray Miller in Houston to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Reaches Agreement to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters in New Mexico By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:47:00 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached an agreement with New Mexico officials to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o ConocoPhillips Company and Sasol North America Agree to Reimburse Costs for Calcasieu Estuary, Bayou Verdine Cleanup By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:16:22 EDT The Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Attorney’s Office announced today, the settlement of claims against ConocoPhillips Company and Sasol North America Inc. to resolve their liability to EPA under CERCLA for contamination in the Calcasieu Estuary of Louisiana. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o 73 Members and Associates of Organized Crime Enterprise, Others Indicted for Health Care Fraud Crimes Involving More Than $163 Million By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:38:50 EDT Seventy-three defendants, including a number of alleged members and associates of an Armenian-American organized crime enterprise, were charged in indictments unsealed today in five judicial districts with various health care fraud-related crimes involving more than $163 million in fraudulent billing. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Concludes No Federal Criminal Violation in the Death of Imam Abdullah in Dearborn By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:42:24 EDT The Justice Department announced today that the evidence does not reveal a violation of the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute or warrant further federal criminal investigation in the death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, a Detroit Muslim cleric, who was shot during an Oct. 28, 2009, arrest by FBI agents in Dearborn, Mich. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Jury Finds Asbestos Air Monitoring Company and Employees Guilty of Clean Air Act and Fraud Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:33:36 EDT A federal jury in Utica, N.Y. has found Certified Environmental Services Inc. (CES); two of its managers, Nicole Copeland and Elisa Dunn; and one of its employees, Sandy Allen, guilty of conspiring to aid and abet Clean Air Act violations, commit mail fraud, and defraud the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Northern Virginia Couple Indicted for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:10:46 EDT A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., returned an indictment against a married couple from Fairfax Station, Va., for conspiracy, bank fraud and tax evasion. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Files Fair Housing Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination at Royal Arms Apartment Complex in Ohio By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:34:37 EDT The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of Royal Arms Apartments, a 26-unit apartment building in Ravenna, Ohio, for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating on the basis of familial status in the rental of apartments. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Hawaii Man Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Molesting Minor on an Airplane By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:15:02 EDT Curtis Keith Cooper of Princeville, Hawaii, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for molesting a minor while aboard a flight from Hawaii to California in July 2003, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Florence T. Nakakuni. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Announces Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-related Employment Discrimination By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:45:57 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has awarded $720,321 in grants to 13 organizations throughout the country to conduct public education programs for workers and employers about federal protections against immigration-related job discrimination. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Sues to Shut Down North Carolina Tax Preparer By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:58:29 EDT The United States has sued a Bryson City, N.C., tax return preparer seeking to bar her and her company from preparing federal tax returns for others. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o U.S. Files PCB Cleanup Lawsuit Against 12 Polluters of Wisconsin’s Fox River By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:47:54 EDT The Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced the filing of a major lawsuit today against 10 companies and two municipalities to require continued environmental cleanup work at Wisconsin’s Lower Fox River and Green Bay Site. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o South Carolina Woman Pleads Guilty to Preparing False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:52:35 EDT A McCormick, S.C., tax return preparer pleaded guilty today to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Ninth Taiwan Executive Indicted for Participating in Global LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:18:52 EDT A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned an indictment against a former executive of a Taiwan thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) producer for participating in a global conspiracy to fix prices of TFT-LCD panels. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Michigan Clinic Operator Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for His Role in a Fraudulent Home Health Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:02:31 EDT A patient recruiter and operator of a Detroit-area home health agency was sentenced to 63 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Two Shenandoah, Pa., Men Convicted of Hate Crime in the Fatal Beating of Luis Ramirez By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:43:20 EDT A federal jury in Scranton, Pa., has convicted Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak, both of Shenandoah, Pa., of a hate crime arising out of the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Holder Speaks at the Groundbreaking of the National Law Enforcement Museum By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:11:39 EDT "I am proud to be a part of this celebration. And I am honored to gather with so many partners, public servants, and distinguished guests as we break ground on a center that will become a place of learning and healing, of reflection and inspiration." Full Article Speech
o Attorney General Holder Speaks at the 2010 Shriver Center Awards Dinner By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:00:37 EDT "Your efforts have helped to establish the Shriver Center as the authoritative international resource center on poverty law – and as a powerful voice for the most vulnerable among us. For more than three decades, you’ve fought to protect the rights and best interests of Americans in need and at risk." Full Article Speech
o 7 More Houston-area Residents Charged in $5 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:16:37 EDT Seven additional Houston-area residents who allegedly served as patient recruiters and a nurse have been charged for their alleged participation in a $5 million Medicare home healthcare fraud scheme. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o U.S. Embassy Employee in Iraq Charged with Theft of Public Funds and Conflict of Interest By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:59:27 EDT A foreign national employed at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, was charged today with theft of public money and acts affecting a personal financial interest in connection with $237,236 in U.S. Government funds. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Reached Agreements to Protect Rights of Military and Overseas Voters from New York, Kansas and Mississippi By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:19:29 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached agreements with New York, Kansas and Mississippi officials to help ensure that military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have an opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 2, 2010, federal general election. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:19:10 EDT The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) alleging that provisions of its agreements with hospitals raise hospital prices, prevent other insurers from entering the marketplace and discourage discounts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Colorado Couple Sentenced for Illegal Trapping and Sale of Bobcats By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:45:23 EDT A Colorado couple has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Denver on charges related to the illegal trapping and interstate sale of bobcats. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Files Brief in Support of Continued Construction of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Mosque By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:15:10 EDT The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division today filed an amicus brief in support of a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn., that has met with community opposition and a lawsuit. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney Holds Pen-and-Pad Briefing on Antitrust Health Care Matter By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:34:08 EDT "This morning, we filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Michigan against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan alleging that provisions in their agreements with hospitals stifle competition, resulting in higher health insurance prices for consumers in Michigan," said Assistant Attorney General Varney. Full Article Speech
o Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the International Intellectual Property Summit By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:37:55 EDT "As global criminal networks increasingly fund their illicit activities through intellectual property crimes, our challenge is not simply to keep up," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
o Justice Department Obtains Comprehensive Agreement Regarding the State of Georgia’s Mental Health and Developmental Disability System By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:41:01 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement that will transform the state of Georgia’s mental health and developmental disability system and resolve a lawsuit the United States brought against the state. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Justice Department Settles Allegations of Immigration-related Employment Discrimination Against Catholic Healthcare West By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:56:21 EDT The Justice Department today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) to resolve allegations that CHW engaged in a pattern or practice of citizenship status discrimination by imposing unnecessary and discriminatory hurdles to employment for work-authorized individuals. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o North Carolina Doctor Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Tax Crimes By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:45:05 EDT Rodney K. Justin, a medical doctor from Woodleaf, N.C., was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay over $600,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for obstructing the internal revenue laws and for failing to file tax returns for several years. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Attorney General Holder and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announce Settlement Agreement with Native American Farmers Claiming Discrimination by USDA By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:23:38 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed against USDA by Native American farmers alleging discrimination by USDA. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Attempting to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction to Bomb Skyscraper in Downtown Dallas By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:57:36 EDT Hosam Maher Husein Smadi was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn to 24 years in prison for his attempted bombing of a downtown Dallas skyscraper in September 2009. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Delivers Keynote Address at Money Laundering Enforcement Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:34:23 EDT "Over the last quarter century, asset forfeiture and money laundering prosecutions have become integral to our country’s law enforcement strategy," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. Full Article Speech
o United States Announces Approximately $773 Million Settlement with GM to Resolve Environmental Liabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:13:17 EDT The United States, 14 states and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe have entered into a settlement agreement with Chapter 11 debtor Motors Liquidation Companyformerly known as General Motors Corporation, to settle certain environmental liabilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and state environmental laws. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Employees of Latino Civil Rights Organizations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:38:00 EDT Vincent Johnson of Brick, N.J., who went by the internet pseudonym “Devilfish,” pleaded guilty in federal court in Trenton, N.J., to multiple charges related to a series of threatening communications he sent to 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 Man Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Encouraging Violent Jihadists to Kill U.s. Citizens By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:15:07 EDT Zachary Adam Chesser, 20, of Fairfax County, Va., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Liam O’Grady to a three-count criminal information that included charges of communicating threats against the writers of the South Park television show, soliciting violent jihadists to desensitize law enforcement, and attempting to provide material support to Al-Shabaab, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Full Article OPA Press Releases
o California-based Mailing Firms to Pay $4.2 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations for Underpayment of Postage By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:55:13 EDT California-based companies Quicksort Inc., Quicksort LA Inc. and Quicksort Sacramento Inc. have agreed to pay the United States $4.2 million to settle allegations that Quicksort violated the False Claims Act by falsely representing the level to which it had pre-sorted mailings in order to obtain discounted postage rates from the U.S. Postal Service. Full Article OPA Press Releases