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Former CIA Officer Arrested for Alleged Unauthorized Disclosure of National Defense Information and Obstruction of Justice

A former CIA officer was arrested today on charges that he illegally disclosed national defense information and obstructed justice.



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Wife of Convicted Felon Thomas Parenteau Sentenced in Ohio to 33 Months in Prison for Money Laundering Conspiracy

Marsha Parenteau of Dublin, Ohio, has been sentenced for conspiring to commit money laundering, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced.



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New Orleans Doctor and Owner of Medical Equipment Company Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in Baton Rouge-area Medicare Fraud Scheme

A New Orleans-area medical doctor and the owner and operator of a medical equipment company were sentenced today to 48 and 30 months in prison.



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Individual Pleads Guilty to Defrauding FCC Video Relay Service Program

Marc Velasquez pleaded guilty today to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Video Relay Service (VRS) program.



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Ludlow Falls, Ohio, Builder Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for Filing False Federal Tax Return

Roy W. Bradford was sentenced today in federal district court in Dayton, Ohio, for willfully filing a false federal income tax return for 2004.



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Lobbyist Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Role in Illegal Campaign Contribution Scheme

Paul Magliocchetti, the founder and president of PMA Group Inc., a lobbying firm, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for making hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions and making false statements to a federal agency.



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Former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Bribery in Afghanistan Fuel Theft Scheme

A former U.S. Army staff sergeant was sentenced today to 90 months in prison in connection with a fuel theft scheme to solicit more than $400,000 in bribes from a government contractor in Afghanistan.



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Statement of the Attorney General on Shooting in Arizona

Today’s tragedy in Arizona was a senseless act of violence that has already resulted in devastating loss, including the death of Chief United States District Court Judge John Roll and four other individuals and the wounding of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and a number of others.




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Federal Complaint Filed Against Jared Lee Loughner

The United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, Dennis K. Burke, announced today that his office filed a federal complaint against Jared Lee Loughner.



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Federal Court Permanently Bars Florida Woman from Preparing Federal Tax Returns for Others

A federal court has permanently barred Dianelys Armengol Guevara of Pembroke Pines, Fla., from preparing federal income tax returns for others.



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Justice Department Settles Fair Housing Lawsuit Against Town of Garner, North Carolina

The Justice Department announced today that it has settled its suit against the town of Garner, N.C., and the town’s Board of Adjustment alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act when refused to allow up to eight men recovering from drug and alcohol addictions to live together as a reasonable accommodation.



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Former Leader of MS-13 Gang in San Francisco Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges

A former leader of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, pleaded guilty today in federal court in San Francisco to racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and the use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.



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Former NASA Employee Charged with Illegally Exporting Military Technology to South Korea

An Ohio man was charged with illegally shipping infrared military technology to South Korea.



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Maryland Man Indicted for Filing False Income Tax Returns

A federal grand jury in Greenbelt, Md., today indicted Thomas Robert Turner, a resident of Prince George’s County, Md., for corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws between 2004 and January 2009.



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Pennsylvania Odometer Tamperer Sentenced to 100 Months in Prison

Yakov Babchinetskiy, 43, of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., was sentenced today in Philadelphia by U.S. District Court Judge Legrome D. Davis to 100 months in prison plus three years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to alter odometers on used motor vehicles, provide false odometer statements, and commit wire and securities fraud.



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Cincinnati-Area Man Sentenced 30 Months in Prison for Tax Crimes

Homer Lee Richardson of Loveland, Ohio, was sentenced today for corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue Code, aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return on the behalf of another individual, and filing his own false individual income tax returns for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000.



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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Observance Program

"Each year, this time provides an opportunity for each of us to rededicate ourselves to Dr. King’s dream of racial, social, and economic justice. It is also a reminder of the power and importance of service to others."




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Medical Device Manufacturer Guidant Sentenced for Failure to Report Defibrillator Safety Problems to FDA

Guidant LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corporation, was formally convicted and sentenced today in St. Paul, Minn., for criminal violations relating to its interactions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).



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Illinois Commercial Print Broker Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement to the Government Printing Office

An Illinois commercial print broker pleaded guilty today to making false statements in a bid submitted to the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO).



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Federal Court Permanently Bars South Florida Man from Preparing Tax Returns for Others

A federal court has permanently barred Sony Ducasse of Greenacres, Fla., from preparing federal income tax returns for others.



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Detroit Area Strip Club Owner Pleads Guilty to Using Computer Software Program to Delete Club’s Sales in Order to Cheat on Taxes

Nicholas J. Faranso of Farmington Hills, Mich., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge John Corbett O’Meara in the Eastern District of Michigan to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced.



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Assistant Attorney General David Kris Announces Departure from National Security Division

David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, announced his resignation from the Department of Justice today, effective March 4, 2011.



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Minnesota-based National Hardware Store Distributor Fastenal to Pay U.S. $6.25 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

Fastenal Company, a national hardware store distributor, has reached a settlement with the United States following an investigation of alleged false claims in connection with a General Services Administration contract.



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U.S. Announces Clean Air Act Settlement to Protect Public Health in Indiana

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) has signed a settlement agreement in which it has agreed to invest approximately $600 million in pollution control technology to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act.



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Miami Contractor Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Employment Tax Fraud

Axel Rafael Mercado was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Patricia A. Seitz to 24 months in prison for tax evasion.



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Detroit-Area Men Charged with Tax Evasion

A federal grand jury in Detroit has returned a 14-count indictment against Michigan residents David A. Cusumano and Henry Nino.



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Taiwan Hannstar Executive Indicted for Role in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy

A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned an indictment against the current president of HannStar Display Corporation for his participation in a global conspiracy to fix prices of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels.



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Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Assistant Attorney General Ignacia Moreno on 2011 Priorities for the Environment and Natural Resources Division

It is always a pleasure for me to see my long-time friends at the D.C. Bar. I have been a D.C. Bar member since 1991 – that is 20 years – and have served on various Bar committees and participated in pro bono activities sponsored by the Bar.




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Large Network of Private Schools Pays $215,000 to Settle Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Against Children with Disabilities

The Justice Department today announced the settlement of a lawsuit filed to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. (NLC), a private, for-profit entity that operates a nationwide network of more than 180 preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools.



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Two Men Plead Guilty to Federal Hate Crime Charge Related to Desecration of Synagogue and Churches in Modesto, California

Brian Lewis of Modesto, Calif., and Abel Mark Gonzalez of Morgan Hill, Calif., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to conspiring to violate the civil rights of congregants of Congregation Beth Shalom, a synagogue in Modesto, Calif.



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Co-Founder of Casino-Cheating Criminal Enterprise Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy Targeting Casinos Across the United States

The co-founder of a criminal enterprise known as the "Tran Organization" pleaded guilty today in San Diego to conspiring to participate in the organization’s scheme to cheat casinos across the country out of millions of dollars.



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Nacogdoches, Texas, Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Murders

A Nacogdoches, Texas, man pleaded guilty today to charges related to a double homicide which took place in Nacogdoches in August 2007.



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President of Florida Corporation Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Money Laundering Related to Child Pornography Distribution

The president and co-director of a Florida corporation was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for money laundering related to proceeds generated by the corporation through its distribution of child pornography.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Environmental Protection Agency’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program

"In this time of inexplicable loss, the power of Dr. King’s example – and the importance of his commitment to, and pursuit of, justice – are brought into stark focus."




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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Shiloh Baptist Church Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast

"I wish that Dr. King could be here with us to see the America that he helped to create," said Attorney General Holder.




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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Ebenezer Baptist Church Worship Service and Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

"Here, in the church that Reverend King called his home, and in houses of worship across America – his spirit lives," said Attorney General Holder.




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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the King Center’s Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Event

"Dr. King’s example provides proof that, in the work of promoting peace and ensuring justice, one person can make a difference," said Attorney General Holder.




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Justice Department Allows Comcast-NBCU Joint Venture to Proceed with Conditions

The Department of Justice announced today a settlement with Comcast Corp. and General Electric Co.’s subsidiary NBC Universal Inc. (NBCU) that allows their joint venture to proceed conditioned on the parties’ agreement to license programming to online competitors to Comcast’s cable TV services, subject themselves to anti-retaliation provisions and adhere to Open Internet requirements.



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Attorney General Holder Leads Stalking Awareness Event

Attorney General Eric Holder, Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli and Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Susan B. Carbon today opened an event focused on the complexities and impact of stalking crimes.



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Attorney General Creates Professional Misconduct Review Unit, Appoints Kevin Ohlson Chief

Attorney General Eric Holder announced today the creation of a new Professional Misconduct Review Unit to handle disciplinary actions for career attorneys at the Department of Justice that arise from Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigations and appointed Kevin Ohlson to be its Chief.



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Justice Department Settles Lawsuit in California Against Titan Laboratories Inc. and Its Owner to Enforce the Employment Rights of Army Reserve Member

The Justice Department today announced that it has reached a settlement on behalf of U.S. Army reservist Miguel Orozco Garduño (Orozco) in its lawsuit against Titan Laboratories Inc., and its owner Harvey Berger.



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Imprisoned Spy Sentenced to 8 More Years for Conspiracy to Act as an Agent of the Russian Government and Money Laundering

Harold James Nicholson, 59, was sentenced today to 96 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown following his guilty pleas to the crimes of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government and conspiracy to commit international money laundering.



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Justice Department Settles Housing Discrimination Lawsuit Against Mississippi Mobile Home Park Owner and Managers

The Justice Department today announced that Mississippi property owner Indigo Investments LLC, has agreed to pay $50,000 in monetary damages and civil penalties to settle the government’s Fair Housing Act lawsuit.



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Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney Holds Briefing on Comcast/NBCU Joint Venture

"The Antitrust Division conducted a thorough investigation of the Comcast and NBC Universal joint venture to examine the competitive effects of the transaction," said Assistant Attorney General Varney.




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Army Contracting Officer Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Bribery

Judge Arguello also ordered Army Major Roderick D. Sanchez, 45, of Pueblo, Colo., to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, and to pay a $15,000 fine.



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Justice Department Obtains $35,000 Discrimination Settlement Against Chicago-area Landlord

The Justice Department announced today that Orland Park, Ill., property owner Terence Flanagan has agreed to pay $35,000 in monetary damages and civil penalties to settle consolidated Fair Housing Act lawsuits against him.



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Lufkin, Texas, Man Pleads Guilty to Involvement in Murders

A Lufkin, Texas, man pleaded guilty today to charges related to a double homicide that took place in Nacogdoches, Texas, in August 2007.



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Jared Lee Loughner Indicted

A federal grand jury in Tucson, today returned an initial three-count indictment against Jared Lee Loughner for attempting to kill U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and two of her aides, Ron Barber and Pamela Simon.



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Alleged Terrorist Charged with Conspiracy to Kill Americans in Iraq

Faruq Khalil Muhammad ‘Isa, 38, was arrested in Canada today pursuant to a U.S. provisional arrest warrant, based on a complaint in the United States charging him with conspiring to kill Americans abroad and with providing material support to that terrorist conspiracy to kill Americans abroad.



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Belarusian National Pleads Guilty to International Online Scheme to Steal U.S. Tax Refunds

A Belarusian national and resident of Nantucket, Mass., pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from his participation in an international online scheme to steal income tax refunds from U.S. taxpayers around the country.



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